text
stringlengths 1
10.9k
| meta
dict |
|---|---|
Primary Sjögren's syndrome and pregnancy: A report of 18 cases.
Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a condition that predominantly affects women. Reports of pregnancy outcome in these patients are limited and contradictory. To describe pregnancy characteristics and outcomes and newborn morbidity in women with pSS. We included women with pSS who became pregnant after the onset of the symptoms of the disease. Clinical and serological characteristics, risk factors and previous maternal comorbidities are described. For each pregnancy in a woman with pSS, we recorded pregnancy course and outcome and newborn condition. We assessed 11 patients with 18 pregnancies after the onset of pSS symptoms. All of them presented FAN +; 10 anti-Ro / SSA + and 7 anti-La / SSB +. The mean age in years at the onset of symptoms was 24.9 (SD 6.9) and at the time of pregnancy was 30.3 (SD 5.4). Thirteen pregnancies happened before the diagnosis, reporting only one miscarriage. Two preterm births, 1 case of oligohydramnios, 2 of premature membrane rupture and 2 low birthweight babies were reported after the onset of pSS symptoms. There was 1 newborn with congenital atrioventricular block and another with neonatal cutaneous lupus. All the women with pregnancy complications (n=6) had anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. Almost half of the pregnancies assessed in women with pSS were associated with complications not attributable to factors other than the disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preparation of urine samples for proteomic analysis.
Reproducible procedures for the preparation of protein samples isolated from human urine are essential for meaningful proteomic analyses. Key applications are the discovery of novel proteins or their modifications in the human urine as well as protein biomarker discovery for diseases and drug treatments. The methodology presented here features experimental steps aimed at limiting protein losses because of organic solvent precipitation, effective separation of proteins from other compounds in the human urine and molecular weight-based enrichment of proteins in two distinct fractions. Urinary proteins are separated from cellular debris in the urine via centrifugation, concentrated with 5-kDa-cutoff membrane concentration devices and separated via size exclusion chromatography into fractions with a higher and a lower molecular weight than 30 kDa, respectively. A successive optional affinity removal step for highly abundant plasma proteins is described. Finally, buffer exchange steps useful for specific downstream proteomic analysis experiments of urinary proteins are presented, such as 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, differential protein or peptide labeling and digestion with trypsin for LC-MS/MS analysis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Enrichment of human corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells by magnetic bead sorting using SSEA4 as a negative marker.
The use of a specific antibody bound to magnetic beads to isolate subpopulations of cells is an efficient and simple technique that allows for the subsequent study of different cell populations. One important use of this isolation technique is the purification of stem cells from a mixed cell population. In this protocol, we describe a method to purify human corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells or limbal stem cells (LSC), using stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA4) as a negative surface marker. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An in vitro study of salivary film formation at solid/liquid interfaces.
The aim of this study was to use the technique of in situ null ellipsometry to study some aspects of salivary film formation at solid/liquid interfaces. Experiments were performed in a fused quartz cell, and hydrophilic plasma cleaned silica and methylated hydrophobic silica surfaces were used as substrates. Samples of unstimulated whole saliva were allowed to adsorb on the test surfaces for 30 min. After the adsorption period, rinsing was performed for 5 min. Recordings were continued for another 30 min, and then new saliva samples were added in the cell. The results showed that statistically significant higher amounts were adsorbed on the hydrophobic than on the hydrophilic surfaces. The adsorbed films on both types of tested substrates consisted of loosely associated parts which were removed after rinsing and of more tightly adsorbed fractions. A significantly larger fraction was desorbed from the films adsorbed on the hydrophobic than on the hydrophilic surfaces. When saliva was introduced again in the cell, it was shown that the amounts adsorbed attained the values obtained before the rinsings. Increase in the concentration of saliva in the cell without previous rinsing did not cause any further increase in the mass of the adsorbed film. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[A case of metastatic colon cancer to paraaortic lymph nodes and liver treated successfully with oxaliplatin combination chemotherapy].
A 62-year-old female had been operated for sigmoid colon cancer and liver metastasis. We showed our original guideline of adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer to the patient. She selected UFT/LV 3 months after operation. Six months after operation,follow-up CT showed a paraaortic lymph node growing to 1.8 cm. We used FOLFIRI regimen for 3 series, but the nodule size did not change. Twelve months after operation, a new metastatic lesion measuring 2.0 cm appeared in the liver and the paraaortic nodule grew to 3.0 cm in size. We used FOLFOX 4 regimen, which had decreased the size of liver metastasis after only 2 series. After 6 series, liver metastasis disappeared completely and the paraaortic nodule was reduced to 1.2 cm. Making a detailed guideline of adjuvant chemotherapy at each hospital is helpful not only for doctors to have more clinical discretion but for patients to have better-informed consent. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Acid-sensitive hybrid polymeric micelles containing a reversibly activatable cell-penetrating peptide for tumor-specific cytoplasm targeting.
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have become a novel drug delivery system due to their distinct advantages, including high cell transmembrane potency and ability to carry cargo molecules inside cells. However, owing to their cationic charge and non-specificity characteristics, the clinical application of CPPs is limited. In the current study, we engineered a reversibly activatable cell-penetrating peptide (RACPP), containing oligoarginine fused to a pH-sensitive masking sequence via a polyglycine linker ((HE)10G5R6 or HE-CPP) with ultra-pH-sensitivity. The HE-CPP sequence was coupled to the surface of polyethyleneglycol-polylactic acid (PEG-PLA) polymer micelles (PMs-HE-CPP) to realize improve specificity and targeted delivery of encapsulated paclitaxel (PTX). PTX/PMs-HE-CPP showed the satisfactory encapsulated efficiency, loading capacity, size distribution as well as reversible charge-conversion in response to the surrounding pH. The zeta potential of PMs-HE-CPP was negative at pH 7.5, moderately positive at pH 6.5, and even more positive at a lower pH. Coumarin 6-loaded PMs-HE-CPP (C6/PMs-HE-CPP) showed enhanced tumor cellular uptake at a mildly acidic tumor microenvironment (pH 6.5) via energy-dependent and clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Furthermore, PTX/PMs-HE-CPP had significantly higher cytotoxicity toward mice breast cancer (4T1) cells at pH 6.5 versus at pH 7.4. In vivo imaging studies in 4T1-BALB/c tumor xenograft models confirmed the tumor-targeting characteristic of PMs-HE-CPP. PTX/PMs-HE-CPP also exhibited improved anti-tumor efficacy against unmodified polymer micelles and Taxol® in this tumor model. Accordingly, not only do RACPPs show the great potential to endow CPPs with specificity and reversible net-charge converting characteristic, they are also able to improve the targeting effect of nanoparticles. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinicians' perceptions of the clinical utility of the Multiple Errands Test for adults with neurological conditions.
This study examined the clinical utility of the Multiple Errands Test (MET) from the perspective of clinicians. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight occupational therapists. Participants had an average of 12 years clinical experience and their experience using the MET varied. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using framework analysis. Three dominant themes emerged from the data. Theme 1 was that clinicians value the MET because it reflects real-life functioning. Clinicians perceived the MET to be a unique assessment collecting data on functional performance, and sensitive to higher level cognitive deficits. Theme 2 was that the MET could be used flexibly depending on one's rehabilitation goals. Clinicians employed the MET as an assessment to inform the direction of treatment and as a component of their intervention. Theme 3 was that the MET is a challenging assessment requiring buy in and commitment from therapists. This study is the first to report clinicians' perspectives of the clinical utility of the MET. It reinforces the importance of ecologically valid tests, and augments existing research evaluating psychometric properties of the MET by describing how the MET has been employed in rehabilitation settings to improve health outcomes for adults with neurological conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Simultaneous determination of quinocetone and its major metabolites in chicken tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
A convenient, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was firstly established for the simultaneous determination of quinocetone and its 4 major metabolites: 1-desoxyquinocetone, di-deoxyquinocetone, carbonyl reduced metabolite from di-deoxyquinocetone and 3-methyl-quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid in chicken muscle, liver, kidney and fat. Sample was extracted with acetonitrile and chloroform, and further purified by Oasis MAX SPE cartridge. Analysis was performed on a C(18) column by detection with mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode and using a gradient elution program with 0.1% formic acid solution and acetonitrile. The correlation coefficients (r) for each calibration curves are higher than 0.99 within the experimental concentration range. The recoveries of the five target analytes at three spiking levels were between 77.1% and 95.2%, with relative standard deviations less than 15%. The decision limits of the five analytes in chicken edible tissues ranged from 0.24 to 0.76 μg kg(-1), and the detection capabilities were below 2.34 μg kg(-1). The developed method demonstrated a satisfactory applicability in incurred chicken tissue samples. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Using technology to reduce administrative hassle and cost.
The administrative hassles related to managed care contracts can be debilitating, but the right software can tame red tape nightmares considerably. Find out what Brown & Toland Medical Group has done to get control over referrals, authorizations, claims, and eligibility data. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Aims and tasks of medical informatics.
Ten major long-term aims and tasks, so to speak 'grand challenges', for research in the field of medical informatics, including health informatics, are proposed and described. These are the further development of methods and tools of information processing for: (1) diagnostics ('the visible body'); (2) therapy ('medical intervention with as little strain on the patient as possible'); (3) therapy simulation; (4) early-recognition and prevention; (5) compensating physical handicaps; (6) health consulting ('the informed patient'); (7) health reporting; (8) health care information systems; (9) medical documentation and (10) comprehensive documentation of medical knowledge and knowledge-based decision support. Work is, in part, already in progress. To all these aims and tasks medical informatics can and may be should make substantial contributions. Prior to outlining the above aims and tasks, an account is given of the meaning of medical informatics, of the objective it pursues in general and of its achievements so far. The present paper intends to contribute to a broad public discussion of the aims and tasks for research in the field of medical informatics. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nonablative skin resurfacing: the role of PDT.
As demand for less invasive, highly effective cosmetic procedures grows, dermatologists must continue to explore and develop new treatment options. Nonablative skin resurfacing techniques offer an effective and noninvasive treatment for photorejuvenation. Several studies have shown improvement of photodamaged skin and increased collagen production after nonablative treatments using vascular lasers, mid-infrared lasers, intense pulsed light, radiofrequency devices, fractional resurfacing, and plasma skin rejuvenation. Among the novel methods for maximizing the efficacy of nonablative treatment is the concurrent use of a photosensitizing agent. The light sources currently most used for photodynamic rejuvenation are intense pulsed light and pulsed dye laser. We present some preliminary results on rejuvenation using Metvix and red light. We are still far from a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism of rejuvenation with this technique, although a nonspecific immune response could be involved. Understanding the laser-tissue interactions associated with photodynamic therapy is crucial in selecting patients that will most likely benefit. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Functional analysis of macrophage hybridomas. I. Production and initial characterization.
A series of macrophage hybridomas were generated by fusion of splenic adherent cells with P388D1 tumor cells. Forty-two cell lines were established, and each was cloned by limiting dilution. Six clones that exemplified the spectrum of macrophage heterogeneity were selected for further analysis. Qualitative and quantitative differences in phenotype and functional activity were noted. Some clones constitutively expressed Ia antigens, whereas others only expressed detectable levels of Ia after lymphokine activation. The level of antigen-presenting activity generally correlated with the level of Ia expression. Furthermore, interclonal differences were noted in the levels of receptor-mediated phagocytosis and IL 1 secretion. Generally, the hybridoma clones maintained stable phenotypic and functional properties during approximately 1 yr of continuous in vitro culture. These cloned hybridoma cell lines represent a useful resource to analyze macrophage biology and to dissect structure and function relationships. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Reaction of the bone to a cement-free SL femur revision prosthesis. Histologic findings in an autopsy specimen 5 1/2 months after surgery].
A 65-year-old man underwent revision arthroplasty because of loosening of the femoral component. At revision, an SL revision femoral stem (Wagner) was inserted. The patient died unexpectedly five and a half months after this operation and it was possible to study the bony incorporation of the prosthesis microscopically in undecalcified sections with the implant in situ. The stem of the prosthesis was solidly anchored in the distal diaphysis of the femur. The press fit obtained at surgery allowed bridging of the small gaps between the endosteal surface and the eight wings of the stem by direct (primary) bone formation. The newly formed bone was found in direct contact with the titanium surface. Direct bone apposition and good bony anchorage were also found further proximally, especially on the medial aspect of the stem. The proximal shaft of the femur was severely altered by the loosening of the former femoral component. Congruency between the marrow cavity and the shaft of the prosthesis was only possible when the space was filled with a cancellous allograft. There were signs of revascularization and revitalization, but for the most part the graft was still avascular and functioning only as a spacer. The documentation of this specimen provides important information concerning the first and decisive phase of bony incorporation of cementless prostheses, i.e., on the period when the primary stability due to press fit is converted to secondary, possibly definitive, fixation by means of direct bone formation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Paclitaxel restores radiation-induced apoptosis in a bcl-2-expressing, radiation-resistant lymphoma cell line.
To restore radiation-induced apoptosis in a bcl-2-expressing, radiation-resistant murine lymphoma cell line (LY-ar) by pretreatment with paclitaxel (Taxol). Because this cell line also has high intracellular levels of glutathione (GSH), reportedly due to the bcl-2 expression and involved in the cell's antioxidant functions, paclitaxel treatment was correlated with GSH levels. LY-ar cells were pretreated with paclitaxel and then irradiated with 5 Gy. Apoptosis was measured by DNA fragmentation 6 h later. Dose response and time course experiments were performed. Intracellular GSH levels were measured after treatment. Cell survival analysis was performed for various paclitaxel concentrations +/- 5 Gy. LY-ar cells pretreated with 0 nM, 10 nM, 25 nM, and 50 nM paclitaxel for 20 h underwent apoptosis at 2%, 15%, 25%, and 22%, respectively. With the addition of 5-Gy irradiation, LY-ar cell apoptosis increased to 4%, 30%, 49%, and 57%. Maximal apoptosis was detected with a paclitaxel pretreatment time of 20 h. Intracellular GSH levels were reduced by nearly 50% with paclitaxel pretreatment. Surviving fractions (SFs) with 0 nM, 10 nM, 25 nM, and 50 nM paclitaxel and 0 Gy were 1.0, 0.50, 0.08, and 0.05, respectively. SFs with 0 nM, 10 nM, 25 nM, and 50 nM paclitaxel and 5 Gy were 0.009, 0.003, 3 x 10(-5), and 1 x 10(-5), respectively. Radiation-induced apoptosis in LY-ar cells was restored by pretreatment with paclitaxel. This correlated with lowered levels of intracellular GSH. Cell survival analysis indicated that the combination of Taxol and radiation on cell killing was greater than additive. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Erratum.
In the article "NIMH faces renewed uncertainties" by Jeffrey L. Fox (News and Comment, 13 July, p. 148), the first sentence of the first full paragraph of column 2 on page 149 was incorrectly printed. The sentence should have begun, "The 1985 budget for research calls for a modest increase...." | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Short- and long-term variability of echocardiographic stress-velocity indexes of cardiac function in a pediatric population.
This study determined the short- and long-term variability of stress-velocity relationships at end systole and peak systole. A prospective study during the short term (0 to 15 and 0 to 30 minutes) and long term (0 to 1 and 0 to 12 months) was performed calculating variability by the limits of agreement method. The study was performed in a tertiary-care pediatric echocardiographic laboratory. Twenty-five normal children underwent repeat testing as described. Standard blood pressure, carotid pulse tracing, and M-echocardiography of the left ventricle was performed at the intervals described. The rate-corrected mean velocity of fiber shortening (MVCFC), echocardiographic stress at end systole (SES), and echocardiographic stress at peak systole (SPS) were calculated for all recordings. The slopes of MVCFC-SES and MVCFC-SPS were determined by regression and plotted. With these slopes, the second and third stress values were normalized to the first stress value for the short and long term. The differences in normalized MVCFC and MVCFC (delta MVCFC) for 15 to 0 minutes, 30 to 0 months, 1 to 0 month, and 12 to 1 month were obtained for both SES and SPS, and 95% limits of agreement were estimated. The mean delta MVCFC for SES and SPS for the short and long term were not different from 0 or each other, indicating no bias. The 95% limits of agreement of delta MVCFCs (i.e., variability for SES at 15 to 0 minutes, 30 to 0 minutes, 1 to 0 month, and 12 to 0 month) were +/- 0.18, +/- 0.24, +/- 0.34, and +/- 0.27, respectively, and for SPS +/- 0.18, +/- 0.24, +/- 0.33, and +/- 0.28. Variability showed an increasing trend with time but was significant only from 15 to 0 minutes and 1 to 0 month (p = 0.006). This study has established short- and long-term variability in the stress-velocity relationship that is essential for monitoring acute and chronic changes in ventricular contractility in an individual patient. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on dispensing for older person's mental health.
To evaluate the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on the mental health of older people by examining dispensing patterns of psychotropic medication. Dispensing data from community pharmacies for antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and sedative/hypnotics are routinely recorded in a national database. Longitudinal data are available for residents of the Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) (n = 67 760 at study onset) and the rest of New Zealand (n = 469 055 at study onset). We compared older age dispensing data between 2008 and 2018 for Canterbury DHB with older age dispensing data nationally in order to assess the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on the mental health of older persons. Older age residents of Canterbury are dispensed antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics at higher rates than national comparators, but this finding predated the onset of the earthquakes. Short-term increases in anxiolytic and sedative/hypnotic dispensing occurred for the month following the February 2011 earthquake. No other short- or longer-term increases in dispensing of psychiatric medication were present. The February 2011 Canterbury earthquake caused a short-term increase in dispensing of anxiolytics and sedative/hypnotics. No longer-term effects on dispensing were observed. This suggests that older persons sought assistance for insomnia and anxiety in the aftermath of the most devastating earthquake, but longer-term rates of clinically significant anxiety and depression for older persons did not increase as a consequence of the earthquakes sequence. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lumbar corpectomy for correction of degenerative scoliosis from osteoradionecrosis reveals a delayed complication of lumbar myxopapillary ependymoma.
Osteoradionecrosis is a known complication following radiation therapy, presenting most commonly in the cervical spine as a delayed consequence of radiation that is often necessary in the management of head and neck cancers. In contrast, osteoradionecrosis has rarely been described in the lumbar spine. Here we describe, to our knowledge, the first reported case of lumbar spine osteoradionecrosis, after adjuvant radiation for a primary spinal cord tumor, leading to progressive degenerative scoliosis which required subsequent operative management. Established guidelines recommend that mature bone can tolerate a dose of up to 6000 cGy without injury. However, once bone has been exposed to radiation over this level progressive soft tissue changes may lead to devascularization, leaving the bone vulnerable to osteonecrosis, specifically when manipulated. Radiation necrosis can be progressive and lead to eventual mechanical instability requiring debridement and surgical fixation. In the setting of the lumbar spine, osseous necrosis can lead to biomechanical instability, deformity, pain, and neurologic deficit. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Laypeople's conceptions of wisdom and its development: cognitive and integrative views.
This study examined individual differences in laypeople's conceptions of wisdom using a person-oriented approach, as previous studies using a priori group variables may have underestimated the variability. Although there is a tradition of examining people's implicit theories of wisdom, this study is the first to also investigate their views of how wisdom develops. A total of 1955 participants rated the importance of 8 items concerning what wisdom is and 9 items concerning how wisdom develops. Cluster analyses identified 2 conceptions of what wisdom is. Participants with a "cognitive conception" rated cognitive and reflective characteristics as central to wisdom; participants with an "integrative conception" additionally endorsed affective characteristics. Conceptions varied by age and sex. Concerning the development of wisdom, participants with a cognitive conception viewed learning from experiences and from wise persons as central; participants with an integrative conception rated experience with life challenges as equally important. Laypeople's views of wisdom are not unitary, and the way in which wisdom is viewed is related to how it is seen as developing in a person's life. These empirical differences in implicit theories of wisdom map onto theoretical differences in the views of wisdom researchers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The influence of 5-aminosalicylic acid on the progression of colorectal adenomas via the β-catenin signaling pathway.
Surveillance colonoscopy is an important strategy for prevention of colorectal cancer. 5-aminosalicylate (ASA) (mesalazine) is discussed as a chemopreventive agent as it reduces the cancer risk in ulcerative colitis patients. The current study analyses the effect of 5-ASA on Wnt/β-catenin signaling in vitro and in vivo in colon epithelial cells. The effect of 5-ASA was determined using a β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF)-reporter assay and by western blotting in cultured colon cancer cells. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded material from 227 polyps removed from a subgroup of 56 patients, who participated in a randomized placebo-controlled 3-year prevention trial with 5-ASA was evaluated according to histomorphological characteristics and expression of β-catenin and target genes Cox2, cyclin D1 and E-cadherin as well as ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Patients were grouped into a low-risk and a high-risk group according to the number of adenomas at initial colonoscopy. ß-catenin/TCF signaling activity was significantly reduced by 5-ASA treatment possibly through a reduction in ß-catenin levels. Moreover, 5-ASA significantly reduced ß-catenin levels and nuclear localization in patients' adenomas. In addition, 5-ASA also significantly changed expression of the downstream targets Cox2, cyclin D1 and E-cadherin, correlating with ß-catenin status. Moreover, 5-ASA significantly reduced levels of ODC in vivo. Expression of p53 was unaltered by the 5-ASA treatment. Our study shows a significant in vitro and long-term in vivo effect of 5-ASA on ß-catenin signaling as a key signaling pathway in the development of colorectal adenoma. Therefore, we suggest the use of 5-ASA as a promising drug for prevention of sporadic colorectal carcinoma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Studies on the status of free amino and carboxyl groups in cobrotoxin.
The status of free amino groups in cobrotoxin was studied by stepwise modification with trinitrobenzene sulfonate. Lys-27 was selectively modified without altering the activity of cobrotoxin. However, complete loss of activity was observed when Lys-27 and Lys-47 were trinitrophenylated, suggesting that the epsilon-amino group of Lys-47 is essential for the activity of cobrotoxin. The alpha-amino group of N-terminal leucine had no correlation with activity, demonstrated by the guanidination of the lysine residues with O-methylisourea followed by trinitrophenylation of the alpha-amino group. The carboxyl groups in cobrotoxin were modified with glycine methyl ester after activation with water-soluble carbodiimide. Six out of seven free carboxyls reacted in the absence of guanidine.HCl without altering the biological activity. When the remaining carboxyl was modified in the presence of 5 M guanidine.HCl, the resulting toxin was devoid of activity. This "buried" carboxyl is essential for activity and was identified as the gamma-carboxyl group of Glu-21. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of bone cements on bone-screw interfaces in the third metacarpal and third metatarsal bones of horses.
To compare biomechanical strength, interface quality, and effects of bone healing in bone-implant interfaces that were untreated or treated with calcium phosphate cement (Ca-cement), magnesium phosphate cement (Mg-cement), or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in horses. 6 adult horses. 4 screw holes were created (day 0) in each third metacarpal and third metatarsal bone of 6 horses. In each bone, a unicortical screw was placed in each hole following application of Ca-cement, Mg-cement, PMMA, or no treatment (24 screw holes/treatment). Screws were inserted to 2.82 N m torque. Horses were euthanized and bones were harvested at day 5 (16 screw holes/treatment) or day 182 (8 screw holes/treatment). Radiography, biomechanical testing, histomorphometry, and micro-computed tomography were performed to characterize the bone-implant interfaces. Use of Mg-cement increased the peak torque to failure at bone-implant interfaces, compared with the effects of no treatment and Ca-cement, and increased interface toughness, compared with the effects of no treatment, Ca-cement, and PMMA. Histologically, there was 44% less Ca-cement and 69% less Mg-cement at the interfaces at day 182, compared with amounts present at day 5. Within screw threads, Ca-cement increased mineral density, compared with PMMA or no treatment. In the bone adjacent to the screw, Mg-cement increased mineral density, compared with PMMA or no treatment. One untreated and 1 Ca-cement-treated screw backed out after day 5. In horses, Mg-cement promoted bone-implant bonding and adjacent bone osteogenesis, which may reduce the risk of screw loosening. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunohistochemical characterization of canine prostatic carcinoma and correlation with castration status and castration time.
The purpose of this study was to characterize canine prostate cancer using immunohistochemical staining specific for acinar and urothelial/ductal tissue and correlate these results with the dogs' castration status/castration time. Seventy dogs with prostate cancer were included, 71% were castrated and 29% were intact. Compared with an age-matched control population, castrated dogs were at increased risk of prostate cancer, odds ratio 3.9. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 58 cases. Forty-six of the 58 stained positive for cytokeratin 7 (CK 7) (ductal/urothelial origin) and one of the 58 stained positive for prostate-specific antigen. Dogs with CK 7-positive tumours were younger when castrated than dogs with CK 7-negative tumours, 2 versus 7 years (P = 0.03); dogs castrated at <or=2 years of age were more likely to be CK 7-positive (P = 0.009). These results show that most canine prostatic carcinomas are of ductal/urothelial, androgen-independent origin. This is consistent with the epidemiological findings, showing increased risk in castrated dogs. Canine prostate cancer may, therefore, not be a realistic model for the human disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
EGILS consensus report. Gastric extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT.
This consensus report of the EGILS (European Gastro-Intestinal Lymphoma Study) group includes recommendations on the management of gastric extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT. They are based on data from the literature and on intensive discussions and votings of the experts during their annual meetings. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Colorado.
Although the rate of cannabis use by older adults is increasing more quickly than all other age groups, little is known about the reasons why older adults use cannabis and the outcomes they experience. The objective of this study was to identify the most salient themes concerning the use of medical and recreational cannabis by older adults living in Colorado. Specifically, we sought to (1) characterize perceptions of cannabis use by users and non-users, (2) determine how older adults access cannabis, and (3) explicate both positive and negative outcomes associated with cannabis use. Between June and November 2017, we conducted 17 focus groups in senior centers, health clinics, and cannabis dispensaries in 15 Colorado cities. Participants included 136 persons aged over 60 years who were both users and non-users of cannabis. We coded and analyzed session transcripts using thematic analysis with NVivo software. We identified 16 codes from which five main themes emerged. These themes included: a lack of education and research about cannabis, a lack of provider communication, access to medical cannabis, the outcomes of cannabis use, and a reluctance to discuss cannabis use. Older adults want more information about cannabis and desire to communicate with their healthcare providers. Older adults who used cannabis for medical purposes reported positive outcomes but highlighted difficulties in accessing medical cannabis. Older adults in Colorado also revealed how a stigma continues to be attached to using cannabis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bifrontal osteoplastic craniotomy utilizing the anterior wall of the frontal sinus: technical note.
There are various flaps for bifrontal exposure of the anterior fossa classically described in the neurosurgical literature. This article describes a bifrontal split osteoplastic flap that is characterized by removal of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus without the placement of burr holes on the external surface of the frontal bone. The procedure is safe and rapid, gives the same exposure as other techniques, and allows a superior cosmetic result. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Privatisation of South African health services--are the underlying assumptions correct?
Six key assumptions made by proponents of privatisation are critically appraised in the light of Canadian, US and UK studies. 'Counter' assumptions, equally credible, are: (i) the economic behaviour of the health-care market does not correspond to the idealized rules of the free market nor, given the nature of health care as a 'public good', should it do so; (ii) national health-care systems with a heavy emphasis on private insurance are as or more costly than universal public systems; (iii) private for-profit hospitals do not usually enjoy any cost-efficiency advantages over public hospitals; (iv) subsidizing individuals to purchase private care carries a risk of adding administrative costs, fueling the inflationary spiral in health care, and reducing public accountability of tax money; (v) user-fees and co-insurance will not deter over-utilisation without penalising and reducing legitimate use of health services; and (vi) savings from privatisation are unlikely except for the more affluent citizens of the RSA who will carry a slightly reduced tax burden--all others will pay more and may be deterred from seeking necessary care. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Less Sitting, More Physical Activity, or Higher Fitness?
Epidemiological studies have found that time spent in sedentary behaviors, levels of physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness are all associated with mortality rates. They are also related to the risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, aging-associated frailty, and cancer. The evidence is such that the National Institutes of Health recently launched a new Common Fund initiative aimed at identifying the molecular transducers of adaptation to physical activity in various tissues and organs. It has been estimated that 9.4% of all 57 million deaths in the world in 2008 could be attributed to physical inactivity, which translates into more than 5 million deaths worldwide. Physical inactivity has a deleterious effect that is comparable to smoking and obesity. Importantly, this global estimate relates to levels of physical activity and does not take into account sedentary behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness. Currently, there are national and international guidelines for physical activity level that are highly concordant. The weekly recommendations include 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or some combination of moderate and vigorous activity with 2 days of resistance exercise. However, these guidelines offer no recommendations regarding sedentary time or goals for cardiorespiratory fitness levels. It will be increasingly important for disease prevention, successful aging, and reduction of premature mortality to broaden the focus of the public health message to include not only more physical activity but also less sitting and higher cardiorespiratory fitness. We briefly review the evidence and discuss key issues to be addressed to make this approach a reality. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Around Consensual Nonmonogamies: Assessing Attitudes Toward Nonexclusive Relationships.
Consensual nonmonogamy is a term used to describe intimate romantic relationships that are sexually and/or emotionally nonexclusive. The present study examined the social norms that are violated by different forms of consensual nonmonogamy and the negative judgments that result. We asked 375 participants to rate hypothetical vignettes of people involved in one of five relationship types (monogamy, polyamory, open relationship, swinging, and cheating) on items related to relationship satisfaction, morality, and cognitive abilities. The monogamous couple was perceived most favorably, followed by the polyamorous couple, then the open and swinging couples who were rated equally. Participants judged the cheating couple most negatively. Although social norms of sexual and emotional monogamy are important, we conclude that the aspect that has the most effect on judgments is whether the relationship structure has been agreed to by all parties. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Influence of PSK on the metabolism of FT-207].
The influence of PSK on the metabolism of FT-207 was studied in patients with gastric cancer. The 5-FU concentration in the blood was determined 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour and 3 hours after intravenous injection of FT-207, 400mg. The blood level of 5-FU remained constant in 86% of patients after administration of PSK for 7 days, but decreased in 14% of patients. After administration of PSK for 8 to 14 months, no change in the blood level of 5-FU was detected. These results suggest that PSK has no distinct influence on the activation of FT-207. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Structured Documentation of Home Ventilator Settings in Children: A Quality Improvement Project.
In children requiring long-term mechanical ventilation (LTMV), insufficient admission charting can lead to adverse events. Our purpose in this study was to create and evaluate a structured documentation tool of home LTMV settings to improve communication, documentation, and patient safety. This study used a pretest-posttest survey of pulmonary unit nurses' satisfaction with the tool and perceptions of patient safety, chart reviews of documentation compliance, and reports of education session attendance. Mann-Whitney U and Fisher exact tests, category analyses, and descriptive statistics were applied. Nurses' reports of positive communication of LTMV settings increased from 54.5% to 100% (p = .002), overall satisfaction with associated documentation increased (p < .001), and witnessed related adverse events decreased from 50% to 18.75%. Nurse compliance for education attendance and documentation was 97.4% and 97.3%, respectively. Structured admission charting of LTMV settings should be continued and yielded improvements in pulmonary unit nurses' perceptions of communication, patient safety, and documentation compliance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Lipid status in the physician's laboratory].
Lipid analysis should be tailored to the likelihood of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. In healthy individuals without a family history of hyperlipidemia, it is sufficient to obtain readings of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In patients with a family history of hyperlipidemia, in addition, triglycerides should be measured. In patients with manifest atherosclerotic disease, the lipid profile should always include plasma cholesterol and triglycerides as well as HDL cholesterol; if these do not explain presence or extent of atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein (a) should be measured. Patients with diabetes mellitus should undergo the same diagnostic work-up as those with atherosclerotic disease. An apolipoprotein B reading (together with triglyceride levels) is sometimes helpful in patients with diabetes mellitus, allowing to estimate the size of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. In patients with pancreatitis, longitudinal assessment of plasma triglycerides and, if available, measurement of HDL triglyceride are useful to unmask underlying hyperlipidemia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Some aspects of the pharmacology and physiology of the Ascaris suum muscle.
Out of 11 agonists, including such agents as bradykinin, prostaglandin E2, eledoisin, only acetylcholine (Ach) caused the isolated exposed ascaris muscle to contract during treatment for 30 sec and at 10(-7) g/ml (or lower concentrations). The possibility of using this preparation for the identification and quantification of Ach in biological tissues and fluids was highlighted. Neostigmine, but not physostigmine, augmented Ach activity. This suggests that cholinesterases present in the ascaris muscle may be structurally dissimilar to those in the mammalian gut muscle. Several chemically unrelated antagonists showed anti-Ach activity in this preparation in a descending order: d-tubocurarine (dtc) greater than mepyramine greater than atropine, decamethonium, succinylcholine greater than hexamethonium greater than piperazine. Neither adrenaline nor noradrenaline relaxed the ascaris muscle but gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and, occasionally, piperazine caused immediate relaxation of the muscle. GABA was about 150 times more potent than piperazine in this regard. GABA also showed anti-Ach activity which was 0.8-3 times that of dtc. It is suggested that GABA is the inhibitory transmitter in the ascaris suum and that the anti-Ach activity of piperazine is due either to stimulation of GABA receptors and/or to nonspecific blockade of Ach receptors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neonatal presentations of mitochondrial metabolic disorders.
Because of the high energy requirements of the growing neonate, disorders of mitochondrial metabolism caused by defects in fatty acid oxidation, pyruvate metabolism, and the respiratory chain may often present in the neonatal period. Common neonatal presentations are hypotonia, lethargy, feeding and respiratory difficulties, failure to thrive, psychomotor delay, seizures, and vomiting. Laboratory clues include alterations in the levels of lactate, pyruvate (and the lactate/pyruvate ratio), glucose, and ketone bodies. Diagnosis usually depends on specific enzyme assays or on molecular genetic analysis. Without treatment, most infants die in the first few days or months of life. In the last decade, there have been significant advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of these disorders. This review discusses the major subgroups of mitochondrial disorders, focusing on defects of pyruvate oxidation, the Krebs cycle, and the respiratory chain. Disorders caused by respiratory chain defects may involve nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA, or intergenomic signaling. Recognition and early diagnosis of these conditions are important in the genetic counseling of these families. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
tBuP(NH2)2--a reactive synthon for the synthesis of molecular imidophosphinates of group 13 metals.
Reactions of tBuP(NH(2))(2) with Group 13 trialkyls MR(3) (M=Al, Ga, In; R=Me, tBu) were investigated in detail. According to variable-temperature (VT) NMR investigations, the reaction proceeds stepwise with the initial formation of aminophosphane adducts, which subsequently react to give iminophosphorane adducts and finally the heterocyclic metallonitridophosphinates. BP86/TZVPP (DFT) calculations were performed to verify this reaction pathway, to elucidate the influence of the central Group 13 element on the stability of the reaction intermediates and the heterocycles, as well as to assess the thermodynamics of their formation. The relative stability of free and complexed aminophosphane RP(NH(2))(2) and iminophosphorane R(H(2)N)(H)P=NH (adducts) with P(III) and P(V) centers was studied in more detail with DFT and MP2 methods. In addition, the influence of the substituent R was investigated by variation of R from H to Me, tBu, F, and NH(2). In general, the aminophosphane form was found to be favored for the free ligand, however, upon complexation with MR(3) (M=Al, Ga; R=alkyl) both forms are almost equal in energy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Body orientation and regulation of the center of gravity during movement under water.
Professional divers were instructed to adopt a vertical posture under water with their feet fixed to the ground and to perform a fast forward or backward upper trunk bending movement in response to a tone. Kinematic and EMG analyses were performed. It was first noted that the divers adopted a forward inclined, erect posture, suggesting that the verticality was misevaluated, although the effects of gravity were still exerted on the otoliths. Second, the upper trunk movements were still accompanied by opposite movements of lower segments and, as a result, the center of gravity displacement was still minimized, although not so accurately as on the ground. The EMG pattern consisting of early activation of a set of trunk, thigh, and shank muscles continued to occur under water. These results suggest that "axial synergies" associated with upper trunk movements are learned motor habits that regulate the center of gravity position regardless of the equilibrium constraints. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of Acute GLP-1 Infusion on Pulmonary and Systemic Hemodynamics in Patients With Heart Failure: A Pilot Study.
Cardiovascular-safety studies assessing glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors have provided inconsistent data on the risk for developing heart failure. Animal studies have shown that GLP-1 is a vasodilator; if confirmed in humans, this may ameliorate heart failure symptoms. In a single-center, observational pilot study, we recruited 10 patients with advanced heart failure undergoing right heart catheterization, and we recorded pulmonary hemodynamic measures, including cardiac output calculated by thermodilution and the indirect Fick method before and after a 15-minute continuous infusion of native GLP-1 (7-36) NH2. There was a neutral effect of GLP-1 on all pressure and hemodynamics indices as derived by cardiac output calculated by thermodilution. However, there was a small but consistent reduction in cardiac output as calculated by the indirect Fick method after GLP-1 infusion (baseline, 4.0 [1.1] L/min vs GLP-1, 3.6 [0.9] L/min; P = 0.003), driven by a consistent reduction in mixed venous oxygen saturation after GLP-1 infusion (baseline, 62.2% [7.0%] vs GLP-1, 59.3% [6.8%]; P < 0.001), whereas arterial saturation remained constant (baseline, 96.8% [3.3%] vs GLP-1, 97.0% [3.2%]; P = 0.34). This resulted in an increase in systemic vascular resistance by Fick (baseline, 1285 [228] dyn · s/cm5 vs GLP-1, 1562 [247] dyn · s/cm5; P = 0.001). Acute infusion of GLP-1 has a neutral hemodynamic effect, when assessed by thermodilution, in patients with heart failure. However, GLP-1 reduces mixed venous oxygen saturation. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02129179. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunogenicity of ovalbumin-Ficoll conjugates with particular reference to IgE antibody production.
Conjugates of ovalbumin with Ficoll (OA-Ficoll) were injected into BDF1 mice to establish their immunogenicity and specifically to determine their effect on the IgE anti-OA response. Mice injected with OA-Ficoll responded by producing IgG anti-OA, but not IgE anti-OA. Furthermore, soluble OA-Ficoll injected subsequent to native OA in the form optimal to elicit IgE antibody in fact suppressed the production of IgE anti-OA. Spleen cells from OA-Ficoll-injected mice when injected into normal mice suppressed the subsequent IgE response to OA. OA-Ficoll reacted only weakly with antibody to native OA and had no effect on the IgE antibody response to the unrelated antigen alpha-amylase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Mood stabilizers].
Mood stabilizers available in Japan include lithium, valproate, carbamazepine, and lamotrigine. These are prescribed for manic or hypomanic episodes of bipolar disorder, organic mania, and drug-induced mania. Careful dose titration is needed in consideration for serum drug level and clinical symptoms. Lithium frequently develops neurological toxicity because of its narrow therapeutic serum level. Valproate has the most favorable adverse effect profile among mood stabilizers, but gastrointestinal symptoms and weight gain can appear with a dose dependent fashion. Hyperammonemia is occasionally induced early after initiation of valproate and tends to be overlooked. Carbamazepine sometimes develops liver dysfunction and skin disorders associated with allergic mechanisms. Lamotrigine should be slowly titrated to avoid severe skin disorders such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cholinergic, serotoninergic and peptidergic components of the nervous system of Discocotyle sagittata (Monogenea:Polyopisthocotylea).
Cholinergic, serotoninergic (5-HT) and peptidergic neuronal pathways have been demonstrated in both central and peripheral nervous systems of adult Discocotyle sagittata, using enzyme histochemistry and indirect immunocytochemistry in conjunction with confocal scanning laser microscopy. Antisera to 2 native flatworm neuropeptides, neuropeptide F and the FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP), GNFFRFamide, were employed to detect peptide immunoreactivity. The CNS is composed of paired cerebral ganglia and connecting dorsal commissure, together with several paired longitudinal nerve cords. The main longitudinal nerve cords (lateral, ventral and dorsal) are interconnected at intervals by a series of annular cross-connectives, producing a ladder-like arrangement typical of the platyhelminth nervous system. At the level of the haptor, the ventral cords provide nerve roots which innervate each of the 9 clamps. Cholinergic and peptidergic neuronal organisation was similar, but distinct from that of the serotoninergic components. The PNS and reproductive system are predominantly innervated by peptidergic neurones. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
C1-C2 alkyl aminiums in urban aerosols: Insights from ambient and fuel combustion emission measurements in the Yangtze River Delta region of China.
We measured low molar-mass alkyl aminiums (methylaminium, dimethylaminium, ethylaminium and diethylaminium) in urban aerosols in the Yangtze River Delta region of eastern China in August 2014 and from November 2015 to May 2016. After examining artifact formation on sample filters, methylaminium, dimethylaminium and ethylaminium concentrations were quantified. The three C1-C2 aminiums exhibited a unimodal size distribution that maximized between 0.56 and 1.0 μm. Their concentrations in PM2.5 were 5.7 ± 3.2 ng m-3, 7.9 ± 5.4 ng m-3 and 20.3 ± 16.6 ng m-3, respectively, with higher concentrations during the daytime and in warm seasons. On new particle growth days, amine uptake to particles larger than 56 nm was barely enhanced. The molar ratios of individual aminium/NH4+ in PM2.5 were on the order of 10-4 and 10-3. Aminiums were thus far less to out-compete ammonium (NH4+) in neutralizing acidic species in particle sizes down to 56 nm. Abundant nitrate (NO3-/SO42- molar ratio = ∼3) and its correlation to methylaminium and ethylaminium implied that nitrate might be more important aminium salt than sulfate in urban aerosols of this area. Direct measurement of particle-phase amine emission from coal and biomass burning showed that coal burning is an important atmospheric amine source, considering coal burning is top-ranked particulate matter source in China. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dissolution enhancement of the anti-HIV drug UC 781 by formulation in a ternary solid dispersion with TPGS 1000 and Eudragit E100.
The present research deals with the improvement of the dissolution properties of the anti-HIV drug UC 781. A ternary solid dispersion consisting of a high amount of TPGS 1000 and exhibiting good powder properties with respect to flowability was developed. Eudragit E100 was selected as a polymer based on supersaturation studies. DSC analysis of solid dispersions containing drug doses from 0 to 80% w/w revealed eutectic phase behaviour of the ternary TPGS 100-Eudragit E100-UC 781 mixture. The release of UC 781 in a medium simulating the gastrointestinal lumen was markedly enhanced, reaching a release of 70% w/w after 4h. XRD results pointed to the presence of crystalline drug in the solid dispersion. The presence of UC 781 in the dispersion had an influence on the TPGS 1000-Eudragit E100 carrier, favoring folding of the polyethylene glycol chains in TPGS 1000. Moreover, the addition of UC 781 to the binary polymer-surfactant mixture was physically expressed by an increase in fluidity of the samples up to a drug load of 50% w/w. NMR was used to investigate this phenomenon, revealing a shielding and/or deshielding effect of the carrier on aromatic C atoms and methyl groups in UC 781. Polyethylene glycol chains present in TPGS 1000 seemed to play a role in this process. In addition, combining UC 781 with the TPGS 1000-Eudragit E100 mixture led to the appearance of TPGS 1000 clusters with a glass transition temperature well below the T(g)'s of the pure compounds. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Differential regulation of TNF receptors in maternal leukocytes is associated with severe preterm preeclampsia.
We tested the hypothesis that maternal peripheral blood leukocytes contribute to elevated levels of soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR) in preeclampsia (PE) with concomitant intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). TNFR1 and TNFR2 were evaluated in a cross-sectional study comparing preeclamptic (n = 15) with or without IUGR versus normotensive pregnant women (PREG, n = 30), and non-pregnant controls (Con; n = 20). Plasma levels of sTNFR1 were higher in PE (1675.0 ± 227.1 pg/mL) compared with PREG (1035.0 ± 101.1 pg/mL) and Con (589.3 ± 82.67 pg/mL), with the highest values observed in PE with IUGR (2624.0 ± 421.4 pg/mL; n = 6). Plasma sTNFR2 was higher during pregnancy (PE: 1836.0 ± 198.7 pg/mL; PREG: 1697.0 ± 95.0 pg/mL) compared with Con (598.3 ± 82.7 pg/mL). Urinary levels of sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 were higher in PE and PREG compared with the Con group. Abundance of TNFR1 mRNA in peripheral blood leukocytes was strongly correlated with plasma levels of sTNFR1 in PE. However, TNFR2 mRNA accumulation in leukocytes did not correlate with sTNFR2 plasma levels. The level of sTNFR1 in plasma was correlated with body weight of the newborn (r = -0.56). The data suggest that maternal leukocytes contribute to sTNFR1 levels in plasma in association with decreasing newborn weight and PE with concomitant IUGR. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Facial movements strategically camouflage involuntary social signals of face morphology.
Animals use social camouflage as a tool of deceit to increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction. We tested whether humans can also strategically deploy transient facial movements to camouflage the default social traits conveyed by the phenotypic morphology of their faces. We used the responses of 12 observers to create models of the dynamic facial signals of dominance, trustworthiness, and attractiveness. We applied these dynamic models to facial morphologies differing on perceived dominance, trustworthiness, and attractiveness to create a set of dynamic faces; new observers rated each dynamic face according to the three social traits. We found that specific facial movements camouflage the social appearance of a face by modulating the features of phenotypic morphology. A comparison of these facial expressions with those similarly derived for facial emotions showed that social-trait expressions, rather than being simple one-to-one overgeneralizations of emotional expressions, are a distinct set of signals composed of movements from different emotions. Our generative face models represent novel psychophysical laws for social sciences; these laws predict the perception of social traits on the basis of dynamic face identities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
7. Diabetes Technology: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2019.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Iliac vein compression syndrome: an underdiagnosed cause of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.
Iliac vein compression syndrome (CS) is a rare cause of deep venous thrombosis. It is caused by an anatomic anomaly in which the right common iliac artery overlies the left common iliac vein causing mechanical compression. Subsequent endothelial changes within the vessels have the potential to spur thrombus formation. Aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions must be implemented upon suspicion to avoid long-term complications. We report on a 19 year old male who presented with ICS. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and current treatment options. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sexual differentiation of oestradiol-LH positive feedback in a marsupial.
The surge of LH that induces ovulation in mammals showing spontaneous ovulation is precipitated by the positive feedback of increasing oestrogens from the developing follicles in the ovary. In eutherians, exogenous oestrogens can mimic this effect by eliciting an LH surge in females, but not usually in males. The absence of a positive LH response to eutherian males is either due to an acute suppression by the secretory products of the testes during adulthood or the permanent disabling of the system by testosterone during early development. This phenomenon is examined in tammar wallabies, Macropus eugenii. The results show that the oestradiol-LH positive feedback response is sexually dimorphic in this marsupial. A surge in plasma LH occurred between 15 and 28 h after injection of 2.5 micrograms oestradiol benzoate kg-1 in 13 of 16 intact females and 4 of 4 ovariectomized females, but in none of 11 intact males. Five females each implanted with a 100 mg testosterone pellet 3 months earlier failed to produce an LH surge. Four males castrated in adulthood and three adult males castrated before puberty also failed to show an LH surge. However, three males castrated 24-26 days after birth showed an unambiguous LH surge when challenged with oestradiol benzoate during adulthood. Thus, in tammar wallabies, the ability to generate an LH surge to oestradiol is a sexually dimorphic response that is suppressed in the male by the organizational effects of the testes in early life and presumably supplemented by an inhibitory effect of circulating testosterone in adulthood. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of caloric contribution and saturation of dietary fat on plasma lipids in premenopausal women.
Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured in 31 premenopausal women randomized into one of two diet groups: one diet with a P:S ratio of 1.0 and one diet with a P:S ratio of 0.3. Both groups were fed a high-fat diet (40% of energy from fat) for four menstrual cycles per subject followed by a similar interval on a low-fat diet (20% of energy from fat). Changing from the high-fat to the low-fat diet resulted in a nonsignificant mean decrease of 7% in total cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol response to the low-fat regimen was influenced by the P:S ratio. Women in the high P:S group showed no change; mean HDL cholesterol in women in the low P:S group decreased 12%. Plasma triglycerides increased in both groups on the low-fat diet although the increase was greatest in the low P:S group. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Predicting Alcohol Misuse Among College Students in the US and South Korea.
This study examines contributing factors of alcohol misuse among college students in South Korea and the U.S. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) on measurements of alcohol expectancy, alcohol efficacy, and accommodation resulted in social and personal causes for alcohol misuse. Social causes alone predicted alcohol misuse for both countries. Social factors constituted a much stronger predictor of alcohol misuse among South Korean students than among American students. Practical implications for effective deterrence of student binge drinking are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Job demands and worker health: three-dimensional reexamination of the relationship between person-environment fit and strain.
The most influential study of the person-environment (P-E) fit approach to stress was conducted by J. R. P. French, R. D. Caplan, and R. V. Harrison (1982). Unfortunately, this study operationalized fit using various transformations of difference scores, thereby introducing numerous substantive and methodological problems. In the present study, the authors reanalyze data from French et al., using a procedure described by J. R. Edwards (in press) that avoids problems with difference scores and captures the underlying three-dimensional relationship between E, P, and strain. Results resolve ambiguities in the French et al. findings and identify relationships between E, P, and strain that, although consistent with P-E fit theory, cannot be adequately represented by fit measures such as those used by French et al. Implications for P-E fit research are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The importance of serial neurologic examination and repeat cranial tomography in acute evolving epidural hematoma.
Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of head-injured patients, and its increasing availability has led to its liberal use. CT scanning provides excellent anatomic detail of the brain as fixed static images, but the dynamic nature of human physiology means that many injury patterns will evolve in time. We describe an 8-year-old child who had fallen 8 feet from a tree. He had a brief loss of consciousness but a normal neurologic evaluation on arrival to the emergency department (ED). He underwent expedited cranial CT scanning, which revealed no acute brain injury. Two and one half hours later, the patient had a mild depression in consciousness, prompting a second CT scan in the ED, which revealed an acute epidural hematoma. He had acute surgical evacuation of the hematoma and made a full neurologic recovery. This case illustrates that a single early CT examination may at times provide a false sense of security and underscores the importance of serial neurologic examinations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Kidney cysts, pancreatic cysts, and biliary disease in a mouse model of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.
Mutations in PKHD1 cause autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). We produced a mouse model of ARPKD by replacing exons 1-3 of Pkhd1 with a lacZ reporter gene utilizing homologous recombination. This approach yielded heterozygous Pkhd1 (lacZ/+) mice, that expressed beta-galactosidase in tissues where Pkhd1 is normally expressed, and homozygous Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ) knockout mice. Heterozygous Pkhd1 (lacZ/+) mice expressed beta-galactosidase in the kidney, liver, and pancreas. Homozygous Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ) mice lacked Pkhd1 expression and developed progressive renal cystic disease involving the proximal tubules, collecting ducts, and glomeruli. In the liver, inactivation of Pkhd1 resulted in dilatation of the bile ducts and periportal fibrosis. Dilatation of pancreatic exocrine ducts was uniformly seen in Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ ) mice, with pancreatic cysts arising less frequently. The expression of beta-galactosidase, Pkd1, and Pkd2 was reduced in the kidneys of Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ ) mice compared with wild-type littermates, but no changes in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or liver function tests were observed. Collectively, these results indicate that deletion of exons 1-3 leads to loss of Pkhd1 expression and results in kidney cysts, pancreatic cysts, and biliary ductal plate malformations. The Pkhd1 (lacZ/lacZ ) mouse represents a new orthologous animal model for studying the pathogenesis of kidney cysts and biliary dysgenesis that characterize human ARPKD. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ocular anomalies of individuals with mental illness and dual diagnosis.
Oculo-visual findings commonly associated with persons diagnosed as having mental illness and/or dual diagnosis (i.e. mental illness with mental retardation) have not been fully investigated. This study determines the most common eye and vision anomalies associated with these disorders and discusses the similarities and differences between these two unique populations. Data were obtained by the random selection of 88 patient records from the Illinois Eye Institute/Easter Seal Society of Metropolitan Chicago Eye Care and Treatment Program (Illinois College of Optometry). Results from the most recent oculo-visual evaluation were reviewed. Commonly accepted methods of assessing the eyes and vision of patients with disabilities were used. Individuals with mental illness frequently exhibited uncorrected refractive error, strabismus, blepharitis, pigmentary retinopathy, and cataracts. Those with mental retardation and mental illness (dual diagnosis) demonstrated similar findings with the exception of cataracts. A statistically significant amount of compound astigmatism was seen in those with mental illness. Many of the ocular anomalies found among the mentally ill and those with dual diagnosis were common to both groups but occurred with different frequencies. Appropriate spectacle correction and individually designed therapy programs should play an important role in the developmental and intellectual habilitation of these patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neurodegeneration: The Size Takes It All.
There is increasing computational evidence that the exceptionally high vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease may be due to their unique axonal architecture and resulting metabolic needs. A new experimental study has actually demonstrated this. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Unilateral tucking of the inferior rectus muscle for dissociated vertical deviation].
There are several options for the treatment of dissociated vertical deviation (DVD). The most discouraging results are those cases of poor vision. The fold of the inferior rectus is presented as a therapeutic option for poor vision. Patients with spontaneous DVD and monocular poor vision were included. A maximum folding of the inferior rectus was performed only in the eye with poor vision. Evaluation of the spontaneity and magnitude of the DVD was done in the pre- and postoperatively with a minimum 6-month follow up. Nineteen patients were included, finding a decrease in the spontaneity (p = 0.05) and the magnitude of the DVD (p = 0.01) at the maximum follow-up time. Limitation of the elevation of 2+ was observed in the immediate postoperative period in all cases. The limitation remained in 16 patients. In two patients, hypotropia of 5 DP was observed in the primary position. No cases of alteration of the lower palpebral position were observed. Unilateral maximum tucking of the inferior rectus muscle decreases the magnitude and spontaneity of DVD. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Study of the sugar composition of Conidiobolus strains saprophytic or pathogenic to man and animal].
The composition in the cell wall sugars of 13 strains of Conidiobolus coronatus and 1 strain of Conidiobolus incongruus has been determined. Glucose and mannose were found to be the main sugars. The study of the ratio mannose/glucose has shown that there are 3 groups of strains. The first group which contains the strain of C. coronatus isolated from man or chimpanzee is characterized by a ratio lying between 0.92 and 1.3. The second group containing the strains of C. coronatus isolated from horse lesion or from soil is characterized by a ratio lying between 2.7 and 4.1. The last group which contains C. incongruus whose ratio mannose/glucose is 0.44. These results suggest the existence of two groups among the strains of C. coronatus. Lethal temperature of each strain and eventual presence of villosus spores are also mentioned. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The diagnostic value of PET/CT for primary ovarian cancer--a prospective study.
To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic value of combined PET/CT in detecting a malignant tumor in patients with no previous cancer history, presenting with a pelvic mass. From September 2004 to March 2006, 101 patients (median age=60 years, range=24-85 years) with a Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI)>150 based on serum CA-125, ultrasound examinations (US) and menopausal state, were referred to PET/CT within 2 weeks prior to standard surgery/debulking of a pelvic tumor. Histological specimens from 97 patients were evaluated and the histological diagnoses were compared to the PET/CT results to calculate the diagnostic value of PET/CT in differentiating between malignant and borderline/benign tumors. Four patients refrained from surgery or biopsy. The average serum CA-125 in the 97 studied patients was 784 U/ml (range=22-9665 U/ml). PET/CT demonstrated areas of abnormally increased metabolic activity considered highly suspicious for malignant tumor in 60 patients (62%). In 37 patients (38%) the tumors were considered benign on PET/CT. Histopathology showed benign tumors in 40 patients and malignant tumors in 57 patients. The sensitivity and specificity for PET/CT in diagnosing a malignant pelvic tumor were 100% (57/57) and 92.5% (37/40), respectively (P<0.00005). Combined PET/CT demonstrates high diagnostic value in identifying primary ovarian cancer in patients with a pelvic mass of unknown origin and RMI>150. We suggest PET/CT as the image modality of choice when US shows a pelvic tumor and additional information prior to surgery is needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Regulation of nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy. A review with emphasis on opiate mediators.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are primarily regulated by chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)-vomiting center (VC) pathways. Dopaminergic (D2), histaminic (H1), and muscarinic cholinergic (Ach) receptors are present in these sites, and specific receptor antagonists are potent but not "universal" antiemetics when used alone or in combination. Recently, neurons containing the endogenous opiate enkephalin were also identified near the CTZ and the VC. Furthermore, opiates stimulate vomiting at the CTZ and inhibit vomiting at the VC in dogs and in cats. A dose-related increase in nausea and vomiting in response to the opiate antagonist naloxone has also been demonstrated in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. These observations support a role for endogenous opiates in regulating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting; further, they suggest that narcotic agents may be effective antiemetics in this setting. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Oxygenation-sensitive cardiovascular magnetic resonance in hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy and non-left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy: Insight from altered mechanics and cardiac BOLD imaging.
BOLD (blood oxygen level dependent) MRI can detect regional condition of myocardial oxygen supply and demand by means of paramagnetic properties. Noninvasive assessment of myocardial oxygenation by BOLD MRI in hypertensive patients with hypertension (HTN) left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy (LVMH) and HTN non-LVMH and its correlation with myocardial mechanics were performed. Prospective. Twenty patients with HTN LVMH, 21 patients with HTN non-LVMH, and 23 normotensive controls were enrolled. Cine imaging, T2* and T1 mapping sequences were achieved at 3.0T. Dedicated T1 mapping, T2*, and cine imaging analysis were performed by two radiologists using cvi42. One-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Bland-Altman analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Spearman's rank correlation. T2* values of HTN LVMH group were significantly lower versus the controls (23.78 ± 3.09 versus 30.77 ± 2.71; P < 0.001) and HTN non-LVMH group (23.78 ± 3.09 versus 28.64 ± 4.23; P < 0.001). Left ventricular peak circumferential strain were reduced in HTN LVMH patients compared with other two groups (-11.32 [-15.64, -10.3], -16.78 [-19.35, -15.34], and -19.73 [-20.57, -18.73]; P < 0.05); and longitudinal strain of HTN LVMH patients were lower than other two groups (-11.31 ± 2.91, -15.1 ± 3.06, and -18.85 ± 1.85; P < 0.05); radial strain of HTN LVMH patients were also lower than other two groups (25.03 ± 16, 40.95 ± 17.5 and 47.9 ± 10.23; P < 0.05). Extracellular volume correlated with peak circumferential, longitudinal, and radial strain (spearman rho = 0.6, 0.64, and -0.69; P < 0.05), respectively; T2* negatively correlated with peak circumferential and longitudinal strain (spearman rho = -0.43 and -0.49; P < 0.05), respectively. Patients with lower T2* values had significant decreases in myocardial mechanics (P < 0.05). HTN LVMH patients have both impaired myocardial mechanics and decreased T2* values compared with HTN non-LVMH and normotensive groups. BOLD MRI could provide a feasible assessment modality for detecting altered T2* due to the change of de-oxygenated hemoglobin and hence to the change of signal intensity in oxygenation-sensitive images. 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1297-1306. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Double valve replacement in 400 cases].
From 1985 to 1992, 400 patients received mitral and aortic double valve replacement. Of the patients, 218 were male and 187 female. In early operative days, 6.25% of the patients died. Follow-up study showed that 91.3% of the patients are alive. Perioperative management and improvement of operative technics are detailed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Genomic ancestry in urban Afro-Brazilians.
Brazil is the result of interethnic crosses of European, African and Amerindian populations. Allelic frequencies for seven STR loci (TH01, TPOx, CSF1PO, vWA, FES/FPS, F13A1 and CD4), obtained from a sample of 70 individuals identified as Afro-Brazilian and 150 as mulatto, are presented here. Based on the frequencies of these genetic markers, estimates of interethnic admixture showed 62%, 26% and 12% of European, African and Amerindian contribution, respectively, for the mulatto sample and 37% and 63% of European and African contribution, respectively, for the Afro-Brazilian sample. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Transfusion medicine in the 2000s, on a reform].
The creation of the Etablissement Français du Sang (EFS) was mentioned in the Law of July 1, 1998, pertaining to sanitary safety. The EFS is the sole operator of blood transfusion. With a unique legal status, supervised by the Ministry in charge of Health, the EFS organizes the activities involved in the transfusion chain over the whole territory, it promotes research activities and take part in international scientific cooperation. Its activities include medical biology as well as cell and gene therapy. As part of the new 2000-2004 territorial transfusion scheme, the EFS network comprises 18 centers (versus 43 in the previous plan), 14 of which are located in the French territory and the other 4 overseas. The network includes 18 technical platforms for the biological qualification of blood products, while 27 are dedicated to their preparation, transformation and storage. The activities of collection and distribution, which comply with the principle of proximity to both donors and patients, are ensured by 220 sites spread over the whole territory. For the future, the EFS wants to focus its efforts on reducing residual infectious risks (using molecular biology tools), preventing immunological risks, drawing up an education program aiming at teaching transfusion medicine differently. Despite the advances achieved in biotechnologies, the development of substitution products to replace blood transfusion will still require a lot of time. The EFS wishes to focus its action following three different axes: transfusion medicine, medical biology and cell engineering. With its 18 centers and its 8,200 persons, the EFS must face the challengers of the 2000s, relying on the advances in biotechnologies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Epoxyquinol A, a highly functionalized pentaketide dimer with antiangiogenic activity isolated from fungal metabolites.
A unique pentaketide dimer structure of a novel fungal metabolite with antiangiogenic activity, designated as epoxyquinol A (1), was determined on the basis of NMR spectral data as well as the X-ray crystallographic analysis. 1 inhibits the endothelial migration induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (ED100 = 3 mug/mL). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Association between the occurrence of antibodies to simian vacuolating virus 40 and bladder cancer in male smokers.
An association between the occurrence of antibodies to simian vacuolating virus 40 and bladder cancer in male smokers was found in a case-control study conducted in 200 male patients with bladder cancer and 400 control men. The risk of bladder cancer increases with the years of cigarette smoking. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison of morbillivirus proteins by limited proteolysis.
Proteins of a number of measles and SSPE virus strains have been compared by limited proteolysis and they appear to be largely conserved amongst the various strains. Viruses derived from SSPE cannot be distinguished from other measles viruses by this technique. Small differences in the digest patterns of the M proteins have been observed between the Edmonston and other measles virus strains. Furthermore, in some strains where the M proteins migrate slower in SDS-PAGE the limited proteolysis patterns are slightly different from those in other MV and SSPE virus strains. The limited proteolysis pattern of some canine distemper virus (CDV) proteins have been determined and nucleocapsid breakdown products have been identified in infected cells. Comparisons of proteins of four strains of CDV have shown that these, too, are largely conserved, although the digest of proteins of CDV appear to show more pronounced differences than those present in the MV and SSPE virus group. Limited proteolysis can be used readily to distinguish MV from CDV isolates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
SPECT study with I-123-Ioflupane (DaTSCAN) in patients with essential tremor. Is there any correlation with Parkinson's disease?
The differential diagnosis between essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD) may be, in some cases, very difficult on clinical grounds alone. In addition, it is accepted that a small percentage of ET patients presenting symptoms and signs of possible PD may progress finally to a typical pattern of parkinsonism. Ioflupane, N-u-fluoropropyl-2a-carbomethoxy-3a-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane, also called FP-CIT, labelled with (123)I (commercially known as DaTSCAN) has been proven to be useful in the differential diagnosis between PD and ET and to confirm dopaminergic degeneration in patients with parkinsonism. The aim of this study is to identify dopaminergic degeneration in patients with PD and distinguish them from others with ET using semi-quantitative SPECT (123)I-Ioflupane (DaTSCAN) data in comparison with normal volunteers (NV), in addition with the respective ones of patients referred as suffering from ET, as well as, of patients with a PD diagnosis at an initial stage with a unilateral presentation of motor signs. Twenty-eight patients suffering from ET (10 males plus 18 females) and 28 NV (12 males and 16 females) were enroled in this study. In addition, 33 patients (11 males and 22 females) with an established diagnosis of PD with unilateral limb involvement (12 left hemi-body and 21 right hemi-body) were included for comparison with ET. We used DaTSCAN to obtain SPECT images and measure the radiopharmaceutical uptake in the striatum (S), as well as the caudate nucleus (CN) and putamen (P) in all individuals. Qualitative (Visual) interpretation of the SPECT data did not find any difference in the uptake of the radiopharmaceutical at the level of the S, CN and P between NV and ET patients. Reduced accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical uptake was found in the P of all PD patients. Semiquantitative analysis revealed significant differences between NV and ET patients in the striatum, reduced in the latter. There was also a significant reduction in the tracer accumulation in the left putamen of patients with right hemi-parkinsonism compared to ET and NV. Patients with left hemi-parkinsonism, demonstrated reduced radioligand uptake in the right putamen in comparison with ET and NV. Clinical follow-up of 20 patients with ET at (so many months afterwards) revealed no significant change in clinical presentation, particularly no signs of PD. Follow-up DaTSCAN performed in 10 of them (so many months afterwards) was negative in all but one. This one had an equivocal baseline study which deteriorated 12 months later. Our results do not support the hypothesis of a link between essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. However, it appears that ET patients have a small degree of striatal dopaminergic degeneration. If this is due to alterations in the nigrostriatl pathway or of other origin it is not clear. Follow-up studies of essential tremor patients are warranted to assess progression of disease and to understand better the possible cause for striatal dopaminergic degeneration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Solvent effects on the spectroscopic properties of aflatoxin B1.
1. Solvent-induced changes in the spectral properties of aflatoxin B1 were investigated using protic and aprotic solvents. 2. The absorption data were less sensitive to solvent effects than the fluorescence emission data. 3. Stokes shifts in protic solvents were greater than those in aprotic solvents indicating hydrogen bond formation between solvent and the excited state of aflatoxin B1. 4. From the Stokes shift data for aprotic solvents, the dipole moment of aflatoxin B1 was estimated to increase by 15.7 Debye units upon excitation to the excited singlet state. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Relationship between risk factors and QUS in a European Population: The OPUS study.
There are many risk factors associated with low bone mineral density. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a generally accepted method for measurement of bone and has been shown to be strongly associated with future fracture risk. The Osteoporosis and Ultrasound Study (OPUS) is a multi-centre European wide study examining 5 different QUS scanners (4 calcaneal, 1 finger device). The aim of this paper was to examine the relationship between risk factors (as assessed by questionnaire) and QUS measurements. 449 younger women (aged 20 to 39 years) and 2283 older women (aged 55 to 79 years) were included in this analysis. As expected, those with a self-reported previous fracture had lower QUS measurements than those without (P < 0.001). However, no significant difference was seen between those reporting a maternal hip fracture and those who did not report such an event. Differences were found for smokers vs. non-smokers for SOS but not for BUA measurements. Weight was positively correlated with all BUA variables but only with some SOS variables. We determined which risk factors were most strongly associated with QUS measurements by using step-wise multiple regression. Models for each QUS measurement were calculated, and the R2 values ranged from 0.18 to 0.28 for SOS, 0.27 to 0.32 for BUA and 0.31 to 0.42 for the finger QUS device. The most common risk factors across all models were age, use of hormone replacement therapy, self-reported previous fracture, self-reported diagnosis of osteoporosis, current weight, pulse rate and self-reported estimated height at age 20 years. We analysed relationships across the 5 centres and detected some geographical differences in the prevalence of the risk factors. In conclusion, similar relationships are seen with QUS measurements as are found for bone mineral density. However, the strength of the association is dependent on the type of QUS device and variable measured. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Rapamycin increases the cellular concentration of the BCL-2 protein and exerts an anti-apoptotic effect.
The immunosuppressant rapamycin, an immunophilin-binding antibiotic, has been studied in follicular B-cell lymphoma lines that express the highest level of the BCL-2 protein. The growth rate of human follicular B-cell lymphoma lines was slowed more efficiently than that of other human B-cell lines or non-B-cell lines. This effect was dependent on the arrest of cells in the G(1) phase; the number of apoptotic cells was not increased. Rapamycin inhibited apoptosis or caspase activation induced by cytotoxic drugs, whereas caspase activation by doxorubicin was not inhibited. The increase in the cellular concentration of BCL-2 protein was related to its concentration in the steady state and was unrelated to the amount of bcl-2 mRNA. The increase of BCL-2 level in the cells rather than its level in the steady state may be important for drug resistance. The biochemical target of rapamycin, the mTOR kinase, may be a candidate sensitising agent for chemotherapy. This effect of rapamycin shows that G(1) arrest and protection from apoptosis are combined events susceptible to regulation by pharmacological means. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A comparative study of the efficacy of sonosalpingography and hysterosalpingogram to test the tubal patency in all women with primary and secondary infertility.
This study was done to compare sonohysterography and correlate by hysterosalpingogram (HSG) for evaluation of utero tubal factor in female infertility. Thirty women with primary or secondary infertility attending the outpatient department of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Kalamboli, from May 2010 to May 2011 underwent a sonosalpingography (SSG) on day 7 of the menstrual cycle and an HSG on day 9 of the same or next menstrual cycle. Sonosalpingography was used as the reference standard for HSG. All patients with any positive findings underwent hysterolaparoscopy. For evaluation of tubal patency, SSG had sensitivity of 95.83% and specificity of 100% for evaluation of tubal patency. In contrast, in HSG for evaluation of tubal patency, the sensitivity is 91.67% and specificity is 100%. Sonohysterosalpingography appears to be inexpensive, minimally invasive, quick, of no risk of ionizing radiation, and well-tolerable first-line diagnostic method for determining the tubal status and uterine cavity and can be performed at the time of conventional ultrasound scan in place of HSG and laparoscopy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Normal fetal lung volume measured with three-dimensional ultrasound.
To construct reference intervals for fetal lung volumes measured longitudinally using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound, and to evaluate the effect of gender on lung size. This was a prospective, longitudinal study in the obstetric outpatient department of the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam. Seventy-eight women with uncomplicated pregnancies were scanned three to four times at gestational ages of 18-34 weeks. 3D models of the lung were constructed using the ultrasound machine's software. After the infants were delivered the entire group was reanalyzed with regard to fetal gender. Centiles for the lung volumes of the entire group and for each gender separately were estimated using multilevel modeling. Charts and tables of right and left fetal lung volumes, using gestational age and estimated fetal weight as the independent variables, are presented. There was a significant difference in lung volume between male and female fetuses at each gestational age. Charts and tables of right and left fetal lung volumes for each gender at gestational ages of 18-34 weeks are also presented. We present valid references for volumetric measurements of the right and left fetal lungs in male and female fetuses. The feasibility and reliability of fetal lung volume measurements using 3D ultrasound is good. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A fragmentation study of dihydroquercetin using triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and its application for identification of dihydroflavonols in Citrus juices.
A mass spectrometric method using electrospray ionization with triple quadrupole and quadrupole time-of-flight hybrid (Q-Tof) mass spectrometry has been applied to the structural characterization of dihydroflavonols. This family of compounds has been studied by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the first time in this work. A comprehensive study of the product ion MS spectra of the [M+H](+) ion of a commercially available standard has been performed. The most useful fragmentations in terms of structural identification are those that involve cleavage of the C-ring, resulting in diagnostic ions of dihydroflavonol family: (1,3)A(0) (+), (1,2)B(0) (+), (1,2)B(0) (+)-CO, (0,2)A(0) (+), (0,2)A(0) (+)-H(2)O, (0,2)A(0) (+)-CO, and (0,2)A(0) (+)-H(2)O-CO, that allow the characterization of the substituents in the A- and B-rings. In addition to those ions, other product ions due to losses of H(2)O and CO molecules from the Y(0) (+) ion were observed. Their fragmentation mechanisms and ion structures have been proposed. The established fragmentation patterns have been used to successfully identity three dihydroflavonols found in tangerine juices for the first time. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Long-Term Outcomes of Using Hyaluronic Acid-Carboxymethylcellulose Adhesion Barrier Film on the Neurovascular Bundle.
We hypothesize that the use of hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose (HACM) adhesion barrier at the neurovascular bundle may hasten the return of erectile function after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. A retrospective review identified 462 consecutive patients who underwent a nerve-sparing prostatectomy between 2009 and 2012. The first 246 patients were administered the barrier film, while the next 216 patients, the control group, did not receive HACM. Postoperative erectile function and oncologic outcomes were compared. Independent t-test and Kaplan-Meier analysis were conducted, p < 0.05 was considered significant. The two groups were well matched, without significant differences in age, weight, operative time, prostate size, preoperative prostate-specific antigen, sexual health inventory for men (SHIM), or AUA symptom scores. The mean SHIM was significantly higher for the experimental group at 6 months (6.39 vs 4.75, p = 0.008), 9 months (7.32 vs 5.44, p = 0.006), 1 year (8.52 vs 6.90, p = 0.049), and 18 months (10.01 vs 7.60, p = 0.018). This effect was not noted beyond 18 months. A subgroup analysis of patients with initial SHIM scores 22 or greater demonstrated a higher rate of return to the preoperative SHIM score for the barrier film group, 23% vs 12% (p = 0.046). There was no significant difference in biochemical recurrence between groups, with a median follow-up duration of 18 months. HACM application at the neurovascular bundle during prostatectomy may decrease the time to return of erectile function, with improved SHIM at 6 to 18 months after surgery. This effect is more pronounced in patients with better baseline erectile function. There is no significant effect on biochemical recurrence. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Barriers to critical thinking: workflow interruptions and task switching among nurses.
Nurses are increasingly called upon to engage in critical thinking. However, current workflow inhibits this goal with frequent task switching and unpredictable demands. To assess workflow's cognitive impact, nurses were observed at 2 hospitals with different patient loads and acuity levels. Workflow on a medical/surgical and pediatric oncology unit was observed, recording tasks, tools, collaborators, and locations. Nineteen nurses were observed for a total of 85.2 hours. Tasks were short with a mean duration of 62.4 and 81.6 seconds on the 2 units. More than 50% of the recorded tasks were less than 30 seconds in length. An analysis of task sequence revealed few patterns and little pairwise repetition. Performance on specific tasks differed between the 2 units, but the character of the workflow was highly similar. The nonrepetitive flow and high amount of switching indicate nurses experience a heavy cognitive load with little uninterrupted time. This implies that nurses rarely have the conditions necessary for critical thinking. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Uterine fibroids risk and history of selected medical conditions linked with female hormones.
To understand the role of several medical conditions on the risk of uterine fibroids, we analysed the findings of a large case-control study. Cases were 843 women aged 54 or less (median age 43 years, range 21-54) with histologically confirmed uterine fibroids, whose clinical diagnosis dated back no more than 2 years. Indications for surgery were recurrent menorrhagia or ultrasound evidence of fibroids larger than 10 cm in diameter. Controls were 1557 women aged 54 years or less of comparable quinquennia of age (median age 43 years, range 21-54) who had not undergone hysterectomy and were admitted for acute, non-gynecologic, non-hormonal, non-neoplastic conditions to a network of hospitals with a similar catchment area. Clinical history of severe overweight was inversely associated with the risk of fibroids (multivariate odds ratio (OR), OR: 0.6, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.5-0.8). An increase in the frequency of fibroids was seen in women with a history of benign breast disease (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9-1.6) and particularly of breast biopsies (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2-3.5). The results of this large dataset indicate that medical conditions known or likely to be related to female hormones are not important determinants of the risk of fibroids. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
MitoQ ameliorates testis injury from oxidative attack by repairing mitochondria and promoting the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway.
Mitochondrial dysfunctions induced by oxidative stress could play a pivotal role in the development of testicular damage and degeneration, leading to impaired fertility in adulthood. MitoQ as mitochondria-targeted antioxidant has been used in many diseases for a long time, but its therapeutic effects on testicular injury 'have not been reported yet. Here, we examined the protective action mechanism of MitoQ on testicular injury from oxidative stress induced by triptolide (TP). Mice were orally administrated with MitoQ (1.3, 2.6 and 5 .2mg/kg, respectively) in a TP-induced model of testicular damage for 14 days. And then testis injuries were comprehensively evaluated in terms of morphological changes, spermatogenesis assessment, blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity, and apoptosis. The results demonstrated MitoQ effectively increased testicular weight, maintained the integrity of BTB, protected microstructure of testicular tissue and sperm morphology by inhibition of oxidative stress. Further mechanism studies revealed that MitoQ markedly activates the Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidative defense system characterized by increasing the expression of Nrf2 and its target genes HO-1 and NQO1. Meanwhile, MitoQ upregulated the expression of mitochondrial dynamics proteins Mfn2 and Drp-1and exerted a protective effect on mitochondria. On this basis, the results from pharmacokinetic study indicated that the MitoQ could enter into testis tissues after oral administration in despite of the low absolute bioavailability, which provided the material basis for MitoQ in the treatment of testicular damage. More importantly, MitoQ reached mitochondria quickly and had an outstanding feature of mitochondria targeting in Sertoli cells. Therefore, these results provide information for the application of MitoQ against testicular injury diseases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
HER-2/NEU overexpression in vulvar Paget disease: the Yale experience.
To determine the level of HER-2/neu overexpression in vulvar Paget disease (PD) in order to assess the possibility of using HER-2/neu as a target for the treatment of Paget disease. A medical record search identified 39 patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of vulvar PD between 1986 and 2009. A tissue microarray containing all 39 tumour samples was created, and corresponding sections were stained immunohistochemically with an anti-HER-2/neu-antibody (HercepTest). Staining results were reported on a scale from 0 to 3+. 2+ and 3+ were considered as HER-2/neu overexpression. The HER-2/neu expression was correlated with clinical, pathological and outcome data. Negative staining for HER-2/neu was noticed in four patients (12%), 1+ in 10 patients (30%), 2+ in 11 patients (33%) and 3+ in eight patients (25%), resulting in 19 patients with HER-2/neu overexpression (2+ and 3+, 58%) and 14 patients without HER-2/neu overexpression (0 and 1+, 42%). The proportion of HER-2/neu overexpression was higher in the patients with invasive than with non-invasive PD (71%, n=5/7 invasive PD vs 54%, n=14/26 non-invasive PD). There was no significant correlation between HER-2/neu staining results and clinical, pathological or outcome data. Surgical treatment of vulvar Paget disease is associated with a high recurrence rate and extensive reconstructive procedures. In this study, over 50% of the patients with vulvar Paget disease overexpress HER-2/neu. Anti-HER-2/neu-antibodies like trastuzumab may therefore be an interesting treatment option for HER-2/neu-positive vulvar Paget disease. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of trastuzumab in this disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Activities of phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, and PGI2 synthase of umbilical venous endothelial cells in preeclamptic women.
To elucidate the cause of low prostacyclin (PGI2) production in severe preeclampsia (PE), we studied the activities of phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, and PGI2 synthase in umbilical venous endothelial cells obtained from healthy pregnant women and from patients with mild or severe PE. Umbilical venous endothelial cells homogenized in a buffer solution were analysed by calculating the apparent Vmax (mean +/- SEM: p mol/min mg protein) and Km (mean +/- SEM: microM) values for phospholipase A2 activity by the release of arachidonic acid from phosphatidylcholine, for the activity of a complex of cyclooxygenase and PGI2 synthase by the conversion of arachidonic acid to PGI2, and the activity of PGI2 synthase by conversion of PGH2 to PGI2. The phospholipase A2 activity of normal-pregnancy cells (Vmax: 17.0 +/- 2.7 Km: 0.26 +/- 0.04) (n = 10) significantly exceeded that of cells from women with either mild PE (5.8 +/- 0.5, 0.12 +/- 0.02) (n = 4) or severe PE (6.3 +/- 2.0, 0.08 +/- 0.03) (n = 5). The apparent combined activity of cyclooxygenase and PGI2 synthase in mild PE (552 +/- 142, 0.29 +/- 0.07) (n = 8) significantly exceeded that of a normal pregnancy (176 +/- 42, 0.76 +/- 0.25) (n = 7), whereas that in severe PE (326 +/- 36, 3.26 +/- 0.78) (n = 3) was significantly lower than that of a normal pregnancy. PGI2 synthase activity in mild PE (305 +/- 50, 0.12 +/- 0.07) (n = 4) exceeded that of a normal pregnancy (220 +/- 45, 0.13 +/- 0.06) (n = 5), whereas that in severe PE (55 +/- 12, 0.16 +/- 0.04) (n = 3) was lower than that of a normal pregnancy. The phospholipase A2 activity in cells of normal pregnant women exceeded that of cells of women with mild or severe PE. The combined activity of cyclooxygenase and PGI2 synthase in a normal pregnancy was lower than in mild PE, but higher than in severe PE. Similar results were found for PGI2 synthase activity; in normal pregnancy the activity was less than in mild PE, but higher than in severe PE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Spontaneous occlusion of an intracranial arteriovenous malformation.
The case of a 2-month-old girl is described in whom an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was observed in the paramedial region of the right cerebral hemisphere associated with an arachnoid cyst in the right fronto-parieto-temporo-occipital region. The only treatment was evacuation of the arachnoid cyst by trephination. When the child was 3 years old, images of the AVM were not found although all the intracranial vessels were angiographically explored. It is considered that the reduced pressure in the right cranial cavity due to the drainage of the arachnoid cyst may contribute to the occlusion of the AVM by causing a slight displacement of the intracranial structures towards the side of the drained cyst. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical efficacy of Doppler-echocardiographic indices of aortic valve stenosis: a comparative test-based analysis of outcome.
This study was designed to assess which hemodynamic index best accounts for clinical severity of aortic stenosis (AS) and to analyze the value of low-dose dobutamine testing. Pressure gradient and valve area are suboptimal because they depend on flow rate, correlate poorly with symptoms, and provide limited prognostic information. Recently, new indices and low-dose inotropic stimulation have been introduced, but their clinical value remains uncertain. A total of 307 consecutive patients with AS were included in an ambispective study design (71 +/- 12 years old; peak jet velocity: 3.7 +/- 1.1 m/s). Clinical and Doppler-echocardiographic data were obtained, as well as results of low-dose dobutamine infusion (47 patients). Using receiver-operator-characteristic curve analysis, we evaluated jet velocity, pressure gradient, valve area, resistance, stroke-work loss (SWL), and dobutamine-induced increase in area for predicting 1) symptomatic status at entry, 2) early (</=3 months) cardiovascular death or aortic valve replacement, and 3) long-term outcome. Logistic regression and Cox models were designed multivariate and adjusted by bootstrapping. Only 28% of patients were alive without valve replacement at the end of the follow-up period (22 +/- 4 months). The decision for valve replacement was made by the referring physician, blinded to the SWL, valve resistance, and dobutamine results. Non-flow-corrected indices performed better than valve area and valve resistance. Among them, SWL best predicted the defined end points. Odds/hazard ratios associated with a SWL Delta = 17% were 5.14 for presenting AS symptoms, 4.68 for early events, and 2.31 for late outcome. A cutoff value of SWL >25% best discriminated clinical end points. Other independent predictors of prognosis were symptomatic status and left ventricular ejection fraction. Dobutamine testing added no value to baseline models. Non-flow-corrected indices show the highest clinical efficacy in aortic stenosis. Among these, SWL best predicts symptomatic status and outcome and therefore should be incorporated to aid patient management in unclear situations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The progression of corrected myopia.
This study seeks to demonstrate the existence of a feedback loop controlling myopia by comparing the prediction of a feedback model to the actual progression of corrected myopia. In addition to theoretical results, confirming clinical data are presented. The refraction of 13 continuously corrected myopic eyes was collected over a period of time ranging from 4 to 9 years from the time of their first correction. Refractive data was collected in an optometry office from myopic young subjects from the general population in Boston. Subjects were myopes, ages 2 to 22 at the time of first correction selected randomly from a larger population. All individuals were fully corrected with lenses; new lenses were prescribed every time that their myopia increased by 0.25 diopters or more. Subjects wore their spectacle lenses during the followed period. Subjects exhibit a linear time course of myopia progression when corrected with lenses. The observed rate of myopia increase is 0.2 to 1.0 diopters/year, with a mean correlation coefficient r = -0.971, p < 0.005. This report establishes that feedback control theory applies to the clinical phenomenon of progressive myopia. Continuous correction of myopia results in a linear progression that increases myopia. The Laplace transformation of temporal refractive data to the s-domain simplifies the study of myopia and emmetropia. The feedback transfer function predicts that continuous correction of myopia results in a linear progression because continuous correction opens the feedback loop. This prediction is confirmed with all subjects. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Retina derived relaxation is mediated by K(ir) channels and the inhibition of Ca(2+) sensitization in isolated bovine retinal arteries.
Retinal relaxing factor (RRF) has recently been identified as a novel paracrine regulator of retinal circulation acting differently from well known mediators of the endothelium and the retina. Herein, we aimed to characterize the relaxing mechanism of the retina, i.e. RRF, by evaluating the role of Ca(+2)-dependent and -independent signaling mechanisms as well as inward rectifier K(+) (Kir) channels. Retinal relaxation was determined by placing a piece of retinal tissue just on top of the precontracted bovine retinal arteries mounted in a wire myograph. The retina produced a complete relaxation response, which display a biphasic character, in depolarized arteries contracted by L-type Ca(2+) channel agonist, Bay k 8644. Blockade of L-type Ca(2+) channel by nifedipine, inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase by cyclopiazonic acid or removal of extracellular Ca(2+) did not influence the prominent relaxation to the retina. Originally, retinal relaxation was found to be unaffected from the inhibition of myosin light chain kinase by ML7, whereas, completely abolished in the presence of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) inhibitor, Calyculin A. Moreover, the inhibition of Rho kinase by its putative inhibitor, Y-27632 displayed comparable relaxant effects to RRF in retinal arteries precontracted either by prostaglandin F2α or K(+), and augmented the moderate response to the retina in K(+) precontracted arteries. In addition, retinal relaxation was significantly inhibited and lost its biphasic character in the presence of Kir channel blocker, Ba(2+). Our results suggested that inhibition of Ca(2+) sensitization through the activation of MLCP, possibly via interfering with Rho kinase, and the opening of Kir channels are likely to be involved in the inhibitory influence of RRF on the retinal arteries. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The hypothesis of zinc deficiency in the pathogenesis of neurofibrillary tangles.
Neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in human encephalopathies of various etiologies may result from a common pathogenetic mechanism: a functional zinc decrease leading to a deficiency of the DNA metabolizing zinc-enzymes, giving rise to abnormal neuronal DNA and synthesis of pathological proteins: NFT. In encephalopathia Saturnica, zinc decreases in the hippocampus displaced by lead; in Guam's encephalopathy, calcium deficiency permits the entry in the brain of toxic metals that may displace zinc; in Boxer's dementia and some viral encephalitides, blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is altered and abnormal metals may reach the brain; in Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease precapillary and capillary amyloidosis disturbs the BBB, metals (iron and aluminium) are encrusted in the amyloid and their brain level increases, whereas zinc decreases especially in the hippocampus. A deficiency of the zinc enzymes of neuronal detoxication, of glutamate catabolism and of some neurotransmitters metabolisms may also contribute in the neuronal dysfunction of these encephalopathies. A non-toxic zinc compound crossing the BBB may be useful for the treatment of these encephalopathies and especially for Alzheimer's disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antibiotic susceptibility of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae isolated from swine.
The antibiotic susceptibility of thirty-nine strains of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae isolated from swine between 1970-1981 and 1989-1990 was investigated. From the present results, it is suggested that the susceptibility to chlortetracycline has been decreasing in Japan. On the other hand, all the strains were sensitive to lincomycin, thiamphenicol and macrolides. Newly developed macrolides such as tilmicosin, acetyl-isovaleryl-tylosin and mirosamycin had equal or higher activity than general macrolides. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Personal experience in 71 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis].
Acute cholecystitis is one of the most frequent abdominal inflammatory processes. If untreated or misdiagnosed it can result in severe complications such as gallbladder rupture, abscesses, or peritonitis. We retrospectively reviewed a series of 71 consecutive patients with surgical confirmation of acute cholecystitis and now compare the results of the diagnostic techniques we used preoperatively. Over 16 months, 71 consecutive patients (42 women and 29 men; age range: 34-84 years, mean: 58) with acute abdominal pain were operated on for acute cholecystitis at Cardarelli Hospital, Naples. Abdominal plain film was performed in 65 of 71 cases, abdominal US in 69 and abdominal CT in 6. On abdominal plain films, we retrospectively searched the following signs: densities projected over the gallbladder, linear calcifications in gallbladder walls, gallbladder enlargement, focal gas collections within the gallbladder, and air-fluid levels in the gallbladder lumen. On US images we looked for: gallbladder wall thickening (> 3 mm), intraluminal content in the gallbladder, pericholecystic fluid, US Murphy's sign, and gallbladder distension. On CT images, we investigated: gallbladder distension, wall thickening, intraluminal content, pericholecystic fluid, and inflammatory changes in pericholecystic fat. Associated complications of cholecystitis were also searched on all images. On plain abdominal films we found densities projected over the gallbladder (16.9%) and linear calcifications in the gallbladder wall (4.6%). Abdominal US demonstrated gallbladder wall thickening (56.5%), one or more gallstone(s) (85.5%), pericholecystic fluid (14.5%), gallbladder distension (46.4%), and US Murphy's sign (39.1%). Abdominal CT showed gallbladder wall thickening (83.3%), gallbladder distension (66.6%), pericholecystic fluid (66.6%), gallstones (50%), inflammatory changes in pericholecystic fat (33.3%), and increased bile density (> 20 HU) (33.3%). US appears to be the most useful imaging technique in patients with suspected acute cholecystitis, for both screening and final diagnosis. CT plays a limited role in the early assessment of these patients, but can be a useful tool in diagnosing acute cholecystitis in patients with questionable physical findings or in investigating related complications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Representations of ECT in English-Language Film and Television in the New Millennium.
The aim of the study was to survey the media landscape to determine whether visual depictions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are becoming more or less medically accurate in the new millennium. English-language film and television shows depicting ECT were analyzed for patient demographics, administrator roles, indication, consent, anesthesia, paralytics, bite block, lead placement, electroencephalogram, and outcome. Thirty-nine ECT scenes were viewed, and just 3 included all 5 essential tools of modern ECT: anesthesia, paralytic, electrodes, electroencephalogram, and a bite block. Media depictions of ECT do not reflect current practice. Too often, ECT is portrayed as a torture technique rather than an evidenced-based therapy, and even in a therapeutic setting, it is too often shown with outdated techniques. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A preliminary study on the effect of time on apparent lead content of evaporated milk as determined by non-flame atomic-absorption spectrometry.
Analysis of several brands of canned evaporated milk at various times after opening showed increases in the lead content upon standing. Initially all samples had a lead content within the range 0.1-0.2 ppm. Upon standing, however, the lead concentration of anumber of samples doubled or tipled. Control samples obtained by pouring approximately half of the milk from a can into a polyethylene bottle immediately after opening showed no such increase. When atmospheric oxygen was ecluded by bubbling nitrogen through a sample, where was likewise no increase in lead for the sample. Bubbling oxygen through the samples produced an increase in the lead content of the milk left in the can but did not affect that of the milk in the polyethylene bottle. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholine.
Despite its very potent vasodilating action in vivo, acetylcholine (ACh) does not always produce relaxation of isolated preparations of blood vessels in vitro. For example, in the helical strip of the rabbit descending thoracic aorta, the only reported response to ACh has been graded contractions, occurring at concentrations above 0.1 muM and mediated by muscarinic receptors. Recently, we observed that in a ring preparation from the rabbit thoracic aorta, ACh produced marked relaxation at concentrations lower than those required to produce contraction (confirming an earlier report by Jelliffe). In investigating this apparent discrepancy, we discovered that the loss of relaxation of ACh in the case of the strip was the result of unintentional rubbing of its intimal surface against foreign surfaces during its preparation. If care was taken to avoid rubbing of the intimal surface during preparation, the tissue, whether ring, transverse strip or helical strip, always exhibited relaxation to ACh, and the possibility was considered that rubbing of the intimal surface had removed endothelial cells. We demonstrate here that relaxation of isolated preparations of rabbit thoracic aorta and other blood vessels by ACh requires the presence of endothelial cells, and that ACh, acting on muscarinic receptors of these cells, stimulates release of a substance(s) that causes relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle. We propose that this may be one of the principal mechanisms for ACh-induced vasodilation in vivo. Preliminary reports on some aspects of the work have been reported elsewhere. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of torrefaction on rice straw physicochemical characteristics and particulate matter emission behavior during combustion.
In this work, the effects of different torrefaction temperatures and durations on the physicochemical properties of rice straw (RS), and the emission characteristic of PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of ≤10 µm) during torrefied RS combustion, were investigated. Results indicate that the release of Cl and K, and decomposition of the organic matrix demonstrated a promoting effect during torrefaction. However, the removal of Cl and K did not reduce the emission of PM1. The emission concentration of PM1 and PM1-10 generated from torrefied RS was enhanced, and the yields of PM1-10 was much higher than those of PM1. The concentrations of K and Cl in PM1-10 increased with torrefaction temperature, combined with the microstructure, indicating that the torrefaction pretreatment promoted the heterogeneous condensation of KCl vapour to form PM1-10. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In vivo, thyroid and lens surface exposure with spiral and conventional computed tomography in dental implant radiography.
To compare the surface dose exposure to the lens of the eye and the thyroid gland received by patients undergoing spiral and conventional computed tomography (CT) examinations during dental implant pretreatment evaluation in critical radiosensitive structures of the maxillofacial region. Two groups of 10 patients each had a dental implant CT examination performed, with 5 patients in each group having maxillary and 5 having mandibular examinations. One group was examined with conventional CT and the other with spiral CT. Seven examination parameters were standardized to both types of examinations. Lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed over the thyroid gland, lateral orbit, and infraorbital foramen of each patient to measure the surface dose. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare doses, with statistical significance set at P <.05. For the maxillary examination, there was a 57.4% reduction in the surface dose at the lateral orbit, 47% at the infraorbital foramen, and 60.8% at the thyroid when spiral CT was used instead of conventional CT with the same parameters. Similarly, for the mandibular examination, there was a 57.4% reduction at the lateral orbit, 60% reduction at the infraorbital foramen, and 70.9% at the thyroid. All the dose reductions were statistically significant at P <.05. The use of spiral CT for preimplant evaluation reduces the surface absorbed dose in certain critical structures of the maxillofacial region compared with conventional CT. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Screening and identification of quorum sensing degraders from live feed Artemia.
Quorum sensing (QS) is bacterial cell-to-cell communication with small signal molecules such as acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) that control a number of phenotypes including the regulation of virulence determinants in pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, quorum sensing degrader has been suggested as one of the biocontrol strategies to fight bacterial infections. In the present study, different bacterial QS degrader strains were isolated from Artemia and screened using Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 bioassay. The results showed that six bacterial strains (four Gram-positive and two Gram-negative) isolated from Artemia were able to degrade AHL in two different in vitro assays. All the strains were later identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Rhodococcus opacus, Strepsporangium roseum, Streptomyces alboniger, Enterobacter clocae and Bacillus litoralis. Highest bacterial AHL degrader, Bacillus litoralis BP-ART/6 fully degraded 10 ppm AHL in 9 hrs. The present study showed that bacterial strains isolated from Artemia can act as a QS degrader. ? | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Stroke, regional anesthesia in the sitting position, and hypotension: a review of 4169 ambulatory surgery patients.
Intraoperative hypotension is used to reduce surgical bleeding. Case reports of stroke after general anesthesia in the sitting position led us to collect data (patient demographics, medical risk factors for stroke, intraoperative hemodynamics) about the incidence of stroke after surgery in the sitting position. This study reviewed 4169 (3000 retrospective, 1169 prospective) ambulatory shoulder surgeries in the sitting position. For the prospective cohort, patients were queried postoperatively regarding stroke, with corroboration from 4 databases (anesthesia department quality assurance, hospital case management, state-reportable events, and hospital information system diagnostic code databases). For the retrospective cohort, rate of stroke was determined via the same 4 databases. No patient had a stroke (95% confidence interval, 0%-0.07%). Risk factors for perioperative stroke were present in 40% of patients. Brachial plexus nerve block with intravenous sedation was used for 95.7% (retrospective) and 99.8% (prospective) of the cohorts. Many patients (47%) experienced intraoperative hypotension by at least one definition: 40% (retrospective) and 30% (prospective) had at least a 30% decrease in mean arterial pressure; 27% (retrospective) and 24% (prospective) had a mean pressure less than 66 mm Hg; and 13% (retrospective) and 12% (prospective) had a systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm Hg. No strokes were observed in 4169 patients. The estimated upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for stroke after regional anesthesia for shoulder surgery in the seated position is 0.07%, despite frequent incidence of hypotension. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cotton functional genomics reveals global insight into genome evolution and fiber development.
Due to the economic value of natural textile fiber, cotton has attracted much research attention, which has led to the publication of two diploid genomes and two tetraploid genomes. These big data facilitate functional genomic study in cotton, and allow researchers to investigate cotton genome structure, gene expression, and protein function on the global scale using high-throughput methods. In this review, we summarized recent studies of cotton genomes. Population genomic analyses revealed the domestication history of cultivated upland cotton and the roles of transposable elements in cotton genome evolution. Alternative splicing of cotton transcriptomes was evaluated genome-widely. Several important gene families like MYC, NAC, Sus and GhPLDα1 were systematically identified and classified based on genetic structure and biological function. High-throughput proteomics also unraveled the key functional proteins correlated with fiber development. Functional genomic studies have provided unprecedented insights into global-scale methods for cotton research. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Elevated growth hormone increases the Ca2+ sensitivity of slow- and fast-twitch skeletal muscle of female rats.
To determine the effect of plasma growth hormone (GH) on skeletal muscle function, we measured the free Ca2+ concentration-tension relationship of slow-twitch (soleus) and fast-twitch (peroneus longus) muscles isolated from rats undergoing acromegaly in response to implanted, GH-secreting tumors. Muscles from adult (9 mo) and aged rats (24 mo) were studied after the tumor-bearing rats weighted over 50% more than their age-matched controls. Ca(2+)-activated isometric tension was recorded from skinned muscle fibers. For soleus muscles, the free Ca2+ concentration producing 50% of maximal tension ([Ca2+]50) was 2.0 microM for rats with tumors and 3.4-3.6 microM for controls. For peroneus longus fibers, [Ca2+]50 shifted from 6.1-6.7 microM in controls to 3.5 microM after tumors were introduced into either adult or aged rats. Soleus muscle fibers from neonatal rats (14 days) were less sensitive to Ca2+ than those isolated from adult rats, having a [Ca2+]50 of 7.3 microM. The Ca2+ sensitivity of peroneus longus fibers did not change with age. We conclude that significant increases in myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity occur in skeletal muscles undergoing rapid growth induced by GH-secreting tumors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An autoradiographic study of experimental odontogenic cyst formation in the mouse.
Proliferative populations of cells within the epithelial lining of developing experimental odontogenic cysts were identified by labeling with 3H-thymidine. Mouse molar teeth extracted from 10-day-old mice were transplanted subcutaneously and host animals were injected with 3H-thymidine 1 h prior to sacrifice. The cysts which developed around the crown of the transplanted teeth were prepared for autoradiographical examination. Labeling indices were high initially but decreased rapidly as the cysts enlarged. The pattern of labeling, however, bore no resemblance to the labeling of the reduced enamel epithelium from which the cysts developed. It was concluded that labeling activity reflects only the state of development and activity of the cyst and not the origin of the cyst. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Genetic typing of the senescence-accelerated mouse (SAM) strains with microsatellite markers.
The Senescence-Accelerated Mouse (SAM) strains constitute a murine model of accelerated senescence originating from the ancestral AKR/J strains and consist of nine senescence-prone (SAMP) strains and four senescence-resistant (SAMR) strains. The chromosomes (Chrs) of the SAM strains were typed with 581 microsatellite markers amplified by PCR, and the fundamental genetic information of the SAM strains was obtained. One-third of the examined markers displayed polymorphism among the strains, and only two alleles were detected in almost all loci among the SAM and AKR/J strains. However, in 12 loci (5.6% of total 215 polymorphic markers), the third allele was detected among the SAM strains. The genetic typing and developmental history suggested that the SAM strains were related inbred strains developed by the accidental crossing between the AKR/J strain and other unknown strain(s). Comparison of the distribution of the loci in the SAMP and the SAMR series revealed notable differences in the four regions on Chrs 4, 14, 16, and 17. This indicated that some of these chromosomal sites might contain the genes responsible for accelerated senescence in the SAMP series. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Laparoscopic-Assisted Transhiatal Esophagogastrectomy Without Thoracic or Cervical Access: A Series of One Hundred Three Consecutive Cases.
To evaluate short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted transhiatal esophagogastrectomy (LTEG) for treatment of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). Patients with AEG who underwent laparoscopic or open surgery at our department from October 2008 to December 2012 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients' demographics, perioperative outcomes, and survival data were collected. A total of 136 patients with AEG were enrolled (103 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery and 33 patients underwent open surgery). Patient characteristics were comparable between two groups in terms of age, gender, tumor-node-metastasis stage, tumor size, preoperative complications, and type of surgery. The median operative time was longer in laparoscopic group (240 versus 210 minutes, P = .048). However, the estimated blood loss was less, and the rate of pleural rupture was lower in laparoscopic group (20 versus 70 mL, P < .001 and 18.4% versus 36.4%, P = .033, respectively). The rate of patients with pleural rupture requiring prolonged use of mechanical ventilation longer than 12 hours (6/31, 19.4%) was higher than that of patients without pleural rupture (6/105, 5.7%) (P = .019). The incidence of reflux symptoms at postoperative month six was similar in two groups (18.4% in laparoscopic group versus 24.2% in open group, P = .468), as well as the use of proton pump inhibitors (12.6% versus 15.2%, P = .709). Furthermore, the number of lymph nodes harvested (22 versus 25), 2-year cumulative overall survival rates (80.4% versus 57.5%), and the median survival times (51.52 months versus 24.24 months) were similar between two groups (P > .05). LTEG is a safe, feasible, and oncologically effective procedure for AEG when performed by an experienced surgeon. Laparoscopic surgery is associated with a lower risk of pleural rupture, but pleural rupture in laparoscopic surgery may cause an adverse effect on the recovery of pulmonary function presumably due to tension pneumothorax. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An excised patch membrane sensor for arachidonic acid released in mouse hippocampal slices under stimulation of L-glutamate.
An excised patch membrane sensor for arachidonic acid (AA) is described, whose response stems from AA-induced channel-type transport of ions across the excised patch membrane. The patch membrane sensor was prepared in situ by excising mouse hippocampal cell membranes with patch pipets having a tip diameter of < 0.5 microm. The sensor responds to AA, giving rise to a channel-type current, and its magnitude (apparent conductance) increased with increasing AA concentration in the range from 10 to 30 nM. The detection limit was 2.1 nM (S/N = 3). The induction of channel-type currents was selective to AA over fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid and AA metabolites such as 12-HETE, 5-HETE, and prostaglandin D(2). The sensor was applied to quantification of AA released from various neuronal regions (CA1, CA3, and DG) of mouse hippocampus under stimulation of 100 microM L-glutamate. The release of AA from each region was observed 1 min after the stimulation and the concentration of AA 5 min after the stimulation varied among the neuronal sites, i.e., 8+/-1 nM (n = 5) for CA1, 15+/-3 nM (n = 3) for CA3, and 6+/-2 nM (n = 9) for DG. The L-glutamate-evoked release of AA was partly inhibited by ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists (APV and DNQX) and completely blocked by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor (MAFP), suggesting that the release of AA occurred by glutamate receptor-mediated activation of PLA2. The potential use of the present sensor for detecting local concentration of AA at various neuronal sites is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Life events as environmental States and genetic traits and the role of personality: a longitudinal twin study.
The occurrence of many life events is not entirely random but genetically influenced. The current study examined the sources underlying the stability or recurrence of life events and the developmental interplay between personality traits and life events. In a longitudinal study of 338 adult twin pairs we estimated (1) the genetic and environmental sources of continuity in aggregates of life events, (2) the sources through which personality influences the experience of life events, and (3) the sources through which life events influence personality. Unlike personality which showed both genetic and environmental influences on substantial continuity over time, stability of life events was moderate and mainly influenced by genetic factors. Significant associations between personality and life events were specific to certain personality traits and qualitative aspects of life events (controllable positive, controllable negative, and less controllable negative), primarily directional from personality to life events, and basically genetically mediated. Controlled for these genetic associations, we also found some small and basically environmentally mediated effects of life events on personality traits. The results support the concept of genotype-environment correlation as a propulsive mechanism of development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Colicinogeny in Salmonella typhimurium.
Colicin types, Ia, Ib, E1, E2, B with M, K, S4 and a new salmonellin-like colicin were found in 531 (11.8%) of 4481 wild-type cultures of Salmonella typhimurium. Colicin typing added little useful information to phage typing and biotyping in strain differentiation, mainly because the most common types, Ia and Ib, are controlled by conjugative plasmids. Evidence from the mixed-Col-/Col+ pattern of colicinogeny in circumscribed outbreaks caused by strains of known phage type and biotype suggested that some Col factors are readily acquired by S. typhimurium from other enteric species. When a Col factor of the nonconjugative type, e.g. ColE2, becomes established in strains of successful phage type/biotype line, it may be a useful additional marker character. | {
"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.