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Eighteen-Year Review of Resident Performance on the American Urological Association In-Service Examination.
To analyze national performance trends of urology residents on the American Urological Association In-Service Examination (ISE) over the last 18 years. Trends in the national averages on the ISE for each year of residency training were collected and analyzed between the years 2000 and 2017. Mean and standard error were calculated for exam performance for each year of residency. Subject-specific performance was also determined for each given year of residency. Regression analysis was used to model trends in performance as a function of residency year. There was no significant difference in exam performance over 18 years with respect to each specific residency year. While there was an overall improvement in total scores with each advancing training year, year-over-year improvement in total exam performance began to plateau after Uro-2. Largest absolute performance improvement from Pre-Uro to Uro-4 were in subjects of "Urinary Diversion," "Obstructive Uropathy" and "Neoplasm." Scores in "Sexual Dysfunction, Endocrinopathy, Fertility Problems" and "Congenital Anomalies, Embryology, Anatomy" were consistently the lowest regardless of year of training. No significant change in performance was seen in each given year of residency over the 18-year period. There was improvement in overall scores as residents progressed through training, but scores plateaued after Uro-2 with minimal improvement between Uro-3 and Uro-4 years. Difference in subject scores suggests a disparity in educational focus in residency curricula and a potential need to improve the teaching strategies for subjects that tested less well throughout residency training. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Simultaneous determination of sudan red dyes in foods by high performance liquid chromatography with a clean-up procedure by gel column].
A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Sudan Red I, II, III and IV in foods by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a clean-up procedure by gel column. Sample was extracted from foods with ethanol. The extract was cleaned up with a Bio-Beads SX3 gel column (200 mm x 10 mm i. d. ) and eluted with cyclohexane-ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v). The analysis was performed on a Symmetry Shield RP18 column (250 mm x 4. 6 mm i. d. , 5 microm) with 100% methanol as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min, detection at 478 nm and confirmation by diode-array spectra. All of the four compounds demonstrated good linear relationship (r > 0.999) in the range of 0.1 - 10.0 mg/L. The limits of detection (LOD) were from 7 to 14 microg/kg. The average recoveries for all four dyes (spiked at the levels of 0.25 and 2. 5 mg/kg) in chili sauce and sausage ranged from 80.7% to 96.3%, and the relative standard deviations were from 2.4% to 5.9%. The method is sensitive, reliable and can be applied for the analysis of four Sudan Red dyes in foods. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of sampling strategies on assessment of water quality criteria attainment.
Sample locations for large river studies affect the representativeness of data, and thus can alter decisions made regarding river conditions and the need for interventions to improve water quality. The present study evaluated three water-quality sampling programs for Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) assessment in the Monongahela River from 2008 to 2012. The sampling plans cover the same 145 km of river but differ in frequency, sample location and type (e.g., river water sample vs drinking water plant intake sample). Differences resulting from temporal and spatial variability in sampling lead to different conclusions regarding water quality in the river (including regulatory listing decisions), especially when low flow leads to concentrations at or near the water quality criteria (500mg/L TDS). Drinking water samples exceeded the criteria 82 out of 650 samples (12.6%), while river water samples exceeded the criteria 47 out of 464 samples (10.1%). Different water sample types could provide different pictures of water quality in the river and lead to different regulatory listing decisions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of Fenton reagent shock and recovery periods on anaerobic microbial community structure and degradation of chlorinated aliphatics.
This study investigates the effect of Fenton reagent on the structure and function of a microbial consortium during the anaerobic degradation of hexachloroethane (HCA) and tetrachloroethene (PCE). Anaerobic biodegradation tests of HCA and PCE were performed in batch reactors using an anaerobic microbial consortium that had been exposed to Fenton reagent for durations of 0, 0.04, and 2 days and then allowed to recover for periods of 0, 3, and 7 days. The bacterial community structure was determined using culture-independent methods of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. Larger recovery periods partially restored the microbial community structure; however, the recovery periods did not restore the loss of ability to degrade HCA and PCE in cultures shocked for 0.04 days, and PCE in cultures shocked for 2 days. Overall the exposure to Fenton reagent had an impact on bacterial community structure with downstream effects on HCA and PCE degradation. This study highlights that the impacts of short- and long-term shocks on microbial community structure and function can be correlated using a combination of biodegradation tests and community structure analysis tools. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Expression profile of latent and lytic transcripts of epstein-barr virus in patients with gastroduodenal diseases: a study from northern India.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been shown to be associated with gastric cancer. However, inconsistent findings have been reported regarding the EBV reactivation in gastric cancer and non-carcinomatous gastric epithelium. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of clinicopathological findings on the expression of different transcripts of EBV in patients with gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, and dyspepsia. A total of 200 adult patients (dyspepsia [120], peptic ulcer [30], gastric cancer [50]) undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled. EBV infection was diagnosed with non-polymorphic Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen1 (EBNA1) gene based PCR and confirmed by real-time PCR. The transcripts of EBV were detected by real-time RT-PCR. In patients with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer, EBV DNA was detected more often than in those with dyspepsia (P < 0.05). EBNA1 transcript was detected in all EBV positive cases and its expression was neither associated with disease nor with histopathological findings. The expression of BZLF1 was significantly associated with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer compared to dyspepsia (P < 0.01). BZLF1 expression was also found to be higher in Helicobacter pylori infected patients (P = 0.058). Expression of BARF1 and BcLF1 were significantly higher in gastric epithelium of patients having severe grade chronic inflammation (P = 0.05) and gastric atrophy (P = 0.02), respectively. In conclusion, increased expression of lytic transcripts in patients with gastric cancer, peptic ulcer, gastric atrophy, chronic inflammation and H. pylori infection suggests the association of these factors with EBV reactivation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The C825T GNB3 polymorphism, independent of blood pressure, predicts cerebrovascular risk at a population level.
The role of C825T polymorphism of the candidate GNB3 gene in predicting cerebrovascular outcome has been poorly explored in longitudinal setting at a population level. In an epidemiological setting, 1,678 men and women from general population were genotyped for C825T polymorphism of GNB3 gene and follow-up for 10 years to detect nonfatal and fatal cerebrovascular events (CE). Established cerebrovascular risk factors were used to adjust the multivariate Cox analysis for confounders. Seventy-three nonfatal and 30 fatal CE were recorded. Incidence of CE was higher in TT than in C-carriers (fatal: 2.6 vs. 1.7%, P < 0.03; nonfatal: 7.8 vs. 3.9%, P < 0.03; fatal recurrences: 1.6 vs. 0.6%, P < 0.03). In Cox analysis, the TT genotype predicted nonfatal (hazard ratio 1.99, 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.79, P = 0.03), fatal (2.91, 1.05-8.12, P = 0.04), and fatal recurrent CE (6.82, 1.50-31.1, P = 0.02) also after adjustment for age, gender, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body adiposity, atherogenetic blood lipids, serum uric acid, diabetes, calories, caffeine and ethanol intake, and coronary events at baseline. Further adjustment for historical CE made the association between TT genotype and incident fatal CE nonsignificant (hazard ratio 2.72, 95% confidence interval 0.96-7.22, P = 0.06). The TT genotype of GNB3 gene predicts incident CE independent of blood pressure and other established risk factors at a population level. Further studies are needed to clarify the nature and pathways of this association. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Flow cytometric studies on phagocyte function in bacterial infections.
Polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte (PMNL) phagocytosis of fluorescein-isothiocyanate labelled Staphylococcus aureus was studied by flow cytometry (FCM) in 41 patients with bacterial infections. Practically all phagocytic cells (granulocytes and monocytes) showed active uptake of fluorescent bacteria. However, the mean fluorescence of the phagocytes was about 15% lower than that of cells from healthy volunteers. This reduction was only seen in the male patients, not in the females. The fluorescence reduction was related neither to the type of infectious agent (Gram-positive versus Gram-negative) nor to the white blood cell count or percentage of immature leukocytes. Five patients with cured infections had phagocyte fluorescence similar to that of the controls. In two patients, phagocyte fluorescence was very low, indicating reduced phagocytosis. Phagocyte fluorescence was not related to patient survival. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cathepsin D and chromogranin A as predictors of long term disease specific survival after radical prostatectomy for localized carcinoma of the prostate.
The accumulation of chromogranin A (Chr A) and cathepsin D (Cath D) gene products may be important in prostate carcinoma progression. This study assessed whether the levels of immunoreactivity for Chr A and Cath D are better predictors of disease specific survival than conventional pathologic parameters of the primary tumor such as Gleason score, capsular penetration, seminal vesicle invasion, and percent tumor in the specimen for patients with clinically localized prostate carcinoma managed by radical prostatectomy. Seventy-one patients with modified Jewett clinical stages A1 to B2 adenocarcinoma of the prostate underwent a radical prostatectomy after a negative metastatic workup. No neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatments were given and all disease recurrences and causes of death were recorded. Analysis of prostatectomy specimens was undertaken to determine the conventional pathologic parameters of the primary tumor and Chr A and Cath D immunohistochemical staining. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the independent contributions of Chr A and Cath D in predicting survival. On univariate analysis Chr A was the only variable that reached statistical significance for disease specific survival (P = 0.035). Cath D nearly reached significance with a P value of 0.079 for disease specific survival. On multivariate analysis, the only independent factor predicting disease specific survival was the Chr A staining score (P < 0.05). In patients with unequivocal foci of Chr A immunoreactivity, the 14-year disease specific survival was 50% compared with 68% for patients lacking such foci. The level of Chr A immunohistochemical staining is a strong predictor of disease specific survival and is superior to standard pathologic prognostic factors. Such findings lay the groundwork for future prospective study of the utility of such markers on biopsy specimens to predict patient outcome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Studies on the influence of fluoride on the equilibrating calcium phosphate phase at a high enamel/acid ratio.
Data obtained in a previous study suggested that brushite is the solubility-determining phase when enamel is first exposed to acid solution in a series of repeated equilibrations. Fluoride in solution might be expected to inhibit brushite formation, and experimental studies at low solid/solution ratio support this. We have now re-examined the effect at a very high ratio, in an attempt to mimic what happens in an enamel caries lesion. Powdered enamel was repeatedly exposed to HCl solution, 10-70 mmol/l, containing 2 ppm F, for 24 h, initially in a ratio of 1 g/3 ml. Ion activities were determined after 20 min and 24 h and potential plot diagrams constructed. In early repetitions the -log (Ca2+) (OH-)2 vs. -log (H+)3(PO4(3-)) points tended to follow the brushite line, rather than the hydroxyapatite (HAp) line which one would expect if enamel behaved as pure HAp. Solution F was below measurable limits after 20 min and F then had little influence on the brushite equilibrating phase. In later (> 13) repetitions, points fell closer to the HAp line, with or without F added to the acid solution. However, added F, which was not then completely removed from solution, caused the slope of the regression line through the points to approach the Ca/P ratio of HAp, and therefore may have had a small effect in reducing the brushite phase. It is concluded that high solid/solution ratio, a previously neglected factor in enamel dissolution studies, has a profound effect in increasing the manifestation of a brushite surface phase and reducing the inhibitory effect of F on this phase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Automatic adaptation of stationary field dose distributions to the individual geometry of the patient. III: Practical application].
For the concrete case of a central bronchial carcinoma the method, explained in parts I and II, is applied for an automatic dose adaptation. In result a dose distribution is found which has a better adaptation of target area isodoses opposite the starting variant and results in a lower exposure of risk regions altogether. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of enteric pacing on intestinal motility and hormone secretion in dogs with short bowel.
The present study was designed to examine the role of electrode position during retrograde pacing in dogs with short bowel syndrome and unsevered intact duodenum. In nine beagle dogs a subtotal resection of the small bowel and jejunoileostomy was performed. In five of these dogs, an isolated blind loop (jejunum) with preserved mesenteric connections was left in situ as an additional place for a stimulation electrode. Small intestinal motility and plasma levels of insulin, glucagon, gastrin, somatostatin, and glucose were examined during pacing of the residual jejunum or the isolated loop, respectively, compared with control experiments in the same dogs without pacing. During pacing of the loop a significant (P less than 0.05-0.01) decrease in the postprandial small intestinal motility index was observed combined with a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in plasma insulin levels, whereas the postprandial increase in glucagon, somatostatin, gastrin, and glucose levels was not different from that in controls. In contrast, pacing of the jejunum increased postprandial small intestinal motility index (less than or equal to 68%), whereas the levels of the four hormones and plasma glucose were not different from those in controls. The data suggest that in dogs with intact duodenum, pacing on an excluded loop is required to obtain the desired effect of reduced intestinal motility and improved anabolic pancreatic hormone secretion. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evaluation of the rewarding properties of nicotine and caffeine by implementation of a five-choice conditioned place preference task in zebrafish.
The rewarding properties of drugs in zebrafish can be studied using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Most devices that have been used for CPP consist of two-half tanks with or without a central chamber. Here we evaluated the rewarding effects of nicotine and caffeine using a tank with five arms distributed radially from a central chamber that we have denoted Fish Tank Radial Maze (FTRM). Zebrafish were trained to associate nicotine or caffeine with a coloured arm. In testing sessions to assess CPP induction, between two and five different arms were available to explore. We found that when offering the two arms, one of them associated to the drug mediating conditioning for 14 days, zebrafish showed nicotine-induced CPP but not caffeine-induced CPP. When zebrafish had the option to explore drug-paired arms together with new coloured arms as putative distractors, the nicotine-CPP strength was maintained for at least three days. The presence of novel environments induced caffeine-CPP, which was still positive after three days of testing sessions. Complementary behavioural data supported these findings. Nicotine-CPP was prevented by the histone deacetylase inhibitor phenylbutyrate administered during conditioning; however, there were no effects on caffeine-CPP. The specific acetylation of lysine 9 in histone 3 (H3-K9) was increased in nicotine-conditioned zebrafish brains. This study suggests that novel environmental cues facilitate drug-environment associations, and hence, the use of drugs of abuse. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Infrared spectroscopy of the intramolecular hydrogen bond in acethylacetone: a computational approach.
The intramolecular hydrogen bond in the enol-acethylacetone (ACAC) is investigated by performing reduced-dimensional quantum calculations. To analyze the shared proton vibrations, two sets of coordinates were employed: normal mode coordinates describing the motion in the vicinity of the most stable configuration, and internal coordinates accounting for the double minimum proton motion. It is proved that the extreme broadness of the OH-stretch band in ACAC is a consequence of the coexistence of two enol-ACAC structures: the global minimum and the transition state for rotation of the distal methyl group. Further, a ground-state tunneling splitting of 116 cm(-1) is found, and it is shown that the inclusion of the kinematic coupling is mandatory when treating large-amplitude proton motion. In the OH-stretch direction a splitting of 853 cm(-1) was predicted. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Counterion collapse and the effect of diamines on bacteriorhodopsin.
A recent report of electrical measurements on oriented bacteriorhodopsin in gels [(1986) FEBS Lett. 195, 164 168] concluded that low concentrations of diamines reversed the direction of the proton pump. Calculations are presented which show that in low diamine concentrations, charge displacements of the counterion atmosphere in the direction opposite to proton pumping are expected following H+ ejection. It is also shown that the effect will be sharply reduced by raising the diamine concentration or by adding excess salt, as was observed. Hence it is not necessary to conclude that diamines reverse the direction of the proton pump itself. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A 6-Year Follow-Up of Fracture Incidence and Volumetric Bone Mineral Density Development in Girls With Turner Syndrome.
Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) are at risk for osteoporotic fractures. The aims of this study were to assess the incidence of clinically important fractures in girls with TS and prospectively describe the development of volumetric bone mineral density (BMD). Peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (pQCT) of the radius every other year over the 6 years of observation. Government-funded university referral center. Thirty-two girls with TS, aged 6 to 16 years, were included in the analyses. Fracture incidence was compared with the data in the general population. Bone density and strength were compared with data from 185 healthy girls. The main clinical outcome was the fracture occurrence. The secondary outcomes were the changes in Z-scores of the bone parameters. Three girls with TS sustained four fractures during 6 years of observation. The fracture rate in TS was not substantially higher than the downward-biased fracture-rate estimate from age-matched, healthy controls (P = 0.48). Whereas the trabecular BMD Z-score decreased with age (β estimate -0.21 ± 0.04, P < 0.001), total bone cross-sectional area correspondingly increased (+0.16 ± 0.04, P < 0.001), which led to normal bone strength. A positive history of incident fractures was not significantly associated with any of the pQCT-derived bone parameters. Current pediatric TS patients that are treated with growth hormone and estrogens are not at risk for osteoporotic fractures. Low BMD in TS may be counterweighted by enlarged bone radius, which leads to normal bone strength at the appendicular skeleton. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neither saints nor wolves in disguise: ambivalent interpersonal attitudes and behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Inflated responsibility is ascribed a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of the study was to assess interpersonal attitudes and behaviors contributing to enhanced responsibility in OCD. In particular, we tested the hypothesis that individuals diagnosed with OCD share stronger latent aggression toward others, resulting in a high degree of interpersonal ambivalence. A total of 176 participants with OCD, 42 participants with anxiety or depression as well as 42 healthy controls completed the Responsibility and Interpersonal Behaviors and Attitudes Questionnaire (RIBAQ). The factor analysis confirmed three factors: (1) inflated worry/responsibility, (2) latent aggression/calculating behavior and (3) suspiciousness/distrust. Whereas the psychiatric group displayed enhanced scores relative to healthy participants regarding responsibility and suspiciousness, OCD patients achieved significantly higher scores on the latent aggression dimension relative to both control groups. Results are consistent with the notion that participants with OCD show both inflated levels of (authentic) responsibility and latent aggression. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A Long-Distance Chromatin Affair.
Changes in transcription factor binding sequences result in correlated changes in chromatin composition locally and at sites hundreds of kilobases away. New studies demonstrate that this concordance is mediated via spatial chromatin interactions that constitute regulatory modules of the human genome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prognostic factors vs. outcome in male-to-female transsexualism. A follow-up study of 13 cases.
Thirteen male-to-female transsexuals were investigated 6 to 25 years after surgery. Thirty-five prognostic items were compared with each of three outcome variables. Traumatic loss of both parents in infancy was connected with repentance at follow-up. A childhood family of an overprotective mother and a distant father, on the other hand, was prognostically favourable. Contrary to most previous reports, high sexual activity and bisexual experience was associated with fair sexual adjustment and with non-repentance after sex change. The repenting individuals, on the other hand, had been a-sexual or hyposexual before surgery. Completed military service, a history of typically masculine, hard jobs, and a comparatively late (more than 30 years of age) first request for surgery, were found to be negative prognostic factors in sex-reassignment evaluations. The phenomenon of ambivalence or hesitance during the trial period is discussed. Both too much and too little ambivalence may suggest a poor prognosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Differential processing of symbolic numerical magnitude and order in first-grade children.
A growing body of evidence has indicated a link between individual differences in children's symbolic numerical magnitude discrimination (e.g., judging which of two numbers is numerically larger) and their arithmetic achievement. In contrast, relatively little is known about the processing of numerical order (e.g., deciding whether two numbers are in ascending or descending numerical order) and whether individual differences in judging numerical order are related to the processing of numerical magnitude and arithmetic achievement. In view of this, we investigated the relationships among symbolic numerical magnitude comparison, symbolic order judgments, and mathematical achievement. Data were collected from a group of 61 first-grade children who completed a magnitude comparison task, an order judgment task, and two standardized tests of arithmetic achievement. Results indicated a numerical distance effect (NDE) in both the symbolic numerical magnitude discrimination and the numerical order judgment condition. However, correlation analyses demonstrated that although individual differences in magnitude comparison correlated significantly with arithmetic achievement, performance on the order judgment task did not. Moreover, the NDE of the magnitude and order comparison performance was also found to be uncorrelated. These findings suggest that order and numerical magnitude processing may be underpinned by different processes and relate differentially to arithmetic achievement in young children. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
S5a binds to death receptor-6 to induce THP-1 monocytes to differentiate through the activation of the NF-κB pathway.
Analyses of supernatants from apoptotic cells have helped in the identification of many signals that modulate the states of cell activation and differentiation. However, the current knowledge about the soluble factors that are released during apoptosis is rather limited. Previous studies have shown that S5a and angiocidin (both encoded by PSMD4) induce human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1 cells) to differentiate into macrophages, but the cell-surface receptor of S5a has not been identified. In this study, we show that apoptotic THP-1 cells release endogenous S5a that binds to death receptor-6 (DR6, also known as TNFRSF1), which was identified as an orphan receptor, to induce THP-1 cells to differentiate. Furthermore, we found that the NF-κB pathway is activated, and that the transcription factors WT1 (Wilms' tumor 1) and c-myb mediate S5a-induced THP-1 differentiation. We also show that differentiation is blocked by anti-DR6 antibody, DR6 siRNA, DR6-Fc, NF-κB inhibitor or WT1 siRNA treatment. Our findings indicate that the interaction between cells can determine their differentiation, and we provide evidence for a functional interaction between S5a and DR6, which provides a novel potential mechanism to induce the differentiation of cancer cells, especially during biotherapy for leukemia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
From climate change to molecular response: redox proteomics of ozone-induced responses in soybean.
• Ozone (O₃) causes significant agricultural losses, with soybean (Glycine max) being highly sensitive to this oxidant. Here we assess the effect of elevated seasonal O₃ exposure on the total and redox proteomes of soybean. • To understand the molecular responses to O₃ exposure, soybean grown at the Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment facility under ambient (37 ppb), moderate (58 ppb), and high (116 ppb) O₃ concentrations was examined by redox-sensitive thiol labeling, mass spectrometry, and targeted enzyme assays. • Proteomic analysis of soybean leaf tissue exposed to high O₃ concentrations reveals widespread changes. In the high-O₃ treatment leaf, 35 proteins increased up to fivefold in abundance, 22 proteins showed up to fivefold higher oxidation, and 22 proteins increased in both abundance and oxidation. These changes occurred in carbon metabolism, photosynthesis, amino acid synthesis, flavonoid and isoprenoid biosynthesis, signaling and homeostasis, and antioxidant pathways. • This study shows that seasonal O₃ exposure in soybean alters the abundance and oxidation state of redox-sensitive multiple proteins and that these changes reflect a combination of damage effects and adaptive responses that influence a wide range of metabolic processes, which in some cases may help mitigate oxidative stress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A report from the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2013 (August 31-September 4, 2013 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands).
Many are the diseases that can affect the heart and the vessels, most of which were discussed during the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2013 in Amsterdam. With an attendance of almost 30,000 delegates buzzing the halls of the RAI convention center, Amsterdam was the capital of cardiologic science this summer, and a big challenge for any attendee trying to get the most out of all the oral and poster sessions missing the minimum of new science being presented. Thomson Reuters Cortellis™ supplements the information for any scientist who missed an important session, with a particular focus on new investigational drugs, many of them still in preclinical research, which will certainly impact how cardiovascular disorders are treated in a foreseeable future. Clinical and preclinical research advance to bring novel therapeutic targets, new drugs and new insight into patient characteristics requiring particular treatment approaches. This report is a sample of the new science discussed during the 5 days of meetings. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Integrating health services research into nursing doctoral programs: the evolution of nursing research.
Traditionally, nursing research has focused on the effect of an intervention on selected patients without considering the influence of the system of care and its myriad characteristics. Health services research (HSR) focuses on organization and financing of health services; access to health care; quality of care; clinical evaluation and outcomes research; informatics and clinical decision making; practitioner, patient, and consumer behavior; health professions workforce; health policy formulation and analyses; and health care model and service use. Doctoral students can benefit from HSR's broad perspective if it is included in existing nursing curricula. Ultimately, HSR could help the nursing profession achieve the capacity to develop health policy and new systems of health care for the 21st century. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Roles of selection intensity, major genes, and minor genes in evolution of insecticide resistance.
A prominent hypothesis about insecticide resistance is that genes of major effect play a key role in field-evolved resistance because the intensity of selection is extremely high in the field. A corollary hypothesis is that the lower intensity of selection in laboratory selection experiments favors polygenic control of insecticide resistance. Contrary to these hypotheses, a literature review revealed that the intensity of selection for insecticide resistance in the field varies widely and overlaps broadly with selection intensities in the laboratory. Also contrary to these hypotheses, results from simulations of population genetic models suggest that selection intensities typical of laboratory selection experiments favor resistance that is conferred by major genes. Major genes dominated responses to selection for resistance across a wide range of simulated selection intensities, with and without fitness costs and refuges. The simulation results also suggest that the intensity of selection, rather than the number of loci conferring resistance, is central in determining rates of resistance evolution and effectiveness of refuges. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neurobehavioural effects of hypergravity conditions in the adult mouse.
To evaluate the behavioural response to a hypergravity condition in CD-1 mice, young adult subjects of both sexes were exposed to 2 g for a single 60 min rotational session. Motion sickness (MS) and ethological-type scoring of different activities were used to evaluate the behavioural response. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were also assessed. Behavioural scores indicated a transient mild sickness associated with hypergravity, with reduction in spontaneous activity. In males kaolin consumption (a MS index) increased following rotation while females consumed more kaolin irrespective of whether they have been rotated or simply exposed to the noise and vibration of the rotational apparatus. In males, hypothalamic NGF levels were markedly increased after rotation while no major changes were observed in central BDNF expression. These results indicate mice may represent a suitable MS model. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Patient-oriented multicentre research in surgery: the Surgical Trial Network (CHIR-Net)].
Patient-oriented clinical research in surgery requires prospective randomised multicentre trials (mRCTs) to generate valid evidence. In order to conduct high quality mRCTs, a network of surgical clinical trial centres is necessary. The Surgical Trial Network (CHIR-Net), which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), was established as a structure of surgical regional centres. Currently, the CHIR-Net comprises 12 regional surgical centres with their associated clinical partner hospitals. The major aim of this network is to generate patient-relevant surgical questions of high clinical impact and to answer these questions in high-quality prospective randomised multicentre trials with well-trained study personnel. Since 2006 32 mRCTs have been initiated in the CHIR-Net. Twelve surgical regional centres - in cooperation with 333 German and European hospitals - have recruited more than 7,500 patients. More than 80 surgeons have successfully completed the CHIR-Net educational curriculum for young surgeons. The CHIR-Net has successfully established a national clinical trial network to investigate surgical questions in randomised multicentre clinical trials. A nationwide research infrastructure, including university and non-university hospitals as well as the associated clinical coordination centres (KKS), was created to ensure patient-oriented surgical clinical research in a network at the highest methodological level thus implementing evidence-based medicine in daily surgical practice. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dissolution rate-limited absorption and complete bioavailability of roquinimex in man.
In order to investigate the bioavailability and the rate-limiting step of the absorption of roquinimex, an oral solution and a tablet formulation (Linomide(R)) were given to healthy volunteers. The study was conducted as a randomized three-period crossover study in seven male and seven female healthy volunteers. The subjects received an intravenous infusion, an oral solution and an oral tablet formulation, each of 5 mg (about 0.07 mg kg(-1)), as single doses after an overnight fast on three occasions, with a wash-out period of 3 weeks in between. Venous blood samples were taken over 7 days and the plasma concentrations of roquinimex were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV)-detection. The pharmacokinetics of roquinimex was characterized by a low plasma clearance, 4.9 mL h(-1) kg(-1) and a small volume of distribution, 0.22 L kg(-1). The oral bioavailability of the drug was complete for both the solution and the tablet formulation. The absorption rate was faster for the solution than for the tablet. The disposition of roquinimex was biphasic, with a terminal disposition half-life of 32 h. Between 4 and 8 hours after dosing, a secondary plasma peak was observed, indicating enterohepatic circulation of the drug. No major sex differences were shown in the pharmacokinetics of roquinimex. In conclusion, dissolution rate-limited absorption of roquinimex was shown, which demonstrates that disintegration and dissolution of the tablet play a major role in the absorption process of roquinimex. Despite the delayed absorption after administration of the tablet, the extent of absorption was complete. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The major pelvic ganglion is the main source of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers in penile erectile tissue of the rat.
The possible implication of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in penile erection was examined by utilizing NADPH histochemistry in the rat. NADPH histochemistry indicated that the major pelvic ganglion (MPG), a well-known origin of nerve fibers supplying the external genitalia, contained many NOS-positive neurons. On the other hand, NOS-positive nerve fibers in penile erectile tissue observed in the walls of both arteries and veins, as well as in intrinsic smooth muscles. The retrograde tracing study with Fluoro-Gold (FG) in combination with NADPH histochemistry revealed that almost all MPG neurons which were retrogradely labeled with FG injected into the penile crura were NOS-positive. Thus, the MPG was considered to be the main source of NOS-positive nerve fibers in penile erectile tissue. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of aging on the calbindin-D-28k immunoreactive positive dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of rats.
We studied the relationship between aging and the vulnerability of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) calbindin-D-28k immunoreactive positive (CB+) dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Immunohistochemistry and cell counting were used to determine the number of CB+ DA neuron in aged rats (24 mon) compared to adult rats (5 mon). Furthermore, the expression of CB mRNA and protein levels in SN was studied by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. An 11% loss of CB+ DA neurons was detected in both the rostral (8.9%) and caudal (1.7%) segments but not in the intermedial segment of SNc in aged rats compared to adult rats (P<0.05). No difference was detected in CB mRNA and protein levels between aged and adult rats (P>0.05). These data suggest that expression levels of CB mRNA and protein may increase in the existing SNc DA neurons, which may compensate for the partial age dependent loss of CB+ DA neurons in the SNc. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mechanisms responsible for the MR appearance and evolution of intracranial hemorrhage.
The sequential degradation of hemoglobin in an evolving hemorrhage has been reviewed. Physical mechanisms of proton relaxation enhancement that contribute to the clinical MR appearances of hemorrhage have been described, and the dependence of relaxation rates on field strength and interecho interval in spin-echo imaging techniques has been defined. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In vivo insulin resistance during nonlethal hypermetabolic sepsis.
The present study was performed to determine whether hypermetabolic sepsis alters peripheral and hepatic insulin sensitivity and/or responsiveness. Nonlethal sepsis was produced in chronically catheterized conscious rats by repeated subcutaneous injections of live Escherichia coli. Basal glucose metabolism was determined using a primed-constant infusion of [3-3H]glucose initiated 20 hr after the first injection of bacteria. Thereafter, in vivo insulin action was assessed using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Insulin was infused at various rates in separate groups of animals for 3 hr to produce steady-state insulin levels of approximately 60, 120, 400, 2,500, and 25,000 microU/ml, and euglycemia was maintained by varying the glucose infusion rate. The sepsis-induced hyperglucagonemia was not significantly altered by the infusion of insulin and glucose. In septic rats, the dose-response curve for the insulin-induced increment in glucose utilization was shifted downward and to the right. As a result, septic rats showed a twofold increase in the ED50 value (380 vs. 190 microU/ml) and a 50% reduction in the maximal responsiveness compared with control animals, indicating peripheral insulin resistance. Septic and nonseptic animals, however, had a similar reduction in the endogenous glucose production rate as the plasma insulin concentration was increased, suggesting that there was no hepatic insulin resistance. The plasma lactate concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner in both septic and nonseptic rats as the plasma insulin concentration was raised. However, the increment in steady-state lactate concentration was consistently higher (75-220%) in septic animals at each insulin infusion rate. These results indicate that nonlethal hypermetabolic sepsis in the rat is associated with peripheral insulin resistance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pre-fractionation of Noncirculating Biological Fluids to Improve Discovery of Clinically Relevant Protein Biomarkers.
Nowadays, significant difficulties remain in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of many diseases, leading to an unsatisfactory patient management and a counterproductive increase in time and costs. It is therefore crucial to bridge the gap between basic and applied research by complying with clinical requirements, notably from the design stage of the experimental workflow. In this chapter we provide key suggestions for selecting appropriate biological samples and reducing pre-analytical and analytical variabilities to improve the discovery of clinically relevant protein biomarkers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Joint water-fat separation and deblurring for spiral imaging.
Most previous approaches to spiral Dixon water-fat imaging perform the water-fat separation and deblurring sequentially based on the assumption that the phase accumulation and blurring as a result of off-resonance are separable. This condition can easily be violated in regions where the B0 inhomogeneity varies rapidly. The goal of this work is to present a novel joint water-fat separation and deblurring method for spiral imaging. The proposed approach is based on a more accurate signal model that takes into account the phase accumulation and blurring simultaneously. A conjugate gradient method is used in the image domain to reconstruct the deblurred water and fat iteratively. Spatially varying convolutions with a local convergence criterion are used to reduce the computational demand. Both simulation and high-resolution brain imaging have demonstrated that the proposed joint method consistently improves the quality of reconstructed water and fat images compared with the sequential approach, especially in regions where the field inhomogeneity changes rapidly in space. The loss of signal-to-noise-ratio as a result of deblurring is minor at optimal echo times. High-quality water-fat spiral imaging can be achieved with the proposed joint approach, provided that an accurate field map of B0 inhomogeneity is available. Magn Reson Med 79:3218-3228, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Association of messenger RNA with the cytoskeletal framework in rat L6 myogenic cells.
The distribution of mRNA between the detergent-soluble and insoluble (cytoskeleton) fractions in rat L6 myoblast and myotube cells was examined. Approximately 85% of cytoplasmic mRNA in both myoblasts and myotubes was found associated with the cytoskeletal framework. The cytoskeleton-bound mRNA was present as polysomes. In contrast, the mRNA of the detergent-soluble fraction was not associated with ribosomes and was thus considered to be the repressed population. The association of mRNA with the cytoskeletal framework was not affected by treatments leading to dissociation of polysomes. Differential distribution of mRNA between the soluble and cytoskeleton-bound fractions was analyzed by in vitro translation. The mRNAs coding for polypeptides of molecular masses 40 kDa and 60 kDa were preferentially enriched in the soluble fraction. The nature of binding between mRNA and the cytoskeletal framework was examined following in vivo cross-linking of RNA and protein by irradiating muscle cells with ultraviolet light. It was observed that this treatment covalently linked RNA and the neighbouring protein moieties without any detectable damage to the cytoskeletal framework, as measured by the distribution of RNAs and proteins between the cytoskeleton and soluble fractions. Analysis of the polypeptide moieties cross-linked to the mRNA have shown that a large number of polypeptides of molecular masses between 15-220 kDa were associated with both cytoskeleton-bound and soluble mRNAs. The polypeptide moieties of these mRNA-protein complexes were not only similar in the cytoskeleton and soluble mRNA-protein complexes but also were similar between myoblasts and myotubes. However, one polypeptide of 165 kDa was preferentially associated with the cytoskeleton-bound mRNA-protein complexes. Interestingly this 165-kDa polypeptide was also preferentially enriched in the total proteins from the cytoskeleton fraction. This result suggests a possible role of the 165-kDa polypeptide in association between mRNA and the cytoskeletal framework. To examine the mechanism of interaction between mRNA and the cytoskeletal framework we have reported here a ghost monolayer transcription system from myotubes. This transcription system was able to synthesize rRNA and mRNA. The mRNA transcribed in vitro was preferentially associated with the cytoskeleton structure present in the ghost monolayer system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Molecular dynamics simulation of liquid sulfur dioxide.
A previously proposed model for molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of liquid sulfur dioxide, SO(2), has been reviewed. Thermodynamic, structural, and dynamical properties were calculated for a large range of thermodynamic states. Predicted (P,V,T) of simulated system agrees with an elaborated equation of state recently proposed for liquid SO(2). Calculated heat capacity, expansion coefficient, and isothermal compressibility are also in good agreement with experimental data. Calculated equilibrium structure agrees with X-ray and neutron scattering measurements on liquid SO(2). The model also predicts the same (SO(2))(2) dimer structure as previously determined by ab initio calculations. Detailed analysis of equilibrium structure of liquid SO(2) is provided, indicating that, despite the rather large dipole moment of the SO(2) molecule, the structure is mainly determined by the Lennard-Jones interactions. Both single-particle and collective dynamics are investigated. Temperature dependency of dynamical properties is given. The MD results are compared with previous findings obtained from the analysis of inelastic neutron scattering spectra of liquid SO(2), including wave-vector dependent structural relaxation, tau(k), and viscosity, eta(k). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gloeophyllins A-J, Cytotoxic Ergosteroids with Various Skeletons from a Chinese Tibet Fungus Gloeophyllum abietinum.
Ten new ergosteroids, gloeophyllins A-J (1-10), have been isolated from the solid cultures of Gloeophyllum abietinum. The absolute configurations of 1, 2, and 9 were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 1 has a rare C-nor-D-homosteroid skeleton. Compound 9 possesses an unusual ergostane skeleton having a 10-oxabicyclo [4.3.1] decane moiety replacing 6/5 fused C/D rings. Compound 10 represents the first ergosteroid featuring the cleavage of a C8-C14 bond. The cytotoxicity of 1-10 was tested against the human cancer cell lines K562 and HCT116. The biosynthetic pathway for 1-10 is postulated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Measuring improvement following total hip and knee arthroplasty using patient-based measures of outcome.
Patient-derived outcome scales have become increasingly important to physicians and clinical researchers for measuring improvement in function after surgery. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the ability of health-status instruments to measure early functional recovery after total hip and total knee arthroplasty. Four hundred and six patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty and 266 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty completed health-status questionnaires preoperatively and six months postoperatively to determine the standardized response mean. In the second phase of the study, a group of patients undergoing knee and hip arthroplasty were evaluated with several instruments before and after surgery to test for postoperative ceiling effects. The standardized response mean at six months was 1.7 for the MODEMS Hip Core, 1.2 for the MODEMS Knee Core, and 1.5 and 1.1 for the Physical Component Summary of the SF-36 for patients managed with hip and knee replacement, respectively. A standardized response mean of 1.0 is generally satisfactory for measuring improvement in orthopaedic surgery. In Phase 2 of the study, the vast majority of patients who had a score of 95 to 100 (that is, a maximum or near-maximum score) on the joint-specific scales generally believed that the hip or knee was normal and could not be better. The MODEMS, Oxford, and WOMAC scales all demonstrated a ceiling effect following total knee and total hip arthroplasty. These scores likely reflected the patients' perception of the status of the knee or hip rather than an inability to measure their improvement beyond the highest possible score. The Physical Component Summary score of the SF-36 had similar standardized response means when compared with hip and knee-specific instruments, and, therefore, consideration should be given to using this scale without a joint-specific scale for the measurement of improvement following total knee and total hip replacement, as a way to decrease responder burden (that is, the time required to complete the questionnaires). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Can pretreatment computed tomography predict local control in T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx treated with definitive radiotherapy?
To determine if pretreatment computed tomography (CT) can predict local control in T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT). Forty-two patients with previously untreated T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx were treated for cure with RT alone; all had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Tumor volumes and extent were determined by consensus of two head and neck radiologists on pretreatment CT studies. A tumor score was calculated and assigned to each primary lesion depending on the extent of laryngeal spread. Sclerosis of any laryngeal cartilage was recorded. The specific CT parameters assessed were correlated with local control. Tumor volume was a significant predictor of local control. For tumors measuring < 3.5 cm3, local control was achieved in 22 of 26 patients (85%), whereas for tumors > or = 3.5 cm3, local control was achieved in 4 of 16 patients (25%) (p = 0.0002). Sensitivity and specificity using this cutpoint were 85% and 75%, respectively. Tumor score as a measure of anatomic extent was also found to be a significant predictor of local control. The local control rate for tumors assigned a low tumor score (< or = 5) was 78% (21 of 27) compared to 33% (5 of 15) for tumors assigned a high tumor score (6, 7, or 8) (p = 0.008). A significant decrease in the local control rate was observed for cancers involving the paraglottic space at the false vocal cord level (14 of 16 [88%] vs. 12/26 [46%]) (p = 0.010), cancers involving the face of the arytenoid (15 of 18 [83%] vs. 11 of 24 [46%]) (p = 0.024), and tumors involving the interarytenoid region (25 of 36 [69%] vs. 1 of 6 [17%]; p = 0.020). There were 12 patients with sclerosis of both the ipsilateral arytenoid and the adjacent cricoid cartilage. These patients showed a significant decrease in local control (4 of 12 [33%]). Pretreatment CT can stratify patients with T3 glottic carcinoma into groups more or less likely to be locally controlled with definitive RT. The local control rate for these tumors can be improved using a CT-based tumor profile; the ideal CT profile for a radiocurable T3 glottic larynx carcinoma is volume < 3.5 cm3 and no or single laryngeal cartilage sclerosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Identification and characterization of hierarchical structures in dog breeding schemes, a novel method applied to the Norfolk Terrier.
Popular sires, a limited population size, and the founder event are widely considered the main reasons for the low genetic diversity observed in many dog breeds. However, these factors have had only a small role in the historic decrease in diversity observed in the Norfolk Terrier breed. We show that the decrease in this breed has been mainly due to large, popular kennels. Dogs from these kennels have, on average, larger genetic contributions to subsequent generations than others. A test for the presence of a popular kennel effect is proposed and applied (P < 0.001). These kennels were found to be the same as nuclei of selection existing in other livestock species. This result revealed a hierarchical structure of dog breeding schemes, with an asymmetric gene flow predominantly from the nuclei toward the main population. Possible reasons for this structure and implications for future population management are discussed. The main reason is probably that the breed type was established by large, popular kennels and that small kennel breeders used their stud dogs to benefit from the achievements of the popular kennels. Many kennels, however, were unable to make their own substantial genetic contributions to the breed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Short and long range order of the morphology of silk from Latrodectus hesperus (Black Widow) as characterized by atomic force microscopy.
The surfaces of both stretched and unstretched silk threads from the cobweb weaver, Latrodectus hesperus (Black Widow) have been examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images of cobweb scaffolding threads show both unordered and highly ordered regions. Two types of fibers within the threads were observed: thicker (approximately 300 nm in diameter) fibers oriented parallel to the thread axis and thinner (10-100 nm) fibrils oriented across the thread axis. While regions which lacked parallel fibers or fibrils were observed on threads at all strain values, the probability of observing fibers and/or fibrils increased with strain. High-resolution AFM images show that with increasing strain, both mean fiber and fibril diameters decrease and that fibrils align themselves more closely with the thread axis. The observation of fibers and fibrils within the cobweb threads has implications for current models of the secondary and tertiary structure and organization of spider silk. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interaction of the heavy and light chains of cardiac myosin subfragment-1 with F-actin.
The interaction of the heavy chain (HC) and the light chain (cdLC1) of cardiac S1 (cdS1) with F-actin was studied by cross-linking, Western blotting, and fluorescence polarization methods. Incorporation of cdLC1 in cross-linked products was examined by Western blots using the primary antibody against 71-74 residues of cdLC1. Cross-linking with zero-length, water-soluble reagent yielded three products with apparent molecular masses of 150, 160, and 210 kD. Like in the case of cross-linking of skeletal S1 with actin, these complexes included only HC of S1 and actin. The composition of the products were as follows: 150 kD, one HC of S1 cross-linked through a primary site (on the C-terminal of the 20-kD fragment) to the N-terminus of actin; 160 kD, one HC of S1 cross-linked through a secondary site (on the 50 kD fragment) to the N-terminus of actin; and 210 kD, one HC of S1 cross-linked through primary and secondary sites to two actins. Four additional products with apparent molecular masses of 66, 120, 185, and 235 kD contained cdLC1 and were identified as cdLC1 + actin, cdLC1 + HCS1, cdLC1 + actin + HCS1, and cdLC1 + two actins + HCS1, respectively. The same products were observed when cross-linking was performed in cardiac myofibrils incubated with cdS1. The production of cross-linked complexes of the heavy and light chain with actin decreased with an increase in the molar ratio of cdS1:actin. To test whether the orientation of myosin heads depended on a degree of occupation of thin filaments, myofibrils were irrigated with varying concentrations of cdS1. Fluorescence polarization measurements of cdS1 bound to individual I-bands revealed that the orientation depended on the concentration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chemopreventive effects of S-methylcysteine on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by concurrent administration of sodium nitrite and morpholine.
The aim of the present study was to examine the chemopreventive efficacy of S-methylcysteine (SMC) on rat hepatocarcinogenesis induced by concurrent administration of sodium nitrite (NaNO(2)) and morpholine (Mor) using a medium-term rat liver carcinogenesis bioassay (Ito test). Administration of SMC caused significant reduction in the areas of glutathione S-transferase placental form positive foci along with a significant decrease of hepatocyte 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling indices. These results demonstrated potent chemopreventive effects of SMC against hepatocarcinogenesis due to concurrent administration of Mor and NaNO(2). SMC could thus be an effective chemopreventive agent for decreasing the risk of carcinogenicity from environmental precursors of N-nitroso compounds. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The diameters of the central canals of the osteons in tubular bones (based on data from scanning electron microscopy and centrifugal porosimetry)].
The centrifugal poremetry is based on preliminary filling the pores of prepared samples with the working fluid and the following removal of it from the pores at different fixed velocities of rotation. Measurement of the quantity of the remaining fluid after each rotation allows obtaining the distribution of the pore volume depending on their radius. Since the samples are not destroyed they can be used for measuring the pores diameter in electron micrograph. Comparison has been made of the distribution of the pores quantity by their diameters obtained by morphometry with the distribution of the pores volume by their diameters obtained by differentiation of poremetry curves. Besides greater detailization of the prevailing diameters of the pores, the method of poremetry allows the information to be obtained concerning the distribution of not only sizes of central canals of osteons but also smaller pores characterizing the system of lacunae of osteocytes and canals connecting them. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dosage and safety of long-term suppressive acyclovir therapy for recurrent genital herpes.
131 patients with frequently recurring genital herpes were treated for 1 year with reducing doses of oral acyclovir. The time to first recurrence in patients who commenced therapy on 400 mg twice a day was statistically significantly shorter than those on 200 mg four times a day (p less than 0.02) and as the total daily dose and frequency of therapy were lowered so the time to first recurrence was shortened. By the end of 60 days on 200 mg once a day (the lowest daily dose) 56% of patients had recurrences. Patients showed a marked reduction in the frequency of recurrence during therapy (from a mean of 1.1 per 28 days before to 0.11 during treatment, p = 0.0001). After stopping treatment the frequency of recurrences (0.71 per 28 days) was significantly less than the pre-treatment period (p = 0.001). No important side-effects were seen. It is concluded that long-term suppression with acyclovir is safe and effective for patients with recurrent genital herpes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Study on Accurately Controlling Discharge Energy Method Used in External Defibrillator].
This paper introduces a new method which controls discharge energy accurately. It is achieved by calculating target voltage based on transthoracic impedance and accurately controlling charging voltage and discharge pulse width. A new defibrillator is designed and programmed using this method. The test results show that this method is valid and applicable to all kinds of external defibrillators. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Penetration of 35% hydrogen peroxide into the pulp chamber in bovine teeth after LED or Nd:YAG laser activation.
This aim of the present study was to evaluate the pulp chamber penetration of 35% hydrogen peroxide activated by LED (light-emitting diode) or Nd:YAG laser in bovine teeth, after an in-office bleaching technique. Forty-eight bovine lateral incisors were divided into four groups, acetate buffer was placed into the pulp chamber and bleaching agent was applied as follows: for group A (n = 12), activation was performed by LED; for group B (n = 12), activation was performed by Nd:YAG laser (60 mJ, 20 Hz); group C (n = 12) received no light or laser activation; and the control group (n = 12) received no bleaching gel application or light or laser activation. The acetate buffer solution was transferred to a glass tube and Leuco Crystal Violet and horseradish peroxidase were added, producing a blue solution. The optical density of this solution was determined spectrophotometrically and converted into microgram equivalents of hydrogen peroxide. The results were analysed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). It was verified that the effect of activation was significant, as groups activated by LED or laser presented greater hydrogen peroxide penetration into the pulp chamber (0.499 +/- 0.622 microg) compared with groups that were not (0.198 +/- 0.218 microg). There was no statistically significant difference in the penetration of hydrogen peroxide into the pulp chamber between the two types of activation (LED or laser). The results suggest that activation by laser or LED caused an increase in hydrogen peroxide penetration into the pulp chamber. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A viscoelastic knee brace for anterior cruciate ligament deficient patients.
A biomechanical review of the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee shows that the unbraced knee undergoes instability once its angular velocity exceeds normal cadence rate. It also shows that various braces that utilize extension limits for purposes of preventing subluxation and tibial rotation introduce abnormal gait and posture responses, which may impose on the patient's activities. A speed-regulated, viscoelastic knee brace has been designed, fabricated, and tested on two patients. The brace allows full range of knee motion and reduces the angular velocity of the tibia from near-full extension to neutral at normal, non-unstabilizing walking speeds. Capability is incorporated for adjusting the terminal angular velocity for each individual patient as well as for the same patient during the recovery period. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Self-assembly and structural-functional flexibility of oxygenic photosynthetic machineries: personal perspectives.
This short review, with a bit of historical aspect and a strong personal bias and emphases on open questions, is focusing on the (macro-)organization and structural-functional flexibilities of the photosynthetic apparatus of oxygenic photosynthetic organisms at different levels of the structural complexity-selected problems that have attracted most my attention in the past years and decades. These include (i) the anisotropic organization of the pigment-protein complexes and photosynthetic membranes-a basic organizing principle of living matter, which can, and probably should be adopted to intelligent materials; (ii) the organization of protein complexes into chiral macrodomains, large self-assembling highly organized but structurally flexible entities with unique spectroscopic fingerprints-structures, where, important, high-level regulatory functions appear to 'reside'; (iii) a novel, dissipation-assisted mechanism of structural changes, based on a thermo-optic effect: ultrafast thermal transients in the close vicinity of dissipation of unused excitation energy, which is capable of inducing elementary structural changes; it makes plants capable of responding to excess excitation with reaction rates proportional to the overexcitation above the light-saturation of photosynthesis; (iv) the 3D ultrastructure of the granum-stroma thylakoid membrane assembly and other multilamellar membrane systems, and their remodelings-associated with regulatory mechanisms; (v) the molecular organization and structural-functional plasticity of the main light-harvesting complex of plants, in relation to their crystal structure and different in vivo and in vitro states; and (vi) the enigmatic role of non-bilayer lipids and lipid phases in the bilayer thylakoid membrane-warranting its high protein content and contributing to its structural flexibility. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Polydispersity reduction of colloidal plates via size fractionation of the isotropic-nematic phase transition.
Controlling the size polydispersity of colloidal particles is important for their phase transitions, resulting structures, and properties. In this study, a fractionation method was established to control the polydispersity of colloidal plates based on the isotropic-nematic (I-N) phase transition. The size ratio of nanoplates between the N phase and the I phase (DN/DI) was relatively large, whereas the size polydispersities in both the N phase and the I phase were smaller than that of the original sample before fractionation. The degree of fractionation was dependent on the time since the phase transition began and the polydispersity of the original sample. A long time resulted in a small DN/DI and a small degree of polydispersity reduction. The experimental data confirmed a quadratic scaling of DN/DI with polydispersity that was predicted by simulations. Large to small particles were segregated sequentially by sedimentation because of self-assembly and gravity. The polydispersity reduction based on the I-N phase transition can be utilized to select nanoplates with a certain size with improved size monodispersity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cognitive deficits in bipolar disorder: from acute episode to remission.
Considerable evidence demonstrates that neuropsychological deficits are prevalent in bipolar disorder during both acute episodes and euthymia. However, it is less clear whether these cognitive disturbances are state- or trait-related. We here present the first longitudinal study employing a within-subject pre- and post-testing examining acutely admitted bipolar patients (BP) in depression or mania and during euthymia, aiming to identify cognitive performance from acute illness to remission. Cognitive performance was measured during acute episodes and repeated after at least 3 months of remission. To do so, 55 BP (35 depressed, 20 hypo-/manic) and 55 healthy controls (HC) were tested with a neuropsychological test battery (attention, working memory, verbal memory, executive functioning). The results showed global impairments in acutely ill BP compared to HC: depressed patients showed a characteristic psychomotor slowing, while manic patients had severe deficits in executive functioning. Twenty-nine remitted BP could be measured in the follow-up (dropout rate 48 %), whose cognitive functions partially recovered, whereas working memory and verbal memory were still impaired. However, we found that subthreshold depressive symptoms and persisting sleep disturbances in euthymic BP were associated with reduced speed, deficits in attention and verbal memory, while working memory was correlated with psychotic symptoms (lifetime). This result indicates working memory as trait related for a subgroup of BP with psychotic symptoms. In contrast, attention and verbal memory are negatively influenced by state factors like residual symptoms, which should be more considered as possible confounders in the search of cognitive endophenotypes in remitted BP. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bicriterion cluster analysis.
Cluster analysis is concerned with the problem of partitioning a given set of entities into homogeneous and well-separated subsets called clusters. The concepts of homogeneity and of separation can be made precise when a measure of dissimilarity between the entities is given. Let us define the diameter of a partition of the given set of entities into clusters as the maximum dissimilarity between any pair of entities in the same cluster and the split of a partition as the minimum dissimilarity between entities in different clusters. The problems of determining a partition into a given number of clusters with minimum diameter (i.e., a partition of maximum homogeneity) or with maximum split (i.e., a partition of maximum separation) are first considered. It is shown that the latter problem can be solved by the classical single-link clustering algorithm, while the former can be solved by a graph-theoretic algorithm involving the optimal coloration of a sequence of partial graphs, described in more detail in a previous paper. A partition into a given number of clusters will be called efficient if and only if there exists no partition into at most the same number of clusters with smaller diameter and not smaller split or with larger split and not larger diameter. Two efficient partitions are called equivalent if and only if they have the same values for the split and for the diameter. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Low expression of adhesion molecules in a case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
A case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with low expression of the adhesion molecules lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) is described. The patient was a 90-year-old man with red round homogeneous tumors on his scalp, trunk, and extremities. He had no history of definite erythema or plaque stage. A biopsy sample taken from a tumor revealed massive infiltration of atypical lymphocytes in the reticular dermis and subcutis with a definite clear zone. The atypical lymphocytes were medium-sized with slightly convoluted nuclei. Immunohistochemically, the infiltrates showed the phenotype of so-called memory T cells. On the basis of these features, the case was diagnosed as CTCL. Expression of LFA-1, ICAM-1 and VLA-4 on the infiltrates was 9%, 13% and 11%, respectively, which is much lower than that in classic mycosis fungoides. This finding suggests that loss of these adhesion molecules may contribute to loss of epidermotropism in the advanced stage of CTCL. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Performance and characteristics of a high pressure, high temperature capillary cell with facile construction for operando x-ray absorption spectroscopy.
We demonstrate the use of commercially available fused silica capillary and fittings to construct a cell for operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) for the study of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions under high pressure (up to 200 bars) and high temperature (up to 280 °C) conditions. As the first demonstration, the cell was used for CO2 hydrogenation reaction to examine the state of copper in a conventional Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 methanol synthesis catalyst. The active copper component of the catalyst was shown to remain in the metallic state under supercritical reaction conditions, at 200 bars and up to 260 °C. With the coiled heating system around the capillary, one can easily change the length of the capillary and control the amount of catalyst under investigation. With precise control of reactant(s) flow, the cell can mimic and serve as a conventional fixed-bed micro-reactor system to obtain reliable catalytic data. This high comparability of the reaction performance of the cell and laboratory reactors is crucial to gain insights into the nature of actual active sites under technologically relevant reaction conditions. The large length of the capillary can cause its bending upon heating when it is only fixed at both ends because of the thermal expansion. The degree of the bending can vary depending on the heating mode, and solutions to this problem are also presented. Furthermore, the cell is suitable for Raman studies, nowadays available at several beamlines for combined measurements. A concise study of CO2 phase behavior by Raman spectroscopy is presented to demonstrate a potential of the cell for combined XAS-Raman studies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The CatchMod toolbox: easy and guided access to ICT tools for Water Framework Directive implementation.
Web-based toolboxes are handy tools to inform experienced users of existing software in their disciplines. However, for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, a much more diverse public (water managers, consultancy firms, scientists, etc.) will ask for a very wide diversity of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools. It is obvious that the users of a web-based ICT-toolbox providing all this will not be experts in all of the disciplines and that a toolbox for ICT tools for Water Framework Directive implementation should thus go beyond just making interesting web-links. To deal with this issue, expert knowledge is brought to the users through the incorporation of visitor-geared guidance (materials) in the Harmoni-CA toolbox. Small workshops of expert teams were organized to deliver documents explaining why the tools are important, when they are required and what activity they support/perform, as well as a categorization of the multitude of available tools. An integration of this information in the web-based toolbox helps the users to browse through a toolbox containing tools, reports, guidance documents and interesting links. The Harmoni-CA toolbox thus provides not only a virtual toolbox, but incorporates a virtual expert as well. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Short stature as the primary manifestation of coeliac disease.
Thirty-four patients with short stature of undetermined cause and no gastrointestinal symptoms underwent jejunal biopsy for exclusion of coeliac disease. Eight had subtotal or severe partial villous atrophy and seven showed a significant acceleration in height and weight velocity after the introduction of a gluten-free diet. Short stature by itself, in the complete absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, is an indication for jejunal biopsy, particularly if bone age is delayed by more than 4 years and/or there are associated haematological abnormalities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Research Progress in Technology of Using Soil Micro-organisms to Generate Electricity and Its Potential Applications].
Microbial fuel cells ( microbial fuel cells, MFCs) are devices in which micro-organisms convert chemical energy into electrical power. Soil has electrogenic bacteria and organic substrates, thus can generate electrical current in MFCs. Soil MFCs can be operated and applied to real-time and continuously monitor soil pollution, remove soil pollutants and to reduce methane emitted from flooded rice paddy, without energy consumption and the application of chemical reagents to the soil. Instead, the operation of soil MFCs generates small amount of electrical power. Therefore, soil MFCs are useful in the development of environment-friendly technology for monitoring and remediating soil pollution, which have potential value for applications in the domain of environmental science and engineering. However, much of advanced technology hasn't been applied into soil MFCs since the studies on soil MFCs was not started until recently. This paper summarized the research progress in related to soil MFCs combining with the frontier of MFCs technology, and brought forward the possible direction in studies on soil MFCs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Viral hepatocarcinogenesis: from infection to cancer.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide health issue that has started receiving attention but is still poorly understood. However, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are known to be two major causative agents of HCC. They differ in their modes of infection, their treatment options, their genomes and their carcinogenic abilities. However, both share a link with HCC through alterations of the host genome. In order to continue in our search for the mechanisms behind viral hepatocarcinogenesis, the individual entities (HBV, HCV, HCC and host), their natural history, treatment options and genomic properties must be further understood. Additionally, an understanding of the genomics, the link between the entities, is crucial for the success of the ongoing search for therapeutic options for HCC. Similar to most types of cancer, hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process involving different genetic alterations that ultimately lead to malignant transformation of the hepatocyte. As technology advances and research continues, the genetic changes and influences among these entities will prove essential to improved diagnostic and therapeutic options. It remains a challenge to provide a clear picture of the connection between virus and cancer. We review (i) the epidemiological link between HBV/HCV infection to HCC; (ii) prevention and control of chronic hepatitis B or C in reducing HCC risk; and (iii) genetic characters of viruses and hosts and the mechanisms associated with HCC susceptibilities, with the intention of providing a direction for future research and treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The prevalence of diet-induced migraine.
Nineteen percent of about 490 patients with classical or common migraine reported that headaches can be precipitated by chocolate, 18% by cheese and 11% by citrus fruit, and a highly significant majority of these patients were sensitive to all three foods. Twenty-nine percent of the patients reported sensitivity to alcohol; again this was significantly associated with sensitivity to the three food stuffs, though a substantial number of patients were sensitive to alcohol but not foods. Thirty-one percent of 331 female patients believed that oral contraceptives precipitated headaches, but this could not be related to any dietary response. Patients with affected relatives were significantly more likely to report sensitivity to alcohol and chocolate; sensitivity to cheese and citrus fruit was less strongly related, and there was no relationship at all for oral contraceptives. These correlations suggest that food induced headaches are mediated by chemical constituents common to these foods. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
FAM46C suppresses gastric cancer by inhibition of Wnt/beta-catenin.
Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common cancer with a poor prognosis and the third leading cause of cancer death in the world, for which no effective therapeutic target exists. We tested the hypothesis that FAM46C might be involved in regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in GC. FAM46C was down-regulated and its expression negatively correlated with the expression of b-catenin that drives proliferation and apoptosis. Overexpression of FAM46C inhibited cell proliferation, induced G1 phase arrest and promoted apoptosis. Activation of Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway in GC cell lines quenched the effect of FAM46C overexpression. On the other hand, FAM46C silencing attenuated DKK1-mediated inhibition of G1 phase, cessation of proliferation and induction apoptosis. Together, these data show that FAM46C shows tumor suppressor properties and such effects are mediated, at least in part, by Wnt/b-catenin in GC. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Physiopathology, diagnosis and therapeutic management of stage III and IV endometriosis].
Stage III endometriosis is defined by a r-AFS score respectively ranging from 16 to 40 and stage IV over 40. Deep pelvic endometriosis presents essentially in the form of a painful syndrome dominated by chronic pelvic painful, dysmenorrhea and deep dyspareunia. Pathophysiology of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis remains unknown. In the literature, correlation between extension of the endometriosis and severity of the painful remains controversies. Contraception by levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine systems appears to decrease pain related to deeply infiltrating endometriosis. Surgery by laparoscopy remains the first intention treatment when infertility is associated with endometriosis, whereas medical treatment is only palliative in the majority of cases. Success of treatment depends on how radical surgical exeresis is. Spontaneous pregnancy rates are significantly increased after surgical treatment. Recurrent ovarian surgery is not recommended in women with infertility, as it might be deleterious for ovarian reserve. Medical treatment using Gn-RH agonists is indicated when recurrence occurs after surgery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Quantitative Series Enrichment Analysis (QSEA): a novel procedure for 3D-QSAR analysis.
A novel procedure is proposed for 3D-QSAR analysis. The composition of 16 published QSAR datasets has been examined using Quantitative Series Enrichment Analysis (QSEA). The procedure is based on topomer technologies. A heatmap display in combination with topomer CoMFA and a novel series trajectory analysis revealed critical information for the assembly of structures into meaningful series. Global and local centroid structures can be determined from a similarity distance matrix and build the origins for stepwise model building by increasing the similarity radius around the centroid nucleus. The results indicate that the new procedure allows determination of whether compounds belong to an emerging structure-activity relationship and which compounds can be predicted within reliable limits. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Women and epilepsy: review and practical recommendations.
Individuals with epilepsy experience a number of sex-specific problems. In women, pregnancy and delivery are obvious issues, fertility problems are more often encountered and they also seem to have a higher frequency of sexual problems. A large number of women with epilepsy experience seizure exacerbation in relation to the menstrual cycle and have higher frequencies of menstrual disturbances and polycystic ovaries. Cosmetic problems affecting skin, hair or weight may also be drug induced. The use of antiepileptic drugs may influence the effect of contraceptives leading to unplanned pregnancies and contraceptives may affect the serum levels of antiepileptic drugs. The care of pregnant women with epilepsy requires attention to a number of guidelines and close cooperation between neurologist and gynecologist is recommended. Although the majority of the women with epilepsy experience normal pregnancies and deliveries, their children have a higher risk of birth defects. At menopause, their seizure pattern may change and some antiepileptic drugs may increase the risk of osteoporosis. The optimal treatment of women with epilepsy should take into account these gender-specific issues in the different stages of life. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of phototherapies on cutaneous lesions of histiocytosis X in the elderly.
The effect of therapeutic ultraviolet light (UV) radiation on the skin lesions of histiocytosis X (HX) was studied in two old patients. Histiocytosis X cells in the biopsy specimens were strongly reactive with OKT-6, OK-Ia1, an anti-S-100 protein antibody, and were weakly stained with Leu-3a. Some HX cells outgrown from the explants bore immunoglobulin G receptors (Fc-IgG) and C3 receptors. In accordance with clinical improvement after repeated topical 8-methoxypsolaren (8-MOP) plus UV-A (PUVA) or UV-B radiation, the density of infiltrating HX cells gradually was decreased. The PUVA therapy seemed to be more effective than UV-B radiation in our treatment schedule. Even after repeated phototherapies, however, the reactivity of surface and cytoplasmic antigens related to OKT-6, OK-Ia1, and S-100 protein in the remaining HX cells were the same as in untreated HX cells. Although the exact mechanism remains obscure, satisfactory therapeutic results were obtained in response to the phototherapies. New skin lesions eventually recurred after cessation of the treatments, but such eruptions resolved when additional PUVA was resumed. These studies confirm that HX cells share a battery of cytologic characteristics with epidermal Langerhans' cells (LC) and that repeated phototherapies provide a beneficial effect for skin lesions of HX without adverse reactions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The RET proto-oncogene in medullary and papillary thyroid carcinoma. Molecular features, pathophysiology and clinical implications.
The evolution of cancer is a multistep phenomenon, and multiple cellular genetic lesions are involved in the emergence of the malignant neoplasm. Several early events have been implicated in the neoplastic transformation of thyrocytes, and recent reports have described the involvement of specific genetic alterations in different types of thyroid neoplasms: ras point mutations are frequently observed in tumours with follicular histology, gsp-the mutated form of the alpha subunit of the Gs-protein-is encountered in up to 73% of papillary or follicular thyroid carcinomas, and a high prevalence of p53 point mutations has been found in anaplastic thyroid carcinomas but not in differentiated follicular tumours. More recent studies revealed that the RET proto-oncogene is involved in the oncogenesis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by activation of its tyrosine kinase either by point mutation or rearrangement. In this review the most important recently published data on alterations of the RET proto-oncogene in heritable and sporadic MTCs and in PTCs will be summarized. Emphasis will be directed to the pathophysiological mechanisms of tumour initiation, the indications and limitations of DNA testing, and the clinical implications of identified RET defects in thyroid lesions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Regulating a benzodifuran single molecule redox switch via electrochemical gating and optimization of molecule/electrode coupling.
We report a novel strategy for the regulation of charge transport through single molecule junctions via the combination of external stimuli of electrode potential, internal modulation of molecular structures, and optimization of anchoring groups. We have designed redox-active benzodifuran (BDF) compounds as functional electronic units to fabricate metal-molecule-metal (m-M-m) junction devices by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and mechanically controllable break junctions (MCBJ). The conductance of thiol-terminated BDF can be tuned by changing the electrode potentials showing clearly an off/on/off single molecule redox switching effect. To optimize the response, a BDF molecule tailored with carbodithioate (-CS2(-)) anchoring groups was synthesized. Our studies show that replacement of thiol by carbodithioate not only enhances the junction conductance but also substantially improves the switching effect by enhancing the on/off ratio from 2.5 to 8. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Determination of sophoramine by spectrofluorimetry].
The fluorescence property of sophoramine was studied and a spectrofluorimetric method was established to determine the sophoramine content. In 20% ethanol solution, with excitation wavelength at 394 nm and emission wavelength at 467 nm, the fluorescence intensity of sophoramine can be detected by the fluorophotometer. Sophoramine content can be determined with external standard method by fluorophotometer. The linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and concentration is kept in the range of 10-200 microg x mL(-1). The regression equation is Int = 1.137C + 3.875. The recovery rate is 98%-102%. Utilizing the fluorescence character of sophoramine, its content can be determined fast and sensitively. The analysis is not interfered by the existing matrine and oxymatrine. The method has high selectivity and the results is satisfying. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones.
An efficient method is reported for the highly enantioselective copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of dialkylzinc reagents to alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfones using a monodentate phosphoramidite ligand. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
New population of odontoblasts responsible for tooth root formation.
Root formation is initiated with the extension of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) after crown morphogenesis. To date, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling root formation. Recently we found rootless molars are formed in the dental mesenchyme-specific β-catenin conditional knockout mice. The striking root phenotypes of these mutant mice result from the disrupted differentiation of differentiating odontoblasts, caused by ablation of β-catenin during initiation of root formation. Here we show the cellular and molecular characteristics of differentiating odontoblasts using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. These cells were not found in crown formation, but appeared only in the apical end of developing tooth, thus we have named these cells "apical odontoblasts" (AOds). AOds appeared immediately after HERS formation and were always present on the apical side of developing roots until root formation was complete. These findings indicate that AOds are closely associated with the transition from crown to root and with root elongation. In AOds, several transcription factors, including Nfic, Creb3l1, and Osx, as well as β-catenin and alkaline phosphatase were expressed but Phex and Dspp were not expressed. Taken together, our results indicate that AOds are the principal cells responsible for tooth root formation. These findings may contribute to the further understanding of the mechanisms underlying tooth root formation and root regeneration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Elevated expression of nuclear protein kinase CK2α as a poor prognosis indicator in lymph node cancerous metastases of human thyroid cancers.
To investigate the expression of protein kinase CK2α (CK2α) in human thyroid disease and its relationship with thyroid cancer metastasis. Using immunohistochemistry we measured the expression of CK2α in 76 benign and malignant human thyroid cancer tissues, including 10 pairs of papillary carcinoma tissues with or without lymph node cancerous metastasis and similarly 10 pairs of lymph nodes. The expression of CK2α was found to be higher in thyroid carcinoma cases (papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma and medullary carcinoma) than in ones such as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, nodular goiter and adenoma. These findings were also confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. More strikingly, elevated expression of CK2α in thyroid papillary carcinoma tissues was not only significantly associated with lymph node cancerous metastasis and clinical stage of thyroid cancers; but also correlated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and high tenascin C (TNC) expression. In addition, EMT and high TNC expression in thyroid carcinoma tissues was significantly associated with lymph node cancerous metastasis. Elevated expression of nuclear CK2α is a poor prognosis indicator in lymph node cancerous metastasis of human thyroid cancers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tomographic imaging of collagen-mineral interaction: implications for osteogenesis imperfecta.
The novel method of high voltage electron microscopic tomography (3D) has been applied for the first time to examine ultrastructural features and spatial relations between collagen fibrils and mineral crystals in a mouse mutant (oim/oim) which replicates a moderate to severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta. The animal produces collagen consisting of the alpha1(I) homotrimer and has a brittle calcified skeleton. Three-dimensional image reconstructions of the Achilles tendons, which were found to mineralize in the mutant mice, revealed that their composite crystals were different in their structural appearance and spatial association with collagen compared to that determined in normal calcified tissues. These results indicate that the nature of the organic matrix of a mineralizing tissue critically influences the formation, structure, and location of the constituent mineral and, further, the data are interpreted as suggesting that the unusual structural and organizational interaction between mineral and collagen underlies the inherent brittleness and weakness of calcification in this model of osteogenesis imperfecta. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Role of duplex imaging in endovenous obliteration for primary venous insufficiency.
To assess the role of duplex imaging in defining suitable pathological anatomy for endovenous obliteration and characterizing its treatment outcomes over time. Eighteen lower limbs in 17 patients (12 women; mean age 48 years; range 29-74 years) presenting with varicose greater saphenous veins (GSVs) were treated with endovenous obliteration without adjunctive high ligation. Duplex imaging was used as an intraprocedural guidance tool for vein access and catheter positioning and for preprocedural evaluation and serial surveillance after the procedures. In the 18 limbs, preprocedural duplex scanning defined reflux owing to incompetence of the terminal valve (n = 6), subterminal valve (n = 9), or truncal valve (n = 3). Duplex imaging facilitated percutaneous vein puncture and was essential in catheter positioning at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ). At 1 week, the saphenous trunks of all 18 limbs were either shrunken and obliterated (n = 7) or occluded by thrombus without shrinkage (n = 11). By 6 months, 7 GSVs were no longer sonographically visible, 10 were shrunken and obliterated, and 1 had a segmental partial recanalization. In the 15 limbs with terminal or subterminal valve incompetence at 1 week, 5 had total SFJ obliteration, 4 had > or =1 patent tributaries draining directly into the femoral vein through an open SFJ, and 6 had > or =1 patent tributaries draining into an open SFJ through a short (<2 cm) proximal saphenous trunk. By 6 months, only 1 limb had total SFJ occlusion; the other 14 had at least 1 persistent or reopened tributary. Duplex scanning is indispensable for selecting patients, guiding the procedure, and defining the morphological maturation and hemodynamic changes that appear to characterize successful endovenous obliteration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Herbal extract of Wedelia chinensis attenuates androgen receptor activity and orthotopic growth of prostate cancer in nude mice.
Wedelia chinensis is a common ingredient of anti-inflammatory herbal medicines in Taiwan and southern China. Inflammation is involved in promoting tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. This study aims to test the biological effects in vivo of W. chinensis extract on prostate cancer. The in vivo efficacy and mechanisms of action of oral administration of a standardized extract of W. chinensis were analyzed in animals bearing a subcutaneous or orthotopic prostate cancer xenograft. Exposure of prostate cancer cells to W. chinensis extract induced apoptosis selectively in androgen receptor (AR)-positive prostate cancer cells and shifted the proportion in each phase of cell cycle toward G(2)-M phase in AR-negative prostate cancer cells. Oral herbal extract (4 or 40 mg/kg/d for 24-28 days) attenuated the growth of prostate tumors in nude mice implanted at both subcutaneous (31% and 44%, respectively) and orthotopic (49% and 49%, respectively) sites. The tumor suppression effects were associated with increased apoptosis and lower proliferation in tumor cells as well as reduced tumor angiogenesis. The antitumor effect of W. chinensis extract was correlated with accumulation of the principle active compounds wedelolactone, luteolin, and apigenin in vivo. Anticancer action of W. chinensis extract was due to three active compounds that inhibit the AR signaling pathway. Oral administration of W. chinensis extract impeded prostate cancer tumorigenesis. Future studies of W. chinensis for chemoprevention or complementary medicine against prostate cancer in humans are thus warranted. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Identification of prohibitin as a Chikungunya virus receptor protein.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has recently re-emerged causing millions of infections in countries around the Indian Ocean. While CHIKV has a broad host cell range and productively infects a number of different cell types, macrophages have been identified as a potential viral reservoir serving to increase the duration of symptoms. To date no CHIKV interacting protein has been characterized and this study sought to identify CHIKV binding proteins expressed on target cell membranes. Two-dimensional virus overlay identified prohibitin (PHB) as a microglial cell expressed CHIKV binding protein. Co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation as well as antibody and siRNA mediated infection inhibition studies all confirmed a role for PHB in mediating internalization of CHIKV into microglial cells. PHB is the first identified CHIKV receptor protein, and this study is evidence that PHB may play a role in the internalization of multiple viruses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Combination use of ferulic acid, ligustrazine and tetrahydropalmatine inhibits the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue: a multi-target therapy for endometriosis rats.
Ferulic acid (FA), ligustrazine (LZ) and tetrahydropalmatine (THP) are separately isolated from Chinese Angelica, Szechwan Lovage Rhizome and Rhizoma in the Jiawei-Foshou-San formula, a popular traditional Chinese medicine for irregular menses. It has been reported that the combination use of FA+LZ+THP has similar effect on endometriosis, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study was to investigate the combination effects and mechanisms of FA+LZ+THP on endometriosis rats. Fifty endometriosis rats were intragastricly treated with FA+LZ+THP for 4 wk. The volume of ectopic endometrial tissue was measured to evaluate the effects. Then the changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and ERE pathway were indicated by the levels of E2, GnRH, FSH and LH, and the expressions of ER, HSP90 and COX-2, respectively. In addition, peritoneal macrophages of each rat were cultured in vitro and treated with (FA+LZ+THP)-medicated serum for 24h. The proliferation and phagocytosis abilities, the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, and the expression of IκBα were then measured for the changes of peritoneal macrophage activities. Combination use of FA+LZ+THP diminished the volume of the ectopic endometrial tissues (P<0.05 or P<0.01). It also decreased the E2 level, suppressed the expression of GnRH, FSH and LH, and decreased the protein expression of ER, HSP90 and COX-2 (all P<0.05 or P<0.01). The phagocytosis ability of peritoneal macrophage was enhanced by (FA+LZ+THP)-medicated serum (P<0.05) with no change of proliferation (P>0.05). Moreover, IL-1β and TNF-α were downregulated (both P<0.05 or P<0.01) and IκBα was upregulated by the (FA+LZ+THP)-medicated serum (P<0.01). The combination use of FA, LZ and THP could inhibit the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue in endometriosis rats. It might be related to the down-regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, the amelioration in ERE pathway and the improvement of peritoneal macrophage activities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Phase I Study of Triweekly Nab-Paclitaxel Combined with S-1 in Patients with HER2-negative Metastatic Breast Cancer.
We conducted a phase I study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD) of triweekly nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) and S-1 combination therapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This study was carried out with a 3+3 dose escalation design; patients with HER2-negative MBC received nab-paclitaxel at 180-260 mg/m2 on day 1 and S-1 at 65-80 mg/m2 daily on days 1-14, repeated every 3 weeks. The MTD was level 3 (260 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel with 80 mg/m2 S-1) and the RD was level 2 (260 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel with 65 mg/m2 S-1). Dose-limiting toxicity was observed in two patients at level 3, who had grade 4 neutropenia and grade 3 myalgia, respectively. The response rate was 66.7%. The clinical benefit rate was 77.8%. Our study shows the efficacy and the feasibility of this combination therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mapping distributed sources of cortical rhythms in mild Alzheimer's disease. A multicentric EEG study.
The study aimed at mapping (i) the distributed electroencephalographic (EEG) sources specific for mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to vascular dementia (VaD) or normal elderly people (Nold) and (ii) the distributed EEG sources sensitive to the mild AD at different stages of severity. Resting EEG (10-20 electrode montage) was recorded from 48 mild AD, 20 VaD, and 38 Nold subjects. Both AD and VaD patients had 24-17 of mini mental state examination (MMSE). EEG rhythms were delta (2-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha 1 (8-10.5 Hz), alpha 2 (10.5-13 Hz), beta 1 (13-20 Hz), and beta 2 (20-30 Hz). Cortical EEG sources were modeled by low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). Regarding issue i, there was a decline of central, parietal, temporal, and limbic alpha 1 (low alpha) sources specific for mild AD group with respect to Nold and VaD groups. Furthermore, occipital alpha 1 sources showed a strong decline in mild AD compared to VaD group. Finally, distributed theta sources were largely abnormal in VaD but not in mild AD group. Regarding issue ii, there was a lower power of occipital alpha 1 sources in mild AD subgroup having more severe disease. Compared to previous field studies, this was the first investigation that illustrated the power spectrum profiles at the level of cortical (macroregions) EEG sources in mild AD patients having different severity of the disease with respect to VaD and normal subjects. Future studies should evaluate the clinical usefulness of this approach in early differential diagnosis, disease staging, and therapy monitoring. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Overexpressing eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E stimulates bovine mammary epithelial cell proliferation.
The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E regulates the proliferation of many cell types. In the present study, the effect of its overexpression on the growth of an immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cell line, MAC-T, has been investigated. Since involvement of cyclin D1 in growth regulation of other cell types has been suggested previously, the differences in cyclin D1 expression among the 4E-overexpressing and parental cells were also investigated. The cDNA of mouse eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E coding region (either wild-type or mutant, where Trp-56 was mutated to Ala) was transfected into MAC-T cells, and its protein expression was detected by Western blot analysis. Growth rates and saturation densities were calculated based on the cell counting data at desired time points. The cells overexpressing wild-type 4E displayed higher growth rates and saturation densities compared to the parental cells (P<0.05), whereas cells expressing mutant 4E showed lower growth rates and saturation densities than the parental controls (P<0.05). The amounts of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein were higher in the wild-type transfectants than in the parental controls, whereas the mutant transfectants contained lower amounts of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein compared to the parental cells. Our results suggest that overexpression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E leads to increased cyclin D1 expression at the transcriptional level, which consequently stimulates the proliferation of MAC-T cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sunitinib-induced thyrotoxicosis followed by persistent hypothyroidism with shrinkage of thyroid volume.
Sunitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of cancers, such as advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). On the other hand, sunitinib treatment is known to induce thyroid dysfunction in a substantial proportion of patients treated for advanced RCC; in fact, hypothyroidism is a frequent complication. However, little is known about sunitinib-induced thyrotoxicosis and destructive thyroiditis. Here, we report a patient with RCC who developed transient overt thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism due to sunitinib treatment. A 58-year-old woman, who had been treated with chronic thyroiditis, was diagnosed as having left RCC with bone metastasis to the rib. The patient underwent resection of the left kidney and the bone metastasis lesion. However, 3 months later, bone metastasis to the rib recurred, and sunitinib treatment was started. At 6 weeks of sunitinib therapy, the patient developed transient thyrotoxicosis, followed by persistent hypothyroidism. In the thyrotoxic phase, the patient was diagnosed as having destructive thyroiditis based on an increased thyroglobulin level, a low radioactive iodine uptake, increased free thyroxine level, and suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone level. The thyroid volume in the hypothyroid phase was 68% of that in the thyrotoxic phase. In conclusion, the present report suggests that sunitinib-induced persistent hypothyroidism may be a consequence of preceding destructive thyroiditis with transient thyrotoxicosis. The decreased volume of the thyroid during the hypothyroid phase indicates irreversible organ damage in the present patient, thereby resulting in persistent hypothyroidism. Thus, periodic surveillance of thyroid function is mandatory during sunitinib therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Isolation of a stimulatory system in an Aloe extract.
The authors' previous work on a 50% ethanol extract of Aloe vera was done to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity using the croton oil-induced ear swelling assay. The anti-inflammatory activity was found in the supernatant fraction. The supernatant fraction decreased inflammation, when applied topically, by 29.2%, and the precipitate decreased inflammation by 12.1%. However, in the present work, the precipitate fraction decreased the wound diameter by an average of 47.1% (stimulatory system). Little or no wound healing activity was found in the supernatant. Aloe vera appears to act as a modulatory system toward wounds and inflammation and is a potentially valuable tool for managing lower extremity conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus NTPase/helicase belongs to a distinct class of 5' to 3' viral helicases.
The putative NTPase/helicase protein from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is postulated to play a number of crucial roles in the viral life cycle, making it an attractive target for anti-SARS therapy. We have cloned, expressed, and purified this protein as an N-terminal hexahistidine fusion in Escherichia coli and have characterized its helicase and NTPase activities. The enzyme unwinds double-stranded DNA, dependent on the presence of a 5' single-stranded overhang, indicating a 5'o 3' polarity of activity, a distinct characteristic of coronaviridae helicases. We provide the first quantitative analysis of the polynucleic acid binding and NTPase activities of a Nidovirus helicase, using a high throughput phosphate release assay that will be readily adaptable to the future testing of helicase inhibitors. All eight common NTPs and dNTPs were hydrolyzed by the SARS helicase in a magnesium-dependent reaction, stimulated by the presence of either single-stranded DNA or RNA. The enzyme exhibited a preference for ATP, dATP, and dCTP over the other NTP/dNTP substrates. Homopolynucleotides significantly stimulated the ATPase activity (15-25-fold) with the notable exception of poly(G) and poly(dG), which were non-stimulatory. We found a large variation in the apparent strength of binding of different homopolynucleotides, with dT24 binding over 10 times more strongly than dA24 as observed by the apparent Km. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The influence of norfloxacin and metronidazole on the disposition of mycophenolate mofetil.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of concurrent antibiotic administration on the disposition of mycophenolic acid (MPA) and mycophenolic acid glucuronide (MPAG) after oral administration of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in healthy subjects. Eleven healthy subjects were enrolled. The study was divided into 4 treatment periods. Subjects received MMF as a single oral 1-g dose alone and were then randomized to 3 antibiotic treatment periods. The 3 periods included norfloxacin, metronidazole, and a combination of norfloxacin and metronidazole. Antibiotic treatment was started 3 days prior to each MMF pharmacokinetic study day and was given for a total of 5 days. On day 4 of each antibiotic phase, subjects received a single 1-g oral dose of MMF. Plasma and urine samples were obtained over 48 hours after the MMF dose in all treatment periods and were quantitatively measured for MPA and MPAG. Pharmacokinetic parameters for MPA and MPAG were determined for all periods. Compared to MMF alone, the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) of MPA was reduced by an average of 10%, 19%, and 33% when given with norfloxacin, metronidazole, and norfloxacin plus metronidazole, respectively. The AUC of MPAG was also reduced on average by 10%, 27%, and 41% in the corresponding periods. The combination of norfloxacin and metronidazole significantly reduced the AUC of MPA and MPAG in healthy subjects. This likely occurs as a result of reduced enterohepatic recirculation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Measuring registration potential in planar transmission images.
One method of detecting change in an anatomical structure is by comparing elements of a longitudinal series of planar transmission images (i.e. radiographs). Unfortunately, changes in image formation parameters, such as patient placement, prevent successful image registration from occurring. In this paper, an analytic method is described which allows one to quantify the ability to register two planar transmission images. The concepts described in this paper are not dependent on a specific image registration method. In fact, these results hold independent of the registration algorithm used since they are based solely on phenomena occurring during the image formation process. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mesenteric venous thrombosis associated with oral contraceptives: a case report.
Small-bowel infarction resulting from mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare but life-threatening complication to which young women taking oral contraceptives are liable. The patient characteristically presents with an "acute abdomen" after a variable prodromal period of vague abdominal pain. The correct diagnosis can be made from the macroscopic appearance at laparotomy, provided the surgeon is alert to the condition. An accurate diagnosis is important, as anticoagulation measures must be instituted early to counter the commonly associated thromboembolic phenomena. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Legal piperazine-containing party pills--a new trend in substance misuse.
In this Harm Reduction Digest Sheridan, Butler, Wilkins and Russell address the emergent phenomenon of so-called 'legal party pills' which have become a significant drug issue in New Zealand and elsewhere. Although banned in a number of countries, they are currently legally available in New Zealand where they are marketed as 'safe' alternatives' to 'illicit' drugs often used in the dance scene such as MDMA and amphetamines. The authors describe the availability and use of these substances in New Zealand, summarize what is known about their effects, and speculate on harm reduction interventions and mechanisms of control and their possible sequelae. The paper provides a timely account of an emerging drug issue of relevance to harm reduction internationally. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of cognitive behavior therapy on decision making in adolescents who self-harm: a pilot study.
Research shows poor decision making in adolescents who self-harm and a positive correlation between decision-making abilities and duration since last self-harm episode. This exploratory study investigated whether decision making in self-harming adolescents could be improved through treatment with a novel cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). It also investigated whether improvement in decision making following treatment was linked to self-harm cessation. Adolescent self-harmers receiving CBT (n = 24) or no treatment (n = 9) and healthy controls (n = 22) were longitudinally compared on the Iowa gambling task (IGT). Significant IGT improvements were only observed for adolescents who self-harm following CBT. CBT may benefit adolescent self-harmers and generate decision-making improvements. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Daclatasvir, Simeprevir and Ribavirin as a Promising Interferon-Free Triple Regimen for HCV Recurrence after Liver Transplant.
Recurrent hepatitis C infection after liver transplantation (LT) is associated with lower rates of graft and patient survival. Here we describe the first use of daclatasvir, simeprevir, and ribavirin (RBV) as an all-oral triple regimen administered to 6 liver transplant recipients with recurrent hepatitis C, one with GT 1a and 5 with GT 1b. All patients were treated for 24 weeks. Trough levels of immunosuppression, laboratory measures, and potential adverse effects were closely monitored. For all patients, viral load became undetectable between treatment weeks 4 and 12. One patient experienced a viral breakthrough at the 10th week of treatment; this was associated with the selection of resistance-associated variants (D168Y in NS3 and ΔP32 in NS5A). For the other 5 patients, end-of-treatment response and for 4 patients SVR24 was achieved. Viremia recurred in one patient 4 weeks after the end of treatment, which was again associated with the selection of resistance-associated variants (D168V in NS3 and ΔP32 in NS5A). Clinical measures of liver function improved substantially for all patients. Adverse events were few and limited to moderate anemia caused by RBV. Importantly, adjustments to the immunosuppressant dosage were not required. The described regimen appears to be safe and effective for liver transplant patients and will be a promising treatment regimen for post-LT patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Relational interactions preserving dignity experience: Perceptions of persons living with dementia.
Dignity experience in the daily lives of people living with dementia is influenced by their relational interactions with others. However, literature reviews show that knowledge concerning crucial interactional qualities, preserving their sense of dignity, is limited. The aim of this study was to explore and describe crucial qualities of relational interactions preserving dignity experience among people with dementia, while interacting with family, social network, and healthcare professionals. The study was founded upon Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics, and an exploratory design employing qualitative research interviews was conducted. A total of 11 individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia, living in their own homes, were recruited from two Hospital Memory Clinics in Norway. In recruiting persons with dementia as study participants, sensitivity toward their life history, autonomy, integrity, relationships, and dignity is essential. These standards, and the ethical principles of moral sensitivity to their vulnerability, doing no harm, showing justice, and respecting their personal utility, guided our research. Three main interactional qualities preserving the participants' dignity experience were found: Experiencing love and confirmation; experiencing social inclusion and fellowship; experiencing humane warmth and understanding within a caring culture, while being met as an equal human being. A total of 10 sub-qualities were identified within these 3 main qualities. Dignity experience among the participants was preserved when certain interactional qualities were present in their interactions with family, social network, and healthcare professionals. While supporting some of the findings of previous studies, this study adds new knowledge on the subject. Knowledge of relational interactions toward preserving dignity experience should be a fundamental part of future dementia care practice. Based on the results of this study, an empirical-theoretical model was developed for this purpose. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neck vibration causes short-latency electromyographic activation of lower leg muscles in postural reactions of the standing human.
To study how quickly cervical proprioceptive information induced muscular responses in the lower leg to control posture in the standing human we investigated lower leg muscle electromyography and force-plate data from 10 healthy normal subjects, when perturbed by posterior neck muscle vibration. At the onset of vibration the tibialis anterior muscle was activated at latencies of 70-100 ms whilst the triceps surae muscle was inhibited at the same latencies. At offset the opposite pattern was observed. These findings suggest that a short-latency integrative system, rather than a direct reflex, mediates the cervical influence on posture. The short latencies also imply that activation of postural muscles in response to vibration towards the neck muscles occurs faster than would be expected if it was caused only by a perceptive illusion of movement. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Therapeutic efficacy of melanoma-reactive TIL injected in stage III melanoma patients.
Adoptive therapy for cancer using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has mainly been investigated in cancer patients with advanced stage disease. The limited clinical success has not been encouraging, although this might be explained by poor TIL specificity and/or high tumor burden. To re-evaluate the effectiveness of adoptive therapy, we analyzed the capacity of tumor-reactive TIL injection in preventing the further development of disease in stage III melanoma patients after complete tumor resection. A phase II/III randomized trial was performed on 88 melanoma patients, who received autologous TIL plus interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-2 only. The duration of relapse-free survival was analyzed, taking into account the immunological specificity of injected TIL and the number of metastatic lymph nodes removed before treatment. Kaplan-Meyer analysis revealed that the injection of tumor-reactive TIL was statistically correlated with prolonged relapse-free survival in patients with only one metastatic lymph node. Therefore, improved clinical outcome could be obtained after adoptive therapy by selecting appropriate groups of patients and monitoring the specificity of the injected TIL populations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Combined treatment of coenzyme Q10 and aprotinin with intraaortic balloon pumping following aorto-coronary bypass surgery.
The effect of combined treatment of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and aprotinin with intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) was evaluated in patients who underwent aorto-coronary bypass surgery. Forty-one patients were divided into two groups. Group A (27) were treated by IABP only and Group B (14) were treated by the concomitant use of CoQ10 and aprotinin with IABP. Both groups were subdivided into two groups with regard to the ability to be weaned from IABP (Group A-I, Group B-I) or the inability (Group A-II, Group B-II). CoQ10 was administrated intravenously at doses of 5-10 mg/kg/day and aprotinin was infused at doses 5,000-10,000 KU/kg/day. The percentile incidence of ability to be weaned from IABP was 93 per cent (13/14) in Group B was higher than that of 74 per cent (20/27) in Group A. There were no significant differences among Group A-I, Group A-II, and Group B-I with regard to preoperative and intraoperative factors. Serum GOT and CPK levels on the first postoperative day were significantly higher in Group A-II and Group B-I than those in Group A-I but there was no significant difference between GOT or CPK levels in Group A-II and Group B-I. These results suggest that concomitant treatment of CoQ10 and aprotinin with IABP leads to an improvement in postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Néel Spin-Orbit Torque Driven Antiferromagnetic Resonance in Mn_{2}Au Probed by Time-Domain THz Spectroscopy.
We observe the excitation of collective modes in the terahertz (THz) range driven by the recently discovered Néel spin-orbit torques (NSOTs) in the metallic antiferromagnet Mn_{2}Au. Temperature-dependent THz spectroscopy reveals a strong absorption mode centered near 1 THz, which upon heating from 4 to 450 K softens and loses intensity. A comparison with the estimated eigenmode frequencies implies that the observed mode is an in-plane antiferromagnetic resonance (AFMR). The AFMR absorption strength exceeds those found in antiferromagnetic insulators, driven by the magnetic field of the THz radiation, by 3 orders of magnitude. Based on this and the agreement with our theory modeling, we infer that the driving mechanism for the observed mode is the current-induced NSOT. Here the electric field component of the THz pulse drives an ac current in the metal, which subsequently drives the AFMR. This electric manipulation of the Néel order parameter at high frequencies makes Mn_{2}Au a prime candidate for antiferromagnetic ultrafast memory applications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The inhibitory effect of vitamin E on K-ras mutation at an early stage of lung carcinogenesis in mice.
In this study, we investigated the effect of vitamin E on the activation of the K-ras oncogene with a 61st codon A-->T mutation at an early stage of urethane-induced lung carcinogenesis in mice. Thirty days after urethane injection, the K-ras mutation was detected in 64% of lung samples tested by mutant-allele-specific amplification. The consumption of a supplemented diet with about 20-times more vitamin E than the control diet, only during the promotion phase or during both the initiation and promotion phases of lung carcinogenesis, reduced the frequency of the mutation to 36 and 18%, respectively. Also, vitamin E suppressed the level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen as a marker of cell proliferation in the lungs of mice treated with urethane. These results support the notion that vitamin E is a useful chemopreventive agent against lung cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tissue distribution of mammalian aldose reductase and related enzymes.
Activities of aldose reductase (AR) and related NADPH-dependent enzymes were examined in extracts of human, cat, dog, guinea pig, mouse, monkey, pig, rabbit, rat and sheep lenses and a variety of other tissues. The activity of the tissues against DL-glyceraldehyde, D-glucuronic acid, and 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (PCA) was determined. High glyceraldehyde:glucuronic acid activity ratios, a characteristic of aldose reductase, were found in all lenses, except from mouse. An analytical thin-layer isoelectric focusing system which separates the mammalian NADPH-dependent enzymes was developed. AR appears to be present as two or more isozymes in all mammalian lenses studied with the exception of mouse. Other tissues contain one or more isozymes which have the same isoelectric point and substrate specificity as the AR present in the lens of that species. This AR activity, however, may represent only a small proportion of the total NADPH reducing activity present. AR and HDH isozymes reduce the aromatic substrate, PCA, and thus have the general characteristics of an aldehyde reductase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Construction and expression of diphtheria toxin-encoding gene derivatives in Escherichia coli.
We reported earlier that in the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli, truncated derivatives of diphtheria toxin undergo limited proteolysis [Zdanovsky et al., Mol. Biol. 22 (1988) 1037-1293]. Here, we present data indicating that this proteolysis is reduced in cells bearing a mutation in the degP gene. We have also constructed hybrid genes whose products are not secreted into the periplasm. These hybrid genes were expressed in E. coli from both the pR promoter, controlled by the heat-inducible CI857 repressor, and from the P(lac) promoter, controlled by the IPTG-inducible LacI repressor. The latter system proved to be more productive. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The pulmonary artery catheter: economic aspects.
To review the literature addressing economic issues related to use of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). All pertinent English language articles related to economic analysis of the use of pulmonary artery catheterization were retrieved from 1977 through 1996. Articles were chosen for review if an economic analysis related to use of the PAC was studied or reviewed. From the articles selected, information was obtained about economic aspects related to pulmonary artery catheterization. Inadequate evidence exists to accurately determine if PAC use is truly cost-effective. Widespread use of the PAC has significant economic ramifications. Data regarding cost-effectiveness of the PAC is extremely limited in terms of methodology and scope. Economic impact and cost-effectiveness are moot prior to establishing clinical efficacy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A canine model for production of severe unilateral panacinar emphysema.
The authors created a canine model of severe emphysema using whole lung lavage to deliver repeated porcine pancreatic elastase solution to the terminal airways and alveoli of the right lung. This model produces extreme unilateral panacinar emphysema closely resembling that encountered in patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. Because the contralateral lung remains functional, the animals can be maintained indefinitely. The model will be of value in developing imaging techniques capable of safely evaluating the effect of treatment on panacinar emphysema in alpha1-antitrypsin-deficient patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
(E)-2-(2-Hydroxyethylidene)-6-methyl-5-heptenal (alpha-acariolal) and (E)-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-methyl-2,5-heptadienal (beta-acariolal), two new types of isomeric monoterpenes from Caloglyphus polyphyllae (Acari: Acaridae).
The opisthonotal gland secretion of the acarid mite, Caloglyphus polyphyllae, contained two new monoterpenes, (E)-2-(2-hydroxyethylidene)-6-methyl-5-heptenal (1) and (E)-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-methyl-2,5-heptadienal (2), to which we have given the trivial names alpha- and beta-acariolal in relation to alpha- and beta-acaridial (3 and 4), respectively. Elucidation of the structure of 1 was established mainly from 1H-NMR and GC/MS spectral data after partial purification, together with the fact that 1 was recovered in the more-polar fraction from a silica gel column than alpha- and beta-acaridial (3 and 4) present in the secretion. Compound 2 was obtained in the same fraction as a mixture with 1. Based on the facts that 2 had the same molecular weight by GC/MS and the same polarity as that of 1, compound 2 was assumed to be a structural analog of 1. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were confirmed by their synthesis in nine and ten respective steps starting from alpha-bromo-gamma-butyrolactone. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Quercetin ameliorates cardiovascular, hepatic, and metabolic changes in diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats.
Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigated the responses to the flavonol, quercetin, in male Wistar rats (8-9 wk old) divided into 4 groups. Two groups were given either a corn starch-rich (C) or high-carbohydrate, high-fat (H) diet for 16 wk; the remaining 2 groups were given either a C or H diet for 8 wk followed by supplementation with 0.8 g/kg quercetin in the food for the following 8 wk (CQ and HQ, respectively). The H diet contained ~68% carbohydrates, mainly as fructose and sucrose, and ~24% fat from beef tallow; the C diet contained ~68% carbohydrates as polysaccharides and ~0.7% fat. Compared with the C rats, the H rats had greater body weight and abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, higher systolic blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular remodeling, and NAFLD. The H rats had lower protein expressions of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor-2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) with greater expression of NF-κB in both the heart and the liver and less expression of caspase-3 in the liver than in C rats. HQ rats had higher expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and CPT1 and lower expression of NF-κB than H rats in both the heart and the liver. HQ rats had less abdominal fat and lower systolic blood pressure along with attenuation of changes in structure and function of the heart and the liver compared with H rats, although body weight and dyslipidemia did not differ between the H and HQ rats. Thus, quercetin treatment attenuated most of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome, including abdominal obesity, cardiovascular remodeling, and NAFLD, with the most likely mechanisms being decreases in oxidative stress and inflammation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Microphytobenthic biomass, species composition and environmental gradients in the mangrove intertidal region of the Andaman Archipelago, India.
Monthly sampling in mangrove intertidal sediments of Andaman Archipelago was carried out during a 1-year study (January to December, 2013) in order to analyse the spatial and temporal distribution of microphytobenthos (MPB) and MPB biomass (sediment chlorophyll-a (chl-a)) in the surficial layer 0-1 cm. The MPB community was mainly composed of diatoms. The MPB biomass concentration in surface sediment (0-1 cm) ranged from 0.7 to 16.98 μg cm-3. Population density of benthic diatoms varied from 78 to 224 ind cm-3. This study identified 41 diatom taxa (27 pennate diatoms, 14 centric diatoms) in the sediment, and among all the diatom taxa, we distinguished few true planktonic species-Coscinodiscus centralis, Coscinodiscus marginatus, Leptocylindricus danicus, Planktoniella sol, Thalassiosira decipiens, Thalassionema nitzschioides and Thalassiothrix longissima. Overall, a high percentage of diatoms were pennate (81%) as opposed to centric. Based on benthic diatom abundance, species composition and distribution, MPB assemblages of sampling stations were grouped into two distinct clusters: one with St. 1 and St. 3 and another one with St. 2 and St. 4. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed seasonality as the most important factor determining variability in diatom species composition among sampling sites. There was a distinct seasonal pattern in MPB biomass distribution and benthic diatom cell density during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Our results suggest that among various physical and chemical variables studied, greater levels of overlying water nutrients and sediment textures significantly correlated and were conducive factors for MPB. This is the first detailed study on the MPB from these mangrove sediments, providing benchmark data for future studies about these remote groups of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Molecular genotyping of Indian blood group system antigens in Indian blood donors.
Haemagglutination has been the gold standard for defining the blood group status. However, these tests depend upon the availability of specific and reliable antisera. Potent antisera for extended phenotyping are very costly, weakly reacting or available in limited stocks and unavailable for some blood group systems like Indian, Dombrock, Coltan, Diego etc. The Indian blood group system consists of two antithetical antigens, Ina and Inb. The Ina /Inb polymorphism arises from 252C > G missense mutation in the CD44 gene. This knowledge has allowed the development of molecular methods for genotyping IN alleles. Blood samples were collected from 715 blood donors from Mumbai. DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform method and genotyping for Indian (Ina/IN*01, Inb /IN*02) blood group alleles was done by Sequence Specific PCR. Seventeen donors among 715 were heterozygous for Ina antigen i.e. In (a+b+). The Ina antigen positivity was confirmed serologically, using anti-Ina prepared in-house and the genotype-phenotype results were concordant. The frequency of Ina (2.37%) was higher than Caucasians and comparable to those reported among Indians of Bombay. This is the first study reporting molecular screening of Indian blood group antigens in Indian population. The frequency of Ina and Inb antigens was found to be 2.37% and 100% respectively. Red cells of Ina positive donors can be used as in-house reagent red cells for screening and identification of corresponding antibodies. Thus, DNA based methods will help in large scale screening of donors to identify rare blood groups, when commercial antisera are unavailable. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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