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Expressed emotion and relapse of psychopathology.
Expressed emotion (EE) is a measure of the family environment that predicts worse clinical outcomes for patients with a range of disorders. This article describes the assessment of EE and the evidence linking EE to clinical relapse in patients with psychopathology. This is followed by consideration of the possible explanatory models that might account for the EE-relapse link and a review of the evidence suggesting that EE may play a causal role in the relapse process. The results of studies describing the effect of EE on patients, as well as cross-cultural aspects of the construct, are highlighted. Finally, the possibility that high levels of EE may stress patients by perturbing activity in neural circuits that underlie psychopathology is considered and new directions for EE research are outlined.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Biochemistry and physiology of the natriuretic peptide receptor guanylyl cyclases.
Guanylyl cyclases (GC) exist as soluble and particulate, membrane-associated enzymes which catalyse the conversion of GTP to cGMP, an intracellular signalling molecule. Several membrane forms of the enzyme have been identified up to now. Some of them serve as receptors for the natriuretic peptides, a family of peptides which includes atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), three peptides known to play important roles in renal and cardiovascular physiology. These are transmembrane proteins composed of a single transmembrane domain, a variable extracellular natriuretic peptide-binding domain, and a more conserved intracellular kinase homology domain (KHD) and catalytic domain. GC-A, the receptor for ANP and BNP, also named natriuretic peptide receptor-A or -1 (NPR-A or NPR- 1), has been studied widely. Its mode of activation by peptide ligands and mechanisms of regulation serve as prototypes for understanding the function of other particulate GC. Activation of this enzyme by its ligand is a complex process requiring oligomerization, ligand binding, KHD phosphorylation and ATP binding. Gene knockout and genetic segregation studies have provided strong evidence for the importance of GC-A in the regulation of blood pressure and heart and renal functions. GC-B is the main receptor for CNP, the latter having a more paracrine role at the vascular and venous levels. The structure and regulation of GC-B is similar to that of GC-A. This chapter reviews the structure and roles of GC-A and GC-B in blood pressure regulation and cardiac and renal pathophysiology.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Evidence of human neurocysticercosis in Slovenia.
To assess the prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in patients with neurological disorders in Slovenia, serum/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 348 suspected patients were collected between the beginning of January 2001 and the end of December 2012 and analysed serologically for the presence of anti-T. solium IgG antibodies. Of 20 patients whose samples tested positive or equivocal by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), samples of 7 patients were confirmed positive by Western blot (WB). The overall seroprevalence rate of T. solium infection in patients with neurological disorders included in the study was 2.0%. Serological results of positive patients corresponded to clinical and/or imaging findings concerning their brain cysts. Based on their personal data, it was ascertained that neurocysticercosis (NCC) positive patients had immigrated or came to Slovenia from the former Yugoslav republics. Since the disease is believed not to be endemic in Slovenia we assume that all of the NCC-positive patients had acquired the infection before immigration to Slovenia or visiting or being visited by their relatives infected with an adult T. solium parasite. The present results represent the first insight into the prevalence of NCC in patients with neurological disorders in Slovenia.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Simultaneous determination of enantiomers of structurally related anticholinergic analogs in human serum by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with on-line sample cleanup.
Trihexyphenidyl, biperiden and procyclidine are anticholinergic drugs produced as racemates for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. This paper describes a simple and sensitive LC-MS method for the simultaneous determination of these compounds in human serum. An on-line sample clean-up procedure was used, where serum samples were directly injected into a "restricted-access media" pre-column. After the exclusion of the serum proteins, the drug molecules were eluted to a beta-cyclodextrin analytical column for chiral separation. The quantitation was done by electrospray ionization MS using diphenidol as an internal standard. The method developed has limits of detection of 1 ng/ml, at least two-orders-of-magnitude linear dynamic ranges (r>0.999), and RSDs of less than 10%. The system can be completely automated for increased sample throughput and unattended analyses.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Safety of donating multiple products in a single apheresis collection: are we expecting too much?
Modern blood separators rapidly process many liters of donor blood and efficiently collect vast quantities of blood components from donors, who may be stimulated with potent recombinant hematopoietic growth factors or cytokines. Accordingly, the potential risks of modern multiple product/unit apheresis donations and recombinant growth factors is analyzed in this report. As is true for all medical procedures, risks are associated with apheresis donations. Risks of a "standard" apheresis donation, in which one unit of PLTs or plasma is collected, are comparable to the risks of whole blood donation. Risks of multiple unit apheresis donations, in which either vast quantities of a single blood component or multiple units of various components are collected, are incompletely understood, particularly, when donors are stimulated with recombinant hematopoietic growth factors to increase component yields. To minimize donor risks and to increase knowledge of multiple component apheresis donations, both short-term problems (e.g., donor reactions accompanying apheresis procedures and pre- vs. post-procedure changes in results of donor laboratory studies) and long-term problems (e.g., medical diagnoses/problems and abnormalities of donor blood counts and laboratory test results) should be monitored, ideally, by a repeat donor registry. When recombinant hematopoietic growth factors are prescribed, donors should give informed consent, and blood center professionals must be aware of 1) the effects of these drugs given at pharmacologic, rather than physiologic, doses; 2) the differences between the molecular structure of recombinant vs. natural/endogenous growth factors; 3) the fact that recombinant growth factors have both narrow/focused and broad biological activities; and 4) the probability that results of studies in sick/immunosuppressed patients may not be applicable to healthy/immunocompetent donors.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Synthesis of 'head-to-tail' cyclized peptides on solid support using a chelating amide as new orthogonal protecting group.
The synthesis of 'head-to-tail' cyclized peptides requires orthogonal protecting groups. Herein, we report on the introduction of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (Bpa) as a new protecting group for carboxylic functions in SPPS. The synthesis of the Bpa-protected aspartic acid was straightforward, and its utility was investigated under standard peptide synthesis conditions. The new protecting group was cleaved in a very mild way using Cu(OAc)2 and 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethanol as nucleophile in a microwave oven without affecting other groups. Hence, the new group is ideally suited for the synthesis of 'head-to-tail' cyclic peptides, as demonstrated for a cyclic pentapeptide and cyclic hexapeptides.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Implementation of a Complex Intervention to Support Leadership Development in Nursing Homes: A Multimethod Participatory Study.
Leadership is key to quality improvement in nursing homes. This article reports on the initial analysis of the transformational My Home Life Leadership Support program for nursing home managers being implemented in Scotland. It analyses learning from a multimethod participatory descriptive study. Contribution analysis theory informed the evaluation. Evidence-Based Practice, Relationship-Centered Care, Appreciative Inquiry, and Caring Conversations informed the intervention to develop transformational leadership. Data generation methods included baseline and postintervention questionnaires to describe culture change within the study population, together with more in-depth qualitative data generated from group discussions throughout the leadership support program. Qualitative data analysis was an iterative collaborative process with participants to generate themes about the impact of the program on themselves and their practice. Data showed positive changes in managers' perceptions of their self-awareness, leadership communication and relationship skills, and development of positive cultures. This model offers lessons for those interested in ways to approach the emotional, educational, and cultural dynamics of change in other human service contexts.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Enhanced dopamine release by nicotine in cigarette smokers: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.
Previous studies of smoking on dopamine release in humans were investigated only in smokers. Using nicotine gum, we examined the effect of nicotine on dopamine release in smokers and non-smokers and its relation to the degree of nicotine dependence. Smokers and non-smokers participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study. They participated in two PET measurements with [11C]raclopride, in which they received either nicotine or placebo. Changes in [11C]raclopride non-displaceable binding potential (BPND) following nicotine administration were quantified. Smokers showed significant decrease in BP in the striatum following nicotine administration, but non-smokers did not show such a decrease. The BPND difference between the two scanning sessions was correlated with the degree of nicotine dependence. The BPND difference might reflect enhanced dopamine release in smokers and the reinforced effect of nicotine. These data suggest the feasibility of our gum method as well as the importance of the degree of dependence in future studies of the nicotine effect on the dopamine system.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Penetration of titanium dioxide microparticles in a sunscreen formulation into the horny layer and the follicular orifice.
Coated titanium dioxide (TiO2) microparticles are commonly used as UV filter substances in commercial sunscreen products. The penetration of these microparticles into the horny layer and the orifice of the hair follicle was investigated. The distribution of the microparticles in the horny layer was analyzed using the method of tape stripping in combination with spectroscopic measurements. Deeper layers of the stratum corneum were devoid of TiO(2) even after repetitive application of sunscreen preparation when analyzing interfollicular areas. Only in the areas of the pilosebaceous orifices could microparticles be identified. The penetration of TiO(2) was investigated in histological skin sections. A biopsy was taken from a skin area from which the horny layer had been removed by tape stripping. In isolated areas, a penetration of coated TiO2 into the open part of the follicle was observed. The amount of TiO2 found in a given follicle was less than 1% of the applied total amount of sunscreens. A penetration of microparticles into viable skin tissue could not be detected.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Sex gender and autoimmunity.
The 7th International Congress of Autoimmunity was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia in May 2010. At the conclusion of the Congress, a list was prepared of the major unresolved clinical issues in autoimmunity. The list grew to be extensive but one subject that was found in nearly all of the concerns was geoepidemiology of autoimmunity and, in particular, the increased risk of women to develop autoimmune disease. Indeed, one does not need to be an autoimmunologist to appreciate that the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, for example, has been known to be increased in women compared to men, almost from the time of its original description. In fact, although the sex ratios of autoimmune disease have varied from center to center, from country to country, from decade to decade, the data has remained virtually constant. It is not surprising that the very first mouse model of lupus was described in female New Zealand black x white female mice. Although there have been subsequent descriptions of lupus in male murine strains, the initial data on the NZB × NZW F1 mouse led to some of the original descriptions of the relative roles of sex hormones on the immune response. The 8th Congress of Autoimmunity will be held in Granada, Spain in May 2012 and one of the intents of the Congress and of this volume is to address the needs originally noted in Slovenia two years earlier. Towards this extent, this volume contains a special double issue of papers that will be published in the Journal of Autoimmunity and Autoimmunity Reviews, all of whom have the focus of addressing critical issues in sex, gender and autoimmunity.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Posterior semicircular canal dehiscence: a diagnostic and surgical conundrum.
Third window defects have increasingly been identified as a cause of vertigo. These defects are bony dehiscences that occur in the bony labyrinth, resulting in abnormal pressure gradient in the inner ear fluids leading to sound (Tullio's phenomenon) or pressure (Hennebert's sign) induced vertigo. The superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome is a well-described entity in this regard, however defects of the posterior semicircular canal are rare and may have overlapping symptomatology. We describe the history, clinical profile and management of a patient who had importunate symptoms despite being on conservative management for a year and had resolution of vestibular symptoms following surgical management.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Distinctions in variability of motor output between learning disabled and normal children.
This study measured the differences in motor output between groups of 8- and 10-yr.-old learning disabled and normal boys. Variability of motor output was investigated by having children learn an alternating tapping task to a criterion of a specified number of taps per minute and then having them transfer to more difficult tapping tasks with the same rhythmic beat but requiring more distance to move or more accuracy. Results suggest variability of motor output distinguishes normal and learning disabled boys.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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24- and 26-membered macrocyclic diorganotin(IV) bis-dithiocarbamate complexes with N,N'-disubstituted 1,3- and 1,4-bis(aminomethyl)benzene and 1,1'-bis(aminomethyl)ferrocene as spacer groups.
The potassium bis-dithiocarbamate (bis-dtc) salts of 1,3-bis(benzylaminomethyl)benzene (1,3-Bn-ambdtc), 1,3-bis(iso-butylaminomethyl)benzene (1,3-(i)Bu-ambdtc), 1,4-bis(benzylaminomethyl)benzene (1,4-Bn-ambdtc), and 1,4-bis(iso-butylaminomethyl)benzene (1,4-(i)Bu-ambdtc) were reacted with three different diorganotin dichlorides (R2SnCl2 with R = Me, (n)Bu, and Ph) in 1:1 stoichiometric ratios to give the corresponding diorganotin bis-dithiocarbamates. Additionally, the dimethyltin bis-dithiocarbamate of 1,1'-bis(benzylaminomethyl)ferrocene (1,1'-Bn-amfdtc) was prepared. The resulting complexes have been characterized as far as possible by elemental analysis, FAB(+) mass spectrometry, IR and NMR ((1)H, (13)C, and (119)Sn) spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing that the tin complexes are dinuclear 24- and 26-membered macrocyclic species of composition [{R2Sn(bis-dtc)}2]. As shown by (119)Sn NMR spectroscopy, the tin centers are hexa-coordinated in all cases; however, two different coordination environments are possible, as detected by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the dimethyltin derivatives of 1,3-Bn-ambdtc, 1,3-(i)Bu-ambdtc, 1,4-Bn-ambdtc, and 1,1'-Bn-amfdtc and the di-n-butyltin derivative of 1,3-(i)Bu-ambdtc, the metal atoms are embedded in skewed-trapezoidal-bipyramidal coordination polyhedra with asymmetrically coordinating trans-oriented dtc groups. In contrast, in the diphenyltin derivative 1,3-(i)Bu-ambdtc, the metal centers have distorted octahedral coordination with symmetrically coordinating cis-oriented dtc functions. Thus, for the complexes derived from 1,3-Bn/(i)Bu-ambdtc, two different macrocyclic structures were observed. In the dimethyl- and di-n-butyltin derivatives, the bridging bis-dtc ligands adopt U-shaped conformations, while in the case of the diphenyltin derivative, the conformation is L-shaped. Furthermore, two different macrocyclic ring conformations can occur, which differ in the spatial orientation of the substituents attached to the nitrogen atoms (Bn or (i)Bu). The dimethyltin derivatives of 1,4-Bn-ambdtc and 1,1'-Bn-amfdtc have cavities, in which aromatic rings are accommodated in the solid state.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Amyloid beta vaccination: reduced plaques and improved cognition.
Studies in three different transgenic mouse models suggest that the amyloid beta-protein contributes to memory loss in Alzheimer disease. Immunization with an amyloid beta-peptide fragment reduces learning and memory impairments in mice, and this approach may eventually be used to prevent and/or treat this disease in people.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Sequence diversity of hepatitis C viral genomes.
The nucleotide sequences of cDNAs (275 base-pairs) in the non-structural protein 5 regions of Japanese isolates of hepatitis C virus (HCV-J) from the plasma of 11 patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis and the livers of five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were analyzed. Approximately 14 to 17% of nucleotide sequences of the HCV-Js examined differed from that of the original isolate in the United States (HCV-US). Furthermore, 2.5 to 11% sequence diversity was found among the HCV-Js. The nucleotide sequences of the HCV-Js showed characteristic common differences from that of HCV-US, although they also showed some random substitutions. Plural HCV-J genomes were found in two of the cDNAs derived from liver specimens, and a deletion of 102 nucleotides was found in the cDNA derived from one plasma specimen. These results suggest that HCV-J is a strain different from the HCV-US and that mutation of the viral genome occurs at as high a frequency as in that of the human immunodeficiency virus.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Implementing an Inpatient Acupuncture Service for Pain and Symptom Management: Identifying Opportunities and Challenges.
Objective: To explore an interprofessional group of health care providers' perspectives on the facilitators and barriers to implementation of an inpatient acupuncture service for pain and symptom management. Design: Qualitative. Setting: An urban, academic, tertiary care health system. Subjects: Key interprofessional health care providers, including physicians, nurses, and administrators. Methods/interventions: We used interviews and focus group with questions guided by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework to explore three domains of implementation-evidence, context, and facilitation. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Thirty health professionals participated in 11 interviews and 1 focus group. We identified 12 codes or topics, grouped into 3 categories: (1) facilitators to implementation, (2) barriers to implementation, and (3) strategies to promote successful implementation. Health professionals' awareness of acupuncture was high, and the positive support was based on beliefs that acupuncture fills a biomedical gap in treatment and adds institutional value by enhancing the reputation of the health system. Many thought that to provide comprehensive care, acupuncture should be available to inpatients, but opinions varied on the appropriateness and timing of acupuncture in patients' disease or care trajectory. Concerns about inconsistencies in insurance coverage and resulting expenses patients may incur were noted. Strategies to overcome implementation challenges included ensuring buy-in, setting appropriate expectations of the benefits of acupuncture, and educating patients and providers. Conclusions: Our study finds clear support for acupuncture. These strong endorsements were the foundation of facilitating factors that can guide implementation of acupuncture in the inpatient setting. Although we also identified potential barriers to implementation that must be addressed, we also report a number of actionable steps to operationalize evidence-based acupuncture to patients who are inpatients.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Porcine leukocyte interferon exhibits close antigenic relatedness to human interferon alpha 2, but not to human interferon alpha 1.
As reported by others using polyclonal antisera, natural human and porcine interferons (IFN)-alpha are antigenically related. Using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in neutralization and ELISA experiments, we found differences in the subtype/antigenic composition between virus-induced porcine and human leukocyte preparations. Human leukocyte IFN-alpha contains two major antigenically distinct subtypes, IFN-alpha 1 and IFN-alpha 2. However, swine leukocytes produced only a single predominant species of IFN-alpha with high antigenic homology to human IFN-alpha 2. Moreover, we were unable to detect close antigenic relatedness between recombinant porcine and human IFN-alpha 1 subtypes.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Characteristics of PAHs in street dust of Beijing and the annual wash-off load using an improved load calculation method.
A significant amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed in street dust ends up in runoff. Accordingly, evaluating the content, possible wash-off load and constituent risks associated with street dust is critical for urban runoff usage. Based on the PAH concentrations examined in this study, different risk assessment methods were applied and the differences among results were analyzed. An improved PAH wash-off calculation method was established and the annual PAH wash-off load was obtained. In addition, emission sources were diagnosed based on isomer ratios and PMF methods. The overall mean ΣPAHs (sum of 16 individual PAHs) concentration in the street dust was 3.70μg/g, with the highest mean concentrations found for main roads (5.18μg/g). Adjacent anthropogenic activities had a greater effect on pollution characteristics of street dust than land use types. The toxic risk order was park (0.64μg/g)>main road (0.57μg/g)>residence (0.32μg/g)>street (0.29μg/g)>commerce (0.23μg/g), while that of the ecological risk index was main road (1278)>street (920)>residence (904)>commerce (713)>park (195). Although the park sites had a high level of toxic risk, they showed low ecological risk because they had less dust mass per unit area, indicating a great difference in the risk evaluation results and the difference methods. Using different values for different magnitudes of the antecedent dry days, rainfall event amounts, and dust mass fraction of different size ranges, the average wash-off load of ΣPAHs from street dust was calculated to be 23kg per year in Beijing from 2000 to 2014 with an improved wash-off load calculation method. The main sources of PAHs in the street dust of Beijing's center were identified as gasoline emissions, diesel emissions, coal combustion and unburned petroleum.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The antidepressant agomelatine in daily practice: results of the non-interventional study VIVALDI.
The non-interventional study VIVALDI was carried out to evaluate the treatment with agomelatine, an innovative antidepressant, in routine practice.665 psychiatrists treated 3 317 patients over 12 weeks with agomelatine and documented antidepressant effects via svMADRS, CGI scale and CircScreen questionnaire. Subgroups with severe depression (svMADRS ≥30) and elderly patients (≥65 years) were also analyzed.In the total population, svMADRS total score decreased from 30.6 at baseline to 12.8 at final visit, in severely depressed patients from 36.7 to 14.7, in elderly patients from 29.0 to 12.2. In total 65.8% of patients could be classified as responders (≥50% decrease in svMADRS total score) and 54.8% as remitters (svMADRS ≤12). Daytime sleepiness was ameliorated in 78.2% of patients. Adverse drug reactions were reported for 10.0%, 8.9% and 10.1% of patients in total population, severely ill and elderly patients, respectively.In this study, the antidepressant effects, improvement of circadian rhythm disorders and good tolerability of agomelatine were observed in unselected depressed patients, including multimorbid elderly and severely depressed patients under routine practice.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Linear measurements of the bones of Lepus brachyurus brachyurus Temminck, Pentalagus furnessi Stone and Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus (JW-NIBS). II. On the Ossa membri thoracici et pelvini (author's transl)].
The bones of the thoracic and pelvic limbs of Lepus brachyurus brachyurus, Pentalagus furnessi and Oryctolagus cuniculus (strain: JW-NIBS) were investigated morphologically and osteometrically. The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. The length of long bones in limbs is the largest in Lepus except the distal phalanges, next in JW-NIBS and the smallest in Pentalagus. 2. The breadth of long bones in limbs except the distal phalanges is generally larger in Pentalagus than in Lepus and JW-NIBS, and not significantly different between Lepus and JW-NIBS. 3. The area of articular surface in each limb bone is most extensive in Pentalagus. 4. The distal phalanges of Pentalagus are strong and heavy, the largest in length and the widest in breadth, while those of JW-NIBS are small and light. 5. The distances between the right and left cranial ventral iliac spines, acetabula or ischiatic tuberosities in hip bones are longer in the female than in the male. These differences in sex are distinct in Lepus and JW-NIBS and not clear in Pentalagus.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Tuberculosis--recurrence of a forgotten infectious disease?].
Since 1985, more tuberculosis cases are being registered in the neighbouring European countries and in the USA. This is caused by HIV-infections, social problems (loss of work and living space as well as alcohol and drug dependence) and the high tuberculosis morbidity of emigrants from poor countries and war-zones. Resistance problems and nosocomial tuberculosis infections are gaining more significance besides the limited deficiencies in medical-training and the retrograde financial resources in prevention. In Germany, the Tb-incidence has been stagnant since 1991. It is a lot lower in East Germany in comparison to the Western parts of Germany. Since 1991 more and more Tb.-cases have been observed in the East-Berlin districts while the morbidity has decreased in West-Berlin.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Leg flexion conditioning in the rat: its advantages and disadvantages as a model system of age-related changes in associative learning.
Twelve- and 28-month-old Fischer 344 rats of both sexes received five 60-trial sessions of Pavlovian conditioning in which the CS was a 75 dB, 10,000 Hz tone, and the US was a 0.5-mA, 0.5-sec duration footshock. Right foreleg flexion was measured as the conditioned response (CR). Other animals received a random sequence of unpaired tones and footshock and served as pseudoconditioning control groups. Interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 1.5 and 3.5 sec were studied. The longer ISI resulted in higher rates of responding in both the conditioning and pseudoconditioning groups. However, with the exception of the young males, all animals showed significantly higher levels of responding in the conditioning groups. Females also showed faster acquisition and higher levels of responding than males. A significant sex by age by sessions interaction occurred, suggesting that old males may be somewhat retarded in acquiring the leg flexion CR compared to the other groups of animals. Old males were also slower to reach a criterion of 5 successive CRs than either young males or young or old females.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Implementing case management and developing clinical pathways.
Efforts to implement case management and, subsequently, to develop critical paths at Birmingham Baptist Medical Center Montclair in Birmingham, AL, began in the late 1980s. Under the case management system, registered nurses using the CareMap system manage the care of 60-80% of the medical center's patients. Those patients whose care does not follow a map are managed by nurse case managers. The patients who do not meet the identified goals for care require a collaborative effort from all the healthcare professionals associated with their care. Since the inception of the case management program, Montclair has made significant strides in decreasing the cost per discharge, decreasing the variable cost per case, and, most importantly, improving quality outcomes for designated case types.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Drivers of earlier infectious disease outbreak detection: a systematic literature review.
The early detection of infectious disease outbreaks can reduce the ultimate size of the outbreak, with lower overall morbidity and mortality due to the disease. Numerous approaches to the earlier detection of outbreaks exist, and methods have been developed to measure progress on timeliness. Understanding why these surveillance approaches work and do not work will elucidate key drivers of early detection, and could guide interventions to achieve earlier detection. Without clarity about the conditions necessary for earlier detection and the factors influencing these, attempts to improve surveillance will be ad hoc and unsystematic. A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA framework (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) to identify research published between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2015 in the English language. The MEDLINE (PubMed) database was searched. Influencing factors were organized according to a generic five-step infectious disease detection model. Five studies were identified and included in the review. These studies evaluated the effect of electronic-based reporting on detection timeliness, impact of laboratory agreements on timeliness, and barriers to notification by general practitioners. Findings were categorized as conditions necessary for earlier detection and factors that influence whether or not these conditions can be in place, and were organized according to the detection model. There is some evidence on reporting, no evidence on assessment, and speculation about local level recognition. Despite significant investment in early outbreak detection, there is very little evidence with respect to factors that influence earlier detection. More research is needed to guide intervention planning.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Electroneutral NaCl transport by distal tubule: evidence for Na+/H+-Cl-/HCO3- exchange.
The mechanisms, of electrolyte transport by isolated and perfused late distal tubules of the salamander, Amphiuma, were investigated by electrophysiological and transport techniques. The tubules absorbed Na+, HCO3-, and Cl- but not K+. The transepithelial voltage (VT) was not different from zero. Amiloride (10(-3) M) in the perfusion fluid reduced sodium absorption by 43% and HCO3- absorption by 49% without changing VT. This and previous data are consistent with the presence of a Na+/H+ antiporter in the apical membrane. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, 10(-4) M) in the perfusion fluid inhibited Na+ absorption by 48% but had no effect on HCO3- absorption or VT. Thus HCTZ reduced NaCl absorption. Intracellular microelectrode techniques were used to examine the cellular mechanisms of ion transport and sites of action of amiloride and HCTZ. Two cell types were identified by their electrophysiological properties. Neither amiloride nor HCTZ appreciably altered the electrical properties of cell type I, a cell previously identified as being involved in H+ secretion. In contrast, both diuretics hyperpolarized the basolateral membrane voltage (Vbl) of cell type II. Additional studies of cell type II showed that the removal of Cl- from the lumen hyperpolarized Vbl, as did the addition to the lumen of the Cl-/HCO3- exchange inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2-2'-disulphonic acid. Finally, reducing the [HCO3-] of the lumen depolarized Vbl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Subtypes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome associated with behaviour and neurofacial morphology.
22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) has a complex phenotype with more than 180 characteristics, including cardiac anomalies, cleft palate, intellectual disabilities, a typical facial morphology, and mental health problems. However, the variable phenotype makes it difficult to predict clinical outcome, such as the high prevalence of psychosis among adults with 22q11DS (~25-30% vs. ~1% in the general population). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether subtypes exist among people with 22q11DS, with a similar phenotype and an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Physical, cognitive and behavioural data from 50 children and adolescents with 22q11DS were included in a k-means cluster analysis. Two distinct phenotypes were identified: Type-1 presented with a more severe phenotype including significantly impaired verbal memory, lower intellectual and academic ability, as well as statistically significant reduced total brain volume. In addition, we identified a trend effect for reduced temporal grey matter. Type-1 also presented with autism-spectrum traits, whereas Type-2 could be described as having more 22q11DS-typical face morphology, being predominately affected by executive function deficits, but otherwise being relatively high functioning with regard to cognition and behaviour. The confirmation of well-defined subtypes in 22q11DS can lead to better prognostic information enabling early identification of people with 22q11DS at high risk of psychiatric disorders. The identification of subtypes in a group of people with a relatively homogenous genetic deletion such as 22q11DS is also valuable to understand clinical outcomes.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Antiphospholipid antibodies in lymphoma: prevalence and clinical significance.
To evaluate whether the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in lymphoma patients influences their response to treatment, and their rate of thromboembolic complications, we followed up 100 consecutive patients with different lymphomas, who underwent measurement of lupus anticoagulants and anticardiolipin antibodies at diagnosis. In all, 27 patients had lupus anticoagulants and/or anticardiolipin antibodies. This prevalence was significantly higher than in a group of 100 age- and sex-matched normal control subjects (8%; P=0.0008, odds ratio 4.25, 95% confidence interval, 1.82-9.92). At diagnosis, antiphospholipid-positive and -negative patients were similar with respect to age, sex, type and staging of lymphomas. During follow-up, the rate of thrombosis was significantly higher in patients with (5.1% patients/year) than without (0.75% patients/year) antiphospholipid antibodies. The two groups were similar with respect to relapse and death rate. In conclusion, antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with lymphomas. Their determination is useful to identify patients at high risk to develop thrombotic complications, but not to predict treatment outcome or disease prognosis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Risk of osteoporosis occurrence and body mass index BMI in the population of women of the Northeastern region of Poland].
In group 775 of women from region of north-eastern Poland, in period before and after menopause we estimated mass of body on the ground values of coefficient BMI. Values of coefficient between 18.5 and 24.9 were accepted as normal according to WHO. In chances of stoutness we qualified the type counting coefficient WHR. At all examined one passed estimation of thickness of tissue osseous bones of forearm. In rated frequency of occurrence of osteoporosis at examined women. One ascertained, that overweight and stoutness indeed puts into influences on lowering frequencies of occurrence osteoporosis and favors the maintenance correct thickness.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Quantitative immunological detection of estrogen receptors in nuclear pellets from human breast cancer biopsies.
A rapid, convenient method for the quantitative determination of estrogen receptors (ER) under high salt (0.6 M KCl) conditions (such as in extracts of nuclear pellets from human breast cancer biopsies) using a commercially available kit [estrogen receptor enzyme immunoassay (ER-EIA) Monoclonal; Abbott] is described. This assay has been validated using breast tumor cytosol ER preparations. It determines total (both occupied and unoccupied) ER, it is insensitive to KCl at concentrations up to 0.8 M, and it can be used with ER preparations having very low protein concentrations. Results obtained using the ER-EIA method for breast tumor nuclear extracts have been compared to those obtained using the hydroxylapatite method, and higher values have been found using the ER-EIA method. The reasons for this discrepancy may be due to: the sensitivity of ER binding to hydroxylapatite in high concentrations of KCl; the temperature dependent degradation of the receptor complex at 30 degrees C, the temperature commonly used to achieve exchange between radioactive estradiol and the endogenously bound estradiol; and possible detection of immunoreactive, but non-ligand-binding forms of ER. The possibility that occurrence of "free" receptors in high salt extracts from nuclear pellets may be an artifact is discussed. The availability of this ER-EIA suitable for nuclear ER determinations opens the possibility of extending correlations between the clinical course of breast cancer and the levels of the ER form (nuclear) that are thought to be of greatest physiological significance.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Wheeze detection based on time-frequency analysis of breath sounds.
Abnormal breath sounds like wheezes are observed in patients with obstructive pulmonary diseases. The aim of this study was to construct an automatic technique for wheeze detection and monitoring using spectral analysis. Wheezes from 13 patients with diagnosed asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia were recorded and a time-frequency wheeze detector (TF-WD) based on TF wheeze characteristics was constructed. The TF-WD was evaluated using 337 wheezes by comparing its findings with those from clinical auscultation performed by two experts. In addition, the TF-WD was tested against artificial noise. The experimental and testing results justified the efficient performance and high noise robustness of the TF-WD.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Test-retest reliability of the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher (CLES + T) scale.
The Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher (CLES + T) scale evaluates the student nurses' perception of the learning environment and supervision within the clinical placement. It has never been tested in a replication study. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the CLES + T scale. The CLES + T scale was administered twice to a group of 42 student nurses, with a one-week interval. Test-retest reliability was determined by calculations of Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and weighted Kappa coefficients. Standard Error of Measurements (SEM) and Smallest Detectable Difference (SDD) determined the precision of individual scores. Bland-Altman plots were created for analyses of systematic differences between the test occasions. The results of the study showed that the stability over time was good to excellent (ICC 0.88-0.96) in the sub-dimensions "Supervisory relationship", "Pedagogical atmosphere on the ward" and "Role of the nurse teacher". Measurements of "Premises of nursing on the ward" and "Leadership style of the manager" had lower but still acceptable stability (ICC 0.70-0.75). No systematic differences occurred between the test occasions. This study supports the usefulness of the CLES + T scale as a reliable measure of the student nurses' perception of the learning environment within the clinical placement at a hospital.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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An orthopantomographic study of prevalence of hypodontia and hyperdontia in permanent dentition in Vadodara, Gujarat.
Developmental anomalies in the number of teeth can result from disturbances in the developing dental lamina of the tooth. The dental lamina may become hyperactive leading to the formation of a supernumerary tooth or may fail to proliferate leading to the congenital absence of a primary or permanent tooth. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of hypodontia and hyperdontia in permanent dentition, excluding the third molars in children in Vadodara, Gujarat. A descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the above-mentioned aims. In the study, panoramic radiographs of 1816 children (967 girls and 849 boys), aged 8 to 14 years were recorded and inspected for anomalies in the number of teeth. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 10.00 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Chicago, USA). Descriptive statistics and Chi-square-test were used to compare the results. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The prevalence of hypodontia was 11.01%, and the most frequently absent tooth was the maxillary lateral incisor. There was an increased prevalence of hypodontia in females and in the mandibular arch of the permanent dentition. The prevalence of hyperdontia was 2.97% and the most common supernumerary tooth was mesiodens. There was an increased prevalence of hyperdontia in males and in the maxillary arch of the permanent dentition. There was a high prevalence of hypodontia and a low incidence of hyperdontia in the studied population. Prompt diagnosis of these anomalies can help plan treatment modalities at an early age to establish a functional and esthetic dentition.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Images on the web: findable, usable, but what's legit?
The Internet engages us, not only because it takes us to unexpected places with content to explore, but also because the trip is complete with images and sounds. So in this multimedia wonderland, how can one find images and, as importantly, use them responsibly?
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Kinase inhibitors: the road ahead.
Receptor tyrosine kinase signalling pathways have been successfully targeted to inhibit proliferation and angiogenesis for cancer therapy. However, kinase deregulation has been firmly demonstrated to play an essential role in virtually all major disease areas. Kinase inhibitor drug discovery programmes have recently broadened their focus to include an expanded range of kinase targets and therapeutic areas. In this Review, we provide an overview of the novel targets, biological processes and disease areas that kinase-targeting small molecules are being developed against, highlight the associated challenges and assess the strategies and technologies that are enabling efficient generation of highly optimized kinase inhibitors.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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OS083. Fetal growth and maternal vascular function in early pregnancy.
Increasing evidence indicates that the rate of fetal growth is partly determined already in the first half of pregnancy. A number of authors have reported that if the fetus is smaller than expected at dating, the risk for a small for gestational age fetus increases. To investigate if maternal vascular function in early pregnancy reflects fetal growth in the first trimester. Fifty healthy women with singleton viable pregnancies were included in the study that were recorded the ultrasound department of UltraGyn Stockholm, Sweden for ultrasound dating in gestational week 11-14 . Of these, 25 women had their estimated date of delivery postponed ⩾ 7 days at ultrasound dating compared to last menstrual period in gestational week 11-14. As controls 25 women were fetal size were in accordance with the last menstrual period (defined as expected date of delivery moved less than six days) were recruited. The dating examinations were performed by specially trained midwives. To assess gestational age, biparietal diameter was used. Exclusion criteria were the use of oral contraceptives within three months before conception, uncertain date of the last menstrual period, irregular menstrual periods, fetuses that were ⩾ 21 days larger or smaller than expected, and fetal anomalies. Women that smoked were also excluded. Blood pressure was measured in the upper arm in a conventional way. The central blood pressure was calculated with a validated algorithm. Changes in skin microcirculation were measured using laser Doppler fluxmetri (LDF). Both endothelial dependent dilatation using assessment of acetylcholine (Ach) and local warming of skin to 44C for maximum micro vascular hyperaemia (MMH) and non endothelial dilatation using assessment of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was examined. Fetuses that were smaller than expected at ultrasound dating compared to last menstrual period at gestational week 11-14, had an increased change in maximum micro vascular hyperaemia (p=0.034). There was no significant correlation between ACh-response (p=0.59) and SNP-response (p=0.23). No differences were seen in blood pressure. In the first trimester, changes in vascular function might reflect important adaptations that are required to facilitate normal fetal growth. This was highlighted by the findings of a positive correlation between fetal growth at 11-14 weeks gestation and changes in endothelial dependent microcirculation. Vascular function of these women will be followed longitudinally during pregnancy and related to obstetric outcome. If changes in microcirculation in the first trimester correlates to an increased risk for complications such as hypertensive disorders during pregnancy or intrauterine growth restriction this gives new insights into the early phase of these complications.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Reduced cytotoxicity of the lysosomotropic detergent N-dodecylimidazole after differentiation of HL60 promyelocytes.
The sensitivity of the human promyelocytic cell line HL60 to killing by the lysosomotropic detergent N-dodecyl imidazole (C12-Im) has been investigated in the exponential and stationary growth states and before and after differentiation induced by suitable effector molecules. Undifferentiated HL60 cells were more sensitive to killing by C12-Im in the rapid (exponential) phase of growth than in the stationary phase, in keeping with our observations on many other cell lines. Differentiation into granulocytes induced by dimethyl sulfoxide, or into macrophages induced by phorbol ester, resulted in a further dramatic decrease in sensitivity to C12-Im, as compared to undifferentiated HL60 cells in stationary phase. Viable cells remaining after treatment with C12-Im (60 micrograms/ml, 2 h) were: 0% for exponentially growing undifferentiated cells; 16% for stationary undifferentiated cells; 41% for differentiated granulocytes; and 29% for differentiated macrophages. Treatment with the cysteine cathepsin inhibitor L-trans-epoxysuccinylleucylamido(4-guanido)butane (E64) conferred resistance to C12-Im, showing that, in these cells, as previously demonstrated for Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts, cysteine proteases were major cytotoxic agents involved in killing by C12-Im. Cell cathepsin B + L activity levels were dramatically reduced in those cells differentiated into granulocytes (11.2 units/mg of protein) and into macrophages (9.8 units/mg of protein) as compared with undifferentiated HL60 promyelocytes in stationary phase (30.4 units/mg of protein), correlating well with reduced sensitivity to C12-Im in the differentiated cells.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Organophosphorus poisoning: Towards enzymatic treatments].
Organophosphorus compounds (OP) are toxic molecules developed as insecticides and chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs). Most OP are neurotoxic and act as nervous system disruptors by blocking cholinergic transmission. They are therefore responsible for many poisonings worldwide. OP toxicity may result either from acute or chronic exposure, and their poisoning effect were evaluated using several animal models. These latter were also used for evaluating the efficacy of antidotes. Strategies based on enzymes that can trap (stoichiometric bioscavengers) or degrade (catalytic bioscavengers) OP, were particularly studied since they allow effective decontamination, without toxicity or environmental impact. This review summarizes the results obtained in vivo with enzymes through three levels: prophylaxis, treatment and external decontamination. The efficiency of enzymatic treatments in different animal models is presented and the relevance of these models is also discussed for a better extrapolation to humans.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Description of two new species of Cryptinglisia Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) associated with rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) in Colombia.
In this study, two new species of soft scale (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) associated with rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) from Colombia, Cryptinglisia corpoica Kondo Montes sp. nov. and Cryptinglisia ica Montes Kondo sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on the adult female. Two other coccid species, namely Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner) and Saissetia coffeae (Walker), are newly recorded on rosemary. An identification key is presented to all species of soft scale that have been reported on Rosmarinus spp. An updated key to soft scale insects of the genus Cryptinglisia Cockerell is provided also.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Iron(III) complexes with a biologically relevant aroylhydrazone: crystallographic evidence for coordination versatility.
Complexation of iron(III) with the heterodonor chelating agent 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene benzoylhydrazine, H2(3,5-tBu2)salbh, in the absence or presence of a base affords the complex cation [Fe{H(3,5-tBu2)salbh}2]+ or the neutral compound [Fe{H(3,5-tBu2)salbh}{(3,5-tBu2)salbh}], respectively, as revealed by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Such a synthetic and crystallographic demonstration of the coordination versatility of an aroylhydrazone toward iron is uncommon. The oxidation and spin states of the iron have been verified with magnetic and spectroscopic measurements.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[To stimulate or to inhibit nitric oxide production in mammary tumors?].
NO is a molecule produced in different amounts by two types of enzymes, constitutive NO-synthases and inducible NO-synthase, the last one produce large amount of NO. In tumor outcome, its role may be either beneficial or detrimental due to its actions in the different steps of tumor growth and metastasis. This review deals with mammary tumors and the mechanisms lying behind NO effects. In human patients, increased amounts of NO were evidenced in blood, linked with the presence and activity of NO-synthase in breast tumors. Non-unequivocal correlations were established with tumor grade, invasiveness and metastatic potential. Studies in animal models have given hints to explain these discrepancies by the type of the involved NO-synthase, the amount of NO it produces, and its belonging to tumoral or stromal cells. Indeed, it was recently shown that NO produced by tumor cells inhibits, while NO produced by stromal cells facilitates tumor growth, at least in the model which was studied. On the one hand, NO toxicity against tumor cells is a well known phenomenon, but on the other hand, NO may promote tumor invasiveness due to its effect on extracellular matrix, and to its angiogenetic properties. So the role of NO in mammary tumor outcome is not clear-cut, and, at the present time, it cannot be ascribed a pronostic value in breast tumor. However, researches aimed at managing tumor cells to produce NO sufficient to induce their death may be fruitful since, be tumor targeting successful, no general toxicity would be encountered.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Glycosphingolipids from rabbit aorta, plasma, and red blood cells: effects of high cholesterol-high fat diets on fatty acid distribution and quantity of glycosphingolipids.
Four glycosphingolipids were isolated from rabbit aorta, plasma, and red blood cells. They were identified, by thin-layer chromatography and by quantitative analysis of hexose and fatty acid, as cerebroside, diglycosyl ceramide, triglycosyl ceramide, and globoside. The rabbits had been maintained on a normal diet or on one of three high cholesterol diets for 180 days. The quantities of the glycosphingolipids and their fatty acid distributions were determined, and comparisons were made between the control and experimental animals. Aorta and plasma glycosphingolipids were more affected by the high cholesterol diets than were those from red blood cells. The effects on aorta and plasma glycosphingolipids were similar. The amount of cerebroside was increased in aorta and plasma in all animals in the experimental groups. The amount was also increased in red blood cells in rabbits from two of the experimental groups. The average fatty acid chain length was greater in the lipids from the experimental animals than in those from the control animals for all measured glycosphingolipids from aorta. The average chain length was also greater in cerebrosides from the experimental animals from all three tissues. Probably the most notable differences in the experimental animals were the increased 24:1/24:0 ratios and the increased concentrations of 24:2. These increases occurred in nearly all samples from plasma and aorta, but not in red blood cells. There was also an increase of total unsaturated fatty acids in aorta cerebrosides from the experimental animals. Except for the increase in 24:2, lard generally caused more deviation from normal than did cottonseed oil when the level of cholesterol in the diet was 1%.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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New technology for the design of advanced ultrasonic transducers for high-power applications.
A new high-frequency ultrasonic transducer for wire bonding has been conceived, designed, prototyped and tested. In the design phase an advanced approach was used and established. The method is based on the two basic principles of modularity and iteration. The transducer is decomposed to its elementary components. For each component an initial design is obtained with finite elements method (FEM) simulations. The simulated ultrasonic modules are then built and characterized experimentally through laser-interferometry measurements and electrical resonance spectra. The comparison of simulation results with experimental data allows the parameters of FEM models to be iteratively adjusted and optimized. The achieved FEM simulations exhibit a remarkably high-predictive potential and allow full control on the vibration behavior of the ultrasonic modules and of the whole transducer. The new transducer is fixed on the wire bonder with a flange whose special geometry was calculated by means of FEM simulations. This flange allows the converter to be attached on the wire bonder not only in longitudinal nodes but also in radial nodes of the ultrasonic field excited in the horn. This leads to a nearly complete decoupling of the transducer to the wire bonder, which has not been previously obtained. The new approach to mount ultrasonic transducers on a welding-device is of major importance not only for wire bonding but also for all high-power ultrasound applications and has been patented.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Association of IgM monoclonal gammopathy with progressive muscular atrophy and multifocal motor neuropathy: a case-control study.
Monoclonal gammopathy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and related disorders has been reported in small studies but the validity of the reported associations remains uncertain. Presence of monoclonal gammopathy may indicate specific pathogenic pathways and may facilitate the development of novel treatment strategies. The objective of this large case-control study was to determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy in motor neuron diseases (MND) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Monoclonal gammopathy was determined by immunoelectrophoresis and immunofixation in serum from 445 patients with ALS, 158 patients with progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), 60 patients with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), 88 patients with MMN and in 430 matched healthy controls. Anti-ganglioside antibody titers were determined in sera from patients with MMN and PMA, and in ALS and PLS patients with monoclonal gammopathy. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations of monoclonal gammopathy with motor neuron diseases and clinical characteristics. Neither ALS nor PLS was associated with monoclonal gammopathy. IgM monoclonal gammopathy was more frequent in patients with PMA (8 %) (OR = 4.2; p = 0.001) and MMN (7 %) (OR = 5.8; p = 0.002) than in controls (2 %). High titers of anti-GM1 IgM antibodies were present in 43 % of MMN patients and 7 % of PMA patients. Patients with PMA and IgM monoclonal gammopathy or anti-GM1 antibodies had a higher age at onset, more often weakness of upper legs and more severe outcome than patients with MMN. PMA and MMN, but not ALS and PLS, are significantly associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy and anti-GM1 antibodies. These results may indicate that a subset of patients presenting with PMA share pathogenic mechanisms with MMN.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Localization of Epstein-Barr virus genome in lymphoid cells in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with lymphoid stroma of the colon.
Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with lymphoid stroma occurred in the transverse colon of a 77 year old female. Numerous small lymphocytes and plasma cells were distributed in the tumor stroma. Non-isotopic in situ hybridization study for Epstein-Barr (EBV)-related small nuclear RNA (EBER-1) revealed positive signals in the nuclei of a few lymphocytes in the tumor stroma, while the tumor cell nuclei were not labeled. Immunostaining for latent membrane protein-1 was negative. The significance of detection of the EBV-infected lymphocytes in the colon tumor stroma is discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in a patient with multiple endocrinopathies syndrome.
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an acquired blistering disorder, with a probable autoimmune basis, which has been associated with a number of other autoimmune disorders. We encountered a case of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita associated with multiple endocrinopathies syndrome.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Antioxidant supplementation with or without B-group vitamins after acute ischemic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.
Evidence shows that there is a rapid increase in the production of markers of oxidative damage immediately after acute ischemic stroke and that endogenous antioxidant defenses are rapidly depleted, thus permitting further tissue damage. Several studies point to an antioxidant effect of B-group vitamins and a pro-oxidant effect of elevated total plasma homocysteine (tHcy). To test whether supplementary antioxidants with or without B-group vitamins during this critical period enhance antioxidant capacity or mitigate oxidative damage, ninety-six acute ischemic stroke patients within 12 hours of symptom onset were randomly assigned to receive either daily oral 800 IU (727 mg) vitamin E and 500 mg vitamin C (n = 24), or B-group vitamins (5 mg folic acid, 5 mg vitamin B(2), 50 mg vitamin B(6), and 0.4 mg of vitamin B(12); n = 24), both vitamins together (n = 24), or no supplementation (n = 24) for 14 days. Treatment groups and controls were matched for stroke subtype and age. Blood was obtained before treatment, at day 7, and day 14 for measurements of plasma or blood vitamin status, plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), malondialdehyde (MDA), tHcy and C-reactive protein (CRP). Supplementation with antioxidant vitamins and B-group vitamins separately or together significantly increased the plasma concentration of vitamin C, E, pyridoxal phosphate (B(6) status), red blood cell folate, and improved a measure of B(2) status (red cell glutathione reductase activation coefficient [EGRAC]), compared with the control group. Plasma TAOC increased significantly in the antioxidant treatment groups compared with the nonsignificant decline seen in the control group. tHcy concentrations decreased in subjects who received B-group vitamins and the control group compared with the rise seen in those who received antioxidants alone. There was a significant reduction in plasma MDA concentration in the 3 treatment groups, in contrast to the increase seen in the control group; however, the changes were most evident in antioxidant groups. CRP concentrations (a marker of tissue inflammation) were significantly lower in the 3 treatment groups compared with the control group. There were no additive or synergistic effects of antioxidants and B-group vitamins together on any outcome measure. Antioxidants supplementation with or without B-group vitamins enhances antioxidant capacity, mitigates oxidative damage, and may have an anti-inflammatory effect immediately postinfarct in stroke disease.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Calcium-modified clinoptilolite as a recovery medium of phosphate and potassium from anaerobically digested olive mill wastewater.
Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is characterized as a high-strength effluent due to the high organic load, low biodegradability, and presence of phytotoxic compounds. Most of the OMW treatment methods proposed, including adsorption, focus mainly on the reduction of chemical oxygen demand and recovery of polyphenols. Adsorption studies aiming at nutrient removal from OMW are very limited. In the present work, Ca(OH)2-treated zeolite (CaT-Z) in a granular form was used for simultaneous recovery of phosphate (PO43-) and potassium (K+) ions from two samples of anaerobically digested OMW. Nutrient adsorption was investigated as a function of contact time, pH and dilution of OMW with deionized water. The lower removal efficiency of phosphorus (P) by CaT-Z was observed at higher dilution ratios consisted of 3.125-6.25% OMW-1 and 5% OMW-2. The maximum P removal was 73.9% in 25% OMW-1 and 85.9% in 10% OMW-2. Potassium removal, as the predominant cation of OMW samples, increased from 17.3 to 46.1% in OMW-1 and from 15.1 to 57.7% in OMW-2 with increasing dilution. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities were 15.8 mg K and 2.14 mg P per gram of CaT-Z. Five sequential treatments of 50% OMW-2 with fresh CaT-Z at each stage ensured a cumulative removal of 87.5% for P and 74.9% for K. Adsorption kinetics were faster for K than for P. The plant-available P was found to be the predominant fraction on the loaded CaT-Z. Electron Probe Micro-analysis confirmed the enhanced content of K and P on the loaded CaT-Z, whereas X-ray mapping revealed the co-distribution of Ca and P. This study demonstrates the potential usage of CaT-Z as an immobilization medium of P and K from anaerobically treated OMW.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Conformational comparability of factor IX-Fc fusion protein, factor IX, and purified Fc fragment in the absence and presence of calcium.
A long lasting recombinant factor IX -Fc fusion protein (rFIX-Fc) is being developed for the treatment of hemophilia B and is currently in late stage clinical investigation. By limiting injection frequency and maintaining efficacy, rFIX-Fc shows promise as a new therapeutic option for hemophilia B patients. However, before gaining regulatory approval, rFIX-Fc must undergo rigorous analytical and biological testing, in addition to clinical trials. Included in this testing is the need to understand this protein's higher-order structure and dynamics. In this study, we investigated and compared the biophysical properties of rFIX-Fc, rFIX, and Fc using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Within the limits of these techniques, our results show that structural comparability exists between rFIX and the FIX region of rFIX-Fc. In addition, changes in the structure and dynamics of both proteins, in response to calcium binding, a requirement for FIX function, are also highly comparable. In the case of Fc and Fc region of rFIX-Fc, conformational comparability is also established. These biophysical results further support the conclusion that fusing an immunoglobulin gamma 1 Fc to rFIX does not significantly alter the higher-order structure of FIX or Fc, Ca binding to FIX, or Fc functionality.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Selenocysteine Lyase.
Selenocysteine is a naturally occurring analog of cysteine in which the sulfur atom of the latter is replaced with selenium. This seleno-amino acid occurs as a specific component of various selenoproteins and selenium-dependent enzymes. Incorporation of selenocysteine into these proteins occurs cotranslationally as directed by the UGA codon. For this process, a special tRNA having an anticodon complimentary to UGA, tRNASec, is utilized. In Escherichia coli and related bacteria, this tRNA first is amino acylated with serine, and the seryl-tRNASec is converted to selenocysteyl-tRNASec. The specific incorporation of selenocysteine into proteins directed by the UGA codon depends on the synthesis of selenocysteyl-tRNASec. Included in the selenium delivery protein category are rhodaneses that mobilize selenium from inorganic sources and NIFS-like proteins that liberate elemental selenium from selenocysteine. The NIFS protein from Azotobacter vinelandii was found to serve as an efficient catalyst in vitro for delivery of selenium from free selenocysteine to Escherichia coli selenophosphate synthetase for selenophosphate formation. The widespread distribution of selenocysteine lyase in numerous bacterial species was reported and the bacterial enzymes, like the pig liver enzyme, required pyridoxal phosphate as cofactor. Three NIFS-like genes were isolated from E. coli by Esaki and coworkers and the expressed gene products were isolated and characterized. One of these NIFS-like proteins also exhibited a high preference for selenocysteine over cysteine. M. vannielii, an anaerobic methane-producing organism, that grows in a mineral medium containing formate as sole organic carbon source, synthesizes several specific selenoenzymes required for growth and energy production under these conditions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Pharmacotherapy of osteoporosis in men.
Osteofragility fractures occur in men due to a compromise in bone strength, coupled with either trauma or a fall. In men >or= 65years of age, osteoporosis can be defined as bone mineral density (at the proximal femur, spine or distal forearm) of 2.5 standard deviations or less below the mean for a normal young adult man, using a male reference database (i.e., T-score value of <or=-2.5) [1,2]. In men 50 - 65 years of age, a similar definition is used if other risk factors for a fracture are present. Osteoporosis is increasingly recognised in men [3-11]. One in three men aged > 60 years will suffer an osteoporotic fracture [3]. Spinal fractures occur in 5% of men (compared with 16% of women) and hip fractures in 6% of men (compared with 18% of women) > 50 years of age [8]. The risk of hip fracture increases by approximately 2.6-fold for each standard deviation decrease in bone density measured at the hip [12,13]. At present, the life expectancy for men has increased to a mean age of 76.8 years. With men now living longer, they can be expected to develop multiple coexisting illnesses contributing to bone loss and an increased likelihood of falling and fragility fractures [5,14,15]. It is estimated that 30 - 60% of men presenting with spinal fractures have another illness contributing to their bone disease [4,6-10,16-20]. The ideal therapy for men with osteoporosis should include an intervention which significantly increases bone strength and reduces fracture rates, is safe, easy to administer and economical. This review outlines the current treatment strategies available for men with osteoporosis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Chiral lumazines: preparation, properties, enantiomeric separation.
Optically active lumazines (biolumazine, dictyolumazine, monalumazine, and neolumazine) are prepared from the corresponding pterins by enzymatic reaction, using pterin deaminase excreted by Dictyostelium discoideum. The fluorescence properties, circular dichroism spectra, and chromatographic behavior of these lumazines are studied. D- and L-enantiomers of biolumazine, dictyolumazine, and monalumazine are separated using a chiral flavoprotein column. This column also separates the enantiomeric pterins of the threo form: monapterin and dictyopterin. However, the column does not separate the enantiomeric pterins of the erythro form: neopterin and biopterin. By coupling a reverse-phase column to the flavoprotein column, the separation of pterins and lumazines in function of their hydrophobicity, as well as the separation of the diastereomers, is achieved. This coupled achiral/chiral high-performance liquid chromatography method enables determination of the stereoconfiguration of natural lumazines by comparison with optically pure compounds. A lumazine derivative, present in the extracellular medium of Dictyostelium discoideum, is identified as D-dictyolumazine, i.e., 6-(D-threo-1,2-dihydroxypropyl)-lumazine.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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ATP regulates cardiac Ca2+ channel activity via a mechanism independent of protein phosphorylation.
The role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the regulation of L-type Ca2+ channel activity was investigated in inside-out patches from guinea-pig ventricular cells, in which the Ca2+ channel activity had been reprimed by application of cytoplasm from bovine heart. Passing the cytoplasm through a diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-sepharose column or heating at 60 degrees C for 20 min attenuated the induction Ca2+ channel activity to 6-13% of that in the preceding cell-attached patch. Addition of 10 mM MgATP to the cytoplasm greatly improved the potency of cytoplasm in restoring Ca2+ channel activity (to 83 +/- 22%, mean +/- SE). This effect of MgATP was also produced, although with lower potency, by K2ATP (61 +/- 20%) or 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP, 39 +/- 7%), a non-hydrolyzable ATP analogue, suggesting that hydrolysis of ATP is not required for the stimulatory effect on channel activity. A non-specific protein kinase inhibitor H8 (50-100 microM) did not inhibit the effect of cytoplasm + MgATP on channel activity, suggesting the involvement of a pathway independent of phosphorylation. We conclude that ATP regulates Ca2+ channel activity in dual pathways: one with, and the other without, protein phosphorylation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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2-Chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine induces apoptosis through the Fas/Fas ligand pathway in human leukemia cell line MOLT-4.
The mechanism of apoptosis induced by 2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (2CdA) in human leukemia cell line MOLT-4 was investigated. 2CdA induced increases of 3'-OH ends of genomic DNA, ladder-like DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine translocation to the outer membrane, which are apoptotic characteristics. These apoptotic phenomena induced by 2CdA were inhibited by cycloheximide (CHX; a protein synthesis inhibitor), deoxycytidine (dC; a substrate of deoxycytidine kinase), acetyl Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp aldehyde (Ac-IETD-CHO; a caspase-8 inhibitor) and acetyl Asp-Glu-Val-Asp aldehyde (Ac-DEVD-CHO; a caspase-3 inhibitor). The protein synthesis-dependent expression of Fas and Fas ligand (Fas-L) was detected by treatment with 2CdA. The proteolytic processing of procaspases-8 and -3 to produce active fragments, caspases-8 (p18) and -3 (p17), respectively, was observed after treatment with 2CdA, and suppressed by cycloheximide. Increases in the activities of caspases-8 and -3 were observed after 2CdA treatment. Their activation was also dependent on protein synthesis. These results indicated that 2CdA-induced apoptosis was triggered by phosphorylation of 2CdA followed by the protein synthesis-dependent expression of Fas and Fas-L and activation of caspases-8 and -3.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Antifibrinolytics reduce blood loss in adult spinal deformity surgery: a prospective, randomized controlled trial.
This is a prospective, randomized, double-blinded comparison of tranexamic acid (TXA), epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA), and placebo used intraoperatively in patients with adult spinal deformity. The purpose of this study was to provide high-quality evidence regarding the comparative efficacies of TXA, EACA, and placebo in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion surgery. Spine deformity surgery usually involves substantial blood loss. The antifibrinolytics TXA and EACA have been shown to improve hemostasis in large blood loss surgical procedures. Fifty-one patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion of at least 5 levels for correction of adult spinal deformity were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Primary outcome measures included intraoperative estimated blood loss, total loss, (estimated blood loss + postoperative blood loss), and transfusion rates. Patients received TXA (n = 19), EACA (n = 19), or placebo (n = 13) in the operating room (mean ages: 60, 47, and 43 yr, respectively); TXA patients were significantly older and had larger estimated blood volumes than both other groups. Total losses were significantly reduced for EACA versus control, and there was a demonstrable but nonsignificant trend toward reduced intraoperative blood loss in both antifibrinolytic arms versus control. EACA had significant reductions in postoperative blood transfusions versus TXA. The findings in this study support the use of antifibrinolytics to reduce blood loss in posterior adult spinal deformity surgery. 1.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Visual capture of a stereo sound: Interactions between cue reliability, sound localization variability, and cross-modal bias.
Multisensory interactions involve coordination and sometimes competition between multiple senses. Vision usually dominates audition in spatial judgments when light and sound stimuli are presented from two different physical locations. This study investigated the influence of vision on the perceived location of a phantom sound source placed in a stereo sound field using a pair of loudspeakers emitting identical signals that were delayed or attenuated relative to each other. Results show that although a similar horizontal range (+/-45°) was reported for timing-modulated and level-modulated signals, listeners' localization performance showed greater variability for the timing signals. When visual stimuli were presented simultaneously with the auditory stimuli, listeners showed stronger visual bias for timing-modulated signals than level-modulated and single-speaker control signals. Trial-to-trial errors remained relatively stable over time, suggesting that sound localization uncertainty has an immediate and long-lasting effect on the across-modal bias. Binaural signal analyses further reveal that interaural differences of time and intensity-the two primary cues for sound localization in the azimuthal plane-are inherently more ambiguous for signals placed using timing. These results suggest that binaural ambiguity is intrinsically linked with localization variability and the strength of cross-modal bias in sound localization.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Characterization of dietary-induced hypercholesterolemia in the chicken.
The effect of 2% dietary cholesterol on the distribution of cholesterol among the plasma lipoproteins was studied in 2-week old male chickens. Very-low-, intermediate-, low- and high-density lipoproteins (VLDL, IDL, LDL and HDL) were separated from plasma by density gradient ultracentrifugation in order to determine their concentration and chemical composition. VLDL were furthermore characterized as concerned their size, mobility and protein content. The lipoprotein profile was quantitatively and qualitatively normal in the control group (n = 6) fed the diet without cholesterol, HDL representing the major lipoprotein class (5.06 +/- 0.36 g/l) and the main carrier of cholesterol. Birds fed the cholesterol containing diets for 5 weeks (n = 6) exhibited a dramatic hypercholesterolemia (1.60 +/- 0.89 g/l free cholesterol and 6.70 +/- 3.22 g/l cholesteryl esters) and a shift in their lipoprotein pattern, with an accumulation of beta-VLDL (6.08 +/- 4.21 g/l) and a marked decrease in HDL level (3.53 +/- 0.91 g/l). The decrease or absence of LDL was balanced by a considerable amount of beta-VLDL remnants (namely IDL), so that the concentration of IDL + LDL considered as a whole was not modified significantly (2.10 +/- 0.95 g/l compared to 1.66 +/- 1.13 g/l in controls). Chicken beta-VLDL, smaller in size (31.0 nm) than control VLDL (33.5 nm), were typically enriched in cholesterol (67%) but they lacked apoE. About 60% of plasma cholesterol was associated with beta-VLDL which therefore represented the main atherogenic lipoprotein class and were probably responsible for the greater amount of cholesterol found in the aorta in these chickens (2.44 +/- 0.99 mg/g aorta vs. 1.32 +/- 0.57 in controls). Since LDL were very reduced or absent, the cholesterol-fed chicken provides a suitable model in which to study the role of beta-VLDL in atherogenesis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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American Academy of Pediatrics: The pediatrician's role in the diagnosis and management of autistic spectrum disorder in children.
Primary care physicians have the opportunity, especially within the context of the medical home, to be the first point of contact when parents have concerns about their child's development or behavior. The goal of this policy statement is to help the pediatrician recognize the early symptoms of autism and participate in its diagnosis and management. This statement and the accompanying technical report will serve to familiarize the pediatrician with currently accepted criteria defining the spectrum of autism, strategies used in making a diagnosis, and conventional and alternative interventions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Irradiation damage determined field emission of ion irradiated carbon nanotubes.
Figuring out the underlying relationship between the field emission (FE) properties and the ion irradiation induced structural change of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is of great importance in developing high-performance field emitters. We report here the FE properties of Si and C ion irradiated CNTs with different irradiation doses. It is found that the FE performance of the ion irradiated CNTs ameliorates before and deteriorates after an irradiation-ion-species related dose. The improved FE properties are ascribed to the increased amount of defects, while the degraded FE performance is attributed to the great shape change of CNTs. These two structural changes are further characterized by a structural damage related parameter: dpa (displacement per atom), and the FE performance of the ion irradiated CNTs is surprisingly found to be mainly dependent on the dpa. The optimal dpa for FE of the ion irradiated CNTs is ∼0.60. We ascribe this to the low irradiation doses and the low substrate temperature that make the ion irradiation play a more important role in producing defects rather than element doping. Furthermore, the ion irradiated CNTs exhibit excellent FE stability, showing promising prospects in practical applications.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The exchange of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids with rat liver extracts in vitro.
Intact rat or human erythrocytes and their isolated (ghost) membranes were incubated with the high speed supernatant fraction of homogenates derived from 32P-labeled rat livers. Phospholipid molecules were transferred between the red cell membranes and the liver extracts, as reflected by the convergence of their specific radioactivities with time. Whereas ghosts usually approached isotopic equilibrium with the liver supernatant fraction during a few hours of incubation at 37 degrees C, the exchange of phospholipids by intact cells was no more than one-half, even after 18 hr. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and sphingomyelin were all exchanged in both intact cells and ghosts, albeit to different extents. (A control experiment, incubating 32P-labeled rat erythrocytes or ghosts with unlabeled rat liver extracts, also demonstrated the exchange of all four major phospholipids.) These data may signify that the phospholipids on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane of intact erythrocytes do not exchange with the phospholipids in exogenous liver extracts. If so, all four major phospholipid classes would appear to be present to some extent at both membrane surfaces. The first inference is in agreement with several other studies on this membrane, while the second inference is not.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Transcriptional effects in GH3 cells of Gs alpha mutants associated with human pituitary tumors: stimulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response element-binding protein-mediated transcription and of prolactin and growth hormone promoter activity via protein kinase A.
Somatic mutations of the alpha-subunit of Gs (Gs alpha) have been detected previously at high frequency in human PRL- and/or GH-producing pituitary tumors. To test whether these mutants are responsible for the increased production of these hormones, we used transient cotransfection assays to analyze their genomic effects in GH3 rat pituitary cells. We first show that guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)-deficient Gs alpha subunits (mutated at amino acid 201 or 227) stimulate transcription from a reporter construct bearing the consensus cAMP response element (CRE; TGACGTCA). Using GAL4-CRE-binding protein fusion constructs, we further show that this stimulatory effects of Gs alpha on the CRE is probably mediated by the transacting factor CRE-binding protein. Then, in experiments using a reporter gene driven by the human promoters for either the PRL (position -250 to 18) or GH (position -500 to 13) genes, we show that these mutant Gs alpha subunits stimulate expression driven by either the PRL or GH promoter. Finally, we show that a dominant inhibitory mutant of cAMP-dependent kinase (protein kinase A) completely blocks the ability of these Gs alpha mutants to stimulate the activity of either the PRL or GH promoter, implying that GTPase-deficient Gs alpha subunits stimulation of the activities of these promoters is mediated entirely via the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway. Taken together, these results imply that activation of this pathway by the GTPase-deficient mutants found in human pituitary tumors stimulates the expression of PRL and GH genes. The transcriptional effects exerted via this pathway may thus provide a basis for the secretory phenotype and endocrine disorders associated with these tumors.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Tripeptide K(D)PT Is Well Tolerated in Mild-to-moderate Ulcerative Colitis: Results from a Randomized Multicenter Study.
K(D)PT showed marked anti-inflammatory properties in preclinical studies and exhibited very low toxicity in phase I and preclinical trials. In this study, efficacy and safety of oral K(D)PT were evaluated in patients with mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, phase IIa trial was performed comparing add-on oral K(D)PT twice a day (20, 50, or 100 mg) with placebo in patients with mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis on baseline medication. The primary objective was to determine the difference in time to sustained improvement in colitis activity index (CAI) of ≥50% at week 8 between pooled K(D)PT group and placebo. Secondary endpoints included remission rates and CAI response at different time points. Compared with placebo, K(D)PT (pooled group) resulted in significantly higher proportions of patients in remission at 2 and 4 weeks, (2 wk: P = 0.0349; 4 wk: P = 0.0278) and a significantly higher proportion of patients with CAI response at week 8 (P = 0.0434). K(D)PT (pooled group) met the primary endpoint after additional analyses. Because of high placebo response rates, subgroup analyses tried to identify patients with unquestionably active and more severe, but still moderate, disease (CAI score ≥9 or taking more than one concomitant medication). These subgroups showed earlier and statistically significant CAI responses to K(D)PT versus placebo. All doses of K(D)PT were well tolerated. Despite a very high placebo rate after week 4, study data in this preliminary trial strongly suggest that add-on K(D)PT is efficacious in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. Moreover, K(D)PT showed an excellent safety profile.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Evidence for glucuronide (small molecule) sorting by human hepatic endoplasmic reticulum.
The entry of substrates into, and the export of glururonides from, the lumen of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in vitro (sealed microsomes) has been measured using radioactivity-labelled materials and a rapid filtration assay. Analysis of liver microsomes from a jaundiced patient showed the accumulation of bilirubin glucuronides within the lumen of the ER. Further analysis of these hepatic microsomes revealed that newly synthesized 1-naphthol glucuronide could exit from the microsomes whereas bilirubin glucuronide was accumulated within the microsomes. These results suggest the existence of mechanisms for the sorting of small molecules, destined for export through bile canalicular or basolateral plasma membranes, by ER. Furthermore, these sorting processes may be regulated by specific transporters within the ER.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Reliability of ultrasonography in the follow-up of hip dysplasia in children above 2 years of age.
The aim of the present study was to assess whether ultrasonography (US) was reliable in the follow-up of children above 2 years of age who had previously been treated for congenital or developmental hip dislocation or dysplasia (HD). As part of the routine follow-up, we examined 53 children (106 hips), aged 2-12 years (mean 6 years). Using US, the coverage of the femoral head was assessed by the distance from the lateral tangent of the ossified femoral head to the lateral bony acetabular rim (lateral head distance, LHD). The corresponding distance was measured on radiographs (LHDR). The radiographic femoral head coverage was assessed by the migration percentage (MP) and the center-edge (CE) angle. We found a good accordance between sonographic LHD and the radiographic parameters MP and CE in all age groups, indicating that femoral head coverage was reliably assessed by US. There was also a high correlation between LHD and LHDR (r=0.85). All hips with subluxation were detected by US. In 11 hips that appeared normal on US, but with dysplasia or uncertain findings by radiography, the condition spontaneously normalized in 9 out of 9 examined hips with further follow-up. Because a reliable assessment of the hip is obtained, we recommend that US should be used as the primary imaging technique in the routine follow-up of children above 2 years of age with previous HD. Radiography should be omitted when US shows normal findings and is only needed when the US LHD is above the upper normal limit or the hip looks abnormal or suspicious by subjective evaluation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Acute renal failure and metabolic acidosis due to oxalic acid intoxication: a case report.
Most of the reports of oxalic acid intoxication are in cases of ethylene glycol intoxication. These symptoms are known to be central nerve system manifestations, cardiopulmonary manifestations and acute renal failure. There have been only a few reports of direct oxalic acid intoxication. However, there have been a few recent reports of oxalic acid intoxication due to the ingestion of star fruit and ascorbic acid. We herein report the case of a patient with acute renal failure and metabolic acidosis caused directly by consumption of oxalic acid. During the initial examination by the physician at our hospital, the patient presented with tachypnea, a precordinal burning sensation, nausea and metabolic acidosis. After admission, the patient developed renal failure and anion gap high metabolic acidosis, but did not develop any CNS or cardio-pulmonary manifestations in the clinical course. The patient benefitted symptomatically from hemodialysis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Dinotefuran-induced morphophysiological changes in semi-engorged females Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille, 1806 (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks: Ultra-structural evaluation.
The present study demonstrated the effects of dinotefuran (active ingredient of the acaricide Protetor Pet®) on the ovary and midgut cells of semi engorged R. sanguineus females exposed to different concentrations of this chemical. For this, 120 semi-engorged females were divided into four treatment groups with 30 individuals each: group I or control (distilled water), group II (5000ppm), groups III (6250ppm) and group IV (8334ppm of dinotefuran). All the ticks were immersed in the different concentrations of dinotefuran or in distilled water for 5min and then dried and kept in BOD incubator for 7days. The results showed alterations mainly regarding the damaged cell structures, such as yolk granules, organelles and the plasma membrane of the germ cells. In addition, structures related with defense mechanisms were found, such as vacuoles, cytoskeletal filaments, and myelin figures in the germ cells. Damages in the generative cells of the midgut, alterations in the size of digestive cells, the number of endosomes, digestive vacuoles, digestive residues, lipid drops and organelles in the cytoplasm of the digestive cells and the presence of microvilli in the plasma membrane of these cells also demonstrate the progressive damages caused by the action of dinotefuran in the midgut and germ cells of R. sanguineus semi-engorged females. The concentrations applied partially impaired the digestive processes; and, without proper nutrition, all the ectoparasite's physiologic events are prevented from occurring, leading the individual to death. The germ cells were also damaged, and probably would not be able to advance in their development (I-V) and complete the vitellogenesis, which would affect the fertility of the female and consequently impede the formation of a new individual.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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2-Aminopurine as a real-time probe of enzymatic cleavage and inhibition of hammerhead ribozymes.
The design, synthesis and study of internally fluorescent hammerhead (HH) ribozymes, where changes in fluorescence parameters directly reflect the progress of the ribozyme's cleavage chemistry, are described. The approach relies on a HH substrate modified at position 1.1, proximal to the cleavage site, with 2-aminopurine (2AP), an intensely fluorescent adenosine isoster. The incorporation of 2AP, an unnatural nucleoside, does not interfere with the ribozyme folding and catalysis. Since 2AP is highly sensitive to environmental changes, its fluorescence is dramatically altered upon ribozyme-mediated cleavage of the substrate. This generates a measurable signal that directly reflects the progress of the ribozyme's reaction in real time. Identical pseudo first order rate constants are obtained for HH constructs using both continuous fluorescence monitoring and radioactive labeling. This rapid and real-time monitoring facilitates the study of ribozyme activity under different conditions (e.g., ionic strength, pH, etc.), and provides a useful assay to rapidly screen potential inhibitors. Three hitherto unknown HH inhibitors are presented and compared to neomycin B and chlortetracycline, two previously studied HH inhibitors. All three new small molecules, neo-acridine, guanidino-neomycin B, and [Delta-(Eilatin)Ru(bpy)(2)](2+), prove to be better inhibitors than neomycin B or chlortetracycline. Investigating HH inhibition under different ionic strengths reveals that the binding of neo-acridine, [Delta-(Eilatin)Ru(bpy)(2)](2+), and chlortetracycline to the HH involves hydrophobic interactions as their RNA affinities are largely unaffected by increasing salt concentrations. In contrast, neomycin B loses more than 50-fold of its inhibitory ability as the NaCl concentration is increased from 50 to 500mM.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Toward a molecular view of cardiac arrhythmogenesis.
Clinical evidence strongly suggests that the electrophysiologic behavior of the heart, and its response to drugs, is a highly dynamic process. Ion channels are the fundamental molecular units determining cardiac excitability. The cloning of ion channels that are responsible for the generation and maintenance of the cardiac action potential will enable studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying the highly heterogeneous nature of cardiac electrophysiology. The molecular bases of important pathophysiologic events, such as acute regulation of channel function by phosphorylation or drug block, or the long-term electrophysiologic changes accompanying diseases such as hypertension, are now being elucidated. Identification of these molecular mechanisms may point to novel approaches to the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Identification of Bombyx mori midgut receptor for Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal CryIA(a) toxin.
As part of a study of the mechanism by which Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal protein acts, a Bombyx mori receptor to the CryIA(a) toxin specific for lepidopterans was examined. Histological examination showed that the toxin acted on the brush-border membrane of the midgut columnar cells and broke its infolding structure, causing cell lysis. The membrane vesicles were purified, and a 175-kDa protein binding the toxin was found that accounted for some 0.015% of membrane proteins. The protein, designated BtR175, was a glycoprotein that reacted with concanavalin A. Anti-BtR antibodies inhibited the binding of toxin to membrane vesicles in vitro and decreased the effect of the toxin to silkworms in vivo. BtR175, although found in the gut, was not found in fat bodies, integument, or silk glands. These results indicated that BtR175 was the receptor protein for the insecticidal toxin. Proteins (137 and 107 kDa) binding the CryIA(a) toxin also were found in the gut membranes of Tenebrio moritor larvae, a coleopteran not sensitive to the toxin. The specificity of the toxin could not be explained only in term of the existence of its binding protein.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Incidental Thyroid Nodules on CT or MRI: Discordance Between What We Report and What Receives Workup.
The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of incidental thyroid nodules (ITNs) reported on CT or MRI that receive additional workup and the factors that influence workup. A secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of the American College of Radiology (ACR) white paper recommendations for reporting of ITNs. We retrospectively reviewed patients with ITNs reported on CT or MRI studies over 12 months. We identified patients with ITNs that underwent workup and the factors associated with workup. The ACR white paper recommendations were retrospectively applied to estimate how their use would have changed the number of nodules reported in the impression section of radiology reports and the number of cancers diagnosed. The recommendations are based on suspicious imaging features, patient age, and nodule size. A total of 375 patients had ITNs reported. For 138 of these patients (37%), ITNs were reported by radiologists in the impression section of their reports; 26 patients (19%) received workup. Patients with ITNs reported in the impression section were 14 times more likely to undergo workup than were patients with ITNs reported only in the findings section of the radiology report. On multivariate analysis, the only factors associated with workup were younger patient age and larger nodule size (p ≤ 0.002). The ACR recommendations resulted in a 54% reduction in the number of ITNs reported in the impression section and one missed papillary cancer (TNM classification T1bN0M0). Only one in five patients with ITNs reported in the impression section of CT or MRI reports underwent additional workup, and this decision was influenced by younger patient age and larger nodule size. These factors are components of the ACR recommendations, which have the potential to reduce the number of reported ITNs and improve the standardization of radiology reporting.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Bone remodelling after condylar fractures in children].
The results of functional treatment of condylar fractures in children are reported. Ten patients were subjected to a radiographic study. Long-term follow-up shows a very good osseus remodelling of fractured condyles.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Time course of inhibition of cholinesterase and aliesterase activities, and nonprotein sulfhydryl levels following exposure to organophosphorus insecticides in mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis).
Cholinesterase (ChE) in brain and muscle was quickly inhibited during a 48-hr in vivo exposure to chlorpyrifos (0.1 ppm), parathion (0.15 ppm), and methyl parathion (8 ppm) in mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). ChE remained inhibited during a 96-hr nonexposure period. Brain ChE reached peak inhibition by 12 hr after exposure to parathion and chlorpyrifos and by 4 hr after exposure to methyl parathion. All insecticides caused greater than 70% ChE inhibition by 4 hr in muscle. There was no recovery of ChE after 4 days of nonexposure in either brain or muscle. Hepatic aliesterases (AliE) were quickly and greatly inhibited (> 70% by 4 hr) after exposure to parathion and chlorpyrifos but not after exposure to methyl parathion. Exposure to methyl parathion required 24-36 hr to inhibit hepatic AliE to the same level as that following parathion and chlorpyrifos exposures at 4 hr. Exposure to all insecticides eventually resulted in greater than 80% inhibition of AliE. None of the test groups treated with insecticides showed any signs of significant recovery of AliE during the 4 days of nonexposure. Nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) concentrations were lower than controls after 24 hr of exposure and 96 hr after recovery for all compounds. Exposure to methyl parathion lowered NPSH concentrations greater than the other compounds. Hepatic AliE appear capable of affording some protection of ChE from inhibition following parathion or chlorpyrifos exposures, but considerably less protection against methyl parathion.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Echothiophate iodide cataracts in monkeys. Occurrence despite loss of accommodation induced by retrodisplacement of ciliary muscle.
Five cynomolgi underwent unilateral 360 degrees ciliary muscle retrodisplacement. Beginning several months later, they received 150 to 210 micrograms of echothiophate iodine topically once daily in both eyes for five months. In all eyes anterior and posterior subcapsular lens opacities developed that were characteristic of those caused by echothiophate. There were no apparent differences in biomicroscopic appearance or time course of the cataracts between eyes with or without retrodisplaced ciliary muscles. Since eyes with retrodisplaced ciliary muscles accommodate only minimally in response to echothiophate, possible mechanical stress on the lens due to sustained, intense accommodation cannot explain echothiophate cataractogenesis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Kinetic determinations of accurate relative oxidation potentials of amines with reactive radical cations.
Accurate oxidation potentials for organic compounds are critical for the evaluation of thermodynamic and kinetic properties of their radical cations. Except when using a specialized apparatus, electrochemical oxidation of molecules with reactive radical cations is usually an irreversible process, providing peak potentials, E(p), rather than thermodynamically meaningful oxidation potentials, E(ox). In a previous study on amines with radical cations that underwent rapid decarboxylation, we estimated E(ox) by correcting the E(p) from cyclic voltammetry with rate constants for decarboxylation obtained using laser flash photolysis. Here we use redox equilibration experiments to determine accurate relative oxidation potentials for the same amines. We also describe an extension of these experiments to show how relative oxidation potentials can be obtained in the absence of equilibrium, from a complete kinetic analysis of the reversible redox kinetics. The results provide support for the previous cyclic voltammetry/laser flash photolysis method for determining oxidation potentials.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Low-malignant-potential tumor of the ovary: sonographic features with clinicopathologic correlation in 41 patients.
The biologic, behavioral, and pathologic features of low-malignant-potential (LMP) tumor of the ovary are distinct from their invasive counterpart. LMP tumors affect patients at a younger age and have a much better 5- and 20-year survival rate compared with invasive ovarian malignancy. The authors retrospectively reviewed the records and sonograms of 41 patients (51 masses) with LMP tumor of the ovary. They demonstrated a wide variety of morphologies on the presentation sonograms with six masses favored to be benign, four indeterminate, 18 likely malignant, and 23 clearly malignant. Eighteen of 51 masses (35.3%) had a unique appearance-a cyst within the ovary of small to medium size with vascular mural nodularity and preserved surrounding ovarian parenchyma. Low-level echoes within the cystic components of the mass, reminiscent of typical endometrioma, were present in 19 of 51 masses (37.2%). Peritoneal dissemination was present in six patients at presentation, all! whom were alive at follow-up between 45 and 120 months. The authors think that many LMP tumors may be recognized and treated while they are still small. Ovary-sparing surgery may preserve patient fertility. LMP tumors may present initially with a benign morphology, although temporal evolution tends to show more suspicious features. Because these tumors may also appear frankly malignant or show peritoneal dissemination, the possibility of LMP tumor must be considered in light of their much better prognosis compared with invasive ovarian malignancy.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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De novo direct duplication 3 (p25-->pter): a previously undescribed chromosomal aberration.
We report on a case of de novo direct duplication for the distal part of chromosome 3p: 46,XY,dir dup (3) (p25-->pter). At the age of 4 years and 7 months, the boy presented with moderate growth and mental retardation, muscular hypotonia, hypoplasia of the left kidney, a short neck, and a square-shaped face characterized by a broad and flat nasal bridge, slight epicanthus, and full cheeks. So far, only a few cases with such a small distal 3p duplication have been described, and none of them has a de novo direct duplication for this region. In our patient, dysmorphic signs are less impressive, and developmental delay is relatively moderate.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Multiple sexual partners and mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1.
To investigate risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1, particularly sexual behavior before and during pregnancy. This study is part of a prospective cohort study in Butare, Rwanda, of 318 HIV-1-seropositive and 309 HIV-1-seronegative women enrolled during pregnancy and followed for a mean duration of 21 months (range, 8-34 months). Clinical follow-up of the mother-infant pairs was performed at 6-week intervals during the first year of life and at 4-month intervals thereafter. Detailed sexual history interviews were conducted during pregnancy and at the first postnatal visit. Of 184 singleton infants born to HIV-1-infected mothers who survived the neonatal period, 32 (17%) children were classified as HIV-1-infected, 130 (71%) as not infected, and 22 (12%) died with indeterminate HIV-1 infection status. The vertical transmission rate was estimated to be between 20 and 29%. Unprotected sexual intercourse with increased number of partners during the past 5 years was strongly associated with mother-to-child transmission (P < 0.001), even after adjustment for maternal CD4/CD8 ratio, parity, history of sexually transmitted diseases, and evidence of genital infection during pregnancy. In a multivariate analysis, excluding children with indeterminate HIV-1 status, odds ratios for vertical transmission were 2.6 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0-6.9] for maternal CD4/CD8 ratio < 0.5 and 3.6 (95% CI, 1.1-11.8) for more than three sexual partners versus a single partner. Women with more than one sexual partner during the first trimester of pregnancy were at particularly high risk of transmitting the virus. Unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners before and during pregnancy in a population with high HIV-1 seroprevalence may well increase the likelihood of HIV-1 transmission from an infected mother to her child.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Inheritance of Oryza sativa endornavirus in F1 and F2 hybrids between japonica and indica rice.
We have found a 14 kbp double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in many cultivars of japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.) but not in any cultivars of indica rice. This dsRNA is an RNA replicon with plasmid-like properties and is proposed to be a novel dsRNA virus, Oryza sativa endornavirus (OSV). Reciprocal crosses between the OSV-carrier japonica variety (Nipponbare) and the OSV-free indica variety (IR 26 or Kasalath) were performed to investigate whether OSV can be transmitted to F1 hybrids. When IR 26 and Nipponbare were used, efficient transmission of OSV from ova (93%) and pollen (89%) was observed. When Kasalath and Nipponbare were used, the OSV transmission efficiency to F1 progeny was 68% from ova and 20% from pollen. The transmission of OSV to F2 progeny plants was also complicated, showing non-Mendelian inheritance. These results suggest that the dsRNA replicon (OSV) is unstable in indica rice plants.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Effect of naphthalene biodegradation plasmids on physiological characteristics of rhizospheric bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas].
Specific growth rate, duration of the lag phase, stability of plasmids, and activities of the key enzymes involved in naphthalene biodegradation were studied in rhizospheric pseudomonades carrying structurally similar plasmids pOV17 and pBS216. It was demonstrated that these plasmids determined various levels of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activities. The structural rearrangements in the plasmid pBS216 could "switch off" the genes of catechol oxidation meta-pathway. It was shown that certain combinations of biodegradation plasmids and bacterial hosts, such as Pseudomonas chlororaphis PCL1391(pBS216), P. chlororaphis PCL1391(pOV17), and P. putida 53a(pOV17), were considerably more efficient than natural variants in their growth characteristics and stability of the biodegradation activity, having a potential for bioremediation of soils polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Current treatment options for depression after mild traumatic brain injury.
Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is the most common neurologic condition in the United States; about 503 of every 100,000 persons visiting the emergency department have this diagnosis. A complex cluster of neurologic signs and symptoms are associated with an acceleration-deceleration mechanism of injury. Unfortunately, many persons do not seek treatment for MTBI. Depression following MTBI adds to the complexity and complicates the diagnosis and treatment because of overlap of symptoms, including delays in information processing, sleep difficulties, irritability, and fatigue, as well as pain in association with headache or other musculoskeletal injuries. Depression after MTBI has been associated with abnormal CT scan results, older age, and increased depressive symptoms within a week after injury. Given the progress made in understanding the natural history of MTBI and post-TBI depression in general, there has been less progress in treatment trials for post-MTBI depression. In this review, we report on one phase 4, nonrandomized single-group trial in persons with mild-to-moderate TBI and note a "response to treatment" effect without the ability to discern the potential impact of other prescribed pharmacotherapies on the outcome. In a randomized controlled trial focusing on a telephone counseling intervention for post-MTBI symptoms, the intervention appeared to be effective in reducing 6-month post-MTBI symptoms, but it was not effective for the general health outcome, which included measures of depressive symptoms and anxiety. Thus, evidence-based treatment of post-MTBI depression is quite limited. Because depressive symptoms can develop as early as 1 week after injury and can be exacerbated by stress, pain, and comorbidities, it seems prudent to begin early interventions focused on managing pain and stress, along with providing psychoeducational and problem-solving therapies. Efficacy studies are needed to determine whether telemedicine approaches, group interventions, or peer counseling may be helpful methods of delivering such interventions during the early months as ways to attenuate the development of a major depressive disorder.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Use of acid whey and mustard seed to replace nitrites during cooked sausage production.
The aim was to determine the effects of sea salt, acid whey, native and autoclaved mustard seed on the physico-chemical properties, especially colour formation, microbial stability and sensory evaluation of non-nitrite cooked sausage during chilling storage. The cooked pork sausages were divided into 4 groups (group I--control sausages with curing salt (2.8%) and water (5%) added; group II--sausages with sea salt (2.8%) and acid whey (5%) added; group III--sausages with sea salt (2.8%), acid whey (5%) and mustard seed (1%) added; group IV--sausages with sea salt (2.8%), acid whey (5%) and autoclaved mustard seed (1%) added). Instrumental colour (L*, a*, b*), oxygenation index (ΔR), 650/570 nm ratio, heme iron, pH value and water activity (aw) were determined 1 day after production and after 10, 20 and 30 days of refrigerated storage (4 °C). Sensory analysis was conducted immediately after production (day 1). Microbial analysis (lactic acid bacteria, total viable count, Clostridium spp.) was determinated at the end of storage (30 days). The autoclaved mustard with acid whey can be used at 1.0% (w/w) of model cooked sausages with beneficial effect on physico-chemical and sensory qualities of no-nitrite sausage. This product can be stored at refrigeration temperature for up to 30 days, in vacuum, with good acceptability. The colour, visual appearance and overall quality of samples with autoclaved mustard seed and acid whey were similar to the control with curing agent.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Behavioral Counseling to Promote a Healthful Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults Without Known Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
Unhealthful dietary patterns, low levels of physical activity, and high sedentary time increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. To systematically review the evidence on the benefits and harms of behavioral counseling for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults without known cardiovascular risk factors to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO for studies published in the English language between January 1, 2013, and May 25, 2016, and ongoing surveillance in targeted publications through March 24, 2017. Studies included in the previous review were reevaluated for inclusion. Randomized clinical trials of behavioral interventions targeting improved diet, increased physical activity, decreased sedentary time, or a combination of these among adults without known hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, or impaired fasting glucose. Independent critical appraisal and data abstraction by 2 reviewers. Cardiometabolic health and intermediate outcomes, behavioral outcomes, and harms related to interventions. Eighty-eight studies (N = 121 190) in 145 publications were included. There was no consistent benefit of the interventions on all-cause or cardiovascular mortality or morbidity (4 trials [n = 51 356]) or health-related quality of life (10 trials [n = 52 423]). There was evidence of small, statistically significant between-group mean differences for systolic blood pressure (-1.26 mm Hg [95% CI, -1.77 to -0.75]; 22 trials [n = 57 953]), diastolic blood pressure (-0.49 mm Hg [95% CI, -0.82 to -0.16]; 23 trials [n = 58 022]), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (-2.58 mg/dL [95% CI, -4.30 to -0.85]; 13 trials [n = 5554]), total cholesterol level (-2.85 mg/dL [95% CI, -4.95 to -0.75]; 19 trials [n = 9325]), and body mass index (-0.41 [95% CI, -0.62 to -0.19]; 20 trials [n = 55 059]) at 6 to 12 months as well as small-to-modest associations with dietary and physical activity behaviors. There was no evidence of greater incidence of serious adverse events, injuries, or falls in intervention vs control participants. Diet and physical activity behavioral interventions for adults not at high risk for cardiovascular disease result in consistent modest benefits across a variety of important intermediate health outcomes across 6 to 12 months, including blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels, and adiposity, with evidence of a dose-response effect, with higher-intensity interventions conferring greater improvements. There is very limited evidence on longer-term intermediate and health outcomes or on harmful effects of these interventions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Serum S100B levels in patients with neural tube defects.
We investigated the levels of S100B protein in the serum of patients with neural tube defects (NTD), and the ontogenetic variation on this group of patients. Samples from 24 control individuals and 25 patients with NTD were studied. S100B protein levels were determined using LIA-mat Sangtec kit. We observed no difference between the levels of S100B in NTD patients (median 0.860 microg/l) and control individuals (median 0.580 microg/l). When groups were classified according to age, decreased levels were observed in subjects > or = 4 y compared to the younger ones, on the control group; no significant difference was observed when the same comparison is performed on the group of patients with NTD. This study indicates that the serum concentration of S100B in patients with NTD is similar to that of normal individuals; however, patients with NTD do not show the negative correlation with age which was observed on normal individuals.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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PM2.5 acidity at a background site in the Pearl River Delta region in fall-winter of 2007-2012.
Based on field observations and thermodynamic model simulation, the annual trend of PM2.5 acidity and its characteristics on non-hazy and hazy days in fall-winter of 2007-2012 in the Pearl River Delta region were investigated. Total acidity ([H(+)](total)) and in-situ acidity ([H(+)](in-situ)) of PM2.5 significantly decreased (F-test, p < 0.05) at a rate of -32 ± 1.5 nmol m(-3)year(-1) and -9 ± 1.7 nmol m(-3) year(-1), respectively. The variation of acidity was mainly caused by the change of the PM2.5 component, i.e., the decreasing rates of [H(+)](total) and [H(+)](in-situ) due to the decrease of sulfate (SO4(2-)) exceeded the increasing rate caused by the growth of nitrate (NO3(-)). [H(+)](total), [H(+)](in-situ) and liquid water content on hazy days were 0.9-2.2, 1.2-3.5 and 2.0-3.0 times those on non-hazy days, respectively. On hazy days, the concentration of organic matter (OM) showed significant enhancement when [H(+)](in-situ) increased (t-test, p < 0.05), while this was not observed on non-hazy days. Moreover, when the acidity was low (i.e., R = [NH4(+)]/(2 × [SO4(2-)]+[NO3(-)])>0.6), NH4NO3 was most likely formed via homogenous reaction. When the acidity was high (R ≤ 0.6), the gas-phase formation of NH4NO3 was inhibited, and the proportion of NO3(-) produced via heterogeneous reaction of N2O5 became significant.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Hyperhydration prior to moderate-intensity exercise causes arterial hypoxaemia.
The second day of a 3-day event is the most physically demanding of the 3 days. If this is performed under hot and humid environmental conditions, detrimental effects on cardiovascular and thermoregulatory function and, therefore, on exercise capacity, may occur due to exercise-induced dehydration. We hypothesised that the administration of fluid equivalent to 6% of the horse's bodyweight prior to a simulated second day of a 3-day event would increase plasma volume and limit increases in core temperature. Seven Standardbred geldings underwent a training protocol prior to the study. A standardised exercise test was developed for each horse so that exercise intensity at each phase would be the same percentage of the maximal heart rate for all horses. The exercise test involved 4 phases: Phase A involved 30 min exercise at 3.7 m/s (approximately 25% VO2max); Phase B 4 min exercise at 8 m/s (approximately 60% VO2max); and Phase C 50 min at 3.7 m/s, after which there was a 10 min rest. Phase D involved 14 min at 7.3 m/s (55% VO2max). In a cross-over design, horses were grouped randomly and allocated to either exercise with no fluid (control) or approximately 26 l isotonic fluid by nasogastric tube, 120 min prior to exercise. Arterial and mixed venous blood samples were collected prior to exercise, towards the end of each of the phases and during the rest period. The administration of fluid prior to exercise resulted in a pre-exercise bodyweight gain of 21.3 +/- 1.2 kg. Hyperhydration resulted in a greater degree of arterial hypoxaemia than the control group in Phases B and D, but not in Phases A and C or at rest. During Phases B and D, mean PaO2 values in the horses that received fluid were about 15 torr lower than in the control group, but there were no differences in PaCO2 values between the 2 groups. In both arterial and mixed venous blood, pH and HCO3- were significantly lower in the group that were hyperhydrated. We concluded that the most likely cause of the more severe arterial hypoxaemia in the hyperhydrated group during the intense exercise phase was some degree of pulmonary oedema, from the extravasation of the administered fluid. Hyperhydration prior to exercise may be detrimental to respiratory function and therefore care must be taken in administration of large volumes of fluid prior to exercise.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A comparison of the CathSim system and simulated limbs for teaching intravenous cannulation.
The present study describes a comparison between the CathSim VR simulator and simulated limbs for training IV cannulation. Two groups of physician assistant students underwent 2 hours of training on either method. Performance was assessed before and after training with a standardized assessment form. The results showed that all students improved after training, but the degree of improvement was greater for those trained with the simulated limbs. These findings may be due to differences between the two training methods as well as the methodology adopted in the present study.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Functional association of retinoic acid and hedgehog signaling in Xenopus primary neurogenesis.
Previous work has shown that the posteriorising agent retinoic acid can accelerate anterior neuronal differentiation in Xenopus laevis embryos (Papalopulu, N. and Kintner, C. (1996) Development 122, 3409-3418). To elucidate the role of retinoic acid in the primary neurogenesis cascade, we investigated whether retinoic acid treatment of whole embryos could change the spatial expression of a set of genes known to be involved in neurogenesis. We show that retinoic acid expands the N-tubulin, X-ngnr-1, X-MyT1, X-&Dgr;-1 and Gli3 domains and inhibits the expression of Zic2 and sonic hedgehog in the neural ectoderm, whereas a retinoid antagonist produces opposite changes. In contrast, sonic and banded hedgehog overexpression reduced the N-tubulin stripes, enlarged the neural plate at the expense of the neural crest, downregulated Gli3 and upregulated Zic2. Thus, retinoic acid and hedgehog signaling have opposite effects on the prepattern genes Gli3 and Zic2 and on other genes acting downstream in the neurogenesis cascade. In addition, retinoic acid cannot rescue the inhibitory effect of Notch(ICD), Zic2 or sonic hedgehog on primary neurogenesis. Our results suggest that retinoic acid acts very early, upstream of sonic hedgehog, and we propose a model for regulation of differentiation and proliferation in the neural plate, showing that retinoic acid might be activating primary neurogenesis by repressing sonic hedgehog expression.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Genetically encoded neural activity indicators.
Recording activity from identified populations of neurons is a central goal of neuroscience. Changes in membrane depolarization, particularly action potentials, are the most important features of neural physiology to extract, although ions, neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, second messengers, and the activation state of specific proteins are also crucial. Modern fluorescence microscopy provides the basis for such activity mapping, through multi-photon imaging and other optical schemes. Probes remain the rate-limiting step for progress in this field: they should be bright and photostable, and ideally come in multiple colors. Only protein-based reagents permit chronic imaging from genetically specified cells. Here we review recent progress in the design, optimization and deployment of genetically encoded indicators for calcium ions (a proxy for action potentials), membrane potential, and neurotransmitters. We highlight seminal experiments, and present an outlook for future progress.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Masticatory muscle stretching for the management of sleep bruxism: A randomised controlled trial.
Sleep bruxism is a phenomenon associated with masticatory muscle hyperactivity. While stretching of limb and trunk muscles has been extensively studied for musculoskeletal disorders, little is known about the effectiveness of stretching of masticatory muscles in the management of bruxism. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of stretching of the masticatory muscles for sleep bruxism. Twenty four pain-free individuals with sleep bruxism were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Both groups were given sleep hygiene advice and the intervention group additionally received muscle-stretching exercises for 10 days. Primary outcome measures, bruxism bursts and episodes per hour of sleep, were measured by ambulant polysomnography. Secondary outcome measures were among others pain-free active maximum mouth opening (MMO) and masseter pressure pain threshold (PPT). The number of bruxism episodes per hour of sleep increased more in the intervention group than in the control group (by 1.1 episodes, P = 0.066), as did the number of bruxism bursts per hour of sleep (by 8.6 bursts, P = 0.049). MMO and PPT increased significantly more in the intervention group (by 3.2 mm, P = 0.020; and by 1.0 kg/cm2 , P = 0.036, respectively). Static stretching of the masticatory muscles resulted in a minor increase in sleep bruxism episodes (not significant) and bursts (significant). It also led to a significant increase in MMO and PPT. Therefore, masticatory muscle stretching was not effective in reducing sleep bruxism in the absence of pain and/or dysfunction.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Cerebral perfusion pressure, microdialysis biochemistry, and clinical outcome in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hematomas.
The aim of our study was to investigate the roles of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and microdialysis marker values on the clinical outcome of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hematoma. Twenty-seven patients (18 men; mean ± SD age, 54.17 ± 10.05 years; 9 women, mean ± SD age, 65.00 ± 4.24 years) with a GCS of 8 or less upon admission were included in this study. After a 6-month follow-up period, a linear regression model was applied to evaluate the outcomes using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Of the 27 patients, 16 died within the first 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Six patients had a favorable prognosis after 6 months. In the patients who had a favorable outcome (GOS = 4 or GOS = 5), the CPP was above 75.46 mm Hg, and intracranial pressure was below 14.21 mm Hg. No patient with a favorable prognosis had a lactate-pyruvate (L/P) ratio greater than 37.40. An inverse linear relationship was found among the L/P ratio, the CPP, and patient outcome. The L/P ratio and CPP were found to be related to patient outcome. In addition, a CPP greater than 75.46 mm Hg and an L/P ratio lower than 37.40 mm Hg were related to a favorable outcome.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Translating disability-related research into evidence-based advocacy: the role of people with disabilities.
The purpose of this article is to make a case for the inclusion of people with disabilities in disability research and in important decisions relating to the utilisation of the research results. This is a review article, involving extensive review of both international and local published materials, commissioned research, government policy and related official documents, as well as the use of anecdotal evidence based on the author's own previous research work, experience, knowledge and observations. CENTRAL ARGUMENT: For disability research to influence positive changes in their lives, people with disabilities ought to play a central role at all stages of the research process, and in decisions made regarding the dissemination and use of the research results. If properly utilised, research can have positive influence in the lives of people with disabilities. However, this can only be achieved if people with disabilities participate in determining the scope, depth and the conduct of disability research, and the utilisation of the research results. In this way, people with disabilities, in collaboration with their non-disabled counterparts, are likely to ensure that research results have a bearing on the policies and programmes designed for them.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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An international perspective on the treatment of pediatric shock: the Brazilian experience.
Shock in the pediatric population has many preventable causes. Treatment of children in shock will depend on access to health services, training of health personnel, availability of diagnostic procedures, monitoring, and therapeutic measures. Countries will differ among themselves and within themselves in the care provided to children developing shock. In Brazil, the majority of children are cared for in public hospitals, which often lack resources for basic care. Many children in shock do not even reach healthcare services. Investment in training healthcare personnel in a simplified and systematic approach to shock and access to equipped health services are basic to improved outcomes in the treatment of pediatric shock. The Brazilian experience in the treatment of children in shock outside hospital facilities, in the emergency department, and in the ICU is described.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Effect of polarity and differentiation on antibody localization in multicellular tumour spheroid and xenograft models and its potential importance for in vivo immunotargeting.
Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) AUAI and HMFGI recognize antigens located on different membrane domains of polarized epithelial cells. We have assessed the accessibility of these antigens in multicellular tumour spheroids produced in culture using a well-polarized (HRA-19) and a non-polarized cell line (LoVo) of human large-bowel carcinoma origin. Multicellular spheroids of HRA-19 cells develop polarity, so that the membrane which is in contact with the culture medium (apical) becomes antigenically distinct from the membrane facing the centre of the spheroids (basolateral). This was confirmed by immunostaining sections of spheroids with 2 MAbs, AUAI and HMFGI. AUAI recognizes an antigen located exclusively on the basolateral membranes of polarized epithelial cells, and stained only internal membranes in spheroid sections. Conversely HMFGI, which recognizes an antigen located on the apical membranes, stained only the periphery of the spheroids. These 2MAbs were then radiolabelled with 125I and incubated with live spheroids for 4 hr at 37 degrees C. Autoradiographs of spheroid sections showed a marked difference between the 2 MAbs. 125I-HMFGI-radioantibody localized exclusively on the spheroid surface in a pattern identical to the in vitro immunostaining pattern, while 125I-AUAI radioantibody showed no binding in spite of the uniform presence of antigen on all tumour cells basolaterally. This appeared to be the result of the inaccessibility of basolateral antigenic sites in well-polarized epithelial cells because of the tight junctions connecting these cells at their apical surfaces. In contrast to the HRA-19 cell line LoVo, spheroids do not develop polarity; as a result, when stained with AUAI, variable antigenic expression all over the cell surface was seen. Autoradiographs of these spheroids showed 125I-AUAI binding with a penetration to a depth of about 1-3 cells, while HMFGI which shows no reactivity with this cell line in vitro, did not bind. This phenomenon was further investigated in xenografts of the HRA-19 cell line. It was shown that in a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma where the tumour cells forming acini are arranged in a polarized fashion, the luminal antigenic sites may be inaccessible to the injected MAb. The striking differences in binding of MAbs on polarized and unpolarized tumours indicate the importance of cell polarization and exact location of antigenic sites for in vivo immunotargeting.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Characterization of C/EBPbeta isoforms in normal versus neoplastic mammary epithelial cells.
A member of the CCAAT Enhancer Binding Proteins (C/EBPs) family of transcription factors, C/EBPbeta, has recently proven to be an important player in both growth and differentiation of the epithelial cells in the mammary gland. When the gene for C/EBPbeta is disrupted in mice, these mice fail to either develop normal mammary ducts during puberty or pregnancy, or to lactate upon parturition. C/EBPbeta can be present in cells in three isoforms: C/EBPbeta-1, -2, and -3. These isoforms have the same carboxy terminus but different N-termini due to alternative translational initiation at three different initiator codons within the C/EBPbeta mRNA. Using a commercially available antibody specific to the C-terminus of C/EBPbeta and a novel antibody specific to the N-terminus of C/EBPbeta-1, we have uncovered a striking difference in the forms of C/EBPbeta present in normal mammary epithelial cells versus breast cancer cell lines. C/EBPbeta- 1 is found exclusively in normal mammary epithelial cells, whereas C/EBPbeta- 2 is found only in dividing cells, both normal and neoplastic. Our preliminary data suggest that the prevalent form of C/EBPbeta in cancer cells, C/EBPbeta- 2, can activate genes which push the cell to divide, such as cyclin D1.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Effects of antihistamines on joint stiffness and bone healing after periarticular fracture.
In an effort to blunt the inflammatory response following injury, we studied the effects of antihistamines on joint stiffness and bone healing after periarticular fracture. The hind limbs of 37 New Zealand white rabbits were instrumented with intramedullary Steinmann pins to allow immobilization after creating a distal tibia fracture. After periarticular ankle fracture, the rabbits were divided into groups to receive chlorpheniramine, low-dose terfenadine, high-dose terfenadine, or no antihistamine. Antihistamine was administered for the first 5 days after fracture. At 3 weeks after fracture, the rabbits treated with antihistamines showed a significant reduction in joint stiffness compared to control animals. To determine if antihistamine also retarded bone healing, an additional 12 New Zealand white rabbits underwent bilateral drilling of the midshaft of the femur with a 2.5 mm Steinmann pin. Six animals received oral terfenadine, and six served as controls. After 5 weeks of cage activity, the animals treated with the antihistamine showed a significant decrease in energy to failure of the femurs on torsional testing. Qualitative microscopic examination revealed less mature callus at the site of the femoral cortical defect in those animals treated with the terfenadine. Antihistamine may have heretofore unconsidered benefits in preventing post-traumatic joint stiffness but may slow healing of associated bony injuries.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Role of teleconsultation in moving the healthcare system forward.
The equitable access to quality healthcare by Malaysians has consistently been the primary objective of the Ministry of Health (MOH). The epidemiological transition to chronic illnesses, advances in medical technology, escalating healthcare costs and rising patient expectations has necessitated the strategic use of information systems in healthcare delivery. Malaysia has broken new ground by implementing a nationwide network to address inadequate access to healthcare, as well as to lower costs and achieve better health outcomes. Teleconsultation refers to the electronic transmission of medical information and services from one site to another using telecommunication technologies. This technology transforms the healthcare system by rapidly matching patient needs with the appropriate level of care however geographically remote they may be. Our findings suggest that even in these early stages of implementation, teleconsultation has led to cost savings, a more efficient allocation of resources, enhanced diagnostic options and better health outcomes.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The effect of clonidine on the minimum local analgesic concentration of epidural ropivacaine during labor.
On the basis of the determination of minimum local analgesic concentration (MLAC), ropivacaine has been demonstrated to be less potent than bupivacaine during the first stage of labor. In this study we assessed the effect of clonidine on the MLAC of ropivacaine. Seventy-seven parturients of mixed parity requesting epidural analgesia for labor (cervical dilation, 3-7 cm) were included in the study. They received an epidural bolus of either ropivacaine (n = 30), ropivacaine plus clonidine 30 microg (n = 28), or ropivacaine plus clonidine 60 microg (n = 19) in the second part of the study. The concentration of the ropivacaine solution was determined by the response of the previous parturient in that group by using an up-down sequential allocation. A visual analog pain score of < or =10 mm within 30 min after the epidural bolus (20 mL) was considered an effective response. An effective result directed a 0.01% wt/vol decrement for the next patient. An ineffective result directed a 0.01% wt/vol increment. The MLAC of ropivacaine was 0.097% wt/vol (95% confidence interval, 0.085%-0.108%). It was unaffected by a 30-microg dose of epidural clonidine (0.081% [0.045%-0.117%]) but was significantly decreased by a 60-microg clonidine dose (0.035% [0.024%-0.046%]) (P < 0.001). This study documents a decrease in the MLAC of ropivacaine by clonidine, significant for a 60- microg dose. Epidural ropivacaine potency in labor can be increased by the addition of epidural clonidine. This study demonstrates that 60 microg of epidural clonidine significantly decreases the minimum local analgesic concentration of ropivacaine during the first stage of labor but is associated with sedation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of a bovine alpha-lactalbumin cDNA.
A cDNA clone for the bovine milk protein, alpha-lactalbumin (alpha LA), has been identified using a rat cDNA probe. The bovine cDNA clone is 703 nucleotides (nt) long, contains 8 nt of 5'-untranslated sequence and 269 nt of 3'-untranslated sequence. When compared with previously reported sequences, the bovine alpha LA mRNA sequence has 74% similarity with rat alpha LA mRNA, 79% similarity with human mRNA and 74% similarity with guinea pig mRNA.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Preweaning growth traits for Senepol, Hereford, and reciprocal crossbred calves and feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of steers.
We conducted a multiyear study in two phases to determine preweaning performance traits of Senepol (S x S), Hereford (H x H), and reciprocal (S x H and H x S) F1 crossbred calves and feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of steers. In Phase I, from 1985 to 1989, data from S x S (n = 194), H x H (n = 383), and S x H (n = 120) calves were used. Numbers of S x S cows were increased during Phase I so that data from H x S (n = 74) calves could be included in Phase II (1990 to 1992) in addition to S x S (n = 118), H x H (n = 130), and S x H (n = 56) calves. Also during Phase II, feedlot performance and carcass characteristics were determined for S x S (n = 30), H x H (n = 26), H x S (n = 36), and S x H (n = 26) steers. In Phase I, S x S calves had heavier (P < .01) birth weights and heavier (P < .01) 205-d adjusted weaning weights than H x H calves. Birth weights of S x H calves were heavier (P < .01) than the mean of the purebred calves, but 205-d adjusted weaning weights did not differ (P > .10). In phase II, direct heterosis was 3.5% for birth weight (P < .05) and 5.1% for 205-d adjusted weaning weight (P < .01). Senepol maternal breed effects were 1.9 kg for birth weight (P < .10) and 37.9 kg for 205-d adjusted weaning weight (P < .01). Levels of direct heterosis, Senepol maternal breed effects, and Hereford direct breed effects were significant for most feedlot performance traits of steer calves that were fed to a common end point. Breeds did not differ (P > .10) for USDA yield and quality grades, and direct heterosis was not significant for Warner-Bratzler shear force. These results demonstrate significant levels of heterosis in preweaning performance between S x S and H x H calves and in feedlot performance of steers. Levels of heterosis were smaller and nonsignificant for most carcass traits including meat tenderness, which did not differ between S x S and H x H steers in this study.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE PANUVEITIS AND BILATERAL SEROUS DETACHMENTS: MULTIMODAL IMAGING ANALYSIS.
To report the multimodal imaging findings and follow-up of a case of graft-versus-host disease-induced bilateral panuveitis and serous retinal detachments after allogenic bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia. A 75-year-old black man presented with acute decreased vision in both eyes for 1 week. Clinical examination and multimodal imaging, including spectral domain optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (Investigational Device; Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc) were performed. Clinical examination of the patient revealed anterior and posterior inflammation and bilateral serous retinal detachments. Ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence demonstrated hyperautofluorescence secondary to subretinal fluid; and fluorescein angiography revealed multiple areas of punctate hyperfluorescence, leakage, and staining of the optic discs. Spectral domain and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography demonstrated subretinal fluid, a thickened, undulating retinal pigment epithelium layer, and a thickened choroid in both eyes. En-face swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography did not show any retinal vascular abnormalities but did demonstrate patchy areas of decreased choriocapillaris flow. An extensive systemic infectious and malignancy workup was negative and the patient was treated with high-dose oral prednisone immunosuppression. Subsequent 6-month follow-up demonstrated complete resolution of the inflammation and bilateral serous detachments after completion of the prednisone taper over a 3-month period. Graft-versus-host disease panuveitis and bilateral serous retinal detachments are rare complications of allogenic bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia and can be diagnosed with clinical and multimodal imaging analysis. This form of autoimmune inflammation may occur after the recovery of T-cell activity within the donor graft targeting the host. Infectious and recurrent malignancy must be ruled out before initiation of immunosuppression, which can affectively treat this form of graft-versus-host disease.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Bile acid pattern in human amniotic fluid.
Individual bile acids were determined in twenty-nine amniotic fluid specimens obtained from twenty-six women between the 32nd and 41st week of gestation. Total bile acid concentration ranged from 0.4 to 4.8 mumol/l with a mean of 1.57 mumol/l. Besides the two major bile acids of man, cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid was found in all, lithocholic acid in ten and deoxycholic acid in nine of the twenty-nine amniotic fluid samples. 3beta-Hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid averaged 39.8% of total bile acids during 32-37 weeks of gestation and 20.2% at term (P less than 0.01). These findings point towards important differences between fetal and adult bile metabolism and may reflect maturation of hepatic bile acid biosynthesis near term.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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