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Nongastric marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: a prognostic model from a retrospective multicenter study.
The International Prognostic Index (IPI) and Follicular Lymphoma Prognostic Index (FLIPI) are used as prognostic indices for NHL and indolent lymphoma. However, marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZL) evidences a distinctive clinical presentation and a natural course; thus, in this study, we attempted to devise an adequate prognostic index for MZL. Two-hundred and five patients diagnosed with MZL were retrospectively reviewed. After analysis of the prognostic factors, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), we constructed a prognostic index of MZL (MZLPI) via the summation of each factor. We then compared PFS and OS with IPI, FLIPI, and MZLPI. According to our multivariate analysis, nodal MZL, ECOG performance > or = 2, and advanced stage were composed of MZLPI. MZLPI was grouped as follows: score 0 as a low-risk group, score 1 as an intermediate risk group, and score 2 as a high-risk group. The PFS curve, according to MZLPI results, evidenced a more discriminated pattern than IPI and FLIPI, and this was especially true in the intermediate risk group. In OS, MZLPI (P=0.0007) evidenced a more discriminated pattern than IPI (P=NS) or FLIPI (P=0.0044). MZLPI, which is constructed of relatively simple factors, may represent a useful prognostic index for the prediction of PFS and OS in MZL, and may also be used as a substitute for IPI or FLIPI. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Analysis of processing contaminants in edible oils. Part 1. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the direct detection of 3-monochloropropanediol monoesters and glycidyl esters.
A new analytical method has been developed and validated for the detection of glycidyl esters (GEs) and 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) monoesters in edible oils. The target compounds represent two classes of potentially carcinogenic chemical contaminants formed during the processing of edible oils. Target analytes are separated from edible oil matrices using a two-step solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure. The extracts are then analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization (ESI). Chromatographic conditions that separate sn-1 and sn-2 monoesters of 3-MCPD have been developed for the first time. The method has been validated for GEs, sn-1 3-MCPD monoesters of lauric, myristic, linolenic, linoleic, oleic, and stearic acids, and sn-2 3-MCPD monoesters of oleic and palmitic acids in coconut, olive, and palm oils using an external calibration curve. The range of average recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSDs) across the three oil matrices at three spiking concentrations are 84-115% (3-16% RSD) for the GEs, 95-113% (1-10% RSD) for the sn-1 3-MCPD monoesters, and 76.8-103% (5.1-11.2% RSD) for the sn-2 3-MCPD monoesters, with limits of quantitation at or below 30 ng/g for the GEs, 60 ng/g for sn-1 3-MCPD monoesters, and 180 ng/g for sn-2 3-MCPD monoesters. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Behavioral assessment of gambling: an application of the timeline followback method.
The Gambling Timeline Followback (G-TLFB), a measure of gambling behavior that uses the timeline followback methodology, was psychometrically evaluated with samples of frequent-gambling young adults. Seven dimensions of gambling behavior were assessed: type, frequency, duration, intent, risk, win-loss, and consumption of alcohol while gambling. The G-TLFB demonstrated adequate to excellent test-retest reliability with a sample of 57 frequent gamblers (r=.75 to.96) and with a group of 34 disordered gamblers (r=.73 to.93). With a separate sample of 58 frequent-gambling participants, convergent, concurrent, and discriminant validity were assessed. The G-TLFB correlated positively with daily self-monitoring reports (r=.59 to.87). The dimensions of frequency and duration demonstrated concurrent validity with gambling screening instruments, and standard drinks consumed while gambling demonstrated concurrent validity with a measure of alcohol misuse. The G-TLFB also demonstrated discriminant validity with demographic variables and a measure of positive impression management. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Does reduction of blood prolactin levels reveal the activation of central dopaminergic pathways conveying reward in top athletes?
Prolactin blood levels are modulated directly by CNS via the known tubero-infundibular dopaminergic neurons which exert an inhibitory action on lactotrope cells in the hypophysis. Prolactin is devoid of peripheral negative feedback and via lesser known central pathways (e.g., mesolimbic and mesocortical) might be further tuned by means of appropriate stimuli (e.g., addictive drugs, gambling, exercise and so forth). Therefore, a prolactin test can be utilised to obtain an objective index to assess the compliance to exercise in men. This index may be used to identify the most suitable athlete for a given sport and mainly to survey exercise as rewarding behaviour in trained people. Prolactin was assessed in male top world windsurfers (WS) and in a control group of non-windsurfer trained subjects (CS) during an exercise simulating marine windsurfing. The result was that prolactin levels decreased significantly in WS with respect to CS when compared with pre-test levels (WS: -22.7%; P<0.05). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Amyloidoma of the nose in a pediatric patient: a case report.
Localized amyloidosis in the head and neck is a rare and benign disease. Larynx is the most common site of involvement and accounts for 0.2% to 1.5% of benign laryngeal tumors. The oral cavity and pharynx may also be involved in localized amyloidosis of the head and neck. There are only 7 cases of localized nasopharyngeal amyloidosis, and 8 cases of localized nasal amyloidosis reported to date. Out of these 8 cases of nasal amyloidosis, only 1 of them is a pediatric patient. We present the second reported case of localized nasal amyloidosis in a pediatric patient. This case report describes a 10-year-old girl with a 1-year history of right-sided nasal obstruction and mucoid discharge. Examination revealed an irregular erythematous, waxy gray mass arising from the right inferior turbinate. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed the mass arising from the inferior turbinates, whereas other investigations excluded systemic amyloidosis. Histology from surgical excision revealed amyloidosis. This case illustrates that although amyloidoma of the nose is rare, it should also be considered as part of the differentials of a nasal mass even in pediatric patients. [Editorial comment: These authors demonstrate that an index of suspicion and confirmation of that suspicion through biopsy and subsequent pathologic evaluations Maybe the only way to avoid missing this potentially important cause of nasal obstruction.] | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lingual cortical mandibular defects: a radiographic incidence study.
Two thousand six hundred ninety-three oral panoramic radiographs were reviewed, and thirteen (0.48 percent) displayed changes characteristic of lingual cortical defects of the mandible. The abnormalities were almost equally distributed on the right and left sides, and none occurred bilaterally. All of the patients with the defects were adult males, and none of the areas was symptomatic. In one patient the defect was determined to have been present for 7 years with no discernible radiographic change. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The role of sodium in hypertension is more complex than simply elevating arterial pressure.
Excessive salt intake exacerbates hypertension and further increases left-ventricular mass in clinical essential and experimental hypertension. Additionally, a growing body of evidence strongly suggests that high dietary salt loading exerts detrimental cardiac effects independently of its hemodynamic load. The clinical evidence of cardiac structural and functional alterations associated with salt is, however, scarce. In order to explore the purported beliefs in humans, in this review we draw on our experimental studies in naturally occurring hypertension and discuss the clinical implications of the nonhemodynamic mechanisms underlying these salt-related changes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Advance and perspective of antiretroviral therapy].
More than 25 years have passed since HIV was identified as a causative agent of AIDS. In the monotherapy era, the efficacy of antiretroviral therapy was limited due to emergence of drug resistance. In late 1990s when the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was started to apply, the mortality of HIV infected people dramatically declined. Nowadays, more than 20 drugs are applicable and treatment regimen has become more potent and more convenient. However, emergence of multi-drug resistant HIV and long-term toxicity of antiretroviral is still remarkable concern. Raltegravir, the first approved integrase inhibitor (INI), shows preferable safety profile. When long-term reliability of INI is proven, antiretroviral combination will be individualized by choosing the optimal drug from 4 classes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Compositional domain immiscibility in whole myelin monolayers at the air-water interface and Langmuir-Blodgett films.
Monomolecular layers of whole myelin membrane can be formed at the air-water interface from vesicles or from solvent solution of myelin. The films appear microheterogeneous as seen by epifluorescence and Brewster angle microscopy. The pattern consists mainly of two coexisting liquid phases over the whole compression isotherm. The liquid nature of the phases is apparent from the fluorescent probe behavior, domain mobility, deformability and boundary relaxation due to the line tension of the surface domains. The monolayers were transferred to alkylated glass and fluorescently labeled against myelin components. The immunolabeling of two major proteins of myelin (myelin basic protein, proteolipid-DM20) and of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase shows colocalization with probes partitioning preferentially in liquid-expanded lipid domains also containing ganglioside G(M1). A different phase showing an enrichment in cholesterol, galactocerebroside and phosphatidylserine markers is also found. The distribution of components is qualitatively independent of the lateral surface pressure and is generally constituted by one phase enriched in charged components in an expanded state coexisting with another phase enriched in non-charged constituents of lower compressibility. The domain immiscibility provides a physical basis for the microheterogeneity found in this membrane model system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anti-CD200R2, anti-IL-9, anti-IL-35, or anti-TGF-β abolishes increased graft survival and Treg induction induced in cromolyn-treated CD200R1KO.CD200tg mice.
Rejection is associated with early degranulation (≥80%) of graft-infiltrating CD200R1 receptor-positive mast cells (MCs). Survival is increased, and MC degranulation is decreased, in CD200 mice but not in CD200R1KO mice. CD200 engagement of CD200R2 (not present on MCs) alters dendritic cell differentiation and enhances induction of Foxp3 regulatory T cells (Tregs). We investigated whether attenuation of MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate allowed CD200 to increase survival in CD200R1KO mice. C57BL/6 control, CD200R1KO, CD200, or CD200R1KO.CD200 mice received BALB/c grafts with or without treatment with cromoglycate. Survival was monitored daily from day 10, with mixed lymphocyte culture responses measured on day 14 or 21 and graft immunohistology performed on day 14. Decreased MC degranulation and increased graft Foxp3 Treg infiltration/survival occurred in CD200 mice and in CD200-treated control mice or CD200R1KO.CD200 mice receiving cromoglycate. Neutralizing anti-CD200 or anti-CD200R1/R2 monoclonal antibody caused graft rejection, as did anti-interleukin (IL)-9, anti-IL-35, or anti-transforming growth factor-β antibodies, with the latter also decreasing graft-infiltrating Tregs. These data imply a coordinated effect of MCs and Tregs on increased graft survival induced by CD200, with a critical role for IL-9, IL-35, and transforming growth factor-β in the development/function of Tregs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
DNA binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a human bronchial epithelial cell line treated with diesel and gasoline particulate extracts and benzo[a]pyrene.
Particulate matter of vehicle exhaust is known to contain carcinogenic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and is suggested to increase lung cancer risk in humans. This study examines the differences in diesel and gasoline-derived PAH binding to DNA in a human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B). Particulate matter (PM) of gasoline exhaust was collected from passenger cars on filters and semi-volatile compounds on polyurethane foam (PUF). The soluble organic fraction (SOF) extracted from the particles was used to expose the cells and to perform PAH analysis. Gasoline extracts, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and reference materials (SRM 1650 and 1587) were used to study dose-dependent adduct formation in BEAS-2B cells. The levels of DNA adducts were in good accord with the 10 DNA adduct-forming PAH concentrations analyzed in the extracts. Gasoline extracts, SRM 1650, SRM 1587 and B[a]P formed DNA adducts dose-dependently in BEAS-2B cells. The time-dependent DNA adduct formation of 5.0 micro M B[a]P was lower than that of 2.5 micro M B[a]P. The results of this study indicate that reformulated and standard diesel fuels formed about 11- and 31-fold more adducts than gasoline, respectively, when PAH-DNA adduct levels were calculated on an emission basis (adducts/mg PM/km), whereas on a particulate basis (adducts/mg PM) no difference between the diesel and gasoline extracts was observed. We conclude that the genotoxicity of diesel fuel is based on higher particulate emission rates compared to gasoline emission and although the concentration of PAH compounds was higher in diesel particulate extracts, DNA binding by the gasoline particulate-bound PAH compounds was more pronounced than that by the diesel particulate-bound PAH compounds. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Estimation of phosphorus content and dynamics during composting: use of near infrared spectroscopy.
The content and chemical forms of P in compost are essential variables for its proper management with an agricultural purpose, especially considering the increasing P over-fertilization in agrosystems. In this study, the estimation of P content and dynamics in different composting scenarios was developed using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with a statistical tool for calibration, a penalized signal regression. Samples were analyzed on total P and partitioned using NaOH-solution (31)P NMR spectroscopy quantifying pyrophosphate, orthophosphate, orthophosphate diesters, phospholipids, and orthophosphate monoesters pools. According to the results obtained, total P content (r(2)=0.99 and root mean square error of cross-validation=0.53) and P forms can be estimated during composting using NIRS, as well as in the mature product, orthophosphate and orthophosphate monoesters being the most abundant P forms throughout the experiment. Penalized signal regression allows detecting the significant wavenumbers in each composting period, and also with the different P pools in the composting pile depending on time. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vitamin D Status Increases During Pregnancy and in Response to Vitamin D Supplementation in Rural Gambian Women.
Vitamin D is important to maternal, fetal, and infant health, but quality data on vitamin D status in low- and middle-income countries and response to cholecalciferol supplementation in pregnancy are sparse. We characterized vitamin D status and vitamin D metabolite change across pregnancy and in response to cholecalciferol supplementation in rural Gambia. This study was a secondary analysis of samples collected in a 4-arm trial of maternal nutritional supplementation [iron folic acid (FeFol); multiple micronutrients (MMN); protein energy (PE) as lipid-based supplement; PE + MMN]; MMN included 10 μg/d cholecalciferol. Plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D3], 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [24,25(OH)2D3], and C3-epimer-25-hydroxycholecalciferol [3-epi-25(OH)D3] were measured by LC-MS/MS in 863 women [aged 30 ± 7 y (mean ± SD)] in early pregnancy (presupplementation) and late pregnancy, (gestational age 14 ± 3 and 30 ± 1 wk). Changes in 25(OH)D3 and vitamin D metabolite concentrations and associations with pregnancy stage and maternal age and anthropometry were tested. Early pregnancy 25(OH)D3 concentration was 70 ± 15 nmol/L and increased according to pregnancy stage (82 ± 18 and 87 ± 17 nmol/L in the FeFol and PE-arms) and to cholecalciferol supplementation (95 ± 19 and 90 ± 20 nmol/L in the MMN and PE + MMN-arms) (P < 0.0001). There was no difference between supplemented groups. Early pregnancy 25(OH)D3 was positively associated with maternal age and gestational age. Change in 25(OH)D3 was negatively associated with late pregnancy, but not early pregnancy, triceps skinfold thickness. The pattern of change of 24,25(OH)2D3 mirrored that of 25(OH)D3 and appeared to flatten as pregnancy progressed, whereas 3-epi-25(OH)D3 concentration increased across pregnancy. This study provides important data on the vitamin D status of a large cohort of healthy pregnant women in rural Africa. Without supplementation, vitamin D status increased during pregnancy, demonstrating that pregnancy stage should be considered when assessing vitamin D status. Nutritionally relevant cholecalciferol supplementation further increased vitamin D status. These data are relevant to the development of fortification and supplementation policies in pregnant women in West Africa. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison of outpatient visits and hospitalisations, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, before and after influenza vaccination.
To determine the effectiveness of influenza vaccination on acute respiratory illness (ARI) and on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) during a 2-year study conducted prior to and after influenza vaccination in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Eighty-seven male patients with COPD were stratified on the basis of their forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) as having mild, moderate and severe COPD. These patients were evaluated for a total duration of 2 years; 1 year prior to vaccination and for a period of 1 year following influenza vaccination. The vaccine (split virion, inactivated) composed of A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1); A/California/7/2004(H3N2) and B/Shanghai/361/2002 strains all with 15 mug of haemagglutinin in each 0.5 ml dose. The number of episodes and severity of ARI and AECOPD, classified as outpatient treatment, hospitalisation and requirement of mechanical ventilation, for a period of 1 year before and 1 year after influenza vaccination were recorded. The incidence of ARI and AECOPD was 28.6 per 100 person-years prior to vaccination and 9.7 per 100 person-years postvaccination [relative risk (RR) 0.33; p = 0.005). Among the exacerbations because of natural infections prior to vaccination the incidences were 16.12, 42.1 and 33.14 per 100 person-years in the patients with mild, moderate and severe COPD respectively. These were significantly lower following vaccination with the incidences being 6.5, 18.5 and 8.42 per 100 person-years in the same subgroup of patients. Vaccine effectiveness in patients with mild COPD was 60% RR, 0.4 (p = 0.26); in patients with moderate COPD was 60% RR, 0.4 (p = 0.56); and in patients with severe COPD was 75% RR, 0.25 (p = 0.02). The total number of outpatient visits and hospitalisations before vaccination was eight and 14, respectively for a duration of 1 year in the total 87 patients with COPD being studied which decreased significantly to four outpatient visits and four hospitalisations postvaccination (p = 0.02). The overall effectiveness of influenza vaccination was 67%. Influenza vaccination is highly effective in the prevention of ARI. Maximum protection was found to be in patients with severe COPD. Influenza vaccination in patients is associated with fewer outpatient visits and fewer hospitalisations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Calcein-modified multinanochannels on PET films for calcium-responsive nanogating.
Calcein-modified multiporous films with conical channels are introduced in a nanofluid device to enhance the calcium-responsive intensity and stability of ionic currents. Calcein with more carboxyls enhances the response of channels to calcium ions, and the capability of immobilized calcein for Ca(2+)-binding could be regulated by the deprotonation of these carboxyls. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ethnobotanical uses of medicinal plants in the highlands of Soan Valley, Salt Range, Pakistan.
Two thirds of the world's population relies on medicinal plants for centuries for several human pathologies. Present study aimed to identify, catalogue and document the large number of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Soan Valley, Salt Range, Pakistan. Informal interviews were conducted involving a total of 255 villagers (155 male and 65 female and 35 herbalists) to elicit the knowledge and use of medicinal plants. Local communities possessed knowledge of fifty eight (58) medicinal plant species belonging to thirty five (35) families to treat fifteen ailment categories. Whole plant and leaves were the most frequently used plant parts (24%) followed by seed (14%), root (12%), flower (7%), bulb (6%), fruit (4%), stem (3%), latex and rhizome (2%) and sap and gum (1%). Frequently used growth forms of medicinal plants were wild herbs (63%) followed by cultivated herbs (14%), wild trees (11%), wild shrubs (10%) and wild and cultivated herbs (2%). Preparations were administrated generally through oral and topical routes. Local people were familiar mostly with the species in order to deal common ailments particularly cough, cold, digestive problems, fever, headache, and skin infections. Complex ailments were treated by traditional healers. Justica adhatoda, Olea ferruginea, Amaranthus viridis and Mentha royleana were identified as plants with high use value (UV). This study revealed that the area harbors high diversity of medicinal flora. Despite gradual socio-cultural transformation, local communities still hold ample knowledge of plants and their uses. The reliance on traditional medicines was associated with the lack of modern health care facilities, poverty and the traditional belief of their effectiveness. Medicinal plants play a significant role in management of various human diseases in the study area. A high degree of consensus among the informants was an indicative that plant use and knowledge were still strong, and preservation of this knowledge showed good foresight in the future. Awareness was thus needed to be raised among local people on sustainable utilization and management of plant resources. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Zinc oxide nanoparticles alter hatching and larval locomotor activity in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NP) are extensively used in various consumer products such as sunscreens and cosmetics, with high potential of being released into aquatic environments. In this study, fertilized zebrafish (Danio rerio) eggs were exposed to various concentrations of ZnO NP suspensions (control, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10mg/L) or their respective centrifuged supernatants (0.03, 0.01, 0.08, 0.17, 0.75, and 1.21mg/L dissolved Zn ions measured) until reaching free swimming stage. Exposure to ZnO NP suspensions and their respective centrifuged supernatants caused similar hatching delay, but did not cause larval mortality or malformation. Larval activity level, mean velocity, and maximum velocity were altered in the groups exposed to high concentrations of ZnO NP (5-10mg/L) but not in the larvae exposed to the supernatants. To evaluate possible mechanism of observed effects caused by ZnO NP, we also manipulated the antioxidant environment by co-exposure to an antioxidant compound (N-acetylcysteine, NAC) or an antioxidant molecule suppressor (buthionine sulfoximine, BSO) with 5mg/L ZnO NP. Co-exposure to NAC did not alter the effects of ZnO NP on hatchability, but co-exposure to BSO caused further hatching delay. For larval locomotor activity, co-exposure to NAC rescued the behavioral effect caused by ZnO NP, but co-exposure to BSO did not exacerbate the effect. Our data indicated that toxicity of ZnO NP cannot be solely explained by dissolved Zn ions, and oxidative stress may involve in ZnO NP toxicity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Orthostatic Hypotension and Cardiac Changes After Long-Term Follow-Up.
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) increases the risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in population-based cohort studies. Whether OH is associated with development of cardiac anomalies has not been sufficiently explored. In the prospective population-based Malmö Preventive Project (MPP), a subset of 974 non-diabetic individuals (mean age: 67 years; 29% women) were examined with echocardiography after a mean follow-up period of 23±4 years from baseline. The association of increased left ventricular mass (LVM), pathological cardiac chamber volumes, echocardiographic parameters of systolic and diastolic dysfunction in relation to the presence of OH at baseline, defined as decrease in systolic ≥20mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥10mm Hg upon standing, was studied. Among reexamined MPP participants, 40 (4.1%) met OH criteria during baseline screening. In the multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, taking demographics, BP, and antihypertensive treatment (AHT) into account, OH predicted left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (hazard ratio (HR): 1.97, 1.01-3.84; P = 0.047), decreased right chamber volume (HR: 1.74, 1.19-2.57; P = 0.005), and reduced early diastolic tissue velocity in septal wall (HR: 1.47, 1.01-2.14; P = 0.045). No significant associations were seen between OH and atrial chamber volumes, LV volume, and LV systolic function. The presence of OH among middle-aged adults is associated with the development of structural cardiac changes such as LVH and declining right chamber volume, as well as with the development of diastolic dysfunction, independently of traditional risk factors. These findings may contribute to the understanding of how prevalent OH impacts the risk of CVD. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The human stress-activated protein kinase-interacting 1 gene encodes JNK-binding proteins.
The orthologous proteins of the stress-activated protein kinase-interacting 1 (Sin1) family have been implicated in several different signal transduction pathways. In this study, we have investigated the function of the full-length human Sin1 protein and a C-terminally truncated isoform, Sin1alpha, which is produced by alternative splicing. Immunoblot analysis using an anti-Sin1 polyclonal antibody showed that full-length Sin1 and several smaller isoforms are widely expressed. Sin1 was demonstrated to bind to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in vitro and in vivo, while no interaction with p38- or ERK1/2-family MAPKs was observed. The Sin1alpha isoform could also form a complex with JNK in vivo. Despite localizing in distinct compartments within the cell, both Sin1 and Sin1alpha co-localized with JNK, suggesting that the Sin1 proteins could recruit JNK. Over-expression of full-length Sin1 inhibited the activation of JNK by UV-C in DG75 cells, as well as basal JNK-activity in HEK293 cells. These data suggest that the human Sin1 proteins may act as scaffold molecules in the regulation of signaling by JNK. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Oral contraceptives and the periodontium.
Oral contraceptives are a safe and effective means of contraception for millions of women worldwide. The first formulations of these drugs contained much higher doses of estrogens and progestins than those available today, and these were associated with an unacceptably high rate of unwanted effects including serious cardiovascular events. In addition, a number of case reports and clinical studies suggested that use of the first generation oral contraceptives was also associated with an increased risk for gingival and/or periodontal disease. Unfortunately, many of these early studies suffered from significant methodological flaws which throw their findings into question. Nonetheless, these studies provided the basis for a perception among the dental profession that oral contraceptives increase the risk for gingivitis and/or periodontitis. Realisation that the adverse events profile of oral contraceptives was dose dependant led to the development of the modern low dose formulations that are in use today. There have been far fewer studies to investigate whether modern oral contraceptives have any impact on the periodontium compared to studies of the early contraceptive formulations, but the quality of the more recent research is undoubtedly better. Following extensive review of the relevant literature and consideration of the historical perspective, the best available evidence strongly supports that oral contraceptives no longer place users at any increased risk for gingivitis or periodontitis. Oral contraceptives should not be viewed as a risk factor for gingival or periodontal disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Estimating the cost of school sealant programs with minimal data.
Develop methodology to estimate the annual cost of resources used by school sealant programs (SSPs) and demonstrate its use. We used existing literature and expert opinion to identify SSP cost components and the most appropriate units for their measurement (e.g., per operator) and collection frequency (e.g., per day). For equipment and reusable instruments, costs were sufficiently homogenous across SSPs that we could provide default per unit cost estimates (2016 US$) that SSPs can use in lieu of collecting their own data. We also provide default costs for supply items such that SSPs can estimate total supply costs with program-specific information on sealant material used, as well as number of: sealant stations, operators, service delivery days, children screened/sealed, and number of teeth sealed. For the remaining three categories (labor, mileage, and administrative), costs varied substantially by SSP and required us to develop and pilot collection logs for program-specific data. The annual cost per sealant station ranged from $584 to $797 depending on program characteristics. For a hypothetical SSP that staffed each of two stations with two operators (hygienist and assistant) compensated at the national rate, hourly labor costs would equal $77.97. Assuming this SSP used disposable instruments, light-cured sealants and delivered sealants (3 per child) to 60 percent of the 3,390 children screened over 100 service days, infection control/supply costs per child would equal $5.30. This methodology allows SSPs to estimate costs with minimal data collection and time. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Glutathione-capped gold nanoclusters as photosensitizers. Visible light-induced hydrogen generation in neutral water.
Glutathione-capped metal nanoclusters (Aux-GSH NCs) which exhibit molecular-like properties are employed as a photosensitizer for hydrogen generation in a photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) and a photocatalytic slurry reactor. The reversible reduction (E(0) = -0.63 V vs RHE) and oxidation (E(0) = 0.97 and 1.51 V vs RHE) potentials of these metal nanoclusters make them suitable for driving the water-splitting reaction. When a mesoscopic TiO2 film sensitized by Aux-GSH NCs is used as the photoanode with a Pt counter electrode in aqueous buffer solution (pH = 7), we observe significant photocurrent activity under visible light (400-500 nm) excitation. Additionally, sensitizing Pt/TiO2 nanoparticles with Aux-GSH NCs in an aqueous slurry system and irradiating with visible light produce H2 at a rate of 0.3 mmol of hydrogen/h/g of Aux-GSH NCs. The rate of H2 evolution is significantly enhanced (∼5 times) when a sacrificial donor, such as EDTA, is introduced into the system. Using metal nanoclusters as a photosensitizer for hydrogen generation lays the foundation for the future exploration of other metal nanoclusters with well-controlled numbers of metal atoms and capping ligands. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The role of sentinel lymph node mapping in staging of colon and rectal cancer.
Nodal metastasis is the best predictor of survival for patients with colon cancer. Statistical models based on random distribution of positive lymph nodes suggest that to correctly classify nodal status with 95 percent confidence, 20 nodes are needed for T1 lesions, 17 nodes for T2, and 15 nodes for T3. The mean number of nodes identified in American patients is 8, suggesting that they might not be accurately staged. Patients in our tumor registry staged as "node-negative" had a short survival when they had < or =10 lymph nodes evaluated when compared with patients with >10 lymph nodes evaluated (p < 0.01). We hypothesized that the use of sentinel lymph node may assist in the staging of colon cancer. Thirty-eight consecutive patients with colon lesions were prospectively enrolled into this trial between February 1998 and November 1999. Thirty-one patients met criteria for analysis. During surgery, Lymphazurin blue dye was injected subserosally into the area around the tumor. Routine nodal evaluation, with extra cuts of all sentinel nodes, was undertaken. At least one sentinel lymph node was found in 18 of 31 patients (58 percent). Sensitivity of 67 percent, specificity and positive predictive value of 100 percent, and negative predictive value of 94 percent were found when sentinel lymph nodes were identified. In 2 of these 18 patients, the sentinel lymph node was the only positive lymph node found. Application of the sentinel lymph node technique to colon cancer may make it easier to identify lymph nodes most likely to contain metastatic disease, potentially "down-staging" more patients. This may have implications in postoperative care. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Arginine residues within the DNA binding domain of STAT3 promote intracellular shuttling and phosphorylation of STAT3.
Acetylation-dependent inactivation of STAT1 can be mimicked by the exchange of its lysine residues K410 and K413 to glutamine residues. STAT3 harbors non-acetylatable arginine moieties at the corresponding sites R414 and R417. It is unclear whether the mutation of these sites to glutamine residues antagonizes STAT3 activation. Here, we show that an arginine-glutamine-exchange at the STAT3 moieties R414 and R417 (R414Q and R417Q) reduces cytokine-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3. This inhibitory effect can be partially rescued by phosphatase inhibition. In addition, the R414Q and R417Q mutations enhance the nuclear accumulation of unphosphorylated STAT3. STAT3 R414Q and STAT3 R417Q show a reduced response to cytokine stimulation emanating from the plasma membrane. Moreover, these STAT3 mutants have no direct inhibitory effect on the cytokine-induced activation of STAT1/STAT3-mediated gene expression. Since the mutations R414Q and R417Q reside within the STAT3 DNA binding domain (DBD), the STAT3 R414Q and R417Q mutants also lack intrinsic activity as transcription factors. Furthermore, in contrast to wild-type STAT3 they cannot compensate for a loss of STAT1 and they cannot promote STAT1/STAT3-dependent transcriptional activation. We further analyzed a STAT3 arginine-lysine-exchange mutant (R414K/R417K). This molecule mimics corresponding lysine residues found within the DBD of STAT1. Compared to wild-type STAT3, the STAT3 R414K/R417K mutant shows attenuated tyrosine phosphorylation and it is a less active transcription factor. In addition, STAT3 R414K/R417K is not activated by deacetylase inhibition. On the other hand, C-terminal acetylation of STAT3 is intact in STAT3 R414K/R417K. Our results suggest that the exchange of amino acid residues within the DBDs of STAT1/STAT3 affects their phosphorylation as well as their intracellular shuttling. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The matching of wedge transmission factors across six multi-energy linear accelerators.
Elekta Precise linear accelerators create a wedged isodose distribution using a single, fixed, motorized wedge with a nominal wedge angle of 60 degrees. Wedge angles of less than 60 degrees can be produced by varying the proportion of open and wedge monitor units for a given exposure. The fixed wedge can be replaced with a mobile wedge, the position of which can be moved in order to adjust the wedge transmission factor (WTF). Using the original fixed wedges installed in our fleet of six Elekta accelerators, we found a range of 4% in measured wedge transmission factor for 6 MV beams. Results are presented which demonstrate that by using the mobile wedge it is possible to match the wedge transmission factors to within 1% for the six linear accelerators over three energies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inflammation and metastases.
Results of experimental studies on cancer dissemination, as well as certain clinical observations, strongly suggest a relation between inflammation and tumor spread. Surgical trauma and postoperative septic complications can result in severe inflammation and in consequence worsening prognosis after curative surgery for colorectal cancer. Clinical signs of inflammation, such as fever, elevated leucocytosis and/or C-reactive protein seem to be of poor prognostic significance, heralding recurrence of cancer. If so, it could be hypothesized that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may play a beneficial role in reduction of cancer relapses. To evaluate the above hypothesis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are suggested as an adjuvant postoperative treatment in a clinical trial on humans. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability: focus on the oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress in orchestrating the macrophage apoptosis in the formation of the necrotic core.
Although the understanding the pathophysiology of atherogenesis and atherosclerosis progression has been one of the major goals of cardiovascular research during the last decades, the precise mechanisms underlying plaque destabilization are still unknown. The disruption of the plaque and the thrombosis in the lumen that are mostly determined by the expansion of the necrotic core (NC) are driven by various mechanisms, including accelerated macrophage apoptosis and defective phagocytic clearance (defective efferocytosis). Oxidative stress is implicated in the expansion of the NC: in fact, many oxidized compounds and processes contribute to the macrophage apoptosis; in addition, the oxidized derivatives of polyunsatured fatty acids promote defective efferocytosis, with the final result of NC expansion. In the last years the role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is under investigation to better define its possible contribution in affecting the NC expansion. The abnormal amount of apoptotic cells in the vulnerable plaque has been demonstrated to be related both to the sustained ER stress and to the expression of survival and protective genes, such as the unfolded protein response or/and the nuclear erytroid- related factor 2. In this review the authors focus on the promising results of the oxidative and ER stress in contributing to triggering and orchestrating the atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Conjunctival eosinophils in compound 48/80 rabbit model.
Compound 48/80 (N-methyl-p-methoxyphenethylamine formaldehyde condensation product) was used to selectively degranulate mast cells to induce conjunctival eosinophilia in 12 rabbits. Biopsy specimens of bulbar conjunctiva showed that eosinophils were present in all treated eyes. With repeated treatments the number of eosinophils increased; these cells were concentrated in the subepithelial and epithelial zones by day 3. Eosinophils were not found on scrapings of the bulbar conjunctiva in 75% of the rabbits that received single or multiple treatments. We conclude that deep and superficial eosinophil infiltration may be present even when eosinophils are not seen on conjunctival scrapings. Therefore, the absence of eosinophils in scrapings should not rule out the diagnosis of ocular allergy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Effect of pregnancy on the state of the hemostatic system in intact and thymectomized rats].
Thymectomized rats developed hypercoagulation and inhibition of fibrinolysis. At the same time such animals showed a tendency towards a higher aggregation of platelets and enhanced antiaggregation activity of the vascular wall. Pregnant rats, both intact and thymectomized, exhibited hypocoagulation and inhibition of fibrinolysis. It is believed that the lack of differences in the hemostasis might be accounted for by activation of secretory function of the thymus in fetuses of pregnant thymectomized rats. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Use of quality checklists and need for disease-specific guidance in economic evaluations: a meta-review.
Economic evaluations have become an essential part of reimbursement decisions in a wide range of countries. To ensure high quality, a variety of checklists with different purposes have been developed and implemented enabling assessment of these evaluations. Three of these checklists are most frequently used and are recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews for critical appraisal (Drummond, CHEC and Philips). Every checklist is developed with a different purpose having, for example, a focus on reporting or conducting and on modeling or trial-based evaluations. This review outlines the heterogeneity in choice and implementation of these quality checklists in an incorrect manner. This ultimately results in under- and even possibly overestimation of quality of included economic evaluations. More guidance in selecting correct checklists suiting the purpose of the quality check is therefore of utmost importance. Moreover, it appears that current checklists are lacking detailed disease-specific guidance resulting in models not correctly reflecting disease progression. Therefore, outcomes indicate that the problem of the wide variability of methodological choices is prevalent in some other disease areas too, regardless of the availability of quality checklists. More international collaboration should therefore be initiated in developing and publishing standardized and open source disease-specific reference models to overcome this problem. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Positive skin tests to fern spore extracts in atopic patients.
Thirty-six atopic and eight non-atopic adult volunteers who had been exposed to ferns in their homes, were skin tested with extracts obtained from seven species of house ferns. Out of the 36 atopic patients, 18 had positive skin reactions to at least one out of seven species of the most common house ferns, whereas none of the non-atopic, healthy controls had positive reactions to any of the ferns. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A BAC contig map of the Ly49 gene cluster in 129 mice reveals extensive differences in gene content relative to C57BL/6 mice.
The murine Ly49 gene family is functionally analogous to the human killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) family of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) receptors. The number of KIR genes varies dramatically between individuals; however, the organization of the Ly49 genes has only been determined for the C57BL/6 (B6) mouse. The organization of the 129 Ly49 loci was determined from a BAC contig map by PCR and Southern blot analysis. In addition to the 10 Ly49 genes known from previous studies of the 129/J strain, 8 new genes were localized to the 129 Ly49 cluster. A gene order of Ly49q(1), e, (v, q(2)), e/c(2), l/r, s, t, e/c(1), r, u, u/i, i(1), g, p/d, (i(2), p), and o was determined. The 129 Ly49 gene cluster is predicted to span approximately 600 kb. These results indicate that Ly49 gene numbers can be significantly different between inbred mouse strains, analogous to the haplotype differences observed in the human KIR genes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pathogen inactivation efficacy of Mirasol PRT System and Intercept Blood System for non-leucoreduced platelet-rich plasma-derived platelets suspended in plasma.
This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of pathogen inactivation (PI) in non-leucoreduced platelet-rich plasma-derived platelets suspended in plasma using the Mirasol PRT System and the Intercept Blood System. Platelets were pooled using the Acrodose PL system and separated into two aliquots for Mirasol and Intercept treatment. Four replicates of each viral strain were used for the evaluation. For bacteria, both low-titre (45-152 CFU/unit) inoculation and high-titre (7·34-10·18 log CFU/unit) inoculation with two replicates for each bacterial strain were used. Platelets with non-detectable bacterial growth and platelets inoculated with a low titre were stored for 5 days, and culture was performed with the BacT/ALERT system. The inactivation efficacy expressed as log reduction for Mirasol and Intercept systems for viruses was as follows: human immunodeficiency virus 1, ≥4·19 vs. ≥4·23; bovine viral diarrhoea virus, 1·83 vs. ≥6·03; pseudorabies virus, 2·73 vs. ≥5·20; hepatitis A virus, 0·62 vs. 0·76; and porcine parvovirus, 0·28 vs. 0·38. The inactivation efficacy for bacteria was as follows: Escherichia coli, 5·45 vs. ≥9·22; Staphylococcus aureus, 4·26 vs. ≥10·11; and Bacillus subtilis, 5·09 vs. ≥7·74. Postinactivation bacterial growth in platelets inoculated with a low titre of S. aureus or B. subtilis was detected only with Mirasol. Pathogen inactivation efficacy of Intercept for enveloped viruses was found to be satisfactory. Mirasol showed satisfactory inactivation efficacy for HIV-1 only. The two selected non-enveloped viruses were not inactivated by both systems. Inactivation efficacy of Intercept was more robust for all bacteria tested at high or low titres. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of interleukin-11 with and without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on in vivo neonatal rat hematopoiesis: induction of neonatal thrombocytosis by interleukin-11 and synergistic enhancement of neutrophilia by interleukin-11 + granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.
IL-11, a new hematopoietic cytokine isolated from primate stromal cells (PU-34), has been shown to act synergistically with IL-3 to induce proliferation of early hematopoietic stem cells and induce in vitro CFU-MEG proliferation. We hypothesize that recombinant human (rh)IL-11 alone or in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) might modulate newborn in vivo granulopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were given 14 d of intraperitoneal rhIL-11 (0-250 micrograms/kg x 14 d), rhIL-11 (250 micrograms/kg) + rhG-CSF (5 micrograms/kg simultaneously x 14 d), rhIL-11 x 7 d followed by G-CSF x 7 d, G-CSF x 14 d, PBS/human serum albumin x 7 d followed by G-CSF x 7 d, or PBS/human serum albumin x 14 d. rhIL-11 alone had no effect on the circulating hematocrit or absolute neutrophil count. There was, however, a significant increase in the circulating platelet count after rhIL-11 (100 and 250 micrograms/kg) versus PBS/human serum albumin (d 13: 1241 +/- 54, 1262 +/- 58 versus 939 +/- 38 k/mm3; p = 0.01). Sequential and simultaneous IL-11 + G-CSF caused a significant increase in the marrow neutrophil reserve and the circulating absolute neutrophil count above that observed when G-CSF alone was administered. IL-11 +/- G-CSF, however, failed to reduce the 96-h mortality rate during experimental group B streptococcal sepsis. These data suggest that IL-11 alone results in a significant elevation in the blood platelet concentration and, in combination with G-CSF, induces an increase in in vivo neonatal rat myelopoiesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Distribution of Bacteria in Dental Offices and the Impact of Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfecting Wipes.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the occurrence of heterotrophic plate count bacteria (HPCs), fecal bacterial indicators, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on hard, nonporous surfaces (fomites) commonly found in dental offices, and to assess the impact of a hygienic disinfection intervention on the reduction of these bacteria in the office setting.Methods: Samples of various fomites were collected from dental offices located in Arizona (6) and Illinois (4) and assayed for HPCs, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and MRSA in order to establish baseline bacterial levels. Dental office personnel were then provided with disposable disinfectant wipes containing hydrogen peroxide to use in the office, and the surfaces were subsequently resampled to assess their impact on the specified bacterial populations.Results: The greatest numbers of HPCs were found on the patients' arm rest and office phones, with dental tool handles and the dentist examination lights yielding the lowest levels. Coliform bacteria and E. coli were also detected on those surfaces demonstrating the highest HPCs, and were cultured from other fomites as well. MRSA was also isolated from 5% of the fomites tested. The use of disinfectant wipes significantly reduced the numbers of HPC bacteria detected on fomites (p=0.002). No total coliforms, E. coli, or MRSA were cultured from disinfected fomites following the hygienic intervention.Conclusion: The use of hydrogen peroxide-impregnated towelettes reduced total bacterial numbers on fomites commonly located in dental offices. Total coliforms, E. coli, and MRSA were reduced to levels below detection. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Geometrical optics approach to the intensity distribution in finite cylindrical media.
When irradiated unilaterally, certain cylindrical fungi act like a cylindrical lens. This behavior is the basis of phototropism (directed growth caused by asymmetrical illumination). A quantitative treatment of phototropism implies the description of light distribution at the inner boundary of finite nonscattering and weakly scattering homogeneous and radially stratified cylindrical media. This problem is solved using geometrical optics. First parameter representations for caustic and wavefronts within a homogeneous cylinder are derived. Then, the lens properties of the system are expressed by expansion coefficients. Geometrical optics fails at the caustic; there the field distribution is calculated with Airy functions. On the basis of intensity distributions, formulas for the absorption of light by oriented photoreceptors located at the wall of the system are derived. The theory is then applied to a special biological object. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Results of the celioscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux according to Nissen-Rossetti. Apropos of 94 cases].
From January 1992 to July 1993, 94 patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux and/or hiatal hernia underwent laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication. The median follow-up was 4.5 months. There was no conversion to open surgery and no postoperative mortality. Laparoscopic reoperation was necessary in 2 patients haemorrhage and there were 2 cases of food impaction. 6 patients developed a chest postoperative infection. 6 cases of dysphagia extending beyond 2 months were observed. In 3 of these cases, endoscopic dilatation provided effective treatment of dysphagia, and in 3 others, a further laparoscopic operation achieved cure. We observed 2 relapses of hiatal hernia, one of which was a voluminous recurrent paraesophageal hernia, and the other was a patient with slipped-Nissen. 84% of patients were satisfied with the surgical result. Laparoscopic fundoplication is an effective the treatment for gastroesophageal reflux. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A stable silver metallacage with solvatochromic and mechanochromic behavior for white LED fabrication.
A novel luminescent metallacage was prepared by coordinating silver with benzimidazole tetraphenylethylene. It possesses high stability and strong fluorescence not only in dilute solutions but also in the aggregated state. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Genetic footprints of adaptive divergence in the bracovirus of Cotesia sesamiae identified by targeted resequencing.
The African parasitoid wasp Cotesia sesamiae is a generalist species structured in locally adapted populations showing differences in host range. The recent discovery of Cotesia typhae, a specialist, sister species to C. sesamiae, provides a good framework to study the genetic determinants of parasitoid host range. To investigate the genomic bases of divergence between these populations and species, we used a targeted sequencing approach on 24 samples. We targeted the bracovirus genomic region encoding virulence genes involved in the interaction with the lepidopteran hosts of the wasps. High sequencing coverage was obtained for all samples, allowing the study of genetic variation between wasp populations and species. By combining population genetic estimations, such as nucleotide diversity (π), relative differentiation (FST ) and absolute divergence (dxy ), with branch-site dN/dS measures, we identified six of 98 bracovirus genes showing significant divergence and evidence of positive selection. These genes, belonging to different gene families, are potentially involved in host adaptation and in the specialization process. Fine-scale analyses of genetic variation also revealed mutations and large deletions in certain genes inducing pseudogenization and loss of function. The image emerging from these results is that adaptation mediated by bracovirus genes happens through selection of particularly adaptive alleles and loss of nonadaptive genes. These results highlight the central role of the bracovirus in the molecular interactions between the wasps and their hosts and in the evolutionary processes of specialization. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of phenazine methosulphate on intermediary pathways of glucose metabolism in the lens at different glycaemic levels.
In this study changes in alternative pathways of glucose metabolism are examined in the rat lens using radiolabelled glucose in a 1 hr in vitro incubation of 50 mM or 10 mM glucose with or without 0.1 mM phenazine methosulphate (PMS). PMS which reoxidizes NADPH ensures that the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is not limited by the supply of NADP+. The data shows that maximal activation of the PPP (with PMS) is 40% greater at high glucose concentrations than normal glucose. This difference in maximal stimulation may be explained by the increase glucose uptake in the hyperglycaemic incubation. In the high-glucose incubation with PMS, hexokinase activity and the glucose 6-phosphate pool is not limiting for the PPP. Under these conditions, PMS alter the NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH ratio. The change in the redox state alters the flux through the polyol pathway, the glycerol 3-phosphate shuttle and the glycolytic control sites, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate, pyruvate and lactate dehydrogenases. These results are discussed in relation to hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pancreaticopleural fistula.
Pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) is an unusual complication of chronic pancreatitis. Its diagnosis is obscured by predominance of pulmonary symptoms. A review of clinical presentation, etiology, diagnostic, and treatment modalities is presented in context of 2 cases from our institution. Case reports and case series of PPFs in the English literature from 1960 to 2007 were identified in the PubMed, OVID, and EMBASE search engines. Fifty-two cases of PPF were identified. Common presenting complaint was dyspnea (65%) followed by abdominal pain (29%), cough (27%) and chest pain (23%). Computed tomography scanning diagnosed PPF in 8 (47%) of 17 patients, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography diagnosed PPF in 25 (78%) of 32 patients, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography diagnosed PPF in 8 (80%) of 10 patients. Twenty-one patients (65%) improved with conservative management alone. Interventional therapy (5 endoscopic and 6 surgical interventions) was eventually needed in 35% of the patients after failing conservative management. Pancreaticopleural fistula is a rare finding and requires a high index of suspicion for patients presenting with chest symptoms or pleural effusion and with history of pancreatitis or alcoholism. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is the better initial choice for being a noninvasive procedure and for better demonstration of complete main pancreatic duct obstruction. Restoring anatomic continuity is important if conservative approach fails. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antimutagenic Effects of Polymethoxy Flavonoids of Citrus unshiu.
Citrus fiits have been used as edible fruit and traditional medicine for various diseases such as cancer. In the courses of our study to find antimutagens, we have found that.the ethanolic extract of the peel of Citrus unshiu Marc showed antimutagenic effects against several mutagens in the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 strain. Three polymethoxy flavonoids, nobiletin, 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone, and tangeretin, were identified in the extract as major constituents. These three polymethoxy flavonoids showed antimutagenic effects in the Ames test in vitro and in the micronucleus test in vivo. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Association of CD14 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms with inflammatory microRNAs expression levels in ankylosing spondylitis and polyarthralgia.
This study aimed to investigate the genetic basis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and polyarthralgia (PA) conditions among Indian subjects through genotyping two immune regulatory genes CD14 (-159C>T) and MIF (-173G>C) and find their association with the expression levels of three circulating inflammatory miRNAs. This investigation may provide early genetic cause of these two forms of arthritis and more optimal biological targets to predict early therapeutic outcomes. A total of 140 patients (AS: 70 and PA: 70) and 156 controls were recruited from Indian population. CD14 and MIF genotyping was performed using ARMS-PCR. Expression level of three inflammatory miRNAs (miRNA-146a, miRNA-155 and miRNA-181) was quantified using RT-qPCR. C/T genotype of CD14 gene was found to cause 2.06-fold risk of developing AS (CI 1.06-5.98, p = .04) as compared to others and G/C genotype in MIF also shown significant variation between AS and control subjects. In PA subjects, CD14 genotypes (C/T) was found to be associated with disease susceptibility and G/C genotype of MIF gene polymorphism showed 4.71-fold risk of developing PA (CI 2.58-8.62, p = .0001). The study also revealed significant upregulation of miRNA-155 expression in AS subjects (p = .0001) with more than 1.3-fold difference between AS and PA as compared to the control subjects. miRNA-155 had strong association with AS patients with CD14 genotypes (p < .05) than PA and control subjects. This study provides better understanding of the mechanisms and disease susceptibility for MIF and CD14 genetic variants and inflammatory miRNAs networks involved in AS and PA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Treatment of scaphoid waist nonunions with an avascular proximal pole and carpal collapse. Surgical technique.
Surgically, it is difficult to achieve union of a scaphoid nonunion that is associated with osteonecrosis of the proximal pole, and those with carpal collapse are especially difficult to treat. A variety of vascularized bone grafts can be used. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two types of vascularized bone graft -- a distal radial pedicle graft and a free vascularized medial femoral condyle graft -- in the treatment of scaphoid waist nonunions associated with proximal pole osteonecrosis and carpal collapse. A retrospective review was conducted at two institutions to identify all patients with a scaphoid waist nonunion associated with an avascular proximal pole and carpal collapse. Between January 1994 and June 2006, twenty-two such nonunions were identified in twenty-two patients. Ten were treated with a distal radial pedicle vascularized graft and twelve, with a free vascularized medial femoral condyle graft. Patient demographics were similar between the groups, and the duration of follow-up averaged twelve months. Union was determined with use of plain radiographs and computed tomography or trispiral tomograms. In addition, carpal angles, time to union, union rates, and complications were recorded. Four of the ten nonunions treated with the distal radial pedicle graft healed, at a median of nineteen weeks, and all twelve nonunions treated with the free medial femoral condyle graft healed, at a median of thirteen weeks. The rate of union was significantly higher (p = 0.005) and the median time to healing was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) for the nonunions treated with the medial femoral condyle graft. A vascularized interposition graft from the medial femoral condyle is the recommended vascularized bone graft for the surgical treatment of scaphoid waist nonunion with avascularity of the proximal pole and carpal collapse. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
De novo design of monomeric beta-hairpin and beta-sheet peptides.
Since the first report in 1993 (JACS 115, 5887-5888) of a peptide able to form a monomeric beta-hairpin structure in aqueous solution, the design of peptides forming either beta-hairpins (two-stranded antiparallel beta-sheets) or three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheets has become a field of intense interest. These studies have yielded great insights into the principles governing the stability and folding of beta-hairpins and antiparallel beta-sheets. This chapter reviews briefly those principles and describes a protocol for the de novo design of beta-sheet-forming peptides based on them. Criteria to select appropriate turn and strand residues and to avoid aggregation are provided. Because nuclear magnetic resonance is the most appropriate technique to check the success of new designs, the nuclear magnetic resonance parameters characteristic of beta-hairpins and three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheets are given. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Oral anticoagulants and atrial fibrillation].
Oral anticoagulants (OA) are effective in the prevention of cerebrovascular events among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, several studies showed OA to be widely underused in these patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of OA and associated factors with non-use of this treatment. We conducted a retrospective study of 233patients affected by non valvular AF hospitalized in our institution between 2005 and 2007. Patients were stratified in three groups for stroke's risk (high, moderate and low) according to the international antithrombotic therapy recommendations. The average age of our patients was 64+/-14 years, with 35% of subjects being older than 75years. Hypertension was the more frequently reported risk factor for stroke (61%), followed by diabetes mellitus (19%) and congestive heart failure (12%). Five percent of the patients reported a stroke or a systemic embolic event history. Of the 233patients studied, 48% were stratified to the high risk group, among them 75% were being treated with OA, 20% with Aspirin and 5% were taking no medications. To explore possible reasons for not prescribing anticoagulation, we analysed 27patients at high risk who did not receive OA. We found a low benefit/risk ratio (37%), neuropsychological impairment in 5%, a past bleeding episode in 6% but almost 50% of those patients reported no risk factors for haemorrhage. In our retrospective study, among 25% high-risk patients with non valvular AF were not treated with OA and one half of the patients report none of the factors associated with perceived or actual risk factors for bleeding. These data confirmed OA underuse, despite guidelines that delineate higher-risk patient populations for whom anticoagulation is recommended. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia: comparison of clinical features and outcome between Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens. This study was conducted to clarify the clinical features and outcome of patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia. Patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia treated at a medical center in northern Taiwan between November 1998 and July 2006 were reviewed. Clinical and bacteriological characteristics of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were compared. Twelve patients (6 males and 6 females) were included for analyses. The mean age was 69.3 years (range, 40 to 86 years), and 8 cases (66.7%) were older than 65 years. All patients had underlying disease. Two patients received total hip replacement before development of VRE bacteremia. Twelve patients had prior exposure to broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. Ten patients had prior intensive care unit stay and prior mechanical ventilation before VRE bacteremia. All of the patients (n = 12) had an intravascular catheter in place. Bacteremia was caused by E. faecalis in 4 patients and by E. faecium in eight. The portals of entry included urinary tract (8.3%), skin, soft tissue and bone (41.7%) and unknown sources (50.0%). E. faecium showed a higher rate of resistance to ampicillin and teicoplanin than E. faecalis (87.5% vs 0.0%, p=0.01). The 60-day mortality rate was higher in patients with E. faecium bacteremia than E. faecalis bacteremia (62.5% vs 0.0%), although statistical significance was not obtained (p=0.08). VRE bacteremia may have an impact on the mortality and morbidity of hospitalized patients. Patients with bacteremia caused by vancomycin-resistant E. faecium had a grave prognosis, especially immunosuppressed patients. The prudent use of antibiotics and strict enforcement of infection control may prevent further emergence and spread of VRE. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Simultaneous flow cytometric analysis of cell surface markers and telomere length: analysis of human tonsilar B cells.
Telomere Flow FISH is a recently developed method which allows the measurement of telomere length in purified subsets of cells using flow cytometry. However, the harsh conditions required for flow FISH have precluded its use with conventional cell surface staining, thus limiting its utility for large scale clinical studies. We have now developed a method which permits simultaneous analysis of cell surface markers along with telomere length estimation by flow cytometry. This new assay employs the covalent crosslinking of monoclonal antibodies conjugated with a heat stable fluorochrome to the cell surface prior to flow FISH. Using this technique we have confirmed that human germinal center B cells (IgD(-)/CD38(+)) have dramatically longer telomeres than pre-germinal center founder B cells (IgD(+)/CD38(+)). This approach simplifies the analysis of complex cell populations and will facilitate widespread investigation of telomere length in health and disease states. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Thrombotic risk in the antiphospholipid syndrome.
The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by venous or arterial thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity in patients with persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Patients who are diagnosed with APS are identified to have a high risk of recurrent thrombosis, which can occur despite anticoagulant therapy. The optimal type, intensity, and duration of anticoagulant therapy for the treatment of APS remain controversial issues, particularly for arterial thrombosis and recurrent thrombosis. Patients with persistently positive testing for lupus anticoagulant and elevated levels of anticardiolipin antibodies and anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies-known as triple positivity-appear to be at increased risk for thrombosis compared with patients who test positive for a single aPL. Recognizing that patients with APS may potentially have different thrombotic risk profiles may assist clinicians in assessing the risks, benefits, and optimal duration of anticoagulation. Future studies that delineate thrombotic risk in APS and evaluate current and novel anticoagulants as well as nonanticoagulant therapies are required. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Splicing factor ASF/SF2 and transcription factor PPAR-gamma cooperate to directly regulate transcription of uncoupling protein-3.
The different isoforms of the uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3) are expressed in skeletal muscle and are up-regulated by splicing factors. Here, we report that UCP3 alternative splicing (alternative polyadenylation) is regulated by cooperation between the splicing factor ASF/SF2 and the transcription factor PPAR-gamma. We found that ASF/SF2 activates formation of long-form UCP3 (UCP3(L)) by inhibiting a cleavage and polyadenylation signal (AATAAA) located in its final intron that prematurely terminates message elongation. PPAR-gamma activates this process by directly interacting with ASF/SF2, providing the first example of a direct link between a transcription factor and alternative splicing. Activation of ASF/SF2 promotes formation of UCP3(L), whereas loss of ASF/SF2 decreases production of both UCP3(L) and short-form UCP3 (UCP3(S)). We suggest that the relative abundance of ASF/SF2 and PPAR-gamma determines the ratio of UCP3 isoforms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fluent speech, fast articulatory rate, and delayed auditory feedback: creating a crisis for a scientific revolution?
In 1970 Kuhn argued that science does not progress through a process of accretion. It is typified, rather, by the successive emergence of different paradigms which during their reign dictate the direction of normal science's puzzle-solving activity. Normal science inevitably exposes an anomaly which violates expectations predicted by the reigning paradigm. The "crisis" evoking anomaly may induce a destructive/constructive paradigm change. Transformations from one paradigm to another constitute a scientific revolution and dictate the growth and maturation of a field. This paper suggests the recent finding, that stutterers experience enhancement of fluency while speaking under delayed auditory feedback at a fast articulatory rate, be viewed as an anomaly. By challenging the notion that a slowed speech rate is necessary for amelioration of stuttering, the anomalous finding may be perceived as a crisis in the study of stuttering. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Identification and molecular characterization of a novel monopartite geminivirus associated with mulberry mosaic dwarf disease.
High-throughput sequencing of small RNAs allowed the identification of a novel DNA virus in a Chinese mulberry tree affected by a disease showing mosaic and dwarfing symptoms. Rolling-circle amplification and PCR with specific primers, followed by sequencing of eleven independent full-length clones, showed that this virus has a monopartite circular DNA genome (∼ 2.95 kb) containing ORFs in both polarity strands, as reported previously for geminiviruses. A field survey showed the close association of the virus with diseased mulberries, so we tentatively named the virus mulberry mosaic dwarf-associated virus (MMDaV). The MMDaV genome codes for five and two putative proteins in the virion-sense and in the complementary-sense strands, respectively. Although three MMDaV virion-sense putative proteins did not share sequence homology with any protein in the databases, functional domains [coiled-coil and transmembrane (TM) domains] were identified in two of them. In addition, the protein containing a TM domain was encoded by an ORF located in a similar genomic position in MMDaV and in several other geminiviruses. As reported for members of the genera Mastrevirus and Becurtovirus, MMDaV replication-associated proteins are expressed through the alternative splicing of an intron, which was shown to be functional in vivo. A similar intron was found in the genome of citrus chlorotic dwarf-associated virus (CCDaV), a divergent geminivirus found recently in citrus. On the basis of pairwise comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, CCDaV and MMDaV appear to be closely related to each other, thus supporting their inclusion in a putative novel genus in the family Geminiviridae. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Microbiota Dysbiosis in Fungal Rhinosinusitis.
Fungal rhinosinusitis is a unique phenotype of chronic rhinosinusitis with unique clinical and histological characteristics. The role of bacterial microbiota in various phenotypes chronic rhinosinusitis is not thoroughly understood. Therefore, we conducted 16s rRNA amplification sequencing to determine differences in bacterial communities between phenotypes (fungal vs. non- fungal) and anatomical sites (middle meatus vs. nasopharynx). Endoscope-guided swabs were used to collect samples from the middle meatus and nasopharynx of seven consecutive patients with fungal and 18 consecutive patients with non-fungal rhinosinusitis. DNA was extracted and investigated through 16S rRNA amplification. Among samples from the middle meatus, Shannon diversity was significantly lower in those from the fungal rhinosinusitis group (p = 0.029). However, no significant differences in diversity were noted between nasopharynx samples (p = 0.85). Fungal rhinosinusitis samples exhibited a distinct distribution of taxon relative abundance, which involved not only the absence of rhinosinusitis-associated commensal Corynebacterium and Fusobacterium in the middle meatus but also a significant increase in Haemophilus prevalence and abundance. This is the first study to compare bacterial communities in fungal and non-fungal rhinosinusitis samples. Our findings demonstrated that bacterial community dysbiosis was more apparent in fungal rhinosinusitis samples and was limited to the middle meatus. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 is a novel internal ribosome entry site trans-acting factor that modulates alternative initiation of translation of the fibroblast growth factor 2 mRNA.
Alternative initiation of translation of the human fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) mRNA at five in-frame CUG or AUG translation initiation codons requires various RNA cis-acting elements, including an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Here we describe the purification of a trans-acting factor controlling FGF-2 mRNA translation achieved by several biochemical purification approaches. We have identified the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) as a factor that binds to the FGF-2 5'-leader RNA and that also complements defective FGF-2 translation in vitro in rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Recombinant hnRNP A1 stimulates in vitro translation at the four IRES-dependent initiation codons but has no effect on the cap-dependent initiation codon. Consistent with a role of hnRNP A1 in the control of alternative initiation of translation, short interfering RNA-mediated knock down of hnRNP A1 specifically inhibits translation at the four IRES-dependent initiation codons. Furthermore, hnRNP A1 binds to the FGF-2 IRES, implicating this interaction in the control of alternative initiation of translation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Preliminary study on the transport of AZT (Retrovir-zidovudine) through the placenta].
The authors selected six patients who were HIV positive and who had requested termination of pregnancy to study the passage of zidovudine through the placenta. After the patients had been warned about the procedure and given consent, 1 gram of zidovudine (Azitothymine) was given in five doses of 200 mg each orally. Ethical Committee consent had been obtained. At a mean age of 17.5 weeks of amenorrhoea, samples were taken from the mothers' blood, from the amniotic fluid and from the fetal blood between one and two hours and forty five minutes after the last dose of AZT had been taken. Pregnancy was terminated immediately after the amniotic fluid had been obtained. The levels of zidovudine and its metabolite glucuronide (G-AZT) were carried out using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The concentrations of the drug in the liquor and in the fetal blood were higher or equalled those found in the maternal blood. This makes it likely that the half life elimination was longer and the metabolism of the product slower when it had been metabolised to glucuronide. This study does not concern the teratogenic effect or the toxicity for the fetus. The drug remains contra-indicated in pregnancy. There is no proposal at present to use it to lessen transmission of the virus from the mother to the fetus. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Should do-not-resuscitate orders be suspended during surgical procedures?
One of the most controversial ethical dilemmas faced by perioperative nurses, surgeons, and anesthesia care providers is the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order for a surgical patient. This article discusses informed consent, decision makers, laws and policy, DNR orders, and ethical considerations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Genetic control of longevity in C. elegans.
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has proven to be a very useful tool for studying the genetics of longevity. Over 70 genes have been found to influence lifespan in this worm. Those related to the Ins/IGF signaling pathway are among the best studied and will be focused on in this review. The master regulator of this pathway, the forkhead transcription factor DAF-16, can activate an enhanced life maintenance program in response to environmental and gonadal inputs. DAF-16 up- and downregulates expression of many genes leading to metabolic alterations and increased stress and microbial resistance. This is generally confirmed by biochemical and physiological data. Longevity mutants are not hypometabolic and probably produce more reactive oxygen species than wild type. However, their high antioxidant capacity may result in lower oxidative damage. Enhanced molecular turnover rates may also play a role in their longevity phenotype. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Calculation of zero-field splitting parameters: comparison of a two-component noncolinear spin-density-functional method and a one-component perturbational approach.
Two different sets of approaches for the density-functional calculation of the spin-orbit contributions to zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters of high-spin systems have been implemented within the same quantum chemistry code ReSpect and have been validated and compared for a series of model systems. The first approach includes spin-orbit coupling variationally in a two-component calculation, using either an all-electron Douglas-Kroll-Hess ansatz or two-component relativistic pseudopotentials. The ZFS parameters are computed directly from energy differences between different relativistic states. Additionally, an approximate second-order perturbation theory approach has been implemented, based on nonrelativistic or scalar relativistic wave functions. For a series of group 16 triplet diatomics and for the octet GdH3 molecules, two-component density functional calculations underestimate the zero-field splitting D systematically by a factor of 2. This may be rationalized readily by the incomplete description of states with absolute value MJ < J by a single-determinantal wave function built from two-component spinors. In the case of two 3d transition metal complexes and for GdH3, the results depend furthermore sensitively on exchange-correlation functional. Results of the alternative one-component approach agree strikingly with the two-component data for systems with small spin-orbit effects and start to deviate from them only for heavier systems with large spin-orbit effects. These results have fundamental implications for the achievable accuracy of one-component density-functional approaches used widely to compute ZFS parameters in the field of molecular magnetism. Possible refinements of both one-and two-component approaches are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Changes in the epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Greek tertiary care hospital, over an 8-year-period.
A total of 1019 non-replicate, consecutively isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were collected from in-patients of a tertiary care general hospital in Athens, Greece, during the period 1994-2001. The susceptibility, resistance phenotypes and the dissemination of these isolates among hospital wards were studied. Total MRSA and gentamicin-resistant MRSA, as a proportion of the S. aureus isolates, increased from 33 and 9% in 1994 to 50.1 and 33.3% in 2001, respectively. Three main multi-resistant phenotypes predominated, representing 50.9% of the total MRSA isolates in 2001. MRSA strains susceptible to all antibiotics tested decreased to 1.9% in 1997 and again increased to 13.5% in 2001. A gradual decrease in the susceptibility of vancomycin during the 8-year-period was detected, but no vancomycin resistant S. aureus strains were isolated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interpretation and identification of causal mediation.
This article reviews the foundations of causal mediation analysis and offers a general and transparent account of the conditions necessary for the identification of natural direct and indirect effects, thus facilitating a more informed judgment of the plausibility of these conditions in specific applications. I show that the conditions usually cited in the literature are overly restrictive and can be relaxed substantially without compromising identification. In particular, I show that natural effects can be identified by methods that go beyond standard adjustment for confounders, applicable to observational studies in which treatment assignment remains confounded with the mediator or with the outcome. These identification conditions can be validated algorithmically from the diagrammatic description of one's model and are guaranteed to produce unbiased results whenever the description is correct. The identification conditions can be further relaxed in parametric models, possibly including interactions, and permit one to compare the relative importance of several pathways, mediated by interdependent variables. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reticulocalbin-2 enhances hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation via modulating the EGFR-ERK pathway.
This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.230. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Plasma-exchange combined with immunosuppressive therapy in myasthenia gravis.
Twenty-one patients with myasthenia gravis underwent a course of plasma exchange combined with immunosuppressive therapy. In fifteen there was dramatic clinical improvement which has been maintained for periods up to 19 months. Nine of these patients now take no anticholinesterase drugs. Six patients had a recurrence 3--9 months after the first course but in the three given a second course remissions were again obtained. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A proteolytically sensitive region common to several rat liver cytochromes P450: effect of cleavage on substrate binding.
Limited proteolysis of rat liver microsomes was used to probe the topography and structure of cytochrome P450 bound to the endoplasmic reticulum. Three cytochromes P450 from two families were examined. Monoclonal antibodies to cytochrome P450 forms 1A1, 2B1, and 2E1 were used to immunopurify these proteolyzed cytochromes P450 from microsomes from rats treated with 3-methylcholanthrene, phenobarbital, and acetone, respectively. Electrophoretic and immunoblot analysis of tryptic fragments revealed a highly sensitive cleavage site in all three cytochromes P450. N-Terminal sequencing was performed on the fragments after transfer onto poly(vinylidene difluoride) membranes and showed that this preferential cleavage site is at amino acid position 298 of P450 1A1, position 277 of P450 2B1, and position 278 of P450 2E1. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that these positions are at the amino terminal of a highly conserved region of these cytochromes P450. The important functional role implied by primary sequence conservation along with the proteolytic sensitivity at its amino terminal suggests that this region is a protein domain. Comparison with the known structure of the bacterial cytochrome P450cam predicts that this proteolytically sensitive site is within an interhelical turn region connected to the distal helix that partially encompasses the heme-containing active site. Substrate binding to the cleaved cytochromes P450 was examined in order to determine whether the newly added conformational freedom near the cleavage site functionally altered these cytochromes P450. Cleavage of P450 2B1 abolished benzphetamine binding, which indicates that the cleavage site contains an important structural determinant for binding this substrate. However, cleavage did not affect benzo[a]pyrene binding to P450 1A1. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interventions for seropositive injectors-research and evaluation: an integrated behavioral intervention with HIV-positive injection drug users to address medical care, adherence, and risk reduction.
Behavioral interventions to address the complex medical and HIV risk reduction needs of HIV-seropositive (HIV-positive) injection drug users (IDUs) are urgently needed. We describe the development of Interventions for Seropositive Injectors-Research and Evaluation (INSPIRE), a randomized controlled trial of an integrated intervention for HIV-positive IDUs, and the characteristics of the baseline sample. HIV-positive IDUs were recruited from community settings in 4 US cities. After completing a baseline assessment, participants who attended the first session were randomly assigned to (1) a 10-session peer mentoring intervention designed to improve utilization of HIV care, to improve adherence to HIV medications, and to reduce sexual and injection risk or (2) an 8-session videotape control. Periodic follow-up for 12 months is ongoing. A total of 1161 HIV-positive IDUs completed the baseline assessment, and 966 (83%) were randomized. Retention rates are greater than 80% for all follow-up periods. Approximately 79% of baseline participants reported a recent medical visit, 49% were taking highly active antiretroviral therapy, and 19% had an undetectable viral load. Use of injection and noninjection substances was prevalent, and sexual and injection risks were each reported by more than 25% of participants. There is a need for an integrated intervention for HIV-positive IDUs, and these data show the acceptability of such an approach. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Current indications of low-level laser therapy in plastic surgery: a review.
The aim of this comprehensive review is assess the relevant indications of LLLT in plastic surgery. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a safe adjunct treatment for a myriad indications such as pain, musculoskeletal disorders, or oral mucositis in cancer patients. A systematic literature review was performed using the automated computerized PubMed search, with the key words low-level laser therapy and plastic surgery. In vivo and in vitro comparative studies conducted in humans or animals were included. A total of 113 articles were retrieved for screening, and 40 articles were analyzed for data extraction: 28 on animals and 12 on humans. Thirteen studies on animals showed that LLLT had efficacy in the improvement of flap survival. LLLT on a single spot over the pedicle area of the flap or near the base of the flap seemed to be superior to multi-irradiation. Also, LLLT seemed to improve chronic burn scars in humans, and acute wound healing in animals. On the contrary, LLLT cannot be considered as a valid therapeutic option for venous ulcers. The published studies on alopecia did not show that LLLT had efficacy for this indication, and on skin aging only two studies are reported showing that LLLT globally improved aging of skin. No side effects have been reported. More comparative studies are needed to validate and widen the medical indications of LLLT in plastic surgery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Usefulness of C-reactive protein as an independent predictor of death in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.
The usefulness of serum C-reactive protein, an inflammatory marker, to predict mortality risk in patients who have ischemic cardiomyopathy was investigated. C-reactive protein was measured in 123 men who underwent cardiac catheterization and were noted to have left ventricular ejection fraction <or=45% and significant angiographic coronary artery disease. They were prospectively followed for 3 years. Higher levels of C-reactive protein were associated with increased mortality rate. This correlation was independent of other prognostic factors, such as age, ejection fraction, symptoms of severe congestive heart failure, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and use of beta blockers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Alexia with and without agraphia: an assessment of two classical syndromes.
Current cognitive models propose that multiple processes are involved in reading and writing. Our goal was to use linguistic analyses to clarify the cognitive dysfunction behind two classic alexic syndromes. We report four experiments on two patients, one with alexia without agraphia following occipitotemporal lesions, and one with alexia with agraphia from a left angular gyral lesion. The patient with occipital lesions had trouble discriminating real letters from foils and his reading varied with word-length but not with linguistic variables such as part of speech, word frequency or imageability. He read pseudo-words and words with regular spelling better, indicating preserved use of grapheme-to-phoneme pronunciation rules. His writing showed errors that reflected reliance on 'phoneme-to-grapheme' spelling rules. In contrast, the patient with a left angular gyral lesion showed better recognition of letters, words and their meanings. His reading was better for words with high imageability but displayed semantic errors and an inability to use 'grapheme-to-phoneme' rules, features consistent with deep dyslexia. His agraphia showed impaired access to both an internal lexicon and 'phoneme-to-grapheme' rules. Some cases of pure alexia may be a perceptual word-form agnosia, with loss of internal representations of letters and words, while the angular gyral syndrome of alexia with agraphia is a linguistic deep dyslexia. The presence or absence of agraphia does not always distinguish between the two; rather, writing can mirror the reading deficits, being more obvious and profound in the case of an angular gyral syndrome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Occurrence of trazodone-induced delirium.
Trazodone, a triazolepyridine derivate, is both chemically and pharmacologically distinct from other serotonin reuptake inhibitors and possesses antidepressant, anxiolytic and hypnotic activity. We observed trazodone-induced delirium in three depressed patients who also suffered from preexisting organic cerebral lesions (two cases) or thyroideal dysfunction (one case). The appearance of hallucinations, psychomotoric agitation, and cognitive changes after initiation of trazodone therapy and their prompt cessation after drug discontinuation led to the impression that these were drug-induced phenomena. One possible hypothesis for the observed deliria is an oversensitivity to the effect of meta-chlorphenylpiperazine, which is a metabolite of trazodone with specific 5-HT agonistic properties. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A case of Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome confirmed by mutation analysis of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene.
This paper reports a case of Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome confirmed by DNA analysis of the patient's fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) genes. At birth, the patient had ocular proptosis, a red nevus with skin tags on her forehead and an umbilical stump. She developed craniosynostosis, craniofacial dysmorphism and hydrocephalus. Her treatment included forehead and facial advancement and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Analysis of the FGFR genes revealed that she was heterozygous for a missense mutation in exon 10 for the FGFR2 protein, resulting in an amino acid substitution of cysteine for tyrosine at residue 375 (Tyr375Cys). This is the fourth case of Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome confirmed by mutation analysis of the FGFR genes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pharmacology and function of nicotinic acetylcholine and P2X receptors in the enteric nervous system.
There are many cell surface receptors expressed by neurones in the enteric nervous system (ENS). Ligand-gated ion channels are an important class of receptors expressed by enteric neurones. This review will focus on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and P2X receptors for ATP, as these receptors contribute to fast synaptic transmission in identified pathways in the ENS. There are multiple subunit proteins that compose nAChRs and P2X receptors in the nervous system. Functional and pharmacological studies indicate that the predominant class of nAChR mediating fast synaptic transmission in enteric neurones is composed of alpha3 and beta4 subunits. P2X receptors mediating fast synaptic excitation are predominately P2X2 homomeric receptors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Utility of gastrointestinal fluoroscopic studies in detecting stricture after neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.
We report our institution's 5-year experience with upper gastrointestinal study with small bowel follow-through (UGI-SBFT) and contrast enema (CE) for the diagnosis of a post-necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) stricture. We hypothesized that sensitivity and specificity of UGI-SBFT and CE were <85% in diagnosing a post-NEC stricture. A retrospective observational cohort study was performed. Included patients were neonates diagnosed as having Bell's modified stage 2 or 3 NEC who had undergone UGI-SBFT and/or CE to evaluate for a stricture. Exploratory laparotomy was used to definitively determine the stricture presence, which was confirmed by pathology. An infant was categorized as having no stricture if no surgical intervention occurred or if no stricture was reported on pathology following surgical resection. A total of 56 patients met inclusion criteria, with 51 UGI-SBFT and 85 CE performed. A total of 25 patients were diagnosed as having a stricture. For small bowel (SB) strictures, CE compared with UGI-SBFT has a higher sensitivity (0.667 vs 0.00) and a similar specificity (0.857 vs 0.833). For SB and/or colonic strictures, CE has a sensitivity of 0.667 and a specificity of 0.951. Strictures were more likely to be found on imaging in symptomatic infants compared with those in asymptomatic infants (28% vs 8%, P = 0.002). CE should be the initial study in the diagnostic workup for a post-NEC stricture because this test has a higher likelihood of detecting a stricture if it is present. As a result of low sensitivity of UGI-SBFT and/or CE in the diagnosis of a post-NEC stricture, a negative study should not rule out the diagnosis of a stricture in persistently symptomatic patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Policies designed for drugs won't work for AI.
| {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dose-dependent effect of trichloropropene oxide on benzo[a]pyrene carcinogenesis.
The epoxide hydratase inhibitor, 1,1,1-trichloro-2,3-propene oxide (TCPO) in combination with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) was injected s.c. in ddN mice. The formation of fibrosarcoma by B[a]P was slightly accelerated at low dose of TCPO, and remarkably inhibited at high dose of TCPO. The correlation of carcinogenesis with B[a]P metabolism was discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synthesis and utility of 14C-labeled nicotinamide cofactors.
A new method for the synthesis of the reduced form of beta-nicotinamide [U-14C]adenine dinucleotide 2(')-phosphate([Ad-14C]NADPH) is presented. The present synthesis results in a radioactive material with a specific activity that is greater than 220 mCi/mmol. This method could easily be adapted for syntheses of 14C-labeled NADH, NADP(+), or any nicotinamide cofactors with radiolabels in other positions. Since these cofactors are so ubiquitous, the use and applications of such labeled material has broad implications. The utility of the labeled cofactor for determination of substrates for nicotinamide-dependent enzymes in the nano- to femtomole scale, in alternative enzymatic assays, and in kinetic isotope effect studies is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Abundance of heteronuclear and messenger RNA for internal Ca pump in stomach smooth muscle and myocardium.
The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca pump gene SERCA2 is alternatively spliced to express mRNA encoding the protein SERCA2a in heart and SERCA2b in stomach smooth muscle. The expression of SERCA2 protein in heart is 70 +/- 10 fold that in stomach smooth muscle. To understand the mechanism underlying this tissue difference in the expression level, a comparison is made of their mRNA and heteronuclear RNA (hn-RNA) contents. A 72 bp intron present in the gene encoding SERCA2a/b was cloned and sequenced. By reverse transcription of total RNA followed by PCR using primers based on the sequence of this intron and the cDNA sequences flanking it, a value of 0.37 +/- 0.03 was obtained for the ratio heart hn-RNA/mRNA:stomach hn-RNA/mRNA. Similarly, a ratio of 3.4 +/- 0.5 was obtained for heart:stomach mRNA/28S values. This value was slightly lower but statistically similar to a value of 5.7 +/- 1.8 obtained for the heart:stomach mRNA/poly A+ RNA obtained by Northern blot analysis using a conserved region SERCA2 cDNA probe. Based on mRNA/28S ratio of 3.4 +/- 0.5 and hn/mRNA ratio of 0.37 +/- 0.03, the ratio of heart:stomach for hn-RNA/28S was 1.2 +/- 0.2. Thus, heart which expresses SERCA2a contains 70 +/- 10 times more protein, 3.4 +/- 0.5 times more mRNA and only 1.2 +/- 0.2 times more hn-RNA for this message than the stomach smooth muscle which expresses SERCA2b. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Family history of heart attack: a modifiable risk factor?
A family history of heart attack is reported to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular death in men. In a 9 year follow-up of 4014 adults from 40 to 79 years old in the Rancho Bernardo Study, men under 60 years of age with a family history of heart attack were at fivefold increased risk. In this study, we sought to determine whether modifiable risk factors, i.e., blood pressure, plasma cholesterol, obesity, and cigarette smoking, have a differential effect on cardiovascular risk in those with and without a family history of heart attack. For both sexes, cigarette smoking was a stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease in those with a family history of heart attack (relative risk of smokers vs nonsmokers was 2.5 for men and 4.0 for women) than in those with no such family history (relative risk of smokers vs nonsmokers was 1.1 for men and 1.7 for women). Conversely, an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in men with a family history of heart attack was present predominantly in smokers (relative risk related to positive family history was 1.2 in nonsmokers, and 3.3 in smokers). An estimated 68% of the excess deaths in men with a family history of heart attack were attributable solely to the interaction of family history with smoking habit and were therefore potentially avoidable. The risk of cardiovascular disease associated with an apparently inherited predisposition appears to be profoundly affected by modifiable behavior. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interaction of EcoP15I DNA methyltransferase with oligonucleotides containing the asymmetric sequence 5'-CAGCAG-3'.
EcoP15I DNA methyltransferase (Mtase) recognizes the asymmeteric sequence CAGCAG and catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the second adenine residue. We have investigated the DNA binding properties of EcoP15I DNA Mtase using gel mobility shift assays. EcoP15I DNA Mtase binds approximately threefold more tightly to DNA containing its recognition sequence, CAGCAG, than to non-specific sequences in the absence or presence of cofactors. Interestingly, in the presence of ATP the discrimination between specific and non-specific sequences increases significantly. These results suggest for the first time a role for ATP in DNA recognition by type III restriction-modification enzymes. In addition, we have shown that bromodeoxyuridine-containing oligonucleotides form complexes with EcoP15I DNA Mtase that are crosslinked upon irradiation. More importantly, we have shown that the crosslink site is at the site of DNA binding, since it can be suppressed by an excess of unmodified oligonucleotide. EcoP15I DNA Mtase exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics with both unmodified and bromodeoxyuridine-substituted DNA, with a higher specificity constant for the latter. Furthermore, gel mobility shift assays showed that proteolyzed EcoP15I DNA Mtase formed a specific complex with DNA, which had similar mobility as the native protein-DNA complex. Taken together these results form the basis for a detailed structure-function analysis of EcoP15I DNA Mtase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Validation of electrochemiluminescence assays for highly sensitive and reproducible quantification of α-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid.
α-Synuclein (aSyn), a putative cerebrospinal fluid biomarker, may support the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies led to conflicting results due to different preanalytical and analytical procedures. Standardized assays are required to allow for comparison of results from different laboratories. We performed a side-by-side validation of a commercially available (MSD, MD, USA) and a 'homebrew' assay for quantification of aSyn according to published guidelines. The data showed high sensitivity and reproducibility for both assays. Preanalytical and analytical parameters did not affect the outcome of measurements. We conclude that both assays are very close in performance and suitable for research application of cerebrospinal fluid aSyn. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunocytochemical characterization of the pancreatic islet cells of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
The cellular composition and topography of the pancreatic islet of Oreochromis niloticus, now known to be a donor source for islet xenotransplantation studies, were characterized. Whole tilapia islets were harvested using an enzymatic method and then further digested into single-cell preparations. Cell cytospin preparations of islet cells and paraffin sections of whole islets were stained using antisera against tilapia insulin, human glucagon, salmon somatostatin-25 (SST-25), human somatostatin-14 (SST-14), and salmon peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY) using the immunoperoxidase method. Cell counts, performed on cytospin preparations using a Quantimet 570 computerized image analysis system, revealed that O. niloticus islets contained 78% endocrine cells and 22% immunonegative cells (i. e., mainly nucleated erythrocytes and rare tissue eosinophils). The proportions of immunopositive endocrine cell types were: 42.3% insulin immunopositive cells, 11.5% glucagon immunopositive cells, 23.1% SST-25 immunopositive cells, 21.8% SST-14 immunopositive cells, and 1.3% PYY immunopositive cells. Islet cell topography was evaluated using histologic sections of whole endocrine pancreata including large, medium, and small islets. Round to polygonal insulin immunopositive cells with round central nuclei were distributed in clusters throughout both the principal and the smaller islets. Elongate SST-14 immunopositive cells were closely associated with the clusters of insulin immunopositive cells; both were surrounded by SST-25 immunopositive cells, which were similar in shape to the insulin immunopositive cells. There were elongate glucagon immunopositive cells throughout the islets, whereas the PYY immunopositive cells were restricted to the periphery and to channels of fibrovascular connective tissue penetrating the islets. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Hereditary neural amyotrophy (HNA): clinical and molecular genetic basis].
Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (HNA) and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) are hereditary focal neuropathies. In this study we describe three families suffering from HNA. These families were examined clinically and electrophysiologically. Linkage analysis with markers from distal chromosome 17 was performed in a three-generation family. HNA could be separated from HNPP in all three families based on clinical and electrophysiological findings. HNA was characterised by recurrent episodes of painful brachial plexus lesions. In contrast to HNPP, no evidence for generalised neuropathy was found in the HNA families. Linkage analysis confirmed the HNA locus on distal chromosome 17. Additionally, we were able to refine the HNA locus to a 16 cM region on chromosome 17q24-q25. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In situ-gelling gellan formulations as vehicles for oral drug delivery.
Gels formed in situ following oral administration of 1% (w/v) aqueous solutions of gellan to rats and rabbits were evaluated as sustained-release vehicles. The formulation contained calcium ions in complexed form, the release of which in the acidic environment of the stomach caused gelation of the gellan gum. The in vitro release of theophylline from the rigid gellan gels followed root-time kinetics over a period of 6 h. Plasma levels of theophylline after oral administration of gellan solutions and a commercial oral sustained-release liquid dosage form containing an identical drug concentration were compared in both rats and rabbits. Bioavailability of theophylline from gellan gels formed by in situ gelation in the animal stomach was increased by four-fivefold in rats and threefold in rabbits compared with that from the commercial oral formulation. There was no significant difference in the mean residence times of theophylline when administered by these two vehicles. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Analyses of paralytic shellfish toxins and biomarkers in a southern Brazilian reservoir.
The Alagados Reservoir (Brazil) is an important source for the supply of water, recreation and fishery. Since 2002, the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms (paralytic shellfish toxins - PST producers) have been noted. This study was aimed at the monitoring of PST occurrence in the Reservoir's water and fish. Biomarkers such as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activities, lipoperoxidation (LPO), histopathology, and comet assay were analyzed in fish. Water and fish were sampled in spring, summer and autumn. The PST concentrations in water were 5.15, 43.84, and 50.78 ng equiv Saxitoxin/L in the spring, summer and autumn, respectively. The PST muscle concentration was below the limit for shellfish. Gonyautoxins (GTX) were found in water samples and fish muscle, and GTX 5 was the major analogous found in muscle. In the summer samples, the LPO, genetic damage, and the GST and AchE activities increased while in the autumn an increase in EROD activity and genetic damage were observed. In all samplings, histopathological alterations in the fish gills and liver were found. The results showed a seasonal variation in the fishes health, which could be related also to farming activities and to the contaminants bioavailability during the year. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Short notes on maximum likelihood inference for control-based pattern-mixture models.
A likelihood-based analytical approach has been proposed for the control-based pattern-mixture model and its extension. In this note, we derive equivalent but simpler analytical expressions for the treatment effect and its variance for these control-based pattern mixture models. Our formulae are easier to use and interpret. An application of our formulae to an antidepressant trial is provided, in which the likelihood-based analysis is compared with the multiple imputation approach. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cognitive self-regulation and social functioning among French children: A longitudinal study from kindergarten to first grade.
This study adds to the body of research examining the links between two components of cognitive self-regulation (inhibitory control and verbal working memory) and social functioning (social integration, social problem solving, and prosocial skills) and focuses on children's sex as a moderator of the association between cognitive self-regulation and social functioning. The participants (N = 131) were French schoolchildren followed from kindergarten (Mage = 68.36 months, SD = 3.33 months) through Grade 1. Using hierarchical regression analyses, three major findings were revealed: (1) inhibitory control was a better predictor than verbal working memory of prosocial skills assessed by peers using the sociometric technique as well as by teachers using questionnaires, after controlling for sex, mother's education, and verbal and non-verbal IQ; (2) the prosocial skills assessed by teachers in kindergarten contributed more to explaining the prosocial skills and peer acceptance assessed in Grade 1 than cognitive self-regulation; and (3) sex did not moderate the relationship between cognitive self-regulation and social functioning. These results suggest that developing strong cognitive self-regulation, especially inhibitory control and prosocial skills, in young children schooled in France could be beneficial for their social development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation and early markers of tumor promotion by caffeic acid in Fe-NTA exposed kidneys of Wistar rats.
Iron nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), a chief environmental pollutant, is known for its extensive toxic manifestations on renal system. In the present study, caffeic acid, one of the most frequently occurring phenolic acids in fruits, grains, and dietary supplements was evaluated for its shielding effect against the Fe-NTA-induced oxidative, inflammatory, and pathological damage in kidney. Fe-NTA was administered (9 mg Fe/kg body weight) intraperitoneally to the Wistar male rats on 20th day while caffeic acid was administered orally (20 and 40 mg/kg body weight) before administration of Fe-NTA. The intraperitoneal administration of Fe-NTA-enhanced lipid peroxidation, xanthine oxidase, and hydrogen peroxide generation with reduction in renal glutathione content, antioxidant enzymes, viz., catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. A sharp elevation in the levels of myloperoxidase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine has also been observed. Tumor promotion markers viz., ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and [(3)H] thymidine incorporation into renal DNA were also significantly increased. Treatment of rats orally with caffeic acid (20 and 40 mg/kg body weight) resulted in a significant decrease in xanthine oxidase (P < 0.001), lipid peroxidation (P < 0.001), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (P < 0.01), and H(2)O(2) (P < 0.01). There was significant recovery of renal glutathione content (P < 0.001) and antioxidant enzymes (P < 0.001). There was also a reversal in the enhancement of renal ODC activity, DNA synthesis, BUN, and serum creatinine (P < 0.001). All these changes were supported by histological observations. The results indicate that caffeic acid may be beneficial in ameliorating the Fe-NTA-induced oxidative damage and tumor promotion in the kidney of rats. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The minimum principle and visual pattern completion.
The minimum principle states that a perceiver will see the simplest possible interpretation of a pattern. Some theorists of human perception take this principle as a core-explanatory concept. Others hold the view that a perceptual minimum principle is untenable. In two recent extensive surveys of the relevant literature a more differentiated position is taken: the minimum principle is not renounced in a definite way. In the research reported here, an intuitively appealing specification of a minimum principle is tested. An experiment on visual pattern completion was performed in which patterns were presented to subjects who traced the contours of the shapes they saw. It was predicted that there would be a preference for interpretations that describe a pattern as a set of separate shapes with minimal information load as computed by Leeuwenberg's coding language. However, only half of the responses given by the subjects were predicted by this specification of a minimum principle. It was further demonstrated that locally complex interpretations of junctions of contour elements are easily made, but not in order to attain globally minimal interpretations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Anesthetic management of a patient with pemphigoid for prosthetic replacement after femoral neck fracture].
We report an 83 year-old male with pemphigoid who underwent replacement of a femoral neck prosthesis following femoral neck fracture. Problems associated with anesthetic management of patients with vesiculobullous diseases such as pemphigoid include fluid, electrolyte and protein loss, and secondary infection because of the fragility of the skin and mucous membranes. Avoidance of trauma to the skin and mucous membranes is therefore important. Intubation of the trachea may be hazardous because of the possibility of airway obstruction resulting from oropharyngeal and laryngeal bullae. The patient was successfully anesthetized with spinal anesthesia using 2.5 ml of tetracaine in a 0.4% solution of 0.45% NaCl. An evacutable mattress was used to protect the patient from pressure points in the lateral position, and to minimize the hazards from pressure by spreading the weight. Surgery proceeded uneventfully and the postoperative period was uncomplicated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Apheresis in the Philippines.
This is a retrospective study of 131 patients who underwent 479 therapeutic apheresis (TA) procedures at St. Luke's Medical Center, in the Philippines, from 1994 to 2003. Diseases were classified according to indication categories using the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) guidelines. Seventy-eight percent of the patients belonged to ASFA Category I, 14% to Category II, 8% to Category III, and none in Category IV. The most common indication was for neurological disorders (62%), mainly acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (49%) and myasthenia gravis (40%). The remaining disease groups were hematologic (25%), renal and metabolic (8%), and autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (5%). Oral corticosteroids are the preference of many for the treatment of CIDP, being much less expensive than IVIG infusion or TA. Favorable response is noted in the use of the latter to prevent kidney transplant rejection through antibody removal among pre-sensitized patients before transplantation. Complete recovery was seen in 2 of 4 patients with acute hepatic failure. The negative outcome of controlled studies in the literature has limited our utilization of TA for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Immunoadsorption for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura has not been performed locally due to the unavailability and prohibitive cost of affinity columns. Factors affecting the practice of TA in our country are cited. Organization of a multicenter study group and an apheresis national registry may lead to a better future of TA in the Philippines. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency: an overview of recent advances.
Alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1AT), a serpine, is one of the most important proteinase inhibitor in the serum and plays an essential role in protection of the lung tissues against the proteolytic attach of elastase. The gene for alpha1AT is located on chromosome 14 q 32 and is highly susceptible to mutations. A large number of variants of alpha1AT are known and some including PiZ and PiS result in alpha1AT deficiency. In patients with PiZ, the most severe and common alpha1AT deficient variant, the alpha1AT protein accumulates in the liver and results in severe hepatic diseases. Other clinical consequences of alpha1AT deficiency include emphysema in majority of the patients. This state is further aggravated in patients who smoke. Several treatment strategies have been suggested, including replacement therapy by purified alpha1AT or recombinant alpha1AT given intravenously or as aerosol. Synthetic peptides. lung transplantation and volume reduction surgery are under investigation and evaluation. This paper updates the information on alpha1 AT and its deficiency state. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Programmed database system at the Chang Gung Craniofacial Center: part II--digitizing photographs.
The archival tools used for digital images in advertising are not to fulfill the clinic requisition and are just beginning to develop. The storage of a large amount of conventional photographic slides needs a lot of space and special conditions. In spite of special precautions, degradation of the slides still occurs. The most common degradation is the appearance of fungus flecks. With the recent advances in digital technology, it is now possible to store voluminous numbers of photographs on a computer hard drive and keep them for a long time. A self-programmed interface has been developed to integrate database and image browser system that can build and locate needed files archive in a matter of seconds with the click of a button. This system requires hardware and software were market provided. There are 25,200 patients recorded in the database that involve 24,331 procedures. In the image files, there are 6,384 patients with 88,366 digital pictures files. From 1999 through 2002, NT400,000 dollars have been saved using the new system. Photographs can be managed with the integrating Database and Browse software for database archiving. This allows labeling of the individual photographs with demographic information and browsing. Digitized images are not only more efficient and economical than the conventional slide images, but they also facilitate clinical studies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Restriction maps of human adenovirus types 2, 5, and 3 for BstEII, MluI, NdeI, NruI and SfiI endonucleases.
The positions of cleavage sites for BstEII, MluI, NdeI, NruI and SfiI restriction endonucleases in the DNA from human adenovirus (Ad) serotypes 2, 5 and 3 were determined. In addition, the sites of cleavage for BglII in Ad3 DNA were located. All these enzymes possess a narrow specificity and generated a small number of discrete DNA fragments. Ad3 DNA was not cleaved by MluI and SfiI. It was the first observation of the absence of cleavage of an adenovirus DNA by a restriction endonuclease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Use of real time ultrasonography in neurosurgery. Peroperative value in adults].
The authors present their beginning experience in the use of a new technique applied to neurosurgery: that is real-time echography. A preliminary non operative experience has first been carried on. It concerned five adults who have been studied through surgical defects. Then, eight patients, were explored intra-operatively: concerning three cerebral abscesses, one intra-cerebral haematoma, two subcortical tumors and two biopsies. In these cases, the ultrasonographic study was performed through a 3 centimeters diameter craniotomy--in case of abscess or haematoma aspiration or of biopsy--or through a classic bone flap--in case of tumor extirpation. Echography allowed an easy study of intracerebral structures and lesions. Its permits to visualize subcortical neoplasms and thus to aim them with accuracy. In the treatment of brain abscess, real time echography gives the possibility of guiding and following the progression of the probe. It, also, allows to appreciate the reduction of the suppurated cavity and thus assures a more reliable efficacity. Such a procedure indeed facilitates brain tumor biopsy; but we think that such a technique should be used only if a classic stereotactic procedure is not considered as necessary and if the mass lesion is large enough (over 1.5 cm) and not too profondly seated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparative cytogenetics among allopatric populations of the fish, Hoplias malabaricus. Cytotypes with 2n = 42 chromosomes.
The available chromosomal data on Hoplias malabaricus make possible the identification of three major karyotypic forms in this fish group, all of them bearing 2n = 42 chromosomes, and named as Cytotypes A, B and E in previous studies. While Cytotype A and B share a general macrokaryotypic feature, Cytotype E is well differentiated concerning the morphology and size of some chromosome pairs. On the other hand, Cytotype B presents an exclusive XX/XY sex chromosome system. Six allopatric populations, belonging to Cytotype A, were subjected to cytogenetic analysis in the present study. Despite their basic karyotypic similarity, some differences in the chromosome formulae, as well as in the heterochromatin and Ag-NORs locations, were observed among populations indicating that they no more correspond to a unit, at least in the cytogenetical level. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of cholesterol on the interaction of the HIV GP41 fusion peptide with model membranes. Importance of the membrane dipole potential.
Fusion of viral and cell membranes is a key event in the process by which the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enters the target cell. Membrane fusion is facilitated by the interaction of the viral gp41 fusion peptide with the cell membrane. Using synthetic peptides and model membrane systems, it has been established that the sequence of events implies the binding of the peptide to the membrane, followed by a conformational change (transformation of unordered and helical structures into beta-aggregates) which precedes lipid mixing. It is known that this process can be influenced by the membrane lipid composition. In the present work we have undertaken a systematic study in order to determine the influence of cholesterol (abundant in the viral membrane) in the sequence of events leading to lipid mixing. Besides its effect on membrane fluidity, cholesterol can affect a less known physical parameter, the membrane dipole potential. Using the dipole potential fluorescent sensor di-8-ANEPPS together with other biophysical techniques, we show that cholesterol increases the affinity of the fusion peptide for the model membranes, and although it lowers the extent of lipid mixing, it increases the mixing rate. The influence of cholesterol on the peptide affinity and the lipid mixing rate are shown to be mainly due to its influence of the membrane dipole potential, whereas the lipid mixing extent and peptide conformational changes seem to be more dependent on other membrane parameters such as membrane fluidity and hydration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[An animal model of pump-controlled gastroenteric feeding].
A model for the study of gastroenteric feedings was established in guinea pigs. The model consists of guinea pig with gastrostomy tube and pump-controlled continuous enteral infusion system, with a swivel between the gastrostomy tube and pump system, so that the guinea-pig could move freely in the cage during the experimental period. We used this model for continuous gastroenteric feeding study lasting 2 weeks, and the mortality of animal was low. It is simple, easy to operate, inexpensive and suitable for the experiment of gastroenteric feeding. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Severe sepsis and septic shock in adult patients: an approach to management and future trends.
Severe sepsis is sepsis associated with acute organ dysfunction. Septic shock in turn, implies severe sepsis that has led to circulatory shock refractory to fluid resuscitation alone. The immediate approach to severe sepsis follows the ABCs of resuscitation: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. Special emphasis on the circulation involves early goal-directed therapy, adequate fluid resuscitation, and vasopressor/inotropic support. Once the patient's cardiorespiratory status is stabilized, efforts must be directed at uncovering the source and empirically yet accurately treating the infective underpinnings of severe sepsis. Following that, each of the patient's other organ systems at risk needs to be addressed: Renal/metabolic, gastrointestinal, hematological, and endocrine. Novel treatments will target both the proinflammatory and procoagulation cascades of sepsis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Priority and emerging pollutants in the Moscow rain.
Air quality is a worldwide problem. Nowadays, thousands of chemicals may be found in the atmosphere from biogenic and anthropogenic sources due to numerous atmospheric reactions. Unfortunately, throughout the world only a small group of organic compounds is monitored on a regular basis. Therefore, an important environmental task involves discovering the most important pollutants for particular cities and regions for regular monitoring in the future. Direct measurements of contaminants in the atmosphere are not always efficient as air represents an extremely dynamic medium. Thus indirect analysis by using precipitations becomes a more popular method of environmental analysis. Over 700 organic compounds belonging to the various classes of chemicals were identified in the Moscow rainwater samples collected in the spring of 2017 using GC/MS instruments including the most analytically powerful modern technique - GC × GC-HRMS. Here we report the nature and levels of 160 priority pollutants and emerging contaminants belonging to the most relevant classes from the environmental point of view: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, organophosphates, dialkylphthalates, phenols, and alkylpyridines. This is the first work dealing with GC-MS analysis of the rainwater in Moscow (Russia). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
How patients' review sites will change health care.
TripAdvisor has changed how the travel industry treats customers. Is the same likely to happen to health services? Review sites are growing fast across Europe, propelled by expansions in patient choice. What impact will they have on the medical profession and on providers, both public and private? How will they change the nature of health care? To address these questions, those at the forefront of developing review sites in Europe were interviewed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chromosome 1q terminal deletion resulting from de novo translocation with an acrocentric chromosome.
Distal deletion of chromosome 1q has been reported in nearly 30 patients, all being associated with a deletion ranging from the 1q42 or q43 band to 1qter region. Here, we describe a girl with 1q terminal deletion resulting from an unbalanced de novo translocation t(1;D or G)(q44;p11), as revealed by the presence of a satellited feature and an NOR-stained region at the tip of 1q. We suggest that most of the phenotypic abnormalities seen in patients with 1q distal deletion are attributable to the monosomy for band 1q44. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Arterial remodeling at the reference site after angioplasty and the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on remodeling].
To observe the correlation of the arterial remodeling at the reference site and the lesion site and the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on arterial remodeling. 28 healthy New Zealand White rabbits were randomized to 2 equal groups: GM-CSF group receiving subcutaneous injection of GM-CSF (10 microg x kg(-1)xd(-1)) for 7 days, and pure damage group given subcutaneous injection of equivalent normal saline foe 7 days. Seven days later the iliac arteries of all animals were damaged by balloon. The levels of nitrogen monoxide (NO) were detected before and 4 weeks after angioplasty. Histological sections of iliac from rabbits killed 4 weeks after angioplasty were analyzed. Lumen area (LA), external elastic lamina area (EELA), and intimal plus medial areas (I + M) were measured at the lesion(L) and reference(R) sites. The NO levels 4 weeks later of the GM-CSF group was 98 +/- 10 micromol/L, significantly higher than that of the pure damage group (83 +/- 12 micromol/L, P < 0.05). Morphometric analysis showed that the LA(L) of the pure damage group was (0.87 +/- 0.40) mm2, significantly smaller than that of the GM-CSF group [(1.34 +/- 0.52) mm2, P < 0.05]. The I + M(L) of the pure damage group was (2.62 +/- 0.48) mm2, significantly greater than that of the GM-CSF group [(2.26 +/- 0.43) mm2, P < 0.05]. There was no statistical significance in the EEL(L) between the 2 groups [(3.48 +/- 0.80) mm2 versus (3.60 +/- 0.91) mm2, P > 0.05]. Morphometric analysis showed that the LA(R) of the pure damage group was (1.60 +/- 0.48) mm2, significantly smaller than that of the GM-CSF group [(1.99 +/- 0.54) mm2, P < 0.05], whereas there was no statistical significance in the I + M(R) between the 2 groups. In both groups, LA(R) was significantly correlated with LA(L) (r = 0.919, P < 0.001); and EELA(R) was significantly correlated with EELA(L) (r = 0.909, P < 0.001) and I + M(R) (r = 0.685; P < 0.001). Remodeling affects both the lesion and the reference sites and appears to occur in parallel and proportionately at both sites. GM-CSF treatment increases re-endothelialization of the injured artery and inhibits unfavorable remodeling. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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