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TOXOHORMONE INHIBITORY EFFECT ON THE GROWTH OF AN UNSTABLE STRAIN OF YEAST.
Toxohormone preparations obtained from yeast mutants with impaired respiration and from cancerous tissues inhibited the growth of an unstable strain of yeast in media containing lactate as the carbon source. Depending on the source of the different toxohormone preparations, amounts ranging from 5 to 9.5 mg/ml inhibited growth by 50 percent. This phenomenon could be utilized in quantitative evaluations of toxohormone activity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Balancing Illness and Parental Demands: Coping With Cancer While Raising Minor Children.
To explore the cancer experience of parents and their perceptions of supportive strategies to assist them with illness- and family-related challenges. Qualitative, descriptive design. A large McGill University-affiliated hospital cancer care center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Five mothers and seven fathers aged 33-67 years with a first cancer diagnosis who received treatment at the cancer clinic within the previous year. Participants had to have at least one minor child living with them. Semistructured, audio-recorded interviews. Three main categories emerged. Coping with cancer while raising children requires delicate balancing of illness and parenting demands. Tangible support systems must include access to childcare services, home healthcare services, and transportation solutions. Support for parenting needs is a key component of comprehensive cancer care. Oncology nurses should stay informed of all hospital, clinic, and community resources to facilitate access for parents. Unmet support needs indicate that improvements need to be made in access to medical appointments around family schedules, expanded resources for children, and reduction of wait times. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Investigating mitochondrial redox potential with redox-sensitive green fluorescent protein indicators.
Current methods for determining ambient redox potential in cells are labor-intensive and generally require destruction of tissue. This precludes single cell or real time studies of changes in redox poise that result from metabolic processes or environmental influences. By substitution of surface-exposed residues on the Aequorea victoria green fluorescent protein (GFP) with cysteines in appropriate positions to form disulfide bonds, reduction-oxidation-sensitive GFPs (roGFPs) have been created. roGFPs have two fluorescence excitation maxima at about 400 and 490 nm and display rapid and reversible ratiometric changes in fluorescence in response to changes in ambient redox potential in vitro and in vivo. Crystal structure analyses of reduced and oxidized crystals of roGFP2 at 2.0- and 1.9-A resolution, respectively, reveal in the oxidized state a highly strained disulfide and localized main chain structural changes that presumably account for the state-dependent spectral changes. roGFP1 has been targeted to the mitochondria in HeLa cells. Fluorometric measurements on these cells using a fluorescence microscope or in cell suspension using a fluorometer reveal that the roGFP1 probe is in dynamic equilibrium with the mitochondrial redox status and responds to membrane-permeable reductants and oxidants. The roGFP1 probe reports that the matrix space in HeLa cell mitochondria is highly reducing, with a midpoint potential near -360 mV (assuming mitochondrial pH approximately 8.0 at 37 degrees C). In other work (C. T. Dooley, T. M. Dore, G. Hanson, W. C. Jackson, S. J. Remington, and R. Y. Tsien, submitted for publication), it is shown that the cytosol of HeLa cells is also unusually reducing but somewhat less so than the mitochondrial matrix. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[SPREADING OF NCTC CLONE 929 CELLS AFTER RESEEDING].
The period (1 h after reseeding) of behaviour of mouse NCTC clone 929 cells to the conditions of artificial cultivation was studied. The time-lapse imaging followed the processing of the cells with ImageJ program was applied. To characterize the parametres cell status we used the cell area (projection of the cell on substrate) and Rp/Ra ratio introduced earlier as a spreading coefficient (Kuz'minykh, Petrov, 2004). After attaching a substratum, cells have a form of sphere (the phase "sphere") as the daughter cells after a mitosis. We revealed however that after this phase the reseeded cells do not start usual spreading and migration along substratum. They pass a phase of equally spreading in all directions and shaping their area as a circle (phase "circle"). This phase is absent of the daughter cells spreading after mitosis. We assume that the phase "circle" is a result of adaptation of the cells to reseedings at artificial cultivation. It is necessary for formation of a substrate composed of own extracellular matrix components (ECM) of the cells. Own ECM facilitates transition of the cells to their usual spreading and migration along substratum. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Study on the flavanone constitutes of Buddleja davidii].
To study the chemical constitutes of Buddleja davidii. The constitutes were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, polyamide column chromatography and macroporous absorption resin and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Seven compounds including Apigenin (1), Apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (2), Acacetin (3), Acacetin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside(4), Acacetin-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), Luteolin (6), Luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glueoside (7). All these compounds are obtained from this plant for the first time. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Monitoring the sewage degradation by analyzing optic fiber SPR spectrum character].
The working principle of the optic fiber SPR sensor was discussed in the present paper at first. The feasibility of using it to monitor the degradation process of the environmental sewage represented by the methyl orange was studied. Finally, the optic fiber SPR sensor was adopted to monitor the change in degradation concentration represented by the original methyl orange solution on the base of 50 mL initial concentration 30 mg x L(-1), and the optic fiber SPR spectrum character of degradation process was analyzed in detail. Meanwhile the UV spectrophotometer was used to measure the change in concentration in the course of the degradation. The measurement data were analyzed and compared at large. The research work indicates that both the methods have consistent results, as the degradation time increases, the absorbance and concentration of the environmental sewage represented by the methyl orange solution decrease by and by, and the resonant wavelength of the optic fiber SPR sensor blue shifts step by step, as compared to the original standardization methyl orange solution resonant spectrum. It was shown that the methyl orange solution was degraded, and the rate of degradation was up to about 73 percent within two hours. The comparative results illustrate that it is feasible to use the optic fiber SPR sensor to monitor the environmental sewage degradation. The research result not only provides a new monitoring method for the degradation process of the environmental sewage, but also promotes the technique of the SPR sensor combined to the environment monitor by a long way. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical and radiological evaluation of human osseous defects (mandibular grade ii furcation involvement) treated with bioresorbable membrane: vicryl mesh.
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate clinical and radiological healing effects after treatment of class II furcation defects using bioresorbable periodontal mesh barriers. The patients for the following study were selected from Outpatient, Department of Periodontics, College of Dental Sciences, Davanagere, Karnataka. 1. Patients with age group between 18 and 60 years. 2. Patients who were nonsmokers. 3. Patients who had not undergone any type of periodontal therapy 6 months prior to initial examination. 4. Patients diagnosed as advanced periodontitis having mandibular grade II furcation involvement (Glickman 1953) clinically and radiologically. 1. Patients who required antibiotic prophylaxis. 2. Patients allergic to tetracycline and/ or chlorhexidine. 3. Pregnant and lactating mother. 4. Patient showing unacceptable oral hygiene during presurgical (phase 1) therapy. In this study clinical parameters were compared and attempt was made to compare the results radiographically too, with the limitations, the present study showed that the use of resorbable periodontal mesh barriers for GTR therapy at class II furcations resulted in reduction of furcation involvement. Therefore it appears that a patient with class II furcations involvement benefits from barrier treatment, because results are superior to conventional treatment without barriers. The present study was taken up to evaluate the clinical effects of GTR therapy of class II furcations using bioresorbable periodontal mesh barriers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunohistochemical analysis of ER, PR, HER-2, CK 5/6, p63 and EGFR antigen expression in medullary breast cancer.
Recent publications of breast cancer classification based on gene expression profile analyses indicate that medullary breast carcinomas (MBC) may be considered part of the basal-like carcinoma spectrum made up of ER-negative, PR-negative and HER-2-negative cells ("triple-negative phenotype"). On the other hand, there are also data showing that a proportion of MBC and atypical MBC (AMBC) is ER, PR and/or HER-2 positive. Therefore, we have decided to immunohistochemically analyze ER, PR, HER-2 and basal/myoepithelial markers CK 5/6, p63 and EGFR expression in our archival paraffin-embedded MBC and AMBC samples from 48 patients. Immunohistochemical evaluation of samples which were derived from patients operated on at our two hospitals between 1999 and 2005. Typical MBC was found in 39 patients and AMBC in 9 patients. The patients ranged in age from 32 to 84 years (median 55). Modified radical mastectomy with axillary dissection was performed in 30/48 patients (63%) while breast segmentectomy with axillary dissection was performed in 18/48 patients (37%). Metastases in axillary lymph nodes were observed in 15/48 patients (31%). ER positivity was present in 3/48 patients (6%), PR positivity in 8/48 (17%), and a positive HER-2 reaction was present in 14/48 patients (29%). CK 5/6 was positive in 20/48, p63 in 24/48 and EGFR in 8/48 patients. Adjuvant therapy was applied in all but 2 patients. Alive were 45/48 (94%) of patients. With the exception of PR expression, 39 patients with typical MBC and 9 patients with AMBC were comparable in the analyzed parameters. Positive HER-2 antigen expression in the analyzed sample was not found to be associated to a statistically significant degree with the MBC or AMBC histological tumor type, tumor size, axillary lymph node metastases, ER and PR status nor with patient survival. The data from our study seem to be generally comparable with the relatively scarce published data on clinicopathological parameters of MBC and AMBC. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synthesis of alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-linked oligosaccharides containing the alpha-Gal-->beta-Gal-->GlcNAc sequence employing methyl-2,3,4,6-tetra-O-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranosid e as an efficient glycosyl donor.
Synthesis of two trisaccharides and a tetrasaccharide, namely, alpha-Gal-(1-->3)-beta-Gal-(1-->3)-GlcNAc-beta-OBn (6), alpha-Gal-(1-->3)-beta-Gal-(1-->4)-GlcNAc-beta-OBn (9) and alpha-Gal-(1-->3)-beta-Gal-(1-->4)-GlcNAc-beta-(1-->6)-GalNAc- alpha-OBn (19) was accomplished through development and utilization of a key alpha-galactosyl donor, methyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-(4- methoxybenzyl)-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Thoracoscopic Implant of Neurostimulator for Delayed Gastric Conduit Emptying After Esophagectomy.
Gastroparesis is a clinical syndrome characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical outlet obstruction. Use of the denervated stomach as an esophageal substitute is a common cause of transient gastroparesis. Gastric electrostimulation through a thoracotomy approach has previously been reported to be effective in patients with medically refractory postesophagectomy gastroparesis. We report the first thoracoscopic implant of a gastric neurostimulator. A 57-year-old woman underwent Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for early stage (T1N0) adenocarcinoma in 2007. She progressively developed progressive dysphagia, regurgitation, and a 29-kg weight loss. The barium swallow study and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a dilated intrathoracic stomach without evidence of mechanical obstruction. Erythromycin and multiple endoscopic dilatations of the pylorus were unsuccessful, and eventually, a feeding jejunostomy was performed. At the time the patient was referred to our outpatient clinic, she was unable to eat and depended on total enteral nutrition. Computed tomography, endoscopy, and barium swallow study confirmed that there was no evidence of recurrent adenocarcinoma or mechanical gastric outlet obstruction. A gastric electrostimulator system (Enterra(®)) was implanted through a right thoracoscopic access and connected to the gastric conduit. At 6-month follow-up, there was a significant improvement of the total symptom score and quality of life. Electrostimulation of the gastric conduit after esophagectomy can safely be performed through a thoracoscopic approach and may represent a reasonable therapeutic option in patients with symptomatic and medically refractory delayed gastric emptying. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Expression of a salt-induced protein (SALT) in suspension-cultured cells and leaves of rice following exposure to fungal elicitor and phytohormones.
Phytohormones are essential signal compounds in the regulation of stress-related and defense-related genes. However, there is no clear evidence for any effect of these signal molecules and biotic elicitors on the regulation of the SALT gene in suspension-cultured rice cells. We characterized the expression of a SALT gene following treatment with fungal elicitor, phytohormones, cycloheximide, and inhibitors of protein kinase/phosphatases. SALT expression was up-regulated following treatment with a fungal elicitor, jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA), and NaCl. However, salicylic acid (SA) alone or in combination with one of the other elicitors not only strongly inhibited SALT gene expression but also exhibited an antagonistic effect in suspension cells and leaves. Cycloheximide inhibited SALT accumulation in suspension cells and in leaves, but the inhibitors of protein kinase/phosphatase did not. Immunolocalization revealed that SALT protein was present in xylem parenchyma cells of vascular bundles in the major and minor leaf veins. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Area variations in health behaviours.
Many studies of health inequalities use household income as an indicator of socioeconomic status. Because household income is usually subject to high item non-response rates area or census-based measures have been suggested as an alternative. A number of studies have shown that these are as good as or better than conventional measures of socioeconomic status at identifying variations in health status and use of health services. This paper examines the association of the median household income of the enumeration area in which a subject lives, with a variety of oral and general health behaviours. After the confounding effects of age and sex were controlled for, this area-based indicator was significantly associated with six of ten health behaviours for which data were collected. Four of the associations remained significant after the effects of house hold income were controlled for. These results suggest that area-based measures of socioeconomic status may have a useful role in understanding the influence of social contexts on health behaviours. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A mild phosphine-free synthesis of alkylamine-capped CdSe nanocrystals.
A new phosphine-free approach has been developed to synthesize high-quality cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanocrystals with cubic zinc-blende structure, by using the highly reactive selenium (Se) precursor at milder temperature than that used in the traditional phosphine route. This Se precursor was obtained from the reduction of Se powder by sodium borohydride in N,N-dimetbylformamide, in the absence of phosphine. Without the addition of other long-chain coordinating substances in this approach, the alkylamines such as dodecylamine (DDA) and octylamine (OA) were used as reaction solvents, and they also acted as surface capping reagents to produce DDA-capped and OA-capped CdSe NCs, respectively. The rapid nucleation and slow growth were observed by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum. The resulting OA-capped CdSe NCs grew faster compared with DDA-capped CdSe NCs under the same other conditions. These as-synthesized CdSe nanocrystals showed relatively narrow size distribution and high photoluminescence quantum efficiency (up to 9.4% for OA-capped CdSe NCs). This mild approach is low cost, relatively low danger and high production yield (approximately 80%), indicating that it is very effective for the phosphine-free synthesis of alkylamine-capped CdSe nanocrystals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of dietary supplementation of organic or inorganic zinc on carbonic anhydrase activity in eggshell formation and quality of aged laying hens.
This study evaluated the effects of different dietary levels and sources of zinc (Zn) on performance and carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in eggshell formation and quality in aged laying hens. A total of 504 Hy-line Grey layers aged 59 wk were fed a basal diet (Zn, 28.4 mg/kg) for 4 wks, then randomly allocated to 7 groups that were fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with inorganic (ZnSO4·H2O) or organic (amino acid metals, 9.58%) Zn at 35, 70, or 140 mg Zn per kg of feed for 6 weeks. Each group had 6 replicates of 12 hens. Results showed that egg weight decreased linearly with the supplemental level of organic Zn (P < 0.05). Dietary Zn supplementation had linear and quadratic effects on the CA activity in plasma (P < 0.05), and it was higher in the organic Zn-added groups at wks 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). Dietary Zn supplementation had a quadratic effect on the CA activity in the eggshell gland (P < 0.05). Shell thickness was greater in the organic Zn-added groups (P < 0.05), and its relationship with the supplemental level of Zn showed linearly and quadratically, increasing with the organic Zn and with the inorganic Zn at wk 4, while linearly increasing with the inorganic Zn at wk 6 (P < 0.05). At wk 4, the supplemental level of inorganic Zn had a linear effect on shell weight, and linear and quadratic effects on shell index and ratio (P < 0.05), while shell weight, the index, and ratio increased linearly and quadratically with the organic Zn level in the diet (P < 0.05), with more obvious effects in the organic Zn-added groups (P < 0.05). Overall, dietary Zn supplementation, up to 140 mg/kg feed, could increase eggshell thickness by enhancing CA activity in the plasma and eggshell gland of aged layers; thicker eggshells were found in the organic Zn-added groups, but the breaking strength did not increase despite the eggshell thickness increasing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Polyvinyl alcohol (Ivalon)--a new embolic material.
Successful nonsurgical treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding and arteriovenous malformations by embolization techniques has been previously documented. 1) Compressed Ivalon sponge was found to be a suitable embolic material in animals and in four patients. 2) The material has been extensively used in surgery, and its biocompatibility has been proved. 3) Expansion of the compressed sponge to its original size after embolization makes this material extremely effective. Recanalization did not occur in animals and humans. 4) For the occlusion of larger arteries, Ivalon can be wrapped around the guidewire. Ivalon sponge absorbs blood and serum, unwraps itself allowing withdrawal of the guidewire. 5) Embolization procedures are not without risk since reflux of embolic material may occur. Therefore, these procedures have to be carried out under fluoroscopic control. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Biochemical activities during lipid accumulation in Candida curvata.
Intracellular and extracellular concentrations of citrate and the specific activities of ten different enzymes in Candida curvata D were examined in relation to lipid biosynthesis in batch and continuous culture. Citrate was found to accumulate prior to lipid production and declined markedly as lipid accumulated in batch culture. The cells excreted citrate as the culture became nitrogen-limiting after 30 hr of growth, but little more was expelled after 40 hr when lipid accumulation was more marked. In continuous culture, only low levels of citrate were detected at the lower dilution rates and citrate was completely absent from both the cells and medium above a dilution rate of 0.1/hr. The activity of malic enzyme, malate dehydrogenase and ATP:citrate lyase increased in batch culture on lipid accumulated and, in continuous culture, both malic enzyme and ATP:citrate lyase varied in parallel with the specific rate of lipid synthesis which increased with increasing dilution rate. Activity of malate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase decreased with increasing dilution rate. The regulatory significance of these enzymes in lipid accumulation by C. curvata is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Thermosensitive core-shell particles as model systems for studying the flow behavior of concentrated colloidal dispersions.
We report on a comprehensive investigation of the flow behavior of colloidal thermosensitive core-shell particles at high densities. The particles consist of a solid core of poly(styrene) onto which a network of cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) is affixed. Immersed in water the shell of these particles will swell if the temperature is low. Raising the temperature above 32 degrees C leads to a volume transition within this shell which leads to a marked shrinking of the shell. The particles have well-defined core-shell structure and a narrow size distribution. The remaining electrostatic interactions due to a small number of charges affixed to the core particles can be screened by adding 0.05M KCl to the suspensions. Below the lower critical solution temperature at 32 degrees C the particles are purely repulsive. Above this transition, a thermoreversible coagulation takes place. Lowering the temperature again leads to full dissociation of the aggregates formed by this process. The particles crystallize for effective volume fractions between 0.48 and 0.55. The crystallites can be molten by shear in order to reach a fluid sample again. The reduced shear stress measured in this metastable disordered state was found to be a unique function of the shear rate and the effective volume fraction. These reduced flow curves thus obtained can be described quantitatively by the theory of Fuchs and Cates [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 248304 (2002)] which is based on the mode-coupling theory of the glass transition. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nonpharmacological pain management by ethnically diverse older adults with chronic pain: barriers and facilitators.
As key players in multidisciplinary health care systems, geriatric social workers must understand the dynamics of pain management among older adults with chronic pain. This study identified perceived barriers to, and facilitators for, utilizing nonpharmacological pain management through face-to-face interviews with 44 ethnically diverse community-dwelling older adults. Constant comparative analysis identified barriers not recognized in prior studies: (a) embarrassment/self-consciousness, (b) unavailability of certain treatments, and (c) lack of faith in effectiveness of nonpharmacological treatments. Most frequently reported facilitators were (a) social support, (b) positive attitude, and (c) available resources. Social workers can provide counseling to motivate older adults to exercise to manage chronic pain and refer them to exercise programs tailored for older adults. To resolve the most frequently reported barrier-transportation-social workers can link older adults with transportation services offered by senior centers or other nonprofit agencies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Plasma vitamin A, E, and beta-carotene levels in adult post-partum Algerian women.
Vitamins A and E are essential for foetal growth, reproduction, and lactation. In this article we report the results of a study, lead in three Eastern Algeria cities, that involved 786 post-partum women and 250 control. Plasma levels of vitamins A, E, beta-carotene, and some nutritional indexes were measured in both groups. In control women, plasma retinol and beta-carotene levels were significantly lower in Algeria than in France (retinol: 1.4 +/- 0.42 vs. 1.78 +/- 0.53 mumol/l; beta-carotene: 0.35 +/- 0.261 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.611). These differences could be the consequence of different beta-carotene and retinol intakes. In Algeria, comparisons between post-partum women and controls, showed that plasma vitamin A and beta-carotene levels were significantly lower in post-partum than in control women. This fact, and the lower level of retinol in control women, raises the question of supplementation for pregnant women in Algeria, at least for those with the lowest standard of living whose protein and zinc levels are also very low after delivery. Plasma vitamin E levels and vitamin E/total lipid ratios were not different in Algeria and in France. Vitamin E concentration was higher during pregnancy, but the vitamin E/total lipid ratio was significantly lower, which shows a relative deficiency at the end of pregnancy. Comparisons of plasma vitamin E levels, at delivery, in primiparous and in multiparous women reveal a better tocopherol status in multiparous women. This difference could reflect an adaptive response to oxidative stress in multiparous women. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Management of hemophilic pseudotumor of thumb in a child.
A case of hemophilic pseudotumor of the thumb in a child is reported. Combined treatment with radiation therapy and factor VIII replacement resulted in complete resolution of the lesion with no recurrence at the 6-month follow-up. The combination of radiotherapy and factor replacement should be strongly considered in the treatment of bone pseudotumors in children. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of silicate-based composite material on the proliferation and mineralization behaviors of human dental pulp cells: An in vitro assessment.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a silicate-based composite material on proliferation and mineralization of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs), which was compared with those of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2, CH) and tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5, C3S). HDPCs were cultured with CH, C3S and tricalcium silicate/dicalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5/Ca2SiO4, C3S/C2S) composites extract. The CCK-8 assay showed that the composite material stimulated the proliferation of hDPCs. The odontogenic marker genes and DSPP protein expression were more significantly up-regulated by the C3S/C2S composite material compared with pure CH and C3S. HDPCs cultured with composite material extract exert stronger ALP activity and alizarin red S staining. C3S/C2S composite material was advantageous over pure C3S by showing enhanced ability to stimulate the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of hDPCs, suggesting that the C3S/C2S composite materials possess desirable biocompatibility and bioactivity, and might be a new type of pulp-capping agent and dentin alternative materials. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
De novo computer-aided design of novel antiviral agents.
Computer-aided drug design techniques have become an integral part of the drug discovery process. In particular, de novo methodologies can be useful to identify putative ligands for a specific target relying only on the structural information of the target itself. Here we discuss the basic de novo approaches available and their application in antiviral drug design.: | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synthesis of novel N,N-di-n-alkylaldonamides and properties of their surface chemically pure adsorption layers at the air/water interface.
A homologous series of new surface-active N,N-di-n-alkyl-substituted amides derived from delta-D-gluconolactone and alpha-D-glucoheptonic-gamma-lactone were synthesized. The adsorption isotherms of their surface-chemically pure solutions were measured and evaluated to obtain the adsorption parameters of standard free energy of adsorption (DeltaG(0)(ad)), surface excess (Gamma( infinity )), cross-sectional area of the adsorbed surfactant molecule (A(min)), and surface interaction parameter (H(s)). The surfactants possess comparatively low solubilities and do not form micelles at room temperature. This behavior is opposite to that of the other types of sugar surfactants showing excellent solubility and a strong tendency to association/micellization. The derivatives of gluconamide reveal surface activity slightly higher than that of the derivatives of glucoheptonamide, especially for long alkyl chains (n(C)>4). An increase in A(min) of about 6 A(2)/molecule for the gluconic series is observed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Manual Compression versus Vascular Closing Device for Closing Access Puncture Site in Femoral Left-Heart Catheterization and Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Comparison of Costs and Effects in Inpatient Care.
To compare complication rates, length of hospital stay, and resulting costs between the use of manual compression and a vascular closing device (VCD) in both diagnostic and interventional catheterization in a German university hospital setting. A stratified analysis according to risk profiles was used to compare the risk of complications in a retrospective cross-sectional single-center study. Differences in costs and length of hospital stay were calculated using the recycled predictions method, based on regression coefficients from generalized linear models with gamma distribution. All models were adjusted for propensity score and possible confounders, such as age, sex, and comorbidities. The analysis was performed separately for diagnostic and interventional catheterization. The unadjusted relative risk (RR) of complications was not significantly different in diagnostic catheterization when a VCD was used (RR = 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-2.16) but significantly lower in interventional catheterization (RR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.21-0.93). Costs were on average €275 lower in the diagnostic group (95% CI -€478.0 to -€64.9; P = 0.006) and around €373 lower in the interventional group (95% CI -€630.0 to -€104.2; P = 0.014) when a VCD was used. The adjusted estimated average length of stay did not differ significantly between the use of a VCD and manual compression in both types of catheterization. In interventional catheterization, VCDs significantly reduced unadjusted complication rates, as well as costs. A significant reduction in costs also supports their usage in diagnostic catheterization on a larger scale. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Intraperitoneal invasiveness of ovarian cancer from the cellular and molecular perspective].
Peritoneal cavity is the primary site of ovarian cancer metastases. It is believed that the intraperitoneal invasiveness of the malignancy is determined by interactions between cancer cells and the normal peritoneal mesothelum. The nature of these interactions is, however unclear which is the reason for divergent opinions about the role of mesothelial cells in disease progression. According to some authors, the mesothelium acts as a barrier which prevents the expansion of the tumor cells. However other researchers claim that these cells actively promote various elements of cancer cell invasiveness. The aim of this study was to present both concepts of the role of the mesothelial cells in the intraperitoneal development of ovarian cancer metastases, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms of reciprocal interaction between normal and cancer cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of different physical exercises on leptin concentration in obese adolescents.
In order to compare the effects of leisure physical activity (LPA), aerobic training (AT) and aerobic plus resistance training (AT + RT) as part of a 6-month interdisciplinary therapy in body composition, insulin resistance and leptin concentrations in obese adolescents, 72 volunteers (n = 24 in each group) ages 15-19 years were evaluated. Delta (Δ) body mass (kg) and Δ BMI (kg/m(2)) was different between AT and LPA groups and in AT + RT group compared to both LPA and AT groups; Δ body fat mass (kg and %) was different only in AT + RT group compared to both LPA and AT; Δ body lean mass (%) was different only in AT + RT group; Δ body lean mass (kg) was negative only in AT and positive and different from AT in AT + RT group; ΔHOMA-IR did not differ among groups; Δ leptin (ng/ml) was negative and different from LPA for both AT and AT + RT groups. In conclusion, both AT and AT + RT promoted a reduction on leptin levels, however, the adolescents subjected to AT + RT presented better results in body composition than the AT group. These results highlight the importance of associating aerobic and resistance training with nutritional and psychological approaches in the treatment of obese adolescents. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
HIV-1 infection in high risk men who have sex with men in Mombasa, Kenya.
The role of homosexuality and anal sex practices in the African HIV -1 epidemic is not well described. We aimed to assess the risk factors for prevalent HIV-1 infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) to guide HIV-1 prevention efforts. Socio-behavioural characteristics, signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and serological evidence of HIV-1 were determined for 285 MSM at enrolment into a vaccine preparedness cohort study. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess risk factors for prevalent HIV-1 infection. HIV-1 prevalence was 43.0% [49/114, 95% confidence interval (CI), 34-52%] for men who reported sex with men exclusively (MSME), and 12.3% (21/171, 95% CI, 7-17%) for men who reported sex with both men and women (MSMW). Eighty-six (75%) MSME and 69 (40%) MSMW reported recent receptive anal sex. Among 174 MSM sexually active in the last week, 44% reported no use of condoms with casual partners. In the previous 3 months, 210 MSM (74%) reported payment for sex, and most clients (93%) were local residents. Prevalent HIV-1 infection was associated with recent receptive anal sex [odds ratio (OR), 6.1; 95% CI, 2.4-16], exclusive sex with men (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.3-17), and increasing age (OR, 1.1 per year; 95% CI, 1.04-1.12). Only four MSM reported injecting drug use. The high prevalence of HIV-1 in Kenyan MSM is probably attributable to unprotected receptive anal sex. There is an urgent need for HIV-1 prevention programmes to deliver targeted risk-reduction interventions and STD services to MSM in Kenya. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Critically coupled surface phonon-polariton excitation in silicon carbide.
We observe critical coupling to surface phonon-polaritons in silicon carbide by attenuated total reflection of mid-IR radiation. Reflectance measurements demonstrate critical coupling by a double scan of wavelength and incidence angle. Critical coupling occurs when prism coupling loss is equal to losses in silicon carbide and the substrate, resulting in maximal electric field enhancement. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Determination of insoluble azides by thermometric titrimetry.
A method for determination of azide, based on the thermometric titration of this anion with hydrochloric acid, is described. Although this reaction has a large enthalpy change (DeltaH = -3.6 kcal/ mole), sulphate is added as an endothermic thermometric indicator to improve the end-point. The application of the method to the analysis of insoluble azides has been studied. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Insulin regulates Presenilin 1 localization via PI3K/Akt signaling.
Recently, insulin signaling has been highlighted in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the association between insulin signaling and Tau pathology has been investigated in several studies, the interaction between insulin signaling and Presenilin 1 (PS1), a key molecule of amyloid beta (Abeta) pathology, has not been elucidated so far. In this study, we demonstrated that insulin inhibited PS1 phosphorylation at serine residues (serine 353, 357) via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signal pathway and strengthened the trimeric complex of PS1/N-cadherin/beta-catenin, consequently relocalizing PS1 to the cell surface. Since our recent report suggests that PS1/N-cadherin/beta-catenin complex regulates Abeta production, it is likely that insulin signaling affects Abeta pathology by regulating PS1 localization. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pharmacokinetics and extracellular distribution to blood, brain, and muscle of alovudine (3'-fluorothymidine) and zidovudine in the rat studied by microdialysis.
Microdialysis was applied to sample the free drug concentration in the extracellular fluid in brain, muscle, and blood of rats given alovudine (n = 6) (3'-fluorothymidine) or zidovudine (n = 5) (25 mg/kg s.c.). Alovudine and zidovudine were analyzed by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. The assay for zidovudine was validated by a radioimmunoassay. In addition, the plasma protein binding of the drugs was measured by microdialysis in vitro. The concentrations attained in blood and muscle were similar for each drug, with a Cmax of 57 microM (blood) and 54 microM (muscle) for alovudine and 38 and 46 microM, respectively, for zidovudine. In contrast the Cmax in brain was 8 microM for alovudine and 4 microM for zidovudine. The peak concentration was attained 20-40 min after injection in blood and muscle and 40-60 min after injection in the brain. The half-lives of zidovudine in both blood and muscle were 37 min and in brain 69 min. For alovudine the corresponding half-lives were significantly longer: 61, 58, and 105 min, respectively. The ratio of the AUC0-180 brain/blood was 0.257 for alovudine and 0.186 for zidovudine. The plasma protein binding of zidovudine was 10%, while alovudine was virtually unbound. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Psychosocial and neo-material dimensions of SES and health revisited: predictors of self-rated health in a Canadian national survey.
This study addresses questions concerning psychosocial processes of relative comparison in the production of socio-economic inequalities in health. Specifically, the importance for health of perceptions of status, different 'reference groups' and 'reference points' in such comparisons is problematized and investigated empirically. Using data from a cross-sectional telephone survey of the Canadian population in 2000 (n=1331), the paper investigates relationships between self-rated health status (SRHS) and: (1) 'actual' absolute socio-economic standing, (2) perceived relative socio-economic standing (relative to other Canadians and to Canadians of the previous generation), and (3) 'actual' relative socio-economic standing (relative to others in respondents' province of residence and neighbourhood of residence). Measures of actual absolute socio-economic status (SES) (household income, personal income and education) were strongly related to SRHS. Results for perceived relative SES were mixed. Perceived SES relative to all Canadians was a strong predictor of SRHS before and after controlling for age and gender while perceived SES relative to the previous generation was unrelated to SRHS. Actual relative income was strongly related to SRHS for all reference points (10th, 50th and 90th percentiles) in both reference groups analysed (neighbourhoods and provinces). Within neighbourhoods, however, comparisons with those at the top of the income ladder appeared to be somewhat more salient for SRHS than were comparisons to other levels. We conclude that there is some evidence of the importance of both psychosocial and neo-material aspects of SES for Canadians' self-rated health, but that further empirical research is needed that accounts for the numerous ways in which psychosocial processes of relative social comparison may take place. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The Impact of the 2009 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Food Package Revisions on Participants: A Systematic Review.
For the first time since 1980, the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package policies were revised in 2009 to meet the Institute of Medicine's nutrition recommendations. These changes included increases in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy to improve nutrition and health of WIC participants. Our systematic review of the literature assessed the influence that the 2009 WIC food package revisions have had on dietary intake, healthy food and beverage availability, and breastfeeding participation. The systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations. Four electronic databases were searched between April 1 and 30, 2014, for peer-reviewed research. Two reviewers screened the articles, extracted the data, and established inter-rater reliability by discussing and resolving discrepancies. Twenty articles were included that met our inclusion criteria. Nine of the studies analyzed changes in dietary intake, eight examined changes in healthy food and beverage availability, and three evaluated breastfeeding participation exclusively. The review demonstrated an improved dietary intake and an increase in the availability of healthier foods and beverages in authorized WIC stores. The revised food package was also associated with improved dietary intake of WIC participants. Mixed results were demonstrated in regard to improved breastfeeding outcomes. Further research is needed to assess the influence of WIC 2009 food package revisions on breastfeeding outcomes and to make conclusions about broad nutrition-related implications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Faecal microbial dysbiosis in children with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked primary immunodeficiency disease caused by a mutation in the WAS gene that encodes the WAS protein (WASp); up to 5-10% of these patients develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The mechanisms by which WASp deficiency causes IBD are unclear. Intestinal microbial dysbiosis and imbalances in host immune responses play important roles in the pathogenesis of polygenetic IBD; however, few studies have conducted detailed examination of the microbial alterations and their relationship with IBD in WAS. Here, we collected faecal samples from 19 children (all less than 2 years old) with WAS and samples from WASp-KO mice with IBD and subjected them to 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. We found that microbial community richness and structure in WAS children were different from those in controls; WAS children revealed reduced microbial community richness and diversity. Relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobiain in WAS children was significantly lower, while that of Proteobacteria was markedly higher. WASp-KO mice revealed a significantly decreased abundance of Firmicutes. Faecal microbial dysbiosis caused by WASp deficiency is similar to that observed for polygenetic IBD, suggesting that WASp may play crucial function in microbial homoeostasis and that microbial dysbiosis may contribute to IBD in WAS. These microbial alterations may be useful targets for monitoring and therapeutically managing intestinal inflammation in WAS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Corneal transplant: a new lease on life.
Penetrating keratoplasty can afford some patients an opportunity to regain their vision. The perioperative nurse plays a vital role in the care of these special patients. A thorough perioperative plan of care, based on an understanding of the procedure, is key to a successful corneal grafting. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Brown adipose tissue in lean and obese mice. Insulin-receptor binding and tyrosine kinase activity.
Insulin-receptor binding and tyrosine kinase activity have been studied in brown adipose tissue from lean and obese mice. Brown adipose tissue carries functional insulin receptors comparable with those of conventional insulin target tissues. The alpha-subunit (Mr, 130,000) was labeled with photoreactive insulin; the beta-subunit (Mr, 95,000) was phosphorylated in a cell-free system, and its level of phosphorylation was increased in a dose-dependent manner by insulin. Two types of obese mice, mice rendered obese by gold thioglucose injection (GTG obese) and genetically obese ob/ob mice, were used. Insulin-receptor number was decreased by 60-70% in obese mice, when expressed per milligram of plasma membrane protein or per microgram of glycoprotein, whereas only a 30-40% diminution was observed in skeletal muscle, indicating that insulin receptors from brown adipose tissue are greatly affected by the downregulation process. Insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the insulin-receptor beta-subunit was decreased by 60-70% in preparations of obese mice compared with lean mice in direct proportion to the diminished level of insulin-receptor number. Similarly, the ability of receptors to catalyze the phosphorylation of a synthetic substrate (copolymer glutamate-tyrosine) was reduced. These results suggest that the decrease in insulin-receptor number and in associated tyrosine kinase activity could explain the insulin-resistant glucose uptake and the alteration in diet-induced thermogenesis described in obese animals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Cytochemical study of the thyroid gland].
The paper presents the importance of cytochemical research in the diagnostics of thyroid gland diseases. It is considered that this research usefully supplements the standard cytodiagnostics of the thyroid, especially in clarifying functional and morphological changes in goiter. Given are the basic principals of cytochemical analyses as well as the valuing, in other words, the quantification of cytochemical results. The following methods are more closely described: PAS, alpha-naphthilacetate esterase, naphthol AS-D acetate esterase, peroxidase, beta-glucuronidase and alkaline phosphatase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Are curves detected by 'curvature detectors'?
Five experiments which attempted to evaluate the relationship between orientation and curvature selectivity in human vision are described. In the first two experiments, threshold elevation for curved gratings was measured after exposure to similar gratings, with the use of either an adaptation (experiment 1) or a masking (experiment 2) paradigm. In both experiments threshold elevation occurred which was selective for both the degree and the direction of curvature of the adapting pattern. Experiment 3 compared the effects of adapting to tilted rectilinear or vertical curved gratings upon threshold for a vertical rectilinear grating. Threshold elevation declined systematically as the adapting gratings were either tilted or made more curved. Experiment 4 measured curvature selectivity as a function of the orientation of a curved adapting grating. Threshold elevation declined as the adapting grating was tilted more, but curvature selectivity remained. Experiment 5 measured the orientation tuning for curved gratings directly. Threshold elevation declined to 50% of its maximum value at an adpating orientation of about 28 degrees. This was constant for all values of curvature used. The resulsts are discussed with reference to the question of whether the human visual system contains 'curvature detectors' or linear-contour detectors which respond to the tangents of curves. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
SLI-381 (Adderall XR).
SLI-381 is an extended-release formulation of short-acting Adderall, a racemic mixture of dextro- and levo-isomers of amphetamine salts. Drug-containing microbeads within the SLI-381 capsule give a double-pulsed delivery, similar to that achieved by two equal doses of the short-acting formulation administered 4 hours apart. In an intent-to-treat analysis of a 3-week, double-blind study in 563 children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), SLI-381 10, 20 or 30 mg once daily improved mean morning and afternoon behaviour scores compared with baseline significantly more than placebo (p < 0.001 for all comparisons), as assessed by the Connors Global Index Scale for teachers (CGIS-T). Following treatment, CGIS-T scores were similar to those reported in children without ADHD. In the same study, a dose-response relationship was observed, and increasing the dosage of SLI-381 by 10mg at weekly intervals, to a maximum of 30 mg once daily, resulted in further improvements in the scores of the CGIS-T. After early morning administration of SLI-381 in this double-blind study, late-afternoon scores of the CGIS for parents were similar to morning scores. SLI-381 was generally well tolerated in randomised trials in children with ADHD for up to 24 months. Overall, adverse events were mild to moderate in intensity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison of four methods of genotyping IL28B polymorphisms in chronic hepatitis C patients.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene are associated with viral clearance and treatment response in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection; however, most of the available SNP genotyping methods are expensive. This study sought to evaluate the cost effectiveness of four methods used to genotype the rs12979860 and rs8099917 SNPs of the IL28B gene. Tetra-primer amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), quantitative (q) PCR and direct sequencing methods were evaluated in terms of specificity, cost and run time in 281 blood samples obtained from chronic HCV patients. In ARMS-PCR method, the primers designed to target both SNPs produced PCR fragments of specific sizes that distinguished the alleles of rs12979860 and rs8099917. In RFLP, the band profile allowed the distinction between genotypes. The qPCR was the faster and easier to perform. Validation by nucleotide sequencing showed 100% agreement among the three methods. The cost for a single reaction was lowest for ARMS-PCR, followed in turn by RFLP, qPCR and sequencing. The methodology described for the ARMS-PCR showed the most favorable cost-benefit ratio. Moreover, this approach is fast and simple, requiring only equipment that is commonly used in molecular diagnosis, which is an essential parameter for use in developing countries where laboratories have scarce financial resources. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Experimental study on the dissecting aortic aneurysm].
Type I dissecting aortic aneurysm is not only the most common type of all but an extremely lethal event. It is important to create the experimental model of type I dissection for clarifying behavior of this disease and successful treatment. The purpose of this study is: (1) production of experimental model of type I aortic dissection; (2) examination of progression manner of dissection; (3) and investigation of influence of dissection upon aortic valve and coronary artery. The experimental model of type I aortic dissection was produced in adult mongrel dogs. Bilateral thoracotomy was made and intimal tear was created in the ascending aorta by modified Blanton's procedure. Hypertension and creation of large pocket of the aortic media were necessary to produce type I aortic dissection. Extension of dissection had a tendency toward the inner layer of the aortic wall at distal site. However, at proximal site the dissection progressed in the same layer of the aortic wall. In this series, retrograde extension of dissection remained blind above annulus of aortic valve, and no incidence of aortic regurgitation or coronary ischemia was occurred. But on histologic examination, degeneration of the aortic wall by the dissection was observed. Such weakness of aortic wall showed potentiality to developed into subsequent aortic regurgitation or coronary ischemia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evaluating the replicability of social science experiments in Nature and Science between 2010 and 2015.
Being able to replicate scientific findings is crucial for scientific progress1-15. We replicate 21 systematically selected experimental studies in the social sciences published in Nature and Science between 2010 and 201516-36. The replications follow analysis plans reviewed by the original authors and pre-registered prior to the replications. The replications are high powered, with sample sizes on average about five times higher than in the original studies. We find a significant effect in the same direction as the original study for 13 (62%) studies, and the effect size of the replications is on average about 50% of the original effect size. Replicability varies between 12 (57%) and 14 (67%) studies for complementary replicability indicators. Consistent with these results, the estimated true-positive rate is 67% in a Bayesian analysis. The relative effect size of true positives is estimated to be 71%, suggesting that both false positives and inflated effect sizes of true positives contribute to imperfect reproducibility. Furthermore, we find that peer beliefs of replicability are strongly related to replicability, suggesting that the research community could predict which results would replicate and that failures to replicate were not the result of chance alone. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Value of B-image ultrasound in patients with carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract and N0 lymph node stage].
The wait-and-see policy in patients with a N0 neck stage is not common. One hundred twenty-one patients with a pT1 or pT2 carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract and a N0 neck stage in ultrasound studies underwent transoral laser microsurgery without neck dissection or radiation therapy. In these patients the probability of survival and local or regionals recurrence were analyzed in a follow-up period of 18 to 36 months. Thirty patients in whom cervical lymph nodes were detected in ultrasound studies, underwent a curative neck dissection procedure. In 8 of these 30 patients, lymph node metastases were histologically demonstrated, and 6 patients showed a local recurrence. The probability of survival was 1.0 and the probability of being free of local or regional recurrence was between 0.95 and 0.6 depending on the tumor location. A wait-and-see policy will not necessarily alter the prognosis, which depends on the location of the tumor. Ultrasound follow-up studies should be performed at regular intervals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
"A survey of antenatal clinic staff: some perceived barriers to the promotion of smoking cessation in pregnancy".
Antenatal clinic staff were surveyed for their attitudes to smoking in pregnancy in 1993 and again in 1996 to monitor the effect of a randomised controlled trial of a smoking intervention conducted in the clinic over the period. Descriptive analysis showed that staff believe smoking in pregnancy is an important health risk for both mother and baby, quitting smoking is difficult, counselling is only moderately successful, they lack the skill to counsel smokers and there is little time to do so. The lack of structural support within clinic administration, the lack of a comprehensive hospital policy on smoking and unclear public health messages, were also identified as barriers to reducing the prevalence of smoking. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Empathy in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index.
Empathy is a complex construct, thought to contain multiple components. One popular measurement paradigm, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), has been used extensively to measure empathic tendencies in schizophrenia research across four domains: empathic concern, perspective-taking, personal distress, and fantasy. However, no recent meta-analysis has been conducted for all four factors of this scale. The goal of this meta-analysis was to examine self-reported empathic tendencies for each factor of the IRI in people with schizophrenia as compared to healthy controls. A literature search revealed 32 eligible schizophrenia studies. The Hedges' g standardized difference effect size was calculated for each component using a random effects meta-analytic model. Compared to healthy controls, schizophrenia samples reported significantly reduced tendencies for empathic concern, perspective-taking, and fantasy, but significantly greater tendencies for personal distress. Duration of illness significantly moderated the results for perspective-taking such that those with a longer duration exhibited greater deficits; percent female significantly moderated the results for personal distress such that samples with more females exhibited reduced effect sizes. Future work is needed to examine the impact of heightened personal distress on the empathic tendencies and abilities of those with schizophrenia, including the possible role of emotion regulation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Therapists' attributions for client premature termination: are they self-serving?
We conducted two studies of therapist responses to client premature termination from psychotherapy. In Study 1, we surveyed therapists' attributions for client premature termination from therapy using an open response format. Results suggested that therapists showed a self-serving pattern in their attributions (i.e., attributed causality to the client or environment) when considering their own clients compared to when they considered the premature terminations of clients in general. Study 2 was a vignette study in which therapists responded to one of two client presentations that varied relationship to client (your client vs. other's client). Using the attributional categories derived from Study 1, therapists rated the likelihood that each attribution caused the client's premature termination. Again, patterns across groups indicated that therapists are self-serving in their attributions for client premature termination. In addition, differences were found across gender and theoretical orientation; larger effects were found for men compared to women, and psychoanalytic therapists compared to cognitive-behavioral. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Acclimation of sperm motility apparatus in seawater-acclimated euryhaline tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus.
Euryhaline tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus can reproduce in freshwater and in seawater. Regulation of sperm motility appears to be modulated during acclimation of the fish from freshwater to seawater, being independent of extracellular Ca2+ in freshwater and dependent on extracellular Ca2+ in seawater. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, sperm of seawater-acclimated tilapia (SWT) showed motility even in a hypertonic environment, whereas sperm of freshwater-acclimated tilapia (FWT) were not motile. The Ca2+ indicator, fluo-3, revealed that intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, of SWT sperm increased only in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+) in hypotonic or hypertonic conditions. Since the increased [Ca2+]i in FWT sperm occurred under hypotonic conditions via intracellular Ca2+ stores, it is likely that tilapia modulate their source of increasing [Ca2+]i from intracellular stores (in FWT sperm) to extracellular stores (in SWT sperm). Experiments using demembranated sperm revealed that Ca2+ is necessary for activation of motility, suggesting that Ca2+ plays a key role in motility regulation in SWT sperm. We detected three phosphoproteins associated with the activation of sperm motility. Serine and threonine residues of two proteins of 15 kDa and 18 kDa became dephosphorylated in hypotonic conditions but remained phosphorylated in hypertonic conditions, suggesting that these protein phosphorylations were not only related to motility activation under hypertonic conditions but also resistant to osmotic pressure. The threonine residue(s) of a 41 kDa protein was also phosphorylated in dry sperm, even in FWT sperm in motility-feasible hypotonic conditions. It is likely that acclimation of the motility apparatus is associated with modulation of the flow of Ca2+ to increase [Ca2+]i and protein phosphorylation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Advances in studies on the correlation between acupuncture-moxibustion treatment and mast cells].
The present paper reviewed the literatures at home and abroad in the recent ten years; it stated the effects of acupuncture on local mast cells around meridian acupoints and affected area; it stated the advanced development in the possible mechanism of the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for diseases related to mast cells in recent ten years. Currently, the underlying mechanism of the efficacy of acupuncture on mast cells still remains mysterious. It needs further investigations to study the effect of mast cells in acupuncture treatment and the mechanism of the effects of moxibustion on mast cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Genetic divergence in morphology-performance mapping between Misty Lake and inlet stickleback.
Different environments should select for different aspects of organismal performance, which should lead to correlated divergence in morphological traits that influence performance. The result should be genetic divergence in aspects of performance, morphology and associations ('maps') between morphology and performance. Testing this hypothesis requires quantifying performance and morphology in multiple populations after controlling for environmental differences, but this is rarely attempted. We used a common-garden experiment to examine morphology and several aspects of swimming performance within and between the lake and inlet populations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from the Misty system, Vancouver Island, Canada. Controlling for body size, lake stickleback had shallower bodies, larger caudal fins and smaller pelvic girdles. With or without morphological covariates, lake stickleback showed greater performance in both sustained and burst swimming. In contrast, inlet stickleback showed greater manoeuverability than did lake stickleback in some analyses. Morphology-performance relationships were decoupled when considering variation within vs. between populations. Moreover, morphology-performance mapping differed between the two populations. Based on these observations, we advance a hypothesis for why populations adapting to different environments should show adaptive genetic divergence in morphology-performance mapping. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Revisiting Bone Marrow Core Biopsy Adequacy Criteria in the Era of Extensive Ancillary Testing.
Bone marrow core biopsy is a routine component of comprehensive marrow evaluation, and adequacy criteria have been recommended. However, the effectiveness of these adequacy criteria for diagnostic bone marrow evaluation needs to be reassessed in the current era of extensive ancillary testing. We aimed to determine the impact of core biopsy length and intertrabecular area of evaluable bone marrow on overall adequacy for diagnostic marrow evaluation at our tertiary care institution. Five hundred sequential cases of iliac crest bone marrow sampling were identified by retrospective re-view at our tertiary care institution. In this cohort, 470 core biopsies were obtained for histologic evaluation. Data including gross core biopsy length, number of intertrabecular 40x high power fields of evaluable marrow, and other pathologic/clinical parameters were compiled. The mean core biopsy length was 1.2 cm, and only 23% measured the recommended ≥ 1.5 cm. However, 96% of the core biopsies were interpretable and contributed to the comprehensive bone marrow evaluation. Notably, 100% of biopsies with ≥ 5.5 intertrabecular areas were contributory. Ancillary testing including immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and/or molecular studies were performed in > 99% of cases. When histology was integrated with ancillary testing, the overall diagnosis was substantially limited in only 0.4% of cases and material deemed entirely insufficient in 0.4%. The number of intertrabecular 40x areas of evaluable marrow is a better predictor of adequacy than core biopsy length, and adequacy criteria should be revised in this era of extensive ancillary testing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Spermatologic studies in 300 patients with varicocele of different degrees of severity and in various age classes].
Spermatologic investigations were made in 227 patients with varicocele at the age of 19-23 years (average age 20.4 years) and in 73 patients with varicocele at the age of 24-40 years (average age 28.0 years). The spermatologic findings of the patients with varicocele were compared with the results of 55 andrologic healthy young men without varicocele. The diverse degrees have a different effect to the sperm quality. Only patients with the clinical signs of the varicocele-orchidiopathy present a decreased sperm quality. The degree varicocele combined with other testicular disorders shows the worst sperm quality. The results in the higher age group explain, that the damage of the testicle increases with longer duration of the varicocele. Differentiating the spermatozoal morphology according to the "Düsseldorf morphological classification" you can find characteristic forms with hyperelongation of the head in patients with varicocele and spermatozoa with acrosomal defects in the degree varicocele combined with other testicular disorders. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
HAART to heart: HIV-related cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular complications.
More than one million Americans have been diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Advances in prevention and treatment of HIV have led to an increased life expectancy for patients with HIV infection. Due to their increased life span, HIV+ patients are now presenting to hospitals with an increased number of diverse late-stage complications, such as cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular conditions. These complications are as a direct or indirect result of HIV disease, HIV treatment modalities, comorbid conditions, dietary and lifestyle factors, and unknown etiologies. Cardiac complications, particularly HIV-related dilated cardiomyopathy, are potentially life-threatening diagnoses, with symptoms that may be minimized with appropriate cardiac-specific assessments and treatments, patient teaching, and collaboration among nurses caring for the HIV-positive client with cardiac disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antigenic evaluation of a recombinant baculovirus-expressed Sarcocystis neurona SAG1 antigen.
Sarcocystis neurona is the primary parasite associated with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). This is a commonly diagnosed neurological disorder in the Americas that infects the central nervous system of horses. Current serologic assays utilize culture-derived parasites as antigen. This method requires large numbers of parasites to be grown in culture, which is labor intensive and time consuming. Also, a culture-derived whole-parasite preparation contains conserved antigens that could cross-react with antibodies against other Sarcocystis species and members of Sarcocystidae such as Neospora spp., Hammondia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii. Therefore, there is a need to develop an improved method for the detection of S. neurona-specific antibodies. The sera of infected horses react strongly to surface antigen 1 (SnSAG1), an approximately 29-kDa protein, in immunoblot analysis, suggesting that it is an immunodominant antigen. The SnSAG1 gene of S. neurona was cloned, and recombinant S. neurona SAG1 protein (rSnSAG1-Bac) was expressed with the use of a baculovirus system. By immunoblot analysis, the rSnSAG1-Bac antigen detected antibodies to S. neurona from naturally infected and experimentally inoculated equids, cats, rabbit, mice, and skunk. This is the first report of a baculovirus-expressed recombinant S. neurona antigen being used to detect anti-S. neurona antibodies in a variety of host species. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (SALT) and infection with Borrelia burgdorferi].
A relationship between Borrelia burgdorferi and the development of cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (CBCL) has been long discussed. B. burgdorferi DNA has been detected in patients with CBCL and a response of CBCL to antibiotics has been observed. In our patient with a Borrelia infection, a marginal zone lymphoma (SALT) regressed after ceftriaxone therapy. This further case of a combined appearance of CBCL and B. burgdorferi underlines a possible relationship as an example of an infectious trigger in tumorigenesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Conditional standard errors of measurement for composite scores on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Third Edition.
A specific recommendation of the 1999 Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing by the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education is that test publishers report estimates of the conditional standard error of measurement (SEM). Procedures for calculating the conditional (score-level) SEM based on raw scores are well documented; however, few procedures have been developed for estimating the conditional SEM of subtest or composite scale scores resulting from a nonlinear transformation. Item response theory provided the psychometric foundation to derive the conditional standard errors of measurement and confidence intervals for composite scores on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Third Edition. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Utility and safety of temporary pacing using active fixation leads and externalized re-usable permanent pacemakers after lead extraction.
After extraction of an infected cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) in a pacemaker-dependent patient, a temporary pacemaker wire may be required for long periods during antibiotic treatment. Loss of capture and under sensing are commonly observed over time with temporary pacemaker wires, and patient mobility is restricted. The use of an externalized permanent active-fixation pacemaker lead connected to a permanent pacemaker generator for temporary pacing may be beneficial because of improved lead stability, and greater patient mobility and comfort. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of a temporary permanent pacemaker (TPPM) system in patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction due to CIED infection. Of 47 patients who underwent lead extraction due to CIED infection over a 2-year period at our centre, 23 were pacemaker dependent and underwent TPPM implantation. A permanent pacemaker lead was implanted in the right ventricle via the internal jugular vein and connected to a TPPM generator, which was secured externally at the base of the neck. The TPPM was used for a mean of 19.4 ± 11.9 days (median 18 days, range 3-45 days), without loss of capture or sensing failure in any patient. Twelve of 23 patients were discharged home or to a nursing facility with the TPPM until completion of antibiotic treatment and re-implantation of a new permanent pacemaker. External TPPMs are safe and effective in patients requiring long-term pacing after infected CIED removal. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anthelmintic administration to small ruminants in emergency drought responses: assessing the impact in two locations of northern Kenya.
Internal parasites are a significant determinant of the productivity of ruminant species in the tropics. Provision of anthelmintics has become a predominant part of animal health interventions in emergency drought responses, aiming to maintain the food conversion efficiency of livestock when pasture is scarce. This study aimed to assess the owner-perceived impact of anthelmintic provision on the health and productivity of small ruminants in the drought-prone counties of Isiolo and Marsabit, northern Kenya. Participatory approaches were used to retrospectively measure differences in key indicators of livestock output before and after anthelmintic administration. Results showed that there was no perceived impact of anthelmintic administration during droughts on small ruminant health and productivity, but some benefit of anthelmintic administration during rainy season was perceived. The study also provided some evidence of potential differences in the epidemiology of internal parasites between the counties. These findings may be utilised to inform future livestock intervention programmes in drought-prone areas. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cigarette smoking and adult coeliac disease.
While coeliac disease is clearly induced by dietary gluten ingestion in genetically susceptible individuals, other environmental factors may influence the onset of disease. Two studies have suggested that cigarette smoking has a protective role, but a third has not. We examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and coeliac disease in individuals with coeliac disease diagnosed in adulthood from two large population-based disease registers and age and sex-matched controls from local general practitioner lists. Participants were mailed a three-page lifestyle and general health questionnaire. Smoking habits of coeliacs were compared with controls and with habits reported in the Health Survey for England 1995. An inverse association between current smoking and adult coeliac disease was identified (odds ratio: 0.77 (95% CI 0.56-1.06)) and remained when comparing ever smoked versus never smoked (odds ratio: 0.83 (0.68-1.00)). When the smoking habits of the coeliacs were compared with the national figures, the number of coeliacs who currently smoked was 40% lower than expected (smoking ratio 0.60, 0.46-0.78). This inverse association was accounted for by the behaviour of the 35-54-year age group (odds ratio for ever smoked 0.67 (0.51-0.89)). There was no association with having ever smoked in the younger age group (odds ratio: 1.44 (0.75-2.78)) or the older group (odds ratio: 0.92 (0.67-1.26)). There was an inverse association between adult coeliac disease and cigarette smoking which was accounted for by middle-aged coeliacs having never smoked. These results are consistent with an age-dependent interaction between cigarette smoking and the other environmental factors implicated in coeliac disease, including gluten. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Epstein Barr Virus detection and latent membrane protein 1 in oral hairy leukoplakia in HIV+ Venezuelan patients.
To determine the prevalence of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) in oral hairy leukoplakia lesions (OHL) in HIV+ Venezuelan patients. In this case study, we evaluated 21 HIV+ adult patients with clinically present OHL lesions, 11 who were undergoing antiretroviral therapy, 10 who were not undergoing therapy and 10 HIV-negative adult patients with hyperkeratotic oral mucosal lesions. All of the subjects were assessed at the Infectious Disease Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Central University of Venezuela, and were clinically examined to detect oral mucosal lesions with the confirmed histopathologic diagnosis. Nested-PCR was used to determine the EBV infection and the latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) expression by immunohistochemistry. Of the subjects, 16/21 (76%) of the HIV+/AIDS patients tested positive for EBV, whereas 5/10 (50%) of the HIV-negative subjects tested positive for EBV. In the present study, a higher EBV prevalence was observed in HIV-positive patients when compared to HIV-negative patients without oral hairy leukoplakia, confirming the etiologic role in this entity. The LMP-1 in OHL patients who were both HIV+ and EBV+ was highly expressed (60%) at the epithelial basal cells. No association between the alcohol and tobacco consumption was observed among the EBV-positive cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Significance of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in rheumatoid arthritis].
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), where both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses contribute to the destruction of cartilage and inflammation of synovium. This article presents genetics, properties and mechanisms of action of TNF alpha in RA. In addition, results of experimental and clinical studies are summarized, showing that treatment with antagonists against TNF alpha proved to be beneficial to the patients with RA by modifying the course of disease, slowing its progress and reducing its symptoms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The influence of HLA-A,B and -DR matching and pregraft blood transfusions on graft and patient survival after renal transplantation in a single centre.
The influence of HLA-A,B and DR matching and pregraft blood transfusions on the graft and patient survival rate of 305 recipients of first cadaver grafts in a single centre has been studied. All three factors significantly influenced the graft survival rate. The effect of HLA-A,B matching became apparent only after a follow-up period of 3 years whereas the effect of HLA-DR matching was seen within 3 months after transplantation. The survival rate of HLA-DR compatible grafts was not improved by additional HLA-A,B matching, but that of HLA-DR mismatched grafts was improved by HLA-A,B matching. The HLA-DR matching effect was seen in both transfused and in nontransfused patients. However, the highest graft survival rate seen was in the pregraft transfused patients who received a DR compatible kidney (87% at 1 year and 80% at 5 years). Both HLA-A,B and DR matching significantly increased the patient survival rate whereas blood transfusion did not. The lower survival rate of patients receiving HLA poorly-matched grafts was not related to the amount of methylprednisolone received during the first 3 months after transplantation, the age of the patient, or whether the patient was considered medically high risk at the time of transplantation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Opisthorchiasis cysts of the liver].
Specimens from 7 livers resected because of opisthorchiasis cysts and 29 autopsy cases with massive opisthorchiasis invasion resulting in cholangiectasis and cyst formation in the liver were studied. Characteristic features of the liver opisthorchiasis cysts are described. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Redefining Healthy Urine: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Metagenomic Study of People With and Without Bladder Dysfunction.
We used the PathoScope platform to perform species level analyses of publicly available, 16S rRNA pyrosequenced, asymptomatic urine data to determine relationships between microbiomes, and clinical and functional phenotypes. We reanalyzed previously reported, cross-sectionally acquired urine samples from 47 asymptomatic subjects, including 23 controls and 24 subjects with neuropathic bladder. Urine was originally collected by the usual method of bladder drainage and analyzed by urinalysis, culture and pyrosequencing. Urinalysis and culture values were stratified as leukocyte esterase (0, or 1 or greater), nitrite (positive or negative), pyuria (fewer than 5, or 5 or greater white blood cells per high power field), cloudy urine (positive or negative) and urine culture bacterial growth (less than 50,000, or 50,000 or greater cfu/ml). PathoScope was used for next generation sequencing alignment, bacterial classification and microbial diversity characterization. Subjects with neuropathic bladder were significantly more likely to have positive leukocyte esterase and pyuria, cloudy urine and bacterial growth. Of 47 samples 23 showed bacterial growth on culture and in all samples bacteria were identified by pyrosequencing. Nonneuropathic bladder urine microbiomes included greater proportions of Lactobacillus crispatus in females and Staphylococcus haemolyticus in males. The Lactobacillus community differed significantly among females depending on bladder function. Irrespective of gender the subjects with neuropathic bladder had greater proportions of Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumonia. In 4 subjects with neuropathic bladder Actinobaculum sp. was detected by sequencing and by PathoScope but not by cultivation and in all cases it was associated with pyuria. Using PathoScope plus 16S pyrosequencing we were able to identify unique, phenotype dependent, species level microbes. Novel findings included absent L. crispatus in the urine of females with neuropathic bladder and the presence of Actinobaculum only in subjects with neuropathic bladder. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Diagnostic yield of computed tomography of the brain in first episode psychosis.
Brain computed tomography (CT) is inconsistently recommended worldwide in the investigative algorithm of patients presenting with first episode psychosis (FEP). The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical efficacy of brain CT in patients presenting with FEP without neurological signs in a major metropolitan teaching hospital. The CT brain scan reports of 237 consecutive patients, for which the imaging requests or reports provided a history of FEP but no focal neurological signs, were retrospectively identified within a 6-year period in a 750-bed tertiary referral teaching hospital using the radiology information system text-search function (170 male, 67 female; mean age, 28.3 years). All reports were authored or approved by consultant radiologist. They were reviewed for the presence of any lesion that could cause psychosis and hence alter clinical management. Minor neuroradiological abnormalities were also noted. Hospital Ethics Committee registration and approval were obtained and patient informed consent was not required. No focal brain lesion potentially responsible for the psychosis or focal lesion requiring surgical intervention was identified in any patient. Findings unable to be directly linked to the psychosis such as evidence of small vessel ischaemic disease, arachnoid cysts, cerebral atrophy, and normal variants were present in 17.6% of patients (45 of 237 studies), none of which led to an alteration of clinical management. The results of this study postulate that brain CT should not be universally performed in the initial assessment of patients with first episode psychosis without neurological signs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The sensitivity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors to lead inhibition is dependent on the receptor subunit composition.
Pb+2 is a potent inhibitor of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and its action is dependent on neuronal maturation. Developmentally regulated expression of NMDA receptor subunits may underlie the changing sensitivity to Pb+2. In oocytes expressing in vitro transcribed cRNAs for zeta 1 epsilon 1 or zeta 1 epsilon 2 NMDA receptor subunits, Pb+2 inhibited glutamate-activated currents with IC50 values of 0.87 +/- 0.25 and 1.21 +/- 0.22 microM, respectively, and NMDA-activated currents with IC50 values of 1.37 +/- 0.47 and 1.11 +/- 0.33 microM, respectively. In oocytes expressing zeta 1 epsilon 1 epsilon 2 subunits, the IC50 values for Pb+2 blockade of NMDA- or glutamate-activated currents were significantly larger when compared to zeta 1 epsilon 1 or zeta 1 epsilon 2 combinations. Pb+2 concentrations greater than 1 microM inhibited glutamate-activated currents with an IC50 of 6.1 +/- 1.22 microM and NMDA-activated currents with an IC50 of 6.64 +/- 3.34 microM. Pb+2 reduced the maximal current amplitude consistent with a noncompetitive block. zeta 1 epsilon 1 epsilon 2 NMDA receptors were potentiated by low concentrations of Pb+2 ( < 1.0 microM). These data suggest that brain regions with zeta 1 epsilon 1 or zeta 1 epsilon 2 NMDA receptors subunits would be more vulnerable to Pb+2 toxicity than those with zeta 1 epsilon 1 epsilon 2 NMDA-receptors, which are expressed later in development. These data provide a mechanism for the reported changes in the efficacy of block of NMDA receptors by Pb+2 during development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Structural changes of purple membrane and bacteriorhodopsin during its denaturation induced by high pH.
Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) trimers naturally form two-dimensional hexagonal crystals in purple membrane (PM), which make it very stable. However, the dnaturation of bR was found to occur during a very narrow pH range when the pH was increased above 12.0, as indicated by inactivation of the photochemical cycle observed by flash photolysis kinetic spectra. Here, atomic force microscopy was used to study the surface structural changes of PM during the denaturation process induced by high pH. Together with the absorption and fluorescence spectra, it was found that the structural changes could be divided into three steps. First, some hydrophobic amino acids of bR become exposed to the aqueous environment and PM loses its 2D crystalline structure, transforming into the so-called "nonisland" structure. Second, bR molecules are extracted out of membrane and form protrusions on the surface like islands in the sea; therefore, the "nonisland" structure transforms into the "island" structure. Finally, most bRs break off from the membrane and form large depositions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Absorption from different intestinal segments during exercise.
This study evaluated intestinal absorption from the first 75 cm of the proximal small intestine during 85 min of cycle exercise [63.6 +/- 0.7% peak O2 consumption (VO2 peak)] while subjects ingested either an isotonic carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage (CHO-E) or a water placebo (WP). The CHO-E beverage contained 117 mM (4%) sucrose, 111 mM (2%) glucose, 18 meq Na+, and 3 meq K+. The two experiments were performed a week apart by seven subjects (6 men and 1 woman; mean VO2 peak = 53.5 +/- 6.5 ml . kg-1 . min-1). Nasogastric and multilumen tubes were fluoroscopically positioned in the gastric antrum and duodenojejunum, respectively. Subjects ingested 23 ml/kg body weight of the test solution, 20% (383 +/- 11 ml) of this volume 5 min before exercise and 10% (191 +/- 5 ml) every 10 min thereafter. By using the rate of gastric emptying (18.1 +/- 1.1 vs. 19.2 +/- 0. 7 ml/min for WP and CHO-E, respectively) as the rate of intestinal perfusion, intestinal absorption was determined by segmental perfusion from the duodenum (0-25 cm) and jejunum (25-50 and 50-75 cm). Water flux was different (P < 0.05) between solutions in the 0- to 25- and 25- to 50-cm segments for WP vs. CHO-E (30.7 +/- 2.7 vs. 15.0 +/- 2.9 and 3.8 +/- 1.1 vs. 11.9 +/- 3.3 ml . cm-1 . h-1, respectively). Furthermore, water flux differed (P < 0.05) for WP in a comparison of the 0- to 25- to the 25- to 50-cm segment. Total solute flux (TSF) was not significantly different among segments for a given solution or between solutions for a given segment. There was no difference between trials for percent change in plasma volume. These results indicate that 1) fluid absorption in the proximal small intestine depends on the segment studied and 2) solution composition can significantly effect water absorption rate in different intestinal segments. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Three more novel FMRFamide-like neuropeptide sequences from the eyestalk of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
In addition to five FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs) previously isolated from the eyestalk of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (16), three more new FLPs (Mar-FLP6-8) were identified from minor immunoreactive fractions of 5,000 eyestalk extracted in methanol/acetic acid/water: DGGRNFLRFamide, GYGDRNFLRFamide and VSHNNFLRFamide. These three peptides share 5-6 common residues at the C-terminus with Mar-FLP1,2 and 3. This evidence reveals that the structural diversity and complexity of the FLP family in M. rosenbergii are similar to that found in other invertebrate species. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Taxonomic use of DNA G+C content and DNA-DNA hybridization in the genomic age.
The G+C content of a genome is frequently used in taxonomic descriptions of species and genera. In the past it has been determined using conventional, indirect methods, but it is nowadays reasonable to calculate the DNA G+C content directly from the increasingly available and affordable genome sequences. The expected increase in accuracy, however, might alter the way in which the G+C content is used for drawing taxonomic conclusions. We here re-estimate the literature assumption that the G+C content can vary up to 3-5 % within species using genomic datasets. The resulting G+C content differences are compared with DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) similarities calculated in silico using the GGDC web server, with 70% similarity as the gold standard threshold for species boundaries. The results indicate that the G+C content, if computed from genome sequences, varies no more than 1% within species. Statistical models based on larger differences alone can reject the hypothesis that two strains belong to the same species. Because DDH similarities between two non-type strains occur in the genomic datasets, we also examine to what extent and under which conditions such a similarity could be <70% even though the similarity of either strain to a type strain was ≥ 70%. In theory, their similarity could be as low as 50%, whereas empirical data suggest a boundary closer (but not identical) to 70%. However, it is shown that using a 50% boundary would not affect the conclusions regarding the DNA G+C content. Hence, we suggest that discrepancies between G+C content data provided in species descriptions on the one hand and those recalculated after genome sequencing on the other hand ≥ 1% are due to significant inaccuracies of the applied conventional methods and accordingly call for emendations of species descriptions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effective determination of a pharmaceutical, sulpiride, in river water by online SPE-LC-MS using a molecularly imprinted polymer as a preconcentration medium.
We report an effective and a quantitative analysis method for one of pharmaceuticals, sulpiride, in river water by online solid phase extraction (SPE) connected with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using a molecularly imprinted polymer as a preconcentration medium. The polymer prepared with a pseudo template molecule showed the selective retention ability based on the interval recognition of functional groups in sulpiride. Also, the imprinted polymer provided an effective concentration of a trace level of sulpiride in offline SPE with dual washing processes using water and acetonitrile, although another imprinted polymer prepared by an authentic method using sulpiride and methacrylic acid as a template and a functional monomer, respectively, showed the selective adsorption only in organic solvents. Furthermore, we employed the imprinted polymer as the preconcentration column of online SPE-LC-MS and the results supposed that the proposed system allowed the quantitative analysis of sulpiride with high sensitivity and recovery (10ng/L at 96%). Additionally, the determination of sulpiride in real river water without an additional spiking was effectively achieved by the system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Early developmental origins of impaired lung structure and function.
Epidemiological studies show that exposure to factors that restrict fetal growth or lead to low birthweight can alter lung development and have later adverse effects on lung function and respiratory health. The major causal factors include reduced nutrient and oxygen availability, nicotine exposure via maternal tobacco smoking and preterm birth, each of which can affect critical stages of lung development. Experimental studies show that these environmental insults can permanently alter lung structure and hence lung function, increasing the risk of respiratory illness and accelerating the rate of lung aging. Further studies are required that address the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which these factors adversely affect lung development and whether such effects can be blocked or reversed. Ultimately however, a major goal should be to prevent prenatal compromises through clinical monitoring, and in the case of smoking through education, thereby ensuring that each fetus has the best possible environment in which to develop. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Subtypes of endothelin ETA and ETB receptors mediating venous smooth muscle contraction.
In rabbit saphenous vein, endothelin (ET)-1 and ET-3 induced sustained contractions whereas the selective agonists of the ETB receptor, sarafotoxin S6c (STXc) and IRL 1620, induced transient contractions. In the presence of an ETA antagonist, BQ-123, contractions induced by ET-1, STXc and IRL 1620 did not change whereas ET-3 induced only transient contraction. The ETB antagonists, RES-701-1 and IRL 1038, only weakly antagonized the effects of these stimulants. In the muscle pretreated with STXc, neither STXc nor IRL 1620 was effective whereas ET-3 induced sustained contraction at higher concentrations than ET-1. In the muscle pretreated with STXc, BQ-123 weakly antagonized the effect of ET-1 and abolished the effect of ET-3. These results suggest that there are two types of ET receptors; less tachyphylactic and isopeptide-selective ETA receptor, and tachyphylactic and isopeptide-nonselective ETB receptor. The ETA receptors may be further classified as a BQ-123-sensitive ETA1 and a BQ-123-insensitive ETA2 subtypes. The ETB receptors may also be subclassified as the ETB1 and ETB2 subtypes based on the sensitivity to the ETB antagonists. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Screening and diagnosis for eliminating renovascular hypertension. Value of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and color-coded duplex ultrasound diagnosis].
Direct renal angiography is still the method of choice for identification of renal artery stenosis. Newer non-invasive diagnostic methods include color coded duplex sonography and also ambulatory 24-h blood pressure monitoring, since in a large proportion of patients with secondary forms of hypertension the usual blood pressure fall during nighttime disappears. In a prospective in-hospital study we investigated 86 patients with suspected renovascular hypertension. Circadian blood pressure was measured oscillometrically and color coded duplex sonography was performed immediately before direct renal angiography. Angiography revealed renal artery stenosis (> or = 50%) in 42 patients. This compared to a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 91.7% for the use of sonography in those patients (70.4%) who could be adequately examined. Mean 24-h pressure values as well as standard deviations of blood pressure means as an indicator for blood pressure variability were not different in the 2 groups of patients, when all the data were analysed together and also when the data for nighttime and daytime were examined separately. The percent of blood pressure fall during nighttime was also not different in the 2 groups. In both groups 4 hypertensive patients had a blood pressure increase during nighttime. In 11 patients without renal artery stenosis a blood pressure fall of < 10% was observed, compared to 12 patients with renal artery stenosis. The circadian pattern of pulse rate was similar in both groups. We conclude that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring has a considerably lower diagnostic value for renal artery stenosis compared to angiography and also to color duplex sonography. This method therefore does not appear to be an appropriate screening approach for this kind of secondary hypertension. The color coded duplex sonography, however, seems to be the best non-invasive diagnostic method in those patients, who can be adequately examined. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Role of zinc in eukaryotic cells, zinc transporters and zinc-containing proteins. Review article.
As a catalytic and/or structural cofactor for countless of zinc-dependent enzymes and proteins, zinc is an essential element for all organisms. This review summarizes the basics of human zinc physiology and biochemistry. The role of zinc in the regulation of gene expression and cellular signal transmission is described in more details. The present explosive growth of new knowledge about various biological roles of zinc will undoubtedly lead to the future development of new powerful drugs and to treatment of many diseases including cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Geriatric cardiology: when exercise stress testing is justified.
Short exercise duration is not necessarily ominous in an older patient unless other significant abnormalities, such as ST-segment depression or arrhythmias, are associated. Problems peculiar to the elderly during exercise testing--appearance of fatigue and lightheadedness due to muscle weakness and deconditioning, vasoregulatory insufficiency, and a tendency to unsteadiness of gait--may require physical or emotional support. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria: two cases.
Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria is a rare genodermatosis reported initially and mainly in Japan. However, subsequent cases have been reported from other countries. We describe two Tunisian cases of dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria in a 3-year-old and a 3-month-old girl. They presented to our department with asymptomatic progressive mottled pigmentation over the trunk and limbs, which had been noted since birth and had become more noticeable with age. Palms and soles were also affected in the first case. The two patients did not have any systemic or other cutaneous illness. They were born to healthy, second-degree consanguineous parents (case 1) and non consanguineous parents (case 2), following an uneventful pregnancy. No family members had a similar appearance. Physical examination revealed numerous, generalized, hyperpigmented macules interspersed with spotty de-pigmented macules. Hair, nails, teeth, and mucosae were normal. Systemic examination did not reveal abnormalities. Histological exam revealed basal layer hypermelanosis with pigmentary incontinence in some areas. So based on those findings a clinical diagnosis of DUH was made and the patients were followed up in our department for periodic general evaluation of their skin. After a follow up of 12 months, the first child didn't develop other lesions, but palms and soles were also involved in the second case. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[On the health status of children in the Aral sea regions].
The authors analyzed changes in main health state parameters among children and general population of Kzylorda and Almaata regions of Kazakhstan. Findings are significant negative turn in health state of people residing in Kzylorda region--ecologically unfavorable zone of Priaralye. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Behind the scenes of cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
The benefits and advantages of automated systems for cardiopulmonary exercise testing are well appreciated. Overenthusiasm and overconfidence in computer "black box" generated information, however, has resulted in inadequate attention to important issues related to quality control. The objective of this article is to provide basic and practical information related to equipment, methodology, conduct of the test, and quality control that will help assure clinically reliable results. The authors elaborate on the most widely applied methodologies and current criteria and guidelines of exercise testing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Provincial health expenditure and cardiovascular disease mortality, a panel data study of Canadian provinces.
Health expenditures on cardiovascular disease (CVD) account for a large proportion of health care expenditures of all the diseases in Canada, and hence there is a need to examine the responsiveness of CVD outcomes to health expenditures. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between health care expenditures and CVD mortality, as a health care outcome at the provincial level in Canada. A 10-year (2000-2009) panel dataset was constructed from multiple data sources for the purposes of this study. The dataset composed of age standardized CVD mortalities, health care expenditures, and covariates for the 10 Canadian provinces. We employed a fixed effects model based on the results of the Hausman test, with CVD mortalities as the dependent variable and health care expenditure and other covariates, as explanatory variables. Health care expenditures were significantly (0.05) and negatively associated with CVD mortality, with a 1% increase in health care expenditures associated with a decrease of 6.31 per 1 000 000 people in CVD mortality. In the Canadian context, increases in spending on health care were associated with improvements in CVD outcomes for the time period under investigation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Risk factors of survival after liver transplantation for HCC: a multivariate single-center analysis.
The selection criteria for liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular cancer (HCC) are well defined. Increasing evidence suggests that the effectiveness of pre-transplant bridging influences the individual course after LT significantly. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine its impact on tumor progression during waiting time and identify patient subgroups with favorable oncological long-term outcome. Prospectively collected data of 78 consecutive patients undergoing LT for HCC between 2001 and 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Survival rates were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier estimate. Clinicopathologic prognostic factors were identified by Cox regression analysis. After 48.9 months of median follow-up, the five-yr overall survival rate is 57% with a five-yr recurrence-free survival rate of 74%. Progressive disease (PD) during bridging was developed in 32% of patients, and a trend toward impaired overall survival in patients with PD before LT was detected in multivariate analysis (p = 0.073). HCC ≥3 cm was associated with a three times increased risk of recurrent disease. Neither fulfillment of MILAN criteria nor bridging with transarterial chemoembolization had an impact on the outcome. PD during waiting time influences the oncological course after LT. However, even with an increasing organ shortage, further studies are warranted to define clear selection criteria based on the biological tumor behavior and allow a more personalized treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antidepressant use among survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer: a report of the Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivor (CAYACS) Research Program.
Although survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) cancer are at risk for late psychological sequelae, it is unclear if they are more likely to be prescription antidepressant users than their peers. All 5-year survivors of childhood or AYA cancer diagnosed before age 25 years in British Columbia from 1970 to 1995 were identified. Those with complete follow-up in the provincial health insurance registry from 2001 to 2004 were included (n = 2,389). A birth-cohort and gender-matched set of population controls 10 times the size of the survivor group was randomly selected (n = 23,890). All prescriptions filled between 2001 and 2004 were identified through linkage to the provincial prescription drug administrative database. Logistic regression analyses determined the impact of cancer survivorship on the likelihood of ever filling an antidepressant prescription. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, survivors of childhood and AYA cancer were more likely to have filled an antidepressant prescription compared to controls (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.09-1.35). Cancer survivors had an increased likelihood of using all categories of antidepressants, and of using drugs from two or more antidepressant categories, compared to peers (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.11-1.55 [≥2 antidepressant categories]). Treatment was not a significant predictor of antidepressant use. Female survivors, those in young adulthood and those more than 20 years post-treatment had increased antidepressant use. Survivors of childhood and AYA cancer are more likely to fill antidepressant prescriptions compared to peer controls. This may indirectly reflect an increased underlying prevalence of mental health conditions among survivors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Radiation Exposure From Computed Tomography Of The Upper Limbs.
To investigate exposure to radiation we identified a cohort of 312 patients who underwent standardized CT of an upper limb within a three years period. The effective dose per dose length product coefficient was used to calculate the effective doses of radiation. Mean effective doses were as follows: shoulder CT, 10.83 (SD 6.36) mSv; wrist CT, 0.15 (SD 0.07) mSv; elbow CT performed with the arm above the head, 0.21 (SD 0.11) mSv and with the arm adjacent to the torso, 13.1 (SD 10.8) mSv. The corresponding lifetime attributable risk of cancer was 0.6/1000 for males and 0.73/1000 for females for shoulder CT and 0.75/1000 for males and 0.96/1000 for females for elbow CT with the arm adjacent to torso. The effective doses for CT scans of the wrist and of the elbow performed with the arm above the head were low. For elbow CT scans, elevating the arm above the head decreases the radiation doses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Damage to epithelial basement membrane by thermokeratoplasty.
To determine the effects of thermokeratoplasty (TKP) on the basement membrane complexes of the corneal epithelium, transmission electron microscopy was performed on the corneal buttons of five patients with failed TKP and on two normal corneas and five corneas with keratoconus that were immediately treated by TKP (acute TKP). The consistent findings of thermal dissolution of basement membrane after acute TKP and persistent defects of basement membrane complexes many months after therapeutic thermokeratoplasty were significant. Given the potentially damaging effects of thermokeratoplasty on the epithelial basement membrane, faulty epithelial adhesion should be anticipated after thermokeratoplasty and should be treated aggressively, possibly with careful prophylactic use of bandage hydrophilic contact lenses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Construction of size-controllable gold nanoparticles immobilized on polysaccharide nanotubes by in situ one-pot synthesis.
A green method for in situ one-pot synthesis of size-controlled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was provided in this work. In our findings, a β-1,3-D-glucan, AF1, extracted from black fungus was used as a support of AuNPs. The AuNPs were dispersed in the AF1 aqueous solution without additional reducing and stabilizing or dispersing agents. The infrared spectrum (FT-IR), thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) and atomic force microscope (AFM) results indicated that the AuNPs synthesized by AF1 were immobilized on the AF1 nanotubes with controllable shape and size of 5-45nm. The hydroxyl groups on AF1 nanotubes not only acted as reducing agents but also were able to stabilize AuNPs by the strong interaction between the surface Au atoms of AuNPs and oxygen atoms of AF1 nanotubes. The AuNPs exhibited a good catalytic activity for the rapid reduction from 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) by excess borohydride, further confirming the dispersion of AuNPs in water. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
How Do Families Represent the Functions of Deliberate Self-Harm? A Comparison between the Social Representations from Adolescents and Their Parents.
Research has recognized the importance of understanding the social representations about the functions of deliberate self-harm, particularly in the context of clinical intervention. In addition, parents can play a relevant role in the rehabilitation of adolescents with these behaviors. However, there are few studies that focused on the description and comparison of the social representations about these functions, particularly in families. This article aimed to analyze the social representations about the functions of deliberate self-harm from adolescents and their parents. We developed two sets of analyses: first we compared the social representations from adolescents without a history of deliberate self-harm and their parents, and secondly we compared the social representations about the functions of deliberate self-harm from adolescents with a history of these behaviors and their parents' social representations. Results revealed significant differences between both groups of families, implying that the groups of participants represent the functions of deliberate self-harm differently. Overall, parents emphasized interpersonal functions and devalued intrapersonal functions. These differences were heightened in the families of adolescents with deliberate self-harm. The present article provides important insights regarding the social representations about the functions of deliberate self-harm and the differences between parents' social representations and their children experiences and social representations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Frequency and sequelae of retained implanted cardiac device material post heart transplantation.
Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have now become common therapeutic adjuncts for patients prior to orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Removal of the generator and the intracardiac components occurs at time of transplantation but removal of the intravascular portion of leads may be unsuccessful without specialized extraction equipment. We performed a retrospective audit of chest radiographs and clinical records of patients undergoing OHT at Green Lane and Auckland City Hospitals between 2002 and 2012. At the time of transplant surgery, 56 of 100 patients had a CIED in situ. Hardware was retained postoperatively in 22 (39%), and the CIED had been in situ for 47 (interquartile range [IQR] 16-68) months for these cases, compared to 14 (IQR 3-24) months in those without. In two (9%) patients, the device generator was electively explanted during the week following OHT. There were no subsequent procedures undertaken to remove retained lead fragments. One (4%) had lead fragment embolization, one (4%) had endoluminal fragment migration, and one (4%) had lead fragment erosion into the mediastinum; all were asymptomatic and without adverse clinical sequelae. There was no infection associated with this hardware. The presence of retained lead fragments was not associated with additional mortality. Retained lead fragments following OHT occur commonly, without adverse clinical events for this cohort; however, the long-term clinical implications remain uncertain. Complete removal of all CIED hardware should be attempted at the time of OHT, and when this is not possible leads should be left in a state that facilitates their removal at a later date if required. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Stool carriage, clinical isolation, and mortality during an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in hospitalized medical and/or surgical patients.
During a nosocomial outbreak of infection due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), rectal swabs that were collected weekly were used to identify and isolate VRE carriers. Over 6 months, 1,458 stool specimens from 724 high-risk patients were cultured, and 187 VRE isolates were recovered from 61 patients; 96% of the isolates were Enterococcus faecium. VRE tended to be isolated from clinical specimens from patients identified as VRE carriers by stool surveillance (P < .01). However, isolation of VRE from surveillance cultures preceded clinical isolation for only approximately 50% of the patients from whom a clinical VRE isolate was recovered. Mortality was greater (P < .05) among patients from whom a clinical VRE isolate was recovered than among patients from whom VRE was isolated only by stool surveillance. The mortality (1[17%] of 6) among patients for whom VRE was isolated from blood was similar to that (10 [27%] of 37) among patients for whom vancomycin-susceptible enterococcus was isolated from blood (P = .97). Despite prompt initiation of contact precautions for VRE carriers, the incidence of fecal carriage of VRE remained approximately 8% among this patient population for the 6-month period of the study. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Using the unified relationship matrix adjusted by breed-wise allele frequencies in genomic evaluation of a multibreed population.
The observed low accuracy of genomic selection in multibreed and admixed populations results from insufficient linkage disequilibrium between markers and trait loci. Failure to remove variation due to the population structure may also hamper the prediction accuracy. We verified if accounting for breed origin of alleles in the calculation of genomic relationships would improve the prediction accuracy in an admixed population. Individual breed proportions derived from the pedigree were used to estimate breed-wise allele frequencies (AF). Breed-wise and across-breed AF were estimated from the currently genotyped population and also in the base population. Genomic relationship matrices (G) were subsequently calculated using across-breed (GAB) and breed-wise (GBW) AF estimated in the currently genotyped and also in the base population. Unified relationship matrices were derived by combining different G with pedigree relationships in the evaluation of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) for genotyped and ungenotyped animals. The validation reliabilities and inflation of GEBV were assessed by a linear regression of deregressed breeding value (deregressed proofs) on GEBV, weighted by the reliability of deregressed proofs. The regression coefficients (b1) from GAB ranged from 0.76 for milk to 0.90 for protein. Corresponding b1 terms from GBW ranged from 0.72 to 0.88. The validation reliabilities across 4 evaluations with different G were generally 36, 40, and 46% for milk, protein, and fat, respectively. Unexpectedly, validation reliabilities were generally similar across different evaluations, irrespective of AF used to compute G. Thus, although accounting for the population structure in GBW tends to simplify the blending of genomic- and pedigree-based relationships, it appeared to have little effect on the validation reliabilities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Non-pharmacological interventions for cancer-related fatigue in men treated for prostate cancer: A systematic review.
Cancer-related fatigue is the most common, distressing complaint reported by cancer patients and the most frequently reported long-term side effect of treatment for prostate cancer. Despite this, cancer-related fatigue has not received serious attention from health professionals or researchers, particularly in relation to men with prostate cancer. It is important for healthcare professionals to understand effective non-pharmacological interventions for treating cancer-related fatigue. To synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for managing cancer-related fatigue in men with prostate cancer who are undergoing or have completed treatment. This review considered men with prostate cancer (regardless of staging, any previous treatment or co morbidities), aged 18 years and over who were undergoing any treatment, or had completed any treatment for prostate cancer within the previous 12 months.This review considered non-pharmacological interventions, including exercise, diet modification, counselling, education, and cognitive behavioral therapy, using other non-pharmacological interventions or standard care as comparators.Fatigue, as measured by validated tools.This review considered randomized controlled trials and experimental studies. A three-step search strategy was used to find published studies and papers, limited to English language reports, published between 1990 and March 2012. Data was extracted using a standardized extraction tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Narrative synthesis of the results of included studies was conducted due to the heterogeneous nature of participant populations, interventions and methodologies encountered that precluded statistical meta-analysis. Eight studies with 600 participants were included in this review. Three interventions were found to be effective for the management of cancer-related fatigue in men with prostate cancer, either undergoing treatment or having completed treatment within the previous twelve months. The available evidence demonstrated the effectiveness of physical activity, both aerobic and resistance exercise, and psychosocial interventions, including education and cognitive behavioral therapy for improving fatigue in men treated for prostate cancer CONCLUSION: The management of cancer-related fatigue in men treated for prostate cancer requires health professionals to provide patients with a range of options. While physical activity has been shown to have the strongest benefit, other non-pharmacological interventions are beneficial and should also be considered as a strategy in treating this debilitating side effect of cancer and its treatment.Health professionals need to be aware of the high likelihood of cancer-related fatigue in men treated for prostate cancer. They also need to have knowledge of a range of effective interventions aimed at reducing cancer-related fatigue in men with prostate cancer and should incorporate those interventions into their patient management.More research should be conducted to evaluate effective non-pharmacological interventions for cancer-related fatigue in men with prostate cancer. Particular focus should be on psychosocial and educational interventions rather than activity-based interventions, as these have been well studied and shown to be effective in men with prostate cancer. Further research is needed in specific prostate cancer populations, including those defined by stage of disease, treatment type and phase of treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The gross anatomy of the renal sympathetic nerves revisited.
Catheter-based renal denervation techniques focus on reducing blood pressure in resistant hypertension. This procedure requires exact knowledge of the anatomical interrelation between the renal arteries and the targeted renal nervous plexus. The aim of this work was to build on classical anatomical studies and describe the gross anatomy and anatomical relationships of the renal arteries and nerve supply to the kidneys in a sample of human cadavers. Twelve human cadavers (six males and six females), age range 73 to 94 years, were dissected. The nervous fibers and renal arteries were dissected using a surgical microscope. The renal plexus along the hilar renal artery comprised a fiber-ganglionic ring surrounding the proximal third of the renal artery, a neural network along the middle and distal thirds, and smaller accessory ganglia along the course of the nerve fibers. The fibers of the neural network were mainly located on the superior (95.83%) and inferior (91.66%) surfaces of the renal artery and they were sparsely interconnected by diagonal fibers. Polar arteries were present in 33.33% of cases and the renal nerve pattern for these was similar to that of the hilar arteries. Effective renal denervation needs to target the superior and inferior surfaces of the hilar and polar arteries, where the fibers of the neural network are present. Clin. Anat. 29:660-664, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lipid-lowering Activity of Natural and Semi-Synthetic Sterols and Stanols.
Consumption of plant sterols/ stanols has long been demonstrated to reduce plasma cholesterol levels. The objective of this review is to demonstrate the lipid-lowering activity and anti-atherogenic effects of natural and semi-synthetic plant sterols/ stanols based on evidence from cell-culture studies, animal studies and clinical trials. Additionally, this review highlights certain molecular mechanisms by which plant sterols/ stanols lower plasma cholesterol levels with a special emphasis on factors that affect the cholesterol-lowering activity of plant sterols/stanols. The crystalline nature and the poor oil solubility of these natural products could be important factors that limit their cholesterol-lowering efficiency. Several attempts have been made to improve the cholesterol-lowering activity by enhancing the bioavailability of crystalline sterols and stanols. Approaches involved reduction of the crystal size and/or esterification with fatty acids from vegetable or fish oils. However, the most promising approach in this context is the chemical modification of plant sterols /stanols into water soluble disodium ascorbyl phytostanyl phosphates analogue by esterification with ascorbic acid. This novel semi-synthetic stanol derivative has improved efficacy over natural plant sterols/ stanols and can provide additional benefits by combining the cholesterol-lowering properties of plant stanols with the antioxidant potential of ascorbic acid. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human antibody response to Moraxella catarrhalis antigens.
Moraxella catarrhalis was isolated from 68 of 200 (34%) sputum and 56 (28%) nasopharyngeal swab samples of patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Of the 68 pneumonia patients, 42 (61.8%) were males and 26 (38.2%) females. Fifty one of the 68 patients (75%) had chronic underlying diseases. beta-lactamase was produced by 37 (54.4%) of the 68 sputum samples and 32(57.1%) of the 56 nasopharyngeal isolates. In an ELISA using outer membrane protein antigens of M. catarrhalis against patient sera showed 40 of 68 (58.8%), and 43 of 68 (63.2%) significant increase in convalescent to acute sera when IgA, IgM and IgG3 were used respectively. In control sera only of 30(3.3%) and none showed significant antibody rise when IgA, IgM and IgG3 conjugates were used respectively (P < 0.05). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Amelioration of metformin-induced hypothyroidism by Withania somnifera and Bauhinia purpurea extracts in Type 2 diabetic mice.
An investigation was carried out to reveal the possible ameliorative role of two plant extracts on an antidiabetic drug-induced hypothyroidism in Type 2 diabetic animals. Dexamethasone (1.0 mg/kg, i.m.) administration caused hyperglycemia with a parallel increase in renal lipid peroxidation (LPO), relative risk ratio (RR), and the concentrations of serum insulin; total cholesterol (TC); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). It decreased serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels as well as renal superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content. Administration with metformin (150 mg/kg, orally) to diabetic animals further reduced circulating T4 level and caused severe hypothyroidism. It also reduced renal LPO, RR, serum concentrations of insulin; glucose and LDL-C with a parallel increase in cellular antioxidants. While oral administration with either Withania somnifera (1.4 g/kg) or Bauhinia purpurea (2.5 mg/kg) extract along with dexamethasone and metformin elevated the concentrations of circulating T3 and T4 to euthyroid level. The plant extracts also corrected RR ratio and serum concentration of lipids. The findings of the present study, for the first time, reveal that the evaluated plant extracts have a potential to ameliorate metformin-induced hypothyroidism in Type 2 diabetic subjects. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evaluation of passive avoidance learning and spatial memory in rats exposed to low levels of lead during specific periods of early brain development.
Widespread use of heavy metal lead (Pb) for various commercial purposes has resulted in the environmental contamination caused by this metal. The studies have shown a definite relationship between low level lead exposure during early brain development and deficit in children's cognitive functions. This study investigated the passive avoidance learning and spatial learning in male rat pups exposed to lead through their mothers during specific periods of early brain development. Experimental male rats were divided into 5 groups: i) the normal control group (NC) (N = 12) consisted of rat offspring born to mothers who were given normal drinking water throughout gestation and lactation, ii) the pre-gestation lead exposed group (PG) (N = 12) consisted of rat offspring, mothers of these rats had been exposed to 0.2% lead acetate in the drinking water for 1 month before conception, iii) the gestation lead exposed group (G) (N = 12) contained rat offspring born to mothers who had been exposed to 0.2% lead acetate in the drinking water throughout gestation, iv) the lactation lead exposed group (L) (N = 12) had rat offspring, mothers of these rats exposed to 0.2% lead acetate in the drinking water throughout lactation and v) the gestation and lactation lead exposed group (GL) (N = 12) contained rat offspring, mothers of these rats were exposed to 0.2% lead acetate throughout gestation and lactation. The study found deficit in passive avoidance learning in the G, L and GL groups of rats. Impairment in spatial learning was found in the PG, G, L and GL groups of rats. Interestingly, the study found that gestation period only and lactation period only lead exposure was sufficient to cause deficit in learning and memory in rats. The extent of memory impairment in the L group of rats was comparable with the GL group of rats. So it can be said that postnatal period of brain development is more sensitive to neurotoxicity compared to prenatal exposure. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Increased vascular reactivity to Bay K 8644 in genetic hypertension.
These experiments compared potential-operated calcium channel function in smooth muscle from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Carotid artery strips from adult male SHRSP and WKY rats were suspended in tissue baths for isometric force recording. Contractile force was expressed as percent of response to 100 mmol/l KCl. Vascular strips from SHRSP were more sensitive to KCl (ED50 = 25 mmol/l) compared to strips from WKY rats (ED50 = 37 mmol/l). The calcium channel agonist Bay K 8644 (2.8 x 10(-10) to 2.8 x 10(-7) mol/l) produced tonic contractions in carotid artery strips from SHRSP (34% of the contractile response to 100 mmol/l KCl) but not in those from WKY rats. Incubation of vascular strips in 1.8 or 6 x 10(-10) mmols/l norepinephrine did not alter the maximal contractile response to Bay K 8644 in either strain of rats. In 12 mmol/l KCl, the maximal contractile response to Bay K 8644 was increased in both SHRSP (71%) and WKY rats (25%). In 18 mmol/l KCl, maximal contractile responses to Bay K 8644 in the two strains were similar (SHRSP = 73%, WKY = 76%). Removal of the endothelium did not significantly affect contractile responses to Bay K 8644 in either strain of rats. There were no differences in contractile responses to the calcium ionophore A23187 or in nifedipine-induced relaxation of potassium-activated vessels between carotid arteries from SHRSP and WKY rats. In summary, these results suggest that a difference in voltage-operated calcium channel function may underlie the increased sensitivity of SHRSP vascular smooth muscle to depolarizing stimuli. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Assessment of pancreatic and hepatic function in Yucatan miniature swine exhibiting impaired glucose tolerance.
A group of Yucatan miniature swine exhibiting impaired glucose tolerance (Kq = .91 +/- .04), were examined with respect to their portal and hepatic vein insulin levels following a fasting intravenous glucose tolerance test. The majority of these animals (9 of 11) were found to exhibit the expected portal vein insulin deficiency. This deficiency was found to encompass all phases of the insulin response and was not limited to the acute secretory phase. The remaining two animals were found to have normal portal vein insulin concentrations while exhibiting reduced hepatic vein insulin levels, and impaired glucose tolerance. An excessive rate of hepatic insulin extraction is proposed to explain the etiology of the insulin deficiency and glucose intolerance observed in these latter two animals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prognostic Impact of the Turin Criteria in Poorly Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.
The Turin criteria including solid, trabecular, and/or insular architecture, lack of typical nuclear features of papillary carcinoma, and mitoses, necrosis, or convoluted nuclei were adopted in the recent 4th edition of the World Health Organization classification published in 2017. Between 2006 and 2017, 11,001 cases underwent initial surgery for primary malignant thyroid tumor derived from follicular cells. A total of 75 (0.7%) cases were diagnosed with PDTC according to the 2004 WHO classification. Based on the Turin criteria, 30 (40%) cases were re-classified as PDTC-Turin (+) and 45 (60%) cases were PDTC-Turin (-). Clinicopathological features and prognosis were compared between PDTC-Turin (+) and PDTC-Turin (-). Seventy-five patients (48 females and 27 males) had a median age at the time of surgery of 57 years. Preoperative diagnosis was benign in 16 (21%), follicular tumor in 40 (53%), and malignant in 19 (25%). The 5-year cause-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 97% and 44% for PDTC-Turin (+) and 100% and 88% for PDTC-Turin (-). On univariate analysis, CSS and DFS rates were significantly worse in the PDTC-Turin (+) than in the PDTC-Turin (-) (p = 0.0096, and p = 0.0016). Multivariate analysis showed that Turin criteria status, Ki-67 labeling index ≥ 10%, and age 55 ≥ years were the independent prognostic factors for recurrence. The prevalence of PDTC diagnosed with the Turin criteria was low, but it showed more aggressive behavior. The 2017 WHO classification reflects the prognosis more accurately than the 2004 WHO classification. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Poly(methyl methacrylate) Coating of Titanium Workpieces to Reduce Burrs in Micro-drilling.
A technique to reduce burr height in titanium micro-drilling is presented: a poly (methyl methacrylate) coating was applied before machining on the upper and lower surfaces of a titanium specimen (0.5-mm thick). After drilling, a cleaning process (acetone bath) was executed to eliminate the coating, and holes with less burr were obtained. The coating process was executed with a spin-coating machine. To test the efficacy of the technique, two different coating thicknesses (7.9 and 5.4 μm) and two drill bits (0.25- and 0.5-mm diameter) were evaluated. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the holes obtained were performed with scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional microscopy, respectively. The results highlight the efficacy of the technique to reduce the burr height by 70% in coated titanium relative to that in an uncoated titanium sheet. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antimicrobial activity of Leuconostoc gelidum against closely related species and Listeria monocytogenes.
A newly isolated strain of Leuconostoc gelidum was evaluated for its ability to inhibit a wide spectrum of lactic acid bacteria, meat spoilage bacteria and food-related human pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes. It was inhibitory to most of the lactobacilli, all the leuconostocs, and three strains of L. monocytogenes when tested both by direct and well diffusion methods. Cell-free extract retained activity after 60 min at 100 degrees C but was sensitive to protease. Dialysis suggested a molecular weight in excess of 10(4) daltons. The inhibitory effect was bactericidal and rapid. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Graphene oxide-l-arginine nanogel: A pH-sensitive fluorouracil nanocarrier.
Nowadays, putting forward an accurate cancer therapy method with minimal side effects is an important topic of research. Nanostructures, for their ability in controlled and targeted drug release on specific cells, are critical materials in this field. In this study, a pH-sensitive graphene oxide-l-arginine nanogel was synthesized to carry and release 5-fluorouracil. Optimized conditions using statistical analysis, based on the maximum relative viscosity of nanogel, were evaluated: 5.489 for the concentration of l-arginine and 2.404 for pH. The prepared nanogels were characterized using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The fluorouracil release was measured by the dialysis bag method, UV spectrophotometry, and fluorouracil calibration diagram. Results proved the successful controlled release of fluorouracil at pH 5.4 and the beneficial role of graphene-oxide- l-arginine- fluorouracil nanogel in eliminating cancer cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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