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A trial of combination chemotherapy followed by hormonal therapy for previously untreated metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.
We administered combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin to 25 previously untreated patients with metastatic prostate cancer in order to assess the efficacy of chemotherapy before any hormonal manipulation. Hormonal therapy was administered only after progression of disease to chemotherapy. All 25 patients were followed until time of death and all were able to receive hormonal therapy. We did not find substantially improved response rates when combination chemotherapy was applied before endocrine treatment since the 33% objective response rate to chemotherapy was only minimally higher than the response in our patients who had failed hormonal therapy and then received identical or similar chemotherapy. Furthermore, the introduction of intensive combination chemotherapy before hormonal therapy in our study did not result in any striking improvement in overall survival compared with patients who received initial hormonal therapy in many other studies. Responses to chemotherapy were not attributable to suppression of serum testosterone since all 12 patients with partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) and four of seven patients with no response (NR) had normal testosterone levels at the time of response assessment. The initial use of chemotherapy did not adversely affect the expected high percentage of objective responses (68%) to subsequent hormonal manipulation. The frequency, duration, and quality of responses to hormonal therapy exceeded the responses to chemotherapy. The disappointing responses to chemotherapy reflect the very modest efficacy of even aggressively delivered cytotoxic agents. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Matching the mechanical circulatory support device to the child with heart failure.
A number of mechanical circulatory support devices are currently available for the treatment of children with heart failure refractory to medical therapy. Patient size, the acute versus chronic nature of the heart failure that is present, and the underlying anatomy and physiology define the clinical setting in any given case. Determining which device most effectively meets the specific needs of the clinical setting requires an understanding of the characteristics of each of the available devices. This report describes a graphic representation of the clinical setting in which pediatric heart failure occurs to provide a decision-making framework for the selection of the most appropriate mechanical circulatory support device. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Removal of heavy metal ions by magnetic chitosan nanoparticles prepared continuously via high-gravity reactive precipitation method.
This study aimed to provide a continuous method for the preparation of magnetic Fe3O4/Chitosan nanoparticles (Fe3O4/CS NPs) that can be applied to efficient removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. Using a novel impinging stream-rotating packed bed, the continuous preparation of Fe3O4/CS NPs reached a theoretical production rate of 3.43kg/h. The as-prepared Fe3O4/CS NPs were quasi-spherical with average diameter of about 18nm and saturation magnetization of 33.5emu/g. Owing to the strong metal chelating ability of chitosan, the Fe3O4/CS NPs exhibited better adsorption capacity and faster adsorption rates for Pb(II) and Cd(II) than those of pure Fe3O4. The maximum adsorption capacities of Fe3O4/CS NPs for Pb(II) and Cd(II) were 79.24 and 36.42mgg-1, respectively. In addition, the Fe3O4/CS NPs shown excellent reusability after five adsorption-desorption cycles. All the above results provided a potential method for continuously preparing recyclable adsorbent with a wide prospect of application in wastewater treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The uptake of preventive and curative child health services in Maputo, Mozambique.
This study seeks to analyse the uptake of preventive and curative child health services in three health centres in Maputo, Mozambique. Within the context of overall social and economic change, Mozambique has given priority to Primary Health Care as the driving force of its newly developed National Health Service, with a principal focus on maternal and child health. Three health centres were selected from areas of contrasting environmental quality. Data were collected from over 6000 women attending the curative and preventive child health services at these centres. It was found that the women using curative services had significantly higher child mortality rates, had lived less time in Maputo City and had children of lower weight status than their counterparts attending for preventive care. Additionally, levels of child mortality were found to increase as environmental quality decreased. It is argued that the lower users of preventive care are, as in the U.K., precisely those who appear to have an increased risk of mortality and morbidity. It is concluded that integration between the curative and preventive health services must be increased in order to overcome the user inertia which militates against the poorer population using the facilities for prevention to the best advantage. This would fit in both with national strategies (1) and WHO recommendations (2-4) in the field of primary health care. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism and heart rate variability following acute myocardial infarction.
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of cardiac autonomic control and is therefore subject to regulation by the renin-angiotensin system. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of an insertion/deletion polymorphism within the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on HRV in the early stages after a myocardial infarction at a time when cardiac autonomic control is deranged. The secondary objective was to determine whether this polymorphism affected the HRV response to inhibition of ACE. 149 Caucasian subjects were studied 25 +/- 16 h following MI using time and frequency domain measures of HRV derived from two 5-minute ECG recordings. Recordings were repeated at 182 +/- 65 h following MI, when subjects had been stabilised on ramipril 2.5 mg bd. The study included 46 subjects with the DD genotype, 69 with the ID genotype, and 34 with the II genotype. No effect of the I/D polymorphism on short-term recordings of HRV was found. There was no difference in HRV response to the introduction of ramipril according to the genotypes. The I/D polymorphism within the ACE gene does not influence HRV after MI or the HRV response to ACE inhibitor therapy with ramipril. These findings may reflect the relative lack of importance of the I/D polymorphism and ACE activity in determining plasma and tissue angiotensin II concentration after a major stimulus to the renin-angiotensin system as occurs after myocardial infarction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Should patients with anatomically narrow angles have prophylactic iridectomy?
In this set of articles, the authors outline methods and criteria for determining which patients with anatomically narrow angles should have laser iridectomy to prevent acute angle-closure glaucoma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Lung cancer: new staging system and prognosis].
To evaluate the rationality the revised international system for staging lung cancer and its relationship with prognosis. Between January 1961 and December 1988, 946 patients were subjected to removal of lung cancer and the data were analyzed using life-table, Log-rank test, and Cox regression model. Twenty-nine prognostic factors influencing the survival rate were evaluated with SAS6.12 software. The survival rate was calculated according to the two different staging systems. The revised system for staging lung cancer was evaluated. The factors influencing prognosis after surgical treatment of lung cancer were as follows: P-TNM staging, metastatic lymph nodes, radical or palliative resection, tumor size, and different cell types. The 5-year survival rate of patients with stage IA, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB was 68.4%, 59.5%, 44.8%, 36.5%, 26.3%, and staging 24.8%, respectively (IIIA and IIIB P > 0.05; other stages P < 0.05). The revised system for lung cancer is more rational and objective to estimate prognosis and direct treatment. But it should be revised further. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Biodegradable polycaprolactone scaffold with controlled porosity obtained by modified particle-leaching technique.
Scaffold with controlled porosity constitute a cornerstone in tissue engineering, as a physical support for cell adhesion and growth. In this work, scaffolds of polycaprolactone were synthesized by a modified particle leaching method in order to control porosity and pore interconnectivity; the aim is to observe their influence on the mechanical properties and, in the future, on cell adhesion and proliferation rates. Low molecular weight PEMA beads with an average size of 200 microm were sintered with various compression rates in order to obtain the templates (negatives of the scaffolds). Then the melt polycaprolactone was injected into the porous template under nitrogen pressure in a custom made device. After cooling and solidifying of the melt polymer, the porogen was removed by selective dissolution in ethanol. The porosity and morphology of the scaffold were studied as well as the mechanical properties. Porosities from 60% to 85% were reached; it was found that pore interconnectivity logically increases with increasing porosity, and that mechanical strength decreases with increasing porosity. Because of their interesting properties and interconnected structure, these scaffolds are expected to find useful applications as a cartilage or bone repair material. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Anesthesia for Thoracoscopic Surgery in Children].
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has many advantages over open thoracic surgery. Safety and efficacy of VATS in children have been confirmed, and VATS should be a common surgery. VATS and single-lung ventilation (SLV) induce various chafiges of ventilation and perfusion. In pediat- ric patients, thoracic surgery with lateral d6cubitus position has an increased risk of hypoxia and circula- tory insufficiency. VATS has gained wide acceptance in pediatric tho- racic surgery. Therefore, SLV is more required for pediatric patients. SLV for pediatric patients, selective main stem intubation with a conventional single lumen tube, bronchial blocker, Univent tubeTM and double lumen tube are used. In neonatal patients and infants, Fogartye catheter or Wedge Pressure CatheterTm is often used as a bronchial blocker. Indication and method of SLV should be determined by patient's age, body weight, complications and operative procedures. Anesthesia is maintained with inhalation and/or intravenous anesthesia. Various approaches are needed for maintaining oxygenation and gas exchange. For postoperative analgesia, nonsteroidal anti-in- flammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetoaminophen, and opioids are given via oral, rectal and intravenous routes. Regional analgesia (epidural analgesia, para- vertebral nerve blocks, intercostal nerve blocks etc) is effective for postoperative pain. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Caffeine causes glycerophosphorylcholine accumulation through ryanodine-inhibitable increase of cellular calcium and activation of phospholipase A2 in cultured MDCK cells.
Glycerophosphrylocholine (GPC) is a renal medullary compatible organic osmolyte that is derived from choline via phosphatidylcholine, which is catalyzed in part by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and its degradation by GPC: choline phosphodiesterase (GPC: choline PDE). We found that caffeine elevated intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and GPC level in cultured MDCK cells, canine kidney epithelial cells, and propose a possible biochemical mechanism. When MDCK cells were incubated for 3 h with 1 to 10 mM caffeine, cellular GPC was elevated in a dose-dependent manner, and this occurred independently of the extracellular osmolality. Caffeine stimulated the rate of [14C]choline incorporation into [14C]GPC and PLA2 activity. Whereas, GPC: choline PDE activity was accompanied by less of increase. These enzyme changes demonstrate the increased net synthesis of MDCK GPC. In order to identify what triggers the PLA2 activation, [Ca2+]i was measured by using a fluorescence dye, Fura-2. Caffeine (10 mM) resulted in a typical transient increase in MDCK [Ca2+]i concentration, and this increase was greatly inhibited by pretreatment of MDCK cells with 10 mM ryanodine for 5 min. Ryanodine (10 mM) also inhibited the caffeine-induced stimulation of PLA2 activity. These findings provide the first evidence that caffeine in MDCK cells causes a ryanodine-inhibitable increase of [Ca2+]i and PLA2 activity, resulting in cellular GPC accumulation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Activation of small GTPase Rho is required for autocrine motility factor signaling.
The hallmark of tumor metastasis is the dissemination of cells from the primary growth site to distant organs. Autocrine motility factor (AMF), a tumor-associated C-X-X-C cytokine, the ligand for a unique 78 kDa seven transmembrane receptor, is a potent simulator of cell motility, a process that is a prerequisite for tumor progression and metastasis. Because little is known about AMF-dependent signaling, we sought to study whether AMF signaling involves family members of the Rho-like GTPases. AMF stimulation of human melanoma cells resulted in stress-fiber formation, concomitant with up-regulation and activation of both RhoA and Rac1 expression with no apparent changes in the expression level or activation state of Cdc42. Treatment of the cells with C3 exoenzyme before AMF stimulation inhibited both the formation of stress-fiber-like structures and the activation of RhoA. In addition, both c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase 1 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase 2 were simultaneously activated by AMF, supporting the notion that they are involved in the signaling pathway of RhoA. We thus conclude that AMF signaling shares a similar pathway to previously established paracrine factors signaling involving cytoskeletal rearrangement and morphological alterations mediated by the small RhoA-like GTPases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Contrast enhanced chest-MDCT in oncologic patients. Prospective evaluation of the prevalence of incidental pulmonary embolism and added value of thin reconstructions.
To prospectively assess prevalence/characteristics of clinically unsuspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in cancer patients undergoing follow-up chest MDCT and investigate MDCT protocol. We evaluated 1013 oncologic patients. MDCT images at 5 and 1.25 mm thickness were independently evaluated. Pulmonary artery opacification degree was assessed. Presence, level, and site of PE were reported. Type of malignancy and metastases were reported for PE-positive patients. After excluding 1.4% (14/1013) of examinations due to inadequate vessel opacification, 999 patients (572 male; mean age:68 ± 12 years; range:26-93 years) entered the study. Prevalence of PE was 5%. There was significant improvement in the sensitivity for both readers in the evaluation of 1.25 mm compared to 5 mm images (46-50% to 82-92%). 30% (15/51) PE were not described by the radiologist in the prospectively issued report; 53 % (27/51) of PE were segmental, 72.5% (37/51) unilateral. The right lower lobe was the most involved (59%). 27% patients had colon cancer, 18% lung cancer. Among PE-positive patients (25 male; mean age 70 ± 10 years; range:44-87 years), 25% (13/51) had lung cancer, 15% (8/51) colon cancer. Thin reconstructions are essential for PE diagnosis, regardless of reader experience. Regarding oncologic patients, incidental PE diagnosis influences anticoagulation therapy. • CT pulmonary angiography is the gold standard for PE diagnosis. • Cancer and oncological treatments are risk factors for PE. • The prevalence of unsuspected PE was 5%. • Thin reconstructions are essential for PE diagnosis regardless of reader experience. • In oncologic patients, PE diagnosis influences anticoagulation therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Additions to the known U.S. distribution of Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae).
The range of the brown widow spider Latrodectus geometricus C. L. Koch includes much of Africa and South and Central America. This medically important spider has been recently introduced to Japan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Hawaii, and California. After the identification of the brown widow spider in New Orleans, LA, and southern Mississippi, surveys in the southeastern United States were conducted from the fall of 2006 through February 2008. We found populations of brown widow spiders in Georgia, Texas, and multiple localities in southeastern Louisiana and Mississippi. In Mississippi, specimens were collected as far north as a county bordering Tennessee. In New Orleans, the brown widow spider has been commonly collected from various locations where human contact is likely. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Habituation of exploratory activity in rats: action of N6phenylisopropyladenosine, caffeine and their combination.
1. L-PIA (0.2 mg/kg), caffeine (15 mg/kg) and their combination were given subcutaneously to rats tested in open field. 2. The acute administration of L-PIA reduced ambulation. Caffeine alone was ineffective but increased ambulation in combination with L-PIA. These effects may have been determined by an interaction of L-PIA and caffeine on adenosine receptors. 3. Tolerance to L-PIA was observed after a chronic administration (20 days). The chronic administration of caffeine alone or in combination with L-PIA increased ambulation. 4. In the habituation test the reduction of ambulation in the 3 successive trials was increased by L-PIA. Caffeine did not antagonize the L-PIA effect and, in part, had the same effect. These results suggest that L-PIA and, in part, caffeine improve memory consolidation in open field, and do not support the notion that L-PIA and caffeine action on memory processes is due to an interference on adenosine receptors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
High dose-intensity chemotherapy, with accelerated cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-etoposide and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, in the treatment of small cell lung cancer.
15 patients with small-cell lung cancer were treated with an "accelerated" chemotherapy consisting of standard-dose cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-etoposide administered every 15 days (as opposed to the usual 21-day intervals) along with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (10 micrograms/kg/day) administered prophylactically subcutaneously from day 4 to 13. The primary objective of this study was to examine the possibility of achieving a 50% dose-intensity increase by a shortening of chemotherapy intervals. 9 patients were not able to complete the planned six courses of chemotherapy owing to cumulative haematological toxicity. In fact, while leukopenia was acceptable and constant during treatment, both thrombocytopenia and anaemia progressively worsened with subsequent courses, becoming particularly severe after the 4th cycle when interruption of the treatment was often required. 13 patients who completed four courses of chemotherapy received a median of 96% of the planned dose-intensity. This corresponded with an average relative dose-intensity actually delivered of 1.44 compared with the planned dose-intensity of a standard cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-etoposide every 21 days. In conclusion, acceleration of cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-etoposide chemotherapy combined with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor can lead to a significant increase of dose-intensity but it is feasible only for a limited number of courses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Subclavian-axillary venous thrombosis: role of noninvasive diagnostic methods.
The diagnosis of primary subclavian axillary venous thrombosis (SAVT) was evaluated in eight patients to compare the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and noninvasive vascular evaluation with phlebography. Clinical evaluation led to three misdiagnoses: lymphedema (1), and inflammatory breast carcinoma (2). Doppler ultrasound detection of venous flow performed on three patients detected SAVT in only one. Plethysmography also performed on three patients led to unquestionable diagnosis in only one. Plethysmography also performed on three patients led to unquestionable diagnosis in only one. Phlebography positively identified SAVT in all patients and showed bilateral disease in one. Two patients had pulmonary embolism, and in one, permanent sequelae developed, thus emphasizing the necessity for energetic treatment of SAVT. Because of the risks of therapy and the inaccuracy of other diagnostic methods, SAVT should be positively identified by phlebography if anticoagulation is considered. Doppler and plethysmography are useful to rule out concomitant leg phlebothrombosis, to evaluate the arterial sector, and to document venous hemodynamic recovery after SAVT. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Glycation increases the permeability of proteins across the blood-nerve and blood-brain barriers.
Our previous investigations have demonstrated increased permeability across the blood-nerve barrier of human plasma albumin after glycation with D-glucose [J.F. Poduslo and G.L. Curran, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89 (1992) 2218-2222]. In the present investigation, the generality of this observation was evaluated by measuring the permeability coefficient-surface area product (PS) after correction for the residual plasma volume (Vp) across the blood-nerve barrier (BNB), as well as the blood-brain barrier (BBB), for nerve growth factor (NGF) and human IgG after in vitro glycation with D-glucose using an i.v. bolus injection technique in the cannulated brachial vein and artery of normal adult rats. Glycated proteins (gNGF and gIgG) had significantly decreased circulating plasma half-lives compared to the non-glycated proteins. The PS across the BNB obtained for gNGF was significantly increased compared to NGF with a 2.0-fold increase observed after 8 weeks of glycation and a 5.1-fold increase at 21 weeks of glycation. The Vp measurement for NGF and gNGF across the BNB was not significantly different at 8 weeks of glycation but was 1.3-fold greater at 21 weeks of glycation. The PS across the BBB for gNGF was about 2-fold greater than NGF with a glycation time of 8 weeks and 3.2-3.6-fold greater with a glycation time of 21 weeks for six different brain regions. No changes were observed in the Vp for any of the brain regions for gNGF compared to NGF. The PS across the BNB for gIgG compared to IgG was significantly greater with a 4.1-fold relative increase and no significant difference in the Vp values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Healthcare resource utilization among patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in the United States.
Few studies have characterized healthcare resource utilization among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The objective of this study is to assess healthcare resource utilization among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as compared to members without this condition. Patients newly diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were identified from a national administrative claims database (2006-2011) as having ≥ 2 claims with idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis, or ≥ 1 claim with idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis and ≥ 1 claim with post-inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis (earliest claim with idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis denoted the index date), a procedure of lung biopsy or high-resolution computed tomography within ± 90 days of the index date, 12-month pre-index continuous enrollment, plus ≥ 2 confirmatory idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis diagnoses after the procedure. For each idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patient, three members without the condition were matched by age/gender/region/payer type. Demographic/clinical characteristics were measured during the 1-year pre-index period. Healthcare resource utilization was assessed by quarter during 1-year pre- and post-index periods. Generalized estimating equation models controlling for patient characteristics were constructed to estimate adjusted post-index healthcare resource utilization. In total, 1735 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 5205 without (mean age = 71.5 years; 46.1% female) were included. Adjusted results revealed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients were more likely to use healthcare resources than members without the condition 1-year post-index (number of hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and outpatients visits: 0.63 vs 0.31, 0.62 vs 0.48, and 5.7 vs 3.1 per person-year, respectively). Healthcare resource utilization is considerably higher among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis than members without the condition. Effective treatments for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are needed to help reduce burden of healthcare resource use. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hepatic computed tomography perfusion: comparison of maximum slope and dual-input single-compartment methods.
The aim of the study was to compare two analytical methods-maximum slope (MS) and the dualinput single-compartment model (CM)-in computed tomography (CT) measurements of hepatic perfusion and to assess the effects of extrahepatic systemic factors. A total of 109 patients underwent hepatic CT perfusion. The scans were conducted at the hepatic hilum 7-77 s after administration of contrast material. Hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) and portal perfusion (HPP) (ml/min/100 ml) and the arterial perfusion fraction (APF, %) were calculated with the two methods, followed by correlation assessment. Partial correlation analysis was used to assess the effects on hepatic perfusion values by various factors, including age, sex, risk of cardiovascular disease, compensation for respiratory misregistration, arrival time of contrast material at the abdominal aorta, transit time from abdominal aorta to hepatic parenchyma, and liver dysfunction. The mean HAPs, HPPs, and APFs were, respectively, 31.4, 104.2, and 23.9 for MS and 27.1, 141.3, and 22.1 for CM. HAP and APF showed significant (P<0.0001) and moderate correlation (γ=0.417 and 0.548) and HPP showed poor correlation (γ=0.172) between the two methods. While MS showed weak correlations (γ=-0.39 to 0.34; P<0.001 to <0.02) between multiple extrahepatic factors and perfusion values, CM showed weak correlation only between the patients' sex and HAP (γ=0.31, P=0.001). Hepatic perfusion values estimated by the two methods are not interchangeable. CM is less susceptible to extrahepatic systemic factors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Evaluation of Pharmacist-led Interview before Doctor Examination for Psychiatry Outpatients].
Psychiatric treatment is shifting from hospital to ambulatory care. It is important that pharmacists positively support outpatients. Pharmacist-led interviews with outpatients have been conducted in the psychiatric department of Iizuka Hospital before examination by the doctor since 2015. Few studies in this field have reported about the effect of the pharmacist-led interviews using subjective evaluation of outpatients prior to examination by doctors. The aim of this study was to reveal this effect by the evaluation of outpatients. We conducted a questionnaire survey. More than 80% of the patients responded that it was "Good" to have an interview with the pharmacist prior to examination by the doctor. Moreover, 71.7% of the patients were "Satisfied" with the pharmacist-led interview, while 81.7% of them responded to "Agree" about continuing the interview in the future. Patients who were satisfied and wished to continue the pharmacist-led interviews were more likely to report better rapport with the doctor as well, in comparison to the patients who answered negatively. Furthermore, the patients who answered "Satisfied" were significantly less likely to forget reporting to the doctor than those who answered negatively. The pharmacist-led interviews in the psychiatric department were appreciated by the patients. In conclusion, pharmacists can facilitate communication between patients and doctors through these interviews. These results indicate that the pharmacist-led interview before the doctor examination is a useful effort from the perspective of outpatients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Spectrum of Fuchs uveitic syndrome in a North Indian population.
To describe patients with Fuchs uveitis syndrome (FUS) in North India. Retrospective case series. One hundred ninety-eight eyes of 183 patients with FUS were reviewed at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Advanced Eye Centre, Department of Ophthalmology, between December 1996 and September 2011. Demographic profile, clinical findings at presentation, risk of new complications, and rate of decreased vision were the main outcome measures. The mean age at presentation was 30.1 ± 9.4 years. Male-to-female ratio was 1.1:1. Fifteen patients (8.1%) had bilateral involvement. Clinical findings at presentation included diffuse keratic precipitates (92.4%), anterior chamber cells (54.5%), diffuse iris atrophy without hypochromia (29.3%), heterochromia (24.7%), iris nodules (16.1%), cataract/pseudophakia (79.3%), vitreous cells (61.1%), elevated intraocular pressure (13.6%), and chorioretinal scars (2%). On fluorescein angiography, hyperfluorescence of the optic disc was detected in 28 of 51 eyes (55%), peripheral vasculitis in 1 (2%) and both in 8 eyes (15.7%). OCT showed traction papillopathy in 6 of 34 eyes (17.6%). None of the eyes showed cystoid macular edema. Heterochromia is seen only in 25% of patients with Fuchsheterochromic uveitis in brown irides. Diffuse stellate keratic precipitates, low cellular reaction, vitritis, vitreous opacities, diffuse iris stromal atrophy in the absence of posterior synechia, and macular edema are other parameters helpful in diagnosing FUS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
RYR1-Related Myopathies: Clinical, Histopathologic and Genetic Heterogeneity Among 17 Patients from a Portuguese Tertiary Centre.
Pathogenic variants in ryanodine receptor type 1 (RYR1) gene are an important cause of congenital myopathy. The clinical, histopathologic and genetic spectrum is wide. Review a group of the patients diagnosed with ryanodinopathy in a tertiary centre from North Portugal, as an attempt to define some phenotypical patterns that may help guiding future diagnosis. Patients were identified from the database of the reference centre for Neuromuscular Disorders in North Portugal. Their data (clinical, histological and genetic) was retrospectively accessed. Seventeen RYR1-related patients (including 4 familial cases) were identified. They were divided in groups according to three distinctive clinical characteristics: extraocular muscle (EOM) weakness (N = 6), disproportionate axial muscle weakness (N = 2) and joint laxity (N = 5). The fourth phenotype includes patients with mild tetraparesis and no distinctive clinical features (N = 4). Four different histopathological patterns were found: centronuclear (N = 5), central core (N = 4), type 1 fibres predominance (N = 4) and congenital fibre type disproportion (N = 1) myopathies. Each index case, except two patients, had a different RYR1 variant. Four new genetic variants were identified. All centronuclear myopathies were associated with autosomal recessive inheritance and EOM weakness. All central core myopathies were caused by pathogenic variants in hotspot 3 with autosomal dominant inheritance. Three genetic variants were reported to be associated to malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. Distinctive clinical features were recognized as diagnostically relevant: extraocular muscle weakness (and centronuclear pattern on muscle biopsy), severe axial weakness disproportionate to the ambulatory state and mild tetraparesis associated with (proximal) joint laxity. There was a striking genetic heterogeneity, including four new RYR1 variants. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Primary neuroendocrine neoplasm of the esophagus - Report of 14 cases from a single institute and review of the literature.
Most prevalent esophageal neoplasm is squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Other tumors are uncommon and poorly studied. Primary neuroendocrine esophageal neoplasm is a rare carcinoma and most of its therapy management is based on lung neuroendocrine studies. Neuroendocrine tumors can be clustered in the following subtypes: high grade (small cell carcinoma or large cell carcinoma) and low grade (carcinoids). The present study aims to assess clinical and pathological neuroendocrine esophageal tumors in a single oncologic center. A retrospective analysis of patients and review of the literatures was performed. Fourteen patients were identified as neuroendocrine tumors, 11 male and 3 female patients. Mean age was 67.3 years old. Ten patients were classified as small cell, 3 as large cell and 1 as carcinoid. Four patients presented squamous cell carcinoma simultaneously and 1 also presented adenocarcinoma. Main sites of metastasis were liver, peritoneum, lung and bones. Most patients died before 2 years of follow-up. Patient with longer survival died at 35 months after diagnosis. Neuroendocrine esophageal tumors are rare; affect mainly men in their sixties or seventies. High grade tumors can be mixed to other subtypes neoplasms, such as adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Most of these patients have poor overall survival rates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lymphocele after retroperitoneal node dissection for testis tumor.
A patient is presented in whom a lymphocele developed after a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for Stage II embryonal carcinoma of the testicle. The benign nature of this lymphocele has been confirmed not only by the diagnostic procedures outlined, but by its stability over a 42-month follow-up period with no further antitumor therapy. We conclude from reviewing the literature that while aggressive measures are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of a lymphocele, its management should be expectant. If significant obstruction of neighboring structures occurs, an attempt at percutaneous drainage (and possibly sclerosis) seems appropriate despite potential risks of interventional treatment such as hemorrhage and introduction of infection. Open procedures for marsupialization and drainage should be reserved for cases in which more conservative measures fail. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The development of postgraduate surgical courses.
Postgraduate education opportunities for registered nurses working in surgical areas are increasing. Sound course programmes are an essential prerequisite for specialist practice but require effective collaboration between education and clinical managers. This article describes the successful validation and implementation of three postgraduate surgical nursing courses in 1994. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[A case of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia associated with low dose methotrexate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole induced pancytopenia].
A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of dyspnea and fever. He had been treated with low-dose methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Chest radiography showed diffuse ground-glass attenuation in both lung fields, and hypoxia was detected. Pneumosystis carinii pneumonia was demonstrated on transbronchial lung biopsy, and the serum beta-D glucan level was high. We started treatment with trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, but respiratory failure worsened, and drug-induced pancytopenia occurred. Although trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was stopped, pancytopenia persisted and the patient required ventilatory support. After we changed the medication from trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole to pentamidine, respiratory failure improved. It was thought that pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was associated with low-dose methotrexate and that trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole interacted with methotrexate to induce severe pancytopenia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A data-driven method for identifying shorter symptom criteria sets: the case for DSM-5 alcohol use disorder.
Although the DSM is a widely used diagnostic guide, lengthy criteria sets can be problematic and provide the primary motivation to identify short-forms. Using the 11 diagnostic criteria provided by the DSM-5 for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the present study develops a data-driven method to systematically identify subsets and associated cut-offs that yield diagnoses as similar as possible to use all 11 criteria. Relying on data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III), our methodology identifies diagnostic short-forms for AUD by: (1) maximizing the association between the sum scores of all 11 criteria with newly constructed subscales from subsets of criteria; (2) optimizing the similarity of AUD prevalence between the current DSM-5 rule and newly constructed diagnostic short-forms; (3) maximizing sensitivity and specificity of the short-forms against the current DSM-5 rule; and (4) minimizing differences in the accuracy of the short-form across chosen covariates. Replication is shown using NESARC-Wave 2. More than 11 000 diagnostic short-forms for DSM-5 AUD can be created and our method narrows down the optimal choices to eight. Results found that 'Neglecting major roles' and 'Activities given up' could be dropped with practically no change in who is diagnosed (specificity = 100%, sensitivity ⩾ 99.6%) or the severity of those diagnosed (κ = 0.97). With a continuous improvement model adopted by the APA for DSM revisions, we offer a data-driven tool (a SAS Macro) that identifies diagnostic short-forms in a systematic and reproducible way to help advance potential improvements in future DSM revisions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Charge separation relative to the reaction plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV.
Measurements of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations with the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported for Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV. Two- and three-particle charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in the pseudorapidity range |η| < 0.8 are presented as a function of the collision centrality, particle separation in pseudorapidity, and transverse momentum. A clear signal compatible with a charge-dependent separation relative to the reaction plane is observed, which shows little or no collision energy dependence when compared to measurements at RHIC energies. This provides a new insight for understanding the nature of the charge-dependent azimuthal correlations observed at RHIC and LHC energies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Evaluation of atrial septum aneurysm with transesophageal echocardiography in cardioembolic cerebral ischemia].
The prevalence and characteristics of atrial septal aneurysm were identified by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in a multicenter prospective study. One hundred and seventy-seven consecutive patients were evaluated in 2 years and 2 groups were compared: Group 1, 51 patients with documented cerebral ischemia event; Group 2, 126 patients affected by cardiac disease referred for other reasons. Group 1 included patients selected among 352 patients admitted to the Neurological and Geriatric Division of our Hospital in the period of this study. Patients with stroke-related carotid lesions and patients with a negative TC scan were excluded from this study. Atrial septal aneurysm was identified in 15 patients: 8 in Group 1 (16%), and 7 in Group 2 (5%), with a significant statistical difference between the groups (p = 0.02). All patients with atrial septal aneurysm underwent before TEE transthoracic echocardiography, leading to a correct diagnosis in 10 of 15 cases (66%); all patients underwent 24-hours ECG monitoring. A right to left shunt was detected by contrast echocardiography in 9 patients, 6 in Group 1 and 3 in Group 2, (NS). A more pronounced shunt was evident in Group 1. There was no difference between the 2 groups with regard to associated cardiac disease, arrhythmias and type of atrial septal aneurysm. The thickness of the septum was greater in Group 1, with significant statistical difference (p = 0.002). It is concluded that atrial septal aneurysm, diagnosed by TEE, is a potential source of embolic events. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface soils and plant material in the post-industrial city of Katowice, Poland.
This investigation was undertaken to assess the level of environment pollution by biological monitoring. The leaves and bark of popular ornamental trees Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Acer platanoides L. and soil from the sampling sites were used to perform heavy metals pollution monitoring in urban areas with different pollution sources, as well to investigate the suitability of the leaves and bark as bioindicators of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu pollution. Plant samples were collected at nine locations classified into three pollution groups based on metal content in the soils. The chosen pollution indices were used to assess the level of contamination according to background values. Soils in the Katowice area are found to be relatively heavily contaminated with Pb, Zn and Cd. Both of the maple tree species did not statistically differ in terms of the investigated elements' concentration in leaves or bark. Only bark samples reflected the pollution level, showing differences between the sampling points, and therefore are recommended for biomonitoring purposes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Use of BCG in high prevalence areas for HIV.
Recommendations state that, where the risk of tuberculosis is high, BCG should be administered to infants as early in life as possible, even if the mother is known to be HIV-infected. BCG should be withheld from individuals with symptomatic HIV infections. However, continuing reports from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere of BCG complications in HIV-infected persons call for a re-assessment of current vaccination policies. For HIV-infected infants any benefit of BCG vaccination may be marginal because the prognosis is very poor. It is however not possible to exclude HIV-infected children from BCG vaccination at birth. HIV-uninfected infants born to HIV-infected mothers are at great risk of tuberculosis infection, which justifies routine vaccination. BCG rarely causes serious complications. Theoretically, persons with asymptomatic HIV infection may be at greater risk of complications from BCG vaccines, but available data are inconclusive in that respect. To vaccinate children with BCG at one year of age does not seem feasible and would increase the risk of tuberculosis especially for uninfected infants of HIV seropositive mothers. Available data seem to indicate that routine vaccination of newborns is indeed safe, even in areas with high prevalence of HIV infection. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Exploring use of the ICF in health education.
Currently, little is known regarding use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in health education applications. Therefore, this review sought to examine the scope of work that has been conducted regarding the application of the ICF in health education. A review of the current literature related to use of the ICF in health education programs was conducted. Twelve electronic databases were searched in accordance with a search protocol developed by a health sciences librarian. In total, 17,878 records were reviewed, and 18 articles met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Current evidence regarding use of the ICF in healthcare education revealed that program and participant properties can be essential facilitators or barriers to successful education programs. In addition, gaps in comprehensive outcome measurement were revealed as areas for future attention. Educational applications of the ICF are very much a work in progress as might be expected given the ICF's existence for only a little over a decade. To advance use of the ICF in education, it is important to incorporate the measurement of both knowledge acquisition and behavior change related to ICF-based programs. Ultimately, widespread implementation of the ICF represents not only a substantial opportunity but also poses a significant challenge. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Scientific career paths - part II.
In the second part of our Words of Advice on science careers, we bring you the perspectives of established scientists who enjoy successful, fulfilling careers in academia, the patent office and a publishing company. We also get the thoughts of a PhD student on her internship at The FEBS Journal's Editorial Office. Get inspired by these scientists and trace your own path towards a rewarding science career. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Metabolism of subtoxic level of selenite by double-perfused small intestine in rats.
Intestinal metabolism of the subtoxic level of selenite in rats was investigated using a double-perfusion system, which is an in situ, in vitro preparation in which the intestinal lumen and its vasculature are perfused simultaneously. The toxicity of sodium selenite was determined by inhibition of 3-O-methyl glucose (3MG) absorption and by histological examination. Levels of 1.2 mM selenite were required to significantly (p<0.05) reduce 3MG intestinal absorption (58+/-11%, mean+/-SD). Cation-exchange chromatography was used to determine the chemical forms of Se from selenite after using luminal concentrations of 1-200 microM in vascular perfusates. The chemical forms were selenite, selenodiglutathione (GS-Se-SG), mixed selenoglutathione plus cysteine (GS-Se-CYS), selenodicysteine (CYS-Se-CYS), protein-bound Se, and unidentified selenocompounds. Selenite was the predominant selenocompound found in vascular perfusate, but protein-bound Se was the predominant metabolite from selenite present in the vascular effluents. There was a corresponding increase of all metabolites with increased levels of selenite with time of absorption, but not with increased concentration of luminal selenite. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Soil aggregation and carbon sequestration are tightly correlated with the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: results from long-term field experiments.
We examined the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in ecosystems using soil aggregate stability and C and N storage as representative ecosystem processes. We utilized a wide gradient in AMF abundance, obtained through long-term (17 and 6 years) large-scale field manipulations. Burning and N-fertilization increased soil AMF hyphae, glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) pools and water-stable macroaggregates while fungicide applications reduced AMF hyphae, GRSP and water-stable macroaggregates. We found that AMF abundance was a surprisingly dominant factor explaining the vast majority of variability in soil aggregation. This experimental field study, involving long-term diverse management practices of native multispecies prairie communities, invariably showed a close positive correlation between AMF hyphal abundance and soil aggregation, and C and N sequestration. This highly significant linear correlation suggests there are serious consequences to the loss of AMF from ecosystems. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A model of the effects of node-link mapping on drug abuse counseling.
This paper examines the effectiveness of a promising cognitive enhancement technique called node-link mapping. Maps provide a concrete, visual, and computationally efficient means for exploring personal issues, and have received substantial empirical support. We introduce two models to provide a framework for understanding how node-link mapping improves substance abuse counseling. The TCU Process Model reviews the general process of substance abuse treatment. The second model reflects an effective treatment session. Implications of the models and node-link mapping findings are discussed, as well as future research directions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Risk factors for pneumothorax and bleeding after CT-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions.
To evaluate risk factors for pneumothorax and bleeding after computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy of lung lesions. This study involved 117 consecutive patients with 117 intrapulmonary lesions. Statistical analysis of factors related to patient characteristics, lung lesions, and biopsy technique was performed to determine possible contribution to the occurrence of pneumothorax and bleeding. Interactions between related factors were considered to prevent colinearity. Pneumothorax occurred in 12% (14 of 117) of patients. Needle aspiration of two moderate asymptomatic pneumothoraces were performed; there was no chest tube insertion. Lesion depth (P =.0097), measured from the pleural puncture site to the edge of the intrapulmonary lesion along the needle path, was the single significant predictor of pneumothorax. The highest risk of pneumothorax occurred in subpleural lesions 2 cm or shorter in depth (this represented 33% of lung lesions but caused 71% of all pneumothoraces; OR = 7.1; 95% CI, 1.3-50.8). Bleeding presented as lung parenchyma hemorrhage and hemoptysis in 30 patients (26%). Hemoptysis occurred in four patients (3%). Univariate analysis identified lesion depth (P <.0001), lesion size (P <.015), and pathology type (P =.007) as risk factors for bleeding. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified lesion depth as the most important risk factor, with the highest bleeding risk for lesions more than 2 cm deep (14% of lesions caused 46% of all bleeding; OR = 17.3; 95% CI, 3.3-121.4). In CT-guided coaxial cutting needle biopsy, lesion depth is the single predictor for risk of pneumothorax, which occurs at the highest rate in subpleural lesions. Increased risk of bleeding occurs in lesions deeper than 2 cm. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and heat shock proteins in periapical inflammatory lesions.
The mechanisms responsible for activation and proliferation of lining epithelium involved in inflammatory processes in periapical inflammatory lesions remain unclear. In this study, the expression and distribution of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) were immunohistochemically investigated in periapical inflammatory lesions. Control specimens of periodontal ligaments including Malassez epithelial rests from seven teeth and periapical inflammatory lesions (15 apical granulomas (AGs), 16 radicular cysts (RCs), and 10 residual radicular cysts (RRCs)) were prepared and examined by the standard streptavidin-biotin peroxidase complex method using anti-iNOS rabbit polyclonal antiserum, and anti-HSP27, -HSP60, -HSP70 mouse monoclonal antibodies. Immunoreactivity for iNOS was detected in macrophages, lymphocytes, and endothelial cells of granulation tissue and in lining epithelium of periapical inflammatory lesions. Malassez epithelial rests showed no or slight staining for iNOS. The epithelial staining intensity of iNOS in RCs was greater than that in Malassez epithelial rests and RRCs. Immunoreactivity for HSP27 was recognized in inflammatory cells, endothelial cells and lining epithelium of periapical inflammatory lesions and in Malassez epithelial rests. HSP60 was detected in some lymphocytes of granulation tissue and in lining epithelium of periapical inflammatory lesions, whereas Malassez epithelial rests showed no staining for HSP60. Epithelial HSP60 reactivity was more intense in RCs than in RRCs. HSP70 was expressed in lymphocytes, endothelial cells and lining epithelium of periapical inflammatory lesions and in Malassez epithelial rests. The staining intensity of HSP70 in Malassez epithelial rests was slightly lower than that in lining epithelium of RCs and RRCs. These data demonstrate that the expressions of iNOS, HSP60, and HSP70 are involved in inflammatory processes and might play a role in the activation and proliferation of lining epithelium, leading to progression of periapical inflammatory lesions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The hidden structure of neuropsychology: text mining of the journal Cortex: 1991--2001.
The stated mission of Cortex is "the study of the inter-relations of the nervous system and behavior, particularly as these are reflected in the effects of brain lesions on cognitive functions." The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the stated mission and the executed mission as reflected by the characteristics of papers published in Cortex. In addition, we examine whether the results and conclusions of an analysis of this kind are affected by the level of description of the published papers. A) Identify characteristics of contributors to Cortex; B) Identify characteristics of those who cite Cortex; C) Identify recurring themes; D) Identify the relationships among the recurring themes; E) Compare recurring themes and determine their relationships to the mission of Cortex; F) Identify the sensitivity of these results to the level of description of the Cortex papers used as the source database. G) Compare Cortex characteristics with those of Neuropsychologia, another Europe-based international neuropsychology journal. Text mining (extraction of useful information from text) was used to generate the characteristics of the journal Cortex. Bibliometrics provided the Cortex contributor infrastructure (author/ organization/ country/ citation distributions), and computational linguistics identified the recurring technical themes and their inter-relationships. Citation mining (the integration of citation bibliometrics and text mining) was used to profile the research user community. Four levels of published article description were compared for the analysis: Full Text, Abstract, Title, Keywords. Highly cited documents were compared among Cortex, Neuropsychologia, and Brain, and a number of interesting parametric trends were observed. The characteristics of the papers that cite Cortex papers were examined, and some interesting insights were generated. Finally, the document clustering taxonomy showed that papers in Cortex can be reasonably divided into four categories (papers in each category in parenthesis): Semantic Memory (151); Handedness (145); Amnesia (119); and Neglect (66). It is concluded that Cortex needs to take steps to attract a more diverse group of contributors outside its continental Western European base if it wishes to capture a greater share of seminal neuropsychology papers. Further investigation of the critical citation differences reported in the paper is recommended. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Permanent deficits in handgrip strength and running speed performance in low birth weight children.
The main goal of this study was to verify the influence of low birth weight (LBW) on the physical fitness of children aged 7-10 years. The comparisons were subsequently adjusted for chronological age, gender, physical activity (PA), and body composition. A total of 356 children of both genders born in Vitoria de Santo Antão (Northeast of Brazil) were divided into two groups according to their birth weight (LBW < 2.500 g, n = 100, and normal birth weight, NBW ≥ 3.000 g and ≤ 3.999 g, n = 256). Body composition measurements included body weight, height, body mass index, triceps, and subscapular skinfolds, and body fat percentage (%BF). PA was assessed by a questionnaire. Physical fitness was assessed by handgrip strength, muscle endurance, explosive power, flexibility, agility, maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max) ), and running speed. LBW children were shorter, lighter, had lower fat-free mass, muscle strength, and running speed but a higher VO(2max) than the NBW group. The differences in body weight (P = 0.507), height (P = 0.177), fat-free mass (P = 0.374), and VO(2max) (P = 0.312) disappeared when adjusted for covariates. The differences in right and left handgrip strength (P < 0.01) and running speed (P < 0.01) remained significant even when controlled for age, gender, height, fat-free mass, and PA. This combined analysis suggests that LBW alone can be not considered as a biological determinant of growth, body composition, or physical fitness in children, but is a predictor of muscle strength and running speed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Alcohol-related harm minimization practices among university students: Does the type of residence have an impact?
The culture of 'risk-related alcohol use' has been identified as an intrinsic part of university life for many students, especially those in residential colleges in English-speaking countries. While the prevailing approach to managing drinking in these countries is harm minimization, little is known about students' uptake of these practices or the relationship of them to students' type of residence. To examine the ways in which type of residence may impact alcohol-related harm minimization practices among university students. A qualitative research design using focus group methodology informed all aspects of the study. University students (N = 70) aged 18-24 years and differentiated by their type of residence were recruited from universities in Australia. Nineteen audio-recorded focus groups were conducted. Systematic qualitative analysis was used to identify the main themes. Students reported risk-related alcohol use and alcohol-related harms as either consumers or having witnessed others' consumption through three main themes: (1) The pervasiveness of alcohol use and harms; (2) Perceived safety and physical spaces; and (3) Gender-based alcohol-related harms. Harm minimization practices were talked about in terms of four themes: (1) Policy ineffectiveness; (2) Pre-drinking planning; (3) Friends look after friends; and (4) Help-seeking as a covert activity. Alcohol use by university students occurs with limited knowledge of harm minimization policies or practices. Students do engage in ad hoc harm minimization practices usually developed during their first year at university through specific 'drinking cultures' that are constituted by various factors including their type of residence. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Previous research has strongly indicated that university students' heavy alcohol consumption is linked with social and environmental factors such as marketing alcohol, low cost, availability, 'wet' environments, and shared accommodation. However, little is known about what, if any, alcohol-related harm minimization practices students employ and if type of residence has an impact on these practices. What does this study add? This study is one of the first to examine alcohol-related harm minimization practices among university students and type of residence demonstrating the impact of social environments on drinking and related practices. Regardless of type of residence, university students were either not aware of university and residential college alcohol policies or found them unclear. Students do engage in ad hoc harm minimization practices usually developed during their first year at university through specific 'drinking cultures' that are constituted by various factors including the type of residence. Two practical recommendations are made in this study to develop alcohol-related harm minimization related to university students. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tryptophan's influence on feeding and body temperature in the fowl.
The neurotransmitter, serotonin, has been implicated in both food intake and body temperature regulation. In this experiment, the effect of tryptophan, the amino acid precursor of serotonin, on food consumption and rectal temperature in the fowl was determined. Single Comb White Leghorn cockerels were intubated with a tryptophan solution or distilled water. Tryptophan significantly (P less than or equal to .05) decreased both food intake and body temperature of the birds. These results suggest that tryptophan may inhibit food intake via peripheral rather than central mechanisms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Peripartum heart disease.
Peripartum heart disease is reviewed in the light of reports in the literature and personal experience from the University College Hospital, Ibadan. It is concluded that it is worldwide in distribution but appears most commonly in multiparous black women with a low socioeconomic background. The clinical features are the same as those of dilated cardiomyopathy, with the exception of cases from Zaria, northern Nigeria, where heart failure may be induced by high salt and fluid intake. The possible causes of peripartum heart disease are reviewed. Glomerulonephritis, toxemia of pregnancy, and malnutrition have not been shown convincingly to be causal, and infection, hypertension, and alcoholism have been suggested. Hypertensive heart failure and toxemia of pregnancy can induce peripartum heart disease. It is concluded that the myocardial disorder in peripartum heart disease is probably the same condition as dilated cardiomyopathy, and that infection may be an important element. However, diverse other factors may also play a part. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Proteomic identification of age-dependent protein nitration in rat skeletal muscle.
Age-related protein nitration was studied in skeletal muscle of Fisher 344 and Fisher 344/Brown Norway (BN) F1 rats by a proteomic approach. Proteins from young (4 months) and old (24 months) Fisher 344 rats and young (6 months) and old (34 months) Fisher 344/BN F1 animals were separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis. Western blot showed an age-related increase in the nitration of a few specific proteins, which were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-MS/MS. We identified age-dependent apparent nitration of beta-enolase, alpha-fructose aldolase, and creatine kinase, which perform important functions in muscle energy metabolism, suggesting that the nitration of such key proteins can be, in part, responsible for the decline of muscle motor function of the muscle. Furthermore, we have identified the apparent nitration of succinate dehydrogenase, rab GDP dissociation inhibitor beta (GdI-2), triosephosphate isomerase, troponin I, alpha-crystallin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Biosynthetic manipulation of tryptophan in bacteria: pathways and mechanisms.
Tryptophan, the most chemically complex and the least abundant of the 20 common proteinogenic amino acids, is a biosynthetic precursor to a large number of complex microbial natural products. Many of these molecules are promising scaffolds for drug discovery and development. The chemical features of tryptophan, including its ability to undergo enzymatic modifications at almost every atom in its structure and its propensity to undergo spontaneous, non-enzyme catalyzed chemistry, make it a unique biological precursor for the generation of chemical complexity. Here, we review the pathways that enable incorporation of tryptophan into complex metabolites in bacteria, with a focus on recently discovered, unusual metabolic transformations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Two-year study on the application of The Paris System for urinary cytology in a Cancer Center.
The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS) was published in order to provide clear cytomorphologic criteria for urine cytology specimens, focusing on high-grade urothelial lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing TPS and to correlate with available concomitant histological samples, accessing overall sensitivity and specificity. A retrospective analysis of urine cytology reports from 2017 to 2018 using TPS was carried out, with histological correlation to concomitant samples (up to three months). Statistical analysis was performed with calculation of sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values and risk of malignancy (ROM) for all TPS categories. A total of 1660 specimens were evaluated. Histological specimens were available for 611 (36.8%) cases. Urine cytology categorized by TPS had 2.4% nondiagnostic cases, 87.1% negative for HGUC, 4.6% atypical urothelial cells, 2.7% suspicious for HGUC, 2.7% HGUC and 0.5% cases of other malignancies. Sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV were 40.0%, 99.3%, 88.2%, 92.3%, respectively. ROM of each category was 0% for nondiagnostic, 11.1% for negative for HGUC, 32.4% for atypical, 64.9% for suspicious for HGUC and 87.9% for HGUC and other malignancies. Our findings indicated that implementation of TPS provided a high specificity and predictive positive value for the detection of high-grade urothelial lesions, with proportionally increasing ROMs as categories progress from negative to positive. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Suppression of TPA-induced tumor cell invasion by sulfuretin via inhibition of NF-κB-dependent MMP-9 expression.
Cell invasion is required for neoplastic metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix, is a major component in the process of cancer cell invasion. Sulfuretin is one of the major flavonoids isolated from Rhus verniciflua. Sulfuretin has been used to reduce oxidative stress, platelet aggregation, the inflammatory response and mutagenesis. However, the effect of sulfuretin on breast cancer metastasis is unknown. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of sulfuretin on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion in MCF-7 cells. Sulfuretin inhibited TPA-induced transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). We demonstrated that sulfuretin mediated the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and that cell invasion in MCF-7 cells involved suppression of the NF-κB pathway. Therefore, inhibiting MMP-9 expression by sulfuretin may have therapeutic potential for controlling breast cancer invasiveness. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The volume changes associated with the operation of the 'simple' transporter.
The effects of hydrostatic pressure (0.1-50 MPa) on uridine transport mediated by the 'simple' facilitated nucleoside transporter of guinea-pig and human erythrocytes have been studied in an attempt to identify the volume changes which occur during transport. Pressure inhibited the zero-trans (influx or efflux) mode of uridine transport in guinea-pig cells significantly more (about 2.2- x) than equilibrium exchange. The equilibrium binding of 3H-nitrobenzylthioinosine, a potent specific inhibitor of nucleoside transport, to human red cells and ghosts, was not significantly altered by pressure suggesting that the permeation site was unperturbed. Thus pressure inhibited the transporter primarily by preventing the volume increase associated with the translocation step. Furthermore, the return of the 'empty' transporter was found to be rate-limiting because it required a larger increase in volume than when the transporter was loaded with substrate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Potential lower extremity amputation-induced mechanisms of chronic low back pain: role for focused resistance exercise.
Approximately 185 000 individuals undergo limb amputations every year. Of this population, 40% experience lower extremity amputations. A common musculoskeletal condition that develops after amputation is chronic low back pain (LBP). LBP may be a consequence of one or combined mechanical factors including muscle atrophy, strength loss, level of amputation, kinematic traits of movement, mechanical loading and forces, prosthetic design/use and leg length discrepancy. Secondary consequences of LBP may collectively include the dependence of pain medications, impaired physical function, and diminished quality of life (QOL). A systematic literature search using PubMed was conducted to identify articles of low back pain in lower limb amputees. Long-term interventions are needed to reduce the incidence, prevalence, and secondary impacts of LBP in amputees. Resistance exercise has strong potential to help correct mechanical deficits in lower limb amputees. Resistance exercise adaptations that can be beneficial for this population include improved neuromuscular control, increases in lumbar and core muscle strength cross-sectional area, and improved gait motion parameters. This narrative review provides an overview of the key mechanical and physiological factors which may contribute to chronic LBP in amputees, and discusses the use of resistance exercise training to combat these mechanical factors to improve pain symptoms. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Low back pain is more prevalent in the amputee population compared to the general population. Low back pain may be due several mechanical factors that develop after a unilateral amputation. Lower extremity amputees with chronic low back pain experience compounded physical activity avoidance and functional limitations. Chronic low back pain in amputees erodes quality of life more than people with back pain or amputation alone. Therapeutic interventions, such as core strengthening and stabilization exercises, have strong potential to provide low back pain relief for amputees. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gonadectomy alters myosin heavy chain composition in isolated cardiac myocytes.
Sex differences in cardiac function have been identified. Studies suggest that the presence of testosterone in males may contribute to the observed differences in cardiac function. Our laboratory has shown previously that testosterone treatment of gonadectomized adult male rats enhances contractility of isolated rat ventricular myocytes. In this study we tested the hypothesis that gonadectomy and hormone replacement influences contractility by altering myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition. To test this hypothesis we analyzed myosin isoform expression in ventricular myocytes isolated from castrated rats displaying a decrease in myocyte contractile velocity and compared them to castrates treated with testosterone that displayed normal myocyte shortening velocity. Sixteen weeks after castration isolated rat ventricular myocytes displayed a 90% (p < 0.001) decline in MHC-alpha mRNA levels and over a twofold (p < 0.01) increase in MHC-beta transcripts when compared to sham-operated controls. Consistent with these changes we also observed a substantial decline in the ratio of MHC-alpha to MHC-beta protein expression. A reversal in myosin heavy chain composition was achieved following testosterone replacement. These studies provide the first direct evidence that testosterone replacement in gonadectomized animals enhances contractility via transcriptional and translational control of myosin heavy chain composition in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. The influence of testosterone on MHC composition in males may underlie some of the observed sex differences in cardiac function. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Short-term changes of serum potassium concentration induced by physical exercise in patient with arterial hypertension treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor alone or in combination with statin.
Intensive physical exercise may facilitate potassium release from skeletal muscles that may result in hyperkalemia. Commonly used drugs including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and statins increase a risk of hyperkalemia. It is not known whether the effect of these drugs on serum potassium during physical exercise is additive. The study compared the effect of physical exercise on the changes of serum potassium in hypertensive patients receiving ACEI alone or in combination with statin. Eighteen patients with arterial hypertension with normal renal function were included in a prospective placebo-controlled cross-over study. The patients underwent 3 exercise tests on a bicycle ergometer with 55 - 60% of maximum oxygen consumption each lasting 30 minutes, i.e. after being treated with ACEI alone for six months, and then in a random order after the administration of ACEI with statin or ACEI with placebo each time for eight weeks separated by 2-week wash-out. Serum potassium was measured with atomic emission flame spectrometry before and after 15 and 30 minutes exercise and after 30-minute recovery. During the exercise serum potassium concentration increased moderately but significantly during all exercise tests. Mean serum potassium during exercise remained within the normal range. There were no differences in the exercise-induced changes of serum potassium during the exercise tests performed after ACEI combined with statin or with placebo. Addition of statin to ACEI does not increase the risk of hyperkalemia in hypertensive patients with preserved renal function during physical exercise with intensity typical for routine daily activities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Mapping critical loads of acid deposition for Chinese surface waters using a steady-state method].
In order to evaluate the response of Chinese surface waters to acid deposition, a steady-state method based on acidity balance was applied to map critical loads of acid deposition for surface waters in China. The results show that the critical loads of sulfur deposition for Chinese surface waters had distinct spatial distributions. Surface waters sited in the north of Daxinganling region have lowest critical loads of sulfur deposition, most of that were lower than 2 keq.(hm2.a)-1. Critical loads of sulfur deposition for those southern surface waters were within the range of 2-10 keq.(hm2.a)-1, while in the other parts of China, most surface waters had critical loads of sulfur deposition higher than 10 keq.(hm2.a)-1. The spatial and values pattern of critical loads of acidity for Chinese surface waters were very similar with that of the critical loads of sulfur deposition. Since critical loads of acidity for most Chinese surface waters were more than 2 keq.(hm2.a)-1, it can be concluded that they were not sensitive to acidification and that acidification will not occur in the near future for most these waters. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Notes on the phlebotomine sand flies from the Peruvian southeast--I. Description of Lutzomyia (Helcocyrtomyia) adamsi n. sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae).
A new species of phlebotomine sand fly, Lutzomyia adamsi n. sp., is described and illustrated from specimens collected during August 1994, in Sandia, Department of Puno-Peru. According to the Oficina Nacional de Evaluacion de Recursos Naturales(ONERN 1976), this locality is situated in the life zone known as humid, mountain, low tropical forest (bh-MBT). Many areas in the northern part of Puno, mainly in the Inambari and Tambopata basins, are endemic to leishmaniasis. These areas are the continuation of others, largely known as "leishmaniasic" in the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios. The morphological characteristics indicated that this species belongs to the genus Lutzomyia, subgenus Helcocyrtomyia Barretto, 1962. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunity and starvation: new opportunities to elevate disease resistance in crops.
Plants use multiple mechanisms to defend themselves against invading microbes. Besides using their immune system to surveil and eliminate pathogens, plants actively block the pathogens' access to nutrients as an alternative way to prevent colonization. In this review, we focus on immunity and starvation as major obstacles for pathogens' adaptation. We summarize the key mechanisms employed by pathogens to modulate host immunity and to guarantee sugar uptake. In contrast to genes that deal with the immune system and show high levels of plasticity, pathogen genes involved in sugar acquisition are highly conserved, and may not have adapted to co-evolving interactions with the host. We propose a model to assess the durability of different control strategies based on the ability of pathogens to deal with host immunity or starvation. This analysis opens new opportunities to elevate disease resistance in crops by reducing the likelihood of pathogen adaptation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Plate removal following orthognathic surgery.
The objectives of this study are to determine the removal rates of orthognathic plates used during orthognathic surgery at James Cook University Hospital and describe the reasons for plate removal. 202 consecutive orthognathic cases were identified between July 2004 and July 2012. Demographics and procedure details were collected for these patients. Patients from this group who returned to theatre for plate removal between July 2004 and November 2012 were identified and their notes were analysed for data including reason for plate removal, age, smoking status, sex and time to plate removal. 3.2% of plates were removed with proportionally more plates removed from the mandible than the maxilla. 10.4% of patients required removal of one or more plate. Most plates were removed within the first post-operative year. The commonest reasons for plate removal were plate exposure and infection. The plate removal rates in our study are comparable to those seen in the literature. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of preweaning exposure to novel maternal odors on maternal responsiveness and selectivity in adulthood.
We examined the effects of odor exposure in the nest on the offspring's subsequent adult responsivity to pups scented with the same odor or a different odor. It was hypothesized that animals receiving exposure to the odor in the nest would be more maternally responsive to pups scented with the (same) exposed odor than to unscented (water-scented) pups. In the first part of the study (Part A), Sprague-Dawley female rat pups (days 1-18 of age) either received exposure to an artificial lemon odor or to the natural (water) odor in the nest. In the second part of the study (Part B), rat pups were exposed daily to lemon or neutral odorants in an incubator at a distance from the mother and the nest. On day 21, animals received odor preference tests for lemon versus neutral pine bedding. On day 60, animals were mated and their pups were removed at 15-min intervals at the time of parturition. Animals were then tested for maternal behavior to foster pups on day 1 or 7 after parturition. Foster pups were scented either with the lemon odor or with water (unscented). Early exposure to lemon in the nest context enhanced animals' attraction to the lemon odor in juvenile tests. In adult maternal tests, exposure to odor on the mother and in the nest had two effects. It increased the latency for animals to express maternal behavior; however, once mothers expressed maternal behavior, they spent more time licking and crouching over pups scented with the same odorant to which they had been exposed earlier on their own mothers. Simple exposure to the lemon odorant out of context of the nest had no effect on adult maternal latencies or behavior. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in the Digital Age.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the treatment of choice for insomnia; however, it is not widely used due to a lack of experienced therapists and its relatively high clinical cost. Recently, Internet and mobile CBT-I have been developed to replace face-to-face CBT-I, and research on this topic has been increasing. In addition, attempts have been made to use wearable devices for sleep-wake estimation. Studies on digital CBT-I thus far have shown favorable treatment effects in general, but the problem of a high dropout rate has not been sufficiently improved. In addition, more sophisticated technology is needed to develop fully automated digital CBT-I. As part of efforts to maximize the treatment effectiveness of future insomnia patients, research and development of mobile and Internet CBT-I and improvement of sleep tracker accuracy and validation studies are needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vertebroplasty: what is important and what is not.
It is important to try to clarify the methodology of vertebroplasty such as amount of cement needed, how many needles to use and the significance of cement extravasation. This prospective study evaluated the potential of vertebroplasty to increase the likelihood of an adjacent vertebral compression fracture (VCF) 1 year or less after vertebroplasty, the correlation between the cement volumes injected and pain relief, and the consequences of cement extravasation. Pain relief and the incidence of a subsequent fracture of adjacent vertebrae 1 year or less after vertebroplasty were evaluated in 357 patients (660 vertebrae) of mean age 77.5 years with osteoporotic VCFs. The correlation between cement volume and pain relief was assessed with a Pearson correlation coefficient; factors potentially predictive of subsequent adjacent VCFs were explored by multiple logistic regression analysis. Refracture of any vertebrae (adjacent or nonadjacent to the primary fracture) occurred in 18% of the patients 1 year or less after vertebroplasty. Refracture of adjacent vertebrae occurred 1 year or less after vertebroplasty in 12% of the patients. Neither cement volume nor extravasation of cement into the intravertebral disk was a significant predictor of adjacent VCFs. No correlation was found between cement volume and pain relief (r = -0.029). Extravasation of cement into the veins, soft tissue, or disk was observed in 33% of all of the treated VCFs and resulted in no complications. The incidence of an adjacent VCF 1 year or less after vertebroplasty was comparable with that expected for untreated osteoporotic VCFs. Neither the volume of cement injected nor extravasation of cement into the intravertebral disk affected the likelihood of subsequent adjacent VCFs. Cement volume did not correlate with pain relief. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
IgE antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus. Prevalence in patients with atopic dermatitis.
We determined the prevalence of IgE antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus by optimized immunoradiometric assay methods in serum specimens from 69 patients with atopic dermatitis. All patients had positive aerobic cultures for S aureus from skin. Significant binding attributable to IgE antibodies was noted in three of 25 patients with atopic dermatitis and superimposed impetiginization or pustules, but antibodies were not detected in the remaining 44 patients whose lesions were colonized with S aureus. By comparison, IgE antibodies to S aureus were uniformly present in high titer in serum samples from patients with the hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome. We conclude that most patients with atopic dermatitis do not have detectable levels of IgE antibodies to S aureus. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Experience in giving anesthesiological and resuscitation care to therapeutic patients in Afghanistan].
The article analyses the experience of reanimatological care to medical patients in Afghanistan. These patients comprised 3% of all the contingency from anaesthesia/reanimation/intensive care unit. The experience obtained in these researches made it possible to reevaluate some principles concerning the improvement of work in this unit, as far as professional qualities of its specialists, organic structure and material support are concerned. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Photoreduction of QA, QB, and cytochrome b-559 in an oxygen-evolving photosystem II preparation from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp.
Light-induced absorption changes in an oxygen-evolving photosystem II (PS II) preparation from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. were analyzed using continuous illumination which caused the reduction of both QA (first stable quinone electron acceptor) and QB (second quinone electron acceptor of photosystem II). In this photosystem II preparation in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) the amount of QA was estimated to be 1 per 42 chlorophylls. In the absence of DCMU, plastoquinone (1.68 per QA) was photoreduced to plastohydroquinone within a few seconds, indicating that QB is reduced and protonated during this period. An electrochromic band shift centered around 685 nm was observed with and without DCMU. The extent of this band shift caused by QB reduction per electron was about a third or half of that caused by QA reduction. A significant amount of cytochrome b-559 (0.86 per QA) was photoreduced. Only 60% of the photoreduction of cytochrome b-559 was inhibited by a DCMU concentration that inhibited electron transfer beyond QB, indicating that the site of the reduction of cytochrome b-559 is located before the QB site and possibly on the donor side of PS II. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison of the efficacy of alpha-lactalbumin from equine, bovine, and human milk in the growth of intestinal IEC-6 cells.
Native alpha-lactalbumins (α-LA) from equine, bovine, and human milk were not cytotoxic. However, after treatment with trifluoroethanol (TFE), all three α-LAs exhibited cytotoxicity. Toxic potencies were distinctly different among them. Equine α-LA was the most robust, bovine α-LA was moderate, and human α-LA was weak. There were no significant structural changes as between the native and the TFE-treated α-LAs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interleukin-17A potentiates interleukin-13-induced eotaxin-3 production by human nasal epithelial cells from patients with allergic rhinitis.
Interleukin (IL)-17A is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR). Increased expression of IL-17A is correlated with disease severity and nasal eosinophilia. However, the molecular mechanisms by which IL-17A contributes to T-helper 2 cytokine IL-13-driven pathology in AR remain unclear. We sought to obtain mechanistic insight into how IL-17A and IL-13 regulate the epithelial production of eotaxin-3 representing eosinophilic inflammation in AR. Human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) from AR patients were cultured and stimulated with IL-17A, IL-13, or IL-17A and IL-13. Phosphorylated signal transducer activator of transcription 6 (p-STAT6) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) in HNECs were assayed using Western blotting. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine p-STAT6-positive expression in the cells. Eotaxin-3 expression in the cells and culture supernatants was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Stimulation with IL-13 alone induced STAT6 phosphorylation and promoted p-STAT6 nuclear translocation, leading to eotaxin-3 production by HNECs. These effects were further enhanced by cotreatment with IL-13 and IL-17A, whereas IL-17A alone had no impact on STAT6 or eotaxin-3 expression. Incubation with IL-17A or IL-13 increased the level of SOCS1 protein in the cells, whereas the addition of IL-17A attenuated IL-13-induced SOCS1 expression. IL-17A potentiated IL-13-driven STAT6 activation through the downregulation of SOCS1 expression, leading to enhancement of eotaxin-3 production by HNECs. These factors contributed to eosinophilic inflammation in AR. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cost-effectiveness of bedaquiline or delamanid plus background regimen for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a high-income intermediate burden city of China.
Hong Kong is a high-income city of China with an intermediate tuberculosis (TB) burden, and 1% of TB cases are multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB). The aim of this study was to examine the potential cost-effectiveness of adding bedaquiline or delamanid to the background regimen (BR) for the treatment of MDR-TB in Hong Kong. A decision-analytic model was designed to simulate outcomes over a 10-year time horizon for MDR-TB patients treated with bedaquiline plus BR (B-BR), delamanid plus BR (D-BR), or BR alone. Outcome measures included direct medical costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained. In the base-case analysis, BR was the least costly regimen (USD 47396) with the lowest QALYs gained (6.347). Compared to BR, B-BR gained an additional 0.731 QALYs with incremental cost of USD 9. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of B-BR was USD 12/QALY. D-BR was more costly than BR by USD 20 164 and gained an additional 0.012 QALYs. The ICER of D-BR was USD 1 680333/QALY. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis with 10000 Monte Carlo simulations, B-BR and D-BR were cost-effective 99.98% and 5.13% of the time, respectively, using 1× gross domestic product per capita (USD 46 182) as the willingness-to-pay threshold. Bedaquiline is more likely than delamanid to be cost-effective when added to BR for the treatment of MDR-TB in Hong Kong. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Renal transplantation with aged donors.
Research indicates that aged heart-beating cadaveric donors cause greater risk factors in kidney transplantation. The influence of age on the outcome of non-heart-beating (NHB) cadaveric renal transplantations has not yet been clarified. From July 1986 to May 1999, 63 patients who received cadaveric renal transplantation at Osaka City University Hospital and Osaka City General Hospital were divided into two groups according to their age. Renal function and graft-survival rates of the two groups were compared. The mean values of nadir donor serum creatinine were significantly worse (P < 0.05) in the aged donor group. In the aged donor group the percentage of immediately functioning grafts was lower and the percentage of non-functioning grafts was higher. During the first 10 years post-transplant, graft survival in the aged donor group was significantly lower than that in the younger donor group. We conclude that cadaveric renal transplantation from NHB aged donors can be to the detriment of renal function and graft survival rates compared to transplantation from younger donors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reduced expression of insulin-like growth factor I receptors in MCF-7 breast cancer cells leads to a more metastatic phenotype.
Several lines of evidence support an important role for the insulin-like growth factor system in breast cancer. Alterations in insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) have been associated with breast cancer metastasis; however, the specific role played by the IGF-IR in this process remains unclear. To address this issue, we evaluated MCF-7 breast cancer cells stably transfected either with an antisense construct to the IGF-IR, which reduced the expression of the IGF-IRs by approximately 50% (SX13 cells), or with the empty vector as control (NEO cells). Using functional assays for motility, attachment, and aggregation, we found a 3-fold increase in migration using both the wounding assay and the Boyden chamber migration assay. In addition, the SX13 cells attached less, and there was a reduction in cellular aggregation. These functional changes were accompanied by approximately 50% decrease in expression of E-cadherin and approximately 80% increase in p120 protein levels. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in p120 present in the E-cadherin-catenin-p120 complex. There was a 2-fold increase in active Rac1 and Cdc42 and a 35% decrease in active Rho in the SX13 cells. Our findings strongly suggest that the IGF-IR plays a role in the stabilization of the E-cadherin-catenin complex, thereby providing one possible explanation for the association between low levels of IGF-IR and a higher risk of mammary tumor metastasis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inhibition of Lassa virus and Ebola virus infection in host cells treated with the kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin.
Arenaviruses and filoviruses are capable of causing hemorrhagic fever syndrome in humans. Limited therapeutic and/or prophylactic options are available for humans suffering from viral hemorrhagic fever. In this report, we demonstrate that pre-treatment of host cells with the kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin AG1478 leads to inhibition of infection or transduction in cells infected with Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and Lassa virus. In all, the results demonstrate that a kinase inhibitor cocktail consisting of genistein and tyrphostin AG1478 is a broad-spectrum antiviral that may be used as a therapeutic or prophylactic against arenavirus and filovirus hemorrhagic fever. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Diet-Induced Weight Loss Reduces DNA Damage and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight/Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
We aimed to investigate the impact of following a diet to induce weight loss (500 kcal deficit per day) over DNA damage and cardiometabolic risk factors in women with overweight/obesity diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A study was conducted in Natal, RN, Brazil selecting overweight/obese (body mass index ≥25 and <39 kg/m2) women (18-35 years). The levels of DNA damage were assessed by a single cell gel electrophoresis. Repeated 24 h dietary recall questionnaires, anthropometry, biochemical profile and sex hormones were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Women exhibiting a decrease in the markers of DNA damage: tail intensity (24.35 ± 5.86 - pre diet vs. 17.15 ± 5.04 - post-diet; p < 0.001) and tail moment (20.47 ± 7.85 - pre diet vs. 14.13 ± 6.29 - post-diet; p < 0.002). Reduction of calorie intake, weight loss, decreased sexual hormone and cardiometabolic markers such as insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were verified In the multivariate regression analysis, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index and progesterone were responsible for the variation markers in DNA damage before the diet, losing its influence upon diet. DNA damage and the impact of cardiometabolic risk factors decreased after the intervention in women with PCOS, indicating the relevance of a nutritional approach in this group of patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral defects of the talus: outcomes at eight to twenty years of follow-up.
The primary aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopic debridement and bone marrow stimulation for talar osteochondral defects. The secondary aim was to identify prognostic factors that affect the long-term results. Fifty (88%) of fifty-seven eligible patients with a primary osteochondral defect treated with arthroscopic debridement and bone marrow stimulation were evaluated after a mean follow-up of twelve years (range, eight to twenty years). Clinical assessment included the Ogilvie-Harris score, Berndt and Harty outcome question, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) as well as resumption of work and sports. Weight-bearing radiographs were compared with preoperative radiographs with use of an ankle osteoarthritis classification system. The size, location, and classification of the defect, patient age and body mass index, traumatic etiology, and duration of symptoms were recorded and analyzed with use of univariate logistic regression. The Ogilvie-Harris score was excellent in 20% of patients, good in 58%, fair in 22%, and poor in 0%. According to the Berndt and Harty outcome question, 74% of patients rated the ankle as good, 20% as fair, and 6% as poor. The median AOFAS score was 88 (range, 64 to 100). Of the eight subscales of the SF-36, six were comparable with population norms and two were superior in the study group. Ninety-four percent of patients had resumed work and 88% had resumed sports. The radiographs indicated an osteoarthritis grade of 0 in 33% of the patients, I in 63%, II in 4%, and III in 0%. Compared with the preoperative osteoarthritis classification, 67% of radiographs showed no progression and 33% showed progression by one grade. None of the prognostic factors was significantly associated with the Ogilvie-Harris score or progression of osteoarthritis. This study suggests that initial success of arthroscopic debridement and bone marrow stimulation for osteochondral defects of the talus are maintained over time. No factors that were predictive of the outcome could be identified. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Shock loading in biofilters: impact on biodegradation activity distribution and resilience capacity.
A synthetic contaminated gas was generated, representative of gaseous emissions from sludge composting. It was composed of six volatile organic compounds (aldehyde, ketones, esters, sulphur compound) in an ammoniacal matrix. The gaseous stream was purified by biofiltration, in pilot scale biofilters filled with pine bark woodchips as organic carrier for biomass colonization. After reaching a constant high efficiency, with complete removal, the system was disturbed by transient loading shocks. The impact of perturbations was assessed by both performance evaluation (i.e. contaminant removal) and microbial behaviour. The microbial community was analysed in terms of density. The resilience of functional component following a perturbation was evaluated. This work highlighted the longitudinal distribution of both biodegradation activities and biomass density. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A trout fisherman with hypercalcaemia and skin lesions.
A 67-year-old trout fisherman presented with a six-week history of polyuria, polydipsia, dyspnoea on exertion and the development of subcutaneous extensor surface skin nodules. He was hypercalcaemic with acute renal impairment. Parathyroid hormone was suppressed and vitamin D levels were within normal limits. The patient had a past history of hypothyroidism, but thyroid replacement was adequate. Hypoadrenalism, myeloma and metastatic malignancy were excluded. Biopsy of a subcutaneous nodule revealed dermally based non-caseating granulomata, consistent with sarcoidosis. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme was elevated, and computerized tomography scanning of the chest and abdomen revealed widespread lymphadenopathy with multiple lung nodules and splenomegaly. Prednisolone therapy produced rapid resolution of his skin lesions and normalization of his bone and renal biochemistry. The mechanism of hypercalcaemia in sarcoidosis is poorly understood but is thought to involve parathyroid hormone-independent 1-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D within sarcoid lesions. This process may be exacerbated by exposure to UV light and it is of interest that this patient developed symptoms after a period of intense trout fishing in the good weather of April and May 2007. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Contraception and breastfeeding. Spacing of pregnancies. Present concepts].
The risk of pregnancy in breastfeeding should be a concern of women. Family planning programs in the post natal period contraceptive choices offer high efficiency. Breastfeeding is a natural contraception method (LAM) as a contraceptive shield has 98% efficiency. Women should consider using an alternate contraceptive method when feeding requirements for this method to be effective are not met. Some of contraceptive alternatives in lactation include hormonal methods. According to the Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use WHO combined hormonal methods are contraindicated during breastfeeding, hormonal progestogen only methodo are considered only in Group 3 and Group 1 immediate postpartum after 6 weeks postpartum. There are modifications to these criteria by the CDC and the UK for the use of these hormones in early in lactation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Liquid crystal display electrode-assisted bio-electroperoxone treatment train for the abatement of organic contaminants in a pharmaceutical wastewater.
Pharmaceutical contaminants present in wastewaters cause severe health hazards among chronically exposed population. Emerging pharmaceutically active contaminants pose a serious challenge to conventional treatment technologies. Employing advanced treatment technologies for the abatement of such contaminants is usually energy-intensive. In this study, a complex pharmaceutical wastewater from a pharmaceutical industry in California, USA, was treated by employing a novel bio-electrochemical treatment train system. Labeled "Bio-electroperoxone," our proposed system comprises (i) an electrically bound biofilm reactor (EBBR) that accelerates bacterial adhesion for the removal of biodegradable and persistent organics and (ii) an electroperoxone reactor that removes recalcitrant organics with minimal energy uptake. The EBBR comprises a platinum-coated titanium cathode and a conductive nematic liquid crystal display electrode (NLCE) obtained from electronic waste that serves as the anode. Characterization of functional groups, morphology, and elemental mapping of NLCE were carried out to explain mechanisms for rapid biofilm attachment. The concomitant electroperoxone reactor comprises a platinum-coated titanium (Pt-Ti) anode and a reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) cathode that catalyzes the two-electron reduction of oxygen to form in situ H2O2. The bio-electroperoxone system (i) inactivated 99.99% of the micro-organisms, removed (ii) 92.20% of the color, (iii) 84.72% of the total suspended solids, and (iv) 89% of the total organic carbon (TOC). Possible mechanisms for the degradation of organic contaminants are elucidated. Bio-electroperoxone thus paves the way for an efficient and sustainable approach for the efficient removal of both biodegradable and recalcitrant, persistent organic contaminants from pharmaceutical and possibly other complex wastewaters. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Disordered breathing during sleep and exercise in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the role of biomarkers.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients report fatigue, possibly reflecting sleep disturbance, but little is known about sleep-related changes. We compared ventilation and gas exchange during sleep and exercise in a cohort of IPF patients, and evaluated associations with selected biological markers. Twenty stable IPF patients (aged 67.9 ± 12.3 [SD]) underwent overnight polysomnography following an acclimatization night. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed and inflammatory markers measured including TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL8, C-C motif ligand 18 (CCL-18) and C-reactive protein (CRP) RESULTS: Nine patients had sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) with an apnea-hypopnea frequency (AHI) ≥ 5/h, but only two had Epworth sleepiness score ≥ 10, thus having an obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep quality was poor. Transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (PtcCO2) rose by 2.56 ± 1.59 kPa overnight (P = 0.001), suggesting hypoventilation. Oxygen saturation (SaO2) was lower during sleep than exercise (P < 0.01), and exercise variables correlated with resting pulmonary function. CCL-18 and CRP levels were elevated and correlated with PtcCO2 rise during sleep (P < 0.05). CCL-18 negatively correlated with diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO), arterial oxygen (PaO2) and mean arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) (P < 0.05) and CRP negatively correlated with DLCO, PaO2, sleep SaO2 and oxygen uptake (VO2) during exercise (P < 0.05). IPF patients desaturate more during sleep than exercise; thus, nocturnal pulse oxymetry could be included in clinical assessment. CCL-18 and CRP levels correlate with physiological markers of fibrosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Inherited thrombophilic factors in women with secondary infertility].
Because of the presence of additional confounding factors, such as cervical incompetence or uterine infections, the impact of inherited thrombophilia in women with second infertility has been hard to assess. The evaluation of the significance of the most common inherited thrombophilic factors - Factor V Leiden (FVL), prothrombin gene mutation 20210 G > A (FII), polymorphism (PL) 677 C > T in MTHFR, PL A1/A2 in platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and PAL-1 PL 4G/5G in 35 women with two or more secondary (who have given birth to at least one child) recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) before 14 weeks of gestation compared to 70 healthy women with no history of RPL and at least one uncomplicated full-term pregnancy, has been performed. Eight out of 35 women with secondary RPL (25.7%) and 6 out of 70 controls (8.6%) have had FVL or FII 20210 G > A (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.05-13.2, p = 0.038). Five (14.3%) women with secondary infertility were carriers for FVL and four (11.4%) for FII 20210 G > A, corresponding to four (5.7%) and two (2.9%) of the women in the control group. The carrier status for MTHFR 677 C > T (TT genotype), PL A1/A2 and PL 4G/5G (4G/4G genotype) was as follows: 11.4%, 28% and 30.8% in patients and 14.3%, 17.1% and 24.3% in controls without significant difference between the groups. Despite of the presence of background factors, an appreciable role of inherited thrombophilia in secondary RPL was established, which enforces thrombophilia testing and management of women with second infertility as well as women with primary RPL. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
EVA: large-scale analysis of secondary structure prediction.
EVA is a web-based server that evaluates automatic structure prediction servers continuously and objectively. Since June 2000, EVA collected more than 20,000 secondary structure predictions. The EVA sets sufficed to conclude that the field of secondary structure prediction has advanced again. Accuracy increased substantially in the 1990s through using evolutionary information taken from the divergence of proteins in the same structural family. Recently, the evolutionary information resulting from improved searches and larger databases has again boosted prediction accuracy by more than 4% to its current height around 76% of all residues predicted correctly in one of the three states: helix, strand, or other. The best current methods solved most of the problems raised at earlier CASP meetings: All good methods now get segments right and perform well on strands. Is the recent increase in accuracy significant enough to make predictions even more useful? We believe the answer is affirmative. What is the limit of prediction accuracy? We shall see. All data are available through the EVA web site at [cubic.bioc.columbia.edu/eva/]. The raw data for the results presented are available at [eva]/sec/bup_common/2001_02_22/. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Metabolism of glutethimide in the human.
Gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric techniques were used to identify metabolites of glutethimide excreted in human urine. In this study three monohydroxy metabolites, a dihydrodiol and three dihydroxy metabolites were detected after ingestion of the drug. The results indicate that the phenyl ring of glutethimide is metabolized by the epoxide-dihydrodiol pathway in the human following chronic administration of the drug. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Visual preference by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) for photos of primates measured by a free choice-order task: implication for influence of social experience.
With a free-choice task, visual preference was estimated in five adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). The subjects were presented with digitized color photographs of various species of primates on a CRT screen. Their touching responses to the photographs were reinforced by food reward irrespective of which photographs they touched. The results revealed that all chimpanzees touched the photographs of humans significantly more than any other species, or phylogenetic families of primates. This tendency was consistent across different stimulus sets. The results suggest that the chimpanzees showed visual preference for the photographs of humans over those of their own species. The results also suggest that the degree of this visual preference was not in accordance with phylogenetic distance from the subjects' species, chimpanzees. The preference for humans was stronger in the case of the colored photographs than in monochromatic ones. All of the five chimpanzees had been in captivity for at least 16 years. They were reared by humans from just after their birth, or at least from 1.5 years old. Their preference might have developed through social experience, especially that during infanthood. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hoof horn abnormalities in Lipizzaner horses and the effect of dietary biotin on macroscopic aspects of hoof horn quality.
This study involved a macroscopic evaluation of hoof quality in 152 Lipizzaner horses (130 from Austria and 22 from other countries) and a controlled double blind trial of the effects of biotin on hoof horn growth and quality over 19 months in 42 stallions from the Spanish Riding School (SRS) in Vienna. Using a grading system that incorporated evaluation of horn wall, white line, sole and frog, the macroscopic study revealed the following: 90% of the Austrian Lipizzaners had soft white lines and crumbling, fissured horn at the bearing border of the walls; 39% of the stallions of the SRS, > 4-years-old, had medium to severe hoof horn changes. Daily administration of 20 mg biotin to a test group of horses (n = 26) and a placebo to a control group (n = 16) showed that after 9 months the test group had significantly improved compared to the beginning of the trial and the placebo group (P < 0.01). In the test group, further improvement was observed during the following 5 months and, subsequently, the same good level of hoof condition was maintained over 3 further years of observation. Growth rate of the horn wall was equal in the biotin and placebo group, being 7 mm/28 days, giving a wall renewal period of 11 months. Mean plasma biotin level of untreated horses was 350 ng/l; plasma levels of biotin supplemented horses were > 1000 ng/l. It was concluded that continuous dietary supplementation with biotin at a daily dose of 20 mg is indicated to improve and maintain hoof horn quality in horses with less than optimum quality hoof. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Grading airway stenosis down to the segmental level using virtual bronchoscopy.
To assess the sensitivity of noninvasive virtual bronchoscopy based on multirow detector CT scanning in detecting and grading central and segmental airway stenosis using flexible bronchoscopic findings as the reference standard. In a blinded controlled trial, multirow detector CT virtual bronchoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy were used to search for and grade airway stenosis in 20 patients. CT scan data were obtained with a multirow detector CT scanner using 4 x 1 mm collimation. Flexible bronchoscopy findings were graded by a pulmonologist and served as the reference standard for 176 central airway regions (ie, trachea, main bronchi, and lobar bronchi) and 302 segmental airway regions. The extent of airway narrowing was categorized as grade 0 (no narrowing), grade 1 (< 50%), or grade 2 (> or =50%). Flexible bronchoscopy revealed 30 stenoses in the central airways and 10 in the segmental airways. Virtual bronchoscopy detected 32 stenoses in the central airways (sensitivity, 90.0%; specificity, 96.6%; accuracy, 95.5%) and 22 in the segmental airways (sensitivity, 90.0%; specificity, 95.6%; accuracy, 95.5%). The number of false-positive findings was higher in the segmental airways (13 false-positive findings) than in the central airways (5 false-positive findings), which caused a lower positive predictive value for the segmental airways (40.9%) than for the central airways (84.4%). Flexible and virtual bronchoscopic gradings correlated better for central airway stenosis (r = 0.87) than for segmental airway stenosis (r = 0.61). Although a high sensitivity was found for the detection of both central and segmental airway stenosis, the number of false-positive findings was higher for segmental airways. However, noninvasive multirow detector CT virtual bronchoscopy enables high-resolution endoluminal imaging of the airways down to the segmental bronchi. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A population-based study of radiotherapy in a cohort of patients with rectal cancer diagnosed between 1996 and 2000.
To study, in a population-based setting, the use of delayed radiotherapy (RT) in a cohort of 2008 unselected rectal cancer patients diagnosed between 1996 and 2000. Radiation within 6 months of diagnosis was considered part of the primary treatment (PRT). RT given 6 months or later after diagnosis or after PRT was considered as delayed or secondary RT (SRT). Number, percentage and cumulative proportion of patients receiving SRT were calculated. The odds for receiving SRT (total and for recurrent rectal cancer only) were studied by logistic regression analysis, taking into account age, gender, co-morbidity, socio-economic status, stage, prior PRT and RT department (2 departments, each serving general hospitals only). Forty-six percent of all newly diagnosed patients received RT. Ten percent (n=203) received at least once SRT, either after PRT or as first RT, of which 96 patients for a relapsed rectal tumour (31 after PRT on the rectal tumour, 65 as a first radiation treatment). In a multivariate analysis of patients with rectal recurrence secondary pelvic irradiation was less often given after primary irradiation (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.4-1.1). Patients with a stage III significantly more often received SRT on a recurrence (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.4-4.5). Generally, patients in the eastern department received more often PRT and less often SRT for recurrence (OR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8). Five percent of all patients with rectal cancer received SRT on a recurrent tumour, with a large variation between the two RT departments in the region. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
New groups of antimycobacterial agents: 6-chloro-3-phenyl-4-thioxo-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2(3H)-ones and 6-chloro-3-phenyl-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2,4(3H)-dithiones.
A series of 6-chloro-3-phenyl-4-thioxo-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2(3H)-ones 3 and a series of 6-chloro-3-phenyl-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2, 4(3H)-dithiones 4 were synthesized by melting 6-chloro-3-phenyl-2H-1, 3-benzoxazine-2,4(3H)-dione and its derivatives substituted on the phenyl ring 2 with tetraphosphorus decasulfide. Compounds 2c-e, 3 and 4 exhibited in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. kansasii (two strains) and M. avium better than or comparable to that of isoniazid. Replacement of the oxo group by a thioxo group at position 4 led to improvement in activity against M. tuberculosis and M. kansasii. The Free-Wilson method and procedure developed by the authors were used to analyse the structure-activity and structure-antimycobacterial profile relationships, respectively. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Impact of Context Information on Metaphor Elaboration.
In experiments by Gibbs, Kushner, and Mills (1991) , sentences were supposedly either authored by poets or by a computer. Gibbs et al. (1991) concluded from their results that the assumed source of the text influences speed of processing, with a higher speed for metaphorical sentences in the Poet condition. However, the dependent variables used (e.g., mean RTs) do not allow clear conclusions regarding processing speed. It is also possible that participants had prior biases before the presentation of the stimuli. We conducted a conceptual replication and applied the diffusion model ( Ratcliff, 1978 ) to disentangle a possible effect on processing speed from a prior bias. Our results are in accordance with the interpretation by Gibbs et al. (1991) : The context information affected processing speed, not a priori decision settings. Additionally, analyses of model fit revealed that the diffusion model provided a good account of the data of this complex verbal task. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vitamin D exposures reported to US poison centers 2000-2014: Temporal trends and outcomes.
There has been an increased use of vitamin D both by prescription and by the public as a widely available supplement. We evaluated 15 years of single-substance vitamin D exposures to US poison centers. Retrospective analysis of data from the National Poison Data System (NPDS) to evaluate clinical effects, trends, and outcomes of exposures to vitamin D over the period January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2014. Cases were limited to exposures involving vitamin D as a single substance. Multiple vitamin products that may have included vitamin D were not included in this study. From 2000 through June 30, 2014, there were 25,397 human exposures to vitamin D reported to NPDS. There was a mean of 196 cases per year from 2000 to 2005, followed by a 1600% increase in exposures between 2005 and 2011 to a new annual mean of 4535 exposures per year. The mean and median ages were 23.4 years and 10 years, respectively. There were no fatalities, but five (0.02%) major effect outcomes. Serious medical outcomes (major or moderate outcome) were infrequent, ranging from 2 patients/year to 22 patients/year. Clinical effects were primarily gastrointestinal (0.7-1.5%) and mild neurological effects (0.2-0.4%). There was a decline in the percentage of patients treated in a health care facility and of patients with serious medical outcome. Despite the enormous increase in number of exposures, there was not a significant increase in patients with a serious medical outcome. Rare severe outcomes may occur. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei alleviates clinical symptoms of colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium salt in BALB/c mice.
The aim of this study was to investigate the alleviating effect of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei LC-01 (LC-01) on the murine model of colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS). 50 pathogen-free, 6-week-old male BALB/c mice were divided randomly into 5 groups, including a control group and four DSS-LC-01-treated groups (DSS, DSS-106, DSS-108, and DSS-1010 with 0, 1×106, 1×108 and 1×1010 cfu/ml LC-01, respectively). To test the effectiveness of LC-01 as a prophylactic it was administered for 7 days before the onset of the disease in DSS-LC-01-treated mice. After 7 days, colitis was induced by administration of 2.5% (w/v) DSS in drinking water for a further 7 days. The disease activity index (DAI), histological score, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured. DAI, histological scores and MPO activity of mice treated with a medium or high dose of LC-01 were significantly lower compared to a low-dose of LC-01 and DSS treatment alone (P<0.05). Colon length shortening could be prevented with increasing dose of LC-01. In addition, the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were suppressed significantly by treatment with a medium and high dose of LC-01. However, no significant difference in the indices mentioned above were observed between a low dose of LC-01 and treatment with DSS alone (P≯0.05). An appropriate dose of LC-01 can prevent intestinal damage in mice with DSS-induced colitis. The expression of inflammatory cytokines related to pathogenesis of DSS-induced colitis decreased following treatment with LC-01. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Surgical use of breast ultrasound.
As surgeons become increasingly more comfortable in interpreting and using US to determine benignancy and malignancy of breast lesions, use of US-guided needle biopsy. US-guided lumpectomy, percutaneous excision of benign masses, and ablation of cancers will become routine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
A 48-year-old woman presented with a 20-year history of an asymptomatic depressed atrophic plaque on the abdomen. Five years earlier a punch biopsy of the same lesion had been carried out and a diagnosis of dermatofibroma was made. She was reassured and discharged. Further consultation was sought due to extension and thickening of the lesion. Re-examination of the initial and new incisional biopsy specimens, along with histochemical staining for CD34, established the diagnosis of atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. A wide local excision was carried out. There has been no recurrence at 9 months of follow up. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Surgery for ischemic colitis: outcome and risk factors for in-hospital mortality.
Surgery for ischemic colitis is associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality, but the risk factors for mortality and major surgical complications are unclear. In this retrospective single institution cohort study of all patients undergoing colorectal surgery for histologically proven ischemic colitis between 2004 and 2010, we evaluated surgical outcomes and risk factors for in-hospital mortality and major surgical complications. For the 100 patients included in the study, in-hospital mortality was 54 %; major surgical complications, defined as anastomotic leakage or rectal stump and stoma complications, occurred in 16 %. In the multivariable analysis, hospital death was more likely in patients with right-sided (odds ratio [OR] 3.8; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 12; P = 0.022) or pan-colonic ischemia (OR 11; 95 % CI 2.8, 39; P < 0.001), both relative to left-sided ischemia. Decreased preoperative pH level (OR 2.5 per 0.1 decrease; 95 % CI 1.5, 4.1; P < 0.001) and prior cardiac or aortic surgery (OR 2.4; 95 % CI 0.82, 6.8; P = 0.109) were further important risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Major postoperative surgical complications were more likely in patients with ischemic alterations at the resection margin of the histological specimen (OR 3.7; 95 % CI 1.2, 11; P = 0.022). Colonic resection for ischemic colitis is associated with high in-hospital mortality, especially in patients with right-sided or pan-colonic ischemia. In patients developing acidosis, early laparotomy is essential. Since resection margins' affection seems to be underestimated upon surgery, resections should be performed wide enough within healthy tissue. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Early reversible ischemia of femoral head epiphysis in piglets on gadolinium-enhanced MRI: an experimental study.
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate if Gadolinium-enhanced MRI can detect early reversible ischemia of the femoral head epiphysis caused by hip hyper-abduction in piglets. Between 3 and 6 h consistent hyper-abduction, gadolinium-enhanced MRI was performed in 20 femoral heads of 10 piglets. After completion of MRI scan, the piglets were allowed to ambulate freely for 1 or 7 days and re-imaged. The enhanced-MRI results of epiphyseal and physeal cartilage and the secondary center of ossification were observed. MRI appearances and histological findings were compared. On Gadolinium-enhanced MRI, decreased or absent enhancement was seen in 14 cartilaginous epiphyses of all 20 femoral heads. Reperfusion was completed in 10 of 14 femoral heads after one day of ambulation and in the rest 4 after 7 days of ambulation. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI can identify early ischemia and its reversal of the capital femoral epiphysis induced by hip hyper-abduction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Role of cell death in the progression of heart failure.
All multicellular organisms develop during evolution the highly regulated and interconnected pathways of cell death. This complex network contributes to the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular disorders including ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, heart failure, dysrhythmias and atherosclerosis. Chronic cardiac remodeling response and transition to overt HF have been associated with modestly increased apoptosis, although the actual burden of chronic cell loss attributable to apoptosis is not clear. Central mediators of cardiomyocyte survival and death are the mitochondrial organelles. Based on its morphological characteristics, cell death can be classified into three major types: apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. Recently, a new pathway of regulated necrosis, necroptosis, has also been reported in the failing heart. The mitochondrial (intrinsic) and the death-receptor-mediated (extrinsic) converge at mitochondria inducing release of mitochondrial apoptogens to initiate the caspase cascade and eventually degradation of the doomed cardiomyocyte. Activation of death receptors can initiate not only extrinsic apoptotic pathway, but also necrosis. On the other hand, autophagy, which is characterized by the massive formation of lysosomal-derived vesicles, containing degenerating cytoplasmic contents, is primarily a survival response to nutrient deprivation, and a selective form of autophagy, mitophagy, is also a protective mechanism that allows to eliminate damaged mitochondria and thereby to attenuate mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and necrosis in the myocardium. Further insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying cell death will increase the efficiency and repertoire of therapeutic interventions available in cardiovascular disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Operative Binding of Class I Release Factors and YaeJ Stabilizes the Ribosome in the Nonrotated State.
During translation, the small subunit of the ribosome rotates with respect to the large subunit primarily between two states as mRNA is being translated into a protein. At the termination of bacterial translation, class I release factors (RFs) bind to a stop codon in the A-site and catalyze the release of the peptide chain from the ribosome. Periodically, mRNA is truncated prematurely, and the translating ribosome stalls at the end of the mRNA forming a nonstop complex requiring one of several ribosome rescue factors to intervene. One factor, YaeJ, is structurally homologous with the catalytic region of RFs but differs by binding to the ribosome directly through its C-terminal tail. Structures of the ribosome show that the ribosome adopts the nonrotated state conformation when these factors are bound. However, these studies do not elucidate the influence of binding to cognate or noncognate codons on the dynamics of intersubunit rotation. Here, we investigate the effects of wild-type and mutant forms of RF1, RF2, and YaeJ binding on ribosome intersubunit rotation using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer. We show that both RF1 binding and RF2 binding are sufficient to shift the population of posthydrolysis ribosome complexes from primarily the rotated to the nonrotated state only when a cognate stop codon is present in the A-site. Similarly, YaeJ binding stabilizes nonstop ribosomal complexes in the nonrotated state. Along with previous studies, these results are consistent with the idea that directed conformational changes and binding of subsequent factors to the ribosome are requisite for efficient termination and ribosome recycling. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Molecular docking of substrates and inhibitors in the catalytic site of CYP6B1, an insect cytochrome p450 monooxygenase.
Furanocoumarins represent plant toxins that are used in the treatment of a variety of skin diseases and are metabolized by cytochrome p450 monooxygenases (p450s) existing in insects such as Papilio polyxenes (the black swallowtail). To elucidate the active site in the CYP6B1 protein that is the principal p450 existing in this species, we have constructed a homology model of it based on sequence and structure alignments with the bacterial CYP102 protein whose crystal structure has been defined and with the insect CYP6B4 protein that also metabolizes furanocoumarins. In the derived CYP6B1 model, Phe116 and His117 in SRS1, Phe371 in SRS5 and Phe484 in SRS6 contribute to the formation of a resonant network that stabilizes the p450's catalytic site and allows for interactions with its furanocoumarin substrates. The first two of these residues are absolutely conserved in all members of the insect CYP6B subfamily and the last two are variable in different members of the CYP6B subfamily. A combination of theoretical and experimental docking analyses of two substrates (xanthotoxin and bergapten) and two inhibitors (coumarin and pilocarpine) of this p450 provide significant information on the positioning of furanocoumarins within this catalytic pocket. Molecular replacement models based on the results of variations at two of these critical amino acids provide support for our furanocoumarin-docked model and begin to rationalize the altered substrate reactivities observed in experimental analyses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inhibition of cell growth and sensitization to oxidative damage by overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase in rat glioma cells.
The effects of overexpression of human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) on cell proliferation and response to oxidative stress in rat glioma cells were studied. MnSOD-overexpressing cells had a 2- to 14-fold increase in MnSOD activity, but did not have consistent changes in the activities of CuZnSOD, catalase, or glutathione peroxidase. Cells with more than a 5-fold increase in MnSOD activity became more sensitive to radiation, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, and buthionine sulfoximine and had a lower growth rate than parental and vector control cells. The sensitivity to 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea was partially reduced by pyruvate, a H2O2 scavenger. Our results suggest that overexpression of MnSOD can cause an imbalance of antioxidant enzymes, which we hypothesize results in an elevation of intracellular H2O2. Overexpression of MnSOD can either inhibit cell proliferation or increase cell death by oxidative agents, depending on the levels of peroxide-removing enzymes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Acquired tracheo-oesophageal fistula after ingestion of a mercury button-battery.
We report the case of a nine-month-old girl with acquired oesophageal stricture and tracheo-oesophageal fistula after the ingestion of a mercury button-battery. In any child with suspected button-battery ingestion an x-ray examination should be carried out to exclude oesophageal impaction which necessitates immediate removal of the battery, as tissue necrosis may occur within hours. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Eye movement abnormalities in carriers of blue-cone monochromatism.
Although impaired color vision and ERG changes have been detected in carriers of blue-cone monochromatism (BCM), no eye movement abnormalities have been identified. Quantitative eye movements of three obligate carriers of BCM were analyzed. Horizontal and vertical eye movements of three obligate carriers of two families with BCM with visual acuity of 20/20 or better were recorded using the magnetic search coil technique. Subjects were examined fixing in primary and eccentric gaze and during horizontal and vertical smooth pursuit at 20 degrees, 40 degrees, and 80 degrees per second. All carriers displayed fixation instability. In two subjects, fine-amplitude upbeat, jerk-type nystagmus was detected. Reduced pursuit gain was found in the carriers. The third subject had small downbeat nystagmus. Abnormal eye movements are described for the first time in carriers of BCM. The nystagmus is clearly distinct from congenital or latent nystagmus and is similar to the nystagmus reported in BCM. Because all carriers had excellent visual acuity, in BCM, nystagmus is intrinsic to the disease and can appear independently of the visual defect. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Physiologic and pathologic myocardial hypertrophy--physiologic and pathologic regression of hypertrophy?
Hypertrophy of the left ventricle is an adaptive phenomenon of ambiguous biological value. It enables improvement of the heart performance without substantial enhancement of energetic demands. On the other hand, pathologic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is characterized by increased fibrosis, diminished coronary flow reserve and protein remodeling, resulting in increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Achievement of LVH regression is thus considered a principal therapeutic aim. However, the reversal of LVH is a very complex process in which both hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic alterations participate. Reversal of LVH does not mean the re-expression of the original genotype and normalization of myocardial structure and function. It does not guarantee that the heart will be normal in all aspects. Regression of hypertrophy induced by different therapeutic means may exhibit different properties and patterns, with variable biological implications. Physiologic growth stimulators seem to induce LVH without prognostically undesirable alterations. It is a challenge to determine which approach to treatment of hemodynamic overload and concomitant LVH is optimal. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Analysis of Pathogenic Bacteria in Reclaimed Water and Impact of UV Disinfection on the Removal of Pathogenic Bacteria].
In the study, 454-pyrosequencing technology was employed to investigate the species of pathogenic bacteria and the proportion of each pathogen in secondary effluent. Culture-based, qPCR and Q-RT-PCR methods were employed to analyze the removal of indicator (E. coli) and pathogen (Salmonella and Mycobacterium) by ultraviolet (UV) disinfection at a dose of 60 mJ x Cm(-2). The results showed that 11 kinds of pathogenic bacteria were found and the most abundant potentially pathogenic bacteria in the secondary effluent were affiliated with the genera of Clostridium (2.96%), Arcobacter (0.82%) and Mycobacterium (0.36%). 99.9% of culturable E. coli and Salmonella were removed by UV disinfection (60 mJ x cm(-2), however, less than 90% of culturable Mycobacterium were removed. The removal efficiencies of viable E. coli, Salmonella and Mycobacterium were low. Q-RT-PCR seemed to be a promising method for evaluating viable microorganisms in samples. Besides, pathogenic bacteria entered into VBNC state at a UV dose of 60 mJ x cm(-2). Other advanced treatment processes were needed to ensure safe utilization of reclaimed water. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Elucidating the mechanism governing cell rotation under DEP using the volumetric polarization and integration method.
Cell rotation can be achieved by utilizing rotating electric fields through which torques are generated due to phase difference between the dipole moment of cells and the external electric field. While reports of cell rotation under non-rotating electrical fields, such as dielectrophoresis (DEP), are abound, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Because of this, contradicting arguments remain regarding if a single cell can rotate under conventional DEP. What's more, the current prevailing DEP theory is not adequate for identifying the cause for such disagreements. In this work we applied our recently developed Volumetric Polarization and Integration (VPI) method to investigate the possible causes for cell rotation under conventional DEP. Three-dimensional (3D) computer models dealing with a cell in a DEP environment were developed to quantify the force and torque imparted on the cell by the external DEP field using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Modeling results suggest that eccentric inclusions with low conductivity inside the cell will generate torques (either in clockwise or counter-clockwise directions) sufficient to cause cell rotation under DEP. For validation of modeling predictions, experiments with rat adipose stem cells containing large lipid droplets were conducted. Good agreement between our modeling and experimental results suggests that the VPI method is powerful in elucidating the underlying mechanisms governing the complicated DEP phenomena. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Arsenic accumulation in the hyperaccumulator Chinese brake and its utilization potential for phytoremediation.
The unique property of arsenic hyperaccumulation by the newly discovered Chinese brake (Pteris vittata L.) fern is of great significance in the phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soils. The objectives of this study were to (i) examine arsenic accumulation characterized by its distribution pattern in Chinese brake, and (ii) assess the phytoextraction potential of the plant. Young ferns with five or six fronds were transferred to an arsenic-contaminated soil containing 98 mg As kg-1 and grown for 20 wk in a greenhouse. At harvest, the Chinese brake produced a total dry biomass of 18 g plant-1. Arsenic concentration in the fronds was 6000 mg kg-1 dry mass after 8 wk of transplanting, and it increased to 7230 mg kg-1 after 20 wk with a bioconcentration factor (ratio of plant arsenic concentration to water-soluble arsenic in soil) of 1450 and a translocation factor (ratio of arsenic concentration in shoot to that in root) of 24. The arsenic concentrations increased as the fronds aged, with the old fronds accumulating as much as 13,800 mg As kg-1. Most (approximately 90%) of the arsenic taken up by the Chinese brake was transported to the fronds, with the lowest arsenic concentrations in roots. About 26% of the initial soil arsenic was removed by the plant after 20 wk of transplanting. Our data suggest that the arsenic hyperaccumulating property of the Chinese brake could be exploited on a large scale to remediate arsenic contaminated soils. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Long-term experience with AutoCapture-controlled epicardial pacing in children.
To examine the feasibility and safety of AutoCapture (AC)-controlled pacing with epicardial leads in children, and study the effects on device longevity. A total of 62 children were prospectively enrolled. Pre-discharge testing precluded AC function in six children. In 56 (90%) children, devices with AC-controlled pacing were followed up to 9years. Calculated battery life in AC-controlled pacing was compared with theoretical calculations, using a two-fold stimulation output of measured thresholds. In 53 of 56 children, no differences were observed for evoked response signals (13.3 vs. 11.5mV, P = 0.20) or lead polarization safety margins (5.5 vs. 4.1, P = 0.25) at 6-month and 4-year follow-up. A crossover to conventional pacing was required in 3 of 56 children. AC-controlled pacing prolonged the calculated battery life up to 15% for the identity and integrity devices with 0.95A h capacity, compared with theoretical conventional settings (P = 0.008). In patients with ventricular pacing thresholds >1.5V at 0.5ms, battery life was increased by 30% compared with theoretical conventional settings (P < 0.001). AC-controlled pacing with epicardial leads is feasible and safe in children during long-term follow-up. An adequate lead polarization safety margin persists in most patients. Calculated battery life was prolonged up to 15% with AC-controlled pacing. Patients with high or fluctuating pacing thresholds benefit the most. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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