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[Body cooling capacity of water circulated cooling pants during lower body exercise in a hot environment].
We investigated the body cooling capacity of water-circulated cooling pants during lower body exercise in a hot environment. Five subjects were asked to ride a bicycle ergometer and to keep a work rate of 75 W continuously for 20 minutes. They then rest on the ergometer for 15 minutes, in a climate chamber kept at WBGT = 31.5 degrees C. They repeated the same procedure three times under three different conditions; 1) wearing cooling pants with cold water supply; 2) wearing cooling pants without water supply; 3) wearing short pants instead of cooling pants. Esophageal temperature and heart rate of the subjects, when their cooling pants were supplied with cold water, were lower compared with the condition without water supply, and were almost the same as the condition wearing short pants. Water-circulated cooling pants should effectively cool the body at work where the worker has to wear pants that cover his legs to prevent injury. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Values of long-term care facility administrators.
This study compares values of long-term care (LTC) facility administrators to those of a national sample, representative of the general population. Values were measured using the Rokeach Value Survey, and some striking differences were found between administrators and the general population. These differences indicate a dichotomy in the values of LTC administrators; individuals with markedly different value orientations may make the same occupational choice to become a long-term care facility administrator. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Study on enhanced denitrification using particulate organic matter in membrane bioreactor by mechanism modeling.
Particulate organic matter (POM) in wastewater is a potential denitrification carbon source, while the optimal operational mode using denitrification mechanism with POM is still unclear in wastewater treatment plants. In this work, we investigated the denitrification rates (DNRs) in a full-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) coupled with two-stage pre-anoxic (pre-AN), and then evaluated the POM denitrification efficiency using mechanism modeling. The results indicate that POM related fraction accounted for the majority of the obtained specific DNR of 1.39±0.46mgNg(-1) MLVSS h(-1) in the second pre-AN without available soluble carbon source. The modeling approaches with calibration and validation procedures estimated a high residual POM concentration of 0.17g COD g(-1) MLVSS in the activated sludge, which provided specific DNR of 1.14mgNg(-1) MLVSS h(-1). High POM retention time in the reactor was the result of high solid retention time used in the MBR. In particular, post-AN of high biomass concentration could provide the highest POM denitrification efficiency in MBR. The MBR process combined with additional sludge reduction technology could further enhance denitrification by POM. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Oxidative stress and apoptosis in fetal rat liver induced by maternal cholestasis. Protective effect of ursodeoxycholic acid.
The sensitivity of fetal rat liver to maternal obstructive cholestasis during pregnancy (OCP), and the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) were investigated. UDCA was administered (i.g. 0.6 mg/kg b.wt./day) from day 14 to day 21 of pregnancy after maternal common bile duct ligation. Impairment in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, levels of total glutathione and GSH/GSSG ratio and the degrees of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation were similar in livers of OCP mothers and fetuses at term, despite hypercholanemia was milder in fetuses. Treatment of OCP rats with UDCA reduced maternal and fetal liver oxidative stress. Although maternal hypercholanemia was not corrected, fetal serum concentrations of major bile acids (except UDCA and beta-muricholic acid) were reduced. Fetal liver expression of key enzyme in bile acid synthesis, Cyp7a1, Cyp27 and Cyp8b1 was not affected by OCP or UDCA treatment. In OCP fetal livers, the relative expression of Bax-alpha and Bcl-2 and the activity of caspase-3, but not caspase-8, were increased. These changes were markedly reduced in fetuses of OCP animals treated with UDCA. OCP induced moderate fetal hypercholanemia but marked liver oxidative stress and apoptosis that were partly prevented by treatment of pregnant rats with UDCA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Phospholipase C-diglyceride lipase is a major pathway for arachidonic acid release in macrophages.
Macrophages are a rich source of arachidonic acid oxygenated metabolites and play a remarkable role in a number of physiopathological situations. The synthesis and secretion of arachidonic acid metabolites are triggered at the cytoplasmic membrane level. The present study was outlined to further investigate the cellular mechanisms controlling arachidonic acid release in macrophages. The results presented here strongly suggest that the amount of arachidonic acid released in macrophages in response to phagocytic challenge could be accounted for by a phospholipase C-diglyceride lipase system being unnecessary the presence of phospholipase A2 whose activity, on the other hand, was found vanishingly small in macrophage homogenates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The avian fli gene is specifically expressed during embryogenesis in a subset of neural crest cells giving rise to mesenchyme.
The ets-family of transcription factors is involved in the development of endothelial and hematopoietic cells. Among these genes, fliwas shown to be responsible for erythroblastomas and Ewing's sarcomas. Its involvement in Ewing's sarcoma, a putative neurectodermal tumor, as well as the in situ hybridization studies performed in mice and Xenopus suggested a role in neural crest development. We cloned quail fli cDNA in order to analyze in more detail its expression in neural crest cells, which have been extensively studied in avian species. Fli gene maps on chicken chromosome 1 to band q31->q33. Two RNAs are transcribed, most likely arising from two different promoters. The analysis of its expression in neural crest cells reveals that it is expressed rather late, when the neural crest cells reach their target. Among the various lineages derived from the crest, it is restricted to the mesenchymal one. It is maintained at later stages in the cartilage of neural crest but also of mesodermal origin. In addition, fli is expressed in several mesoderm-derived cells: endothelial cells as well as intermediate and splanchnopleural mesoderm. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Binding of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and progesterone to rat prostate cytosol: application of microcalorimetry.
The binding capacity of rat prostate cytosol for dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and progesterone was studied in vitro. The thermodynamic parameters obtained by microcalorimetry point to the importance of the observation of energy changes occuring during the hormone-receptor complex formation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prediction of spleen size by routine radioisotope scintigraphy.
Technetium-99m scintigraphy of the spleen was performed in 32 patients with various haematologic disorders prior to splenectomy. From the gamma camera image of the spleen, the weight of the spleen was estimated using two different mathematical formulas, and the results obtained were compared to the postoperative spleen weight. Both formulas revealed spleen weights showing highly significant correlations to the postoperative spleen weight and with similar standard deviations. Visual evaluation of the scintigram by an experienced examiner with classification of the spleens into four groups according to spleen weight revealed results as good as the mathematical calculations in predicting the postoperative spleen weight, both techniques giving diagnostic specificities of 0.70-0.80 for all groups and diagnostic sensitivities of 0.80-1.00. Physical examination of the abdomen showed that about 50% of the spleens weighing between 250 and 1,000 g were not palpable. Therefore, it is concluded that physical examination of the abdomen alone is unreliable. Radioisotope scintigraphy of the spleen is recommended, this method being fast, with negligible discomfort to the patient, and with sufficient accuracy for daily clinical work. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neurogenic forearm vasodilatation during contralateral isometric exercise is attenuated in diabetes mellitus.
The responses in heart rate, blood pressure and blood flow in the resting forearm during contralateral isometric handgrip were investigated together with the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (measured during standardized breathing frequency and depth), and the heart rate response to a Valsalva manoeuvre in 20 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes and clinical signs of a peripheral neuropathy. The respiratory sinus arrhythmia and the Valsalva ratio were attenuated in the patients compared to age-matched controls, indicating reduced vagal function. Also the responses to handgrip were reduced. The blood flow increase in the resting forearm upon handgrip was correlated with both the respiratory sinus arrhythmia and the Valsalva ratio, supporting neurogenic mediation of the flow response and indicating a reduction in sympathetic as well as vagal function in diabetes autonomic neuropathy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
PFI-ZEKE-photoelectron spectroscopy of N2O using narrow-band VUV laser radiation generated by four-wave mixing in Ar using a KBBF crystal.
A new nonlinear optical scheme relying on sum-frequency mixing in a KBe2BO3F2 crystal has been used to generate intense, broadly tunable, narrow-bandwidth, coherent vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) radiation beyond 16 eV by resonance-enhanced four-wave mixing in Ar. The VUV radiation was used to record high-resolution pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectra of the N2O+ A+ ← N2O X photoionizing transition in the wave-number range from 132 000 cm-1 to 135 000 cm-1. The rotational structure of almost all vibrational levels of the A+ state with vibrational term values up to 2700 cm-1 could be resolved, and improved values of the first two adiabatic ionization energies of N2O, corresponding to the formation of the X+ 2Π3/2(000) J+ = 3/2 and A+ 2Σ+(000) N+ = 0 levels of N2O+ from the X 1Σ+(000) J″ = 0 ground state [103 969.30(12) cm-1 and 132 197.70(12) cm-1, respectively], were derived. The rotational intensity distributions of the bands were found to depend strongly on the value of the vibrational angular momentum of the ionic levels. The vibrational structure is discussed in terms of previously reported effective-Hamiltonian analyses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The torsional strength of bones with residual screw holes from plates with unicortical and bicortical purchase.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of unicortical and bicortical screw holes on residual bone strength by comparing the in vitro torsional strength of cadaveric sheep tibiae with screw holes from plates with unicortical and bicortical purchase relative to each other and to intact bone. DESIGN: The paired tibiae were grouped randomly and torsion tested to failure as follows: Group I -- unicortical screw holes versus intact bone; Group II -- bicortical screw holes versus intact bone; and Group III -- bicortical versus unicortical screw holes. BACKGROUND: Recently the point contact fixator, or PC-Fix (using screws with unicortical purchase), was designed to minimize bone devascularization beneath the plate compared to the conventional dynamic compression plate, or DCP (bicortical purchase), and possibly reduce refracture rates after plate removal. However, the effects of unicortical versus bicortical residual screw holes on potential refracture are unknown. METHODS: Screw holes were drilled and tapped through either a 7-hole bicortical DCP or a unicortical PC-Fix in 18 paired cadaveric sheep tibiae. The bones were then tested in torsion. RESULTS: The average decreases in the torsional strength of unicortical screw holes versus intact bone, bicortical screw holes versus intact bone, and bicortical versus unicortical screw holes were 21.6, 31.4, and 26.7% respectively. Mean torque values to failure were statistically significant within each of the three groups: P<0.01, 0.001, and 0.001 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Bones with unicortical screw holes are significantly weaker in torsion than intact bones, but significantly stronger than bones with bicortical holes. RELEVANCE: Refracture after hardware removal is a recognized clinical complication of the traditional bicortical screw fixation. In combination with the demonstrated biological advantages, implants with unicortical purchase may be associated with less risk for early refracture upon removal. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evaluation of non-specific immune functions in dab, Limanda limanda L., following short-term exposure to sediments contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons and/or polychlorinated biphenyls.
Experimental exposure tanks were set up containing 'clean' marine sediment spiked with set doses of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), or both. Reference tanks contained only 'clean' sediment. Female dab Limanda limanda L., exposed to these sediments for 7 days showed no differences in serum total protein concentration, serum lysozyme activity or body growth. Their kidney leucocytes were assayed for extracellular production of reactive oxygen species of the phagocytic respiratory burst. No significant differences in superoxide anion (O2-) production were found between fish exposed to the 'spiked' sediments and those on the 'clean' reference sediment. The production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was, however, reduced in the fish held on the PAH and PAH/PCB spiked sediments. H2O2 levels for fish exposed to PCBs alone, did not differ significantly from those of control fish. Our results suggest that the decrease in H2O2 production was due to exposure to PAHs, rather than to PCBs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Monte Carlo algorithm for free energy calculation.
We propose a Monte Carlo algorithm for the free energy calculation based on configuration space sampling. An upward or downward temperature scan can be used to produce F(T). We implement this algorithm for the Ising model on a square lattice and triangular lattice. Comparison with the exact free energy shows an excellent agreement. We analyze the properties of this algorithm and compare it with the Wang-Landau algorithm, which samples in energy space. This method is applicable to general classical statistical models. The possibility of extending it to quantum systems is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
What mothers know, and want to know, about the complications of general anaesthesia.
Informed consent should be sought when performing anaesthesia on pregnant patients. There is no standard for consent for general anaesthesia on the delivery suite. This study was designed to assess post-partum women's awareness of the complications of general anaesthesia and the level of risk at which they felt these risks should be discussed. One hundred and fifty parturients from two London hospitals who had undergone uncomplicated vaginal deliveries were asked on the first post-partum day about their knowledge of the potential complications of general anaesthesia for obstetrics. They were also asked about the level of risk at which they would wish to be informed before consenting to a general anaesthetic procedure. The knowledge of the risks of general anaesthesia among the parturients was poor, with awareness, allergy, nausea and vomiting being known by over 50%. Knowledge of difficult intubation and its consequences, dental damage, malignant hyperpyrexia and suxamethonium apnoea was known by less than 30% of the respondents. The level of risk at which mothers felt they should be informed was variable, with 50% wishing to know all risks up to 1 : 1000, and 19% wishing to know risks of greater than 1 : 1,000,000. All known risks were wished by nearly 30% of those questioned. Anaesthetists must be flexible when providing information to mothers about general anaesthesia and should provide more information to mothers if they wish it. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Alterations in blood sugar, protein, and lipid levels in Indian women by norethisterone enanthate.
Fasting levels of sugar, protein, and lipids, namely, cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid, were determined in the blood of 150 women taking an injectable contraceptive, norethisterone enanthate, 200 mg every 60 days for 24 months. Triglyceride and cholesterol showed a statistically significant decrease from 10 and 16 months of use; however, both values returned to control level after use for 24 months. Serum phospholipids and total protein did not show significant changes, while the blood sugar level increased significantly from 12 months onwards and remained elevated (P less than .001) up to the end of the trial period. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Monocytes from patients with atopic dermatitis are primed for superoxide production.
To determine the potential role of monocytes (peripheral blood monocytes, PBMs) in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), we investigated whether PBMs from patients with severe AD are primed to generate toxic oxygen metabolites. To induce in vitro superoxide anion (O2-) production, we used either particulate (e.g., opsonized bacteria or zymosan) or soluble (e.g., phorbol esters) stimuli, which allowed us to test two distinct pathways for reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate activation. In addition, PBMs from the same patients were also examined for their levels of expression of the low-affinity receptor for IgE, Fc epsilon receptor 2 (CD23). We found that PBMs, but not peripheral blood neutrophils, from patients with AD were primed for O2- production as compared to PBMs from either normal control subjects or patients with allergic rhinitis. These cells also expressed increased levels of CD23, and there was a significant correlation between these two parameters. Since the monocytes infiltrating into the AD lesions bear CD23, our data suggest that in vivo priming of PBMs and increased O2- production may participate in the pathogenesis of this skin disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Activation mechanisms of nucleoside phosphoramidate prodrugs.
A series of thymidine and tetrahydrofurfuryl phosphoramidates bearing haloethyl or piperidyl substituents was synthesized and used to investigate the activation mechanisms of nucleoside phosphoramidate prodrugs. Structure assignments for the tetrahydrofurfuryl reaction products were confirmed by comparison to authentic samples. Structural assignments for thymidine phosphoramidate reaction products were made by analogy to the tetrahydrofurfuryl products. Generation of the phosphoramidate anion leads to cyclization and subsequent nucleophilic attack at carbon and phosphorus of the resulting aziridinium ion intermediate to give the observed products. Nucleophilic attack by water at carbon and phosphorus occurs without selectivity, supporting a mechanism of action of haloethylamine nucleoside prodrugs involving intracellular release of the nucleotide. Activation of the benzotriazolyl piperidyl phosphoramidates is followed by P-N bond hydrolysis; this reaction is subject to specific acid catalysis and to nucleophilic catalysis by 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. These results suggest that the mechanism of action of the piperidyl nucleoside phosphoramidates involves the intracellular release of the active nucleotide following P-N bond cleavage, presumably by the action of an endogenous phosphoramidase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cellular and systems mechanisms of memory strength as a constraint on auditory fear reconsolidation.
Memory reconsolidation has been demonstrated in various tasks and species, suggesting it is a fundamental process. However, there are experimental parameters that can inhibit reconsolidation from occurring (boundary conditions). These conditions and their mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here, we characterize the ability of strong training to inhibit reconsolidation at the behavioral, systems and molecular levels. We demonstrate that strong memories in rats initially are resistant to reconsolidation, but after sufficient time will undergo reconsolidation, suggesting that boundary conditions can be transient. At the systems level, we show that the hippocampus is necessary for inhibiting reconsolidation in the amygdala. At the molecular level, we demonstrate that NR2B NMDA-receptor subunits which are critical for the induction of reconsolidation of auditory memories in the amygdala, are downregulated only under conditions when strong memories do not undergo reconsolidation. This suggests that one molecular mechanism for mediating boundary conditions is through downregulation of reconsolidation induction mechanisms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Use of card sort methodology in the testing of a clinical leadership competencies model.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the utility of a qualitative 'card sort' research tool - when it is merged with traditional quantitative data gathering methods - to add to our understanding about the nature of competency-based approaches to leadership studies. The study demonstrates how a qualitative technique (card sort) was used for the task of testing a clinical leadership competencies model. All the steps in the card sort methodology are described through its application to the research problem. The paper concludes that card sort has considerable use in adding to the validity of research into the competency approach to leadership. The study reports only one single case. Therefore, the technique must be repeated to secure its validation as a testing technique. The card sort method is proven to be a viable tool to ascertain the individual subjects perceptions regarding competencies. The methodology is described in sufficient detail so as to enable its replication and application by professionals and academic researchers alike. Both groups will find this methodology useful and interesting. The paper seeks to improve upon existing methods for studying leadership competencies. By addressing the limitations of different methods, and also by merging different independent approaches, this project provides an innovative integrated knowledge that can be of significant value. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antibodies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in serum from normal persons and patients colonized with mucoid or non-mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Results obtained by crossed immunoelectrophoresis.
Serum from 154 normal persons was investigated for precipitating antibodies against P. aeruginosa by crossed immunoelectrophoresis, using a polyvalent P. aeruginosa standard antigen. Ninety-four per cent of the sera contained no demonstrable precipitins, and 6% contained precipitins against only one P. aeruginosa antigen. Thirty-four per cent of sera from 122 patients colonized with P. aeruginosa in various anatomical regions contained precipitins against 2 to 41 P. aeruginosa antigens. Serum from 14 patients harbouring mucoid strains of P. aeruginsa contained precipitants against these bacteria, and the average number of precipitins was significantly higher than the average number of precipitins in serum from patients harbouring non-mucoid strains. The largest number of precipitins was found in serum from adult patients chronically colonized with mucoid P. aeruginosa in the lower respiratory tract, and from adult patients with P. aeruginosa bacteremia originating from suppurative urinary tract infections caused by mucoid strains. Serum from patients with P. aeruginosa cystitis or from patients with P. aeruginosa colonization of the middle ear or with wound infection, contained only few or no precipitins. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Application of proteomic tools to detect the nonspecificity of a polyclonal antibody against lipoprotein lipase.
Specific antibodies are essential tools for studying proteins. P66 is a chicken polyclonal antibody raised against bovine lipoprotein lipase (LPL) that has been used in earlier studies. Here, we developed a two-dimensional (2D) Western blot with reducing gels, using commercial bovine LPL (53 kDa) as a standard and P66 for detection. Our results revealed incomplete purification of commercial LPL and nonspecificity of P66, both undetectable in one-dimensional analysis. Antithrombin III (ATIII) was identified as both a major contaminant in commercial LPL and a cross-reacting protein with P66. Although LPL purification methods were presumably designed to eliminate ATIII, here we demonstrate that some procedures fell short of this objective and thus led to the production of a nonspecific antibody. Our results define 2D electrophoresis/Western blot and mass spectrometric protein identification as the most reliable procedure for validating LPL purity and the specificity of antibodies against this enzyme. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Urinary 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (5-Ad) determination in healthy children and adults.
The authors suggest a method for the evaluation of the urinary 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (5 Ad) carried out by gas-liquid chromatography. 5-Ad is separated from its isomers, first by means of an adsorption chromatography on alumina and then by means of a high performance liquid chromatography on porous silica. The reliability criteria of the method have been studied according to the advice of the French Society of Clinical Biology. This method, applied to 175 healthy individuals of both sexes, grouped according to age starting from three years, allowed to determine the usual values of urinary excretion of 5-Ad in relation to age. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Favourable response to infliximab in a case of bilateral refractory Mooren's ulcer.
A woman with progressive bilateral Mooren's ulcer developed recurrent corneal perforations and melting requiring tectonic grafts, despite conventional immunosuppressant therapy. Following treatment with infliximab, an anti-tumour necrosis factor agent, the patient showed marked reduction in conjunctival inflammation and no further recurrence of corneal thinning and perforation during 2-year follow up on maintaining treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Expression of Eph receptors and ephrins is differentially regulated by E-cadherin.
E-cadherin is the main cell adhesion molecule of early embryonic and adult epithelial cells. Downregulation of E-cadherin is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition during embryonic mesoderm formation and tumor progression. To identify genes whose expression is affected by the loss of E-cadherin, we compared mRNA expression patterns between wild-type and E-cadherin null mutant embryonic stem (ES) cells. We found that expression of several Eph receptors and ephrins is dependent on E-cadherin. Rescue of E-cadherin null ES cells with E-cadherin cDNA restores the wild-type expression pattern of Eph family members. Rescue of E-cadherin null ES cells with N-cadherin cDNA does not restore the wild-type expression pattern, indicating that the regulation of differential expression of Eph family members is specific to E-cadherin. Constitutive ectopic expression of E-cadherin in non-epithelial NIH3T3 cells results in the production of the EphA2 receptor. In epithelial cells, E-cadherin is required for EphA2 receptor localization at cell-cell contacts; in the absence of functional E-cadherin, EphA2 localizes to the perinuclear region. Our results indicate that E-cadherin may be directly or indirectly required for the membrane localization of Eph receptors and their membrane-bound ligands. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Patients with recurrent malignant ventricular arrhythmias--therapeutic challenge].
Patients with malignant refractory ventricular arrhythmias present a unique therapeutic challenge. In recent years, this challenge has become even more complex due to the wide spread use of implantable cardiac defibrillators. If, in the past, a majority of the patients succumbed due to these arrhythmias, today, due to the defibrillators, they survive and then need further treatment. The defibrillators treat the arrhythmias when they occur but in most cases do not prevent their initiation. In many cases we need to resort to other modalities. We present three patients who exemplify various options of dealing with this complex issue. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Control of emotional expression in pseudobulbar palsy. A personal experience.
This report is based on the recorded experience of a patient with lability of emotional expression and other features of the syndrome of pseudobulbar palsy. We describe severe emotional overflow despite an underlying affective tone that is normal. In this context, emotional lability is a misnomer. "Hyperactive emotional reflexes" would be a more appropriate descriptive term, as the underlying mood appears normal, and only the degree of emotional expression is pathological. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human SP-A 3'-UTR variants mediate differential gene expression in basal levels and in response to dexamethasone.
Human surfactant protein A (SP-A) is encoded by two genes (SP-A1, SP-A2), and each is identified with several alleles. SP-A is involved in normal lung function, innate immunity, inflammatory processes, and is regulated by glucocorticoids. We investigated the role of 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of 10 SP-A variants on gene expression using transient transfection of 3'-UTR constructs in the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line NCI-H441. We found: 1) both basal mRNA and protein levels of the reporter gene of SP-A 3'-UTR constructs are significantly (P < 0.01) reduced compared with controls (vector pGL3 and surfactant protein B pGL3) and that differences exist among alleles; and 2) after dexamethasone (Dex) treatment (100 nM for 16 h), mRNA was reduced (31-51%). Seven alleles showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in mRNA, and three did not. Reporter activity was also decreased, from 17% (1A(1)) to 38% (1A), with six alleles showing a significant decrease. The data indicate that the 3'-UTR of SP-As play a differential role in SP-A basal expression and in response to Dex. Therefore, a careful consideration of individual use of steroid treatment may be considered. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Comparison of cytogenetic response of human lymphocytes to in vivo and in vitro exposure to low-dose gamma rays. Translocations and dicentrics detected by the FISH technique].
On peripheral lymphocytes of 5 cancer patients undergone wholebody therapeutic irradiation (at daily dose of 10 cGy up to total dose 50 cGy of 60Co gamma-rays) the dose response of unstable and stable chromosomal exchanges detected by FISH was compared with the dose response of the some aberrations in lymphocytes irradiated in vitro. The dose response fitted well to linear function. For dicentrics the lower slope of dose-response curve was found for in vivo irradiated lymphocytes as compared to the dose-response curve obtained for in vitro irradiated lymphocytes of the same patients. No difference between in vivo and in vitro irradiation of lymphocytes was found for translocations. The frequency of translocations increased faster with the dose than the frequency of dicentrics only in lymphocytes irradiated in vivo. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Safety and Efficacy of Combined Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy and Liver Selective Internal Radiation Therapy in a Patient With Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumor.
Nuclear medicine treatments of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are gaining increasing acceptance among clinicians. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective systemic treatment, providing a significant survival benefit and improving patients' quality of life. Locoregional selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a safe and effective treatment for unresectable NET liver metastases, providing good local tumor control and symptomatic relief. Few reports in literature examine the sequential use of PRRT and SIRT in metastatic NET. We report the case of a metastatic NET patient treated with sequential PRRT-SIRT achieving a long disease control interval without cumulative toxicity issues. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Aminoarabinose is essential for lipopolysaccharide export and intrinsic antimicrobial peptide resistance in Burkholderia cenocepacia(†).
One common mechanism of resistance against antimicrobial peptides in Gram-negative bacteria is the addition of 4-amino-4-deoxy-L-arabinose (L-Ara4N) to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule. Burkholderia cenocepacia exhibits extraordinary intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial peptides and other antibiotics. We have previously discovered that unlike other bacteria, B. cenocepacia requires L-Ara4N for viability. Here, we describe the isolation of B. cenocepacia suppressor mutants that remain viable despite the deletion of genes required for L-Ara4N synthesis and transfer to the LPS. The absence of L-Ara4N is the only structural difference in the LPS of the mutants compared with that of the parental strain. The mutants also become highly sensitive to polymyxin B and melittin, two different classes of antimicrobial peptides. The suppressor phenotype resulted from a single amino acid replacement (aspartic acid to histidine) at position 31 of LptG, a protein component of the multi-protein pathway responsible for the export of the LPS molecule from the inner to the outer membrane. We propose that L-Ara4N modification of LPS provides a molecular signature required for LPS export and proper assembly at the outer membrane of B. cenocepacia, and is the most critical determinant for the intrinsic resistance of this bacterium to antimicrobial peptides. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Barriers to the uptake of cataract surgery.
In The Gambia many patients identified as blind or as having low vision are not attending for surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons for non-attendance. Three methods were used: semi-structured interviews; focus group discussions; and written questionnaires completed by staff. The most frequently identified barrier by all three methods was cost, closely followed by lack of information about services, fear, transport difficulties, and the lack of an escort. In addition to the existing measures taken by the National Eye Care Programme (NECP) to reduce these barriers, further research into both the public's knowledge and attitudes regarding surgery for cataract is needed. More contact between members of the eye care programme and the communities would aid the transfer of information about the surgery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Secondary electron emission detectors for neutral beam characterization on C-2W.
Heating, current drive, and partial fueling from neutral beam injection are essential to sustainment of C-2W field-reversed configuration plasmas. C-2W has eight 2.1 MW neutral beams (16.8 MW of total electrical power), capable of providing a beam of 15 keV hydrogen neutrals for 30 ms. To maximize the effectiveness of neutral beam injection, duct losses must be minimized by maintaining beam alignment and optimizing beam current for minimum divergence. Each beam terminates on a vertical and horizontal array of secondary electron emission detectors (nine in the vertical, seven in the horizontal, and sharing one in the middle). The molybdenum detectors are spatially separated to characterize the beam size and alignment. With knowledge of the geometry of the vacuum ducts and horizontal and vertical beam profiles from test stand measurements, the focal length, divergence, and power loss were calculated. Through characterization, the set of neutral beams are optimized to inject up to 12 MW of power into the confinement vessel throughout the plasma discharge. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Study on anti-alcohol mechanism of soybean peptide].
To study the anti-alcohol mechanism of soybean peptide. The effect of soybean peptide on sleep latency (disappear of righting reflex)and sleep time on drunkenness (Polysomnography)mice induced by alcohol was observed. The concentration of ethanol in serum was measured by GC, and the content of GSH, MDA and ADH in liver homogenate were also determined. The latency was increased significantly and the drunken sleep time was reduced significantly in drunkenness experiment(Polysomnography) models of alcohol with high-dose group of soybean peptide. Besides,the concentration of ethanol in serum was reduced significantly. At the same time, the content of GSH and ADH in liver were increased markedly, but the content of MDA increasing was inhibited on high-dose group mice of soybean peptide. The soybean peptide can markedly dispel the effect of alcohol,which may be attributable to the antioxidation such as increasing the content of GSH and ADH in liver as well as inhibiting the content increasing of MDA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neuromuscular blockade during laparoscopic ventral herniotomy: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
Laparoscopic herniotomy is the preferred technique for some ventral hernias. Several factors may influence the surgical conditions, one being the depth of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) applied. We hypothesised that deep neuromuscular blockade defined as a post-tetanic count below eight would provide a better surgical workspace. This was an investigator-initiated, assessor- and patient-blinded randomised cross-over study. A total of 34 patients with planned laparoscopic umbilical, incisional and linea alba herniotomy were studied. Patients would be randomised to receive deep NMB followed by no NMB, or no NMB followed by deep NMB. Our primary outcome was improvement of the surgical workspace (rated on a five-point scale) estimated as the difference between the workspace during deep NMB and the workspace without NMB. Secondary outcomes included, among others, surgeon's rating of surgical conditions during suturing, duration of surgery and duration of the suturing of the hernia. This randomised cross-over study investigated a potential effect on the surgical workspace in laparoscopic ventral herniotomy using deep NMB compared with no NMB. The study may provide knowledge relevant to other laparoscopic techniques. The study is funded by a research grant from the Investigator Initiated Studies Program of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. NCT02247466. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Venlafaxine intoxication in an adolescent presenting with severe lactic acidosis.
Venlafaxine is a selective serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor and commonly prescribed antidepressant in adults. Most patients overdosing with venlafaxine develop only mild symptoms. Severe toxicity is reported with the most common symptoms being CNS depression, serotonin toxicity, seizure, or cardiac conduction abnormalities. However, lactic acidosis is an uncommon adverse effect. Here, we present the first case in the literature reporting lactic acidosis due to venlafaxine overuse in an adolescent. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The GISS trial: a phase II prevention trial of screening plus goserelin, ibandronate, versus screening alone in premenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer.
Genetic testing for inherited mutations in breast cancer genes provides valuable information for disease prevention. Today, premenopausal women with increased risk for breast cancer have only limited nonsurgical options to reduce their risk. The GISS trial, a randomized, multicenter, open-label phase II trial, assessed the feasibility of a preventive treatment with goserelin and ibandronate for premenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer. The primary endpoints were refusal to undergo randomization and discontinuation of treatment. Safety and quality of life were also evaluated. Between the years 2001 and 2003, 31 of 322 eligible women participated in the trial; 15 received goserelin/ibandronate plus screening, 15 screening only, and 1 withdrew her consent after randomization. The treatment duration was 24 months. Here, mainly the results from the first 12 months were evaluated because of the low compliance thereafter. Hot flushes, headache, and vaginal dryness/discharge occurred more often in the goserelin arm. No difference was observed between the two arms in the agreement to randomization, compliance, or any other endpoints. Acceptance of chemoprevention with goserelin and ibandronate was low. Premenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer should be better informed about chemoprevention through physician counseling and a more feasible study design (e.g., oral medication) should be provided. This is the first chemoprevention trial in premenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gonadal development and germ cell tumors in mouse and humans.
In multicellular organisms, proper development of gonads and germ cells is essential for the transmission of genetic information to the next generations and eventually for the survival of the species. For this reason, germline development is finely regulated to control germ cell proliferation, survival and differentiation. Disruption of such controls can lead to infertility or germ cell tumors (GCTs). GCTs are particularly hideous pathologies since they occur mainly in neonates, infants, and children, rarely in the adults. They arise primarily in the testes and ovaries, though they can also develop in extragonadal sites along the midline of the body and the brain. Many similarities exist between most types of GCTs of the ovary and testis, including a morphological resemblance (often constituting a caricature of normal embryogenesis) and a similar pattern of chromosomal alterations. Furthermore, families with both ovarian and testicular GCTs have been reported, suggesting a possible common genetic etiology. This review focuses on the cellular processes, differentiation events and molecular mechanisms occurring during gonad development in mice and humans whose disturbance can be implicated in GCT formation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Decomposition of interaction free energies in proteins and other complex systems.
A recent analysis of Mark and van Gunsteren has questioned the validity of separating different free energy components in proteins, or indeed in any complex system. The separability of free energy terms is re-examined from both a theoretical and a numerical perspective. Using a power series expansion of the free energy, it is found that the leading terms are free energy components that arise from individual contributions to the Hamiltonian ("in situ" free energies). The energetic part of an in situ free energy component is given by the ensemble average of the corresponding Hamiltonian component, while the leading term in the entropic part, which was missing in the analysis of Mark and van Gunsteren, is given by the mean square fluctuation. In addition there are correlations between fluctuations in each Hamiltonian component, which give rise to a coupling, or correlation entropy. A simple system, whose configurational degrees of freedom can be completely sampled, was examined in order to determine the relative sizes of these different contributions to the free energy. Under certain conditions, the change in system free energy observed when a particular component of the Hamiltonian is removed or altered is well approximated by the change in the in situ free energy of that component. In practical terms, this allows one in these cases to separate out different free energy contributions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Localization of gene for human p53 tumour antigen to band 17p13.
Recently the gene for the cellular tumour antigen p53, a phosphoprotein found in increased concentration in a variety of human cells, had been mapped to region 17q22 by in situ hybridization techniques and has been shown to translocate to the chromosome carrying the translocation [t(15; 17)] associated with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). Based on this finding it has been postulated that this gene has a role in the pathogenesis of APL. Here we present evidence that the gene for p53 is not located on the long arm of chromosome 17, but maps to band 17p13. We therefore suggest that this gene is not directly involved in the chromosome translocation observed in APL. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Physical activity counseling in primary care and patient well-being: Do patients benefit?
Promoting physical activity is an important public health strategy for long-term reductions in incidence or severity of clinical disease. Benefits to health-related quality of life (HRQL) and subjective well-being may be as important and take less time to accrue. We examined the HRQL benefits of a social-cognitive-theory-based intervention of the Activity Counseling Trial (ACT), both directly in terms of changes in physical fitness and indirectly from increased self-efficacy associated with the intervention. In ACT, 395 female and 479 male inactive patients ages 35 to 75 years were randomized to one of: physician advice, advice plus behavioral counseling during primary care visits, or advice plus behavioral counseling that also included telephone contact and behavioral classes. Participants were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 24 months. HRQL was assessed as perceived quality of life, perceived stress, depression, and general health. Satisfaction with function and appearance, self-efficacy, and social support were also assessed. At 24 months women who received counseling or assistance had significant reductions in daily stress and improvements in satisfaction with body function compared to those receiving advice only. Men had reductions in daily stress across all treatment arms. These results mirrored VO2max changes observed per group. Change in barriers self-efficacy was significantly associated with reductions in daily stress at 24 months. Patient benefit from ACT intervention was mediated by enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness and by barriers self-efficacy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Same-day discharge among patients undergoing elective PCI: Insights from the VA CART Program.
Available data suggest that same-day discharge (SDD) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is safe in select patients. Yet, little is known about contemporary adoption rates, safety, and costs in a universal health care system like the Veterans Affairs Health System. Using data from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking Program linked with Health Economics Resource Center data, patients undergoing elective PCI for stable angina between October 1, 2007 and Sepetember 30, 2016, were stratified by SDD versus overnight stay. We examined trends of SDD, and using 2:1 propensity matching, we assessed 30-day rates of readmission, mortality, and total costs at 30 days. Of 21,261 PCIs from 67 sites, 728 were SDDs (3.9% of overall cohort). The rate of SDD increased from 1.6% in 2008 to 9.7% in 2016 (P < .001). SDD patients had lower rates of atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, and prior coronary artery bypass grafting and were treated at higher-volume centers. Thirty-day readmission and mortality did not differ significantly between the groups (readmission: 6.7% SDD vs 5.6% for overnight stay, P = .24; mortality: 0% vs. 0.07%, P = .99). The mean (SD) 30-day cost accrued by patients undergoing SDD was $23,656 ($15,480) versus $25,878 ($17,480) for an overnight stay. The accumulated median cost savings for SDD was $1503 (95% CI $738-$2,250). Veterans Affairs Health System has increasingly adopted SDD for elective PCI procedures, and this is associated with cost savings without an increase in readmission or mortality. Greater adoption has the potential to reduce costs without increasing adverse outcomes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Brain volumes and surface morphology in monozygotic twins.
Because healthy monozygotic twins share an identical genetic complement, they provide a unique opportunity to explore the genetic and environmental determinants of brain development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the similarities between measures of cerebral and subcortical volumes and surface morphology in monozygotic twins compared with a matched control sample. Combinations of automated and manual methods were used to evaluate total brain volume, gray matter, white matter, ventricles and volumes of the frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes. An artificial neural network algorithm was used to measure the cerebellum, thalamus, caudate and putamen. Measures of surface morphology included an index of gyral and sulcal curvature, surface area and cortical depth. The cerebral volume regions, including the gray matter, white matter and lobar volumes, were highly correlated within monozygotic twin pairs, with nearly all correlation coefficients >0.90. The cerebellum was also highly correlated (r = 0.99). Reasonably high correlations were found for the cortical depth (r = 0.84), caudate (r = 0.84), thalamus (r = 0.75) and putamen (r = 0.75). The surface measures, however, demonstrated the least correlation within twin pairs and thus are more prone to environmental influences. The high to moderate correlations between MZ twins compared with the matched controls highlights the role of heredity in both prenatal and postnatal neurodevelopment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Resistance pattern of Streptococcus pneumoniae in children during a four-year period in Greece.
The resistance pattern of 432 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from children with various infections over a 4-year period (1992-1995) was determined. The rates of resistance to penicillin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, clindamycin, cefotaxime, and vancomycin were 10%, 2.8%, 4.6%, 4.9%, 4.4%, 2.5%, 0.9%, and 0%, respectively. All strains not susceptible to penicillin were intermediately susceptible to penicillin-(MIC >0.06-< or = 1 microg/ml). Isolates not susceptible to penicillin were encountered significantly more often in children with localized infections than in those with invasive disease; these isolates displayed significantly lower susceptibility to non-beta-lactam agents as compared with their penicillin-susceptible counterparts. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of coexisting anions on removal of bromide in drinking water by coagulation.
Bromo-DBPs (disinfection by-products) are generated by bromide and disinfectant in drinking water disinfection, which have adverse effects on human health. In this study, effects of coexisting anions on removal of bromide by aluminium coagulation were investigated. It was observed that bromide was removed of 62.1-87.0% in raw water, while the removal efficiency of bromide was achieved 82.8-99.2% in deionized water through the combination of Br- with Al(III) in various pathways. The coexisting anions in raw water significantly affected the removal of bromide. Removal efficiency decreased by 11.5, 21.2, 14.6, 8.0 and 40.8% with the addition of HCO3-, SO4(2-), Cl-, NO3- and H2PO4-, respectively, for their affinities with Al(III) or accelerating the formation of Al(OH)3(am). These results demonstrated that bromo-DBPs in drinking water could be controlled though removing bromide by enhanced coagulation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits with or without carbon monoxide poisoning].
Low-density lipoproteins isolated by a selective precipitation procedure have been investigated in cholesterol-fed rabbits exposed or not to carbon monoxide. The main findings are a higher increase of their cholesterol content and cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratio without a modification in lecithin-cholesterol-acyltransferase activity in intoxicated animals. Thus, the aggravating effect of carbon monoxide exposure on the atherogenic properties of these lipoproteins could accelerate the development of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A Xenopus DAZ-like gene encodes an RNA component of germ plasm and is a functional homologue of Drosophila boule.
We have identified a localized RNA component of Xenopus germ plasm. This RNA, Xdazl (Xenopus DAZ-like), encodes a protein homologous to human DAZ (Deleted in Azoospermia), vertebrate DAZL and Drosophila Boule proteins. Human males deficient in DAZ have few or no sperm and boule mutant flies exhibit complete azoospermia and male sterility. Xdazl RNA was detected in the mitochondrial cloud and vegetal cortex of oocytes. In early embryos, the RNA was localized exclusively in the germ plasm. Consistent with other organisms, Xdazl RNA was also expressed in the spermatogonia and spermatocytes of frog testis. Proteins in the DAZ-family contain a conserved RNP domain implying an RNA-binding function. We have shown that Xdazl can function in vitro as an RNA-binding protein. To determine if the function of Xdazl in spermatogenesis was conserved, we introduced the Xdazl cDNA into boule flies. This resulted in rescue of the boule meiotic entry phenotype, including formation of spindles, phosphorylation of histone H3 and completion of meiotic cell division. Overall, these results suggest that Xdazl may be important for primordial germ cell specification in the early embryo and may play a role analogous to Boule in promoting meiotic cell division. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neighborhood disadvantage and obesity across childhood and adolescence: Evidence from the NLSY children and young adults cohort (1986-2010).
Previous research suggests that youth who grow up in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods face higher odds of becoming obese. Neighborhood effects scholars, meanwhile, have suggested that contextual influences may increase in strength as children age. This is the first study to examine whether developmental epochs moderate the effect of neighborhood disadvantage on obesity over time. I use thirteen waves of new restricted and geo-coded data on children ages 2-18 from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, Children and Young Adults. Bivariate and pooled logistic regression results suggest that neighborhood disadvantage has a stronger impact on adolescents' likelihood of becoming obese. Fixed effects models reveal that after adjusting for observed and unobserved confounders, adolescents continue to face higher odds of becoming obese due to the conditions associated with living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Moreover, as research on adults suggests, girls experience larger impacts of neighborhood disadvantage than boys. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of bovine TSH on the tissue thyroxine level and metamorphosis in prometamorphic flounder larvae.
Bovine thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was microinjected (0.2 microliter/fish) into prometamorphic flounder larvae and the effects on metamorphosis as well as the tissue thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels were studied. After a single injection of TSH (5 mIU/g), the tissue T4 concentration increased markedly after 5 hr, reached a peak after 10 hr, and decreased subsequently. T4 concentration after 24 hr was still higher than in saline-injected fish but returned to the control level 48 hr after the injection. On the other hand, tissue T3 concentration was kept lower than the detectable level (0.2 ng/g) throughout the experimental period of 72 hr after a single injection of TSH (5 mIU/g). TSH treatment also accelerated the process of metamorphic climax, such as shortening of the second fin ray and eye migration. These results suggest that an increased secretion of TSH from the pituitary stimulates the thyroid, resulting in a surge of the tissue T4 concentration which induces the climax of the flounder larvae. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cloning and characterization of two isoforms of the zebrafish thyrotroph embryonic factor (tef alpha and tefbeta).
We have cloned and sequenced two cDNAs representing two isoforms of the zebrafish thyrotroph embryonic factor (TEF) gene products (tef alpha and beta), a member of the PAR subfamily of bZIP transcription factors. The two isoforms encode two potential proteins of 300 and 293 amino acids respectively. Sequence comparison analysis indicate that the zebrafish tefs show high homology to PAR family of transcription factors of other species in the PAR domain, DNA binding domain and leucine zipper domain. Expression analysis by Northern blot and RT-PCR indicates that tef alpha and tefbeta are expressed in adult fish and throughout the zebrafish embryonic development. In addition, the two tefs are expressed in some adult tissues, but not others. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inference of intrinsic spiking irregularity based on the Kullback-Leibler information.
We have recently established an empirical Bayes method that extracts both the intrinsic irregularity and the time-dependent rate from a spike sequence [Koyama, S., Shinomoto, S., 2005. Empirical Bayes interpretations of random point events. J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 38, L531-L537]. In the present paper, we examine an alternative method based on the more fundamental principle of minimizing the Kullback-Leibler information from the original distribution of spike sequences to a model distribution. Not only the empirical Bayes method but also the Kullback-Leibler information method exhibits a switch of the most plausible interpretation of the spikes between (I) being derived irregularly from a nearly constant rate, and (II) being derived rather regularly from a significantly fluctuating rate. The model distributions selected by both methods are similar for the same spike sequences derived from a given rate-fluctuating gamma process. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of pretreatment with dexamethasone or levothyroxine sodium on endotoxin-induced alterations in glucose and insulin dynamics in horses.
To investigate the effects of dexamethasone or levothyroxine sodium on endotoxin-induced alterations in glucose and insulin dynamics. 24 horses. Horses were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups and received 48 mg of levothyroxine mixed with 200 g of oats, 20 mg of dexamethasone plus oats, or oats alone (control) for 15 days, followed by IV infusion of lipopolysaccharide (20 ng/kg) while individually housed in stalls. Frequently sampled IV glucose tolerance tests were performed prior to pretreatment, after pretreatment, and 20 hours after lipopolysaccharide administration. Area under the curve for plasma glucose and serum insulin concentrations was calculated, and minimal model analyses were performed. Significant treatment-by-time effects were detected for insulin sensitivity (SI) and area under the curve for glucose and insulin in the 15-day pretreatment period. Insulin sensitivity significantly decreased over time in all treatment groups, with the largest decrease detected in the dexamethasone group. Administration of lipopolysaccharide further decreased mean SI by 71% and 63% in the dexamethasone and control groups, respectively, but did not affect horses in the levothyroxine group. Mean SI was the lowest in the dexamethasone group, but percentage reduction was the same for dexamethasone and control groups. Insulin sensitivity decreased during the pretreatment period in all 3 groups, indicating that hospitalization affected glucose and insulin dynamics. Dexamethasone significantly lowered SI, and endotoxemia further exacerbated insulin resistance. In contrast, there was no additional effect of endotoxemia on SI in horses pretreated with levothyroxine, suggesting that this treatment prevented endotoxemia-induced insulin resistance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Simple method for checking the beam path in reflective Fourier-transform infrared optics.
A simple method is described that yields, in reflective optics as well as in Fourier-transformin frared spectrometers,a beam of bright visible light coincident with the invisible infrared beam so that foci and beam locations can be checked easily. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A 10-year retrospective study of periodontal disease progression.
The purpose of this study was to record the rate of periodontal disease progression over a 10-year period with respect to individual subject, age and tooth type. 283 subjects, who had undergone a full-mouth radiographic examination in 1974-76 and at that time were 25-70 years old, were randomly selected from a larger patient sample for a new radiographic examination in 1985-86. 201 subjects (71%) agreed to participate. For each respondent, tooth loss over the 10-year period was calculated. The radiographic bone height at the mesial and distal aspect of all teeth was assessed by measuring the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the bone crest. Difference in periodontal bone height between the 2 examinations was calculated for each tooth site. The results revealed that the mean number of teeth lost over the 10-year period was 3.8 (SD 4.6). Tooth mortality, expressed as a % of the no. of teeth present at the initial examination, increased with age and varied between 2.9%-28.5%. In all age groups, molars had the highest and canines the lowest rate of tooth mortality. The frequency of subjects with loss of greater than 10 teeth was highest for the initially 45-year old individuals (20%). 7 individuals (3%) had become edentulous. The mean annual reduction of alveolar bone height varied between 0.07-0.14 mm in the age groups 25-65 years. The initially 70-year old subjects showed a statistically significant higher annual rate of bone loss (0.28 mm).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Successful treatment of concomitant pulmonary nocardiosis and aspergillosis in an immunocompromised renal patient.
A case is reported of rapid onset concomitant pulmonary infection with Nocardia and Aspergillus fumigatus in a patient six weeks after the institution of immunosuppressive therapy for renal vasculitis. Pulmonary lesions completely resolved on treatment with a combination of imipenem, cotrimoxazole and a prolonged course of itraconazole. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anaprox in dysmenorrhea: reduction of pain and intrauterine pressure.
In a double-blind parallel trial, 24 dysmenorrheic women received a single dose of Anaprox (1,100 mg) or placebo. Over the next 2 hours, pain intensity was scored and intrauterine pressure was measured using an immobilized microballoon. At the end of 2 hours, all 11 patients given Anaprox (but only three of the 13 given placebo) experienced complete pain relief (p = 0.0004). The resting intrauterine pressure (IUP) decreased from a mean of 51.4 to 26.8 mm Hg in the Anaprox-treated group, while in the placebo group the mean resting IUP values remained essentially unchanged ( drop from 55.4 to 51.9 mm Hg was observed). This difference between the two treatment groups was statistically significant in favor of Anaprox (p = 0.03). Several patients from each group were given 0.2 mg of ergonovine by intramuscular injection following the 2 hour trial. In both groups, the resting IUP increased within 30 minutes; the corresponding increase in pain intensity was more pronounced, however, in the placebo group. These results support the premise that a decrease in resting IUP is directly linked to the pain-relieving effects of Anaprox. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Delayed hemorrhagic pericardial effusion: case reports of a complication from severe blunt chest trauma.
The rare occurrence of delayed hemorrhagic pericardial effusion requiring treatment is reported following significant blunt chest trauma (AIS greater than or equal to 3) in three patients from 12 to 15 days after injury. Cardiomegaly was suspected on serial chest roentgenograms, and the pericardial effusion was confirmed by echocardiography. Two of three patients required systemic anticoagulation early after their admission to the hospital. It is currently unknown whether the number of delayed hemorrhagic pericardial effusions is increasing with the use of certain anticoagulation treatment regimens. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
High-quality ultraviolet beam generation in multimode photonic crystal fiber through nondegenerate four-wave mixing at 532 nm.
All-fiber ultraviolet (UV) light sources are of great practical interest for a multitude of applications spanned across different sectors, from industrial processes such as nonthermal, high-resolution materials processing, to biomedical applications such as eye surgery, to name a few. However, production of UV light sources with high beam quality has been a problem to this day as the fiber designs required to reach UV wavelengths by four-wave mixing with widely available pumps (i.e., 532 nm) are challenging because of their small size and increased risk of material damage. In this Letter, a specific pumping scheme is presented that allows the conversion of two pump photons in different modes to UV light in the fundamental mode and the corresponding idler in a higher order mode. The process has also been shown to work experimentally, and UV light at 390.5 nm in the fundamental mode was successfully generated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effectiveness of an osteoporosis intervention among older adults residing in assisted living facilities.
To describe demographic and clinical risk factors for osteoporosis among persons aged 60 years and older residing in assisted living facilities and to compare the frequency of bone-mineral density (BMD) testing and initiation of pharmacotherapy for osteoporosis (prevention/treatment) in both a control and experimental cohort. Prospective cohort study. Sixteen separate assisted living facilities from November 2001 through July 2002. Assisted living facility ambulatory residents (N = 111) aged 60 years and older. Based on the subject's risk factors for osteoporosis and FRACTURE Index score (female subjects only), written recommendations were made from a multidisciplinary team to increase the percentage of residents evaluated (via central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DEXA] scan) and/or treated for osteoporosis. FRACTURE Index was calculated on all female participants and reported with BMD or without BMD results by convention. An investigator-developed osteoporosis risk-factor assessment questionnaire was used to evaluate risk factors present for each participant. Numbers of subjects being evaluated for osteoporosis via DEXA scan and numbers of subjects having pharmacotherapy altered to prevent or treat osteoporosis were recorded. One hundred eleven older adults (average age 84 [range 60-94], SD = 6.5 years) participated in the study. As a group the female cohort with no known previous diagnosis of osteoporosis were at high risk for fracture over the next five years as evidenced by an average FRACTURE Index score of 6.6 and 7.2 (control and intervention group, respectively) without BMD, and 9.9 and 10.3 (control and intervention group, respectively) with BMD, respectively. At study end, a significant number of participants in the intervention group had initiated the use of calcium or vitamin D supplements (P = 0.016 and P = 0.031, respectively). The initiation of bisphosphonates in eight subjects over the six-month study period was also significant (P = 0.008) in the intervention group. No significant changes in the use of calcium or vitamin D or specific osteoporosis therapies were realized in the control group. In the intervention group, physician contact did not result in a significant increase in the numbers of participants receiving a BMD evaluation. As a whole, residents residing in assisted living facilities are at high risk of having osteoporosis and/or sustaining a fracture. When assessment of osteoporosis and fracture risk is communicated to a physician, use of therapies aimed to improve bone health increases. In this study, there was a significant increase in the use of calcium, vitamin D, and bisphosphonates in the intervention cohort. However, physician contact did not result in more participants receiving a BMD evaluation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Surgical tactics in prosthesis related vascular graft infections].
The outcomes of treatment of patients with purulent wound complications and infection of vascular grafts after plastic surgery on terminal part of the aorta and major arteries of the lower extremities are analyzed depending on the tactics and timing of the surgery. Minimal lethality was registered in re-do surgery in the infected grafts performed in 2 or 3 stages, with the use of antibacterial prosthesis SISAN. This provides an opportunity to eliminate recurrence of infective complications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunoliposome sandwich assay for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7.
We describe the development of a field-portable colorimetric immunoassay for the detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7, using antibody-directed liposomes (immunoliposomes) encapsulating dye as an analytical reagent. Antibodies (anti-E. coli O157:H7) thiolated by 2-iminothiolane were coupled to malemide-tagged liposomes encapsulating the marker dye, sulforhodamine B. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the immunoliposomes bound only to the serotype without any cross-reactivity with tested negative controls. A wicking reagent containing immunoliposomes and the test sample and a plastic-backed nitrocellulose strip with a measurement zone were used in a sandwich (noncompetitive) assay format. During the capillary migration of the wicking reagent, E. coli, with surface-bound immunoliposomes, was captured at the measurement zone on which antibodies to E. coli O157:H7 were immobilized. The color density of the measurement zone was directly proportional to the amount of E. coli O157:H7 in the sample. The detection limit of the current assay with pure cultures of the serotype was ca. 10(4) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL. The assay, which does not need washing and incubation steps, can be completed in 8 min. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using dye-encapsulating immunoliposomes in microporous membranes for the rapid detection of molecules with multivalent antigenic sites. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Excretion of dipyrone metabolites in human breast milk.
Breast milk and plasma levels of dipyrone metabolites in 8 mothers given a single oral dose of the drug were determined by HPLC. Four metabolites were demonstrated by the analytical method: 4-methylaminoantipyrine (MAA), 4-aminoantipyrine (AA), 4-formylaminoantipyrine (FAA) and 4-acetylaminoantipyrine (AAA). A good correlation was found between the plasma and milk concentrations of the metabolites. The mean (+/- SD) milk to plasma concentration ratios were: MAA = 1.37 +/- 0.28, AA = 1.15 +/- 0.40, FAA = 1.03 +/- 0.09, AAA = 0.97 +/- 0.24. The disposition pattern of the dipyrone metabolites in milk was studied in two mothers. None of the metabolites was detectable 48 h after drug administration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effects of localized muscle and whole-body fatigue on single-leg balance between healthy men and women.
The purpose was to examine the effects of localized muscle and whole-body fatigue on indices of single-leg balance between healthy young men (n=10) and women (n=10). Subjects performed 10, 10-s single-leg balance trials on a force platform prior to performing each of three conditions (local, whole-body, and control), in a randomized order, on separate days. Localized muscle and whole-body fatigue consisted of single-leg, weight-bearing heel raises on an inclined platform, and exercise on a rowing ergometer, respectively, to the point of volitional failure. During the control condition, subjects remained in a seated position for 5 min. Immediately following each condition, five, 10-s, single-leg balance trials were performed. The localized muscle and whole-body fatigue protocols produced significant (p<0.05) increases in medial/lateral (M/L) and total sway (TS). Men experienced a greater (p<0.05) increase in anterior/posterior (A/P) sway following the localized muscle, than whole-body, fatigue protocol, whereas A/P sway increased more following the whole-body, than localized muscle, fatigue protocol for the women. Total sway variability increased significantly (p<0.05) more following the localized muscle fatigue protocol than the whole-body fatigue protocol for both men and women. The major findings of the present investigation demonstrated that measures of postural control, namely M/L, A/P sway and total sway, were adversely affected following fatiguing exercise, with differential effects between men and women. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical trials with antiemetic agents in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Vomiting accompanied by nausea is a serious acute toxicity which occurs after chemotherapy with virtually every class of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. The inability to adequately alleviate this toxicity may lead to serious complications such as general malaise, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalance. We have reviewed 34 studies in which more than 2200 cancer patients were administered 25 different antiemetics for treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting. All patients received a variety of cancer chemotherapeutic agents given either as single agents or in combination. The antiemetic agents included phenothiazines, antihistamines, anticholinergics, benzoquinolizines, barbiturates, butyrophenones, procainamides, cannabinoids, steroids, and benzodiazepines. It is apparent from these studies that the use of conventional antiemetic agents for treating cancer chemotherapy-induced vomiting is of marginal value, and the use of investigational antiemetic agents show conflicting results as to efficacy. More quantitative measures for evaluating emesis need to be defined, and the implications that a particular antiemetic therapy may be efficacious for some but not all classes of cancer chemotherapeutic agents need to be evaluated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endovascular versus open approach to aortic aneurysm repair surgery: rates of postoperative delirium.
Our objective was to compare open and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair with respect to postoperative delirium. After Institutional Ethics Review Board approval, we conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent abdominal and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair surgery at Toronto General Hospital during June 2006 to December 2007. Patients were classed into either the OPEN or the endovascular (EVAR) group based on the type of surgery and were assessed for the presence of delirium after surgery. The NEECHAM Confusion Scale and the validated chart review instrument were used for diagnosis of delirium. Patients with dementia and/or abnormal levels of consciousness preoperatively were excluded. There were 256 patients included in the study, 149 (58%) in the OPEN group and 107 (42%) in the EVAR group. Patients in the EVAR group were considerably older, 74 (10) yr vs 68 (9) yr, and they had shorter duration of surgery, 150 [119, 180] min vs 200 [165, 260] min, respectively, P < 0.0001. Postoperative delirium was present in 43 (29%) patients in the OPEN group and 14 (13%) patients in the EVAR group (95% confidence interval [CI], 22 to 36 vs 95% CI, 7 to 19, respectively; P = 0.003). Hospital length of stay was 8.3 [6.6, 13.4] days in the OPEN group and 4.5 [3.1, 6.4] days in the EVAR group, P < 0.0001. Perioperative management of patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair was associated with lower rates of delirium after surgery than that of patients undergoing open aortic aneurysm repair. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Conversion after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in England.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the procedure of choice for the treatment of symptomatic gallstones. Conversion to open surgery is reported to be necessary in 5-10% of cases. This study aimed to define those factors associated in English hospitals with the need to convert a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to an open procedure. These included patient-related and particularly nonpatient-related factors. Using data derived from a national administrative database, Hospital Episode Statistics, patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in England during the financial years 2004-2006 were studied. The individual surgeon caseload and the hospital conversion rate were calculated using data from the first (baseline) year. Factors affecting the need for conversion were analyzed using data from the second (index) year. The study included 43,821 laparoscopic cholecystectomies undertaken from 2005 to 2006 in English hospitals. The overall conversion rate was 5.2%: 4.6% for elective procedures and 9.4% for emergency procedures. Patient-related factors that were good predictors of conversion included male sex, emergency admission, old age, and complicated gallstone disease (p < 0.001). Nonpatient-related factors that were good predictors of conversion included the laparoscopic cholecystectomy caseload of individual consultant surgeons and the overall hospital conversion rate in the previous year (all p < 0.001). Conversion after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is less common as consultant caseload increases. This suggests that operation should be undertaken only by surgeons with an adequate caseload. There is a wide variation in conversion rates among hospitals. This has important implications for training as well as for the organization and accreditation of cholecystectomy services on a national basis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cyclic nucleotides and intracellular-calcium homeostasis in human platelets.
The relationship between agonist-sensitive calcium compartments and those discharged by the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin were studied in human platelets. In this context, calcium mobilization from intracellular pools and manganese influx was investigated in relation to the effect of altered cyclic-nucleotide levels. For maximal calcium release from intracellular stores, thapsigargin, compared to a receptor agonist like thrombin, requires the platelet's self-amplification mechanism, known to generate thromboxane A2. With this lipid mediator formed, thapsigargin released calcium and stimulated manganese influx in a manner similar to thrombin. Blocking the thromboxane receptor by addition of sulotroban (BM13.177) or, alternatively, increasing platelet cAMP or cGMP using prostacyclin or sodium nitroprusside, dramatically reduced the ability of thapsigargin to release calcium from intracellular compartments. The same experimental conditions significantly reduced the rate of manganese influx initiated by thapsigargin compared to thrombin. The experiments indicate that thapsigargin-sensitive compartments play only a minor role in inducing manganese influx compared to the receptor-sensitive compartment. Cyclic nucleotides accelerate the redistribution of an agonist-elevated platelet calcium into the thapsigargin-sensitive compartment, from which calcium can be released by inhibition of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. In human platelets, thapsigargin-induced calcium increase and influx were responsible for only part the calcium release resulting from inhibition of the corresponding ATPase; another part results from the indirect effect of thapsigargin acting via thromboxane-A2-receptor activation. Cyclic nucleotides are therefore an interesting regulatory device which can modify the thapsigargin response by not allowing the self-amplification mechanism of platelets to operate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Morphometric study of megakaryocytes size and prognosis in adults with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.
Morphometric analysis of megakaryocyte cellular and nuclear size in bone marrow biopsies of 28 cases of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia at diagnosis and 15 controls was performed. Median megakaryocyte cell diameter, median area, and perimeter were less than 95% control range (less than 18.5 microns, less than 263 microns2, less than 64 microns) in 5/5 of induction failures. Attainment of complete remission was significantly greater in those with median megakaryocyte diameter greater than or equal to 18.5 microns (p less than 0.01), median area greater than or equal to 263 microns (p less than 0.001) and perimeter greater than or equal to 64 microns (p less than 0.001). Prolonged complete remission was correlated with normal megakaryocyte size with the median megakaryocyte area, median diameter, and perimeter within or greater than the reference range (greater than or equal to 18.5 microns, greater than or equal to 263 microns2, greater than or equal to 64 microns, p less than 0.05) in 6/7 cases with continuous remissions greater than 3 yr. Measurements of megakaryocyte size may be useful in predicting induction failure and possibly the likelihood of prolonged complete remission in adults. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Benton OCS and OES as actuarial indices of brain pathology.
The Benton Visual Retention Test was administered to two matched neurologically distinct middle-aged samples. The experimental sample that comprised brain-disordered Ss scored significantly higher obtained correct and error scores than did the controls. It also was found that a critical obtained correct score of 3 could discriminate the two samples at statistically significant levels, but with high false negative rates. A critical obtained error score of 4 failed to discriminate the two samples. Seventy-three percent of the total sample had identical predictions from both critical scores, and while the combined use of both scores did not improve the percentage hit rate over the single use of the obtained correct score, false negatives were reduced to acceptable levels. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pregnane steroid alphaxalone attenuates anxiogenic behavioral effects of corticotropin releasing factor and stress.
The 3 alpha-hydroxy A-ring-reduced steroid alphaxalone was examined for its ability to block stress-induced behavioral effects. Alphaxalone (3 and 6 mg/kg, IP) significantly antagonized the response-suppressing effects of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) (0.5 micrograms, ICV) on punished responding in a conflict paradigm. In the plus maze, alphaxalone (3 and 6 mg/kg, IP) blocked the anxiogenic behavioral effects produced by a prior ambient-temperature swim stress. These doses of alphaxalone produced no intrinsic effects on plasma ACTH levels, nor did they attenuate CRF-induced increases in plasma ACTH. These findings support the hypothesis that some pregnane steroids may be involved in the modulation of an animal's behavioral response to stress and suggest that these effects may occur independently of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Kinetics of in sacco fiber-attachment of representative ruminal cellulolytic bacteria monitored by competitive PCR.
Stems of orchardgrass hay in nylon bags were incubated in the rumens of three ruminally fistulated sheep to monitor the rate and extent of fiber attachment by the representative ruminal cellulolytic bacteria via competitive polymerase chain reaction. After incubation for 5 min, the numbers of Fibrobacter succinogenes and the two ruminococcal species attached to stems were 10(5) and 10(4)/g dry matter (DM) of stem, respectively. At 10 min, the numbers of all three species attached to stems increased 10-fold. Thereafter, attached cell numbers of the three species gradually increased and peaked at 24 h (10(9)/g DM for F. succinogenes and 10(7)/g DM for Ruminococcus flavefaciens) or 48 h (10(6)/g DM for Ruminococcus albus). On the other hand, cell numbers of all three species in the whole digesta were constant over 24 h. Changes in the rate of in sacco neutral detergent fiber disappearance of hay stem, which showed a linear increase up to 96 h, were not synchronized with changes in cellulolytic bacterial mass. These results suggest that sufficient numbers of cells of the three cellulolytic species to move to new plant fragments are present at the start of incubation, the initial attachment to new plant matter is mostly accomplished within 10 min and then bacterial growth and fibrolytic action follow. F. succinogenes was most dominant, both in the whole rumen digesta and on the suspended hay stems, demonstrating the ecological and functional significance of this species in ruminal fiber digestion. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Preservation of the allosteric properties of the protein receptor for acetylcholine in detergent solution without addition of lipids].
Solubilization by Na cholate of acetylcholine receptor-rich membrane fragments from Torpedo marmorata, followed by exchange of NA cholate by the neutral detergent "Tween 80" yields the receptor protein in its 9 S soluble light form; under these conditions, without adding lipids, the receptor protein conserves its characteristic binding properties for the fluorescent agonist Dns-C6-Cho as followed by fast kinetic techniques, and the allosteric regulation by non-competitive blockers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Gastroesophageal reflux after the surgical treatment of esophageal atresia].
The experience of the authors concerns 100 neonates treated for esophageal atresia between 1968 and 1980. A retrospective study of the sequelae observed in 73 survivors (age 3 to 15 years) found 26 cases of gastroesophageal reflux. This study demonstrates a high incidence of reflux in children who initially presented with a fistula and long gap esophageal atresia. It also shows that chronic respiratory disorders are more frequent in these patients and that esophagitis is the principal factor leading to stricture of the anastomosis stubborn to dilatation. In 14 patients, the severity of the clinical and endoscopic symptoms justified a surgical antireflux procedure, the only guarantee of clinical and radiologic recovery, with long term confirmation in 9 patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cu(I)-based delafossite compounds as photocathodes in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells.
The research of p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs) has attracted growing attention because of the potential for integration with conventional n-type DSSCs (n-DSSCs) into the more efficient tandem-DSSCs. However, to date the performance of p-DSSCs is lagging behind that of n-DSSCs. One main reason is the lack of optimal photocathode materials. This article reviews the most recent progress in utilizing Cu(I)-based delafossite compounds, CuMO2 (M = Al, Ga or Cr), as photocathodes in p-DSSCs. As alternative materials to the commonly used NiO, the CuMO2 compounds have their intrinsic advantages such as lower valence band edge, larger optical bandgap and higher conductivity. By providing an insight into these materials and their applications in p-DSSCs, this perspective aims to stimulate more exciting research in the development of p-DSSCs as well as of tandem-DSSCs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Genesis of biorhythms of the cardiointervalogram in its evolutionary aspect].
Statistical characteristics and latent biorhythms of the frog, rabbit and human cardiointervalograms were studied in the volutionary aspect with the aid of ACBT-M 6000 computer. Some mechanisms of temporary organization of the heart rhythm were revealed with regard to the level of organization of biological objects. Evolutionary aspects of analysis of the heart biorhythms provide an approach to their genesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Determination of Kamlet-Taft solvent parameters pi* of high pressure and supercritical water by the UV-Vis absorption spectral shift of 4-nitroanisole.
Kamlet-Taft solvent parameters, pi*, of high pressure and supercritical water were determined from 16-420 degrees C based on solvatochromic measurements of 4-nitroanisole. For the measurements, an optical cell that could be used at high temperatures and pressures was developed with the specification of minimal dead space. The low dead space cell allowed us to measure the absorption spectra of 4-nitroanisole at high temperature conditions before appreciable decomposition occurred. The behavior of pi* in terms of water density (pi* = 1.77rho- 0.71) was found to be linear, except in the near critical region, in which deviations were observed that could be attributed to local density augmentation. Excess density, which was defined as the difference between local density and bulk density, showed a maximum near the critical density of water. The frequencies of UV-Vis spectra of 4-(dimethylamino)benzonitrile and N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline were correlated with pi* based on a linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) theory. Local density augmentation around 4-nitroanisole and that around 4-(dimethylamino)benzonitrile were similar but the augmentation observed around N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline was larger. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in a southern, rural population in the United States.
1. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to screen for the incidence of postpartum depression in women receiving their pre- and post-partal care at a southern, rural health department maternity clinic. 2. One hundred eighty-one women completed the EPDS during their postpartum visit. Scores on the EPDS ranged from 0 to 27. Thirty-six of the 181 subjects (19.9%) had scores of 12 or more, the threshold identified by Cox, et al. (1987) as indicating women likely to be experiencing postpartum depression. 3. Results support use of the EPDS as a screening tool for postpartum depression in this population. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The relationship between serum adiponectin and prognosis in patients with heart failure.
The role of adiponectin in the development of cardiac disease remains less clear than in metabolic disorders. While some studies indicated that low adiponectin levels were associated with cardiovascular disease, not all studies have been able to show such association. Adiponectin levels may influence the development of chronic heart failure, but the epidemiological data are somewhat complex. Thus, the aim of this study was a survey of relationship between serum Adiponectin and prognosis of patients with heart failure in Iran. In this cohort study, we evaluated 96 chronic heart failure patients. Patients with systolic dysfunction that was defined as left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) ≤40 % or had a history of heart failure were included in the study. At the baseline visit, all patients were examined by a physician and the following information was obtained: medical history, physical examination, New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. After the first evaluation, analyses of adiponectin, Pro BNP, creatinine and uric acid were performed. Then the patients were followed up for a median of 12 months. There was a significant relationship between the mean adiponectin and Pro BNP levels and the ejection fraction (p=0.003 and p=0.003 respectively). Higher levels of adiponectin and Pro BNP were associated with a lower ejection fraction and there were no such associations between creatinine and uric acid levels. There was a significant association between the functional capacity as assessed by NYHA class and the mean of adiponectin and uric acid, these means that higher levels of adiponectin and uric acid were associated with a higher functional class in patients with CHF (p=0.03 and p=0.04 respectively). During a 12 month follow-up, 22 (22.9 %) patients died. In subjects who died, the baseline mean plasma adiponectin and Pro BNP levels were higher compared to those who were alive at the follow-up and these difference were statistically significant (19±7.4 vs.15.8±8 ng/ml and 9520±10249 vs. 3172±4628 ng/L p=0.000). The present study demonstrated that the plasma adiponectin level increased according to the severity of heart failure and also there was such relationship between Pro BNP and heart failure (Tab. 3, Ref. 35). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Distribution of beta1 integrin during development of chick tarsometatarsal skin in vivo and in vitro.
To determine the role of beta1 integrin in chick tarsometatarsal skin development, we examined the localization of the beta1 integrin immunohistochemically in vivo and in vitro by light and electron microscopy. Beta1 integrin was present over the entire cell surface of undifferentiated epidermis at early stages (Days 5, 9, 13). Marked changes in the localization of beta1 integrin occurred during epidermal keratinization and stratification, i.e., expression of beta1 integrin decreased in the superficial and intermediate cell layers from Day 13 to Day 17. After 17 days in vivo, when keratinization of the epidermis was completed, the distribution of beta1 integrin was confined to the basal layer of the epidermis in a pericellular distribution. During all stages examined, fibroblasts in the dermis were also stained. Immunoelectron microscopic study revealed that beta1 integrin was located on the plasma membrane of keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. The change in beta1 integrin localization that occurred in vivo could be reproduced in cultures of developing skin in which keratinization (differentiation) or mucous metaplasia (transdifferentiation) had been induced in vitro by hydrocortisone or retinol treatment, respectively. A monoclonal antibody against beta1 integrin caused striking changes in the epidermal keratinization process and in the basement membrane structure in vitro, i.e., inhibition of keratinization and detachment of the basement membrane from the basal surface of the epidermis. These results indicate that beta1 integrin plays an important role in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, which are important for epidermal development of the tarsometatarsal skin. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tear Interferon-Gamma as a Biomarker for Evaporative Dry Eye Disease.
To assess whether tear hyperosmolarity, being diagnostic of dry eye disease (DED), is associated with specific alterations to the cytokine content of human tears that may provide a biomarker for DED. In this prospective, cross-sectional, clinical study, participants (n = 77) were recruited from a single clinical site and categorized into groups based upon tear osmolarity status (n = 62 hyperosmolar, n = 15 normo-osmolar). Comprehensive anterior eye clinical assessments were undertaken. Concentrations of seven cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) in basal tears were assayed using multiplex cytometric bead array. The main outcome measure was difference in cytokine concentration between groups. Group comparisons were undertaken using 2-tailed t-tests. Cohen's effect size was calculated for each finding. Spearman correlations between cytokine concentrations, clinical symptoms, and clinical parameters of DED were calculated. Tear hyperosmolarity was specifically associated with increased tear IFN-γ levels (13.3 ± 2.0 vs. 4.4 ± 1.4 pg/mL, P = 0.03). Cohen's effect size was large (0.8) for changes to tear IFN-γ levels. Significant correlations were observed between IFN-γ concentration and each of: tear osmolarity (r = 0.34; P = 0.007), total ocular surface staining (r = 0.56, P < 0.0001), and Schirmer test score (r = -0.33, P = 0.003). Tear hyperosmolarity is specifically associated with higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokine IFN-γ, which correlate with key clinical parameters of DED. The calculated effect size (0.8) suggests that this assay has diagnostic power as a biomarker for evaporative DED. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effects of platinum complexes on seven enzymes.
The effects of K2PtCl4, cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2, and trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 on the activities of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, dihydrofolate reductase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, catalase, tyrosinase, and peroxidase have been investigated. All of the enzymes which are thought to have essential sulfhydryl groups (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, aldolase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) were significantly inhibited by K2PtCl4. The other four enzymes studied are not known to have essential sulfhydryl groups, and were not significantly affected by the Pt compounds under the conditions employed. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was the only enzyme inhibited by all three Pt compounds tested, with K2PtCl4 being the most effective and cis-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 the least effective inhibitor. Semilogarithmic plots of residual activity versus inhibition time indicated that the inhibition reactions were not simple first-order processes, except for the inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase by K2PtCl4 which appeared to be first-order with respect to enzyme concentration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of diabetes self-management education on glycaemic control in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
To evaluate the effect of diabetes self-management education (DSME) on glycaemic control (HbA1c) in Pakistani children suffering from type-1 diabetes mellitus. Quasi-experimental study. This study was conducted at the Diabetic OPD of National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, from April to September 2009. Sixty children with a mean age of 9.94 years with type-1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM) were selected conveniently from the diabetic OPD. The patients along with their parents/caregivers attended a modular series of diabetes self-management education program consisting of 2 sessions. Customized program was designed to educate children regarding general information about the disease, basic insulin therapy, planning for hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, activity, traveling and basic nutritional management. It was conducted by a multidisciplinary paediatric diabetes team including an endocrinologist, general paediatrician, nutritionist and diabetic nurse. The educational sessions were followed by monthly revision exercises. HbA1c levels were measured at baseline and after 3 months and compared using paired sample t-test. Out of a total of 60 patients, 50 completed the trial. There was a significant decrease in the HbA1c levels after the DSME program. The mean pre- and postintervention HbA1c levels were 9.67±0.65 and 8.49±0.53 respectively with a p-value < 0.001. In the studied group, DSME programs helped to improve glycaemic control. It should be an integral part of patient treatment in diabetic care setups. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Brain acetylcholinesterase and its molecular forms in a precocial murid, Acomys cahirinus, and rat during post-natal development.
Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and its molecular forms of a precocial murid, Acomys cahirinus, characterized by a large hippocampus, were measured during post-natal development and compared with rat. The activity of soluble AChE in Acomys increased slightly up to 4 weeks after birth. The total AChE activity increased somewhat more but, in rats, this increase was still greater. Three main molecular forms of AChE were separated by 7.5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their close similarity to the rat AChE forms was assessed by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrofocusing. Maturation of these forms, i.e., conversion of simple into more complex forms in the soluble fraction of AChE was, however, considerably delayed reaching only after 4 weeks the pattern comparable to that of rat. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dissociative symptoms are positively related to stress in borderline personality disorder.
According to DSM-IV criteria, dissociative symptoms in borderline personality disorder (BPD) occur in response to stress. Empirical evidence is, however, lacking. Using ambulatory monitoring, we assessed dissociative symptoms and subjective ratings of stress every 60 min for 48 h on a palmtop computer in BPD-patients (n = 51), clinical controls (CC; major depression n = 25; panic disorder n = 26), and healthy controls (HC; n = 40). Data analyses were primarily based on hierarchical linear models. In all groups, states of increased stress were paralleled by increased scores of dissociation, thus confirming the hypothesized association between stress and dissociation. The increase in dissociation was more pronounced in BPD-patients when compared with CC and HC. Additionally, BPD-patients reported heightened dissociative experience compared with CC and HC, even after controlling for stress. Our data suggest that BPD-patients might be prone to dissociation when experiencing stress and are characterized by a generally heightened level of dissociation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Melatonin does not influence the expression of c-fos in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of rats and hamsters.
We have assessed whether melatonin can induce c-fos expression at various circadian phases, and whether melatonin can inhibit photically induced c-fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in both rats and Syrian hamsters. Subcutaneous administration of melatonin at a dose of 100 microg/kg neither induced expression of Fos, the protein product of the c-fos proto-oncogene, nor inhibited the expression of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-lir) induced by a light pulse in the SCN of rats and hamsters. In situ hybridization studies also demonstrated the absence of induction by acute melatonin treatments of c-fos mRNA in the SCN. Taken together, these results demonstrate that melatonin effects on SCN cells involve signal transduction pathways that do not include regulation of c-fos gene expression. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Epizootiology of Haemoproteus danilewskyi (Haemosporina: Haemoproteidae) in blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) in southcentral Florida.
Prevalence and density of Haemoproteus danilewskyi was studied in a population of free-ranging blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) in southcentral Florida (USA) from May 1992 to December 1995. Prevalence of infection was 27% for data combined over years, seasons, ages, and sexes. Prevalence did not vary between sexes or among years, but increased with age and varied with season, being highest in June-July and lowest in November-January. Parasite density did not vary between sexes or among seasons, but was higher in younger birds when controlling for season. To determine periods of natural transmission, seasonal patterns of infection were compared with previous month abundance of the biting fly vectors. Mean monthly prevalence of H. danilewskyi in older jays was positively correlated with previous month abundance of Culicoides edeni and C. arboricola, both capable of sporogonic development of H. danilewskyi. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison between metal and biodegradable suture anchors in the arthroscopic treatment of traumatic anterior shoulder instability: a prospective randomized study.
The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of arthroscopic treatment of shoulder instability with metal and biodegradable suture anchors. Arthroscopic stabilization was performed in 78 patients with recurrent traumatic anterior shoulder instability. They were divided into 2 groups of 39 patients each, according to suture anchors used: metal anchors in group 1, and biodegradable anchors in group 2. Results were evaluated by use of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) self-administered questionnaire; Rowe score; Constant score normalized for age and gender, and recurrence of dislocation. On analyzing the results at a 2-year follow-up, we considered the following independent variables: age; gender; arm dominance; duration of symptoms, age at first dislocation, number of dislocations, type of work; type of sport; sports activity level; lesion of the anterior labrum and anterior-inferior gleno-humeral ligament; SLAP lesion, and number of suture anchors. Comparison between groups did not show significant differences for each variable considered. Overall, according to the results, median DASH scores were 4.5 points (range 0-27) in group 1 and 7 points (range 0-25) in group 2 (n.s.); median Rowe scores were 100 points (range 60-100) and 100 points (range 25-100), respectively (n.s.); and median Constant scores were 98 points (range 81-107) and 98 points (range 87-121), respectively (n.s.). Recurrence was observed in 1 patient (2.8%) in group 1 and in 2 patients (5.9%) in group 2. Overall recurrence rate was 4.3%. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that age, duration of symptoms, number of dislocations, type of work, and type of sports significantly and independently influenced the outcomes. Differences between groups 1 and 2 were not significant. At a short-term follow-up, differences between arthroscopic shoulder stabilization with metal and biodegradable suture anchors were not statistically significant. Clinical relevance of the study is that there is no difference in the use of metal or biodegradable suture anchors for the arthroscopic treatment of shoulder instability. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nearly perfect resonant absorption of TE-polarized light at metal surfaces coated with arrayed dielectric stripes.
A quasi-transverse electric (TE) surface wave mode exists at a metal surface coated with an ultrathin high-index dielectric layer. As the coating is in dielectric stripe arrays, nearly perfect absorption of TE-polarized incidence light is observed in simulations, due to resonances of the quasi-surface waves at each segment of the dielectric-coated metal surfaces. In analysis, the Fabry-Perot-like nature of the resonances is clarified, and effects of symmetry on different behaviors of the odd- and even-order resonance modes are discussed. While the absorption peak is tunable, perfect absorption appears near cut-off wavelength of the surface mode. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Assessing the risk of transplant-related complications and individually tailoring the HSCT procedure in children and adolescents--is it possible?
Children surviving after haematopoietic SCT (HSCT) are a growing population that need to keep their health status under control. They may experience early and late complications that are related to transplant procedures and to treatments administered before HSCT. Monitoring transplant-related complications is mandatory, especially during the child's growth. The purpose of this report is to define preassessment in patients who are candidates for HSCT to identify any pretransplant, comorbid conditions and to individually tailor the HSCT procedure, whenever possible. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
SPECT/CT imaging in children with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
SPECT/CT improves localization of single photon-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. To determine the utility of SPECT/CT in children with papillary thyroid carcinoma. 20 SPECT/CT and planar studies were reviewed in 13 children with papillary thyroid carcinoma after total thyroidectomy. Seven studies used I-123 and 13 used I-131, after elevating TSH by T4 deprivation or intramuscular thyrotropin alfa. Eight children had one study and five children had two to four studies. Studies were performed at initial post-total thyroidectomy evaluation, follow-up and after I-131 treatment doses. SPECT/CT was performed with a diagnostic-quality CT unit in 13 studies and a localization-only CT unit in 7. Stimulated thyroglobulin was measured (except in 2 cases with anti-thyroglobulin antibodies). In 13 studies, neck activity was present but poorly localized on planar imaging; all foci of uptake were precisely localized by SPECT/CT. Two additional foci of neck uptake were found on SPECT/CT. SPECT/CT differentiated high neck uptake from facial activity. In six studies (four children), neck uptake was identified as benign by SPECT/CT (three thyroglossal duct remnants, one skin contamination, two by precise anatomical CT localization). In two children, SPECT/CT supported a decision not to treat with I-131. When SPECT/CT was unable to identify focal uptake as benign, stimulated thyroglobulin measurements were valuable. In three of 13 studies with neck uptake, SPECT/CT provided no useful additional information. SPECT/CT precisely localizes neck iodine uptake. In small numbers of patients, treatment is affected. SPECT/CT should be used when available in thyroid carcinoma patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Survey of Techniques Utilized to Access Ventricular Shunts and Reservoirs.
This study assessed variations in pediatric neurosurgical technique when accessing shunts and ventricular access devices (VADs). A 12-question survey was developed and sent to members of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) whose self-identified subspecialty was pediatric neurosurgery. Four hundred and twenty surveys were sent out, and 149 responses were received (35.5% response rate); 95.3% of respondents always use sterile gloves, 55.0% never use a sterile gown, and 69.8% always have a member of the neurosurgery team perform the procedure. The majority of respondents answered "sometimes" for use of a facemask (38.3%), sterile drapes (39.6%), site shaving (45.6%), having an attending present (68.5%), and having an assistant hold the patient's head (78.5%). The majority reported using a 23- or 25-gauge butterfly needle for site entry (96.6%), and betadine or ChloraPrep™ as the preferred antiseptic solution (64.4%). The frequency in which CSF is sent for analysis is not standardized in 31.5% of respondents, and wait time for the antiseptic solution to dry is not standardized in 62.4%. There is great variation in the technique for accessing shunts and VADs. Future studies are needed to assess whether these discrepancies affect infection rates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Using a Role-Play Simulation Game to Promote Systems Thinking.
Learning is a dynamic process where the learner discovers new knowledge and constructs new insights. The "Friday Night in the ER"© role-play simulation game facilitates system thinking, data-based decision making, and collaboration. Nurse educators in academe and health care settings can use this game to practice the essential skills of nurse professionals. J Contin Nurs Educ. 2018;49(1):10-11. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A simple assay for evaluating inhibitors of proteoglycan-ligand binding.
Proteoglycans, once thought to primarily serve as structural components of extracellular matrix, are now being focused on for their role in tissue and cell regulation, particularly angiogenesis. Many growth factors, notably the fibroblast growth family (FGF) which now numbers 19 members, bind to heparin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans and this binding has been shown to have a significant impact on the availability and activity of these growth factors. Proteoglycans can serve as both temporal and spatial regulators and effective inhibitor design may depend on disruption of these interactions. We have developed a simple assay for evaluating small inhibitors of proteoglycan-ligand binding. The assay is based on cell-free incubation of the reactants and filtration across a cationic membrane. Conditions were established that allow one to semiquantitatively determine binding constants for both direct proteoglycan as well as soluble inhibitor affinity. The assay has been demonstrated using a model heparan sulfate proteoglycan preparation (perlecan from cultured bovine endothelial cells) and FGF-2. Protamine sulfate, sucrose octasulfate, and heparin were analyzed as model inhibitor molecules. This type of assay may have wide application as a fast and easy screening tool for small potential agonists and antagonists of proteoglycan-protein interactions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gellan gum.
For decades microbial exopolysaccharides have been invaluable ingredients in the food industry, as well as having many attractive pharmaceutical and chemical applications. Gellan gum is a comparatively new gum elaborated by the Gram-negative bacterium Sphingomonas paucimobilis. Although its physico-chemical properties have been well characterized, the ecology and physiology of Sphingomonas, and the factors influencing the fermentation process for production of this gum have received much less attention. This review focuses on the metabolism and the enzymic activity of this bacterium, as well as the factors that influence gellan production, including process temperature, pH, stirring rate, oxygen transfer, and composition of the production medium. Potential strategies for improving the production process are discussed in the context of processes for the production of other microbial biopolymers, particularly exopolysaccharides. In addition, the importance and potential utility of gellan lyases in modification of gellan and in other applications is critically evaluated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A qualitative and quantitative survey of forensic odontologists in England and Wales, 1994.
Forty forensic odontologists in England and Wales, as listed for the British Association for Forensic Odontology in Spring 1994, were surveyed by post. The 27 responses received, representing 67.5 per cent of those surveyed, were collated. The aims of the survey were to establish the distribution of experience between those forensic odontologists; to confirm the geographic areas covered by them; to establish the most likely source of introduction to forensic work; to ascertain the proportion of work involving court appearances; to establish a pattern of trends or common risk factors, if any, of susceptibility towards bitemark injury in respect of motive, age, gender, race, socioeconomic factors, and family background in relation to child abuse and adult sexual assault; and to establish if there are preferential sites for bitemark injury according to motive. The survey concluded that most of the work is almost exclusively conducted by a few forensic odontologists, with little or no experience gained for the majority of those available. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Induction of chemokine secretion and enhancement of contact-dependent macrophage cytotoxicity by engineered expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human colon cancer cells.
We investigated the role of tumor cell-derived GM-CSF in recruitment and tumoricidal activation of tissue macrophages. Transfection of the murine GM-CSF gene into KM12SM human colon cancer cells decreased the tumorigenicity of transfected cells and nontransfected bystander colon cancer cells in nude mice. Sequential tissue sections from sites injected with high GM-CSF-producing tumor cells (but not from nontransfected or low GM-CSF-producing cells) demonstrated a dense infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), followed by infiltration of macrophages, which correlated with expression of the macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha and the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in mouse PMN and macrophages. GM-CSF-producing KM12SM cells were highly sensitive to lysis by mouse macrophages and also increased macrophage-mediated lysis of bystander nontransfected KM12SM cells. The incubation of macrophages with GM-CSF induced expression of the CD11b surface adhesion molecule, which was associated with increased attachment to tumor cells. All KM12SM cells were sensitive to macrophage-mediated lysis in the presence of rGM-CSF and recombinant MCP-1. Collectively, the results demonstrate that tumor cell-derived GM-CSF stimulates PMN and macrophages to secrete macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha and MCP-1, which triggers recruitment of mononuclear cells, induces expression of adhesion molecules on macrophages, and enhances contact-dependent cytolysis of tumor cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reactivity of nitroxyl-derived sulfinamides.
Sulfinamide [RS(O)NH(2)] formation is known to occur upon exposure of cysteine residues to nitroxyl (HNO), which has received recent attention as a potential heart failure therapeutic. Because this modification can alter protein structure and function, we have examined the reactivity of sulfinamides in several systems, including a small organic molecule, peptides, and a protein. Although it has generally been assumed that this thiol to sulfinamide modification is irreversible, we show that sulfinamides can be reduced back to the free thiol in the presence of excess thiol at physiological pH and temperature. We have examined this sulfinamide reduction both in peptides, where a cyclic intermediate analogous to that proposed for asparagine deamidation reactions potentially can contribute, and in a small organic molecule, where the mechanism is restricted to a direct thiolysis. These studies suggest that the contribution from the cyclic intermediate becomes more important in environments with lower dielectric constants. In addition, although sulfinic acid [RS(O)OH] formation is observed upon prolonged incubations in water, reduction of sulfinamides is found to dominate in the presence of thiols. Finally, studies with the cysteine protease, papain, suggest that the reduction of sulfinamide to the free thiol is viable in a protein environment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Role of Surgery in Combination with Immunotherapy.
Improvements in systemic immunotherapy are changing the treatment of patients with advanced melanoma and many other tumors. Surgeons may be increasingly called on to manage isolated sites of immunorefractory disease or to provide palliative surgery as a bridge to systemic therapy. Here, the authors describe the biologic rationale for using surgery in patients with immunorefractory disease, provide background on the evolving role of metastasectomy for advanced melanoma, and summarize data on the use of neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Finally, the authors discuss the direction of clinical research in this rapidly evolving field. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) is not affected in German i.v. drug users.
The aim of the study was to investigate a possible contribution of the cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) to the development of i.v. drug addiction. Allele and genotype frequencies of a previously associated flanking triplet repeat polymorphism were compared between patients and controls, and the whole coding region of the CNR1 gene of all patients were screened for presence of mutations. The study took place at the Addiction Treatment Unit of the Medical School Hannover, and two outpatients' departments in Hannover, Germany. Forty German unrelated opioid addicts (27 males and 13 females; mean age 37.9 years; range 16-53 years), took part, all of them satisfying ICD-10 and DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for opioid dependence and 81 age- and sex-matched controls (German blood donors). Measurements used were lengths of alleles, genotyping and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Neither the >/= 5 alleles of the extragenic triplet repeat (AAT) marker nor the alleles of an intragenic biallelic CNR1 polymorphism (1359G/A) were associated with i.v. drug use in our study group. In addition, we did not detect any sequence variation within the CNR1 gene which could confer susceptibility to i.v. drug abuse. In contrast to previous investigations, we found no evidence for an involvement of the CNR1 gene in i.v. drug addiction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The use of monoclonal antibodies to restore self-tolerance in established autoimmunity.
The author hopes to convince the reader that the data presented argue for a stage during the development of IDDM when beta-cell destruction can be counteracted and tolerance to beta cells restored, provided the immune aggression is arrested. This argument constitutes a solid rationale for immunointervention in established IDDM, especially by using potent agents such as CD3. The future for the application of monoclonal antibodies not only in autoimmunity but also in transplantation is exiting. With the development of humanized monoclonal antibodies, therapeutic uses for them are likely to expand. Enormous progress has been made in the last 15 years, and it is likely that before a similar time period has elapsed, monoclonal antibodies will have become standard tools that will dispense the need for long-term immunosuppression and its inherent dangers in various clinical arenas. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A Decade of Preventing Harm.
Medical errors are a significant source of morbidity and mortality, and while focused efforts to prevent harm have been made, sustaining reductions across multiple categories of patient harm remains a challenge. In 2008 BJC HealthCare initiated a systemwide program to eliminate all major causes of preventable harm and mortality over a five-year period with a goal of sustaining these reductions over the subsequent five years. Areas of focus included pressure ulcers, adverse drug events, falls with injury, health care-associated infections, and venous thromboembolism. Initial efforts involved building system-level multidisciplinary teams, utilizing standardized project management methods, and establishing standard surveillance methods. Evidence-based interventions were deployed across the system; core standards were established while allowing for flexibility in local implementation. Improvements were tracked using actual numbers of events rather than rates to increase meaning and interpretability by patients and frontline staff. Over the course of the five-year intervention period, total harm events were reduced by 51.6% (10,371 events in 2009 to 5,018 events in 2012). Continued improvement efforts over the subsequent five years led to additional harm reduction (2,605 events in 2017; a 74.9% reduction since 2009). A combination of project management discipline, rigorous surveillance, and focused interventions, along with system-level support of local hospital improvement efforts, led to dramatic reductions in preventable harm and long-term sustainment of progress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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