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[Acute lipid pneumopathy].
Lipid pneumonia in children has rarely been described in Europe. In some countries, due to local customs, the course is chronic. This study describes an acute lipid pneumonia in a young boy. A 12 year-old boy, previously treated for a rhabdomyosarcoma, developed acute fever with thoracic pain. A chest radiograph revealed heterogenous consolidation. The patient was given oral antibiotics, although no improvement was observed. The diagnosis of lipid pneumonia was made by a bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage. Treatment with corticosteroids was started. Clinical manifestations improved rapidly. One month later, chest radiograph and biological findings were normal. Diagnosis of lipid pneumonia should be considered in children with an acute febrile pneumonitis non resolving with antibiotic treatment. Examination of the fluid obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage confirms the diagnosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Frank Lamson-Scribner: botanist and pioneer plant pathologist in the United States.
Frank Lamson-Scribner, in 1885, became the first scientist commissioned by the United States Department of Agriculture with the responsibility to study diseases of economic plants. His innovative approach established the foundation for applied plant pathology at the USDA. In an early international cooperative effort in plant pathology, he detailed the life history of the grape black rot pathogen. His early studies with the Bordeaux mixture introduced the American farmer to the modern era of chemical control. Scribner became the botanist and director of the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. He published the first book written on the subject of plant diseases in the United States, and described a new nematode disease of potato. He asserted that the practical value of plant pathology to farmers would only follow meticulous studies of the life history of pathogens. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Use of alternative and complementary medicine in menopause.
To review the clinical evidence available for the treatment of menopausal symptoms with alternative and complementary medicine. The MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE and COCHRANE electronic databases for the years 1980-2002 were searched for articles concerning soy products, black cohosh, dong quai, acupuncture, ginseng and evening primrose oil. Studies pertaining to menopausal vasomotor symptoms, lipid profiles and bone mineral densities of postmenopausal women were included. The data from clinical trials were reviewed. Soy isoflavones slightly decrease total cholesterol and LDL levels. The clinical significance of this small change is yet to be determined. The synthetic isoflavone derivative ipriflavone increases bone mineral density in healthy peri- and postmenopausal women with moderate bone mineral densities. Although earlier reports have claimed that soy is beneficial for the improvement of vasomotor symptoms, recent data do not support this claim. There are insufficient data on the other alternative therapies for treating menopausal symptoms at this time. Alternative and complementary medicine may play a role in the management of menopause, however, well-designed large studies are still needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Outcomes of Aortic Valve-Sparing Operations in Marfan Syndrome.
In many cardiac units, aortic valve-sparing operations have become the preferred surgical procedure to treat aortic root aneurysm in patients with Marfan syndrome, based on relatively short-term outcomes. This study examined the long-term outcomes of aortic valve-sparing operations in patients with Marfan syndrome. All patients with Marfan syndrome operated on for aortic root aneurysm from 1988 through 2012 were followed prospectively for a median of 10 years. Follow-up was 100% complete. Time-to-event analyses were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test for comparisons. A total of 146 patients with Marfan syndrome had aortic valve-sparing operations. Reimplantation of the aortic valve was performed in 121 and remodeling of the aortic root was performed in 25 patients. Mean age was 35.7 ± 11.4 years and two-thirds were men. Nine patients had acute, 2 had chronic type A, and 3 had chronic type B aortic dissections before surgery. There were 1 operative and 6 late deaths, 5 caused by complications of dissections. Mortality rate at 15 years was 6.8 ± 2.9%, higher than the general population matched for age and sex. Five patients required reoperation on the aortic valve: 2 for endocarditis and 3 for aortic insufficiency. Three patients developed severe, 4 moderate, and 3 mild-to-moderate aortic insufficiency. Rate of aortic insufficiency at 15 years was 7.9 ± 3.3%, lower after reimplantation than remodeling. Nine patients developed new distal aortic dissections during follow-up. Rate of dissection at 15 years was 16.5 ± 3.4%. Aortic valve-sparing operations in patients with Marfan syndrome were associated with low rates of valve-related complications in long-term follow-up. Residual and new aortic dissections were the leading cause of death. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human papillomavirus type 16 transcripts expressed from viral-cellular junctions and full-length viral copies in CaSki cells and in a cervical carcinoma.
We have mapped using the RNA PCR the viral-cellular junctions of HPV16 viral-cellular cotranscripts expressed in CaSki cells and a cervical carcinoma to nt 3728 and 881, respectively. Both junctions were located within the E1-E2 region. Examination of the cellular sequences of the cotranscripts showed the presence of a polyadenylation signal in each of the transcripts. In CaSki cells and in the cervical carcinoma transcripts derived from the full-length early region including the E2 transcript were also detected. Our results suggest that the utilization of a cellular polyadenylation site could be important in the development of cancer by HPV. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Objective measurement of backscattered light from the anterior and posterior cornea in vivo.
To develop an objective and repeatable method of measuring corneal backscattered light from different depths of the cornea in vivo. A modified slit lamp ("scatterometer"), with a video camera and synchronous white strobe light, was used to capture images of a 0.1-mm-wide slit beam through the cornea. Image analysis software was developed to measure backscatter from digitized high-magnification images of 82 normal corneas of 41 subjects. Forty eyes of 20 of the same subjects were examined again after 1 month. Mean backscatter from the anterior, middle, and posterior thirds of the cornea was compared between repeated measurements, and expressed in arbitrary scatter units (SU). Backscatter in the anterior third of the cornea was 451 +/- 42 SU (mean +/- SD, n = 82), from the middle third was 274 +/- 29 SU (n = 82), and from the posterior third was 242 +/- 28 SU (n = 82). The difference in backscatter measured a month apart was 5 +/- 27 SU (P = 0.34), 2 +/- 17 SU (P = 0.42), and 0 +/- 15 SU (P = 0.95) in the anterior, middle, and posterior thirds of the cornea, respectively. Minimum detectable differences between measurements were 12, 8, and 7 SU in the anterior, middle and posterior thirds, respectively (alpha = 0.05, beta = 0.20, n = 40). Backscatter can be measured at different depths of the cornea from high-magnification digitized images of a narrow slit beam through the cornea. The method is objective and repeatable and can be applied in prospective studies of deep and posterior lamellar keratoplasty. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[A survey of oral health status in 6520 subjects].
To compare the prevalence of caries, periodontal disease and the understanding of oral health care between the oral medical staff and common people to reflect the current status of oral health care. A survey of the prevalence of caries, periodontal disease and awareness of oral health care was carried out in 6520 town people. Treatment is the emphysis of oral health care at present, the education of oral health care by oneself was neglected. New technology and project was restricted by traditional convention. The defect of oral health care was that more attention is being paid on therapy than on prevention. Oral medical staff should pay more attention to prevention than to treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Amino terminal domains of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) 2B7 and 2B15 associated with substrate selectivity and autoactivation.
Despite the important role of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) in the metabolism of drugs, environmental chemicals and endogenous compounds, the structural features of these enzymes responsible for substrate binding and selectivity remain poorly understood. Since UGT2B7 and UGT2B15 exhibit distinct, but overlapping, substrate selectivities, UGT2B7-UGT2B15 chimeras were constructed here to identify substrate binding domains. A UGT2B7-15-7 chimera that incorporated amino acids 61-194 of UGT2B15 glucuronidated the UGT2B15 substrates testosterone and phenolphthalein, but not the UGT2B7 substrates zidovudine and 11alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Derived apparent K(m) values for testosterone and phenolphthalein glucuronidation by UGT2B7-15((61-194))-7 were similar in magnitude to those determined for UGT2B15. Moreover, glucuronidation of the non-selective substrate 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU) by UGT2B7-15((61-194))-7 and UGT2B15 followed Michaelis-Menten and weak substrate inhibition kinetics, respectively, whereas 4MU glucuronidation by UGT2B7 exhibited sigmoidal kinetics characteristic of autoactivation. Six UGT2B7-15-7 chimeras that incorporated smaller domains of UGT2B15 were subsequently generated. Of these, UGT2B7-15((61-157))-7, UGT2B7-15((91-157))-7 and UGT2B7-15((61-91))-7 glucuronidated 4MU, but activity towards the other substrates investigated here was not detected. Like UGT2B7, the UGT2B7-15((61-157))-7, UGT2B7-15((91-157))-7 and UGT2B7-15((61-91))-7 chimeras exhibited sigmoidal 4MU glucuronidation kinetics. The sigmoidal 4MU kinetic data were well modelled using both the Hill equation and the expression for a two-site model that assumes the simultaneous binding of two substrate molecules at equivalent sites. It may be concluded that residues 61-194 of UGT2B15 are responsible for substrate binding and for conferring the unique substrate selectivity of UGT2B15, while residues 158-194 of UGT2B7 appear to facilitate the binding of multiple 4MU molecules within the active site. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical and epidemiological significance of the HBSAg (Australia antigen): carrier state.
One hundred fifteen asymptomatic Australia antigen (HBSAg) carriers, discovered by routine testing of volunteer blood donors in Toronto, were investigated and followed for up to 30 months. The carrier state seems to be largely host-dependent, and its prevalence is modified by ethnic origin, sex, and age. A high prevalence of carriers was found in persons coming from Mediterranean countries and the Orient. The carrier state was 3 times more common in males than in females, and the majority of the carriers were under 30 years of age. Family clustering of HBSAg-positive individuals was observed. All carriers were asymptomatic and only one gave a history of jaundice in the past. Seven gave a history of intravenous drug use. Four had moderate hepatomegaly. Fifty-four had some abnormality in their liver function tests. The SGPT was the most frequently abnormal test and correlated best with the histological findings. Twenty of 29 liver biopsies showed features of chronic benign persisting hepatitis. All patients remained well during the follow-up period. In no patient was there evidence of deterioration or progression in either their clinical state, liver function, or pathological findings. Only 1 of the 115 carriers became HBSAg-negative over the period of observation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Stability of respiratory quotient and growth outcomes of very low birth weight infants.
Nutritional management of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants involves promoting growth at rates that mimic intrauterine rates. Nutritional intake at the recommended energy level to promote growth results in fat accretion at levels that exceed intrauterine rates for fat accretion. The respiratory quotient (RQ), the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen consumed during oxidation, provides a measure of the percentage of substrates used for energy. An RQ of greater than 0.9 indicates carbohydrate is used to meet energy needs, allowing the majority of fat intake to be stored as new tissue. The purpose of this study was to examine the stability of the RQ across time in relation to nutritional intake and growth in VLBW infants. Subjects were 9 enterally fed VLBW infants. Measurements to determine the RQ were obtained weekly for 3 weeks by indirect calorimetry. Nutritional intake and growth velocity were examined. There was no significant difference in the RQ across 3 weeks. The mean (+/- SD) RQs for each of the 3 weeks were 1.08 (+/- 0.04), 1.06 (+/- 0.05), and 1.06 (+/- 0.07), respectively. No significant differences were found across the 3 weeks for any of the macronutrient variables. Growth velocity for the period was 15.7 g/kg/day. By discharge from the NICU, 66% of the infants had weights less than the 10th percentile on an intrauterine growth reference. An RQ greater than 1.0 indicates VLBW infants are depositing excess fat. However, increased accretion rates of fat did not improve the growth outcomes of these VLBW infants. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Declaring war on undertreatment: rationale for an aggressive approach to lowering cholesterol.
Few things are better understood within the medical community than the relationship between elevated total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, cardiovascular disease and death. There is consensus in the treatment guidelines of numerous national and international bodies that cholesterol levels in at-risk patients should be reduced to target levels that have been shown in population studies to be associated with low rates of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, dyslipidaemia continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. The 'landmark' statin trials have demonstrated unequivocally that effective lipid-lowering therapy significantly decreases CHD morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, these benefits of lipid-lowering therapy are not limited to middle-aged men, but extend across a broad range of patient populations. Recent trial data suggest that lowering LDL-C to target levels is possible in a substantial proportion of patients when statins are administered aggressively and results in a greater reduction in the risk of major coronary events. This reduction in events is seen in patients with stable coronary disease as well as those treated immediately after an acute coronary syndrome. Although strong clinical and angiographic evidence shows that intensive treatment prevents morbidity and saves lives, indications are that clinicians are still waiting too long to treat dyslipidaemia and when treatment is initiated it is often at inadequate dosages. Undertreatment of dyslipidaemia is an issue that the healthcare community can no longer ignore. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration in pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality for both men and women in the United States. Overall 5-year survival from time of diagnosis is less than 5%. The only meaningful chance for cure results from early detection while the tumor remains resectable without locoregional extension or metastasis. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is uniquely suited to the examination and treatment of the pancreas. Endoscopic ultrasound can provide important information with regard to disease stage including involvement of the mesenteric vasculature, adjacent organ invasion, and regional lymph node metastasis. In addition, EUS is considered the procedure of choice for tissue diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. More recently, EUS has developed therapeutic roles in an array of other clinical situations including EUS-guided fine needle injection, EUS-guided biliary drainage, celiac plexus neurolysis, brachytherapy, fiducial placement, and emerging antitumor agents delivered directly into the tumor. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Examining the acute effects of cediranib (RECENTIN, AZD2171) treatment in tumor models: a dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI study using gadopentate.
Cediranib (RECENTIN, AZD2171) is a highly potent inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity associated with all three vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors and is currently in Phase II/III clinical trials. Preclinically, cediranib inhibits VEGF signaling and angiogenesis in vivo and impedes solid tumor growth significantly. Clinically, changes observed using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) with gadopentate suggest that acute cediranib treatment compromises tumor hemodynamics. In this study, a DCE-MRI baseline scan using gadopentate was performed in nude rats bearing Lovo (human colorectal carcinoma) or C6 (rat glioma) tumors. Cediranib (3 mg/kg per day) or vehicle was then dosed orally (2, 26 and 50 h after the baseline scan; 12 rats per group) and a second scan acquired 2 h after the final dosing event. Mean values for K(trans) (Tofts and Kermode-derived) [Magn Reson Med 17 (1991) 357-67] and the initial area under the gadolinium concentration curve over the first 60 s (iAUC) were reduced significantly following cediranib treatment: K(trans) by 33% (P<.05) in both tumor models and iAUC by 23% (P>.05) and 33% (P>.005) in Lovo and C6, respectively. This is the first preclinical investigation to examine the effect of cediranib treatment on tumors by DCE-MRI with gadopentate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Spontaneous epidural hematoma. Report of two cases].
Spontaneous epidural hematomas are rarely described in literature. They are associated with infectious diseases of the skull, coagulation disorders, vascular malformations of the dura-mater and metastasis to the skull. The authors report two cases of spontaneous epidural hematoma of different etiologies, and study parameters of hemostasis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Genetic Analysis Using a Gene Panel in 87 Caucasian Patients With Colorectal Cancer: Own Results and Review of Literature.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. The prognosis between left- and right-sided CRC differs, partly due to baseline differences as vascular supply. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether there are genetic differences between left- and right-sided CRC. Eighty-seven patients with CRC (mean age: 61 years) were retrospectively included in the study. Blood samples were used for genetic analysis, by applying the sequencing research panel Ion AmpliSeq Colon and Lung Cancer Research Panel V2. Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and univariate/multivariate Cox-regression analyses. By testing the sequence of 22 genes included in the panel, a significant difference was detected between left- and right-sided CRC regarding the expression of BRAF and DDR2 genes, with mutations occurring more often in the right-sided CRC. In the multivariate setting, left-sided CRC only turned out as a significant positive prognostic parameter regarding progression-free survival, irrespective of the type of chemotherapy or BRAF and NRAS mutations. Tumour location was the only parameter proven to be an independent prognostic factor for CRC in the present study. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
SKP2 attenuates NF-κB signaling by mediating IKKβ degradation through autophagy.
NF-κB signaling controls a large set of physiological processes ranging from inflammatory responses to cell death. Its activation is tightly regulated through controlling the activity and stability of multiple signaling components. Here, we identify that NF-κB activation is suppressed by an F-box protein, S-phase kinase associated protein 2 (SKP2). SKP2 deficiency enhanced NF-κB activation as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, SKP2 potently blocked the NF-κB activation at the IκB kinase (IKK) level. Mechanistic study further revealed that SKP2 functions as an adaptor to promote an interaction between active IKKβ and the autophagic cargo receptor p62 to mediate IKKβ degradation via selective autophagy. These findings identify a previously unrecognized role of SKP2 in NF-κB activation by which SKP2 acts as a secondary receptor to assist IKKβ delivery to autophagosomes for degradation in a p62-dependent manner. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Researching dementia in imperial Germany: Alois Alzheimer and the economies of psychiatric practice.
In the writings of Alois Alzheimer and many of his contemporaries, complaints abounded about psychiatric hospitals not only failing to appreciate the importance of senile dementia, but also inhibiting scientific research into the nature and causes of the disorder. This article exploits these discontents in order to examine what Alzheimer and others thought to be optimal conditions for psychiatric research on dementia. It first analyzes the various institutional contexts in which Alzheimer worked during his career (especially in Frankfurt and Munich). It then traces some of the administrative and diagnostic practices that were deployed to enhance the conditions for his clinical and pathoanatomic research. Finally, it reflects on the implications of these practices for psychiatric care and patient experience. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Efficacy of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on bone healing in diabetic rats: a stereological and histopathological study.
We evaluated the effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) and routine antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) on early healing of bone defects in diabetic rats. We used 48 rats in the study. Diabetes was induced in 24 rats using streptozotocin; the remaining 24 healthy untreated rats served as controls. Twelve of the diabetic rats and 12 of the healthy rats were treated with AP for 3 days before surgery. Bilateral bone defects were created in the mandible of all animals. ABS was applied to the defects on the left sides of the mandibles, while nothing was applied to the right sides. Animals were sacrificed on days 7 and 14 after operation and examined for histopathology and by stereology. The volume of newly formed bone was significantly less in the diabetic rats on both days 7 and 14. Local administration of ABS significantly increased the mean volume of newly formed bone in both diabetic and nondiabetic rats at days 7 and 14. No significant difference in new bone formation was found between AP and ABS treatment in diabetic rats. Both AP and local administration of ABS have beneficial effects on bone healing in diabetic animals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vector potential of the German cockroach in dissemination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Survival time studies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cockroaches (Blattella germanica) were carried out under standard laboratory conditions. Cockroaches were fed with graded doses (10(2), 10(5) or 10(7) per insect) of P. aeruginosa. Depending on the excretion of P. aeruginosa the cockroaches were categorized as non-excretors, intermittent excretors or continuous excretors. When a dose of 10(2) P. aeruginosa was used all the insects were non-excretors but with doses of 10(5) or 10(7) per insect, P. aeruginosa multiplied in the gut of the cockroaches and was excreted for up to 114 days. The significance of these findings is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Role of intestinal immunization in urinary tract defence.
The lack of progress in development of vaccines to stimulate local protection in the urinary tract is attributable in part to the lack of information regarding mechanisms of local immunity and to the difficulty in antigen administration at this site. Experiments reported in this paper indicate that the urinary tract in rats forms part of an effector network linking mucosal organs (the common mucosal immune system). Concomitant immunization of the intestine and urinary tract with ovalbumin resulted in the appearance at both sites of antiovalbumin-containing cells (ACC) of IgA specificity. The gut origin of ACC in the urinary tract was confirmed by demonstrating in similarly immunized rats abrogation of the urinary tract response by chronic drainage of the thoracic lymphatic duct during the post-challenge period and by demonstrating the appearance of radiolabelled ACC in the urinary tract after injection of labelled autologous thoracic duct lymphocytes collected during the post-challenge period. These experiments indicate a role for oral immunization in enhancing the local antibody response in the urinary tract against invading pathogens. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Jung's and Freud's contributions to dream interpretation: a comparison.
Carl G. Jung considers dreams as (a) aids to restoring and maintaining mental health, (b) as scientific insights into psychic casuality, (c) as symbolic representations of one's actual subjective state and (d) as expressions of "telepathic visions". In this paper Jung's considerations are contrasted to Freud's. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A novel adenosine-based molecular beacon probe for room temperature nucleic acid rapid detection in cotton thread device.
We used cotton thread as substrate to develop a novel room temperature DNA detection device for low-cost, sensitive and rapid detection of a human genetic disease, hereditary tyrosinemia type I related DNA sequences. A novel adenosine based molecular beacon (ABMB) probe modified on gold nanoparticle was used as reporter probe. In the presence of coralyne, a small molecule which can react with adenosines, the ABMB would form a hairpin structure just like traditional molecular beacon used extensively. In the presence of target DNA sequences, the hairpin structure of ABMB modified on gold nanoparticles will be opened and the biotin group modified at one end of the DNA probes will be released and react with the streptavidin immobilized on the test zone of the cotton thread. The response of the thread based DNA test device is linear over the range of 2.5-100 nM complementary DNA. The ability of our developed device for discriminating the single base mismatched DNA related to a human genetic disease, hereditary tyrosinemia type I, was improved comparing with previous report. It is worth mentioning that the whole assay procedure for DNA test is performed under room temperature which simplified the assay procedures greatly. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prenatal evaluation and obstetrical management of fetuses at risk of developing lung hypoplasia.
The aim of this study was to measure the fetal lung area of normal human fetuses using ultrasound and them to test the predictive values of a nomogram in the identification of fetal lung hypoplasia. A nomogram for ultrasound-measured fetal lung area were constructed from 264 normal fetuses from 17 to 39 weeks of gestation. In 19 cases running the risk of developing lung hypoplasia, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of lung area measurements below the mean -2 SD were 75%, 100%, 94% and 100%, respectively, with total lung area showing a significant relation to the combined lung weight (Y = -1.05 + 2.06 X, r2 = 0.88). These results indicate that lung area measured by ultrasound is a good indicator of lung weight, and this nomogram of lung area may be useful in evaluating lung growth prenatally, as well as in the direct obstetrical management of fetuses at risk of developing lung hypoplasia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
General simulation algorithm for autocorrelated binary processes.
The apparent ubiquity of binary random processes in physics and many other fields has attracted considerable attention from the modeling community. However, generation of binary sequences with prescribed autocorrelation is a challenging task owing to the discrete nature of the marginal distributions, which makes the application of classical spectral techniques problematic. We show that such methods can effectively be used if we focus on the parent continuous process of beta distributed transition probabilities rather than on the target binary process. This change of paradigm results in a simulation procedure effectively embedding a spectrum-based iterative amplitude-adjusted Fourier transform method devised for continuous processes. The proposed algorithm is fully general, requires minimal assumptions, and can easily simulate binary signals with power-law and exponentially decaying autocorrelation functions corresponding, for instance, to Hurst-Kolmogorov and Markov processes. An application to rainfall intermittency shows that the proposed algorithm can also simulate surrogate data preserving the empirical autocorrelation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Sleep disorders--what can be done when hypnotics no longer help? Overview and case report].
We report on the case of a 45-year old female with chronic insomnia and refractory to hypnotics, who also has a - polygraphically documented - tolerance to the imidazopyridine "zolpidem". We discuss the main differential diagnosis and demonstrate a therapeutic regimen which allows a step-by-step replacement of hypnotics by sedative antidepressants. This interval replacement treatment reduces on the one hand the risk of developing a severe withdrawal syndrome. On the other hand the replacement by sedative antidepressants improves insomnia and insomnia-associated depressive symptoms. Finally, the clinical implications and rationale of a therapeutic approach with sedative antidepressants in chronic insomnia are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human decellularized adipose tissue scaffold as a model for breast cancer cell growth and drug treatments.
Human adipose tissue extracellular matrix, derived through decellularization processing, has been shown to provide a biomimetic microenvironment for adipose tissue regeneration. This study reports the use of human adipose tissue-derived extracellular matrix (hDAM) scaffolds as a three-dimensional cell culturing system for the investigation of breast cancer growth and drug treatments. The hDAM scaffolds have similar extracellular matrix composition to the microenvironment of breast tissues. Breast cancer cells were cultured in hDAM scaffolds, and cell proliferation, migration, morphology, and drug responses were investigated. The growth profiles of multiple breast cancer cell lines cultured in hDAM scaffolds differed from the growth of those cultured on two-dimensional surfaces and more closely resembled the growth of xenografts. hDAM-cultured breast cancer cells also differed from those cultured on two-dimensional surfaces in terms of cell morphology, migration, expression of adhesion molecules, and sensitivity to drug treatment. Our results demonstrated that the hDAM system provides breast cancer cells with a biomimetic microenvironment in vitro that more closely mimics the in vivo microenvironment than existing two-dimensional and Matrigel three-dimensional cultures do, and thus can provide vital information for the characterization of cancer cells and screening of cancer therapeutics. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In vitro packaging of an infectious recombinant adeno-associated virus 2.
Adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV), a human parvovirus, has properties such as stable chromosomal integration, high infectivity and lack of known human pathogenicity, making it a potentially useful vector for human gene therapy. AAV requires a helper virus, such as an adenovirus, for optimal replication and packaging in mammalian cells. Although replication of the wild-type AAV genome has been demonstrated in vitro, packaging of infectious viral particles was not documented until now. In this study, we produced in vitro infectious recombinant AAV virions containing the neomycin resistance (NeoR) and the human CD-16 (FC gamma RIIIa) gene. Our in vitro packaging of AAV has the same characteristics as AAV produced in vivo and demonstrates the feasibility of developing a safe packaging method for AAV to be used in gene therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A review on recent progress in observations, sources, classification and regulations of PM2.5 in Asian environments.
Natural and human activities generate a significant amount of PM2.5 (particles ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) into the surrounding atmospheric environments. Because of their small size, they can remain suspended for a relatively longer time in the air than coarse particles and thus can travel long distances in the atmosphere. PM2.5 is one of the key indicators of pollution and known to cause numerous types of respiratory and lung-related diseases. Due to poor implementation of regulations and a time lag in introducing the vehicle technology, levels of PM2.5 in most Asian cities are much worse than those in European environments. Dedicated reviews on understanding the characteristics of PM2.5 in Asian urban environments are currently missing but much needed. In order to fill the existing gaps in the literature, the aim of this review article is to describe dominating sources and their classification, followed by current status and health impact of PM2.5, in Asian countries. Further objectives include a critical synthesis of the topics such as secondary and tertiary aerosol formation, chemical composition, monitoring and modelling methods, source apportionment, emissions and exposure impacts. The review concludes with the synthesis of regulatory guidelines and future perspectives for PM2.5 in Asian countries. A critical synthesis of literature suggests a lack of exposure and monitoring studies to inform personal exposure in the household and rural areas of Asian environments. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lichen planus localized to the nails.
Lichen planus may rarely be localized to the nails. A case of ungual lichen planus is reported that was misdiagnosed as onychomycosis. A 52-year-old woman had progressive nail dystrophy for 13 months that was unresponsive to oral terbinafine. A nail biopsy was performed. Histopathologic findings were consistent with lichen planus. Onychomycosis may be confused clinically with other causes of nail dystrophy. It is important to confirm the diagnosis of onychomycosis with appropriate laboratory or histologic analysis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Three-dimensional reconstruction of intravascular ultrasound images of coronary stents using an ECG-gated pull-back device.
Three-dimensional reconstruction (3D-R) of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images is not yet satisfactory because of artifacts caused by cardiac movement. This problem can be overcome with a new device, an electrocardiographic (ECG)-gated pull-back system. Using this device a catheter is pulled back stepwise gated by the ECG, and IVUS dynamic images of an entire cardiac cycle are acquired at each step. We performed 3D-R of IVUS images of stents using this new device in six patients with Palmaz-Schatz coronary stent implantation. We obtained precise 3D images in all cases, and stent structure was visualized in detail. In conclusion, use of an ECG-gated pull-back device enables precise 3D-R of IVUS images and provides useful information on the coronary artery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Two major human allergenic sites on ragweed pollen allergen antigen E identified by using monoclonal antibodies.
Murine monoclonal antibodies specific for antigen E (AgE), the major allergen isolated from short ragweed pollen, have been produced and characterized. These monoclonal antibodies, when coupled to Sepharose and used as immunoadsorbents, specifically bound AgE when a crude pollen extract was passed through the column. Three antigenic sites (A, B, and C) on AgE were identified by using five of these monoclonal antibodies in both inhibition and double-bind solid-phase ELISA. These three antigenic sites appear to be nonoverlapping and nonrepeated, that is, present only once on each AgE molecule. Site C on AgE could readily be bound by the monoclonal antibody specific for that site, but only when AgE was in solution or "presented" by an anti-site A or anti-site B antibody. Site C appears to be only marginally available for binding when AgE is directly adsorbed to polyvinyl chloride microtiter wells. The majority of monoclonal antibodies isolated after immunization of BALB/c mice were specific for site A on AgE. In addition, the binding to AgE of pooled BALB/c polyclonal, hyperimmune antisera against AgE was blocked approximately 80% by a monoclonal antibody directed against site A, but was only blocked approximately 20% by an anti-site B monoclonal antibody. This suggests that site A on AgE is the predominant antigenic site in the BALB/c immune response and that site B represents a less dominant site. The binding of IgE in pooled human serum from ragweed-allergic individuals is blocked approximately 50% by a monoclonal antibody directed to site A on AgE and also approximately 50% by a monoclonal antibody directed against site B. A series of individual human short ragweed allergic antisera also showed significant, although varied, inhibition of IgE binding to AgE by both anti-site A and anti-site B monoclonal antibodies. Simultaneous addition of anti-site A and anti-site B was somewhat additive and inhibited up to 80% of the binding of human IgE specific for AgE. The conclusion from these data is that site A and site B defined by two murine monoclonal antibodies represent two very major allergenic sites in the human response to this molecule. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cracking in films of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with varying interaction strength.
We present an experimental investigation into how altering the inter-particle potential between colloids affects the cracking of a ca. 100 μm film deposited on a hard substrate. The colloidal material used was titanium dioxide (r ≈ 30 nm) in an aqueous solvent with interaction strength being adjusted through alteration of the pH away from the isoelectric point. Stable suspensions were observed to form as surface charging increased. Drop casting was used to demonstrate the flow properties of the suspensions; doctor-bladed strips of suspension were subsequently imaged to capture the drying dynamics. Alteration of the pH between 3 and 4 resulted in significant changes in cracking patterns, with the normalised crack domain area α=√A/h increasing for unstable suspensions (pH 4) and the appearance of order in the initial crack pattern for stable suspensions (pH 3). These results can be unified in terms of the barrier to nucleate a new crack. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Co-occurrence of mobile genetic elements and antibiotic resistance genes in municipal solid waste landfill leachates: A preliminary insight into the role of landfill age.
Since municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill harbours miscellaneous wastes, pollutants and microorganisms, it gradually becomes a huge potential reservoir for breeding antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and diversity of ARGs associated with various mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in MSW landfill leachates. The relationship of ARGs with leachate characteristics was also studied to explore the influence of landfill age. Seven sulfonamides (sulfapyridine, sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine and sulfaquinoxaline), three encoded ARGs (sul-I, sul-II and sul-III) and four types of MGEs (plasmids, transposons, integrons and insertion sequences) were quantified in leachates with landfill ages ranging from 3 months-6 years. ARGs increased to an absolute concentration of 106 copies/μL and were positively correlated (p < 0.05) to MGEs. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were also discovered among ARGs and the increasing humic acids, heavy metals (Zn, Cu and Co) and antibiotics (except for sulfathiazole and sulfaquinoxaline), implying landfilling might contribute to the enrichment of ARGs in the long-term. Non-target full scans revealed the role of persistent unknown compounds in stimulating the ARGs dissemination. Overall, this study demonstrates the exacerbation of ARGs pollution in landfill environment and a detailed delineation of the complex inter-relationships between ARGs and the substances harbouring in landfills is badly required. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Strategic options in capital budgeting and program selection under fee-for-service and managed care.
Many assets and projects provide value to organizations in excess of the direct and indirect cash flows that they generate. Under pure capitation, the link between individual investment decisions and future cash flows is completely severed. Including the value of strategic options enhances the usefulness of the capital budgeting process for health care organizations and provides a means of adapting that process to managed care settings. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Calcium ion requirement for rabbit spermatozoal capacitation and enhancement of fertilizing ability by ionophore A23187 and cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate.
The presence of extracellular calcium is required for the in vitro occurrence of rabbit spermatozoal capacitation. However, calcium itself was found to be an inefficient agent for capacitating rabbit spermatozoa (following insemination with spermatozoa incubated for 10 hours in the presence of 2.5 X 10(-3) M calcium, only 9% of the ova cleaved). The addition of the divalent ionophore A23187 induced the early occurrence of capacitation and increased the percentage of full capacitated spermatozoa in a concentration-dependent manner (i.e, following insemination with spermatozoa incubated for 4 hours in the presence of 2.5 X 10(-3) M calcium and 2 X 10(-5) M A23187, 44% of the ova cleaved). Physiologic levels of capacitation were attained as estimated by the high proportion of ova that cleaved following in vitro insemination, when dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (10(-6) m) was added in the presence of calcium (2.5 X 10(-3) M) and A23187 (2 X 10(-5) M) for treatment of spermatozoa. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cytological changes and DNA and protein synthesis in parthenogenetically activated sea urchin eggs.
The present study deals with cytological observations, DNA and protein synthesis in artificially activated sea urchin eggs. The eggs were activated by means of Loeb's double treatment with butyric acid and hypertonic sea water. Most of the eggs ofHemicentrotus pulcherrimus divided when the chromosomes duplicated after formation of the first monaster and other eggs divided at a later cell cycle. In the eggs ofTemnopleurus toreumaticus, however, haploid division at the first cell cycle was observed predominantly.Activated eggs that were treated for 25 min with hypertonic sea water showed a marked uptake of3H-thymidine during the two periods of 30-40 min and 90-100 min after the double treatment. These periodic changes in the3H-thymidine uptake paralleled morphological changes within the nucleus. However, these periods of increased uptake were not observed in the eggs treated with hypertonic sea water for 60 min. During exposure to hypertonic sea water, the3H-thymidine-uptake by eggs activated with butyric acid decreased gradually. When the uptake of14C-valine by eggs was measured, a very low level was seen in unfertilized eggs. The level of uptake increased strikingly when the eggs were activated with butyric acid but was suppressed by the hypertonic treatment. However, removal of the eggs to sea water allowed the uptake to return to the former high level. This pattern suggests that the hypertonic treatment has an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of protein (or enzymes) which obstruct cleavage induction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Eplingiella fruticosa (Lamiaceae) essential oil complexed with β-cyclodextrin improves its anti-hyperalgesic effect in a chronic widespread non-inflammatory muscle pain animal model.
Eplingiella fruticosa (Lamiaceae), formally known as Hyptis fruticosa, is an important aromatic medicinal herb used in folk medicine in northeastern Brazil. We aimed to evaluate the anti-hyperalgesic effect of essential oil obtained from E. fruticosa (HypEO) complexed with βCD (HypEO-βCD) in a chronic widespread non-inflammatory muscle pain animal model (a mice fibromyalgia-like model, FM). The HypEO was extracted by hydro distillation and its chemical composition was determined by GC-MS/FID. Moreover, Fos protein expression in the spinal cord was assessed by immunofluorescence. (E)-caryophyllene, bicyclogermacrene, 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, β-pinene and 21 other compounds were identified in the HypEO. The treatment with HypEO-βCD produced a longer-lasting anti-hyperalgesic effect compared to HypEO, without alterations in motor coordination or myorelaxant effects. Moreover, HypEO and HypEO-βCD produced a significant anti-hyperalgesic effect over 7 consecutive treatment days. Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated a decrease in Fos protein expression in the spinal cord (p < 0.001). We demonstrated that the anti-hyperalgesic effect produced by HypEO was improved after complexation with β-CD and this seems to be related to the central pain-inhibitory pathway, suggesting the possible use of E. fruticosa for chronic pain management. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison of growth and lipid composition in the green abalone, Haliotis fulgens, provided specific macroalgal diets.
Lipid composition of abalone was examined over a one-year interval. A feeding trial was designed to cover a full reproductive cycle in young adult green abalone, Haliotis fulgens, consisting of five diet treatments: the macrophytic algal phaeophyte Egregia menziesii, rhodophyte Chondracanthus canaliculatus, chlorophyte Ulva lobata, a composite of the three algae and a starvation control. The lipid class, fatty acid, sterol and 1-O-alkyl glyceryl ether profiles were determined for foot, hepatopancreas/gonad tissues and larvae. The major fatty acids were 16:0, 18:0, 18:1(n-7)c, 18:1(n-9)c, 20:4(n-6), 20:5(n-3) and 22:5(n-3), as well as 14:0 for abalone fed brown and red algae. 4,8,12-Trimethyltridecanoic acid, derived from algae, was detected for the first time in H. fulgens (hepatopancreas complex, 1.2-13.9%; larvae, 0.5% of total fatty acids). Diacylglyceryl ethers were present in larvae (0.6% of total lipid). The major 1-O-alkyl glycerols were 16:0, 16:1 and 18:0. Additionally, 18:1(n-9) was a major component in hepatopancreas/gonad and larvae. The major sterol was cholesterol (96-100% of total sterols). Highest growth rates were linked to temperature and occurred in abalone fed the phaeophyte E. menziesii (43 microm.day(-1), 56 mg.day(-1) yearly mean), an alga containing the highest levels of C(20) polyunsaturated fatty acids and the highest ratio of 20:4(n-6) to 20:5(n-3). This study provides evidence of the influence of diet and temperature on seasonal changes in abalone lipid profiles, where diet is most strongly related to body mass and temperature to shell length. The allocation of lipids to specific tissues in green abalone clarifies their lipid metabolism. These results provide a basis for improving nutrition of abalone in mariculture through formulation of artificial feeds. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cytochemical localization of peroxidase activity in normal, proliferating and neoplastic thyroid tissues of rats. An ultrastructural study.
In the control animals of thyroid peroxidase is localized within the membrane of rough endoplasmic reticulum, perinuclear cisternae, microvilli, lamellar structures of the GOLGI apparatus and dispersed through the cytoplasm small vesicles. 3 weeks treatment of the animals with MTU leads to disappearance of the peroxidase activity from the follicular cells. However, a prolongation of MTU administration until the 6th month and latter causes a reappearance of the peroxidase activity within the same structures of the proliferating cells as in the control animals. In the epithelial cells of follicular and papillary carcinomas the reaction product is observed predominantly within the membrane of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, perinuclear space and outher membrane of the microvilli. The changes in the inhibitory effect of MTU on the peroxidase activity during thyroid carcinogenesis are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Using external memory aids to increase room finding by older adults with dementia.
When nursing home residents with dementia are unable to locate their own rooms, it often creates problems for staff and other residents. The impact of placing two external memory aids outside participants' bedrooms was evaluated by using a multiple-baseline design experiment. Three female special care unit (SCU) residents with severe Alzheimer's disease (MMSE = 5.7) participated in the study. Results showed that a combination of a portrait-type photograph of the participant as a young adult and a sign stating the resident's name increased room finding by over 50 percent with all three participants. Room finding stabilized at 100 percent accuracy for all participants within a few days of implementing the environmental intervention. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Yeast species involved in artisanal cachaça fermentation in three stills with different technological levels in Pernambuco, Brazil.
Both the taste and aroma of cachaça, an alcoholic beverage produced by yeast fermentation of sugar cane, are influenced by yeast metabolites and volatiles. The knowledge of yeast population dynamics during the fermentation process will help to establish the basis for quality control of alcoholic beverage. In the present work, the population dynamics of three fermentation processes, with differing levels of technological sophistication, were studied. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found to be the dominant species, but Candida milleri (Candida humilis), Pichia caribbica, Pichia guilliermondii and Zygosaccharomyces fermentati (Lachancea fermentati) were also significantly involved. In addition, four new yeast species that are not represented in NCBI/EMBL nucleotide database were found. These yeasts were classified as Candida sp., Candida drosophilae-like, Candida ubatubensis-like and Zygosaccharomyces sp. In fermentation trails at laboratory scale, all species were found to contribute to the production of volatiles. Thus it is probable that product quality is strongly dependent on population dynamics during the fermentation process. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Caudate nucleus volume asymmetry predicts attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology in children.
Clinical diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is based on evaluation of behavioral functioning in three domains: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Caudate and frontal lobe function figures prominently in several neuroanatomic models of attentional functioning. Studies comparing children with and without ADHD have found differences in the size and symmetry of the caudate nuclei. Using multiple regression, we tested the hypothesis that caudate volume symmetry (log left minus log right caudate volume) measured from serial sagittal magnetic resonance images in a sample of nonreferred children (12 girls/15 boys, 7.0 to 16.6 years, 81 to 129 IQ) would predict the cumulative severity of parent-reported ADHD diagnostic behaviors beyond variance predicted by age, sex, and level of internalizing problems as measured by the Child Behavior Checklist. No child had been previously diagnosed with ADHD, although one child was found to meet diagnostic criteria based on the rating scale used for the study. The degree of caudate asymmetry significantly predicted cumulative severity ratings of inattentive behaviors (P = .015), uniquely accounting for 17.1% of the variance in inattention symptomatology over demographic variables and internalizing problems, which collectively predicted 28.9% of the variance. Caudate asymmetry uniquely accounted for only 4.3% of the variance in cumulative severity ratings of hyperactive/impulsive symptomatology over demographic variables and internalizing problems that collectively predicted 21.2% of the variance. A greater degree of right to left caudate volume asymmetry predicted subclinical inattentive behaviors in a sample of nonreferred children. This finding is congruent with neuroanatomic models of attention emphasizing lateralized alteration in prefrontal/striatal systems. The results support the view that clinical ADHD is the extreme of a behavioral continuum that extends into the normal population. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of acute exposure to aluminum on cognition in humans.
There is epidemiological evidence suggesting an association between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and between aluminum in dialysate and dialysis dementia. The exact role of aluminum in the pathogenesis of these and other dementias is not clear. This study examined the acute effects of aluminum on cognitive function in patients with AD and related dementias and in age-matched and younger volunteers with normal cognitive function. Whether individuals with AD and/or the APOE epsilon4 genotype had enhanced gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum was tested, and whether individuals with elevated blood aluminum concentrations exhibited acute cognitive effects was determined. Subjects were randomized to receive a single dose of aluminum orally (Amphojel plus citrate) for 3 d followed by a 3-wk washout, and then 3 d of matched placebo administration, or vice versa. Serum aluminum levels were measured and the daily dose of Amphojel was adjusted to a target aluminum level between 50 and 150 microg/L. Neuropsychological tests were administered at baseline and 90 min after the third dose of Amphojel or placebo. There was a large interindividual variation in aluminum serum levels in all study groups after the same initial dose of Amphojel. There were no significant differences in neuropsychological test scores after aluminum ingestion in normal volunteers or in patients with cognitive impairment. There was no association between APOE epsilon4 genotype and aluminum absorption. The results did not support the hypothesis that aluminum ingested at these doses produces acute effects on cognition or adverse effects, nor did they reveal that AD patients are more vulnerable to such outcomes. Further inquiry is required to explore any possible association between aluminum and cognition, but controlled trials may be limited by safety concerns. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chimeric viral vectors--the best of both worlds?
Gene therapy to correct defective genes requires efficient gene delivery and long-term gene expression. The vector systems currently available have not allowed the simultaneous provision of both of these goals. Several groups are now developing chimeric viral vector systems that incorporate the favorable attributes of two different viral vectors. These chimeric vectors might allow the goals for specific gene therapy applications to be realized. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Measurement of NK activity by the microcytotoxicity assay (MCA): a new application for an old assay.
Natural killer (NK) cells are spontaneously cytotoxic immune effector cells with the ability to selectively destroy tumor cells without harming normal cells. To perform this function, NK cells utilize two main cytotoxicity pathways, the well known perforin/granzyme-mediated secretory/necrotic killing and the recently defined TNF family ligand-mediated non-secretory/apoptotic killing. The former mechanism is manifested mainly against a few cultured leukemia cell targets, while the latter mediates killing against a large variety of tumor cell targets. Therefore, the biological role and significance of these mechanisms might be different. The NK cell-mediated necrotic killing has been reliably and selectively measured in humans by the standard 4-h 51Cr release assay (CRA) against K562 myeloid leukemia cell targets. However, no standardized high throughput assay is available for testing the NK cell-mediated apoptotic killing. Here, we introduce the modified MCA as a convenient method for measuring perforin/granzyme-independent NK cell-mediated apoptotic killing. The assay is performed in microwells of Terasaki tissue culture microtest plates, using adherent tumor cell targets, which are selectively susceptible to non-secretory/apoptotic killing and resistant to secretory/necrotic killing mediated by NK cells. Target cells are plated in microwells and incubated overnight to adhere to the plastic surface and to regenerate cell surface-bound TNF family receptors. Following this adherence, target cells are co-incubated with freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMNL) or purified subpopulations of immune cells for 24 h in various effector/target (E/T) ratios. During this incubation, dead target cells become non-adherent and are removed by washing the wells. Remaining adherent (viable) target cells are fixed, stained and optically counted. A notable dose-dependent (peak at 200:1 E/T ratio), time-dependent (peak at 24 h of incubation) and donor-dependent killing of tumor cells was consistently and reproducibly induced by PBMNL of normal donors. Using purified subpopulations of immune cells, it was demonstrated that among PBMNL, CD3(-)CD56(+)CD16(+) mature NK cells are the only mediators of tumor cell killing in MCA, as well as in CRA. Comparative studies of NK activity detected by MCA and CRA, performed with PBMNL from normal individuals and breast cancer patients, showed no significant correlation between the cytotoxicities measured in the two assays. In addition, while NK activity measured in CRA was normal in most breast cancer patients, NK activity assessed in MCA was decreased in a large majority of the patients. Thus, MCA is a sensitive NK assay, which is biologically different from CRA, and may be clinically relevant. MCA has also a higher throughput, and is more practical and economical than CRA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cost-consequences evaluation between bivalent and quadrivalent HPV vaccines in Italy: the potential impact of different cross-protection profiles.
Two human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are currently available: a bivalent HPV-16/18 and a quadrivalent HPV-6/11/16/18 vaccine. The vaccines may have different sustained- and cross-protection levels against non-vaccine oncogenic HPV-types. This study investigated the potential difference in clinical and economic impacts provided by two HPV vaccines in Italy. A prevalence-based model estimated the potential net difference in HPV-related lesions (abnormal pap smear, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), cervical cancer (CC) and genital warts (GW)) and associated costs generated by the two vaccines. Incidence and treatment costs were obtained from Italian and European sources. Vaccine efficacy rates were based on published data for each vaccine. Lifetime vaccine efficacy was assumed. Results are reported over one year after reaching a steady state. Sensitivity analyses were performed on the lesion incidence, vaccine effectiveness, treatment costs and sustained protection. The bivalent vaccine would prevent an additional reduction of 7976 abnormal pap smears; 601 CIN1; 1826 CIN2/3 and 295 CC cases compared to the quadrivalent vaccine while 25,848 genital wart cases would be prevented by the quadrivalent vaccine. The additional cost averted with the bivalent vaccine was estimated at €2,385,354 per year compared to the quadrivalent vaccine. The most influential parameters were CC- and GW-related costs and the difference in sustained protection. Our model suggests that, in the Italian setting, the bivalent vaccine would prevent more precancerous and CC lesions than the quadrivalent vaccine. This translates into a greater cost averted for the bivalent vaccine, which could completely offset savings in GW-related costs associated with the quadrivalent vaccine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Adaptation and validation of the disruptive behaviour disorders teacher rating scale as a screening tool for early detection of disruptive behaviour disorders in schools in a lower-middle income setting.
Background Despite the need to curb the menace resulting from the negative trajectory of disruptive behaviour disorders (DBD) in societies of the world today, there is yet a dearth of locally standardised tools for the early detection of these disorders in Nigeria. This study was aimed at standardising the DBD teacher rating scale (DBD-TRS) to be culturally specific using teachers' ratings of their students. Objectives To establish norm scores for the three categories of DBD on the DBD-TRS, to evaluate the reliability, validity, predictive power, sensitivity and specificity of DBD-TRS items for identifying DBD symptoms amongst children/adolescents between the ages of 4 and 16 years. Methods A cross-sectional survey of the five divisions of Lagos was conducted using multi-stage sampling technique. A randomly selected sample of teachers from a selection of regular schools across the five divisions of Lagos retrospectively rated systematically selected samples of their students in absentia; by referring to the names in their class registers for the recently concluded school session. The DBD-TRS and the previously validated strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) were used for the ratings. Results Ratings were completed for 1508 children/adolescents by 197 teachers from 30 regular schools. The norm scores for the three categories of DBD were determined by gender, age, and grade/class. Satisfactory psychometric properties were established for the DBD rating scale. All DBD items had high negative predictive power and positive predictive power, high specificity, and low false positive rates. However, ADHD items had lower PPP (0.23-0.55). Conclusion The DBD rating scale demonstrated sufficient technical merits to be used as a preliminary tool for identifying children that may require further clinical evaluation by mental health experts for behavioural disorders. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
What is driving hospitals' patient-safety efforts?
The Institute of Medicine's report To Err Is Human described the alarming prevalence of medical errors and recommended a range of activities to improve patient safety. Three general mechanisms for stimulating hospitals to reduce medical errors are professionalism, regulation, and market forces. Although some believe that market forces are becoming more important, we found that a quasi-regulatory organization (the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) has been the primary driver of hospitals' patient-safety initiatives. Professional and market initiatives have also facilitated improvement, but hospitals report that these have had less impact to date. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lyme arthritis: oligoclonal anti-Borrelia burgdorferi IgG antibodies occur in joint fluid and serum.
The antibody response to Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi, and to measles virus as control antigen, was analysed by agarose isoelectric focusing (AIF) and immunoblot of joint fluid and serum from 10 patients with Lyme arthritis and 10 controls with rheumatoid arthritis. Among the Lyme arthritis patients, six had oligoclonal anti-B. burgdorferi IgG antibody bands in joint fluid and corresponding serum, one patient had oligoclonal antibody bands in joint fluid only and also an elevated B. burgdorferi-specific joint fluid to serum antibody ratio as evidence of intra-joint production of specific antibodies, and the remaining three patients were negative for oligoclonal-specific antibody bands. Absorption with B. burgdorferi antigen confirmed the specificity of the oligoclonal antibody bands. They comigrated only partially on AIF with oligoclonal bands of total IgG, and the specificity of most oligoclonal IgG in joint fluid and serum in Lyme arthritis remains undefined. Among the controls, no anti-B, burgdorferi IgG antibodies were detected by AIF and immunoblot. Instead, 9 of the 10 rheumatoid arthritis patients had oligoclonal anti-measles IgG antibody bands which were restricted to the joint fluid in three of them, indicating local production. We conclude that Lyme arthritis is often accompanied by an oligoclonal specific antibody response in joint fluid and serum simultaneously, and occasionally by intrasynovial synthesis of oligoclonal-specific antibodies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Validation of diagnoses according to psychiatric diagnostic manuals in follow-up studies, exemplified by affective and schizophrenic diseases].
The new international classification schedules ICD-10 and DSM-III-R were developed by committees of experts. These schedules need to be validated. One strategy is to conduct prospective long-term follow-up studies recruiting patients with a broad variety of syndromes diagnosed initially by previous and more recent classification schedules. Studies following this strategy are discussed and a new two-year follow-up study is presented. Several modifying psychosocial and treatment factors and methodological problems impose limitations on the interpretation of those studies with regard to the validity of applied classification schedules. Alternative validation strategies are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Noninvasive evaluation of the upper extremity.
Vascular problems of the arm and hand can be assessed by a number of noninvasive modalities that are chosen on the basis of the history and physical examination. For suspected upper-extremity ischemia, we begin with SLPs and velocity-waveform analysis. The former test will define the extent and approximate location of the disease process, and subjective assessment of the waveform will further determine the degree and location of occlusive disease. When digital ischemia is suspected, the Doppler examination combined with intermittent compression of the radial and ulnar arteries is valuable for defining the variable arterial anatomy of the hand and the patency of the common and proper digital arteries. The extent of distal ischemia can be assessed by digital pressures. Duplex scanning has been found to be of value in determining the source of upper-extremity micro-emboli, in imaging suspected aneurysmal changes, and for evaluating arteriovenous fistulae and bypass grafts. Cold testing is used to confirm the diagnosis of Raynaud's disease after excluding proximal occlusive disease. When symptoms suggest intermittent arterial obstruction, arterial compression at the thoracic outlet is assessed by monitoring the arterial waveform during a series of maneuvers that change the anatomy of the outlet. Although a combination of IPG and venous Doppler examination accurately identifies venous occlusion, we routinely use duplex scanning in this setting. In addition to providing both anatomic and hemodynamic information about the subclavian vein, the jugular vein and the junction of the innominate vein can also be studied. Because of its ability to image in a coronal plane, MRI scanning is another nonivasive study that we have found useful for evaluation of venous anatomy and patency of the subclavian, jugular, and innominate veins. Venous thrombosis, often the first manifestation of subclavian vein compression at the thoracic inlet, is best evaluated using duplex scanning. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Percutaneous vertebroplasty: indications, contraindications, and technique.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an emerging interventional technique in which surgical polymethylmethacrylate is injected via a large bore needle into a vertebral body under imaging guidance. This technique provides increased strength and pain relief in vertebrae weakened by a variety of bone diseases. The current indication for vertebroplasty is intractable non-radicular pain caused by compression fractures due to osteoporosis, myeloma, metastases and aggressive vertebral haemangioma. Contraindications include bleeding disorder, unstable fracture and lack of definable vertebral collapse. Our technique of percutaneous vertebroplasty is illustrated in this pictorial review. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
DNA methylation testing and marker validation using PCR: diagnostic applications.
DNA methylation provides a fundamental epigenetic mechanism to establish and promote cell-specific gene-expression patterns, which are inherited by subsequent cell generations. Thus, the epigenome determines the differentiation into a cell lineage but can also program cells to become abnormal or malignant. In humans, different germline and somatic diseases have been linked to faulty DNA methylation. In this article, we will discuss the available PCR-based technologies to assess differences in DNA methylation levels mainly affecting 5-methylcytosine in the CpG dinucleotide context in hereditary syndromal and somatic pathological conditions. We will discuss some of the current diagnostic applications and provide an outlook on how DNA methylation-based biomarkers might provide novel tools for diagnosis, prognosis or patient stratification for diseases such as cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prospective Randomized Study of Cyclophosphamide, Epirubicin, and 5-Fluorouracil versus Cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, and 5-Fluorouracil in Advanced or Recurrent Breast Cancer.
BACKGROUND: Treatment with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and 5-fluorouracil (CAF), a widely used, potent regimen is sometimes restricted by the myelotoxicityand myocardiotoxicity of adriamycin (ADR). In a prospective randomized controlled study of patients with advanced or recurrent breast cancer, the efficacy and toxicity of a CEF regimen, in which epirubicin (EPI) was substituted for ADR, was compared with CAF. METHODS: 138 female patients under 75 years of age who had unresectable or recurrent breast cancer during the period from October, 1989 to September, 1991, were randomized to one of two treatment regimens. The first regimen consisted of cyclophosphamide 100 mg p.o. d1-14, adriamycin 30 mg/m(2) i.v. d1, 8 and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m(2) i.v. d1, 8 (CAF). In the second regimen, EPI 30 mg/m(2) i.v. d1, 8was substituted for ADR (CEF). Both regimens were delivered q4 weeks. RESULTS: Of 138 patients, 105 (CEF 56, CAF 49) were evaluable for response and survival, and all were evaluable for toxicity (CEF 68, CAF 70). The median course of lots CEF and CAF was 3 cycles. Response rates (complete response plus partial response) with CEF and CAF were 35.7% (20/56) and 36.7% (18/49), respectively. Adverse effects were similar in the two groups, but severe leukopenia (CEF 36.8%, CAF 64.3%) and hepatic toxicity (CEF 1.5%, CAF 12.9%) were encountered more frequently with CAF than with CEF. The duration of 50% survival was 135.9 weeks for CEF and 172.1 weeks for CAF (not significant). CONCLUSION: At an equal dose of EPI and ADR response rates and survival of the CEF group were similar to those of the CAF group, but adverse effects were fewer in the CEF group. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparing the effectiveness of fractional CO2 laser and the combination therapy with micro-needling and topical 10% trichloroacetic acid to remove infra-orbital dark circles in Tehran women.
Infra orbital dark circles are now recognized as being a cosmetic problem that should be considered in treatment issue. The present study aimed to assess and compare the clinical efficiency of the combination of micro-needling and 10% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) cream as well as carbon dioxide laser in the management of infra-orbital dark circles. This randomized clinical trial was performed on women aged 28-62 years who complained of infra-orbital dark circles. The patients were randomly assigned to be treated with micro-needling combined with 10% TCA cream topically or CO2 laser. The treatment period in each group included three sessions with an interval of one month between sessions. The assessment was based on both subjective and objective methods. the mean of ΔE (the difference in the intensity of darkening at infra-orbital points and other points of the face) was significantly higher in the laser group than in the other group in all sessions. The patients who were treated with laser were found to have a higher level of satisfaction in the fifth visit when compared to those who received the other treatment method. Regarding clinical effectiveness and the patients' compliance, fractional CO2 laser was more preferred in the combination therapy with micro-needling and topical TCA for removing infra-orbital dark circles. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reasons for taking radiographs in general dental practice.
This survey investigated the reasons why general dental practitioners take radiographs. 179 (54%) dentists responded and provided information for 2359 patients who were radiographed during a specified week. Of those patients aged less than 15 yr, 62% were radiographed primarily for orthodontic purposes and 22% for caries. In older age groups, caries was the predominant reason for taking radiographs but endodontic assessment assumed increasing importance with age and accounted for 37% of radiographs in patients aged more than 45 yr. Only 8% of patients were radiographed for periodontal reasons. These findings are discussed with respect to the changing pattern of disease and treatment provided in general dental practice. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Deleterious effects of lard-enriched diet on tissues fatty acids composition and hypothalamic insulin actions.
Altered tissue fatty acid (FA) composition may affect mechanisms involved in the control of energy homeostasis, including central insulin actions. In rats fed either standard chow or a lard-enriched chow (high in saturated/low in polyunsaturated FA, HS-LP) for eight weeks, we examined the FA composition of blood, hypothalamus, liver, and retroperitoneal, epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissues. Insulin-induced hypophagia and hypothalamic signaling were evaluated after intracerebroventricular insulin injection. HS-LP feeding increased saturated FA content in adipose tissues and serum while it decreased polyunsaturated FA content of adipose tissues, serum, and liver. Hypothalamic C20:5n-3 and C20:3n-6 contents increased while monounsaturated FA content decreased. HS-LP rats showed hyperglycemia, impaired insulin-induced hypophagia and hypothalamic insulin signaling. The results showed that, upon HS-LP feeding, peripheral tissues underwent potentially deleterious alterations in their FA composition, whist the hypothalamus was relatively preserved. However, hypothalamic insulin signaling and hypophagia were drastically impaired. These findings suggest that impairment of hypothalamic insulin actions by HS-LP feeding was not related to tissue FA composition. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fatalities and personal injuries from the use of ATVs and snowmobiles in Northern Norway in 2013-14.
Previous studies have shown a high occurrence of injuries and deaths related to the use of snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles in Northern Norway. No public statistics are available to permit monitoring of these findings over time. The objective of our study was to provide new figures for the prevalence of injuries and deaths from the use of snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles, and assess the consistency between different sources of data. Information on registered deaths and personal injuries requiring hospitalisation in Northern Norway in the period 1 January 2013-31 December 2014 was collected from the police and hospitals. We also searched through open online sources. We found 7 deaths and 87 personal injuries requiring hospitalisation: 13 incidents with ATVs and 81 involving snowmobiles. Median age was 31.5 years, and 41 (44 %) victims were below 30 years of age. All the fatalities and 66 (76 %) of those injured were men. Altogether 42 (45 %) of the incidents had occurred in Finnmark county. Of the seven fatalities, the police found six in their records and the hospitals found two. In searching through open online sources we found one further ATV-related and three snowmobile-related fatalities in the same region and period. No reliable records of fatalities and personal injuries resulting from the use of snowmobiles and ATVs are available. The findings of this study may serve as a reference point for preventive efforts by the police and health services and for purposes of further study. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
"Well if he could see me now": the facilitators and barriers to the promotion of instrumental independence following spousal bereavement.
Older widows face challenges regarding domestic instrumental tasks and independence. We asked 21 British widows about traditional male tasks, pre- and postbereavement. We focus on 3 aspects. First, what changes occurred in instrumental independence following bereavement? A typology of 4 was identified comprising: dependent/independent; dependent/dependent; independent/independent; independent/dependent. Second, what was the nature of independence? Third, what factors promoted or hindered independence? These included familial factors, both as aids and barriers, financial security as an aid, and health as a barrier. The results highlight how successfully widows manage instrumental tasks and how their independence could be enhanced. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vaccination of pregnant sows against transmissible gastroenteritis with two attenuated virus strains and different inoculation routes.
Summary Two attenuated transmissible gastro-enteritis (T. G. E.) virus strains were used for vaccination experiments in sows. Four different experiments were carried out (see Table 1). In each experiment, 9 sows were vaccinated during pregnancy and 3 sows served as controls. They were kept together in one farrowing house. The sows were due to farrow at about the same time. The sows and their litters were challenged shortly after farrowing by exposing 3 piglets of 2 control litters to virulent TGE virus. The following vaccination schedules were used (see Table 1): twice intramuscularly with TGE-vac (a commercially available TGE-vaccine), one oral administration followed by an intramuscular vaccination with an attenuated TGE Purdue (Pu) strain, twice orally with Pu strain in enteric coated capsules, and one direct intra intestinal administration followed by 2 intramuscular vaccinations or 3 intramuscular vaccinations with the Pu strain. All sows, except most of those treated with enteric coated capsules, seroconverted demonstrably (Table 2). The geometric mean seroneutralization (SN) titer log 2 varied from 4.1 to 7.5 after the first vaccination and from 7.6 to 10 after the second vaccination. None of the vaccination schedules resulted in an effective lactogenic immunity. The morbidity in the piglets was 100% within 3 to 5 days after challenge. The mortality rate varied from 44 to 80% in litters from vaccinated sows and from 71 to 100% in litters from control sows (see Table 3). Clinical signs were observed in 33,3% of the control sows and in 36% of the vaccinated sows. No correlation was found between the titer of SN antibodies in the sera of the piglets and their survival rate (Table 4). A rapid decrease in antibody concentration was observed, during the first week of lactation in milk samples collected from 4 orally and intramuscularly vaccinated sows (Table 5). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantification of anti-lipid A antibody. Enhancement of sensitivity by antigen immobilization at low pH.
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantitate anti-lipid A antibodies in sera has been developed. The sensitivity of the ELISA was improved when the antigen (lipid A) was immobilized at pH 2.0, presumably by enhanced solid-phase adsorption of lipid A which is presumed to be aggregated at low pH. This was also verified by solid-phase immunoradiometry in which a four-fold improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio was observed when antigen coating was performed at pH 2.0 as compared to coating at pH 9.6. The enhanced sensitivity permitted the use of low concentrations of lipid A (10 micrograms/ml) for antigen coating of microtiter plates. The assay was able to clearly detect differences in IgG anti-lipid A levels between patients with chronic liver disease and normal controls. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The pharmacology of epanolol (ICI 141292)--a new beta 1-selective adrenoceptor partial agonist.
The clinical benefit of beta-adrenoceptor partial agonists is still debated. To clarify the situation, epanolol, ICI 141,292 [N-[-2-(3-o-cyanophenoxy-2-hydroxypropylamino)ethyl]-4- hydroxyphenylactamide], has been developed to assess the role of modest beta-adrenoceptor partial agonist activity in humans. Animal studies have shown that epanolol is a potent beta-adrenoceptor partial agonist with a greater affinity for beta 1- than beta 2-adrenoceptors. In vitro, the PA2 values obtained for espanolol at atrial and tracheal beta-adrenoceptors were 8.42 and 6.33, respectively (isoproterenol as agonist), giving a selectivity ratio of 123. The potency was studied in vivo in the dog, where it was also shown that as an antagonist at the cardiac beta 1-adrenoceptor, it was 18 and 40 times more potent than atenolol and practolol, respectively. Espanolol has less partial agonist activity in the rat than pindolol, but more than practolol. In this species, it is also a classical partial agonist, exhibiting agonist activity at all beta-adrenoceptor blocking doses. This is in contrast to pindolol, which caused predominantly beta-adrenoceptor blockade at low doses and partial agonist activity at higher doses. These differences were confirmed in haemodynamic studies in the dog. In contrast to many other partial agonists, the partition coefficient, log P, of epanolol in octanol and water is low (0.92). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The apoplastic pH and its significance in adaptation to salinity in maize (Zea mays L.): Comparison of fluorescence microscopy and pH-sensitive microelectrodes.
The apoplastic ionic milieu contains essential determinants for cell expansion and plant growth. Since pH is a multifunctional basic component of this extracellular space, the knowledge of its behaviour during stress situations is of major importance. In detached leaves of maize (Zea mays L. cvs. Pioneer 3906 and SR 03) the effect of salinity on apoplastic pH was measured to investigate its adaptive role to salt stress applying two different methods: an optical approach using pH-sensitive fluorescent dyes (fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC), fluorescein tetramethylrhodamine-dextran (FTMR) and Oregon Green(®) 488), and an electrophysiological technique, pH-sensitive microelectrodes. Both approaches yielded similar results. In the presence of 100mM NaCl, which was added to the growth medium, apoplastic pH of the salt-sensitive maize genotype Pioneer 3906 leaves increased in maximum by 0.4 units (pH microelectrodes) and by 0.3 units (fluorescent dyes); the salt-resistant SR 03 hardly responded. The same treatment reduced leaf growth by 60% in Pioneer 3906, but only by 40% in SR 03. Since according to acid growth considerations apoplastic pH is an important factor in elongation growth, we suggest that this pH increase is a main cause for reduced leaf growth under salt stress conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Histologic grading of malignancy and prognosis in laryngeal neoplasms].
The semi-quantitative grading system for squamous cell carcinoma based on estimation of multiple histologic variables according to Jakobsson is presented. Selected histologic parameters have been also evaluated regarding their importance in predicting patient outcome. Features such as differentiation of the tumor cells, their nuclear polymorphism, number of mitoses and vascular invasion significantly correlated with clinical outcome. The structure of the tumor and cellular host response had no influence on survival. There was statistically significant relationship between the patient outcome and histologic grade of malignancy expressed by total point value. The incidence of cervical node and distant metastases was three times more frequent in the group of poorly differentiated tumors than in others. There was no correlation found between the localization of the tumor and the degree of cancer differentiation, but the supraglottic tumors poorly and moderately differentiated infiltrated towards the glottis more often then highly differentiated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Accurate identification of Anopheles gambiae Giles trophic preferences by MALDI-TOF MS.
The determination of the trophic preferences of the Anopheles gambiae Giles (Diptera: Culicidae) is a decisive parameter for the monitoring and the prevention of malaria risk transmission. Currently, arthropod blood feeding sources are identified using immunological or molecular biology traditional techniques. Despite the effectiveness of these methods, they present several limitations, and notably, they are time-consuming and costly techniques. A recent study demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS could be a useful tool for the identification of blood meal origins in freshly engorged mosquitoes. However, the limited number of blood vertebrate species tested to date, did not allow an assessment of the efficiency of MALDI-TOF MS in distinguishing blood MS spectra among close host species, such as humans versus primates. Therefore, in the present study, blood from ten distinct vertebrate host species, including four domestic species, four wild species, and two primates, was selected to control the reliability of MALDI-TOF MS based identification. Host blood species-specific MS profiles, up to 24h post-feeding in engorged Anopheles abdomens, were confirmed. Blind tests underlined the high specificity of MS spectra for the recognition of each host species, preventing misidentification. Nevertheless, an accurate analysis of the results from MS spectra queried against the MS database revealed that the reliability of identification is directly linked to the comprehensiveness of the MS reference database. Finally, the rapidity, the low-cost reagents, the simplicity of data analysis, and the accuracy of the tool for blood origin determination, make this proteomic strategy a promising complementary method for the elucidation of host/vector interactions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Estimation of position and velocity for a low dynamic vehicle in near space using nonresolved photometric and astrometric data.
An estimation method for indirectly observable parameters for a typical low dynamic vehicle (LDV) is presented. The estimation method utilizes apparent magnitude, azimuth angle, and elevation angle to estimate the position and velocity of a typical LDV, such as a high altitude balloon (HAB). In order to validate the accuracy of the estimated parameters gained from an unscented Kalman filter, two sets of experiments are carried out to obtain the nonresolved photometric and astrometric data. In the experiments, a HAB launch is planned; models of the HAB dynamics and kinematics and observation models are built to use as time update and measurement update functions, respectively. When the HAB is launched, a ground-based optoelectronic detector is used to capture the object images, which are processed using aperture photometry technology to obtain the time-varying apparent magnitude of the HAB. Two sets of actual and estimated parameters are given to clearly indicate the parameter differences. Two sets of errors between the actual and estimated parameters are also given to show how the estimated position and velocity differ with respect to the observation time. The similar distribution curve results from the two scenarios, which agree within 3σ, verify that nonresolved photometric and astrometric data can be used to estimate the indirectly observable state parameters (position and velocity) for a typical LDV. This technique can be applied to small and dim space objects in the future. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Does delivery matter? Users' perceptions of the significance of trust in the delivery of the Personal Advisor Service in the New Deal for Disabled Persons.
In the context of welfare pluralism where government in the UK has been contracting a number of public services out to a range of private and voluntary sector organisations, the aim of this study is to explore the extent to which decisions to become involved in employment support programmes are affected by the users' perceptions of those delivering the service. A qualitative design involving two focus groups of fourteen participants was employed to examine the attitudes and perceptions of participants in the government's New Deal for Disabled Persons. The study sample was purposefully selected from client records of Shaw Trust a national charity for disabled persons, one of the organisations who have been contracted by the government to provide this service. Two distinct but related themes of disillusionment with the government and the importance of trust emerged from the focus groups. Overall, the data suggests that the identity of those delivering the service significantly influences the decision to participate. As Shaw Trust is a voluntary organisation promoting the rights of disabled persons they were deemed to be trustworthy. The users were sceptical about the government's commitment to improving the lives of disabled people and were reluctant to engage with the state. Making the transition from dependency on disability benefits to paid employment is a quantum leap. For many the decision to put themselves forward for voluntary support schemes is affected by the extent to which they believe they can trust the agency delivering the service. It is imperative that the government listen to the service users who have been involved in these projects and learn from their experiences. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Disinfection: gaps between recommended and actual practice.
Basic practices on disinfection was surveyed in 6 hospitals using an observation and interview checklist. Two surveys were done, one pre-(first survey) and one post-intervention (second survey). The disinfection and sterilization policy of the Ministry of Health was not available in 66 (70.2%) and 12 (13%) of the units in the first and second survey respectively. In the second survey, staff in all the units washed disinfectant containers before refilling compared with 41.5% of the units in the first survey. Dilution of disinfectants not recommended was found to be used in the first survey. Storing cleaned and sterile items in disinfectants, using disinfectant as a substitute for sterilization of autoclavable items and not decontaminating spillages were some of the wrong practices observed. Considerable improvements were made in the second survey. Improper usage of disinfectants was also indicated by failure of the in-use test. Rate of failure of disinfectants in-use decreased from 11.6% in the first survey to 5.0% in the second survey. To ensure proper disinfection practices, a comprehensive training program on disinfection is required for nurses and attendants. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The insecticidal spider toxin SFI1 is a knottin peptide that blocks the pore of insect voltage-gated sodium channels via a large β-hairpin loop.
Spider venoms contain a plethora of insecticidal peptides that act on neuronal ion channels and receptors. Because of their high specificity, potency and stability, these peptides have attracted much attention as potential environmentally friendly insecticides. Although many insecticidal spider venom peptides have been isolated, the molecular target, mode of action and structure of only a small minority have been explored. Sf1a, a 46-residue peptide isolated from the venom of the tube-web spider Segesteria florentina, is insecticidal to a wide range of insects, but nontoxic to vertebrates. In order to investigate its structure and mode of action, we developed an efficient bacterial expression system for the production of Sf1a. We determined a high-resolution solution structure of Sf1a using multidimensional 3D/4D NMR spectroscopy. This revealed that Sf1a is a knottin peptide with an unusually large β-hairpin loop that accounts for a third of the peptide length. This loop is delimited by a fourth disulfide bond that is not commonly found in knottin peptides. We showed, through mutagenesis, that this large loop is functionally critical for insecticidal activity. Sf1a was further shown to be a selective inhibitor of insect voltage-gated sodium channels, consistent with its 'depressant' paralytic phenotype in insects. However, in contrast to the majority of spider-derived sodium channel toxins that function as gating modifiers via interaction with one or more of the voltage-sensor domains, Sf1a appears to act as a pore blocker. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The metabolome: A key measure for exposome research in epidemiology.
Application of omics to study human health has created a new era of opportunities for epidemiology research. However, approaches to characterize exogenous health triggers have largely not leveraged advances in analytical platforms and big data. In this review, we highlight the exposome, which is defined as the cumulative measure of exposure and biological responses across a lifetime as a cornerstone for new epidemiology approaches to study complex and preventable human diseases. While no universal approach exists to measure the entirety of the exposome, use of high-resolution mass spectrometry methods provide distinct advantages over traditional biomonitoring and have provided key advances necessary for exposome research. Application to different study designs and recommendations for combining exposome data with novel data analytic frameworks to study complex interactions of multiple stressors are also discussed. Even though challenges still need to be addressed, advances in methods to characterize the exposome provide exciting new opportunities for epidemiology to support fundamental discoveries to improve public health. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synovial chondrometaplasia. A case report.
Synovial chondrometaplasia is an uncommon benign lesion most commonly affecting males in the 20 to 60 age range. The youngest heretofore reported patient is 14 years of age. In a male patient of 7 years, 2 months, with a bone age of 5 years with left elbow involvement, there was no history of antecedent trauma. The presenting complaint was enlargement of the elbow with limitation of motion. At surgery 54 osteocartilaginous bodies were removed, some of which were still covered with synovium. Eighteen months following an anterior synovectomy, there was 5 degrees to 128 degrees of pain-free elbow flexion and full painless forearm pronation and supination with no recurrence of the disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Self-consistent field theory of multiply branched block copolymer melts.
We present a numerical algorithm to evaluate the self-consistent field theory for melts composed of block copolymers with multiply branched architecture. We present results for the case of branched copolymers with doubly functional groups for multiple-branching generations. We discuss the stability of the cubic phase of spherical micelles, the A15 phase, as a consequence of the tendency of the AB interfaces to conform to the polyhedral environment of the Voronoi cell of the micelle lattice. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Alteration of zidovudine pharmacokinetics by probenecid in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex.
The anti-human immunodeficiency virus drug zidovudine is metabolized extensively in human beings to the 5'-glucuronide (GAZT) and is cleared rapidly, resulting in a short half-life and the need for frequent dosing. This study explores whether probenecid, which is also metabolized by glucuronidation, reduces zidovudine clearance when zidovudine is administered orally to patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC). The mean zidovudine plasma levels were significantly higher after concurrent administration of probenecid than in its absence, resulting in a twofold increase in the mean AUC, a corresponding decline in the apparent total clearance, and a prolongation in the mean half-life. Similar alterations were observed in GAZT disposition. There was a marked reduction in the urinary excretion ratio of GAZT to zidovudine and a decline in the renal clearance of GAZT after probenecid coadministration. Probenecid inhibits zidovudine glucuronidation and renal excretion of GAZT. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Towards a vaccine for rheumatic fever: identification of a conserved target epitope on M protein of group A streptococci.
Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease remain very common in developing countries, and a vaccine to protect against these disorders would have a great impact on public health. A vaccine must target the M protein of group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes), but until lately immunity was thought to be strain-specific and dependent on antibodies to the variable serotype-specific regions of the protein. Experiments in animals have suggested the conserved region of the M protein as a possible alternative target for protective antibodies. We constructed a 20-aminoacid peptide (peptide 145) within the conserved region of the carboxyl terminus of the protein. In mice the peptide induced serum antibodies that could opsonise reference type 5 streptococci. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, positive responses to peptide 145 were obtained with serum from 77 (90%) of 86 Aboriginal subjects and 135 (81%) of 167 Thai subjects living in areas with high exposure to streptococci. Only 10 (14%) of 71 Caucasian subjects with low exposure to streptococci showed positive responses. There was no difference in the proportion positive between subjects with rheumatic heart disease and control groups (other or no heart disease). Antibodies to peptide 145 were able to opsonise isolates of streptococci from Aboriginal and Thai subjects with acute rheumatic fever as well as reference strains. This highly conserved part of the M protein may be a suitable target for vaccines to prevent streptococcal infections and their sequelae. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Development of high efficiency silica coated β-cyclodextrin polymeric adsorbent for the removal of emerging contaminants of concern from water.
This article reports the removal of several emerging contaminants (ECs) from water using novel adsorbent comprising of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) coated on silica. Fourteen different adsorbents were synthesized under different experimental conditions using two different crosslinking agents (hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and epichlorohydrin (EPI)) and co-polymers (glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTS) and aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES). The adsorption capacities of the synthesized adsorbents were initially evaluated using 17β-estradiol, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and bisphenol-A (BPA) as adsorbates. The adsorbent prepared by using HMDI as crosslinking agent with DMSO as solvent was observed to perform the best, and removed more than 90% of 17β-estradiol, PFOA, and BPA. Furthermore, the β-CD loading on the ECs removal was studied which showed that the adsorbate removal increases with increase in loading of β-CD on the substrate. The best adsorbent was resynthesized in seven batches and its performance was reproducible for the removal of ten steroid hormones. The adsorbent showed very good regeneration potential for four successive adsorption-regeneration cycles to remove steroid hormones and PFOA. A plausible mechanism of adsorption is proposed. The synthesized best adsorbent is characterized using FTIR, HR-TEM, TGA and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The TGA results showed that the adsorbent has thermal stability of upto 300°C. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 activity in AQP2-expressing cells can be either proliferative or anti-proliferative depending on extracellular pH.
We have previously shown in renal cells that expression of the water channel Aquaporin-2 increases cell proliferation by a regulatory volume mechanism involving Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 2. Here, we investigated if Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) also modulates Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1-dependent cell proliferation. We use two AQP2-expressing cortical collecting duct models: one constitutive (WT or AQP2-transfected RCCD1 cell line) and one inducible (control or vasopressin-induced mpkCCDc14 cell line). We found that Aquaporin-2 modifies Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) contribution to cell proliferation. In Aquaporin-2-expressing cells, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 is anti-proliferative at physiological pH. In acid media, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 contribution turned from anti-proliferative to proliferative only in AQP2-expressing cells. We also found that, in AQP2-expressing cells, NHE1-dependent proliferation changes parallel changes in stress fiber levels: at pH 7.4, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 would favor stress fiber disassembly and, under acidosis, NHE1 would favor stress fiber assembly. Moreover, we found that Na+/H+ exchanger-dependent effects on proliferation linked to Aquaporin-2 relied on Transient Receptor Potential Subfamily V calcium channel activity. In conclusion, our data show that, in collecting duct cells, the water channel Aquaporin-2 modulates NHE1-dependent cell proliferation. In AQP2-expressing cells, at physiological pH, the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 function is anti-proliferative and, at acidic pH, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 function is proliferative. We propose that Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 modulates proliferation through an interplay with stress fiber formation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The expanded scapular flap.
The scapular fasciocutaneous flap is a very reliable free tissue transfer, but its size and/or thickness may limit its use in some patients. Scapular fasciocutaneous flaps were expanded for 6 to 12 weeks prior to transfer in 14 patients. The flaps ranged in size from 96 to 1885 cm2 and were used to cover chronic soft-tissue defects. Twelve were transferred as free flaps to distant sites, while two were transferred as pedicled flaps to the ipsilateral extremity. The pedicled flaps were designed across the entire back to incorporate both scapular territories but were rotated on a single vascular pedicle. All flaps survived, but three had marginal distal necrosis not related to the microvascular anastomoses. Two flaps transferred by microsurgical technique developed arterial thromboses requiring revision of the anastomoses. Three patients developed partial donor wound dehiscence after transfer of large flaps that healed by secondary intention in two cases and required a split-thickness skin graft for donor-site closure in the third. Flap expansion produces a delay phenomenon that augments blood supply and increases the area of skin that can survive on a single vascular pedicle. This technique may be useful in selected patients in whom a large, thin fasciocutaneous flap is required and there is sufficient time to allow flap expansion prior to transfer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Plant science called up to provide food security.
The fundamental understanding of plant biochemistry, physiology and genetics, along with insights into ecology, plant evolution and the domestication of common crop species will have to serve agricultural applications to ensure that the growing population of our rapidly changing planet will have sufficient food in the coming decades. Michael Gross reports. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Production of lymphokines by HBsAg-reactive human T cell clones upon antigenic stimulation.
The production of lymphokines by human HBsAg-reactive T cell clones was examined. The five clones were successfully obtained from an HBV-vaccinated person and were composed exclusively of Leu 1+, Leu 2a, Leu 3a+, helper/inducer T cells. Three of the five showed significant levels of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production and all of the five produced B cell growth factor (BCGF) by stimulation with HBsAg but not with unrelated antigens, including influenza A virus antigens and PPD, whereas no detectable amount of interleukin-2 was found in all clone supernatants. The magnitude of HBsAg-induced cell proliferation did not parallel the levels of IFN-gamma production among the clones. These results indicate from the view of lymphokine production that the HBsAg-reactive helper/inducer T cell clones were heterogeneous even from a source of the peripheral blood sample, and further suggest that the clones play important roles in the immune reaction against HBV infection by producing lymphokines upon antigenic stimulation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Networked molecular cages as crystalline sponges for fullerenes and other guests.
Many molecular cages selectively bind guests in solution, but in the solid state close packing often prevents guest entry, which renders the cages inactive. We envisioned that coordination networks constructed from well-known molecular cages could transfer the richness of solution-state host-guest chemistry into the solid state. We report a crystalline coordination network generated from an infinite array of octahedral M(6)L(4) cage subunits (M = metal, L = ligand). This coordination network is a 'crystalline molecular sponge' engineered on the molecular level and retains similar guest recognition properties to those found in solution. The network crystallinity is robust and thus X-ray diffraction analysis can be used to unambiguously observe single-crystal to single-crystal guest inclusion. The void spaces define alternating M(12)L(8) and M(12)L(24) cuboctahedral molecular cages and these large cages absorb up to 35 weight per cent of C(60) or C(70) by simply soaking the crystals in a toluene solution of the fullerene. When the crystals are immersed in fullerene mixtures, C(70) is preferentially absorbed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Systemic exposure to morphine and the risk of acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease.
The etiology of acute chest syndrome, the most severe complication of the sickle cell crisis, is unknown. Our objective was to assess exposure to morphine as an etiologic factor for acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease. A post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing oral with continuous infusion of morphine was performed. Children (aged 5-17 years) with sickle cell crisis were randomized to receive oral sustained-release morphine, 1.9 mg. kg(-1). 12 h(-1), or a continuous intravenous infusion of morphine at 0.04 mg. kg(-1). h(-1) by use of a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. In a subgroup of 15 patients, the pharmacokinetics of morphine and its active metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide were also studied. At baseline, demographic and physiologic characteristics were similar between groups. There were no differences in the number of previous rescue doses per day, painful sites per episode, physician contacts per year, and hospitalizations per year between treatment arms. There was a 2-fold higher morphine area under the concentration-time curve at steady state (AUC(ss)) and a 3-fold higher morphine-6-glucuronide AUC(ss) with oral morphine than with a continuous intravenous infusion of morphine (P <.001 and P <.006, respectively). New onset of acute chest syndrome was 3-fold more prevalent in the oral group (57%) versus the continuous intravenous infusion group (17%) (P <.001). The risk of acute chest syndrome is significantly associated with high systemic exposure to morphine and its active metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide after oral administration of slow-release morphine. Morphine may facilitate respiratory deterioration by eliciting a decrease in oxygen saturation, by inducing histamine release, or through an as-yet-unidentified mechanism. The safe systemic exposure to morphine in terms of area under the concentration-time curve should be further studied in children with sickle cell disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Virtual reality and cognitive rehabilitation: a review of current outcome research.
Recent advancement in the technology of virtual reality (VR) has allowed improved applications for cognitive rehabilitation. The aim of this review is to facilitate comparisons of therapeutic efficacy of different VR interventions. A systematic approach for the review of VR cognitive rehabilitation outcome research addressed the nature of each sample, treatment apparatus, experimental treatment protocol, control treatment protocol, statistical analysis and results. Using this approach, studies that provide valid evidence of efficacy of VR applications are summarized. Applications that have not yet undergone controlled outcome study but which have promise are introduced. Seventeen studies conducted over the past eight years are reviewed. The few randomized controlled trials that have been completed show that some applications are effective in treating cognitive deficits in people with neurological diagnoses although further study is needed. Innovations requiring further study include the use of enriched virtual environments that provide haptic sensory input in addition to visual and auditory inputs and the use of commercially available gaming systems to provide tele-rehabilitation services. Recommendations are offered to improve efficacy of rehabilitation, to improve scientific rigor of rehabilitation research and to broaden access to the evidence-based treatments that this research has identified. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Surgical therapy of blepharospasmus gravis].
Blepharospasm is a rather rare disease characterised by cramps of the orbicularis oculi muscle. The quality of life of patients suffering from this illness is often severely reduced. The therapeutic approaches reported in the literature have so far not been satisfactory in most cases. In the mid'-seventies a new operative technique has been introduced by Walser and modified by Behbehani. This procedure consists of the dissection of the zygomatico-temporal branch of the facial nerve. In the present paper the author reports on his own experience with this special method as well as the long-term results in 19 patients that have been followed up over a period of 3 months up to 14 years after operation. Surgery was carried out bilaterally in 19 cases, while 5 patients were operated on one side only. After resection of the nerve, blepharoplasty of the upper lid was performed. The therapeutic value of the technique is discussed and compared with the appropriate literature. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Activation and cross-talk between Akt, NF-kappaB, and unfolded protein response signaling in 1-LN prostate cancer cells consequent to ligation of cell surface-associated GRP78.
Binding of activated forms of the proteinase inhibitor alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2M*) to cell surface-associated GRP78 on 1-LN human prostate cancer cells causes their proliferation. We have now examined the interplay between Akt activation, regulation of apoptosis, the unfolded protein response, and activation of NF-kappaB in alpha2M*-induced proliferation of 1-LN cells. Exposure of cells to alpha2M* (50 pM) induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent activation of Akt by phosphorylation at Thr-308 and Ser-473 with a concomitant 60-80% increase in Akt-associated kinase activity. ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were also activated, but there was only a marginal effect on JNK activation. Treatment of 1-LN cells with alpha2M* down-regulated apoptosis and promoted NF-kappaB activation as shown by increases of Bcl-2, p-Bad(Ser-136), p-FOXO1(Ser-253), p-GSK3beta(Ser-9), XIAP, NF-kappaB, cyclin D1, GADD45beta, p-ASK1(Ser-83), and TRAF2 in a time of incubation-dependent manner. alpha2M* treatment of 1-LN cells, however, showed no increase in the activation of caspase -3, -9, or -12. Under these conditions, we observed increased unfolded protein response signaling as evidenced by elevated levels of GRP78, IRE1alpha, XBP-1, ATF4, ATF6, p-PERK, p-eIF2alpha, and GADD34 and reduced levels of GADD153. Silencing of GRP78 gene expression by RNAi suppressed activation of Akt(Thr-308), Akt(Ser-473), and IkappaB kinase alpha kinase. The effects of alpha2M* on the NF-kappaB activation, antiapoptotic signaling, unfolded protein response signaling, and proapoptotic signaling were also reversed by this treatment. In conclusion, alpha2M* promotes cellular proliferation of 1-LN prostate cancer cells by activating MAPK and Akt-dependent signaling, down-regulating apoptotic signaling, and activating unfolded protein response signaling. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
ABT-594 [(R)-5-(2-azetidinylmethoxy)-2-chloropyridine]: a novel, orally effective antinociceptive agent acting via neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: II. In vivo characterization.
The antinociceptive effects of ABT-594, a novel nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligand, were examined in rats in models of acute thermal (hot box) and persistent chemical (formalin test) pain. Also, the effects of ABT-594 treatment on motor function and electroencephalogram (EEG) were determined. In the hot box and formalin test (i.e., phase 1 and 2), acute treatment with ABT-594 (0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mumol/kg i.p.) produced significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effects. In the hot box, the efficacy of ABT-594 was maintained after a repeated dosing paradigm (5 days b.i.d.i.p.). ABT-594 was fully efficacious in the formalin test when administered before formalin, and also retained significant efficacy (0.3 mumol/kg i.p.) when administered after formalin injection. The antinociceptive effects of ABT-594 in the hot box and formalin tests were attenuated by pretreatment with the nAChR antagonist, mecamylamine, and in animals treated with the nAChR antagonist chlorisondamine, given centrally (10 micrograms/rat i.c.v. 5 days before), but not in animals pretreated with the opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone. Acute treatment with ABT-594 produced an initial decrease in open-field locomotor activity, which was absent in animals dosed repeatedly (5 days b.i.d.) with ABT-594. Also, acute treatment with ABT-594 decreased body temperature and decreased the amount of time the animals could maintain balance in an edge-balance test. These effects were no longer present in animals dosed repeatedly with ABT-594. At antinociceptive doses, ABT-594 produced activation of free running EEG in contrast to the sedative-like effects of morphine. Full antinociceptive efficacy was maintained in both the hot box and formalin tests after oral administration, whereas the effects on motoric performance were attenuated. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that ABT-594 is a potent antinociceptive agent with full efficacy in models of acute and persistent pain and that these effects are mediated predominately by an action at central neuronal nAChRs. In addition, antinociceptive effects were maintained after repeated dosing, whereas effects of ABT-594 on motor and temperature measures were attenuated in animals treated repeatedly with ABT-594. Thus, compounds acting at nAChRs may represent a novel approach for the treatment of a variety of pain states. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Capacitative calcium entry in guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle in vitro.
This study investigates the involvement of capacitative Ca2+ entry in excitation-contraction coupling in guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle. Thapsigargin (0.1 nM-1 microM, a sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor) produced slowly developing sustained tonic contractions in guinea pig isolated gallbladder strips. All contractions approached 50% of the response to carbachol (10 microM) after 55 min. Contractile responses to thapsigargin (1 microM) were abolished in a Ca(2+)-free medium. Subsequent re-addition of Ca2+ (2.5 mM) produced a sustained tonic contraction (99 +/- 6% of the carbachol response). The contractile response to Ca2+ re-addition following incubation of tissues in a Ca(2+)-free bathing solution in the absence of thapsigargin was significantly less than in its presence (79 +/- 4 % vs 100 +/- 7 % of carbachol; p < 0.05). Contractile responses to Ca2+ re-addition following treatment with thapsigargin were attenuated by (a) the L-type voltage-operated Ca2+ channel antagonist, nifedipine (10 microM) and (b) the general inhibitor of Ca2+ entry channels including store-operated channels, SK&F96365 (50 microM and 100 microM). In separate experiments, responses to Ca2+ re-addition were essentially abolished by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (100 microM). These results suggest that capacitative Ca2+ entry provides a source of activator Ca2+ for guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle contraction. Contractile responses to Ca2+ re-addition following depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin, are mediated in part by Ca2+ entry through voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and by capacitative Ca2+ entry through store-operated Ca2+ channels which can be blocked by SK&F96365. Furthermore, capacitative Ca2+ entry in this tissue may be modulated by tyrosine kinase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Engineering tendon and ligament tissues: present developments towards successful clinical products.
Musculoskeletal diseases are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Among them, tendon and ligament injuries represent an important aspect to consider in both athletes and active working people. Tendon and ligament damage is an important cause of joint instability, and progresses into early onset of osteoarthritis, pain, disability and eventually the need for joint replacement surgery. The social and economical burden associated with these medical conditions presents a compelling argument for greater understanding and expanding research on this issue. The particular physiology of tendons and ligaments (avascular, hypocellular and overall structural mechanical features) makes it difficult for currently available treatments to reach a complete and long-term functional repair of the damaged tissue, especially when complete tear occurs. Despite the effort, the treatment modalities for tendon and ligament are suboptimal, which have led to the development of alternative therapies, such as the delivery of growth factors, development of engineered scaffolds or the application of stem cells, which have been approached in this review. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Abolition of gas reflux and transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation by vagal blockade in the dog.
In the present study we have examined the hypothesis that transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations are under vagal control. Fasting esophageal motor function was monitored with a manometric sleeve catheter passed via a cervical esophagostomy. Gastric insufflation with oxygen resulted in intermittent venting of gas into the esophagus during transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations. Such venting of gas was associated with the occurrence of esophageal body common cavities and gas venting from the esophageal stoma, all of which increased with increasing rates of gastric insufflation. The optimal insufflation rate, 80 ml/min, produced stomal gas venting at a rate of 10.3 +/- 1.1/h (mean +/- SE). The time and pressure profiles of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations induced by gastric insufflation were similar to those relaxations seen with spontaneous postprandial gastroesophageal reflux and belching in dogs. Sphincteric relaxation started 10 s before the onset of common cavities. In all 4 dogs, cooling of cervical subcutaneous vagosympathetic loops abolished transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations, common cavities, and stomal gas venting. Within 1-4 min of cessation of vagal cooling, all three markers of gastroesophageal gas venting returned. Atropine, 50 and 200 micrograms/kg i.v., did not block transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations or gas reflux. Gastric gaseous distention is a potent and consistent trigger of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations in the dog. This effect can be used as a model for study of control mechanisms of transient sphincter relaxation-dependent gastroesophageal reflux. Our observations with this model indicate that transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations are under vagosympathetic control, but that muscarinic mechanisms are not important mediators of this control. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of instruction and supervised toothbrushing on the reduction of dental plaque in kindergarten children.
Based upon the present study the following conclusions were reached: Supervised toothbrushing with instruction for preschool children significantly and consistently decreased dental plaque scores, when compared to the control group of the same children who had only supervision. While those subjects receiving toothbrushing instructions and supervision had significant plaque reductions, at no time did the plaque scores reach zero. A symmetrical but nonuniform distribution of dental plaque prior to toothbrushing was noted as follows: Posterior teeth had higher dental plaque scores than anterior teeth. More dental plaque was present on the buccal surfaces of the maxillary teeth than on the lingual surfaces. More dental plaque was present on the lingual surfaces of the mandibular teeth than on the buccal surfaces. The distribution of dental plaque following toothbrushing remained the same as the prebrushing pattern, but the amount of dental plaque was reduced by 31 percent. Constant reinforcement is necessary to maintain effective plaque control in pre-school children. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Clinical study of real-time shear wave elastography for diagnosis of severity of acute cholecystitis].
Objective: To assess the clinical value of real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) in distinguishing between mild and severe cholecystitis. Methods: A total of 176 patients with cholecystitis who meet the criteria of Tokyo Guideline in Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to March 2018 were recruited, 95 male, 81 female, age range of 23-88 years, average age (48±16)years, and divided into severe (91 cases) and mild (85 cases) groups according to disease severity. All patients underwent routine ultrasound and SWE examination to assess gallbladder morphology, hepatic flow signals and liver cirrhosis adjacent to the gallbladder. Two sonographers with different diagnostic experience independently reviewed ultrasound images alone and in combination with SWE, respectively, and compared the diagnostic consistency of two sonographers in assessing severe cholecystitis. Results: The SWE value of liver in the severe group of cholecystitis was significantly higher than that of mild group (t=10.34, P=0.01). The area under the ROC curve of SWE value for diagnosing severe cholecystitis was 0.809 with the optimal cut-off value of 7.2 kPa. The sensitivity, specificity was 78.0% and 83.5%, respectively. In distinguishing between mild and severe cholecystitis, the diagnostic sensitivity (84.6%, 95.6%) was high and the specificity (49.4%, 35.3%) was low in diagnosing gallbladder edema and sludge.The diagnostic sensitivity (14.3%, 26.4%) was low and the specificity (100%, 95.3%) was high in diagnosing pericholecystic fluid and blood flow signal of the gallbladder wall.Two sonographers reviewed ultrasound images independently for diagnosing severe cholecystitis in good agreement (κ =0.75). Combining SWE to conventional ultrasound, the diagnostic consistency of the two sonographers in diagnosing server cholecystitis was excellent (κ=0.86), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.02), the diagnostic efficacy of which was higher than that of conventional ultrasound alone. Conclusions: Compared with conventional ultrasound alone, combining with SWE can improve the diagnostic efficacy of distinguishing between mild and severe cholecystitis, and the clinical experience of sonographers has less influence on the diagnostic accuracy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Distal aortic intramural hematoma: clinical importance of focal contrast enhancement on CT images.
To investigate the prevalence, fate, and effect of focal contrast enhancement lesion within the hematoma on contrast material-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) images in patients with distal aortic intramural hematoma (IMH). This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board; informed consent was waived. Clinical and CT data in 107 patients with distal IMH who received medical treatment were analyzed, including remodeling processes of IMH at follow-up CT. IMH progression was defined as development of aortic dissection (AD) and aneurysm or hematoma increase. The frequency of focal contrast enhancement was 39.3%, and hematoma was thicker in patients with focal contrast enhancement than in those without (12.3 mm ± 3.6 [standard deviation] vs 10.1 mm ± 4.1, P = .006). Although development of AD occurred more frequently in patients with focal contrast enhancement (21% vs 3%, P = .006), hematoma resorption (57% vs 71%) was the most common pattern of remodeling in both groups without any significant difference (P = .148). The frequency of development of aortic aneurysm (17% vs 14%, P = .690) and increase of hematoma (0% vs 5%, P = .278) was not significantly different between groups. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates were 96.3% ± 1.8, 95.2% ± 2.1, 87.9% ± 3.4, and 80.7% ± 4.4, respectively. Patients with IMH progression showed lower survival rates than those without (P = .028). While no significant difference in the overall survival rates could be demonstrated in patients with and those without focal contrast enhancement (P = .442), our study had only 17% power to detect a difference of 10%. Initial maximal aortic diameter was the only factor associated with survival rates (hazard ratio = 1.129; 95% confidence interval: 1.063, 1.199). The optimal cutoff for prediction of mortality within 7 years was 41 mm. Urgent intervention for patients with focal contrast enhancement is not necessary during the acute stage, and long-term close monitoring with imaging is a better option considering diverse remodeling processes of distal IMH. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Submicroscopic duplication of the Wolf-Hirschhorn critical region with a 4p terminal deletion.
Chromosomal rearrangements in the short arm of chromosome 4 can result in 2 different clinical entities: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS), characterized by severe growth delay, mental retardation, microcephaly, 'Greek helmet' facies, and closure defects, or partial 4p trisomy, associated with multiple congenital anomalies, mental retardation, and facial dysmorphisms. We present clinical and laboratory findings in a patient who showed a small duplication in 4p16.3 associated with a subtle terminal deletion in the same chromosomal region. GTG-banding analyses, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analyses, and studies by array-based comparative genomic hybridization were performed. The results of the analyses revealed a de novo 1.3 Mb deletion of the terminal 4p and a 1.1 Mb duplication in our patient, encompassing the WHS critical region. Interestingly, this unusual duplication/deletion rearrangement results in an intermediate phenotype that shares characteristics of the WHS and the 4p trisomy syndrome. The use of novel technologies in the genetic diagnosis leads to the description of new clinical syndromes; there is a growing list of microduplication syndromes. Therefore, we propose that overexpression of candidate genes in WHS (WHSC1, WHSC2 and LETM1) due to a duplication causes a clinical entity different to both the WHS and 4p trisomy syndrome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Involvement of calcium-activated potassium channels in the inhibitory prejunctional effect of morphine on peripheral sensory nerves.
We examined the contribution of potassium channels to the inhibitory effect of morphine on the increase in substance P release and cutaneous blood flow evoked by antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve. Cutaneous blood flow in the instep of the rat hind paw was measured by the non-invasive technique of laser Doppler flowmetry. Antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve caused a biphasic flow response, an initial transient decrease followed by an increase and an increase in substance P release into the subcutaneous perfusate of the instep of the rat hind paw. Both the increases of substance P release and cutaneous blood flow evoked by antidromic stimulation of the sectioned sciatic nerve were significantly inhibited by intra-arterial (i.a.) infusion of morphine (30 mumol/kg). This inhibitory effect of morphine was antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.) or potassium channels blockers such as tetraethylammonium (40 mg/kg, i.v.). apamin (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) and charybdotoxin (0.12 mg/kg. i.v.) but not with cesium chloride (85 mg/kg, i.v.) and glibenclamide (25 mg/kg, i.v.). These results suggest that the calcium-activated potassium channels may be involved in the prejunctional inhibitory effects of morphine in the hind instep of rats. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Update of mouse microsatellite database of Japan (MMDBJ).
We updated a database of microsatellite marker polymorphisms found in inbred strains of the mouse, most of which were derived from the wild stocks of four Mus musculus subspecies, M. m. domesticus, M. m. musculus, M. m.castaneus and M. m. molossinus. The major aim of constructing this database was to establish the genetic status of these inbred strains as resources for linkage analysis and positional cloning. The inbred strains incorporated in our database are A/J, C57BL/6J, CBA/J, DBA/2J, SM/J, SWR/J, 129Sv/J, MSM/Ms, JF1/Ms, CAST/Ei, NC/Nga, BLG2/Ms, NJL/Ms, PGN2/Ms, SK/CamEi and SWN/Ms, which have not or have only been poorly incorporated in the Whitehead Institute/MIT (WI/MIT) microsatellite database. The number of polymorphic microsatellite loci incorporated in our database is over 1,000 in all strains, and the URL site for our database is located at http:// www.shigen.nig.ac.jp /mouse/mmdbj/mouse.html. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Biological and genetic classification of canine intestinal lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria.
To investigate the distribution of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inhabiting canine intestines, a total of 374 gram-positive LAB and bifidobacteria (BF) isolated from large intestinal contents in 36 dogs were classified and identified by phenotypic and genetic analyses. Based on cell morphological sizes, these isolates were divided into seven biotypes containing the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus. The LAB and BF isolates were classified into 38 chemotypes based on SDS-PAGE protein profile analysis of whole cells. Furthermore, partial 16S rDNA sequencing analysis demonstrated the presence of 24 bacterial species in the 38 chemotypes from 36 dogs. The identified species consisted of ten species belonging to the genus Lactobacillus (78.8%), seven species to the genus Bifidobacterium (6.8%), five species to the genus Enterococcus (11.6%), one species of Streptococcus bovis (2.0%), and one species of Pediococcus acidilactici (0.8%). In particular, the most predominant species in canine intestines were L. reuteri, L. animalis, and L. johnsonii and were found in the high frequency of occurrence of 77.8, 80.6, and 86.1%, respectively. Besides these, Enterococcus faecalis, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Pediococcus acidilactici, and Streptococcus bovis were also isolated in the present study. The sequences of the isolates also showed high levels of similarity to those of the reference strains registered previously in the DDBJ and the similarity was above 97.2%. Their partial 16S rRNA genes were registered in the DDBJ. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Infections in solid organ transplant recipients.
A disturbing trend in evolution for sometime has culminated in the fact that resistant Gram-positive bacteria including enterococci and staphylococci have emerged as the leading pathogens at many transplant centers. Recently published reports have highlighted the formidable challenge such antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms now pose in transplant recipients. Studies published within the past year have documented the clinical relevance of human herpesvirus-6 after transplantation, as well as the transmission of human herpesvirus-8 by transplanted allograft and the subsequent development of Kaposi's sarcoma in these patients. A novel hepatitis virus has been discovered; studies to elucidate its significance in the transplant setting are underway. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Regulation of dentin remineralization progress by non-collagenous protein analogues].
The use of various biomimetic methods to achieve remineralization of demineralized dentin and the formation of an organic matrix-inorganic mineral complex with a certain mechanical strength has been a research hotspot in recent years in the field of stomatology, and it also provides a new idea for the restoration of dentin defect. Dentin biomineralization is a process that simulates the mineralization of biological tissue in nature in which the remineralization of dentin collagen is induced and regulated by organic macromolecules. This review summarizes the process of remineralization of decalcified dentin regulated by non-collagenous protein analogues in vitro. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The efficacy of acupuncture as an aid to stopping smoking.
The present study examines the usefulness of acupuncture as an aid to stopping smoking. Results from 405 subjects show acupuncture can help between 5 and 15 percent of the population to stop smoking for at least six months. Using chronically implanted press needles, previously reported 'effective' auricular acupuncture points for smoking cessation are shown to be no better than 'placebo' auricular points. Additional electroacupuncture on the hand neither increases the probability of stopping smoking nor enhances the reduction in smoking at three week, three month or six month follow-up periods. It is therefore likely that a large psychological component is attached to acupuncture to stop people smoking. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Compensatory recruitment after sleep deprivation and the relationship with performance.
This study examined the effects of total sleep deprivation (TSD) on cerebral responses to a verbal learning task with two levels of word difficulty. A total of 32 subjects were studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) after normal sleep and following 36 h of TSD. Cerebral responses to EASY words were identical on both nights, but several brain regions showed increased activation to HARD words following TSD compared with following a normal night of sleep (NORM). These regions included bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and bilateral inferior parietal lobe. Better free recall performance on the HARD words after TSD was related to increased cerebral responses within the left inferior and superior parietal lobes and left inferior frontal gyrus. Recall was negatively related to activation within the right inferior frontal gyrus. Overall, the findings support the predictions of the compensatory recruitment hypothesis that task demands influence both the likelihood and location of increased cerebral activation during task performance following TSD, and refine that hypothesis by identifying a specific task demand that plays a role. The performance relationships suggest increased activation may be both beneficial (compensatory) and interfere with task performance, depending on the brain regions involved. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dysregulated Expression of RPS4Y1 (Ribosomal Protein S4, Y-Linked 1) Impairs STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3) Signaling to Suppress Trophoblast Cell Migration and Invasion in Preeclampsia.
Normal placentation and a successful pregnancy depend on appropriate trophoblast cell migration and invasion. Inadequate trophoblast invasion and impaired spiral artery remodeling may lead to pregnancy-related disorders, such as preeclampsia. RPS4Y1 (ribosomal protein S4, Y-linked 1) is a member of the S4E family of ribosomal proteins. In this study, we found that RPS4Y1 levels were upregulated in placental samples collected from preeclamptic patients, when compared with the normotensive pregnant women. In vitro, inhibition of RPS4Y1 induced trophoblast cell invasion, promoted placental explant outgrowth, and increased STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) phosphorylation along with elevated expression of N-cadherin and vimentin. Conversely, overexpression of RPS4Y1 results in reduced trophoblast cell invasion and decreased STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, the suppression of RPS4Y1 promotes trophoblast cell invasion, which could be abolished by the STAT3 knockdown. Meanwhile, we observed reductions of STAT3 phosphorylation expression in preeclampsia patients. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the level of RPS4Y1 expression may be associated with preeclampsia by affecting trophoblast cell migration and invasion via the STAT3/epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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