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[The Development of Specialized Medical Care of Patients With Maxillofacial Trauma].
The purpose of study is to substantiate activities concerning development of specialized medical care of victims with injuries of maxillofacial area. The study was organized on the base of the Krasnoyarsk kraii clinical hospital, a leading institution providing medical care of victims with injuries of maxillofacial area in the Krasnoyarsk kraii. The study used analytical, sociological (survey), statistical methods and expert evaluation technique. In 2008-2014, the total number of victims with injuries of maxillofacial area treated in the department of maxillofacial surgery made up to 2617 patients and the date concerning 1947 out of them was analyzed in-depth. The analysis established high level of maxillofacial traumatism in local kraii population and increasing of its indices, twice increasing of percentage of patients with cerebral-maxillofacial trauma, prevailing of individuals of young and able-bodied age among the victims, twice increasing of percentage of victims in the group of 18-29 age during the analyzed period. It is established that activities concerning amelioration of medical care of patients with maxillofacial traumas are kept within the implementation of organizational decisions. The implementation of organizational decisions related to amelioration of medical care of patients with maxillofacial traumas favors decreasing of both duration of treatment and number of complications in patients. The classical scheme is to be followed in implementing clinical activities of medical care of patients with maxillofacial and cranial-maxillofacial traumas. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The influence of different means of myopia correction on peripheral refraction depending on the direction of gaze].
Peripheral defocus was experimentally found to control the development of refraction. To evaluate peripheral refraction (PR) of myopic eyes in terms of different means of correction and the direction of gaze. The study examined 128 patients (256 eyes) aged 8-14 years (average 11.07±0.39 years) with myopia from -1.0 to -7.0 (average -3.57±0.27 D). PR was measured without correction, in perifocal (PF), monofocal (MF), progressive glasses (PAL), monofocal soft contact lenses (ΜCL) and after orthokeratological (OCL) correction with the gaze directed straightforward or head angled outward, inward, upward and downward; all measurements were performed using binocular open-field auto ref/keratometer. PR profile without correction and with contact (OCL, ΜCL) correction does not depend on the direction of the gaze. In glasses, peripheral defocus is different with straightforward and skewed gaze directions. OCL forms a significant myopic defocus throughout the periphery of the retina. When using MCL, hyperopic defocus increases in all zones except the extreme temporal. In MF glasses, hyperopic defocus is formed and enhanced in all areas, significantly greater with skewed gaze than with straightforward. In PALs, myopic defocus is formed with gaze directed upward and downward, as well as at the extreme temporal periphery of the retina with straightforward gaze. In all other zones, hypermetropic defocus increases. In PF, in most zones myopic defocus is formed with all gaze directions. The greatest inhibitory effect on myopia progression is provided by OCL (YPR=0.28 D/year) and PF glasses (YPR=0.26 D/year). In contrast to correction with contact lenses, PR in glasses does depend on the direction of gaze. The inhibitory effect of the optics correlates with correction of hypermetropic defocus in myopic eyes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nuclear Imaging for Classic Fever of Unknown Origin: Meta-Analysis.
Several studies have assessed nuclear imaging tests for localizing the source of fever in patients with classic fever of unknown origin (FUO); however, the role of these tests in clinical practice remains unclear. We systematically reviewed the test performance, diagnostic yield, and management decision impact of nuclear imaging tests in patients with classic FUO. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and other databases through October 31, 2015, to identify studies reporting on the diagnostic accuracy or impact on diagnosis and management decisions of 18F-FDG PET alone or integrated with CT (18F-FDG PET/CT), gallium scintigraphy, or leukocyte scintigraphy. Two reviewers extracted data. We quantitatively synthesized test performance and diagnostic yield and descriptively analyzed evidence about the impact on management decisions. We included 42 studies with 2,058 patients. Studies were heterogeneous and had methodologic limitations. Diagnostic yield was higher in studies with higher prevalence of neoplasms and infections. Nonneoplastic causes, such as adult-onset Still's disease and polymyalgia rheumatica, were less successfully localized. Indirect evidence suggested that 18F-FDG PET/CT had the best test performance and diagnostic yield among the 4 imaging tests; summary sensitivity was 0.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-0.90), specificity 0.52 (95% CI, 0.36-0.67), and diagnostic yield 0.58 (95% CI, 0.51-0.64). Evidence on direct comparisons of alternative imaging modalities or on the impact of tests on management decisions was limited. Nuclear imaging tests, particularly 18F-FDG PET/CT, can be useful in identifying the source of fever in patients with classic FUO. The contribution of nuclear imaging may be limited in clinical settings in which infective and neoplastic causes are less common. Studies using standardized diagnostic algorithms are needed to determine the optimal timing for testing and to assess the impact of tests on management decisions and patient-relevant outcomes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Performance of a compost biofilter containing earthworms to treat cheese whey.
A compost biofilter enriched in earthworms was adapted to treat cheese whey produced by a dairy in a mountainous area of the French pre-Alps. Until now, this type of installation has only been developed in mountain pasture areas and therefore only functions during the months of mountain pasture grazing, from May to September. The main goal of this study was to follow up pollutant removal performance after more than one year of operation. During the experiment, cheese whey loading varied from a few litres to 40 L m(-2) d(-1). Despite variations in the physical properties of the support media after 460 days of operation, whey removal performance was good. For COD and BOD, 80-88% of the loading mass and 70-80% of nitrogen and phosphorus was removed. In this experiment, the treated effluent could not meet the standards for discharge into rivers, but was a very effective and simple pretreatment. This study confirms the observations of previous experiments in mountain pastures both in France and Switzerland: a cheese whey volume of 20 L m(-2) d(-1) could be a basis for design, although the process can treat up to 40 L m(-2) d(-1) for seven days according to our results. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
6-Azido-6-deoxy-l-idose as a Hetero-Bifunctional Spacer for the Synthesis of Azido-Containing Chemical Probes.
The design of 6-azido-6-deoxy-l-idose for use as a hetero-bifunctional spacer is reported. The hemiacetal at one terminus is an equivalent of an aldehyde and can react with nucleophiles, such as amino groups and electron-rich aromatics. The azido group at the other terminus bio-orthogonally undergoes a Hüisgen [3+2] cycloaddition with an acetylene. The idose derivative exhibited a higher level of reactivity towards oxime formation than a corresponding glucose derivative. The (13) C NMR spectrum of the uniformly (13) C-labeled 6-azido-idose indicated that the acyclic forms of the sugar totaled 0.3 % of all the isomers, whereas those of glucose totaled 0.01 %. The larger population of the acyclic forms of the idose derivative would result in higher reactivity towards electrophilic addition in comparison with glucose derivatives. Finally, we prepared a C-idosyl epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that bears an azido group through C-glycosylation of EGCG with 6-azido-idose. This glycosyl form of the C-idosyl EGCG exhibited a cytotoxicity against U266 cells that was comparable to that of EGCG. These results suggested that the EGCG derivative could be used as an effective chemical probe for the elucidation of EGCG biological functions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prostate cancer: appraisal, coping, and health status.
The purpose of this study was to identify how cognitive appraisal and types of coping affect the health status of men with prostate cancer. Lazarus and Folkman's model of stress and coping guided this correlational, cross-sectional study. The convenience sample was composed of 131 men with prostate cancer who completed the Cognitive Appraisal of Health Scale, the Ways of Coping Checklist, and the Short-Form Health Survey using mailed questionnaires. Participants who appraised more harm or loss experienced worse physical and mental health. When participants perceived their diagnosis as posing more harm or loss or a greater threat, they were more likely to use emotion-focused coping. When the diagnosis was perceived as a challenge, men were more likely to use more problem-focused coping. The findings of this study enable health care providers to be more attentive to the psychosocial needs of prostate cancer patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inhibition of human factor VIIa-tissue factor activity by placental anticoagulant protein.
Previous studies indicated that human placental anticoagulant protein, a member of the lipocortin family, prolonged the clotting time of normal plasma when clotting was induced by brain thromboplastin or by kaolin in the presence of cephalin and calcium. Using a two-stage amidolytic assay to assess factor X activation and a tritiated peptide release assay to assess factor IX activation, we have examined the ability of purified preparations of placental anticoagulant protein (Mr = 36.5 kDa) to inhibit the activation of either factor X or factor IX by a complex of human factor VIIa-tissue factor. Placental anticoagulant protein markedly inhibits factor X and factor IX activation by factor VIIa-tissue factor in a non-competitive manner with Ki values of 40 nM and 70 nM, respectively. Placental anticoagulant protein had no effect on factor Xa amidolytic activity, and its inhibitory activity was not diminished by prior incubation with antibody raised against partially purified plasma extrinsic pathway inhibitor. Binding of placental anticoagulant protein to phospholipid vesicles, crude tissue factor and purified, relipidated human brain tissue factor apoprotein was observed only in the presence of calcium ions. These results indicate that placental anticoagulant protein is a potent factor VIIa-tissue factor inhibitor and suggests that its mechanism of action involves binding to the phospholipid portion of the tissue factor lipoprotein. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Efficacy of monochromatic excimer light (308 nm) in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in adults and children.
To demonstrate the efficacy of light produced by a 308 nm xenon-chloride monochromatic excimer light (MEL) in the treatment of localized lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults and in children. The 308-nm excimer light has been reported to be safe and effective in the treatment of chronic skin diseases, although the range of potential applications has not been fully explored. Twelve adults and six children affected by localized lesions of AD were enrolled in this pilot study and treated with a weekly session of MEL. A range of 6-12 sessions was performed with an increasing dosage according to the patient's phototype and response. Follow-up was for 16 wk. All patients completed the protocol. At the end of treatment complete remission was observed in 12/18 patients (66.7%), a partial remission in 3/18 (16.7%) and no remission in 3/18 (16.7%). A mean total dose of 21.89 minimal erythemal dose (MED) was performed. Forty-four percent of patients maintained the results achieved at a 16-week follow-up. Treatment was well tolerated overall. MEL can be considered as a valid and safe therapeutic option for the treatment of localized AD in adults and children. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of repeat-sprint training in hypoxia on post-exercise interleukin-6 and F2-isoprostanes.
This investigation examined the oxidative stress (F2-Isoprostane; F2-IsoP) and inflammatory (interleukin-6; IL-6) responses to repeat-sprint training in hypoxia (RSH). Ten trained male team sport athletes performed 3(sets)*9(repetitions)*5 s cycling sprints in simulated altitude (3000 m) and sea-level conditions. Mean and peak sprint power output (MPO and PPO) were recorded, and blood samples were collected pre-exercise, and again at 8 and 60 min post-exercise. Both MPO and PPO were significantly reduced in hypoxia (compared to sea-level) in the second (MPO: 855 ± 89 vs. 739 ± 95 W, p = .006; PPO: 1024 ± 114 vs. 895 ± 112 W, p = .010) and third (MPO: 819 ± 105 vs. 686 ± 83 W, p = .008; PPO: 985 ± 125 vs. 834 ± 99 W, p = .008) sets, respectively. IL-6 was significantly increased from pre- to 1 h post-exercise in both hypoxia (0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 2.4 ± 1.4 pg/mL, p = .004) and sea-level conditions (0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 1.6 ± 0.3 pg/mL, p < .001), with a large effect (d = 0.80) suggesting higher IL-6 levels of post-hypoxia. F2-IsoP was significantly lower 1 h post-exercise in both the hypoxic (p = .005) and sea-level (p = .002) conditions, with no differences between trials. While hypoxia can impact on exercise intensity and may result in greater post-exercise inflammation, it appears to have little effect on oxidative stress. These results indicate that team sport organisations with ready access to hypoxic training facilities could confidently administer RSH without significantly increasing the post-exercise inflammatory or oxidative stress response. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Zinc deficiency is an independent risk factor for prehypertension in healthy subjects.
Objective: To assess whether zinc deficiency is associated with prehypertension (preHTN) in apparently healthy subjects. Design: Apparently healthy women and men, aged 20 to 60 years were enrolled into a case-control study. Individuals with and without preHTN were allocated into the case and control groups, respectively. Hypertension, liver disease, renal disease, smoking, pregnancy, diabetes, malignancy, hypernatremia, hypomagnesemia, medical treatment, and use of supplements containing zinc were exclusion criteria. PreHTN was defined by systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 120-139 mmHg and/or of 80-89 mmHg, respectively, and the zinc deficiency by serum zinc levels < 74 μg/dL in men and < 70 μg/dL in women. Results: In total, 142 subjects (90 women and 52 men) were enrolled and allocated in the case (n = 71) and control (n = 71) groups. In the overall population, the frequency of zinc deficiency was 11.1%; individuals in the case group showed significant higher frequency of zinc deficiency as compared with the control group (16.9% vs 5.5%, p = 0.04). The logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between zinc deficiency and preHTN (OR = 4.61; 95% CI: 1.24-17.12, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Our results suggest that zinc deficiency is associated with the presence of preHTN in apparently healthy subjects. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Statistical apportionment and risk assessment of selected metals in sediments from Rawal Lake (Pakistan).
The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the statistical apportionment and risk assessment of selected metals (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr, and Zn) in freshly deposited sediments in Rawal Lake, Pakistan. Composite sediment samples were collected, oven-dried, grounded, homogenized, and processed to assess the water-soluble and acid extractable concentrations of the metals in the water extract and acid extract of the sediments using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical methods were used to identify the possible sources of the metals. Sediment quality guidelines and potential acute toxicity were used to evaluate the ecotoxicological sense of selected metals. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment was also carried out to determine the potential adverse health risks to the inhabitants. Relatively higher concentration was noted for Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Mn, and Sr in the sediment samples. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed anthropogenic contributions of Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Li in the sediments. Enrichment factors of the metals in sediments showed severe to moderate enrichment of Cd, Pb, Ca, Fe, Li, Mn, and Sr. Geoaccumulation indices and contamination factors evidenced significant contamination by Cd and Pb, although, on the whole, low degree of contamination was noted. The levels of some metals exceeded the sediment quality guidelines, which revealed frequently adverse biological effects to the dwelling biota in the aquatic ecosystem. The sediments were found to be significantly contaminated by Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Li. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Parasternal mediastinotomy].
The technique of parasternal mediastinotomy as a routine operation is describeds Indications and advantages of the intervention over other diagnostic and surgical method. are discussed and demonstrated on some characteristic cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Fungal keratitis in a daily disposable soft contact lens wearer].
A case of fungal keratitis was diagnosed in a young female who had been wearing daily disposable soft contact lenses for 2 Years. No risk factor was demonstrated and specific treatment was effective. This case emphasizes that patients must be aware of the importance of hygiene as daily disposable contact lenses must be discarded daily. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A survey of methods used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing in veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States.
Antimicrobial resistance is a serious threat to animal and human health worldwide, requiring a collaborative, holistic approach. The U.S. Government has developed a national strategy to address antimicrobial resistance, with one component being to monitor antimicrobial resistance in agricultural settings. We developed a survey to collect information about antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) from the veterinary diagnostic laboratory community in the United States, assessing current practices and technologies and determining how AST information is shared. Of the 132 surveys administered, 52 (39%) were returned. Overall, responding laboratories conducted susceptibility tests on 98,788 bacterial isolates in 2014, with Escherichia coli being the most common pathogen tested across all animal species. The 2 most common AST methods employed were the disk diffusion method (71%) and the Sensititre platform broth microdilution system (59%). Laboratories primarily used the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) VET-01 standard (69%) and the automatically calculated interpretations provided by the commercial AST systems (61%) for interpreting their AST data. Only 22% of laboratories published AST data on a periodic basis, usually via annual reports published on the laboratory's website or through peer-reviewed journals for specific pathogens. Our results confirm that disk diffusion and broth microdilution remain the standard AST methods employed by U.S. veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and that CLSI standards are commonly used for interpreting AST results. This information will help determine the most efficient standardized methodology for future surveillance. Furthermore, the current infrastructure within laboratories, once harmonized, will help provide a mechanism for conducting national surveillance programs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mineral loss in cortical and trabecular bone during high-dose prednisone treatment.
To evaluate the effect of prednisone and triple treatment (sodium fluoride, calcium, and vitamin D) on trabecular and cortical bone serial bone mineral content (BMC) measurements were made at a metaphyseal (BMCD) and diaphyseal (BMCP) site on the forearm on 31 consecutive and previously bone-healthy patients scheduled for at least 24 weeks high-dose prednisone treatment. The patients were randomized into two further treatment groups: group I (n = 16) received prednisone plus triple treatment and group II (n = 15) received only prednisone. The two groups were similar with regard to age, sex, prednisone dose, and initial BMC. During 24 weeks treatment, BMCD (partially representing trabecular bone) and BMCP (mainly representing cortical bone) fell significantly and similarly, demonstrating that there is no preventive effect on bone mineral loss on the triple regimen. The BMC fall after 12 weeks was significantly more pronounced for metaphyseal (partially trabecular) than for diaphyseal (cortical) bone, whereas the values did not differ significantly after 24 weeks; this indicates a greater sensitivity to the hormone treatment of trabecular bone. In the entire group, the fall in BMC correlated positively with individual prednisone dose, significant at the diaphyseal site (r = 0.39, P less than 0.05), but not at the metaphyseal site (r = 0.31, P = 0.08). It is concluded that corticosteroid-induced osteopenia is a diffuse bone disease which affects trabecular as well as cortical bone, suggesting that BMC measured on the forearm reflects changes in bone mineral at other locations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Diminished in vitro colony forming capacity of bone marrow cells in a case of chromosome 8 trisomy (mosaicism): criteria for "high risk" pre-leukemia syndrome].
A case has been described of Trisomy 8 mosaicism Syndrome. At onset the child presented with hyporegenerative anemia; the study of colony forming capacity in vitro (CFU) by Bone Marrow (B) and Peripheral Blood (PB) showed an abnormal colony formation by myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells. No immunological defects were discovered. The in vitro colony formation appears to have a definite role in the identification of patients who may be at higher risk of developing leukemia. The importance of 8 chromosome for hematopoiesis control is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cucurbitane Triterpenoids from the Fruits of Momordica Charantia Improve Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Homeostasis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice.
Momordica charantia (M. charantia) has antidiabetic effects, and cucurbitane-type triterpenoid is one of the compounds of M. charantia. This study aims to investigate whether the new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids affect insulin sensitivity both in vitro and in vivo, and the underlying mechanisms. Four compounds (C1-C4) isolated from the ethanol extract of M. charantia enhance glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes via insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) rather than via adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. The most potent, compound 2 (C2), significantly increases the activation of IRS-1 and downstream signaling pathways, resulting in glucose transporter 4 translocation. Furthermore, these C2-induced in vitro effects are blocked by specific signal inhibitors. We further evaluate the antidiabetic effect of C2 using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. Consistent with in vitro data, treatment with C2 (1.68 mg kg-1 ) significantly decreases blood glucose level and enhances glycogen storage in STZ-injected mice. These effects appear to be mediated by the IRS-1 signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, not in adipose and liver tissues, suggesting that C2 improves hyperglycemia by increasing glucose uptake into skeletal muscle. Our findings demonstrate that the new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids have potential for prevention and management of diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Identification of human remains by DNA analysis of the gastrointestinal contents of fly larvae.
Dipterous fly larvae (maggots) are frequently collected from a corpse during a criminal investigation. Previous studies showed that DNA analysis of the gastrointestinal contents of maggots might be used to reveal the identity of a victim. However, this approach has not been used to date in legal investigations, and thus its practical usefulness is unknown. A badly burned body was discovered with its face and neck colonized by fly larvae. Given the condition of the body, identification was not possible. Short tandem repeat (STR) typing was performed using the gastrointestinal contents of maggots collected from the victim and was compared to STR profiles obtained from the alleged father. The probability of paternity was 99.685%. Thus, this comparative DNA test enabled the conclusive identification of the remains. This is the first reported case of analysis of human DNA isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of maggots used to identify a victim in a criminal case. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Suppression of acrylamide toxicity by carboxyfullerene in human neuroblastoma cells in vitro.
In our previous study, we found that caspase-dependent apoptosis played a role in the genesis of toxicity of acrylamide in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells (Sumizawa and Igisu in Arch Toxicol 81:279-282, 2007). In the present experiment, we examined whether carboxyfullerene may suppress the cytotoxicity of acrylamide because carboxyfullerene has been reported to protect nerve cells from various pathologic processes including apoptosis. Carboxyfullerene lowered lactate dehydrogense leakage and elevated cell viability in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to acrylamide. It also lowered caspase-3 activities and cell population in the sub-G(1) phase induced by acrylamide. Nevertheless, carboxyfullerene enhanced cellular uptake of [(14)C]acrylamide. On the other hand, acrylamide markedly decreased glutathione (GSH)-content in cells and carboxyfullerene blocked the decrease. The toxicity of acrylamide was suppressed by adding GSH or GSH monoethyl ester, whereas it was not lowered by carboxyfullerene when GSH synthesis was inhibited by L: -buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine. Thus, the cytotoxicity of acrylamide including apoptotic processes is closely related to GSH level in SH-SY5Y cells and carboxyfullerene suppresses the toxicity by maintaining GSH content. Neither tricarboxylic acids without fullerene moiety nor hydroxylated fullerene showed comparable effects of carboxyfullerene (60 microM) against 1-5 mM acrylamide, suggesting the importance of the three malonic acid groups at specific positions in a fullerene molecule for the effects. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Seasonal variation of the essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and velopotriates in Valeriana officinalis roots and rhizomes, and the selection of plants suitable for phytomedicines.
During the seasons 1989-1993, Valeriana officinalis plants were investigated for their contents of essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and valepotriates. Harvesting of the subterranean parts was started in August of the year in which the seeds were sown, and continued until the last week of April of the subsequent year. Despite marked variations from year to year, the maximum contents of essential oil in the subterranean parts of V. officinalis were found in September, ranging from 1.2% to 2.1% (v/w) based on dry weight (DW). Over the vegetation periods investigated, the composition of the oil remained more or less constant. Valerenic acid and its derivatives, and the valepotriates reached their maxima in February-March, with contents of 0.7-0.9% (DW) and 1.1-1.4% (DW), respectively. During the period 1989 - 1993, five V. officinalis strains were investigated for their contents of essential oil, valerenic acid and derivatives, and valepotriates in order to select plants suitable for phytomedicines. The selection procedures described in this paper finally yielded plant material (in 1993) with a satisfactory content of essential oil (0.9%) combined with a high content of valerenic acid and derivatives (0.5%) which can be harvested in September of the year of sowing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Common allergens present in personal care products: identification, diagnosis, and management.
The incidence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) reactions to personal care products has progressively increased, affecting women more so than men. Fragrances and preservatives are the major sensitizers behind cosmetic-induced ACD, due to their ubiquitous presence in these products, though emulsifiers, ultraviolet filters, and botanical allergens have been implicated as well. While patch testing is the standard for diagnosing ACD, many cosmetic-specific antigens are not currently included within the commercially available kits. Therefore, patch testing for potential cosmetic-induced ACD should be supplemented with additional compounds commonly found in personal use products. Effective treatment of ACD must involve accurate identification and removal of the offending agent. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Surgical outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion in elderly patients. Surgical technique.
We are aware of no reports on the surgical results of posterior lumbar interbody fusion in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic results of posterior lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screws in patients older than seventy years of age and compare them with results in younger patients. We also investigated the association between the clinical and radiographic results. The study included 101 patients who had been followed for at least three years after posterior lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screws for the treatment of L4-L5 degenerative spondylolisthesis. The average follow-up period was fifty months. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age at the time of the operation: Group 1 included thirty-one patients who were seventy years of age or older (average age, seventy-four years) at the time of the operation, and Group 2 included seventy patients who were less than seventy years old (average age, fifty-nine years). Preoperative and postoperative status (according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system) and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Postoperative radiographic features, including fusion status and segmental lordosis, were also examined. No significant differences in preoperative and postoperative scores were observed between the two age groups, with the numbers available. General complications were found in Group 1. However, the prevalence of adjacent segment degeneration in Group 1 was lower than that in Group 2. The radiographic results revealed no significant difference in the prevalence of segmental lordosis, with the numbers available. There was no nonunion in either group. Although the prevalence of either collapsed union or delayed union in Group 1 was significantly higher than that in Group 2 (p = 0.034), the fusion results such as union in situ, collapsed union, and delayed union did not appear to affect the postoperative clinical results in this study. No obvious differences in the clinical results were observed between the age groups with the numbers available. Postoperative adjacent segment degeneration was less frequent and collapsed union and delayed union were more common in the elderly group. The fusion results did not appear to affect the postoperative clinical results in this study. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The publication process itself was the major cause of publication bias in genetic epidemiology.
How do scientists in the field of genetic epidemiology see the problem of publication bias, what are the possible solutions and what particular pressures are they under that might either promote or prevent publication and other biases? An exploratory study of beliefs and practices among scientists working in the field of genetic epidemiology. A purposive sample of senior, genetic scientists was selected (N=6) and informants were interviewed face to face. There was some consensus that the issue of nonreplication might be particularly problematic in genetic epidemiology, and that publication bias could contribute to this. The informants suggested that the problem lay mainly with the publication process. Publication of negative results was seen as important but fraught with difficulties. Possible solutions included education of editors, and reviewers, dissemination of negative findings through Web sites or accessible data archives and pooling of data. However, none of these were perceived to be straightforward given the current pressures on the research industry. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A novel approach for assessing the susceptibility of Escherichia coli to antibiotics.
The dynamic growth process of Escherichia coli CVCC249 under different concentrations of antibiotics was analyzed. The results suggested that the main reason that definitive results cannot be obtained by antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) is that the ratio of drug concentration to the population of bacteria and the combined effect of drug concentration and action time cannot be completely determined with the methods used. Based on the analysis of the growth process with a series of concentrations of gentamicin acting for a certain time, and according to the forward difference method, a novel method for AST was proposed. The net increase in turbidity of the bacterial population was used to eliminate the existing effects of resting cells, and then the recurrent coefficient for a growing sequence was used to characterize the effect of antibiotics on bacterial division, and the contour plot was used to display and analyze the combined effect of drug concentration and action time. The inhibition rate of the antibiotics can be characterized as the dynamic change in the composite function of the antibiotic concentration and action time, which indicated that the inhibition rate was dependent on the combined effect of time and concentration of antibiotics. The effectiveness of this new method has been verified with different kinds of antibiotics, such as enrofloxacin, levofloxacin, and ceftriaxone, having different antibacterial mechanisms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Self-Knowledge, Adherence to Treatment, and Control of Arterial Hypertension in Peru: a Narrative Review].
This non-systematic bibliographic review examines the published Peruvian medical literature on arterial hypertension (HTN) as of December 2016. The results were divided into three thematic areas: self-knowledge, adherence to treatment, and control. We identified 197 articles, although only 15 were used for the analysis. Despite improvement in recent years, we found that the level of self-knowledge about HTN is poor. The level is better in urban areas, but is generally worse than in other Latin American cities. Moreover, despite improvement, HTN control is insufficient and worse than in other Latin American countries. Finally, adherence to treatment may be worse in the provinces. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Regulation of protein kinase C by nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and phorbol esters in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells.
We have used a permeabilized cell assay and a synthetic peptide substrate (KRTLRR) to specifically monitor the activity of protein kinase C in PC12 cells preincubated with nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), or phorbol esters. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with 1 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or 1 microM phorbol dibutyrate stimulated the rate of KRTLRR peptide phosphorylation 4.8- and 2.6-fold, respectively. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with NGF or EGF transiently increased the KRTLRR peptide kinase activity. Peak stimulations of KRTLRR peptide kinase (1.3-2-fold) were observed after 1-5 min of growth factor treatment and returned to control levels within 15-20 min. The KRTLRR peptide kinase activity fulfilled two criteria of protein kinase C. A synthetic peptide inhibitor of protein kinase C inhibited both growth factor- and phorbol ester-stimulated KRTLRR peptide kinase activity. In addition, growth factors and phorbol esters failed to stimulate KRTLRR peptide kinase activity in cells rendered protein kinase C-deficient by long-term treatment with 1 microM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. In contrast to the transient activation of protein kinase C, ribosomal S6 kinase, assayed with the synthetic peptide RRLSSLRA, was persistently activated by NGF and EGF. The findings indicate that protein kinase C serves an early and transient role in the molecular actions of NGF and EGF in PC12 cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A role for mismatch repair in production of chromosome aberrations by methylating agents in human cells.
We have shown previously that certain alkylation products, or alkylation derived lesions, which induce chromosome aberrations (abs) persist for at least two cell cycles in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The increase in abs in the second cycle after treatment contrasts with the classical observation of reduction in ab yield with successive mitoses following ionizing radiation. Here we present evidence that processing of lesions by mismatch repair is a mechanism for ab induction by methylating agents. Our previous studies implicated O6-methylguanine (O6MeG) as an important lesion in induction of abs, particularly in the second cell cycle after treatment. In the absence of repair of O6MeG by alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), new abs were induced in the second cycle after treatment with e.g. methylnitronitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and methylnitrosourea (MNU). Thus, we hypothesized that abs were produced not by O6MeG or its repair in the first S phase, but by subsequent processing of the lesions. We suggested that after replication proceeded past the O6MeG lesion in the first S phase, inserting an incorrect base on the newly synthesized strand, recognition and repair by mismatch repair in the second S phase led to a chromosome ab. Here we used MT1 cells, a human lymphoblastoid cell line that has a defect in strand-specific mismatch repair. MT1 cells are alkylation tolerant and have a mutator phenotype, compared with their parent line, TK6; both MT1 and TK6 cells lack AGT so do not remove the methyl group from O6MeG. While the initial levels of abs at the first metaphase were similar in MT1 and TK6 cells, ab levels in MT1 cells were greatly reduced in the second and third cell cycles following treatment with MNNG, dimethylnitrosamine and MNU, in contrast with the parent TK6 cells, which had more abs in the second cell cycle than in the first. This supports the hypothesis that repair of mismatched base pairs involving O6MeG is one mechanism for induction of chromosome abs. In contrast to the difference in response to methylating agents between TK6 cells and mismatch repair-deficient MT1 cells, the profile of ab induction by an ethylating agent, ethylnitronitrosourea, was similar in MT1 cells to those for TK6 cells and CHO cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hypothetical Case of Pancreatitis During a Long Duration Lunar Mission.
INTRODUCTION: This peer-reviewed hypothetical case was written to help the readership understand the challenges of dealing with quite common yet very debilitating diseases during space missions. This scenario is based on a real case of an astronaut who had previously flown in space and developed acute pancreatitis after being dehydrated from wilderness survival training. Many astronauts experience life threatening illness and injury before and after flight and, as space missions become longer and more remote, it is only a matter of time before these events occur during a mission. Future exploration space mission planners need to anticipate that these common catastrophic medical events will occur.CASE REPORT: You are a flight surgeon working on console at Mission Control during a long duration lunar mission. You have completed extensive space, military, and civilian aerospace medical training to address almost any anticipated medical event and can summon advice from medical experts located around the world. One crewmember is a 37-yr-old man who just completed an 8-h moonwalk and now describes a constant 7/10 dull epigastric pain with radiation around the left flank to his back. His pain is getting progressively worse and he is presently sitting with his trunk flexed and knees drawn up in extreme distress. Working with the flight director, you must decide in the next 12 h whether to recommend the multibillion-dollar mission be aborted and have the crew return to Earth immediately to save your patient.Hamilton DR, McBeth PB, Greene MR, Kirkpatrick AW, Ball CG. Hypothetical case of pancreatitis during a long duration lunar mission. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(6):570-578. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Plasma intestinal fatty acid-binding protein fails to predict endoscopic disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease patients.
Monitoring disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is of major importance to prevent long-term complications. Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) has been identified as a marker for intestinal damage and correlates with the degree of inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether I-FABP can predict active disease or remission in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in a real-life IBD cohort. In total, 70 patients with endoscopic disease activity available and 194 patients with disease activity on the basis of a stringent combi-score of clinical activity index, C-reactive protein, and fecal calprotectin were included. Plasma I-FABP was compared between patients with active disease and remission. In a small subgroup of CD patients, follow-up samples were analyzed. In CD (139.2 vs. 119.2 pg/ml; P=0.37) and UC (107.8 vs. 151.8 pg/ml; P=0.33), the median I-FABP did not differ in endoscopic active disease versus remission. In UC patients with active disease on the basis of the combi-score, the median I-FABP (106.8 vs. 172.0 pg/ml; P=0.03) was significantly lower than in patients in remission, but not in CD (145.5 vs. 157.5 pg/ml; P=0.29). Neither disease location in CD nor extent of disease in UC influenced I-FABP significantly. I-FABP was not different (P=0.78) in CD patients with a change in disease activity over time. Plasma I-FABP did not differ between endoscopic active disease and remission in both CD and UC. I-FABP was lower in active UC but not CD on the basis of the combi-score. On the basis of these findings, I-FABP has no potential as a novel noninvasive biomarker for disease activity in IBD. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The role of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in predicting plexiform neurofibroma progression.
The role of FDG-PET for managing patients with plexiform neurofibromas (PN) is unclear. While many PN tumors exhibit periods of rapid growth, others grow slowly or unpredictably and may have periods of relative quiescence. The ability to predict which PN are likely to progress should facilitate a more timely initiation of medical treatments. Since conventional radiographic techniques have limited prognostic value, the use of a functional imaging modality to predict tumor progression is desirable. We hypothesized that PN tumors with high metabolic activity as demonstrated by FDG-PET are more likely to progress in the following year. All patients were clinically stable, but were considered at high-risk for progression based on anatomical location of PN. FDG-PET scans were performed within two weeks of the baseline MRI study. Standardized uptake values (SUV) were calculated for all focally active index lesions and analyzed for correlation with changes in quantitative MRI over the ensuing year. Fifteen of the 18 enrolled patients showed various degrees of FDG uptake as focal abnormalities, and these abnormalities corresponded to those noted on the MRI scans. Thirteen patients and 19 lesions were evaluable for PN volume change. The SUVmax ranged from 0.9 to 4 (median 1.5). There was a significant difference in the percent increase in PN volume in the following year for lesions that had an SUV > 2 compared to those with lower values (P = 0.016). These findings support the hypothesis that FDG-PET imaging predicts PN growth rate, and, therefore, may assist clinician decision making with regard to treatment of PN and enrollment in clinical trials. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preclinical assessment of antiarrhythmic drugs.
The morbidity statistics for the United States alone would suggest that there are 400,000 victims each year who succumb to sudden coronary death, which suggests that there is a need for the development of pharmacological interventions capable of preventing ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients identified as being at high risk. A major deficiency in this area of experimental investigation is the lack of an animal model that would permit preclinical studies to identify potentially useful therapeutic agents. We have developed an experimental canine model of sudden coronary death in which VF occurs in the chronically injured heart that is subjected to a period of transient ischemia in a coronary region remote from the site of a previous myocardial infarction. The experimental model is subject to the induction of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in response to programmed electrical stimulation, thereby permitting the investigator to correlate the effectiveness of a pharmacological agent in preventing electrically induced arrhythmias with its potential to prevent the development of VF in response to ischemia at a site remote from a previous infarct. Thus, acute myocardial ischemia at a site distant from a previous myocardial infarction enhances the likelihood of primary VF in the conscious dog. This model of sudden coronary death may stimulate more closely the clinical state in humans and might serve as an appropriate model for the study of electrophysiological mechanisms associated with the development of VF and for the evaluation of potential antifibrillatory drugs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An appropriate ingestion volume of oral sulfa drug suspension in pigs.
The influence of ingested volume of a sulfa drug suspension, sodium sulfamonomethoxine (SMMNa), on the oral pharmacokinetics was studied in pigs, with regard to bioavailability and gastric emptying. Eighteen pigs, weighing 30-70 kg, were used. Phenol red solution was used for the evaluation of gastric emptying study. SMMNa suspension was used for pharmacokinetic study. Both of these fluids were administered by natural swallowing. Three experimental groups were constructed: G-I; 5 ml/kg of the test fluids to starved animals, G-II; 5 ml/kg of the test fluids to fed animals and G-III; 20 ml/kg of the fluids to fed animals. The glucose glycine electrolyte solution (GGES) was used as the vehicle for both the compounds. Six pigs, having duodenal cannula, were used for the study of gastric emptying. The gastric emptying rate was rapid in G-I, relatively rapid in G-III, and slow and variable in G-II. In agreement with the result of gastric emptying study, the values of Cmax and tmax were high and rapid in G-I, relatively high and rapid in G-III, and low and slow in G-II. Accordingly, the voluminous ingestion of drug suspension can facilitate the gastric emptying, in turn may make the oral absorption of the drug rapid-and-uniform. The 20 ml/kg volume of sulfa drug suspension may practically be recommended for the oral administration in pigs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interlaboratory trial of the rat Pig-a mutation assay using an erythroid marker HIS49 antibody.
The peripheral blood Pig-a assay has shown promise as a tool for evaluating in vivo mutagenicity. In this study five laboratories participated in a collaborative trial that evaluated the transferability and reproducibility of a rat Pig-a assay that uses a HIS49 antibody reacts with an antigen found on erythrocytes and erythroid progenitors. In preliminary work, flow cytometry methods were established that enabled all laboratories to detect CD59-negative erythrocyte frequencies (Pig-a mutant frequencies) of <10×10(-6) in control rats. Four of the laboratories (the in-life labs) then treated male rats with a single oral dose of N-nitroso-N-ethylurea, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), or 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO). Blood samples were collected up to 4 weeks after the treatments and analyzed by flow cytometry for the frequency of CD59-negative cells among total red blood cells (RBCs; RBC Pig-a assay). RBC Pig-a assays were conducted in the four in-life laboratories, plus a fifth laboratory that received blood samples from the other laboratories. In addition, three of the five laboratories performed a Pig-a assay on reticulocytes (RETs; PIGRET assay), using blood from the rats treated with DMBA and 4NQO. The four in-life laboratories detected consistent, time- and dose-related increases in RBC Pig-a mutant frequency (MF) for all three test articles. Furthermore, comparable results were obtained in the fifth laboratory that received blood samples from other laboratories. The three laboratories conducting the PIGRET assay also detected consistent, time- and dose-related increases in Pig-a MF, with the RET MFs increasing more rapidly with time than RBC MFs. These results indicate that rat Pig-a assays using a HIS49 antibody were transferable between laboratories and that data generated by the assays were reproducible. The findings also suggest that the PIGRET assay may detect the in vivo mutagenicity of test compounds earlier than the RBC Pig-a assay. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An integrative formulation-based cognitive treatment of bipolar disorders: application and illustration.
An integrative cognitive treatment for mood swings and bipolar disorders is summarized and then illustrated in a clinical case. In essence, it is proposed that multiple, extreme, and conflicting beliefs about changes in internal state, and the reciprocal impact of these beliefs on behavior, physiology, and the social environment, constitute the central mechanism that maintain and escalate bipolar symptoms. Using a case illustration with examples of therapy dialogue, several key aspects of cognitive-behavioral therapy are explained, including the assessment of mood, beliefs, distressing imagery, and recurrent thinking; case formulation; therapeutic techniques; self-awareness; interpersonal factors during therapy; and systemic issues. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The role of validation in macromolecular crystallography.
The importance of validation techniques in X-ray structure determination and their relation to refinement procedures are discussed, with particular reference to atomic resolution structures. The requirements of deposition and publication, and the role of validation tools in this are analysed. The need for a rigorously defined file format is emphasized. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ring Transformation of Glycidic Amides with Ortho-Metalated Phenols to Enantiopure 3-Hydroxychromanones.
A novel access to hitherto unknown enantiopure 2-alkylchroman-4-ones 10 was found by a reaction of ortho-metalated O-MOM-protected phenols with Weinreb amides 8 of enantiopure cis- or trans-glycidic acids. Upon acidic hydrolysis, the resulting o-MOMO-benzoyloxiranes 9 undergo ring transformation to 2-alkylchroman-4-ones 10. 2-Alkylidenecoumaran-3-ones 11 were formed as alternative products, depending on the configuration of the starting oxirane ring and on the type of phenol used as starting material. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Novel alginate based nanocomposite hydrogels with incorporated silver nanoparticles.
Alginate colloid solution containing electrochemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was investigated regarding the nanoparticle stabilization and possibilities for production of alginate based nanocomposite hydrogels in different forms. AgNPs were shown to continue to grow in alginate solutions for additional 3 days after the synthesis by aggregative mechanism and Ostwald ripening. Thereafter, the colloid solution remains stable for 30 days and could be used alone or in mixtures with aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) while preserving AgNPs as verified by UV-Vis spectroscopy studies. We have optimized techniques for production of Ag/alginate microbeads and Ag/alginate/PVA beads, which were shown to efficiently release AgNPs decreasing the Escherichia coli concentration in suspensions for 99.9% over 24 h. Furthermore, Ag/hydrogel discs based on alginate, PVA and PVP were produced by freezing-thawing technique allowing adjustments of hydrogel composition and mechanical properties as demonstrated in compression studies performed in a biomimetic bioreactor. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90) in a Thai sample.
Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) has been used on both normal and clinical samples in Thailand over a long period. However, its validity and reliability have not yet been systemically reported Survey the validity and reliability of SCL-90 in a more extensive way, using a normal sample of people throughout Thailand, and investigate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of SCL-90. Four hundred forty eight subjects participated in the present study of which 50.4% were male and with ages ranging from eighteen to 90 years, by providing demographic data and completing the Thai version of SCL-90 and the 16-Personality Factor (16-PF) Questionnaire. The demographic data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Cronbach's alpha was used to determine its internal consistency Factor and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to construct the validity, and convergent and discriminant validities were calculated to generate Pearson's correlation coefficients using the 16-PF subscales. The mean of the global symptoms index was found to be 0.70 +/- 0.46, with the means of the symptoms ranging from 0.53 for Psychoticism to 0.98 for Obsessive-compulsive disorder. We found to be a significant difference in sub-scales across genders, age groups, geographic regions, educational levels, occupations, and incomes, but the symptom dimension patterns revealed were similar to those of previous studies. Depression and anxiety were the key components to show variance between the normal and clinical samples. The measurements demonstrated good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha, at 0.97, but did not yield relevant correlations between some of the 16-PF sub-scales, as was expected. Moreover, factor analysis revealed that SCL-90 has a uni-dimensional construct. The Thai version of SCL-90 showed a good internal consistency, but poor discriminant validity with most items occurring for the depression, anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity dimensions. It is recommended that some of the items be revised for clinical studies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Intragastric pH in critically ill neonatal foals and the effect of ranitidine.
To characterize intragastric pH profiles in critically ill foals and determine whether administration of ranitidine altered pH profiles. Prospective observational study. 23 hospitalized neonatal foals < or = 4 days of age. Intragastric pH was measured continuously for up to 24 hours by use of an indwelling electrode and continuous data recording system. In 21 foals, ranitidine was administered IV. 10 foals had predominantly or exclusively alkaline profiles, 10 had profiles typical of those reported for healthy foals, with periods of acidity (hourly mean pH < 5.0 at least once), and 3 had atypical profiles with periods of acidity. All 10 foals that had intragastric pH profiles typical of healthy foals survived, whereas only 2 foals with alkaline profiles survived, and none of the foals with atypical profiles survived. The effects of ranitidine administration could not be assessed in 13 foals because of a high baseline intragastric pH. In 7 of the remaining 9, ranitidine administration resulted in an alkalinizing response, but this response was often of blunted duration. Ranitidine administration did not appear to alter the intragastric pH profile in the remaining 2 foals. Results suggested that hospitalized critically ill foals often have intragastric pH profiles different from those reported for healthy foals and may respond differently to ranitidine administration than do healthy foals. Many critically ill foals have continuously alkaline intragastric pH profiles, questioning the need for prophylactic administration of ranitidine in all critically ill foals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison of cadmium absorption, translocation, subcellular distribution and chemical forms between two radish cultivars (Raphanus sativus L.).
Cadmium (Cd) absorption and accumulation vary greatly not only among plant species but also among cultivars within the same species. In order to better understand the mechanisms of Cd absorption, transportation and distribution, we examined the differences of Cd absorption, translocation, subcellular distribution and chemical forms between L19, a Cd-tolerant genotype, and H4, a Cd-sensitive genotype, using kinetic analysis and soil culture experiment. Kinetic assays showed that the different Cd concentrations between the two cultivars might be ascribed to root absorption and translocation from root to shoot. The investigations of subcellular distribution and chemical forms verified that Cd concentrations of all subcellular fractions in H4 were all higher than in L19. Meanwhile, most of the Cd was associated with cell walls in the root of H4, but the Cd in the root of L19 and leaf of the two cultivars was mainly stored in soluble fraction, which could be one possible mechanism of tolerance to Cd toxicity. In addition, Cd fractions extracted by 1M NaCl and 2% HAC were predominant in root and leaf of both cultivars and the concentrations and proportions extracted by water and 80% ethanol in root and 1M NaCl in leaf were all higher in H4 than in L19. These results indicate that the Cd in H4 is more active than L19, which could be responsible for the sensitivity of H4 to Cd damage. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fabrication of a microfluidic Ag/AgCl reference electrode and its application for portable and disposable electrochemical microchips.
This report describes a convenient method for the fabrication of a miniaturized, reliable Ag/AgCl reference electrode with nanofluidic channels acting as a salt bridge that can be easily integrated into microfluidic chips. The Ag/AgCl reference electrode shows high stability with millivolt variations. We demonstrated the application of this reference electrode in a portable microfluidic chip that is connected to a USB-port microelectrochemical station and to a computer for data collection and analysis. The low fabrication cost of the chip with the potential for mass production makes it disposable and an excellent candidate for real-world analysis and measurement. We used the chip to quantitatively analyze the concentrations of heavy metal ions (Cd(2+) and Pb(2+)) in sea water. We believe that the Ag/AgCl reference microelectrode and the portable electrochemical system will be of interest to people in microfluidics, environmental science, clinical diagnostics, and food research. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Imaging findings of leukemic involvement of the pancreaticobiliary system in adults.
Our objective was to review the imaging findings of patients with leukemic involvement of the pancreaticobiliary system in adults. Pancreatic myeloid and lymphoid leukemia show single or multiple mass lesions of homogeneous low attenuation and poor contrast enhancement on CT that is radiographically indistinguishable from that of pancreatic lymphoma. Although more cases are needed for confirmation, leukemic infiltration of the biliary tract is characterized by wall thickening of the bile duct with minimal contrast enhancement--a feature that may be helpful in differentiating it from infiltrating hilar or extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Age-related eye disease, quality of life, and functional activity.
To examine the associations of measures of quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey) and functional activities (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and visual function) in persons with and without age-related eye diseases. Two thousand, six hundred seventy persons participated in the 1998 through 2000 examinations of both the Beaver Dam Eye Study and the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study. Age-related eye disease (age-related maculopathy, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macula edema, occlusions, amblyopia, and macular holes) were assessed by fundus, slitlamp, and retroilluminated photographs and self-reported ocular history. Also administered was a standard interview that included the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and visual function questionnaires and information on other medical conditions. After controlling for age and sex, we found that persons with an age-related eye disease had decreased scores in almost all the domains of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey, and persons with eye disease in both eyes had poorer scores than persons with eye disease in only 1 eye. Stratifying by age-related maculopathy and central cataract yielded similar results. Further adjustment for current visual acuity and the number of comorbid conditions explained most associations. Several of the mental scales were still marginally significantly lower (P<.10) in persons with age-related maculopathy after adjustment. Persons with an age-related eye disease were not more likely to have impaired activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living. After adjustment for current visual acuity and number of comorbidities, persons who had trouble reading small print or recognizing people across the street were more likely to have an age-related eye disease. Otherwise, there were no significant associations with the visual function questions and any of the specific ocular conditions. Many measures of general quality of life and functional activities were related to age-related eye diseases, but few associations remained significant after adjustments for vision and other comorbidities. Our data are compatible with the notion that decreased visual function, irrespective of the pathologic reason for the decrease, is associated with diminished quality of life and functional activities of living. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cragg Endopro System I: early experience. I. Femoral arteries.
This work describes the early experience with the Cragg Endopro System I. The safety and efficacy of this device in the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions of the femoral arteries are evaluated. Eleven patients with complex femoral artery lesions were treated. Ten patients presented with femoral artery occlusion and one had a 90% stenosis. All patients had life-style limiting claudication. Associated comorbid states included smoking (n = 10), hypertension (n = 4), hyperlipidemia (n = 5), coronary artery disease (n = 3), and diabetes (n = 1). The stents were dilated to the size of the native artery in the first three patients. The protocol was modified and stents were overdilated by 1 mm in the remaining eight patients. An anticoagulation regimen was used in the first three patients and modified per protocol requirements in the remaining eight. Prophylactics antibiotics were given before the procedure. Follow-up studies included Doppler ultrasound and intravenous and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography. An antegrade femoral approach was used. Stent placement was successful in all patients. The mean lesion length was 9.9 cm (4-18 cm). Mean ankle/brachial index before treatment was 0.65 and increased to 0.87 after treatment. Mean follow-up was 17.2 months, and one patients was lost to follow-up. Complications included sepsis (n = 1), fever (n = 2), severe pain (n = 4), thrombosis (n = 5), and hematoma (n = 2). Stent patency was improved after protocol modifications. Overall primary patency rate was 45% and secondary patency was 56%. This early experience with the Cragg Endopro System I shows that recanalization of long femoral occlusions and stent-graft placement is feasible. The primary and secondary patency rates are low and the complication rate is high. Improved patency rates are expected with a more aggressive anticoagulation regimen and stent overdilation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Conventionally Fractionated Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy versus Altered Fractionation Radiotherapy Alone in the Definitive Management of Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Treatment intensification either by using concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or altered fractionation radiotherapy (AFRT) improves outcomes of locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The superiority of one approach over the other, however, remains to be firmly established. The aim of the present study was to compare outcomes of CCRT versus AFRT in the definitive non-surgical management of locoregionally advanced HNSCC for evidence-based decision making. An electronic search of Medline via PubMed was conducted with no language, year, or publication status restrictions. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) were also searched electronically. Only randomised controlled trials assigning HNSCC patients randomly to conventionally fractionated CCRT or AFRT alone were included. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and pooled using the Cochrane methodology for meta-analysis and expressed as a hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals. Overall survival was the primary outcome of interest, whereas disease-free survival, locoregional control and toxicity were secondary end points. Five randomised controlled trials (involving 1117 patients and 627 deaths) directly comparing conventionally fractionated CCRT with AFRT alone were included. The risk of bias in included studies was low for efficacy outcomes, but high for toxicity outcomes. The overall pooled hazard ratio of death was 0.73 (95% confidence interval = 0.62-0.86), which significantly favoured conventionally fractionated CCRT over AFRT alone (P < 0.0001). Similarly, disease-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.79, 95% confidence interval = 0.68-0.92; P = 0.002) and locoregional control (hazard ratio = 0.71, 95% confidence interval = 0.59-0.84; P < 0.0001) were significantly improved with CCRT. There were no significant differences in the incidence of severe acute toxicity (dermatitis and mucositis) between the two approaches of treatment intensification. Late xerostomia was significantly increased with CCRT. Significant haematological toxicity and nephrotoxicity were seen exclusively with chemotherapy. There is moderate quality evidence that conventionally fractionated CCRT improves survival outcomes compared with AFRT alone in the definitive radiotherapeutic management of locoregionally advanced HNSCC. No form of acceleration can potentially compensate fully for the lack of concurrent chemotherapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Functional localization in the three floccular zones related to eye movement control in the cat.
Anatomically, the cat's cerebellar flocculus can be divided into 3 zones on the basis of differences in their efferent projection sites. The functional differences of these 3 zones in relation to eye movement control were investigated by observing the eye movements evoked by electric stimulation of each zone of the flocculus in ketamine-anesthetized cats. Stimulation of the flocculus elicited a slow eye movement. The direction of the slow eye movement was mapped. A downward eye movement was evoked by stimulation of the caudal zone. An ipsilateral horizontal eye movement was induced from the middle zone. An upward eye movement was elicited from the rostral zone. When prolonged stimulation was applied to the flocculus, the slow eye movement was followed by nystagmus in the opposite direction. This nystagmus persisted for many seconds after cessation of stimulation (afternystagmus). Nystagmus and afternystagmus could not be elicited in deeply anesthetized cats. Possibilities as to how the stimulation leads to various eye movements are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ultrastructural study on experimental infection of rotavirus in a murine heterologous model.
Viral replication, histopathological and ultrastructural changes were observed for a period of nine days in the small intestine of suckling mice infected with a simian rotavirus (SA11). Samples taken from duodenum, jejunum and ileum were prepared for light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Histopathologic effect could be detected within 8 hr post-infection, when only a few altered cells were observed. Damage was extensive after 16 hr post-infection, showing swollen enterocytes and reduced and irregularly oriented microvilli at intestinal villi tips. Virus particles were detected at 16 and 48 hr post-infection, budding from the viroplasm into the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae in ileum enterocytes. Clear evidence of viral replication, observed by electron microscopy was not described before in heterologous murine models. Regeneration of the intestinal villi began at the third day post-infection. Despite some differences observed in clinical symptoms and microscopic analysis of homologous and heterologous rotavirus infections, we concluded that mechanisms of heterologous rotavirus infection in mice follow similar patterns to those observed in the homologous models. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cultural response to mental illness in Senegal: reflections through patient companions--Part II. Statistical correlates.
Patient records from the Thiaroye Psychiatric Hospital in Senegal were studied to see if analysis of patterns of persons accompanying patients to the hospital could help to portray the community's response to mental illness. A systematic sample of 935 records of initial out-patients visits were examined. Patterns of patient companionship were found to strongly correlate with specific patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Interpretation of these findings helped to clarify both prevailing attitudes toward the mentally ill and the social response and management of mental illness. The first article in this series presented the study setting, methods, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, and characteristics of patient companions. The current article examines the statistical associations of companion number, gender and kinship relationship with patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Central orexin-A increases gastric motility in rats.
Orexin receptor type-1 (OX1R) is expressed in the dorsal motor nucleus of vagi (DMV). Although orexin-A (OXA) plays an important role in mediating stress responses, it remains unclear how central OXA regulates gastric dysmotility induced by stress. Acute restraint stress (ARS) delays solid gastric emptying via the central corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and peripheral autonomic neural pathways. We have previously shown that ARS impairs postprandial antro-pyloric coordination and delays solid gastric emptying in rats. We also showed that postprandial gastric contractions were augmented in response to ARS in rats. However, the mechanism of augmented postprandial gastric contractions induced by ARS remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that augmented gastric motility induced by ARS is mediated via the central OX1R. We also assessed the role of endogenous OXA in the mediation of gastric motility under non-stressed conditions in conscious rats. A strain gauge transducer was implanted on the antrum to record postprandial gastric motility. To investigate whether endogenous OXA is involved in ARS-induced augmented gastric motility, selective OX1R antagonist, SB-334867 (16 μg), was administered intracerebroventricularly (icv). Icv-injection of SB-334867 abolished the augmented gastric contractions induced by ARS. Spontaneous postprandial gastric motility was enhanced by icv-injection of OXA (10 μg), while it was attenuated by icv-injection of SB-3334867. It is suggested that central OXA mediates augmented gastric motility induced by ARS in rats. Central OXA also modulates postprandial gastric contractions in non-stressed conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Determination of ranolazine in human plasma by liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric assay.
A highly sensitive liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method (LC-MS-MS) is developed to quantitate ranolazine in human plasma. The analyte and internal standard tramadol are extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using diethyl ether-dichloromethane (60:40 v/v), and separated on a Zorbax extend C18 column using methanol-10mM ammonium acetate (60:40 v/v, pH 4.0) at a flow of 1.0 mL/min. Detection is carried out by multiple reaction monitoring on a QtrapTM LC-MS-MS system with an electrospray ionization interface. The assay is linear over the range 10-5000 ng/mL with a limit of quantitation of 10 ng/mL and a lower limit of detection (S/N > 3) of 1 ng/mL. Intra- and inter-day precision are < 3.1% and < 2.8%, respectively, and the accuracy is in the range 96.7-101.6%. The validated method is successfully used to analyze the drug in samples of human plasma for pharmacokinetic studies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of atrial natriuretic peptide at a low dose on water and electrolyte metabolism during general anesthesia.
To assess the hemodynamic, renal, and endocrine effects of small continuous doses of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in patients anesthetized with sevoflurane for gastrectomy. Prospective randomized study. Operating room and wards of a university hospital. 20 ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for gastrectomy. Atrial natriuretic peptide (0.05 microg/kg/min; ANP group, n = 10) or saline (control group, n = 10) was infused continuously for 2 hours beginning at the start of the operation. Plasma concentrations of ANP, brain natriuretic peptide, cortisol, angiotensin II, and aldosterone; plasma renin activity; serum and urinary sodium, potassium, and chloride; and urinar output. The ANP group showed much greater urine volume and sodium, potassium, and chloride excretion than the control group, although the ANP group had a lower arterial blood pressure. The infusion did not affect surgery-induced increases in hormones. No patients experienced excessive hypotension, bradycardia, or other perioperative complications. Continuous intravenous infusion of ANP at 0.05 microg/kg/min during gastrectomy was associated with greater water and electrolyte excretion unaccompanied by changes in potentially interacting hormones. Low-dose infusion may be particularly safe and useful for controlling water and electrolyte metabolism intraoperatively. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Renal dysfunction in acute congestive heart failure: a common problem for cardiologists and nephrologists.
The term acute heart failure (AHF) refers to a clinical syndrome with typical symptoms and signs, in which a structural or functional heart abnormality leads to defective oxygen delivery. The term cardiorenal syndrome has been proposed to outline the strict interplay between cardiac and renal function. In the setting of acute cardiac decompensation, acute kidney injury (AKI) is generally referred to as cardiorenal syndrome type 1. In this review, we summarize the fundamental pathophysiological aspects of both AHF and AHF-related AKI. We also review the latest therapeutic options, including both pharmacological ones, such as loop diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics and vaptans, and non-pharmacological ones, such as ultrafiltration, and their impact on patients' outcome. We discuss the pathophysiology of diuretic resistance, a common occurrence in these patients, reviewing the available strategies to treat it and highlighting how a close collaboration between cardiologists and nephrologists is frequently crucial for the management of this complication. Finally, we discuss three new promising non-pharmacological tools for the prevention of AHF recurrence, including two methods that exploit sympathetic denervation and one technique that acts by increasing vagal tone. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
MRI of persistent trigeminal artery.
To describe the classic appearance of persistent trigeminal artery on MR imaging with the typical MR appearance of the hypoplastic precommunal basilar artery. This finding may be used as an ancillary sign of this anomaly in subtle cases of persistent fetal carotid-basilar artery anastomoses. Two women (46 and 19 years of age) with persistent trigeminal artery were examined. An MR imaging study using spin-echo sequences was performed. The findings were confirmed on conventional angiography. Two cases showed a hypoplastic basilar trunk flow void in the caudal posterior fossa that enlarged to a more normal caliber rostrally above the persistent trigeminal artery anastomosis. The actual anastomosis was also demonstrated in both cases, and in one of the cases the persistent trigeminal artery was shown to form a groove in the dorsum sellae. A proximal hypoplastic basilar trunk below the anastomosis that enlarges to a more normal caliber above the aberrant communication is an important ancillary sign of persistent trigeminal artery and should be searched for on routine MR studies in cases with suspected carotid-basilar anastomoses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
GATA2-dependent and region-specific regulation of Gata2 transcription in the mouse midbrain.
Transcription factor GATA2 is expressed in numerous mammalian tissues, including neural, hematopoietic, cardiovascular and urogenital systems, and yet it plays important roles in the regulation of tissue-restricted gene expression. The Gata2 gene itself is also under stringent tissue-specific control and multiple cis-regulatory domains have been identified in the Gata2 locus. In this study we sought out and then examined in detail the domains that regulate Gata2 in the midbrain. We identified two discrete domains in the Gata2 promoter that direct midbrain expression; these distal 5H and proximal 2H regulatory domains are located 3.0 and 1.9 kbp, respectively, upstream of the transcriptional initiation site. Importantly, both domains contain GATA factor binding sites. Our analyses further revealed that GATA2 is essential for Gata2 gene expression in the midbrain, whereas GATA3 is not. Both the 2H and 5H domains have the independent ability to activate Gata2 gene expression in the midbrain superior colliculus, whereas the distal-5H domain is additionally capable of activating Gata2 transcription in the inferior colliculus. These results demonstrate that two distinct regulatory domains contribute to the Gata2 gene expression in the mouse midbrain and that Gata2 midbrain transcription is under positive autoregulation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory of patients with allergic rhinitis].
To explore the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and personality traits in nonpsychiatric population of allergic status. Subjects were assigned to the allergic (84 cases) or nonallergic health group (37 cases) on the basis of skin prick test (SPT) and allergic symptoms. The psychological aspects of subjects were assessed by using the minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI). The allergic group scored higher than the nonallergic group on five clinical scales, hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D), hysteria (Hy), hypomania (Ma), social introversion (Si), and one research scale manifest anxiety scale (Mas). The differences were significant (t value was respectively 2.169, 2.711, 2.010, 2.577, 2.390 and 2.196, all P < 0.05). In addition, the grade of resultant skin wheal was positively correlated with T scores on the Hs, Hy, psychopathic deviance (Pd) and psychasthenia (Pt). The r value was 0.366, 0.449, 0.345 and 0.355 respectively (all P < 0.05). Subjects with AR show poorer psychological functioning, indicating the close relationship between AR and psychological status. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Some elements for a revision of the americium reference biokinetic model.
The interpretation of individual activity measurement after a contamination by 241Am or its parent nuclide 241Pu is based on the reference americium (Am) biokinetic model published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection in 1993 [International Commission on Radiological Protection. Age-dependent doses to members of the public from intake of radionuclides: Part 2 Ingestion dose coefficients. ICRP Publication 67. Ann. ICRP 23(3/4) (1993)]. The authors analysed the new data about Am biokinetics reported afterwards to propose an update of the current model. The most interesting results, from the United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries post-mortem measurement database [Filipy, R. E. and Russel, J. J. The United States Transuranium and Uranium Registries as sources for actinide dosimetry and bioeffects. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 105(1-4), 185-187 (2003)] and the long-term follow-up of cases of inhalation intake [Malátová, I., Foltánová, S., Becková, V., Filgas, R., Pospísilová, H. and Hölgye, Z. Assessment of occupational doses from internal contamination with 241Am. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 105(1-4), 325-328 (2003)], seemed to show that the current model underestimates the retention in the massive soft tissues and overestimates the retention in the skeleton and the late urinary excretion. However, a critical review of the data demonstrated that all were not equally reliable and suggested that only a slight revision of the model, possibly involving a change in the balance of activity between massive soft tissues, cortical and trabecular bone surfaces, may be required. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mitochondrial DNA common deletion in the human eye: a relation with corneal aging.
The most frequent mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation is a 4977 bp deletion known as the common deletion (mtDNA(CD4977)). mtDNA(CD4977) is related to skin photo-aging and to chronological aging of cells with high-energy demands such as neurons and muscle cells. The human eye contains both sun-exposed (cornea, iris) and high-energy demand structures (retina). In this study, we employed a highly sensitive quantitative PCR technique to determine mtDNA(CD4977) occurrence in different structures of the human eye. We found that the cornea, the most anterior structure of the eye, contains the highest amount of mtDNA(CD4977) (2.6%, 0.25% and 0.06% for the cornea, iris and retina, respectively). Within the cornea, mtDNA(CD4977) is almost exclusively found in the stroma, the cellular layer conferring transparency and rigidity to the human cornea (8.59%, 0.13% and 0.05% in the stroma, endothelium and epithelium, respectively). Moreover, we show that mtDNA(CD4977) accumulates with age in the corneal stroma. Taken together, our results suggest that mtDNA(CD4977) is related to photo-aging rather than chronological aging in the human eye. Similar to the involvement of mtDNA(CD4977) in skin photo-aging phenotypes, we believe that the clinical manifestations of corneal aging, including clouding and stiffening, are associated with the accumulation of mtDNA(CD4977) in the corneal stroma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The humanized anti-HLA-DR moAb, IMMU-114, depletes APCs and reduces alloreactive T cells: implications for preventing GVHD.
In contrast to the conventional immunosuppressive agents and nonselective T-cell-depleting antibodies, selective depletion of donor alloreactive T cells and/or host APCs, particularly DCs, represents a novel approach that can effectively control GVHD with less or no impairment of T-cell-mediated antiviral and GVL immunity. Here we report that IMMU-114, a humanized anti-human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) moAb, efficiently depleted human PBMCs of all APCs, including B cells, monocytes, myeloid DC type-1 (mDC1), mDC2 and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). Early and late apoptosis of mDC1, mDC2 and pDCs, and late apoptosis of all APC subsets, were increased by IMMU-114 treatment. Although IMMU-114 had little, if any, effect on the survival and apoptosis of non-B lymphocytes (>80% of which are T cells and ∼1-2% of T cells express HLA-DR), it selectively inhibited the proliferation of purified HLA-DR(+) T cells rather than HLA-DR(-) T cells. As a consequence, IMMU-114 treatment resulted in suppressed T-cell proliferation and reduced CD25(+) alloreactive T cells in allogeneic MLRs. Given the critical roles of APCs and alloreactive T cells in the pathogenesis of GVHD, these results suggest that IMMU-114 may have therapeutic potential against GVHD. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Characterization of three types of ATP-activated current in relation to P2X subunits in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons.
In the present study, ATP-activated currents (I(ATP)s) recorded from rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons using whole-cell patch clamp technique are classified into three types (F, I and S) based on the characteristics of their activation and desensitization. The time of rising phase (R(10-90)) of types F, I and S of I(ATP) is measured to be 33.6+/-4.5, 62.2+/-9.9 and 302.1+/-62.0 ms respectively, and positively correlated to cell size. The time of decaying phases (D(10-90)) of types F and S is 399.4+/-58.2 and >1500 ms, respectively. The dose-response curves for the three types of I(ATP) show that their EC(50) values are close (3.44 x 10(-5), 4.89 x 10(-5) and 4.14 x 10(-5) M for types F, I and S respectively, P>0.05). Their reversal potentials are basically the same, varying from +4 to +10 mV. In addition, using whole-cell patch clamp technique in combination with single cell immunohistochemical staining for P2X receptor subunits, our results suggest that the type distinction of ATP-activated current was associated with cell size and P2X receptor subunits: small-sized cells with type F of I(ATP) express only P2X1 and/or P2X3 subunits, while cells with types S and I of I(ATP) express P2X2 or P2X4 in addition to P2X1 and P2X3. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Close genetic relationships between a spousal pair with autism-affected children and high minor allele content in cases in autism-associated SNPs.
Parents of children affected with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often have mild forms of autistic-like characteristics. Past studies have focused on searching for individual genetic risk loci of ASD. Here we studied the overall properties of the genomes of ASD trios by using previously published genome-wide data for common SNPs. The pairwise genetic distance (PGD) between a spousal pair with ASD-affected children was found smaller than that of a random pair selected among the spouses in the ASD trios, and spousal relatedness correlated with severe forms of ASD. Furthermore, for a set of 970 ASD associated SNPs, cases showed higher homozygous minor allele content than parents. These results indicate new genetic elements in the broad phenotypes of parents with ASD-affected offspring and in ASD pathogenesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Surveillance in relatives of patients with adenomatous polyposis.
Registry ascertainment of kindreds with adenomatous polyposis (AP) reduces the incidence of colorectal carcinoma by medical monitoring for offspring and siblings of affected patients. Due to its pleiomorphic genotype and a 50% risk for AP in each patient's progeny, early screening is mandatory. Flexible sigmoidoscopy, averaging from puberty to age 48, annually or every two years, is one diagnostic technique that does not result in excess patient discomfort or cost. Timely examination is facilitated when eye anomalies, osteomas, or epidermoid cysts are present in childhood as potential clinical markers for AP. Denial, misperceptions, and fear may impede surveillance in the absence of education by the registry health care team. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. (Rubiaceae) Leaves on Metabolic and Inflammatory Dysfunction Induced by High Refined Carbohydrate-Containing Diet in Mice.
Obesity is characterized by a chronic low-grade inflammation, which has been shown to be involved in the development of comorbidities such as insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and liver damage. Phytochemicals found in plants may modulate inflammation and improve health problems associated with the excess of adiposity. Teas prepared with many plants are used in Brazil for losing weight. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. on metabolic and inflammatory disarrangement induced by high refined carbohydrate (HC)-containing diet in mice. BALB/c mice were fed with chow or HC diet for 8 weeks. After this period, the HC diet was supplemented for 4 weeks with three different doses, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg, of crude extract of R. viburnoides. Ethanol extract at the lowest dose (40 mg/kg) reduced adipocyte size, and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. A lower concentration of proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and CCL2 in the liver and adipose tissue, and reduced levels of cholesterol and resistin in the serum were also observed. High concentrations of chlorogenic and caffeic acids, and the flavonoids, rutin and quercetin, were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector. Therefore, these data confirm the potential of R. viburnoides leaves as nutraceutical agents for the treatment of metabolic and inflammatory changes associated with obesity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The single nucleotide polymorphisms and its application to forensic medicine].
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most abundant forms of human genetic variation. These variable sites are present at high density in the genome, making them powerful tool for the diagnosis of genetic and genetic-related diseases, population genetics research and drug development. They are also found widespread application to the forensic medicine. This report mainly describe the SNPs characteristics and its potential applications to the forensic medicine including the possibility, the problems and high-throughput automation detection methods. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina in pregnancy.
Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina is extremely rare. Treatment options in pregnancy are complex owing to the aggressive tumor type and poor prognosis. We report the case of a gravid woman diagnosed with stage IVB neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina at 16 weeks of gestation. Disease responded to chemotherapy, and pregnancy was continued until onset of preterm labor at 28 5/7 weeks of gestation, with subsequent delivery of a viable fetus. Despite aggressive treatment with chemoradiation postpartum, the patient died of progressive disease 11 months after initial diagnosis. A multidisciplinary team should review treatment options and potential complications with the patient. Because of the tendency toward early tumor dissemination, the optimal treatment for neuroendocrine carcinoma in pregnancy involves systemic chemotherapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Impact of sagittal balance parameters on life quality in elderly and senile patients after surgery for degenerative lumbar spine stenosis].
As the life span and proportion of people over 65 years increase, the incidence of degenerative lumbar spine stenosis grows proportionally. Various parameters of the spinopelvic relationships are used to predict surgical treatment outcomes in patients with degenerative spine diseases. There are no unified protocols for evaluation, in terms of the sagittal balance, of surgical treatment outcomes in elderly patients. To study the impact of sagittal balance parameters on the life quality of elderly and senile patients after surgery for degenerative stenosis of the lumbar spine. The study included 109 patients. Decompression was performed in the first group of 53 patients. Decompression and stabilization were performed in the second group of 27 patients. In the third group of 29 patients, XLIF indirect decompression, scoliosis correction, reconstruction of disturbed spinopelvic relationships, and stabilization were carried out. We evaluated the following sagittal balance parameters: pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis (LL), and PI minus LL (PI-LL). The quality of life indicators were assessed using VAS, ODI, and SF36 scores. In the first group, there were not statistically significant differences for PT≤20° and PT>20°. A statistically significant change in the PI-LL parameter (p=0.0263) was in the first group. A decrease in PI-LL was accompanied by regression of pain (p<10-4). In the second group, comparison of the quality of life indicators revealed no statistically significant differences between PT≤20° and PT>20° as well as PI-LL≤10° and PI-LL>10 in the postoperative period. In the third group, postoperative improvement in PT (p=0.0002) and PI-LL (p=0.0008) parameters was accompanied by a decrease in pain in the legs (p=0.0002) and lumbar spine (p=0.0001). Improvement in the quality of life indicators in 48.6% of cases was achieved by decompression only; the sagittal balance parameters had no significant impact on quality of life. In 24.8% of cases, improvement in the quality of life indicators was achieved by decompression and stabilization because the dominant clinical neurological syndrome was instability. Reduced quality of life in 26.6% of patients was caused by disturbed spinopelvic relationships. Application of the XLIF technique in these patients provides statistically significant restoration of the sagittal balance parameters, PT and PI-LL, which improves quality of life. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Deep-lobe parotid gland tumors.
Fewer than 10% of all parotid gland tumors arise from the deep portion of the gland. The great majority are benign and are mixed tumors. Their clinical presentation in the parapharyngeal space is uncommon, but in the event, the principal differential diagnosis is the elimination of an oropharyngeal primary salivary gland tumor. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Variables with prognostic value in the onset of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
The establishment of an individualized prognostic evaluation in patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) remains a difficult and imprecise task, due mostly to the variety of etiologies. Determining which variables have prognostic value in the initial assessment of the patient would be extremely useful in clinical practice. To establish which variables identifiable at the onset of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss have prognostic value in the final hearing recovery. Prospective, longitudinal cohort study. Patients with ISSHL followed by the Department of Otology-Neurotology of a quaternary hospital were included. The following variables were evaluated and correlated with final hearing recovery: age, gender, vertigo, tinnitus, initial degree of hearing loss, contralateral ear hearing, and elapsed time to treatment. 127 patients with ISSHL were evaluated. Rates of absolute and relative recovery were 23.6dB and 37.2% respectively. Complete hearing improvement was observed in 15.7% patients; 27.6% demonstrated significant improvement and improvement was noted in 57.5%. During the onset of ISSHL, the following variables were correlated with a worse prognosis: dizziness, profound hearing loss, impaired hearing in the contralateral ear, and delay to start treatment. Tinnitus at the onset of ISSHL correlated with a better prognosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Partial purification and properties of the Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) was purified 85-fold from a nuclear pellet derived from an EBV-transformed B lyphoblastoid cell line by a five-step procedure consisting of preparation of extract, heating at 80 degrees C in phosphate buffer, ammonium sulfate precipitation, preparative ultracentrifugation, and affinity chromatography on double-stranded DNA-cellulose. The purified complement fixing antigen specifically blocked the anticomplement immunofluorescence assay for EBNA. Several properties indicate a close association of EBNA with chromatin, viz. 1) precipitation of antigenic activity by phosphate buffer and subsequent thermal fractionation; 2) partial sensitivity of antigenic activity to DNase (but not to RNase) and restoration of activity by addition of calf thymus DNA; and 3) specific binding of EBNA to double-stranded DNA-cellulose. Other properties of EBNA, including its unusual heat stability, are described. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Creating an infrastructure for training in the responsible conduct of research: the University of Pittsburgh's experience.
In response to public concerns about the consequences of research misconduct, academic institutions have become increasingly cognizant of the need to implement comprehensive, effective training in the responsible conduct of research (RCR) for faculty, staff, students, and external collaborators. The ability to meet this imperative is challenging as universities confront declining financial resources and increasing complexity of the research enterprise. The authors describe the University of Pittsburgh's design, implementation, and evaluation of a Web-based, institution-wide RCR training program called Research and Practice Fundamentals (RPF). This project, established in 2000, was embedded in the philosophy, organizational structure, and technology developed through the Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems grant from the National Library of Medicine. Utilizing a centralized, comprehensive approach, the RPF system provides an efficient mechanism for deploying content to a large, diverse cohort of learners and supports the needs of research administrators by providing access to information about who has successfully completed the training. During its first 3 years of operation, the RPF served over 17,000 users and issued more than 38,000 training certificates. The 18 modules that are currently available address issues required by regulatory mandates and other content areas important to the research community. RPF users report high levels of satisfaction with content and ease of using the system. Future efforts must explore methods to integrate non-RCR education and training into a centralized, cohesive structure. The University of Pittsburgh's experience with the RPF demonstrates the importance of developing an infrastructure for training that is comprehensive, scalable, reliable, centralized, affordable, and sustainable. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Somatotropin transgenic mice have reduced jejunal active glucose transport rates.
Small intestinal glucose absorption and gastrointestinal morphology were compared in adult bovine somatotropin transgenic (MT-bGH) and control mice. The MT-bGH mice were 57% heavier than controls, although both groups consumed comparable amounts of food during the 5 d before transport measurements were made. Stomach, cecum and colon were 98, 53, and 81% heavier (P < 0.001), and small intestinal tract 52% heavier and 27% longer in MT-bGH than in control mice (P < 0.001). As a proportion of live weight, MT-bGH mice tended to have a shorter small intestine than controls (P < 0.07), whereas there was no difference for either small or large bowel relative weights. Villus dimensions, crypt depth and thickness of external muscle layers in the jejunum were not significantly different in control and MT-bGH mice. Active glucose transport rate per milligram of jejunum was 24% less than in control mice (P < 0.05). Jejunal active glucose transport rate per gram of live weight in MT-bGH mice was approximately half that of control mice. The larger small intestinal mass of MT-bGH mice compensated for the reduced rate of glucose transport per unit weight of intestine such that there was no significant difference in total small intestinal tract glucose transport between control and MT-bGH mice. These results suggest that there are substantial differences in nutrient absorptive efficiency between intestinal tract from MT-bGH and control mice. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Performance enhancement of procalcitonin by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein at the optimal cutoff in predicting bacteremia in emergency department adult patients.
Pathogenic bacteremia portends a high mortality risk in adult patients admitted to an Emergency Department (ED). This study aims to investigate the effect of adding high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to procalcitonin (PCT) and lactate in predicting bacteremia, Gram-negative (GNB) and Gram-positive bacteremia (GPB), using the optimal cutoff derived from the receiver operating characteristics analysis. We evaluated the diagnostic measures, including the positive-test likelihood (LR+), the negative-test likelihood (LR-), and the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) using a single-center retrospective analysis design. This Standards for Reporting Diagnostic-compliant study comprised 886 consecutive adults who were admitted to the ED in 2010; to this cohort, a 22.2% prevalence of true bacteremia was subsequently confirmed. At the cutoff of 3.9 μg/L, PCT had a DOR of 5.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.76-7.61) and LR + of 2.8 (95% CI: 2.3-3.4) in predicting overall bacteremia. Elevated PCT and lactate (cutoff at 2 mmol/L), increased the DOR and LR + to 6.3 (95% CI: 4.27-9.29) and 4.0 (95% CI: 3.1-5.2). The DOR and LR + were further improved to 7.1 (95% CI: 4.2-11.95) and 5.6 (95% CI: 3.7-8.6), respectively, when hs-CRP at the cutoff of 1238 nmol/L was added to PCT plus lactate. High-sensitivity CRP at the cutoff of 1,255 nmol/L can enhance the discriminative power raising DOR and LR + values for GPB. The elevation of hs-CRP at the optimal cutoff might improve the diagnostic performance to predict unspecified bacteremia and GPB, but not GNB. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Problems of medical parasitology].
Situation on parasitic disease in Russia remains complex. Reduction of parasitology personnel had a negative impact on the quality of epidemiological control in the field of parasitic diseases and resulted in a decrease of awareness of physicians of therapeutic-prophylaxis institutions. The situation was aggravated by a lack of anti-malaria preparations and insufficient specter of anti-helminthic drugs. Uncontrolled increase of the number of domestic and stray dogs in cities was the reason for increase of morbidity by helminthoses and zoonoses--toxocarosis and dirofilariasis. Emergence in the south of Krasnodar Region of effective carriers Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus became a serious threat to biological safety of the country. These mosquitos are effective carriers of causative agents of mosquito viral fevers: yellow, Dengue, Chikungunya et al. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Rho and Rho kinase mediate thrombin-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell DNA synthesis and migration.
Aberrant regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration is associated with the pathophysiology of vascular disorders such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, restenosis, and graft rejection. To elucidate molecular mechanisms that regulate proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, we determined whether signaling through the small G protein Rho is involved in thrombin- and phenylephrine-stimulated proliferation and migration of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). Thrombin and the thrombin peptide SFLLRNP stimulated DNA synthesis of RASMCs as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Both ligands also increased cell migration as measured by the Boyden chamber method. L-Phenylephrine failed to induce either of these responses but increased inositol phosphate accumulation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in these cells, which indicated that the cells were responsive to alpha1-adrenergic stimulation. The C3 exoenzyme, which ADP-ribosylates and inactivates Rho, fully inhibited both thrombin-stimulated proliferation and migration but had no effect on inositol phosphate accumulation. In addition, Y-27632, an inhibitor of the Rho effector p160ROCK/Rho kinase, decreased thrombin-stimulated DNA synthesis and migration. To directly examine Rho activation, Rho-[35S]GTPgammaS binding was measured. The addition of the thrombin peptide SFLLRNP, but not phenylephrine, to RASMC lysates resulted in a significant increase in Rho-[35S]GTPgammaS binding. Thrombin and SFLLRNP, but not phenylephrine, also increased membrane-associated Rho in intact RASMCs, consistent with selective activation of Rho by thrombin. These results indicate that thrombin activates Rho in RASMCs and establish Rho as a critical mediator of thrombin receptor effects on DNA synthesis and cell migration in these cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vascular endothelial cells evade apoptosis triggered by human leukocyte antigen-DR ligation mediated by allospecific antibodies.
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR ligation mediates cell death of antigen-presenting cells (APC), including mature B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. This study investigates the apoptotic effects of HLA class II ligation mediated by anti-HLA antibodies on activated human vascular graft endothelial cells (ECs). HLA class II expression was examined by flow cytometry using a panel of HLA-typed vascular ECs isolated from transplant donors and compared with that of B lymphocytes. The apoptotic effects of anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were investigated using viability assays, DNA content analysis, and annexin-V labeling. Intracellular signaling pathways mediated by HLA-DR ligation on ECs were examined by Western blotting. Even with optimal stimulation, the expression of HLA-DR on interferon (IFN)-gamma-treated ECs was quantitatively lower (3-5-fold) than that on B cells. Whereas anti-HLA-DR monomorphic mAbs induced apoptosis of B cells (approximately 22%), no significant apoptosis of IFN-gamma-activated (DR-positive) ECs ( < 5%), collected from the same donor, was observed under the same conditions. Similarly, specific polymorphic anti-HLA-DR11 or -DR16 antibodies were unable to induce EC apoptosis. Nevertheless, antibody-binding to HLA-DR on ECs is sufficient to induce intracellular signaling, as evident in the modulation of tyrosine phosphorylation and protein kinase (PK)C-alpha/beta and PKB/Akt activation. Our results suggest that HLA-DR ligation induces both common and divergent signaling events in ECs and B cells. Collectively, our data suggest that, in contrast with professional APC, graft ECs evade apoptosis mediated by HLA-DR ligation, not as a result of moderate HLA-DR expression but rather as a result of a specific signaling pathway. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Uptake of immunoglobulins and other proteins from serum into epithelial cells of the mouse uterus and oviduct.
The transport of immunoglobulins into the lumen of the female reproductive tract is not well understood, especially in the case of IgG. In mice, there are conflicting reports concerning the presence of immunoglobulins in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells, and immunoglobulins have not been detected in the luminal epithelial cells of the oviduct. In the present study we detected both IgA and IgG in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells on day 1 of pregnancy by immunolabeling. Also, we observed that fluorescein-conjugated mouse and bovine IgG and other proteins were taken up into vesicles in uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells after intravenous administration. These observations indicate that both kinds of epithelial cells take up immunoglobulins from the interstitial fluid on day 1 of pregnancy, and that the cells may therefore be involved in the transport of immunoglobulins and other proteins to the uterine lumen at that time. In the oviduct, we detected IgA and IgG in vesicles in the luminal epithelial cells of the preampulla by immunolabeling, and we observed fluorescein-conjugated IgA and IgG in similar vesicles after intravenous administration. The presence of IgA and IgG in vesicles in the epithelial cells of the preampulla, together with the previous demonstration of plasma cells of both isotypes and large amounts of interstitial immunoglobulins in the lamina propria of this segment, suggests that the preampulla of the oviduct may be an important site for the local immune system in the mouse female genital tract. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Inhibition of thalamic activity by stimulation of the inferior raphe nucleus in the chronically awake cat].
Poly U dependent polyphenylalanine synthesis from 14C phenylalanyl-tRNA, under known optimal conditions, in ribosomes obtained from NaF-treated Rabbit reticulocytes, is only slightly stimulated by the addition of ATP, GTP and UTP in the absence of phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate kinase. However, in the presence of the energy generating system, the stimulation by ATP far surpasses that by other nucleotides. A scheme of reactions which help explain this observation is presented. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The spectrum of beta-thalassemia mutations in northern and northeastern Thailand.
A total of 123 beta-thalassemia genes from northern (n = 113) and northeastern (n = 10) Thailand were examined. Using five oligonucleotide probes, the mutation in 108 genes (88%) was identified: 50 nonsense 17, 49 frameshift 41-42, 4-28(A----G), 2 IV1 nt5(G----C), 2IVS2 nt654, and 1 deletion removing the entire beta-globin gene. The nonsense 17 mutation (n = 39) was linked to a single haplotype, whereas the frameshift 41-42 mutation occurred with several haplotypes. The results of the present study indicate that prenatal diagnosis of clinically important beta-thalassemia syndromes using a limited set of oligonucleotides is feasible in approximately 80% of affected families in northern Thailand and most of the families with beta-thalassemia-Hb E disease in northeastern Thailand. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Activation of HydA(DeltaEFG) requires a preformed [4Fe-4S] cluster.
The H-cluster is a complex bridged metal assembly at the active site of [FeFe]-hydrogenases that consists of a [4Fe-4S] subcluster bridged to a 2Fe-containing subcluster with unique nonprotein ligands, including carbon monoxide, cyanide, and a dithiolate ligand of unknown composition. Specific biosynthetic gene products (HydE, HydF, and HydG) responsible for the biosynthesis of the H-cluster and the maturation of active [FeFe]-hydrogenase have previously been identified and shown to be required for the heterologous expression of active [FeFe]-hydrogenase [Posewitz, M. C., et al. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 25711-25720]. The precise roles of the maturation proteins are unknown; the most likely possibility is that they are directed at the synthesis of the entire 6Fe-containing H-cluster, the 2Fe subcluster, or only the unique ligands of the 2Fe subcluster. The spectroscopic and biochemical characterization of HydA(DeltaEFG) (the [FeFe]-hydrogenase structural protein expressed in the absence of the maturation machinery) reported here indicates that a [4Fe-4S] cluster is incorporated into the H-cluster site. The purified protein in a representative preparation contains Fe (3.1 +/- 0.5 Fe atoms per HydA(DeltaEFG)) and S(2-) (1.8 +/- 0.5 S(2-) atoms per HydA(DeltaEFG)) and exhibits UV-visible spectroscopic features characteristic of iron-sulfur clusters, including a bleaching of the visible chromophore upon addition of dithionite. The reduced protein gave rise to an axial S = (1)/(2) EPR signal (g = 2.04 and 1.91) characteristic of a reduced [4Fe-4S](+) cluster. Mossbauer spectroscopic characterization of (57)Fe-enriched HydA(DeltaEFG) provided further evidence of the presence of a redox active [4Fe-4S](2+/+) cluster. Iron K-edge EXAFS data provided yet further support for the presence of a [4Fe-4S] cluster in HydA(DeltaEFG). These spectroscopic studies were combined with in vitro activation studies that demonstrate that HydA(DeltaEFG) can be activated by the specific maturases only when a [4Fe-4S] cluster is present in the protein. In sum, this work supports a model in which the role of the maturation machinery is to synthesize and insert the 2Fe subcluster and/or its ligands and not the entire 6Fe-containing H-cluster bridged assembly. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Welding, a risk factor of lung cancer: the ICARE study.
We investigated the relationship between lung cancer and occupational exposure to welding activity in ICARE, a population-based case-control study. Analyses were restricted to men (2276 cases, 2780 controls). Welding exposure was assessed through detailed questionnaires, including lifelong occupational history. ORs were computed using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for lifelong cigarette smoking and occupational exposure to asbestos. Among the regular welders, welding was associated with a risk of lung cancer (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5), which increased with the duration (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.9 when duration >10 years), and was maximum 10-20 years since last welding. The risk was more pronounced in case of gas welding (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3), when the workpiece was covered by paint, grease, or other substances (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.4) and when it was cleaned with chemical substances before welding. No statistically significant increase in lung cancer risk was observed among occasional welders. Although these results should be confirmed, we showed that type of welding and mode of workpiece preparation are important determinants of the lung cancer risk in regular welders. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cloning of alkaline sphingomyelinase from rat intestinal mucosa and adjusting of the hypothetical protein XP_221184 in GenBank.
Intestinal alkaline sphingomyelinase (alk-SMase) digests sphingomyelin and the process may influence colonic tumorigenesis and cholesterol absorption. We recently identified the gene of human alk-SMase and cloned the cDNA. Cross-species screening of homology in GenBank found a hypothetical rat protein, XP_221184, with 491 amino acid residues, which shares 73% identity with human alk-SMase. Based on the cDNA sequence of this protein, we cloned a cDNA from rat intestinal mucosa by RT-PCR. The cloned cDNA encodes a protein with 439 amino acid residues and higher (85%) identity with human alk-SMase. The cloned cDNA differed from the XP_221184 cDNA in splice sites linking exons 2 and 3, and exons 3 and 4, respectively. In the sequence of the cloned protein, the predicted activity motif, sphingomyelin binding sites, and potential glycosylation sites in human alk-SMase are all conserved. To confirm the cloned protein is the real form of alk-SMase, native alk-SMase was purified from rat intestine and subjected to proteolytic digestion followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry. Seven tryptic peptides were found to match the cloned protein sequence. Transient expression of the cloned cDNA linked with a myc tag in COS-7 cells demonstrated high SMase activity, with an optimal pH at 9.0 and a specific dependence on taurocholate and taurochenodeoxycholate. The expressed protein reacted with both anti-myc and anti-human alk-SMase antibodies. Northern blotting of rat tissues revealed high levels of mRNA in jejunum but not in other tissues. In conclusion, we cloned rat alk-SMase cDNA from rat intestine, adjusted the putative rat alk-SMase protein in GenBank, and confirmed the specific expression of the gene in the small intestine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Predicting the hepatocarcinogenic potential of alkenylbenzene flavoring agents using toxicogenomics and machine learning.
Identification of carcinogenic activity is the primary goal of the 2-year bioassay. The expense of these studies limits the number of chemicals that can be studied and therefore chemicals need to be prioritized based on a variety of parameters. We have developed an ensemble of support vector machine classification models based on male F344 rat liver gene expression following 2, 14 or 90 days of exposure to a collection of hepatocarcinogens (aflatoxin B1, 1-amino-2,4-dibromoanthraquinone, N-nitrosodimethylamine, methyleugenol) and non-hepatocarcinogens (acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, tryptophan). Seven models were generated based on individual exposure durations (2, 14 or 90 days) or a combination of exposures (2+14, 2+90, 14+90 and 2+14+90 days). All sets of data, with the exception of one yielded models with 0% cross-validation error. Independent validation of the models was performed using expression data from the liver of rats exposed at 2 dose levels to a collection of alkenylbenzene flavoring agents. Depending on the model used and the exposure duration of the test data, independent validation error rates ranged from 47% to 10%. The variable with the most notable effect on independent validation accuracy was exposure duration of the alkenylbenzene test data. All models generally exhibited improved performance as the exposure duration of the alkenylbenzene data increased. The models differentiated between hepatocarcinogenic (estragole and safrole) and non-hepatocarcinogenic (anethole, eugenol and isoeugenol) alkenylbenzenes previously studied in a carcinogenicity bioassay. In the case of safrole the models correctly differentiated between carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic dose levels. The models predict that two alkenylbenzenes not previously assessed in a carcinogenicity bioassay, myristicin and isosafrole, would be weakly hepatocarcinogenic if studied at a dose level of 2 mmol/kg bw/day for 2 years in male F344 rats; therefore suggesting that these chemicals should be a higher priority relative to other untested alkenylbenzenes for evaluation in the carcinogenicity bioassay. The results of the study indicate that gene expression-based predictive models are an effective tool for identifying hepatocarcinogens. Furthermore, we find that exposure duration is a critical variable in the success or failure of such an approach, particularly when evaluating chemicals with unknown carcinogenic potency. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Carcinoid Heart Disease: From Pathophysiology to Treatment--'Something in the Way It Moves'.
Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a rare cardiac manifestation occurring in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumours and the carcinoid syndrome, usually involving the right-sided heart valves and eventually leading to right heart failure. The pathophysiology of CHD is still obscure and believed to be multifactorial, as a variety of vasoactive substances secreted by the tumour appear to be involved. The management of patients with CHD is complex, as both the systemic malignant disease and the heart involvement have to be addressed. Timely diagnosis and early surgical treatment in appropriately selected patients are of outmost importance, as CHD is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Valve replacement surgery alleviates right heart failure and may also contribute to improved survival. In the present study we have comprehensively reviewed the existing literature to date, mainly focusing on the pathophysiology of CHD. Other aspects of CHD (such as the clinical presentation, diagnostic tools and therapeutic approach) are addressed in brief. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Survival in a population-based cohort of dementia patients: predictors and causes of mortality.
To examine predictors of survival time and causes of mortality in a population-based cohort of demented subjects. Longitudinal naturalistic follow-up study. A rural area in The Netherlands. The study population consisted of 102 demented subjects derived from a population-based, two-stage prevalence study of dementia among subjects aged 65 and over. Survival analysis was performed using the Realized Probability of Dying as a measure of survival time. Adjustment for duration and severity at study entry was employed in all analyses. A substantial excess mortality was present among demented subjects as compared with their non-demented birth cohort. Disorders related to dementia, such as cachexia, dehydration and pneumonia, were major causes of death. Variables related to severity of functional impairment, aphasia and a shorter duration at study entry predicted a shorter survival in the study population. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Analysis of the HUMTH01 allele frequencies in the Spanish population.
Genetic marker typing based on DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) increasingly is being employed in forensic casework and for paternity testing. The allele frequencies were determined using PCR for 120 unrelated Spanish Caucasians for the locus HUMTHOH1. Six alleles were observed, with frequencies ranging from 0.013 (allele 11) to 0.254 (allele 10). The observed heterozygosity was 75.8%, and the power of discrimination is 0.92. The genotype distribution meets Hardy-Weinberg expectations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Measurement tools. Do they apply equally to older adults?
1. The self-motivation inventory was developed and tested on young and middle-aged adults, and may not be appropriate for the older adult. 2. Areas of concern when considering the use of scales in the older adult should include a careful examination of the underlying assumptions on which the measure is based, as well as the appropriateness of questions, language and administration. 3. Measuring motivation in the older adult may be different from consideration of this concept in younger adults, as older adults are more concerned with conserving energy and surviving than achieving socially accepted goals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Early hyperglycemia after allogenic kidney transplantation: does it induce infections.
Although impact of diabetes mellitus after solid organ transplantation is a broadly investigated issue, a potential impact of early hyperglycemia after renal transplantation has not received enough consideration. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential impact of early hyperglycemia on the hazards of infections development leading to re-hospitalization. We evaluated 1931 non diabetic renal allograft recipients, undergone renal transplantation at the Baqiyatallah Hospital, Tehran from 1984 to 2006. Level of hyperglycemia was defined at 126 mg/dL. Patients who had at least two glucose concentration results over the mentioned level in two different days during their early post transplantation period were determined as hyperglycemic. Overall, 7.6% of patients were determined as having early post transplant hyperglycemia. Multivariable hazard analysis using Cox regression model showed that early post transplantation hyperglycemia has an independent impact on rehospitalization of non-diabetic kidney allograft recipients for developing infectious diseases. Regarding findings of our study and previous studies we conclude that renal transplant recipients who develop hyperglycemia during their early post transplantation period should receive higher amount of attention over their follow up periods. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The profile of violence against children and adolescents according to Child Protection Council records: victims, aggressors and patterns of violence].
To estimate the prevalence of violence against children and adolescents through the records of Child Protection Councils, associating this violence with the age of the victims and their links with the aggressor. Data were collected from the records and the prevalence rates were calculated through the Prevalence Ratio (PR), together with the associations among variables, with a critical level of 5%. Out of 1,293 records of violence, 1,011 (78.1%), originated in the home. The most frequent types of violence were: neglect (727), failure to provide basic care (304) and abandonment (259); physical violence (455), beatings (392) between 2 and 13 years old; psychological violence (374) through threats (219); sexual violence (68) through abuse (58), mainly among adolescents. Denunciations were mainly (398) anonymous (30.8%); the aggressors through neglect were the parents; through physical violence, the stepmother and "other aggressors"; through sexual violence, the stepfather and "other relatives / aggressors"; psychological violence was prevalent among all aggressor categories. The findings indicate the need to extend the Anti-Violence Hot-line facilities, training Council Members in terms of keeping proper records, and implementing policies designed to prevent violence against children and adolescents. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Stimulation of cannabinoid (CB1) and prostanoid (EP2) receptors opens BKCa channels and relaxes ocular trabecular meshwork.
Prostanoids and cannabinoids have ocular hypotensive and neuroprotective properties. The effect of the prostanoid AH13205 (EP2), the thromboxane-mimetic U46619, the cannabinoid (CB) agonists WIN55212-2 and CP 55,940, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and 8-bromo-cAMP on the membrane currents of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells were measured using the patch-clamp technique and compared to their effects on TM contractility. Previous studies show relaxation of TM to AH 13205 and other substances that elevate cAMP, while U46619 and endothelin-1 contract TM. This study shows that after contraction (100%) with carbachol (10(-6)m), the CB agonist CP 55,940 dose-dependently reduced contractility to 83+/-4% (n=9) (10(-6)m) and 61+/-10%, (n=7) (10(-5)m). In the presence of both the CB1 antagonist AM251 (10(-6)m) and CP 55,940 (10(-5)m), the contractile response to carbachol reached 84+/-3% (n=6) of the original level. In patch-clamp experiments, membrane permeable 8-bromo-cAMP (10(-4)m) had no effect on currents of TM cells. In contrast, AH 13205 and two cannabinoids reversibly enhanced outward current through high-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (BKCa, BK, maxi-K) to the following values (in % of the initial value at 100 mV): AH 13205 (10(-5)m): 200+/-28% (n=6), CP 55,940 (10(-6)m): 196+/-33% (n=7), CP 55,940 (10(-5)m): 484+/-113% (n=7), WIN55212-2 (10(-5)m): 205+/-41% (n=10). Iberiotoxin (10(-7)m) completely blocked these responses. The current response to CP 55,940 (10(-5)m) could be partially blocked by the CB1 antagonist AM251 (10(-6)m). Conversely, the contractile agents in this study either caused a transient reduction in outward current (ET-1(5x10(-8)m)) or had no effect (U46619 (10(-6)m)). We conclude that stimulation of EP2 and CB1 receptors in TM is coupled to the activation of BKCa channels via a non-diffusible second messenger cascade. This effect may contribute to the relaxant activity of EP2 and CB1 agonists in isolated TM strips, modulating ocular outflow. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prenatal diagnosis of sickle syndromes in India: dilemmas in counselling.
The sickle gene is prevalent in the scheduled caste and tribal populations in India. The clinical presentation of sickle cell disease is extremely variable, and there are no neonatal screening programmes. This is the first report on prenatal diagnosis of sickle syndromes in 85 couples at risk (sickle cell anemia-69; sickle thalassemia-16) from different regions in India. Most of the couples were from a low socioeconomic group and their decisions were entirely dependent on the local counselling given. We have evaluated the acceptability of prenatal diagnosis and the dilemmas faced in counselling these families. Chorion villus sampling was done in the first trimester and DNA analysis using reverse dot blot hybridization or restriction enzyme digestion with Dde1 in 65 cases. Cordocentesis was done in the second trimester and fetal blood analyses by automated HPLC in 20 cases who came late. 32.9% of couples came prospectively for diagnosis. 23.5% of fetuses were affected (sickle cell anemia-18, sickle thalassemia-2). The beta-thalassemia mutation in both cases was IVS 1-5(G->C). All the couples with an unfavourable diagnosis opted for termination of pregnancy. Sickle cell anemia has a relatively benign clinical course in some tribal groups in India. This raises a dilemma whether we are justified in advising prenatal diagnosis in all such cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Multivessel coronary thrombosis resulting from heparin induced thrombocytopenia.
Thrombosis associated with a drop in the platelet count may occur in 33-50% of the patients who develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) during treatment with unfractionated heparin. We report the case of a 63-year-old man who was treated with unfractionated heparin following a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). He developed an acute ST segment elevation infarction (STEMI) on day 3 with an associated severe thrombocytopenia. He was successfully treated with percutaneous intervention and aspiration of coronary thrombus from the right coronary artery and the left circulflex artery, followed by an infusion a direct thrombin inhibitor lepirudin/bivalirudin. He made an excellent recovery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A survey of hospital audiovisual services.
A survey of 305 potential audio-visual (A/V) service users from 17 disciplines in 7 teaching hospitals determined awareness of A/V services offered, use, and evaluation of these services. Ninety-nine percent of those surveyed were aware of the A/V services. The services most used were equipment loan, overhead transparency production, and slide/print production from type. Services most needing improvement were those providing patient education materials and facilities. Slide libraries and instruction in use of audiovisuals were perceived to need improvement. Conclusions are drawn about services that are best decentralized, or centralized and developed for sharing among hospitals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Factors correlating quality of life in patients with myasthenia gravis.
We studied factors associated with quality of life (QOL) among myasthenia gravis (MG) patients in two university hospitals in Thailand: Thammasat University (TU) and Khon Kaen University (KKU). Consecutive MG patients from an outpatient neurology clinic of both sites were enrolled and their clinical variables and QOL by the Short-Form 36 questionnaire were assessed. There were 31 and 40 subjects enrolled at TU and KKU, respectively. The mean values of the SF-36 score in seven dimensions were higher at the TU site. The significant factors between both sites were mean age, and numbers of participants with myasthenic symptoms and steroid treatment. The frequency of MG symptoms was the only factor associated with the SF-36 score (correlation coefficient -0.66, p value < 0.01). In conclusion, the frequency of MG symptoms might be the main factor that lowers QOL in MG patients in both physical and mental aspects. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Morphogenesis and development of superficial spreading tumor of the colon and rectum.
The aim of this study was to clarify the morphogenesis and mechanism of a wide intramucosal extension of a superficial spreading (epithelial) tumor (SST; defined as an epithelial tumor with wide intramucosal spreading involving a diameter of 30 mm or more) in the colon and rectum. For this purpose favorable sites, histological components, and histological growth patterns were compared between 95 cases of SST (16 adenomas and 79 carcinomas) and 2356 non-SST cases, which served as controls. The frequency of SST was significantly higher in the cecum and rectum, and lower in the sigmoid colon when compared to the locations of the control. Among the SST cases, 82.3% of superficial spreading carcinoma (SSC) had an adenomatous component and 96.2% had a cytologically low-grade carcinoma (CAL). In intramucosal SSC, the adenomatous and/or CAL component was predominant, and the proportion of high-grade carcinoma (CAH) was significantly smaller in intramucosal SSC in comparison with the control group. In the mucosal spreading area of SST, 78.9% were tubulovillous in histological type and 86.3% showed a replacing growth pattern. These results indicate that an SST initially develops as an adenoma in at least 85.3% of cases and CAL in 14.7% cases at most; spreads superficially in the mucosa by a replacing growth mechanism that forms a tubulovillous and villous structure; and is affected by intestinal peristalsis less than non-SST. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Optical coherence tomography imaging of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea during treatment with brimonidine topical gel 0.33%: a potential method for treatment outcome assessment.
Patients with moderate to severe rosacea often seek treatment to reduce erythema and vascular markings. Few studies have looked at the effectiveness of the novel treatment, brimonidine topical gel 0.33%, trademark name Mirvaso®, in the treatment of rosacea. We report the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning to monitor the effectiveness of Mirvaso® on in vivo skin. OCT is a non-invasive optical imaging technique that can provide high-resolution imaging of vessel and cellular morphology. OCT may be useful as a pre-treatment assessment tool for identifying possible morphologic features in the skin that may serve as outcome predictors. OCT may also serve as a monitoring tool in the treatment of rosacea. To examine and describe how OCT skin morphology changes when exposed to brimonidine topical gel 0.33% in the treatment of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Normal in vivo telangiectasias and erythematous patches and papules were examined prior to treatment clinically, dermatoscopically, and through OCT scans. Brimonidine topical gel 0.33% was applied to the face and OCT images were acquired at defined time intervals: baseline; immediately (<5 minutes) after application; 4 hours after application; and after 2 weeks' once daily application. OCT morphology was then described. OCT imaging showed an increase in the mean gray value (MGV), a measure of dermal reflectivity, corresponding to a decrease in dermal edema. MGV measurements for the nasal telangiectasia were: baseline, MGV 10,471 (standard deviation [SD] 6,847); immediate, MGV 15,634 (SD 8,983); after 4 hours, MGV 16,357 (SD 7,647); and after 2 weeks, MGV 15,505 (SD 6,870). MGV measurements for the chin erythema were: baseline, MGV 8,850 (SD 4,969); immediate, MGV 10,799 (SD 5,266); after 4 hours, MGV 12,419 (SD 6,714); and after 2 weeks, MGV 13,395 (SD 6,170). No significant change in vessel lumen diameter was appreciated. Vessel lumen diameter for the facial papule ranged from 0.13 mm at baseline, 0.09 mm immediately after treatment, 0.09 mm after 4 hours, and 0.11 mm after 2 weeks. OCT scanning showed a decrease in the dermal hyporeflectivity of the dermis consistent with a decrease in dermal edema. The OCT scans obtained did not show any significant change in vessel lumen diameter. These results may reflect an increase in vascular tone, which can be attributable to the clinical improvement and decreased erythema noted in the patient. This technology could potentially be used for the non-invasive in vivo monitoring of other topical treatments. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chédiak-Higashi syndrome: hematopoietic chimerism corrects genetic defect.
Chediak-Higashi syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, primarily affecting neutrophils, and is often lethal by the third decade of life. Bone marrow transplantation is the only curative therapy currently available. This case describes a child undergoing a bone marrow transplant from a matched sibling donor, resulting in hematopoietic chimerism with only a small percentage of donor neutrophils found long term. The presence of a small percentage of donor neutrophils has resulted in normal development and no increased incidence of infections. Hematopoietic chimerism offers a cure with a potential reduction in the side-effects that result from marrow transplantation and the associated preparative therapies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Computer based haemodynamic guidance system is effective and safe in management of postoperative cardiac surgery patients.
A circulatory guidance system, Navigator, was evaluated in a prospective, randomised control trial at six Australian university teaching hospitals involving 112 scheduled postoperative cardiac surgical patients with pulmonary artery catheters placed and receiving 1:1 nursing care. The guidance system was used to achieve and maintain physician-designated cardiac output and mean arterial pressure targets and compared these with standard post open-heart surgery care. The primary efficacy endpoint was the standardised unsigned error between the targeted and the actual values for cardiac output and mean arterial pressure, time averaged over the duration of cardiac output monitoring - the average standardised distance. This was 1.71 (SD=0.65) for the guidance group and 1.92 (SD=0.65) in the control group (P=0.202). Rates of postoperative atrial fibrillation, adverse events, intensive care unit and hospital length-of-stay were similar in both groups. There were no device-related adverse events. Guided haemodynamic therapy with the Navigator device was non-inferior to standard intensive care unit therapy. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00468247. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Retinol Increases beta-catenin-RXRalpha binding leading to the increased proteasomal degradation of beta-catenin and RXRalpha.
Retinol utilizes a retinoid X receptor (RXR)-mediated degradation pathway to decrease beta-catenin protein in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-resistant human colon cancer cells. In this study, we examined interactions between RXRalpha and beta-catenin in ATRA-resistant human colon cancer cells treated with retinol. Retinol treatment triggers relocation of beta-catenin and RXRalpha proteins. Cells treated with retinol for 8 and 24 h displayed increased cytosolic but decreased nuclear beta-catenin and RXRalpha. Retinol treatment increased beta-catenin and RXRalpha protein interaction. Previously, we showed that 24 h of retinol treatment increased RXRalpha protein. Here we show this increase in RXRalpha levels is due to increased RXRalpha messenger RNA. Treatment with 48 h with retinol decreased RXRalpha protein levels. Last, by transfecting HCT-116 cells with a RXRalpha construct lacking the activation function-1 and DNA binding domains, we show RXRalpha and beta-catenin binding is required for proteosomal degradation of beta-catenin. These results suggest retinol induces RXRalpha and beta-catenin binding and transport to the cytosol where they are proteasomally degraded. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synthesis and evaluation of 1,2,8, 8a-Tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]pyrrolo[3,2-e]indol-4(5H)-one, the parent alkylation subunit of CC-1065 and the duocarmycins: impact of the alkylation subunit substituents and its implications for DNA alkylation catalysis.
The synthesis of 1,2,8,8a-tetrahydrocyclopropa[c]pyrrolo[3, 2-e]indol-4(5H)-one (CPI), the parent CC-1065 and duocarmycin SA alkylation subunit, is detailed. The parent CPI alkylation subunit lacks the C7 methyl substituent of the CC-1065 alkylation subunit and the C6 methoxycarbonyl group of duocarmycin SA, and their examination permitted the establishment of the impact of these natural product substituents. The studies revealed a CPI stability comparable to the CC-1065 alkylation subunit but which was 6x more reactive than the (+)-duocarmycin SA alkylation subunit, and it displayed the inherent reaction regioselectivity (4:1) of the natural products. The single-crystal X-ray structure of (+)-N-BOC-CPI depicts a near identical stereoelectronic alignment of the cyclopropane accounting for the identical reaction regioselectivity and a slightly diminished vinylogous amide conjugation relative to (+)-N-BOC-DSA suggesting that the stability distinctions stem in part from this difference in the vinylogous amide as well as alterations in the electronic nature of the fused pyrrole. Establishment of the DNA binding properties revealed that the CPI-based agents retain the identical DNA alkylation selectivities of the natural products. More importantly, the C6 methoxycarbonyl group of duocarmycin SA was found to increase the rate (12-13x) and efficiency (10x) of DNA alkylation despite its intrinsic lower reactivity while the CC-1065 C7 methyl group was found to slow the DNA alkylation rate (4x) and lower the alkylation efficiency (ca. 4x). The greater DNA alkylation rate and efficiency for duocarmycin SA and related analogues containing the C6 methoxycarbonyl is proposed to be derived from the extended length that the rigid C6 methoxycarbonyl provides and the resulting increase in the DNA binding-induced conformational change which serves to deconjugate the vinylogous amide and activate the alkylation subunit for nucleophilic attack. The diminished properties resulting from the CC-1065 C7 methyl group may be attributed to the steric impediment this substituent introduces to DNA minor groove binding and alkylation. Consistent with this behavior, the duocarmycin SA C6 methoxycarbonyl group increases biological potency while the CC-1065 C7 methyl group diminishes it. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Absorption and digestion of phagocytized objects by mononuclear phagocytes during rheumatoid arthritis.
Radioisotope study of mononuclear phagocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed impaired ingestion of bacteria in the presence of pronounced digestive activity. Excessive accumulation methylumbelliferyl phosphate beta-glucuronide (product of hydrolysis catalyzed by glucuronidase released from cells) into the incubation medium was observed. This was probably related to the predominance of extracellular digestion. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[FGF23 in chronic kidney disease and kidney post-transplant patients].
Phosphatonins are regulatory factors of phosphate metabolism and the FGF23 is the best studied of them. This has produced a change in our understanding in mineral metabolism and specifically of phosphate regulation. FGF23 is a 251-amino acid factor that differs from other FGF family members by having a 71-amino acid extension on the carboxyl-terminal end of the molecule that is specific for this factor. It is primarily produced by osteocytes in bone. It has a central role in phosphate homeostasis regulation, producing phosphaturia, and in vitamin D metabolism, inhibiting its production by suppression of renal 1 Alfa hydroxylase. It is believed to have an important place in the pathogenesis of early secondary hyperparathiroidism related to chronic renal insufficiency by inhibiting renal synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D in response to its increment in blood produced to increase renal phosphate excretion and maintain phosphate balance. In CRF its serum levels seem to be independent predictors of progression to terminal renal failure. In dialysis patients the determination of its serum levels would allow to predict the results of therapy with calcitriol in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism; they also seem to be independent predictors of the risk of mortality during the first year of hemodialysis. Its serum levels have also been related to the development of vascular calcifications of hand arteries but not with aortic calcifications. The exposure to excessive levels of FGF23 in the early postransplant period seems to be strongly associated with postransplant hypophophatemia more than to PTH or other phosphatonins. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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