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Mitochondrial biogenesis: which part of "NO" do we understand?
A recent paper by Nisoli et al. [1] provides the first evidence that elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis in a number of cell lines via a soluble guanylate-cyclase-dependent signaling pathway that activates PGC1alpha (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha), a master regulator of mitochondrial content. These results raise intriguing possibilities for a role of NO in modulating mitochondrial content in response to physiological stimuli such as exercise or cold exposure. However, whether this signaling cascade represents a widespread mechanism by which mammalian tissues regulate mitochondrial content, and how it might integrate with other pathways that control PGC1alpha expression, remain unclear. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Two cases of allergic granulomatosis and angiitis (AGA); Churg-Strauss syndrome].
AGA is an angiitis syndrome that has some characteristic features, for example preceding asthma and polyneuritis. And histological findings are granulomatous angiitis or extravascular granuloma. We report two typical cases of AGA. Case 1; 51-year-old woman had been suffering from asthmatic dyspnea for one year and developed in 1987 multiple neuritis in her extremities. Eosinophilia and high level of IgE were noted. Pathologic diagnosis of the biopsied right calf muscle specimen was granulomatous angiitis. Case 2; 40-year-old woman had been suffering from asthmatic dyspnea for two years. She complained of severe cough and myalgia in 1986 and her chest X-ray showed homogeneous shadows in right upper and left lower fields. And her blood showed eosinophilia and high level of IgE. The histology of the biopsied subcutaneous nodules of hands showed extravascular granuloma. These two cases had specific features of AGA. About symptoms of angiitis, case 1 showed multiple neuritis and case 2 had subcutaneous nodules of hands. About laboratory data, case 1 showed WBC count of 9400/mm3 with 85% eosinophils and high level of IgE at 1400 IU/ml, case 2 had WBC count of 13200/mm3 with 22% eosinophils and IgE at 846 IU/ml. The vary of eosinophil count and IgE level were related to the degree and course of illness. These symptoms and laboratory data, except neuritis, improved by an administration of prednisolone. In early stage of AGA, prednisolone is effective, so the criteria of AGA and usage of corticosteroids must be considered. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Toward tunable amphiphilic copolymers via CuAAC click chemistry of oligocaprolactones onto starch backbone.
Starch-based tunable amphiphilic copolymers are easily obtained by grafting polycaprolactone chains via 1,3 dipolar Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (click chemistry CuAAC), starting from propargylated starch and azido oligocaprolactones with different chain lengths as the precursors. The copolymers are characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR, from which a degree of substitution of starch can tentatively be deduced. Besides these bulk characterizations, the surface of the functionalized starch is also characterized by XPS which confirms the triazole formation, particularly through the deconvolution of the N 1s peak, and by ToF-SIMS which, not only confirms the surface modification, but also highlights the disappearance of the Cu(+) cations. The solubility and swelling behaviours of these copolymers have been investigated, which clearly show the dependence both on the solvent and the PCL chain length. These investigations highlight the swelling dependence on the δd component of the Hansen solubility parameter of solvents. Finally, at low concentration, they present the capacity to organize themselves in aggregates in aqueous solutions, as seen from TEM and DLS investigations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A retrospective study on the effects of colistin therapy in children with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial pathogens: impact of HIV status on outcome.
Nosocomially acquired multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria are important contributors to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) mortality and morbidity, with limited treatment options. To investigate the outcomes of all children treated with colistin for infection with MDR Gram-negative bacteria while admitted to PICU. Retrospective observational study of 19 months. Primary endpoints were all-cause intensive care unit mortality and safety. Secondary endpoints evaluated clinical and microbiological outcomes. Cases were stratified according to HIV status. Twenty-seven children received 30 colistin courses during the study period. Eight patients (29.6%) were HIV infected, six (22.2%) were HIV uninfected but exposed, and 11 (40.7%) were HIV uninfected and unexposed. Common MDR Gram-negative bacteria cultured were: Acinetobacter species (n=22, 81.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=11, 40.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=7, 25.9%). Mortality was 37%, with no significant difference between HIV strata. No adverse drug reactions were noted. A composite clinical improvement was noted in 16 courses (53.3%) of colistin. Only 30% of colistin courses used in HIV-infected children resulted in an improved clinical assessment as compared with 83.3% of courses in HIV-uninfected/unexposed children (p=0.04). In HIV-infected children, five of 10 (50%) courses of colistin showed bacteriological clearance compared to the HIV uninfected/unexposed group where all cases showed bacterial eradication (p=0.02). HIV-infected children had poorer clinical and bacteriological responses to colistin treatment than HIV uninfected/unexposed. These results require confirmation with prospective studies to determine whether findings are due to poor microbial response, immunodeficiency or repeated reinfections. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Induction of T cell response to haptens coupled to mycobacteria.
A new method for the induction of cellular immune response to commonly used haptens in the absence of detectable antibody response is described. Different haptens were convalently coupled to Mycobacteria and they were injected into guinea pigs in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Humoral and cellular immune response to haptens were examined at weekly intervals for 5 weeks. Our results show that a significant anti-hapten cellular response was induced and subsequently elicited by both in vivo (skin test) and in vitro (Lymphocyte transformation and macrophage migration inhibition) assays. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Metabolism of sitosteryl beta-D-glucoside and its nutritional effects in rats.
[4-14C]Sitosteryl beta-D-glucoside, intragastrically administered to rats, was not absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. At three hr after the application, radioactivity was concentrated almost exclusively in the digesta of stomach, small intestine as well as cecum and colon, whereas only low proportions of radioactively labeled compounds were found in the various tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. Minor proportions of labeled metabolites of [4-14C]sitosteryl beta-D-glucoside, such as sitosterol and sitosteryl esters, were formed in the small intestine in vivo and in slices of small intestine in vitro. In the tissues of cecum and colon as well as the digesta derived from them, high proportions of labeled coprositostanol, i.e. 24 alpha-ethyl-5 beta-cholestan-3 beta-ol, that obviously had been formed by bacterial degradation of the substrate were detected. The feeding of sitosteryl beta-D-glucoside (0.5 g/kg body weight X day) over a period of four weeks did not alter significantly body weights or organ weights of rats. Analyses of steryl lipids of the various organs and tissues confirmed the findings obtained with the radioactive substrate: neither sitosteryl beta-D-glucoside nor sitosterol or sitosteryl esters derived therefrom had been transported in appreciable amounts to organs and tissues outside the alimentary canal during the feeding period. Minor proportions of unmetabolized sitosteryl beta-D-glucoside were detected in the tissues of stomach and intestine, whereas large proportions of the substrate were found in feces of rats that had received the sitosteryl beta-D-glucoside-containing diet; coprositostanol was found in feces of these animals in high proportions as well.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Diastereoselective reactions in glycine templates containing an ent-ardeemin fragment.
Self-consistent reaction field solvation models derived from SCF-MO calculations are shown to be reliable in modeling the diastereoselectivity of the reactions of the anion and cation derived from (4S)-2,4-dimethyl-2,4-dihydro-1H-pyrazino[2,1-b]quinazoline-3,6-dione (1) at C(1) with electrophiles and nucleophiles, respectively. The found anti/syn ratio of compound 8, which is a seco-ent-ardeemin analogue obtained by alkylation of 1 with gramine methiodide, confirms this computational model. A close similarity between the calculated geometry of the piperazine ring in the anti isomers of 1,2,4-trialkyl derivatives and that deduced from their (1)H NMR (solution) and X-ray data has been also established. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ivabradine for the prevention of inappropriate shocks due to sinus tachycardia in patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator.
Ivabradine is a specific blocker of the pacemaker current (I(f)) used to decrease the sinus rate. Several clinical trials have shown that it is beneficial, with or without concomitant beta-blocker therapy, in patients with stable angina or heart failure. We sought to take advantage of ivabradine's ability to decrease the maximal obtainable sinus rate in order to prevent inappropriate shocks due to sinus tachycardia in patients with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Prospective open-label series including all our patients with an implanted ICD who, during the course of 2010-2011, received ivabradine with the only purpose of preventing inappropriate ICD shocks for sinus tachycardia. These are patients who received one or more inappropriate shocks for sinus tachycardia or were conceived to be at very high risk for developing such complication. Our series includes five patients who received ivabradine (5-10 mg/day) in addition to their usual beta-blocker therapy. During a follow-up of 14 months no inappropriate shocks due to sinus tachycardia were recorded. It is sensible to recommend ivabradine for the prevention of inappropriate ICD shocks due to sinus tachycardia in carefully selected patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Persistent oral contrast agent lining the intestine in severe mucosal disease: elucidation of radiographic appearance.
Plain radiographs and computed tomographic scans obtained in a severely neutropenic patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and cytomegalovirus-associated enterocolitis revealed a pattern of prolonged mucosal adherence of oral contrast agent to the small bowel. This pattern was seen as long as 16 weeks after administration of contrast agent and has been seen previously only in patients who have received bone marrow transplants. Two sets of intestinal biopsy specimens contained crystals that coated denuded mucosa at the site of ulceration and later were trapped within the lamina propria. Electron diffraction and energy-dispersive radiographic analysis showed that these crystals were composed of barium sulfate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of noise on ears with a hole in the vestibule.
A hole in the vestibule of the inner ear leads to augmentation of the hearing loss following noise exposure. Further research is needed to ascertain the mechanism. The possible effects of a hole in the wall of the inner ear at the vestibule on noise-induced hearing loss were assessed. The study was conducted on a total of 14 sand rats. Of these 14 animals, 10 underwent baseline auditory nerve and brainstem evoked response (ABR) threshold measurements in each ear separately (insert earphone), opening of middle ear bulla in both ears and drilling of a hole in the vestibule of one inner ear. The other ear was sham-operated. Following immediate re-assessment of ABR threshold, the 10 animals were exposed to 113 dB SPL broadband noise during 4 nights, and 3 days later ABR measurements were repeated. Four additional animals with a hole in one vestibule, not exposed to noise, served as controls. Following noise exposure, ABR thresholds were elevated by 28.5 +/- 9.1 dB in the ears with the hole, and by 15.5 +/- 7.2 dB in the opposite ear without the hole (significant difference, p < 0.003). In the four control ears, ABR threshold was not elevated a week after drilling the hole. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Occupational solvent exposure during pregnancy and child behaviour at age 2.
Many women who work during pregnancy are occupationally exposed to toxicants. The developing central nervous system is highly vulnerable to neurotoxicants such as solvents. Although the neurotoxicity of solvents to adults is well established, very few studies have examined their effects on children's behaviour following prenatal exposure. Women from the Perturbateurs endocriniens: Étude Longitudinale sur les Anomalies de la Grossesse, l'Infertilité et l'Enfance (PELAGIE) mother-child cohort (including 3005 working women) were recruited in Brittany (France) between 2002 and 2006, at the beginning of pregnancy, to assess occupational exposure to solvents at that time. Child behaviour was documented at age 2 by mothers (n=1278) assessing components of attention deficit/hyperactivity, aggression, opposition and emotionality. We used a multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the association between occupational solvent exposure and children's behaviour. Complementary sensitivity analyses allowed us to handle missing data, due mostly to attrition. 20% of women reported occasional exposure and 31% regular exposure to solvents. Children prenatally exposed were more likely to have higher scores of attention deficit/hyperactivity and aggression, and dose-response relations were observed. The dose-response effect and the high prevalence of children potentially exposed to solvents from their mother's workplace exposure underline the public health relevance of this result. Our results should be replicated in further studies designed to identify which solvents are most deleterious and to assess child behaviour at school age. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hyperbolic relationship between time-to-fatigue and workload.
The power:time-to-fatigue relationship for high-intensity exercise in man is useful in determining anaerobic work capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine the nature of this relationship in horses. Eight Standardbred horses performed 5 or 6 run-to-fatigue trials on a treadmill. Exercise intensities were chosen to induce fatigue in 30 to 240 s. The order of trials was randomised for each horse, but balanced overall for the first 4 trials. The data for power (independent variable) and time-to-fatigue (dependent variable) were tested for goodness of fit to hyperbolic, linear and exponential equations by nonlinear regression. The best fit to the data was obtained using the hyperbolic relationship t = W'(P- phi PA) where t is the time to fatigue, W' is the anaerobic work capacity, P is the power and phi PA is the critical power value. The values for W' and phi PA were 47,000 +/- 500 J and 2490 +/- 150 watts, respectively. We conclude that the power:time-to-fatigue relationship of horses is hyperbolic and that this relationship may be useful in assessing anaerobic capacity of horses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Accuracy of measured and predicted residual lung volume on body density measurement.
The effects of measured and predicted residual lung volume on the accuracy of body density and percent fat (%Fat) were investigated. Adult fitness subjects (N = 46) had residual lung volume measured with the oxygen dilution method while those from an athlete sample (N = 134) utilized the nitrogen washout technique. Residual lung volume was also predicted with gender-specific regression equations using height and age and from 24% of vital capacity (%FVC). Residual lung volume alpha reliability for the average of four residual lung volume trials exceeded 0.90 (SEM less than = 161 ml) for the oxygen dilution method and 0.99 (SEM = 30 ml) for the average of two nitrogen washout measures. The standard errors for predicted residual lung volume were 579 and 355 ml, respectively, for the men and women in the adult sample and 288 ml for the trained athlete sample. Estimating residual lung volume from %FVC yielded a SEE of 318 ml for the trained athlete sample. Measured residual lung volume errors resulted in errors of 1.04%Fat, 0.87%Fat, and 0.21%Fat for the men, women, and trained athlete samples, respectively. In contrast, predicted residual lung volume measurement errors resulted in errors of 3.70%Fat, 2.85%Fat, and 1.98%Fat for the respective samples and 2.18%Fat when using %FVC with the trained athletes. Measured residual lung volume introduces little %Fat error while predicted residual lung volume introduces a substantial source of measurement error. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Glycoconjugate expression in perennial allergic rhinitis: a lectin histopathological study.
The data show that differences in the concentrations of glycoconjugates of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and normal controls are modest, thus indicating that the composition of the mucus in allergic patients largely resembles that of healthy individuals. The findings may point to the need for volume reduction methods controlling mucus production in patients with PAR. We aimed to study the composition and concentration of inferior turbinate glycoconjugates of patients with PAR. Six specific oligosaccharides found in the inferior turbinate mucosa were stained with a battery of 10 lectins. The samples recruited for study were 15 sections from patients with PAR and 17 from healthy individuals who had no nasal disease and underwent rhinoplasty surgery for cosmetic reasons. Both groups were matched for age (p = 0.208). Results. No significant difference in the concentration of galactose, fucose, sialic acid, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylgalactosamine in the epithelium and submucosal glands of the inferior turbinate was found between the groups. Likewise, neuraminidase digestion of peripheral sialic acid revealed similar concentration of the penultimate galactose residue. The only significant difference was a higher concentration of mannose in submucosal serous glands of patients with PAR compared with normal controls (p = 0.04). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Long-term effects of a brief distraction intervention on children's laboratory pain reactivity.
This 2-year follow-up study examined the effects of a brief behavioral intervention on task-based coping and pain reactivity to the cold pressor task (CPT). In the original study by Fanurik et al. (1993), 64 children (aged 8 to 10) whose coping style was categorized as "attender" or "distracter," based on primary coping strategy during baseline CPT trials, received a 5-minute intervention (attention-focusing, distraction training, or control, randomly assigned). In the present study, 51 (32 female) of the original sample were readministered the CPT, and their coping style and pain responsivity were reassessed. Both distracters and attenders given distraction training preferred use of distraction at follow-up. The distraction training group also demonstrated greater tolerance at follow-up compared to controls, although pain ratings did not differ by intervention group. Our findings suggest that a brief distraction intervention has long-term effects on task-based coping and experimental pain reactivity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Changes in α-glucosidase activities along the jejunal-ileal axis of normal rats by the α-glucosidase inhibitor miglitol.
Miglitol, an α-glucosidase inhibitor that inhibits postprandial hyperglycemia by delaying carbohydrate digestion and absorption along the jejunal-ileal axis, has recently been approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Miglitol treatment may lead to increased α-glucosidase activities toward the ileum because carbohydrate flow toward the ileum increases. However, it is not yet known if miglitol treatment alters the α-glucosidase activities along the jejunal-ileal axis. In this study, we examined the effects of miglitol supplementation for 3 or 7 days on α-glucosidase activities along the jejunal-ileal axis of Wistar rats. Supplementation with miglitol for 3 or 7 days in rats increased tissue weights of the lower jejunum and ileum, but did not alter tissue weights of the upper jejunum and cecum or the contents of the cecum. Furthermore, supplementation with miglitol for 7 days reduced the activities of isomaltase and maltase in the upper jejunum and increased the activities of sucrase, isomaltase, and maltase in the lower jejunum and ileum. These results suggest that the delay in carbohydrate digestion and absorption along the jejunal-ileal axis by miglitol supplementation in rats is associated with increased α-glucosidase activities toward the ileum. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tardive dyskinesia controlled by anticholinergic agents.
Tardive dyskinesia appeared in a 17-year-old boy following withdrawal of pimozide (Orap) and thioridazine (Melleril). The choreodyskinetic movements, which were limited to the limbs and the trunk, cleared with anticholinergic drugs but were dramatically worsened by dopaminergic receptor blockers. Therefore, therapy with an initial high dose of benztropine mesylate (Cogentin) associated with bromazepam (Lexotan) was instituted and was well tolerated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The Montreal heat response plan: evaluation of its implementation towards healthcare professionals and vulnerable populations.
Since 2004, the Montreal heat response plan (MHRP) has been developed and implemented on the Island of Montreal to reduce heat-related health effects in the general population. In this paper, we aimed to assess the barriers and facilitators to implementation of the MHRP and evaluate the awareness of key elements of the plan by healthcare professionals and individuals from vulnerable populations. Data were gathered from monitoring reports and a questionnaire administered to managers of healthcare institutions and healthcare workers in Montreal-area health and social services institutions. Individual interviews and focus groups with healthcare workers and with individuals with schizophrenia or suffering from drug or alcohol dependencies were performed. Data were categorized according to predefined subthemes. Coding matrices were then used to determine the most frequently occurring elements in the subthemes. Our results indicate that actions are progressively implemented each year in the healthcare network. Intensification of surveillance for signs of heat-related illness is the most frequently reported measure. Identification and prioritization of clientele and homecare patients are identified as a challenge, as is ensuring the availability of sufficient personnel during a heat wave. Analysis of practice and awareness in healthcare professionals reveals that preventive measures are known and applied by the personnel. Individuals from vulnerable population groups were not uniformly aware of preventive measures, and consequently, variability was observed in their application. The framework proposed in this study revealed valuable information that can be useful to improve plans aimed at reducing heat-related health effects in the population. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of embryogenic tissues in Picea balfouriana treated with 6-benzylaminopurine.
The cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) influences the embryogenic capacity of the tissues of Picea balfouriana during long subculture (after 3 months). Tissues that proliferate in 3.6 and 5 µM 6-BAP exhibit the highest and lowest embryogenic capacity, respectively, generating 113 ± 6 and 23 ± 3 mature embryos per 100 mg of tissue. In this study, a comparative transcriptomic and proteomic approach was applied to characterize the genes and proteins that are differentially expressed among tissues under the influence of different levels of 6-BAP. A total of 51 375 unigenes and 2617 proteins were obtained after quality filtering. There were 2770 transcripts for proteins found among these unigenes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the differentially expressed unigenes and proteins showed that they were involved in cell and binding activity and were enriched in ribosome and glutathione metabolism pathways. Ribosomal proteins, glutathione S-transferase proteins, germin-like proteins and calmodulin-independent protein kinases were up-regulated in the embryogenic tissues with the highest embryogenic ability (treated with 3.6 µM 6-BAP), which was validated via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, and these proteins might serve as molecular markers of embryogenic ability. Data are available via Sequence Read Archive (SRA) and ProteomeXchange with identifier SRP042246 and PXD001022, respectively. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Thymolipoma in association with myasthenia gravis.
A 52-year-old male presented with an anterior mediastinal tumor associated with a 2-year history of myasthenia gravis. The patient underwent thymectomy and a 185-g, 10 X 8 X 3.5 cm, well-delineated tumor was resected. On histologic examination the tumor proved to be a thymolipoma composed of mature adipose elements containing cords and nests of thymic tissue. The latter consisted mainly of cortical areas, the thymocytes of which displayed an immunohistochemical profile of cortical cells, i.e., CD 1+, CD 4+, CD 8+, and frequently Ki 67+. Ultrastructural study confirmed the predominant cortical differentiation of the thymic component. No germinal centers, dendritic reticulum cells, or myoid cells were detected by histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural studies. The association of thymolipoma with myasthenia gravis is rare; this case is the 10th reported. Our findings lead us to believe that (a) the cortical differentiation of the thymic component and the active thymocyte proliferation could represent a factor leading to myasthenia gravis; and (b) thymolipoma could be a peculiar form of thymoma rather than a mixed tumor of mesenchymal and entodermal origin, a lipoma, or a hamartoma of the thymic gland. The reported association of thymolipomas with other immune disturbances or with neoplastic conditions usually associated with true thymomas support these findings. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunological analysis in paediatric HIV patients at different stages of the disease.
There are only few clinical studies on complement in well-defined (or characterized) paediatric HIV patients. Aim of this study was to evaluate the complement system and immunoglobulins in HIV-infected children and to correlate data to stage of disease. Blood samples of 127 HIV-infected children (11-134 months; 62 male : 65 female) were collected in order to evaluate humoral immunity. The patients were classified according to CDC clinical (N-asymptomatic; A-mild symptoms such as common recurrent infections; B-moderate symptoms such as Candidiasis and herpes infections, meningitis, sepsis and anaemia; C-severe symptoms such as opportunistic infections and neoplasia) and with respect to immunological criteria (T CD4(+) cell count). Analysis of complement system included the classical (CH50), alternative (APH50) pathway activities and plasma concentrations of mannan-binding lectin (MBL), of the C4 allotypic variants C4A and C4B. (ELISA), and of the C3 split product C3d (rocket immunoeletrophoresis). Immunodiagnosis also included CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocyte count and immunoglobulin concentrations. Complement activation and consumption was observed in all patients correlating with disease activity. Activated classical and alternative pathways and elevated C3d were significantly correlated with immunologic category 3. C3d levels were also significantly correlated with immunologic category 1. Undetectable CH50 and APH50 were found in two (group C) and 10 patients (n = 2, A = 2, B = 2, C = 4), respectively. Low MBL values were found in 13/127 but without correlation to disease severity. Undetectable C4B levels were observed in three patients, favouring the diagnosis of a complete deficiency. Although not related to clinical symptomatology, a strong ongoing complement activation can be observed in all stages of HIV infection. In contrast to earlier reports MBL could not be considered as a risk factor for HIV. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Staging gender and sexuality in experimental TV entertainment.
Via examples from recent Norwegian experimental TV shows, this article explores the function of "eye-catchers," parodic (hetero)sexualization, female masquerade and neo-masculinization as strategies for "repetitions with a difference" of traditional styles and motifs by female show hosts, as well as the queer gendering and sexualization of men and masculinities by their male counterparts. Both formats represent innovative renegotiations of gender and sexuality that illustrate the relationship between post-modernism and queer aesthetics. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Research strategies at the interface of medicine and psychiatry.
The rapid growth of the neurosciences in the past decade has served to blur the differences and enhance the similarities between research in medicine and in psychiatry. As the number of relevant biological variables and the questions asked in relation to them has expanded, so has the number of medical disorders of interest to the clinical researcher in psychiatry. In addition to these new areas of common interest, consultation-liaison psychiatry and clinical psychiatric research share a common conceptual foundation based upon model development and testing. It is proposed, therefore, that research at the interface between medicine and psychiatry represents a new frontier for both consultation-liaison psychiatry and clinical psychiatric research. Goals and strategies for research at the interface are discussed with specific reference to current research efforts at the National Institutes of Health. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anterior segment measurements using Pentacam and Orbscan II 1 to 5 years after refractive surgery.
To compare anterior segment measurements between Pentacam and Orbscan II after laser surface ablation. Corneal thickness, anterior elevation, posterior elevation, and anterior chamber depth more than 1 year after laser refractive surgery were measured using Pentacam and Orbscan II in 51 eyes that underwent laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and 21 eyes that underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). As controls, the same comparisons were made in 52 unoperated eyes. Mean follow-up was 28.2 months in the LASEK group and 49.9 months in the PRK group. Mean corneal thickness using Pentacam was thicker than that using Orbscan by 10.4 microm in unoperated eyes, 22.6 microm in LASEK eyes, and 11.0 microm in PRK eyes, but the two devices showed good correlation in all groups. Mean anterior elevation was highly correlated between the two devices with 2.1-microm differences in LASEK eyes, but posterior elevation showed no correlation with significant discrepancies. Mean anterior chamber depth was 0.12-to 0.14-microm thicker with Pentacam than with Orbscan, and highly correlated in all groups. Pentacam and Orbscan showed good correlations in corneal thickness, anterior elevation, and anterior chamber depth despite some differences in mean values. The two devices, however, showed no correlation in posterior elevation measurements, a difference that was greater in the postoperative groups. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Simultaneous mechanical-scan-free confocal microscopy and laser microsurgery.
We demonstrate an endoscope-compatible single-fiber-based device that performs simultaneous confocal microscopy and high-precision laser microsurgery. The method is based on mapping of two-dimensional sample coordinates onto the optical spectrum and allows us to perform two-dimensional imaging and microsurgery without any mechanical movement of the probe or the sample. The technology holds promise for creating highly miniaturized endoscopes for applications such as brain tumor, pediatric, and endovascular surgeries where high-precision, small, and flexible probes are required. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Correction of Rhytides, Peau d'Orange, and Thin Dermis of the Face by Neocollagenesis Using Novel Collagen Stimulating Slurry Protocol.
We reviewed 200 patient records from 2009 to 2015 of individuals who presented at the authors offices for facial wrinkle reduction and who on physical examination had rhytides, peau d'orange, or thin dermis and underwent novel adipose slurry injections. The patients were evaluated at week 2, 1, 3 and 6 months revealing an 80, 60 and 40% improvement in rhytides and dermis density, respectively. We present the protocol and description of a reasonable alternative or adjunct to manufactured fillers that is comprised of autologous adipose, stem cells, and growth factor slurry. The slurry is easily produced and injected at the bedside in the office setting, and has remarkable and reproducible positive outcomes in skin tone, color, texture, and rhytides as judged by both patient and physician. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 . | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sodium caprate as an enhancer of macromolecule permeation across tricellular tight junctions of intestinal cells.
Sodium caprate is a promising candidate for inducing drug absorption enhancement. The mechanism of that uptake-enhancing effect is not fully understood so far. We investigated how caprate acts in an established human intestinal cell line, HT-29/B6, on the transient opening of transcellular (across the cell membranes) and paracellular (across the tight junction) pathways. Sodium caprate (10 mm) caused a rapid and reversible decrease of transepithelial resistance which is based, as measured by two-path impedance spectroscopy, exclusively on resistance changes of the paracellular pathway. Measurements of paracellular marker fluxes revealed an increased permeability for fluorescein (330 Da) and FITC-dextran (4 and 10 kDa), indicating an opening of the paracellular barrier. Confocal microscopy revealed a marked reduction of tricellulin in tricellular tight junctions and of claudin-5 in bicellular tight junctions. This was not due to altered protein expression, as occludin, claudins or tricellulin were not significantly changed in Western blots. Visualization of the translocation site of the cell membrane-impermeable marker molecule sulpho-NHS-SS-biotin (607 Da) indicated the tricellular tight junction to be the predominant pathway. We suggest that caprate's known enhancing effect on intestinal drug uptake is based on increased permeability in tricellular cell contacts, mediated by reversible removal of tricellulin from the tricellular tight junction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Expression of the mouse goosecoid gene during mid-embryogenesis may mark mesenchymal cell lineages in the developing head, limbs and body wall.
After an earlier, transient phase of expression in the developing primitive streak of 6.4- to 6.8-day mouse embryos, the homeobox gene goosecoid is now shown to be expressed in a later phase of mouse development, from 10.5 days onwards. The later, spatially restricted domains of goosecoid expression are detected in the head, limbs and ventrolateral body wall. At all sites, the domains of expression are first detected in undifferentiated tissue, and then expression persists as these tissues undergo subsequent morphogenesis. For example, goosecoid expression is noted in the first branchial arch at 10.5 days, and then expression persists as this tissue undergoes morphogenesis to form the lower jaw and the body of the tongue. Expression in tissues around the first branchial cleft persists as these undergo morphogenesis to form the base of the auditory meatus and eustachian tube. Expression in tissues around the newly formed nasal pits persists as these elongate to form the nasal chambers. Expression in the ventral epithelial lining of the otic vesicle persists as this eventually gives rise to the non-sensory epithelium of the cochlea. Expression in the proximal limb buds and ventrolateral body wall persists as these tissues undergo morphogenesis to form proximal limb structures and ventral ribs respectively. Our findings lead us to suggest that the goosecoid gene product plays a role in spatial programming within discrete embryonic fields, and possibly lineage compartments, during organogenesis stages of mouse development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inhibition of nitrobenzene adsorption by water cluster formation at acidic oxygen functional groups on activated carbon.
The inhibition effect of nitrobenzene adsorption by water clusters formed at the acidic groups on activated carbon was examined in aqueous and n-hexane solution. The activated carbon was oxidized with nitric acid to introduce CO complexes and then outgassed in helium flow at 1273 K to remove them completely without changing the structural properties of the carbon as a reference adsorbent. The amounts of acidic functional groups were determined by applying Boehm titration. A relative humidity of 95% was used to adsorb water onto the carbon surface. Strong adsorption of water onto the oxidized carbon can be observed by thermogravimetric analysis. The adsorption kinetic rate was estimated to be controlled by diffusion from the kinetic analysis. Significant decline in both capacity and kinetic rate for nitrobenzene adsorption onto the oxidized carbon was also observed in n-hexane solution by preadsorption of water to the carbon surface, whereas it was not detected for the outgassed carbons. These results might reveal that water molecules forming clusters at the CO complexes inhibited the entrance of nitrobenzene into the interparticles of the carbon. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gender related differences in the effect of aging on blood amino acid compartmentation*
This work has been focused on the study of the variations in blood amino acid compartmentation (plasma and blood cells) with aging, both in men and women. Aging is a situation which, under the influence of gender, involves a decline in body weight functions and variations in energy metabolism with a deterioration of muscular metabolism leading to changes in amino acid handling. We determined the blood levels of individual amino acids in whole blood, plasma compartment and blood cell compartment of 51 men and 51 women. Subjects were classified in three age groups-AG1 (18 to 35 y), AG2 (35-50 y) and AG3 (more than 50 y). Aging was accompanied by significant changes in blood levels of amino acids showing gender-linked differences which were distinct for both blood compartments (plasma and blood cells). In men, aging was accompanied by a drop in blood levels of several amino acids, due mainly to the plasma compartment, whereas in women aging brought about a rise in blood levels of various amino acids mainly in blood cell compartment. This paper contributes to enhancing the physiological importance of the blood cell pool in the handling of amino acids. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Changes in juvenile coho salmon electro-olfactogram during and after short-term exposure to current-use pesticides.
For anadromous salmonids, olfaction is a critical sense, enabling return migration. In recent years, several pesticides have been identified that interfere with salmonid olfaction at concentrations in the microg/L range; thus, they may pose a risk to species longevity. In the present study, we investigated the acute effects of five agricultural pesticides on juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) olfaction using the electro-olfactogram (EOG), a measure of odorant-evoked field potentials. Electro-olfactogram responses to the odorant L-serine were measured during and following a 30-min exposure of the left olfactory rosette to chlorothalonil, endosulfan, glyphosate acid, iodocarb (IPBC), trifluralin, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. With the relatively insoluble pesticides endosulfan and trifluralin, decreases in EOG amplitude were only apparent at relatively high concentrations (100 and 300 microg/L, respectively) following 20 min of exposure and were absent for chlorothalonil (1 mg/L). With the water-soluble herbicide glyphosate, significant EOG reductions occurred within 10 min of exposure to 1 mg/L and more rapidly with higher concentrations. Recovery of EOG post-glyphosate exposure was concentration-dependent, and complete recovery was not observed with some concentrations at 60 min postexposure. Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid only affected EOG at high concentration (100 mg/L), where it eliminated EOG within 2 min of exposure. With IPBC, EOG was decreased at 25 min of exposure to 1 microg/L; higher concentrations caused decreases to occur more rapidly. Excluding IPBC and glyphosate, all EOG reductions occurred at concentrations greater than the current Canadian water-quality guidelines and reported 96-h lethality values. Our results show that olfactory neurons can be impaired rapidly by some current-use pesticides, even at exposures in the low-microg/L range. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chemistry and biology of oligovalent β-(1→2)-linked oligomannosides: new insights into carbohydrate-based adjuvants in immunotherapy.
A series of oligovalent carbohydrate assemblies (ranging from mono- to pentavalent), derived from three structurally different β-linked or β-(1→2)-linked mannosides, has been chemically synthesized, and the respective compounds have been biologically evaluated in order to investigate their immunostimulatory properties. The Crich methodology for β-mannosylation was successfully utilized to introduce the β-linkages, and a click chemistry protocol was utilized to generate the oligovalent derivatives. A convenient protecting group strategy involving the simultaneous use of both p-methoxybenzyl and benzylidene groups was employed, which allowed a simple and cost-effective global deprotection step. The immunomodulatory properties of the synthesized multivalent mannosides were evaluated by assessing cytokine production in human white blood cell cultures. The Th2-type cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 (IL-4 and IL-5), the Th1 cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), the Treg cytokine IL-10, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were included in the screening. A single trivalent acetylated mannobiose derivative was identified as a potent inducer of Treg and Th1 immune response, resulting in strong IL-10 and moderate IFN-γ productions dose-dependently, while inducing no Th2 cytokine response. The immunomodulatory properties of this trivalent mannoside were further studied in vitro in allergen (Bet v)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures of birch pollen allergic subjects. Stimulation with birch pollen induced strong IL-4 and IL-5 responses, which could be suppressed by the trivalent acetylated mannobiose derivative. The IL-10 response was also suppressed, whereas the production of IFN-γ was strongly enhanced. The results suggest that the identified lead compound has suppressive effects on the Th2-type allergic inflammatory response and shows potential as a possible lead adjuvant for the specific immunotherapy of allergies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Single-round HIV type 1 neutralization measured by ELISPOT technique in primary human cells.
To accurately quantify HIV-1 neutralizing antibody titers in primary human cells, we developed a single round, focus-forming unit (FFU) reduction assay in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Infected PBMC were enumerated by a reverse ELISPOT technique in which they were incubated under agarose in the presence of a protease inhibitor in anti-p24 antibody-coated microtiter plates. Viral p24, secreted in the immediate vicinity of infected cells and captured by immobilized antibodies, was subsequently stained using gold-labeled anti-p24-antibody and a precipitating silver substrate. The resulting spots were counted visually, without the aid of a microscope, and percent neutralization titers were determined using curve-fitting software. Results of this ELISPOT neutralization assay (ENA) for 15 HIV-positive human specimens were compared with results from a standard PBMC neutralization assay (standard assay) that measured neutralization as a function of p24 concentration by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The ENA measures FFU reduction of both syncytium-inducing (SI) and non-syncytium-inducing (NSI) primary isolates. Completed assay plates may be retained as a physical record of results or saved as an image using a flat-bed computer scanner. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A rat embryo staging scale for the generation of donor tissue for neural transplantation.
In rat models of Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, embryonic neural cells obtained from embryos of specified ages can be implanted into the brain to partially restore both physiology and function. However, in litters produced using overnight mating protocols (often from commercial suppliers), the embryonic age can be difficult to determine precisely. As a result, embryonic size based on crown to rump length (CRL) is usually a more reliable method of embryo staging than the day of mating. This approach is not without difficulty. There are a number of rat staging scales in the literature, none of which deal with donor ages younger than E13, and there are discrepancies between scales at some donor ages. In the present article, we have devised a short mating-period protocol to produce precisely aged embryos. We show that CRL is a highly accurate, reproducible index of donor age and we present an updated embryonic staging scale for Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats that includes donor ages younger than those previously reported. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lateral approach with osteotomy of the tibial tubercle in primary total knee arthroplasty.
In a prospective study of 51 patients (61 cases) with primary total knee arthroplasty (valgus knees and/or knees that had undergone previous nonarthroplasty surgery), a lateral approach with osteotomy of the tibial tubercle was performed. In a lateral approach, lateral release techniques form part of the approach. In addition, the medial blood supply to the patella is preserved. An additional tibial osteotomy grants wide exposure with little tension on the extensor mechanism during eversion of the patella. The patients were followed up clinically (51 patients, 61 cases) and radiologically (44 patients, 52 cases) for 1 year. No postoperative tibial fractures, no delayed unions, and no nonunions at the site of the osteotomy were seen. No patellar necrosis occurred. The results after 1 year were good or excellent in 45 (88%) patients, fair in four (8%), and poor in two (4%). Complications related to technique were hematoma (four patients) and compartment syndrome (one patient). These complications occurred early in the series and were eliminated by technical modifications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Haploidentical Transplantation with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide versus Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the standard treatment for patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies. Only approximately 25% of siblings are HLA-matched, and thus alternative donors-unrelated or haploidentical-are usually the only options available. This meta-analysis aimed to compare haploidentical HSCT with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide and unrelated donor (URD) HSCT. We searched the PubMed and Cochrane databases for pertinent studies indexed between 2008 and 2018. Twenty observational studies (with a total of 1783 haploidentical HSCT recipients and 6077 URD HSCT recipients) were included. Results for overall survival, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), nonrelapse mortality (NRM), and relapse incidence were pooled. Measures of association used were hazard ratios and risk differences. The median age was 51 years for haploidentical transplant recipients and 52 years for URD transplant recipients. Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts were more frequent in the URD transplant recipients (85%) than in the haploidentical transplant recipients (31%). Overall survival was not different between the 2 groups. NRM was lower for haploidentical transplantation. All forms of GVHD (acute grades II-IV and III-IV and moderate, severe, and extensive chronic) were lower with haploidentical donor HSCT. The risk of chronic GVHD was fairly proportional to the differential use of PBSC grafts across studies, however. All included studies were retrospective, representing the major limitation of this meta-analysis. In conclusion, haploidentical HSCT for hematologic malignancies achieved the same overall survival as URD HSCT, with a lower incidence of GVHD and NRM. The increased frequency of PBSC use in the unrelated donor group could partially explain the higher cGVHD rate. Haploidentical transplantation with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide should strongly be considered as the first option for adult patients with hematologic malignancies who do not have matched sibling donors in experienced centers. This systematic review has been registered at PROSPERO (65790). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Poly(ionic liquid) complex with spontaneous micro-/mesoporosity: template-free synthesis and application as catalyst support.
A facile, template-free synthetic route is reported toward poly(ionic liquid) complexes (PILCs) which for the first time exhibit stable micro-/mesoporous structure. This is accomplished via in situ ionic complexation between imidazolium-based PILs and poly(acrylic acid) in various alkaline organic solvents. The PILC can be highly loaded with copper salts and can be used as a catalytic support for effective aerobic oxidation of activated hydrocarbons under mild conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
1,2-Dichloropropane (DCP) toxicity is correlated with DCP-induced glutathione (GSH) depletion and is modulated by factors affecting intracellular GSH.
Acute 1,2-dichloropropane (DCP) poisoning in humans is relatively frequent in Italy, where DCP is widely diffused as a constituent of commercial solvents and dry cleaners. In this study we have investigated the effects of DCP on intracellular glutathione (GSH) content in main target tissues of male Wistar rats, i.e. liver, kidney and blood, in order to establish if a correlation between DCP-induced GSH depletion and tissue damage exists. Administration of DCP (2 ml/kg body weight orally) caused a dramatic loss of tissue GSH occurring 24 h after DCP intoxication, followed by a slow restoration approaching physiological levels after 96 h. GSH depletion was associated with a marked increase in serum GOT, GPT, 5'-nucleotidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, urea and creatinine, and a significant degree of hemolysis. When animals were pretreated with a GSH depleting agent, buthionine-sulfoximine (BSO) (0.5 g/kg body weight) i.p. 4 h before DCP intoxication, an increase of overall mortality was found, significantly different from the group of animals treated with DCP alone. On the contrary, the administration of a GSH precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) i.p. (250 mg/kg body weight) 2 and 16 h after DCCP intoxication prevented the dramatic loss of cellular GSH and reduced the extent of injury in target tissues, as demonstrated by laboratory indices. Furthermore, statistical analysis of the data revealed a correlation between: (1) depletion of liver GSH and increase in serum GOT, GPT, 5'-nucleotidase, (2) depletion of kidney GSH and increase in serum urea and creatinine and (3) depletion of blood GSH and the occurrence of hemolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in the endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms].
Endovascular surgery is an efficacious alternative to conventional surgery in the treatment of descending thoracic aorta aneurysms. However, primary and delayed endoleaks are some endovascular technology's weak points. They are usually detected by angiography or angio CT, but many information may be obtained by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) both as to endoleaks and to endograft's correct placement. Our purpose is to confirm, on the basis of our experience, the validity of this technique chosen both by us and by other groups with a wider casuistry. We positioned endografts for the treatment of degenerative or post-traumatic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta using TEE, together with angiography, during surgery in 8 out of 9 patients. TEE was carried out on the same 8 patients also before surgery, and for some patients even in the follow-up together with angio CT, after 6 and 12 months. In the situations where TEE was used we found 5 cases of endoleaks and 1 of these was not detected by angiography because of its small dimensions. All of these endoleaks were immediately corrected with more angioplasty or graft extensions; in a case, where we could not utilize the TEE, the problem solved spontaneously after 30 days as it was confirmed both by angiography and angio TC. The statistical analysis with the Student t test is significant for P < 0.005. We think that using TEE during the placement of an endograft on the descending thoracic aorta may help to obtain useful information in addition to those that we can obtain with angiography. Therefore, this may lead to improve the technique and to reduce possible both immediate or delayed complications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The pattern of the maxillofacial fractures - A multicentre retrospective study.
Aim of the present study was to report on the survey of fractures, frequency of presentation, sex and age distributions, aetiology, site distributions, associated injuries & modalities of treatment rendered at muticentres treated by the division of oral and maxillofacial surgery between 2000 and 2005 in Karnataka state of India. Study revealed that the common cause for the facial fractures was found to be traffic accidents (72.7%) with a male preponderance and peak incidence during 20-30 years of age. Isolated mandibular fractures were most frequent [1035 patients (41.7%)] followed by isolated mid face fractures [526 patients (21.2%)]. Among mid face fractures, zygomatic bone and arch were most frequently involved. Open reduction and internal fixation and closed method were used in almost the same frequency. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of the maxillofacial fractures from the observation made from the study. Legislations preventive measures to be enforced and abided by every citizen. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Speaking out of turn: a role for silent synapses in pain.
Severe tissue or nerve injury can result in a chronic and inappropriate sensation of pain, mediated in part by the sensitization of spinal dorsal horn neurons to input from primary afferent fibers. Synaptic transmission at primary afferent synapses is mainly glutamatergic. Although a functioning excitatory synapse contains both alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the postsynaptic membrane, recent evidence suggests that dorsal horn neurons contain some "silent" synapses, which exhibit purely NMDA receptor-mediated evoked postsynaptic currents and do not conduct signals at resting membrane potential. Serotonin, which is released onto dorsal horn neurons by descending fibers from the rostroventral medulla, potentiates sensory transmission by activating silent synapses on those neurons, i.e., by recruiting functional AMPA receptors to the postsynaptic membrane. This phenomenon may contribute to the hyperexcitability of dorsal horn neurons seen in chronic pain conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Improvement in protein sequence-structure alignment using insertion/deletion frequency arrays.
As a protein evolves, not every part of the amino acid sequence has an equal probability of being deleted or for allowing insertions, because not every amino acid plays an equally important role in maintaining the protein structure. However the most prevalent models in fold recognition methods treat every amino acid deletion and insertion as equally probable events. We have analyzed the alignment patterns for homologous and analogous sequences to determine patterns of insertion and deletions, and used that information to determine the statistics of insertions and deletions for different amino acids of a target sequence. We define these patterns as Insertion/Deletion (Indel) Frequency Arrays (IFA). By applying IFA to the protein threading problem, we have been able to improve the alignment accuracy, especially for proteins with low sequence identity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neurobehavioral effects during experimental exposure to 1-octanol and isopropanol.
The study examined acute neurobehavioral effects provoked by controlled exposure to 1-octanol and isopropanol among male volunteers. In a 29-m3 exposure laboratory, 24 male students (mean age 25.8 years) were exposed to 1-octanol and isopropanol. Each substance was used in two concentrations (0.1 and 6.4 ppm for 1-octanol; 34.9 and 189.9 ppm for isopropanol:). In a crossover design, each subject was exposed for 4 hours to the conditions. Twelve subjects reported enhanced chemical sensitivity; the other 12 were age-matched controls. At the onset and end of the exposures neurobehavioral tests were administered and symptoms were rated. At the end of the high and low isopropanol exposures the tiredness ratings were elevated, but no dose-dependence could be confirmed. For both substances and concentrations, the annoyance ratings increased during the exposure, but only for isopropanol did the increase show a dose-response relation. The subjects reported olfactory symptoms during the exposure to the high isopropanol and both 1-octanol concentrations. Isopropanol provoked no sensory irritation, whereas high 1-octanol exposure slightly enhanced it. Only among the subjects with enhanced chemical sensitivity were both 1-octanol concentrations associated with a stronger increase in annoyance, and lower detection rates were observed in a divided attention task. Previous studies reporting no neurobehavioral effects for isopropanol (up to 400 ppm) were confirmed. The results obtained for 1-octanol lacked dose-dependency, and their evaluation, is difficult. The annoying odor of 1-octanol may mask sensory irritation and prevent subjects with enhanced chemical sensitivity from concentrating on performance in a demanding task. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Troponin T Predicts Cardioembolic Aetiology and Clinical Outcome in Undetermined Ischaemic Stroke in Hyperacute Phase.
Elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) levels have been related to clinical outcome in stroke patients. However, the role of hs-cTnT and its potential as a biomarker in ischaemic stroke (IS) has not been well established. This study aims to determine whether basal hs-cTnT determination in the hyperacute phase of undetermined IS and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) can predict the cardioembolic aetiology and clinical outcome. We prospectively studied 110 consecutive patients with undetermined acute IS and TIA. hs-cTnT levels were determined at hospital arrival. Large vessel stenosis/occlusion and previously known aetiologies at admission were exclusion criteria for this study. All patients were subjected to a complete aetiological evaluation. A 12-month follow-up was performed in all patients. The subtype of IS was evaluated following the SSS-TOAST criteria. We established two groups at admission: cardioembolic aetiology (group A) and noncardioembolic aetiologies (group B). The number of patients in each group was similar (group A: 52, 47.27%; group B, 58, 52.73%). Patients in group A had elevated hs-cTnT more frequently (61.54% versus 17.24%; P < .001). Group A patients had significantly higher mortality at 3 months (14.29% versus 1.82%, P = .025). In the multivariate analysis, elevated hs-cTnT was the only independent predictor of cardioembolic aetiology (odds ratio: 14.821; 95% confidence interval: 3.717-59.102, P < .001). Baseline hs-cTnT assessment in undetermined strokes and TIA during the hyperacute phase is independently associated with cardioembolic aetiology. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Measurement of cervical flexor endurance following whiplash.
To investigate measurement properties of a practical test of cervical flexor endurance (CFE) in whiplash patients including inter-rater reliability, sensitivity to clinical change, criterion related validity against the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and discriminant validity for injured versus uninjured populations. Two samples were recruited, 81 whiplash patients, and a convenience sample of 160 subjects who were not seeking treatment and met criteria for normal pain and range of motion. CFE was measured using a stopwatch while the subject, in crook lying, held their head against gravity to fatigue. Inter-rater reliability in whiplash patients was in a range considered 'almost perfect' (Intraclass Correlation=0.96). CFE had greater inter-subject variability than the NDI or range of motion in any of three planes. However, the effect size for improvement in CFE over treatment was as large as the effect sizes for all of those measures. In multivariate regression, CFE changes accounted for changes on the NDI better than the three ranges of motion. CFE discriminated whiplash patients who were within six months of injury (n=71) from age and gender matched normals with high effect size (ES=1.5). These findings provide evidence of reliability and validity for CFE measurement, and demonstrate that CFE detects clinical improvements. Variance on CFE emphasizes the need to consider inter-, and intra-subject standard deviations to interpret scores. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A microfiltration process to maximize removal of serum proteins from skim milk before cheese making.
Microfiltration (MF) is a membrane process that can separate casein micelles from milk serum proteins (SP), mainly beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin. Our objective was to develop a multistage MF process to remove a high percentage of SP from skim milk while producing a low concentration factor retentate from microfiltration (RMF) with concentrations of soluble minerals, nonprotein nitrogen (NPN), and lactose similar to the original skim milk. The RMF could be blended with cream to standardize milk for traditional Cheddar cheese making. Permeate from ultrafiltration (PUF) obtained from the ultrafiltration (UF) of permeate from MF (PMF) of skim milk was successfully used as a diafiltrant to remove SP from skim milk before cheese making, while maintaining the concentration of lactose, NPN, and nonmicellar calcium. About 95% of the SP originally in skim milk was removed by combining one 3 x MF stage and two 3 x PUF diafiltration stages. The final 3 x RMF can be diluted with PUF to the desired concentration of casein for traditional cheese making. The PMF from the skim milk was concentrated in a UF system to yield an SP concentrate with protein content similar to a whey protein concentrate, but without residuals from cheese making (i.e., rennet, culture, color, and lactic acid) that can produce undesirable functional and sensory characteristics in whey products. Additional processing steps to this 3-stage MF process for SP removal are discussed to produce an MF skim retentate for a continuous cottage cheese manufacturing process. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of periparturient diseases accompanied by excessive vulval discharge and weaning to mating interval on sow reproductive performance.
To evaluate the effect of periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge, and weaning-to-mating intervals, on sow fertility and litter size. data were collected and analysed from 19 Hungarian swine herds over a 4 year period. Conception rates, farrowing rates and litter sizes of sows with periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge were used to evaluate the relationship between duration of vulval discharge and subsequent fertility and litter size. The possibility of interactions between weaning-to-mating intervals and duration of vulval discharges was investigated to determine if there was any effect on subsequent fertility and litter size. Both parity 1 and parity 2 to 8 sows having had periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge in excess of 6 days duration had significantly (P < 0.001) lower subsequent fertility (conception, farrowing and adjusted farrowing rates) compared with sows of similar parity where the duration of vulval discharge was < 4 or 4 to 6 days. There was no difference in fertility rates between sows, in both parity categories, with vulval discharge for < 4 days compared with 4 to 6 days. A duration of vulval discharge in excess of 6 days in parity 1 sows significantly reduced litter size (total born and live-born) in subsequent farrowings, but not in parity 2 to 8 sows. There was no interaction between the duration of vulval discharge and post-weaning to mating intervals. However sows with weaning to mating intervals between 7 and 10 days had smaller (P < 0.001) subsequent litter sizes compared with 3 to 6 or 11 to 14 day intervals. It was concluded that the duration of vulval discharge in excess of 6 days was an indication of a severe persistent endometritis adversely affecting fertility of sows. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Esophageal tissue engineering: Current status and perspectives.
Tissue engineering, which consists of the combination and in vivo implantation of elements required for tissue remodeling toward a specific organ phenotype, could be an alternative for classical techniques of esophageal replacement. The current hybrid approach entails creation of an esophageal substitute composed of an acellular matrix and autologous epithelial and muscle cells provides the most successful results. Current research is based on the use of mesenchymal stem cells, whose potential for differentiation and proangioogenic, immune-modulator and anti-inflammatory properties are important assets. In the near future, esophageal substitutes could be constructed from acellular "intelligent matrices" that contain the molecules necessary for tissue regeneration; this should allow circumvention of the implantation step and still obtain standardized in vivo biological responses. At present, tissue engineering applications to esophageal replacement are limited to enlargement plasties with absorbable, non-cellular matrices. Nevertheless, the application of existing clinical techniques for replacement of other organs by tissue engineering in combination with a multiplication of translational research protocols for esophageal replacement in large animals should soon pave the way for health agencies to authorize clinical trials. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Diagnostic procedures for patients with community acquired pneumonia].
The diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is based on a patient history with respiratory symptoms and additional symptoms and signs such as fever over more than 4 days, dyspnea and tachypnea and/or a positive lung auscultation. Despite recently developed tests, radiology is a key diagnostic procedure for confirming CAP. Importantly, the first treating physician must judge whether to hospitalize a patient or not. Two major scoring systems allow judgement of severity and short-term prognosis. In general, in patients with mild or moderate pneumonia who can be treated on an ambulatory basis, no specific microbiological diagnosis must be performed. If, for clinical or epidemiological reasons a gram stain is done, it must be obtained from purulent sputum. Recent tests may help in discriminating between viral and bacterial pneumonia (procalcitonin test) or determine the bacteria responsible for acute disease (pneumococcal antigen test using urine). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Responsiveness to norepinephrine of the vessels supplying the placenta of growth-retarded fetuses.
The effects of intravenous norepinephrine infusions on uteroplacental blood flow were studied in seven awake, chronically catheterized guinea pigs at 63 to 64 days' gestation after unilateral uterine artery ligation at days 31 to 37. An initial subpressor dose of norepinephrine (1.54 +/- 0.18 nmol/kg.min) (+/- SEM) was given, followed by a pressor dose (4.57 +/- 0.59 nmol/kg.min) that caused a 14% increase in mean arterial blood pressure. Placental blood flow as measured by the microsphere technique decreased by 24% in 11 placentas with normal-sized fetuses during the subpressor dose and by 46% during the pressor dose. In 11 placentas with growth-retarded fetuses the two norepinephrine doses reduced blood flow by 19% and 43%, respectively. These results indicate that there is no difference in adrenergic responsiveness between the vessels supplying the placenta of a normal-sized fetus and the arteries of the placenta of a growth-retarded guinea pig. It is suggested that an increase in circulating maternal catecholamine levels would affect a growth-retarded fetus more severely than the normal-sized fetus because the growth-retarded fetus even during normal conditions exists at, or even beyond, the border of imminent asphyxia and hypoglycemia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Minimizing postinsertion problems: a procedure for removable partial denture placement.
A procedure for removable partial denture placement has been described. This procedure involves correction of pressure spots and overextensions, harmonizing of occlusion, and patient home-care instructions. Use of this procedure does not eliminate the need for postinsertion observations. Postinsertion adjustments, however, may be minimized by careful attention to each step at the placement visit. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Integrating community service learning in undergraduate dental education: A controlled trial in a residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities.
The present report describes an oral health promotion project in a residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities as a strategy to implement community service learning in undergraduate dental education. Two undergraduate students developed a project aimed to improve the oral health in residents with intellectual disabilities by educating caregivers. The impact was investigated by a pretest-posttest design, evaluating residents' plaque and gingival indexes and caregivers' knowledge, behavior, attitude, and self-efficacy. Findings demonstrated that within a semester, it was possible for students to obtain a limited but positive impact on the local community. Based on the experiences at Ghent University, the following guidelines were suggested to implement service learning in a dental curriculum that renders both a positive impact on student learning and the local community : (1) integrate community service learning in multiple years in the curriculum; (2) use a stepwise approach from theory to exercises to extramural experiences; (3) create a partnership with a local organization; (4) organize long-term projects and annual follow-up to increase the impact; (5) involve supervisors from both the university and the local organization; and (6) establish an evidence based approach to benefit the quality of projects and to facilitate students to develop research competences. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Radioiodinated CGP 42112A: a novel high affinity and highly selective ligand for the characterization of angiotensin AT2 receptors.
CGP 42112A, a potent angiotensin AT2 receptor selective ligand, was radio-iodinated and its binding characteristics compared with those of [125I]angiotensin II. In human myometrium (only AT2 expressed), binding was saturable (Kd 1.03 x 10(-10) M; Bmax 807 fmol/mg) and reversible (K+1 1.89 x 10(8) M-1.min-1; K-1 3.77 x 10(-3) min-1). The order of potency of a number of peptides and non-peptides was the same as when [125I] angiotensin II was used as tracer. No specific binding could be detected on membranes from vascular smooth muscle cells (only AT1 expressed). In rat adrenal glomerulosa membranes (mixed AT1/AT2), [125I]CGP 42112A bound only to AT2. [125I]CGP 42112A can therefore be used as a specific probe for AT2 receptors and will be especially useful in tissues where other subtypes are also present. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Corneal asphericity and spherical aberration.
To summarize the various values of asphericity in different notations and present how corneal asphericity, corneal curvature, and entrance pupil diameter influence the longitudinal spherical aberration of the anterior corneal surface. After the conversion factors between the different asphericity notations were described, finite ray tracing through a conic section that models the anterior cornea profile was performed. The anterior cornea was given a range of curvatures and asphericities and a range of entrance pupil diameters. If the value of asphericity remains constant, longitudinal spherical aberration increases with the square of the entrance pupil diameter. If the pupil diameter remains fixed, the spherical aberration becomes a function of the value of asphericity, the refractive index, and the radius of curvature. If the refractive index, pupil diameter and asphericity are considered constant, the spherical aberration will decrease if the corneal surface flattens and increase as the cornea becomes steeper. In this way, with the same shape factor and with the same starting apical radius, longitudinal spherical aberration became a function of the surgically induced refractive change. With equal curvature, the longitudinal spherical aberration becomes negative if the surface is more prolate than perfect Cartesian oval; it will become positive if it is less prolate, spherical, or oblate. A conversion chart for corneal asphericity notations with the corresponding spherical aberration and a diagram reporting values of asphericity necessary to maintain the physiological value of the corneal spherical aberration after refractive procedures may be useful tools in corneal surgery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Myelin basic protein gene polymorphism is not associated with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis.
In the present study a tetranucleotide (TGGA)n repeat polymorphism 5' to the myelin basic protein (MBP) gene was evaluated in a group of HLA-class II-typed, chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This polymorphism has been reported by others to be associated with MS. Contrary to these reports we observed similar allele frequencies in patients and controls. Our results indicate that there is no association between MS and a polymorphism 5' to the MBP gene. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Implementing diagnostic reasoning to differentiate Todd's paralysis from acute ischemic stroke.
Emergency department clinicians with limited resources are relied upon to deliver safe and timely patient care. Clinicians rely on cognitive biases such as anchoring, availability, and premature closure based on experience and quick mental algorithms to streamline medical data and arrive at a diagnosis. Although this is a time-saving and efficient method in the management of uncomplicated illnesses, it can result in a wrong diagnosis when managing patients with complicated presentations such as a stroke or a stroke mimic. Two conditions that present similarly, making it difficult to differentiate between them, are Todd's paralysis (a stroke mimic seen in selected patients with epilepsy) and acute ischemic stroke. However, by clinical reasoning, clinicians can formulate an accurate diagnosis while avoiding diagnostic biases. Incorporating clinical reasoning into the diagnostic process consists of gathering pertinent data, performing a diagnostic time-out, and arriving at a diagnosis reflective of data findings. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Surveillance systems: what to include and why.
There is no question that exposure to specific substances is associated with an increased risk of developing specific neoplasms. Exposure to soot by chimney sweeps was found to be responsible for scrotal cancer by Sir Percival Pott over 200 years ago. More recently we have obtained evidence of the adverse effect of asbestos fibers, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenicals, beryllium, and other substances that have been addressed frequently in recent literature. NIOSH publishes a handbook entitled "Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards," which contains 450 chemicals with varying degrees of toxicity, and these represent but a small number of the substances we deal with daily. In this article, the symptoms of short-term overexposure are set forth. What is not presented here, or contained, to a very limited degree, is the risk of low-level exposure over a long period of time. The reason this kind of information is not presented is because we have limited information on this question. In most instances we just do not know what the risks are of long-term exposure or low-level exposure. But we should know this and, the fact is, we do know how to find out. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A new genus of proteocephalid tapeworm (Cestoda) from the marbled swamp eel Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch (Synbranchiformes: Synbranchidae) in the River Paraná basin, Argentina.
Synbranchiella gen. n. is proposed to accommodate Synbranchiella mabelae sp. n. (Proteocephalidae: Monticelliinae) from the intestine of the marbled swamp eel Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, in the River Colastiné, a tributary of the middle River Paraná in Argentina. The new genus is placed in the Monticelliinae because of the cortical position of the genital organs. It differs from all known monticelliine genera by the following combination of characters: (i) scolex robust, with a conical apex, without metascolex; (ii) biloculate suckers with a conspicuous septum separating unequally-sized loculi and a robust non-adherent area, lacking free posterior margin; (iii) vitelline follicles in two narrow lateral bands, extended throughout the nearly entire proglottid length; (iv) vagina always anterior to the cirrus-sac, with an inconspicuous vaginal sphincter; (v) a genital pore pre-equatorial. Scanning electron microscopy revealed three types of microtriches on the tegument surface: acicular and capiliform filitriches and gladiate spinitriches. A phylogenetic analysis of the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (lsrDNA, D1-D3 domains) confirms that S. mabelae represents an independent lineage within a large clade comprised mainly from Neotropical taxa parasitising catfishes. This is the second proteocephalidean cestode described from a Neotropical synbranchiform fish host. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Blast-like tumor tissue in cervical lymph node with expression of placental alkaline phosphatase].
We report a case of ALK1-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with expression of placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) in many tumor cells. Initially, due to the positivity of tumor cells for CD30 and PLAP, lymph node metastasis of a germ cell neoplasm was discussed. Anaplastic large cell lymphomas of T‑cell lineage form a group of rare non-Hodgkin lymphomas with heterogeneous morphological and immunohistochemical appearance. They may imitate other neoplasms, such as large cell B‑cell lymphomas, metastasis of a carcinoma, melanoma, embryonal carcinoma or seminoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Only an extended immunohistochemistry panel leads to an accurate diagnosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Proposed practical classification of weak B phenotypes B 3, Bx, B el].
Although the first weak B phenotypes have been observed some thirty years ago, very few comparative studies have been done until now. In this work, different samples were analysed, using immunogenetic methods, thermodynamics, agglutination kinetics and agglutination profiles. Almost hundred weak B samples were tested, belonging to twenty nine families including cis AB but exclusing acquired B and Bh. Using these methods it could be evidenced that the reactive structures differ from one family to another, but are strictly the same within one family. Consequently, each sample should have been called from the family mane; from a practical point of view, it was but necessary to agree on a simple classification. The simplest criteria were looked for such as agglutination velocity on a tile, agglutination picture, presence or absence of anti-B in serum... Three groups were then distinguished: 1) B3, for which the agglutination velocity is high (less than or equal to 30 inches), giving a typical mixed field agglutination pattern; there is no anti-B in the serum; 2) Bx, for which the agglutination velocity is low (larger than or equal to 30 inches), giving generally a weak agglutination pattern; there is a weak anti-B in serum; 3) Bel, for which there is no agglutination at all; the presence of B antigen on the membrane being evidenced by a fixation-elution test; in these three conditions genetic studies proved the phenotype being due to an allele at the ABO locus, the Bel class is the most "discutable"; when an important secretion of B substance can be evidenced in saliva, and the phenotype is proved to be inherited as a dominant character, the appellation Bm can be proposed. On the contrary, when genetics suggest the presence of a modifying gene, the Bel mod or By appellation can be used, according as the type of modification is dominant or recessive. Only one sample appeared to be unclassable, for which the fixation-elution test is positive, but only 5 to 10% of the red cells are agglutinated, giving a dual population pattern; the galactosyl-transferase activity seems to be normal, as well as the--delta H (20.000 cal/mol.). The B weak appellation appears to be the most appropriate for this given sample. This case expected, the proposed practical classification appears to fit well the studied phenotypes. As the various studies on weak B phenotypes, reported in the literature have not been compared within a same laboratory, using the same technics, it appears illusive to apply the proposed classification to the different reported samples. Several already published samples form a part of the present study, but their appellation do not correspond to the previous one; stricklingly, only few B3 (new appellation) have been described in the literature, which let one think that they might be undetected using classical grouping tests, and thus considered as normal B. Of course, there is not an absolute correspondance between the criteria defining A3, Ax, Ael phenotypes and those proposed here for B3, Bx, Bel... | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The rationale and design of the Shockless IMPLant Evaluation (SIMPLE) trial: a randomized, controlled trial of defibrillation testing at the time of defibrillator implantation.
Defibrillation testing (DT) has been an integral part of defibrillator (implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD]) implantation; however, there is little evidence that it improves outcomes. Surveys show a trend toward ICD implantation without DT, which now exceeds 30% to 60% in some regions. Because there is no evidence to support dramatic shift in practice, a randomized trial is urgently needed. The SIMPLE trial will determine if ICD implantation without any DT is noninferior to implantation with DT. Patients will be eligible if they are receiving their first ICD using a Boston Scientific device (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA). Patients will be randomized to DT or no DT at the time of ICD implantation. In the DT arm, physicians will make all reasonable efforts to ensure 1 successful intraoperative defibrillation at 17 J or 2 at 21 J. The first clinical shock in all tachycardia zones will be set to 31 J for all patients. The primary outcome of SIMPLE will be the composite of ineffective appropriate shock or arrhythmic death. The safety outcome of SIMPLE will include a composite of potentially DT-related procedural complications within 30 days of ICD implantation. Several secondary outcomes will be evaluated, including all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization. Enrollment of 2,500 patients with 3.5-year mean follow-up will provide sufficient statistical power to demonstrate noninferiority. The study is being performed at approximately 90 centers in Canada, Europe, Israel, and Asia Pacific with final results expected in 2013. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reconstruction of the Wide Scalp Defects Using Free Latissimus Dorsi Flap Assisted With Arteriovenous Loop.
Reconstructions of the wide scalp defects are still a challenging task because of the accompanied recipient vessel issues. Arteriovenous loop (AVL) grafts are a suitable vascular conduit that can be used to support free tissue transfer, when adjacent blood supply is inadequate. We report 2 patients of successful wide scalp reconstruction, using a free latissimus dorsi (LD) flap assisted with AVL. Both flaps and AVL grafts fully survived postoperatively. No complications related to the recipient and donor areas developed. The flaps obtained a durable barrier and an acceptable aesthetic appearance. We believe that AVL can be a useful adjunct for increasing the success rate of wide scalp reconstructions with inadequate adjacent arterial inflow or venous outflow. The free LD flap is a good option with its wide surface, rich vascularity and relatively low donor morbidity in such reconstructions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Noninvasive method to measure airway obstruction in nonanesthetized allergen-sensitized and challenged mice.
Conventional methods used to measure bronchoconstriction are invasive, technically demanding and time consuming. Our purpose was to evaluate a noninvasive method, by barometric whole-body plethysmography (WBP), to evaluate bronchoconstriction and bronchial hyperreactivity in mice induced by ovalbumin (OA) inhalation challenge in comparison with an invasive method. Enhanced pause (P(enh)) was used as an index of airway obstruction. Eight mice were sensitized by OA (group I) and then challenged with OA. Twenty-four hours later, pulmonary function testing (PFT) was measured by WBP at baseline and after a methacholine (MCh) inhalation challenge. Eight weight-matched normal mice served as controls (group II). Four hours after PFT in a nonanesthetized condition, all animals were anesthetized and paralyzed. Baseline PFT was performed by the maximal forced expiratory maneuver (MFEM), and then the animals were given varying doses of acetylcholine (ACh; 25, 50, 75, 100 microg/kg) injected through the jugular vein. Five seconds after ACh injections, pulmonary functions were examined, including MFEM, peak airway pressure and total lung compliance. After completing PFT, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed, the animals were sacrificed, and the lungs were examined histologically. Group I had increased P(enh) in response to MCh in the nonanesthetized condition and decreased flow in the anesthetized condition, characterized by greater decreases in MFEM flow rates MFEF 50% and MFEF 25% than the control group. The peak flows, MFEF 75%, MFEF 50% and MFEF 25%, for group I were lower than those for group II at doses of ACh higher than 25 microg/kg. There were concentration-dependent increases in P(enh) in response to aerosolized MCh in both groups, but the P(enh) in response to aerosolized MCh was significantly enhanced in group I when compared with controls. The doses of MCh required for 100% increases in P(enh) were significantly reduced for sensitized and challenged mice. There was a positive correlation between provocative doses PD200 P(enh) MCh, PD20 MFEF 50% ACh and PD20 MFEF 25% ACh. There was a negative correlation between the PD200 P(enh) MCh and the percentage of eosinophils in BAL fluid. There was an increased total cell count and an increased percentage and absolute number of eosinophils and lymphocytes in the BAL fluid of sensitized animals. OA-sensitized mice also had a severe inflammatory reaction of airway and lung tissue, characterized by congestion, edema and inflammatory cell infiltration and desquamation of bronchial epithelial cells. The noninvasive method of WBP can be used to evaluate airway obstruction and hyperreactivity induced in mice by allergen challenge. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute and chronic cholecystitis.
To evaluate and compare the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in acute and chronic cholecystitis in terms of complications, conversion rates, reason of conversion and hospital stay. Between April 1999 and March 2004, we retrospectively evaluated all patients admitted for symptomatic gall bladder disease in the Department of General Surgery, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. All patients who underwent LC for symptomatic cholelithiasis were included. They were classified as group A [having acute cholecystitis (AC)] and group B [with chronic cholecystitis (CC)] based on the operative findings and histological diagnosis. Out of 725 patients who underwent LC, 173 patients were included in group A and 552 patients in group B. Conversion rate was 6% for group A and O.7% for group B (p<0.0001). Two patients (0.3%) in group B, while one patient (0.5%) in group A sustained bile duct injury (p>0.05). Two patients (1.1%) in group A and 4 patients (0.7%) in group B developed sub-hepatic bile collections (p>0.05). The mean hospital stay was 1.2 +/- 1.1 days for group A and 1.7 +/- 2.1 days for group B (p<0.001). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective procedure in almost all patients presenting with symptomatic cholelithiasis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Facial transplantation and immunosuppressed patients: a new frontier in reconstructive surgery.
Composite tissue transplantation in reconstructing complex facial defects has developed tremendous interest over the recent years, since the first report of partial face transplantation performed in France in 2005. However, the controversy over the ethical, immunological, and psychological issues remains. Recently, we obtained IRB approval to perform partial face transplantation at Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston. Here we present the rationale and IRB application process of our unique approach to this highly controversial procedure, which focuses on partial face transplantation on patients currently on immunosuppressants due to previous transplanted organ. 'Patient selection criteria', selection process, technical and immunological protocols are discussed. We currently share the concern that life-long immunosuppression associated with facial transplantation may not outweigh its benefits as compared to the alternative reconstructive methods. We asked ourselves the question of which patient population would risk less and overall benefit more from undergoing face transplantation, and identified those currently on immunosuppressive therapy the most suitable candidates. Organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of malignancy, particularly skin cancer commonly located in the facial region, necessitating surgical resection and facial reconstruction. They also have to take immunosuppressants to prevent rejection of their primary transplanted organ, which will minimize the need for additional immunosuppression associated with facial allograft. Being a previous organ recipient also diminishes the difficulty of complying with the strict postoperative immunosuppressive regimen, commonly encountered by organ transplant recipients. This approach could be very beneficial for previously immunosuppressed patients and perhaps take its place in our reconstructive ladder options. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preferences for sex of children in Thailand: a comparison of husbands' and wives' attitudes.
Findings on sex preference for children from a Thai national survey show substantial differences for men and women. Married women appear to have a weak or moderate preference for sons, coexisting with a desire to have at least one child of each sex. Their husbands' preference for sons is noticeably more pronounced. Son preference is strongest among urban ethnic Chinese men but is also substantial among ethnic Thai men. There is also some evidence that men like to have at least one daughter. The contrasting patterns of sex preferences found for men and women in Thailand suggest that results can be misleading if studies of sex preferences for children are based exclusively on samples of married women. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV/Anh-IL-2) expressing human IL-2 as a potential candidate for suppresses growth of hepatoma therapy.
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) have shown oncolytic therapeutic efficacy in preclinical study and are currently approved for clinical trials. NDV Anhinga strain which is a mesogenic strain should be classified as lytic strain and has a therapeutic efficacy in hepatocellular cancer. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of NDV Anhinga strain to elicit immune reaction in vivo and the possibility for using as a vaccine vector for expressing tumor therapeutic factors. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) could boost the immune response against the tumor cells. Therefore, we use NDV Anhinga strain as backbone to construct a recombinant virus (NDV/Anh-IL-2) expressing IL-2. The virus growth curve showed that the production of recombinant NDV/Anh-IL-2 was slightly delayed compared to the wild type. The NDV/Anh-IL-2 strain could express soluble IL-2 and effectively inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. 60 days post-treatment, mice which were completely cured by previous treatment were well protected when rechallenged with the same tumor cell. From the H&E-stained sections, intense infiltration of lymphocyte was observed in the NDV Anhinga strain treated group, especially in NDV/Anh-IL-2 group. The NDV Anhinga strain could not only kill the tumor directly, but could also elicit immune reaction and a potent immunological memory when killing tumor in vivo. In conclusion, the Anhinga strain could be an effective vector for tumor therapy; the recombinant NDV/Anh-IL-2 strain expressing soluble IL-2 is a promising candidate for hepatoma therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Characterization of the epidermal-growth-factor-dependent phosphorylation system from normal mouse-liver sinusoidal plasma membranes.
Blood sinusoidal plasma membrane subfractions were isolated from normal mouse liver in the presence of the proteinase inhibitors PhMeSO2F and iodoacetamide. They were purified from smooth microsomal and Golgi vesicle contaminants. The phosphorylation reaction was studied at 33 degrees C, in the presence of 2 mM MnCl2. Addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the preparations stimulated 32P incorporation from [gamma-32P]ATP or [gamma-32P]GTP essentially into one 170 000 Mr protein. Some incorporation was observed in a minor 120 000-Mr component which appears to be a degradation product of the 170 000-Mr component. No EGF-dependent phosphorylation of other membrane proteins or various exogenous proteins could be detected in vitro. The dephosphorylation of the 170 000-Mr component was observed after 4 min of incubation at 33 degrees C. This dephosphorylation reaction was inhibited by addition of 5 mM p-nitrophenyl phosphate but not by addition of micromolar Zn2+, Be2+ or orthovanadate. The 170 000-Mr protein specifically bound 125I-labeled EGF and thus appeared to be the hepatic EGF receptor. The EGF stimulatable kinase activity considerably enhances incorporation of 32P into tyrosine residues of the 170 000-Mr EGF receptor at 33 degrees C. Tryptic peptide maps of the 32P-labeled 170 000-Mr protein revealed a multiplicity of phosphorylated sites. Seven 32P-labeled phosphopeptides were observed after EGF stimulation, three of them being largely prominent. Tryptic peptide maps of the 170 000-Mr protein after it was covalently linked to 125I-labeled EGF showed only one 125I-labeled peptide, the migration of which appeared different from that of 32P-labeled phosphopeptides. These findings were confirmed by V8 protease unidimensional peptide mapping of the 170 000-Mr protein, labeled with 32P or 125I-EGF. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Phylogenetic and genetic analysis of symbiotic nodulation genes within the Bradyrhizobium].
Symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria-known as rhizobia-harbour a set of nodulation (nod) genes that control the synthesis of modified lipo-chitooligosaccharides, called Nod factors that are required for legume nodulation. The nodA gene, which is essential for symbiosis, is responsible for the attachment of the fatty acid group to the oligosaccharide backbone. The nodZ, nolL, and noeI genes are involved in specific modifications of Nod factors common to bradyrhizobia, i.e., the transfer of a fucosyl group on the Nod factor core, fucose acetylation and fucose methylation, respectively. The distribution of the nodZ, nolL, and noeI genes in the studied strains was found to correlate with the nodA tree topology. Moreover, the nodA, nodZ, and noeI phylogenies were largely congruent, but did not closely follow the taxonomy of the strains shown by the housekeeping 16S rRNA and dnaK genes. Additionally, the distribution of nodZ, noeI, and nolL genes suggested that their presence may be related to the requirements of their legume hosts. These data indicated that the spread and maintenance of nodulation genes within the Bradyrhizobium genus occurred through vertical transmission, although lateral gene transfer also played a significant role. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Results of sclerotherapy for bleeding esophageal varices in patients with schistosomal liver disease. A retrospective study.
The aims of the study were to evaluate results of injection sclerotherapy in patients with liver schistosomiasis inducing bleeding esophageal varices and to review ultrasonographic features of the liver disease as well as endoscopic characteristics of the esophageal disease in order to assess any interrelationship between them. A total of 34 patients with active or recent history of hematemesis and Schistosoma mansoni infection had emergency or elective endoscopic sclerotherapy. Each underwent ultrasound examination to assess hepatosplenic involvement and staging, and were followed-up with upper digestive endoscopy every 4 months. Obliteration or reduction of the varices in small columns was achieved in 82.3% of cases. During the follow-up period (mean: 10.4 +/- 2.1 months; range: 4-16 months) rebleeding was noted in 2 patients and 2 patients died due to variceal hemorrhage. The relationship between the ultrasonographic periportal fibrosis grade and the endoscopic variceal grade or varices localization was very strong (P < 0.001). A significant difference between grade 1 vs. 3 and 1 vs. 2 of periportal fibrosis and the presence of red signs was also found (P < 0.008). In view of the results obtained in terms of success rate in obliterating varices, rebleeding and mortality rates, a longitudinal study could be justified to assess the usefulness of prophylactic sclerotherapy for the prevention of the first variceal hemorrhage and in the attempt to prolong survival in patients with Schistosoma-induced esophageal varices. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Are the lipid-modifying effects of fibrates mediated by alterations in plasma lipid transfer activity?
Fenofibrate, a PPAR-alpha (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-alpha) agonist, has been shown to modify plasma lipid and lipoprotein composition and metabolism by a variety of mechanisms. In addition, fenofibrate has been shown to increase the activity of PLTP (phospholipid transfer protein) and to reduce the activity of CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein). It is not known, however, whether the changes in PLTP and CETP plasma activity play an active role in the lipid changes observed with fenofibrate therapy, and this is investigated by Watts and co-workers in the present issue of Clinical Science. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Odiel River, acid mine drainage and current characterisation by means of univariate analysis.
Water pollution caused by sulfide oxidation responds to two geochemical processes: a natural one of temporal patterns, and the 'acid mine drainage', an accelerated process derived from the extractive activity. The Odiel River is located in Southwestern Spain; it flows to the south and into the Atlantic Ocean after joining the Tinto River near its mouth, forming a common estuary. There are three kinds of metallic mining in the Odiel River Basin: manganese, gold and silver, and pyrite mining, the latter being the most important in this basin, which is the object of this study. The main objective of the present study is centred in the characterisation of the sources responsible for the 'acid mine drainage' processes in the Odiel River Basin, through the sampling and subsequent chemical and statistical analyses of water samples collected in three types of sources: mine dumps, active mines and abandoned mines. The main conclusion is that mean pH values in the target area are remarkably lower than those in other active and abandoned mines outside of the study zone. On the contrary, mean values for heavy metal sulfates are much higher. Regarding mine dumps, mean values for pH, sulfates and heavy metals are within a similar range to those data known for areas outside the study zone. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hospital-acquired acute kidney injury: an analysis of baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate and in-hospital mortality.
The objective of this study was to determine whether the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level was independently associated with in-hospital mortality in generalized patients with hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI) in China. All of the patients admitted to a tertiary medical center of Nanjing, China, between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013, were involved. Through the use of an electronic database and the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) classification, the patients with HA-AKI were indentified. We included the hospitalized adult patients with HA-AKI. Epidemiological information and in-hospital outcomes were collected and were analyzed according to different baseline eGFR strata of the included individual patients. Of the 42,664 admissions during the study period, 1327 patients were identified as AKI. The incidence of HA-AKI was 3.1 %. HA-AKI patients with a compromised baseline eGFR tended to be older and had a higher prevalence of various comorbid conditions. With the gradual deterioration of the baseline eGFR, the odds ratio of in-hospital mortality increased incrementally and a graded independent association between the baseline eGFR and in-hospital mortality was observed when the baseline eGFR dropped below 60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). Baseline eGFR was a potential risk factor for in-hospital mortality in HA-AKI. Serum Creatinine (SCr)-based definition of AKI needs to incorporate baseline eGFR to optimize or refine risk stratification. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The gelatinolytic activity of human skin fibroblast collagenase.
The gelatinolytic activity of human skin fibroblast collagenase was examined on denatured collagen types I-V. All denatured substrates were cleaved, including types IV and V, which are resistant to collagenase in native form. Interestingly, the earliest major cleavage in denatured collagen types I-III occurred at a 3/4-1/4 locus, resulting in products electrophoretically identical with TCA and TCB fragments of mammalian collagenase action on these native collagens. However, in the denatured substrates, multiple additional proteolytic cleavages followed. The propensity for cleavage at a 3/4-1/4 site in denatured collagen, where sequence is the major specifier of enzymatic action, would seem to indicate that the most favorable amino acid sequence of gamma chains for catalysis is located in this region. The peptide bond specificity of human fibroblast collagenase on gelatin was examined by amino acid sequencing of extensively cleaved denatured type I collagen. Analysis of the NH2-terminal amino acid residues from the resultant gelatin peptides showed sequences of "-H2N-Ile-Y-Gly" and "H2N-Leu-Y-Gly" only (where Y indicates that any amino acid can be found in that position), indicating that Gly-Ile and Gly-Leu bonds are the only sites of collagenase cleavage in this substrate. Whereas the gamma1 chains of denatured collagen types I-III were cleaved at similar rates, fibroblast collagenase was a much better gamma2-gelatinase than gamm1-gelatinase on denatured type 1 collagen. This preference for the cleavage of gamma2(I) was the result of both a higher kcat (750 versus 230 h-1) and lower Km (3.7 versus 7.0 microM) than for a gamma1(1), resulting in an overall selectivity (kcat/Km) of greater than 6-fold. Compared to such kinetic parameters on native collagen, these values indicate that gelatinolysis is somewhat slower than collagenolysis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Assessment and rehabilitation of the athlete with a "stinger". A model for the management of noncatastrophic athletic cervical spine injury.
Stingers are the most common athletically induced nerve injury of the cervical spine, but often underdiagnosed or inadequately assessed. In addition to neurologic dysfunction, biomechanical and postural faults are frequently associated with stingers. This article addresses the pathomechanics of the stinger, comprehensive clinical assessment, appropriate diagnostic testing, and a thorough review of rehabilitation techniques to allow return to competition. The principles and practical suggestions can be applied to most cervical spine injuries. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A controlled study of psychiatric hospital versus community treatment - the effect on relatives.
One hundred and twenty patients presenting at Macquarie Hospital for admission were randomly allocated into two groups. The control group patients received standard hospital care and follow-up. The project group patients were not admitted if this could be avoided; instead they were taken back to the community by the project team who provided them and their relatives with comprehensive, assertive and prolonged follow-up treatment backed by a 24-hour crisis service. The majority (63%) of the project group had no admission during the 10 month study period. Initially, the burden on the relatives of the project group was higher, but by one month it was somewhat lower and by four months it was significantly lower than the burden on the control group relatives. Relatives of the project group patients were significantly more satisfied with the treatment than control group relatives. It is clearly feasible to treat most psychiatric patients in the community without increasing the burden on their relatives. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Production of slow alpha2-globulin in the pregnant rat.
Slow alpha2-globulin (salpha2G), a high molecular weight glycoprotein, appears as a component of rat serum in a wide variety of both physiologic and pathologic conditions, including pregnancy; it is also present in the neonate. In the present study, the protein was detectable in serum after 6 to 10 days, and was present at moderate levels on day 13, and thereafter through the rest of pregnancy. From immunofluorescent localization and 14C-labelled amino acid incorporation studies, salpha2G was found to be localized in uterine and placental tissues and to be synthesized by these tissues as early as day 6 of gestation. Production continued throughout pregnancy. Synthesis in the liver of the pregnant rat began at day 17 of gestation, which is in contrast with the observation in pathologic conditions that liver synthesis is an initial source of the serum protein; substantial fetal liver synthesis was occurring at day 21 of gestation, and the amount in fetal serum was four times greater than that in maternal serum at that time. It is likely that the fetal liver produces salpha2G as soon as it begins to function. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Should all patients at high cardiovascular risk receive renin-angiotensin system blockers?
Despite considerable advances in preventative treatment during the last two decades, the increasing burden of cardiovascular (CV) disease constitutes an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies to reduce CV mortality and morbidity in patients at high CV risk. Activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) results in vasoconstrictive, proliferative and pro-inflammatory effects that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. As a result, the RAS is implicated at all stages of the 'CV continuum' that links risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia with major CV events, congestive heart failure (CHF) and CV death. The RAS therefore represents a rational and ideal therapeutic target in CV risk reduction strategies. Both angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have been shown to promote beneficial effects on end-organ damage, such as decreases in arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Several trials have shown that ACE inhibitors and ARBs reduce CV risk in patients with specific risk factors. Furthermore, the HOPE study and, more recently, the ONTARGET® study have shown that ramipril and telmisartan reduce CV risk in patients with a high CV risk profile across the 'CV continuum'. Telmisartan is the first ARB to demonstrate CV prevention in patients at high CV risk, similar to that of the gold-standard ACE inhibitor, ramipril. This extensive clinical trial evidence suggests that ACE inhibitors or ARBs should be part of the standard treatment for patients at risk of CV events. ARBs may represent a preferred option due to their unsurpassed tolerability. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison between pp65 antigenemia assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of active cytomegalovirus infection in routine diagnostics.
Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pp65 antigenemia assay for the detection of active cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompromised patients experiencing neutropenia after bone marrow or kidney transplantation have been compared with a special focus on evaluability and embedment in daily routine diagnostics. Investigating 334 specimens from 97 patients, real-time PCR was shown to be the superior assay with regard to the parameters focused on. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Normal stresses in elastic networks.
When loaded in simple shear deformation, polymeric materials may develop so-called normal stresses: stresses perpendicular to the direction of the applied shear. These normal stresses are intrinsically nonlinear: basic symmetry considerations dictate they may only enter at O(γ(2)), with γ the dimensionless shear strain. There is no fundamental restriction on their sign, and normal stresses may be positive (pushing outward) or negative (pulling inward). Most materials tend to dilate in the normal direction, but a wide variety of biopolymer networks including fibrin and actin gels have been reported to present anomalously large, negative normal stresses-a feature which has been ascribed to the intrinsic elastic nonlinearity of semiflexible fibers. In this work, we present analytical results on a model nonlinear network, which we expand to the required nonlinear order to show that due to geometric, rather than elastic, nonlinearities (negative) normal stresses generically arise in filamentous networks-even in networks composed of linear, Hookean springs. We investigate analytically and numerically how the subsequent addition of elastic nonlinearities, nonaffine deformations, and filament persistence through cross-linkers augment this basic behavior. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Terminal cretaceous extinction scenario for a catastrophe.
All the biotic changes that occurred at the end of Cretaceous time, including the extinction of the dinosaurs, may be the result of a single terrestrial catastrophe. The Arctic spillover model, first proposed to explain the marine extinctions, would have caused a rapid and intense change in the earth's climate including a lowering of temperature and of precipitation. This change in climate may have triggered a series of ecological disasters that included the radical change in the distribution of vegetation on the earth as well as the extinction of the dinosaurs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
t (11;18)(q21;q21) chromosome translocation (A1446-M1150) of MALT lymphoma in buccal mucosa.
The t(11;18)(q21;q21) chromosome translocation is frequent in gastric MALT lymphoma, but the t(11;18)(q21;q21) chromosome translocation is very rare in other sites of MALT lymphomas. We investigated the possibility that MALT lymphoma occurred in the right buccal mucosa of a 66-year-old Japanese woman who had the t(11;18)(q21;q21) chromosome translocation. Tumor specimens were examined by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. To investigate where the present case has API-MALT1 fusion, we used the nested PCR and FISH analysis. Some colonized lymphoid follicles with mantle zone were observed on low-power field, and centrocyte-like cells and monocytoid B cells were observed on high-power field. Immunohistochemical staining of the tumor was positive for bcl-2, CD20, CD79a, CD43, Lambda, Kappa and was negative for CD10, IgG, IgG4, IgM, cyclin D1, bcl-6, CK (AE1/3), Helicobacter pylori. Using the nested PCR and FISH analysis, present case had the t(11;18)(q21;q21) chromosome translocation (A1446-M1150). We report that MALT lymphoma in buccal mucosa has the t(11;18)(q21;q21) chromosome translocation (A1446-M1150) by using the nested PCR and FISH analysis. This is the first report of the t(11;18)(q21;q21) chromosome translocation (A1446-M1150) of MALT lymphoma in the oral cavity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Virus-specific antiviral treatment for controlling severe and fatal outbreaks of feline calicivirus infection.
To test the life-sparing and therapeutic effect of a parenterally administered virus-specific antiviral phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) for treating kittens during outbreaks of severe viral disease. 112 kittens of various sex and age in 4 trials involving 3 outbreaks of naturally developing caliciviral disease. Each trial provided an opportunity to investigate the disease. A calicivirus isolated from the liver of a cat that died with hemorrhage and hepatitis was sequenced, and a PMO that had sequence specificity complementary to a 5' region was synthesized. In vitro efficacy of the PMO was tested against the isolate, followed by 3 trials in outbreaks of severe caliciviral disease. The PMO was administered starting on day 1 of disease onset (0.7 to 5.0 mg/kg, SC, q 24 h) and continuing for up to 7 days. Survival time, clinical recovery, and caliciviral shedding were compared by use of various antiviral dosages. In a fourth trial involving nonfatal disease, a control treatment was administered for comparison. In vitro blockage of caliciviral replication by the PMO was dose dependent. In trials 1 to 3 in which survival was the endpoint, 47 of 59 cats receiving PMO survived but only 3 of 31 survived without PMO treatment. Antiviral treatment reduced viral shedding and hastened clinical recovery, as measured by weight gains and clinical condition. These data provided evidence that virus-specific PMOs were effective in treating kittens with severe Vesivirus disease and suggested a broader application for other viruses and species, including humans. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Big data approaches in psychiatry: examples in depression research].
The exploration and therapy of depression is aggravated by heterogeneous etiological mechanisms and various comorbidities. With the growing trend towards big data in psychiatry, research and therapy can increasingly target the individual patient. This novel objective requires special methods of analysis. The possibilities and challenges of the application of big data approaches in depression are examined in closer detail. Examples are given to illustrate the possibilities of big data approaches in depression research. Modern machine learning methods are compared to traditional statistical methods in terms of their potential in applications to depression. Big data approaches are particularly suited to the analysis of detailed observational data, the prediction of single data points or several clinical variables and the identification of endophenotypes. A current challenge lies in the transfer of results into the clinical treatment of patients with depression. Big data approaches enable biological subtypes in depression to be identified and predictions in individual patients to be made. They have enormous potential for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment choice and prognosis of depression as well as for treatment development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Circadian variation in Pseudomonas fluorescens (CHA0)-mediated paralysis of Caenorhabditis elegans.
Abiotic and biotic environmental stressors play a key role in the ecophysiology of most organisms. As the presence and activity of stress-inducing agents vary along the day, organisms that are able to predict these periodic changes are better fit to survive. Caenorhabditis elegans, a soil-dwelling nematode, is subjected to daily changes in its natural environment, and its tolerance to osmotic and oxidative stress varies along the day. Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CHA0 is a soil bacterium that produces a set of secondary metabolites that antagonize phytopathogenic fungi and therefore promote healthy growth of several plant species. Here we show that strain CHA0 is able to affect C. elegans either under growth limiting conditions (i.e., slow-killing) or by rapid paralysis in nutrient replete conditions (fast-killing). Both types of toxicity require the post-transcriptional Gac/Rsm regulatory cascade, and the fast paralytic killing depends strongly on hydrogen cyanide production. The response observed in C. elegans nematodes to fast paralytic killing varies along the day and its sensitivity is higher during the night, at Zeitgeber Time (ZT) 12 (lights off). This behavior correlates well with HCN tolerance, which is higher during the day, at ZT0 (lights on). The innate immune response to P. fluorescens CHA0 might depend on the stress response pathway of C. elegans. The fact that the tolerance varies daily gives further proof of an underlying clock that governs cyclic behavior in C. elegans. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Classification of hybrid crows in quail using artificial neural networks.
In galliforms, calls are strongly determined genetically and no influence of learning has ever been demonstrated. Hybridization is a useful tool for investigating patterns of heritability. The vocal repertoire of the European quail (Coturnix c. coturnix) and of the Japanese quail (C. c. japonica) are similar except for their crows. The European quail possesses two forms of crows and the Japanese quail only one form. We produced hybrids from the following crosses; F(1), F(2) and backcrosses. Visual analysis of spectrograms showed that hybrid crows presented all intermediaries between the three forms of crows produced by the two subspecies. According to the level of analysis of a crow, visual classifications of spectrograms probably include some subjectivity. Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are now widely used as a powerful classification technique in behavioural sciences. We trained an ANN to recognize the three crows of the two subspecies. Then we analysed its classification of hybrid crows. The ANN revealed important inter-individual variability between the crows of the F(1) and the F(2) crosses. Birds issued from backcrosses produced crows similar to those of the European quail to which they were backcrossed. This study confirms that ANN is a useful tool to classify spectrograms rapidly. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Production of staphylococcal impetigo-like lesion on human skin explants in culture.
We produced a highly reproducible experimental impetigo-like lesion in normal human skin explants in culture. The three Staphylococcus aureus strains we used were an isolate from a human impetigo (E strain), an isolate from a human furunculosis (N strain) and ATCC 29213 strain. E strain was a protein A positive, coagulase type V, producer of exfoliative toxin (ET) and beta-toxin. N strain was a coagulase type IV, ET non-producer and alpha-toxin positive. ATCC 29213 was a coagulase type II, ET non-producer, and alpha-, beta-, and delta-toxin positive. Normal human skin samples were obtained from 8 adult skin surgery patients. One specimen was obtained from human oral mucosa. Small pieces of the samples were slightly abraded on the epidermal surface and cultured on lens paper rafts floating in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% air. Fifty microliters of the respective bacterial suspensions were applied to the epidermal surfaces of the explants. The inoculated surfaces were then occluded under sterile plastic plaster. Histologically, the formation of intraepidermal blisters at the granular layer level with acantholytic cells was observed in all 8 of the skin specimens at 10 h after inoculation with E strain. The specimen from an oral mucous membrane did not produce similar changes with any of the three S. aureus strains. Neither N or ATCC strains developed bullae in the epidermis at 6, 10 or 18 h after inoculation. Immunofluorescent examination revealed that the inner surfaces of blisters in the epidermis were lined with anti-ETA antibody. Under the electron microscope, the blisters of the specimens which had been inoculated with strain E contained only a few S. aureus cells. These results suggest that blister formation at the granular layer level with acantholytic cells is mediated by ET action at the granular layer level and occurs without invasion of lymphocytes or neutrophils, or the involvement of any serum components. Therefore, under appropriate conditions, impetigo could develop even in adults. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The relationship between cognitive performance and employment and health status in long-term survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome: results of an exploratory study.
Survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are at risk for long-lasting cognitive decline due to hypoxemia, sepsis and/or psychological sequelae associated with aggressive supportive care in the intensive care unit (ICU). We conducted an exploratory study to assess cognitive performance in long-term survivors of ARDS and to investigate how cognitive functioning is related to employment status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). At median time of 6.0 years after ICU discharge, forty-six ARDS survivors were tested with SKT, a short cognitive performance test for assessing deficits of memory and attention. A measure of HRQOL (SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire) was also administered, and in a brief psychiatric interview, employment status was rated. 23.9% (n=11) of the patients showed cognitive impairments. However, no extreme and severe cognitive deficits were recorded. They primarily revealed low levels of cognitive function in various tasks assessing attention skills. Disability was found in 41.3% (n=19) of the patients. All ARDS survivors with cognitive deficits were disabled, whereas only 22.9% (n=8) of the cognitively not impaired patients gave evidence of disability. The SF-36 values of the ARDS survivors indicated impaired health status on seven out of eight domains when compared to normative population data. Patients with cognitive deficits described the lowest HRQOL with major limitations in the domains role-physical and social functioning when compared to patients without cognitive impairments. In conclusion, long-term ARDS survivors exhibit impaired health status and the presence of cognitive deficits is associated with disability and considerable impairments in HRQOL. More detailed psychiatric research is required to establish the etiology of these cognitive impairments. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Difficult Intubation Factors in Prehospital Rapid Sequence Intubation by an Australian Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.
Prehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) of critically ill trauma patients is a high-risk procedure that may be associated with an increased rate of severe complications such as failed intubation, failure of oxygenation, hypoxia, hypotension, or need for surgical airway. The objective of this study was to describe the factors associated with difficult intubation in prehospital RSI as defined by more than a single look at laryngoscopy to achieve tracheal intubation. This is an observational study using prospectively collected data. Four hundred forty-three RSIs were performed. Paramedics were the initial laryngoscopist in 290 (65.5%). First-look laryngoscopy resulted in successful tracheal intubation (TI) in 372 (84.0%) (95% confidence interval, 80.3%-87.1%). Intubation was achieved on second look at laryngoscopy in 58 (13.1%). "First-pass" TI was achieved in 394 (88.9%). Overall, successful TI was achieved in 438 (98.9%) (95% confidence interval, 97.4%-99.5%). Complications occurred in 116 (26.2%), with desaturation the commonest in 77 (17.4%). Factors associated with more than 1 look at laryngoscopy before TI included paramedic laryngoscopist and the presence of at least 1 of the following indicators: blood/vomitus in the airway, limited mouth opening, and limited neck movement. Trauma to face/neck, obese body habitus, C-spine precautions, cricoid pressure, midline stabilization, and intubation on the ground did not influence the level of difficulty encountered. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A neural marker of medical visual expertise: implications for training.
Researchers have identified a component of the EEG that discriminates visual experts from novices. The marker indexes a comprehensive model of visual processing, and if it is apparent in physicians, it could be used to investigate the development and training of their visual expertise. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a neural marker of visual expertise-the enhanced N170 event-related potential-is apparent in the EEGs of physicians as they interpret diagnostic images. We conducted a controlled trial with 10 cardiologists and 9 pulmonologists. Each participant completed 520 trials of a standard visual processing task involving the rapid evaluation of EKGs and CXRs-indicating-lung-disease. Ostensibly, each participant is expert with one type of image and competent with the other. We collected behavioral data on the participants' expertise with EKGs and CXRs and electrophysiological data on the magnitude, latency, and scalp location of their N170 ERPs as they interpreted the two types of images. Cardiologists demonstrated significantly more expertise with EKGs than CXRs, and this was reflected in an increased amplitude of their N170 ERPs while reading EKGs compared to CXRs. Pulmonologists demonstrated equal expertise with both types of images, and this was reflected in equal N170 ERP amplitudes for EKGs and CXRs. The results suggest provisionally that visual expertise has a similar substrate in medical practice as it does in other domains that have been studied extensively. This provides support for applying a sophisticated body of literature to questions about training and assessment of visual expertise among physicians. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Leclercia adecarboxylata: a case report and literature review of 74 cases demonstrating its pathogenicity in immunocompromised patients.
Leclercia adecarboxylata is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. It has been described as an emerging human pathogen with the potential to cause severe infection in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to describe a clinical case of infection with L. adecarboxylata and give a review of previous reports on infection. We report the presence of L. adecarboxylata in a patient initially admitted to our hospital for a lung transplant. She had diarrhoea, urinary tract infection and pneumonia caused by L. adecarboxylata. The isolate was resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and susceptible to 15 other antibiotics tested. The literature search for previous reports of infection with L. adecarboxylata resulted in 61 publications describing 74 cases. Bacteremia and wound infections were most often described, and only a few cases were fatal. L. adecarboxylata was most often found as a monomicrobial infection in immunocompromised patients, and as part of a polymicrobial infection in immunocompetent patients. The previously described isolates showed a high susceptibility to antibiotics, and treatment was efficient in most cases. Due to similarities in metabolic products, L. adecarboxylata might have been mistaken as Escherichia spp., but with new identification methods such as MALDI-TOF MS, it is possible to obtain a certain identification. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Enzyme-instructed self-assembly of peptide derivatives to form nanofibers and hydrogels.
The review describes the use of enzyme catalysis and self-assembly, two essential and ubiquitous processes in biology, to create molecular nanofibers of peptide derivatives at the supramolecular level as potential nanomedicines and biomaterials. In particular, we discuss the use of enzymes to instruct the self-assembly of small peptide derivatives for hydrogelation, which takes place in vitro or in vivo, extra- or intracellularly, as a new strategy to detect the activity of enzymes, screen enzyme inhibitors, type bacteria, develop drug delivery systems, enhance the activity and stability of enzymes, and control the fate of cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
What can we learn from oncology surgical trials?
Conducting high-quality prospective clinical trials in surgical oncology remains a challenge, and many seemingly well-designed trials lack this high quality because of inadequate recruitment accrual, lack of clinician interest, or evolution of treatment strategy during the many years over which such trials are conducted. In this Perspectives we examine some of the failures in published surgical oncology trials and discuss why they failed, and we make a critical assessment of the established prospective trial methodology in oncological practice (that is, phase 0, I, II, III and IV trials, and large prospective comparative audits) and how these methods might be used more effectively in future evaluation of cancer-surgery practice. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The "plateau effect" of cis-platinum-induced hearing loss.
Cis-platinum-induced hearing loss has been reported to exhibit a "plateau effect" over the 2 to 8 kHz range. We examined serial audiometry data from 27 patients treated with cis-platinum. Although a plateau at 60 to 70 dB HL often occurred, this hearing loss was clearly exceeded in a number of patients. We identified 14 patients with sufficient cis-platinum-induced sensorineural hearing loss to evaluate a plateau limit to hearing loss over the 4 to 8 kHz range. Half of these 14 patients had hearing losses that exceeded the plateau level. More severe 4 to 8 kHz hearing losses did not correlate with number of treatments, cumulative dosages of cis-platinum, pre-existing hearing loss, radiation therapy, other chemotherapeutic agents, or even hearing losses below 4 kHz. Although cis-platinum therapy can induce a plateau of moderate hearing impairment for some patients over the 4 to 8 kHz range, a significant proportion of patients will experience more severe hearing impairment in this range, even after only one or two courses of cis-platinum. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Angiotensin II receptor blocker inhibits p27Kip1 expression in glucose-stimulated podocytes and in diabetic glomeruli.
Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by glomerular and tubular hypertrophy, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are known to prevent renal hypertrophy in diabetic patients. To determine the effect of ARB on podocyte p27(Kip1) mRNA and protein expression, podocytes were exposed to 5.6 mmol/L normal glucose or 25 mmol/L high glucose with or without ARB, 10(-7) mol/L L-158,809. For animal studies, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were left untreated or were treated with 1 mg/kg/day L-158,809 for 3 months (diabetes mellitus + ARB). Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and morphometric analyses were performed. p27(Kip1) mRNA and protein expression in podocytes exposed to high glucose and in 3-month diabetic glomeruli were significantly increased (P < 0.01). High glucose significantly increased angiotensin II levels both in cell lysates and in media compared with normal glucose (P < 0.05) and exogenous angiotensin II also increased p27(Kip1) mRNA and protein expression in podocytes. L-158,809 treatment in podocytes inhibited the increase in p27(Kip1) mRNA expression by 84%, and protein expression by 89% (P < 0.05). p27(Kip1) mRNA and protein expression in diabetic + ARB glomeruli were also significantly reduced by 78% and 85%, respectively, compared with diabetic glomeruli (P < 0.01). ARB treatment also significantly ameliorated increased glomerular p27(Kip1) expression in diabetes mellitus as assessed by immunohistochemistry (P < 0.01). The increase in glomerular volume in diabetes mellitus was also inhibited by 81% with ARB treatment (P < 0.05). p27(Kip1) mRNA and protein expression were increased in diabetic glomeruli as well as in high glucose-stimulated podocytes, and this increment in p27(Kip1) expression was ameliorated by ARB treatment. These findings indicate that ARB treatment has an additional effect on preventing renal hypertrophy in diabetes mellitus. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A differential study of breast cancer patients in Punjab, Pakistan.
To determine the comparative pattern of distribution of four stages of breast cancer in 2 different hospitals in Lahore. For all the variables under study test-statistic t has been used for stagewise comparisons between the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL) and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital (SKMCH) whereas the four stages of the disease were compared by using test-statistic F. The study is based on 1171 patients (672 from INMOL and 499 from SKMCH). This paper is an attempt to find out the pattern for the spread of breast cancer among its four stages and its comparative study between the two hospitals, at stage level. It unveils the important fact of late presentation of breast cancer (25% of INMOL and 36% at SKMCH) compared in 10% or less in international literature (18). No impact of the variables under study was observed (P>0.05) on the stage of the disease. Most of the cases (71% in INMOL and 63% (SKMCH) present at stage III and IV of breast cancer therefore it is necessary that attention should be made to increase the awareness about the need and benefits of early detection of breast cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The neuropeptide proctolin acts directly on Limulus cardiac muscle to increase the amplitude of contraction.
The pentapeptide proctolin increases the amplitude of contraction but not heart beat frequency of the isolated heart of Limulus polyphemus. It acts directly on the heart muscle and has no effects on the neurones of the cardiac ganglion or on the cardiac neuromuscular EJPs. A peptide with molecular weight, enzymatic susceptibilities and physiological effects similar to those of proctolin occurs in the Limulus cardiac ganglion. It is suggested that proctolin, or a family of proctolin-like peptides, may modulate muscle contraction in more than one subphylum of the Arthropoda. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase in human amniotic fluid and in fetal tissues.
The activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was measured in 360 amniotic fluid samples from second and third trimester pregnancies with fetal and maternal disorders. The enzyme level was within the normal range in all but one of the 18 second trimester pregnancies with congenital malformations. On cellulose acetate electrophoresis, GGT fractionated as an alpha 1-band in all mid-trimester samples tested. Highly elevated GGT values were found in five samples from the third trimester gestations with fetal gastroschisis, hydrops fetalis and Meckel's syndrome. The enzyme in these samples showed alpha 1-mobility while most of the third trimester amniotic fluids contained GGT with beta-mobility. Considerable GGT activity was observed in several fetal tissues that are in contact with the amniotic fluid. Highest levels were found in meconium and bile from a second trimester fetus. The total activity and electrophoretic mobility of GGT in late amniotic fluid and in urine from newborns was similar. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vaccination with a genotype 1 modified live vaccine against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus significantly reduces viremia, viral shedding and transmission of the virus in a quasi-natural experimental model.
The present study assessed the efficacy of vaccination against genotype 1 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in terms of reduction of the transmission. Ninety-eight 3-week-old piglets were divided in two groups: V (n=40) and NV (n=58) that were housed separately. V animals were vaccinated with a commercial genotype 1 PRRSV vaccine while NV were kept as controls. On day 35 post-vaccination, 14 NV pigs were separated and inoculated intranasally with 2 ml of a heterologous genotype 1 PRRSV isolate ("seeder" pigs, SP). The other V and NV animals were distributed in groups of 5 pigs each. Two days later, one SP was introduced into each pen to expose V and NV to PRRSV. Sentinel pigs were allocated in adjacent pens. Follow-up was of 21 days. All NV (30/30) became viremic after contact with SP while only 53% of V pigs were detected so (21/40, p<0.05). Vaccination shortened viremia (12.2±4 versus 3.7±3.4 days in NV and V pigs, respectively, p<0.01). The 50% survival time for becoming infected (Kaplan-Meier) for V was 21 days (CI95%=14.1-27.9) compared to 7 days (CI95%=5.2-8.7) for NV animals (p<0.01). These differences were reflected in the R value as well: 2.78 (CI95%=2.13-3.43) for NV and 0.53 (CI95%=0.19-0.76) for V pigs (p<0.05). All sentinel pigs (10/10) in pens adjacent to NV+SP pens got infected compared to 1/4 sentinel pigs allocated contiguous to a V+SP pen. These data show that vaccination of piglets significantly decrease parameters related to PRRSV transmission. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Transcription of HSP 70 gene induced by pressure overload in left ventricule of rats].
The changes of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) messenger RNA was examined in rats after abdominal aortic partial ligation. Four hours after ligation, the systemic arterial pressure was increased and thereafter maintained at a high level. The ratio of left ventricule weight to body weight began to increase at the third day and increased by 59%, comparing with that of the sham-operated rats at 4 w. Accumulation of HSP 70 mRNA was observed at 4 h and maintained at high level at 1 d, 2 d, 1 w and then gradually disappeared there after. The above experimental results suggest that transcription of HSP 70 gene was induced at an early stage of cardiac hypertrophy caused by pressure overload. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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