text
stringlengths 1
10.9k
| meta
dict |
|---|---|
Brückner test.
Brückner, in 1962, published a paper in German describing a "trans-illumination" test extremely useful in the diagnosis of small angle deviations and amblyopia in young uncooperative children. A bright coaxial light source, such as a direct ophthalmoscope, is used. Both eyes of the patient are simultaneously illuminated from approximately one meter distance. First, the position of the corneal light reflex, (Hirschberg test), along with brightness difference of the fundus reflex as seen in the pupil through the ophthalmoscope, is evaluated. When strabismus is present. the fixing eye has a darker reflex than the deviated eye. The second step evaluates pupil size, pupil reaction, and fixation movement of the eyes on "successive" illumination of one eye at a time. This is useful in detecting amblyopia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
'Reverse crescent pattern' on SPECT brain perfusion scan in chronic subdural hematoma.
A SPECT brain perfusion scan was performed on a patient who had symptoms of dementia. The SPECT scan showed marked crescentic medial displacement of the left cerebral hemisphere ("reverse crescent pattern"), and mildly decreased cortical perfusion in the affected hemisphere. Crossed cerebellar diaschisis was not present. On x-ray CT, the underlying abnormality was found to be a unilateral chronic subdural hematoma causing a significant mass effect. A reverse crescent pattern without crossed cerebellar diaschisis on SPECT brain perfusion scan in patients with dementia may suggest the diagnosis of chronic subdural hematoma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Avoidance of sun exposure as a risk factor for major causes of death: a competing risk analysis of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort.
Women with active sunlight exposure habits experience a lower mortality rate than women who avoid sun exposure; however, they are at an increased risk of skin cancer. We aimed to explore the differences in main causes of death according to sun exposure. We assessed the differences in sun exposure as a risk factor for all-cause mortality in a competing risk scenario for 29 518 Swedish women in a prospective 20-year follow-up of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden (MISS) cohort. Women were recruited from 1990 to 1992 (aged 25-64 years at the start of the study). We obtained detailed information at baseline on sun exposure habits and potential confounders. The data were analysed using modern survival statistics. Women with active sun exposure habits were mainly at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and noncancer/non-CVD death as compared to those who avoided sun exposure. As a result of their increased survival, the relative contribution of cancer death increased in these women. Nonsmokers who avoided sun exposure had a life expectancy similar to smokers in the highest sun exposure group, indicating that avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor for death of a similar magnitude as smoking. Compared to the highest sun exposure group, life expectancy of avoiders of sun exposure was reduced by 0.6-2.1 years. The longer life expectancy amongst women with active sun exposure habits was related to a decrease in CVD and noncancer/non-CVD mortality, causing the relative contribution of death due to cancer to increase. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inhibition of biofilm growth on polymer-MWCNTs composites and metal surfaces.
There is an increased interest in incorporating multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into polymer matrices to control the adhesion of bacteria to surfaces and the subsequent formation of biofilm growth on the surface of water pipes, food packages, and medical devices. Microbial interactions with carbon nanotube-polymer composites in the environment are not well understood. The growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens (gram-negative) and Mycobacterium smegmatis (gram-positive) biofilms on copper, polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride, and stainless steel was compared with growth on MWCNT-PE composites in order to gain insight into the effect of the surface properties of nanomaterials on the attachment and proliferation of microorganism which could result in the engineering of better, non-fouling materials. A statistical analysis of the biofilm growth showed a significant impact of materials for both P. fluorescens (p < 0.0001) and M. smegmatis (p = 0.00426). Biofilm growth after 56 days on PE compared to biofilm growth on copper surfaces decreased by 46.4% and 34.9% for P. fluorescens and M. smegmatis, respectively. Biofilm growth on PE-multiwall-carbon-nanotubes (MWCNTs)-composites surface compared to PE decreased by 89.3% and 29% for P. fluorescens and M. smegmatis, respectively. Bacterial species (p < 0.0006) and surface roughness (p < 0.0001) were important factors in determining the attachment and initial biofilm growth rate. The interactions between cells and material surface could be attributed to the complicated and collective effect of electrostatic forces, hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen/covalent bonding. Further study is needed to determine whether or not there is a difference between the cell attachment in the exponential growth phase and the stationary, or decay, phase cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Roles of prostaglandins D2 and E2 in interleukin-1-induced activation of norepinephrine turnover in the brain and peripheral organs of rats.
Possible roles of prostaglandins (PGs) in interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced activation of noradrenergic neurons were examined by assessing norepinephrine (NE) turnover in the brain and peripheral organs of rats. An intraperitoneal injection of human recombinant IL-1 beta accelerated NE turnover in the hypothalamus, spleen, lung, diaphragm, and pancreas. A similar increase in NE turnover was also observed after intracerebroventricular injection of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Pretreatment with indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor) abolished the IL-1-induced, but not the CRH-induced, increase in hypothalamic and splenic NE turnover. To elucidate which eicosanoid-cyclooxygenase product(s) is responsible for accelerating NE turnover, PGD2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, U-46619 (stable thromboxane A2 analogue), or carbacyclin (stable prostacyclin analogue) was administered intracerebroventricularly. Among them, PGE2 was the only eicosanoid effective in increasing NE turnover in spleen, whereas PGD2 was effective in the hypothalamus. The stimulative effect of PGD2 was abolished by pretreatment with intracerebroventricular injection of a CRH antiserum. These results suggest that the action of IL-1 is mediated through PGD2 production to activate the noradrenergic neurons in the hypothalamus, and through PGE2 production to increase sympathetic nerve activity in spleen. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Protective effects of Liuweidihuangwan on hepatic insulin resistance in OLETF rats].
To investigate the mechanism through which Liuweidihuangwan improves hepatic insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats. With LETO rats as the normal control group, OLETF rats were treated daily with or without Liuweidihuangwan. At 8, 32, and 40 weeks of the treatment, 3 rats were randomly selected from each group for histological examination of the liver tissues and for detection of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase (PEPCK) mRNA expression using RT-PCR and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and IRS-2 protein expressions using Western blotting. Compared with LETO rats, OLETF rats showed progressive destruction of the lobular structures and hepatic steatosis in the liver over time. OLETF rats with Liuweidihuangwan treatment had basically normal lobular structure with only mild fatty degeneration in the liver. RT-PCR detection demonstrated a significantly higher PEPCK mRNA expression in untreated OLETF rats than in LETO rats (P<0.01), but a significantly lowered PEPCK expression in OLETF rats after Liuweidihuangwan dosing (P<0.01). Western blotting showed that significantly lower p-IRS-1 and p-IRS-2 protein expressions in untreated OLETF rats than those in LETO rats and treated OLTEF rats (P<0.05). Liuweidihuangwan improves hepatic insulin resistance in OLETF rats by inhibiting the activity of gluconeogenic key enzyme (PEPCK) in the liver and enhancing IRS-1 and IRS-2 expressions in the insulin signaling pathway. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
CD79a is heterogeneously expressed in neoplastic and normal myeloid precursors and megakaryocytes in an antibody clone-dependent manner.
CD79a, a component of the B-cell antigen receptor complex, can also be expressed in certain non-B-cell malignancies. The reported frequency of CD79a expression in acute myeloid leukemias (AML) ranges from 0% to 90%. We evaluated 39 bone marrow biopsy specimens (29 AML and 10 normal cases) using 5 different commercially available anti-CD79a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) clones. Of 7 acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cases, 6 (86%) stained for CD79a with clones HM47/A9 (Novocastra, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England) and HM57 (DAKO, Carpinteria, CA) but were negative with clones 11E3 (Novocastra), and JCB117 (DAKO). Half of 6 acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) cases and normal megakaryocytes in 14 (67%) of 21 cases were immunoreactive using clone 11D10 (Novocastra). Approximately one third of non-APL/non-AMKL AML and myeloid precursors in normal marrow specimens stained with clones HM57 and 11D10. This heterogeneity of CD79a expression in AML, megakaryocytes, and myeloid precursors is MoAb clone-dependent, likely owing to different epitope detection, and may be of diagnostic usefulness. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
LacZ transgene expression in the subcutaneous Dunn/LM8 osteosarcoma mouse model allows for the identification of micrometastasis.
More effective treatment of patients with metastasizing osteosarcoma (OS) with a mean 5-year survival rate of <20% requires more detailed knowledge on the complex mechanisms of metastasis for the design of new drugs, which selectively target metastasizing cells. Moreover, novel diagnostic imaging technology for early detection of metastases is needed. Mouse models, which reproduce human metastasizing OS and allow visualization of single metastatic cells are instrumental for preclinical testing of new pharmaceuticals and diagnostic instruments. Here, the low metastatic Dunn cell line and its highly metastatic LM8 subline, both equipped with a constitutively expressed lacZ gene, were used to improve the well-established OS models in syngeneic C3H mice to achieve ex vivo visualization of single metastatic cells in affected organs by X-gal staining. These models, combined with a technique for in situ high quality lung tissue-maintaining perfusion revealed, as a novel finding, single metastasizing Dunn cells in lung and liver. Importantly, constitutive lacZ gene expression did not affect in vitro and in vivo tumorigenic and metastatic properties of Dunn and LM8 cells. Thus, these improved Dunn and LM8 OS mouse models will in the future serve as a benchmark for the development of new metastasis-targeting drugs and metastasis-imaging technology. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Association of axonally transported heparan sulfate with isolated synaptic plasma membrane.
Studies on isolated synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) have detected little if any heparan sulfate or other glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), while more recent studies employing proteoglycan antibodies have localized heparan sulfate proteoglycan in presynaptic plasma membrane of intact tissue. To further address the issue of proteoglycans in synaptic plasma membrane, we have investigated the possible presence of axonally transported GAGs in SPM isolated from the goldfish optic tectum. SPMs isolated from tecta following rapid axonal transport of 35SO4 labeled molecules down the optic nerve, showed specific radioactivity approximately two-fold higher than the starting homogenate. Treatment of the transport labeled SPM with the enzyme heparitinase liberated 21% of the radioactivity, indicating the presence of a significant fraction of transported label in heparan sulfate. In a separate series of experiments a GAG fraction was isolated from transport labeled SPM and was found to consist of heparan sulfate containing 28% of transported radioactivity. Chondroitin (4 or 6) sulfate, which undergoes axonal transport in the goldfish optic system, was not found associated with SPM. Taken together the results support immunological evidence for the presence of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in presynaptic plasma membrane. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nonintubated Video-Assisted Wedge Resections in Peripheral Lung Cancer.
Wedge resection in peripheral lung cancer is considered a suboptimal procedure. However, in elderly and/or frail patients it is a reliable and safer alternative. This procedure can be easily performed under nonintubated anesthesia, allowing the recruitment of patients considered otherwise marginal for a surgical treatment. Nonintubated anesthesia can reduce lung trauma, operative time, postoperative morbidity, hospital stay, and global expenses. Furthermore, nonintubated anesthesia produces less immunologic impairment and this may affect postoperative oncological long-term results. Wedge lung resection through nonintubated anesthesia can be performed for diagnosis with higher effectiveness given the similar invasiveness of computed tomography-guided biopsy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[New invasive therapies for management of resistant hypertension].
The failure of pharmacological approaches to treat resistant hypertension has stimulated interest in invasive device-based treatments. New catheter systems using radiofrequency or ultrasound energy have been developed, allowing a percutaneous endovascular approach to renal denervation for patients with resistant hypertension. To date, this technique has been evaluated only in a few open-label trials including small numbers and the available evidence suggests a favorable blood pressure-lowering effect in the short-term and a low incidence of immediate complications. All studies published to date have several limitations due to their open-label design. Carotid baroreceptor stimulation requires surgical implantation of electrodes connected to a stimulator. Preliminary results show a positive effect on blood pressure with a complication rate similar to the implantation of a pacemaker. In this context, there are arguments against an uncontrolled use of these procedures in routine practice: an unknown benefit/risk ratio, a variable blood pressure response, absence of cost-effectiveness evaluation. The indications of these procedures should follow the 2013 European Society of Hypertension guidelines. A strict follow-up of patients remains necessary at best by including them in clinical trials or international registries. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Efficacy of Topical Anesthetics for Pain Control During Skin Laceration Repair.
Editor's note: This is a summary of a nursing care-related systematic review from the Cochrane Library. For more information, see http://nursingcare.cochrane.org. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Triple-color FISH analysis of 12p amplification in testicular germ-cell tumors using 12p band-specific painting probes.
Forty-nine surgical specimens and nine germ cell tumor lines were analyzed by triple-color FISH using microdissected probes for the cytogenetic bands of chromosome arm 12p (12p11.2, p12, and p13). FISH analysis demonstrated amplification of material from all three bands in all tumors. This amplification was in the form of increased copy number of 12p or i(12p) and/or 12p amplified regions (AMP12p). The number of copies of 12p was variable (4-11 copies) from case to case but tended to remain relatively constant in all clones of the same tumor, even when the amplification took the form of an amplified region composed of 12p material. In tumors with multiple clones, i(12p) and AMP12p were never found in the same cell. No correlation was found between 12p copy number and tumor type. We describe, for the first time, a relative overrepresentation of 12p13 or 12p12-p13 regions in six tumors (two surgical samples and four cell lines), either as "partial 12p" (five cases) or within a 12p amplified region (one case). The ubiquitous amplification of all three 12p bands in germ-cell tumors supports the hypothesis that 12p harbors more than one gene important for oncogenesis of adult male germ-cell tumors, and that these genes may be located in different areas of 12p. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
What features improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis in Parkinson's disease: a clinicopathologic study.
Many authorities have drawn attention to the difficulties in clinically distinguishing Parkinson's disease (PD) from other parkinsonian syndromes. We assessed the clinical features of 100 patients diagnosed prospectively by a group of consultant neurologists as having idiopathic PD according to their pathologic findings. Seventy-six percent of these cases were confirmed to have PD. By using selected criteria (asymmetrical onset, no atypical features, and no possible etiology for another parkinsonian syndrome) the proportion of true PD cases identified was increased to 93%, but 32% of pathologically confirmed cases were rejected on this basis. These observations suggest that studies based on consultant diagnosis of PD, using standard diagnostic criteria, will include cases other than PD, thus distorting results from clinical trials and epidemiologic studies. The strict use of additional criteria can reduce misdiagnosis but at the cost of excluding genuine PD cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Polypyrrole nanorod networks/carbon nanoparticles composite counter electrodes for high-efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells.
Polypyrrole(PPy) nanorod networks with a high electrical conductivity of 40 S cm(-1) have been obtained in a high yield by employing an ion association of heparin-methylene blue as a new morphology-directing agent. The polypyrrole nanorod networks are mixed with different content of carbon nanoparticles to make PPy nanorod networks/carbon nanoparticles(PPy/C) counter electrodes. It is found that the PPy/C composite with 10% carbon content shows a lower charge transfer resistance and better catalytic performance for the reduction of I(3)(-), compared with the pristine PPy and carbon electrodes. The better catalytic performance is attributed to the interaction of the superior electrocatalytic activity of the unique polypyrrole nanorod networks and the carbon nanoparticles, which can accelerate triiodide reduction and electron transfer in the electrode. Under standard AM 1.5 sunlight illumination, the dye-sensitized solar cell based on the PPy/C composite with 10% carbon content as the counter electrode demonstrates a high efficiency of 7.2%, which is much higher than that of pristine PPy and carbon electrode-based DSCs and comparable to that of the thermal decomposed Pt-based DSC. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Maternal deprivation and early handling affect density of calcium binding protein-containing neurons in selected brain regions and emotional behavior in periadolescent rats.
Adverse early life experiences can induce neurochemical changes that may underlie modifications in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responsiveness, emotionality and cognition. Here, we investigated the expression of the calcium binding proteins (CBPs) calretinin, calbindin and parvalbumin, which identify subpopulations of GABAergic neurons and serve important functional roles by buffering intracellular calcium levels, following brief (early handling) and long (maternal deprivation) periods of maternal separation, as compared with non-handled controls. CBP-expressing neurons were analyzed in brain regions related to stress and anxiety. Emotionality was assessed in parallel using the social interaction test. Analyses were carried out at periadolescence, an important phase for the development of brain areas involved in stress responses. Our results indicate that density of CBP-immunoreactive neurons decreases in the paraventricular region of deprived rats but increases in the hippocampus and lateral amygdala of both early-handled and deprived rats when compared with controls. Emotionality is reduced in both early-handled and deprived animals. In conclusion, early handling and deprivation led to neurochemical and behavioral changes linked to stress-sensitive brain regions. These data suggest that the effects of early experiences on CBP containing neurons might contribute to the functional changes of neuronal circuits involved in emotional response. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An introduction to peptide nucleic acid.
Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) is a powerful new biomolecular tool with a wide range of important applications. PNA mimics the behaviour of DNA and binds complementary nucleic acid strands. The unique chemical, physical and biological properties of PNA have been exploited to produce powerful biomolecular tools, antisense and antigene agents, molecular probes and biosensors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Macrophagic myofasciitis: description and etiopathogenic hypotheses. Study and Research Group on Acquired and Dysimmunity-related Muscular Diseases (GERMMAD) of the French Association against Myopathies (AFM)].
A new type of inflammatory myopathy of unknown etiology has recently been described in France. The myopathy, called macrophagic myofasciitis, had never been described in the literature. In December 1998, 35 cases of macrophagic myofasciitis were reported, showing an increase in its incidence since the description of the first case in 1993. The first 22 cases are described. The 22 patients were each referred with a presumptive diagnosis of either polymyositis (11 patients), polymyalgia rheumatica (5 patients), mitochondrial cytopathy (4 patients), or congenital myopathy or muscle dystrophy (1 patient for each). Clinical symptoms included myalgias (91%), arthralgias (68%), marked asthenia (55%), muscle weakness (45%), and fever (32%). Laboratory findings included elevated CK levels (50%) and a marked increased in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (37%). Electromyographic recordings showed the existence of myopathy (35%). Muscle biopsy showed a unique pattern characterized by: (i) centripetal infiltration of the epimysium, perimysium and perifascicular endomysium by non epitheloid, cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage (CD68+, CD1a-, S100-) with both large cytoplasm and PAS-positive content; (ii) absence of necrosis, of both epithelioid and giant cells, and of mitotic figures; (iii) occasional CD8+ T-cells; and, (iiii) minimal myocyte suffering. The disease symptoms were easily distinguishable from those of sarcoid myopathy and fasciitis-panniculitis syndromes. Infectious diseases known to be associated with reactive histiocytosis, including Whipple's disease, Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infection and malakoplakia, could not be documented. Patients' condition improved under corticosteroid therapy, associated or not with non-specific antibiotic therapy. A new inflammatory muscle disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by a distinctive pathological pattern of macrophagic myofasciitis, is emerging in France. Diagnosis is based on muscular biopsy. Numerous clinical, epidemiological and etiopathologic studies initiated by the GERMMAD (Groupe d'études et de recherche sur les maladies musculaires acquises) are in progress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Infant and child feeding index.
Traditional indicators of child feeding practices are widely used and appear to be useful, although the validity and reliability of those related to complementary feeding have not been established. Composite child feeding indices have the potential to address some of the methodological constraints related to the quantitative measurement of child feeding practices. They can address the multi-dimensionality of child feeding practices i.e. the need to consider the type, quality, texture, nutrient density of food, frequency of feeding and diversity of the diet; the age-specificity of child feeding practices; and the fact that feeding practices tend to cluster. The main advantage of creating a composite index is that it allows construction of one variable representing various dimensions of feeding or care practices. This variable, in turn, can be used to illustrate graphically the importance of child feeding or care for child outcomes or to model their determinants. This can be invaluable for advocacy, apart from being an indispensable tool for the purposes of research, monitoring and evaluation. Experience with creation of composite child feeding indices with the studies in Accra and DHS data sets from Latin America and Ethiopia has been encouraging and suggests that this is a promising area for future development and program applications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chicago sky blue and a helium neon laser abolish endothelium dependent relaxation in vivo in the microcirculation.
Chicago sky blue, also known as Niagara sky blue, is a vital dye that can successfully be used as an intravascular energy absorbing target for the light from a helium-neon (HeNe) laser. The result of this light/dye interaction is endothelium damage which can be controlled by adjusting the duration of the laser exposure and the amount of dye injected intravenously. The endothelial damage probably is the result of the heat generated by the dyes absorption of energy at the interface between plasma and endothelium. The most minimal damage resulted in selective loss of the dilation normally produced by acetylcholine and bradykinin, two endothelium dependent dilators. The dilation produced by sodium nitroprusside, a dilator acting directly on vascular smooth muscle, was preserved. More severe injury (i.e. more prolonged exposure to light and/or more dye, resulted in local platelet aggregation at the site of laser impact. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Relationship between coffee use and depression and anxiety in a population of adult polysubstance abusers.
This study examined the relationship between mental health symptoms and the use of tobacco and caffeinated beverages during and just before a counseling session in a population of adult polysubstance abusers. The participants were all polysubstance users in substance abuse treatment. The participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory immediately after a treatment episode. They also reported whether or not they had drunk a caffeinated beverage or smoked a cigarette just before or during that treatment episode. Coffee drinkers scored significantly higher (mean = 20.3) on the Beck Depression Inventory II than did noncoffee drinkers (mean = 9.2). The differences between these groups on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were nonsignificant. There was no relationship between other caffeinated beverages or tobacco use and depression or anxiety. Caffeine use is associated with depression in adult polysubstance abusers. Implications for using coffee drinking as a predictor of depression in substance abuse treatment settings are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synaptonemal complex karyotype of Eimeria tenella.
In most organisms, biological variability rests on the behaviour of the chromosomes in the meiotic context. Despite the importance of meiosis, very little is known about the meiotic behaviour of the Eimeria chromosomes. The aim of the present study is to describe the standard synaptonemal complex karyotype from Eimeria tenella oocyst spreads by electron microscopy. For that purpose, complete sets of pachytene synaptonemal complexes were obtained and the morphological pachytene karyotype was determined. The authors used a previously reported method that overcomes the difficulty of the extreme resistance of protozoan oocysts to disruption and permits the release of intact meiotic chromosomes. The chromosomes were selected under a light microscope and those selected were stained with phosphotungtic acid and studied by transmission electron microscopy. The authors confirmed 14 chromosomes, which were observed as synaptonemal complexes, and the karyotype was constructed by arranging synaptonemal complexes according to their relative lengths and kinetochore position. Components of the synaptonemal complex, lateral elements, central element, recombination nodules and kinetochore were observed. Measures of the kynetochore, width of the synaptonemal complex, diameter of the recombination nodule and length of the telomeres are given. Minimal and no significant differences were found between measures of chromosomes isolated from different Eimeria tenella strains. To the best of our knowledge, the present investigation for the first time identifies and describes the morphological characteristics of the synaptonemal complex of Eimeria tenella during the meiosis that occurs within the oocysts. In addition, the authors provide evidence of the presence of recombination nodules, suggesting that the recombination process may play an important role in the molecular evolution of this parasite. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[To harvest a SIEA flap instead of a DIEP flap in breast reconstruction: A technical note].
Breast reconstruction by abdominal flap has evolved to ensure minimal donor-site morbidity with the description of Deep Inferior Epigastric artery Perforator flap (DIEP flap). Being of the same thickness and the same surface, the Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery flap (SIEA flap) does not require, for it harvesting, to open the abdominal fascia or to dissect through the muscles minimizing again donor-site sequelae. However, it is little used because of the variability of its vascularization and a higher failure rate than the DIEP in the literature. We believe that it is reasonable, in some cases, to harvest a SIEA flap instead of DIEP flap in mammary reconstruction. We present a technical note explaining our operative strategy for reliably taking a SIEA when the caliber of the vessels allows. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Molecularly targeted therapeutics for breast cancer.
Thomas Beatson's celebrated description in 1896 of bilateral oophorectomy as effective therapy for premenopausal breast cancer could be considered as the first demonstration of response of any cancer to a 'targeted therapy.' At that time, however, the understanding of the mechanism of the intervention was minimal. In recent years a host of new rationally designed, molecularly targeted cancer therapies have been introduced from both large pharmaceutic and small biotechnology companies, and the portfolio of new targeted treatments in the pipeline appears to be unending. The existence of this array of potential new therapies is the result of a prodigious effort in the researching and defining of the molecular components of the cancer phenotype, and the subsequent rational design of agents to target candidate pathways. Experience with endocrine therapy has shown that targeted therapies require the target to be not merely expressed in the cancer phenotype, but important in regulating growth of cancer cells. We may well look back at many of the current targeted therapy trials as unrealistically simplistic in failing to adequately and define the target phenotype. This approach risks rejecting highly active treatments for a small subgroup of a study population where minimal activity is present for the majority. The future for breast cancer therapy is promising, but it is important to be prepared for disappointment, as early success in animal models cannot guarantee a successful human therapy. Stunning results such as the adjuvant trastuzumab trials are likely to remain the exceptions rather that the rule, and most gains will be modest advances. A better understanding of the molecular biology of cancer may also aid in guiding the most appropriate use of existing therapies such as conventional chemotherapy. This knowledge will facilitate the rational selection of drug combinations and/or sequencing based on their mechanisms of action at a molecular level. The aim of this paper is to review the current state-of-the-art in novel targeted therapies for breast cancer based on an understanding of this disease at the molecular level, with particular reference to those agents entering the clinic. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator activation by cAMP-independent mechanisms.
Recent studies have demonstrated that several compounds with diverse structures can activate wild-type cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) by non-receptor-mediated mechanisms. Some of these compounds have been shown to enhance cAMP-dependent activation of DeltaF508-CFTR. This study was undertaken to compare the mechanisms by which genistein, IBMX, milrinone, 8-cyclopentyl-1, 3-dipropylxanthine (CPX), the benzimidazolone NS004, and calyculin A increase CFTR activity. Our studies demonstrate that, in transfected NIH-3T3 cells, maximal enhancements of forskolin-dependent DeltaF508-CFTR activity are greatest with genistein, IBMX, and NS004. Milrinone, genistein, CPX, NS004, and calyculin A do not increase cellular cAMP. Because forskolin and calyculin A increase in vivo phosphorylation of cAMP binding response element (CREB), the inability of milrinone, genistein, CPX, and NS004 to increase CREB phosphorylation suggests that they do not stimulate protein kinase A or inhibit phosphatase activity. Our data suggest that the mechanisms by which genistein and NS004 activate CFTR differ. We also demonstrate that, in NIH-3T3 cells, IBMX-dependent enhancement of cAMP-dependent CFTR activity is not due to an increase in cellular cAMP and may involve a mechanism like that of genistein. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Serum hepatitis C virus RNA and hepatitis B virus DNA in non-A, non-B post-transfusional and sporadic chronic hepatitis.
The sera of 36 French patients with post-transfusional and sporadic non-A, non-B chronic hepatitis were investigated, for HBV and HCV infections using a combination of serological and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Anti-HCV was detected in 75% (27/36) of the patients by ELISA1 and/or RIBA2 tests. HCV-RNA sequences were found in 75% (27/36) of the sera by a single step PCR, using a set of primers located in the 5' non-coding region. Altogether, 89% (32/36) of the patients were found positive with serological and/or molecular tests. Among the positive patients, 68% (22/32) were found positive for both anti-HCV and HCV-RNA, 16% (5/32) and 16% (5/32) were found positive for either anti-HCV or HCV-RNA, respectively. HBV-DNA sequences were detected in two patients associated to the HCV viraemia. This study confirms the extremely high prevalence of HCV infection in NANB chronic hepatitis in France. It also shows possible co-infection by HCV and HBV in hepatitis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dietary sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts reduce colonization and attenuate gastritis in Helicobacter pylori-infected mice and humans.
The isothiocyanate sulforaphane [SF; 1-isothiocyanato-4(R)-methylsulfinylbutane] is abundant in broccoli sprouts in the form of its glucosinolate precursor (glucoraphanin). SF is powerfully bactericidal against Helicobacter pylori infections, which are strongly associated with the worldwide pandemic of gastric cancer. Oral treatment with SF-rich broccoli sprouts of C57BL/6 female mice infected with H. pylori Sydney strain 1 and maintained on a high-salt (7.5% NaCl) diet reduced gastric bacterial colonization, attenuated mucosal expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta, mitigated corpus inflammation, and prevented expression of high salt-induced gastric corpus atrophy. This therapeutic effect was not observed in mice in which the nrf2 gene was deleted, strongly implicating the important role of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory proteins in SF-dependent protection. Forty-eight H. pylori-infected patients were randomly assigned to feeding of broccoli sprouts (70 g/d; containing 420 micromol of SF precursor) for 8 weeks or to consumption of an equal weight of alfalfa sprouts (not containing SF) as placebo. Intervention with broccoli sprouts, but not with placebo, decreased the levels of urease measured by the urea breath test and H. pylori stool antigen (both biomarkers of H. pylori colonization) and serum pepsinogens I and II (biomarkers of gastric inflammation). Values recovered to their original levels 2 months after treatment was discontinued. Daily intake of sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts for 2 months reduces H. pylori colonization in mice and improves the sequelae of infection in infected mice and in humans. This treatment seems to enhance chemoprotection of the gastric mucosa against H. pylori-induced oxidative stress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sensitivity to ageing of the limbic dopaminergic system: a review.
The limbic system includes the complex of brain centres, nuclei and connections that provide the anatomical substrate for emotions. Although the presence of small amounts of dopamine (DA) in several limbic structures has been recognized for a long time, for many years it was thought that limbic DA represented a precursor of noradrenaline in the biosynthetic pathway of catecholamines. More recent evidence has shown that limbic centres and nuclei are supplied with a dopaminergic innervation arising from the ventral tegmental area (field A10) and in smaller amounts from the mesencephalic A9 field. The dopaminergic limbic system is sensitive to ageing. Parameters of dopaminergic neurotransmission (DA levels, biosynthetic and catabolic markers and DA receptors) undergo age-related changes which depend on the structure and species investigated and are characterized mainly by a decline of different parameters examined. In this paper, the influence of ageing on DA biosynthesis, levels, metabolism and receptors are reviewed in laboratory rodents, monkeys and humans as well as in cases of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The possibility that changes of dopaminergic neurotransmission markers in the limbic system are associated with cognitive impairment and psychotic symptoms affecting the elderly is discussed. Better knowledge of dopaminergic neurotransmission mechanisms in the so-called physiological ageing and in senile dementia may provide new insights in the treatment of behavioural alterations frequently occurring in old age. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A simple method of lessening the incidence of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis using a photochemical reactor.
Peritoneal dialysis is becoming increasingly accepted as a definitive treatment for chronic renal failure. One of its major complications is peritonitis. Ultraviolet light is known to have a bactericidal action. A photochemical reactor is described which produces ultraviolet light and which can be inserted into a peritoneal dialysis circuit. It was initially successful tested on artificially infected peritoneal dialysis fluid in the laboratory. It was then used successfully in clinical peritoneal dialysis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nonthermal statistics in isolated quantum spin clusters after a series of perturbations.
We show numerically that a finite isolated cluster of interacting spins 1/2 exhibits a surprising nonthermal statistics when subjected to a series of small nonadiabatic perturbations by an external magnetic field. The resulting occupations of energy eigenstates are significantly higher than the thermal ones on both the low and the high ends of the energy spectra. This behavior semiquantitatively agrees with the statistics predicted for the so-called "quantum microcanonical" ensemble, which includes all possible quantum superpositions with a given energy expectation value. Our findings also indicate that the eigenstates of the perturbation operators are generically localized in the energy basis of the unperturbed Hamiltonian. This kind of localization possibly protects the thermal behavior in the macroscopic limit. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preliminary results from an Australian psychosocial rehabilitation program for people with serious mental illness.
Psychosocial rehabilitation, for those with a serious mental illness, is of significant importance due to both its frequency and cost to government. This paper describes the implementation and preliminary assessments of a new psychosocial rehabilitation program in New South Wales. Of particular urgency was the requirement to establish baseline measures for ongoing service evaluation at the unit. An extensive array of assessment tools (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, BPRS; Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, SANS; Quality Of Life Scale, QOLS) was applied to determine the functioning of clients prior to the program. Following the initial assessments, subsequent measures were undertaken on completion of the program and then at 1 year follow-up. It was hypothesized that the clients would demonstrate significant improvements on these measures with a reduction in their psychopathology as assessed by the BPRS, improvement in their quality-of-life as measured by the QOLS and improvement in their negative symptoms as measured by the SANS. The final outcome demonstrated improvement in the assessment scores by 34%. A positive correlation to the above results showed a 54% reduction in the re-admission rate of clients and length of stay in hospital. The paper describes further developments regarding this psychosocial rehabilitation unit and suggests other psychosocial rehabilitation initiatives. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison between digestive endoscopy and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis: "presentation of 100 cases".
We present the results obtained from 100 new cases of clinical esophagitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux at the Hospital of Caldas and at the Service of Gastroenterology of VIME (Endoscopical Video Medicine) in Manizales, Caldas, Colombia; between the months of June and November of 1996, evaluated by digestive endoscopy and classified based on the New Savary-Miller 5-Grade Classification. The patients were selected based on the presence of symptomatology suggestive of esophagitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux; an endoscopy was performed followed by 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. The patients were grouped according to their grade of esophagitis in the New Savary-Miller Classification. The central analysis was focused on determining the existing relationship between the observed esophagitis and the results obtained by the 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. Findings show that 51% and 48% of patients with esophagitis grades 1 and 2 had a normal DeMeester's score (< 14.7) in channel 1. In channel 2 we found normal scores in 86% and 82% of esophagitis grades 1 and 2, respectively. We ask whether the average level of pathological reflux of 14.7 can be extrapolated to our population; also whether endoscopical overdiagnosis of esophagitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux exists, or if non-recognized causes of esophagitis exist. Another question is if it is justified to order 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring in patients with grades 1 and 2 esophagitis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pre-participation ECG screening in military recruits.
The findings and additional investigations required based on pre-participation electrocardiography (ECG) among military recruits are poorly defined in the literature. This study was designed to evaluate the rate of abnormal findings on pre-participation ECG in young adults and the additional evaluations required based on these findings. A retrospective cohort study was performed in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) aero medical screening center for flight academy and elite units' candidates. Flight academy and elite units' candidates undergo pre-participation ECG prior to enlistment to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Since 2010, all ECGS have been performed at the IAF aero medical center. All ECGs performed since January 2010 were analyzed by one of three cardiologists and all those in which significant findings were identified were referred to further evaluation upon the cardiologist's request. Causes of referral for further evaluation, the evaluations performed and the results of these evaluations are reported for the study population. 1455 ECGS were performed in the years 2010-2011. Of these, 1388 (95.39%) were interpreted as normal. 67 subjects were referred to further evaluation based on ECG findings. The most common findings leading to further evaluation were T wave changes (16 cases, 23.88%), pre-excitation pattern (14, 20.89%) and voltage criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (11, 16.41%). Only 7 subjects (10.44%) had abnormal findings which were considered clinically significant at the end of the medical evaluation. The rate of significant findings leading to disqualification from military activity is extremely low and referral to continued investigations based on 12-lead ECG findings should be judicious. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cobalt sorption onto anaerobic granular sludge: isotherm and spatial localization analysis.
This study investigated the effect of different feeding regimes on the cobalt sorption capacity of anaerobic granular sludge from a full-scale bioreactor treating paper mill wastewater. Adsorption experiments were done with non-fed granules in monometal (only Co) and competitive conditions (Co and Ni in equimolar concentrations). In order to modify the extracellular polymeric substances and sulfides content of the granules, the sludge was fed for 30 days with glucose (pH 7, 30 degrees C, organic loading rate=1.2 g glucose l(-1) day-1) in the presence (COD/SO4(2-)=1) or absence of sulfate. The partitioning of the sorbed cobalt between the exchangeable, carbonates, organic matter/sulfides and residual fractions was determined using a sequential extraction procedure (modified Tessier). Experimental equilibrium sorption data for cobalt were analysed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherm equations. The total Langmuir maximal sorption capacity of the sludge fed with glucose and sulfate loaded with cobalt alone displayed a significantly higher maximal cobalt sorption (Qmax =18.76 mg g-1 TSS) than the sludge fed with glucose alone (Qmax =13.21 mg g-1 TSS), essentially due to an increased sorption capacity of the exchangeable (30-107%) and organic/sulfides fractions (70-30%). Environmental scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis of granular cross-sections showed that mainly iron minerals (i.e. iron sulfides) were involved in the cobalt accumulation. Moreover, the sorbed cobalt was mainly located at the edge of the granules. The sorption characteristics of the exchangeable and carbonates fractions fitted well to the Redlich-Peterson model (intermediate multi-layer sorption behaviour), whereas the sorption characteristics of the organic matter/sulfides and residual fractions fitted well to the Langmuir model (monolayer sorption behaviour). The organic matter/sulfides fraction displayed the highest affinity for cobalt for the three sludge types investigated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The relationship between xylem conduit diameter and cavitation caused by freezing.
The centrifuge method for measuring the resistance of xylem to cavitation by water stress was modified to also account for any additional cavitation that might occur from a freeze-thaw cycle. A strong correlation was found between cavitation by freezing and mean conduit diameter. On the one extreme, a tracheid-bearing conifer and diffuse-porous angiosperms with small-diameter vessels (mean diameter <30 μm) showed no freezing-induced cavitation under modest water stress (xylem pressure = -0.5 MPa), whereas species with larger diameter vessels (mean >40 μm) were nearly completely cavitated under the same conditions. Species with intermediate mean diameters (30-40 μm) showed partial cavitation by freezing. These results are consistent with a critical diameter of 44 μm at or above which cavitation would occur by a freeze-thaw cycle at -0.5 MPa. As expected, vulnerability to cavitation by freezing was correlated with the hydraulic conductivity per stem transverse area. The results confirm and extend previous reports that small-diameter conduits are relatively resistant to cavitation by freezing. It appears that the centrifuge method, modified to include freeze-thaw cycles, may be useful in separating the interactive effects of xylem pressure and freezing on cavitation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Homogeneous solid dispersion (HSD) system for rapid and stable production of succinic acid from lignocellulosic hydrolysate.
Continuous bio-production of succinic acid was reported in homogeneous solid dispersion (HSD) system utilizing porous coconut shell activated carbon (CSAC) as immobilization carrier. The aim of the present work was to implement the HSD system to increase the area of cell immobilization and the rate of succinic-acid production from the lignocellulosic medium. The ratio of the two enzymes (cellulase-to-hemicellulase) was initially optimized to break down the lignocellulose into its free monomers, wherein the best ratio was determined as 4:1. Succinic-acid production was evaluated in the HSD system by varying the substrate loading and dilution rate. The results showed that high productivities of succinic acid were obtained when 60 g/L glucose was fed over a dilution rates ranging from 0.03 to 0.4/h. The titer of succinic acid decreased gradually with higher dilution rate, whereas the residual substrate concentration increased with it. Critical dilution rate was determined to be 0.4/h at which the best productivity of succinic acid of 6.58 g/L h and its yield of 0.66 g/g were achieved using oil palm fronds (OPF) hydrolysate. This work lends evidence to the use of CSAC and lignocellulosic hydrolysate to further exploit the potential economies of scale. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Image diagnosis of adrenal disorders--II. Cushing's syndrome].
Comparative study of image diagnosis of ultrasonography (US) by linear electronic scanner, computed tomography (CT), and adrenal scintigraphy was performed in 14 patients with Cushing's syndrome. Adrenal imaging by scintigraphy was performed at the 5th and 6th day or further 7th day following the injection of 1 mCi of Adosterol. Cushing's disease (11 cases) US failed to detect the adrenals in 4 cases examined. Measurement of the adrenals on CT film demonstrated the enlargement of adrenals (greater than mean + 2SD) in 6 of 7 cases (85.7%). Scintiscanning showed the increased uptake of bilateral adrenals in 4 of 10 cases (40%). Adrenal scintigraphy with dexamethasone pretreatment (DP) still demonstrated the isotope uptake of bilateral adrenals in all of those 4 cases tested, although the other 6 cases were not studied with DP. From these findings, it was suggested that the measurement of adrenal size by CT was useful for the additional image diagnosis of Cushing's disease, and the adrenal scintigraphy with DP was also available for complementary study of Cushing's disease. Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical adenoma (3 cases) In one case examined by US, which had the smallest adenoma (0.6 X 1.0 X 2.0 cm) in this syndrome, the adenoma was not detected. All of 3 adrenal adenomas (2.6 X 2.6 X 2.2 cm to 0.6 X 1.0 X 2.0 cm) were detected by CT. Adrenal scintigraphy demonstrated good uptake by adrenal adenoma but no visualization of the contralateral adrenal in every case. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In vitro regulation of kidney 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-hydroxylase enzyme activities by vitamin D3 metabolites. Molecular specificity and mechanism of action.
An acute chick kidney tubule model was used to evaluate the molecular specificity of steroids which act to inhibit kidney 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1-hydroxylase and induce 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase enzyme activities. Such hydroxylase-regulatory activity was confined to the vitamin D family of secosteroids. Vitamin D3 per se was not active. Rather, expression of hydroxylase-regulatory activity required acquisition of a C-25 hydroxyl grouping. Of the metabolites tested, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 demonstrated the greatest hydroxylase-regulatory activity. Metabolites of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 which contained hydroxyl groups at carbon atoms 1, or 24, or both, were also active in regulating the kidney hydroxylase enzymes. The hydroxylase-regulatory action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was blocked by inhibitors of RNA or protein synthesis, implicating a requirement for de novo protein synthesis. It was suggested that the regulatory process involves both hydroxylase-enzyme synthesis and turnover as well as enzyme-level modulation of endogenous enzyme activities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene and its association with bone mineral density and osteocalcin in Chinese.
To explore the distribution frequencies of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms in Chinese and the relationship between VDR genotypes and bone mineral density (BMD) or serum osteocalcin level in Chinese women. Polymorphisms of VDR gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the DNA sequence and three restriction enzymes (namely BsmI, ApaI and TaqI) to digest the PCR products in 223 subjects. Some of the VDR genotypes were also confirmed by Southern hybridization analysis. BMD was measured at the spine and proximal femur by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Serum osteocalcin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Chinese had high frequencies of "b,a,T" alleles, 95%, 75% and 95% respectively, which were much different from Caucasians. "BB" or "AA" genotype had tendency for higher BMD at some sites in the group of young women, whereas in the group of postmenopausal women, "bb" or "aa" genotype had relationship with lower BMD at femoral neck and trochanter. Furthermore, no relationship were found between VDR genotypes and the serum osteocalcin level in Chinese women. Allele frequencies of VDR gene in Chinese are different from those in Caucasians. VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with BMD in Chinese, but in a different pattern from other reports. Further study on predicting function of VDR for osteoporosis is necessary. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hydrodistention of the bladder for the treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a transvaginal trigonal block immediately preceding cystoscopy with hydrodistention yields an additional therapeutic benefit compared to cystoscopy with hydrodistention alone for the treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). A retrospective chart review was performed at a single-center. Performance of a trigonal block prior to hydrodistention was at the discretion of the surgeon. A trigonal block consists of injecting 0.25% bupivacaine with 1.0% Xylocaine into the anterior vagina under the trigone under cystoscopic guidance. Procedures between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2013 were included. The primary outcome compared change in pain score from the baseline to 1-month post-operative. One hundred and eighty-three patients underwent hydrodistention of the bladder. Seventy-seven were excluded and of the 106 patients remaining, 48 received a trigonal block and 58 did not. Both groups had a significant improvement in pain scores (P < 0.0001). There was no difference in change in pain score from baseline between both groups (-2.9 vs. -2.6; P = 0.694). Distention time was dichotomized into 2 and >5 min based on surgeon preference. There was no difference in change in pain score from baseline between both groups (-3.0 vs. -2.2; P = 0.061). Hydrodistention of the bladder decreased pain postoperatively regardless of trigonal block or time of distention. A randomized-controlled trial is necessary to determine the benefits of duration of hydrodistention or performance of a block. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:784-786, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Quantitative ultrasonic blood flow measurement in Dacron grafts.
A quantitative directional Doppler system was used to determine blood flow in 8 mm. aortoaortic Dacron grafts in dogs. The Doppler was calibrated with frequency standards and the output was integrated for one minute intervals. With the probe held at an angle of 60 degrees to the flow axis, the average frequency of the Doppler shift was determined. Frequency was converted to velocity with the Doppler equation. Volume flow was calculated from the product of velocity and cross-sectional area of the graft. When compared with an electromagnetic flowmeter, the Doppler system was highly accurate with flow rates up to 900 c.c per minute. At flow rates above 900 c.c. per minute, there was a significant decrease in Doppler output which probably is due to the effects of turbulence and background noise on the Doppler signal. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Towards a ZP-based contraceptive for marsupials: comparative analysis and developmental expression of marsupial ZP genes.
Fertility control in the form of a zona pellucida (ZP)-based immunocontraceptive has shown potential as a humane form of control for overabundant marsupials including the brushtail possum and macropods. Further refinement and development of a ZP-based vaccine requires detailed knowledge of the protein structure and expression in order to ensure maximum efficacy and specificity. Sequencing and comparative analysis of the ZP3 protein from three marsupial orders in this study found a high overall level of conservation; within order Diprotodontia, the ZP3 protein is 86.9-98.9% identical. ZP3 identity falls to 56.6-57.2%, when the grey, short-tailed opossum (a Didelphimorphian) is compared to dasyurid and diprotodontan marsupials. This is similar to its amino acid identity with ZP3 from eutherian species (50.7-52.8%). Comparison of a 21 amino acid epitope in marsupial ZP3 that has shown contraceptive effects, reveals 95-100% identity between the four macropodid species, 81-86% amino acid identity between brushtail possum and the macropods and 67-71% identity between the diprotodontans and the fat-tailed dunnart (a dasyurid). This is comparable to the level of identity between related eutherian mammals. The expression pattern of three ZP genes during brushtail possum and tammar wallaby pouch young development was examined by RT-PCR. This analysis of ZP gene expression has confirmed that ZP mRNA transcription begins in the ovary during pouch young development by about 51 days of age. The presence of ZP transcripts at this stage in pouch young development suggests that marsupial ZP gene transcription begins before the onset of follicular development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The role of calpastatin (the specific calpain inhibitor) in myoblast differentiation and fusion.
Using red cells as an experimental model, we previously showed that a limited degradation of certain membrane proteins by calpain (Ca2+-activated thiol protease) was a necessary prerequisite for cell fusion and that fusibility depended on the ratio of calpain to its endogenous inhibitor calpastatin. Here we show that fusion of rat L8 line myoblasts is accompanied by a dramatic change in the calpain/calpastatin ratio. The protein levels of mu-calpain and m-calpain increased only slightly during myoblast differentiation. In contrast, calpastatin diminished by a factor of 10 at the stages of myoblast alignment and start of fusion, allowing calpain activity to become apparent. Calpastatin reappeared at a late stage of myoblast fusion (myotube formation). The results indicate that calpastatin is regulated during myoblast differentiation, and that its diminution is important in determining the activity of the calpain required for myoblast fusion. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Modification of nanostructured calcium carbonate for efficient gene delivery.
In this study, a facile method to modify nanostructured calcium carbonate (CaCO3) gene delivery systems by adding calcium phosphate (CaP) component was developed. CaCO3/CaP/DNA nanoparticles were prepared by the co-precipitation of Ca(2+) ions with plasmid DNA in the presence of carbonate and phosphate ions. For comparison, CaCO3/DNA nanoparticles and CaP/DNA co-precipitates were also prepared. The effects of carbonate ion/phosphate ion (CO3(2-)/PO4(3-)) ratio on the particle size and gene delivery efficiency were investigated. With an appropriate CO3(2-)/PO4(3-) ratio, the co-existence of carbonate and phosphate ions could control the size of co-precipitates effectively, and CaCO3/CaP/DNA nanoparticles with a decreased size and improved stability could be obtained. The in vitro gene transfections mediated by different nanoparticles in 293T cells and HeLa cells were carried out, using pGL3-Luc as a reporter plasmid. The gene transfection efficiency of CaCO3/CaP/DNA nanoparticles could be significantly improved as compared with CaCO3/DNA nanoparticles and CaP/DNA co-precipitates. The confocal microscopy study indicated that the cellular uptake and nuclear localization of CaCO3/CaP/DNA nanoparticles were significantly enhanced as compared with unmodified CaCO3/DNA nanoparticles. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hypoxia induces dysregulation of lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells via activation of HIF-2α.
Hypoxia is a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, leading to permanent imbalance of liver lipid homeostasis and steatohepatitis. The current study examined the effect of HIF-2α, an oxygen-sensitive heterodimeric transcription factor, on hypoxia-induced dysregulation of lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells. Studies were conducted in C57BL/6 male mice and human HepG2 cells under hypoxic conditions, transfected with HIF-2α-targeted shRNA. The mRNA and protein expressions of key genes relevant to lipid metabolism were determined via RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. Intracellular lipid accumulation was determined by Nile red, filipin staining and quantitative assay kits. HIF-2α protein was quantified in both HepG2 cells and C57BL/6 mice under hypoxic conditions. Intracellular lipid accumulation and increased lipid levels induced by hypoxia were significantly reduced by silence of HIF-2α expression, associated with reversed expression of ABCA1 and ADRP, key genes in involved cholesterol excretion and fatty acid uptake respectively. However, HIF-2α had no effect on enzymatic activity and expression of key genes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation or cholesterol metabolism. Inhibition of HIF-2α protein reversed lipid metabolism dysregulation induced by acute hypoxia in HepG2 cells, which suggested that HIF-2α signaling may be relevant to oxygen-dependent lipid homeostasis in the liver. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison of colloidal bismuth subcitrate tablets and liquid in duodenal ulcer healing.
A double-blind trial using 51 outpatients was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (C.B.S.) in tablet and liquid form in the healing of duodenal ulcer. Criteria of entry included endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer, duration of symptoms greater than 4 weeks, and the absence of other major systemic disease. Patients were given either C.B.S. tablets (1 four times daily) or C.B.S. liquid (5 ml four times daily) for 4 weeks. Ulcer symptoms and their relief were recorded by patients, along with data on cigarette, alcohol, and drug intake. Endoscopy was performed after 4 weeks to assess healing. By 4 weeks, 18 of 26 patients taking tablets (69%) and 19 out of 25 patients taking liquid (76%), had healed (p = 0.82). Symptomatic improvement was similar with both tablets and liquid. Smoking and analgesic ingestion did not influence healing rate. We conclude that C.B.S. tablets and liquid are equally effective in healing duodenal ulcer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neonatal effects after vasopressor during spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial.
Placental transfer of ephedrine causes fetal effects when compared with phenylephrine. This study compared their drug effects on neonatal parameters after cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Three-hundred-and-fifty-four women undergoing elective cesarean delivery who needed intravenous vasopressor following spinal anesthesia were randomized into two groups. Group E received boluses of ephedrine 6mg, and Group P phenylephrine 100µg, titrated to maintain systolic blood pressure near baseline values. Neonatal heart rates at 10 and 30-45min of age, oxygen saturation and capillary blood glucose at 30min, and capillary blood lactate and urine metamphetamine were recorded. Neonatal heart rate at 10min was significantly higher (mean difference 4.0, 95%CI 0.6 to 7.3, P=0.02) in Group E versus Group P, but this was not clinically relevant. There was a linear correlation between neonatal heart rate at 10min and ephedrine dose in Group E (r2=0.29, 95%CI 0.22, 0.74, p<0.01). The decremental changes in neonatal heart rate at 10 and 30min were significantly greater in Group E. Urine metamphetamine tests were positive in 19% of 44 neonatal urine samples. Neonatal heart rates at 30min, oxygen saturation, capillary blood glucose and the incidence of tachycardia, respiratory problems or abnormal glucose, were not significantly different. Ephedrine, compared to phenylephrine as a vasopressor during cesarean delivery, was associated with higher neonatal heart rate in the early post-birth period, but without a significant difference in clinical outcomes in uncomplicated pregnancies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Management of gestational diabetes from the patient's perspective--a comparison of Swedish and Middle-Eastern born women.
To explore patients' evaluation of a specialized diabetes clinic for management of women with gestational diabetes born in Sweden and the Middle East and its contribution to a decreased level of stress and improved coping capability to promote health in patients receiving care. No studies comparing patients' perceptions of healthcare in women of different origin with gestational diabetes have been found. A perceived clinical problem in specialized diabetes care is of lower activity level in self-care in foreign- than Swedish-born women and the question is whether the healthcare organization is optimal in meeting different individuals' needs. Explorative study. Semi-structured individual interviews by external evaluators. Consecutive sample. Females with gestational diabetes, 13 born in Sweden and 14 born in the Middle East. The healthcare model was perceived as functioning well. Swedish women were problem focused and information seeking. Frustration and stress were increased due to perceived delay in information concerning gestational diabetes, limited access to telephone service and lack of confidence in staff because they lacked the expected competence. Control of gestational diabetes and pregnancy by different persons led to perceived lack of holistic care. Women from the Middle East felt cared, had been given the necessary information and claimed to follow advice. Adequate information reduced respondents' anxiety and increased their control over the situation. The clinic needs to be further improved by adapting programmes to persons to become problem focused by giving adequate information immediately. Cultural differences in coping strategies and attitudes to gestational diabetes need to be considered. Training of staff working with gestational diabetes patients is urgently needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Caffeine ingestion and lower urinary tract symptoms in healthy volunteers.
To assess lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after caffeine ingestion in healthy volunteers. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial utilizing healthy adult volunteers without urinary tract disease. Caffeine dosage was based on patient weight (equivalent to a 70 kg person taking 200 mg of caffeine twice a day). After a 24-hr washout period, subjects ingested tablets (placebo and drug were identical in appearance) twice a day for 3 days. All participants completed volume-frequency diaries and a post-study symptom questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS (version 8.2). Differences voiding frequency and volume were assessed by Wilcoxon rank sum test. The designated level of statistical significance was P < 0.05. During the first day on study medications, patients taking caffeine versus placebo voided a mean of 7.8 versus 6.4 times in a 24-hr period, respectively, P = 0.05. The mean total urine production was 2,004 ml (caffeine) versus 1,643 ml (placebo), P = 0.06, while total fluid ingested was similar (2,246 ml-caffeine, 2,102 ml-placebo, P = 0.46). For the remaining 2 days there was no significant difference between the two arms. The post-study questionnaire revealed no differences in symptom perception between the two groups. In healthy volunteers caffeine appears to produce an initial diuresis, but does not appear to have other significant or sustaining effects on lower urinary symptoms in this 4-day model. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by cytomegalovirus-induced hemophagocytic syndrome and colitis.
Here, we report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by cytomegalovirus (CMV)-induced hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) and colitis. A 44-year-old woman with SLE was treated with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide for lupus nephritis. Although her lupus nephritis improved, fever, progressive pancytopenia and intestinal bleeding were observed. A bone marrow aspiration showed an increase in mature histiocytes with hemophagocytosis. In addition, a colonoscopy showed hemorrhagic colitis with ulcer and the biopsy specimen from the colon revealed typical CMV cells with CMV inclusions confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, a large number of CMV antigen-positive leukocytes was detected, suggesting an active CMV infection. CMV infection is serious in compromised hosts. Therefore clinicians should be aware of the clinical settings in which this infection can arise and the target organs potentially affected in order to initiate the appropriate intervention. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Overexpression of IL-18 in the Proliferative Phase Endometrium of Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit low implantation rate and high abortion rate. To explore the effect of low-grade chronic inflammation on endometrium of women with PCOS, we investigated the expression of interleukin 18 (IL-18) in the endometrium of 23 women with PCOS and 20 healthy women. Endometrial tissue samples were obtained during hysteroscopic surgery. We found that IL-18 was significantly increased in the endometrium of women with PCOS compared with normal groups. In overweight women, IL-18 was obviously overexpressed in the PCOS group compared to the healthy group. However, in normal-weight women, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups, and there was no significant difference in IL-18 expression in patients having PCOS with or without insulin resistance. We conclude that IL-18 protein and messenger RNA levels are increased in the endometrium of patients with PCOS, and this effect is correlated with body mass index. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evolving role of positron emission tomography in breast cancer imaging.
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) has been used for detection, staging, and response monitoring in breast cancer patients. Although studies have proven its accuracy in detection of the primary tumor and axillary staging, its most important current clinical application is in detection and defining the extent of recurrent or metastatic breast cancer and for monitoring response to therapy. PET is complementary to conventional methods of staging in that it provides better sensitivity in detecting nodal and lytic bone metastases; however, it should not be considered a substitute for conventional staging studies, including computed tomography and bone scintigraphy. FDG uptake in the primary tumor carries prognostic information, but the underlying biochemical mechanisms responsible for enhanced glucose metabolism have not been completely elucidated. Future work using other PET tracers besides FDG will undoubtedly help our understanding of tumor biology and help tailor therapy to individual patient by improving our ability to quantify the therapeutic target, identify drug resistance factors, and measure and predict early response. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tunable third-harmonic generation in a chalcogenide-tellurite hybrid optical fiber with high refractive index difference.
A chalcogenide-tellurite hybrid optical fiber with a step-index structure is fabricated by the rod-in-tube drawing technique. The core is made of 15Ge-3Ga-12Sb-70S (mol. %) glass, and the cladding is made of 78TeO₂-5ZnO-12Li₂O-5Bi₂O₃ (mol. %) glass. The refractive index difference Δn=0.24. Tunable third-harmonic generation from 568 to 869 nm is observed when the optical fiber is pumped by an optical parametric oscillator with the pump wavelength changing from 1700 to 2600 nm. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Phosphate affects adsorption and desorption of oxytetracycline in the seawater-sediment systems.
The fate and transport of antibiotics in the aquatic environment are usually influenced by the combined effects of environmental factors. In this study, batch-type experiments were conducted to investigate the combined effects of phosphate and salinity on oxytetracycline (OTC) adsorption on, and desorption from, two marine sediments. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted the kinetic data better than pseudo-first-order model. The pseudo-second-order kinetic rate (k2) of OTC increased significantly with increasing phosphate concentrations. Sorption isotherms of OTC can be well described by both the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Compared with the control experiments (without phosphate addition), Freundlich distribution coefficients (KF) after addition of 50 mg L-1 phosphate decreased from 24.9 to 17.9 L kg-1 on sediments collected from Laizhou Bay, and from 52.2 to 31.3 L kg-1 on sediments collected from Bohai Bay, which indicated that phosphate could inhibit adsorption of OTC on marine sediments. Furthermore, phosphate had a stronger inhibitory effect on OTC adsorption at low salinity level than at high salinity level. The effects of phosphate on OTC adsorption can be explained by ion exchange, change of sediment surface charge, and electrostatic repulsion mechanisms. Desorption experiments showed that phosphate can enhance the total desorption percentage of OTC from marine sediments. Overall, the presence of phosphate in marine system may enhance OTC's long-term transport. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The internet-based arthritis self-management program: a one-year randomized trial for patients with arthritis or fibromyalgia.
To determine the efficacy of an Internet-based Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) as a resource for arthritis patients unable or unwilling to attend small-group ASMPs, which have proven effective in changing health-related behaviors and improving health status measures. Randomized intervention participants were compared with usual care controls at 6 months and 1 year using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or fibromyalgia and Internet and e-mail access (n = 855) were randomized to an intervention (n = 433) or usual care control (n = 422) group. Measures included 6 health status variables (pain, fatigue, activity limitation, health distress, disability, and self-reported global health), 4 health behaviors (aerobic exercise, stretching and strengthening exercise, practice of stress management, and communication with physicians), 5 utilization variables (physician visits, emergency room visits, chiropractic visits, physical therapist visits, and nights in hospital), and self-efficacy. At 1 year, the intervention group significantly improved in 4 of 6 health status measures and self-efficacy. No significant differences in health behaviors or health care utilization were found. The Internet-based ASMP proved effective in improving health status measures at 1 year and is a viable alternative to the small-group ASMP. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Redox status and expression of chemokines in the rat lungs on exposure to asbestos and asbestos substituents.
Activity of cytoplasmatic superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase,- and reductase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and expression of macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inhibitory protein-1alpha was determined in primary culture of rat alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes after exposure to stone-wool, wollastonite and crocidolite (blue asbestos). The activity of redox enzymes was examined by RANDOX kits, chemokines were studied by ELISA. The UICC crocidolite (positive control) decreased the activity of all redox enzymes and increased the expression of chemokines, whereas the two asbestos substituents did not alter the activity of redox enzymes either in the alveolar macrophages or pneumocytes. Stone-wool and wollastonite moderately increased the expression of chemokines in both cells. The redox status and production of chemokines changed in the opposite direction, presumably owing to stronger toxic effect of asbestos. These data suggest that stone-wool and wollastonite, as potential substituents for asbestos, are less toxic than the human carcinogenic and fibrogenic crocidolite. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bactericidal activity of meropenem against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Ten strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were susceptible to imipenem (MICs 2 mg/l) were exposed to a new parenteral carbapenem, meropenem (MIC 0.25 mg/l). Kinetic turbidometry showed that, as with other beta-lactam antibiotics, there was a prelytic increase in the culture OD following exposure to meropenem. The maximal value of the prelytic increase in the OD was higher for meropenem than for imipenem at concentrations 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 x MIC. This corresponded to the formation of short filaments during exposure to low concentrations of meropenem. These filaments remained viable for 1-2 h, according to the drug concentration. For this reason, the killing began later with meropenem than with imipenem. After this delay, the killing rate for meropenem was the same as with imipenem, but occurred with lower concentrations of meropenem. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Kawasaki syndrome.
Kawasaki syndrome is an acute mucocutaneous syndrome of young children characterized by prolonged fever, rash, mucositis, cervical adenitis, and changes of the peripheral extremities. Unlike most other illnesses, the rash is not distinctive and is remarkable for its variable morphology, site of onset, and pattern of progression. The cause and pathogenesis of Kawasaki syndrome remain a mystery, but most investigators favor a microbial agent as the trigger, followed by an immune-mediated vasculitis that has a predilection for the coronary arteries. Serious complications include coronary artery aneurysms, aneurysmal thrombosis, and death. Aspirin has been the most widely used treatment for Kawasaki syndrome, but it has not been shown to alter the basic pathology. Treatment with aspirin plus intravenous gamma globulin can reduce the frequency of coronary artery abnormalities. Definitive therapy of Kawasaki syndrome awaits the discovery of its cause and pathogenesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Identification of Fe and Zr oxide phases in an iron-zirconium binary oxide and arsenate complexes adsorbed onto their surfaces.
The Fe-Zr binary oxide adsorbents have higher arsenic adsorptive capacities than either iron oxide or zirconium oxide alone, indicating a strong synergistic effect exists between Fe and Zr oxides. However, no generally accepted in-depth explanations have been reached on the origin of this better performance. In the present study, the component phases, the active surface sites, the structure of the adsorbed As(V) surface species, and the mechanism of the synergistic effect, were investigated and elucidated using multiple advanced experimental techniques combined with quantum chemical calculations. Goethite and lepidocrocite were identified as the main Fe oxide components while amorphous zirconium hydroxide was the main Zr oxide component, respectively. A monodentate-mononuclear complex and a bidentate-binuclear complex were revealed to be dominant on the surface, respectively, when at lower and higher initial As(V) concentrations. Density functional theory calculations indicated that As(V) preferred to bind with Zr-OH rather than Fe-OH. This was verified with the As K-edge EXAFS results and XPS observations. The synergistic effect was due to a short-range ordering state, the enlarged contents of amorphous and poorly-crystalline fractions, and increased hydroxyl surface site density. These results lead to the realization that the above properties are preferred in future adsorbent preparations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Right ventricular thrombus in a patient with nephrotic syndrome.
We treated a 21-year-old man with right ventricular thrombus caused by nephrotic syndrome. The right ventricular thrombus was safely removed and his postoperative course was uneventful. Peri- and postoperative management after surgery for the worsened nephrotic syndrome was relatively unique and difficult, and critical care was essential for saving the patient's life and protecting renal function. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Legal abortion worldwide in 2008: levels and recent trends.
Periodic assessments of abortion incidence are essential for monitoring trends in unintended pregnancy and gaps in contraceptive services and use. Statistics and estimates of legal induced abortions in 2008 were compiled for 64 of the 77 countries in which legal abortion is generally available; these 64 are home to 98% of women aged 15-44 who live in the countries eligible for inclusion. Data sources included reports or completed questionnaires from national statistical offices and nationally representative surveys. The completeness of official figures was assessed by in-country and regional experts. Trends since 1996 and 2003 were examined. Of the 77 countries with liberal abortion laws, 36 are in the developing world. In 2008, abortion rates in the 25 countries with complete records-all of which were developed-ranged from seven (Germany and Switzerland) to 30 (Estonia) per 1,000 women aged 15-44. Abortion rates declined in most of the 20 countries with consistently reliable information on trends between 1996 and 2008; declines were generally steeper than increases, although the pace of decline slowed after 2003. The highest observed abortion rates were in developing countries with incomplete estimates. For most developing countries that had liberal laws, the reported abortion rates were incomplete and varied widely. High abortion rates in some countries, and small increases in rates in others, indicate a great need for more effective family planning services for these populations. Reliable data collection systems, needed to ensure that trends can be effectively monitored, are lacking in many countries. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neurologic complications of cardiac disease in the newborn.
Advances in the management of infants with congenital heart disease have lead to a striking decrease in mortality. The most dramatic impact has been in the newborn infant with complex and previously lethal heart disease. These heart lesions have become amenable to corrective procedures in the newborn period because of the development of support techniques such as low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. However, these techniques have demonstrated their own inherit risk for neurologic injury. Consequently, in recent years there has emerged a growing population of infants surviving congenital heart disease only to manifest subsequent neurologic complications originating from injury in the hemodynamically unstable preoperative period or periods of intraoperative hypoperfusion. The preservation of neurology function has emerged as the next frontier in the management of congenital heart disease. Finally, neurologic dysfunction in the newborn with cardiac disease may reflect associated brain malformations or the combined cardiac and brain manifestations of inherited metabolic disease. The clinical features and mechanisms of brain injury are discussed for these structural and metabolic cardiac diseases presenting in the newborn infant. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hereditary myeloperoxidase deficiency.
The functional properties of granulocytes in a diabetic patient deficient in myeloperoxidase (MPO) were compared with those of granulocytes in healthy subjects. The granulocytes of this patient had normal phagocytic activity. The microbicidal activity of the granulocytes was partially diminished with regard to Staphylococcus aureus and was almost nil with regard to Candida albicans. Fungicidal activity of normal granulocytes was shown to be impaired during the in vitro artificial hyperglycemic condition. The relationship among diabetes mellitus, MPO deficiency, and serious C. albicans infection was examined. Genetic investigation was carried out in 28 members of the proband's family. In close relatives of the patient, MPO values were found to be diminshed to a greater or lesser degree, thus suggesting variable expressivity of the heterozygote state of MPO deficiency. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax oncoprotein prevents DNA damage-induced chromatin egress of hyperphosphorylated Chk2.
De novo expression of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax results in cellular genomic instability. We demonstrated previously that Tax associates with the cell cycle check point regulator Chk2 and proposed that the inappropriate activation of Chk2 provides a model for Tax-induced loss of genetic integrity (Haoudi, A., Daniels, R. C., Wong, E., Kupfer, G., and Semmes, O. J. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 37736-37744). Here we provide an explanation for how Tax induces some Chk2 activities but represses others. We show that Tax interaction with Chk2 generates two activation signals in Chk2, oligomerization and autophosphorylation. However, egress of Chk2 from chromatin, normally observed in response to ionizing radiation, was repressed in Tax-expressing cells. Analysis of chromatin-bound Chk2 from Tax-expressing cells revealed phosphorylation at Thr(378), Ser(379), Thr(383), Thr(387), and Thr(389). In contrast, chromatin-bound Chk2 in the absence of Tax was phosphorylated at Thr(383) and Thr(387) in response to ionizing radiation. We further establish that Tax binds to the kinase domain of Chk2. Confocal microscopy revealed a redistribution of Chk2 to colocalize with Tax in Tax speckled structures, which we have shown previously to coincide with interchromatin granules. We propose that Tax binding via the Chk2 kinase domain sequesters phosphorylated Chk2 within chromatin, thus hindering chromatin egress and appropriate response to DNA damage. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hyaline Articular Matrix Formed by Dynamic Self-Regenerating Cartilage and Hydrogels.
Injuries to the articular cartilage surface are challenging to repair because cartilage possesses a limited capacity for self-repair. The outcomes of current clinical procedures aimed to address these injuries are inconsistent and unsatisfactory. We have developed a novel method for generating hyaline articular cartilage to improve the outcome of joint surface repair. A suspension of 10(7) swine chondrocytes was cultured under reciprocating motion for 14 days. The resulting dynamic self-regenerating cartilage (dSRC) was placed in a cartilage ring and capped with fibrin and collagen gel. A control group consisted of chondrocytes encapsulated in fibrin gel. Constructs were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice and harvested after 6 weeks. Gross, histological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and biomechanical analyses were performed. In swine patellar groove, dSRC was implanted into osteochondral defects capped with collagen gel and compared to defects filled with osteochondral plugs, collagen gel, or left empty after 6 weeks. In mice, the fibrin- and collagen-capped dSRC constructs showed enhanced contiguous cartilage matrix formation over the control of cells encapsulated in fibrin gel. Biochemically, the fibrin and collagen gel dSRC groups were statistically improved in glycosaminoglycan and hydroxyproline content compared to the control. There was no statistical difference in the biomechanical data between the dSRC groups and the control. The swine model also showed contiguous cartilage matrix in the dSRC group but not in the collagen gel and empty defects. These data demonstrate the survivability and successful matrix formation of dSRC under the mechanical forces experienced by normal hyaline cartilage in the knee joint. The results from this study demonstrate that dSRC capped with hydrogels successfully engineers contiguous articular cartilage matrix in both nonload-bearing and load-bearing environments. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage: a review.
A successful case of transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage is presented. The indications and surgical technique for this rarely reported treatment of incompetent cervix are described, and the pathophysiology of the condition is reviewed. The currently accepted treatment alternatives for incompetent cervix are presented and compared with the transabdominal approach. The existing reports on transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage are reviewed, and the morbidity of all reported cases is discussed. A scheme to assist in patient selection is suggested. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
It takes two to tango but three is a tangle: mutualists and cheaters on the carnivorous plant Roridula.
Roridula dentata is associated with hemipterans, which facilitate nitrogen assimmilation from insects. R. dentata is also associated with spiders and their role in digestion is unknown. We quantify approximately how much nitrogen Roridula assimilates from insects through "indirect digestion." Using δ15N we then determine whether nitrogen absorption from hemipteran insects differs with varying spider densities. In this way, we are able to determine their nutritional role. At low spider densities, indirect digestion of prey accounts for approximately 70% of plant nitrogen. These values are comparable to methods of direct prey digestion found in other carnivorous plants. However spiders decrease the numbers of hemipteran individuals inhabiting Roridula plants and also decrease efficiency of indirect prey digestion by up to 30%. We deduce that spiders are cheaters as they exploit plant rewards without offering any rewards in return. However, indirect carnivory is still efficient enough when hemipteran densities are at their lowest, ensuring that the mutualism does not break down. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Use of fluorescent in situ hybridization to evidence the presence of Helicobacter pylori in water.
We have evaluated the use of a fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique for the detection of Helicobacter pylori in water (river and wastewater) samples. The assay was compared with PCR detection and isolation of cells on selective media. 16S rRNA and UreA+B sequence data were used as oligonucleotide probe and specific primers for FISH and PCR, respectively. Using FISH technique, H. pylori was detected in two river water and one wastewater samples, while PCR yielded only one positive result. H. pylori culture was not possible from any sample. According to these results, FISH technique has the potential to be used as a quick and sensitive method for detection of H. pylori in environmental samples. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A cross-sectional assessment of stroke rehabilitation in Nebraska hospitals.
To assess the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation in Nebraska hospitals. Cross-sectional mail survey using the Dillman tailored-design method of administration. Hospitals in Nebraska. Approximately 77% of the 84 Nebraska hospitals that provide stroke rehabilitation are critical access hospitals (CAHs) that are limited to 25 beds. Our study sample of hospitals (N=53) included the 19 hospitals licensed for 47 to 689 beds (non-CAHs) and a stratified random sample of 34 of the 65 CAHs. Not applicable. Self-reported stroke rehabilitation team structure and processes, purposes of and barriers to the use of evidence-based standardized assessments, specific assessments used, and access to specialized stroke rehabilitation services and community resources. Thirty-six (68%) of the 53 hospitals responded to the survey. Approximately 61% of the hospitals used an organized team to provide stroke rehabilitation; 8% of the hospitals-all non-CAHs-had a team dedicated to stroke rehabilitation. After adjusting for hospital size, having an organized team was significantly associated with the use of standardized assessments to improve communication, measure progress and outcomes, evaluate effectiveness of practice, and compare patient outcomes across conditions. Access to specialized stroke rehabilitation professionals and services was significantly greater in non-CAHs. Hospital size and the presence of a team are determinants of the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation in Nebraska hospitals. Further research is needed to determine (1) whether team structure is a determinant of stroke rehabilitation outcomes across the continuum of care settings, (2) the needs of rural stroke survivors, and (3) whether technology can facilitate the use of stroke rehabilitation standardized assessments by rural health care professionals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The concept of 'glomerulonephritis'. the fascinating history of evolution and emergence of a specialist's nosology focus on Italy and Torino.
Though the term 'nephritis' first appeared in the 19th century, this word did not bear the same meaning as it does today; indeed, for many years it was used to indicate 'renal diseases' (in the sense of Bright's disease) in a larger sense. This review summarizes the long gestation of the concept of 'glomerulonephritis' from the prehistory of medicine up to the beginning of the second half of the 20th century with emphasis on Italy and, in particular, on Torino, which was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 to 1865. To the best of our kowledge, this is the first study reporting an epidemiology survey of Bright's disease in Italy from 1880 up to 1960. Towards the end of the 19th century, Bright's disease accounted for 26 deaths/year/10(5) population (in comparison with more than 200 from tuberculosis) in Italy, roughly paralleling that reported in the USA. At the beginning of the 20th century, Bright's disease was the seventh cause of death (almost 1% of total deaths) in Italy. Furthermore, in Italy, as elsewhere, autopsy studies showed a higher percentage of deaths attributed to Bright's disease (5-7%) in comparison with those obtained from vital statistics. In 1960, just before the beginning of renal replacement therapy, Bright's disease accounted for 15.7 deaths/year/10(5) population (= 1.46% of all deaths), roughly paralleling that reported in the United Kingdom (13.8/10(5) population = 1.25% of deaths). Probably, it was difficult to recognize the real incidence of chronic renal diseases leading to death in the 1960s, and vital statistics were able to furnish only approximate estimates. However, noteworthy is the fact that these values were very close to those estimated as being the annual need for renal replacement therapy (10-20 cases/year/10(5) population). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Malignant gonadal stromal tumor of the testis arising with a malignant teratoma.
We report a case of a rare malignant gonadal stromal tumor arising with a malignant teratoma of the testis. The malignant gonadal stromal element of the tumor or the nongerminal cell component was resistant to chemotherapy and ultimately metastasized to the lymph nodes, lung, bones and liver. Nongerminal cell tumors arising with germinal cell neoplasms may become more common because the chemosensitive germ cell tumor may be destroyed and the chemoresistant nongerminal tumor remains. The nongerminal cell tumor is the most important prognostic factor and also dictates possible later changes in therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ultrastructural aspects of phytoglycogen from cryo-transmission electron microscopy and quasi-elastic light scattering data.
Phytoglycogen particles extracted from the sugary maize mutant su 1 and dispersed in water were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light scattering. Dried specimens were either negatively stained with uranyl acetate or shadowed with W/Ta. Frozen-hydrated unstained particles embedded in a thin film of vitreous ice were also observed using cryo-TEM. The particles exhibited a spheroidal shape, with a diameter ranging from 30 to 100 nm. Some of them presented a multilobular morphology and appeared to be formed by smaller subunits, 20-30 nm in diameter, resembling the described beta-particles for animal glycogen. The diameter of stained and ice-embedded particles was measured from electron micrographs. The corresponding size distribution histograms showed that the average weight diameter of ice-embedded particles was higher than that of stained ones. In the latter case, a shrinkage of the particle was believed to occur during the drying process. Light scattering experiments confirmed the diameter of ice-embedded particles and indicated that they could be considered as uniformly dense spheroidal objects. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of polynucleotide phosphorylase during cold acclimation in Escherichia coli.
Polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase, polyribonucleotide nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.8) is one of the cold shock-induced proteins in Escherichia coli and pnp, the gene encoding it, is essential for growth at low temperatures. We have analysed the expression of pnp upon cold shock and found a dramatic transient variation of pnp transcription profile: within the first hour after temperature downshift the amount of pnp transcripts detectable by Northern blotting increased more than 10-fold and new mRNA species that cover pnp and the downstream region, including the cold shock gene deaD, appeared; 2 h after temperature downshift the transcription profile reverted to a preshift-like pattern in a PNPase-independent manner. The higher amount of pnp transcripts appeared to be mainly due to an increased stability of the RNAs. The abundance of pnp transcripts was not paralleled by comparable variation of the protein: PNPase steadily increased about twofold during the first 3 h at low temperature, as determined both by Western blotting and enzymatic activity assay, suggesting that PNPase, unlike other known cold shock proteins, is not efficiently translated in the acclimation phase. In experiments aimed at assessing the role of PNPase in autogenous control during cold shock, we detected a Rho-dependent termination site within pnp. In the cold acclimation phase, termination at this site depended upon the presence of PNPase, suggesting that during cold shock pnp is autogenously regulated at the level of transcription elongation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Oral tyrosine supplementation improves exercise capacity in the heat.
Increased brain dopamine availability improves prolonged exercise tolerance in the heat. It is unclear whether supplementing the amino-acid precursor of dopamine increases exercise capacity in the heat. Eight healthy male volunteers [mean age 32 ± 11 (SD) years; body mass 75.3 ± 8.1 kg; peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) 3.5 ± 0.3 L min(-1)] performed two exercise trials separated by at least 7 days in a randomised, crossover design. Subjects consumed 500 mL of a flavoured sugar-free drink (PLA), or the same drink with 150 mg kg body mass(-1) tyrosine (TYR) in a double-blind manner 1 h before cycling to exhaustion at a constant exercise intensity equivalent to 68 ± 5% [Formula: see text] in 30°C and 60% relative humidity. Pre-exercise plasma tyrosine:large neutral amino acids increased 2.9-fold in TYR (P < 0.01), while there was no change in PLA (P > 0.05). Subjects cycled longer in TYR compared to PLA (80.3 ± 19.7 min vs. 69.2 ± 14.0 min; P < 0.01). Core temperature, mean weighted skin temperature, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion and thermal sensation were similar in TYR and PLA during exercise and at exhaustion (P > 0.05) despite longer exercise time in TYR. The results show that acute tyrosine supplementation is associated with increased endurance capacity in the heat in moderately trained subjects. The results also suggest for the first time that the availability of tyrosine, a nutritional dopamine precursor, can influence the ability to subjectively tolerate prolonged submaximal constant-load exercise in the heat. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of low-dose clonidine in mild to moderate hypertension.
To evaluate the role of the sympathetic nervous system in essential hypertension and the influence of clonidine, 28 male subjects with mild to moderate hypertension were either treated with low-dose clonidine (n = 14, mean age: 42.4 +/- 2.1 years) or were randomized to a nontreated control group (n = 14, mean age: 40.2 +/- 2.4 years). Clinical blood pressure and heart rate were assessed, and after 4 weeks of treatment plasma catecholamines and the hemodynamic response to mental arithmetic, cold stimulation, and ergometric exercise were compared between both groups. Under therapy with 0.075 mg of clonidine per day casual blood pressure dropped and diastolic BP was significantly lower than in the control group. Heart rate did not change. After 4 weeks the plasma levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were the same in both groups. During mental arithmetic total peripheral resistance decreased in the treated group while it did not change in the control group, but both groups did not differ in their percentage changes in the hemodynamic parameters in response to the three stress tests. It has been concluded that clonidine reduces sympathoadrenergic activity, but in a low dosage this effect is obviously restricted to a reduction of arteriolar tone. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of gender on response to rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the Autoimmunity and Rituximab registry.
The response rate to many therapies for RA is lower in women. The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of gender on the response to rituximab (RTX) in patients with RA. A total of 1709 RA patients were included in the French Autoimmunity and Rituximab (AIR) registry. Disease activity assessed by the 28-joint DAS (DAS28) was recorded at baseline and at follow-up (6, 12, 18 and 24 months). Response criteria [European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) remission defined as a DAS28 < 2.6 and EULAR response] were compared in both sexes. Seventy-seven per cent of the patients were female (age 61.4 years, disease duration 16 years). Approximately 78.6% of the patients were positive for RF and 75.8% for anti-CCP. Women had a longer disease duration (P < 0.001), less frequently had anti-CCP (P = 0.03) and had lower CRP levels at baseline (P < 0.001). Six months after RTX, 11% were in remission and 62% had a good to moderate EULAR response, irrespective of gender (P = 0.81 and P = 0.38, respectively). No differences were observed in terms of remission or EULAR response during the follow-up except at 12 months, when men achieved remission more frequently (18% vs 12%, P = 0.045). In the cases of anti-TNF failure, remission rates were higher in men than in women at 6, 12 and 18 months. Re-treatment delay between the first and second courses was similar in both genders (P = 0.26). In this large cohort of RA patients we found no significant differences in EULAR response to RTX between men and women during the 2-years of follow-up, but there was a previous anti-TNF exposure-dependent effect of gender on remission rate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Melatonin Treatment May Be Able to Restore Menstrual Cyclicity in Women With PCOS: A Pilot Study.
The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of 6 months of melatonin administration on clinical, endocrine, and metabolic features of women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a prospective cohort study including 40 normal-weight women with PCOS between January and September 2016, enrolled in an academic research environment. Ultrasonographic pelvic examinations, hirsutism score evaluation, hormonal profile assays, oral glucose tolerance test, and lipid profile at baseline and after 6 months of melatonin administration were performed. Melatonin treatment significantly decreased androgens levels (free androgen index: P < .05; testosterone: P < .01; 17 hydroxyprogesterone: P < .01). Follicle-stimulating hormone levels significantly raised ( P < .01), and anti-Mullerian hormone serum levels significantly dropped after 6 months of melatonin treatment ( P < .01). No significant changes occurred in glucoinsulinemic and lipid parameters after treatment except a significant decrease of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Almost 95% of participants experienced an amelioration of menstrual cycles. Until now, only few data have been published about the role of melatonin in women with PCOS. This is the first study focused on the effects of exogenous oral melatonin administration on the clinical, endocrine, and metabolic characteristics of patients with PCOS. After 6 months of treatment, melatonin seems to improve menstrual irregularities and biochemical hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS through a direct, insulin-independent effect on the ovary. Based on our results, melatonin could be considered a potential future therapeutic agent for women affected by PCOS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Laparoscopic adjustable pyloric band with fundoplication in bariatric surgery: technique and preliminary results.
Laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion according to Scopinaro is an extremely effective operation for weight loss, but carries significant morbidity in terms of metabolic deficiencies. A study was conducted as to the feasibility, safety and efficiency of a novel procedure, accomplishing a 'reversible Scopinaro BPD', performed in two stages: first the placement of an adjustable band in a juxtapyloric position, aiming at maintaining postprandial satiety, and second, the construction of a transmesocolic Roux-en-Y gastro-enterostomy with a 2.5-m long distal jejunal limb, reanastomosed 50 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. 15 patients, mean BMI 38.9, 8 males and 7 females, underwent the first stage of pyloric adjustable banding. All benefited at the same time from a Nissen fundoplication, to avoid gastroesophageal reflux. 1 patient was withdrawn from the study at this stage because of peritonitis of unknown cause and removal of the band. 3 patients benefited from the second stage of the operation because of insufficient weight loss, and/or symptoms of gastric stasis. 1 patient developed diarrhea and was treated by peroral cholestyramine. Weight loss was similar to the regular BPD figures. The placement of an adjustable gastric band in a juxtapyloric position, combined with a Nissen fundoplication, appears to be a safe and efficient satiety-inducing operation. In case of insufficient weight loss, and/or exaggerated gastric stasis, a Scopinaro BPD construction can be added to the otherwise unharmed stomach, hereby constituting an instantly reversible malabsorptive component. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
16S rRNA gene-based characterization of bacteria potentially associated with phosphate and carbonate precipitation from a granular autotrophic nitrogen removal bioreactor.
A bench-scale granular autotrophic nitrogen removal bioreactor (completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) system) used for the treatment of synthetic wastewater was analyzed for the identification of microbiota with potential capacity for carbonate and phosphate biomineral formation. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene-based studies revealed that different bacterial species found in the granular biomass could trigger the formation of phosphate and calcite minerals in the CANON bioreactor. iTag analysis of the microbial community in the granular biomass with potential ability to precipitate calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite constituted around 0.79-1.32 % of total bacteria. Specifically, the possible hydroxyapatite-producing Candidatus Accumulibacter had a relative abundance of 0.36-0.38 % and was the highest phosphate-precipitating bacteria in the granular CANON system. With respect to calcite precipitation, the major potential producer was thought to be Stenotrophomonas with a 0.38-0.50 % relative abundance. In conclusion, our study showed evidences that the formation of hydroxyapatite and calcite crystals inside of the granular biomass of a CANON system for the treatment wastewater with high ammonium concentration was a biological process. Therefore, it could be suggested that microorganisms play an important role as a precipitation core and also modified the environment due to their metabolic activities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of Euseius stipulatus on establishment and efficacy in spider mite suppression of Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis in clementine.
The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is one of the most problematic phytophagous pests in Spanish clementine orchards. The most abundant predatory mites in this ecosystem are Euseius stipulatus, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus. Euseius stipulatus is dominant but poorly adapted to utilize T. urticae as prey. It mainly persists on pollen and citrus red mite, Panonychus citri. A recent study suggested that the more efficacious T. urticae predators P. persimilis and N. californicus are negatively affected by lethal and non-lethal intraguild interactions with E. stipulatus. Here, we investigated the potential of N. californicus and P. persimilis to colonize and thrive on young clementine trees infested by T. urticae in presence and absence of E. stipulatus. Presence of E. stipulatus interfered with establishment and abundance of P. persimilis and negatively affected the efficacy of N. californicus in T. urticae suppression. In contrast, the abundance of E. stipulatus was not affected by introduction of a second predator. Trait-mediated effects of E. stipulatus changing P. persimilis and N. californicus behavior and/or life history were the most likely explanations for these outcomes. We conclude that superiority of E. stipulatus in intraguild interactions may indeed contribute to the currently observed predator species composition and abundance, rendering natural control of T. urticae in Spanish clementine orchards unsatisfactory. Nonetheless, stronger reduction of T. urticae and/or plant damage in the predator combination treatments as compared to E. stipulatus alone indicates the possibility to improve T. urticae control via repeated releases of N. californicus and/or P. persimilis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antimuscarinic agents: furan analogs of benzilate esters.
The methiodide and ethiodide salts of 5-(dimethylaminomethyl)- and 5-(diethylaminomethyl)-alpha, alpha-diphenylfurfuryl alcohol were prepared, These compounds may be considered as furan analogs of dialkylaminoethyl benzilate alkiodides. The pA2 values of these compounds as antagonists of acetylcholine were determined on rat jejunum preparation. All four compounds were significantly less potent than the analogous ester antimuscarinic lachesine. The furan ring cannot be substituted for the ester moiety of typical antimuscarinics. Possible modes of binding by antagonists to the receptor proposed previously are considered that might account for this less-than-expected antimuscarinic activity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Up- and downshoot in Duane's retraction syndrome.
Up- and downshoot of the adducted eye in patients with Duane's retraction syndrome was surgically eliminated in five patients by posterior fixation of the horizontal rectus muscles. Retroequatorial fixation of these muscles reduces sideslip and thus a vertical effect of the co-contracting horizontal rectus muscles. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of rosiglitazone on body fat distribution and insulin sensitivity in Korean type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of rosiglitazone (RSG), a thiazolidinedione derivative, on body fat distribution and insulin sensitivity in Korean subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was a phase IV, multicenter, single-blind, positive-controlled parallel group study. Eighty-nine patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 30 to 75 years, were enrolled in this study. Their fasting plasma glucose levels ranged from 126 to 270 mg/dL, and subjects had hemoglobin A1c levels of greater than 7.0%. We compared the effect of the treatment with glibenclamide plus RSG 4 mg/d (increased to 8 mg/d after 6 months) with glibenclamide plus placebo on body fat distributions, which were determined by computed tomography scanning and glycemic and insulinemic responses to oral glucose load. During the 12-month treatment period, the difference between the changes in the ratio of the intraabdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) to abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue areas (SAT) between treatment groups was significant (from 1.13 +/- 0.53 to 1.00 +/- 0.40 in the RSG group and from 0.92 +/- 0.54 to 0.96 +/- 0.62 in the placebo group, P = .0351). The glycemic responses to oral glucose load (area under the curve, millimoles per liter per hour) were improved in the RSG group with 12 months of treatment (from 4.88 +/- 1.10 to 4.38 +/- 1.35 in 1 hour and from 13.78 +/- 2.83 to 12.16 +/- 2.52 in 2 hours), and the difference between the changes of the glycemic response showed statistical significance between groups (RSG group vs placebo group: -0.53 +/- 1.42 vs 0.38 +/- 1.31, difference in 1 hour; -0.76 +/- 2.98 vs 1.43 +/- 2.58, difference in 2 hours). However, there was no difference between insulin responses from baseline to follow-up and no differences in the change in insulin response between groups. In Korean subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 12 months of treatment with RSG may increase SAT, but may have a neutral effect on IAAT, resulting in a decrease in the IAAT:SAT ratio. The RSG treatment improved the glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, it is important to determine whether the glucose-lowering effect of RSG occurs mainly through direct enhancement of insulin sensitivity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sporadic congenital Caffey's disease.
Caffey's disease is an inflammatory skeletal disorder of infancy manifested clinically by fever, soft-tissue swelling, and constitutional signs with radiographic evidence of periosteal new bone formation. Although prevalent between 1940 and 1960, nonfamilial cases have become extraordinarily rare. The authors report the sporadic occurrence of congenital Caffey's disease in a premature infant and note an interesting association with maternal herpes zoster early during gestation. The etiology of this mysterious disease is likely to remain elusive as new cases become scarce. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparison of three methods for determination of glucose.
Study refers comparison of three methods for glucose determination - precision (repeatability, reproducibility), traceability to SRM 965a NIST, comparability in blood-pools and in patients' samples: Electrochemical determination on Super GL (DiaSys, Germany) in hemolyzate - GL method, spectrophotometric determination using hexokinase (Glucose System Reagent 800, Olympus) - HKL method - and using glucose dehydrogenase (Glucose Gluc-DH, EcolineS+, DiaSys, Germany) - GDL method - in hemolyzate. For showing differences between the concentration of glucose in hemolyzed blood and corresponding plasma, spectrophotometric determination using hexokinase in plasma was used (Glucose System Reagent 800, Olympus) - HKP method. Coefficients of variation characterizing precision under repeatability and reproducibility conditions are not higher than 3.0% for the GL method, 6.3% for the GDL method and 15.8% for the HKL method with low sensitivity. For glucose concentration less than 8 mmol/l, HKL tends to give lower results than GDL, and GL tends to give higher results than GDL. For glucose concentration about 2 mmol/l, the results of glucose in plasma - HKP method - tend to be significantly lower (by more than ten percent) than in corresponding total (hemolyzed) blood. HKL method can be reasonably used in a high number of parallel determinations. For glucose 8 mmol/l and lower, comparability of results given by HKL, GDL and GL methods gradually worsens, while for glucose between 8 and 34 mmol/l results of the three mentioned methods are well comparable. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The efficacy of convex hemiepiphysiodesis in patients with iatrogenic posterior element deficiency resulting from diastematomyelia excision.
Retrospective analysis was performed. To investigate the safety and efficacy of anterior and posterior hemiepiphysiodesis in patients with iatrogenic posterior element deficiency. Anterior and posterior convex hemiepiphysiodesis is a well-accepted treatment method for severe and progressive congenital scoliosis in young children. Many patients with congenital spinal deformities have intraspinal pathologies that require neurosurgical intervention with laminectomy. The efficacy of this method has not been studied in these patient populations. Between 1990 and 2001, among 82 patients with congenital spinal deformity, 38 were treated with convex epiphysiodesis. This study included 18 of these patients (2 males and 16 females) who underwent diastematomyelia excision and had at least 2 years of follow-up evaluation. Diastematomyelia excision was performed before the orthopedic procedure in 8 patients and at the same anesthetic setting sequentially in 10 patients. The mean age at the time of the fusion was 20 months (range, 6-60 months), and the average follow-up period was 39 months (range, 24-120 months). The mean Cobb angle was 54 degrees (range, 31-90 degrees) before surgery and 48 degrees (range, 30-84 degrees) at the final follow-up assessment. Any increase of more than 6 degrees was accepted as progression. Eight patients (44%) had a true epiphysiodesis effect: 58 degrees (range, 40-90 degrees ) before surgery and 39 degrees (range, 30-70 degrees) at follow-up evaluation. Eight patients (44%) had a fusion effect: 49 degrees (range, 31-68 degrees) before surgery and 50 degrees (range, 37-74 degrees) at follow-up assessment. Two patients (12%) had a postoperative progression of deformity: 63 degrees (range, 54-72 degrees) before surgery and 75 degrees (range, 65-84 degrees) at follow-up evaluation. Convex epiphysiodesis is an effective method for patients with midline laminectomy defect as those with intact posterior elements. Because the facet joints and transverse processes usually are unaffected, the presence of midline defect does not diminish the efficacy of the technique. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Pollution characteristics and evaluation of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter in surface sediments of Lake Changshouhu in Chongqing, China].
In order to reveal spatial distribution characteristics of nutrient in the surface sediments of Lake Changshouhu, contents of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and organic matter (OM) of 62 surface sediments samples were determined and compared with other urban (suburban) lakes in China. C/N and the correlation of TN, TP and OM had also been analyzed. The results showed that the average contents of TN and TP were 2 255.89 mg x kg(-1) and 622.03 mg x kg(-1) respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution were very serious all over the lake, with a significantly different spatial distribution. The average content of OM was 2.80%. So the contents of TN, TP and OM were in the middle level compared with other lakes. 87.10% of C/N was between 5 and 14 (72.58% within which was between 6 and 13) and 3.23% of C/N was between 2.8 and 3.4, which showed that OM came from algae, phytoplankton and zooplankton. Besides, a small part of OM came from aquatic organisms. OM and TN were significantly correlated (Pearson coefficient was 0.849), but with less significant correlation to TP. The spatial distribution characteristics of OM were very similar with that of TN. The content of OM in water samples collected from western and middle waterbody was higher than that in eastern waterbody, which was the same as TN. By evaluating pollution situation with organic index and organic nitrogen, the average organic index was 0.386 which was on the III level still belonged to clean category. However, the average number of organic nitrogen was up to 0.214% which was on the IV level indicated the pollution degree. This showed that the lake Changshouhu was in a serious pollution situation especially in nitrogen pollution. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gene structure and expression of the 5'-(CGG)(n)-3'-binding protein (CGGBP1).
The human nuclear 5'-(CGG)(n)-3'-binding protein (CGGBP1) influences the expression of the fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene by specifically interacting with the 5'-(CGG)(n>5)-3' repeat in its 5' untranslated region. Here, we show that CGGBP1 binds to 5'-(CGG)(n)-3' repeats with n>or=5 and to interrupted repeats. The genomic and mRNA organization of the human and murine CGGBP1 genes was studied and the human gene was mapped to chromosome 3p. Due to alternative polyadenylation, mRNAs of 1.2 and 4.5 kb are transcribed at varying ratios in human and murine cells and in embryonic, fetal, and adult tissues. The human and the murine genes, including promoters and large parts of the untranslated regions, are highly conserved. A sequence of 235 nucleotides 5' upstream of CGGBP1 is essential for promoter activity in transfection experiments. Complete in vitro methylation inactivates the promoter, which is unmethylated in human cells as shown by bisulfite genomic sequencing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reliability and validity of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale--Tokyo version (CARS-TV).
A Japanese translation of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (the Tokyo version of the CARS, CARS-TV) was used with 167 developmentally disabled children under age 16. Cronbach's coefficient alpha was .87. The interrater reliability (r) for each of the 15 scales based on 128 children ranged from .43 to .77 with an average of .62. Based on the 167 children, the total CARS-TV score demonstrated a satisfactory level of taxonomic validity (Thorndike, 1982) on DSM-III diagnostic groups. The total score discriminated infantile autism and other pervasive developmental disorders more efficiently from mental retardation without an additional diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder than an IQ. The total score also showed a satisfactory concurrent validity on the overall rating of autism. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ultrasound in postoperative acalculous cholecystitis.
Eleven patients were examined by ultrasound before undergoing cholecystectomy (n = 9) or cholecystostomy (n = 2) for acalculous cholecystitis after abdominal surgery. The ultrasound images were analyzed retrospectively and compared with the surgical and histologic findings. The results indicate several established ultrasound criteria of cholecystitis to be less reliable than usual. Although 10 of 11 patients were on parenteral hyperalimentation, gross distention of the gallbladder was observed in only 3. In 4 of 7 patients, in whom pericholecystic fluid was observed, no gallbladder perforation was found at surgery. However, thickening of the gallbladder wall was displayed in 10 of 11 cases, combined with a sonolucent intramural layer in 6. Furthermore, intraluminal nonshadowing echogenic densities correlated with empyema or hemorrhage in 5 of 8 cases. In conclusion, despite several limitations, ultrasound can be of considerable help when one is deciding to perform repeat laparotomy when acalculous cholecystitis is suspected. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Association between elimination disorders and abusive maternal attitudes.
Enuresis and encopresis, both conditions are very distressful to children and their family members and it is responsible for significant social and psychological consequences in children and adolescents. The present study aims to determine the rate of abusive maternal attitudes towards children and adolescents with elimination disorders (EDs) and to investigate the maternal psychological and socio-cultural factors associated with abusive parenting attitudes. N = 180 children with ED were included in the study. Family Assessment Device (FAD), and Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R) were administered to mothers. Our results indicated that prevalence of abusive maternal attitudes in our sample was 73.8%. Children and adolescents with ED who live with low-educated parents (p = 0.008), low socio economic status (p = 0.014), and in cases with living in a large or divorced family (p = 0.014), disorganized or chaotic families can be considered a population at risk (p < 0.05), since it is more likely that they suffer more severe abusive maternal attitudes. Present study showed high rates of abusive parenting attitudes in cases of EDs in a sample of Turkish children and adolescents. Further research on the etiological and therapeutic importance of the family in the case of ED referred to a psychiatry clinic should be carried out. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Innovative method for determining glycogen content in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) by ion chromatography.
A precise analytical assay was developed and validated for the determination of Pacific oyster glycogen using ion chromatography. The Pacific oyster glycogen was quantified by the determination of glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P), which was derived from glucose that was hydrolyzed from glycogen. Glc-6-P, adenosine triphosphate, and adenosine diphosphate were separated by ion chromatography. The method was validated over the curve range 0.5-100mg/L for the abovementioned analytes. The recoveries were between 95% and 102%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs, c=10mg/L, n=9) were less than 4.37%. Unlike a traditional method, this validated method was inexpensive and stable. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Changes in uncuffed endotracheal tube leak during laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy in children.
The present study was conducted to investigate changes in uncuffed endotracheal tube (ETT) leak during laparoscopic surgery. The study included 31 patients aged between 1 and 6 years scheduled for elective laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy. Inspiratory and expiratory tidal volumes (TVi and TVe) were measured during mechanical ventilation, and ETT leak was calculated using the formula-ETT leak = (TVi - TVe)/TVi × 100 (%), assessed at the following time-points-5 min after the start of mechanical ventilation (T1, baseline), just before the start of surgery (T2), 5 min after the induction of pneumoperitoneum with 15° Trendelenburg tilt (T3), and at the end of surgery (T4). Additionally, leak pressure was assessed after successful tracheal intubation (T0, baseline) at T2, T3 and T4. Uncuffed ETT leak significantly decreased at T3 compared with T1 (baseline). Leak pressure significantly increased at T3 and T4 compared with T0 (baseline). Further studies are needed in order to determine whether the results are universal and associated with clinically significant outcomes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Observational study of dermatological manifestations in patients admitted to a tertiary poison center in Iran
Background/aim: Acute unintentional and deliberate poisoning by medications and chemicals is a frequent emergency, especially in Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and character of skin findings occurring in patients with acute intentional and aunintentional poisoning. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was performed at the Loghman Hakim Hospital Poison Center over a period of 6 months from April 2016 to September 2016. Data including patient demographics, cause of poisoning, and level of consciousness were collected. Pediatric patients (under the age of 13) and patients who died in the first hours of admission were excluded from the study. Results: The most common cause of toxicity-related admission in our patients was methadone overdose. The most common skin finding in these patients was xerosis. According to our results, there was an association between tramadol poisoning and self-induced lesions. Shin hyperpigmentation was found to be significantly more frequent in patients with lead poisoning. Conclusion: Further study is recommended to shed light on the possible association of drug poisoning and skin lesions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Controlled clinical trial "blind" versus aimed fibrebronchoscopic suction in mechanically ventilated patients (author's transl)].
In patients treated with ventilation therapy only 60% of blind suction catheters reach the desired position. In ten patients the routinely performed blind suction was replaced by aimed bronchoscopic suction. Blood gas analyses before and after aimed and blind suction favoured the former. Also the arterioalveolar oxygen tension difference showed a good response to aimed suction. There is a broad spectrum of indications for fibreoptic bronchoscopy in every care unit dealing with mechanical ventilation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Problem-based evidence: non-conventional methods of clinical investigations in surgery].
In the era of evidence-based medicine the application of randomised controlled trials (RCT) are crucial for innovations. In contrast with pharmacological studies surgical innovations have several difficulties: setting up a control group is not always simple, placebo is not easy to define and ethico-legal regulation of sham-operations is not well established yet. Risks of the learning curve, which are variable in time and space are quite characteristic for surgical innovations. There is a need therefore to develop new methodologies to overcome these difficulties and resulting in a widely acceptable outcome. The method of problem-based evidence (PBE) obtains the evidences from particular problems of health care using knowledge and experience; and hereby providing advantage for surgical innovations compared to RCT's. PBE provides more opportunity for organizing surgical research and their international acceptance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Massive rotator cuff tears treated by a deltoid muscular inlay flap.
We reviewed 20 patients with a painful massive, irreparable rotator cuff tear, classified as type III according to Gerber (11). They were all treated with an open partial acromionectomy, an attempt for primary repair and an anterior deltoid muscle inlay flap, as described by Apoil and Augereau. After minimum follow-up of 12 months (average 23.5 months) 17 out of 20 patients were satisfied and better, and the UCLA shoulder scoring (9) improved from an average of 9.35 to an average of 25.7 (max. of 35). Pain and function improved in all patients, with an average of 4.35 and 4.00 points respectively. Active forward flexion improved in 17, and strength of forward flexion improved in 15 patients. Our results were compared with those of Apoil and Augereau, and with the results obtained by other authors after open or closed acromioplasty and cuff tear debridement. This retrospective study tries to give a critical view of this French technique, and concludes that, although no negative effect can be demonstrated by the use of a deltoid muscle flap, a definite advantage cannot be proved. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Extract of Toxicodendron quercifolium caused genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity in bone marrow cells of CD1 mice.
As has been shown in numerous studies, naturally occurring compounds can have protective effects towards mutagens and carcinogens. In the present study, the genotoxic/antigenotoxic effect of Toxicodendron quercifolium (poison ivy) extract, which has been identified as antigenotoxic in human HepG2 cells in former studies, was examined in the in vivo micronucleus assay using polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) of bone marrow of CD1-mice. For this, D0 (1:10), D0 (1:25), D0 (1:50), D1 (1:50), D2 (1:50), and D4 (1:50) dilutions of ethanolic plant extract prepared on the basis of the "Hömoopathisches Arzneimittelbuch (HAB 2000)" were administered orally to CD1 mice over a period of two days. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in micronucleus frequencies was found after administration of D0 (1:10), the highest tolerated dose. Additionally, antigenotoxic effects of T. quercifolium towards benzo(a)pyrene-induced micronucleus formation were studied. For that, four dilutions of the plant extract [D0, D2, D4, D6, each 1:50] were administered orally to CD1 mice for five days prior to the administration of benzo(a)pyrene (250 mg/kg b.w.) for another two days. It was found that the administration of the dilutions D0 (1:50) and D2 (1:50) of T. quercifolium extract significantly inhibited benzo(a)pyrene-induced micronucleus formation (p < 0.0001). The results of this study indicated that T. quercifolium extract has the character of a so-called "Janus"-genotoxin: High doses led to a weak but significant increase of micronucleus frequencies whereas low doses showed chemopreventive effects towards benzo(a)pyrene-induced DNA damage. The constituents of T. quercifolium responsible for the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects may be flavonoids, which are known to have prooxidative and scavenging effects and identified by HPLC-MS/MS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Wide-field interferometric phase microscopy with molecular specificity using plasmonic nanoparticles.
We present a method for adding molecular specificity to wide-field interferometric phase microscopy (IPM) by recording the phase signatures of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) labeling targets of interest in biological cells. The AuNPs are excited by time-modulated light at a wavelength corresponding to their absorption spectral peak, evoking a photothermal (PT) effect due to their plasmonic resonance. This effect induces a local temperature rise, resulting in local refractive index and phase changes that can be detected optically. Using a wide-field interferometric phase microscope, we acquired an image sequence of the AuNP sample phase profile without requiring lateral scanning, and analyzed the time-dependent profile of the entire field of view using a Fourier analysis, creating a map of the locations of AuNPs in the sample. The system can image a wide-field PT phase signal from a cluster containing down to 16 isolated AuNPs. AuNPs are then conjugated to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies and inserted to an EGFR-overexpressing cancer cell culture, which is imaged using IPM and verified by confocal microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time wide-field interferometric PT imaging is performed at the subcellular level without the need for total internal reflection effects or scanning. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
How to create awareness and ensure broad dissemination of health informatics standards.
There is a range of organisations with responsibility for information standards development within Australia. These include Standards Australia, which is formally linked to the International Organisation for Standards (ISO), the National Health Information Management Group, which deals with the government sector and several statutory organisations such as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the National Centre for Classification in Health. The different constituencies involved with each of these organisations, the scope of healthcare informatics and the rate of organisational and technological change in the industry present a significant challenge in ensuring that the standard setting process is highly visible, responsive and capable of demonstrating its value through effective implementation. Creating awareness and ensuring broad dissemination of healthcare informatics standards is a key component in meeting this challenge. This can operate at a number of levels from strategic to operational. At the strategic level, it requires active engagement and commitment of the key decision-makers, both political and professional. This may require directly lobbying and promoting the benefits of standardisation to those decision-makers but can be achieved even more effectively by creating industry awareness and demand through carefully targeted presentations on the impact of standards to broader health industry forums. At the tactical level, the standards development medium itself can be used to engage and gain commitment from government, professionals, vendors and the health industry by operating as an inclusive, open and effective process. At the operational level, there is the opportunity for much more efficient use of technology to create awareness of both these processes and their outcomes. The establishment in Australia of a web enabled National Health Information Knowledge base built around ISO standards is one example of the type of development which will assist in the acceleration of awareness of standards and standardisation, which is needed to cope with the increasing demand. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.