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Prediction and verification of an iridescent synthetic fiber.
An optical model that predicts the reflection of light by a synthetic fiber of arbitrary cross-sectional shape is described. The model uses a Monte Carlo simulation of an exact ray trace of light for incident rays directed at a selected angle to the fiber axis. The model revealed an optical effect in round fibers that led to the prediction of a new mechanism for iridescence (change of color with angle of illumination or view) in a fabric by means of round, concentric, sheath-core fibers, with core size </=40% by volume and with the sheath and core dyed different colors. The prediction has been verified in actual fabrics. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Identification, characterization and expression analysis of TLR5 in the mucosal tissues of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) following bacterial challenge.
TLRs (Toll-like receptors) are very important pathogen pattern recognition receptors, which control the host immune responses against pathogens through recognition of molecular patterns specific to microorganisms. In this regard, investigation of the turbot TLRs could help to understand the immune responses for pathogen recognition. Here, transcripts of two TLR5 (TLR5a and TLR5b) were captured, and their protein structures were also predicted. Meanwhile, we characterized their expression patterns with emphasis on mucosal barriers following different bacterial infection. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the turbot TLR5 genes showed the closest relationship to Paralichthys olivaceus. These two TLR5 genes were ubiquitously expressed in healthy tissues although expression levels varied among the tested tissues. In addition, the two copies of turbot TLR5 showed different expression patterns after bacterial infections. After Vibrio anguillarum infection, TLR5a was generally up-regulated in intestine and skin while down-regulated in gill, while TLR5b showed a general down-regulation in mucosal tissues. After Streptococcus iniae infection, the TLR5a was down-regulated at 2 h while generally up-regulated after 4 h in mucosal tissues. Interestingly, the TLR5b was up-regulated in intestine while down-regulated in skin and gill after Streptococcus iniae infection. These findings suggested a possible irreplaceable role of TLR5 in the immune responses to the infections of a broad range of pathogens that include Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Future studies should apply the bacteriological and immune-histochemical techniques to study the main sites on the mucosal tissue for bacteria entry and identify the ligand specificity of the turbot TLRs after challenge. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of carbon to nitrogen ratio of feed wastewater and sludge retention time on activated sludge in a submerged membrane bioreactor.
This paper investigated the effects of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the activated sludge rheology in a submerged membrane bioreactor (sMBR) operated at different sludge retention time (SRT) values and different carbon to nitrogen ratios (C/N) of feed wastewater. The C/N ratios of the feed were adjusted accordingly so that synthetic wastewaters prepared simulated municipal wastewater, non-toxic wastewater with high C/N ratio and non-toxic wastewater with low C/N ratio. A number of important operational parameters such as mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS), protein fraction of EPS (EPSp), carbohydrate fraction of EPS (EPSc), protein fraction of soluble microbial product (SMPp), carbohydrate fraction of SMP (SMPc), apparent viscosity, critical flux and hydrophobicity in mixed liquor and their correlations were investigated in the sMBR systems operated. The statistical analysis indicated that the C/N ratio of feed, SRT, MLSS and SMPc were found to have positive effects on apparent viscosity at three different shear rates. On the other hand, a negative impact was detected between the apparent viscosities and the critical fluxes. It was also observed that there is a significant positive correlation between hydrophobicity and both EPSp and SMPp. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Imiquimod in cervical, vaginal and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: a review.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is in the vast majority of patients accountable for the development of vulvar, cervical and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN, CIN, VAIN); precursors of vulvar, cervical and vaginal cancers. The currently preferred treatment modality for high grade VIN, CIN and VAIN is surgical excision. Nevertheless surgical treatment is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and recurrence is not uncommon. The aim of this review is to present evidence on the efficacy, safety and tolerability of imiquimod (an immune response modifier) in HPV-related VIN, CIN and VAIN. A search for papers on the use of imiquimod in VIN, CIN and VAIN was performed in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases. Data was extracted and reviewed. Twenty-one articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed; 16 on VIN, 3 on CIN and 2 on VAIN. Complete response rates in VIN ranged from 5 to 88%. Although minor adverse effects were frequently reported, treatment with imiquimod was well tolerated in most patients. Studies on imiquimod treatment of CIN and VAIN are limited and lack uniformly defined endpoints. The available evidence however, shows encouraging effect. Complete response rates for CIN 2-3 and VAIN 1-3 ranged from 67 to 75% and 57 to 86% respectively. More randomized controlled trials on the use of imiquimod in CIN, VAIN and VIN with extended follow-up are necessary to determine the attributive therapeutic value in these patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An analysis of the FRACGP exam.
This paper reports briefly on an analysis of data from five consecutive FRACGP examinations. Using new measurement technology, this study sought to investigate the reliability and efficiency of the exam, which has long been regarded as a valid and comprehensive assessment of competence for general practice in Australia. Results indicate that the examination achieves acceptable overall reliability, although some segments contribute more to the reliability than others. Suggestions for changes to improve reliability are made. A decision on implementing these changes must take into consideration any consequent changes in validity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Precursors of three unique cysteine-rich peptides from the scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch.
Scorpion venoms contain a large number of small peptides with diverse primary structures and unique pharmacological functions. From a cDNA library prepared from venom glands of the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensii Karsch, clones encoding precursors of three unique cysteine-rich peptides named BmTXKS3, BmTXLP2 and BmAP1 have been isolated and sequenced. These precursors are composed of 54, 94 and 89 amino acids, respectively, containing a signal peptide in their N-termini. Sequence analysis shows that BmTXKS3 and BmTXLP2 are two novel members of a scorpion toxin family sharing cysteine-stabilized alpha-helical folds. BmAP1 possesses a distinctive cystine framework, which is similar to some serine protease inhibitors and the segments of several extracellular proteins. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The Drosophila larva as a tool to study gut-associated macrophages: PI3K regulates a discrete hemocyte population at the proventriculus.
Immune cells not only patrol the body in the circulation but also importantly, associate with specific tissues, such as the intestinal epithelium. The complex interactions between immune cells and their target tissues are difficult to study and simple, genetically tractable models are lacking. Here, we present the first thorough characterization of gut-associated macrophages in Drosophila larvae. We analyze their gene expression, morphology, development and lineage and importantly, demonstrate that they are functional (phagocytic) macrophages. We test their regulation by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and show evidence that this pathway regulates the population size of gut hemocytes and their phagocytic activity, reminiscent of recent findings in mammalian colitis models. Our data suggest that PI3K signaling modifies the adhesive properties of hemocytes, a possible mechanism for gut-hemocyte regulation. These results demonstrate the potential of the Drosophila larva as a simple tool to uncover mechanisms regulating recruitment and maintenance of innate immune cells at their target tissues. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Urine Exosome Isolation and Characterization.
Exosomes are nanometer-scale, membrane-enclosed vesicles that can potentially be used to detect nephrotoxicity, and reveal the subsequent response of the kidney. Epithelial cells of every nephron segment can contribute to the urinary exosome population, which is rich in potential biomarkers, including membrane proteins such as transporters and receptors, transcription factors, and microRNAs. These exosomal biomarkers may be up- or downregulated upon nephrotoxicant exposure. Exosome isolation is an area of ongoing research. Although faster and simpler methods have been developed, ultracentrifugation remains a mainstay for purification. A single ultracentrifugation step provides an enriched preparation suitable for biomarker discovery, and a second ultracentrifugation on a sucrose/D2O cushion provides the purest exosome preparation currently available and may be preferred for bioactivity assays. The concentration of exosomes can be determined using Nanosight Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and their contents studied with a variety of approaches including western blots for proteins and RT-qPCR for microRNAs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Injection treatment of endocrine orbital myopathy.
Eight patients with endocrine orbital myopathy received botulinum toxin injection of extraocular muscles for strabismus or injections of the levator for lid retraction. Strabismus of 25 prism diopters or less, especially during early stages of eye muscle involvement, responded well to injection with realignment and, probably, with avoidance of fixed muscle shortening. Long-standing strabismus, large angles, and lid retraction responded less well. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Regulatory function for murine intraepithelial lymphocytes. Two subsets of CD3+, T cell receptor-1+ intraepithelial lymphocyte T cells abrogate oral tolerance.
The murine intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) population is enriched in T cells that express the gamma delta-TCR, however, the biologic function served by these T cells remains obscure. IEL are considered to be major effector cells in mucosal immunity, and we have investigated whether IEL subsets could reverse orally induced systemic unresponsiveness (oral tolerance; OT) and support secondary type responses when adoptively transferred to mice orally tolerized with SRBC. When purified CD3+ IEL from mice orally primed with SRBC were transferred to adoptive hosts and challenged with SRBC, splenic IgM, IgG1, IgG2b, and IgA anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell responses were observed. However, CD3+ IEL from HRBC orally primed mice did not abrogate SRBC induced OT. Further, HRBC-primed CD3+, IEL converted HRBC-specific OT but not SRBC-specific OT. CD3+ IEL could be separated into four subsets based on expression of CD4 and CD8. CD3+, CD4-, 8+ T cells were the major subset (74.5%), with smaller numbers of CD4- and CD8- (double negatives, DN) (7.8%), CD4+, 8- (7.6%) and CD4+, CD8+ (double positives) (10.1%) T cells. Interestingly, both the CD3+, CD8+, and the CD3+, DN IEL subsets abrogated OT, resulting in significant IgM, IgG1, IgG2b, and IgA anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell responses when adoptively transferred to mice with OT. However, neither CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, nor double positive T cells affected OT when studied in this system. The CD3+, CD8+ IEL subset could be further separated into Thy-1+ (16.6%) and Thy-1- (83.4%) cells; adoptive transfer of Thy-1- cells abrogated oral tolerance whereas the Thy-1+ subset was without effect. When the expression of TCR on IEL with this biologic function was determined by use of monoclonal anti-alpha beta TCR (H57.597), TCR2-, CD3+ IEL possessed immunoregulatory function whereas the alpha beta-TCR+ (TCR2+) fraction did not abrogate OT. Immunoprecipitation of membrane fractions obtained from purified CD3+, CD4-, CD8+, Thy-1- IEL with polyclonal anti-delta peptide (Tyr-Ala-Asn-Ser-Phe-Asn-Asn-Glu-Lys-Leu) antibody revealed bands of 45 and 35 kDa, corresponding to the delta- and gamma-chains, respectively. These results suggest that gamma delta-TCR+ IEL possess a regulatory function, namely the restoration of immune responses in a state of oral tolerance. Further, both CD3+, CD4-, CD8+, Thy-1-, and CD3+, DN IEL T cells exhibit this effector contrasuppressor function. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prominin-1 (CD133) Expression in the Prostate and Prostate Cancer: A Marker for Quiescent Stem Cells.
The origin and phenotype of stem cells in human prostate cancer remains a subject of much conjecture. In this scenario, CD133 has been successfully used as a stem cell marker in both normal prostate and prostate cancer. However, cancer stem cells have been identified without the use of this marker, opening up the possibility of a CD133 negative cancer stem cell. In this chapter, we review the current literature regarding prostate cancer stem cells, with specific reference to the expression of CD133 as a stem cell marker to identify and purify stem cells in normal prostate epithelium and prostate cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
HIV-positive patients: dental management considerations.
HIV infection in humans occurs primarily by mucosal infection during unprotected sexual activity or inoculation during intravenous drug use. HIV infection causes a progressive deterioration of protective cell-medicated immunity, specifically due the destruction of thymus-derived lymphocytes, called T-cell, during viral replication. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reduces HIV viral replication and improves immune function against opportunistic infections, but it does not offer a cure for disease. Dental professionals should be able to recognize those with HIV infection by identifying the oral manifestations of fungal, viral, and bacterial infections or neoplasms that occur with immunodeficiency. Dental care providers should understand the adverse effects of HAART and communicate the importance of good oral health in managing disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Intimal sarcoma of the descending aorta.
Primary intimal angiosarcoma of the aorta (i.e., mostly intraluminal sarcomas with evidence of endothelial differentiation) is extraordinarily rare. We report a case in which the diagnosis was accurately made using immunohistochemistry in an embolectomy specimen. The patient was a 78-year-old man with a two-month history of bilateral claudication. Doppler ultrasound proved an embolus in both popliteal arteries, which was removed. The highly atypical cells comprising these emboli were positive immunohistochemically for CD68, vimentin, and CD31. Magnetic resonance imaging also showed an irregular tumor (invasion to the left main bronchus). This case emphasizes the need for a wide panel of immunohistochemical studies in tumor emboli of unknown origin. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
NMR investigation on the structure and conformation of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyribosylthymine (AZT), an inhibitor of the HIV (AIDS virus).
1H and 13C NMR study of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxyribosylthymine (AZT), an inhibitor of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) replication, has been undertaken. Modified Karplus relations have been used to obtain the molecular structure from the indirect coupling constants. NMR results are consistent with an anti glycosyl angle, a sugar pucker with equilibrium between C2'-endo and C3'-endo geometries and a predominantly g+ conformation about C4'-C5' bond. These results are in variance with those obtained in the solid state by X-ray diffraction studies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Clinical quality management in rheumatoid arthritis].
Clinical quality management in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) aims at reducing inflammatory activity and pain in the short term and damage and disability in the long term. In the "Swiss Clinical Quality Management in rheumatoid arthritis" (SCQM) project, which started in 1997, a measurement-improvement system with feedback reports allows the rheumatologists to follow their RA patients with the aim of improving the quality of outcome. Inflammatory activity is measured with the Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index questionnaire (RADAI), damage with an X-ray score and disability with the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). The feedback is used by the individual rheumatologist to optimize the therapy of his/her RA patients. Beside the aim of improving the quality of treatment, the SCQM projects wants to build a Swiss cohort of RA patients, to improve the collaboration of rheumatologists in the clinic and in practice and to establish standards of treatment in RA. In this paper we describe the SCQM project in detail, we show two cases illustrating the usefulness of the SCQM in the management of individual RA patients, and we present the cross sectional analysis of the first 1223 RA patients included in the project. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
LNA-mediated anti-miR-155 silencing in low-grade B-cell lymphomas.
miR-155 acts as an oncogenic miR in B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, including Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and is therefore a potential target for therapeutic intervention. However, efficient targeting of miRs in tumor cells in vivo remains a significant challenge for the development of miR-155-based therapeutics for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. In the present study, we show that an 8-mer locked nucleic acid anti-miR-155 oligonucleotide targeting the seed region of miR-155 inhibits WM and chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, anti-miR-155 delivered systemically showed uptake in the BM CD19(+) cells of WM-engrafted mice, resulting in the up-regulation of several miR-155 target mRNAs in these cells, and decreased tumor growth significantly in vivo. We also found miR-155 levels to be elevated in stromal cells from WM patients compared with control samples. Interestingly, stromal cells from miR-155-knockout mice led to significant inhibition of WM tumor growth, indicating that miR-155 may also contribute to WM proliferation through BM microenvironmental cells. The results of the present study highlight the therapeutic potential of anti-miR-155-mediated inhibition of miR-155 in the treatment of WM. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The human E-cadherin/catenin complex: a potent invasion and tumor suppressor].
Cancer is a disease of the genome, evolving from phenotypically normal tissue to a benign non-invasive tumor, to an invasive tumor, and finally to metastasis. Tumor dissemination or metastasis in organs at a distance from the original tumor makes the disease mostly incurable. During this evolution, a number of genes, known as tumor suppressor genes, are inactivated, whereas a number of other genes, known as tumor promoter genes, are activated. Our research describes the E-cadherin/catenin complex as a potent inhibitor of cancer invasion. At least two elements of this complex, E-cadherin and (E-catenin, are encoded by a gene that meets the criteria of invasion and tumor suppressor genes. If both alleles of one of these genes disappear due to mutation or deletion, the tissue structure is no longer under control, which results in the penetration of tumor cells into other tissues. Originally, we regarded this complex merely as a physical mediator of cell-cell adhesion, a concept that would allow to explain the anti-invasive mechanism in a simple way. Later, however, the E-cadherin/catenin complex appeared to play also an important role as signal transducer. Moreover, we demonstrated inactivating mutations in the E-cadherin gene of a majority of invasive lobular breast cancers. Although this is not a general finding for all human carcinoma types, nearly all human forms of cancer accompanied with invasion show abnormalities of the E-cadherin/catenin complex. Hence, we considered it worthwhile to further study this complex and its still growing number of molecular interactions. Research focuses on genetic and posttranslational regulatory mechanisms of known and new elements of the complex, and explores the possibility of manipulation with therapeutic aims. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Diary.
Our roundup of what's on. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Combined electron capture and infrared multiphoton dissociation for multistage MS/MS in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer.
We have mounted a permanent on-axis dispenser cathode electron source inside the magnet bore of a 9.4-T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. This configuration allows electron capture dissociation (ECD) to be performed reliably on a millisecond time scale. We have also implemented an off-axis laser geometry that enables simultaneous access to ECD and infrared multiphoton dissociation (IRMPD). Optimum performance of both fragmentation techniques is maintained. The analytical utility of performing either ECD or IRMPD on a given precursor ion population is demonstrated by structural characterization of several posttranslationally modified peptides: IRMPD of phosphorylated peptides results in few backbone (b- and y-type) cleavages, and product ion spectra are dominated by neutral loss of H3PO4. In contrast, ECD provides significantly more backbone (c- and z*-type) cleavages without loss of H3PO4. For N-glycosylated tryptic peptides, IRMPD causes extensive cleavage of the glycosidic bonds, providing structural information about the glycans. ECD cleaves all backbone bonds (except the N-terminal side of proline) in a 3-kDa glycopeptide with no saccharide loss. However, only a charge-reduced radical species and some side chain losses are observed following ECD of a 5-kDa glycopeptide from the same protein. An MS3 experiment involving IR laser irradiation of the charge-reduced species formed by electron capture results in extensive dissociation into c- and z-type fragment ions. Mass-selective external ion accumulation is essential for the structural characterization of these low-abundance (modified) peptides. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ureteroscopic management of recurrent renal cystine calculi.
Patients with recurrent cystine nephrolithiasis oftentimes require multiple procedures for stone removal. As the majority of cystine stones are resistant to the effects of shockwave lithotripsy, repeat percutaneous surgery is often required and may cause renal damage. Moreover, repeat percutaneous access may become more difficult as perinephric fibrosis develops. Small-caliber ureteroscopes along with the holmium laser now enable routine intrarenal ureteroscopic access to symptomatic renal stones. Herein, we present our experience in managing recurrent renal cystine calculi using flexible ureterorenoscopy and assess whether such an approach may be used as an alternative to percutaneous surgery in selected patients. Three patients with large-volume (mean diameter 22 mm) renal cystine stones were managed with a 7.5F flexible ureterorenoscope combined with holmium laser lithotripsy to fragment the stones completely. The mean treatment time was 97 minutes, with successful fragmentation in all cases. Two of the three patients were completely stone free on follow-up intravenous urography, with the third patient having only small-volume residual fragments in a lower pole calix. All patients are currently asymptomatic and are being maintained on high oral fluid intake, urinary alkalization with potassium citrate, and alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine to reduce urinary cystine excretion. Flexible ureterorenoscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy provides a reasonable alternative for the management for recurrent cystine calculi in patients who are not candidates for repeat percutaneous procedures. Although it is time consuming, complete stone fragmentation, along with clearance of fragments, can be achieved in the majority of patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Direct oral anticoagulant monitoring: what laboratory tests are available to guide us?
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly used in the treatment and prophylaxis of thromboembolism because of several advantages over vitamin K antagonists, including no need for laboratory monitoring. However, it has become increasingly important in certain clinical scenarios to know either actual DOAC concentration (quantitative) or presence of DOAC (qualitative). These clinical conditions include patients presenting with major bleeding or requiring urgent surgery who may need a reversal or hemostatic agent, extremes of body weight, failed therapy, etc. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time are variably affected by factor Xa inhibitors (FXaIs) and direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), respectively, depending on reagents' sensitivity, and hence, they cannot be relied on confidently. Thrombin time is highly sensitive to very low amounts of DTI; thus, normal value rules out a clinically significant amount. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry accurately measures DOAC levels but is clinically impractical. Dilute thrombin time and ecarin-based assays using appropriate calibrators/controls provide an accurate DTI level. Anti-Xa assay using corresponding FXaI calibrators/controls provides accurate drug levels. However, these assays are not readily available in the United States compared with some other parts of the world. Heparin assays using anti-Xa activity often have a linear relationship with calibrated FXaI assays, especially at the lower end of on-therapy levels, and they may provide rapid assessment of drug activity for clinical decision making. Currently, there is very limited knowledge of DOAC effect on viscoelastic measurements. Although there is uniformity in expression of DOAC concentrations in nanograms per milliliter, a universal FXaI DOAC assay is urgently needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
12 week PET-CT has low positive predictive value for nodal residual disease in human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancers.
Surveillance PET-CT scans at 12 weeks post-radiotherapy for head and neck cancer can be used to omit neck dissections with no detriment in overall survival. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) driven tumours behave differently on conventional imaging after radiotherapy but it is unknown if this effect is seen on PET-CT and if HPV status affects the accuracy of PET-CT. We aimed to determine the negative and positive predictive values (NPV and PPV) of 12 week surveillance PET-CT in HPV positive and negative tumours, and investigate predictors of relapse in equivocal responders. A retrospective cohort study in a UK tertiary level oncology hospital, between 2013 and 2016 included adults with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, or HPV positive head and neck squamous cell cancers of unknown primary, treated with radiotherapy. The PPVs of 12 week PET-CT in HPV positive and negative disease are 30% and 81.8% respectively (p < 0.01). The NPVs of 12 week PET-CT in HPV positive and negative disease are 92.9% and 55.6% respectively (p < 0.01). 67% of HPV positive patients with equivocal responses on 12 week PET-CT achieved complete response by 24 weeks. Equivocal responses in HPV positive disease had statistically similar survival to patients with complete responses. Comparing disease and imaging characteristics, there were no predictors of residual tumour. HPV positive tumours have a poor PPV of 30% on 12 week surveillance PET-CTs and take longer to achieve complete response. A period of further surveillance can be considered instead of an immediate neck dissection in this group of patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Histone deacetylase inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma: A therapeutic perspective.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major contributor to the global cancer burden. Given the current limited options to treat advanced HCC, understanding the molecular basis of HCC carcinogenesis and pinpointing druggable targets will be important to identify future HCC treatments. Epigenetic modification by inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDAC) is an emerging approach with promising results in cancer treatment. In the preclinical setting, HDAC inhibitors such as valproic acid sodium, panobinostat, vorinostat, trichostatin A, sodium butyrate, belinostat and romidepsin have demonstrated antitumor efficacy via activation of classic and alternative cell death molecular cascades. Combination regimens with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, proteasome and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors have shown promise. Phase I/II clinical studies with belinostat monotherapy and the combination of resminostat with sorafenib have suggested response and survival benefits. The safety profile was favorable with manageable adverse events and a low incidence of grade 3/4 toxicity. We herein review the role and potential therapeutic impact of epigenetic regulation through histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) in the treatment of HCC. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
DU145 human prostate cancer cells express functional receptor activator of NFkappaB: new insights in the prostate cancer bone metastasis process.
Prostate cancer metastases to bone are observed in around 80% of prostate cancer patients and represent the most critical complication of advanced prostate cancer, frequently resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. As the underlying mechanisms are not fully characterized, understanding the biological mechanisms that govern prostate cancer metastases to bone at the molecular level should lead to the determination of new potential therapeutic targets. Receptor activator of NFkappaB ligand (RANKL)/RANK/Osteoprotegerin (OPG) are the key regulators of bone metabolism both in normal and pathological condition, including prostate cancer bone metastases. In the present study, we demonstrated that human prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and PC3 express biologically functional RANK. Indeed, soluble human RANKL (shRANKL, 100 ng/ml) treatment induced ERK 1/2, p38 and IkappaB phosphorylations in these cells. shRANKL administration also promoted DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer cell invasion in vitro. Whereas human OPG (hOPG) administration alone (100 ng/ml) had no marked effect, combined association of both agents abolished the RANKL-induced DU145 cell invasion. As RANKL had no direct effect on DU145 cell proliferation, the observed effects were indeed related to RANKL-induced cell migration. DU145 human prostate cancer cells promoted osteoclastogenesis of osteoclast precursors generated from mouse bone marrow. Moreover, DU145 cells produced soluble factor(s) that up-regulate the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts through the activation of the ERK 1/2 and STAT3 signal transduction pathways. This stimulation of pre-osteoblast proliferation resulted in an increased local RANKL expression that can activate both osteoclasts/osteoclast precursors and prostate cancer cells, thus facilitating prostate cancer metastasis development in bone. We confirm that RANKL is a factor that facilitates metastasis to bone by acting as an activator of both osteoclasts and RANK-positive prostate cancer cells in our model. Furthermore, the present study provides the evidence that blocking RANKL-RANK interaction offer new therapeutic approach not only at the level of bone resorbing cells, but also by interfering with RANK-positive prostate cancer cells in the prostate cancer bone metastasis development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparative study of the safety and efficacy of the Ahmed glaucoma valve model M4 (high density porous polyethylene) and the model S2 (polypropylene) in patients with neovascular glaucoma.
To prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Ahmed glaucoma valve model M4 (High density porous polyethylene plate; Medpor) compared with the model S2 (polypropylene plate). Mexican patients with neovascular glaucoma were randomly included for each group (M4 and S2). They were operated on using conventional techniques and creating a sub-episcleral tunnel to place the valve tube in the anterior chamber. After one year of follow-up, the results were evaluated with respect to a post-operative reduction in pressure, changes in visual acuity, the need for drugs, and complications, as well as the demographic characteristics of each group. Each operation using the M4 valve was performed by a single surgeon (FGC). Those operated on using the S2 model had their surgery performed by the staff surgeons at the Glaucoma Department of the Mexican Association to Prevent Blindness (APEC). Each group (M4 and S2) contained 21 eyes of 21 Mexican patients with a diagnosis of neovascular glaucoma, leading to a total of 42 patients undergoing surgery. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 43.5 (±11.8), and 42.24 (±12.84) mmHg for the M4 and S2 groups, respectively. After one year of follow-up, the IOP reported was 18.9 (±9.7) mmHg for the final 18 patients in the M4 group, and 16.38 (±9.76) mmHg for the 21 patients in the S2 group. The design of a drainage valve device such as that of Ahmed has characteristics such as moderate control of IOP, thanks to the valve component in the immediate post-operative period, which makes them safer than other non-valve devices. This avoids an excess of flat chambers and the presence of low IOPs, which can lead to bleeding in the early post-operative period due to the weak desmosomal junctions of the newly formed vessels, with the advantage of maintaining suitable control of IOP from the first day after surgery. Further studies with longer follow-up with a larger number of patients are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of this porous coating in the control of neovascular glaucoma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lower lipoteichoic and teichoic acid CSF concentrations during treatment of pneumococcal meningitis with non-bacteriolytic antibiotics than with ceftriaxone.
In the rabbit model of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, treatment with rifabutin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin led to smaller increases of the CSF concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cell wall components lipoteichoic and teichoic acids (LTA and TA) than did treatment with ceftriaxone. Low doses of moxifloxacin were associated with higher LTA and TA concentrations in CSF than were high doses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prognostic significance of serial changes in left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with congestive heart failure. The V-HeFT VA Cooperative Studies Group.
In congestive heart failure patients, a single measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) provides important prognostic information. The importance, if any, of improvement or worsening in serial LVEF has not been defined. The Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Vasodilator-Heart Failure Trials (V-HeFT) data base was analyzed to determine the prognostic importance of LVEF changes. The data bases for V-HeFT I (n = 642) and V-HeFT II (n = 804) were analyzed. All patients had heart failure with documented exercise intolerance and abnormal LVEF or cardiac dilatation by chest x-ray or echocardiography. Radionuclide LVEF was obtained at baseline, within 6 months, and at least yearly after randomization to treatment. Cumulative survival subsequent to LVEF follow-up measurements was calculated for strata defined by LVEF change from baseline. In V-HeFT I, patients treated with hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate (H-I) experienced a significant (p < 0.001) increase in LVEF and a survival advantage over those treated with placebo and prazosin. In V-HeFT II, both treatment groups showed significant improvements in LVEF, with the increase with H-I greater than that with enalapril, and enalapril provided a significant survival advantage over H-I. Change (> 5) in LVEF from baseline at 6 months (V-HeFT I) and 1 year (V-HeFT II) were the strongest predictors of mortality among the serial measurements and were significant after adjustment for therapy and baseline LVEF. Baseline clinical variables were not helpful in predicting the patients who would experience an improvement in LVEF. In patients with heart failure, serial measurements of LVEF provide additional important prognostic information. Vasodilator therapy with H-I is associated with an improvement in LVEF and prognosis. Vasodilator therapy with enalapril improves LVEF less than H-I but provides an additional survival benefit. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Application and analysis of the GFPu family of ubiquitin-proteasome system reporters.
The relevance of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) to disease and fundamental cellular processes has generated a demand for methods to monitor the activity of this system in living cells and organisms. Here we describe the GFP(u) family of UPS reporters. These reporters are constitutively degraded, ubiquitin-dependent proteasome substrates that can be used to monitor UPS function in the living cell. The GFP(u) reporter family consists of three variants that can report on global, nuclear, and cytoplasmic UPS function. This article focuses on the properties and design of these reporters and highlights appropriate techniques and applications for their use. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preprocedural imaging in patients with transposition of the great arteries facilitates placement of cardiac resynchronization therapy leads.
The purpose of this study is to review a series of patients with complex congenital heart disease in whom preprocedural imaging was used to assist placement of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) leads. CRT may be beneficial in patients with a failing systemic ventricle and transposition of the great arteries (TGA). However, complex coronary venous anatomy can be challenging for placement of CRT leads. Between October 2006 and June 2012, seven patients with either dextro-TGA (d-TGA) or levo-TGA (l-TGA) underwent preprocedural imaging prior to placement of CRT leads (three, d-TGA and four, l-TGA). Three patients underwent cardiac computed tomography (CT) and four underwent coronary angiography, which included levophase imaging of the coronary sinus (CS) or direct contrast injection of the CS. Where CS anatomy was appropriate with drainage into the systemic venous circulation, a transvenous approach was planned. In all other cases, the patient was referred for surgical placement of epicardial leads. Seven patients were identified with either d-TGA or l-TGA who had undergone preprocedural imaging prior to placement of CRT leads (three, d-TGA and four, l-TGA). Three patients underwent cardiac CT and four underwent coronary angiography, which included levophase imaging of the CS or direct contrast injection of the CS. All seven patients had successful CRT lead placement guided by preprocedure imaging. Three patients required surgical placement whereas four were able to undergo transvenous placement. There were no complications. The majority of patients (four of seven) had improvement in New York Heart Association class as well as subjective improvement in exercise tolerance and energy. The majority of patients also had subjective improvement in systemic right ventricular function by echocardiogram and objective improvement in fractional area change of the right ventricle. The follow-up period ranged from 13 months to 55 months with a mean follow-up of 39 months. Placement of biventricular leads for CRT in patients with l-TGA or d-TGA is feasible. Preprocedural imaging of the CS allows for better assessment of its anatomy and helps determine procedural approach for CRT placement, thereby limiting unnecessary procedures. In the majority of patients, there was subjective improvement in functional status and right ventricular function; in addition, there was objective improvement in echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function after CRT placement. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Trigonal Pyramidal {AsO2(OH)} Bridging Tetranuclear Rare-Earth Encapsulated Polyoxotungstate Aggregates.
The one-pot assembly reaction of Na2WO4·2H2O, RE(NO3)3·6H2O, and NaAsO2 in the participation of dimethylamine hydrochloride as an organic solubilizing agent in the acidic aqueous solution led to a class of trigonal pyramidal {AsO2(OH)} bridging rare-earth substituted arsenotungstate (AT) aggregates [H2N(CH3)2]8Na8{[W3RE2(H2O)8AsO8(OH)][B-α-AsW9O33]2}2·65H2O [RE = Eu(III) (1), Gd(III) (2), Tb(III) (3), Dy(III) (4), Ho(III) (5), Y(III) (6)], which were structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. The common structural feature of 1-6 is that their polyoxoanions consist of a novel tetrameric unit [(W3RE2(H2O)8AsO8(OH))(B-α-AsW9O33)2]2(16-) constituted by four trivacant Keggin [α-AsW9O33](9-) fragments linked through an unseen elliptical [W6RE4(H2O)16As2O16(OH)2](20+) moiety. Their polyoxoanionic infrastructures can also be described as a fusion of two equivalent dimeric subunits [(W3RE2(H2O)8O7)(B-α-AsW9O33)2](8-) bridged via two μ2-{AsO2(OH)} linkers. To the best of our knowledge, such a linking mode with trigonal pyramidal {AsO2(OH)} groups as linkers connecting adjacent RE containing polyoxometalate moieties together is very rare. The thermal stability of 1-6 was also investigated on the crystalline samples, and the thermal decomposition processes of 1, 4, and 6 were comparatively deeply studied. The fluorescent properties and decay times of 1, 3, and 4 were measured, and they exhibit the characteristic emissions of RE centers. The lifetimes of 1 and 3 mainly originate from the contribution of RE ions whereas the overall lifetime of 4 is contributed by the synergistic interactions of AT fragments and Dy(3+) ions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A pilot study on the effect of progressive muscle relaxation training of patients after stoma surgery.
Eighteen patients who had undergone stoma surgery were assessed with respect to their anxiety level and self-reported quality of life (QoL) on three occasions; namely, immediately after surgery, 5 weeks after surgery, and 10 weeks after surgery. The patients were randomised into a control group (n = 10) and an experimental group (n = 8). A 20-min set of audiotaped instructions on progressive muscle relaxation training (PMRT) was given to the patients in the experimental group for home practice. Assessment instructions included the Chinese State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (C-STAI), the Quality of Life Index for Colostomy (QoL-Colostomy) and the Hong Kong Chinese version of the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale (WHOQoL). Results indicated that there was a significant decrease in both the C-STAI score (F = 4.66, P < 0.05) and the WHOQoL score (F = 4.74, P < 0.05) in the experimental group. Among the domains of WHOQoL, a significant difference was shown in physical health/independence and general perception of QoL, with the experimental group demonstrating better functioning. For the QoL-Colostomy, however, there was no significant difference between the control and experimental groups. The results suggest that the use of PMRT could enhance quality of life and decrease state anxiety in patients after stoma surgery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Growth stress triggers riboflavin overproduction in Ashbya gossypii.
The filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii is used for riboflavin biosynthesis on an industrial scale, but even the wild type displays overproduction. Because riboflavin overproduction was known to start at the transition between growth and stationary phase, it was suspected that overproduction was induced at low growth rates. However, chemostatic cultivations performed at different growth rates did not result in any detectable riboflavin formation. In this study, we report that it was not the final growth rate that triggered riboflavin overproduction but a decline in growth rate. Therefore, continuous fermenter cultivations with dilution rate shifts were performed. Peaks of riboflavin overproduction were observed in the wild type and in a RIB3placZ reporter strain after downshifts in dilution rate. Accumulation of riboflavin correlated with an increased expression of lacZ reporter activity. The step size of the downshifts corresponded to the peak size of riboflavin formation and reporter activity. Expression of further RIB genes encoding riboflavin biosynthetic enzymes was analyzed by RT-PCR. RIB mRNA levels of the ribulose-5-phosphate branch of the divided riboflavin biosynthesis pathway (RIB3, RIB4, and RIB5) were found to increase in the riboflavin production phase, whereas the RIB2 and RIB7 mRNA levels belonging to the GTP branch remained constant. We propose that a decline in growth rate triggers the increased expression of RIB3, RIB4, and RIB5 resulting in riboflavin overproduction. Because although a reduction in oxygen supply, temperature increase or decrease, or salt stress did affect growth, but neither did lead to riboflavin overproduction nor did induce RIB3 reporter expression, we conclude that declining nutrition must be the stress stimulus. Because about half of the cells in the hyphae of Ashbya gossypii did not accumulate riboflavin, the regulatory response on the cellular level can be estimated to be at least twice as great in comparison to what we detected as overall signals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A nonocclusive cannula for sampling venous blood from the interscapular brown fat of conscious rats.
Lack of an adequate method for sampling venous blood from the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of conscious animals has impeded study of the in vivo metabolism of this tissue during physiological activation of its thermogenic function. This paper describes a technique for cannulating the main vein (Sulzer's) of the interscapular BAT (IBAT) of rats in a manner that does not impair blood flow and allows multiple venous sampling over several hours in conscious animals. The technique was tested over the widest possible range of IBAT blood flows by applying it to measurements of IBAT arteriovenous O2 differences in barbital-anesthetized, cold-acclimated rats infused with vehicle or with various doses of noradrenaline. Comparison was made with controls in which samples of IBAT venous blood were obtained by cutting Sulzer's vein. Blood flow was measured by the microsphere method. These tests showed that the presence of the special cannula in Sulzer's vein had no significant effect on the blood flow, arteriovenous O2 difference, or O2 consumption of the IBAT at any level of noradrenaline-induced thermogenesis. The new technique will permit examination of the functioning of BAT in nonshivering thermogenesis and diet-induced thermogenesis under much more physiological conditions than hitherto possible. It should also significantly reduce the number of animals required for such studies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Doctors and the benefits and dangers of social networks].
Social networks have many different uses. Most young people use them for experimentation and innovation. Social networks help young people get familiar with the digital world, and develop themselves in interrelation with their peers. But social networks can also be used to avoid relationships in the real world, or to practice different forms of harassment. A specific danger lies in forgetting that a great number of people can have access to personal information posted online. Doctors should be particularly aware of this issue. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Restless legs syndrome in Korean patients with drug-naïve Parkinson's disease: a nation-wide study.
Restless legs syndrome is a common neurologic disorder, and there is increasing evidence for a dopaminergic link between Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome. However, most previous studies did not take into account the effects of dopaminergic medication. We conducted a nation-wide, cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of restless legs syndrome in Korean drug-naïve Parkinson's disease patients. One hundred and fifty-one drug-naïve patients with Parkinson's disease were enrolled from 18 centers in South Korea over the course of one year. Clinical profiles of parkinsonism, restless legs syndrome, psychiatric symptoms, and laboratory data were collected. The findings of subjects with and without restless legs syndrome were compared. The prevalence of restless legs syndrome in drug-naïve patients with Parkinson's disease was 16.5%. Subjects with restless legs syndrome had a higher mean Hoehn and Yahr stage and more severe limb parkinsonism, especially tremor. There was, however, no difference in iron metabolism between patients with and without restless legs syndrome. Analysis demonstrated that Beck's depression inventory score was associated with the severity of restless legs syndrome. Our study demonstrated an increased prevalence of restless leg syndrome in drug-naïve patients with Parkinson's disease than in the general population. Based on the association between parkinsonism and restless legs syndrome, and the unique characteristics of restless legs syndrome in patients with Parkinson's disease, we suggest that the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome in Parkinson's disease differs from that in patients without Parkinson's disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Efficient oligodeoxyribonucleotide-directed deletion mutagenesis using pEMBL vectors: removal of early region introns from polyoma virus mutants.
We have used oligodeoxyribonucleotide-directed deletion mutagenesis to remove early region introns from polyoma virus mutants. To this end we compared single priming, double priming, and gapped duplex approaches using either priming at 37 degrees C or at the critical temperature. The gapped duplex approach, coupled with priming at the critical temperature, resulted in up to 70% yield of the desired product. In conjunction with the use of the pEMBL vector system this method was simplified to yield specific deletions from cloned large DNA fragments with high efficiency. The resulting mutant plasmids could be used directly for biological assays without retransformation or recloning. RNA and protein analyses showed that removal of the large T- or middle T-antigen introns from polyoma early region mutants dl23 and dl8 was specific and resulted in DNA competent for the synthesis of only one T antigen. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Spontaneous gangrenous myositis induced by Streptococcus pyogenes: case report and review of the literature.
A 54-year-old man presented with gangrenous myositis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. A review of the literature disclosed 10 similar cases. Their presenting manifestations were spontaneously occurring, localized, excruciating pain; mottling suggestive of ischemic changes; and signs of sepsis. The duration of illness ranged from two to six days, and the outcome was uniformly fatal. This rare but distinct entity resembles clostridial myonecrosis except that it lasts slightly longer and does not involve gaseous crepitus. A definitive diagnosis of myonecrosi scan be established by surgical exploration; early, radical debridement plus penicillin therapy should be undertaken after diagnosis in an attempt to alter the usual devastating outcome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Noninvasive estimation of blood alcohol concentrations by eye vapor analysis using an electrochemical fuel cell detector.
A widely used breath analysis instrument was adapted for the noninvasive determination of blood alcohol in small animals. The instrument's response to ethanol in vapor above the lacrimal fluid was analyzed subsequent to taking vapor samples from a small eye cup for 15 sec. After ethanol administration (1.5 g/kg, orally) to rats, eye vapor measurements and venous blood samples were obtained over 5 hr. Eye vapor measurements were transposed into blood alcohol concentrations and compared with concentrations obtained by gas chromatographic analysis of blood. The correlation of concentrations obtained by the two methods yielded correlation coefficients of 0.93 and 0.95 depending on the calculation used. Eye vapor response and blood alcohol concentration were also found to be highly correlated (r = 0.96) after alcohol administration to mice and sampling for 2.5 hr after ethanol administration. Kinetic profiles obtained by eye vapor analysis and gas chromatography are virtually identical. The method described allows widespread use of a new, noninvasive approach to alcohol analysis in laboratory animals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Surfactant for pulmonary haemorrhage in neonates.
In the 1960s and 1970s, pulmonary haemorrhage (PH) occurred mainly in full-term infants with pre-existing illness with an incidence of 1.3 per 1000 live births. Risk factors for PH included severity of illness, intrauterine growth restriction, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), coagulopathy and the need for assisted ventilation. Presently, PH occurs in 3% to 5% of preterm ventilated infants with severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who often have a PDA and have received surfactant. The cause of PH is thought to be due to rapid lowering of intrapulmonary pressure, which facilitates left to right shunting across a PDA and an increase in pulmonary blood flow. Retrospective case reports and one prospective uncontrolled study have shown promising results for surfactant in treating PH. To evaluate the effect of surfactant treatment compared to placebo or no intervention on mortality and morbidities in neonates with PH. For this update The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2012; MEDLINE; EMBASE; CINAHL; Clinicaltrials.gov; Controlled-trials.com; proceedings (2000 to 2011) of the Annual Meetings of the Pediatric Academic Societies (Abstracts2View) and Web of Science were searched on 8 February 2012. Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials that evaluated the effect of surfactant in the treatment of PH in intubated term or preterm (< 37 weeks) neonates with PH. Infants were included up to 44 weeks' postmenstrual age. The interventions studied were intratracheal instillation of surfactant (natural or synthetic, regardless of dose) versus placebo or no intervention. If studies were identified by the literature search, the planned analyses included risk ratio, risk difference, number needed to treat to benefit or to harm for dichotomous outcomes, and mean difference for continuous outcomes, with their 95% confidence intervals. A fixed-effect model would be used for meta-analyses. The risk of bias for included trials would be assessed. Heterogeneity tests, including the I(2) statistic, would be performed to assess the appropriateness of pooling the data and the results would be reported. No trials were identified. No randomised or quasi-randomised trials that evaluated the effect of surfactant in PH were identified. Therefore, no conclusions from such trials can be drawn. In view of the promising results from studies with less strict study designs than a randomised controlled trial, there is reason to conduct further trials of surfactant for the treatment of PH in neonates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Medical handling of the tubal pregnancy: results].
We report the outcome of the treatment with intratubal methotrexate (25 mg) administered via laparoscopy in 8 patients with ectopic pregnancy who where treated according to a preestablished protocol. A successful treatment was achieved in 6 patients (75%). Hysterosalpingography was performed in 5 of the patients, and in 4 of them we found bilateral tubal patency. Currently 3 patients have a normal intrauterine pregnancy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endometrial effect of vaginal estriol treatment. A scanning electron microscopic study of the luminal surface.
Estriol, 0.5 mg, was administered intravaginally as ovula once a day for 16 days to 5 menopausal women. Endometrial biopsies were taken before and after the last day of treatment. Before the treatment scanning electron microscopy showed a typical menopausal uterine surface with sparsely occurring ciliated cells among the non-ciliated ones. The non-ciliated cells possessed a small number of short microvilli. After estriol treatment the ciliated cells occurred more frequently. The cells possessed more numerous and longer microvilli and several non-ciliated cells showed apical protrusions. These changes are considered to be signs of an estrogenic influence. It is concluded that the estriol release from the vaginal ovula is sufficient to induce an estrogenic response in the surface of the uterine epithelium. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pathological role of angiostatin in heart failure: an endogenous inhibitor of mesenchymal stem-cell activation.
Recently, a clinical trial was initiated to evaluate the efficacy of transendocardial transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for the treatment of heart failure (HF). Because some HF patient-derived sera did not induce proliferation of autologous MSC, the present study aimed to elucidate humoral factors in sera that attenuate MSC activation and to investigate the role of these humoral factors in the pathogenesis of HF. Inhibitory effects present in serum were analysed by culturing human MSC with sera from 10 HF patients (FS <25%, BNP >100 pg/ml) and four healthy control subjects. Among the patients, two sera from HF patients showed significant inhibitory activity on MSC proliferation. Protein array and ELISA analysis revealed that these sera contained high levels of angiostatin as well as the active form of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, which generates angiostatin. Angiostatin significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of cultured human MSC and increased their apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In a rat HF model, serum levels of angiostatin and MMPs increased, but treatment with an MMP inhibitor suppressed these increases. The results suggest that angiostatin, which can attenuate the activity of MSC, might play a role in the progression of HF. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Duplex ultrasonography in portal vein thrombosis.
Duplex ultrasonography (US) was performed in 23 patients with portal vein thrombosis. In 7 children and 16 adults, duplex US demonstrated intraluminal thrombi (4 cases), thrombus and periportal collaterals (2 cases), and cavernomatous transformation of the portal vein (17 cases). Real-time US is a suitable means of demonstrating the anatomy of the portal venous system; pulsed Doppler provided information on the patency and direction of portal flow. In a few cases, Doppler color flow imaging was used, which was helpful in the examination of branches of the portal vein and the superior mesenteric and splenic veins. Portal duplex US is suggested in selected groups of patients before surgery to demonstrate the presence or absence of portal vein thrombosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Innovative approach to computer-guided surgery and fixed provisionalization assisted by screw-retained transitional implants.
The objectives of this case series are to describe a novel clinical approach to treat completely edentulous patients and determine its viability. Computer-guided implant planning was used to create a screw-retained surgical template (ST) supported by transitional implants and a fixed screw-retained provisional prosthesis supported by the transitional implants at the time of definitive implant placement. Five patients with at least one edentulous arch were treated. After the diagnostic tooth setup was performed, a duplicate with radiopaque acrylic resin was fabricated to serve as a surgical template (ST) for the placement of screw-form transitional implants and a radiographic guide (RG). Four transitional implants were strategically placed through the guide where they would not interfere with the future definitive implants. The transitional implants were used to support the RG during computed tomographic scanning. Subsequently, the RG was converted into a second ST based on three-dimensional virtual planning. Eight implants were placed by the computer-guided system, and an immediate prefabricated fixed provisional was connected to the transitional implants. All the implants included in the study achieved primary stability and osseointegrated successfully. For 4 months, the transitional implants served successfully as abutments for the provisional prosthesis. This innovative clinical approach overcomes the limitations of a mucosa/bone-supported ST by offering fixed, reproducible support for the RG and ST by means of transitional implants. The delivery of a prefabricated screw-retained provisional on transitional implants allows for passive healing and minimum chairside adjustments. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Production of Shiga toxin by Shiga toxin-expressing Escherichia coli (STEC) in broth media: from divergence to definition.
To determine the suitability of eight different commercial broth media for Shiga toxin (Stx) production. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains producing Stx1 or Stx2 were grown at 37 degrees C (250 rev min(-1)) for 24 h in brain heart infusion broth, E. coli broth, Evans medium, Luria-Bertani broth, Penassay broth, buffered-peptone water, syncase broth and trypticase soy broth. Toxin production was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in polymyxin-treated cell pellets and/or supernatants of cultures, ELISA optical densities reached 1 when isolates were grown for 2-4 h in E. coli broth in the presence of antibiotic. Besides, a collection of STEC-expressing Stx strains was evaluated and the Stx production was assayed in the supernatants and in polymyxin-treated pellets of bacterial growth after 4 h of cultivation in E. coli broth in the presence of antibiotic. The most suitable medium for Stx production was E. coli broth when the bacterial isolates were grown for 4 h in the presence of ciprofloxacin and the Stx production is detected in the supernatant. This study presents the first comprehensive comparison of different broth media with regard to Stx production to establish optimal culture conditions for STEC detection in routine diagnostic laboratories. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma coexisting with papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland.
Metastatic leiomyosarcoma to the thyroid gland has rarely been described. We report a 54-year-old postmenopausal woman with uterine leiomyosarcoma, who presented with a single "cold" nodule in the right thyroid lobe 3 months after hysterectomy. The lesion was identified as a papillary thyroid carcinoma. In a separate area of the thyroid, a 1.2-mm area of a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm with morphologic and immunohistochemical features of leiomyosarcoma existed. Seven months after thyroidectomy the patient developed micronodular lung disease visible on successive chest computed tomography scans, consistent with metastatic disease from the primary uterine leiomyosarcoma that showed very good and prolonged response to chemotherapy. The thyroid papillary carcinoma was likely the recipient of an early and possibly the first metastasis of the patient's uterine leiomyosarcoma. This is the first report of metastatic leiomyosarcoma coexisting with a primary thyroid carcinoma and supports the possibility of a common pathway connecting thyroid gland neoplasms and sarcomas. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Protein kinases selectively modulate apoptosis in the developing retina in vitro.
In the retina of newborn rats there is evidence for two mechanisms of programmed cell death. Apoptosis of ganglion cells (RGCs) following axotomy depends on protein synthesis. In contrast, inhibition of protein synthesis leads to apoptosis in the neuroblastic layer (NBL). The induction of apoptosis following translational arrest suggests that post-translational modifications of apoptosis-associated proteins may be crucial to the cell death programs in the developing retina. We investigated the possible role of protein kinases upon apoptosis in retinal explants in vitro. An increase in the intracellular concentration of cAMP produced either by the adenylyl-cyclase activator forskolin (10 microM) or by 8-Br-cAMP (1 mM), prevented apoptosis induced in the NBL by inhibition of protein synthesis, but had no statistically significant effect upon RGC death. In contrast, neither 8-Br-cGMP (1 mM) nor the specific cGMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast (10-100 microM) had significant effects on apoptosis in the retina. The cAMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitors isobutylmethylxantine (IBMX, 0.1-1 mM) and Ro-201724 (50-200 microM) also prevented apoptosis in the NBL. The isoquinolinesulfonamide H89 (20 microM), a specific cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, partially reverted the protective effect of either forskolin or IBMX within the NBL. Neither 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 10 nM) nor bisindolylmaleimide (0.2-0.5 microM), respectively an activator and an inhibitor of protein kinase C had significant effects upon the retinal explants. The protein kinase inhibitor 2-aminopurine (2-AP, 10 mM) prevented apoptosis of axotomized ganglion cells and induced apoptosis in the NBL. Forskolin prevented the apoptosis induced by 2-AP in the NBL, whereas TPA had no effect. The effects of 2-AP were, however, not dependent on inhibition of protein synthesis. The data indicate that modulation of the activity of both cAMP-dependent protein kinase and several protein kinases sensitive to 2-aminopurine selectively affect apoptosis in distinct cell layers of the developing retina. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Application of three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships of P-glycoprotein inhibitors and substrates.
Using in vitro data, we previously built Catalyst 3-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models that qualitatively rank and predict IC(50) values for P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors. These models were derived and tested with data for inhibition of digoxin transport, calcein accumulation, vinblastine accumulation, and vinblastine binding. In the present study, 16 inhibitors of verapamil binding to P-gp were predicted using these models. These inhibition results were then used to generate a new pharmacophore that consisted of one hydrogen bond acceptor, one ring aromatic feature, and two hydrophobes. This model predicted the rank order of the four data sets described previously and correctly ranked the inhibitory potency of a further four verapamil metabolites identified in the literature. The degree of similarity in rank ordering prediction by these inhibitor pharmacophore models generated to date confirms a likely overlap in the sites to which the three P-gp substrates used in these studies (verapamil, vinblastine, and digoxin) bind. Alignment of the three substrate probes indicated that they are likely to bind the same or overlapping sites within P-gp. Important features on these substrates include multiple hydrophobic and hydrogen bond acceptor features, which are widely dispersed and in agreement among most of the five inhibitor pharmacophores we have described so far. These 3D-QSAR models will be useful for future prediction of likely substrates and inhibitors of P-gp. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[A case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the elbow joint with bone invasion].
Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a benign proliferative disorder of the joint and of the tendon sheath synovium. It has a predilection for the lower extremities, particularly the knee and the hip. The elbow joint is rarely affected. A 56-year-old woman had complaints of pain and swelling in the left elbow for three years. She had no history of trauma. On physical examination, she had swelling of the left elbow, varus deformity, and flexion contracture of 20 degrees. Active and passive joint movements were painful. Magnetic resonance imaging showed synovial thickening and signal changes. An incisional biopsy yielded a diagnosis of pigmented villonodular synovitis. She underwent subtotal synovectomy and excision of the radius head. No evidence of clinical or radiologic recurrence was detected within a follow-up of 16 months. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Time-related responses of spontaneously breathing, laterally recumbent horses to prolonged anesthesia with halothane.
Cardiovascular and respiratory functions were serially evaluated in ten healthy, fasting, spontaneously breathing, laterally recumbent adult horses during five hours of constant 1.06% alveolar halothane (equivalent to 1.2 times the minimum alveolar concentration for horses). Mean carotid arterial pressure was about 25% higher after one hour of constant-dose halothane than after 30 minutes of constant-dose (P less than 0.05), and remained increased throughout the study. Mean carotid arterial pressure peaked after 90 minutes, and was about 30% higher than at 30 minutes. Total peripheral vascular resistance initially increased (20% at one hour), then gradually returned to the 0.5-hour value over the next four hours. Cardiac output progressively increased with time (P less than 0.05; 20% by two hours; nearly 40% by five hours) because of an increase in stroke volume. An increase (P less than 0.05) in mixed venous PO2 accompanied the increase in cardiac output. Heart rate did not change significantly (P greater than 0.05). Some measures of ventilation changed significantly with time (P less than 0.05). After four and five hours of constant alveolar halothane, the PaCO2, inspired gas flow, and ratio of inspired vs expired gas flow were significantly higher than the 0.5-hour values. Inspiratory time significantly decreased, beginning at three hours. All horses recovered from anesthesia and recumbency without complications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Obesity-sleep apnea (Pickwickian) syndrome: autopsy findings and a medicolegal review.
A 24-year-old obese woman was found dead in her boyfriend's apartment in his absence. She had been admitted to the hospital six times previously because of diminished consciousness, respiratory failure, and pneumonia. A diagnosis of obesity-sleep apnea (Pickwickian) syndrome was made. An autopsy showed that she had an extremely small larynx, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, edema, pulmonary lymphocyte infiltration, and severe focal myocardial fibrosis. No fresh myocardial lesion, coronary arterial lesion, or findings of heart failure were seen. The woman's elder sister had also died of the same disease at the age of 23. The cause of death was diagnosed as respiratory failure and pneumonia with the sleep-apnea syndrome as the underlying cause of death. Although no autopsy reports of the sleep-apnea syndrome have been published in the field of forensic pathology, this syndrome is a predominant cause of sudden death in obese persons and could be a hidden cause of accidental death in such persons. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Social wasps as models to study the major evolutionary transition to superorganismality.
The major evolutionary transition to superorganismality has taken place several times in the insects. Although there has been much consideration of the ultimate evolutionary explanations for superorganismality, we know relatively little about what proximate mechanisms constrain or promote this major transition. Here, we propose that Vespid wasps represent an understudied, but potentially very useful, model system for studying the mechanisms underpinning superorganismality. We highlight how there is an abundance of behavioural data for many wasp species, confirming their utility in studies of social evolution; however, there is a sparsity of genomic data from which we can test proximate and ultimate hypotheses on this major evolutionary transition. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Is recurrent Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease a precursor to systemic lupus erythematosus?
Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign, self-limiting disease characterized by cervical lymphadenopathy and fever. Since KFD was first reported in 1972, the validity of this clinical entity has been controversial and its aetiology remains unknown. Herein, we report a case of a patient with KFD, which was believed to be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Virulence-associated genes in Escherichia coli isolates from poultry with colibacillosis.
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli, the causative agent of colibacillosis, harbors several putative virulence genes. In this study we examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the presence of 16 of those genes in 200 colibacillosis isolates from our region. The seven virulence genes iutA, iss, cvaC, tsh, papC, papG and felA were detected significantly more often amongst colibacillosis isolates than in fecal isolates from healthy birds, thereby confirming their worldwide occurrence and possible pathogenic role in colibacillosis. However, several of those genes were not detected in many colibacillosis isolates, and none of them were detected in 27.5% of those isolates, which suggests that variants of those genes and yet undetected virulence factors should be searched for. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Paralytic and incomitant strabismus.
During the past year, there have been interesting reports on the association of head tilt, facial asymmetry, and congenital superior oblique palsy. The etiology of sixth nerve palsy and its outcome in adults and children have been studied in two large series, and an orbital surgical approach has been reported to be valuable in cases of Brown's syndrome and superior oblique overaction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A Novel Riemannian Metric Based on Riemannian Structure and Scaling Information for Fixed Low-Rank Matrix Completion.
Riemannian optimization has been widely used to deal with the fixed low-rank matrix completion problem, and Riemannian metric is a crucial factor of obtaining the search direction in Riemannian optimization. This paper proposes a new Riemannian metric via simultaneously considering the Riemannian geometry structure and the scaling information, which is smoothly varying and invariant along the equivalence class. The proposed metric can make a tradeoff between the Riemannian geometry structure and the scaling information effectively. Essentially, it can be viewed as a generalization of some existing metrics. Based on the proposed Riemanian metric, we also design a Riemannian nonlinear conjugate gradient algorithm, which can efficiently solve the fixed low-rank matrix completion problem. By experimenting on the fixed low-rank matrix completion, collaborative filtering, and image and video recovery, it illustrates that the proposed method is superior to the state-of-the-art methods on the convergence efficiency and the numerical performance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preparation of rapidly disintegrating tablets containing itraconazole solid dispersions.
The disintegratability of tablets prepared from two types of solid dispersions containing the water-soluble polymer TC-5 and the enteric polymer HP-55 as an excipient were compared. The disintegratability was better in the tablets of solid dispersions containing non-water-soluble HP-55 than those containing TC-5. In consideration of the dissolubility of solid dispersions containing HP-55, the mean diameter of the solid dispersion (coating powder) must be controlled to 120 microm or less, but as this markedly increases the adhesion/aggregation tendency of the particles (angle of repose: 47 degrees ), control of the adhesion/aggregation tendency emerged as another problem. Therefore, surface-modification was performed in a high-speed agitating granulator using 0.1% light anhydrous silicic acid as a surface modifier, and marked improvement in the flowability was observed. This made continuous tableting using a rotary tablet machine possible even with the poorly flowable solid dispersions. Also, in tableting of the solid dispersions, no recrystallization of amorphous itraconazole by the tableting pressure was observed, and the tablets maintained satisfactory dissolubility. Moreover, it was possible to obtain the rapidly disintegrating tablets with very satisfactory properties, i.e., a tablet hardness of 30 N or higher and a disintegration time of 30 s or less, by the addition of croscarmellose as a disintegrant at 2% to the surface-modified solid dispersion and selection of the tableting pressure at 4.5 kN. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endovascular trapping of giant serpentine aneurysms by using Guglielmi detachable coils: successful reduction of mass effect. Report of two cases.
Giant serpentine aneurysms (GSAs) are defined as partially thrombosed giant aneurysms with persistent serpentine vascular channels. Surgical management of these rare lesions is difficult because of their large size, complex structure, and unique hemodynamics. The authors report two cases of patients harboring GSAs with mass effect, which were managed effectively with endovascular treatment. The first patient was a 48-year-old man who presented with left homonymous hemianopsia caused by a GSA involving the terminal portion of the right internal carotid artery. The second patient, a 10-year-old boy, presented with tetraparesis from compression of the cervicomedullary junction by a GSA of the right vertebral artery. In each case, after confirming collateral flow by temporarily occluding the proximal artery, the aneurysm was trapped by placement of Guglielmi detachable coils at the sites at which the serpentine channels entered and exited the aneurysm. The midportion of each channel was isolated completely without packing, to maximize resorption of the devascularized mass. Mass effect and clinical symptoms rapidly improved in both cases, with no associated morbidity. We recommend endovascular trapping as a safe and effective therapeutic option for GSAs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Seedling Stage Resistance of Iranian Bread Wheat Germplasm to Race Ug99 of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici.
Following emergence of Ug99, the new virulent race of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in Africa, a global effort for identification and utilization of new sources of Ug99-resistant germplasm has been undertaken. In this study, we conducted replicated experiments to evaluate the resistance of Iranian wheat germplasm to the TTKSK lineage of the Ug99 race of P. graminis f. sp. tritici. We also evaluated for presence of stem rust resistance genes (i.e., Sr2, Sr24, Sr26, Sr38, Sr39, Sr31, and Sr1RSAmigo) in wheat cultivars and breeding lines widely cultivated in Iran. Our phenotyping data revealed high levels of susceptibility to Ug99 in Iranian bread wheat germplasm. Our genotyping data revealed that Iranian cultivars do not carry Sr24, Sr26, or Sr1RSAmigo. Only a few salt-tolerant cultivars and breeding lines tested positively for Sr2, Sr31, Sr38, or Sr39 markers. In conclusion, the genetic basis for resistance to Ug99 in Iranian wheat cultivars was found to be vulnerable. Acquiring knowledge about existing resistance genes and haplotypes in wheat cultivars and breeding lines will help breeders, cereal pathologists, and policy makers to select and pyramid effective stem rust resistance genes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Accidental Peno-Scrotal Degloving Injuries in a Child. A Case Report and Literature Review.
Injury to male external genitalia is very rare because of some intrinsic factors like location, strong investing tunica albuginea and cremasteric muscles. However, when it occurs it is considered a urological emergency. Child labour with poor understanding of risks and safety precautions, especially under harsh supervision, surely poses major challenges. This case illustrates degloving injury of the penis and avulsion of the scrotum in a young boy while operating a roller type machine used in palm trees plantation. The penis was primarily regloved and avulsed skin primarily repaired. A good cosmetic outcome was observed from this treatment. This case also illustrates the importance of early presentation and emergency intervention in this condition. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Weekly chemotherapy with carboplatin, docetaxel and irinotecan in advanced non-small-cell-lung cancer: a phase II study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of carboplatin, docetaxel plus irinotecan given weekly to patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 50 patients with previously untreated NSCLC (stage IIIB 10; stage IV 40; 44% squamous cell carcinoma; median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status 1) received intravenous (i.v.) carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 2, docetaxel 20 mg/m(2) and irinotecan 60 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8 and 15, repeated every 5 weeks. Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) 150 ug/m(2) was given from days 3 to 6 and 10 to 13. Response was evaluated every two cycles. Four complete responses (8%) and 24 (48%) partial responses were observed, giving an overall intent-to-treat response rate of 56%. 8 patients (16%) achieved stable disease and 14 (28%) progressed. The median time to progression (TTP) was 9.6 months (range 2.5-21.8 months), median survival was 14.8 months (range 0.3-27+ months) and actuarial 1-year survival time was 55%. Grade 3/4 anaemia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 18 and 22% of patients, respectively; 13 patients (26%) developed grade 3/4 neutropenia and 7 (14%) had neutropenic fever that required hospitalisation, but was successfully treated with antibiotics and G-CSF support. One patient developed a severe allergy during docetaxel administration and was withdrawn. Other grade 3/4 adverse events included diarrhoea (n=14; 3 required hospitalisation), nausea/vomiting (n=9), neurotoxicity (n=5) and fatigue (n=5). 6 patients required a dose reduction. This combination of i.v. carboplatin AUC 2, docetaxel 20 mg/m(2) and irinotecan 60 mg/m(2) given weekly is highly effective in the treatment of chemotherapy-naïve advanced NSCLC. Toxicity was moderate, but manageable. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Is fat restriction needed with HMGCoA reductase inhibitor treatment?
Fourteen women and five men participated in a 20-week controlled, cross-over trial of the interaction of simvastatin, an HMGCoA reductase inhibitor, with high and low fat diets. Simvastatin was found to be just as effective at lowering LDL cholesterol whether the subjects were on a 22% fat diet or a 38% fat diet (25% and 29% falls, respectively). Nevertheless, the lowest cholesterol levels were achieved by combining simvastatin with a low fat diet, the latter adding a further 5% reduction in plasma cholesterol. Simvastatin plus a low or high fat diet increased HDL cholesterol by 10.0% and 2.9% respectively (P = 0.003 overall) and reduced triglyceride concentration by 15.9% and 19% respectively (P less than 0.001). Significant diet-drug interactions were seen in LDL and HDL3 cholesterol. Simvastatin blunted the effect of dietary fat change so that the difference in LDL cholesterol, which was 0.71 mmol/l between high and low fat in the absence of simvastatin, was only 0.22 mmol/l with simvastatin. On a high fat diet, simvastatin produced almost no rise in HDL3 cholesterol whereas on a low fat diet HDL3 cholesterol was increased by 8.8% with simvastatin. The cholesterol content of VLDL and LDL were significantly reduced by simvastatin. The effects of diet and drug on apoproteins A-I and B resembles those on HDL and LDL cholesterol. The findings show interactions between simvastatin and dietary fat which have a bearing on the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Significance of steroidogenic enzymes in the pathogenesis of adrenal tumour.
We examined both activities and amounts of steroidogenic cytochrome P-450s at the posttranslational protein level and steroid contents in the adrenocortical adenoma from patients with primary aldosteronism and Cushing's syndrome. Aldosterone synthase cytochrome P-450 (human P-450aldo) was detected in the tumour portion of aldosterone-producing adenoma, but not in the normal control adrenals, at the protein level. Neither the activities nor the amounts of other P-450s in the tumour portion of aldosterone-producing adenoma were significantly different from those in the non-tumour portion in the adenoma and the normal control adrenals. The aldosterone content was significantly elevated, while the androstenedione content was significantly decreased in the tumour portion of the adenoma compared with that in the normal control adrenals. In Cushing's syndrome, both the activities and amounts of P-450(17 alpha) and P-450c21 were significantly elevated in the tumour portion compared with the non-tumour portion of the adenoma and the normal control adrenals, while those of P-450scc and P-450(11 beta) in the tumour portion were not significantly different from the normal control adrenals. The cortisol content was significantly elevated, while the amounts of aldosterone and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone in the tumour portion of the adenoma were significantly decreased compared with those in the normal control adrenals. These results demonstrate that overexpression of P-450aldo in aldosterone-producing adenoma, and those of P-450(17 alpha) and P-450c21 in cortisol-producing adenoma may play some role in the pathogenesis of primary aldosteronism and Cushing's syndrome, respectively. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Locking compressing plate combined with bone-grafting in medullary cavity for treatment of the distal fractures of tibia at delayed stage].
To explore the clinical effects of delayed open reduction and locking compressing plate (LCP) plus bone-grafting in medullary cavity for the distal comminuted fractures of tibia. Twenty-nine patients with the distal comminuted fractures of tibia were treated between March 2006 and September 2008, including 19 males and 10 females, ranging in age from 27 to 58 years with an average of 42.5 years. From wounded to hospital, the time was from 2 to 4 hours. According to AO classification, type 43-A1 were in 3 cases, type A5 in 12 cases, type A3 in 9 cases and type 43-C1 in 5 cases. Among them, there were 11 cases with open fracture (type Gustilo I in 5 cases, type Gustilo II in 6 cases) and 18 cases with closed fracture. Calcaneal traction was done in earlier stage (plaster external fixation in 5 cases), keeping the nagative liquid balance and electrolyte balance and improving the microcirculation. After the swolen limbs relieved markedly in 8 to 12 days,operating was done by open reduction and LCP internal fixation plus bone-grafting with own ilium in medullary cavity. Functional exercise was undergone in earlier stage and the wounded limbs loading weight on 10 to12 weeks after operation when the X-ray revealed the callus formed markedly. The incision healed well without severe complication. All patients were followed up for from 6 to 14 months with an average of 12 months. All cases obtained bone union. According to the Mazur's evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 25 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case. The above treatment can reduce the damage of periosteum and medullary cavity, shorten the time of bone healing and decrease the rate of bone nounion markedly. The internal fixation was reliable and less complacation after surgery, but it is very important for the right preoperation assessment to soft tissue injuries and the good operation timing choice. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Managing the environment of care.
The JCAHO chapter on Management of the Environment is ripe for nursing input. The issue of competence and orientation of staff, fire safety and smoking are all areas in which nurse managers could offer valuable insights. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cell Therapy With G-CSF-Mobilized Stem Cells in a Rat Osteoarthritis Model.
G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (gm-PBSCs) offer a convenient cell source for treatment of hematopoietic and vascular disorders. Whether gm-PBSCs provide beneficial effects on skeleton diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA), remains unknown. This study was undertaken to address the hypothesis that gm-PBSCs promote articular regeneration in OA. Here we studied the effect of single-dose intra-articular injection of gm-PBSCs from male donors delivered in hyaluronic acid (HA) on papain-induced OA in the knee joints of female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Contralateral OA knee joints received single-dose HA alone and served as vehicle controls. We evaluated the histologic changes in glycosaminoglycan, type II collagen, type X collagen, modified Mankin score, and cell apoptosis rate in the articular cartilage of rat knees. We demonstrated that gm-PBSCs were mobilized to the peripheral blood via G-CSF infusion for 5 days in SD rats with increasing CD34(+) percentage up to 55-fold. We showed that gm-PBSCs inhibit progression of papain-induced OA via reducing articular surface irregularity, fibrillation, and erosion, preventing cellular necrosis and loss of chondrogenic proteins, such as glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen, at both 3 and 6 weeks after treatment. Moreover, gm-PBSCs reduced modified Mankin scores and cellular apoptosis rates compared with HA alone. Our findings demonstrate that HA plus gm-PBSCs, rather than HA alone, inhibits progression of OA in rats in vivo. Thus, intra-articular injection of gm-PBSCs is a convenient protocol for treating OA with consistent beneficial effects. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The Time Course of Knee Swelling Post Total Knee Arthroplasty and Its Associations with Quadriceps Strength and Gait Speed.
This study examines the time course of knee swelling post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and its associations with quadriceps strength and gait speed. Eighty-five patients with unilateral TKA participated. Preoperatively and on post-operative days (PODs) 1, 4, 14, and 90, knee swelling was measured using bioimpedance spectrometry. Preoperatively and on PODs 14 and 90, quadriceps strength was measured using isokinetic dynamometry while fast gait speed was measured using the timed 10-meter walk. On POD1, knee swelling increased ~35% from preoperative levels after which, knee swelling reduced but remained at ~11% above preoperative levels on POD90. In longitudinal, multivariable analyses, knee swelling was associated with quadriceps weakness (P<0.01) and slower gait speed (P=0.03). Interventions to reduce post-TKA knee swelling may be indicated to improve quadriceps strength and gait speed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Total synthesis of Calothrixin A and B via C-H activation.
Bioactive indolo[3,2-j]phenanthridine alkaloids Calothrixin A and B have been synthesized by exploiting Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction via C-H activation as a key step starting from 4-methoxycarbazole. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Genome-wide RNAi screening in Caenorhabditis elegans.
In Caenorhabditis elegans, introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) results in the specific inactivation of an endogenous gene with corresponding sequence; this technique is known as RNA interference (RNAi). It has previously been shown that RNAi can be performed by direct microinjection of dsRNA into adult hermaphrodite worms, by soaking worms in a solution of dsRNA, or by feeding worms Escherichia coli expressing target-gene dsRNA. We have developed a simple optimized protocol exploiting this third mode of dsRNA introduction, RNAi by feeding, which allows rapid and effective analysis of gene function in C. elegans. Furthermore, we have constructed a library of bacterial strains corresponding to roughly 86% of the estimated 19,000 predicted genes in C. elegans, and we have used it to perform genome-wide analyses of gene function. This library is publicly available, reusable resource allowing for rapid large-scale RNAi experiments. We have used this library to perform genome-wide analyses of gene function in C. elegans. Here, we describe the protocols used for bacterial library construction and for high-throughput screening in C. elegans using RNAi by feeding. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effects of left atrial and left ventricular cannulation on left ventricular function.
A study in anesthetised dogs was undertaken to investigate the immediate effects of cannulation of the heart for left heart bypass on left ventricular function. Twenty-six mongrel dogs were studied. In the first group of 13 dogs (Group A), left atrial cannulation was performed through the atrial appendage and in the second group of 13 dogs (Group B), the left ventricular apex was also cannulated. Systemic blood pressure, heart rate, left atrial pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure and dP/dT showed no difference in left ventricular function between Groups A and B. Global ejection fraction (EF) measured by injection of technetium99m-labelled human serum albumen with gated left ventricular imaging, showed no significant difference between the two groups but analysis of the regional contribution to global EF in Group B dogs demonstrated a significant reduction in left ventricular function at the site of ventricular cannulation (P less than 0.05). These findings, together with other reported disadvantages of left ventricular cannulation, suggest that the left atrium is the preferred site for cannulation when left heart bypass is required. Many reports attest to the value of mechanical circulatory support in patients with ventricular dysfunction who cannot be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass (2, 4, 10, 11, 15). Initial support is commonly provided by an intra-aortic balloon pump but, in more severe cases, use of a left ventricular assist device may be warranted. More recently, such devices have also been employed in the management of patients with cardiogenic shock refractory to medical therapy (10).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Scapholunate advanced collapse.
This case study reviews the pathophysiology of scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC), which is the most common etiology of degenerative arthritis in the wrist. The scapholunate ligament serves a critical role in stability of the carpus. Disruption of the scapholunate ligament, its sequela, and the magnetic resonance imaging evaluation are discussed, with review of the defining features of this disease and its progression. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
High seroprevalence of Borna virus infection in schizophrenic patients, family members and mental health workers in Taiwan.
Borna disease virus (BDV), a negative-strand RNA virus, has been reported to be associated with severe psychiatric disorders. The association is mainly based on the findings that patients with schizophrenia and depression have a higher seroprevalence rate of BDV-specific antibodies than controls. In addition, psychiatric patients were also found to have a higher detection rate of BDV transcripts in their blood than controls. By using an improved Western blot analysis, we first demonstrated that Chinese schizophrenic patients from Taiwan also have a higher seroprevalence of BDV-specific antibodies than controls (12.1% vs 2.9%, P< 0.001), providing support to the positive association between BDV and psychiatric disorders in our population. Because of the contagious nature of viral infection, we further examined patients' family members and mental health workers, who have close contact with patients. We found that both groups also have a higher seroprevalence of BDV-specific antibodies, 12.1% and 9.8%, respectively, than controls. This finding provides some evidence for a possible human-to-human transmission of Borna disease virus. Our finding needs further independent verification from other research groups and the clinical relevance of this preliminary observation deserves further study. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition decreases ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation.
Increased microvascular permeability and extravasation of inflammatory cells are key events of lung ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in IR-induced alveolar capillary membrane disruption after experimental lung transplantation. We used a rat model of lung orthotopic transplantation (n = 86) with a prolonged cold ischemic phase. MMP2 and MMP9 were elevated 4 h after the onset of ischemia and further increased during reperfusion. Compared to sham values, the alveolar-capillary membrane permeability increased by 105% and 82.6% after 4 h of ischemia and 2 h or 24 h of reperfusion, respectively. A 4- and 5-fold increase of the infiltration of ischemic tissue by neutrophils was also observed after 2 h and 24 h of reperfusion. The PO2/FIO2 ratio dropped significantly from 244 to 76.6 after 2 h of reperfusion and from 296.4 to 127.6 after 24 h of reperfusion. A nonselective inhibitor of MMP, administered to the rats and added to the preservation solution, reduced significantly the alveolar-capillary leakage, the transmigration of neutrophils and improved gas exchanges in animals submitted to 4 h of ischemia combined with 2 h or 24 h of reperfusion. We conclude that inhibition of MMP attenuates IR injury after experimental lung transplantation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Daytime colour preference in Drosophila depends on the circadian clock and TRP channels.
Light discrimination according to colour can confer survival advantages by guiding animals towards food and shelter and away from potentially harmful situations1,2. Such colour-dependent behaviour can be learned or innate. Data on innate colour preference in mammals remain controversial3 and there are limited data for simpler organisms4-7. Here we show that, when given a choice among blue, green and dim light, fruit flies exhibit an unexpectedly complex pattern of colour preference that changes according to the time of day. Flies show a strong preference for green in the early morning and late afternoon, a reduced green preference at midday and a robust avoidance of blue throughout the day. Genetic manipulations reveal that the peaks in green preference require rhodopsin-based visual photoreceptors and are controlled by the circadian clock. The midday reduction in green preference in favour of dim light depends on the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels dTRPA1 and Pyrexia, and is also timed by the clock. By contrast, avoidance of blue light is primarily mediated by multidendritic neurons, requires rhodopsin 7 and the TRP channel Painless, and is independent of the clock. Our findings show that several TRP channels are involved in colour-driven behaviour in Drosophila, and reveal distinct pathways of innate colour preference that coordinate the behavioural dynamics of flies in ambient light. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bilirubin diglucuronide transport by rat liver canalicular membrane vesicles: stimulation by bicarbonate ion.
The purpose of this study was to provide further insight into the mechanism of bilirubin diglucuronide excretion through the hepatocyte canalicular membrane by investigating the uptake of (3H)bilirubin diglucuronide by purified canalicular membrane vesicles of rat liver. The uptake was analyzed by a rapid filtration technique. The difference between vesicle-associated (3H)bilirubin diglucuronide at 37 degrees C and at 0 degree C during the initial 1 min was regarded as uptake. Twenty second uptake was saturated by increasing the (3H)bilirubin diglucuronide concentration at a vesicle-inside-directed 100 mmol/L KCl gradient (Km = 75 mumol/L, Vmax = 320 pmol/mg protein.20 sec at 37 degrees C). No sodium dependency was observed. When canalicular membrane vesicles were preincubated with nonlabeled bilirubin diglucuronide, the uptake increased 1.3-fold (transstimulation). Vesicle-inside-positive potential induced by valinomycin and potassium caused a 1.4-fold increase in the uptake. When Cl- was replaced by equivalent ion concentrations of SO4(2-), HCO3-, NO3- and SCN-, the uptake was 78%, 244%, 68% and 50%, respectively, and specific stimulation by HCO3- was observed (Km = 75 mumol/L, Vmax = 700 pmol/mg protein.20 sec at a vesicle-inside-directed 100 mmol/L KHCO3 gradient at 37 degrees C). The uptake was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. The uptake was ATP independent. From these results, it was concluded that bilirubin diglucuronide transport through the canalicular membrane is carrier mediated, electrogenic and stimulated by HCO3-. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nonlinear mechanics of thermoreversibly associating dendrimer glasses.
We model the mechanics of associating trivalent dendrimer network glasses with a focus on their energy dissipation properties. Various combinations of sticky bond (SB) strength and kinetics are employed. The toughness (work to fracture) of these systems displays a surprising deformation-protocol dependence; different association parameters optimize different properties. In particular, "strong, slow" SBs optimize strength, while "weak, fast" SBs optimize ductility via self-healing during deformation. We relate these observations to breaking, reformation, and partner switching of SBs during deformation. These studies point the way to creating associating-polymer network glasses with tailorable mechanical properties. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Patient teaching for elders.
There are many myths regarding elders' abilities to learn, which may affect the nurse's approach to the older person during patient teaching. Physiological changes of aging have an effect on learning and must be considered by the nurse when a teaching plan is developed. The older person has the capability to learn and probably will do so when the time is right, when the plan is right, and when motivated to learn. Learning is facilitated by a one-to-one encounter, but also may occur in a group or community setting. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The cutoff amplitude of transcranial motor evoked potentials for transient postoperative motor deficits in intramedullary spinal cord tumor surgery.
Retrospective clinical study of intraoperative transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) amplitudes and postoperative motor deficits (PMDs). To determine the quantifiable cutoff amplitude of TcMEP for predicting transient PMDs in intramedullary spinal cord tumor (IMSCT) surgery. The "presence or absence" criterion is reliable and widely used the alarm criterion for preventing permanent PMDs in IMSCT surgery. However, we wanted to prevent PMDs even if it is transient. The cutoff amplitude for transient PMDs should be identified. We conducted a retrospective study to identify the cutoff amplitude for predicting transient PMDs in IMSCT surgery. Thirty-seven patients were included in the study. We examined intraoperative electrophysiological changes and perioperative motor status in these patients. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to identify the cutoff amplitudes for predicting transient PMDs in IMSCT surgery. The incidence of PMDs and cutoff TcMEP amplitude in cervical and thoracic lesions were compared. Thirteen cases demonstrated transient PMDs. Among 280 monitorable muscles in 37 cases, 51 muscles in 13 patients showed PMDs. Through receiver operating characteristic analysis, the relative and the absolute cutoff amplitudes at the intraoperative point of deterioration were identified to be 12% residual of baseline amplitude and 3.2 μV, respectively. Sensitivity/specificity for those cutoff points are 86%/74% and 88%/78%, respectively. The incidence of PMD was significantly higher, and the cutoff amplitude was lower in the thoracic lesions than in the cervical lesions. We determined the cutoff TcMEP amplitude for predicting transient PMDs in IMSCT surgery. The cutoff amplitude for the cervical lesions was higher than that for the thoracic lesions. The results suggest the need for setting different alarm criteria in different level of spine. 3. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cloning and expression of the sorbitol dehydrogenase gene during embryonic development and temperature stress in Artemia sinica.
Sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) catalyzes the interconversion of polyols and ketoses, using zinc and NAD(+) as cofactors. SDH converts sorbitol into fructose and plays an important role in the sorbitol metabolic pathway and in the early embryonic development of many invertebrates. Sorbitol usually accumulates in diapause embryos of insects to protect the embryos from frostbite, which indicates the vital function of SDH in the diapause and diapause-termination stages of embryo development. In this study, a 1311-bp full-length cDNA of As-sdh, including a 28-bp 5' UTR and a 59-bp 3' UTR, was cloned from Artemia sinica. This gene encodes 348 amino-acid proteins. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that this gene is highly conserved in arthropods. The expression patterns of As-sdh were investigated during different stages of embryonic development using real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. As-sdh was expressed at relatively high levels during the 0h embryonic stage, and transcript levels were quite high in 5- and 7-day-old embryos. In situ hybridization analysis showed that As-sdh is expressed in a widely dispersed pattern before incubation but is mainly concentrated on the body surface and the inner wall of the alimentary tract after the nauplius stage. Our results suggest that As-sdh is integral to the process of diapause and diapause termination in A. sinica. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inactivation and solubilization of opiate receptors by phospholipases A2.
(1) As previously shown, stereospecific binding of opiates to membrane bound receptors is inhibited by treatment with small amounts of phospholipase A2 from Vipera russelli. This effect is quantified and compared with the enzymes from the venoms of Naja Naja siamensis, Apis Mellifica and from porcine pancreas. All enzymes are equally effective. The inhibition is due to partial phospholipid hydrolysis leading to inactivation of membrane-bound receptor. (2) Bee venom phospholipase A2 together with the synergistically acting peptide, melittin, causes receptor solubilization up to 80% of preformed receptor-ligand complex can be solubilized in this manner. (3) Lysophosphatidylcholine, a product of phospholipid hydrolysis, solubilizes performed receptor-ligand complex to a similar extent. Several other detergents were tested for their ability to solubilize receptor-ligand complex. Digitonin appears to be most effective in solubilizing such a complex. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The Effect of Lateral Ankle Ligament Repair in Muscle Reaction Time in Patients with Mechanical Ankle Instability.
Studies have shown that functional ankle instability can result in prolonged muscle reaction time. However, the deficit in muscle reaction time in patients with mechanical ankle instability (MAI) and the effect of lateral ankle ligament repair on muscle reaction time are unclear. The purpose of this study was to identify the deficit in muscle reaction time, and to evaluate the role of lateral ligament repair in improving muscle reaction time in MAI patients. Sixteen MAI patients diagnosed with lateral ankle ligament tears by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging underwent arthroscopic debridement and open lateral ankle ligament repair with a modified Broström procedure. One day before the operation, reaction times of the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles were recorded following sudden inversion perturbation while walking on a custom walkway, and anterior drawer test (ADT) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale score were evaluated. Six months postoperatively, muscle reaction time, ADT and AOFAS scale score were reevaluated, and muscle reaction times in 15 healthy controls were also recorded. Preoperatively, the affected ankles in the MAI group had significantly delayed tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles reaction times compared with controls. Six months after the operation, median AOFAS scale scores were significantly greater than preoperatively, and ADT was negative in the MAI group. However, the affected ankles in the MAI group showed no difference in muscle reaction time compared with preoperative values. MAI patients had prolonged muscle reaction time. The modified Broström procedure produced satisfactory clinical outcomes in MAI patients, but did not shorten reaction times of the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Viral hepatitis B morbidity in the Trebisov District after introduction of vaccination].
Hepatitis B morbidity in the Trebisov district (eastern Slovakia) exceeded several times the average morbidity in Slovakia in the first half of the eighties. High morbidity of children in the age groups 0-4 and 5-9, frequent extraparenteral transmission in families with sick members or with HBsAg carries (34.9%), led to the introduction of the regular vaccination of all children in their first year of life. Already during the first years of this vaccination, an important decrease of morbidity in vaccinated age groups was observed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): current issues].
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has prevalence between 3 and 7% in childhood and adolescence. As high as 60% of childhood cases continue to have clinically significant symptoms of ADHD as adults. Psychiatric comorbidities are often found in ADHD subjects including, in childhood, emotional, behavior and learning disorders. Psychiatric comorbidities in adolescents and adults suffering from ADHD include mood and substance use disorders. Although may one fear giving psychostimulants to ADHD patients with comorbidities, recent studies have shown the benefits of such treatment not only in the clinical but also in the educational and socioprofessional point of views. Psychotherapeutic approaches should ideally accompany pharmacological treatments. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Osteoclast enlargement in endstage renal disease.
In normal subjects and patients with endstage renal disease, osteoclast cell volumes were constructed using serial 2-micron thick plastic embedded sections from iliac crest bone biopsy specimens. Four cells randomly selected from each of the subjects were analyzed to give both the cell volume from the cumulative areas and thickness of each cell slice and also the cell axes taking the vector along the bone face as width or Y, thickness from the bone surface as breadth or X and vertical dimension length or Z. The mean cell volume was 6,230 microns3 in the control subjects and was significantly larger being 11,730 microns3 and 13,680 microns3 in the two patient groups. The cells showed polarity with the largest axes, Y and Z, being those in apposition to the bone surface. Howship's lacunae were enlarged in the patients and the cross-sectional area of an individual lacuna corresponded to the area of the contiguous osteoclast, r = 0.62, P less than 0.001. All patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteoclast numbers were increased. There was no correlation between osteoclast size and duration of renal failure, previous vitamin D intake, or aluminum exposure. It is suggested that in ESRD, osteoclasts undergo both an increase in number and size and that these cells, being larger, remove more bone than the smaller cells in normal subjects. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Radiation and vibrational properties of submerged stiffened cylindrical shells.
The vibratory response of submerged cylindrical shells is investigated. The shell response is presented in terms of the spatial wave-number spectrum of the normal surface displacement. The power output of the vibrating shell into the fluid and the far-field radiation from the shell are presented as a function of the wave number of the exciting force. The effects of structural damping and stiffeners are also studied. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hepatitis B seroprevalence in children and women and the impact of the hepatitis B vaccination program in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.
This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children and females in the middle Black Sea Region of Turkey and to assess the impact of the universal infant hepatitis B vaccination program started in 1998. The laboratory records of 12,057 patients who attended the Samsun Maternity and Children's Hospital between January 2007 and November 2009 were evaluated retrospectively. In this period, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), was studied from serum samples using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. In the total population, HBsAg seropositivity was found to be 3.8% (456/12010); anti-HBs was 32.6% (3526/10800). HBsAg was 3.5%, in the 0-14 year age group, 8.2% in the 15-18 group, 3.3% in the 19-49 group, and 8.0% in the over 49 group. The seropositivity of HBsAg decreased by half in patients between zero and 14 years of age (4.2%) who were included in the universal vaccination program when compared with those in the 15-18 year group (8.2%) who were not included in the program. There was a significant difference in HBsAg seropositivity between boys (5.8%) and girls (3.9%) (p <0.05). According to the hepatitis B seroprevalence records of our region, HBsAg was 3.5% in the 0-14 year age group, 8.2% in the 15-18 year group. It may therefore be suggested that, since 1998, the vaccination program in our region has been successful. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Diagnostic utility of isoelectric focusing and high performance liquid chromatography in neonatal cord blood screening for thalassemia and non-sickling hemoglobinopathies.
Thalassemia syndromes are highly prevalent in Southeast Asia. In Thailand, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the most common technique routinely performed in diagnosis of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies, while isoelectric focusing (IEF) is rarely employed. We compared the diagnostic utility of IEF and HPLC in neonatal screening for thalassemia and non-sickling hemoglobinopathies. Two-hundred and forty-one cord blood samples were analyzed using IEF and HPLC, β-thalassemia short program. The results were correlated with red cell indices and molecular analyses. Hemoglobin (Hb) Bart's was quantified only on IEF. Of 241 newborns, IEF and HPLC yielded 85.4% and 76.4% sensitivity to identify α-thalassemia syndrome, respectively. HbBart's≥2% yielded 100% sensitivity to identify 2 α-globin gene deletions and/or mutations, while MCV≤95fl and MCH≤30pg yielded 100% sensitivity to identify 2 α-globin gene deletions. DNA analysis revealed HbE mutation in all 61 subjects with HbA2>1% on both IEF and HPLC. IEF is an effective method in neonatal screening for thalassemia and non-sickling hemoglobinopathies. The HbBart's level, MCV and MCH are helpful for identifying α-thalassemia. The presence of HbA2 higher than 1% in cord blood indicates HbE carriers in Southeast Asian newborns. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Switching spin and charge between edge states in topological insulator constrictions.
We show how the coupling between opposite edge states, which overlap in a constriction made of the topological insulator mercury telluride (HgTe), can be employed both for steering the charge flow into different edge modes and for controlled spin switching. Unlike in a conventional spin transistor, the switching does not rely on a tunable Rashba spin-orbit interaction, but on the energy dependence of the edge state wave functions. Based on this mechanism, and supported by extensive numerical transport calculations, we present two different ways to control spin and charge currents, depending on the local gating of the constriction, resulting in a high fidelity spin transistor. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Attenuated fever in pregnant rats is associated with blunted syntheses of brain cyclooxygenase-2 and PGE2.
Attenuation of fever occurs in pregnant animals. This study examined a hypothesis that brain production of PGE(2), the final mediator of fever, is suppressed in pregnant animals. Near-term pregnant rats and age-matched nonpregnant female rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide (100 microg/kg) intraperitoneally. Four hours later, colonic temperature was measured, their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was sampled for PGE(2) assay, and their brains were processed for immunohistochemistry of cyclooxygenase-2, an enzyme involved in PGE(2) biosynthesis. In the pregnant rats, lipopolysaccharide injection resulted in significantly smaller elevations in both colonic temperature and CSF-PGE(2) level than in nonpregnant rats. In the pregnant rats, lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression was blunted in terms of the number of positive cells. There was a significant correlation between PGE(2) level in CSF and the number of cyclooxygenase-2-positive endothelial cells. These results suggest that suppressed PGE(2) production in the brain is one cause for the attenuated fever response at near-term pregnancy and that this suppressed PGE(2) production is due to the suppressed induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in brain endothelial cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cortical auditory distance representation based on direct-to-reverberant energy ratio.
Auditory distance perception and its neuronal mechanisms are poorly understood, mainly because 1) it is difficult to separate distance processing from intensity processing, 2) multiple intensity-independent distance cues are often available, and 3) the cues are combined in a context-dependent way. A recent fMRI study identified human auditory cortical area representing intensity-independent distance for sources presented along the interaural axis (Kopco et al. PNAS, 109, 11019-11024). For these sources, two intensity-independent cues are available, interaural level difference (ILD) and direct-to-reverberant energy ratio (DRR). Thus, the observed activations may have been contributed by not only distance-related, but also direction-encoding neuron populations sensitive to ILD. Here, the paradigm from the previous study was used to examine DRR-based distance representation for sounds originating in front of the listener, where ILD is not available. In a virtual environment, we performed behavioral and fMRI experiments, combined with computational analyses to identify the neural representation of distance based on DRR. The stimuli varied in distance (15-100 cm) while their received intensity was varied randomly and independently of distance. Behavioral performance showed that intensity-independent distance discrimination is accurate for frontal stimuli, even though it is worse than for lateral stimuli. fMRI activations for sounds varying in frontal distance, as compared to varying only in intensity, increased bilaterally in the posterior banks of Heschl's gyri, the planum temporale, and posterior superior temporal gyrus regions. Taken together, these results suggest that posterior human auditory cortex areas contain neuron populations that are sensitive to distance independent of intensity and of binaural cues relevant for directional hearing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cumulus cell transcriptome profiling is not predictive of live birth after in vitro fertilization: a paired analysis of euploid sibling blastocysts.
To compare the transcriptome of cumulus cells associated with a euploid embryo that resulted in live birth with that of a sibling euploid embryo without sustained implantation. Paired analysis. Academic institution. Couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection with preimplantation genetic screening with female age ≤42 years and normal ovarian reserve. Transcriptome profiling of cumulus cells from sibling oocytes for correlation with live birth after euploid blastocyst transfer. Embryos were individually cultured to facilitate association with clinical outcomes. The cumulus cell transcriptome from the embryo resulting in live birth was compared with that of its sibling embryo without sustained implantation to investigate potential biomarkers that may aid in embryo selection. Differential gene expression in cumulus cells associated with a euploid embryo resulting in live birth and its sibling euploid embryo without sustained implantation using next-generation RNA sequencing (RNAseq). Cumulus cell RNAseq of 34 samples (from 17 patients) generated an average of 10.4 ± 4 × 106 reads per sample. A total of 132 differentially expressed genes between sibling embryos that resulted in a live birth and those that did not were identified (P<.05). However, after correcting for multiple testing none of the genes remained significantly differentially expressed (false discovery rate <.05). The RNAseq profiles were similar between cumulus cells associated with a euploid embryo resulting in live birth and its sibling embryo that did not sustain implantation. The cumulus cell transcriptome is not predictive of live birth within an individual patient's cohort of euploid embryos. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The peripheral L-arginine-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway and ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels are involved in the antinociceptive effect of crotalphine on neuropathic pain in rats.
Crotalphine, a 14 amino acid peptide first isolated from the venom of the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus, induces a peripheral long-lasting and opioid receptor-mediated antinociceptive effect in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve. In the present study, we further characterized the molecular mechanisms involved in this effect, determining the type of opioid receptor responsible for this effect and the involvement of the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway and of K⁺ channels. Crotalphine (0.2 or 5 μg/kg, orally; 0.0006 μg/paw), administered on day 14 after nerve constriction, inhibited mechanical hyperalgesia and low-threshold mechanical allodynia. The effect of the peptide was antagonized by intraplantar administration of naltrindole, an antagonist of δ-opioid receptors, and partially reversed by norbinaltorphimine, an antagonist of κ-opioid receptors. The effect of crotalphine was also blocked by 7-nitroindazole, an inhibitor of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase; by 1H-(1,2,4) oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase activation; and by glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel blocker. The results suggest that peripheral δ-opioid and κ-opioid receptors, the nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway, and ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels are involved in the antinociceptive effect of crotalphine. The present data point to the therapeutic potential of this peptide for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Polio paralytic. New problems: postpolio syndrome].
In 1875 M. Raymond described a progressive muscle wasting and weakness in 3 individuals survivors of childhood acute poliomyelitis. Jean-Martin Charcot suggested that the initial injury should let these guys neurons more sensitive to develop posterior spinal diseases and new weakness was the result of overuse of the affected muscles. In 1979, after the publication of the description given by a 57 year old patient on motor difficulties that developed after suffering of polio in childhood, there was a very significant increase of comments of other individuals with similar symptoms, reaching wedged in the 80s the term of post-polio syndrome. The term is reserved for describing the development of new neurological symptoms, especially for the development of muscle weakness, muscle atrophy and new muscle fatigue not explained by other medical causes, and appear after more than 15 years of infection acute. Is estimated to affect 20 to 85% of individuals with a history of polio in childhood. In 2000 first described the diagnostic criteria. This syndrome determines a change in the functional abilities. Its pathogenesis is unknown, may be associated with aging. It could also be due to an inflammatory persistent or be influenced by genetic factors. There is no effective drug treatment, so I can only recommend symptomatic and moderate muscle training. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Down-regulation of central dopamine receptors in schizophrenia.
CSF homovanillic acid (HVA) levels reflecting central dopamine release and apomorphine-stimulated human growth hormone (HGH) secretion reflecting central dopamine receptor activity were concomitantly determined in 20 schizophrenic patients. There was a strong negative correlation between HVA and HGH levels: high dopamine release was associated with lower HGH responses to dopamine receptor activation by apomorphine. Studies are reviewed which suggest that the presently observed relationship reflects release-mediated down-regulation of central D2 receptors, the dopamine receptor subtype associated with the antipsychotic properties of neuroleptic medication. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Rapid motion compensation for prostate biopsy using GPU.
Image-guided procedures have become routine in medicine. Due to the nature of three-dimensional (3-D) structure of the target organs, two-dimensional (2-D) image acquisition is gradually being replaced by 3-D imaging. Specifically in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, biopsy can be performed using 3-D transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) image guidance. Because prostatic cancers are multifocal, it is crucial to accurately guide biopsy needles towards planned targets. Further the gland tends to move due to external physical disturbances, discomfort introduced by the procedure or intrinsic peristalsis. As a result the exact position of the gland must be rapidly updated so as to correspond with the originally acquired 3-D TRUS volume prior to biopsy planning. A graphics processing unit (GPU) is used in this study to compute rapid updates performing 3-D motion compensation via registration of the live 2-D image and the acquired 3-D TRUS volume. The parallel computational framework on the GPU is exploited resulting in mean compute times of 0.46 seconds for updating the position of a live 2-D buffer image containing 91,000 pixels. A 2x sub-sampling resulted in a further improvement to 0.19 seconds. With the increase in GPU multiprocessors and sub-sampling, we observe that real time motion compensation can be achieved. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of mitomycin C on the uptake of photofrin II in a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line.
Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to investigate the effect of mitomycin C (MC) on the cellular uptake of Photofrin II (PII) in a cultured human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (WiDr). The surface area of the cells increased as they passed through the cell cycle from G0/G1 to G2/M phase. MC retarded the cells in G2/M phase and enhanced the surface area of the cells. A 1.3-2.3-fold increase in the cell surface area and a 1.3-2.7-fold increase in the cellular uptake of PII in the tumor cells was observed after 2 h-8 h incubation with MC. Within each sample, an almost linear relationship between the intensity of PII fluorescence in the cells and the surface area of the cells was found. However, for the cells incubated with MC the surface area was not the only determinant of PII uptake. Effects of MC on the cell cycle, the cell surface area and the permeability of the cell membrane are suggested as possible reasons for the increase of cellular uptake of PII in the tumor cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Contralateral acute subdural hematoma following traumatic acute subdural hematoma evacuation.
Contralateral acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) occurring after removal of traumatic ASDH is a rare, but nearly devastating postoperative complication. We treated a 26-year-old male who developed a contralateral ASDH shortly after craniectomy for evacuation of a traumatic ASDH. Burr-hole craniotomy was performed before decompressive craniectomy, and the bleeding source was a cortex artery within the frontal lobe contusion. Despite supportive therapy with barbiturate and mild hypothermia he expired 3 days later of brain death. Literature review suggests that the old are more susceptible to contralateral ASDH following evacuation of traumatic ASDH. Contralateral ASDH following evacuation of traumatic ASDH is a rare but potentially lethal complication, so neurosurgeons should try to detect such contralateral hematoma formation and prevent clinical deterioration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
p53-dependent ICAM-1 overexpression in senescent human cells identified in atherosclerotic lesions.
Most normal somatic cells enter a state called replicative senescence after a certain number of divisions, characterized by irreversible growth arrest. Moreover, they express a pronounced inflammatory phenotype that could contribute to the aging process and the development of age-related pathologies. Among the molecules involved in the inflammatory response that are overexpressed in senescent cells and aged tissues is intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Furthermore, ICAM-1 is overexpressed in atherosclerosis, an age-related, chronic inflammatory disease. We have recently reported that the transcriptional activator p53 can trigger ICAM-1 expression in an nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB)-independent manner (Gorgoulis et al, EMBO J. 2003; 22: 1567-1578). As p53 exhibits an increased transcriptional activity in senescent cells, we investigated whether p53 activation is responsible for the senescence-associated ICAM-1 overexpression. To this end, we used two model systems of cellular senescence: (a) human fibroblasts and (b) conditionally immortalized human vascular smooth muscle cells. Here, we present evidence from both cell systems to support a p53-mediated ICAM-1 overexpression in senescent cells that is independent of NF-kappaB. We also demonstrate in atherosclerotic lesions the presence of cells coexpressing activated p53, ICAM-1, and stained with the senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, a biomarker of replicative senescence. Collectively, our data suggest a direct functional link between p53 and ICAM-1 in senescence and age-related disorders. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A comparison of psychiatric day hospitals in five European countries: implications of their diversity for day hospital research.
As the use of "day hospitals" increases, conceptual models of these services are changing dramatically across Europe. Therefore, the need arises for mental health services research to assess this process cross-nationally in a standardised and systematic way. Such research approaches should seek to maximise the generalisability of results from high-quality (e.g. randomised controlled) single- or multi-site trials assessing specific models of day hospital care. Using a self-developed structured questionnaire, the European Day Hospital Evaluation (EDEN) study group carried out national surveys of the characteristics of day hospitals for general psychiatric patients in Germany, England, Poland, the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic, during the period 2001--2002. Response rates varied from 52 to 91 %. Findings show that day hospitals have no consistent profile of structural and procedural features. Similarities across countries focus on three main issues: on average, consideration of concepts oriented toward providing acute treatment are equivalent; disorders associated with disabled functioning in everyday life, high risk of somatic complications, and need for behaviour control are excluded to a comparable degree; and some core therapeutic activities are consistent with the main approaches of social psychiatry. Identified according to self-rated conceptions and extended with data from individual hospital's statistics on the clientele in 2000, three clusters of limited selectivity subdivide the services. One category focuses mainly on rehabilitative tasks; two categories are oriented toward providing acute treatment as an alternative to inpatient care, but combine this either with rehabilitative tasks or with equal additional functions of shortening inpatient treatment and providing psychotherapy. The distribution of services across these three clusters varies significantly in the five European countries. Future day hospital studies should always clarify the type of services being assessed. To fully consider the impact of their results, the current national and international health policy environment of these services should be taken into account. Such surveys require enhanced methodology, however, in order to identify clear, distinct categories of services characterised by overlapping programme functions, and to increase the generalisability of valid results from single- or multi-site trials. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The role of domestic dogs and cats in the zoonotic cycles of ticks and pathogens. Preliminary studies in the Wrocław Agglomeration (SW Poland).
The collection of 729 tick specimens (Ixodes ricinus, 88.6%; Ixodes hexagonus, 9.2%; Dermacentor reticulatus, 2.2%) removed from 373 dogs and 78 cats, along with 201 ticks from vegetation (I. ricinus, 75.6%; D. reticulatus, 24.4%), allows one to say that pets play an important role in maintaining tick life cycles in different urban area. It shows the lack of statistical differences between tick intensity in high-impact anthropogenic areas (HIAA), low-impact anthropogenic areas (LIAA) and mixed areas designed, in an objective way, by GIS techniques. The comparable (statistically insignificant) level of infection with Borrelia spp. of I. ricinus from pets (22.5%) and vegetation (24.8%), shows that dogs and cats do not have zooprophylactic competence for Borrelia spp. in different urban areas. Moreover, Borrelia spp. was detected in I. hexagonues (1.5%) collected from pets, and in D. reticulatus (2%) obtained from vegetation. The presence of D. reticulatus in the Wrocław Agglomeration confirms its expansion and the distribution range in Poland. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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