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The fiber composition of the abdominal vagus of the rat.
The present study provides a LM and EM inventory of the fibers of the rat abdominal vagus, including dorsal and ventral trunks and the five primary branches. Whole mounts (n = 15) were prepared to characterize the branching patterns. A set of EM samples consisting of both trunks and all branches (i.e. dorsal and ventral gastric, dorsal and accessory celiac, and hepatic) were then obtained from each of six additional animals. A complete cross-sectional montage (x 10000) was prepared from each sample. All axons were counted, and greater than 10% of them were evaluated morphometrically. The means of unmyelinated axon diameters for each of the five branches were similar (0.75-0.83 microns). However, the shapes of the fiber size distributions, as summarized by their skew coefficients, revealed that the two gastric branches differed significantly from the two celiac branches; furthermore, the hepatic size distribution differed from all others. Most of the myelinated fibers (85%) in all branches were less than 2.6 microns in diameter and had sheath widths between 0.1 and 0.5 micron. The gastric branches, however, also contained a few larger myelinated fibers with sheath widths as great as 0.85 micron. Whole mounts revealed fibers which were not of supradiaphragmatic origin within all five vagal branches; these adventitial bundles were traced along the perineurium between adjacent branches. The sum of the fibers in the five branches (26930) was 21% more than the number counted in the parent trunks (22272); this excess probably reflects the adventitial fiber content. The whole mounts also showed that a large and regularly positioned paraganglion was associated with the dorsal branches. The structural profiles observed (i.e. unmyelinated and myelinated fibers size distributions, presence of extrinsic fascicles, glomus tissue content, etc.) differentiate the vagal branches into three morphologically distinct sets: a gastric pair, a celiac pair, and a hepatic branch. The fiber counts, when considered with observations of the numbers of efferents and adventitial fibers in the nerve, suggest that the percentage of efferent fibers is much higher than in all the widely accepted estimates found in the literature: efferent fibers may represent over a quarter of the total number of fibers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
New genes involved in Yersinia pestis fraction I biosynthesis.
Antigenic and immunochemical properties of Yersinia pestis fraction I (FI) preparations extracted by different methods were studied with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. The existence of mature FI in a form of a complex antigen whose subunits have different genetic control was demonstrated. Galactolipid was shown, with caf1 product, to be the second species-specific component of the FI complex molecule and is probably encoded by chromosomal genes. It, like caf1 product, was expressed in higher quantities at 37 degrees C than at 28 degrees C. Among FI subunits there were at least two proteins of 28 +/- 2 kDa and 43 +/- 2 kDa which were not specific for Y. pestis but were found also in all Yersinia spp. and some other bacteria. These proteins were synthesised independently of the incubation temperature (4 degrees-40 degrees C) and are possibly encoded chromosomally but outside the caf operon and galactolipid-encoding genes. Both proteins together with galactolipid comprise an envelope antigen found in pFra- or plasmidless Y. pestis strains. Organisation of Y. pestis FI (mature capsular antigen) in the form of a complex of the envelope antigen and the caf1 product is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Value of impedance rheography as a screening method in comparison with Doppler index in peripheral arterial occlusive disease].
Determination of the ankle-arm-index (AAI) by Doppler ultrasound is the method of choice as a screening test for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). The easily performed Impedance Rheography (IR) may serve as an alternative screening method. This study investigates the correlations between parameters obtained by IR curve to the AAI. 56 patients (62.8 +/- 13 years, m = 37, f = 19) were included in the study. IR was performed on both shanks using ring electrodes below the knee and above the ankle (bipolar leads, frequency 90 kHz, test voltage 2.5 Vpp). The AAI was obtained by a 8 Mz ultrasound probe. AAI < or = 0.85 showed significant correlations (p < 0.0001) to parameters of the IR curve: Crest Time (GZ, r = 0.67), Rise of the Pulse Wave (PA, r = 0.82), Relative Pulse Volume (RP, r = 0.82) and the Rheographic Quotient (RQ, r = 0.86). AAI > 0.85 showed no or only weak correlations to RI parameters. Underlying the following limits for rheographic parameters (GZ = 159 ms, PA = 3.3, RP = 0.43 vp/s and RQ = 0.4 vp), sensitivity and specify was determined: GZ: 68% and 100%, PA: 84% and 88%, RP: 68% and 92%, RQ: 77% and 88%. Impedance rheography correlates significantly with the AAI. Therefore this method seems to be well suited as a screening test for PAOD. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Is clavicular reconstruction imperative for total and subtotal claviculectomy? A systematic review.
The effects of clavicular reconstruction on total and subtotal claviculectomy are controversial. The aim of this study is to disclose the impact of clavicular reconstruction on the efficacy of this rare surgical procedure. This is a systematic review of multiple medical databases for level I through IV evidence. Eleven studies (level IV) with a mean follow-up duration of 53 months (range, 12-156 months) met the inclusion criteria. There were 70 subjects (70 shoulders) including 36 male patients (51%), and the average age at operation was 30 years (range, 2-77 years). The etiology included tumors in 34 subjects (49%) and other disorders in 36 (51%). Of the patients, 41 (59%) underwent total claviculectomy whereas 29 (41%) underwent subtotal clavicular excision. Clavicular reconstruction was performed in 14 subjects (20%), with bone allograft in 8, autograft in 1, and a bone cement prosthesis in 5. Objective measurement disclosed compromised strength and mobility in aclaviculate limbs; however, no studies investigating clavicular reconstruction used similar means of measurement. Functional assessment scales implied global limb function following the 2 procedures was similar (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, P = .13; Constant score, P = .38). Claviculectomy with and without reconstruction resulted in a similar incidence of complications (P = .45); however, isolated claviculectomy was related to fewer further surgical procedures (P <.001) and faster recovery (P <.001). The 2 procedures were associated with similar satisfaction rates (P > .99). No evidence suggested clavicular reconstruction led to clinical outcomes superior to those of isolated claviculectomy. It is noteworthy that isolated excision of the clavicle was associated with a lower risk of further surgery and faster rehabilitation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hypoglycaemic effects of tea extracts and ent-kaurenoic acid from Smallanthus sonchifolius.
Hypoglycaemic activity was observed in normoglycaemic mice orally administered with the aqueous Smallanthus sonchifolius leaf tea extract, alloxan-induced diabetic mice orally administered with ent-kaurenoic acid (1), and normoglycaemic mice intraperitoneally administered with 1 from S. sonchifolius leaves. A single dose administration of 50 mg kg(-1) BW yacon leaf tea extract demonstrated immediate but relatively short hypoglycaemic activity, with significant effects observed during 1-2 h. Similarly, administration with 100 mg kg(-1) BW yacon leaf tea extract obtained by heavy stirring in hot water demonstrated a more potent activity compared to the positive control at 1.5-2.0 h. Oral administration of 1 did not affect the blood glucose level of the alloxan-induced diabetic mice, but a single intraperitonial injection of 10 mg kg(-1) BW in normoglycaemic mice had consistent percent blood glucose reduction persisting from 1 to 2 h observation periods. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Superior vena cava perforation in a child from a lawnmower projectile.
Lawnmowers are one of the most frequent causes of mutilating injuries to children. The majority of accidents are caused by negligence of the operator. Most injuries of this type are caused by direct contact with the spinning blade and, less frequently, by projectiles propelled by the blade. Such projectiles usually produce bruises, but can penetrate skin and soft tissues. This report presents a 6-year-old child who suffered a small, outwardly insignificant puncture wound of the chest from a lawnmower-propelled projectile who presented with fever and chest pain the following day. The diagnostic work up and treatment of this deceptively life-threatening wound are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Stepwise hydration of protonated carbonic acid: a theoretical study.
The gas-phase geometries, binding energies (BEs), and sequential binding energies (SBEs) of protonated carbonic acid (PCA)-water (W) clusters (PCAW(n), where n = 1-6) have been calculated using density functional theory (DFT) with Becke's three-parameter hybrid exchange functional and the Lee-Yang-Parr correlation functional (B3LYP) and M05-2X methods. The presence of wirelike structures of protonated water in PCAW(n)(x) clusters is evident from the results. The results indicate that a proton is transferred from PCA to its immediate water molecule in the linear and monohydroxy clusters of PCA. The involvement of the Eigen cation and Grotthuss type of mechanism in the proton transport is observed from the sequential hydration energies and from the calculated vibrational spectra. Although geometrical parameters clearly reveal the presence of the Eigen core, calculated lower-energy vibrational modes provide clues about the involvement of the sequence Eigen --> Zundel --> Eigen in the proton transfer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Uveal melanoma and familial atypical mole and melanoma (FAM-M) syndrome.
We conducted this study to determine whether occurrence of primary uveal melanoma in the setting of familial atypical mole and melanoma (F A M-M) syndrome (an autosomal dominant cutaneous preneoplastic syndrome) follows a pattern of a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome. A retrospective review of 4600 consecutive patients with primary uveal melanoma revealed eight patients with biopsy-proven F A M-M syndrome. The clinical profile of these patients was studied and their kindreds analyzed. In patients with F A M-M syndrome, the uveal melanoma occurred at a relatively young age (mean 40 years; range 10-52 years). The diagnosis of F A M-M syndrome preceded or followed the diagnosis of uveal melanoma by as much as 10 years. None of the patients had an associated nonmelanocytic malignancy. Three of the eight patients had a positive family history of melanoma (cutaneous melanoma (2) and uveal melanoma (1). The authors conclude that the occurrence of primary uveal melanoma in the setting of F A M-M syndrome does not follow a clear pattern of a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
New limits on the ultrahigh energy cosmic neutrino flux from the ANITA experiment.
We report initial results of the first flight of the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA-1) 2006-2007 Long Duration Balloon flight, which searched for evidence of a diffuse flux of cosmic neutrinos above energies of E(nu) approximately 3 x 10(18) eV. ANITA-1 flew for 35 days looking for radio impulses due to the Askaryan effect in neutrino-induced electromagnetic showers within the Antarctic ice sheets. We report here on our initial analysis, which was performed as a blind search of the data. No neutrino candidates are seen, with no detected physics background. We set model-independent limits based on this result. Upper limits derived from our analysis rule out the highest cosmogenic neutrino models. In a background horizontal-polarization channel, we also detect six events consistent with radio impulses from ultrahigh energy extensive air showers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Mineralocorticoid-like hypertension. "Apparent mineralocorticoid excess". A hereditary type of hypertension?].
The syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess is a form of hypertension inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. It results from mutations in the gene encoding the kidney isoenzyme of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. A number of different mutations have been described. Affected patients present with hypertension, hypokalemia and low levels of plasma renin and aldosterone. The severity of cases vary according to the degree of reduced activity of the enzyme. Treatment with potassium-sparing diuretics is effective. Four young adults with moderate hypertension are presented. They all had hypokalemia, low renin and low aldosterone. The THF + allo-THF/THE ratio was normal or slightly elevated. Treatment with amiloride was effective. They are suspected to be mild cases of the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Intracranial self-stimulation and wakefulness: effect of manipulating ambient brain catecholamines.
Rats were given disulfiram, an inhibitor of norepinephrine biosynthesis, to see if norepinephrine is a transmitter for motivation in electrical stimulation of the brain. Animals given the drug paused in bar pressing, appearing asleep or sedated; if replaced on the bar, they always resumed pressing at normal rates. The decrease in bar pressing may result from a direct or indirect effect of the drug on wakefulness rather than on reward. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Measurement of terbutaline and salbutamol in plasma by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.
A method is described for the determination of terbutaline and salbutamol in plasma from patients given maximal therapy for brittle asthma. The analytes were isolated by solid phase extraction on alkali-treated Bond-Elut, unmodified, silica columns and measured by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (excitation wavelength 200 nm). The limits of detection for a 1 mL sample containing salbutamol and terbutaline were 1 microgram/L and 2.5 micrograms/L, respectively. The intra-assay precision (CV) for samples containing 25 micrograms/L was 3.6 and 5.0% respectively. This method was applied to the measurement of terbutaline in samples from patients given continuous infusions of the drug to assess whether this treatment might result in toxicity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of plasticizers on the physicochemical properties of kappa-carrageenan films extracted from Eucheuma cottonii.
The physicochemical properties of κ-carrageenan films extracted from Eucheuma cottonii (E. cottonii) incorporated with different concentrations and types of plasticizers were studied. Glycerol, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol-300 (PEG-300) in the range of 10-60% were used as plasticizers. The results showed that the thickness and moisture content (MC) of films increased significantly (p≤0.05) with the increase in plasticizer concentration. Sorbitol-plasticized films had the lowest values. Sorbitol-plasticized films have better mechanical properties and the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP), solubility and water uptake ratio (WUR) compared with glycerol and PEG-plasticized films (p≤0.05). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the intermolecular reactions between κ-carrageenan and the plasticizers in the films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that sorbitol-plasticized films have a compact structure, even at the highest concentration. The melting temperature (Tm) of films decreased (p≤0.05) with an increase in the plasticizer concentration. Here, the glycerol-plasticized films had the lowest values. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed broad and narrow peaks of the un-plasticized κ-carrageenan film at 2θ=20.0° and 2θ=8.4°, respectively. The intensity of the broad peak increased and the narrow peak disappeared as the concentration of plasticizers increased. In conclusion, films from E. cottonii successfully produced with sorbitol as the plasticizer exhibited good physical properties as packaging films. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An algorithm for the automated quantitation of metabolites in in vitro NMR signals.
The quantitation of metabolite concentrations from in vitro NMR spectra is hampered by the sensitivity of peak positions to experimental conditions. The quantitation methods currently available are generally labor intensive and cannot readily be automated. Here, an algorithm is presented for the automatic time domain analysis of high-resolution NMR spectra. The TARQUIN algorithm uses a set of basis functions obtained by quantum mechanical simulation using predetermined parameters. Each basis function is optimized by subdividing it into a set of signals from magnetically equivalent spins and varying the simulated chemical shifts of each of these groups to match the signal undergoing analysis. A novel approach to the standard multidimensional minimization problem is introduced based on evaluating the fit resulting from different permutations of possible chemical shifts, obtained from one-dimensional searches. Results are presented from the analysis of (1)H proton magic angle spinning spectra of cell lines illustrating the robustness of the method in a typical application. Simulation was used to investigate the biggest peak shifts that can be tolerated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Role of the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid gland physiology.
The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) represents the molecular mechanism by which parathyroid cells detect changes in blood ionized calcium concentration and modulate parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion to maintain serum calcium levels within a narrow physiological range. Much has been learned in recent years about the diversity of signal transduction through the CaSR and the various factors that affect receptor expression. Beyond its classic role as a determinant of calcium-regulated PTH secretion, signaling through the CaSR also influences both gene transcription and cell proliferation in parathyroid cells. The CaSR thus serves a broad physiological role by integrating several distinct aspects of parathyroid gland function. The current review summarizes recent developments that enhance our understanding of the CaSR and its fundamental importance in parathyroid gland physiology. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A forward chemical screen identifies antibiotic adjuvants in Escherichia coli.
Multi-drug-resistant infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens are rapidly increasing, highlighting the need for new chemotherapies. Unlike Gram-positive bacteria, where many different chemical classes of antibiotics show efficacy, Gram-negatives are intrinsically insensitive to many antimicrobials including the macrolides, rifamycins, and aminocoumarins, despite intracellular targets that are susceptible to these drugs. The basis for this insensitivity is the presence of the impermeant outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria in addition to the expression of pumps and porins that reduce intracellular concentrations of many molecules. Compounds that sensitize Gram-negative cells to "Gram-positive antibiotics", antibiotic adjuvants, offer an orthogonal approach to addressing the crisis of multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. We performed a forward chemical genetic screen of 30,000 small molecules designed to identify such antibiotic adjuvants of the aminocoumarin antibiotic novobiocin in Escherichia coli. Four compounds from this screen were shown to be synergistic with novobiocin including inhibitors of the bacterial cytoskeleton protein MreB, cell wall biosynthesis enzymes, and DNA synthesis. All of these molecules were associated with altered cell shape and small molecule permeability, suggesting a unifying mechanism for these antibiotic adjuvants. The potential exists to expand this approach as a means to develop novel combination therapies for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Utilization of ascorbic acid during post-embryonic development of chick skeletal muscle.
Ascorbic acid is utilized during the post-embryonic differentiation of skeletal muscle fibres in chick. While the fibres lose their heterogeneity with regard to ascorbic acid, they continue to exhibit differences in their metabolic rates in terms of the succinate dehydrogenase activity throughout life. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Post-polypectomy bleeding in hot-snare polypectomy of colonic polyps under continued warfarin or short interruption of direct oral anticoagulants.
Newly published guidelines of the Japanese Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES) suggest to consider endoscopic procedures with high risk of bleeding without stopping warfarin and with stopping direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) only on the day of the procedure. In this study, we aimed to test the validity of these recommendations. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 344 patients with anticoagulant therapy who underwent hot-snare polypectomy between January 2012 and October 2018. Patients (n = 132) with interruption of anticoagulants (3-7 days for warfarin and 2-3 days for DOACs before the procedure) and without heparin-bridging were excluded. Among the remaining 212 patients, the incidence of post-polypectomy bleeding was compared between the following 2 patient groups: patients who had interruption of anticoagulants with heparin-bridging (HB group, n = 139) and patients treated according to the new JGES guideline (FG group, n = 73). The rate of post-polypectomy bleeding (PPB) in FG group (9.6%) was not significantly different from that in HB group (12.9%, p = 0.5). In subgroup analysis, the incidence of bleeding in patients with warfarin (12.2%) and with DOAC (6.3%) in FG group was not significantly different from corresponding figures in HB group (14.2%, 0%). In multivariate analysis, number of resected polyps was associated with PPB, but the administration of anticoagulants according to the new guidelines was not a significant risk factor for PPB (p = .98). Our study affirms the recommendations of JGES for the management of anticoagulants in patients who undergo colonic polypectomy regarding post-polypectomy bleeding. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Issues for laboratory outreach programs.
As we saw in the last "As We See It," many hospitals have begun outreach programs. We explored why outreach programs are established, the steps needed to develop a program, and the way to establish the proper business culture in a hospital laboratory for running a successful program. In this issue we identify the new skills laboratory managers need to be outreach managers, show how some programs maintain a competitive advantage, and explain some of the effects health-care reform will have on outreach services, as we ask: What are the requirements and issues involved in operating a successful laboratory outreach program? | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
FRS2α-dependent cell fate transition during endocardial cushion morphogenesis.
Atrioventricular valve development requires endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) that induces cushion endocardial cells to give rise to mesenchymal cells crucial to valve formation. In the adult endothelium, deletion of the docking protein FRS2α induces EndMT by activating TGFβ signaling in a miRNA let-7-dependent manner. To study the role of endothelial FRS2α during embryonic development, we generated mice with an inducible endothelial-specific deletion of Frs2α (FRS2αiECKO). Analysis of the FRS2αiECKO embryos uncovered a combination of impaired EndMT in AV cushions and defective maturation of AV valves leading to development of thickened, abnormal valves when Frs2α was deleted early (E7.5) in development. At the same time, no AV valve developmental abnormalities were observed after late (E10.5) deletion. These observations identify FRS2α as a pivotal controller of cell fate transition during both EndMT and post-EndMT valvulogenesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The characteristics of the formation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal neurosecretory system in the Arctic lemming Dicostonyx torquatus of Wrangel Island in the postnatal development period].
Hypothalamo-hypophyseal neurosecretory system (HHNS) of 1-30 days old lemmings Dicrostonyx torquatus from the Wrangel Island in the year of a decreased but still highly dense population was studied by paraldehyde fucshin method and immunohistochemically using antisera to vasopressin and oxytocin. In the period of first two weeks of postnatal development the rate of HHNS formation was found to have significant individual differences and to be slower than HHNS formation in laboratory rats due to less stable and suitable environmental conditions. Like in rats the rate of differentiation of the supraoptic nucleus in lemmings was faster than that of the paraventricular one. Formation of the median eminence was retarded as compared to the hypophyseal posterior lobe. Vasopressin-immunoactive structures appeared earlier than oxytocin-immunoreactive ones both in the neurosecretory centers and in the neurohaemal regions. By 21-30 days the development the HHNS system was practically completed and the levels of maturation of studied structures in different individuals became closer. In this period an accumulation of neurosecretory material was observed in all parts of the HHNS which is probably connected with activation of the system under the condition of stress due to a high population density. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Automatic determination of pedicle screw size, length, and trajectory from patient data.
Pedicle screw insertion is an orthopaedic spinal fixation procedure involving the placement of screws through individual spine pedicles and secured in spinal vertebrae. Pedicle anatomy varies widely within and across the patient population, and many complications have been reported with the surgical technique. To reduce complications, an automated procedure was developed that utilizes patient-specific medical imaging data to predetermine optimum pedicle screw size, length, and trajectory. The procedure involves importing medical imaging scans into the software, creating uniform voxel data for algorithm simplicity, segmenting the bony anatomy of the spine and defining its boundary, and identifying the pedicle using a search algorithm. The operations are performed in two-dimensions in the coordinate system of the medical imaging data. For each image slice, the minimum pedicle width is identified, and examining all slices identifies the overall minimum pedicle width. The optimum trajectory is determined using a 3D linear least squares fit to the array of minimum pedicle width midpoints. With the optimum trajectory determined, the maximum screw size and length are determined. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Identification and characterization of class I chitinase in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer.
The role of plant chitinases in protecting plants against a variety of fungal pathogens is well established. In the present study, a cDNA clone containing a class I chitinase (Chi-1) gene, designated as PgChi-1, has been isolated from the oriental medicinal plant Panax ginseng. PgChi-1 is predicted to encode a protein of 34.9 kDa consisting of 323 amino acid residues. PgChi-1 was found to be expressed constitutively in all of the studied organs of ginseng plant. Under various abiotic stress treatments including Cu, H2O2, mannitol, SA, JA, and NaCl, the expression of PgChi-1 in plantlets and hairy roots increased significantly compared to the control. When different parts of root were analyzed, maximum level was observed in taproot. In addition, levels of PgChi-1 expression were compared between healthy root and fungal, bacterial, and nematode infected root. Significant increase of PgChi-1 was noticed in pathogen infected roots than healthy roots. This study revealed that PgChi-1 may protect the P. ginseng under both biotic and abiotic stress conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The course of sleep disturbances in early alcohol recovery: an observational cohort study.
Understanding the course and determinants of sleep disturbances in alcoholic patients may help identify patients at high risk of persistent sleep problems, relapse and guide treatment interventions. We prospectively administered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to all patients (N = 196) admitted to a 1-month residential treatment program. Our analysis excluded patients with active drug abuse/dependence. Demographic data, psychiatric diagnoses, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Inventory of Drug Taking Situations (IDTS) scores were obtained. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed using sex, age, hazardous alcohol use, PHQ-9 scores, hypnotic use, and use of alcohol as a hypnotic as correlates to admission PSQI scores and improvement in PSQI scores. A total of 119 alcoholic patients met inclusion criteria (mean age 50.6 ± 13.2 years). The rates of sleep disturbances at admission and discharge were 69.3% and 49.1%, respectively. Self report of using alcohol to fall asleep and use of hypnotics were associated with elevated PSQI scores. Total PSQI scores improved over 4 weeks (p < .001). Change in PSQI scores was not effected by gender, use of hypnotics, hazardous alcohol use, use of alcohol as a hypnotic or co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis. Older age predicted improvement in PSQI scores in patients with sleep disturbances (p = .004). While a large proportion of alcoholics had sleep disturbances upon admission and at discharge from a residential treatment program, only older age was associated with improvements in sleep disturbances during early alcohol recovery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparative studies in electrochemical degradation of sulfamethoxazole and diclofenac in water by using various electrodes and phosphate and sulfate supporting electrolytes.
In this study, the electro-oxidation capacities of Na2SO4 and potassium phosphate buffer supporting electrolytes were tested and compared for destruction of the sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and diclofenac (DCF) on platinum (Pt) electrode and graphite carbon electrode in aqueous medium. The suitability of pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) for electrochemical oxidation was tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique performed in the potential range -1.5 to +1.5 V versus Ag/AgCl, which confirmed the electro-activity of the selected PhACs. The degradation and mineralization were monitored by ultraviolet (UV)-Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC. 0.1 M Na2SO4 supporting electrolyte was found to be more effective for mineralization of SMX and DCF, with efficiency of 15-30% more than the 0.1 M phosphate buffer supporting electrolyte on the platinum (Pt) and carbon electrodes. The Pt electrode showed better performance in the degradation of the two PhACs while under the same conditions than the carbon electrode for both 0.1 M Na2SO4 and 0.1 M potassium phosphate buffer supporting electrolytes. The SMX and DCF degradation kinetics best fitted the second-order reaction, with rate constants ranging between 0.000389 and 0.006 mol(2) L(-2) min(-1) and correlation coefficient (R(2)) above 0.987. The second-order degradation kinetics indicated that the rate-determining step in the degradation could be a chemical process, thus suggesting the active involvement of electrolyte radical species in the degradation of SMX and DCF. Results obtained from a real field sample showed a more than 98% removal of the PhACs from the wastewater by electrochemical degradation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Site specificity of bleomycin-mediated single-strand scissions and alkali-labile damage in duplex DNA.
Form II PM2 DNA, which contained bleomycin-mediated single-strand breaks, was purified and treated with the extracellular endonuclease from Alteromonas BAL 31. This enzyme cleaves the phosphodiester backbone opposite a single-strand break to yield a double-strand break. The locations of these double-strand breaks were determined relative to the cleavage sites produced by the restriction enzyme HindIII. The experimental procedure was as follows. Form I PM2 DNA was treated with bleomycin to produce alkali-labile bonds. These were hydrolyzed by alkali treatment and the DNA, now containing single-strand breaks, was purified and treated with the BAL 31 enzyme and the HindIII enzyme to determine the positions of the original alkali-labile bonds. It was found that the single-strand breaks and alkali-labile bonds were introduced at preferred sites on the PM2 genome, since electrophoretic analyses of the DNA after the HindIII digestion revealed DNA bands of discrete sizes. The molecular weights of the DNA fragments produced by these treatments indicate that single-strand breaks and alkali-labile bonds occur at the same sites as those previously determined for direct double-strand scissions introduced by bleomycin at neutral pH. Some of the specific sites of double-strand scissions mediated by bleomycin at neutral pH (Lloyd et al., 1978b) are also shown here to be relatively more reactive than other sites when the DNA contains superhelical turns. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Emergency stenting of a ruptured infected anastomotic femoral pseudoaneurysm.
A 74-year-old man presented with a ruptured infected anastomotic femoral pseudoaneurysm. Due to severe medical comorbidities he was considered unsuitable for conventional surgical management and underwent an emergency endovascular repair with a balloon-expandable covered stent. The pseudoaneurysm was excluded successfully and the patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery with long-term suppressive antimicrobials. He remained well for 10 months after the procedure with no signs of recurrent local or systemic infection and finally died from an acute myocardial infarction. To our knowledge, emergency endovascular treatment of a free ruptured bleeding femoral artery pseudoaneurysm has not been documented before in the English literature. This case illustrates that endovascular therapy may be a safe and efficient alternative in the emergent management of ruptured infected anastomotic femoral artery pseudoaneurysms when traditional open surgery is contraindicated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inference of the japonica rice domestication process from the distribution of six functional nucleotide polymorphisms of domestication-related genes in various landraces and modern cultivars.
Crop domestication can serve as a model of plant evolutionary processes. It involves a series of selection events from standing natural variation and newly occurring mutations and combinations of mutations as a result of natural crossings in populations during local adaptation and propagation of plant lines to other cultivation areas. Our earlier identification of three functional nucleotide polymorphisms (FNPs) of distinct genes involved in the rice domestication process led us to propose a model of the japonica rice domestication process. Here, we examined three more FNPs in two domestication-related genes involved in pigment synthesis during the development of seed pericarp color (Rc and Rd) in 91 landraces (and some modern cultivars) of japonica rice collected from throughout the area of distribution of rice. These polymorphisms were assigned by using genome-wide patterns of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and the local origins of the landraces. The results led us to infer the process of japonica rice domestication in more detail and propose a more refined model of the japonica domestication process. In this model, the critical role of the Rc FNP at an early step of the domestication process was highlighted. Independent artificial selections of two defective Rd alleles were found, suggesting a role for Rd other than in pigment synthesis during rice domestication. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Use of subjective global assessment to identify nutrition-associated complications and death in geriatric long-term care facility residents.
The primary objective of this study was to assess the use of Subjective Global Assessment to identify nutrition-associated complications and death in a geriatric population. A secondary objective was to evaluate the ability of Subjective Global Assessment to identify geriatric residents of long-term care facilities who were undernourished or at risk for developing undernutrition. Fifty-three consecutive residents who were > or = 65 years of age and had been residing in a long-term care facility for < 2 weeks were enrolled in the study. The Subjective Global Assessment Classification technique was performed according to the procedure outlined by Detsky and colleagues. Residents were classified as well-nourished (A), mild/moderately undernourished (B) or severely undernourished (C). In addition, a Subjective Global Assessment Composite Score was derived. Subjective Global Assessment measures were compared with two traditional objective measurements of nutritional status: serum albumin and serum total cholesterol. Outcome measurements of nutrition-associated complications were determined over a 3-month period by recording the incidence of major infections, decubitus ulcers, nutrition-related hospital readmissions, and mortality. Sixteen residents (30.2%) were categorized as Subjective Global Assessment class A, 28 residents (52.8%) were class B, and 9 residents (17%) were class C. A significant association was found between nutritional status as determined by Subjective Global Assessment Composite Score and nutrition-associated complications (p<0.05). Subjective Global Assessment Classification was related to death (p<0.05) with severely undernourished residents having the highest mortality rate. Hypoalbuminemia only demonstrated a significant relationship with nutrition-associated complications (p<0.05), whereas hypocholesterolemia was associated with death (p<0.05). Subjective Global Assessment of nutritional status appears to be a simple, noninvasive and cost-effective tool for assessing nutritional status of geriatric residents in long-term care facilities. This assessment tool is also beneficial for identifying patients with increased risk of nutrition-associated complications as well as death. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Total and Fetal Circulating Cell-Free DNA, Angiogenic, and Antiangiogenic Factors in Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome.
Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. The HELLP syndrome is the most severe form of PE. The aim of the present study was to determine different potential biomarkers that may help us perform an early diagnosis of the disease, assess on the severity of the disease, and/or predict maternal or fetal adverse outcomes. We measured serum levels of total and fetal circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), soluble endoglin, soluble form of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and placental growth factor in a healthy control group of pregnant women (n = 26), patients with mild (n = 37) and severe PE (n = 25), and patients with HELLP syndrome (n = 16). We observed a gradual and strong relationship between all the biomarkers mentioned and the range of severity of PE, with the highest levels in patients with HELLP syndrome. Nevertheless, only the values of total cfDNA were able to significantly differentiate severe PE and HELLP syndrome (20957 ± 2784 vs. 43184 ± 8647 GE/ml, P = 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed (i) for the healthy group with respect to the groups with PE and (ii) for patients with PE with respect to the group with HELLP syndrome; sensitivity and specificity values at different cutoff levels were calculated in each case. The maximum ROC area under the curve value for PE and HELLP syndrome (with respect to controls) was 0.91 (P < 0.001). The measured biomarkers of cell damage, angiogenesis, and antiangiogenesis may reflect the severity of PE, with higher levels in patients who develop HELLP syndrome. In addition, these biomarkers may also help predict adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Kaposis sarcoma report of a case with exclusive oral involvement.
A case of Kaposis sarcoma presenting exclusively in the oral cavity is reported. Exclusive oral presentation of Kaposis sarcoma is considered extremely rare. At the U.C.H. Ibadan, a total of one hundred and two cases of Kaposis sarcoma were seen in the last 24 years. None of these presented exclusively or concomitantly in the oral cavity, until this case under review. The clinical and histological difficulties that were encountered in diagnosing this exclusive oral presentation are discussed. Literature review on possible pathogenesis is highlighted. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Substrate Specificity of Human Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C Subfamily and Effect of Azole Antifungal Agents on CYP2C8.
The metabolic activities of aminopyrine N-demethylation and tolbutamide methylhydroxylation by the human hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) 2C subfamily were compared and the effects of azole antifungal agent on the drug-metabolizing activity of CYP2C8 were investigated. Aminopyrine N-demethylation and tolbutamide methylhydroxylation by CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 were determined by the previous reported methods. The effects of five azole antifungal agents, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and voriconazole, on the aminopyrine N-demethylation activity by CYP2C8 were investigated. With regard to aminopyrine N-demethylation, CYP2C19 had the lowest Michaelis constant (Km) and CYP2C8 had the highest maximal velocity (Vmax) among the CYP2C subfamily members. The Vmax/Km values for CYP2C8 were the highest, followed by CYP2C19. For tolbutamide methylhydroxylation, the Km and Vmax for CYP2C19 were three and six times higher than the corresponding values for CYP2C9, and the Vmax/Km value for CYP2C19 was twice that for CYP2C9, whereas hydroxylated tolbutamide formed by CYP2C8 was not detected. Fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole at a concentration of 2 or 10 µM neither inhibited nor stimulated CYP2C8-mediated aminopyrine N-demethylation activity at substrate concentrations around the Km (5 mM). However, ketoconazole and miconazole noncompetitively inhibited CYP2C8-mediated aminopyrine N-demethylation with the inhibitory constant values of 1.98 and 0.86 µM, respectively. These results suggest that ketoconazole and miconazole might inhibit CYP2C8 clinically. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Does race affect management and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States?
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and its incidence is increasing in the United States. This analysis describes the association between race, treatment decisions, operative outcomes, and survival for patients with HCC. The National Cancer Database was queried for all patients diagnosed with HCC from 1998 to 2011 (n = 143,692) who were white (76.9%), black (14.7%), or Asian (8.4%). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine factors that affected the likelihood of having surgery and postoperative mortality, and a Cox regression was performed to evaluate the effect of these factors on survival. The proportion of black patients with HCC increased in the United States during the 13-year period. There were no substantial differences among races in tumor size, grade, or overall clinical stage at the time of presentation; however, black patients were less likely to have surgery (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.67-0.72). Of patients who had surgery, there were no significant differences in pathologic stage, margin negative resection rate, or 30-day mortality; however, black patients had the longest interval between diagnosis and surgery, as well as the worst overall adjusted survival (hazard ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.25). These findings were independent of HCC stage, insurance provider, and socioeconomic status. Despite similar clinical presentation of HCC, substantial racial differences exist with regard to management and outcomes. Black patients are less likely to receive surgery for HCC and have worse long-term survival, despite similar perioperative quality metrics. This difference in long-term survival may highlight neighborhood, cultural, or biological differences between races. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Calcium dependence of villin-induced actin depolymerization.
"Cutting" of actin filaments by villin was evaluated from the time course of filament depolymerization. Depolymerization was initiated by diluting polymerized actin, labeled with a fluorescent probe on either lysine-374 or cysteine-375, to a concentration well below the critical into a medium containing free villin and various concentrations of calcium (in addition to potassium and magnesium). It was observed that at high calcium concentrations (200 microM) the time course of depolymerization could not be described by the single exponential that defines it at low calcium and low villin levels. Instead, at high calcium, the exponent increased with time and the rate of depolymerization became greater than that of controls in the absence of villin. This contrasts with the inhibition of depolymerization by villin at low calcium. The latter inhibition is a consequence of the capping of the barbed filament end by villin as are the inhibition of filament elongation and the elevation of the critical concentration. Evidence is presented that the effects of villin at high calcium are the result of cutting of the actin filaments by villin. It thus appears that different calcium binding sites control capping and cutting and that the calcium binding sites regulating cutting have a much lower affinity for calcium than the sites regulating capping of the barbed filament ends. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical efficacy of sildenafil in treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in dogs.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in dogs carries a poor prognosis. Sildenafil increases exercise capacity and improves hemodynamics in people with PAH. Dogs receiving sildenafil will have lower pulmonary arterial pressure, increased exercise capacity, and better quality of life (QOL) than dogs receiving placebo. Thirteen dogs with echocardiographic evidence of PAH. Prospective short-term, randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind, crossover study. Dogs with PAH were randomly allocated to receive sildenafil or placebo for 4 weeks, followed by the alternative treatment for 4 weeks. Dogs receiving sildenafil had a significantly lower estimated pulmonary arterial pressure (median, 56 mmHg; range, 34-83 mmHg) than at baseline (median, 72 mmHg; range, 61-86 mmHg; P=.018), but not significantly lower than those receiving placebo (median, 62 mmHg; range, 49-197 mmHg). Exercise capacity was significantly greater in dogs receiving sildenafil than those receiving placebo (mean activity count per minute: 101+/-47 versus 74+/-32; P=.05). QOL scores were significantly higher in dogs receiving sildenafil than dogs receiving placebo. Sildenafil decreases systolic pulmonary arterial pressure from baseline in dogs with PAH and is associated with increased exercise capacity and QOL when compared to treatment with placebo. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The "chemical leech": intra-replant subcutaneous heparin as an alternative to venous anastomosis. Report of three cases.
Three successful cases of distal finger replantation are described where suitable veins were unavailable for anastomosis after arterial flow had been re-established. To prevent infarction, calcium heparin was injected subcutaneously into the replants at intervals over 9 days. This allowed the venous blood to escape into the dressings while an adequate microvenous circulation was re-established, thus simulating the effect of a leech. Complete survival of all three distal replantations was observed. No attempted case has been unsuccessful. The procedure is simple and can be administered by the nursing staff. It avoids some of the problems associated with the use of medicinal leeches and systemic heparin. Applications of this technique in other areas of replantation and flap surgery are suggested. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tenosynovial chondromatosis of the flexor hallucis longus in a 17-year-old girl.
Tenosynovial chondromatosis is a benign chondrogenic metaplasia of extra-articular synovial tissue. The most common locations for tenosynovial chondromatosis to develop are the hands and feet. The condition has rarely been reported in children. We present a case of tenosynovial chondromatosis of the flexor hallucis longus in a 17-year-old girl. The presentation was unusual not only due to the location and young age of the patient but also the absence of any palpable mass on physical exam and complete lack of calcification of the cartilage bodies. Initial diagnosis was made by MRI. The patient underwent tenosynovectomy with an excellent postoperative recovery at 6-month follow-up. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of tenosynovial chondromatosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of peroperative lavage solutions on peritoneal defence mechanisms in vitro.
To find out the in vitro reaction of mesothelial cells and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) to incubation with seven commonly-used lavage solutions. Experimental study. Laboratories, The Netherlands. Cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells and isolated PMN. Incubation of cells with clinically used lavage solutions (sodium chloride, Hartmann's solution, povidone-iodine, Dakin's solution, taurolidine, chlorhexidine, and hydrogen peroxide). Activation of monolayers of mesothelial cells and PMN measured by release of oxygen free radicals (chemiluminescence) and interleukin (IL)-8 concentrations and toxic effects measured by morphology, release of lactate dehydrogenase, failure of the restriction of the passage of inulin, and incorporation of propidium iodide. All solutions activated and killed mesothelial cells and PMN to some extent; the more concentrated the solution the greater the effect on these cells. Lavage solutions both poison and stimulate mesothelial cells and neutrophils, and some solutions are more potent than others. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antimicrobial and antiviral activity of hydrolysable tannins.
Hydrolysable tannins (HTs), secondary metabolites widely distributed in the plant kingdom, are generally multiple esters of gallic acid with glucose. HTs have been shown to be effective antagonists against viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms. The present review examines the antimicrobial and antiviral activity of HTs, the mechanism(s) of action, and some structure-activity relationships. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Depriving Bacterial Adhesion-Related Molecule to Inhibit Biofilm Formation Using CeO2 -Decorated Metal-Organic Frameworks.
The formation of bacterial biofilm is one of the causes of antimicrobial resistance, often leading to persistent infections and a high fatality rate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel and effective strategies to inhibit biofilm formation. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) plays an important role in bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation through stimulating cell lysis and extracellular DNA (eDNA) release. Herein, a simple and robust strategy for inhibiting biofilm formation is developed using CeO2 -decorated porphyrin-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The function of extracellular ATP (eATP) can be inhibited by CeO2 nanoparticles, leading to the disruption of the initial adhesion of bacteria. Furthermore, planktonic bacteria can be killed by cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by MOFs. As a consequence, the synergic effect of eATP deprivation and ROS generation presents excellent capacity to prevent biofilm formation, which may provide a new direction for designing flexible and effective biofilm-inhibiting systems. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Protein folding and binding in confined spaces and in crowded solutions.
Simple theoretical models are presented to illustrate the effects of spatial confinement and macromolecular crowding on the equilibria and rates of protein folding and binding. Confinement is expected to significantly stabilize the folded state, but for crowding only a marginal effect on protein stability is expected. In confinement the unfolded chain is restricted to a cage but in crowding the unfolded chain may explore different interstitial voids. Because confinement and crowding eliminate the more expanded conformations of the unfolded state, folding from the compact unfolded state is expected to speed up. Crowding will shift the binding equilibrium of proteins toward the bound state. The significant slowing down in protein diffusion by crowding, perhaps beneficial for chaperonin action, could result in a decrease in protein binding rates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
MiR-19b-3p attenuates IL-1β induced extracellular matrix degradation and inflammatory injury in chondrocytes by targeting GRK6.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degradation of articular cartilage. MiRNAs are involved in the regulation of chondrogenesis and OA. We aimed to investigate effects and mechanisms of miR-19b-3p in regulating chondrocytes viability, cartilage degradation and inflammatory response. Primary chondrocytes were isolated from cartilages in control subjects and patients with OA. Murine ATDC5 cells were pre-conditioned with IL-1β in vitro. Expressions and interaction of miR-19b-3p with G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6 (GRK6), and their effects on inflammation, chondrocytes viability and cartilage degradation were determined after miR-19b-3p mimic or GRK6 siRNA transfection. MiR-19b-3p was significantly decreased in OA chondrocytes and IL-1β-stimulated ATDC5 cells, in paralleled with the elevated type-II-collagen, aggrecan, MMP13 and GRK6 expression. MiR-19b-3p mimic dramatically increased the viability of chondrocytes and suppressed cell apoptosis. It also increased type-II-collagen, aggrecan expression and glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content, and decreased the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13 that controlled by IL-1β. Overexpression of miR-19b-3p inhibited the production of IL-6 and IL-8 in ATDC5 cells. However, the protective effects of miR-19b-3p mimic on IL-1β induced cell death; IL-8 production and sGAG decrease were greatly discounted by GRK6 lentiviral vectors. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that GRK6 gene was a direct target ofmiR-19b-3p. GRK6 siRNA transfection antagonized the IL-1β-induced chondrocytes injury, extracellular matrix degradation and inflammatory response. MiR-19b-3p mimic and GRK6 siRNA showed comparable inhibitory effect on IL-1β-provoked NF-κB as reflected by the expression of p-p65. NF-κB translocation inhibition with PS1154 reversed the effects of IL-1β on IL-8 and sGAG. Collectively, miR-19b-3p attenuated OA by targeting GRK6-NF-κB pathway. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cyclic AMP-dependent and Epac-mediated activation of R-Ras by G protein-coupled receptors leads to phospholipase D stimulation.
The activation of the Ras-related GTPase R-Ras, which has been implicated in the regulation of various cellular functions, by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) was studied in HEK-293 cells stably expressing the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), which can couple to several types of heterotrimeric G proteins. Activation of the receptor induced a very rapid and transient activation of R-Ras. Studies with inhibitors and activators of various signaling pathways indicated that R-Ras activation by the M3 mAChR is dependent on cyclic AMP formation but is independent of protein kinase A. Similar to the rather promiscuous M3 mAChR, two typical G(s)-coupled receptors also induced R-Ras activation. The receptor actions were mimicked by an Epac-specific cyclic AMP analog and suppressed by depletion of endogenous Epac1 by small interfering RNAs, as well as expression of a cyclic AMP binding-deficient Epac1 mutant, but not by expression of dominant negative Rap GTPases. In vitro studies demonstrated that Epac1 directly interacts with R-Ras and catalyzes GDP/GTP exchange at this GTPase. Finally, it is shown that the cyclic AMP- and Epac-activated R-Ras plays a major role in the M3 mAChR-mediated stimulation of phospholipase D but not phospholipase C. Collectively, our data indicate that GPCRs rapidly activate R-Ras, that R-Ras activation by the GPCRs is apparently directly induced by cyclic AMP-regulated Epac proteins, and that activated R-Ras specifically controls GPCR-mediated phospholipase D stimulation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Allelic loss at PTEN locus leads to progression of colorectal carcinoma among North Indian patients.
We evaluated the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 10q23.3 locus of microsatellite markers; D10S198, D10S192, and D10S541 of PTEN gene in 223 North Indian colorectal cancer (CRC) specimens. DNA was isolated and microsatellite-specific markers polymerase chain reaction was performed. Out of total 223 cases 102 showed LOH for at least one of the locus. In addition, thereto a significant association was found with the clinicopathologic features like grade of differentiation, clinical stage, invasion, lymph node invasion, and the clinical outcome (p < 0.05). These data argue that the given markers to check the possible LOH of PTEN gene at locus 10q23.3 could be considered as one of the diagnostic markers in CRC. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fibre type and burden in parenchymal tissues of workers occupationally exposed to asbestos in the United States.
Lung tissues obtained from 53 asbestos-exposed workers, and one person exposed in a domestic setting, were studied. Amosite is the most prevalent fibre, occurring in 74% of the specimens. Amosite is always found in the lungs of insulation workers whereas chrysotile is found in only 50% of this population. Crocidolite has been detected in 24% of the lungs examined, but this increases to 40% in workers with shipyard histories. Exposure to chrysotile is widespread; the fibre has been observed in 61% of the tissues studied. Chrysotile occurs as the lone fibre in about 22% of the tissues examined, but tremolite is present in one-third of these. Fibre consumption data cannot be used as indices of exposure in the workplace; amphibole exposure appears to be product- and job-category-related. The assessment of risk to asbestos disease in the general population of the United States, exposed to chrysotile, should be based on appropriate chrysotile-exposed cohorts. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Group psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy: psychodynamic considerations.
Perspectives on the psychology of pharmacotherapy are much broader in therapy groups than in the dyadic relationship of individual psychotherapy. The author draws on several sources to develop descriptions of the possible psychodynamic effects of pharmacotherapy on group members for whom medication is prescribed, those for whom it is not prescribed, the group as a whole, and group leaders. In the context of dependency and other conflict sources, anxiety and attendant control issues generated by the collective meanings of medication can result in significant group denial and/or regression. This article underscores the importance of group leader awareness of the potential impact of pharmacotherapy on group dynamics and endorses ongoing therapeutic attention to these often subtle influences. The author suggests further study of the meanings of medication, their influences on individual and group dynamics, and the interventions considered most therapeutic. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Charcot spine in a person with congenital insensitivity to pain with anhydrosis: a case report of re-diagnosis.
We report the case of a 43-year-old woman referred for evaluation of worsening gait. Her initial evaluation led to a diagnosis of a Charcot spine and 2 spinal stabilization surgeries. Because no clear cause for the Charcot spine could be determined from the patient's history or initial evaluation, an extensive diagnostic work-up was undertaken, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhydrosis (CIPA). This diagnosis was known and confirmed by the patient's parents but was unknown to the patient and her treating physicians. Unique to this case is not only the significant medical implications and the value of the re-diagnosis and confirmation of this rare condition, but also the rarer occurrence of a Charcot spine in a person with CIPA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Incorporation of nitric oxide donor into 1,3-dioxyxanthones leads to synergistic anticancer activity.
Fifty 1,3-dioxyxanthone nitrates (4a ∼ i-n, n = 1-6) were designed and synthesized based on molecular similarity strategy. Incorporation of nitrate into 1,3-dioxyxanthones with electron-donating groups at 6-8 position brought about synergistic anticancer effect. Among them, compound 4g-4 was confirmed the most active agent against HepG-2 cells growth with an IC50 of 0.33 ± 0.06 μM. It dose-dependently increased intramolecular NO levels. This activity was attenuated by either NO scavenger PTIO or mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (mtADH) inhibitor PCDA. Apoptosis analysis indicated different contributions of early/late apoptosis and necrosis to cell death for different dose of 4g-4. 4g-4 arrested more cells on S phase. Results from Western Blot implied that 4g-4 regulated p53/MDM2 to promote cancer cell apoptosis. All the evidences support that 4g-4 is a promising anti-cancer agent. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Adenylate cyclase agonist properties of CGP-12177A in brown fat: evidence for atypical beta-adrenergic receptors.
Thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is stimulated by catecholamine activation of adenylate cyclase through the beta-adrenergic receptor. Recently it was reported that the beta-adrenergic antagonist CGP-12177A stimulates oxygen consumption in BAT. To investigate the mechanism of action of CGP-12177A in BAT, we assessed the inhibitory and stimulatory affects of CGP-12177A on the adenylate cyclase system in myocardial and BAT membranes from rats. CGP-1277A inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner, with an inhibitory constant (Ki) of 1.94 +/- 0.18 microM in BAT and 0.49 +/- 0.11 microM in the heart. However, in the absence of isoproterenol, CGP-12177A stimulated adenylate cyclase in BAT with two components of activation, and half-maximal stimulation occurred at 1 microM and 1.5 mM. In contrast, CGP-12177A did not stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in heart membranes. Propranolol inhibited the isoproterenol-stimulated activity with a potency that was one log less in BAT compared with heart. Propranolol fully blocked the high-affinity component but only weakly blocked the low-affinity component of CGP-12177A-stimulated activity in BAT. Pindolol was also less potent in BAT but inhibited the CGP-12177A-stimulated activity in a manner similar to the inhibition of the isoproterenol-stimulated activity, suggesting the CGP-12177A activation was beta-receptor mediated. Binding curves of [125I]iodocyanopindolol ([125I]ICYP) in competition with CGP-12177A demonstrated a shift to lower affinity in the presence of beta,gamma-imidoguanosine 5'-triphosphate, indicating that CGP-12177A has agonist properties with respect to the [125I]ICYP binding site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
BIOCHEMICAL HETEROZYGOSITY AND MORPHOLOGIC VARIATION IN A COLONY OF PAPIO HAMADRYAS HAMADRYAS BABOONS.
This analysis examines the association between genetic heterozygosity and individual morphologic variation in a captive population of Papio hamadryas hamadryas consisting of 403 juveniles and adults. The population structure of the colony was artificially generated and maintained and is thus rigorously defined. Subpopulations delimited by age, sex, and degree of inbreeding are also explored. Heterozygosity, as enumerated from six simple Mendelian biochemical loci, is compared with the residual morphologic variation of each individual for each of 20 quantitative traits. Use of a sequential Bonferroni technique nullifies all significant correlations. Principal-components analysis reduces the morphometrics to a single or few significant axes in each population. The first axis of the total population contains 86.07% of the variation in the sample and the absolute values of the factor scores exhibit a significant positive correlation with heterozygosity at P < 0.05. Correcting for age- and sex-related variation in the total population with a linear model subsequently demonstrates that no significant correlation between heterozygosity and morphologic variation exists. No significant relationship is found in the inbred animals or subpopulations when age and sex are controlled. Previous studies have indicated that individuals proximal to the population mean for a specific polygenic trait exhibit a higher biochemical heterozygosity than individuals distant from the mean. The results presented here, which are based on more loci than many studies and a well-defined population, do not support this relationship. Substructuring of a population by age and sex can lead to spurious correlations with univariate or multivariate techniques. Comprehensive indices of genetic variation and rigorous statistical techniques should be used in future analyses. Studies that fail to recognize these design elements should be interpreted with caution. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synthesis and toxicity characterization of carbon coated iron oxide nanoparticles with highly defined size distributions.
Iron oxide nanoparticles hold great promise for future biomedical applications. To this end numerous studies on iron oxide nanoparticles have been conducted. One aspect these studies reveal is that nanoparticle size and shape can trigger different cellular responses through endocytic pathways, cell viability and early apoptosis. However, systematic studies investigating the size dependence of iron oxide nanoparticles with highly defined diameters across multiple cells lines are not available yet. Iron oxide nanoparticles with well-defined size distributions were prepared. All samples were thoroughly characterized and the cytotoxicity for four standard cell lines (HeLa Kyoto, human osteosarcoma (U2OS), mouse fibroblasts (NIH 3T3) and mouse macrophages (J7442)) where investigated. Our findings show that small differences in size distribution (ca. 10nm) of iron oxide nanoparticles do not influence cytotoxicity, while uptake is size dependent. Cytotoxicity is dose-dependent. Broad distributions of nanoparticles are more easily internalized as compared to the narrow distributions for two of the cell lines tested (HeLa Kyoto and mouse macrophages (J7442)). The data indicate that it is not feasible to probe changes in cytotoxicity within a small size range (10nm). However, TEM investigations of the nanoparticles indicate that cellular uptake is size dependent. The present work compares narrow and broad distributions for various samples of carbon-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The data highlights that cells differentiate between nanoparticle sizes as indicated by differences in cellular uptake. This information provides valuable knowledge to better understand the interaction of nanoparticles and cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Addressing the epidemic of chronic kidney disease in Australia.
The Australia Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AUSDIAB) study provided, for the first time in Australia, a snapshot of the prevalence of kidney damage, reduced kidney function, hypertension and diabetes in the adult population. With this information, and the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) registry, that has recorded kidney failure statistics for many years, the extent of the chronic kidney disease burden in Australia is being better defined. This burden is even more pronounced in the Indigenous population where the incidence of kidney disease and kidney failure is increased several-fold. Diabetes is the second most common cause of kidney failure among Australians. The number of patients with diabetes accepted to dialysis has doubled in the last 7 years, the mean body weight of patients commencing dialysis has increased 7 kg in the past decade and the mean age at acceptance to dialysis is rising in a linear fashion (presently 60 years). These facts, together with a static transplant rate, all point to the prevalence of dialysis likely staying at or increasing beyond the present yearly growth rate of 6-7%. The evidence shows that a large proportion of chronic kidney disease patients are dying of cardiovascular risk factors before they reach dialysis or transplantation. There are many gaps in delivering appropriate preventative treatment to these patients. A relatively small reduction in the rise in dialysis numbers that might flow from an effective prevention of progression program, could make a significant impact on the spiralling numbers and associated cost of kidney failure treatment in Australia. We now need to develop and implement a national kidney disease strategy designed to address the whole continuum of chronic kidney disease from its earliest stage right through to dialysis and transplantation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Photochemically re-bridging disulfide bonds and the discovery of a thiomaleimide mediated photodecarboxylation of C-terminal cysteines.
Described in this work is a novel method for photochemically manipulating peptides and proteins via the installation of cysteine-selective photoactive tags. Thiomaleimides, generated simply by the addition of bromomaleimides to reduced disulfide bonds, undergo [2 + 2] photocycloadditions to reconnect the crosslink between the two cysteine residues. This methodology is demonstrated to enable photoactivation of a peptide by macrocyclisation, and reconnection of the heavy and light chains in an antibody fragment to form thiol stable conjugates. Finally we report on an intriguing thiomaleimide mediated photochemical decarboxylation of C-terminal cysteines, discovered during this study. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Superior efficacy of fesoterodine over tolterodine extended release with rapid onset: a prospective, head-to-head, placebo-controlled trial.
• To show the superior efficacy of fesoterodine over tolterodine extended release (ER) in a placebo-controlled overactive bladder (OAB) trial with predefined treatment comparisons for both diary measures and patient-reported outcomes. • In this 12-week, double-blind, double-dummy trial, subjects reporting >1 urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episode and ≥8 micturitions per 24 h at baseline were randomized to fesoterodine (4 mg for 1 week, 8 mg for 11 weeks), tolterodine ER 4 mg, or placebo. • Subjects completed 3-day bladder diaries, the Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC) and the Urgency Perception Scale (UPS) at baseline and weeks 1, 4 and 12 and the OAB Questionnaire at baseline and week 12. • A total of 2417 subjects were randomized. At week 12, fesoterodine 8 mg showed superiority over tolterodine ER 4 mg and placebo on UUI episodes (primary endpoint), micturitions, urgency and most other diary endpoints, and on the PPBC, UPS and all OAB Questionnaire scales and domains (all P < 0.05). • Superiority of fesoterodine 8 mg over tolterodine ER 4 mg was seen as early as week 4 (3 weeks after escalation to fesoterodine 8 mg). At week 1, fesoterodine 4 mg was superior to placebo on most diary variables, the PPBC and the UPS (all P < 0.05). Dry mouth and constipation rates were 28% and 4% with fesoterodine, 13% and 3% with tolterodine ER, and 5% and 2% with placebo. • Discontinuation rates as a result of adverse events were 5%, 3% and 2% for fesoterodine, tolterodine ER and placebo, respectively. • In this randomized study, which is the largest to compare antimuscarinic efficacy performed to date, fesoterodine 8 mg was superior to tolterodine ER 4 mg for UUI episodes, micturitions and urgency episodes, as well as for self-reported patient assessments of bladder-related problems, urgency, symptom bother and health-related quality of life. • The superiority of fesoterodine 8 mg over tolterodine ER 4 mg was observed as early as 3 weeks after escalation from fesoterodine 4 mg for most outcomes. These data may have important implications for the clinical management of OAB patients previously treated with tolterodine ER. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anagen effluvium secondary to Gloriosa superba ingestion.
Anagen effluvium, the shedding of anagen hair, leads to diffuse non-scarring alopecia. We report two cases of anagen effluvium in the same family secondary to the ingestion of tubers of Gloriosa superba, which contains the antimitotic alkaloid colchicine. Both patients developed anagen effluvium and gastroenteritis 1-2 weeks after consuming the tubers. In addition, one of them had bicytopenia, pleural effusion, hematuria and altered liver function tests. Both were managed conservatively and counseled regarding the reversible nature of the hair loss. Follow-up at 3 months showed regrowth of hair in both the cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass on the beating heart in Jehovah's Witness and HIV patients: case report.
Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass has been widely employed as an approach for revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Recent advances in minimally invasive cardiac surgery enhanced with technological assistance have meant that these operations are now being performed through smaller incisions. We present 2 cases, both of which emphasize the beneficial role of the DaVinci robotic system in performing bloodless coronary surgery without blood transfusion and in reducing blood contact in instances in which there is a high risk for infection. In the first case, a Jehovah's Witness patient, blood transfusion was not an option; in the second case, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient, blood contact would have put the staff at risk for HIV infection. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Peritonitis caused by rupture of a retroperitoneal abscess].
A 30 year old man presented with an initial clinical picture limited to low back pain. Increasing severity of the pain after one month led to his admission to a surgical department and the diagnosis of a large right retroperitoneal abscess. Several hours before the proposed operation for extraperitoneal surgical drainage of the abscess through a lumbar approach, his condition was complicated by the intraperitoneal rupture of the abscess. The resulting peritonitis and the retroperitoneal abscess were treated through a laparotomy and the postoperative course was uncomplicated. A literature review showed this to be only the second case of this rare generalized peritonitis complication to be reported, for which a parallel can be drawn with the intraperitoneal rupture of a pyonephrosis. A general overview of retroperitoneal abscesses is presented. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
siRNA injection induces sequence-independent protection in Penaeus monodon against white spot syndrome virus.
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a major disease in crustaceans, particularly shrimp, due to the current intensity of aquaculture practices. Novel strategies including vaccination to control this virus would be highly desirable. However, invertebrates lack a true adaptive immune response system and seem to rely on various innate immune responses. An alternative and more specific approach to counteract WSSV infections in shrimp could be by the exploitation of RNA interference. As long dsRNA molecules induce a general, sequence-independent anti-viral immunity in shrimp [Robalino, J., Browdy, C.L., Prior, S., Metz, A., Parnell, P., Gross, P., Warr, G., 2004. J. Virol. 78, 10442-10448], it was investigated whether shorter 21 nt siRNAs with homology to the WSSV vp15 and vp28 genes would give a sequence-specific interference response in the shrimp Penaeus monodon. Vp28 siRNAs as well as nonspecific control gfp siRNAs were able to specifically and efficiently silence their homologous genes in a heterologous baculovirus insect cell expression system. However, in shrimps no such a specific effect was observed. Shrimp injected with vp15 or vp28 siRNAs before WSSV challenge gave a significantly lower mortality rate, but not significantly different when shrimps were injected with gfp siRNA. Thus, large dsRNA molecules as well as siRNAs induce a sequence-independent anti-viral immunity when injected in shrimp. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interventional radiology and radiotherapy for inoperable cholangiocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile ducts.
To evaluate the effectiveness of external radiation therapy (ERT), alone or combined with endoluminal brachytherapy (BRT), following percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in the treatment of patients affected by inoperable cholangiocarcinoma. From September 1980 to June 1996, 130 jaundiced patients affected by inoperable cholangiocarcinoma were submitted to PTBD at the Division of Radiology C of the National Cancer Institute of Milan. Nineteen were excluded from the present analysis due to the short survival after PTBD (< 30 days). The other 111 patients were divided into three groups according to the following therapy: no further treatment after palliative PTBD in 89 patients (80%, group 1); ERT in 10 patients (9%, group 2); ERT plus BRT in 12 patients (11%, group 3). All the ERT + BRT patients were enrolled after 1990 and were treated with high-energy photon beams followed by endobiliary insertion of one or two iridium-192 wires. Median overall survival among the 111 assessable patients was 126 days; for groups 1, 2 and 3 it was 108, 345 and 428 days, respectively. The patients submitted to radiotherapy (ERT alone or ERT + BRT) were evaluated by radiologic examinations after the end of radiation. In group 2, a partial remission in 3 cases, a progression of disease in 1 case, and no change in 6 cases were observed. Among the patients of group 3, complete remission in 5 and partial remission in 7 patients were achieved. In all the patients achieving complete remission, the PTBD could be removed. The combination of ERT plus BRT improves survival and quality of life of the patients submitted to PTBD for cholangiocarcinoma. Under the technical point of view, radiation treatment is easy to perform, but much caution is required in defining clinical and planning target volumes. Moreover, drainage during the radiation treatment has to be submitted to a very meticulous surveillance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The local spatial autocorrelation and the kernel method for identifying black zones. A comparative approach.
This article aims to determine the location and the length of road sections characterized by a concentration of accidents (black zones). Two methods are compared: one based on a local decomposition of a global autocorrelation index, the other on kernel estimation. After explanation, both methods are applied and compared in terms of operational results, respective advantages and shortcomings, as well as underlying conceptual elements. The operationality of both methods is illustrated by an application to one Belgian road. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Does the radiofrequency procedure for fecal incontinence improve quality of life and incontinence at 1-year follow-up?
Fecal incontinence is a socially isolating disease that causes physical and psychologic distress. Radiofrequency delivered to the anal canal is a surgical modality for fecal incontinence that has been noted to be safe and potentially effective. The aim of this study was to evaluate improvement in fecal incontinence and quality of life after the radiofrequency procedure at 1-year follow-up. After institutional review board approval, patients with fecal incontinence for at least 3 months were prospectively recruited between March 2003 and June 2004. Patients enrolled in the study underwent the Secca procedure. The Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire were completed at the first visit and then at 12-month follow-up. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze the difference between baseline and follow-up. A total of 24 patients (23 females) were enrolled in the study, and 16 were available at the 12-month follow-up visit. The main causes of fecal incontinence were either idiopathic or included obstetric injury, aging, and trauma from previous anorectal surgeries. The mean operative time was 45.5 +/- 8.3 minutes, and the mean number of radiofrequency lesions in the anal canal was 65.5 +/- 13.8. There were 3 self-limited episodes of postoperative bleeding and 1 instance of constipation that was resolved with laxatives. There were no delayed complications. The mean Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score improved from a mean of 15.6 (+/- 3.2) at baseline to 12.9 (+/- 4.6) at 12 months (P = .035). The mean Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire score improved in all subsets except for the depression subscore. Radiofrequency is a safe, minimally invasive tool for treating patients with fecal incontinence. Improvement in fecal incontinence and quality of life was maintained at 12 months without delayed morbidity. The actual significance of this improvement is yet to be determined. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gamma-delta T-cells in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
In our attempt to characterize a general immune-suppression found in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) we now focused on a subset of CD3 lymphocytes described as gamma/delta-T-cells, a cell type with potential relevance in non-MHC restricted anti-tumor immune responses. Peripheral blood of 33 SCCHN patients and 33 age-matched controls (CON) was evaluated for the frequency of gamma/delta-T-cells among CD3+ T-cells and their onset of apoptosis (Annexin V binding) by multicolor flow cytometry. Results were correlated with clinical parameters. Patients with SCCHN had a significantly higher proportion of gamma/delta-T-cells compared to healthy controls (4.4+/-0.4% for SCCHN vs. 3.0+/-0.3% for CON, p=0.01). However, this increase was not paralleled with a difference in the onset of apoptosis if compared to CON. There was also no correlation between the proportion of gamma/delta-T-cells and tumor stage. However, a significantly higher proportion of gamma/delta-T-cells was found in patients with recurrent or metachronous second primary SCCHN (6.0+/-1.0%) if compared to the other SCCHN (3.8+/-0.4%, p=0.02). In a follow up 3-6 months post-treatment patients showed a decrease of gamma/delta-T-cells among CD3+cells (2.7+/-0.4%, n=4) if they were operated only and an increase if primary radio-chemotherapy (6.7+/-1.7%, n=8) or a combination of operation plus radio-chemotherapy (6.8+/-2.3%, n=3) was applied. Furthermore, patients receiving palliative treatment including radio-chemotherapy had highest values of gamma/delta-T-cells (9.1+/-2.7%, n=4) overall implicating that the treatment modality significantly influences the proportion of gamma/delta-T-cells. Since patients with SCCHN, particularly those with recurrent or second primary disease after treatment, had a higher proportion of gamma/delta-T-cells without signs of a reduced onset of apoptosis this could be due to an increased de novo generation. The current study implies that increased frequencies of gamma/delta-T-cells in patients with SCCHN may not only be the result of tumor-host interactions but the consequence of applied treatment modalities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, are able to reduce superoxide anion production by NADPH oxidase in THP-1-derived monocytes.
Reactive oxygen species formation by phagocytes and subsequent modifications of vascular wall are involved in the early step of human atherogenesis. This study looked for the effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors on NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide anion production in THP-1 cells, a monocyte-derived cell line, and on the translocation of p21 Rac 2 and p67. A 30-min incubation with simvastatin (50 micro M ) inhibited phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced superoxide anion production by monocytes (32%) and a maximum inhibition was obtained at 3 h of incubation (69.5%). In addition, after 3 h of incubation a dose-dependent inhibition was obtained in the range 10-50 micro M of simvastatin with a median inhibitory concentration of 36 +/- 2.3 micro M Mevalonic acid (100 and 300 micro M ) and geranylgeraniol (100 micro M ) totally prevented the simvastatin-induced inhibitory effect of superoxide production by monocytes whereas farnesyl PP (100 micro M ) partially prevented (50%) this effect. In addition, simvastatin inhibited the translocation of p21 rac 2 and p67, suggesting that geranylgeranylation is required for NADPH oxidase activation. In another set of experiments, the rank order of potency of different statins on NADPH oxidase was determined (pravastatin < cerivastatin < lovastatin < fluvastatin < simvastatin). In conclusion, inhibition of superoxide formation by HMG CoA reductase inhibitors is highly suitable to prevent or limit the oxidative stress involved in the atherosclerosis process. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A model for understanding the relationship between stigma and healthcare-seeking behaviour among people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
People living with HIV or AIDS (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa sometimes have care-seeking behaviours that result in a suboptimal quality of life. This paper seeks to examine the role of stigma in the care-seeking behaviour of PLHIV. We hypothesise that stigma relates to the behaviour of PLHIV themselves and with societal reactions, including those of healthcare professionals. From a literature review, we identified the following as important correlates of care-seeking behavior: beliefs about pathways of HIV infection and people infected with HIV, social reactions, coping strategies, knowledge of HIV and AIDS, and self-efficacy in finding care and treatment in addition to coping with the disease. Poverty, gender, age, religion and policy were found to be moderating variables. The Precede-Proceed model was adapted to build an explanatory model of healthcare-seeking behaviour among PLHIV and particularly to explore the role of stigma in the non-utilisation of healthcare institutions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Detection of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement in B-cell lymphomas by polymerase chain reaction gene amplification.
This is a report on our attempt to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect rearrangement of the immunoglobulin gene in the tissue specimens obtained from 30 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. There were 20 B-cell lymphomas and 10 T-cell. All 20 B-cell lymphomas but none of the 10 T-cell lymphomas had JH rearrangement by Southern analysis. Two pairs of primers (V670/OL-4 and VH26/OL-4) were designed to amplify the CDR3 region of the immunoglobulin gene heavy chain. The PCR analysis was positive using either one or both pairs of primers in 11 of the the 20 cases (55 per cent) of B-cell lymphomas which all had positive rearrangement by Southern analysis. The two pairs of primers seemed to produce complementary results as the specimens may be positive to one pair but negative to the other. The false negative rate of 45 per cent is however much higher than the respective figures of 18 per cent and 0 per cent observed in our patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a previous study. Peripheral blood and bone marrow biopsy specimens obtained at the time of initial diagnosis were available from 10 patients with B-cell lymphomas whose lymph node biopsy specimens at the time of diagnosis were positive by both Southern analysis and PCR. All these peripheral blood and marrow specimens had no microscopic evidence of involvement by lymphoma cells and JH rearrangement was not detected by Southern analysis. However, rearranged bands identical to that of the lymph node biopsy specimen were detected by PCR in the peripheral and marrow blood of one of them. This PCR technique has been shown to have a sensitivity of 0.1 per cent in our previous report and may be more useful than morphology alone or Southern analysis in detecting minimal lymphomatous involvement in the peripheral blood and bone marrow at the time of initial diagnosis. Further clinical correlation is required to confirm the finding. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pentylenetetrazole induced changes in zebrafish behavior, neural activity and c-fos expression.
Rodent seizure models have significantly contributed to our basic understanding of epilepsy. However, medically intractable forms of epilepsy persist and the fundamental mechanisms underlying this disease remain unclear. Here we show that seizures can be elicited in a simple vertebrate system e.g. zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio). Exposure to a common convulsant agent (pentylenetetrazole, PTZ) induced a stereotyped and concentration-dependent sequence of behavioral changes culminating in clonus-like convulsions. Extracellular recordings from fish optic tectum revealed ictal and interictal-like electrographic discharges after application of PTZ, which could be blocked by tetrodotoxin or glutamate receptor antagonists. Epileptiform discharges were suppressed by commonly used antiepileptic drugs, valproate and diazepam, in a concentration-dependent manner. Up-regulation of c-fos expression was also observed in CNS structures of zebrafish exposed to PTZ. Taken together, these results demonstrate that chemically-induced seizures in zebrafish exhibit behavioral, electrographic, and molecular changes that would be expected from a rodent seizure model. Therefore, zebrafish larvae represent a powerful new system to study the underlying basis of seizure generation, epilepsy and epileptogenesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of jianpi herbal suppository on hemorheology and CD62p in patients with ulcerative colitis.
To compare the effects of a Chinese herbal suppository (Jianpi suppository) and Western Medicine (mesalazine) on hemorheology and CD62p in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). In a randomized trial, 120 mild to moderate UC patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. The Jianpi suppository group used Chinese herbal suppository rectally, while the mesalazine group was treated with mesalazine tablets orally. Two 15-day courses of treatment were carried out in both groups. Changes in the hemorheology and CD62p indices in patients were observed. The hemorheology and CD62p indices in the Jianpi suppository group decreased significantly more than those of the mesalazine group. Jianpi suppository is effective in improving the hypercoagulability of UC patients, and therefore may be worth using in clinical practice. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Full Wavefield Analysis and Damage Imaging Through Compressive Sensing in Lamb Wave Inspections.
One of the main challenges faced by the structural health monitoring community is acquiring and processing huge sets of acoustic wavefield data collected from sensors, such as scanning laser Doppler vibrometers or ultrasonic scanners. In fact, extracting information that allows the estimation of the damage condition of a structure can be a time-consuming process. This paper presents a damage detection and localization technique based on a compressive sensing algorithm, which significantly allows us to reduce the acquisition time without losing in detection accuracy. The proposed technique exploits the sparsity of the wavefield in different representation domains, such as those spanned by wave atoms, curvelets, and Fourier exponentials to recover the full wavefield and, at the same time, to infer the damage location, based on comparison between the wavefield reconstructions produced by the different representation domains. The procedure is applied to three different setups related to an aluminum plate with a notch, a glass fiber reinforced polymer plate with a notch, and a composite plate with a delamination. The results show that the technique can be applied in a variety of structural components to reduce acquisition time and achieve high performance in defect detection and localization by removing up to 80% of the Nyquist sampling grid. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Insemination at the second of two induced oestrous periods in anoestrous dairy cows increases conception rates to first service.
To determine whether mating previously anoestrous cows on their second, rather than first, oestrus post pm-turn could increase conception rates to that service. Cows diagnosed as anovulatory anoestrus were allocated to two groups, starting treatment on Day -17 (OES2) or on Day -7 (OESI) where the date of the planned start of mating = Day 0. All cows were treated with intravaginal progesterone (CIDR device) for 6 days and an injection of 1 mg oestradiol benzoate 24 h after removal of the device. Cows in the OES2 group were also injected with prostaglandin F2alpha on Day 0. During the first 7 days of mating, 61.8% (207/335) and 88.2% (328/372) of cows in the OES2 and OESl groups, respectively, were inseminated on detection of oestrus (p <0.001). Oestrus without ovulation occurred in 1.5% of cows in the OES2 group and 6.2% of cows in the OESl group during this period (p <0.01). Of those cows inseminated in the first week of mating, conception rates were 54.0% in the OES2 group and 45.5% in the OESl group (p = 0.05). There was no significant difference in median interval from start of mating to conception between the two groups (24 and 22 days for OES2 and OESl, respectively, p >0.05). Mating previously anoestrous cows on their second, rather than first oestrus post partum increased conception rates to that service. However, median intervals from start of mating to conception were not altered. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Quantitative structure-activity relationship and molecular docking revealed a potency of anti-hepatitis C virus drugs against human corona viruses.
A number of human coronaviruses (HCoVs) were reported in the last and present centuries. Some outbreaks of which (eg, SARS and MERS CoVs) caused the mortality of hundreds of people worldwide. The problem of finding a potent drug against HCoV strains lies in the inability of finding a drug that stops the viral replication through inhibiting its important proteins. In spite of its limited efficacy and potential side effects, Ribavirin is extensively used as a first choice against HCoVs. Therefore, scientists reverted towards the investigation of different drugs that can more specifically target proteins. In this study, four anti-HCV drugs (one approved by FDA and others under clinical trials) are tested against HCoV polymerases. Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) and molecular docking are both used to compare the performance of the selected nucleotide inhibitors to their parent nucleotides and Ribavirin. Both QSAR and molecular docking showed that IDX-184 is superior compared to Ribavirin against MERS CoV, a result that was also reported for HCV. MK-0608 showed a performance that is comparable to Ribavirin. We strongly suggest an in vitro study on the potency of these two drugs against MERS CoV. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evaluation of in-house and commercial immunoassays for the sero-diagnosis of brucellosis in a non-endemic low prevalence population.
The Brucella Reference Unit (BRU) at the University Hospital Aintree offers a national Brucella sero-diagnosis service for England, Wales, Eire and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom is a non-endemic area with a very low prevalence of infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate new CE marked assays, Brucellacapt (Vircell) and Brucella IgG and IgM ELISAs (Vircell), against the standard set of in-house serological assays used at BRU. These include a micro-agglutination (MAG) assay, in-house IgG and IgM assays and a complement fixation test (CFT). One hundred and forty-three archived serum samples were re-tested by both the commercial and in-house assays. Samples were divided into four distinct groups based on the most common clinical patterns of serological profiles seen (negative, clinically significant and two forms of clinical indeterminate results). The kappa test was calculated to determine the level of agreement between the commercial and in-house results. The kappa coefficient for Brucellacapt and MAG assays was 0.90 (95% CI 0.85, 0.95) giving a very good level of agreement. Discrepancies between positive MAG and Brucellacapt assay results (5.7%) occurred only in sera with weakly reactive MAG titres of <1:160. Similarly the kappa coefficient calculated for the IgG assays was 0.81 (95% CI 0.75, 0.87) also indicating good agreement. However, the kappa coefficient for the commercial and in-house IgM assays was poor at 0.38 (95% CI, 0.30, 0.46). The weak IgM correlation was associated in some instances, with a lack of use of IgG sorbent in the in-house assay resulting in false-negative results. In a low prevalence population, the combination of in-house and commercial immunoassays offers improvements in the sero-diagnosis of brucellosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma - a rare pulmonary tumor.
The authors report a case of a rare pulmonary neoplasm - epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, in a 39 year-old woman, asymptomatic until December 2003, when she developed pleuritic and right-sided chest pain. The patient presented a previous chest radiograph, performed 13 years before, which showed multiple small bilateral pulmonary nodules attributed to tuberculous sequelae. The definitive histological diagnosis was made by lung biopsy through thoracotomy. The patient developed a clinical and imagiological worsening and then therapy with interferon alpha-2a was started. Even with imagiological stability of pulmonary lesions the patient remained symptomatic and died nine months after the diagnosis had been established. The authors emphasise the rarity of this type of pulmonary neoplasm and discuss its clinical presentation, histological features, treatment and prognosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Polysaccharide-based film loaded with vitamin C and propolis: A promising device to accelerate diabetic wound healing.
Wound healing can be a painful and time-consuming process in patients with diabetes mellitus. In light of this, the use of wound healing devices could help to accelerate this process. Here, cellulose-based films loaded with vitamin C (VitC) and/or propolis (Prop), two natural compounds with attractive properties were engineered. The starting materials and the cellulose-based films were characterized in detail. As assessed, vitamin C can be released from the Cel-PVA/VitC and Cel-PVA/VitC/Prop films in a controlled manner. In vitro antibacterial activity studies showed a reduction of bacteria counts (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) after Cel-PVA/VitC, Cel-PVA/Prop, and Cel-PVA/VitC/Prop treatments. Moreover, we examined the antibacterial and wound healing properties of the cellulose-based films in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animal model. Diabetic mice exhibited impaired wound healing while the Cel-PVA/VitC/Prop treatment increased the wound closure. A marked reduction in bacterial counts present in the wound environment of diabetic mice was observed after Cel-PVA/VitC, Cel-PVA/Prop and Cel-PVA/VitC/Prop treatment. Histological analysis demonstrated that the non-treated diabetic mice group did not exhibit adequate wound healing while the treated group with Cel-PVA/VitC and Cel-PVA/VitC/Prop films presented good cicatricial response. Furthermore, these novel eco-friendly films may represent a new therapeutic approach to accelerate diabetic wound healing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Application of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis biomass for silver removal from aqueous solutions.
The cyanobacterium Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis was used to study the process of silver biosorption. Effects of various parameters such as contact time, dosage of biosorbent, initial pH, temperature, and initial concentration of Ag(I) were investigated for a batch adsorption system. The optimal biosorption conditions were determined as pH 5.0, biosorbent dosage of 0.4 g, and initial silver concentration of 30 mg/L. Equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich models - however, the Freundlich model provided a better fit to the experimental data. The kinetic data fit the pseudo-second-order model well, with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. The analysis of thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°) revealed that the adsorption process of silver ion by spirulina biomass was exothermic and spontaneous (ΔG° < 0), and exothermic (ΔH° < 0) process. The biosorption capacity of biomass A. platensis serves as a basis for the development of green technology for environmental remediation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chromatin structure and DNA replication.
The structure of (3H) thymidine pulse labeled, replicating chromatin differs from that of non replicating chromatin by several operational criteria which are related to the higher nuclease sensitivity of replicating chromatin. We summarize the structural changes that we observe using replicating chromatin as substrate for micrococcal nuclease. The data suggest a more extended configuration of replicating compared to non replicating chromatin. We use these data to discuss a model of the chromatin structure in the vicinity of replication forks. Finally, we present data to show that the reversion of structural changes in replicative chromatin depends on continued DNA replication. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The Wnt inhibitor LGK-974 enhances radiosensitivity of HepG2 cells by modulating Nrf2 signaling.
Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator of antioxidant and detoxification activities that can eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced via irradiation. However, Nrf2 overexpression in liver cancer cells may cause both radioresistance and chemoresistance. Reducing Nrf2 levels can enhance the radiosensitivity of HepG2 cells. Wingless/int-3A (Wnt3A) is a Wnt family protein that mainly activates the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Recent studies showed that the Axin1-GSK-3β protein complex, a component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, can capture Nrf2 and facilitate its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation in the cytoplasm. This protein complex is degraded upon activation of the Wnt signaling pathway. In the present study, we treated HepG2 cells with the Wnt3A inhibitor LGK-974, an effective and specific PORCN inhibitor that can prevent the formation of a proper folding of the Wnt protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. We found that HepG2 cells became more sensitive to radiation with increasing LGK-974 concentrations. Upon 2 Gy or 4 Gy irradiation, the cells treated with LGK-974 more frequently underwent apoptosis and grew less rapidly. PCR and western blot results showed that inhibiting the secretion of Wnt3A blocked the Wnt signaling pathway and prevented Nrf2 signaling. Notably, the Wnt inhibitor may serve as a radiosensitizing drug. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Poor discharge planning causes huge rise in adverse incidents.
A sharp rise in discharge-related incidents has prompted the health service ombudsman to issue a warning over patients being unfit to leave hospital. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Pathomechanogenesis of contractures and deformities of the upper extremities in children with cerebral palsy].
The authors carried out dynamic observation of 180 children aged 3-14 with infantile cerebral paralysis (ICP) who were treated for pronation flexion contractures of the forearm and of the hand, studied up to 45 values connected with the age of the patients, terms of appearance of the symptoms of the disease, subsequently processed the results of their investigations employing methods of analysis of variance, non-linear correlation and regression analysis and constructed analytical models of development of the pathologic process, which allowed to draw the following conclusions. Pathomechanogenesis of disturbances of the upper extremity in ICP includes primary muscular disbalance, successive formation of faulty postures, pathologic locomotor stereotype, vegetotrophic disturbances, contractures of the joint and anatomical changes of the skeleton. These changes are closely correlated with the age of the patients and according to the degree of the disturbances may be regarded as stages of the disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In vivo confocal microscopy in the acute phase of corneal inflammation.
Two cases of noninfectious keratitis were studied using in vivo corneal confocal microscopy in addition to routine slit-lamp biomicroscopy. A 10-year-old boy suffered from keratitis in his left eye due to a bee sting and a 20-year-old man had keratitis following corneal blunt trauma. In both cases, we found a honeycomb pattern at the anterior and mid-stromal level of the middle cornea. This honeycomb pattern disappeared in 1 week with steroid treatment. This pattern might be caused by syncytial cell bodies of activated keratocytes, by focal corneal stroma edema, or by polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration along with the keratocytes or along preformed channels within the corneal stroma known as Bowman channels. Further analysis in a large number of patients may aid in further understanding in vivo human corneal inflammation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Psychosocial aspects of vision loss associated with head trauma.
The adjustment to sudden and severe vision loss is always difficult. However, when vision loss is the result of head trauma, additional psychological and psychosocial factors complicate the adjustment process. Patients often must cope with a variety of cognitive and personality changes that dramatically affect the ability to adapt to physical limitations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In Vivo Changes of Breast Perfusion After Augmentation.
Revision surgeries after breast augmentation are associated with an increased risk of complications (eg, nipple areolar complex [NAC]) necrosis. Consequently, maintaining perfusion to the NAC is a critical aspect of secondary breast surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine in vivo changes in perfusion to the NAC after implant breast augmentation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology. High-resolution 3 Tesla MRI images of 10 women (20 breasts) with previous breast augmentation were compared to a control population of 15 women (30 breasts). Perforators from the internal mammary artery and lateral thoracic artery were examined for the diameter of the originating perforator, distance between the nipple and most distally visualized point of the medial and lateral perforator, and dominance pattern between the medial vs lateral perforators. No difference was found in the caliber of the medial vessels in the implant group compared to the control group. In contrast, the caliber of the lateral blood vessels trended towards being 20% larger in diameter in the augmented breasts. The distances between the nipple and the medial and lateral vessels increased. The frequencies in the distribution of dominance were not significantly different between the implant group and the control group. Overall, medial and lateral blood supply to the NAC are preserved in the augmented patient. Our results suggest a slight delay effect that seems to increase the caliber of the lateral perforators. In addition, the tissue expansion provided by the implants effectively increases the length of both perforators. 3 Therapeutic. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synthesis of abasic locked nucleic acid and two seco-LNA derivatives and evaluation of their hybridization properties compared with their more flexible DNA counterparts.
To investigate the structural basis of the unique hybridization properties of LNA (locked nucleic acid) three novel LNA derivatives with modified carbohydrate parts were synthesized and evaluated with respect to duplex stabilities. The abasic LNA monomer (X(L), Figure 1) with the rigid carbohydrate moiety of LNA but no nucleobase attached showed no enhanced duplex stabilities compared to its more flexible abasic DNA counterpart (X, Figure 1). These results suggest that the exceptional hybridization properties of LNA primarily originate from improved intrastrand nucleobase stacking and not backbone preorganization. Two monocyclic seco-LNA derivatives, obtained by cleavage of the C1'-O4' bond of an LNA monomer or complete removal of the O4'-furanose oxygen atom (Z(L) and dZ(L), respectively, Figure 1), were compared to their acyclic DNA counterpart (Z, Figure 1). Even though they are more constrained than Z, the seco-LNA derivatives Z(L) and dZ(L) destabilize duplex formation even more than the flexible seco-DNA monomer Z. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Toxicologic studies with lambs fed sugar beets grown on municipal sludge-amended soil: lowered relative hemoglobin in red blood cells and mutagens in blood and excreta.
Sugar beets grown on municipal sludge-amended soil were fed to growing lambs for 66 days. The relative hemoglobin content was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in the lambs fed the sludge-grown sugar beets. The concentration of direct-acting mutagens was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than controls in blood and urine of the lambs fed the sludge-grown beets. Cadmium concentration was higher, but not significantly (P greater than 0.05) in the livers and kidneys of the lambs fed the sludge-grown beets as compared with controls. Significant differences between treatment groups were not observed in active or passive K+ influxes in RBC; in the activity of hepatic microsomal aniline hydroxylase in p-nitroanisole-O-demethylase, aminopyrene-N-demethylase, or arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase; in tissue ultrastructure of kidney, liver, or muscle as examined by electron microscopy; or in carcass weight, dressing percentage, quality, or yield grade. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
miR-338-3p is over-expressed in blood, CFS, serum and spinal cord from sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and seriously disabling adult-onset neurological disease. Ninety percent of ALS patients are sporadic cases (sALS) with no clear genetic linkage. Accumulating evidence indicates that various microRNAs (miRNAs), expressed in a spatially and temporally controlled manner in the brain, play a key role in neuronal development. In addition, microRNA dysregulation contributes to some mental disorders and neurodegeneration diseases. In our research, the expression of one selected miRNA, miR-338-3p, which previously we have found over-expressed in blood leukocytes, was studied in several different tissues from sALS patients. For the first time, we detected a specific microRNA disease-related upregulation, miR-338-3p, in blood leukocytes as well in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and spinal cord from sALS patients. Besides, staining of in situ hybridization showed that the signals of miR-338-3p were localized in the grey matter of spinal cord tissues from sALS autopsied patients. We propose that miRNA profiles found in tissue samples from sALS patients can be relevant to understand sALS pathogenesis and lead to set up effective biomarkers for sALS early diagnosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Desiccation tolerance of Sphagnum revisited: a puzzle resolved.
As ecosystem engineers, Sphagnum mosses control their surroundings through water retention, acidification and peat accumulation. Because water retention avoids desiccation, sphagna are generally intolerant to drought; however, the literature on Sphagnum desiccation tolerance (DT) provides puzzling results, indicating the inducible nature of their DT. To test this, various Sphagnum species and other mesic bryophytes were hardened to drought by (i) slow drying; (ii) ABA application and (iii) chilling or frost. DT tolerance was assessed as recovery of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters after severe desiccation. We monitored the seasonal course of DT in bog bryophytes. Under laboratory conditions, following initial de-hardening, untreated Sphagnum shoots lacked DT; however, DT was induced by all hardening treatments except chilling, notably by slow drying, and in Sphagnum species of the section Cuspidata. In the field, sphagna in hollows and lawns developed DT several times during the growing season, responding to reduced precipitation and a lowered water table. Hummock and aquatic species developed DT only in late autumn, probably as a response to frost. Sphagnum protonemata failed to develop DT; hence, desiccation may limit Sphagnum establishment in drier habitats with suitable substrate chemistry. Desiccation avoiders among sphagna form compact hummocks or live submerged; thus, they do not develop DT in the field, lacking the initial desiccation experience, which is frequent in hollow and lawn habitats. We confirmed the morpho-physiological trade-off: in contrast to typical hollow sphagna, hummock species invest more resources in water retention (desiccation avoidance), while they have a lower ability to develop physiological DT. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Recovered memory experience in a nonclinical sample is associated with dissociation rather than with aversive experiences.
Different hypotheses exist for the relationship among trauma, dissociation, and recovered memory. According to one view, recovered memory results from dissociation that a survivor adopts as a defense mechanism during a traumatizing event to avoid emotional pain. From this perspective, trauma is a necessary antecedent to relate dissociative symptoms with recovered memory. Another view emphasizes the characteristics of the victim, such as fantasy proneness and atypical cognitive operations. This alternate view holds that trauma is not necessary in relating dissociation to recovered memory. We tested these two hypotheses, measuring recovered memory, dissociative symptoms, childhood interpersonal adversity, and fantasy proneness in a nonclinical sample of college students. Our results showed a significant correlation between recovered memory and dissociative symptoms; the correlation cannot be accounted for by childhood interpersonal adversity, fantasy proneness, or absorption. Recovered events can be negative, neutral, or even positive. Trauma is not necessary in relating recovered memory to dissociative symptoms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Biotechnological transformation of hydrocortisone to 16α-hydroxy hydrocortisone by Streptomyces roseochromogenes.
Streptomyces roseochromogenes is able to hydroxylate steroid compounds in different positions of their cycloalkane rings thanks to a cytochrome P-450 multi-enzyme complex. In this paper, the hydroxylation of the hydrocortisone in the 16α position, performed by bacterial whole cells, was investigated in both shake flask and fermentation conditions; the best settings for both cellular growth and transformation reaction were studied by investigating the optimal medium composition, the kinetic of conversion, the most suitable substrate concentration and the preferred addition timing. Using newly formulated malt extract- and yeast extract-based media, a 16α-hydrohydrocortisone concentration of 0.2 ± 0.01 g L(-1) was reached in shake flasks. Batch experiments in a 2-L fermentor established the reproducibility and robustness of the biotransformation, while a pulsed batch fermentation strategy allowed the production to increase up to 0.508 ± 0.01 g L(-1). By-product formation was investigated, and two new derivates of the hydrocortisone obtained during the bacterial transformation reaction and unknown so far, a C-20 hydroxy derivate and a C-21 N-acetamide one, were determined by NMR analyses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bangers, burgers and burns. A 10-year review of barbeque burns in South Wales.
This is a retrospective study of the epidemiology of barbeque burns presenting to the Welsh Centre for burns from January 1994 to December 2004. A total of 68 were treated of which 57 are included in this study 25% are in the paediatric age group. The epidemiology varies between adults and paediatrics. Males are the most commonly injured in both groups. The paediatric group have a different aetiology compared with the adult group. All paediatric barbeque burns were caused by direct contact with either the barbeque or hot sand. This compares to the adult group, where 51% were caused by flash burns and only 40% were contact burns. Sixty-one percent of the paediatric group were burnt from low lying disposable barbeques compared to only 5% of adults. The hands were the most common sites of burn for adults (28%) compared to the feet in the paediatric group (36%). Barbeque burns in children seem to be increasing in the United Kingdom and we suspect that disposable barbeques are the causal factor as they are readily available, low-lying and cheap. We suggest preventative measures for such burns. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expedite formation of endometriosis in the early stage ICR mouse model.
To establish a mouse model for endometriosis and to evaluate roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the formation of disease. Experimental laboratory study. A women's hospital in China. Ten women with endometriosis and 10 control women, as well as ICR mice. Endometrial fragments were transplanted in the peritoneal cavities of mice at minilaparotomy. Transplants were observed and then removed for the assessment of morphology and immunohistochemical staining of VEGF and MMP-2. Observation of transplants, expression of VEGF and MMP-2. On days 1 and 2, glandular and stromal cells were viable at the margins of transplants. On day 3, the transplants were surrounded by mesothelial cells, and the endometrial glands and stromal cells were clearly viable at the interface. The scores of VEGF and MMP-2 of viable glandular cells of transplants were increased compared with the ones before transplantation. The scores of VEGF and MMP-2 of transplants from women with endometriosis were higher than those of control women. Endometrial transplants from the patients with endometriosis express more VEGF and MMP-2 than endometrium in control women, suggesting that VEGF and MMP-2 may expedite the formation of endometriosis in its early stage. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tall stature as presenting symptom in a girl with triple X syndrome.
An 11 year-old girl presented with 47,XXX karyotype. Our report emphasizes the fact that triple X syndrome has also to be considered in girls presenting with tall stature that is not explained by parental heights. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The porcine trophoblast cell line PTr2 is susceptible to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-2 infection.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-2 (PRRSV-2) breaches the maternal-fetal interface (MFI) to infect porcine fetuses, yet the exact mechanism(s) of transmission is not understood. The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of porcine trophoblast cell line (PTr2) to PRRSV-2 infection to understand the potential role of the trophoblast in viral transmission to fetuses in vivo. PTr2 cells were exposed in vitro to PRRSV-2 and then subjected to immunofluorescence analysis (IF), flow cytometry (FCM), real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunogold electron microscopy (IEM) to assess viral infection. The effects of PRRSV-2 on PTr2 cell cycle progression and apoptosis, as well as the ability of PTr2 cells to produce infectious viral particles were also examined. PRRSV-2 was readily detected in PTr2 cells by IF, FCM, RT-qPCR, TEM and IEM techniques. RT-qPCR and FCM results of a time course of infection of PTr2 cells indicated PRRSV-2 load decreased over time after initial infection up to 72 h. PRRSV-2 infection altered PTr2 cell cycle with a selective increase of cells within the G2/M phase and also induced apoptosis. TEM and IEM demonstrated PRRSV-2 within and on the surface of PTr2 cells and PRRSV-2 virions released from PTr2 cells infected naïve MARC-145 cells inducing cytopathic effects. Trophoblast cells are susceptible to PRRSV-2 infection and release live virions capable of inducing cytopathic effects in naïve cells. This suggests a possible mechanism by which PRRSV-2 can breach the MFI resulting in fetal infection and death. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Adrenocortical insufficiency after pituitary surgery: an audit of the reliability of the conventional short synacthen test.
Assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis after pituitary surgery is important for appropriate decision making regarding replacement therapy. The synacthen test is often used but is questioned, as time has to elapse for adrenal atrophy to develop. To audit the use of the 250 microg synacthen test after transsphenoidal adenomectomy. A retrospective study of 110 patients submitted to first-time transsphenoidal adenomectomy. Anterior pituitary testing was performed preoperatively, 1 week and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The adrenocortical function was tested by a synacthen test (250 microg synacthen i.v.). Thirty-two out of 71 patients with normal HPA function before surgery developed insufficiency postoperatively, seven patients presenting an insufficient test response after 1 week, 16 after 1 month and nine after 3 months, whereas none became insufficient during the remaining follow-up. Three patients presented symptomatic adrenal insufficiency during the first postoperative week despite a normal test. All of these developed an insufficient test 1 month postoperatively. A 1-week basal plasma cortisol > 400 nmol/l indicated HPA sufficiency, whereas a basal cortisol < or = 100 nmol/l indicated insufficiency when related to the diagnosis based on the 3-month synacthen test. This study confirms that the synacthen test is of limited use in the early postoperative phase, because out of 62 patients with normal 1-week postoperative synacthen responses, 23 patients developed a test that was indicative of adrenal insufficiency over 1-3 months. Our results indicate that a large proportion of patients should be considered for hydrocortisone replacement therapy up to 3 months postoperatively followed by reassessment of the HPA axis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Current imaging techniques for head and neck tumors.
Modern head and neck imaging has led to advances in both the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies provide important information about the location and extent of neoplasm, particularly with respect to the interface of tumor with bone, fat, muscles and other soft tissues, air, blood vessels, dura, and brain. Conventional angiography can be used to assess tumor blood supply and vascularity and to perform therapeutic embolization. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and CT angiography (CTA) are new tools for the noninvasive evaluation of blood vessels. Positron emission tomography (PET) shows promise for differentiating tumor from scar, edema, and other nonneoplastic soft tissues. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A refractory case of vasovagal syncope treated with theophylline.
We report the case of a 23 year-old female with neurocardiogenic syncope refractory to treatment with other agents who responded to theophylline. Despite inconsistent clinical trial evidence to support its use, theophylline may prove useful in individual cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Internal coating of zirconia restoration with silica-based ceramic improves bonding of resin cement to dental zirconia ceramic.
Resin bonding to zirconia ceramic cannot be established by standard methods that are utilized for conventional silica-based dental ceramics. This study was aimed to examine the tensile bond strength of resin cement to zirconia ceramic using a new laboratory technique. Sixty-four zirconia ceramic specimens were air-abraded using Al2O3 particles and divided into two groups; the control group with no pretreatment (Control), and the group pretreated using the internal coating technique (INT), in which the surface of the zirconia specimens were thinly coated by fusing silica-based ceramic and air-abraded in the same manner. The specimens in each group were further divided into two subgroups according to the silane coupling agents applied; a mixture of dentin primer/silane coupling agent (Clearfil SE Bond Primer/Porcelain Bond Activator) or a newly developed single-component silane coupling agent (Clearfil Ceramic Primer). After bonding with dual-cured resin cement (Panavia F 2.0), they were stored in water for 24 h and half of them were additionally subjected to thermal cycling. The tensile bond strengths were tested using a universal testing machine. ANOVAs revealed significant influence of ceramic surface pretreatment (p<0.001), silane coupling agent (p<0.001) and thermal cycling (p<0.001); the INT coating technique significantly increased the bond strengths of resin cement to zirconia ceramic, whereas thermal cycling significantly decreased the bond strengths. The use of a single-component silane coupling agent demonstrated significantly higher bond strengths than that of a mixture of dentin primer/silane coupling agent. The internal coating of zirconia dental restorations with silica-based ceramic followed by silanization may be indicated in order to achieve better bonding for the clinical success. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cardiovascular risk factors in a Mexican middle-class urban population. The Lindavista Study. Baseline data.
The aim of this communication is to describe the cardiovascular risk factors affecting a Mexican urban middle-class population. A convenience sample of 2602 middle class urban subjects composed the cohort of the Lindavista Study, a prospective study aimed to determine if conventional cardiovascular risks factors have the same prognosis impact as in other populations. For the baseline data, several measurements were done: obesity indexes, smoking, blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c and triglycerides. This paper presents the basal values of this population, which represents a sample of the Mexican growing urban middle-class. The mean age in the sample was 50 years; 59% were females. Around 50% of the entire group were overweighed, while around 24% were obese. 32% smoked; 32% were hypertensive with a 20% rate of controlled pressure. 6% had diabetes, and 14% had impaired fasting glucose; 66% had total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL; 62% showed HDL-c levels<40 mg/dL; 52% triglycerides>150 mg/dL, and 34% levels of LDL-c ≥ 160 mg/dL. Half of the population studied had the metabolic syndrome. These data show a population with a high-risk profile, secondary to the agglomeration of several cardiovascular risk factors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Intracavitary pressure wire and intravascular ultrasound for the evaluation of combined symmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis in a patient with dyspnea and syncope: treatment with ethanol septal ablation.
Among the aging population, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis often coexist. Distinguishing the contributions of these two pathologies to the patient's symptoms of congestive heart failure, chest pain and syncope is often challenging. Furthermore, the appropriate treatment is highly dependent on a clear determination of pathophysiology. Here, we present a novel application of quantitative pressure-wire measurements and qualitative intravascular ultrasound assessment of the left ventricular outflow tract and aortic valve in determining the contributions of aortic stenosis and symmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to the overall left ventricular-aortic gradient. After establishing that the majority of outflow obstruction was dynamic and related to the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the patient underwent successful ethanol septal ablation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Contribution of two conserved glycine residues to fibrillogenesis of the 106-126 prion protein fragment. Evidence that a soluble variant of the 106-126 peptide is neurotoxic.
The fibrillogenic peptide corresponding to the residues 106-126 of the prion protein sequence (PrP 106-126) is largely used to explore the neurotoxic mechanisms underlying the prion disease. However, whether the neuronal toxicity of PrP 106-126 is caused by a soluble or fibrillar form of this peptide is still unknown. The aim of this study was to correlate the structural state of this peptide with its neurotoxicity. Here we show that the two conserved Gly114 and Gly119 residues, in force of their intrinsic flexibility, prevent the peptide assuming a structured conformation, favouring its aggregation in amyloid fibrils. The substitution of both Gly114 and Gly119 with alanine residues (PrP 106-126 AA mutated peptide) reduces the flexibility of this prion fragment and results in a soluble, beta-structured peptide. Moreover, PrP 106-126 AA fragment was highly toxic when incubated with neuroblastoma cells, likely behaving as a neurotoxic protofibrillar intermediate of the wild-type PrP 106-126. These data further confirm that the fibrillar aggregation is not necessary for the induction of the toxic effects of PrP 106-126. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The views of women of above average weight about appropriate weight gain in pregnancy.
To examine the beliefs of women of above average weight about appropriate levels of weight gain in pregnancy. An in-depth qualitative study of 37 women. Women recruited from a city hospital, a rural hospital and by community midwives in the south of England. Women were identified via hospital notes or by community midwives. Over a one-year period all women identified who attained the weight of 90 kg by the 30th week of pregnancy were eligible to participate. The sample comprised 37 women. The sample was varied in terms of age, social class, household composition and number of children. Two in-depth interviews were carried out with each interviewee: during late pregnancy and six weeks following childbirth. Interviewees were concerned not to weigh more after pregnancy than before. Their perceived ability to control weight gain during pregnancy was varied. In the perceived absence of specific advice from health professionals, they constructed their own views about appropriate levels of weight gain. These were informed by their desire to minimise weight gain and to provide adequate nourishment for the growth and development of their baby. Comments and advice from health professionals were interpreted within the women's own understandings of appropriate levels of weight gain. (1) the desire to return to their pre-pregnancy weight was a strong motivating factor among pregnant women of above average weight, but some women lacked confidence in their ability to control weight gain; (2) the health and well-being of their unborn baby is often a central concern in women's decisions about appropriate weight gain; (3) health professionals need to explore the beliefs of women of above average weight about appropriate weight gain in pregnancy; and (4) written information about weight gain may assist women of above average weight in understanding what might be an appropriate level of weight gain during pregnancy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of inaktin on calcium metabolism in the rat.
Experiments were designed to investigate further the alterations in calcium metabolism caused by inaktin, a thiobarbiturate that impairs parathyroid hormone action in rats (1981). Treatment with an anesthetic dose of inaktin induced a drop in serum calcium without any variation in immunoreactive parathyroid hormone serum level and slowed body calcium turnover as studied with 45Ca, but was without effect on blood pH or partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide. In contrast, calcium metabolism in rats was unchanged after treatment with an anesthetic dose of pentothal, another thiobarbiturate anesthetic. The effect of inaktin on body calcium turnover was dose-dependent and significant even at non-anesthetic levels. A marked slowing of the fast phenomena accounting for the initial dilution of the tracer in the animal was observed, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in rapid 45Ca uptake into bone, but not other tissues. These results show that inaktin slows calcium turnover, especially the fast renewal of calcium in bone. These effects were not correlated with anesthesia or immobilization, and we suggest that inaktin-induced changes in calcium metabolism involve an impairment of hypocalcemia-induced parathyroid hormone secretion, in addition to the impairment of parathyroid hormone effects previously reported. Furthermore, the present findings suggest that inaktin might be a useful tool for investigation of the rapid mobilization of bone calcium, which is as yet not well understood. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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