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[Transurethral prostatic thermotherapy with microwaves (prostatron system) in bladder obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy].
Since April, 1992, 178 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated by TUMT (363 treatments). Before entering the study, all patients had a Madsen symptom score of > 8, peak flow rate of < 15 ml/s, or average flow rate of < 10 ml/s, and post voiding residual urine of < 300 ml/s. The prostatic length was classified into group I < 50 mm (101 patients) and group II < 50 mm (77 patients). TUMT with the Prostatron device (Technomed) was performed in one, two or three session(s) of one or two hour(s) with analgosedation and on an outpatient basis. After treatment all patients were catheterized for 1-3 weeks; the morbidity rate was very low. Three and six months after treatment, the Madsen symptom score, peak flow rate, average flow rate and postvoiding residual urine improved to a high statistical significance in both groups. TUMT for benign prostatic outflow obstruction proved to be an effective treatment throughout the study period, with minimum morbidity. It must be emphasized that the degree of prostatic enlargement or the severity of the symptoms does not indicate clinical success or failure. However, the degree of bladder outflow obstruction and the quality of treatment achieved are very important: a) In patients with severe obstruction, TURP or open surgery continues to be the treatment that affords rapid relief of their symptoms. b) The clinical response to TUMT is dose-dependent; i.e., higher thermal dose, longer session (2 h) and the use of different catheters enhance the therapeutic efficacy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
AMBER Force Field Parameters for the Naturally Occurring Modified Nucleosides in RNA.
Classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are useful for characterizing the structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules, ultimately, resulting in elucidation of biological function. The AMBER force field is widely used and has well-defined bond length, bond angle, partial charge, and van der Waals parameters for all the common amino acids and nucleotides, but it lacks parameters for many of the modifications found in nucleic acids and proteins. Presently there are 107 known naturally occurring modifications that play important roles in RNA stability, folding, and other functions. Modified nucleotides are found in almost all transfer RNAs, ribosomal RNAs of both the small and large subunits, and in many other functional RNAs. We developed force field parameters for the 107 modified nucleotides currently known to be present in RNA. The methodology used for deriving the modified nucleotide parameters is consistent with the methods used to develop the Cornell et al. force field. These parameters will improve the functionality of AMBER so that simulations can now be readily performed on diverse RNAs having post-transcriptional modifications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vitamin B12 treatment for delayed sleep phase syndrome: a multi-center double-blind study.
The active form of vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) has been reported to be effective on sleep-wake rhythm disorders. Previous studies, however, were performed under open trial, and the effect of vitamin B12 has not been properly evaluated. The aim of this double-blind study was to investigate the efficacy of methylcobalamin on delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS). Methylcobalamin (3 mg/day) or placebo was administered for 4 weeks. The subjects were 50 patients with DSPS aged 13-55 years (26.8 +/- 1.3), 27 of whom received the active drug while 23 received the placebo. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in subjective evaluations of mood or drowsiness during the daytime or in night sleep by sleep-log evaluation. These results indicate that 3 mg methylcobalamin administered over 4 weeks is not an effective treatment for DSPS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Pathophysiology of ventricular tachyarrhythmias].
On 11 patients at the age between 11 and 60 years with ventricular tachyarrhythmias (6 times relapsing ventricular tachycardia, twice relapsing ventricular fibrillation, 3 times massive polytopic ventricular extrasystoles) complex intracardiac electrophysiological and haemodynamic examinations, including heart catheterization with angiography (and in 6 patients selective coronarography) were performed. In no case we succeeded in evoking a ventricular tachycardia by stimulation. Also the spontaneous long-lasting ventricular tachycardias could not be interrupted by a single or manifold stimulation. By multiple right- and left-ventricular potential deviations we succeeded in differentiating the ventricular tachycardia and ventricular extrasystoles, respectively, according to the place of origin in all patients. As cause of the ventricular tachycardia and of the ventricular fibrillation, respectively, in 4 patients an ectopic focus with increased impulse formation, in the other patients, apart from an increased ectopic automatism, also reentry tachycardia is assumed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Administration in a hypotonic solution is preferable to dose escalation in intraperitoneal cisplatin chemotherapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis in rats.
An animal model of intraperitoneal (i.p.) cisplatin chemotherapy using hypotonic solutions of sodium chloride has been developed as a treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis. The concentrations of platinum in the plasma and in the i.p. fluid of Donryu rats were measured after i.p. injection of hypotonic (103 or 154 mosm/l) and isotonic (308 mosm/l) solutions that contained an equal amount of cisplatin. The maximum concentration (Cmax) and the area under the curve of concentration versus time (AUC) of platinum in the plasma increased proportionately with increases in the dose of cisplatin and they were significantly higher in rats given cisplatin in hypotonic solutions than in those given the drug in isotonic solution. The Cmax and AUC of total platinum were similar for the solution of 103 mosm/l with 2.5 mg/kg cisplatin and the isotonic solution with 5.0 mg/kg cisplatin. The Cmax and AUC of free platinum in the plasma did not increase with increases in the dose of cisplatin in isotonic solution but did increase after hypotonic injection. However, the solutions of lower osmolarity gave a decreased AUC of platinum in the i.p. fluid. Hypotonic conditions continued for 30 min at most after i.p. injection of hypotonic solutions. When the same dose of cisplatin was given to rats with tumors derived from AH100B carcinoma cells, the amount of platinum taken by i.p. solid tumors from the solution of 103 mosm/l was about twice that from the isotonic solution and was much the same as that taken up from the isotonic solution with twice the amount of cisplatin. These results indicate that hypotonic i.p. cisplatin chemotherapy might be preferable to escalation of the dose of i.p. cisplatin in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Molecular detection of persistent Borrelia burgdorferi in a man with dermatomyositis.
A 40-year-old white man with a several year history of various immunologic disorders, including anti-Jo-1 autoantibody positive dermatomyositis, developed clinical Lyme disease after being biten by a tick. The patient was treated with oral tetracycline and his initial symptoms resolved; however, he suffered an exacerbation of his muscle disease which was difficult to control despite cytotoxic therapy. Antibiotic therapy was reinstituted after Borrelia burgdorferi was detected in the patient's peripheral blood leukocytes by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All serologic, T-cell stimulation, and western blot analyses, however, were negative. The patient's disease responded to oral ampicillin, probenecid therapy and concurrent cytotoxic therapy. Subsequent leukocyte PCR testing has been negative for the causative agent of Lyme disease. This case may provide an example of the in vivo immuno-modulatory effects of spirochetes in human autoimmune disease. In addition, this case emphasizes the potential clinical utility of PCR technology in evaluating the persistent sero-negative Lyme disease which may occur in immunocompromised individuals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inhibition of T-cell proliferation induced by a cell-free Salmonella typhimurium extract does not involve a nitric oxide-mediated mechanism.
In a previous study, we observed that a cell-free Salmonella typhimurium extract induced suppression of mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation and that this suppression involved nonresponsiveness of T-cells to interleukin-2 (IL-2) and augmentation of IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression. In this study, we found that inhibition of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated murine spleen cell proliferation induced by a cell-free S. typhimurium extract was reversed by treatment with an anti-interferon-gamma monoclonal antibody (anti-IFN-gamma Ab), but not by interleukin-4 or NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, which is known to inhibit nitric oxide (NO)-secretion from spleen cells in culture. However, IL-2R expression was augmented by treatment with the extract, although this was independent of an NO-mediated mechanism. Only anti-IFN-gamma Ab treatment reduced the augmented IL-2R expression to a normal level. These results suggest that the suppression of T-cell proliferation induced by the Salmonella cell-free extract is associated with augmentation of IL-2R expression in an NO production-independent manner. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Cognitive-behavioral therapy for auditory hallucinations resistant to neuroleptic treatment].
The aim of this study is to test the feasibility and the efficacy of a cognitive and behavior therapy manual for auditory hallucinations with persons suffering from schizophrenia in a French-speaking environment and under natural clinical conditions. Eight patients met ICD-10 criteria for paranoid schizophrenia, 2 for hebephrenic schizophrenia and 1 for schizoaffective disorder. All were hearing voices daily. Patients followed the intervention for 3 to 6 months according to their individual rhythms. Participants filled up questionnaires at pre-test, post-test and three months follow-up. The instruments were the Belief About Voice Questionnaire--Revised and two seven points scales about frequency of hallucinations and attribution of the source of the voices. Results show a decrease of voices' frequency and improvement in attributing the voices rather to an internal than to an external source. Malevolent or benevolent beliefs about voices are significantly decreased at follow-up as well as efforts at coping with hallucinations. Results should be interpreted with caution because of the small number of subjects. The sample may not be representative of patients with persistent symptoms since there is an over representation of patients with benevolent voices and an under representation of patients with substance misuse. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Collaboration patients-health care providers].
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Daily suffering of patients and their relatives is often ignored or underestimated. Scientific advances focus on medical treatments and survival and very little on the psychosocial impact of the disease. The shared expertise between breast cancer patients and health care providers is an innovative and promising approach aiming to provide better quality of life and care. The participation of patients permits to bring together professionals around common goals and to promote multidisciplinary disease management, networking and global care. Focusing on very concrete problems highlighted from patients' expertise also improves research, medical training, and health policy standards. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
High birthweight as a predictor of prostate cancer risk.
In a follow-up study of a cohort of 50-year-old men who were born in 1913 and were living in Gothenburg, Sweden, we found an association between birthweight and prostate cancer. Of 366 men with known birthweight, there were 21 patients with prostate cancer. The incidence is about five times higher in the highest quartile of birthweight than in other birthweight groups. The findings indicate that aspects of the pre- and perinatal period may affect the risk of subsequent prostate cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Empiric therapy of infected patients in critical care units.
Optimal empiric therapy for the infected patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) is based on many considerations, including acquisition of illness, severity, and host factors, such as organ dysfunction. In addition, the type of ICU may also play a role in helping decide appropriate empiric therapy. Complete clinical examination and the results of initial Gram's stain provide the most important therapeutic guidelines. Descriptions of the types of infections seen in various ICUs, including medical/surgical, pediatric, coronary care, and neonatal, are presented. Recommendations based on clinical experiences regarding effective therapeutic agents and combinations are provided. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Full-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface and vibrational configuration interaction calculations for vinyl.
The potential energy landscape and two permutationally invariant, full-dimensional ab initio-based potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the doublet vinyl radical, C(2)H(3), are described. The first of the two surfaces, denoted as PES/S, describes the equivalent CH(2)CH global minimum and the saddle point separating them, planar and nonplanar H-atom migration saddle points, a methylcarbyne local minimum that is due to a Jahn-Teller conical intersection, and the saddle point connecting it with the global minimum. The second PES, denoted PES/D, contains all stationary points of PES/S and in addition describes dissociation to C(2)H(2)+H fragments, including the saddle point to dissociation along a least-energy path. The surfaces are least-squares fits to electronic energies obtained with use of the spin-restricted coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative treatment of triples method and augmented correlation consistent polarized valence triple zeta basis sets, using permutationally invariant polynomials in "Morse variables" and a many-body expansion. PES/S is a fit to roughly 34,000 and PES/D to roughly 50,000 electronic structure energies. PES/S is used in full-dimensional, vibrational configuration interaction calculations of the vinyl zero-point energy and fundamental vibrational energies, which are compared to recent experiments. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparative evaluation of rate modulation in new generation evoked QT and activity sensing pacemakers.
Two new generation rate adaptive pacemakers, the Rhythmyx (Vitatron) using the evoked QT interval and the Legend (Medtronic) using vibration as indicators of metabolic demand, were compared for rate adaptive characteristics during different forms of exercise. While both showed improvements over previous generation pacemakers, they still show deficiencies in some aspects of rate modulation. Rhythmyx was slow to respond to changes in metabolic need and showed an "over-shoot" with increasing pacing rate on cessation of exercise. Legend was quick to adapt rate at beginning and end of exercise but showed a plateaus of rate modulation during the period of slowly increasing workload. Legend also showed only modest rate adaptation to changes in treadmill gradient and to bicycle ergometer exercise. Further developments in pacemaker technology are required if physiological rate adaptation to exercise is required. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interfacial Langmuir-Blodgett assembly of straight and parallel aligned nanoribbons.
The fabrication of one-dimensional nanomaterials is currently an important issue in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Herein, we report the construction of long, straight, and parallel aligned nanoribbons, by the in situ assembly of a novel, triangular amphiphilic molecule at an air-water interface. The 1,3,5-trimesyl-tri-L-glutamic acid hexaester, which has an aromatic core with three hydrophilic arms bearing three amide units and ending with six ester groups, was spread on a water surface, forming a stable, ultrathin film with a plateau region in its isotherm. When the film was compressed to a surface pressures, which exceeded the plateau region, nanoribbons were formed. Atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and circular dichroism were used to characterize the film and the nanoribbons. The nanoribbons were formed due to the in situ transformation of a two-dimensional monolayer into a three-dimensional nanoarchitecture at the air-water interface. When the compound was spread onto the water surface, it first formed a monolayer. Compressing the film led to the overlap of the second layer on the monomolecular sublayer. This second layer formed nanoribbons in which the triangular molecules stood vertically (using two corners) on the sublayer. The nanoribbons were stabilized by the ordered packing of the triangular molecules, which were held together by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The results present a facile procedure for constructing three-dimensional, regular nanoarchitectures in a two-dimensional environment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical autonomy, individual and collective: the problem of changing doctors' behaviour.
Evidence-based medicine enables the profession to resist at least some of the challenges to its traditional autonomy: if informed doctors provide what is scientifically proven to be the best care there is less justification for external constraints. Yet, this defensive strategy depends on enforcing a new discipline within the profession such that individual practitioners accept mechanisms of external 'decision support' in their clinical practice. A study of the ways in which general practitioners in British Primary Care change their clinical behaviour shows that an emphasis on a 'patient centred' approach establishes an alternative individualised autonomy that seems inimical to the logic of evidence-based medicine. A tension therefore emerges between the maintenance of the autonomy of the profession as a collectivity through the promotion of a therapeutic rationality and the maintenance of the autonomy of the individual practitioner through the rhetoric of patient-centredness. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Initial ranging scheme based on interpolated Zadoff-Chu sequences for OFDMA-PON.
Initial access to passive optical networks (PONs) requires upstream (US) synchronization of multiple optical network units (ONUs). We propose a low-complexity scheme for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based PONs and demonstrate it experimentally. The scheme is based on interpolated Zadoff-Chu sequences, to synchronize the signal of each ONU arriving at the optical line terminal (OLT). Our experimental test bed consists of 4 colorless ONUs seeded by a single laser located at the OLT. Thermal expansion of a fiber is utilized to emulate a dynamic time drift in the demodulation-window positioning of OLT. The detected individual offsets at the OLT are fed back to the ONUs and are compensated at every data frame transmission. In this way, both inter carrier interference (ICI) and inter symbol interference (ISI) remain below acceptable levels. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Small intestinal nonmeckelian diverticulosis.
Nonmeckelian jejunoileal diverticula (JID) are rare, but potentially clinically significant lesions. Despite recent advances in modern diagnostic modalities, diagnosis of JID may be problematic. Upper gastrointestinal contrast series with small bowel follow-through examination and mainly enteroclysis are the 2 main diagnostic methods. In selected cases (mainly complicated JID), the physician could use other diagnostic methods, such as ultrasound, computed tomography, endoscopy, intraoperative endoscopy, laparoscopy, radiotagged erythrocyte bleeding scans, and selective mesenteric arteriography. JID may be clinically silent or symptomatic causing chronic pain or malabsorption or other acute complications, such as hemorrhage, inflammation, perforation, etc. Laparotomy remains the gold standard for definite diagnosis of asymptomatic and complicated diverticula. Treatment should be individualized. Surgery could be indicated, mainly in symptomatic diverticula. The extent of resection may be a problem, especially in patients with extensive disease involving large parts of the bowel. In these cases, clinical judgment is required from the part of surgeon to avoid short bowel syndrome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical Neuropathology 2-2019.
| {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lack of toxicity of hydroethanolic extract from Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) O. Kuntze by gavage in the rat.
In traditional medicine in Mali, extracts derived from Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) O. Kuntze (Family: Rubiaceae) are commonly used to treat malaria. The antimalarial activity and the lack of genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo have been demonstrated in previous studies. Acute and chronic evaluation of the toxicity of the hydroethanolic extract of Mitragyna inermis leaves was performed in this study, according to the recommendations (cahier de l'Agence no. 3) of the French Drug Office. Two dosages (300 mg/kg and 3 g/kg) were given in one single administration by gavage to male and female rats. No animal died and no behavioral signs of acute toxicity were observed. Chronic toxicity studies over 28 days showed no changes in body weight and no macroscopic abnormality in the 14 organs examined after the animals were sacrificed. With the 3 g/kg/d drug dosage (100-fold higher than those proposed in man), only slight histological abnormalities were observed. Statistically significant differences, compared to control animals, in the weight of some organs and the values of some haematological or biochemical parameters were observed. However, these values always remained in the range given by the breeder for naive animals of the same strain. These investigations thus seemed to indicate the safety of repeated oral administration (up to 3 g/kg/d) of the hydroethanolic extract of Mitragyna inermis leaves, which can therefore be continuously used with safety by the African population in traditional treatment of malaria. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Etiology and management of pharyngitis and pharyngotonsillitis in children: a current review.
Although viruses are the most common causes of childhood throat infections, interest in the etiology of these infections has primarily focused on whether an individual episode is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), particularly since the recent outbreaks of rheumatic fever in certain areas of the country. Penicillin remains the cornerstone of treatment in GABHS pharyngitis. Early treatment effects prompt clinical improvement and reduces the risk of transmission. Whether early treatment suppresses immunologic response and results in a higher recurrence rate than does delayed treatment is still unknown, but recent evidence suggests that it does not. The causes of persistent GABHS carriage, its clinical importance, and optimal methods of treatment are all still in question. When penicillin treatment does not eradicate carriage, other drugs may be efficacious. In children severely affected with recurrent throat infection, tonsillectomy is generally effective and is sometimes a desirable option. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neurobehavioral effects of occupational exposure to acrylonitrile in Chinese workers.
We examined neurobehavioral outcomes of Chinese workers exposed to acrylonitrile, a potentially neurotoxic substance. We used the WHO-recommended neurobehavioral core test battery to assess the neurobehavioral functions of all study subjects. We compared 81 workers in an acrylonitrile-monomer plant and 94 workers in an acrylic fibers plant with 174 workers with no workplace acrylonitrile exposure. Acrylonitrile workers reported increased tension, depression, anger, fatigue and confusion on the Profile of Mood States. Performances in the Simple Reaction Time, Digit Span, Benton Visual Retention and Pursuit Aiming II were also poorer among exposed workers compared to unexposed workers. Some of these poor performances in tests were also related to exposure duration. Given the findings of our study and the limitations of neurobehavioral workplace testing, we found evidence of neuropsychological impairment induced by exposure to acrylonitrile. Further studies are needed to characterize potential neurotoxicity from chronic and acute exposures to acrylonitrile. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of electrical activation site on left ventricular performance in ventricular tachycardia patients with coronary heart disease.
Some patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) remain virtually asymptomatic, whereas others have syncope despite similar VT rates. The role of ventricular activation site on left ventricular (LV) function was examined in 10 patients undergoing electrophysiologic evaluation for recurrent ventricular arrhythmias. Radionuclide ventriculograms were acquired to calculate LV volumes and aortic or LV pressure was measured during right atrial and right ventricular (RV) pacing. RV apical pacing resulted in end-diastolic volumes similar to those achieved with right atrial pacing (171 +/- 27 vs 175 +/- 19 ml), whereas RV outflow tract pacing showed a trend toward lower volumes (168 +/- 32 vs 177 +/- 33 ml). Comparison between RV apical and RV outflow tract pacing showed that apical activation resulted in higher end-diastolic volumes (216 +/- 26 vs 194 +/- 22 ml, p = 0.020), end-systolic volumes (175 +/- 25 vs 158 +/- 20 ml, p = 0.041), stroke volumes (42 +/- 4 vs 36 +/- 6 ml, p = 0.046), peak rates of LV ejection (309 +/- 57 vs 245 +/- 40 ml/s, p = 0.034) and peak rates normalized for differences in end-diastolic volume (1.5 +/- 0.3 vs 1.3 +/- 0.3; p = 0.047) without a significant increase in peak pressures (131 +/- 12 vs 127 +/- 14 mm Hg, p greater than 0.30) or ejection fractions (24 +/- 5 vs 22 +/- 4%, p = 0.187). These changes were accompanied by an increase in LV/RV stroke count ratios during RV apical vs RV outflow tract pacing (1.6 +/- 0.2 vs 1.2 +/- 0.2, p = 0.030), suggesting the development of mitral regurgitation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Natural history of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity in the dog.
The natural history of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity is not well described. This study investigated in the dog renal functional and electrolyte abnormalities during and for 20 days following a 10-day course of low-dose gentamicin (7 mg/kg/day), high-dose gentamicin (30 mg/kg/day), and netilmicin (30 mg/kg/day). Renal histology was examined at the end of the study. Renal functional abnormalities occurred only in animals receiving high-dose gentamicin. A fall in maximal urinary osmolality (1579 +/- 347 mOsm/kg/H2O to 450 +/- 118, p less than 0.05) was followed by renal glycosuria and a fall in GFR (66.9 +/- 11.9 ml/min to 21.3 +/- 8.6, p less than 0.05). These three functional indices had recovered by day 30 in the survivors. Plasma potassium fell in animals receiving high-dose gentamicin (3.8 +/- 0.02 mEq/L to 3.3 +/- 0.4, p less than 0.05) and reached the lowest values (2.7 and 2.9 mEq/L) just prior to death in two animals dying in uremia. Netilmicin also caused a significant fall in plasma potassium (4.3 +/- 0.1 mEq/L to 3.9 +/- 0.1, p less than 0.05). Hypocalcemia (10.0 +/- 1.3 mg/dl to 7.8 +/- 1.4, p less than 0.05) but not hypomagnesemia developed following high-dose gentamicin. Peak serum aminoglycoside levels after high-dose gentamicin and netilmicin were comparable, but trough levels rose only in high-dose gentamicin animals and paralleled the fall in GFR. Light microscopy of the kidney 3 weeks after high-dose gentamicin demonstrated no proximal tubular necrosis but extensive focal tubulointerstitial nephritis, especially in the juxtamedullary cortex. Similar but less extensive derangements were noted in animals receiving low-dose gentamicin, despite the absence of functional abnormalities. Minor histological abnormalities were noted in animals receiving netilmicin. To summarize: 1) major renal functional and electrolyte abnormalities developed only following high-dose gentamicin and included impaired urinary concentration, glycosuria, reduced GFR, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia (except for a fall in plasma potassium, similar doses of netilmicin were not nephrotoxic); (2) tubulointerstitial nephritis, particularly in the juxtamedullary cortex, occurred with low-dose gentamicin as well as high-dose gentamicin and may be a factor in delayed or incomplete recovery from gentamicin nephrotoxicity; (3) in this model, netilmicin at comparable doses was substantially less nephrotoxic than gentamicin; (4) renal postassium wasting may be a heretofore unrecognized consequence of aminoglycoside administration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical characterization of neck pain in migraine.
Several extracranial symptoms, including somatic pain syndormes, are known to occur in migraine. Though neck pain has been occasionally described with migraine, its precise association and nature is not yet clear. To study the incidence and characteristics of neck pain in migraine with particular emphasis on its occurrence as a trigger or a part of the symptom complex of migraine, as well as its association with different phases of the migraine attack. We interviewed 391 migraine patients for 18 months. All patients who reported neck pain anytime during the migraine phase were analyzed for their demographic profile, headache and neck pain characteristics, the associated conditions, and other clinical features. One hundred and sixty-six (42.5%) patients reported neck pain anytime during the attack (61.5% were female patients and the mean age was 35.8 years). A total of 82.7% patients had migraine without aura and 75.3% had episodic migraine at the onset. In 53 patients (32%), neck pain was a trigger, and in the rest (n = 113, 68%), neck pain was a part of migraine symtomatology. Fifty-seven patients (34.3%) noticed neck pain before the onset of headache; 148 patients (89.2%) reported neck pain at the onset of headache, and 46 patients (27.7%) experienced neck pain after the resolution of headache. The characteristic feature of migraine, such as the unilateral side shifting type of headache, was seen in only 54.2% of the patients, and the throbbing pain quality was seen in 75.2% of the patients. There was no significant difference in the nonheadache symptoms (P = 0.587) and cranial autonomic symptoms (P = 0.596) between the neck pain triggered migraine patients and those having neck pain as a part of the attack. These data indicate that neck pain is a very common feature of migraine attacks and is likely to be either a trigger or a part of the migraine attack. Contrary to the established concept, however, neck pain as a prodromal or postdromal migraine symptom was less common. Careful history taking is required to diagnose neck pain as a feature of migraine and to differentiate it from secondary headache due to a cervical pathology for avoiding unnecessary imaging or other investigations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Externalizing and internalizing subtypes of combat-related PTSD: a replication and extension using the PSY-5 scales.
This study replicated and extended prior findings of internalizing and externalizing subtypes of posttraumatic response (M. W. Miller, J. L. Greif, & A. A. Smith, 2003). Cluster analyses of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory--2 Personality Psychopathology--Five (MMPI-2 PSY-5; A. R. Harkness, J. L. McNulty, Y. S. Ben-Porath, 1995) profiles obtained from 736 veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) partitioned the sample into a low pathology cluster defined by personality scores in the normal range, an externalizing cluster characterized by low constraint and high negative emotionality, and an internalizing cluster with high negative emotionality and low positive emotionality. Externalizers showed the highest rates of alcohol-related and antisocial personality disorders; internalizers, the highest rates of panic and major depressive disorder. These findings support the development of a personality-based typology of posttraumatic response designed to account for heterogeneity in the expression of PTSD and associated psychopathology. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vertebral arteriovenous fistula caused by angiography catheter: case report.
A case of vertebral arteriovenous fistula (VAF) caused by an angiographic catheter during coronary angiography in a 30-year-old female is presented. The patient complained about a roaring noise in her left ear. Preoperative and postoperative angiographic verification of the lesion is presented. The patient was treated by a direct surgical trapping of the vertebral artery (VA) proximal and distal to the fistula. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Aspirin treatment influences platelet-related inflammatory biomarkers in healthy individuals but not in acute stroke patients.
Platelet-leukocyte aggregation is believed to contribute to acute thrombotic events. While the effect of aspirin on platelet-to-platelet aggregation is well established, the impact of the drug on pro-inflammatory platelet function remains equivocal. Thus we investigated the effect of aspirin on selected platelet-related inflammatory biomarkers in both acute ischaemic stroke patients and healthy volunteers. Using five-colour flow cytometry the platelet surface expression of CD62P and CD40L and subpopulations of leukocyte-platelet aggregates were assessed in 63 acute stroke patients and 40 healthy volunteers at baseline and after a 10-day period of aspirin intake at a daily dose of 150 mg. Simultaneously the plasma levels of soluble CD62P and CD40L, serum level of TxB(2), and whole blood impedance platelet aggregation under arachidonic acid (AA) stimulation were investigated. No differences in values of studied platelet-related inflammatory biomarkers in both resting platelets and those activated with TRAP after 10-day treatment with aspirin were confirmed in stroke subjects. In healthy individuals the resting platelet expression of CD62P, plasma level of soluble CD62P and percentage of circulating monocyte-platelet aggregates were lower after the aspirin intake period (P=0.009; P=0.04; P=0.004, respectively). In both studied groups serum level of TxB(2) and platelet aggregation under AA stimulation were lower than before treatment (P<0.001). Despite effective inhibition of COX-1-dependent platelet aggregation, aspirin does not influence the platelet α-granule-derived inflammatory mediators and monocyte-platelet aggregation in acute stroke subjects, although it does in healthy individuals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Strategies and outcomes of prenatal diagnosis for osteogenesis imperfecta: a review of biochemical and molecular studies completed in 129 pregnancies.
We completed prenatal diagnostic studies from 129 pregnancies at risk for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Studies in 107 pregnancies were completed by analysis of collagen synthesized by cells cultured from chorionic villus biopsies and the remaining 22 used direct mutation identification or analysis of polymorphic restriction sites in the COL1A1 gene of type I collagen. The vast majority of studies (n = 113) were obtained to identify fetuses with OI type II (the perinatal lethal form) and some fetuses affected with OI type III or IV (the deforming varieties). Of the 50 couples who had had one previous affected pregnancy with the lethal form of OI, one had a second affected pregnancy, a rate of 2 per cent. Two of the seven unaffected couples (28 per cent) who had had two previous affected pregnancies with OI type II had a third affected pregnancy; none of the three with two previous pregnancies with OI type III had a third. Pregnancies at risk for OI type I could not be ascertained reliably by biochemical analysis of cultured CVS cells but were identified by direct analysis of the causative mutation or the use of linked markers in families. All prenatal diagnostic studies were undertaken only after earlier diagnostic studies (biochemical or molecular) had been completed on the proband, a necessary strategy for accurate results. In all pregnancies at risk for OI type II, OI type III, and OI type IV studied with biochemical strategies and in pregnancies at risk for OI type I studied with molecular techniques, there were neither false-negative nor false-positive results. Diagnostic information can be obtained within 20-30 days of biopsy using biochemical techniques and within 10-14 days when molecular strategies are used. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Rhodamine-labeled 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)tropane analogues as high-affinity fluorescent probes for the dopamine transporter.
Novel fluorescent ligands were synthesized to identify a high-affinity probe that would enable visualization of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in living cells. Fluorescent tags were extended from the N- or 2-position of 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)tropane, using an ethylamino linker. The resulting 2-substituted (5) and N-substituted (9) rhodamine-labeled ligands provided the highest DAT binding affinities expressed in COS-7 cells (Ki= 27 and 18 nM, respectively) in the series. Visualization of the DAT with 5 and 9 was demonstrated by confocal fluorescence laser scanning microscopy in stably transfected HEK293 cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Modulation of rabbit airway smooth muscle responsiveness by respiratory epithelium. Involvement of an inhibitory metabolite of arachidonic acid.
The integrity of the respiratory epithelium may be important in development of bronchial hyperreactivity; however, the mechanisms involved remain unknown. This study was undertaken to determine if epithelium of rabbit intrapulmonary bronchi is capable of modulating the responsiveness of airway smooth muscle to a pharmacologic stimulus, and whether epithelial-derived prostaglandins play a role in this modulatory function. Mechanical removal of the epithelium from bronchial segments, or incubation of intact bronchi with indomethacin (an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis) increased the sensitivity of bronchial smooth muscle to bethanechol. Cyclooxygenase was localized within mucosal epithelial cells of intact airways by avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining using a monoclonal antibody to the enzyme. Removal of the epithelium significantly reduced the levels of PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha accumulated in the media surrounding bronchial explants. In epithelium-intact bronchi precontracted with bethanechol, arachidonic acid evoked an indomethacin-sensitive relaxation response comparable to relaxation induced by exogenous addition of PGE2. Although PGE2 evoked similar responses in epithelium-denuded bronchi, arachidonic acid-induced relaxation responses were negligible. The results suggest epithelial cells of rabbit bronchi modulate the responsiveness to pharmacologic stimuli by production and release of an inhibitory cyclooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Effect of psychological pressure on muscle elasticity and the function of the autonomic nervous system].
The purpose of this study was to clarify the following: (1) effect on the elasticity of the musculus trapezius caused by psychological load, and (2) relationship between psychological load, muscle elasticity, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) by frequency analysis of heart rate variability. The experiment was conducted on a group of 30 healthy volunteers, consisting of 16 males and 14 females with an average age of 31.2 years old. We investigated and compared the changes in muscle elasticity and ANS in the case of control (resting), phonating and mental calculation as psychological load. Psychological status and stress response were measured by using State-Trate Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Stress Checklist (SCL), and Stress Tolerance Checklist (STCL). As a result, the subjects experienced effective acute emotional stress during mental calculation, and muscle elasticity increased significantly. Heart rate (HR), low frequency (LF) component, and LF/HF increased significantly during mental calculations. The high frequency (HF) component tended to decrease during mental calculations. The rate of elevation of muscle elasticity and HR (difference between at rest and when calculating) was significantly related to STAI and STCL. STCL was significantly related to state of anxiety. The results of this study suggest that anxiety and stress tolerance affect muscle elasticity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
alpha-Synuclein implicated in Parkinson's disease catalyses the formation of hydrogen peroxide in vitro.
Some rare inherited forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are due to mutations in the gene encoding a 140-amino acid presynaptic protein called alpha-synuclein. In PD, and some other related disorders such as dementia with Lewy bodies, alpha-synuclein accumulates in the brain in the form of fibrillar aggregates, which are found inside the neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions known as Lewy bodies. By means of an electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping method, we show here that solutions of full-length alpha-synuclein, and a synthetic peptide fragment of alpha-synuclein corresponding to residues 61-95 (the so-called non-Abeta component or NAC), both liberate hydroxyl radicals upon incubation in vitro followed by the addition of Fe(II). We did not observe this property for the related beta- and gamma-synucleins, which are not found in Lewy bodies, and are not linked genetically to any neurodegenerative disorder. There is abundant evidence for the involvement of free radicals and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of nigral damage in PD. Our new data suggest that the fundamental molecular mechanism underlying this pathological process could be the production of hydrogen peroxide by alpha-synuclein. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Health situation of slum dwellers of metropolitan area of Dhaka.
The study interviewed three hundred women, mostly the wives of the head of the household of urban slums. The study women were selected on random sampling basis. The knowledge of study women on preventive MCH care was good (39.7%) and about 21.7%, contacted some trained persons for advice on matters related to pregnancy and treatment of sickness. Almost all the deliveries were conducted at home by relations or neighbours (80.1%). Disease prevalence rate at the time of interview was 253/1000 population. Common diseases reported were fever 31.6%, intestinal problems 26.3%, measles 11.8%, skin diseases 7. 9%, chronic respiratory infection 9.2% and the rests were "others". About one third of the sick persons did not have any treatment. On the average 3.9 persons lived in one room of 2.4 x 4 metres. Source of water supply for drinking and other purposes was mostly municipal taps in a public place. Environmental sanitation for the area was poor. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Unipolar electrogram-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: electrogram patterns and outcomes.
Transmural lesions (TLs) are the crucial point for radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Previous studies have reported that complete positive unipolar electrogram (UP-EGM) after ablation is associated with transmural lesions. However, UP-EGM patterns may differ in different regions of continuous circular lesions (CCLs) around the pulmonary vein ostia after ablation. We aimed to analyze the different UP-EGM patterns in different CCL regions after ablation and the effectiveness of UP-EGM guided RFCA in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). A total of 43 patients with PAF (aged 59 ± 11 years; 65% male) were consecutively included. Pulmonary vein isolation was achieved by contiguous point-by-point RFCA. UP-EGM was recorded by the ablation catheter. Both CCLs were divided into six regions. Two points were randomly chosen from each region to analyze UP-EGM type after ablation. All the patients were followed for atrial arrhythmias recurrence. All pulmonary veins were isolated with complete bidirectional block. A total of 1032 RFCA points with complete positive UP-EGM were collected. UP-EGM morphology after ablation was divided into four different types defined as R, rR', Rr', and M. M patterns mostly appeared in anterosuperior (65%) and roof (49%) regions of left CCLs. In the remaining regions, the percentage of non-M patterns (R, rR', and Rr') ranged from 63% in posteroinferior regions of right CCLs to 88% in anteroinferior regions of right CCLs. After a mean follow-up time of 19 months, 37 (86%) patients remained in sinus rhythm. Most (72%) UP-EGM types after ablation are non-M patterns. Pulmonary vein isolation guided by UP-EGM with a complete positive pattern in PAF patients is reliable. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The changing clinical picture of gastroduodenal ulcer disease].
The authors evaluate the changing clinical picture of gastroduodenal ulceration in recent years. They analysed their own clinical material from January 1994 till April 1998 when at the Second Surgical Clinic in Olomouc 188 patients were hospitalised on account of gastroduodenal ulceration. The group of patients comprised a high proportion of patients above 60 years of age (102, i.e. 55%) and twice as many cases of duodenal ulcers as compared with gastric ones. In 4% ulcers were present at both sites. In 92% (173 patients) acute admissions were involved and only in 8% (15 patients a planned admission for elective treatment was involved. As to complications haemorrhage was most frequent (84%), perforations in 13% and pylorostenosis in 3%. Of the acute admissions 56 patients were operated, i.e. 32%, the rest were treated by conservative methods. The surgical lethality was 12%, the lethality of the conservatively treated patients 5%. Gastroduodenal ulceration is at present characterised by a predominance of conservative treatment, a decline of elective operations, a high percentage of complications in particular in advanced age, more frequent affection of the duodenum and late indication for surgery, when conservative treatment is not very successful. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pharmacokinetics of low molecular weight heparins.
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) fragments have recently been proposed as antithrombotic drugs. Several fractions and fragments have been studied in human healthy volunteers: Enoxaparin (Lovenox) from Pharmuka, Fraxiparin from Choay, Fragmin from Kabi, LHN1 from Novo laboratories. The pharmacokinetics of LMWH are clearly different from those of unfractionated heparin as demonstrated by a small group of studies. In our laboratory, we undertook one study with enoxaparin. After intravenous and sub-cutaneous injection the clearance half-life of the different LMW heparins is about 3 to 4 hours. It is significantly longer for LMW heparin than for unfractionated heparin. The half-life of anti-IIa activity is similar for LMW heparins and for unfractionated heparin. However, contrary to unfractionated heparin, there is, for Enoxaparin, a difference between the two activity half-life. The anti-IIa activity half-life is smaller than that of anti-Xa activity. After intravenous and sub-cutaneous injection of 30 to 40 mg of the different fragments and fractions the biodisponibility of LMWH S.C.(A.U.C.) I.V.(A.U.C.) was about 4 times higher when compared to unfractionated heparin injected at a dose of 29 mg. In a recent study with 12 volunteers, using S.C. administration of 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg of Enoxaparin, we were able to demonstrate a good linearity between the area under the curves and the injected doses. Standard heparin is mainly cleared by a cellular mechanism while LMWH is essentially cleared by a renal mechanism. Anti-Xa activities obtained by the chromogenic technique are higher than those obtained in human plasmas with a competitive binding assay and with labelled Enoxaparin in the dog and in the rat. The persistent anti-Xa activity may be mediated by some compounds released by Enoxaparin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Manometric correlations of anorectal dysfunction and biofeedback outcome in patients with multiple sclerosis.
To evaluate clinical and manometric characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with anorectal dysfunction (ARD) and their influence on biofeedback outcome. Patients were clinically and manometrically studied and compared with controls. Patients were subsequently offered to initiate biofeedback manoeuvres to improve ARD. Fifty-two patients with ARD, 39 women, mean age 44.96 +/- 9.26 years, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale 4.13 +/- 1.72, were evaluated. Thirty-one patients had relapsing-remitting (RR), 16 secondary progressive and five primary progressive MS. ARD complaints were constipation (67.3%), double ARD (23.1%) and isolated incontinence (9.6%). The manometric study showed significant differences in patients compared with controls in maximal contraction pressures (98.1 +/- 44.2 mm Hg versus 152.05 +/- 66.9 mm Hg, P < 0.001) and anal inhibitory reflex threshold (92.9 +/- 63.4 mL versus 40.45 +/- 11.3 mL, P < 0.001). Maximal pressure was lower in progressive forms compared with RR forms (83.1 +/- 36.2 mm Hg versus 108.2 +/- 46.7 mm Hg, P < 0.05) in relation to higher disability. Patients with paradoxical contraction (PC) (35 patients, 67.3%) showed more manometric disturbances. From a total of 18 patients performing biofeedback, those reporting some improvement (six complete, two partial) had milder manometric abnormalities. The most frequent manometric abnormalities in our MS patients with ARD were alterations of maximal pressures, anal inhibitory reflex and PC. Biofeedback could be more useful in patients with lower disability and manometric alterations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk in people living with HIV/AIDS without the use of antiretroviral therapy.
Metabolic disorders in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLH) have been described even before the introduction of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in the treatment of HIV infection and are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Based on this, the purpose of this study was to assess metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk in PLH before the initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART). This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 87 PLH without the use of ART, which was carried out between January and September 2012 at a specialized infectious diseases center in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The main metabolic disorders in the population were low serum levels of HDL-cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity. Dyslipidemia was prevalent in 62.6% of the study population, whereas metabolic syndrome (MS) was prevalent in 11.5% of patients assessed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and 10.8% assessed by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria. Regarding cardiovascular risk, 89.7% of the population presented a low coronary risk according to the Framingham Risk Score. A greater proportion of patients diagnosed with MS presented low cardiovascular risk (80% assessed by IDF criteria and 77.8% assessed by NCEP-ATPIII criteria). Metabolic disorders in this population may be due to HIV infection or lifestyle (smoking, sedentary lifestyle and inadequate diet). The introduction of ART can enhance dyslipidemia, increasing cardiovascular risk, especially among those who have classic risks of cardiovascular disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Therapeutic patient education practices in Ivory Cost: investigation among health professionals]
Patient education is an important component in the management and monitoring of chronic diseases. It plays an important role in the decline of the disease severity, mortality and socioeconomic burden and the complications of these chronic diseases. In Côte d’Ivoire, there are few studies to evaluate the reality of this activity. To explore the practice of patient education in Ivory Coast. This qualitative study has been carried out by means of semi-structured interviews with 24 healthcare professionals including 14 health managers for individual interviews and 10 care providers for focus group discussion. There are various representations of therapeutic patient education among health professionals. There was no real distinction between patient education and the broader concept of health education. Absence of national patient education policy, the lack of training in TPE and lack of experience of educational practice lead health professionals to realize an unstructured educational activity. These results show the need for Côte d’Ivoire to have a national policy of patient education to educate patients in accordance with international recommendations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Whole-Genome Capture of Ancient DNA Using Homemade Baits.
For many archaeological and paleontological samples, the relative content of endogenous compared to contaminant DNA is low. In such cases, enriching sequencing libraries for endogenous DNA, prior to sequencing can make the final research project more cost-effective. Here, we present an in-solution enrichment protocol based on homemade baits that can be applied to recover complete nuclear genomes from ancient remains. The approach is based on the preparation of DNA baits by biotinylated adapter ligation. The procedure has been developed for use with human remains but can be adapted to other species or target regions by choosing the appropriate template DNA from which to build the capture baits. By using homemade rather than commercially acquired baits, this protocol may offer increased flexibility and cost efficiency. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nasal natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma: report of a case with activated NK cells containing Epstein-Barr virus and expressing CD21 antigen, and comparative studies of their phenotype and cytotoxicity with normal NK cells.
Malignant lymphomas arising from the nasal cavity have been considered to be derived from T cells, but recent surface marker studies suggest that more than half of the lymphomas are derived from natural killer (NK) cells. Here we describe a case of nasal lymphoma whose lymphoma cells were identified as NK cells by morphological, phenotypic, immunogenotypic, and functional studies. We believe this is the first study with functional evidence of NK activity. When compared with normal freshly isolated NK cells or activated NK cells, the surface phenotypes and NK activity of the patient tumour cells were those of the activated, but not resting, NK cells. Also, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was detected in the tumour cells and the lymphoma cells were found to be monoclonally expanded. The patient's lymphoma cells also expressed EBV receptor CD21 (CR2) and CD30 (Ki-1) that have not been described on normal NK cells. We therefore examined highly enriched NK cells of normal donors, and found that some resting and/or activated NK cells express these antigens. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human histologic assessment of a platform-switched osseointegrated dental implant.
This case report examined crestal bone level maintenance surrounding a platform-switched implant that was retrieved due to prosthetic difficulty. The retrieved platform-switched implant threads demonstrated tight contact with the surrounding bone and demonstrated both radiographic and histologic features that were indicative of successful osseointegration. Very high bone-to-implant contact (BIC) without epithelial downgrowth to the implant thread was noted. The BIC consisted of a combination of newly formed bone and native bone. The buccal and lingual bone levels coincided with the original platform position noted at the time of the surgery, and did not appear to resorb at all. The result of the present investigation confirms the maintenance of the crestal bone level for platform-switched implants. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Biochemical studies on camomile components/III. In vitro studies about the antipeptic activity of (--)-alpha-bisabolol (author's transl)].
(--)-alpha-Bisabolol has a primary antipeptic action depending on dosage, which is not caused by an alteration of the pH-value. The proteolytic activity of pepsin is reduced by 50 percent through addition of bisabolol in the ratio of 1/0.5. The antipeptic action of bisabolol only occurs in case of direct contact. In case of a previous contact with the substrate, the inhibiting effect is lost. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Frequency of double minute chromosomes and combined cytogenetic abnormalities and their characteristics.
Double minute chromosomes (DMs) are the cytogenetic hallmark of extra-chromosomal genomic amplification. The frequency of DMs in primary cancer and the cytogenetic features of DMs-positive primary cancer cases are largely unknown. To unravel these issues, we retrieved the Mitelman database and analyzed all DMs-positive primary cancerous karyotypes (787 karyotypes). The overall frequency of DMs is 1.4% (787 DMs-positive cases; total 54,398 cases). We found that DMs have the highest frequency in adrenal carcinoma (28.6%, topography) and neuroblastoma (31.7%, morphology). The frequencies of DMs in each tumor were much lower than in previous reports. The frequency of DMs in malignant cancers is significantly higher than in benign cancers, which confirms that DMs are malignant cytogenetic markers. DMs combined cytogenetic abnormalities are identified and sorted into two groups by principal component analysis (PCA), with one group containing -4, -5, -8, -9, -10, -13, -14, -15, -16, -17, -18, -20, -21, and -22, and the other containing -1p, -5q, +7, and +20. The prominent imbalance in DMs-positive cancer cases is chromosome loss. However, DMs-positive cancer cases, deriving from different morphologic cancers, cannot be clearly divided into subgroups. Our large database analysis provides novel knowledge of DMs and their combined cytogenetic abnormalities in primary cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Heterodimerization with beta2-adrenergic receptors promotes surface expression and functional activity of alpha1D-adrenergic receptors.
The alpha1D-adrenergic receptor (alpha1D-AR) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is poorly trafficked to the cell surface and largely nonfunctional when heterologously expressed by itself in a variety of cell types. We screened a library of approximately 30 other group I GPCRs in a quantitative luminometer assay for the ability to promote alpha1D-AR cell surface expression. Strikingly, these screens revealed only two receptors capable of inducing robust increases in the amount of alpha1D-AR at the cell surface: alpha1B-AR and beta2-AR. Confocal imaging confirmed that coexpression with beta2-AR resulted in translocation of alpha1D-AR from intracellular sites to the plasma membrane. Additionally, coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that alpha1D-AR and beta2-AR specifically interact to form heterodimers when coexpressed in HEK-293 cells. Ligand binding studies revealed an increase in total alpha1D-AR binding sites upon coexpression with beta2-AR, but no apparent effect on the pharmacological properties of the receptors. In functional studies, coexpression with beta2-AR significantly enhanced the coupling of alpha1D-AR to norepinephrine-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization. Heterodimerization of beta2-AR with alpha1D-AR also conferred the ability of alpha1D-AR to cointernalize upon beta2-AR agonist stimulation, revealing a novel mechanism by which these different adrenergic receptor subtypes may regulate each other's activity. These findings demonstrate that the selective association of alpha1D-AR with other receptors is crucial for receptor surface expression and function and also shed light on a novel mechanism of cross talk between alpha1- and beta2-ARs that is mediated through heterodimerization and cross-internalization. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
How family interactions about lifestyle changes affect adolescents' possibilities for maintaining weight loss after a weight-loss intervention: a longitudinal qualitative interview study.
This study aims to examine how family interactions related to lifestyle changes influence adolescents' potential for maintaining weight loss after participating in a weight-loss treatment programme. Obesity among adolescents is a large and complex health problem worldwide. Family support is crucial if adolescents are to benefit from weight-loss intervention. Qualitative research interviews with families who participated in a weight-loss programme. The sample consisted of 10 families selected among participants in a 1-year multidisciplinary family-based weight-loss programme. Three rounds of semi-structured interviews stretching over 5 years (2010-2015) were transcribed verbatim, then analyzed using Kvale and Brinkmann's framework for working with qualitative research interviews. Five years after the intervention ended, we found that a family's interactions were a key factor in how the family handled challenges involved in changing its diet and increasing physical activity and that daily activities in modern families influenced their interaction, as activities demanded so much of the family that it was difficult to sustain the lifestyle changes necessary for the adolescent to maintain achieved weight loss. Supporting the adolescent was far more difficult than families expected; more time-consuming and also a cause of family conflicts. Siblings who did not need to lose weight played a major, but overlooked, role. The family's interactions and its handling of lifestyle changes were important to the adolescent's maintained weight loss. It is fundamental that the entire family is supportive, regardless of family structure and these issues ought to be addressed in future interventions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Prevalence of sudden cardiac death during sports activities].
Sudden death during sport is a rare and unexpected event. It essentially affects young males, and a cardiomyopathy that had not been diagnosed during medical examinations is present in the majority of cases. In young subjects, there is generally hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or arhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. This is revealed during sporting activity, and sudden death is often the first symptom of the disease. Competitive sport increases the relative risk of sudden death to 2.5 compared to the risk in a non-sporting subject. The prevalence of sudden death during competitive sport is poorly understood. From the rare studies available, it could be estimated at 2.3/100,000 athletes per year. In Europe, it essentially occurs during football matches. However, the prevalence of sudden death during so-called 'recreational' sports is not precisely known. It could be much higher because these activities involve a larger number of people, and take place without supervision and usually without a medical examination beforehand. The participants are older, and coronary pathology is usually implicated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Understanding the magnetocatalytic effect: magnetism as a driving force for surface segregation.
The magnetocatalytic (or Hedvall) effect refers to a change in the rate of a chemical reaction on a magnetic surface at the Curie point T(C). For Ni catalysts, experiments suggest the effect is related to a sudden increase in segregated surface C, a strong catalytic poison, at temperatures below T(C). However, the connection between magnetism and surface segregation is not understood. Using density functional theory and spin-dynamics simulations, we show that the solubility of C in Ni is significantly reduced in the ferromagnetic state, because C suppresses Ni magnetism and thereby increases the heat of solution. This explains the observed increase in C segregation and the reduced catalytic activity below T(C). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Biologic effects of 17 alpha-dihydroequilin sulfate.
To determine the independent biologic effects of 17 alpha-dihydroequilin sulfate. Prospective randomized study. University of Southern California Medical Center. Twenty-one postmenopausal women, mean age 50 +/- 2 (+/-SEM) years, and mean body mass index 27 +/- 2. Women were randomized to receive daily oral doses of either 1.25 mg of estrone sulfate (E1S), 0.2 mg of 17 alpha-dihydroequilin sulfate, or a combination. Three blood and urine samples were obtained before and after 30 and 90 days of treatment. After 30 and 90 days of treatment, E1S alone increased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels significantly, 19.7% +/- 6.0% and 61.3% +/- 13.0%, whereas 17 alpha-dihydroequilin sulfate reduced SHBG levels, 20.8% +/- 68% and 12.4% +/- 7.5%, respectively. Nevertheless, the combination of E1S and 17 alpha-dihydroequilin sulfate significantly increased SHBG levels, 103% +/- 27.9% and 98.2% +/- 19.1%, compared with baseline at 30 and 90 days. Fewer changes were evident with corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). After 90 days of treatment, CBG levels significantly increased 30.9% +/- 5.5% with E1S, decreased by 7.2% +/- 5.0% with 17 alpha-dihydroequilin sulfate, and, with the combination, significantly increased by 10.5% +/- 2.4% compared with baseline. Changes in lipids and lipoproteins were more variable. However, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly with E1S at 30 and 90 days compared with baseline, 96.5% +/- 39% and 91.5% +/- 22.6%, and with the combination increased 66.4% +/- 13.3% and 79.2% +/- 24.4%, respectively. Fewer changes were evident with 17 alpha-dihydroequilin sulfate alone, decreasing 4.4% +/- 22% and 2.6% +/- 21.3%. Urinary ratios of bone collagen equivalents-creatinine and calcium-creatinine decreased in all three groups. However, the combination group resulted in a significantly greater percentage decrease in bone collagen equivalents-creatinine than with E1S alone. 17 alpha-Dihydroequilin sulfate could modify some of the first-pass effects of conjugated equine estrogens and act synergistically with other conjugated equine estrogens to reduce bone resorption. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Multiple sclerosis in children: clarifying its place among the demyelinating spectrum].
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of the myelin layer and the nervous fibers, and secondary by a progressive neuronal damage. It is characterized by episodes of demyelination disseminated in time and space in different areas of the white matter of the CNS which includes periventricular region, spinal cord, brain stem, cerebellum and optical nerve. Due to the confusing differential diagnosis of MS in children with other demyelinating diseases such as ADEM, it is important to reach this diagnosis when there is proof of white matter lesions disseminated in time and space that cannot be explained by any other mechanisms or pathologies. The goal of this paper is to review the diagnostic parameters used for MS in the pediatric age, the dilemmas regarding the validity of diagnostic criteria, clinical manifestations, differentiation of other demyelinating diseases, and the diagnostic process. MS although infrequent, is a valid diagnosis among the spectrum of childhood inflammatory demyelinating diseases. The clinical presentation might be indistinguishable from a multifocal acute disseminated encephalopathy or could be presented with just focal signs. A reasonable clinical judgment and the practice of laboratory tests confirm or rule out the diagnosis. It is not possible to differentiate between ADEM and MS in a first episode, nor by the clinical, the CSF, neither the neuroimaging. There are still needed consensus criteria both clinical and laboratory test. There are many question still to be answered using prospective studies, and standardized clinical measures that will allow the delimitation of the demographic, neurological, and neuropsychological aspects of the MS and other form of acquired demyelinating diseases in children. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A theoretical study of the structure and bonding of UOX4 (X = F, Cl, Br, I) molecules: the importance of inverse trans influence.
During nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP) in the presence of a nitroxide R2(R1)NO*, the reversible formation of N-alkoxyamines [P-ON(R1)R2] reduces significantly the concentration of polymer radicals (P*) and their involvement in termination reactions. The control of the livingness and polydispersity of the resulting polymer depends strongly on the magnitude of the bond dissociation energy (BDE) of the C-ON(R1)R2 bond. In this study, theoretical BDEs of a large series of model N-alkoxyamines are calculated with the PM3 method. In order to provide a predictive tool, correlations between the calculated BDEs and the cleavage temperature (T(c)), and the dissociation rate constant (k(d)), of the N-alkoxyamines are established. The homolytic cleavage of the N-OC bond is also investigated at the B3P86/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d), level. Furthermore, a natural bond orbital analysis is carried out for some N-alkoxyamines with a O-C-ON(R1)R2 fragment, and the strengthening of their C-ON(R1)R2 bond is interpreted in terms of stabilizing anomeric interactions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Orthographic processing of polysyllabic words by native and nonnative English speakers.
How polysyllabic English words are analyzed in silent reading was examined in three experiments by comparing lexical decision responses to words physically split on the screen. The gap was compatible either with the Maximal Onset Principle or the Maximal Coda Principle. The former corresponds to the spoken syllable (e.g., ca det), except when the word has a stressed short first vowel (e.g., ra dish), while the reverse is true for the latter (giving cad et and rad ish). Native English speakers demonstrated a general preference for the Max Coda analysis and a correlation with reading ability when such an analysis did not correspond with the spoken syllable. Native Japanese speakers, on the other hand, showed a Max Onset preference regardless of the type of word, while native Mandarin Chinese speakers showed no preference at all. It is concluded that a maximization of the coda is the optimal representation of polysyllabic words in English and that poorer native readers are more influenced by phonology than are better readers. The way that nonnative readers mentally represent polysyllabic English words is affected by the way such words are structured in their native language, which may not lead to optimal English processing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The spindle-associated transmembrane protein Axs identifies a membranous structure ensheathing the meiotic spindle.
Mutations in the aberrant X segragation (Axs) gene disrupt the segregation of achiasmate chromosomes during female meiosis in Drosophila melanogaster. We show that Axs encodes the founding member of an eukaryotic family of transmembrane proteins. Axs protein colocalizes with components of the endoplasmic reticulum and is present within a structure ensheathing the meiotic spindle. In both meiotic and mitotic cells, Axs is recruited to the microtubules of assembling spindles. We propose that Axs and the sheath represent novel mediators of meiotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Long term platelet responses to Helicobacter pylori eradication in Canadian patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
This prospective Canadian pilot study assesses the platelet response rate in H. pylori positive and negative patients and evaluates potential mechanisms to explain response. Patients with ITP received H. pylori eradication therapy and platelet counts at day 56 were used to assess response. Gastric permeability, stool H. pylori antigen and serum CagA anti-body were done at baseline and at day 60. Twenty-two patients were enrolled with an overall response rate of 27% (6/22). The prevalence of H. pylori was 18% (4/22). Seventy-five percent of the H. pylori positive patients (3/4) achieved a response compared to 17% (3/18) of the H. pylori negative patients (P < 0.05). Seventy-five percent of complete responders have demonstrated long-term ongoing responses at 48 months of follow-up. A trend towards lower post-eradication gastric permeability in responders was seen. Although the prevalence of H. pylori is low, H. pylori positive Canadian patients with ITP may benefit from a trial of H. pylori eradication therapy as a safe and effective means to achieve long term platelet response. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Boson-controlled quantum transport.
We study the interplay of collective dynamics and damping in the presence of correlations and bosonic fluctuations within the framework of a newly proposed model, which captures the principal transport mechanisms that apply to a variety of physical systems. We establish close connections to the transport of lattice and spin polarons, or the dynamics of a particle coupled to a bath. We analyze the model by exactly calculating the optical conductivity, Drude weight, spectral functions, ground state dispersion and particle-boson correlation functions for a 1D infinite system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dosage requirements for runt in the segmentation of Drosophila embryos.
The runt gene is required in a Drosophila embryo for normal segmentation. We investigate this requirement by analyzing runt mutations of varying strength and by manipulating wild-type gene dosage. Elimination of runt causes periodic deletions in the segmentation pattern which are spaced at two segment intervals along the antero-posterior axis. The pattern deletions produced by partial loss of function mutations and by halving the normal wild-type gene dosage reveal a gradation in the requirement for runt, with the centers of the affected regions being most sensitive to deletion. Significantly, increased runt+ dosage causes an anti-runt phenotype consisting of periodic pattern deletions that are out of phase with those caused by runt mutations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Medicare program; Medicare coverage of hepatitis B vaccine for high and intermediate risk individuals, hemophilla clotting factors and certain X-ray services--HCFA. Final rule.
This final rule implements section 2323 of Public Law 98-369, the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, which provides Medicare coverage for hepatitis B vaccine for those individuals who are eligible for Medicare and at high or intermediate risk of contracting hepatitis B. This final rule defines those individuals who are at high or intermediate risk of contracting hepatitis B. It also implements section 2324 of Public Law 98-369, which provides coverage for the self-administration of hemophilia clotting factors and the items necessary for their administration to Medicare eligibles. In addition, this final rule clarifies regulations governing Medicare coverage of certain x-ray services. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mucinous and secondary tumors of the prostate.
Primary mucinous tumors and secondary tumors involving the prostate gland are relatively uncommon, however they have important diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications. The primary mucinous tumors of the prostate include mucinous (colloid) adenocarcinoma of the prostate, prostatic adenocarcinoma with mucinous features, and mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostatic urethra (mucin-producing urothelial-type adenocarcinoma of the prostate). Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate is defined as a primary prostatic acinar tumor characterized by the presence of at least 25% of the tumor composed of glands with extraluminal mucin. This diagnosis can only be made in radical prostatectomy specimens. Recent studies have shown that these tumors have a similar or in some cases better prognosis than conventional prostatic adenocarcinoma treated by radical prostatectomy. The preferred terminology for tumors that are composed of <25% extraluminal mucinous component in radical prostatectomy specimens is 'prostatic adenocarcinoma with mucinous features.' All cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma with extraluminal mucinous components in prostate needle core biopsies or transurethral resection of the prostate specimens are also referred to as 'prostatic adenocarcinoma with mucinous features.' Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostatic urethra (mucin-producing urothelial-type adenocarcinoma of the prostate) as the name implies, does not arise from prostatic acini or ducts, and is a distinct entity that arises from the prostatic urethra usually from urethritis glandularis or glandular metaplasia with malignant transformation, and is analogous to adenocarcinoma with mucinous differentiation arising from the urinary bladder. This tumor is aggressive and has a relatively poor prognosis. The most common secondary tumors that arise from adjacent organs and spread (direct extension or metastasis) to the prostate gland, include urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and colorectal adenocarcinoma. Other secondary tumors that may involve the prostate include metastatic epithelial tumors from several other sites, malignant melanoma and soft tissue tumors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Application prospect and clinical effect analysis of Fu Chan Xue Jing during bleeding after abortion.
To investigate the application future of Fu Chan Xue Jing during bleeding after abortion and to observe the clinical effect analysis of Fu Chan Xue Jing on the treatment of bleeding after medical abortion. 86 patients who were willing to perform medical abortion in Women and infants Hospital of Zhengzhou from December 2013 to November 2014 were randomly divided into two groups, with 43 cases in either observation group or control group. Basic medical abortion was conducted on the patients in control group, apart from which Fu Chan Xue Jing was added on the patients in observation group. Meanwhile, the vaginal bleeding volume and vaginal bleeding time for patients in both groups were observed and compared. The treatment results showed that the vaginal bleeding volume for patients in treatment group was lower than that in control group, showing statistically significant difference (P<0.05); the average time (7.5 ± 1.3 d) of vaginal bleeding for patients in treatment group was shorter than that (13.5 ± 4.1d) in control group, showing statistically significant difference for the data of the two groups (P<0.05). Fu Chan Xue Jing is conducive to reduce the bleeding after abortion and help to recovery the normal menstruation faster, which has good effects to prevent the bleeding volume after medical abortion and control the bleeding time, worth popularizing on clinic. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Manganese oxides with hierarchical structures derived from coordination polymers and their enhanced catalytic activity at low temperature for selective catalytic reduction of NOx.
Hierarchical manganese oxides with enhanced catalytic performance have been successfully synthesized via simple thermal annealing of manganese coordination polymer precursors, which is a facile, cost-effective, and environmentally benign preparation method. The resultant manganese oxide particles formed hierarchical structures with a starfish-like morphology and exhibited enhanced low-temperature SCR performance below 200 °C without dopants or supporting materials. In addition, the morphology, chemical states, crystal structure and acidity of manganese oxide catalysts prepared at different calcination temperatures were investigated. It is elucidated that enhanced SCR catalytic performance was strongly dependent on the hierarchical morphology of the catalysts. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gender differences in the pre-competition temporal patterning of anxiety and hormonal responses.
This study examined gender differences in the pre-competition temporal patterning of anxiety and hormonal responses. Six male and 6 female field hockey players completed the modified Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, including both intensity and direction subscales, and provided saliva and urine samples 24, 2, and 1 hour prior to competition. These samples were analyzed for cortisol, and noradrenaline and adrenaline, respectively. Two x 3 repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant gender x time interactions for cognitive and somatic anxiety intensity and adrenaline and noradrenaline, but not cortisol. While males' anxiety and hormonal responses demonstrated no significant changes, significant increases in females' anxiety, and significant decreases in their adrenaline and noradrenaline were observed over time. Moreover, while males' anxiety and hormonal responses mirrored each other, this was not the case for the females with increases in females' cognitive and somatic anxiety intensity levels accompanied by decreases in adrenaline and noradrenaline. Although this study has extended this line of research by adopting a psycho-physiological approach and measuring anxiety intensity and direction in male and female athletes, replication is required with larger samples from a greater diversity of sports. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Therapeutic efficacy and prognostic factors in diffuse astrocytomas].
Diffuse astrocytomas are slowly growing tumors with a relatively long overall survival. Considerable controversy exists as to the best therapeutic management for patients with such tumors. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed a series of 64 patients with WHO grade II astrocytomas of the cerebral hemispheres. Gross total resection and interferon-beta therapy were significantly associated with both longer progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Immediate postoperative radiation therapy did not prolong either the PFS or OS. The presence of promoter hypermethylation of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene was an independent predictor of a shorter PFS. Our data suggest that radical surgery plus interferon-beta therapy may offer the best chance for long survival. Since the presence of MGMT methylation is a probable indication of an increased sensitivity to alkylating chemotherapeutic agents, determining the methylation status of MGMT could provide a potential basis for logical therapeutic intervention in identifying a subgroup of patients who could be candidates for early chemotherapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Altered expression and new mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1 and MSH2 in melanoma brain metastases.
Brain metastases, including those of malignant melanoma (known for its high genomic instability), are the most common intracranial tumors. The main objective of this study was to investigate expression and mutation in the DNA mismatch repair system in melanoma brain metastases. Expression of MLH1, MSH2, PMS1 and PMS2 was investigated immunohistochemically in 31 melanoma metastatic tumors. Mutational analysis of MLH1 and MSH2 was performed in 17 melanoma brain metastases. Loss of MLH1 and MSH2 expression was found in 10/31 and 12/31 tumors. PMS1 (27/31) and PMS2 (28/31) expression was preserved in the majority of lesions. Potential missense mutation was found in MSH2 (exon 13) in 2/17 melanomas. Mutation in the intron sequence between exon 14 and 15 of MLH1 (exon 15) was observed in 4/17 cases. Our results indicate that the two major DNA mismatch repair genes, MLH1 and MSH2, are more frequently affected by alterations in the DNA mismatch repair system than the helper genes PMS1 and PMS2. The presence of mutations of MSH2 and MLH1 in melanoma brain metastases, which has not been found in primary melanomas, indicates the high genomic instability of melanoma brain metastases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Urate transport via anion exchange in dog renal microvillus membrane vesicles.
The transport of urate was evaluated in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from the dog renal cortex. It was previously shown that uphill urate and p-aminohippurate (PAH) uptake into these membrane vesicles results from imposing an outwardly directed OH- gradient. In the present study, the OH- gradient-stimulated uptake of urate was inhibited by external Cl-. In the absence of OH- gradients, imposing an outwardly directed Cl- gradient induced the transient accumulation of urate against its concentration gradient (overshoot), whereas imposing an inwardly directed Cl- gradient induced the transient uphill efflux of urate (undershoot). The effects of Cl- gradients on urate transport persisted when the diffusion potentials caused by the Cl- gradients were negated by superimposing K+ gradients in the presence of the K+ ionophore valinomycin. The dose-response curves for three different inhibitors were identical for the OH- and Cl- gradient-stimulated modes of urate uptake. The uptake of PAH was also stimulated by imposing an outwardly directed Cl- gradient. The dose-response curves for probenecid inhibition were identical for the OH- and Cl- gradient-stimulated modes of PAH uptake. Finally, the existence of a Na+ cotransport pathway for urate or PAH could not be demonstrated. We conclude that the principal mechanism for urate transport in dog renal microvillus membrane vesicles is via an anion exchanger with affinity for urate, PAH, OH-, and Cl-. This anion exchanger may play an important role in mediating organic anion reabsorption and secretion in the proximal tubule. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The use of osseointegrated implants in the maxillary tuberosity.
Because of the reduced amount of bone often found in the posterior maxilla, osseointegrated implants are rarely used distally to the first molar region. In order to provide adequate posterior support for a fixed bridge or a removable prosthesis and to avoid the potential problems related to cantilevers, a specific technique of placement is employed. This paper describes and evaluates a study on the clinical outcome of 65 osseointegrated implants using this technique, placed in 51 patients, with a maximum observation time of 4 years, in which the absolute success rate was 95%. Short-term results support the use of osseointegrated implants in the maxillary tuberosity. The learning objective of this article is to present this technique to a larger segment of the dental profession. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Towards a Tralfamadorian view of the embryo: multidimensional imaging of development.
Biological problems such as embryonic development require tools to follow cell and tissue movements as well as the distribution of active genes. A variety of emerging imaging techniques offer the capability of fully rendering the three-dimensional structure of the embryo, and some offer the possibility of following changes directly over time. The data sets that result offer both new insights and new challenges. A framework of digital atlases will soon offer the integration of different imaging modalities and permit users to interact with multidimensional data sets. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synchrotron beam test with a photon-counting pixel detector.
Synchrotron beam measurements were performed with a single-photon-counting pixel detector to investigate the influence of threshold settings on charge sharing. Improvement of image homogeneity by adjusting the threshold of each pixel individually was demonstrated. With a flat-field correction, the homogeneity could be improved. A measurement of the point spread function is reported. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte regulation of lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation.
The polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) regulates in vivo and in vitro immune responses. We report that the immunoenhancing properties of PMN culture supernatants from PMN recruited by the bacterium Actinomyces viscosus (AV) show its exclusive effects on the T cell lymphocyte population. A study of the effect of PMN supernatants on normal Balb/c splenocytes to T and B cell mitogens showed enhancing effects on T cell mitogens, but no effect on B cell mitogen responses when compared to a control. Adherent cells (macrophages) were not required for the enhancing effect, indicating that the supernatant worked directly on the T cell. Proliferation of El-4, a Lyt-1.2 positive lymphoma helper cell, was directly affected by these supernatants. Functionally, T cell-dependent plaque-forming cell responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were enhanced. The polyclonal, T cell-independent plaque-forming cell response was unaffected when generated with LPS as assayed with Protein-A-SRBC. These results indicate that PMN supernatants from cells recruited by AV act on a helper T cell population to enhance both proliferation and differentiation in lymphocyte populations. These interactions provide insight into local inflammatory responses of PMN-lymphocyte infiltration with altered cell-mediated immunity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Assisting demented patients with feeding: problems in a ward environment. A review of the literature.
A critical review of the literature on assisting demented patients with feeding difficulties identifies that care at mealtimes is often task-centred, causing stress in both patients and staff and inadequate patient care. Nurses may even be inducing dependency in this vulnerable patient group. The staff to whom this care is most often delegated do not receive sufficient education or training to enable them to achieve a sufficient degree of empathy with the patient although there is evidence in the literature to suggest that this is a necessary requirement. It is also apparent that nurses use inadequate assessment criteria, perhaps due to the fact that there is an element of commonality in the feeding behaviour of demented patients which nurses feel they have seen many times and are able to deal with. The introduction of primary nursing, increased education of nursing assistants and improved assessment procedures to combat these problems are recommended. The process of change is briefly outlined and in conclusion some areas for future research are stated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
beta-Amyloid induces neuritic dystrophy in vitro: similarities with Alzheimer pathology.
beta-Amyloid protein, the major component of neuritic plaques found in Alzheimer's disease, has been implicated as a potential contributor to the disease's progressive neuropathology. We report that within a two day exposure to aggregates of synthetic beta-amyloid peptide, the neurites of cultured rat hippocampal neurons adopt a dystrophic appearance. Observed morphological changes in the neurites include beading, fragmentation, terminal swelling and tortuous growth patterns. The degenerative changes are similar to those observed in neurites associated with neuritic plaques, suggesting that beta-amyloid may induce the neuritic abnormalities of Alzheimer neuropathology. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Infusional 5-FU for advanced colorectal cancer.
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) has been studied over the past two decades in five prospective randomized trials comparing bolus with infusional schedules. Response rates and time to progression are improved with infusional schedules and survival as determined by the proportion of patients alive at 2 years is also superior for infusional administration. Biochemical modulation of infusional 5-FU by leucovorin or interferon does not increase the therapeutic effect (in contrast to the modulation of bolus delivery) but does effect the toxicity profile adversely. Time modulation of infusional 5-FU has been reported to improve response rates, and survival over constant or flat infusion and additional studies are ongoing. A proposed experimental design for a comparative trial in advanced colon cancer is presented to address the questions of the optimal infusion duration; the role of dose intensity; and the role of chronomodulation. The application of infusional 5-FU into the adjuvant setting seems to be a reasonable step, and such trials have been initiated in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Bolus single agent 5-FU should be abandoned as a treatment option for colon cancer. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Kinetics of vascular normalization by VEGFR2 blockade governs brain tumor response to radiation: role of oxygenation, angiopoietin-1, and matrix metalloproteinases.
The recent landmark Phase III clinical trial with a VEGF-specific antibody suggests that antiangiogenic therapy must be combined with cytotoxic therapy for the treatment of solid tumors. However, there are no guidelines for optimal scheduling of these therapies. Here we show that VEGFR2 blockade creates a "normalization window"--a period during which combined radiation therapy gives the best outcome. This window is characterized by an increase in tumor oxygenation, which is known to enhance radiation response. During the normalization window, but not before or after it, VEGFR2 blockade increases pericyte coverage of brain tumor vessels via upregulation of Ang1 and degrades their pathologically thick basement membrane via MMP activation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Flexible automated approach for quantitative liquid handling of complex biological samples.
A fully automated protein precipitation technique for biological sample preparation has been developed for the quantitation of drugs in various biological matrixes. All liquid handling during sample preparation was automated using a Hamilton MicroLab Star Robotic workstation, which included the preparation of standards and controls from a Watson laboratory information management system generated work list, shaking of 96-well plates, and vacuum application. Processing time is less than 30 s per sample or approximately 45 min per 96-well plate, which is then immediately ready for injection onto an LC-MS/MS system. An overview of the process workflow is discussed, including the software development. Validation data are also provided, including specific liquid class data as well as comparative data of automated vs manual preparation using both quality controls and actual sample data. The efficiencies gained from this automated approach are described. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Experiencing cultural differences: reflections on cultural diversity.
Achieving cultural diversity is one of the priorities in many nursing schools. Although being culturally aware takes a lot of effort, this awareness does not necessarily translate into behavior until one experiences day-to-day life with someone from another culture. My experience as a nurse coming from another country and working in the United States illustrates this difficulty. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Rapid isolation of muscle and heart mitochondria, the lability of oxidative phosphorylation and attempts to stabilize the process in vitro by taurine, carnitine and other compounds.
We modified the isolation procedure of muscle and heart mitochondria. In human muscle, this resulted in a 3.4 fold higher yield of better coupled mitochondria in half the isolation time. In a preparation from rat muscle we studied factors that affected the stability of oxidative phosphorylation (oxphos) and found that it decreased by shaking the preparation on a Vortex machine, by exposure to light and by an increase in storage temperature. The decay was found to be different for each substrate tested. The oxidation of ascorbate was most stable and less sensitive to the treatments. When mitochondria were stored in the dark and the cold, the decrease in oxidative phosphorylation followed first order kinetics. In individual preparations of muscle and heart mitochondria, protection of oxidative phosphorylation was found by adding candidate stabilizers, such as desferrioxamine, lazaroids, taurine, carnitine, phosphocreatine, N-acetylcysteine. Trolox-C and ruthenium red, implying a role for reactive oxygen species and calcium-ions in the in vitro damage at low temperature to oxidative phosphorylation. In heart mitochondria oxphos with pyruvate and palmitoylcarnitine was most labile followed by glutamate, succinate and ascorbate. We studied the effect of taurine, hypotaurine, carnitine, and desferrioxamine on the decay of oxphos with these substrates. 1 mM taurine (n = 6) caused a significant protection of oxphos with pyruvate, glutamate and palmitoylcarnitine, but not with the other substrates. 5 mM L-carnitine (n = 6), 1 mM hypotaurine (n = 3) and 0.1 mM desferrioxamine (n = 3) did not protect oxphos with any of the substrates at a significant level. These experiments were undertaken in the hope that the in vitro stabilizers can be used in future treatment of patients with defects in oxidative phosphorylation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Premarin can act via estrogen receptors to rescue mice from heatstroke-induced lethality.
The present study was conducted to assess whether Premarin, a water-soluble estrogen sulfate, can act via estrogen receptors (ERs) to rescue mice from heat-induced lethality. Unanesthetized, unrestrained mice were exposed to ambient temperature of 42.4 degrees C to induce heatstroke (HS). Another group of mice was exposed to room temperature (24 degrees C) and used as normothermic controls. They were given isotonic sodium chloride solution, Premarin (0.1 - 1.0 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.), or Premarin (1 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.) plus the nonselective ER antagonist ICI 182, 780 (0.25 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.) 1 h after the termination of heat stress. Their physiologic and biochemical parameters were continuously monitored. Mice that survived on day 4 of heat treatment were considered survivors. When the vehicle-treated mice underwent heat, the fraction survival and core temperature at +4 h of body heating were found to be 0 of 12 and 34.4 degrees C +/- 3 degrees C, respectively. Administration of Premarin (1 mg/kg) 1 h after the cessation of heat stress rescued the mice from heat-induced death (fraction survival, 12/12) and reduced the hypothermia (core temperature, 37.3 degrees C). The beneficial effects of Premarin in ameliorating lethality and hypothermia can be abolished by simultaneous administration of ICI 182, 780. Both IL-10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine) and estradiol in the serum were increased significantly in heat-stressed mice administered Premarin compared with vehicle-treated HS group. Heat-induced apoptosis, as indicated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated alpha UDP-biotin nick end-labeling staining, in the spleen, liver, and kidney were significantly reduced by Premarin. The increased levels of cellular ischemia (e.g., glutamate, lactate-to-pyruvate ratio, and nitrite) and damage (e.g., glycerol) markers and iNOS expression in the hypothalamus during HS were decreased significantly by Premarin therapy. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha) and renal and hepatic dysfunction markers in plasma that are up-regulated in heat stressed mice were significantly lower in Premarin-administered mice. The data indicate that Premarin may act via ERs to rescue mice form HS-induced lethality. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Thyroid gland surgery in elderly patients (author's transl)].
In our hospital during the last 8 years, 583 operations on the thyroid gland were performed. 95 patients were aged between 61 and 90, and there was an increased risk in more than half of these cases. Our observations show that thyroid gland surgery is relatively harmless with insignificant complications, except for cancer of the thyroid, which has a high lethality. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Laparoscopic ovarian drilling as first line of treatment in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) is used as a first line of treatment, as a second line of treatment after patients have proved resistant to clomiphene or as a third line of treatment after failed ovulation induction with gonadotropins. We present the postoperative pregnancy rates of 57 women to evaluate a potential optimal time of LOD together with the other treatment regimens of infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Data on the preoperative and operative treatment, and background data were evaluated for their influence on pregnancy rates. The pregnancy rate was 61% among women with PCOS who had LOD. No difference was found in the clinical data between the women who became pregnant and those who did not. Likewise, no difference was found between the women who had pre- and/or postoperative medical ovulation treatment and those who had none. The median time to pregnancy after LOD was 135 days. LOD alone resolves infertility within 4-6 months in 50-60% of couples. A strategy with diagnostic laparoscopy and LOD as the first line of treatment of infertility in women with PCOS will shorten the time to pregnancy for many women, reduce the need for medical ovulation induction and enable diagnosis of those women with anatomic infertility, who can achieve pregnancy only by in vitro fertilization treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Understanding abundance patterns of a declining seabird: implications for monitoring.
The Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a rare, non-colonial seabird often associated with tidewater glaciers and a recent candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. We estimated abundance of Kittlitz's Murrelets across space and time from at-sea surveys along the coast of Alaska (USA) and then used these data to develop spatial models to describe abundance patterns and identify environmental factors affecting abundance. Over a five-week period in the summer of 2005, we recorded 794 Kittlitz's Murrelets, 16 Marbled Murrelets (B. marmoratus), and 70 unidentified murrelets. The overall population estimate (N, mean +/- SE) during the peak period (3-9 July) was 1317 +/- 294 birds, decreasing to 68 +/- 37 by the last survey period (31 July-6 August). Density of Kittlitz's Murrelets was highest in pelagic waters of Taan Fjord (18.6 +/- 7.8 birds/km2, mean +/- SE) during 10-16 July. Spatial models identified consistent "hotspots" of Kittlitz's Murrelets, including several small areas where high densities of murrelets were found throughout the survey period. Of the explanatory variables that we evaluated, tidal current strength influenced murrelet abundance most consistently, with higher abundance associated with strong tidal currents. Simulations based on the empirically derived estimates of variation demonstrated that spatial variation strongly influenced power to detect trend, although power changed little across the threefold difference in the coefficient of variation on detection probability. We include recommendations for monitoring Kittlitz's Murrelets (or other marine species) when there is a high degree of uncertainty about factors affecting abundance, especially spatial variability. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The D1 agonist SKF 38393 inhibits the antiparkinsonian activity of the D2 agonist LY 171555 in the MPTP-treated marmoset.
Administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to common marmosets induced persistent motor deficits. Administration of the D1 agonist SKF 38393 (2.5-20 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a dose-dependent increase of this akinesia. Administration of the D2 agonist LY 171555 (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the motor deficits induced by MPTP treatment. Pretreatment of animals with SKF 38393 (2.5-20 mg/kg, i.p.) caused dose-dependent inhibition of the anti-parkinsonian action of LY 171555 (0.3 mg/kg i.p.). In primates SKF 38393 does not reverse motor deficits induced by MPTP and inhibits the actions of a D2-agonist. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hantavirus infection in Thailand: first clinical case report.
This study involved 115 cases of Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) in patients who were admitted to the Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital from May 1999 to November 2000. Among the patient sera screened by ELISA for IgG Hantavirus, five were positive for IgG Hantavirus-reacting antibodies and eight tested positive for IgM Hantavirus-reacting antibodies. One serum had both IgG and IgM antibodies. The patient exhibited acute encephalitic febrile illness, thrombocytopenia, high AST and ALT levels, and prolonged coagulation time. It appears that a form of the Hantaan virus is circulating in Thailand, which can infect humans and be pathogenic in some instances. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Calibration of a practical haemoglobinometer.
A practical instrument for routine haemoglobinometry (HemoCue) was compared with the reference haemiglobincyanide (methaemoglobincyanide (HiCN] method. The precision of the routine method was adequate, but a systematic error of about -3.5% was found. As this resulted from errors in the procedure for coupling the haemoglobinometer read-out to the reference HiCN method, we drew up an improved calibration procedure for practical haemoglobinometers to ensure comparability of results with the reference method. After recalibration according to these rules, the HemoCue system proved to be accurate to within +/- 1.5%. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Interleukin 12B gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis: a data synthesis.
The aim of this study was to investigate the association of two common interleukin 12B (IL-12B) polymorphisms (rs3212227 and rs6887695) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility through meta-analyses. A systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases was conducted on articles published before 28 February 2016. Then odds ratio (OR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) was used to quantify the strength of association for homozygote, heterozygote, dominant, and recessive genetic models. Nine articles with a total of 17 case-control studies (12 for IL-12B rs3212227 polymorphism and 5 for IL-12B rs6887695 polymorphism) met our inclusion criteria. The pooled results demonstrated that IL-12B rs3212227 (homozygote model: OR = 0.96, 95 % CI = 0.81-1.15; heterozygote model: OR = 1.07, 95 % CI = 0.93-1.23; dominant model: OR = 1.05, 95 % CI = 0.91-1.20; recessive model: OR = 0.93, 95 % CI = 0.79-1.10) and rs6887695 (homozygote model: OR = 1.01, 95 % CI = 0.84-1.21; heterozygote model: OR = 1.14, 95 % CI = 0.86-1.51; dominant model: OR = 1.14, 95 % CI = 0.87-1.48; recessive model: OR = 1.01, 95 % CI = 0.85-1.21) polymorphisms may not be associated with RA risk. Our meta-analyses demonstrated that IL-12B rs3212227 and rs6887695 polymorphisms do not confer susceptibility to RA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Arthritis as a hypersensitivity reaction in a case of sporotrichosis transmitted by a sick cat: clinical and serological follow up of 13 months.
Sporotrichosis is a subacute or chronic fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii, which is commonly acquired by traumatic inoculation of the fungus carried in a contaminated material into the skin. Joint involvement is the most frequent extracutaneous manifestation in immunosuppressed patients. We report the case of an immunocompetent woman who acquired sporotrichosis through the scratch of a sick cat. She presented skin lesions and arthritis possibly because of a hypersensitivity reaction. Treatment resulted in complete cure up to 13 months of clinical and serological follow-up. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Antioxidant activities and liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry characterization and quantification of the polyphenolic contents of Rumex nervosus Vahl leaves and stems.
In the present study, four compounds, viz. chlorogenic acid, catechin, orientin, and apigenin-O-acetylglycoside among 18 polyphenol compounds (17 flavonoids and one hydroxycinnamic acid derivative) were characterized for the first time in Rumex nervosus leaves and stems by using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation in terms of determination coefficient, limits of detection, and quantification were ≥ 0.9979, 0.68-1.61, and 2.27-5.38 mg/L, respectively. Accuracy, expressed as percent recovery for two spiking levels (10 and 50 mg/L), were in the range 78.9-110.6% with the exception of caffeic acid. The relative standard deviations were 1-17%. The total polyphenol content was higher by approximately two times in the leaf (1073 mg/kg fresh sample) than in the stem (519.86 mg/kg fresh sample). The antioxidant effects increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the scavenging activities, investigated by measuring 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging activity, ferrous ions chelating activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power activity, were significant (p < 0.05) using low concentrations of the leaf extract. Overall, the present study suggests that different parts of R. nervosus have great potential for producing a range of extracts with potential applications in medicine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Smooth pursuit eye movements in psychopathology.
Reports of disrupted pursuit eye movements in schizophrenic patients are traced historically. Most of these reports emphasize the specificity for schizophrenia, although such specificity has yet to be demonstrated. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that, in the absence of neurological disease, the stable appearance of tracking dysfunctions is genetically transmitted, although their precise relationship to schizophrenia has yet to be decided. The study of this phenomenon can help elucidate several murky areas of psychopathology, including problems of heterogeneity, the central nervous system processes possibly involved, the study of risk populations, and the nonmotivational aspects of schizophrenia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
SpxA1, a novel transcriptional regulator involved in X-state (competence) development in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a naturally transformable human pathogen. Genome and phylogenetic analyses uncovered two Spx-like global transcriptional regulators, SpxA1 and SpxA2, encoded by S. pneumoniae. spxA1 and spxA2 are not essential, but their simultaneous inactivation is lethal. SpxA1 represses transcription of the early competence operon comCDE and thereby negatively regulates the initiation of the X-state (competence). The molecular basis of this repression could be similar to that of SpxA of Bacillus subtilis, involving a specific interaction with the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase. S. pneumoniae lacks an SOS-like stress response and the X-state is proposed to be a general stress response mechanism in this species. In light of this, SpxA1-dependent repression could act to sense environmental or metabolic stresses and prevent launching of the X-state in the absence of stress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor genetic polymorphisms on the ages of onset for heroin dependence in a Chinese population.
The study aims at evaluating the association between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene polymorphisms and heroin-dependent patients in the Chinese population. Three polymorphisms of the BDNF-gene (rs10835210, rs16917234, and rs6265) in 486 heroin-dependent patients and in 226 healthy controls were genotyped for analyzing the association of these polymorphisms with age of onset of heroin dependence. We defined the healthy cases as "unknown phenotype" and used the endophenotype (behavior traits) to stratify the heroin dependents group on the basis of self-reporting traits for examining the association between BDNF polymorphisms (rs10835210, rs16917234, and rs6265) and heroin dependence. Allelic distributions of BDNF gene polymorphisms did not differ significantly between heroin-dependent patients and controls. However, we found that the AA carriers of BDNF rs6265 had an earlier onset of heroin dependence and a clearer tendency of family history of heroin-dependent than GG carriers after controlling behavior characteristics across rs6265 genotypes. Our findings suggested that the BDNF genetic polymorphism (rs6265) may have effects on the age of onset of heroin dependence among the Chinese population. The BDNF gene could contribute to vulnerabilities to heroin dependence. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The use of Permacol™ mesh in contaminated complex abdominal wall defects.
The repair of complex abdominal wall defects in contaminated fields often presents a dilemma for general surgeons. Synthetic mesh, although strong, may lead to chronic infection or even visceral erosion. Leaving the abdomen open presents challenges for ward management and delays definitive care, as well as allowing the musculature to retract over time. Numerous biological mesh alternatives have arisen over the previous decade, which may make primary closure in this setting a practical alternative, although durability may prove the downside. Here we present our local experience with PermacolTM mesh (Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix - PADM; Covidien, Mansfield, MA) in four challenging cases and discuss the role this relatively new mesh may have for these and other applications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Single unit study in the inferior colliculus of the house mouse (Mus musculus).
Auditory responses of single units in the central nucleus of the mouse's inferior colliculus with a range of best frequencies of 5-50 kHz were studied electrophysiologically. The threshold values to tone burst stimulation of the most sensitive units were in good agreement with a behavioral audiogram measured on animals of the same strain. The unit's best frequencies showed the same vertical tonotopic organization as in the inferior colliculus of other mammals. Most units responded only to the onset of the stimulus. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Finite width of shear zones.
We present some experimental and numerical results based on a simple model designed to give an estimate for the width of a shear zone. We conclude that the observed finite size of the shear zone can be associated with the propagation of the force lines inside the medium. The model, based on a simple argument on the force distribution and dilatancy, predicts a width of about ten grain diameters. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preliminary investigation about the expression of tubulin in platelets from patients with iron deficiency anemia and thrombocytosis.
In order to inquire into the pathogenesis of increased platelet counts in peripheral blood of patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA), the phenomenon of thrombocytosis was confirmed, and then the expression of tubulin within platelets from IDA patients was investigated. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 79 patients with IDA and were divided into 2 groups, group of IDA with normal platelet counts (34 cases), and group of IDA with increased platelet counts (thrombocytosis) (45 cases). Additionally, 45 peripheral blood samples from healthy volunteers were enrolled as a group of healthy controls. Count of platelets in peripheral blood was detected by means of LH-780 hematology analyzer and hemocytometer under a microscope respectively, and analyzed statistically. There was no statistical difference between platelet counts detected by LH-780 hematology analyzer and hemocytometer under a microscope (P > .05). The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of both α-tubulin and β-tubulin within platelets from IDA patients with thrombocytosis was significantly less than that from healthy volunteers and IDA patients with normal platelet counts (P < .01), and there was no statistical difference between the latter two groups (P > .05). Some patients with IDA are accompanied by thrombocytosis, from which the expression of α-tubulin and β-tubulin within platelets reduced obviously compared with those with normal platelet counts and healthy controls respectively. It is implied that downregulation of tubulin probably is a part of the pathogenesis leading to increased platelet counts in IDA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lesions of the pontine parabrachial nuclei eliminate successive negative contrast effects in rats.
Rats shifted from a high to a low concentration of sucrose make fewer licks for the low concentration than rats that experience only the low concentration of sucrose. This phenomenon, referred to as successive negative contrast, is eliminated after bilateral electrolytic lesions of the amygdala. Because the amygdala receives direct projections from the gustatory zone of the parabrachial nuclei of the pons (PBN), this experiment was designed to examine this phenomenon in rats with electrophysiologically guided bilateral electrolytic lesions of the PBN. The results of this experiment showed that lesions of the PBN fully prevent contrast in rats shifted from the high to the low concentration of sucrose. Thus, an intact PBN is essential for the occurrence of successive negative contrast effects in rats. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Combined inhibitory effect of formestane and herceptin on a subpopulation of CD44+/CD24low breast cancer cells.
In breast cancer, stromal cells surrounding cancer epithelial cells can influence phenotype by producing paracrine factors. Among many mediators of epithelial-stromal interactions, aromatase activity is perhaps one of the best studied. Clinical data suggest that estrogen-independent signaling leads to increased proliferation even during therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Molecular mechanism of crosstalk between the estrogen receptor (ER) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family have been implicated in resistance to endocrine therapy, but this interaction is unclear. The ability of aromatase to induce estradiol biosynthesis provides a molecular rationale to combine agents that target aromatase activity and the HER pathway. We targeted stromal-epithelial interactions using formestane, which exerts antiaromatase activity, combined with the monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody herceptin, in a subpopulation of CD44+/CD24low cells sorted from epithelial-mesenchymal co-cultures of breast cancer tissues. The growth inhibition was respectively 16% (P < 0.01) in the response to herceptin, 25% to formestane (P < 0.01), and 50% (P < 0.001) with the combination of the two drugs, suggesting that herceptin cooperates with formestane-induced inhibition of aromatase and this effect could be mediated through HER family receptors. In cells which expressed ERalpha, formestane/herceptin combination suppressed the mRNA expression of aromatase and HER2 and decreased cyclin D1 expression. These results show that combination therapies involving AIs and anti-HER2 can be efficacious for the treatment of cancer in experimental models and suggest that subtyping breast tumors gives useful information about response to treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Dietary iron intake in a population of French women of reproductive age].
Dietary iron intake has been estimated in 337 healthy, menstruating women, of high social conditions by dietary histories. The mean daily iron intake was 11 +/- 0.13 mg, of which 33% was supplied by meat and fish, whereas fruits and vegetables supplied 29%. The mean daily energy intake was 2,088 +/- 27 kcal (8,723 +/- 113 kJ). In 96.5% of the women, iron intake was lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (16-18 mg daily). There was a significantly positive correlation between energy intake and iron intake (r = 0.77; p less than 10(-9]. Therefore, the low iron intake may be considered as a consequence of a decrease in the energy intake observed during the last decades in industrialized countries. Iron fortification of one or several foods seems to be advisable to compensate, at least, partly iron intake deficiency. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immune reconstitution syndrome in a patient with disseminated histoplasmosis and steroid taper: maintaining the perfect balance.
Immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS) is an increasingly common condition that has been described in immunosuppressed individuals once immune function is restored. In this case, we describe a patient who had a renal transplant and subsequently developed pulmonary histoplasmosis. His course was also complicated by the development of a clinical syndrome that was originally attributed to thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura (TTP). When he did not improve with plasmapheresis and high dose prednisone, a bone marrow biopsy revealed disseminated histoplasmosis and administration of prednisone was rapidly tapered. While on 5 mg of prednisone, he developed an inflammatory syndrome characterised by haemoptysis and respiratory distress, full work-up with pathology was consistent with immune reconstitution syndrome. Treatment for IRS consists of continuing treatment for the underlying infection and consideration of administering anti-inflammatory medication for supportive care. This syndrome should be considered in patients who develop worsening inflammatory symptoms while receiving appropriate treatment for their fungal infection in the setting of restoration of immune function. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Spectral Hounsfield units: a new radiological concept.
Computed tomography (CT) uses radiographical density to depict different materials; although different elements have different absorption fingerprints across the range of diagnostic X-ray energies, this spectral absorption information is lost in conventional CT. The recent development of dual energy CT (DECT) allows extraction of this information to a useful but limited extent. However, the advent of new photon counting chips that have energy resolution capabilities has put multi-energy or spectral CT (SCT) on the clinical horizon. This paper uses a prototype SCT system to demonstrate how CT density measurements vary with kilovoltage. While radiologists learn about linear attenuation curves during radiology training, they do not usually need a detailed understanding of this phenomenon in their clinical practice. However SCT requires a paradigm shift in how radiologists think about CT density. Because radiologists are already familiar with the Hounsfield Unit (HU), it is proposed that a modified HU be used that includes the mean energy used to obtain the image, as a conceptual bridge between conventional CT and SCT. A suggested format would be: HU(keV). • Spectral computed tomography uses K-edge and slope effects to identify element signatures. • New visualisation tools will be required to efficiently display spectral CT information. • This paper demonstrates HU variation with keV using the Medipix3 chip. • HU ( keV ) is a suggested format when stating spectral HU measurements. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Contrasting strategies for anoxic brain survival--glycolysis up or down.
Anoxia-tolerant turtles and carp (Carassius) exhibit contrasting strategies for anoxic brain survival. In the turtle brain, the energy consumption is deeply depressed to the extent of producing a comatose-like state. Brain metabolic depression is brought about by activating channel arrest to reduce ion flux and through the release of inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and the upregulation of GABAA receptors. Key glycolytic enzymes are down-regulated during prolonged anoxia. The result is a suppression of neurotransmission and a substantial depression in brain electrical activity. By contrast, Carassius remain active during anoxia, though at a reduced level. As in the turtle, there is an adenosine-mediated increase in brain blood flow but, in contrast to the turtle, this increase is sustained throughout the anoxic period. Key glycolytic enzymes are up-regulated and anaerobic glycolysis is enhanced. There is no evidence of channel arrest in Carassius brain. The probable result is that electrical activity in the brain is not suppressed but instead maintained at a level sufficient to regulate and control the locomotory and sensory activities of the anoxic carp. The key adaptations permitting the continued high level of glycolysis in Carassius are the production and excretion of ethanol as the glycolytic end-product, which avoids self-pollution by lactate produced during glycolysis that occurs in other vertebrates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Synthesis, characterization, and thermodynamic study of a polyvalent lytic peptide-polymer conjugate as novel anticancer agent.
We designed and synthesized a new polyvalent lytic peptide-polymer conjugate as a novel chemotherapeutic agent capable of overcoming multidrug resistance. A hexapeptide (KWKWKW or (KW)₃) was designed and conjugated to dextran in multiple copies to afford a polyvalent conjugate. A robust synthesis procedure involving click chemistry and the detailed characterization of the conjugate were reported here. The conjugate Dex-(KW)₃ exhibited significantly enhanced anticancer potency in vitro by up to 500-fold compared to monomeric (KW)₃. The LC₅₀ value was comparable to that of conventional lytic peptides which have more than 20 residues. No hemolytic activity was shown by the conjugates up to 300 μM. Thermodynamic study indicated that the binding of conjugates was predominantly entropy-driven while the binding of free peptides was mainly enthalpy-driven, implying a deeper penetration of conjugate into the core of lipid bilayer. The binding affinity of conjugate to neutral membrane is much higher than that to free peptide (K(conj) ≈ 8822.9 M⁻¹, K(pep) ≈ 1884.7 M⁻¹). In binding to negatively charged membrane, the conjugate surpassed free peptides at high concentrations when the binding of free peptides became saturated. The higher binding capability, attributed to the high local concentration of peptides mounted on a polymer backbone, explains the superior anticancer activity of polyvalent Dex-(KW)₃. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Consequences of leprosy in the skin].
This summarizes a variety of impairments found in healed leprosy patients. Visible impairments and some secondary complications are presented from the viewpoint of dermatology. Neural damage may bring neuralgia, paraesthesia and progressive neuropathy after healing of leprosy itself. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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