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Reduction of leukocyte and interleukin-1 beta concentrations in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate.
To examine the effect of methotrexate (MTX) on the numbers of leukocytes in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Twelve patients were treated with MTX; 5 patients not taking MTX served as controls. Samples of PB and SF were collected at 0, 1, 4, and 8 weeks of the study. Disease activity was scored, and total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and CD4+, CD8+, DR+, and CD25+ lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in PB and SF. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) concentrations in SF were determined. Patients treated with MTX showed significant clinical improvement. No change in PB leukocytes or lymphocyte subsets was observed in either patient group over the 8-week study period. In contrast, the number of leukocytes, the number and proportion of neutrophils, and the concentration of IL-1 beta in the SF of patients treated with MTX were reduced. In addition, in MTX-treated patients, there was an appreciable decrease in SF CD8+ lymphocytes, but not CD4+, DR+, or CD25+ lymphocytes. These findings suggest that in RA, MTX acts, at least in part, by reducing the migration of leukocytes into the inflamed synovium. Local reduction of IL-1 beta secretion may contribute to this effect. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Suilloid fungi as global drivers of pine invasions.
Belowground biota can deeply influence plant invasion. The presence of appropriate soil mutualists can act as a driver to enable plants to colonize new ranges. We reviewed the species of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) that facilitate pine establishment in both native and non-native ranges, and that are associated with their invasion into nonforest settings. We found that one particular group of EMF, suilloid fungi, uniquely drive pine invasion in the absence of other EMF. Although the association with other EMF is variable, suilloid EMF are always associated with invasive pines, particularly at early invasion, when invasive trees are most vulnerable. We identified five main ecological traits of suilloid fungi that may explain their key role at pine invasions: their long-distance dispersal capacity, the establishment of positive biotic interactions with mammals, their capacity to generate a resistant spore bank, their rapid colonization of roots and their long-distance exploration type. These results suggest that the identity of mycorrhizal fungi and their ecological interactions, rather than simply the presence of compatible fungi, are key to the understanding of plant invasion processes and their success or failure. Particularly for pines, their specific association with suilloid fungi determines their invasion success in previously uninvaded ecosystems. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Relationship between the neighbourhood built environment and early child development.
The relationship between features of the neighbourhood built environment and early child development was investigated using area-level data from the Australian Early Development Census. Overall 9.0% of children were developmentally vulnerable on the Physical Health and Well-being domain, 8.1% on the Social Competence domain and 8.1% on the Emotional Maturity domain. After adjustment for socio-demographic factors, Local Communities with the highest quintile of home yard space had significantly lower odds of developmental vulnerability on the Emotional Maturity domain. Residing in a Local Community with fewer main roads was associated with a decrease in the proportion of children developmentally vulnerable on the Social Competence domain. Overall, sociodemographic factors were more important than aspects of the neighbourhood physical environment for explaining variation between Local Communities in the developmental vulnerability of children. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lingual malignant disease of minor salivary gland origin.
The base of the tongue follows only the palate in frequency of involvement in minor salivary gland malignant disease. We present the clinical history and findings in three patients and review the relevant literature. Surgery is the preferred therapeutic modality, though the judicious use of radiation therapy may enhance local control of the disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Overexpression of HSP70 inhibits cofilin phosphorylation and promotes lymphocyte migration in heat-stressed cells.
Hyperthermia adversely affects cell structure and function, but also induces adaptive responses that allow cells to tolerate these stressful conditions. For example, heat-induced expression of the molecular chaperone protein HSP70 can prevent stress-induced cell death by inhibiting signaling pathways that lead to apoptosis. In this study, we used high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and phosphoprotein staining to identify signaling pathways that are altered by hyperthermia and modulated by HSP70 expression. We found that in heat-shocked cells, the actin-severing protein cofilin acquires inhibitory Ser3 phosphorylation, which is associated with an inhibition of chemokine-stimulated cell migration. Cofilin phosphorylation appeared to occur as a result of the heat-induced insolubilization of the cofilin phosphatase slingshot (SSH1-L). Overexpression of HSP70 reduced the extent of SSH1-L insolubilization and accelerated its resolubilization when cells were returned to 37°C after exposure to hyperthermia, resulting in a more rapid dephosphorylation of cofilin. Cells overexpressing HSP70 also had an increased ability to undergo chemotaxis following exposure to hyperthermia. These results identify a critical heat-sensitive target controlling cell migration that is regulated by HSP70 and point to a role for HSP70 in immune cell functions that depend upon the proper control of actin dynamics. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A rare case of peritoneal deposits with carbon pigmentation after preoperative endoscopic tattooing for sigmoid colon cancer.
We report a case in which pigmented peritoneal deposits were found during laparoscopic surgery following preoperative endoscopic tattooing for sigmoid colon cancer. The patient's clinical, endoscopic, and histological data from the Niigata City General Hospital were reviewed, as well as the literature on laparoscopic surgery involving the preoperative endoscopic tattoo, with a focus on the relevance of peritoneal deposits and tattooing ink. A 71-year-old man presented to our hospital complaining of vomiting and abdominal distention. Abdominal computed tomography revealed obstructive sigmoid colon cancer. An emergency endoscopic colon stenting procedure and injection of 0.2 ml India ink to the submucosal layer of the tumor's anal side were performed. Laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid colectomy was done 14 days after stenting. At surgery, seven small peritoneal deposits were seen in the rectovesical pouch and at the site adjacent to the tumor. All peritoneal deposits were stained by the ink. Gross leakage of the ink into extraintestinal sites was seen. The seven peritoneal deposits were resected under laparoscope. Histological findings revealed that the seven peritoneal deposits were composed of adenocarcinoma and carbon pigments. Immunohistochemical staining for cluster of differentiation 163 showed that the carbon pigments in the peritoneal deposits were within macrophages. The possibility of the tattooing procedure causing peritoneal dissemination cannot be completely denied, but it can be hypothesized that the carbon pigmentation was transferred to peritoneal deposits by macrophages. In the future, we hope that this phenomenon becomes a keystone for diagnoses and treatments for peritoneal dissemination. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Construction of 4D-QSAR models for use in the design of novel p38-MAPK inhibitors.
The p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) plays a key role in lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) release during the inflammatory process, emerging as an attractive target for new anti-inflammatory agents. Four-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (4D-QSAR) analysis [Hopfinger et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 119 (1997) 10509] was applied to a series of 33 (a training set of 28 and a test set of 5) pyridinyl-imidazole and pyrimidinyl-imidazole inhibitors of p38-MAPK, with IC50 ranging from 0.11 to 2100 nM [Liverton et al., J. Med. Chem., 42 (1999) 2180]. Five thousand conformations of each analogue were sampled from a molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) during 50 ps at a constant temperature of 303 K. Each conformation was placed in a 2 angstroms grid cell lattice for each of three trial alignments. 4D-QSAR models were constructed by genetic algorithm (GA) optimization and partial least squares (PLS) fitting, and evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation technique. In the best models, with three to six terms, the adjusted cross-validated squared correlation coefficients, Q2adj, ranged from 0.67 to 0.85. Model D (Q2adj = 0.84) was identified as the most robust model from alignment 1, and it is representative of the other best models. This model encompasses new molecular regions as containing pharmacophore sites, such as the amino-benzyl moiety of pyrimidine analogs and the N1-substituent in the imidazole ring. These regions of the ligands should be further explored to identify better anti-inflammatory inhibitors of p38-MAPK. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Combined extra- and intra-uterine pregnancies. A report of 3 cases.
Three cases of combined extra- and intra-uterine pregnancies are described. In 2 cases the diagnosis was made during laparotomy for ectopic pregnancy continued undisturbed. The third case proved to be a secondary abdominal pregnancy discovered 4 weeks after evacuation for abortion. The possibility of heterotopic pregnancy is more likely to occur in population groups with a high incidence of pelvic infections and in patients who receive ovulation-induction medication. Over the last decades the fetal and maternal prognosis has greatly improved because of better surgical and diagnostic techniques, efficient treatment of hypovolaemic shock and safer anaesthesia. Routine ultrasonographic examination in the first trimester of pregnancy would make early recognition of heterotopic pregnancy possible. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Differentiating Stress Fracture From Periostitis.
In brief Even in the age of high-technology MRI and CT, the triple-phase bone scan (TPBS) remains an exceptionally useful and accurate tool in evaluating athletic injuries. This is perhaps best seen in active people with overuse injuries of the tibia, femur, or humerus when plain films are negative but bone pain persists. Differentiating periostitis from stress fracture requires analyzing distinctive TPBS appearances and patterns. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Intratumoral blood flow analysis in endometrial carcinoma: correlation with tumor characteristics and risk for recurrence.
The aim of this study was to correlate intratumoral blood flow as assessed by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound with tumor histopathologic characteristics, tumoral stage, and risk for recurrence in endometrial carcinoma. Forty-five patients (mean age: 58.2 years, range: 30 to 83 years) with surgically treated endometrial carcinoma preoperatively evaluated with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound were included in this retrospective study. The lowest arterial resistance index (RI) and highest peak systolic velocity (PSV) were used for intratumoral blood flow analysis. Individual tumor characteristics evaluated were tumor growth pattern, tumor size, histologic type, tumor grade, myometrial infiltration depth, cervical involvement, lymph node metastasis, and lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI). Tumoral stage and risk for recurrence were also evaluated. Significantly lower RI was found in tumors with the following characteristics: infiltrative growth pattern (P = 0,013), grade 3 (P = 0.001), infiltrating >or=50% of the myometrium (P = 0.006), cervical involvement (P = 0.009), LVSI (P = 0.008), lymph-node metastasis (P = 0.049), stage >or=Ic (P = 0.004), and high risk for recurrence (P = 0.001). Significantly higher PSV was found in tumors that were grade 3 (P = 0.034), infiltrating >or=50% of the myometrium (P = 0.029), stage >or=Ic (P = 0.015), and with a high risk for recurrence (P = 0.002). Our data indicate that a correlation between intratumoral blood flow features and histopathological characteristics, tumor stage, and risk for recurrence exists in endometrial cancer. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical usefulness of preoperative assessment of tumor vascularization in these carcinomas. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endothelin-1 Elicits TRP-Mediated Pain in an Acid-Induced Oral Ulcer Model.
Oral ulcer is the most common oral disease and leads to pain during meals and speaking, reducing the quality of life of patients. Recent evidence using animal models suggests that oral ulcers induce cyclooxygenase-dependent spontaneous pain and cyclooxygenase-independent mechanical allodynia. Endothelin-1 is upregulated in oral mucosal inflammation, although it has not been shown to induce pain in oral ulcers. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of endothelin-1 signaling with oral ulcer-induced pain using our proprietary assay system in conscious rats. Endothelin-1 was significantly upregulated in oral ulcers experimentally induced by topical acetic acid treatment, while endothelin-1 production was suppressed by antibacterial pretreatment. Spontaneous nociceptive behavior in oral ulcer model rats was inhibited by swab applications of BQ-788 (ETB receptor antagonist), ONO-8711 (prostanoid receptor EP1 antagonist), and HC-030031 (TRPA1 antagonist). Prostaglandin E2 production in the ulcers was suppressed by BQ-788. Mechanical allodynia in the model was inhibited not only by BQ-788 and HC-030031 but also by BQ-123 (ETA receptor antagonist), SB-366791 (TRPV1 antagonist), and RN-1734 (TRPV4 antagonist). In naive rats, submucosal injection of endothelin-1 caused mechanical allodynia that was sensitive to HC-030031 and SB-366791 but not to RN-1734. These results suggest that endothelin-1 production following oral bacterial invasion via ulcerative regions elicits TRPA1-mediated spontaneous pain. This pain likely occurs through an indirect route that involves ETB receptor-accelerated prostanoid production. Endothelin-1 elicits directly TRPA1- and TRPV1-mediated mechanical allodynia via both ETA and ETB receptors on nociceptive fibers. The TRPV4-mediated allodynia component seems to be independent of endothelin signaling. These findings highlight the potential of endothelin signaling blockers as effective analgesic approaches for oral ulcer patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Selective extradural anterior clinoidectomy for supra- and parasellar processes. Technical note.
Removal of the anterior clinoid process (ACP) facilitates radical removal of tumors or radical neck clipping of aneurysms in the supra- and parasellar regions by providing a wide operative exposure of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the optic nerve and by reducing the need for brain retraction. Over a period of 3 years, anterior clinoidectomy was performed in 40 patients, 30 of whom harbored aneurysms (18 of the ICA and 13 of the basilar artery [one patient had two aneurysms]) and 10 of whom had tumors (four large pituitary tumors, four craniopharyngiomas, and two sphenoid ridge meningiomas). The ACP was removed extradurally in 31 cases and intradurally in nine cases. Extradural clinoidectomy was performed in all cases of pituitary adenoma and craniopharyngioma and in most cases of basilar artery aneurysm. Intradural clinoidectomy was performed in two cases of ICA-ophthalmic artery aneurysm, two cases of ICA-posterior communicating artery aneurysm, two cases of ICA cavernous aneurysm, one case of basilar artery aneurysm, and two cases of sphenoid ridge meningioma. The outcome was satisfactory in all patients, except for one patient who underwent clipping of a basilar tip aneurysm and suffered a thalamic and midbrain infarction. Three patients who underwent extradural clinoidectomy suffered a postoperative diminution of visual acuity or a visual field defect on the side of the clinoidectomy. These deficits may have been caused either by drilling of the ACP or by other operative manipulation of the optic nerve. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, which required reoperation, occurred in one patient. The authors' experience suggests that the extradural technique of ACP removal is easier and less time consuming than the intradural one and provides better operative exposure. It can be used routinely in treating lesions in the supra- and parasellar regions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Heterodyne readout system for dual plate speckle photography: analysis of error sources and performance evaluation.
We describe the design, construction, and testing of a dual plate specklegram heterodyne readout system. The choice of the optical layout and mode of operation is based on the results of a detailed discussion on the sources of error associated both with optical noise and misalignments. Noise analysis includes the conventional scintillation noise and a recently described additional source, the speckle grain noise. Stability and reproducibility tests have been conducted and the accuracy of displacement measurement is 10(-6) of the recorded specklegram size, approximately five times worse than the ultimate noise limited value. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Differentiation of gram negative rods other than Enterobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae by a micromethod for determination of carbon substrate assimilation.
The assimilation techniques described for taxonomic study are unsuitable for routine diagnosis because of the need for purification and standardization of substrates, the great quantity of medium consumed and difficulties in interpreting the results. A standardized micromethod (API Strip) for the study of carbon substrate assimilation by bacteria has recently been described (Zbl. Bakt. Hyg., I. Abt. Orig. A 255 (1983) 479-488). The prototype gallery used consisted of two strips of 32 microtubes each containing dehydrated carbon substrate. Each strip contained 30 tests plus positive and negative controls. The suspension medium was a synthetic semi-gel. A total of 1046 strains of Gram-negative rods representing 41 species belonging to the genera Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Moraxella, Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium and to the EF4 group were tested (Tables 1 to 6). Automatic reading was performed after incubation at 32 degrees C for one day, or two days for slow growing bacteria, using an ATB 1500 reader (API System) linked to a HP 85 microcomputer (Hewlett-Packard). Most species showed typical carbon substrate assimilation patterns allowing their differentiation from other species within each genus. The results obtained with the micromethod agreed in large measure with the nutritional patterns reported by other workers. It should be possible to use these results to construct a set of tests suitable for identifying species of Gram-negative rods other than Enterobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
SCHIP at a crossroads: experiences to date and challenges ahead.
As reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) looms, we examine the program's first decade and identify changes needed so that SCHIP can better serve its target population. We conclude that by many objective standards, SCHIP has been a success, but the challenge will be to maintain and build upon that success. Critical issues include the level and structure of federal funding; the continued problem of uninsurance among low-income children; the lack of information on quality, access, and costs; and whether SCHIP can serve as the foundation for addressing broader health care needs among low-income families. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Autologous and Allogeneic Skin Cell Grafts in the Treatment of Severely Burned Patients: Retrospective Clinical Study.
Transplantation of skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) cultured in vitro is a method of choice for the treatment of severe and extensive burns in patients with a deficit of donor sites for free split-thickness skin grafts, and when the grave medical condition of the patient excludes the possibility of an operation under general anesthetic. Appropriate amounts of keratinocytes and/or fibroblasts cultured in vitro are grafted as a suspension in platelet-leukocyte-rich gel directly on the prepared acceptor site. Approximately 3 weeks are needed for autologous cell culture to grow. Allogeneic cells are obtained from patients who died before their own autologous cell transplantation. Therefore allogeneic cells are considered as ready to use product. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of in vitro cultured autologous/allogeneic skin cell grafts in the treatment of burns. In this study a group of 68 patients hospitalized in the Dr Stanisław Sakiel Centre for Burn Treatment in Siemianowice Śląskie and treated with in vitro cultured skin cells suspended in platelet-leukocyte-rich gel were analyzed. Autologous/allogeneic keratinocytes and fibroblasts transplantation hastens wound closure. A major factor in burn treatment is early application of skin cells, so allogeneic cells are more appropriate, because these cells are an on-shelf product. It is especially important in groups of patients with third-degree burn greater than 40%. Allogeneic cells application does not increase hospitalization length in comparison to autologous cells, meaning usage of allogeneic cells in burns treatment is as efficient as autologous cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Quantitation of depth of thiopental anesthesia in the rat.
In contrast to that of inhalational anesthetics, quantitation of anesthetic depth for intravenous agents has not been well defined. In this study, using rodents, the relationship between the constant plasma thiopental concentrations and the clinical response to multiple nociceptive stimuli were investigated characterizing the anesthetic state from light sedation to deep anesthesia and correlated to the degree of electroencephalogram (EEG) drug effect. Thirty rats were instrumented with chronically implanted EEG electrodes, arterial and venous catheters. A computer-driven infusion pump was used to rapidly attain and then maintain constant, target plasma thiopental concentrations ranging from 7 to 100 micrograms/ml. Three different target plasma thiopental concentrations were achieved in each rat. Electroencephalographic effects were monitored with aperiodic waveform analysis. The following nociceptive stimuli were applied: (1) unprovoked righting reflex, (2) provoked righting reflex, (3) noise stimulus, (4) tail clamping with an alligator clip, (5) constant tail pressure with an analgesiameter, (6) corneal reflex, and (7) tracheal intubation. For tail clamping, tail pressure, and intubation, either purposeful extremity movement or abdominal muscle contraction response was noted to be present or absent. The clinical responses (present or absent) were modeled using logistic regression to estimate the Cp50, the plasma thiopental concentration with a 50% probability of no response. The following mean Cp50 values (95% confidence interval) were obtained: unprovoked righting reflex, 15.9 (15.1-16.6) micrograms/ml; provoked righting reflex, 21.4 (20.2-22.7) micrograms/ml; noise stimuli, 31.3 (29.7-33.0) micrograms/ml; tail clamp and limb movement, 38.3 (36.1-40.4) micrograms/ml; tail pressure and limb movement, 39.2 (37.1-41.3) micrograms/ml; tail pressure and abdominal muscle contraction, 52.5 (50.0- 55) micrograms/ml; tail clamping and abdominal muscle contraction, 56.1 (50.0-56.2) micrograms/ml; corneal reflex, 60.0 (56.6-63.4) micrograms/ml; and limb movement or muscle abdominal contraction response to intubation, 67.7 (59.2-76.1) micrograms/ml. At an EEG-effect of 9.1 and 2.2 waves/s, there was a 50% chance of limb movement response to tail clamping and tracheal intubation, respectively. There was a poor relationship between the plasma thiopental concentration and the percent increase of either heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure after applying either tail pressure or tail clamp stimuli. A range of nociceptive stimuli and their observed clinical responses can be used to quantitate thiopental anesthetic depth, ranging from light sedation to deep anesthesia (isoelectric EEG and unresponsive to intubation) in the rodent. Clinical response can be mapped to surrogate EEG measures. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparative features of Starling-lymphatic interaction at the pleural level in mammals.
Pleural liquid pressure was measured with saline-filled cannulas in rats, rabbits, cats, pups (4-5 days and 2 mo), small and large dogs, and pigs. On both the costal and mediastinal sides pleural liquid pressure at a level corresponding to the tricuspid valve decreased with increasing body mass; because this behavior was more marked on the mediastinal than on the costal side, a horizontal costomediastinal pleural liquid pressure gradient developed. No differences in liquid pressure were found in animals of different age but of similar size. The protein concentration and the volume-to-body weight ratio of the collected pleural liquid were also found to decrease with increasing body mass. For plasma colloid osmotic pressure, no size-related differences in the Starling balance seem to occur on costal side, whereas such balance shifts toward filtration at mediastinal level with increasing body mass. The lower liquid pressure found with increasing body mass is discussed in terms of lower conductance of the mesothelia and possibly greater lymphatic action. In terms of the Starling-lymphatic interaction we suggest that lymphatics can generate a pressure only slightly lower than that reflecting the equilibrium of the Starling balance of forces. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Upgrade of egg quality through different heat-combating systems during high environmental temperature.
The aim of the study was to find out the effect of various heat-combating systems (HCS) on the egg quality characteristics of commercial laying hens during high environmental temperature of the year. Three hundred pullets were wing banded and randomly divided into 15 experimental units comprising of 20 pullets each. These units were randomly allotted to five treatment groups, replicated thrice according to four heat-combating systems (desert cooling, water sprinkling, time limit feeding, ascorbic acid supplementation), and the control was maintained under the same housing system. The mean values of egg weight, eggshell thickness, Haugh unit, thick albumen height, yolk height, and yolk diameter were calculated. The layers kept under the influence of desert cooling produced eggs with more weight and thicker shells than those under other systems. Results of the present study did not show any difference in the shell thickness between water sprinkling and ascorbic acid supplementation as compared to the control group. Haugh unit and yolk index values obtained from the layers kept under various HCS did not significantly differ from those of the control group. All HCS significantly reduced the occurrence of blood spots in the eggs as compared to the control. All the treatments in general markedly reduced the incidence of meat spots in the eggs especially with the supplementation of ascorbic acid being the most effective. Among all of the treatments, the desert cooling system proved to be the best for producing better-quality eggs during hot periods of the year with less humidity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Marine toxins and the cytoskeleton: azaspiracids.
The azaspiracids (AZAs) are a group of marine phycotoxins discovered during the second half of the 1990s. Several cases of human intoxication due to the presence of AZAs in shellfish have been reported, with gastrointestinal symptoms. Toxicological studies in vivo and in vitro have revealed that various cell types are sensitive to AZA toxicity; however, the biological target of the toxin is still unknown. One of the in vitro signs of AZA toxicity is the alteration of the actin cytoskeleton arrangement, which is accompanied by changes in cell shape and loss of cell adherence to the substrate. Moreover, the cytoskeletal damage is irreversible after toxin withdrawal. Several other in vitro effects of AZAs have been described that could be related to cytoskeletal changes, such as E-cadherin degradation, caspase activation/apoptosis, membrane cholesterol reduction, or gene expression alterations, although evidence for a direct relationship between any of these effects and AZA-induced cytoskeletal damage is still nonexistent. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The importance of ambulatory ECG monitoring for determining the prognosis of patients with stable stenocardia].
149 patients with coronary artery disease and stable angina pectoris underwent coronary angiography and had coronary artery stenosis over 50 per cent. All the patients were also subjected to 24-h Holter monitoring at primary examination and 12-18 months after it. Typical ischemic ST changes were defined by transient horizontal or descending ST depressions > 1.0 mV (measured 80 ms after the J point) lasting at least for a minute. 75 (50.3 per cent) patients had episodes of silent myocardial ischemia. The course of the disease was assessed in follow-up period of 12-18 months. Four variants of the course were determined: cardiac events (16 patients), the disease progression (33 patients), a stable course (75 patients), clinical remission (25 patients). A significant correlation between the occurrence, the slope and duration of silent ischemia, the data of selective coronary angiography and clinical course of ischemic heart disease was established. Cardiac events occurred in 87.5% of the patients with silent myocardial ischemia who had total ischemic burden 30 minutes or more and/or ST-segments decrease 3.0 mm and more during heart rate less than 100 beat-min. The stable course was registered in patients with silent ischemia or without it with similar frequency. Clinical remission of angina pectoris in the patients with silent ischemia was observed rarely. The results of this study demonstrate that silent ischemia is an important prognostic factor. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A variant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae pep4 strain with improved oligotrophic proliferation, cell survival and heterologous secretion of alpha-amylase.
A variant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae pep4 strain 20B12, with improved oligotrophic proliferation, cell survival and secretion of heterologous mouse alpha-amylase, is described. Previously we reported a procedure to enrich NI transformants that are not inhibited by cytotoxic expression of hepatitis B virus surface antigen in the secretion pathway of the protease-A-deficient (pep4) strain. To use the NI cells as a host for heterologous expression, we tried to amend the introduced pYAS/12S vector and obtain a host strain, NI-C, with stable NI phenotype and trp1 marker restored. Southern analysis of genomic DNA of NI-C suggested that the original pYAS/12S was abnormally rearranged and not completely corrected. Further assay showed that the viability and mitotic ability of the NI-C strain were increased. While using the NI-C strain as host for plasmid transformation and heterologous expression of mouse alpha-amylase, we observed that transformed colonies grew more quickly and secreted more alpha-amylase than general yeast strains. A further test showed that the NI-C strain was able to use mouse alpha-amylase as a positive selection marker to form transformed colonies on nitrogen-starved plates that contain starch as the sole carbon source. The results imply that the NI-C variant is an improved pep4 strain that can be used for heterologous expression and for the development of new selective markers in the yeast transformation system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Fingerprint analysis of Luotong capsule by HPLC].
To develop the chromatographic fingerprints of Luotong capsule by HPLC. The separation was performed on YMC-PacK ODS (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile -0.5% phosphoric acid as gradient elution at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The detective wavelength was 276 nm. The column temperature was 30 degrees C. A standard HPLC fingerprint procedure was developed for Luotong capsule with 18 common peaks. The similarity of 10 batches of Luotong capsule was not lower than 0.978. The mehtod is accurate, repeatable and useful for the quality control of Luotong capsule. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preserving and expanding services when hospitals change hands.
An estimated 700 hospitals were merged, sold, or otherwise changed hands in 1996. When this happens, communities worry that needed services will be lost. But each transaction is an opportunity to reexamine hospital services and push for improvement. This issue of States of Health shows how consumer groups around the country are using market transactions to advance services and expand community participation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Life-threatening crises of intracerebral fluid pressure induced by so-called overdrained hydrocephalus. Contribution to shunt-surgery in childhood].
The use of ventriculo-atrial shunts for the various forms of hydrocephalus can lead to an excessive drainage of cerebro-spinal fluid, resulting in a collapse or increasing obliteration of the ventricular system. This finding was confirmed in 76 children with congenital or acquired hydrocephalus who were examined by computerised axio-tomography (CAT scan). If raised intracranial pressure develops there will be symptoms of raised pressure which are discussed. The acute as well as the prophylactic management is described and the dehydrating effect of dexamethazone in children with hydrocephalus and a collapsed ventricular system is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Growth curves of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa submitted to different ceftazidime concentrations.
Cultures of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been submitted to different ceftazidime concentrations (from 1 to 500 mg/l). A continuous monitoring of the culture was made with the MS-2 system. Phase contrast microscopy was used for study of bacterial morphology. The data obtained showed: for E. coli a drop in optical density and formation of round forms at concentrations close to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and for Ps. aeruginosa, a residual growth at all concentrations tested during the first 2 h. This corresponded to filament formation. These observations might have clinical implications concerning the mode of administration of the antibiotic, i.e., bolus or continuous infusion. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sublingual nifedipine in human pregnancy.
Nifedipine is widely used for acute lowering of blood pressure in obstetric hypertensive emergencies. It has not been approved for this indication or widely assessed. To examine retrospectively the efficacy of nifedipine over a 12 month period in a high risk obstetric service. Chart review of all patients admitted to hospital in the antenatal period with moderate to severe hypertension. Description of their management, usage of nifedipine, and pregnancy outcome. Sublingual nifedipine resulted in significant lowering of blood pressure without hypotension. Pregnancy outcome was satisfactory in all patients. Sublingual nifedipine was effective, easy to administer, and without serious complications in this retrospective study. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Characterization of sperm surface and seminal plasma glycoproteins of the chimpanzee.
Washed ejaculated chimpanzee spermatozoa and a 100 000 g supernatant of seminal plasma were subjected to radiolabelling by sequential treatment with galactose oxidase and sodium boro[3H]hydride or with sodium metaperiodate and NaB3H4. Sperm surface glycoproteins and seminal plasma glycoproteins radiolabelled by these procedures were compared by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Spermatozoa labelled by galactose oxidase treatment showed a single labelled macromolecular component of 37 000 whereas spermatozoa labelled by sodium metaperiodate-NaB3H4 treatment showed incorporation into macromolecular components of 37 000 and 25 000 mol. wt. Seminal plasma radiolabelled by galactose oxidase-NaB3H4 treatment contained labelled components of 47 000, 37 000, 19 000 and 12 000 mol. wt, whereas seminal plasma radiolabelled with sodium metaperiodate-NaB3H4 contained macromolecular components of 47 000, 37 000, and 19 000 mol. wt. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The ColE2-P9 Rep protein binds to the origin DNA as a monomer.
The Rep proteins of some plasmid replicons have two functions. Dimers bind to the operator sequences acting as auto-repressors, whereas monomers bind to the iterons to initiate replication of DNA. The ColE2 Rep proteins are present mostly in a dimeric form with some multimers larger than dimers in solution, while the form of Rep binding to Ori is not known. We used an EMSA-based method to determine the molecular weight of Rep in the Rep-Ori complex. The result suggested that Rep binds to Ori as a monomer. In addition, the result of EMSA using the Rep protein fused with the maltose binding protein and the His6-tag also supported this conclusion. We proposed that dimerization of Rep might probably be involved in keeping the copy number of the ColE2 plasmid at the normal low level by limiting the amount of active monomeric forms of Rep in the host cell. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Essential oil from fruit of Peucedanum tauricum Bieb.
Essential oil from fruit of Peucedanum tauricum Bieb, was qualitatively and quantitatively investigated. The content of oil determined by distillation with water and m-xylene was 2.2% of dry mass. Gas chromatography (GC) with MS detection and flame ionisation detection (FID) showed that the oil contains 28 compounds (above 99% of sesquiterpenes), of which 9 were identified as beta-elemene (0.6%), beta-caryophyllene (0.3%), alpha-guaiene (0.2%), alpha-humulene (0.8%), gamma-gurjunene (5.6%), beta-selinene (2.3%), alpha-selinene (2.2%), gamma-cadinene (0.3%). Predominating sesquiterpenoids (RI 1529--35.9%, RI 1526--27.2%, RI 1537--7.1%) were not identified, and their mass spectra were similar to mass spectra of selinene derivatives. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The growth arrest and downregulation of c-myc transcription induced by ceramide are related events dependent on p21 induction, Rb underphosphorylation and E2F sequestering.
Ceramide is an intracellular lipid mediator generated through the sphingomyelin cycle in response to several extracellular signals. Ceramide has been shown to induce growth inhibition, c-myc downmodulation and apoptosis. In this paper we examined the mechanism by which ceramide induces growth suppression and the role of the G1-CDK/pRb/E2F pathway in this process. The addition of exogenous, cell-permeable C2-ceramide to the Hs 27 human diploid fibroblast cell line resulted in a dose-dependent induction of the p21WAF1/CIP1/Sdi1 kinase inhibitor with reduction of cyclin-D1 associated kinase activity. Furthermore, significant dephosphorylation of pRb was observed, with increased association of pRb and the E2F transcription factor into a transcriptionally inactive complex. Ceramide was also capable of inhibiting the transcriptional activity of a CAT reporter vector driven by E2F binding sites containing c-myc promoter transfected into Hs 27 cells. The requirement of the pRb protein for ceramide-induced c-myc downregulation was supported by the failure of ceramide to inhibit promoter activity in HeLa cells, in which pRb function is abrogated by the presence of the E7 Papilloma virus oncoprotein, and in pRb-deleted SAOS2 AT cells. Ceramide-induced downregulation of the c-myc promoter was restored in SAOS2 #1 cells in which a functional Rb gene was reintroduced. Our studies demonstrate that pRb dephosphorylation, induced by ceramide, is at least partly necessary for c-myc downregulation, and therefore the CDK-Rb-E2F pathway appears to be a target for the ceramide-induced modulation of cell cycle regulated gene transcription. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Capturing process and outcome in complex rehabilitation interventions: A "Y-shaped" model.
A complex and dynamic set of biological, psychological and social factors interact to determine the consequences of acquired brain injury (ABI). This has led to recognition of the need for an integrated biopsychosocial approach to assessment, formulation and rehabilitation after ABI, drawing on multiple methods and models. This presents a significant challenge for the development and evaluation of complex rehabilitation programmes that may involve multiple interventions. In psychotherapy research, such problems are addressed through an approach which emphasises theoretical modelling of the disorder from which treatment programmes are developed and then evaluated. The resulting outcome studies, in which theoretically grounded change processes are measured, thus provide not only a test of the efficacy of the intervention but also an empirical evaluation of the underpinning model. In this paper we advocate such an approach to ABI rehabilitation, and to this end propose a model of the change process in rehabilitation called the "Y-shaped" model. This integrates findings from research into psychosocial adjustment, awareness and well-being following brain injury. The notion of discrepant or threatened identity is central to the model. Specific interventions are identified from the model, along with processes and interactions that may be central to change in rehabilitation. In conclusion, we propose that development of integrated models of change in rehabilitation is required. We also note that outcome should focus not only on level of activity or social participation, but also on the personal meaning of this to the person with brain injury. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Modified rapid deployment hemostat bandage terminates bleeding in coagulopathic patients with severe visceral injuries.
We recently reported that a new dressing, the Modified Rapid Deployment Hemostat (MRDH) controlled bleeding in hypothermic coagulopathic swine after traumatic liver avulsion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MRDH in coagulopathic trauma patients undergoing abbreviated laparotomy. A prospective, observational clinical trial of the MRDH dressing was performed at our Level One Trauma Center in patients with high-grade visceral injuries with coagulopathy who failed conventional therapy and required packing. Attending surgeons graded the injury and the adequacy of hemostasis following application of the dressing. Patients were followed until discharge or death. Ten patients were enrolled: nine severe hepatic injuries, and one major abdominal vascular injury. All patients were hypothermic, acidotic, and clinically coagulopathic. Intraoperative hemostasis was immediately obtained after MRDH placement in all cases except one. There was one death. The Modified Rapid Deployment Hemostat terminates bleeding from severe visceral injuries in coagulopathic patients undergoing abbreviated laparotomy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Optical characterization of a SCISSOR device.
Here, we report on the design, fabrication and characterization of single-channel (SC-) and dual-channel (DC-) side-coupled integrated spaced sequences of optical resonators (SCISSOR) with a finite number (eight) of microring resonators using submicron silicon photonic wires on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. We present results on the observation of multiple resonances in the through and the drop port signals of DC-SCISSOR. These result from the coupled resonator induced transparency (CRIT) which appears when the resonator band (RB) and the Bragg band (BB) are nearly coincident. We also observe the formation of high-Q (> 23000) quasi-localized modes in the RB of the drop transmission which appear when the RB and BB are well separated from each other. These multiple resonances and quasi-localized modes are induced by nanometer-scale structural disorders in the dimension of one or more rings. Finally, we demonstrate the tunability of RB (and BB) and localized modes in the DC-SCISSOR by thermo-optical or free-carrier refraction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation: understanding the connection.
There is a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Whether this represents a causative relationship or is merely an association remains to be determined. This review describes the current understanding of pathophysiologic links supporting a causative relationship between OSA and AF. The management of AF with antiarrhythmics, cardioversion and ablation success depends on compliance with OSA treatment. OSA worsens every risk factor resulting in a higher stroke risk in AF patients. Strategies for early screening and compliance with OSA treatment are the need of the hour. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bilirubin decreases phosphorylation of synapsin I, a synaptic vesicle-associated neuronal phosphoprotein, in intact synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex.
The mechanisms by which bilirubin causes neurotoxicity in newborns have not been well defined, but an involvement in synaptic transmission appears possible. Herein we present evidence for an inhibitory effect of bilirubin on both basal and depolarization-induced (50 mM KCl) phosphorylation of synapsin I, a synaptic vesicle-associated protein that may play a role in neurotransmitter release. Synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortices, prelabeled with 32P in vitro to label the intraterminal ATP pool, were incubated with or without bilirubin and bovine serum albumin (added as a stabilizer) at varying doses and for different time intervals. Some preparations were also depolarized by high KCl concentrations to induce Ca++ influx. The phosphorylation of synapsin I was monitored. Our results show that addition of bilirubin to the medium significantly decreases 32P incorporation into synapsin I, both under basal and depolarizing conditions, in a time- and dose-dependent manner, significant effects being observed already at 10 microM bilirubin after 120-min incubation of the synaptosomes. Separate analysis of the multiple phosphorylation sites in synapsin I showed that the phosphorylation of both the "head" and "tail" regions of the protein was decreased by bilirubin. Removal of the bilirubin-containing incubation medium retarded the decrease in synapsin I 32P content, indicating that the effect observed may be reversible. The nontoxic pyrrole biliverdin had no effect on synapsin I phosphorylation under the experimental conditions used, indicating that the effect was specific to bilirubin. Our results thus suggest that bilirubin may achieve some of its reversible effects on the brain through inhibition of the phosphorylation of the synapsic vesicle-associated protein synapsin I. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Natriuresis induced by mild hypernatremia in humans.
The hypothesis that increases in plasma sodium induce natriuresis independently of changes in body fluid volume was tested in six slightly dehydrated seated subjects on controlled sodium intake (150 mmol/day). NaCl (3.85 mmol/kg) was infused intravenously over 90 min as isotonic (Iso) or as hypertonic saline (Hyper, 855 mmol/l). After Hyper, plasma sodium increased by 3% (142.0 +/- 0.6 to 146.2 +/- 0.5 mmol/l). During Iso a small decrease occurred (142.3 +/- 0.6 to 140.3 +/- 0.7 mmol/l). Iso increased estimates of plasma volume significantly more than Hyper. However, renal sodium excretion increased significantly more with Hyper (291 +/- 25 vs. 199 +/- 24 micromol/min). This excess was not mediated by arterial pressure, which actually decreased slightly. Creatinine clearance did not change measurably. Plasma renin activity, ANG II, and aldosterone decreased very similarly in Iso and Hyper. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide remained unchanged, whereas plasma vasopressin increased with Hyper (1.4 +/- 0.4 to 3.1 +/- 0.5 pg/ml) and decreased (1.3 +/- 0.4 to 0.6 +/- 0.1 pg/ml) after Iso. In conclusion, the natriuretic response to Hyper was 50% larger than to Iso, indicating that renal sodium excretion may be determined partly by plasma sodium concentration. The mechanism is uncertain but appears independent of changes in blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, the renin system, and atrial natriuretic peptide. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dermatologic problems in athletes.
The dermatologic problems observed in athletes are related to their skin type, age, sex, sporting activities, environment, and hereditary factors. The most common dermatologic problems are acne; bacterial, fungal, and viral infections; infestations, and contact dermatitis. The dermatologic conditions that exclude an athlete from participating in the sporting event are infectious disorders. Early recognition and treatment of these skin diseases permit the athlete to continue participation without disability or reduced performance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and increased risk for peptic ulcer disease in elderly persons.
To evaluate the relative risk for peptic ulcer disease that is associated with the use of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nested case-control study. Tennessee Medicaid program. Medicaid enrollees 65 years of age or older were included in the study. The 1415 case patients had been hospitalized for confirmed peptic ulcer disease at some point from 1984 through 1986. The 7063 control persons represented a stratified random sample of other Medicaid enrollees. The estimated relative risk for the development of peptic ulcer disease among current users of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, compared with that among nonusers, was 4.1 (95% CI, 3.5 to 4.7). For current users, the risk increased with increasing dose, from a relative risk of 2.8 (CI, 1.8 to 4.3) for the lowest to a relative risk of 8.0 (CI, 4.4 to 14.8) for the highest dose category. The risk was greatest in the first month of use (relative risk, 7.2; CI, 4.9 to 10.5). If the association is fully causal, 29% of peptic ulcers in the study sample resulted from the use of these drugs, and the excess risk associated with such use was 17.4 hospitalizations for ulcer disease per 1000 person-years of exposure. These data support other findings indicating that a clinically significant risk for serious ulcer disease is associated with the use of nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The data show that this risk increases with dose and recency of use and that use of these drugs may be responsible for a large proportion of peptic ulcer disease among elderly persons. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Propargyl Vinyl Ethers and Tertiary Skipped Diynes: Two Pluripotent Molecular Platforms for Diversity-Oriented Synthesis.
During the last years, we have been involved in the development of a diversity-oriented synthetic strategy aimed at transforming simple, linear, and densely functionalized molecular platforms into collections of topologically diverse scaffolds incorporating biologically relevant structural motifs such as N- and O- heterocycles, multifunctionalized aromatic rings, fused macrocycles, etc. The strategy merges the concepts of pluripotency (the property of an array of chemical functionalities to express different chemical outcomes under different chemical environments) and domino chemistry (chemistry based on processes involving two or more bond-forming transformations that take place while the initial reaction conditions are maintained, with the subsequent reaction resulting as a consequence of the functionality installed in the previous one) to transform common multifunctional substrates into complex and diverse molecular frameworks. This design concept constitutes the ethos of the so-called branching cascade strategy, a branch of diversity-oriented synthesis focused on scaffold diversity generation. Two pluripotent molecular platforms have been extensively studied under this merging (branching) paradigm: C4-O-C3 propargyl vinyl ethers (PVEs) and C7 tertiary skipped diynes (TSDs). These are conveniently constructed from simple and commercially available raw materials (alkyl propiolates, ketones, aldehydes, acid chlorides) through multicomponent manifolds (ABB' three-component reaction for PVEs; A2BB' four-component reaction for TSDs) or a simple two-step procedure (for PVEs). Their modular origin facilitates their structural/functional diversification without increasing the number of synthetic steps for their assembly. These two pluripotent molecular platforms accommodate a well-defined and dense array of through-bond/through-space interrelated functionalities on their structures, which defines their primary reactivity principles and establishes the reactivity profile. The PVEs are defined by the presence of an alkyne (alkynoate) function and a conjugated enol moiety and their mutual through-bond/through-space connectivity. This functional array accommodates a number of domino reactions launched either by a Michael addition on the alkynoate moiety (conjugated alkynes) or by a [3,3]-propargyl Claisen rearrangement (conjugated and nonconjugated alkynes). The reactivity profile of the TSDs is defined by the two connected alkynoate moieties (Michael addition) and the bispropargylic ester group ([3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement). Using these first reactivity principles, each platform selectively delivers one unique and different skeleton (topology) from each domino transformation. Thus, through the use of 11 instrumentally simple and scalable domino reactions, we have transformed these two linear (rod-symmetric) pluripotent molecular platforms into 16 different scaffolds incorporating important structural motifs and multifunctional decorative patterns. The generated scaffolds entail carbocycles, heterocycles, aromatics, β,γ-unsaturated esters and acids, and fused polycycles. They can be transformed into more elaborated molecular skeletons by the use of chemical handles generated in their own domino reactions or by appending different functionalities to the pluripotent molecular platform (secondary reactivity principles). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Isolated calcium-binding loops of EF-hand proteins can dimerize to form a native-like structure.
Helix-loop-helix fragments of EF-hand proteins are known to dimerize in solution, re-producing the characteristic structure of native protein domains [Shaw, G.S., Hodges, R.S., & Sykes, B. D. (1990) Science 249, 280-283]. In this paper we present evidence that isolated calcium-binding loops can also dimerize, when saturated with lanthanide ions, interacting with each other in a similar way as do loops in intact proteins. A synthetic analogue of calcium binding loop III of calmodulin, AcDKDGDGYISAAE-NH2, has been studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. For the La(3+)-saturated peptide, concentration dependent broadenings and shifts of certain signals have been observed indicating dimerization process of intermediate rate on the NMR time scale. Analysis of signal shape and position of the Tyr7 ring protons as a function of concentration makes it possible to determine the association and dissociation rate constants of the process for various temperatures within the range of 10-80 degrees C. The dimerization constant changes according to van't Hoff relationship with delta S = 233 J/mol.K and delta H = 62 kJ/mol. A distance of 11.4 +/- 0.4 A between the ions coordinated by dimer molecules has been determined by measurements of Tb(3+)-->Ho3+ luminescence energy transfer. This value suggests that the dimer structure is similar to that of two-loop structural elements in native EF-hand proteins. From a thermodynamic cycle it can be shown that La3+ ion binding to the peptide dimers must be highly cooperative. Therefore, cooperativity of ion binding to domains of EF-hand proteins is, at least partly, due to local interactions between binding loops. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Protein kinases in rat testes: evidence for different fractions of the enzyme.
Protein kinase activity of rat testis homogenate was separated into five fractions by means of pH 4.8 acidification and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The five fractions showed a peculiar pattern of activity and cAMP dependency with the substrates used: casein, protamine, histone mixture, arginine-rich histone, lysine-rich histone, and phosvitin. The casein-sepharose substrate affinity column separated two fractions from the pH 4.8 precipitate. Peak number one phosphorylates histone preferently and is cAMP-dependent, while peak number tow has a strong affinity toward casein as substrate and is non cAMP-dependent. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
THE FITNESS CONSEQUENCES OF MULTIPLE-LOCUS HETEROZYGOSITY UNDER THE MULTIPLICATIVE OVERDOMINANCE AND INBREEDING DEPRESSION MODELS.
There is a growing body of literature suggesting that the fitness of an individual increases with the observed number of heterozygous loci. Broad theoretical considerations indicate that under various sorts of balancing selection, this is what one should generally expect in a population of multiple-locus genotypes. To date, however, it has not been possible to distinguish between two potential explanations of the phenomenon. The first explanation is that the loci examined are themselves responsible for the fitness differences observed (or, equivalents, are very closely linked to those that do). The genetic variation in question is thought to be maintained in polymorphic equilibrium by some form of balancing selection. The second explanation assumes that the observed loci are themselves selectively irrelevant but that their heterozygosity reflects that of the total genome. Genomic heterozygosity is thought to be predictive of fitness, being an obverse measure of generalized inbreeding depression. We provide a formal derivation of an explicit relationship between fitness and multiple-locus genotype for a simple form of the first explanation, the multiplicative overdominance model. The inbreeding depression model is a degenerate special case of this more general formulation. A formal estimation and testing framework is constructed that should facilitate evaluation of the two models with empiric data on heterozygosity and fitness. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Acute exercise increases oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex.
Both acute and chronic exercise is consistently associated with a number of benefits to physical and mental health, including cardiovascular function, body weight, mood, and cognition. Near-infrared spectroscopy is an ideal method to measure changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb and dHb) levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during exercise, to better understand the locus of such changes in affective and cognitive processes. The present study tracked time-dependent changes in O2Hb and dHb levels in the PFC as a function of parametrically manipulated target exercise intensity. Near-infrared spectroscopy was conducted as regular exercisers completed a 30-min bout of exercise with one of three target intensities: 52% (low condition), 68% (moderate condition), or 84% (high condition) of age-adjusted maximum heart rate. Heart rate data confirmed that the participants reached their goal intensities immediately, after 10 min, or after 20 min, respectively. Data showed that O2Hb and dHb levels in the PFC increased as a function of both exercise load and duration. An 84%>68%>52% difference was evident after 18 min of cycling for O2Hb and after 23 min of cycling for dHb. The present results add to the growing body of literature showing that at submaximal levels, increasing exercise intensities reliably promote prefrontal cerebral oxygenation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Head-To-Head Comparison of Two Years Efficacy of Entecavir and Tenofovir in Patients with Treatment-Naïve Chronic Hepatitis B--The Real Life Data.
Entecavir and tenofovir are generally accepted as first-line therapeutic options in chronic hepatitis B. Both of them are potent and have high genetic barrier to viral resistance. Aim of this study was to compare the two-year efficacy of entecavir and tenofovir in treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B patients. Study was comprised 164 patients with treatment naïve chronic hepatitis or compensated liver cirrhosis. At least twenty four mouths of entecavir or tenofovir were given to all patients. Mean ALT levels, ALT normalization rates, mean HBV DNA levels, HBV DNA negativity rates and HBeAg negativity rates were not different in entecavir and tenofovir groups throughout the study. Mean serum creatinine levels were also similar between groups. Two-years of antiviral treatment of treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis B or cirrhosis with entecavir or tenofovir were equally effective. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preservation of toes in advanced lymphedema: an important step in the control of infection.
In advanced lymphedema, the most important goal of treatment is the control or eradication of infection. Toes are the major cause of infection mainly due to lack of space at the webs. The fibrosis of the soft tissue with impaired circulation of the toes certainly contribute to infection of the toes, foot, and even proximal to the leg. Between 2004 and 2008, 20 patients with severe lymphedema and fibrosis of lower limbs were treated with Charles' procedure and included in this study. The toes were preserved. Excisional therapy is the only choice to decrease the lymphatic load and control the infection. The toes can be preserved if there is only swelling without previous cellulites or verrucous hyperkeratosis and neither deformity nor osteomyelitis of the toes. The surgical technique to treat the toes includes (1) excision of the soft tissue at the dorsum of the toes with preservation of the extensor tendon and its paratenon, to facilitate the take of skin graft, and (2) preservation of skin flaps at the web spaces. This avoids contracture at the web spaces and crowding of the toes, improves foot hygiene, and hence prevents infection. Proper aesthetic and functional results were obtained in all patients and 18 of 20 patients have been free of recurrent infection at 3-years follow-up. In the treatment of advanced lymphedema of the lower extremity, the toes are the major determinant of future infection after surgery. For preservation of toes, careful selection of patients and correct surgical procedure are essential for success. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Education as a moderator in the effect of diabetes on depressive symptoms in Chinese middle-aged and older adults: A population-based longitudinal study.
Co-morbid diabetes and depression is common; however, little evidence was regarding the effect of education on this association. This study aimed to investigate the role of education in the effect of diabetes on depressive symptoms in China. We used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, including 6,921 participants free from depressive symptoms in three waves of cohort study from 2011. We assessed the depressive symptoms based on Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. We fitted Cox proportional hazards regression models to examine the effect of baseline diabetes on the subsequent depressive symptoms. Participants with diagnosed diabetes were more likely than their nondiabetic peers to develop depressive symptoms only in 45-64 years group, with a hazard ratio of 1.30 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.61). In addition, the effect of diagnosed diabetes on depressive symptoms only occurred in participants with a diploma of primary school or below. Information was unavailable may offer additional explanatory power. Our findings suggested that diagnosed diabetes was a chronic stressor in developing depressive symptoms, and that response to this stressor varied by individuals' educational attainment. Action to prevent and treat diabetes may contribute to the fight against depressive symptoms, especially in the lower-education population. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Infertility and subfertility in Norwegian women aged 40-42. Prevalence and risk factors.
There are few population estimates of the prevalence of infertility that also include some information about medical conditions and social classification of study objects. This is a study of 4034 out of a total of 5139 (78% of all invited) women in one county of Norway. All female inhabitants born 1950 to 1952 living in the county were invited to participate in a health screening. The screening comprised a clinical screening and two questionnaires; one about reproductive history and infertility. This survey found permanent primary infertility in 2.6% of the women. Subfertility, as at least one year's delay of pregnancy, was reported by 7.7%. A history of different reproductive problems was associated with impaired fertility. Thirty-two percent of primary infertile women had a history of PID, 13% had experienced amenorrhea and almost 40% reported premenstrual tension, compared with lower frequencies in women with normal fertility (11.0%, 3.3% and 29.4% respectively). Up to 10% of the female population may experience infertility at one stage in their reproductive career. Clinicians should pay special attention to women presenting any genital or reproductive disorder regarding risks for future fertility impairment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effect of the intermittent administration of N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) on the tumor incidence in Sprague-Dawley rats.
N-Nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) was administered orally to 320 Sprague-Dawley rats. An additional group of 80 rats served as an untreated control. There were four experimental groups in which the effects of different periods of dosing and varied intervals without treatment were compared. The total dose for all the groups was constant and was 792 mg/kg body weight. The schedules of carcinogen application had a significant effect on the observed cancer risk. The different tumor indicences in the individual groups could not be attributed to differences in the survival pattern, but were related to the changes in the different treatment schedules. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The non-ionic isotonic contrast agents. Perspectives and controversies.
The non-ionic isotonic contrast agents represent a new class of intravascular iodinated x-ray contrast agents. They are highly hydrophilic, resulting in low chemotoxicity, are non-ionic, thereby eliminating Coulomb interactions, and are formulated in solutions iso-osmolar with the respective body fluids. Invitro testing, organ specific toxicity studies and overall systemic toxicity assessments such as LD50 measurements all point to an excellent toxicity profile. This justify their application in high dose procedures where their low toxicity may be distinctly advantageous. Their iso-osmolality, possibly combined with a slower diffusion of the larger molecules across vessel walls and out of the vascular space, may play a significant role in producing better quality venous phase images following arteriography and arterial phase images following venous injection. This may have implications for the quality of IV-DSA, the venous phase of arteriograms, CT-portography and spiral CT arteriography. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evolution of lesions of the labrum-ligament complex in posttraumatic anterior shoulder instability: a prospective study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of intraarticular disease in posttraumatic shoulder instability. Ninety-one patients with posttraumatic shoulder instability were examined arthroscopically. The intraarticular disease was recorded on a special documentation sheet (containing 67 descriptive items). The patients were divided into 5 subgroups: first-time dislocation (n = 9); first or second recurrence (n = 12); 3 to 5 recurrences (n = 23); 6 or more recurrences (n = 32); and chronic subluxations (n = 15). All data were examined statistically. Each lesion was correlated with stage of evolution, age, and number of recurrences. The most frequent lesions were regrouped into "lesion families." The initial and most constant lesion was the periosteal disinsertion of the anteroinferior labrum (single lesion). The labral detachment was succeeded in a second stage by the disinsertion of the glenohumeral ligament complex (double lesion). With additional recurrences, stress mechanisms altered the detached structures through tissue damage (triple lesion). The fourth stage saw the extension of the degenerative process, which led to failure at the insertion site and destruction of the labrum-ligament complex (quadruple lesion). This study reveals that recurrences progressively damage stabilizing structures. A pathophysiological classification into 4 stages is proposed, however, that would permit a precise therapeutic strategy for arthroscopic shoulder stabilization. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Morphologic plasticity and periodicity: porcine cerebral microvascular cells in culture.
Porcine cerebral microvascular (PCMV) endothelial cell cultures and pericyte-endothelial cell cocultures were established and the self-organizational properties of the cells were examined in various culture conditions. Cultured PCMV endothelial cells were characterized by the capacity to produce prostacyclin in response to bradykinin. Cultured PCMV pericytes were identified with a smooth muscle actin-specific stain. PCMV endothelial cells organized into cord structures when left in culture for several weeks without passage. Lumina were observed in cross sections of these cords and appeared to form through a process of cell-selective autolysis. PCMV endothelial cells required three dimensions for self-organization, forming suspended cords in planes that either intersected or paralleled the culture vessel floor. After formation, suspended cords continued to exhibit a morphologic plasticity punctuated by the coordinated migrations of PCMV endothelial cells en masse. Sequential propagation of PCMV endothelial cell monolayers and development of suspended capillarylike cords recurred cyclically when cells were left in culture without passage for several weeks. Cord development was also observed in PCMV pericyte-endothelial cell cocultures with large proportions of pericytes. However, pericytes were not located in cross sections of suspended cords formed in coculture. Apparently, in some conditions of PCMV coculture, populations of PCMV endothelial cells and pericytes segregate. Retina-derived growth factor (RDGF) promoted this cell-type segregation and the subsequent formation of suspended cords in PCMV cocultures, although its exact mode of action is unclear. These results indicate that cultured cerebral microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes have capacities for complex, temporal self-organization that varies according to culture conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Artificial intelligence and machine learning | applications in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of mathematical engineering which has potential to enhance healthcare through new care delivery strategies, informed decision making and facilitation of patient engagement. Machine learning (ML) is a form of narrow artificial intelligence which can be used to automate decision making and make predictions based upon patient data. This review outlines key applications of supervised and unsupervised machine learning in musculoskeletal medicine; such as diagnostic imaging, patient measurement data, and clinical decision support. The current literature base is examined to identify areas where ML performs equal to or more accurately than human levels. Potential is apparent for intelligent machines to enhance various areas of physiotherapy practice through automization of tasks which involve data analysis, classification and prediction. Changes to service provision through applications of ML, should encourage physiotherapists to increase their awareness of and experiences with emerging technologies. Data literacy should be a component of professional development plans to assist physiotherapists in the application of ML and the preparation of information technology systems to use these techniques. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neurological manifestations of Paget's disease.
The neurological features of 96 patients whose skull and spinal X-rays showed the features of Paget's disease of bone were reviewed. The clinical phenomena were compared with those in another group of patients, identified by having a normal skull X-ray. Cranial nerve lesions and spinal syndromes could be attributed to the Paget's disease in many cases but the evidence did not suggest that other clinical phenomena such as dementia and epilepsy were related to the bony changes. Amongst cranial nerve lesions deafness is certainly attributable to Paget's disease, hemifacial spasm when combined with other signs is probably related, and possibly also trigeminal neuralgia. Basilar invagination can be asymptomatic, but deafness, hemifacial spasm and pyramidal signs were more prevalent in its presence. The importance of reviewing the cause and effect relationship between Paget's disease and neurological problems is discussed in the context of the therapeutic use of calcitonin. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Abuse of antibiotics. A study of patients attending a university clinic.
Self-treatment with antibiotics was evaluated among patients at a university health service in an 18-month period. Sixty-two students ingested antibiotics, usually tetracycline (40%) or penicillin (21%), for varying intervals before seeking medical care. Respiratory symptoms were the most common reason (40%). The most frequent drug source was residual medication obtained by prescription from a private physician for a prior illness (43%). Although self-therapy was of short duration, the negative bacteriologic cultures obtained on our evaluation in all but four patients challenged precise diagnosis. The findings indicate that inappropriate use of antibiotics by patients would be curtailed by prescribing only the exact amount needed for a given illness and by emphasizing the need for completion of the course of therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Histopathology and surgical anatomy of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and calcium phosphate stones.
Using a combination of intra-operative digital photography and micro-biopsy we measured renal cortical and papillary changes in five patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and abundant calcium phosphate kidney stones. Major tissue changes were variable papillary flattening and retraction, dilation of the ducts of Bellini, and plugging with apatite deposits of the inner medullary collecting ducts and ducts of Bellini. Some of the papillae in two of the patients contained plentiful large interstitial deposits of Randall's plaque and where the deposits were most plentiful we found overgrowth of the attached stones. Hence, this disease combines features previously described in brushite stone formers--dilation, plugging of ducts and papillary deformity--with the interstitial plaque and stone overgrowth characteristic of routine idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers, suggesting that these two patterns can coexist in a single patient. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Treatment of cryptorchidism with pulsatile luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH).
This preliminary report describes a new method of treating bilateral cryptorchidism that may modify the need for surgical intervention. Four of five boys (3 1/2, 3 1/2, 7, 11 and 12 1/2 years of age) given hourly subcutaneous pulses of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH, 10 to 100 micrograms/day, given in a 3-min pulse every hour) showed evidence of testicular descent after 3 to 19 weeks. The battery-operated, programmable syringe driver was well tolerated by the boys, and the daily insertion of the scalp-vein needles was managed at home by their parents. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dissipative Taylor-Couette flows under the influence of helical magnetic fields.
The linear stability of magnetohydrodynamic Taylor-Couette flows in axially unbounded cylinders is considered for magnetic Prandtl number unity. Magnetic background fields varying from purely axial to purely azimuthal are imposed, with a general helical field parametrized by β=B(ϕ)/B(z). We map out the transition from the standard magnetorotational instability (MRI) for β=0 to the nonaxisymmetric azimuthal magnetorotational instability for β→∞. For finite β, positive and negative wave numbers m , corresponding to right and left spirals, are no longer degenerate. For the nonaxisymmetric modes, the most unstable mode spirals in the opposite direction to the background field. The standard (β=0) MRI is axisymmetric for weak fields (including the instability with the lowest Reynolds number) but is nonaxisymmetric for stronger fields. If the azimuthal field is due in part to an axial current flowing through the fluid itself (and not just along the central axis), then it is also unstable to the nonaxisymmetric Tayler instability which is most effective without rotation. For purely toroidal fields the solutions for m=±1 are identical so that in this case no preferred helicity results. For large β the wave number m=-1 is preferred, whereas for β≲1 the mode with m=-2 is most unstable. The most unstable modes always spiral in the same direction as the background field. For background fields with positive and not too large β the kinetic helicity of the fluctuations proves to be negative for all the magnetic instabilities considered. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The impact of impaired insulin release and insulin resistance on glucose intolerance after renal transplantation.
The current knowledge of the pathogenesis of post-transplant glucose intolerance is sparse. This study was undertaken to assess the relative importance of insulin secretion (ISec) and insulin sensitivity (IS) in the pathogenesis of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) after renal transplantation. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in 167 non-diabetic recipients 10 wk after renal transplantation. Fasting, 1-h and 2-h insulin and glucose levels were used to estimate the insulin secretory response and IS. One year after transplantation 89 patients were re-examined with an OGTT including measurements of fasting and 2 h glucose. Ten weeks after transplantation the PTDM-patients had significantly lower ISec and IS than patients with IGT/IFG, who again had lower ISec and IS than those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). One year later, a similar difference in baseline ISec was observed between the three groups, whereas baseline IS did not differ significantly. Patients who improved their glucose tolerance during the first year, were mainly characterized by a significantly greater baseline ISec, and they received a significantly higher median prednisolone dose at baseline with a subsequent larger dose reduction during the first year, than the patients who had their glucose tolerance unchanged or worsened. In conclusion, both impaired ISec and IS characterize patients with PTDM and IGT/IFG in the early course after renal transplantation. The presence of defects in insulin release, rather than insulin action, indicates a poor prognosis regarding later normalization of glucose tolerance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
PTEN PDZ-binding domain suppresses mammary carcinogenesis in the MMTV-PyMT breast cancer model.
Phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN) is a potent tumor suppressor that possesses a PDZ-binding domain (PDZ-BD) at the end of its carboxyl terminus, whose functions during tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, we crossed a mouse strain with germline deletion of PTEN PDZ-BD with MMTV-PyMT breast cancer model, and found that knockout (KO) mice display normal development of mammary glands, but have both increased breast tumorigenicity and lung metastasis. Orthotopic allograft experiments suggest the loss of PTEN PDZ-BD in breast cancer cells rather than in tumor microenvironment plays a prominent role in increasing tumor burden. Through RNA-sequencing, we observed a significant downregulation of myoepithelial marker genes in both KO primary breast cancer and orthotopic allografts. Moreover, these myoepithelial marker genes are significantly downregulated in human breast cancer tissues, and are associated with poorer clinical prognosis. In addition, several homeobox genes were also identified to be downreguated in KO breast cancer, whose expressions showed significant positive correlation with myoepithelial marker genes. Overall, our findings suggest a novel tumor suppressive role of PTEN PDZ-BD in a murine model of breast cancer, and the mechanism involves the dysregulation of homeobox genes which may result in defective myoepithelial differentiation in breast cancer cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Development and validation of a new GC-MS method for the detection of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, 6-acetylmorphine and morphine in blood, brain, liver and kidney of Wistar rats treated with the combination of heroin and tramadol.
Heroin is one of the most dangerous abused drugs in the world. Tramadol is an additive recently found at high concentration levels in street heroin seizures in Egypt. This substance could affect the usual analytical method for the detection of heroin and metabolites, as well as the pharmacokinetic and disposition of single analytes. One shortfall regarding this issue is present in the literature. This study describes a validated, simple, sensitive and selective method to determine tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, 6-acetylmorphine and free morphine in the blood, brain, liver and kidney of Wistar rats, intraperitoneally treated with a combination of heroin and tramadol (10 and 70 mg/kg, respectively) using liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection. The calibration curves of tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol and 6-acetylmorphine in blood were linear in the concentration range from 25-5,000 ng/mL and morphine was found in the concentration range 50-5,000 ng/mL. The analytes were detected in all tested matrices, except 6-acetylmorphine, which was not detected in liver. The highest concentrations of tramadol and O-desmethyltramadol were observed in kidney (22,9381 and 28,498 ng/g), while 6-acetylmorphine and morphine were found at the highest levels in brain (3,280 and 3,899 ng/g, respectively). The present method is simple, rapid and sensitive and can be used to study the pharmacokinetics, disposition and interaction of these drugs in several animal models. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[SPIO-labeled rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells: alterations of biological activity and labeling efficiency assay in vitro].
This study aimed to characterize and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) track the mesenchymal stem cells labeled with polylysine-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide (PLL-SPIO). Rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) were labeled with 25, 50 and 100 microg/mL PLL-SPIO for 24 hours. The labeling efficiency was assessed by iron content, Prussian blue staining, electron microscopy and in vitro MR imaging. The labeled cells were also analyzed for cytotoxicity and differentiation potential. Electron microscopic observations and Prussian blue staining revealed that 75% -100% of cells were labeled with iron particles. PLL-SPIO did not show any cytotoxicity up to 100 microg/mL concentration. Both 25 microg/mL and 50 microg/mL PLL-SPIO labeled stem cells did not exhibit any significant alterations in the adipo/osteo/chondrogenic differentiation potential compared to unlabeled control cells. The lower concentration of 25 microg/mL iron labeled cells emitted an obvious dark signal in T1W, T2WI and T2 * WI MR image. The novel PLL-SPIO enables to label and track rMSCs for in vitro MRI without cellular alteration. Therefore PLL-SPIO may potentially become a better MR contrast agent especially in tracking the transplanted stem cells and other cells without compromising cell functional quality. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of abomasal methionine supplementation on nitrogen retention of growing steers postruminally infused with casein or nonsulfur-containing amino acids.
An experiment was conducted to develop a system useful for measuring methionine requirements of growing steers. Seven ruminally cannulated steers (312 kg, gaining .91 kg/d) were fed a diet based on ammoniated corn cobs, corn starch, molasses and urea. Quantities of N and sulfur-containing amino acids disappearing from the small intestine were 96.0 and 14.8 g/d, respectively. Postruminal infusions of Na-caseinate (CAS) resulted in linear (P less than .01) increases in N retention with values increasing from 30.1 g/d with no postruminal CAS infusion to 39.3, 50.8 and 59.2 g/d (averaged across methionine supplementation) when 100, 200 and 300 g/d CAS were infused. Postruminal infusions of a mixture of crystalline L-amino acids (simulating the nonsulfur-containing essential amino acid pattern of casein; SIM) at levels of 100, 200 and 300 g/d also led to linear increases (P less than .01) in N retention with steers retaining 30.9, 38.9 and 50.5 g N/d (averaged across methionine supplementation), respectively. Postruminal infusion of 12 g/d L-methionine across CAS and SIM infusions improved (P less than .01) N retention by 7.6 g/d but infusion of SIM, which is devoid of sulfur amino acids, also increased N retention. Responses to methionine supplementation was greatest when 200 or 300 g/d SIM were abomasally infused. The data are interpreted to demonstrate that, for steers fed a diet containing little true protein, postruminal supplementation with nonsulfur-containing amino acids tended to increase the ability of growing steers to respond to methionine supplementation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reduction of ATPase activity accompanied by photodecomposition of ergosterol by near-UV irradiation in plasma membranes prepared from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
When plasma membranes prepared from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were exposed to near-UV radiation, photodecomposition of ergosterol and reduction of ATPase-activity occurred simultaneously. The Vmax for ATPase activity decreased markedly with increasing near-UV dosage while the Km value remained constant. When ATPase solubilized from the plasma membrane was exposed to near-UV, the activity remained constant irrespective of dosage, indicating that the ATPase molecule itself was not damaged by near-UV irradiation. The relationship between content of ergosterol and ATPase activity was examined using liposomes constructed with lipids extracted from the membrane. Maximum activity of ATPase was seen at 5% ergosterol in liposomes; this activity was 2.5 times greater than that in liposomes without ergosterol. Activity of ATPase bound to liposomes with 5% ergosterol was reduced after near-UV irradiation, while the activity remained unchanged in the case of the liposomes without ergosterol. Fluidity of the liposomes with 5% ergosterol also decreased with increasing near-UV dosage. Dosage-response curves for reduction of ATPase activity and for decrease in fluidity were similar to that for photodecomposition of ergosterol. These results suggested that the reduction of ATPase activity in the membrane by near-UV irradiation was not caused by photochemical degradation of the primary structure of the ATPase molecule, but was attributable to conformational change resulting from an alteration in the higher-order structure of the membrane due to photochemical decomposition of ergosterol. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Final report of the amended safety assessment of myristic acid and its salts and esters as used in cosmetics.
This report addresses the safety of the inorganic salts and esters of various fatty alcohols of myristic acid. Most of the esters are used as skin conditioning agents in many types of cosmetics in a range of concentrations. Myristate esters are readily hydrolyzed to the corresponding alcohols and acids, which are then further metabolized. Myristate salts readily dissociate in any likely cosmetic formulation. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Panel recognized that much of the data supporting the ingredients in this group were previously reviewed in safety assessments for related ingredients. Where specific data did not exist, the Panel considered structure-activity relationships in determining the safety of these ingredients as used in cosmetics. The Panel determined that myristic acid and its salts and esters are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the current practices of use and concentration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Application of DNA fingerprinting to enforcement of hunting regulations in Ontario.
DNA fingerprinting has been used in investigations of 40 cases of infractions of hunting regulations involving white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) in Ontario. In most of these cases, individual-specific DNA fingerprints obtained with the Jeffrey's 33.15 multilocus probe were used to link the animal remains found at the illegal kill site to blood and tissue samples of the dead animal associated with a suspect. DNA fingerprints from 27 white-tailed deer and 19 moose were obtained in order to establish the level of band-sharing in DNA fingerprints among unrelated individuals in each species. We also determined the levels of band-sharing among animals from the same region and calculated the probability of two individuals sharing the same DNA fingerprint. Details are presented from cases in which the evidence was presented and accepted by Ontario courts. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Supercritical fluid extraction of 11C-labeled metabolites in tissue using supercritical ammonia.
Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of 11C-labeled tracer compounds and their metabolites from biological tissue was performed using supercritical ammonia in an attempt to develop a rapid extraction procedure that allowed subsequent analysis of the labeled metabolites. Metabolites were extracted from kidneys and brain in rats given in vivo injections of the radiotracers O-[2-11C]acetyl-L-carnitine and N-[11C]methylpiperidyl benzilate, respectively. Only a minimal sample pretreatment of the tissue was necessary, i.e., cutting into 10-20 pieces and mixing with the drying agent Hydromatrix, before it was loaded into the extraction vessel. Extraction efficiency was measured for SFE at temperatures over the range of 70-150 degrees C and a pressure of 400 bar. For O-[2-11C]acetyl-L-carnitine, 66% of the radioactivity was trapped in the collected fractions and 12% remained in the extraction vessel. For the more lipophilic N-[11C]methylpiperidyl benzilate, 93% of the activity was collected and less than 1% remained in the extraction vessel. Labeled metabolites were analyzed by LC and also, in the case, of O-[2-11C]acetyl-L-carnitine by LC/MS. The complete extraction procedure, from removal of the biological tissue until an extract was ready for analysis, was 25 min, corresponding to about one half-life of the radionuclide 11C. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A descriptive study to provide evidence of the teratogenic and cellular effects of sibutramine and ephedrine on cardiac- and liver-tissue of chick embryos.
Exposure to drugs during pregnancy is a major concern, as some teratogenic compounds can influence normal foetal development. Although the use of drugs during pregnancy should generally be avoided, exposure of the developing foetus to teratogens may occur unknowingly since these compounds may be hidden in products that are being marketed as "all natural." The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible teratogenic and cellular effects of sibutramine-a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used in the treatment of obesity-on the heart and liver tissue of chick embryos. Ephedrine was used as a positive control. The chick embryo model was chosen because it has been used in studying developmental and experimental biology and teratology with great success. The embryos were exposed to three different concentrations of sibutramine and ephedrine respectively. The results obtained revealed that both compounds exhibited embryotoxicity when compared to the control groups. Liver and heart tissue of the exposed embryos was severely affected by these compounds in a dose-related manner. Morphology similar to that of muscle dystrophy was observed in the heart, where the muscle tissue was infiltrated by adipose and connective tissue. Severe liver steatosis was also noted. A more in-depth investigation into the molecular pathways involved might provide more information on the exact mechanism of toxicity of these products influencing embryonic development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endodontic perforations: their prognosis and treatment.
Causes of tooth perforation include resorption, caries, and operator performance. The prognosis for a tooth with a perforation is related to the location of the perforation, negotiability of the canal, contamination, and treatment. Alternative treatment approaches include routine endodontic treatment, correction via the chamber, surgical correction, and stimulation of calcification. In most instances, a perforation can be treated so that satisfactory healing will occur. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The interaction of calmodulin with the C-terminal M5 peptide of myosin light chain kinase.
The interaction with calmodulin of the 17-residue C-terminal fragment M5 of myosin light chain kinase has been studied by several physical techniques. Circular dichroism measurements suggest that M5 exists within the complex primarily as an alpha-helix. Fluorescence intensity measurements of the single tryptophan of M5 (Trp-4) indicate that it is in a relatively nonpolar environment and is shielded from solvent. Dynamic measurements of fluorescence anisotropy decay indicate that Trp-4 changes from a freely rotating fluorophore to one which is largely immobilized upon complex formation. Static fluorescence measurements show that 2,6-TNS is displaced from its binding site on calmodulin by M5. The binding of M5 also partially inhibits the proteolytic scission by trypsin of the bond between residues 77 and 78. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sites for xenobiotic activation and detoxication within the respiratory tract: implications for chemically induced toxicity.
Results of in situ immunohistochemical investigations on several enzymes which participate in the bioactivation and detoxication of xenobiotics and of histochemical studies on aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity summarized in this report clearly demonstrate that there are numerous sites within the respiratory tract at which xenobiotics can be bioactivated and detoxicated. The data presented, however, also reveal that xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity may not be distributed uniformly within individual segments (e.g., the nasal mucosa) of this organ system. Thus, it should be apparent from these findings that one cannot generalize as to how a given xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme or xenobiotic monooxygenase activity normally is distributed either within or among the different segments of the respiratory tract. Additionally, since enzymes catalyzing the bioactivation and detoxication of xenobiotics usually are present within the same respiratory tract cells, it obviously is difficult to predict from these results which cell types within individual segments of this organ system most likely would be damaged as a consequence of exposure to xenobiotics which are biotransformed into cytotoxic metabolites by cytochrome(s) P-450. Although the cellular localizations and intercellular distributions of cytochromes P-450 BNF-B and MC-B parallel those of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity within the different segments of the respiratory tract in untreated rats, immunohistochemical findings on the inductions of these cytochrome P-450 isozymes are not entirely consistent with histochemical observations on the enhancement of benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity by Aroclor 1254 within the nasal mucosa and by both Aroclor 1254 and 3-methylcholanthrene within the lung. It must be appreciated, however, that other cytochrome P-450 isozymes undoubtedly are present and inducible in the nasal mucosa and lung and, further, that these hemeproteins, although being immunochemically unrelated to the cytochrome P-450 isozymes studied, also could catalyze aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity. Nevertheless, these immunohistochemical and histochemical findings do demonstrate that one cannot generalize as to how chemicals which induce the same xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme will affect that enzyme within different segments of the respiratory tract and, moreover, that inducers of cytochromes P-450 can alter differentially the extents to which different cells within a given segment of the respiratory tract (e.g., the nasal mucosa) participate in the oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Convenient and efficient syntheses of oligodeoxyribonucleotides containing O(6)-(carboxymethyl)guanine and O(6)-(4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyl)guanine.
O(6)-(carboxymethyl)guanine (O(6)-CMG) and O(6)-(4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyl)guanine (O(6)-pobG) are toxic lesions formed in DNA following exposure to alkylating agents. O(6)-CMG results from exposure to nitrosated glycine or nitrosated bile acid conjugates and may be associated with diets rich in red meat. O(6)-pobG lesions are derived from alkylating agents found in tobacco smoke. Efficient syntheses of oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) containing O(6)-CMG and O(6)-pobG are described that involve nucleophilic displacement by the appropriate alcohol on a common synthetic ODN containing the reactive base 2-amino-6-methylsulfonylpurine. ODNs containing O(6)-pobG and O (6)-CMG were found to be good substrates for the S. pombe alkyltransferase-like protein Atl1. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Crosstalk: public cafés as places for knowledge translation concerning health care research.
This article explores the use of public cafés as a model for knowledge translation and community engagement. We base our discussion on a public café series organized around the theme of access to health care and held in three neighborhoods in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. The cafés were part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Café Scientifique program. Our purposes for this series of cafés were threefold: (a) to provide a site of communication to connect research with members of the public, (b) to build a network among participants based on common connections to the local community, and (c) to explore through discussion how gendered and raced perspectives concerning access to health care may influence the lived experiences of Canadians today. We intended to promote an intergroup conversation, based on the assumption that people of First Nations descent, newcomers to Canada (whether through immigration or resettlement), and settlers (such as Euro-Canadians) would all benefit from hearing each other's perspectives on access to health care, as well as presentations by invited academics about their research on access to health care. A form of "crosstalk" emerged in the cafés, mediated by gender and ethnicity, where social differences and geographical distances between various groups were not easily bridged, and yet where opportunity was created for inclusive dialogic spaces. We conclude that knowledge translation is not easily accomplished with the café format, at least not with the type of critical knowledge we were aiming to translate and the depth of engagement we were hoping for. Our experiences highlighted three strategies that facilitate knowledge translation: relationships and shared goals; involvement of policymakers and decision makers; and tending to social relations of power. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia with 3,3'-iminodi-1-propanol, dimethanesulfonate (ester), p-toluenesulfonate (NSC-140117) given orally.
A methanesulfonic acid ester of the aminoglycols, 3,3'-iminodi-1-propanol, dimethanesulfonate (ester), p-toluenesulfonate (NSC-140117) has been found to be very effective in inducing and maintaining complete remissions in early cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia. The drug was given in daily doses of 1-2 mg/kg for remission induction and 0.5-1.0 mg/kg for remission maintenance, with dose adjustment according to blood cell counts. It induced complete remissions (normal white blood cell count and complete disappearance of splenomegaly) in all nine patients treated and has been maintaining these remissions (as well as a complete remission which was originally induced by NSC-84641 in an additional patient) for a period of 2 1/3 + to 15 1/3 + months. The only toxic effect observed occurred in two patients who had mild discomfort in the upper abdomen associated with soft stools. We need further observations, however, regarding the chronic toxic effects of this drug. The myelosuppressive effect of NSC-140117, within the dose range used, is granulocyte specific and appears less long lasting than that of busulfan. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Participatory assessment of the environment from children's viewpoints: development of a method and its trial.
To understand the actual viewpoints of children about daily life and the environment, the authors, adopting a participatory strategy, visited 21 classes of Japanese school children, improved in a stepwise process their ways of question-asking, and developed "WIFY"(what is important for you); a set of interactive questions composed of a basic question and three accompanying instructions. In applying WIFY, 59 fourth graders, 22 in Nagasaki, Japan and 37 in Beijing, China, reported their viewpoints in each of classroom settings. In both settings, when children were allowed to communicate with each other by the use of WIFY answering sheet, spontaneous exchanges arose and continued. WIFY itself is supposed to bring out and enhance mutual collaboration and spontaneous networking. In this instance, WIFY functioned as a communication tool. When answering sheets were collected and obtained responses were analyzed as cases, a rather materialistic view was suggested among Japanese children and a more disciplined view, which put much value on school and home, was suggested among Chinese children. Further studies are needed to confirm the changing environmental views of children from the collaborative research framework. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Phylogeography of Rice yellow mottle virus in Africa.
The sequences of the coat protein gene of a representative sample of 40 isolates of Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) from 11 African countries were analysed. The overall level of nucleotide diversity was high (approximately 14%). Great geographical distances between the sites where isolates were collected were consistently associated with high genetic distances. In contrast, a wide range of genetic distances occurred among isolates spread over short geographical distances. There was no evidence of long-range dispersal. RYMV diversity in relation to land area was eight times greater in East Africa than in West/Central Africa. West/Central African isolates with up to 9 % divergence belonged to a monophyletic group, whereas the East African isolates with up to 13 % divergence fell into distantly related groups. In East Africa, each Tanzanian strain had a specific and restricted geographical range, whereas West/Central African strains had large and partially overlapping geographical distributions. Overall, our results suggest an earlier RYMV diversification in East Africa and a later radiation in West/Central Africa. The West African situation was consistent with virus adaptation to savanna, forest and other ecological conditions. In contrast East Africa, as exemplified by the Tanzanian situation, with numerous physical barriers (mountain chains, sea channel, lakes), suggested that RYMV strains resulted from divergence under isolated conditions. For RYMV and for two other viruses, phylogenetic relationships were established between isolates from Madagascar and isolates from the Lake Victoria region. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Expression of p53 predicts treatment failure in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Approximately 50% of patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) achieve a complete remission (CR) and cure with combination chemotherapy. The International Index is a useful clinical measure that predicts the patients' tolerance of therapy and likelihood of achieving CR, but it is not a direct measure of chemosensitivity. In this study we have investigated the predictive value of the tumor suppressor gene, p53, as a biological marker for response to treatment in the aggressive NHL. A retrospective study was carried out on 50 patients with aggressive NHL who were treated with CHOP chemotherapy. Treatment outcome was correlated with the expression of p53 in the lymphoma, as measured by routine immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibody Do-7. Forty percent of the lymphomas had >5% of the cells staining positively for p53 and this finding correlated significantly with response to treatment. Fifty percent of patients with p53 positive tumors achieved a CR versus 77% of patients with p53 negative tumors. In addition, the relapse rate and time to relapse were significantly different in the two groups. In the p53 positive group, 60% of patients relapsed in a median time of 6 months, whereas 26% of the p53 negative group relapsed with the time to relapse being >22 months. The overall survival of the p53 positive group (17 months) was significantly shorter than that of p53 negative group (>24 months). These results suggest that the immunohistochemical assessment of p53 is a simple and important prognostic measure for patients with aggressive NHL who are treated with CHOP chemotherapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The generation of antibody-secreting plasma cells.
The regulation of antibody production is linked to the generation and maintenance of plasmablasts and plasma cells from their B cell precursors. Plasmablasts are the rapidly produced and short-lived effector cells of the early antibody response, whereas plasma cells are the long-lived mediators of lasting humoral immunity. An extraordinary number of control mechanisms, at both the cellular and molecular levels, underlie the regulation of this essential arm of the immune response. Despite this complexity, the terminal differentiation of B cells can be described as a simple probabilistic process that is governed by a central gene-regulatory network and modified by environmental stimuli. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bayesian estimation of species richness from quadrat sampling data in the presence of prior information.
We consider the problem of estimating the number of species of an animal community. It is assumed that it is possible to draw up a list of species liable to be present in this community. Data are collected from quadrat sampling. Models considered in this article separate the assumptions related to the experimental protocol and those related to the spatial distribution of species in the quadrats. Our parameterization enables us to incorporate prior information on the presence, detectability, and spatial density of species. Moreover, we elaborate procedures to build the prior distributions on these parameters from information furnished by external data. A simulation study is carried out to examine the influence of different priors on the performances of our estimator. We illustrate our approach by estimating the number of nesting bird species in a forest. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Selective activation of cardiac angiotensinogen gene expression in post-infarction ventricular remodeling in the rat.
Recent studies in both experimental animals and man have demonstrated the unique efficacy of converting enzyme inhibitors to prevent or attenuate ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. Concomitantly, evidence for a trophic role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), as well as for the existence of an intracardiac tissue-resident RAS, has been presented, raising the question whether altered regulation of this cardiac RAS may be associated with the process of ventricular remodeling. We conducted the present study to examine whether cardiac angiotensinogen gene expression is altered after myocardial infarction. Experiments were performed in rats 5 and 25 days after ligation of the left coronary artery or sham operation. Coronary artery ligation resulted in relative infarct sizes averaging 29% and 36% of total left ventricular mass at 5 and 25 days and in marked elevations of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Angiotensinogen mRNA levels, measured by solution hybridization assay and confirmed in a second, independent experimental group by RNAse protection assay, were significantly elevated in the non-infarcted portion of the left ventricle at 5 days after infarction when compared to the sham group (22.1 + 3.3 vs. 13.4 +/- 2.0 fg/microgram total RNA; ratio of densitometric absorbance for angiotensinogen/beta-actin: 0.356 +/- 0.041 vs. 0.156 +/- 0.02), and showed a significant correlation with infarct size (r = 0.93). At 25 days, angiotensinogen gene expression had returned to control values. Similarly, no significant differences in angiotensinogen mRNA levels between animals with and without infarction were found in other cardiac tissues (atria, right ventricle). Plasma renin activity was significantly increased over baseline in the infarct group at 5, but not at 25 days. Our results demonstrate that acute hemodynamic embarrassment early after LV infarction is associated with augmented angiotensinogen gene expression. The potential significance of this finding is discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The modulation of IL-6 and TNF-alpha release by nitric oxide following stimulation of J774 cells with LPS and IFN-gamma.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6 and prostaglandin (PG)E2 release in J774 cells, a murine macrophage cell line. The role of endogenous NO in modulating TNF-alpha and IL-6 release was investigated using N-iminoethyl-L-ornithine (L-NIO), a specific inhibitor of NOS. L-NIO (10-1000 microM) produced a concentration-dependent potentiation of LPS and IFN-gamma induced IL-6 release. Time-course studies demonstrated a significant potentiation of IL-6 release at 12 h with a maximum effect at 48 h. By contrast to its effects on IL-6, L-NIO significantly attenuated TNF-alpha release, and at 48 h reduced PGE2 release. The NO-donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP,300 microM), significantly inhibited LPS and IFN-gamma induced IL-6 release, but potentiated TNF-alpha release. In addition, SNAP prevented the potentiation of IL-6 and the inhibition of TNF-alpha release by L-NIO. Stimulation of J774 cells with a combination of LPS and IFN-gamma for 24 h or 48 h reduced cell viability which was prevented by L-NIO. Furthermore, SNAP also reduced cell viability determined after 24 h incubation. These results indicate that NO can differentially modulate LPS and IFN-gamma-induced cytokine release from J774 cells, up-regulating TNF-alpha but down-regulating IL-6, and that NO is cytotoxic to these cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Gate-Tunable Conducting Oxide Metasurfaces.
Metasurfaces composed of planar arrays of subwavelength artificial structures show promise for extraordinary light manipulation. They have yielded novel ultrathin optical components such as flat lenses, wave plates, holographic surfaces, and orbital angular momentum manipulation and detection over a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum. However, the optical properties of metasurfaces developed to date do not allow for versatile tunability of reflected or transmitted wave amplitude and phase after their fabrication, thus limiting their use in a wide range of applications. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a gate-tunable metasurface that enables dynamic electrical control of the phase and amplitude of the plane wave reflected from the metasurface. Tunability arises from field-effect modulation of the complex refractive index of conducting oxide layers incorporated into metasurface antenna elements which are configured in reflectarray geometry. We measure a phase shift of 180° and ∼30% change in the reflectance by applying 2.5 V gate bias. Additionally, we demonstrate modulation at frequencies exceeding 10 MHz and electrical switching of ±1 order diffracted beams by electrical control over subgroups of metasurface elements, a basic requirement for electrically tunable beam-steering phased array metasurfaces. In principle, electrically gated phase and amplitude control allows for electrical addressability of individual metasurface elements and opens the path to applications in ultrathin optical components for imaging and sensing technologies, such as reconfigurable beam steering devices, dynamic holograms, tunable ultrathin lenses, nanoprojectors, and nanoscale spatial light modulators. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ischemic vulnerability of primary murine microglial cultures.
Microglia are known to secrete neurotoxic substances and have been implicated in potentiating injury in a variety of neuropathological settings including stroke. However, little is known about the susceptibility of microglia to ischemia. Here we characterize microglial vulnerabilities to ischemia-like insults. Microglia were remarkably resistant to hypoxia, but a majority of cells were killed after 30 h of aglycemia and 24 h continuous exposure to combined oxygen and glucose deprivation. Serum deprivation also resulted in significant cell death after 24 h. Interestingly, microglia activated by lipopolysaccharide were protected against death by serum deprivation, but not aglycemia. We conclude that microglia display susceptibility to ischemia-like insults that most resembles astrocytes, and that activation in some settings renders them capable of generating factors that enhance their own survival. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mesial temporal, diencephalic, and striatal contributions to deficits in single word reading, word priming, and recognition memory.
Fifty-three volunteer participants were studied with the fade-in task (Ostergaard, 1998) to measure naming latency, word priming, and recognition-memory performance. and with morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to measure volumes of mesial temporal lobe, diencephalic, striatal, and neocortical structures. The relationship between measures of cerebral volume loss and performance deficits was modeled using simultaneous regression analyses in which the behavioral measures were dependent variables. The results suggested that damage in both hippocampal and amygdala/entorhinal areas as well as damage in the diencephalon and the nucleus accumbens all contributed independently to the severity of recognition-memory deficits. Both caudate nucleus damage and hippocampal damage contributed independently to increased naming latency (slowed single-word reading). Finally, only damage in the hippocampus appeared to result in decreased word priming. These results provide further evidence against the assertion that word priming represents a form of memory unaffected by damage to the mesial temporal lobes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Experiences with CO2 laser-assisted sclerectomy surgery].
CO2 laser- assisted sclerectomy surgery (CLASS) can be used for the surgical treatment of open-angle glaucoma. To introduce our results with CLASS. We performed 21 CLASS operations using OT-134-IOPtiMate (IOPtima Ltd, Ramat-Gan, Israel). Patients were examined on the 1st day, and in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months postoperatively. We evaluated intraocular pressure (IOP), antiglaucomatous medication-use, visual acuity, complications. Mean age was 65.6 yrs. Complete success (no hypotensive medication required to target IOP) was achieved in 61.1% (18 patients) at 6 months, whereas in 50% (10 patients) at 12 months. Qualified success (hypotensive medication required to target IOP) was achieved in 72.2% and in 70%, preoperative mean IOP was 29.2 ± 9.4 Hgmm, which falled to 17.7 ± 4.9 Hgmm and 17.3 ± 4.3 Hgmm, respectively. Antiglaucomatous medication use falled significantly from 2.90 ± 0.83 to 2.05 ± 1.46. Apart from 1 macroperforation, no serious complication occurred. With CLASS it is possible to effectively lower intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(18): 701-705. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The submicroscopic structure of a chondroblastic osteogenic sarcoma.
Two patients are reported with a chondroid form of osteosarcoma, whose structure was also analyzed submicroscopically. The clinical and radiologic picture and the rapid lethal progress of the disease indicated an osteosarcoma, while both histologic and electron-microscopic investigation suggested the prevalence of malignant chondroid. Progress in the treatment of osteosarcoma makes it essential for diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic reasons to reintroduce subclassification of these tumors in an attempt to correlate their morphological picture with their biologic properties. According to our experience to date, it seems that the cartilaginous component in no way ameliorates the rapid malignant penetration of the osteosarcoma. It is essential to distinguish these tumors from the usually much less malignant chondrosarcomas and to place the chondroblastic osteogenic sarcoma among in spite of the clear predominance of the malignant chondroid, and thus also introduce highly radical and combined therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Localized polaritons and second-harmonic generation in a resonant medium with quadratic nonlinearity.
We derive model equations for the propagation of ultrashort pulses in materials with resonant linear and quadratic nonlinear responses and find approximate soliton solutions describing all-bright and dark-bright polaritons. We report the specific phase matching condition for efficient 2nd harmonic generation, which involves detuning from the resonance. We also demonstrate that the 2nd harmonic emission by the polaritonic pulses can lead to reduction of their group velocity, having zero as a theoretical limit. Our analytical results are supported by numerical simulations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A field study evaluating health, performance, and behavior differences in crossbred beef calves administered different vaccine-parasiticide product combinations.
Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is the most important health issue in beef feeder calves. Our study was a randomized, blinded field trial to evaluate potential differences in health, production and behavior in feeder calves administered two different preventive health programs. Calves in two replicates (n=308 and n=305) were allocated to pens and then pens were randomly assigned a preventive health program. One program (Prog1) consisted of 1 injectable clostridial vaccine, 1 intranasal modified live respiratory vaccine, 1 topical and 1 oral parasiticide. The other program (Prog2) consisted of 1 injectable clostridial vaccine, 1 modified live respiratory vaccine and 1 injectable parasiticide. A greater percentage of calves in Prog1 (59.7%) experienced BRDC morbidity compared to the Prog2 program (47.8%). There were no differences between programs in mortality, case fatality, 1st treatment success or chronicity risks. The average daily gain over the entire study period for the Prog2 calves (1.23 kg) was greater than the Prog1 calves (1.16 kg). Calves administered Prog1 on average took more steps each day during the first 28 days of the study. Additionally, Prog1 calves spent more time lying down on certain days during the last 14 days of the study. During initial program administration, fewer Prog1 calves (39.8%) vocalized compared to Prog2 calves (47.8%). In this study, calves administered a program with fewer injections indicated less aversion to program administration than those administered more injections, but experienced greater morbidity and poorer performance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Predicting the Dimensions of an Intracardiac Partial-Assist Pump for Percutaneous Delivery by Analytical and Numerical Methods.
A minimally invasive ventricular assist device is under development for percutaneous insertion into the left atrium via transseptal access from the right atrium (RA). This study aimed to mathematically describe the vascular anatomy along possible insertion pathways to determine the device's maximum outer dimensions. We developed 2-dimensional mathematical models describing the vascular anatomy to the RA from three access points: subclavian vein (SCV), internal jugular vein (IJV), and femoral vein (FV). All pathways terminated by turning from the superior or inferior vena cava (SVC/IVC) into the RA. The model equations were based on restriction points in the pathways and were solved using anatomic size values 1 SD below published mean values so that the device will accommodate most patients. Vessels were considered rigid so that vessel deformation (and therefore risk) is minimized during device insertion. Maximum device length was calculated for a range of device diameters. The length at the most constraining angle in each turn was the maximum allowable device length. The least restrictive pathway was from the right FV, the turn from the IVC through the atrial septum being the most restrictive point. For a 10-mm diameter device, the length restriction for this pathway was 45 mm, whereas those for the right IJV and SCV were 42 and 21 mm, respectively. Medical device developers can apply these models to determine size specifications of new devices, whereas interventional physicians can apply them to determine if an existing device is appropriate for an individual patient. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chronic cannabis abuse raises nerve growth factor serum concentrations in drug-naive schizophrenic patients.
Long-term cannabis abuse may increase the risk of schizophrenia. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a pleiotropic neurotrophic protein that is implicated in development, protection and regeneration of NFG-sensitive neurones. We tested the hypothesis that damage to neuronal cells in schizophrenia is precipitated by the consumption of cannabis and other neurotoxic substances, resulting in raised NGF serum concentrations and a younger age for disease onset. The NGF serum levels of 109 consecutive drug-naive schizophrenic patients were measured and compared with those of healthy controls. The results were correlated with the long-term intake of cannabis and other illegal drugs. Mean (+/- SD) NGF serum levels of 61 control persons (33.1 +/- 31.0 pg/ml) and 76 schizophrenics who did not consume illegal drugs (26.3 +/- 19.5 pg/ml) did not differ significantly. Schizophrenic patients with regular cannabis intake (> 0.5 g on average per day for at least 2 years) had significantly raised NGF serum levels of 412.9 +/- 288.4 pg/ml (n = 21) compared to controls and schizophrenic patients not consuming cannabis (p < 0.001). In schizophrenic patients who abused not only cannabis, but also additional substances, NGF concentrations were as high as 2336.2 +/- 1711.4 pg/ml (n = 12). On average, heavy cannabis consumers suffered their first episode of schizophrenia 3.5 years (n = 21) earlier than schizophrenic patients who abstained from cannabis. These results indicate that cannabis is a possible risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. This might be reflected in the raised NGF-serum concentrations when both schizophrenia and long-term cannabis abuse prevail. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Atypical etiology of malaria: local perceptions and practices for treatment and prevention in the department of Gaoua, Burkina Faso].
Malaria is still a public health problem in many sub-Saharan countries. This study was undertaken to understand and analyze the relationship between local perceptions of malaria and practices for prevention and management in the department of Gaoua in Burkina Faso. The goal was to improve the effectiveness of prevention and management of malaria in the target population, i.e., children under the age of five. Individual interviews and focus groups using a semi-structured guide were carried out with mothers, traditional healthcare providers and elderly persons in four villages of the department of Gaoua. Findings showed that practices used for treatment and prevention were directly related to perceptions about malaria. Due to poverty, inadequate health service delivery and ignorance, people do not always seek medical attention and express doubts about the efficacy of modern care. Endogenous practices for malaria prevention are directly related to causes described by the population. Modern preventive techniques are not used by the population. For instance nets are misused to protect corpses from flies or for shelter during funerals. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Relationship between parenteral gangliosides administration and the Guillain-Barré syndrome].
We carried out a case a case-control study to analyze the relationship between parenteral gangliosides administration and the Guillain-Barré syndrome. We retrieved 64 patients with the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, and 148 controls. In cases and controls the proportion and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of subject receiving gangliosides, was calculated. The number of patients with the Guillain-Barré syndrome who needed ventilation or died was also calculated. Four of 36 patients (95% CI = 81-0.6), over 40 years, received gangliosides prior to Guillain-Barré syndrome. One of these patients was ventilated (95% CI = 25-2) and died. None of the controls less than 40 years old took gangliosides, while from the 108 over 40 (95% CI = 15-4) 9 received gangliosides. None developed signs suggesting Guillain-Barré syndrome. Although gangliosides were more often used in Guillain-Barré syndrome (OR = 1.75), the difference was not significant (95% CI = 4.82-0.69). The present work proves that in spite of the association of Guillain-Barré syndrome, with gangliosides intake, there is no statistical difference between this group of patients and control population. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A nursing labor management partnership model.
Clinical nurses and nursing management strive for a collaborative relationship that supports nursing practice. When collaboration exists between labor and management, the joint focus moves toward provision of quality patient care and a positive work environment. The author describes a Nursing Labor Management Partnership implemented in a major teaching hospital with Magnet(R) designation. Examples of each dimension of the partnership are included. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Application of a hierarchical linear model to the study of adolescent deviance in an overlapping cohort design.
Hierarchical linear models provide a conceptual orientation and a flexible set of analytic techniques for studying psychological change in repeated measures studies. The researcher first formulates a model for individual change over time, with each individual's development characterized by a unique set of parameters. These parameters are then viewed as varying randomly over the population of persons. We illustrate this approach with data on attitudes toward deviance during adolescence (Raudenbush & Chan, 1992), indicating how one may assess the psychometric properties of an instrument for studying change, compare the adequacy of linear and curvilinear growth models, control for time invariant and time-varying covariates, and link overlapping cohorts of data. The results suggest that prodeviant attitudes characteristically increase during early adolescence, achieving a peak between 17 and 18 years of age. The typical trajectories for male and female adolescents have the same shape, although female adolescents tend to be less deviant than male adolescents at each age. We briefly consider the statistical power of tests of cohort differences at the points where they overlap. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
X-ray and far uv multilayer mirrors: principles and possibilities.
The possibility of making multilayer reflecting coatings by using materials whose dielectric susceptibility is very near to unity at the frequency under consideration is discussed. For the pair of substances with a given Ree and Ime the explicit expressions are obtained for the value of reflection coefficient and for the optimum thickness of layers. The published data on Re and Im allowed us to choose the pairs of substances for which one may hope to create (in principle) the mirrors for normal incidence with R ~ 50% at lambda greater, similar 30 A. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comprehensive therapy for hemangioma presenting with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome in the maxillofacial region.
To summarize the characteristics of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS) and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of drug therapy combined with transarterial embolization. From 2007 to 2011, 6 cases of KMS that underwent drug therapy and transarterial embolization were retrospectively analyzed, comprising of 3 male and 3 female patients; the ages of the patients ranged from 3 to 40 days. The lesions were located in the temporal region (1 of 6, 16.7%), parotid region (2 of 6, 33.3%), or submandibular region and neck (3 of 6, 50%). All the patients were followed for 12 to 18 months. Therapeutic outcomes were assessed by evaluating the platelet count, coagulation parameters, and size of the lesion. Positive responses were visible shrinkage of the hemangioma or lightening of the skin color of the cutaneous tumor (or both) within 8 to 72 hours in 4 patients (66.67%). These occurred within 1 week in 5 patients (83.33%) and within 2 weeks in all patients (100%). The mean platelet count before treatment was 18,000/L (range, 8,000 to 33,000/L). After the first week of medical treatment, the mean platelet count increased to above 80,000/L in 5 patients (83.33%); it began to increase on the second day after embolization and reached 102,000/L in 1 patient (16.67%). All 6 cases (100%) showed good results with treatment. A 12- to 18-month follow-up evaluation was obtained for all treated patients, and no rebound growth or platelet count decreases were observed. No severe or obvious adverse complications were noted during all treatment courses. For most hemangiomas presenting with KMS, good results can be obtained with systemic medical treatment. Transcatheter arterial embolization with polyvinyl alcohol particles combined with systemic medical treatment should be considered an efficacious and important therapeutic option for challenging cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A Stent-Retrieving into an Aspiration Catheter with Proximal Balloon (ASAP) Technique: A Technique of Mechanical Thrombectomy.
The best technique for the first attempt at mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke is a still matter of debate. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of a stent-retrieving into an aspiration catheter with proximal balloon (ASAP) technique that uses a series of thrombus extraction by withdrawing the stent retriever into the aspiration catheter and continuous aspiration from the aspiration catheter at the first attempt. We performed a retrospective analysis of 42 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by occlusions in the anterior circulation who were treated with the ASAP technique at our institution. Preoperative patient characteristic, including age, thrombus location, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, National Institutions of Health Stroke Scale, and time from onset to puncture; postoperative Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score; modified Rankin Scale score after 3 months; time from puncture to recanalization; the number of passes to achieve recanalization; and procedural complications, including intracranial hemorrhage, embolization to new territory, and distal embolization, were assessed. A Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 2B or 3 was achieved in 40/42 patients (95.2%). Average time from puncture to the final recanalization was 21.5 minutes. Recanalization was achieved in a single attempt in 31 patients (77.5%). Embolization to new territory was observed in only 2 patients (4.8%); no patient developed distal embolization or intracranial hemorrhage including asymptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Thirty-two patients (76.2%) achieved modified Rankin Scale scores of 0-2 at 3 months postoperatively. Our ASAP technique showed fast recanalization, minimal complications, and good clinical outcomes in this case series. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Applanation tonometry in the conscious cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis).
Four monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were trained to tolerate applanation tonometry while fully conscious. The tonometer used was the Draeger tonometer with an applanation area of 3.06 diameter, but with a reduced application surface (4 mm instead of 6.8 mm diameter). The reduction did not change the calibration and is applicable in this monkey species without any correction factor. The mean intraocular pressure determined was 19.12 mmHg. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The relationship between lysis and loosening in failed anatomic medullary locking components.
Lysis does not cause loosening of extensively porous-coated, apparently well-fixed femoral components. We attribute this in large part to the fact that the area of strongest bone ingrowth is in the femoral diaphysis remote from the joint space. In contrast, for the acetabular component, osteolysis can be the sole or a contributing factor to loosening. We attribute this difference to the fact that the bone-implant interface of the acetabular component is much closer to the joint space and more readily accessible to osteolytic damage. In the future, with improved bearing surfaces, lysis may occur less frequently. Whether lysis is diminished as a result of these new designs, the authors contend that without adequate initial fixation, loosening will still occur. Because of our observations concerning osteolysis and loosening, we are more cautious in revising patients for osteolyis and do not revise when osteolysis first becomes apparent. Rather, we closely monitor osteolysis in these patients. For us, the question of when to operate for osteolysis remains unanswered. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Heart rate dynamics after acute cocaine administration.
We examined heart rate (HR) patterns after a bolus intravenous (i.v.) administration of a high (10 mg/kg) dose of cocaine in unrestrained cats. Mean R-R intervals, SD, and other measures of variability were assessed in three periods: waking baseline, early postcocaine administration, and later recovery periods. Cocaine resulted in initial tachycardia and reduced HR variability. This reduction in variability was independent of changes in the average rate: during the recovery period, HR returned to baseline values, but the reduced variability persisted. Nonlinear methods of assessment yielded additional results: Cocaine introduces a high correlation between one beat and the next and a tendency for cardiac accelerations to be followed immediately by decelerations and vice versa. The overall effect of the drug is to restrict deviation from a fixed rate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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