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SdiA, an Escherichia coli homologue of quorum-sensing regulators, controls the expression of virulence factors in enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7.
The quorum-sensing system in bacteria is a well-known regulatory system that controls gene expression in a cell density-dependent manner. A transcriptional regulator (LuxR homologue), signal synthase (LuxI homologue) and autoinducer (acyl homoserine lactone) are indispensable for this system in most Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, we found that SdiA, an Escherichia coli LuxR homologue, is a negative regulator of the expression of virulence factors EspD and intimin in enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) O157:H7. The expression of EspD and intimin was inhibited at the RNA level upon SdiA overexpression. SdiA has a DNA-binding motif in its C-terminal part and can bind to the promoter regions of the esp and eae genes in vitro. Extracellular factors, which accumulate in culture supernatants of O157:H7 at the stationary phase of growth and inhibit EspD and intimin synthesis, bind to the N-terminal part of SdiA in vivo and in vitro. O157:H7 overproducing the N-terminal part of SdiA exhibited hypertranscription of EspD and intimin, suggesting that the overproduced N-terminal part had inhibited the activity of intact SdiA through titration of the extracellular factors. These results indicate that a quorum-sensing system including the SdiA protein controls colonization by O157:H7. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Ultrastructure of immunocytes in the lymph of the thoracic duct during rejection of the allogenically transplanted heart in the dog].
Substructural changes in the immunocytes of thoracic duct lymphatic fluid were studied in allogeneous heart transplant experiments on 47 dogs in an effort to identify factors associated with or inductive of the process of rejection. The initial changes could be shown to be related to the inevitable trauma associated with the transplant procedure. At the same time evidence of increased physiologic activity of the cells begins to appear and lymphoplasmocytes begin to enter the process along with the onset of antibody production. Immediately before rejection occurs, the number of lymphoplasmocytes increases which however often show degenerative changes on ultrastructural examination. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
In-hospital injuries of medical and surgical patients: the predictive effect of a prior injury.
Four hundred three consecutive injury victims admitted via emergency ward over a 3-month period were tracked with 403 contemporaneous controls with medical illness and blindly assessed for in-hospital accidents. There was a high frequency of "incidents" (n = 161 in 107 patients, mainly falls and medication errors), but injury victim admissions resembled medically ill controls when compared by the Kaplan-Meier method for cumulative probability of occurrence of an in-hospital incident. Accelerated failure/time models using the Weibull method to compute average times from admission to incident showed little difference between groups. Admission type (injury victim vs. control) did not predict psychiatric consultation, incident type, or multiple incidents in hospital. Although the injury group had a larger proportion of males and lower mean age, stratification to control for age and sex did not significantly discriminate injury victims from controls in production of incidents: Over all risk of incidents was random. By studying patients during a hospital stay, the effects of differences in individual environment and drug and alcohol intoxication are largely factored out; under these conditions the predictive effect of a prior injury becomes insignificant. In-hospital injury is associated with host factors long known to promote falls: increasing age, debility-cum-mobility, and central nervous system depressant medication. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Enzymatic reactions on thin-layer chromatographic plates. II. Phospholipase A2 hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine and separation of the products on a single plate.
A procedure for the phospholipase A2 hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine on a thin-layer chromatographic plate and subsequent separation of the products on the same plate is described. A 0.2-0.8-mg amount of Russell's viper venom (phospholipase A2) in 0.2 ml of 0.005 M calcium chloride solution was applied on a 0.5-mm silica gel G plate as a band over which 2-5 mg of egg phosphatidylcholine in 0.2 ml of diethyl ether containing 5% of methanol was evenly applied. After the reaction had proceeded for 15-20 min in a diethyl ether-saturated chamber at 25 degrees, the plate was developed with chloroform-methanol-water (65:25:4). The bands were identified and their contents extracted. The extent of hydrolysis under different reaction conditions was evaluated from the amount of lysophosphatidylcholine formed. Approximately 74.6% (maximum) conversion was obtained within 15 min at 25 degrees using a substrate to enzyme ratio of 4:1. The acyl group distributions in the 1- and 2-positions of hen egg phosphatidylcholine obtained from the gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the methyl ester corresponding to the lyso and free fatty acid band agreed with those obtained by the method of Wells and Hanahan. The method is also applicable to phosphatidylethanolamine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A new quantitative method for circulating DNA level in human serum by capillary zone electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection.
We present a method for the quantification of circulating DNA in serum by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with laser-induced fluorescence detection (LIF). The serum was digested by proteinase to release free DNA. SYBR Gold was utilized as DNA intercalating dye, fluorescein as internal standard (ISTD). CZE-LIF was applied for the separation and quantification of total circulating DNA. Good linearity (R = 0.9992) in the low range of DNA concentrations (0.5-40 ng/mL) and a detection limit of 0.5 ng/mL for DNA (S/N = 3) were obtained. Our data demonstrated that CZE-LIF system has a good linearity with excellent sensitivity and satisfactory reproducibility in the quantification of circulating DNA in serum. This method was successfully used for the quantification of circulating DNA levels in serum. We observed that the circulating DNA levels in certain cancer patients were significantly higher than that in healthy individuals. Compared to current methods, our protocol does not need the extraction of DNA from serum. Our preliminary results have illustrated that CZE-LIF system is simple, rapid, and sensitive, and it is well suitable for large-scale quantification of circulating DNA levels in clinical diagnosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Outcomes of submandibular duct relocation: a 15-year experience.
Drooling is common in patients with neurological disability and a major factor affecting quality of life. Management of this problem is best carried out by a team approach using surgical and non-surgical methods. Submandibular duct relocation is a commonly performed procedure with low complication rate. This procedure has been carried out in 56 patients over the last 14 years at the Belfast City Hospital by the senior author. All the patients underwent physiotherapy for six months before they were selected for surgery. All the patients were over five years of age and most had severe neurological impairment. For the purposes of this study, all the patients were followed by a questionnaire regarding symptomatic improvement, parent satisfaction and complication rate. All case notes were also reviewed retrospectively. Parental satisfaction was high and drooling was significantly reduced in 49 cases. The main complication was ranula formation seen in five cases. The most significant area of parental concern was post-operative pain. It is important to counsel the parents regarding the post-operative pain relief as well as failure rate of the procedure. It can be concluded that this procedure is a safe and highly successful procedure, which significantly improves the quality of life. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human endothelial cell storage granules: a novel intracellular site for isoforms of the endothelin-converting enzyme.
We have previously shown endothelin (ET)-like immunoreactive staining in Weibel-Palade bodies, storage granules that are an integral component of the regulated secretory pathway in endothelial cells. These structures degranulate after chemical or mechanical stimuli that result in cytosolic calcium influx. We therefore investigated whether the regulated pathway might be an intracellular site involved in the cleavage of big ET-1 to the biologically active peptide ET-1 by determining the ultrastructural localization of endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE)-1. A low level of ECE-like immunoreactivity was detected on the cell surface of human umbilical vein and coronary artery endothelial cells by scanning electron microscopy. Exogenous big ET-1 was added to permeabilized and nonpermeabilized cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and ECE activity was measured by the detection of ET-like immunoreactivity in the culture supernatant. A marked increase in ECE activity was observed in permeabilized cells, indicating that ECE may also be expressed in intracellular compartments. Confocal microscopy revealed intense immunofluorescence staining for big ET-1 and the 2 isoforms of ECE-1 (ECE-1alpha and ECE-1beta) in the perinuclear region and in Weibel-Palade bodies of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Stimulated degranulation of storage granules by the calcium ionophore A23187 caused release of ET into the culture supernatants. The findings of this study indicate that big ET-1 is processed to the mature vasoactive peptide by ECEs located within endothelial storage granules. We hypothesize that this activity may be important in the regulated mobilization of ET in human endothelial cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lateral approach to the upper cervical spine.
A procedure for access to the ventral portion of the spinal canal from the foramen magnum to the superior portion of C-3 is described. This is useful for lesions that are primarily ventral or ventrolateral to the spinal cord, such as meningiomas or neurofibromas. The exposure involves no more bone removal than does a posterior laminectomy, but the angle of approach reduces markedly the amount of spinal cord manipulation necessary to deal with ventrally situated lesions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tissue origin of peptide-responsive eicosanoid production in rabbit intestine.
Different layers of rabbit large and small intestine display different peptide sensitivity and different profiles of eicosanoid release. Isolated perfused mesenteric pedicle alone, with muscularis/submucosa or with muscularis and mucosa from normal small bowel, normal colon, or inflamed colon were stimulated with bradykinin (BK) or n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Released prostaglandin (PG)E2, thromboxane (Tx)B2, and leukotriene (LT)B4 were assayed using extensively validated radioimmunoassays. In rabbit colon, PGE2 arises primarily from the mesentery, while in small intestine the muscularis/mucosa releases 70-80% of the total PGE2. BK releases no significant thromboxane from healthy colon, although both muscularis/submucosa and mucosa respond in inflamed colon. In contrast, fMLP stimulates thromboxane from muscularis/submucosa and mucosa of even healthy colon, while release is greatly potentiated in inflammation. Lipoxygenase in the colon is regulated differently than cyclooxygenase; it is not stimulated by BK in either healthy or inflamed colon. fMLP releases equal amounts of LTB4 from healthy and inflamed colon, but release was primarily from healthy colonic mucosa, whereas it was distributed throughout mesenteric pedicle, muscularis, and mucosa in inflamed colon. The ability of normal colonic mucosa to release proinflammatory LTB4 in response to a chemotactic factor (fMLP) produced by enteric bacteria suggests a possible role for these compounds as a stimulus for inflammation in some patients with inflammatory bowel disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Determination, residue analysis, risk assessment and processing factors of tebufenozide in okra fruits under field conditions.
Ensuring the yield, quality, and profitability of okra by preventing and controlling pests with the application of insecticides has increased in the last decade. Some insecticide residues might remain in edible parts of okra (fruits) and lead to several potential human health problems. Therefore, research on the residue behaviour, risk assessment and removal approach of insecticides on okra fruits is important for food safety, together with the proper application and residual elimination of insecticides in okra. A simple liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was established and validated for determining the tebufenozide residues in okra fruits. The recoveries of tebufenozide in okra fruits were >72% with relative standard deviations of 0.6 to 6.1%. The dissipation rates of tebufenozide were different in okra fruits cultivated under open land and glasshouse field conditions because of the discriminating humidity and temperature conditions. The dietary intake of the tebufenozide residues from okra fruit consumption for Chinese consumers was fairly low, with approximately no potential health risk. The processing factor values of washing, blanching, washing + blanching and soaking were all less than one, which indicated that these processes could effectively reduce the residual hydrazide in the okra fruit. The developed method for analysing tebufenozide in okra fruits was applicable for field studies on this insecticide. The potential health risk of tebufenozide in okra fruits could be negligible to the health of different age groups of Chinese consumers. The soaking process effectively removed tebufenozide residues from okra fruits. The obtained data will help Chinese governments establish a maximum residue limit of tebufenozide in okra and provide data for the risk assessment and removal of tebufenozide in other crops. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of prosthesis-patient mismatch on diastolic heart failure after aortic valve replacement.
Bioprostheses for supraannular placement have been developed to optimize the hemodynamic performance after aortic valve replacement. To evaluate the potential benefit of this design, we analyzed the influence of prosthesis-patient mismatch on diastolic function and left ventricular mass regression and evaluated the clinical performance of the Sorin Soprano and Medtronic Mosaic in the aortic position. A total of 372 patients underwent aortic valve replacement between July 2004 and February 2007, receiving either a Sorin Soprano (n = 235) or a Medtronic Mosaic (n = 137) prosthetic valve. Echocardiographic and clinical data were collected prospectively, and follow-up was performed in April 2007. Multivariate analyses were used to identify differences in hemodynamic performance, diastolic function, left ventricular mass regression, and predictors of impaired survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were used to compare postoperative outcomes. The 30-day mortality was 1.7% (4 of 235 patients) in the Sorin Soprano group and 2.9% (4 of 137 patients) in the Medtronic Mosaic group (p = 0.473). Neither prosthesis-patient mismatch nor type of prosthesis was a significant predictor of early or late mortality. Diastolic heart failure was a predictor of poor survival (p = 0.004); however, the recovery of diastolic function was not significantly influenced by prosthesis-patient mismatch. Neither moderate (indexed effective orifice area < 0.85 cm(2)/m(2)) nor severe (indexed effective orifice area < 0.65 cm(2)/m(2)) prosthesis-patient mismatch resulted in a significantly impaired left ventricular mass regression. Prosthesis-patient mismatch was not an independent predictor of poor survival, impaired left ventricular mass regression, or recovery of diastolic function. The Sorin Soprano and the Medtronic Mosaic bioprostheses demonstrated comparable hemodynamic performance and excellent clinical outcome without signs of structural valve deterioration during follow-up. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Multiparametric mapping of neurological soft signs in healthy adults.
Minor motor and sensory deficits or neurological soft signs (NSS) are frequently found in patients with schizophrenia at any stage of their illness. Although previous studies have reported that NSS are associated with altered structure and function within fronto-parietal areas, it remains unclear whether the neuroanatomical basis of NSS may be confounded by underlying pathological processes, and by antipsychotic treatment. Morphological brain correlates of NSS in healthy subjects have seldom been investigated. This study evaluated the relationship between NSS levels and abnormalities of subcortical and cortical structures in healthy individuals. High-resolution MRI data at 3 Tesla were obtained from 68 healthy individuals. Automated segmentation of caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus, and brainstem was performed using both FSL-FIRST and Freesurfer. The surface-based analysis via Freesurfer enabled calculation of cortical thickness, area and folding (local gyrification index). NSS were examined on the Heidelberg Scale and related to both subcortical and cortical measurements. Using two fully automated brain segmentations methods, we found no significant association between NSS levels and morphological changes in subcortical structures. Higher NSS scores were associated with morphological changes of cortical thickness, area and folding in multiple areas comprising superior frontal, middle temporal, insular and postcentral regions. Our findings demonstrate the benefit of surface-based approaches when investigating brain correlates of NSS. The data lend further support to the hypothesis that NSS in healthy individuals involve multiple cortical rather than subcortical brain regions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Joining characteristics of titanium-based orthodontic wires connected by laser and electrical welding methods.
This study investigated the possibility of electrical and laser welding to connect titanium-based alloy (beta-titanium and nickel-titanium) wires and stainless-steel or cobalt-chromium alloy wires for fabrication of combination arch-wires. Four kinds of straight orthodontic rectangular wires (0.017 × 0.025 inch) were used: stainless-steel (S-S), cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr), beta-titanium alloy (β-Ti), and nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti). Homogeneous and heterogeneous end-to-end joints (15 mm long each) were made by electrical welding and laser welding. Non-welded wires (30 mm long) were also used as a control. Maximum loads at fracture (N) and elongation (%) were measured by conducting tensile test. The data (n = 10) were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance/Tukey test (P < 0.05).The S-S/S-S and Co-Cr/Co-Cr specimens showed significantly higher values of the maximum load (ML) at fracture and elongation (EL) than those of the Ni-Ti/Ni-Ti and β-Ti/β-Ti specimens for electrical welding and those of the S-S/S-S and Co-Cr/Co-Cr specimens welded by laser. On the other hand, the laser-welded Ni-Ti/Ni-Ti and β-Ti/β-Ti specimens exhibited higher values of the ML and EL compared to those of the corresponding specimens welded by electrical method. In the heterogeneously welded combinations, the electrically welded Ni-Ti/S-S, β-Ti/S-S and β-Ti/Co-Cr specimens showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher ML and EL than those of the corresponding specimens welded by laser. Electrical welding exhibited the higher values of maximum load at fracture and elongation for heterogeneously welded combinations than laser-welding. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The modified bitemporal flap for the treatment of bitemporal recessions.
A modified version of the bitemporal flap can be used effectively for the treatment of bitemporal recessions in one step. The geometry of this flap is discussed along with several precautionary points concerning its use. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Divergent role for CRF1 and CRF2 receptors in the modulation of visceral pain.
Both anti- and pro-nociceptive effects of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) treatment on visceral pain have been reported. Here, this dual action of CRF was differentiated by selective (in)activation of the CRF1 and CRF2 receptor prior to a visceral pain stimulus. Visceral pain was evaluated out of behavioural and visceromotor (abdominal electromyogram) responses to duodenal distension in the freely moving rat. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) CRF (50 microg kg-1) increased the distension-induced visceromotor and behavioural pain response. The pro-nociceptive effects of CRF on the behavioural response were attenuated by a selective CRF1 (CP-154526; 20 mg kg-1) but not a selective CRF2 [antiSauvagine30 (aSVG30); 100 microg kg-1] antagonist. Selective activation of the CRF2 receptor by stresscopin-related peptide (SRP; i.p. 25 microg kg-1) reduced the distension-induced visceromotor and behavioural response. Intrathecal injection of CRF (2 microg 10 microL-1) or SRP (20 microg 10 microL-1) decreased the distension-induced visceromotor and behavioural response. The antinociceptive effects of intrathecal CRF on the behavioural response were attenuated by aSVG30 (20 microg 10 microL-1) but not with CP-154526 (10 microg 10 microL-1). These findings indicate that the CRF1 receptor is involved in pro-nociception of visceral pain, whereas the CRF2 receptor is mainly involved in antinociception. This divergent role of the CRF subreceptors may explain the bimodal effects of CRF treatment on visceral nociception. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
BRCA1, PARP1 and γH2AX in acute myeloid leukemia: Role as biomarkers of response to the PARP inhibitor olaparib.
Olaparib (AZD-2281, Ku-0059436) is an orally bioavailable and well-tolerated poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor currently under investigation in patients with solid tumors. To study the clinical potential of olaparib as a single-agent for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, we analyzed the in vitro sensitivity of AML cell lines and primary blasts. Clinically achievable concentrations of olaparib were able to induce cell death in the majority of primary AML case samples (88%) and tested cell lines. At these concentrations, olaparib preferentially killed leukemic blasts sparing normal lymphocytes derived from the same patient and did not substantially affect the viability of normal bone marrow and CD34-enriched peripheral blood cells obtained from healthy donors. Most primary AML analyzed were characterized by low BRCA1 mRNA level and undetectable protein expression that likely contributed to explain their sensitivity to olaparib. Noteworthy, while PARP1 over-expression was detected in blasts not responsive to olaparib, phosphorylation of the histone H2AFX (γH2AX) was associated with drug sensitivity. As to genetic features of tested cases the highest sensitivity was shown by a patient carrying a 11q23 deletion. The high sensitivity of AML blasts and the identification of biomarkers potentially able to predict response and/or resistance may foster further investigation of olaparib monotherapy for AML patients unfit to conventional chemotherapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ashbya gossypii beyond industrial riboflavin production: A historical perspective and emerging biotechnological applications.
The filamentous fungus Ashbya gossypii has been safely and successfully used for more than two decades in the commercial production of riboflavin (vitamin B2). Its industrial relevance combined with its high genetic similarity with Saccharomyces cerevisiae together promoted the accumulation of fundamental knowledge that has been efficiently converted into a significant molecular and in silico toolbox for its genetic engineering. This synergy has enabled a directed and sustained exploitation of A. gossypii as an industrial riboflavin producer. Although there is still room for optimizing riboflavin production, the recent years have seen an abundant advance in the exploration of A. gossypii for other biotechnological applications, such as the production of recombinant proteins, single cell oil and flavour compounds. Here, we will address the biotechnological potential of A. gossypii beyond riboflavin production by presenting (a) a physiological and metabolic perspective over this fungus; (b) the molecular toolbox available for its manipulation; and (c) commercial and emerging biotechnological applications for this industrially important fungus, together with the approaches adopted for its engineering. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[A modified approach to opening of abdominal wall for gynaecological operations (author's transl)].
Described in this paper is a modified method to open the abdominal wall for gynaecological operations, and it is compared for postoperative formation of haematoma with the two most common conventional methods. The modified method and lower median incision so far have been performed on a comparatively small group of patients, when compared to Pfannenstiel's incision. Therefore, no unambiguous conclusion can be drawn as yet. The validity of the method should be confirmed by a larger number of operations. The method should be tried by more hospitals to enable large-scale comparison with other techniques. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Segmental allotetraploidy generates extensive homoeologous expression rewiring and phenotypic diversity at the population level in rice.
Allopolyploidization, that is, concomitant merging and doubling of two or more divergent genomes in a common nucleus/cytoplasm, is known to instantly alter genomewide transcriptome dynamics, a phenomenon referred to as "transcriptomic shock." However, the immediate effects of transcriptomic alteration in generating phenotypic diversity at the population level remain underinvestigated. Here, we employed the MassARRAY-based Sequenom platform to assess and compare orthologous, allelic and homoeologous gene expression status in two tissues (leaf and root) of a set of randomly chosen individuals from populations of parental rice subspecies (indica and japonica), in vitro "hybrids" (parental mixes), reciprocal F1 hybrids and reciprocal tetraploids at the 5th-selfed generation (S5). We show that hybridization and whole genome duplication (WGD) have opposing effects on allelic and homoeologous expression in the F1 hybrids and tetraploids, respectively. Whereas hybridization exerts strong attenuating effects on allelic expression differences in diploid hybrids, WGD augments the intrinsic parental differences and generates extensive and variable homoeolog content which triggers diversification in expression patterning among the tetraploid plants. Coupled with the vast phenotypic diversity observed among the tetraploid individuals, our results provide experimental evidence in support of the notion that allopolyploidy catalyses rapid phenotypic diversification in higher plants. Our data further suggest that largely stochastic homoeolog content reshuffling rather than alteration in total expression level may be an important feature of evolution in young segmental allopolyploids, which underlies rapid expression diversity at the population level. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of refractory auto-immune haemolytic anaemia and auto-immune thrombocytopenia purpura.
The treatment of both auto-immune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and auto-immune thromobocytopenic purpura (AITP) remains unsatisfactory in those refractory to first-line management. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent originally used to prevent acute rejection of solid organ transplants and used more recently in the management of auto-immune conditions. We report its use in four patients with AIHA and six patients with AITP. All four patients with AIHA and five of the six patients with AITP showed a complete or good partial response to treatment with MMF, confirming a possible role in the treatment of these conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tracheal mucus rheology and epithelial potential difference in two day old puppies.
The transepithelial potential difference (PD) value represents an integral of ion fluxes across the epithelium, and relates to the regulation of airway fluid. We studied six healthy two day old husky puppies for their tracheal mucus rheology and bioelectric properties, since this data in newborns are still unknown. PD (-mV, epithelium vs. subcutaneous space) was measured using the agar bridge technique in two locations - lower trachea and subglottic region. For the rheological analysis, the magnetic microrheometer was employed; data are presented as mechanical impedance log G* and loss tangent tan delta (1 rad/s). The mucus collection rate (mg/min) and the solid content (%) were determined by gravimetry. Mucociliary clearability, normalized to frog mucus, (MCFP) was determined directly by the frog palate method; a cough clearability index (CCI) was computed from simulated cough machine data obtained with mucus-like gels. The mucus collection rates and PD values were considerably lower than those observed in adult dogs; the mechanical impedance values were also reduced in comparison with adult data. The PD profile within the trachea (-13.9 +/- 1.2 mV lower trachea vs. -18.4 +/- 1.4 mV subglottical, i.e. more negative subglottically), however, is similar to that observed in adult dogs. Intratracheal profiles in mucus collection rate and mucus rheology were also comparable between puppies and adult dogs. The low collection rates in puppies, particularly in lower trachea, could indicate either reduced mucus volume or slower clearance. PD and collection rate correlated very strongly (r = 0.82, p = 0.0003). PD also correlated negatively with log G* (r = 0.73, p = 0.003) and positively with tan delta (r = 0.58, p = 0.03). MCFP and % solids correlated positively (r = 0.84, p = 0.0012), in contradistinction to the usual relationship, perhaps due to the presence of non-glycoprotein components that do not contribute to crosslink formation. The apparent maturation of airway bioelectric properties, mucus collection rate and mucus viscoelasticity are all consistent with the maturation of mucociliary clearance, which has previously been reported. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Amyloid endostatin induces endothelial cell detachment by stimulation of the plasminogen activation system.
Endostatin is a fragment of collagen XVIII that acts as an inhibitor of tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. Anti-tumor effects have been described using both soluble and insoluble recombinant endostatin. However, differences in endostatin structure are likely to cause differences in bioactivity. In the present study, we have investigated the cellular effects of insoluble endostatin. We previously found that insoluble endostatin shows all the hallmarks of amyloid aggregates and potently stimulates tissue plasminogen activator-mediated formation of the serine protease plasmin. We here show that amyloid endostatin induces plasminogen activation by endothelial cells, resulting in vitronectin degradation and plasmin-dependent endothelial cell detachment. Endostatin-mediated stimulation of plasminogen activation, vitronectin degradation, and endothelial cell detachment is inhibited by carboxypeptidase B, indicating an essential role for carboxyl-terminal lysines. Our results suggest that amyloid endostatin may inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth by stimulating the fibrinolytic system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Regulation of G protein-coupled receptor endocytosis by ARF6 GTP-binding proteins.
The function of G protein-coupled receptors is regulated by a broad variety of membrane-bound and intracellular proteins. These act in concert to activate signaling pathways that will lead to the desensitization of activated receptors and, for most receptor types, their trafficking to intracellular compartments. This review focuses mainly on the endocytic pathways used by a G protein-coupled receptor and on the proteins that play an essential role in the regulation of the internalization process, most specifically the ADP-ribosylation factors. This family of proteins has been shown to be important for vesicle trafficking between different cellular membranes. The latest findings regarding the molecular mechanisms that regulate internalization of an agonist-stimulated receptor are presented here. Finally, a perspective on how ARF6 proteins might regulate the internalization process is also proposed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Social stigma: a comparative qualitative study of integrated and vertical care approaches to leprosy.
Integration of leprosy into the general health system is very much emphasized by health care planners. One prime reason stated for this is to reduce stigma attached to this disease. This study was conducted in the state of Maharashtra, India, to compare the level of social stigma towards leprosy in communities with a vertical and an integrated programme. The data were collected in three areas of five villages each. The first two areas were in an integrated programme to test for internal consistency and the third in a vertical programme. All the leprosy patients with visible deformities in these villages were enrolled in the study, and an in-depth stigma measurement scale was administered. In addition, focus group discussions were conducted among the family members of leprosy patients and participative rural appraisal was done in the communities. The data were analysed using qualitative methods. A total of 24 leprosy patients with visible deformities participated in the in-depth stigma measurement exercise from 15 villages. Fifteen focus group discussions were conducted with families of leprosy patients and an equal number of participatory rural appraisals with communities were done. The results show that social stigma was virtually non-existent among the communities with the integrated approach and minimally experienced by leprosy patients in this model. However, a high level of self-stigmatization among leprosy patients was observed in the vertical approach and equally a high level of social stigma was found in their communities, which led to reduced interaction between the leprosy patients and their communities. The integrated approach to community-based primary health care is effective in reducing leprosy stigma in society. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tannic acid mimicking dendrimers as small intestine submucosa stabilizing nanomordants.
Chemical stabilization resulting in increased resistance to proteolytic degradation is one of the approaches in prevention of post-implantational aneurysm development in decellularized natural vascular scaffolds. Recently, tannic acid (TA) and tannic acid mimicking dendrimers (TAMD) have been suggested as potential stabilization agents for collagen and elastin. The aim of this work was to determine the stabilizing effects of TAMD on decellularized natural scaffolds. Vascular scaffolds fabricated from small intestine submucosa (SIS) and SIS plane sheets (Cook Biotech Inc.) were used. The biomechanical properties of the SIS vascular graft segments treated with TA and TAMD were tested. The effect of TAMD treatment on resistance to proteolytic degradation was evaluated by measuring biomechanical properties of TAMD stabilized and non-stabilized SIS specimens after incubation in collagenase solution. It was shown that treatment with TA as well as with TAMD increased the strength of tubular SIS as well as their resistance to proteolytic biodegradation manifested by preservation of biomechanical properties after collagenase treatment. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that treatment with TAMD increased the periodical pattern typical of collagen fiber ultrastructure as a result of the "mordant" effect. The possible collagen cross-linking effect of TAMD on SIS was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The treatment with TAMD induced a small, but detectable cross-linking effect, suggesting that TAMD do not establish extensive covalent cross links within the extracellular matrix but rather interact with collagen, thus rendering SIS scaffolds more resistant to proteolytic degradation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Criticality of a contact process with coupled diffusive and non-diffusive fields.
We investigate the critical behavior of a model with two coupled critical densities, one of which is diffusive. The model simulates the propagation of an epidemic process in a population, which uses the underlying lattice to leave a track of the recent disease history. We determine the critical density of the population above which the system reaches an active stationary state with a finite density of active particles. We also perform a scaling analysis to determine the order parameter, the correlation length, and critical relaxation exponents. We show that the model does not belong to the usual directed percolation universality class and is compatible with the class of directed percolation with diffusive and conserved fields. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Calculation of lipolysis and esterification from glycerol metabolism in rat adipose tissue.
Pieces of epididymal fat pad from fed and 48-hr-fasted rats were incubated for various periods of time in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate containing [1-(14)C]glycerol. The radioactive substrate taken up by the tissue increased linearly with time in both groups and was mainly converted to glyceride-glycerol and CO(2). The slopes of the regressions of (14)C-labeled glyceride-glycerol with time were not different between the groups, while those of (14)CO(2) were smaller in the fasted than in the fed animals. Because the radioactive glycerol in the medium is being continuously diluted with the glycerol coming out of the tissue, it is necessary to take account of this factor in calculating the actual amount of glycerol utilized by the tissue. The glycerol produced by the tissues is higher in the fasted than in the fed animals, and in both groups it increases hyperbolically with time. As negligible amounts of the (14)C-labeled glycerol taken up by the tissue recirculates to the medium, the rates of glycerol release (lipolysis), esterification, and oxidation to CO(2) were calculated. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
S-(1,2-Dicarboxyethyl)glutathione in yeast: partial purification of its synthesizing enzyme.
S-(1,2-Dicarboxyethyl)glutathione (DCE-GS) was found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but not in bacterial species nor in a unicellular alga (Acetabularia acetabulum). The enzyme that catalyzes condensation of L-malate and glutathione (GSH) to form DCE-GS was partially purified from baker's yeast. It had a molecular mass of 49 kDa and was monomeric and the Km values were 2.2 and 1.4 mM for L-malate and GSH, respectively. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 7.5. DCE-GS levels in yeast cells were significantly higher in aerobic cultures than in anaerobic ones. DCE-GS was synthesized in cells cultured between 20 and 35 degrees C. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The SBOL Stack: A Platform for Storing, Publishing, and Sharing Synthetic Biology Designs.
Recently, synthetic biologists have developed the Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL), a data exchange standard for descriptions of genetic parts, devices, modules, and systems. The goals of this standard are to allow scientists to exchange designs of biological parts and systems, to facilitate the storage of genetic designs in repositories, and to facilitate the description of genetic designs in publications. In order to achieve these goals, the development of an infrastructure to store, retrieve, and exchange SBOL data is necessary. To address this problem, we have developed the SBOL Stack, a Resource Description Framework (RDF) database specifically designed for the storage, integration, and publication of SBOL data. This database allows users to define a library of synthetic parts and designs as a service, to share SBOL data with collaborators, and to store designs of biological systems locally. The database also allows external data sources to be integrated by mapping them to the SBOL data model. The SBOL Stack includes two Web interfaces: the SBOL Stack API and SynBioHub. While the former is designed for developers, the latter allows users to upload new SBOL biological designs, download SBOL documents, search by keyword, and visualize SBOL data. Since the SBOL Stack is based on semantic Web technology, the inherent distributed querying functionality of RDF databases can be used to allow different SBOL stack databases to be queried simultaneously, and therefore, data can be shared between different institutes, centers, or other users. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cyclic AMP-adenosine binding protein/S-adenosylhomocysteinase from mouse liver. A fraction of adenosine bound is converted to adenine.
1. Adenosine bound to the cyclic AMP-adenosine binding protein/S-adenosylhomocysteinase from mouse liver was partly converted to a product which was identified as adenine in four chromatographic systems. Ribose was formed in equivalent amounts. 2. The time course of the reaction was characterized by an initial burst phase lasting for less than one second followed by a slow progressive phase. The reaction was partly reversed by prolonged incubation, slow denaturation of the protein, dilution of the incubation mixture and removal of adenosine by converting it to inosine by the enzyme adenosine deaminase. 3. Both the ATP-treated (Ueland, P.M. and Døskeland, S.O. (1978) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 185, 195--203) and the non-treated protein were subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.8. The adenosine-adenine, the cyclic AMP binding activities and the conversion activity comigrated with the main protein band, indicating that these properties reside on the same protein molecule. 4. Adenine generated by hydrolysis of adenosine was mainly bound to the protein as judged by nearly complete reversion of the conversion upon dilution in the presence of excess unlabelled adenine and by Sephadex G-25 chromatography. 5. The conversion of adenosine to inosine by the enzyme adenosine deaminase was decreased in the presence of the binding protein. 6. Adenine formation could also be demonstrated under condition of enzymic formation of S-adenosylhomocysteine, i.e. in the presence of hymocysteine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Association between Campylobacter infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a neurologic disease that produces ascending paralysis, affects people all over the world. Acute infectious illnesses precede 50%-75% of the GBS cases. Although many infectious agents have been associated with GBS, the strongest documented association is with Campylobacter infection. The first line of evidence supporting Campylobacter infection as a trigger of GBS is anecdotal reports. The second line of evidence is serologic surveys, which have demonstrated that sera from GBS patients contain anti-Campylobacter jejuni antibodies, consistent with recent infection. Finally, culture studies have proven that a high proportion of GBS patients have C. jejuni in their stools at the time of onset of neurologic symptoms. Neurologic symptoms are more severe and more likely to be irreversible when GBS is preceded by C. jejuni infection. One of every 1058 Campylobacter infections results in GBS, and 1 of 158 Campylobacter type O:19 infections results in GBS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The burden of stroke in Nigeria.
Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is likely to worsen in developing countries over the next two decades based on the projections by the World Health Organization (WHO). With the current scourge of HIV/AIDS and the battle against other communicable diseases like multi-drug resistant malaria and tuberculosis; Nigeria, the most populous black nation in the world, stands to risk the further straining of its resources as a result of the increasing prevalence of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases due to epidemiological transition. The current prevalence of stroke in Nigeria is 1.14 per 1000 while the 30-day case fatality rate is as high as 40%. Management of the disease is largely conservative while there is little or no funding for high-quality research. Primary prevention is the key to reducing the burden of the disease in a country with such poor resources. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Striatal metabolism of hexanal, a lipid peroxidation product, in the rat.
Free radical induced lipid peroxidation may play a role in neurodegeneration and peroxidation leads to the formation of hexanal from omega-6 fatty acids. We have previously demonstrated in vitro that pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) catalyzes the condensation of saturated aldehydes with pyruvate to form acyloins. We have further shown in perfused rat heart that hexanal, presumably via PDH, is converted to 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one and that it in turn can be reduced to 2,3-octanediol. We now extend this work using intra-striatal microdialysis to show that this reaction also occurs in rat brain. The reduction of hexanal to hexanol was also evaluated. Microdialysis probes were implanted bilaterally in the striatum and were infused with hexanal with and in the absence of added pyruvate. Analysis of microdialysis samples showed a release of 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one (9.5-10.5 pmol/min), 2,3-octanediol (2.2-2.7 pmol/min) and hexanol (64-74 pmol/min). Pyruvate addition did not increase 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one or 2,3-octanediol production. In a second series of experiments where no exogenous hexanal was infused, endogenous production of 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one (1.0-1.3 pmol/min) and 2,3-octanediol (1.0-1.2 pmol/min) was still observed, although no hexanol was detected. We also investigated the possibility that oxidative stress induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) would increase lipid peroxidation resulting in increased production of 3-hydroxyoctan-2-one. Analysis of samples collected following MPP+ infusion indicated no additional increase suggesting that brief exposure to MPP+ does not increase hexanal formation over baseline levels during the experimental period. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Pleomorphic liposarcoma in anterior mediastium].
The patient was 70-year-old man. He had complained of general fatigue and hoarseness for 5 months. Chest computed tomography scan demonstrated a large anterior mediastinal tumor. The diagnosis of high grade malignant sarcoma was established with needle biopsy and the complete resection through median sternotomy was conducted. The tumor was histopathologically diagnosed pleomorphic liposarcoma. Six months after operation, right supraclavicular lymph node metastasis was noted. Radiotherapy was performed, but the liver metastasis appeared subsequently 16 months after operation. Pleomorphic type is considered one of the poorest prognostic liposarcoma and should be required special attention. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Development of a checklist for documenting team and collaborative behaviors during multidisciplinary bedside rounds.
The objective of this study was to develop a reliable and valid checklist for documenting team and collaborative behaviors occurring during multidisciplinary bedside rounds. Teamwork and collaboration are important for providing high-quality patient care, yet there are no objective means of evaluating the occurrence of team and collaborative behaviors during bedside rounds. A checklist was developed and tested on 3 general medical units. Items on the checklist were derived from the literature and our medical center's patient-family-centered values. The final version of the checklist was determined to be reliable, valid, and easy to use in the clinical setting. Clinicians, administrators, and investigators are encouraged to use and/or modify this checklist for use in their setting. Further research identifying instruments to objectively measure teamwork and collaboration is needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL LINE DERIVED FROM HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS].
New nonimmortalized fibroblast-like cell line SC6-MSC has been obtained from a line of human embryonic stem cells (ESC)--SC6. Numerical and structural karyotypic analysis has shown hypodiploidy karyotypic: 45, X0 in this line. The average cell population doublings time, for SC6-MSC is 26.0 ± 0.4 h at the 8th passage and 82.0 ± 9.2 h at the 18th passage. The growth curves showed active proliferation for 8-10 passages with a consequent gradual decrease of proliferative activity, which ended to 20th passage. To determine the line's status, the analysis of the surface markers by flow cytometry was carried out. We have revealed the expression of surface antigens CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105 and HLA-ABC characteristic for human MSC, and the absence of CD34 and HLA-DR expression. However, the level of expression of surface markers CD90 and CD105 was significantly lower in comparison with other MSC lines including the line SC5-MSC derived from the line human ESC-SC5. Immunofluorescence analysis of the expression of the surface markers and transcription factor Oct-4 characteristic for human embryonic stem cells showed the absence of Oct-4 expression and the presence of SSEA-4 and TRA-1-60 expression, which is characteristic for a number of MSC lines with normal karyotype. Immunofluorescence analysis has shown the presence of the markers of early differentiation in the derivates of three germ layers, characteristic for human ESC, which in corresponding microenvironments may allow MSC to be useful for reparation of tissue injures. The directed osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of line SC6-MSC has shown. However, no directed adipogenic differentiation of this line has been found. The obtained results with high probability may indicate what alteration of chromosomal and, accordingly, gene balance, in line SC6-MSC with karyotype 45, X0 resulted in decrease in differential potential, in expression CD90, associated in particular with the processes of differentiation and aging of cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical features of the congenital vitreoretinopathies.
The inherited vitreoretinal degenerations or vitreoretinopathies are characterized by congenital and acquired disorders of the eye including early onset cataract, anomalies of the vitreous manifesting as optically empty vitreous, course fibrils, and membranes, and retinal detachment. These diseases include Stickler syndrome types I (STL1) and II (STL2), usually caused by mutations in COL2A1 and COL11A1 respectively. Wagner syndrome (WGN1) is associated with mutations in versican (CSPG2) and snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration (SVD) with a mutation in a potassium channel (KCNJ13). The cataract is often cortical and may be wedge-shaped, but does not distinguish between the different syndromes. The congenital vitreous defect is usually characterized as fibrillar degeneration (STL2, WGN1, and SVD) or as a vestigial membrane just behind the lens (STL1). Peripheral chorioretinal atrophy with nyctalopia is prominent in WGN1. Intraretinal crystals may be visible in the periphery using a contact lens in SVD and corneal guttae, a flat appearance to the optic nerve head and mild atrophy of the peripheral retinal pigment epithelium are also common features. Other vitreoretinal degenerations including a number of chondrodysplasias in addition to STL1 and STL2, enhanced S-cone syndrome caused by mutations in NR2E3, and autosomal dominant vitreoretinochoroidopathy caused by mutations in VMD2 are discussed. Patients with unexplained early onset cataract or retinal detachment should be carefully evaluated for vitreoretinal degeneration. Theses diseases share overlapping clinical features with common complex traits affecting the eye (myopia, corneal endothelial dystrophy, lattice degeneration), and may provide insight into the mechanisms of common eye diseases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effects of putrescine are partly overlapping with osmotic stress processes in wheat.
Polyamine metabolism is in relation with several metabolic pathways and linked with plant hormones or signalling molecules; in addition polyamines may modulate the up- or down-regulation of gene expression. However the precise mechanism by which polyamines act at the transcription level is still unclear. In the present study the modifying effect of putrescine pre-treatment has been investigated using the microarray transcriptome profile analysis under the conditions where exogenous putrescine alleviated osmotic stress in wheat plants. Pre-treatment with putrescine induced the unique expression of various general stress-related genes. Although there were obvious differences between the effects of putrescine and polyethylene glycol treatments, there was also a remarkable overlap between the effects of putrescine and osmotic stress responses in wheat plants, suggesting that putrescine has already induced acclimation processes under control conditions. The fatty acid composition in certain lipid fractions and the antioxidant enzyme activities have also been specifically changed under osmotic stress conditions or after treatment with putrescine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A new sesquiterpene lactone and other constituents of Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp. floccosum (Asteraceae).
A new guaianolide, 1S, 3S, 5R, 6S, 7S, 11R-l-hydroxy-11α,13-dihydrozaluzanin C (1), was isolated from Moquiniastrum polymorphum subsp. floccosum trunk bark, together with fifteen known compounds, which were identified as 11α,13-dihydroglucozaluzanin C (2), 8α-hydroxy-11α,13-dihydrozaluzanin C (3), zaluzanin C (4), gochnatiolide B (5), ethyl caffeate (6), methyl chlorogenate (7), ethyl chlorogenate (8), methyl 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (9), ethyl 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (10), methyl 4,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (11), ethyl 4,5-dicaffeoyl quinate (12), ethyl 3,4-dicaffeoyl quinate (13), 3,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (14), 4,5-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (15), and 3,4-dicaffeoyl quinic acid (16). With the exception of 5, all known compounds are being reported for the first time in M. polymorphum. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Crystal structure of the transcription activator BmrR bound to DNA and a drug.
The efflux of chemically diverse drugs by multidrug transporters that span the membrane is one mechanism of multidrug resistance in bacteria. The concentrations of many of these transporters are controlled by transcription regulators, such as BmrR in Bacillus subtilis, EmrR in Escherichia coli and QacR in Staphylococcus aureus. These proteins promote transporter gene expression when they bind toxic compounds. BmrR activates transcription of the multidrug transporter gene, bmr, in response to cellular invasion by certain lipophilic cationic compounds (drugs). BmrR belongs to the MerR family, which regulates response to stress such as exposure to toxic compounds or oxygen radicals in bacteria. MerR proteins have homologous amino-terminal DNA-binding domains but different carboxy-terminal domains, which enable them to bind specific 'coactivator' molecules. When bound to coactivator, MerR proteins upregulate transcription by reconfiguring the 19-base-pair spacer found between the -35 and -10 promoter elements to allow productive interaction with RNA polymerase. Here we report the 3.0 A resolution structure of BmrR in complex with the drug tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP) and a 22-base-pair oligodeoxynucleotide encompassing the bmr promoter. The structure reveals an unexpected mechanism for transcription activation that involves localized base-pair breaking, and base sliding and realignment of the -35 and -10 operator elements. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Human disturbance amplifies Amazonian El Niño-Southern Oscillation signal.
The long-term interaction between human activity and climate is subject to increasing scrutiny. Humans homogenize landscapes through deforestation, agriculture, and burning and thereby might reduce the capacity of landscapes to provide archives of climate change. Alternatively, land-use change might overwhelm natural buffering and amplify latent climate signals, rendering them detectable. Here we examine a sub-annually resolved sedimentary record from Lake Sauce in the western Amazonian lowlands that spans 6900 years. Finely-laminated sediments were deposited from ca. 5000 years ago until the present, and human activity in the watershed was revealed through the presence of charcoal and maize agriculture. The laminations, analyzed for color content and bandwidth, showed distinctive changes that were coupled to more frequent occurrence of fossil maize pollen. As agricultural activity intensified ca. 2200 cal. BP, the 2- to 8-year periodicity characteristic of El Niño-Southern Oscillation became evident in the record. These agricultural activities appeared to have amplified an existing, but subtle climatic signal that was previously absorbed by natural vegetation. When agricultural activity slowed, or land use around Lake Sauce changed at ca. 800 cal. BP, the signal of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) activity became erratic. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bone marrow-derived cells are differentially involved in pathological and physiological retinal angiogenesis in mice.
Bone marrow-derived cells have been shown to play roles in angiogenesis. Although these cells have been shown to promote angiogenesis, it is not yet clear whether these cells affect all types of angiogenesis. This study investigated the involvement of bone marrow-derived cells in pathological and physiological angiogenesis in the murine retina. The oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model was used as a retinal angiogenesis model in newborn mice. To block the influence of bone marrow-derived cells, the mice were irradiated with a 4-Gy dose of radiation from a (137)Cs source. Irradiation was performed in four different conditions with radio dense 2-cm thick lead disks; (1) H group, the head were covered with these discs to protect the eyes from radiation; (2) A group, all of the body was covered with these discs; (3) N group, mice were completely unshielded; (4) C group, mice were put in the irradiator but were not irradiated. On P17, the retinal areas showing pathological and physiological retinal angiogenesis were measured and compared to the retinas of nonirradiated mice. Although irradiation induced leukocyte depletion, it did not affect the number of other cell types or body weight. Retinal nonperfusion areas were significantly larger in irradiated mice than in control mice (P<0.05), indicating that physiological angiogenesis was impaired. However, the formation of tuft-like angiogenesis processes was more prominent in the irradiated mice (P<0.05), indicating that pathological angiogenesis was intact. Bone marrow-derived cells seem to be differentially involved in the formation of physiological and pathological retinal vessels. Pathological angiogenesis in the murine retina does not require functional bone marrow-derived cells, but these cells are important for the formation of physiological vessels. Our results add a new insight into the pathology of retinal angiogenesis and bolster the hypothesis that bone marrow cells are involved in the pathology or severity of retinal angiogenic diseases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Rapidly enlarging neck masses of the thyroid with Horner's syndrome: a concise clinical review.
Horner's syndrome (HS) presenting with a neck mass is a rare but challenging clinical scenario which may be caused by malignant thyroid disease. A concise review of the literature (PubMED database; 1990-2013) on the clinical management of neck masses with HS. An example case is also discussed. 1.3% of HS is caused by thyroid pathology. Thyroid pathology is the commonest cause of a neck mass associated with HS: the majority are caused by benign pathology; with carcinoma and lymphoma accounting for the remainder. Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), thyroid lymphoma (TL) and thyroid sarcoma (TS) typically present with rapidly enlarging anterior neck masses in the elderly and are difficult to distinguish clinically. Although fine needle aspirate cytology (FNAC) is the diagnostic tool of choice for thyroid masses, core or incisional biopsy may be necessary when FNAC is inconclusive. Differentiation between ATC, TL and TS is imperative as their treatment and prognoses differ greatly. Where feasible a combination of surgical debulking, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the treatment of choice in ATC. Advanced cases benefit from 2 monthly endoscopic surveillance ± tracheostomy, stenting or Nd-YAG laser therapy. Aggressive oncological resection alone is recommended in TS. Treatment regimes in thyroid lymphoma (typically chemotherapy ± radiotherapy) differ for histological sub-types. 5-year failure-free survival is 90% in TL compared with a mean survival of 6-8 months in ATC and 10 months in TS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Long-term management of horses with atopic dermatitis in southeastern England: a retrospective questionnaire study of owners' perceptions.
Allergic pruritus and urticaria in the horse are challenging for veterinarians and owners; little is known about their long-term management. To summarize intradermal allergen test results (IDT), and to assess owners' perceptions of skin disease and the effects of medical treatment and management changes in their atopic horses over time. Eighty two horses with atopic dermatitis in southeastern England between 2006 and 2011. The IDT results were reviewed retrospectively. Owners completed telephone questionnaires on skin changes, medication, effect of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) and management. Sixty one owners (74.4%) could be contacted, an average of 5.9 years (range 28-88 months) after IDT; of those, three could not be enrolled. Of the 58 remaining horses, eleven (19%) were deceased at the time of owner interview, including four (6.9%) euthanized due to uncontrollable skin disease. The remaining 47 owners reported that the signs of skin disease had not been seen for at least two years in 18 horses (38.3%), including two that only flared with known triggers. Twenty nine horses (61.7%) still required medication to control skin disease although 25 (53.2%) required less since testing. Owners reported benefit from ASIT in nine of 14 horses (64.3%) from glucocorticoids in 33 of 35 (94.3%) and from antihistamines in 17 of 28 (60.7%). Specific management changes were implemented for 22 horses and reported as beneficial in nine of 22 (40.9%). Equine atopic dermatitis may not always be chronic, but severe cases appear difficult to control. IDT may help to formulate ASIT and can help to guide management changes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Pulmonary artery stenosis secondary to fibrosing mediastinitis: management with cutting balloon angioplasty and endovascular stenting.
Cutting balloon angioplasty is a common treatment modality in the pediatric population for pulmonary artery stenosis. We present an adult with histoplasmosis induced fibrosing mediastinitis resulting in pulmonary artery stenosis that was successfully treated with cutting balloon angioplasty and subsequent stent deployment. Percutaneous endovascular stent placement has be shown to effectively alleviate pulmonary artery stenosis, however in-stent restenosis does limit durability. Pharmacologic therapy is indicated with either mediastinal adenitis or mediastinal granuloma with anti-fungal agents such as amphotericin B and itraconazole. Surgical intervention for histoplasmosis induced fibrosing mediastinitis is rarely indicated and may result in fatal complications that stem from mediastinal fibrosis due to resultant destruction of surgical planes. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of utilizing cutting balloon angioplasty and stent insertion for the treatment of histoplasmosis induced fibrosing mediastinitis complicated by pulmonary artery stenosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
50gram oral glucose challenge test combined with risk factor-based screening for gestational diabetes.
Our aim was to study whether universal screening of all pregnant women by Oral Glucose Challenge Test (OGCT) would identify a higher number of women with Gestational Diabetes (GDM) than risk factor based screening. A 50 g OGCT test was performed prospectively in 532 unselected women at 26-28 weeks of gestation. The 1-h venous plasma glucose concentration of >7.3 mmol/l was considered as a positive screening result. Patients with a positive OGCT underwent a 75 g 2-h OGTT, which was used as the actual diagnostic test for GDM. When two or all three of the glucose concentrations in OGTT (measured at fasting state and 1 and 2 h after the 75 g glucose load) were above the 97.5th percentile the patient was considered as having GDM. In addition, women with risk factors for GDM also underwent a 75 g OGTT regardless of the result of the OGCT. A positive 50 g OGCT was obtained in 123 (23%) of the women. In 15 (12%) of these, a diagnosis of GDM was established by the subsequent OGTT. Out of the 409 remaining women with a normal OGCT, 148 (36%) had risk factors for GDM. An OGTT performed in these patients identified 4 additional women with a GDM. Seventy-nine percent of GDM was thus found with 50g OGCT without regarding risk factors. Forty-seven percent of the women with GDM would have been missed in screening by risk factors only. In our population 50 g OGCT appears to identify a higher number of GDM than risk factor based screening. Combined with risk factor screening a few more cases of GDM would be found. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Daytime parahypnagogia: a state of consciousness that occurs when we almost fall asleep.
Based on a series of self-reports of a previously undescribed and undocumented experiential event, we are postulating the existence of a newly identified state of consciousness, daytime parahypnagogia (DPH). DPH is more likely to occur when one is tired, bored, suffering from attention fatigue, and/or engaged in a passive activity. Individuals describe DPH as a transient and fleeting episode that is dissociative, trance-like, dreamlike, uncanny, and often pleasurable; but, unlike a daydream, it is not self-directed. A DPH episode is spontaneous and may consist of a flash image, thought, and/or creative insight that is quickly forgotten. However, the individual remains aware of having had a DPH experience. This paper details the experiential characteristics associated with DPH. Through a brief review of the literature, the authors differentiate DPH from related phenomena and establish DPH as a unique and distinct altered state of consciousness. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Syntheses and structures of phenyl-C81-butyric acid methyl esters (PCBMs) from M3N@C80.
Two new 6,6-open phenyl-C(81)-butyric acid methyl ester metallofulleroids, M(3)N@C(80)PCBM (M = Sc, Y), were synthesized by diazoalkane addition reactions and fully characterized. The results demonstrate that the reactive sites are the same for M(3)N@C(80) (M = Sc, Y) but dramatically different from that of C(60). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Symmetrical reconversion: measuring cross-correlation rates with enhanced accuracy.
A new strategy has been developed to measure cross-correlation rates with much enhanced accuracy. The method relies on the use of four complementary experiments. Errors due to pulse miscalibration and to uncontrolled attenuation factors associated with relaxation are cancelled out. Problems due to violations of the secular approximation are greatly alleviated. The method has been applied to the measurement of N/NH (CSA/DD) cross-correlated relaxation rates in human ubiquitin. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A reliable method for extraction of RNA from various conifer tissues.
A simple and efficient procedure suitable for extraction of high-quality RNA from cultured conifer tissues, somatic embryos, zygotic embryos, needles, stem and root tissues was developed. It produced from 100 μg up to 700 μg total RNA per gram tissue dependent on the types of tissues used. RNA quality was estimated by spectrophotometry, agarose gel electrophoresis, in vitro translation of mRNA, cDNA synthesis and Northern blot analysis. The method also worked well with Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco tissues. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of the environment on the electric conductivity of double-stranded DNA molecules.
We present a theoretical analysis of the effects of the environment on charge transport in double-stranded synthetic poly(G)-poly(C) DNA molecules attached to two ideal leads. Coupling of the DNA to the environment results in two effects: (i) localization of carrier functions due to static disorder and (ii) phonon-induced scattering of the carriers between the localized states, resulting in hopping conductivity. A nonlinear Pauli master equation for populations of localized states is used to describe the hopping transport and calculate the electric current as a function of the applied bias. We demonstrate that, although the electronic gap in the density of states shrinks as the disorder increases, the voltage gap in the I-V characteristics becomes wider. A simple physical explanation of this effect is provided. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Transgenic approaches to model Alzheimer's disease.
Two transgenic mouse lines were generated which express human APP751 containing familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) mutations in brain neurons. These mice develop pathological features reminiscent of AD. The degree of pathology depends on both expression levels and specific mutations. In mice with more advanced pathology (APP 23), typical plaques appear at six months which increase with age and are Congo Red positive at first detection. These congophilic plaques are accompanied by neuritic changes and dystrophic cholinergic fibers. Furthermore, inflammatory processes indicated by a massive glial reaction are apparent. Most notably, plaques are immunoreactive for hyperphosphorylated tau, reminiscent of early tau pathology. A quantitative analysis of degenerative changes by state-of-the-art unbiased stereological methods revealed a significant reduction in neuronal cell bodies of the CA1 field of the hippocampus when compared to controls. This reduction is directly related to plaque load. When subjected to analysis in the Morris water maze, 18 month old APP 23 mice show a significant increase in platform finding latency throughout the entire trial when compared to non-transgenic littermates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Actinic Keratosis].
Actinic keratosis is a cutaneous lesion characterized by proliferation of atypical epidermal keratinocytes due to prolonged exposure to exogenous factors such as ultraviolet radiation. AKs are in-situ-squamous cell carcinomas (PEC) of the skin. AK typically presents as erythematous, scaly patch or papule (classic AK), occasionally as thick, adherent scale on an erythematous base. Mostly fair-skinned adults are affected. AKs typically occur in areas of frequent sun exposure (balding scalp, face, "H-region", lateral neck, décolleté, dorsum of the hand and lower extremities). Actinic Cheilitis is the term used for AKs appearing on the lips. The diagnosis of AK is based on clinical examination including inspection and palpation. The typical palpable rough surface of AK often precedes a visible lesion. Dermoscopy may provide additional information. If diagnosis is uncertain and invasion suspected, biopsy and histopathologic evaluation should be performed. The potential for progression to invasive PECs mandates therapeutic intervention. Treatment options include topical and systemic therapies. Topical therapies are classified into physical, medical and combined physical-chemical approaches and a sequential combination of treatment modalities is possible. Topical-physical cryotherapy is the treatment of choice for isolated, non-hypertrophic AK. Topical-medical treatment, e. g. 5-fluoruracil (5FU) cream or Imiquomod or Ingenolmebutat application is used for multiple, non-hypertrophic AKs. For hypertrophic AKs, a dehorning pretreatment with salicinated vaseline is recommended. Isolated hypertrophic AKs often need cryotherapy with prolonged freezing time or several consecutive applications. Sequentially combined approaches are recommended for multiple, hypertrophic AKs. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) as example for a combined physical-chemical approach is an established treatment for multiple, non-hypertrophic and hypertrophic AKs. Prevention includes avoidance of sun and application of sunscreen with high sun protection factor. Regular clinical checkups aid in early recognition of AKs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
omega-Agatoxin IVA identifies a single calcium channel subtype which contributes to the potassium-induced release of acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate from rat brain slices.
The voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) involved in K(+)-induced transmitter release have been studied. A maximally effective concentration of the N-type VDCC inhibitor, omega-conotoxin GVIA (GVIA) blocked the release of 5-HT (30%), DA (30%) and ACh (60%) but not that of GABA or glutamate. The O, P and Q-type VDCC inhibitor, omega-agatoxin IVA (Aga IVA, 1 microM), blocked 100% of GABA and glutamate, 70% of DA and about 50% of 5-HT and ACh release. The slopes of the inhibiton curves indicate that it acts on the same, single type of VDCC in all cases. omega-Conotoxin MVIIC (MVIIC) completely inhibited the release of all the transmitters. It is concluded that a single GVIA-insensitive type of VDCC is involved in the K(+)-induced release of all the transmitters and, in addition, N-type VDCCs, with a higher affinity for GVIA than MVIIC, are required for the release of 5-HT, DA and ACh. The non-N-type VDCC is not the O-type as it is not blocked by low (< 10 nM) concentrations of MVIIC. Further resolution of this VDCC into P or Q-type requires more selective antagonists. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Heterogeneous thermal-lens immunoassay for small organic compounds: determination of 4-aminophenol.
4-Aminophenol was selected as a model hapten for thermal-lens detection in a heterogeneous indirect immunoassay for small organic compounds. The assay is based on the competition of the free hapten and 4-aminophenol labeled with tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) for rabbit anti-4-aminophenol antibodies (4-AP-GA-BSA) immobilized on a transparent poly(ethylene terephthalate) plate. The amount of the colored analyte was directly measured by thermal lensing at the plate surface. The developed method is specific for 4-aminophenol. The limit of detection is 2 x 10(-7) M, which corresponds to the absolute amount of 3 x 10(-11) mol of 4-aminophenol. The sensitivities of the developed thermal-lens and fluorescence-based measurements of the immunoassay under the same conditions are in good agreement with the expected and discussed theoretical sensitivities of photothermal and fluorescence measurements. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Brief marital therapy outcome: personality correlates.
The purpose of the study was to investigate with regression analyses the relationship between personality and background variables and outcome of brief marital therapy. Twenty personality dimensions from the Personality Research Form and data on age, education, number of previous unions, number of children and number of sessions were used as independent variables. The dependent variable was provided by ratings of over-all improvement in affective communication: sexual, verbal, and social, provided by clinical records of 30 couples. The main result was that only the husband's traits were found to be important correlates of improvement in affective communication of both husbands and wives. The important traits involved husband's cognitive efficiency in the area of reflection and accurate judgement of situations, submissiveness, and sensitivity to social approval of his behaviour. The number of individual therapy sessions given to wives was also a notable predictor of improvement. Other personality and background variables were not significantly related to outcome. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer: current status and perspectives.
The optimal role of chemoradiotherapy in the multimodality treatment of esophageal cancer is still controversial. According to a series of clinical trials, definitive chemoradiotherapy is considered the standard of care for patients with medically inoperable or surgically unresectable esophageal cancer. This modality provides survivals comparable to those in Western series of surgery alone and is one of the standards of care even for resectable-stage disease. Recent reports of primary chemoradiotherapy from Japan suggest survival comparable to that of surgery in Japanese patients with stage I disease, but radical surgery is still the standard treatment for T2-3NanyM0 disease in Japan. However, it is clear that this approach has limitations in treatment outcomes. Trimodality therapy, i.e., preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, is more favored than surgery alone in clinical practice, particularly in patients with adenocarcinoma, although current data from randomized trials are insufficient to support this approach. To improve the local control rate of chemoradiotherapy, intensification of the radiation dose has been attempted, but this has failed to demonstrate any superiority in terms of local control or survival. The addition of new agents, including molecular targeting agents, to the current standard chemoradiotherapy has shown more promising results and warrants further investigations in future studies. Salvage treatment for patients who do not achieve a complete response (CR) is necessary to improve the overall treatment results. Salvage surgery, as well as endoscopic resection, in selected patients, may provide an improvement in survival. Until high rates of local control can be consistently achieved with chemoradiotherapy alone, these salvage treatments will be an integral component of multimodality treatment for esophageal cancer, and should be active areas for clinical investigations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ab initio time-domain study of the triplet state in a semiconducting carbon nanotube: intersystem crossing, phosphorescence time, and line width.
Motivated by recent experiments (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 17156), we used nonadiabatic (NA) molecular dynamics implemented within ab initio time-domain density functional theory to investigate the evolution of the excited electronic singlet and triplet states in the (6,4) carbon nanotube (CNT). The simulation simultaneously included the NA electron-phonon interaction and the spin-orbit (SO) interaction and focused on the intersystem crossing (ISC) from the first excited singlet state (S(1)) to the triplet state (T(1)) and subsequent relaxation to the ground electronic state (S(0)). For the first time, the state-of-the-art methodology (Phys. Rev. Lett. 2005, 95, 163001; Phys. Rev. Lett. 2008, 100, 197402) has been advanced to include triplet states. The S(1)-T(1) ISC was calculated to occur within tens of picoseconds, in agreement with the experimental data. This time scale is on the same order as the S(1)-S(0) nonradiative decay time obtained previously for the (6,4) CNT. The homogeneous phosphorescence line width, which can be measured in single-molecule experiments, was predicted to be on the order of 10 meV at room temperature. This value is similar to the fluorescence line widths of CNTs suspended in air. The NA electron-phonon and SO couplings were found to be on the order of 1 meV; however, the former fluctuates much more than the latter, causing the ISC rate to be limited by the SO interaction rather than NA interaction. The electronic energy lost nonradiatively during ISC is deposited into high-frequency optical phonons of the CNT arising from C-C stretching motions. The calculations indicate that ISC can contribute to the nonradiative energy losses and low photoluminescence quantum yields observed in semiconducting CNTs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Identification of two novel proanthocyanidins in green Tea.
The isolation and structural elucidation of epiafzelechingallate-(4beta-->8)-epicatechingallate (EAG-4beta-->8-ECG) and epiafzelechingallate-(4beta-->6)-epicatechingallate (EAG-4beta-->6-ECG) in green tea samples are described. The combination of various 2D NMR techniques allowed a full structural determination of the underivatized proanthocyanidins even though broadening of the signals did not allow observation of some key correlations that characterize the location of the interflavonoid linkage. The differences in the NMR spectra of the new compounds allowed formulation of criteria for the discrimination between the 4-->6 and 4-->8 isomers in this type of compound. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A bacterium against the tiger: preliminary evidence of fertility reduction after release of Aedes albopictus males with manipulated Wolbachia infection in an Italian urban area.
Novel tools are needed to reduce the nuisance and risk of exotic arbovirus transmission associated with the colonization of temperate regions by Aedes albopictus. The incompatible insect technique (IIT) is a population suppression approach based on cytoplasmic incompatibility between males with manipulated endosymbionts and wild females. Here, we present the results of the first field experiment in Europe to assess the capacity of an Ae. albopictus line (ARwP) deprived of its natural endosymbiont Wolbachia and transinfected with a Wolbachia strain from the mosquito Culex pipiens, to sterilize wild females. We released ∼ 4500 ARwP males weekly for 6 weeks in a green area within urban Rome (Italy) and carried out egg (N = 13 442), female (N = 128) and male (N = 352) collections. Egg (N = 13 783) and female (N = 48) collections were also carried out at two untreated control sites. The percentage of viable eggs during release was, on average, significantly lower in treated sites than in control sites, with the greatest difference (16%) seen after the fourth release. The ARwP to wild male ratio in the release spots between day 3 after the first ARwP male release and day 7 after the last release was, on average, 7:10. Released males survived up to 2 weeks. Approximately 30% of females collected in the release spots showed 100% sterility and 20% showed strongly reduced fertility compared with control sites. Results support the potential of IIT as a tool contributing to Ae. albopictus control in the urban context, and stress the need for larger field trials to evaluate the cost-efficacy of the approach in suppressing wild populations. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Denervation of the painful temporomandibular joint.
The successful management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain remains elusive. Often the initial relief of pain is complicated by recurrence of the symptoms. This time frame suggests that the pain may be related to neuromas of the nerves that innervate the TMJ. In 2003, an anatomic description of the innervation of the TMJ suggested that denervation of this joint might be the appropriate treatment for pain resistant to traditional forms of therapy. In January, 2005, this approach was used to treat recalcitrant left TMJ pain in a 21-year-old woman with congenital hearing loss who had recurrent dislocations of her TMJ articular disc. She previously had two arthroscopic surgeries and one open attempt to treat her TMJ pain. The last failed TMJ surgery created a painful neuroma that prevented her from wearing her hearing aid. A medial and lateral denervation of the TMJ joint was done. The successful results of this surgery are presented at one-year follow-up. The technical considerations of this approach and risk to the facial nerve are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A study of the risk factor profile of cardiovascular diseases in rural Punjabi male patients.
One hundred rural Punjabi males (40-60 years old) admitted to Hero DMC Heart Institute, Ludhiana with first cardiac attack were studied to identify major determinants of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among this group. The results revealed that 20% and 56% of the subjects were smokers and alcohol takers, respectively. Smoking had a significant (p< or =0.01) correlation with serum LDL-C, triglycerides and systolic blood pressure. 84% had sedentary life style. 36% and 7% of the subjects were overweight and obese. The body mass index was positively and significantly (p< or =0.01) correlated with serum triglycerides. 32% and 20% of the subjects had systolic and diastolic blood pressure above normal. 22% were diagnosed for hyperglycemia. 6% suffered from hypercholesterolemia and 28% had borderline high values of serum cholesterol. 22% and 6% had high triglyceride and LDL-C levels, respectively. The study concluded that the etiology of CVD is multifactorial and no single factor is an absolute cause among the rural Punjabi male patients. Therefore, desirable modification in diet and life style can significantly reduce the risk of CVD among rural males of Punjab. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Feer's disease].
Two sisters and their brother who had been exposed to mercury vapours from a broken fever thermometer were treated for acrodynia. Their urinary Hg concentrations, as well as the relatively few data that can be found in previous publications, show that the brain of children below the age of 5 years is much more sensitive to chronic mercury intoxication than the cerebrum of adults. Hg concentrations of well below 50 micrograms/l in the urine can be associated with severe symptoms. One of our patients had a mercury concentration of 6.3 micrograms/l. In adults with occupational exposure, urinary mercury concentrations of up to 200 micrograms/l are tolerated and permitted. Acrodynia possibly is not always diagnosed when it is occurring. Normal values for urinary Hg excretion in children under basal conditions and after administration of a chelating agent should be established. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[The structure of the morbidity among people working at computers with video display terminals].
The authors analyzed data of ane examination of 407 user of video display terminals of large computer centers in Kiev and revealed high morbidity of the circulatory digestive and locomotor organs. An analysis of 878 analogous cases in the GDR revealed lower involvement of the mentioned organs. Causes are analyzed. Ways of prophylaxis are outlined. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fate and Effect of Antibiotics in Beef and Dairy Manure during Static and Turned Composting.
Manure composting has general benefits for production of soil amendment, but the effects of composting on antibiotic persistence and effects of antibiotics on the composting process are not well-characterized, especially for antibiotics commonly used in dairy cattle. This study provides a comprehensive, head-to-head, replicated comparison of the effect of static and turned composting on typical antibiotics used in beef and dairy cattle in their actual excreted form and corresponding influence on composting efficacy. Manure from steers (with or without chlortetracycline, sulfamethazine, and tylosin feeding) and dairy cows (with or without pirlimycin and cephapirin administration) were composted at small scale (wet mass: 20-22 kg) in triplicate under static and turned conditions adapted to represent US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Thermophilic temperature (>55°C) was attained and maintained for 3 d in all composts, with no measureable effect of compost method on the pattern, rate, or extent of disappearance of the antibiotics examined, except tylosin. Disappearance of all antibiotics, except pirlimycin, followed bi-phasic first-order kinetics. However, individual antibiotics displayed different fate patterns in response to the treatments. Reduction in concentration of chlortetracycline (71-84%) and tetracycline (66-72%) was substantial, while near-complete removal of sulfamethazine (97-98%) and pirlimycin (100%) was achieved. Tylosin removal during composting was relatively poor. Both static and turned composting were generally effective for reducing most beef and dairy antibiotic residuals excreted in manure, with no apparent negative impact of antibiotics on the composting process, but with some antibiotics apparently more recalcitrant than others. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Distinct regulatory regions from the prolactin-like protein C variant promoter direct trophoblast giant cell versus spongiotrophoblast cell-specific expression.
PRL-like protein C variant (PLP-Cv) is a newly identified member of the PRL family. PLP-Cv is specifically expressed in the chorioallantoic placenta by two distinct cell populations: trophoblast giant cells and spongiotrophoblast cells. To gain some insight regarding the control of PLP-Cv gene expression and the regulatory factors controlling trophoblast giant cell and spongiotrophoblast cell lineages, we have initiated a structural and functional analysis of the PLP-Cv promoter. The activities of a series of PLP-Cv promoter constructs, ranging in size from 4.5 kb to 50 bp, ligated to a luciferase reporter have been assessed in the Rcho-1 trophoblast cell line (restricted to trophoblast giant cell differentiation) and in a primary spongiotrophoblast cell culture system after transient transfection. PLP-Cv promoter constructs containing 4.5 kb to 149 bp of 5'-flanking DNA possessed full activity in the trophoblast giant cell model. A region located between -149 and -124 bp upstream of the PLP-Cv transcription start site was found to be essential for activation of the PLP-Cv promoter. Spongiotrophoblast cells required additional PLP-Cv 5'-flanking DNA for full activity. A region located between -2518 and -2242 bp upstream of the PLP-Cv transcription start site significantly enhanced PLP-Cv promoter in spongiotrophoblast cells. In conclusion, mechanisms underlying the activation of the PLP-Cv promoter are different in trophoblast giant cells vs. spongiotrophoblast cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Breast magnetic resonance elastography: a review of clinical work and future perspectives.
This review on magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) of the breast provides an overview of available literature and describes current developments in the field of breast MRE, including new transducer technology for data acquisition and multi-frequency-derived power-law behaviour of tissue. Moreover, we discuss the future potential of breast MRE, which goes beyond its original application as an additional tool in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions. These areas of ongoing and future research include MRE for pre-operative tumour delineation, staging, monitoring and predicting response to treatment, as well as prediction of the metastatic potential of primary tumours. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Association of adiponectin with dietary factors and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Adiponectin, is an adipose tissue-specific adipokine, that circulates in human plasma at high levels, although lower levels are noted with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship of adiponectin concentrations with dietary factors and some of the cardiovascular risk factors in patients with T2DM. Totally 107 patients with T2DM were recruited from the out patients clinic of Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Patients were evaluated for laboratory and anthropometric measurements including serum adiponectin, fasting insulin, FPG, OGTT, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, hsCRP, weight, height, BMI and WHR. Nutrients intakes were obtained via 24-h recall from each patient in three successive days. Nutrients and data analysis were done using FPII and SPSS version 13 softwares. The mean of log10-transformed serum adiponectin concentration was 0.79±0.27μg/ml. The univariate linear regression analysis could not show any significant relation between the log of serum adiponectin and dietary factors. In multivariate linear regression after multiple adjustment, the log of serum adiponectin was independently associated with WHR (P=0.02, t=-2.33), HDL-C (P=0.050, t=2.03) and markedly but not significantly with age of patients (P=0.058, t=1.92). Our findings showed that WHR, one of the important cardiovascular risk factors, can modulate independently adiponectin levels of T2DM patients in inverse manner. Also, the age of patients and HDL-C levels have marked positive effect on circulating levels of this adipocytokine. Thus, adiponectin might be a useful biomarker to prevent developing CVD in type 2 diabetes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Assessment of released acrosin activity as a measurement of the sperm acrosome reaction.
To develop a method for assessing sperm function by measuring released acrosin activity during the acrosome reaction (AR). Human semen samples were obtained from 24 healthy donors with proven fertility after 3-7 days of sexual abstinence. After collection, samples were liquefied for 30 min at room temperature. Standard semen parameters were evaluated according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Calcium ionophore A23187 and progesterone (P4) were used to stimulate the sperm to undergo AR. After treatment, sperm were incubated with the supravital dye Hoechst33258, fixed in a glutaraldehyde-phosphate-buffered saline solution, and the acrosomal status was determined by fluorescence microscopy with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA). The percentage of sperm undergoing AR (AR%) was compared to sperm acrosin activities as assessed by spectrocolorimetry. The correlation between AR% and acrosin activity was determined by statistical analysis. The AR% and released acrosin activity were both markedly increased with A23187 and P4 stimulation. Sperm motility and viability were significantly higher after stimulation with P4 versus stimulation with A23187 (P < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between released acrosin activity and AR% determined by FITC-PSA staining (r=0.916, P < 0.001). Spectrocolorimetric measurement of released acrosin activity might serve as a reasonable alternative method to evaluate AR. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Grip and load force coupling during discrete vertical arm movements with a grasped object in cerebellar atrophy.
Control of isometric grip forces during manipulation of objects is an essential feature of all skilled manual performances. Recent studies suggested that the anticipation of movement-induced loads may be a cerebellar function. We analysed grip force adjustments to fluctuations of inertial loads during discrete vertical movements with a grasped object in five patients with cerebellar atrophy and five healthy control subjects. Normally grip force is precisely adapted to the load fluctuations, in particular to the maximum load force, which occurs early in upward and late in downward movements. Both groups produced similar accelerations of the grasped object and consequently similar maximum loads. However, cerebellar patients established increased static grip forces during stationary holding of the object and increased force ratios between grip and load force at the time of maximum acceleration. These findings are congruent with earlier studies analysing grip and load force coupling in patients with cerebellar lesions. In contrast to earlier studies, we found no significant differences in the timing of grip force onset and grip force maximum relative to the onset of movement and maximum acceleration, respectively, between normal controls and four of five cerebellar patients. However, a regression analysis between grip and load forces during the load increase and decrease phases of the movement suggested deficits in the close temporospatial coupling between the two forces in all cerebellar patients. Our findings give further support to the notion that the cerebellum plays a crucial role in the forward control of grip force magnitude and timing during voluntary object manipulation. Compared to earlier studies, the increase in grip forces may be interpreted as a general control strategy to compensate for motor deficits, whereas impairments of temporal grip force regulation may occur at different degrees of dysfunction during the progression of cerebellar atrophy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cell culturing in a three-dimensional matrix affects the localization and properties of plasma membrane cholesterol.
Most in vitro studies use 2-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures, where cells are forced to adjust to unnatural substrates that differ significantly from the natural 3-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix that surrounds cells in living organisms. Our analysis demonstrates significant differences in the cholesterol and sphingomyelin content, structural organization and cholesterol susceptibility to oxidation of plasma membranes isolated from cells cultured in 3D cultures compared with conventional 2D cultures. Differences occurred in the asymmetry of cholesterol molecules and the physico-chemical properties of the 2 separate leaflets of plasma membranes in 2D and 3D cultured fibroblasts. Transmembrane distribution of other membrane phospholipids was not different, implying that the cholesterol asymmetry could not be attributed to alterations in the scramblase transport system. Differences were also established in the chemical activity of cholesterol, assessed by its susceptibility to cholesterol oxidase in conventional and "matrix" cell cultures. The influence of plasma membrane sphingomyelin and phospholipid content on cholesterol susceptibility to oxidation in 2D and 3D cells was investigated with exogenous sphingomyelinase (SMase) and phospholipase C (PLC) treatment. Sphingomyelin was more effective than membrane phospholipids in protecting cholesterol from oxidation. We presume that the higher cholesterol/sphingomyelin molar ratio is the reason for the higher rate of cholesterol oxidation in plasma membranes of 3D cells. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparative study of colorimetric method using diazotization reaction and high-performance liquid chromatographic method in determination of para-aminohippuric acid.
In this study, colorimetric method and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method were improved and established, respectively, in order to minimize analytical errors in determination of para-aminohippuric acid (PAH) in rat urine and plasma. In terms of the colorimetric method, an operative step following addition of Tsuda reagent was modified as follows: after the addition of Tsuda reagent, reaction mixture was kept at 40 degrees C for 70 min before spectrophotometry. Linearities were observed both in the higher range of 0 and 2.5 to 12.5 micrograms and in the lower range of 0 and 100 to 1,000 ng per test tube, and its practical detection limit was 100 ng per test tube. In terms of HPLC method, using a reversed-phase column (Nucleosil 5 C18), PAH was separated by a mobile phase of acetonitrile/50 mM KH2PO4 (pH 2.8) = 9/95. Linearities were observed in the higher range of 0 and 10 ng to 2 micrograms and in the lower range of 0 and 1 to 10 ng per injection, and its practical detection limit was 1 ng per injection. These results denote that the above two methods are applicable to routine PAH determination. In addition, our HPLC method is considered to be applicable to microassay of PAH, because its sensitivity is more sensitive and minimization of volume system is more easily achieved as compared with the colorimetric method. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Stereologic analysis of the density of the vascular network of the heart in hypoxia in laboratory rats].
The density of the myocardiac vascular network in 3-month-old female Wistar rats exposed to intermittent hypoxia was studied. The experimental rats were sacrificed immediately (1st experimental subgroup) or 4 days (2nd experimental subgroup) after the last exposition. The volume density was statistically highly significant in the animals of the 1st subgroup and significant in the rats of the 2nd subgroup. The highly significant rise in the volume density of the myocardiac vascular network could be explained by an acute stress effect, whereas the only significant increase in the second case indicates adaptability to stress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Functional endothelin A receptor on gastric smooth muscle cells.
Smooth muscle cells isolated from the gastric muscle layers of the guinea pig were used to examine the functional endothelin receptor subtype responsible for gastric smooth muscle contraction by endothelin. Endothelin-1 induced the contraction of these cells in a dose-dependent manner, with an ED50 value of 0.2 nM. Endothelin-3-induced contraction was significantly less than that of endothelin-1. Sarafotoxin 6c (10(-11)-10(-7) M), endothelinB highly selective agonist, did not elicit the contraction of gastric smooth muscle cells. BQ-123, endothelinA selective antagonist, inhibited the contractile response produced by 10(-7) M endothelin-1 in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 5 nM. These results strongly suggest that endothelin elicited the contraction of gastric smooth muscle cells via functional endothelinA receptor subtype. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Public consortium efforts in toxicogenomics.
Public consortia provide a forum for addressing questions requiring more resources than one organization alone could bring to bear and engaging many sectors of the scientific community. They are particular well suited for tackling some of the questions encountered in the field of toxicogenomics, where the number of studies and microarray analyses would be prohibitively expensive for a single organization to carry out. Five consortia that stand out in the field of toxicogenomics are the Institutional Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) Committee on the Application of Genomics to Mechanism Based Risk Assessment, the Toxicogenomics Research Consortium, the MicroArray Quality Control (MAQC) Consortium, the InnoMed PredTox effort, and the Predictive Safety Testing Consortium. Collectively, these consortia efforts have addressed issues such as reproducibility of microarray results, standard practice for assays and analysis, relevance of microarray results to conventional end points, and robustness of statistical models on diverse data sets. Their results demonstrate the impact that the pooling of resources, experience, expertise, and insight found in consortia can have. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Resolving genetic models for the transmission of schizophrenia.
Although family studies have consistently reported elevated rates of schizophrenia among the relatives of schizophrenics, the exact nature of the transmission of the disorder remains uncertain. Genetic models hypothesized to explain the transmission of schizophrenia include the generalized single locus and multifactorial threshold models. Here we briefly describe these models and test their goodness-of-fit to a single data set on the pooled morbid risks of schizophrenia among the relatives of schizophrenic probands in nine different classes of relatives with five different degrees of genetic relatedness. The generalized single locus model is rejected, while a pure polygenic threshold model does fit the observed risks. Allowance for environmental sources of familial resemblance under the multifactorial threshold model significantly improved the fit of the model to the data. An application of the multifactorial model to family data on tuberculosis is also reported. For tuberculosis, a strong familial environmental but not genetic effect was found, consistent with the known infectious etiology of this condition, showing that the finding of a strong genetic effect upon schizophrenia is not a necessary bias of these methods of analysis. The implications of these results for the search for major gene effects in schizophrenia are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
RCN threatens action over Allitt inquiry.
The RCN is threatening to take legal action it Health Secretary Virginia Bottomley fails to allow public access to the forthcoming Beverly Allitt inquiry. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fine deletion mapping of chromosome 8p in non-small-cell lung carcinoma.
Several somatic genetic alterations have been described in non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Recurrent chromosomal deletions have suggested the presence of tumor-suppressor genes specifically involved in lung carcinogenesis. For one of these, 2 non-overlapping regions have been proposed on the short arm of chromosome 8, encompassing the LPL and NEFL genes. The LPL region has been extensively studied in NSCLC and other cancer types. Two genes, N33 and PRLTS, have been identified, but the small number of mutations excludes their involvement in the vast majority of tumors. In order to delineate a reliable region of deletional overlap on chromosome 8p in NSCLC, a series of 77 NSCLC was studied for 34 microsatellite polymorphisms distributed on chromosome 8p, using multiplex-PCR amplification. After purification of tumor nuclei by flow cytometry based on either the abnormal DNA index or the presence of a high expression of cytokeratin, allelic losses on chromosome 8p were observed in 39% of cases. Measurement of DNA index showed that 62% of tumors were hyperploid; allelic losses were more frequent in hyperploid than in diploid tumors (54% vs. 14%; p < 10(-4)). Deletions of part of the short arm were observed in 7 instances. Our data allow definition of an interval of common deletion, flanked by the loci D8S511 and D8S1992, where the putative tumor-suppressor gene might be localized. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on the plasma concentrations of the clopidogrel metabolite (SR26334) among Chinese patients.
The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 2C19 gene (CYP2C19) and non-genetic factors to clopidogrel in Chinese patients by using the plasma concentrations of SR26334 as a surrogate. A total of 150 patients who received clopidogrel therapy were enrolled in this study. Genotyping was carried out to identify the alleles of CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 by using PCR-based restriction enzyme tests. The plasma concentrations of SR26334 were determined using a rapid LC method with UV detection. CYP2C19 genotyping showed that 68 patients were extensive metabolizers (EMs), 68 were intermediate metabolizers (IMs) and 14 were poor metabolizers (PMs). Multiple linear regression models incorporating genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 and non-genetic factors, such as blood collection time, smoking status and clopidogrel doses were developed, and explained up to 63.1% of the total variation (adjusted R(2) of 0.631) in the plasma concentrations of SR26334 in Chinese patients. Blood collection time, smoking status, genetic polymorphism of CYP2C19 and clopidogrel doses were found to affect the plasma concentrations of SR26334 significantly. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Antibodies against the photoproduct of thymidylyl (3'-5')-ribothymidine dinucleoside monophosphate].
The synthesis of thymidylyl (3'-5')-ribothymidine (Tp5meU) is described. After ultraviolet irradiation., the dinucleoside was linked to serum albumin and then injected into rabbits. Antibodies against irradiated Tp5meU were purified by affinity chromatography. The specificity of the antibodies has been studied by radioimmunoassay. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Management of symptomatic gallstones in the elderly.
In a study of 544 patients with symptomatic gallstones 158 subjects were aged greater than 70 years. Elderly patients had a significantly higher incidence of emergency presentation, jaundice, cholangitis, ductal stones, biliary drainage procedures, and acute complications requiring urgent or emergency surgery (P less than 0.001); they had more than twice the incidence of postoperative complications in comparison with patients aged less than 70 years. There was an increased perioperative mortality in the elderly (1.3 per cent after cholecystectomy and 2.9 per cent after bile duct exploration, P = 0.039). Conservative treatment in 11 per cent of elderly patients resulted in no mortality due to gallstones, but 3 of 17 patients had recurrent biliary symptoms. It was estimated that 38 per cent of the bile duct explorations in the elderly might have been avoided by referral for endoscopic sphincterotomy, but surgical treatment of gallstones in the district general hospital is relatively safe and specialist referral should be considered only in the relatively small number of 'high risk' cases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Tramadol antinociception is potentiated by clonidine through α₂-adrenergic and I₂-imidazoline but not by endothelin ET(A) receptors in mice.
Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic that acts via μ-opioid agonism and by blocking the neuronal uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Clonidine potentiates the antinociceptive effects of tramadol; however the receptors involved in this potentiation have not been studied. Endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists potentiate antinociceptive effects of morphine and oxycodone; however the effects of endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists on tramadol antinociception have not been evaluated. This study was conducted to determine the effect of clonidine on tramadol antinociception; the role of opioid, α₂-adrenergic and I₂-imidazoline receptors in clonidine potentiation of tramadol antinociception; and the effect of endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists in modulating tramadol antinociception. Antinociceptive (tail-flick and hot-plate) latencies were measured in male Swiss Webster mice treated with tramadol; clonidine plus tramadol; or antagonists plus tramadol. Mice were pretreated with naloxone (opioid antagonist), yohimbine (α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist), idazoxan (α₂-adrenoceptor/I₂-imidazoline antagonist), BMS182874 or BQ123 (endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonists) to study the involvement of these receptors. Tramadol produced a dose dependent increase in antinociceptive latencies. Tramadol antinociception was partially blocked by naloxone but not by yohimbine or idazoxan. Clonidine potentiated tramadol antinociception; potentiation was blocked by naloxone, yohimbine and idazoxan. Idazoxan produced a more pronounced blockade of potentiation than yohimbine. BMS182874 or BQ123 had no effect on tramadol antinociception, indicating that endothelin ET(A) receptors are not involved in tramadol antinociception in mice. Results demonstrate the involvement of opioid but not α₂-adrenergic/I₂-imidazoline receptors in tramadol antinociception and that opioid, α₂-adrenergic and I₂-imidazoline receptors are involved in clonidine potentiation of tramadol antinociception. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Growth of nano-dots on the grazing-incidence mirror surface under FEL irradiation.
A new phenomenon on X-ray optics surfaces has been observed: the growth of nano-dots (40-55 nm diameter, 8-13 nm height, 9.4 dots µm(-2) surface density) on the grazing-incidence mirror surface under irradiation by the free-electron laser (FEL) FLASH (5-45 nm wavelength, 3° grazing-incidence angle). With a model calculation it is shown that these nano-dots may occur during the growth of a contamination layer due to polymerization of incoming hydrocarbon molecules. The crucial factors responsible for the growth of nano-dots in the model are the incident peak intensity and the reflection angle of the beam. A reduction of the peak intensity (e.g. replacement of the FEL beam by synchrotron radiation) as well as a decrease of the incident angle by just 1° (from 3° to 2°) may result in the total disappearance of the nano-dots. The model calculations are compared with surface analysis of two FLASH mirrors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Effect of occupational exposure in coke production on various parameters of the hematopoietic system].
The basic parameters of the erythrocytes, white blood cell and coagulation were determined in 201 workers exposed occupationally to organic substances containing benzene and its homologues. Occupational exposure to many factors during coke production, especially to high concentrations of BaP, did not cause perceptible changes in the erythrocytes. Moreover, total number of the lymphocytes was increased in the peripheral blood of exposed workers. That maybe considered as a nonspecific exposure test for the influence of the aromatic hydrocarbons. In haemostasis system the thrombocytopenia and the abnormalities of the plasma coagulation factors were revealed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Variations in binding of mammalian fibrinogens to streptococci groups A, B, C, E, G and to Staphylococcus aureus.
Twenty-eight beta-hemolytic streptococci of groups A, B, E, G and Streptococcus equisimilis as well as four Staphylococcus aureus strains were tested for their ability to bind fibrinogen preparations from different animal species: homo, baboon, rabbit, rat, guinea-pig, dog, horse, pig, cow and sheep. The patterns of binding indicated differences in the structures of the bacterial fibrinogen receptors. There were higher binding levels in streptococci groups A, G, and S. equisimilis than in representative group B and E strains. Considerable differences in the binding capacity were found within streptococci groups A and E. Group C and group G strains showed rather similar patterns and could be further divided into high-level and low-level binding strains. There is no correlation between binding levels of different animal fibrinogen preparations and the strains isolated from corresponding animals. Recent studies by others have shown that resistance to phagocytosis is mediated by fibrinogen-binding in streptococci group A. The existence of similar fibrinogen-binding structures in several streptococcal species indicates an important role with a definite survival value. It also suggests that M or T protein analogues are present in streptococci groups C, G and E. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cell penetrating peptides for tumor targeting.
Anticancer drug delivery has been hindered due to cell membrane permeability and the lack of a selective marker for tumor cells. Cell permeability is related to the bioavailability of drugs and has therefore been considered to be an essential step for achieving therapeutic efficacy. While different types of transporters currently exist, cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have become one of the most popular and effective tools for intracellular drug delivery. Most of the original CPPs are short peptides with basic residues. The mechanism of CPP cell entry remains to be established; however, the CPPs can deliver any type of molecular cargo including solid nanoparticles. Herein, this paper will discuss the classification of CPPs, the mechanism of cell entry, the application of CPPs in tumor therapy, and recent advances in targeted cell penetration that involve CPPs. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of dietary sugar on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in the rat: Marked reduction of hepatic Abcg5/8 expression following sucrose ingestion.
Previous studies have indicated that dietary intake of sugar may lower bile acid production, and may promote cholesterol gallstone formation in humans. We studied the influence of dietary sucrose on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in the rat. In two different experiments, rats received high-sucrose diets. In the first, 60% of the weight of standard rat chow was replaced with sucrose (high-sucrose diet). In the second, rats received a diet either containing 65% sucrose (controlled high-sucrose diet) or 65% complex carbohydrates, in order to keep other dietary components constant. Bile acid synthesis, evaluated by measurements of the serum marker 7-alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) and of the hepatic mRNA expression of Cyp7a1, was markedly reduced by the high-sucrose diet, but not by the controlled high-sucrose diet. Both diets strongly reduced the hepatic - but not the intestinal - mRNA levels of Abcg5 and Abcg8. The differential patterns of regulation of bile acid synthesis induced by the two sucrose-enriched diets indicate that it is not sugar per se in the high-sucrose diet that reduces bile acid synthesis, but rather the reduced content of fiber or fat. In contrast, the marked reduction of hepatic Abcg5/8 observed is an effect of the high sugar content of the diets. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mesenchymal stromal cells from adipose tissue attached to suture material enhance the closure of enterocutaneous fistulas in a rat model.
Surgical treatment for enterocutaneous fistulas (EF) frequently fails. Cell therapy may represent a new approach to treatment. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have high proliferative and differentiation capacity. This study aimed to investigate whether MSCs could adhere to suture filament (SF), promoting better EF healing. MSCs, 1 × 10(6), from adipose tissue (ATMSCs) were adhered to a Polyvicryl SF by adding a specific fibrin glue formulation. Adhesion was confirmed by confocal and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A cecal fistula was created in 22 Wistar rats by incising the cecum and suturing the opening to the surgical wound subcutaneously with four separate stitches. The animals were randomly allocated to three groups: control (CG)-five animals, EF performed; injection (IG)-eight animals 1 × 10(6) ATMSCs injected around EF borders; and suture filament (SG): nine animals, sutured with 1 × 10(6) ATMSCs attached to the filaments with fibrin glue. Fistulas were photographed on the operation day and every 3 days until the 21st day and analyzed by two observers using ImageJ Software. Confocal and SEM results demonstrated ATMSCs adhered to SF (ATMSCs-SF). The average reduction size of the fistula area at 21st day was greater for the SG group (90.34%, P < 0.05) than the IG (71.80%) and CG (46.54%) groups. ATMSCs adhered to SF maintain viability and proliferative capacity. EF submitted to ATMSCs-SF procedure showed greater recovery and healing. This approach might be a new and effective tool for EF treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Potential of polarizable force fields for predicting the separation performance of small hydrocarbons in M-MOF-74.
The separation of light olefins from paraffins via cryogenic distillation is a very energy intensive process. Solid adsorbents and especially metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites have the potential to significantly lower the required energy. Specifically, M-MOF-74 has drawn considerable attention for application in olefin/paraffin separation. To investigate how the separation proceeds on a molecular level and to design better materials, molecular simulation can be a useful tool. Unfortunately, it is still a challenge to model the adsorption behavior of many adsorbates in metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites. Previously, the inclusion of explicit polarization has been suggested to improve the quality of classical force fields for such systems. Here, the potential of polarizable force fields for the description of olefins and paraffins in metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites is investigated. In particular, heats of adsorption, binding geometries, and adsorption isotherms are calculated for C2H4, C2H6, C3H6, and C3H8 in M-MOF-74 (with M = Co, Mn, Fe, and Ni). In this study, no force field parameters are adjusted to improve the model. The results show that including explicit polarization significantly improves the description of the adsorption in comparison to non-polarizable generic force fields which do not consider explicit polarization. The study also reveals that simulation predictions are sensitive to the assigned repulsive potential and framework charges. A fully re-parametrized polarizable force field may have the capability to improve the predictions even further. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
American Association of Diabetes Educators 2017.
Ann M. Carracher, Payal H. Marathe, and Kelly L. Close are of Close Concerns (http://www.closeconcerns.com), a healthcare information company focused exclusively on diabetes and obesity care. Close Concerns publishes Closer Look, a periodical that brings together news and insights in these areas. Each month, the Journal of Diabetes includes this News feature, in which Carracher, Marathe, and Close review the latest developments relevant to researchers and clinicians. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Early prediction of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.
The study aim was to predict, using serum bilirubin level measured 18 to 24 hours (SB, 18-24) after birth, the occurrence of peak serum bilirubin level > 15 mg/dL (hyperbilirubinemia) or the requirement of phototherapy, any time from the second to fifth postnatal day. The study was conducted on a prospective cohort of 274 neonates born in north India. The main outcome measures were (a) hyperbilirubinemia and (b) phototherapy. Serum bilirubin level was estimated at 18-24 hours of age and then daily from second to fifth postnatal day. Exclusion criteria were Rh incompatibility, asphyxia and life threatening congenital malformations; and neonates of women with gestational diabetes or history intake of drugs affecting the fetal liver. Hyperbilirubinemia was found in 12.8%; and 19.3% neonates received phototherapy. Dichotomous SB 18-24, using a cut-off of > 3.99 mg/dL, as the "prediction test" had the following sensitivity and specificity for predicting (a) hyperbilirubinemia: 67% and 67%, respectively, and (b) the treatment with phototherapy: 64% and 68%, respectively. We concluded that by using SB 18-24 as the "prediction test", approximately two-thirds of neonates were test negative and had about one in ten chances of re-admission for treatment of hyperbilirubinemia, if discharged. After further validation, our results will be of benefit to neonates delivered in developing countries. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Classification of childhood arthritis.
The classification of the juvenile arthritides is an evolving process which has yet to achieve its ultimate goal of delineating biologically distinct disease groups with predictable outcomes and responses to treatment. There have been considerable advances, however, since the first attempts at classification over 100 years ago, as the clinical heterogeneity of juvenile arthritis has become understood. The aim of this chapter is to highlight the historical milestones in classification, the most recent proposals for developing a unified, international classification, and the published literature aimed at evaluating the classification process. In conclusion, it is recommended that all clinicians involved in paediatric rheumatology take part in the ongoing process of juvenile arthritis classification by the prospective collection of standardized clinical data. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Increased incidence of cage migration and nonunion in instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with bioabsorbable cages.
Recent advances in the field of spinal implants have led to the development of the bioabsorbable interbody cage. Although much has been written about their advantageous characteristics, little has been reported regarding complications associated with these cages. The authors conducted this prospective cohort study to compare fusion and complication rates in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with carbon fiber cages versus biodegradable cages made from 70/30 poly(l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) (PLDLA). Between January 2005 and May 2006, 81 patients with various degenerative and/or structural pathologies affecting the lumbar spine underwent single- or multilevel TLIF with posterior segmental pedicle screw fixation using implants made of carbon fiber (37 patients) or 70/30 PLDLA (44 patients). Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, and is ongoing. The incidence of nonunion, screw breakage, and cage migration were compared between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in demographic data between the 2 groups, the mean number of lumbar levels operated, or distribution of the levels operated. There was a significantly increased incidence of nonunion (8 patients, 18.2%) and cage migrations (8 patients, 18.2%) in patients receiving the PLDLA implants compared with carbon fiber implants (no patients) (p = 0.006 and 0.007, respectively). There was no significant difference in demographic data between patients with cage migration and the rest of the patient population. Five of the 8 cases of migration occurred at the L5-S1 level while the remaining 3 occurred at the L4-5 level. The mean time to implant failure was 9.3 months. This study showed an increased incidence of nonunion (18.2%) and postsurgical cage migration (18.2%) in patients undergoing TLIF with biodegradable cages versus carbon fiber implants (0%) (p = 0.006 and 0.007, respectively). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Psychological services in the professional training of the NES (nuclear energy station) operators].
Psychophysiologic service could play an important role in optimal training and anti-wreek practice with various tasks that simulate some aspects of operations' activities in contingency. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Microelectrode chip based real time monitoring of vital MCF-7 mamma carcinoma cells by impedance spectroscopy.
Sensorchip based impedance spectroscopy can detect inhibitory effects of human neuropeptide Y (hNPY) on living cells in a non-invasive labelling free way in real time without the need of supporting reagents. Since the discovery that neoplasmatic transformations in breast cancer are correlated with a change of the receptor subtype expression of hNPY in the affected tissue, the hNPY receptor-ligand system has come to the fore of cancer research. Today there are different methods detecting hNPY receptor interactions like fluorescent and radioactive labelling or detecting hNPY-pathway activation like cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-assays. For all these assays it is necessary to either label related proteins with additional substances, which can affect the nature state of the cell, or the need of producing cell lysate which allows only a snapshot of the investigated cells. To overcome these problems we established a new method to detect hNPY-receptor interactions. Therefore, we monitor the complex electric resistance (impedance) of cells attached to a microelectrode over a wide frequency range. Cell alterations are detected as changes in the impedance spectra. After application of the adenylyl cyclase-stimulating reagent forskolin, impedance is decreased at 5 kHz frequency within minutes. This effect can be inhibited by preincubating the cells with hNPY for a time range of 20 min. The inhibitory effect of hNPY can be washed out and the same cells can be stimulated by forskolin again. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Biotransformation of progesterone by Aspergillus nidulans VKPM F-1069 (wild type).
Biotechnological transformation of steroids using enzyme systems of microorganisms is often the only possible method to modify the molecule in the industrial production of steroid drugs. Filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans has been little studied as a steroid-transforming microorganism. We studied the ability of the A. nidulans VKPM F-1069 strain to transform progesterone (PG) for the first time. This strain converts PG into 3 main products: 11α-hydroxy-PG, 11α-acetoxy-PG and 6β,11α-dihydroxy-PG. It has been established that in the first stage, the hydroxylation of PG occurs into C11α position, then the formed 11α-hydroxy-PG is modified into 11α-acetoxy-PG and 6β,11α-dihydroxy-PG. It was found that changes in the composition of the growth medium, aeration and the duration of the mycelium cultivation do not affect the qualitative composition of PG transformation products, but their ratios have changed. Under conditions of limited aeration, the direction of secondary modification of 11α-hydroxy-PG is shifted towards the formation of 11α-acetoxy-PG. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A targeted multiplexed proteomic investigation identifies ketamine-induced changes in immune markers in rat serum and expression changes in protein kinases/phosphatases in rat brain.
There is substantial interest in the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine in psychiatric research because it exerts acute psychotomimetic and rapid antidepressant effects in rodents and humans. Here, we investigated proteomic changes in brain and serum after acute treatment of rats with ketamine using two targeted proteomic profiling methods. Multiplex immunoassay profiling of serum identified altered levels of interleukin 4, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and fibroblast growth factor 9, suggesting a link between ketamine exposure and peripheral inflammation and growth factor dysregulation. Selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry profiling of rat brain tissue found that proteomic changes occurred in the frontal cortex and to a greater extent in the hippocampus. This involved changes in signaling kinases and proteases such as protein kinase C beta, neurochondrin (NCDN), calcineurin, extracellular signal-regulated kinsase 1 (ERK1), and mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR). Furthermore, altered levels were found for proteins associated with neurotransmitter metabolism (mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase, catechol O-methyl transferase, synaptic vesicle endo-/exocytosis (vesicle fusing ATPase (NSF), synapsin 1 (SYN1), syndapin-1 (PACN1)). Consistent with previous global proteomic studies, we confirmed known changes in mitochondrial complex I, prohibitin (PHB) and neurofilament proteins (neurofilament light chain and α-internexin (AINX)). Taken together, the proteomic changes parallel those described in human psychiatric pathology. The results will help to elucidate ketamine's mechanism of action, which will facilitate development of novel drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neonatal Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and Subsequent Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Intellectual Disability.
Hypothyroid conditions in early life, if left untreated, are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, including intellectual disability (ID). However, evidence addressing the role of neonatal thyroid hormone insufficiencies in the altered neurobiology underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASD), particularly among its subphenotypes, is limited. We conducted a population-based, case-control study among a sample of children born during 2000-2003 in Southern California. We examined neonatal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) measured during routine newborn screening among children later diagnosed with ASD (n = 518) or ID (n = 145) and general population (GP) controls (n = 399). TSH was further analyzed in relation to ASD subgroups of intellectual ability and onset type (early-onset ASD vs. ASD with regression) ascertained by expert review of developmental services records. Odds ratios (ORs) of the differences in TSH between groups were obtained from multivariate logistic regression. We examined neonatal TSH as continuous (ln-transformed) and as quartiles. We found no association between continuous neonatal TSH levels and ASD (adj-OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.79-1.26) nor ID (adj-OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.73-1.40). Among ASD subphenotypes, we observed a suggestive inverse trend between ASD with regression and TSH, though the association only reached statistical significance in the highest TSH quartile (adj-OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.26-0.98). While there was little evidence that neonatal TSH is related to overall ASD risk, more work is needed to understand the influence of thyroid hormones on ASD subphenotypes. Autism Res 2019. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Low levels of thyroid hormone at birth can negatively impact brain development. We studied whether newborn levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its subtypes in a sample of children born in California. Newborn TSH was not related to the overall risk of ASD or intellectual disability. However, the relationships of thyroid hormone levels at birth and specific subtypes of ASD, particularly ASD with developmental regression, may need more research. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation after hip fracture for residents of nursing homes: a randomised trial.
To determine the effectiveness of interdisciplinary rehabilitation for women with hip fracture who were residents of nursing homes. Randomised controlled trial. Eleven cognitively impaired women with hip fracture who were previously ambulant. Participants were randomly allocated to usual care (discharge back to the nursing home soon after surgery to the hip fracture) or an inpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation program. Participants were severely cognitively impaired and the majority used a walking aid prior to fracturing their hip. There was one early death, and at final follow up (4 months after hip fracture) median (range) Barthel Index was 28 (0-82) for control group and 68 (0-88) for the intervention group. No definite conclusion can be drawn about the effectiveness of the intervention because of its premature termination. However, the study established that it is feasible to provide an interdisciplinary rehabilitation for older people with hip fracture and severe disablement. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ion-rejection, electrokinetic and electrochemical properties of a nanoporous track-etched membrane and their interpretation by means of space charge model.
Due to their straight cylindrical pores, nanoporous track-etched membranes are suitable materials for studies of the fundamentals of nanofluidics. In contrast to single nanochannels, the nano/micro interface, in this case, can be quantitatively considered within the scope of macroscopically 1D models. The pressure-induced changes in the concentration of dilute KCl solutions (salt rejection phenomenon) have been studied experimentally with a commercially available nanoporous track-etched membrane of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (pore diameter ca. 21 nm). Besides that, we have also studied the concomitant stationary transmembrane electrical phenomenon (filtration potential) and carried out time-resolved measurements of the electrical response to a rapid pressure switch-off (within 5-10 ms). The latter has enabled us to split the filtration potential into the streaming potential and membrane potential components. In this way, we could also confirm that the observed nonlinearity of filtration potential, as a function of the transmembrane volume flow, was primarily caused by the salt rejection. The results of experimental measurements have been interpreted by means of a space charge model with the surface charge density being a single fitting parameter (the pore size was estimated from the membrane hydraulic permeability). By using the surface charge density fitted to the salt rejection data, the results of electrical measurements could be reproduced theoretically with a typical accuracy of 10% or better. Taking into account the simplifications made in the modeling, this accuracy appears to be good and confirms the quantitative applicability of the basic concept of space charge model to the description of transport properties of dilute electrolyte solutions in nanochannels of ca. 20 nm. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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