text
stringlengths 1
10.9k
| meta
dict |
|---|---|
Estimation of genetic correlations among countries in international dairy sire evaluations with structural models.
The increase in the number of participating countries and the lack of genetic ties between some countries has lead to statistical and computational difficulties in estimating the genetic (co)variance matrix needed for international sire evaluation of milk yield and other traits. Structural models have been proposed to reduce the number of parameters to estimate by exploiting patterns in the genetic correlation matrix. Genetic correlations between countries are described as a simple function of unspecified country characteristics that can be mapped in a space of limited dimensions. Two link functions equal to the exponential of minus the Euclidian distance between the coordinates of two countries and the exponential of minus the square of this Euclidian distance were used for the study on international simulated and field data. On simulated data, it was shown that structural models might allow an easier estimation of genetic correlations close to the border of the parameter space. This is not always possible with an unstructured model. On milk yield data, genetic correlations obtained from 22 countries for structural models based on 2 and 7 dimensions, respectively, were analyzed. Only a structural model with a large number of axes gave reasonable estimates of genetic correlations compared with correlations obtained for an unstructured model: 76.7% of correlations deviated by less than 0.030. Such a model reduces the number of parameters from 231 genetic correlations to 126 coordinates. On foot angle data, large deviations were observed between genetic correlations estimated with an unstructured model and correlations estimated with a structural model, regardless of the number of axes taken into account. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The occurrence and mass distribution of close-in super-Earths, Neptunes, and Jupiters.
The questions of how planets form and how common Earth-like planets are can be addressed by measuring the distribution of exoplanet masses and orbital periods. We report the occurrence rate of close-in planets (with orbital periods less than 50 days), based on precise Doppler measurements of 166 Sun-like stars. We measured increasing planet occurrence with decreasing planet mass (M). Extrapolation of a power-law mass distribution fitted to our measurements, df/dlogM = 0.39 M(-0.48), predicts that 23% of stars harbor a close-in Earth-mass planet (ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 Earth masses). Theoretical models of planet formation predict a deficit of planets in the domain from 5 to 30 Earth masses and with orbital periods less than 50 days. This region of parameter space is in fact well populated, implying that such models need substantial revision. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of oxyfluorfen on hemocytes of Biomphalaria glabrata.
Chemicals released from anthropogenic activities such as industry and agriculture often end up in aquatic ecosystems. These substances can cause serious damage to these ecosystems, thus threatening the conservation of biodiversity. Among these substances are pesticides, such as oxyfluorfen, a herbicide used for the control of grasses and weeds. Considering its widespread use, it is important to investigate the possible toxicity of this compound to aquatic organisms, especially invertebrates. Hence, the use of biological systems able to detect such effects is of great importance. The mollusk Biomphalaria glabrata has been shown to be useful as an environmental indicator to assess the potential ecological effects of physical and chemical stressors in freshwater environments. The present study sought to detect mutagenic changes in hemocytes of B. glabrata exposed to oxyfluorfen. To perform these tests, this study used ten animals per group, exposed acutely (48 h) and chronically (15 days) to oxyfluorfen. The herbicide concentrations were 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/L. The results showed that oxyfluorfen induced significant frequencies of micronuclei, binucleated cells, and apoptosis in hemocytes of mollusks when compared to the control group. Unlike chronic exposure, acute exposure was dose-dependent. The present study's results demonstrate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of oxyfluorfen on hemocytes of B. glabrata. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A qualitative tool combining an interaction matrix and a GIS to map vulnerability to traffic induced air pollution.
Local authorities and transport planners need fast and straightforward tools to perform their preliminary air quality assessments. Such tools are required to provide an initial impression of the local air quality and to highlight areas requiring a more rigorous investigation. This paper presents a technique to develop such a tool, for performing an initial assessment of air quality due to traffic in an urban area. The technique combines an interaction matrix methodology as developed for rock engineering systems, with Geographical Information System (GIS) map overlaying. This interaction matrix methodology incorporates a total system approach, which identifies the main parameters and quantifies the interactions between them. Weighting values for these parameters are obtained either through parametric studies, using numerical modelling, or from engineering judgement. These weightings are applied to spatial datasets for a study area using a GIS. The GIS results are presented in the form of a vulnerability map, which highlights the areas susceptible to poor air quality. This visual interpretation of the results is ideal for local authorities, who have to report to a wide range of non-specialists in the field, for example, planners, councillors and the public. The vulnerability map compares favourably with pollutant concentration patterns, obtained from an advanced dispersion model. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Rhythmic conidiation in Neurospora crassa.
In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa the production of asexual spores (conidia) is regulated by its circadian clock. When the fungus is grown on a thin layer of agar medium in long growth tubes (so-called "race tubes"), restricting its growth to one direction only, bright orange bands are clearly visible. This banding pattern persists with a periodicity of approx 24 h in the absence of any environmental stimuli. The bands are formed by alternating zones of nonsporulating mycelium and mycelium laden with orange conidia. Assaying Neurospora conidiation on race tubes is a simple yet powerful and versatile tool for studying the circadian clock of this model organism. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Local analysis of strains and rotations for macromolecular electron microscopy maps.
Macromolecular complexes perform their physiological functions by local rearrangements of their constituents and biochemically interacting with their reaction partners. These rearrangements may involve local rotations and the induction of local strains causing different mechanical efforts and stretches at the different areas of the protein. The analysis of these local deformations may reveal important insight into the way proteins perform their tasks. In this paper we introduce a method to perform this kind of local analysis using Electron Microscopy volumes in a fully objective and automatic manner. For doing so, we exploit the continuous nature of the result of an elastic image registration using B-splines as its basis functions. We show that the results obtained by the new automatic method are consistent with previous observations on these macromolecules. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Correlation of MRI liver volume and doppler sonographic portal hemodynamics with histologic findings in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
The purpose of this study was to correlate portal hemodynamics on sonography and liver volume on MRI with histologic findings in asymptomatic patients with chronic hepatitis C. Portal blood flow in the left and right portal branches in 20 healthy volunteers and in 26 patients was measured using Doppler sonography during both fasting and postprandial states. Total liver and right-and left-lobe volumes were determined using MRI. The ratio between portal blood flow and liver volume determined the "portal flow index" of the right and left lobes. We observed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between the volunteers and patients in the mean left-lobe volume (352 +/- 81 cm(3) versus 544 +/- 159 cm(3)) and in the mean left portal flow index (1.1 +/- 0.2 ml/minute/cm(3) versus 0.69 +/- 0.2 ml/minute/cm(3)) as measured before the subjects ate. After a meal, the portal blood-flow volume in the right lobe was similar in the 2 groups but in the left lobe was significantly lower in the patients (p = 0.0009). The left postprandial portal flow index was inversely correlated with the grade of liver fibrosis (r = 0.533). The left-lobe volume (positive predictive value, 83%; negative predictive value, 72%) and left postprandial portal flow index (positive predictive value, 86%; negative predictive value, 88%) are sensitive indicators of chronic hepatitis. The left postprandial portal flow index may be a useful test for differentiating patients with minimal or no fibrosis from patients with mild to severe fibrosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Removal of landfill leachate ultraviolet quenching substances by electricity induced humic acid precipitation and electrooxidation in a membrane electrochemical reactor.
Persistent UV quenching substances (UVQS) in landfill leachate can affect the effectiveness of UV disinfection in domestic wastewater treatment systems when leachate is being co-treated. As a result, effective onsite leachate pre-treatment will have to be implemented to reduce the UV quenching capability. Herein, a membrane electrochemical reactor (MER) was developed and investigated for treating UV quenching organics contained in landfill leachate. Compared to a control reactor that did not have a membrane separator, the MER achieved significantly higher removals of both dissolved organic carbon (61.5 ± 4.1%) and UV254nm absorbance (63.4 ± 8.4%). This enhanced performance was likely due to the combined effects of humic acid precipitation and augmented oxidation of organics. The MER was able to remove 89.1 ± 2.9% of total nitrogen from the leachate while recovering about 51% of the influent ammonia in the catholyte, in comparison to 38.1 ± 4.4% of total nitrogen removal by the control reactor. The MER consumed significantly less electrical energy with specific energy consumption of 70.62 kWh kg-1 DOC or 33.03 kWh kg-1 sCOD, compared to that of the control reactor (211.8 kWh kg-1 DOC or 55.02 kWh kg-1 sCOD). A current density of 20 mA cm-2 was considered optimal in terms of both UVQS removal and energy efficiency. Consideration should be given to the spacing of electrodes to minimize internal resistance and also to avoid trapping of the produced gas bubbles. These results collectively suggest that the MER is a promising onsite pretreatment approach for landfill leachate and further exploration of this technology should be encouraged. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comprehension of idiomatic expressions in Japanese--auditory and visual presentations.
This study reports on the auditory and visual comprehension of Japanese idioms having both literal and figurative meanings. Experiment I conducted the rating of the semantic distance between the two meanings. Experiment II investigated the difference of comprehension between semantically far and close idioms. Here the materials are presented in isolation both auditorily and visually. Experiment III conducted the same investigation as Experiment II, except that idioms were presented embedded in literally and figuratively induced contexts. Experiment IV reinvestigated the findings obtained from the previous experiments. The results of these experiments show that in isolation visual presentation precedes auditory presentation, and that both in the auditory and visual presentations semantically for idioms are comprehended more accurately than semantically close idioms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Transport of basic amino acids and regulation of aspartate kinase activity in thialysine and L-canavanine resistant strains of Serratia marcescens.
Growth of Serratia marcescens was not inhibited by high concentrations of L-lysine and its structural analogues, L-cancavanine and S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine (thialysine). This insensitivity was not caused by deficient transport of basic amino acids, unlike in mutant strains of Escherichia coli having the same properties. The tested strains showed a lack of regulation at the aspartate kinase level toward L-lysine and thialysine. The data indicate great intraspecific variability for aspartate kinase regulation in S. marcescens. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Vitamin D in the ICU: anything new under the sun?
The recent recognition of the myriad roles of vitamin D beyond those of bone health and calcium homoeostasis has resulted in a large body of clinical studies demonstrating an association between vitamin D deficiency and a number of adverse health outcomes. While these studies in chronic disease states have shown a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and poor outcomes, they have been unable to demonstrate cause and effect. Several studies to date have demonstrated a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in critically ill patients, and some of these have shown an association with poor outcomes. It is possible that low vitamin D levels may contribute to the acute multiorgan dysfunction seen in critical illness by similar mechanisms to those seen in chronic conditions. In this commentary, we briefly review the physiology of vitamin D, examine the evidence for association of hypovitaminosis with poor outcome in both ambulatory and intensive care unit patients, and debate the role of routine vitamin D supplementation in the ICU. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Self-selection in predictive testing for Huntington's disease.
Several studies have reported favorable psychological reactions to predictive testing for Huntington's disease (HD). However, few at-risk persons have been tested, and there is evidence that some at-risk people avoid testing because they fear being unable to cope with the information. Favorable psychological reactions may result from self-selection of persons who believe they are better-equipped to handle "bad news." We surveyed 32 at-risk persons who had considered, but not chosen, testing and 66 persons who had been previously tested. Twelve persons decided not to be tested (No group); 20 persons postponed testing until some later date (Maybe group). Of the two untested groups, a significantly greater number of the No group had not been tested because they anticipated problems associated with their emotional reactions. The persons in the Tested group had less often anticipated problems with their emotional reactions; and among the minority who had anticipated some problems, most did not question their ability to cope. We conclude that the Tested persons are psychologically selected for favorable responses to genetic testing. Surveys of health professionals suggest that a sizable minority would disclose genetic disease risk whether or not people want it. Thus, people who would not choose to be tested might be persuaded to do so, or have results thrust upon them. We should be wary about assuming that the generally favorable reactions to HD testing will continue when testing becomes more widespread, as is likely to happen with simplification of the technology and acceptance of these tests by the medical community. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Multilocus sequence typing and genetic structure of Cryptosporidium hominis from children in Kolkata, India.
Endemicity of cryptosporidiosis in India has been documented with little genetic characterization of the parasites. Fifty Cryptosporidium-positive specimens collected between 2001 and 2004 from pediatric patients in Kolkata, India were analyzed for parasite genetic structure using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Genotype analyses showed the presence of Cryptosporidium hominis, Cryptosporidium meleagridis and Cryptosporidium felis in 49, 2 and 1 patients, respectively (two patients had mixed infections of C. hominis and C. meleagridis). To assess the extent of genetic heterogeneity of C. hominis, minisatellites, microsatellites and polymorphic markers in three different chromosomes were sequenced, including genes encoding the 60kDa glycoprotein (GP60), a 47kDa protein (CP47), a mucin-like protein (Mucin1), a serine repeat antigen (MSC6-7), and a 56kDa trans-membrane protein (CP56) in chromosome 6, the 70kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) in chromosome 2, and a T-rich gene fragment (Chrom3T) in chromosome 3. Population sub-structure of C. hominis based on multilocus gene sequences showed that there were 25 multilocus subtypes defined by combined sequence length and nucleotide polymorphism, which formed four distinct groups in this population. Significant intra- and inter-genic linkage disequilibria were observed with minimum recombination or expansion of limited subtypes, all indicative of a mostly clonal population structure. The results highlight the importance of high resolution MLST in studying Cryptosporidium population sub-structure especially when length polymorphism may be inadequate in identifying unique subtypes. The significance of the diverse MLST within C. hominis in relation to geographical and temporal factors and clinical manifestations of disease warrants further investigations. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The ultrastructure of Strongylus vulgaris-mediated equine chronic mesenteric arteritis.
Cells found in the intima and media of the cranial mesenteric artery of a mature mare with chronic arteritis were identified as smooth muscle cells and occurred in association with collagen and elastin fibres. As no fibroblasts were demonstrable within these regions, the smooth muscle cells were the likely source of the extracellular matrix. In contrast, the abnormal adventitis from the same artery contained abundant fibroblasts which are considered to be the source of the adventitial collagen. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hepatitis C virus infection in health-care settings: medical and ethical implications.
Hepatitis C is a major public health issue. It infects about 200 million people worldwide and is a major cause of chronic liver disease. Its transmission in medical facilities is a topic of increased concern, as outbreaks of the disease had raised the attention of media and medical authorities. To date, evidence suggests that infection from in which a health-care worker is involved is mostly result of bad injecting practices as well as the result of shared medical devices. Furthermore, the infection caused by physicians is rare and very few well documented cases exist on the literature. Among countries, different definitions and legislation exist, in that mode that the responsibility of this issue almost is an obligation of individual institutions. Nonetheless, Hepatitis C virus transmission in medical facilities is an important source of new cases, and as treatments options are very limited, it's recommendable that institutions as well as governments implement policies to avoid Hepatitis C spread in a almost fully preventable setting. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Protein Structure Prediction Using Population-based Algorithm Guided by Information Entropy.
Ab initio protein structure prediction is one of the most challenging problems in computational biology. Multistage algorithms are widely used in ab initio protein structure prediction. The different computational costs of a multistage algorithm for different proteins are important to be considered. In this study, a population-based algorithm guided by information entropy (PAIE), which includes exploration and exploitation stages, is proposed for protein structure prediction. In PAIE, an entropy-based stage switch strategy is designed to switch from the exploration stage to the exploitation stage. Torsion angle statistical information is also deduced from the first stage and employed to enhance the exploitation in the second stage. Results indicate that an improvement in the performance of protein structure prediction in a benchmark of 30 proteins and 17 other free modeling targets in CASP. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Acetylcholinesterase has a non-cholinergic neuromodulatory action in the guinea-pig substantia nigra.
Acetylcholinesterase is released within the substantia nigra from the soma/dendrites of nigrostriatal neurons. Previous work suggests that this phenomenon is independent of cholinergic systems, but rather serves to modulate the sensitivity of dopamine-containing nigrostriatal cells to synaptic events. This hypothesis was tested directly in the anaesthetized guinea-pig. Micro-infusion of acetylcholinesterase into the substantia nigra led to an increase in spontaneous firing of nigrostriatal neurons. Furthermore, the pattern of firing evoked by stimulation of the striatum was markedly enhanced. By contrast, administration of butyrylcholinesterase had no effect. It thus appears that acetylcholinesterase has a modulatory action on the firing of nigrostriatal cells, independent of hydrolysis of acetylcholine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Photoinduced polarization inversion in a ferroelectric liquid crystal using an ambidextrous chiral thioindigo dopant.
In this Communication, we report the first example of photoswitching of a ferroelectric SmC* liquid crystal based on a photoinduced sign inversion of the spontaneous polarization (PS) induced by a single chiral dopant. This is achieved without concomitant destabilization of the SmC* phase using the "ambidextrous" dopant 6-((R,R)-2,3-difluorooct-1-yloxy)-5'-nitro-6'-((R)-2-octyloxy)thioindigo. The (R)-2-octyloxy side chain is sterically coupled to the thioindigo core via the nitro substituent and induces a positive polarization, whereas the (R,R)-2,3-difluorooct-1-yloxy side chain is decoupled from the core and induces a negative polarization. With this new design, the increase in transverse dipole moment of the thioindigo core upon trans-cis photoisomerization raises the polarization power of the coupled 2-octyloxy/thioindigo unit above that of the 2,3-difluorooctyloxy unit and inverts the net sign of PS. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Coffee consumption and risk of hypertension: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies.
Some debates exist regarding the association of coffee consumption with hypertension risk. We performed a meta-analysis including dose-response analysis aimed to derive a more quantitatively precise estimation of this association. PubMed and Embase were searched for cohort studies published up to 18 July 2017. Fixed-effects generalized least-squares regression models were used to assess the quantitative association between coffee consumption and hypertension risk across studies. Restricted cubic spline was used to model the dose-response association. We identified eight articles (10 studies) investigating the risk of hypertension with the level of coffee consumption, including 243,869 individuals and 58,094 incident cases of hypertension. We found no evidence of a nonlinear dose-response association of coffee consumption and hypertension (P nonlinearity = 0.243). The risk of hypertension was reduced by 2% (relative risk (RR) = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98-0.99) with each one cup/day increment of coffee consumption. With the linear cubic spline model, the RRs of hypertension risk were 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.99), 0.95 (95% CI 0.91-0.99), 0.92 (95% CI 0.87-0.98), and 0.90 (95% CI 0.83-0.97) for 2, 4, 6, and 8 cups/day, respectively, compared with individuals with no coffee intakes. This meta-analysis provides quantitative evidence that consumption of coffee was inversely associated with the risk of hypertension in a dose-response manner. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Estrogen treatment blocks 8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin- and apomorphine-induced disruptions of prepulse inhibition: involvement of dopamine D1 or D2 or serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, or 5-HT7 receptors.
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a measure of sensorimotor gating and an endophenotype of schizophrenia. We have shown previously in rats that estrogen treatment prevents disruption of PPI by the 5-HT(1A)/5-HT(7) receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT). The aim of the present study was to examine the role of dopamine D(1) and D(2) and serotonin 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A), and 5-HT(7) receptors in these effects. Part 1 of this study investigated the ability of estrogen treatment to reverse PPI disruption induced by 8-OH-DPAT or the dopamine D(1)/D(2) receptor agonist apomorphine. Part 2 of this study compared these effects to the ability of various antagonists in reversing the action of 8-OH-DPAT and apomorphine on PPI. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX), and, where appropriate, they received silastic implants containing either a low (E20) or high dose (E100) of estrogen. Two weeks later, PPI was assessed using automated startle boxes. The disruption of PPI by either treatment with 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 mg/kg) or apomorphine (0.3 mg/kg) was similarly prevented by E100 treatment. 8-OH-DPAT-induced PPI disruption was reversed by pretreatment with the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclohexanecarboxamide maleate salt (WAY 100,635; 1 mg/kg) and the typical antipsychotic and dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist haloperidol (0.25 mg/kg), but it was not reversed by pretreatment with the dopamine D(1) receptor antagonist R-(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride (SCH 23390; 0.1 mg/kg), the 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonist ketanserin (2 mg/kg), or the 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist SB-269970 (10 mg/kg). Apomorphine-induced disruptions of PPI were reversed by haloperidol and SCH 23390 only. Estrogen may prevent disruptions of PPI induced by both 8-OH-DPAT and apomorphine by an action on dopamine D(2) receptors downstream of 5-HT(1A) receptors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Design of water-based ferrofluids as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.
We report the synthesis, characterization and relaxometric study of ferrofluids based on iron oxide, with potential for use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (CAs). The effect of different cost-effective, water-based surface modification approaches which can be easily scaled-up for the large scale synthesis of the ferrofluids has been investigated. Surface modification was achieved by silanization, and/or coating with non-toxic commercial dispersants (a lauric polysorbate and a block copolymer with pigment affinic groups, namely Tween 20 and Disperbyk 190) which were added after or during iron oxide nanoparticle synthesis. It was observed that all the materials synthesized functioned as negative contrast agents at physiological temperature and at frequencies covered by clinical imagers. The relaxometric properties of the magnetic nanoparticles were significantly improved after surface coating with stabilizers compared to the original iron oxide nanoparticles, with particular reference to the silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The results indicate that the optimization of the preparation of colloidal magnetic ferrofluids by surface modification is effective in the design of novel contrast agents for MRI by enabling better or more effective interaction between the coated iron oxide nanoparticles and protons present in their aqueous environment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Urinary incontinence in a large psychiatric hospital.
Of 792 patients resident in a large psychiatric hospital 266 (33.6%) were found to be incontinent of urine and 243 of these patients were reported on. Of these, 154 (63.4%) were also incontinent of faeces. A majority of patients experienced urinary incontinence regularly day and night and the amount of wetting was usually very considerable. The symptoms identified indicated a mixture of aetiological factors, but physical disability appeared to play an important role. Evidence of inefficient bladder emptying was found in 46% of patients tested. A similar proportion of patients who were X-rayed were found to have colonic faecal stasis. Strategies for managing this very large problem were not well developed. Lack of attention to the symptoms of urinary and faecal incontinence will compromise the ability of residents of large psychiatric hospitals to be settled in the community. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Amenorrhea in young women].
The adolescent is an important period in which the peak bone mass is acquired. A sufficient attainment of peak bone mass is important as well as a prevention of bone loss in postmenopausal period in order to prevent osteoporosis in future. It is well known that the estrogen deficiency is at risk of developing osteopenia. Anorexia nervosa, excessive exercises, Turner's syndrome and premature ovarian failure are leading causes of prolonged amenorrhea in young women. However, estrogen deficiency is not the only cause of low bone mass in these women. Although hormone replacement therapy is effective to increase bone mineral density in these women, management of amenorrhea should be individualized according to the status of bone metabolism. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Potential effect of skull thickening on the associations between cognition and brain atrophy in ageing.
intracranial volume (ICV) is commonly used as a marker of premorbid brain size in neuroimaging studies as it is thought to remain fixed throughout adulthood. However, inner skull table thickening would encroach on ICV and could mask actual brain atrophy. we investigated the effect that thickening might have on the associations between brain atrophy and cognition. the sample comprised 57 non-demented older adults who underwent structural brain MRI at mean age 72.7 ± 0.7 years and were assessed on cognitive ability at mean age 11 and 73 years. Principal component analysis was used to derive factors of general cognitive ability (g), information processing speed and memory from the recorded cognitive ability data. The total brain tissue volume and ICV with (estimated original ICV) and without (current ICV) adjusting for the effects of inner table skull thickening were measured. General linear modelling was used to test for associations. all cognitive ability variables were significantly (P < 0.01) associated with percentage total brain volume in ICV measured without adjusting for skull thickening (g: η(2) = 0.177, speed: η(2) = 0.264 and memory: η(2) = 0.132). After accounting for skull thickening, only speed was significantly associated with percentage total brain volume in ICV (η(2) = 0.085, P = 0.034), not g or memory. not accounting for skull thickening when computing ICV can distort the association between brain atrophy and cognitive ability in old age. Larger samples are required to determine the true effect. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Sexual-nerve-Sparing radical cystectomy: experience with 32 cases].
To evaluate the effect of sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy. Thirty-two male patients were treated with sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy in our hospital in the past 5 years. The age of the patients ranged from 38 to 72 years, with the course of the disease ranging from 2 days to 20 years. All of them were potent preoperatively. Radical cystectomy was performed antegradely and retrogradely with the neurovascular bundle spared. The patients were followed up for 6 to 54 months, 3 achieved sexual activity of Grade I, 6 Grade II and 23 Grade III after the operation. The recovery time of erectile function ranged from 2 to 14 months, averaging at 4. 5 months. Whenever condition suits, sexual-nerve-sparing radical cystectomy is to be strongly recommended. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Effect of cold acclimatization on acid peptide hydrolase activity in lysosome enriched fractions of rat brain and liver tissue].
On the 3rd day of cold acclimation (2 degrees-4 degrees C) membrane destabilization occurs in the rat brain followed by enzyme outflow from lysosomas into citoplasm. On the 15th day the enzyme activity returned to control level, whereas on the 30th and 45th days this activity enhanced in lysosomic fraction and declined in the supraprecipitate fraction. By the moment of adaptation (the 45th day) stabilization of lysosomic membranes occurred. The membrane destabilization also took place in the liver. Stabilization of the lysosomic membranes occurred at the moment of the animals coming out of stress state. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prognostic value of serum IL-10 and soluble IL-2 receptor levels in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
We investigated the prognostic significance of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2r) levels in the pretreatment serum of 105 individuals with newly-diagnosed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassay kits were used for cytokine and receptor measurements. Detectable levels of IL-10 were found in 42 (40%) patients at diagnosis, with no correlation with clinico-haematological parameters, but in no control samples (P < 0.001). Pretreatment concentrations of sIL-2r were markedly increased in individuals with NHL when compared to controls (2614 +/- 893 U/ml v 219 +/- 65 U/ml, P < 0.001), patients with stage III/IV presenting higher values than those with stage II disease (3885 +/- 1196 U/ml v 1732 +/- 646 U/ml, P < 0.001). No single parameter was associated with the achievement of complete remission, but the combination of elevated IL-10 and of sIL-2r greater than 3000 U/ml selected a subset of patients with a high probability of failing induction therapy (P < 0.001). Life-table analysis also indicated that patients with these characteristics have a significantly shorter event-free survival. In a multivariate analysis the combination of IL-10 with sIL-2r was found to have greater predictive strength than the combination of IL-10 with beta 2-microglobulin. We conclude that IL-10 and sIL-2r measurements can be expected to improve existing methods of risk assignment in aggressive NHL. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Occlusal variation related to soft diet in a nonhuman primate.
Among 43 squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) raised either on naturally tough or on artificially soft foods, there are significant differences in occlusal features. Animals raised on soft foods show more rotated and displaced teeth, crowded premolars, and absolutely and relatively narrower dental arches. Dietary consistency may be a determinant of occlusal health. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
HLA-DQ barrier: effects on cPRA calculations.
Panel-reactive antibody (PRA) testing provides assessment of the breadth of sensitization a patient might have against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antigens. The evolution of calculated PRA (cPRA) reflects the commitment of the transplant community to increase accessibility and promote equity to all patients awaiting kidney transplantation. Recent data from our center and others, however, suggested that a significant diversity of HLA-DQ antigens is not captured, which may lead to inequity in allocating cPRA points. HLA-DRB1-DQA1-DQB1 typing of 2182 individuals was evaluated for this study using Luminex-based sequence-specific oligonucleotide typing. A total of 3182 haplotypes were confirmed to have the level of resolution required for this study. The diversity of HLA-DQαβ alleles is greater than what is apparent using the serologic equivalents. The distribution of these alleles within a serologic group varies, with some alleles being more frequent than others; therefore, their representation within the current cPRA system is inaccurate. Three informative examples are given. Haplotypes of DR antigens with DQαβ alleles did not always follow the common published linkage disequilibrium, especially in populations where there is greater genetic diversity. The current cPRA system does not take into account the distribution of molecular equivalents within DQ serologic specificities. This can result is inequitable allocation of sensitization points and disadvantaging the more sensitized patients. To ameliorate this situation, the United Network for Organ Sharing system should allow inputting HLA-DQαβ alleles both for donor typing and as antibody specificities, which will lead to better representation of unacceptable DQ alleles and improve organ allocation equity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Effects of histidine kinase gene CHK1 on some biological characteristics of Candida albicans].
To explore the effects of histidine kinase gene CHK1 on some biological characteristics of Candida albicans. The effects of gene mutation strains of Candida albicans such as CHK21, CHK25, CHK26 and CHK27 were observed on its reproductive ability, formation of chlamydospore and germ tube and tolerance of Congo red. The reproductive ability in CHK gene mutation strains CHK25, CHK26, CHK27, CHK21 was weaker than that of wild strains(6 h:1.36 ± 0.86,1.25 ± 0.84,1.05 ± 0.79,0.90 ± 0.74 vs 1.54 ± 0.89,P = 0.000).And CHK21 was the most obvious. The formation of germ tube in CHK gene mutation strains CHK21, CHK25, CHK26 and CHK27 was weaker than that of wild strains (2 h: 5.6% ± 2.0%,19.5% ± 6.9%,13.6% ± 4.8% vs 29.6% ± 10.5%,P = 0.023, 0.028, 0.029).Under no light, the mean number of chlamydospore in wild and CHK26 strains was 3 and 22 respectively. With light, the mean number was changed to 60 and 80. So the formation ability of chlamydospore in CHK26 was stronger than other strains. CHK21 could not produce chlamydospore under no light. The mutation strain of CHK1 was sensitive to Congo red. CHK1 affect the reproduction and formation of chlamydospore and hypha and the tolerance to some environmental pressures of Candida albicans. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with AIDS.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has only recently been documented in association with human immunodeficiency virus infection. The authors present the clinical, laboratory, and pathologic features of a unique case of secondary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura occurring in a patient with AIDS, including the immunohistologic characterization of the vascular thrombi. They also review 12 previously reported cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hypertriglyceridemia is a practical biomarker of metabolic syndrome in individuals with abdominal obesity.
Individuals with the metabolic syndrome have a significantly higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are inaccurate methods for assessing abdominal obesity; in addition, some obese individuals are metabolically healthy while some normal weight individuals have metabolic syndrome. The methods used to visualize intra-abdominal fat, such as computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are not available to primary care practitioners as screening methods for the primary care patient. The present study examined commonly used biomarkers to assess which of them would be most predictive of metabolic syndrome to assess the feasibility of using indicators other than BMI in the assessment of obesity-associated disease risk in the primary care setting. We examined 169 (118 females, 51 males) obese individuals with increased waist circumference (>102 cm for men and >85 cm for women), who were patients at the UCLA Risk Factor Obesity Clinic. Of these, 59 had three or more criteria associated with metabolic syndrome. In a multivariate linear regression model including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides (TG), only log TG and glucose values were significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome (p<0.001). Both TG and fasting glucose levels were significantly and positively correlated with fasting insulin (p<0.001), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) (p<0.001). TG were correlated negatively with adiponectin (p<0.01) and positively with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. We conclude that the presence of elevated TG is independently associated with metabolic syndrome and is a likely predictor for insulin resistance in individuals with increased waist circumference. This finding has significant implications for screening obese and normal weight individuals in the general population for clinically significant metabolic syndrome and prediabetes, which has a major public health impact given the common occurrence of metabolic syndrome and the need for early intervention to prevent T2DM. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Prevalence and prognostic factors for postoperative complications of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].
To explore the complication incidence and risk factors within immediate 24 hours after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and provide theoretical foundation for preventing postoperative complication incidence. 162 patients undergoing UPPP procedure between Mar, 2002, and Oct 2006, were analysed retrospectively. All patients were divided into two groups according to the development of postoperative complications or not. The retrospective chart review focused on the demographic data and pertinent history, preoperative sleep evaluation, surgical and anesthetic management, and need for postoperative interventions. Potential risk factors were first evaluated with univariate analysis followed by multivariate logistic regression with the occurrence of complications within immediate 24 hours after operation as the dependent variable. A total of 162 consecutive cases for UPPP were enrolled into current study. 31 cases (19.1%) had postoperative complications necessitating a medical intervention, including respiratory complications (n =21, 13.0%), cardiovascular complications (n =6, 3.7%) and hemorrhage (n =9, 5.6%). The differences in body mass index (BMI), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation (LSAT) and difficult intubation were significant between two groups. Risk factors for postoperative complications were BMI (OR =1.136, 95% CI: 1.007-2.558, P =0.049), preoperative AHI (OR =4.828, 95% CI: 1.827-13.924, P =0.012) and difficult intubation (OR = 1.971, 95% CI: 1.251- 4.839, P =0.034). Baseline BMI and AHI, difficult intubation in anaesthetic procedure were the most important predictors of postsurgical morbidity. Keeping in mind the aforementioned cautionary notes, aggressively preoperative preparation should be applied for such populations to avoid the occurrence of postoperative complications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Changes of hard tissues in patients with functional and skeletal Angel Class Ⅲ malocclusion after FRⅢ appliance treatment].
To compare changes of hard tissues before and after treatment of functional and skeletal Angle Class Ⅲ malocclusion with FRⅢ appliance. Thirty patients with functional and skeletal Angel Class Ⅲ malocclusion were selected and treated with FRⅢ appliance. SPSS 22.0 software package was performed for statistical analysis. After treatment, there was no significant difference in SNA, S-Ptm, ANS-Ptm and Go-Po (P>0.05). ANB, ANS-Me, ANS-Me /N-Me were increased significantly (P<0.01). SNB, L1-NB, L1-MP were decreased significantly (P<0.05). MP-FH, Y axis, U1-NA, U1-NA (mm), U1-SN were increased significantly (P<0.05). After FRⅢ appliance treatment of Angel Class Ⅲ malocclusion, the position of mandible may rotate clockwise downward and backward， with retrusion of the lower incisors and protrusion of the upper incisors. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Retrospective analysis of the risk factors for linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia in adult Japanese patients.
Thrombocytopenia is a major side effect of linezolid therapy. However, there are few reports about the risk factors for linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors for thrombocytopenia in patients who undergo linezolid therapy. Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital in Japan, a tertiary 695 beds hospital. A retrospective review was performed using the hospital's medical records. From January 2010 to August 2012, 75 adult patients who received linezolid therapy were enrolled in this study. Linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia was defined as a decrease in the patient's platelet count to <10 × 10⁴/μL or a reduction of ≥30 % from their baseline value. Odds ratios (OR) for thrombocytopenia were analyzed using multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 29 patients (38.6 %), seven of whom required platelet transfusions. The patients who developed thrombocytopenia were significantly older, displayed a significantly higher frequency of renal insufficiency, and received linezolid therapy for significantly longer than the patients without thrombocytopenia. Stepwise logistic regression analysis suggested that receiving linezolid therapy for ≥14 days was a significant risk factor for thrombocytopenia [OR 13.3, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 3.2-55.6, p < 0.01], whereas the creatinine clearance rate exhibited a significant negative correlation with the incidence of the condition [OR 0.98, 95 % CI 0.96-0.99, p = 0.037]. The incidence of thrombocytopenia among the patients who demonstrated creatinine clearance rates of <30 mL/min was 60 % (12/20), which was significantly higher than that observed among the patients who displayed creatinine clearance rates of more than 60 mL/min (26.4 %, 9/34, p = 0.014). Receiving linezolid therapy for ≥14 days and a low creatinine clearance rate were suggested to be risk factors for linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia. The platelet counts of patients with these risk factors should be closely monitored. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Purification and properties of a novel azide-sensitive ATPase of Exiguobacterium aurantiacum.
Exiguobacterium aurantiacum BL77/1 possesses at least two distinct membrane-bound ATPases. One of them was solubilized with decanoyl N-methylglucamide, a non-ionic detergent, and purified by successive chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose and hydroxyapatite. The purified ATPase appears to consist of a single polypeptide component with an apparent molecular mass of 54 kDa. Among the triphosphates of various nucleosides tested, ATP was the best substrate. The enzyme exhibited a Km of 0.5 mM for ATP and a Vmax of 109 micromol ATP (mg protein)(-1) min(-1); the optimum pH for activity was near 6.5. The enzyme was sensitive to azide and inactivated by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. Analysis of the inhibition kinetics by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide suggested that binding of the drug to a single carboxyl group per ATPase molecule is sufficient for inactivation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anti-strongyle activity of a propylene glycol-glycerol formal formulation of ivermectin in horses (mares).
Four groups of 10 horses (mares) each were treated with a 1% solution of ivermectin (200 micrograms/kg of body weight) in a propylene glycol-glycerol formal base orally, a 1% solution of ivermectin (200 micrograms/kg) in a propylene glycol-glycerol formal base via nasogastric tube, a 1.87% paste of ivermectin (200 micrograms/kg) orally, or a 22.7% paste of oxibendazole (10 mg/kg) orally. Fecal examinations were done before treatment and on posttreatment days (PTD) 14, 28, 42, 56, and 70. Strongyle egg per gram counts and sugar flotation fecal examinations were performed. Results of fecal examinations before treatment were similar in all horses. All horses treated with ivermectin had similar percentages of reductions in mean strongyle egg per gram counts after treatment; 100% on PTD 14, 28, and 56 and 93.4% to 98.7% on PTD 70. All ivermectin treatment groups had 0 horses detected as passing strongyle eggs on PTD 14 and 28, 0 to 2 on PTD 42, 3 to 5 on PTD 56, and 8 to 9 on PTD 70. Horses treated with oxibendazole had 99.9%, 99.7%, 92.9% 78.6%, and 54.5% reductions in mean strongyle egg per gram counts and 5, 7, 8, 9, and 9 horses detected as passing strongyle eggs on PTD 14, 28, 42, 56, and 70, respectively. Adverse reactions to treatment were not observed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ischemic depolarization monitoring: evaluation of protein synthesis in the hippocampal CA1 after brief unilateral ischemia in a gerbil model.
The authors investigate whether depolarization monitoring is an accurate index of ischemic damage in a gerbil model of unilateral ischemia and assess the effects of brief cerebral ischemia on protein synthesis in this model. The authors evaluate the relationship between the duration of ischemic depolarization caused by unilateral carotid artery occlusion and ischemia-induced neuronal damage in the CA1 subregion 7 days after ischemia. When the depolarization period exceeded 210 seconds, some neuronal damage was detected, and almost complete neuronal damage was observed when the period exceeded 400 seconds. Uptake of [14C]valine was evaluated in ischemic and nonischemic CA1 subregions. Disturbances in protein synthesis were seen in all animals subjected to sublethal ischemia (< or = 210-second depolarization) after a 10-minute recirculation, and after 2 and 6 hours of recirculation in animals with 90 seconds or more of depolarization. Inhibition of protein synthesis was proportional to the length of the depolarization period. After 1 and 3 days of recirculation, protein synthesis returned to near normal, and some animals with depolarizations greater than 180 to 210 seconds showed an increase in protein synthesis. Protein synthesis in all animals returned to normal levels after 7 days of recirculation. In this study the authors demonstrate that monitoring of ischemic depolarization is a useful method to predict neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 in this model, and they identify subtle changes in protein synthesis after brief ischemia. Sublethal ischemia was divided into three categories by its depolarization period (< 90 seconds, 90-180 seconds, and > 180-210 seconds) with regard to changes in protein synthesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endometrial osseous metaplasia mimicking retained intrauterine device: a case report.
Osseous metaplasia of the endometrium is a rare disorder and can be associated with infertility. Although successful diagnosis and treatment have been widely reported, correct diagnosis in many cases still represents a challenge. A 40-year-old woman complaining of infertility presented with a diagnosis of retained intrauterine device (IUD) on ultrasound. Hysteroscopy revealed a normal endometrial cavity, but no IUD was visualized. Curettage pathology specimens showed chronic endometritis and calcification. Repeat hysteroscopy was performed because of persistent echogenic foci in the endometrium on follow-up ultrasound. Several irregular and calcified plaques were successfully removed. Osseous metaplasia can be misdiagnosed because of its rare incidence. Physicians should be aware of osseous metaplasia in the differential diagnosis of patients with uncertain history who present with a sonographic image resembling an IUD. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Prevalence and consequences of vitamin D insufficiency in women with takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and clinical consequences of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a syndrome of acute, transient left ventricular dysfunction seen predominantly in postmenopausal women after acute emotional or physical stress. Postmenopausal women have a high prevalence of bone and musculoskeletal consequences related to hypovitaminosis D. Although rickets is known to cause a reversible dilated cardiomyopathy in children, the importance of vitamin D for adult cardiovascular health is less understood. We prospectively identified patients diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy at Danbury Hospital from April 2009 through January 2011, collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, and angiographic data, and performed serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels during the index hospitalization. Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D less than 30 ng/mL. We compared parameters of myocardial damage and heart failure between patients with and without vitamin D insufficiency. A χ² test and a Student's t test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Statistical significance was set at P < .05 (2 tailed). Twenty-seven women were diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy during the study period. The mean age was 67.4 years (SD 10.4). The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were performed on 25 patients, and 17 of these had hypovitaminosis D (68%). A comparison of laboratory and imaging parameters between the 2 groups revealed that patients with hypovitaminosis D had a slightly higher mean left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and lower mean left ventricular ejection fraction (P < .05), suggestive of slightly worse heart failure. Women diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy have a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency. In our prospective study of 25 women with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, this was associated with worse hemodynamic parameters. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Possible embryogenetical differences of the dog venous system in sensitivity to vasoactive substances.
Using isolated dog veins, we examined whether correlations exist between the regional differences in sensitivity to drugs and their embryogenesis. Twelve different veins were dissected. In the analysis, the data obtained previously for the inferior vena cava were also included. Spiral strips were prepared and the contractile responses to cumulative application of norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), histamine (Hist) and acetylcholine (ACh) were recorded isometrically. For each drug, a histogram was drawn by stacking the overlapping ranges (mean +/- S.E.) of the pD2, value for each vein. The histogram indicated the number of veins which could share the same pD2 value. We obtained the following results: (1) Veins of the body wall had high sensitivity to NE (pD2 greater thn 6.40) and 5-HT (pD2 greater than 6.60) and veins of the intestinal system, except for the splenic vein, were not so sensitive to NE and 5-HT, but exhibited high sensitivity to Hist (pD2 greater than 4.60); (2) the middle segment of inferior vena cava responded similarly to portal and mesenteric veins; (3) the responses of splenic vein to the agents used were quite different from those of portal and mesenteric veins. These results suggest possible correlations between the responsiveness of venous smooth muscles and embryogenesis of the venous system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Current trend and importance of prevention on pertussis].
There has been talk about the rise in adult pertussis in Japan. This paper mentions three important points: (1) Why has there been a rise in the number of patients having pertussis ? (2) The difficulty in diagnosing pertussis. (3) Do all the DPT vaccines have the same contents? The pain when receiving DPT vaccine is various among three types of DPT vaccines. Adult pertussis vaccination has been carried out in the United States, but not in Japan. DPT vaccination in adults has been reducing the incidence of pertussis in the United States. In Japan, it has been investigated, but not started. The number of pertussis patients is expected to increase in the future in Japan. Therefore, it's important to address this to the public and create awareness. This will help in decreasing pertussis with early diagnosis and adequate therapy. If we see patients with prolonged cough, we should suspect that the patient may have pertussis. Five types of DPT vaccine are available in Japan. We examined the pain when children vaccinated among three types of DPT vaccines. As the result of our study, the difference of the pain is demonstrated three types of DPT vaccine. Further study is necessary for the reason why the pain was different among three types of DPT vaccine. We had better consider these results when we choose the DPT vaccine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Anatomico-clinical basis for transvaginal ureterolithotomy].
Transvaginal ureterolithotomy has been performed on 24 patients. Topographic anatomic examination of 50 deceased women showed that injury to the womb in the process of exposing the ureters is unlikely since the right ureter is situated 2.5-3.5 cm and the left one 1.5-2.5 cm away from the edge of the womb. Injury to the A. uterina is factually out of the question since it runs 3.5-4.5 cm away from the entrance of the ureter into the bladder. In the period 1969-1981 24 patients between the ages of 27 and 74 were operated on. In 16 patients the operation was carried out without exposing the ureter from the surrounding tissue by means of opening the lumen above the stone in the upper part. The post-operative course was as a rule without complications. The immediate and long-term results of the operations are satisfactory. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Formulation Optimization and Biopharmaceutical Evaluation of Imatinib Mesylate Loaded β-cyclodextrin Nanosponges.
Many researchers have prepared and evaluated nanosponges and claimed their advantages as an effective drug carrier, especially it was observed prominently in case of anti-fungal drugs. The materials employed to synthesize nanosponges were mainly crosslinking agents, different beta-cyclodextrin and other cellulose-based polymers. Many of them had used ratio proportions of cross-linking agents, d polymers to synthesize these nanosponges which ultimately produce a porous mesh-like network known as nanosponges where actually drug is encapsulated or loaded. In the present investigation, we observed the effect of various levels of crosslinking agents and beta-cyclodextrin concentrations on porosity, drug encapsulation, zeta potential and drug release by employing the quality by design approach to synthesize nanosponges rather than merely keeping both concentrations in proportions. We have slightly modified the method reported earlier i.e. melting method in which we have used rota evaporator receiver vessel for melting cross-linking agent and beta- cyclodextrin, rotated at 20 RPM at 100°C. In a quality by design approach, we observed that out of four dependent variables i.e. porosity, drug loading, zeta potential and drug release, three significantly depend on the crosslinking of beta-cyclodextrin molecules which is highly appreciated by the amount of cross-linking agent present in the reaction. The pharmacokinetics of Imatinib loaded optimized nanosponges were compared with the reference product to observe the pattern of absorption and disposition. Nanosponges synthesized by optimization technique could be effective means of anti-cancer drug oral administration as they encapsulate the drug effectively and offer a prolonged release of drug which gradually releases the drug and avoids unnecessary exposure of the drug. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Characterization of the intravenous glucose tolerance test and the combined glucose-insulin test in donkeys.
Glucose-insulin dynamic challenges such as the intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT) have not been described in donkeys. The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize the IVGTT and CGIT in healthy adult donkeys, and (2) to establish normal glucose-insulin proxies. Sixteen donkeys were used and body morphometric variables obtained each. For the IVGTT, glucose (300 mg/kg) was given IV. For the CGIT, glucose (150 mg/kg) followed by recombinant insulin (0.1 IU/kg) were administered IV. Blood samples for glucose and insulin determinations were collected over 300 min. In the IVGTT the positive phase lasted 160.9 ± 13.3 min, glucose concentration peaked at 323.1 ± 9.2 mg/dL and declined at a rate of 1.28 ± 0.15 mg/dL/min. The glucose area under the curve (AUC) was 21.4 ± 1.9 × 10(3) mg/dL/min and the insulin AUC was 7.2 ± 0.9 × 10(3) µIU/mL/min. The positive phase of the CGIT curve lasted 44 ± 3 min, with a glucose clearance rate of 2.01 ± 0.18 mg/dL/min. The negative phase lasted 255.9 ± 3 min, decreasing glucose concentration at rate of -0.63 ± 0.06 mg/dL/min, and reaching a nadir (33.1 ± 3.6 mg/dL) at 118.3 ± 6.3 min. The glucose and insulin AUC values were 15.2 ± 0.9 × 10(3) mg/dL/min and 13.2 ± 0.9 × 10(3) µIU/mL/min. This is the first study characterizing CGIT and IVGTT, and glucose-insulin proxies in healthy adult donkeys. Distinct glucose dynamics, when compared with horses, support the use of species-specific protocols to assess endocrine function. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An Ethnographic Observational Study to Evaluate and Optimize the Use of Respiratory Acoustic Monitoring in Children Receiving Postoperative Opioid Infusions.
Respiratory depression in children receiving postoperative opioid infusions is a significant risk because of the interindividual variability in analgesic requirement. Detection of respiratory depression (or apnea) in these children may be improved with the introduction of automated acoustic respiratory rate (RR) monitoring. However, early detection of adverse events must be balanced with the risk of alarm fatigue. Our objective was to evaluate the use of acoustic RR monitoring in children receiving opioid infusions on a postsurgical ward and identify the causes of false alarm and optimal alarm thresholds. A video ethnographic study was performed using an observational, mixed methods approach. After surgery, an acoustic RR sensor was placed on the participant's neck and attached to a Rad87 monitor. The monitor was networked with paging for alarms. Vital signs data and paging notification logs were obtained from the central monitoring system. Webcam videos of the participant, infusion pump, and Rad87 monitor were recorded, stored on a secure server, and subsequently analyzed by 2 research nurses to identify the cause of the alarm, response, and effectiveness. Alarms occurring within a 90-second window were grouped into a single-alarm response opportunity. Data from 49 patients (30 females) with median age 14 (range, 4.4-18.8) years were analyzed. The 896 bedside vital sign threshold alarms resulted in 160 alarm response opportunities (44 low RR, 74 high RR, and 42 low SpO2). In 141 periods (88% of total), for which video was available, 65% of alarms were deemed effective (followed by an alarm-related action within 10 minutes). Nurses were the sole responders in 55% of effective alarms and the patient or parent in 20%. Episodes of desaturation (SpO2 < 90%) were observed in 9 patients: At the time of the SpO2 paging trigger, the RR was >10 bpm in 6 of 9 patients. Based on all RR samples observed, the default alarm thresholds, to serve as a starting point for each patient, would be a low RR of 6 (>10 years of age) and 10 (4-9 years of age). In this study, the use of RR monitoring did not improve the detection of respiratory depression. An RR threshold, which would have been predictive of desaturations, would have resulted in an unacceptably high false alarm rate. Future research using a combination of variables (e.g., SpO2 and RR), or the measurement of tidal volumes, may be needed to improve patient safety in the postoperative ward. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preventive effects of dietary hydroxytyrosol acetate, an extra virgin olive oil polyphenol in murine collagen-induced arthritis.
Hydroxytyrosol acetate (HTy-Ac), an extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenol, has recently been reported to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-stimulated macrophagesand ulcerative colitis. This study was designed to evaluate dietary HTy-Ac supplementation effects on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. DBA-1/J mice were fed from weaning with 0.05% HTy-Ac. After 6 weeks, arthritis was induced by type II collagen. Mice were sacrificed 42 days after first immunization. Blood was recollected and paws were histological and biochemically processed. HTy-Ac diet significantly prevent edarthritis development and decreased serum IgG1 and IgG2a, cartilage olimeric matrix protein (COMP) and metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels, as well as, pro-inflammatory cytokines levels (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17A). The activation of Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways were drastically ameliorated whereas nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expressions were significantly up-regulated in those mice fed with HTy-Ac. HTy-Ac improved the oxidative events and returned pro-inflammatory proteins expression to basal levels probably through JAK/STAT, MAPKs and NF-κB pathways. HTy-Ac supplement might provide a basis for developing a new dietary strategy for the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Estimating the global burden of HIV/AIDS: what do we really know about the HIV pandemic?
The validity of UNAIDS/WHO estimates of the burden of HIV/AIDS is rightly questioned by politicians, scientists, and activists-especially since the 2003 estimates to be released in July, 2004, will show substantial drops in the burden of HIV/AIDS in several countries, and increases in others. However, the estimates are based on an explicit attempt to meet criteria we believe should guide the generation of international morbidity and mortality figures. These criteria extend beyond the quality of the input data to include features of the estimation process such as transparency and participation. The 2003 estimates now include plausible ranges for estimates rather than a single best estimate. This reduces the chance that insignificant differences in estimates from different sources are given importance. Here, we describe the levels of uncertainty associated with the UNAIDS/WHO estimates of HIV/AIDS. We explain the reason for moving to the use of plausibility bounds, the factors that determine the width of the bounds, and the implications for policy makers and programme managers. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Minimum physicochemical characterisation requirements for nanomaterial regulation.
Appropriate characterisation of manufactured nanomaterials (NMs) is vital for many aspects of their synthesis, product formulation, toxicological testing and regulation. As the range and quantity of NMs in production has expanded, the interest in their potential environmental and toxicological consequences has grown. With this growth, there is increased need for clarity and rigour in characterising appropriate physicochemical parameters. Which physicochemical parameters should be characterised and under what conditions remains a topic of debate, along with the most appropriate techniques and methodologies to best describe any one characteristic. This review assesses the characterisation requirements of current and future regulatory frameworks for NMs, with specific focus on the incoming REACH framework of the EU. For regulatory compliance, characterisation requirements will be necessarily prescriptive. The minimum physicochemical parameters required to adequately describe NMs for regulatory purposes are proposed, along with a discussion of the most appropriate mechanisms to obtain those data in terms of the overarching delivery mechanism. Guiding principles for particle characterisation during the hazard testing required to comply with regulations are examined. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Exploring parasite heterogeneity using single-cell RNA-seq reveals a gene signature among sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites.
The malaria parasite has a complex lifecycle, including several events of differentiation and stage progression, while actively evading immunity in both its mosquito and human hosts. Important parasite gene expression and regulation during these events remain hidden in rare populations of cells. Here, we combine a capillary-based platform for cell isolation with single-cell RNA-sequencing to transcriptionally profile 165 single infected red blood cells (iRBCs) during the intra-erythrocytic developmental cycle (IDC). Unbiased analyses of single-cell data grouped the cells into eight transcriptional states during IDC. Interestingly, we uncovered a gene signature from the single iRBC analyses that can successfully discriminate between developing asexual and sexual stage parasites at cellular resolution, and we verify five, previously undefined, gametocyte stage specific genes. Moreover, we show the capacity of detecting expressed genes from the variable gene families in single parasites, despite the sparse nature of data. In total, the single parasite transcriptomics holds promise for molecular dissection of rare parasite phenotypes throughout the malaria lifecycle. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Incidence, morbidity, and mortality of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in a surgical intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study.
Data on contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in intensive care unit (ICU) are scarce and controversial. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of CI-AKI in a surgical ICU. We conducted a 13-month prospective observational study. Three definitions were compared to characterize CI-AKI: Barrett and Parfrey criteria; Risk of renal dysfunction, Injury to the kidney, Failure of kidney function, Loss of kidney function and End stage renal disease (RIFLE) classification; and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. Patients hospitalized in surgical ICU who had received an injection of contrast medium, who were not on renal replacement therapy, who had stable serum creatinine before injection, and no other etiology for new acute kidney injury were included. One hundred one patients were included. The frequency of CI-AKI was 17%, 19%, and 19% according to Barrett and Parfrey criteria; RIFLE classification; and AKIN criteria, respectively. Diabetes mellitus, creatinine clearance less than 60 mL/min, and concomitant aminoglycoside administration were associated with CI-AKI. Statistically significant associations were found between CI-AKI and renal replacement therapy with all 3 definitions and between CI-AKI and mortality when AKIN criteria were used. These results show that CI-AKI is not inconsequential in critically ill patients. In the present study, AKIN criteria appear to be most relevant to define CI-AKI. Further studies are required to explore CI-AKI prevention in ICU. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Detection of photodynamic therapy-induced early apoptosis in human salivary gland tumor cells in vitro and in a mouse tumor model.
We studied the detection of apoptosis of malignant human salivary gland tumor cells induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) using the photosensitizer mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6) in vitro and in vivo in mice receiving transplanted human salivary gland tumor (HSG) cells. An immunohistocytochemical method using a monoclonal antibody (MoAb), M30, which reacts with the product resulting from the cleavage of cytokeratin (CK) 18 by activated caspase, was applied to detect the apoptosis of HSG cells induced by PDT. Significant amounts of immunoreactive products were observed in the cytoplasm of HSG cells after PDT. In vitro, M30-positive cells increased from 2 h after PDT, increased rapidly from 8 h and reached a peak 24 h after PDT. In vivo, a peak of early apoptosis was confirmed two hours after PDT. In comparison with DNA fragmentation detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method, the destroyed tumor cells were observed sporadically 24 h after PDT. These results suggest that immunohistocytochemical staining with the MoAb M30 may be useful for detecting early apoptosis induced by PDT. Futhermore, PDT using NPe6 is effective in inducing apoptosis of HSG cells at an early stage, which suggests the possibility of the therapy being ideal for treatment of human malignant neoplasms. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Community presence and nursing home quality of care: the ombudsman as a complementary role.
Nursing home ombudsmen represent a community presence in long-term care facilities. This study examines ombudsmen in the context of Litwak's theory of complementary roles in order to assess the theory's association with quality of care. A multivariate analysis of a random sample of 210 Missouri nursing homes revealed that the presence of an ombudsman in intermediate care facilities is significantly related to both process and outcome measures of quality of nursing care. The implication is that conceptualizations of complementary roles should include the quality assurance functions illustrated by ombudsmen. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Equilibrium biosorption isotherm for lead ion on chaff.
A new adsorbent system for removing lead ion from aqueous solutions has been investigated. This new adsorbent is cereal chaff, an agriculture product in middle-west region in China. Variables of the system include biosorption time, chaff dose and solution temperature. The experimental results were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich, Koble-Corrigan and Temkin model isotherms to obtain the characteristic parameters of each model. Both the Langmuir and Koble-Corrigan isotherms were found to best represent the measured biosorption data. According to the evaluation using the Langmuir equation, the maximum biosorption capacities of lead ion onto chaff was 12.5 mgg(-1) at 293 K. Using the thermodynamic equilibrium coefficients obtained at different temperatures, various thermodynamic parameters, such as DeltaG(0), DeltaH(0) and DeltaS(0), have been calculated. The thermodynamics of lead ion-chaff system indicates spontaneous and exothermic process. It was concluded that an increase in temperature result in a lower metal loading per unit weight of the chaff. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Amyloid Beta Adsorption Problem with Transfer Plates in Amyloid Beta 1-42 IVD Kits.
Adsorption of CSF Aβ1-42 during pre-analytical processing is suggested as an important confounder in testing. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of polypropylene transfer plates (PTP) in the INNOTEST Aβ1-42 IVD-ELISA assay on Aβ1-42 levels. CSF samples from 26 individuals with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) and 25 patients with suspected neurodegenerative disorders were tested using four different lots of kits. Aβ1-42 levels in all samples that were loaded onto the PTP were significantly lower than the levels in the same samples that were analyzed without prior loading onto the PTP. We found that the PTP may adsorb Aβ1-42 in the range 7 to 69%. The diagnosis in 20% of patients and amyloid burden assessment in 23% of SCI patients had to be modified post hoc due to initial erroneously low amyloid levels. Using a PTP prior to loading the samples onto the INNOTEST Aβ1-42 test plate may result in erroneously low Aβ1-42 levels. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Resistant starch/pectin free-standing films reinforced with nanocellulose intended for colonic methotrexate release.
Although resistant starch/pectin (RS/P) films have previously displayed suitable properties for colon-specific drug delivery, nanocomposite films were developed aiming to enhance physicochemical, thermal, mechanical and barrier properties, as well as the low oral bioavailability of methotrexate (MTX). FEG-SEM micrographs of nanocomposite films showed different interaction patterns occurring among nanocellulose and RS/P. The nanofiller addition led to an increase in the thermal stability, probably due to its interaction with RS crystalline double helices. Results also displayed an improvement of the puncture strength, while barrier properties revealed a low water vapor permeability. Ex vivo bioadhesion test displayed the nanocomposites films to interact strongly with porcine gastrointestinal mucosa. In vitro drug release studies showed that the films developed enhanced the drug dissolution rates with approximately 80% of MTX release in 150min, suggesting the potential of these materials as a poor solubility drugs carrier, which constitutes an important tool for enhancing oral bioavailability. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Reproductive endocrinology in Hatano high- and low-avoidance rats during the estrous cycle.
The high- and low-avoidance animals (HAA and LAA rats) were originally selected from Sprague-Dawley rats for their shuttle-box task. Reproductive endocrinology during the estrous cycle was compared between HAA and LAA rats. All HAA rats showed a regular 4-d estrous cycle, whereas most LAA rats (70.8%) showed a regular 5-d estrous cycle. The peak level of preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge level was significantly lower in LAA rats than in HAA rats on the day of proestrus. In contrast, the peak level of prolactin surge on the day of proestrus was significantly higher in LAA rats than in HAA rats. Plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol-17beta were significantly lower in LAA rats as compared with HAA rats at 12 h on the day of estrus and from 24 h on the day of diestrus to 18 h on the day of proestrus. On the other hand, plasma concentrations of progesterone were significantly higher in LAA rats compared with HAA rats on the day of diestrus. The number of antral follicles (300-600 microm in diameter) at 12 h on the day of proestrus was significantly fewer in LAA rats than in HAA rats. The size and number of corpus luteum at 12 h on the day of estrus were significantly greater in LAA rats than in HAA rats. These results clearly demonstrated that apparent differences are observed in reproductive endocrinology between two Hatano strains. These strain differences probably originated from neural regulation of pituitary hormones. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
RNAi-Mediated Silencing of EIF3D Alleviates Proliferation and Migration of Glioma U251 and U87MG Cells.
As the most common primary malignant brain tumors, gliomas cause more years of life lost than do any other tumors. Recently, abnormalities of the eukaryotic initiation factors (EIFs) have been reported in gliomas. Yet the role of EIF3D, which encodes a subunit of EIF3 multiprotein complex, remains poorly understood. In this study, we found EIF3D expression was positively correlated with WHO grades of gliomas. Furthermore, we employ lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) to examine the physiological role of EIF3D in glioma cells. Decreased EIF3D expression in U251 and U87MG glioma cells caused a delay in cell growth and a disruption in colony formation. In addition, EIF3D knockdown induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Cells with suppressed expression of EIF3D had a lower capacity to migrate in the transwell assay. These results suggest that EIF3D plays an important role in glioma development and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for human glioma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A tuberculosis event on a Navy assault ship.
A tuberculosis event occurred on a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship in September 2003. The event was signaled by a jump in monthly purified protein derivative positivity rates. A baseline new reactor rate of 0 to 1% suddenly jumped to 6.3%, prompting screening of the entire crew and embarked Marines. Ultimately, a total of 31 Navy and 17 Marine new reactors was identified. This represented 2.4% of the Navy crew and 1.2% of embarked Marines. Only 1 of 31 Navy cases involved an officer. Two Navy, male, enlisted berthing areas showed a statistically significantly increased odds ratio for infection risk. Despite intensive investigation, no active case of tuberculosis was ever identified. After treatment of new reactors with isoniazid, the ship's monthly new reactor rate returned to baseline. This case illustrates the principles and pitfalls of respiratory disease control at sea. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Delay to surgery does not affect survival following osteoporotic femoral fractures.
Fragility femoral fractures occur in a similar group of patients to hip fractures but they are not routinely managed along standardised guidelines. This study looked specifically at whether delay to surgery has an impact on mortality and morbidity. An international, multi-centre retrospective review was carried including all patients over 60 years with fragility femoral fractures, including most periprosthetic fractures, between December 2008-2014. 243 patients met the inclusion criteria with mean follow-up 25 months. 197 (81%) were female with mean age 81 years. Median time to surgery was 2 days; 39% were operated on <24h, 23% 24-48h, and 37% at >48h. 3- and 12-month mortality were 14% (95% CI: 9-18%) and 26% (20-31%) respectively. On Kaplan-Meier plotting, relationships were apparent between survival and sex, and ASA grade, but not delay to surgery or fracture type. Fragility femoral fractures have equivalent mortality to hip fractures but we found no link between delay to surgery and mortality. We believe it is safe to delay surgery, within reason, whilst their acute and chronic medical problems are optimised. We believe this information will help develop guidelines similar to hip fracture pathways. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Using clinical information in goal-oriented learning.
We have proposed an extension to the Q-learning algorithm that incorporates the existing clinical expertise into the trial-and-error process of acquiring an appropriate administration strategy of rHuEPO to patients with anemia due to ESRD. The specific modification lies in multiple updates of the Q-values for several dose/response combinations during a single learning event. This in turn decreases the risk of administering doses that are inadequate in certain situations and thus increases the speed of the learning process. We have evaluated the proposed method using a simulation test-bed involving an "artificial patient" and compared the outcomes to those obtained by a classical Q-learning and a numerical implementation of a clinically used administration protocol for anemia management. The outcomes of the simulated treatments demonstrate that the proposed method is a more effective tool than the traditional Q-learning. Furthermore, we have observed that it has a potential to provide even more stable anemia management than the AMP. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The promise of telomere length, telomerase activity and its regulation in the translocation-dependent cancer ESFT; clinical challenges and utility.
The Ewing's sarcoma family of tumours (ESFT) are diagnosed by EWS-ETS gene translocations. The resulting fusion proteins play a role in both the initiation and maintenance of these solid aggressive malignant tumours, suppressing cellular senescence and increasing cell proliferation and survival. EWS-ETS fusion proteins have altered transcriptional activity, inducing expression of a number of different target genes including telomerase. Up-regulation of hTERT is most likely responsible for the high levels of telomerase activity in primary ESFT, although telomerase activity and expression of hTERT are not predictive of outcome. However levels of telomerase activity in peripheral blood may be useful to monitor response to some therapeutics. Despite high levels of telomerase activity, telomeres in ESFT are frequently shorter than those of matched normal cells. Uncertainty about the role that telomerase and regulators of its activity play in the maintenance of telomere length in normal and cancer cells, and lack of studies examining the relationship between telomerase activity, regulators of its activity and their clinical significance in patient samples have limited their introduction into clinical practice. Studies in clinical samples using standardised assays are critical to establish how telomerase and regulators of its activity might best be exploited for patient benefit. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Activity of nucleolar organizer regions of Chinese hamster chromosomes in clones of different ploidies].
Activity of nucleolar organizer regions was analyzed in hypodiploid and hypotetraploid clones of Chinese hamster cells. The quantity of the nucleolar organizers was directly proportional to ploidy. It is evidence of autonomous activity of the nucleolar organizers in Chinese hamster chromosomes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Behavioral and degeneration changes in the basal forebrain systems of aged rats: a quantitative study in the region of the basal forebrain after levo-acetyl-carnitine treatments assessed by Abercrombie estimation.
One group of six male control rats [21 months old] and one group of six male rats of the same age, singularly stored in a cage, and treated with acetyl-l-carnitine-HCl (ALCAR: 60 mg/kg/day/p.o.) for six months were tested in the spatial learning/memory Morris maze-water task and for atrophy and cell loss in seven myelo- and cytostructurally defined basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic regions [Gritti et al., 1993 J Comp Neurol 329: 438-457]. Coronal sections 25 mum thick were cut through the BF regions and processed every 200 mum for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemistry. The ALCAR-treated rats had significantly shorter exit times on the Morris maze-water task test than the control rats (ANOVA-enzyme: F(1,39)=112.5, P=0.0001; sessions: F(3,39)=10.41, P=0.0001; interaction: F(3,39)=5.09, P=0.0044). Degenerative morphological changes in the BF ChAT-positive cells were observed in the control rats, but not in the treated animals, in: the diagonal band of Broca, the magnocellular preoptic nucleus, the olfactory tubercle, the substantia innominata, and the globus pallidus (ANOVA-enzyme: F(1,2)=14, P=0,0003; structures: F(6,7)=4, P=0,0018; interaction: F(6,7)=3, P=0,0043). In the diagonal band of Broca (P<0.0494) and in the magnocellular preoptic nucleus (P<0.0117) there were significantly fewer ChAT-positive neurons in the aged control rats than in the ALCAR-treated rats. These results demonstrate that in rats aged from 15 to 21 months ALCAR treatment significantly attenuated spatial learning/memory impairment on the Morris maze-water task and also importantly reduced the degeneration in size and number of cholinergic cells in the BF. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
De novo reciprocal translocation t(5;6)(q13;q34) in cattle: cytogenetic and molecular characterization.
The cytogenetic analysis of a phenotypically normal bull from the Marchigiana breed revealed the presence of an abnormal karyotype due to the presence of a very long chromosome. This finding, identified in all the metaphases observed, was associated with the 2n = 60, XY karyotype, suggesting the presence of a reciprocal translocation. RBG- banding analyses identified a de novo reciprocal translocation involving BTA5 and BTA6, t(5;6)(q13;q34), while FISH analyses using cattle-specific BACs as probes enabled the confirmation and narrowed down the breakpoint regions. Array-CGH analysis also established that neither deletions nor duplications were present in the regions including the breakpoints, nor were they present elsewhere in the genome, confirming the balanced state of the translocation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Angiotensin II receptor subtypes involved in the modulation of purinergic and adrenergic vasoconstrictions to periarterial electrical nerve stimulation in the canine splenic artery.
Previous experiments demonstrated that periarterial electrical nerve stimulation induced a double-peaked vasoconstriction consisting of an initial transient, predominantly P2X-purinoceptor-mediated, constriction followed by a prolonged, mainly alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated, response in the canine splenic artery. Angiotensin II at a concentration of 0.1 nM did not affect the basal vascular tone and vasoconstrictions to exogenously administered noradrenaline (0.03-3 nmol) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (0.01-1 micromol), but it markedly potentiated the double-peaked responses to nerve stimulation. The potentiating effect of angiotensin II was inhibited by KRH-594 (10 nM), a selective angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, but was not influenced by PD123319 (0.01-0.1 microM), a selective angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonist. The results indicate that angiotensin II potentiates sympathetic purinergic and adrenergic vasoconstrictions through the prejunctional angiotensin II type 1 receptor subtype in the canine splenic artery. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dominant negative effect of novel mutations in pyruvate kinase-M2.
The natural mutations observed in pyruvate kinase (PK)-M2, a homotetramer isozyme, in this study correlated with the differential activity of the enzyme in a dominant negative manner in B-lymphoblastoid cells, established from two Bloom syndrome (BS) patients, BS1 and BS3 by 50 and 90%, respectively; and by 75% in the freshly obtained PHA stimulated lymphocytes of a BS patient diagnosed for the first time in India. A gene screen involving the critical domains of the PK-M gene in BS cells resulted in the observation of a missense mutation in BS1 and the BS patient and a frame shift mutation in BS3, in exon-10, coding for the intersubunit contact domain (ISCD) of the PK-M2 protein. Apart from these mutations, other variations in this region of the gene, both in normal and BS cells, did not affect the enzyme activity, since these were silent. Computer-based modeling studies of the PK-M2 protein with each mutation was suggestive of a changed interaction between two domains within a subunit in BS1, a gross structural change in BS3, and a changed interaction between two subunits of the tetramer in the BS patient. An absence of such mutations in other regions of the PK-M2 gene in normal subjects and in the randomly chosen unrelated genes in the DNA from BS cell lines and the cells from the BS patient, authenticated the presence of the observed mutations in Bloom syndrome cells. A correlation observed between the differential enzyme activity and the nature of mutation in the intersubunit contact domain (ISCD) region of the PK-M2 gene was interesting, and indicted how the site and the nature of mutation in a heterozygous state could influence the enzyme activity differentially and in a dominant negative manner. The importance of these mutations in Bloom syndrome cells, however, remains to be elucidated, and can only be conjectured. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Simultaneous right ventricular to pulmonary artery pressure gradient measurement using a single venous access technique.
The pullback gradient technique is commonly used to evaluate pulmonic stenosis; however, it only represents a one-time measurement of valvular stenosis. Instead, simultaneous peak-to-peak gradients account for the data variability being best suited to discern the severity of the stenosis, but requires two different venous accesses. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and high fidelity hemodynamic tracings of a new technique for evaluation of pulmonary valve stenosis by using a single venous access. We present a patient scenario suggesting pulmonic stenosis. Given the possible therapeutic intervention, we decided to use a single large bore (8-French) venous access. Simultaneous peak-to-peak gradients were obtained from high fidelity hemodynamic tracings measured using two small-size catheters located in the right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary artery (PA), respectively. The procedure had no complications. We present a technique using single venous access for simultaneous RV and PA pressure measurement that is easy to perform and, importantly, it may be safer than exposing the patient to multiple venous accesses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Opportunities for scientists to influence policy: when does radiation metrology matter in development of national policy?
Accurate measurements of radiation and radioactivity rarely rise to the level of national policy. The things that matter most to ordinary citizens do not normally include questions of science and technology. Citizens are more often concerned with issues close to home relating to commerce, health, safety, security and the environment. When questions of confidence in measurements arise, they are first directed to the ministry that has responsibilities in that area. When the required uncertainty in field measurements challenges the capability of the regulatory authorities, the National Metrology Institute may be asked to develop transfer standards to enhance the capabilities of the ministry with the mission lead. In this paper, we will consider eight instances over the past nine decades in which questions in radiation and radionuclide metrology in the US did rise to the level that they influenced decisions on national policy. These eight examples share some common threads. Radioactivity and ionizing radiation are useful tools in many disciplines, but can often represent potential or perceived threats to health and public safety. When unforeseen applications of radiation arise, or when environmental radioactivity from natural and man-made sources presents a possible health hazard, the radiation metrologists may be called upon to provide the technical underpinning for policy development. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Risk management of viral infectious diseases in wastewater reclamation and reuse: Review.
Inappropriate usage of reclaimed wastewater has caused outbreaks of viral infectious diseases worldwide. International and domestic guidelines for wastewater reuse stipulate that virus infection risks are to be regulated by the multiple-barrier system, in which a wastewater treatment process composed of sequential treatment units is designed based on the pre-determined virus removal efficiency of each unit. The objectives of this review were to calculate representative values of virus removal efficiency in wastewater treatment units based on published datasets, and to identify research topics that should be further addressed for improving implementation of the multiple-barrier system. The removal efficiencies of human noroviruses, rotaviruses and enteroviruses in membrane bioreactor (MBR) and conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes were obtained by a systematic review protocol and a meta-analysis approach. The log10 reduction (LR) of norovirus GII and enterovirus in MBR were 3.35 (95% confidence interval: 2.39, 4.30) and 2.71 (1.52, 3.89), respectively. The LR values of rotavirus, norovirus GI and GII in CAS processes were 0.87 (0.20, 1.53), 1.48 (0.96, 2.00) and 1.35 (0.52, 2.18), respectively. The systematic review process eliminated a substantial number of articles about virus removal in wastewater treatment because of the lack of information required for the meta-analysis. It is recommended that future publications should explicitly describe their treatment of left-censored datasets. Indicators, surrogates and methodologies appropriate for validating virus removal performance during daily operation of wastewater reclamation systems also need to be identified. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Search for High-Mass Resonances Decaying to τν in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV with the ATLAS Detector.
A search for high-mass resonances decaying to τν using proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV produced by the Large Hadron Collider is presented. Only τ-lepton decays with hadrons in the final state are considered. The data were recorded with the ATLAS detector and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb^{-1}. No statistically significant excess above the standard model expectation is observed; model-independent upper limits are set on the visible τν production cross section. Heavy W^{'} bosons with masses less than 3.7 TeV in the sequential standard model and masses less than 2.2-3.8 TeV depending on the coupling in the nonuniversal G(221) model are excluded at the 95% credibility level. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Phosphocreatinine, a high-energy phosphate in muscle, spontaneously forms phosphocreatine and creatinine under physiological conditions.
Phosphocreatinine undergoes the following spontaneous simultaneous reactions at pH 7.4 (0.02 M sodium phosphate and 120 mM KCl) and 38 degrees C. (Formula: see text) The first order rate constants are 0.046 h-1 (ka) and 0.048 h-1 (kb). There is a major effect of pH on the reactions such that at pH values higher than 7.4 phosphocreatine production predominates, while at pH values less than 7.4 creatinine is the major product. This along with titration data showing apparent pK values of about 3.0 and 7.5 for phosphocreatinine suggest that the dianionic form of phosphocreatinine is involved in the conversion to phosphocreatine, whereas the monoanionic form is exclusively converted to creatinine. Possible mechanisms to account for the reactivity of phosphocreatinine are discussed. Several lines of evidence suggest that the apparent Keq for phosphocreatine formation from phosphocreatinine is about 300 at pH 9.0 and about 70 at pH 7.0, and the delta G0' (pH 7.0) is-2.6 kcal/mol. The delta G0' (pH 7.0) for the hydrolysis of the phosphoryl bond in phosphocreatinine is-12.8 kcal/mol. The phosphocreatinine content of rabbit white skeletal muscle was measured to be 0.05 mumol/g, which is 0.4% of the phosphocreatine content. The in vitro experiments suggest that phosphohydrolysis of phosphocreatinine can account for a creatinine formation equal to 0.5% of the phosphocreatine content/day. We conclude that it is likely that a substantial fraction of the in vivo creatinine production from phosphocreatine goes through the novel high energy phosphate, phosphocreatinine, as an intermediate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
DNA ploidy as a prognostic factor in muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
Radical cystectomy represents the treatment of choice for muscle-infiltrative bladder carcinoma; however, about 50% of patients relapse and die from the disease. In the present study, the prognostic significance of the DNA ploidy in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCCB) is analyzed. The study was carried out on 66 patients with TCCB who underwent radical cystectomy. DNA ploidy was determined by flow cytometry (FCM) on paraffin-embedded specimens, and the results were analyzed and correlated with the tumor malignancy grade and stage and the clinical course. Forty of the 66 tumors studied (63%) were aneuploid. Aneuploid status was correlated with higher tumor T stage (P < 0.001) and grade (P < 0.001). Median follow up was 68 months (range: 12-105). Median survival was significantly longer in patients with diploid tumors (> 60 vs 45 months, P < 0.001). All patients with diploid tumors were alive and free of bladder cancer during follow-up, in contrast to only 30% of patients with aneuploid tumors. DNA ploidy was an independent prognostic factor, as shown by multivariate analysis (P = 0.006). All patients with pT > or = 3b and diploid tumors were alive at the time of analysis as opposed to none with aneuploid tumors. The results of this study suggest that DNA ploidy can provide prognostic information on patients with muscle invasive carcinoma of the bladder and might represent a means of selection for postoperative management. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia in treated type 2 diabetic subjects --the role of dietary components.
Postprandial hyperlipidaemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study was done (a) to evaluate whether postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia was common in Indian type 2 diabetic patients on treatment and (b) to see whether the high carbohydrate content of the diet was a cause of the lipid abnormality. Two hundred type 2 diabetic subjects (M:F, 137:63; mean age 51.6+/-10.2 years, mean BMI 25.5+/-3.1 kg/m(2)) with diabetes duration of 7.6+/-5.6 years were studied. Fasting and 2 h post prandial responses of plasma glucose and triglycerides (TG) were measured using a breakfast meal, usually consumed by the patient with the intake of usual hypoglycaemic drugs. Patients with a post prandial TG value greater than 15% of the corresponding fasting TG value were designated as group 2 and the remaining subjects as group 1. Dietary composition of the breakfast were calculated. Among the 200 subjects, 52 (26%) had post prandial TG higher than the fasting values. This was seen in patients who were consuming lower percentage of carbohydrates and higher percentage of fats than prescribed. Therefore the postprandial rise in TG was probably due to the high fat content of the diet and due to a lower insulin sensitivity. This study highlights the facts that postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia is seen only in a small proportion of the treated patients and the high carbohydrate diet does not produce hypertriglyceridaemia, either in the fasting or post prandial state. The minority who show an increased TG value at 2 h have been taking lower carbohydrate with higher fat content in the meal. This could have produced a lower insulin sensitivity in these patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Test development and use in five Iberian Latin American countries.
The abundance of scholarship on test development and use generally is higher in English-speaking than in Iberian Latin American countries. The purpose of this article is to help overcome this imbalance by describing and identifying similarities and differences in test development and use in two Iberian (Portugal and Spain) and three of the largest Latin American (Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela) countries. The stages of test development in each country, roles of professional associations, presence of standards for test use, professionals' educational training, commonly used tests, together with prominent challenges to continued progress are discussed. Test development and use in these five countries are transitioning from a dependence on the use of translated tests to greater reliance on adapted and finally nationally constructed tests. Continued growth requires adherence to international standards guiding test development and use. Stronger alliance among professional associations in the Iberian Latin American countries could serve as a catalyst to promote test development in these regions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Transitions to material efficiency in the UK steel economy.
Steel production is energy intensive so already has achieved impressive levels of energy efficiency. If the emissions associated with steel must be reduced in line with the requirements of the UK Climate Change Act, demand for new steel must be reduced. The strategies of 'material efficiency' aim to achieve such a reduction, while delivering the same final services. To meet the emissions targets set into UK law, UK consumption of steel must be reduced to 30 per cent of present levels by 2050. Previous work has revealed six strategies that could contribute to this target, and this paper presents an approximate analysis of the required transition. A macro-economic analysis of steel in the UK shows that while the steel industry is relatively small, the construction and manufacturing sectors are large, and it would be politically unacceptable to pursue options that lead to a major contraction in other sectors. Alternative business models are therefore required, and these are explored through four representative products--one for each final sector with particular emphasis given to options for reducing product weight, and extending product life. Preliminary evidence on the triggers that would lead to customers preferring these options is presented and organized in order to predict required policy measures. The estimated analysis of transitions explored in this paper is used to define target questions for future research in the area. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dry Electrode-Based Fully Isolated EEG/fNIRS Hybrid Brain-Monitoring System.
A portable hybrid brain monitoring system is proposed to perform simultaneous 16-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) and 8-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurements. Architecture-optimized analog frontend integrated circuits (Texas Instruments ADS1299 and ADS8688A) were used to simultaneously achieve 24-bit EEG resolution and reliable latency-less (<0.85 μs) bio-optical measurements. Suppression of the noise and crosstalk generated by the digital circuit components and flashing NIR light sources was maximized through linear regulator-based fully isolated circuit design. Gel-less EEG measurements were enabled by using spring-loaded dry electrodes. Several evaluations were carried out by conducting an EEG phantom test and an arterial occlusion experiment. An alpha rhythm detection test (eye-closing task) and a mental arithmetic experiment (cumulative subtraction task) were conducted to determine whether the system is applicable to human subject studies. The evaluation results show that the proposed system is sufficiently capable of detecting microvoltage EEG signals and hemodynamic responses. The results of the studies on human subjects enabled us to verify that the proposed system is able to detect task-related EEG spectral features such as eye-closed event-related synchronization and mental-arithmetic event-related desynchronization in the alpha and beta rhythm ranges. An analysis of the fNIRS measurements with an arithmetic operation task also revealed a decreasing trend in oxyhemoglobin concentration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Empirical treatment of bacteraemic urinary tract infection. Evaluation of a decision support system.
In a Danish county with a low prevalence of antibiotic resistance to most antibiotics, we have constructed and evaluated a decision support system (DSS) for guidance of empirical antibiotic therapy in patients with bacteraemia originating from the urinary tract. The DSS was based upon a causal probabilistic network, and a decision theoretic approach was used to balance the costs of antibiotic therapy against the therapeutic benefit. The costs included direct cost of purchasing antibiotics, side effects, and the risk of development of antibiotic resistance. The therapeutic benefit was defined as the increase in life-expectancy caused by antibiotic therapy. Life-years were chosen as the common currency unit. Four hundred and ninety-one bacteraemias seen during 1992-1994 were used to construct the DSS (derivation set), and 426 bacteraemias during 1995-1996 were used for evaluation (validation set). The cases were identified in a regional register of bacteraemias. The study was non-interventional. The DSS suggested antibiotics which would provide coverage in 377 of the 426 episodes (88.5%) compared to 259 episodes (60.8%) for which empirical therapy actually provided coverage (p < 0.01, McNemar-test). The regimens suggested by the DSS included mecillinam as monotherapy in 240 episodes (56.3%), gentamicin as monotherapy in 81 (19.0%), and a combination of gentamicin and ampicillin in 80 (18.8%). A decision theoretic approach shows promise of improving empirical antibiotic treatment, and may be a measure to support an antibiotic policy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Expanding the social media presence of the Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery: editor's report.
The use of social media is pervasive throughout society and serves many purposes. Traditional forms of advertising are being upended as vendors recognize the unique abilities of social media platforms to target their messages to specific customers. Peer reviewed medical and professional journals are beginning to develop their own initiatives using social media to advertize unique content. We present the nascent Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery experience. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Altered brain microstructure in association with repetitive subconcussive head impacts and the potential protective effect of jugular vein compression: a longitudinal study of female soccer athletes.
To (1) quantify white matter (WM) alterations in female high school athletes during a soccer season and characterise the potential for normalisation during the off-season rest period, (2) determine the association between WM alterations and exposure to repetitive subconcussive head impacts, and (3) evaluate the efficacy of a jugular vein compression collar to prevent WM alterations associated with head impact exposure. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were prospectively collected from high school female soccer participants (14-18 years) at up to three time points over 9 months. Head impacts were monitored using accelerometers during all practices and games. Participants were assigned to a collar (n=24) or non-collar group (n=22). The Tract-Based Spatial Statistics approach was used in the analysis of within-group longitudinal change and between-group comparisons. DTI analyses revealed significant pre-season to post-season WM changes in the non-collar group in mean diffusivity (2.83%±2.46%), axial diffusivity (2.58%±2.34%) and radial diffusivity (3.52%±2.60%), but there was no significant change in the collar group despite similar head impact exposure. Significant correlation was found between head impact exposure and pre-season to post-season DTI changes in the non-collar group. WM changes in the non-collar group partially resolved at 3 months off-season follow-up. Microstructural changes in WM occurred during a season of female high school soccer among athletes who did not wear the collar device. In comparison, there were no changes in players who wore the collar, suggesting a potential prophylactic effect of the collar device in preventing changes associated with repetitive head impacts. In those without collar use, the microstructural changes showed a reversal towards normal over time in the off-season follow-up period. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Single-scattering theory of light diffraction by a circular subwavelength aperture in a finitely conducting screen.
A perturbation theory based on a single-scattering approximation is developed from the rigorous differential theory of diffraction in cylindrical coordinates. It results in analytical formulas in the inverse space for the field amplitudes providing results that are in quantitative agreement with the results of the rigorous method, in both the near- and far-field regions, when a proper correction to the incident field inside the aperture is made by using the renormalized Born approximation. When working in reflection by a screen having permittivity high in modulus, the method proposes an equivalence with the simple model consisting of the emission by a single magnetic dipole excited inside the pierced layer, emission that is then transferred back into the cladding following the Fresnel's coefficients of transmission from the layer into the cladding. The theory predicts a directivity of the radiation pattern that increases for smaller values of modulus of permittivity, both for dielectrics and metals, thus independently of the possibility of plasmon surface wave excitation along the interface. The theory can take into account such surface wave resonances, as well as the waveguide supported by a dielectric slab, but cannot implicitly recognize the modes carried out by the cylindrical waveguide corresponding to the aperture. This fact limits its domain of validity when used in transmission, although the far- and near-field maps can be reconstructed sufficiently well within a multiplicative factor corresponding to the enhanced transmission due to the excitation of these modes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Compared to antioxidants and polyamines, the role of maize grain-derived organic biostimulants in improving cadmium tolerance in wheat plants.
Recently, the strategy of seed soaking has been successfully applied using extracts from different plant parts for healthy growth of plant under different environmental stresses. Compared to antioxidants like ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) or polyamines (PAs) like spermine (SPM), spermidine (SPD), and putrescine (PUT), the effects of seed soaking using maize grain extract (MGE) on the biomass, productivity, phytohormones, and antioxidant defense system and its different components were examined with Cd2+-stressed wheat plants. In a preliminary study, seed soaking using AsA + GSH or PUT + SPD + SPM was more effective in increasing shoot fresh and dry weights, SPAD chlorophyll, and grain yield, and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content than individuals. In addition, MGE at 2% was more efficient than other concentrations. Therefore, they were selected for the main study. In the main study, compared to the control, seed soaking in AsA + GSH, PUT + SPD + SPM or MGE had positive effects on plant growth, yield, photosynthetic efficiency, contents and redox states of AsA and GSH, contents of PAs and plant hormones to varying degrees. Proline content and its metabolism enzymes activity, contents of soluble protein, N-compounds, soluble sugars, and α-tocopherol (α-TOC), and activities of antioxidant enzymes were not affected. However, contents of MDA and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were significantly reduced under normal conditions. Under Cd2+ stress (1.2 mM), along with the detrimental increases in the contents of MDA, H2O2 and Cd2+, contents of N-compounds, soluble sugars, proline content and its metabolism enzymes activities, AsA and GSH and their redox states, and polyamines, and activities of antioxidant enzymes were increased. In contrast, plant growth and yield, photosynthetic efficiency, soluble protein, and plant hormones were significantly reduced compared to the control. However, all of these attributes were significantly improved to varying degrees along with reduced contents of Cd2+, MDA, and H2O2 by seed soaking in AsA + GSH, PUT + SPD + SPM or MGE compared to the Cd2+-stressed control. Compared to AsA + GSH or PUT + SPD + SPM, seed soaking in MGE at 2% conferred the best results. Therefore, it is recommended to soak wheat seeds using MGE to improve plant growth and productivity by restricting the inhibitory influences of oxidative stress induced by Cd2+ stress. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Spectrophotometric and derivative spectrophotometric determination of iron by extraction of the iron(II)-TPYZ-picrate ion-association complex.
A solvent extraction-spectrophotometric determination of microamounts of iron has been developed, based on the formation of an ion-association complex of iron(II) with 2,4,6-tris(2'-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine as primary ligand and picrate as counter-ion, which is extracted into 1,2-dichloroethane. The complex is formed at pH 4.0-7.0 and the iron concentration can be determined by measuring the absorbance directly in the organic phase. The apparent molar absorptivity is 2.2 x 10(5) l.mole(-1).cm(-1). As the method is practically free from interferences it was applied to the determination of iron in different biological and inorganic samples. Although the proposed method is very sensitive it can be further sensitized by employing the derivative spectrophotometric technique. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Magnetic Fe3O4@chitosan nanoparticle: synthesis, characterization and application as catalyst carrier.
A novel method was developed to prepare Fe3O4@CS beads with core-shell structure using a double-crosslinking process. Before the coating process, an unique crosslinking agent, glutaraldehyde (GA), was adsorbed onto the surface of Fe3O4 in advance, so the subsequent CS can uniformly coat around the magnetic core processed from the strong interaction between GA and CS, forming a perfect core-shell structure. The obtained Fe3O4@CS beads were followed by the Pd deposition through in-situ reduction method, and the prepared composite catalyst was applied exemplarily in synthesizing nabumetone to check its reusing property. The nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the magnetic hysteresis loop determination method. This novel composite catalyst showed admirable potential in reusable catalysis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Familial hyperkalemia syndrome (Gordon's syndrome)].
Hyperkaliema at 6 mmol/l was discovered in a 30-year old man during routine examination. Further investigations showed that the hyperkaliaemia was associated with hyperchloraemic acidosis, stimulable hyporeninaemia and relative hypoaldosteronism in relation to the hyperkaliaemia. Renal and adrenal functions were normal. The finding of 3 identical cases in a French family of 9 persons led to the diagnosis of Gordon's syndrome, a rare hereditary metabolic disorder with a controverted physiopathology. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Adjusted Clinical Groups use as a measure of the referrals efficiency from primary care to specialized in Spain.
To determine the referral rate (RR) per centre, its main causes and the adjusted efficiency indexes, through the retrospective implementation of the Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG) in a Spanish primary care setting. Design descriptive-retrospective study. Attended patients by five primary care teams (PCT) during the year 2004 were included. General parameters, age, gender, dependent (visits and episodes), and comorbidity of each patient relative to each ACG are used as measures. The RR was defined as the quotient between the number of referrals and the visits made. Efficiency Index (EI) was established dividing the observed by the expected referrals obtained by indirect standardization. Statistical significance P<0.05. Studied patients 81,335 (use: 76.9%), 5.0+/-3.6 episodes and 7.9+/-7.8 visits/patient/year. Percentage of visits with a referral, adjusted for morbidity burden, was 7.5% (CI: 7.3-7.7); age: 48.3+/-22.7 years (women: 55.9%), P=0.000. The average of referrals was of 59.6 per 100 attended patients/year (P=0.000). Visits and episodes explain 34.1-68.1%, respectively (P=0.000), the explanatory power of the classification's variability was of 23.6% (P=0.0001). EI per centre were: 0.95 (CI: 0.82-1.08); 0.78 (CI: 0.63-0.93); 0.88 (CI: 0.73-1.03); 1.15 (CI: 1.03-1.27) and 1.08 (CI: 0.95-1.21), P=0.034 (family practice); and 0.83 (CI: 0.70-0.96); 0.83 (CI: 0.68-0.98); 0.84 (CI: 0.70-0.98); 1.24 (CI: 1.12-1.36) and 1.16 (CI: 1.03-1.29), P=0.041 (paediatrics), respectively. Adjusted morbidity by ACG explains an important part of the referrals variability. The study results must be interpreted cautiously even after adjustment by age, gender and morbidity. Should the results be confirmed, it would allow an improvement in the measurement of referrals for clinical management in the PCT. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Efficacy of combined treatment with medial branch radiofrequency neurotomy and steroid block in lumbar facet joint arthropathy.
To evaluate the long-term efficacy of combined radiofrequency (RF) neurotomy and steroid nerve block in patients with lumbar facet joint arthropathy. Combined RF neurotomy and steroid nerve block was performed in 34 patients with chronic paravertebral low back pain. The diagnosis was confirmed by comparative double diagnostic block of the medial branch with bupivacaine and lidocaine. Under fluoroscopy, RF thermal ablation of the medial branch was performed (at RF needle tip temperature 85°C for 90 seconds), three times for each target nerve. At the end of the procedure, 20 mg of methylprednisolone acetate (sustained-release preparation) was infiltrated on each ablated nerve. Outcome variable was the degree of improvement in pain using visual analog scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS). Improvement in the quality of life was assessed using the Roland-Morris (RM) questionnaire. The procedure was repeated in cases of unbearable pain (>5 VAS score). Patients had a mean VAS score of 8.6 before the procedure. Thereafter, VAS score was 0.91 immediately after the procedure and 3.0, 2.8, 3.7, and 3.6 at 1 month, 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year. NRS showed pain relief after the procedure of 85%, 65%, 78%, 62%, and 59.5% at the same time points. RM score was 18 before the procedure, 7.6 at 6 months after the procedure, and 8.5 at 1 year after the procedure. No major complication was noted except local pain in all patients and numbness of the back in six patients after the procedure. Combined RF neurotomy and steroid nerve block produced substantial improvement in terms of long-term pain relief and quality of life. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
High school consultation.
High schools painstakingly plan their academic standards, curricula, instructional approaches, technology, and facilities. Also essential to the vision is a systematic plan for developmental guidance, prevention, at-risk services, intervention, crisis responding, and postvention. The consultant, working in partnership with a caring school staff, can promote safety and well-being and reduce risk-taking behaviors so that adolescents can get the most benefit from school experiences. Several protocols have been described that may guide a consultant in helping school personnel. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effective Dose Assessment for Patients Undergoing Contemporary Fluoroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures.
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to establish procedure-specific air kerma-area product (KAP) and effective dose for a large number of fluoroscopically guided interventional (FGI) procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This retrospective study collected dose data for consecutive adult cases from 12 examination rooms between May 2016 and October 2018. A total of 24,911 cases (50.9% men) were categorized by procedure. Effective dose was calculated using KAP and procedure-specific KAP to effective dose conversion coefficients, mostly from National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Report 160. Data analysis was conducted with statistical software to determine mean value and five percentiles (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 95th). RESULTS. KAP and effective dose were presented for 101 procedures; a national benchmark is not available from NCRP Reports 168 and 172 for the KAP value of 89 procedures and for the effective dose of all 101 procedures. Twelve procedures that comprised at least 50% of patient cases had median KAP values less than 3.26 Gy · cm2 and a median effective dose of less than 0.70 mSv. However, some infrequent procedures might be associated with a higher dose. The 95th percentile of KAP was greater than or equal to 500 Gy · cm2 for 16 procedures and 985 Gy · cm2 for portography; for effective dose it was greater than or equal to 100 mSv for 21 procedures and 256 mSv for portography. CONCLUSION. The values for KAP and effective dose provided in this article can aid in design and review of clinical research protocols and dose management programs and in assessing compliance with the Joint Commission's standards for organizations providing fluoroscopy services in the absence of national benchmarks for more than 89 procedures. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Control of heart rate during transition from intravenous to oral diltiazem in atrial fibrillation or flutter.
We tested whether patients presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter (AFl) with a rapid ventricular response could maintain control of heart rate while transferring from a bolus and continuous infusion of intravenous diltiazem to oral diltiazem. Forty patients with AF or AFI and sustained ventricular rate > or = 120 beats/min received intravenous diltiazem "bolus" (20 to 25 mg for 2 minutes) and "infusion" (5 to 15 mg/hour for 6 to 20 hours). Oral long-acting diltiazem (diltiazem CD 180, 300, or 360 mg/24 hours) was administered in patients in whom stable heart rate control was attained during constant infusion. Intravenous diltiazem infusion was discontinued 4 hours after the first oral dose, and patients were monitored during 48 subsequent hours of "transition" to oral therapy. Response to diltiazem was defined as heart rate <100 beats/min, > or = 20% decrease in heart rate from baseline, or conversion to sinus rhythm. Other rate control or antiarrhythmic medications were not allowed during the study period. Thirty-seven of 40 patients maintained heart rate control during the bolus, and 35 of the remaining 37 maintained control during the infusion of intravenous diltiazem. Of the 35 patients achieving heart rate control with intravenous diltiazem who entered the transition to oral therapy, 27 maintained heart rate control (response rate of 77%/, 95% confidence interval 63% to 91%). The median infusion rate of intravenous diltiazem was 10 mg/hour, and the median dose of oral diltiazem CD was 300 mg/day. Oral long-acting diltiazem was 77% effective in controlling ventricular response over 48 hours in patients with AF or AFl in whom ventricular response was initially controlled with intravenous diltiazem. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A validated, sensitive HPLC method for the determination of trace impurities in acetaminophen drug substance.
A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of n-propionyl-p-aminophenol, 3-chloro-4-hydroxyacetanilide, 4'-hydroxyacetophenone, 4-hydroxyacetophenone oxime, 4-acetoxyacetanilide and 4'-chloroacetanilide, the main impurities in acetaminophen drug substance. The chromatographic separation was achieved on an Eclipse XDB-18 reversed-phase column using a gradient elution, being solvent A: 0.01 M phosphate buffer at pH 3.0 and solvent B: methanol. The limit of quantitation (S/N=10:1) was 0.1 microg/ml for each impurity. The coefficients of variation were less than 4% for intra-day and inter-day analyses. The individual recovery of acetaminophen spiked samples ranged from 94 to 104% and the mean recovery for each level from 99 to 103% in the 1-150 microg/ml range for all impurities. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analyses of different lots and different manufactures of acetaminophen drug substance. The proposed method can be used for the routine quality control of acetaminophen. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Air-bubbling, hollow-fiber reactor with cell bleeding and cross-flow filtration.
Continuous asymmetric reduction of dyhydrooxoisophorone (DOIP) to 4-hydroxy-2,2,6-trimethylcyclo-hexanone (4-HTMCH) was achieved by a thermophilic bacterium Bacillus stearothermophilus NK86-0151. Three reactors were used: an air-bubbling hollow-fiber reactor with cell bleeding and cross-flow filtration, an air-lift reactor, and a CSTR with PAA immobilized cells. The maximum cell concentration of 11.1 g dry wt L(-1) was obtained in an air-bubbling hollow-fiber reactor, while in the other reactors the cell densities were between 3.5 and 4.1 g dry wt L(-1) The optimum bleed ratio was 0.1 at the dilution rate 0.3 h(-1) in the hollow-fiber reactor. The highest viable cell concentration was maintained in the dilution range of 0.4-0.7 h(-1) by a combination of proper cell bleeding and cross-flow filtration. The maximum volumetric productivity of 4-HTMCH reached 826 mg L(-1) h(-1) at the dilution rate 0.54 h(-1). This value was 4 and 2 times higher than those in the air-lift reactor and CSTR, respectively. The increasing viable cell concentration increased the volumetric productivity of 4-HTMCH. A cell free product solution was continuously obtained by cross-flow filtration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Comparative study of the therapeutic effects of oral contraceptive pills containing desogestrel, cyproterone acetate, and drospirenone in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
To compare the effects of oral contraceptive pills containing desogestrel, cyproterone acetate, and drospirenone, in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), after 6 and 12 months of therapy. Double-blind randomized controlled trial. Gynecologic clinic of the first author. Women (n = 171) with PCOS (Androgen Excess Society criteria, 2006). The three-arm trial involved 58, 56, and 57 cases in desogestrel, cyproterone acetate, and drospirenone groups, respectively. Body mass index, abdominal circumference, hirsutism score (modified Ferriman Galwey), acne and acanthosis nigricans scores, and blood pressure were noted. Blood levels of total T, sex hormone-binding globulin, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin were measured. Free androgen index, glucose-insulin ratio, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance were calculated. Follow-up was after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Primarily, absolute change in the Free Androgen Index score between the three groups and, secondarily, changes in the clinical and other hormonal and biochemical parameters were studied. Six months of treatment showed similar effects. After 12 months, cyproterone acetate significantly decreased the modified Ferriman Galwey score (change = -5.29) compared with both desogestrel (change = -1.69) and drospirenone (change = -2.12); cyproterone acetate significantly increased sex hormone-binding globulin (change = 142.91) compared with desogestrel (change = 99.53); drospirenone significantly increased sex hormone-binding globulin (change = 131.52) compared with desogestrel; and cyproterone acetate significantly decreased the Free Androgen Index (change = -10.57) compared with desogestrel (change = -5.58). No difference in effects after 6 months. At 12 months, cyproterone acetate showed the strongest antiandrogen activities. Effects on metabolic parameters were identical. CTRI/2010/091/000332. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Immunological effects of bevacizumab-based treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer.
The efficacy of bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) could be related not only to its well-known antiangiogenetic properties but also to a hypothetical effect on the immune system of the host. We enrolled mCRC patients treated with a bevacizumab-based first-line therapy. Lymphocyte and dendritic cell subsets were evaluated at baseline, 3rd and 6th cycle. The clinical efficacy was estimated as response rate and progression-free survival. Forty healthy subjects were used as reference. Fifty-one patients were enrolled. In comparison with healthy subjects, they showed a decrease of T and B cell compartments. Bevacizumab ameliorated the impairment of lymphocyte subsets, especially for T cells. Responders showed a trend toward an increase of CD3 (p = 0.07) and CD4 (p = 0.05). Among patients with a progression-free survival >1 year, only CD19 (p = 0.033) and CD20 (p = 0.013) showed a significant increase. No baseline impairment and no significant modification of dendritic cells were found. Bevacizumab-based therapy is able to increase B and T cell compartments. The expansion of T lymphocytes could imply an amelioration of dendritic cell-presenting capacity. These effects correlate with a more favourable clinical outcome and could be taken into account in clinical protocols aimed at combining antiangiogenetic-therapy with immunotherapy in mCRC. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of absorbent grid preparation method on precision and accuracy of ambient nitrogen dioxide measurements using Palmes passive diffusion tubes.
A few studies have suggested that the precision and accuracy of measurement of NO(2) by Palmes-type passive diffusion tube (PDT) are affected by the method of preparation of the triethanolamine (TEA) absorbent coating on the grids. Theses studies have been quite limited in extent and have tended to evaluate PDT accuracy as zero bias between PDT NO(2) value and the exposure-averaged NO(2) determined by co-located chemiluminescence analyser. This ignores the well-documented intrinsic systematic biases on PDT-derived NO(2), such as within-tube chemistry and exposure-duration nitrite loss, which may lead to non-zero bias values irrespective of effects of TEA absorbent preparation method on PDT accuracy. This paper reports on a statistical analysis of a large dataset comprising 680 duplicated PDT exposures spanning 146 separate exposure periods, spread over five urban exposure locations and a number of years. In each exposure period, PDTs prepared by between four and six different grid preparation methods were simultaneously compared. The preparation methods used combinations of the following: acetone or water as the TEA solvent; 20% or 50% as %TEA in the solution; and application of TEA solution by dipping grids for several minutes in the solution before drying and tube assembly, or by pipetting 50 microL of solution directly onto grids already placed in the PDT cap. These represent the range of preparation procedures typically used. Accuracy was evaluated as maximised nitrite capture within an exposure. Data were analysed by general linear modelling including examination of interaction between different aspects of grid preparation method. PDT precision and accuracy were both significantly better, on average, when the PDT grids were prepared by dipping in TEA solution, and neither solvent or %TEA used for the dipping solution were important. Where PDT preparation by pipetting TEA solution onto grids is to be used, better performance was obtained using 20% TEA in water. A systematic positive bias in PDT measure of NO(2), consistent with within-tube oxidation of NO to NO(2) and independent of preparation method, was again evident in this work. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Monitoring change of body fluids during physical exercise using bioimpedance spectroscopy.
During physical exercise body muscles are activated and heat is generated. In intensive physical activity, heat will be released by sweating to protect the body of overheating. Sweating and convection implies a water loss which can lead to dehydration. To avoid health problems as a result of dehydration, the body water content can be monitored to detect changes early in order to rehydrate in time. Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS) is a comfortable measurement method to monitor the body composition under controlled conditions, that is used for different applications, like monitoring dialysis. Unfortunately, the physiological changes due to sportive activities can influence the BIS and complicate the measurement. In this article, a study is presented in which the fluid content of five test persons is monitored during physical exercise, whereas all test persons did not drink anything before and during sport. During training not only the body composition was measured using a BIS device but also the skin temperature was monitored with an infrared camera. As a result, it could be shown that such a combination of measurement systems allow to use BIS devices also during sport as significant monitoring systems for detecting a person's body fluid loss. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Superamphiphobic Silicon-Nanowire-Embedded Microsystem and In-Contact Flow Performance of Gas and Liquid Streams.
Gas and liquid streams are invariably separated either by a solid wall or by a membrane for heat or mass transfer between the gas and liquid streams. Without the separating wall, the gas phase is present as bubbles in liquid or, in a microsystem, as gas plugs between slugs of liquid. Continuous and direct contact between the two moving streams of gas and liquid is quite an efficient way of achieving heat or mass transfer between the two phases. Here, we report a silicon nanowire built-in microsystem in which a liquid stream flows in contact with an underlying gas stream. The upper liquid stream does not penetrate into the lower gas stream due to the superamphiphobic nature of the silicon nanowires built into the bottom wall, thereby preserving the integrity of continuous gas and liquid streams, although they are flowing in contact. Due to the superamphiphobic nature of silicon nanowires, the microsystem provides the best possible interfacial mass transfer known to date between flowing gas and liquid phases, which can achieve excellent chemical performance in two-phase organic syntheses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Evaluation of a cardiovascular health program for participants with mental retardation and normal learners.
An evaluation was conducted to compare the impact of an 8-week cardiovascular disease risk reduction group teaching program for 92 individuals with mental retardation (MR; IQ less than 70) and 97 normal learners. The curriculum emphasized exercise, nutritional choices, and stress reduction. Body Mass Index (BMI; weight in kilograms, divided by height in meters, squared), knowledge of healthy eating choices, self-report of fruit and vegetable intake, and exercise were measured before and after the intervention. The mean BMI decreased by .89 for normal learners and not at all for the group with MR. However, BMI decreased by at least .75 units (or approximately 5 pounds) for 18.5% of individuals with MR and 44.3% of normal learners. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
MitoPho8Δ60 Assay as a Tool to Quantitatively Measure Mitophagy Activity.
Mitophagy, a selective type of macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy), specifically mediates the vacuole/lysosome-dependent degradation of damaged or surplus mitochondria. Because this process regulates the number and quality of mitochondria, it is vital for proper cellular homeostasis. Mitophagy also plays critical roles in the clearance of paternal mitochondria in C. elegans embryos, in erythroid cell maturation, and in the prevention of neurodegenerative disease and cancer. In order to study the molecular mechanism and regulation of mitophagy, sensitive assays are necessary to quantitatively measure mitophagy activity. In the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a "mitoPho8Δ60" assay was developed to study mitophagy. In this assay, Pho8, a vacuolar phosphatase protein, is genetically engineered to be targeted to mitochondria. When mitophagy is induced, the phosphatase protein, along with mitochondria, is conveyed to the vacuole, where its C-terminal propeptide is removed and the phosphatase activity becomes activated; under growing conditions only a background level of delivery occurs. For this reason, the enzymatic activity of mitoPho8Δ60 is correlated with the amount of mitochondria delivered to the vacuole. Thus, this assay serves as a very convenient tool to quantitatively monitor mitophagy activity in yeast. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cinnamoylnitrile-, pyran-, and pyranopyrazole-derivatives containing the salicylanilide moiety with anticipated molluscicidal activity.
The reaction of new cinnamonitriles containing the salicylyl moiety with active methylene reagents leads to the formation of the corresponding heterocycles. Their reaction with aniline yields the corresponding salicylanilide derivatives. The obtained pyrans and anilides were tested for molluscicidal activity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.