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Effect of root canal obturation with calcium silicate materials on pH change in simulated root resorption defects.
This study evaluated the effect of 3 commercially available calcium silicate materials (CSMs) on pH changes in simulated root resorption defects. Simulated root resorption defects were prepared on the facial root surface of 40 mandibular premolars. The depth of each defect was individually calculated to standardize the remaining dentin thickness to 1 mm. Prepared canals were obturated with the 3 CSMs. Ten specimens were kept as controls, filled with unbuffered normal saline. The pH measurements were taken at 1 hour, 6 hours, 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months. All CSM groups exhibited an initial alkaline pH of 9.0-9.7. The pH decreased to 8.0-8.5 after 2 months of storage. There were no significant differences between pH measurements at other time intervals. The CSM groups exhibited higher pH levels than the control group. The results showed that intracanal placement of the CSMs maintained initial pH levels of 9.0-9.7 inside the simulated resorption defects; these measurements gradually decreased to 8.0-8.5 over the span of 2 months.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Laryngotracheal trauma: observations on its pathogenesis and its prevention following prolonged orotracheal intubation in the adult.
The authors have clinically examined the larynges of 117 patients who were successfully extubated in a Respiratory Care Unit, and have examined the larynges at autopsy from an additional 68 patients who failed to survive in the same Respiratory Care Unit. Based on these observations, our understanding of the pathogenesis of laryngotracheal trauma has allowed us to modify our clinical management in order to minimize such damage. Influence of this study on the management of patients is described.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Functional assessment in partial hospitalization: clinical and administrative applications and implications after one year's utilization of the Framingham Functional Assessment Scale.
This paper presents the use of functional assessment as one response to the growing need for objective measures of outcome in psychiatric treatment. The Framingham Functional Assessment Scale was developed in 1979 as a functional assessment measure to form the basis of a client-oriented cost-outcome system for Medicaid reimbursement in Massachusetts. Clinical and administrative findings from 1 year's utilization of the scale are presented. Level of functioning (LOF) scores in a sample of 45 clients are analyzed to determine the amount of LOF change that occurred during the course of an intensive, 13-week, day-treatment program. Trends and patterns of LOF change are described. Utilization of functional assessment input/outcome data in administrative decision making is discussed, in light of increasing economic constraints in mental-health programs and concomitant demands for service accountability.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of vascular- and Alzheimer-type dementia.
To identify biochemical differences in brain tissue between patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type and vascular dementia. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to compare 10 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type and 8 age-matched patients with vascular dementia. The ratios of N-acetyl groups to creatine and N-acetyl groups to choline were lower in regions of subcortical white matter in patients with vascular dementia than in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (P < .02). Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be useful in distinguishing between dementia of the Alzheimer type and vascular dementia.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Opposite modulation of regulators of G protein signalling-2 RGS2 and RGS4 expression by dopamine receptors in the rat striatum.
The role of dopaminergic transmission on striatal mRNA levels of regulators of G protein signalling proteins RGS 2-12 was evaluated by quantitative in situ hybridisation. A single injection of L-dopa (50 mg/kg i.p.) significantly increased the RGS2 mRNA level (by 25%), an effect that was specifically abolished by the D1 dopamine receptor antagonist R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride (R(+)-SCH23390), but not changed by S(-)-eticlopride. Interestingly, the administration of this D2 dopamine receptor antagonist alone markedly enhanced the expression of RGS2 (by 71%), which suggests a constitutive inhibition of RGS2 expression by D2 dopamine receptors. Opposite results were obtained concerning the regulation of RGS4 since L-dopa alone was without effect whereas co-administration of L-dopa and R(+)-SCH23390 significantly enhanced the RGS4 mRNA levels (by 38%). In conclusion, D1 and D2 dopamine receptors appear to mediate opposite regulatory effects on RGS2 and RGS4 expression in the striatum.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Finding solutions for bird restoration and livestock management: comparing grazing exclusion levels.
Riparian habitats in the western United States support high avian abundance and diversity and are important areas for livestock grazing, although grazing contributes to the degradation of riparian vegetation. Complete removal of livestock is generally the most beneficial for bird communities, but alternative management approaches allowing for seasonal livestock grazing may also increase avian habitat quality. Determining management approaches that integrate conservation priorities and human use has the potential to improve conditions for birds across many grazed landscapes. We anticipated that both the full and seasonal exclusion of cattle from riparian areas would result in the recovery of avian populations. To test this, we experimentally compared the effects of total cattle exclusion vs. seasonal usage on bird populations in the riparian areas of two creeks in the San Joaquin Valley, California, USA. Avian species richness and average abundance were measured over six years, from 2001 to 2006. In general, native avian abundance and richness increased in both full- and seasonal-exclosure areas, with increases compared to the pretreatment year for all years except 2005. Habitats that had complete cattle exclusion recovered more significantly, with 29% lower avian abundance in seasonally grazed habitats. There was no significant difference in avian richness between the two grazing treatments, although richness did increase over time. In addition to increases in native species, abundance of nonnative birds and brood parasites also increased significantly, with a greater avian abundance in the full-exclusion areas. A direct comparison with the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), to further investigate annual avian population trends, explained the native species decline in 2005. This comparison revealed that observed trends were the effect of experimental treatment rather than a reflection of regional trends. Although the overall trends indicate that the full exclusion of livestock from riparian areas results in more abundant bird populations, seasonal exclusion is also a successful method for avian recovery. Land managers should consider both options in riparian areas, selecting full cattle removal for avian management only and seasonal cattle removal for situations where incorporating conservation and land use practices is advantageous.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A geographic cline in the ability to self-fertilize is unrelated to the pollination environment.
The reproductive assurance (RA) hypothesis predicts that the ability to autonomously self-fertilize should be favored in environments where a lack of mates or pollinators limits outcross reproduction. Because such limits to outcrossing are predicted to be most severe at range edges, elevated autonomy in peripheral populations is often attributed to RA. We test this hypothesis in 24 populations spanning the range of Campanula americana, including sampling at the range interior and three geographic range edges. We scored autonomous fruit set in a pollinator-free environment and detected clinal variation-autonomy increased linearly from the southern to the northern edge, and from the eastern to the western edge. We then address whether the cline reflects the contemporary pollination environment. We measured population size, plant density, pollinator visitation, outcross pollen limitation and RA in natural populations over two years. Most populations were pollen limited, and those that experienced higher visitation rates by bumblebees had reduced pollen limitation. Reproductive assurance, however, was generally low across populations and was unrelated to pollen limitation or autonomy. Neither pollen limitation nor RA displayed geographic clines. Finally, autonomy was not associated with pollinator visitation rates or mate availability. Thus, the data do not support the RA hypothesis; clinal variation in autonomy is unrelated to the current pollination environment. Therefore, geographic patterns of autonomy are likely the result of historical processes rather than contemporary natural selection for RA.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Cytochrome c(6B) of Synechococcus sp. WH 8102--crystal structure and basic properties of novel c(6)-like family representative.
Cytochromes c are soluble electron carriers of relatively low molecular weight, containing single heme moiety. In cyanobacteria cytochrome c6 participates in electron transfer from cytochrome b6f complex to photosystem I. Recent phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of a few families of proteins homologous to the previously mentioned. Cytochrome c6A from Arabidopsis thaliana was identified as a protein responsible for disulfide bond formation in response to intracellular redox state changes and c550 is well known element of photosystem II. However, function of cytochromes marked as c6B, c6C and cM as well as the physiological process in which they take a part still remain unidentified. Here we present the first structural and biophysical analysis of cytochrome from the c6B family from mesophilic cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. WH 8102. Purified protein was crystallized and its structure was refined at 1.4 Å resolution. Overall architecture of this polypeptide resembles typical I-class cytochromes c. The main features, that distinguish described protein from cytochrome c6, are slightly red-shifted α band of UV-Vis spectrum as well as relatively low midpoint potential (113.2±2.2 mV). Although, physiological function of cytochrome c6B has yet to be determined its properties probably exclude the participation of this protein in electron trafficking between b6f complex and photosystem I.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Intravital microscopy through an abdominal imaging window reveals a pre-micrometastasis stage during liver metastasis.
Cell dynamics in subcutaneous and breast tumors can be studied through conventional imaging windows with intravital microscopy. By contrast, visualization of the formation of metastasis has been hampered by the lack of long-term imaging windows for metastasis-prone organs, such as the liver. We developed an abdominal imaging window (AIW) to visualize distinct biological processes in the spleen, kidney, small intestine, pancreas, and liver. The AIW can be used to visualize processes for up to 1 month, as we demonstrate with islet cell transplantation. Furthermore, we have used the AIW to image the single steps of metastasis formation in the liver over the course of 14 days. We observed that single extravasated tumor cells proliferated to form "pre-micrometastases," in which cells lacked contact with neighboring tumor cells and were active and motile within the confined region of the growing clone. The clones then condensed into micrometastases where cell migration was strongly diminished but proliferation continued. Moreover, the metastatic load was reduced by suppressing tumor cell migration in the pre-micrometastases. We suggest that tumor cell migration within pre-micrometastases is a contributing step that can be targeted therapeutically during liver metastasis formation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A planar model of the knee joint to characterize the knee extensor mechanism.
A simple planar static model of the knee joint was developed to calculate effective moment arms for the quadriceps muscle. A pathway for the instantaneous center of rotation was chosen that gives realistic orientations of the femur relative to the tibia. Using the model, nonlinear force and moment equilibrium equations were solved at one degree increments for knee flexion angles from 0 (full extension) to 90 degrees, yielding patellar orientation, patellofemoral contact force and patellar ligament force and direction with respect to both the tibial insertion point and the tibiofemoral contact point. The computer-derived results from this two-dimensional model agree with results from more complex models developed previously from experimentally obtained data. Due to our model's simplicity, however, the operation of the patellar mechanism as a lever as well as a spacer is clearly illustrated. Specifically, the thickness of the patella was found to increase the effective moment arm significantly only at flexions below 35 degrees even though the actual moment arm exhibited an increase throughout the flexion range. Lengthening either the patella or the patellar ligament altered the force transmitted from the quadriceps to the patellar ligament, significantly increasing the effective moment arm at flexions greater than 25 degrees. We conclude that the levering action of the patella is an essential mechanism of knee joint operation at moderate to high flexion angles.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Development of the Pregnancy and Childbirth Questionnaire (PCQ): evaluating quality of care as perceived by women who recently gave birth.
To develop an instrument to the assess quality of care during pregnancy and delivery as perceived by women who recently gave birth. Prospective design from focus group interviews to validation of the questionnaire. The focus groups consisted of seven care providers, ten pregnant women and six women who recently gave birth. With the results of the focus group interviews, a draft questionnaire of 52 items was composed and its psychometric properties were tested in a first cohort of 300 women who recently gave birth (sample I) by means of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability analysis. The final version was further explored by confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) in another sample of 289 women (sample II) with similar characteristics as sample I. EFA in sample I suggested an 18-item scale with two components concerning the quality of care during pregnancy: 'personal treatment' (11 items, Cronbach's alpha (α)=0.87) and 'educational information' (7 items, α=0.90); the 'delivery' scale showed a single domain (7 items, α=0.88). CFA in sample II confirmed both factor structures with an adequate model fit. Overall, satisfaction with care was highest among women who only received midwife-led care, while women who were referred to an obstetrician during pregnancy reported less satisfaction. The 25-item PCQ, primarily based on the experiences and perceptions of pregnant women and women who recently gave birth, showed adequate psychometric properties evaluating the quality of care during pregnancy and delivery. This user-friendly instrument might be a valuable instrument for future research to further evaluate the quality of care to pregnant women.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Gram-negative periodontal bacteria induce the activation of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and cytokine production in human periodontal ligament cells.
Periodontitis is a bacterially induced chronic inflammatory disease. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which could recognize microbial pathogens, are important components in the innate and adaptive immune systems. Both qualitatively and quantitatively distinct immune responses might result from different bacteria stimulation and the triggering of different TLRs. This study explores the interaction of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) with TLR2 and TLR4. We studied the gene expression changes of TLR2 and TLR4 and cytokine production (interleukin-1β, -6, -8, -10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) stimulated with heat-killed bacteria or P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of monoclonal antibodies to TLR2 or TLR4 (anti-TLR2/4 mAb). Both test bacteria and 10 microg/ml P. gingivalis LPS treatment increased the gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and cytokine production in HPDLCs. In addition, these upregulations could be blocked by anti-TLR2/4 mAb. However, the expression of TLR4 mRNA in HPDLCs stimulated with 1 microg/ml P. gingivalis LPS was not increased. No differences were found in the cytokine production caused by 1 microg/ml P. gingivalis LPS treatment in the presence or absence of anti-TLR4 mAb. These patterns of gene expression and cytokine production indicate that Gram-negative periodontal bacteria or their LPS might play a role in triggering TLR2 and/or TLR4, and be of importance for the immune responses in periodontitis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The aggregation and membrane-binding properties of an alpha-synuclein peptide fragment.
alpha-Synuclein is a 140 amino acid protein, which is associated with presynaptic membranes in the brain, and is the major component of protein aggregates produced during the progression of many neurodegenerative diseases. It has been shown that a central hydrophobic region of alpha-synuclein comprising residues 71-82 is required for aggregation of the protein into the fibrillar form found in pathogenic aggregates [Giasson, Murray, Trojanowski and Lee (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 2380-2386]. In the present study, we used (2)H NMR and electron microscopy to investigate the aggregation and membrane-binding properties of a synthetic peptide corresponding to this region. Results indicate that this region associates with phospholipid bilayers but also forms amyloid-like fibrils in the absence of lipid membranes.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Analysis of methanogenic activity in a thermophilic-dry anaerobic reactor: use of fluorescent in situ hybridization.
Methanogenic activity in a thermophilic-dry anaerobic reactor was determined by comparing the amount of methane generated for each of the organic loading rates with the size of the total and specific methanogenic population, as determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization. A high correlation was evident between the total methanogenic activity and retention time [-0.6988Ln(x)+2.667] (R(2) 0.8866). The total methanogenic activity increased from 0.04x10(-8) mLCH(4) cell(-1)day(-1) to 0.38x10(-8) mLCH(4) cell(-1)day(-1) while the retention time decreased, augmenting the organic loading rates. The specific methanogenic activities of H(2)-utilizing methanogens and acetate-utilizing methanogens increased until they stabilised at 0.64x10(-8) mLCH(4) cell(-1)day(-1) and 0.33x10(-8) mLCH(4) cell(-1)day(-1), respectively. The methanogenic activity of H(2)-utilizing methanogens was higher than acetate-utilizing methanogens, indicating that maintaining a low partial pressure of hydrogen does not inhibit the acetoclastic methanogenesis or the anaerobic process.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States.
To determine if there are variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair in the United States. Retrospective, noninterventional, cross-sectional study. Year 2009 Medicare fee-for-service claims for retinal detachment repair were aggregated in 4 geographic regions and evaluated. The relative preference for retinal detachment repair by pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckling, and pneumatic retinopexy was analyzed. The Midwest demonstrated a greater preference for scleral buckling compared to all other regions (P < .01) and lower preference for pars plana vitrectomy relative to the South and West (P ≤ .02). The Northeast demonstrated a greater preference for pneumatic retinopexy when compared to all other regions (P < .01). The Northeast also revealed a trend toward a lower preference for pars plana vitrectomy compared to the West and South (P ≤ .08). There are statistically significant variations in regional practice patterns for retinal detachment repair. The West, despite its historical association with pneumatic retinopexy, did not demonstrate a greater preference for the surgical technique.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Climbing exercise increases bone mass and trabecular bone turnover through transient regulation of marrow osteogenic and osteoclastogenic potentials in mice.
To investigate the relationship between the effects of bone turnover and bone marrow cell development in bone cells, we developed a mouse voluntary climbing exercise model. Climbing exercise increased bone volume and transient osteogenic potential of bone marrow. This model would be suitable for investigating the mechanistic roles of mechanical loading. The relationship between bone mass gain and local bone formation and resorption in mechanically loaded bone is not well understood. Sixty-five C57BL/6J mice, 8 weeks of age, were assigned to five groups: a baseline control and two groups each of ground control and climbing exercise mice for 2 and 4 weeks. Mice were housed in a 100-cm tower and had to climb toward a bottle placed at the top to drink water. Compared with the ground control, bone mineral density of the left femur increased in the climbing mice at 4 weeks. At 2 and 4 weeks, bone formation rate (BFR/BS) of periosteal surface, the cross-sectional area, and moment of inertia were increased in the climbing mice, whereas BFR/BS and eroded surface (ES/BS) of endosteal surface did not differ. The trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) of the proximal tibia increased in climbing mice, and osteoclast surface (Oc.S/BS) and osteoclast number decreased at 2 weeks. At 4 weeks, there were increases in BV/TV and parameters of bone formation, including mineralized surface, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate. In marrow cell cultures from the tibia, the number of alkaline phosphatase+ colony forming units-fibroblastic and the area of mineralized nodule formation in climbing mice were increased, and the number of osteoclast-like TRACP+ multinucleated cells was lower at 2 weeks. At 4 weeks, these parameters recovered to the levels of the ground controls. Our results indicate that climbing increased trabecular bone volume and reduced bone resorption, with a subsequent increase in bone formation. Intermittent climbing downregulates marrow osteoclastogenic cells and upregulates osteogenic cells initially, but further exercise seemed to desensitize them. Cortical envelopes were enlarged earlier, but the response seems to differ from trabecular bone.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Chronic care clinics: a randomized controlled trial of a new model of primary care for frail older adults.
To determine whether a new model of primary care, Chronic Care Clinics, can improve outcomes of common geriatric syndromes (urinary incontinence, falls, depressive symptoms, high risk medications, functional impairment) in frail older adults. Randomized controlled trial with 24 months of follow-up. Physician practices were randomized either to the Chronic Care Clinics intervention or to usual care. Nine primary care physician practices that comprise an ambulatory clinic in a large staff-model HMO in western Washington State. Those patients aged 65 and older in each practice with the highest risk for being hospitalized or experiencing functional decline. Intervention practices (5 physicians, 96 patients) held half-day Chronic Care Clinics every 3 to 4 months. These clinics included an extended visit with the physician and nurse dedicated to planning chronic disease management; a pharmacist visit that emphasized reduction of polypharmacy and high-risk medications; and a patient self-management/support group. Control practices (4 physicians, 73 patients) received usual care. Changes in self-reported urinary incontinence, frequency of falls, depressive symptoms, physical function, and satisfaction were analyzed using an intention-to-treat analysis adjusted for baseline differences, covariates, and practice-level variation. Prescriptions for high-risk medications and cost/utilization data obtained from administrative data were similarly analyzed. After 24 months, no significant improvements in frequency of incontinence, proportion with falls, depression scores, physical function scores, or prescriptions for high risk medications were demonstrated. Costs of medical care including frequency of hospitalization, hospital days, emergency and ambulatory visits, and total costs of care were not significantly different between intervention and control groups. A higher proportion of intervention patients rated the overall quality of their medical care as excellent compared with control patients (40.0% vs 25.3%, P = .10). Although intervention patients expressed high levels of satisfaction with Chronic Care Clinics, improved outcomes for selected geriatric syndromes were not demonstrated. These findings suggest the need for developing greater system-wide support for managing geriatric syndromes in primary care and illustrate the challenges of conducting practice improvement research in a rapidly changing delivery system.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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How to write a research paper.
This paper contains practical suggestions for developing finished research in science and health fields into publishable manuscripts. Although the classic outline of introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion is used, it is shown how a different order of composition is more effective. Each section is discussed from the perspective of the potential reader and basic questions are posed so that an effective paper would result from answering these questions. Suggestions are also offered for preparing tables and figures, handling references, and doing rewrites.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The role of gastric surgery in the multidisciplinary management of severe obesity.
Severe obesity affects the health and quality of life of 4 million Americans. The major cost of treating severe obesity and its associated comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary insufficiency, cancer, and degenerative arthritis as well as the poor long-term results of medical, drug, and behavioral therapy has increased the numbers of patients being referred for surgical treatment. Gastric bypass and vertical banded gastroplasty are the two procedures recommended for severely obese patients. These operations currently have low morbidity and mortality. Surgery should be considered adjuvant therapy and must be part of a multidisciplinary approach. The significant long-term weight control resulting from the surgical therapy is associated with improvement and, often, resolution of comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and pulmonary insufficiency.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Experience with an ultrasound stethoscope.
To test the diagnostic potential of the SonoHeart, a battery-powered hand-held ultrasound imaging device, in an outpatient clinic setting. A total of 114 patients with a variety of cardiac diseases were examined by 2 independent cardiologists with the hand-held device using the standard echocardiographic system (SE) as a reference. Global right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function (scored as normal, mildly to moderately, or severely reduced) and internal cavity dimensions were assessed. Regional wall motion of 6 segments using a 2-point score (1 = normal wall motion, 2 = abnormal wall motion) was evaluated in 34 patients on-line. There was a good agreement between the 2 imaging devices for evaluation of global LV (93%) and RV function (99%), regional wall motion (90%), dimensions of the LV (99%) and the RV (99%), and the left (96%) and right atria (99%). Furthermore, SonoHeart identified hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pericardial effusion, and abnormalities of valves. The SonoHeart device allows rapid and accurate diagnosis, whenever needed in the outpatient clinic.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Ureaplasma urealyticum and intrauterine infection of fetus].
Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) infection in pregnancy can lead to a poor outcome. To confirm the relation between Uu and intrauterine infection, 65 placentas were taken for isolation and identification of Uu from pregnant women with positive antibody to Uu. Uu was isolated from 13 (20%) of the 65 placentas. The pathologic examination of 6 placentas showed that there were acute or chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. Cord blood IgM antibody was examined by ELISA from 5 cases in which Uu was isolated from placentas and 3 of them was positive to Uu. The 5 cord blood specimens were assayed by the metabolic inhibition test for serotypes of Uu, and one of them was serotype 8. Since the isolation of Uu from some pregnant women, the pathologic changes of placentas, and the detection of specific IgM from cord blood showed a good consistency, we conclude that the Uu infection may occur in utero.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Comprehensive quality of life outcomes for pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery.
Limited quality of life data exist for pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Further exploration of the following areas will enhance understanding and support clinical decision-making: baseline and post-ESS general and disease-specific quality of life, parent vs. child report, and correlation of nasal endoscopy to sinus CT scores. A prospective cohort study evaluated CRS patients age 5-18 undergoing ESS. Surveys were completed at two timepoints: (1) pre-ESS and (2) 30-90 days post-ESS, with parents completing general (PedsQLTM) and CRS-specific (SNOT-16 and SN-5) quality of life surveys and children completing PedsQLTM and SNOT-16 surveys. Preoperative Lund-Kennedy nasal endoscopy and Lund-Mackay sinus CT scores were calculated. Where appropriate, outcomes were stratified by cystic fibrosis status. Impaired preoperative general quality of life was evidenced by parent proxy-report of PedsQLTM scores in 10 cystic fibrosis and 11 non-CF patients. ESS was associated with decreased sinus symptoms at 1-3 months postoperatively with SN-5 change scores of -1.85 and -2.2, in CF and non-CF patients, respectively. Parents reported worse CRS symptoms via higher preoperative SNOT-16 scores than their children did. Nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scores correlated with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.51. Scores not reaching statistical significance included CF-related CRS SNOT-16 change scores and PedsQLTM general quality of life change scores. In pediatric patients with CRS electing ESS, general quality of life is impaired preoperatively and sinus symptoms improve significantly 1-3 months after sinus surgery. Parents report statistically worse CRS symptom scores than their children do. Nasal endoscopy scores in this cohort correlated with sinus CT scores.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Chronic Schistosoma mekongi in a traveler--a case report and review of the literature.
Travel-related schistosomiasis can be detected in patients without symptoms of acute or chronic infection. A case of Schistosoma mekongi acquired in an endemic area of Laos and discovered unexpectedly from colon biopsies taken 5 years after infection is presented here. A literature review of previous cases of S. mekongi infection specifically associated with travelers is then presented.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Road traffic noise and markers of adiposity in the Danish Nurse Cohort: A cross-sectional study.
Studies have suggested that traffic noise is associated with markers of obesity. We investigated the association of exposure to road traffic noise with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in the Danish Nurse Cohort. We used data on 15,501 female nurses (aged >44 years) from the nationwide Danish Nurse Cohort who, in 1999, reported information on self-measured height, weight, and waist circumference, together with information on socioeconomic status, lifestyle, work and health. Road traffic noise at the most exposed façade of the residence was estimated using Nord2000 as the annual mean of a weighted 24-h average (Lden). We used multiple linear regression models to examine associations of road traffic noise levels in 1999 (1-year mean) with BMI and waist circumference, adjusting for potential confounders, and evaluated effect modification by degree of urbanization, air pollution levels, night shift work, job strain, sedative use, sleep aid use, and family history of obesity. We did not observe associations between road traffic noise (per 10 dB increase in the 1-year mean Lden) and BMI (kg/m2) (β: 0.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.07, 0.07) or waist circumference (cm) (β: -0.09; 95% CI: -0.31, 0.31) in the fully adjusted model. We found significant effect modification of job strain and degree of urbanization on the associations between Lden and both BMI and waist circumference. Job strained nurses were associated with a 0.41 BMI-point increase, (95% CI: 0.06, 0.76) and a 1.00 cm increase in waist circumference (95% CI: 0.00, 2.00). Nurses living in urban areas had a statistically significant positive association of Lden with BMI (β: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.42), whilst no association was found for nurses living in suburban and rural areas. Our results suggest that road traffic noise exposure in nurses with particular susceptibilities, such as those with job strain, or living in urban areas, may lead to increased BMI, a marker of adiposity.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Identification of potential signature whistles from free-ranging common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in South Africa.
Conveying identity is important for social animals to maintain individually based relationships. Communication of identity information relies on both signal encoding and perception. Several delphinid species use individually distinctive signature whistles to transmit identity information, best described for the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). In this study, we investigate signature whistle use in wild common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). Acoustic recordings were analysed from 11 encounters from three locations in South Africa (Hout Bay, False Bay, and Plettenberg Bay) during 2009, 2016 and 2017. The frequency contours of whistles were visually categorised, with 29 signature whistle types (SWTs) identified through contour categorisation and a bout analysis approach developed specifically to identify signature whistles in bottlenose dolphins (SIGID). Categorisation verification was conducted using an unsupervised neural network (ARTwarp) at both a 91% and 96% vigilance parameter. For this, individual SWTs were analysed type by type and then in a 'global' analysis whereby all 497 whistle contours were categorised simultaneously. Overall the analysis demonstrated high stereotypy in the structure and temporal production of whistles, consistent with signature whistle use. We suggest that individual identity information may be encoded in these whistle contours. However, the large group sizes and high degree of vocal activity characteristic of this dolphin species generate a cluttered acoustic environment with high potential for masking from conspecific vocalisations. Therefore, further investigation into the mechanisms of identity perception in such acoustically cluttered environments is required to demonstrate the function of these stereotyped whistle types in common dolphins.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Dental caries status of primary school children aged 4-16 years in southwest Nigeria.
To assess the dental caries status of primary schoolchildren aged 4-16 in both urban and rural areas of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. Cross sectional and descriptive. Sample comprised of primary school children (n = 1,829) selected from five urban non-fee paying schools and three fee-paying schools as well as five rural fee-paying schools. Caries was diagnosed based on the WHO caries diagnostic criteria (1997). Caries prevalence was 14.4% in the urban area and 5.7% in the rural area (p < 0.01). Children from the fee-paying schools had a caries prevalence of 21% while those from the non-fee paying schools had a caries prevalence of 8.1% (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in dft score among 4-6 year-olds, which was 0.33 and 0.32 in both the urban and the rural areas respectively but there was a significant difference in dft and DMFT score in the older age groups. Most of the caries were unrestored, only 3 (0.16%) had filled teeth. 9.1% required restorative treatment, 2.4% had teeth for extraction. The prevalence of caries is low in the Nigerian population studied. Treatment rate is very low.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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D-Dimer and thrombus burden in acute pulmonary embolism.
Thrombus burden in pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with higher D-Dimer-levels and poorer prognosis. We aimed to investigate i) the influence of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and high-risk PE-status on D-Dimer-levels and ii) effectiveness of D-Dimer to predict RVD in normotensive PE patients. Overall, 161 PE patients were analyzed retrospectively, classified in 5 subgroups of thrombus burden according to clinical indications and compared regarding D-Dimer-levels. Linear regression models were computed to investigate the association between D-Dimer and the groups. In hemodynamically stable PE patients, a ROC curve was calculated to assess the effectiveness of D-Dimer for predicting RVD. Overall, 161 patients (60.9% females, 54.0% aged >70 years) were included in this analysis. The D-Dimer-level was associated with group-category in a univariate linear regression model (β 0.050 (95%CI 0.002-0.099), P = .043). After adjustment for age, sex, cancer, and pneumonia in a multivariate model we observed an association between D-Dimer and group-category with borderline significance (β 0.047 (95%CI 0.002-0.096), P = .058). The Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrated that D-Dimer increased significantly with higher group-category. In 129 normotensive patients, patients with RVD had significantly higher D-Dimer values compared to those without (1.73 (1.11/3.48) vs 1.17 (0.65/2.90) mg/l, P = .049). A ROC curve showed an AUC of 0.61, gender non-specific, with calculated optimal cut-off of 1.18 mg/l. Multi-variate logistic regression model confirmed an association between D-Dimer >1.18 mg/l and RVD (OR2.721 (95%CI 1.196-6.190), P = .017). Thrombus burden in PE is related to elevated D-Dimer levels, and D-Dimer values >1.18 mg/l were predictive for RVD in normotensive patients. D-Dimer levels were influenced by DVT, but not by cancer, pneumonia, age, or renal impairment.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Characterisation of mutations and genotype-phenotype correlation in cystic fibrosis: experience from India.
Very little is known about the genetics of cystic fibrosis (CF) from the Indian subcontinent. The aims of the study were to identify the mutations and study the relation of genotype with phenotype in Indian children with CF. A total of 100 patients with CF were screened for mutations in the CFTR gene. These included c.1521_1523delCTT (p.F508del) and c.3849+10 kb C>T mutations followed by single strand conformation polymorphism/heteroduplex analysis for mutations in 19 out of 27 exons of the CFTR gene. At least one mutation was identified in 40 patients. The most common mutation identified was p.F508del; 20 patients were homozygous and 13 heterozygous. In addition, c.3849+10 kb C>T, c.1161delC, and p.S549N were identified in two patients each and p.R352Q, p.R1158X and p.R75Q were identified in one patient each. Three novel mutations, viz. c.1002-7_1002-5delTTT, p.G149X and p.L183I were also identified. Majority of patients who were p.F508del positive originated from Pakistan and north-western states of India. The phenotypes of all patients were classical. Genotype-phenotype correlation revealed that p.F508del positive patients had a more severe disease, manifesting at an earlier age. A strategy for mutation screening for CF in India must involve testing for p.F508del followed by c.1161delC, c.3849+10 kb C>T and p.S549N. There is a need for large multicentric studies using more sensitive techniques for the identification of mutations in Indian CF patients.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Use of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a prospective study and the risk of symptomatic diverticular disease in men.
To examine prospectively the relationship between self-reported regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen and the risk of symptomatic diverticular disease. Prospective cohort study using a mailed baseline questionnaire in 1986, and follow-up every 2 years through 1992. Male health professionals residing in 50 US states. A total of 35 615 male health professionals (dentists, optometrists, veterinarians, physicians, pharmacists, osteopathic physicians, podiatrists) 40 to 75 years of age at baseline and free of diagnosed diverticular disease, colon or rectal polyp, ulcerative colitis, and cancer prior to 1988. Follow-up questionnaires in 1988, 1990, and 1992 about use of NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and other variables including the diagnosis of symptomatic diverticular disease. During 4 years of follow-up, we documented 310 newly diagnosed cases of symptomatic diverticular disease. After adjustment for age, physical activity, and energy-adjusted dietary fiber and total fat intake, regular and consistent use of NSAIDs and acetaminophen was positively associated with the overall risk of symptomatic diverticular disease (for users vs nonusers, relative risk [RR] for NSAIDs = 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-3.91; RR for acetaminophen = 1.81, 95% CI, 0.79-4.11). Most of this positive association was attributable to cases associated with bleeding, particularly for acetaminophen (for users vs nonusers, RR for NSAIDs = 4.64, 95% CI, 0.99-21.74; RR for acetaminophen = 13.63, 95% CI, 3.53-52.60). These results suggest that regular and consistent use of NSAIDs in general and acetaminophen is associated with symptoms of severe diverticular disease, particularly bleeding. Further research is needed to investigate the potentially deleterious effect of NSAIDs and other medications on the lower gastrointestinal tract.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Influence of sampling time on bacteriological diagnosis of goat intramammary infection.
Intramammary infection in seven commercial goat herds was studied using premilking and postmilking samples for purposes as bacteriological diagnosis. Using a positive result on both premilking and postmilking samples as the definitive diagnosis, we compared the efficacy of single samples collected either premilking or postmilking. With this aim, 2268 bacteriological culture results were compared. The kappa values (0.60) showed moderate agreement between the two samples. Specificity and positive predictive value were higher for postmilking samples than for premilking samples. Specificity of postmilking samples was 99.4% for coagulase-negative staphylococci, 99.9% for Gram-negative bacilli, 100% for streptococci, 99.9% for corynebacteria and 100% for mixed cultures. Premilking samples specificity was 96.6, 99.5, 99.7, 99.8 and 99.8%, respectively. False positive diagnoses were more frequent for premilking samples. The results suggest that postmilking samples should be used to diagnosis of goat intramammary infection.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Reduced cell sensitivity to glucocorticoid hormones in hypercholesterolemia].
The number of 3H-dexamethasone binding sites in lymphocytes of subjects with hypercholesterolemia (HCS) was found to be decreased as compared to the receptor level in normolipidemic patients (N). In HCS-lymphocytes, the dexamethasone-induced inhibition of 3H-thymidine and 14C-acetate incorporation was less pronounced (by 20% and 22%, respectively) than in control cells, which is suggestive of the decreased sensitivity of HCS-lymphocytes to the hormone. An addition of 5-25% HCS blood sera to human skin fibroblast cultures caused a 10-50% decrease in the number of 3H-dexamethasone binding sites and diminished the Kd values 2-3 times. Lipid-depleted HCS-sera had no effect on the glucocorticoid reception in fibroblasts, whereas very low (VLDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins inhibited the 3H-dexamethasone binding to the cells. The most potent inhibiting effect was exerted by VLDL (both N-VLDL and HCS-VLDL). HCS-VLDL were more effective than N-LDL. HCS-HDL and N-HDL did not effect the 3H-dexamethasone binding to fibroblasts. In cells preincubated with VLDL dexamethasone inhibited the incorporation of 3H-thymidine and 14C-acetate less intensively (by 27% and 20%, respectively) than in control fibroblasts. The experimental results are suggestive of a decreased sensitivity of peripheral HCS-cells to glucocorticoids, which may shed some light on the mechanism of hypercholesterolemia realization into coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-SS PEG20,000 mw) inhibits human melanomas and hepatocellular carcinomas in vitro and in vivo.
Some murine melanomas and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) have been shown to be auxotrophic for arginine. Arginine deiminase (ADI; EC 3.5.3.6.), an arginine-degrading enzyme isolated from Mycoplasma, can inhibit growth of these tumors. We found that ADI was specific for arginine and did not degrade other amino acids. Although arginine is not an essential amino acid for most cells, all human melanomas and HCCs tested were found to be inhibited by ADI in vitro. Arginine is synthesized from citrulline in two steps by argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinate lyase. Melanomas and HCCs did not express argininosuccinate synthetase mRNA but did express argininosuccinate lyase mRNA, suggesting that the arginine auxotrophy of these cells was a result of an inability to produce argininosuccinate synthetase. Human melanomas and HCCs were transfected with an expression plasmid containing argininosuccinate synthetase cDNA. The transfected cells were much more resistant to ADI than the parental cells in vitro and in vivo. Initial attempts to use ADI in vivo indicated that this enzyme had little efficacy, consistent with its short circulation half-life. Formulation of ADI with polyethylene glycol to produce ADI-SS PEG(20,000 mw) resulted in an enzyme with a much longer circulation half-life that, and although equally effective in vitro, was more efficacious in the treatment of mice implanted with human melanomas and HCCs. These data indicate that sensitivity of melanoma and HCC is due to the absence of argininosuccinate synthetase in these cells and that an effective formulation of ADI, which causes a sustained decrease in arginine, may be a useful treatment for arginine auxotrophic tumors including melanoma and HCC.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Electroencephalogram variability in dementia with lewy bodies, Alzheimer's disease and controls.
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is probably still underdiagnosed in the clinical setting. Previous studies have suggested a relationship between fluctuations in attention and electroencephalogram (EEG) measures. Since fluctuation in attention is a core symptom of DLB, we sought to further explore whether EEG measures could help differentiate DLB from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy controls. The EEGs of 20 patients with DLB, 64 patients with AD and 54 elderly controls were assessed in regard to frequencies, coherence, and variability. Greater variability was seen in delta-band power over 2-second intervals in parietal electrodes of DLB patients. The DLB group had a higher degree of overall coherence in the delta band and a lower degree of overall coherence in the alpha band than the other groups. Finally, EEG measures could distinguish DLB patients from AD patients and controls with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves ranging between 0.75 and 0.80 and between 0.91 and 0.97, respectively. We suggest that the difference in variability may be associated with the fluctuating cognition seen in DLB. This might have clinical implications as guidance in the diagnosis of DLB. The EEG analysis is simple enough to be possible to apply in clinical practice.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Histochemistry and cytochemistry of nuclear receptors.
Receptors of steroid hormones, thyroid hormones and several kinds of vitamins have been shown to act as nuclear transcription factors and to form a nuclear receptor (NR) family. Histochemical techniques including autoradiography using radio-labeled ligands, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization histochemistry, have displayed that target cells of these receptors are distributed not only in the classical target organs but also widely in a variety of tissues; these techniques can demonstrate the presence of receptor proteins and mRNAs, even though they are expressed in a small cell population of tissues. On the other hand, many studies have been performed to demonstrate the interaction between NRs and nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins, and to clarify the mechanism of transcriptional regulation through NRs in artificial conditions which are created in gene transfer experiments or under cell-free conditions. Some data coincide with those obtained from histochemical techniques, however, some histochemical data do not support the results of studies in vitro. This review focuses on the following topics: histochemical methodologies to detect NRs, the distribution and function of NRs in the tissues, the intracellular and intranuclear localization of NRs, roles of gonadal steroid receptors and their ligands on developing tissues including cell communications such as mesenchymal-stromal interaction, and the interaction between other cellular components and NRs. In addition, the agreement and disagreement between the results of histochemical studies and those from the experiments in the model systems or in vitro are discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Late Leaf Spot Severity and Yield of New Peanut Breeding Lines and Cultivars Grown Without Fungicides.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivars with resistance or tolerance to Cercospora arachidicola and/or Cercosporidium personatum, the causes of early and late leaf spot, respectively, are needed for organic production in the southeastern U.S. To determine the potential of new breeding lines for use in such production systems, field experiments were conducted in Tifton, GA, in 2014 and 2015 in which nine breeding lines and two cultivars, Georgia-06G and Georgia-12Y, were grown without foliar fungicide applications. In one set of trials, cultivar Georgia-12Y and most of the breeding lines evaluated had early season vigor ratings, early-season canopy width measurements, final plant populations, and pod yield that were greater than those of standard cultivar Georgia-06G. In those trials, final late leaf spot Florida scale ratings were lower and canopy reflectance measured as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), was higher all the breeding lines than those of Georgia-06G. In another set of trials, two of those same breeding lines had final late leaf spot ratings similar to those of Georgia-12Y in 2014, whereas in 2015, six of those breeding lines had final leaf spot ratings that were lower than those of Georgia-12Y. Yields were similar for Georgia-12Y and all the breeding lines in the Gibbs Farm trials. Across years and breeding lines at the Lang Farm, the relationship between visual estimates of defoliation and NDVI was described by a two sector piecewise regression with NDVI decreasing more rapidly with increasing defoliation above approximately 89%. The utility of NDVI for spot comparisons among breeding lines appears to be limited to situations where there are differences in defoliation. Georgia-12Y and multiple breeding lines evaluated show potential for use in situations such as organic production where acceptable fungicides available for seed treatment and leaf spot control are limited.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Expression of the sialyltransferase, ST3Gal4, impacts cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel activity, refractory period and ventricular conduction.
The sequential glycosylation process typically ends with sialic acid residues added through trans-Golgi sialyltransferase activity. Individuals afflicted with congenital disorders of glycosylation often have reduced glycoprotein sialylation and present with multi-system symptoms including hypotonia, seizures, arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy. Cardiac voltage-gated Na(+) channel (Nav) activity can be influenced by sialic acids likely contributing to an external surface potential causing channels to gate at less depolarized voltages. Here, a possible pathophysiological role for reduced sialylation is investigated by questioning the impact of gene deletion of the uniformly expressed beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 4 (ST3Gal4) on cardiac Nav activity, cellular refractory period and ventricular conduction. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments showed that ventricular Nav from ST3Gal4 deficient mice (ST3Gal4(-/-)) gated at more depolarized potentials, inactivated more slowly and recovered from fast inactivation more rapidly than WT controls. Current-clamp recordings indicated a 20% increase in time to action potential peak and a 30ms decrease in ST3Gal4(-/-) myocyte refractory period, concurrent with increased Nav recovery rate. Nav expression, distribution and maximal Na(+) current levels were unaffected by ST3Gal4 expression, indicating that reduced sialylation does not impact Nav surface expression and distribution. However, enzymatic desialylation suggested that ST3Gal4(-/-) ventricular Nav are less sialylated. Consistent with the shortened myocyte refractory period, epicardial conduction experiments using optical mapping techniques demonstrated a 27% reduction in minimum ventricular refractory period and increased susceptibility to arrhythmias in ST3Gal4(-/-) ventricles. Thus, deletion of a single sialyltransferase significantly impacts ventricular myocyte electrical signaling. These studies offer insight into diseases of glycosylation that are often associated with pathological changes in excitability and highlight the importance of glycosylation in cardiac physiology.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Inspiratory muscle training during rehabilitation in successfully weaned hypercapnic patients with COPD.
This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) added to rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who remain hypercapnic and use non-invasive ventilation after successful weaning. Patients received rehabilitation and were randomized to inspiratory muscle or sham training for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was distance walked within 6 min. Secondary outcomes were inspiratory muscle strength, endurance, lung function, and blood gas levels. Twenty-nine patients participated in this study. Walking distance of the sham group increased from 93 ± 52 m at baseline to 196 ± 85 m at week 4 (p = 0.019, 95% CI: 11-196 m). Patients in the IMT group significantly improved their walking distance from 94 ± 32 to 290 ± 75 m (p < 0.0001 [107-286 m]; p = 0.04 [3-186 m] for between-group comparison). Patients in the IMT group increased their maximal inspiratory pressure from -35 ± 8 to -55 ± 11 cmH2O (p = 0.001; -6 to -33 cmH2O), while the increase in the sham group failed to reach significance (-29 ± 10 to -37 ± 13 cmH2O [-22 to 6 cmH2O]). Inspiratory power increased from 9.6 ± 5.4 to 20.7 ± 9.7 joules/min (2.6-19.5 joules/min, p = 0.003) in the IMT group, while no significant change occurred in the sham group (7.6 ± 4.2 joules/min at study entry and 11.1 ± 6.9 joules/min [-5.2-12.3 joules/min] at study end). Rehabilitation of successfully weaned patients with COPD and persistent hypercapnia significantly improves functional exercise capacity. Additional IMT significantly enhances functional exercise capacity and increases respiratory muscle strength and power.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[The histopathological observation of rabbit corneas after small incision lenticule extraction].
To evaluate the morphological changes during corneal wound healing after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups (group A of 12 rabbits and group B of 9 rabbits) using the toss of a coin. All the right eyes were treated. Group A underwent SMILE, and group B underwent femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), with the same refractive corrections of-6.00 DS/-1.00 DC. The surface regularity on the refractive corneal lenticules and flaps was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were applied to observe changes in the cornea on postoperative week 1, months 1 and 3. The contralateral eye of three rabbits served as control. All the operations were successful, and the postoperative corneal healing was uneventful in both groups. The recovery of corneas was faster in the SMILE group by slit-lamp examination. Light microscopy confirmed the mild edema of corneal stroma with a clear intrastromal crevice in the SMILE group and the adhesion of the flap and stromal bed in the LASIK group on postoperative week 1. The filling of epithelial cells at the flap margin and the irregular arrangement of collagens were demonstrated in both groups. On postoperative month 1, stromal edema was dissipated, and collagens became more regular in both groups. The intrastromal crevice in the SMILE group disappeared on postoperative month 3. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed the edema of keratocyte mitochondria within 1 month, and the keratocytes recovered to normal on month 3. The surface regularity of the front surface was better than that of the back. Smooth intrastromal lenticules can be safely prepared by femtosecond laser. The corneal healing in the SMILE group was better than that in the LASIK group. The intrastromal crevice in the early postoperative period after SMILE should be paid attention to clinically. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 507-513).
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Population pharmacokinetics and prediction of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy after multiple doses of RBP-7000, a new sustained-release formulation of risperidone, in schizophrenia patients on stable oral risperidone treatment.
RBP-7000 is a long-acting formulation of risperidone administered once monthly via subcutaneous (SC) injections for the treatment of schizophrenia. The objectives of the present study were to characterize the pharmacokinetics of RBP-7000 after multiple doses in schizophrenic patients on stable oral risperidone therapy and to evaluate the switch between oral risperidone and SC injections of RBP-7000. Data were collected in a phase IIa, open-label, multiple-ascending-dose study where 45 patients clinically stabilized on oral risperidone (2, 3 or 4 mg/day) were switched to receive 60, 90 or 120 mg/month SC injections of RBP-7000, respectively. Patients were thereafter switched back to oral risperidone. An integrated population pharmacokinetic model describing simultaneously risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone after risperidone oral intake and RBP-7000 administration was developed in NON-MEM using 5,232 quantifiable plasma concentrations. Predictions of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy were derived using a previously published model. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption was selected for oral risperidone, while a three-compartment model with first-order absorption and a transit compartment absorption model was selected for RBP-7000. Body mass index was identified as a significant covariate affecting the initial absorption of risperidone following RBP-7000 injection. Steady state was reached after the second or third RBP-7000 injection but plasma concentrations close to steady-state values were obtained right after the first injection when switching from oral risperidone therapy. Predicted dopamine D2 receptor occupancy after repeated doses of 90 and 120 mg showed less fluctuation than after oral risperidone with acceptable ranges for clinical efficacy and a potentially safer profile with respect to extrapyramidal side effects. This analysis provided additional insight into the pharmacokinetics of RBP-7000 and for the comparison with oral risperidone treatment. The established model was used to support the design of a planned phase III study.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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We Refuse to Give up on Nonmaturing Fistulas.
The nonmaturing arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a major problem and can lead to significant patient morbidity and mortality because the patient is exposed to the risk of dialysis with a central venous catheter (CVC). Access planning should include a strategy to decrease the incidence of AVF nonmaturation. All newly created AVFs should be evaluated for maturation at 4-6 weeks. If it is judged to not be usable at that time, it should be evaluated for salvage. However, if multiple procedures over a prolonged period of time are necessary for salvage, the decreasing chances of long-term success with the increasing risks of CVC-based dialysis must be considered. Giving up on the nonmaturing AVF may be in the best interest of the patient.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Oxidative stress and electron spin resonance.
The body constantly reacts with oxygen as part of the energy producing processes of cells. Oxidative stress is a dysbalance between the production of free radicals as products of these reactions and antioxidant properties of cells. The factors influencing the production of free radicals are physical agents, chemical agents and biological agents. Free radicals are paramagnetic molecules with short time-period for their detection by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The free radical stabilization can be gained by freezing a solution of an organic radical or bonding to spin trapping agents. The spin trapping agents are diamagnetic compounds which rapidly scavenge transient radicals to form stable paramagnetic spin adducts radicals. Because this secondary radical retains an unpaired electron, it can often be detected by electron spin resonance. From ESR spectra can be obtained structural information and kinetic information, information about the formation and decay of the radicals. To study the process of free radical generation is an important step towards reducing the deteriorating effects of oxidative stress.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Treating pain in paediatric intensive care].
Pain is extremely present in paediatric intensive care units. It is caused both by the care procedures and by the pathology itself. Its assessment is essential and is based on scales adapted to the child.Treatment methods, pharmacological or not, depend on the type of pain and its intensity.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Refolding of bacteriorhodopsin. Protease V8 fragmentation and chromophore reconstitution from proteolytic V8 fragments.
Staphylococcus aureus protease V8 cleaves bacteriorhodopsin to two main fragments, V-1 and V-2. Proteolytic digestion of the purple membrane integrated protein is carried out in the presence of limited amounts of sodium dodecyl sulfate (0.5 g detergent/g bacteriorhodopsin). The fragment V-1 includes the arylisothiocyanate binding site (Lys41). The V-2 fragment comprises the two C-terminal transmembrane segments of bacteriorhodopsin. Improved renaturation of bacteriorhodopsin and the ternary complex, reformed from its V8 proteolytic fragments, is attained by peptide extraction in chloroform/methanol/0.1 M ammonium acetate and subsequent incorporation into phospholipid/detergent micelles. In the presence of retinal, V8 fragments reform chromophoric ternary complexes. Light-adapted reconstituted chromophores absorb incident light at 560 nm. Protein secondary structures are partially conserved in the course of solvent extraction and are restored in the reconstituted system. Vesicles prepared from the reconstituted complexes show light-dependent proton translocation activity.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Relationship between metabolism, sex and reproductive tactics in young Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).
Atlantic salmon can differ markedly in their growth and in the timing of reproductive maturation, leading to the dramatic contrast between the large anadromous adults and the diminutive mature male parr. This study examined the growth rates, anatomical and physiological characteristics of parr during the adoption of their discrete life histories to ascertain whether these properties can explain tactic choice. To minimise the impact of habitat differences upon these attributes, salmon were reared in the laboratory until 1.5years of age, when the "decisions" to undergo smoltification or to mature as parr had been taken. At 1.5years, both males and females showed bimodal size-frequency distributions. Neither the population of origin nor the paternal reproductive tactic influenced the "decision" to mature or the growth trajectories. Growth rate (% massday(-1) during their final 10months) and the % male and female offspring in the upper modal group were strongly correlated and varied markedly among families. Mean growth rate per family was negatively correlated with mean metabolic rate per family at emergence. Growth rate decreased as a function of parr size in January and the growth rates of upper modal fish were displaced upwards relative to those of lower modal fish. Most males in the smaller size mode matured, whereas all other fish began smoltification. Mature male parr did not differ from similarly sized female pre-smolt in routine metabolic rate, but these smaller fish had higher metabolic rates than larger male and female pre-smolts. However, mature parr differed markedly from similarly sized females and from larger male and female pre-smolts in possessing higher oxidative and lower glycolytic capacities in muscle. Overall, these data are consistent with the interpretation that growth rates dictate the distribution of parr between upper and lower modal groups. Individuals from faster growing families would be more likely to pass the threshold for smoltification and to accelerate growth, whereas those from slower growing families would remain in the lower mode. The use of metabolic capacities, e.g. metabolic rate, was linked with modal group, whereas muscle oxidative capacity was linked with male maturity. Mean family metabolic rate at emergence was negatively linked with mean growth during the subsequent year, suggesting that metabolic efficiency facilitates growth and eventually smoltification.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Drug-induced serotonin syndrome: a review.
Serotonin syndrome, or serotonin toxicity (ST), is a clinical condition that occurs as a result of an iatrogenic drug-induced increase in intrasynaptic serotonin levels primarily resulting in activation of serotonin(2A) receptors in the central nervous system. The severity of symptoms spans a spectrum of toxicity that correlates with the intrasynaptic serotonin concentration. Although numerous drugs have been implicated in ST, life-threatening cases generally occur only when monoamine oxidase inhibitors are combined with either selective or nonselective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. The triad of clinical features consists of neuromuscular hyperactivity, autonomic hyperactivity and altered mental status, which may present abruptly and progress rapidly. The awareness of ST is crucial not only in avoiding the unintentional lethal combination of therapeutic drugs but also in recognizing the clinical picture when it occurs so that treatment can be promptly initiated. In this review, the pathophysiology, clinical features, implicated drugs, diagnosis and treatment of ST are discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Impact of the state of water on the dispersion stability of a skin cream formulation elucidated by magnetic resonance techniques.
This study investigated the relationship between the state of water and the dispersion stability of a skin cream formulation. Hydrophilic ointments treated with a high-pressure wet-type jet mill were used as model formulations. Spin-lattice relaxation times (T(1)) were measured by magnetic resonance techniques to estimate the state of water in samples. A shorter T(1) relaxation time was obtained from samples with higher surfactant content, whereas the processing pressure of the jet mill and 1-week storage at 40 °C did not influence the T(1) relaxation time. Observations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that coalescence occurred in samples with lower surfactant contents (1.0% by weight) following 1-week storage at 40 °C. We also investigated samples prepared using a hydrophilic surfactant with a short polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain and with PEG-4000. From the change in T(1) relaxation times after removing the oil phase from samples by centrifugation, it was clarified that most of the surfactant was located on the surface of oil droplets. Furthermore, SEM observations showed that phase separation was facilitated as the PEG chain length of the surfactant shortened. Thus, a thin water layer over oil droplets is the most important factor for stabilizing their dispersion. This study provides proof-of-principle results on the contribution of the state of water to the dispersion stability of a skin cream formulation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Physical Stability of Octenyl Succinate-Modified Polysaccharides and Whey Proteins for Potential Use as Bioactive Carriers in Food Systems.
The high cost and potential toxicity of biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid (PLGA) has increased the interest in natural and modified biopolymers as bioactive carriers. This study characterized the physical stability (water sorption and state transition behavior) of selected starch and proteins: octenyl succinate-modified depolymerized waxy corn starch (DWxCn), waxy rice starch (DWxRc), phytoglycogen, whey protein concentrate (80%, WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and α-lactalbumin (α-L) to determine their potential as carriers of bioactive compounds under different environmental conditions. After enzyme modification and particle size characterization, glass transition temperature and moisture isotherms were used to characterize the systems. DWxCn and DWxRc had increased water sorption compared to native starch. The level of octenyl succinate anhydrate (OSA) modification (3% and 7%) did not reduce the water sorption of the DWxCn and phytoglycogen samples. The Guggenheim-Andersen-de Boer model indicated that native waxy corn had significantly (P < 0.05) higher water monolayer capacity followed by 3%-OSA-modified DWxCn, WPI, 3%-OSA-modified DWxRc, α-L, and native phytoglycogen. WPC had significantly lower water monolayer capacity. All Tg values matched with the solid-like appearance of the biopolymers. Native polysaccharides and whey proteins had higher glass transition temperature (Tg) values. On the other hand, depolymerized waxy starches at 7%-OSA modification had a "melted" appearance when exposed to environments with high relative humidity (above 70%) after 10 days at 23 °C. The use of depolymerized and OSA-modified polysaccharides blended with proteins created more stable blends of biopolymers. Hence, this biopolymer would be suitable for materials exposed to high humidity environments in food applications.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Contralateral replantation after bilateral traumatic lower leg amputation. Case report with 6 year follow-up].
A 66-year-old patient attempted suicide by jumping in front of a train. The lower extremities were amputated at different levels. On the right side, there was a complete amputation within the distal third of the lower leg. Proximal to the amputation site, there was an extensive soft-tissue and bone defect. On the left side, there was a crush injury of the tarsal and mid-tarsal bones. The left lower leg showed only few injuries. An ipsilateral (anatomical) replantation was not possible. In order to save one lower extremity, we decided to carry out a cross-over (contralateral) replantation of the right foot to the left lower leg. After a follow-up of six years, the patient is able to walk well with her prosthesis on the right side and the right foot hooked up to the left lower leg. Functionally, this treatment (cross-over replantation-one-side prosthesis of the lower leg) is much better than the prosthesis on both extremities, as the result has shown. Also from a psychological point of view, it seems to be better for the patient to preserve one extremity even with a cross-over replanted foot.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Malignant mesenchymal tumors in two white-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus townsendii).
Two white-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus townsendii) with proliferative lesions in their internal organs were submitted to the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) for necropsy because of concern that dogs that had contact with the hares might have been exposed to an infectious disease. In both hares, the primary diagnosis was neoplasia. One hare had metastatic leiomyosarcoma and uterine fibroma, the other had metastatic mesenchymal tumors involving the liver and mesentery. These cases represent the only reports of malignant mesenchymal tumors in white-tailed jack rabbits that we have found in the literature.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Management of ductal carcinoma in situ in the modern era.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been the subject of much controversy since the advent of population based breast screening programs. An increasing number of asymptomatic women are being diagnosed with this condition and there is uncertainty over the best treatment algorithm for this condition if treatment is to be considered at all. Different subtypes of DCIS show innate differences in developmental pathways and biological behavior. This is not only determined by pathological subtypes but there is increasing understanding of molecular biomarkers related to DCIS progression. The ultimate management aim is to identify a subgroup of patients in whom DCIS will not progress to invasive disease such that they can avoid morbidity from surgical and adjuvant therapies. This has to be balanced by the potential risk of undertreatment of patients in whom DCIS is likely to progress to invasive cancer and hence a reduced life expectancy. Results of current ongoing prospective randomized trials assessing the safety of omitting surgery for what is considered to be low risk DCIS are eagerly awaited for by patients and clinicians. However the definition of what is considered to be "low risk" DCIS is still to be ascertained.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Differential alterations of cortical cholinergic and neurotensin markers following ibotenic acid lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis.
The present study determined whether cortical cholinergic neurons recover functionally following the loss of afferent projections from the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (nbm). At various time points following ibotenic acid lesions of the nbm, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity or the capacity of cortical cholinergic neurons to synthesize [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) from the precursor molecule [3H]choline were measured in the frontoparietal cortex. First, cortical ChAT activity was decreased by 21% and 35% on the side ipsilateral to the lesion at 1 and 2 weeks following the nbm lesion, respectively. By 6 weeks following nbm lesions, cortical ChAT activity returned to control levels and remained at control levels at 10 weeks following nbm lesions. However, by 13 weeks following nbm lesions, we observed a 21% increase in ChAT activity on the side ipsilateral to the lesion. ChAT activity in the nbm remained unchanged over the time course studied. Secondly, there was a parallel reduction (by 43%) in the capacity of frontoparietal cortex slices from the side ipsilateral to the lesion to synthesize [3H]ACh by 2 weeks following nbm lesions. By 13 weeks following the lesion there was a significant increase (29%) in the synthetic capacity of cortical cholinergic neurons compared to the 2 week time point. Third, the content of neurotensin in the frontoparietal cortex was significantly decreased by 25% and 36%, at 2 weeks and 13 weeks following nbm lesions, respectively. Neurotensin levels in the nbm were not affected by ibotenic acid lesions. In contrast, [125I]neurotensin binding sites in the frontal or parietal cortex were not altered at 2 weeks following nbm lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Flux-based anisotropic diffusion applied to enhancement of 3-D angiogram.
We present a new approach to anisotropic diffusion based on a multidirectional diffusion flux. The diffusion flux is decomposed in an orthogonal basis, effectively enabling enhancement of contours as well as diffusion along the contours. To this end, we have selected a three-dimensional basis that depicts the directions of principal curvature and has an interesting interpretation in the context of the vessels. The diffusion function associated to each vector of the basis depends on the first-order derivative of the intensity in this direction, instead of the traditional norm of the smoothed gradient. Accordingly, we present the results of a restoration of computed tomography data of the liver.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Synthesis of 5-thio-L-altrose.
Treatment of 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-5,6-anhydro-D-galactofuranose with thiourea gave 1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-5,6-dideoxy-5,6-epithio-L-altrofuranose, acetolysis of which gave 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-acetyl-5-S-acetyl-5-thio-L-altrofuranose. Deacetylation of the latter gave 5-thio-L-altrose.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis with Nd: YAG laser and microwave].
A series of 200 cases of endometriosis were treated laparoscopically by Nd: YAG laser and microwave at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All the operations were performed under local and topical anesthesia follow-up for 10-48 months revealed good results. Of 76 cases with infertility, 46 (60.5%) conceived after treatment. Of 114 cases with ovarian endometriomas, the cysts were no longer found in 81 cases (71.1%), decreased in size in 24 cases (21.0%). Of 180 cases with pain symptoms, 105 patients (58.3%) were achieved complete relief, Partial relief in 61 cases (33.9%). It has been found that laparoscopic surgery is effective to improve fertile rate for the patients with all the stages of endometriosis. The results showed that the microwave and Nd: YAG laser can be achieved with safety and success. The microwave is safer than Nd: YAG laser and is easier to operate and less expensive.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Combined deletion 18q22.2 and duplication/triplication 18q22.1 causes microcephaly, mental retardation and leukencephalopathy.
Chromosome 18 abnormalities rank among the most common autosomal anomalies with 18q being the most frequently affected. A deletion of 18q has been attributed to microcephaly, mental retardation, short stature, facial dysmorphism, myelination disorders, limb and genitourinary malformations and congenital aural atresia. On the other hand, duplications of 18q have been associated with the phenotype of Edwards syndrome. Critical chromosomal regions for both phenotypes are contentious. In this report, we describe the first case of an 11-year old male with a combined interstitial duplication 18q22.1, triplication 18q22.1q22.2 and terminal deletion 18q22.2q23 with phenotypic features of isolated 18q deletion syndrome and absence of phenotypic features characteristic of Edwards syndrome despite duplication of the suggested critical region. This report allows for reevaluation of proposed critical intervals for the phenotypes in deletion 18q syndrome and Edwards syndrome.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Damage to neighboring teeth during the preparation of proximal cavities. An in-vivo study].
It has been shown that iatrogenic preparation damage increases caries progression and the need for restorative therapy of the adjacent tooth. The aim of this study was to quantify the damage of the adjacent tooth using three different preparation techniques: (1) diamond bur alone; (2) diamond bur combined with the EVA system and the Cavishape file; (3) diamond bur combined with an axial margin trimmer. All 136 preparations were performed by dental practitioners in their own practice. Examination of the area directly opposite to the axial box margin revealed significantly less damage (p < 0.01) using additionally the EVA system with the Cavishape file or the axial margin trimmer compared to using only diamond burs. The area opposite between the two box margins, which was in all three methods prepared only by the diamond bur, showed no significant differences between the methods under study. There were only a few teeth (overall 5%) with no damage of the adjacent surface. In order to reduce iatrogenic damage for the adjacent teeth the preparation technique has to be modified.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Prognostic significance of the proline form of p53 codon 72 polymorphism in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
An important tumor suppressor gene, p53, plays a role in the regulation of cell progression and prevention of carcinogenesis. Mutated p53 is related to cell progression and malignancy. We aimed to evaluate the association between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and p53 polymorphism. Case control study. All individuals were divided into two groups: nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n = 50) and non-nasopharyngeal carcinoma groups (n = 59). Their p53 codon 72 polymorphisms (arginine [Arg] homozygotes, heterozygotes, proline [Pro] homozygotes) were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Associations between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and p53 polymorphism were evaluated. Distributions of various p53 polymorphisms significantly differed between the two groups. We noted a dominant presentation of Pro homozygotes in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma population over that in the non-nasopharyngeal carcinoma population. Proportions of Pro homozygotes and heterozygotes and Arg homozygotes were 32%, 28%, and 40% in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma population and were 13.5%, 44.1%, and 42.4% in the non-nasopharyngeal carcinoma population, respectively. An association exists between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and p53 codon 72 polymorphism. The p53 Pro homozygotes are to a higher risk of development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Language discrimination by human newborns and by cotton-top tamarin monkeys.
Humans, but no other animal, make meaningful use of spoken language. What is unclear, however, is whether this capacity depends on a unique constellation of perceptual and neurobiological mechanisms or whether a subset of such mechanisms is shared with other organisms. To explore this problem, parallel experiments were conducted on human newborns and cotton-top tamarin monkeys to assess their ability to discriminate unfamiliar languages. A habituation-dishabituation procedure was used to show that human newborns and tamarins can discriminate sentences from Dutch and Japanese but not if the sentences are played backward. Moreover, the cues for discrimination are not present in backward speech. This suggests that the human newborns' tuning to certain properties of speech relies on general processes of the primate auditory system.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The process of decision-making by emergency nurses.
The manner in which emergency nurses make decisions is a fundamental component of their practice but has not been widely researched. A review of nursing literature revealed that the decision model used by nurses in other clinical areas was a hypothetico-deductive method of clinical reasoning. It appeared cogent to determine whether the hypothetico-deductive decision-making theory held true for emergency nursing. Accordingly, the overall objective in this study was to establish the method of decision-making used by emergency nurses. A modified grounded theory framework was chosen to validate the model put forward by White et al. Three participants, all clinical nurse specialists, were given five clinical situations to respond to and asked to describe and discuss their thoughts when arriving at a diagnostic conclusion. The results demonstrated that the use of the hypothetico-deductive model of clinical reasoning, utilising verbal, non-verbal and other sources of information, was used by clinical nurse specialists in the emergency setting.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Definition of TCR recognition sites on Ld-tum- complexes.
The P911 variant of the P815 mastocytoma was shown by Lurquin et al. (Cell 58:293, 1989) to elicit rapid tumor rejection in a syngeneic host. This rejection was mediated by Ld-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) for which targets could be sensitized by the synthetic peptide designated tum- (P91A-.12-24). In a previous study, T cell clones specific for Ld-tum- complexes displayed very restricted TCR usage and a characteristic TCR motif in the V alpha CDR3 region, predicted to interact with peptide. However, in contrast to the majority of Ld peptide ligands that are nonamers, the tum- peptide is a 13-mer and its sequence does not fit the Ld binding motif. Thus, to define shorter versions of the tum- 13-mer and residues involved in TCR recognition, nonamer derivatives were synthesized and compared in several different binding and functional assays. From these comparisons, the peptide TQNHRALDL was found to be the optimal nonamer. CTL recognition of Ala-substituted analogues of this peptide indicated that the His and Arg residues at positions 4 and 5 are important for TCR contact. We propose that these basic residues of the tum- peptide interact with the previously defined acidic residues in the CDR3 region of several TCR known to recognize Ld-tum- complexes.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Aging increases cytochrome P450 4A modulation of alpha1-adrenergic vasoconstriction in mesenteric arteries.
Aging is associated with peripheral vascular dysfunction. In vascular smooth muscle, cytochrome P450 4A (CYP4A) enzymes form the vasoconstrictor 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE). 20-HETE acts as an intracellular messenger to modulate vasoconstriction induced by various agonists, including the alpha1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (PE) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). Eicosanoids produced by CYP4A contribute to the elevated vascular tone in hypertension, but the effects of advanced age on CYP4A modulation of vasoconstriction are unknown. Mesenteric arteries were isolated from young (3 to 4 months) and aged (17 to 18 months) Sprague-Dawley rats. Vasoconstriction was induced with PE or ET-1 in the absence or presence of the CYP4A inhibitor DDMS and/or the ETA inhibitor BQ123. CYP4A inhibition with DDMS significantly reduced PE sensitivity in aged rats, but it had no effect in young. Furthermore, in aged rats only, ETA inhibition reduced PE sensitivity while combined inhibition of CYP4A and ETA had no additional effect, suggesting that the pathways work in concert in aging. Exogenous ET-1 constriction was not altered by DDMS in young or aged rats. Overall, our data indicate that aging increases the contribution of CYP4A to alpha1-adrenergic vasoconstriction in systemic arteries. Understanding aging-related changes in vascular function is important for development of novel targets for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Impact of cell cycle delay on micronucleus frequency in TK6 cells.
Previous studies with TK6 cells have shown that extending the recovery period after pulse treatment allows for greater micronucleus expression for some compounds. This study explores the role of cell cycle delay in micronucleus expression after pulse treatment with three model genotoxins [mitomycin C, etoposide (ETOP), vinblastine]. Cells were treated for 4 hr and allowed to recover for 36 hr with samples removed at various time points during the recovery period and analyzed for cell cycle distribution, apoptosis and micronucleus frequency. Our results show that mitomycin C causes cell cycle delay for 20 hr after pulse treatment and cell cycle perturbation is no longer evident after 36 hr of recovery. The micronucleus frequency of cells sampled at 36 hr is doubled when compared with cells sampled at 20 hr after mitomycin C removal. When cells were treated with indirect acting genotoxins (ETOP, vinblastine), cell cycle perturbation was not observed at the 20 hr time point. Micronucleus frequency after treatment with either ETOP or vinblastine did not differ between the 20 hr and the 36 hr time point. All three compounds induced similar levels of apoptosis ranging from 4.5 to 5.6% with maximum induction occurring at the 36-hr time point. We conclude that TK6 cells exhibit extended cell cycle arrest after exposure to MMC and can go on to express micronuclei, after overcoming cell cycle arrest.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Effect of oxidized fibrinogen on hemostatic system: in vitro study.
Standard coagulation assays were performed with control and oxidized fibrinogen (Fg), using prothrombin time (PT; 12.5 ± 0.4 vs 25 ± 0.8 seconds, P < .001) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT; 33 ± 2.5 vs 63 ± 4.7 seconds, P < .001). Fibrin clot (MA), clot formation initiation (r), and rate of clot lysis (LY30) were measured, a reflection exposure of Fg to Fe(3+)/ ascorbate oxidative system by thrombelastograph (TEG) analysis (0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, 6.2 ± 1.3 vs 5.5 ± 1.2, 4.3 ± 1.0 [P < .01], 3.9 ± 1.6, 3.2 ± 0.8, [P < .001]). Maximum amplitude level was found to be lower than control (69.1 ± 7.2 vs 67.9 ± 12.4, 64.0 ± 11.4, 60.2 ± 21.2, 42.2 ± 15.2, P < .001). The lysis rate was changed according to oxidation time between Fg exposed to Fe(3+)/ascorbate and control exposed to Fe( 3+)/ascorbate for the same treatment time (1.9 ± 0.71 vs 7 ± 0.5, 1.6 ± 0.1, 1.2 ± 0.5, 0.9 ± 1.3, P < .001). We revealed dysregulation of hemostatic system with contribution of oxidized Fg, which was in direct proportion to the intensity of Fg oxidation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Evaluation of regurgitant fraction of aortic regurgitation by means of pulsed Doppler echocardiography as compared with cine angiography].
The regurgitant fraction (RF) of aortic regurgitation (AR) was calculated using pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE), and the results were compared with those of aortography. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), PDE and cine angiography were performed for 33 patients, including nine in whom aortic regurgitation (AR) was ruled out by contrast 2DE and 24 in whom AR was confirmed by aortography (AOG). The latter were subdivided into six of Sellers' degree I, seven of degree II, eight of degree III and three of degree IV. Sampling was obtained from the main pulmonary artery, the left ventricular outflow tract, and the mean circulation velocity (f1) was calculated from the power spectrum wave pattern obtained from each source. With the following formula, Qp (pulmonary arterial blood flow), Qs (left ventricular ejection blood flow) and RF [= (Qs--Qp)/Qs] were calculated, and compared with the findings obtained from invasive methods: (formula; see text) (L = vascular diameter; theta = angle of incidence; C = velocity of sound; fo = oscillating frequency; ET = ejection time; HR = heart rate) A correlation of r = 0.81 was found between Qp calculated with PDE and right cardiac output (CO) by the thermodilution method. A correlation of r = 0.66 was observed between Qs and left ventricular ejection volume obtained from left ventriculography using Dodge's method. Comparison of RF using Sellers' classification with AOG revealed that the RF in the group uncomplicated with AR was 0.14 +/- 0.10, and Sellers' degrees I, 0.27 +/- 0.08; II, 0.36 +/- 0.04; III, 0.53 +/- 0.05; and IV, 0.64 +/- 0.06, indicating consistency with severity and RF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Evaluation of endothelial function and arterial stiffness in HIV-infected patients: a pilot study.
In the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), life expectancy of HIV-infected patients is the same as that of the general population, resulting in increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease in this patient group. To assess the prevalence of endothelial dysfunction in HIV-infected patients and to identify factors which affect endothelial function and arterial stiffness. Thirty-seven adult HIV-infected patients, regardless of the fact and the type of cART, were enrolled into the study. In patient, reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry assessment was performed using the Endo-PAT2000 device (ITAMAR®). This method allows evaluation of endothelial function ant arterial stiffness. Final analysis included 37 patients (median age 38 years, range 32-45 years), including 89.2% men. Endothelial dysfunction was found in 13 (35.1%) HIV-infected patients. We found no differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and cardiovascular drug therapy between patients with or without endothelial dysfunction, except for platelet count which was higher in patients with endothelial dysfunction (174 [119-193] × 10³/mm3 vs. 222 [168-266] × 10³/mm³, p = 0.03). No demographic or clinical variables were identified as predictors of endothelial dysfunction in HIV-infected patients. In addition, no association was found between factors related to HIV infection, chronic drug therapy and the risk of endothelial dysfunction. Statistically significant correlations were found between arterial stiffness and age (rs = 0.53, p < 0.001), red blood cell count (rs = -0.39, p = 0.018), and platelet count (rs = 0.42, p = 0.009). CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte count and viral load were similar in patients with or without endothelial dysfunction. Arterial stiffness was significantly higher in patients with higher viral load (rs = -0.39, p = 0.0018) and in those with established AIDS (9.5 [1.0-16.0] vs. -5 [-10-5], p = 0.009). cART had no effect on endothelial dysfunction, while arterial stiffness was higher in patients treated with cART (10 [0-15] vs. -5 [-10-3], p = 0.014). Endothelial dysfunction is common in HIV-infected patients. In general, none of the analysed factors had an effect on endothelial function but cART had a negative effect on arterial stiffness.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Mismatch detection and the latency of temporal judgements.
Event-related potentials were recorded in two auditory tasks involving the discrimination of pitch or duration of binaurally presented tones. Frequently-presented nontarget tones, when compared to the same tones in a simple reaction time task, elicited two negative peaks, NA1 and NA2, followed by a positive peak, nontarget positivity. Infrequently-presented target tones, when compared to the nontargets, elicited mismatch negativity (MMN), followed by N2 and P3b. The peak latencies of NA1 and NA2 did not differ between the pitch and duration tasks, but the duration of NA1 and the peak latencies of mismatch negativity, N2, and P3b, as well as reaction time, increased in parallel for the duration task. It is proposed that the NA1-nontarget positivity sequence reflects the initiation, maintenance, and termination of an attention-modulated process, which is required for the performance of an auditory discrimination task, and that the MMN-N2-P3b sequence reflects a process elicited by infrequently-presented targets, which is the main determinant of reaction time under these testing conditions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Volumetric capnography in patients with acute lung injury: effects of positive end-expiratory pressure.
The aim of the study was to analyse the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on volumetric capnography and respiratory system mechanics in mechanically ventilated patients. Eight normal subjects (control group), nine patients with moderate acute lung injury (ALI group) and eight patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS group) were studied. Respiratory system mechanics, alveolar ejection volume as a fraction of tidal volume (VAE/VT), phase III slopes of expired CO2 beyond VAE and Bohr's dead space (VD/VT(Bohr)) at different levels of PEEP were measured. No differences in respiratory system resistances were found between the ALI and ARDS groups. VD/VT(Bohr) and expired CO2 slope beyond VAE were higher in ALI patients (0.52+/-0.01 and 13.9+/-0.7 mmHg x L(-1), respectively) compared with control patients (0.46+/-0.01 and 7.7+/-0.4 mmHg x L(-1), p<0.01, respectively) and in ARDS patients (0.61+/-0.02 and 24.9+/-1.6 mmHg x L(-1), p<0.01, respectively) compared with ALI patients. VAE/VT differed similarly (0.6+/-0.01 in control group, 0.43+/-0.01 in ALI group and 0.31+/-0.01 in ARDS group, p<0.01). PEEP had no effect on VAE/VT, expired CO2 slope beyond VAE and VD/VT(Bohr) in any group. A significant correlation (p<0.01) was found between VAE/VT and expired CO2 slope beyond VAE and lung injury score at zero PEEP. Indices of volumetric capnography are affected by the severity of the lung injury, but are unmodified by the application of positive end-expiratory pressure.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Neoplastic transformation of cells by soluble but not particulate forms of metals used in orthopaedic implants.
Recent developments in cell culture techniques have made it possible to study the cellular mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis and to apply these methods as screening tools in vitro. This study investigated and compared the ability of the metals most commonly used in orthopedic implants to induce toxicity and neoplastic transformation in the C3H10T1/2 mouse fibroblast cell line. Eight metals (cobalt, chromium, nickel, iron, molybdenum, aluminium, vanadium and titanium) and their alloys (stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy and titanium alloy) were tested, both as soluble salts and as solid particles. There were marked differences between the various metals in terms of both toxicity and transforming ability. Significant increases in the incidence of cell transformation were seen with soluble forms of cobalt, chromium, nickel and molybdenum but not with iron, aluminium, vanadium or titanium. For most of the metals. transforming ability was directly related to toxicity, although this correlation did not hold for either molybdenum or vanadium. The physical form of the metal was critically important in determining its effects, and transformation occurred only with soluble metal salts.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Anti-oxidation and anti-aging activity of polysaccharide from Malus micromalus Makino fruit wine.
Malus micromalus Makino fruit wine was used as a raw material and a water soluble polysaccharide (MWP-2) was successfully separated from it by fractionated extraction, alcohol precipitation, macroporous resin purification, cellulose column purification, running water dialysis, and vacuum freeze drying. The structure of MWP-2 was preliminarily analyzed by high performance gel-permeation chromatography (HPGPC), ion chromatograph (IC) and FT-IR. The anti-oxidation and the anti-aging activity of MWP were studied. Results showed that the relative molecular mass of MWP-2 was 1 × 105 Da and it was composed of galactose, glucose, mannose and fructose in the mole ratio of 1:33.2:8.4:7.2. Antioxidant experiments in vitro showed that MWP had different degrees of scavenging effects on the hydroxyl radicals, DPPH (1,1-two phenyl-2-bitter hydrazine radical) free radical, and superoxide radicals, presenting a certain dose effect relationship. However, the anti-aging experiments in vivo showed that MWP could significantly inhibit the apoptosis of cerebral cortex cells and the formation of lipid peroxide in the cerebral cortex of aging model mice, improve the activity of the antioxidant enzyme system, and exert a certain anti-aging effect.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A novel dianionic amino acid ionic liquid-coated PEG 4000 modified Fe3O4 nanocomposite for the magnetic solid-phase extraction of trypsin.
A novel magnetic extractant, PEG 4000 modified Fe3O4nanomaterial that coated with dianionic amino acid ionic liquid (Fe3O4@PEG@DAAAIL), was successfully synthesized and characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and zeta potentials were used to confirm that the novel nanocomposite was successfully synthesized. Subsequently, the prepared Fe3O4@PEG@DAAAIL nanocomposite was used as the extractant for trypsin coupled with magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE). The concentrations of trypsin in the supernatant were detected by UV-vis spectrophotometer at 278nm. The extraction ability turned out to be better than the other four kinds of extractants prepared in this work. Furthermore, the influence of a series of factors, such as extraction time and temperature, initial trypsin concentration, the value of pH and ionic strength, was systematically investigated. Under the optimal extraction condition, the extraction capacity for trypsin could reach up to 718.73mg/g, absolutely higher than that of other adsorbents reported. This satisfactory extraction capacity could be maintained unchangeable after at least eight days, and kept over 90% of initial extraction capacity after eight recycles. What's more, the activity of trypsin after extraction retained 92.29% of initial activity, verifying the biocompatibility of the prepared extractant. Finally, the developed Fe3O4@PEG@DAAAIL-MSPE method was successfully applied to the real sample analysis with satisfactory results. All of above proves the potential value of Fe3O4@PEG@DAAAIL-MSPE in the analysis of biomass.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A safe technique of thoracoscopic clipping of patent ductus arteriosus in children.
To present a modified and safe technique of thoracoscopic clipping of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in children and its early outcomes. Patients are anesthetized, ventilated via single-lung ventilation, and placed in a right lateral position. The surgeon and the assistant stand at the patient's feet, and a monitor is placed at the patient's head. The ductus is pulled forward with a Vicryl(®) (Ethicon) thread and clipped completely. From May 2010 to February 2011, 58 patients with PDA (27 boys and 31 girls) were operated on using the same technique. Patients' ages varied from 8 days to 36 months. Mean weight of patients was 5.9±2.8 kg (range, 2.1-10 kg). Mean operative time was 33±12 minutes (range, 15-90 minutes). There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients: 1 patient developed a pneumothorax, and 1 patient had pleural effusion. Mean postoperative stay was 4.1±2.1 days for patients >3 months old and 11.9±8.4 days for patients ≤3 months old. No injuries of recurrent laryngeal nerve occurred in any patients, and there were no residual shunts in any patients 3-6 months after discharge. A modified technique of thoracoscopic closure is a safe and effective procedure for PDA in children.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[A rare form of intestinal invagination in infants: total ileocecocolic invagination. Apropos of 1 case].
The comment we are reporting refers to an exceptional form of acute intestinal invagination of the infant. It is question of a total ileocecocolic invagination in which the hump invaginated part came to lodge to the superior part of the rectal ampulla. The treatment was a radio-surgical one and the operative follow-up without any complications.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Computational study on the reaction CH2CH2 + F --> CH2CHF + H.
Previous ab initio studies on reactions involving radical addition to alkenes showed that such reactions are very sensitive to theoretical levels, and thus are difficult to deal with. This motivates us to theoretically reexamine the title reaction thoroughly, which has been studied only at several low levels of theory. In the present work, the geometry optimizations and energy calculations for all species involved in the title reaction were performed at several high levels of theory. The reaction mechanism of the title reaction is discussed at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ//CCSD/6-31G(d,p) theoretical level. According to our study, the fluorine addition to ethylene occurs via the formation of a prereaction complex with C2v symmetry, which is pointed out for the first time. The prereaction complex evolves into a fluoroethyl radical almost without a barrier, with an exothermicity of 41.49 kcal/mol. The fluoroethyl radical can further decompose into a hydrogen atom and fluoroethylene, with an energy release of 10.33 kcal/mol. Besides the direct departure of the hydrogen atom from the fluoroethyl radical, an indirect decomposition pathway may also be open, which has not been reported before. In addition, the formation of a fluoroethyl radical from a separate fluorine atom and ethylene is described pictorially via the molecular intrinsic characteristic contour (MICC) and the electron density mapped on it. Thereby, strong interpolarization and evident electron transfer between the fluorine atom and ethylene are observed as they approach each other. The transition structure for the fluorine addition to ethylene is clearly shown to be reactant-like. This provides new and intuitional insight into the title reaction.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on survival of patients with coronary heart disease having percutaneous coronary intervention.
There are limited data regarding the effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the survival of patients with coronary artery disease. Prospectively developed and collected data elements on 4,284 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in 3 hospitals in 1998 and 1999 were pooled and analyzed. In-hospital major adverse cardiac outcomes were not different between groups. At 3-year follow-up, mortality for patients with COPD was 21% versus 9% for patients without COPD (log-rank p < 0.001). COPD was independently associated with a 2-fold increase in the hazard of long-term mortality (hazard ratio 2.146, 95% confidence interval 1.525 to 3.021, p < 0.001).
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Studies on aging through analysis of the glucose metabolism related to the ATP--production of the senescence accelerated mouse (SAM)].
It is thought that the senescence accelerated mouse (SAM) strains are very useful for examination of the aging mechanism. In particular, SAMP8 is useful since this substrain shows age-related deterioration of learning ability. One of the most attractive hypotheses of aging is that aging is a result of long-term exposure to free radicals generated through the glucose metabolism, and it is possible that oxygen radicals might be involved in the aging mechanism of SAM. In the present study, to elucidate the relation between free radicals and aging acceleration in SAMP8, we examined the changes in food intake, body weight and spontaneous motor activity. Biochemical analyses of blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein and albumin in SAMP8 and R1 mice were also performed. In addition, the amounts of ATP, creatine phosphate (Cr-P) and lipid peroxide in the brains of SAMP8 and R1 mice were measured. As for SAMP8, an increase in food intake and a decrease in body weight and spontaneous motor activity were observed as compared with SAMR1 control mice. These results may indicate that energy metabolism is abnormal in SAMP8. The lipid peroxide level in the brain of SAMP8 at 3 months of age was significantly lower than that of the control mice. However, the ATP and Cr-P amounts in the SAMP8 brain were same as those in the control mice at the same age. These results suggest that generation of free radicals decreases due to lowered glucose metabolism and that the amount of ATP production in the brain of SAMP8 is lower than that of the control mice. In conclusion the aging of SAMP8 may result from a decrease of the glucose metabolism and of the utilization of ATP rather than from injury caused by free radicals induced through the glucose metabolism.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Electron microscopic observation of primary cultured laterally spreading tumor cell line].
To observe the microscopic characteristics of laterally spreading tumor (LST) cell line in primary culture. The cells isolated from a rectum LST specimen obtained by endoscopic mucosal resection was primary cultured, followed by observation with scanning and transmission electron microscope in comparison with the cells of adenocarcinoma and normal mucosa of the rectum. Scanning and transmission electron microscopes both revealed numerous microvilli covering the surface of the LST cells, and the cytoplasm contained large quantity of lysosomes, mitochondria and phagosomes. Obviously heterogeneous cell nuclei were present with abnormal nuclear fossa and huge nucleoli. The cultured LST cells are highly malignant.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Alteration of photochemistry and protein degradation of photosystem II from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under high salt grown cells.
In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of NaCl on cell growth, photochemistry and protein profile of photosystem (PS) II in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. To study the effect of NaCl on the photosynthetic apparatus, the C. reinhardtii cells were grown at different concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM). NaCl induced flagellar resorption due to which the cells lost their motility, formation of palmelloids, reduced cell size and slower cell division. Chlorophyll fluorescence transients at different NaCl concentrations had decreased intensities of all peaks (OJIP) indicating the apparent inactivation energies of both donor and acceptor side of PSII. Consequently, inhibition of electron transport occurred particularly at PSII. Further, low temperature emission spectra showed that the rate of damage to the PSII was more when compared to PSI. Also, we have carried out the visible circular dichroism spectra from thylakoids where the major peaks contributed to chlorophyll a and b are equally reduced in different salt grown cells, which may explain the changes at the level of inter pigment-pigment interactions. Furthermore protein profile analysis of PSII revealed that the major subunit of light harvesting complex (LHC)II is more prone to salt stress than core proteins of PSII indicating the light harvesting funnel from LHCII to PSII core is impaired.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Femtosecond laser versus manual clear corneal incision in cataract surgery.
To compare functional and morphological outcomes of femtosecond laser clear corneal incision (CCI) versus manual CCI during cataract surgery. Sixty eyes of 60 patients who underwent CCI during cataract surgery were randomized into two groups: femtosecond laser CCI (30 eyes) and manual CCI (30 eyes). There were no significant between-group differences in uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, surgically induced astigmatism, and corneal aberrations. Keratometric astigmatism was significantly lower in the femtosecond laser CCI group compared to the manual CCI group at 30 and 180 days (P < .05). Central endothelial cell count was significantly higher in the femtosecond laser CCI group compared to the manual CCI group at 7 and 30 days postoperatively (P < .05). A lower increase of corneal thickness at the incision site was observed at 30 and 180 days postoperatively in the femtosecond laser CCI group compared to the manual CCI group (P < .05). In addition, femtosecond laser CCI showed a better morphology (lower percentage of endothelial and epithelial gaping and endothelial misalignment) compared to manual CCI at different time points. Total phacoemulsification time was significantly lower in the femtosecond laser CCI group (P < .05). The femtosecond laser procedure was safe, efficient, and less damaging, as evidenced by lower central endothelial cell loss, lower increase of corneal thickness at the incision site, and better tunnel morphology compared to the manual technique.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Methadone depression of visual signal detection performance.
In order to determine the origin of a previously reported slowing of simple visual reaction time in subjects receiving single doses of oral methadone, three well-trained subjects performed. a modified double flash detection task several times after single doses of 5 mg and 10 mg of oral methadone and a placebo. A Theory of Signal Detectability analysis allowed for a clear distinction between drug-induced changes in visual sensitivity and changes in response bias. It was found that methadone reduced visual sensitivity. The peak depression in detection as well as the duration of the depressed performance were dose-related. Depression in performance paralleled the subjective effect of the drug in each subject. Averaged visual evoked potentials showed significant changes at peak drug effect to the onset of each of the pair of stimuli. It was concluded that methadone depresses visual function by acting on the visual parts of the central nervous system. The retina, midbrain and thalamic visual nuclei were discussed as possible sites of action of methadone.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates palmitate-induced apoptosis but not inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB degradation in human coronary artery endothelial cells.
Plasma free fatty acids are elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes and contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. The p38 MAPK mediates stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Whether free fatty acids induce apoptosis and/or activate nuclear factor-kappaB inflammatory pathway in human coronary artery endothelial cells (hCAECs) and, if so, whether this involves the p38 MAPK pathway is unknown. hCAECs (passages 4-6) were grown to 70% confluence and then incubated with palmitate at concentrations of 0-300 microm for 6-48 h. Palmitate at 100, 200, or 300 microm markedly increased apoptosis after 12 h of incubation. This apoptotic effect was time (P=0.008) and dose (P=0.006) dependent. Palmitate (100 microm for 24 h) induced a greater than 2-fold increase in apoptosis, which was accompanied with a 4-fold increase in p38 MAPK activity (P<0.001). Palmitate did not affect the phosphorylation of Akt1 or ERK1/2. SB203580 (a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK) alone did not affect cellular apoptosis; however, it abolished palmitate-induced apoptosis and p38 MAPK activation. Palmitate significantly reduced the level of inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB (IkappaB). However, treatment of cells with SB203580 did not restore IkappaB to baseline. We conclude that palmitate induces hCAEC apoptosis via a p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism and may participate in coronary endothelial injury in diabetes. However, palmitate-mediated IkappaB degradation in hCAECs is independent of p38 MAPK activity.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Systematic differences in validity of self-reported mammography behavior: A problem for intergroup comparisons?
Prior studies of recall accuracy for screening mammogram behavior have examined relatively homogeneous groups. Data are limited on possible systematic group differences, so we evaluated women's recall accuracy in two separate care systems in one city. Methods. Women 50 to 70 years old with and without screening mammograms 10 to 14 months prior were identified from fiscal, clinic, and radiology records at a military care system (MCS) and a county-funded system (CFS) for indigents. Mammogram status was verified through radiology records. Women were excluded if mammograms were diagnostic, done for other than annual screening, or had abnormal results. Interviewers blinded to mammogram status surveyed randomly selected eligible women. For 62 screened/31 unscreened MCS women and 78 screened/61 unscreened CFS women, specificity was similar, at 65 and 62%, respectively. In contrast, sensitivity varied significantly: 95% versus 79% (P = 0. 011). Primary ethonocultural groups were Euro-American (MCS-60%) and Mexican American (CFS-85%). Although not different in specificity of recall (67% versus 61%), these major subgroups significantly differed in sensitivity (97% versus 80%, P = 0.017), proportion of true negatives due to never having a mammogram (35% versus 57%, P = 0.003), and proportion with >/=high school education (78% versus 19%, P < 0.00001). Systematic differences in recall validity may exist and compromise the accuracy of intergroup comparisons.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Role of dystrophins and utrophins in platelet adhesion process.
Platelets are crucial at the site of vascular injury, adhering to the sub-endothelial matrix through receptors on their surface, leading to cell activation and aggregation to form a haemostatic plug. Platelets display focal adhesions as well as stress fibres to contract and facilitate expulsion of growth and pro-coagulant factors contained in the granules and to constrict the clot. The interaction of F-actin with different actin-binding proteins determines the properties and composition of the focal adhesions. Recently, we demonstrated the presence of dystrophin-associated protein complex corresponding to short dystrophin isoforms (Dp71d and Dp71) and the uthophin gene family (Up400 and Up71), which promote shape change, adhesion, aggregation, and granule centralisation. To elucidate participation of both complexes during the platelet adhesion process, their potential association with integrin beta-1 fraction and the focal adhesion system (alpha-actinin, vinculin and talin) was evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays. It was shown that the short dystrophin-associated protein complex participated in stress fibre assembly and in centralisation of cytoplasmic granules, while the utrophin-associated protein complex assembled and regulated focal adhesions. The simultaneous presence of dystrophin and utrophin complexes indicates complementary structural and signalling mechanisms to the actin network, improving the platelet haemostatic role.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The role of angiographic follow-up after percutaneous coronary intervention.
In the early days of coronary angioplasty, follow-up coronary angiography was often performed to assess restenosis. Angiographic restenosis has been shown to be associated with worse clinical outcomes, though the exact causality has yet to be determined. Numerous studies have repeatedly demonstrated that routine follow-up coronary angiography increases the incidence of target lesion revascularization without a clear reduction in mortality or myocardial infarction. Despite the lack of proven benefit of angiographic follow-up, routine follow-up coronary angiography is still being performed in certain countries and facilities. There are several factors that might explain the lack of benefit of angiographic follow-up: 1) lower incidence of stent failure in the current drug-eluting stent era has attenuated the net clinical benefit of follow-up angiography. 2) Angiographic restenosis might not lead to myocardial ischemia. 3) Patients that do have functionally significant restenosis are often referred for coronary angiography due to clinical indications such as intractable angina. 4) Absence of restenosis at the time of follow-up angiography does not exclude future restenosis. The absence of proven benefit in unselected populations does not necessarily preclude the presence of benefit in selected population, and there may be a subgroup of patients who can benefit from angiographic follow-up such as those with a large myocardial ischemic territory or those at very high risk of restenosis. Until there is more clinical evidence with respect to follow-up angiography, the decision of whether or not to perform it routinely in selected high-risk population should entail an in-depth discussion with the patient.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Enhancement of the information value of kidney scintigraphy using 99m Tc-DMSA].
A method of high frequency image filtration improving the quality of imaging, and more precise renometry with measurement of the total count and the level of RP kidney accumulation were used for raising the informative value of the results of renal scintigraphy with 99m Tc-DMSA. 54 patients with unilateral pyelonephritis, 46--with bilateral pyelonephritis, 15--with nephroptosis, and 10 healthy persons were examined. Informative values were calculated on the basis of the results of these investigations. The sensitivity of routine renometry was 0.88, its specificity--0.27 and precision--0.78; the same indices for routine static scintigraphy were 0.88; 0.4 and 0.84; for modified renal investigations--0.98; 0.77 and 0.96, respectively. The results of the investigations have shown that the use of scintigraphy with improved quality of kidney images in parallel with modified renometry raises the informative value of renal studies with 99m Tc-DMSA and precision of diagnosis of renal parenchymal lesions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Children with chronic continence problems: the challenges for families.
For families who are raising children with myelomeningocele, bowel and bladder incontinence presents unique challenges for everyday life. The Parenting and Childhood Chronicity model is used to describe the work of raising a child with a chronic condition in 6 areas, including medical care, adapted parenting, dealing with the systems, caring for siblings, maintaining relationships, and personal coping (keeping yourself going). This article provides an overview of the physiologic and developmental challenges inherent in this neural tube defect and illustrates the work that is involved in the child's care and the challenges of maintaining a balance in family life. Clinical implications are discussed, including the setting of appropriate expectations, providing parents with accurate information, ensuring that a focus on continence is not at the expense of other important aspects of the child's functioning, and supporting parents in their interaction with the school system. The medical team, consisting of nursing, urology, nephrology, and psychology working together, can be a strong support for families.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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In vitro mouse lymphoma (L5178Y Tk⁺/⁻-3.7.2C) forward mutation assay.
The in vitro mouse lymphoma assay (MLA) is one of the most widely practiced assays in genetic toxicology. MLA detects forward mutations at the thymidine kinase (Tk) locus of the L5178Y (Tk (+/-) -3.7.2C) cell line derived from a mouse thymic lymphoma. This assay is capable of detecting a wide range of genetic events including point mutations, deletions (intragenic) and multilocus, chromosomal rearrangements, mitotic recombination, and nondisjunction. There are two equally accepted versions of the assay, one using soft agar cloning and the second method using liquid media cloning in 96-microwell plates. There are two morphologically distinct types of mutant colonies recovered in the MLA: small- and large-colony mutants. The induction of small-colony mutants is associated with chemicals inducing gross chromosomal aberrations whereas the induction of large mutant colonies is generally associated with chemicals inducing point mutations. The source and karyotype of the cell line as well as the culture conditions are important variables that could influence the assay performance. The assay when performed according to the standards recommended by the International Workshops on Genotoxicity Testing is capable of providing valuable genotoxicity hazard information as part of the overall safety assessment process of various classes of test substances.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Client characteristics and the cost of home care in the prospective payment system.
There has been much speculation in the literature about the effect of the prospective payment system (PPS) on the home care industry but few reports of systematic investigation. Clearly, comprehension of client characteristics is essential for categorizing home care clients into the correct Home Health Resource Groups, for allocating resources appropriately, and for implementing necessary organizational changes to accommodate clients who require variations in the amount of resources predicted by the PPS. The purposes of this study were to compare the characteristics of home health clients that resulted in a financial gain or a financial loss for one agency under the PPS with those of the interim payment system. A secondary data analysis of 140 cases compiled by one not-for-profit hospital-affiliated home care organization was completed. Results suggested that client characteristics of the projected loss group had more recertifications on admission and at the end of the 60-day episode, a longer stay (3 weeks), and more visits, particularly from skilled nursing. Comprehension of client characteristics and the subsequent ability to adjust for the proper case mix will be crucial if home care agencies are to remain financially viable under the PPS. Replication of this project needs to be done using more variables and multiple sites.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Calcium renal lithiasis and bone mineral density. Importance of bone metabolism in urinary lithiasis.
Calcium Nephrolithiasis is a multifactorial disease; in its pathophysiology is involved various minerals and metabolic factors that may be altered, including bone and phosphor-calcium metabolism. To establish the scientific evidence and demonstrate the relationship between calcium nephrolithiasis and bone mineral density loss, through the use of bone turnover markers, serum and urinary metabolites. We performed a PubMed literature review using different MeSH Terms like "Nephrolithiasis", "Bone mineral density", "Urinary stones", "Calcium", Bone resorption" and "Bone formation", with different combinations. We only selected articles with abstracts in English or Spanish and discarded clinical cases and articles with inappropriate statistical study. A total of 40 articles were selected. In different studies reviewed have been observed that patients with hypercalciuria have a higher bone mineral density loss with respect to normocalciuric. Among patients with calcium stones (normocalciuric or hypercalciuric), there is loss of bone mineral density, being more evident in patients with stones and hypercalciuria. This mineral density loss is marked and important in patients with recurrent calcium stones. Increased markers like fasting calcium/creatinine and β-CrossLaps are determinant of nephrolithiasis and mineral density loss in these patients. We recommend perform markers of bone turnover and fasting calcium/creatinine in patients with recurrent calcium stones by the significant presence of bone mineral density loss, with a level of evidence III.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The anterior Obturator Artery Perforator (aOAP) flap: surgical anatomy and application of a method for vulvar reconstruction.
Vulvar reconstruction following oncologic resection is challenging. Some flaps used for reconstruction can show adverse characteristics such as excessive tissue bulk or increased distance to the defect. Region of the sulcus genitofemoralis is of thin and pliable tissue proximate to the vulva. Vasculature and suitability of that region used for vulvar reconstruction were focused in this work. Vascular architecture of the region comprising the sulcus genitofemoralis was examined bilaterally on 10 female corpses (n = 20 specimens). In addition, tissue characteristics and suitability of that region to form a fasciocutaneous flap for vulvar reconstruction were anatomically examined and clinically proven. Vasculature of the sulcus genitofemoralis is reflected by either a musculocutaneous perforator (80%, 16/20) piercing the gracilis muscle or a septocutaneous perforator (20%, 4/20) passing the posterior border of the gracilis muscle 1.3 ± 0.3 [cm] laterally to the inferior pubic ramus. Both types of perforators derive from the anterior branch of the obturator artery and accompanying vein. This perforator, the anterior obturator artery perforator (aOAP), supplies a skin territory of about 7 × 15 [cm] centered on the sulcus genitofemoralis. The aOAP flap proved its suitability and versatility for vulvar reconstruction. The sulcus genitofemoralis is of a constant vascular anatomy reflected by the aOAP vessel. Especially the tunneled aOAP island flap offers outstanding characteristics beneficial for reconstruction of a more anatomically normal vulva. Scars are limited within anatomic borders of the urogenital region improving self-image. The aOAP flap clearly enlarges the surgical options available to restore the form and function of the vulva.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The management of infections and antibiotic therapy: a European survey.
A survey was undertaken in the five largest European countries in 1990/91 to measure the incidence of infectious diseases and record their antibiotic treatment, and usage as prophylaxis in acute general hospitals with over 300 beds. A representative sample of between 1234 and 1954 patient records were received for each country, with each participating clinician providing eight to ten records. Data were projected up to national totals. There were similarities between the patients across the countries, 50% of patients received surgery at some time in their hospital stay and in 45% the first antibiotic usage was as prophylaxis. In one fifth of the 55% treated for an infection, that infection was hospital acquired, but these 20% of patients accounted for 30% of total days in hospital for patients treated for infection. Infections of the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract and abdomen accounted for 75% of all infection cases. In 85% of infection cases, initial treatment was empirical. Overall, no culture and sensitivity data were reported by the end of treatment in over 50% of patients, with appreciable variation between the countries. In the UK, 60% of in-patient treatment was with oral antibiotics; in Italy, over 80% was injectable with over half that intramuscular. Germany had the highest rate of intravenous administration at nearly 60% of treatment days. Combination usage was highest, with over 30% of patient treatment days, in France and Spain, but Germany and Italy had the lowest usage at 21% and 16%. Mean duration of administration of antibiotics was shortest in the UK, eight days for infection and four days for prophylaxis, with France the longest at 12 days for infection, and Italy for prophyalxis at over five days. The UK had the highest rate of discharge on antibiotic treatment at over 30% of patients. Initial therapy was effective in about 90% of patients, but the UK, with the shortest durations and the greatest use of older antibiotics often as monotherapy and administered orally, had the highest rate of initial failure (> 10%) of both treatment of infection and prophylaxis. The result of initial failure was a significant prolongation of both hospital stay and antibiotic treatment. The 10% of initial treatment failures accounted for 15% of antibiotic usage in the UK. In France initial treatment failures were treated for twice the length of those in whom the initial therapy was successful.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Analysis of genetic and epigenetic effects of maize seeds in response to heavy metal (Zn) stress.
Conditions of environmental stress are known to lead genetic and epigenetic variability in plants. DNA methylation is one of the important epigenetic mechanisms and plays a critical role in epigenetic control of gene expression. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the alteration of genome methylation induced by zinc stress by using coupled restriction enzyme digestion-random amplification (CRED-RA) technique in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. In addition, to determine the effect of zinc on mitotic activity and phytohormone level, high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mitotic index analysis were utilized. According to the results, mitotic index decreased in all concentrations of zinc except for 5 mM dose and chromosome aberrations such as c-mitosis, stickiness, and anaphase bridges were determined. It was also observed that increasing concentrations of zinc caused an increase in methylation patterns and decrease in gibberellic acid (GA), zeatin (ZA), and indole acetic acid (IAA) levels in contrast to abscisic acid (ABA) level. Especially increasing of ABA levels under zinc stress may be a part of the defense system against heavy metal accumulation in plants.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
|
The clinic study on synchronous detection of HCV RNA in the plasma and PBMC of hepatitis C patients.
In order to increase the positive detection rate of HCV RNA in the patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), RT-PCR was used to synchronously detect HCV RNA in the plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 583 CHC patients with a continuously elevated level of ALT for more than one year. The results showed that the positive detection rate of HCV RNA in the plasma of the CHC patients was 19.2%, while 24.5% in PBMC. It was demonstrated that the positive detection rate for HCV RNA in PBMC was obviously higher than that detected in plasma. To synchronously detect HCV RNA in PBMC by using RT-PCR can increase the positive detection rate of HCV RNA in the CHC patients.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
|
Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and systemic vasculitis.
Two cases of systemic vasculitis complicated by microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA) are described: this association has not previously been reported. Both patients had atypical presentations of their primary disease, one with parotitis and one with a Guillain-Barré syndrome. Other causes of MAHA were excluded and a possible link with macromolecular von Willebrands factor is speculated upon.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The impact of chronic hepatitis C and comorbid psychiatric illnesses on health-related quality of life.
To determine the relative impact of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and comorbid psychiatric illness on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Psychiatric conditions are more common among patients with CHC but their relative influence on HRQoL is not well understood. We identified 864 veterans who had previously completed a veteran-specific HRQoL questionnaire (SF-36V) as part of the 1999 VA Large Health Survey with known HCV antibody (anti-HCV) status before the survey. For 201 anti-HCV(+) and 663 anti-HCV(-) patients, we compared the HRQoL status and the prevalence of 6 major psychiatric diagnoses. We conducted multiple regression analyses to measure the effect of anti-HCV status and psychiatric comorbidity. Compared with the anti-HCV(-) group, anti-HCV(+) veterans were more likely to have alcohol dependence (P<0.001), depression (P=0.01), or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (P<0.004). The anti-HCV(+) group also reported lower HRQoL on 4 of the 8 SF-36V subscales (P<0.01) and the mental component summary scale (P<0.001). Even after adjusting for demographic variables and comorbid psychiatric illness, anti-HCV(+) patients reported a significantly lower mental component summary score (P<0.01) than did anti-HCV(-) patients. Multiple regression analysis found that depression and PTSD predicted lower HRQoL scores for all 8 HRQoL subscales (P<0.01) and both the physical (P<0.001) and mental component (P<0.03) summary scales independent of anti-HCV status. The HRQoL is significantly impaired in veterans with CHC, particularly the mental health components of HRQoL. In contrast, comorbid depression and PTSD are associated with both lower physical and mental components of HRQol, independent of CHC.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
|
Treating information and information technology as true resources.
Hospitals and other health care organizations historically have been slow to adopt new managerial techniques. The same holds true for the acceptance of information and information technology as true strategic resources. With so much emphasis being placed on lowering operating costs and increasing the quality of care combined with the information revolution in today's society, the current complacent attitude often displayed toward health information management poses glaring organizational dilemmas for today's health care organizations. As many health care organizations begin to grapple with technical tasks such as developing the electronic patient medical record, they realize that there are many organizational implications to be dealt with as well. Issues such as who has the proper authority and responsibility not only to manage the mainframe and networks but also to correlate the information that all the hardware and technology provide with the strategic goals of the organization present significant hurdles. If these hurdles are not successfully cleared, any attempts at improving organizational strategy and performance via improved management of information resources are inhibited.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Sex differences in juvenile play behavior differ among rat strains.
Juvenile male rats frequently play more than female rats, but the presence of sex differences is affected by testing conditions and may also depend on the strain of rat. In this experiment, we tested play and defensive behaviors in male and female Long-Evans, Sprague-Dawley, and Wistar rats. When observed with a cage mate during the juvenile period, Long-Evans rats played more than Wistar animals, but there were no sex differences in any strain. When tested with an unfamiliar sibling (not seen since weaning), both Long-Evans and Wistar rats played more than Sprague-Dawley animals, and Long-Evans females played more than males. We did not observe any sex or strain differences in defensive behaviors. Our data indicate that there are strain differences in play behavior, and sex differences in play depend on both strain and context. Variation among strains may reflect underlying differences in anxiety, novelty seeking, and circadian rhythms.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Oral antibiotics for perforated appendicitis is not recommended.
In the majority of surgical departments in Denmark, the postoperative treatment for acute perforated appendicitis comprises three days of intravenous antibiotics. Recently, it has been proposed that such antibiotic regimen should be replaced by orally administered antibiotics. The aim of this paper was to give an overview of studies on acute perforated appendicitis with postoperative oral antibiotics. Five studies were found in a database search covering the 1966-2009 period. There is no evidence to support a conversion of the postoperative antibiotic regimen from intravenous to oral administration in patients with acute perforated appendicitis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Epidemiological simulation modeling and spatial analysis for foot-and-mouth disease control strategies: a comprehensive review.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most serious transboundary, contagious viral diseases of cloven-hoofed livestock, because it can spread rapidly with high morbidity rates when introduced into disease-free herds or areas. Epidemiological simulation modeling can be developed to study the hypothetical spread of FMD and to evaluate potential disease control strategies that can be implemented to decrease the impact of an outbreak or to eradicate the virus from an area. Spatial analysis, a study of the distributions of events in space, can be applied to an area to investigate the spread of animal disease. Hypothetical FMD outbreaks can be spatially analyzed to evaluate the effect of the event under different control strategies. The main objective of this paper is to review FMD-related articles on FMD epidemiology, epidemiological simulation modeling and spatial analysis with the focus on disease control. This review will contribute to the development of models used to simulate FMD outbreaks under various control strategies, and to the application of spatial analysis to assess the outcome of FMD spread and its control.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Variability in hip range of motion on clinical examination.
The goal of this study was to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of physical examination in determining hip range of motion. Twenty normal hips, 21 hips with osteoarthritis, and 21 hips of patients more than 12 months after a total hip arthroplasty were examined for visual passive range of motion. These 62 hips were examined by 2 experienced surgeons and by 3 trainees. The 2 experienced examiners repeated their clinical examinations in 19 patients to determine the intraobserver reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) indicated moderate interobserver agreement in estimates of clinical hip motion (ICC for hip flexion, 0.56 +/- 0.12; for hip abduction, 0.48 +/- 0.13). Intraclass correlation coefficients also suggest only moderate intraobserver reliability in measurements of hip motion (ICC for hip flexion, 0.62 +/- 0.14; hip abduction, 0.44 +/- 0.20). More reliable and accurate methods are needed to measure clinical hip motion before and after total hip arthroplasty.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Cell saver].
The blood retrievers are instruments increasingly used in operating rooms. They are especially useful in operations where there is a high risk of bleeding and transfusion requirements are high. In paediatrics is of great importance in complex interventions in order to avoid allogeneic transfusion (blood collected from donors). The implementation of the recovery of blood in the surgical field is very simple and easy to use. This is a suction tube that collects the blood that is free, transferring it to a centrifuge where it is filtered and washed, stored in a blood collection bag for subsequent infusion. The blood is of high quality and contains a high hematocrit blood from the bank.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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