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Haemocyte reactions in WSSV immersion infected Penaeus monodon.
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has been a major cause of shrimp mortality in aquaculture worldwide in the past decades. In this study, WSSV infection (by immersion) and behaviour recruitment of haemocytes is investigated in gills and midgut, using an antiserum against the viral protein VP28 and a monoclonal antibody recognising haemocytes (WSH8) in a double immunohistochemical staining and in addition transmission electron microscopy was applied. More WSH 8(+) haemocytes were detected at 48 and 72 h post-infection in the gills of infected shrimp compared to uninfected animals. Haemocytes in the gills and midgut were not associated with VP28-immunoreactivity. In the gills many other cells showed virus replication in their nuclei, while infected nuclei in the gut cells were rare. Nevertheless, the epithelial cells in the midgut showed a clear uptake of VP28 and accumulation in supranuclear vacuoles (SNV) at 8h post-infection. However, epithelial nuclei were never VP28-immunoreactive and electron microscopy study suggests degradation of viral-like particles in the SNV. In contrast to the gills, the midgut connective tissue shows a clear increase in degranulation of haemocytes, resulting in the appearance of WSH8-immunoreactive thread-like material at 48 and 72 h post-infection. These results indicate recruitment of haemocytes upon immersion infection in the gills and degranulation of haemocytes in less infected organs, like the midgut.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Response patterns of auditory nerve fibers during temporary threshold shift.
Temporary threshold shifts were studied in chinchillas exposed to noise (octave-band noise centered at 500 Hz, 95 dB SPL, 5 days duration) and the response properties of their auditory nerve fibers were measured. The threshold shifts of the fibers were approximately 35 to 65 dB; these values were equal to or slightly greater than those measured behaviorally. Most units had broad V-shaped tuning curves due to a greater loss in sensitivity near the characteristic frequency (CF) than in the low-frequency tail. In 17% of the units, the thresholds were actually lower in the tail than at CF, so that the tuning curves were W-shaped. The latencies of the fibers were within normal limits in terms of absolute intensity, but shorter than normal in terms of intensity relative to threshold. Other measures such as the spontaneous discharge rate, the discharge rate-intensity functions, and the firing patterns to tone bursts at CF appeared normal. These results indicate that neural response patterns during noise-induced temporary threshold shift are similar to those measured during permanent threshold shift.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Undergraduate preparation for primary health care roles in an academic nursing center.
The goal of the Nursing Center at the University of North Dakota is to prepare professional nurses to meet priority health needs of the next century through service to people currently in need. Health needs in the state, educational needs related to preparation for primary health care roles, and an explicit nursing paradigm for primary health care framed the development of the Nursing Center. As an integral part of the College of Nursing, the Nursing Center serves as a primary site for undergraduate clinical experiences. Family-centered, community-based programs were designed to simultaneously meet health needs of underserved rural populations and educational needs of undergraduates for preparation in primary health care roles. Implementation proved feasible from both service and educational perspectives. Initial evaluation data demonstrated a high level of effective clinical activity and role development for students beyond that experienced in more traditional settings.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Drowning, swimming pool death and other emergencies related to swimming].
In the Federal Republic of Germany, some 700 people drown every year. Of particular importance is the so-called swimming bath black-out that occurs while swimming under water, which must always be avoidable when the causes are known and appropriate precautionary measures taken. Of life-saving importance in a case of drowning is the rapid and proper use of first aid. The severe pulmonary injury induced by freshwater or salt water aspiration urgently requires the treatment of the victim in an intensive care unit of a hospital, even after successful resuscitation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Open globe injuries in children: factors predictive of a poor final visual acuity.
Eye injuries are the leading cause of monocular blindness in children and are challenging to manage. However, limited follow-up studies currently exist. We describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of open globe injuries presenting to a major UK centre and discuss factors affecting long-term prognosis. Identification of (1) demographic features, (2) causes, types and location of injuries, (3) initial clinical features and correlation with visual outcome, and (4) predictors of poor visual outcome. Retrospective study by reviewing and analysing records of 20 patients, aged 16 years and below, who had undergone repair of an open globe injuries at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK. Data recorded included demographic data, mechanisms and location of injury, visual acuity, clinical signs on presentation, surgical procedures, postoperative complications, and final visual acuity. The study group comprised of 85% male subjects, 15% female subjects. The average age was 9.8 years (range: 1-15). Average follow-up was 16.3 months (range: 3-48 months). Sharp objects (mainly glass or knife) accounted for the majority (65%) of injuries. Initial clinical signs associated with poor visual outcomes included poor initial visual acuity, cataract, RAPD, and no initial red reflex. Younger patients and blunt injuries (especially BB gun injuries) had worse visual outcomes. Factors suggesting unfavourable final visual acuity after open globe injuries in children are (1) young age at presentation, (2) poor initial visual acuity, (3) presence of a relative afferent papillary defect, (4) absence of red reflex, (5) cataract, and (6) types and number of surgeries performed.Awareness and education with regard to prevention of paediatric injuries need to be actively implemented.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Use of genetic markers to estimate and obtain animals of the desirable type].
Alleles of B blood groups in dairy cows of different genotypes have been analyzed allowing for the genetic distance, coefficient and degree of homozygosis. Application of the above information to select cows for bulls increases efficiency of breeding in dairy farming.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Family environment and its relation to adolescent personality factors.
Investigated the relationship between family social climate characteristics and adolescent personality functioning. The High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ) was administered to 80 high school students. These students and their parents also completed the Family Environment Scale (FES). Results of a stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that one or more HSPQ scales had significant associations with each FES scale. Significant variance in child behavior was attributed to family social system functioning; however, no single family variable accounted for a major portion of the variance to the exclusion of other factors. It was concluded that child behavior varies with total system functioning, more than with separate system factors.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Bone loss after heart transplantation: a prospective study.
Osteoporotic fractures result in substantial morbidity after heart transplantation. To measure the acute effects of corticosteroids on bone after heart transplantation, we measured bone mineral density by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and biochemical indexes of bone turnover in 25 patients (21 male, 4 female) at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after transplantation. Two patients sustained vertebral fractures. Bone loss was rapid in the first 6 months, occurred in 24 of 25 (96%) patients, and was most marked from the lumbar spine (mean +/- SD, -7.4% +/- 4.5%). In the second 6 months little further bone loss was evident (lumbar spine, -7.8% total over 12 months) despite continuing moderate maintenance doses of corticosteroids. Serum osteocalcin and testosterone levels rose and urinary hydroxyproline:creatinine level ratio fell significantly by 6 months. Bone loss from the lumbar spine correlated inversely with serum osteocalcin level at 6 months. Serum osteocalcin level was the only significant predictor of lumbar spine bone loss by multiple regression analysis that included age, corticosteroid dose, cyclosporine dose, lean body mass, and body mass index. These data suggest that prophylactic therapy to prevent bone loss may only be necessary in the first 6 to 12 months after heart transplantation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Sex-specific Differences in the Quality of Treatment of Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer Do Not Explain the Overall Survival Discrepancy.
While bladder cancer is less common among women, female sex is associated with worse oncological outcomes. To evaluate sex-specific differences in initial presentation and treatment patterns of muscle-invasive bladder cancer. A retrospective study using the National Cancer Database to identify individuals diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (cT2-T4aN0M0) between 2004 and 2013. Multivariable logistic regression and negative binomial regression with Bonferroni correction were used to investigate seven treatment measures: care at a high-volume facility, receipt of definitive therapy, delayed treatment, receipt of neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, receipt of pelvic lymph node dissection, and number of lymph nodes removed. The secondary outcome was overall survival. We identified 27525 patients, 27.4% of whom were females. Females were diagnosed significantly more often with nonurothelial carcinoma (15.1% vs 9.9%, p<0.001), with squamous carcinoma being the most prevalent variant (46.9%). After Bonferroni correction, there was no difference in six out of seven treatment quality measures. Females were significantly less likely to experience delayed treatment (odds ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-0.93, p<0.001). Females had significantly worse overall survival compared with males (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07, p=0.030). Limitations arise from the retrospective design of the study. Despite little difference in treatment quality measures, female sex is associated with worse overall survival among individuals with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Our findings suggest that differences in treatment patterns are unlikely to explain the differences in overall survival. Future initiatives should focus on root causes for gender-specific differences in pathological staging and features at diagnosis. In this study, we did not find differences in the treatment of bladder cancer between men and women that could readily explain why women diagnosed with this disease are more likely to die.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Future of Treatment for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Can the Use of Safe, Evidence-Based, Clinically Proven Supplements Provide the Answer to the Unmet Need?
The epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has created a real and unmet therapeutic need. The long regulatory pathway and the focus on selected subsets of patients with established and advanced disease are some of the current obstacles to providing effective treatment for the majority of NAFLD patients. The complexity of the disease pathogenesis, which involves multiple mechanisms, requires targeting of more than one pathway or a combination-based therapy. Although the drugs being developed may prevent progression to cirrhosis or may decrease negative liver outcomes, their effects on cardiometabolic health and cancer prevention remain unknown. Providing expensive compounds to a large proportion of the population for long-term use would place an economic burden on health care providers. Thus, there is a missed opportunity for early intervention in the course of the disease, by providing agents that improve cardiometabolic status and the progression of fatty liver toward steatohepatitis. Several natural supplements have the potential to meet these needs. This review discusses some of the major obstacles to drug development for NASH treatment. Milestones in bringing evidenced-based, scientifically proven, patent-protected, clinically tested, safe compounds to patients with NAFLD or NASH within a relatively short period of time are presented. The regulatory, intellectual property, manufacturing, and clinical development steps, along with applicable timelines, are discussed. These compounds may provide a possible solution to the challenges associated with the treatment of the majority of patients.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Two similar enhanced root-colonizing Pseudomonas strains differ largely in their colonization strategies of avocado roots and Rosellinia necatrix hyphae.
Pseudomonas alcaligenes AVO73 and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes AVO110 were selected previously as efficient avocado root tip colonizers, displaying in vitro antagonism towards Rosellinia necatrix, causal agent of avocado white root rot. Despite the higher number of antagonistic properties shown in vitro by AVO73, only AVO110 demonstrated significant protection against avocado white root rot. As both strains are enhanced root colonizers, and as colonization is crucial for the most likely biocontrol mechanisms used by these strains, namely production of non-antibiotic antifungal compounds and competition for nutrients and niches, we decided to compare the interactions of the bacterial strains with avocado roots as well as with R. necatrix hyphae. The results indicate that strain AVO110 is superior in biocontrol trait swimming motility and establishes on the root tip of avocado plants faster than AVO73. Visualization studies, using Gfp-labelled derivatives of these strains, showed that AVO110, in contrast to AVO73, colonizes intercellular crevices between neighbouring plant root epidermal cells, a microhabitat of enhanced exudation. Moreover, AVO110, but not AVO73, also colonizes root wounds, described to be preferential penetration sites for R. necatrix infection. This result strongly suggests that AVO110 meets, and can attack, the pathogen on the root. Finally, when co-inoculated with the pathogen, AVO110 utilizes hyphal exudates more efficiently for proliferation than AVO73 does, and colonizes the hyphae more abundantly than AVO73. We conclude that the differences between the strains in colonization levels and strategies are likely to contribute to, and even can explain, the difference in disease-controlling abilities between the strains. This is the first report that shows that two similar bacterial strains, selected by their ability to colonize avocado root, use strongly different root colonization strategies and suggests that in addition to the total bacterial root colonization level, the sites occupied on the root are important for biocontrol.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Antimicrotubule effects of the novel antitumor benzoylphenylurea derivative HO-221.
The antitumor action of HO-221, a novel benzoylphenylurea derivative, was studied. The in vitro cytotoxic strength of HO-221 was investigated, as measured by IC50 values, compared with those of other drugs with different action mechanisms, using Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells, mouse leukemia L1210 cells and human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. Morphological alterations following treatment were observed under a phase contrast microscope, and the mitotic index was determined at regular intervals to check for accumulation of metaphase cells. HO-221 was found to have a very strong toxic effect on all cell types, equal to that of the spindle poisons used as controls. HO-221 also produced the same specific morphological changes as the spindle poisons, with a significant accumulation of metaphase cells. A chromosome analysis of treated cells showed that HO-221 frequently induced polyploid and aneuploid cells, but without accompanying chromosome-breaking activity. An in vivo mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay was also carried out. The assay allowed the in vivo identification of a chromosome breaker or a spindle poison through the measurement of the relative sizes of micronuclei produced and erythrocytes. HO-221 was found frequently to induce relatively large micronuclei, an action regarded as specific to spindle poisons. It was thus demonstrated that HO-221 acts as a spindle poison both in vitro and in vivo. In order to investigate the mechanism of this action, a study of tubulin assembly using purified calf brain tubulin was carried out, which demonstrated clearly that HO-221 inhibits microtubule assembly. A detailed investigation of the action mechanism of HO-221 as a spindle poison is now called for.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Risk stratification in acute upper GI bleeding: comparison of the AIMS65 score with the Glasgow-Blatchford and Rockall scoring systems.
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends early risk stratification in patients presenting with upper GI bleeding (UGIB). The AIMS65 score is a risk stratification score previously validated to predict inpatient mortality. The aim of this study was to validate the AIMS65 score as a predictor of inpatient mortality in patients with acute UGIB and to compare it with established pre- and postendoscopy risk scores. ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) codes identified patients presenting with UGIB requiring endoscopy. All patients were risk stratified by using the AIMS65, Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS), pre-endoscopy Rockall, and full Rockall scores. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes were a composite endpoint of inpatient mortality, rebleeding, and endoscopic, radiologic, or surgical intervention; blood transfusion requirement; intensive care unit (ICU) admission; rebleeding; and hospital length of stay. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated for each score. Of the 424 study patients, 18 (4.2%) died and 69 (16%) achieved the composite endpoint. The AIMS65 score was superior to both the GBS (AUROC, 0.80 vs 0.76, P < .027) and the pre-endoscopy Rockall score (0.74, P = .001) and equivalent to the full Rockall score (0.78, P = .18) in predicting inpatient mortality. The AIMS65 score was superior to all other scores in predicting the need for ICU admission and length of hospital stay. AIMS65, GBS, and full Rockall scores were equivalent (AUROCs, 0.63 vs 0.62 vs 0.63, respectively) and superior to pre-endoscopy Rockall (AUROC, 0.55) in predicting the composite endpoint. GBS was superior to all other scores for predicting blood transfusion. The AIMS65 score is a simple risk stratification score for UGIB with accuracy superior to that of GBS and pre-endoscopy Rockall scores in predicting in-hospital mortality and the need for ICU admission.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Gene fusion/fission is a major contributor to evolution of multi-domain bacterial proteins.
Most proteins comprise one or several domains. New domain architectures can be created by combining previously existing domains. The elementary events that create new domain architectures may be categorized into three classes, namely domain(s) insertion or deletion (indel), exchange and repetition. Using 'DomainTeam', a tool dedicated to the search for microsyntenies of domains, we quantified the relative contribution of these events. This tool allowed us to collect homologous bacterial genes encoding proteins that have obviously evolved by modular assembly of domains. We show that indels are the most frequent elementary events and that they occur in most cases at either the N- or C-terminus of the proteins. As revealed by the genomic neighbourhood/context of the corresponding genes, we show that a substantial number of these terminal indels are the consequence of gene fusions/fissions. We provide evidence showing that the contribution of gene fusion/fission to the evolution of multi-domain bacterial proteins is lower-bounded by 27% and upper-bounded by 64%. We conclude that gene fusion/fission is a major contributor to the evolution of multi-domain bacterial proteins.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Full-reference quality estimation for images with different spatial resolutions.
Multimedia communication is becoming pervasive because of the progress in wireless communications and multimedia coding. Estimating the quality of the visual content accurately is crucial in providing satisfactory service. State of the art visual quality assessment approaches are effective when the input image and reference image have the same resolution. However, finding the quality of an image that has spatial resolution different than that of the reference image is still a challenging problem. To solve this problem, we develop a quality estimator (QE), which computes the quality of the input image without resampling the reference or the input images. In this paper, we begin by identifying the potential weaknesses of previous approaches used to estimate the quality of experience. Next, we design a QE to estimate the quality of a distorted image with a lower resolution compared with the reference image. We also propose a subjective test environment to explore the success of the proposed algorithm in comparison with other QEs. When the input and test images have different resolutions, the subjective tests demonstrate that in most cases the proposed method works better than other approaches. In addition, the proposed algorithm also performs well when the reference image and the test image have the same resolution.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Delirium/acute confusional states: evaluation devices in nursing.
Characteristics of instruments developed by nurses for use in evaluating delirium/acute confusional states include relative emphasis on observable behavior and the need to impose low respondent burden. Two instruments that have been most used by nurse researchers are described: The Confusion Rating Scale and the NEECHAM Confusion Scale. The former is based on observable behavior; the latter incorporates vital function and oxygen saturation measurements that may serve as early warning signs of impending delirium.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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CT density measurement of bone graft within an intervertebral lumbar cage: increase of hounsfield units as an indicator for increasing bone mineral content.
Radiographic assessment of lumbar interbody fusion is difficult, especially in the presence of cages and metal artifacts. The purpose of this study is to assess whether impacted bone chips in intervertebral lumbar cages show a tendency toward increased attenuation on postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans as a sign of ongoing revascularization and increased bone mineral content inside the cage. Twenty-one patients with single- or double-level lumbar fusion underwent CT scanning 1-44 months postoperatively. CT attenuation of bone inside the cage was measured with Hounsfield units. Intra- and interobserver variability were evaluated. Regression analysis showed an increase of 7.5 HU/month postoperatively for an initial value of 615 HU. Intra- and interobserver variability showed an interclass coefficient of 0.97. CT attenuation of bone graft inside an intervertebral cage increases in the postoperative period. Hounsfield unit measurement can be performed with a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility and may in the future provide a useful tool in studying cage contents in individual patients.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Reconstruction techniques in the treatment of vertebral neoplasms.
The authors present a new system for the topographical description of vertebral neoplasms. The general criteria of reconstruction after curettage or vertebral resection are evaluated. The literature is reviewed in terms of the use of prostheses, bone grafts, cement and stabilization systems in the treatment of tumors of the spine. Indications for the different methods are discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A school of nursing-wellness center partnership: creating collaborative practice experiences for undergraduate US senior nursing students.
As there is a global drive for schools of nursing (SONs) to increase enrollments and as there is a strain in the number of placement sites available to nursing students, SONs need to think innovatively about creating new collaborative partnerships that can serve as placement sites. A collaborative US intrainstitutional partnership was developed between an urban college wellness center (WC) and a SON that met the following needs: (1) it provided a community/public health nursing clinical practice site for undergraduate, senior-year baccalaureate SON students and (2) it enhanced and expanded WC services for the college community. During 7-week clinical sessions, nursing students provided holistic nursing care through screenings, health promotion activities, and educational meetings. Having the WC as a clinical site allowed the students to assess, integrate, and synthesize didactic knowledge and critical thinking skills into the clinical setting while providing critically needed holistic nursing services to their college community. Further, the collaboration created an ongoing partnership that bridged the service and academic needs of both entities.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Assessment of baseline characteristics and risk factors among Emergency Department patients presenting with recent onset atrial fibrillation: a retrospective cohort study.
The Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation in Emergency (CAFE) study was an observational, retrospective, multicenter study focusing on patients with recent onset atrial fibrillation (AF) seen in six different Emergency Departments (ED) of Rome, Italy. The aim of this study was to present the baseline characteristics and risk factors of the patients enrolled to the CAFE study. We retrospectively reviewed 3085 eligible patients diagnosed with recent onset AF in any of the EDs between January 2008 and December 2009. Inclusion criteria required documented ICD-9 primary discharge/admission diagnosis of AF in the ED and stable hemodynamic conditions at presentation (systolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg). Exclusion criteria were permanent AF or an ongoing acute coronary syndrome. Median age was 71 years (interquartile ranges, 62-78 years) and 50.8% were men. Palpitations was the most common symptom at ED presentation and was present in 73.5% of the study subjects. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity, affecting 59.3% of the patients evaluated, and the presence of previous episode(s) of AF was also common (52.3%). Regarding home treatment, the drugs most prescribed were antiplatelets (31.2%) and diuretics (25.2%). A CHADS2 score of 0 was found in 814 patients (26.4%), while a CHADS2 score of 1 was reported in 1114 patients (36.1%). Finally, a CHADS2 score ≥ 2 was reported in 1157 patients (37.5%). The present study represents an important snapshot of demographics, comorbidities, risk factors and anticoagulation management about patients with recent onset AF. Disparities were noted in anticoagulation management, suggesting that this is still a main problem among patients with AF.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Northern glacial refugia and altitudinal niche divergence shape genome-wide differentiation in the emerging plant model Arabidopsis arenosa.
Quaternary climatic oscillations profoundly impacted temperate biodiversity. For many diverse yet undersampled areas, however, the consequences of this impact are still poorly known. In Europe, particular uncertainty surrounds the role of Balkans, a major hotspot of European diversity, in postglacial recolonization of more northerly areas, and the Carpathians, a debatable candidate for a northern 'cryptic' glacial refugium. Using genome-wide SNPs and microsatellites, we examined how the interplay of historical processes and niche shifts structured genetic diversity of diploid Arabidopsis arenosa, a little-known member of the plant model genus that occupies a wide niche range from sea level to alpine peaks across eastern temperate Europe. While the northern Balkans hosted one isolated endemic lineage, most of the genetic diversity was concentrated further north in the Pannonian Basin and the Carpathians, where it likely survived the last glaciation in northern refugia. Finally, a distinct postglacial environment in northern Europe was colonized by populations of admixed origin from the two Carpathian lineages. Niche differentiation along altitude-related bioclimatic gradients was the main trend in the phylogeny of A. arenosa. The most prominent niche shifts, however, characterized genetically only slightly divergent populations that expanded into narrowly defined alpine and northern coastal postglacial environments. Our study highlights the role of eastern central European mountains not only as refugia for unique temperate diversity but also sources for postglacial expansion into novel high-altitude and high-latitude niches. Knowledge of distinct genetic substructure of diploid A. arenosa also opens new opportunities for follow-up studies of this emerging model of evolutionary biology.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Trabecular bone score in female patients with systemic sclerosis: comparison with rheumatoid arthritis and influence of glucocorticoid exposure.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. To date, the etiology of bone loss in SSc is unclear. Trabecular bone score (TBS) provides an indirect measurement of bone microarchitecture, independent of areal bone mineral density (aBMD). The aims were to assess bone involvement in SSc using TBS in comparison with a "high-risk" population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and controls, and to investigate the determinants of a low TBS. This was a cross-sectional study of 65 women with SSc, 138 age-matched female patients with RA, and 227 age-matched female controls. Spine and hip aBMD were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. TBS was calculated from the anteroposterior image of the spine aBMD. TBS was significantly lower in SSc compared to controls (p < 0.0001) and did not differ from RA (p = 0.128), despite lower cumulative and daily glucocorticoid (GC) dose (p < 0.0001). Further, patients with SSc receiving GC ≥ 5 mg/day had a significantly lower TBS than those receiving GC < 5 mg/day (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that a low TBS was independently associated with daily GC dose (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.7-19.2) and a T score ≤ -2.5 SD (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.5-7.0) in SSc. No association between GC and TBS was found in RA. Our results support the development of a combined approach using both TBS and aBMD for the assessment of bone microarchitecture in inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Our study showed that SSc-related bone involvement is characterized by an impairment in bone quality in addition to reduced bone quantity, and highlights that TBS can identify the negative effect of GC on bone microarchitecture.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[The effect of magnesium sulfate electrophoresis and galvanization on the mineralization of teeth and bones].
Effects of Mg2+ electrophoresis and galvanization on tooth and bone mineralization was experimentally studied with the use of radioactive Ca and P isotopes. Mg2+ electrophoresis and, to a lesser degree, galvanization enhanced 32P incorporation in incisors and maxillary bones. Mg2+ significantly increased 45Ca incorporation in teeth and maxillary bones. Experimental data permit clinical trials of Mg2+ efficacy in patients with disordered mineralization and remineralization.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Forensic neuropsychology at the challenge of the relationship between cognition and emotion in psychopathy].
The relationship between frontal lobe damage and criminality is especially complex. The neural substrates of psychopathic behavior seem to involve structural and functional abnormalities in the frontal lobes and the limbic system. AIM. To analyze the repercussions that brain structural and functional abnormalities in psychopathic individuals may have for forensic neuropsychology. Consistent evidence indicate that response inhibition problems in psychopathic subjects are linked to structural or functional damage in the frontal cortex. Furthermore, the prefrontal cortex, along with the amygdala and the hippocampus forms the limbic system, which is an important neural substrate of emotion processing; therefore the psychopath's capacity of affective processing could also be impaired. The theoretical frameworks of the somatic marker and mirror neuron hypotheses, along with the empirical study of executive functions may contribute to explain the inability of the psychopathic subjects to feel empathy, which is one of the main inhibitors of violence and antisocial behavior. The relationship between frontal lobe dysfunction and antisocial behavior arises an important legal issue. In order to consider some type of minor liability in the case of psychopaths it is suggested to gather further research data about the relationship between frontal lobe dysfunction and the ability to inhibit antisocial behavior by making an adequate use of empathy and emotional ties.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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External carotid artery fistula due to microcompression of the gasserian ganglion for relief of trigeminal neuralgia. Case report.
Vascular complications after percutaneous injection procedures for relief of trigeminal neuralgia are varied, ranging from puncture of arterial or venous structures to carotid-cavernous fistulas. The authors present a patient in whom an external carotid artery fistula occurred after a microcompression procedure for the treatment of a left-sided trigeminal neuralgia. This is believed to be the first case of this complication secondary to a percutaneous injection procedure for relief of facial pain.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A simple optical configuration for cell tracking by dark-field microscopy.
We describe a simple optical configuration for dark-field microscopy at low magnification, realized with the use of standard microscope components. An inherent high contrast makes this method attractive for computer-assisted tracking and counting of microorganisms. We applied this setup for dark-field microscopy to measure the speed of migrating Dictyostelium amoebae.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Cognitive function, serum BDNF levels and BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism in amnestic mild cognitive impairment].
To investigate the relationship between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, concentrations and BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and neuropsychological characteristics. Ninety-nine aMCI patients and 99 matched normal controls were recruited for the study. Multi-dimension neuropsychologic tests were used to extensively assess the cognitive function, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to measure serum BDNF concentrations, and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyse BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism in the subjects. The scores of neuropsychologic tests in aMCI patients were significantly lower than those in the normal controls (all P<0.001), with the largest impairment on delayed recall of the auditory verbal memory test (AVMT) which reflect verbal episodic memory. The serum concentrations of BDNF in aMCI patients (median: 4.37 microg/L) were significantly lower than those of the normal controls (median: 4.98 microg/L) (z=-2.449, P=0.014). There was positive correlation between the serum concentrations of BDNF and the scores on delayed recall of AVMT (r=0.264, P=0.008). No significant differences were found for the genotype and allele distribution of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism between aMCI patients and the normal controls. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was not associated with serum BDNF concentrations and cognitive assessment scores in aMCI patients (P>0.05). aMCI is characterized by episodic memory impairment. Decreased BDNF concentrations may play a role in the pathophysiology of aMCI, and BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism may not be an important genetic factor in susceptibility to aMCI.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Basics to advances in nanotherapy of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer existing across the globe. It begins with the formation of polyps leading to the development of metastasis, especially in advanced stage patients, who necessitate intensive chemotherapy that usually results in a poor response and high morbidity owing to multidrug resistance and severe untoward effects to the non-cancerous cells. Advancements in the targeted drug delivery permit the targeting of tumor cells without affecting the non-tumor cells. Various nanocarriers such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, micelles, and nanogels, etc. are being developed and explored for effective delivery of cytotoxic drugs to the target site thereby enhancing the drug distribution and bioavailability, simultaneously subduing the side effects. Moreover, immunotherapy for CRC is being explored for last few decades. Few clinical trials have even potentially benefited patients suffering from CRC, still immunotherapy persists merely an experimental alternative. Assessment of the ongoing and completed trials is to be warranted for effective treatment of CRC. Scientists are paying efforts to develop novel carrier systems that may enhance the targeting potential of low therapeutic index chemo- and immune-therapeutics. Several preclinical studies have revealed the superior efficacy of nanotherapy in CRC as compared to conventional approaches. Clinical trials are being recruited to ascertain the safety and efficacy of CRC therapies. The present review discourses in a nutshell the molecular interventions including the genetics, signaling pathways involved in CRC, and advances in various strategies explored for the treatment of CRC with a special emphasis on nanocarriers based drug targeting.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Infrared contact coagulation of the liver: technic--tactics--results].
A new generation of infrared contact coagulation devices has been successfully used in 158 hepatic resections and 72 liver transplantations. Hospital mortality was 9.94%; no complications attributable to the method were observed. Infrared contact coagulation is a simple, safe, effective, and cheap method for hemostasis in the liver.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Primary structural features of the 20S proteasome subunits of rice (Oryza sativa).
The 20S proteasome is the proteolytic complex that is involved in removing abnormal proteins, and it also has other diverse biological functions. Its structure comprises 28 subunits arranged in four rings of seven subunits, and exists as a hollow cylinder. The two outer rings and two inner rings form an alpha7beta7beta7alpha7 structure, and each subunit, alpha and beta, exists as seven different types, thus giving 14 kinds of subunits. In this study, we report the primary structures of the 14 proteasomal subunit subfamilies in rice (Oryza sativa), representing the first set for all of the subunits from monocots. Amino acid sequence homology within the rice family (alpha-type: 28.9-42.1%; beta-type: 17.2-31. 9%) were lower than those between rice subunits and corresponding orthologs from Arabidopsis and yeast (alpha-type: 49.2-94.5%; beta-type: 34.8-87.7%). Structural features observed in eukaryotic proteasome subunits, i.e., alpha- or beta-type signature at the N-termini, Thr active sites in beta1, beta2 and beta5 subunits, and nuclear localization signal-like sequences in some alpha-type subunits, were shown to be conserved in rice.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Gene therapy for osteoporosis: evaluation in a murine ovariectomy model.
Various cytokines and cytokine antagonists hold promise as new therapeutic agents for osteoporosis, but their application is hindered by delivery problems. Gene transfer offers an attractive technology with which to obviate these restrictions. Its utility was evaluated in an animal model of osteoporosis. Disease was induced by surgical ovariectomy and monitored by measuring bone weight after 12 days, and by histomorphometry after 5 weeks. Genes were transferred to the mice by intramedullary injection of adenoviral vectors. LacZ and luciferase marker genes were used to identify the bone marrow cells transduced by this procedure, and to track the possible spread of transgenes to other organs. The effect on bone loss of transferring a cDNA encoding the human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) was then evaluated. The intramedullary injection of adenoviral vectors transduced lining osteoblasts, osteocytes and cells within the bone marrow. Luciferase activity persisted within the injected femora and adjacent musculature for at least 3 weeks, and in the draining lymph nodes for 2 weeks. Transient, low level expression was present in the liver, but no luciferase was detected at any time in the lung or spleen. Intramedullary introduction of the IL-1Ra gene resulted in circulation of the corresponding protein at concentrations that peaked on day 3, and returned to baseline by day 12. Transfer of the IL-1Ra gene strongly reduced the early loss of bone mass occurring in response to ovariectomy. Furthermore, it completely inhibited the loss of matrix detected by histomorphometry at 5 weeks. The protective effect of this gene was not restricted to bones receiving intramedullary injection of the vector, but occurred in all bones that were evaluated. This proof of concept encourages further development of gene therapy approaches to the treatment of osteoporosis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Monitoring patient outcome following discharge: a computerized geriatric case-management system.
Many political, economic, and social factors are influencing health care providers to consider case-management programs. The authors describe a computer-supported, hospital-based case management program for elderly patients and report on the benefits and drawbacks of the program. Primary benefits include access to better client data, improved discharge planning capabilities, and greater program efficiency. Drawbacks chiefly are related to the difficulties inherent in introducing computerization into a human service setting. Overall, the program is a beneficial addition to patient care efforts and is a valuable tool for tracking high-risk patients in acute-care settings.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Considerations on 45 cases of injuries of the diaphragm].
The authors make an analysis of 45 cases of diaphragmatic trauma, of which 27 were wounds and 18 were ruptures. The wounds of the diaphragm, in most cases determined by bullets, were of small dimensions, but were accompanied by serious lesions of the organs in the vicinity, while ruptures of the diaphragm, determined by closed traumas, were extensive, but with less important lesions of the viscera. Rapid transportation, and efficient intensive care have permitted the performance of emergency interventions in all the patients with wounds, except 3 who died in the emergency room. In 37% of the cases there was involvement of the liver, while the spleen was involved in 33% of the patients. Wounds following gunshot with explosion of the liver and involvement of the supra-hepatic veins could not be recovered. The continuity solution of the diaphragm determined penetration of the abdominal organs and of their contents into the thorax, and this was followed by respiratory and circulatory failure. The diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture was established in some cases at some distance from the traumatic point. In all the patients with wounds it was necessary to perform emergency surgery. The approach was selected in relation to the localization of the entrance and of the emergence points of the wound. In cases with thoraco-abdominal wounds on the left side the abdominal approach was the most frequent choice, while in patients with wounds on the right side the preferred approach was thoracic in the high-placed wounds, and abdominal, or thoraco-abdominal in the low-placed ones. In the case of ruptures the approach was determined by the localization of the impact zone, and by the viscera supposedly involved. In most of the patients the clinical picture was dominated by the associated lesions, especially by the cranio-cerebral ones. For this reason some of these patients were operated in a later stage, with diaphragmatic hernia. The overall mortality rate in the operated patients was 15.8%.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Resemblance of electrospun collagen nanofibers to their native structure.
Electrospinning is a promising method to mimic the native structure of the extracellular matrix. Collagen is the material of choice, since it is a natural fibrous structural protein. It is an open question how much the spinning process preserves or alters the native structure of collagen. There are conflicting results in the literature, mainly due to the different solvent systems in use and due to the fact that gelatin is employed as a reference state for the completely unfolded state of collagen in calculations. Here we used circular dichroism (CD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the structure of regenerated collagen samples and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to illuminate the electrospun nanofibers. Collagen is mostly composed of folded and unfolded structures with different ratios, depending on the applied temperature. Therefore, CD spectra were acquired as a temperature series during thermal denaturation of native calf skin collagen type I and used as a reference basis to extract the degree of collagen folding in the regenerated electrospun samples. We discussed three different approaches to determine the folded fraction of collagen, based on CD spectra of collagen from 185 to 260 nm, since it would not be sufficient to obtain simply the fraction of folded structure θ from the ellipticity at a single wavelength of 221.5 nm. We demonstrated that collagen almost completely unfolded in fluorinated solvents and partially preserved its folded structure θ in HAc/EtOH. However, during the spinning process it refolded and the PP-II fraction increased. Nevertheless, it did not exceed 42% as deduced from the different secondary structure evaluation methods, discussed here. PP-II fractions in electrospun collagen nanofibers were almost same, being independent from the initial solvent systems which were used to solubilize the collagen for electrospinning process.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Enhanced coupling of terahertz radiation to cylindrical wire waveguides.
Wire waveguides have recently been shown to be valuable for transporting pulsed terahertz radiation. This technique relies on the use of a scattering mechanism for input coupling. A radially polarized surface wave is excited when a linearly polarized terahertz pulse is focused on the gap between the wire waveguide and another metal structure. We calculate the input coupling efficiency using a simulation based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). Additional FEM results indicate that enhanced coupling efficiency can be achieved through the use of a radially symmetric photoconductive antenna. Experimental results confirm that such an antenna can generate terahertz radiation which couples to the radial waveguide mode with greatly improved efficiency.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Evaluation of outcome and prognostic factors in extraosseous Ewing sarcoma.
Data on extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (EES) with uniform chemotherapy protocol are minimal. We aimed to examine this aspect in our patients, identify prognostic factors and compare the same with osseous Ewing sarcoma. A single institutional data review of patients with EES treated between June 2003 and November 2011 with uniform chemotherapy and evaluated on intent-to-treat analysis was done. Of 374 patients with Ewing sarcoma, 60 (16%) were EES with median age 16 years; 20 (33%) had metastases. After median follow-up of 25 months (range: 1.7-104.4), 5-year event free survival (EFS), OS, and local-control-rate were 47.1 ± 7.9%, 61.6 ± 7.8%, and 77.9 ± 8.6%, respectively for entire EES cohort. In multivariate analysis, hemoglobin ≤ 10 g/dl (P = 0.03), and white blood cell count (WBC) >11 × 10(9) /L (P = 0.009) predicted inferior EFS for the entire EES cohort. Low hemoglobin (P = 0.05) and high LDH (P = 0.01) predicted inferior OS for the entire EES cohort on multivariate analysis. As compared to the cohort of skeletal primary (n = 314), higher proportion of patients underwent surgery in the cohort of EES (P = .003); EFS (P = 0.004) and OS (P = 0.08) were superior for patients with EES than patients with skeletal Ewing sarcoma. These data of EES suggests that low hemoglobin and high WBC count adversely affect EFS. Overall outcome was significantly better for EES than skeletal primary tumors.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 3'UTR SNPs and their influence on milk fatty acid composition of Canadian Holstein cows.
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) catalyses the synthesis of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in the mammary gland of ruminant animals. Considerable variations in CLA and MUFA have been reported among animals of the same contemporary group. We hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of the SCD1 gene would influence the production of SCD1 enzyme and consequently its activity in the mammary gland, which may account for some of the observed within breed variations in CLA and MUFA. The 5' and 3'UTRs of the SCD1 gene of 46 Holsteins and 35 Jerseys were analysed for SNPs by sequencing. No SNPs were identified in the 5'UTR, while 14 SNPs were identified in the 3'UTR region. Further analysis revealed three haplotype structures or regulatory variants in Holsteins: named H1, H2 and H3 and only H1 and H3 in Jerseys. An IRES motif was found in the H1 variant. A subsequent association study involving the milk fatty acid profiles of 862 Holstein cows found the H1 regulatory variant to be associated with higher C10 and C12 desaturase indices and consequently with higher contents of C10:1 and C12:1 relative to the H3 variant. The effects of the H2 variant were intermediate to those of H1 and H3. SNPs in the 3'UTR of the SCD1 gene could therefore explain some of the within-breed variations in MUFA content of milk fat.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Diagnostic imaging and surgical treatment of dumbbell tumors of the mediastinum.
We describe the diagnostic procedures and surgical approaches employed in 5 patients with dumbbell tumors of the mediastinum. Magnetic resonance imaging accurately described the existence and longitudinal extension of the intraspinal component of the tumor and assisted in choosing the appropriate surgical approach. Both the intrathoracic and intraspinal components of the tumor were resected at one time by a thoracic and neurosurgical team. We employed the Grillo technique three times and a separate laminectomy and thoracotomy approach. Magnetic resonance imaging proved the most useful diagnostic technique for suspected dumbbell mediastinal tumors. In our experience, the extended thoracotomy proposed by Grillo and co-workers worked well for small tumors involving only one foramen in which the intraspinal extension was limited to 2 to 3 cm, and when no more than two laminectomies were required. On the other hand, thoracotomy and a longitudinal paravertebral incision are preferable for larger tumors (more than 4 cm) involving more than one foramen in which the intraspinal extension exceeds 2 to 3 cm, for tumors requiring multiple laminectomy, and when bony infiltration is present.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Severe to profound hearing impairment: quality of life, psychosocial consequences and audiological rehabilitation.
To study the quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial consequences in terms of sick leave and audiological rehabilitation given to patients with severe to profound hearing impairment. A retrospective study of data on 2319 patients with severe to profound hearing impairment in The Swedish Quality Register of Otorhinolaryngology, followed by a posted questionnaire including The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The results indicate greater levels of anxiety and depression among patients with severe or profound hearing impairment than in the general population, and annoying tinnitus and vertigo had strong negative effects on QoL. The proportion of sick leave differed between the studied dimensions in the study. The proportion of patients who received extended audiological rehabilitation was 38% in the present study. Treatment focused on anxiety, depression, tinnitus and vertigo must be given early in the rehabilitation process in patients with severe or profound hearing impairment. Because sick leave differs greatly within this group of patients, collaboration with the regional Social Insurance Agency is crucial part of the rehabilitation. The study also shows that presently, only a small proportion of patients in Sweden with severe to profound hearing impairment receive extended audiological rehabilitation. Implications for Rehabilitation Greater levels of anxiety and depression have been found among patients with severe or profound hearing impairment than in the general population, and annoying tinnitus and vertigo have strong negative effects on QoL in this group of patients. Only a small proportion of patients with severe to profound hearing impairment receive extended audiological rehabilitation today, including medical, technical and psychosocial efforts. Extended audiological rehabilitation focused on anxiety, depression, tinnitus and vertigo must be given, together with technical rehabilitation, early in the rehabilitation process in patients with severe or profound hearing impairment.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Suppurative complications following sternotomy].
For a ten-year period when 366 median sternotomies have been performed, 206 of them in cardiac operations under bypass, there were 15 dehiscences of the sternum (4.09 per cent). The method of early revision with subsequent one-story suture and persistently washing aspiration drainage was applied for treatment of grave complication. In 90 per cent of the patients the causative agent of the infection was Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in the rest--Staph.aureus. Despite the early intervention, the adequate antibacterial therapy and local application of antiseptic agents, mortality was 46.6 per cent. The authors introduced also the so called nodulating sternotomy, which provides firmer fixation. This operation was performed in 135 patients. Rigid septics and antiseptics play crucial role for nonadmission of infection in operations under bypass.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Spectroscopic studies on the interaction between riboflavin and albumins.
The interactions between riboflavin (RF) and human and bovine serum albumin (HSA and BSA) were studied by using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. Intrinsic fluorescence emission spectra of serum albumin in the presence of RF show that the endogenous photosensitizer acts as a quencher. The decrease of fluorescence intensity at about 350 nm is attributed to changes in the environment of the protein fluorophores caused by the ligand. The quenching mechanisms of albumins by RF were discussed. The binding constants and binding site number were obtained at various temperatures. The distance between albumins and RF in the complexes suggests that the primary binding site for RF is close to tryptophan residue (Trp214) of HSA and Trp212 of BSA. The hydration process of albumins has also been discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Adjunct bromocriptine treatment as palliation for prostate cancer: experimental and clinical evaluation.
Bromocriptine, a potent antiprolactin, in conjunction with low dose polyestradiolphosphate or cyproterone acetate resulted in a response rate of 28 out of 42 patients. The longest response with pain free and physical as well as sexual, full activity was 15 months until relapse occurred. There was a clear cut prevention of gynecomaesia in 11 out of 13 patients. This is a second report on treatment for prostatic cancer with bromocriptine.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Solitons induced by alternating electric fields in surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals.
Propagation of solitary waves activated in thin ferroelectric liquid crystal cells under external, sinusoidally alternating electric fields is investigated using the electro-optic technique. It is shown that solitons give contributions only to the loss component of the response spectrum, within rather narrow ranges of frequencies and in sufficiently strong fields. The limit frequency, at which the amplitude of the velocity of the solitary waves is greatest, is found to be related to material constants of liquid crystals. Measuring this threshold frequency provides the capability to determine the elastic constant of surface stabilized liquid crystalline materials in the bookshelf or chevron layer geometries.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Expression analysis and characterization of dmrt2 in Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis).
Dmrt2 is a member of the dmrt gene family with a conserved zinc finger-like DNA-binding motif (DM domain). In the present study, CS-dmrt2 was cloned from the gonads of Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). The full-length cDNA of CS-dmrt2 is 2834 bp in length, with a 251 bp 5'-untranslated region (UTR), a 1086 bp 3'-UTR and a 1503 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a 501-amino-acid peptide. qPCR revealed that CS-dmrt2 was mainly expressed in C. semilaevis testes. In situ hybridization (ISH) showed CS-dmrt2 expression throughout early gonadal development (36 days after hatching (dah) and 86 dah), but the expression was higher in male gonads than in female gonads. CS-dmrt2 mRNA was highly expressed in male germ cells. Comparison of methylation levels between females and males demonstrated hypo-methylated levels of the CS-dmrt2 promoter in the male gonads, which is consistent with the high mRNA expression. These results suggest that the CS-dmrt2 gene may play a functional role in gonadal differentiation/development and germ cell maturation in the testis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Exposure to community violence in adolescence: trauma symptoms.
This research explored the relationship between exposure to violence and psychological stress among adolescents. It focused on the cumulative experience of recurring community violence during the high school years, differentiated victimization from witnessing violence, and examined four conceptually separate psychological symptoms of trauma (anger, anxiety, depression, and dissociation). Considerable exposure to recurring community violence, but also considerable variation in the amount of exposure, was found in the sample of 455 first-year students at an urban college. Exposure to recurring community violence was moderately correlated with the manifestation of psychological trauma symptoms. Further, being victimized and witnessing violence had independent (as well as overlapping) relationships with trauma symptoms. It was concluded that attempts to account for psychological stress among adolescents must include exposure to community violence.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Degeneration of serotonin-specific neurons in the brain in experimental Trypanosoma brucei infection.
ORMEROD and HUSSEIN (1986) have shown that an intracellular stage of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense causes the destruction of ependymal cells lining the ventricles of the brain. The ventricular ependymal cells are intimately associated with a plexus of nerves that react specifically with monoclonal antibody raised against serotonin. We have shown that in areas where the ependyma is damaged, the supraependymal plexus also undergoes destruction and that retrograde degeneration of the neuron as far as the dorsal raphe nucleus also occurs. Although the work is as yet unfinished, we suggest that some of the neuro-psychological changes, observed in clinical sleeping sickness, may be the result of this lesion.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A comparison of knowledge of local analgesia, pulp therapy and restoration of primary molar teeth amongst dental students, dentists and dental therapists within a dental hospital setting.
To gain an overview of knowledge of local analgesia, pulpal therapy and restorative procedures in the primary dentition amongst dental undergraduate students (DS), dental therapy students (DTS), recently-qualified dentists (QD) and dental therapists (DT), working within a Dental Hospital setting. A survey undertaken at Dundee Dental Hospital and School, NHS Tayside, United Kingdom to determine current knowledge regarding the use of local analgesia, pulp anatomy and pulp therapy techniques in addition to restoration of primary teeth. Data were available for 24 individuals (DS: 5; QD: 6; DTS: 8; DT: 5). Deficiencies in knowledge regarding the maximum safe dose for local analgesia, pulp canal anatomy, pulp therapy medicaments and the preparation required prior to placement of a pre-formed metal crown were noted in both student and staff groups. The knowledge of basic dental procedures for children amongst a group of dental students, student dental therapists and recently qualified dentists and dental therapists, was found to be imperfect. These findings indicate that more research is needed on the educational procedures used in the transfer of such knowledge and skills. Deficiencies in knowledge were identified in all areas assessed. Courses should be designed at both the pre- and postgraduate level to address and avoid such gaps in knowledge.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Live-cell imaging of HP1α throughout the cell cycle of mouse C3H10T1/2 cells and rhythmical flickering of heterochromatin dots in interphase.
Heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1α) localizes to heterochromatin in interphase and shows dynamic molecular behavior in living cells. We previously reported that during mitosis, the majority of HP1α diffused into the cytoplasm but some remained in centromere heterochromatin. Here, we further characterize the molecular behavior of HP1α throughout the cell cycle. Time-lapse imaging of DsRed-HP1α through two successive cell divisions indicated that interphase can be divided into four phases. HP1α forms heterochromatin dots in early G1, which are maintained without any apparent changes (Phase 1). However, the HP1α dots begin to diffuse into the nucleoplasm and start flickering with a rhythmical cycle (Phase 2). Then, the HP1α dots diffuse further towards the periphery of the nucleus (Phase 3), and uniformly diffuse throughout the entire nucleus (Phase 4). Rhythmical flickering of HP1α dots in the middle of interphase may be useful for following cell cycle progression in mouse living cells.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Emergency department evaluation and treatment of elbow and forearm injuries.
This article reviews the anatomy of the elbow and discusses several different types of elbow fractures and dislocations. A review of forearm anatomy and common injuries, trauma, and fractures follows. Methods for treatment and management for both elbow and forearm injuries are discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Case-control study on comprehensive rehabilitation for postoperative pain after spinal surgery].
To evaluate the effect of interferential electrical stimulation (IES) in pain relief after spine surgery. From January 2004 to December 2008, 166 patients after spine operation received pain treatment. All the patients were divided into two groups: the drug treatment group, which was the control group, including 46 cases, 22 patients were male and 24 patients were female, with an average age of (51.0 +/- 6.5) years; and the IES treatment group, including 120 cases, 50 patients were male and 70 patients were female, with an average age of (48.0 +/- 5.6) years. Before treatment, there were 4 patients with pain of Grade III in the control group, in which 3 patients had stenosis, 1 patient had spondylolisthesis; 42 patients had Grade II pain. In the IES group before treatment,17 patients had Grade II pain, in which 13 patients had stenosis, 4 patients had spondylolisthesis; 103 patients had Grade II pain. The preoperative and postoperative pains were evaluated and compared by the WHO Pain Criteria. The composing of IES group with pain grade III, II and I were 1/96/23, 0/17/103, 0/0/ 120 at the 3rd day, the 7th day and the 14th day after treatment respectively, while in the control group they were 4/42/0, 2/ 44/0, 0/4/42 respectively. There were statistical differences between the two groups with Kruskal-Wallis test. The percent of mid and severe grade pain decreased much faster in IES group. Interferential electrical stimulation (IES) therapy can improve patients' postoperative pain relief more quickly and reduce duration of hospitalization.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Resistance to macrolides in Group A streptococci from the European section of Turkey: genetic and phenotypic characterization.
The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibilities to macrolides of Group A streptococcal isolates from the European section of Turkey. In the case of resistant isolates, the patterns and genetic mechanisms of erythromycin resistance were studied. Seven (2.7%) of the 260 isolates were resistant to erythromycin. Four of them showed the M phenotype and harboured mefA genes whereas three isolates showed the inducible macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B resistance phenotype and harboured ermTR genes. In the European section of Turkey, the current resistance rate of Group A streptococci to macrolides remains low.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Immunity of an insect herbivore to an entomovirus is affected by different host plants.
Interactions between herbivorous insects and entomoviruses may depend on host plant, perhaps mediated through changes in herbivore innate immunity. Caterpillars (Spodoptera exigua) fed Glycine max had high viral loads and low melanization rates together with low melanization enzyme [PO, DDC, TH] activities and gene expressions. Caterpillars fed Ipomoea aquatica had low viral loads and high melanization, gene activities and gene expressions while those fed Brassica oleracea or artificial diet had intermediate levels of each. Melanization rates were negatively correlated with viral loads and positively correlated with activity and expression of each of the three enzymes. Some diet effects on enzymes were constitutive because the same diets led to low (G. max) or high (I. aquatica) melanization related gene activities and expressions without infection. Diet influences the interactions between insect herbivores and viruses by shaping the innate immune response both at the onset of infection and afterwards as viral loads accumulate over a period of days. In addition, diets that lead to low viral loads are associated with high activities and gene expressions of a variety of melanization related enzymes suggesting a common causative mechanism. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The sexual consent scale-revised: development, reliability, and preliminary validity.
The Sexual Consent Scale-Revised (SCS-R) measures an individual's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors with respect to how sexual consent should be and is negotiated between sexual partners. This study extends previous research on sexual consent by revising a scale using the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991, 2001, 2005) as its theoretical foundation. The psychometric properties of the SCS-R were established using factor analysis, construct validity tests, as well as internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Five factors emerged: perceived behavioral control, positive attitude toward establishing consent, sexual consent norms, indirect consent behaviors, and awareness of consent. Results indicated that the SCS-R can be useful for examining a variety of research questions relating to sexual consent.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A systematic review of the health effects of prenatal exposure to disaster.
The aim of this study was to determine the health effects of prenatal exposure to disaster, based on a systematic review of existing research. A literature search of scientific databases was conducted in February 2015 for articles on prenatal exposure to a natural or man-made disaster. Data was extracted from all articles that met the inclusion criteria, and we systematically analyzed contents based on type of disaster, health outcome, target group and time after birth. Prenatal exposure to famine or war was found to be associated with mental health, cardiovascular or metabolic outcomes, with varying degrees of significance. The majority of the studies showed limited or weak associations between exposures and outcomes. Due to the lack of variety in type of events studied, as well as large methodological variation, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions from existing literature. However, our systematic review highlights the potential of evaluating secondary data, both to accentuate research gaps in the field and to increase the understanding of what effects various types of disasters potentially have on the unborn child.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Surface energy effects on osteoblast spatial growth and mineralization.
While short-term surface energy effects on cell adhesion are relatively well known, little is revealed as regards its later stage effects on cell behavior. We examined surface energy effects on osteoblastic cell growth and mineralization by using human fetal osteoblastic (hFOB) cells cultured on plasma-treated quartz (contact angle, theta=0 degrees) and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-treated quartz (theta=113 degrees). hFOB cells formed a homogeneous cell layer on plasma-treated quartz, while those cultured on OTS-treated quartz produced randomly distributed clump-like structures that were filled with cells (confirmed by confocal microscopy). Mineral deposition by hFOB cells was spatially homogeneous when cultured on hydrophilic surfaces. Furthermore, cells on hydrophilic surfaces exhibited increased mineralized area as well as enhanced mineral-to-matrix ratio (assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), relative to cells on hydrophobic surfaces. Experiments using other types of osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3-E1, MG63, and SAOS-2) revealed more or less similar effects in spatial growth morphology. It was concluded that hydrophilic surfaces induce homogeneous spatial osteoblastic cell growth and mineral deposition and enhance the quantity (e.g., area) and quality (e.g., mineral-to-matrix ratio) of mineralization relative to hydrophobic surfaces. Our data suggest that surface energy effects on osteoblastic cell differentiation, especially mineralization, may be correlated with surface energy dependent changes in spatial cell growth.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Low-energy (5-40 eV) electron-stimulated desorption of anions from physisorbed DNA bases.
We present the results of experiments on anion desorption from the physisorbed DNA bases adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine induced by the impact of low-energy (5-40 eV) electrons. Electron bombardment of DNA base films induces ring fragmentation and desorption of H(-), O(-), OH(-), CN(-), OCN(- ) and CH(2)(-) anions through either single or complex multibond dissociation. We designate the variation of the yield of an anion with electron energy as the yield function. Below 15 eV incident electron energy, bond cleavage is controlled mainly by dissociative electron attachment. Above 15 eV, the portion of a yield function that increases linearly is attributed to nonresonant processes, such as dipolar dissociation. A resonant structure is superimposed on this signal around 20 eV in the anion yield functions. This structure implicates dissociative electron attachment and/or resonant decay of the transient anion into the dipolar dissociation channel, with a minimal contribution from multiple inelastic electron scattering. The yields of all desorbing anions clearly show that electron resonances contribute to the damage of all DNA bases bombarded with 5-40 eV electrons. Comparison of the ion yields indicates that adenine is the least sensitive base to slow electron attack. Electron-irradiated guanine films exhibit the largest yields of desorbed anions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Surgical approach to cases with multiple renal arteries in renal transplantation.
To evaluate the effect of multiple renal artery (MRA) presence on the success and complication rate of renal allotransplantation. We retrospectively analyzed 187 cases (128 men and 59 women) who were transplanted in our department from 1997 to 2005. 28 of these cases had MRA. Of MRA kidneys, 6 were obtained from cadavers and 22 from live donors. When the types of anastomoses for MRA cases were examined, 4 cases were anastomosed after being connected to the main polar artery with ex vivo bench surgery; the others had in vivo anastomosis. The patients were divided into two groups as single (group 1) and MRA (group 2) groups. Following the transplantation, creatinine levels, ATN ratios, development of hypertension, patient and graft survivals and vascular and urological complications were compared between the two groups. Patient and graft survival rates were compared between the two groups in the first and third post-operative years. In the first year, graft survival rates for groups 1 and 2 were 94.9 and 92.9% respectively, whereas in the third year these were calculated as 88 and 85.7%. Concerning patient survival, first year results for groups 1 and 2 were 92.5 and 89.2%, for the third year these were found to be 84.9 and 82.1%. Mean creatinine levels of both groups were compared in the first and third years. The results for groups 1 and 2 were 1.41 +/- 0.37 and 1.46 +/- 0.46 mg/dl respectively for the first year. In the third year these were found to be 1.60 +/- 0.43 and 1.69 +/- 0.49 mg/dl and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Vascular and urological complications were observed in only 6 out of 187 cases (3.2%). No significant difference has been observed between single and MRA kidneys considering the success and complication rates of renal allotransplantation.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Occurrence of glyphosate and AMPA residues in soy-based infant formula sold in Brazil.
Glyphosate is an herbicide widely used in the world, being applied in several crops, among them soybeans. Recently, glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) have been identified as possible contributors to the emergence of various diseases such as autism, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as cancer. The child population-consuming cereal-based foods is the most exposed to the effects of pesticides because of their developmental phase and they have a higher food intake per kilogram of body weight than adults. The presence of glyphosate and AMPA residues in soy-based infant formulas was evaluated during the years 2012-2017, totalising 105 analyses carried out on 10 commercial brands from different batches. Glyphosate and AMPA were determined by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after derivatisation reaction. The method was validated and showed accuracy and precision with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.02 mg kg-1. Among those samples that contained levels above the LOQ, the variation of glyphosate residues was from 0.03 mg kg-1 to 1.08 mg kg-1 and for AMPA residues was from 0.02 mg kg-1 to 0.17 mg kg-1. This is the first scientific communication about glyphosate and AMPA contamination in soy-based infant formula in Brazil, The study was conducted under good laboratory practice (GLP) and supported by good scientific practice.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Immunocytochemical changes in hypothalamic and pituitary hormones after acute and prolonged stressful stimuli in the anestrous ewe.
We studied the effect of short (acute (20 min/h, for 4 h) and intermittent, long-term (20 min/h for 9 h on 3 consecutive days) electric foot shocks on the immunocytochemical localization of CRH and SRIH in the hypothalamus and of ACTH, beta-endorphin, GH and PRL in the pituitary of the anestrous ewe. Acute stress greatly reduced immunoreactive (ir) CRH in the median eminence and cellular irACTH, beta-endorphin and PRL, as well as the proportion of these cell types in the pituitary. A slight reduction of irSRIH in the median eminence was also observed. After long-term stress, reduction of irCRH in the median eminence was still observed. However, ACTH/beta-endorphin cells in the pituitary gland displayed increased secretory activity, manifested by hypertrophy and hyperplasia. A marked depletion of irSRIH in the nerve terminals of the median eminence was observed. The proportion of PRL cells but not their ir content returned to control levels. No effects were observed on the features of the GH cells. This study indicates that there are differences in the effect of short- and long-term stressful stimuli on the activity of hormonal systems in the anestrous ewe. Short-term stress immediately activates the CRH/ACTH/beta-endorphin axis. Prolonged stress appears to augment the activation of the SRIH hypothalamic system and probably has a restraining effect on ACTH/beta-endorphin release.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Risk of postoperative bleeding after dental procedures in patients on warfarin: a retrospective study.
The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the frequency of bleeding complications after invasive dental procedures in warfarinized patients and the possible risk factors. The CoaguChek System was used to obtain an in-office international normalized ratio (INR) value for 122 patients (240 appointments), of which the mean age was 57.0 ± 15.9 years and 50% were males. Demographic and clinical information were obtained retrospectively from dental and medical records. Five episodes (mean INR: 2.0 ± 0.8) of persistent bleeding were identified; 4 were after extractions and 1 was after implant placement. The frequency of bleeding was 4.8%, if only considering surgical procedures. Postoperative bleeding was significantly higher (P < .05) in patients who were taking anti-thrombotic medications in addition to warfarin. There is a low incidence of persistent bleeding after invasive dental procedures in warfarinized patients but the risk appears to increase with the use of concomitant anti-thrombotic medications.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms and suicide ideation among child survivors following the Wenchuan earthquake.
The association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and suicide ideation was examined in a sample of 2,298 child survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake. Results indicated that intrusion, avoidance, hyperarousal symptom clusters, and PTSD total score were significantly associated with suicide ideation. Except for intrusion, other measures of PTSD remained as statistically significant correlates of suicide ideation even after controlling for age, gender, direct exposure, indirect exposure, and depression. Furthermore, results showed that PTSD symptoms had an indirect influence on suicide ideation that was mediated by depression. The findings suggest that avoidance and hyperarousal symptom clusters of PTSD may be two important indicators of suicide ideation among child survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake. Implications of the results for intervention and prevention of suicide behavior are discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Phase II study with the combination etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin in advanced measurable gastric cancer.
In this phase II multicenter trial, 67 evaluable patients with advanced measurable gastric carcinoma were treated with a combination of etoposide, Adriamycin (doxorubicin; Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH), and cisplatin (EAP). The overall response rate was 64%, including 21% complete responses (CRs). In 55 patients with metastatic disease, 31 responses (51%) including eight CRs (15%) were achieved. Responses were seen in all metastatic sites, but the response rate was lower in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. In 12 patients with locoregional disease, six CRs and six partial responses (PRs) were observed. Eight CRs (three and five in patients with metastatic and locoregional disease, respectively) were pathologically confirmed. The overall median response duration was 7 months; it was 16 months for patients achieving CR (22 months for pathologically confirmed CR [pCR]), and 6 months for PR. The median survival time for all patients was 9 months, for the patients who achieved CR 17 months, for pCR 23 months, and for PR 9.5 months. Median survival time for all patients with metastatic disease was 8 months, and for locoregional disease 12.5 months. Six patients (9%) (four local, two metastatic disease) were alive at 2 years, and four patients are alive and disease free at 35+ to 56+ months. Main toxicities were leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, with 64% of patients developing grade 3 to 4 myelosuppression and 12% severe infections. Nonhematologic toxicities of World Health Organization (WHO) grade 4 were not observed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Use of antidepressants and risk of lung cancer.
To evaluate the effect of antidepressant use on lung cancer risk. We conducted a case-control study nested in a cohort of patients 40-84 year-old in 1995-2004, without a prior diagnosis of cancer using The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database in the UK. Cases comprised 4,336 patients with a first diagnosis of primary lung cancer. A sample of 10,000 controls was frequency-matched to the cases for age, sex, and the calendar year of diagnosis. The index date for exposure definition was one year before the diagnosis for cases and one year before a random date for controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use during the year preceding the index date with treatment duration of at least one year had an OR of 0.59 (95% CI 0.41, 0.86). The corresponding OR was 1.23 (95% CI 0.96, 1.58) for tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). SSRI use did not increase the lung cancer risk and might be associated with a reduced risk. However, residual confounding might explain the apparent protective effect found for SSRI use, as well as the marginally elevated risk observed among TCA users.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A comparison between two educational methods in the rehabilitation of the microstomia in systemic sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial.
To test the effectiveness of an educational intervention including "face to face" training, compared to a standard information program, to reduce microstomia in women with systemic sclerosis. Single-blind, two-arm, randomized controlled study with a 12-month follow-up period. Hospital wards of a large Italian dermatological reference center. Female inpatients with diagnosis of systemic sclerosis. For both groups an information brochure and an audio-visual DVD were developed specifically for the study. The control group was assigned to educational materials alone (i.e. brochures and DVD), while the experimental group, in addition to the same educational materials, received specific "face-to-face" interventions, repeated at each follow-up visit. Primary outcome was measurement of the opening of the mouth. Secondary outcomes was the self-reported mouth disability. The intention-to-treat analysis included 63 patients. Compared to the baseline measurement, we observed an increase of the mouth opening of 0.31 cm (95% confidence interval: 0.13-0.49), P = 0.003; in the control group, the increase was 0.13 cm (95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.25), P = 0.06. The difference in improvement between the two groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.10); however, it reached statistical significance in the per-protocol analysis (39 patients, P = 0.02). Face-to-face nursing rehabilitation training seems to improve microstomia to a greater extent, when compared to a standard intervention based only on written and audio-visual materials.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Prognostic impact of incomplete hematologic count recovery and minimal residual disease on outcome in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the time of second complete response.
Outcomes of relapsed adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have improved over time with the introduction of new therapies as well as better supportive care. However, there is still a need for easy-to-use and accurate prognostic tools for patients in first relapse. Whether complete response (CR) with incomplete count recovery (CRh) can be grouped with CR in relapsed ALL trials has not been formally studied. We analyzed 106 ALL patients at first relapse who were treated at three academic centers and achieved CR/CRh. White blood cell count at initial diagnosis and receiving hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) were independent predictors of overall survival after relapse, while minimal residual disease (MRD) positivity and performance of HCT were predictors of relapse free survival (RFS). Patients who achieved MRD negativity and underwent HCT had the best outcomes. Our results suggest that MRD is a more powerful predictor of outcome than CRh.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Confirmatory factor analysis of the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories in patients with major depression.
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; Beck, A.T., Epstein, N., Brown, G., Steer, R.A., 1988. An inventory for measuring clinical anxiety: psychometric properties. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 56, 893-897) is intended to assess clinical anxiety symptoms that are distinct from depressed mood, and there is some preliminary empirical support for this differential assessment. The BAI may serve a useful complementary role when used with the popular Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck, A.T., Rush, A.J., Shaw, B.F., Emery, G., 1979. Cognitive Therapy of Depression: A Treatment Manual. Guilford Press, New York, NY; Beck, A.T., Ward, C.H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., Erbaugh, J., 1961. An inventory for measuring depression. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 4, 561-571), in patients with mood and/or anxiety disorders. Accordingly, the present paper reports the results of the first confirmatory factor analysis of the Beck scales in a homogeneous, clinically depressed sample (137 outpatients with non-psychotic major depressive disorder). Results indicated that a multidimensional model of separate anxiety and depression factors had good fit to the data. However, the parameter estimate was very high (0.784) and a unidimensional, single-factor model of negative affectivity approached the criteria for good fit. It was concluded that the Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories assess distinct anxiety and depression phenomena to a limited extent when used in a clinically depressed sample.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: the first case report in Thailand: case report.
The authors report their first experience on a hand-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy surgical technique and the result after it was performed successfully in a 45-year-old woman who presented with an asymptomatic small renal mass. This is the first successful case report of this operation in Thailand.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Beta blockers in hypertension: a review.
The mechanisms of action, clinical use and untoward reactions of the beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, with particular attention to the role of these agents in the treatment of hypertension, are reviewed. Specific topics covered include the effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on the heart, renin secretion and the central nervous system; the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of beta-blocking agents; combinations with other drugs; patient acceptance and advantages; and toxicity and side effects. It is concluded that, with proper dosage titration, most hypertensive patients could probably be controlled on beta blockers alone or in combination with a diuretic.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Preparation and application of hydrophobic hybrid monolithic columns containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes for capillary electrochromatography.
Hydrophobic organic-inorganic hybrid monolithic columns were synthesized via thermally initiated free radical polymerization with the confines of 75 μm id capillary using a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) reagent containing eight or more methacrylate groups as the crosslinker. Three organic functional monomers, butyl methacrylate (BuMA), lauryl methacrylate (LMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA), were selected and copolymerized with the POSS in the presence of 1-propanol and 1,4-butanediol to prepare the poly(POSS-co-BuMA), poly(POSS-co-LMA), and poly(POSS-co-MAA) monoliths, respectively. The 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) was copolymerized as ionizable monomer into the poly(POSS-co-BuMA) and poly(POSS-co-LMA) for the generation of EOF in capillary electrochromatography (CEC). A hybrid poly(POSS-co-LMA-co-MAA) monolith was also similarly prepared by copolymerizing ternary monomers of POSS, LMA, and MAA, and compared with poly(POSS-co-BuMA), poly(POSS-co-LMA), and poly(POSS-co-MAA) monoliths. The resulting four kinds of POSS-contained hybrid monoliths exhibited good permeability and mechanical stability. Their column efficiencies were evaluated by the separation of alkylbenzene homologues and polar compounds in CEC. The results indicated that the highest efficiencies of 194,100 and 102,100 theoretical plates per meter for thiourea and benzene were obtained on the poly(POSS-co-LMA-co-MAA) monolith. Additionally, the poly(POSS-co-LMA-co-MAA) monolith exhibited better selectivity for separation of polar compounds than those of other hybrid monoliths.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Chronic Complications After Femoral Central Venous Catheter-related Thrombosis in Critically Ill Children.
Prescription of thromboprophylaxis is not a common practice in pediatric intensive care units. Most thrombi are catheter-related and asymptomatic, without causing acute complications. However, chronic complications of these (a)symptomatic catheter-related thrombi, that is, postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) and residual thrombosis have not been studied. To investigate these complications, critically ill children of 1 tertiary center with percutaneous inserted femoral central venous catheters (FCVCs) were prospectively followed. Symptomatic FCVC-thrombosis occurred in 10 of the 134 children (7.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4-9.5). Only FCVC-infection appeared to be independently associated (P=0.001) with FCVC-thrombosis. At follow-up 2 of the 5 survivors diagnosed with symptomatic thrombosis developed mild PTS; one of them had an occluded vein on ultrasonography. A survivor without PTS had a partial occluded vein at follow-up. Asymptomatic FCVC-thrombosis occurred in 3 of the 42 children (7.1%; 95% CI, 0.0-16.7) screened by ultrasonography within 72 hours after catheter removal. At follow-up, mild PTS was present in 6 of the 33 (18.2%; 95% CI, 6.1-30.3) screened children. Partial and total vein occlusion was present in 1 (3%) and 4 (12%) children, respectively. In conclusion, children on pediatric intensive care units are at risk for (a)symptomatic FCVC-thrombosis, especially children with FCVC-infection. Chronic complications of FCVC-thrombosis are common. Therefore, thromboprophylaxis guidelines are warranted in pediatric intensive care units to minimize morbidity as a result of FCVC-thrombosis.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Detrimental effects of divalproex on warfarin therapy following mechanical valve replacement.
Drug interaction between Warfarin and psychiatric agents may have important therapeutic effects for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We present a case of a patient in whom concurrent treatment with Warfarin and valproic acid resulted in supratherapeutic international normalized ratio values. A discussion of the possible mechanisms for this interaction as well as a review of interactions between Warfarin and other psychiatric medications is the subject of this case report.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Physical activity, health-related quality of life, and psychosocial functioning of adults with cerebral palsy.
The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationships between physical activity, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and psychosocial functioning (mood states, physical self-efficacy, social support) in adults with cerebral palsy (N = 51). The data was heavily skewed, with many participants reporting that they performed minimal physical activity and experienced low levels of physical function, minimal role limitations, high social functioning, low levels of negative mood states, and high social support. With the exception of the correlations between physical activity and physical functioning (rho = .45), role limitations--physical (rho = .32), vigor-activity mood state (rho = .36), and social support from friends (rho = -.43), there were typically weak associations between physical activity and the subscales of the HRQL and psychosocial functioning measures. These low associations might be the result of the participants' psychological adaptations to cerebral palsy during their lives.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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An epigenetic marker panel for screening and prognostic prediction of ovarian cancer.
Aberrant CpG island hypermethylation is a common finding of cancers, which might be detectable in the tissue or serum of affected patients. We analyzed DNA methylation by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction of 7 genes, which included secreted frizzled receptor proteins 1, 2, 4, 5 (SFRP1, 2, 4, 5), SRY-box 1 (SOX1), paired box gene 1 (PAX1) and LIM homeobox transcription factor 1, alpha (LMX1A) in primary tumor samples from 126 patients with ovarian cancer, 75 with a benign tumor and 14 with borderline malignancy of an ovarian tumor, and in the serum from 26 patients with ovarian cancer and 20 with a benign tumor. Six of 7 genes had higher methylation rates in patients with ovarian cancer than in borderline malignancy or benign tumor (p<0.001). The methylation of SFRP1, SFRP2, SOX1 and LMX1A genes correlated with recurrence and overall survival of ovarian cancer patients. Combining the data for SFRP1, SFRP2 and SOX1 genes gave a relative risk for recurrence of 3.19 (p=0.013) in patients with at least one gene methylation, and combining the data for SFRP1, SOX1 and LMX1A gave an RR for cancer-related death of 6.09 (p=0.010). Methylation analysis of tissues and serum revealed a significant correlation (kappa values, 0.332-0.598) and a highly sensitivity and specificity rates (73.08 and 75%) as a screening marker. In conclusion, promoter hypermethylation of specific genes in critical pathways is common in ovarian cancer and has potential as a prognostic factor and a promising serum marker for early screening.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Kaposi's sarcoma cells of different etiologic origins respond to HIV-Tat through the Flk-1/KDR (VEGFR-2): relevance in AIDS-KS pathology.
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an hyperplastic lesion whose main histological features are typical spindle shaped cells with a mixed endothelial-mesenchymal-macrophage phenotype, an intense vascularization and an inflammatory infiltrate. The etiology of KS appears to be linked to activation of a latent HHV8 infection. Sporadic and iatrogenic KS are slow progressing lesions that can undergo spontaneous regression. In contrast, KS, which is frequently associated with HIV infection, is found in a highly aggressive form in AIDS patients. The HIV-1 Tat has been shown to activate the VEGF receptor KDR in endothelial and KS spindle cells, suggesting this HIV protein could contribute to KS pathogenesis. We used primary 'reactive' KS cell culture from sporadic and epidemic KS, and an immortal KS-line (KS-Imm) isolated in our laboratory from a iatrogenic KS lesion, to verify if Tat-induced cell signaling is able to mediate cellular responses. We demonstrate that KS cells migrated in response to Tat and that VEGF is able to compete with the Tat chemotactic activity towards these cells. A function-blocking anti-KDR antibody was able to abrogate both VEGF and Tat-induced KS chemotactic response, indicating a direct involvement of this receptor. Our data show that HIV-Tat can also activate KS cells derived from sporadic or iatrogenic lesions, suggesting that in AIDS patients Tat could cooperate with VEGF in activation of KDS on KS precursor spindle and endothelial cells, and contribute to the aggressiveness of AIDS-KS lesions.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Role of serum in the morphological transformation of Syrian hamster embryo cells: Characterization and partial purification of protein factors in foetal bovine serum.
The expression of transformed colony morphology in Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells, and thus the results obtained in the SHE cell transformation assay, is dependent on the source of the foetal bovine serum (FBS) used. The purpose of this study was to characterize the factors in FBS that are necessary for the expression of transformed morphology. The factors were of protein nature (precipitated by ammonium sulfate and non-dialysable), sensitive to heating and thiol reagents, but resistant to acid and solvent treatment. The active factor(s) were found to bind to a number of protein purification media for ion exchange or affinity purification, and it was initially difficult to reconstitute the biological activity from eluted fractions. This loss of activity was not caused by the separation of more than one necessary factor, but by the factors being highly hydrophobic and negatively charged, and therefore strongly bound to the column material. The active factors could be eluted from Affigel Blue in 50% ethylene glycol, but not in 4m NaCl. The bioactive protein fraction could be further fractionated by gel permeation chromatography on Biogel P-60 in 1 m acetic acid, and cation exchange chromatography on MonoS with 20% acetonitrile added to the buffers. Isoelectric focusing on a Rotofor cell indicated two peaks of transforming activity, one with isoelectric point at about pH 8.5, and one at pH 9.5. The finding of two peaks of biological activity is supported by reversed phase chromatography studies. Bioactivity of two fractions from isoelectric focusing with pI around 8.5 and 9.5 were eluted at propanol concentrations of 20 and 27%, respectively. In the present studies, we were unable to identify the factors with transformation supporting activity, probably because of the high content of protein/peptides with similar biochemical properties in FBS. In further studies we will seek to demonstrate whether previously isolated growth factors, or signalling substances, with similar biochemical properties support the expression of the morphologically transformed phenotype in SHE cells.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Long-term economic evaluation of resectoscopic endometrial ablation versus hysterectomy for the treatment of menorrhagia.
To assess long-term costs of resectoscopic endometrial ablation versus hysterectomy in women with menorrhagia. Controlled cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Multispeciality group practice. Sixty-four women who underwent endometrial ablation during 1992-1994 and 46 women who underwent hysterectomy during 1990-1992. To attain comparable controls, patients with uterine size exceeding 14 weeks or uterine weight greater than 300 g, ovarian pathology, endometriosis, or neoplasia were excluded. Endometrial ablation and hysterectomy, followed by economic evaluation. Direct costs were hospitalization charges, professional fees, preoperative depot leuprolide, and gynecologic care during 3 years after primary surgery. Indirect costs were calculated based on known demographic data, recovery time, and lost productivity. Surgical outcomes, complications, repeat surgeries, menstrual outcomes, and overall patient satisfaction were assessed. Operating time (38 vs 107 min), hospital stay (0.7 vs 2.7 days), frequency of postoperative complications (6.3% vs 21.7%), and recuperation time (5 vs 32 days) were less with endometrial ablation than with hysterectomy. Mean follow-up was 48.5 months (range 36-68 mo), with rates of amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, and eumenorrhea of 49%, 29%, and 8%, respectively. One patient was lost to follow-up. There were eight failures (12%): repeat endometrial ablations (2 women), abdominal hysterectomy (1), and laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy (5). Most women (85%) remained satisfied with the operation. Total direct costs/case for endometrial ablation were $5434 versus $8417 for hysterectomy; respective indirect costs/case were $525 and $3360. Conclusion. Long-term direct and indirect costs of endometrial ablation were significantly less than those of hysterectomy ($5959 vs $11,777) for the treatment of menorrhagia.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Asynchronous bilateral medullary carcinoma of the breast.
We report a case of bilateral medullary carcinoma of the breast occurring asynchronously in a young woman and review the epidemiology of this form of breast cancer. Clinical and radiographic surveillance are necessary in the follow-up of all women with medullary carcinoma of the breast to ensure that further disease is detected rapidly and treated properly.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Regulation of IGFBP6 gene and protein is mediated by the inverse expression and function of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NFkappaB in a model of oral tumor cells.
The aim of this study is to identify potential gene and protein targets when nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were inversely expressed in oral tumors. To determine which genes were regulated synergistically by the inverse expression of NFkappaB and JNK, a pathway specific microarray analysis was performed. While either inhibition of NFkappaB or activation of JNK alone was unable to affect the IGFBP6 gene expression in microarray analysis, concomitant increase in JNK activation in the presence of NFkappaB inhibition increased the expression of this gene significantly. Synergistic increase in IGFBP6 gene expression was also confirmed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis of transfected cells. Accordingly, the levels of IGFBP6 protein secretion rose synergistically when JNK was over-expressed in NFkappaB knock down cells. In addition, increased expression of JNK in the absence of NFkappaB resulted in a significant induction of cell death in oral tumors when either left untreated or treated with TNF-alpha and TPA. Moreover, when JNK was inhibited by dominant negative JNK (APF), a significant decrease in cell death could be observed in TNF-alpha and TPA treated NFkappaB knock down oral tumors. Therefore, increased induction of IGFBP6 gene or protein expression in oral tumors could be regarded as a potential predictive marker of tumor sensitivity and could be used for prognostic purposes, since a significant correlation could be observed between increased induction of apoptotic cell death and elevated levels of IGFBP6 in these tumors.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor-2 in progressive supranuclear palsy.
Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor-2 (Smurf2) is an E3 ligase that belongs to the HECT domain ubiquitin ligase family. Smurf2 can interact with Smad proteins and promote their ubiquitin-dependent degradation, thereby controlling the cellular levels of these signalling mediators. Phosphorylated Smad2/3 (pSmad2/3) was recently identified in phosphorylated tau (phospho-tau) inclusions in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). As Smurf2 is the E3 ligase of pSmad2, we aimed at investigating the relationship among Smurf2, pSmad2/3 and phospho-tau in this study. The brains of six PSP and three control patients without neurological disorder were investigated by immunohistochemical analysis. In the control subjects, Smurf2 immunoreactivity was not demonstrable in the neurones and glial cells, and that for pSmad2/3 was observed exclusively in neuronal and glial nuclei. In PSP patients, the pathognomonic neuronal and glial phospho-tau inclusions were immunopositive for both Smurf2 and pSmad2/3. The intensity of pSmad2/3 immunosignals of neuronal and glial nuclei containing phospho-tau inclusions was less than that for the cells without the inclusions. Triple immunofluorescence staining for Smurf2, pSmad2/3 and phospho-tau revealed co-localization of these proteins within the neuronal and glial inclusions; and in some globose neurofibrillary tangles, the Smurf2 immunoreactivity appeared more centrally distributed than that of pSmad2/3 and phospho-tau. This is the first demonstration of the presence of Smurf2 immunoreactivity in the phospho-tau inclusions in PSP. These findings suggest that Smurf2 plays a significant role in the pathomechanism of PSP by causing abnormal redistribution of neuronal nuclear pSmad2/3 to the cytoplasm.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Incessant ovulation, mucin 1 immunity, and risk for ovarian cancer.
Risk for ovarian cancer correlates directly with "ovulatory years or cycles" estimated from time not pregnant, breast-feeding, or using oral contraceptives. Recently, we reported that several factors known to reduce ovarian cancer risk may operate by inducing antibodies against mucin 1 (MUC1), a glycoprotein overexpressed in ovarian cancer. Conversely, other events might increase risk by interfering with the development of protective immunity. In this study, we examined whether the total number of ovulatory cycles decreases the likelihood of anti-MUC1 antibodies and provides an immune basis for the association between "incessant ovulation" and ovarian cancer risk. From 1998 to 2003, we enrolled 668 epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 721 controls residing in eastern Massachusetts or New Hampshire, collected information on menstrual and reproductive events, and obtained blood samples from controls to measure anti-MUC1 antibodies. Using logistic regression, we calculated odds ratios to evaluate the influence of reproductive factors, including the estimated lifetime number of ovulatory cycles on ovarian cancer risk and on the presence of MUC1 antibodies in controls. Overall, we observed that early age at first birth, cycle lengths >or=30 days, and oral contraceptive use increased the likelihood of having anti-MUC1 antibodies. Estimated ovulatory cycles were correlated positively with ovarian cancer risk and inversely with the presence of anti-MUC1 antibodies among controls ages 46 to 60 years. These data suggest that suppression of MUC1-specific immunity should be considered as an additional explanation for the observation that ovarian cancer risk increases with the lifetime number of ovulatory cycles.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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The antinociceptive effect of intrathecally administered adenosine analogs in mice correlates with the affinity for the A1-adenosine receptor.
In the present study, the antinociceptive effects after intrathecal injection of each of 6 N6-substituted adenosine analogs and of 2-phenylaminoadenosine were compared with the affinity for the A1- and A2-adenosine receptors. Adenosine analogs, substituted in the N6-position, had stereoselective structure-dependent antinociceptive effects in the tail flick and hot plate assays after intrathecal injection in mice. The antinociceptive activity for N6-R- and S-phenylisopropyladenosine (R- and S-PIA), N6-R- and S-1-phenylethyladenosine, N6-1,1-dimethyl-2-phenylethyladenosine (methylPIA), and N6-cyclooctyladenosine correlated with the affinity for central A1-adenosine receptors. An adenosine analog, 2-phenylaminoadenosine, selective for A2-adenosine receptors was inactive in the two tests. These results strongly suggest that spinal A1-adenosine receptors are responsible for the antinociceptive effects of adenosine and its analogs after intrathecal injection.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Clinical and genetic features of human metapneumovirus infection in children.
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the main pathogens responsible for respiratory tract infection in children. From 2011 to 2013, nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from Korean children and tested for hMPV on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The genotype of hMPV in each sample was identified on PCR-restriction length polymorphism analysis of the fusion gene. We divided patients into three groups according to degree of fever. Patients with fever peaking at >39.5°C or lasting >7 days were classified as the high fever (HF) group; those with fevers peaking at <38.5°C and lasting <72 h were classified as the low fever (LF) group; and the other subjects were classified as the moderate fever group. Among 457 samples positive for hMPV, hMPV genotype was able to be identified in 399 (87.3%); of these, A2a was found in 97 (24.3%), B1 in 186 (46.6%), and B2 in 116 (29.1%). Clinical features of hMPV infection were compared between the HF and LF groups. We classified 80 subjects into the HF group and 84 subjects into the LF group. Mean absolute neutrophil count (5625 ± 4418 vs 4072 ± 3076/μL, P = 0.010) and C-reactive protein (2.39 ± 3.39 vs 0.96 ± 1.77 mg/dL, P = 0.001) were higher in the HF group. Wheezing (5.0% vs 32.1%, P < 0.001) and dyspnea (2.5% vs 15.5%, P = 0.010) were more frequently seen in the LF group. Genotype distribution was similar in the two groups. Two distinct clinical presentations of hMPV infection were identified in this study.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Gliclazide modified release: A critical review of pharmacodynamic, metabolic, and vasoprotective effects.
Gliclazide modified release (MR) is a new formulation of the drug gliclazide and is given once daily. The specifically designed hydrophilic matrix of gliclazide MR leads to a progressive drug release that parallels the 24-hour glycemic profile in type 2 diabetic patients. Development studies showed a sustained efficacy over 2 years coupled with a very good acceptability. Gliclazide MR acts selectively on adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium (K(ATP)) channels of the pancreatic beta cell. No interaction with cardiovascular K(ATP) channels has been shown, indicating that the drug can be safely used in patients with ischemic heart disease. In addition, gliclazide MR shows the ability to inhibit key mechanisms in diabetic angiopathy, independently of glycemic control.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Challenging declarations of abstinence by the determination of morphine in hair by radioimmunoassay.
Morphine extracted from dated hair segments and analysed by adaptation of a specific solid-phase 125I radioimmunoassay for the measurement of morphine in urine has provided long term histories of the heroin usage of individual patients. Results expressed as ng morphine/mg hair are compared with a pre-determined cut-off level of 0.3 ng morphine/mg hair, from a known drug-free population (n = 21). Morphine concentrations in hair samples from known heroin abusers are found to be above the cut-off limit (range 0.6-9.4 ng morphine/mg hair), and suggest a possible correlation between heroin intake and concentration of morphine in hair. Intra-assay relative standard deviation (RSD), at morphine levels of 9.27 and 1.12 ng morphine/mg hair are 2.4 and 5.5%, respectively, and acceptable recoveries from drug-free hair spiked with morphine are also achieved. The developed segmental hair analysis regime has been used successfully to challenge a self-declaration of heroin abstinence. Routine cumulative urine screening was unable to provide such evidence. The potential for hair drug analysis is discussed.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ssp. plantarum F11 isolated from Algerian salty lake as a source of biosurfactants and bioactive lipopeptides.
In this study, we identified a new Bacillus strain isolated from an Algerian salty lake that produces metabolites that are active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal pathogens. The draft genome sequence of the strain is presented herein. Genome sequence analysis identified the strain to be B. amyloliquefaciens subspecies plantarum F11, and showed that the strain carries the gene clusters for the production of a number of bioactive and surface-active compounds. These include the lipopeptides surfactin and fengycin, antibacterial polyketides macrolactin and bacillaene, and a putative novel lanthipeptide, among others. Through an activity-guided purification method using hydrophobic interaction chromatographic techniques, we confirmed the ability of the strain to produce fengycin lipopeptides. The identities of the isolated fengycin homologs were ascertained through tandem mass spectrometry.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Sorption characteristics of N-nitrosodimethylamine onto biochar from aqueous solution.
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is an emerging carcinogenic disinfection by-product in water environment. Biochars utilized as sorbents for the removal of NDMA from aqueous solution, and the sorption characteristics and mechanism were investigate. Biochars were prepared from bamboo, rice straw and wood sawdust at 300-700°C. The pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit for the sorption kinetics of NDMA onto biochar and the sorption isotherms were described best with the Slips model. Biochar produced at 500°C removed NDMA from aqueous solution relatively efficiently, and the bamboo char demonstrated the best sorption potential among the three types of biochars. Solution chemistry such as pH and metal ions did not show obvious effect on NDMA removal. Three sorption mechanisms are suggested for NDMA sorption onto biochars, H-bond attraction between -N=O and the O-containing moieties, hydrophobic force between -CH3 and the ordered graphitic structure, and partition process of NDMA into the non-carbonization part of biochar.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Genital and reproductive function in males after functional reconstruction of the exstrophy-epispadias complex--long-term results.
Genital and reproductive function have a strong effect on the quality of life of adolescent and adult male patients with the exstrophy-epispadias complex (EEC). According to the limited available data, early exstrophy reconstruction, as well as recurrent infectious or operative trauma, have been responsible for the low fertility rates. We evaluated 21 adult male patients with EEC. Of the 21 patients, 17 had undergone single-stage reconstruction, 1 had undergone a staged approach, 2 had primarily undergone urinary diversion, and 1 had only undergone external genital reconstruction of epispadias. All were evaluated with a semistructured questionnaire, clinical examination, ultrasonography, and hormonal and semen analyses. All patients reported erections, and 19 were sure about ejaculation. Of the 21 patients, 18 patients proved antegrade and 1 retrograde ejaculation; 2 patients were not able to retrieve their specimen. Fifteen patients had a regular testicular size, and four had unilateral and two bilateral small testes. Four had irregular intratesticular ultrasound findings. Of these 4 patients, 1 had a testicular intraepithelial neoplasia that was treated with radiotherapy. The hormonal analysis findings were normal for 17 patients and 4 had elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels. The semen analysis showed normozoospermia in 3, asthenozoospermia in 5, oligo-asthenozoospermia in 6, and azoospermia in 5 patients. The seminal parameters included fructose 1441.8 microg/mL (normal 1200-4500), zinc 43.3 microg/mL (normal 70-250), and alpha-glucosidase 19.13 mU/mL (normal >20). Single-stage reconstruction with consequent placement of the colliculus seminalis in the posterior urethra results in normal ejaculation in 94.1% of patients with EEC. Because of the severely impaired sperm quality and hormonal findings, patients with EEC should be offered adequate diagnostic and treatment options.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Heterogeneity in dynamic regulation of intracellular calcium in airway smooth muscle cells.
Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) regulation in smooth muscle involves multiple mechanisms such as second messengers and ion channels. Intra- and inter-cellular heterogeneities in these mechanisms are likely, and will be reflected by heterogeneities in [Ca2+]i. In the present study, real-time confocal imaging was used to examine intracellular and intercellular heterogeneity in spontaneous Ca2+ sparks and acetylcholine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in porcine tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) cells. Ca2+ sparks were highly localized to multiple (2-5) foci in a cell. Individual sparks displayed relatively constant rise times (14.5 +/- 0.3% variance) and amplitudes (11.1 +/- 0.2% variance), but across regions these attributes varied. The incidence of sparks was often coupled across adjacent regions (r2 = 0.93 +/- 0.04). Spark frequency was increased approximately 350% by ryanodine and caffeine, suggesting that they represent unitary Ca2+ release through ryanodine receptor (RyR) channels. In TSM cells, acetylcholine induced [Ca2+]i oscillations that initiated from foci with the highest spark frequency. Results using beta-escin-permeabilized TSM cells indicated that [Ca2+]i oscillations also represent Ca2+ release through RyR channels. [Ca2+]i oscillations displayed intracellular heterogeneity in amplitude (30 +/- 4% variance) and intercellular heterogeneities in amplitude (100-800 nM) and frequency (5-35 per minute). Within a region, the amplitude and frequency of [Ca2+]i oscillations were correlated to both acetylcholine concentration (r = -0.79 +/- 0.04 for amplitude and 0.77 +/- 0.05 for frequency) and basal [Ca2+]i level (r = -0.94 +/- 0.02 for amplitude and 0.84 +/- 0.03 for frequency). Compared with TSM cells, acetylcholine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in bronchial cells were slower and lower in amplitude. We conclude that intracellular and intercellular heterogeneity in [Ca2+]i levels in airway smooth muscle reflects heterogeneities in Ca2+ regulatory mechanisms.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Functional characterisation of UCP1 in the common carp: uncoupling activity in liver mitochondria and cold-induced expression in the brain.
Mammalian uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mediates nonshivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. We previously reported on the presence of a UCP1 orthologue in ectothermic fish and observed downregulation of UCP1 gene expression in the liver of the common carp. Neither the function of UCP1, nor the mode of UCP1 activation is known in carp liver mitochondria. Here, we compared the proton conductance at 25 degrees C of liver mitochondria isolated from carp either maintained at 20 degrees C (warm-acclimated, WA) or exposed to 8 degrees C (cold-acclimated, CA) water temperature for 7-10 days. Liver mitochondria from WA carp had higher state four rates of oxygen consumption and greater proton conductance at high membrane potential. Liver mitochondria from WA, but not from CA, carp showed a strong increase in proton conductance when palmitate (or 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal, HNE) was added, and this inducible proton conductance was prevented by addition of GDP. This fatty acid sensitive proton leak is likely due to the expression of UCP1 in the liver of WA carp. The observed biochemical properties of proton leak strongly suggest that carp UCP1 is a functional uncoupling protein with broadly the same activatory and inhibitory characteristics as mammalian UCP1. Significant UCP1 expression was also detected in our previous study in whole brain of the carp. We here observed a twofold increase of UCP1 mRNA in carp brain following cold exposure, suggesting a role of UCP1 in the thermal adaptation of brain metabolism. In situ hybridization located the UCP1 gene expression to the optic tectum responsible for visual system control, the descending trigeminal tract and the solitary tract. Taken together, this study characterises uncoupling protein activity in an ectotherm for the first time.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Index colonoscopy-related risk factors for postcolonoscopy colorectal cancers.
Postcolonoscopy colorectal cancers (PCCRCs) are defined as those detected ≤10 years after an index colonoscopy negative for cancer, but modifiable risk factors are not well established in large, community-based populations. We evaluated risk factors from the index colonoscopy for PCCRCs diagnosed 1 to 10 years after an index colonoscopy using a case-control design. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were adjusted for potential confounders. A proximal polyp ≥10 mm (OR, 8.18; 95% CI, 4.59-14.60), distal polyp ≥10 mm (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.65-6.58), adenoma with (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.83-5.68) and without advanced histology (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.37-2.55), and an incomplete colonoscopy (OR, 5.52; 95% CI, 2.98-10.21) were associated with PCCRC. Risk factors for early versus late cancers (12-36 months vs >36 months to 10 years after examination) included incomplete polyp excision in the colonic segment of the subsequent cancer (OR, 4.76; 95% CI, 2.35-9.65); failure to examine the segment (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.27-4.60); and a polyp ≥10 mm in the segment (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.53-3.70). A total of 559 of 1206 patients with PCCRC (46.4%) had 1 or more risk factors that were significant for PCCRC (incomplete examination, large polyp, or any adenoma). In a large community-based study with comprehensive capture of PCCRCs, almost half of PCCRCs had potentially modifiable factors related to polyp surveillance or removal and examination completeness. These represent potential high-yield targets to further increase the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Coronary supply type, coronary artery sclerosis and localization of ischemic damage of the myocardium].
Among 46 hearts with coronary sclerosis and (for the most part) concurrent ischemic myocardial damage a right-sided blood supply system was most often observed. This was a particularly unfavourable combination in the presence of coronary sclerosis affecting the left side of the heart vasculature and was often associated with ischemic changes to the left anterior cardiac wall. The intermediate type of blood supply system appeared optimal and was least often associated with ischemic myocardial damage.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Value of the dexamethasone-mestranol-HCG test for the differential diagnosis of forms of hirsutism].
20 patients with hirsutism of different severity were examined to study the diagnostic assertion of the dexamethasone-HCG-test. The results show, that a well defined classification into the different types of hirsutism (adrenal, ovarian, idiopathic and mixed forms) is not possible using hormonal parameters.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Histone deacetylases as regulators of inflammation and immunity.
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) remove an acetyl group from lysine residues of target proteins to regulate cellular processes. Small-molecule inhibitors of HDACs cause cellular growth arrest, differentiation and/or apoptosis, and some are used clinically as anticancer drugs. In animal models, HDAC inhibitors are therapeutic for several inflammatory diseases, but exacerbate atherosclerosis and compromise host defence. Loss of HDAC function has also been linked to chronic lung diseases in humans. These contrasting effects might reflect distinct roles for individual HDACs in immune responses. Here, we review the current understanding of innate and adaptive immune pathways that are regulated by classical HDAC enzymes. The objective is to provide a rationale for targeting (or not targeting) individual HDAC enzymes with inhibitors for future immune-related applications.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Pharmacological characterization of the benz[d]indolo[2,3-g]azecine LE300, a novel type of a nanomolar dopamine receptor antagonist.
LE300 (7-methyl-6,7,8,9,14,15-hexahydro-5 H-benz[d]indolo[2,3-g]azecine), a previously reported subnanomolar antagonist at rat striatal dopamine D1 receptors, and three of its azecine-N-substituted congeners combining structural elements of serotonin and dopamine were comprehensively characterised (binding and function) at recombinant human dopamine receptors. Radioligand competition experiments at D1 and D2L receptors were performed by using [(3)H]SCH23390 and [(3)H]spiperone, respectively. Functional assays included measurements of cAMP, intracellular [Ca(2+)], and [(35)S]GTPgammaS-binding. LE300 was the most potent compound with a 10- to 20-fold selectivity for D1 over D2L receptors as measured in equilibrium binding experiments [competition radioligand binding: K(i)(D1)=1.9 nM, K(i)(D2L)=44.7 nM; [(35)S]GTPgammaS-binding: K(i)(D1)=1.8 nM, K(i)(D2L)=21.5 nM]. In functional (non-equilibrium) experiments, LE300 did not reveal a D1 over D2L selectivity but retained nanomolar K(i) values at human dopamine receptors (measurement of cAMP: K(i)(D1)=25.9 nM, K(i)(D2L)=5.2 nM; measurement of intracellular [Ca(2+)]: K(i)(D1)=60.4 nM, K(i)(D2L)=19.0 nM). LE300 is currently under investigation for usefulness as positrone emission tomography ligand. In conclusion, LE300 is a novel type of a nanomolar dopamine receptor antagonist combining structural core elements of dopamine and serotonin, and may become useful as positrone emission tomography ligand.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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[Clinical analysis of 22 spinal neurinomas--with special reference to ct metrizamide myelography and CO2 laser--].
Twenty-two spinal neurinomas, admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Medical School during the past 40 years, were retrospectively analysed under the circumstances that most of lower spinal and or spinal cord tumors had usually been handled by orthopedic surgeons in Japan. Of the total of 22 cases, there were 14 cervical, 6 thoracic and 2 lumbar neurinomas. Age distribution was from 16 to 70 years of age with the average 38. Von Recklinghausen's disease accompanied spinal neurinoma in 4 cases. Of 3 cases under the age of 20, two were associated with von Recklinghausen's disease. Motor deficits were the prominent clinical symptoms on admission in 63% of the cases, while pains were the initial symptoms in 77% of the cases. Twenty-nine percent of cervical neurinomas were of dumbbell type, extending both in the intraspinal and extraspinal spaces. In addition to the conventional neuroradiologic investigations, CT metrizamide myelography was extremely advantageous in detecting the localization and relation of spinal neurinomas to the spine and spinal cord as well as bony changes. Laser surgery was utilized in the recent two cases of spinal neurinomas of dumbbell type. It was found useful in that it enabled intraspinal decompression by a non-touch technique prior to laminectomy.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Pentazocine induced widespread cutaneous and myo-fibrosis.
We report a case of extensive subcutaneous and muscle fibrosis in a 26-year-old Indian woman caused by repeated intramuscular pentazocine injections over five years to highlight the extent and sequelae of this avoidable condition.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Risk factors for machinery-related injury among Iowa farmers: a case-control study nested in the Agricultural Health Study.
Farm machinery is a major cause of injury morbidity and mortality among farmers. This case-control study assessed risk factors for machinery-related injuries among Iowa farmers. A screener questionnaire sent to 6,999 farmers in 1998 identified 205 farmers who had machinery-related injuries requiring medical advice/treatment in the previous year. Possible risk factors for injury were assessed among these farmers compared with 473 farmers with no injury in the previous year. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between machinery-related injury and hours per week spent on farmwork (OR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.38-2.94), fewer years of farming experience (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.14-2.79), wearing a hearing aid (OR = 4.37; 95% CI 1.55-12.25), and a high CAGE score suggesting problem drinking (OR = 2.49; 95% CI 1.00-6.19). This is the first study to show associations between machinery-related injury and hearing impairment, problem drinking, and fewer years of farming experience. These findings may be useful for future interventions to decrease injuries related to farm machinery.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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Bright stable luminescent yeast using bacterial luciferase as a sensor.
Bright luminescent yeast cells with light intensities similar to bacteria containing luciferase (LuxAB) were generated by providing saturating nontoxic levels of the substrates for the bioluminescence reaction (FMNH(2)+O(2) and fatty aldehyde-->light). Z-9-Tetradecenal added to yeast (+luxAB) gave a luminescent signal close to that with decanal with the signal remaining strong for >24h while luminescence of yeast with decanal decayed to less than 0.01% of that with Z-9-tetradecenal after 2min. Moreover, yeast survived in 0.5% (v/v) Z-9-tetradecenal while 0.005% (v/v) decanal was lethal. Luminescence of yeast (+luxAB) was also stimulated 100-fold by transformation with the NADPH-specific FMN reductase (FRP) from Vibrio harveyi. The recognition of the nontoxicity and high luminescence generated by Z-9-tetradecenal and the generation of high levels of FMNH(2) in yeast by transformation with a flavin reductase provide evidence for the strong potential use of bacterial luciferase as the light-emitting sensor of choice in eukaryotic organisms.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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High-throughput extraction, amplification, and detection (HEAD) of HCV-RNA in individual blood donations.
High-throughput nucleic acid amplification techniques (NATs) are required for the detection of viral genomes in individual blood donations and might be helpful in any virological laboratory. To develop and automate a method for the detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in individual blood donations, compatible with the time schedule of routine blood bank screening an product release. The viral RNA was isolated with the use of target specific capture oligonucleotides and magnetic beads. This extraction method was combined with reverse transcription/amplification (RT/PCR) and fluorescence detection. We adapted our method on a pipetting robot and pipetted all steps in a single room. When the pipetting was completed, microtiter plates were heat-sealed with foils and placed into a thermocycler. Positive reactions were detected with a fluorescent dye in a second room. Aerosols were avoided with programmed slow pipetting steps and with a special device constructed for the removal of the used disposable tips. During a 7 month period, we used this method in routine testing of individual donations prior to the release of all blood components. The total number of 11,700 individual donations including platelet concentrates were analysed. We tested up to 192 specimens in one run within 7 h. The frequency of cross-contamination using the automated procedure was 0.1%. Five specimens have been found repeatedly reactive for HCV-RNA, four of these were anti-HCV positive, one sample from a repeat donor was negative in anti-HCV assays. A seroconversion was detectable at his next presentation, 6 months later. In this pilot study, we demonstrate that automated HCV-RT-PCR testing is practicable for individual donations in high-throughput. Additionally, the described PCR approach could easily be adapted to the detection of other viral genomes by the use of specific primers.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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A comparison of statistical techniques to evaluate the performance of the Glucometer Elite blood glucose meter.
The objective of the study was to measure the performance of the Glucometer Elite, a technique-independent device for self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose. Several potential sources of error were incorporated into the study, including variability between lots, the age of a lot, variability between subjects, and variability between strips. The Glucometer Elite was tested using capillary samples from 86 individuals. Duplicate readings with each of 8 sensor lots were done for each participant. Glucometer Elite readings were compared to YSI capillary plasma equivalent values, and the data was evaluated using a variety of both technical and clinical analysis methods. All evaluation methods showed excellent agreement between the Glucometer Elite and the YSI plasma equivalent values. The Glucometer Elite system provides accurate and clinically valuable information to the diabetic home tester.
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{
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
}
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