title stringlengths 0 1.13k | abstract stringlengths 1 15.7k | PMID int64 22 36.5M |
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[Relationship between pigment gallstone and intestinal barrier function: experiment with guinea pigs and clinical observations]. | To investigate the relationship between the intestinal barrier function and pigment gallstone formation. Ninety Guinea pigs were divided randomly into 3 groups: normal control (CON) group receiving normal forage, pigment gallstone (PS) group receiving pigment gallstone-forming forage, and intestinal mucosa protection group receiving pigment gallstone-forming forage with supplemental glutamine intestinal (GLN), a mucosa protector. The guinea pigs were observed for 8 weeks, the gallstone-forming rate, plasma diamine oxidase ( DAO), serum endotoxin, proportionality of urine lactulose/mannitol, and biliary beta-glucuronidase were detected. PCR was used to detect the bacteria in abdominal lymph node taking 16SrRNA as the target gene common in most bacteria. 32 gallstone patients, 16 with cholesterol gallstone and 16 with pigmental gallstone, and 27 patients with non-gastroenterological diseases, as controls, underwent detection of the plasma DAO and serum endotoxin. Another 109 gallstone patients, 31 with cholesterol gallstone and 78 with pigmental gallstone, and 21 patients with nongastroenterological diseases, as controls, underwent detection of urine technetium-labeled diethylenetriamine-pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA). The gallstone-forming rate of the guinea pigs of the GLN group was 44.4% was, significantly lower than that of the PS group (73.9%, P < 0.05). The plasma DAO, serum endotoxin levels, proportionality of urine lactulose/mannitol, and activity of biliary beta-glucuronidase of the PS group were all significantly higher than those of the CON group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The plasma endotoxin level of the pigmental GLN group was significantly lower than that of the PS group (P < 0.01). The positive rate of bacteria in abdominal lymph node of the PS group was 80%, significantly higher than those of the CON and GLN groups (30% and 45% respectively, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The level of plasma DAO and endotoxin of the pigmental gallstone patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). The urine 99mTc-DTPA excretion rate of gallstone patients was 11.4%, significantly higher than that of the controls (4.7%, P < 0.01). Intestinal barrier function is correlated with pigment gallstone forming. Intestinal barrier function disorder may promote pigment gallstone formation through bacteria translocation, endotoxemia, and increase of biliary beta-glucuronidase. | 18,953,859 |
[Effect of high viral hepatitis B virus DNA loads on vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus in late-pregnant women]. | To investigate the effect of high viral loads (HBV DNA concentration in blood > 2.0 copy/ml) on the vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus in mothers with HBV DNA positivity. Forty pregnant women with HBV DNA positivity were divided randomly, double-blindly into 2 groups: at 28 weeks of pregnancy, one group received oral lamivudine (100 mg/d) and the other received oral placebo. The serum HBV DNA loads were tested at 28 and 40 weeks' gestation in mothers, and serum HBV DNA,HBsAg, HBeAg and anti-HBs were examined in infants at 12 month follow up. Thirty-nine infants finished (one twins) the follow up, and 2 infants lost (5%). Among them 4 infants were confirmed to be HBV infection (10%, 4/39), 2 in the treatment group (10%, 2/20) and 2 in the control group (11%, 2/19) (P > 0.05). The serum HBV DNA levels of 40 weeks' gestation in the treatment group, compared with the levels of 28 weeks' gestation in the treatment group and 40 weeks' gestation in the control group, showed a significant decline (P < 0.01). The HBV DNA levels of the mothers whose infants were infected, were (3.1 +/- 3.4) copy/ml, (3.1 +/- 3.2) copy/ml during 28 and 40 weeks' gestation, and for mothers whose infants were non-infected, the levels were (3.4 +/- 2.2) copy/ml, (2.6 +/- 1. 5) copy/ml respectively (P > 0.05). The mean values of anti-HBs of 18 infants in the treatment group showed no significant difference as compared to 17 infants in the control group, (594 +/- 416) U/L vs (458 +/- 398) U/L (P > 0.05). The pregnant women's HBV DNA loads could be obviously decreased from high viral loads (HBV DNA concentrations in blood > 2.0 copy/ml) after they take lamivudine from 36 weeks' gestation. But it might not reduce the maternal-fetal vertical transmission of HBV infection. | 18,953,863 |
[Expression of human spindle mitosis arrest deficiency gene in spontaneous abortion embryo tissues]. | To investigate the expression of human spindle mitosis arrest deficiency gene (hsMAD2) in spontaneous abortion embryos and the relationship between low expression of hsMAD2 and numerical chromosomal aberration. METHODS Spontaneous abortion embryo tissues were collected, including 23 cases of once spontaneous abortion tissue and 10 cases of twice or more spontaneous abortion tissue and induced abortion embryos (35 cases) from the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing University of Medical Science during the period of March 2006 to March 2007. FQ-PCR and western blot were used to evaluate the endogenous expression level of hsMAD2 mRNA and hsMAD2 protein; primary culturing of cells from the induced abortion embryos was conducted and 5 embryonic cells were selected by chromosomes karyotype analysis. Recombinant shRNA plasmids targeting hsMAD2 gene were constructed to inhibit the expression of endogenous hsMAD2 genes in embryonic cells which have normal karyotypes; the groups were defined as the first experimental group (transfected with pshRNA-hsMAD2-1) , the second experimental group (transfected with pshRNA-hsMAD2-2), the third experimental group (transfected with pshRNA-hsMAD2-3), the first control group (transfected with nothing), the second control group (transfected with pTZU6 + 1) and the independent group (transfected with pshRNA-N1). Interference efficiency was demonstrated by FQ-PCR and western blot; cell proliferation was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay; cell-cycle was assessed by flow cytometry (FCM); the chromosome numbers were calculated to analyze the variation of chromosomes. (1) The mRNA levels of hsMAD2 in the once spontaneous abortion tissue, twice or more spontaneous abortion tissue and induced abortion tissue were 0.00879 +/- 0.00035, 0.00901 +/- 0.00033 and 0.00941 +/- 0.00026 respectively, and there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) compared with each other; however, the protein levels of hsMAD2 in three groups were 0.2791 +/- 0.0311, 0.0431 +/- 0.0020 and 0.5790 +/- 0.0331 respectively, and there were significant differences (P < 0.05) compared with each other. (2) Recombinant shRNA plasmids could significantly and specifically inhibit hsMAD2 gene expression in embryonic cells. Compared with the first control group (4%) and the second control group (3%), the recombinant shRNA could inhibit embryonic cell proliferation to 54% at 48 h after transfection (P < 0.05); compared with the first control group (8.2%) and the second control group (8.0%), the ratios of G2/M phase cells in the experimental group (17.9%)was significantly increased (P < 0.05); compared with the first control group (4.8%), the ratios of abnormal chromosomes in the experimental group was increased to 30.0% (P < 0.05). Down-expression of hsMAD2 gene may be one of the mechanisms inducing numerical chromosome aberration, abnormal embryo development and the occurrence of spontaneous abortion. | 18,953,867 |
[Alteration of early growth response 1 expression in gastroenterological cancers and its biological significance]. | To investigate the expression of early growth response 1 (EGR1) in gastroenterological cancers and its significance in the pathogenesis. RT-PCR was used to determine the expression of EGR1 in normal gastric mucosa tissues from 20 non-tumor patients, gastroenterological tumor tissues and matched para-cancer tissues normal morphologically. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the mRNA and protein expression of EGR1 in 20 cancer cell lines. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was preformed to measure the expression level of EGR1 protein on tissue microarray including 179 tumors and 159 normal tissues. EGR1 was overexpressed in gastric cancer (GC) and its matched adjacent normal tissue (ANT), but not expressed or expressed at a low level in the normal gastric mucosa from the non-tumor patients, which was consistent with the GC gene expression profiling data. Overexpression of EGR1 was seen in the 20 cancer cell lines at both mRNA and protein levels. IHC showed strong positive staining of EGR1 protein in the cytoplasm of both tumor tissues and matched normal tissues and showed negative or weaker nuclear staining in the normal gastric mucosa tissues from non-tumor patients. Overexpression of EGR1 was detected in 87% (49/56) of the GC tissues and 79% (43/54) of their ANTs; 83% (43/52) of the hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and 79% (32/42) of their ANTs; 78% (41/52) of colorectal cancer tissues and 63% (22/35) of their ANTs; and 79% (15/19) of the squamous cell carcinoma tissues and 78% (14/18) of their ANTs. EGR1 may be correlated with the abnormal proliferation of cells at the early stage of malignant transformation. | 18,953,875 |
[Effect of non-restrictive external stent on the expression of platelet-derived growth factor in vein grafts of rabbits]. | To investigate the potential mechanism of non-restrictive external stent in preventing re-stenosis of vein grafts. Thirty-six rabbits underwent reversed bypass grafting of autologous external jugular vein into common carotid artery and then were randomly divided into two equal groups, stenting group (Group S), with an external stent 6 mm in diameter (Dacron vascular prosthesis) surrounding the vein graft, and control group (Group NS) , without stenting. The vein grafts were harvested 7, 14, and 28 days after the operation respectively. Immunocytochemistry was used to detect the platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) positive cells. The mRNA expression of PDGF-B was detected with RT-PCR. The PDGF-B positive cell percentages in the intima of Group S 7 and 14 days later were both significantly lower than those of Group NS (15.2% +/- 3.6% vs 21.6% +/- 4.6%, and 6.5% +/- 2.6% vs 12.5% +/- 4.4%, both P < 0.05) . The PDGF-B positive cell percentages in media 7, 14 and 28 days later of Group S were all significantly lower than those of Group NS (13.8% +/- 4.6% vs 25.4% +/- 6.2%, 21.3% +/- 4.4% vs 35.7% +/- 7.3%, and 7.2% +/- 3.2% vs 19.2% +/- 5.4%, all P < 0.01). The PDGF-B positive cell percentage in adventitia peaked 28 days later in Group S and 14 days later in Group NS, and the PDGF-B positive cell percentage in adventitia 28 days later of Group S was significantly higher than that of Group NS (42.5% +/- 8.6% vs 31.9% +/- 4.6%, P < 0.01). RT-PCR analysis revealed that PDGF-B amplification products (457 bp) appeared in both group S and NS from 7 to 28 days, and the PDGF-B mRNA expression levels 7, 14, and 28 days later of Group S were all significantly lower than those of Group NS (31.2% +/- 6.5% vs 45.4% +/- 8.4%, P < 0.05; 42.3% +/- 6.2% vs 65.2% +/- 11.5%, P < 0.01; and 21.3% +/- 5.6% vs 36.2% +/- 9.4%, P < 0.01). Non-restrictive external stenting can inhibit the synthesis of PDGF and change its distribution, which may be one of the mechanisms of external stent in preventing re-stenosis of vein grafts. | 18,953,884 |
[Differential scanning calorimetry analyses of phase transformations in different nickel-titanium orthodontic wires]. | To characterize austenite, martensite and R phase temperatures as well as transition temperature ranges of the commonly used nickel-titanium (NiTi) orthodontic arch wires selected from several manufacturers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method was used to study the phase transformation temperatures and the phase transition processes of 9 commonly used NiTi alloys (types: 0.406 mm, 0.406 mm x 0.559 mm). The austenite finish temperatures of A, B, D NiTi wires were 22.4 CT, 21.9 degrees C, 22.5 degrees C, respectively. No phase transformation was detected during oral temperature. It indicated that these types of NiTi wires did not possess shape memory property. For C and H NiTi wires, no phase transformation was detected during the scanning temperature range, suggesting that these two types of wires did not possess shape memory either. The austenite finish temperatures of E, G and I NiTi wires were 34.3 degrees C, 36.6 degrees C, 38.5 degrees C, respectively, which were close to the oral temperature and presented as martensitic-austenitic structures at room temperature, suggesting that the NiTi wires listed above had good shape memory effect. Although F NiTi wire also showed martensitic-austenitic structures at room temperature, its austenite finish temperature (61.5 degrees C) was much higher than oral temperature. The transformation phase temperatures and transformation behavior were varied among different NiTi alloys, leading to variability in shape memory effect. | 18,953,918 |
[An experimental study on outcome of ipsilateral C7 nerve root transfer to repair the root avulsion of the brachial plexus]. | To experimentally compare the treatment outcome of the injured upper limb of the root avulsion of C5 and C6 of the brachial plexus repaired by ipsilateral C7 nerve root transfer and other three multiple nerve transfers. One hundred and twenty SD rats of simulated C5 and C6 root avulsion randomly divided into 4 groups, and 30 each underwent various combined nerve transfers. Group A: the ipsilateral C7 root transferred to the upper trunk of brachial plexus and the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve; Group B: partial fascicles of the ulnar nerve transferred to the biceps branch (Oberlin's procedure), the spinal accessory to the suprascapular and branches to the triceps long head to the axillary nerve; Group C: the phrenic transferred to the musculocutaneous, cervical plexus motor branches to the lower trunk (axillary nerve) of brachial plexus and the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve; Group D: the phrenic transferred to the musculocutaneous and the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve. Neurotization outcomes were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively by comparing changes of behavioral tests (Ochiai clinical scores, Barth Foot-fault test and Terzis grooming test), neurophysiological investigations and muscular histology. At 3 weeks after operation, no significant difference was found between Group A and other three control groups in the three behavioral evaluations. Neurophysiologic investigations of the axillary nerve showed that Group A was superior to the other three groups. Muscular histological outcome of the axillary nerve and deltoid muscle showed that Group A was superior to the Group C and D, while no significant difference was found between Group A and B. Except that the thruput of regenerating medullated musculocutaneous nerve fibers of Group A was superior to Group C, neurophysiological and histological outcome of the musculocutaneous nerve and biceps showed that no significant difference was found between Group A and other three groups. At 12 weeks postoperatively, nearly all the behavioral, neurophysiological and histological determination showed that Group A was superior to the other three groups. Ipsilateral C7 transfer to the upper trunk of brachial plexus combined with the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve is found to be significantly effective on treatment of the root avulsion of C5 and C6 of the brachial plexus. | 18,953,933 |
[A clinical analysis of 32 patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in diffuse connective tissue diseases]. | To provide clues to diagnosis and treatment for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) in patients with diffuse connective tissue diseases (CTD). To analyze retrospectively the data of clinical features, pulmonary images and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 32 patients hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2004 to June 2007. The data from 10 of the 17 (58.8%) patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), 19 of the 1267 (1.5%) patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 2 of the 56 (3.6%) patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and 1 of the 570 (0.2%) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were consistent with the diagnosis of DAH. DAH in SLE occurred in younger patients (mean age at the time of diagnosis 27.3 +/- 13.1 years) and early in the course of disease (median duration of SLE from onset was 16.7 +/- 18.3 months), while these figures in MPA patients with DAH were 50.1 +/- 20.7 years and 10.6 +/- 18.7 months. At the time of DAH in SLE, the median systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score was 17.1 +/- 6.7 and anti-ds-DNA antibody titer elevated markedly, while the median C3 level was low. The levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) of patients with DAH in MPA, WG and RA showed marked elevation. The titer of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA, MPO/PR3) in patients with MPA and WG was highly positive. The main clinical manifestations of DAH were hemoptysis, dyspnea and rapid decrease of hemoglobulin and hematocrit (HCT) in peripheral blood. Most patients presented with diffuse alveolar infiltration on chest X-ray and high resolution CT. DAH could be confirmed by bloody bronchoscopic lavage. 20 patients (62.5%) had secondary pulmonary infections at the time of DAH; fungus and combined bacterial infection were most frequently seen. The mortality of CTD with DAH was 59.4% (19 out of 32). 12 patients (63.2%) with SLE, 5 patients (50%) with MPA and both of the 2 patients with WG died. 12 of the lethal cases (63.2%) died of respiratory failure. CTD patients presenting with hemoptysis and dyspnea with rapid decrease of hemoglobulin, and diffuse alveolar infiltration on chest X-ray or high resolution CT should be seriously considered to be suffering from DAH. A bloody BAL may confirm the diagnosis of DAH. DAH in CTD is an acute, serious and frequently life-threatening situation resulting in respiratory failure and pulmonary infection. It is important for CTD patients with DAH to be diagnosed early and treated vigorously. | 18,953,941 |
[The clinical and laboratory features of acute promyelocytic leukemia: an analysis of 513 cases]. | To investigate the clinical and laboratory features of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). 513 APL patients in the last two decades were retrospectively analyzed in this research. We investigated the clinical features including age, sex, abnormality of peripheral hemogram before treatment, therapeutic effect and follow-up and laboratory data such as morphology, immunology, cytogenetics and molecular biology (MICM). The median age of the APL patients was 33 years old and the ratio of male and female was 1.21:1. Before treatment, the median level of WBC was 4.3 x 10(9)/L and the detection rate of abnormal promyelocyte on blood film was 85.8%; with immunophenotypic detection, the expression levels of CD117, CD34, HLA-DR, CD7, CD14 and CD19 in APL were found to be lower and the expression levels of CD2, CD33 and MPO higher than those in other subtypes of acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) (both P < 0.01). Specific abnormal chromosome t (15;17) was detected in 91.7% of the patients, of whom 75.9% had standard translocation of t (15;17), being the most common one and 15.8% of the patients had t (15;17) with additional abnormal chromosome. There was only 7.5% of the patients with normal karyotype. However, the presence of both simple translocation and complex translocation was seldom seen. With molecular biological detection, PML/RARalpha fusion gene positive rate was 99.6%. In a relatively long clinical follow-up, we found that the complete remission (CR) rate in APL patients was 84.7%, incidence of DIC was 13.4% and five-year survival rate was 30.7%. The median count of WBC in CR group was lower than that non-remission group (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences on expressions of CD34 and CD2 and changes of cytogenetics between the two groups (P > 0.05). Comprehensive evaluation of MICM could be of important significance in the diagnosis and prognosis judgment for APL patients. The CR rate in these patients with high WBC count was considerable low. | 18,953,948 |
[Continuous glucose monitoring in type 2 diabetes with gastroparesis]. | To observe the glucose profile in type 2 diabetic gastroparesis. 31 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were enrolled into this study for measurement of gastric emptying of solids and continuous glucose monitoring to observe blood glucose levels for 72 hours on a balanced diet; the results were compared with 7 subjects with normal glucose regulation. 58.1% of 31 type 2 diabetic patients were found to have delayed gastric emptying of solids. The average glucose level was lower after breakfast [(7.82 +/- 1.42) mmol/L vs (9.35 +/- 2.28) mmol/L, P < 0.01] in the patients with gastroparesis than in those without. Maximal blood glucose level after breakfast [(10.21 +/- 2.17) mmol/L vs (12.24 +/- 2.82) mmol/L, P < 0.01] was lower in the patients with gastroparesis but it reached the peak at a similar time. Two hour AUC was also lower after breakfast in the patients with gastroparesis [(877.62 +/- 272.78) min x mmol x L(-1) vs (1028.40 +/- 283.98) min x mmol x L(-1), P < 0.05]. Post-prandial glucose level in type 2 diabetic patients with gastroparesis tends to be lower than those without. | 18,953,950 |
Changing patient health-risk behavior requires new investment in primary care. | Evidence supports the effectiveness of primary care interventions to improve nutrition, increase physical activity levels, reduce alcohol intake, and stop tobacco use. However, implementing these interventions requires considerable practice expense. If we hope to change behavior to reduce chronic illness, the way we pay for primary care services must be modified to incorporate these expenses. | 18,953,968 |
Vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. | The second stage of labor is a dynamic event that may require assistance when maternal efforts fail to effect delivery or when there are nonreassuring fetal heart tones. Therefore, knowing how to perform an operative vaginal delivery with forceps or vacuum is vital for family physicians who provide maternity care. Vacuum is rapidly replacing forceps as the predominant instrument, but each has advantages and disadvantages, including increased risk of maternal trauma with forceps and increased risk of neonatal cephalohematoma with vacuum. Use of a second instrument if the first one fails is associated with worse outcomes. Routine episiotomy in operative vaginal delivery is no longer recommended. The "ABCDEFGHIJ" mnemonic can facilitate proper use and application of the vacuum device and minimize risks, and practicing the techniques on mannequins can provide an introduction to the skills of operative vaginal delivery. | 18,953,972 |
[The origin and molecular evolution of ionotropic glutamate receptors]. | A review of the main approaches to the revealing molecular evolution of glutamate receptors is presented. Large amount of evidences concerning the homology of glutamate-binding proteins forming the membrane channels has been accumulated. However, the knowledge of amino acid sequences of these proteins is the necessary but not sufficient condition for clarification of their origin and the changes in the course of molecular evolution. The natural selection estimated and secured the functional validity ofligand-gated channels. Therefore the functional and molecular approaches should supplement each other. It has been shown by and example of glutamate receptor channels of vertebrate and invertebrate animals that the combined analysis of the structure and function allows to reveal the main routes of molecular evolution of this kind of synaptic receptors. | 18,953,990 |
[Fragmentomics of proteins and natural oligopeptides]. | The substantiation and definition of the term "fragmentomics" are given. Within the framework of this scientific direction, a theoretical structural and functional analysis of all possible fragments of one protein molecule was performed to determine the sites that could be potential sources of the regulatory oligopeptides. For this purpose, the data on the primary structure of bovine hemoglobin, the information of the database EROP-Moscow on the structure and functions of natural oligopeptides, and a special computer program complex were used. As a result, natural nonhemoglobin oligopeptides containing hemoglobin fragments and natural oligopeptides representing the exact structures of hemoglobin fragments were found. Most abundant among them are neuropeptides, antimicrobial oligopeptides, and hormones. It has been shown that bovine tetrapeptide fragments identified in nonhemoglobin oligopeptides possessing the given functions occur in the amino acid sequences of experimentally obtained hemoglobin oligopeptides having the same functions. The method described has allowed one to reveal also potentially active sites of hemoglobin amino acid sequence not yet investigated experimentally. The possibility of the natural formation of regulatory oligopeptides from hemoglobin molecules and other food proteins, the formation of an exogenous oligopeptide pool in the gastrointestinal tract, and the conformity of the results to the ideas about the natural continuum of regulatory oligopeptides is considered. | 18,953,997 |
[Mg spin determines adenosinetriphosphate energetics]. | The molecular dynamics method DFT:B3LYP (6-31G** basis set, T = 310 K) was used to study interactions between adenosinetriphosphate (ATP), ATP subsystem, and magnesium cofactor [Mg(H2O)6]2+, Mg subsystem, in water environment modeled with 78 water molecules in singlet (S) and triplet (T) states. The lowest in energy singlet (S) and triplet (T) potential energy surfaces, PESs, are remarkably separated in space and direct the Mg cofactor towards the gamma-beta-phosphate oxygens (O1-O2), S path, or towards the beta-alpha-phosphate oxygens (O2-O3), T path. Chelation of the gamma-beta-phosphates and beta2-alpha-phosphates ends, respectively, in the formation of stable, low-energy, ([Mg(H2O)4-(O1-O2)ATP]2-) and metastable, high-energy, ([Mg(H2O)2-(O2-O3)ATP]2-) chelates, differing in the number of water molecules around the Mg. Intersection between the two T PESs produces an unstable state, a result of spin redistribution between the Mg and ATP subsystems. This state, which is sensitive to a hyperfine interaction with the Mg nuclear spin, 25Mg, reveals an unpaired electron spin and initiates the ATP cleavage along the ion-radical path, yielding a highly reactive adenosinemonophosphate ion-radical, *AMP-, earlier observed in the CIDNP (Chemically Induced Dynamic Nuclear Polarization) experiment (A.A. Tulub, 2006). Biological consequences of the findings are discussed. | 18,954,005 |
[The myosin-activating protein kinases in human myocardium: localization and content]. | Using the immunofluorescence approach, we have determined that the recently detected protein kinases, among which are RhoA-activated kinase, integrin-linked kinase, zipper interacting protein kinase, and death-associated protein kinase, which are capable of phosphorylating myosin, are localized in the Z-lines sarcomeres of human myocardium. Additionally, we studied the content of integrin-linked and zipper interacting protein kinases in human embryonic myocardium, as well as in normal and hypertrophic adult human heart. The content of these protein kinases in adult normal myocardium increases in comparison with the embryonic heart. The content of integrin-linked and zipper interacting protein kinases in hypertrophic myocardium is higher compared with the normal adult heart. The data obtained suggest the involvement of these protein kinases in the development and hypertrophy of human heart. | 18,954,004 |
[The action of low-intensity extremely high-freguency electromagnetic radiation on growth parameters for bacteria Enterococcus hirae]. | It has been found that the exposure of Enterococcus hirae ATCC9790, grown under anaerobic conditions for 30 min or 1 h, to low-intensity (flux capacity 0.06 mW/sm2) coherent electromagnetic radiation (EMI) of extremely high-frequency 45 - 53 GHz), or millimeter waves causes a marked prolongation of the lag-growth phase and a decrease in their specific growth rate, the inhibitory effect increasing in the frequency range from 49 to 53 GHz. The effect enhanced as duration of expocure was encreased from 30 min to 1 h; however, further increase in exposure duration to 2 h did not cause an enhancement of the effect. It has been shown that the action of extremely high-frequency EMI on these bacteria does not depend on medium pH (pH 8.0 or pH 6.0). It is proposed that these bacteria have defensive or reparation mechanisms which compensate for the action of radiation; the occurrence of different mechanisms for pH regulation is not ruled out. | 18,954,011 |
Development and validity of the Japanese version of body shape silhouette: relationship between self-rating silhouette and measured body mass index. | We devised new body shape silhouettes to more accurately reflect Japanese body sizes. Our aim was to assess the association between measured body mass index (BMI) and body size through self-selection of nine figure scales. This study was comprised of 4808 men and 1093 women aged 35-71 years. Subjects were asked to identify the silhouettes that most accurately represent their current body size. BMI was calculated from measured height and weight based on annual health checkups. Spearman's correlation coefficients between silhouette ratings and BMI were 0.73 in men and 0.80 in women. Moreover, mean BMIs increased in value with increasing silhouette numbers in both genders (trend p < 0.01 for both). Simple linear regression models predicting BMI based on silhouette ratings showed a good fit, with silhouette self-selection statistically explaining 54.0% of BMI variance in men and 62.5% in women. Receiver operating curves showed that areas under the characteristics curves were higher than 0.8 for obesity and thinness in both genders. These findings suggest that our scale is a promising tool for examining body size and image among Japanese adults. | 18,954,027 |
Intraosseous glomus tumor of the ulna: a case report with radiographic findings and a review of the literature. | Intraosseous glomus tumors of bone are extremely rare. We report a case of an intraosseous glomus tumor of the ulna. The patient was a 25-year-old woman who had a three-month history of a palpable mass in her right forearm with spontaneous pain. Radiographs showed cortical hypertrophy and a shell-like bone formation surrounding the small osteolytic lesion within the cortex of the ulna diaphysis. The differential diagnosis included benign bone-forming tumors, such as osteoid osteoma. The patient was treated with an en-bloc resection and filling with beta-TCP. Up to one year after the operation there has been no evidence of recurrence. | 18,954,031 |
Atomic alignment effect on the branching to ArCl* and CCl2* formation in the reaction of oriented Ar(3P2,MJ=2) + CCl4. | Atomic alignment effects for the formation of ArCl*(C) and CCl2*(A) in the reaction of Ar((3)P 2) + CCl 4 have been measured by using an oriented Ar( (3)P2, M J=2) beam at a collision energy of 0.08 eV. The emission intensity for ArCl*(C) and CCl2*(A) has been measured as a function of the magnetic orientation field direction in the collision frame. A significant atomic alignment effect is observed for the atom transfer process [ArCl*(C) formation]. Formation of ArCl*(C) is modestly enhanced when the electron angular momentum of the Ar((3)P 2) reactant is aligned along the relative velocity vector, while the excitation transfer process [CCl2*(A) formation] shows little alignment effect. | 18,954,032 |
Resonance Raman and resonance hyper-Raman intensities: structure and dynamics of molecular excited states in solution. | Resonance Raman scattering is discussed as a vibronic spectroscopy that can provide detailed information about the structure and dynamics of excited electronic states of molecules. The emphasis is on molecules in liquid solution. The theory of resonance Raman intensities and experimental and interpretive methods are discussed both in a historical context and in their present and future implementations. The related but much less developed technique of two-photon-resonant hyper-Raman scattering is also discussed in a similar context. | 18,954,035 |
Synthesis of N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin rhodium complexes having versatile metal oxidation states. | A variety of N-confused tetraphenylporphyrin rhodium complexes were synthesized, and their structures and physical properties were investigated. Depending on the reaction conditions, the rhodium(I), -(III), and -(IV) complexes were produced, which exemplified the versatile coordination mode of N-confused porphyrin ligands. | 18,954,046 |
Calcium-catalyzed Pictet-Spengler reactions. | Pictet-Spengler reactions of m-tyramine and aldehydes produced tetrahydroisoquinolines in the presence of a catalytic amount of Ca[OCH(CF3)2]2. This reaction occurs with a variety of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl aldehydes, producing tetrahydroisoquinolines in high yield and with high regioselectivity. This calcium-promoted Pictet-Spengler reaction provides a mild alternative to the traditional Brønsted acids typically employed in these reactions. | 18,954,062 |
Unique isothermal crystallization behavior of novel polyphenylene sulfide/inorganic fullerene-like WS2 nanocomposites. | The isothermal crystallization of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) nanocomposites with inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide nanoparticles (IF-WS2) has been studied from a thermal and morphological point of view, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarized optical microscopy (POM) and time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction. All the analyses revealed that the incorporation of the IF-WS2 altered significantly the crystallization behavior of PPS, in a way strongly dependent with the nanocomposite composition. The addition of IF-WS2 in 0.1 wt % proportion retarded the crystallization of PPS by increasing its fold surface free energy in a 10%. However, addition of the nanoparticles in excess of 1 wt % results in a promotion of the crystallization rate with reduction of the fold surface free energy to half the value of pure PPS. | 18,954,107 |
Theoretical investigations on the stereoselectivity of the proline catalyzed Mannich reaction in DMSO. | The stereocontrol steps of the (S)-proline catalyzed Mannich reaction of cyclohexanone, formaldehyde, and aniline were theoretically investigated. The geometries of reactants, products, and transition states were optimized using density functional theory using the B3LYP functional with the 6-31++G(d,p) basis set. The energies of these compounds were then more accurately determined at the MP2 level, and the effect of DMSO as the solvent was included using a polarizable continuum model (PCM). The reaction was modeled from the previously proposed mechanism that cyclohexanone reacts with (S)-proline to generate an enamine, while formaldehyde reacts with aniline to produce an imine, and that the conformation around the C-N bond of the enamine 1 is crucial for the further enantioselective step. The formation of two conformations of the enamine via a proton transfer process was examined, revealing activation barriers for syn- and anti-enamine proton transfer of 10.2 and 17.9 kcal/mol, respectively. The transformation of syn- to anti-enamine through C-N bond rotation, however, was predicted to require only 4.2 kcal/mol, while the (S)- and (R)-intermediates could be obtained from subsequent reactions between enamine and imine with energy barriers of 8.5 and 12.4 kcal/mol, respectively. The difference between these barriers, but not the C-N rotation energy, becomes larger at the MP2 level and when DMSO as a solvent is included. This predicted enantioselective reaction, through the kinetic and thermodynamic favoring of the (S)-pathway, is in agreement with experimental results, which have reported the (S)-configuration as the major product. | 18,954,108 |
Hydrophobicity and mixing effects on select heterogeneous, water-accelerated synthetic reactions. | The influence of aqueous reaction media on organic reactions is a topic of long-standing interest, particularly as it affects the rate or selectivity of synthetic reactions. Sometimes such reactions appear homogeneous, typically in dilute solution, whereas others are obviously heterogeneous, typically in concentrated solution that is more characteristic of a preparative synthetic reaction. The latter situation has been termed "on water." Here, it is demonstrated that the rates of heterogeneous ene reactions, Passerini reactions, and Ugi reactions in pure water and in aqueous solutions are dependent on the mixing method and reactant polarity, consistent with the involvement of hydrophobic interactions in their acceleration. | 18,954,111 |
Theoretical studies of the quinolinic acid to nicotinic acid mononucleotide transformation. | Quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRTase) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the transformation of quinolinic acid (QA) to nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN), a key step on the de novo pathway for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis. We describe herein a theoretical study of the intrinsic energetics associated with the possible mechanistic pathways by which QA forms NAMN. Our main interest is in probing the decarboxylation step, which is intriguing since the product is a vinylic anion, not unlike the reaction catalyzed by orotidine 5'-monophosphate (OMP) decarboxylase, an enzyme whose mechanism is under fierce debate. Our calculations indicate that a path involving a quinolinic acid mononucleotide (QAMN) intermediate is the most energetically attractive, favoring decarboxylation. We also find that the monocarboxylate form of QAMN will decarboxylate much more favorably energetically than will the dicarboxylate form of QAMN. Furthermore, our calculations indicate that decarboxylation is not a likely first step; the substrate in such a mechanism would prefer to decarboxylate at the C3 position, not the desired C2 position. We also discuss our results in the context of existing experimental data. | 18,954,112 |
Phase equilibrium and nucleation in VLS-grown nanowires. | Phase diagrams accounting for capillarity and surface stress in VLS-grown nanowires have been calculated, and linearized forms for the compositions of the solid and liquid are given. The solid-vapor interfacial energy causes a significant depression of the liquidus, and the impurity concentration in the wire decreases with decreasing wire diameter. Nucleation calculations give upper bounds on the nucleation temperature and liquid supersaturation during growth that are consistent with measurements in the Au-Ge system. | 18,954,122 |
Vertically aligned single crystal TiO2 nanowire arrays grown directly on transparent conducting oxide coated glass: synthesis details and applications. | Single-crystal one-dimensional (1D) semiconductor architectures are important in materials-based applications requiring a large surface area, morphological control, and superior charge transport. Titania has widespread utility in applications including photocatalysis, photochromism, photovoltaics, and gas sensors. While considerable efforts have focused on the preparation of 1D TiO2, no methods have been available to grow crystalline nanowire arrays directly onto transparent conducting oxide (TCO) substrates, greatly limiting the performance of TiO2 photoelectrochemical devices. Herein, we present a straightforward low temperature method to prepare single crystal rutile TiO2 nanowire arrays up to 5 microm long on TCO glass via a non-polar solvent/hydrophilic substrate interfacial reaction under mild hydrothermal conditions. The as-prepared densely packed nanowires grow vertically oriented from the TCO glass substrate along the (110) crystal plane with a preferred (001) orientation. In a dye sensitized solar cell, N719 dye, using TiO2 nanowire arrays 2-3 microm long we achieve an AM 1.5 photoconversion efficiency of 5.02%. | 18,954,124 |
Synthesis and strain relaxation of Ge-core/Si-shell nanowire arrays. | Analogous to planar heteroepitaxy, misfit dislocation formation and stress-driven surface roughening can relax coherency strains in misfitting core-shell nanowires. The effects of coaxial dimensions on strain relaxation in aligned arrays of Ge-core/Si-shell nanowires are analyzed quantitatively by transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Relating these results to reported continuum elasticity models for coaxial nanowire heterostructures provides valuable insights into the observed interplay of roughening and dislocation-mediated strain relaxation. | 18,954,126 |
Preparation of primary amine-based block copolymer vesicles by direct dissolution in water and subsequent stabilization by sol-gel chemistry. | A new amphiphilic biocompatible diblock copolymer, poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-block-poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate), PCL-b-PAMA, was synthesized in three steps by (i) ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone, (ii) end-group modification by esterification, and (iii) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride (AMA) in its hydrochloride salt form. This copolymer forms block copolymer vesicles with the hydrophobic PCL block forming the vesicle membrane. Unusually, these vesicles are easily prepared by direct dissolution in water without using organic co-solvents, pH adjustment, or even stirring. These vesicles can be stabilized by aqueous sol-gel chemistry using tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) as the silica precursor. It is well-known that cationic polymers can catalyze silica formation, but in this particular case, it seems that the TMOS precursor is solubilized within the hydrophobic PCL membrane. Thus, the neutral membrane actually directs silica formation, rather than the cationic PAMA chains. The final vesicle morphology and the silica content depend on the silicification conditions. Provided that the TMOS/AMA molar ratio does not exceed 10:1, silicification is solely confined within the PCL membrane. At higher ratios, silica nanoparticles (5-12 nm) are also observed on the outer surface of the silicified vesicles. However, these nanoparticles appear to be only weakly adsorbed, since they can be easily removed by dialysis. The mean hydrodynamic diameter of the silicified vesicles varies from 175 to 205 nm with solution pH due to (de)protonation of the externally expressed PAMA chains. Calcination of the silicified vesicles at 800 degrees C leads to the formation of hollow silica particles. 1H NMR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), aqueous electrophoresis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to characterize the vesicles, both before and after silicification. | 18,954,148 |
Chronic psychosocial factors and acute physiological responses to laboratory-induced stress in healthy populations: a quantitative review of 30 years of investigations. | This meta-analysis included 729 studies from 161 articles investigating how acute stress responsivity (including stress reactivity and recovery of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal [HPA] axis, autonomic, and cardiovascular systems) changes with various chronic psychosocial exposures (job stress; general life stress; depression or hopelessness; anxiety, neuroticism, or negative affect; hostility, aggression, or Type-A behavior; fatigue, burnout, or exhaustion; positive psychological states or traits) in healthy populations. In either the overall meta-analysis or the methodologically strong subanalysis, positive psychological states or traits were associated with reduced HPA reactivity. Hostility, aggression, or Type-A behavior was associated with increased cardiovascular (heart rate or blood pressure) reactivity, whereas anxiety, neuroticism, or negative affect was associated with decreased cardiovascular reactivity. General life stress and anxiety, neuroticism, or negative affect were associated with poorer cardiovascular recovery. However, regarding the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system, there were no associations between the chronic psychosocial factors and stress reactivity or recovery. The results largely reflect an integrated stress response pattern of hypo- or hyperactivity depending on the specific nature of the psychosocial background. | 18,954,159 |
Gendered racism, psychological distress, and coping styles of African American women. | This study explores the relationship of the accumulative effect of gendered racism, the discrimination felt by African American women, on psychological distress. The study also explores whether coping serves as a mediating variable between gendered racism and psychological distress. Over 300 African American women participated in the study and were administered the Symptoms Checklist 90, a revised version of the Schedule of Sexist Events, and the Africultural Coping Styles Inventory. A positive significant relationship between global psychological distress was found with experiences of gendered racism. Regression analyses suggest some degree of partial mediation on the relationship between gendered racism and global psychological distress via cognitive-emotional coping styles, but no mediating effects with spiritual-centered, collective, and ritual-centered coping. Suggestions for future research and implications are discussed. | 18,954,166 |
Toward assessing traumatic events and stress symptoms in preschool children from low-income families. | Traumatic events can seriously disrupt the development of preschool children. Yet few studies capture developmentally specific examples of traumas and the expression of distress for this age group. Mothers and teachers of 138 preschoolers from low-income families were interviewed about traumatic events and completed a new measure assessing their child's traumatic stress symptoms. They reported traumatic events as the death of a person, death of a pet, family violence, high conflict divorce, sudden family loss, accident or injury, and viewing the World Trade Center attack. Factor analysis of 17 trauma symptoms revealed three internally consistent and valid scales: Intrusions, Emotional Reactivity, and Fears, plus a Total omnibus score. Traumatic stress symptoms varied by the type of event. Scores were higher for traumatic events involving close family members than for distal events. | 18,954,185 |
Two ways to be complex and why they matter: implications for attitude strength and lying. | Integrative complexity broadly measures the structural complexity of statements. This breadth, although beneficial in multiple ways, can potentially hamper the development of specific theories. In response, the authors developed a model of complex thinking, focusing on 2 different ways that people can be complex within the integrative complexity system and subsequently developed measurements of each of these 2 routes: Dialectical complexity focuses on a dialectical tension between 2 or more competing perspectives, whereas elaborative complexity focuses on complexly elaborating on 1 singular perspective. The authors posit that many variables have different effects on these 2 forms of complexity and subsequently test this idea in 2 different theoretical domains. In Studies 1a, 1b, and 2, the authors demonstrate that variables related to attitude strength (e.g., domain importance, extremism, domain accessibility) decrease dialectical complexity but increase elaborative complexity. In Study 3, the authors show that counterattitudinal lying decreases dialectical complexity but increases elaborative complexity, implicating a strategic (as opposed to a cognitive strain) view of the lying-complexity relationship. The authors argue that this dual demonstration across 2 different theoretical domains helps establish the utility of the new model and measurements as well as offer the potential to reconcile apparent conflicts in the area of cognitive complexity. | 18,954,192 |
Romantic red: red enhances men's attraction to women. | In many nonhuman primates, the color red enhances males' attraction to females. In 5 experiments, the authors demonstrate a parallel effect in humans: Red, relative to other achromatic and chromatic colors, leads men to view women as more attractive and more sexually desirable. Men seem unaware of this red effect, and red does not influence women's perceptions of the attractiveness of other women, nor men's perceptions of women's overall likeability, kindness, or intelligence. The findings have clear practical implications for men and women in the mating game and, perhaps, for fashion consultants, product designers, and marketers. Furthermore, the findings document the value of extending research on signal coloration to humans and of considering color as something of a common language, both within and across species. | 18,954,199 |
For better and for worse: everyday social comparisons between romantic partners. | The authors examined the frequency, direction, and impact of social comparisons between romantic partners. Comparisons were expected to occur on a daily basis, owing to regular interactions between partners. To the extent that one empathizes and shares outcomes with one's partner, one might respond more positively to upward than to downward comparisons. Study 1a was an experience-sampling study in which participants reported comparisons made to their spouse over 2 weeks. Study 1b examined reactions to the most significant comparisons made during the experience-sampling study. Participants reported making comparisons to their romantic partner more than once a day on average and experienced more positive responses to upward than to downward comparisons. Study 2 demonstrated that participants empathized and shared outcomes with their partner to a greater extent than with a friend. Study 3 confirmed that participants responded more positively to upward than to downward comparisons even for domains high in self-relevance and even when the comparison had negative self-evaluative implications. These results suggest that, owing to higher levels of empathy and shared fate with partners, comparisons function differently in romantic than in other relationships. | 18,954,201 |
It's a wonderful life: mentally subtracting positive events improves people's affective states, contrary to their affective forecasts. | The authors hypothesized that thinking about the absence of a positive event from one's life would improve affective states more than thinking about the presence of a positive event but that people would not predict this when making affective forecasts. In Studies 1 and 2, college students wrote about the ways in which a positive event might never have happened and was surprising or how it became part of their life and was unsurprising. As predicted, people in the former condition reported more positive affective states. In Study 3, college student forecasters failed to anticipate this effect. In Study 4, Internet respondents and university staff members who wrote about how they might never have met their romantic partner were more satisfied with their relationship than were those who wrote about how they did meet their partner. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for the literatures on gratitude induction and counterfactual reasoning. | 18,954,203 |
A boost and bounce theory of temporal attention. | What is the time course of visual attention? Attentional blink studies have found that the 2nd of 2 targets is often missed when presented within about 500 ms from the 1st target, resulting in theories about relatively long-lasting capacity limitations or bottlenecks. Earlier studies, however, reported quite the opposite finding: Attention is transiently enhanced, rather than reduced, for several hundreds of milliseconds after a relevant event. The authors present a general theory, as well as a working computational model, that integrate these findings. There is no central role for capacity limitations or bottlenecks. Central is a rapidly responding gating system (or attentional filter) that seeks to enhance relevant and suppress irrelevant information. When items sufficiently match the target description, they elicit transient excitatory feedback activity (a "boost" function), meant to provide access to working memory. However, in the attentional blink task, the distractor after the target is accidentally boosted, resulting in subsequent strong inhibitory feedback response (a "bounce"), which, in effect, closes the gate to working memory. The theory explains many findings that are problematic for limited-capacity accounts, including a new experiment showing that the attentional blink can be postponed. | 18,954,206 |
Placing the mnemonic model in context: diagnostic, theoretical, and clinical considerations. | The mnemonic model of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) proposed by D. C. Rubin, D. Berntsen, and M. K. Bohni presents some provocative and potentially insightful ideas about this mental disorder. D. C. Rubin et al. suggested that PTSD is caused and maintained through a "pathogenic memory" (D. C. Rubin et al., 2008, p. 985) of a negative event rather than by exposure to a traumatic event per se. The present authors examine the mnemonic model in the context of relevant diagnostic, theoretical, and clinical considerations. Specifically, to evaluate the arguments and evidence provided in support of the mnemonic model of PTSD, the present authors focus on 4 issues: (a) problems inherent with comparing a theoretical model (i.e., the mnemonic model) with a diagnostic model (i.e., the DSM-IV-TR model), (b) problems with not comparing the mnemonic model with relevant cognitive and memory models of PTSD, (c) problems with the degree to which the research reviewed provides support for the mnemonic model, and (d) concerns that memory in PTSD is confounded with the basic disorder, rather than causing PTSD. The present authors conclude with suggestions for future theory and research to help differentiate between memory's role in the origins of PTSD and memory's role in the clinical course of the disorder. | 18,954,216 |
Evaluation practices of a major Canadian telehealth provider: lessons and future directions for the field. | The objective of this study was to assess the quality of Capital Health (Edmonton Area)'s telehealth evaluation practices. We conducted a comprehensive background literature review examining the current state of the art in telehealth evaluation. Using the Clinical, Human and Organizational, Educational, Administrative, Technical, and Social (CHEATS) evaluation framework, we examined 77 documents pertaining to 17 different pilot and continuing telehealth projects in Capital Health's Regional Telehealth Program. Capital Health's practices meet and reflect current standards in the field of telehealth evaluation. Strongest areas are Clinical, Technical, and Administrative evaluation, while Social and Human and Organizational evaluation are in need of the most development. Variation in quality and quantity of evaluation measures also makes direct comparisons between projects difficult. The CHEATS framework is both theoretically and practically appropriate for planning and conducting telehealth evaluations. Capital Health plans to adopt CHEATS to improve the quality of its future telehealth evaluation evidence. | 18,954,246 |
Smart wireless continence management system for persons with dementia. | Incontinence is highly prevalent in the elderly population, especially in nursing home residents with dementia. It is a distressing and costly health problem that affects not only the patients but also the caregivers. Effective continence management is required to provide quality care, and to eliminate high labor costs and annoyances to the caregivers resulting from episodes of incontinence. This paper presents the design, development, and preliminary deployment of a smart wireless continence management system for dementia-impaired elderly or patients in institutional care settings such as nursing homes and hospitals. Specifically, the mote wireless platform was used to support the deployment of potentially large quantities of wetness sensors with wider coverage and with dramatically less complexity and cost. It consists of an intelligent signal relay mechanism so that the residents are free to move about in the nursing home or hospital and allows personalized continence management service. Preliminary results from a trial in a local nursing home are promising and can significantly improve the quality of care for patients. | 18,954,254 |
The effect of gender and age differences on media selection in small and medium tourism enterprises. | The purpose of this study is to examine the impact that gender and age differences have on the communication media selection within the context of small and medium tourism enterprises (SMEs). Media Richness Theory (MRT) was used to assess media preferences in the firms. Using a mail questionnaire, data from 78 firms were collected on seven popular media in use. Historical data of the firms, media characteristics, and other firm-specific factors were included in the analysis. The results indicated that there are substantial gender and age differences in term of communication media selection. This is consistent with MRT and highlights the importance of choosing the appropriate media in SMEs, according with the employee's behaviors, in order to achieve better outcomes and to smooth the path towards good performance in the future. | 18,954,272 |
Are robots present? From motor simulation to "being there". | Even if the most sophisticated robot now available is unable to learn and move in the same way as humans, two decades of research in artificial intelligence and cognitive systems introduced the concept of embodiment: the mind has to be understood in the context of its relationship to a physical body that interacts with the world. One of the main outcomes of this vision is the dynamic sensorimotor account of conscious experience. Following this vision, the key feature of a cognitive robot should be the possession and exercise of sensorimotor knowledge. The main criticism against this argument is that such a robot will still lack self-awareness. In this paper, we suggest that a psychology of "presence" can offer new insights to overcome this point. In particular, we argue that in humans the evolutive role of presence is the control of agency through the unconscious separation of "internal" and "external" and the transformation (enaction) and/or recognition (reenaction) of intentions in action. How can we develop presence in robots? If we follow the development of presence in humans, we must use an evolutive process. First, the robot must learn to differentiate itself from the external world by correctly coupling perceptions and movements. Then the robot must learn to clearly separate perception and action planning, even if both share the same language: motor code. Finally, it is through social and cooperative activities that the robot may improve its intentional action and interaction. | 18,954,288 |
Association between increased body mass index, calcineurin inhibitor use, and renal graft survival. | Using data from the US Renal Data System, we examined the relation between body mass index and graft survival as mediated through calcineurin inhibitor use. Adult patients who received a first kidney-only transplant, with at least 6 months' survival were classified into 5 categories (underweight, normal, overweight, obese, and extremely obese) according to body mass index. Associations between calcineurin inhibitor use, body mass index categories, and outcomes were investigated. Underweight and normal-weight recipients lived longer than the other 3 categories, regardless of calcineurin inhibitor use. Graft survival was significantly inferior among obese and extremely obese patients. Average graft survival was significantly higher for recipientswith a normal body mass index than it was for overweight, obese, and extremely obese recipients. Risk ratio for graft failure was constant for the calcineurin inhibitor versus the noncalcineurin inhibitor group across all body mass index categories. Mean body mass index for the group with rejection episodes was similar to the group with no rejections; there was no correlation between body mass index and rejection risk. Increased body mass index is associated with inferior patient and graft survival, independent of calcineurin inhibitor use. Because we found no correlation between body mass index and risk of rejection, we assume that, at least after the initial 6 months, the adverse effect of obesity on graft outcome is partially mediated through nonimmunologic mechanisms. When analyzing graft and patient survival rates, we recommend that body mass index be considered a risk factor. | 18,954,297 |
Neurologic complications after renal transplant. | Neurologic complications are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo transplants. We sought to evaluate the nature and incidence of neurologic complications in patients undergoing a renal transplant. Between January 2005 and December 2007, 132 adults (35 women, 97 men; mean age, 34.32 -/+ 0.90 years) underwent a renal transplant at our institution. Associated comorbid medical conditions, presenting neurologic symptoms, and type of immunosuppression were obtained from patients' medical records. Major indications for renal transplant were hypertensive nephropathy (14.4%), vesicoureteral reflux (11.4%), and idiopathic causes (21.2%). Mean follow-up was 17.26 -/+ 0.89 months (range, 2 weeks to 40 months). Twenty neurologic complications were found in 18 patients (6 women, 12 men; mean age, 33.83 -/+ 2.37 years). Presenting symptoms included posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, 1 (5.6%); cephalgia, 10 (55.6%); cerebral infarcts, 2 (11.1%); seizure, 3 (16.7%); tremor, 2 (11.1%); encephalopathy, 1 (5.6%); and sinus thrombosis, 1 (5.6%). Immunosuppressive agents were the primary cause of 16 of the 20 neurologic complications. Effectiveness and complications of cyclosporinewere screened for a total of 1858.50 months, tacrolimus for 853.50 months, and sirolimus for 620 months; 50.2% of the neurologic complications appeared during the first 3 months after transplant; the blood level of immunosuppressive medications did not need to be higher than normal in every case. In addition to cyclosporine and tacrolimus, we suggest (for the first time) sirolimus as a cause of neurocomplications after renal transplant. | 18,954,301 |
A simple and rapid PCR-based method for ostrich sexing using micro amounts of DNA. | The aim of the present study is to identify ostrich sex by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on micro amounts of DNA from blood, bloodstain and feathers. Sixteen male and 18 female ostriches were used as test individuals. Genomic DNA as a template was extracted by the Chelex method. Ostrsex-P1 and P2 primers were designed to perform PCR amplification on the template. PCR products were checked using agarose gel electrophoresis with ethidium bromide staining and ostrich sex was determined directly by the bands shown on the gel. The results demonstrate that ostrich sex can be determined by the extraction of DNA from as little as 0.0125 microl blood using Chelex, whereby the use of large amounts of organic solvents such as phenol and chloroform are unnecessary. In addition, it is possible to identify ostrich sex using micro amounts of DNA extracted from bloodstains and/or feathers. The use of feathers particularly avoids unwanted sampling problems such as the difficulty of collecting ostrich blood, the stress to the ostrich caused by bleeding, and the demand for a lot of manpower for ostrich restraint. | 18,954,377 |
Effects of melatonin implants during non-breeding season on sperm motility and reproductive parameters in Rasa Aragonesa rams. | The effect of melatonin implants administered during non-breeding season in Rasa Aragonesa rams on sperm motility parameters and other reproductive traits was assessed. In a first experiment, two Rasa Aragonesa rams were implanted (with melatonin group M), remaining other two males as control group (C). Semen of each group was collected from 1 May to 23 June, twice or three times a week, and motility parameters were assessed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. Melatonin increased the percentage of progressive motile spermatozoa, particularly during 46-75 days after melatonin implantation (p < 0.01). In experiment 2, M and C in vitro fertilization ability had been determined by zona-pellucida binding assays, using spermatozoa from experiment 1, obtained 60-70 days after melatonin was implanted. A significantly higher number of spermatozoa attached per oocyte was observed in frozen-thawed immature ovine oocytes incubated with sperm from M animals than in those incubated with sperm from the C group (p < 0.01). Finally, a field assay (experiment 3) was performed. In this case, five Rasa Aragonesa rams were implanted with melatonin and three remained as control group. Sperm doses from those animals were used for artificial insemination of 2608 Rasa Aragonesa ewes from 39 different farms at non-breeding season. Fertility, litter size and fecundity were studied. Semen from melatonin implanted rams seemed to increase both fertility and fecundity in ewes inseminated with spermatozoa obtained 46-60 days after implantation (p < 0.1). Thus, melatonin treatment in rams during non-breeding season modifies sperm motility parameters and seems to improve the fertilization parameters obtained. | 18,954,380 |
The prevalence of abnormal results of conventional coagulation tests on admission to a trauma center. | Several groups have reported that a fraction of severely injured patients have abnormal coagulation tests at presentation to trauma centers, even in the absence of significant crystalloid resuscitation. These patients have high mortality, but their prevalence in trauma populations is not clear from the reports. Records of all patients admitted to a large urban trauma center during 2000 through 2006 were searched for early measures of common coagulation tests and in-hospital mortality. Abnormal coagulation tests were increasingly frequent with increasing injury severity, ranging from 5 to 43 percent for the prothrombin time as the injury severity scores (ISSs) increased from 5 to more than 45 and 4 to 18 percent for platelet counts of less than 150 x 10(9) per L. Abnormal coagulation tests were associated with excess mortality even below conventional transfusion triggers and this was especially true for the partial thromboplastin time. Abnormal coagulation tests are common in severely injured patients. Even in the moderately injured, they are associated with higher mortality. | 18,954,393 |
Measurement of phosphatidylserine exposure during storage of platelet concentrates using the novel probe lactadherin: a comparison study with annexin V. | Annexin V binding to platelets (PLTs) is considered the gold standard for monitoring phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. However, recent comparison of annexin V with the new calcium-independent PS probe lactadherin revealed that annexin V requires a certain threshold of PS exposure (2%-8%) for binding to occur. The aim of this study was to compare annexin V and lactadherin labeling of PLTs in PLT concentrates (PCs). Optimal labeling conditions for lactadherin and annexin V were established and then compared in either resting or calcium ionophore (CI)-activated PLTs from normal whole blood. Furthermore, 40 PCs (20 apheresis-derived and 20 pooled buffy coat-derived) were stored under standard blood bank conditions and PLT activation was monitored by measuring PS exposure with annexin V and lactadherin along with CD42b, CD61, and CD62P by flow cytometry on Days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Lactadherin reported a higher exposure of PS than did annexin V in normal PLTs at submaximal doses of CI. PLTs from both types of concentrate, as expected, demonstrated evidence of increased activation during storage using annexin V, lactadherin, CD42b, or CD62P. However, a significantly higher percentage of PS-positive PLTs was found with lactadherin than annexin V. PS exposure on the surface of stored PLTs has been previously underestimated due to the wide use of annexin V. Lactadherin provides a truer reflection of the degree of PS exposure and offers a new calcium-independent approach to studying PLT activation and/or apoptosis. | 18,954,406 |
Validation of an automated immunoglobulin G-only cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody screening assay and an assessment of the risk of transfusion transmitted CMV from seronegative blood. | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody donor screening assays have predominantly included both immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) detection. However, since in the majority of cases both CMV IgG and IgM are detected concomitantly during early seroconversion, CMV assays based only on IgG are now widely applied for donor screening. The performance of an automated microparticle CMV IgG assay (Abbott AxSYM CMV IgG microparticle enzyme immunoassay [MEIA]) was compared with an established total antibody blood screening assay (Abbott CMV Total AB EIA). Sensitivity and specificity were assessed using 5050 random blood donors and 13 seroconversion panels. A risk analysis was undertaken to estimate the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted CMV (TT-CMV) from presumptive seronegative blood components. The EIA achieved marginally (but not significantly) better resolved sensitivity (100%) than the AxSYM IgG assay (99.93%). The AxSYM IgG resolved specificity (99.34%) was superior to the EIA (96.4%). This superiority was maintained (98.61%) when a modified cutoff was applied to the AxSYM IgG assay to achieve 100 percent resolved sensitivity. The seroconversion sensitivities of the EIA and the AxSYM IgG were equivalent, detecting the same bleed as positive in the majority of the seroconversion panels tested. The median TT-CMV residual risk estimate for the two assays was approximately 1 in 66,000 (range, 42,000-165,000). The AxSYM IgG MEIA is suitable for blood donor screening and was optimized by applying a modified cutoff of 9 AU per mL. The modeling predicts that implementing the AxSYM IgG assay would not negatively impact the already very low risk of TT-CMV associated with seronegative blood components in Australia. | 18,954,407 |
Refining the phenotype of alpha-1a Tubulin (TUBA1A) mutation in patients with classical lissencephaly. | Mutations in the alpha-1a Tubulin (TUBA1A) gene have recently been found to cause cortical malformations resemblant of classical lissencephaly but with a specific combination of features. To date, TUBA1A mutations have been described in five patients and three foetuses. Our aims were to establish how common TUBA1A mutations are in patients with lissencephaly and to contribute to defining the phenotype associated with TUBA1A mutation. We performed mutation analysis in the TUBA1A gene in 46 patients with classical lissencephaly. In 44 of the patients, mutations in the LIS1 and/or DCX genes had previously been excluded; in 2 patients, mutation analysis was only performed in TUBA1A based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. We identified three new mutations and one recurrent mutation in five patients with variable patterns of lissencephaly on brain MRI. Four of the five patients had congenital microcephaly, and all had dysgenesis of the corpus callosum and cerebellar hypoplasia, and variable cortical malformations, including subtle subcortical band heterotopia and absence or hypoplasia of the anterior limb of the internal capsule. We estimate the frequency of mutation in TUBA1A gene in patients with classical lissencephaly to be approximately 4%, and although not as common as mutations in the LIS1 or DCX genes, mutation analysis in TUBA1A should be included in the molecular genetic diagnosis of classical lissencephaly, particularly in patients with the combination of features highlighted in this paper. | 18,954,413 |
Optimisation of region-specific reference gene selection and relative gene expression analysis methods for pre-clinical trials of Huntington's disease. | Transcriptional dysregulation is an early, key pathogenic mechanism in Huntington's disease (HD). Therefore, gene expression analyses have biomarker potential for measuring therapeutic efficacy in pre-clinical trials, particularly those aimed at correcting gene expression abnormalities. Housekeeping genes are commonly used as endogenous references in gene expression studies. However, a systematic study comparing the suitability of candidate reference genes for use in HD mouse models has not been performed. To remedy this situation, 12 housekeeping genes were examined to identify suitable reference genes for use in expression assays. We found that commonly used reference genes are dysregulated at later time points in the R6/2 mouse model of HD. Therefore, in order to reliably measure gene expression changes for use as pre-clinical trial biomarkers, we set out to identify suitable reference genes for use in R6/2 mice. The expression of potential reference genes was examined in striatum, cortex and cerebellum from 15 week old R6/2 and matched wild-type littermates. Expression levels of candidate reference genes varied according to genotype and brain region. GeNorm software was used to identify the three most stably expressed genes for each brain region. Relative quantification methods using the geometric mean of three reference genes for normalisation enables accurate determination of gene expression levels in wild-type and R6/2 mouse brain regions. Our study has identified a reproducible, reliable method by which we able to accurately determine the relative expression level of target genes in specific brain regions, thus increasing the potential of gene expression analysis as a biomarker in HD pre-clinical trials. | 18,954,449 |
High-fidelity correction of genomic uracil by human mismatch repair activities. | Deamination of cytosine to produce uracil is a common and potentially mutagenic lesion in genomic DNA. U*G mismatches occur spontaneously throughout the genome, where they are repaired by factors associated with the base excision repair pathway. U*G mismatches are also the initiating lesion in immunoglobulin gene diversification, where they undergo mutagenic processing by redundant pathways, one dependent upon uracil excision and the other upon mismatch recognition by MutS alpha. While UNG is well known to initiate repair of uracil in DNA, the ability of MutS alpha to direct correction of this base has not been directly demonstrated. Using a biochemical assay for mismatch repair, we show that MutS alpha can promote efficient and faithful repair of U*G mismatches, but does not repair U*A pairs in DNA. This contrasts with UNG, which readily excises U opposite either A or G. Repair of U*G by MutS alpha depends upon DNA polymerase delta (pol delta), ATP, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), all properties of canonical mismatch repair. These results show that faithful repair of U*G can be carried out by either the mismatch repair or base excision repair pathways. Thus, the redundant functions of these pathways in immunoglobulin gene diversification reflect their redundant functions in faithful repair. Faithful repair by either pathway is comparably efficient, suggesting that mismatch repair and base excision repair share the task of faithful repair of genomic uracil. | 18,954,457 |
Functional architecture of Escherichia coli: new insights provided by a natural decomposition approach. | Previous studies have used different methods in an effort to extract the modular organization of transcriptional regulatory networks. However, these approaches are not natural, as they try to cluster strongly connected genes into a module or locate known pleiotropic transcription factors in lower hierarchical layers. Here, we unravel the transcriptional regulatory network of Escherichia coli by separating it into its key elements, thus revealing its natural organization. We also present a mathematical criterion, based on the topological features of the transcriptional regulatory network, to classify the network elements into one of two possible classes: hierarchical or modular genes. We found that modular genes are clustered into physiologically correlated groups validated by a statistical analysis of the enrichment of the functional classes. Hierarchical genes encode transcription factors responsible for coordinating module responses based on general interest signals. Hierarchical elements correlate highly with the previously studied global regulators, suggesting that this could be the first mathematical method to identify global regulators. We identified a new element in transcriptional regulatory networks never described before: intermodular genes. These are structural genes that integrate, at the promoter level, signals coming from different modules, and therefore from different physiological responses. Using the concept of pleiotropy, we have reconstructed the hierarchy of the network and discuss the role of feedforward motifs in shaping the hierarchical backbone of the transcriptional regulatory network. This study sheds new light on the design principles underpinning the organization of transcriptional regulatory networks, showing a novel nonpyramidal architecture composed of independent modules globally governed by hierarchical transcription factors, whose responses are integrated by intermodular genes. | 18,954,463 |
Functional brain organization for visual search in ASD. | Although previous studies have shown that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) excel at visual search, underlying neural mechanisms remain unknown. This study investigated the neurofunctional correlates of visual search in children with ASD and matched typically developing (TD) children, using an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging design. We used a visual search paradigm, manipulating search difficulty by varying set size (6, 12, or 24 items), distractor composition (heterogeneous or homogeneous) and target presence to identify brain regions associated with efficient and inefficient search. While the ASD group did not evidence accelerated response time (RT) compared with the TD group, they did demonstrate increased search efficiency, as measured by RT by set size slopes. Activation patterns also showed differences between ASD group, which recruited a network including frontal, parietal, and occipital cortices, and the TD group, which showed less extensive activation mostly limited to occipito-temporal regions. Direct comparisons (for both homogeneous and heterogeneous search conditions) revealed greater activation in occipital and frontoparietal regions in ASD than in TD participants. These results suggest that search efficiency in ASD may be related to enhanced discrimination (reflected in occipital activation) and increased top-down modulation of visual attention (associated with frontoparietal activation). | 18,954,479 |
Treating knee osteoarthritis with intra-articular hyaluronans. | Intra-articular hyaluronan (HA) or hylan is approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. The authors review here published evidence of efficacy and safety of intra-articular HA for the treatment of knee pain. Since the systemic safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors for OA knee treatment are a current concern, the authors also offer recommendations for repositioning HA in the OA treatment paradigm. Relevant HA literature was identified by searching MEDLINE and EMBASE from their inception to April 2008 using the search words hyaluronan, hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and hylan G-F 20, with knee and OA. Data from randomized, placebo-controlled trials were reviewed and summarized in this article. While not a systematic review, this article reviews the best available evidence for the use of HA to treat knee OA. For the most part, patients in the reviewed studies were adults over the age of 40 with mild to severe symptomatic OA of the knee. Reviewed studies demonstrated significant improvements in pain and physical function with HA or sodium hyaluronate and hylan G-F 20. HA or hylan products were most effective between 5 and 13 weeks after injection with improvements also observed at 14-26 weeks or sometimes longer, and were well tolerated with a low incidence of adverse events. HA also provides beneficial treatment effects when administered in conjunction with other therapies. Intra-articular HA or hylan has proven to be an effective, safe, and tolerable treatment for symptomatic knee OA. In an effort to limit cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and renal safety concerns with COX-2 selective and nonselective NSAIDs and maximize HA efficacy, the authors proposed using HA earlier in the treatment paradigm for knee OA and also as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy. | 18,954,498 |
Occupational rhinitis in damp and moldy workplaces. | Numerous studies confirm the association between exposure to indoor air dampness and molds and different health outcomes. Of these, upper respiratory tract problems are the most commonly reported work-related symptoms in damp indoor environments. The aim of this study was to describe a clinically investigated patient series with occupational rhinitis induced by molds. Nasal provocation test (NPT) with commercial fungal allergens was performed in 369 patients during 1995-2004 at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Of these, 60 (16%) were positive. In addition to positive NPT, the diagnosis of occupational rhinitis was based on verified exposure to molds, work-related nasal symptoms, and clinical investigations. We wanted to review the patient files of these 60 patients retrospectively, and 56 patients gave their informed consent. The mean age of the patients was 43.7 years (SD +/- 9.5). Fifty (89.3%) patients were women. In 23% of the patients, IgE-mediated allergy to molds could be established. Atopy significantly increased IgE sensitization to molds (OR, 10.3 [95% CI, 2.0-52.5]). The most common mold to induce occupational rhinitis was Aspergillus fumigatus. Exposure time was over 5 years in 63% of the patients. Association between the IgE sensitization to molds and exposure level was statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.046). This is the first clinically investigated series on occupational rhinitis in relation to a moldy environment. Based on our findings, we conclude that molds growing in conjunction with moisture damages can induce occupational rhinitis. IgE-mediated allergy to molds was not common. Atopy and significant exposure level increased IgE sensitization to molds. zri00508. | 18,954,502 |
Clinical assessment of a nasal decongestion test by visual analog scale in allergic rhinitis. | Nasal airflow, as measured by rhinomanometry, is frequently impaired in allergic rhinitis (AR). The decongestion test evaluates whether the application of an intranasal vasoconstrictor drug increases nasal airflow. That allergy is characterized by inflammation and that the response to the decongestion test correlates with the grade of inflammatory reaction has previously been shown. The aim of this study was to verify the suitability of the use of the visual analog scales (VASs) as a surrogate for rhinomanometry in the decongestion test assessment in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. One hundred three patients (mean age, 23 years [2.24 SD]) were studied. Nasal symptoms, VAS, rhinomanometry, and nasal decongestion test were assessed in all patients. A significant association was observed between VAS and nasal airflow after the decongestion test (Spearman R = -33.3%; p < 0.001). Moreover, a significant inverse association between changes in decongestion measures was detected, with a Spearman R = -64.7% (p < 0.001). The associated sensitivity was of 92.5%, and the specificity for this test was 60.0%. The corresponding area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.81. The use of VAS for assessing the decongestion test appears clinically relevant in that it allows, with a fair degree of reliability, such a test to be performed in the absence of rhinomanometry. | 18,954,509 |
Uric acid stimulates endothelin-1 gene expression associated with NADPH oxidase in human aortic smooth muscle cells. | Recent experimental and human studies have shown that hyperuricemia is associated with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Elevated levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been regarded as one of the most powerful independent predictors of cardiovascular diseases. For investigating whether uric acidinduced vascular diseases are related to ET-1, the uric acid-induced ET-1 expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) was examined. Cultured HASMC treated with uric acid, cell proliferation and ET-1 expression were examined. Antioxidant pretreatments on uric acid-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) phosphorylation were carried out to elucidate the redox-sensitive pathway in proliferation and ET-1 gene expression. Uric acid was found to increase HASMC proliferation, ET-1 expression and reactive oxygen species production. The ability of both N-acetylcysteine and apocynin (1-[4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl]ethanone, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor) to inhibit uric acid-induced ET-1 secretion and cell proliferation suggested the involvement of intracellular redox pathways. Furthermore, apocynin, and p47phox small interfering RNA knockdown inhibited ET-1 secretion and cell proliferation induced by uric acid. Inhibition of ERK by U0126 (1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano- 1,4-bis[2-aminophenylthio]butadiene) significantly suppressed uric acid-induced ET-1 expression, implicating this pathway in the response to uric acid. In addition, uric acid increased the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) mediated reporter activity, as well as the ERK phosphorylation. Mutational analysis of the ET-1 gene promoter showed that the AP-1 binding site was an important cis-element in uric acid-induced ET-1 gene expression. This is the first observation of ET-1 regulation by uric acid in HASMC, which implicates the important role of uric acid in the vascular changes associated with hypertension and vascular diseases. | 18,954,524 |
Evaluation and optimization of handle design parameters of a grass trimming machine. | The grass trimming machine is a widely used agricultural machine for cutting grass by the roadside and in other areas in Malaysia. Hand-arm vibration (HAV) syndrome is very common among workers operating power tools and performing similar work for extended periods. Grass trimming involves the use of a motorized cutter spinning at high speed, resulting in high levels of HAV among its operators. The existing D-shape handle causes HAV-related stress and operational load in operators. This research proposes a new design of a handle of the grass trimming machine. When this new design was compared with the old one, it was found that the new handle resulted in 18% lower HAV. To find the lowest HAV, 3 critical parameters of the new handle (length, angle and material of the cap of the handle) were optimized using the Taguchi quality tool. Appropriately selected parameters of the new handle significantly reduced the occurrence of HAV among grass trimmers. | 18,954,544 |
Adult stem cells applied to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. | Regeneration takes place in the body at a moment or another throughout life. Bone, cartilage, and tendons (the key components of the structure and articulation in the body) have a limited capacity for self-repair and, after traumatic injury or disease, the regenerative power of adult tissue is often insufficient. When organs or tissues are irreparably damaged, they may be replaced by an artificial device or by a donor organ. However, the number of available donor organs is considerably limited. Generation of tissue-engineered replacement organs by extracting stem cells from the patient, growing them and modifying them in clinical conditions after re-introduction in the body represents an ideal source for corrective treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the multipotential progenitors that give rise to skeletal cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, muscle (skeletal and cardiac muscle), adipocytes (fat tissue) and hematopoietic (blood)-supportive stromal cells. MSCs are found in multiple connective tissues, in adult bone marrow, skeletal muscles and fat pads. The wide representation in adult tissues may be related to the existence of a circulating blood pool or that MSCs are associated to the vascular system. | 18,954,550 |
Development of the Healthy Eating Index-2005. | The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a measure of diet quality as specified by Federal dietary guidance, and publication of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 necessitated its revision. An interagency working group based the HEI-2005 on the food patterns found in My-Pyramid. Diets that meet the least restrictive of the food-group recommendations, expressed on a per 1,000 calorie basis, receive maximum scores for the nine adequacy components of the index: total fruit (5 points), whole fruit (5 points), total vegetables (5 points), dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (5 points), total grains (5 points), whole grains (5 points), milk (10 points), meat and beans (10 points), and oils (10 points). Lesser amounts are pro-rated linearly. Population probability densities were examined when setting the standards for minimum and maximum scores for the three moderation components: saturated fat (10 points), sodium (10 points), and calories from solid fats, alcoholic beverages (ie, beer, wine, and distilled spirits), and added sugars (20 points). Calories from solid fats, alcoholic beverages, and added sugars is a proxy for the discretionary calorie allowance. The 2005 Dietary Guideline for saturated fat and the Adequate Intake and Tolerable Upper Intake Level for sodium, expressed per 1,000 calories, were used when setting the standards for those components. Intakes between the maximum and minimum standards are pro-rated. The HEI-2005 is a measure of diet quality as described by the key diet-related recommendations of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. It has a variety of potential uses, including monitoring the diet quality of the US population and subpopulations, evaluation of interventions, and research. | 18,954,580 |
Providing obesity prevention counseling to children during a primary care clinic visit: results from a pilot study. | The purpose of this study was to evaluate parent response to a clinic-based primary prevention intervention to increase the proportion of 5- to 10-year-old children receiving annual body mass index screening and counseling about physical activity, dietary practices, and sedentary practices. A posttest-only, quasiexperimental design was used. Two clinics that provide routine health care to school-aged children agreed to participate in the pilot study. A multicomponent intervention was implemented in one clinic; the other provided care as usual. A convenience sample of parents (n=117) completed a survey after a clinic visit. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact, and chi(2) tests of significance and logistic regression were used to examine study outcomes. Most parents (>80%) believed it was important for health care providers to share information with them about their child's weight and physical activity, diet, and sedentary practices. Intervention parents were significantly more likely to report receiving information from their health care provider about their child's weight and weight-related behavior counseling than control parents. More intervention than control parents reported they intended their child to get five or more servings of fruits/vegetables on most days during the next 30 days (25% vs 9%; P=0.049). Outcomes suggest parents regard the take-home message they receive from health care providers about their child's weight and weight-related lifestyle practices as relevant and a potential motivating factor when considering behavior change. Further development of the intervention and testing in a larger experimental trial are warranted to determine effects on behavior change and body weight. | 18,954,581 |
Increased invasion through basement membrane by CXCL7-transfected breast cells. | CXC chemokines may modify breast cancer cells and surrounding extracellular matrix to facilitate metastasis. CXCL7 is heparin binding, has heparanase activity, and is a ligand to CXCR2, a G-protein-linked receptor. Isogenic cell lines, malignant MCF10CA1a.cl1 cells, and premalignant MCF10AT cells were used. CXCR2 and CXCL7 expression levels were quantified by reverse transcriptionase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. MCF10AT cells were stably transfected with CXCL7, and matrigel invasion assays were performed. Antibody to CXCL7 was used to inhibit invasion. CXCL7 secretion by transfectants and heparanase activity were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CXCL7 and CXCR2 expression were significantly higher in malignant MCF10CA1a.cl1 cells than in premalignant MCF10AT cells. Secreted CXCL7, secreted heparanase activity, and invasiveness were all increased in CXCL7-transfected MCF10AT cells. CXCL7 antibody inhibited invasion of CXCL7-transfected MCF10AT cells. Malignant MCF10CA1a.cl1 cells express more CXCL7 and CXCR2 than premalignant MCF10AT cells. CXCL7-transfected MCF10AT cells are as invasive as malignant breast cancer cells. | 18,954,601 |
Pexelizumab in ischemic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis on 15,196 patients. | Pexelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody inhibiting C5 complement. It has been postulated to improve outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery and urgent reperfusion therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction. We aimed at evaluating the risk/benefit profile of pexelizumab (bolus + infusion) versus placebo on top of current approaches in the management of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction or undergoing coronary artery bypass. We conducted a search of BioMedCentral, CENTRAL, mRCT, and PubMed without language restrictions (updated October 2007) for randomized controlled trials. Outcomes of interest were the risk of major adverse events (the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and thromboembolic stroke), the risk of single end points, and heart failure. Seven trials were included (15,196 patients: 7019 patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction and 8177 undergoing coronary bypass surgery). No benefit of adding pexelizumab was found in the overall analysis for major adverse events (OR 0.91 [0.76-1.09]; P = .29], death (OR 0.79 [0.61-1.03], P = .11], myocardial infarction (OR 1.04 [0.89-1.22]; P = .14), stroke (OR 0.95 [0.66-1.38]; P = .8), heart failure (OR1.0 [0.82-1.22]; P = .99), nor in the settings of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with mechanical or pharmacologic reperfusion therapy. Pexelizumab was associated with a 26% reduction of the risk of death in the setting of coronary artery bypass (OR 0.74 [0.58-0.94]; P = .01). The number needed to treat was 100. Our data ruled out the hypothesis of any benefit of adding pexelizumab on top of currently available therapies for ST elevation myocardial infarction. However, pexelizumab reduces the risk of death in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. | 18,954,626 |
Measurement of technical performance in surgery for congenital heart disease: the stage I Norwood procedure. | No method of measuring technical performance exists for the stage I Norwood procedure. Hospital mortality is usually used as a surrogate for technical performance, but evidence is lacking to support this concept. A technical score was designed by expert consensus. The technical score included the following steps: (1) Stage I was divided into subprocedures according to anatomic areas where an intervention is performed. (2) For each subprocedure, three score categories (optimal, adequate, and inadequate) were defined on the basis of echocardiography, catheterization, and/or clinical data. (3) Subprocedures were analyzed for the whole group and by surgeon. (4) Overall repair was also scored: optimal if all attempted subprocedures were optimal, inadequate if any was inadequate, and adequate for everything in between. (5) All patients undergoing the stage I procedure from January 2004 to December 2006 were retrospectively studied. One hundred ten patients were included (operated on by six surgeons), and 4 were excluded for lack of reliable postoperative data. Most subprocedures were scored as optimal. Subprocedures with the largest inadequate scores were distal arch reconstruction in 7 (6%) patients and aortopulmonary shunt in 3 (5%). No statistical differences were found among surgeons either by subprocedure or by overall outcome, although individual sample sizes were small. The overall score correlated with length of stay, extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support, and hospital mortality. Technical performance can be measured after the stage I procedure, and performance score correlates with early outcome. This score may also be useful as a self-assessment tool. | 18,954,641 |
Analgesia for the critically ill dog or cat: an update. | Acute pain reliably accompanies severe illness and injury, and when sufficiently severe, it can complicate the recovery of critically ill patients. Because acute pain is closely tied to the neurologic process of nociception, pharmacologic therapy is often essential and effective. This update focuses on two methods of treatment of acute pain-local anesthetic infusion and continuous intravenous infusion of multimodal agents-that can be layered on top of standard care with other drugs. | 18,954,688 |
Neuropathic pain in dogs and cats: if only they could tell us if they hurt. | Neuropathic pain is difficult to diagnose in veterinary patients because they are unable to verbalize their pain. By assuming that neuropathic pain may exist based on the history of events that each patient has experienced, a focused client history and neurologic examination may identify a lesion resulting in persistent or spontaneous pain. Once neuropathic pain is diagnosed, a trial analgesic or acupuncture session(s) should be prescribed with instructions for owners to observe behavior. Dosing of the analgesic can be titrated to the patient's needs while avoiding adverse effects. When a particular analgesic may be ineffectual, an alternate class should be tried. As research into the neurobiologic mechanisms of neuropathic pain continues, specific therapies for its management should eventually appear in the human clinical setting and subsequently be investigated for veterinary clinical use. | 18,954,689 |
Antimicrobial management of sepsis and septic shock. | Every patient who has sepsis and septic shock must be evaluated appropriately at presentation before the initiation of antibiotic therapy. However, in most situations, an abridged initial assessment focusing on critical diagnostic and management planning elements is sufficient. Intravenous antibiotics should be administered as early as possible, and always within the first hour of recognizing severe sepsis and septic shock. Broad-spectrum antibiotics must be selected with one or more agents active against likely bacterial or fungal pathogens and with good penetration into the presumed source. Antimicrobial therapy should be reevaluated daily to optimize efficacy, prevent resistance, avoid toxicity, and minimize costs. Consider combination therapy in septic shock Pseudomonas infections in neutropenic patients. Combination therapy should be continued for no more than 3 to 5 days and de-escalation should occur following availability of susceptibilities. The duration of antibiotic therapy typically is limited to 7 to 10 days. Longer duration is considered if response is slow, if there is inadequate surgical source control, or if immunologic deficiencies are evident. Antimicrobial therapy should be stopped if infection is not considered the etiologic factor for a shock state. | 18,954,702 |
Prognostic systems for lymphomas. | The prognostication of lymphoma patients remains important to optimize treatments choices. Clinically based indices, such as the International Prognosis Index and the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognosis Index, developed respectively for aggressive and follicular lymphoma, are of great value in routine practice and clinical research, but they reflect only the biologic heterogeneity of these diseases. New techniques have made it possible to unravel the underlying biologic pathways associated with outcome. The current challenge, translating these molecular findings into clinical practice, requires the validation of those biomarkers in large cohorts of patients. | 18,954,740 |
New drugs for the treatment of lymphoma. | Historically, most drugs developed for treatment of leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloma had already been studied in the solid tumor setting. Nearly 10 years ago, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) forever changed this paradigm. Imatinib showed that it was possible to nullify the pathognomic genetic lesion in a hematologic malignancy. Since the approval of imatinib for CML, a host of new drugs active in blood cancers have emerged. This article highlights some areas of innovative drug development in lymphoma where possible; it emphasizes the biologic basis for the approach, linking this essential biology to the biochemical pharmacology. The article focuses on the many new targets including Syk, Bcl-2, CD-40, and the phosphoinositide-3 kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. | 18,954,749 |
Rapid diagnostic methods in sexually transmitted infections. | Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common infections throughout the developed and the developing world. It is estimated that worldwide there are 1 million new cases per day of curable bacterial STIs. As part of the World Health Organization 2001 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Diagnostics Initiative, the organization explored the need for simple, affordable, point-of-care STI testing for curable bacterial STIs. This article reviews the evidence supporting the implementation of currently available rapid tests for five common STIs: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and herpes. | 18,954,754 |
Optimal surgical performance attenuates physiologic risk in high-acuity operations. | The interplay between baseline physiology, operative performance, and postoperative recovery is poorly defined. We describe the beneficial effect of a successful operation on outcomes across the full spectrum of physiologic risk for an elective high-acuity procedure. Four hundred twelve consecutive pancreatic resections, performed between 2001 and 2008, were analyzed according to the Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity. Baseline physiology was classified according to the Physiologic Severity Score: minor (< or = 16); intermediate (17 to 23); vulnerable (> or = 24). Surgical performance was assigned by the Operative Severity Score: class I (< or = 14); class II (15 to 17); class III (> or = 18). Physiologic and operative predictions were independently correlated with actual clinical and economic outcomes and then merged to measure the influence of surgical performance beyond baseline physiology. As baseline physiology declines, patients suffer more complications and require more therapeutic and invasive interventions. Within each physiologic risk grade, class I operations (optimal surgical performances) were associated with lower rates of morbidity, shorter hospital stays, and improved cost efficiency. Deeper analysis reveals that intraoperative blood loss is the most variable and influential factor affecting physiologic risk. Each additional unit (375 mL) of blood loss increases the odds of morbidity by 45%, prolongs hospital stay by 1 day, and costs an additional $4,000 per patient. Predictive risk assessment accurately demonstrates that escalating physiologic risk worsens postoperative morbidity, prolongs hospital duration, and increases costs after such high-acuity operations. These effects are attenuated by improved operative performance. | 18,954,785 |
Laparoscopic resection of benign hepatic cysts: a new standard. | We sought to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of laparoscopic resection of symptomatic hepatic cysts. Fifty-one patients underwent laparoscopic resections for symptomatic hepatic cysts. Resection was accomplished laparoscopically with an Endo-GIA vascular stapler. Data were collected in a prospective database. Median patient age was 60 years, with a median lesion diameter of 13 cm. Indication for surgical treatment was pain in 92% of patients. Laparoscopic resection was successful in 100% of patients. A pure laparoscopic approach was used in 58% of patients, the remaining used a hand port. Median operating time was 178 minutes. Preoperative diagnosis was polycystic liver in 88% and simple cyst in 12% diagnosed by preoperative imaging. Histologic examination showed 90% to be simple cysts and 10% cystadenomas. There were nine minor perioperative complications. Median hospital stay was 2 days. Relief of symptoms was achieved in all patients operated on for pain, with a median followup of 13 months. Two patients required reoperation for recurrence of the same cyst. CT or MRI was used for yearly followup. Laparoscopic resection of symptomatic liver cysts is a feasible and effective method to relieve symptoms with minimal surgical trauma. This series represents the largest report of laparoscopic management for benign hepatic cysts and provides evidence for a routine laparoscopic approach to benign symptomatic cysts. Traditional surgical methods should be reserved for when a malignancy is expected, laparoscopy is contraindicated, or for recurrence after an initial laparoscopic approach. | 18,954,786 |
Individualized treatment for iron-deficiency anemia in adults. | Iron deficiency is one of the most common disorders affecting humans, and iron-deficiency anemia continues to represent a major public health problem worldwide. It is especially common among women of childbearing age because of pregnancy and menstrual blood loss. Additional patient groups include those with other sources of blood loss, malnutrition, or gut malabsorption. Iron-deficiency anemia remains prevalent despite the widespread ability to diagnose the disease and availability of medicinal iron preparations. Therefore, new approaches are needed to effectively manage these patient populations. In this review, the diagnosis and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia are discussed with emphasis placed on consideration of patient-specific features. It is proposed that all patients participate in their own care by helping their physician to identify a tolerable daily iron dose, formulation, and schedule. Dosing cycles are recommended for iron replacement based on the tolerated daily dose and the total iron deficit. Each cycle consists of 5000 mg of oral elemental iron ingested over at least 1 month with appropriate follow-up. This approach should assist physicians and their patients with the implementation of individualized treatment strategies for patients with iron-deficiency anemia. | 18,954,837 |
Clinical milestones predict symptom remission over 6-month and choice of treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). | It is uncertain as to what short-term outcomes predict long-term treatment compliance and outcomes in patients with MDD. To determine what treatment milestones predict symptom remission with long-term treatment with antidepressant medication. Pooled analysis of four randomised, double-blind, active comparator, 6-month trials in MDD. Patients received double-blind treatment with escitalopram (N=699) or a comparator (citalopram, duloxetine, or paroxetine) (N=699). Onset of effect at week 2 was correlated with response at week 8, and response at week 8 with completion of 6-month treatment. Week 8 response was associated with a greater probability of achieving later remission. Week 24 remission (MADRS>or=10) was significantly (p<0.01) higher for patients treated with escitalopram (70.7%) than for the pooled comparators (64.7%). Week 24 complete remission (MADRS<or=5) was significantly (p<0.01) higher for escitalopram (51.7%) than for the pooled comparators (45.6%). Fewer patients discontinued treatment with escitalopram (15.9%) than with the pooled comparators (23.9%) (p<0.001). A higher probability of achieving remission is associated with responding after 8 weeks and with completing 6 months of treatment. | 18,954,875 |
Infection risk assessment of diarrhea-related pathogens in a tropical canal network. | A quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and diarrhegenic Escherichia coli (DEC) infection was performed using Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the human health risks associated with the use of canal water for recreational purposes, unrestricted and restricted irrigation in a tropical peri-urban area. Three canals receiving municipal, agricultural, and, predominantly, industrial wastewater were investigated. Identification of pathogenic protozoans revealed the major presence of Cryptosporidium hominis and both assemblages A and B of Giardia lamblia. The highest individual infection risk estimate was found to be for Giardia in an exposure scenario involving the accidental ingestion of water when swimming during the rainy season, particularly in the most polluted section, downstream of a large wholesale market. The estimated annual risks of diarrheal disease due to infection by the protozoan parasites were up to 120-fold greater than the reported disease incidence in the vicinity of the studied district and the entire Thailand, suggesting a significant host resistance to disease beyond our model's assumptions. In contrast, annual disease risk estimates for DEC were in agreement with actual cases of diarrhea in the study area. | 18,954,895 |
Status of the glass sponge reefs in the Georgia Basin. | The purpose of this paper is to describe the status and general faunal composition of sponge reefs in the Georgia Basin (GB), British Columbia, Canada. Fourteen distinct deep-water glass sponge (Hexactinellid) reefs have been mapped using multibeam bathymetry and sidescan sonar in the GB. Seven of these have been surveyed visually using video from remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Analysis of video data indicated that three reefs were undamaged, two were damaged and the other two were damaged but potentially recovering. The nature of the damaged reefs, with large areas of scattered dead sponge skeleton fragments and few live reef-building sponges (Aphrocallistes vastus and Heterochone calyx), as well as video evidence of tracks suggest they were damaged mechanically by mobile fishing gear. Relative abundance of the megafauna associated with the reefs is discussed in the context of oceanographic conditions, such as sediment accumulation and organic flux, as well as overall reef status. Of particular interest for fisheries conservation efforts in the area was the fact that one undamaged reef in the southern GB showed higher taxonomic richness and abundance of rockfish (Sebastes spp.), both adult and juvenile, compared to an adjacent damaged reef. This result suggests that undamaged reefs may act as refugia for these endangered stocks. | 18,954,900 |
The use of seclusion in the Netherlands compared to countries in and outside Europe. | The use of seclusion in psychiatric practice is a contentious issue in the Netherlands as well as other countries in and outside Europe. The aim of this study is to describe Dutch seclusion data and compare these with data on other countries, derived from the literature. An extensive search revealed only 11 articles containing seclusion rates of regions or whole countries either in Europe, Australia or the United States. Dutch seclusion rates were calculated from a governmental database and from a database covering twelve General Psychiatric Hospitals in the Netherlands. According to the hospitals database, on average one in four hospitalized patients experienced a seclusion episode. The mean duration according to the governmental database is a staggering 16 days. Both numbers seem much higher than comparable numbers in other countries. However, different definitions, inconsistent methods of registration, different methods of data collection and an inconsistent expression of the seclusion use in rates limit comparisons of the rates found in the reviewed studies with the data gathered in the current study. Suggestions are made to improve data collection, to enable better comparisons. | 18,954,906 |
GABA, a natural immunomodulator of T lymphocytes. | gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main neuroinhibitory transmitter in the brain. Here we show that GABA in the extracellular space may affect the fate of pathogenic T lymphocytes entering the brain. We examined in encephalitogenic T cells if they expressed functional GABA channels that could be activated by the low (nM-1 microM), physiological concentrations of GABA present around neurons in the brain. The cells expressed the alpha1, alpha4, beta2, beta3, gamma1 and delta GABAA channel subunits and formed functional, extrasynaptic-like GABA channels that were activated by 1 microM GABA. 100 nM and higher GABA concentrations decreased T cell proliferation. The results are consistent with GABA being immunomodulatory. | 18,954,912 |
Patterns of care and outcome in elderly cervical cancer patients: a special focus on brachytherapy. | The mean age of the general population has been prolonged and the incidence of cancer in elderly patients has increased. The purpose was to evaluate outcome of brachytherapy (BT) as an integrated part of the treatment of elderly patients with cervical cancer. From November 1997 to January 2006, 1073 patients diagnosed with uterine cervical cancer with stages I-IV (FIGO) have completed BT at the Institut Gustave Roussy. A retrospective analysis was carried out with 113 patients aged over 70-year-old treated by conventional low dose rate (LDR) BT as a part of their treatment. The median age was 76 years (range, 70.7-94.4). Eighty-four percent of the patients presented a squamous cell carcinoma. Fifty-two percent of the patients were treated by a sequence excluding surgery. The mean 15 and 60 Gy treated volumes were 235 cm(3) (range, 30-371) and 138 cm(3) (range, 81-234), respectively. For the 15 Gy treated volume, the mean ICRU bladder and rectal points were 18.5 Gy (range, 6-35) and 33 Gy (range, 5-63), respectively. For the 60 Gy treated volume, the mean ICRU bladder and rectal points were 33 Gy (range, 12-64) and 41 Gy (range, 23-65), respectively. Rectal, small bowel and urinary tract complications were observed in 25 (22.1%), 5 (4.4%), and in 16 patients (14.2%), respectively. Rectal complications Grades I/II, III/IV and V (fatal) crude incidences were 19.4% (22/113), 1.8% (2/113) and 0.9% (1/113), respectively. Acute toxicity death occurred in one patient with major diarrhea associated with a hemodynamic shock. Small bowel complications Grades I/II and III/IV crude incidences were 3.5% (4/113) and 0.9% (1/113), respectively. Urinary tract complications Grades I/II and III/IV crude incidences were 11.5% (13/113) and 2.7% (3/113), respectively. With a median follow-up of 3.1 years, 10 patients developed distant metastases and 10 others presented local relapses. The 3-year specific overall survival rate was 88.6% (95%CI, 77-92) and the corresponding disease-free survival rate was 81% (95%CI, 72-88). Elderly women with cervical cancer tolerated BT well and had excellent local disease-free and specific survival rates. Age did not influence the effectiveness of BT in elderly patients and BT should be considered whenever possible, even in elderly patients presenting with a cervix cancer. | 18,954,913 |
An in vivo investigative protocol for HDR prostate brachytherapy using urethral and rectal thermoluminescence dosimetry. | To develop an in vivo dosimetry based investigative action level relevant for a corrective protocol for HDR brachytherapy boost treatment. The dose delivered to points within the urethra and rectum was measured using TLD in vivo dosimetry in 56 patients. Comparisons between the urethral and rectal measurements and TPS calculations showed differences, which are related to the relative position of the implant and TLD trains, and allowed shifts of implant position relative to the prostate to be estimated. Analysis of rectal dose measurements is consistent with implant movement, which was previously only identified with the urethral data. Shift corrected doses were compared with results from the TPS. Comparison of peak doses to the urethra and rectum has been assessed against the proposed corrective protocol to limit overdosing these critical structures. An initial investigative level of 20% difference between measured and TPS peak dose was established, which corresponds to 1/3 of patients which was practical for the caseload. These patients were assessed resulting in corrective action being applied for one patient. Multiple triggering for selective investigative action is outlined. The use of a single in vivo measurement in the first fraction optimizes patient benefit at acceptable cost. | 18,954,914 |
Surface physicochemical analysis of natural Lactococcus lactis strains reveals the existence of hydrophobic and low charged strains with altered adhesive properties. | The cell surface physicochemical properties of 50 Lactococcus lactis strains of different subspecies and isolated from different origins (dairy, vegetal and animal) were examined. Cell surface hydrophobicity and Lewis acid-base properties were evaluated by affinity measurements to solvents in a partitioning test, while the global electrical charge of the cells was assessed by micro-electrophoresis using a laser zeta-meter. A global multivariate analysis of the results revealed a high natural diversity of L. lactis cell surface properties. While 52% of the strains present a hydrophilic and electronegative cell wall surface, a group of strikingly hydrophobic strains (12% of the strains) and a group of strains with unusual low charged surface (18%) were identified. Adhesion on polystyrene microtitre plates was evaluated for twelve strains selected from the multivariate analysis as representatives of the various observed cell wall surface physicochemical patterns. A significant correlation between adhesion, hydrophobicity and low electronegativity was observed when adhesion was performed in a low ionic strength suspending medium. The most adhesive strains were hydrophobic or low charged. The presence of repulsive electrostatic interactions led to a decrease in adhesion of the most negatively charged hydrophilic strains. The present study highlights the diversity of L. lactis cell surface physicochemical properties, diversity that could not be connected to the origin or to the subspecies of the strains. | 18,954,916 |
Detoxification and repair process of ozone injury: from O3 uptake to gene expression adjustment. | Plants react to O(3) threat by setting up a variety of defensive strategies involving the co-ordinated modulation of stress perception, signalling and metabolic responses. Although stomata largely controls O(3) uptake, differences in O(3) tolerance cannot always be ascribed to changes in stomatal conductance but cell protective and repair processes should be taken into account. O(3)-driven ROS production in the apoplast induces a secondary, active, self-propagating generation of ROS, whose levels must be finely tuned, by many enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, to induce gene activation without determining uncontrolled cell death. Additional signalling molecules, as ethylene, jasmonic and salicylic acid are also crucial to determine the spreading and the containment of leaf lesions. The main recent results obtained on O(3) sensing, signal transduction, ROS formation and detoxification mechanisms are here discussed. | 18,954,925 |
Predictive power of serum NSE and OHCA score regarding 6-month neurologic outcome after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation and therapeutic hypothermia. | To determine the predictive power of the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) score and serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in patients resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) and glucose control. An analysis of prospectively collected data of 90 TH patients. Serum NSE was measured at 24 and 48 h. Outcome was measured by neurologic exam 6 months after cardiac arrest with good outcome defined as a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) of 1 or 2. In multiple logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 95% confidence interval 1.1 [1.03-1.18]/year), NSE at 48 h (OR 1.1 [1.02-1.26]/microg/l), and increase in NSE levels (OR 7.2 [1.7-31.3]) were predictors of poor outcome, but the OHCA score was not. Cut-off points with 100% specificity in predicting poor outcome were 33microg/l for NSE at 48h (sensitivity 43% [28-60%]) and 6.4microg/l for delta NSE 24-48 h (sensitivity 44% [28-60%]). Increase in NSE between 24 and 48h and NSE at 48h is specific but only moderately sensitive markers of 6-month outcome. Outcome prediction at ICU admission using the OHCA score was not possible in this selected patient population. | 18,954,930 |
Percutaneous access for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: can selection criteria be expanded? | Previous reports suggest that percutaneous access for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (P-EVAR) is as safe as open access (O-EVAR) in patients with favorable femoral anatomy. Severe femoral artery calcification and obesity have been considered relative contraindications to P-EVAR, but these criteria have not been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to assess the postoperative anatomic changes associated with P-EVAR versus O-EVAR using three-dimensional (3-D) computed tomographic (CT) reconstruction and to evaluate the overall results of the two procedures in a group of patients with suboptimal femoral anatomy. During a recent 26-month period, 173 patients underwent EVAR at our institutions, including 35 P-EVARs. Of these, 22 (63%) had complete pre- and postoperative CT imaging of the femoral arteries. These subjects were compared to 22 matched controls who underwent O-EVAR during the same period. Automated 3-D reconstructions were used to measure the following anatomic femoral artery parameters before and after EVAR: arterial depth, calcification score, minimum diameter and area, and maximum diameter and area. Of the 88 study arteries, 50 underwent open access and 38 percutaneous access (Proglide, n=11; Prostar XL, n=27). Both groups were similar regarding sheath size, number of components, operative time, blood loss, and length of stay. Significantly more O-EVAR subjects suffered groin complications (p=0.02), including five hematomas, two wound infections, two femoral thromboses, and one vessel which required patch repair. In the P-EVAR group there was only one hematoma, which was managed conservatively. There was no difference between the P-EVAR and O-EVAR groups with respect to femoral artery calcification (Agatston scores 667+/-719 vs. 945+/-1,248, p=0.37). Obesity (body mass index >30) was documented in six (27%) of both the P-EVAR and O-EVAR groups (p=nonsignificant). Pre- and postoperative CT-derived anatomic data showed a significant decrease in the minimal vessel area with O-EVAR compared to P-EVAR (p=0.02). This study demonstrates that patients with obesity or severely calcified femoral arteries can be successfully treated percutaneously with fewer minor groin complications. | 18,954,964 |
Impact of total retrieved lymph nodes on staging and survival of patients with gastric cancer invading the subserosa. | To investigate the impact of total retrieved lymph nodes (tLNs) on staging and survival in patients with pT2b gastric cancer according to the nodal status. Clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic outcomes of 392 patients with pT2b gastric cancer between 1980 and 2005 were retrospectively investigated based on the nodal status. The number of metastatic lymph nodes (mLNs) was highly correlated with the number of tLNs (P<0.001). The overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 39.0% (153/392) and 17.9% (70/392), respectively. The survival rates in patients with pN0 cancers did not differ significantly from that in patients with pN1 cancer when the tLNs were 25 or less. However, the survival rate in patients with N0 cancers was significantly greater than that in patients with pN1 cancers when the tLNs were more than 25 (64.3% vs. 36.9%, chi(2)=4.339, P=0.037). Moreover, both 5- and 10-year survival rates differed significantly among patients with pN1, pN2 and pN3 gastric cancer regardless of tLNs. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, tumor focus number, tumor location, and mLN, but not tLNs, were independent prognostic predictors in patients with pT2b gastric cancer. To improve the accuracy of staging, no less than 15 tLNs should be pathologically examined in patients with pN1-3, and 25 tLNs for the patients with N0. More tLNs may not be associated with a better prognosis in pT2b disease because the extent of lymph node dissection is pre-defined for the operation. | 18,954,972 |
The effect of stratification and seasonal variability on the profile of an anaerobic swine waste treatment lagoon. | In this study, the characterization of an anaerobic swine waste treatment lagoon from a farrowing operation (approximately 2000 sows) was carried out to examine the dynamics of the system due to stratification and seasonal variability. Swine waste samples were taken at different depths with a pulley system equipped with a special sampler that allows for sampling exclusively at certain depth. Chemicals and microbial dynamics were monitored throughout a one-year-period. Results showed that nutrient (C, N, P, S) concentrations varied according to stratified lagoon layers and season. Trace minerals (Al, Ca, Fe, and Mg), on the other hand, appeared to be affected more by stratification than seasonal variability. Molecular analysis also showed that microbial community structure appeared to be affected by the stratification and seasonal variability. Based on these data, it is important to consider the effect of stratification and seasonal variability in managing these open lagoons. | 18,954,977 |
Alpha-mercaptoketone based histone deacetylase inhibitors. | In an effort to discover novel non-hydroxamic acid histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, a novel alpha-mercaptoketone was identified in a high-throughput screen. Lead optimization of the screening hit, led to a number of potent HDAC inhibitors. In particular, alpha-mercaptoketone 19y (KD5150) exhibited nanomolar in vitro activity and inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. | 18,954,984 |
Spinal epidural lipomatosis--a brief review. | Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is a rare disorder characterized by overgrowth of fat in the extradural space, causing compression of the neural elements. It is frequently associated with the administration of exogenous steroids or elevation of endogenous steroids. We present two patients, both with epidural lipamotosis of idiopathic origin. One was 53-year-old man with progressive mid-thoracic and lower limb pain with associated weakness and neurogenic claudication due to thoracic epidural lipomatosis. The second was a 68-year-old male with lumbar epidural lipomatosis. Co-morbidities for the first patient included diabetes and obesity; however, there was no history of steroid administration. An MRI scan revealed thoracic cord compression, with significant stenosis at T4-T9. The second patient complained of progression of longstanding lumbar pain and claudicant symptoms. There was no history of steroid intake. An MRI revealed stenosis at L4-S1 and diffuse anterior lipomatosis. A literature review revealed 49 cases of idiopathic SEL and 62 of secondary SEL. We aimed to delineate the differences between these two relatively distinct entities including their anatomical distribution, clinical presentation and prognostic implications. | 18,954,986 |
Varus-valgus laxity correlates with pain in osteoarthritis of the knee. | Pain during osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee does not necessarily correlate with the severity of the radiographic grade, and the mechanism of pain has not been completely clarified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for pain in the knee OA using epidemiologic analyses. We evaluated 518 out of 4183 people over the age of 40 (156 males and 362 females) from Shinyoshitomi village, Japan. Mean ages were 63.8 years for men and 60.7 years for women. Screening included a physical examination of the knee and a standing AP roentgenogram of the bilateral knee. Radiographic OA was defined as a Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or higher. All data were coded and pain risk factors were evaluated using a multiple logistic regression model. Radiographic OA was observed in 18.4% of men and 26% of women. Of these subjects with OA, 10.9% of men and 32.5% of women complained of knee pain. Seven factors-age, gender, BMI, radiographic grade, varus-valgus laxity, torque of quadriceps muscles, and varus-valgus alignment-were evaluated as potential risk factors for pain. A significant increase in the odds ratio was observed with varus-valgus laxity (p=0.005; odds ratio, 3.04). Our results suggest that varus-valgus laxity is a risk factor for pain during knee OA. | 18,954,990 |
Efficient synthesis and biological evaluation of two modafinil analogues. | Non classical bioisosters of modafinil featuring interesting biological profile have been easily produced through replacement of the sulfoxide function with a carbonyl group and modification of the carboxylic acid amide functionality. | 18,954,992 |
DNA methylation is not responsible for p21WAF1/CIP1 down-regulation in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. | In this study, we were interested in the overall methylation level in aged and degenerated cartilage. Also, we looked at one gene which might be involved in the re-initiation of replicative activity in osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes, p21(WAF1/CIP1). p21(WAF1/CIP1) was previously suggested to be down-regulated in OA chondrocytes and is known to be regulated by epigenetic modulation. Total methylation levels were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), mRNA expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and DNMT enzymes by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The methylation status of the p21(WAF1/CIP1)- promotor using bisulfite genomic sequencing was evaluated. General methylation analysis of genomic DNA showed no difference in between normal and aged/OA chondrocytes. Also no difference in methylation of the promotor of the p21(WAF1/CIP1) gene was detectable, which was significantly down-regulated in OA chondrocytes. DNMT1 and DNMT3a were expressed with no significant changes of expression levels found in OA chondrocytes. Cell cycle progression inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) is expressed in normal and significantly down-regulated in OA articular chondrocytes, which may mediate the re-initiation of cell proliferation in OA cartilage. However, the suppression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) mRNA expression is not due to hypermethylation of its promotor. No overall changes in genome methylation levels were found in aged or OA cartilage. Interestingly, significant expression of DNA methyltransferases was found in articular chondrocytes, which supports that DNA methylation could still be a relevant mechanism of gene regulation in (osteoarthritic) chondrocytes, though not on an overall genomic level nor specifically for the regulation of the p21(WAF1/CIP1) gene. | 18,954,998 |
A dosimetric comparison of MammoSite and ClearPath high-dose-rate breast brachytherapy devices. | A new form of partial breast irradiation (PBI), ClearPath (CP) breast brachytherapy, has been introduced. We present our results of a dosimetric comparison of MammoSite (MS) and CP PBI. The dimensions of the CP device were reconstructed onto the MS planning CT scans for 15 previously treated patients. The mean %V(100), %V(150), %V(200) (percent of the PTV that received 100%, 150%, and 200% of the prescription dose, respectively), ipsilateral breast %V(50) (percent of the ipsilateral normal breast that received 50% of the prescription dose), ipsilateral lung %V(30) (percent of the ipsilateral lung that received 30% of the prescription dose), the heart %V(5) (percent of the heart that received 5% of the prescription dose), and the maximum skin point dose per fraction were then determined for each patient using the two methods of balloon-based PBI. The mean %V(100) was 96.5% vs. 96.5%, the mean %V(150) was 42.1% vs. 42.9% (p=ns), and the mean V(200) was 11.4% vs. 15.2% (p<.05) for the MS and CP methods, respectively. The mean ipsilateral breast %V(50) was 19.8% vs.18.0% (p<.05), the mean ipsilateral lung %V(30) was 3.7% vs. 2.8% (p<.05), the mean heart %V(5) was 57.0% vs. 54.3% (p<.05), and the maximum skin point dose per fraction was 312.2 and 273.6cGy (p<.05) for the MS and CP methods, respectively. The MS and CP methods of PBI offer comparable target volume coverage; however, the CP device achieves increased normal tissue sparing. | 18,955,018 |
Hybrid synapse formation between spinal motoneurons and superior cervical ganglion neurons in vitro: a study of the functional reconstruction of visceral organs. | Spinal motoneurons (SMNs) were co-cultured with labeled superior cervical ganglion neurons (SCGNs) in complete medium on coverslips prepared by the microisland technique. "Hybrid" synapses formation between SMNs and SCGNs was examined by double immunostaining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and electrophysiological assays. The number of synaptic puncta was significantly higher in co-cultured cells compared to controls (P<0.01). Spontaneous synaptic currents (SSCs) were also significantly increased in SCGNs within the co-cultured population of cells (P<0.01). These SSCs could be blocked by a specific nicotinic receptor blocker, but not by a glutamate receptor antagonist. These observations clearly demonstrate the functional synapses formation increased in our co-culture system, suggesting that the "hybrid" synapse formation occurred between somatic and automatic neurons. Our data also indicate that acetylcholine and nicotinic receptors may be involved in mediating these processes. | 18,955,021 |
Deep membrane insertion of prion protein upon reduction of disulfide bond. | The membrane may play a role in the pathogenesis of the prion protein (PrP). Cytoplasmic expression of PrP causes the conversion of PrP to a self-perpetuating PrP(Sc)-like conformation and the interaction of polypeptide chain with the hydrophobic core of the membrane is believed to be closely correlated with neurodegeneration. However, it is still elusive what factors govern the membrane interaction of PrP. Here, we show that PrP penetrates deeply into the membrane when the single disulfide bond is reduced, which results in membrane disruption and leakage. The proteinase K treatment and the fluorescence quenching assays showed that a predicted transmembrane domain of PrP penetrates into the membrane when the disulfide bond was reduced. Therefore, the oxidation state of PrP might be an important factor that influences its neurotoxicity or pathogenesis. | 18,955,027 |
Ubc9-mediated sumoylation leads to transcriptional repression of IRF-1. | To characterize the regulatory mechanism of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening with IRF-2 and isolated the small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-conjugating enzyme Ubc9, which also interacts with other IRF family members IRF-1 and ICSBP. Subsequent assays indicated that among the IRF family members, only IRF-1 interacts with SUMO-1 through its transcriptional activation domain. The interaction between IRF-1 and SUMO-1 was confirmed in vitro by GST pull-down assays and in vivo by co-localization assays. Furthermore, this interaction led to the Ubc9-mediated sumoylation of IRF-1 in vitro and in vivo. Transient transfection assays revealed that Ubc9 or SUMO inhibits the transcriptional activity of IRF-1 in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, Ubc9 and SUMO cooperate in the transcriptional repression of IRF-1. Taken together, these observations suggest that Ubc9 functions as a transcriptional repressor of IRF-1 by inducing sumoylation, and that this effect may be required for the physiological activity of IRF-1. | 18,955,028 |
Regulation of the human PDZK1 expression by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha. | Although PDZK1 is a well-known adaptor protein, the mechanisms for its role in transcriptional regulation are largely unknown. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays an important role in the regulation of lipid homeostasis. Previously, we established a tetracycline-regulated human cell line that can be induced to express PPARalpha and identified candidate target genes, one of which was PDZK1. In this study, we cloned and characterized the promoter region of the human pdzk1 gene and determined the PPAR response element. Finally, we demonstrate that endogenous PPARalpha regulates PDZK1 expression. | 18,955,051 |
Differential gene expression profiling of mouse skin after sulfur mustard exposure: Extended time response and inhibitor effect. | Sulfur mustard (HD, SM), is a chemical warfare agent that within hours causes extensive blistering at the dermal-epidermal junction of skin. To better understand the progression of SM-induced blistering, gene expression profiling for mouse skin was performed after a single high dose of SM exposure. Punch biopsies of mouse ears were collected at both early and late time periods following SM exposure (previous studies only considered early time periods). The biopsies were examined for pathological disturbances and the samples further assayed for gene expression profiling using the Affymetrix microarray analysis system. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of the differently expressed genes, performed with ArrayTrack showed clear separation of the various groups. Pathway analysis employing the KEGG library and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) indicated that cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), and hematopoietic cell lineage are common pathways affected at different time points. Gene ontology analysis identified the most significantly altered biological processes as the immune response, inflammatory response, and chemotaxis; these findings are consistent with other reported results for shorter time periods. Selected genes were chosen for RT-PCR verification and showed correlations in the general trends for the microarrays. Interleukin 1 beta was checked for biological analysis to confirm the presence of protein correlated to the corresponding microarray data. The impact of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor I, against SM exposure was assessed. These results can help in understanding the molecular mechanism of SM-induced blistering, as well as to test the efficacy of different inhibitors. | 18,955,075 |
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