title stringlengths 0 901 | abstract stringlengths 3 9.89k | PMID int64 22 25.3M | embedding listlengths 768 768 |
|---|---|---|---|
Does modification to the approach to contacting potential participants improve recruitment to clinical trials? | It is critical that clinical trial researchers ensure efficient and successful patient recruitment. Recruitment is often slower than expected and required sample sizes not obtained within initial funding deadlines. There is little rigorous evidence supporting ways to improve recruitment. We hypothesized making telephone contact with subjects prior to hospital attendance would improve recruitment rates into clinical trials. Retrospective post hoc analysis of recruitment rates in an on-going clinical trial was undertaken. Two hundred twelve consecutive patients were recruited over 6 months. During the first 3 months, patients received a telephone call from the research team and also received an information sheet by post prior to clinic attendance (group 1). The study was discussed on telephone and any issues were re-addressed at the patient's clinic appointment when they were formally invited to participate in the study. After 3 months, the investigators stopped telephoning the patients (group 2); patients were invited to participate in the study by post and were first spoken to directly by an investigator in clinic. The study protocol and investigators did not change between groups. There was no significant difference in baseline demographics between the two groups. There was a significant improvement in recruitment rate in group 1 compared to group 2 (77.7% vs. 45.0%, P < 0.0001). An improvement in clinic attendance rate in group 1 was observed, although this was not significant (did not attend rate: 2.9% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.14). Telephone contact between researchers and potential participants prior to clinic attendance can greatly improve study recruitment rates. This information may benefit the design of all clinical studies. | 25,110,544 | [
-0.04674904,
0.4220284,
-0.208857,
-0.3489657,
-0.08151641,
-0.2478403,
-0.1756095,
0.2093343,
0.1136939,
-0.0428596,
-0.1031624,
0.2014678,
-0.08399241,
0.02993956,
-0.2911414,
-0.1298151,
0.1818357,
-0.1960248,
0.01461595,
0.1853616,
-0.3175825,
0.2013803,
-0.08808391,
... |
Plasma adipocytokines and antioxidants-status in Korean overweight and obese females with dyslipidemia. | It is hypothesized that obese people with dyslipidemia is more likely to have increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status, in comparison with the controls who were obese without dyslipidemia. Thus, the aims of the present study were to determine the dietary intakes, plasma adipokines, and antioxidative systems between obese with dyslipidemia and obese without dyslipidemia were investigated. Female subjects who were between 20 and 55 years old, and whose BMI was 23 or greater were recruited. Subjects who met the criteria of BMI ≥ 23, total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol ≥ 130 mg/dL, and TG ≥ 110 mg/dL were categorized Obese with dyslipidemia. Anthropometric measurements and blood biochemical tests were conducted. The diet survey was conducted by a trained dietitian using two days of 24 hour dietary recall. The lipid peroxidation, the plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the activities of antioxidantive enzymes, and various antioxidantive vitamins levels were determined. Plasma adiponectin and leptin levels were also determined. There were no significant differences for age, Body Mass index (BMI), and body fat (%), waist-size between two groups. Obese with dyslipidemia had significantly high levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-C, and the ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C, respectively. Blood alkaline phosphatase level was statistically different between the two groups (P < 0.05). No statistical significance in dietary intake between two groups was shown. In case of obese with dyslipidemia group, the levels of GSH-Px (P < 0.05) and catalase (P < 0.05) as well as adjusted blood retinol (P < 0.05) and tocopherol level (P < 0.05) were significantly low. However, the plasma concentration of leptin was significantly high (P < 0.05). Obesity with dyslipidemia was shown to have high arthtrogenic index, depleted antioxidant status, and higher blood leptin levels which suggest higher risks of oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases. | 25,110,562 | [
0.2058529,
-0.01475808,
-0.2558577,
-0.03243016,
0.08609208,
-0.2231638,
0.03632233,
0.1419616,
-0.1110398,
0.05537747,
0.2768923,
0.1506265,
0.164893,
0.3026744,
-0.2975844,
0.1952729,
-0.1604838,
0.5169416,
0.3577193,
0.2150842,
-0.2489445,
0.2916123,
-0.1920917,
-0.0... |
Moderate diet-induced weight loss is associated with improved insulin sensitivity in middle-aged healthy obese Korean women. | The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of moderate caloric restriction on β-cell function and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged obese Korean women. Fifty-seven obese pre-menopausal Korean women participated in a 12-week calorie restriction program. Data on total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, blood pressure, leptin and anthropometrics were collected. A dietary intake assessment was based on three days of food recording. Additionally, β-cell function [homeostasis model assessment of β-cell (HOMA-β), insulinogenic index (ISI), C-peptide:glucose ratio, and area under curve insulin/glucose (AUCins/glu)] and insulin sensitivity [homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and Matsuda index (MI)] were recorded. When calories were reduced by an average of 422 kcal/day for 12 weeks, BMI (-2.7%), body fat mass (-10.2%), and waist circumference (-5%) all decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After calorie restriction, weight, body fat percentage, hip circumference, BP, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, plasma glucose at fasting, insulin at fasting and 120 min, AUCglu and the insulin area under the curve all decreased significantly (all P < 0.05), while insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, QUICKI and Matsuda index) measured by OGTT improved significantly (P < 0.01). Moderate weight loss due to caloric restriction with reduction in insulin resistance improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged obese women and thereby may help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. | 25,110,569 | [
0.4391595,
0.02503825,
-0.2548467,
-0.01904014,
0.2659589,
-0.1183462,
-0.03867562,
0.2053069,
0.3603258,
0.04124059,
0.2424589,
0.05552512,
-0.2600585,
0.2453844,
-0.5344476,
-0.2232259,
-0.485395,
0.3557727,
0.1344007,
0.04030875,
-0.1007924,
0.2991387,
0.1381273,
-0.... |
Antifungal susceptibility patterns, in vitro production of virulence factors, and evaluation of diagnostic modalities for the speciation of pathogenic Candida from blood stream infections and vulvovaginal candidiasis. | Candida spp. have emerged as successful pathogens in both invasive and mucosal infections. Varied virulence factors and growing resistance to antifungal agents have contributed to their pathogenicity. We studied diagnostic accuracy of HiCrome Candida Differential Agar and Vitek 2 Compact system for identification of Candida spp. in comparison with species-specific PCR on 110 clinical isolates of Candida from blood stream infections (54, 49%) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (56, 51%). C. albicans (61%) was the leading pathogen in VVC, while C. tropicalis (46%) was prominent among BSIs. HiCrome Agar and Vitek 2 Compact had good measures of agreement (κ) 0.826 and 0.895, respectively, in comparison with PCR. We also tested these isolates for in vitro production of proteinase, esterase, phospholipases, and biofilms. Proteinase production was more among invasive isolates (P = 0.017), while phospholipase production was more among noninvasive isolates (P = 0.001). There was an overall increase in the production of virulence factors among non-albicans Candida. Identification of clinical isolates of Candida up to species level either by chromogenic agar or by Vitek 2 Compact system should be routinely done to choose appropriate therapy. | 25,110,589 | [
0.5317848,
-0.09083894,
-0.03889287,
-0.2078548,
0.2689193,
-0.06316527,
0.03170515,
0.007432201,
0.2659866,
0.08138083,
0.2036734,
0.09886406,
0.005399209,
0.1692635,
-0.1848066,
-0.1209461,
-0.407246,
0.09418587,
0.09378832,
-0.29879,
0.3437203,
0.04399835,
-0.08572286,... |
mTOR Signaling from Cellular Senescence to Organismal Aging. | The TOR (target of rapamycin) pathway has been convincingly shown to promote aging in various model organisms. In mice, inhibiting mTOR (mammalian TOR) by rapamycin treatment later in life can significantly extend lifespan and mitigate multiple age-related diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Cellular senescence is strongly correlated to organismal aging therefore providing an attractive model to examine the mechanisms by which mTOR inhibition contributes to longevity and delaying the onset of related diseases. In this review, we examine the connections between mTOR and cellular senescence and discuss how understanding cellular senescence on the aspect of mTOR signaling may help to fully appreciate its role in the organismal aging. We also highlight the opposing roles of senescence in various human diseases and discuss the caveats in interpreting the emerging experimental data. | 25,110,610 | [
-0.1105464,
-0.2990472,
0.1137297,
-0.261918,
0.09534829,
0.1179731,
0.1899291,
0.2486126,
0.1298797,
-0.05582644,
0.001648024,
-0.04246926,
-0.02296822,
-0.04189287,
-0.3834205,
-0.03045891,
-0.198427,
0.1047263,
-0.05263396,
-0.0203794,
0.0101005,
0.13633,
-0.1814104,
... |
Tuberculous meningitis: Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. | Neurologists are often the first medical providers to evaluate patients with possible infectious meningitis. Knowledge of the clinical presentations and cerebrospinal fluid, microbiologic, and neuroimaging findings for different etiologies is essential to make a prompt diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment. Tuberculosis is a common cause of meningitis in developing countries with a high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, tuberculosis affects populations in every country and all neurologists need to be vigilant for possible cases of tuberculous meningitis presenting to their medical facilities. This article discusses the challenges of diagnosing and treating tuberculous meningitis and highlights recent advances in diagnostic technology. | 25,110,618 | [
0.07682827,
-0.1602721,
0.2291103,
-0.2559956,
-0.1693058,
0.01033487,
-0.356666,
-0.1416162,
-0.121399,
-0.1078644,
0.1034527,
0.1442293,
-0.01533469,
0.1400832,
-0.2971749,
-0.02661229,
-0.2057374,
0.1511034,
-0.1200867,
0.0429887,
0.009724709,
0.161869,
-0.02303817,
... |
The Immune System and AMD. | Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex, multifactorial disease that has yet to be completely understood. Significant efforts in the basic and clinical sciences have unveiled numerous areas which appear to be critical in the pathogenesis of this disease. The alternative complement pathway, immune cell activation, and autoimmunity are all emerging as important themes to the suspected immunologic origins of this disease. Advancement toward a complete understanding of these processes is important in development of new techniques for disease monitoring and treatment. | 25,110,625 | [
-0.2603866,
-0.1446757,
-0.1826731,
-0.1594043,
0.01101859,
-0.2658434,
0.07380555,
0.4887359,
0.08781222,
0.07138777,
-0.08346032,
0.1784905,
0.03048139,
-0.2827377,
-0.2630253,
-0.1480923,
-0.3246534,
0.1024488,
0.120974,
-0.06850792,
0.2026893,
0.1293006,
-0.1428854,
... |
Habitual exercise plus dietary supplementation with milk fat globule membrane improves muscle function deficits via neuromuscular development in senescence-accelerated mice. | We examined the effects of habitual exercise plus nutritional intervention through consumption of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), a milk component, on aging-related deficits in muscle mass and function in senescence-accelerated P1 mice. Combining wheel-running and MFGM (MFGMEx) intake significantly attenuated age-related declines in quadriceps muscle mass (control: 318 ± 6 mg; MFGMEx: 356 ± 9 mg; P < 0.05) and in contractile force (1.4-fold and 1.5-fold higher in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles, respectively). Microarray analysis of genes in the quadriceps muscle revealed that MFGMEx stimulated neuromuscular development; this was supported by significantly increased docking protein-7 (Dok-7) and myogenin mRNA expression. Treatment of differentiating myoblasts with MFGM-derived phospholipid or sphingolipid fractions plus mechanical stretching also significantly increased Dok-7 mRNA expression. These findings suggest that habitual exercise plus dietary MFGM improves muscle function deficits through neuromuscular development, and that phospholipid and sphingolipid in MFGM contribute to its physiological actions. | 25,110,626 | [
-0.2065221,
0.24325,
-0.3733823,
0.1212073,
0.2934099,
-0.1387732,
-0.1648427,
-0.2075205,
-0.002171709,
-0.6006218,
-0.2003023,
-0.1227474,
0.07338982,
0.01878859,
-0.4193579,
0.0568346,
-0.2569375,
-0.03380157,
-0.2445828,
-0.2806772,
0.1268951,
0.08675809,
0.04378577,
... |
Isolation and enzyme bioprospection of endophytic bacteria associated with plants of Brazilian mangrove ecosystem. | The mangrove ecosystem is a coastal tropical biome located in the transition zone between land and sea that is characterized by periodic flooding, which confers unique and specific environmental conditions on this biome. In these ecosystems, the vegetation is dominated by a particular group of plant species that provide a unique environment harboring diverse groups of microorganisms, including the endophytic microorganisms that are the focus of this study. Because of their intimate association with plants, endophytic microorganisms could be explored for biotechnologically significant products, such as enzymes, proteins, antibiotics and others. Here, we isolated endophytic microorganisms from two mangrove species, Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia nitida, that are found in streams in two mangrove systems in Bertioga and Cananéia, Brazil. Bacillus was the most frequently isolated genus, comprising 42% of the species isolated from Cananéia and 28% of the species from Bertioga. However, other common endophytic genera such as Pantoea, Curtobacterium and Enterobacter were also found. After identifying the isolates, the bacterial communities were evaluated for enzyme production. Protease activity was observed in 75% of the isolates, while endoglucanase activity occurred in 62% of the isolates. Bacillus showed the highest activity rates for amylase and esterase and endoglucanase. To our knowledge, this is the first reported diversity analysis performed on endophytic bacteria obtained from the branches of mangrove trees and the first overview of the specific enzymes produced by different bacterial genera. This work contributes to our knowledge of the microorganisms and enzymes present in mangrove ecosystems. | 25,110,630 | [
-0.1189924,
-0.09800936,
0.3173959,
0.1366073,
-0.5095546,
-0.2945489,
-0.3686251,
-0.4276765,
0.09048077,
-0.1376511,
0.01767299,
-0.3354465,
-0.2564985,
-0.2263741,
-0.3794248,
0.2845908,
-0.5404565,
0.3559169,
0.6566666,
-0.08838741,
0.2112656,
0.4410821,
0.05614366,
... |
In vitro cytotoxicity of four calcium silicate-based endodontic cements on human monocytes, a colorimetric MTT assay. | This study was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of four calcium silicate-based endodontic cements at different storage times after mixing. Capillary tubes were filled with Biodentine (Septodont), Calcium Enriched Mixture (CEM cement, BioniqueDent), Tech Biosealer Endo (Tech Biosealer) and ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental). Empty tubes and tubes containing Dycal were used as negative and positive control groups respectively. Filled capillary tubes were kept in 0.2 mL microtubes and incubated at 37℃. Each material was divided into 3 groups for testing at intervals of 24 hr, 7 day and 28 day after mixing. Human monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cocultered with 24 hr, 7 day and 28 day samples of different materials for 24 and 48 hr. Cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay. In all groups, the viability of monocytes significantly improved with increasing storage time regardless of the incubation time (p < 0.001). After 24 hr of incubation, there was no significant difference between the materials regarding monocyte viability. However, at 48 hr of incubation, ProRoot MTA and Biodentine were less cytotoxic than CEM cement and Biosealer (p < 0.01). Biodentine and ProRoot MTA had similar biocompatibility. Mixing ProRoot MTA with PBS in place of distilled water had no effect on its biocompatibility. Biosealer and CEM cement after 48 hr of incubation were significantly more cytotoxic to on monocyte cells compared to ProRoot MTA and Biodentine. | 25,110,637 | [
-0.1521573,
0.3569076,
-0.225458,
0.2814732,
-0.3636149,
-0.3176818,
-0.2664999,
0.2722653,
0.1561408,
-0.2638633,
-0.2177151,
0.2984674,
-0.07858468,
0.2732972,
-0.6359909,
-0.3741692,
-0.1046313,
0.1293411,
-0.1630733,
0.2649696,
0.2679448,
0.2103435,
0.198303,
0.1838... |
The impact of tobacco smoke exposure on wheezing and overweight in 4-6-year-old children. | To investigate the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy, second-hand tobacco smoke (STS) exposure, education level, and preschool children's wheezing and overweight. This cohort study used data of the KANC cohort--1,489 4-6-year-old children from Kaunas city, Lithuania. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to study the influence of prenatal and postnatal STS exposure on the prevalence of wheezing and overweight, controlling for potential confounders. Children exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy had a slightly increased prevalence of wheezing and overweight. Postnatal exposure to STS was associated with a statistically significantly increased risk of wheezing and overweight in children born to mothers with lower education levels (OR 2.12; 95% CI 1.04-4.35 and 3.57; 95% CI 1.76-7.21, accordingly). The present study findings suggest that both maternal smoking during pregnancy and STS increase the risk of childhood wheezing and overweight, whereas lower maternal education might have a synergetic effect. Targeted interventions must to take this into account and address household smoking. | 25,110,663 | [
0.2996883,
0.08153396,
-0.5024248,
0.02323837,
0.1797462,
-0.09315651,
-0.1462105,
-0.2694999,
0.1083769,
0.2184385,
-0.06109587,
0.1724649,
-0.02639405,
0.008580476,
-0.2454971,
-0.03767963,
-0.09198036,
0.1494554,
0.1571577,
0.0426955,
0.03461785,
0.2719474,
-0.1871803,... |
Specific growth rate determines the sensitivity of Escherichia coli to lactic acid stress: implications for predictive microbiology. | This study tested the hypothesis that sensitivity of Escherichia coli to lactic acid at concentrations relevant for fermented sausages (pH 4.6, 150 mM lactic acid, aw = 0.92, temperature = 20 or 27°C) increases with increasing growth rate. For E. coli strain 683 cultured in TSB in chemostat or batch, subsequent inactivation rates when exposed to lactic acid stress increased with increasing growth rate at harvest. A linear relationship between growth rate at harvest and inactivation rate was found to describe both batch and chemostat cultures. The maximum difference in T90, the estimated times for a one-log reduction, was 10 hours between bacteria harvested during the first 3 hours of batch culture, that is, at different growth rates. A 10-hour difference in T90 would correspond to measuring inactivation at 33°C or 45°C instead of 37°C based on relationships between temperature and inactivation. At similar harvest growth rates, inactivation rates were lower for bacteria cultured at 37°C than at 15-20°C. As demonstrated for E. coli 683, culture conditions leading to variable growth rates may contribute to variable lactic acid inactivation rates. Findings emphasize the use and reporting of standardised culture conditions and can have implications for the interpretation of data when developing inactivation models. | 25,110,680 | [
-0.03993797,
-0.310487,
-0.3451106,
-0.1702746,
-0.05467375,
0.04776182,
0.006785308,
0.08460856,
0.2803752,
-0.6450884,
-0.09303836,
0.1151445,
-0.263114,
-0.2142483,
-0.1734764,
0.01702548,
-0.2044777,
0.08884471,
-0.00926557,
0.290759,
0.233512,
0.4130257,
-0.4410599,
... |
Acute and long-term effects of noise exposure on the neuronal spontaneous activity in cochlear nucleus and inferior colliculus brain slices. | Noise exposure leads to an immediate hearing loss and is followed by a long-lasting permanent threshold shift, accompanied by changes of cellular properties within the central auditory pathway. Electrophysiological recordings have demonstrated an upregulation of spontaneous neuronal activity. It is still discussed if the observed effects are related to changes of peripheral input or evoked within the central auditory system. The present study should describe the intrinsic temporal patterns of single-unit activity upon noise-induced hearing loss of the dorsal and ventral cochlear nucleus (DCN and VCN) and the inferior colliculus (IC) in adult mouse brain slices. Recordings showed a slight, but significant, elevation in spontaneous firing rates in DCN and VCN immediately after noise trauma, whereas no differences were found in IC. One week postexposure, neuronal responses remained unchanged compared to controls. At 14 days after noise trauma, intrinsic long-term hyperactivity in brain slices of the DCN and the IC was detected for the first time. Therefore, increase in spontaneous activity seems to develop within the period of two weeks, but not before day 7. The results give insight into the complex temporal neurophysiological alterations after noise trauma, leading to a better understanding of central mechanisms in noise-induced hearing loss. | 25,110,707 | [
-0.06899989,
-0.2798456,
-0.2440336,
0.0004411139,
0.2968926,
-0.1529037,
-0.3547078,
0.06368769,
0.0735529,
0.1319861,
-0.08816069,
0.008270908,
-0.1326475,
-0.4129305,
0.06705381,
-0.1258222,
-0.5724119,
0.1798003,
-0.1995125,
0.06768532,
0.2079969,
0.3463603,
0.0373148... |
Enoxaparin prevents steroid-related avascular necrosis of the femoral head. | Nontraumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head is still a challenging problem in orthopedic surgery. It is responsible for 10% of the 500,000 hip replacement surgeries in the USA and affects relatively young, active patients in particular. Main reasons for nontraumatic osteonecrosis are glucocorticoid use, alcoholism, thrombophilia, and hypofibrinolysis (Glueck et al., 1997; Orth and Anagnostakos, 2013). One pathomechanism of steroid-induced osteonecrosis is thought to be impaired blood flow to the femoral head caused by increased thrombus formation and vasoconstriction. To investigate the preventive effect of enoxaparin on steroid-related osteonecrosis, we used male New Zealand white rabbits. Osteonecrosis was induced by methylprednisolone-injection (1 × 20 mg/kg body weight). Control animals were treated with phosphate-buffered saline. Treatment consisted of an injection of 11.7 mg/kg body weight of enoxaparin per day (Clexane) in addition to methylprednisolone. Four weeks after methylprednisolone-injection the animals were sacrificed. Histology (hematoxylin-eosin and Ladewig staining) was performed, and empty lacunae and histological signs of osteonecrosis were quantified. Histomorphometry revealed a significant increase in empty lacunae and necrotic changed osteocytes in glucocorticoid-treated animals as compared with the glucocorticoid- and Clexane-treated animals and with the control group. No significant difference was detected between the glucocorticoid and Clexane group and the control group. This finding suggests that cotreatment with enoxaparin has the potential to prevent steroid-associated osteonecrosis. | 25,110,730 | [
0.4067539,
0.5933661,
-0.07089256,
0.4810314,
0.1454616,
-0.2325651,
0.1104032,
0.2652301,
-0.145434,
-0.06274004,
0.2784179,
-0.02719144,
0.06317446,
-0.6391158,
-0.1201173,
0.2904664,
0.180878,
0.0143122,
0.3840862,
0.315779,
0.427747,
-0.1484167,
-0.09415949,
0.10732... |
PEEK cages versus PMMA spacers in anterior cervical discectomy: comparison of fusion, subsidence, sagittal alignment, and clinical outcome with a minimum 1-year follow-up. | To compare radiographic and clinical outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy in patients with cervical degenerative disc disease using PEEK cages or PMMA spacers with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Anterior cervical discectomy was performed in 107 patients in one or two levels using empty PEEK cages (51 levels), Sulcem PMMA spacers (49 levels) or Palacos PMMA spacers (41 levels) between January, 2005 and February, 2009. Bony fusion, subsidence, and sagittal alignment were retrospectively assessed in CT scans and radiographs at follow-up. Clinical outcome was measured using the VAS, NDI, and SF-36. Bony fusion was assessed in 65% (PEEK cage), 57% (Sulcem), and 46% (Palacos) after a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. Mean subsidence was 2.3-2.6 mm without significant differences between the groups. The most pronounced loss of lordosis was found in PEEK cages (-4.1°). VAS was 3.1 (PEEK cage), 3.6 (Sulcem), and 2.7 (Palacos) without significant differences. Functional outcome in the PEEK cage and Palacos group was superior to the Sulcem group. The substitute groups showed differing fusion rates. Clinical outcome, however, appears to be generally not correlated with fusion status or subsidence. We could not specify a superior disc substitute for anterior cervical discectomy. This trial is registered with DRKS00003591. | 25,110,734 | [
-0.1769908,
0.2879789,
0.07515965,
-0.02158074,
-0.255939,
-0.3927708,
-0.125141,
0.2131806,
0.1644749,
-0.1317557,
-0.1201085,
-0.3220693,
0.02933548,
-0.6066453,
0.1173865,
-0.3581898,
-0.3827342,
0.1644029,
-0.08039632,
0.08211833,
0.07989215,
0.07820694,
-0.2183312,
... |
Prediction of maize single cross hybrids using the total effects of associated markers approach assessed by cross-validation and regional trials. | The present study aimed to predict the performance of maize hybrids and assess whether the total effects of associated markers (TEAM) method can correctly predict hybrids using cross-validation and regional trials. The training was performed in 7 locations of Southern Brazil during the 2010/11 harvest. The regional assays were conducted in 6 different South Brazilian locations during the 2011/12 harvest. In the training trial, 51 lines from different backgrounds were used to create 58 single cross hybrids. Seventy-nine microsatellite markers were used to genotype these 51 lines. In the cross-validation method the predictive accuracy ranged from 0.10 to 0.96, depending on the sample size. Furthermore, the accuracy was 0.30 when the values of hybrids that were not used in the training population (119) were predicted for the regional assays. Regarding selective loss, the TEAM method correctly predicted 50% of the hybrids selected in the regional assays. There was also loss in only 33% of cases; that is, only 33% of the materials predicted to be good in training trial were considered to be bad in regional assays. Our results show that the predictive validation of different crop conditions is possible, and the cross-validation results strikingly represented the field performance. | 25,110,752 | [
0.2414275,
0.1076718,
0.5156605,
-0.3125452,
-0.005715866,
-0.5749286,
-0.04681338,
-0.1153999,
0.2789841,
-0.2529565,
-0.198519,
0.006255931,
0.2023263,
-0.1095639,
-0.6489577,
-0.1914769,
0.01156037,
0.1063225,
0.3144312,
0.1398547,
0.03564957,
0.3255234,
-0.1355089,
... |
Diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma using two and three-dimensional ultrasonography: two cases reported and a literature review. | The occurrence of a fetal tumor is rare, 50% of all fetal tumors being sacrococcygeal teratomas. Prenatal diagnosis of this condition is important for the monitoring of the affected fetuses and for establishing the mode and time of delivery. We describe two cases of fetal sacrococcygeal teratoma diagnosed by 2D- and 3D-ultrasound. Three-dimensional ultrasound proved to be useful both in the diagnosis and patient counseling. The combination of 2D- and 3D-ultrasound enables the diagnosis to be made during the first trimester of pregnancy. | 25,110,773 | [
-0.3154004,
-0.1197139,
-0.2260671,
-0.225678,
0.01723084,
-0.212407,
-0.2772582,
-0.3270575,
0.08607909,
0.05600671,
0.2723693,
0.004809051,
-0.3554238,
-0.1616984,
-0.3254881,
-0.1617505,
-0.6291736,
-0.02334482,
-0.1571361,
-0.2205317,
0.3846525,
0.2168798,
-0.1216512,... |
Application of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for identification of ciprofloxacin crystalluria. | This is a report describing a previously healthy young patient, who experienced crystalluria and non-cholestatic acute liver injury after a single intravenous dose of 400mg. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra confirmed that the urinary sediment in our patient was formed by pure ciprofloxacin. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra ((1)H NMR) of the urine sediment are a good test to confirm the composition of the crystals observed by electron microscopy and infrared spectrum. The findings indicate the importance of adequate hydration, urinalysis, measurement of pH and liver enzyme levels, prior to treatment with ciprofloxacin. Our findings also indicate that ciprofloxacin should not be administered to patients with renal tubular acidosis, due to their high urinary pH. | 25,110,814 | [
-0.3540134,
0.1675765,
0.04354076,
0.1396673,
-0.1130361,
-0.1956316,
-0.2303962,
-0.1325804,
0.1188277,
-0.1914218,
0.01140825,
0.05248435,
-0.3407148,
0.3163973,
-0.6292334,
-0.2365168,
-0.1179301,
0.08390731,
-0.4135583,
0.013472,
0.2899036,
-0.04500306,
0.113945,
0.... |
Promoting national blood systems in developing countries. | Over the last decade, there has been increased global attention dedicated to improving the availability, safety and use of blood in low-income and middle-income countries. These efforts have focused on a number of common objectives, such as establishing a 100% voluntary nonremunerated blood donor base and implementing component therapy. Recently, some of these objectives have been challenged. This article reviews many recent findings of the experts leading these international projects. The majority of current research is focused on blood donation and patient blood management in sub-Saharan Africa, with contributions to other fields of blood safety in Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. Countries collecting blood from the replacement donors are challenging the notion that replacement donors are inherently a higher risk group than voluntary donors. Simultaneously, many countries are considering how best to improve the management of their blood inventories and to optimize their national standards, guidelines and protocols - all with the goal of improving patient outcomes. There still exist many questions in the areas of blood donation and clinical use that are either unanswered or merit further investigation. Given the variable circumstances observed between different countries and geographic regions, it sometimes may be advisable to limit global recommendations in favor of the regionally focused ones. | 25,110,817 | [
-0.2958594,
0.1721462,
0.155237,
-0.3079818,
0.07224683,
-0.3008551,
0.006691571,
0.09147582,
-0.1210198,
-0.04312174,
-0.04535662,
-0.2460821,
-0.05677181,
-0.1066192,
-0.137577,
-0.5020135,
-0.1432767,
-0.1759257,
0.001184726,
0.02785615,
0.07305904,
0.260304,
-0.245711... |
Pharmacogenetic studies in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Argentina. | The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the most common genetic variants in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) and glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) on the outcome of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment in Argentinean children. Two hundred and eighty-six patients with ALL treated with two Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM)-based protocols were analyzed. Ten genetic variants were studied. Toxicity was evaluated during the consolidation phase. Children who received 2 g/m(2)/day of methotrexate and carried at least one 677T allele in MTHFR showed an increased risk of developing severe leukopenia (p = 0.004) and neutropenia (p = 0.003). Intermediate-risk (IR) patients with a heterozygous TPMT genotype had a higher probability of event-free survival than those with a wild-type genotype. Genotyping of MTHFR polymorphisms might be useful to optimize consolidation therapy, reducing the associated severe hematologic toxicity. Further studies are necessary to establish the usefulness of MTHFR and TPMT variants as additional markers to predict outcome in the IR group. | 25,110,820 | [
-0.1005308,
-0.2163389,
-0.004866995,
-0.4685509,
-0.1381438,
-0.280404,
0.1958605,
-0.1081776,
-0.1358056,
-0.1005683,
0.1167568,
0.1520611,
-0.1682001,
0.1822017,
-0.384831,
-0.2505084,
-0.1537114,
0.1147398,
0.06232436,
0.6434476,
0.09242684,
-0.00401556,
-0.3300419,
... |
Racial and sexual minority women's receipt of medical assistance to become pregnant. | This study aimed to determine rates at which racial minority (i.e., non-White) and sexual minority (i.e., lesbian and bisexual-identified) women in the United States receive medical help to become pregnant. Income and insurance coverage discrepancies were hypothesized to mediate differences in receipt of medical help as a function of race and sexual orientation. Two studies compared rates at which adult women ages 21-44 reported receiving medical help to become pregnant as a function of race and sexual orientation, using data from 2 cycles of the National Survey of Family Growth (the 2002 wave in Study 1, and the 2006-2010 wave in Study 2). Mediation analyses controlling for age and education level evaluated whether race and sexual orientation were positively associated with receipt of medical pregnancy help, as mediated by insurance coverage and income. Heterosexual White women reported receiving medical fertility assistance at nearly double the rates of women who identified as non-White, sexual minority, or both. Differences in rates of help received by White and non-White groups were only partially mediated by insurance coverage and income in both studies. Insurance and income discrepancies accounted for all differences between sexual minority and heterosexual women's receipt of pregnancy help in Study 1; insurance coverage alone explained differences in Study 2. Researchers often indicate that economic differences are responsible for health disparities between minority and majority groups, but this may not be the case for all women pursuing medical fertility assistance. Possible origins of these disparities are discussed. | 25,110,846 | [
-0.3174851,
0.2445316,
-0.01884156,
0.08144895,
0.3320104,
-0.3226333,
0.0001941652,
0.007412431,
-0.0263012,
-0.1077978,
-0.08940732,
0.1599459,
-0.2314329,
0.08764327,
0.1436354,
-0.2853969,
0.07276645,
-0.1241439,
-0.1772102,
-0.1976258,
0.2052434,
0.253665,
-0.2929541... |
Richter's transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a retrospective study reporting clinical data, outcome, and the benefit of adding rituximab to chemotherapy, from the Israeli CLL Study Group. | Richter's syndrome (RS) is the rare development of an aggressive lymphoid malignancy in a patient with pre-existing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Data on RS is sparse and mostly derived from case reports or small series of patients and only a few larger cohorts have been published. The purpose of this large retrospective study was to summarize our national experience with RS in CLL, examine possible risk factors, and analyze relevant demographic, laboratory and clinical parameters, including results of therapy and outcome. We first evaluated data obtained from 119 patients with RS diagnosed during 1971-2010 from 12 medical centers in Israel. The final cohort summarized consisted of 81 patients with RS who developed only diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) after exclusion all cases with insufficient data and those who were not DLBCL. Median overall survival from time of diagnosis of RS was 8 months; after applying the Richter score, patients could be stratified into three prognostic groups, while all other clinical and laboratory parameters evaluated had no prognostic significance. Prior therapy for CLL had no impact on RS survival (P = 0.8) and patients with therapy "naïve" RS and those who had already received chemotherapy prior to developing RS, had the same survival. The addition of rituximab to chemotherapy for RS improved 2 years overall survival from 19% in the chemotherapy alone arm to 42% (P value of 0.001). Although prognosis of patients with RS remains dismal, this retrospective observation provides support for the use of chemo-immunotherapy in DLBCL-RS. | 25,110,869 | [
0.08754865,
0.166408,
-0.1871591,
-0.2152516,
0.1120378,
-0.3225486,
0.1592174,
0.1417797,
-0.08261362,
0.5780086,
0.03948411,
0.1478988,
-0.03249595,
0.1928359,
0.09614567,
-0.2100263,
0.2247571,
-0.02740791,
0.1878358,
0.1101541,
0.05139794,
0.2819149,
-0.1276014,
0.0... |
Graphene oxide and laponite composite films with high oxygen-barrier properties. | The design and fabrication of oxygen barrier films is important for both fundamental and industrial applications. We prepared three different thin films composed of graphene oxide (GO) and laponite (LN), a typical low cost inorganic clay, with the GO/LN volume ratios of 1.9/0.1, 1.7/0.3 and 1.5/0.5 together with a double layer film of the GO and LN. We found that the films with GO/LN = 1.9/0.1 and the double layers exhibited high oxygen barrier and oxygen transmission rate values that reached 0.55 and 0.37 cm(3) per m(2) per atm per day, respectively, which were much lower than those of the films prepared from the pure GO, only LN and GO/LN = 1.7/0.3 and 1.5/0.5. This study is important for the design and fabrication of a film from GO-based all inorganic nanomaterials for applications in gas-barrier membranes. | 25,110,870 | [
0.04447604,
0.02250903,
0.05053511,
0.07933177,
-0.1817896,
0.08535308,
-0.1771918,
-0.2542969,
-0.03011016,
0.06615148,
-0.3892692,
0.01792974,
0.04872178,
0.1884693,
-0.6890388,
-0.1776471,
-0.4540116,
0.1358433,
-0.1523856,
0.2448575,
0.5462765,
0.02775543,
-0.01680622... |
Modeling sparsely clustered data: design-based, model-based, and single-level methods. | Recent studies have investigated the small sample properties of models for clustered data, such as multilevel models and generalized estimating equations. These studies have focused on parameter bias when the number of clusters is small, but very few studies have addressed the methods' properties with sparse data: a small number of observations within each cluster. In particular, studies have yet to address the properties of generalized estimating equations, a possible alternative to multilevel models often overlooked in behavioral sciences, with sparse data. This article begins with a discussion of population-averaged and cluster-specific models, provides a brief overview of both multilevel models and generalized estimating equations, and then conducts a simulation study on the sparse data properties of generalized estimating equations, multilevel models, and single-level regression models for both normal and binary outcomes. The simulation found generalized estimating equations estimate regression coefficients and their standard errors without bias with as few as 2 observations per cluster, provided that the number of clusters was reasonably large. Similar to the previous studies, multilevel models tended to overestimate the between-cluster variance components when the cluster size was below about 5. | 25,110,903 | [
0.05996413,
0.1239882,
-0.1464676,
-0.05437594,
0.1499677,
-0.2682052,
-0.2536719,
-0.02390985,
-0.01083573,
-0.1633415,
0.05795392,
0.09765328,
-0.09731033,
0.3450116,
-0.3210886,
0.05813402,
-0.07452145,
0.2214412,
0.2466817,
0.0211029,
-0.1149709,
0.1237585,
0.06466895... |
Influence of pseudophakic lens capsule opacification on spectral domain and time domain optical coherence tomography image quality. | To evaluate the influence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) acquisition of macular retinal thickness (RT) and volume using time domain OCT (TD-OCT) and spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT). We studied 37 eyes of 31 patients with PCO. Each patient underwent an evaluation with TD-OCT and with SD-OCT before and after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. We recorded RT and retinal volume in the macular area using only good quality images. Best corrected visual acuity improved in all eyes after Nd:YAG capsulotomy, with the degree of improvement ranging from 0.3 ± 0.7 to 0.1 ±0.7 (p = 0.01). Before the treatment, only 27% of the examinations were valuable with TD-OCT, while using SD-OCT, it was possible to obtain an examination of suitable quality both before and after the Yag laser capsulotomy in 100% of the eyes. We did not observe significant differences between mean preoperative and postoperative RT and total macular volume measurements, neither with TD-OCT nor with SD-OCT. RT and total macular volume values obtained using TD-OCT were always lower than those obtained from the SD-OCT, both before and after capsulotomy. Our study confirmed that with old generation TD-OCT, PCO has a strong negative influence on the quality of OCT acquisition, and examination is reliable only when it is possible to acquire good quality images. With new generation SD-OCT, tomographic acquisitions are always reliable and are not influenced by the presence of PCO. | 25,110,908 | [
0.01931469,
0.07982564,
-0.0369844,
-0.1857691,
-0.2461866,
-0.392179,
0.4525988,
0.3360403,
0.004889708,
-0.1125146,
0.1616895,
-0.1104363,
-0.3254136,
-0.460179,
-0.4030458,
-0.4167553,
0.141496,
0.4005884,
-0.002416077,
0.06142755,
0.2987033,
0.3232413,
-0.2542877,
0... |
Adaptive Parent Population Sizing in Evolution Strategies. | Adaptive population sizing aims at improving the overall progress of an evolution strategy. At each generation, it determines the parental population size that promises the largest fitness gain, based on the information collected during the evolutionary process. In this paper, we develop an adaptive variant of a (μ/μ, λ) evolution strategy. Based on considerations on the sphere, we derive two approaches for adaptive population sizing. We then test these approaches empirically on the sphere model using a normalized mutation strength and cumulative mutation strength adaption. Finally, we compare the methodology on more general functions with a fixed population, covariance matrix adaption evolution strategy (CMA-ES). The results confirm that our adaptive population sizing methods yield better results than even the best fixed population size. | 25,110,912 | [
0.05565596,
0.04883713,
0.2221625,
0.2258958,
-0.03314811,
-0.2875193,
-0.1157913,
-0.03461006,
0.3324283,
0.03015625,
0.03679127,
0.121537,
-0.1367348,
0.1115736,
-0.3012964,
0.05646677,
-0.2608548,
-0.3213591,
-0.1111828,
0.3273945,
-0.06581027,
-0.2559581,
-0.2298804,
... |
trans-Platinum(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone - synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and biological activities in vitro. | This paper describes the synthesis of trans-bis-(3-aminoflavone)dichloridoplatinum(ii) (trans-Pt(3-af)2Cl2; TCAP) for use as a potential anticancer compound, and the evaluation of its structure by elemental and spectral analyses, and X-ray crystallography. The complex demonstrated a significant cytotoxic effect against human and murine cancer cell lines, as well as weaker toxicity towards healthy cells (human peripheral blood lymphocytes) in comparison with cisplatin. Various biochemical and morphological methods confirm that the proapoptotic activity of trans-Pt(3-af)2Cl2 is markedly higher than the reference cisplatin. Our results suggest that trans-Pt(3-af)2Cl2 may have a different antitumour specificity from that of cisplatin. | 25,110,914 | [
-0.1005984,
0.06774972,
-0.3747868,
0.2207967,
0.2042754,
0.003017536,
-0.1286267,
0.2260524,
0.04667571,
0.1679883,
0.005742807,
0.2331735,
-0.2178938,
0.08866172,
-0.3143204,
-0.2894676,
-0.1743158,
0.4143566,
-0.2260791,
0.6106027,
0.02240161,
0.3613298,
-0.204792,
-... |
Positive changes in self-management and disease severity following climate therapy in people with psoriasis. | The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of climate therapy on self-management in people with psoriasis. This was a prospective study of 254 adults with chronic psoriasis who participated in a 3-week climate therapy (CT) programme. The 8-scale Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ) was completed at baseline, after 3 weeks of CT, and 3 months later. Change was assessed using paired sample t-tests mean (95% confidence interval) change scores (range 1-4). All heiQ scales showed statistically significant improvement after 3 weeks of CT. The greatest improvement was in Health-directed activity, followed by Emotional distress, and Skill and technique acquisition. At the 3-month follow-up, only the Emotional distress scale remained improved. In addition, disease severity (self-administered PASI; SAPASI) improved significantly from before CT to 3 weeks and 3 months after CT. This study suggests that CT provides a range of benefits that are important to people with psoriasis, particularly in the short term. A challenge is how to achieve long-term benefits. | 25,110,924 | [
0.01171429,
-0.001215733,
-0.05388263,
0.3826436,
-0.1300144,
-0.2888956,
0.05434434,
-0.1274283,
-0.05879302,
-0.5266175,
0.1338428,
-0.1261436,
-0.00920223,
-0.7150588,
-0.0005471123,
-0.06463122,
-0.1088681,
0.27517,
-0.1274792,
0.08658355,
-0.144397,
0.441058,
-0.2928... |
Interfacial hydrogenation and deamination of nitriles to selectively synthesize tertiary amines. | A novel one-pot method has been developed for the interfacial hydrogenation of nitriles to synthesize asymmetrical tertiary amines. The active Pt NWs allow for the preparation of a series of tertiary amines in excellent yields (up to 99.0%) and a mixed solvent is vital for the adjustment of the yield. And also, the reaction proceeded under mild conditions and is environmentally friendly. | 25,110,925 | [
-0.230114,
0.149438,
-0.1403715,
-0.2003108,
0.08491649,
-0.2200834,
-0.3265901,
-0.03311114,
0.06588214,
0.09955672,
-0.1724155,
0.09895895,
-0.01958211,
0.04961592,
-0.2082222,
-0.3228918,
-0.4995806,
0.06134566,
-0.2180689,
-0.120108,
0.04421132,
0.0960661,
-0.1929134,... |
Amniotic membrane transplantation in failed trabeculectomy. | To determine the efficacy and safety of amniotic membrane transplantation for trabeculectomy in patients with previous failed filtering blebs. A consecutive series of 19 eyes from 18 patients with 1 or more failed trabeculectomies were enrolled in this retrospective study. Trabeculectomy, with amniotic membrane positioned as a "graft" under the scleral flap, was performed, and the intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications, appearance of the filtering bleb, and intraoperative and postoperative complication data were retrospectively analyzed for a period of 24 months. Success was defined as IOP<21 mm Hg at the end of the follow-up period. The median preoperative pressure was 29 mm Hg [interquartile range (IQR)=5 mm Hg], with an average of 2.8 glaucoma medications (range, 1 to 4). At 6 months postoperatively the median IOP was 18 mm Hg (IQR=1.75 mm Hg) with no further significant increases recorded, settling at 19 mm Hg (IQR=3.25 mm Hg) at the end of the 24-month follow-up. Success was achieved in all 19 cases (100%), and only 1 patient (5%) required postoperative antiglaucoma therapy to reach the target pressure. At 24 months after surgery, 18 of 19 (95%) amniotic membrane filtering blebs were functioning well without antiglaucoma therapy. No patients had severe intraoperative or postoperative complications. Amniotic membrane transplantation in trabeculectomy seems to be a safe and useful procedure for improving the surgical outcome and maintaining low postoperative IOP in patients with a high risk of surgical failure. | 25,110,956 | [
-0.1772019,
-0.09537207,
-0.6084195,
-0.3430251,
0.07628805,
-0.2512281,
-0.1186683,
-0.02904425,
0.2317366,
-0.3977641,
-0.07163648,
-0.5768638,
-0.01631282,
-0.2045385,
-0.04177136,
0.09801491,
-0.2955769,
0.1209724,
-0.07197706,
-0.1077197,
0.2526858,
0.3262674,
0.0730... |
Tunable exciton funnel using Moiré superlattice in twisted van der Waals bilayer. | A spatially varying bandgap drives exciton motion and can be used to funnel energy within a solid (Nat. Photonics 2012, 6, 866-872). This bandgap modulation can be created by composition variation (traditional heterojunction), elastic strain, or in the work shown next, by a small twist between two identical semiconducting atomic sheets, creating an internal stacking translation u(r) that varies gently with position r and controls the local bandgap Eg(u(r)). Recently synthesized carbon/boron nitride (Nat. Nanotechnol. 2013, 8, 119) and phosphorene (Nat. Nanotechnol. 2014, 9, 372) may be used to construct this twisted semiconductor bilayer that may be regarded as an in-plane crystal but an out-of-plane molecule, which could be useful in solar energy harvesting and electroluminescence. Here, by first-principles methods, we compute the bandgap map and delineate its material and geometric sensitivities. Eg(u(r)) is predicted to have multiple local minima ("funnel centers") due to secondary or even tertiary periodic structures in-plane, leading to a hitherto unreported pattern of multiple "exciton flow basins". A compressive strain or electric field will further enhance Eg-contrast in different regions of the pseudoheterostructure so as to absorb or emit even broader spectrum of light. | 25,110,970 | [
-0.3051073,
0.07840826,
-0.006757969,
-0.2321676,
0.1302349,
-0.2387517,
-0.3381485,
-0.1668923,
0.1414154,
0.07481632,
-0.1176355,
-0.3497844,
0.06597821,
0.1947269,
-0.716805,
-0.1529255,
-0.4407171,
0.1237766,
-0.08205269,
-0.02454053,
0.1035833,
0.06430815,
-0.19962,
... |
The psychosocial impact of detention and deportation on U.S. migrant children and families. | Approximately 4.5 million U.S. citizen children live in mixed-status families, in which at least 1 family member is an unauthorized migrant and therefore vulnerable to detention and deportation from the United States (Passel & Cohn, 2011). This article critically examines the current state of the literature on the psychosocial consequences of detention and deportation for unauthorized migrants, mixed-status families, and their U.S.-born children. In particular, drawing on social and psychological theory and research, we (a) review the impact of parents' unauthorized status on children; (b) summarize the literature on the impact of detention processes on psychosocial well-being; (c) describe the dilemma faced by a mixed-status family when a parent faces deportation; (d) examine the current social scientific literature on how parental deportation impacts children and their families; and (e) summarize several policy recommendations for protecting children and families. | 25,110,972 | [
-0.4805761,
0.02569675,
0.09781246,
-0.2242529,
0.1901891,
-0.1721994,
-0.4516424,
0.1622842,
0.1476498,
0.1998168,
0.04822009,
-0.1712807,
-0.4670278,
0.0903381,
-0.1301868,
-0.1321434,
0.02784129,
0.09635844,
0.1021412,
-0.05500186,
-0.2257997,
0.205839,
-0.1585223,
-... |
Novel open-framework europium silicates prepared under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. | Two new europium silicates, Na15Eu3Si12O36 (denoted as 1) and K2EuSi4O10F (denoted as 2), were successfully synthesized under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, and structurally characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The single-crystal XRD analysis of 1 reveals that its structure is based on [Si6O18]n(12n-) cyclosilicate anions that are built from six SiO4 tetrahedra sharing two of their four O corners with each other. Such [Si6O18]n(12n-) cyclosilicate anions are linked via EuO6 octahedra to form a three-dimensional (3D) framework containing 6-membered ring channels delimited by the SiO4 tetrahedra and EuO6 octahedra along the [010] direction. The structure of 2 consists of infinite tubular chains of corner-sharing SiO4 tetrahedra, which are further linked together via corner sharing O atoms by infinite chains of EuO4F2 octahedra forming a 3-D framework that contains 8-ring and 6-ring channels along the [010] direction. The photoluminescence properties of 1 and 2 were also investigated. | 25,111,041 | [
-0.1294328,
0.189221,
0.06122874,
0.05470178,
0.1526972,
0.06213649,
-0.4511176,
-0.1666782,
0.3433205,
-0.2469555,
0.05101877,
-0.3270471,
-0.09643687,
-0.001939497,
-0.4941835,
-0.3035786,
-0.4040276,
0.2271231,
-0.09460621,
-0.01093571,
0.1009142,
0.1548417,
-0.3967784... |
A multilocus species delimitation reveals a striking number of species of coralline algae forming Maerl in the OSPAR maritime area. | Maerl beds are sensitive biogenic habitats built by an accumulation of loose-lying, non-geniculate coralline algae. While these habitats are considered hot-spots of marine biodiversity, the number and distribution of maerl-forming species is uncertain because homoplasy and plasticity of morphological characters are common. As a result, species discrimination based on morphological features is notoriously challenging, making these coralline algae the ideal candidates for a DNA barcoding study. Here, mitochondrial (COI-5P DNA barcode fragment) and plastidial (psbA gene) sequence data were used in a two-step approach to delimit species in 224 collections of maerl sampled from Svalbard (78°96'N) to the Canary Islands (28°64'N) that represented 10 morphospecies from four genera and two families. First, the COI-5P dataset was analyzed with two methods based on distinct criteria (ABGD and GMYC) to delineate 16 primary species hypotheses (PSHs) arranged into four major lineages. Second, chloroplast (psbA) sequence data served to consolidate these PSHs into 13 secondary species hypotheses (SSHs) that showed biologically plausible ranges. Using several lines of evidence (e.g. morphological characters, known species distributions, sequences from type and topotype material), six SSHs were assigned to available species names that included the geographically widespread Phymatolithon calcareum, Lithothamnion corallioides, and L. glaciale; possible identities of other SSHs are discussed. Concordance between SSHs and morphospecies was minimal, highlighting the convenience of DNA barcoding for an accurate identification of maerl specimens. Our survey indicated that a majority of maerl forming species have small distribution ranges and revealed a gradual replacement of species with latitude. | 25,111,057 | [
-0.2313825,
0.288485,
0.04156195,
0.003550303,
-0.1860355,
-0.08589116,
-0.4689576,
0.1129651,
0.3349626,
-0.3729518,
-0.3008794,
-0.2919878,
-0.2040654,
-0.06135802,
-0.5267456,
-0.0600121,
-0.3358795,
0.1690451,
0.1827631,
0.2048168,
0.4104607,
0.360505,
0.1908047,
-0... |
A bistable switch in pH in urease-loaded alginate beads. | A bistable switch from a low pH (unreacted "off") state to a high pH (reacted "on") state was obtained in enzyme-loaded gel beads in response to supra-threshold substrate concentrations. | 25,111,059 | [
-0.137971,
-0.1083003,
-0.1149917,
0.389655,
0.209462,
-0.2119713,
-0.3031109,
0.1096534,
0.1013308,
0.02005294,
0.09188262,
-0.08493406,
-0.05181175,
0.1929476,
-0.6468883,
0.1264178,
-0.4084482,
0.01022125,
-0.2104855,
-0.1071581,
0.2746796,
0.1774931,
0.05200794,
0.1... |
Ultrahigh-resolution total correlation NMR spectroscopy. | Resolution and sensitivity are paramount for extracting detailed structural information using NMR spectroscopy. Recently developed "pure shift" techniques have greatly improved the resolution attainable in one- and two-dimensional NMR, but at a considerable cost in sensitivity. A newly introduced method, PSYCHE, greatly reduces this loss. It produces pure shift spectra with significantly improved sensitivity, spectral purity, and tolerance of strong coupling compared to previous methods. Here PSYCHE is applied to the TOCSY experiment. In combination with covariance processing, the result is a high-quality, high-resolution TOCSY spectrum with singlets in both dimensions: a pure chemical shift correlation map. Such spectra should greatly simplify both manual spectral analysis and automated structure elucidation. | 25,111,063 | [
-0.00987166,
0.0449637,
-0.001125353,
0.07449096,
-0.1783724,
-0.1267074,
-0.3921369,
0.04544911,
0.2797674,
-0.1976374,
-0.04507627,
0.01864575,
-0.000804871,
0.2434981,
-0.6026241,
0.03128487,
-0.2414464,
0.04632287,
-0.1397911,
0.2716192,
0.2903996,
0.1563915,
-0.22032... |
Implementation of a mortality prediction rule for real-time decision making: feasibility and validity. | A previously published, retrospectively derived prediction rule for death within 30 days of hospital admission has the potential to launch parallel interdisciplinary team activities. Whether or not patient care improves will depend on the validity of prospectively generated predictions, and the feasibility of generating them on demand for a critical proportion of inpatients. To determine the feasibility of generating mortality predictions on admission and to validate their accuracy using the scoring weights of the retrospective rule. Prospective, sequential cohort. Large, tertiary care, community hospital in the Midwestern United States Adult patients admitted from the emergency department or scheduled for elective surgery Mortality predictions were generated on demand at the beginning of the hospitalization for 9312 (92.9%) out of a possible 10,027 cases. The area under the receiver operating curve for 30-day mortality was 0.850 (95% confidence interval: 0.833-0.866), indicating very good to excellent discrimination. The prospectively generated 30-day mortality risk had a strong association with the receipt of palliative care by hospital discharge, in-hospital mortality, and 180-day mortality, a fair association with the risk for 30-day readmissions and unplanned transfers to intensive care, and weak associations with receipt of intensive unit care ever within the hospitalization or the development of a new diagnosis that was not present on admission (ie, complication). Important prognostic information is feasible to obtain in a real-time, single-assessment process for a sizeable proportion of hospitalized patients. | 25,111,067 | [
-0.1407212,
-0.2178345,
-0.2092976,
-0.2860058,
0.2465189,
-0.4401346,
0.2344877,
-0.0943853,
-0.08342989,
-0.04588848,
-0.1044323,
0.1591041,
-0.03011495,
-0.1423033,
-0.05231859,
-0.02215114,
-0.1501614,
0.07091783,
0.08863311,
0.06440088,
-0.09848826,
0.1173643,
0.0204... |
Why can't my child see 3D television? | A child encountering difficulty in watching three-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic displays could have an underlying ocular disorder. It is therefore valuable to understand the differential diagnoses and so conduct an appropriate clinical assessment to address concerns about poor 3D vision. | 25,111,097 | [
-0.2794668,
-0.001299616,
-0.2239531,
-0.1808222,
-0.04716448,
-0.1195456,
-0.3005816,
-0.08890118,
0.2329458,
-0.2939472,
0.3130809,
0.2604026,
-0.265753,
-0.09084568,
-0.4043067,
-0.01281345,
-0.3814598,
0.182592,
-0.1765403,
-0.1635507,
0.1572625,
0.2077528,
-0.0861137... |
The effect of yoga exercise on improving depression, anxiety, and fatigue in women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial. | Depression, anxiety, and fatigue are among the most significant problems that influence the quality of life of patients with breast cancer who receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Although evidence has shown yoga to decrease anxiety, depression, and fatigue in patients with cancer, few studies on the effects of yoga have targeted patients with breast cancer. Yoga interventions should be tested to promote the psychological and physical health of women with breast cancer. This study examines the effectiveness of an 8-week yoga exercise program in promoting the psychological and physical health of women with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy in terms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue. A sample of 60 women with nonmetastatic breast cancer was recruited. Participants were randomly assigned into either the experimental group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). A 60-minute, twice-per-week yoga exercise was implemented for 8 weeks as the intervention for the participants in the experimental group. The control group received standard care only. Analysis using the Johnson-Neyman procedure found that the yoga exercise reduced overall fatigue and the interference of fatigue in everyday life for the experimental group participants. Significant reductions were obtained after 4 weeks of intervention participation for those experimental group patients with relatively low starting baseline values (baseline item mean value < 3.31 and 3.22, respectively) and after 8 weeks for most patients (approximately 75%) with moderate starting baseline values (baseline item mean value < 7.30 and 5.34, respectively). The 8-week intervention did not significantly improve the levels of depression (F = 1.29, p > .05) or anxiety (F = 2.7, p > .05). The 8-week yoga exercise program developed in this study effectively reduced fatigue in patients with breast cancer but did not reduce depression or anxiety. Oncology nurses should strengthen their clinical health education and apply yoga to reduce the fatigue experienced by patients with breast cancer who undergo adjuvant chemotherapy. | 25,111,109 | [
-0.1828558,
0.2152371,
-0.2931763,
-0.2752649,
0.0620968,
-0.1322939,
-0.1116257,
0.4419443,
-0.1347951,
-0.2420127,
0.0009191403,
-0.07525007,
-0.2655641,
-0.5240352,
-0.1939938,
-0.403623,
-0.1874843,
0.3382081,
-0.07032874,
0.07539235,
-0.1393343,
0.1557224,
-0.0509893... |
Genotype-based databases for variants causing rare diseases. | Inherited diseases are the result of DNA sequence changes. In recessive diseases, the clinical phenotype results from the combined functional effects of variants in both copies of the gene. In some diseases there is often considerable variability of clinical presentation or disease severity, which may be predicted by the genotype. Additional effects may be triggered by environmental factors, as well as genetic modifiers which could be nucleotide polymorphisms in related genes, e.g. maternal ApoE or ABCA1 genotypes which may have an influence on the phenotype of SLOS individuals. Here we report the establishment of genotype variation databases for various rare diseases which provide individual clinical phenotypes associated with genotypes and include data about possible genetic modifiers. These databases aim to be an easy public access to information on rare and private variants with clinical data, which will facilitate the interpretation of genetic variants. The created databases include ACAD8 (isobutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (IBD)), ACADSB (short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) deficiency), AUH (3-methylglutaconic aciduria (3-MGCA)), DHCR7 (Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome), HMGCS2 (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 2 deficiency), HSD17B10 (17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase X deficiency), FKBP14 (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with progressive kyphoscoliosis, myopathy, and hearing loss; EDSKMH) and ROGDI (Kohlschütter-Tönz syndrome). These genes have been selected because of our specific research interests in these rare and metabolic diseases. The aim of the database was to include all identified individuals with variants in these specific genes. Identical genotypes are listed multiple times if they were found in several patients, phenotypic descriptions and biochemical data are included as detailed as possible in view also of validating the proposed pathogenicity of these genotypes. For DHCR7 genetic modifier data (maternal APOE and ABCA1 genotypes) is also included. Databases are available at http://databases.lovd.nl/shared/genes and will be updated based on periodic literature reviews and submitted reports. | 25,111,118 | [
-0.2898875,
-0.3281744,
0.04218943,
-0.1036266,
0.2347387,
-0.2114808,
-0.2030319,
-0.2271054,
0.1314515,
-0.06658255,
0.1913386,
-0.03034389,
0.3546206,
-0.122936,
-0.8559701,
0.06258823,
-0.651199,
-0.2135272,
-0.2967376,
0.3698749,
0.07260842,
0.6036375,
-0.2000143,
... |
Effects of information processing speed on learning, memory, and executive functioning in people living with HIV/AIDS. | It is unclear whether or to what degree literacy, aging, and other neurologic abnormalities relate to cognitive deficits among people living with HIV/AIDS in the combined antiretroviral therapy (CART) era. The primary aim of this study was to simultaneously examine the association of age, HIV-associated motor abnormalities, major depressive disorder, and reading level with information processing speed, learning, memory, and executive functions, and to determine whether processing speed mediated any of the relationships between cognitive and noncognitive variables. Participants were 186 racially and ethnically diverse men and women living with HIV/AIDS who underwent comprehensive neurological, neuropsychological, and medical evaluations. Structural equation modeling was utilized to assess the extent to which information processing speed mediated the relationship between age, motor abnormalities, major depressive disorder, and reading level with other cognitive abilities. Age, motor dysfunction, reading level, and current major depressive disorder were all significantly associated with information processing speed. Information processing speed fully mediated the effects of age on learning, memory, and executive functioning and partially mediated the effect of major depressive disorder on learning and memory. The effect of motor dysfunction on learning and memory was fully mediated by processing speed. These findings provide support for information processing speed as a primary deficit, which may account, at least in part, for many of the other cognitive abnormalities recognized in complex HIV/AIDS populations. The association of age and information processing speed may account for HIV/aging synergies in the generation of CART-era cognitive abnormalities. | 25,111,120 | [
-0.07895686,
0.2937864,
-0.06606125,
-0.2167223,
-0.03125324,
-0.3071902,
-0.0037435,
0.2189314,
0.03552823,
0.2816437,
-0.09788559,
0.3091925,
-0.1253424,
-0.00131346,
-0.4391013,
0.04134404,
-0.1596426,
0.06373836,
-0.0579436,
0.02582263,
0.1478272,
0.32629,
-0.1260712,... |
Characterization of newly isolated lytic bacteriophages active against Acinetobacter baumannii. | Based on genotyping and host range, two newly isolated lytic bacteriophages, myovirus vB_AbaM_Acibel004 and podovirus vB_AbaP_Acibel007, active against Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains, were selected from a new phage library for further characterization. The complete genomes of the two phages were analyzed. Both phages are characterized by broad host range and essential features of potential therapeutic phages, such as short latent period (27 and 21 min, respectively), high burst size (125 and 145, respectively), stability of activity in liquid culture and low frequency of occurrence of phage-resistant mutant bacterial cells. Genomic analysis showed that while Acibel004 represents a novel bacteriophage with resemblance to some unclassified Pseudomonas aeruginosa phages, Acibel007 belongs to the well-characterized genus of the Phikmvlikevirus. The newly isolated phages can serve as potential candidates for phage cocktails to control A. baumannii infections. | 25,111,143 | [
-0.177519,
0.005928273,
-0.2076775,
-0.1242329,
-0.2002574,
0.1709283,
-0.3773682,
0.5008698,
0.1498602,
-0.1956169,
-0.09361489,
-0.2639651,
-0.0340573,
-0.06834252,
0.02533229,
0.2090555,
-0.4404969,
0.1790728,
0.3097677,
0.01217816,
0.2086449,
0.1677814,
0.01760225,
... |
Different gDNA content in the subpopulations of prostate cancer extracellular vesicles: apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes. | Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane vesicles. EVs contain several RNAs such as mRNA, microRNAs, and ncRNAs, but less is known of their genomic DNA (gDNA) content. It is also unknown whether the DNA cargo is randomly sorted or if it is systematically packed into specific EV subpopulations. The aim of this study was to analyze whether different prostate cancer (PCa) cell-derived EV subpopulations (apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes) carry different gDNA fragments. EV subpopulations were isolated from three PCa cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3, and RC92a/hTERT) and the plasma of PCa patients and healthy donors, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and total protein content. gDNA fragments of different genes were detected by real time quantitative PCR and confirmed by DNA sequencing. We report that the concentration of EVs was higher in the cancer patients than in the healthy controls. EV subpopulations differed from each other in terms of total protein and DNA content. Analysis of gDNA fragments of MLH1, PTEN, and TP53 genes from the PCa cell-derived EV subpopulations showed that different EVs carried different gDNA content, which could even harbor specific mutations. Altogether, these results suggest that both nucleic acids and proteins are selectively and cell-dependently packed into the EV subtypes. EVs derived from PCa cell lines and human plasma samples contain double-stranded gDNA fragments which could be used to detect specific mutations, making EVs potential biomarkers for cancer diagnostics and prognostics. | 25,111,183 | [
-0.2148668,
0.2676504,
0.1643007,
-0.2242785,
-0.2455288,
-0.2477331,
0.09393498,
0.2688912,
0.2495586,
0.1486001,
0.07290311,
0.4231834,
-0.1254875,
-0.194442,
-0.457041,
-0.1406332,
-0.1358519,
-0.2459838,
0.01535495,
0.1167039,
0.6097433,
0.2218573,
-0.2032829,
-0.00... |
IgY pharmacokinetics in rabbits: implications for IgY use as antivenoms. | This paper presents the first study of chicken IgY pharmacokinetics (PK) in rabbits. We measured IgY blood serum concentrations using a specific high sensitivity ELISA method. The fast initial component observed when studying horse Fab, F(ab')2 or IgG was absent from IgY PK. During the first 80 min of observation there was only a single slow exponential decay, which sped up afterward to the point that IgY became undetectable after 216 h of observation; due to this time course, PK parameters were determined with trapezoidal integration. The most significant IgY pharmacokinetic parameters determined were (all presented as medians and their 95% confidence interval): Area Under the Curve = 183.8 (135.2, 221.5) mg·h·L(-1); Distribution volume of the central compartment·[Body Weight (BW)](-1) = 46.0 (21.7, 70.3) mL·kg(-1); Distribution volume in steady state·BW(-1) = 56.8 (44.4, 68.5) mLkg(-1); Mean Residence Time = 40.1 (33.6, 48.5) h; Total plasma clearance·BW(-1) = 1.44 (1.15, 1.66) mL·h(-1)·kg(-1). Anti IgY IgG titers determined by ELISA increased steadily after 72 h, and reached 2560 (1920, 5760) dilution(-1) at 264 h; anti-chicken IgG concentrations rose up to 3.19 (2.31, 6.17) μg/mL in 264 h. Our results show that IgY PK lacks the fast initial decay observed in other PK studies using horse IgG, F(ab')2 or Fab, remains in the body 39.0 (28.7, 47.2) % much as IgG and is ≈3 times more immunogenic that horse IgG in rabbits. | 25,111,201 | [
-0.1956263,
-0.3469086,
-0.3353602,
-0.2073626,
0.1715561,
-0.1783379,
0.0514707,
0.317205,
-0.2619195,
-0.1288067,
0.3212664,
0.2317791,
0.03802307,
0.04600987,
-0.3423408,
-0.1121402,
-0.5234795,
0.1691882,
-0.04826984,
0.2240729,
0.2686213,
0.1558209,
-0.07096956,
-0... |
Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factors 3, 8, and 31 cause dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium. | Mutations in the ubiquitously expressed pre-mRNA processing factors 3, 8, and 31 (PRPF3, PRPF8, and PRPF31) cause nonsyndromic dominant retinitis pigmentosa in humans, an inherited retinal degeneration. It is unclear what mechanisms, or which cell types of the retina, are affected. Transgenic mice with the human mutations in these genes display late-onset morphological changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). To determine whether the observed morphological changes are preceded by abnormal RPE function, we investigated its phagocytic function in Prpf3(T494M/T494M), Prpf8(H2309P/H2309P), and Prpf31(+/-) mice. We observe decreased phagocytosis in primary RPE cultures from mutant mice, and this is replicated by shRNA-mediated knockdown of PRPF31 in human ARPE-19 cells. The diurnal rhythmicity of phagocytosis is almost lost, indicated by the marked attenuation of the phagocytic burst 2 hours after light onset. The strength of adhesion between RPE apical microvilli and photoreceptor outer segments also declined during peak adhesion in all mutants. In all models, at least one of the receptors involved in binding and internalization of shed photoreceptor outer segments was subjected to changes in localization. Although the mechanism underlying these changes in RPE function is yet to be elucidated, these data are consistent with the mouse RPE being the primary cell affected by mutations in the RNA splicing factors, and these changes occur at an early age. | 25,111,227 | [
0.0580997,
-0.2039183,
-0.4080952,
-0.273175,
0.1000604,
-0.4661981,
0.2185568,
0.2267465,
0.2287747,
0.02846977,
-0.006677236,
0.2086607,
-0.1677054,
-0.3244209,
0.1006034,
-0.01754072,
-0.3371714,
-0.2670183,
0.1393744,
-0.2401723,
0.2761519,
0.5388593,
-0.01506755,
-... |
Tumor-associated energy homeostasis: hepatoblastoma and neuroblastoma affect glucose and lipid metabolism as well as ghrelin, GLP-1, and PYY in nude rats. | The "metabolic competition" for nutrients between cancer cells and the patient has emerged as an important research area. For pediatric oncology, it remains unclear whether the neuroendokrine regulation of appetite by gastrointestinal hormones such as ghrelin "eat", GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide, "do not eat"), and PYY (peptide tyrosine-tyrosine, "do not eat") is influenced by tumor growth. In a prospective randomized study, human hepatoblastoma (HB) and neuroblastoma (NB) cells (3 × 10(6)) were transplanted into the abdominal wall of immune-incompetent (nu/nu) rats (ethic committee approval: TVV43/11). Sham-operated animals received cell culture medium only. Tumor growth was allowed for 8 weeks. Then, all the animals underwent a 2-hour oGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) and were assessed for serum levels of glucose, insulin, ghrelin, GLP-1, and PYY. Finally, all tumor masses and adipose tissues were excised and calculated. Total body weight (including tumor masses) differed for HB (329+31 g), but not for NB (358+22 g) compared with Sham (361+35 g). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was significantly decreased for both the tumor groups (HB=2.6 g, NB=2.1 g, and Sham=3.5 g). Only for NB, fasting glucose (3.4 + 0.6 mmol/L) and insulin (0.89+0.11 ng/mL) levels were significantly decreased compared with Sham (4.4+0.6 mmol/L; 1.19+0.36 ng/mL) only. During the oGTT (all data calculated as area under the curve, AUC) glucose levels were significantly increased for HB (104 ± 10) and NB (102 ± 13) compared with Sham (84 ± 3), but insulin levels remained similar for either group. Triglyceride levels were increased for HB (0.51 mmol/L) and especially NB (0.73 mmol/L) compared with Sham (0.34 mmol/L). Inflammatory parameters did not differ between the groups. Total ghrelin levels were significantly increased for NB (111 ± 10) and altered for HB (102 ± 15) compared with Sham (84 ± 8). Vice versa GLP-1 was statistically decreased in HB (92 ± 7) and NB (88 ± 12) compared with Sham (127 ± 13). Finally, PYY levels were nonsignificantly reduced for HB (117 ± 5) and NB (120 ± 4) compared with Sham (146 ± 12). | 25,111,274 | [
0.1446856,
-0.2398957,
-0.4451485,
-0.4786376,
0.2428865,
-0.5014172,
-0.2188857,
0.2668379,
-0.03805387,
0.09211442,
0.1682987,
-0.05129949,
-0.003572566,
-0.1611089,
-0.552959,
-0.4584785,
-0.6600007,
0.1439438,
-0.2188065,
0.3796993,
0.2048099,
0.31981,
-0.1958415,
-... |
Online resources in pediatric surgery: the new era of medical information. | Tele-education has the potential to facilitate rapid sharing and dissemination of current research and knowledge among pediatric surgeons around the world. Classically, the exchange of surgical research occurred via national surgical conferences, articles published in peer-reviewed journals, and textbooks. The advent of Web 2.0 and the rapid pace of technologic advancement have allowed knowledge, education, and research to be exchanged online. Virtual symposiums act as online conferences where participants present and debate new research and surgical techniques in real-time web meetings. Resource libraries allow up-to-date information to be archived and viewed at the user's convenience, bypassing the need to wait long periods for paper publications. Tele-education allows pediatric surgeons to connect and share ideas around the world, while saving time and money. | 25,111,279 | [
-0.2465248,
-0.3088433,
-0.2213224,
-0.2736343,
0.1911816,
-0.2170584,
-0.1038754,
-0.01721177,
-0.1007915,
0.07554204,
0.3723694,
0.314916,
-0.1514385,
-0.1028421,
-0.5140967,
-0.2921529,
-0.03951858,
-0.05844546,
0.2175112,
-0.3554659,
0.3329356,
0.09515221,
-0.4567746,... |
Delirium and hypovitaminosis D: neuroimaging findings. | The authors examined the frequency of neuroimaging findings of cortical atrophy and/or cerebrovascular disease in patients with delirium with hypovitaminosis D and normal vitamin D levels. Of 32 patients with delirium with hypovitaminosis D who were neuroimaged, 91.4% had neuroimaging findings, despite only five cases having a comorbid diagnosis of dementia. Similar frequencies of cortical atrophy and/or cerebrovascular disease were found in patients with delirium with normal vitamin D levels. Further research with a larger sample size is needed to compare neuroimaging findings between normal patients and patients with hypovitaminosis D with delirium. | 25,111,282 | [
-0.1881943,
0.07182093,
0.3004622,
-0.2675591,
0.2521173,
-0.1818314,
-0.1564387,
0.08415876,
-0.1782119,
0.04124394,
0.1371922,
0.3748527,
-0.1157508,
-0.09673723,
-0.01412342,
0.1199593,
-0.210073,
0.3641689,
0.2829025,
-0.09166549,
0.0006507634,
0.03369496,
-0.03463728... |
Impact of bottom trawling on deep-sea sediment properties along the flanks of a submarine canyon. | The offshore displacement of commercial bottom trawling has raised concerns about the impact of this destructive fishing practice on the deep seafloor, which is in general characterized by lower resilience than shallow water regions. This study focuses on the flanks of La Fonera (or Palamós) submarine canyon in the Northwestern Mediterranean, where an intensive bottom trawl fishery has been active during several decades in the 400-800 m depth range. To explore the degree of alteration of surface sediments (0-50 cm depth) caused by this industrial activity, fishing grounds and control (untrawled) sites were sampled along the canyon flanks with an interface multicorer. Sediment cores were analyzed to obtain vertical profiles of sediment grain-size, dry bulk density, organic carbon content and concentration of the radionuclide 210Pb. At control sites, surface sediments presented sedimentological characteristics typical of slope depositional systems, including a topmost unit of unconsolidated and bioturbated material overlying sediments progressively compacted with depth, with consistently high 210Pb inventories and exponential decaying profiles of 210Pb concentrations. Sediment accumulation rates at these untrawled sites ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 cm y-1. Sediment properties at most trawled sites departed from control sites and the sampled cores were characterized by denser sediments with lower 210Pb surface concentrations and inventories that indicate widespread erosion of recent sediments caused by trawling gears. Other alterations of the physical sediment properties, including thorough mixing or grain-size sorting, as well as organic carbon impoverishment, were also visible at trawled sites. This work contributes to the growing realization of the capacity of bottom trawling to alter the physical properties of surface sediments and affect the seafloor integrity over large spatial scales of the deep-sea. | 25,111,298 | [
-0.007283633,
0.3557234,
0.480219,
0.04082369,
-0.3569897,
-0.2796066,
-0.3745302,
0.03914515,
-0.104292,
0.161191,
-0.08706245,
-0.4743822,
-0.1648432,
-0.03637184,
-0.3594358,
-0.2318448,
-0.185114,
0.1046696,
0.4077589,
0.1279184,
0.2245847,
0.2329551,
-0.07338372,
0... |
Synthesis of 8-methyl-1-tetralone, a potential intermediate for (±)-platyphyllide. | An alternative method for the synthesis of the 8-methyl-1-tetralone from the commercially available 5-methoxy-1-tetralone has been developed. The transformation involves eight steps and affords an overall yield 25%. | 25,111,320 | [
-0.2738563,
0.1373139,
-0.07509602,
-0.2461356,
0.01664773,
0.04119877,
-0.3695852,
-0.07950522,
0.08444775,
-0.1397173,
0.002179758,
0.07494401,
0.02380527,
-0.1280443,
-0.4815798,
-0.03908139,
-0.5787833,
0.22294,
-0.1089425,
0.2544752,
0.2168064,
0.2156824,
-0.1496688,... |
If inhibition in the atrioventricular node by ivabradine causes rate-dependent slowing of conduction and reduces ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation. | If channels are functionally expressed in atrioventricular (AV) nodal tissue. The purpose of this study was to address whether the prototypical If inhibitor, ivabradine, at clinically safe concentrations can slow AV node conduction to reduce ventricular rate (VR) during atrial fibrillation (AF). Effects of ivabradine (0.1 mg/kg i.v. bolus) were studied in an anesthetized Yorkshire pig (N = 7) model of AF and in isolated guinea pig hearts (N = 7). Ivabradine reduced heart rate (P = .0001) without affecting mean arterial pressure during sinus rhythm. The agent lengthened PR intervals in a rate-dependent manner (P = .0009) by 14 ± 2.7 ms (P = .003) and 25 ± 3.0 ms (P = .0004) and increased atrial-His (A-H) intervals in a rate-dependent manner (P = .020) by 10 ± 1.7 ms and 17 ± 2.8 ms during pacing at 130 and 180 bpm, respectively (both P = .0008). Similar rate-dependent effects were observed in isolated guinea pig hearts. Ivabradine slowed VR during AF from 240 ± 21 bpm to 211 ± 25 bpm (P = .041). The ivabradine-induced increase in A-H interval was inversely correlated with VR (r = -0.85, P = .03, at 130 bpm; r = -0.95, P = .003, at 180 bpm). QT and HV intervals, AF dominant frequency (8.5 ± 0.9 to 8.7 ± 1.1 Hz, P = NS), mean arterial pressure, and left ventricular dP/dt (1672 ± 222 to 1889 ± 229 mm Hg/s, P = NS) during AF were unaffected. Ivabradine's rate-dependent increase in A-H interval is highly correlated with VR during AF. As dominant frequency was unaltered, AV node conduction slowing during high nodal activation rates appears to be the main mechanism of ivabradine's VR reduction. If inhibition in the AV node may provide a promising target to slow VR during AF without depression in contractility. | 25,111,327 | [
-0.1512972,
-0.4548064,
-0.5530447,
-0.05628533,
0.3268613,
-0.2253959,
0.2606869,
0.182815,
-0.1007297,
-0.2838036,
-0.01399304,
0.3173294,
0.1490963,
-0.1480525,
0.07030546,
-0.4208401,
-0.5580446,
0.138533,
0.03256553,
0.1710963,
-0.04009681,
0.09451753,
-0.2420384,
... |
The role of the medial prefrontal cortex in regulating interanimal coordination of movements. | Rats with juvenile play experience display a greater ability in coordinating their movements with social partners than those deprived of such experience, and this may be due to the play-induced neural restructuring of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The present study investigates the role of the mPFC in interanimal coordination. Rats with and without bilateral mPFC lesions were tested on a robbing-and-dodging task. This food protection task measures the ability of rats to protect pieces of food by gaining and maintaining an interanimal distance between themselves and the rat attempting to rob the food. Given that mPFC lesions have been associated with sensory and motor deficits, the same rats were also subjected to a task to measure skilled motor movements. Rats with bilateral mPFC lesions had more food stolen and displayed an inability to maintain interanimal distance with partner, but did not exhibit any motor or sensory deficits. These findings suggest that the mPFC is involved in interanimal coordination and that the play-induced neural restructuring of this area may account for the enhanced coordination seen in rats with prior play experience. | 25,111,337 | [
-0.1206919,
0.0486887,
-0.2096336,
-0.4556906,
-0.01400881,
-0.4658577,
-0.4058276,
-0.1947983,
-0.007366904,
-0.2948483,
0.1119053,
-0.103923,
-0.2403355,
-0.227046,
-0.4358868,
0.1146507,
-0.304835,
0.04783104,
0.07233743,
0.02937016,
-0.2758669,
0.1230191,
0.2265541,
... |
(Phenoxyimidazolyl-salicylaldimine)iron complexes: synthesis, properties and iron catalysed ethylene reactions. | The reaction of 2-{[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-ethylimino]-methyl}-phenol (L1), 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-{[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-ethylimino]-methyl}-phenol (L2) or 4-tert-butyl-2-{[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-ethylimino]-methyl}-phenol (L3) with iron(ii) precursors produced either iron(ii) or iron(iii) complexes, depending on the nature of the anions in the iron(ii) precursor and the ligand. When the anion is chloride and the ligand L1, the product is [(L1)2Fe][FeCl4] (1), but when the anion is triflate (OTf(-)) and the ligand is L2, the product is [(L2)2Fe][OTf]2 (2). With iron(ii) halides and tert-butyl groups on the phenoxy ligands L2 and L3, the iron(iii) complexes [(L2)FeX2] {where X = Cl (3), Br (4) and I = (5)} and [(L3)FeCl2] (6) were formed. Complexes 1-6 were characterised by a combination of elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry; and in selected cases (3 and 4) by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures of 3 and 4 indicated that the iron(ii) precursors oxidised to iron(iii) in forming complexes 3-6; an observation that was corroborated by the magnetic properties and the (57)Fe Mössbauer spectra of 3 and 4. The iron(iii) complexes 3-6 were used as pre-catalysts for the oligomerisation and polymerisation of ethylene. Products of these ethylene reactions depended on the solvent used. In toluene ethylene oligomerised mainly to 1-butene and was followed by the 1-butene alkylating the solvent to form butyl-toluenes via a Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction. In chlorobenzene, ethylene oligomerised mainly to a mixture of C4-C12 alkenes. Interestingly small amounts of butyl-chlorobenzenes and hexyl-chlorobenzenes were also formed via a Friedel-Crafts alkylation with butenes and hexenes from the oligomerisation of ethylene. | 25,111,396 | [
-0.002743139,
0.142927,
0.05445726,
-0.1233966,
0.201926,
-0.1585154,
-0.2381128,
-0.08141156,
-0.05401107,
0.2749149,
-0.1857119,
0.122728,
0.05719776,
0.03750204,
-0.4328074,
-0.1037404,
-0.2952563,
0.191972,
-0.02469695,
0.4960537,
0.02238175,
0.1302622,
-0.1999507,
... |
Examination of the change in latent statuses in bullying behaviors across time. | Involvement in bullying and victimization has been mostly studied using cross-sectional data from 1 time point. As such, much of our understanding of bullying and victimization has not captured the dynamic experiences of youth over time. To examine the change of latent statuses in bullying and victimization, we applied latent transition analysis examining self-reported bullying involvement from 1,180 students in 5th through 9th grades across 3 time points. We identified unobserved heterogeneous subgroups (i.e., latent statuses) and investigated how students transition between the unobserved subgroups over time. For victimization, 4 latent statuses were identified: frequent victim (11.23%), occasional traditional victim (28.86%), occasional cyber and traditional victim (10.34%), and infrequent victim (49.57%). For bullying behavior, 3 latent statuses were identified: frequent perpetrator (5.12%), occasional verbal/relational perpetrator (26.04%), and infrequent perpetrator (68.84%). The characteristics of the transitions were examined. The multiple-group effects of gender, grade, and first language learned on transitions across statuses were also investigated. The infrequent victim and infrequent perpetrator groups were the most stable, and the frequent victim and frequent perpetrator groups were the least stable. These findings suggest instability in perpetration and victimization over time, as well as significant changes, especially during school transition years. Findings suggest that school-based interventions need to address the heterogeneity in perpetrator and victim experiences in adolescence. | 25,111,466 | [
-0.05615479,
0.3914977,
-0.06283951,
-0.2878928,
0.2408984,
-0.3209639,
-0.3503435,
-0.1885552,
0.1269056,
-0.1052929,
0.1653375,
0.1615831,
-0.3177719,
-0.2136126,
0.03748458,
0.1887879,
-0.2232387,
0.4713662,
0.3254031,
-0.2729761,
0.3563866,
0.3824283,
-0.03575731,
0... |
Identifying emotional and behavioral risk among gifted and nongifted children: A multi-gate, multi-informant approach. | The purpose of the current investigation was to compare 1,206 gifted and nongifted elementary students on the identification of emotional and behavioral risk (EBR) as rated by teachers and parents using a multigate, multi-informant approach to assessment. The Parent and Teacher Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) and the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System were used to assess behavioral functioning as rated by teachers and parents. There were significant differences between the number of gifted and nongifted children demonstrating emotional and behavioral risk, with parents and teachers identifying a higher number of boys and nongifted children as at risk. Among children demonstrating EBR, gifted children demonstrated elevated internalizing behaviors as rated by parents. Gifted students demonstrated higher academic performance regardless of risk level, suggesting higher cognitive abilities may be one of several protective factors that serve to attenuate the development of other social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Implications for practice and future research needs are discussed. | 25,111,468 | [
0.06985474,
0.6533284,
-0.05364222,
-0.1776042,
0.04726537,
-0.03699081,
-0.3709765,
0.05764947,
0.03629326,
0.1114561,
0.155678,
0.3539759,
-0.3781957,
0.04237764,
-0.4898823,
-0.09742089,
-0.2054752,
0.1918873,
0.3130221,
-0.129036,
0.2014581,
0.3679739,
0.2826147,
-0... |
The KDM5 family of histone demethylases as targets in oncology drug discovery. | There is growing evidence for a causal role of the KDM5 family of histone demethylases in human cancer. In particular, KDM5A (JARID1A/RBP2) and KDM5B (JARID1B/PLU1) contribute to cancer cell proliferation, reduce the expression of tumor suppressor genes, promote the development of drug tolerance and maintain tumor-initiating cells. KDM5 enzymes remove tri- and di-methylations of lysine 4 of histone H3 - modifications that occur at the start site of transcription in actively transcribed genes. However, the importance of the histone demethylase activity of KDM5 proteins for cancer cells has not been resolved so far. The currently available approaches suppress or remove the targeted proteins and thereby affect their putative functions as structural components and recruitment factors for other chromatin-associated proteins. Therefore, the development of specific enzymatic inhibitors for KDM5 will promote our understanding of the biological role of their catalytic activity and yield potential novel anticancer therapeutics. | 25,111,482 | [
0.1144494,
0.1703389,
-0.04327981,
-0.4448364,
-0.004665993,
-0.1919005,
0.1612844,
0.4774573,
0.2067949,
0.07337705,
0.2827066,
0.1878702,
-0.1030429,
0.06726557,
-0.3089685,
0.2390653,
-0.2744281,
0.1485567,
-0.1238476,
0.04354877,
0.3213465,
0.4370625,
-0.2277162,
-0... |
Multicellular architecture of malignant breast epithelia influences mechanics. | Cell-matrix and cell-cell mechanosensing are important in many cellular processes, particularly for epithelial cells. A crucial question, which remains unexplored, is how the mechanical microenvironment is altered as a result of changes to multicellular tissue structure during cancer progression. In this study, we investigated the influence of the multicellular tissue architecture on mechanical properties of the epithelial component of the mammary acinus. Using creep compression tests on multicellular breast epithelial structures, we found that pre-malignant acini with no lumen (MCF10AT) were significantly stiffer than normal hollow acini (MCF10A) by 60%. This difference depended on structural changes in the pre-malignant acini, as neither single cells nor normal multicellular acini tested before lumen formation exhibited these differences. To understand these differences, we simulated the deformation of the acini with different multicellular architectures and calculated their mechanical properties; our results suggest that lumen filling alone can explain the experimentally observed stiffness increase. We also simulated a single contracting cell in different multicellular architectures and found that lumen filling led to a 20% increase in the "perceived stiffness" of a single contracting cell independent of any changes to matrix mechanics. Our results suggest that lumen filling in carcinogenesis alters the mechanical microenvironment in multicellular epithelial structures, a phenotype that may cause downstream disruptions to mechanosensing. | 25,111,489 | [
0.1987569,
-0.02200687,
-0.0646266,
-0.02497441,
-0.1594646,
-0.1540954,
0.1948754,
0.2916123,
0.4271271,
0.2749126,
0.1111595,
-0.1311775,
-0.4853102,
-0.1126884,
-0.5613782,
0.07511461,
-0.1627574,
0.09948732,
-0.128196,
-0.1985413,
0.4303167,
0.07069072,
0.1333099,
0... |
Neuromelanin magnetic resonance imaging reveals increased dopaminergic neuron activity in the substantia nigra of patients with schizophrenia. | The dopamine hypothesis suggests that excessive dopamine release results in the symptoms of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons using 3-T neuromelanin magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with schizophrenia and healthy control subjects. We prospectively examined 52 patients with schizophrenia (M: F = 27∶25, mean age, 35 years) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Using a 3T MRI unit, we obtained oblique T1-weighted axial images perpendicular to the brainstem. We measured the signal intensity and area for the substantia nigra (SNc), midbrain tegmentum, locus ceruleus (LC), and pons. We then calculated the contrast ratios (CR) for the SNc (CRSN) and LC (CRLC), which were compared between patients and healthy controls using unpaired t-tests. The SNc and LC were readily identified in both patients and healthy controls as areas with high signal intensities in the posterior part of the cerebral peduncle and in the upper pontine tegmentum. The CRSN values in patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (10.89±2.37 vs. 9.6±2.36, p<0.01). We observed no difference in the CRLC values between the patients and healthy controls (14.21±3.5 vs. 13.44±3.37, p = 0.25). Furthermore, there was no difference in area of the SNc and LC between schizophrenia patients and controls. Neuromelanin MRI might reveal increased signal intensity in the SNc of patients with schizophrenia. Our results indicate the presence of excessive dopamine products in the SNc of these patients. | 25,111,500 | [
0.03351454,
-0.2213921,
-0.1302683,
-0.1541573,
0.253417,
-0.281024,
-0.04670004,
-0.4788416,
-0.1622953,
-0.05583156,
-0.2445657,
0.1917553,
-0.01356911,
0.1768713,
-0.2695085,
-0.1442843,
-0.378196,
-0.06730624,
0.0498629,
-0.07091217,
-0.1429497,
0.2168469,
0.1051868,
... |
Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of 1-{3-[1-(5-organylsilylfuran-2-yl)silinan-1-yl]propyl}amines and some trimethylgermyl analogues. | New highly cytotoxic 1-{3-[1-(5-organylsilyl-furan-2-yl)silinan-1-yl]propyl}amines and some trimethylgermyl analogues (IC50 1-7 μg mL(-1)) have been synthesized by a hydrosilylation reaction of aliphatic and heterocyclic N-allylamines in the presence of Speier's catalyst. The effects of the silacycle, the element-organic substituent in position 5 of the furan ring, and the structure of the amine on the cytotoxicity of the new compounds have been studied. | 25,111,505 | [
-0.1054542,
-0.07022621,
0.03128742,
-0.1123319,
0.0699558,
0.2779338,
-0.1825699,
0.08195741,
0.2440819,
0.005597841,
-0.263357,
0.007945224,
-0.001998858,
0.04708385,
-0.580182,
-0.1374308,
-0.5237057,
0.142742,
0.07186366,
0.4113179,
0.3380686,
0.1192726,
-0.1002263,
... |
Mitigating phototoxicity during multiphoton microscopy of live Drosophila embryos in the 1.0-1.2 µm wavelength range. | Light-induced toxicity is a fundamental bottleneck in microscopic imaging of live embryos. In this article, after a review of photodamage mechanisms in cells and tissues, we assess photo-perturbation under illumination conditions relevant for point-scanning multiphoton imaging of live Drosophila embryos. We use third-harmonic generation (THG) imaging of developmental processes in embryos excited by pulsed near-infrared light in the 1.0-1.2 µm range. We study the influence of imaging rate, wavelength, and pulse duration on the short-term and long-term perturbation of development and define criteria for safe imaging. We show that under illumination conditions typical for multiphoton imaging, photodamage in this system arises through 2- and/or 3-photon absorption processes and in a cumulative manner. Based on this analysis, we derive general guidelines for improving the signal-to-damage ratio in two-photon (2PEF/SHG) or THG imaging by adjusting the pulse duration and/or the imaging rate. Finally, we report label-free time-lapse 3D THG imaging of gastrulating Drosophila embryos with sampling appropriate for the visualisation of morphogenetic movements in wild-type and mutant embryos, and long-term multiharmonic (THG-SHG) imaging of development until hatching. | 25,111,506 | [
0.0400522,
-0.2260575,
-0.2984454,
-0.4041183,
0.1620656,
-0.1135623,
0.08431955,
-0.1112825,
0.3512823,
-0.1432424,
0.02074198,
-0.1105452,
-0.4187185,
-0.203573,
-0.5707206,
0.07543968,
-0.4306796,
0.3592906,
-0.04526869,
0.02436523,
0.4424278,
0.6348964,
-0.1597389,
... |
Electromyographic activity of the diaphragm during neostigmine or sugammadex-enhanced recovery after neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium: a randomised controlled study in healthy volunteers. | The use of neuromuscular blocking agents has been associated with severe postoperative respiratory morbidity. Complications can be attributed to inadequate reversal, and reversal agents may themselves have adverse effects. To compare the electromyographic activity of the diaphragm (EMGdi) during recovery from neuromuscular blockade using neostigmine and sugammadex. The hypothesis was that there would be better neuromuscular coupling of the diaphragm when sugammadex was used. A randomised, controlled, parallel-group, single-centre, double-blinded study. District general hospital in Belgium. Twelve healthy male volunteers. Individuals were anaesthetised with propofol and remifentanil. After rocuronium 0.6 mg kg, a transoesophageal electromyography (EMG) recorder was inserted. For reversal of neuromuscular blockade, volunteers received sugammadex 2 mg kg (n = 6) or neostigmine 70 μg kg (n = 6). EMGdi, airway pressure and flow were continuously measured during weaning from the ventilator until tracheal extubation. Arterial blood gas samples were obtained for PaO2 and PaCO2 analysis at the first spontaneous breathing attempt and after tracheal extubation. During weaning, 560 breaths were retained for analysis. The median (95% CI) peak EMGdi was 1.1 (0.9 to 1.5) μV in the neostigmine group and 1.6 (1.3 to 1.9) μV in the sugammadex group (P < 0.001). Individuals in the neostigmine group had 125 of 228 (55%) breaths with associated EMGdi at least 1 μV vs. 220 of 332 (66%) breaths in the sugammadex group (P = 0.008). The median (95% CI) tidal volume was 287 (256 to 335) ml after neostigmine and 359 (313 to 398) ml after sugammadex (P = 0.013). The median (95% CI) PaO2 immediately after extubation was 30.5 (22.8 to 37.1) kPa after sugammadex vs. 20.7 (12.9 to 27.5) kPa after neostigmine (P = 0.03). EMGdi, tidal volume and PaO2 following tracheal extubation were increased after sugammadex compared with neostigmine, reflecting diaphragm-driven inspiration after sugammadex administration. Sugammadex may free more diaphragmatic acetylcholine receptors than neostigmine, which has an indirect effect. EudraCT ref: 2013-002078-30. | 25,111,539 | [
-0.09717318,
0.07199249,
-0.4075507,
-0.2949383,
-0.0758924,
-0.2753988,
-0.2231545,
-0.3240709,
-0.1234541,
-0.07048558,
-0.01187748,
-0.003781917,
-0.1244226,
-0.5962518,
-0.04321165,
-0.01360438,
-0.7395162,
0.3985606,
-0.2196801,
0.176716,
-0.2395625,
0.2013532,
0.177... |
Perceptions and experiences in higher education: a national study of multiracial Asian American and Latino/a students in psychology. | Demographic trends suggest increasing numbers of multiple racial heritage students attending U.S. campuses and universities, a change reflected within psychology. However, there is little empirical investigation into the educational experiences and needs of multiracials. The current study (the second in a series of studies to use data from a national survey of psychology graduate and undergraduate students) compared 2 multiracial groups, Asian American/European American and Latino/a/European Americans, with their single-heritage counterparts on several variables of interest-academic supports and barriers, linkage between barriers faced and ethnicity, and perceived cultural diversity. Results indicated that multiracial groups reported more of a link between academic barriers experienced and their ethnicity than European American students, but less of a link than their monoracial minority peers. No differences between groups were found related to academic supports, academic barriers, and perceived cultural diversity. Study limitations, future research, and implications are discussed. | 25,111,546 | [
-0.07022329,
-0.06233898,
0.1881266,
-0.1444206,
0.07015151,
-0.05397598,
-0.2967165,
0.1252464,
0.1777906,
0.1607345,
0.1191078,
-0.07809673,
-0.136276,
-0.3818867,
-0.200721,
-0.02829014,
0.2822922,
0.2302147,
-0.1246479,
-0.1769439,
-0.1053225,
0.3073647,
-0.04419865,
... |
The Pacific Identity and Wellbeing Scale-Revised (PIWBS-R). | We develop and validate a revised version of the Pacific Identity and Wellbeing Scale (the PIWBS-R). This revision extends the original 5-factor PIWBS model to include a sixth subscale assessing Cultural Efficacy (CE). The definition and item content for CE was based on a synthesis of research on self-efficacy and Pacific cultural capital. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (N = 919) supported the revised 6-factor PIWBS-R model. Validation analyses using a sample subset indicated that the PIWBS-R subscales predicted distinct criterion outcomes (Ns = 452-522). CE uniquely predicted self-reported Church Attendance, travel to the Pacific Islands, confidence in speaking Pacific heritage language, and satisfaction with health. Critically, Pacific Connectedness and Belonging and Perceived Societal Wellbeing predicted a lower likelihood of having been diagnosed with diabetes. These findings highlight the potential of the PIWBS-R model for research assessing the protective function of certain aspects of Pacific identity on health-related outcomes. A copy of the PIWBS-R, scale psychometrics, and construct definitions are provided. | 25,111,555 | [
0.04535875,
0.05406079,
0.1380634,
-0.3115419,
0.2162227,
-0.1703576,
0.07627655,
0.3738093,
0.5171112,
-0.3127972,
-0.3097195,
-0.2981282,
-0.2268501,
-0.5882843,
0.06204605,
-0.2305307,
-0.09749604,
0.1598473,
0.00975435,
-0.1668133,
-0.115583,
0.06499153,
-0.04301625,
... |
Increased low-frequency oscillation amplitude of sensorimotor cortex associated with the severity of structural impairment in cervical myelopathy. | Decreases in metabolites and increased motor-related, but decreased sensory-related activation of the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) have been observed in patients with cervical myelopathy (CM) using advanced MRI techniques. However, the nature of intrinsic neuronal activity in the SMC, and the relationship between cerebral function and structural damage of the spinal cord in patients with CM are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to assess intrinsic neuronal activity by calculating the regional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), and correlations with clinical and imaging indices. Nineteen patients and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects underwent rs-fMRI scans. ALFF measurements were performed in the SMC, a key brain network likely to impaired or reorganized patients with CM. Compared with healthy subjects, increased amplitude of cortical low-frequency oscillations (LFO) was observed in the right precentral gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, and left supplementary motor area. Furthermore, increased z-ALFF values in the right precentral gyrus and right postcentral gyrus correlated with decreased fractional anisotropy values at the C2 level, which indicated increased intrinsic neuronal activity in the SMC corresponding to the structural impairment in the spinal cord of patients with CM. These findings suggest a complex and diverging relationship of cortical functional reorganization and distal spinal anatomical compression in patients with CM and, thus, add important information in understanding how spinal cord integrity may be a factor in the intrinsic covariance of spontaneous low-frequency fluctuations of BOLD signals involved in cortical plasticity. | 25,111,566 | [
0.1420832,
0.1783218,
0.3662156,
0.0134935,
-0.1274201,
-0.1277301,
-0.1009577,
-0.2012172,
0.2483788,
0.061104,
-0.1254786,
-0.1093169,
-0.3153801,
0.02096278,
-0.4841419,
-0.09510212,
-0.2003138,
0.1039466,
-0.3736284,
0.1069943,
-0.1776071,
0.3009246,
-0.2310583,
0.1... |
Preparation and multiple antitumor properties of AuNRs/spinach extract/PEGDA composite hydrogel. | In this study, a novel composite hydrogel that contains spinach extract (SE), gold nanorods (AuNRs), and poly(ethylene glycol) double acrylates (PEGDA) is prepared through a one-step in situ photopolymerization under noninvasive 660 nm laser irradiation for localized antitumor activity. SE plays a role as a photoinitiator for initiating the formation of the PEGDA hydrogel and as an excellent photosensitizer for generating cytotoxic singlet oxygen ((1)O2) with oxygen to kill tumor cells. AuNRs can be used as a photoabsorbing agent to generate heat from optical energy. Moreover, the introduction of AuNRs is conducive to the formation of the hydrogel and accelerates the rate of (1)O2 generation. The composite hydrogel shell, which has good biocompatibility on tumor cells, can prevent the photosensitizer from migrating to normal tissue and maintains a high concentration on lesions, thereby enhancing the curative effect. The combination of NIR light-triggered mild photothermal heating of AuNRs, the photodynamic treatment using SE, and localized gelation by photopolymerization exhibits a synergistic effect for the destruction of cancer cells. | 25,111,567 | [
-0.1909108,
-0.007391513,
-0.06439944,
-0.02324231,
0.1858313,
0.03128973,
-0.0823451,
-0.01593532,
0.3800923,
0.1089076,
-0.1572673,
0.142756,
-0.1158075,
-0.2997376,
-0.2474412,
0.1757585,
-0.139491,
-0.09192773,
-0.006338966,
-0.03836397,
0.0369744,
0.3181202,
-0.12804... |
Repeated measures of urinary oxidative stress biomarkers during pregnancy and preterm birth. | The purpose of this study was to investigate oxidative stress as a mechanism of preterm birth in human subjects; we examined associations between urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress that were measured at multiple time points during pregnancy and preterm birth. This nested case-control study included 130 mothers who delivered preterm and 352 mothers who delivered term who were originally recruited as part of an ongoing prospective birth cohort at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Two biomarkers that included 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-isoprostane were measured in urine samples that were collected at up to 4 time points (median 10, 18, 26, and 35 weeks) during gestation. Urinary concentrations of 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG decreased and increased, respectively, as pregnancy progressed. Average levels of 8-isoprostane across pregnancy were associated with increased odds of spontaneous preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio, 6.25; 95% confidence interval, 2.86-13.7), and associations were strongest with levels measured later in pregnancy. Average levels of 8-OHdG were protective against overall preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio, 0.19; 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.34), and there were no apparent differences in the protective effect in cases of spontaneous preterm birth compared with cases of placental origin. Odds ratios for overall preterm birth were more protective in association with urinary 8-OHdG concentrations that were measured early in pregnancy. Maternal oxidative stress may be an important contributor to preterm birth, regardless of subtype and timing of exposure during pregnancy. The 2 biomarkers that were measured in the present study had opposite associations with preterm birth; an improved understanding of what each represents may help to identify more precisely important mechanisms in the pathway to preterm birth. | 25,111,586 | [
-0.2172583,
0.1149931,
-0.3872531,
0.04124636,
0.3217042,
-0.2281823,
-0.4824801,
0.02562189,
0.2972457,
0.09722559,
0.1190976,
0.1178365,
-0.09144299,
-0.1805472,
0.08502229,
-0.2532263,
-0.2382501,
0.1638428,
0.1193408,
-0.05389138,
-0.03458582,
0.2186355,
-0.2359905,
... |
Circulating tumour cells in metastatic head and neck cancers. | Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer with 650,000 new cases p/a worldwide. HNSCC causes high morbidity with a 5-year survival rate of less than 60%, which has not improved due to the lack of early detection (Bozec et al. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;270: 2745-9). Metastatic disease remains one of the leading causes of death in HNSCC patients. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of literature over the past 5 years on the detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in HNSCC; CTC biology and future perspectives. CTCs are a hallmark of invasive cancer cells and key to metastasis. CTCs can be used as surrogate markers of overall survival and progression-free survival. CTCs are currently used as prognostic factors for breast, prostate and colorectal cancers using the CellSearch® system. CTCs have been detected in HNSCC, however, these numbers depend on the technique applied, time of blood collection and the clinical stage of the patient. The impact of CTCs in HNSCC is not well understood, and thus, not in routine clinical practice. Validated detection technologies that are able to capture CTCs undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition are needed. This will aid in the capture of heterogeneous CTCs, which can be compiled as new targets for the current food and drug administration-cleared CellSearch® system. Recent studies on CTCs in HNSCC with the CellSearch® have shown variable data. Therefore, there is an immediate need for large clinical trials encompassing a suite of biomarkers capturing CTCs in HNSCC, before CTCs can be used as prognostic markers in HNSCC patient management. | 25,111,594 | [
-0.0562197,
-0.03337828,
0.02718852,
-0.475344,
-0.2764967,
-0.4250382,
-0.06577587,
0.6037186,
-0.02535142,
0.3410504,
-0.1163587,
0.2696626,
0.03685933,
-0.5897145,
-0.488774,
-0.2354563,
0.02951533,
0.1750747,
0.2245674,
0.1715557,
0.5977947,
0.1432948,
-0.4394817,
0... |
Contaminants of emerging concern in fresh leachate from landfills in the conterminous United States. | To better understand the composition of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in landfill leachate, fresh leachate from 19 landfills was sampled across the United States during 2011. The sampled network included 12 municipal and 7 private landfills with varying landfill waste compositions, geographic and climatic settings, ages of waste, waste loads, and leachate production. A total of 129 out of 202 CECs were detected during this study, including 62 prescription pharmaceuticals, 23 industrial chemicals, 18 nonprescription pharmaceuticals, 16 household chemicals, 6 steroid hormones, and 4 plant/animal sterols. CECs were detected in every leachate sample, with the total number of detected CECs in samples ranging from 6 to 82 (median = 31). Bisphenol A (BPA), cotinine, and N,N-diethyltoluamide (DEET) were the most frequently detected CECs, being found in 95% of the leachate samples, followed by lidocaine (89%) and camphor (84%). Other frequently detected CECs included benzophenone, naphthalene, and amphetamine, each detected in 79% of the leachate samples. CEC concentrations spanned six orders of magnitude, ranging from ng L(-1) to mg L(-1). Industrial and household chemicals were measured in the greatest concentrations, composing more than 82% of the total measured CEC concentrations. Maximum concentrations for three household and industrial chemicals, para-cresol (7 020 000 ng L(-1)), BPA (6 380 000 ng L(-1)), and phenol (1 550 000 ng L(-1)), were the largest measured, with these CECs composing 70% of the total measured CEC concentrations. Nonprescription pharmaceuticals represented 12%, plant/animal sterols 4%, prescription pharmaceuticals 1%, and steroid hormones <1% of the total measured CEC concentrations. Leachate from landfills in areas receiving greater amounts of precipitation had greater frequencies of CEC detections and concentrations in leachate than landfills receiving less precipitation. | 25,111,596 | [
-0.1756836,
0.4178928,
0.2516071,
0.06534788,
0.1207826,
-0.3616889,
-0.3175168,
0.292706,
-0.03669998,
-0.1086591,
0.2791444,
-0.02500831,
0.03878494,
0.1920726,
-0.3282399,
0.1499608,
-0.2318307,
0.2187382,
0.5895466,
0.1048272,
-0.1803562,
0.130569,
-0.3999701,
-0.42... |
Diagnosis, mechanisms and treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. | The incidence and disease course of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) has been unclear until recently. This was due to inconsistent diagnostic criteria used in previous studies and a lack of large-scale prospective datasets. Multiple mechanisms of CRPS have been suggested, and recent research has begun to explain how inflammation, the immune system and the autonomic nervous system may interact with aberrant central neuroplasticity to produce the clinical picture. This review summarizes progress in these fields. National registries of patients with CRPS have provided us with an invaluable insight into the epidemiology of the disorder. We now have a better understanding of the disease course and expected outcome. Widespread sensory abnormalities, not limited to the CRPS limb, have been found suggesting that systemic changes may occur. Parietal lobe dysfunction and problems with sensory-motor integration have also been revealed. Abnormalities in the immune system in CRPS have also been demonstrated. Recent findings in diverse research fields suggest novel treatment options for CRPS: from targeting autoimmunity to correcting abnormal body image. Many of the advances in our understanding of CRPS have arisen from the development of collaborative research efforts, such as the TREND group in the Netherlands. | 25,111,604 | [
0.1474051,
0.07160102,
0.06074195,
-0.2877812,
0.001602933,
-0.2165127,
0.1405895,
0.1595018,
0.04874056,
0.02895278,
0.02204389,
-0.2552384,
0.09552544,
-0.05555566,
0.02757894,
-0.1089186,
-0.163427,
0.3469555,
0.05860329,
0.2909044,
-0.2609536,
0.3408052,
-0.2710597,
... |
Outline-based morphometrics, an overlooked method in arthropod studies? | Modern methods allow a geometric representation of forms, separating size and shape. In entomology, as well as in many other fields involving arthropod studies, shape variation has proved useful for species identification and population characterization. In medical entomology, it has been applied to very specific questions such as population structure, reinfestation of insecticide-treated areas and cryptic species recognition. For shape comparisons, great importance is given to the quality of landmarks in terms of comparability. Two conceptually and statistically separate approaches are: (i) landmark-based morphometrics, based on the relative position of a few anatomical "true" or "traditional" landmarks, and (ii) outline-based morphometrics, which captures the contour of forms through a sequence of close "pseudo-landmarks". Most of the studies on insects of medical, veterinary or economic importance make use of the landmark approach. The present survey makes a case for the outline method, here based on elliptic Fourier analysis. The collection of pseudo-landmarks may require the manual digitization of many points and, for this reason, might appear less attractive. It, however, has the ability to compare homologous organs or structures having no landmarks at all. This strength offers the possibility to study a wider range of anatomical structures and thus, a larger range of arthropods. We present a few examples highlighting its interest for separating close or cryptic species, or characterizing conspecific geographic populations, in a series of different vector organisms. In this simple application, i.e. the recognition of close or cryptic forms, the outline approach provided similar scores as those obtained by the landmark-based approach. | 25,111,609 | [
0.07324693,
0.2816406,
0.04350507,
0.01163896,
-0.1252111,
-0.4816511,
-0.02421009,
-0.07929195,
0.2754413,
-0.07707089,
0.07954611,
-0.3787599,
-0.03782679,
-0.2397234,
-0.6619769,
-0.05945409,
-0.117958,
0.1395086,
0.06253264,
0.02018816,
-0.1587661,
0.1076795,
-0.24165... |
Renal response to L-arginine in diabetic rats. A possible link between nitric oxide system and aquaporin-2. | The aim of this study was to evaluate whether L-Arginine (L-Arg) supplementation modifies nitric oxide (NO) system and consequently aquaporin-2 (AQP2) expression in the renal outer medulla of streptozotocin-diabetic rats at an early time point after induction of diabetes. Male Wistar rats were divided in four groups: Control, Diabetic, Diabetic treated with L-Arginine and Control treated with L-Arginine. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was estimated by [14C] L-citrulline production in homogenates of the renal outer medulla and by NADPH-diaphorase staining in renal outer medullary tubules. Western blot was used to detect the expression of AQP2 and NOS types I and III; real time PCR was used to quantify AQP2 mRNA. The expression of both NOS isoforms, NOS I and NOS III, was decreased in the renal outer medulla of diabetic rats and L-Arg failed to prevent these decreases. However, L-Arg improved NO production, NADPH-diaphorase activity in collecting ducts and other tubular structures, and NOS activity in renal homogenates from diabetic rats. AQP2 protein and mRNA were decreased in the renal outer medulla of diabetic rats and L-Arg administration prevented these decreases. These results suggest that the decreased NOS activity in collecting ducts of the renal outer medulla may cause, at least in part, the decreased expression of AQP2 in this model of diabetes and constitute additional evidence supporting a role for NO in contributing to renal water reabsorption through the modulation of AQP2 expression in this pathological condition. However, we cannot discard that another pathway different from NOS also exists that links L-Arg to AQP2 expression. | 25,111,608 | [
-0.07946339,
0.1349194,
-0.141616,
0.4926331,
0.1891285,
-0.4892249,
0.03578477,
-0.2943896,
0.03393784,
0.143933,
0.224736,
0.1163968,
-0.009488915,
-0.02218665,
-0.5028048,
-0.01437086,
-0.0801186,
0.07021774,
-0.2412884,
-0.3404588,
0.05899052,
0.1771101,
0.0819131,
... |
Spread and predominance in Japan of novel G1P[8] double-reassortant rotavirus strains possessing a DS-1-like genotype constellation typical of G2P[4] strains. | Rotavirus is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in children <5 years of age worldwide, and two, live attenuated rotavirus vaccines are globally available. As rotavirus vaccines are introduced into national immunization programs, there is an increasing need to monitor circulating wild-type strains. However, few studies have systematically examined their full genotype constellation. This study was therefore undertaken to characterize the whole genotype constellation of circulating rotavirus strains in three widely-separated locations in Japan during the 2012 rotavirus season when rotavirus vaccines became available in the country for the first time. Of 107 rotavirus-positive specimens, 50 (46.7%) strains collected from all three locations possessed an unusual G1-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2 constellation in which a typical G2P[4] strain appeared to have acquired its two surface protein genes from the most common G1P[8] strain. These G1P[8] double-reassortant strains were shown to possess the 11 genome segments virtually indistinguishable from each other in their nucleotide sequences and phylogenetic lineages except for two strains that underwent further intra-genotype reassortment. Successful spread to and predominance in broad locations across Japan of novel rotavirus strains possessing a genotype constellation that was previously thought not to be preferred suggests unexpected genomic flexibility of the genotype constellation. | 25,111,613 | [
-0.03861952,
-0.2210773,
0.1176968,
-0.1513608,
0.03494401,
-0.3724636,
-0.06553744,
-0.2139179,
0.2352512,
-0.1564543,
0.1549803,
0.2358061,
0.06848864,
0.4549929,
-0.2177461,
-0.4056652,
-0.1316629,
-0.01176209,
0.4076778,
-0.2778294,
-0.1746042,
0.2672945,
-0.4814383,
... |
Long-term IFN-γ and IL-2 response for detection of latent tuberculosis infection in healthcare workers with discordant immunologic results. | Discordant results between the interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) and tuberculin skin test (TST) are common in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We evaluated whether the measurement of IFN-γ and interleukin (IL)-2T-cell responses, after prolonged Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigen stimulation, can be used as adjunctive biomarker for LTBI detection in subjects with discordant results between TST and QuantiFERON-Gold In-Tube (QFT). 196 healthcare workers were screened for LTBI and in 90 of those participants, the QFT was repeated after 18 h, and IFN-γ/IL-2 immune response was measured after 72 h long-term stimulation. Of the 196 patients, 34 had positive, 155 negative, and 7 indeterminate QFT results. Discordant TST+/QFT- results were found in 29 (14.7%) patients, of whom 6 (20.6%) were Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccinated. None of 23 non-BCG vaccinated subjects showed a specific IFN-γ immune response after 18 h nor 72 h of incubation, whereas 3/23 (13.04%) discordant subjects produced a specific long-term IL-2 response, which might reflect a LTBI status. In LTBI group (TST+/QFT+) both cytokine levels were increased after long-term in comparison to short-term stimulation. No significant long-term IFN-γ/IL-2 secretion was detected in control group (TST-/QFT-). Taken together, our data showed that the 87% of discordant patients who did not respond to the long-term assay, as controls subjects, were judged LTBI negative. The use of classic QFT and long-term IL-2 response may have a potential role to clarify the LTBI status in individuals in whom the diagnosis of LTBI is uncertain due to the discordance of the available diagnostic tests, such as TST and IGRA. | 25,111,618 | [
0.06171508,
-0.08141395,
-0.3425914,
-0.25526,
0.05729868,
-0.3190189,
-0.2667344,
0.3697976,
0.06094058,
-0.1222849,
0.06767607,
0.0891891,
0.1210786,
-0.02327364,
-0.4462788,
-0.283474,
0.129038,
-0.1012822,
-0.05744854,
0.1769207,
0.4469226,
0.2423965,
-0.01227755,
0... |
Personality structure in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus), Scottish wildcat (Felis silvestris grampia), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), and African lion (Panthera leo): a comparative study. | Although the study of nonhuman personality has increased in the last decade, there are still few studies on felid species, and the majority focus on domestic cats. We assessed the structure of personality and its reliability in five felids-domestic cats, clouded leopards, snow leopards, African lions, and previous data on Scottish wildcats-and compared the results. In addition to the benefits of understanding more about this taxon, comparative studies of personality structure have the potential to provide information on evolutionary relationships among closely related species. Each of the species studied was found to have three factors of personality. Scottish wildcats' factors were labeled Dominance, Agreeableness, and Self Control; domestic cats' factors were Dominance, Impulsiveness, and Neuroticism; clouded leopards' factors were Dominance/Impulsiveness, Agreeableness/Openness, and Neuroticism; snow leopards' factors were Dominance, Impulsiveness/Openness, and Neuroticism; and African lions' factors were Dominance, Impulsiveness, and Neuroticism. The Neuroticism and Impulsiveness factors were similar, as were two of the Dominance factors. A taxon-level personality structure also showed three similar factors. Age and sex effects are also discussed. | 25,111,629 | [
0.06512215,
0.2333774,
0.2257171,
0.01753628,
0.2170285,
-0.2936829,
-0.2185748,
-0.5528672,
-0.08048008,
-0.1438444,
-0.1156259,
0.1858951,
0.006762911,
-0.2046928,
-0.2327149,
-0.1694199,
-0.2280824,
0.06185984,
0.01101584,
0.03800798,
0.1040778,
0.2141323,
-0.5149974,
... |
Noninvasive ventilation for patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure. | Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has an established efficacy to improve gas exchange and reduce the work of breathing in patients with hypoxemic acute respiratory failure. The clinical efficacy in terms of meaningful outcome is less clear and depends very much on patient selection and assessment of the risks of the technique. The potential risks include an insufficient reduction of the oxygen consumption of the respiratory muscles in case of shock, an excessive increase in tidal volume in case of lung injury, and a risk of delayed or emergent intubation. With a careful selection of patients and a rapid decision regarding the need for intubation in case of failure, great benefits can be offered to patients. Emerging indications include its use in patients with treatment limitations, in the postoperative period, and in patients with immunosuppression. This last indication will necessitate reappraisal because the prognosis of the conditions associated with immunosuppression has improved over the years. In all cases, there is both a time window and a severity window for NIV to work, after which delaying endotracheal intubation may worsen outcome. The preventive use of NIV seems promising in this setting but needs more research. An emerging interesting new option is the use of high flow humidified oxygen, which seems to be intermediate between oxygen alone and NIV. | 25,111,645 | [
-0.2051018,
-0.0465806,
-0.02806116,
-0.1243499,
-0.09163984,
-0.131032,
0.1135713,
-0.2689332,
-0.06871755,
0.01043963,
0.1131278,
-0.2481655,
-0.1084603,
-0.154847,
-0.184819,
-0.3877997,
-0.1090903,
0.2466335,
0.02761835,
0.005913499,
-0.03421354,
0.07401549,
0.0606283... |
Noninvasive ventilation in withdrawal from mechanical ventilation. | Patients with chronic airflow obstruction and difficult or prolonged weaning are at increased risk for prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Several randomized controlled trials mainly conducted in patients who had pre-existing lung disease have shown that the use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) to advance extubation in patients with difficult and prolonged weaning can result in reduced periods of endotracheal intubation, complication rates, and improved survival. Patients in these studies were hemodynamically stable, with a normal level of consciousness, no fever, and a preserved cough reflex. The use of NIV in the management of mixed populations with respiratory failure after extubation, including small proportions of chronic respiratory patients did not show clinical benefits included. By contrast, NIV immediately after extubation is effective in avoiding respiratory failure after extubation and improving survival in patients at risk for this complication, particularly those with chronic respiratory disorders, cardiac comorbidity, and hypercapnic respiratory failure. Finally, both continuous positive airway pressure and NIV can improve clinical outcomes in patients with postoperative acute respiratory failure, particularly abdominal and thoracic surgery. | 25,111,647 | [
-0.1829081,
-0.09073527,
-0.09071145,
-0.2438258,
-0.1027345,
-0.3573207,
-0.1228909,
-0.1894889,
0.007788173,
-0.05130211,
0.1471758,
-0.05439562,
-0.1339575,
-0.3180891,
0.05408084,
-0.2133258,
-0.8439429,
0.1068098,
-0.2107686,
-0.1651778,
-0.3424123,
-0.3125517,
-0.10... |
Synthesis of cyclic imides from nitriles and diols using hydrogen transfer as a substrate-activating strategy. | An atom-economical and versatile method for the synthesis of cyclic imides from nitriles and diols was developed. The method utilizes a Ru-catalyzed transfer-hydrogenation reaction in which the substrates, diols, and nitriles are simultaneously activated into lactones and amines in a redox-neutral manner to afford the corresponding cyclic imides with evolution of H2 gas as the sole byproduct. This operationally simple and catalytic synthetic method provides a sustainable and easily accessible route to cyclic imides. | 25,111,669 | [
-0.3759997,
0.1331398,
0.1100263,
0.0613947,
0.2537649,
-0.08476324,
-0.4358388,
-0.09491424,
0.1445377,
0.158159,
-0.08071426,
-0.2631192,
-0.06936927,
0.1098476,
-0.3593817,
0.04644481,
-0.5169097,
0.1329062,
0.05061036,
-0.06803533,
0.01220415,
-0.04098596,
-0.2070789,... |
The roles of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and pigmentation in melanoma. | MITF and pigmentation play important roles in both normal melanocyte and transformed melanoma cell biology. MITF is regulated by many pathways and it also regulates many targets, some of which are still being discovered and functionally validated. MITF is involved in a wide range of processes in melanocytes, including pigment synthesis and lineage survival. Pigmentation itself plays an important role as the interface between genetic and environmental factors that contribute to melanoma. | 25,111,671 | [
-0.1590147,
-0.4009633,
-0.02759099,
-0.4183476,
0.02405162,
-0.1571684,
-0.05142765,
0.2743365,
0.03264112,
0.08028572,
0.2517212,
0.00619296,
-0.06392293,
-0.1261498,
-0.4983749,
-0.04254705,
-0.06453685,
0.1519653,
-0.008516275,
0.2067027,
0.3045003,
0.1565487,
-0.1989... |
Cluster size effects of platinum oxide as active sites in hydrogen evolution reactions. | The successful design of photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water relies on a thorough understanding of the role of cocatalyst. The photoreactivity was studied as a function of the cluster size of the oxidized platinum cocatalyst. The maximum turnover frequency is found on the smallest-sized cocatalyst. This effect can be attributed to the size-dependent proton adsorption. | 25,111,675 | [
-0.04443759,
-0.01428492,
-0.1280002,
0.1689441,
0.009560399,
-0.383796,
-0.2773748,
-0.02670795,
0.03068469,
0.01913792,
-0.08935731,
-0.1349435,
0.03390306,
-0.03333106,
-0.4641733,
-0.03550286,
-0.1146713,
0.2133246,
0.2880172,
0.1516214,
0.1494922,
0.09047657,
-0.0730... |
Posterior scleral reinforcement and vitrectomy for myopic foveoschisis in extreme myopia. | To evaluate the effect of surgical posterior scleral reinforcement in extremely myopic patients (axial length ≥30 mm) with myopic foveoschisis. The retrospective interventional case series study included patients with an axial length ≥30 mm, posterior scleral staphyloma, and myopic foveoschisis, who were treated either by posterior scleral reinforcement and 23-gauge 3-port pars plana vitrectomy (posterior scleral reinforcement group) or by vitrectomy (vitrectomy group) alone. All eyes additionally underwent cataract surgery. The study included 28 patients (28 eyes) with no significant (all P > 0.05) difference between the posterior scleral reinforcement group (n = 14) and the vitrectomy group (n = 14) in age, refractive error, axial length, and preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). In addition to posterior scleral staphyloma and foveoschisis, a macular hole, a macular hole-associated retinal detachment, and a macular detachment without macular hole were present in three eyes, five eyes, and one eye, respectively in the study group and in three eyes, three eyes, and six eyes, respectively in the control group. In the study group, BCVA was significantly better after surgery than at baseline (P = 0.005) with an improvement in BCVA in 13 eyes, whereas BCVA was unchanged in 1 eye. In the control group, BCVA at baseline and at the end of follow-up did not differ significantly (P = 0.22). Gain in BCVA was marginally significantly higher in the study group than that in the control group (improvement by 0.69 ± 0.76 logMAR vs. 0.19 ± 0.54 logMAR; P = 0.05). The number of eyes with any improvement in BCVA (13 [93%] eyes vs. 11 [79%] eyes; P = 0.289) did not differ between both groups; an improvement in BCVA by more than 2 lines (10 [71%] eyes vs. 3 [21%] eyes; P = 0.009) was significantly higher in the study group than that in the control group. Anatomical success (defined as closure of macular holes and collapse of the foveoschisis) was achieved earlier in the study group (3.7 ± 3.2 months vs. 6.2 ± 3.0 months; P = 0.04). Posterior scleral reinforcement in association with vitrectomy, as compared with vitrectomy alone, was associated with a higher improvement in visual acuity in extremely myopic eyes with foveoschisis. | 25,111,687 | [
-0.1857659,
-0.001018982,
-0.1995349,
-0.246089,
0.007743574,
-0.261195,
0.1062387,
0.09757383,
0.1016279,
0.1423804,
0.2785839,
-0.109473,
-0.06191701,
-0.09509374,
-0.2036583,
-0.1444909,
-0.06789131,
0.2663075,
-0.3128233,
-0.1965054,
0.3710414,
0.1726914,
0.0290488,
... |
Renoprotective effect of red ginseng in gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury. | Aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity is one of the prevalent causes of acute kidney injury (AKI). Oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis of renal tubular cells is known to be a major mechanism of renal injury. Red ginseng extract (RGE) has been reported to possess antioxidant and immune-modulatory activities. We investigated the effect of RGE on gentamicin (GM)-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in cultured renal tubular cells and animal model of GM-induced AKI. GM induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with an increase in NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity and mitochondrial oxidation in NRK-52E cells that were ameliorated with RGE. GM-induced apoptosis of NRK-52E cells, which was associated with an increased expression of mitochondrial Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-9 and -3, along with a decrease in bcl-2 expression, was also blocked by RGE. In an animal model of GM-induced AKI, RGE treatment significantly attenuated renal dysfunction, cell apoptosis, and tubular damage. RGE ameliorated ROS production in rats with GM-induced AKI, as demonstrated by an increase in the reduced form of glutathione in renal cortex and a decrease in urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. Our results suggest that RGE protects the kidney from GM-induced AKI via the mechanism of modulation of oxidative stress. | 25,111,692 | [
-0.1761327,
0.126278,
-0.1518647,
0.3964102,
0.1770664,
0.06213465,
0.0259186,
-0.1990073,
0.001573324,
-0.1964251,
0.07107602,
0.311242,
-0.01025833,
0.4996389,
-0.1708319,
-0.1362544,
-0.4438909,
0.3119686,
0.01613844,
-0.037232,
-0.05478483,
0.309541,
0.09828694,
0.0... |
Male Asian international students' perceived racial discrimination, masculine identity, and subjective masculinity stress: a moderated mediation model. | This study examined male Asian international college students' perceptions of racial discrimination, subjective masculinity stress, centrality of masculine identity, and psychological distress by testing a moderated mediation model. Participants were 160 male Asian international college students from 2 large public universities. Participants' perceived racial discrimination was positively related to their subjective masculinity stress only at high (but not low) levels of masculine identity centrality. Additionally, subjective masculinity stress was positively related to psychological distress, although this association was stronger among those who reported high levels of masculine identity centrality. The authors also detected a moderated mediation effect in which subjective masculinity stress mediated the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and psychological distress only at high (but not low) levels of masculine identity centrality. These findings contribute to the counseling psychology literature by highlighting the connections between race- and gender-related stressors as well as the relevance of masculine identity to an understanding of men's mental health. | 25,111,707 | [
-0.2366183,
0.112562,
0.2675986,
-0.1298904,
0.2013176,
0.04405587,
-0.19332,
0.0733121,
0.1339114,
-0.2775022,
0.03883205,
-0.3541584,
-0.3371845,
-0.1829448,
-0.06689488,
-0.3208039,
-0.3880146,
0.3782876,
0.01817823,
-0.2738312,
-0.09580775,
0.2991011,
-0.01397733,
0... |
Twinship as a resource: zygosity- and gender-based comparison of twins' attitudes toward twinship. | Aiming to perform the first sociological survey of Hungarian twins, our main question was whether being a twin has positive consequences on one's life. Adult twins completed our questionnaire at three Hungarian summer twin festivals, in hospitals during medical twin studies, and on some websites online. Data represent 140 twin pairs (mean age: 38.2 ± 14.6 years). We employed some indices for measuring the resource nature of twinship. Three main types of benefits were distinguished: profit of attraction, as 'material capital'; the easier obtainability of cultural goods when twins take part in it, as 'cultural capital'; and positive aspects of an a priori existing dyadic relation, as 'relational capital'. We were interested in the difference among types of twins regarding advantages. We paid special attention to the five groups of twins derived from gender and zygosity (i.e., monozygotic females, monozygotic males, dizygotic females, dizygotic males, opposite-sex pairs). Our analysis showed that Hungarian twins involved in our research basically enjoy their twinship; during their lives they used and still make use of different benefits given by it. In our twin samples, women had more advantages from being a twin than men. Significant differences could be observed on all indicators between monozygotic and dizygotic twins. | 25,111,726 | [
0.07998262,
0.1316543,
0.1485069,
0.2795819,
0.2764125,
-0.1678444,
-0.2331356,
-0.07889188,
-0.1129593,
0.1180863,
0.1095775,
-0.1526396,
-0.2737577,
-0.201397,
-0.2538621,
-0.4430127,
0.1447719,
0.2828668,
-0.3612135,
-0.3819806,
0.4261406,
0.1505105,
-0.3101811,
-0.0... |
Recognition and repair of chemically heterogeneous structures at DNA ends. | Exposure to environmental toxicants and stressors, radiation, pharmaceutical drugs, inflammation, cellular respiration, and routine DNA metabolism all lead to the production of cytotoxic DNA strand breaks. Akin to splintered wood, DNA breaks are not "clean." Rather, DNA breaks typically lack DNA 5'-phosphate and 3'-hydroxyl moieties required for DNA synthesis and DNA ligation. Failure to resolve damage at DNA ends can lead to abnormal DNA replication and repair, and is associated with genomic instability, mutagenesis, neurological disease, ageing and carcinogenesis. An array of chemically heterogeneous DNA termini arises from spontaneously generated DNA single-strand and double-strand breaks (SSBs and DSBs), and also from normal and/or inappropriate DNA metabolism by DNA polymerases, DNA ligases and topoisomerases. As a front line of defense to these genotoxic insults, eukaryotic cells have accrued an arsenal of enzymatic first responders that bind and protect damaged DNA termini, and enzymatically tailor DNA ends for DNA repair synthesis and ligation. These nucleic acid transactions employ direct damage reversal enzymes including Aprataxin (APTX), Polynucleotide kinase phosphatase (PNK), the tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterases (TDP1 and TDP2), the Ku70/80 complex and DNA polymerase β (POLβ). Nucleolytic processing enzymes such as the MRE11/RAD50/NBS1/CtIP complex, Flap endonuclease (FEN1) and the apurinic endonucleases (APE1 and APE2) also act in the chemical "cleansing" of DNA breaks to prevent genomic instability and disease, and promote progression of DNA- and RNA-DNA damage response (DDR and RDDR) pathways. Here, we provide an overview of cellular first responders dedicated to the detection and repair of abnormal DNA termini. | 25,111,769 | [
-0.01067155,
-0.2747896,
-0.2989084,
-0.4331186,
0.224888,
-0.08090802,
-0.1935988,
0.07090008,
0.3912652,
0.2612765,
0.2246657,
-0.1541099,
0.1203495,
0.1290504,
-0.460759,
-0.1429722,
-0.6728842,
0.06416079,
0.2395852,
0.3205592,
-0.1554783,
0.2541696,
-0.2547084,
-0.... |
Evolutionary stability in the asymmetric volunteer's dilemma. | It is often assumed that in public goods games, contributors are either strong or weak players and each individual has an equal probability of exhibiting cooperation. It is difficult to explain why the public good is produced by strong individuals in some cooperation systems, and by weak individuals in others. Viewing the asymmetric volunteer's dilemma game as an evolutionary game, we find that whether the strong or the weak players produce the public good depends on the initial condition (i.e., phenotype or initial strategy of individuals). These different evolutionarily stable strategies (ESS) associated with different initial conditions, can be interpreted as the production modes of public goods of different cooperation systems. A further analysis revealed that the strong player adopts a pure strategy but mixed strategies for the weak players to produce the public good, and that the probability of volunteering by weak players decreases with increasing group size or decreasing cost-benefit ratio. Our model shows that the defection probability of a "strong" player is greater than the "weak" players in the model of Diekmann (1993). This contradicts Selten's (1980) model that public goods can only be produced by a strong player, is not an evolutionarily stable strategy, and will therefore disappear over evolutionary time. Our public good model with ESS has thus extended previous interpretations that the public good can only be produced by strong players in an asymmetric game. | 25,111,781 | [
0.08903884,
0.3721904,
-0.05739673,
-0.02917576,
0.5836014,
-0.4048386,
-0.3847944,
0.09973443,
0.1865351,
-0.1968539,
-0.01089011,
0.01127263,
-0.1547926,
0.1653585,
-0.1349419,
-0.3563097,
-0.1130101,
0.07600431,
0.2683384,
0.08038104,
0.2027697,
0.04530929,
-0.08402269... |
A four-stage hybrid model for hydrological time series forecasting. | Hydrological time series forecasting remains a difficult task due to its complicated nonlinear, non-stationary and multi-scale characteristics. To solve this difficulty and improve the prediction accuracy, a novel four-stage hybrid model is proposed for hydrological time series forecasting based on the principle of 'denoising, decomposition and ensemble'. The proposed model has four stages, i.e., denoising, decomposition, components prediction and ensemble. In the denoising stage, the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method is utilized to reduce the noises in the hydrological time series. Then, an improved method of EMD, the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), is applied to decompose the denoised series into a number of intrinsic mode function (IMF) components and one residual component. Next, the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is adopted to predict the trend of all of the components obtained in the decomposition stage. In the final ensemble prediction stage, the forecasting results of all of the IMF and residual components obtained in the third stage are combined to generate the final prediction results, using a linear neural network (LNN) model. For illustration and verification, six hydrological cases with different characteristics are used to test the effectiveness of the proposed model. The proposed hybrid model performs better than conventional single models, the hybrid models without denoising or decomposition and the hybrid models based on other methods, such as the wavelet analysis (WA)-based hybrid models. In addition, the denoising and decomposition strategies decrease the complexity of the series and reduce the difficulties of the forecasting. With its effective denoising and accurate decomposition ability, high prediction precision and wide applicability, the new model is very promising for complex time series forecasting. This new forecast model is an extension of nonlinear prediction models. | 25,111,782 | [
-0.2698557,
0.2174648,
0.1841465,
-0.1086216,
0.02615626,
-0.4385301,
-0.1856563,
0.2573465,
0.3425018,
-0.05007984,
-0.1738691,
-0.002838683,
0.191347,
-0.005089968,
-0.08987184,
0.005893847,
-0.1856364,
0.1840259,
-0.2315781,
-0.1281077,
0.2434548,
0.08087929,
-0.092071... |
Voice prosthetic biofilm formation and Candida morphogenic conversions in absence and presence of different bacterial strains and species on silicone-rubber. | Morphogenic conversion of Candida from a yeast to hyphal morphology plays a pivotal role in the pathogenicity of Candida species. Both Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, in combination with a variety of different bacterial strains and species, appear in biofilms on silicone-rubber voice prostheses used in laryngectomized patients. Here we study biofilm formation on silicone-rubber by C. albicans or C. tropicalis in combination with different commensal bacterial strains and lactobacillus strains. In addition, hyphal formation in C. albicans and C. tropicalis, as stimulated by Rothia dentocariosa and lactobacilli was evaluated, as clinical studies outlined that these bacterial strains have opposite results on the clinical life-time of silicone-rubber voice prostheses. Biofilms were grown during eight days in a silicone-rubber tube, while passing the biofilms through episodes of nutritional feast and famine. Biofilms consisting of combinations of C. albicans and a bacterial strain comprised significantly less viable organisms than combinations comprising C. tropicalis. High percentages of Candida were found in biofilms grown in combination with lactobacilli. Interestingly, L. casei, with demonstrated favorable effects on the clinical life-time of voice prostheses, reduced the percentage hyphal formation in Candida biofilms as compared with Candida biofilms grown in absence of bacteria or grown in combination with R. dentocariosa, a bacterial strain whose presence is associated with short clinical life-times of voice prostheses. | 25,111,806 | [
0.09180983,
-0.1550139,
-0.01773966,
0.2738965,
-0.1436602,
-0.4190199,
0.1910039,
0.1345855,
0.09082712,
0.2335352,
-0.11966,
0.2283743,
-0.3369279,
-0.2280831,
-0.2109937,
0.06154395,
0.09995067,
0.1996327,
-0.2169811,
-0.2971177,
0.3410748,
0.5185031,
0.147233,
0.169... |
Skeletal analysis and differential gene expression in Runx2/Osterix double heterozygous embryos. | The transcription factors, Runx2 and Osterix (Osx), act downstream in the BMP2 pathway, and they are essential for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. While Runx2 expression is normal in Osx-null mice, Osx is not expressed in Runx2-null mice, indicating that Osx acts downstream of Runx2 during bone formation. Runx2 and Osx are also independently regulated during bone formation. To define the unknown correlation between Runx2 and Osx in the regulation of bone formation, we analyzed the bone of Runx2/Osx double heterozygotes generated by mating heterozygous Runx2 and Osx mice and elucidated the differential gene expressions due to the lack of Runx2 and Osx in bone. Compared to the Runx2 and Osx heterozygous embryos, Runx2/Osx double heterozygous embryos showed reduced bone length in the humerus and femur as well as hypoplastic or complete absence of the maxillary and palatine shelf, presphenoid bone, zygomatic bone, and tympanic ring. Severe inward bending was observed in the ribs and humerus. Histological analysis showed an expanded region of hypertrophic chondrocytes and a reduced area of mineralized bones in the Runx2/Osx double heterozygous embryos. DNA microarray analysis of the calvaria of embryos allowed gene classification based on similarities in the upregulated and downregulated expression patterns. Clusters 1 and 2 include 68 downregulated genes and 18 upregulated genes, respectively, in the Runx2/Osx double heterozygous embryos. Finally, the skeletal analysis and gene expression profiles obtained by clustering may facilitate the understanding of the correlation between Runx2 and Osx in skeletal development. | 25,111,820 | [
0.03772572,
0.1419421,
0.1480113,
0.00894692,
-0.08838474,
-0.3257177,
-0.2566827,
-0.1628468,
0.4712564,
-0.06008434,
0.09060179,
-0.02874206,
-0.3604955,
0.02096283,
-0.5194442,
0.2620474,
-0.3430955,
-0.07585422,
-0.5299212,
-0.1425381,
0.4644222,
0.2099659,
-0.2776895... |
Odor tracking in sharks is reduced under future ocean acidification conditions. | Recent studies show that ocean acidification impairs sensory functions and alters the behavior of teleost fishes. If sharks and other elasmobranchs are similarly affected, this could have significant consequences for marine ecosystems globally. Here, we show that projected future CO2 levels impair odor tracking behavior of the smooth dogfish (Mustelus canis). Adult M. canis were held for 5 days in a current-day control (405 ± 26 μatm) and mid (741 ± 22 μatm) or high CO2 (1064 ± 17 μatm) treatments consistent with the projections for the year 2100 on a 'business as usual' scenario. Both control and mid CO2 -treated individuals maintained normal odor tracking behavior, whereas high CO2 -treated sharks significantly avoided the odor cues indicative of food. Control sharks spent >60% of their time in the water stream containing the food stimulus, but this value fell below 15% in high CO2 -treated sharks. In addition, sharks treated under mid and high CO2 conditions reduced attack behavior compared to the control individuals. Our findings show that shark feeding could be affected by changes in seawater chemistry projected for the end of this century. Understanding the effects of ocean acidification on critical behaviors, such as prey tracking in large predators, can help determine the potential impacts of future ocean acidification on ecosystem function. | 25,111,824 | [
-0.1312077,
0.2225096,
-0.1542493,
0.01558112,
-0.09086804,
-0.004239074,
-0.2376653,
0.291806,
-0.06333649,
-0.4318192,
-0.1241125,
-0.03929018,
-0.1566796,
-0.4185517,
-0.2023926,
-0.04806181,
-0.3377642,
0.5460678,
-0.02143075,
-0.0747397,
-0.1101705,
0.4173445,
-0.009... |
Advanced glycation end products increase carbohydrate responsive element binding protein expression and promote cancer cell proliferation. | Diabetic patients have increased levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the role of AGEs in regulating cancer cell proliferation is unclear. Here, we found that treating colorectal and liver cancer cells with AGEs promoted cell proliferation. AGEs stimulated both the expression and activation of a key transcription factor called carbohydrate responsive element binding protein (ChREBP) which had been shown to promote glycolytic and anabolic activity as well as proliferation of colorectal and liver cancer cells. Using siRNAs or the antagonistic antibody for the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) blocked AGEs-induced ChREBP expression or cell proliferation in cancer cells. Suppressing ChREBP expression severely impaired AGEs-induced cancer cell proliferation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that AGEs-RAGE signaling enhances cancer cell proliferation in which AGEs-mediated ChREBP induction plays an important role. These findings may provide new explanation for increased cancer progression in diabetic patients. | 25,111,846 | [
0.02437692,
-0.2623307,
-0.1615,
0.0468691,
-0.0267459,
0.0358492,
-0.1531878,
0.3283746,
0.1206182,
0.3911151,
-0.05510227,
0.224103,
-0.1828952,
-0.1472588,
-0.5256499,
-0.04044529,
-0.3377219,
0.01018749,
0.1433289,
0.003087138,
0.2574541,
0.1564587,
-0.2339307,
-0.2... |
Electrophysiology-based detection of emergency braking intention in real-world driving. | The fact that all human action is preceded by brain processes partially observable through neuroimaging devices such as electroencephalography (EEG) is currently being explored in a number of applications. A recent study by Haufe et al (2011 J. Neural Eng. 8 056001) demonstrates the possibility of performing fast detection of forced emergency brakings during driving based on EEG and electromyography, and discusses the use of such neurotechnology for braking assistance systems. Since the study was conducted in a driving simulator, its significance regarding real-world applicability needs to be assessed. Here, we replicate that experimental paradigm in a real car on a non-public test track. Our results resemble those of the simulator study, both qualitatively (in terms of the neurophysiological phenomena observed and utilized) and quantitatively (in terms of the predictive improvement achievable using electrophysiology in addition to behavioral measures). Moreover, our findings are robust with respect to a temporary secondary auditory task mimicking verbal input from a fellow passenger. Our study serves as a real-world verification of the feasibility of electrophysiology-based detection of emergency braking intention as proposed in Haufe et al (2011 J. Neural Eng. 8 056001). | 25,111,850 | [
-0.2850288,
0.134992,
-0.3165776,
-0.008793436,
0.02432366,
-0.2200387,
-0.3128856,
-0.3026973,
-0.1213129,
-0.3418179,
-0.1074403,
-0.02316958,
0.3777523,
-0.1978618,
-0.1675087,
0.07908881,
-0.4150062,
0.2409784,
-0.5235054,
-0.1339491,
-0.07819082,
-0.04107242,
0.12623... |
Ex vivo protective effects of nicotinamide and 3-aminobenzamide on rat synaptosomes treated with Aβ(1-42). | Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, along with synaptic loss. The underlying mechanisms of AD are not clarified yet, but oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are important factors. Overactivation of poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) enzyme has been known to cause neuroinflammation and cell death in neurodegenerative processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of the PARP-1 inhibitors, 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) and nicotinamide (NA), against amyloid β peptide (1-42) (Aβ(1-42))-induced oxidative damage and mitochondrial reduction capacity on isolated synaptosomes. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with 3-AB (30-100 mg kg(-1)), NA (100-500 mg kg(-1)) or with saline for 7 days. Synaptosomes were incubated with 10-30 μM Aβ(1-42) or saline for 6 h at 37 °C. Ex vivo Aβ(1-42) treatment significantly induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in synaptosomes of the saline group, while synaptosomes of 3-AB and NA groups showed significant decreases in lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species production and protein oxidation. Moreover, both NA and 3-AB were able to improve the mitochondrial reduction capacity against Aβ(1-42). These data suggest that NA and 3-AB may have protective effects in neurodegenerative processes because of the reduced levels of oxidative stress and the improvement of mitochondrial function. | 25,111,857 | [
-0.05380055,
0.1261989,
0.03951552,
-0.02392977,
-0.049353,
-0.1768757,
0.05815598,
0.0724656,
0.04317128,
-0.1219258,
-0.06408273,
0.06503862,
0.4047461,
0.1409068,
-0.145085,
0.3419723,
-0.6465542,
0.1600111,
0.008585956,
0.236634,
0.02965776,
0.4240784,
0.1110338,
-0... |
The energy balance in cancer cachexia revisited. | To review new putative mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of a disturbed energy balance in cancer cachexia, which can lead to novel targets for clinical cachexia management. In the context of rapid developments in tumour treatment with potential systemic consequences, this article reviews recent data on energy requirements. Furthermore, we focus on new insights in brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity and reward processing in the brain in relation to the cachexia process. Nearly no new data have been published on energy requirements of cancer patients in the light of comprehensive new therapies in oncology. New developments, such as the introduction of staging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-computed tomography scanning, led to the observation that BAT activation may contribute to impaired energy balance in cancer cachexia. Animal and human data to date provide an indication that BAT activation indeed occurs, but its quantitative impact on the degree of cachexia is controversial. The peripheral and central nervous system is known to influence satiation, with a possible role for impaired food reward processing in the brain. To date, there are limited confirmatory data, but this is an interesting new area to explore for better understanding and treating cancer-induced anorexia. The multimodal approach to counteract cancer cachexia should expand its targets to BAT and food reward processing in the brain. | 25,111,867 | [
-0.1497773,
0.04489347,
-0.1347366,
-0.1692147,
0.2114916,
-0.3312389,
0.07685369,
-0.05529015,
-0.002482148,
0.1652769,
0.03702741,
-0.3016228,
0.04796842,
-0.1931348,
-0.3793077,
-0.316082,
-0.2067889,
0.2082184,
0.04460213,
0.1276847,
-0.1350107,
0.3884559,
-0.1676583,... |
Physical activity and the perceived neighbourhood environment - looking at the association the other way around. | The association between physical activity (PA) and variables of the perceived environment mainly originate from cross-sectional studies that introduced the idea that the environment influences the PA level of residents. However, the direction of cause and effect has not been solved with finality. The aim of this study was to investigate whether residents' perception of their proximate environment differs depending on their level of PA in transport and recreation. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with residents of six different parts of the city of Cologne, Germany. The sample of 470 adults (52.8% females; mean age = 35.5 ± 13.8 years) filled in the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), as well as the European Environmental Questionnaire ALPHA. To distinguish between residents with "low" and "high" PA, we split the samples into two on the basis of the specific median in transport- and recreation-related PA. In the "high" vs. "low" PA group of the overall sample, we noted 4%-16% more "PA favourable" environmental perceptions in seven of the 15 environmental variables. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to investigate associations of socio-demographic correlates and transport- and recreation-related PA on the dependent variables of the environmental perception. In this case, levels of PA were significant predictors for eight of the 15 items concerning environmental perceptions. Thus, the present study introduces the idea that residents with higher levels of transport and recreational PA may perceive their environment in a more "PA-favourable" way than residents with lower levels. | 25,111,877 | [
-0.08358515,
0.09536154,
-0.2134572,
0.278122,
-0.1003455,
-0.1972672,
-0.4151624,
0.06741751,
-0.1492271,
-0.2236893,
0.151667,
-0.3243446,
0.148705,
-0.1309055,
0.06904177,
-0.02222129,
-0.2800007,
0.09414376,
-0.3614908,
-0.06703389,
-0.06841692,
0.2989462,
-0.1370237,... |
Dissecting the global variation of gene expression for the functional interpretation of transcriptome data. | To perform their biological functions, individual genes exhibit varying ranges of expression levels. Thus, considering the intrinsic variability of gene expression can improve geneset-based functional analyses which are typically used to interpret transcriptome data. Through the extensive quantitative analysis of the expressional variability of individual genes using large collections of transcriptome and proteome data, we found the existence of the intrinsic variability of gene expression at the transcriptional level. Interestingly, genes under post-translational regulation were not sensitively regulated at the transcriptional level. Because genes have intrinsically different levels of regulation at the transcription and translation stages, the functional geneset-based interpretation of transcriptome data should only include genes that are significantly varied at the transcriptional level. Thus, by removing genes with low transcriptional variation from the DNA microarray data, we showed that geneset enrichment analysis could provide improved resolution in prioritizing target functional pathways in several different experimental datasets. | 25,111,883 | [
-0.1153712,
0.2348723,
-0.02178583,
-0.125005,
0.1513441,
-0.2622196,
0.08551232,
0.1401136,
0.007576294,
-0.1745728,
0.144455,
-0.2520969,
-0.04907666,
0.02235521,
-0.5119923,
0.0114129,
-0.08732351,
0.01900354,
-0.1492255,
0.05849288,
0.1592796,
0.4185023,
-0.2927406,
... |
Preparation and electric property of polysilsesquioxane thin films incorporating carbazole groups. | New silsesquioxane incorporating a carbazole groups (PCTSQ) has been synthesized by a click thiol-ene reaction and a subsequent sol-gel reaction. To evaluate the electric property of this hybrid, diode devices have been fabricated by using PCTSQ thin film by spin-coating onto n-type ZnO film prepared by the electrodeposition method. The thin film hybrid devices showed good electric characteristics and high rectification ratio, as well as worked as a rectifier. | 25,111,904 | [
0.1135129,
-0.004036006,
0.2885441,
0.0593134,
-0.08568655,
-0.03850362,
-0.543241,
-0.02160758,
0.1681025,
0.2845724,
0.09041574,
-0.009336541,
-0.0433584,
0.2165291,
-0.09740356,
-0.07294282,
-0.6022213,
-0.1445081,
-0.03623892,
0.1269149,
0.3130156,
0.09427528,
-0.1382... |
The association of state legal mandates for data submission of central line-associated bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units with process and outcome measures. | To determine the association between state legal mandates for data submission of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) with process and outcome measures. Cross-sectional study. National sample of level II/III and III NICUs participating in National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance. State mandates for data submission of CLABSIs in NICUs in place by 2011 were compiled and verified with state healthcare-associated infection coordinators. A web-based survey of infection control departments in October 2011 assessed CLABSI prevention practices, ie, compliance with checklist/bundle components (process measures) in ICUs including NICUs. Corresponding 2011 NHSN NICU CLABSI rates (outcome measures) were used to calculate standardized infection ratios (SIRs). Association between mandates and process and outcome measures was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Among 190 study NICUs, 107 (56.3%) were located in states with mandates, with mandates in place >3 years in 52 (49%). More NICUs in states with mandates reported ≥95% compliance to at least 1 CLABSI prevention practice (52.3%-66.4%) than NICUs in states without mandates (28.9%-48.2%). Mandates were predictors of ≥95% compliance with all practices (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-6.1). NICUs in states with mandates reported lower mean CLABSI rates in the ≤750-g birth weight group (2.4 vs 5.7 CLABSIs/1,000 central line-days) but not in others. Mandates were not associated with SIR <1. State mandates for NICU CLABSI data submission were significantly associated with ≥95% compliance with CLABSI prevention practices, which declined with the duration of mandate but not with lower CLABSI rates. | 25,111,921 | [
0.339074,
0.004614851,
0.0273577,
-0.1946747,
0.2432885,
-0.116693,
-0.154618,
-0.1020689,
-0.05726802,
0.002342425,
-0.04222001,
-0.05077197,
-0.01934421,
0.1030978,
0.1924869,
-0.2964323,
-0.2452636,
0.04609941,
0.1425984,
-0.2627923,
0.1544564,
-0.1029721,
-0.1865438,
... |
Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy of the bilateral hips in twin gestation: a case series. | Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy has been described as a rare, self-limiting disease of unclear etiology that presents as severe pain, which typically affects pregnant women in their third trimester. We describe 3 cases of primigravid pregnant women with twin gestation who reported unilateral hip pain and who were diagnosed with transient osteoporosis of pregnancy of the hip by magnetic resonance imaging. These women were advised to undergo limited weight bearing and activity modification to minimize the risk of fracture. Each patient was able to proceed through her pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum course without complication, with symptom resolution, and return to unrestricted activity. | 25,111,945 | [
-0.09118796,
0.2805041,
0.02006545,
-0.1717883,
-0.1693234,
-0.3497826,
-0.1803073,
-0.3649183,
0.1547886,
-0.2487067,
0.103074,
0.1694389,
-0.2074745,
-0.4039468,
-0.102378,
-0.2478409,
-0.3873486,
0.08799565,
-0.02288082,
-0.3344079,
-0.2120985,
0.1635253,
-0.3106698,
... |
Reduction of physiological effects in fNIRS waveforms for efficient brain-state decoding. | This paper presents a methodology for online estimation of brain activities with reduction in the effects of physiological noises in functional near-infrared spectroscopy signals. The input-output characteristics of a hemodynamic response are modeled as an autoregressive moving average model together with exogenous physical signals (i.e., ARMAX). In contrast to the fixed design matrix in the conventional general linear model, the proposed model incorporates the temporal variations in the experimental paradigm as well as in the hemodynamics. The performance of the proposed method has been tested by using box-car type functions followed by individual tapping tasks. The results and their significance were verified using t-statistics indicating that ARMAX seems to be better able to track/reveal the hemodynamic response. Also, online brain-activation maps were generated for localizing brain activities. Experimental results are compared with those of the existing conventional GLM-based method. | 25,111,978 | [
0.1637607,
0.4090251,
-0.5325224,
0.05442163,
0.1569387,
-0.07116768,
-0.3949978,
0.0535645,
0.1170806,
-0.09660119,
-0.05853472,
-0.03836394,
0.3176078,
-0.1165319,
-0.6523662,
0.1084243,
-0.3892625,
0.01278403,
-0.07849687,
0.0581498,
0.08790883,
0.04513127,
-0.1846134,... |
Coronary artery disease and 10-year outcome after hospital admission for heart failure with preserved and with reduced ejection fraction. | The prognostic impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) in heart failure is debated. Whereas causes of death have been well described in patients with cardiomyopathy, little is known about how CAD influences causes of death in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). We undertook a 10-year study and analysed causes of death in relation with CAD in HFPEF and in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF). Our prospective analysis included 591 consecutive patients (320 HFPEF and 271 HFREF) hospitalized for the first time for heart failure during 2000 and followed for 10 years. History of CAD was documented in 25% of HFPEF and 39% of HFREF patients (P < 0.001). Overall, CAD was independently predictive of all-cause and cardiovascular death. CAD had powerful prognostic impact in HFREF [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.60 (1.19-2.15) for all-cause death, and adjusted HR 2.01 (1.38-2.92) for cardiovascular death]. In HFPEF, the association between CAD and cardiovascular death was no longer observed after adjustment [adjusted HR 1.01 (0.69-1.50)]. In HFREF, CAD was associated with increased risk of heart failure-related (adjusted HR 2.03 (1.21-3.43)] and myocardial infarction-related fatal events [adjusted HR 3.84 (1.16-12.7)], while HFPEF patients with CAD appeared at greater risk of sudden death [adjusted HR 2.22 (1.05-4.95)]. The prognostic impact of CAD is different in HFPEF compared with HFREF. Patients with HFPEF and CAD are at high risk of cardiovascular death, especially sudden death. | 25,111,982 | [
-0.196591,
0.08416595,
-0.07948273,
-0.01421459,
0.01694341,
-0.06896751,
0.4927244,
0.04181497,
-0.1483833,
-0.07894512,
-0.008878775,
0.2859649,
0.04817979,
-0.3673531,
-0.09633715,
-0.3030924,
0.002118813,
0.4842231,
-0.05881773,
0.1874065,
0.08257452,
0.2027039,
-0.20... |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.