title stringlengths 0 901 | abstract stringlengths 3 9.89k | PMID int64 22 25.3M | embedding listlengths 768 768 |
|---|---|---|---|
Learning from an Ambient Assisted Living Lab: the case of the intelligent bed. | This paper presents methodological lessons learned from an Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) lab exploring the use of intelligent beds in a nursing home. The living lab study was conducted over a period of three month. 20 intelligent beds were installed. Data was collected via self-registration, diaries, observations, interviews and workshops with residents, nurses, nursing assistants, management, building officers, and purchasers from the Municipality. The paper presents an analysis within the overall themes of technology, use, and care, which is discussed by use of the SWOT framework presenting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified in the living lab of the intelligent bed. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for mature technology, long-term studies, clarification of role and tasks of different stakeholders, and attention on methods used for living lab evaluations. | 25,160,198 | [
-0.03815229,
-0.1549673,
0.08123433,
-0.05481183,
0.3682741,
-0.07760463,
-0.0540868,
-0.07959219,
-0.01854489,
-0.1788448,
-0.1977983,
0.0444207,
0.1585966,
-0.3723867,
-0.6115561,
0.2308515,
-0.4330549,
0.3268835,
-0.1187486,
-0.2494586,
-0.06552926,
-0.04298892,
-0.242... |
A workflow model to analyse pediatric emergency overcrowding. | The greatest source of delay in patient flow is the waiting time from the health care request, and especially the bed request to exit from the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) for hospital admission. It represents 70% of the time that these patients occupied in the PED waiting rooms. Our objective in this study is to identify tension indicators and bottlenecks that contribute to overcrowding. Patient flow mapping through the PED was carried out in a continuous 2 years period from January 2011 to December 2012. Our method is to use the collected real data, basing on accurate visits made in the PED of the Regional University Hospital Center (CHRU) of Lille (France), in order to construct an accurate and complete representation of the PED processes. The result of this representation is a Workflow model of the patient journey in the PED representing most faithfully possible the reality of the PED of CHRU of Lille. This model allowed us to identify sources of delay in patient flow and aspects of the PED activity that could be improved. It must be enough retailed to produce an analysis allowing to identify the dysfunctions of the PED and also to propose and to estimate prevention indicators of tensions. Our survey is integrated into the French National Research Agency project, titled: "Hospital: optimization, simulation and avoidance of strain" (ANR HOST). | 25,160,202 | [
-0.207417,
-0.05733832,
0.07564572,
0.1824522,
0.0581078,
-0.05951808,
0.07786881,
-0.1413849,
-0.1413739,
-0.05506102,
0.09052599,
-0.1481211,
-0.4772086,
0.2044936,
-0.4912077,
0.2042369,
-0.1520698,
-0.06526921,
-0.3274756,
-0.06712692,
0.3263706,
0.07294389,
-0.091344... |
Integrating personalized health information from MedlinePlus in a patient portal. | The objective of this paper is to describe the implementation and use of context aware information in Spanish from MedlinePlus embedded in a Patient Portal. Personalized information can help patients solve problems, make treatment decisions, gain confidence in their ability to care for themselves and communicate with providers. To integrate MedlinePlus information in our institutional PHR we used the HL7 Context-Aware Knowledge Retrieval Standard, also known as the Infobutton Standard. After analysing one year of use, patients accessed MedlinePlus information in Spanish in a similar rate to other personalized information generated locally. Infobuttons associated to laboratory test results were used in approximately 10% of patients portal sessions when reviewing lab results. | 25,160,204 | [
-0.3344925,
-0.1335038,
-0.2248091,
0.03666625,
0.03960625,
-0.04355406,
0.2716816,
-0.128067,
0.08376588,
-0.2832079,
0.09818987,
0.182792,
0.0744901,
-0.1668803,
-0.6551661,
0.08042113,
-0.4327934,
-0.0925743,
-0.169382,
0.1899003,
0.254539,
0.03008812,
-0.01928231,
0... |
Longitudinal data driven study design. | In this paper we present a method for processing EHR data into a longitudinal data model and examples for using this model to identify patients cross-sectionally and longitudinally as well as testing study designs retrospectively. Our data model describes measurements on four dimensions: the associated patient, observed feature, data source and time of survey. The transformation of structured source data into our model is defined by rules written in XML. To showcase the flexibility of the proposed longitudinal data model, we present an evolution of a retrospective study design as well as an example for interpreting biomarkers in emergency situations. With the proposed longitudinal data model complex queries can be performed, study designs tested and optimized. | 25,160,209 | [
-0.03751997,
-0.08655965,
-0.301095,
0.0248303,
-0.06277239,
-0.3677229,
-0.08877478,
0.2026127,
-0.06595582,
-0.05754646,
-0.2171062,
0.2149032,
0.03911311,
-0.07152506,
-0.4732186,
0.21078,
0.02226516,
-0.02545605,
-0.3688596,
0.05807178,
0.09265889,
-0.2135004,
-0.3404... |
HTML5 microdata as a semantic container for medical information exchange. | Achieving interoperability between clinical electronic medical records (EMR) systems and cloud computing systems is challenging because of the lack of a universal reference method as a standard for information exchange with a secure connection. Here we describe an information exchange scheme using HTML5 microdata, where the standard semantic container is an HTML document. We embed HL7 messages describing laboratory test results in the microdata. We also annotate items in the clinical research report with the microdata. We mapped the laboratory test result data into the clinical research report using an HL7 selector specified in the microdata. This scheme can provide secure cooperation between the cloud-based service and the EMR system. | 25,160,218 | [
-0.2461712,
0.0004646561,
0.102322,
-0.1085224,
0.2485801,
-0.0350958,
-0.004880928,
0.09142859,
0.2973388,
-0.2393713,
0.01510812,
0.3998617,
0.03268669,
0.1025843,
-0.4098146,
0.03147323,
-0.1779191,
0.1350361,
-0.2176065,
-0.3040544,
0.1216133,
-0.07023165,
0.1842954,
... |
A novel SVM-ID3 hybrid feature selection method to build a disease model for melanoma using integrated genotyping and phenotype data from dbGaP. | The relations between Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) and complex diseases are likely to be non-linear and require analysis of the high dimensional data. Previous studies in the field mostly focus on genotyping and effects of various phenotypes are not considered. To fill this gap a hybrid feature selection model of support vector machine and decision tree has been designed. The designed method is tested on melanoma. We were able to select phenotypic features such as moles and dysplastic nevi, and SNPs those maps to specific genes such as CAMK1D. The performance results of the proposed hybrid model, on melanoma dataset are 79.07% of sensitivity and 0.81 of area under ROC curve. | 25,160,235 | [
-0.1854086,
-0.06580444,
-0.1366764,
-0.1170824,
-0.1224975,
-0.5461707,
-0.2908423,
0.2107391,
0.3754722,
-0.134891,
0.09117287,
0.1461061,
0.01822438,
-0.1658219,
-0.7068508,
-0.1363978,
-0.5565336,
0.3014667,
0.2999644,
0.06830772,
0.1659686,
0.2862728,
-0.2668094,
0... |
Comparing narrative versus numerical display of functional information: impact on sense-making. | Contextual information consists of functional, social, and financial information about patients. Physicians routinely have difficulty incorporating contextual information into clinical decision-making despite the emphasis on patient-centered care and functional status. One reason for this difficulty is that such information is not well-represented in the patient medical record. This study assesses the impact of a "story-form" model versus a "medical" model on a practitioner's ability to recall and incorporate contextual information. We assessed this question through the analysis of responses of 30 clinicians to 2 vignettes presenting contextual information in both formats. Overall, there was a statistically significant difference between the narrative and numerical form with those receiving the narrative form for contextual information being more likely to consider it a top issue. Reference to goals in the report of key clinical factors was also significantly higher for the group receiving goal information. Implications for sharing contextual information in EMRs are discussed. | 25,160,258 | [
-0.1193643,
0.003745768,
-0.3761013,
-0.07290304,
0.1590127,
-0.06269222,
0.4097326,
-0.2765324,
-0.09633628,
-0.3303085,
-0.2871172,
0.2488143,
-0.2646916,
-0.08907407,
-0.563159,
0.1189314,
0.01978429,
0.2499603,
-0.4696094,
0.3431592,
0.04069056,
0.3035765,
-0.02438694... |
Assistive system for people with Apraxia using a Markov decision process. | CogWatch is an assistive system to re-train stroke survivors suffering from Apraxia or Action Disorganization Syndrome (AADS) to complete activities of daily living (ADLs). This paper describes the approach to real-time planning based on a Markov Decision Process (MDP), and demonstrates its ability to improve task's performance via user simulation. The paper concludes with a discussion of the remaining challenges and future enhancements. | 25,160,274 | [
-0.3813628,
-0.007833814,
-0.4370238,
-0.02588326,
0.5357992,
-0.2189706,
0.1429213,
-0.2592399,
0.04032916,
-0.08975206,
0.03958848,
0.03305933,
-0.2219909,
-0.007205196,
-0.3968233,
0.2688496,
-0.5405947,
0.04676294,
-0.6604163,
-0.1409568,
-0.0600645,
0.1723936,
-0.145... |
A framework for privacy-preserving access to next-generation EHRs. | Although personalized medicine is optimizing the discovery, development and application of therapeutic advances, its full impact on patient and population healthcare management has yet to be realized. Electronic health Records (EHRs), integrated with data from other sources, such as social care data, Personal Healthcare Record (PHR) data and genetic information, are envisaged as having a pivotal role in realizing this individualized approach to healthcare. Thus, a new generation of EHRs will emerge which, in addition to supporting healthcare professionals in making well-informed clinical decisions, shows potential for novel discovery of associations between disease and genetic, environmental or process measures. However, a broad range of ethical, legal and technical reasons may hinder the realization of future EHRs due to potential security and privacy breaches. This paper presents a HIPAA-compliant framework that enables privacy-preserving access to next-generation EHRs. | 25,160,285 | [
-0.07776731,
0.1096516,
0.04105987,
-0.2060937,
-0.1942636,
-0.135382,
0.1000948,
0.01978238,
-0.04037073,
-0.04544656,
-0.03734976,
0.1906924,
0.01858361,
-0.3642004,
-0.2750461,
-0.04992441,
-0.1914819,
0.09926236,
-0.03938109,
-0.3353009,
-0.03189119,
0.176078,
-0.3685... |
Determinants of eligibility and use of ehealth for cardiac rehabilitation patients: preliminary results. | To foster implementation of eHealth in care practice, it is important to gain insight into the factors that influence acceptance. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of eligibility and use for completing an electronic needs assessment for cardiac rehabilitation. We analysed the influence of age, gender, diagnosis, health literacy, quality of life scores, and depression and anxiety scores. Among 240 patients entering CR in two clinics, 101 patients were deemed eligible to use the system by their CR professional, of which 75 (74.2%) actually used it. Only 50% of the patients who had an acute coronary syndrome and 20% of the patients with chronic heart failure were deemed eligible. Furthermore, there was a decreasing trend towards usage in female patients, patients with symptoms of anxiety, and patients with a better quality of life. In the future we will continue to explore barriers and success factors as experienced by the patients and the participating clinics to optimize the system. | 25,160,301 | [
-0.2277458,
0.1783001,
-0.04549417,
-0.2268925,
-0.1471597,
-0.03758907,
0.2385128,
-0.2501096,
-0.1646765,
0.2627908,
-0.01797118,
0.02738069,
-0.1096859,
-0.4671492,
-0.1964582,
-0.1129116,
-0.3376715,
0.2305723,
-0.3144941,
-0.244519,
-0.08327944,
0.01526572,
-0.019091... |
e-Literacy in health care. | This paper explores notions of e-Literacy (otherwise IT literacy or digital literacy) in health care. It proposes a multi-dimensional definition of e-Literacy in health care and provides suggestions for policy makers and managers as to how e-Literacy might be accounted for in their decisions. | 25,160,306 | [
-0.2759987,
0.5772071,
0.1398497,
-0.1047998,
0.2082616,
-0.09706244,
-0.2239847,
0.04409068,
-0.1523582,
-0.03619026,
0.1608642,
0.249977,
-0.2054113,
-0.06651462,
-0.3828083,
-0.04683607,
-0.1636163,
0.2513562,
-0.01277022,
-0.4967941,
0.06490581,
0.1826025,
-0.03014586... |
Heuristic evaluation and thinking aloud test of a digitized questionnaire for diabetes outpatient clinics. | Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycaemia. The number of patients with diabetes is expected to exceed 592 million in 2035. The growing number of diabetics is a great burden for the Danish healthcare system. The Danish government desires a modern and efficient healthcare system with a high patient security and a coherent continuity of care. To achieve these outcomes medical record-keeping, paper questionnaires and notes must be digitized. The current system enforces that the diabetics fill out questionnaires in paper form after which the healthcare personnel enter the same information in the electronic health record. In this study, an online questionnaire was designed and the usability was evaluated using the following parameters: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction. The parameters were evaluated by using the discount usability engineering method. 5 double specialists and 6 patients diagnosed with diabetes provided the data of the study. The results indicated that simple and obvious figures were preferred in the online questionnaire, as well as error preventing in the form of validation fields. This study inspire to further development in the digitizing process. | 25,160,322 | [
-0.04242902,
0.1647879,
-0.0845468,
0.3113735,
0.2116608,
-0.3330235,
0.07334448,
0.2404677,
0.2104794,
-0.09429975,
0.09030101,
-0.01753602,
-0.02718624,
0.1441614,
-0.1507624,
0.05790627,
-0.1718692,
0.3329129,
-0.4421651,
-0.3316031,
0.3781698,
0.2993802,
0.005891888,
... |
Monitoring health IT integration--the effect of an EMR on laboratory service timeliness across six Australian hospitals. | The Electronic Medical Record (EMR) incorporates computerised provider order entry systems which allow clinicians to order diagnostic tests electronically, thus eliminating the need for cumbersome handwritten orders. In many situations the EMR relies on a manual transition of information across systems (e.g., integration with the Laboratory Information System). This study, based in a laboratory setting requiring such a transition across systems, aimed to compare the data entry time (from when a specimen arrives in the Central Specimen Reception [CSR] area of the laboratory, to when it is forwarded on for processing), along with a laboratory turnaround time (TAT) (from the time a specimen is received to the time a verified result is issued) for paper and EMR orders, for two high volume tests, across six hospitals. Results showed that the median data entry time for all hospitals combined, was three minutes shorter for EMR entered orders than paper orders. This difference was consistent and significant for Electrolytes, Urea, Creatinine (EUC) and Automated Differential (including full blood count) tests in 2010 and 2011. These decreases contributed to significantly lower median Laboratory TATs for EMR orders (for EUC tests the difference in medians was 12 minutes in 2010 and six minutes in 2011; for Automated Differential tests, the difference was four minutes in 2010 and two minutes in 2011). | 25,160,329 | [
-0.260939,
0.1613213,
-0.2677574,
-0.1289252,
0.0220097,
-0.3334168,
0.287682,
-0.064059,
-0.202944,
0.4457407,
-0.1185467,
0.3238636,
-0.09994663,
0.3182806,
-0.3547464,
0.06060591,
-0.03970903,
-0.2108547,
-0.1564367,
-0.1770239,
-0.09644742,
0.009773724,
-0.02810794,
... |
Protocol feasibility workflow using an automated multi-country patient cohort system. | The Electronic Health Record for Clinical Research (EHR4CR) project aims to improve the current process of clinical trials, providing a technological platform that supports the design and execution of trials. For the protocol feasibility scenario, the system currently allows the user to create a set of in-/exclusion criteria to find patients matching these criteria across sites located in several countries. The automated multi-country patient cohort system developed in EHR4CR implies substantial changes on the current protocol feasibility process, which will be reflected in this study. | 25,160,335 | [
0.02481285,
0.2719975,
0.03466038,
-0.1553584,
-0.2275561,
-0.3577056,
-0.3334387,
0.1542841,
0.0905076,
-0.07078263,
-0.183806,
-0.08978577,
-0.008746359,
-0.08274489,
-0.4892358,
-0.2143073,
-0.07882796,
0.0746339,
-0.1115923,
-0.2896935,
-0.002531916,
0.1257131,
-0.198... |
A context-sensitive image annotation recommendation engine for radiology. | In the typical radiology reading workflow, a radiologist would go through an imaging study and annotate specific regions of interest. The radiologist has the option to select a suitable description (e.g., "calcification") from a list of predefined descriptions, or input the description directly as free-text. However, this process is time-consuming and the descriptions are not standardized over time, even for the same patient or the same general finding. In this paper, we describe an approach that presents finding descriptions based on textual information extracted from a patient's prior reports. Using 133 finding descriptions obtained in routine oncology workflow, we demonstrate how the system can be used to reduce keystrokes by up to 86% in about 38% of the instances. We have integrated our solution into a PACS and discuss how the system can be used in a clinical setting to improve the image annotation workflow efficiency and promote standardization of finding descriptions. | 25,160,368 | [
-0.02938288,
0.1441851,
-0.1398372,
0.09066102,
0.04474622,
-0.0484599,
0.2726903,
0.1341281,
0.1557354,
0.2698853,
-0.0275713,
0.07626629,
-0.09949668,
-0.5162857,
-0.6711262,
-0.07984488,
-0.374288,
0.08857162,
0.06465826,
0.02707584,
0.1784109,
0.02920171,
-0.2986708,
... |
The influence of sex hormones on anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in males. | The purpose of this study is to determine the difference in the concentrations of testosterone, 17-β estradiol and progesterone between male patients with and without ACL rupture, as well as the possible effect of these hormones on generalized joint laxity. Male subjects with non-contact knee joint injury were included in this study. Two groups were formed: the examined group, consisting of subjects with ACL rupture and the control group consisting of patients without ACL rupture. After this, the patients from these two groups were paired off on the basis of three factors, level of professional involvement in sports (including the type of sports activity), left or right side of the body and the age of the subjects. In the end, there were 29 pairs (58 subjects). The concentration of sex hormones was determined from saliva specimens with the aid of the Salimetrics enzyme immunoassay. The testing of generalized joint laxity was performed with the aid of the "laxity score" according to Beighton et al. Subjects with ACL rupture have highly statistically significantly greater concentrations of testosterone (p < 0.01), statistically significantly greater concentrations of 17-β estradiol (p < 0.05), and a highly statistically significantly greater generalized joint laxity score than subjects with an intact ACL (p < 0.01). Increased concentrations of testosterone or 17-β estradiol may be a risk factor leading to ACL rupture. Also, generalized joint laxity may be a factor leading to ACL rupture, but none of the monitored hormones can be set down as the cause of its existence. Young male athletes with higher concentrations of testosterone and greater hyperelasticity should plan preventive programs of physiotherapy for ACL preservation since they present a vulnerable group susceptible to ACL rupture. Diagnostic study, Level II. | 25,160,472 | [
0.1521123,
0.3284702,
0.2378032,
0.1919274,
-0.1556493,
-0.3969843,
-0.3800454,
-0.02230357,
-0.2048884,
0.09747086,
0.02865696,
-0.2037952,
0.01434087,
-0.340481,
-0.3648454,
-0.1495141,
0.03121048,
0.09983078,
-0.4390922,
0.190655,
0.1803044,
-0.2426486,
-0.1218181,
0... |
Rebuilding self-confidence after cancer: a feasibility study of life-coaching. | Cancer survivors often experience decreased self-confidence which impacts negatively on their ability to self-manage the practical, social and emotional problems frequently faced as they emerge from end of treatment. This was a feasibility study of a life-coaching intervention, designed to rebuild confidence of survivors and support transition to life after cancer treatment. A one group pre-test, post-test design was used, recruiting participants from community organisations. Eligibility criteria are as follows: <1 year of completion of primary cancer treatment, aged >18, no metastases, and no mental health problems. Participants received one individualised face-to-face and five telephone coaching sessions over 3 months. Outcome measures are as follows: New General Self-Efficacy Scale, Hope Scale, Personal Well-being Index, Assessment of Survivorship Concerns, Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Social Difficulties Index, and a goal attainment score. Interviews explored feasibility, acceptability and impact of life-coaching and research design. Nine women and two men were recruited, representing varying cancer diagnoses. All outcome measures were sensitive to change and indicated positive trends post-intervention. Participant interviews indicated the intervention was well received and had a positive impact. Lessons were learnt about study design, recruitment and intervention delivery. Life-coaching has a potential to enable cancer survivors to manage the transition to life beyond cancer and effect change on a range of outcomes. The intervention was feasible to deliver and acceptable to survivors at a time when many struggle to make sense of life. It merits further evaluation through a randomised controlled trial. | 25,160,492 | [
-0.2230511,
0.01352875,
-0.1860374,
-0.3195184,
-0.09664196,
-0.3400773,
-0.08716127,
-0.08237136,
-0.2883556,
0.02098966,
-0.03765184,
0.1751658,
-0.06999724,
-0.3308117,
-0.579883,
-0.1844351,
-0.0338982,
0.3225823,
-0.1427233,
0.1340722,
-0.2390012,
0.3405442,
0.127096... |
Precision Marangoni-driven patterning. | A Marangoni flow is shown to occur when a polymer film possessing a spatially-defined surface energy pattern is heated above its glass transition to the liquid state. This can be harnessed to rapidly manufacture polymer films possessing prescribed height profiles. To quantify and verify this phenomenon, a model is described here which accurately predicts the formation, growth, and eventual dissipation of topographical features. The model predictions, based on numerical solutions of equations governing thin film dynamics with a Marangoni stress, are quantitatively compared to experimental measurements of thin polystyrene films containing photochemically patterned surface energy gradients. Good agreement between the model and the data is achieved at temperatures between 120 and 140 °C for a comprehensive range of heating times using reasonable physical properties as parameter inputs. For example, thickness variations that measure 102% of the starting film thickness are achieved in only 12 minutes of heating at 140 °C, values that are predicted by the model are within 6% and 3 min, respectively. The photochemical pattern that directed this flow possessed only a 0.2 dyne cm(-1) variation in surface tension between exposed and unexposed regions. The physical insights from the validated model suggest promising strategies to maximize the aspect ratio of the topographical features and minimize the processing time necessary to develop them. | 25,160,514 | [
-0.1620218,
-0.1013772,
-0.1162046,
-0.06267914,
-0.01916842,
0.06866065,
0.02976925,
0.007067041,
0.2504161,
-0.07760375,
-0.1155151,
-0.4414238,
-0.1812588,
0.08527116,
-0.3757253,
0.0004602694,
-0.5180111,
0.1850728,
-0.01038942,
0.194651,
0.7198629,
0.1169427,
-0.3228... |
Advancing the application of systems thinking in health: understanding the growing complexity governing immunization services in Kerala, India. | Governing immunization services in a way that achieves and maintains desired population coverage levels is complex as it involves interactions of multiple actors and contexts. In one of the Indian states, Kerala, after routine immunization had reached high coverage in the late 1990s, it started to decline in some of the districts. This paper describes an application of complex adaptive systems theory and methods to understand and explain the phenomena underlying unexpected changes in vaccination coverage. We used qualitative methods to explore the factors underlying changes in vaccination coverage in two districts in Kerala, one with high and one with low coverage. Content analysis was guided by features inherent to complex adaptive systems such as phase transitions, feedback, path dependence, and self-organization. Causal loop diagrams were developed to depict the interactions among actors and critical events that influenced the changes in vaccination coverage. We identified various complex adaptive system phenomena that influenced the change in vaccination coverage levels in the two districts. Phase transition describes how initial acceptability to vaccination is replaced by a resistance in northern Kerala, which involved new actors; actors attempting to regain acceptability and others who countered it created several feedback loops. We also describe how the authorities have responded to declining immunization coverage and its impact on vaccine acceptability in the context of certain highly connected actors playing disproportionate influence over household vaccination decisions.Theoretical exposition of our findings reveals the important role of trust in health workers and institutions that shape the interactions of actors leading to complex adaptive system phenomena. As illustrated in this study, a complex adaptive system lens helps to uncover the 'real' drivers for change. This approach assists researchers and decision makers to systematically explore the driving forces and factors in each setting and develop appropriate and timely strategies to address them. The study calls for greater consideration of dynamics of vaccine acceptability while formulating immunization policies and program strategies. The analytical approaches adopted in this study are not only applicable to immunization or Kerala but to all complex interventions, health systems problems, and contexts. | 25,160,531 | [
0.09493322,
-0.1408268,
-0.02407481,
-0.04716223,
0.4402575,
-0.4390704,
-0.05676277,
-0.004339848,
-0.037429,
0.04873613,
-0.0627616,
-0.1130157,
0.04130916,
0.119246,
-0.4019066,
-0.111498,
-0.3122247,
0.127296,
-0.2886774,
0.07499291,
0.3087692,
0.176183,
0.00254709,
... |
Thiamine deficiency in infancy: long-term follow-up. | In 2003, several hundred Israeli infants risked thiamine deficiency after being fed a soy-based formula deficient in thiamine. Approximately 20 patients were seriously affected, and three of them died. We report the clinical presentation of acute encephalopathy in 11 children and the long-term sequelae of eight children who initially survived. In the acute phase, six had bulbar signs, five had ophthalmologic signs and two had phrenic neuropathy. Three of the five patients with cardiac involvement had cardiomyopathy and died in the acute phase. One patient presented with a complete atrioventricular block. In the long-term, one patient, who was in a chronic vegetative state, died after 6 years. Seven children exhibited mental retardation and motor abnormalities, six developed severe epilepsy, two early kyphoscoliosis, and one patient remained with a complete atrioventricular block. Infants who survive severe infantile thiamine deficiency have serious residual motor and cognitive sequelae as well as epilepsy. | 25,160,536 | [
-0.06822789,
-0.3777174,
-0.1656631,
-0.5070088,
0.1226251,
-0.4253599,
0.166354,
-0.2648309,
-0.1961161,
-0.1867288,
0.004235433,
0.4282144,
-0.2157539,
0.4479682,
-0.2882494,
0.09527986,
-0.8053769,
0.2966847,
-0.08456195,
-0.02594202,
0.2761637,
0.6557022,
-0.02918278,... |
White matter injury in newborns with congenital heart disease: a diffusion tensor imaging study. | Brain injury is observed on cranial magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively in up to 50% of newborns with congenital heart disease. Newer imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging provide sensitive measures of the white matter integrity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diffusion tensor imaging analysis technique of tract-based spatial statistics in newborns with congenital heart disease. Term newborns with congenital heart disease who would require surgery at less than 1 month of age were prospectively enrolled (n = 19). Infants underwent preoperative and postoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion tensor imaging. Tract-based spatial statistics, an objective whole-brain diffusion tensor imaging analysis technique, was used to determine differences in white matter fractional anisotropy between infant groups. Term control infants were also compared with congenital heart disease infants. Postmenstrual age was equivalent between congenital heart disease infant groups and between congenital heart disease and control infants. Ten infants had preoperative brain injury, either infarct or white matter injury, by conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging. The technique of tract-based spatial statistics showed significantly lower fractional anisotropy (P < 0.05, corrected) in multiple major white matter tracts in the infants with preoperative brain injury compared with infants without preoperative brain injury. Fractional anisotropy values increased in the white matter tracts from the preoperative to the postoperative brain magnetic resonance imaging correlating with brain maturation. Control infants had higher fractional anisotropy in multiple white matter tracts compared with infants with congenital heart disease. Tract-based spatial statistics is a valuable diffusion tensor imaging analysis technique that may have better sensitivity in detecting white matter injury compared with conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging in term newborns with congenital heart disease. | 25,160,542 | [
-0.2301028,
-0.03718049,
-0.2586551,
-0.2197196,
-0.008745008,
-0.3882937,
0.007998801,
0.02686702,
-0.1648147,
0.1090259,
0.2890182,
0.3635745,
-0.3238691,
-0.2434629,
0.003987377,
-0.06554586,
-0.2624469,
0.2150734,
-0.4774728,
-0.1415158,
-0.1491526,
0.2015152,
-0.2028... |
Management of symptomatic cholelithiasis while on ketogenic diet: a case report. | The ketogenic diet is a treatment modality used for patients with refractory epilepsy. Development of cholelithiasis while on the ketogenic diet is a potential side effect that has been described in the literature. There however have not been any reports on the outcomes of continuing the diet after cholecystectomy. We present a 5-year-old boy with history of pharmacologically intractable epilepsy that was well controlled on the ketogenic diet. He underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the development of symptomatic cholelithiasis 12 months after the initiation of ketogenic diet for seizure control. Patient tolerated the surgery well and was able to continue the ketogenic diet postoperatively. There have been no reports describing the continuation of ketogenic diet after cholecystectomy. This child demonstrates the safety of the procedure and the ability to continue the ketogenic diet without further biliary or surgical complications. | 25,160,551 | [
-0.07244997,
0.138408,
-0.08018819,
-0.2127891,
-0.2055784,
-0.3171326,
-0.6048489,
-0.1590833,
0.2190422,
0.02124595,
0.1187754,
0.4029136,
-0.1031931,
-0.04893874,
-0.123775,
-0.2612215,
-0.4689025,
0.2623943,
0.07424866,
-0.3064389,
-0.4191076,
0.1431305,
-0.09169447,
... |
A pediatric case of peripheral polyneuropathy with IgM anti-GM1 antibody associated with A group a beta-hemolytic Streptococcus infection. | Postinfectious peripheral neuropathy can be associated with various viral or bacterial infections. Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus infection can lead to neurological disorders, which involve predominantly the central nervous system, whereas peripheral neuropathy during childhood is rare. We describe a 12-year-old boy who presented with peripheral polyneuropathy associated with Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus infection. Anti-GM1 IgM was significantly elevated in his serum during the acute phase, which suggested that it was related with the pathophysiology in this patient. Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus infection may cause peripheral neuropathy via the autoimmune system and glycolipids. | 25,160,552 | [
-0.08490842,
-0.4152415,
-0.1751014,
-0.2228717,
-0.1588178,
-0.1373478,
-0.4279451,
0.09885111,
-0.26917,
0.03122574,
0.09002507,
0.2538702,
-0.02880153,
-0.1264397,
0.2153961,
-0.2442122,
-0.04137267,
0.01167955,
-0.001334735,
-0.4042577,
0.1603843,
0.06025958,
-0.22838... |
Reflections on mirror therapy: a systematic review of the effect of mirror visual feedback on the brain. | Mirror visual feedback (MVF), a phenomenon where movement of one limb is perceived as movement of the other limb, has the capacity to alleviate phantom limb pain or promote motor recovery of the upper limbs after stroke. The tool has received great interest from health professionals; however, a clear understanding of the mechanisms underlying the neural recovery owing to MVF is lacking. We performed a systematic review to assess the effect of MVF on brain activation during a motor task. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases for neuroimaging studies investigating the effect of MVF on the brain. Key details for each study regarding participants, imaging methods, and results were extracted. The database search yielded 347 article, of which we identified 33 suitable for inclusion. Compared with a control condition, MVF increases neural activity in areas involved with allocation of attention and cognitive control (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, S1 and S2, precuneus). Apart from activation in the superior temporal gyrus and premotor cortex, there is little evidence that MVF activates the mirror neuron system. MVF increases the excitability of the ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1) that projects to the "untrained" hand/arm. There is also evidence for ipsilateral projections from the contralateral M1 to the untrained/affected hand as a consequence of training with MVF. MVF can exert a strong influence on the motor network, mainly through increased cognitive penetration in action control, though the variance in methodology and the lack of studies that shed light on the functional connectivity between areas still limit insight into the actual underlying mechanisms. | 25,160,567 | [
-0.2932434,
0.2177889,
-0.2003622,
-0.3307757,
0.2362009,
-0.2413322,
0.06010294,
-0.09288443,
-0.04645256,
-0.03590064,
-0.04773144,
0.139415,
-0.1518924,
-0.3904373,
-0.2417413,
-0.3172946,
-0.4616878,
0.1923124,
-0.6246024,
0.2929783,
0.04540274,
-0.02662755,
-0.039079... |
Amplified ambivalence: having a sibling with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. | Despite increased awareness of family responses to chronic illness and disability, there is still a need to understand experiences of well siblings. We begin to address this issue by asking, 'What is it like to have a sibling with juvenile idiopathic arthritis?' (JIA). Eight families with an adolescent diagnosed with JIA participated. Four members of each family, including one healthy sibling, were interviewed and transcripts analyzed using grounded theory. Analysis suggests healthy siblings see their family as different to 'normal' families, forfeit time with peers, share vicariously adverse experiences of their ill sibling, and feel inadequately informed. Such experiences amplify the ambivalent nature of sibling relationships and are possibly felt most strongly during late childhood and early adolescence. Support from extended family can reduce these negative experiences and facilitate social and emotional adjustment which also occurs over time as the children mature. These findings have implications for healthcare professionals and voluntary organizations. | 25,160,580 | [
-0.5006881,
0.01843956,
-0.285257,
0.09506626,
0.3080294,
-0.0246196,
0.07456335,
0.1388206,
0.07966872,
-0.1884296,
-0.02319708,
0.06279394,
-0.2203739,
-0.1786591,
-0.01352812,
-0.2968369,
-0.2878287,
0.2645238,
-0.06109395,
-0.1892374,
-0.09007806,
-0.05017732,
0.06603... |
Targeting of splice variants of human cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) to mitochondria and their role in arachidonic acid metabolism and respiratory dysfunction. | In this study, we found that the full-length CYP2C8 (WT CYP2C8) and N-terminal truncated splice variant 3 (∼ 44-kDa mass) are localized in mitochondria in addition to the endoplasmic reticulum. Analysis of human livers showed that the mitochondrial levels of these two forms varied markedly. Molecular modeling based on the x-ray crystal structure coordinates of CYP2D6 and CYP2C8 showed that despite lacking the N-terminal 102 residues variant 3 possessed nearly complete substrate binding and heme binding pockets. Stable expression of cDNAs in HepG2 cells showed that the WT protein is mostly targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum and at low levels to mitochondria, whereas variant 3 is primarily targeted to mitochondria and at low levels to the endoplasmic reticulum. Enzyme reconstitution experiments showed that both microsomal and mitochondrial WT CYP2C8 efficiently catalyzed paclitaxel 6-hydroxylation. However, mitochondrial variant 3 was unable to catalyze this reaction possibly because of its inability to stabilize the large 854-Da substrate. Conversely, mitochondrial variant 3 catalyzed the metabolism of arachidonic acid into 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid when reconstituted with adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase. HepG2 cells stably expressing variant 3 generated higher levels of reactive oxygen species and showed a higher level of mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction. This study suggests that mitochondrially targeted variant 3 CYP2C8 may contribute to oxidative stress in various tissues. | 25,160,618 | [
-0.1224397,
0.08887329,
-0.1349507,
0.1273463,
-0.007762013,
0.17391,
0.09250513,
0.1968504,
0.1209223,
-0.2737675,
0.2603369,
-0.398996,
0.05235457,
0.00351488,
-0.2460982,
0.2313325,
-0.485927,
0.1687599,
0.1455902,
0.03897382,
0.1374969,
0.4691657,
-0.01616169,
-0.07... |
The change in energy absorbed post removal of metalwork in a simulated paediatric long bone fracture. | The surgical treatment of paediatric fractures is increasing. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with plates and screws is long established, whilst the use of elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) has become increasingly popular. This study quantifies, in terms of the energy required to produce a fracture, the biomechanical sequelae of both techniques post removal of metalwork, to provide clinicians with evidence to guide post-operative advice. An immature bovine model was adopted to ascertain whether these techniques exposed the bone to a greater re-fracture risk following removal of the device. Bones were prepared to reflect ORIF or ESIN techniques, or prepared intact for the acquisition of control data. Each bone was tested to failure at 90 °/s, with the absorbed energy then being calculated to determine the relative difference between each technique and versus control data. Data describing peak shear stress and torque were recorded. Absorbed energy was reduced by 47 % in the ORIF group compared to both the control (p = 0.011) and ESIN (p = 0.018) groups. The peak shear stress and torque were also significantly different. All ORIF bones failed through drill holes, suggesting stress localisation around the defects. This study suggests that there is a significantly higher re-fracture risk following the removal of ORIF plates when compared to both ESIN and the control environment. Whilst this may reflect the intuitive view of many clinicians, this study provides a quantitative value of the reduction in strength and should help clinicians to appropriately caution patients and parents prior to surgery. | 25,160,647 | [
0.05817619,
0.3110954,
-0.1532058,
0.169297,
-0.07613014,
-0.2968777,
-0.0829967,
0.06454783,
0.2539813,
-0.06359307,
0.1061576,
-0.2635652,
-0.242411,
-0.341647,
-0.3893802,
-0.05860766,
-0.2560447,
0.04273221,
-0.2528644,
-0.07212929,
0.006672293,
0.1744302,
-0.1415654,... |
Partial anomalous left pulmonary artery: report of two cases and review of literature. | We describe two cases of anomalous origin of the left lower-lobe pulmonary artery from the right pulmonary artery. The primary diagnosis was mitral atresia, hypoplastic left ventricle, aortic arch hypoplasia in the first child, and tetralogy of Fallot in the second. In both cases, the pulmonary trunk gave rise to a left pulmonary artery in the normal position. In addition, a second branch of the left pulmonary artery arose from the right pulmonary artery, and passed posterior and inferior to the left main or upper-lobe bronchus to supply the left lower lobe. In this review, we compare our findings with previously reported examples of this extremely rare cardiac malformation, and discuss possible embryological explanations for the lesion. | 25,160,653 | [
-0.2590358,
0.07938539,
-0.3675488,
-0.2438617,
0.130038,
0.08050466,
-0.2696946,
0.02280304,
-0.1202004,
0.2571901,
0.2753236,
0.5435542,
-0.09392294,
-0.4534318,
-0.09102129,
-0.1448508,
-0.321611,
0.139481,
-0.1040027,
-0.297044,
0.2769646,
0.1809083,
-0.07632605,
0.... |
Regioselective radical aminofluorination of styrenes. | The copper-catalyzed radical aminofluorination of styrenes with N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) is realized with high regioselectivity, thus affording aminofluorination products with regioselectivities opposite that of the palladium-catalyzed and noncatalyzed processes. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested the reaction went through a radical pathway and was supported by DFT calculations. In these reactions, NFSI is utilized as both a radical nitrogen source and radical fluorine source, thus rendering it an attractive reagent. | 25,160,663 | [
-0.6109847,
-0.1673703,
0.08651663,
0.1050254,
0.2341041,
-0.1715701,
-0.3790519,
-0.2116033,
-0.07004756,
0.3003604,
0.0002071845,
0.2458625,
-0.04441077,
0.0988929,
-0.08122122,
-0.4635138,
-0.3094882,
0.2818661,
-0.3645189,
0.171603,
0.07586317,
0.2516429,
-0.009785691... |
Modulation of ERK5 is a novel mechanism by which Cdc42 regulates migration of breast cancer cells. | Members of Rho family GTPases including Cdc42 are known to play pivotal roles in cell migration. Cell migration is also known to be regulated by many protein kinases. Kinetworks KPSS 11.0 phospho-site screening of Cdc42-silenced Hs578T breast cancer cells revealed most dramatic change in ERK5 MAP kinase. In the present study, we set out to determine the relationship between Cdc42 and ERK5 and its significance in breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Specific siRNAs were used for knocking down Cdc42 or ERK5 in breast cancer cells. Increased ERK5 phosphorylation in breast cancer cells was achieved by infection of constitutively active MEK5 adenovirus. The cells were then subjected to cell migration or invasion assay without the presence of serum or any growth factor. We found that Cdc42 negatively regulated phosphorylation of ERK5, which in turn exhibited an inverse relationship with migration and invasiveness of breast cancer cells. To find out some in vivo relevance of the results of our in vitro experiments we also examined the expression of ERK5 in the breast cancer tissues and their adjacent normal control tissues by real-time RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. ERK5 expression was found to be reduced in breast cancer tissues as compared with their adjacent uninvolved mammary tissues. Therefore, Cdc42 may promote breast cancer cell migration and invasion by inhibiting ERK5 phosphorylation and ERK5 expression may be inversely correlated with the progression of some breast tumors. | 25,160,664 | [
-0.03833247,
-0.126865,
-0.1931019,
-0.1222208,
-0.212023,
0.03727984,
0.144684,
0.1967106,
-0.04967053,
0.05681717,
0.2116807,
-0.03989761,
-0.06821455,
-0.2448146,
-0.6072779,
-0.08376525,
-0.01570654,
0.1694395,
-0.3373604,
-0.2935787,
-0.0748248,
0.1404601,
-0.0224924... |
The different molecular forms of urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin present in dogs with urinary diseases. | Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a useful biomarker for the early prediction of renal diseases. NGAL may exist as monomer, dimer and/or NGAL/MMP-9 complex forms in humans. In this study, the existence of various forms of NGAL in urine (uNGAL) was determined and whether these forms are related to the different urinary diseases found in dogs is further discussed. Eighty-one urine samples from dogs with different forms of renal disease (41), pyuria (19) and a number of non-renal related diseases (10), as well as healthy dogs (11), were collected. uNGAL concentrations and their molecular forms in dogs were measured by ELISA and Western blot analysis, respectively. The uNGAL concentrations of dogs with pyuria (median: 15.35 ng/mL) were significantly higher than those of the healthy control animals (median: 3.92 ng/mL) (p < 0.01), but lower than those of dogs with renal diseases (median: 23.77 ng/mL). Each NGAL molecular form could be detected in dog urine. In particular, monomer was detected more frequently in patients with renal disease than those with non-renal diseases; while the dimer form appeared in a significantly higher percentage of cases with pyuria compared to those without pyuria. The NGAL/MMP-9 complex was found to exist not only in the patients with cystitis, but also in the cases with renal injury. Different molecular forms of uNGAL can indicate different origins of the urinary abnormalities. Determining the molecular forms of uNGAL present in diseased dogs may provide clinical workers with a tool that will help the early and more precise detection of different urinary diseases. | 25,160,665 | [
-0.2345715,
0.2321198,
0.1523329,
-0.1384205,
0.1312731,
-0.4486836,
-0.1801972,
-0.2431096,
-0.06383853,
-0.08651958,
0.004876329,
0.007447953,
-0.004406377,
0.03558965,
-0.1880272,
0.02821155,
-0.03346157,
0.3746373,
0.1634367,
-0.1507614,
-0.2516671,
0.2211583,
-0.3717... |
Averaging, not internal noise, limits the development of coherent motion processing. | The development of motion processing is a critical part of visual development, allowing children to interact with moving objects and navigate within a dynamic environment. However, global motion processing, which requires pooling motion information across space, develops late, reaching adult-like levels only by mid-to-late childhood. The reasons underlying this protracted development are not yet fully understood. In this study, we sought to determine whether the development of motion coherence sensitivity is limited by internal noise (i.e., imprecision in estimating the directions of individual elements) and/or global pooling across local estimates. To this end, we presented equivalent noise direction discrimination tasks and motion coherence tasks at both slow (1.5°/s) and fast (6°/s) speeds to children aged 5, 7, 9 and 11 years, and adults. We show that, as children get older, their levels of internal noise reduce, and they are able to average across more local motion estimates. Regression analyses indicated, however, that age-related improvements in coherent motion perception are driven solely by improvements in averaging and not by reductions in internal noise. Our results suggest that the development of coherent motion sensitivity is primarily limited by developmental changes within brain regions involved in integrating motion signals (e.g., MT/V5). | 25,160,679 | [
-0.1521636,
0.2942516,
-0.3722911,
-0.05124988,
0.2230531,
-0.3724964,
-0.4032012,
0.09068216,
0.1266928,
-0.230092,
0.1638586,
0.1787518,
-0.1811555,
-0.3166223,
-0.2147803,
-0.3385696,
-0.6848006,
0.1845316,
-0.1833254,
-0.1685549,
0.1001047,
0.2010576,
-0.05467432,
0... |
Presynaptic long-term depression mediated by Gi/o-coupled receptors. | Long-term depression (LTD) of the efficacy of synaptic transmission is now recognized as an important mechanism for the regulation of information storage and the control of actions, as well as for synapse, neuron, and circuit development. Studies of LTD mechanisms have focused mainly on postsynaptic AMPA-type glutamate receptor trafficking. However, the focus has now expanded to include presynaptically expressed plasticity, the predominant form being initiated by presynaptically expressed Gi/o-coupled metabotropic receptor (Gi/o-GPCR) activation. Several forms of LTD involving activation of different presynaptic Gi/o-GPCRs as a 'common pathway' are described. We review here the literature on presynaptic Gi/o-GPCR-mediated LTD, discuss known mechanisms, gaps in our knowledge, and evaluate whether all Gi/o-GPCRs are capable of inducing presynaptic LTD. | 25,160,683 | [
-0.01915052,
-0.2545019,
-0.03598315,
-0.4610605,
0.0659223,
-0.290756,
0.08000596,
-0.01669883,
-0.1723165,
0.1013309,
-0.04347362,
0.2562113,
-0.1191947,
-0.01355522,
-0.7364975,
-0.1691763,
-0.4339666,
0.2410091,
0.1311023,
-0.03126612,
-0.1195879,
0.4722978,
-0.054167... |
Long-term care of the heart transplant recipient. | This article will review the long-term care of the heart transplant recipient, focusing on the major causes of mortality and morbidity after transplantation. The major causes of mortality include rejection, infection, malignancy, and transplant coronary artery disease. The major causes of morbidity include renal dysfunction, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, gout, and osteoporosis. Strategies for prevention and management of these complications include advances in noninvasive monitoring assays. These assays, including the AlloMap gene expression profile for monitoring of rejection and the Cylex immune monitoring score for monitoring of over-immunosuppression, will allow better assessment of rejection and the level of immune response. Newer advances in rejection surveillance and immune monitoring will allow clinicians to tailor current therapies to the needs of individual heart transplant recipients to maximize benefit and minimize toxicity. | 25,160,698 | [
-0.007065792,
0.07737176,
-0.172611,
-0.3392863,
-0.3311091,
-0.1931433,
0.1026704,
0.08260367,
0.03013888,
-0.2789128,
-0.01278886,
-0.439674,
0.3057214,
0.3458818,
-0.5819923,
-0.08397162,
-0.06314947,
-0.01773079,
0.2394688,
-0.05049664,
-0.0660102,
0.3539238,
-0.26650... |
1H NMR global metabolic phenotyping of acute pancreatitis in the emergency unit. | We have investigated the urinary and plasma metabolic phenotype of acute pancreatitis (AP) patients presenting to the emergency room at a single center London teaching hospital with acute abdominal pain using (1)H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate modeling. Patients were allocated to either the AP (n = 15) or non-AP patients group (all other causes of abdominal pain, n = 21) on the basis of the national guidelines. Patients were assessed for three clinical outcomes: (1) diagnosis of AP, (2) etiology of AP caused by alcohol consumption and cholelithiasis, and (3) AP severity based on the Glasgow score. Samples from AP patients were characterized by high levels of urinary ketone bodies, glucose, plasma choline and lipid, and relatively low levels of urinary hippurate, creatine and plasma-branched chain amino acids. AP could be reliably identified with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity (OPLS-DA model R(2) = 0.76 and Q(2)Y = 0.59) using panel of discriminatory biomarkers consisting of guanine, hippurate and creatine (urine), and valine, alanine and lipoproteins (plasma). Metabolic phenotyping was also able to distinguish between cholelithiasis and colonic inflammation among the heterogeneous non-AP group. This work has demonstrated that combinatorial biomarkers have a strong diagnostic and prognostic potential in AP with relevance to clinical decision making in the emergency unit. | 25,160,714 | [
0.2137627,
0.2190116,
-0.3279603,
-0.2140477,
-0.1266946,
-0.3561837,
-0.05708543,
0.006704493,
-0.1357546,
-0.04751217,
0.08469544,
0.1901353,
0.002412249,
0.2851366,
-0.0902737,
-0.1238884,
-0.5194837,
0.4545243,
0.15537,
0.0171005,
-0.2948079,
-0.04883872,
-0.3143429,
... |
Nanoscale three-dimensional imaging of the human myocyte. | The ventricular human myocyte is spatially organized for optimal ATP and Ca(2+) delivery to sarcomeric myosin and ionic pumps during every excitation-contraction cycle. Comprehension of three-dimensional geometry of the tightly packed ultrastructure has been derived from discontinuous two-dimensional images, but has never been precisely reconstructed or analyzed in human myocardium. Using a focused ion beam scanning electron microscope, we created nanoscale resolution serial images to quantify the three-dimensional ultrastructure of a human left ventricular myocyte. Transverse tubules (t-tubule), lipid droplets, A-bands, and mitochondria occupy 1.8, 1.9, 10.8, and 27.9% of the myocyte volume, respectively. The complex t-tubule system has a small tortuosity (1.04±0.01), and is composed of long transverse segments with diameters of 317±24nm and short branches. Our data indicates that lipid droplets located well beneath the sarcolemma are proximal to t-tubules, where 59% (13 of 22) of lipid droplet centroids are within 0.50μm of a t-tubule. This spatial association could have an important implication in the development and treatment of heart failure because it connects two independently known pathophysiological alterations, a substrate switch from fatty acids to glucose and t-tubular derangement. | 25,160,725 | [
-0.287175,
0.4185074,
-0.3033347,
0.2643785,
0.08761123,
-0.1780667,
0.1168374,
0.2894062,
0.1665402,
0.04626373,
-0.01909772,
-0.2379768,
-0.256183,
0.02752782,
-0.554891,
0.02343857,
-0.5004337,
-0.17472,
-0.2837944,
-0.2438763,
0.4255004,
0.3397912,
-0.07886694,
0.26... |
Intravenous paracetamol with a lower dose is also effective for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in pre-term infants. | Haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pre-term infants. This retrospective study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of lower-dose paracetamol for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in pre-term infants. A total of 13 pre-term infants who received intravenous paracetamol because of contrindications or side effects to oral ibuprofen were retrospectively enrolled. In the first patient, the dose regimen was 15 mg/kg/dose, every 6 hours. As the patient developed significant elevation in transaminase levels, the dose was decreased to 10 mg/kg/dose, every 8 hours in the following 12 patients. Echocardiographic examination was conducted daily. In case of closure, it was repeated after 2 days and when needed thereafter in terms of reopening. A total of 13 patients received intravenous paracetamol. Median gestational age was 29 weeks ranging from 24 to 31 weeks and birth weight was 950 g ranging from 470 to 1390 g. The median postnatal age at the first intravenous paracetamol dose was 3 days ranging from 2 to 9 days. In 10 of the 13 patients (76.9%), patent ductus arteriosus was closed at the median 2nd day of intravenous paracetamol ranging from 1 to 4 days. When the patient who developed hepatotoxicity was eliminated, the closure rate was found to be 83.3% (10/12). Intravenous paracetamol may be a useful treatment option for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in pre-term infants with contrindication to ibuprofen. In our experience, lower-dose paracetamol is effective in closing the patent ductus arteriosus in 83.3% of the cases. | 25,160,728 | [
-0.1559332,
0.09389132,
-0.6070271,
-0.06078086,
0.3156828,
-0.1652431,
-0.3833582,
-0.06705417,
-0.07994004,
-0.3666817,
0.1035958,
-0.00707932,
-0.2857164,
-0.02106608,
-0.05472291,
0.0988017,
-0.1251524,
0.3788877,
0.1532304,
0.035392,
-0.1462059,
0.1574365,
-0.2838143... |
Incidence and patterns of late recurrences in rectal cancer patients. | Long-term recurrences of rectal cancer raised questions about the possible benefit of prolonging the recommended active 5-year clinical and endoscopic surveillance. The aim of this study was to determine for the first time, incidence and patterns of late 10-year recurrence after curative resection of rectal cancer. The study included 1,222 patients with rectal cancer resected for cure between 1985 and 2000 from those registered in two French population-based digestive cancer registries. Information about local recurrences and distant metastases at 10 years was retrospectively and actively collected up to January 1, 2011. Although the overall 5-year cumulated rate was 39.5 %, the 10-year cumulated rate was 44.1 % (25.6 % for local recurrence and 29.9 % for distant metastases). In multivariate analyses, TNM stage was associated with a higher risk of local recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] stage III vs. stage I = 3.98 [95 % confidence interval, 2.66-5.94]) and of distant metastasis (HR = 3.60 [2.65-4.91]). Preoperative radiotherapy decreased the risk of local recurrence (HR = 0.43 [0.28-0.66]), but not the risk of metastasis. Patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2000 were less prone to develop long-term metastasis than those diagnosed between 1985 and 1989 (HR = 0.66 [0.49-0.88]). Among patients without recurrence 5 years after diagnosis, one patient in 13 developed a recurrence between 5 and 10 years. Late recurrences do exist. A personalised surveillance could be extended until 10 years according to the characteristics of primary tumour and the patient. | 25,160,733 | [
0.05537773,
-0.1206062,
-0.314205,
-0.1302465,
-0.1636285,
-0.5753691,
0.0655008,
-0.3057033,
-0.1843068,
0.09075493,
0.1051012,
0.1442462,
0.05358675,
-0.2824797,
-0.2441106,
-0.1763665,
-0.2505891,
0.1511727,
0.3841323,
0.03933923,
0.4226878,
0.2345553,
-0.1280716,
0.... |
Phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in the human urethra: a molecular biology and functional study. | Experimental and clinical studies have suggested a role for phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes in the control of the human lower urinary tract. This study aimed to investigate the expression of PDE isoenzymes and the effects of PDE inhibitors (PDE-Is) in isolated human urethral smooth muscle (USM). The expression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) specifically encoding for PDE isoenzymes and isoforms (1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5A and 11A) was analyzed by means of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Using a tissue bath technique, the effects of vinpocetine (PDE1-I), erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine hydrochloride (EHNA-HCl=MEP1) (PDE2-I), rolipram (PDE4-I), sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil (PDE5-Is) (0.01-10µM) on the tension of USM induced by norepinephrine were investigated. The production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) was measured by means of radioimmunoassays. RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of PDE1B, PDE1C, PDE4A, PDE4C, PDE4D, PDE5A and PDE11A. The tension induced by norepinephrine (NE) was reversed by the PDE inhibitors with the following rank order of efficacy: rolipram (mean: -39%)≥sildenafil (-35%)>vardenafil (-26%)>tadalafil (-20%)>vinpocetine (-16%)>MEP1 (-2%). The relaxing effects of the drugs were paralleled by an elevation in tissue levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. Selective inhibitors of PDE4 and PDE5 can antagonize the tension induced by alpha-adrenergic stimulation of USM. PDE inhibition might represent an interesting option to facilitate the relaxation of the human outflow region. | 25,160,741 | [
-0.2364949,
0.08791709,
-0.380153,
-0.5427547,
0.1433048,
-0.4136731,
-0.2822845,
-0.1010114,
-0.03440684,
-0.2901205,
0.2178183,
0.2567355,
0.2238596,
-0.02683155,
-0.4861953,
0.1651181,
-0.2585454,
-0.08569529,
-0.3752551,
0.1050055,
0.6452891,
0.1349129,
-0.0367213,
... |
Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of recombinant M2e.Hsp70c (Hsp70(359-610)) fusion protein against influenza virus infection in mice. | New strategies in vaccine development are urgently needed to combat emerging influenza viruses and to reduce the risk of pandemic disease surfacing. Being conserved, the M2e protein, is a potential candidate for universal vaccine development against influenza A viruses. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp70 (mHsp70) is known to cultivate the function of immunogenic antigenpresenting cells, stimulate a strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, and stop the induction of tolerance. Thus, in this study, a recombinant protein from the extracellular domain of influenza A virus matrix protein 2 (M2e), was fused to the C-terminus of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp70 (Hsp70c), to generate a vaccine candidate. Humoral immune responses, IFN-γ-producing lymphocyte, and strong CTL activity were all induced to confirm the immunogenicity of M2e.Hsp70c (Hsp70(359-610)). And challenge tests showed protection against H1N1 and H9N2 strains in vaccinated groups. Finally these results demonstrates M2e.Hsp70c fusion protein can be a candidate for a universal influenza A vaccine. | 25,160,757 | [
-0.2274053,
-0.2086745,
0.1048621,
-0.1938056,
0.1321043,
-0.1467354,
-0.3006649,
0.01570542,
0.1535595,
-0.1385351,
0.04037492,
-0.1512946,
0.2767091,
0.1730097,
-0.07626229,
-0.03415648,
-0.07017572,
-0.1909854,
0.08529099,
-0.1185081,
0.1324022,
-0.02706971,
-0.0937017... |
Periodic rosuvastatin or atorvastatin dosing arrays (PRADA): patient-centered practice. | Non-adherence is a major obstacle with long-term daily statin therapy. This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of patients with hyperlipidemia during an 8-year period in a private internal medicine practice. Periodic dosing was negotiated following several patients' refusal of statin therapy because of muscle aches or cost. The clinical impetus was patient adherence to statin therapy. Treatment was initiated by dispensing rosuvastatin or atorvastatin in a stepwise patient-directed approach (from two times/week to three times/week to every other day, up to five times/week). The primary endpoint was to assess the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio with patient-directed dosing intervals. The secondary endpoint was a head-to-head comparison of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin to evaluate the mean decrease in the LDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio. Chart review identified 46 patients who had been treated. Two patients with persistent myalgia terminated treatment before 12 weeks. Among the remaining 44 patients, 20 received doses of rosuvastatin from 15 to 100 mg per week, and 24 received atorvastatin from 20 to 140 mg per week. There was a significant decrease from pre-treatment in the mean TC/HDL-C ratio of 1.72 (31.1%, P < 0.0001) and mean LDL-C of 43.3 mg/dL (30.2%, P < 0.0001). An independent samples t-test showed a non-significant reduction of the mean TC/HDL-C ratio and LDL-C with rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin. Periodic dosing of rosuvastatin or atorvastatin using a gradual, patient-directed, stepwise approach guided by cholesterol levels is an effective method of lipid lowering and carried a favorable 95.6% adherence rate. | 25,160,776 | [
0.0695774,
0.4183627,
0.03185449,
0.05151916,
0.1496614,
-0.142714,
-0.3424129,
0.110916,
-0.007902155,
-0.4686623,
0.2021051,
0.144335,
0.1841318,
-0.07344501,
-0.4709648,
-0.09195341,
-0.6888729,
0.007029622,
-0.1144005,
0.02924147,
-0.1750103,
-0.1064183,
-0.06568772,
... |
Ligand-mediated control of dislocation dynamics and resulting particle morphology of GdOCl nanocrystals. | While much progress has been achieved in the shape-controlled synthesis of nanocrystals, chemical strategies to define morphology remain primarily empirical. Here, a mechanistic study of the influence of different coordinating ligands on the kinetics and thermodynamics of crystal growth during the preparation of GdOCl by the non-hydrolytic condensation of GdCl3 and Gd(O (i) Pr)3 is reported. Growth using oleylamine, octadecylamine, trioctylamine, and didodecylamine yields 2D nanosheets with approximately square cross sections, whereas growth in trioctylphosphine oxide yields larger and thicker platelets. The nanostructures are characterized by the presence of spiral growth patterns and dislocations. Apart from preferential binding to specific crystallographic facets, the coordinating ligands are suggested to control the extent of supersaturation, thereby facilitating and tuning dislocation-mediated growth. Upon depletion of monomers, thermodynamic surface energy considerations become of paramount importance and the nanocrystals are reshaped via mass transport from edges to sides yielding their eventual equilibrium shapes. The mechanisms developed here are thought to be broadly generalizable to the ligand-directed growth of nanomaterials. | 25,160,777 | [
-0.1168434,
0.2091928,
-0.1448583,
-0.1517574,
0.1430382,
-0.2852468,
-0.09704702,
-0.08226082,
-0.1661152,
0.02497384,
-0.2386445,
-0.1751437,
-0.1077897,
0.255225,
-0.6447086,
-0.08986712,
-0.3960445,
0.02974628,
0.03555147,
0.2456512,
0.1848595,
0.2894399,
-0.2886307,
... |
G-CSF displays restricted ability to promote Sca-1(+) cardiac stem cell proliferation in vitro. | Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a controversial chemical in cardiac cell therapy. Myocardial homing of mobilized bone marrow-derived cells is thought to play a critical role in observed G-CSF-induced cardiac repair; meanwhile, the activation of proliferative potential of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) residing in the heart is a significant challenge. The present study aims to investigate whether G-CSF receptor is expressed in adult resident Sca-1(+) CSCs and determine the effect of G-CSF treatment on the proliferation of CSCs. For cardiac cells isolation, 12-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized in a chamber containing 2.5% isoflurane in oxygen, euthanized by CO2 inhalation and then sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Magnetic-activated cell sorting was employed to acquire highly purified Sca-1(+) CSCs. We found that G-CSF receptor was expressed in adult resident Sca-1(+) CSCs by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. Exposure of Sca-1(+) cells to G-CSF in the culture medium for 72 h induced time-dependent but self-limiting cell cycle acceleration with a restricted effect on the CSC proliferation. As a result, it has provided a new insight to focus on the association between cardiac G-CSF therapy and adult resident stem cell activation. It may suggest gaining a deeper insight into the mechanisms of the interaction between CSCs and G-CSF to develop a synergistic strategy based on resident stem cell and G-CSF therapy for heart disease. | 25,160,782 | [
-0.1225532,
-0.02706423,
-0.3682168,
-0.177473,
0.1289284,
-0.05262809,
-0.07792136,
-0.1486963,
-0.1415107,
0.03028435,
-0.3518727,
0.2917103,
-0.2085398,
-0.03354699,
-0.04603289,
-0.06966348,
-0.3502573,
-0.2256708,
-0.5551012,
0.4886142,
0.3426931,
0.2143681,
0.017035... |
'They had the right to know.' Genetic risk and perceptions of responsibility. | The idea that people should be responsible for their health is not new. The construction of health as a moral issue has often been applied to voluntary health risks. With the advent of predictive genetic testing, however, people may also bear responsibility for their genetic risks. Drawing upon 24 semi-structured interviews with at risk persons and their family members, this study explored perceptions of responsibility associated with genetic risk for the adult-onset disorder, Huntington disease (HD). Qualitative data analysis suggested that decisions around genetic risk were often influenced by obligations to other family members. Some participants felt responsible to determine their genetic risks through testing, particularly for at risk offsprings. Responsibility to current and future partners, to plan for a future that might include HD and to communicate genetic risk to other family members also emerged as important dimensions of genetic responsibility. It is argued that perceptions of responsibility in this context may constrain some of the choices of those who live with genetic risk having implications for test decisions, post-test adjustment and family relationships. | 25,160,812 | [
-0.1293818,
0.1309768,
0.01525937,
-0.07544039,
0.4481655,
-0.1534787,
0.1884196,
-0.02662445,
-0.1188043,
-0.09616008,
0.2759736,
0.2884383,
-0.04629804,
-0.09086549,
-0.2476778,
-0.1252991,
-0.2678227,
0.5237986,
-0.09622943,
-0.1680057,
-0.01973137,
0.3330023,
0.002710... |
[Relevance of magnetic resonance imaging for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation]. | Currently, atrial fibrillation is the most common form of arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Until recently the treatment approach to atrial fibrillation was limited by imprecise risk stratification models and suboptimal therapy options. At present cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important noninvasive diagnostic modality which aids in the completion of complex electrophysiological and ablation interventions. Cardiac MRI and 3D imaging reconstruction are used clinically to assess the cardiac chambers as well as complex anatomical structures. Through the development of cardiac MRI it has become possible to detect areas of fibrosis in the left atrium which can be the cause of atrial fibrillation. The most recent clinical data suggest that there is a strong correlation between the amount of left atrial fibrosis and recurrent atrial fibrillation following ablation procedures and will in the future allow more individualized treatment strategies for patients with atrial fibrillation. In addition, cardiac MRI allows the direct visualization of catheter-induced lesions after ablation procedures which helps in assessing therapy success and can also assist in the early detection of procedure-related complications. Furthermore, with the implementation of cardiac MRI it appears possible to assess the stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. Promising future developments will allow individualized therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation in addition to improving safety and procedure results after ablation. | 25,160,815 | [
-0.07115085,
0.3352003,
-0.3184872,
0.0718347,
0.001609962,
-0.3532287,
0.07753272,
-0.02805524,
0.04029915,
0.005807084,
-0.1619605,
0.1430165,
-0.01638772,
-0.4409253,
-0.4008197,
-0.2690092,
-0.2281016,
0.2242447,
-0.0844084,
-0.01389286,
0.1529089,
0.2300679,
-0.25763... |
Comparative trends in the incidence of hospitalized myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease in adults with and without diabetes mellitus in Western Australia from 1998 to 2010. | The risk of myocardial infarction (MI) is elevated in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared with non-DM counterparts. The aim of this study was to compare population trends in the incidence of hospitalized MI and coronary heart disease (CHD) in adults with and without DM. All incident hospitalized MI and CHD events were identified from whole-population hospital data in Western Australia for 1998 to 2010. Annual age-standardized MI and CHD incidence rates were calculated for people with and without DM aged 35 to 84 years and age-adjusted trends estimated from Poisson regression. There were 26 610 incident MI and 56 142 incident CHD cases during the study period. MI incidence rates fell in men (-2.9%/y; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.7 to -2.1) and women (-3.8%/y; 95% CI, -4.8 to -2.1) with DM, representing overall reductions of 35% and 43% respectively, with comparable reductions in incident CHD. Downward trends in MI incidence in those with DM were most apparent in 55- to 84-year olds. In adults without DM, there was no decline in MI incidence but a small significant decrease in incident CHD (men, -1.5%/y; 95% CI, -1.8 to -1.2 and women, -1.3%/y; 95% CI, -1.8 to -0.9). Incidence rate ratios for MI in men with versus without DM declined from 4.5 (95% CI, 4.2-4.8) to 3.1 (95% CI, 2.9-3.3) and from 6.0 (95% CI, 5.4-6.6) to 3.8 (95% CI, 3.5-4.1) in women between 1998 and 2010. There have been significant reductions in incidence rates of MI and CHD in adults with DM between 1998 and 2010; however, the excess risk of MI incidence remains 3 to 4× greater in people with DM. | 25,160,842 | [
-0.4045594,
-0.04670577,
-0.3868501,
-0.03171197,
-0.17664,
-0.1094604,
0.06696028,
0.09655885,
-0.1555396,
-0.1299623,
0.1000097,
0.5892761,
0.1048698,
-0.2439412,
0.1935623,
-0.2924172,
-0.09885567,
0.2024433,
0.07227954,
-0.5386797,
-0.1557507,
0.05519706,
-0.09935474,... |
Endoscopic lateral orbitotomy. | Lateral orbitotomy can be minimalized using contemporary endoscopy. Anatomy of the temporal fossa/orbital wall junction is described. The attachment of the temporal fascia is cut off from the orbital rim through a 1.5 cm skin incision in the lateral orbital wrinkle. The temporal muscle is detached from the bone to create a space for the telescope. An appropriate bone opening in the lateral orbital wall is created with the aid of neuronavigation to handle intraorbital pathology. Endoscopic lateral orbitotomy is an original alternative to the microsurgical Krönlein approach and yields good functional and cosmetic results. | 25,160,850 | [
-0.1008926,
-0.3841029,
-0.02020176,
-0.4775219,
-0.05649304,
-0.0872203,
-0.2642645,
0.03935885,
0.3222032,
0.04500794,
0.02568175,
-0.4231902,
0.1093234,
-0.4805904,
-0.4069075,
-0.1736589,
-0.4258532,
0.04042547,
0.2207002,
-0.5599186,
0.4152863,
0.07295954,
-0.1516953... |
Peripheral nerve stimulation by 'sandwich' paddle leads: technical note. | Recently, there has been a burgeoning interest in the utility of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for a variety of chronic focal neuropathic, musculoskeletal and visceral pain conditions. If the source of pain is directly related to a single peripheral nerve, surgical exposure and placing a paddle lead on the nerve are most effective. In this report, we describe a novel technique that optimizes the peripheral nerve stimulation by two paddle leads placed on either side of the nerve with their stimulating surfaces in contact with the nerve. After appropriate prepping and draping, the selected nerve is localized and circumferentially dissected free from the adjacent soft tissue. There should be enough length of nerve to accommodate two On-Point quadripolar leads (Medtronic, MN) along the length of the nerve in the same direction. This 'sandwich' technique provides a wider interface of contacts with nerve fibers. It reduces the chance of migration and provides an opportunity for 'crosstalk.' In selected cases where an open surgical PNS lead needs to be placed, the 'sandwich' technique can be used to augment the stimulation without additional morbidity. Although occasionally used in practice, this technique is still unreported. | 25,160,853 | [
-0.2352677,
-0.1225948,
-0.3431376,
0.1051297,
-0.3368464,
-0.3269541,
-0.4859385,
0.2056523,
-0.1143314,
-0.1274277,
-0.07110551,
-0.4464096,
0.1060898,
-0.3034067,
-0.2636833,
-0.2069132,
-0.4587827,
-0.2341527,
-0.1604377,
-0.3308862,
-0.37663,
0.1152833,
-0.07164764,
... |
Immunoglobulin G4 related disease isolated to the nasal cavity: a rare cause of nasal obstruction. | Immunoglobulin G4 related disease is a rare condition. Cases involving the sinonasal region are exceptionally uncommon. This paper describes a case of immunoglobulin G4 related disease isolated solely to the nasal cavity. Case report and literature review. A 34-year-old man presented with painless, progressive bilateral nasal obstruction. Clinical examination and imaging findings demonstrated bilateral submucosal swelling of the anterior septum and right external nasal wall. Biopsy revealed immunoglobulin G4 related disease. The patient responded to oral corticosteroids initially, followed by long-term methotrexate. To the best of our knowledge, this case represents the first report in the literature of immunoglobulin G4 related disease isolated solely to the nasal cavity. | 25,160,869 | [
-0.154434,
-0.4139748,
0.01074409,
-0.3165271,
0.09607878,
0.005818817,
-0.1807403,
-0.2542493,
0.003013717,
-0.2131573,
0.04442078,
0.09384833,
0.09545581,
-0.06536423,
-0.3674495,
-0.003241808,
-0.3440515,
0.1790763,
-0.05001516,
0.002796856,
-0.1197271,
0.003936964,
-0... |
Just world beliefs, perceived stress, and health behavior: The impact of a procedurally just world. | Recent research suggests that a just world view may promote good health while low belief in a just world may deleteriously affect well-being. However, this research is limited in that specific components of justice beliefs that are important to health are not well articulated. Additionally, many potential pathways linking perceived fairness to physical health remain largely unexplored. In the present study, we examined how individual differences in both distributive (outcomes and allocations) and procedural (rules and processes) just world beliefs are associated with stress and health behavior. Participants were recruited from two universities (N = 426) to complete individual differences measures of procedural and distributive just world beliefs, and also measures of perceived stress, health behavior, and physical symptoms. Results suggested that procedural, but not distributive just world views were important to well-being. In particular, belief in a procedurally just world was associated directly with lower perceived stress, and also indirectly with adaptive health behaviors and fewer physical health complaints. In general, these results suggest that beliefs about a procedurally just world may be particularly important to well-being, while also suggesting specific directions and mechanisms for future attempts at developing justice-oriented health interventions. | 25,160,884 | [
-0.1895241,
0.1044163,
-0.2229197,
-0.3590186,
0.006702159,
-0.1060985,
-0.2990781,
0.3337455,
0.110979,
-0.3041527,
0.1134664,
-0.1288112,
-0.1183762,
-0.5074177,
-0.1205884,
-0.1245701,
-0.2542862,
0.3240403,
-0.3541216,
0.2175457,
0.07520267,
0.3185476,
-0.3178518,
0... |
Prevalence and correlates of knowledge of male partner HIV testing and serostatus among African-American women living in high poverty, high HIV prevalence communities (HPTN 064). | Knowledge of sexual partners' HIV infection can reduce risky sexual behaviors. Yet, there are no published studies to-date examining prevalence and characteristics associated with knowledge among African-American women living in high poverty communities disproportionately affected by HIV. Using the HIV Prevention Trial Network's (HPTN) 064 Study data, multivariable logistic regression was used to examine individual, partner, and partnership-level determinants of women's knowledge (n = 1,768 women). Results showed that women's demographic characteristics alone did not account for the variation in serostatus awareness. Rather, lower knowledge of partner serostatus was associated with having two or more sex partners (OR = 0.49, 95 % CI 0.37-0.65), food insecurity (OR = 0.68, 95 % CI 0.49-0.94), partner age >35 years (OR = 0.68, 95 % CI 0.49-0.94), and partner concurrency (OR = 0.63, 95 % CI 0.49-0.83). Access to financial support (OR = 1.42, 95 % CI 1.05-1.92) and coresidence (OR = 1.43, 95 % CI 1.05-1.95) were associated with higher knowledge of partner serostatus. HIV prevention efforts addressing African-American women's vulnerabilities should employ integrated behavioral, economic, and empowerment approaches. | 25,160,901 | [
0.05415437,
0.07766427,
0.4194472,
-0.165385,
-0.01926913,
-0.1862024,
-0.1560327,
0.1716366,
0.3487323,
0.07638863,
0.0135114,
0.249897,
-0.2554716,
-0.02758884,
-0.1830866,
-0.4308692,
-0.4139802,
0.04228611,
-0.0491263,
-0.03716267,
-0.1939144,
0.3700861,
-0.3652613,
... |
Phylogeography of Cephalotaxus oliveri (Cephalotaxaceae) in relation to habitat heterogeneity, physical barriers and the uplift of the Yungui Plateau. | Habitat heterogeneity, physical barriers, and the uplift of the Yungui Plateau were found to deeply affect the phylogeographic pattern and evolutionary history of Cephalotaxus oliveri, a perennial conifer endemic to China. In this study, we explored the phylogeography using three chloroplast sequences (trnL-trnF, trnT-trnD and atpB-rbcL) in 22 natural populations of C. oliveri distributed throughout its range. The Yungui Plateau populations of C. oliveri were revealed to origin ca. 9.15Ma by molecular clock estimation, which is consistent with rapid uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) ca. 8-10Ma. Additionally, geological effects of the Yungui Plateau were suggested to promote the rapid intra-specific differentiation of C. oliveri in the Pliocene and Early Pleistocene. The relatively low level of genetic diversity (h=0.719, θ=1.17×10(-3)) and high population differentiation (NST=0.771 and GST=0.642) implied restricted gene flow among populations, which was confirmed by the Nested Clade Analysis (NCA). Mismatch distribution and haplotypes network provided evidences of recent demographic population expansion. Furthermore, the statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis indicated that the center of origin was in Central China. The comparison of haplotype distribution patterns indicated that the regions of HNHPS and HBLD were the potential refugia during the Pleistocene ice ages. Our results highlighted that habitat heterogeneity and physical barriers presenting in a species range can predict genetic patterns. | 25,160,902 | [
0.3116839,
0.03923949,
0.0420294,
0.0656639,
-0.1499481,
-0.228326,
-0.203293,
-0.1906705,
0.2981629,
0.08649911,
0.0194153,
0.3689008,
0.1247763,
0.06205746,
-0.7344154,
0.03046697,
-0.3724519,
0.1573569,
-0.1425207,
0.3793395,
0.5003567,
0.2837771,
0.08147292,
-0.0796... |
Social support and cardiovascular responding to laboratory stress: moderating effects of gender role identification, sex, and type of support. | The objective of the present study was to examine moderating effects of gender role identification, sex, and type of support on the buffering role of social support on cardiovascular responses. We hypothesized that (a) gender role identification, more than sex, would moderate the effect of social support and (b) to obtain optimal attenuating effects of social support, type of support provided should match type of support preferred in terms of one's gender role identification. That is, feminine participants would benefit more from relatively direct support, whereas masculine participants would benefit more from indirect support. Healthy participants (N = 100) performed a psychological stressor in the presence of a friend, after mental activation of a friend, or alone. Results revealed no moderating effects of gender role identification whether or not in combination with type of support. Nevertheless, results demonstrated an attenuating effect of mental support on heart rate and cardiac output in men. It is concluded that pathways linking social relationships and health may differ between women and men. | 25,160,919 | [
-0.1812568,
0.5440984,
-0.3266619,
-0.1492551,
-0.06086631,
-0.04119343,
-0.0146646,
-0.1012142,
-0.2606277,
-0.3039276,
-0.1020065,
0.01991685,
-0.0797063,
-0.2686029,
-0.1888105,
-0.2549494,
-0.30323,
0.006977675,
-0.01486067,
0.2786107,
-0.1467967,
0.2145613,
-0.174442... |
Mitochondrial respiration and genomic analysis provide insight into the influence of the symbiotic bacterium on host trypanosomatid oxygen consumption. | Certain trypanosomatids co-evolve with an endosymbiotic bacterium in a mutualistic relationship that is characterized by intense metabolic exchanges. Symbionts were able to respire for up to 4 h after isolation from Angomonas deanei. FCCP (carbonyl cyanide-4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone) similarly increased respiration in wild-type and aposymbiotic protozoa, though a higher maximal O2 consumption capacity was observed in the symbiont-containing cells. Rotenone, a complex I inhibitor, did not affect A. deanei respiration, whereas TTFA (thenoyltrifluoroacetone), a complex II activity inhibitor, completely blocked respiration in both strains. Antimycin A and cyanide, inhibitors of complexes III and IV, respectively, abolished O2 consumption, but the aposymbiotic protozoa were more sensitive to both compounds. Oligomycin did not affect cell respiration, whereas carboxyatractyloside (CAT), an inhibitor of the ADP-ATP translocator, slightly reduced O2 consumption. In the A. deanei genome, sequences encoding most proteins of the respiratory chain are present. The symbiont genome lost part of the electron transport system (ETS), but complex I, a cytochrome d oxidase, and FoF1-ATP synthase remain. In conclusion, this work suggests that the symbiont influences the mitochondrial respiration of the host protozoan. | 25,160,925 | [
-0.04912193,
0.1904958,
0.4582794,
0.4196964,
0.1088196,
0.01988311,
0.1135443,
0.07755619,
0.126995,
-0.3470522,
0.0697479,
0.1152048,
0.03341707,
-0.04620118,
-0.5343839,
-0.1716688,
-0.6266255,
-0.08586338,
-0.3617223,
0.1308213,
-0.1837796,
0.3421897,
-0.3635465,
0.... |
The benefits of being bilingual: working memory in bilingual Turkish-Dutch children. | Whether bilingual children outperform monolingual children on visuospatial and verbal working memory tests was investigated. In addition, relations among bilingual proficiency, language use at home, and working memory were explored. The bilingual Turkish-Dutch children (n=68) in this study were raised in families with lower socioeconomic status (SES) and had smaller Dutch vocabularies than Dutch monolingual controls (n=52). Having these characteristics, they are part of an under-researched bilingual population. It was found that the bilingual Turkish-Dutch children showed cognitive gains in visuospatial and verbal working memory tests when SES and vocabulary were controlled, in particular on tests that require processing and not merely storage. These findings converge with recent studies that have revealed bilingual cognitive advantages beyond inhibition, and they support the hypothesis that experience with dual language management influences the central executive control system that regulates processing across a wide range of task demands. Furthermore, the results show that bilingual cognitive advantages are found in socioeconomically disadvantaged bilingual populations and suggest that benefits to executive control are moderated by bilingual proficiency. | 25,160,938 | [
0.1459927,
0.4941525,
0.2574765,
-0.3871765,
0.1922613,
-0.5631494,
-0.1021086,
-0.3115338,
-0.2460415,
0.1116545,
-0.09515014,
0.1957829,
-0.2632787,
-0.1776076,
-0.09290913,
-0.2508401,
-0.09892122,
0.3926807,
-0.2898938,
-0.08282861,
0.08799093,
0.2832309,
-0.1127932,
... |
Chronic inhibition of brain phospholipase A2 in adult rats impairs the survival of newborn mature neurons in the hippocampus. | Adult neurogenesis occurs in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and lateral ventricles, and includes cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation, maturation and survival. In vitro studies suggest a role for phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in neuronal differentiation/maturation and survival. This study aimed to investigate the effect of in vivo chronic inhibition of brain PLA2 in adult rats on the number of newborn mature neurons in the DG. Male Wistar rats were injected with BrdU (cell proliferation marker) and 2 weeks later (beginning of neuronal maturation) sham-operated or infused intracerebroventricularly with either vehicle (DMSO in saline) or PLA2 inhibitor (MAFP dissolved in the vehicle) for 14 days via osmotic minipump. The animals were euthanised 28 days post-BrdU and their brains immunostained for BrdU and BrdU plus NeuN (mature neuronal marker) for analysis of surviving cells. MAFP reduced the number of BrdU(+) cells in the ventral DG (p < 0.05 vs. sham; p < 0.01 vs. DMSO) and the number of BrdU(+)NeuN(+) cells in the ventral (p < 0.01 vs. sham and DMSO) and whole DG (p < 0.02 vs. sham and DMSO). There was no effect of MAFP in the dorsal DG. These findings show that chronic PLA2 inhibition in adult rat hippocampus decreases the number of newborn mature neurons in the ventral DG (reflecting in the whole DG), perhaps by impairing neuronal maturation and survival, and suggest that PLA2 inhibition reported in the hippocampus of Alzheimer disease subjects might partly contribute to the neurogenic abnormalities found in the DG in this disease. | 25,160,937 | [
0.02322127,
-0.0461529,
-0.1825169,
-0.4486423,
0.03311449,
-0.2748205,
0.09108333,
0.06175509,
-0.1355626,
-0.1678319,
0.1031977,
0.2164987,
-0.01994597,
-0.1179811,
-0.079919,
0.2858874,
-0.03442436,
0.009170928,
-0.2056468,
0.1629871,
0.1039021,
0.02145757,
0.06834777,... |
The identification and quantification of a high molecular weight light stabilizer in polycarbonate by application of an online coupling of size exclusion chromatography in stopped flow mode with pyrolysis gas chromatography time of flight mass spectroscopy. | The identification and quantification of a high molecular weight light stabilizer (Uvinul 3030™) in an unknown polycarbonate sample was achieved through the application of SEC-Py-TOF-GCMS. A size exclusion column optimized to achieve resolution in the lower mass range was applied to allow the fractionation of an individual additive peak. A commercially available sampling interface was operated in stop flow mode and fractions were pyrolyzed to allow chromatographic separation of the fragments of the otherwise non-volatile stabilizer. After identification on the basis of accurate mass and elemental composition of the additive the quantification was compared using the available SEC-UV and SEC-PY-GC-TOFMS data. The resulting method provided a high degree of certainty in identification and flexibility in quantification expected to be applicable to other additives of similar volatilities or functional class. | 25,160,954 | [
0.08492623,
0.4432784,
0.06902337,
-0.09927021,
0.1710681,
-0.2032929,
0.0812345,
-0.1648715,
0.2941995,
0.1085646,
0.008020796,
-0.3056897,
0.2800546,
-0.282437,
-0.4154135,
0.1585558,
-0.2093515,
0.455217,
0.2099582,
0.3196052,
0.1998771,
-0.1769786,
-0.1449431,
0.157... |
Establishing institutional ethics committees: challenges and solutions - a review of the literature. | This review of the literature was conducted to identify the challenges faced while establishing institutional ethics committees (IECs) as well as to suggest some solutions. The search of the literature was carried out with the help of the PubMed search engine, using “research ethics committees” (MeSH] and “India” (MeSH]) as the key words for articles published between 2004 and 2012. We found 31 articles related to the topic, and the most common challenge mentioned was inappropriate functioning of IECs (n=17), followed by inappropriate structure (n=14). The authors identified many challenges related to the lack of oversight by regulatory bodies (n=14) as well as issues pertaining to the ethical training of IEC members and investigators (n=13). It is evident from the multitude of papers on the issue that the challenges related to the constitution and functioning of IECs must be given the attention they deserve to ensure that research participants in India are better protected. | 25,160,969 | [
-0.2256733,
0.02076523,
0.2833715,
-0.08520428,
0.205851,
-0.1105882,
-0.192711,
0.1314043,
0.0662881,
0.08041789,
0.05363662,
-0.1064031,
0.03797976,
0.1369909,
-0.7395734,
0.01735427,
-0.09351368,
-0.1089606,
-0.5266873,
0.003316561,
-0.1311081,
0.09259172,
-0.0467134,
... |
Development of T. aestivum L.-H. californicum alien chromosome lines and assignment of homoeologous groups of Hordeum californicum chromosomes. | Hordeum californicum (2n = 2x = 14, HH) is resistant to several wheat diseases and tolerant to lower nitrogen. In this study, a molecular karyotype of H. californicum chromosomes in the Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chinese Spring (CS)-H. californicum amphidiploid (2n = 6x = 56, AABBDDHH) was established. By genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and multicolor fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using repetitive DNA clones (pTa71, pTa794 and pSc119.2) as probes, the H. californicum chromosomes could be differentiated from each other and from the wheat chromosomes unequivocally. Based on molecular karyotype and marker analyses, 12 wheat-alien chromosome lines, including four disomic addition lines (DAH1, DAH3, DAH5 and DAH6), five telosomic addition lines (MtH7L, MtH1S, MtH1L, DtH6S and DtH6L), one multiple addition line involving H. californicum chromosome H2, one disomic substitution line (DSH4) and one translocation line (TH7S/1BL), were identified from the progenies derived from the crosses of CS-H. californicum amphidiploid with common wheat varieties. A total of 482 EST (expressed sequence tag) or SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers specific for individual H. californicum chromosomes were identified, and 47, 50, 45, 49, 21, 51 and 40 markers were assigned to chromosomes H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6 and H7, respectively. According to the chromosome allocation of these markers, chromosomes H2, H3, H4, H5, and H7 of H. californicum have relationship with wheat homoeologous groups 5, 2, 6, 3, and 1, and hence could be designated as 5H(c), 2H(c), 6H(c), 3H(c) and 1H(c), respectively. The chromosomes H1 and H6 were designated as 7H(c) and 4H(c), respectively, by referring to SSR markers located on rye chromosomes. | 25,160,976 | [
-0.2866293,
0.06171327,
0.03289432,
-0.1709785,
0.0631599,
-0.09189501,
-0.1641129,
-0.05262699,
0.07294258,
0.1545715,
0.1131198,
0.4409861,
-0.1031696,
0.06411368,
-0.4964206,
-0.2482718,
-0.4581034,
0.04574215,
-0.09845322,
0.1363564,
0.4958021,
0.578118,
-0.01349344,
... |
An individual patient data meta-analysis on characteristics, treatments and outcomes of the glioblastoma/gliosarcoma patients with central nervous system metastases reported in literature until 2013. | Dissemination of high-grade gliomas (WHO IV) has been investigated poorly so far. We conducted an extensive analysis of the characteristics, treatments and outcomes of the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)/gliosarcoma (GS) patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastases reported in literature until April 2013. PubMed and Web of Science searches for peer-reviewed articles pertaining to GBM/GS patients with metastatic disease were conducted using predefined keywords. Additionally, we performed hand search following the references from the selected papers. Cases in which the metastases exclusively occurred outside the CNS were excluded. 110 publications reporting on 189 patients were eligible. There was a significant increase in the number of reported cases over the last decades. We calculated a median overall survival from diagnosis of metastasis (from initial diagnosis of GBM/GS) of 3.0 ± 0.3 (11 ± 0.7) months. On univariate analyses, gender, age, the histological subtype, the time interval between initial diagnosis and the occurrence of metastases and the location of CNS metastasis (intracranial versus spinal and parenchymal versus leptomeningeal, respectively) did not influence survival after diagnosis of metastasis. There was no substantial treatment progress over the recent decades. GBM/GS with CNS metastasis are associated with a dismal prognosis. Crucial treatment progress is not evident. A central registry should be considered to consecutively gain more information about the ideal therapeutic approach. | 25,160,993 | [
-0.0577989,
-0.06205009,
-0.1250239,
-0.4023622,
-0.06330366,
-0.2717009,
0.07499364,
-0.3086255,
-0.4582173,
0.1620429,
-0.04860884,
0.1733466,
0.1083191,
-0.1265939,
-0.3825487,
-0.1102405,
0.08927222,
0.40811,
-0.06764116,
0.1722511,
0.2781809,
0.2206539,
-0.1705274,
... |
Filter lifespan in critically ill adults receiving continuous renal replacement therapy: the effect of patient and treatment-related variables. | To examine the effects of patient and treatment-related variables on filter lifespan in critically ill adults receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This was a single-centre, retrospective, observational study conducted in a tertiary referral centre in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. All CRRT filters used over a 44-month period from 1 January 2008 to 31 August 2011 were assessed for their hours of function before being stopped non-electively (due to clotting) or electively. Analyses were performed primarily for all CRRT filters and secondarily for those ceased non-electively during the study period. To assess for any relationship with filter life, we performed multivariable regression analyses for blood flow rate, anticoagulation type, vascular access site, vascular catheter type, reason for stopping the filter circuit, platelet count and activated partial prothrombin time. A total of 1332 treatments in 355 patients were assessed for filter life. Of these, 474 were electively ceased, leaving 858 filter circuits for secondary analysis. In both analyses, higher blood flow rate predicted longer filter lifespan (P=0.03 for all filters and P=0.04 for non-electively ceased filters). Vascular catheter type was predictive of increased filter lifespan in the non-electively ceased filters (P=0.002) but not on analysis of all filters. Type of anticoagulation and vascular access site were not predictive of filter lifespan in either analysis. Of the patient haematological variables, only platelet count was predictive of increased filter lifespan (P=0.003 for all filters and P< 0.001 for non-electively ceased filters). Our study found that an increased CRRT filter lifespan is associated with higher blood flow rates and lower platelet count. Vascular catheter design may also be a factor. | 25,161,027 | [
0.4153531,
0.2495313,
-0.2595434,
0.1270174,
0.1658673,
-0.1876525,
0.4159153,
0.2122153,
-0.1672388,
0.1550092,
0.18455,
0.03619018,
0.06963359,
-0.1396787,
0.251911,
-0.2866178,
-0.04418842,
0.0567455,
0.2193737,
0.01002507,
0.1369828,
0.03060311,
0.03468934,
0.261615... |
Essential role of the N- and C-terminals of laccase from Pleurotus florida on the laccase activity and stability. | POXA1b is the most thermostable laccase isoenzyme from Pleurotus ostreatus. POXA1b is remarkably stable at alkaline pH (the t1/2 at pH 10 was 30 days), and its C-terminal affects its catalytic and stability properties. We cloned POXA1c from P. florida, which showed 99 % identity with POXA1b. POXA1c was functionally expressed in Pichia pastoris. The functions of the N and C termini of POXA1c were investigated using site-directed mutagenesis. Compared with POXA1c, the N-terminal R5V site effectively increased the specific activities for 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and guaiacol by 2- and 3.5-fold, respectively. A C-terminal truncated mutant, POXA1c△13, also increased the specific activities for ABTS and guaiacol by 2.3- and 3.4-fold, respectively. A double mutant, POXA1cΔ13-R5V, combined the R5V and △13 effects. The specific activity of this double mutant for ABTS was 1,321 U/mg, which indicated a 4-fold increase compared with the wild type. The role of residue V5 on laccase catalytic properties was also observed for laccases from Trametes versicolor and Rigidoporus lignosus. The specific activities of the V5R of the laccases from T. versicolor and R. lignosus were half of that of the wild type. The pH and thermal stability analysis of POXA1c and its mutants showed that the enzymes were remarkably stable because they showed 63 % residual activity after incubation for 108 h at 30 °C over a pH range of 4.5 to 9.0. Similar results were observed for POXA1cΔ13-R5V. POXA1cΔ13-R5V can be widely used in industrial biotechnology because of its excellent catalytic properties. | 25,161,036 | [
0.3934302,
-0.2951225,
-0.3516416,
-0.2182366,
-0.1307548,
0.1508881,
0.3432698,
0.1814955,
0.1282805,
-0.04126492,
0.03883404,
0.0791487,
-0.1574628,
0.1590226,
-0.09252602,
0.0310911,
-0.2185675,
-0.1424262,
0.2826678,
0.1112832,
0.4063263,
0.7503882,
-0.4574929,
0.29... |
Is problematic internet use an indicator of eating disorders among Turkish university students? | The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between problematic internet use and eating attitudes in a group of university students. The study sample consisted of 314 students attending programs at the faculties of education, medicine and communications at the Karadeniz Technical University in Turkey. One hundred forty-seven (46.8 %) were male and 167 (53.2 %) female. The Problematic Internet Use Scale was used to measure problematic internet use levels among university students and the Eating Attitudes Test to determine anorexia nervosa symptoms. Additionally, a Personal Data Form was used to determine age, gender, faculty attended and computer ownership. Data were analyzed on SPSS 15.00. Pearson's product moments correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression analysis, the independent t test and one-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. The research findings showed that 46.8 % of students were female and 53.2 % male. Mean age was 20.65 (SD 1.42). Analysis showed a significant positive correlation between problematic internet use and eating attitudes (r = 0.77, p < 0.01). Problematic internet use was found to be a significant predictor of eating attitudes. The results also showed a significant difference in problematic internet use with regard to program variables [F (2,311) = 102.79]. There were no significant differences in problematic internet use in terms of gender or computer ownership. The results of this study indicate that problematic internet use is significantly correlated with eating disorders, that problematic internet use does not vary on the basis of gender or computer ownership and that variations arise in problematic internet use depending on the faculty attended. | 25,161,050 | [
-0.2738788,
0.1721451,
0.03215463,
0.07745417,
0.4373817,
-0.193525,
-0.2032865,
-0.1151393,
-0.2568811,
0.01989382,
0.506364,
0.178005,
-0.3335182,
0.02171585,
-0.3040477,
-0.3769738,
-0.2459018,
0.1733979,
-0.274249,
-0.2104831,
0.0934907,
0.06462952,
-0.1124258,
0.27... |
Prevention of childhood malnutrition: immensity of the challenge and variety of strategies. | The scope of this review is partly dictated by the global concern to improve nutrition, starting with proclamation of the Millennium Development Goals, followed by the Scaling-up Nutrition (SUN) project. The global and regional prevalence of child malnutrition is described and discussed in detail. The various and sometimes unexpected effects of recent economic development and urbanisation on nutritional status are described. Preventive intervention, using the post-SUN terminology of nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific interventions is reviewed, citing examples of each. Early treatment of malnutrition, e.g. by community therapeutic care, is regarded as preventive. Indirect but nutrition-specific approaches to prevention by immunisation and management of infections such as HIV are also reviewed. | 25,161,059 | [
-0.1758924,
0.1158825,
-0.0003100279,
-0.1445904,
0.1216765,
-0.1149321,
-0.3164605,
0.02225525,
0.1529221,
0.3179334,
-0.05213477,
-0.1866551,
0.01878043,
0.09793073,
-0.5263772,
-0.2268784,
0.005580187,
0.1299951,
-0.1707687,
-0.2118055,
-0.1787605,
0.3078965,
-0.152634... |
Modulation of mast cell proliferative and inflammatory responses by leukotriene d4 and stem cell factor signaling interactions. | Mast cells (MCs) are important effector cells in asthma and pulmonary inflammation, and their proliferation and maturation is maintained by stem cell factor (SCF) via its receptor, c-Kit. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) are potent inflammatory mediators that signal through CysLT1 R and CysLT2 R located on the MC surface, and they enhance MC inflammatory responses. However, it is not known if SCF and cys-LTs cross-talk and influence MC hyperplasia and activation in inflammation. Here, we report the concerted effort of the growth factor SCF and the inflammatory mediator LTD4 in MC activation. Stimulation of MCs by LTD4 in the presence of SCF enhances c-Kit-mediated proliferative responses. Similarly, SCF synergistically enhances LTD4 -induced calcium, c-fos expression and phosphorylation, as well as MIP1β generation in MCs. These findings suggest that integration of SCF and LTD4 signals may contribute to MC hyperplasia and hyper-reactivity during airway hyper-response and inflammation. | 25,161,061 | [
-0.03422368,
-0.3141249,
-0.0853611,
-0.2478724,
0.2119821,
0.1005917,
0.06568858,
0.3031407,
-0.0006215731,
0.05180133,
-0.002464527,
0.2144224,
-0.5285562,
0.03801606,
-0.4466372,
-0.002758835,
0.09580955,
-0.1451137,
0.08587573,
0.1548371,
-0.08976753,
0.2758107,
-0.44... |
Analysis of the yeast short-term Crabtree effect and its origin. | The short-term Crabtree effect is defined as the immediate occurrence of aerobic alcoholic fermentation in response to provision of a pulse of excess sugar to sugar-limited yeast cultures. Here we have characterized ten yeast species with a clearly defined phylogenetic relationship. Yeast species were cultivated under glucose-limited conditions, and we studied their general carbon metabolism in response to a glucose pulse. We generated an extensive collection of data on glucose and oxygen consumption, and ethanol and carbon dioxide generation. We conclude that the Pichia, Debaryomyces, Eremothecium and Kluyveromyces marxianus yeasts do not exhibit any significant ethanol formation, while Kluyveromyces lactis behaves as an intermediate yeast, and Lachancea, Torulaspora, Vanderwaltozyma and Saccharomyces yeasts exhibit rapid ethanol accumulation. Based on the present data and our previous data relating to the presence of the long-term Crabtree effect in over 40 yeast species, we speculate that the origin of the short-term effect may coincide with the origin of the long-term Crabtree effect in the Saccharomycetales lineage, occurring ~ 150 million years ago. | 25,161,062 | [
0.2466614,
-0.5424326,
-0.1782591,
0.2903996,
-0.03914661,
-0.1079526,
-0.1994823,
0.2419188,
0.265402,
-0.114105,
-0.3456681,
-0.6086879,
-0.2035068,
-0.1212148,
-0.2717246,
-0.1819555,
-0.08807089,
0.103662,
0.3366693,
-0.3142947,
0.4092077,
0.4912065,
0.07132619,
-0.... |
Pooled analysis of tiotropium Respimat(®) pharmacokinetics in cystic fibrosis. | Tiotropium is the first bronchodilator to be studied systematically in cystic fibrosis (CF). We investigated whether any intrinsic or extrinsic factors affected pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of inhaled tiotropium delivered by Respimat(®) in adults and children with CF. Tiotropium PK in patients with CF was compared with that of healthy volunteers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This pooled analysis summarizes the PK parameters of inhaled tiotropium Respimat(®) across 9 early- and late-phase trials involving 27 healthy volunteers (1 trial), 409 patients with CF (3 trials), and 281 patients with COPD (5 trials). Patients with CF aged 5 to 11, 12 to 17, and ≥ 18 years had similar tiotropium plasma concentrations (geometric mean C(0.083,ss,norm): 2.22 pg/mL/μg; not determined for patients aged <5 years). The fraction excreted unchanged in the urine was 3.4-fold lower for patients aged 0.4 to <5 years than for those aged 5 to 11 years (fe(0-4,ss): 1.19% vs 4.09%). Tiotropium PK parameters were similar between CF patients and COPD patients. | 25,161,072 | [
-0.0862279,
-0.04861873,
-0.2536229,
-0.1398109,
0.09200486,
-0.2689393,
-0.3087435,
-0.2248211,
0.2066531,
-0.1169305,
0.1300806,
0.3453723,
-0.2362801,
0.1440413,
-0.2361181,
-0.161781,
-0.3332283,
0.1575923,
-0.2556911,
-0.0189454,
-0.1433728,
0.2545124,
-0.2125735,
... |
Toll like receptors: a new hope on the horizon to treat multiple sclerosis. | Evolving data have shown that the toll like receptors (TLRs) family of innate immune receptors has an important role in driving the activation and inhibition of pathogenic pathways involved in multiple sclerosis (MS). While developing clinical trials targeting MS by TLRs modulators are of considerable interest, several of them have failed. Herein, the various consequences of TLRs pathways activation and the potential of targeting these receptors for therapeutic purposes are described. In particular, different aspects of TLR based therapies are discussed, in order to develop more efficacious and safe therapies targeting inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, especially MS. | 25,161,080 | [
-0.0993432,
0.0211499,
0.34114,
-0.0811032,
0.009833947,
-0.112563,
-0.03042658,
0.03571841,
-0.1934686,
0.0748021,
-0.150928,
0.0543378,
0.1895268,
-0.1227564,
-0.4437401,
-0.2519867,
-0.4105915,
0.08454077,
-0.09858563,
-0.02872794,
-0.03706136,
0.4783508,
-0.1244537,
... |
Sub-chronic agmatine treatment modulates hippocampal neuroplasticity and cell survival signaling pathways in mice. | Agmatine is an endogenous neuromodulator which, based on animal and human studies, is a putative novel antidepressant drug. In this study, we investigated the ability of sub-chronic (21 days) p.o. agmatine administration to produce an antidepressant-like effect in the tail suspension test and examined the hippocampal cell signaling pathways implicated in such an effect. Agmatine at doses of 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg (p.o.) produced a significant antidepressant-like effect in the tail suspension test and no effect in the open-field test. Additionally, agmatine (0.001-0.1 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the phosphorylation of protein kinase A substrates (237-258% of control), protein kinase B/Akt (Ser(473)) (116-127% of control), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Ser(9)) (110-113% of control), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (119-137% and 121-138% of control, respectively) and cAMP response elements (Ser(133)) (127-152% of control), and brain-derived-neurotrophic factor (137-175% of control) immunocontent in a dose-dependent manner in the hippocampus. Agmatine (0.001-0.1 mg/kg, p.o.) also reduced the c-jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 phosphorylation (77-71% and 65-51% of control, respectively). Neither protein kinase C nor p38(MAPK) phosphorylation was altered under any experimental conditions. Taken together, the present study extends the available data on the mechanisms that underlie the antidepressant action of agmatine by showing an antidepressant-like effect following sub-chronic administration. In addition, our results are the first to demonstrate the ability of agmatine to elicit the activation of cellular signaling pathways associated with neuroplasticity/cell survival and the inhibition of signaling pathways associated with cell death in the hippocampus. | 25,161,097 | [
-0.2977597,
-0.489625,
0.2833671,
-0.4142554,
-0.0290089,
-0.1268779,
0.06034121,
0.03802873,
-0.1355305,
-0.1277627,
-0.1244841,
0.2728239,
0.1091457,
0.4043318,
-0.05750101,
-0.1022885,
-0.2955499,
0.240089,
-0.2125237,
0.3387015,
-0.07949005,
0.2052541,
0.05558096,
0... |
Risk characterization for urinary tract infections in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. | To evaluate the risk of urinary tract infections (UTI) in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subjects aged ≥18years and diagnosed with T2DM between 1/1/10 and 12/31/10 were identified using the MarketScan® databases, which are representative of the commercially insured US population and those with both Medicare and supplemental coverage. The index date was the first T2DM diagnosis date in 2010 (date randomly selected for those without T2DM). Subjects without T2DM were matched (1:1) by index date, age, gender, urban/rural location, and region. All subjects had continuous enrollment for 12 months before (baseline) and after (follow-up) the index date. UTI diagnosis was defined using ICD-9-CM codes. Measurements of glycemic control and body weight were not available. An adjusted logistic regression model assessed the likelihood of UTI. A total of 89,790 matched pairs were selected. During follow-up, a UTI diagnosis was more common in subjects with T2DM than without T2DM (9.4% vs. 5.7%; p<0.0001). Recurrence of UTI was also more likely with T2DM (1.6% vs. 0.6%; p<0.0001). In a logistic regression, subjects with T2DM had a greater likelihood of UTI during follow up (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.54 [95% CI: 1.47-1.60]). This relationship remained after stratifying by gender. Subjects with T2DM were more likely to experience a UTI and recurrent UTIs than subjects without T2DM during follow-up. | 25,161,100 | [
0.03903697,
-0.09949761,
-0.253476,
0.0111309,
0.06018876,
-0.3080042,
-0.3496274,
0.1157168,
0.1250736,
0.04601102,
-0.03165644,
0.5635523,
-0.1932127,
-0.1413528,
-0.09678075,
-0.1509629,
0.2115942,
0.1658055,
-0.03225101,
-0.4518955,
-0.2679124,
0.09429898,
-0.2537647,... |
Renal biopsy in patients over 75: 131 cases. | Demographic analysis shows the ageing of the global population and the consequent increase in the age of hospitalized subjects and of patients starting dialysis. Hence, interest in the feasibility, safety, and usefulness of renal biopsy in elderly patients is growing. We examined the data of 131 patients over the age of 75 who underwent renal biopsy. We analyzed the safety of the procedure, treatment, and outcomes. Histological diagnoses included: membranous glomerulonephritis (GN) 20.6%, crescentic GN 12.9%, IgAGN 10.6%, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 9.1%, acute GN 4.5%, amyloidosis 9.1%, and acute tubular necrosis 3.8%. Mean glomerular obsolescence was 28.9 Â ± 27.9%. Mean age of the patients was 78.7 Â ± 5.73 years. At the time of biopsy, serum creatinine (SCr) was 4.47 Â ± 2.56 mg/dL and proteinuria was 4.82 Â ± 6.78 g/day. Targeted treatment was given to 51.9% of patients, 52.9% of whom had a good clinical response. Eight patients had clinically non-relevant side effects (11.7%). A positive response (defined as a more than 50% reduction of SCr, or by partial or complete remission of proteinuria) was observed in 36 patients (52.9%). 76 patients were monitored for 57 Â ± 9.89 months: 18 patients were on dialysis (follow-up 2.56 Â ± 3.61 months), 15 died (follow-up 58.5 Â ± 13.43 months), and 52 remained under nephrologic observation for 36 Â ± 31 months (SCr was 2.56 Â ± 0.75 mg/dL and proteinuria was 4.82 Â ± 6.78 g/day). In our experience, renal biopsy is safe even in very elderly patients; it allowed targeted treatment in 51.9% of patients, 52.9% of whom had a good clinical response, possibly contributing to prolonged patient survival and improved quality of life. | 25,161,113 | [
0.04080765,
-0.2926791,
-0.01913515,
-0.06047295,
0.1152517,
-0.1492847,
0.0653235,
-0.1021516,
-0.1176084,
-0.3592106,
-0.3265284,
0.1481857,
0.05407368,
0.09547574,
-0.255752,
-0.2372104,
0.07232328,
0.2736745,
0.278946,
0.09849995,
0.3003578,
0.2802618,
-0.3726951,
-... |
Mild hyponatremia is associated with functional and cognitive decline in chronic hemodialysis patients. | A high incidence and adverse outcomes of cognitive impairment in dialysis patients have recently become recognized. Classical risk factors, uremia, anemia, metabolic disturbances, and hemodynamic instability during dialysis accelerate vascular cognitive impairment. To evaluate laboratory factors that influence cognitive function in consecutive chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients over a 2-year period. Between June 2010 and June 2011 we conducted a prospective, single-center trial that evaluated cognitive function in adult chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. A battery of cognitive function tests was used: modified mini mental state (3MS), trailmaking tests A (trails A) and B (trails B). The 15-item geriatric depression scale (GDS) and the activities of daily living (ADL) test were used, respectively, for assessing symptoms of depression and global functional status. All tests were performed twice at yearly intervals in consecutive HD patients. Global cognitive impairment was defined as a 3MS < 80 and impaired executive function as a Trails A performance time > 75 seconds and Trails B > 180 seconds. 56 chronic HD patients aged 65.00 ± 17.8 years were studied; 57% of them were males. 86% suffered from hypertension (HTN), 40% were diabetics and ~ 1/3 had ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), and dyslipidemia. Average plasma calcium, phosphorus, and PTH were within the recommended range. No features suggestive of malnutrition, severe anemia, inflammation, or inadequate dialysis were detected. 14 patients (24%) had mild chronic hyponatremia (Na ranges 131 - 135 meq/L). Significant disturbances in global cognitive and executive function were detected in the study patients. In 2010, 50% had 3MS < 80, 71% and 91% had severely impaired trails A and B tests (respectively), 54% had symptoms of depression and 50% suffered from impaired ADL. Retesting of the survivors in 2011 revealed increased prevalence of cognitive and functional declines along with worsening depression scoring. Univariate analysis demonstrated significant correlation between cognitive decline and age, female gender, education, poor executive and functional status, inadequate dialysis dose (Kt/V < 1.2, p = 0.023), high plasma phosphorus levels (p > 6 mg/dL, p = 0.034), and hyponatremia (Na < 135 mEq/L, p = 0.001). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant associations between hyponatremia and impaired ADL (p = 0.043) and impaired ADL and mortality (p = 0.002). A high prevalence of global cognitive and executive impairment was detected in our hemodialysis cohort. We found an association between mild chronic hyponatremia and impaired functional status. Whether treatments aimed at modifying hyponatremia could mitigate functional decline or mortality remains to be elucidated. | 25,161,116 | [
0.05621029,
-0.1275422,
0.05851498,
-0.2933158,
0.03941612,
-0.4225003,
0.03064916,
-0.0008026478,
-0.3920288,
-0.002375342,
-0.03421548,
0.2740788,
-0.2209474,
0.2552832,
-0.4029751,
-0.05730394,
-0.1945544,
0.2474094,
-0.06639538,
0.2525569,
-0.3138075,
0.3364537,
-0.06... |
Adipose stem cells-conditioned medium blocks 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity via the IGF-1/PI3K/AKT pathway. | Previous studies suggest that the delivery of neurotrophic factors secreted from adipose stromal cells (ASC) protect the brain from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity. However, it remains unclear which secreted neurotrophic factor has an important role in protecting 6-OHDA-treated neurons. Through the use of antibodies in this study, we demonstrated that specific neutralization of IGF-1 activity in ASC conditioned media (ASC-CM) significantly blocks ASC-CM-induced neuroprotection against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity. Consistently, this neuroprotection was mostly attributed to the activation of the AKT-mediated signaling pathway. In contrast, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in ASC-CM did not play a role in ASC-CM-induced neuroprotection against 6-OHDA. | 25,161,124 | [
-0.3817515,
-0.3657681,
-0.01716216,
-0.3853121,
0.2326682,
0.1208714,
0.01572283,
-0.06281812,
-0.1500043,
0.2732238,
0.3888061,
-0.07723714,
0.054883,
0.1200067,
0.07562618,
0.08778238,
-0.515481,
0.4411991,
-0.1869277,
0.2006333,
0.08035528,
-0.1341391,
-0.0005203066,
... |
Performance of the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II: a meta-analysis of 22 studies involving 145,592 cardiac surgery procedures. | A systematic review of the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (euroSCORE) II performance for prediction of operative mortality after cardiac surgery has not been performed. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies based on the predictive accuracy of the euroSCORE II. We searched the Embase and PubMed databases for all English-only articles reporting performance characteristics of the euroSCORE II. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, the observed/expected mortality ratio, and observed-expected mortality difference with their 95% confidence intervals were analyzed. Twenty-two articles were selected, including 145,592 procedures. Operative mortality occurred in 4293 (2.95%), whereas the expected events according to euroSCORE II were 4802 (3.30%). Meta-analysis of these studies provided an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.792 (95% confidence interval, 0.773-0.811), an estimated observed/expected ratio of 1.019 (95% confidence interval, 0.899-1.139), and observed-expected difference of 0.125 (95% confidence interval, -0.269 to 0.519). Statistical heterogeneity was detected among retrospective studies including less recent procedures. Subgroups analysis confirmed the robustness of combined estimates for isolated valve procedures and those combined with revascularization surgery. A significant overestimation of the euroSCORE II with an observed/expected ratio of 0.829 (95% confidence interval, 0.677-0.982) was observed in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting and a slight underestimation of predictions in high-risk patients (observed/expected ratio 1.253 and observed-expected difference 1.859). Despite the heterogeneity, the results from this meta-analysis show a good overall performance of the euroSCORE II in terms of discrimination and accuracy of model predictions for operative mortality. Validation of the euroSCORE II in prospective populations needs to be further studied for a continuous improvement of patients' risk stratification before cardiac surgery. | 25,161,130 | [
0.04808586,
-0.1177273,
-0.3667175,
-0.2364077,
0.1299432,
-0.359507,
-0.08468287,
-0.1408146,
0.09463247,
0.001551128,
0.05825431,
0.2522496,
0.05295031,
-0.2221441,
0.175589,
-0.1224921,
-0.6799765,
0.3977433,
-0.07594681,
0.09987945,
0.1893537,
0.230446,
-0.03225112,
... |
Quality improvement project: implementing guidelines supporting noninvasive respiratory management for premature infants. | Based on research evidence, the purpose was to implement noninvasive approaches in the initial respiratory stabilization of preterm infants. Quality improvement project. One hundred fourteen infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care nursery (NICN) from January 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012 served as a historical control group. Ninety-four infants admitted from January 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013 served as the intervention group. After implementation of the quality improvement initiative, there was a statistically significant increase in the rate of using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP ) by 65.3 percent for initial respiratory stabilization of preterm infants. | 25,161,132 | [
-0.1668039,
-0.0604202,
-0.2166902,
-0.1698344,
0.1252038,
0.2579539,
-0.2619365,
-0.3896588,
0.1587751,
-0.07011304,
0.2144451,
-0.04920043,
-0.366571,
-0.3783417,
0.1170743,
0.06285438,
-0.06060172,
-0.1271679,
-0.08819856,
-0.328303,
-0.1494217,
-0.1115276,
0.03982873,... |
Death receptor 3 mediates TNFSF15- and TNFα-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. | Tumor necrosis factor superfamily 15 (TNFSF15) suppresses angiogenesis by specifically inducing apoptosis in proliferating endothelial cells. Death receptor 3 (DR3), a member of the TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF25), has been identified as a receptor for TNFSF15 to activate T cells. It is unclear, however, whether DR3 mediates TNFSF15 activity on endothelial cells. Here we show that siRNA-mediated knockdown of DR3 in an in vivo Matrigel angiogenesis assay, or in adult bovine aortic endothelial (ABAE) cell cultures, leads to resistance of endothelial cells to TNFSF15-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, DR3-depleted cells also exhibited markedly diminished responsiveness to TNFα cytotoxicity, even though DR3 is not a receptor for TNFα. Treatment of the cells with either TNFSF15 siRNA or a TNFSF15-neutralizing antibody, 4-3H, also results in a significant inhibition of TNFα-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, DR3 siRNA treatment gives rise to an increase of ERK1/2 MAPK activity, and up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic proteins c-FLIP and Bcl-2, thus strengthening apoptosis-resisting potential in the cells. These findings indicate that DR3 mediates TNFSF15-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, and that up-regulation of TNFSF15 expression stimulated by TNFα is partly but significantly responsible for TNFα-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells. | 25,161,149 | [
-0.01653979,
-0.111839,
-0.09278958,
0.1501352,
0.166227,
-0.1916584,
0.274302,
0.1562863,
-0.1191447,
-0.01674535,
0.3258474,
0.2993762,
-0.1948026,
-0.1259737,
-0.183,
-0.1644408,
-0.6755778,
0.1474224,
-0.06696026,
0.2206731,
0.5020555,
0.6789684,
-0.2762351,
0.14441... |
Alteration of neural action potential patterns by axonal stimulation: the importance of stimulus location. | Stimulation of peripheral nerves is often superimposed on ongoing motor and sensory activity in the same axons, without a quantitative model of the net action potential train at the axon endpoint. We develop a model of action potential patterns elicited by superimposing constant frequency axonal stimulation on the action potentials arriving from a physiologically activated neural source. The model includes interactions due to collision block, resetting of the neural impulse generator, and the refractory period of the axon at the point of stimulation. Both the mean endpoint firing rate and the probability distribution of the action potential firing periods depend strongly on the relative firing rates of the two sources and the intersite conduction time between them. When the stimulus rate exceeds the neural rate, neural action potentials do not reach the endpoint and the rate of endpoint action potentials is the same as the stimulus rate, regardless of the intersite conduction time. However, when the stimulus rate is less than the neural rate, and the intersite conduction time is short, the two rates partially sum. Increases in stimulus rate produce non-monotonic increases in endpoint rate and continuously increasing block of neurally generated action potentials. Rate summation is reduced and more neural action potentials are blocked as the intersite conduction time increases. At long intersite conduction times, the endpoint rate simplifies to being the maximum of either the neural or the stimulus rate. This study highlights the potential of increasing the endpoint action potential rate and preserving neural information transmission by low rate stimulation with short intersite conduction times. Intersite conduction times can be decreased with proximal stimulation sites for muscles and distal stimulation sites for sensory endings. The model provides a basis for optimizing experiments and designing neuroprosthetic interventions involving motor or sensory stimulation. | 25,161,163 | [
-0.1005868,
-0.1769234,
-0.3440603,
-0.05801223,
0.06325015,
-0.4291953,
-0.1253902,
0.2598413,
0.07275238,
-0.1388104,
-0.1869314,
-0.456707,
0.1707046,
-0.1218194,
-0.1174069,
-0.05904248,
-0.690878,
-0.0274272,
-0.2431911,
-0.01682481,
0.1651635,
0.2088942,
0.2269635,
... |
Efavirenz induces neuronal autophagy and mitochondrial alterations. | Efavirenz (EFV) is a non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor in wide use for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Although EFV is generally well tolerated, neuropsychiatric toxicity has been well documented. The toxic effects of EFV in hepatocytes and keratinocytes have been linked to mitochondrial perturbations and changes in autophagy. Here, we studied the effect of EFV on mitochondria and autophagy in neuronal cell lines and primary neurons. In SH-SY5Y cells, EFV induced a drop in ATP production, which coincided with increased autophagy, mitochondrial fragmentation, and mitochondrial depolarization. EFV-induced mitophagy was also detected by colocalization of mitochondria and autophagosomes and use of an outer mitochondrial membrane tandem fluorescent vector. Pharmacologic inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyladenine increased the cytotoxic effect of EFV, suggesting that autophagy promotes cell survival. EFV also reduces ATP production in primary neurons, induces autophagy, and changes mitochondrial morphology. Overall, EFV is able to acutely induce autophagy and mitochondrial changes in neurons. These changes may be involved in the mechanism leading to central nervous system toxicity observed in clinical EFV use. | 25,161,171 | [
-0.3157676,
0.03082846,
0.06448546,
-0.1583568,
0.2678021,
-0.3153329,
-0.05735118,
0.01977415,
0.1076868,
0.08655247,
-0.005479411,
0.2314975,
0.01937738,
0.501745,
-0.3267042,
-0.08077683,
-0.4963687,
-0.02548568,
-0.4948959,
0.2173999,
0.1048006,
-0.01644988,
-0.132057... |
Radiotherapy for gastric lymphoma: a planning study of 3D conformal radiotherapy, the half-beam method, and intensity-modulated radiotherapy. | During radiotherapy for gastric lymphoma, it is difficult to protect the liver and kidneys in cases where there is considerable overlap between these organs and the target volume. This study was conducted to compare the three radiotherapy planning techniques of four-fields 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), half-field radiotherapy (the half-beam method) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) used to treat primary gastric lymphoma in which the planning target volume (PTV) had a large overlap with the left kidney. A total of 17 patients with gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were included. In DLBCL, immunochemotherapy (Rituximab + CHOP) was followed by radiotherapy of 40 Gy to the whole stomach and peri-gastric lymph nodes. 3DCRT, the half-field method, and IMRT were compared with respect to the dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters and generalized equivalent uniform dose (gEUD) to the kidneys, liver and PTV. The mean dose and gEUD for 3DCRT was higher than for IMRT and the half-beam method in the left kidney and both kidneys. The mean dose and gEUD of the left kidney was 2117 cGy and 2224 cGy for 3DCRT, 1520 cGy and 1637 cGy for IMRT, and 1100 cGy and 1357 cGy for the half-beam method, respectively. The mean dose and gEUD of both kidneys was 1335 cGy and 1559 cGy for 3DCRT, 1184 cGy and 1311 cGy for IMRT, and 700 cGy and 937 cGy for the half-beam method, respectively. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of the liver revealed a larger volume was irradiated in the dose range <25 Gy with 3DCRT, while the half-beam method irradiated a larger volume of liver with the higher dose range (>25 Gy). IMRT and the half-beam method had the advantages of dose reduction for the kidneys and liver. | 25,161,174 | [
-0.4182211,
0.2419305,
-0.3195342,
0.2966043,
0.4509798,
-0.1354696,
0.3425014,
-0.03154255,
-0.3457403,
0.434212,
0.3798032,
-0.1129883,
-0.01076243,
0.3779205,
-0.597442,
-0.07623365,
-0.04637624,
0.317598,
-0.06852045,
0.2170432,
0.1604752,
0.5053077,
0.2001892,
0.01... |
Human-specific bacterial pore-forming toxins induce programmed necrosis in erythrocytes. | A subgroup of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) family of pore-forming toxins (PFTs) has an unusually narrow host range due to a requirement for binding to human CD59 (hCD59), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked complement regulatory molecule. hCD59-specific CDCs are produced by several organisms that inhabit human mucosal surfaces and can act as pathogens, including Gardnerella vaginalis and Streptococcus intermedius. The consequences and potential selective advantages of such PFT host limitation have remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that, in addition to species restriction, PFT ligation of hCD59 triggers a previously unrecognized pathway for programmed necrosis in primary erythrocytes (red blood cells [RBCs]) from humans and transgenic mice expressing hCD59. Because they lack nuclei and mitochondria, RBCs have typically been thought to possess limited capacity to undergo programmed cell death. RBC programmed necrosis shares key molecular factors with nucleated cell necroptosis, including dependence on Fas/FasL signaling and RIP1 phosphorylation, necrosome assembly, and restriction by caspase-8. Death due to programmed necrosis in RBCs is executed by acid sphingomyelinase-dependent ceramide formation, NADPH oxidase- and iron-dependent reactive oxygen species formation, and glycolytic formation of advanced glycation end products. Bacterial PFTs that are hCD59 independent do not induce RBC programmed necrosis. RBC programmed necrosis is biochemically distinct from eryptosis, the only other known programmed cell death pathway in mature RBCs. Importantly, RBC programmed necrosis enhances the growth of PFT-producing pathogens during exposure to primary RBCs, consistent with a role for such signaling in microbial growth and pathogenesis. In this work, we provide the first description of a new form of programmed cell death in erythrocytes (RBCs) that occurs as a consequence of cellular attack by human-specific bacterial toxins. By defining a new RBC death pathway that shares important components with necroptosis, a programmed necrosis module that occurs in nucleated cells, these findings expand our understanding of RBC biology and RBC-pathogen interactions. In addition, our work provides a link between cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) host restriction and promotion of bacterial growth in the presence of RBCs, which may provide a selective advantage to human-associated bacterial strains that elaborate such toxins and a potential explanation for the narrowing of host range observed in this toxin family. | 25,161,188 | [
-0.02296052,
-0.1843522,
0.1240615,
0.200642,
0.006782699,
-0.1374315,
0.3321423,
0.1301188,
0.0556562,
0.05298493,
-0.1873572,
0.07671653,
-0.215917,
-0.2162632,
-0.3864068,
-0.2178837,
-0.5651268,
-0.3692115,
0.1287921,
0.01633586,
0.08145333,
0.3874975,
-0.1229428,
0... |
What is the effect of unemployment on all-cause mortality? A cohort study using propensity score matching. | There is a strong association between unemployment and mortality, but whether this relationship is causal remains debated. This study utilizes population-level administrative data from Scotland within a propensity score framework to explore whether the association between unemployment and mortality may be causal. The study examined a sample of working men and women aged 25-54 in 1991. Subsequent employment status in 2001 was observed (in work or unemployed) and the relative all-cause mortality risk of unemployment between 2001 and 2010 was estimated. To account for potential selection into unemployment of those in poor health, a propensity score matching approach was used. Matching variables were observed prior to unemployment and included health status up to the year of unemployment (hospital admissions and self-reported limiting long-term illness), as well as measures of socioeconomic position. Unemployment was associated with a significant all-cause mortality risk relative to employment for men (hazard ratio [HR] 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-2.55). This effect was robust to controlling for prior health and sociodemographic characteristics. Effects for women were smaller and statistically insignificant (HR 1.51; 95% CI 0.68-3.37). For men, the findings support the notion that the often-observed association between unemployment and mortality may contain a significant causal component; although for women, there is less support for this conclusion. However, female employment status, as recorded in the census, is more complex than for men and may have served to underestimate any mortality effect of unemployment. Future work should examine this issue further. | 25,161,201 | [
-0.05116331,
-0.07702412,
-0.1600279,
0.1136502,
0.05794958,
-0.07926651,
0.2216886,
-0.04141698,
-0.2580413,
-0.1474545,
-0.295613,
0.2490497,
0.1450766,
0.08886303,
-0.007914631,
-0.3507491,
0.3201752,
0.1233726,
-0.2047019,
-0.02277011,
-0.1530668,
0.4572072,
-0.067791... |
Broad-Enrich: functional interpretation of large sets of broad genomic regions. | Functional enrichment testing facilitates the interpretation of Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) data in terms of pathways and other biological contexts. Previous methods developed and used to test for key gene sets affected in ChIP-seq experiments treat peaks as points, and are based on the number of peaks associated with a gene or a binary score for each gene. These approaches work well for transcription factors, but histone modifications often occur over broad domains, and across multiple genes. To incorporate the unique properties of broad domains into functional enrichment testing, we developed Broad-Enrich, a method that uses the proportion of each gene's locus covered by a peak. We show that our method has a well-calibrated false-positive rate, performing well with ChIP-seq data having broad domains compared with alternative approaches. We illustrate Broad-Enrich with 55 ENCODE ChIP-seq datasets using different methods to define gene loci. Broad-Enrich can also be applied to other datasets consisting of broad genomic domains such as copy number variations. http://broad-enrich.med.umich.edu for Web version and R package. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. | 25,161,225 | [
0.09320779,
0.02954022,
-0.01726344,
-0.05805084,
0.01346119,
-0.02606958,
-0.005628223,
0.3326603,
0.02548832,
-0.1149425,
-0.09086314,
0.1100306,
0.1731384,
0.1103432,
-0.4718867,
0.03773915,
-0.1321111,
0.08416285,
0.1655555,
-0.04110347,
0.02055975,
0.2327253,
-0.1259... |
Polytomy refinement for the correction of dubious duplications in gene trees. | Large-scale methods for inferring gene trees are error-prone. Correcting gene trees for weakly supported features often results in non-binary trees, i.e. trees with polytomies, thus raising the natural question of refining such polytomies into binary trees. A feature pointing toward potential errors in gene trees are duplications that are not supported by the presence of multiple gene copies. We introduce the problem of refining polytomies in a gene tree while minimizing the number of created non-apparent duplications in the resulting tree. We show that this problem can be described as a graph-theoretical optimization problem. We provide a bounded heuristic with guaranteed optimality for well-characterized instances. We apply our algorithm to a set of ray-finned fish gene trees from the Ensembl database to illustrate its ability to correct dubious duplications. The C++ source code for the algorithms and simulations described in the article are available at http://www-ens.iro.umontreal.ca/~lafonman/software.php. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. | 25,161,242 | [
0.009417718,
0.110841,
0.1514521,
0.3546727,
0.2857231,
-0.1147886,
-0.0390012,
-0.03598939,
0.2961445,
-0.2160367,
0.1783814,
-0.02953567,
0.1435032,
0.07917348,
-0.05638461,
0.2216311,
-0.2383278,
0.3019641,
-0.1066087,
-0.1925672,
0.1318213,
0.1177078,
-0.129924,
-0.... |
ASTRAL: genome-scale coalescent-based species tree estimation. | Species trees provide insight into basic biology, including the mechanisms of evolution and how it modifies biomolecular function and structure, biodiversity and co-evolution between genes and species. Yet, gene trees often differ from species trees, creating challenges to species tree estimation. One of the most frequent causes for conflicting topologies between gene trees and species trees is incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), which is modelled by the multi-species coalescent. While many methods have been developed to estimate species trees from multiple genes, some which have statistical guarantees under the multi-species coalescent model, existing methods are too computationally intensive for use with genome-scale analyses or have been shown to have poor accuracy under some realistic conditions. We present ASTRAL, a fast method for estimating species trees from multiple genes. ASTRAL is statistically consistent, can run on datasets with thousands of genes and has outstanding accuracy-improving on MP-EST and the population tree from BUCKy, two statistically consistent leading coalescent-based methods. ASTRAL is often more accurate than concatenation using maximum likelihood, except when ILS levels are low or there are too few gene trees. ASTRAL is available in open source form at https://github.com/smirarab/ASTRAL/. Datasets studied in this article are available at http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/phylo/datasets/astral. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. | 25,161,245 | [
0.2417041,
-0.2844572,
0.1942796,
0.02321372,
-0.1153419,
-0.1992105,
-0.148175,
-0.1580931,
0.1409459,
-0.383793,
-0.1462457,
0.07214874,
0.1267817,
0.3496169,
-0.690058,
0.06994905,
0.009904074,
-0.111179,
0.03640408,
0.1397862,
0.1356128,
0.1019751,
-0.2193588,
-0.28... |
Unveiling new biological relationships using shared hits of chemical screening assay pairs. | Although the integration and analysis of the activity of small molecules across multiple chemical screens is a common approach to determine the specificity and toxicity of hits, the suitability of these approaches to reveal novel biological information is less explored. Here, we test the hypothesis that assays sharing selective hits are biologically related. We annotated the biological activities (i.e. biological processes or molecular activities) measured in assays and constructed chemical hit profiles with sets of compounds differing on their selectivity level for 1640 assays of ChemBank repository. We compared the similarity of chemical hit profiles of pairs of assays with their biological relationships and observed that assay pairs sharing non-promiscuous chemical hits tend to be biologically related. A detailed analysis of a network containing assay pairs with the highest hit similarity confirmed biological meaningful relationships. Furthermore, the biological roles of predicted molecular targets of the shared hits reinforced the biological associations between assay pairs. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. | 25,161,250 | [
-0.1216376,
0.1780231,
0.1948286,
-0.06774605,
0.1252648,
0.01044948,
-0.2302897,
0.2666053,
0.2332157,
-0.2848874,
0.00265097,
0.0117906,
0.05532983,
0.04469592,
-0.543376,
0.2202435,
-0.2620991,
0.2857418,
0.1533932,
0.2352786,
0.1011803,
0.2510098,
-0.2139029,
-0.156... |
Viral nanoparticle-encapsidated enzyme and restructured DNA for cell delivery and gene expression. | Packaging specific exogenous active proteins and DNAs together within a single viral-nanocontainer is challenging. The bacteriophage T4 capsid (100 × 70 nm) is well suited for this purpose, because it can hold a single long DNA or multiple short pieces of DNA up to 170 kb packed together with more than 1,000 protein molecules. Any linear DNA can be packaged in vitro into purified procapsids. The capsid-targeting sequence (CTS) directs virtually any protein into the procapsid. Procapsids are assembled with specific CTS-directed exogenous proteins that are encapsidated before the DNA. The capsid also can display on its surface high-affinity eukaryotic cell-binding peptides or proteins that are in fusion with small outer capsid and head outer capsid surface-decoration proteins that can be added in vivo or in vitro. In this study, we demonstrate that the site-specific recombinase cyclic recombination (Cre) targeted into the procapsid is enzymatically active within the procapsid and recircularizes linear plasmid DNA containing two terminal loxP recognition sites when packaged in vitro. mCherry expression driven by a cytomegalovirus promoter in the capsid containing Cre-circularized DNA is enhanced over linear DNA, as shown in recipient eukaryotic cells. The efficient and specific packaging into capsids and the unpackaging of both DNA and protein with release of the enzymatically altered protein-DNA complexes from the nanoparticles into cells have potential in numerous downstream drug and gene therapeutic applications. | 25,161,284 | [
-0.05421762,
-0.1893622,
-0.2811221,
0.07638592,
-0.2132063,
-0.35936,
-0.2601784,
0.1647858,
0.1839598,
0.3792523,
0.1331998,
0.1559732,
0.09629302,
-0.008794599,
-0.6609073,
0.2501876,
-0.7388753,
-0.2738148,
0.006035575,
0.05575789,
0.1911398,
0.1179292,
-0.1522473,
... |
Double lumen endotracheal tube for percutaneous tracheostomy. | Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy is normally a bronchoscope-guided procedure. The insertion of a bronchoscope into an endotracheal tube (ETT) affects resistance, flow, and alveolar pressure. To improve airway management and ventilation during percutaneous tracheostomy, we developed a double lumen endotracheal tube (DLET). The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the linear constant of the Rohrer equation (K1), the nonlinear constant of the Rohrer equation (K2), the inspiratory and expiratory airway resistance, and ventilatory and airway pressures using the DLET with different standard sized ETTs. A trachea and lung model was used to compare the DLET to ETTs with 7, 7.5, and 8 mm inner diameters with and without a bronchoscope (4.5 mm external diameter), and 4 and 5 mm inner diameter ventilation tubes (F4, F5) of a translaryngeal tracheostomy. For each device, the pressure drop across the device and the Rohrer equation linear constant (K1) and nonlinear constant (K2) were calculated during a continuous flow of 10-90 L/min, the inspiratory and expiratory airway resistance values were calculated during volume controlled mechanical ventilation, and respiratory airway pressure values were calculated during volume and pressure controlled mechanical ventilation. DLET had lower K2, pressure drop, and inspiratory and expiratory airway resistance compared with conventional ETTs plus fiberoptic bronchoscope. Furthermore, during mechanical ventilation, DLET had a lower value of peak pressure, mean pressure, and intrinsic PEEP than the other ETTs plus fiberoptic bronchoscope. Use of the DLET during percutaneous dilational tracheostomy allows fiberoptic bronchoscopy without imposing excessive airway resistance. Reduced tube resistance during this procedure may confer additional safety in what is well known to be a hazardous procedure. | 25,161,301 | [
0.2548122,
-0.4971302,
-0.2491487,
0.0722292,
0.2150525,
-0.4095027,
0.1707111,
-0.4609087,
0.0912026,
0.2843232,
0.1222746,
0.00230855,
-0.2208093,
-0.2892427,
-0.2249567,
-0.1710953,
-0.3342379,
0.1731572,
-0.4220615,
-0.349566,
0.03301419,
-0.1099833,
0.01885844,
-0.... |
An innovative childhood asthma score predicts the need for bronchodilator nebulization in children with acute asthma independent of auscultative findings. | We sought to compare the accuracy of a newly developed childhood asthma score (CAS) with routine clinical assessment of respiratory status in children with acute asthma in predicting requirements for bronchodilator nebulization. In this prospective observational study in children 2-18 y old with acute asthma, we evaluated the association between the CAS and routine clinical assessment as well as inter-rater agreement. The need for bronchodilator nebulization was assessed during 134 episodes of acute asthma in 47 children. Overall, bronchodilators were administered after routine clinical assessment in 74 episodes (55.2%). The median CAS was 2.5 (interquartile range of 2.0-3.0) for subjects who did not receive nebulization and 6.0 (interquartile range of 4.0-7.0) for subjects who did receive nebulization (P < .001). A CAS cutoff score of 4 yielded a sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI 0.84-0.97) and a specificity of 0.77 (95% CI 0.66-0.87), with a positive predictive value of 0.83 (95% CI 0.75-0.91) and a negative predictive value of 0.87 (95% CI 0.78-0.96). In 79 episodes, the CAS was assessed by 2 independent raters. With a weighted kappa of 0.77, a good inter-rater agreement was obtained. Using a cutoff value of 4, the newly developed CAS accurately predicts the requirement for bronchodilator nebulization in children with acute asthma without use of auscultative findings. | 25,161,304 | [
0.1101141,
-0.07679766,
-0.4916483,
-0.1100098,
-0.1565536,
-0.1547398,
-0.3837235,
-0.07301602,
0.2912596,
-0.3570778,
0.05179384,
0.03298924,
0.2172968,
-0.1337282,
0.05669795,
-0.1066991,
-0.1740972,
-0.01274056,
-0.18782,
-0.1461167,
-0.1156486,
-0.1991246,
-0.200295,... |
The In vitro anti-acne activity of two unani drugs. | Acne is the most common disorder treated by dermatologists. As many as 80-90% of all adolescents have some type of acne and 30% of them require medical treatment. It is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit characterized by the formation of open and closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. The present study was conducted to investigate the in vitro anti-acne activity of two Unani single drugs Darchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Bl.) and Tukhm Khashkhash (Papaver somniferum L. seeds). The antibacterial activity of aqueous, ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of both drugs were investigated against two acne causing bacteria, i.e., Propionibacterium acne and Staphylococcus epidermidis using well diffusion method. The result showed that both drugs were active against the two bacteria. Against P. acne aqueous and ethanolic extract of Darchini and Tukhm Khashkhash showed the zone of inhibition of 18 ± 1.02 mm and 18 ± 1.6 mm and 13 ± 1.04 mm and 14 ± 1.8 mm, respectively. Against S. epidermidis aqueous, hydroalcoholic and ethanolic extracts of Darchini showed 22 ± 1.7 mm, 22 ± 1.2 mm and 15 ± 1.8 mm zone of inhibition respectively. Hydroalcoholic and ethanolic extracts of Tukhm Khashkhash showed 15 ± 1.09 mm and 13 ± 1.6 mm zone of inhibition respectively. This suggests that C. zeylanicum and P. somniferum have potential against acne causing bacteria and hence they can be used in topical anti-acne preparations and may address the antibiotic resistance of the bacteria. | 25,161,328 | [
0.01999883,
-0.1710451,
-0.01509628,
0.1214276,
-0.1927425,
0.008585456,
-0.7138828,
0.06726217,
0.3380961,
-0.1796755,
0.1097597,
0.3213441,
0.29311,
-0.1706261,
-0.06942644,
0.08585465,
-0.22925,
0.4781961,
-0.387414,
-0.1083723,
0.01060249,
0.03239184,
-0.06193517,
0... |
Molluscum contagiosum: A novel Ayurvedic approach. | Three cases of molluscum contagiosum (MC) approached our outpatient Department of Dermatology complaining of umbilicated, skin-colored, firm, painless papules over the neck and face. All of them were immune competent. The medical, social, and family history was insignificant. The lesions were, numerous and recurrent. However, MC in healthy people is a self-limiting disease, but it will take about 18 months to resolve by its own. Hence, the treatment becomes necessary to accelerate the healing process, preventing its spread and for cosmetic reasons. Most of the contemporary treatment methods such as cryotherapy, curettage, and topical application of caustic agents are effective but produce local side-effects such as erythema, tenderness, itching, burning sensation, and pain. The present study reports the efficacy of external application of Pratisaraṇīya Kṇāra (the type of Alkali used for smearing over the affected area) and Bilvādi Agada tablet orally in three cases, which yielded encouraging results. | 25,161,331 | [
0.02893061,
0.05056794,
0.03678469,
0.0307436,
0.2966988,
-0.2025527,
-0.6285002,
-0.005649577,
0.1416875,
-0.2797658,
0.2341822,
0.5942717,
0.3782266,
0.01141225,
-0.2115607,
-0.1017725,
0.03159548,
-0.2127727,
-0.2639697,
-0.0600279,
0.410473,
0.3760243,
-0.2491333,
0... |
Incompatible blood transfusion: Challenging yet lifesaving in the management of acute severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia. | Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is characterized by the production of autoantibodies directed against red cell antigens. Most patients of AIHA arrive in the emergency or out-patient department (OPD) with severe anemia requiring urgent blood transfusion. Here we share our experience of managing these patients with incompatible blood transfusions and suggest the minimal test required to assure patient safety. A total of 14 patients admitted with severe anemia, diagnosed with AIHA and requiring blood transfusion urgently were included in the study. A series of immunohematological investigations were performed to confirm the diagnosis and issue best match packed red blood cells (PRBC) to these patients. A total of 167 PRBC units were crossmatched for 14 patients of which 46 units (28%) were found to be best match ones and 26 (56.5%) of these units were transfused. A mean turn around time of 222 min was observed in issuing the "best match" blood. Severe hemolysis was observed in all patients with a median hemoglobin increment of 0.88 g/dl after each unit PRBC transfusion. Decision to transfuse in AIHA should be based on the clinical condition of the patient. No critical patient should be denied blood transfusion due to serological incompatibility. Minimum investigations such as direct antiglobulin test (DAT), antibody screening and autocontrol should be performed to ensure transfusion safety in patients. All transfusion services should be capable of issuing "best match" PRBCs in AIHA. | 25,161,349 | [
-0.2274874,
-0.2344421,
-0.1004458,
-0.1128787,
0.2454071,
-0.1604976,
-0.07205896,
0.5578831,
-0.04336161,
-0.2860133,
-0.04223539,
0.6824817,
0.07559718,
-0.3250729,
-0.1996997,
-0.1264627,
-0.4509591,
-0.2636631,
0.03220668,
-0.2134966,
-0.0005981193,
0.07252557,
-0.15... |
Acute lung injury after platelet transfusion in a patient with dengue fever. | Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious clinical syndrome associated with the transfusion of plasmacontaining blood components. Recently, TRALI has come to be recognized as the leading cause of transfusion-related mortality. This complication typically presents as shortness of breath, hypoxemia, hypotension, fever, and non cardiogenic pulmonary edema, occurring within 6 h after transfusion. Although the mechanism of TRALI has not been exactly known, it has been associated with human leukocyte antigen antibodies and with biologically active mediators in stored cellular blood components. We, hereby, present a case of a patient with dengue fever who developed acute lung injury (ALI), presumably TRALI, after transfusion of platelet concentrates. He was treated with supportive measures and mechanical ventilation. Greater knowledge and increased awareness especially amongst the clinicians regarding TRALI is needed for prevention and treatment of this potentially severe complication of blood/component transfusion. | 25,161,356 | [
-0.1443476,
0.2263326,
-0.0161205,
-0.3097245,
-0.06580972,
-0.2083629,
-0.07608151,
0.05842273,
-0.06768819,
-0.08407906,
0.04094383,
0.1461474,
-0.1385106,
-0.2326488,
-0.1114692,
-0.1524136,
0.1381559,
0.05267574,
0.06703029,
-0.01623531,
-0.1200467,
0.06228542,
-0.181... |
Design and Application of a Novel Virtual Reality Navigational Technology (VRNChair). | This paper presents a novel virtual reality navigation (VRN) input device, called the VRNChair, offering an intuitive and natural way to interact with virtual reality (VR) environments. Traditionally, VR navigation tests are performed using stationary input devices such as keyboards or joysticks. However, in case of immersive VR environment experiments, such as our recent VRN assessment, the user may feel kinetosis (motion sickness) as a result of the disagreement between vestibular response and the optical flow. In addition, experience in using a joystick or any of the existing computer input devices may cause a bias in the accuracy of participant performance in VR environment experiments. Therefore, we have designed a VR navigational environment that is operated using a wheelchair (VRNChair). The VRNChair translates the movement of a manual wheelchair to feed any VR environment. We evaluated the VRNChair by testing on 34 young individuals in two groups performing the same navigational task with either the VRNChair or a joystick; also one older individual (55 years) performed the same experiment with both a joystick and the VRNChair. The results indicate that the VRNChair does not change the accuracy of the performance; thus removing the plausible bias of having experience using a joystick. More importantly, it significantly reduces the effect of kinetosis. While we developed VRNChair for our spatial cognition study, its application can be in many other studies involving neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, physiotherapy, and/or simply the gaming industry. | 25,161,366 | [
-0.3176697,
-0.2916848,
0.2523496,
0.1624414,
0.2559296,
-0.3152857,
-0.1690185,
-0.08539994,
-0.1058819,
-0.2591327,
0.04224332,
-0.07417774,
-0.1866224,
-0.1266037,
-0.3650432,
-0.3403813,
-0.4980149,
0.3099607,
-0.5987894,
-0.4483497,
-0.3208518,
0.09963512,
-0.0440725... |
An overview on in situ micronization technique - An emerging novel concept in advanced drug delivery. | The use of drug powders containing micronized drug particles has been increasing in several pharmaceutical dosage forms to overcome the dissolution and bioavailability problems. Most of the newly developed drugs are poorly water soluble which limits dissolution rate and bioavailability. The dissolution rate can be enhanced by micronization of the drug particles. The properties of the micronized drug substance such as particle size, size distribution, shape, surface properties, and agglomeration behaviour and powder flow are affected by the type of micronization technique used. Mechanical communition, spray drying and supercritical fluid (SCF) technology are the most commonly employed techniques for production of micronized drug particles but the characteristics of the resulting drug product cannot be controlled using these techniques. Hence, a newer technique called in situ micronization is developed in order to overcome the limitations associated with the other techniques. This review summarizes the existing knowledge on in situ micronization techniques. The properties of the resulting drug substance obtained by in situ micronization were also compared. | 25,161,371 | [
-0.2918721,
0.08348381,
0.3509981,
-0.1034853,
0.009217967,
-0.1239821,
-0.1959774,
0.01150519,
0.03083001,
-0.09128428,
0.1593962,
-0.4171669,
0.01649573,
0.1097108,
-0.4311212,
-0.1737816,
-0.05776742,
-0.2071336,
-0.01405393,
-0.1194749,
0.2476239,
-0.1233469,
-0.09767... |
Do insulin cartridges really provide a lower risk of potential diabetes complications than traditional vials? | Recently, many publicly funded healthcare organizations suffered from an economical crisis. This forced some organizations to utilize less costly alternatives where possible. Insulin cartridges and vials are examples. Many patients are questioning the difference between the two alternatives as they contain the same active ingredient. To find out if insulin cartridges really provide a lower risk of potential diabetes complications than traditional vials. A questionnaire was used to ask two random samples of diabetic patients about the development of some diabetes complications. The first sample (n = 41) consisted of patients using cartridges; the second sample (n = 40) consisted of patients using vials. Patients were randomly selected from the endocrine clinic and the out-patient pharmacy in Al-Hussein Hospital in King Hussein Medical Center in Amman- Jordan. 44% of respondents in the first sample did not suffer from any complication; on the other hand, the percentage was only 15% of respondents in the second sample. All respondents (100%) in the first sample suffered from only 2 complications or less; however, 25% of the respondents in the second sample suffered from 3 or more complications. Nephropathy complications, were slightly higher in the first sample; 22% compared to 15% in the second sample. On the other hand, all complications reported in the second sample were higher; 30% for neuropathy, 65% for retinopathy complications and 42.5% for extremities damage compared to only 9.7%, 7.3% and 26.8% respectively in the first sample. In general, respondents who were using cartridges reported a lesser incidence of diabetes complications. Although many organizations suffered from an economical crisis, the cost-effectiveness aspect should be taken into consideration when purchasing medical alternatives. This will provide higher quality of life for patients and eventually lower hidden and future costs for the organizations. | 25,161,382 | [
-0.3513409,
0.1456237,
-0.2049875,
0.02681571,
0.03543885,
-0.03281832,
-0.2755379,
0.239386,
0.3001566,
0.1759778,
0.156115,
-0.1685687,
-0.0561972,
-0.169526,
0.003160281,
-0.05151494,
0.06771155,
-0.005471794,
0.0288697,
0.3313918,
0.3386774,
0.1150138,
0.1198841,
-0... |
Implementation of Steiner point of fuzzy set. | This paper deals with the implementation of Steiner point of fuzzy set. Some definitions and properties of Steiner point are investigated and extended to fuzzy set. This paper focuses on establishing efficient methods to compute Steiner point of fuzzy set. Two strategies of computing Steiner point of fuzzy set are proposed. One is called linear combination of Steiner points computed by a series of crisp α-cut sets of the fuzzy set. The other is an approximate method, which is trying to find the optimal α-cut set approaching the fuzzy set. Stability analysis of Steiner point of fuzzy set is also studied. Some experiments on image processing are given, in which the two methods are applied for implementing Steiner point of fuzzy image, and both strategies show their own advantages in computing Steiner point of fuzzy set. | 25,161,396 | [
0.0003989234,
0.1463764,
-0.01118151,
-0.1747823,
0.1228082,
-0.09799794,
-0.4852737,
0.02513234,
0.5220045,
-0.01475563,
-0.09710602,
-0.1632627,
0.03713539,
0.1454173,
-0.5654898,
-0.10404,
-0.2174123,
-0.1433432,
-0.1275248,
0.04108803,
-0.07504201,
-0.1060361,
-0.1591... |
Multichannel broadcast based on home channel for cognitive radio sensor networks. | Considering the limited resources and the dynamic spectrum distribution in the cognitive radio sensor networks (CRSN), a half-duplex Multichannel broadcast protocol for CRSN is presented based on the home channel. This protocol maintains the networks topology only through the home channel, so there is no need for the public channel to transmit the control information and no need for the synchronization. After network initialization, node broadcasts data via home channel in half-duplex transmission way. The simulation results show that, compared with complete broadcast, the proposed protocol effectively reduces broadcast delay and overhead. | 25,161,397 | [
-0.03940962,
0.3106966,
0.02002641,
-0.0199577,
0.05782019,
-0.2282039,
-0.6995975,
-0.2159641,
0.2384727,
0.03961998,
0.0145454,
-0.01480599,
0.03866415,
0.4205568,
-0.261097,
-0.1052245,
-0.285201,
0.02500331,
-0.003291534,
-0.1040917,
0.1098508,
0.3327344,
0.139665,
... |
Pre-hospital management of febrile seizures in children seen at the university college hospital, ibadan, Nigeria. | Febrile seizures are commonly encountered in emergency paediatric practice. Initial pre-hospital intervention given by caregivers has been shown to impact outcome. To describe the spectrum of pre-hospital interventions given for the treatment of childhood febrile seizures in Ibadan, Nigeria. All consecutive cases of febrile seizures seen at the emergency room of University College Hospital, Ibadan over a period of 13 months were the subjects of the study. Details of history of illness including the interventions given before presentation were recorded. All the children had lumbar puncture and examination of their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). All were followed up till discharge and the outcome was recorded. A total of 147 children, 83 males and 64 females with febrile seizures were studied. Harmful traditional practices were found to be common in the cohort studied. Fifty-nine (40.1%) of the children received at least one form of intervention believed to be capable of aborting the seizure during the attack at home. Herbal preparation was the most common form of pre-hospital treatment, given in 15 (10.2%) of the cases. Other forms of pre-hospital interventions given were application of substances to the eyes (6.1%), incisions on the body (2%) and burns inflicted on the feet and buttocks (1.4%). None of the children received rectal diazepam or buccal midazolam as home remedy for seizures. There was a statistically significant relationship between harmful cultural practices and the socio-economic class of the caregivers (P=0.008). Pre-hospital treatment of childhood seizures in Ibadan comprises mainly harmful traditional practices. There is a need for appropriate health education to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with febrile seizures in the locality. | 25,161,406 | [
0.02762251,
0.007350809,
-0.2643968,
-0.05801157,
-0.01553048,
-0.4451718,
-0.4754039,
-0.3491364,
-0.1902477,
0.04537674,
0.002252242,
0.01494035,
0.2314715,
0.2150276,
0.01493193,
0.380199,
-0.2550694,
0.05573475,
-0.2665527,
0.3336815,
0.108959,
0.110876,
-0.1802272,
... |
Right ampullary ectopic pregnancy following bilateral tubal ligation using spring clips. | Pregnancy is unlikely to occur in women who have undergone sterilization. However when it occurs, there is a substantial risk that it will be an ectopic pregnancy. We report a case of right unruptured ampullary ectopic gestation following tubal sterilization with spring clips 6 years prior to presentation. The likely aetiology may be spontaneous reanastomosis. | 25,161,421 | [
-0.1945794,
0.09558053,
-0.2567815,
-0.01212048,
0.01912616,
-0.2044706,
-0.4657205,
-0.4458657,
0.1213094,
-0.02756628,
0.2809721,
0.4046404,
-0.1953997,
-0.01823488,
0.1436211,
-0.2035974,
-0.4100139,
-0.06706128,
-0.4397019,
-0.7527709,
0.01721848,
0.1729065,
-0.140449... |
Maxillary first premolar with three root canals: a case report. | The maxillary first premolar is the most commonly bi- rooted tooth with occasional presentation of three roots system; it is a transitional tooth between incisors and molars. Although it usually has two canals, it may rarely have three and this third canal can easily be missed. Thus meticulous knowledge of tooth morphology, careful interpretation of angled radiographs, proper access cavity preparation and a detailed exploration of the interior of the tooth is needed to ensure a proper endodontic treatment. This article reports a rare finding of three canals in a maxillary first premolar with non well defined root outline radiographically during an elective root canal treatment. | 25,161,429 | [
-0.274195,
0.3458441,
-0.1630384,
-0.06485202,
0.003632596,
-0.2813648,
-0.3240405,
-0.1459106,
0.2780186,
0.1761984,
0.1471234,
-0.001305298,
-0.2338531,
-0.06768146,
-0.2986781,
-0.3679447,
-0.1600083,
0.1924032,
-0.5274961,
-0.4381327,
0.190468,
0.2454869,
0.148208,
... |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.