title stringlengths 0 901 | abstract stringlengths 3 9.89k | PMID int64 22 25.3M | embedding listlengths 768 768 |
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[Effect of shift work on blood pressure]. | The widespread adoption of 24-hour continuous operations in a number of industries has resulted in an increase in the size of the population engaged in shift work. The health effects of shift work have been studied comprehensively. For ischemic heart disease, the reported relative risk of shift workers has ranged from 1.3 to 2.0. In terms of blood pressure, shift work has been clarified to be a significant risk factor for the onset of hypertension and increased blood pressure. Potential mechanisms of these health effects have been associated with disturbed circadian rhythms, sleep and lifestyle problems, increased stress and biochemical changes. Efficient health screening and support to control unhealthy lifestyle factors would be of considerable benefit for maintaining the health of shift workers. | 25,167,759 | [
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Epileptic scalp ripples are associated with corticothalamic BOLD changes. | Interictal high frequency oscillations (HFOs) in the 40-200 Hz range have been identified in scalp electroencephalography (EEG) recordings of patients with focal epilepsy. HFOs usually co-occur with interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs), and are specific and accurate markers for the epileptic focus, but the brain regions involved when HFOs are generated are unknown. We investigated this question with combined EEG-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), measuring the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal, and examined HFOs in the gamma (40-80 Hz) and ripple (80-200 Hz) bands. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with focal epilepsy who underwent HFO and EEG-fMRI studies were selected; six were excluded because of negative EEG-fMRI. The remaining 22 patients were divided into two equal groups (11 patients each) based on the frequency of co-occurrence of gamma or ripples with IEDs: low versus high gamma (LG/HG) and low versus high ripples (LR/HR). No significant changes were found in the BOLD characteristics between the LG and HG groups. As a group, HR had a larger IED concordant BOLD cluster than the LR group, despite similar IED rates. In addition, the HR group had significantly more thalamic BOLD changes than the LR group (11/11 vs. 2/11). In HR, 5 of 11 patients had thalamic activation only, 4 of 11 had thalamic deactivation only, and 2 of 11 had activation and deactivation in different thalamic regions. In the LR group, 2 of 11 had thalamic activation. The lateralization of thalamic BOLD responses was concordant with the lateralization of cortical ripples in 12 of 13 patients. Scalp IEDs, when frequently accompanied by HFOs in the ripple but not in the gamma band, are associated with larger cortical metabolic responses and with thalamic involvement lateralized to the side of cortical ripples. We propose that a high rate of epileptic ripples is associated with a more active pathologic cortical-thalamocortical network. | 25,167,766 | [
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One version of direct response priming requires automatization of the relevant associations but not awareness of the prime. | Priming is the influence of one event on performance during a second event. One type of priming is known as semantic priming because it biases interpretation of the subsequent stimulus. Another type, direct response priming, biases responding directly without semantic mediation. Research reviewed in this article indicates that two versions of the second type, direct response priming, can be distinguished. One version, explicit priming, requires awareness of the prime. The other version, associative response priming, occurs even if the prime is masked and not phenomenally visible. This version, which is attributed to associations relating specific sensory events to movements of particular muscles, is enabled only if the association has previously been automatized by brief practice in which the to-be-primed response is made to the stimulus that subsequently appears as the prime. Associative response priming can be explained by a simple stimulus-response interpretation; other varieties of priming are more theoretically challenging. | 25,167,776 | [
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Differential subcellular and extracellular localisations of proteins required for insulin-like growth factor- and extracellular matrix-induced signalling events in breast cancer progression. | Cancer metastasis is the main contributor to breast cancer fatalities as women with the metastatic disease have poorer survival outcomes than women with localised breast cancers. There is an urgent need to develop appropriate prognostic methods to stratify patients based on the propensities of their cancers to metastasise. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I: IGF binding protein (IGFBP):vitronectin complexes have been shown to stimulate changes in gene expression favouring increased breast cancer cell survival and a migratory phenotype. We therefore investigated the prognostic potential of these IGF- and extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction-induced proteins in the early identification of breast cancers with a propensity to metastasise using patient-derived tissue microarrays. Semiquantitative immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to compare the extracellular and subcellular distribution of IGF- and ECM-induced signalling proteins among matched normal, primary cancer and metastatic cancer formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast tissue samples. The IGF- and ECM-induced signalling proteins were differentially expressed between subcellular and extracellular localisations. Vitronectin and IGFBP-5 immunoreactivity was lower while β1 integrin immunoreactivity was higher in the stroma surrounding metastatic cancer tissues, as compared to normal breast and primary cancer stromal tissues. Similarly, immunoreactive stratifin was found to be increased in the stroma of primary as well as metastatic breast tissues. Immunoreactive fibronectin and β1 integrin was found to be highly expressed at the leading edge of tumours. Based on the immunoreactivity it was apparent that the cell signalling proteins AKT1 and ERK1/2 shuffled from the nucleus to the cytoplasm with tumour progression. This is the first in-depth, compartmentalised analysis of the distribution of IGF- and ECM-induced signalling proteins in metastatic breast cancers. This study has provided insights into the changing pattern of cellular localisation and expression of IGF- and ECM-induced signalling proteins in different stages of breast cancer. The differential distribution of these biomarkers could provide important prognostic and predictive indicators that may assist the clinical management of breast disease, namely in the early identification of cancers with a propensity to metastasise, and/or recur following adjuvant therapy. | 25,167,778 | [
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Sepsis after major cancer surgery. | Cancer patients undergoing procedures are at increased risk of sepsis. We sought to evaluate the incidence of postoperative sepsis following major cancer surgeries (MCS), and to describe patient and/or hospital characteristics associated with heightened risk. Patients undergoing 1 of 8 MCS (colectomy, cystectomy, esophagectomy, gastrectomy, hysterectomy, lung resection, pancreatectomy, and prostatectomy) within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1999-2009 were identified (N = 2,502,710). Logistic regression models fitted with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate primary predictors (procedure, age, gender, race, insurance, Charlson Comorbidity Index, hospital volume, and hospital bed size) effect on sepsis and sepsis-associated mortality. Trends were evaluated with linear regression. The incidence of MCS-related sepsis increased 2.0% per year (P < 0.001), whereas mortality remained stable. Odds of sepsis were highest among esophagectomy patients (odds ratio [OR]: 3.13, 2.76-3.55) and those with non-private insurance (OR: 1.33, 1.19-1.48 to OR: 1.89, 1.71-2.09). Odds of sepsis-related mortality were highest among lung resection patients (OR: 2.30, 2.00-2.64) and those experiencing perioperative liver failure (OR: 5.68, 4.30-7.52). Increasing hospital volume was associated with lower odds of sepsis and sepsis-related mortality (OR: 0.89, 0.84-0.95 to OR: 0.58, 0.53-0.62 and OR: 0.88, 0.77-0.99 to OR: 0.78, 0.67-0.93). Between 1999 and 2009, the incidence of MCS-related sepsis increased; however, sepsis-related mortality remained stable. Significant disparities exist in patient and hospital characteristics associated with MCS-related sepsis. Hospital volume is an important modifiable risk factor associated with improved sepsis-related outcomes following MCS. | 25,167,780 | [
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Characteristic findings of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in autoimmune pancreatitis. | Diffuse or segmental irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), as observed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), is a characteristic feature of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). ERCP findings were retrospectively examined in 40 patients with AIP in whom irregular narrowing of the MPD was detected near the orifice. The MPD opening sign was defined as the MPD within 1.5 cm from the orifice being maintained. The distal common bile duct (CBD) sign was defined as the distal CBD within 1.5 cm from the orifice being maintained. Endoscopic findings of a swollen major papilla and histological findings of specimens obtained from the major papilla were examined in 26 and 21 patients, respectively. The MPD opening sign was detected in 26 of the 40 patients (65%). The distal CBD sign was detected in 25 of the 32 patients (78%), which showed stenosis of the lower bile duct. The patients who showed the MPD opening sign frequently showed the distal CBD sign (p=0.018). Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, but not dense fibrosis, was histologically detected in biopsy specimens obtained from the major papilla. On ERCP, the MPD and CBD adjacent to the major papilla are frequently maintained in patients with AIP involving the pancreatic head. These signs are useful for diagnosing AIP on ERCP. (Gut Liver 2015;9113-117). | 25,167,792 | [
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Helicobacter pylori Eradication within 120 Days Is Associated with Decreased Complicated Recurrent Peptic Ulcers in Peptic Ulcer Bleeding Patients. | The connection between Helicobacter pylori and complicated peptic ulcer disease in peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has not been established. In this study, we sought to determine whether delayed H. pylori eradication therapy in PUB patients increases complicated recurrent peptic ulcers. We identified inpatient PUB patients using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We categorized patients into early (time lag ≤120 days after peptic ulcer diagnosis) and late H. pylori eradication therapy groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used. The primary outcome was rehospitalization for patients with complicated recurrent peptic ulcers. Our data indicated that the late H. pylori eradication therapy group had a higher rate of complicated recurrent peptic ulcers (hazard ratio [HR], 1.52; p=0.006), with time lags of more than 120 days. However, our results indicated a similar risk of complicated recurrent peptic ulcers (HR, 1.20; p=0.275) in time lags of more than 1 year and (HR, 1.10; p=0.621) more than 2 years. H. pylori eradication within 120 days was associated with decreased complicated recurrent peptic ulcers in patients with PUB. We recommend that H. pylori eradication should be conducted within 120 days in patients with PUB. | 25,167,793 | [
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Prior radial-scanning endoscopic ultrasonography training did not contribute to subsequent linear-array endoscopic ultrasonography study performance in the stomach of a porcine model. | The optimal training mode for linear array endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has not been established. Prior radial-scanning EUS training seems to improve subsequent linear array EUS learning. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate its value in linear array EUS training. In total, 18 freshman trainees conducted hands-on EUS operations on a live pig model. The training contents consisted of visualization and tracking of the pancreas and splanchnic vasculature and performing fine-needle aspiration of the body or tail of the pancreas and celiac plexus neurolysis through the stomach. The trainees were randomized into two groups group A received linear array EUS training after receiving radial-scanning EUS training, whereas group B conducted linear array EUS training alone. Two teachers assessed the competence of each trainee using a scoring system and relevant parameters before and after the training process. Groups A and B showed significant improvement between the pretests and posttests in terms of diagnostic and interventional procedures. There was no intergroup difference in terms of improvement. Prior radial-scanning EUS training did not contribute to subsequent linear array EUS study performance in the pig stomach model; thus, this training mode may need to be changed. | 25,167,796 | [
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Sonographic evaluation of gallbladder motility in children with chronic functional constipation. | Studies in adults suggest that constipation may not be a purely colonic pathology and may be a component of a generalized gastrointestinal (GI) motor disorder in which proximal GI motility can be impaired. Pediatric data are scarce, and the natural history of the disorder remains undefined. We aimed to evaluate gallbladder motility in a subset of Asian children with chronic functional constipation. Abdominal ultrasound was performed on 105 children, including 55 patients (aged 3 to 13 years) with chronic functional constipation who met the inclusion criteria and 50 age- and gender-matched controls. The gallbladder contractility index was calculated based on the preprandial and postprandial gallbladder areas. Preprandial and postprandial values for gallbladder volume and wall thickness were evaluated. The mean value of the contractility index for the patients (15.77±24.68) was significantly lower than the mean value for the controls (43.66±11.58) (p=0.001). The mean postprandial gallbladder volumes and areas were larger in children with gallbladder hypomotility (p<0.05). The mean duration of constipation (4.8 months) was significantly higher (p=0.004) in the children with gallbladder hypomotility. Gallbladder motility is significantly impaired in children with chronic functional constipation. This study contributes to the understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, which will enable advancement in and improved management of children with chronic constipation and associated gallbladder hypomotility. | 25,167,798 | [
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Does lymphocytic colitis always present with normal endoscopic findings? | Although normal endoscopic findings are, as a rule, part of the diagnosis of microscopic colitis, sev-eral cases of macroscopic lesions (MLs) have been reported in collagenous colitis, but hardly in lymphocytic colitis (LC). The aim of this study was to investigate the endoscopic, clini-cal, and histopathologic features of LC with MLs. A total of 14 patients with LC who were diagnosed between 2005 and 2010 were enrolled in the study. Endoscopic, clini-cal, and histopathologic findings were compared retrospec-tively according to the presence or absence of MLs. MLs were observed in seven of the 14 LC cases. Six of the MLs exhibited hypervascularity, three exhibited exudative bleeding and one exhibited edema. The patients with MLs had more severe diarrhea and were taking aspirin or pro-ton pump inhibitors. More intraepithelial lymphocytes were observed during histologic examination in the patients with MLs compared to the patients without MLs, although this difference was not significant. The numbers of mononuclear cells and neutrophils in the lamina propria were independent of the presence or absence of MLs. LC does not always present with normal endoscopic findings. Hyper-vascularity and exudative bleeding are frequent endoscopic findings in patients with MLs. (Gut Liver, 2015;9197-201). | 25,167,800 | [
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Effect of different nitrogenous nutrients on the cadmium hyperaccumulation efficiency of Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell. | This experiment was used to explore whether the 11 nitrogenous nutrients affect the hyperaccumulation of Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell. to Cd. Pot culture experiments using soil spiked with Cd as CdCl2·2.5H2O and 11 nitrogen-containing chemicals were conducted to determine the efficiency of the accumulation of Cd by R. globosa. Application of all 11 nitrogenous nutrients significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced Cd accumulation by R. globosa (Turcz.) Thell. Two major modes of Cd accumulation were observed: (i) through increase of biomass yield without reduction of Cd uptake and (ii) through increase of Cd uptake efficiency in parallel with increase of biomass yield. Bicarbonate > phosphate > chloride compounds of NH4 enhanced the biomass yield to the greatest extent, while oxalate > nitrate > chloride > and bicarbonate caused a significant increase of Cd uptake by R. globosa. Competition between N and Cd translocation caused either significant reduction of Cd translocation factor or decrease of biomass yield. Of studied nutrients, ammonium bicarbonate NH4HCO3 and ammonium chloride NH4Cl exerted the best joint effect of these two processes on the efficiency of R. globosa as a Cd hyperaccumulator. Application of these chemicals caused increase of Cd concentrations in roots of R. globosa by 35.1 and 41.1 %, and in shoots by 13.9 and 56.4 %, while biomasses of roots increased by 5.8- and 3.8-fold and in shoots by 7.4-fold, and 6.4-fold, respectively, compared to the control. As a result, accumulated load (μg pot(-1)) of Cd in roots increased by 8.2- and 5.8-fold and in shoots by 8.6- and 10.6-fold in both pots. Consequently, chemicals (NH4HCO3 and NH4Cl) that enhanced both Cd enrichment and biomass yield had the greatest effect on the bioaccumulation capacity of R. globosa. | 25,167,813 | [
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Effects of combined ozone and cadmium stresses on leaf traits in two poplar clones. | Information on plant responses to combined stresses such as ozone (O3) and cadmium (Cd) is scarce in tree species. On the other hand, high O3 concentrations in the atmosphere and heavy metal contaminations in water and soil simultaneously affect forest ecosystems. Toxic metals may exacerbate the consequences of air pollutants. In this research, two poplar clones, differently sensitive to O3 ("I-214" O3-tolerant and "Eridano" O3-sensitive), were grown for 5 weeks in pots supplied with 0 and 150 mg Cd kg(-1) soil and then exposed to a 15-day O3 fumigation (60 nl l(-1), 5 h a day) or supplied with charcoal-filtered air under the same conditions (referred to as control samples). The effects of the two stressors, alone or in combination, on Cd accumulation, photosynthetic capacity, ethylene emission and oxidative state were investigated in fully expanded leaves. Cadmium accumulation in leaves caused a reduction, but not complete failure, of photosynthesis in Eridano and I-214 poplar clones. The reduction in assimilation rate was more important following O3 fumigation. Stomatal aperture after O3 treatment, instead, increased in I-214 and decreased in Eridano. Overall, Cd treatment was effective in decreasing ethylene emission, whereas O3 fumigation increased it in both clones, although interacting with the metal treatment. Again, O3 fumigation induced a significant increase in ascorbate (ASA) + dehydroascorbate (DHA) content, which was strongly oxidised by O3, thus decreasing the redox state. On the other hand, Cd treatment had a positive effect on ASA content and redox state in I-214, but not in Eridano. Although Cd and O3 are known to share some common toxicity pathways, the combined effects induced distinct clone-specific responses, underlying the complexity of plant reactions to multiple stresses. | 25,167,820 | [
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Unintentional formed PCDDs, PCDFs, and DL-PCBs as impurities in Chinese pentachloronitrobenzene products. | Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) products have been reported to contain relatively high levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) as impurities. No data was available for Chinese PCNB products which are still produced and used in China. Therefore, we analysed Chinese PCNB products, including two raw pesticides and three formulations available on the market. In all samples, PCDDs, PCDFs, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) were detected at levels exceeding Japanese regulation limits. The concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs (0.16 to 0.93 ng TEQ g(-1)) were lower than the PCNB formulations measured from the Australian market (3.9 ng TEQ g(-1)). However, the Toxic Equivalent (TEQ) contribution from DL-PCBs (0.7 to 2.5 ng TEQ g(-1)) to total TEQ was higher compared to PCDDs and PCDFs. This discovery demonstrated that it is necessary to consider the DL-PCBs impurity in organochlorine pesticides and other organochlorine chemicals in particular chlorinated aromatic compounds for adequate risk assessment. In addition to DL-PCBs, other unintentionally POPs-hexachlorobenzene (HCB) (3.7 to 52 ng g(-1)) and pentachlorobenzene (PeCBz) (0.04 to 0.3 ng g(-1)) which are listed in the Stockholm Convention-were detected in the PCNB samples. The PCNB production steps were assessed for their unintentional POPs formation potential. Thermolysis of the aromatic compounds using iron chloride (FeCl3) as catalyst is suggested as relevant production step for (DL-)PCBs formation. Since the levels in the formulated PCNB recalculated to active ingredient were higher compared to the raw pesticide, the formulation process (e.g., milling) may also have had an influence on additional PCDD/Fs and PCBs formation. | 25,167,828 | [
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Arginine butyrate per os protects mdx mice against cardiomyopathy, kyphosis and changes in axonal excitability. | Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease caused by lack of dystrophin, a sub-sarcolemmal protein, which leads to dramatic muscle deterioration. We studied in mdx mice, the effects of oral administration of arginine butyrate (AB), a compound currently used for the treatment of sickle cell anemia in children, on cardiomyopathy, vertebral column deformation and electromyographic abnormalities. Monthly follow-up by echocardiography from the 8th month to the 14th month showed that AB treatment protected the mdx mice against drastic reduction (20-23%) of ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and also against the ≈20% ventricular dilatation and 25% cardiac hypertrophy observed in saline-treated mdx mice. The phenotypic improvement was corroborated by the decrease in serum CK level and by better fatigue resistance. Moreover, AB treatment protected against the progressive spinal deformity observed in mdx mice, another similarity with DMD patients. The value of the kyphosis index in AB-treated mice reached 94% of the value in C57BL/10 mice. Finally, axonal excitability parameters such as the membrane resting potential, the threshold and amplitude of the action potential, the absolute and relative refractory periods and the supernormal and subnormal periods, recorded from caudal and plantar muscles in response to excitability tests, that were modified in saline-treated mdx mice were not significantly changed, compared with wild-type animals, in AB-treated mdx mice. All of these results suggest that AB could be a potential treatment for DMD patients. | 25,167,832 | [
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Endoscopy-assisted transoral resection of large benign parapharyngeal space tumors. | We have evaluated the outcomes of endoscopically-assisted resection of large benign tumours of the parapharyngeal space by an intraoral approach. Six patients with primary benign tumours were treated in this way. The lesions were pleomorphic adenomas, Warthin's tumour, and schwannoma. The sizes of the tumours varied from 4×4 cm to 7×7 cm. All tumours were removed completely without rupture and without damage to the facial nerve. No patient developed any permanent postoperative complications such as damage to the facial nerve, salivary fistula, or limited mouth opening. The cosmetic effects were excellent. The patients were followed up for 8 to 21 months without recurrence. Endoscopically-assisted transoral resection of large benign tumours of the parapharyngeal space is a simple and safe technique that achieves excellent aesthetic and functional results. | 25,167,834 | [
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Formoterol in the treatment of experimental cancer cachexia: effects on heart function. | Formoterol is a highly potent β2-adrenoceptor-selective agonist, which is a muscle growth promoter in many animal species, resulting in skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Previous studies carried out in our laboratory have shown that formoterol treatment in tumour-bearing animals resulted in an amelioration of muscle loss through different mechanisms that include muscle apoptosis and proteolysis. The study presented involved rats bearing the Yoshida AH-130 ascites tumour model-which induces a high degree of cachexia-treated with the beta-2 agonist formoterol (0.3 mg/kg BW). The administration of formoterol to cachectic tumour-bearing rats resulted in a significant reduction of muscle weight loss. The treatment also increased lean body mass and body water. The treatment, however, did not influence heart weight, which was much decreased as a result of tumour burden. Untreated tumour-bearing rats showed important changes in parameters related with heart function:, left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction, fractional shortening, LV diameter and volume (diastolic) and LV stroke volume, LV mass and posterior wall thickness (PWT) (both systolic and diastolic). The administration of formoterol affected LV diameter and volume, LV stroke volume and LV mass. The results suggest that formoterol treatment, in addition to reducing muscle wasting, does not negatively alter heart function-in fact, some cardiac parameters are improved-in animals affected by cancer cachexia. | 25,167,857 | [
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Analysis of susceptibility-weighted images of cortico-medullary junction. | We qualitatively evaluated the differences among susceptibility-weighted (SWI), magnitude (MAG), and high pass filtered phase (PHA) images in depicting interlobar differences in the appearance of the signal of the corticomedullary junction (CMJ). We conducted quantitative evaluation to validate the qualitative results. We obtained SWI images from 25 preoperative brain tumor patients (12 men, 13 women, aged 19 to 82 years, mean, 52 years). Two trained neuroradiologists evaluated MAG, PHA, and SWI images. Qualitative evaluation of the CMJ signal and quantitative calculation of the relative signal ratio (RSR) percentages between the CMJ and deep white matter (WM) were conducted at 3 different slice levels of the brain independently for 4 different lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital) and compared among MAG, PHA, and SWI. The extent of the area of the CMJ signal was graded on a 4-point scale (Grade 3, >75%; Grade 2, 50 to 75%; Grade 1, 25 to 50%; Grade 0, <25%). Data were statistically analyzed using a nonparametric Friedman test. The Kappa coefficients between the qualitative and quantitative grades were 0.002 for MAG, 0.0047 for PHA, and 0.050 for SWI. Qualitatively, on the PHA images and SWI, grades of the occipital lobes were significantly higher than those of the other lobes (P < 0.005). Quantitatively, PHA images showed statistically significant interlobar differences in RSR percentage values of the CMJ (P = 0.025). Qualitatively, the appearance of the CMJ differed significantly among the different lobes of the brain on SWI and underlying PHA images but not on MAG images. Quantitatively, only PHA images showed significant interlobar differences in the RSR. PHA images are most sensitive to the CMJ signal contrast due to local paramagnetic iron content. | 25,167,876 | [
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Comparison of analog and digital transceiver systems for MR imaging. | We critically evaluated analog and digital transceivers for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems under identical experimental conditions to identify and compare their advantages and disadvantages. MR imaging experiments were performed using a 4.74-tesla vertical-bore superconducting magnet and a high sensitivity gradient coil probe. We acquired 3-dimensional spin echo images of a kumquat with and without using a gain-stepping scan technique to extend the dynamic range of the receiver systems. The acquired MR images clearly demonstrated nearly identical image quality for both transceiver systems, but DC and ghosting artifacts were obtained for the analog transceiver system. We therefore concluded that digital transceivers have several advantages over the analog transceivers. | 25,167,877 | [
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Effects of bisphosphonate zoledronic acid in hepatocellular carcinoma, depending on mevalonate pathway. | Zoledronic acid (ZOL) is a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate and is used to reduce cancer-induced osteolysis. We reported previously that ZOL delayed both the growth and pain progression of bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of ZOL on hepatoma cell lines and the molecular mechanisms of such effects. Cell viability assay, scratch assay, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry analysis were performed using Huh7 and HepG2 cells treated with and without ZOL. ZOL reduced cell growth in a dose-dependent manner and prevented cell migration when used at a concentration exceeding 10 μM. Immunohistochemistry showed that the inhibitory effects of ZOL on hepatoma cell progression was not due to the suppression of Ras and RhoA expression but due to inhibition of their translocation from the cytosol to the cell membrane, which terminates mevalonate pathway. Immunoblotting and flow cytometry showed that ZOL inhibited the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) and induced apoptosis of hepatoma cells. Our results indicated that ZOL prevented cell growth and metastasis based on direct antitumor effects in hepatoma cells. The use of ZOL could not only suppress the progression to bone metastatic lesions but also prevented growth of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. | 25,167,891 | [
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Self-perception of disability and prospects for employment among U.S. veterans. | Barriers to employment in the civilian labor force are increasingly difficult problems for returning veterans with disabilities. Reduced self-perception of disability status because of predominant military norms can be particularly harmful to reintegration efforts. We analyze rates of self-identified and externally determined disability status among U.S. veterans. Evidence of a lower self-report rate would confirm the hypothesis that armed forces culture might hold back truly deserving veterans from seeking the benefits owed, including specialized employment training programs. We use data from the Current Population Survey Veterans Supplement over the sample period 1995-2010 on disability status and associated demographic characteristics to present descriptive measures and limited statistical inference. Over the entire sample period, federal agencies considered 29% of the survey respondents to have a service-connected disability versus a 9% self-identification rate. The rate of more severe service-connected disabilities has risen steadily, while less drastic disability rates have fallen. Non-white respondents and those with lower education levels were less likely to self-identify. Large disparities in internal and external disability status identification raise questions about targeting soldiers re-entering the labor force. Employment policy should focus on overcoming negative cultural stereotypes and encouraging self-identification. | 25,167,905 | [
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Psychosocial adjustment of Israeli veterans with disabilities: Does employment status matter? | Since its establishment in 1948, the state of Israel has been deeply committed to reintegrating veterans with disabilities into mainstream society. Prominently, the Israeli Ministry of Defence's rehabilitation division provides veterans with disabilities with a wide array of benefits and services aimed at restoring their physical and psychosocial functioning, especially in the workplace. The focus on employment is motivated by a prevailing assumption among professionals that successful adjustment to disability is contingent on an individual's ability to reacquire normative occupational function. To date, however, this widely accepted wisdom has not been empirically scrutinized. To empirically explore whether employment status is associated to psychological, social, and behavioural adjustment attributes. One hundred and one employed veterans were compared to 111 non-employed veterans in respect to their self-reported levels of hope, acceptance of disability, social networks size and social participation patterns. Employed veterans reported significantly higher levels psychological adjustment as manifested in elevated hope and acceptance of disability and lighter social network than their non-employed counterparts. However no differences were found between employed and non-employed veterans with respect to their social participation patterns. The value of these findings, as well as wider implications for rehabilitation professionals and policy makers, is discussed. | 25,167,907 | [
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Molecular fingerprinting of the myxozoan community in common carp suffering swim bladder inflammation (SBI) identifies multiple etiological agents. | Swim bladder inflammation (SBI) is an important disease of common carp fingerlings in Central Europe. In the 1980s, its etiology was ascribed to multicellular proliferative stages of the myxozoan parasite Sphaerospora dykovae (formerly S. renicola). S. dykovae was reported to proliferate in the blood and in the swim bladder prior to the invasion of the kidney, where sporogony takes place. Due to the presence of emerging numbers of proliferative myxozoan blood stages at different carp culture sites in recent years we analysed cases of SBI, for the first time, using molecular diagnostics, to identify the myxozoan parasites present in diseased swim bladders. We amplified myxozoan SSU rDNA in a non-specific approach and compared the species composition in swim bladders at culture sites where carp demonstrated 1. No signs of SBI, 2. Minor pathological changes, and 3. Heavy SBI. Based on DNA sequences, we determined the localisation and distribution of the most frequent species by in situ hybridisation, thereby determining which myxozoans are involved in SBI. Large multicellular myxozoan swim bladder stages characterised heavy SBI cases and were identified as S. dykovae, however, blood stages were predominantly represented by Sphaerospora molnari, whose numbers were greatly increased in carp with mild and heavy SBI, compared with SBI-free fish. S. molnari was found to invade different organs and cause inflammatory changes also in the absence of S. dykovae. One site with mild SBI cases was characterised by Buddenbrockia sp. infection in different organs and a general granulomatous response. We provide evidence that the etiology of SBI can vary in relation to culture site and disease severity and that emerging numbers of S. molnari in the blood represent an important co-factor or precondition for SBI. | 25,167,920 | [
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Rapid continuous synthesis of spherical reduced graphene ball-nickel oxide composite for lithium ion batteries. | In this study, we synthesized a powder consisting of core-shell-structured Ni/NiO nanocluster-decorated graphene (Ni/NiO-graphene) by a simple process for use as an anodic material for lithium-ion batteries. First, a crumpled graphene powder consisting of uniformly distributed Ni nanoclusters was prepared by one-pot spray pyrolysis. This powder was subsequently transformed into the Ni/NiO-graphene composite by annealing at 300 °C in air. The Ni/NiO-graphene composite powder exhibited better electrochemical properties than those of the hollow-structured NiO-Ni composite and pure NiO powders. The initial discharge and charge capacities of the Ni/NiO-graphene composite powder were 1156 and 845 mA h g(-1), respectively, and the corresponding initial coulombic efficiency was 73%. The discharge capacities of the Ni/NiO-graphene, NiO-Ni, and pure NiO powders after 300 cycles were 863, 647, and 439 mA h g(-1), respectively. The high stability of the Ni/NiO-graphene composite powder, attributable to the unique structure of its particles, resulted in it exhibiting long-term cycling stability even at a current density of 1500 mA g(-1), as well as good rate performance. The structural stability of the Ni/NiO-graphene composite powder particles during cycling lowered the charge transfer resistance and improved the Li-ion diffusion rate. | 25,167,932 | [
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Immunity, inflammation, and vaccines for Helicobacter pylori. | Helicobacter pylori colonizes mucosa, activates Toll-like and Nod-like receptors, and usually elicits a gastric T-helper 1/17 (Th1/Th17) type of immune response. Among several bacterial factors, the secreted peptidyl prolyl cis, trans-isomerase of H. pylori represents a key factor driving Th17 inflammation. A complex and fascinating balance between H. pylori and host factors takes part in the gastric niche and is responsible for the chronicity of the infection. Novel insights into the innate and adaptive responses against H. pylori, dealing with gastric epithelial cells, cytokines, and immune evasion have been elucidated over the past year and are discussed for the development of an effective vaccine. | 25,167,941 | [
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Estrogen receptor-α is a key mediator and therapeutic target for bladder complications of benign prostatic hyperplasia. | Estrogens are important in prostate growth and have a role in benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, to our knowledge no current therapy directly targets estrogen action. Estrogens act primarily via estrogen receptors α and β. In a mouse model we evaluated the relative contribution of these receptors to bladder complications of benign prostatic hyperplasia. We also evaluated the prevention of these bladder complications using the selective estrogen receptor modulators raloxifene and tamoxifen (estrogen receptor-α selective antagonists), and R,R-THC (estrogen receptor-β selective antagonist). Adult male C57bl/6 mice received implants of 25 mg testosterone and 2.5 mg 17β-estradiol slow release pellets. Untreated controls underwent sham surgery. We evaluated the contributions of the estrogen receptor subtypes in ERαKO and ERβKO mice compared to their respective wild-type litter mates. Wild-type mice treated with testosterone plus 17β-estradiol were compared to mice treated with testosterone plus 17β-estradiol and 25 mg selective estrogen receptor modulators to evaluate the prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia complications by selective estrogen receptor modulators. Large bladders with urinary retention developed in ERαWT and ERβWT litter mates treated with testosterone plus 17β-estradiol but such bladders did not develop in ERαKO mice treated with testosterone plus 17β-estradiol. ERβKO mice treated with testosterone plus 17β-estradiol had large bladders with urinary retention and increased bladder mass. Cotreatment with the estrogen receptor-α antagonist raloxifene resulted in decreased bladder mass compared to that in wild-type mice treated with testosterone plus 17β-estradiol. Bladders in mice treated with the estrogen receptor-β antagonist R,R-THC were similar to those in testosterone plus 17β-estradiol treated mice. Estrogen receptor-α but not β is a key mediator of bladder complications of benign prostatic hyperplasia and a potential target for future therapies. | 25,167,991 | [
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Characteristics and survival of patients with end stage renal disease and spina bifida in the United States renal data system. | We describe the characteristics, treatments and survival of patients with spina bifida in whom end stage renal disease developed from 2004 through 2008 in the United States Renal Data System. We used ICD-9-CM code 741.* to identify individuals with spina bifida using hospital inpatient data from 1977 to 2010, and physician and facility claims from 2004 to 2008. We constructed a 5:1 comparison group of patients with end stage renal disease without spina bifida matched by age at first end stage renal disease service, gender and race/ethnicity. We assessed the risk of mortality and of renal transplantation while on dialysis using multivariate cause specific proportional hazards survival analysis. We also compared survival after the first renal transplant from the first end stage renal disease service to August 2011. We identified 439 patients with end stage renal disease and spina bifida in whom end stage renal disease developed at an average younger age than in patients without spina bifida (41 vs 62 years, p <0.001) and in whom urological issues were the most common primary cause of end stage renal disease. Compared to patients with end stage renal disease without spina bifida those who had spina bifida showed a similar mortality hazard on dialysis and after transplantation. However, patients with end stage renal disease without spina bifida were more likely to undergo renal transplantation than patients with spina bifida (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.13-2.03). Hospitalizations related to urinary tract infections were positively associated with the risk of death on dialysis in patients with end stage renal disease and spina bifida (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.33-1.53). Spina bifida was not associated with increased mortality in patients with end stage renal disease on dialysis or after renal transplantation. Proper urological and bladder management is imperative in patients with spina bifida, particularly in adults. | 25,167,993 | [
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About intermolecular interactions in binary and ternary solutions of some azo-benzene derivatives. | The nature and strength of the intermolecular interactions in the solutions of three azo-benzene derivatives (ADi, i=1, 2, 3) were established by solvatochromic effects in solvents with different electric permittivities, refractive indices and Kamlet-Taft constants. A quantum mechanical analysis corroborated with spectral data offered information about the excited state dipole moments and polarizabilities of the studied compounds. The separation of the supply of universal and specific interactions to the total spectral shift was made based on the regression coefficients from the equations describing the solvatochromic effect. Supplementary information about the composition of the first solvation shell and the energy in the solute-solvent molecular pairs were obtained analyzing the ternary solutions of ADi, i=1, 2, 3 compounds in solvent mixture Methanol (M)+n-Hexane (H). | 25,168,003 | [
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Vital forces and organization: philosophy of nature and biology in Karl Friedrich Kielmeyer. | The historical literature on German life science at the end of the 18th century has tried to rehabilitate eighteenth century vitalism by stressing its difference from Naturphilosophie. Focusing on the work of Karl Friedrich Kielmeyer this paper argues that these positions are based on a historiographical bias and that the clear-cut boundary between German vitalism and Naturphilosophie is historically unattested. On the contrary, they both belong to the process of conceptual genealogy that contributed to the project of a general biology. The latter emerged as the science concerned with the laws that regulate the organization of living nature as a whole. The focus on organization was, at least partially, the result of the debate surrounding the notion of "vital force", which originated in the mid-eighteenth century and caused a shift from a regulative to a constitutive understanding of teleology. | 25,168,014 | [
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Molecular characterization of an infectious bronchitis virus strain isolated from northern China in 2012. | This study reports the complete genome sequence of an infectious bronchitis virus (CK/CH/SD/121220, KJ128295) isolated in 2012 from Shandong Province in northern China. The genome is 27,666 nt long, comprising six genes and 5' and 3' untranslated regions. The full-length genome of the CK/CH/SD/121220 isolate had the highest nucleotide sequence identity (96.7 %) to the YX10 strain. Sites of recombination were identified in the genes 1ab, S, 5a, 5b and N, with their putative parental strains belonging to the QX- and YN-type subgroups, which are already circulating in China. Our findings suggest an important role played by recombination in IBV evolution. | 25,168,045 | [
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Serum procalcitonin levels in patients with primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. | The serum procalcitonin assay has emerged as a promising biomarker to distinguish between bacterial and viral respiratory tract infections but has not been used to differentiate coccidioidomycosis from bacterial infection. A correlation between procalcitonin serum levels and coccidioidomycosis has never been reported. To determine any association between serum procalcitonin levels and primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis. We identified and enrolled 20 immunocompetent patients with symptomatic primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis of < 8 weeks' duration and performed a one-time procalcitonin assay, with a cutoff of < 0.25 μg/L indicating a nonbacterial infection. Nineteen of 20 patients (95%) had serum procalcitonin of < 0.25 μg/L. The median procalcitonin level was 0.05 μg/L (range, < 0.05-0.87 μg/L; interquartile range, 0.05-0.05 μg/L). Sixteen of 20 patients (80%) had undetectable procalcitonin of < 0.05 μg/L. The four patients with detectable procalcitonin had a median value of 0.2 μg/L (range, 0.09-0.87 μg/L). In this pilot study, procalcitonin was not elevated in immunocompetent patients with primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis at a median of 32 days after symptom onset. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm this finding. | 25,168,059 | [
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Cognitive impairment is associated with medication nonadherence in asymptomatic carotid stenosis. | Adherence to medical management of vascular risk is vital for stroke prevention in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Because carotid disease is a risk factor for cognitive impairment, we sought to determine whether undiagnosed cognitive impairment affects medication adherence in this setting. Sixty patients with asymptomatic ≥50% internal carotid artery stenosis without known dementia or stroke were screened for evidence of cognitive impairment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Medication adherence was monitored using electronic pharmacy prescription refills. Medications studied included antiplatelet agents, statins, antihypertensives, and diabetes medications. Nonadherence was defined as a refill lag of ≥3 months during the 12 months before cognitive screening. Sixty percent of patients (36/60) had evidence of cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment <26). Medication adherence was noted in 31% (11/36) of cognitively impaired patients and 88% (21/24) of patients without cognitive impairment (P < .0001). Antiplatelet therapy adherence was significantly lower among cognitively impaired patients compared with those without cognitive impairment (P = .009). A trend toward decreased adherence to statins (P = .09) and antihypertensives (P = .06) was observed. Medication adherence in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis is significantly reduced among those with undiagnosed cognitive impairment. Cognitive screening of asymptomatic patients with carotid stenosis identifies those who may benefit from increased supervision to improve medication adherence. | 25,168,078 | [
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Electroosmotic perfusion of tissue: sampling the extracellular space and quantitative assessment of membrane-bound enzyme activity in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. | This review covers recent advances in sampling fluid from the extracellular space of brain tissue by electroosmosis (EO). Two techniques, EO sampling with a single fused-silica capillary and EO push-pull perfusion, have been developed. These tools were used to investigate the function of membrane-bound enzymes with outward-facing active sites, or ectoenzymes, in modulating the activity of the neuropeptides leu-enkephalin and galanin in organotypic-hippocampal-slice cultures (OHSCs). In addition, the approach was used to determine the endogenous concentration of a thiol, cysteamine, in OHSCs. We have also investigated the degradation of coenzyme A in the extracellular space. The approach provides information on ectoenzyme activity, including Michaelis constants, in tissue, which, as far as we are aware, has not been done before. On the basis of computational evidence, EO push-pull perfusion can distinguish ectoenzyme activity with a ~100 μm spatial resolution, which is important for studies of enzyme kinetics in adjacent regions of the rat hippocampus. | 25,168,111 | [
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Investigation of mass dependence effects for the accurate determination of molybdenum isotope amount ratios by MC-ICP-MS using synthetic isotope mixtures. | Methodology for absolute Mo isotope amount ratio measurements by multicollector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) using calibration with synthetic isotope mixtures (SIMs) is presented. For the first time, synthetic isotope mixtures prepared from seven commercially available isotopically enriched molybdenum metal powders ((92)Mo, (94)Mo, (95)Mo, (96)Mo, (97)Mo, (98)Mo, and (100)Mo) are used to investigate whether instrumental mass discrimination of Mo isotopes in MC-ICP-MS is consistent with mass-dependent isotope distribution. The parent materials were dissolved and mixed as solutions to obtain mixtures with accurately known isotope amount ratios. The level of elemental impurities in the isotopically enriched molybdenum metal powders was quantified by ICP-MS by using both high-resolution and reaction cell instruments to completely resolve spectral interferences. The Mo isotope amount ratio values with expanded uncertainty (k = 2), determined by MC-ICP-MS for a high-purity Mo rod from Johnson Matthey, were as follows: (92)Mo/(95)Mo = 0.9235(9), (94)Mo/(95)Mo = 0.5785(8), (96)Mo/(95)Mo = 1.0503(9), (97)Mo/(95)Mo = 0.6033(6), (98)Mo/(95)Mo = 1.5291(20), and (100)Mo/(95)Mo = 0.6130(7). A full uncertainty budget for the measurements is presented which shows that the largest contribution to the uncertainty budget comes from correction for elemental impurities (∼51%), followed by the contribution from weighing operations (∼26 %). The atomic weight of molybdenum was calculated to be 95.947(2); the uncertainty in parentheses is expanded uncertainty with the coverage factor of 2. A particular advantage of the developed method is that calibration factors for all six Mo isotope amount ratios, involving the (95)Mo isotope, were experimentally determined. This allows avoiding any assumption on mass-dependent isotope fractions in MC-ICP-MS, inherent to the method of double spike previously used for Mo isotope amount ratio measurements. However, data obtained in this study show that instrumental mass discrimination in MC-ICP-MS is consistent with mass-dependent Mo isotope fractionation. This was demonstrated by a good agreement between experimentally obtained and theoretically expected values of the exponent of isotope fractionation, β, for each triad of Mo isotopes. | 25,168,118 | [
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Ultrathin nickel hydroxide and oxide nanosheets: synthesis, characterizations and excellent supercapacitor performances. | High-quality ultrathin two-dimensional nanosheets of α-Ni(OH)2 are synthesized at large scale via microwave-assisted liquid-phase growth under low-temperature atmospheric conditions. After heat treatment, non-layered NiO nanosheets are obtained while maintaining their original frame structure. The well-defined and freestanding nanosheets exhibit a micron-sized planar area and ultrathin thickness (<2 nm), suggesting an ultrahigh surface atom ratio with unique surface and electronic structure. The ultrathin 2D nanostructure can make most atoms exposed outside with high activity thus facilitate the surface-dependent electrochemical reaction processes. The ultrathin α-Ni(OH)2 and NiO nanosheets exhibit enhanced supercapacitor performances. Particularly, the α-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets exhibit a maximum specific capacitance of 4172.5 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1). Even at higher rate of 16 A g(-1), the specific capacitance is still maintained at 2680 F g(-1) with 98.5% retention after 2000 cycles. Even more important, we develop a facile and scalable method to produce high-quality ultrathin transition metal hydroxide and oxide nanosheets and make a possibility in commercial applications. | 25,168,127 | [
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Insights into the pore of the hair cell transducer channel from experiments with permeant blockers. | This chapter presents recent experiments designed to infer the properties of the ion-conducting pore of the mechanoelectrical transducer channel of sensory hair cells using permeant blockers. By combining results from experiments with three classes of large cationic permeant blockers, the fluorescent dye FM1-43, the aminoglycoside antibiotics, and the potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride, information has been obtained on the free energy profile along the transducer channel's pore as sensed by these blocker molecules. These energy profiles provide information about the position of the negatively charged binding site for the blockers as well as about positively charged barriers near the extracellular and intracellular faces of the channel that impede the blockers' permeation. The extracellular barrier is relatively modest and allows almost diffusion-limited entry of blockers from the extracellular side. A larger intracellular energy barrier effectively prevents exit of the blocking molecules from the intracellular side, trapping the blockers inside the hair cells. A putative geometrical model of the transducer channel pore is presented that draws on results from all the three classes of permeant blockers. The pore contains a large vestibule that is easily accessible from the extracellular side. | 25,168,143 | [
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Models of hair cell mechanotransduction. | Hair cell mechanotransduction is based on a finely tuned machinery residing in the hair bundle, the hair cell's receptive organelle. The machinery consists of a transduction channel, an adaptation motor, the tip link, and many other components that reside in the stereocilia. The transduction channel is connected to and opened by a gating spring, for which there are several molecular candidates. The interplay among the motor, the spring, the channel, and the tip link assures that the channel is always working at its most sensitive point of this machine, allowing very fast responses to a force stimulus. This chapter addresses the mechanisms and molecular components underlying mechanotransduction, adaptation, and motility in the hair bundle. Bundle deflection in the excitatory direction is thought to increase tension in the tip link, which leads to an opening of the mechanoelectrical transduction channel, located close to the insertion site of the tip link. | 25,168,144 | [
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MscCa Regulation of Tumor Cell Migration and Metastasis. | The acquisition of cell motility is a required step in order for a cancer cell to migrate from the primary tumor and spread to secondary sites (metastasize). For this reason, blocking tumor cell migration is considered a promising approach for preventing the spread of cancer. However, cancer cells just as normal cells can migrate by several different modes referred to as "amoeboid," "mesenchymal," and "collective cell." Under appropriate conditions, a single cell can switch between modes. A consequence of this plasticity is that a tumor cell may be able to avoid the effects of an agent that targets only one mode by switching modes. Therefore, a preferred strategy would be to target mechanisms that are shared by all modes. This chapter reviews the evidence that Ca(2+) influx via the mechanosensitive Ca(2+)-permeable channel (MscCa) is a critical regulator of all modes of cell migration and therefore represents a very good therapeutic target to block metastasis. | 25,168,147 | [
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Physiotherapy practice in the private sector: organizational characteristics and models. | Even if a large proportion of physiotherapists work in the private sector worldwide, very little is known of the organizations within which they practice. Such knowledge is important to help understand contexts of practice and how they influence the quality of services and patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to: 1) describe characteristics of organizations where physiotherapists practice in the private sector, and 2) explore the existence of a taxonomy of organizational models. This was a cross-sectional quantitative survey of 236 randomly-selected physiotherapists. Participants completed a purpose-designed questionnaire online or by telephone, covering organizational vision, resources, structures and practices. Organizational characteristics were analyzed descriptively, while organizational models were identified by multiple correspondence analyses. Most organizations were for-profit (93.2%), located in urban areas (91.5%), and within buildings containing multiple businesses/organizations (76.7%). The majority included multiple providers (89.8%) from diverse professions, mainly physiotherapy assistants (68.7%), massage therapists (67.3%) and osteopaths (50.2%). Four organizational models were identified: 1) solo practice, 2) middle-scale multiprovider, 3) large-scale multiprovider and 4) mixed. The results of this study provide a detailed description of the organizations where physiotherapists practice, and highlight the importance of human resources in differentiating organizational models. Further research examining the influences of these organizational characteristics and models on outcomes such as physiotherapists' professional practices and patient outcomes are needed. | 25,168,160 | [
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Identification and characterisation of new Campylobacter group III phages of animal origin. | Campylobacter-specific bacteriophages (phages) are considered as an alternative intervention strategy to decrease the level of poultry contamination with Campylobacter, a leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. Eradication efficiency depends primarily on phage-host interaction mediated by phage tail-spike proteins and bacterial receptors. Here, this interaction was characterised using tail-spike gene sequence analysis, phage neutralisation by antiserum and host range analysis of newly isolated group III Campylobacter phages with 68 Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli strains. Three different groups of phages were obtained using antibody neutralisation assay, and they were further divided according to polymorphisms observed within tail fibre sequences and host range. Only moderate congruence was observed between these criteria with notable exception of two phages. The infection relied on capsule in all phages isolated, and flagella were found to influence phage propagation on agar plates, but not in broth. Their specificity was more C. jejuni oriented with tendency to lyse human isolates more efficiently. Additionally, natural resistance of C. jejuni to phages did not correlate with their antibiotic resistance patterns. These findings provide new insights into Campylobacter-phage interaction. | 25,168,177 | [
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Renal dysfunction and accuracy of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in predicting mortality for hospitalized patients with heart failure. | Renal dysfunction may confound the clinical interpretation of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration. This study investigated whether renal dysfunction influences the prognostic accuracy of NT-proBNP in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We studied 908 ADHF patients. The primary outcome was 12-month mortality. Interaction between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and NT-proBNP in predicting mortality was tested with the likelihood ratio test. The patients were classified into 3 eGFR strata: ≥60, 30-59, and <30 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2). Cox models were used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for NT-proBNP, modeled as a dichotomous or categorized variable, within each level of eGFR. NT-proBNP was categorized using optimal cut-offs defined in ROC analysis for each eGFR level. A total of 234 patients (25.8%) died. Testing for interaction was not significant (χ(2)=0.29; P=0.5928). The adjusted HR for NT-proBNP >5,180 pg/ml was 2.09 (P<0.001) in the highest, 1.7 (P<0.001) in the intermediate, and 3.33 (P=0.010) in the lowest eGFR level. The adjusted HR for NT-proBNP above the optimal cut-offs defined on ROC analysis were 1.5 (P=0.239), 2.2 (P<0.001), and 3.24 (P=0.002), respectively. The models incorporating NT-proBNP as a dichotomous or categorized variable had equivalent C-statistics. There was no evidence of interaction between eGFR and NT-proBNP in predicting mortality. The NT-proBNP cut-off of 5,180 ng/L provided independent prognostic information, irrespective of the level of residual renal function. | 25,168,191 | [
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Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry based serum peptidomic approach for renal clear cell carcinoma diagnosis. | Serum peptidomic approach was applied to investigate the peptidomic signature and discover the clinical biomarkers and biomarker patterns for RCC patients. The holistic orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) based on qualified profile data successfully classified RCC patients from healthy controls, showing 100% sensitivity and specificity. Following critical criteria, several peptides presenting significant differences in serum level were picked out. The unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis on those peptides was performed, showing 100% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity for RCC diagnosis regarding the present samples. Besides, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was applied on single peptide biomarkers, with four peptides showing excellent predictive power. Among them, IYQLNSKLV and AGISMRSGDSPQD are reported for the first time for cancer detection. | 25,168,216 | [
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A validated HPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for quantification of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid from rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic study using sparse sampling methodology. | The phenolic compound, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid (HMBA), is one of the major phytoconstituents of Decalepis arayalpathra (Joseph & Chandra.) Venter, a rare and endemic medicinal plant found in the Western Ghats of India. HMBA has been attributed to possess several biological effects including anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic. The present article describes a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method (HPLC-MS/MS) for the determination of HMBA in rat plasma. In brief, the developed assay involves pre-treatment of the plasma samples by an optimized solid phase extraction method (recoveries for HMBA greater than 90%) followed by chromatographic separation on a Cosmosil C18 (150mm×4.6mm i.d.; 5μm particle size) analytical column with mobile phase of methanol and 10mM ammonium formate (95:5 v/v; 0.2% formic acid) delivered at a constant flow rate of 1.0mL/min. The detection and quantification was performed using an Applied Biosystems Hybrid Q-Trap API 2000 mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source (ESI) functioning in negative mode. The developed assay was validated as per the US FDA bioanalytical guidelines with the calibration curve linear over the concentration range of 5.05-2019.60ng/mL (r(2)≥0.9936) for HMBA from rat plasma. Further, the validated HPLC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of HMBA after oral administration of D. arayalpathra tuber extracts to female albino Wistar rats using sparse sampling methodology. Following oral administration, the maximum mean concentration in rat plasma (Cmax -1301.57±128.22ng/mL) was achieved at 1.5h (Tmax) and the area under the curve (AUC0-48h) was 8985.02±229.54ngh/mL. The elimination half-life (t1/2) and terminal elimination rate constant (Kel) were 2.48h and 0.28 L/h, respectively. | 25,168,218 | [
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Cofactor Strap regulates oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial p53 activity through ATP synthase. | Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer cells. Strap (stress-responsive activator of p300) is a novel TPR motif OB-fold protein that contributes to p53 transcriptional activation. We show here that, in addition to its established transcriptional role, Strap is localised at mitochondria where one of its key interaction partners is ATP synthase. Significantly, the interaction between Strap and ATP synthase downregulates mitochondrial ATP production. Under glucose-limiting conditions, cancer cells are sensitised by mitochondrial Strap to apoptosis, which is rescued by supplementing cells with an extracellular source of ATP. Furthermore, Strap augments the apoptotic effects of mitochondrial p53. These findings define Strap as a dual regulator of cellular reprogramming: first as a nuclear transcription cofactor and second in the direct regulation of mitochondrial respiration. | 25,168,243 | [
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How dependent is synaptic plasticity on microglial phenotype? | Microglia are particularly plastic cells which can be shifted from their resting state by numerous factors and adopt distinct phenotypes. The cells are multifunctional, though their main role is probably maintenance of homoeostasis. Resting cells are responsible for surveillance, whereas activation induces the cells to adopt neuroprotective or neurodetrimental roles, which are anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory respectively. The evidence indicates that activated cells with a pro-inflammatory phenotype predominate in neurodegenerative diseases and models of neurodegeneration and that this may significantly contribute to the deteriorating neuronal function. This question is considered in this review, in particular in the context of animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Neuroimmunology and Synaptic Function'. | 25,168,262 | [
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Folding-based photoelectrochemical biosensor: binding-induced conformation change of a quantum dot-tagged DNA probe for mercury(II) detection. | Using CdS QD-tagged mercury-specific oligonucleotides, a novel folding-based photoelectrochemical sensor has been successfully fabricated for reagentless and highly sensitive Hg(2+) detection. | 25,168,272 | [
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Single nanowire resistive nano-heater for highly localized thermo-chemical reactions: localized hierarchical heterojunction nanowire growth. | A single nanowire resistive nano-heater (RNH) is fabricated, and it is demonstrated that the RNH can induce highly localized temperature fields, which can trigger highly localized thermo-chemical reactions to grow hierarchical nanowires directly at the desired specific spot such as ZnO nanowire branch growth on a single Ag nanowire. | 25,168,280 | [
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Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib, doxorubicin and low-dose dexamethasone: a study from the Wisconsin Oncology Network. | Retreatment with bortezomib (B) is often considered for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM), but this strategy is hindered by uncertainty of response and emergence of B-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN). We incorporated acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) to prevent PN and allow for adequate dosing. We also investigated the correlation between B-inducible NF-κB activation and response to therapy. Nineteen patients with relapsed/refractory MM received up to 8 cycles of intravenous bortezomib, doxorubicin and oral low-dose dexamethasone (BDD) to evaluate response and toxicity. Thirteen additional patients received prophylactic ALCAR (BDD-A). Patients receiving BDD-A were evaluated by FACT-GOG-TX, FACIT-Fatigue, Neuropathic Pain index (NPI) and Grooved Pegboard (GP) testing. Primary MM cells from 11 patients were tested for B-inducible NF-κB activation. Seventy-six percent of subjects were refractory to previous treatment, 39% refractory to bortezomib. Median cycles received were 5. CR + PR for the entire group were 53% and did not differ between groups. Incidence of ≥3 PN was 32% in the BDD group versus 15 % in the BDD-A group (p = ns). Patient-reported fatigue and PN measured by FACT-GOG-TX increased throughout the treatment period in the BDD-A group, although time to complete GP testing declined. In a sub-study examining constitutive bortezomib-inducible NF-κB activity in primary subject-specific MM cells, the presence of NF-κB activation correlated with lower likelihood of response. Addition of ALCAR to BDD did not alter the incidence or severity of PN in relapsed MM patients receiving a B-based regimen. Bortezomib-inducible NF-κB activation in patient-derived primary MM cells may be associated with poorer response. | 25,168,296 | [
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Postoperative pulmonary complications updating. | Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are a major contributor to the overall risk of surgery. PPCs affect the length of hospital stay and are associated with a higher in-hospital mortality. PPCs are even the leading cause of death either in cardiothoracic surgery but also in non-cardiothoracic surgery. Thus, reliable PPCs risk stratification tools are the key issue of clinical decision making in the perioperative period. When the risk is clearly identified related to the patient according the ARISCAT score and/or the type of surgery (mainly thoracic and abdominal), low-cost preemptive interventions improve outcomes and new strategies can be developed to prevent this risk. The EuSOS, PERISCOPE and IMPROVE studies demonstrated this care optimization by risk identification first, then risk stratification and new care (multifaceted) strategies implementation allowing a decrease in PPCs mortality by optimizing the clinical path of the patient and the care resources. | 25,168,300 | [
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Does seeing the doctor more often keep you out of the hospital? | By exploiting a unique health insurance benefit design, we provide novel evidence on the causal association between outpatient and inpatient care. Our results indicate that greater outpatient spending was associated with more hospital admissions: a $100 increase in outpatient spending was associated with a 1.9% increase in the probability of having an inpatient event and a 4.6% increase in inpatient spending among enrollees in our sample. Moreover, we present evidence that the increase in hospital admissions associated with greater outpatient spending was for conditions in which it is plausible to argue that the physician and patient could exercise discretion. | 25,168,306 | [
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Repeated antigen painting and sublingual immunotherapy in mice convert sublingual dendritic cell subsets. | The sublingual mucosa (SLM) is utilized as the site for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) to induce tolerance against allergens. The contribution of SLM-dendritic cells (SLM-DCs) has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to examine the dynamics and phenotype of SLM-DCs after topical antigen painting and SLIT. SLM-DCs were histologically evaluated after FITC painting. A novel murine Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP) model was generated and change in SLM-DCs after SLIT was examined. The density of SLM-DCs was clearly lower compared with the buccal mucosa and dorsal surface of the tongue. Topical FITC painting on the SLM induced maximal recruitment of submucosal DCs (smDCs) at 6h, but most smDCs had vanished at 24h. Repeated painting on the SLM induced exhaustion and conversion of the smDC phenotype. CD206(high)CD11c(low) round-type cells with fewer dendrites and less lymph node migration capacity became dominant. In the murine model of JCP, SLIT efficiently inhibited clinical symptoms and allergen-mediated immunological responses. SLIT markedly reduced the number of SLM-DCs, converted to the round-type dominant phenotype and inhibited the activation of regional lymph node DCs. Topical antigen painting on the SLM induced rapid exhaustion and conversion of smDCs. The unique dynamics of SLM-DCs may contribute to tolerance induction in SLIT. | 25,168,308 | [
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Reverse shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of three-part and four-part proximal humeral fractures in the elderly. | The purpose of this study was to review the survivorship, radiologic and clinical outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) used for the treatment of 3-part and 4-part proximal humeral fractures in the elderly. Between 2003 and 2009, 29 shoulders in 28 elderly patients (87% female) with a 3-part or 4-part fractures were managed with RSA in Brisbane, Australia. Clinical and radiologic outcomes of this continuous cohort were retrospectively reviewed at an average follow-up of 54.9 months. Average age at surgery was 79 years. Survivorship and radiologic outcome assessment for all patients was undertaken. Seven patients died, and 1 was unavailable for clinical review, leaving 21 shoulders in 20 patients available for clinical review. There were no revisions of the reverse prosthesis. Mean average pain was 2.19 of 100 (standard deviation [SD], 6.97). Mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 89.3 (SD, 13.65). Mean normalized Constant score was 88.03 (SD, 11.24). Grade 1 scapular notching was observed radiologically in 4 shoulders. A scapular spur was observed in 7 shoulders. Class 1 heterotopic ossification was seen in 4 shoulders. Nonprogressive lucent lines were seen in 2 shoulders. Nonprogressive radiolucency was observed around the superior screw in 3 shoulders. No loosening of the glenoid baseplate or of the humeral component was observed. There was 1 complication of an axillary nerve palsy, which spontaneously resolved by 12 months after surgery. RSA using the shoulder technique described in this series provides good clinical and radiologic outcomes in elderly patients with 3-part and 4-part fractures. | 25,168,347 | [
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Bioactive furanocoumarins from stems of Clausena lansium. | Clausena lansium Skeels, a member of the Rutaceae, is a shrub or small tree with grapelike fruits. Several parts of this plant have been used in folk medicine. A bioactive constituent investigation of the stems of C. lansium herein resulted in isolation of four furanocoumarins, claucoumarins A-D, and 13 known analogs. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses, including UV, IR, MS, and NMR experiments, and their absolute configurations were determined by CD experiments. Using an in vitro system, several of these compounds showed selective neuroprotective effects at a concentration of 10μM. | 25,168,358 | [
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Micro- and nanotechnologies for intracellular delivery. | The majority of drugs and biomolecules need to be delivered into cells to be effective. However, the cell membranes, a biological barrier, strictly resist drugs or biomolecules entering cells, resulting in significantly reduced intracellular delivery efficiency. To overcome this barrier, a variety of intracellular delivery approaches including chemical and physical ways have been developed in recent years. In this review, the focus is on summarizing the nanomaterial routes involved in making use of a collection of receptors for the targeted delivery of drugs and biomolecules and the physical ways of applying micro- and nanotechnologies for high-throughput intracellular delivery. | 25,168,360 | [
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Non-destructive electromechanical assessment (Arthro-BST) of human articular cartilage correlates with histological scores and biomechanical properties. | The hand-held Arthro-BST™ device is used to map electromechanical properties of articular cartilage. The purpose of the study was to evaluate correlation of electromechanical properties with histological, biochemical and biomechanical properties of cartilage. Electromechanical properties (quantitative parameter (QP)) of eight human distal femurs were mapped manually ex vivo using the Arthro-BST (1 measure/site, 5 s/measure, 3209 sites). Osteochondral cores were then harvested from different areas on the femurs and assessed with the Mankin histological score. Prior to histoprocessing, cores were tested in unconfined compression. A subset of the cores was analyzed with polarized light microscopy (PLM) to assess collagen structure. Biochemical assays were done on additional cores to obtain water content and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. The QP corresponding to each core was calculated by averaging all QPs collected within 6 mm of the core center. The electromechanical QP correlated strongly with both the Mankin score and the PLM score (r = 0.73, P < 0.0001 and r = -0.70, P < 0.0001 respectively) thus accurately reflecting tissue quality and collagen architecture. Electromechanical QP also correlated strongly with biomechanical properties including fibril modulus (r = -0.76, P < 0.0001), matrix modulus (r = -0.69, P < 0.0001), and log of permeability (r = 0.72, P < 0.0001). The QP correlated weakly with GAG per wet weight and with water content (r = -0.50, P < 0.0003 and r = 0.39, P < 0.006 respectively). Non-destructive electromechanical QP measurements correlate strongly with histological scores and biomechanical parameters providing a rapid and reliable assessment of articular cartilage quality. | 25,168,362 | [
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Defective autophagy in chondrocytes with Kashin-Beck disease but higher than osteoarthritis. | This study was undertaken to monitor autophagy in chondrocytes with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and osteoarthritis (OA). The identification and quantification of autophagy were morphologically visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), together with immunohistochemical localization of Beclin1 and LC3 in cartilage, and immunoblotting of cellular Beclin1, LC3 and p62/SQSTM1 in the normal, KBD and OA groups. Sequentially, regulated-autophagy genes (ATG) were analyzed by IPA software and validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cytotoxicity of cell death was measured by fluorescence detection and flow cytometry (FCM). The co-localization and measurement of autophagy and mitochondria/reactive oxygen species (ROS) were carried out. KBD chondrocytes exhibited a variety of abnormal cellular contents including nuclei, mitochondrial, glycogen deposits and microfilaments, and OA chondrocytes mainly presented swelled endocytoplasmic reticulum (ER). Beclin1 and LC3 were reduced both in KBD and OA compared with normal controls; however, the two proteins and p62 in KBD were in a higher level than OA. Simultaneously, KBD chondrocytes showed 45 genes that were different from normal controls and 92 genes different from OA, whose functions were mainly involved in cell morphology, cellular functions, cell death and survival. Autophagy was negatively correlated with apoptosis in the three kinds of chondrocytes, and the rates decreased when autophagy was induced by rapamycin. Similarly, KBD and OA chondrocytes showed lower autophagy and higher ROS production compared with the normal chondrocytes. Autophagy was defective in KBD chondrocytes, but it was higher than in OA. The insufficient autophagy may be associated with apoptosis and mitochondrial change in the pathogenesis of KBD and OA. | 25,168,363 | [
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NKX2-5, a modifier of skeletal muscle pathology due to RNA toxicity. | RNA toxicity is implicated in a number of disorders; especially those associated with expanded repeat sequences, such as myotonic dystrophy (DM1). Previously, we have shown increased NKX2-5 expression in RNA toxicity associated with DM1. Here, we investigate the relationship between NKX2-5 expression and muscle pathology due to RNA toxicity. In skeletal muscle from mice with RNA toxicity and individuals with DM1, expression of Nkx2-5 or NKX2-5 and its downstream targets are significantly correlated with severity of histopathology. Using C2C12 myoblasts, we show that over-expression of NKX2-5 or mutant DMPK 3'UTR results in myogenic differentiation defects, which can be rescued by knockdown of Nkx2-5, despite continued toxic RNA expression. Furthermore, in a mouse model of NKX2-5 over-expression, we find defects in muscle regeneration after induced damage, similar to those seen in mice with RNA toxicity. Using mouse models of Nkx2-5 over-expression and depletion, we find that NKX2-5 levels modify disease phenotypes in mice with RNA toxicity. | 25,168,381 | [
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Intravenous injection of MVA virus targets CD8+ lymphocytes to tumors to control tumor growth upon combinatorial treatment with a TLR9 agonist. | Effector T-cell access to tumor tissue is a limiting step for clinical efficacy of antigen-specific T cell-based immunotherapies. Ectopic mouse tumor models, in which a subcutaneously (s.c.) implanted tumor is treated with s.c. or intramuscular therapeutic immunization, may not be optimal for targeting effector T cells to an organ-borne tumor. We used an orthotopic renal carcinoma model to evaluate the impact of injection routes on therapeutic efficacy of a Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara viral vector expressing the human mucin 1 tumor-associated xeno-antigen (MVA-MUC1). We show that intravenous (i.v.) administration of MVA-MUC1 displayed enhanced efficacy when compared with s.c. injection. Therapeutic efficacy of MVA-MUC1 was further enhanced by i.v. injection of a TLR9 agonist. In all cases, infiltration of tumor-bearing kidney by CD8(+) lymphocytes was associated with control of tumor growth. Biodistribution experiments indicate that, following i.v. injection, MVA-encoded antigens are quickly expressed in visceral organs and, in particular, in splenic antigen-presenting cells, compared with those following s.c. injection. This appears to result in a faster generation of MUC1-specific CD8(+) T cells. Lymphocytes infiltrating tumor-bearing kidneys are characterized by an effector memory phenotype and express PD-1 and Tim3 immune checkpoint molecules. Therapeutic efficacy was associated with a modification of the tumor microenvironment toward a Th1-type immune response and recruitment of activated lymphocytes. This study supports the clinical evaluation of MVA-based immunotherapies via the i.v. route. | 25,168,392 | [
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[Nostril surgery]. | The decision to perform nasal resection follows a comprehensive analysis of the aesthetic objective depending on the anatomic and artistic criteria. Fear of leaving visible scars leads many surgeons to hesitate vis-à-vis the indications. However, this surgical technique can be very useful during rhinoplasty. The patient should always be informed preoperatively of the possibility of cutaneous resection of the nostrils and the type of scar than can ensue. It is important to know the foreseeable elements of nasal resection in order to provide a more systematic approach to routine rhinoplasty. | 25,168,401 | [
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[Iliohypogastric/ilioinguinal nerve block in inguinal hernia repair for postoperative pain management: comparison of the anatomical landmark and ultrasound guided techniques]. | The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of iliohypogastric/ilioinguinal nerve blocks performed with the ultrasound guided and the anatomical landmark techniques for postoperative pain management in cases of adult inguinal herniorrhaphy. 40 patients, ASA I-II status were randomized into two groups equally: in Group AN (anatomical landmark technique) and in Group ultrasound (ultrasound guided technique), iliohypogastric/ilioinguinal nerve block was performed with 20ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine prior to surgery with the specified techniques. Pain score in postoperative assessment, first mobilization time, duration of hospital stay, score of postoperative analgesia satisfaction, opioid induced side effects and complications related to block were assessed for 24h postoperatively. VAS scores at rest in the recovery room and all the clinical follow-up points were found significantly less in Group ultrasound (p<0.01 or p<0.001). VAS scores at movement in the recovery room and all the clinical follow-up points were found significantly less in Group ultrasound (p<0.001 in all time points). While duration of hospital stay and the first mobilization time were being found significantly shorter, analgesia satisfaction scores were found significantly higher in ultrasound Group (p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001 respectively). According to our study, US guided iliohypogastric/ilioinguinal nerve block in adult inguinal herniorrhaphies provides a more effective analgesia and higher satisfaction of analgesia than iliohypogastric/ilioinguinal nerve block with the anatomical landmark technique. Moreover, it may be suggested that the observation of anatomical structures with the US may increase the success of the block, and minimize the block-related complications. | 25,168,440 | [
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[The development of ventricular fibrillation due to etomidate for anesthetic induction: a very rare side effect, case report]. | Ventricular fibrillation occurring in a patient can result in unexpected complications. Here, our aim is to present a case of ventricular fibrillation occurring immediately after anesthesia induction with etomidate administration. A fifty-six-year-old female patient with a pre-diagnosis of gallstones was admitted to the operating room for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The induction was performed by etomidate with a bolus dose of 0.3mg/kg. Severe and fast adduction appeared in the patient's arms immediately after induction. A tachycardia with wide QRS and ventricular rate 188beat/min was detected on the monitor. The rhythm turned to VF during the preparation of cardioversion. Immediately we performed defibrillation to the patient. Sinus rhythm was obtained. It was decided to postpone the operation due to the patient's unstable condition. In addition to other known side effects of etomidate, very rarely, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation can be also seen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case regarding etomidate causing VF in the literature. | 25,168,442 | [
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[Anesthesia for cesarean section in pregnant woman with Guillain Barré syndrome: a case report]. | Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune neurological disease characterized by an acute or subacute demyelinating polyradiculoneuritis. It is an unusual event during pregnancy and a challenge for the anesthesiologist, due to the possibility of impairment of neuromuscular function and occurrence of respiratory complications in the postoperative period. The objective of this paper is to discuss the anesthetic management of a pregnant patient affected by the disease. Female patient, 30 years old, 38 weeks' pregnant, diagnosed with fetal death that occurred about a day, and with SGB. Cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia, progressing without complications perioperatively. Although it is uncommon, GBS can affect pregnant women and the anesthesiologist may encounter such patients in his (her) daily practice. It is important to understand the peculiarities of GBS to adequately address the patient in the perioperative period, contributing to its better evolution. | 25,168,443 | [
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Different effects of two newly-isolated probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 15HN and Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis 44Lac strains from traditional dairy products on cancer cell lines. | Lactobacillus and Lactococcus strains isolated from food products can be introduced as probiotics because of their health-promoting characteristics and non-pathogenic nature. This study aims to perform the isolation, molecular identification, and probiotic characterization of Lactobacillus and Lactococcus strains from traditional Iranian dairy products. Primary probiotic assessments indicated high tolerance to low pH and high bile salt conditions, high anti-pathogenic activities, and susceptibility to high consumption antibiotics, thus proving that both strains possess probiotic potential. Cytotoxicity assessments were used to analyze the effects of the secreted metabolite on different cancer cell lines, including HT29, AGS, MCF-7, and HeLa, as well as a normal human cell line (HUVEC). Results showed acceptable cytotoxic properties for secreted metabolites (40 μg/ml dry weight) of Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis 44Lac. Such performance was similar to that of Taxol against all of the treated cancer cell lines; however, the strain exhibited no toxicity on the normal cell line. Cytotoxic assessments through flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy demonstrated that apoptosis is the main cytotoxic mechanism for secreted metabolites of L. lactis subsp. Lactis 44Lac. By contrast, the effects of protease-treated metabolites on the AGS cell line verified the protein nature of anti-cancer metabolites. However, precise characterizations and in vitro/in vivo investigations on purified proteins should be conducted before these metabolites are introduced as potential anti-cancer therapeutics. | 25,168,457 | [
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Characterization of the core and accessory genomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using bioinformatic tools Spine and AGEnt. | Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen responsible for many infections in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. Previous reports estimated that approximately 10% of its 6.6 Mbp genome varies from strain to strain and is therefore referred to as "accessory genome". Elements within the accessory genome of P. aeruginosa have been associated with differences in virulence and antibiotic resistance. As whole genome sequencing of bacterial strains becomes more widespread and cost-effective, methods to quickly and reliably identify accessory genomic elements in newly sequenced P. aeruginosa genomes will be needed. We developed a bioinformatic method for identifying the accessory genome of P. aeruginosa. First, the core genome was determined based on sequence conserved among the completed genomes of twelve reference strains using Spine, a software program developed for this purpose. The core genome was 5.84 Mbp in size and contained 5,316 coding sequences. We then developed an in silico genome subtraction program named AGEnt to filter out core genomic sequences from P. aeruginosa whole genomes to identify accessory genomic sequences of these reference strains. This analysis determined that the accessory genome of P. aeruginosa ranged from 6.9-18.0% of the total genome, was enriched for genes associated with mobile elements, and was comprised of a majority of genes with unknown or unclear function. Using these genomes, we showed that AGEnt performed well compared to other publically available programs designed to detect accessory genomic elements. We then demonstrated the utility of the AGEnt program by applying it to the draft genomes of two previously unsequenced P. aeruginosa strains, PA99 and PA103. The P. aeruginosa genome is rich in accessory genetic material. The AGEnt program accurately identified the accessory genomes of newly sequenced P. aeruginosa strains, even when draft genomes were used. As P. aeruginosa genomes become available at an increasingly rapid pace, this program will be useful in cataloging the expanding accessory genome of this bacterium and in discerning correlations between phenotype and accessory genome makeup. The combination of Spine and AGEnt should be useful in defining the accessory genomes of other bacterial species as well. | 25,168,460 | [
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Enhanced CO2 sorption and selectivity by functionalization of a NbO-type metal-organic framework with polarized benzothiadiazole moieties. | A new NbO-type metal-organic framework ZJNU-40 incorporating highly polarized benzothiadiazole moieties exhibits a high CO2 uptake of 108 cm(3) g(-1) at 296 K and 1 atm, as well as good adsorption selectivities of CO2 over CH4 and N2 at room temperature, which is superior to that of the analogous MOF NOTT-101. | 25,168,464 | [
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Small intestinal contrast ultrasonography for the detection of small bowel complications in Crohn's disease: correlation with intraoperative findings and magnetic resonance enterography. | In evaluating small bowel Crohn's disease (CD), small intestine contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (SICUS) is emerging as an alternative to magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). This retrospective study compared the diagnostic accuracy of SICUS and MRE with surgical findings, and their level of agreement. We identified a cohort of CD patients investigated by either SICUS and/or MRE that subsequently required resective bowel surgery within 6 months. The accuracy and agreement of SICUS and MRE to detect small bowel complications were compared with intraoperative findings using kappa coefficient (κ). Agreement between SICUS and MRE in those undergoing both modalities was also assessed. A total of 67 patients were evaluated; 25 underwent SICUS and 17 underwent MRE prior to surgery. Another 25 patients underwent both SICUS and MRE. When compared with intraoperative findings, the sensitivity of SICUS and MRE was 87.5% and 100%, respectively, in detecting strictures, 87.7% and 66.7% for fistulae, 100% for both in identifying abscesses, 100% and 66.7% for bowel dilatation, and 94.7% and 81.8% in defining bowel wall thickening. When correlating SICUS and MRE with surgery, there was a high level of agreement in localizing strictures (κ = 0.75, 0.88, respectively), fistulae (κ = 0.82, 0.79) and abscesses (κ = 0.87, 0.77). Concordance between SICUS and MRE was substantial or almost complete in identifying stricturing disease (κ = 0.84), their number and location (κ = 0.85), fistulae (κ = 0.65), and mucosal thickening (κ = 0.61). SICUS accurately identified small bowel complications and correlated well with MRE and intraoperative findings. SICUS offers an alternative in the preoperative assessment of CD. | 25,168,482 | [
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Molecular diagnostics in renal allograft biopsy interpretation: potential and pitfalls. | Application of molecular techniques, particularly gene expression microarrays, to the study of T cell-mediated rejection, antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), and other changes in renal allografts has grown. While studies of gene expression within renal allograft biopsies have elucidated the pathogenesis of rejection and helped lead to recognition of C4d-negative ABMR, the use of molecular studies to achieve greater diagnostic accuracy and precision, guide therapy, and decrease the need for biopsies still remains a hope for the future. | 25,168,495 | [
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Obesity in percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Is body mass index really important? | To evaluate the influence of obesity in the results of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in terms of efficacy and safety and to evaluate other aspects such as fluoroscopy time, radiation exposure, total operative time, hemoglobin loss, hospital stay, and the need of auxiliary procedures. We evaluated prospectively all the PCNLs performed at our institution between 2011 and 2012. A series of perioperative and postoperative details were recorded in our database. The patients were distributed in 4 groups using World Health Organization's classification of body mass index (BMI): normal weight, ≤ 25 kg/m(2); overweight, 25-29.9 kg/m(2); obese, 30-39.9 kg/m(2); and morbidly obese, ≥ 40 kg/m(2). Modified Clavien classification was used for reporting the complications. Results were compared between the groups using the chi square and multivariate logistic regression tests. A total of 255 procedures were performed between January 2011 and December 2012. Overall stone clearance was 76.3% and complication rate using the modified Clavien grading system was 31.4%. No statistical differences in terms of complication rate and stone free rate were noted between the 4 groups. Total operative time and radiation doses increase along with BMI. No difference was found in fluoroscopy time, failure to gain access, hospital stay, or need for auxiliary procedures. Obesity does not increase complications in PCNL, and the efficacy of the technique is similar to normal weight patients with appropriate expertise. Total operative time and radiation exposure increase along with BMI, putting patients at risk. | 25,168,529 | [
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The association between socioeconomic status, renal cancer presentation, and survival in the United States: a survival, epidemiology, and end results analysis. | To determine whether socioeconomic status (SES) predicts the size and local extent of tumors at presentation, and if this association leads to differences in survival. The National Cancer Institute's Survival, Epidemiology, and End Results registry was queried for patients diagnosed with renal cancers between 2004 and 2010. Demographic, tumor, survival, and socioeconomic data were obtained. Cancers with T0 classification, nonrenal cell histology, or missing clinical or pathologic data were excluded. An SES measure was created from available metrics. Outcomes analyzed were tumor size, TNM classifications at diagnosis, tumor grade and histology subtype, and survival duration. A total of 40,212 cases were identified. On regression modeling, lower SES was an independent risk factor for tumor size ≥ 4 cm (P = .003) and for T classification ≥ T2 (P = .040) at presentation, but did not predict histology subtype, positive lymph nodes, or metastasis. Lower SES predicted high-grade disease on univariate analysis (P = .012) but lost significance in the multivariate model. Lower SES was also independently predictive of shortened cancer-specific survival on multivariate analysis after adjusting for available cofactors (lowest vs highest SES quartile; P = .001). This study suggests that low SES is correlated with poorer survival outcomes in renal cancer, and this may be related to a tendency toward larger and more locally advanced tumors at diagnosis. Additional investigation is needed to ascertain whether these effects could be mediated by relatively lower rates of incidental detection via abdominal imaging in disadvantaged populations. | 25,168,537 | [
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Seminal BAX and BCL2 gene and protein expressions in infertile men with varicocele. | To assess seminal BAX and BCL2 gene and protein expressions in infertile men with varicocele (Vx). A total of 111 men were investigated and divided into the following groups: healthy fertile men (n = 20), fertile men with Vx (n = 16), infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men without Vx (n = 29), and infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men with Vx (n = 46). They were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, and semen analysis. In their seminal plasma, BAX and BCL2 gene and protein expressions were estimated. The mean level of seminal BAX gene and protein was significantly decreased, and the mean level of seminal BCL2 gene and protein was significantly increased in fertile men compared with fertile men with Vx and in infertile men without Vx compared with infertile men with Vx. The mean level of seminal BAX gene and protein were significantly increased in men associated with bilateral Vx compared with men associated with unilateral Vx and in cases with Vx grade III compared with Vx grade I and II cases. Seminal BAX demonstrated significant negative correlation with sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm normal forms. Seminal BCL2 demonstrated significant positive correlation with sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm normal forms and significant negative correlation with seminal BAX. Seminal BAX is significantly increased and seminal BCL2 is significantly decreased in men associated with Vx. Seminal BAX is significantly increased in men associated with bilateral Vx compared with unilateral Vx and in cases with Vx grade III compared with Vx grade I and II cases. Seminal BAX demonstrates significant negative correlation with sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm normal forms, whereas seminal BCL2 demonstrates significant reverse positive correlations. | 25,168,538 | [
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Multicenter survey of endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux using polyacrylate-polyalcohol bulking copolymer (Vantris). | To evaluate an outcome of endoscopic correction of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) using Vantris (Promedon, Cordoba, Argentina) in terms of its effectiveness and morbidity in a multicenter study. From 2009 to 2013, 611 patients (210 boys and 401 girls) with a mean age of 3.56 years (range, 1 month-18 years) were treated at 7 centers worldwide endoscopically with Vantris injection. VUR was unilateral in 413 and bilateral in 198 patients comprising 809 renal refluxing units (RRUs). Of these, primary VUR was present in 674 RRUs (83.3%) and 135 (16.7%) were complex cases. Reflux was grades I-V in 24 (2.96%), 123 (15.2%), 451 (55.8%), 158 (19.5%), and 53 (6.6%) RRUs respectively. The follow-up continued from 6 to 54 months. Reflux resolved in 759 RRUs (93.8%) after first Vantris injection, in 26 (3.1%) after second, and in 6 (0.7%) after third injection, respectively. VUR improved to grade I after 1 or 2 injections in 5 ureters (0.6%), which needed no further treatment. Thirteen ureters (1.6%) failed endoscopic correction and required ureteral reimplantation. Vesicoureteral junction obstruction requiring ureteral reimplantation developed in 6 ureters (0.7%) and in 4 (0.5%) required stent insertion. Twenty-three patients (3.8%) suffered afebrile urinary tract infection. Seven (1.2%) developed febrile urinary tract infection. None of the studied patients demonstrated VUR recurrence on voiding cystourethrography. The results of this multicenter survey confirm that endoscopic subureteral Vantris injection is a simple, safe, and effective outpatient procedure for treating all grades of VUR. | 25,168,553 | [
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Acute monitoring of genitourinary function using intrafascicular electrodes: selective pudendal nerve activity corresponding to bladder filling, bladder fullness, and genital stimulation. | To investigate the use of a microelectrode array with a high spatial density of penetrating intrafascicular electrodes for selective recording of pudendal nerve activity evoked by a variety of genitourinary stimuli. Felines were anesthetized with alpha-chloralose and high-density Utah slanted electrode arrays (48 microelectrodes; 200-μm spacing) were implanted into the pudendal nerve for acute experimentation. Neural activity was recorded during bladder filling, spontaneous reflexive distention-evoked bladder contractions, and tactile somatosensory stimulation. The intrafascicularly implanted pudendal nerve electrodes were able to selectively record neural activity that corresponded to various genitourinary stimuli. Across all seven experimental animals, a total of 10 microelectrodes recorded neural units that were selectively driven by bladder filling or distention-evoked bladder contractions. Twenty-two electrodes were selectively driven by tactile stimulation. Microelectrode arrays implanted intrafascicularly into the pudendal nerve can be used to selectively record the neural responses that reflect bladder status and urogenital tactile stimulation. This work sets the stage for developing future implantable closed-loop neuroprosthetic devices for restoration of bladder function. | 25,168,559 | [
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Preparation, optimization, characterization and cytotoxicity in vitro of Baicalin-loaded mixed micelles. | The aim of this study was to develop a Baicalin (BC)-loaded mixed micelle delivery system (BC-ST-P123-MMs) with sodium taurocholate (ST) and pluronic P123 block copolymer (P123) as carrier materials to improve the solubility of BC, a poorly soluble drug. In this study, the mixed micelle system was prepared using the method of thin-film dispersion and then optimized by the homogeneous design-response surface methodology with the entrapment efficiency and drug loading as indexes. The average size and the zeta potential of the BC-ST-P123-MMs were 15.60 nm and -5.26 mV, respectively. Drug loading (DL, 16.94%) and entrapment efficiency (EE, 90.67%) contributed to high solubility (10.20 mg/mL) of BC in water. The optimized BC-ST-P123-MMs appeared spherical with obvious core-shell structure and well dispersed without aggregation and adhesion under TEM. In addition, DSC result indicated that BC had been wrapped in BC-ST-P123-MMs and crystalline state of BC was changed. The release result in vitro showed that BC-ST-P123-MMs presented sustained release behavior compared to control group. The IC50 value of BC-ST-P123-MMs (46.18 μg/mL) was lower than that of BC solution (67.14 μg/mL) on Hep G2 cell lines. Cellular uptake tests illustrated that the ST-P123-MMs system as carrier could significantly enhance the uptake of drugs by tumor cells. The results demonstrated that the BC-loaded mixed micelles could improve solubility of BC and exhibited great potential for delivering drug into cancer cells. | 25,168,581 | [
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Influenza polymerase encoding mRNAs utilize atypical mRNA nuclear export. | Influenza is a segmented negative strand RNA virus. Each RNA segment is encapsulated by influenza nucleoprotein and bound by the viral RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) to form viral ribonucleoproteins responsible for RNA synthesis in the nucleus of the host cell. Influenza transcription results in spliced mRNAs (M2 and NS2), intron-containing mRNAs (M1 and NS1), and intron-less mRNAs (HA, NA, NP, PB1, PB2, and PA), all of which undergo nuclear export into the cytoplasm for translation. Most cellular mRNA nuclear export is Nxf1-mediated, while select mRNAs utilize Crm1. Here we inhibited Nxf1 and Crm1 nuclear export prior to infection with influenza A/Udorn/307/1972(H3N2) virus and analyzed influenza intron-less mRNAs using cellular fractionation and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We examined direct interaction between Nxf1 and influenza intron-less mRNAs using immuno purification of Nxf1 and RT-PCR of associated RNA. Inhibition of Nxf1 resulted in less influenza intron-less mRNA export into the cytoplasm for HA and NA influenza mRNAs in both human embryonic kidney cell line (293 T) and human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line (A549). However, in 293 T cells no change was observed for mRNAs encoding the components of the viral ribonucleoproteins; NP, PA, PB1, and PB2, while in A549 cells, only PA, PB1, and PB2 mRNAs, encoding the RdRP, remained unaffected; NP mRNA was reduced in the cytoplasm. In A549 cells NP, NA, HA, mRNAs were found associated with Nxf1 but PA, PB1, and PB2 mRNAs were not. Crm1 inhibition also resulted in no significant difference in PA, PB1, and PB2 mRNA nuclear export. These results further confirm Nxf1-mediated nuclear export is functional during the influenza life cycle and hijacked for select influenza mRNA nuclear export. We reveal a cell type difference for Nxf1-mediated nuclear export of influenza NP mRNA, a reminder that cell type can influence molecular mechanisms. Importantly, we conclude that in both A549 and 293 T cells, PA, PB1, and PB2 mRNA nuclear export is Nxf1 and Crm1 independent. Our data support the hypothesis that PA, PB1, and PB2 mRNAs, encoding the influenza RdRP, utilize atypical mRNA nuclear export. | 25,168,591 | [
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Connection between periodontitis and Alzheimer's disease: possible roles of microglia and leptomeningeal cells. | Neuroinflammation, inflammation of the brain, is strongly implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD), which can be enhanced by systemic inflammation. Therefore, the initiation and progression of AD are affected by systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This concept suggests a possible link between periodontitis and AD because periodontitis is a peripheral, chronic infection that elicits a significant systemic inflammatory response. There is now growing clinical evidence that chronic periodontitis is closely linked to the initiation and progression of AD. Recent studies have suggested that leptomeningeal cells play an important role in transducing systemic inflammatory signals to the brain-resident microglia, which in turn initiate neuroinflammation. Furthermore, it is apparent that senescent-type microglia respond in an exaggerated manner to systemic inflammation. It is estimated that a high percentage of adults are suffering from periodontitis, and the prevalence of periodontitis increases with age. Therefore, chronic periodontitis can be a significant source of covert systemic inflammation within the general population. The present review article highlights our current understanding of the link between periodontitis and AD. | 25,168,594 | [
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Racemic and quasi-racemic X-ray structures of cyclic disulfide-rich peptide drug scaffolds. | Cyclic disulfide-rich peptides have exceptional stability and are promising frameworks for drug design. We were interested in obtaining X-ray structures of these peptides to assist in drug design applications, but disulfide-rich peptides can be notoriously difficult to crystallize. To overcome this limitation, we chemically synthesized the L- and D-forms of three prototypic cyclic disulfide-rich peptides: SFTI-1 (14-mer with one disulfide bond), cVc1.1 (22-mer with two disulfide bonds), and kB1 (29-mer with three disulfide bonds) for racemic crystallization studies. Facile crystal formation occurred from a racemic mixture of each peptide, giving structures solved at resolutions from 1.25 Å to 1.9 Å. Additionally, we obtained the quasi-racemic structures of two mutants of kB1, [G6A]kB1, and [V25A]kB1, which were solved at a resolution of 1.25 Å and 2.3 Å, respectively. The racemic crystallography approach appears to have broad utility in the structural biology of cyclic peptides. | 25,168,664 | [
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Use of non-invasive serum glycan markers to distinguish non-alcoholic steatohepatitis from simple steatosis. | Serum glycans have been reported to be promising diagnostic markers for many inflammatory diseases and cancers. The aims of this study were to investigate whole glycan expression in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases and to evaluate the potential use of glycan profiles as new clinical biomarkers to distinguish non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from simple steatosis (SS). We collected sera from 42 histologically proven NASH and 15 SS patients prior to treatment. Serum glycan profiles were measured by comprehensive, quantitative, high-throughput glycome analysis, and diagnostic values of serum glycans for NASH prediction were examined. Among the 41 serum glycans examined, the expression levels of 8 glycans in NASH were significantly higher than those of SS. Out of these eight glycans, three glycans (m/z 1955, 2032, and 2584) showed high areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.833, 0.863, and 0.866, respectively) for distinguishing NASH from SS. In multivariate analyses with clinical parameters and serum glycans, these three glycans were significant predictive factors for distinguishing NASH from SS. The odds ratio of m/z 1955, 2032, and 2584 were 48.5, 6.46, and 11.8, respectively. These glycans also correlated significantly with lobular inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis, but not with steatosis. We clearly demonstrated whole-serum glycan profiles in NASH patients, and the feasibility of serum glycans (m/z 1955, 2032, and 2584) as new noninvasive biomarkers for distinguishing NASH from SS. | 25,168,691 | [
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Levels and spatial distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in surface soil from the Yangtze River Delta, China. | Surface soil samples were collected from Suzhou, Wuxi and Nantong in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), China. Eight BDE congeners (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183 and 209) were measured to determine the levels and compositional profiles in the samples. The concentrations of Σ7PBDEs and BDE-209 ranged from 0.04 to 2.23 μg/kg dw and 1.48 to 41.7 μg/kg dw in the samples, respectively. BDE-209 was the predominant congener (contributing to 69.2 %-99.8 % of Σ8PBDEs) in all samples. It was found that small towns and rural economic development zones in this region had also become sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers pollutants to surrounding areas. Investigation of the pattern of BDE congener profiles showed that deca- and octa- technical formulations as emission sources were identified in the samples collected from the YRD. | 25,168,693 | [
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New synthesis of α'-hydroxydienones. | Herein, attempted oxidation of selected allenols with PCC affording α'-hydroxydienones rather than simple oxidation products is described. The formation of the products observed is rationalized via a series of sigmatropic shifts, followed by hydrolysis. | 25,168,703 | [
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Electrofluorochromic detection of cyanide anions using a nanoporous polymer electrode and the detection mechanism. | An electrofluorochromic (EFC) conjugated copolymer (PEFC) containing carbazole and benzothiadiazole (BTD) moieties is synthesized through Suzuki coupling followed by electrochemical polymerization, resulting in a nanoporous EFC polymer electrode. The electrode exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity in the EFC detection of cyanide anions (CN(-)) in largely aqueous electrolyte (67 vol % water) because electrochemical oxidation of PEFC leads to significant fluorescence quenching, and the presence of different concentrations (1 to 100 μM) of CN(-) in the electrolyte can weaken the oxidative quenching to substantially different extents. Although PEFC is hydrophobic in the neutral state, it is converted to radical cation/dication states upon oxidation, rendering the PEFC some hydrophilicity. Moreover, its nanoporous morphology provides a large surface area and short diffusion distance, facilitating the movement of CN(-) in the electrolyte into the PEFC film to interact with receptors. Density functional theory calculations show that the noncovalent interaction between electron-deficient BTD and nucleophilic CN(-) is energy favorable in the oxidized states in both aqueous and organic media, suggesting that the specific π(-)-π(+) interaction plays the main role in the CN(-) detection. | 25,168,708 | [
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Risk and protective factors for relapse among individuals with schizophrenia: a qualitative study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. | Relapse in people with schizophrenia is a major challenge for mental health service providers in Tanzania and other countries. Approximately 10% of people with schizophrenia are re-admitted due to relapse at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) Psychiatric Unit each month. Relapse brings about negative effects and it results in a huge burden to patients, their families, the mental health sector and the country's economy. So far no study has been done to address relapse in Tanzania. The purpose of the study was to explore perspectives on risk and protective factors influencing relapse of people with schizophrenia and their caregivers attending Muhimbili National Hospital Psychiatric Out-patient Department, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A qualitative study was conducted, involving in-depth interviews of seven people with schizophrenia who are out-patients and their seven family caregivers at MNH. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select participants for the study. Audio recorded in-depth interviews in Swahili language were conducted with all study participants. The recorded information was transcribed and analyzed using NVivo 9 computer assisted qualitative data analysis software. Personal risk and protective factors for relapse, environmental risk and protective factors for relapse and suggestions to reduce relapse were the main themes that emerged from this study. People with schizophrenia and their caregivers (all of whom were relatives) perceived non adherence to antipsychotic medication as a leading risk factor of relapse; other risks included poor family support, stressful life events and substance use. Family support, adherence to antipsychotic medication, employment and religion were viewed as protective factors. Participants suggested strengthening mental health psycho-education sessions and community home visits conducted by mental health nurses to help reduce relapse. Other suggestions included strengthening the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship in provision of mental health care. This study calls for improvement in mental health care service delivery to individuals with schizophrenia. Establishing a curricular in mental health nursing that aims to produce competent mental health nurse force would improve nursing practice in mental health care service delivery. | 25,168,715 | [
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Surgical residents' perceptions on learning gastrointestinal endoscopy: more hours and more standardization wanted. | Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a complex task that involves an interaction of cognitive and manual skills. There is no consensus on the optimal way to teach endoscopy. We sought to evaluate our formal endoscopy curriculum for general surgery trainees to improve the effectiveness and quality of the endoscopy teaching in this program. We conducted focus group sessions over a 2-year period. Participants were general surgery residents, who are at the end of their endoscopy training rotation. The goal was to obtain the opinions and perceptions of trainees actively involved in learning endoscopy. University-based general surgery residency. Second-year general surgery residents. A total of 24 residents participated in 7 focus group sessions over 2 years. Four central themes emerged that included training structure and expectations, development of endoscopy competence, teaching approaches and teaching tools, and recommendations for improvement of the training experience. An assessment of the themes led to the following concrete suggestions for improvement: the development of an algorithmic approach to endoscopy for the novice learner, consideration to introduce additional experience in endoscopy later in the 5-year surgery program, and consideration to incorporate a train-the-trainer curriculum for faculty that teach endoscopy. | 25,168,711 | [
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Modulation of the long terminal repeat promoter activity of small ruminant lentiviruses by steroids. | Production and excretion of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) varies with the stage of the host reproductive cycle, suggesting hormonal involvement in this variation. Stress may also affect viral expression. To determine if hormones affect SRLV transcriptional activity, the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by the promoters in the U3-cap region of the long terminal repeats (LTRs) of different strains of SRLV was assessed in cell culture. High concentrations of steroids (progesterone, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone) inhibited expression of GFP driven by SRLV promoters. This effect decreased in a dose-dependent manner with decreasing concentrations of steroids. In some strains, physiological concentrations of cortisol or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) induced the expression of GFP above the baseline. There was strain variation in sensitivity to hormones, but this differed for different hormones. The presence of deletions and a 43 base repeat in the U3 region upstream of the TATA box of the LTR made strain EV1 less sensitive to DHEA. However, no clear tendencies or patterns were observed when comparing strains of different genotypes and/or subtypes, or those triggering different forms of disease. | 25,168,719 | [
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Maintaining stable memory engrams: new roles for Nogo-A in the CNS. | Nogo-A interaction with its different receptors (Nogo receptor 1 (NgR1), S1P receptor 2 (S1PR2), paired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB)) restricts plasticity and growth-dependent processes leading, via the activation of different signaling pathway to the stabilization of the neuronal networks (either developmentally or during processes of memory consolation in the mature nervous system). Taking away these molecular brakes might allow for the induction of extensive structural and functional rearrangements and might promote compensatory growth processes after an injury of the CNS, in cortical structures as well as in the spinal cord. However, it is important to keep in mind that this could as well be a dangerous endeavor, since it might facilitate unwanted and unnecessary (and probably even maladaptive) neuronal connections. | 25,168,730 | [
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Association of rs62063857 variant of the saitohin gene with Parkinson's disease. | Saitohin gene found within the tau gene is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The rs62063857 polymorphism originally found in the saitohin gene seems to be the responsible SNP in this event. This polymorphism is studied mostly in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Data on Parkinson's disease are scarce. Therefore, we examined the rs62063857 polymorphism in 583 Parkinson's disease patients (347 male and 236 female) and 396 healthy controls (238 male and 158 female) by a polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method to see whether it was associated with Parkinson's disease from the City of Istanbul, Turkey. The G allele frequency was 22 % in overall controls and 16 % in Parkinson's disease patients. In this study, the saitohin rs62063857 polymorphism was associated with Parkinson's disease (χ2 = 16.765; P = 0.000). Individuals with the AA genotype showed 1.7-fold increased risk for Parkinson's disease (χ2 = 16.680; P = 0.000), whereas individuals with the AG genotype revealed protection against Parkinson's disease (χ2 = 14.554; P = 0.000). After the stratification analysis according to gender, both male and female PD patients showed association with the alleles and genotypes of the rs62063857 polymorphism of the saitohin gene (χ2 = 9.476, P = 0.009; χ2 = 7.593, P = 0.022, respectively). When the Parkinson's patients were divided into two groups with regard to onset of the disease, both groups showed association with the disease. The Parkinson's patients with disease onset below 65 years of age showed 1.8-fold increased risk for the disease. The Parkinson's patients with disease onset over 65 showed more robust association with a 2.051-fold increased risk for the disease. Consequently, the rs62063857 polymorphism of the saitohin gene is a genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease. Hence, this polymorphism may play a role in the etiology of Parkinson's disease. | 25,168,738 | [
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Discovery of a new family of carbonic anhydrases in the malaria pathogen Plasmodium falciparum--the η-carbonic anhydrases. | The genome of the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most lethal type of human malaria, contains a single gene annotated as encoding a carbonic anhydrase (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) thought to belong to the α-class, PfCA. Here we demonstrate the kinetic properties of PfCA for the CO2 hydration reaction, as well as an inhibition study of this enzyme with inorganic and complex anions and other molecules known to interact with zinc proteins, including sulfamide, sulfamic acid, and phenylboronic/arsonic acids, detecting several low micromolar inhibitors. A closer examination of the sequence of this and the CAs from other Plasmodium spp., as well as a phylogenetic analysis, revealed that these protozoa encode for a yet undisclosed, new genetic family of CAs termed the η-CA class. The main features of the η-CAs are described in this report. | 25,168,745 | [
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Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated socio-demographic factors among recruits during military training. | Military training is a stressful and unusual event. It may predispose individuals towards mental health problems. The stress of military training has been shown to result in depressive symptoms that can potentially influence the combat ability of a soldier. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among recruits during military training in Northern Pakistan and analyse the associated socio-demographic factors. The study was carried out at the Mujahid Force Center, Bhimber, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the North of Pakistan. This is one of the training institutes of the Pakistan Army. The sample population comprised of 313 adult men undergoing military training at Bhimber AJK. General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12) was used to screen for any psychiatric illness, and those with a score>4 were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to record the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. Age, service type (general duty soldier, cook or clerk), education, level of family income, marital status, tobacco smoking, use of naswar (tobacco based substance), worrying about future and social support status were correlated with depressive symptoms to evaluate the association of these factors with depression in the study population. Out of 313 recruits screened with GHQ-12, 232 were found to have a score of 4 or more as an indicator of the presence of psychiatric morbidity, and had the BDI administered. Of these 232 recruits, 31.5% had no depressive symptoms, 41.4% had mild, 17.7% had moderate and 9.5% had severe depressive symptoms. With logistic regression, we found significant correlation among depressive symptoms and level of family income, worrying about future and lack of social support. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was high among recruits. Special attention should be paid to recruits from low socioeconomic background and those who lack social support and who worry about the future. | 25,168,754 | [
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An evaluation of the normal range of StO₂measurements at rest and following a mixed exercise protocol. | Assessment of local tissue oxygenation (StO₂) using near infrared spectroscopy is an emerging technique in medical practice with applications in trauma/sepsis management, diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome and assessment of tissue viability. Despite this, there have been little published data on the range of StO₂values in normal subjects. StO₂measurements were recorded in 105 infantry soldiers using an INVOS System Monitor (Somanetics) from both deltoids, the anterior compartment of the leg and the frontal lobe of the brain. Measurements were taken at rest and following completion of a mixed exercise protocol, consisting of overarm pull-ups, sit-ups and a 3-mile run. StO₂values at rest were found to have a wide normal range with a skew left distribution. Mean StO₂was similar between the deltoids (left deltoid 80%, right deltoid 79%), but significantly different between other anatomical sites (leg 68%, brain 73%). However, all sites demonstrated a similar lower range cut-off at approximately 40%. Following exercise, there was a significant increase in StO₂values at all sites (left deltoid by 3.1 ± 2.0%, right deltoid by 2.6 ± 2.3%, leg by 8.0 ± 2.3% and brain by 8.6 ± 1.9%), which persisted for at least 10 min. There were statistically significant differences in mean StO₂values recorded at different anatomical sites, although the reference ranges were wide and substantially overlapped. StO₂increased at all sites after exercise with the effect persisting for at least 10 min. The interaction between exercise and pathological phenomena remains unknown and is an area for further study. | 25,168,755 | [
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Effect of the LHCII pigment-protein complex aggregation on photovoltaic properties of sensitized TiO2 solar cells. | A modified dye-sensitized solar cell consisting of a thin TiO2 barrier layer sensitized with natural trimeric light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) from spinach was used as a biomimetic model to study the effects of LHCII aggregation on the photovoltaic properties. The aggregation of individual trimers induced molecular reorganization, which dramatically increased the photocurrent. The morphology of small- and large-size LHCII aggregates deposited on a surface was confirmed by atomic force microscopy. Enhanced LHCII immobilization was accomplished via electrostatic interaction with amine-functionalized photoanodes. The photocurrent responses of the assembled solar cells under illumination at three characteristic wavelength bands in the UV-Vis absorption spectra of LHCII solutions confirmed that a significant photocurrent was generated by LHCII photosensitizers. The enhanced photocurrent by large aggregated LHCII is shown to correlate with the quenching in the far-red fluorescence deriving from chlorophyll-chlorophyll charge transfer states that are effectively coupled with the TiO2 surface and thus inject electrons into the TiO2 conduction band. The large aggregated LHCII with more chlorophyll-chlorophyll charge transfer states is a much better sensitizer since it injects electrons more efficiently into the conduction band of TiO2 than the small aggregated LHCII mostly consisting of unquenched chlorophyll excited state. The assembled solar cells demonstrated remarkable stability in both aqueous buffer and acetonitrile electrolytes over 30 days. | 25,168,759 | [
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Evidence that neuronal Notch-1 promotes JNK/c-Jun activation and cell death following ischemic stress. | Notch signaling is a highly conserved pathway that regulates cell fate decisions during embryonic development. We have recently identified that in ischemic stroke, activity of γ-secretase and the resulting Notch activation may endanger neurons by modulating NF-κB and HIF-1α pathways. Notch signaling can also modulate MAPK-related pathways. However, the role of γ-secretase-mediated Notch signaling in activating MAPK following ischemic stroke has not been investigated. We used control and NICD1-overexpressing HEK and SH-SY5Y cell lines, and inhibitors of γ-secretase and JNK, to explore novel roles of Notch in modulating cell death following ischemic stress in vitro. Our findings indicate that expression of NICD1, JNK/cJun, p38-MAPK and the pro-apoptotic marker, cleaved caspase-3, increased during ischemic conditions. γ-Secretase inhibitors reduced ischemia-induced increase in NICD1 and JNK/p-cJun. Furthermore, NICD overexpression augmented JNK/cJun levels and cell death under these conditions. These results suggest that Notch signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, in part by promoting JNK/cJun signaling. These results provide further support for the potential use of γ-secretase inhibitors as therapy for ischemic stroke. | 25,168,760 | [
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A microfluidic system integrated with buried optical fibers for detection of Phalaenopsis orchid pathogens. | Orchids of the genus Phalaenopsis are some of the most economically important plants in Taiwan. Fast, accurate, and on-site detection of pathogens in these orchids is therefore of critical importance in order to prevent or suppress costly disease outbreaks. Traditional pathogen detection methods are time-consuming, require well-equipped laboratories with highly trained personnel, and cannot be conducted in situ. In this study, a microfluidic system integrated with buried optical fibers was developed to detect viral pathogens of Phalaenopsis spp. Briefly, virus-specific ribonucleic acid (RNA) purification was achieved by a pre-treatment incubation with magnetic beads, and reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) was used subsequently to amplify the viral RNA. Positive RT-LAMP reactions resulted in the precipitation of magnesium pyrophosphate, which caused a change in turbidity that could be seen by the naked eye. A buried optical fiber-based detection module and a micro-stirring device were then integrated into the microfluidic chip to detect the RT-LAMP reaction product directly on the chip itself by measuring the change in the optical signals caused by the turbidity change associated with a positive amplification. The limit of detection for this system was found to be 25 fg, which is of similar sensitivity to existing, more laborious methods. Therefore, by using the integrated microfluidic system, a sensitive, rapid, accurate, and automatic diagnosis of viral pathogens in Phalaenopsis spp. orchids could be achieved within only 65 min. | 25,168,766 | [
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Drug treatment of primary insomnia: a meta-analysis of polysomnographic randomized controlled trials. | Although insomnia is a frequent health complaint that is often treated with drugs, little is known about differences in treatment efficacy of various drug classes on objective versus subjective outcome measures. Our aim was to compare treatment efficacy of classical benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine receptor agonists (zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon), antidepressants (including low-dose doxepin), neuropeptides, progesterone receptor antagonists, hormones, melatonin receptor agonists, antihistamines, antiepileptics, and narcotics addressing primary insomnia. We conducted a comprehensive literature search (up to 5 April 2013) using PubMed, Cochrane Clinical Trials, PQDT OPEN, OpenGREY, ISI Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Only polysomnographic, parallel-group, randomized controlled drug trials were included; eligibility was determined by two independent authors. We used a random effects model, based on 31 studies reporting 80 treatment conditions, covering 3,820 participants. Effect size estimates for the total sample of pooled drug classes suggest that there is a small-to-moderate, significant, and robust effect for objective outcomes (sleep onset latency g = -0.36, total sleep time g = 0.27) and subjective outcomes (sleep onset latency g = -0.24, total sleep time g = 0.21). Results indicate higher effect sizes for benzodiazepine receptor agonists and classical benzodiazepines compared with antidepressants (including low-dose doxepin) and for classical benzodiazepines compared with benzodiazepine receptor agonists. Benzodiazepine receptor agonists demonstrated higher effect sizes for objective outcomes. Data on drug safety were not analyzed. Future studies should use objective and subjective assessment. Focusing on efficacy, clinicians should favor benzodiazepine receptor agonists and classical benzodiazepines over antidepressants (including low-dose doxepin) for primary insomnia treatment, but the additional consideration of different side effect profiles can lead to alternative treatment decisions. | 25,168,785 | [
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Development and validation of a HILIC-MS/MS method for quantification of decitabine in human plasma by using lithium adduct detection. | A highly sensitive, selective, and rugged quantification method was developed and validated for decitabine (5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine) in human plasma treated with 100μg/mL of tetrahydrouridine (THU). Chromatographic separation was accomplished using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and detection used electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) by monitoring lithiated adducts of the analytes as precursor ions. The method involves simple acetonitrile precipitation steps (in an ice bath) followed by injection of the supernatant onto a Thermo Betasil Silica-100, 100×3.0mm, 5μm LC column. Protonated ([M+H](+)), sodiated ([M+Na](+)), and lithiated ([M+Li](+)) adducts as precursor ions for MS/MS detection were evaluated for best sensitivity and assay performance. During initial method development abundant sodium [M+Na](+) and potassium [M+K](+) adducts were observed while the protonated species [M+H](+) was present at a relative abundance of less than 5% in Q1. The alkali adducts were not be able to be minimized by the usual approach of increasing acid content in mobile phases. Significant analyte/internal standard (IS) co-suppression and inter-lot response differences were observed when using the sodium adduct as the precursor ion for quantification. By adding 2mM lithium acetate in aqueous mobile phase component, the lithium adduct effectively replaced other cationic species and was successfully used as the precursor ion for selected reaction monitoring (SRM) detection. The method demonstrated the separation of anomers and from other endogenous interferences using a 3-min gradient elution. Decitabine stock, working solution stabilities were investigated during method development. Three different peaks, including one from anomerization, were observed in the SRM transition of the analyte when it was in neutral aqueous solution. The assay was validated over a concentration range of 0.5-500ng/mL (or 0.44-440pg injected on column) in 50μL of human plasma. The accuracy and precision were within 8.6% relative error and 6.3% coefficient of variation, respectively. Decitabine was stable in THU treated human plasma for at least 68 days and after 5 freeze-thaw cycles when stored at -70°C. Stability of decitabine in THU treated human whole blood, matrix factor and recovery were also evaluated during method validation. The method was successfully used for clinical sample analysis. | 25,168,795 | [
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Immunocytochemical detection of the class A macrophage scavenger receptor CD204 using air-dried cytologic smears of canine histiocytic sarcoma. | Cytologic diagnosis of canine histiocytic sarcoma (CHS) can be challenging because neoplastic histiocytes commonly show marked nuclear and cellular atypia and may resemble other pleomorphic malignant round cell tumors. Therefore, even on histopathologic examination, immunostaining is often necessary for a definitive diagnosis. The objective of this study was to validate an anti-human CD204 antibody for immunocytochemical staining of air-dried smears for a rapid definitive diagnosis of CHS. Cytologic specimens were obtained from 10 dogs with CHS and 45 dogs with other tumors. After the cytologic evaluation of modified Giemsa-stained smears, acetone-fixed specimens were immunostained using mouse anti-human CD204 antibodies. All immunocytochemical specimens were assessed blinded and at high-power magnification (× 40 objective) in 10 randomly selected fields per sample. Parameters evaluated were the subjective staining intensity and location, and the proportion of positive cells. All 10 CHS samples showed intense positive staining for CD204 in ≥ 50% of the cells, whereas the 45 other tumors were negative for CD204 staining. Immunocytochemistry of air-dried cytologic smears of CHS for CD204 is useful for a rapid confirmation of a cytologic diagnosis of CHS. | 25,168,797 | [
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Light and shadow: visual recognition of the stationary environment by leopard frogs. | We determined how leopard frogs respond to non-moving aspects of the environment. We have discovered that these frogs are attracted to dark, stationary, opaque objects. This attraction depends on the relative reflectance of the object, i.e., the darker the block, the more attractive it is, and the attraction is found under both bright and dim ambient light levels. Larger blocks are more attractive than smaller blocks, but frogs are still attracted to blocks much smaller than themselves. Previous studies have shown that frogs are also attracted to sources of light. Using a choice experiment, we show that the probability a frog will choose a dark object versus a light source depends on the intensity of the light source relative to the intensity of the ambient light. The frog only moves toward a light source when it is at least 20 times brighter than the brightest object in the environment. These findings help to clarify the frog's "phototactic" nature. | 25,168,818 | [
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The pathogenesis of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. | Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a histologic pattern of injury on kidney biopsy that can arise from a diverse range of causes and mechanisms. Although primary and secondary forms are described based on the underlying cause, there are many common factors that underlie the development of this segmental injury. In this review, we will describe the currently accepted model for the pathogenesis of classic FSGS and review the data supporting this model. Although the podocyte is considered the major target of injury in FSGS, we will also highlight the contributions of other resident glomerular cells in the development of FSGS. | 25,168,829 | [
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Cell-autonomous defense, re-organization and trafficking of membranes in plant-microbe interactions. | Plant cells dynamically change their architecture and molecular composition following encounters with beneficial or parasitic microbes, a process referred to as host cell reprogramming. Cell-autonomous defense reactions are typically polarized to the plant cell periphery underneath microbial contact sites, including de novo cell wall biosynthesis. Alternatively, host cell reprogramming converges in the biogenesis of membrane-enveloped compartments for accommodation of beneficial bacteria or invasive infection structures of filamentous microbes. Recent advances have revealed that, in response to microbial encounters, plasma membrane symmetry is broken, membrane tethering and SNARE complexes are recruited, lipid composition changes and plasma membrane-to-cytoskeleton signaling is activated, either for pre-invasive defense or for microbial entry. We provide a critical appraisal on recent studies with a focus on how plant cells re-structure membranes and the associated cytoskeleton in interactions with microbial pathogens, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and mycorrhiza fungi. | 25,168,837 | [
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Effective radiation dosage of three-dimensional rotational angiography in children. | Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) is a relatively new but promising imaging technique in the paediatric catheterization laboratory. However, data on effective dose (ED) of this technique in children are lacking. The purpose of this study is to provide ED of 3DRA and to correlate this with parameters readily available in daily practice. Furthermore, the effect of dose-reducing techniques is evaluated. Effective doses were calculated with Monte Carlo PCXMC 2.0 in 14 patients who underwent a total of 17 3DRAs at our paediatric catheterization laboratory. Median age was 5.7 years (range 1 day-16.6 years). Median ED was 1.6 milliSievert (mSv) (range 0.7-4.9). Effective dose did not correlate with age and body surface area but did correlate with dose area product (DAP) and milliGray (mGy) with r(2) of 0.75 and 0.83, respectively. Reduction of the total amount of frames from 248 to 133 per rotation resulted in further dose reduction of over 50% with preserved image quality. The median ED of 3DRA in children is 1.6 mSv and correlates with DAP and mGy. This dose can be halved by applying frame reduction. A significant further dose reduction can be achieved by obtaining additional knowledge of the equipment used. | 25,168,838 | [
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Prognostic value of the ankle-brachial index in patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation. | Limited data are available regarding the prognostic value of the brachial-ankle index (ABI) in patients with a history of drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. This study sought to determine the relationship between the ABI and coronary events in patients with DES. A total of 322 patients who underwent both DES implantation and ABI measurement during initial hospitalization were reviewed. Cardiovascular events, including cardiac death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization, were assessed. During the mean follow-up period of 298 ± 58 days, there were 32 cases of cardiovascular events (9.9%). The patients with a lower ABI had more events (2.8% in the highest tertile versus 10.3% in the middle tertile versus 16.8% in the lowest tertile, p = 0.001). According to the multiple Cox regression analysis, the ABI was independently associated with clinical events (the lowest tertile versus the highest tertile of ABI, hazard ratio: 6.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.37-29.32, p=0.018). In addition, the cumulative event rate according to the ABI tertile differed significantly in the Kaplan-Meier curves (log-rank p=0.009), whereas the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed a sensitivity and specificity for predicting cardiovascular events of 62.5% and 66.2%, respectively, with an ABI of 1.057 as the best cut-off value. A lower ABI is associated with poorer cardiovascular outcomes in patients with DES implantation. As a simple and non-invasive parameter, the ABI has the benefit of predicting future cardiovascular events in this population. | 25,168,846 | [
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Changes in cellular thiol content and intracellular Zn(2+) level by 1,4-naphthoquinone in rat thymocytes. | 1,4-Naphthoquinone is an active metabolite of naphthalene and it is also found in diesel exhaust particles. It is known to cause oxidative stress. In this study, we characterized 1,4-naphthoquinone-mediated cytotoxicity and its effects on the levels of non-protein thiols and intracellular Zn(2+) in rat thymocytes (thymic lymphocytes) by using 5-chloromethylfluorescein (5-CMF) fluorescence and FluoZin-3 fluorescence, respectively. Low concentrations of 1,4-naphthoquinone (0.3μM) increased the intensity of 5-CMF fluorescence, which is used to measure non-protein thiols. In contrast, 5-CMF intensity decreased at higher concentrations (1-3μM) of 1,4-naphthoquinone. Removal of intracellular Zn(2+) attenuated the 1,4-naphthoquinone-induced augmentation of 5-CMF fluorescence. Additionally, 1,4-naphthoquinone (0.3-3μM) increased FluoZin-3 fluorescence, which is used to assess intracellular Zn(2+), in a concentration-dependent manner. The augmentation of FluoZin-3 fluorescence by 1,4-naphthoquinone was due to the release of intracellular Zn(2+), because the removal of extracellular Zn(2+) did not affect the augmentation of FluoZin-3 fluorescence. These results suggest that sublethal concentrations of 1,4-naphthoquinone (0.3-1μM) affect the cellular levels of non-protein thiols and intracellular Zn(2+). The difference in the observed decrease in cellular thiol content due to 1,4-naphthoquinone treatment and increase due to Zn(2+) release following 1,4-naphthoquinone treatment likely confers the change in cellular thiol content. Further, the increase in intracellular Zn(2+) concentration after 1,4-naphthoquinone exposure may change the activity of thymocytes because thymulin, a thymus-specific hormone, requires Zn(2+) for its biological activity. | 25,168,851 | [
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Rhizotomy targeting the intermediate nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve and the upper 1st to 2nd rootlets of the vagus nerve for the treatment of laryngeal neuralgia combined with intermediate nerve neuralgia--a case report. | In neurosurgery, the most common type of facial and pharyngeal pain is trigeminal neuralgia. In contrast, glossopharyngeal neuralgia is relatively rare, and laryngeal neuralgia is the most rarely observed. A case of laryngeal neuralgia combined with intermediate nerve neuralgia that was admitted to our hospital in May 2012 was reported here. The patient was a 58-year-old middle-aged female, who experienced 2 years of paroxysmal burning and stabbing pain near the thyroid perichodrium, in the skin covering the right front side of the neck, and deep in inner ear. The surgical treatment plan similar to that for glossopharyngeal neuralgia could be applied if laryngeal neuralgia is associated with glossopharyngeal neuralgia and intermediate neuralgia or if no obvious improvement is achieved with the above mentioned treatment approaches. | 25,168,864 | [
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