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Glutamine interferes with glucocorticoid-induced expression of glutamine synthetase in skeletal muscle.
Skeletal muscle atrophy from glucocorticoids is prevented by glutamine infusion. Because the gene-encoding glutamine synthetase (GS) is glucocorticoid inducible, it represented an appropriate model for resting whether glucocorticoids and glutamine exert opposing actions on the expression of specific genes related to atrophy in muscle tissue. Rats were administered hydrocortisone 21-acetate or the dosing vehicle (carboxymethyl cellulose) and were infused with saline (Sal) or glutamine (Gln, 240 mM, 0.75 ml/h) for 7 days. Hormone treatment did not significantly lower glutamine levels in fast-twitch white or red regions of the quadriceps. Despite higher serum glutamine concentrations with amino acid infusion [1.52 +/- 0.03 (Gln) vs. 1.20 +/- 0.04 (Sal) mumol/ml], muscle glutamine concentrations were not markedly increased in these fiber types. In saline-infused animals, glucocorticoid treatment produced 200-300% increases in plantaris, fast-twitch white, and fast-twitch red muscle GS enzyme activity and mRNA. Moreover, in all muscle types studied, glutamine infusion diminished glucocorticoid effects on GS enzyme activity to 131-159% and on GS mRNA to 110-200% of the values in saline-treated controls. These data demonstrate that glutamine infusion results in inhibiting GS expression, but the absence of changes in muscle glutamine concentration suggests the interplay of additional regulators of the GS gene. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Xerostomia: etiology, recognition and treatment.
Clinicians may encounter symptoms of xerostomia, commonly called "dry mouth," among patients who take medications, have certain connective tissue or immunological disorders or have been treated with radiation therapy. When xerostomia is the result of a reduction in salivary flow, significant oral complications can occur. The authors conducted an Index Medicus--generated review of clinical and scientific reports of xerostomia in the dental and medical literature during the past 20 years. The literature pertaining to xerostomia represented the disciplines of oral medicine, pathology, pharmacology, epidemiology, gerodontology, dental oncology, immunology and rheumatology. Additional topics included the physiology of salivary function and the management of xerostomia and its complications. Xerostomia often develops when the amount of saliva that bathes the oral mucous membranes is reduced. However, symptoms may occur without a measurable reduction in salivary gland output. The most frequently reported cause of xerostomia is the use of xerostomic medications. A number of commonly prescribed drugs with a variety of pharmacological activities have been found to produce xerostomia as a side effect. Additionally, xerostomia often is associated with Sjögren's syndrome, a condition that involves dry mouth and dry eyes and that may be accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis or a related connective tissue disease. Xerostomia also is a frequent complication of radiation therapy. Xerostomia is an uncomfortable condition and a common oral complaint for which patients may seek relief from dental practitioners. Complications of xerostomia include dental caries, candidiasis or difficulty with the use of dentures. The clinician needs to identify the possible cause(s) and provide the patient with appropriate treatment. Remedies for xerostomia usually are palliative but may offer some protection from the condition's more significant complications. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Recent hotspot volcanism on Venus from VIRTIS emissivity data.
The questions of whether Venus is geologically active and how the planet has resurfaced over the past billion years have major implications for interior dynamics and climate change. Nine "hotspots"--areas analogous to Hawaii, with volcanism, broad topographic rises, and large positive gravity anomalies suggesting mantle plumes at depth--have been identified as possibly active. This study used variations in the thermal emissivity of the surface observed by the Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer on the European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft to identify compositional differences in lava flows at three hotspots. The anomalies are interpreted as a lack of surface weathering. We estimate the flows to be younger than 2.5 million years and probably much younger, about 250,000 years or less, indicating that Venus is actively resurfacing. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Alterations of cortical and trabecular architecture are associated with fractures in postmenopausal women, partially independent of decreased BMD measured by DXA: the OFELY study.
We assessed the role of low aBMD and impaired architecture-assessed by an HR-pQCT system-in a case-control study of postmenopausal women with fractures. Vertebral and nonvertebral fractures are associated with low volumetric BMD and architectural alterations of trabecular and cortical bone, independent of aBMD assessed by DXA. Alterations of bone architecture and low BMD both contribute to skeletal fragility, but the contribution of cortical and trabecular architecture, independently of areal BMD (aBMD), to the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women has not been thoroughly evaluated. We assessed the role of impaired architecture and low BMD in postmenopausal women with fractures. A matched case-control study in women from the OFELY cohort was performed after 13 years of follow-up. One hundred one women (mean, 73.7+/-8 years) who sustained a fragility fracture during the follow-up of the study were age-matched with one control who never had a fracture. Density and architecture at the distal radius and tibia were measured with high-resolution pQCT (HR-pQCT) using an XTreme CT (Scanco Medical AG, Bassersdorf, Switzerland). aBMD at the total hip and ultradistal radius was measured by DXA. There were 80 peripheral fractures in 72 women, 44 vertebral fractures in 34 women, and both types of fractures in 5 women over the 14 years of follow-up. At the distal radius, women with fractures had lower volumetric total (D tot) and trabecular (D trab) BMDs, BV/TV, cortical thickness (Cort Th), trabecular number (TbN), and trabecular thickness (TbTh) and higher trabecular separation (TbSp) and distribution of trabecular separation (TbSpSd) than controls without fractures. In a logistic model, each SD decrease of volumetric total and trabecular densities was associated with a significantly increased risk of fracture at both sites (ORs ranged from 2.00 to 2.47). After adjusting for aBMD measured by DXA at the ultradistal radius, differences between cases and controls remained significant for D trab, and there was a similar trend for TbN, TbSp, and TbSpSd, with adjusted ORs ranging from 1.32 to 1.50. At the distal tibia, before and after adjusting for total hip aBMD, differences between cases and controls remained significant for D tot, D trab, Cort Th, and TbTh, with adjusted ORs ranging from 1.80 to 2.09. In postmenopausal women, vertebral and nonvertebral fractures are associated with low volumetric BMD and architectural alterations of trabecular and cortical bone that can be assessed noninvasively and that are partially independent of aBMD assessed by DXA. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The role of histology in the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis: correlation with clinical and microbiological findings.
The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic utility of histological analysis in spinal biopsies for spondylodiscitis (SD). Clinical features, radiology, results of microbiology, histology, and laboratory investigations in 50 suspected SD patients were evaluated. In 29 patients, the final (i.e. treatment-based) diagnosis was pyogenic SD; in seven patients, the final diagnosis was mycobacterial SD. In pyogenic SD, the neutrophil polymorph (NP) infiltrate was scored semi-quantitatively by determining the mean number of NPs per (×400) high-power field (HPF). Of the 29 pyogenic SD patients, 17 had positive microbiology and 21 positive histology (i.e. one or more NPs per HPF on average). All non-SD patients showed less than one NP per HPF. The presence of one or more NPs per HPF had a diagnostic sensitivity of 72.4%, specificity 100%, accuracy 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 81.0%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 61.9%. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were greater using the criterion of positive histology and/or microbiology than positive histology or microbiology alone. Granulomas were identified histologically in seven mycobacterial SD patients, and positive microbiology was detected in four. The diagnosis of pyogenic SD was more often confirmed by positive histology (one or more NPs per HPF on average) than by microbiology, although diagnostic sensitivity was greater when both histology and microbiology were positive. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:246-252. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Primary motor area contribution to attentional reorienting after distraction.
The anatomical structures involved in distraction-related processing in the auditory domain were investigated using magnetoencephalography. Participants performed a duration-discrimination task on a sequence of 200 and 400 ms long tones. Infrequent (12%) task-irrelevant pitch changes resulted in slower discriminative responses and more errors. Event-related potentials to these changes show an increased N1, a mismatch negativity, a P3a, and a reorienting negativity. The event-related magnetic fields revealed focal activities in superior and medial temporal areas in the N1/mismatch negativity time range. No significant activity was found in the P3a interval. In the reorienting negativity interval, significant activity was located in the primary motor area. This suggests that action-selection-related activity also contributes to attentional reorientation after distraction. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Brown and beige fat: From molecules to physiology.
The recent re-discovery of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and even more recent discovery of the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) in humans have generated intense scientific interest in the role of adipose tissue as potential target against obesity and its metabolic complications. The purpose of this review is to: i) critically evaluate the current evidence on the physiological significance of BAT and the browning of WAT in metabolic function in humans and ii) discuss factors that have been reported to regulate BAT and/or the browning of WAT in humans. The current literature supports that BAT and the browning of WAT constitute promising emerging targets for interventions aiming to prevent and/or treat of obesity and its metabolic complications. Further research is needed to better understand the physiological significance of BAT and browning of WAT in health and disease along with the factors modulating their metabolic function in humans. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Incidence of diabetes mellitus in patients with malignant tumors of the oral cavity].
Diabetes mellitus affects 5% of the population of Hungary. Its complications in the oral cavity include parodontosis and changes in the oral mucosa (leukoplakia, lichen oris and glossitis). The incidence of leukoplakia (the most frequent precancerous state in the oral cavity) is 2.2% in the normal population, 6.2% among diabetics, and 11.5% among diabetic who smoke. The various forms of leukoplakia in the oral cavity become malignant in 5-20% of the cases, while the erosive, ulcerative lesions do so in 15-20% of the cases. These data led us to examine the blood glucose levels in 318 patients with histologically confirmed malignant tumours in the oral cavity. Diabetes mellitus was found in 56 of them (17.5%), the blood glucose level being elevated in 31 cases (9.75%). The fact that the incidence of diabetes mellitus among these patients was more than 3 times higher than that for the normal population demonstrates that further studies should be performed on the connection between diabetes mellitus and malignant tumours in the oral cavity. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Discrimination between shepherds by lambs reared under artificial conditions.
We studied the ability of 32 lambs reared artificially in groups of four to discriminate between their shepherd and an unknown shepherd. Half of the lambs were bottle fed in isolation by one shepherd during the first 3 wk. The other half was fed alternately by three shepherds. Lambs had no visual contact with humans for the next 3 wk. Lambs were weaned at 6 wk of age and reared together with the minimum human contact necessary for rearing management. Lambs were tested at 3, 6, and 14 wk of age, investigating the effect of the rearing conditions on the response to isolation and to reunion with the known or an unknown shepherd. During tests, lambs were observed 1) in isolation for 1 min, 2) in the presence of a shepherd who entered and squatted at one end of the pen for 1 min, trying to touch the lambs if they approached, 3) again in isolation for 1 min. Early rearing management (one vs three shepherds) had no significant effect on any criteria studied. Lambs vocalized and moved less when in the presence of the shepherd than when isolated. They vocalized less, moved less, approached more quickly, and interacted more with the known than with an unknown shepherd. The difference persisted after 3 wk spent without visual human contact. However, no difference was evident at 14 wk of age. The effect of shepherd knowledge is clearly demonstrated by this experiment after an intensive early period of contact. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fracture-dislocation of the tarsal navicular in a soccer player.
We describe an unusual injury of the mid-tarsal region in a soccer goalkeeper. The injury occurred in a training game as a result of an abduction-plantar-flexion. Radiographs showed a fracture-dislocation of the tarsal navicular. The patient was treated by closed reduction with percutaneous fixation using two Kirschner wires. The end-result was satisfactory but the patient felt pain in the mid-foot during and after sports activities and was unable to continue playing as a goalkeeper. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preoperative sonography in presumed thyroglossal duct cysts.
To determine the utility of ultrasonography as a sole diagnostic study in the preoperative preparation of patients with presumed thyroglossal duct cysts. Retrospective chart review. Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Ill. Forty-five pediatric patients with midline masses. Accuracy in the determination of a normally positioned thyroid gland excluding the presence of a solitary ectopic thyroid gland. A retrospective chart review was performed at our institution for the period February 1990 to January 1996. A total of 45 patients with midline masses were identified, 39 of whom had undergone preoperative ultrasonography as their sole diagnostic imaging study. In all 39 patients, both a cyst and a normal thyroid gland were identified. All 39 patients underwent the standard Sistrunk procedure. Thirty-seven patients had pathologically confirmed thyroglossal duct cysts. The remaining 2 had dermoid cysts. There were no cases of postoperative hypothyroidism. The incidence of ectopic thyroid in the diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cysts has been reported to be as high as 1% to 2%. In our surgical and clinical experience, the actual incidence of solitary ectopic thyroid tissue is substantially lower. Nevertheless, to prevent the inadvertent removal of the only functioning thyroid tissue, with resultant postoperative hypothyroidism and possible medicolegal consequences, we advocate the routine preoperative identification of normal thyroid gland. We recommend ultrasound as an accurate, cost-effective, noninvasive imaging modality in the preoperative evaluation of all patients with neck masses suspicious for thyroglossal duct cyst. Also, it does not require sedation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The influence of egocentrism and focalism on people's optimism in competitions: when what affects us equally affects me more.
Six experiments investigated people's optimism in competitions. The studies involved hypothetical and real competitions (course grades in Experiments 1 and 2, a trivia game in Experiments 3-5, and a poker game in Experiment 6) in which the presence of shared adversities and benefits (factors that would generally hinder or help the absolute performance of all competitors) was manipulated. Shared adversities tended to reduce people's subjective likelihoods of winning, whereas shared benefits tended to increase them. The findings suggest that when people judge their likelihood of winning, their assessments of their own strengths and weaknesses have greater impact than their assessments of their competitors' strengths and weaknesses. We identify egocentrism and focalism as two causes of the bias. The experiments revealed moderators of this bias, but also illustrated its robust nature across a variety of conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Learning the local Bayesian network structure around the ZNF217 oncogene in breast tumours.
In this study, we discuss and apply a novel and efficient algorithm for learning a local Bayesian network model in the vicinity of the ZNF217 oncogene from breast cancer microarray data without having to decide in advance which genes have to be included in the learning process. ZNF217 is a candidate oncogene located at 20q13, a chromosomal region frequently amplified in breast and ovarian cancer, and correlated with shorter patient survival in these cancers. To properly address the difficulties in managing complex gene interactions given our limited sample, statistical significance of edge strengths was evaluated using bootstrapping and the less reliable edges were pruned to increase the network robustness. We found that 13 out of the 35 genes associated with deregulated ZNF217 expression in breast tumours have been previously associated with survival and/or prognosis in cancers. Identifying genes involved in lipid metabolism opens new fields of investigation to decipher the molecular mechanisms driven by the ZNF217 oncogene. Moreover, nine of the 13 genes have already been identified as putative ZNF217 targets by independent biological studies. We therefore suggest that the algorithms for inferring local BNs are valuable data mining tools for unraveling complex mechanisms of biological pathways from expression data. The source code is available at http://www710.univ-lyon1.fr/∼aaussem/Software.html. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Naloxone blocks the effects of chlordiazepoxide on acquisition but not performance of differential reinforcement of low rates of response (DRL).
The opiate antagonist naloxone can completely or partially reverse the effects of the benzodiazepines on appetitive behaviours and conflict tasks involving electric shook. If naloxone changes the anxiolytic action of the benzodiazepines it should theoretically, be effective in tasks employing nonreward as well as those employing shock. We tested naloxone and chlordiazepoxide on acquisition and performance of a nonreward task, DRL. With both continuous administration during acquisition of DRL, and intermittent administration during stable performance, chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg IP) increased burst responding and shifted the peak of the inter-response time (IRT) distribution curve to shorter IRTs. Naloxone (3 mg/kg IP) blocked the effects of chlordiazepoxide on acquisition of DRL. Naloxone (3 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg IP) did not change the effects of chlordiazepoxide on well-learned performance of the DRL schedule. These results show that endogenous opiates could mediate some but not all of the actions of the benzodiazepines. They also suggest that state-dependent and "truly anxiolytic" effects of the benzodiazepines (McNaughton 1985) may have different pharmacological substrates. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Early detection of cytomegaloviruses from pathological matter and feces].
CMV can be isolated within 24 or 48 h post-infection of human diploid fibroblasts cells cultures by detection of immediate early antigen with immunological techniques using E13 monoclonal antibody. Optimal enhancement of CMV detection is obtained by centrifugation at 4,000 g for 45 minutes of specimen inoculum onto cell culture monolayers. Rapid immunodiagnosis can be applied to cells from clinical specimens faster than with culture but it is less sensitive. This rapid diagnosis of CMV infection enables early prescription of appropriate antiviral chemotherapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Marburgvirus nucleoprotein-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies to recombinant nucleoprotein: detection of authentic Marburgvirus.
There have recently been large outbreaks of Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF) caused by Marburgvirus (MARV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. The development of reliable diagnostic systems for MHF is urgently needed. An antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-capture ELISA) using either of the two monoclonal antibodies (2A7 and 2H6) produced by immunizing mice with recombinant nucleoprotein of MARV was described (Journal of Medical Virology, 76, 111-118, 2005). In the present study, it was revealed that the Ag-capture ELISA specifically detected authentic MARV antigen and that the sensitivity of the Ag-capture ELISA was at a level similar to that of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. These results suggest that the Ag-capture ELISA using the monoclonal antibodies, 2A7 and 2H6, is applicable to the diagnosis of MHF. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
PopAffiliator: online calculator for individual affiliation to a major population group based on 17 autosomal short tandem repeat genotype profile.
Because of their sensitivity and high level of discrimination, short tandem repeat (STR) maker systems are currently the method of choice in routine forensic casework and data banking, usually in multiplexes up to 15-17 loci. Constraints related to sample amount and quality, frequently encountered in forensic casework, will not allow to change this picture in the near future, notwithstanding the technological developments. In this study, we present a free online calculator named PopAffiliator ( http://cracs.fc.up.pt/popaffiliator ) for individual population affiliation in the three main population groups, Eurasian, East Asian and sub-Saharan African, based on genotype profiles for the common set of STRs used in forensics. This calculator performs affiliation based on a model constructed using machine learning techniques. The model was constructed using a data set of approximately fifteen thousand individuals collected for this work. The accuracy of individual population affiliation is approximately 86%, showing that the common set of STRs routinely used in forensics provide a considerable amount of information for population assignment, in addition to being excellent for individual identification. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Summer in the City: Cultivating Political Agents in Boston Out-of-School-Time Programs.
Diverse urban youth need a wide range of program opportunities and formats to develop their own sense of political agency and leadership. One size does not fit all. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The development of gender differences in spatial reasoning: A meta-analytic review.
Gender differences in spatial aptitude are well established by adulthood, particularly when measured by tasks that require the mental rotation of objects (Linn & Petersen, 1985; Voyer, Voyer, & Bryden, 1995). Although the male advantage in mental rotation performance represents one of the most robust gender differences in adult cognition, the developmental trajectory of this male advantage remains a topic of considerable debate. To address this debate, we meta-analyzed 303 effect sizes pertaining to gender differences in mental rotation performance among 30,613 children and adolescents. We found significant developmental change in the magnitude of the gender difference: A small male advantage in mental rotation performance first emerged during childhood and then subsequently increased with age, reaching a moderate effect size during adolescence. Procedural factors, including task and stimulus characteristics, also accounted for variability in reported gender differences, even when controlling for the effect of age. These results demonstrate that both age and procedural characteristics moderate the magnitude of the gender difference in mental rotation throughout development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Quasi-phase-matched second-harmonic generation in Ge-ion implanted fused silica channel waveguide.
Channel waveguides were formed on fused silica substrate by Ge-ion implantation with lithographically defined channels. Thermal poling was performed to form second order optical nonlinearity (SON) in the waveguides. Periodical photo masks were designed and fabricated on a mask glass. Periodical erasure of the SON in the channel waveguides by 266 nm UV light with the photo mask on the fused silica substrate produced periodical SON distribution in the waveguides. First order quasi-phase-matching second-harmonic generation from 1064 nm to 532 nm was demonstrated in the channel waveguides. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Transient hypergastrinemia of 2 years' duration in a young pediatric patient.
A 24-month-old female child experienced watery diarrhea, growth failure, and abdominal pain from age 3 months. Hypergastrinemia, hypochlorhydria, and fundic gastritis were documented. A secretin stimulation test was normal but protein meal stimulation revealed an abnormal serum gastrin response. Antral biopsies revealed G cell hyperplasia. Chronic treatment with antacids and an anticholinergic agent was unsuccessful. Spontaneous recovery occurred at age 29 months. Gastrin stimulation tests, gastric acid secretory tests, antral mucosal biopsies, and multiple basal serum gastrin levels were repeated. All were normal. Follow-up of greater than 3 years has documented a completely normal clinical and laboratory course. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The measurement of gastrin.
The days of the autumn 1970 when a gastrin assay was developed have been revisited, and the research conditions then and now compared. No valid conclusions seem possible from such a study, but a lot of facts suggest that the good old days were better. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Neural dynamics of attentionally modulated Pavlovian conditioning: blocking, interstimulus interval, and secondary reinforcement.
Selective information processing in neural networks is studied through computer simulations of Pavlovian conditioning data. The model reproduces properties of blocking, inverted-U in learning as a function of interstimulus interval, anticipatory conditioned responses, secondary reinforcement, attentional focusing by conditioned motivational feedback, and limited capacity short-term memory processing. Conditioning occurs from sensory to drive representations (conditioned reinforcer learning), from drive to sensory representations (incentive motivational learning), and from sensory to motor representations (habit learning).The conditionable pathwas contain long-term memory traces that obey a non-Hebbian associative law. The neural model embodies a solution to two key design problems of conditioning, the synchronization and persistence problems. This model of vertebrate learning is compared with data and models of invertebrate learning. Predictions derived from models of vertebrate learning are compared with data about invertebrate learning, including data from Aplysia about facilitator neurons and data from Hermissenda about voltage-dependent Ca(2+) currents. A prediction is stated about classical conditioning in all species, called the secondary conditioning alternative, and if confirmed would constitute an evolutionary invariant of learning. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Mitochondria are impaired in the adipocytes of type 2 diabetic mice.
The aim of this study was to confirm a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and type 2 diabetes. Cellular levels of mitochondrial proteins, cellular mitochondrial DNA content, and mitochondrial function and morphology were assessed by MitoTracker staining and electron microscopy, in white adipose tissue of 12-week-old male wild-type, obese (ob/ob), and diabetic (db/db) mice. Levels of mitochondrial proteins were found to be very similar in the livers and muscles of all the mice studied. However, levels were greatly decreased in the adipocytes of db/db mice, but not in those of the wild-type and ob/ob mice. Levels of mitochondrial DNA were also found to be considerably reduced in the adipocytes of db/db mice. MitoTracker staining and under electron microscopy revealed that the number of mitochondria was reduced in adipocytes of db/db mice. Respiration and fatty acid oxidation studies indicated mitochondrial dysfunction in adipocytes of db/db mice. Interestingly, there was an increase in mitochondria and mitochondrial protein production in adipocytes of db/db mice treated with rosiglitazone, an agent that enhances insulin sensitivity. Taken together, these data indicate that mitochondrial loss in adipose tissue is correlated with the development of type 2 diabetes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern during cardiopulmonary bypass.
A gravida 3, para 2 woman underwent an emergency mitral valve replacement at 24 weeks' gestation. A sinusoidal fetal heart pattern was recorded throughout cardiopulmonary bypass. This pattern persisted despite a pump flow maintained at 31 ml/m2 min and an intravenous infusion of phenylephrine to maintain the mean systemic arterial pressure at 50 mm Hg. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Clinical neurophysiological assessment of children with sacral anomalies.
Clinical neurophysiological investigations were carried out in 8 children with various forms of sacral dysplasia. No EMG activity was found in leg muscles in two children with complete sacral agenesis, even though pelvic floor activity was preserved in one of these. The external anal sphincter and puborectalis were examined in all cases, and it was easy to demonstrate neuropathic changes in individual motor unit potentials by attenuation of their low frequency components. There was only a loose association between any pelvic floor neuropathy and the level of the bony defect in the sacrum, confirming recent reports. Trans-cutaneous stimulation of the spinal nerve roots in the lumbar canal was carried out in four children. Unilateral slowed conduction in L5 roots corresponded with the clinical signs in one patient, and absent innervation of leg muscles was confirmed in the two children with complete agenesis. Normal L1-L4 conduction times were found in a child with no clinical signs. Early assessment of children with sacral anomalies is important in order to prevent secondary complications. Clinical neurophysiological investigations are useful in delineating the different patterns of neurological involvement, especially in the pelvic floor, and the results complement those obtained with imaging techniques. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fifth-grade children's daily experiences of peer victimization and negative emotions: moderating effects of sex and peer rejection.
This study examined the relations of fifth-grade children's (181 boys and girls) daily experiences of peer victimization with their daily negative emotions. Children completed daily reports of peer victimization and negative emotions (sadness, anger, embarrassment, and nervousness) on up to eight school days. The daily peer victimization checklist was best represented by five factors: physical victimization, verbal victimization, social manipulation, property attacks, and social rebuff. All five types were associated with increased negative daily emotions, and several types were independently linked to increased daily negative emotions, particularly physical victimization. Girls demonstrated greater emotional reactivity in sadness to social manipulation than did boys, and higher levels of peer rejection were linked to greater emotional reactivity to multiple types of victimization. Sex and peer rejection also interacted, such that greater rejection was a stronger indicator of emotional reactivity to victimization in boys than in girls. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Smell and taste disorders in polyneuropathy: a prospective study of chemosensory disorders.
The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence and the frequency of chemosensory dysfunction in patients with polyneuropathy (PNP). We performed a prospective observational study. Olfactory function was assessed using the standardized 'Sniffin' Sticks' test to measure odor threshold for phenyl ethyl alcohol, odor discrimination, and odor identification. Gustatory function was assessed using the standardized 'taste strips' test. In addition, we assessed etiology, neurophysiology, and severity of the PNP, and the patients' comorbidities and medication. A total of 53 consecutive patients were enrolled (15 women, 38 men; mean age 61 years); 27 of them (51%) exhibited olfactory dysfunction and 23 of them (43%) gustatory dysfunction. Patients with diabetic PNP had significantly lower taste scores than patients with inflammatory, genetic, or idiopathic PNP. In addition, odor identification was negatively correlated with PNP severity. The applied bedside tests are useful to detect chemosensory dysfunction in patients with PNP. Chemosensory dysfunction is quite frequent in these patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of Iron Overload on Immunosuppressive Therapy in Children with Severe Aplastic Anemia.
Children with severe aplastic anemia (AA) require multiple transfusions of the red blood cells during the immunosuppressive therapy. This leads to iron overload and manifests as elevated levels of ferritin in blood. The aim of this study was a retrospective analysis of the influence of the elevated serum ferritin on the overall survival, event-free survival, the risk of relapse, and response to treatment in children with AA during immunosuppressive therapy. We analyzed 38 children with AA (19 girls, 19 boys, aged 2-17 years) treated according to the obligatory protocol for AA in Poland. The response rate was assessed on days 84, 112, and 360. Patients were divided into three groups: group I consisted of children with ferritin below 285 ng/mL (6 children), group II with ferritin between 286 and 1,000 ng/mL (13 children), and group III ferritin>1,000 ng/mL (19 children). Kaplan-Meier plot was used to estimate the overall survival and event-free survival. We found the overall survival did not differ between the three groups. Event-free survival was significantly shorter (p=0.03) in patients with ferritin levels>1,000 ng/mL compared with the groups with ferritin bellow 1,000 ng/mL. The time to relapse was significantly shorter in group III than in the other two groups (p=0.02). We also found the differences in the treatment response at day 84 (p=0.03) and day 112 (p<0.0001) of immunosuppressive therapy. These findings confirm a negative influence of iron overload in children with AA on the effect of treatment and the risk of relapse. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cholinesterase activity in plasma, erythrocytes, and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type.
Cholinesterases, including pseudocholinesterase (BChE) of human plasma and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of erythrocytes and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have been considered as possible markers in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Reported data, however, are widely varied, and no significant pattern emerges when total enzyme activity is assayed. In the present studies, we have reexamined the relationship of ChE activities in DAT and control patients. ChE activity was measured in plasma, erythrocytes, and CSF from DAT patients and compared with normal controls as well as with samples from patients with a diagnosis other than DAT. Early age onset (presenile) and late age onset (senile) DAT were also compared. No significant differences in total enzyme activity were found in any of the comparisons. Calculations of AChE/BChE ratios in CSF also provided no significant indication of any changes in ChE activities in DAT. It is suggested that measurements of total AChE or BChE activity in these biological materials do not provide a useful index of alterations in central cholinergic function in patients with DAT. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Weibel-Palade Bodies Orchestrate Pericytes During Angiogenesis.
Objective Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) are endothelial cell (EC)-specific organelles formed by vWF (von Willebrand factor) polymerization and that contain the proangiogenic factor Ang-2 (angiopoietin-2). WPB exocytosis has been shown to be implicated for vascular repair and inflammatory responses. Here, we investigate the role of WPBs during angiogenesis and vessel stabilization. Approach and Results WPB density in ECs decreased at the angiogenic front of retinal vascular network during development and neovascularization compared with stable vessels. In vitro, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) induced a VEGFR-2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2)-dependent exocytosis of WPBs that contain Ang-2 and consequently the secretion of vWF and Ang-2. Blocking VEGF-dependant WPB exocytosis and Ang-2 secretion promoted pericyte migration toward ECs. Pericyte migration was inhibited by adding recombinant Ang-2 or by silencing Ang-1 (angiopoietin-1) or Tie2 (angiopoietin-1 receptor) in pericytes. Consistently, in vivo anti-VEGF treatment induced accumulation of WPBs in retinal vessels because of the inhibition of WPB exocytosis and promoted the increase of pericyte coverage of retinal vessels during angiogenesis. In tumor angiogenesis, depletion of WPBs in vWF knockout tumor-bearing mice promoted an increase of tumor angiogenesis and a decrease of pericyte coverage of tumor vessels. By another approach, normalized tumor vessels had higher WPB density. Conclusions We demonstrate that WPB exocytosis and Ang-2 secretion are regulated during angiogenesis to limit pericyte coverage of remodeling vessels by disrupting Ang-1/Tie2 autocrine signaling in pericytes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Role of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 in the regulation of calcium influx into Jurkat cells.
The role of phospholipases A2 in calcium metabolism is briefly reviewed. Some data are presented indicating that calcium-independent phospholipase A2 may modify the activity of store-activated calcium channels in the plasma membrane of Jurkat cells. Helss, a specific inhibitor of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 blocks the store-operated signal that is transmitted from ER to the plasma membrane. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Adsorption of carmoisine A from wastewater using waste materials--bottom ash and deoiled soya.
The present study deals with the application of bottom ash, a power plant waste, and deoiled soya, an agricultural waste, for the adsorptive removal of carmoisine A dye from its aqueous solutions. This paper incorporates a comparative study of the adsorption characteristics of the dye on these effective adsorbents along with effects of time, temperature, concentration, and pH. Analytical techniques have been employed to find pore properties and characteristics of adsorbent materials. Batch adsorption studies, kinetic studies, and column operations have also been performed to understand the dye extraction ability of the adsorbents. The adsorption behavior of the dye has been studied using Freundlich, Langmuir, Tempkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherm models. The monolayer adsorption capacity determined from the Langmuir adsorption equation has been found as 1.78 x 10(-5) and 5.62 x 10(-5) mol g(-1) at 323 K for bottom ash and deoiled soya, respectively. Kinetic measurements suggest the involvement of pseudo-second-order kinetics in both adsorptions and each case is controlled by a particle diffusion process. Column experiments demonstrated that both adsorbents could be practically utilized in elimination of hazardous dye from effluent and dye material can be recovered by eluting NaOH through the exhausted columns. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra for studying the interaction of aminoglycoside antibiotics with pontamine sky blue and their analytical applications.
In a weakly acid medium, some aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as kanamycin (KANA), gentamicin (GEN), tobramycin (TOB), and neomycin (NEO), or acid bisazo dye pontamine sky blue (PSB) can only produce very weak resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) signals. However, when the two agents react with each other to form the ion association complexes, the RRS intensity can be enhanced greatly and a new RRS spectrum and a significant enhancement of the RRS intensity in the wavelength range 350-600 nm can be observed. The maximum scattering peak is at 580 nm. There is a linear relationship between the RRS intensity and the antibiotic concentration in the range 0.01-6.0 microg mL(-1) at 580 nm. This RRS method has therefore been developed for the determination of trace levels of aminoglycoside antibiotics. The detection limits (3 sigma) of the four antibiotics, whose order of sensitivity is KANA>NEO>TOB>GEN, are 5.8-6.9 ng mL(-1). This method has a good selectivity and has been successfully applied to the quick determination of antibiotics not only for injections and ear drops, but clinic serum samples as well. In addition, quantum chemistry-based analysis of the reaction mechanism, the factors influencing the RRS spectra, and the reasons for the enhancement of RRS are discussed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Infants with bilirubin levels of 30 mg/dL or more in a large managed care organization.
To describe the incidence, etiology, treatment, and outcome of newborns with total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels >or=30 mg/dL (513 micro mol/L). Population-based case series. Eleven Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program hospitals and 1 affiliated hospital. Eleven infants with TSB levels of >or=30 mg/dL in the first 30 days after birth, identified using computer databases from a cohort of 111,009 infants born 1995-1998. Clinical data from the birth hospitalization, rehospitalization, and outpatient visits in all infants; psychometric testing at age 5 (N = 3), neurologic examinations by child neurologists at age 5 (N = 3), or primary care providers (N = 7; mean age: 2.2 years); Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status (N = 8; mean age: 4.2 years). Maximum TSB levels of the 11 infants ranged from 30.7 to 45.5 mg/dL (525 micro mol/L to 778 micro mol/L; mean: 34.9 mg/dL [597 micro mol/L]). Four were born at 35 to 36 weeks gestation, and 7 were exclusively breastfed. Two had apparent isoimmunization; the etiology for the other 9 remained obscure, although only 4 were tested for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and 1 was bacteremic. None had acute neurologic symptoms. All received phototherapy and 5 received exchange transfusions. One infant died of sudden infant death syndrome; there was no kernicterus at autopsy. Two were lost to follow-up but were neurologically normal when last seen for checkups at 18 and 43 months. One child was receiving speech therapy at age 3. There were no significant parental concerns or abnormalities in the other children. In this setting, TSB levels >or=30 mg/dL were rare and generally unaccompanied by acute symptoms. Although we did not observe serious neurodevelopmental sequelae in this small sample, additional studies are required to quantify the known, significant risk of kernicterus in infants with very high TSB levels. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Demonstration of intermediate filaments in sheep ovary.
Distribution patterns of intermediate filaments, vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and desmin were studied in the ovine ovary using an immunohistochemical method. Vimentin was consistently expressed in follicular cells of primary, secondary, and antral follicles. Stromal cells of cortex and medulla and those surrounding the corpus luteum were immunostained with the anti-vimentin antibody. Endothelial cells lining blood vessels showed strong anti-vimentin positivity. Smooth muscle cells positive for smooth muscle actin were incorporated in the cortical region in the theca interna and externa and formed incomplete spheres around large antral follicles. In atretic follicles, the presence of positive smooth muscle cells inside follicular spaces were related with capillaries. Corpora lutea were surrounded by a layer of positive smooth muscle cells. In the hilus, smooth muscle actin was localized in the wall of blood vessels. In cortical regions, desmin-positive cells were randomly distributed and occasionally formed ill-defined clusters around tertiary follicles, but not around secondary follicles, whereas desmin was expressed in the medullary region in blood vessels. The distribution pattern of intermediate filaments in sheep ovary suggests a possible role of smooth muscle cells in the mechanism of ovulation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ovarian response to repeated administration of alternating exogenous gonadotropin regimens in the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and tigrinus (Leopardus tigrinus).
Exogenous gonadotropins are used to stimulate ovarian follicular growth and ovulation in mammalian species, including wild cats. However, successes in application of assisted reproduction techniques in nondomestic felids have been sparse. Our objectives were to assess the effectiveness of alternating gonadotropin regimens on ovarian responses. Five adult female ocelots and four adult female tigrinus were treated four to six times, using alternating eCG/hCG and pFSH/pLH at 4-month intervals. Laparoscopies were done to assess follicular development and to collect oocytes from matures follicles. The average number of follicles and corpus luteum (CL) per stimulation was higher in ocelots (7.0 +/- 0.8; mean +/- S.E.M.) than in tigrinus (2.5 +/- 0.4; P < 0.05), but the percentage of mature oocytes did not differ between the two species (mean range, 54-55%). Within species, both gonadotropin regimens were equally effective in inducing follicular growth and oocyte maturation. The total number of ovarian structures and oocyte maturation percentages did not decrease in either species with sequential stimulations. In summary, female ocelots and tigrinus continued to respond to repeated alternating ovarian stimulation protocols. In conclusion, the use of alternating gonadotropin regimens may permit more intensive reproductive management in these endangered cats. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Influence of vagus nerve stimulation on histamine-induced itching.
To investigate whether vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) reduces pruritus in humans. Recently, it has been shown that VNS has antinociceptive and antidepressant effects in humans. Eleven patients were investigated before (baseline) and during chronic VNS treatment. The experiments were performed at two different stimulation intensities: 2 to 5 days after implantation at a low stimulation intensity (mean intensity 0.7 +/- 0.2 mA, second session) and after 8 to 14 weeks of VNS therapy (mean intensity 1.4 +/- 0.3 mA, third session). Twelve healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were investigated using the same experimental protocol. Itch was induced by histamine-iontophoresis and quantified on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Histamine-induced flare was quantified using laser-Doppler flowmetry. Itch was reduced by VNS from 24 +/- 8% VAS at baseline to 15 +/- 5% VAS at second session, and 19 +/- 8% VAS at third session (p < 0.05 multivariate analysis of variance). In the control group, itch remained unaltered in all three sessions (26 +/- 5% at baseline, 23 +/- 5% in the second session, and 25 +/- 5% in the third session, not significant). The flare was unaltered in both patients and control subjects. VNS may suppress pruritus in humans. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The epidemiology of HIV infection among young people aged 15-24 years in southern Africa.
To investigate epidemiological patterns and trends of HIV infection and sexual behaviour among young people aged 15-24 years in the nine countries in southern Africa most affected by the HIV epidemic. Data on HIV prevalence among young people in the general population were obtained from national population-based surveys conducted between 2000 and 2007, whereas data on sexual behaviour were obtained from repeat surveys between 1994 and 2007. Linear or exponential regression was used to analyse HIV prevalence trends among young women attending antenatal clinics in recent years. Patterns of HIV infection among young people are similar across the countries included in this analysis. The prevalence of HIV increases after the age of 15 years, more rapidly among women than among men, reaching a peak among women in their twenties and men in their thirties. Between 2000 and 2007 the prevalence of HIV among antenatal clinic attendees was constant in Mozambique and South Africa and declining in Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe, but only reached statistical significance (P < 0.05) in the last three. Changes towards safer sexual behaviour were observed over time among young men and women in the general population in this region. Sexual behaviour changes among young people are encouraging and are associated with declines in HIV prevalence among young antenatal clinic attendees over time. More research is needed to understand the recent changes and the very high prevalence among young women in this region. Interventions aimed at reducing risky behaviour need to be supported and expanded while incorporating new approaches to prevention. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Drug-related problems in hospitalised patients.
Drug-related problems include medication errors (involving an error in the process of prescribing, dispensing, or administering a drug, whether there are adverse consequences or not) and adverse drug reactions (any response to a drug which is noxious and unintended, and which occurs at doses normally used in humans for prophylaxis, diagnosis or therapy of disease, or for the modification of physiological function). Furthermore, adverse drug events can be defined as an injury--whether or not causally-related to the use of a drug. Drug-related problems are relatively common in hospitalised patients and can result in patient morbidity and mortality, and increased costs. In order to get an overview of studies on drug-related problems in hospitalised patients, with specific attention to the incidence of drug-related problems and their costs, to the possibilities of prevention and to the effect of these interventions, we performed a literature search. Incidences of medication errors reported in studies vary widely. The range of reported incidences of adverse drug reactions is even wider. These wide ranges can be largely explained by the different study methods and definitions used. Problems related to drug therapy may be averted by preventive interventions. Several possibilities for prevention exist, especially for the prevention of medication errors. Prescribing, transcription and interpretation errors can be reduced by using computerised physician order entry. Together with the use of automated dispensing systems and bar-code technology, this will aid in the reduction of both dispensing and administration errors. Education of nursing staff involved in the process of drug distribution is another important measure for preventing medication errors. Finally, the introduction of systems for the early detection of adverse drug reactions may help to reduce problems related to drug therapy. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of adverse drug reactions, may aid in the prevention of these reactions. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
BRAF oncogenic mutations correlate with progression rather than initiation of human melanoma.
BRAF oncogenic mutations have been identified in significant numbers of melanocytic lesions. To correlate BRAF mutation and melanoma progression, we screened BRAF mutations in 65 melanocytic lesions, including nevi, radial growth phase (RGP), vertical growth phase (VGP) melanomas, and melanoma metastases, as well as 25 melanoma cell lines. PCR and direct sequencing were used to analyze DNA samples extracted from laser capture microdissected tissues. A similar high frequency (62-72%) of BRAF oncogenic mutations was identified in melanocytic nevi, VGP, metastatic melanomas, and melanoma cell lines [H. Davies et al., Nature (Lond.), 417: 949-954, 2002; P. M. Pollock et al., Nat. Genet., 33: 19-20, 2002; and M. S. Brose et al., Cancer Res., 62: 6997-7000, 2002]. In striking contrast, we found BRAF lesions in only 10% of the earliest stage or RGP melanomas. These findings imply that BRAF mutations cannot be involved in the initiation of the great majority of melanomas but instead reflect a progression event with important prognostic implications in the transition from the great majority of RGP melanomas to VGP and/or metastatic melanoma. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bone abscess in the mandible of a quarter horse gelding.
A 4-year-old Quarter horse gelding presented with a swelling in the soft tissues over the junction of the body and ramus of the left mandible. Radiography showed a well circumscribed lytic area within the mandible surrounded by sclerosis unassociated with any tooth. Aspiration of the lesion yielded pus. The abscess cavity was opened, curetted and lavaged. A Penrose drain was placed in the abscess cavity for 10 days. Bacteriological culture of the exudate and soft tissues from the abscess produced a few colonies of Staphylococcus intermedius. Histopathology showed chronic pyogenic infection. The horse recovered well and was normal 1 year after treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
On the validity of the linear approximation in the parametric measurement of attenuation in tissues.
A known method for the determination of the attenuation coefficient of tissues involves the measurement of the center frequency downshift of Gaussian spectra. The tissue is generally assumed to have linear frequency dependent attenuation. This assumption results in a simple relationship between the spectral downshift and the attenuation coefficient. However, recent studies have shown that many tissues exhibit nonlinear frequency dependent attenuation. In this paper we investigate the consequences of applying the linear assumption to non-linear cases. These studies show that even a small deviation from linearity results in significant errors in the determination of the attenuation parameters. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Nucleic acid-based therapeutics for glioblastoma.
Nucleic acid based therapeutics offer the possibility of tailor-made treatment of malignant diseases. For recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive type of brain tumor, no accepted treatment exists, making therapeutically active nucleic acids a viable option. In this review, current preclinical and clinical studies harnessing the potential of antitumoral nucleic acids for GBM treatment will be considered. These include gene therapy to over-express antitumoral gene products, RNA interference to knock down components that promote tumor progression, and the tumor-targeted delivery of antitumoral double stranded RNA. Vectors applied in GBM for the delivery of nucleic acids will be discussed. These include non-replicating and replicating (oncolytic) viruses, as well as non-viral delivery vectors based on polycations or cationic lipids. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bias related to the exclusion of the economically inactive in studies on social class differences in mortality.
To assess how the exclusion of the economically inactive affects levels and trends in social class differences in mortality among men and women at different durations of follow-up. Records of the 1970, 1975, 1980 and 1985 censuses on Finnish men and women aged 35-64 linked with records of all deaths during 1971-1990. Exclusion of the economically inactive population underestimates the class differences in the total population by about 25% among men and 60% among women. The bias does not disappear if the first 5 years of follow-up are excluded and the bias can lead to erroneous conclusions about the trends in social class differences in mortality. Analyses based on the economically active population may lead to significant underestimation of social class differences in mortality, introduce biases in international comparison and may only partially capture the causal mechanisms underlying these mortality differences. Our results further show that although the bias diminishes during the follow-up, it is by no means eliminated after the first 5 years. The underestimation of social class differences in mortality created by the exclusion of the inactive should be more widely recognized and more accurate data on previous occupations should be collected. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The number of immunoregulatory T cells is increased in patients with psoriasis after Goeckerman therapy.
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a specialized subpopulation of T cells that act to suppress inadequate immune response. Psoriasis is recognized as a T-cell driven immune-mediated systemic inflammatory disease with skin manifestation. Effective therapeutical approach to treat psoriasis is Goeckerman therapy (GT). The aim of this study was to compare the number of Treg in the peripheral blood of 27 psoriatic patients and 19 controls and to evaluate the influence of GT on Treg population in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis. There was no significant difference in the relative number of Treg cells in the peripheral blood of healthy blood donors and patients with psoriasis before initiation of GT (P = 0.2668). In contrary, the relative number of Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis after GT was significantly higher than those found in healthy blood donors (P = 0.0019). Moreover, the relative number of Treg is significantly increased in psoriatic patients after Goeckerman therapy compared to the pre-treatment level (P = 0.0042). In conclusion, this significant increase in Treg count after GT is probably associated with amelioration of inflammation by GT, as disease activity expressed as PASI decreased in our patients by GT (P = 0.0001). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Implication of dysregulation of the canonical wingless-type MMTV integration site (WNT) pathway in diabetic nephropathy.
The wingless-type MMTV integration site (WNT) pathway mediates multiple physiological and pathological processes, such as inflammation, angiogenesis and fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether canonical WNT signalling plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Expression of WNT ligands and frizzled receptors in the canonical WNT pathway in the kidney was compared at the mRNA level using real-time RT-PCR between Akita mice, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and db/db mice and their respective non-diabetic controls. Renal function was evaluated by measuring the urine albumin excretion. Human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells were treated with high-glucose medium and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). Levels of β-catenin, connective tissue growth factor and fibronectin were determined by western blot analysis. Some of the WNT ligands and frizzled receptors showed increased mRNA levels in the kidneys of Akita mice, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and db/db mice compared with their non-diabetic controls. Renal levels of β-catenin and WNT proteins were upregulated in these diabetic models. Lowering the blood glucose levels by insulin attenuated the activation of WNT signalling in the kidneys of Akita mice. In cultured human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, both high glucose and HNE activated WNT signalling. Inhibition of WNT signalling with a monoclonal antibody blocking LDL-receptor-related protein 6 ameliorated renal inflammation and fibrosis and reduced proteinuria in Akita mice. The WNT pathway is activated in the kidneys of models of both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Dysregulation of the WNT pathway in diabetes represents a new pathogenic mechanism of diabetic nephropathy and renders a new therapeutic target. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of microwave exposure on the hamster immune system. II. Peritoneal macrophage function.
Acute exposure to hamsters to microwave energy (2.45 GHz; 25 mW/cm2 for 60 min) resulted in activation of peritoneal macrophages that were significantly more viricidal to vaccinia virus as compared to sham-exposed or normal (minimum-handling) controls. Macrophages from microwave-exposed hamsters became activated as early as 6 h after exposure and remained activated for up to 12 days. The activation of macrophages by microwave exposure paralleled the macrophage activation after vaccinia virus immunization. Activated macrophages from vaccinia-immunized hamsters did not differ in their viricidal activity when the hamsters were microwave- or sham-exposed. Exposure for 60 min at 15 mW/cm2 did not activate the macrophages while 40 mW/cm2 exposure was harmful to some hamsters. Average maximum core temperatures in the exposed (25 mW/cm2) and sham groups were 40.5 degrees C (+/- 0.35 SD) and 38.4 degrees C (+/- 0.5 SD), respectively. In vitro heating of macrophages to 40.5 degrees C was not as effective as in vivo microwave exposure in activating macrophages to the viricidal state. Macrophages from normal, sham-exposed, and microwave-exposed hamsters were not morphologically different, and they all phagocytosed India ink particles. Moreover, immune macrophage cytotoxicity for virus-infected or noninfected target cells was not suppressed in the microwave-irradiated group (25 mW/cm2, 1 h) as compared to sham-exposed controls, indicating that peritoneal macrophages were not functionally suppressed or injured by microwave hyperthermia. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
N-acetylcysteine and neurodegenerative diseases: basic and clinical pharmacology.
Increasing lines of evidence suggest a key role of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, myoclonus epilepsy of the Unverricht-Lundborg type, spinocerebellar degeneration, tardive dyskinesia and Down's syndrome have been associated with several mitochondrial alterations. Oxidative stress can decrease cellular bioenergetic capacity, which will then increase the generation of reactive oxygen species resulting in cellular damage and programmed cell death. First, this review examines the mechanisms of action of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant and a free radical-scavenging agent that increases intracellular GSH, at the cellular level. NAC can act as a precursor for glutathione synthesis as well as a stimulator of the cytosolic enzymes involved in glutathione regeneration. The chemical properties of NAC include redox interactions, particularly with other members of the group XIV elements (selenium, etc.) and ebselen, a lipid-soluble seleno-organic compound. Second, NAC has been shown to protect against oxidative stress-induced neuronal death in cultured granule neurons. Recent findings on the protective effect of NAC against 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE)-induced toxicity in cerebellar granule neurons are summarized. Finally, the protective pharmacokinetics of NAC in humans and the possible usefulness of NAC for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are discussed with reference to basic and clinical studies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Former foster youth attending college: resilience and the transition to young adulthood.
The primary purpose of this study was to further research and theory development in the area of risk and resilience by exploring factors associated with academic success among former foster youth--a group at high risk for developmental failure. Using data obtained from in-depth qualitative interviews with 14 former foster youth currently attending a 4-year university, the study described in this article explored factors related to their academic success. Results indicated that factors at the individual, family, and community levels and encompassing more than 1 system at a time were integral in understanding developmental pathways of these youth. Results further suggested that resilience in 1 developmental or functional domain was not necessarily reflected in others. Findings are discussed in terms of conceptual and theoretical directions for further research in the area of resilience and the transition to young adulthood, with a particular emphasis on former foster youth. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Identification of the primary lesion in a patient with concomitant breast and kidney cancer following fracture of the femur].
A 61-year-old woman was diagnosed with breast cancer [T3N3cM0: Stage IIIC, estrogen receptor [ER] (+), progesterone receptor [PgR] (+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2[HER2] (-)]at the time of initial presentation. Following diagnosis, combined modality therapy including hormone therapy and chemotherapy were initiated, but hemorrhage from the primary lesion and bone metastases were observed. Priority was given to treatment of the breast cancer, and chemotherapy was administered, after which, right mastectomy and axillary lymph node sampling were performed to assess local disease control. In addition, concurrent right kidney enucleation was performed for a renal lesion. The renal neoplasm was diagnosed as T1aN0M0, Stage I. After this intervention, treatment of the breast cancer was continued, but pain of the right femoral region developed, and bone metastasis was diagnosed on close inspection. The bone metastasis was considered to derive from the breast cancer. During hospitalization, the patient fell and broke her right femur. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed immediately, and bone metastasis of kidney cancer was diagnosed via perioperative cytodiagnosis. Pulmonary metastasis, local recurrence, and metastasis to the shoulder blade have been detected. The metastases are considered to derive from the breast cancer, for which treatment has been continued. In the case of concomitant cancers, biopsy for metastatic foci can be considered essential, whenever it can be performed safely. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry approach for the characterization and purification of crude synthetic peptide hormones.
In this study, conditions for the optimal separation by LC-UV and characterisation by LC-ES-MS of crude mixtures generated during SPPS of several peptide hormones are compiled. The linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) methodology has been used to predict the retention of the target peptides and their side products and then to develop a separation LC methodology with applicability on both the analytical and preparative scale. Identification of these side products by LC-ES-MS analysis has been made on the basis of their calculated molecular masses. This method may be regarded as a key tool for the optimisation of the synthetic procedures and for complying with regulatory agencies' requirements before commercialisation of a safe and effective peptide-based pharmaceutical drug. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Preliminary studies on the venom of the Chinese snake Azemiops feae, Boulenger (Fea's viper).
Fea's viper (Azemiops feae) produces a venom which is highly toxic to mice when injected by the s.c. or i.v. routes. The i.v. LD50 of Azemiops venom for Swiss-Webster laboratory mice is 0.52 mg/kg. Azemiops venom produces no hemorrhagic activity in mice or rabbits. Immunodiffusion indicates that some fractions of Azemiops venom are antigenically related to viperid, elapid and crotalid venoms. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis reveals that this venom contains as many as 22 proteinaceous components. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Near image size magnification for optical instruments in general.
A previous article derives expressions for coefficients and magnifications for an arbitrary optical instrument in front of an arbitrary eye and for near object points. The purpose of this note is to correct an error in the interpretation of a parameter in that article, to show that the expression derived there for near image size magnification holds only under particular conditions, and to modify the expression so that it holds in general. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Development of an enterostomal therapy education program.
The establishment and conduct of an enterostomal therapy education program is predicated on the firm belief in quality care for the patient with a stoma, on utilization of the registered nurse E.T. assigned in the Department of Nursing for delivery of service to stoma patients, on professional and administrative support, and on an appropriate educational climate. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Cyclin-mediated export of human Orc1.
Viral cyclin/cdk6 complexes interact with and phosphorylate human Orc1, a component of the origin recognition complex (ORC) that functions in DNA replication. Here we assess the effect that viral cyclin has on the intracellular location of human Orc1, which is present in both nuclear and cytoplasmic pools. Overexpression of K cyclin or cyclin A results in Crm1-dependent export of Orc1 to the cytoplasm, and this process is dependent on the phosphorylation status of several cdk target sites in Orc1. These findings support a model where S phase promoting cyclin activity drives the export of a component of replication complexes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Abdominal Splenosis Mimicking Peritoneal Metastasis in Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT, Confirmed With Selective Spleen SPECT/CT.
Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT is a rapidly evolving diagnostic technique to image prostate cancer. In contrast to the name PSMA, various tissues show Ga-PSMA uptake in PET/CT imaging. We present a case of a 68-year-old man with prostate cancer who underwent Ga-PSMA PET/CT. Along with metastatic lymph nodes, multiple nodular lesions within the peritoneal spaces of all 4 quadrants of the abdomen showed high PSMA expression. Because of a history of splenic rupture, a Tc-labeled heat-denatured erythrocyte scintigraphy and SPECT were performed. Peritoneal lesions showed high uptake, confirming widespread peritoneal splenosis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Associative priming in the hemispheres as a function of SOA.
The representation of associative codes in the cerebral hemisphere was investigated in two priming experiments where associated prime and target words were independently projected to the left or right visual fields. The first experiment, using a stimulus onset asynchrony of 250 msec, found priming in all visual field conditions, except that in which both prime and target were projected to the right hemisphere. A second experiment was conducted to determine whether this absence of right hemisphere priming was due to an inadequate interval of time between prime and target. In this experiment, a stimulus onset asynchrony of 450 msec revealed significant priming in all visual field conditions. The results suggest that lexical representations are activated more slowly in the right hemisphere than in the left. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Packing of myosin molecules in muscle thick filaments.
The backbone of the myosin filament is an aggregate of alpha-helical coiled coil myosin rods. Its surface forms a three-stranded helix composed of myosin heads. Currently there is no adequate model to describe the organization of the myosin filament. It is proposed here that, in cross-section the light meromyosin (LMM) of 18 myosin molecules form an outer tube, with nine S2 forming the interior core. At the surface of the thick filament, myosin heads are arranged in three rows, giving the filament a periodicity of 14.3 nm per three myosin molecules. Two of these molecules are organized at an angle of 120 degrees to each other on the same level, while the third is shifted 7.2 nm along the filament axis. This packing gives a striation pattern of 7.2 nm by electron microscopy. An alternative model is also possible, in which the heads of the myosin molecules are uniformly spaced at an interval of 14.3 nm along the filament axis. The packing of individual molecules within the myosin filament is based on a regular pattern of charge on the 28 amino-acid repeat in the rod domain. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Biochemical and molecular characterisation of acetylcholinesterase in four field populations of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae).
The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is a major pest that infects fruits and agricultural products worldwide. The latest resistance monitoring of B. dorsalis from mainland China has identified high levels of resistance to insecticides. In this study, the biochemical and molecular characteristics of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in four field populations of B. dorsalis are investigated. Among the four populations, the DG population and its purified AChE were found to be the least susceptible to malathion and five inhibitors, whereas the KM population and its purified AChE were the most susceptible. The highest catalytic activity of purified AChE was found for the KM population, and the catalytic activity of the DG population was the lowest. Among developmental stages, the AChE purified from larvae was found to be the most insusceptible to inhibitors, but its catalytic activity was the highest. Sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding AChE showed that some residue differences existed. However, no significant differences in expression levels of the AChE gene among populations and developmental stages were detected. The results suggest that the decrease in susceptibility of B. dorsalis was mainly caused by decrease in AChE activity, and they provide a broad view on the relation between AChE and resistance. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An approximation approach for rendering visual flickers in SSVEP-based BCI using monitor refresh rate.
Steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have potential to realize a direct communication between the human brain and the external environment in practical situations. In the conventional stimulus presentation approach, which requires a constant period of stimulation, the number of frequencies that can be presented on a computer monitor is always limited by the refresh rate of a monitor. Although an alternative approach that uses a variable on/off frame number to approximate a target flickering stimulus has been proposed in our recent study, a direct comparison between SSVEPs elicited by the conventional constant period approach and the approximation approach is still missing. This study aims to compare the amplitude, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and target identification accuracy of SSVEPs elicited using these two approaches with a monitor at two refresh rates (75Hz and 120Hz). Results of this study suggest that the SSVEPs elicited by the approximation approach are mostly comparable with those elicited by the constant period approach. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Change Detection Flicker Task Effects on Simulator-Induced Spatial Disorientation Events.
A visual stimulus change detection is an extremely important pilot's cognitive process. This is especially true when pilot errors caused by perceptual failures have a negative effect on his/her spatial orientation. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of the change detection flicker task (CDFT) on pilots' response to spatial disorientation (SD) events. We hypothesized that the additional cognitive processing, based on CDFT, produces more deterioration of the pilots' spatial orientation. Using an SD flight simulator, 50 male military pilots (M = 27.2; SD = 6.68) were exposed to 12 flight sequences. Of the 12 flight profiles, 6 involved an SD conflict, with 3 involving motion illusions and 3 with visual illusions. We measured and compared pilots' flight performance in response to visual and motion illusion conflicts across two simulations (CDFT vs. control) and SD conditions (nonconflict vs. conflict). Of the six applied illusions, significant differences in pilot flight performance were found for three visual and one vestibular illusion (Coriolis). The differences were observed between control and CDFT groups for both nonconflict and conflict flight sequences, associated with the approach and landing maneuvers. The CDFT increased the pilots' cognitive workload, affecting their flight performance and susceptibility to SD, especially in the approach and landing maneuvers. This partially supports our hypothesis that performing the CDFT leads to greater deterioration of pilots' spatial orientation. We recommend that when problems in maintaining proper flight performance arise, pilots should not respond to external stimuli until they have recovered their spatial orientation.Lewkowicz R, Fudali-Czyż A, Bałaj B, Francuz P. Change detection flicker task effects on simulator-induced spatial disorientation events. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(10):863-872. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Cutaneous infections: Pathologist's role in unusual or atypical situations].
In infectious pathology, the gold standard consists of the detection of the pathogen within the sample. Identification of the pathogen is often difficult despite the presence of few and inexpensive tools, such, as special stain, immunohistochemistry, or in situ hybridization specific of the pathogen. In infectious pathology, there are morphological signs, which can guide us towards an etiology. We present some clinicopathological examples illustrating rare or unusual situations in cutaneous infectious pathology. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The effect of mindfulness meditation on cough reflex sensitivity.
Chronic cough is common, and medical treatment can be ineffective. Mindfulness is a psychological intervention that aims to teach moment-to-moment non-judgemental awareness of thoughts, feelings and sensations. 30 healthy subjects and 30 patients with chronic cough were studied in two sequential trials. For both studies, cough reflex sensitivity to citric acid (C5) was measured on two occasions, with urge to cough rated following each inhalation; between challenges subjects were randomised to (1) no intervention, (2) mindfulness or (3) no intervention but modified cough challenge (subjects suppress coughing). For the healthy volunteers, measures were 1 h apart and mindfulness was practised for 15 min. For the patients with chronic cough measures were 1 week apart and mindfulness was practised daily for 30 min. In healthy volunteers, median change (interquartile range (IQR)) in cough reflex sensitivity (logC5) for no intervention, mindfulness and suppression was +1.0 (0.0 to +1.3), +2.0 (+1.0 to +3.0) and +3.0 (+2.8 to +3.0) doubling concentrations (p = 0.003); there were significant reductions for both mindfulness (p = 0.043) and suppression (p = 0.002) over no intervention. In patients with cough, median change (IQR) in logC5 for no intervention, mindfulness training and voluntary suppression was 0.0 (-1.0 to +1.0), +1.0 (-0.3 to +1.0) and +1.0 (+1.0 to +2.0) doubling concentrations (p = 0.046); there was a significant reduction for suppression (p = 0.02) but not mindfulness (p = 0.35). Urge to cough did not change after mindfulness compared with control in either healthy subjects (p = 0.33) or those with chronic cough (p = 0.47). Compared with control, mindfulness decreased cough reflex sensitivity in healthy volunteers, but did not alter cough threshold in patients with chronic cough. Both groups were able to suppress cough responses to citric acid inhalation. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Physiologic evaluation of the patient with lung cancer being considered for resectional surgery: ACCP evidenced-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition).
This section of the guidelines is intended to provide an evidence-based approach to the preoperative physiologic assessment of a patient being considered for surgical resection of lung cancer. Current guidelines and medical literature applicable to this issue were identified by computerized search and evaluated using standardized methods. Recommendations were framed using the approach described by the Health and Science Policy Committee. The preoperative physiologic assessment should begin with a cardiovascular evaluation and spirometry to measure the FEV(1). If diffuse parenchymal lung disease is evident on radiographic studies or if there is dyspnea on exertion that is clinically out of proportion to the FEV(1), the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) should also be measured. In patients with either an FEV(1) or Dlco < 80% predicted, the likely postoperative pulmonary reserve should be estimated by either the perfusion scan method for pneumonectomy or the anatomic method, based on counting the number of segments to be removed, for lobectomy. An estimated postoperative FEV(1) or Dlco < 40% predicted indicates an increased risk for perioperative complications, including death, from a standard lung cancer resection (lobectomy or greater removal of lung tissue). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to measure maximal oxygen consumption (Vo(2)max) should be performed to further define the perioperative risk of surgery; a Vo(2)max of < 15 mL/kg/min indicates an increased risk of perioperative complications. Alternative types of exercise testing, such as stair climbing, the shuttle walk, and the 6-min walk, should be considered if CPET is not available. Although often not performed in a standardized manner, patients who cannot climb one flight of stairs are expected to have a Vo(2)max of < 10 mL/kg/min. Data on the shuttle walk and 6-min walk are limited, but patients who cannot complete 25 shuttles on two occasions will likely have a Vo(2)max of < 10 mL/kg/min. Desaturation during an exercise test has not clearly been associated with an increased risk for perioperative complications. Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) improves survival in selected patients with severe emphysema. Accumulating experience suggests that patients with extremely poor lung function who are deemed inoperable by conventional criteria might tolerate combined LVRS and curative-intent resection of lung cancer with an acceptable mortality rate and good postoperative outcomes. Combining LVRS and lung cancer resection should be considered in patients with a cancer in an area of upper lobe emphysema, an FEV(1) of > 20% predicted, and a Dlco of > 20% predicted. A careful preoperative physiologic assessment will be useful to identify those patients who are at increased risk with standard lung cancer resection and to enable an informed decision by the patient about the appropriate therapeutic approach to treating their lung cancer. This preoperative risk assessment must be placed in the context that surgery for early-stage lung cancer is the most effective currently available treatment for this disease. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The assessment and treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in children and adolescents.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a syndrome defined by the intrusive re-experiencing of a trauma, avoidance of traumatic reminders, and persistent physiological arousal. PTSD is associated with high levels of comorbidity and may increase the risk for additional disorders over time. While controversies remain regarding the applicability of the PTSD criteria to very young children, it has proved to be a useful framework for guiding assessment and treatment research with older children and adolescents. This article presents an overview of the literature on the clinical characteristics, assessment, and treatment of PTSD in children and adolescents. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Extensive sclerosis of the base of the skull due to primary nasal tuberculosis.
An 8 year old black male is presented as a primary nasal tuberculous granuloma whose roentgenograms of the skull revealed extensive sclerosis of the periorbital region involving the frontal, sphenoid, and petrous bones. The tuberculous meningitis and the osseous sclerosis at the base of the skull were cured with anti-tuberculous therapy. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inappropriate suppression of glucagon during OGTT but not during isoglycaemic i.v. glucose infusion contributes to the reduced incretin effect in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
We investigated glucagon responses during OGTT and isoglycaemic i.v. glucose infusion, respectively, to further elucidate the mechanisms behind the glucose intolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Ten patients (eight men) with type 2 diabetes (age: 64 [51-80] years; BMI: 23 [21-26] kg/m(2); HbA(1c): 6.9 [6.2-8.7]%, values mean [range]) and ten control subjects matched for sex, age and BMI were studied. Blood was sampled on two separate days following a 4-h 50-g OGTT and an isoglycaemic i.v. glucose infusion, respectively. Isoglycaemia during the 2 days was obtained in both groups. In the control subjects no difference in glucagon suppression during the first 45 min of OGTT and isoglycaemic i.v. glucose infusion (-36 +/- 12 vs -64 +/- 23 mmol/l x 45 min; p = NS) was observed, whereas in the group of patients with type 2 diabetes significant glucagon suppression only occurred following isoglycaemic i.v. glucose infusion (-63 +/- 21 vs 10 +/- 16 mmol/l x 45 min; p = 0.002). The incretin effect was significantly reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with control subjects, but no significant differences in the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 or glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide between the two groups during OGTT or isoglycaemic i.v. glucose infusion, respectively, could explain this. Attenuated and delayed glucagon suppression in patients with type 2 diabetes occurs after oral ingestion of glucose, while isoglycaemic i.v. administration of glucose results in normal suppression of glucagon. We suggest that this phenomenon contributes both to the glucose intolerance and to the reduced incretin effect observed in patients with type 2 diabetes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Caudal analgesia in children. Five hundred cases for procedures below the diaphragm.
The author's first 300 caudal anaesthetics in children up to the age of 10 years are reviewed. Emphasis is laid upon sedation, both by premedication and by the anaesthetic technique. Nearly all the children were anaesthetised briefly for the sacral injection. Despite high levels of blockade, cardiovascular stability was well maintained, particularly in the younger children. There was a good correlation between volume of injection per unit of body weight and level of blockade. Dosage can be calculated on this basis for operations on the perineum, lower and groin with 97 to 98% confidence. The volume of solution appeared to be more important than its concentration in determining extent of blockade. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A prospective study to determine the costs incurred by families of children newly diagnosed with cancer in Ontario.
A diagnosis of cancer in childhood places a considerable economic burden on families, although costs are not well described. The objectives of this study were to identify and determine independent predictors of the direct and time costs incurred by such families. A prospective, cost-of-illness study was conducted in families of children newly diagnosed with cancer. Parents recorded the resources consumed and costs incurred during 1 week per month for three consecutive months beginning the fourth week following diagnosis and listed any additional costs incurred since then. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were performed to describe families' costs (expressed in 2007 Canadian dollars) and to determine direct and time cost predictors. In total, 28 fathers and 71 mothers participated. The median total direct and time costs in 3 months were $CAD3503 and $CAD23 130, respectively, per family. The largest component of direct costs was travel and of time costs was time allocated previously for unpaid activities. There were no statistically significant predictors of direct costs. Six per cent of the variance for time costs was explained by language spoken at home. Families of children with cancer are confronted with a wide range of direct and time costs, the largest being travel and time allocated previously for unpaid activities. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Quality improvement implementation and hospital performance on patient safety indicators.
This study examines the association between scope of Quality Improvement (QI) implementation in hospitals and hospital performance on patient safety indicators. Secondary data sources included a 1997 survey of hospital QI practices, Medicare Inpatient Database, American Hospital Association's Annual Survey of Hospitals, the Bureau of Health Professions' Area Resource File, and two proprietary data sets. Using a sample of 1,784 community hospitals, the study employed two-stage instrumental variables estimation in which predicted values of four QI scope variables and control variables were used to estimate four patient safety indicators. Involvement by multiple hospital units in the QI effort is associated with worse values on all four patient safety indicators. Percentages of hospital staff and of senior managers participating in QI teams exhibited no statistically significant association with any patient safety indicator. Percentage of physicians participating in QI teams is associated with better values on two patient safety indicators. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Endothelin-1-induced elevation in blood pressure is independent of increases in sympathetic nerve activity in normotensive rats.
This study was performed to determine if endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced pressor responses in urethane-anesthetized, normotensive rats are due to increased sympathetic nerve activity. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was used as an index of sympathetic nerve activity. ET-1 (30- 1000 pmol/kg) or sarafotoxin (S6c, ET B receptor agonist, 10-3,000 nmol/kg) given by bolus injection produced transient decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and increases in RSNA and heart rate (HR). ET-1 caused a delayed but sustained increase in MAP that was not inhibited by acute sinoaortic denervation or alpha 1 -adrenergic receptor blockade. ET-1 never caused a sustained change in HR or RSNA. A-192621 (ET B receptor antagonist, 12 mg/kg) increased MAP (10-20 mm Hg) and decreased HR and RSNA. A-192621 blocked the transient decrease in MAP and increase in RSNA and HR caused by ET-1 and S6c. In A-192621-treated rats, ET-1, but not S6c, caused a sustained increase in MAP and decrease in HR and RSNA. After A-192621 treatment, ET-1 infusion caused a sustained elevation in MAP; HR and RSNA decreased only after the highest ET-1 dose. These results indicate that the initial increase in RSNA after ET-1 or S6c is secondary to ET B receptor-mediated vasodilation. Increased RSNA does not contribute to ET-1-induced pressor responses; these responses are likely due to vasoconstriction in normotensive, anesthetized rats. Finally, baroreceptor reflexes function after ET-1 or S6c treatment. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hyporesponsiveness to erythropoietin: causes and management.
In patients with chronic kidney disease, erythropoietin resistance is common, costly, and has implications beyond the management of anemia because the presence of erythropoietin resistance portends mortal outcomes. Exploring the provenance of erythropoietin resistance may be facilitated by the consideration of the pathogenetic triad of iron-restricted erythropoiesis, inflammation, and bone marrow suppression. Challenging to diagnose because of difficulty in interpreting tests of iron deficiency, iron-restricted erythropoiesis should be considered in patients who require high doses of erythropoietin, have low transferrin saturation (eg, <20%-25%), and do not have very high ferritin (eg, <1,200 ng/mL); a therapeutic trial of intravenous iron may be worthwhile. Aluminum intoxication is a rare cause of iron-restricted erythropoiesis that may manifest as microcytic hypochromic anemia. A decrease in serum albumin concentration may signal the presence of inflammation, which may be manifest (such as because of a recent illness or infection) or occult; the latter include clotted synthetic angioaccess, failed renal allograft, dialysis catheter, periodontal disease, underlying malignancy, or uremia per se. Marrow hyporesponsiveness may be improved by increasing the delivered dialysis dose, using ultrapure dialysate, maintaining adequate vitamin B12 and folate stores, or by treating hyperparathyroidism. In summary, improving the outcomes of erythropoietin-resistant patients will require complete patient assessment that goes beyond considerations of iron and erythropoietin dose alone. Given that erythropoietin dose is associated with mortality, mitigating erythropoietin resistance has the potential to improve patient outcomes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Acetophenone diglycosides from Erythroxylum cambodianum.
Two new acetophenone diglycosides, erythroxylosides A and B, were isolated from the aerial portion of Erythroxylum cambodianum together with (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, (3S,5R,6R,7E,9S-megastigman-7-ene-3,5,6,9-tetrol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and citroside A. The structural elucidations were based on analyses of chemical and spectroscopic data. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Potent and highly selective dual-targeting monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors: Fluorinated chalcones of morpholine versus imidazole.
Two series of fluorinated chalcones containing morpholine and imidazole-based compounds (f1-f8) were synthesized and evaluated for recombinant human monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A and -B as well as acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Our results indicate that morpholine containing chalcones are highly selective MAO-B inhibitors having reversibility properties. All the imidazole-based fluorinated chalcones showed weak MAO inhibitions in both isoforms. Among the tested compounds, (2E)-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(morpholin-4-yl)phenyl]prop-2-en-1-one (f2) showed potent inhibitory activity for recombinant human MAO-B (IC50 = 0.087 μM) with a high selectivity index (SI) of 517.2. In the recovery experiments using dialysis, the residual activity of MAO-B inhibited by f2 was close to that with the reversible reference inhibitor. Inhibition assays revealed that the Ki values of f1 and f2 for MAO-B were 0.027 and 0.020 μM, respectively, with competitive patterns. All the morpholine-based compounds (f1-f4) showed moderate inhibition toward acetylcholinesterase with IC50 values ranging between 24 and 54 μM. All morpholine-containing compounds exhibit good blood-brain barrier permeation in the PAMPA method. The rational approach regarding the highly selective MAO-B inhibitor f2 was further ascertained by induced fit docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Bilateral MRI-guided stereotactic cingulotomy for intractable pain.
As a treatment of patients with intractable cancer and noncancer pain, bilateral radiofrequency cingulotomy was performed in 10 patients. The technique involved stereotaxis using magnetic resonance guidance and local anesthesia, with the placement of a radiofrequency lesion (75 degrees, 60s). Of the 10 patients, 8 had metastatic lesions with musculoskeletal (6) or neurogenic (2) pain. Pain relief was judged excellent (4 patients), fair (1), poor (2) and excellent for 6 months poor in the last patient. The two benign lesions were neurofibromatosis with neurogenic pain and thalamic pain from an old stroke. Pain relief (with 1 year follow-up) in this group was judged excellent in one and poor in the other (thalamic pain). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Inkjet printing methodologies for drug screening.
We show for the first time a contactless, low-cost, and rapid drug screening methodology by employing inkjet printing for molecular dispensing in a microarray format. Picoliter drops containing a model substrate (d-glucose)/inhibitor (d-glucal) couple were accurately dispensed on a single layer consisting of the enzymatic target (glucose oxidase) covalently linked to a functionalized silicon oxide support. A simple colorimetric detection method allowed one to prove the screening capability of the microarray with the possibility to assay with high reproducibility at the single spot level. Measurements of the optical signal as a function of concentration and of time verified the occurrence at the solid-liquid interface of the competitive enzymatic inhibition with a similar behavior occurring for this system in a solution phase along with overcoming competition effects. We propose this methodology as a general application for drug screening purposes, since it may be extended to any kind of enzyme-substrate/inhibitor or ligand-target biochemical system. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Steven Reiss (1947-2016).
This article memorializes Steven Reiss (1947-2016), an eminent clinical psychologist. He was professor emeritus of psychology and psychiatry at the Ohio State University. Reiss has made major contributions to three areas of psychology. He formulated the concept of anxiety sensitivity, an individual difference variable signifying a person's proneness to respond fearfully to bodily sensations that accompany anxiety. He was the key developer of the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), a self-report measure of the fear of anxiety sensations translated into more than 20 languages. Reiss was a pioneer in the field of dual diagnosis-the study and treatment of mental disorders in people with intellectual disabilities. Reiss's third major field of inquiry was human motivation. For the past 20 years, he has been studying individual differences in motivational profiles. To measure individual differences in 16 basic desires, he developed the Reiss Motivation Profile. (PsycINFO Database Record | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Antenatal effect of imipramine on the ontogeny of the imipramine receptors in the cerebral cortex of rats].
Ontogenetic study of imipramine binding sites in the rat brain cortex employing autoradiographic and radioreceptor methods revealed that they can be detected at the 19th day of gestation and that by the 14 day of postnatal development their amount reaches the adult levels. The affinity constants of imipramine binding sites did not change significantly throughout the ontogenetic development. Exposure to the therapeutic doses of imipramine on days 17-19 of gestation resulted in a significant increase in the amount of binding sites (24% of the control level) on day 3 of postnatal development, which returned to normal by the end of the second week of postnatal development. The distribution of imipramine binding sites in the cortical layers did not change either in normal rats or in those antenatally treated with imipramine. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Power scaling of a high-repetition-rate enhancement cavity.
A passive optical resonator is used to enhance the power of a pulsed 78 MHz repetition rate Yb laser providing 200 fs pulses. We find limitations relating to the achievable time-averaged and peak power, which we distinguish by varying the duration of the input pulses. An intracavity average power of 18 kW is generated with close to Fourier-limited pulses of 10 W average power. Beyond this power level, intensity-related effects lead to resonator instabilities, which can be removed by chirping the seed laser pulses. By extending the pulse duration in this way to 2 ps, we could obtain 72 kW of intracavity circulating power with 50 W of input power. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Hypertrophic smooth muscle in the partially obstructed opossum esophagus. Excitability and electrophysiological properties.
Partial obstruction of the opossum esophagus leads to thickening of the circular muscle, hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells, and diminution of the extracellular space. The pharmacological and electrophysiological properties of this hypertrophied muscle were studied. Carbachol produced phasic and tonic contractions of the circular muscle. The EC50 for tonic contractions was greater for hypertrophied than for normal muscle (21.1 +/- 3.9 mumol/L vs. 4.8 +/- 2.2 mumol/L; P less than 0.05). The resting membrane potential difference of hypertrophied muscle (-50.8 +/- 0.2 mV) was similar to that of normal muscle (-50.0 +/- 0.2 mV). Electrical stimulation of intrinsic nerves in the normal muscle produced a hyperpolarization followed by a depolarization of smooth muscle membrane potential. Hypertrophied muscle responded either with an attenuated hyperpolarization or no hyperpolarization, both of which were followed by a depolarization. The space constant in the long axes of the hypertrophied circular muscle cells was greater than normal (4.4 +/- 0.2 mm vs. 3.4 +/- 0.1 mm; P less than 0.001). The threshold potential for initiation of action potentials was more negative for hypertrophied (-43.2 +/- 0.4 mV) than for normal circular muscle (-41.6 +/- 0.2 mV; P less than 0.005). These data indicate that alterations in neuromuscular function accompany the hypertrophy of esophageal smooth muscle. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Dendritic cells infected with a vaccinia virus interleukin-2 vector secrete high levels of IL-2 and can become efficient antigen presenting cells that secrete high levels of the immunostimulatory cytokine IL-12.
Dendritic cell (DC) therapies using DC presenting tumor antigen/s can induce CD8(+) CTL that mediate tumor eradication, nonetheless many patients remain unresponsive. Thus, cytokine gene vectors applied to DC may amplify these responses. Herein, we examined the responses that monocyte-derived DC (at different maturational stages) make when infected with a vaccinia virus-interleukin-2 (VV-IL-2) vector in vitro. VV-IL-2-infected DC secreted significant levels of bioactive IL-2 and maintained their antigen presentation function. However, we show that DC are exquisitely sensitive to their local antigenic microenvironment, and that responses generated by one antigen can be altered by another. VV-IL-2 infection of immature DC led to DC activation (upregulation of CD80, CD86 and class II surface molecules) when the virus was propagated through xenogeneic, but not syngeneic, mammalian cells; these DC secreted IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), but not IL-12. In contrast, after VV-IL-2 infection (regardless of their mammalian cellular context), IFNgamma/LPS-matured DC inevitably downregulated their antigen presenting machinery. In conclusion, immunostimulatory DC can be generated by VV-IL-2, but this depends upon (i) infecting immature DC only, (ii) the mammalian cells through which the virus is prepared and (iii) individual donors; hence donors must be screened to assess their specific responses. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[A study of the early stages of biliary extrahepatic ducts organogenesis in the rat (Rattus norvegicus albinos) (author's transl)].
In the early stages of morphogenesis, the hepatic diverticulum of the rat develops as in other mammals. Its anterior part gives rise to epithelial cell-cords bound by an epithelial primary plate to a single hepatic duct which joins the liver to the midgut. The interlobular bile-ducts develop from secondary epithelial plates which derivate from the primary one. The posterior part of diverticulum gives rise to a duct which may be assimilated by its position, structure and evolution, to the initial cystic duct of other mammals. This duct never participates to the formation of biliary extrahepatic ducts, but builds the ventral pancreas. Cellular necrosis is observed in relation with the development of the anterior part of diverticulum during the three first days of the hepatic morphogenesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Indirect lymphography of sub-mental and sub-maxillary lymph nodes (author's transl)].
This report presents our observations in 81 cases; and we have used indirect lymphography only, we injected the contrast medium, lipiodole ultra fluide, intramuscularly to both sides of the tongue. The injection sites are first anaesthetized. The amount of contrast medium should not exceed 5 cc. It is injected in about 10 mn. The first radiological examination is performed 4, 8 and 12 hours after the injection. X-rays are taken using the occipitomental and also lower intraoral occlusal views. The following radiological studies are made after 24 and 48 hours. If necessary further x-rays can be taken as well. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Ω-3 Fatty Acids for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of preoperative and postoperative treatment with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in preventing the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Postoperative AF is a common complication of CABG. There is growing clinical evidence that PUFAs have cardiac antiarrhythmic effects. A total of 160 patients were prospectively randomized to a control group (81 patients, 13 female, 64.9 ± 9.1 years) or PUFAs 2 g/day (79 patients, 11 female, 66.2 ± 8.0 years) for at least 5 days before elective CABG and until the day of discharge from the hospital. The primary end point was the development of AF in the postoperative period. The secondary end point was the hospital length of stay after surgery. All end points were independently adjudicated by 2 cardiologists blinded to treatment assignment. The clinical and surgical characteristics of the patients in the 2 groups were similar. Postoperative AF developed in 27 patients of the control group (33.3%) and in 12 patients of the PUFAs group (15.2%) ( p = .013). There was no significant difference in the incidence of nonfatal postoperative complications, and postoperative mortality was similar in the PUFAs-treated patients (1.3%) vs controls (2.5%). After CABG, the PUFAs patients were hospitalized for significantly fewer days than controls (7.3 ± 2.1 days vs 8.2 ± 2.6 days, p = .017). This study first demonstrates that PUFA administration during hospitalization in patients undergoing CABG substantially reduced the incidence of postoperative AF (54.4%) and was associated with a shorter hospital stay. ( J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;45:1723-1728.). | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Norepinephrine alters exercise oxygen consumption in heart failure patients.
The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of acute norepinephrine (NE) infusion on the exercise oxygen utilization in heart failure patients as compared with healthy adults. Eleven healthy adults and 10 patients with NYHA class II-III heart failure (ejection fraction <40%) who were not on beta-blocker therapy underwent steady state exercise under placebo or NE infusion conditions, followed by maximal ramp exercise testing. Oxygen utilization, hemodynamic responses, and serum lactate NE levels were evaluated. The hemodynamic effects of NE were evident in both groups with statistically significant increases in blood pressure and concomitant decreases in heart rates. Lactate levels were higher in heart failure subjects under all conditions and steady state exercise increased levels by 24% (P = 0.04). NE infusion increased lactate levels by a nonsignificant 24% (P = 0.19). NE infusion tended to increase oxygen consumption (VO2) at the end of steady state exercise in CHF subjects (4% change; P = 0.06). Compared with healthy adults, NE infusion significantly impaired (increased) the gross VO2/W relationship in heart failure subjects (P = 0.037). There was also a modest trend for a worsening (decrease) in net efficiency after NE infusion in CHF subjects. There were no significant adverse effects of low-dose NE infusion in either group. We conclude that 1) acute low-dose NE infusion impairs the oxygen utilization in stable heart failure patients but not in healthy adults. This may help to explain the exercise intolerance that accompanies congestive heart failure. 2) Acute infusion of low-dose NE infusion is safe and well tolerated in both healthy adults and compensated heart failure patients. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
An engineered protein tag for multiprotein labeling in living cells.
The visualization of complex cellular processes involving multiple proteins requires the use of spectroscopically distinguishable fluorescent reporters. We have previously introduced the SNAP-tag as a general tool for the specific labeling of SNAP-tag fusion proteins in living cells. The SNAP-tag is derived from the human DNA repair protein O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) and can be covalently labeled in living cells using O6-benzylguanine derivatives bearing a chemical probe. Here we report the generation of an AGT-based tag, named CLIP-tag, which reacts specifically with O2-benzylcytosine derivatives. Because SNAP-tag and CLIP-tag possess orthogonal substrate specificities, SNAP and CLIP fusion proteins can be labeled simultaneously and specifically with different molecular probes in living cells. We furthermore show simultaneous pulse-chase experiments to visualize different generations of two different proteins in one sample. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Coronary artery bypass surgery in patients on maintenance dialysis: long-term survival.
Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can be performed with acceptable risk and results in symptomatic improvement in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, the effect of CABG on long-term survival in these patients is unknown. We retrospectively identified 39 patients (group 1) with ESRD who underwent CABG for intractable angina between January 1975 and February 1987 while on maintenance dialysis. Thirty-nine dialysis patients (group 2) were also retrospectively selected for comparison and matched for age, sex, year of initiation, length of time on dialysis, and presence of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic heart disease at initiation of dialysis. Using life-table analysis, survival probability (with 95% confidence limits) was determined from the time of CABG for group 1 or after an equivalent period of time on dialysis for group 2. Two life-table analyses were performed; one with study end-points of death, withdrawal (renal transplantation, transfer to other dialysis facilities, and reoperation), and alive on dialysis; and a second with identical end points except that noncardiac deaths were treated as withdrawals. Coronary arteriography revealed severe three vessel disease, left ventricular dysfunction, and segmental wall motion abnormalities in most patients. A mean (+/- SD) of 2.56 +/- 0.75 vessels were bypassed with an operative mortality (30 days) of 2.6%. Mean follow-up after CABG in group 1 was 34.9 +/- 30.1 months, and in most patients functional classification improved. Mean follow-up for group 2 was 17.2 +/- 15.2 months. Two-year survival was 91.7% in group 1 and 51.4% in group 2 (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Heparin treatment in acute cerebral sinus venous thrombosis: a retrospective clinical and MR analysis of 42 cases.
The only randomized data on heparin treatment in acute cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) are derived from a small number of patients. The rate of intracranial hemorrhages as a complication of high-dose heparin treatment is still unknown. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical features, neuroimaging monitoring and outcome of 42 patients with proven CSVT. Diagnosis was established by DSA, CT, MR tomography and MR angiography. All patients received heparin intravenously guided by doubling the aPTT value for 3 weeks, followed by oral anticoagulation. Partial or complete recanalization was found in 36 cases. 40 patients improved clinically, in 26 of them complete recovery was observed. One patient deteriorated and developed an apallic syndrome, one further patient died of septic multiorgan failure. Only in one patient was hemorrhagic transformation of infarcted brain tissue observed but without clinical deterioration. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
[Blood transfusions in maxillofacial surgery].
In the last few years a codification of maxillo-facial surgical techniques has been reached. This has been possible because of a close interaction among different specialists. The use of blood transfusion must be carefully evaluated because of the different risks involved. The transmission of infectious agents like HIV and HCV viruses is still a matter of major concern. Furthermore, Gant in a '81 issue of Lancet suggested that blood transfusion in oncological patients may lead to neoplastic relapse by depressing the immune system. Other studies seem to confirm these data, although statistical evaluation of the results was not free of oriticism. Nevertheless, it appears that there is a correlation between the amount of transfused blood and the worsening of the prognosis. We take into consideration the risk of depressing the immune system by transfusing homologous blood. We then define the forensic medical problems related to blood transfusion also in view of recent sentences of the Court on the subject. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Effects of acivicin on growth, mycotoxin production and virulence of phytopathogenic fungi.
Acivicin is an inhibitor of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and glutamine amidotransferase. When grown on a synthetic minimal agar medium, acivicin strongly inhibited the growth of Magnaporthe oryzae and Alternaria brassicicola, and to a lesser extent, Botrytis cinerea. However, only partial or marginal growth inhibition was observed with regard to Fusarium sporotrichioides and Fusarium graminearum. The growth retardation caused by acivicin was significantly alleviated by cultivating the fungus on a nutrient-rich medium. The inhibition of M. oryzae growth caused by 1 μmol l(-1) of acivicin on minimal agar medium was subdued by the addition of specific single amino acids, including His, a branched-chain amino acid (Leu, Ile or Val), an aromatic amino acid (Trp, Tyr or Phe), Met or Gln, at a concentration of 0·4 mmol l(-1). Trichothecene production by F. graminearum in trichothecene-inducing liquid medium was reduced significantly in the presence of acivicin despite its inability to inhibit growth in the trichothecene-inducing liquid medium. Foliar application of conidia in the presence of acivicin reduced the severity of rice blast disease caused by M. oryzae. These results suggest the usefulness of this modified amino acid natural product to mitigate agricultural problems caused by some phytopathogenic fungi. Significance and impact of the study: Fusarium head blight or scab disease and rice blast, caused by Fusarium graminearum and Magnaporthe oryzae, respectively, are major diseases of cereal crops that cause a significant loss of yield and deterioration in the quality of the grain. The present study investigated the effects of acivicin, a glutamine amino acid analog, on the physiology of various phytopathogenic fungi. Application of acivicin to a fungal culture and conidial suspension reduced mycotoxin production by the wheat scab fungus and the severity of rice blast, respectively. These results suggest the possibility that acivicin may serve as a lead compound to develop agricultural chemicals for the control of some plant diseases. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Organo-iodine formation in soils and aquifer sediments at ambient concentrations.
One of the key risk drivers at radioactive waste disposal facilities is radioiodine, especially 129I. As iodine mobility varies greatly with iodine speciation, experiments with 129I-contaminated aquifer sediments from the Savannah River Site located in Aiken, SC, were carried out to test iodine interactions with soils and aquifer sediments. Using tracer 125I- and stable 127I- additions, it was shown that such interactions were highly dependent on I- concentrations added to sediment suspensions, contact time with the sediment, and organic carbon (OC) content, resulting in an empirical particle-water partition coefficient (Kd) that was an inverse power function of the added I- concentration. However, Kd values of organically bound 127I were 3 orders of magnitude higher than those determined after 1-2 weeks of tracer equilibration, approaching those of OC. Under ambient conditions, organo-iodine (OI) was a major fraction (67%) of the total iodine in the dissolved phase and by implication of the particulate phase. As the total concentration of amended I- increased, the fraction of detectable dissolved OI decreased. This trend, attributed to OC becoming the limiting factor in the aquifer sediment explains why at elevated I-concentrations OI is often not detected. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Enantioseparation of flinderoles and borreverines by HPLC on Chirobiotic V and V2 stationary phases and by CE using cyclodextrin selectors.
Racemic mixtures of the promising anti-malarial bisindole alkoids, flinderole A-C, desmethyl flinderole C, borreverine and isoborreverine, are baseline-separated for the first time by HPLC using vancomycin-based stationary phases and partially separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) using cyclodextrin selectors. The HPLC results compare the performance of Chirobiotic V and V2 in the polar organic and reversed phase modes and their complementary selectivity is discussed. The performance of the cyclodextrin selectors in CE, while less effective, are discussed in terms of their selectivity in normal and reversed polarity modes. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Fingerprint analysis of brominated flame retardants and Dechloranes in North Sea sediments.
53 brominated and chlorinated flame retardants were investigated in sediment samples from the German rivers Elbe and Weser, the German Bight, Jadebusen, East Frisian Coast as well as the UK East coast. The aim of the presented study was to investigate the prevalence of different halogenated flame retardant groups as contaminants in North Sea sediments, identify determining factors for the distribution and levels as well as to identify area specific fingerprints that could help identify sources. In order to do that a fast and effective ASE extraction method with an on-line clean-up was developed as well as a GC-EI-MSMS and LC-ESI-MSMS method to analyse PBDEs, MeOBDEs, alternate BFRs, Dechloranes as well as TBBPA and HBCDD. A fingerprinting method was adopted to identify representative area-specific patterns based on detection frequency as well as concentrations of individual compounds. Concentrations in general were low, with<1 ng g(-1) dw for most compounds. Exceptions were the comparably high concentrations of BDE-209 with up to 7 ng g(-1) dw in selected samples and TBBPA in UK samples with 2.7±1.5 ng g(-1) dw. Apart from BDE-209 and TBBPA, alternate BFRs and Dechloranes were predominant in all analysed samples, displaying the increasing relevance of these compounds as environmental contaminants. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
The combination of genistin and ipriflavone prevents mammary tumorigenesis and modulates lipid profile.
Recent reports have indicated that soy isoflavones may be protective against breast cancer. However, the effects of the synthetic isoflavone, ipriflavone, on mammary tumorigenisis, alone or in combination with genistin, a soy isoflavone, have not been investigated. Eighty-eight 36-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided as follows: Gen (20 mg genistin/kg body weight), Ipr (200 mg ipriflavone/kg body weight), Gen+Ipr (20/200 mg per kg body weight, respectively), and control (solvent vehicle). A week later, animals were injected with a single dose of methylnitrosourea. The isoflavones and solvent vehicle were administered daily via gastric gavage for 84 days post methylnitrosurea injection. The Gen+Ipr group had the lowest number of palpable tumors and adenocarcinomas per group, the least palpable tumors per rat, and the highest serum total and non-HDL cholesterol levels. No changes in circulating levels of indicators of oxidative stress were detected due to treatment. The findings of this study imply that the combination of genistin and ipriflavone is effective in suppressing mammary methylnitrosurea-induced tumorigenesis and also the lipid environment of the tumor cells that impact tumor growth or proliferation. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal dose of genistin and ipriflavone, individually or in combination, for the prevention of mammary tumorigenesis. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Characterization of Thiamine Diphosphate-Dependent 4-Hydroxybenzoylformate Decarboxylase Enzymes from Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 and Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5 Involved in Degradation of Aryl C2 Lignin Degradation Fragments.
A thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzyme annotated as a benzoylformate decarboxylase is encoded by gene cluster ro02984-ro02986 in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 previously shown to generate vanillin and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde from lignin oxidation, and a closely related gene cluster is also found in the genome of Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5. Two hypotheses for possible pathways involving a thiamine diphosphate-dependent cleavage, either C-C cleavage of a ketol or diketone aryl C3 substrate or decarboxylation of an aryl C2 substrate, were investigated by expression and purification of the recombinant enzymes and expression of dehydrogenase and oxidase enzymes also found in the gene clusters. The ThDP-dependent enzymes showed no activity for cleavage of aryl C3 ketol or diketone substrates but showed activity for decarboxylation of benzoylformate and 4-hydroxybenzoylformate. A flavin-dependent oxidase encoded by gene ro02984 was found to oxidize either mandelic acid or phenylglyoxal. The crystal structure of the P. fluorescens decarboxylase enzyme was determined at 1.69 Å resolution, showing similarity to structures of known benzoylformate decarboxylase enzymes. The P. fluorescens decarboxylase enzyme showed enhanced carboligase activity between vanillin and acetaldehyde, rationalized by the presence of alanine versus serine at residue 73 in the enzyme active site, which was investigated further by site-directed mutagenesis of this residue. A hypothesis for a pathway for degradation of aryl C2 fragments arising from oxidative cleavage of phenylcoumaran and diarylpropane structures in lignin is proposed. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Anatomically orthogonal QRS electrocardiogram of the baboon (Papio hamadryas) and the macaque (Macaca mulatta). Sex and species differences.
Peak amplitudes of the QRS complex were evaluated in 28 adult macaques (Macaca mulatta) and 28 adult baboons (Papio hamadryas), using two anatomically orthogonal lead systems. The anteroposterior (z) and the transversal (x) component of the cardiac electric field was smaller in females than in males. Comparison of QRS amplitudes in baboons and macaques indicates that the loop of the spatial vectorcardiogram is situated further ventrally and to the right in the former. The relationship between ventrally and dorsally oriented cardiac vectors, in both baboons and macaques, displays a prevalence of ventrally oriented vectors compared with man, in whom this type of relationship is normally not found after the second year of life. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
A clinical trial of the oral form of 4'-demethyl-epipodophyllotoxin-beta-D ethylidene glucoside (NSC 141540) VP 16-213.
A clinical trial of the oral form of VP 16-213 (NSC-141540), a semisynthetic podophyllotoxin, was undertaken. In 20 patients, treatment was started at 200 mg/day p.o. for 5 days; courses were repeated after a rest period of 16 days. Five patients were treated at the same dose, repeated with only 9-day rest periods. Subsequently, 65 patients were given 300-400 mg/day for 5 days, with rest periods of 9 days between courses. The side effects encountered included anorexia, nausea and vomiting, stomatitis, diarrhea, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, alopecia, and pruritus. Substernal discomfort with or without palpitations was reported by 18 patients; no explanation for this symptom could be found. No complete remissions (CR) were observed. Parital remissions (PR) and improvement (IMP) were seen as follows: small cell carcinoma, lung (10 patients)--2 PR, 3 IMP; adenocarcinoma, lung (4 patients)--1 PR; alveolar cell carcinoma, lung (1 patient)--1 IMP; mesothelioma (4 patients)--1 IMP; ovarian cancer (12 patients)--3 PR, 3 IMP; breast cancer (20 patients)--4 IMP; colon cancer (8 patients)--2 IMP; bladder cancer (4 patients)--2 IMP; histiocytic lymphoma (7 patients)--2 PR, 3 IMP; chronic myeloid leukemia (1 patient)--1 IMP. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Oral candidiasis in immunosuppressed children and young adults after liver or kidney transplantation.
Candidiasis is an infectious complication in organ transplant recipients resulting from the patients' immunodeficiency and virulence of fungi pathogens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of Candida spp. and identify their presence in the oral lesions of graft recipients. This study included 185 patients, 1.5 to 25.2 years of age (mean = 13.1 +/- 4.2 years) who were receiving combined immunosuppression treatment after kidney or liver transplantation and 70 control subjects. Evaluation included clinical oral examination, mycology, and statistical analysis. Candida spp. colonies were found in the oral mucosa of 63 (34%) graft recipients and in 19 (27%) control subjects. Candida albicans was the most prevalent species. This study showed that, regardless of the type of the organ transplant and immunosuppression, frequent, regular oral follow-up and mycologic tests are recommended. Diagnosing increased density of Candida spp. colonies in the oral cavity will help initiate early antifungal treatment. Candida spp. prevalence in the oral cavity in transplant recipients was higher than in immunocompetent control subjects. Kidney or liver transplantation predisposes one to the development of an increased density of Candida spp. colonies. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
Lemierre's syndrome: case report in a pediatric patient.
Lemierre's syndrome was described in 1936 as a severe oropharyngeal infection followed by septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and disseminated metastatic infections. Cases occur typically in previously healthy young adults and children. Fusobacterium necrophorum is the main anaerobic bacterium implicated. We present a septic 2-month-old infant with mastoiditis, multiple sites of osteoarthritis and multiple subcutaneous abscesses. No underlying anatomic or immunologic abnormalities were identified. Fusobacterium necrophorum was recovered from blood and bone samples obtained intraoperatively. Treatment included anaerobic coverage and drainage of septic foci. The patient was discharged home on 35th hospital day with oral amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and he recovered without sequelae. This was the first case of Lemierre's syndrome in our hospital. We want to highlight the absence of jugular vein thrombophlebitis, the presence of mastoiditis as previous infection and the surprising appearance of this infection in an edentulous 2-month-old infant. | {
"pile_set_name": "PubMed Abstracts"
} |
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