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pubmed_1071_18361 | Gene order is largely collinear in the small-grained cereals, a feature which has proved helpful in both marker development and positional cloning. The accuracy of a virtual gene order map ("genome zipper") for barley (Hordeum vulgare), developed by combining a genetic map of this species with a large number of gene locations obtained from the maps constructed in other grass species, was evaluated here both at the genome-wide level and at the fine scale in a representative segment of the genome. Comparing the whole genome "genome zipper" maps with a genetic map developed by using transcript-derived markers, yielded an accuracy of >94 %. The fine-scale comparison involved a 14 cM segment of chromosome arm 2HL. One hundred twenty-eight genes of the "genome zipper" interval were analysed. Over 95 % (45/47) of the polymorphic markers were genetically mapped and allocated to the expected region of 2HL, following the predicted order. A further 80 of the 128 genes were assigned to the correct chromosome arm 2HL by analysis of wheat-barley addition lines. All 128 gene-based markers developed were used to probe a barley bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, delivering 26 BAC contigs from which all except two were anchored to the targeted zipper interval. The results demonstrate that the gene order predicted by the "genome zipper" is remarkably accurate and that the "genome zipper" represents a highly efficient informational resource for the systematic identification of gene-based markers and subsequent physical map anchoring of the barley genome. | 10.1007/s10142-013-0327-2 |
pubmed_793_9802 | Eighteen fractures of one or both bones of the forearm, including fourteen with segmental defects, were treated with an interposed corticocancellous iliac-bone graft. A plate and screws were used to fix the fracture fragments and graft. The technique allowed early motion of the extremity. Good results were achieved in all but six of the patients. The one poor result with non-union and five others with limited motion were related primarily to infection. | pubmed_793_9802 |
pubmed_600_6439 | BACKGROUND
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the survival of dental implants placed after ablative surgery, in patients affected by oral cancer treated with or without radiotherapy.
METHODS
We collected data for 34 subjects (22 females, 12 males; mean age: 51 ± 19) with malignant oral tumors who had been treated with ablative surgery and received dental implant rehabilitation between 2007 and 2012. Postoperative radiation therapy (less than 50 Gy) was delivered before implant placement in 12 patients. A total of 144 titanium implants were placed, at a minimum interval of 12 months, in irradiated and non-irradiated residual bone.
RESULTS
Implant loss was dependent on the position and location of the implants (P = 0.05-0.1). Moreover, implant survival was dependent on whether the patient had received radiotherapy. This result was highly statistically significant (P < 0.01). Whether the implant was loaded is another highly significant (P < 0.01) factor determining survival. We observed significantly better outcomes when the implant was not loaded until at least 6 months after placement.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the retrospective design of this study could be affected by selection and information biases, we conclude that a delayed loading protocol will give the best chance of implant osseointegration, stability and, ultimately, effective dental rehabilitation. | 10.1186/1472-6831-15-5 |
pubmed_1045_19037 | Physiological studies have shown that lower urinary tract function is regulated through glutamate receptors at the levels of spinal and supraspinal cord. Of the receptor family, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors mediate activity-dependent changes of synaptic efficacy, underlying synaptic plasticity and synapse development. To know the ontogenic changes of NMDA receptor expression in the visceromotor system innervating pelvic organs, including the bladder, we employed double labeling technique of retrograde neuronal tracing and in situ hybridization for detecting NMDA subunit mRNAs in preganglionic neurons (PGNs) of the lumbosacral cord. Rats at postnatal day 7 (P7), 14 (P14), 21 (P21), and adult were used. In situ hybridization was conducted using 35S-labeled antisense oligonucleotides specific to mRNAs for NMDA receptor subunits. Hybridizing signals in PGNs were detected by a dark-field microscope equipped fluorescence detector. PGNs showed strong signals for NR1 subunit mRNA at each developmental stage examined. Moderate signals for the NR2B and NR2D subunit mRNAs were found in PGNs at P7. However, their expression levels decreased thereafter, reaching the minimal level in adults. No significant signals for NR2A and NR2C subunit mRNAs were detected at any stages. This temporal pattern of expression suggests a possible involvement of NMDA receptors in the development of micturitional neural circuit through activity-dependent mechanisms. | 10.1016/s0165-3806(02)00612-0 |
pubmed_1122_17212 | Oxidative stress has been implicated in the mechanism of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-induced apoptosis, raising a question about the status of antioxidant defenses in TNF-sensitive cells. Antioxidant defenses were examined in MCF-7 cells after treatment with TNF. Cell morphology and DNA fragmentation assays were used to confirm increased apoptosis as a result of TNF treatment. The expression and activity of antioxidant defenses were assessed using Northern blot hybridization analyses and biochemical assays, respectively. Five- and ten-fold increases in manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) mRNA were measured after one and five days of TNF treatment, respectively. The expression of copper,zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase or thioredoxin was not altered. An approximate five-fold increase in MnSOD activity followed the change in gene expression, but no difference in the activity of catalase or glutathione peroxidase was seen. Thus, increased MnSOD activity was not accompanied by an increase in other antioxidant defenses and in particular, H2O2-scavenging enzymes. MnSOD has previously been shown to afford protection against TNF-mediated cytotoxicity. The observed lack of increased peroxidase activity is consistent with mitochondrially-generated superoxide anion radical contributing to the mechanism of TNF-induced apoptosis. | 10.1016/s0891-5849(98)00273-1 |
pubmed_319_15814 | PURPOSE
We evaluated dynamic changes in anterior segment morphology during the Valsalva maneuver with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).
METHODS
For this prospective observational study, a group of patients with narrow angles and a group of normal subjects were recruited. The anterior segment of subjects was imaged and analyzed quantitatively using UBM before and during the Valsalva maneuver. Changes in anterior segment parameters from baseline and during the Valsalva maneuver, and the differences in parameters between the narrow angle and control groups were analyzed.
RESULTS
Of 151 subjects recruited for the study, 68 (45.0%) were men and 83 (54.9%) had narrow angles. For the overall group, during Valsalva maneuver, the subjects' central anterior chamber depth (ACD) became shallower (from 2.286-2.262 mm, P < 0.001), and the anterior chamber angle became narrower (from 14.673-13.370 degrees, P = 0.004), the angle opening distance became smaller (from 0.158-0.140 mm, P = 0.014), and the peripheral iris thickness became thicker (from 0.494-0.508 mm, P = 0.041), while the central iris thickness did not change. Compared to normal controls, narrow angle subjects had shallower ACD and thicker iris at baseline, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in dynamic changes in the anterior segment after the Valsalva maneuver.
CONCLUSIONS
The Valsalva maneuver, performed frequently in daily activities, can lead to significant narrowing of the angles in subjects with open and narrow angles. This factor may be important in eyes at risk for angle closure glaucoma. | 10.1167/iovs.12-10497 |
pubmed_803_2955 | A factor analysis of personality, intellectual, demographic and behavioral variables obtained from a randomly selected population (N = 200) of incarcerated delinquents produced five factors with loadings that describe five personality groupings: The white offender with good verbal skills, the older adolescent offender with good verbal skills, the older adolescent offender, the institutional disrupter, and the anxious, verbal offender rated as "a good therapy risk." Implications of the present research and suggested modifications of the screening battery utilized are discussed. | 10.1002/1097-4679(198307)39:4<614::aid-jclp2270390428>3.0.co;2-n |
pubmed_41_4960 | INTRODUCTION
In an attempt to maximize treatment outcomes, refractive surgery techniques are being directed toward customized ablations to correct not only lower-order aberrations but also higher-order aberrations specific to the individual eye. Measurement of the entirety of ocular aberrations is the most definitive means to establish the true effect of refractive surgery on image quality and visual performance. Whether or not there is a statistically significant difference in induced higher-order corneal aberrations between the VISX Star S4 (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, California) and the WaveLight EX500 (Alcon, Fort Worth, Texas) lasers was examined.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the difference in root-mean-square (RMS) value of the higher-order corneal aberrations postoperatively between two currently available laser platforms, the VISX Star S4 and the WaveLight EX500 lasers. The RMS is a compilation of higher-order corneal aberrations. Data from 240 total eyes of active duty military or Department of Defense beneficiaries who completed photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) refractive surgery at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center were examined. Using SPSS statistics software (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York), the mean changes in RMS values between the two lasers and refractive surgery procedures were determined. A Student t test was performed to compare the RMS of the higher-order aberrations of the subjects' corneas from the lasers being studied. A regression analysis was performed to adjust for preoperative spherical equivalent. The study and a waiver of informed consent have been approved by the Clinical Research Division of the 59th Medical Wing Institutional Review Board (Protocol Number: 20150093H).
RESULTS
The mean change in RMS value for PRK using the VISX laser was 0.00122, with a standard deviation of 0.02583. The mean change in RMS value for PRK using the WaveLight EX500 laser was 0.004323, with a standard deviation of 0.02916. The mean change in RMS value for LASIK using the VISX laser was 0.00841, with a standard deviation of 0.03011. The mean change in RMS value for LASIK using the WaveLight EX500 laser was 0.0174, with a standard deviation of 0.02417. When comparing the two lasers for PRK and LASIK procedures, the p values were 0.431 and 0.295, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest no statistically significant difference concerning induced higher-order aberrations between the two laser platforms for either LASIK or PRK. Overall, the VISX laser did have consistently lower induced higher-order aberrations postoperatively, but this did not reach statistical significance. It is likely the statistical significance of this study was hindered by the power, given the relatively small sample size. Additional limitations of the study include its design, being a retrospective analysis, and the generalizability of the study, as the Department of Defense population may be significantly different from the typical refractive surgery population in terms of overall health and preoperative refractive error. Further investigation of visual outcomes between the two laser platforms should be investigated before determining superiority in terms of visual image and quality postoperatively. | 10.7205/MILMED-D-17-00159 |
pubmed_244_23639 | Photogenic: The synthesis of linderaspirone A has been accomplished in only three steps by a Darzens cyclopentenedione synthesis and dioxygen-assisted photochemical dimerization. Moreover, the thermal isomerization of linderaspirone A into bi-linderone has been discovered, which may give clues to the biosynthetic pathway for bi-linderone. | 10.1002/ajoc.201200184 |
others_356_14986 | Maintenance plays an important role in modern industry, and the proper maintenance of fluid-power devices is especially important, since they are involved in almost all industrial processes. Unfortunately, the rapid rise in the use of fluid power has produced a shortage of qualified maintenance technicians. This article outlines some of the things the plant engineer can do to help his staff maintain fluid-power control valves more effectively, and also describes some widely applicable troubleshooting procedures | others_356_14986 |
pubmed_256_6720 | A lung function technician developed episodes of headache, probably related to the use of methacholine. The headache disappeared with breathing 100% oxygen. Cholinergic agents are known to induce headaches but the mechanism remains unclear. Vascular factors could be implicated. | 10.1136/thx.50.3.319 |
pubmed_1138_7132 | Cells in the monkey temporal cortex that respond selectively to faces suggest that monkeys might have a brain structure similar to that in humans where lesions produce prosopagnosia, but effects of lesions on retrieval of face discriminations have been ambiguous in monkeys. It is possible that the stimuli in the monkey experiments were contaminated with non-face elements that could be discriminated by other parts of the visual system. In this experiment we modified the image of a monkey face creating two faces that were identical except for their internal features. We trained monkeys to discriminate these faces and then reversibly suppressed the inferotemporal cortex with cold and tested their ability to recall them. Cooling the temporal cortex produced a severe impairment in retrieval of the discrimination that remained constant across six 40-trial replications. | 10.1016/0028-3932(93)90033-v |
pubmed_779_6161 | OBJECTIVE
This case will illustrate the interdisciplinary management of an adolescent female patient with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). It will contrast this approach and compare it to the previous "multidisciplinary" treatment rendered before the patient was referred for a second opinion.
CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The patient had a family history of AI affecting all of her permanent teeth. There were many impacted teeth. The majority of her family and relatives afflicted by this opted for dentures. The patient had undergone 2 years of treatment and was told that her "braces would be removed next week." Her new dentist was concerned because the case was not ready to restore.
CONCLUSION
He recommended referral to another orthodontist for a second opinion and formulation of an interdisciplinary treatment plan that would include a periodontist, endodontist, and restorative dentist. The patient's family accepted the second opinion referral and restarted treatment with an interdisciplinary team. The restorative dentist was the quarterback for this integrated and sequenced approach. The case was ultimately restored. A 35 year follow-up shows stability with a caries free, periodontally healthy, esthetic result. | 10.1111/jerd.12804 |
pubmed_571_14715 | PROBLEM
Dalton's lymphoma (DL) shows very high interleukin (IL)-13 level in the serum and ascitic fluid. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated if any sexual dichotomy in the level of IL-13, and resulting B-cell activation and Ig subclass switching also exist in the tumor-bearing host.
METHOD OF STUDY
Serum and ascitic fluid of different groups of DL-bearing mice were isolated and IL-13 level and various Ig levels in serum were quantified by double-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further, the B cells were isolated from DL-bearing mice and effects of various concentrations of IL-13 and sex steroids were measured.
RESULTS
Uncastrated and hormone replaced DL-bearing mice showed sexual dichotomy in IL-13 level, and subsequent difference in Ig-level and this was found to be more pronounced in females. Similarly, in vitro study suggested that estrogen treatment, in combination with IL-13, strongly modulates B-cell Ig switching in comparison to testosterone treatment in association with IL-13.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that IL-13, in concert with gonadal hormones, differentially modulates the B-cell function in a tumor-bearing host. | 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2007.00541.x |
pubmed_179_17942 | To capitalize on investments in evidence-based practices, technology is needed to scale up fidelity assessment and supervision. Stakeholder feedback may facilitate adoption of such tools. This evaluation gathered stakeholder feedback and preferences to explore whether it would be fundamentally feasible or possible to implement an automated fidelity-scoring supervision tool in community mental health settings. A partially mixed, sequential research method design was used including focus group discussions with community mental health therapists (n = 18) and clinical leadership (n = 12) to explore typical supervision practices, followed by discussion of an automated fidelity feedback tool embedded in a cloud-based supervision platform. Interpretation of qualitative findings was enhanced through quantitative measures of participants' use of technology and perceptions of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the tool. Initial perceptions of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of automated fidelity tools were positive and increased after introduction of an automated tool. Standard supervision was described as collaboratively guided and focused on clinical content, self-care, and documentation. Participants highlighted the tool's utility for supervision, training, and professional growth, but questioned its ability to evaluate rapport, cultural responsiveness, and non-verbal communication. Concerns were raised about privacy and the impact of low scores on therapist confidence. Desired features included intervention labeling and transparency about how scores related to session content. Opportunities for asynchronous, remote, and targeted supervision were particularly valued. Stakeholder feedback suggests that automated fidelity measurement could augment supervision practices. Future research should examine the relations among use of such supervision tools, clinician skill, and client outcomes. | 10.1007/s10488-021-01167-x |
pubmed_300_17029 | Varroa destructor is an external parasitic mite that is a serious pest of honeybees and has caused severe losses of colonies worldwide. One of the feasible alternative treatments being used for their control is essential oils. The aim of this work was to evaluate the bioactivity of some essential oils on V. destructor and Apis mellifera in relation with their chemical composition and physicochemical properties. Lavender, lavendin and laurel essential oils showed linalool as main compound in their composition. 1,8-Cineole was also present as a predominant component in the laurel essential oil. However, thyme oil was characterized by a high concentration of thymol. Mites and bees toxicity was tested by means of complete exposure method. For mites, LC(50) values for laurel, lavender and lavendin essential oil did not show significant variation throughout all observation times. However, the LC(50) values for thyme oil at 48 and 72 h were lower than at 24 h. Bee mortality was evident only in treatment with thyme oil. At 48 and 72 h, lavender essential oil presented better selectivity indexes. In this research, all essential oils caused mite mortality without severe harmful effects on adult bees. The simultaneous evaluation of the physicochemical analysis of the essential oils, the characterization of the dosage response relationships among them, and the mortality effects on mite and bees, give us the possibility to obtain comparative results for future research in Varroa control. | 10.1007/s00436-009-1639-y |
pubmed_719_24260 | Pollinators are key components of the global biodiversity, providing vital ecosystem services of pollination to crops and wild plants. Understanding pollinator assemblage and how it changes spatially is important in order to device effective ecosystem management planning. This is the first empirical study to explore pollinator community structure in four widely isolated nature reserves of southern Punjab, Pakistan, i.e., the central agricultural plain (Pirowal Forest), the Indus delta plain (Ghazi Ghat Wetland), hilly mountains (Fort Munro), and a sandy desert (Lal Suhanra Forest). Six assemblage parameters, i.e., abundance, richness, dominance, evenness, Simpson index, and Shannon-Wiener index, were studied over seven consecutive months (February to August 2012). Maximum abundance and richness of the pollinators were recorded at Ghazi Ghat (1354 individuals and 84 species), followed by Pirowal (1331 individuals and 80 species), Lal Suhanra (1197 individuals and 77 species), and Fort Munro (808 individuals and 65 species). The highest values of Simpson and evenness indexes were recorded at Fort Munro, while the Shannon-Wiener and dominance indexes were highest at Ghazi Ghat and Pirowal. Species richness was highest for bees, while it was lowest for flies, yet the latter were the highest in abundance among the four pollinator groups. The current study is a first account of pollinator assemblage structure in four widely isolated forest reserves of Punjab, Pakistan. This will support ecosystem management planning, and opens doors for further research in order to reveal complexities in pollinator assemblage structure especially in relation with plant communities. | 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.10.007 |
others_196_15352 | Study Objectives: Autonomic impairment and white matter (WM) alterations have been noted as effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study sought to evaluate the change of WM integrity in patients with OSA using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and to determine its relationship with autonomic impairment. Methods: A total of 30 patients with moderate and severe OSA and 19 healthy volunteers were recruited. A cardiovascular autonomic survey was performed and the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) for each participant was derived from changes in heart rate and blood pressure during the early part of phase II of the Valsalva maneuver. DTI-related indices were derived from DTI. The fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) maps were compared using voxel-based statistics to determine differences between the patients with OSA and the healthy controls. The correlations among DTI indices, clinical severity, and autonomic parameters were investigated. Results: The BRS values were significantly worse in the OSA group than in the control patients. An exploratory group-wise comparison between the two groups revealed that the patients with OSA exhibited low FA, increased MD, AD, and RD in several brain locations. The declined DTI indices in autonomic-related areas were significantly correlated with increased clinical disease severity and baroreflex impairment. Conclusions: OSA alters WM integrity in the cingulum and temporal lobe, and this impairment might play some role in autonomic dysfunction. The possible interaction between autonomic dysfunction and central nervous system microstructural alterations may represent variant hypoxic patterns, sympathetic activation, and their consequent processes in OSA. © 2020 American Academy of Sleep Medicine. All rights reser | 10.5664/JCSM.8186 |
pubmed_506_9196 | The discovery and application of noble metal nanoclusters have received considerable attention. In this paper, we reported that apoferritin paired gold clusters (Au-Ft) could efficiently catalyze oxidation of 3.3',5.5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2 to produce a blue color reaction. Compared with natural enzyme, Au-Ft exhibited higher activity near acidic pH and could be used over a wide range of temperatures. Apoferritin nanocage enhanced the reaction activity of substrate TMB by H2O2. The reaction catalyzed by Au-Ft was found to follow a typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The kinetic parameters exhibited a lower K(m) value (0.097 mM) and a higher K(cat) value (5.8 × 10(4) s(-1)) for TMB than that of horse radish peroxidase (HRP). Base on these findings, Au-Ft, acting as a peroxidase mimetic, performed enzymatic spectrophotometric analysis of glucose. This system exhibited acceptable reproducibility and high selectivity in biosening, suggesting that it could have promising applications in the future. | pubmed_506_9196 |
pubmed_722_22513 | CONTEXT
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the procedure of choice for biliary decompression in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. However, it may be unsuccessful in 3 to 10% of cases. When ERCP is unsuccessful, the usual alternatives are percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or surgery. Recently, several authors have reported the use of EUS-guided biliary drainage in patients with malignant biliary obstructions, with acceptable success and complication rates. We describe three cases of unresectable pancreatic cancer associated with obstructive jaundice, treated by EUS-guided biliary drainage.
CASE REPORT
Three patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, associated with obstructive jaundice, were included. ERCP was unsuccessful because of complete tumor obstruction of the distal common bile duct and papilla invasion. An EUS-guided rendezvous maneuver was attempted, without success. Then, EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy, with a partially covered self-expanding metal stent, was performed in the same procedure. There were no early complications and the procedure was also clinically effective in relieving jaundice in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS
EUS-guided biliary drainage is a feasible alternative to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or surgery in unresectable pancreatic cancer with obstructive jaundice when ERCP fails. However, the development of new specific instruments and studies comparing this procedure with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and surgery are needed. | pubmed_722_22513 |
pubmed_934_24889 | 14 new structures of isoxazole-moiety-containing quinazoline derivatives(3a~3n) were synthesized for the first time and characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, ESI-MS. Subsequently, their in vitro anticancer activity against A549, HCT116 and MCF-7 cell lines was preliminarily evaluated using the MTT method. Among them, most compounds showed good to excellent anticancer activity, especially 3d, 3i, 3k and 3m exhibited the more potent anticancer activity against A549, HCT116 and MCF-7 cell lines, which can be regarded as the promising drug candidates for development of anticancer drugs. | 10.2174/1871520614666140812105445 |
pubmed_1037_905 | BACKGROUND
Electromagnetic waves can cause biological effects on repair process. Due to the proximity of the jawbone and the soft tissue around it in a part of the face with which it has the closest contact during the cell phone use, this study aims to investigate the effect of mobile waves on socket healing after tooth extraction in rats.
METHODS
This experimental study was conducted on 32 rats. The case group was exposed to a 900 MHz frequency electromagnetic field for 30 min/d. Sacrificed eight rats from the case group and 7 rats from the control group on day 14, and 8 rats from the case group and 7 rats from the control group were sacrificed on day 28 at the end of the radiation period and CBCT and microscopic examinations on the maxillary bones and soft tissue were performed.
RESULTS
According to the findings, the healing process was significantly different in two groups in terms of the percentage of new bone formation on day 14 after the end of radiation (P=0.014). The other measured parameters including the degree of inflammation, thickness of the formed bone, number of osteoblasts and Gray Scale had no significant difference between the two groups in any of the 14-day and 28-day intervals.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed that intermittent exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields over a period of 20 hours has no significant effect on the healing process of alveolar socket after tooth extraction in rats. | 10.23736/S2724-6329.21.04568-X |
others_314_31795 | Taxonomic experts classify millions of specimens, but this is very time-consuming and therefore expensive. Image analysis is a way to automate identification and was previously done at Naturalis Biodiversity Center for slipper orchids (Cypripedioideae) by the program OrchID. This program operated by extracting a pre-defined number of features from images, and these features were used to train artificial neural networks (ANN) to classify out-of-sample images. This program was extended to work for a collection of Javanese butterflies, donated to Naturalis by the Van Groenendael-Krijger Foundation. Originally, for the orchids, an image was divided into a pre-defined number of horizontal and vertical bins and the mean blue-green-red values of each bin were calculated (BGR method) to obtain image features. In the extended implementation, characteristic image features were extracted using the SURF algorithm implemented in OpenCV and clustered with the BagOfWords method (SURF-BOW method). In addition, a combination of BGR- and SURF-BOW was implemented to extract both types of features in a single dataset (BGR-SURF method). A selection of the butterfly and orchid images was made to create datasets with at least 5 and at most 50 specimens per species. The SURF-BOW and BGR-SURF methods were applied to both selected datasets, and the original BGR method was applied to the selected butterfly dataset. PCA plots were made to inspect visually how well the applied methods discriminated among the species. For the butterflies, both genus and species appeared to cluster together in the plots of the SURF-BOW method. However, no obvious clustering was noticeable for the orchid plots. The performance of the ANNs was validated by a stratified k-fold cross validation. For the butterflies, the BGR-SURF method scored best with an accuracy of 77%, against 71% for the SURF-BOW method and 66% for the BGR method, all for chained genus and species prediction with k = 10. The new methods could not improve the accuracy of the orchid classification with k = 10, which was 75% on genus, 52% on genus and section and 48% on genus, section and species in the original framework and now less than 25% for all. The validation results also showed that at least about 15 specimens per species were necessary for a good prediction with the SURF-BOW method. The BGR-SURF method was found to be the best of these methods for butterflies, but the original BGR method was best for the slipper orchids. In the future these methods may be tested with other datasets, for example with mosquitoes. In addition, other classifiers may be tested for better performance, like support vector machines | 10.1101/408146 |
pubmed_434_17630 | In recent years, the study of lipid signalling networks has significantly increased. Although best studied in mammalian cells, lipid signalling is now appreciated also in microbial cells, particularly in yeasts and moulds. For instance, microbial sphingolipids and their metabolizing enzymes play a key role in the regulation of fungal pathogenicity, especially in Cryptococcus neoformans, through the modulation of different microbial pathways and virulence factors. Another example is the quorum sensing molecule (QSM) farnesol. In fact, this QSM is involved not only in mycelial growth and biofilm formation of Candida albicans, but also in many stress related responses. In moulds, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, QSM and sphingolipids are important for maintaining cell wall integrity and virulence. Finally, fungal cells make oxylipins to increase their virulence attributes and to counteract the host immune defences. In this review, we discuss these aspects in details. | 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2010.01550.x |
pubmed_269_16201 | There is a concerning increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence in eastern Indonesia. HIV testing rates in this area are the lowest in the country. This study aimed to analyze the determinants of HIV testing in the Public Health Centers (PHCs) in eastern Indonesia. A cross-sectional study design was utilized using secondary data from the 2017 Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS). We focused the survey on eastern Indonesia (Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua) with PHC settings. After we weighted and removed missing data, we obtained 2118 surveys (425 males and 1693 females aged 14-54 years). Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the determinants of HIV testing optimization in eastern Indonesia with a significance level of p < 0.05. The HIV testing coverage at the PHCs in eastern Indonesia was found to be 28.28%. From the survey, we found that respondents from the province of Papua (AOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.09-1.91), those who were female (AOR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.75-3.12), and those with more information on HIV (AOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.41-2.51) were more likely to undergo HIV testing at the PHCs. Meanwhile, the wealthiest respondents (AOR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.42-0.89) and the respondents who engaged in the perpetuation of stigmatization (AOR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.42-1.02) were less likely to undergo HIV testing at the PHCs. The coverage of HIV testing in eastern Indonesia needs special attention from the Indonesian government. Increasing equity, distributing information regarding HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) through social media, and creating accessible HIV testing in rural areas are vital for developing appropriate interventions. | 10.3390/healthcare10030533 |
pubmed_969_16285 | The major PNS myelin protein, P0, has been expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells by transfection with a plasmid containing the P0-cDNA. The expression of P0 at both the RNA and the protein level was greatly increased, without detriment to the cell, by the dihydrofolate reductase-methotrexate strategy of gene amplification. The P0 expressed by these cells was glycosylated (containing approximately equal amounts of the complex and high-mannose type glycoproteins) and reached the plasma membrane. This system is suitable not only for addressing the function of P0 directly, but it also applicable to any protein of which an abundance is needed. | 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1990.tb04163.x |
pubmed_1005_23491 | Enolase is an evolutionarily conserved enzyme involved in the processes of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae belongs to Mycoplasma, whose species are wall-less and among the smallest self-replicating bacteria, and is an important colonizing respiratory pathogen in the pig industry worldwide. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae enolase (Mhp Eno) expression is significantly increased after infection and was previously found to be a virulence factor candidate. Our studies show that Mhp Eno is a cell surface-localized protein that can adhere to swine tracheal epithelial cells (STECs). Adhesion to STECs can be specifically inhibited by an Mhp Eno antibody. Mhp Eno can recognize and interact with plasminogen with high affinity. Here, the first crystal structure of the mycoplasmal enolase from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae was determined. The structure showed unique features of Mhp Eno in the S3/H1, H6/S6, H7/H8, and H13 regions. All of these regions were longer than those of other enolases and were exposed on the Mhp Eno surface, making them accessible to host molecules. These results show that Mhp Eno has specific structural characteristics and acts as a multifunctional adhesin on the Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae cell surface. | 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00209 |
pubmed_67_14712 | Bacteria and filamentous fungi (ff) are commonly encountered in biofilms developed in drinking water (DW) distribution systems (DWDS). Despite their intimate ecological relationships, researchers tend to study bacteria and ff separately. This work assesses the impact of bacteria-ff association in biofilm formation and tolerance to chlorination. One strain of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus isolated from DW was used as a model bacterium. Penicillium brevicompactum and P. expansum isolated from DW were the ff selected. Single species and inter-kingdom adhesion and biofilm formation occurred under two shear stress (τ) conditions (0.05 and 1.6 Pa). The sessile structures were further characterized in terms of biomass production, respiratory activity and structure. The results showed that 1.6 Pa of shear stress and A. calcoaceticus-ff association favoured biofilm production. Inter-kingdom biofilms produced more biomass than A. calcoaceticus single species and reduced A. calcoaceticus susceptibility to disinfection, particularly to high sodium hypochlorite (SHC) concentrations. In addition, P. brevicompactum formed single species biofilms highly resistant to removal and inactivation by SHC. The presence of P. brevicompactum or P. expansum in inter-kingdom biofilms significantly decreased SHC removal and inactivation effects in comparison to the bacterial biofilms alone, proposing that using bacteria to form biofilms representative of DWDS can provide inaccurate conclusions, particularly in terms of biofilm production and susceptibility to disinfection. | 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109980 |
pubmed_1121_9620 | OBJECTIVE
To compare skin-to-skin care (SSC) given by mother and father for preterm neonatal pain control by premature infant pain profile (PIPP) score.
METHODS
64 stable preterm (28-36 weeks gestational age) neonates born at a level-3 neonatal intensive care unit were included in the trial. Random allocation with the help of a computer-generated sequence was done. In group A, SSC was given by the mother 15 minutes before the first heel-stick, and subsequently, SSC was given by the father before the second heel-stick. In group B, the sequence of SSC provider was reversed. Blinded PIPP score assessment at 0, 1, and 5 minutes of heel-stick were done by two independent assessors using video recording.
RESULTS
The mean (SD) birth weight was 1665.18 (339.35) grams, and mean (SD) gestational age was 34.28 (2.24) weeks. The PIPP score at 0, 1, and 5 minutes had no statistical or clinically significant differences between both groups (PIPP score mean (SD) at 0 minute = 3.20 (1.11) vs. 3.01 (1.29), p value = 0.38; 1 minute = 8.59 (4.27) vs. 8.26 (4.08), p value = 0.66; 5 minutes = 3.79 (1.40) vs. 3.93 (1.99), p value = 0.65 in SSC by mother and father group, respectively). Furthermore, there was no statistical difference between the groups for any components of the PIPP score (all p values > 0.05). The PIPP score at 5 minutes almost attained the 0-minute level in both the groups.
CONCLUSION
Father is as effective as the mother for providing skin-to-skin care for preterm neonatal pain control. This trial is registered with CTRI/2018/01/016783. | 10.1155/2021/8886887 |
others_314_168606 | Transcriptional pausing underpins regulation of cellular RNA synthesis but its mechanism remains incompletely understood. Sequence-specific interactions of DNA and RNA with the dynamic, multidomain RNA polymerase (RNAP) trigger reversible conformational changes at pause sites that temporarily interrupt the nucleotide addition cycle. These interactions initially rearrange the elongation complex (EC) into an elemental paused EC (ePEC). ePECs can form longer-lived PECs by further rearrangements or interactions of diffusible regulators. For both bacterial and mammalian RNAPs, a half-translocated state in which the next DNA template base fails to load into the active site appears central to the ePEC. Some RNAPs also swivel interconnected modules that may stabilize the ePEC. However, it is unclear if swiveling and half-translocation are requisite features of a single ePEC state or if multiple ePEC states exist. Here we use cryo-EM analysis of ePECs with different RNA-DNA sequences combined with biochemical probes of ePEC structure to define an interconverting ensemble of ePEC states. ePECs occupy either pre- or half-translocated states but do not always swivel, indicating that difficulty in forming the post-translocated state at certain RNA-DNA sequences may be the essence of the ePEC. The existence of multiple ePEC conformations has broad implications for transcriptional regulation.
SIGNIFICANCETranscriptional pausing provides a hub for gene regulation. Pausing provides a timing mechanism to coordinate regulatory interactions, co-transcriptional RNA folding and protein synthesis, and stop signals for transcriptional termination. Cellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs) are complex, with multiple mobile modules shifting positions to control its catalytic activity and pause RNAP in response to DNA-encoded pause signals. Understanding how these modules move to enable pausing is crucial for a mechanistic understanding of gene regulation. Our results clarify the picture significantly by defining multiple states among which paused RNAP partitions in response to different pause signals. This work contributes to an emerging theme wherein multiple interconverting states of the RNAP proceed through a pathway (e.g., initiation or pausing), providing multiple opportunities for regula | 10.1101/2022.09.11.507475 |
pubmed_851_7715 | Malaria control in West Africa is impeded by the large reservoir of chronic asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in the human population. This study aimed to assess the extent of diversity in the P. falciparum reservoir in Bongo District (BD), Ghana, at the end of the dry season, the lowest point in malaria transmission over the course of the year. Analysis of the variation in 12 microsatellite loci was completed for 200 P. falciparum isolates collected from a cross-sectional survey of residents of all ages from two catchment areas in BD. Analysis of the multilocus haplotypes showed high levels of genetic diversity (He = 0.74), no population differentiation yet significant linkage disequilibrium (LD) (ISA = 0.0127, P = 0.006) in BD. Multilocus LD was significant between and within catchment areas even though every haplotype in the population was unique and the majority of individuals (84.0%) harbored multiple-clone infections. The linkage structure among multilocus haplotypes was not associated with sampling location. These data provide the first study with deep sampling of the P. falciparum reservoir in an area of seasonal malaria transmission in West Africa. The co-occurrence of high multiplicity of infection (multiple-clone infections) with significant multilocus LD is surprising given the likelihood of high recombination rates in BD. The results suggest that the linkage structure among multilocus haplotypes has not been shaped by geographic separation of parasite populations. Furthermore, the observed LD levels provide a baseline population genetic metric with putatively neutral markers to evaluate the effects of seasonality and malaria control efforts in BD. | 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0119 |
pubmed_311_1375 | BACKGROUND
Large epidemiologic studies evaluating the etiologies, management decisions and outcomes of infants and children with meningitis and encephalitis in the United States are lacking.
METHODS
Children 0-17 years of age with meningitis or encephalitis as assessed by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes available in the Premier Healthcare Database during 2011-2014 were analyzed.
RESULTS
Six thousand six hundred sixty-five patients with meningitis or encephalitis were identified; 3030 (45.5%) were younger than 1 year of age, 295 (4.4%) were 1-2 years of age, 1460 (21.9%) were 3-9 years of age, and 1880 (28.2%) were 10-17 years of age. Etiologies included enterovirus (58.4%), unknown (23.7%), bacterial (13.0%), noninfectious (3.1%), herpes simplex virus (1.5%), other viruses (0.7%), arboviruses (0.5%) and fungal (0.04%). The majority of patients were male [3847 (57.7%)] and healthy [6094 (91.4%)] with no reported underlying conditions. Most underwent a lumbar puncture in the emergency department [5363 (80%)] and were admitted to the hospital [5363 (83.1%)]. Antibiotic therapy was frequent (92.2%) with children younger than 1 year of age with the highest rates (97.7%). Antiviral therapy was less common (31.1%). Only 539 (8.1%) of 6665 of patients received steroids. Early administration of adjunctive steroids was not associated with a reduction in mortality (P = 0.266). The overall median length of stay was 2 days. Overall mortality rate (0.5%) and readmission rates (<1%) was low for both groups.
CONCLUSION
Meningitis and encephalitis in infants and children in the United States are more commonly caused by viruses and are treated empirically with antibiotic therapy and antiviral therapy in a significant proportion of cases. Adjunctive steroids are used infrequently and are not associated with a benefit in mortality. | 10.1097/INF.0000000000002081 |
pubmed_410_21363 | A series of novel β-carboline 1,3,4-oxadiazole based hybrids were designed, synthesized, and tested for cytotoxicity and HDAC inhibition. Among the target compounds, compound ZDLT-1 displayed high inhibitory activity for class I HDACs 1, 2, and 3, and potent anti-proliferative activity against HCT116 cells with an IC50 value of 0.173 ± 0.018 μM, it also exhibited better inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 6 nM for HDAC6 than SAHA (IC50 = 15 nM). Furthermore, the pharmacological experiment of Hoechst staining, colony formation, cell apoptosis assay, and wound healing scratch assay indicated that compound ZDLT-1 was a potent cytotoxic agent against HCT116 cells with cell apoptosis induction. Further, in silico prediction of physicochemical properties, drug-likeness, and ADME parameters suggested that compound ZDLT-1 is a promising anticancer agent. Taken together, the high potency cytotoxicity and class I HDACs inhibitory activity of compound ZDLT-1, which with the β-carboline 1,3,4-oxadiazole based hybrids as potent anticancer agents could be nominated for further modification and optimization. | 10.1016/j.bmcl.2022.128663 |
pubmed_579_10588 | OBJECTIVES
HIV infection affects the central nervous system (CNS), frequently causing cognitive impairment. Hippocampal injury impedes the ability to transfer information into memory. Therefore, we aimed to examine neuronal injury and repair in the hippocampal formation in HIV encephalopathy.
METHODS
We compared neuropathological findings in 14 autopsy cases after death from systemic complications of HIV infection and in 15 age-matched HIV-negative control cases after sudden death from nonneurological causes using immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS
The density of apoptotic granule cells in the dentate gyrus was higher in HIV-infected than in control cases (P = 0.048). Proliferation of neural progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus was increased in HIV infection (P = 0.028), whereas the density of recently generated TUC-4 [TOAD (turned on after division)/Ulip/CRMP family 4]-expressing neurons in this region was not significantly elevated in HIV-infected cases (P = 0.13). HIV infection caused microglial activation and astrocytosis in the neocortex and hippocampal formation. Conversely, we were unable to detect more pronounced axonal injury in HIV-infected than in control cases.
CONCLUSIONS
As in other infections involving the CNS, apoptosis of hippocampal neurons accompanied by microglial activation and astrocytosis is a prominent feature of HIV encephalopathy. The regenerative potential, assessed using the density of young neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, in HIV infection appears to be lower than in acute bacterial meningitis and septic encephalitis. | 10.1111/hiv.12288 |
pubmed_781_435 | INTRODUCTION
Diagnostic tools to show emboli reliably and protection techniques against embolization when employing stent retrievers are necessary to improve endovascular stroke therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate iatrogenic emboli using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in an open series of patients who had been treated with stent retriever thrombectomy using emboli protection techniques.
METHODS
Patients with anterior circulation stroke examined with MRI before and after stent retriever thrombectomy were assessed for iatrogenic embolic events. Thrombectomy was performed in flow arrest and under aspiration using a balloon-mounted guiding catheter, a distal access catheter, or both.
RESULTS
In 13 of 57 patients (22.8%) post-interventional SWI sequences detected 16 microemboli. Three of them were associated with small ischemic lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). None of the microemboli were located in a new vascular territory, none showed clinical signs, and all 13 patients have been rated as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2b (n = 3) or 3 (n = 10). Retrospective reevaluation of the digital subtraction angiography (DSA) detected discrete flow stagnation nearby the iatrogenic microemboli in four patients with a positive persistent collateral sign in one.
CONCLUSION
Our study demonstrates two things: First, SWI seems to be more sensitive to detect emboli than DWI and DSA and, second, proximal or distal protected stent retriever thrombectomy seems to prevent iatrogenic embolization into new vascular territories during retraction of the thrombus, but not downstream during mobilization of the thrombus. Both techniques should be investigated and refined further. | 10.1007/s00234-015-1583-8 |
pubmed_288_5428 | At nonnormal incidence, the radiant reflectance of a highly reflecting multilayer coating strongly depends on the thickness of the outer layer. | 10.1364/ao.38.006034 |
others_239_15870 | ffalo calves (16), male, 8-12 month-old and procured locally were divided into 4 equal groups of which 2 were optimal-fed and the remaining 2 were under-fed to study the effect of different levels of nutrition on experimental bubalin trypanosomosis. The animals of 2 groups, 1 from optimal-fed and other from under-fed, were infected with Trypanosoma evansi, buffalo isolate on day 35 post-feeding with different levels of nutrition. Trypanosomosis was successfully induced in both the groups. The infected buffalo calves of both the groups did not show much difference between the onset of parasitaemia and pyrexia but parasitaemia and mortality were more in under-fed than in optimal-fed. On day 98 post-feeding, the under-fed buffalo calves gained less body weight (46.9%) compared to the optimal-fed, and following T. evansi infection live-weight gains further lowered in the former (37.5%) than in the later (14.2%). The significant (P<0.01) decrease in haemoglobin (g %), packed-cell volume (%) and total erythrocytic counts (million/mm3) on day 63 post-infection (PI) indicated development of anaemia in buffalo calves of both the infected groups. The reduction (%) in haematological indices was higher in under-fed than that in the optimal-fed. Serum glucose (mg %) levels also decreased significantly in the under-fed on day 63 PI. Microelement status revealed significantly lower values of serum iron in T. evansi infected buffalo calves of both the groups and decrease (%) was higher in under-fed (6.1%) than that in optimal-fed (2.4%). The under-fed buffalo calves also showed 4.81% lower values of serum copper than the optimal-fed. Thus, it is evident that poor nutritional level feeding aggravates the harmful effects of T. evansi infection in buffalo calves | others_239_15870 |
pubmed_872_1945 | PURPOSE
To investigate the cell populations in diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) infiltration after laser in situ keratomileusis and the possible mechanism underlying the infiltration.
SETTING
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan.
METHODS
To develop DLK in rabbit eyes, 25 microL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) solution at a concentration of 50 microg/mL was applied to the stromal bed beneath corneal flaps. For control rabbits, phosphate-buffered saline was applied. Postoperative examination by slitlamp microscopy was performed for 3 days after surgery. Rabbit eyes were excised and examined for histopathology with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemical analysis for interleukin (IL)-8 was performed.
RESULTS
Diffuse lamellar keratitis-like inflammation composed mainly of neutrophils was reproduced by LPS instillation in rabbit eyes. In eyes with severe inflammation, IL-8 immunoreactivity was found in the stromal keratocytes and infiltrating neutrophils.
CONCLUSIONS
The major cell type in the DLK infiltration induced by LPS instillation in rabbit eyes was the neutrophil. Interleukin-8, a prototype of CXC chemokine produced by keratocytes and neutrophils, may contribute to the development of DLK. | 10.1016/s0886-3350(03)00496-6 |
pubmed_419_12285 | (1) Background: The goal of this retrospective cohort study, based on real-world data and conducted in Germany, was to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic (AB) prescription in patients with acute rhinosinusitis (ARS). (2) Methods: Data from the Disease Analyzer database were used for this cross-sectional study. Patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with acute sinusitis by general practitioners (GPs) and ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialists between January 2012 and December 2020 were included. The main outcome of the study was the proportion of patients with ARS who received an AB prescription on the day of diagnosis or within three days afterwards. The proportion was estimated separately for patients treated by GPs and ENTs, and also for five age groups, as well as women and men. (3) Results: In total, 308,095 patients were diagnosed with ARS (187,838 by GPs and 120,257 by ENTs). 50.9% of patients treated by GPs and 50.0% treated by ENTs received an AB prescription. AB prevalence increased with age from 46.9% in the age group 18-30 years to 55.5% in the age group > 60 years. (4) Conclusions: We have shown a high prevalence of potentially inappropriate AB prescription for adult patients with ARS in both GP and ENT practices and also among both women and men and in several age groups. There is an urgent need for interventions to reduce inappropriate AB use. | 10.3390/antibiotics11111576 |
pubmed_1010_8464 | Consecutive photoinduced electron transfer (ConPET) has advantages on overcoming the current energetic limitation of visible-light photoredox catalysis for utilizing the energies of two photons in one catalytic cycle. A heterogeneous approach for radical chain reduction of various aryl bromides and chlorides without adding any cocatalyst is introduced by incorporating polyoxometalates (POMs) and amine catalysts into a naphthalenediimide (NDI)-based polymer. CoW-DPNDI-PYI exhibits high activity in the photocatalytic reduction of aryl halides by the synergistic effects of ConPET and hydrogen-atom-transfer (HAT) processes and an enzyme-mimicking CO2 cycloaddition reaction. The ConPET process with N,N'-bis(4-pyridylmethyl)naphthalenediimide (DPNDI) facilitates effective solar energy conversion. POMs and amine catalysts, as efficient HAT catalysts and electron donors, improve the generation of the ConPET process. The success of this work demonstrates the great application of the synergistic effects of ConPET and HAT processes in heterogeneous photocatalysis C-H arylation. | 10.1021/acsami.9b13538 |
pubmed_940_21498 | The paper addresses the question how the effector segments are coordinated during handwriting, in particular as a function of the left-to-right progression within words. It studies the phase relations between wrist and finger-joint rotations during a repetitive graphic task (long words consisting of letters 'e'), and it subjects the resulting continuous phase-relation plots to autocorrelation analysis. A novel phenomenon, viz. that of low-frequency (1-Hz) periodicity, is observed which presumably reflects adjustments of the coordination pattern about once per second, i.e., after every three or four letters 'e'. Moreover, word length and word position are found to affect this periodicity in a predictable manner. These results are related to those of an earlier study which used an ad-hoc method of analysing wrist-finger coordination adjustments. The paper underlines the value of phase-relation analysis for certain graphic tasks, but it also points out its limitations for this purpose. | 10.1016/s0001-6918(98)00030-4 |
pubmed_714_14460 | BACKGROUND
Hypothermia is a known side effect of laparoscopic operations. It may increase the sympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which can be evaluated noninvasively by heart rate variability (HRV). We tested the hypothesis that warming of the delivered CO2 insufflation gas helps to maintain the normal body temperature.
METHODS
Thirty-seven healthy women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy were randomized into heated (37 degrees C, n=18) or unheated (24 degrees C, n = 19) gas insufflation groups. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane in O2-air. Tympanic (ttymp) temperature was recorded before, during and after the operation. Nasopharyngeal (tnaso) temperature was recorded only during operation. Electrocardiograms were recorded and stored to evaluate changes in HRV. The individual changes in HRV were compared after decibel (dB) transformation.
RESULTS
A median decrease in tympanic temperatures during the operation was 0.7 degrees C in the heated and 0.3 degrees C in the unheated group (P = 0.01 between groups), and in nasopharyngeal 0.3 degrees C and 0.1 degrees C (P = 0.03), respectively. Preanesthetic tympanic values were reached within 90 min after anesthesia. After dB transformation, HRV high frequency power differed between the groups. It was better preserved in the patients receiving unheated gas.
CONCLUSION
The heating of insufflation gas does not prevent a decrease in body temperature and is thus unnecessary during laparoscopic hysterectomy. | 10.1034/j.1399-6576.1999.431002.x |
pubmed_560_17357 | Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), also called pervasive developmental disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition, Text Revised), constitute a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that coalesce around a common theme of impairments in social functioning, communication abilities, and repetitive or rigid behaviors. The ASDs considered here include autism/autistic disorder, Asperger disorder/Asperger syndrome (AS), and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. This article focuses on autism/autistic disorder screening and its early identification, with a brief mention for AS screening, as there are limited tools and no recommendation for universal screening for AS. | 10.1016/j.pcl.2011.10.011 |
pubmed_254_20333 | Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare, life-threatening clinical entity with an overall incidence of about 1:30,000 in spontaneous natural conception cases, especially in cases of delayed diagnosis or conflicting clinical features. Here, we present an unusual case of heterotopic pregnancy in a 22-year-old multigravida presented to the emergency department (ED) with a clinical picture of the acute abdomen following recent abdominal trauma. Abdominal ultrasound revealed hemoperitoneum and a single viable intrauterine pregnancy at seven weeks' gestation. Following surgical exploration, the patient underwent removal of the ectopic pregnancy tissue with right salpingectomy. Since the presence of a conflicting history or equivocal physical signs and symptoms makes it difficult to diagnose heterotopic pregnancy, ED physicians and surgeons must consider the diagnosis even when dealing with viable intrauterine pregnancies. Besides, acute abdominal pain associated with shock should be regarded as suggestive of heterotopic pregnancy. Thus, prompt evaluation and a high index of suspicion are of paramount importance to prevent unwanted sequelae. | 10.7759/cureus.11782 |
pubmed_943_9130 | Propylene glycol (PG) is widely used as a solvent for injections. However, there are a few reports describing severe toxic effects of PG on human nervous tissues. To elucidate its mechanism, the present study has been conducted to determine whether PG enhances the release of catecholamine in PC12 cells. When the incubation time was longer than 3 min, PG significantly facilitated the dopamine release. PG (0.2-20 %v/v) concentration-dependently increased the dopamine release and the effects of PG at the concentrations above 1% were significant. High K+ (50 mM) and carbamylcholine (50 microM) increased the dopamine release. High K+ and electrical stimulation augmented the action of PG. Tetrodotoxin (1 microM) had no effect on the PG action. In conclusion, PG enhances the dopamine release. It is suggested that the facilitation of the transmitter release from the motor nerve terminals may be related to the PG-evoked skin twitch. | pubmed_943_9130 |
pubmed_306_24023 | We report the clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications of revision surgery using a cementless interlocking stem with an allograft-prosthesis composite (APC). This study included 11 patients with an average follow-up of 73 years. Of the 11 revisions, 1 was aseptic, 7 were septic, and 3 were periprosthetic femoral fractures. The mean Harris hip score improved from 25.6 points before surgery to 74.8 points at final follow-up. Osseous union at the proximal allograft-host bone junction occurred in 10 hips (90.9%) ; the greater trochanter did not unite in 4 of 7 hips (57.1%). Moderate and severe allograft resorption occurred in one hip each. Postoperative complications included 1 deep infection, 2 heterotopic ossifications, and 1 dislocation. Using an interlocking stem with an allograft-prosthesis composite in revision surgery provided acceptable results in the presence of circumferential massive bone deficiency of the proximal femur. | pubmed_306_24023 |
others_25_15837 | lood bank regulations and bio medical waste rules of India advocate disinfection of contaminated blood units. Incineration is not recommended due to poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) content of blood bags. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of chemical disinfection of blood units deliberately contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli with 1 and 6 % hypochlorite, 10% formalin and 33% formaldehyde and autoclaving of blood units contaminated with the above mentioned vegetative forms and B. stearothermophilus spores. Only 33 % formaldehyde could bring about 5 log reduction of bacteria but it is highly irritating and toxic. Autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure for 2 hours uniformly inactivated the vegetative forms and B. stearothermophilus spores. Thus, autoclaving of PVC blood bags is a safer and reliable method compared to chemical disinf | others_25_15837 |
pubmed_491_24352 | Addiction is the continuation of a habit in spite of negative consequences. A vast literature gives evidence that this poor decision-making behavior in individuals addicted to drugs also generalizes to laboratory decision making tasks, suggesting that the impairment in decision-making is not limited to decisions about taking drugs. In the current experiment, opioid-addicted individuals and matched controls with no history of illicit drug use were administered a probabilistic classification task that embeds both reward-based and punishment-based learning trials, and a computational model of decision making was applied to understand the mechanisms describing individuals' performance on the task. Although behavioral results showed that opioid-addicted individuals performed as well as controls on both reward- and punishment-based learning, the modeling results suggested subtle differences in how decisions were made between the two groups. Specifically, the opioid-addicted group showed decreased tendency to repeat prior responses, meaning that they were more likely to "chase reward" when expectancies were violated, whereas controls were more likely to stick with a previously-successful response rule, despite occasional expectancy violations. This tendency to chase short-term reward, potentially at the expense of developing rules that maximize reward over the long term, may be a contributing factor to opioid addiction. Further work is indicated to better understand whether this tendency arises as a result of brain changes in the wake of continued opioid use/abuse, or might be a pre-existing factor that may contribute to risk for addiction. | 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.09.018 |
pubmed_968_10050 | STUDY OBJECTIVE
To investigate how age affects the predictive performance of the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) at arrival to the emergency department (ED) regarding inhospital mortality and intensive care admission.
METHODS
International multicenter retrospective cohorts from 2 Danish and 3 Dutch ED. Development cohort: 14,809 Danish patients aged ≥18 years with at least systolic blood pressure or pulse measured from the Danish Multicenter Cohort. External validation cohort: 50,448 Dutch patients aged ≥18 years with all vital signs measured from the Netherlands Emergency Department Evaluation Database (NEED). Multivariable logistic regression was used for model building. Performance was evaluated overall and within age categories: 18 to 64 years, 65 to 80 years, and more than 80 years.
RESULTS
In the Danish Multicenter Cohort, a total of 2.5% died inhospital, and 2.8% were admitted to the ICU, compared with 2.8% and 1.6%, respectively, in the NEED. Age did not add information for the prediction of intensive care admission but was the strongest predictor for inhospital mortality. For NEWS alone, severe underestimation of risk was observed for persons above 80 while overall Area Under Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) was 0.82 (confidence interval [CI] 0.80 to 0.84) in the Danish Multicenter Cohort versus 0.75 (CI 0.75 to 0.77) in the NEED. When combining NEWS with age, underestimation of risks was eliminated for persons above 80, and overall AUROC increased significantly to 0.86 (CI 0.85 to 0.88) in the Danish Multicenter Cohort versus 0.82 (CI 0.81 to 0.83) in the NEED.
CONCLUSION
Combining NEWS with age improved the prediction performance regarding inhospital mortality, mostly for persons aged above 80, and can potentially improve decision policies at arrival to EDs. | 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.09.434 |
pubmed_715_810 | AIM
To determine the degree of psychological and endocrinological changes in war veterans with the diagnosis of Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) regarding presence/absence of comorbid mild closed head injury (mCHI) caused by explosive devices.
METHODS
Two groups of PTSD inpatients, with (n = 37), and without (n = 86) sustained blast trauma followed by mCHI were formed during the psychiatric treatment. Participants were interviewed by experienced clinicians who used the PTSD Interview (PTSD-I). In addition, patients completed the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Serum levels of ten hormones were assessed: triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyrotropin-stimulating hormone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and insulin, by radioimmunoassays and hydrocortisone, growth hormone and testosterone by fluoroimmunoassays.
RESULTS
Veterans with comorbid mCHI and PTSD showed significantly higher level of amnesia for traumatic event as well as of somatization on the SCL-90-R. Significant differences of hormone levels were not found.
CONCLUSION
The results didn't support the hypothesis on specific PTSD subgroup characterized by history of mCHI and consecutive postconcussion syndrome. The absence of differences in levels of hormones indicated the dominant role of psychogenic trauma in the etiology of hormone disbalance in chronic PTSD. Amnesia for traumatic event in war veterans with comorbid PTSD and mCHI was easily explained by neurogenic peritraumatic amnesia due to the blast trauma, but it did not affect either quality of intensity or posttraumatic symptoms as well as endocrinological parameters. | 10.2298/vsp0501017s |
others_314_177663 | Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that results in 250,000 infections, 12,000 deaths, and $1 billion in medical costs in the US each year. There has been recent interest in using a daptomycin analog, Surotomycin, to treat C. difficile infections. Daptomycin interacts with both phosphatidylglycerol and Lipid II to disrupt the membrane and halt peptidoglycan synthesis. C. difficile has an unusual lipid membrane composition as it has no phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylethanolamine, and [~]50% of its membrane is composed of glycolipids, including the unique C. difficile lipid aminohexosyl-hexosyldiradylglycerol (HNHDRG). We identified a two-component system (TCS) HexRK that is required for C. difficile resistance to daptomycin. Using RNAseq we found that HexRK regulates a three gene operon of unknown function hexSDF. Based on bioinformatic predictions, hexS encodes a monogalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase, hexD encodes a polysaccharide deacetylase, and hexF encodes an MprF-like flippase. We find that deletion of hexRK leads to a 4-fold decrease in daptomycin MIC, and that deletion of hexSDF leads to an 8-16-fold decrease in daptomycin MIC. The {Delta}hexSDF mutant is also 4-fold less resistant to bacitracin but no other cell wall active antibiotics. Our data indicate that in the absence of HexSDF the phospholipid membrane composition is altered. In WT C. difficile the unique glycolipid, HNHDRG makes up [~]17% of the lipids in the membrane. However, in a {Delta}hexSDF mutant, HNHDRG is completely absent. While it is unclear how HNHDRG contributes daptomycin resistance, the requirement for bacitracin resistance suggests it has a general role in cell membrane biogenesis.
ImportanceClostridioides difficile is a major cause of hospital acquired diarrhea and represents an urgent concern due to the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the rate of recurrent infections. Little is understood about C. difficile membrane lipids, but a unique glycolipid, HNHDRG, has been previously identified in C. difficile and, currently, has not been identified in other organisms. Here we show that HexSDF and HexRK are required for synthesis of HNHDRG, and that production of HNHDRG impacts resistance to daptomycin and bacitra | 10.1101/2022.12.06.519413 |
pubmed_578_12451 | Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a human infectious disease whose etiological agent, Mycobacterium leprae, was identified by G. H. A. Hansen in the 19th century. Despite the high efficacy of multidrug therapy (<0.1% annual relapse rate), transmission is persistent. In 2008, approximately 250,000 new cases were reported to the World Health Organization. Clinically, leprosy presents as either the paucibacillary (1-5 lesions) or the multibacillary (>5 lesions) subtype, highly reflective of a Th1 (cell-mediated) or Th2 (humoral) host immune response, respectively. Subsequent to Mycobacterium leprae exposure, epidemiological studies (e.g., twin studies and complex segregation analyses) maintain the importance of host genetics in susceptibility to leprosy. The results of genome-wide analyses (linkage and association) and candidate gene studies suggest an independent genetic control over both susceptibility to leprosy per se and development of clinical subtype. Moreover, the emergence of a shared genetic background between leprosy and several inflammatory/autoimmune diseases suggests that leprosy is a suitable model for studying the genetic architecture and subsequent pathogenesis of both infectious and inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. We provide the example of NOD2 (Crohn's disease gene) and LTA (myocardial infarction gene) and the implication of a common genetic risk factor between these two diseases and leprosy. The value of leprosy as a model disease therefore extends far beyond this ancient disease to common afflictions of the 21st century. | 10.1007/s00335-010-9287-1 |
others_407_242 | Introduction Skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), are endemic and under-diagnosed in many lower-income communities. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of skin NTDs and fungal infections in two primary schools and a community setting in rural Togo. Method This was a cross-sectional study that took place between June-October 2021. The two primary schools are located on the outskirts of Lomé, the capital city. The community setting was Ndjéi, in north-east Togo. Study sites were purposively selected. Dermatologists examined the skin of study participants. Diagnosis of skin NTDs were made clinically. Results A total of 1401 individuals were examined, 954 (68.1%) from Ndjéi community, and 447 (31.9%) were children in the schools. Cutaneous skin infections were diagnosed in 438 (31.3%) participants, of whom 355 (81%) were in community settings. There were 105 observed skin NTDs (7.5%). Within the school setting, there were 20 individuals with NTDs (4.5% of 447 participants), and 85 NTDs (8.9%) from 954 community participants. Across all settings 68/1020 (6.7%) NTDs were in children, and 37/381 (9.7%) in adults. In addition, there were 333 observed mycoses (23.8% prevalence). The main cutaneous NTDs diagnosed were scabies (n = 86; 6.1%) and suspected yaws (n = 16, 1.1%). The prevalence of scabies in schools was 4.3%, and 7.0% in the rural community. One case of leprosy was diagnosed in each school and the rural community, and one suspected Buruli Ulcer case in the community. In the school setting, five (6%) children with a skin NTD reported being stigmatised, four of whom had refused to attend school because of their dermatosis. In Ndjéi, 44 (4.6%) individuals reported having experienced stigma and 41 (93.2%) of them missed at least one day of school or work. Conclusion This study shows that the burden of scabies and skin infections such as superficial mycoses is high in the school and rural community settings in Togo, with associated presence of stigma. Improved health promotion and education across institutional and community settings may reduce stigma and encourage early reporting of skin infection cases to a health facility. © 2022 Saka et al | 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010697 |
pubmed_1075_3155 | A novel parasitoid ciliate, Pseudocollinia brintoni gen. nov., sp. nov. was discovered infecting the subtropical sac-spawning euphausiid Nyctiphanes simplex off both coasts of the Baja California peninsula, Mexico. We used microscopic, and genetic information to describe this species throughout most of its life cycle. Pseudocollinia is distinguished from other Colliniidae genera because it exclusively infects euphausiids, has a polymorphic life cycle, and has a small cone-shaped oral cavity whose left wall has a field of ciliated kinetosomes and whose opening is surrounded on the left and right by 2 'oral' kineties (or ciliary rows) that terminate at its anterior border. Two related species that infect different euphausiid species from higher latitudes in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, Collinia beringensis Capriulo and Small, 1986, briefly redescribed herein, and Collinia oregonensis Gómez-Gutiérrez, Peterson, and Morado, 2006, are transferred to the genus Pseudocollinia. P. brintoni has between 12 and 18 somatic kineties, and its oral cavity has only 2 oral kineties, while P. beringensis comb. nov. has more somatic kineties, including 3 oral kineties. P. oregonensis comb. nov. has an intermediate number of somatic kineties. P. beringensis comb. nov. also infects Thysanoessa raschi (a new host species). SSU rRNA and cox1 gene sequences demonstrated that Pseudocollinia ciliates are apostome ciliates and that P. brintoni is different from P. beringensis comb. nov. High densities of rod-shaped bacteria (1.7 µm length, 0.2 to 0.5 µm diameter) were associated with P. brintoni. After euphausiid rupture, high concentrations of P. brintoni and bacteria cluster to form 3 to 6 cm long filaments where tomites encyst and transform to the phoront stage; this is a novel place for encystation. P. brintoni may complete its life cycle when the euphausiids feed on these filaments. | 10.3354/dao02450 |
pubmed_317_20920 | In this study, 15 sets of primers were used to amplify contiguous, overlapping segments of the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of C. capio furong(♀) × C. carpio var.singguonensis(♂) in order to characterize and compare their mitochondrial genomes. The total length of the mitochondrial genome was 16,581 bp and deposited in the GenBank with the accession number KP210473. The organization of the mitochondrial genomes contained 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA and 22 transfer RNAs) and a major non-coding control region which was similar to those reported mitochondrial genomes. Most genes were encoded on the H-strand, except for the ND6 and 8 tRNA genes, encoding on the L-strand. The nucleotide skewness for the coding strands of C. capio furong(♀) × C. carpio var.singguonensis(♂) (AT-skew = 0.12, GC-skew = -0.27) were biased toward T and G. The complete mitogenome may provide important date for the study of genetic mechanism of C. capio furong(♀) × C. carpio var.singguonensis(♂). | 10.3109/19401736.2015.1007286 |
pubmed_32_2031 | We present a restriction site map for the mitochondrial DNA of the gilthead sea bream and the consensus sequence for a region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Restriction site and nucleotide sequence analysis was used to obtain individual mitotype profiles in a broodstock used for genetic studies. Eight mitotypes were detected among 33 animals assayed. In combination with hypervariable nuclear markers, this variation can be used to identify the parents of any offspring in mass matings and, also, to determine which of the two parents donated the egg and who donated the sperm. On the basis of restriction site variation, the Greek stock analyzed here is very similar to an Israeli stock described in an earlier publication. It is not known if this similarity will hold when the Israeli stock is examined for sequence variation. | pubmed_32_2031 |
others_224_1905 | CD8-positive lymphocytes (CD8+ lym) and ICAM-1/LFA-1 interaction have been implicated in the glomerular accumulation of monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Mφ) and crescent formation in antiglomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) glomerulonephritis of WKY rats. In the present study, the role of CD8+ lym in the expression of ICAM-1 and inflammatory cytokines as well as in the accumulation of Mo/Mφ in the glomeruli was examined by RNase protection assay and immunofluorescence microscopy. ICAM-1 expression was apparent at 1 h and markedly enhanced at day 3 in glomeruli after an anti-GBM Ab injection in parallel with glomerular accumulation of Mo/Mφ. Expression of mRNA for IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, known to enhance ICAM-1 expression, and MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and MCP-1, known to activate leukocyte integrins or to act as chemokines, were also induced in the glomeruli at a mRNA level in a profile similar to that of ICAM-1 expression. By depleting the CD8+ lym in the circulation, the increased glomerular expression of ICAM-1 and the cytokines, except IL-1β, and the Mo/Mφ accumulation were suppressed, indicating a crucial role of CD8+ lym in the accumulation of Mo/Mφ through stimulation of ICAM-1 and induction of cytokines | others_224_1905 |
pubmed_323_14953 | AIMS/HYPOTHESIS
The aim of this study was to investigate long-term, cause-specific mortality trends among patients with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Japan.
METHODS
Individuals included in the study had received a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes at age <18 years between 1965 and 1979. All individuals were followed up for their survival status until 1 January 2005. The causes of death were divided into end-stage renal disease (ESRD), acute diabetic complications (ADC), accident/suicide, cardiovascular disease (CVD), infections, cancers, others (non-diabetic/diabetic) and unknown. The cause-specific mortality trends were expressed according to the follow-up period and year of diagnosis.
RESULTS
A total of 1,385 patients were enrolled in the study, and the survival status of 1,324 was confirmed. Mortality rate at the 35 year follow-up (per 100,000 person-years) was 659.3, and the standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was 10.7. The SMR at the 25 year follow-up markedly declined from 19.3 in the 1965-1969 diagnosis group to 6.6 in the 1975-1979 diagnosis group. Approximately 40% died of ADC among those with <10 years of follow-up. A similar proportion of individuals died of ESRD among those with 10-19 years of follow-up. The longer the duration of follow-up, the lower the mortality from ADC and the greater the mortality from CVD.
CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION
In Japanese people with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes of more than 20 years of duration, CVD was the leading cause of death, as is the case among similar white people. The longer the duration of diabetes, the more attention should be paid to preventing CVD. | 10.1007/s00125-013-3001-2 |
pubmed_490_13539 | BACKGROUND
Transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) are threats to blood safety. This study investigated TTIs among volunteer blood donors at the Kisumu Regional Blood Transfusion Centre (KRBTC) in Kenya.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective record review of blood donor registers at KRBTC, 2015. Walk-in donors accepted for donation were analyzed to determine prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis. Descriptive and associative statistics were calculated using Microsoft Excel and Open-Epi software.
RESULTS
The records of a total of 3690 walk-in donors were reviewed, and 2046 were included in the analysis. Mean age was 30 ± 9.6 years, 76% male, 51% married, and 80% were Kisumu residents. Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis was 2.4%, 3.1%, 2.3%, and 1%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
HBV was the most common TTI among the volunteers. KRBTC should be proactive and address issues of donor self-exclusion, strict adherence to donor selection criteria, and vaccination. | 10.1093/labmed/lmx059 |
pubmed_32_9207 | Bilateral traumatic abducens nerve palsy after head injury is a rare event. We present a case associated with skull fractures and intracranial hematoma, with complete recovery of abducens nerve palsy after six months. The mechanism of the lesion, the clinical conditions and the radiological findings are presented. | pubmed_32_9207 |
pubmed_1039_8735 | The degree of the inoculum effect shown by the new beta-lactam antibiotics with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated, and the antibiotics were divided into three groups based upon the observations. The group 1 antibiotics (cefotaxime, moxalactam, cefoperazone, azlocillin, piperacillin, and aztreonam) demonstrated a large inoculum effect, were poorly bactericidal, produced aberrant, elongated bacilli, and did not inhibit the increase in turbidity of high inocula during an 18-h incubation. The group 2 antibiotics (ceftazidime and ticarcillin) were slowly bactericidal, caused minimal formation of aberrant, elongated bacilli, and slowly decreased the turbidity of high inocula. The group 3 antibiotics (imipenem and gentamicin) were bactericidal, did not cause the formation of elongated bacilli, and decreased the turbidity of high inocula rapidly. Data are presented which suggest that the inoculum effect seen with the group 1 beta-lactam antibiotics is related to (i) the poor intrinsic antibactericidal activity of these antibiotics for P. aeruginosa at the inocula tested and (ii) failure of these antibiotics to inhibit the formation of aberrant and filamentous bacilli, which can result in increased bacterial mass and turbidity. | 10.1128/AAC.26.1.42 |
others_270_16656 | The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemental phytase and β-mannanase on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients in corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 100. g/kg palm kernel expellers (PKE) fed to two different breeds of growing pigs. Four purebred Duroc boars and four crossbred barrows with an initial body weight of 74.7. kg (standard deviation =12.4) were randomly allotted to each single 4×4 Latin square design with four diets and our periods. Four experimental diets were prepared in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with two supplemental levels of phytase at 0 or 500 phytase units/kg and two supplemental levels of β-mannanase at 0 or 800. units/kg. All diets were based on corn, soybean meal, and PKE without inorganic P sources. Each period consisted of 4-d adaptation period and 4. d of total collection of feces. There was no phytase×β-mannanase interaction for the digestibility of nutrients and energy. Phytase supplementation improved the ATTD of P and ash (P<0.05), while β-mannanase had no effect on the ATTD of nutrients in the experimental diets. Purebred Duroc boars had higher ATTD of Ca, P, and ash than crossbred barrows (P<0.01). The metabolizable energy:gross energy was higher in the purebred Duroc boars compared with the crossbred barrows, but digestible energy:gross energy did not differ between the two breeds. The combination of phytase and β-mannanase supplementation to diets containing PKE did not have any interactive effects on ATTD of nutrients and energy in growing pigs. © 2015 Elsevier B.V | 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2015.04.012 |
pubmed_681_15731 | The structures of beta-methylenethiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD), NAD(+), and NADH as bound to ecto-ADP-ribosyltransferase 2.2 from rat and to its mutants E189I and E189A, respectively, have been established. The positions and conformations of NAD(+) and its analogues agree in general with those in other ADP-ribosyltransferases. The kinetic constants for NAD(+) hydrolysis were determined by RP-HPLC. The specific activity amounts to 26 units/mg, which is 6000-fold higher than a previously reported rate and 500-fold higher than the hydrolysis rates of other ADP-ribosyltransferases, confirming that hydrolysis is the major function of this enzyme. On the basis of structures and mutant activities, a catalytic mechanism is proposed. The known auto-ADP-ribosylation of the enzyme at the suggested position R184 is supported by one of the crystal structures where the nucleophile position is occupied by an Neta atom of this arginine which in turn is backed up by the base E159. | 10.1021/bi034625w |
pubmed_228_23762 | The National Poison Data System (NPDS) is a national near-real-time surveillance system that improves situational awareness for chemical and poison exposures, according to data from US poison centers. NPDS is the successor to the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use these data, which are owned and managed by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, to improve public health surveillance for chemical and poison exposures and associated illness, identify early markers of chemical events, and enhance situational awareness during outbreaks. Information recorded in this database is from self-reported calls from the public or health care professionals. In 2009, NPDS detected 22 events of public health significance and CDC used the system to monitor several multistate outbreaks. One of the limitations of the system is that exposures do not necessarily represent a poisoning. Incorporating NPDS data into the public health surveillance network and subsequently using NPDS to rapidly identify chemical and poison exposures exemplifies the importance of the poison centers and NPDS to public health surveillance. This integration provides the opportunity to improve the public health response to chemical and poison exposures, minimizes morbidity and mortality, and serves as an important step forward in surveillance technology and integration. | 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2011.08.004 |
pubmed_452_24756 | The rejection of parasitic eggs by hosts of avian brood parasites is one of the most common and effective defenses against parasitism. Despite its adaptive significance, egg rejection often shows substantial intraspecific variation: some individuals are more likely to remove or abandon parasitic eggs than others. Understanding variation in egg rejection requires that we study factors linked to the ability to perceive parasitic eggs as well as factors that may influence the rejection of a foreign egg once it has been recognized. Here, we asked what cognitive, physiological, and life-history factors explained variation in the rejection of model eggs by American robin (Turdus migratorius) females. We found that the probability of egg rejection was related to the clutch size at the time of parasitism: In support of Weber's law, females with fewer eggs were more likely to reject the model eggs. In turn, females with greater mass and higher corticosterone levels were less likely to reject eggs, and egg rejection probability was negatively related to incubation progress. Our data thus suggest that proximate predictors of an individual's egg rejection behavior include the cognitive environment of the nest, life-history factors, as well as the physiological state of the subject. However, much of the statistical variation in the egg rejection responses of robins to the model eggs remained unexplained. Future experiments should aim to test the causal roles of these and other factors in generating within- and among-individual variation in the rejection of parasitic eggs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved). | 10.1037/com0000225 |
pubmed_391_2678 | Human rheumatoid synovial cells in culture secrete both 72-kDa progelatinase and a complex consisting of 72-kDa progelatinase and a 24-kDa inhibitor of metalloproteinases, TIMP-2. In addition, the culture medium contains TIMP-1, the classical inhibitor of metalloproteinases, with a molecular mass of 30 kDa. TIMP-1 does not form a complex with free 72-kDa progelatinase. Free progelatinase and progelatinase complexed with TIMP-2 can be activated with the organomercury compound p-aminophenylmercury acetate. The activated complex shows less than 10% the enzyme activity of activated free gelatinase. The progelatinase-TIMP-2 complex could be shown to be an inhibitor for other metalloproteinases, such as gelatinase and collagenase secreted by human rheumatoid synovia fibroblasts, as well as for the corresponding enzymes from human neutrophils. | 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1991.tb16080.x |
pubmed_467_13975 | The occurrence and accompanying risks of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in Indonesian jamu were evaluated. PAs were detected in 34 out of 35 jamu containing PA-producing botanicals, in the range of 12.3-235,376 μg/kg. A total PA level of 5.9-3,421 μg/kg was found in 17 out of 23 jamu made of non-PA-producing botanicals pointing to contamination with PA-producing plants. Short-time consumption of jamu is unlikely to result in acute toxic effects, although one sample would exceed an intake of 10 μg PA/kg bw/day which may cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) in humans. The risk assessment for the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of PAs revealed Margin of Exposure (MOE) values below 10,000 for 27 out of all samples analysed (46.6%), indicating a priority for risk management when assuming daily lifelong consumption. Assuming consumption for two weeks every year during a lifetime, and using Haber's rule, 13 out of 35 jamu samples containing PA-producing botanicals (37%) still pose a priority, while the jamu consisting of non-PA-producing botanicals would be of low priority (MOE>10,000). This study provides data that can support risk management actions in Indonesia to minimize the potential health risk for jamu consumers due to the occurrence of toxic PAs in these products. | 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111230 |
pubmed_615_6853 | Urban soundscape design involves creating outdoor spaces that are pleasing to the ear. One way to achieve this goal is to add or accentuate sounds that are considered to be desired by most users of the space, such that the desired sounds mask undesired sounds, or at least distract attention away from undesired sounds. In view of removing the need for a listening panel to assess the effectiveness of such soundscape measures, the interest for new models and techniques is growing. In this paper, a model of auditory attention to environmental sound is presented, which balances computational complexity and biological plausibility. Once the model is trained for a particular location, it classifies the sounds that are present in the soundscape and simulates how a typical listener would switch attention over time between different sounds. The model provides an acoustic summary, giving the soundscape designer a quick overview of the typical sounds at a particular location, and allows assessment of the perceptual effect of introducing additional sounds. | 10.1121/1.4807798 |
pubmed_869_17275 | A new diterpenoid alkaloid, vilmorrianone ( 1), has been isolated from ACONITUM VILMORRIANUM Kom. The structure was elucidated by spectral methods and confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Also four known diterpenoid alkaloids have been isolated and identified. | 10.1055/s-2006-960089 |
pubmed_196_12946 | Determining a single compound maximal motor response (MMAX ) or an average superimposed MMAX response (MSUP ) are commonly used reference values in experiments eliciting raw electromyographic, motor evoked potentials, H-reflexes, and V-waves. However, existing literature is limited in detailing the most appropriate method to normalize these electrophysiological measures. Due to the accessibility of assessment from a cortical and spinal perspective, the tibialis anterior is increasingly used in literature and hence investigated in this study. The aims of the present study were to examine the differences and level of agreement in MMAX /MSUP under different muscle actions and contraction intensities. Following a familiarization session, 22 males visited the laboratory on a single occasion. MMAX was recorded under 10% isometric and 25% and 100% shortening and lengthening maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) at an angular velocity of 15° sec-1 . MSUP was also recorded during 100% shortening and lengthening with an average of five responses recorded. There were no differences in MMAX or MSUP between contraction types. All variables showed large, positive correlations (P < 0.001, r2 ≥ 0.64). MMAX amplitude was larger (P < 0.001) at 100% shortening and lengthening intensity compared to MMAX amplitude at 10% isometric and 25% lengthening MVC. Bland-Altman plots revealed a bias toward higher MMAX at the higher contraction intensities. Despite MSUP being significantly smaller than MMAX (P < 0.001) at 100% MVC, MSUP showed a large positive correlation (P < 0.001, r2 ≥ 0.64) with all variables. It is our recommendation that MMAX should be recorded at specific contraction intensity but not necessarily a specific contraction type. | 10.14814/phy2.14201 |
others_128_15746 | The influences of exogenous vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P on the release of peroxidase from acini and true tissue kallikrein (rK1) from granular ducts of the rat submandibular gland were studied during continuous parasympathetic stimulation. Parasympathetic nerve impulses caused a moderate flow of saliva (mean ± SD, 108 ± 26 μl/g tissue/min) that had a low protein concentration (174 ± 88 μg/ml). The outputs of peroxidase and rK1 were minimal (14.3 ± 11.8 pmol DCF/g tissue/min and 6.5 ± 3.4 nmol AFC/g tissue/min, respectively). When administered intravenously, VIP had no apparent effect on the overall flow rate, but caused a significant increase in the output of peroxidase; 450% at 1 μg/kg and a further 10-fold increase at 10 μg/kg. In contrast, substance P (1 μg/kg) evoked a marked increase in flow rate (68%), and peroxidase secretion increased only 3-fold. The output of rK1 was unaffected by either VIP or substance P. Our results support the hypothesis that acinar, but not granular duct, protein secretion is evoked by non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic peptides released from parasympathetic nerve terminals | 10.1016/S1095-6433(97)00426-1 |
pubmed_345_5895 | Cell-based tissue regeneration is an attractive approach that complements traditional surgical techniques for replacement of injured and lost tissues. The continuously growing rodent incisor provides an excellent model system for investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie tooth renewal and regeneration. An active population of dental epithelial progenitor/stem cells located at the posterior part of the incisor, commonly called cervical loop area, ensures the continuous supply of cells that are responsible for the secretion of enamel matrix. To explore the potential of these epithelial cells in therapeutic approaches dealing with enamel defects, we have developed a new method for their in vivo administration in the posterior part of the incisor. Here, we provide the step-by-step protocol for the isolation of dental epithelial stem cells and their delivery at targeted areas of the jaw. This simple and yet powerful protocol, consisting in drilling a hole in the mandibular bone, in close proximity to the cervical loop area of the incisor, followed up by injection of stem cells, is feasible, reliable, and effective. This in vivo approach opens new horizons and possibilities for cellular therapies involving pathological and injured dental tissues. | 10.3389/fphys.2015.00112 |
pubmed_179_8690 | Vaccines against acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2) are critical weapons to control the spread of the deadly Coronavirus 2019(COVId-19) virus worldwide. Although these vaccines are generally safe, their widespread use has produced reports of rare complications, including vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VIITT), particularly in connection with ChAdOx1 nCov-19. We have identified three cases of sickle cell disease (SCD) experiencing a severe vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) shortly after the vaccine. Despite being stable for a long time, they had fever with tachycardia, along with a significant rise in WBC, liver enzymes, particularly alkaline phosphate, with a remarkable drop in hemoglobin, and platelets and one of them had probably a fatal TTP like syndrome. Given these findings, physicians and patients should exercise caution when taking this type of vaccine and be aware of these safety concerns. | 10.4084/MJHID.2021.059 |
pubmed_898_12724 | BACKGROUND Miliary tuberculosis (MT) is the disseminated form of tuberculosis (TB) and it is a potentially fatal condition. Diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms are typically nonspecific or absent, and misdiagnosis in favor of other diseases is common. We report 2 cases of disseminated TB that were diagnosed during or after surgeries performed for other suspected diseases. CASE REPORT Imaging findings are not specific and cannot be relied upon to raise suspicion of MT. In the first case, besides other imaging techniques, we also performed a positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) on the patient and the resulting, thick, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid ring surrounding the liver first led to concern for peritoneal carcinomatosis. TB peritonitis was only identified on laparoscopy and biopsy. In the second case, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a solitary liver mass with an irregular enhancing rim and progressive enhancement led to a radiographic diagnosis of likely intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, The subsequent finding that the lesion was intensely FDG-avid without other foci of FDG uptake led to the decision to proceed with resection without a prior biopsy. CONCLUSIONS We have presented 2 patients with TB in whom clinical and imaging findings, and in particular, FDG-PET imaging, led to an erroneous clinical diagnosis of malignancy. An awareness that TB remains very much an active clinical problem in North America and that there are other reasons for FDG uptake on PET imaging besides cancer, is necessary in order to avoid unnecessary and potentially deleterious interventions in patients with TB. | 10.12659/AJCR.918901 |
pubmed_492_8488 | OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to explore associations between family status, family income, family size, mother's age at child birth, mother's education and parents' national background and caries experience in 5-year-old children.
METHOD
This study is based on data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Public Dental Services. A total of 1348 children were followed from pregnancy to the age of 5 years. Questionnaires were completed by mothers twice during pregnancy and when the children were 3 and 5 years of age. Clinical and radiographic examination of the children was performed at the age of 5 years.
RESULTS
Caries experience in the 5-year-old children was low; 89% had no caries experience (d(3-5) mft = 0). In multiple logistic regression having one or both parents of non-western origin (OR 3.4, CI 1.6-7.3), having had a change in family status from pregnancy to 5 years of age (OR 2.0, CI 1.1-3.4) and having mother with low education (OR 1.9, CI 1.3-2.8) were statistically significant risk indicators for having caries experience at the age of five.
CONCLUSION
Family characteristics in pregnancy and early life were associated with caries experience in 5-year-old children. Primary care personnel meeting young children with one or several of these characteristics should consider referring the child to dental personnel to enable early initiation of health-promoting activities. | 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2010.00596.x |
pubmed_694_6941 | BACKGROUND
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) after congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Although treatment advances have improved overall survival, a new cohort of patients is surviving with PH beyond the postnatal period. Because the clinical entity of postnatal persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) in CDH patients has not been published, the authors undertook a retrospective study of our neonatal CDH experience to characterize this group of infants.
METHODS
Charts of all infants with CDH treated at this institution from January 1991 to June 1997 were reviewed (n = 51). Persistent pulmonary hypertension by echocardiographic (Echo) measurements at the time of discharge identified PPHTN patients. Control survivors had normal pulmonary artery pressures at discharge. Physiological parameters and the results of therapeutic interventions were analyzed to predict PPHTN.
RESULTS
Seven infants (four boys, three girls) had PPHTN at discharge. Significant differences with the control group were noted in length of stay, duration of intubation, and duration of nitric oxide therapy. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) duration was not significantly different between the groups. By 12 months of age, PPHTN resolved in six patients (87%), and one died at 13 months. Regardless of therapy, two parameters showed 100% positive predictive value for identifying patients with PPHTN (P < .001): an Echo demonstrating PH at 2 months of age or continued oxygen requirement at 3 months. Oxygen requirement at 2 months had a 67% predictive value of PPHTN.
CONCLUSIONS
With current treatment strategies for CDH, infants can survive with persistent pulmonary hypertension beyond the newborn period. The long-term survival rate is excellent, and normalization of pulmonary artery pressures can be expected. PPHTN can be predicted in those infants with Echo-defined pulmonary hypertension at 2 months. | 10.1016/s0022-3468(99)90207-5 |
pubmed_466_3327 | In order to determine the localization of DNA-synthesis in Streptomyces granaticolor and Streptomyces hygroscopicus, mycelia (growing either on agar or in liquid medium) were pulse-labelled with 3H-thymidine and prepared for autoradiography. The distribution of silver grains showed no regions of preferential incorporation of 3H-thymidine in mycelia up 300 micron in length. Since mycelia grow by apical elongation of hyphae, the frequency of silver grains was quantitatively analysed along individual main hyphase. No significant difference of labelling was found within zones of different age up to a distance of 80 micron from the hyphal tip. Also, the very youngest part of the hyphae enclosing only the most apically situated nucleoid did not show any deviation from the average frequency of silver grains. | 10.1002/jobm.3620260108 |
pubmed_1007_1228 | OBJECTIVE
To compare and analyse the distribution and characteristic of born missing teeth.
METHODS
A total of 183 simple hypodontia patients was reviewed and statistically analysed.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the number of missing teeth between different sexs (P > 0.05), and there was also no significant difference in the number of missing teeth among different sites (maxilla, mandible or left and right sides) (P > 0.05). The mandibular second premolar was the most frequently missing tooth. The missing molars were more commonly seen in oligodontia patients who had six missing teeth or beyond than hypodontia patients with less than six missing teeth (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Each hypodontia patient has his own clinical manifestation, and appropriate treatment should be planed accordingly for these patients. | pubmed_1007_1228 |
pubmed_313_10296 | BACKGROUND
Common bile duct (CBD) stone is one of the most common diseases among elderly people. In recent decades, there are numerous studies regarding the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). Elderly patients are often regarded as high-risk patients because they are more likely to present with age-specific deterioration of organ function and coexisting chronic diseases, which may reduce their tolerance of laparoscopic surgery. Although laparoscopic surgery for choledocholithiasis is now widely accepted as the treatment for CBD stone, its appropriateness for the treatment of elderly patients or those with coexisting high-risk patients has not been well established. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to analyze the safety and efficacy of LCBDE in elderly patients.
METHODS
Between January 2012 and November 2015, 376 patients underwent LCBDE in our center. Based on their ages, they were divided into two groups, and a retrospective study was performed. By making comparisons between younger group who were younger than 70 years (n = 253) and elderly group who were 70 years old or older (n = 123), the demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory data, operative parameters and outcomes were analyzed.
RESULTS
Before operation, elderly patients had more coexisting chronic diseases and risk factors, such as arterial hypertension, heart diseases, pulmonary diseases and previous abdominal surgery (P < 0.05). In both groups, LCBDE was equally successful with a high clearance rate (100 % in elderly patients vs. 98.8 % in younger group, P = 0.554). Besides, the operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, total costs and overall complication showed no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). There was no major bile duct injury or death in either group.
CONCLUSION
Although elderly patients are frequently confronted with coexisting disorders, LCBDE can be considered as a safe and effective technique in choledocholithiasis treatment for elderly patients. | 10.1007/s00464-016-5257-3 |
pubmed_327_11679 | Transport proteins in hepatocytes and bile duct epithelium mediate uptake and secretion of cholephilic compounds in the liver and are involved in bile formation. Many of these proteins have recently been cloned and characterized and appear to belong to large gene families. Apart from the liver these proteins are expressed in the blood-brain barrier, placenta, kidneys, lungs, intestine and seminiferous tubules. Prokaryotes and yeasts contain similar proteins. In cancer cells they are involved in multidrug resistance. Some genetic cholestatic liver diseases, including progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy result from mutations in transport protein genes. These proteins also play a role in drug-induced liver disease and in primary biliary cirrhosis. Cyclosporine and oestradiol (glucuronide) for instance inhibit bile salt export protein (BSEP). | pubmed_327_11679 |
pubmed_504_26179 | Human serum albumin (HSA) has the characteristics of biocompatibility and long circulation, which is widely used as the carrier of insoluble anticancer drugs, but it also has some disadvantages such as weak tumor targeting and uncontrollable drug release. Herein, HSA was modified to improve its biological performance by introducing polyhistidine (pHis), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) digestion, and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide at the separated end of HSA through gene fusion technology. The resulting protein expressed by Pichia pastoris could self-assemble into 3RGD-HSA-MMP-18His nanoparticles (RHMH18 NPs) accompanied by loading hydrophobic drug paclitaxel (PTX) into the polyhistidine micelle core. RHMH18 NPs exhibited active tumor targeting in high efficiency owing to the RGD-mediated specific binding toward ανβ3-integrin upregulated on tumor vasculature endothelium, resulting in the enrichment of therapeutic substances in tumor sites. Once reaching the tumor microenvironment, RHMH18 NPs was cut off by MMP-2 to remove the HSA-3RGD moiety, leaving the small and positively charged histidine micelle, which could penetrate the deep part of tumor tissue more effectively. Finally, the histidine micelle escaped from lysosome successfully and released drug in response to pH. The in vivo experiments' results demonstrated that the three-stage propulsion RHMH18 NPs presented superior tumor inhibition activity with minimal side effects, providing potential strategies of protein based drug delivery systems for tumor therapy. | 10.1021/acsnano.0c07610 |
pubmed_1134_7429 | Synchronous with the decline in fertility that took place in the post-war period in the Netherlands, patterns of birth seasonality changed as well. In this paper seasonal fluctuations in fertility in the Netherlands are examined using population register data for the period 1952 to 2005. The peak in births has changed from spring to summer and subsequently to August/September, thereby shifting from the European to the American pattern. The seasonal shift can be attributed to parity-specific changes. Before the transition, birth seasonality did not differ much between the different parities. In the transition period from higher to low fertility, differences between parities increased which persist up to today. At present, the overall seasonality pattern is determined by first births. Moreover, birth seasonality varies by maternal age. The findings stimulate the discussion on the role of planning as a cause of birth seasonality. | 10.1017/S0021932008002733 |
pubmed_1077_13098 | PURPOSE
To review the recently published contemporary long-term outcomes from tertiary care urologic practices comparing brachytherapy-based management strategies and radical prostatectomy (RP) across intermediate- and high-risk groups.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Literature was reviewed for the past 5 years under the search terms localized prostate cancer, outcomes, brachytherapy, and adical prostatectomy. Abstracts were reviewed and excluded if results were not reported according to the recognized risk groupings or if followup was less than 5 years.
RESULTS
A total of 1237 abstracts concerning adical prostatectomy and 600 concerning brachytherapy were retrieved in the initial search. Of these, 80 met the inclusion criteria, and the articles were retrieved and reviewed in detail.
CONCLUSIONS
For intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer, brachytherapy-based approaches provide superior long-term oncologic and functional outcomes. Irritative and obstructive symptoms are prominent in the first 6-12 months but resolve by 3 years for all but <5%. High-risk patients do very well with multimodality treatment combining external beam radiotherapy, a brachytherapy boost, and androgen deprivation for 9-12 months. | pubmed_1077_13098 |
pubmed_474_1990 | This paper discusses the importance of educating prospective parents about the stresss thay may be experienced by the father of a nursing infant. Husbands' negative reactions to breast-feeding are considered, and means of alleviating husbands' stress are suggested. | 10.1111/j.1939-0025.1979.tb02616.x |
pubmed_78_12589 | BACKGROUND
Portable recording devices without electroencephalogram recordings are frequently used for diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing. However, an exact measure of sleep is important, since the diagnosis is based on the average number of events per hour of sleep, the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI). Actimetry is a simplified method for distinguishing sleep and wakefulness by measurements of activity.
OBJECTIVES
In this study, recording with a portable recording device (Reggie) including an incorporated actimeter and polysomnography were done simultaneously in order to test the effect of the actimeter.
METHODS
The study was performed at the sleep-related breathing disorder unit at the Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Fifty-two consecutive patients referred to the hospital for diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing were included.
RESULTS
There is agreement between the AHI obtained from the polysomnography and the AHI obtained from the Reggie system. The estimated mean difference is 3.5, with an SD of 5.3 (r = 0.98). The sleep time calculated with the Reggie system is greater than the sleep time obtained by polysomnography, the mean difference being 46 min, SD 56 min (r = 0.45).
CONCLUSIONS
Sleep time calculations with the Reggie system overestimate the sleep time. Still, the AHIs obtained by the two systems show good agreement. There is a slight tendency for the Reggie system to provide an AHI which is too low. This difference is small, and in most cases, it will be of no clinical significance. | 10.1159/000086722 |
pubmed_713_1765 | Background. Despite convincing animal experiments demonstrating the potential for environmental exposures in one generation to have demonstrable effects generations later, there have been few relevant human studies. Those that have been undertaken have demonstrated associations, for example, between exposures such as nutrition and cigarette smoking in the grandparental generation and outcomes in grandchildren. We hypothesised that such transgenerational associations might be associated with the IQ of the grandchild, and that it would be likely that there would be differences in results between the sexes of the grandparents, parents, and children. Method. We used three-generational data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We incorporated environmental factors concerning grandparents (F0) and focussed on three exposures that we hypothesised may have independent transgenerational associations with the IQ of the grandchildren (F2): (i) UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at grandparental birth year; (ii) whether grandfather smoked; and (iii) whether the grandmother smoked in the relevant pregnancy. Potential confounders were ages of grandparents when the relevant parent was born, ethnic background, education level and social class of each grandparent. Results. After adjustment, all three target exposures had specific associations with measures of IQ in the grandchild. Paternal grandfather smoking was associated with reduced total IQ at 15 years; maternal grandfather smoking with reduced performance IQ at 8 years and reduced total IQ at 15. Paternal grandmother smoking in pregnancy was associated with reduced performance IQ at 8, especially in grandsons. GDP at grandparents' birth produced independent associations of reduced IQ with higher GDP; this was particularly true of paternal grandmothers. Conclusions. These results are complex and need to be tested in other datasets. They highlight the need to consider possible transgenerational associations in studying developmental variation in populations. | 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16205.2 |
pubmed_575_19458 | We report a case of membranous nephropathy with monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig)M lambda deposits in a patient with IgM monoclonal gammopathy, in whom histological changes were observed on repeat renal biopsy. A 72-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital because of massive proteinuria. A prominent increase in monoclonal IgM lambda level was identified, and she was diagnosed as having IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Renal biopsy showed glomerular subepithelial electron-dense deposits that were found to be granular deposits of IgM lambda but not kappa or IgG by immunofluorescence staining, resulting in a diagnosis of membranous nephropathy with monoclonal IgM deposits. The second biopsy, which was performed 2 years later because of exacerbation of her nephrotic syndrome, demonstrated less immunofluorescence staining of IgM, and dominant IgG2 deposition without light chain restriction. Interestingly, immunostaining for thrombospondin-type-1-domain-containing-7A was positive in both renal biopsy tissues, although the second biopsy showed clearly stronger immunoreactivity. The effect of steroid therapy was limited; however, rituximab treatment improved both the hematological and renal abnormalities. Solitary deposition of IgM in membranous nephropathy is a quite rare condition. To our knowledge, this is the first case of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance presenting as membranous nephropathy with monoclonal IgM deposits, in which chronological immunohistochemical changes were observed and rituximab therapy was effective. | 10.3389/fmed.2021.608741 |
pubmed_591_15854 | The phase transformation kinetic process of amphiphilic copolymer polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene[PEO-PPO-PEO(F127)] blending polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) casting solution in an aqueous gel bath was investigated. The influences of F127 content on the PEO enrichment rate of PVDF membrane surface, membrane morphology and structural parameters were investigated by a total reflection fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and other analytical techniques. F127/PVDF blending membrane fouling behavior of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was evaluated by the static adsorption capacity, normalized filtration decay rate and membrane fouling resistance model. The results showed that the membrane delayed phase separation process increased, the membrane surface, internal pore size and porosity increased and the surface roughness increased with increasing F127 addition, and the increment of PEO enrichment rate on the membrane surface became stable when the F127 content reached 15%. F127 blending membranes with F127 contents ranging from 15% to 25% had a higher flux and BSA rejection, lower static adsorption capacity, slower flux decay rate, lower irreversible fouling index and smaller pore blocking resistance and cake layer resistance distribution coefficient, which showed a good anti-fouling property. | 10.13227/j.hjkx.2016.06.022 |
pubmed_174_3786 | In a randomized controlled study examining the value of an intramuscular injection of lidocaine in the prehospitalization phase of suspected acute myocardial infarction, paramedics used an automatic injector to administer 400 mg of the drug into the patient's deltoid muscle before transport to the hospital. In a 33-month period, 7026 patients with acute chest pain were seen. Of the 6024 patients randomized (2987 to the lidocaine group and 3037 to the control group), 1935 (32 per cent) proved to have an acute myocardial infarction. In the entire 60-minute period of observation by continuous electrocardiography, primary ventricular fibrillation was observed in 8 treated and 17 control patients (P = 0.08). However, from 15 minutes after randomization onward, when plasma lidocaine levels were in the therapeutic range, only 2 cases of ventricular fibrillation occurred in the treated group, as compared with 12 in the control group (P less than 0.01). Ventricular tachycardia terminated a mean of 10 minutes after injection in six of nine lidocaine-treated patients with acute myocardial infarction but in none of five control patients with infarction (P less than 0.02). Mean plasma lidocaine levels were 3 micrograms per milliliter 11 to 20 minutes after injection in 369 consecutive patients. In 65 patients, levels were below 2 micrograms per milliliter, and in 15 patients, levels were above 6 micrograms per milliliter. Side effects were rare and did not contribute to mortality. We conclude that intramuscular lidocaine may be useful if given by a paramedic, another person, or the patient himself when acute myocardial infarction is suspected outside the hospital. | 10.1056/NEJM198510313131801 |
pubmed_411_8020 | A series of 2-aryl-3-azolyl-1-indolyl-propan-2-ols was designed as new analogs of fluconazole (FLC) by replacing one of its two triazole moieties by an indole scaffold. Two different chemical approaches were then developed. The first one, in seven steps, involved the synthesis of the key intermediate 1-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)methyl-1H-indole and the final opening of oxiranes by imidazole or 1H-1,2,4-triazole. The second route allowed access to the target compounds in only three steps, this time with the ring opening by indole and analogs. Twenty azole derivatives were tested against Candida albicans and other Candida species. The enantiomers of the best anti-Candida compound, 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-indol-1-yl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-propan-2-ol (8g), were analyzed by X-ray diffraction to determine their absolute configuration. The (-)-8g enantiomer (Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) = IC80 = 0.000256 µg/mL on C. albicans CA98001) was found with the S-absolute configuration. In contrast the (+)-8g enantiomer was found with the R-absolute configuration (MIC = 0.023 µg/mL on C. albicans CA98001). By comparison, the MIC value for FLC was determined as 0.020 µg/mL for the same clinical isolate. Additionally, molecular docking calculations and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out using a crystal structure of Candida albicans lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CaCYP51). The (-)-(S)-8g enantiomer aligned with the positioning of posaconazole within both the heme and access channel binding sites, which was consistent with its biological results. All target compounds have been also studied against human fetal lung fibroblast (MRC-5) cells. Finally, the selectivity of four compounds on a panel of human P450-dependent enzymes (CYP19, CYP17, CYP26A1, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2) was investigated. | 10.3390/ph13080186 |
pubmed_282_12825 | Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has created a new paradigm for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, but their increased risk for coronary disease is well documented. We present the case of a 57-year-old man, co-infected with HIV-2 and hepatitis B virus, adequately controlled and with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, who was admitted with non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography performed on day four of hospital stay documented two-vessel disease (mid segment of the right coronary artery [RCA, 90% stenosis] and the first marginal). Two drug-eluting stents were successfully implanted. The patient was discharged under dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin 100 mg/day and clopidogrel 75 mg/day) and standard coronary artery disease medication. He was admitted to the emergency room four hours after discharge with chest pain radiating to the left arm and inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was diagnosed. Coronary angiography was performed within one hour and documented thrombosis of both stents. Optical coherence tomography revealed good apposition of the stent in the RCA, with intrastent thrombus. Angioplasty was performed, with a good outcome. The acute stent thrombosis might be explained by the thrombotic potential of HIV infection and diabetes. There are no specific guidelines regarding HAART in secondary prevention of acute coronary syndromes. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for optimal management of these patients. | 10.1016/j.repc.2016.10.009 |
pubmed_753_15903 | In this issue of Blood, Trotta et al define a novel mechanism of human granzyme B and perforin regulation and identify 2 new signaling players involved in modulating NK cytotoxicity. | 10.1182/blood-2011-01-327247 |
pubmed_475_258 | BACKGROUND
Celiac disease is present in ~1% of the general population in the United States and Europe. Despite the availability of inexpensive serologic screening tests, ~85% of individuals with celiac disease remain undiagnosed and there is an average delay in diagnosis of symptomatic individuals with celiac disease that ranges from ~5.8-11 years. This delay is often attributed to the use of a case-based approach for detection rather than general population screening for celiac disease, and deficiencies at the level of health care professionals. This study aimed to assess if patient-centered barriers have a role in impeding serologic screening for celiac disease in individuals from populations that are clinically at an increased risk for celiac disease.
METHODS
119 adults meeting study inclusion criteria for being at a higher risk for celiac disease were recruited from the general population. Participants completed a survey/questionnaire at the William K. Warren Medical Research Center for Celiac Disease that addressed demographic information, celiac disease related symptoms (gastrointestinal and extraintestinal), family history, co-morbid diseases and conditions associated with celiac disease, and patient-centered barriers to screening for celiac disease. All participants underwent serologic screening for celiac disease using the IgA tissue transglutaminase antibody (IgA tTG) and, if positive, testing for IgA anti-endomysial antibody (IgA EMA) as a confirmatory test.
RESULTS
Two barriers to serologic testing were significant across the participant pool. These were participants not knowing they were at risk for celiac disease before learning of the study, and participants not knowing where to get tested for celiac disease. Among participants with incomes less than $25,000/year and those less than the median age, not having a doctor to order the test was a significant barrier, and this strongly correlated with not having health insurance. Symptoms and co-morbid conditions were similar among those whose IgA tTG were negative and those who tested positive.
CONCLUSION
There are significant patient-centered barriers that impede serologic screening and contribute to the delayed detection and diagnosis of celiac disease. These barriers may be lessened by greater education of the public and health care professionals about celiac disease symptoms, risk factors, and serologic testing. | 10.1186/1471-230X-14-42 |
pubmed_933_6082 | Using absorbance, fluorescence, resonance light scattering, and circular dichroism spectroscopy, we studied the self-assembly of the anionic meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine (TPPS(4)(2-/4-)) and a cationic 22-residue polypeptide. We found that three TPPS(4)(2-/4-) molecules bind to the peptide, which contains nine lysine residues in the primary sequence. In acidic solutions, when the peptide is in the random-coil conformation, TPPS(4)(2-) bound to the peptide forms excitonically coupled J-aggregates. In pH 7.6 solutions, when the peptide secondary structure is partially alpha-helical, the porphyrin-to-peptide binding constants are approximately the same as in acidic solutions (approximately 3 x 10(6) M(-1)), but excitonic interactions between the porphyrins are insignificant. The binding of TPPS(4)(2-/4-) to lysine-containing peptides is cooperative and can be described by the Hill model. Our results show that porphyrin binding can be used to change the secondary structure of peptide-based biomaterials. In addition, binding to peptides could be used to optimize porphyrin intermolecular electronic interactions (exciton coupling), which is relevant for the design of light-harvesting antennas for artificial photosynthesis. | 10.1021/jp905468y |
pubmed_755_17196 | Psychotherapists' reactions to patients with borderline personality disorder were assessed by semantic differential ratings in an analogue study. Vignettes presented one of two patients who enacted the Rewarding and Withdrawing object relations units in two separate therapy sessions. In response to the Rewarding object relations unit therapists evaluated themselves more positively and perceived themselves as more active and more potent than in response to the Withdrawing object relations unit (p less than .01). They also evaluated the patients more positively and perceived them as less active (p less than .01). These patterns were modified by some order effects and some differences in response to the two vignettes, which represented a lower and higher functioning borderline patient. | 10.1002/1097-4679(199207)48:4<553::aid-jclp2270480418>3.0.co;2-s |
pubmed_350_11329 | Pelargonoyl-cyclo[Dab-Thr-Dab-Dab(Pel)-Dab-D-Leu-Thr-Dab-Dab-Thr]. 5 HCl (5), analog of the polymyxin M, has been synthesized by the solid phase method. The intermediate linear Boc-protected decapeptide-resin (1) was assembled on the solid support by the stepwise addition of Boc-amino acids in the presence of DCC. For side-chain protection of diaminobutyric acid, Z-group was used. The peptide was cleaved from the resin in the form of methyl ester by triethylamine-catalyzed transesterification with methanol. Alkaline hydrolysis of the peptide ester with aqueous KOH (1 mol/l) afforded the Bocpenta-benzyloxycarbonyl-decapeptide acid (2) in 60% yield (based on Thr/resin). After removal of the Boc-group, the linear peptide 3 was cyclized with DCC in high dilution in DMF (10(-3) mol/l) to give 4 in 51% yield. Hydrogenolysis of 4 in 80% formic acid afforded the pelargonyl cyclic decapeptide 5 in 74% yield. The synthetic peptide 5 retained the same activity of the natural polymyxin M against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, whereas it showed only 3% of the activity of Escherichia coli. | pubmed_350_11329 |
pubmed_1082_19478 | The computed tomographic image of gas in the pancreas and peripancreatic retroperitoneum is strongly suggestive of necrotizing pancreatitis. The authors describe an 81-year-old woman who, 7 days after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, presented with retroperitoneal gas but did not have the clinical or biochemical features of necrotizing pancreatitis. Resolution of her low-grade fever and of the radiologic findings with conservative treatment and the absence of other causes for pneumoretroperitoneum suggest that the gas observed was related to the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. | pubmed_1082_19478 |
pubmed_481_13180 | Hepatitis B virus (HBV) e antigen (HBeAg) was discovered in 1972 as one of the serological markers of HBV infection. Although 25 years have passed since its initial discovery, the function of this antigen in the life cycle of HBV has remained elusive. Mutations in the HBV genome that prevent the expression of HBeAg do not abolish the replication of HBV, indicating that this antigen is not essential for HBV replication. In contrast, the conservation of the HBeAg gene in the genomes of related animal viruses, including the distantly related duck HBV, argues for an important function of this antigen. The purpose of the present article is to review the molecular biology of HBeAg and to examine its possible functions in the life cycle of HBV. | 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1997.tb00499.x |
pubmed_548_23170 | A palladium-catalyzed (3 + 2) cycloaddition of vinyl cyclopropane and α,β-unsaturated imines generated in situ from aryl sulfonyl indoles is reported. The reaction proceeds with high diastereoselectivity to provide the optically enriched spirocyclopentane-1,3'-indolenines in up to 74% yield and with up to 97% ee, which contains an all-carbon quaternary center and two tertiary stereocenters. The reaction involves a first conjugate addition of the carbon anion of zwitterionic π-allylpalladium complex from vinyl cyclopropane to the in situ formed unsaturated imine followed by a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular C3-allylation of indole. | 10.1021/ol503383x |
pubmed_418_20014 | In this study, an ultrasensitive biosensor based on a novel electrochemiluminescence nanosurface energy transfer (ECL-NSET) system was developed for procalcitonin (PCT) detection. N-(Aminobutyl)- N-(ethylisoluminol) (ABEI) as ECL donor was externally cross-linked with ferritin (ABEI-Ft), whose ECL emission was boosted by a ferritin nanocore in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Then single gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as ECL acceptor were in situ reduced on the ABEI-Ft surface to fabricate a donor-acceptor nanostructure (ABEI-Ft@Au). ECL quenching that occurred in ABEI-Ft@Au correlates well with the NSET theory rather than Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). To improve sensitivity of the biosensor, HWRGWVC heptapeptide (HWR) was utilized to capture the antibody Fc portion via specific interaction to realize site-oriented immobilization. After connecting with ABEI-Ft@Au via Au-S bonding, HWR improved the incubation efficiency of the antibody with a better maintained biological activity. Under optimal conditions, the proposed biosensor provided a quantitative readout to PCT concentration in the range of 100 fg/mL to 50 ng/mL with a detection limit of 41 fg/mL. With favorable specificity, stability, and reproducibility, this highly efficient ECL-NSET system will inspire more interest in nanometal-based ECL quenching mechanism studies and development of new methods for site-oriented antibody immobilization to improve sensitivity. | 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b00325 |
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