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20860661 | Pharmacokinetic interaction between itraconazole and metformin in rats: competitive inhibition of metabolism of each drug by each other via hepatic and intestinal CYP3A1/2. | Fungal infection is prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus. Thus, we investigated whether a pharmacokinetic interaction occurs between the anti-fungal agent itraconazole and the anti-glycaemic drug metformin, as both drugs monly administered together to diabetic patients and are metabolized via hepatic CYP3A subfamily in rats. |
20860663 | Dual effect of nitric oxide on uterine prostaglandin synthesis in a murine model of preterm labour. | Maternal infections are one of the main causes of adverse developmental es including embryonic resorption and preterm labour. In this study a mouse model of inflammation-associated preterm delivery was developed, and used to study the relationship between nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PGs). |
20860664 | Control of enteric neuromuscular functions by purinergic A(3) receptors in normal rat distal colon and experimental bowel inflammation. | Adenosine A(3) receptors mediate beneficial effects in experimental colitis, but their involvement in enteric neuromuscular functions during bowel inflammation is undetermined. This study investigated the regulatory role of A(3) receptors on colonic motility in the presence of experimental colitis. |
20860666 | Comparative pharmacology of chemically distinct NADPH oxidase inhibitors. | Oxidative stress [i.e. increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)] has been suggested as a pathomechanism of different diseases, although the disease-relevant sources of ROS remain to be identified. One of these sources may be NADPH oxidases. However, due to increasing concerns about the specificity of monly used as NADPH oxidase inhibitors, data obtained with pounds may have to be re-interpreted. |
20860667 | Effect of plant neutrophil elastase inhibitor on leucocyte migration, adhesion and cytokine release in inflammatory conditions. | The serine and cysteine peptidase inhibitor, BbCI, isolated from Bauhinia bauhinioides seeds, is similar to the classical plant Kunitz inhibitor, STI, but lacks disulphide bridges and methionine residues. BbCI blocks activity of the serine peptidases, elastase (K(iapp) 5.3 nM) and cathepsin G (K(iapp) 160.0 nM), and the cysteine peptidase cathepsin L (K(iapp) 0.2 nM). These three peptidases play important roles in the inflammatory process. |
20860665 | The calmodulin inhibitor N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulphonamide directly blocks human ether à-go-go-related gene potassium channels stably expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. | N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulphonamide (W-7) is a well-known calmodulin inhibitor used to study calmodulin regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) signalling-related process. Here, we have determined whether W-7 would inhibit human ether gene (hERG or K(v) 11.1) potassium channels, hK(v) 1.5 channels or hK(IR) 2.1 channels expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. |
20860668 | Lipoxin A(4) attenuates zymosan-induced arthritis by modulating endothelin-1 and its effects. | Lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)) is a lipid mediator involved in the resolution of inflammation. Increased levels of LXA(4) in synovial fluid and enhanced expression of the formyl peptide receptor 2/lipoxin A(4) receptor (FPR2/ALX) in the synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients have been reported. Endothelins (ETs) play a pivotal pro-inflammatory role in acute articular inflammatory responses. Here, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory role of LXA(4), during the acute phase of zymosan-induced arthritis, focusing on the modulation of ET-1 expression and its effects. |
20860669 | N-arachidonyl-glycine modulates synaptic transmission in superficial dorsal horn. | The arachidonyl-amino acid N-arachidonyl-glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous lipid, generated within the spinal cord and producing spinally mediated analgesia via non-cannabinoid mechanisms. In this study we examined the actions of NAGly on neurons within the superficial dorsal horn, a key site for the actions of many analgesic agents. |
20860670 | 5-Lipoxygenase inhibitors induce potent anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects in human tumour cells independently of suppression of 5-lipoxygenase activity. | Certain 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors exhibit anti-carcinogenic activities against 5-LO overexpressing tumour types and cultured tumour cells. It has been proposed therefore that 5-LO products significantly contribute to tumour cell proliferation. To date, the relationship between the inhibitory mechanisms of 5-LO inhibitors, which vary widely, and tumour cell viability has not been evaluated. This study addresses the anti-proliferative and cytotoxic potency of a number of 5-LO inhibitors with different inhibitory mechanisms in 5-LO-positive and 5-LO-negative tumour cells. |
20860671 | Reversal of acid-induced and inflammatory pain by the selective ASIC3 inhibitor, APETx2. | Inflammatory pain is triggered by activation of pathways leading to the release of mediators such as bradykinin, prostaglandins, interleukins, ATP, growth factors and protons that sensitize peripheral nociceptors. The activation of acid-sensitive ion channels (ASICs) may have particular relevance in the development and maintenance of inflammatory pain. ASIC3 is of particular interest due to its restricted tissue distribution in the nociceptive primary afferent fibres and its high sensitivity to protons. |
20860672 | HIV/AIDS: vaccines and alternate strategies for treatment and prevention. | The symposium "HIV/AIDS: Vaccines and Alternate Strategies for Treatment and Prevention" brought together HIV vaccine researchers to discuss the latest developments in the field. From basic discoveries in virus diversity and mechanisms of neutralization by antibodies to nonhuman primate research and clinical trials of vaccine candidates in volunteers, scientists are making great strides in understanding the mechanisms that may protect against HIV and pathways to achieve this protection through vaccination. |
20860673 | 2009 H1N1 swine flu: the 2010 perspective. | In May 2009, as the H1N1 swine flu outbreak was in the early stages, a conference was held at the New York Academy of Sciences to discuss what was known about the virus and what was being done to stop the outbreak. In May 2010, a follow-up conference was again held at the New York Academy of Sciences, but now to discuss the H1N1 outbreak retrospectively. The report presented here summarizes the 2010 conference proceedings. |
20860674 | Genes, brain, and behavior: development gone awry in autism? A report on the 23rd Annual International Symposium of the Center for the Study of Gene Structure and Function. | Autism and its highly variable symptomology were the themes of the 23rd Annual International Symposium of the Center for the Study of Gene Structure and Function at Hunter College in New York City, held 15 January 2010. The meeting explored the extensive research on autism from several perspectives-integrating research on genetics, neuroscience, and behavior-from researchers presenting new and innovative approaches to understanding the autism spectrum. Early diagnosis, intervention, and genetics were major themes because they are seen as essential areas in which progress is needed before the rise in numbers of cases of autism throughout the world, which some describe as approaching an epidemic, can be stemmed. Several genetic, neurobiological, and behavioral markers of autism have been identified that may ultimately provide the basis for early identification, and that presently define the key areas requiring intensive intervention. |
20860675 | Skin disinfection with a single-step 2% chlorhexidine swab is more effective than a two-step povidone-iodine method in preventing bacterial contamination of apheresis platelets. | mensal bacteria account for most septic reactions after apheresis platelet (PLT) transfusion. Consequently, we evaluated the effectiveness of two skin disinfection methods in preventing bacterial contamination of PLT collections. |
20860677 | Clinical predictors of dual aspirin and clopidogrel poor responsiveness in stable cardiovascular patients from the ADRIE study. | Poor response to both aspirin and clopidogrel (dual poor responsiveness [DPR]) is a major risk factor for recurrent ischemic events. |
20860679 | Predictors of the post-thrombotic syndrome with non-invasive venous examinations in patients 6 weeks after a first episode of deep vein thrombosis. | Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a plication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) affecting a large number of patients. Because of its potential debilitating effects, identification of patients at high risk for the development of this syndrome is relevant, and only a few predictors are known. |
20860680 | Patterns of coevolution in the adaptive radiation of crossbills. | Although evidence for coevolution and geographic variation in its apparent strength is increasing, we still have a relatively poor understanding of why coevolution varies among interactions. Here we review how variation in the occurrence petitors, resource stability, habitat area, and time has affected the extent of trait escalation in coevolutionary arms races between crossbills (Loxia) and conifers. Competitors for conifer seeds, particularly tree squirrels, have limited the extent of crossbill-conifer coevolution; however, seed crop fluctuations reduce the extent to which tree squirrels limit crossbill-conifer coevolution. Crossbill densities increase with forest area, which results in greater escalation of seed defenses apparently as the result of stronger selection exerted by crossbills. The extent of trait escalation appears to increase toward lower latitudes where crossbill-conifer interactions have likely persisted locally for longer periods of time. However, because most crossbills occur at higher latitudes, much of the extant diversification of crossbills has occurred since the last glacial retreat, and the extent of trait escalation is limited. Nevertheless, coevolution has caused considerable trait evolution even in temperate regions. The conditions favoring coevolution between crossbills and conifers are widespread, and coevolution has played at least some role in at least three fourths of the taxa of crossbills. |
20860682 | Global change and the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in plants. | Global change drivers create new environmental scenarios and selective pressures, affecting plant species in various interacting ways. Plants respond with changes in phenology, physiology, and reproduction, with consequences for biotic interactions position. We review information on phenotypic plasticity, a primary means by which plants cope with global change scenarios, mending promising approaches for investigating the evolution of plasticity and describing constraints to its evolution. We discuss the important but largely ignored role of phenotypic plasticity in range shifts and review the extensive literature on invasive species as models of evolutionary change in novel environments. Plasticity can play a role both in the short-term response of plant populations to global change as well as in their long-term fate through the maintenance of genetic variation. In new environmental conditions, plasticity of certain functional traits may be beneficial (i.e., the plastic response is panied by a fitness advantage) and thus selected for. Plasticity can also be relevant in the establishment and persistence of plants in novel environments that are crucial for populations at the colonizing edge in range shifts induced by climate change. Experimental studies show taxonomically widespread plastic responses to global change drivers in many functional traits, though there is a lack of empirical support for many theoretical models on the evolution of phenotypic plasticity. Future studies should assess the adaptive value and evolutionary potential of plasticity plex, realistic global change scenarios. Promising tools include resurrection protocols and artificial selection experiments. |
20860681 | Bridging the gap between ecology and evolution: integrating density regulation and life-history evolution. | Early demographic models of life-history evolution were formulated in a density-independent framework and saw extrinsic sources of mortality, such as predation, as the primary driving force that shaped the evolution of life-history traits. The evidence for density dependence in nature motivated theoreticians to build models that incorporated population regulation. These later generations of models acknowledge that demographic mechanisms of population regulation and extrinsic mortality interact with one another and predict a wide variety of life-history responses. Such ecologically realistic models require knowledge of the demographic traits and life-stages most affected by density. Despite the vast empirical literature characterizing population regulation, and a wealth of methods to analyze it, such mechanistic understanding is rare. Ecological experiments whereby density is manipulated can be a powerful tool to disentangle the life-history determinants of population regulation. Here we review published density-manipulation experiments and highlight how they can be coupled with existing analytical tools to extract the mechanistic information needed for evolutionary models of life histories. |
20860683 | Pleiotropy, plasticity, and the evolution of plant abiotic stress tolerance. | Progress in understanding the mechanisms of adaptive plant abiotic stress response has e from two separate fields. Molecular biologists employ mutagenic screens, experimental manipulations, and controlled stress treatment to identify genes that, when perturbed, have fairly large effects on phenotype. By contrast, quantitative and evolutionary geneticists generally study naturally occurring variants to inform multigenic models of trait architecture in an effort to predict, for example, the evolutionary response to selection. We discuss five emerging themes from the molecular study of osmotic stress response: the multigenic nature of adaptive response, the modular organization of response to specific cues, the pleiotropic effects of key signaling proteins, the integration of many environmental signals, and the abundant cross-talk between signaling pathways. We argue that these concepts can be incorporated into existing models of trait evolution and provide examples of what may constitute the molecular basis of plasticity and evolvability of abiotic stress response. We conclude by considering future directions in the study of the functional molecular evolution of abiotic stress response that may facilitate new discoveries in molecular biology, evolutionary studies, and plant breeding. |
20860684 | The origins and evolution of genetic disease risk in modern humans. | Patterns and risks of human disease have evolved. In this article, I review evidence regarding the importance of recent adaptive evolution, positive selection, and genomic conflicts in shaping the genetic and phenotypic architectures of polygenic human diseases. Strong recent selection in human populations can create and maintain genetically based disease risk primarily through three processes: increased scope for dysregulation from recent human adaptations, divergent optima generated by intraspecific genomic conflicts, and transient or stable deleterious by-products of positive selection caused by antagonistic pleiotropy, ultimately due to trade-offs at the levels of molecular genetics, development, and physiology. Human disease due to these processes appears to be concentrated in three sets of phenotypes: cognition and emotion, reproductive traits, and life-history traits related to long life-span. Diverse, convergent lines of evidence suggest that a small set of tissues whose pleiotropic patterns of gene function and expression are under especially strong selection-brain, placenta, testis, prostate, breast, and ovary-has mediated a considerable proportion of disease risk in modern humans. |
20860687 | Are we analyzing speciation without prejudice? | Physical isolation has long been the null hypothesis of speciation, with exceptional evidence required to suggest speciation with gene flow. Following recent persuasive theoretical support and strong empirical examples of nonallopatric speciation, one might expect a changed view. However, a review of 73 recent empirical studies shows that when allopatric speciation is suggested, a nonallopatric alternative is rarely considered, whereas the opposite is true in studies suggesting sympatric speciation, indicating a biased treatment of different speciation models. Although increasing support for ecological speciation suggests natural selection as the most ponent of speciation, gene flow remains an issue. Methods for unbiased hypothesis testing are available, and the genetic and phylogeographic data required for appropriate tests can be generated. Focus on phylogenies and functions of individual genes have revealed strong idiosyncratic elements of speciation, such as single genes with possible allopatric origin that make significant contributions during nonallopatric phases of speciation. Hence a plex picture of speciation is now emerging that will benefit from unbiased evaluation of both allopatric and sympatric mechanisms of speciation. |
20860686 | Telomeres and life histories: the long and the short of it. | Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of eukaryote chromosomes. Telomere loss limits the number of times cells can divide and is intimately involved in cell loss and renewal. Average telomere length in cell samples generally declines with donor age but shows substantial intraspecific variation. Telomeres are potentially of great interest to evolutionary biologists since the balance of fitness costs and benefits associated with loss and restoration is linked to the biology of life span. Most telomere research is done in the context of human disease. Recently, however, there has been a burgeoning of interest in telomere dynamics in healthy organisms. The extent to which variation in telomere loss might be involved in the evolution of life histories, and constrain or underpin life history trade-offs, is a growing field of research. I discuss what we do and do not know about the links between telomere length and life histories and the extent to which variations in telomere length and loss rate are useful indicators of aging-related changes and/or the biological state of individuals. |
20860685 | The role of gene expression in ecological speciation. | Ecological speciation is the process by which barriers to gene flow between populations evolve due to adaptive divergence via natural selection. A relatively unexplored area in ecological speciation is the role of gene expression. Gene expression may be associated with ecologically important phenotypes not evident from morphology and play a role during colonization of new environments. Here we review two potential roles of gene expression in ecological speciation: (1) its indirect role in facilitating population persistence and (2) its direct role in contributing to genetically based reproductive isolation. We find indirect evidence that gene expression facilitates population persistence, but direct tests are lacking. We also find clear examples of gene expression having effects on phenotypic traits and adaptive genetic divergence, but links to the evolution of reproductive isolation itself remain indirect. Gene expression during adaptive divergence seems to often plex genetic architectures controlled by gene networks, regulatory regions, and "eQTL hotspots." Nonetheless, we review how approaches for isolating the functional mutations contributing to adaptive divergence are proving to be successful. The study of gene expression has promise for increasing our understanding ecological speciation, particularly when integrative approaches are applied. |
20860688 | Lessons learned from 25 years of research at the MADE site. | Field studies at well-instrumented research sites have provided extensive data sets and important insights essential for development and testing of transport theories and mathematical models. This paper provides an overview of over 25 years of research and lessons learned at one of such field research sites on the Columbus Air Force Base in monly known as the Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE) site. Since the mid-1980s, field data from the MADE site have been used extensively by researchers around the world to plex contaminant transport phenomena in highly heterogeneous porous media. Results from field investigations and modeling analyses suggested that connected networks of small-scale preferential flow paths and relative flow barriers exert dominant control on solute transport processes. The classical advection-dispersion model was shown to inadequately represent plume-scale transport, while the dual-domain mass transfer model was found to reproduce the primary observed plume characteristics. The MADE site has served as a valuable natural observatory for contaminant transport studies where new observations have led to better understanding and improved models have sprung out analysis of new data. |
20860690 | Modeling the transient response of saline intrusion to rising sea-levels. | Sea levels are expected to rise as a result of global temperature increases, one implication of which is the potential exacerbation of sea water intrusion into coastal aquifers. Given that approximately 70% of the world's population resides in coastal regions, it is imperative to understand the interaction between fresh groundwater and sea water intrusion in order to best manage available resources. For this study, controlled investigation has been carried out concerning the temporal variation in sea water intrusion as a result of rising sea levels. A series of fixed inland head two-dimensional sea water intrusion models were developed with SEAWAT in order to assess the impact of rising sea levels on the transient migration of saline intrusion in coastal aquifers under a range of hydrogeological property conditions. A wide range of responses were observed for typical hydrogeological parameter values. Systems with a high ratio of hydraulic conductivity to recharge and high effective porosity lagged behind the equilibrium sea water toe positions during sea-level rise, often by many hundreds of meters, and frequently taking several centuries to equilibrate following a cease in sea-level rise. Systems with a low ratio of hydraulic conductivity to recharge and low effective porosity did not develop such a large degree of disequilibrium and generally stabilized within decades following a cease in sea-level rise. This study provides qualitative initial estimates for the expected rate of intrusion and predicted degree of disequilibrium generated by sea-level rise for a range of hydrogeological parameter values. |
20860691 | Numerical modeling of the near-field hydraulics of water wells. | Numerical flow models can be a useful tool for dimensioning water wells and to investigate the hydraulics in their near-field. Fully laminar flow can be assumed for all models calculated up to the screen. Therefore models can be used to predict--at least qualitatively, neglecting turbulent losses inside the well--the spatial distribution of inflow into the well and the overall hydraulic performance of binations of aquifer parameters and technical installations. Models for both horizontal (plan view) and vertical flow (cross section) to wells were calculated for a variety of setups. For the latter, this included variations of hydraulic conductivity of the screen, pump position, and aquifer heterogeneity. Models of suction flow control devices showed that they indeed can homogenize inflow, albeit at the cost of elevated entrance losses. |
20860689 | Inherent limitations of hydraulic tomography. | We offer a cautionary note in response to an increasing level of enthusiasm regarding high-resolution aquifer characterization with hydraulic tomography. We use synthetic examples based on two recent field experiments to demonstrate that a high degree of nonuniqueness remains in estimates of hydraulic parameter fields even when those estimates are based on simultaneous analysis of a number of carefully controlled hydraulic tests. We must, therefore, be careful not to oversell the technique to munity of practicing hydrogeologists, promising a degree of accuracy and resolution that, in many settings, will remain unattainable, regardless of the amount of effort invested in the field investigation. No practically feasible amount of hydraulic tomography data will ever remove the need to regularize or bias the inverse problem in some fashion in order to obtain a unique solution. Thus, along with improving the resolution of hydraulic tomography techniques, we must also strive to couple those techniques with procedures for experimental design and uncertainty assessment and with other more cost-effective field methods, such as geophysical surveying and, in unconsolidated formations, direct-push profiling, in order to develop methods for subsurface characterization with the resolution and accuracy needed for practical field applications. |
20860698 | Does a trade-off between current reproductive success and survival affect the honesty of male signalling in species with male parental care? | Recent theory predicted that male advertisement will reliably signal investment in paternal care in species where offspring survival requires paternal care and males allocate resources between advertisement and care. However, the predicted relationship between care and advertisement depended on the marginal gains from investment in current reproductive traits. Life history theory suggests that these fitness gains are also subject to a trade-off between current and future reproduction. Here, we investigate whether male signalling remains a reliable indicator of parental care when males allocate resources between current advertisement, paternal care and survival to future reproduction. We find that advertisement is predicted to remain a reliable signal of male care but that advertisement may cease to reliably indicate male quality because low-quality males are predicted to invest in current reproduction, whereas higher-quality males are able to invest in both current reproduction and survival to future reproduction. |
20860699 | An evaluation of a community dietetics intervention on the management of malnutrition for healthcare professionals. | Healthcare professionals working in munity setting have limited knowledge of the evidence-based management of malnutrition. The present study aimed to evaluate munity dietetics intervention, which included an education programme for healthcare professionals in conjunction with the introduction of munity dietetics service for patients 'at risk' of malnutrition. Changes in nutritional knowledge and the reported management of malnourished patients were investigated and the acceptability of the intervention was explored. |
20860700 | Mobile DNA can drive lineage extinction in prokaryotic populations. | Natural selection ultimately acts on genes and other DNA sequences. Adaptations that are good for the gene can have adverse effects at higher levels of organization, including the individual or the population. Mobile genetic elements illustrate this principle well, because they can self-replicate within a genome at a cost to their host. As they are costly and can be transmitted horizontally, mobile elements can be seen as genomic parasites. It has been suggested that mobile elements may cause the extinction of their host populations. In organisms with very large populations, such as most bacteria, individual selection is highly effective in purging genomes of deleterious elements, suggesting that extinction is unlikely. Here we investigate the conditions under which mobile DNA can drive bacterial lineages to extinction. We use a range of epidemiological and ecological models to show that harmful mobile DNA can invade, and drive populations to extinction, provided their transmission rate is high and that mobile element-induced mortality is not too high. Population extinction es more likely when there are more elements in the population. Even if elements are costly, extinction can still occur because of bined effect of horizontal gene transfer, a mortality induced by mobile elements. Our study highlights the potential of mobile DNA to be selected at the population level, as well as at the individual level. |
20860696 | Excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer-induced charge transfer of polyquinoline. | The excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer-induced charge transfer of semirigid polyquinoline (PQH) is explored in 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (TCE) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (MP) using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Reaction mechanisms are found to depend on the rotational conformations of PQH at the moment of excitation; whereas the trans-enolic form does not undergo intramolecular proton transfer within its excited-state lifetime, the cis-enolic form does within 15 ps to form a tautomeric zwitterion species. While the subsequent intramolecular charge transfer of the zwitterionic species to yield a tautomeric keto species takes place on time scales of 25 ps in TCE (ε = 8.50) and 62 ps in MP (ε = 32.55), its reverse reaction is also followed on time scales of 28 ps in TCE and 20 ps in MP. The lack of a kinetic isotope effect in both forward and reverse charge-transfer reactions support our proposed mechanisms. |
20860695 | The effect of actinoquinol with hyaluronic acid in eye drops on the optical properties and oxidative damage of the rabbit cornea irradiated with UVB rays. | Irradiation of the cornea with UVB rays leads to its oxidative damage, swelling and increased light absorption. We investigated changes in the corneal optics (evaluated by changes of corneal hydration and light absorption) and microscopical disturbances of corneas irradiated with UVB rays as influenced by eye drops containing actinoquinol with hyaluronic acid. Rabbit corneas were irradiated with a daily dose of 0.5 or 1.01 J cm(-2) of UVB rays (312 nm) for 4 days. During irradiation, the eye drops were applied on the right eye and buffered saline (or hyaluronic acid) on the left eye. On day 5 the rabbits were sacrificed and the corneas examined spectrophotometrically for light absorption. The corneal thickness (hydration) was measured using a pachymeter. Corneas of some other rabbits were examined immunohistochemically. After buffered saline treatment UVB rays evoked changes in the corneal optics and induced oxidative damage of the corneas. After actinoquinol-hyaluronic acid application, these changes were diminished. Hyaluronic acid alone was less effective. In conclusion, actinoquinol-hyaluronic acid eye drops decreased changes in corneal optics and suppressed oxidative damage in the UVB-irradiated cornea. However, the effective corneal protection by these eye drops was limited to the lower UVB dose. |
20860701 | Intrapartum Group B streptococcus detection by rapid polymerase chain reaction assay for the prevention of neonatal sepsis. | Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of infectious neonatal morbidity and mortality. Timely and accurate identification of colonized mothers is imperative so that antibioprophylaxis can be implemented during labour to reduce the risk of neonatal sepsis. We planned our study to analyse the diagnostic accuracy of an intrapartum PCR assay to identify GBS-colonized women and to allow the implementation of correct (i.e. at least 4 h) intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis based on the PCR results. We included 695 women in labour who were tested for rectovaginal GBS carriage by culture and PCR. Women were also screened at 35-37 weeks of gestation. Intrapartum GBS colonization was 19.3%. Assay sensitivity was 81.0% for antenatal culture and 85.0% for intrapartum PCR; p 0.72. GBS colonization (n = 107) was known at least 4 h before delivery in 68 (64%) and 73 (68%) women based on antenatal culture and intrapartum PCR, respectively. Among 43 women delivering preterm, correct status was known at least 4 h before delivery in 10 (23%) and 32 (74%) women according to antenatal culture and intrapartum PCR, respectively. These results support the concept that GBS screening can be performed routinely during labour in a clinical setting. The intrapartum approach is at least as accurate as the antenatal screening, with the additional advantage of identifying women delivering preterm or not followed during pregnancy. |
20860697 | Reduction of 4,4'-stilbenequinone and 4,4'-diphenoquinone upon reaction with photogenerated radicals. | The properties of 3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-stilbenequinone (StQ) were studied by photochemical means. Acetone, acetophenone or benzophenone was photolyzed in the presence of both StQ and a donor, such as alcohols or triethylamine. This initiated reaction of a ketyl radical with StQ to form a semiquinone radical and eventually induce a permanent bleaching due to conversion of StQ to 4,4'-dihydroxystilbene (StQH(2)). The quantum yield of conversion of StQ to StQH(2) increases with the donor concentration. Similar effects were found for the ketone-sensitized radical-induced conversions of the analogous diphenoquinone to the reduction product, diphenol. |
20860692 | Efflux pump inhibitor potentiates antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm. | Microbial biofilm architecture contains numerous protective features, including extracellular polymeric material that render biofilms impermeable to conventional antimicrobial agents. This study evaluated the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) of Enterococcus faecalis biofilms. The ability of a cationic, phenothiazinium photosensitizer, methylene blue (MB) and an anionic, xanthene photosensitizer, rose bengal (RB) to inactivate biofilms of E. faecalis (OG1RF and FA 2-2) and disrupt the biofilm structure was evaluated. Bacterial cells were tested as planktonic suspensions, intact biofilms and biofilm-derived suspensions obtained by the mechanical disruption of biofilms. The role of a specific microbial efflux pump inhibitor (EPI), verapamil hydrochloride in the MB-mediated aPDI of E. faecalis biofilms was also investigated. The results showed that E. faecalis biofilms exhibited significantly higher resistance to aPDI pared with E. faecalis in suspension (P < 0.001). aPDI with cationic MB produced superior inactivation of E. faecalis strains in a biofilm along with significant destruction of biofilm structure pared with anionic RB (P < 0.05). The ability to inactivate biofilm bacteria was further enhanced when the EPI was used with MB (P < 0.001). These experiments demonstrated the advantage of a cationic phenothiazinium bined with an EPI to inactivate biofilm bacteria and disrupt biofilm structure. |
20860694 | Fluorescent-based solid sensor for HSO4(-) in water. | In this report, we have shown that the encapsulation of the terbium 2-methylimidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic plex into inorganic host tetraethoxysilance is considered to be an efficient way for the design of anion sensors. Strong green emission still can be observed when it disperses in pure water. It was found that the luminescence of hybrid material was selectively turned off rapidly (1 s) by hydrogen pared with the addition of different anions such as F(-), Cl(-), Br(-) and I(-). Thin film was successfully prepared and also could be a promising tool for recognizing HSO(4)(-). |
20860705 | Soy infant formula: is it that bad? | The objective of this study is to review the indications of soy infant formula (SIF). Structured review of publications is made available through standard search engines (Pubmed,…). The medical indications for SIF are limited to galactosaemia and hereditary lactase deficiency. In the treatment of cow's milk allergy, SIF is used for economic reasons, as extensive hydrolysates are expensive. SIF is dissuaded mainly because of its phytooestrogen content. Isoflavone serum levels are much higher in SIF-fed infants than in breastfed or cow milk formula-fed infants. Administration of pure isoflavones to animals causes decreased fertility, but clinically relevant adverse effects of SIF in infants are not reported. |
20860702 | Effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on dopaminergic function and motor behavior during aging. | Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical in synaptic plasticity and in the survival and function of midbrain dopamine neurons. In this study, we assessed the effects of a partial genetic deletion of BDNF on motor function and dopamine (DA) neurotransmitter measures paring Bdnf(+/-) with wildtype mice (WT) at different ages. Bdnf(+/-) and WT mice had similar body weights until 12 months of age; however, at 21 months, Bdnf(+/-) mice were significantly heavier than WT mice. Horizontal and vertical motor activity was reduced for pared to WT mice, but was not influenced by age. Performance on an accelerating rotarod declined with age for both genotypes and was exacerbated for Bdnf(+/-) mice. Body weight did not correlate with any of the three behavioral measures studied. Dopamine neurotransmitter markers indicated no genotypic difference in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase, DA transporter (DAT) or vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) immunoreactivity at any age. However, DA transport via DAT (starting at 12 months) and VMAT2 (starting at 3 months) as well as KCl-stimulated DA release were reduced in Bdnf(+/-) mice and declined with age suggesting an increasingly important role for BDNF in the release and uptake of DA with the aging process. These findings suggest that a BDNF expression deficit es more critical to dopaminergic dynamics and related behavioral activities with increasing age. |
20860706 | Influence of repeated painful procedures on prefrontal cortical pain responses in newborns. | We examined whether previous experience of repeated skin punctures altered the correlation between prefrontal cortical pain responses and Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) pared with infants who had no experience of skin puncture. |
20860707 | Association of sleep duration with socio-economic status and behavioural problems among schoolchildren. | In this population-based study, we aimed to determine the total sleep duration (TSD), its association with socio-economic status (SES) and behavioural symptoms among schoolchildren. |
20860693 | Quantification of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers induced by UVB radiation in conidia of the fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans, Metarhizium acridum and Metarhizium robertsii. | Conidia are responsible for reproduction, dispersal, environmental persistence and host infection of many fungal species. One of the main environmental factors that can kill and/or damage conidia is solar UV radiation. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) are the major DNA photoproducts induced by UVB. We examined the conidial germination kinetics and the occurrence of CPD in DNA of conidia exposed to different doses of UVB radiation. Conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus nidulans and Metarhizium acridum were exposed to UVB doses of 0.9, 1.8, 3.6 and 5.4 kJ m(-2). CPD were quantified using T4 endonuclease V and alkaline agarose gel electrophoresis. Most of the doses were sublethal for all three species. Exposures to UVB delayed conidial germination and the delays were directly related both to UVB doses and CPD frequencies. The frequencies of dimers also were linear and directly proportional to the UVB doses, but the CPD yields differed among species. We also evaluated the impact of conidial pigmentation on germination and CPD induction on Metarhizium robertsii. The frequency of dimers in an albino mutant was approximately 10 times higher than of its green wild-type parent strain after exposure to a sublethal dose (1.8 kJ m(-2)) of UVB radiation. |
20860708 | Parental illness perceptions and medication perceptions in childhood asthma, a focus group study. | Asthma treatment according to guidelines fails frequently, through patients' nonadherence to doctors' advice. This study aimed to explore how differences in asthma care influence parents' perceptions to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). |
20860712 | Effect of rectal distension on voluntary external anal sphincter function in healthy subjects. | Quantification of the anorectal reflex function is critical for explaining the physiological control of continence. Reflex external anal sphincter activity increases with rectal distension in a dynamic response. We hypothesized that rectal distension would similarly augment voluntary external anal sphincter function, quantified by measuring the anal maximum squeeze pressure. |
20860713 | Granulomas in Crohn's disease: does progression through the bowel layers affect presentation or predict recurrence? | The aim of the study was to correlate the presence and pattern of distribution of granulomas in resected specimens to clinical characteristics and e in patients undergoing surgery for Crohn's disease. |
20860714 | What causes chronic idiopathic perineal pain? | Chronic idiopathic perineal pain is poorly understood. Underlying structural abnormalities have been clinically suspected but rarely demonstrated objectively. The condition has been frequently considered to be a psychological disorder. We aimed to evaluate monly a structural explanation for such pain symptoms is present. |
20860715 | Leaving a mark: the frequency and accuracy of tattooing prior to laparoscopic colorectal surgery. | Intra-operative localization of small cancers and polyps during laparoscopic colorectal surgery is difficult due to reduced tactile feedback. The consequences of failing to identify the lesion for resection can result in open conversion or removal of the wrong segment of bowel. |
20860716 | Oncological outcome of T1 rectal cancer undergoing standard resection and local excision. | We studied the e and prognostic factors for T1 rectal cancer patients undergoing standard resection or transanal excision. |
20860717 | Superior efficacy of fesoterodine over tolterodine extended release with rapid onset: a prospective, head-to-head, placebo-controlled trial. | • To show the superior efficacy of fesoterodine over tolterodine extended release (ER) in a placebo-controlled overactive bladder (OAB) trial with predefined parisons for both diary measures and patient-reported es. |
20860718 | Cathodal iontophoresis of treprostinil and iloprost induces a sustained increase in cutaneous flux in rats. | The treatment of scleroderma-related digital ulcers is still a therapeutic challenge. The most effective drugs are prostacyclin analogues. However, their usage is limited to an intravenous route of administration and by their frequent side effects. The objective of this study was to test whether treprostinil, iloprost and epoprostenol can induce sustained vasodilatation in rats when delivered locally using cutaneous iontophoresis. |
20860720 | Construction and validation of the quality of life measure for dentine hypersensitivity (DHEQ). | To develop and validate a condition specific measure of oral health-related quality of life for dentine hypersensitivity (Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire, DHEQ). |
20860722 | Clinical relevance of transperineal ultrasound compared with evacuation proctography for the evaluation of patients with obstructed defaecation. | Dynamic evacuation proctography (DEP) is still considered the gold standard diagnostic procedure for partment pelvic disorders. The study aimed to assess the value of dynamic transperineal ultrasound pared with DEP in patients with obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS). |
20860724 | Remodelling of nasal mucosa in mild and severe persistent allergic rhinitis with special reference to the distribution of collagen, proteoglycans, and lymphatic vessels. | Small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans (decorin, biglycan, and lumican), collagen, and lymphangiogenesis are involved in tissue remodelling of various organs with inflammatory diseases. |
20860725 | MLH1 Differential allelic expression in mutation carriers and controls. | Germline defects in the MLH1 gene are associated with Lynch syndrome. A substantial proportion of these mutations leads to premature termination codons and can induce nonsense mediated decay (NMD) of the corresponding transcript. Resulting allelic expression differences represent a fast and inexpensive method to identify patients carrying MLH1 mutations. In patients and controls, we show that allelic expression imbalance (AEI) can be readily detected in RNA extracted from whole blood from patients carrying mutations expected to elicit NMD using mass spectrometry. Mutations closer to the 5' end of the gene tend to show smaller imbalances. AEI can also be detected in normal controls. Analysis of allelic expression in controls and individuals with mutations not expected to exhibit NMD revealed that MLH1 expression is influenced by sequence variation acting in cis. A maximum likelihood framework was used to identify two SNPs, rs1799977 (c.655G>A; p.I219V) and rs1800734 (c.-93 G>A) that are independently associated with expression. These influences are, however, pared to the differences associated with pathological variants. |
20860726 | Use of ADHD drugs in the Nordic countries: a population-based comparison study. | pare national use of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs between five Nordic countries. |
20860727 | Conjunctival melanoma: local-regional control rates, and impact of high-risk histopathologic features. | Conjunctival melanoma is an mon malignancy with the potential for significant morbidity. Ulceration is known to be an indicator of more aggressive cutaneous melanoma. This factor has not been previously evaluated in conjunctival melanoma. |
20860730 | Leukemic vasculitis: a rare pattern of leukemia cutis. | Although non-specific skin lesions are mon in patients with leukemia, the specific infiltration of the skin by blast cells, known as leukemia cutis, is rare. Its incidence ranges from 1 to 50% and depends on the specific type of leukemia. Leukemic vasculitis represents a rare form of leukemia cutis consisting of the involvement and destruction of vessel walls by leukemic cells, which in themselves cause the vascular injury. To date, only few cases of leukemic vasculitis have been described. Here, we report two cases of this rare skin condition, one of which mimicked cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa. |
20860732 | Cell envelope architecture in the Chloroflexi: a shifting frontline in a phylogenetic turf war. | It is important that attempts to understand bacterial phylogeny take into account fundamental bacterial characteristics such as cell position and organization. Several prominent phylogenetic studies have assumed that the cell envelopes of members of the phylum Chloroflexi are 'gram-negative' (diderm, i.e. defined by both an inner plasma membrane and an outer membrane) and some of these studies have placed the branch leading to the extant Chloroflexi near the root of the bacterial phylogenetic tree. This Correspondence summarizes pelling evidence that the Chloroflexi are in fact monoderm, i.e. have only a single cellular membrane. The phylogenetic implications of this conclusion are discussed. The data reviewed also shed interesting light on the distribution of protein secretion systems in diderm bacteria. |
20860731 | Evidence for syntrophic acetate oxidation coupled to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in the high-temperature petroleum reservoir of Yabase oil field (Japan). | The munities and pathways in a high-temperature petroleum reservoir were investigated through incubations of the production water and crude bined with radiotracer experiments and molecular biological analyses. The incubations were conducted without any substrate amendment and under high-temperature and pressurized conditions that mimicked the in situ environment (55°C, 5 MPa). Changes in methane and acetate concentrations during the incubations indicated stoichiometric production of methane from acetate. Rates of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis measured using [(14)C]-bicarbonate were 42-68 times those of acetoclastic methanogenesis measured using [2-(14) C]-acetate, implying the dominance of methane production by syntrophic acetate oxidation coupled to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in the environment. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses of the incubated production water showed munities dominated by the genus Thermacetogenium, known as a thermophilic syntrophic acetate-oxidizing bacterium, and munities dominated by thermophilic hydrogenotrophic methanogens belonging to the genus Methanothermobacter. Furthermore, group-specific real-time PCR assays revealed that 16S rRNA gene copy numbers of the hydrogenotrophic methanogens affiliated with the order Methanobacteriales were almost identical to those of archaeal 16S rRNA genes. This study demonstrates that syntrophic acetate oxidation is the main methanogenic pathway in a high-temperature petroleum reservoir. |
20860734 | Metabolic networks, microbial ecology and 'omics' technologies: towards understanding in situ biodegradation processes. | Microbial degradation is the main mechanism responsible for the recovery of contaminated sites, where a huge body of investigations is available in which most concentrate on single isolates from soils capable of mineralizing pollutants. The rapid development of molecular techniques in recent years allows immense insights into the processes in situ, including identification of organisms active in target munity member interactions and catabolic gene structures. Only a detailed understanding of the functioning and interactions within munities will allow their rational manipulation for the purpose of optimizing bioremediation efforts. We will present the status of the current capabilities to assess and predict catabolic potential of environmental sites by applying gene fingerprinting, catabolome arrays, metagenomics plementary 'omics' technologies. Collectively, this will allow tracking regulation and evolution within munities ultimately aiming to understand the mechanisms taking place in large scale bioremediation treatments for aromatic decontamination. |
20860735 | Screening for lupus anticoagulant: improving the performance of the lupus-sensitive PTT-LA. | The aim of the present work was to verify whether calculating a ratio between clotting times obtained with the sensitive PTT-LA and a less sensitive activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)-reagent may represent a valuable aPTT-based screening strategy for lupus anticoagulants (LA). |
20860736 | Effect of chemical peeling on photocarcinogenesis. | Chemical peeling is one of the dermatological treatments available for certain cutaneous diseases and conditions or improvement of cosmetic appearance of photo-aged skin. We assessed the photo-chemopreventive effect of several clinically used chemical peeling agents on the ultraviolet-irradiated skin of hairless mice. Chemical peeling was done using 35% glycolic acid dissolved in distilled water, 30% salicylic acid in ethanol, and 10% or 35% trichloroacetic acid in distilled water at the right back of ultraviolet-irradiated hairless mice every 2 weeks for glycolic acid, salicylic acid and 10% trichloroacetic acid, and every 4 weeks for 35% trichloroacetic acid for a total of 18 weeks after the establishment of photo-aged mice by irradiation with ultraviolet B range light three times a week for 14 weeks at a total dose of 6.66 J/cm(2) . Tumor formation was assessed every week. Skin specimens were taken from treated and non-treated area for evaluation under microscopy, evaluation of p53 expression and mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2. Serum level of prostaglandin E(2) was also evaluated. All types of chemical peeling reduced tumor formation in treated mice, mostly in the treated area but also in the non-treated area. Peeling suppressed retention of p53-positive abnormal cells and reduced mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in treated skin. Further, serum prostaglandin E(2) level was decreased in chemical peeling treated mice. These results indicate that chemical peeling with glycolic acid, salicylic acid and trichloroacetic acid could serve tumor prevention by removing photo-damaged cells. |
20860739 | Pigmented contact dermatitis due to therapeutic sensitizer as complication of contact immunotherapy in alopecia areata. | plication by contact immunotherapy (CI) for alopecia areata (AA) has been reported but its pathophysiology remains unknown. To characterize plication by CI and its pathophysiology, we examined the incidence of hyperpigmentation in 186 consecutive patients treated with CI using diphenylcyclopropenone. From clinical data of AA totalis (AAT) or universalis (AAU) patients (n = 78), we studied the correlations between plication and age, sex, atopic background, duration and treatment responsiveness, duration of CI, final concentration of diphenylcyclopropenone and administration of anti-histamines by χ(2)-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Additionally, the histopathology of pigmentation was studied. As a result, 11 (5.91%) of the 186 patients had hyperpigmentation in this series. All of them had AAT or AAU, suggesting that the pigmentation is apt to occur in severe AA. When the AAT or AAU patients with (n = 11) and without hyperpigmentation (n = 67) pared, those with pigmentation showed poorer responsiveness to CI (P < 0.05) but no significant tendency for other factors. Histopathologically, skin specimens showed lichenoid or vacuolar interface dermatitis with necrotic keratinocytes and dermal melanophages, consistent with pigmented contact dermatitis (PCD). Together, plication by CI corresponds to PCD from therapeutic sensitizer, representing clinical indicator of poor responsiveness. |
20860737 | New non-invasive method for evaluation of the stratum corneum structure in diseases with abnormal keratinization by immunofluorescence microscopy of desmoglein 1 distribution in tape-stripped samples. | The corneodesmosomes in the stratum corneum are critical for the maintenance of stratum corneum integrity. To evaluate the normal and diseased keratinization states in the epidermis, we studied the distribution of desmoglein 1 (DSG1), a ponent of corneodesmosomes, in samples of the stratum corneum obtained by tape stripping, a non-invasive method. Samples were collected from lesional skin of four patients with psoriasis and three with lichen planus, and from non-lesional skin of three volunteers. Upper stratum corneum cells were obtained by tape stripping and skin biopsies were obtained from adjacent sites. Tape-stripped samples were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy using anti-DSG1 monoclonal antibody, bination with histopathology of skin biopsies. In normal human stratum corneum, which shows basket-woven orthokeratosis, DSG1-containing fluorescent dots were distributed on the lateral cell-cell contact areas of plasma membrane, but not on the dorsal/ventral plasma membrane, and formed a well-ordered hexagonal network structure. In psoriatic stratum corneum, fluorescent dots were distributed throughout the cell membrane at ventral aspects of corneocytes as well as at the lateral cell-cell contacts. In lichen planus, fluorescent dots were distributed homogeneously and/or heterogeneously on the ventral surface in some cells. Adjacent cells lacked DSG1 at the lateral cell-cell contacts, but were instead separated by distinctive black-gap lines. These results suggest that the intercellular adhesion by DSG1 may depend on the lateral plasma membrane in normal human stratum corneum, on the dorsal/ventral plasma membrane in lichen planus, and on both lateral and dorsal/ventral plasma membranes in psoriatic stratum corneum. Tape stripping and DSG1 immunofluorescence visualizes adhesion features of corneocytes and has considerable potential for evaluation of abnormal keratinization and the process of healing in response to treatment. |
20860738 | Significant damage of the skin and hair following hair bleaching. | Scalp burns can be caused by hair bleaching with excess procedures such as unnecessary heating and excessive treatment with bleaching agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and histological changes of the hair and skin after bleaching. Ammonium persulfate and hydrogen peroxide (6% or 9%) solution mixed at a ratio of 1:2 (weight ratio) were sufficiently applied to human hairs and rat skin. The bleached hairs were brightened up to yellow by increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and time of bleach treatment. After bleaching, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe that the cuticle scales of the hairs were irregular and lifted. The mechanical properties of the bleached hairs, such as tensile strength and elongation, were slightly different than the untreated hairs. The tested rat skin showed severe swelling after treatment of the bleaching agent (9% hydrogen peroxide). The rat skin bleached with 9% hydrogen peroxide exhibited epidermal thinning and subepidermal vesicle formation. The extracellular matrix of the skin was seriously disrupted after bleaching. Therefore, the use of only suitable bleaching procedures is suggested in order to avoid injuries. |
20860740 | Clinical course of guttate psoriasis: long-term follow-up study. | Guttate psoriasis, known to have a better prognosis than other types of psoriasis, shows rapid involution and longer remission, but its clinical course has barely been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical course and pare the clinical and laboratory features of guttate psoriasis. This is a retrospective study of 26 patients with guttate psoriasis. The patients were divided into two groups; the good one plete remission and long remission for at least 1 year (group A) and the poor one with plete remission and progression into chronic plaque psoriasis (group B). Among 36 patients, 22 patients (61.1%) were group A and 14 patients (38.9%) were group B. In group A, most of the skin lesions disappeared within 8 months. In group B, two patients without proper treatment progressed to plaque psoriasis. The onset age was younger and more frequent upper respiratory infection and high anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titer were found in group A, but family history of psoriasis was mon in group B. Patients had two distingushable clinical courses: rapid involuting course with long-term remission and chronic course without remission. There was a tendency toward younger age of onset with elevated ASO titer in patients with rapid involuting course. |
20860741 | Granular cell tumor of the suprasternal space. | A case of granular cell tumor (GCT) was reported. We encountered a 33-year-old woman with a painless, elastic, hard mass in the soft tissue of the suprasternal space. The tumor was excised with several millimeters margin of normal tissue above the deep cervical fascia and the wound was closed primarily. Histological examination on hematoxylin-eosin stain showed a tumor growth in the mid- to deep dermis and eosinophilic small granules that were consistent with granular cell tumors. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive staining for S-100 protein. We experienced a case of a granular cell tumor occurring in the suprasternal space and report the importance of including it in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous soft tissue tumors. |
20860753 | Peripheral nerve involvement in primary systemic AL amyloidosis: a clinical and electrophysiological study. | Involvement of visceral organs usually dominates the clinical picture of primary systemic AL amyloidosis, but some patients suffer from serious peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this study is to clinically and electrophysiologically investigate peripheral nerve involvement in AL amyloidosis patients. |
20860754 | Frequency of Fabry disease in patients with small-fibre neuropathy of unknown aetiology: a pilot study. | Early occurrence of small-fibre neuropathy (SFN) is mon feature of Fabry disease (FD) - an X-linked storage disorder caused by reduced activity of the α-galactosidase A (α-GAL). Although SFN may result from different disorders, the cause is often unclear. Therefore, we investigated the frequency of FD in patients with SFN of unknown aetiology. |
20860755 | Time perception, phonological skills and executive function in children with dyslexia and/or ADHD symptoms. | Deficits in time perception (the ability to judge the duration of time intervals) have been found in children with both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia. This paper investigates time perception, phonological skills and executive functions in children with dyslexia and/or ADHD symptoms (AS). |
20860756 | Mothers' reports of play dates and observation of school playground behavior of children having high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. | Children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are generally included with typically developing peers at school. They have difficulties interacting with peers on the school playground. Previous literature suggests that having play dates in the home may be related to better peer acceptance at school. |
20860758 | The glucose triad and its role in comprehensive glycaemic control: current status, future management. | The prevalence of type 2 diabetes across the world has been described as a global pandemic. Despite significant efforts to limit both the increase in the number of cases and the long-term impact on morbidity and mortality, the total number of people with diabetes is projected to continue to rise and most patients still fail to achieve adequate glycaemic control. Optimal management of type 2 diabetes requires an understanding of the relationships between glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), fasting plasma glucose and postprandial glucose (the glucose triad), and how these change during development and progression of the disease. Early and sustained control of glycaemia remains important in the management of type 2 diabetes. The contribution of postprandial glucose levels to overall glycaemic control and the role of postprandial glucose targets in disease management are currently debated. However, many patients do not reach HbA(1C) targets set according to published guidelines. As recent data suggest, if driving HbA(1C) down to lower target levels is not the answer, what other factors involved in glucose homeostasis can or should be targeted? Has the e to change the treatment paradigm to include awareness of ponents of the glucose triad, the existence of glucose variability and their potential influence on the choice of pharmacological treatment? It is ingly increasingly clear that physicians are likely to have to consider plasma glucose levels both after the overnight fast and after meals as well as the variability of glucose levels, in order to achieve optimal glycaemic control for each patient. When antidiabetic therapy is initiated, physicians may need to consider selection of agents that target both fasting and postprandial hyperglycaemia. |
20860757 | PSP/reg inhibits cultured pancreatic stellate cell and regulates MMP/ TIMP ratio. | Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) play a central role in fibrogenesis associated with acute and chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic stone protein/regenerating protein (PSP/reg) belongs to a family of secretory stress proteins (SSP) that are constitutively synthesized by pancreatic acinar cells and upregulated dramatically during acute and chronic pancreatitis. Assuming a protective role of this stress protein, we investigated its effects on human PSC. |
20860759 | IL6 -174 genotype associated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in Indians. | Genetic factors have recently been associated with presence of Aggregatibacter itans subgingivally in populations living in industrialized countries. The aim of this study was to analyse associations between Interleukin-6 (IL6) single nucleotide polymorphisms and presence and levels of A. itans and other subgingival microbes in a rural Indian population. |
20860760 | The heme oxygenase system and oral diseases. | Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 252-257 Heme oxygenase (HO) system catabolizes heme into three products: carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin/bilirubin and free iron, which consists of three forms identified to date: the oxidative stress-inducible protein HO-1 and the constitutive isozymes HO-2 and HO-3. HO has been involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes, ranging from Alzheimer's disease to cancer. The interest in HO system by scientists and clinicians involved with the oral and maxillofacial region is fairly recent, and few papers currently cited on HO relate to diseases in this anatomical area. This review will focus on the current understanding of the physiological significance of HO-1 induction and its possible roles in the oral diseases studied to date. The implications for possible therapeutic manipulation of HO are also discussed. |
20860761 | PLUNC protein expression in major salivary glands of HIV-infected patients. | To analyse pare the expression of Palate, Lung, and Nasal Epithelium Clone (PLUNC) proteins in salivary glands from patients with and without AIDS (control group) using autopsy material. |
20860762 | Impact of chronic oral mucosal disease on daily life: preliminary observations from a qualitative study. | To explore the experience of daily life of persons with chronic oral mucosal conditions. |
20860763 | At the edge of translation - materials to program cells for directed differentiation. | Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 241-251 The rapid advancement in basic biology knowledge, especially in the stem cell field, has created new opportunities to develop biomaterials capable of orchestrating the behavior of transplanted and host cells. Based on our current understanding of cellular differentiation, a conceptual framework for the use of materials to program cells in situ is presented, namely a domino vs a switchboard model, to highlight the use of single vs multiple cues in a controlled manner to modulate biological processes. Further, specific design principles of material systems to present soluble and insoluble cues that are capable of recruiting, programming and deploying host cells for various applications are presented. The evolution of biomaterials from simple inert substances used to fill defects, to the recent development of sophisticated material systems capable of programming cells in situ is providing a platform to translate our understanding of basic biological mechanisms to clinical care. |
20860764 | Coronary heart disease and chronic periodontitis: is polymorphism of interleukin-6 gene the common risk factor in a Chinese population? | Coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic periodontitis (CP) both are multifactorial chronic diseases and related to inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association among IL-6 gene polymorphisms, CP and CHD susceptibility in a Chinese population. |
20860765 | A prospective, randomized study on the efficacy of tongue protector in patients with burning mouth syndrome. | To apply a tongue protector with habit-modifying therapy through self-control, in the patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). |
20860767 | Clinical features of microinvasive stage I oral carcinoma. | This study aimed to analyse a case series of microinvasive (tumour thickness <4 mm) stage I oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), with an emphasis on the clinical features of the tumours. |
20860768 | Replication of two novel susceptibility loci for non-syndromic orofacial clefts in a Chinese population. | Non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOC) are the mon developmental disorders in human beings. Recently, two genome-wide association studies in European Caucasians identified three novel NSOC susceptibility loci: rs987525 on 8q24, rs7078160 on 10q25.3, and rs223371 on 17q22. The aim of this study was to determine the association of these polymorphisms with NSOC susceptibility and its subgroups in a Chinese Han population. |
20860769 | HLA-C/KIR genotypes in oral lichen planus patients infected or non-infected with hepatitis C virus. | Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and resembles graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) both clinically and histologically. The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes encode a family of receptors expressed on NK and T cells and are supposed to play a significant role in GVHD and HCV infection. The aim of this study was to analyze the association among OLP, HCV infection and variants in KIR gene expression. |
20860766 | In vivo effects of zoledronic acid on oral mucosal epithelial cells. | Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a plication of bisphosphonate treatment for which the pathophysiology is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether in vivo zoledronic acid (ZA) induces alterations in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression in oral mucosal epithelial cells. |
20860770 | Role of ZNF143 in tumor growth through transcriptional regulation of DNA replication and cell-cycle-associated genes. | The cell cycle is strictly regulated by numerous mechanisms to ensure cell division. The transcriptional regulation of cell-cycle-related genes is poorly understood, with the exception of the E2F family that governs the cell cycle. Here, we show that a transcription factor, zinc finger protein 143 (ZNF143), positively regulates many cell-cycle-associated genes and is highly expressed in multiple solid tumors. RNA-interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of ZNF143 showed that expression of 152 genes was downregulated in human prostate cancer PC3 cells. Among these ZNF143 targets, 41 genes (27%) were associated with cell cycle and DNA replication including cell division cycle 6 homolog (CDC6), polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and minichromosome ponent (MCM) DNA replication proteins. Furthermore, RNAi of ZNF143 induced apoptosis following G2/M cell cycle arrest. Cell growth of 10 lung cancer cell lines was significantly correlated with cellular expression of ZNF143. Our data suggest that ZNF143 might be a master regulator of the cell cycle. Our findings also indicate that ZNF143 is a member of the growing list of non-oncogenes that are promising cancer drug targets. |
20860771 | Characterization of α-rhamnosidase activity from a Patagonian Pichia guilliermondii wine strain. | The purpose of this study was to characterize the α-l-rhamnosidase of Pichia guilliermondii NPCC1053 indigenous wine strain from North-Patagonian region. |
20860772 | Biotransformation optimization of betulin into betulinic acid production catalysed by cultured Armillaria luteo-virens Sacc ZJUQH100-6 cells. | Betulinic acid has attracted attention in terms of its important biological and pharmacological characteristics. The main objective of this work was to optimize the variables of biotransformation process in order to enhance betulinic acid production from betulin catalysed by fungus Armillaria luteo-virens Sacc ZJUQH100-6. |
20860773 | Arsenic precipitation by an anaerobic arsenic-respiring bacterial strain isolated from the polluted sediments of Orbetello Lagoon, Italy. | To isolate and characterize an anaerobic bacterial strain from the deeper polluted lagoon sediment able to use as electron acceptors [As(V)] and sulfate (SO4(2-)), using lactate as an electron donor. |
20860774 | Screen of micro-organisms for inducing the production of dragon's blood by leaf of Dracaena cochinchinensis. | To screen micro-organisms for inducing the production of dragon's blood, which is normally produced by stem xylem and by leaf of Dracaena cochinchinensis, and to evaluate the product paring with the standard. |
20860775 | Frequency of and reasons for medication non-fulfillment and non-persistence among American adults with chronic disease in 2008. | OBJECTIVE To identify self-reported reasons why adults with chronic disease do not fill a new prescription (medication non-fulfillment) and/or stop taking a medication without their physician telling them to do so (lack of medication persistence). METHODS Participants were sampled in 2008 from a national, internet-based panel of American adults with chronic disease. A total of 19 830 respondents answered questions about medication non-fulfillment and medication non-persistence and reasons for non-fulfillment and non-persistence. Among persons self-identified as non-fulfillers and non-persisters, statistical analyses assessed the association between reported reasons for non-fulfillment and non-persistence and chronic disease. A subsample of pleted an additional survey which included multi-item scales assessing matched constructs of most of the reasons for non-fulfillment and non-persistence. The convergent validity of the self-reported reasons was assessed against the multi-item scales. RESULTS The same four reasons were monly reported for both medication non-fulfillment and medication non-persistence: paying for the medication a financial hardship (56 and 43%, respectively); fear or experience of side effects (46 and 35%, respectively); generic concerns about medications (32 and 23%, respectively); and lack of perceived need for the medication (25 and 23%, respectively). The frequency with which the reasons were reported varied somewhat by chronic disease. The convergent validity of most of the self-reported reasons was confirmed against multi-item scales measuring matched constructs. CONCLUSIONS The same top reasons for medication non-fulfillment and non-adherence were observed in a large internet-based sample of American adults with chronic disease. Future efforts to improve medication adherence should address patients' medication concerns, perceived need for medications, and perceived medication affordability. |
20860776 | The importance and complexity of regret in the measurement of 'good' decisions: a systematic review and a content analysis of existing assessment instruments. | BACKGROUND OR CONTEXT: Regret is mon consequence of decisions, including those decisions related to individuals' health. Several assessment instruments have been developed that attempt to measure decision regret. However, recent research has highlighted plexity of regret. Given its relevance to shared decision making, it is important to understand its conceptualization and the instruments used to measure it. |
20860777 | Involving service users in intervention design: a participatory approach to developing a text-messaging intervention to reduce repetition of self-harm. | OBJECTIVE To engage a group of people with relevant lived experience in the development of a text-messaging intervention to reduce repetition of self-harm. BACKGROUND Contact-based interventions, such as follow-up letters, postcards and telephone calls, have shown potential to reduce repetition of self-harm in those who present at Accident and Emergency departments. Text messaging offers a low-cost alternative that has not been tested. We set out to develop a text-based intervention. The process of intervention development is rarely reported and little is known about the impact of service user involvement on intervention design. METHOD We held a series of six participatory workshops and invited service users and clinicians to help us work out how to get the right message to the right person at the right time, and to simulate and test prototypes of an intervention. RESULTS Service users rejected both the idea of a generic, 'one size fits all' approach and that of 'audience segmentation', maintaining that text messages could be safe and effective only if individualized. This led us to abandon our original thinking and develop a way of supporting individuals to author their own self-efficacy messages and store them in a personal message bank for withdrawal at times of crisis. CONCLUSIONS This paper highlights both the challenge and the impact of involving consumers at the development stage. Working with those with lived experience requires openness, flexibility and a readiness to abandon or radically revise initial plans, and may have unexpected consequences for intervention design. |
20860779 | Involving lay and professional stakeholders in the development of a research intervention for the DEPICTED study. | AIM This paper focuses on stakeholders' active involvement at key stages of the research as members of a Stakeholder Action Group (SAG), particularly in the context of lay stakeholder involvement. Some challenges that can arise and wider issues (e.g. empowerment, the impact of user involvement) are identified and explored within the literature on service user involvement in health care research, reflecting on the implications for researchers. BACKGROUND In the DEPICTED study, lay and professional stakeholders were actively involved in developing plex research intervention. Lay prised teenage and adult patients with diabetes, parents and patient organization representatives. Professional stakeholders were from a range of disciplines. METHODS Three 1-day research meetings were attended by 13-17 lay stakeholders and 10-11 professional stakeholders (plus researchers). The SAG was responsible for reviewing evidence, advising on developing ideas for the research intervention and guiding plans for evaluation of the intervention in a subsequent trial. Formal evaluations pleted by stakeholders following each SAG meeting. RESULTS Throughout the first (developmental) stage of this two-stage study, lay and professional stakeholders participated or were actively involved in activities that provided data to inform the research intervention. Lay stakeholders identified the need for and contributed to the design of a patient-held tool, strongly influenced the detailed design and content of the research intervention and e questionnaire, thus making a major contribution to the trial design. CONCLUSION Stakeholders, including teenagers, can be actively involved in designing a research intervention and impact significantly on study es. |
20860780 | Communicating uncertainty can lead to less decision satisfaction: a necessary cost of involving patients in shared decision making? | Given the large number of interventions of uncertain effectiveness, research municating uncertainty is needed to examine its impact on patients' health decisions. |
20860778 | 'They're doing surgery on two people': a meta-ethnography of the influences on couples' treatment decision making for prostate cancer. | Current orthodoxy suggests that patients need to be provided with full information about their care and that treatment options should be discussed with patients and family members. This imperative is especially challenging when there is a lack of consensus about treatment effectiveness and equivocacy over different types of interventions. In the case of prostate cancer, evidence is contested as to the efficacy of different treatments. Thus, involving patients and their family members in treatment choices plex and little is known about how patients and their partners process these decisions when there is uncertainty about different es. This paper has reviewed the literature on the way couples approach such decision making in relation to treatment for prostate cancer. |
20860781 | How sharp can a screening tool be? A qualitative study of patients' experience of completing a bowel cancer screening questionnaire. | There is evidence to suggest that the Patient Consultation Questionnaire (PCQ) is a reliable tool to predict symptomatic left-sided colorectal cancer. While previous research has examined the sensitivity and specificity of the PCQ as a tool, it has not addressed patients' perspectives. |
20860782 | Dying cancer patients talk about physician and patient roles in DNR decision making. | Within medical and bioethical discourse, there are many models depicting the relationships between, and roles of, physician and patient in medical decision making. Contestation similarly exists over the roles of physician and patient with regard to the decision not to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) following cardiac arrest [the do-not-resuscitate or do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decision], but there is little analysis of patient perspectives. |
20860783 | Patient participation in fundamental psychiatric genomics research: a Dutch case study. | OBJECTIVE To analyse the results of an action research process, the aim of which is to involve patients in fundamental psychiatric genomics research, against theoretical backgrounds that formulate a Dialogue Model for patient involvement. BACKGROUND Mixed views continue to exist about the value, appropriateness and potential of involving consumers and patients in basic medical research. There is a need to learn from practical examples. DESIGN An action research process was set up to facilitate and stimulate the involvement of a Dutch patient organization and a family organization in a psychiatric research consortium. FINDINGS The premises and procedures of the Dialogue Model constitute good guidelines for involvement in fundamental research. However, the normative core features for patient involvement underlying the model prove problematic due to: (i) properties plex psychiatric genomics research; (ii) the entanglement of subjectivity and basic psychiatric science; (iii) universal notions of citizenship and difficulties of delineating the patient in psychiatric genomics research. CONCLUSION Interaction and dialogue among scientists, patients and family members are possible in fundamental genomics research. The best approach for involvement would seem to be based on the creation mon ground and an evolving dialogue, which the guidelines of the Dialogue Model can provide. The challenge here will be to create also a dialogue on the normative anchor points of the dialogue process and to identify and monitor power relations inherent in these (tangible) dialogues. |
20860784 | Preferences for mode of delivery after previous caesarean section: what do women want, what do they get and how do they value outcomes? | Women with one previous caesarean section must decide which mode of delivery they would prefer in their next pregnancy. This involves a choice between attempted vaginal birth and elective caesarean section. |
20860785 | Malignant transformation in a defined genetic background: proteome changes displayed by 2D-PAGE. | Cancer arises from normal cells through the stepwise accumulation of genetic alterations. Cancer development can be studied by direct genetic manipulation within experimental models of tumorigenesis. Thereby, confusion by the genetic heterogeneity of patients can be circumvented. Moreover, identification of the critical changes that convert a pre-malignant cell into a metastatic, therapy resistant tumor cell, however, is one necessary step to develop effective and selective anti-cancer drugs. Thus, for the current study a cell culture model for malignant transformation was used: Primary human fibroblasts of the BJ strain were sequentially transduced with retroviral vectors encoding the genes for hTERT (cell line BJ-T), simian virus 40 early region (SV40 ER, cell line BJ-TE) and H-Ras V12 (cell line BJ-TER). |