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Title:
Aquaporin 5 Polymorphisms and Rate of Lung Function Decline in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Abstract:
RATIONALE ::: Aquaporin-5 (AQP5) can cause mucus overproduction and lower lung function.
Genetic variants in the AQP5 gene might be associated with rate of lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ::: ::: ::: METHODS ::: Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AQP5 were genotyped in 429 European American individuals with COPD randomly selected from the NHLBI Lung Health Study.
Mean annual decline in FEV(1) % predicted, assessed over five years, was calculated as a linear regression slope, adjusting for potential covariates and stratified by smoking status.
Constructs containing the wildtype allele and risk allele of the coding SNP N228K were generated using site-directed mutagenesis, and transfected into HBE-16 (human bronchial epithelial cell line).
AQP5 abundance and localization were assessed by immunoblots and confocal immunofluorescence under control, shear stress and cigarette smoke extract (CSE 10%) exposed conditions to test for differential expression or localization.
::: ::: ::: RESULTS ::: Among continuous smokers, three of the five SNPs tested showed significant associations (0.02>P>0.004) with rate of lung function decline; no associations were observed among the group of intermittent or former smokers.
Haplotype tests revealed multiple association signals (0.012>P>0.0008) consistent with the single-SNP results.
In HBE16 cells, shear stress and CSE led to a decrease in AQP5 abundance in the wild-type, but not in the N228K AQP5 plasmid. ::: ::: ::: CONCLUSIONS ::: Polymorphisms in AQP5 were associated with rate of lung function decline in continuous smokers with COPD.
A missense mutation modulates AQP-5 expression in response to cigarette smoke extract and shear stress.
These results suggest that AQP5 may be an important candidate gene for COPD. | 23,256 |
Title:
Prevalence and patterns of child sexual abuse and victim-perpetrator relationship among secondary school students in the northern province (South Africa)
Abstract:
An investigation into the prevalence and characteristics of child sexual abuse in the Northern Province (South Africa) was conducted.
A total of 414 secondary school students in standard 9 and 10 in three representative secondary schools completed a retrospective self-rating questionnaire in a classroom setting.
The questionnaire asked about childhood sexual abuse and the victim–perpetrator relationship.
Results shows an overall (N = 414) child sexual abuse prevalence rate of 54.2%, 60% for males (N = 193), 53.2% for females (N = 216).
Among them, 86.7% were kissed sexually, 60.9% were touched sexually, 28.9% were victims of oral/anal/vaginal intercourse.
“Friend” was the highest indicated perpetrator in all patterns of sexual abuse.
Many victims (86.7%) perceived themselves as not sexually abused as a child, and many (50.2%) rated their childhood as “very happy.
” A call is made for more research, publicity, and campaigns in the area of child sexual abuse in the Province. | 23,267 |
Title:
Drug transport across the blood-brain barrier
Abstract:
Abstract This review describes various aspects of the transport of drugs across the blood-brain barrier and comprises three parts.
In this first part, the anatomical and physiological aspects of blood-brain transport are discussed.
It appears that the blood-brain barrier has an anatomical basis at the endothelium of the capillary wall.
This endothelium is characterized by the presence of very tight junctions.
As a result, the transport by passive diffusion of drugs with a low lipophilicity, is restricted.
For certain classes of closely related relatively hydrophilic compounds, however, the presence of specialized carrier systems has been demonstrated which may facilitate transport.
Also evidence is presently available, that the permeability of the blood-brain barrier may be under active regulatory control.
It is expected that improved knowledge of the anatomical and physiological aspects of the blood-brain barrier and its regulation will provide a scientific basis for the development of strategies to improve the transport of drugs into the central nervous system. | 23,376 |
Title:
Stochastic evolution and multifractal classification of prokaryotes
Abstract:
We introduce a model for simulating mutation of prokaryote DNA sequences.
Using that model we can then evaluated traditional techniques like parsimony and maximum likelihood methods for computing phylogenetic relationships.
We also use the model to mimic large scale genomic changes, and use this to evaluate multifractal and related information theory techniques which take into account these large changes in determining phylogenetic relationships. | 23,389 |
Title:
Electronic states of intrinsic surface and bulk vacancies in FeS2
Abstract:
Understanding the stability and reactivity of iron sulfide phases is key to developing predictive capabilities for assessing their corrosion and catalytic activity.
The differences between the free surface and the bulk interior of such phases are of particular importance in this context.
Here, we employ density functional theory to investigate the formation energetics and electronic structure of intrinsic Fe and S vacancies in bulk pyrite (FeS(2)) and on the pyrite (100) surface.
The formation energies of intrinsic bulk vacancies of all charge states are found to be high, ranging from 1.7 to 3.7 eV. While the formation energies of surface vacancies are lower, varying from 1.4 to 2.1 eV for S vacancies and from 0.3 to 1.7 eV for Fe vacancies, they are too large to result in significant sub-stoichiometry in bulk pyrite at moderate temperatures.
On the basis of charged defect formation energies and defect equilibria calculations, intrinsic charge carriers are expected to outnumber point defects by several orders of magnitude, and therefore, pure pyrite is not expected to demonstrate p-type or n-type conductivity.
The presence of surface states is observed to cause a reduction in the band gap at the (100) surface, which was captured computationally and experimentally using tunneling spectroscopy measurements in this work.
The vacancy-induced defect states behave as acceptor-like or donor-like defect states within the bulk band gap.
The findings on the stoichiometry and the electronic structure of active sites on the (100) surface have important implications for the reactivity of pyrite. | 23,457 |
Title:
Interactions between tiagabine and conventional antiepileptic drugs in the rat model of complex partial seizures
Abstract:
This study evaluated the interactions between tiagabine (TGB) and three conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs): valproate (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), and phenobarbital (PB) in amygdala-kindled rats, a reliable model of complex partial seizures in humans.
Isobolographic analysis of interactions revealed that TGB interacted additively with all tested conventional AEDs for the fixed-ratio combinations of 1:3, 1:1, and 3:1.
Evaluation of pharmacokinetic interactions between AEDs revealed that the observed additivity was pharmacodynamic in nature.
TGB did not affect the plasma and brain concentrations of VPA, CBZ and PB.
Similarly, none of the studied conventional AEDs changed the plasma or brain levels of TGB.
Also, TGB, VPA, CBZ, and PB administered alone (at their median effective doses) and in combinations at the fixed-ratio of 1:1 did not impair motor performance evaluated in the chimney test.
In conclusion, additivity between TGB and conventional AEDs in amygdala-kindled rats and lack of bidirectional pharmacokinetic interactions suggest that TGB appears to be a valuable drug for an add-on therapy of refractory complex partial seizures in humans. | 23,467 |
Title:
Interaction of the Oncofetal Thomsen–Friedenreich Antigen with Galectins in Cancer Progression and Metastasis
Abstract:
Aberrant glycosylation of cell membrane proteins is a universal feature of cancer cells.
One of the most common glycosylation changes in epithelial cancer is the increased occurrence of the oncofetal Thomsen-Friedenreich disaccharide Galβ1-3GalNAc (T or TF antigen), which appears in about 90% of cancers but is rarely seen in normal epithelium.
Over the past few years, increasing evidence has revealed that the increased appearance of TF antigen on cancer cell surface plays an active role in promoting cancer progression and metastasis by interaction with the β-galactoside-binding proteins, galectins, which themselves are also frequently overexpressed in cancer and pre-cancerous conditions.
This review summarizes the current understanding of the molecular mechanism of the increased TF occurrence in cancer, the structural nature and biological impact of TF interaction with galectins, in particular galectin-1 and -3, on cancer progression and metastasis. | 23,469 |
Title:
Breast Self Examination Practice and Breast Cancer Risk Perception among Female University Students in Ajman
Abstract:
Breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide and its incidence is increasing, particularly in developing countries.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), many cases are first diagnosed in later stages and at younger age compared to those seen in developed countries.
Early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control.
Performance of breast self examination is one of the important steps for identifying breast disease at an early stage, by the woman herself.
No information has hitherto been available about the frequency of this practice among female university students in UAE or about their breast cancer risk perception and therefore the present study was conducted in Ajman.
It was found that 22.7% of the participants practiced BSE but only 3% of them practiced BSE monthly.
Marital status but not age as significantly associated with age likelihood.
The most frequent reported barriers for BSE were lack of knowledge, considering oneself not at risk and the absence of doctor advice.
These factors need to be taken into account in intervention efforts. | 23,606 |
Title:
Electronic states and spin-forbidden cooling transitions of AlH and AlF.
Abstract:
The feasibility of laser cooling AlH and AlF is investigated using ab initio quantum chemistry.
All the electronic states corresponding to the ground and lowest two excited states of the Al atom are calculated using multi-reference configuration interaction (MRCI) and the large AV6Z basis set for AlH. The smaller AVQZ basis set is used to calculate the valence electronic states of AlF. Theoretical Franck-Condon factors are determined for the A(1)Π→ X(1)Σ(+) transitions in both radicals and found to agree with the highly diagonal factors found experimentally, suggesting computational chemistry is an effective method for screening suitable laser cooling candidates.
AlH does not appear to have a transition quite as diagonal as that in SrF (which has been laser cooled) but the A(1)Π→ X(1)Σ(+) transition transition of AlF is a strong candidate for cooling with just a single laser, though the cooling frequency is deep in the UV.
Furthermore, the a(3)Π→ X(1)Σ(+) transitions are also strongly diagonal and in AlF is a practical method for obtaining very low final temperatures around 3 μK. | 23,658 |
Title:
Serum testosterone does not affect bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE ::: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between serum testosterone levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. ::: ::: ::: MATERIALS AND METHODS ::: The study group was made up of postmenopausal women admitted to our tertiary center.
Serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyrotropin (TSH), 25-OH vitamin D, and total testosterone concentrations were measured.
Subjects were categorized into three groups regarding bone mineral density (BMD) values: normal (n = 22), osteopenia (n = 21), and osteoporosis (n = 21).
Subjects were also categorized into three groups according to serum testosterone levels: low testosterone (n = 10), normal testosterone (n = 42), and high testosterone (n = 12). ::: ::: ::: RESULTS ::: No significant difference was found for serum testosterone, TSH, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, PTH, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels among patients with normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis (p > 0.05).
Lumbar spine, total femur, femoral neck, trochanteric, intertrochanteric, and Ward's triangle BMD values were similar for the different testosterone levels (p > 0.05). ::: ::: ::: CONCLUSION ::: There was no correlation between serum testosterone levels and patient age, body-mass index, or any measured BMD values.
Given the findings in our study, which failed to demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between testosterone and BMD, adjustment of other risk factors for osteoporosis might have a more distinctive effect in this setting. | 23,668 |
Title:
Enhanced plant nutrient use efficiency with PGPR and AMF in an integrated nutrient management system
Abstract:
A 3 year field study was conducted with field corn from 2005 to 2007 to test the hypothesis that microbial inoc- ulants that increase plant growth and yield can enhance nutrient uptake, and thereby remove more nutrients, especially N, P, and K from the field as part of an integrated nutrient management system.
The field trial evaluated microbial inoculants, which include a commercially available plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF), and their combination across 2 tillage systems (no-till and conventional till) and 2 fertilization regimes (poultry lit- ter and ammonium nitrate).
Data were collected on plant height, yield (dry mass of ears and silage), and nutrient content of corn grain and silage.
In addition, nutrient content of soil was determined, and bioavailability of soil nutrient was meas- ured with plant root simulator probes.
Results showed that inoculants promoted plant growth and yield.
For example, grain yields (kgha -1 ) in 2007 for inoculants were 7717 for AMF, 7260 for PGPR+AMF, 7313 for PGPR, 5725 for the control group, and for fertilizer were 7470 for poultry litter and 6537 for NH4NO3.
Nitrogen content per gram of grain tissues was significantly enhanced in 2006 by inoculant, fertilizer, and their interactions.
Significantly higher amounts of N, P, and K were removed from the plots with inoculants, based on total nutrient content of grain per plot.
These results supported the overall hypothesis and indicate that application of inoculants can lead to reduction in the build up of N, P, and K in agri- cultural soils.
Further studies should be conducted to combine microbial inoculants with reduced rates of fertilizer. | 23,693 |
Title:
Near infrared spectroscopy for rapid determination of Mankin score components : a potential tool for quantitative characterization of articular cartilage at surgery
Abstract:
PURPOSE ::: ::: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the potential of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for characterizing the health and degenerative state of articular cartilage based on the components of the Mankin score. ::: ::: METHODS ::: ::: Three models of osteoarthritic degeneration induced in laboratory rats by anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection, meniscectomy (MSX), and intra-articular injection of monoiodoacetate (1 mg) (MIA) were used in this study.
Degeneration was induced in the right knee joint; each model group consisted of 12 rats (N = 36).
After 8 weeks, the animals were euthanized and knee joints were collected.
A custom-made diffuse reflectance NIR probe of 5-mm diameter was placed on the tibial and femoral surfaces, and spectral data were acquired from each specimen in the wave number range of 4,000 to 12,500 cm(-1).
After spectral data acquisition, the specimens were fixed and safranin O staining (SOS) was performed to assess disease severity based on the Mankin scoring system.
Using multivariate statistical analysis, with spectral preprocessing and wavelength selection technique, the spectral data were then correlated to the structural integrity (SI), cellularity (CEL), and matrix staining (SOS) components of the Mankin score for all the samples tested.
::: ::: RESULTS ::: ::: ACL models showed mild cartilage degeneration, MSX models had moderate degeneration, and MIA models showed severe cartilage degenerative changes both morphologically and histologically.
Our results reveal significant linear correlations between the NIR absorption spectra and SI (R(2) = 94.78%), CEL (R(2) = 88.03%), and SOS (R(2) = 96.39%) parameters of all samples in the models.
In addition, clustering of the samples according to their level of degeneration, with respect to the Mankin components, was also observed. ::: ::: CONCLUSIONS ::: ::: NIR spectroscopic probing of articular cartilage can potentially provide critical information about the health of articular cartilage matrix in early and advanced stages of osteoarthritis (OA). ::: ::: CLINICAL RELEVANCE ::: ::: This rapid nondestructive method can facilitate clinical appraisal of articular cartilage integrity during arthroscopic surgery. | 23,741 |
Title:
P38 MAPK expression and activation predicts failure of response to CHOP in patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Abstract:
Background ::: The p38 MAPK is constitutively activated in B-NHL cell lines and regulates chemoresistance.
Accordingly, we hypothesized that activated p38 MAPK may be associated with the in vivo unresponsiveness to chemotherapy in B-NHL patients. | 23,753 |
Title:
The Effect of Daily Caffeine Use on Cerebral Blood Flow: How Much Caffeine Can We Tolerate?
Abstract:
Caffeine is a commonly used neurostimulant that also produces cerebral vasoconstriction by antagonizing adenosine receptors.
Chronic caffeine use results in an adaptation of the vascular adenosine receptor system presumably to compensate for the vasoconstrictive effects of caffeine.
We investigated the effects of caffeine on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in increasing levels of chronic caffeine use.
Low (mean = 45 mg/day), moderate (mean = 405 mg/day), and high (mean = 950 mg/day) caffeine users underwent quantitative perfusion magnetic resonance imaging on four separate occasions: twice in a caffeine abstinent state (abstained state) and twice in a caffeinated state following their normal caffeine use (native state).
In each state there were two drug conditions: participants received either caffeine (250 mg) or placebo.
Gray matter CBF was tested with repeated-measures analysis of variance using caffeine use as a between-subjects factor, and correlational analyses were conducted between CBF and caffeine use.
Caffeine reduced CBF by an average of 27% across both caffeine states.
In the abstained placebo condition, moderate and high users had similarly greater CBF than low users; but in the native placebo condition, the high users had a trend towards less CBF than the low and moderate users.
Our results suggest a limited ability of the cerebrovascular adenosine system to compensate for high amounts of daily caffeine use. | 23,846 |
Title:
Incorporating DNA Sequencing into Current Prenatal Screening Practice for Down's Syndrome
Abstract:
BACKGROUND ::: Prenatal screening for Down's syndrome is performed using biochemical and ultrasound markers measured in early pregnancy such as the Integrated test using first and second trimester markers.
Recently, DNA sequencing methods have been introduced on free DNA in maternal plasma, yielding a high screening performance.
These methods are expensive and there is a test failure rate.
We determined the screening performance of merging the Integrated test with the newer DNA techniques in a protocol that substantially reduces the cost compared with universal DNA testing and still achieves high screening performance with no test failures. ::: ::: ::: METHODS ::: Published data were used to model screening performance of a protocol in which all women receive the first stage of the Integrated test at about 11 weeks of pregnancy.
On the basis of this higher risk women have reflex DNA testing and lower risk women as well as those with a failed DNA test complete the Integrated test at about 15 weeks. ::: ::: ::: RESULTS ::: The overall detection rate was 95% with a 0.1% false-positive rate if 20% of women were selected to receive DNA testing.
If all women had DNA testing the detection rate would be 3 to 4 percentage points higher with a false-positive rate 30 times greater if women with failed tests were treated as positive and offered a diagnostic amniocentesis, or 3 times greater if they had a second trimester screening test (Quadruple test) and treated as positive only if this were positive.
The cost per women screened would be about one-fifth, compared with universal DNA testing, if the DNA test were 20 times the cost of the Integrated test. ::: ::: ::: CONCLUSION ::: The proposed screening protocol achieves a high screening performance without programme test failures and at a substantially lower cost than offering all women DNA testing. | 23,876 |
Title:
Genetic background determines response to hemostasis and thrombosis
Abstract:
BackgroundThrombosis is the fatal and disabling consequence of cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Western countries.
Two inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J and A/J, have marked differences in susceptibility to obesity, atherosclerosis, and vessel remodeling.
However, it is unclear how these diverse genetic backgrounds influence pathways known to regulate thrombosis and hemostasis.
The objective of this study was to evaluate thrombosis and hemostasis in these two inbred strains and determine the phenotypic response of A/J chromosomes in the C57BL/6J background.
MethodsA/J and C57Bl/6J mice were evaluated for differences in thrombosis and hemostasis.
A thrombus was induced in the carotid artery by application of the exposed carotid to ferric chloride and blood flow measured until the vessel occluded.
Bleeding and rebleeding times, as surrogate markers for thrombosis and hemostasis, were determined after clipping the tail and placing in warm saline.
Twenty-one chromosome substitution strains, A/J chromosomes in a C57BL/6J background, were screened for response to the tail bleeding assay.
ResultsThrombus occlusion time was markedly decreased in the A/J mice compared to C57BL/6J mice.
Tail bleeding time was similar in the two strains, but rebleeding time was markedly increased in the A/J mice compared to C57BL/6J mice.
Coagulation times and tail morphology were similar, but tail collagen content was higher in A/J than C57BL/6J mice.
Three chromosome substitution strains, B6-Chr5A/J, B6-Chr11A/J, and B6-Chr17A/J, were identified with increased rebleeding time, a phenotype similar to A/J mice.
Mice heterosomic for chromosomes 5 or 17 had rebleeding times similar to C57BL/6J mice, but when these two chromosome substitution strains, B6-Chr5A/J and B6-Chr17A/J, were crossed, the A/J phenotype was restored in these doubly heterosomic progeny.
ConclusionThese results indicate that susceptibility to arterial thrombosis and haemostasis is remarkably different in C57BL/and A/J mice.
Three A/J chromosome substitution strains were identified that expressed a phenotype similar to A/J for rebleeding, the C57Bl/6J background could modify the A/J phenotype, and the combination of two A/J QTL could restore the phenotype.
The diverse genetic backgrounds and differences in response to vascular injury induced thrombosis and the tail bleeding assay, suggest the potential for identifying novel genetic determinants of thrombotic risk. | 23,927 |
Title:
Chemopreventive Potential of Neem Flowers on Carcinogen-Induced Rat Mammary and Liver Carcinogenesis.
Abstract:
We have previously reported that dietary neem flowers ( Azadirachta indica A. Juss var.
siamensis Valeton) caused a marked increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver, while resulting in a significant reduction in the activities of some hepatic P450-dependent monooxygenases.
These results strongly indicate that neem flowers may have chemopreventive potential.
In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effects of neem flowers on 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis in female Sprague Dawley rats and on aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 )-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male Wistar rats.
Young animals were fed with AIN-76 purified diets containing either 10-12.5% ground freeze-dried neem flowers for 1 week prior to, during, and for 1 week after the administration of each carcinogen.
Interestingly, it was found that neem flowers resulted in a marked reduction of the incidence of mammary gland (about 35.2%) and liver tumors (61.7% and 80.1% for benign and malignant tumors, respectively).
Furthermore, the multiplicity of tumors per rats was also lower in the neem flower groups, i.e. those for mammary gland tumors and benign and malignant liver tumors were reduced to 44.0%, 87.9% and 88.9%, respectively.
These results clearly demonstrated that neem flowers contain some chemopreventive agents capable of inhibiting AFB 1 and DMBA induced liver and mammary gland carcinogenesis in rats. | 23,957 |
Title:
Cyclic Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate-binding Proteins in Human Ovarian Cancer: Correlations with Clinicopathological Features
Abstract:
The regulatory subunits of protein kinase A, or cyclic AMP-binding proteins, were measured in a series of 107 human ovarian tumors (89 malignant, 7 borderline, and 11 benign tumors) and related to tumor clinicopathological features and patient survival.
Total cyclic AMP-binding protein levels were not significantly different between malignant tumors and either borderline or benign tumors.
However, serous tumors showed significantly higher levels of total cyclic AMP-binding proteins than other malignant tumors (P = 0.007).
Poorly differentiated tumors also possessed significantly higher levels of binding proteins as compared with well/moderately differentiated tumors (P < 0.01).
Retrospective analysis of follow-up data also revealed a significant trend for patients with high tumor cyclic AMP-binding proteins to have poorer survival (P = 0.03).
Individual binding proteins were identified by photoaffinity labeling, and the RI (Mr 48,000) protein was expressed as a percentage of total cyclic AMP-binding proteins detected.
The percentage of the RI protein was not significantly different among malignant, borderline, or benign pathologies and was not associated with tumor stage, differentiation, or debulk status.
The percentage of RI was significantly increased in serous tumors compared to other common epithelial malignancies (P = 0.01).
In malignant tumors there was a significant positive correlation between the percentage of the RI protein and total cyclic AMP-binding proteins (P = 0.01).
These data indicate that high tumor levels of cyclic AMP-binding proteins are associated with serous histology, poor differentiation, and poor patient survival. | 23,960 |
Title:
The relationship between hyperuricemia and the risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with relatively normal serum creatinine
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with chronic kidney disease.
This study evaluated the value of hyperuricemia for predicting the risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with relatively normal serum creatinine who were undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.
METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 788 patients with relatively normal baseline serum creatinine ( 7 mg/ dL in males and >6 mg/dL in females.
The incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury was significantly higher in the hyperuricemic group than in the normouricemic group (8.1% vs. 1.4%, p 75 years, emergent percutaneous coronary intervention, diuretic usage and the need for an intra-aortic balloon pump.
CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia was significantly associated with the risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with relatively normal serum creatinine after percutaneous coronary interventions.
This observation will help to generate hypotheses for further prospective trials examining the effect of uric acid-lowering therapies for preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury. | 23,985 |
Title:
The importance of rare species: a trait-based assessment of rare species contributions to functional diversity and possible ecosystem function in tall-grass prairies
Abstract:
The majority of species in ecosystems are rare, but the ecosystem consequences of losing rare species are poorly known.
To understand how rare species may influence ecosystem functioning, this study quantifies the contribution of species based on their relative level of rarity to community functional diversity using a trait-based approach.
Given that rarity can be defined in several different ways, we use four different definitions of rarity: abundance (mean and maximum), geographic range, and habitat specificity.
We find that rarer species contribute to functional diversity when rarity is defined by maximum abundance, geographic range, and habitat specificity.
However, rarer species are functionally redundant when rarity is defined by mean abundance.
Furthermore, when using abundance-weighted analyses, we find that rare species typically contribute significantly less to functional diversity than common species due to their low abundances.
These results suggest that rare species have the potential to play an important role in ecosystem functioning, either by offering novel contributions to functional diversity or via functional redundancy depending on how rare species are defined.
Yet, these contributions are likely to be greatest if the abundance of rare species increases due to environmental change.
We argue that given the paucity of data on rare species, understanding the contribution of rare species to community functional diversity is an important first step to understanding the potential role of rare species in ecosystem functioning. | 24,123 |
Title:
Functional studies of BCL11A: characterization of the conserved BCL11A-XL splice variant and its interaction with BCL6 in nuclear paraspeckles of germinal center B cells
Abstract:
BackgroundChromosomal aberrations of BCL11A at 2p16.1 have been reported in a variety of B-cell malignancies and its deficiency in mice leads to a profound block in B-cell development.
ResultsAlternative pre-mRNA splicing of BCL11A produces multiple isoforms sharing a common N-terminus.
The most abundant isoform we have identified in human lymphoid samples is BCL11A-XL, the longest transcript produced at this locus, and here we report the conservation of this major isoform and its functional characterization.
We show that BCL11A-XL is a DNA-sequence-specific transcriptional repressor that associates with itself and with other BCL11A isoforms, as well as with the BCL6 proto-oncogene.
Western blot data for BCL11A-XL expression coupled with data previously published for BCL6 indicates that these genes are expressed abundantly in germinal-center-derived B cells but that expression is extinguished upon terminal differentiation to the plasma cell stage.
Although BCL11A-XL/BCL6 interaction can modulate BCL6 DNA binding in vitro, their heteromeric association does not alter the homomeric transcriptional properties of either on model reporter activity.
BCL11A-XL partitions into the nuclear matrix and colocalizes with BCL6 in nuclear paraspeckles.
ConclusionWe propose that the conserved N-terminus of BCL11A defines a superfamily of C2HC zinc-finger transcription factors involved in hematopoietic malignancies. | 24,228 |
Title:
Internal Colonization of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium in Tomato Plants
Abstract:
Several Salmonella enterica outbreaks have been traced back to contaminated tomatoes.
In this study, the internalization of S. enterica Typhimurium via tomato leaves was investigated as affected by surfactants and bacterial rdar morphotype, which was reported to be important for the environmental persistence and attachment of Salmonella to plants.
Surfactants, especially Silwet L-77, promoted ingress and survival of S. enterica Typhimurium in tomato leaves.
In each of two experiments, 84 tomato plants were inoculated two to four times before fruiting with GFP-labeled S. enterica Typhimurium strain MAE110 (with rdar morphotype) or MAE119 (without rdar).
For each inoculation, single leaflets were dipped in 10(9) CFU/ml Salmonella suspension with Silwet L-77.
Inoculated and adjacent leaflets were tested for Salmonella survival for 3 weeks after each inoculation.
The surface and pulp of ripe fruits produced on these plants were also examined for Salmonella.
Populations of both Salmonella strains in inoculated leaflets decreased during 2 weeks after inoculation but remained unchanged (at about 10(4) CFU/g) in week 3.
Populations of MAE110 were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of MAE119 from day 3 after inoculation.
In the first year, nine fruits collected from one of the 42 MAE119 inoculated plants were positive for S. enterica Typhimurium.
In the second year, Salmonella was detected in adjacent non-inoculated leaves of eight tomato plants (five inoculated with strain MAE110).
The pulp of 12 fruits from two plants inoculated with MAE110 was Salmonella positive (about 10(6) CFU/g).
Internalization was confirmed by fluorescence and confocal laser microscopy.
For the first time, convincing evidence is presented that S. enterica can move inside tomato plants grown in natural field soil and colonize fruits at high levels without inducing any symptoms, except for a slight reduction in plant growth. | 24,235 |
Title:
Susceptibility of the Australian freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor albidus to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).
Abstract:
Cherax destructor occurs naturally and/or is farmed in all Australian mainland states and territories and is of major cultural, economical and conservation significance.
The aim of this study was to determine susceptibility of the commercially important subspecies C. destructor albidus to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), a hazard to crustaceans and currently considered to be exotic to Australia.
In challenge tests by intramuscular injection, C. destructor albidus displayed a similar level of susceptibility to white spot disease (WSD) as Penaeus monodon (i.e. 100% mortality in 3 d).
In one oral challenge test where C. destructor albidus was subjected to significant temperature stress, over 50% died of severe WSD within 14 d post challenge.
All dead and moribund crayfish displayed histopathological lesions typical for WSD and gave positive results for WSSV in DNA dot blot hybridization tests.
Survivors to 30 d (n = 3) showed no lesions and gave negative dot blot test results.
In a second oral challenge test without temperature stress, mortality was delayed but reached 75% by 30 d. However, no typical WSD lesions were observed in the dead, dying or surviving crayfish and dot blot test results were negative.
The results suggested that C. destructor albidus would be less susceptible than P. monodon to WSSV exposure via natural routes of infection in farms and in the wild.
This information may be useful for disease import risk analysis for WSSV. | 24,370 |
Title:
A Random Walk Procedure for Texture Discrimination
Abstract:
We consider the problem of texture discrimination.
Random walks are performed in a plain domain D bounded by an absorbing boundary ? and the absorption distribution is calculated.
Measurements derived from such distributions are the features used for discrimination.
Both problems of texture discrimination and edge segment detection can be solved using the same random walk approach.
The border distributions and their differences with respect to a homogeneous image can classify two different images as having similar or dissimilar textures.
The existence of an edge segment is concluded if the boundary distribution for a given window (subimage) differs significantly from the boundary distribution for a homogeneous (uniform grey level) window.
The random walk procedure has been implemented and results of texture discrimination are shown.
A comparison is made between results obtained using the random walk approach and the first-or second-order statistics, respectively.
The random walk procedure is intended mainly for the texture discrimination problem, and its possible application to the edge detection problem (as shown in this paper) is just a by-product. | 24,380 |
Title:
Effect of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles on Atropine-Induced Memory Impairment in Adult Male Mice
Abstract:
Background: Previous studies have shown that magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-n) improve passive avoidance memory in adult male mice.
Alternatively, muscarinic receptors of the cholinergic system have a primary role in memory formation but their relationship with the improvement effects of magnesium on memory is not clear.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nano magnesium oxide on memory deficits induced by atropine as a muscarinic receptor antagonist in passive avoidance memory tests.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, NMRI male mice were placed in groups receiving atropine (0.1 and 1 mg/kg), recipient of MgO-n (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) and groups receiving atropine in effective dose and different doses of MgO-n were used.
Saline was used as a vehicle for drugs in the control groups.
Memory was evaluated with a step-down apparatus to determine the coming down latency from a safe platform on days 1, 3, and 7 after training.
Locomotor activity was also evaluated through an open field test in all groups after memory measurements.
Results: The results showed that atropine (1 mg/kg) decreased the latency time of coming down from the podium and induced memory deficits (P < 0.01).
MgO-n in doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg caused a significant increase in latency time of coming down from the podium over one week (P < 0.001).
MgO-n was able to reverse memory impairments resulting from atropine (1 mg/kg) (P < 0.001).
Locomotor activity did not change in any of the groups.
Conclusions: It seems that the potentiating effect of MgO-n on memory is due to interference with the cholinergic pathway. | 24,641 |
Title:
Traumatic Spondylolisthesis of the Axis Vertebra in Adults
Abstract:
Study Design Narrative review.
Objective To elucidate the current concepts in diagnosis and treatment of traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis.
Methods Literature review using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases.
Results The traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis accounts to 5% of all cervical spine injuries and is defined by a bilateral separation of the C2 vertebral body from the neural arch.
The precise location of the fracture line may vary widely.
For understanding the pathobiomechanics, the involvement of the C2–C3 disk is essential.
Although its synonym “hangman's fracture” suggests an extension moment as primary injury mechanism, flexion moments are also proven to cause such fracture morphology.
The axial force vector (distraction versus compression) is thought to have a significant effect on the neurologic involvement.
The most widely accepted classifications, according to Effendi and modified by Levine, regard the displacement of the C2 vertebral body and possible locking of the facet joints.
For decisions on conservative versus surgical therapy, a definitive statement about the stability is essential.
The stability is determined by involvement of the C2–C3 disk and longitudinal ligaments, which frequently cannot be assessed by X-ray or computed tomography alone.
The assessment of this soft tissue injury therefore requires additional imaging either by magnetic resonance imaging to display the disk and longitudinal ligaments or dynamic fluoroscopy to assess functional behavior of the C2–C3 motion segment.
If stability is proven, an immobilization of the cervical spine in a semirigid cervical collar is sufficient.
Unstable lesions require surgical stabilization.
The standard procedure is an anterior C2–C3 diskectomy and fusion, because of the lower morbidity of the anterior approach and the motion preservation between C1 and C2.
In rare cases (irreducible locked facet joints, the necessity of decompression of the vertebral artery, contraindication for anterior approach), a posterior approach is sometimes necessary.
Isolated direct screw osteosynthesis is of little value, because it only makes sense in cases with an intact C2–C3 disk, which is usually regarded as stable and therefore might be treated conservatively.
Conclusions Overall, the clinical evidence regarding traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis is very low and mainly based on small case series, expert opinion, laboratory findings, and theoretical considerations. | 24,762 |
Title:
Dissecting the heterogeneity of macrophage activation syndrome
Abstract:
Methods Patient data were collected retrospectively by pediatric rheumatologists (PR) or pediatric hemato-oncologists (PHO).
Clinical features, treatments and outcome were compared between groups by Mann-Whitney or chisquare tests.
“Severe course” was defined as ICU admission or death.
Results 362 patients with MAS in sJIA were collected by 95 investigators from 33 countries.
179 patients (49.4%) were enrolled in Europe (EU), 72 (19.9%) in North America (NA) and 111 (30.7%) in other continents (OC).
79 (21.8%) patients were included by PHO.
HP was detected in 44% of patients and was not detected or looked for in 56%.
Severe course was reported in 92 (25%) patients.
Comparison by geographic origin showed a lower frequency of CNS disease in EU patients.
NA physicians used more frequently ivIg and biologics.
Patients entered by PHO had greater frequency of multiorgan failure and were given more commonly biologics and etoposide, whereas PR used more frequently cyclosporine (CsA).
Patients with HP had shorter duration of sJIA at MAS onset, higher prevalence of hepatosplenomegaly, lower levels of platelets and fibrinogen and received more frequently CsA, ivIg and etoposide.
Patients with severe course were older, had longer duration of sJIA at MAS onset, greater frequency of haemorrhages and CNS dysfunction, lower levels of ESR, albumin and fibrinogen, higher levels of LDH and D-dimer and were treated more commonly with CsA, ivIg and etoposide.
Conclusion | 24,989 |
Title:
Persistently high estimates of late night, indoor exposure to malaria vectors despite high coverage of insecticide treated nets
Abstract:
BackgroundIt has been speculated that widespread and sustained use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) for over 10 years in Asembo, western Kenya, may have selected for changes in the location (indoor versus outdoor) and time (from late night to earlier in the evening) of biting of the predominant species of human malaria vectors (Anopheles funestus, Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto, and Anopheles arabiensis).MethodsMosquitoes were collected by human landing catches over a six week period in June and July, 2011, indoors and outdoors from 17 h to 07 h, in 75 villages in Asembo, western Kenya.
Collections were separated by hour of the night, and mosquitoes were identified to species and tested for sporozoite infection with Plasmodium falciparum.
A subset was dissected to determine parity.
Human behavior (time going to bed and rising, time spent indoors and outdoors) was quantified by cross-sectional survey.
Data from past studies of a similar design and in nearby settings, but conducted before the ITN scale up commenced in the early 2000s, were compared with those from the present study.
ResultsOf 1,960 Anopheles mosquitoes collected in 2011, 1,267 (64.6%) were morphologically identified as An. funestus, 663 (33.8%) as An.
gambiae sensu lato (An. gambiae s.s. and An.
arabiensis combined), and 30 (1.5%) as other anophelines.
Of the 663 An. gambiae s.l. collected, 385 were successfully tested by PCR among which 235 (61.0%) were identified as An.
gambiae s.s.
while 150 (39.0%) were identified as An.
arabiensis.
Compared with data collected before the scale-up of ITNs, daily entomological inoculation rates (EIRs) were consistently lower for An.
gambiae s.l.
(indoor EIR = 0.432 in 1985–1988, 0.458 in 1989–1990, 0.023 in 2011), and An.
arabiensis specifically (indoor EIR = 0.532 in 1989–1990, 0.039 in 2009, 0.006 in 2011) but not An. funestus (indoor EIR = 0.029 in 1985–1988, 0.147 in 1989–1990, 0.010 in 2009 and 0.103 in 2011).
Sporozoite rates were lowest in 2009 but rose again in 2011.
Compared with data collected before the scale-up of ITNs, An. arabiensis and An. funestus were more likely to bite outdoors and/or early in the evening (p < 0.001 for all comparisons).
However, when estimates of human exposure that would occur indoors (πi) or while asleep (πs) in the absence of an ITN were generated based on human behavioral patterns, the changes were modest with >90% of exposure of non-ITN users to mosquito bites occurring while people were indoors in all years.
The proportion of bites occurring among non-ITN users while they were asleep was ≥90% for all species except for An.
arabiensis.
For this species, 97% of bites occurred while people were asleep in 1989–1990 while in 2009 and 2011, 80% and 84% of bites occurred while people were asleep for those not using ITNs.
Assuming ITNs prevent a theoretical maximum of 93.7% of bites, it was estimated that 64-77% of bites would have occurred among persons using nets while they were asleep in 1989–1990, while 20-52% of bites would have occurred among persons using nets while they were asleep in 2009 and 2011.ConclusionsThis study found no evidence to support the contention that populations of Anopheles vectors of malaria in Asembo, western Kenya, are exhibiting departures from the well-known pattern of late night, indoor biting characteristic of these typically highly anthropophilic species.
While outdoor, early evening transmission likely does occur in western Kenya, the majority of transmission still occurs indoors, late at night.
Therefore, malaria control interventions such as ITNs that aim to reduce indoor biting by mosquitoes should continue to be prioritized. | 24,994 |
Title:
In vitro and in vivo anti-malarial activity of Boerhavia elegans and Solanum surattense
Abstract:
Background ::: There is an urgent need to identify new anti-malarial drug targets for both prophylaxis and chemotherapy, due to the increasing problem of drug resistance to malaria parasites.
In the present study, the aim was to discover novel, effective plant-based extracts for the activity against malaria. | 25,070 |
Title:
Databases and Bioinformatics Tools for the Study of DNA Repair
Abstract:
DNA is continuously exposed to many different damaging agents such as environmental chemicals, UV light, ionizing radiation, and reactive cellular metabolites.
DNA lesions can result in different phenotypical consequences ranging from a number of diseases, including cancer, to cellular malfunction, cell death, or aging.
To counteract the deleterious effects of DNA damage, cells have developed various repair systems, including biochemical pathways responsible for the removal of single-strand lesions such as base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) or specialized polymerases temporarily taking over lesion-arrested DNA polymerases during the S phase in translesion synthesis (TLS).
There are also other mechanisms of DNA repair such as homologous recombination repair (HRR), nonhomologous end-joining repair (NHEJ), or DNA damage response system (DDR).
This paper reviews bioinformatics resources specialized in disseminating information about DNA repair pathways, proteins involved in repair mechanisms, damaging agents, and DNA lesions. | 25,086 |
Title:
Effect of calcium-antagonist and calmodulin-antagonist drugs on calmodulin-dependent contractions of chemically skinned vascular smooth muscle from rabbit renal arteries
Abstract:
1. Renal arteries from rabbits were chemically skinned by incubation with Triton X-100, and subsequently stored in buffered glycerol.
2.
In the presence of Mg-ATP, of EGTA-buffered calcium, and of calmodulin, miniature strips of the skinned arteries developed tension the strength of which was approx. 15-20% of that of viable renal arteries.
3.
Tension development was dependent on the concentration of both calcium and calmodulin.
4.
The effect of eight vasodilator drugs, the majority of them being "calmodulin antagonists" or "calcium antagonists", on the skinned arteries was assessed.
In concentrations up to 10(-3) M, verapamil, D-600, and hydralazine proved to be ineffective, and the same was found with the dihydropyridine derivatives, nifedipine and felodipine, at 0.6 X 10(-3) M and 0.8 X 10(-4) M, respectively, i.e. at saturation in a 9:1 contracting buffer/ethanol mixture (v/v).
5.
In a concentration-dependent manner, trifluoperazine, W-7, and fendiline relaxed Ca-calmodulin-induced tension or prevented tension development when given prior to the activation by Ca-calmodulin.
However, considerably higher concentrations of the drugs were necessary for half-maximal relaxation than the reported concentrations for half-maximal saturation of hydrophobic binding sites at the calmodulin molecule.
6.
These findings suggest that at therapeutic blood levels, the vasodilator properties of calcium antagonists and other direct vasodilators cannot be explained by interference with the binding of myosin light chain kinase to calmodulin. | 25,136 |
Title:
Detection of Leptospires serogroups, Which Are Common Causes of Human Acute Leptospirosis in Guilan, Northern Iran
Abstract:
This study is performed to reveal most common species and subspecies of leptospires that are main causes of human leptospirosis in Guilan, Northern Province of Iran.
Methods: We performed IgM-ELISA and MAT on 282 blood samples from patients who attended to 3 hospitals in the flat area of Guilan Province with clinical symptoms consisted with leptospirosis.
All specimens with titers ≥ 160 against at least one pathogenic strain in MAT and with titers ≥160 in IgM-ELISA were regarded confirmed positive cases indicative acute disease.
For any confirmed positive cases, we determined the strains, which had the highest titer to determine the frequency of most common serovars and serogroups.
Results: Seventy of 282 sera had titers ≥160 against at least one pathogenic strain in MAT and titers ≥ 160 in IgM-ELISA.
We determined frequency of common causative serogroups which had highest titers in 70 positive cases and only cases which had high titers in MAT and in IgM-ELISA were selected which is a reliable criterion to detect acute disease and to determine causative serogroup.
Conclusion: Nine serogroups including sejroe, grippotyphosa, mini, ictero haemorrhagiae, celledoni, autumnalis, cynopteri, pomona, and javanica were more responsible of acute leptospirosis in Guilan. | 25,207 |
Title:
Analog-digital simulations of full conductance-based networks of spiking neurons with spike timing dependent plasticity.
Abstract:
We introduce and test a system for simulating networks of conductance-based neuron models using analog circuits.
At the single-cell level, we use custom-designed analog circuits (ASICs) that simulate two types of spiking neurons based on Hodgkin-Huxley like dynamics: "regular spiking" excitatory neurons with spike-frequency adaptation, and "fast spiking" inhibitory neurons.
Synaptic interactions are mediated by conductance-based synaptic currents described by kinetic models.
Connectivity and plasticity rules are implemented digitally through a real time interface between a computer and a PCI board containing the ASICs.
We show a prototype system of a few neurons interconnected with synapses undergoing spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP), and compare this system with numerical simulations.
We use this system to evaluate the effect of parameter dispersion on the behavior of small circuits of neurons.
It is shown that, although the exact spike timings are not precisely emulated by the ASIC neurons, the behavior of small networks with STDP matches that of numerical simulations.
Thus, this mixed analog-digital architecture provides a valuable tool for real-time simulations of networks of neurons with STDP.
They should be useful for any real-time application, such as hybrid systems interfacing network models with biological neurons. | 25,288 |
Title:
Pan-ethnic carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis for spinal muscular atrophy: clinical laboratory analysis of >72 400 specimens
Abstract:
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading inherited cause of infant death with a reported incidence of ∼1 in 10 000 live births and is second to cystic fibrosis as a common, life-shortening autosomal recessive disorder.
The American College of Medical Genetics has recommended population carrier screening for SMA, regardless of race or ethnicity, to facilitate informed reproductive options, although other organizations have cited the need for additional large-scale studies before widespread implementation.
We report our data from carrier testing (n=72 453) and prenatal diagnosis (n=121) for this condition.
Our analysis of large-scale population carrier screening data (n=68 471) demonstrates the technical feasibility of high throughput testing and provides mutation carrier and allele frequencies at a level of accuracy afforded by large data sets.
In our United States pan-ethnic population, the calculated a priori carrier frequency of SMA is 1/54 with a detection rate of 91.2%, and the pan-ethnic disease incidence is calculated to be 1/11 000.
Carrier frequency and detection rates provided for six major ethnic groups in the United States range from 1/47 and 94.8% in the Caucasian population to 1/72 and 70.5% in the African American population, respectively.
This collective experience can be utilized to facilitate accurate pre- and post-test counseling in the settings of carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis for SMA. | 25,290 |
Title:
Digital image analysis improves the quality of subjective HER-2 expression scoring in breast cancer.
Abstract:
Aim To compare HER-2 scoring reproducibility by subjective and digital image analysis (DIA) scores with each other and with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assessed HER-2 amplification.
Methods Herceptest-stained Tissue Micro Arrays of 219 breast carcinomas were scored (DAKO protocol) by 3 observers (both independent and as consensus), scored by DIA and both scores were compared with FISH amplification results.
Results Interobserver subjective scores reproducibility was good (κ 0.82 to 0.86) but therapeutically important 3+/2+discrepancies occurred in 11% to 16% of all 3+ cases.
Subjective scores and FISH results differed considerably.
Consensus scores by 3 pathologists correlated better with FISH, reducing the number of both Immunohistochemical (IHC) negative/FISH positives and IHC 3+/FISH negatives.
DIA scores were well reproducible and correlated better with FISH amplification than did subjective scores.
Conclusions DIA scores were comparable with consensus scores between 3 expert pathologists, were very well reproducible and performed better in classifying IHC 3+/FISH+ cases than did subjective scores. | 25,316 |
Title:
Retractile mesenteritis presenting with malabsorption syndrome. Successful treatment with oral pentoxifylline.
Abstract:
Retractile mesenteritis is a rare benign inflammatory disease of the mesentery.
Computed tomographic findings usually suggest the diagnosis, which is confirmed by surgical biopsies.
Conservative treatment is empirical, based on corticosteroids, colchicine, immunosuppressive agents and progesterone.
Surgical resection is sometimes attempted for definitive therapy, although the surgical approach is often limited.
This report describes a 62-year old man with histologically proven retractile mesenteritis presenting with malabsorbtion syndrome, who presented pulmonary tuberculosis after initial therapy with corticosteroids.
He was subsequently treated with oral pentoxifylline (800 mg/day), with substantial clinical and radiological improvement. | 25,376 |
Title:
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter protrusion through the anus: case report of an uncommon complication and literature review
Abstract:
Mechanical shunting of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an effective treatment for hydrocephalus.
Although ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting is the most common treatment [1], there are a number of complications associated with this technique [1] including obstruction, mechanical shunt failure and infection and, in 10–30% of patients, abdominal complications.
Reported abdominal complications include CSF ascites, peritoneal cyst, pseudotumor of the mesentery, inguinal hernia, volvulus, peritonitis, intestinal obstruction, as well as migration of the catheter through the vagina, scrotum, umbilicus, and intestinal tract [2].
Bowel perforation following VP shunting is extremely rare, accounting for only 0.01–0.07% of abdominal complications, but carrying a mortality rate of approximately 15% [3].
The most common site of bowel perforation is the colon [4], and more than 50% of these patients are asymptomatic with the most common presentation being protrusion of the shunt catheter through the anus [5].
We report an 11year-old girl who had anal VP shunt protrusion 12 days following surgery, without any signs of peritonitis, bowel obstruction, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) malfunction or infection, and review the literature on this rare, but serious complication. | 25,404 |
Title:
Estimation of the gain and threshold of the stretch reflex with a novel subspace identification algorithm
Abstract:
Reflex stiffness is often modeled as a Hammerstein system comprising a cascade of a static nonlinear element and a linear dynamic element.
The nonlinearity is frequently modeled as a half wave rectifier so that changes in the reflex response can only be modeled by changes in the parameters of the linear element.
This is an oversimplification since there are physiological mechanisms that could change both the threshold of the nonlinearity and the linear dynamics.
This study explores the ability of a new subspace identification algorithm to distinguish changes in parameters of the nonlinear element from those of the linear element.
Simulation studies demonstrate that the method does so very effectively even in the presence of substantial output noise.
Pilot experiments in which the method was applied to stretch reflex EMG data revealed that both the threshold of the nonlinearity and the gain of the linear element change with muscle activation. | 25,416 |
Title:
Successes, challenges, and limitations of current antiretroviral therapy in low-income and middle-income countries
Abstract:
Summary As a result of the scale-up of antiretroviral treatment (ART) programmes and substantial financial support worldwide, an increasing number of HIV-infected individuals in low-income and middle-income countries (LIMCs) now have access to ART.
Despite this progress, important questions remain on the best use of ART and how patients should be maintained on a successful regimen.
This Review addresses some of the issues faced by those managing the epidemic in LMICs, including when to start treatment, choice of first-line ART, and when to switch regimens.
Although the first priority must be continued expansion of access to ART, there should be a move towards starting ART earlier to treat individuals before they reach advanced stages of disease, to reduce early mortality, and to build support for improved monitoring of treatment failure.
There is also a need for more randomised controlled studies to identify the long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness of ART, and use of virological monitoring in LMICs. | 25,464 |
Title:
Spatial Arrangement of Glomerular Molecular-Feature Clusters in the Odorant-Receptor Class Domains of the Mouse Olfactory Bulb
Abstract:
The glomerular layer of the mammalian olfactory bulb (OB) forms odorant receptor (OR) maps.
Each OR map is structurally and functionally compartmentalized into zones (dorsal and ventral) and domains (DI and DII in the dorsal zone).
We previously reported that glomeruli with similar molecular receptive range properties formed molecular feature clusters at stereotypical positions in the rat OB.
However, the spatial arrangement of the molecular feature clusters with regard to the OR zones and domains has not been systematically examined.
In this study, we optically mapped the molecular feature clusters of glomeruli within the domain and zone framework of the OB using domain-visible class II GFP transgenic mice.
In all mice examined, fatty acid-responsive cluster A was located in the lateral part of domain DI, whereas clusters B, C, and D were arranged in an anterior to posterior order within domain DII.
We also found a new cluster of glomeruli that respond to fox odor trimethyl-thiazoline and its structural analogs (heterocyclic odorants that contain sulfur and nitrogen atoms within the ring).
This cluster (named cluster J) was located posterior to cluster D within the DII domain.
These results show that molecular feature clusters correspond to specific subsets of glomeruli in selective domains of the OR map, suggesting that the molecular feature clusters represent specific ORs that have similar molecular receptive range properties and functional roles. | 25,506 |
Title:
Expanding applications of protein analysis using proximity ligation and qPCR.
Abstract:
The correlation of gene and protein expression changes in biological systems has been hampered by the need for separate sample handling and analysis platforms for nucleic acids and proteins.
In contrast to the simple, rapid, and flexible workflow of quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods, which enable characterization of several classes of nucleic acid biomarkers (i.e. DNA, mRNA, and microRNAs), protein analysis methods such as Western blotting are cumbersome, laborious, and much less quantitative.
However, TaqMan(R) Protein Assays, which use the proximity ligation assay (PLA) technology, now expand the range of qPCR applications to include the direct detection of proteins through the amplification of a surrogate DNA template after antibody binding.
Here we describe an integrated qPCR approach for measuring relative changes in gene and protein expression from the same starting sample and on a single analytical platform that pairs TaqMan Gene Expression (GEx) Assays with TaqMan Protein Assays.
We have monitored the changes in mRNA, microRNA, and protein expression of relevant biomarkers in the pluripotent human embryonal carcinoma cell line, NTERA2, upon differentiation to neuronal cells.
In addition, TaqMan Protein Assays have been used to monitor protein expression in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that have been reprogrammed from human somatic cells.
The data presented establishes a general paradigm utilizing real-time PCR instruments and reagents for studying the relationship between the stem cell transcriptome and proteome. | 25,540 |
Title:
Hydrogen is an energy source for hydrothermal vent symbioses
Abstract:
The discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents in 1977 revolutionized our understanding of the energy sources that fuel primary productivity on Earth.
Hydrothermal vent ecosystems are dominated by animals that live in symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria.
So far, only two energy sources have been shown to power chemosynthetic symbioses: reduced sulphur compounds and methane.
Using metagenome sequencing, single-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, shipboard incubations and in situ mass spectrometry, we show here that the symbionts of the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge use hydrogen to power primary production.
In addition, we show that the symbionts of Bathymodiolus mussels from Pacific vents have hupL, the key gene for hydrogen oxidation.
Furthermore, the symbionts of other vent animals such as the tubeworm Riftia pachyptila and the shrimp Rimicaris exoculata also have hupL. We propose that the ability to use hydrogen as an energy source is widespread in hydrothermal vent symbioses, particularly at sites where hydrogen is abundant. | 25,578 |
Title:
Cannabinoid-Induced Hyperemesis: A Conundrum—From Clinical Recognition to Basic Science Mechanisms
Abstract:
Cannabinoids are used clinically on a subacute basis as prophylactic agonist antiemetics for the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapeutics.
Cannabinoids prevent vomiting by inhibition of release of emetic neurotransmitters via stimulation of presynaptic cannabinoid CB1 receptors.
Cannabis-induced hyperemesis is a recently recognized syndrome associated with chronic cannabis use.
It is characterized by repeated cyclical vomiting and learned compulsive hot water bathing behavior.
Although considered rare, recent international publications of numerous case reports suggest the contrary.
The syndrome appears to be a paradox and the pathophysiological mechanism(s) underlying the induced vomiting remains unknown.
Although some traditional hypotheses have already been proposed, the present review critically explores the basic science of these explanations in the clinical setting and provides more current mechanisms for the induced hyperemesis.
These encompass: (1) pharmacokinetic factors such as long half-life, chronic exposure, lipid solubility, individual variation in metabolism/excretion leading to accumulation of emetogenic cannabinoid metabolites, and/or cannabinoid withdrawal; and (2) pharmacodynamic factors including switching of the efficacy of Δ9-THC from partial agonist to antagonist, differential interaction of Δ9-THC with Gs and Gi signal transduction proteins, CB1 receptor desensitization or downregulation, alterations in tissue concentrations of endocannabinoid agonists/inverse agonists, Δ9-THC-induced mobilization of emetogenic metabolites of the arachidonic acid cascade, brainstem versus enteric actions of Δ9-THC, and/or hypothermic versus hyperthermic actions of Δ9-THC.
In addition, human and animal findings suggest that chronic exposure to cannabis may not be a prerequisite for the induction of vomiting but is required for the intensity of emesis. | 25,580 |
Title:
Retrospective histopathological classification of 1,108 skin biopsies from patients clinically suspected of having leprosy from Bahia, Northeast Brazil
Abstract:
We report a retrospective histopathological classification carried out under laboratory conditions by the method of Ridley & Jopling of 1,108 skin biopsies from patients clinically suspected of having leprosy from Bahia, Northeast Brazil. | 25,601 |
Title:
Emotion Regulation as a Transdiagnostic Feature Among Eating Disorders: Cross‐sectional and Longitudinal Approach
Abstract:
Emotion regulation (ER) difficulties are observed in eating disorders (EDs).
However, few studies have explored ER before and after treatment.
The aims are as follows: to explore ER difficulties across ED types and a healthy control (HC) group (Study 1) and to assess pretreatment and post-treatment changes among ED types (Study 2).
In Study 1, adult women with EDs (n = 438) and HC (n = 126) completed an assessment including Eating Disorders Inventory-2, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised.
Patients in Study 2 (n = 69) were also reassessed after treatment.
All ED types reported worse ER compared with HC (p < .001); also, ER differences were found between ED types.
Prospective analyses show ER improvements after treatment (p < .001; |d| = 0.51), especially in patients with bulimia nervosa (p < .001; |d| = 1.03; Reliable Change Index = 9.79) with greater improvement in those with a better treatment outcome (p = .034).
In conclusion, emotion dysregulation is a part of all forms of EDs.
Furthermore, emotional dysregulation can be modified.
ED treatments for anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder might be enhanced by targeting ER skills.
Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. | 25,731 |
Title:
High Brain Ammonia Tolerance and Down-Regulation of Na+:K+:2Cl- Cotransporter 1b mRNA and Protein Expression in the Brain of the Swamp Eel, Monopterus albus, Exposed to Environmental Ammonia or Terrestrial Conditions
Abstract:
Na+:K+:2Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) has been implicated in mediating ischemia-, trauma- or ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling/brain edema in mammals.
This study aimed to determine the effects of ammonia or terrestrial exposure on ammonia concentrations in the plasma and brain, and the mRNA expression and protein abundance of nkcc/Nkcc in the brain, of the swamp eel Monopterusalbus.
Ammonia exposure led to a greater increase in the ammonia concentration in the brain of M. albus than terrestrial exposure.
The brain ammonia concentration of M. albus reached 4.5 µmol g-1 and 2.7 µmol g-1 after 6 days of exposure to 50 mmol l-1 NH4Cl and terrestrial conditions, respectively.
The full cDNA coding sequence of nkcc1b from M. albus brain comprised 3276 bp and coded for 1092 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 119.6 kDa.
A molecular characterization indicated that it could be activated through phosphorylation and/or glycosylation by osmotic and/or oxidative stresses.
Ammonia exposure for 1 day or 6 days led to significant decreases in the nkcc1b mRNA expression and Nkcc1b protein abundance in the brain of M. albus.
In comparison, a significant decrease in nkcc1b mRNA expression was observed in the brain of M. albus only after 6 days of terrestrial exposure, but both 1 day and 6 days of terrestrial exposure resulted in significant decreases in the protein abundance of Nkcc1b.
These results are novel because it has been established in mammals that ammonia up-regulates NKCC1 expression in astrocytes and NKCC1 plays an important role in ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling and brain edema.
By contrast, our results indicate for the first time that M. albus is able to down-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of nkcc1b/Nkcc1b in the brain when confronted with ammonia toxicity, which could be one of the contributing factors to its extraordinarily high brain ammonia tolerance. | 25,777 |
Title:
Ectopic Intrauterine Device in the Bladder of a Pregnant Woman
Abstract:
Background.
Uterine perforation and transvesical migration of an intrauterine device are rare complications.
Case.
A 28-year-old woman who had an intrauterine device was admitted to our outpatient clinic with complaints of amenorrhea lasting 5 weeks and pelvic pain lasting a year.
Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed embedding of the intrauterine device in the bladder.
The misplaced device was removed by laparotomy.
Conclusion.
The followup of intrauterine device localization with transvaginal ultrasonography is essential for early detection of possible serious complications. | 25,792 |
Title:
Retention of agronomically important variation in germplasm core collections: implications for allele mining
Abstract:
The primary targets of allele mining efforts are loci of agronomic importance.
Agronomic loci typically exhibit patterns of allelic diversity that are consistent with a history of natural or artificial selection.
Natural or artificial selection causes the distribution of genetic diversity at such loci to deviate substantially from the pattern found at neutral loci.
The germplasm utilized for allele mining should contain maximum allelic variation at loci of interest, in the smallest possible number of samples.
We show that the popular core collection assembly procedure "M" (marker allele richness), which leverages variation at neutral loci, performs worse than random assembly for retaining variation at a locus of agronomic importance in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L. subsp.
vulgaris) that is under selection.
We present a corrected procedure ("M+") that outperforms M. An extensive coalescent simulation was performed to demonstrate more generally the retention of neutral versus selected allelic variation in core subsets assembled with M+.
A negative correlation in level of allelic diversity between neutral and selected loci was observed in 42% of simulated data sets.
When core collection assembly is guided by neutral marker loci, as is the current common practice, enhanced allelic variation at agronomically important loci should not necessarily be expected. | 25,943 |
Title:
Perioperative Use of the Hands-Free Technique: A Semistructured Interview Study
Abstract:
ABSTRACT • OCCUPATIONALLY CONTRACTED bloodborne infections are preventable, but the use of many protective measures remains limited.
• THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE that the use of the hands-free technique (HFT) to pass sharp items during surgical procedures is effective in protecting against sharps injury and bloody contamination.
• RESEARCHERS CONDUCTED in-depth telephone interviews to explore 20 health care providers' knowledge and use of the HFT.
• MOST OF THE INTERVIEWEES did not regularly use the HFT, and some were resistant to its use.
AORN J 84 (August 2006) 233–248.
© AORN, Inc, 2006. | 25,989 |
Title:
The hawk/goose story: The classical ethological experiments of Lorenz and Tinbergen, revisited.
Abstract:
We present a historical account of the story behind the famous hawk/goose experiments of Lorenz and Tinbergen in a wider context of cognitive ethology.
We discuss their significance, for ethological experimentation in general, and specifically for understanding innate constraints on cognition.
As examples of the continuing significance of the hawk/goose paradigm of selective habituation, we discuss its relation to “exposure therapy” of human phobias and the use of hawk silhouettes as deterrents for | 26,011 |
Title:
Association of chromosome 2q36.1–36.3 and autosomal dominant transmission in ankylosing spondylitis: results of genetic studies across generations of Han Chinese families
Abstract:
Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, potentially crippling, spondyloarthropathy with strong genetic components affecting approximately 0.3% of the population.
Its exact genetic mechanism and mode of transmission, however, remains obscure.
Methods and results: The authors conducted a genome wide scan on 75 individuals across multiple generations of three Han Chinese families affected with AS.
Segregation analysis and pedigree investigation suggested an autosomal dominant inheritance.
Pairwise logarithm of odds (LOD) scores were calculated using LINKAGE package for the obtained genotypes.
High resolution mapping was then performed based on markers with significant LOD scores.
To minimise the number of crossovers in each family, haplotype were constructed and assigned.
Two of the pedigrees shared one candidate region for AS on 2q36.1–2q36.3 spanning 6-cM (maximum heterogeneity LOD score of 12.41 at marker D2S2228), while the other showed strong linkage to the HLA-B region.
Conclusions: This is the first report which proposes one of the new genetic models of autosomal dominant transmission in AS.
The breakthrough in the identification of linkage to chromosome 2q36.1–2q36.3 and the HLA-B region highlights the future potential of more comprehensive genetic studies of determinants of disease risk. | 26,014 |
Title:
Characterization of the NADP malic enzyme gene family in the facultative, single-cell C4 monocot Hydrilla verticillata
Abstract:
Hydrilla verticillata has a facultative single-cell system that changes from C3 to C4 photosynthesis.
A NADP+-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME) provides a high [CO2] for Rubisco fixation in the C4 leaf chloroplasts.
Of three NADP-ME genes identified, only hvme1 was up-regulated in the C4 leaf, during the light period, and it possessed a putative transit peptide.
Unlike obligate C4 species, H. verticillata exhibited only one plastidic isoform that may perform housekeeping functions, but is up-regulated as the photosynthetic decarboxylase.
Of the two cytosolic forms, hvme2 and hvme3, the latter exhibited the greatest expression, but was not light-regulated.
The mature isoform of hvme1 had a pI of 6.0 and a molecular mass of 64 kD, as did the recombinant rHVME1m, and it formed a tetramer in the chloroplast.
The recombinant photosynthetic isoform showed intermediate characteristics between isoforms in terrestrial C3 and C4 species.
The catalytic efficiency of rHVME1m was four-fold higher than the cytosolic rHVME3 and two-fold higher than recombinant cytosolic isoforms of rice, but lower than plastidic forms of maize.
The Km (malate) of 0.6 mM for rHVME1 was higher than maize plastid isoforms, but four-fold lower than found with rice.
A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of 25 taxa suggested that chloroplastic NADP-ME isoforms arose from four duplication events, and hvme1 was derived from cytosolic hvme3.
The chloroplastic eudicot sequences were a monophyletic group derived from a cytosolic clade after the eudicot and monocot lineages separated, while the monocots formed a polyphyletic group.
The findings support the hypothesis that a NADP-ME isoform with specific and unusual regulatory properties facilitates the functioning of the single-cell C4 system in H. verticillata. | 26,057 |
Title:
Lung-specific induction of heme oxygenase-1 and hyperoxic lung injury
Abstract:
Heme oxygenase (HO)-1, which catalyzes heme breakdown, is induced by oxidative stress and may protect against oxidative injury.
We hypothesized that induction of HO-1 by hemoglobin (Hb) in the lung... | 26,103 |
Title:
Association between hepatitis B virus infection and metabolic syndrome: a retrospective cohort study in Shanghai, China
Abstract:
Metabolic syndrome (MS) and hepatitis B (HBV) infection are two major public health problems in China.
There are few studies about their association, and the results of these studies are contradictory.
We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the association between MS and HBV in a Shanghai community-based cohort.
Nine hundred seventy-six Shanghai residents were recruited from the Putuo community.
480 HBV infections were in exposed group and 496 non-infections in unexposed group.
All metabolic-related parameters and hepatitis B serology were tested with routine biochemical or immunological methods.
“Exposed” was defined by HBV infection represented by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and without anti-virus treatment.
“Unexposed” were subjects who didn’t infect with HBV (Represented by HBsAg) and no MS when they entered the cohort.
MS was defined based on the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.
The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and related 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the association between HBV infection and MS over a 20-year follow-up period.
Of 976 subjects recruited, 480 had latent HBV infection (exposed subjects).
After adjusting for age, the crude HR was 2.46 (95% CI: 1.77, 3.41).
After adjusting for potential risk factors of MS (age, gender, smoking, passive smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and diet), the HR was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.52, 3.38).
This 20-year follow-up retrospective cohort study in Shanghai showed a positive association between HBV infection and MS. | 26,172 |
Title:
Piperacillin induced bone marrow suppression: a case report
Abstract:
BackgroundPiperacillin (and piperacillin/tazobactam) is a commonly prescribed antibiotic and is generally considered safe.
We report a case of piperacillin induced bone marrow suppression.
Case presentationA 19-year-old boy was being treated with piperacillin followed by piperacillin/tazobactam for infected pancreatic pseudocyst.
After 21 days of treatment, he developed neutropenia and thrombocytopenia.
These reversed promptly after stopping piperacillin/tazobactam.
The time course of events suggested that piperacillin was the cause of bone marrow suppression in this patient.
ConclusionBone marrow suppression is a serious adverse effect of piperacillin, which should be kept in mind while treating patients with this drug. | 26,191 |
Title:
Modelling and control of non-persistent plant virus transmission for annual production cycles
Abstract:
When an insect carrying a non-persistent virus punctures a plant it loses part, or may be all, of its viral load.
Using a differential equation model, we show that this is a critical factor affecting disease incidence levels when crops are under annual production cycles.
Computer simulations suggest that relatively low vector pressure at the beginning of planting cycles decrease the disease progression.
The model provides also approximations to disease incidences in subsequent plantings.
Conditions for incidences to decrease or increase in time are supplied, which may be useful to assess the impact of some control strategies. | 26,318 |
Title:
Effects of Aging on mRNA Profiles for Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters in Livers of Male and Female Mice
Abstract:
Aging is a physiological process characterized by progressive functional decline in various organs over time.
To reveal possible molecular mechanisms of altered xenobiotic disposition and toxicity in elderly individuals, age-dependent mRNA profiles for 101 xenobiotic-processing genes (XPGs), including seven uptake transporters, 41 phase I enzymes, 36 phase II enzymes, 10 efflux transporters, and seven transcription factors, were characterized in livers of male and female mice from 3 to 27 months of age.
Gender differences across the lifespan (significant at five ages or more) were observed for 52 XPGs, including 15 male-predominant genes (e.g., Oatp1a1, Cyp3a11, Ugt1a6a, Comt, and Bcrp) and 37 female-predominant genes (e.g., Oatp1a4, Cyp2b10, Sult1a1, Ugt1a1, and Mrp3).
During aging, the mRNA levels for 44% of the 101 XPGs changed in male mice and 63% changed in female mice.
In male mice, mRNA levels for 40 XPGs (e.g., Oatp1a1, Ces2c, Gstm4, Gstp1, and Ces1e) were lower in aged mice (more than 21 months of age), whereas mRNA levels for four XPGs (e.g., Oat2 and Gstm2) were higher in aged mice.
In female mice, mRNA levels for 43 XPGs (e.g., Oatp1a1, Cyp1a2, Ces1f, Sult3a1, Gstt2, Comt, Ent1, Fmo3, and Mrp6) were lower in aged mice, whereas mRNA levels for 21 XPGs (e.g., Oatp1a4, Nqo1, Adh7, Sult2a1/2, Gsta1, and Mrp4) were higher in aged mice.
In conclusion, 51% of the 101 XPGs exhibited gender differences in liver mRNA levels across the lifespan of mice; the mRNA levels for 40% of the XPGs were lower in aged male mice and 43% were lower in aged female mice. | 26,426 |
Title:
Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Hyperintense Vessels in Posterior Cerebral Artery Infarction
Abstract:
Background: Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintense vessels (FHVs) are known to reflect stagnant or slow blood flow within the cerebral artery.
FHVs are frequently observed in patients with acute cerebral infarction accompanied by arterial occlusion or significant stenosis of the anterior cerebral circulation.
However, FHVs have not been studied in the context of posterior cerebral circulation.
Thus, we investigated the prevalence of FHVs and its clinical significance in patients with acute posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory infarction.
Methods: In this retrospective study, consecutive patients with PCA territory infarction who underwent MRI within 1 week after symptom onset were enrolled.
Two neurologists who were blinded to the angiographic findings read the images and determined the presence of FHVs.
Afterwards, FHVs were graded according to the extent (subtle or prominent) and location (proximal or distal) of the hyperintense vessels.
Neurologic deficits of the patients were assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) upon admission and after 5 days.
The clinical outcome between patient groups based on FHVs grading was compared using the NIHSS.
Among the patients with PCA occlusion, infarction volume on the diffusion-weighted image was compared between the two groups with and without distal FHVs.
Results: FHVs were observed in 25 of the 87 patients (28.7%) with PCA territory infarction and in 65.7% of the 35 patients with significant arterial stenosis (10 patients) or occlusion (25 patients) in the posterior cerebral circulation.
Among the 18 patients with PCA occlusion, the NIHSS score was significantly improved in patients with distal FHVs compared to the others (2.00 ± 2.18 vs. 0.56 ± 1.01, p = 0.04).
The infarction volume was smaller in the distal FHV group than in the others (8.3 ± 8.7 vs. 16.8 ± 17.6 ml), but the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: FHVs are detected in patients with PCA territory infarction, especially in those with an occlusive lesion in the PCA.
FHVs can be used as an imaging marker of PCA occlusion.
Although this study showed a better clinical improvement in patients with distal FHVs, further study is needed to elucidate the clinical meaning of FHVs in PCA infarction. | 26,596 |
Title:
The green seaweed Ulva: a model system to study morphogenesis
Abstract:
Green macroalgae, mostly represented by the Ulvophyceae, the main multicellular branch of the Chlorophyceae, constitute important primary producers of marine and brackish coastal ecosystems.
Ulva or sea lettuce species are some of the most abundant representatives, being ubiquitous in coastal benthic communities around the world.
Nonetheless the genus also remains largely understudied.
This review highlights Ulva as an exciting novel model organism for studies of algal growth, development and morphogenesis as well as mutualistic interactions.
The key reasons that Ulva is potentially such a good model system are: (i) patterns of Ulva development can drive ecologically important events, such as the increasing number of green tides observed worldwide as a result of eutrophication of coastal waters, (ii) Ulva growth is symbiotic, with proper development requiring close association with bacterial epiphytes, (iii) Ulva is extremely developmentally plastic, which can shed light on the transition from simple to complex multicellularity and (iv) Ulva will provide additional information about the evolution of the green lineage. | 26,651 |
Title:
A Dutch guideline for the treatment of scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders
Abstract:
BackgroundChildren with neuromuscular disorders with a progressive muscle weakness such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy frequently develop a progressive scoliosis.
A severe scoliosis compromises respiratory function and makes sitting more difficult.
Spinal surgery is considered the primary treatment option for correcting severe scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders.
Surgery in this population requires a multidisciplinary approach, careful planning, dedicated surgical procedures, and specialized after care.
MethodsThe guideline is based on scientific evidence and expert opinions.
A multidisciplinary working group representing experts from all relevant specialties performed the research.
A literature search was conducted to collect scientific evidence in answer to specific questions posed by the working group.
Literature was classified according to the level of evidence.
ResultsFor most aspects of the treatment scientific evidence is scarce and only low level cohort studies were found.
Nevertheless, a high degree of consensus was reached about the management of patients with scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders.
This was translated into a set of recommendations, which are now officially accepted as a general guideline in the Netherlands.
ConclusionIn order to optimize the treatment for scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders a Dutch guideline has been composed.
This evidence-based, multidisciplinary guideline addresses conservative treatment, the preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative care of scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders. | 26,653 |
Title:
Antibiotic resistance in Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from poultry in the South-East Queensland region
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES ::: The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of 125 Campylobacter jejuni and 27 Campylobacter coli isolates from 39 Queensland broiler farms. ::: ::: ::: METHODS ::: Two methods, a disc diffusion assay and an agar-based MIC assay, were used.
The disc diffusion was performed and interpreted as previously described (Huysmans MB, Turnidge JD.
Disc susceptibility testing for thermophilic campylobacters.
Pathology 1997; 29: 209-16), whereas the MIC assay was performed according to CLSI (formerly NCCLS) methods and interpreted using DANMAP criteria. ::: ::: ::: RESULTS ::: In both assays, no C. jejuni or C. coli isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin or chloramphenicol, no C. coli were resistant to nalidixic acid, and no C. jejuni were resistant to erythromycin.
In the MIC assay, no C. jejuni isolate was resistant to nalidixic acid, whereas three isolates (2.4%) were resistant in the disc assay.
The highest levels of resistance of the C. jejuni isolates were recorded for tetracycline (19.2% by MIC and 18.4% by disc) and ampicillin (19.2% by MIC and 17.6% by disc).
The C. coli isolates gave very similar results (tetracycline resistance 14.8% by both MIC and disc; ampicillin resistance 7.4% by MIC and 14.8% by disc). ::: ::: ::: CONCLUSIONS ::: This work has shown that the majority of C. jejuni and C. coli isolates were susceptible to the six antibiotics tested by both disc diffusion and MIC methods.
Disc diffusion represents a suitable alternative methodology to agar-based MIC methods for poultry Campylobacter isolates. | 26,806 |
Title:
The comparison of root caries experience between HIV-positive patients and HIV-negative individuals in a selected Iranian population
Abstract:
To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene9, 2011; 261–265 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2010.00491.x Rezaei-Soufi L, Davoodi P, Jazaeri M, Niknami H. The comparison of root caries experience between HIV-positive patients and HIV-negative individuals, in a selected Iranian population. ::: ::: ::: ::: Abstract: Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a concerning problem in dentistry and HIV-infected patients may experience root caries due to different risk factors.
The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of root caries in a selected Iranian HIV-positive population.
::: ::: ::: ::: Methods: One hundred and seven IV drug users, based on ELISA and Western Blot test, were divided into two groups: group 1: HIV-positive patients and group 2: HIV-negative individuals.
According to the T-CD4+ cell count, subjects in group 1 were placed in two subgroups: Moderate immunodeficiency (200 mm−3 < T-CD4+ cells <500 mm−3) and Severe immunodeficiency patients (T-CD4+ cells <200 mm−3).
Teeth were examined by an examiner under suitable light to detect any changes in colour, texture or contour.
The values of DMFT, DMFS, decayed root surfaces and total decayed surfaces were calculated.
Data were analysed by independent t-test and chi-squared test. ::: ::: ::: ::: Results: The mean DMFT, DMFS and decayed root caries in group 1 and 2 had no significant difference.
The mean value of total decayed surfaces of HIV+ patients was significantly higher compared with HIV− individuals (P = 0.03).
The comparison of all parameters between two subdivisions of group 1 showed no significant difference.
::: ::: ::: ::: Conclusions: The results indicate that HIV+ patients experienced more dental caries, but not more root caries than healthy ones.
Along with decreasing T-CD4+ cell count, tooth caries’ prevalence did not increase. ::: ::: ::: ::: Clinical relevance: Based on our findings, root caries prevalence is almost the same in HIV-positive and negative individuals; however, it is necessary to decrease tooth caries by continual monitoring and periodic dental examination. | 27,029 |
Title:
Modulation of prostaglandin A1-induced thermotolerance by quercetin in human leukemic cells: role of heat shock protein 70.
Abstract:
Prostaglandins of the A type (PGAs) function as signals for heat shock protein (hsp) synthesis in mammalian cells.
In human K562 erythroleukemic cells, PGA1 induces the synthesis of a M(r) 70,000 hsp (hsp70) by cycloheximide-sensitive activation of heat shock transcription factor (HSF).
Induction of hsp70 has been associated recently with the ability of PGA to protect K562 cells from thermal injury, establishing a thermotolerant state; however, the role of hsp70 in thermotolerance is still controversial.
Because quercetin was shown to modulate hsp70 expression after heat shock in K562 cells, we have investigated the effect of this flavonoid on HSF activation, hsp70 synthesis, and thermotolerance in human K562 cells after induction with PGA1.
Quercetin was found to inhibit hsp70 synthesis for a period of 3-6 h after PGA1 treatment.
This transient block was exerted at the transcriptional level and was not due to the loss of HSF DNA-binding activity.
After the initial delay, hsp70 synthesis reached the same rate as the PGA1-treated control, and it was actually prolonged in the presence of quercetin.
In PGA1-treated cells, quercetin suppressed PGA1-induced thermotolerance completely if the heat shock was applied at a time (6 h) when hsp70 synthesis was inhibited, whereas it could not prevent the establishment of a thermotolerant state if the heat challenge was applied 24 h after treatment, when hsp70 synthesis was not affected.
These results support strongly the hypothesis that hsp70 is involved in the establishment of thermotolerance in human cells. | 27,063 |
Title:
Clinicians’ Real World Perceptions of Pre-Nephrectomy Diagnostic Biopsy Performance as a Driver of Reduction in Unnecessary Surgeries in Renal Tumors
Abstract:
Operative removal of oncocytomas is generally unnecessary, but not infrequent in the context of renal masses.
The infrequent use of pre-nephrectomy biopsies is a function of historical limitations of histopathological differential diagnosis in this setting.
Assessment of clinicians’ receptiveness to a novel molecular diagnostic approach to this challenge was undertaken by means of a survey vehicle administered to 102 practicing urologists and pathologists who met inclusion criteria related to their actual clinical activity.
Survey results supported the previously reported observations on misdiagnosis with urologists’ reported rates of 25% inconclusive results, and an additional 17% disagree with the final surgical diagnosis.
The self-reported rate of 9% for pre-operative biopsies was comparable to prior reports, but 39% of urologists who are not currently performing pre-operative biopsies expressed interest in introducing them into their practice for this purpose with an improved diagnostic.
Almost all urologists (94%) felt it important not to resect benign oncocytomas and 62% indicated they would use a test which improved the ability to sub-type renal tumors pre-operatively.
The level of performance benchmark of the unidentified prototypic microRNA-based diagnostic as reported previously in the literature was deemed sufficient to change care in these cases by 73%.
Overall they predicted a 38% rate of biopsies and resulting increases in decisions to forgo nephrectomy or to perform only partial nephrectomy.
Pathologists also expressed support for the use of this technology in the context of inadequate specimens and for improved sub-typing of these tumors in inconclusive cases.
Supplementary files: The supplementary files of this article are found under 'Article Tools' at the left side bar. | 27,099 |
Title:
Noninvasive estimation of 2-D pressure gradients in steady flow using ultrasound
Abstract:
A noninvasive method for estimating 2-D pressure gradients from ultrasound vector velocity data is presented.
It relies on vector velocity fields acquired using the transverse oscillation method during steady flow conditions.
The pressure gradients are calculated from the velocity fields using the Navier-Stokes equations.
Scans of a carotid bifurcation phantom with a 70% constriction are performed using a linear transducer connected to a scanner.
The performance of the estimator is evaluated by comparing its results to those of a computational fluid dynamics model of the carotid bifurcation phantom.
The geometry of the model is determined from magnetic resonance imaging.
The presented study is conducted assuming steady flow using velocity data acquired at 18 frames per second.
The proposed method shows pressure gradients at the constricted region from -8 kPa/m to 9 kPa/m, with a maximum bias of -7% for the axial component and -8% for the lateral component.
The relative standard deviation of the estimator is 5% (axial component) and 30% (lateral component) when studying the pressure gradient across the constriction using 3 velocity frames per pressure estimate.
The study shows that 2-D pressure gradients can be achieved noninvasively using ultrasound data in a constant flow environment. | 27,169 |
Title:
Prioritizing Functional Capacity as a Principal End Point for Therapies Oriented to Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association
Abstract:
Adults are living longer, and cardiovascular disease is endemic in the growing population of older adults who are surviving into old age.
Functional capacity is a key metric in this population, both for the perspective it provides on aggregate health and as a vital goal of care.
Whereas cardiorespiratory function has long been applied by cardiologists as a measure of function that depended primarily on cardiac physiology, multiple other factors also contribute, usually with increasing bearing as age advances.
Comorbidity, inflammation, mitochondrial metabolism, cognition, balance, and sleep are among the constellation of factors that bear on cardiorespiratory function and that become intricately entwined with cardiovascular health in old age.
This statement reviews the essential physiology underlying functional capacity on systemic, organ, and cellular levels, as well as critical clinical skills to measure multiple realms of function (eg, aerobic, strength, balance, and even cognition) that are particularly relevant for older patients.
Clinical therapeutic perspectives and patient perspectives are enumerated to clarify challenges and opportunities across the caregiving spectrum, including patients who are hospitalized, those managed in routine office settings, and those in skilled nursing facilities.
Overall, this scientific statement provides practical recommendations and vital conceptual insights. | 27,212 |
Title:
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis Extracytoplasmic-Function Sigma Factor SigL Regulates Polyketide Synthases and Secreted or Membrane Proteins and Is Required for Virulence
Abstract:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigL encodes an extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor and is adjacent to a gene for a membrane protein (Rv0736) that contains a conserved HXXXCXXC sequence.
This motif is found in anti-sigma factors that regulate several ECF sigma factors, including those that control oxidative stress responses.
In this work, SigL and Rv0736 were found to be cotranscribed, and the intracellular domain of Rv0736 was shown to interact specifically with SigL, suggesting that Rv0736 may encode an anti-sigma factor of SigL. An M. tuberculosis sigL mutant was not more susceptible than the parental strain to several oxidative and nitrosative stresses, and sigL expression was not increased in response to these stresses.
In vivo, sigL is expressed from a weak SigL-independent promoter and also from a second SigL-dependent promoter.
To identify SigL-regulated genes, sigL was overexpressed and microarray analysis of global transcription was performed.
Four small operons, sigL (Rv0735)-Rv0736, mpt53 (Rv2878c)-Rv2877c, pks10 (Rv1660)-pks7 (Rv1661), and Rv1139c-Rv1138c, were among the most highly upregulated genes in the sigL-overexpressing strain.
SigL-dependent transcription start sites of these operons were mapped, and the consensus promoter sequences TGAACC in the -35 region and CGTgtc in the -10 region were identified.
In vitro, purified SigL specifically initiated transcription from the promoters of sigL, mpt53, and pks10.
Additional genes, including four PE_PGRS genes, appear to be regulated indirectly by SigL. In an in vivo murine infection model, the sigL mutant strain showed marked attenuation, indicating that the sigL regulon is important in M. tuberculosis pathogenesis. | 27,229 |
Title:
Outbreak of Acute Respiratory Infection among Infants in Lisbon, Portugal, Caused by Human Adenovirus Serotype 3 and a New 7/3 Recombinant Strain
Abstract:
Human adenoviruses (AdVs) typically cause mild illnesses in otherwise healthy hosts.
We investigated a pediatric outbreak of acute respiratory infection with fatal outcomes that occurred in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2004.
Biological specimens were collected from 83 children attending two nurseries, a kinesiotherapy clinic, and the household of a nanny.
Adenovirus infection was confirmed in 48 children by PCR and virus isolation.
Most (96%) isolates were classified as being of subspecies B1.
Phylogenetic analysis of fiber and hexon gene sequences revealed that most infants were infected with AdV serotype 3 (AdV3) strains.
Infants attending one nursery harbored a new recombinant strain containing an AdV serotype 7 hexon and serotype 3 fiber (AdV7/3).
Both the AdV3 and the AdV7/3 strains caused fatal infections.
Two different serotype 3 strains were circulating in Lisbon in 2004, and the new AdV7/3 recombinant type originated from only one of those strains.
These results demonstrate that recombination leads to the emergence of new adenovirus strains with epidemic and lethal potential.
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) have been associated with a wide spectrum of clinical diseases with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms (23, 32).
Severe illness can occur in newborns, elderly individuals, and patients with underlying medical conditions.
In otherwise healthy adults, infections caused by human adenoviruses do not represent a life-threatening clinical condition.
Adenoviruses are characterized by a linear double-stranded DNA genome of 2 to 45 kbp that encodes 30 to 40 proteins (6).
HAdV comprises 51 serotypes (HAdV-1 to HAdV-51), on the basis of type-specific antiserum-mediated neutralization of infectivity (10).
The serotypes can be divided into seven species, named HAdV-A to HAdV-G, on the basis of hemagglutination inhibition and biochemical criteria (13).
HAdV-B is further classified into subspecies B1 and B2, which use different cellular receptors for viral entry (29).
These variants can be segregated by different geographic areas, time periods, and clinical conditions.
Serotype identification is critical for epidemiological surveillance, the detection of new strains, assessment of treatment efficacy, and understanding the pathogenesis of HAdV. For example, acute respiratory disease is primarily caused by | 27,296 |
Title:
Evaluation of micro Electroretinograms Recorded with Multiple Electrode Array to Assess Focal Retinal Function
Abstract:
Evaluation of micro Electroretinograms Recorded with Multiple Electrode Array to Assess Focal Retinal Function | 27,369 |
Title:
The N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea-Induced Goldenticket Mouse Mutant Reveals an Essential Function of Sting in the In Vivo Interferon Response to Listeria monocytogenes and Cyclic Dinucleotides
Abstract:
Type I interferons (IFNs) are central regulators of the innate and adaptive immune responses to viral and bacterial infections.
Type I IFNs are induced upon cytosolic detection of microbial nucleic acids, including DNA, RNA, and the bacterial second messenger cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP).
In addition, a recent study demonstrated that the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes stimulates a type I IFN response due to cytosolic detection of bacterially secreted c-di-AMP.
The transmembrane signaling adaptor Sting (Tmem173, Mita, Mpys, Eris) has recently been implicated in the induction of type I IFNs in response to cytosolic DNA and/or RNA.
However, the role of Sting in response to purified cyclic dinucleotides or during in vivo L. monocytogenes infection has not been addressed.
In order to identify genes important in the innate immune response, we have been conducting a forward genetic mutagenesis screen in C57BL/6 mice using the mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU).
Here we describe a novel mutant mouse strain, Goldenticket (Gt), that fails to produce type I IFNs upon L. monocytogenes infection.
By genetic mapping and complementation experiments, we found that Gt mice harbor a single nucleotide variant (T596A) of Sting that functions as a null allele and fails to produce detectable protein.
Analysis of macrophages isolated from Gt mice revealed that Sting is absolutely required for the type I interferon response to both c-di-GMP and c-di-AMP.
Additionally, Sting is required for the response to c-di-GMP and L. monocytogenes in vivo.
Our results provide new functions for Sting in the innate interferon response to pathogens. | 27,561 |
Title:
Metabolic rate of the red panda, Ailurus fulgens, a dietary bamboo specialist
Abstract:
The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) has a similar diet, primarily bamboo, and shares the same habitat as the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca.
There are considerable efforts underway to understand the ecology of the red panda and to increase its populations in natural reserves.
Yet it is difficult to design an effective strategy for red panda reintroduction if we do not understand its basic biology.
Here we report the resting metabolic rate of the red panda and find that it is higher than previously measured on animals from a zoo.
The resting metabolic rate was 0.290 ml/g/h (range 0.204–0.342) in summer and 0.361 ml/g/h in winter (range 0.331–0.406), with a statistically significant difference due to season and test temperature.
Temperatures in summer were probably within the thermal neutral zone for metabolism but winter temperatures were below the thermal neutral zone.
There was no difference in metabolic rate between male and female red pandas and no difference due to mass.
Our values for metabolic rate were much higher than those measured by McNab for 2 red pandas from a zoo.
The larger sample size (17), more natural conditions at the Panda Base and improved accuracy of the metabolic instruments provided more accurate metabolism measurements.
Contrary to our expectations based on their low quality bamboo diet, the metabolic rates of red pandas were similar to mammals of the same size.
Based on their metabolic rates red pandas would not be limited by their food supply in natural reserves. | 27,582 |
Title:
Subchronic Toxicity Study on Soy Isoflavones in Rats
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the subchronic toxicity of soy isoflavones (SIF) in male rats.
Method Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, 10 rats per group.
SIF were given to rats in different groups by gavage at dose of 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 g/kg bw, respectively for 13 weeks.
Clinical manifestations, body weight, and food consumption were observed weekly.
At the end of the study, urinalysis, hematology, clinical chemistry, total testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were tested, and histopathological examinations were performed.
Results No mortality, ophthalmic abnormalities or treatment-related clinical signs were identified during the study.
As compared with the control group, significantly lower body weights and food consumption were observed in 1.5 and 4.5 g/kg bw groups.
In clinical chemistry tests, triglyceride was significantly decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased in all SIF-treated groups.
Total testosterone levels were significantly lower in 0.50, 1.50, and 4.5 g/kg bw dose groups than in the control group.
Microscopic examination showed that the mammary glands exhibited hyperplasia and excreted latex in rats of the 4.5 g/kg bw group.
No changes attributable to treatment of SIF in other parameters were found.
Conclusion SIF at high dosages caused significant endocrine disruption in male rats.
The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of SIF to male rats in this study is considered to be 0.20 g/kg bw. | 27,618 |
Title:
Sex‐Based Differences in Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Report From TRANSLATE‐ACS
Abstract:
Background Data regarding sex-based outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for myocardial infarction are mixed.
We sought to examine whether sex differences in outcomes exist in contemporary practice. ::: ::: Methods and Results We examined acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing PCI between April 2010 and October 2012 at 210 US hospitals participating in the Treatment with Adenosine Diphosphate Receptor Inhibitors: Longitudinal Assessment of Treatment Patterns and Events after Acute Coronary Syndrome (TRANSLATE-ACS) observational study.
Outcomes included 1-year risk of major adverse cardiac events and bleeding according to Global Utilization of Strategies To Open Occluded Arteries (GUSTO) and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) definitions.
Among 6218 patients, 27.5% (n=1712) were female.
Compared with men, women were older, had more comorbidities, and had lower functional status.
Use of multivessel PCI and drug-eluting stents was similar between sexes, while women received less prasugrel.
Unadjusted cumulative incidence of 1-year major adverse cardiac events was higher for women than for men (15.7% versus 13.6%, P =0.02), but female sex was no longer associated with higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.15).
Female sex was associated with higher risks of post-PCI GUSTO bleeding (9.1% versus 5.7%, P <0.0001) and postdischarge BARC bleeding (39.6% versus 27.9%, P <0.0001).
Differences persisted after adjustment (GUSTO: hazard ratio 1.32, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.64; BARC: incidence rate ratio 1.42, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.56). ::: ::: Conclusions Female and male myocardial infarction patients undergoing PCI differ regarding demographic, clinical, and treatment profiles.
These differences appear to explain the higher observed major adverse cardiac event rate but not higher adjusted bleeding risk for women versus men. | 27,764 |
Title:
Katanin p60 Contributes to Microtubule Instability around the Midbody and Facilitates Cytokinesis in Rat Cells
Abstract:
The completion of cytokinesis is crucial for mitotic cell division.
Cleavage furrow ingression is followed by the breaking and resealing of the intercellular bridge, but the detailed mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unknown.
Katanin is a microtubule-severing protein comprised of an AAA ATPase subunit and an accessory subunit designated as p60 and p80, respectively.
Localization of katanin p60 was observed at the midzone to midbody from anaphase to cytokinesis in rat cells, and showed a ring-shaped distribution in the gap between the inside of the contractile ring and the central spindle bundle in telophase.
Katanin p60 did not bind with p80 at the midzone or midbody, and localization was shown to be dependent on microtubules.
At the central spindle and the midbody, no microtubule growth plus termini were seen with katanin p60, and microtubule density was inversely correlated with katanin p60 density in the region of katanin p60 localization that seemed to lead to microtubule destabilization at the midbody.
Inhibition of katanin p60 resulted in incomplete cytokinesis by regression and thus caused the appearance of binucleate cells.
These results suggest that katanin p60 contributes to microtubule instability at the midzone and midbody and facilitates cytokinesis in rat cells. | 27,861 |
Title:
Age-Invariant Face Recognition
Abstract:
One of the challenges in automatic face recognition is to achieve temporal invariance.
In other words, the goal is to come up with a representation and matching scheme that is robust to changes due to facial aging.
Facial aging is a complex process that affects both the 3D shape of the face and its texture (e.g., wrinkles).
These shape and texture changes degrade the performance of automatic face recognition systems.
However, facial aging has not received substantial attention compared to other facial variations due to pose, lighting, and expression.
We propose a 3D aging modeling technique and show how it can be used to compensate for the age variations to improve the face recognition performance.
The aging modeling technique adapts view-invariant 3D face models to the given 2D face aging database.
The proposed approach is evaluated on three different databases (i.g., FG-NET, MORPH, and BROWNS) using FaceVACS, a state-of-the-art commercial face recognition engine. | 27,871 |
Title:
Infralimbic kappa opioid and muscarinic M1 receptor interactions in the concurrent modulation of anxiety and memory
Abstract:
Rationale: Spontaneous working memory and anxiety-like behaviour can be concurrently influenced following kappa opioid or muscarinic M1 antagonist infusions in the infralimbic (IL) area of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) in CD-1 mice.
Further dose–response analyses of our previous norBNI and pirenzepine data revealed significant dose × drug interactions on trial-1 and -2 anxiety-related elevated plus-maze indices.
These data prompted us to evaluate the effects of simultaneous IL norBNI/pirenzepine infusions on anxiety and spontaneous working memory.
Objective: The present study sought to evaluate whether (a) our previously reported anxiogenic and working memory disruptive effects of norBNI, and anxiolytic and working memory disruptive effects of pirenzepine data could be replicated using the most effective dose (10 nmol) of each drug and (b) IL infusions of mixed kappa/M1 receptor inhibitor drugs might interactively influence these cognitive, behavioural processes.
Methods: Anxiety was evaluated in the elevated plus maze, and spontaneous alternation memory was evaluated in the Y-maze following pirenzepine, norBNI or two levels of norBNI/pirenzepine drug mix infusions in the IL vmPFC.
Results: Pretreatment with the M1 antagonist pirenzepine was anxiolytic in trial 1 (10 nmol) and trial 2 (no-injection) in the elevated plus maze 24 h later, and disrupted alternation performance and some aspects of attention in the Y-maze.
Pretreatment with the kappa antagonist norBNI was anxiogenic in trial 1 (10 nmol) and trial 2 (no-injection) in the elevated plus maze 24 h later, and also disrupted alternation performance and some aspects of attention in the Y-maze.
The norBNI-10 nmol/pirenzepine-10 nmol mixed drug infusion was somewhat anxiogenic in trial 1, exerted no carry-over effects in trial 2 in the elevated plus maze, and disrupted alternation memory and some aspects of attention in the Y-maze.
The norBNI-5 nmol/pirenzepine-10 nmol drug mix had no effect on trial-1 or -2 anxiety measures in the elevated plus maze, yet also disrupted Y-maze spontaneous memory performance.
Conclusions: (1) The effects of IL infusions of norBNI or pirenzepine (10 nmol/0.5 µl) alone on anxiety-like behaviour and aversive learning and memory in the elevated plus-maze replicated previously reported data.
(2) Mixed M1/kappa receptor inhibition in the IL cortex exerted counteractive effects on anxiety-like behaviour and aversive learning in the elevated plus maze.
(3) Mixed M1/kappa receptor inhibition appeared to exert additive disruptive effects on alternation performance and aspects of attention related to active working memory in the Y-maze. | 27,923 |
Title:
Evaluation of glyph-based multivariate scalar volume visualization techniques
Abstract:
We present a user study quantifying the effectiveness of Scaled Data-Driven Spheres (SDDS), a multivariate three-dimensional data set visualization technique.
The user study compares SDDS, which uses separate sets of colored sphere glyphs to depict variable values, to superquadric glyphs, an alternative technique that maps all variable values to a single glyph.
User study participants performed tasks designed to measure their ability to estimate values of particular variables and identify relationships among variables.
Results from the study show that users were significantly more accurate and faster for both tasks under the SDDS condition. | 28,006 |
Title:
Comparison of Levetiracetam Dosing Regimens in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Intermittent Hemodialysis
Abstract:
Background: Levetiracetam (LEV) is primarily renally eliminated.
In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD), pharmacokinetic studies recommend daily dosing with 50% supplemental doses after 4-hour HD sessions.
However, poor medication adherence after HD could result in fluctuating plasma drug levels.
Objective: To compare two LEV dosing regimens, daily versus twice-daily (BID), in ESRD patients undergoing HD.
Methods: Consecutive ESRD patients (April 2013 to May 2014) receiving maintenance inpatient HD and prescribed LEV prior to admission to our academic tertiary hospital were prospectively analyzed.
Demographics, initial lab values, adverse reactions, seizures, and LEV regimens were recorded.
LEV levels were obtained pre-HD and post-HD along with levels after receiving post-HD doses.
Recovery of plasma levels after HD was assessed by comparison of levels predialysis versus postdialysis and post-HD doses.
Results: We identified 22 patients who met inclusion criteria; 14 BID and 8 dai... | 28,024 |
Title:
Rivastigmine in Chinese patients with subcortical vascular dementia
Abstract:
BACKGROUND ::: We explored the efficacy and tolerability of rivastigmine among Chinese patients with subcortical vascular dementia. ::: ::: ::: METHODS ::: Forty subjects were randomized to either placebo (n = 20) or rivastigmine (n = 20) in a double-blind 26-week trial.
Outcome measures were cognition (mini-mental state examination, frontal assessment battery), neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), instrumental activities of daily living, clinical dementia rating scale, and adverse events. ::: ::: ::: RESULTS ::: No statistical significant benefit could be observed in the active group in any of the efficacy measures.
A trend favoring active group was observed only in the NPI subscore of irritability (p = 0.066) and aberrant motor behavior (p = 0.068).
Withdrawal rate was 30% and 15% in the active and placebo group, respectively. ::: ::: ::: CONCLUSION ::: Among Chinese subcortical vascular dementia patients, there was no apparent cognitive benefit associated with use of rivastigmine over the 6 months period.
A trend favoring rivastigmine was observed in certain behavioral measures.
Rivastigmine was associated with more withdrawals relative to placebo. | 28,026 |
Title:
Effect of Nb on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, Corrosion Behavior, and Cytotoxicity of Ti-Nb Alloys
Abstract:
In this paper, the effects of Nb addition (5–20 wt %) on the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and cytotoxicity of Ti-Nb alloys were investigated with the aim of understanding the relationship between phase/microstructure and various properties of Ti-xNb alloys.
Phase/microstructure was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, and TEM.
The results indicated that the Ti-xNb alloys (x = 10, 15, and 20 wt %) were mainly composed of α + β phases with precipitation of the isothermal ω phase.
The volume percentage of the ω phase increased with increasing Nb content.
We also investigated the effects of the alloying element Nb on the mechanical properties (including Vickers hardness and elastic modulus), oxidation protection ability, and corrosion behavior of Ti-xNb binary alloys.
The mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Ti-xNb alloys were found to be sensitive to Nb content.
These experimental results indicated that the addition of Nb contributed to the hardening of cp-Ti and to the improvement of its oxidation resistance.
Electrochemical experiments showed that the Ti-xNb alloys exhibited superior corrosion resistance to that of cp-Ti.
The cytotoxicities of the Ti-xNb alloys were similar to that of pure titanium. | 28,051 |
Title:
Glucose Deficiency Elevates Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 2a Expression and Increases Seizure Susceptibility in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Abstract:
Brain hypometabolism is a common epilepsy-related finding in both patients and animal models.
Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography studies have shown that recurrent seizures lead to reduced glucose metabolism in certain brain regions, but no studies have definitively determined whether this induces epileptogenesis.
There is evidence that acid-sensing ion channel 2a (ASIC2a) affects epilepsy susceptibility.
Transcription factor CP2 (TFCP2) regulates ASIC2a expression.
We report that suppressed TFCP2 expression and elevated ASIC2a expression were associated with glucose hypometabolism in the hippocampi of humans with epilepsy and of rat epilepsy model brains.
In cultured PC12 cells, we determined that glucose deficiency led to TFCP2 downregulating ASIC2a.
Moreover, electrophysiological recordings from cultured rat hippocampal slices showed that ASIC2a overexpression resulted in more action potentials in CA1 pyramidal neurons and increased seizure susceptibility.
Our findings suggest that hippocampal glucose hypometabolism elevates ASIC2a expression by suppressing TFCP2 expression, which further enhances the intrinsic excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons and increases seizure susceptibility in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. | 28,066 |
Title:
Novel G-protein-coupled receptor gene expressed specifically in the entire neural tube of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis
Abstract:
We have cloned a newly identified gene, designated CiNut, C iona i ntestinalis neural-tube-specific gene.
CiNut shows weak similarity to known neural receptors such as adrenergic receptors.
Moreover, seven transmembrane domains are predicted based on its amino acid sequence.
Zygotic expression of CiNut starts at the gastrula stage, and is restricted to the entire neural tube in the neurula- and the tailbud-stage embryos.
CiNut is thus thought to be a novel G-protein-coupled receptor important for neural tube formation, and should provide a useful tool for the analysis of the molecular mechanism of neural tube formation. | 28,097 |
Title:
Ca(2+) and p38 MAP kinase regulate mAChR-mediated c-Fos expression in avian exocrine cells.
Abstract:
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in exocrine tissue from the avian nasal salt gland are coupled to phospholipase C and generate inositol phosphate and Ca(2+) signals upon activation.
An early effect of receptor activation in the secretory cells is a transient accumulation of c-Fos protein.
In cooperation with constitutively expressed Jun, Fos presumably serves as a transcription factor altering gene expression during cell growth and differentiation processes in the gland associated with adaptation to osmotic stress in animals.
Nothing is known, however, about the mAChR-dependent signaling pathways leading to Fos expression in these cells.
By incubation of isolated nasal gland tissue in short-term culture with activators or inhibitors of signaling pathways and quantitative Western blot analysis of Fos abundance, we have now identified the sustained elevation of the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and the activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase as intermediate signaling elements for the regulation of c-Fos by muscarinic receptor activation.
It is suggested that p38 MAP kinase, rather than exclusively mediating stress responses, is involved in the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation controlled by G protein-coupled receptors. | 28,121 |
Title:
Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup R in the Han population and recovery from septic encephalopathy
Abstract:
Purpose ::: To determine whether the main mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups of the Han people are associated with neurological recovery from septic encephalopathy. | 28,191 |
Title:
Cloning and characterization of thermostable esterase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus
Abstract:
Thermostable esterase gene was cloned (Est-AF) from extremophilic microorganisms, Archaeoglobus fulgidus DSM 4304.
The protein analysis result showed that Est-AF is monomer with total 247 amino acids and molecular weight of estimated 27.5 kDa.
It also showed repeating units G-X-S-X-G (GHSLG) (residues 86 approximately 90) which is reported as active site of known esterases, and the putative catalytic triad composed of Ser88, Asp198 and His226.
The esterase activity test with various acyl chain length of rho-nitrophenol resulted that Est-AF showed highest specific activity with rho-nitrophenylbutyrate (pNPC4) and rapidly decrease with rho-nitrophenyl ester contain more than 8 carbon chain.
These results represent that cloned enzyme is verified as a carboxylesterase but not a lipase because esterase activity is decreased with rho-nitrophenyl ester contains more than 8 carbon chains but lipase activity does not affected with carbon chain length.
Optimum temperature of esterase reaction with rho-nitrophenylbutyrate (pNPC4) was 80 degrees C. When ketoprofen ethyl ester was used as a substrate, activity of Est-AF showed the highest value at 70 degrees C, and 10% of activity still remains after 3 h of incubation at 90 degrees C. This result represents Est-AF has high thermostability with comparison of other esterases that have been reported.
However, Est-AF showed low enantioselectivity with ketoprofen ethyl ester.
Optimum pH of Est-AF is between pH 7.0 and pH 8.0.
Km value of ketoprofen ethyl ester is 1.6 mM and, Vmax is 1.7 micromole/mg protein/min.
Est-AF showed similar substrate affinity but slower reaction with ketoprofen ethyl ester compare with esterase from mesophilic strain P. fluorescens. | 28,256 |
Title:
Peroxynitrite Is a Key Mediator of the Cardioprotection Afforded by Ischemic Postconditioning In Vivo
Abstract:
Myocardial ischemic postconditioning (PosC) describes an acquired resistance to lethal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury afforded by brief episodes of I/R applied immediately after the ischemic insult.
Cardioprotection is conveyed by parallel signaling pathways converging to prevent mitochondria permeability transition.
Recent observations indicated that PostC is associated with free radicals generation, including nitric oxide (NO(.)) and superoxide (O2 (.-)), and that cardioprotection is abrogated by antioxidants.
Since NO. And O2 (. -) react to form peroxynitrite, we hypothesized that postC might trigger the formation of peroxyntrite to promote cardioprotection in vivo.
Rats were exposed to 45 min of myocardial ischemia followed by 3h reperfusion.
PostC (3 cycles of 30 seconds ischemia/30 seconds reperfusion) was applied at the end of index ischemia.
In a subgroup of rats, the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulphonatophenyl) porphyrinato iron (FeTPPS) was given intravenously (10 mg/kg(-1)) 5 minutes before PostC. Myocardial nitrotyrosine was determined as an index of peroxynitrite formation.
Infarct size (colorimetric technique and plasma creatine kinase-CK-levels) and left ventricle (LV) function (micro-tip pressure transducer), were determined.
A significant generation of 3-nitrotyrosine was detected just after the PostC manoeuvre.
PostC resulted in a marked reduction of infarct size, CK release and LV systolic dysfunction.
Treatment with FeTPPS before PostC abrogated the beneficial effects of PostC on myocardial infarct size and LV function.
Thus, peroxynitrite formed in the myocardium during PostC induces cardioprotective mechanisms improving both structural and functional integrity of the left ventricle exposed to ischemia and reperfusion in vivo. | 28,423 |
Title:
Physical, microscopic and chemical characterisation of industrial rye and wheat brans from the Nordic countries
Abstract:
Background: Epidemiological studies show inverse relationship between intake of wholegrain cereals and several chronic diseases.
Components and mechanisms behind possible protective effects of wholegrain cereals are poorly understood.
Objective: To characterise commercial rye bran preparations, compared to wheat bran, regarding structure and content of nutrients as well as a number of presumably bioactive compounds.
Design: Six different rye brans from Sweden, Denmark and Finland were analysed and compared with two wheat brans regarding colour, particle size distribution, microscopic structures and chemical composition including proximal components, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds.
Results: Rye brans were generally greener in colour and smaller in particle size than wheat brans.
The rye brans varied considerably in their starch content (13.2-28.3%), which reflected variable inclusion of the starchy endosperm.
Although rye and wheat brans contained comparable levels of total dietary fibre, they differed in the relative proportions of fibre components (i.e. arabinoxylan, b-glucan, cellulose, fructan and Klason lignin).
Generally, rye brans contained less cellulose and more b-glucan and fructan than wheat brans.
Within small variations, the rye and wheat brans were comparable regarding the contents of tocopherols/tocotrienols, total folate, sterols/stanols, phenolic acids and lignans.
Rye bran had less glycine betaine and more alkylresorcinols than wheat brans.
Conclusions: The observed variation in the chemical composition of industrially produced rye brans calls for the need of standardisation of this commodity, especially when used as a functional ingredient in foods.
Keywords: rye bran; microscopy; physical properties; proximate composition; vitamins; bioactive components (Published: 22 April 2009) Citation: Food & Nutrition Research 2009.
DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v53i0.1912 | 28,507 |
Title:
Comparative Studies Evaluating Mouse Models Used for Efficacy Testing of Experimental Drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Abstract:
Methodologies for preclinical animal model testing of drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis vary from laboratory to laboratory; however, it is unknown if these variations result in different outcomes.
Thus, a series of head-to-head comparisons of drug regimens in three commonly used mouse models (intravenous, a low-dose aerosol, and a high-dose aerosol infection model) and in two strains of mice are reported here.
Treatment with standard tuberculosis (TB) drugs resulted in similar efficacies in two mouse species after a low-dose aerosol infection.
When comparing the three different infection models, the efficacies in mice of rifampin and pyrazinamide were similar when administered with either isoniazid or moxifloxacin.
Relapse studies revealed that the standard drug regimen showed a significantly higher relapse rate than the moxifloxacin-containing regimen.
In fact, 4 months of the moxifloxacin-containing combination regimen showed similar relapse rates as 6 months of the standard regimen.
The intravenous model showed slower bactericidal killing kinetics with the combination regimens tested and a higher relapse of infection than either aerosol infection models.
All three models showed similar outcomes for in vivo efficacy and relapse of infection for the drug combinations tested, regardless of the mouse infection model used.
Efficacy data for the drug combinations used also showed similar results, regardless of the formulation used for rifampin or timing of the drugs administered in combination.
In all three infection models, the dual combination of rifampin and pyrazinamide was less sterilizing than the standard three-drug regimen, and therefore the results do not support the previously reported antagonism between standard TB agents. | 28,605 |
Title:
A Distributed Cotton Growth Model Developed from GOSSYM and Its Parameter Determination
Abstract:
Prediction of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production under a changing climate requires a coupled modeling system that represents climate–cotton interactions.
Th e existing cotton growth model GOSSYM has drawbacks that prohibit its eff ective coupling with climate models.
We developed a geographically distributed cotton growth model from the original GOSSYM and optimized it for coupling with the regional Climate–Weather Research Forecasting model (CWRF).
Th is included soft ware redesign, physics improvement, and parameter specifi cation for consistent coupling of CWRF and GOSSYM.
Th rough incorporation of the best available physical representations and observational estimates, the long list of inputs in the original GOSSYM was reduced to two parameters, the initial NO 3 amount in the top 2 m of soil and the ratio of irrigated water amount to potential evapotranspiration.
Th e geographic distributions of these two parameters are determined by optimization that minimizes model errors in simulating cotton yields.
Th e result shows that the redeveloped GOSSYM realistically reproduces the geographic distribution of mean cotton yields in 30-km grids, within ±10% of observations across most of the U.S. Cotton Belt, whereas the original GOSSYM overestimated yields by 27 to 135% at the state level and 92% overall.
Both models produced interannual yield variability with comparable magnitude; however, the temporal correspondence between modeled and observed interannual anomalies was much more realistic in the redeveloped than the original GOSSYM because signifi cant (P = 0.05) correlations were identifi ed in 87 and 40% of harvest grids, respectively.
Th e redeveloped GOSSYM provides a starting point for additional improvements and applications of the coupled CWRF–GOSSYM system to study climate–cotton interactions. | 28,636 |
Title:
Validation of the Fluorinated 2-Nitroimidazole SR-4554 as a Noninvasive Hypoxia Marker Detected by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Abstract:
Purpose: Tumor hypoxia is associated with poor prognosis and a more malignant tumor phenotype.
SR-4554, a fluorinated 2-nitroimidazole, is selectively bioreduced and bound in hypoxic cells.
We present validation studies of SR-4554 as a noninvasive hypoxia marker detected by fluorine-19 magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( 19 F MRS) in the P22 carcinosarcoma, a tumor with clinically relevant hypoxia levels.
Experimental Design: Tumor-bearing female severe combined immunodeficient mice received SR-4554 at 180 mg/kg.
Pharmacokinetic studies of parent SR-4554 in plasma and tumors were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography-UV.
Total SR-4554 (parent SR-4554 and bioreduction products) was monitored in tumor by 19 F MRS using a 4.7 T spectrometer, with continuous acquisition for up to 5 h. A parameter of total SR-4554 retention, the 3-h 19 F retention index ( 19 FRI) was determined.
Tumor pO 2 , assessed polarographically, was decreased (5 mg/kg hydralazine or 100 mg/kg combretastatin A-4 phosphate) or increased [1 l/min carbogen (5% CO 2 , 95% O 2 ) plus 500 mg/kg nicotinamide], and the corresponding 19 FRI was measured.
Results: Comparative HPLC-UV- and MRS-derived assessments of parent and total SR-4554, respectively, indicated that concentrations of total SR-4554 consistently exceeded parent SR-4554, the differential increasing with time.
This indicates formation and retention of SR-4554 bioreduction products in tumor, confirming the presence of hypoxia.
The 19 FRI was higher in hydralazine- and combretastatin-treated animals compared with unmodulated animals ( P = 0.004 and 0.15, respectively) and animals receiving carbogen and nicotinamide ( P = 0.0001 and 0.005, respectively).
Significant correlations were demonstrated between mean 19 FRI and polarographic pO 2 parameters ( P Conclusions: Retention of hypoxia-related SR-4554 bioreduction products can be detected in the clinically relevant P22 tumor by 19 F MRS, and the 19 FRI correlates with polarographically measured pO 2 .
These findings support the use of SR 4554 as a noninvasive hypoxia marker. | 28,696 |
Title:
Association of Hepatitis C Virus Infection with Type II Diabetes in Ethiopia: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study
Abstract:
Background.
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become the global “epidemic” with an estimated 123 million people currently infected worldwide.
As the same time diabetes is also rapidly emerging as a global health care problem that threatens to reach pandemic levels by 2030.
Objective.
To investigate the magnitude of HCV infection in type II diabetes as compared to controls.
Methodology.
A case control study design was conducted at Jimma University Specialized Hospital from May to June 2010.
A total of 604 study subjects were included in this study.
Sociodemographic and risk factor data were collected by questionnaire.
From serum sample, HCVAb screening was done by rapid antibody screening test.
Liver functioning tests and total cholesterol tests were done by Dr. Lange LP 800 spectrophotometer.
Results.
The prevalence of HCV in type II diabetes and nondiabetic controls was 9.9% and 3.3%, respectively.
In multivariate analysis, HCV seropositives have high risk of developing diabetes as compared with seronegatives (AOR = 2.997, 95% CI: (1.08, 8.315)).
Conclusion.
In this study, we found a positive association between past HCV infection and type II diabetes.
As we did not perform HCV RNA test, we could not assess the association with HCV viremia. | 28,789 |
Title:
Properties of the trochanteral hair plate and its function in the control of walking in the cockroach.
Abstract:
1. The physiological properties of the group of long hair sensilla of the trochanteral hair plate in the cockroach metathoracic leg were studied.
The sensilla were divided into type I and type II according to their responses to imposed displacements.
2. Type I hair sensilla responded to dynamic displacements whereas type II hair sensilla responded to both dynamic and static displacements.
The hair sensilla are normally excited by phasic flexion movements of the femur near the end of leg protraction.
3. Activity in the trochanteral hair plate afferents had a short latency excitatory effect on the motoneurone producing slow extension movements of the femur and an inhibitory effect on the femur flexor motoneurones.
4.
Removal of the trochanteral hair plate in one leg caused overstepping of that leg in a walking animal due to exaggerated flexion of the femur.
This change in leg movement can be explained by the removal of the inhibitory influence from the hair plate afferents to the femur flexor motoneurones.
5. We conclude that one function of the trochanteral hair plate is to limit femur flexion during a step cycle. | 29,085 |
Title:
Magnetic resonance imaging in the clinical diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE ::: To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the clinical diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). ::: ::: ::: BACKGROUND ::: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare neurodegenerative disease that belongs to the group of human spongiform encephalopathies and usually affects elderly people.
It is clinically characterized by rapidly progressive dementia and development of neurological symptoms, such as myoclonus or ataxia.
Until now, neuroradiologic investigations have only played a minor role in establishing the clinical diagnosis of CJD, and they are often performed to exclude differential diagnoses.
::: ::: ::: SETTING ::: A university hospital, base of the German National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Surveillance Study. ::: ::: ::: METHODS AND PATIENTS ::: In this study, MRIs from suspected cases of CJD were examined by one investigator blinded to the diagnosis.
Patients were classified according to the established clinical and neuropathological criteria. ::: ::: ::: RESULTS ::: Bilateral symmetric, high signal intensities on T2-weighted MRIs were present in the basal ganglia of 109 (67%) of 162 patients with CJD.
In the control group, which consisted of non-CJD dementia patients, these abnormalities on T2-weighted MRIs were found in 4 (7%) of 58 patients.
This corresponds to a high specificity in the differential diagnosis of CJD.
::: ::: ::: CONCLUSION ::: These results indicate that MRI is a useful and valuable tool with reasonable sensitivity (67%) and high specificity (93%) and should be considered as an additional cornerstone in the clinical diagnosis of CJD. | 29,086 |
Title:
Outbreak ofSerratia marcescensInfections following Injection of Betamethasone Compounded at a Community Pharmacy
Abstract:
Background.
In June 2001, following the report of 4 patients with Serratia marcescens meningitis who received epidural injections of betamethasone compounded at a community pharmacy, we initiated an outbreak investigation.
Methods.
All patients who received injections of betamethasone from the production lot common to the 4 patients were evaluated.
A case patient was defined as a patient who received compounded betamethasone and had S. marcescens isolated from a sterile site or clinical and laboratory evidence of infection.
We cultured all recovered betamethasone, environmental specimens from the pharmacy, and medications recovered from an ambulatory surgery center.
The California Board of Pharmacy reviewed the procedures used to prepare the betamethasone.
Results.
We identified 11 patients with culture-confirmed S. marcescens (8 patients) or clinical infection (3 patients) following injection of compounded betamethasone from 25 May through 31 May 2001.
Case patients had meningitis (5 patients, with 3 deaths), epidural abscesses (5 patients), or an infected hip (1 patient).
S. marcescens was isolated from 35 (69%) of 51 betamethasone vials recovered, from pharmacy specimens of 1% carboxymethylcellulose stock solution, from pharmacy surfaces, and from multiple parenteral materials used at the ambulatory surgery center.
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of S. marcescens isolates of representative specimens from patients, the betamethasone, the pharmacy, and the ambulatory surgery center were identical.
Deficient practices in compounding of betamethasone included inadequate autoclaving temperatures and failure to perform terminal sterilization.
Conclusions.
This outbreak of serious S. marcescens infection followed improper compounding of betamethasone in a community pharmacy.
Enforceable national standards for pharmaceutical compounding are needed to reduce the risk of such outbreaks. | 29,090 |
Title:
Induction of Cell Death in Growing Human T-Cells and Cell Survival in Resting Cells in Response to the Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Tax
Abstract:
Tax1 encoded by the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) has been believed to dysregulate the expression of cellular genes involved in cell survival and mortality, leading to the development of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL).
The function of Tax1 in ATL development however is still controversial, primarily because Tax1 induces cell cycle progression and apoptosis.
To systemically understand cell growth phase-dependent induction of cell survival or cell death by Tax1, we established a single experimental system using an interleukin 2 (IL-2)-dependent human T-cell line Kit 225 that can be forced into resting phase by IL-2 deprivation.
Introduction of Tax1 and HTLV-2 Tax (Tax2B) decreased mitochondrial activity alongside apoptosis in growing cells but not in resting cells.
Cell cycle profile analysis indicated that Tax1 and Tax2B were likely to perturb the S phase in growing cells.
Studies with Tax1 mutants and siRNA for NF-κB/RelA revealed that Tax1-mediated cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in growing Kit 225 cells depend on RelA. Interestingly, inactivation of the non-canonical NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways relieved Tax1-mediated apoptosis, suggesting that the Tax1-NF-κB-p38 MAPK axis may be associated with apoptosis in growing cells.
Inflammatory mediators such as CCL3 and CCL4, which are involved in oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), were induced by Tax1 and Tax2B in growing cells.
In contrast, RelA silencing in resting cells reduced mitochondrial activity, indicating that NF-κB/RelA is also critical for Tax1-mediated cell survival.
These findings suggest that Tax1-mediated cell survival and death depend on the cell growth phase.
Both effects of Tax1 may be implicated in the long latency of HTLV-1 infection. | 29,095 |
Title:
Treatment of steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease with daclizumab and etanercept
Abstract:
Steroid-resistant acute GVHD (aGVHD) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) continues to be associated with a high mortality.
We report the results of a phase II study of treatment of steroid-resistant aGVHD with the IL-2 receptor antibody daclizumab combined with the TNF-receptor fusion protein etanercept.
Treatment consisted of daclizumab 1 mg/kg given i.v.
on days 1, 4, 8, 15, 22 and etanercept 16 mg/m2 s.c.
on days 1, 5, 9, 13, 17.
A total of 21 patients (age 15–61 years) with steroid-resistant aGVHD after alloHSCT were included in the study.
Donor types were HLA-matched related (n=6), HLA-matched unrelated (n=14), and HLA-mismatched unrelated (n=1).
Eight patients achieved complete, and six showed partial remission of aGVHD.
Seven patients did not respond.
Four of 21 patients are currently alive with a median follow-up of 586 (185–1155) days.
Three patients died due to relapsed malignancy.
Treatment-related mortality was due to infectious complications (n=11) or organ failure due to aGVHD (n=3).
In total, 12 patients developed subsequent chronic GVHD.
In conclusion, the data demonstrate an acceptable response rate of the combination of daclizumab and etanercept in the treatment of steroid-resistant aGVHD.
Nevertheless, long-term mortality due to infectious complications and chronic GVHD remains high. | 29,100 |
Title:
Variation in rooting behavior of stem cuttings in relation to their origin in Taxus wallichiana Zucc.
Abstract:
The present study investigates optimal conditions for the vegetative propagation of Himalayan yew Taxus wallichiana Zucc., an important medicinal tree, during spring.
Effect of four treatments: (a) sex of donor plant (male and female), (b) age/type of shoot (1, 2, 3 year old, long and dwarf shoots), (c) auxin treatment (IBA and NAA at 0, 0.5, 1.25, 5.0 & 50.0 mM) and (d) rooting environment (raised beds/polythene bags) on percentage rooting in stem cuttings was studied.
Randomized complete block (RBD) designs were used for experimentation.
Rooting ability of cuttings was significantly influenced by all these treatments.
The overall rooting response was higher in long shoot cuttings taken from female tree.
Age of shoot also influenced the rooting response and was highest in 1 year old long shoot cuttings of female tree.
Exogenous application of auxin, α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and indole-3 butyric acid (IBA), had significant positive effect on the percentage rooting.
IBA significantly enhanced the rooting percentage in 1 year old long and dwarf shoots at lower doses and 2 and 3 year old long shoots from female tree at higher doses.
Maximum percent rooting (90% ± 2.8) was obtained with interactive effect of 0.5 mM, NAA (22 h) × 1 year old long shoot from female tree; followed by the interactive effect of 50 mM IBA (5 s) × 3 year old long shoot from female tree (83% ± 4.1).
Cuttings planted in soil: sand medium in polythene bags showed earlier rooting response (12 weeks) than cuttings planted in raised nursery beds (24 weeks).
Overall, the findings of this study suggest that 0.5 mM IBA treatment is suitable for enhancing adventitious rooting in 1 year old long and dwarf shoots of male and female trees.
IBA at higher doses is suitable for enhancing the rooting percentage of 2 and 3 year old long shoots from female tree.
This study provides a significant lead towards the development of a simple and inexpensive technique for large scale propagation, aforestation of elite genotypes and raising of bush type plantation under ex-situ conditions. | 29,104 |
Title:
Role of Docosahexaenoic Acid Treatment in Improving Liver Histology in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Abstract:
Introduction ::: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most important causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality in children.
Recently, we have reported the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the major dietary long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, in children with NAFLD.
DHA exerts a potent anti-inflammatory activity through the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)120.
Our aim was to investigate in pediatric NAFLD the mechanisms underlying the effects of DHA administration on histo-pathological aspects, GPR120 expression, hepatic progenitor cell activation and macrophage pool. | 29,130 |
Title:
A phase II open-label randomized study to assess the efficacy and safety of selumetinib (AZD6244 [ARRY-142886]) versus capecitabine in patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer who have failed first-line gemcitabine therapy
Abstract:
Selumetinib is a potent, selective MEK inhibitor with efficacy in several tumor models.
This study compared selumetinib with capecitabine in patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer who had been pretreated with a gemcitabine-based regimen.
In this randomized, multicenter phase II study (NCT00372944), patients received either 100 mg oral selumetinib twice daily or 1,250 mg/m2 oral capecitabine twice daily for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week break, given in 3-weekly cycles.
The primary endpoint was overall survival.
In all 70 patients were randomized.
The median survival was 5.4 months in the selumetinib group and 5.0 months in the capecitabine group (hazard ratio 1.03; two-sided 80% confidence interval = 0.68,1.57; P = 0.92).
Disease progression events occurred in 84% and 88% of patients in the selumetinib and capecitabine treatment groups, respectively.
Gastrointestinal adverse events (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) were commonly observed in both treatment groups.
Other frequently reported adverse events were acneiform dermatitis and peripheral edema with selumetinib, and palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia with capecitabine.
There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between selumetinib and capecitabine as second-line treatment in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Selumetinib was well tolerated with a manageable safety profile. | 29,237 |
Title:
Adsorption behavior of methyl orange onto an aluminum-based metal organic framework, MIL-68(Al).
Abstract:
MIL-68(Al), a powdered aluminum-based metal organic framework (MOF), was synthesized and used to explore its adsorption behavior toward methyl orange (MO).
The adsorption isotherm, thermodynamics, kinetics, and some key operating factors as well as changes in the material's structure were investigated.
The adsorption isotherm conformed to the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity was 341.30 mg g-1.
Thermodynamic data demonstrated that the adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic and showed positive entropy.
For kinetics, the process of MO adsorption onto MIL-68(Al) was more suitably described by a pseudo-second-order model.
Electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions contributed to dye adsorption, with electrostatic interactions considered to be the principal binding force between adsorbent and adsorbate.
Furthermore, MIL-68(Al) maintained a stable structure after adsorption.
From these results, MIL-68(Al) was suggested here to be a stable MOF adsorbent for removing MO from aqueous solution. | 29,293 |
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