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Retriever3200
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Nanoscale domain switching behaviour in polycrystalline ferroelectric thin films.
We report on the nanoscale domain switching behaviour in polycrystalline tetragonal perovskite lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ferroelectric thin films investigated via piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Local domain structures were imaged as a function of varying biasing conditions and spatial location of the tip within 50-100 nm sized grains. Nanoscale piezoresponse images provided direct visual evidence of the complex interplay between electrical and mechanical fields in a polycrystalline system, which causes effects such as correlated switching between the grain of interest and neighbouring grains, ferroelastic domain switching, inhomogeneous piezostrain profiles and domain pinning on very minute length scales. Detailed investigations on mechanisms which induce such domain behaviour are presented.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3201
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New species and record of Pseudonereis (Annelida, Polychaeta, Nereididae) from Taiwan.
Two new species and one new record species of the genus Pseudonereis are described from specimens collected from ecological surveys of coasts of Taiwan and an offshore island during the past 15 years: P. jihueiensis n. sp., P. kihawensis n. sp., and P. trimaculata. Epitokes of P. jihueiensis n. sp. and P. trimaculata are also described. Pseudonereis jihueiensis n. sp. can be distinguished from congeners by having edentate jaws, -shaped ridge pattern of Areas VIVVI, parapodial morphology (i.e., length ratio of dorsal cirrus to dorsal ligule or presence of small pennant-like dorsal ligule, shape of dorsal ligule in certain region of chaetigers), and no heterogomph spinigers in the subacicular fascicle of the neuropodia. Pseudonereis kihawensis n. sp. differs from congeners by having crescent-shaped pointed-bars in Area VI, -shaped ridge pattern of Areas VIVVI, parapodial morphology (i.e., length ratio of dorsal cirrus to dorsal ligule or presence of small pennant-like dorsal ligule or shape of dorsal ligule in certain region of chaetigers), and no heterogomph spinigers in the subacicular fascicle of the neuropodia. Pseudonereis trimaculata, a species originally described from Indonesia, is reported from Taiwan for the first time. A table of key characters for all species of Pseudonereis is provided.
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No pos
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Retriever3202
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Intelligent Supernovae Classification Systems in the KDUST context.
With the advent of large astronomical surveys plus multi-messenger astronomy, both automatic detection and classification of Type Ia supernovae have been addressed by different machine learning techniques. In this article we present three solutions aimed at the future spectrometer of the KDUST project, within a scope of benchmark, considering three different methodologies. The systems presented here are the following: CINTIA (based on hierarchical neural network architecture), SUZAN (which incorporates the solution known as fuzzy systems) and DANI (based on Deep Learning with Convolutional Neural Networks). The characteristics of the systems are presented and the benchmark is performed considering a data set containing 15.134 spectra. The best performance is obtained by the DANI architecture which provides 96% accuracy in the classification of Type Ia supernovae in relation to other spectral types.
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No pos
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Retriever3203
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Challenges of Rasthryia Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) in West Bengal, India: An exploratory study.
This study reviews the economic viability of the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), India's landmark health insurance program for below poverty line (BPL) populations in West Bengal state of India. It addresses the issue through in-depth analysis of literature, national and state level data, and a number of key stakeholder interviews. The study argues that the market failure conditions of this insurance model will continue to perpetuate losses for not only the state, but also for insurance companies, unless they adjust on a continuous basis for profit by raising the premium rate. This will further deplete state budgets for health care affecting the viability of the scheme in the long run.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3204
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Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 136 cases.
The clinicopathologic features of 136 gastrointestinal stromal tumors were analyzed. The tumors occurred in 60 women and 76 men, ranging in age from 19 to 88 years (median 59 years, mean 59.2 years). Sixty-one cases arose from stomach, 38 from small intestine and 11 from colon or rectum. Abdominal cavity was indicated as tumor site in 10 cases, but the extra-gastrointestinal origin using strict criteria was not proved. Four locally recurrent cases and 12 metastatic samples were also included. The primary and recurrent tumors ranged in size from 0.5 to 30 cm (mean 8.3 cm). The large number of high-grade cases (85 of 112 classifiable) is alarming and emphasize the importance of oncology care. Histologically, ninety-two cases were classified as spindle cell while 11 as epithelioid GIST. Mixed cellularity was seen in 33 cases. Skeinoid fibers were present in 14 and coagulation necrosis in 40 primary cases. Ulceration observed by microscopic examination was common (36 of 110 cases, 32.7%), explaining the clinically frequently observed gastrointestinal bleeding. Unusual histological features such as stromal hyalinization and nuclear palisading were present in 30 and 27 cases, respectively. Immunohistochemical CD117 (c-kit) positivity was documented in 133 cases. Three cases with CD117 negative results were included, because their morphology was most consistent with GIST and immunohistochemical reactions excluded the possibility of other neoplasms. CD34 positivity was seen in 70%, alpha-smooth muscle actin positivity in 39.6% of examined cases. Only one case showed desmin reactivity and seven had S100 positive tumor cells. For h-caldesmon 39 cases proved to be positive (60.9% of the tested cases).
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3205
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Interpersonal communication in the context of dementia.
The assessment of dementia draws, primarily, on measures of memory and language. However, dementia also affects interpersonal and social functioning. Therefore, objective assessment of interpersonal interaction may provide relevant and sensitive measures of the severity and type of dementia. We examined the vocal acoustics and interpersonal interactions of a group of patients with Parkinson's disease and mild to moderate dementia. Objective measures of performance during a semistructured interview correlated with clinical ratings made independently by a neurologist. Our findings indicate that dementia affects interpersonal abilities in specific ways that can be objectively measured using computer analyses of speech patterns.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3206
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Predicting Kyphosis Correction During Posterior-Only Vertebral Column Resection by the Amount of Spinal Column Shortening.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between the amount of correction achieved (K°) and extent of vertebral column shortening (mm) with posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR).
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
There is no scientific reference to the correlation between K° and column shortening (mm) with PVCR.
METHODS
Based on simple geometry, we tested the hypothesis that we could predict the amount of actual kyphosis correction (K°) by calculation on 26 kyphotic PVCR patients. Using multiple linear measurements (mm), two angular approximations (°) were calculated: the geometric approximation (G°) using the geometric calculation (G-cal), and the rough approximation (R°) by more simplistic calculation (R-cal). Both G° and R° were compared against K° as measured on the pre- and postoperative radiographs. If calculated G° and R° is close to measured K°, we can use the calculations (G-cal and R-cal) in the clinical situation.
RESULTS
The mean correction of K° was 38°. K°-G° and K°-R° were not significantly greater than 3° and 6°, respectively. As K° was very close to G° and R°, K° can replace G° and R°. Therefore, we can use G-cal and R-cal in the clinical setting and we can determine how much posterior shortening and what cage size is required to obtain a certain amount of K°.
CONCLUSIONS
With two calculations (G-cal & R-cal), we can determine how much vertebral column shortening (mm) we need during PVCR to obtain the amount of kyphosis correction desired (K°). In order to obtain K°, using the formula deduced from G-cal and R-cal, we can determine the shortening between the upper and lower pedicle screws and cage size.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3207
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Antimicrobial usage in cattle and poultry production in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: pattern and quantity.
BACKGROUND
Antimicrobials are extensively used in cattle and poultry production in Tanzania. However, there is dearth of information on its quantitative use. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September 2019 in randomly selected poultry and small-scale dairy farms, in three districts of Dar es Salaam City eastern, Tanzania, to assess the practice and quantify antimicrobial use. Descriptive and statistical analyses were performed at a confidence interval of 95%. The ratio of Used Daily Dose (UDD) and Defined Daily Dose (DDD) were used to determine whether the antimicrobial was overdosed or under dosed.
RESULTS
A total of 51 poultry and 65 small-scale dairy farms were involved in the study. The route of antimicrobial administration was 98% orally via drinking water and 2% in feeds for poultry and for small-scale dairy farms, all through parenteral route. Seventeen types of antimicrobials comprising seven classes were recorded in poultry farms while nine belonging to six classes in the small dairy farms. Majority of the farms (poultry, 87.7% and small scale dairy, 84.3%) used antimicrobials for therapeutic purposes. About 41% of the poultry and one third (34%) of the dairy farmers' were not compliant to the drug withdrawal periods. Beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, sulphonamides, tetracyclines and macrolides were the commonly used antimicrobials on these farms. In the poultry farms both those with records and those which relied on recall, antimicrobials were overdosed whereas in the small dairy farms, sulfadimidine, oxytetracycline and neomycin were within the appropriate dosing range (0.8-1.2). The majority (58.6%) of farmers had adequate level of practices (favorable) regarding antimicrobial use in cattle and poultry production. This was associated with the age and level of education of the cattle and poultry farmers.
CONCLUSION
The study revealed a widespread misuse of antimicrobials of different types and classes in both poultry and small-scale dairy farming in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This result gives insight into the antimicrobial use practices and its quantification. The information obtained can guide and promote prudent use of antimicrobials among the farmers by developing mitigate strategies that reduce antimicrobial resistance risk potentials.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3208
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Dermopathy of Graves' disease (pretibial myxedema): long-term outcome.
Little is known about the long-term outcome of patients with thyroid dermopathy, an extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease. Also, it is not known to what degree treatment promotes remission of the lesions. The present report supplies information on the natural course of mild, untreated and severe, treated thyroid dermopathy. In this study, we report on the outcomes of 178 patients seen at our institution between January 1969 and November 1995 with thyroid dermopathy who were followed up for an average of 7.9 yr. Nonpitting edema was the most prevalent form of dermopathy (43.3%), and the pretibial area was the region most commonly involved (99.4%). The majority of patients with dermopathy had ophthalmopathy (97.0%). Topical corticosteroids were the most commonly used treatment (53.9%). Patients with milder forms of dermopathy (40.4%) did not receive any therapy for dermopathy. Twenty-six percent of the patients experienced complete remission, 24.2% had moderate improvement (partial remission), and 50.0% had no or minimal improvement of their dermopathy at last follow-up. Patients who did not receive therapy experienced a significantly (P = 0.03) higher rate of complete remission (34.7%) than those who received local therapy (18.7%), although the combined complete and partial remission rates were not significantly different for the treated and untreated groups (P = 0.3). However, the treated and untreated groups were not comparable because our practice is to use therapy for more extensive and severe cases. All five cases of elephantiasis were in the treatment group and were less likely to have remission because of the severity of their skin condition. Patients receiving treatment were more likely to have dermatologic consultation and histologic diagnosis (P < 0.001). The beneficial effect of topical corticosteroid therapy on long-term remission rates remains to be determined.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3209
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Hepatitis C virus-mediated inhibition of cathepsin S increases invariant-chain expression on hepatocyte surface.
Hepatocytes are the main source of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and contain the maximum viral load in an infected person. Chronic HCV infection is characterized by weak cellular immune responses to viral proteins. Cathepsin S is a lysosomal cysteine protease and controls HLA-DR-antigen complex presentation through the degradation of the invariant chain. In this study, we examined the effect of HCV proteins on cathepsin S expression and found it to be markedly decreased in dendritic cells (DCs) exposed to HCV or in hepatocytes expressing HCV proteins. The downregulation of cathepsin S was mediated by HCV core and NS5A proteins involving inhibition of the transcription factors interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) and upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF-1) in gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-treated hepatocytes. Inhibition of cathepsin S by HCV proteins increased cell surface expression of the invariant chain. In addition, hepatocytes stably transfected with HCV core or NS5A inhibited HLA-DR expression. Together, these results suggested that HCV has an inhibitory role on cathepsin S-mediated major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II maturation, which may contribute to weak immunogenicity of viral antigens in chronically infected humans.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3210
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Work load and individual factors affecting work ability among aging municipal employees.
The effects of work stressors, individual characteristics, symptoms, and diseases on work ability were studied among 4255 municipal employees. Work ability was assessed by a work ability index in two cross-sectional inquiries, one in 1981 and the other in 1985. The most impairing for work ability were mental symptoms and musculoskeletal disease. Among the work stressors, high physical demands at work, poor physical work environment, and lack of freedom were associated with impaired work ability. Muscular work, disturbing temperatures at the workplace, and lack of freedom particularly affected employees with disease, whereas poor work postures and role conflicts at work were particularly injurious for healthy employees. The worst situation was observed when a worker with many symptoms and disease was exposed to many different work stressors. Life satisfaction, sitting work posture, a good basic education, and physical exercise during leisure time were associated with good work ability.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3211
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Small group discussion: Students perspectives.
CONTEXT
Various alternative methods are being used in many medical colleges to reinforce didactic lectures in physiology. Small group teaching can take on a variety of different tasks such as problem-solving, role play, discussions, brainstorming, and debate. Research has demonstrated that group discussion promotes greater synthesis and retention of materials.
AIMS
The aims of this study were to adopt a problem-solving approach by relating basic sciences with the clinical scenario through self-learning. To develop soft skills, to understand principles of group dynamics, and adopt a new teaching learning methodology.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Experimental study design was conducted in Phase I 1(st) year medical students of 2014-2015 batch (n = 120). On the day of the session, the students were grouped into small groups (15 each). The session started with the facilitator starting off the discussion. Feedback forms from five students in each group was taken (n = 40). A five point Likert scale was used ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.
RESULTS
Our results show that 70% of the students opined that small group discussion were interactive, friendly, innovative, built interaction between teacher and student. Small group discussion increased their thought process and helped them in better communication.
CONCLUSIONS
The small group discussion was interactive, friendly, and bridged the gap between the teacher and student. The student's communication skills are also improved. In conclusion, small group discussion is more effective than the traditional teaching methods.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3212
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Formation and plasmonic response of self-assembled layers of colloidal gold nanorods and branched gold nanoparticles.
The plasmonic properties of self-assembled layers of rod- and branched-shaped gold nanoparticles were investigated using optical techniques. Nanoparticles were synthesized by a surfactant-guided, seed-mediated growth method. The layers were obtained by gradual assembly of nanoparticles at the interface between a polar and a nonpolar solvent and were transferred to a glass slide. Polarization and angle-dependent extinction measurements showed that the layers made of gold nanorods were governed by an effective medium response. The response of the layers made by branched gold particles was characterized by random light scattering. Microscopic mapping of the spatial mode structure demonstrates a uniform optical response of the nanoparticle layers down to a submicrometer length scale.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3213
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A survival guide to HER2 testing in gastric/gastroesophageal junction carcinoma.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status determines gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinomas that benefit from targeted therapy; hence, HER2 testing has become a routine practice. Accurate HER2 testing is fundamental to select eligible patients who will benefit from HER2-targeted treatment. The reported HER2-positive rate in gastric/GEJ cancers ranges from 4.4% to 53.4%, and HER2-positive tumors are considered to have more-aggressive biologic behavior and tumor recurrence. Main modalities of HER2 testing in clinical practice include immunohistochemistry (IHC) for protein expression and in situ hybridization (ISH) for gene amplification. Many technical pitfalls affect the accuracy of HER2 result. Additionally, several issues in HER2 testing are related to the tumor biology, sample selection, interpretation of IHC and ISH results, and confirming HER2 status. Therefore, gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma-specific HER2 testing protocols have been developed and standardized to minimize the impact of these preanalytical and analytical factors and to enhance reproducibility of HER2 testing results. This review provides up-to-date practical guidance to clinicians on accurate HER2 testing and interpretation of results in gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3214
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Recombinant expression and purification of the RNA-binding LARP6 proteins from fish genetic model organisms.
The RNA-binding proteins that comprise the La-related protein (LARP) superfamily have been implicated in a wide range of cellular functions, from tRNA maturation to regulation of protein synthesis. To more expansively characterize the biological function of the LARP6 subfamily, we have recombinantly expressed the full-length LARP6 proteins from two teleost fish, platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) and zebrafish (Danio rerio). The yields of the recombinant proteins were enhanced to >2 mg/L using a tandem approach of an N-terminal His6-SUMO tag and an iterative solubility screening assay to identify structurally stabilizing buffer components. The domain topologies of the purified fish proteins were probed with limited proteolysis. The fish proteins contain an internal, protease-resistant 40 kDa domain, which is considerably more stable than the comparable domain from the human LARP6 protein. The fish proteins are therefore a lucrative model system in which to study both the evolutionary divergence of this family of La-related proteins and the structure and conformational dynamics of the domains that comprise the LARP6 protein.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3215
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Community health workers providing asthma education.
Objectives: Children living in urban areas experience disproportionate rates of asthma. Substandard housing conditions in some urban areas contribute to greater exposure to household asthma triggers. This article examines the geographic connection between pediatric asthma and substandard housing in one mid-sized city in Pennsylvania and the effectiveness of a home-based Community Health Worker (CHW) intervention targeted at this high-risk area to improve families' abilities to manage their children's asthma.Methods: The CHWs provided education and resources to families of children diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe persistent asthma. A pre and post-test design was implemented to evaluate if the CHW intervention improved the family's ability to successfully manage their child's asthma. Eighty-one patients completed the program over a six-month period.Results: Results showed significant improvements in the areas of asthma knowledge, fewer missed days of school, fewer days with asthma symptoms, reduction in wheezing and fewer sleep disturbances. There was also a significant decrease in the number of Emergency Department visits and hospital days.Conclusions: By teaching asthma management skills and by addressing in-home triggers, home-based CHW led interventions can be an affordable and effective way for caregivers and children with asthma to improve asthma management.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3216
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Degradation of diclofenac and 4-chlorobenzoic acid in aqueous solution by cold atmospheric plasma source.
In this study, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) was explored as a novel advanced oxidation process (AOP) for water decontamination. Samples with high concentration aqueous solutions of Diclofenac sodium (DCF) and 4-Chlorobenzoic acid (pCBA) were treated by plasma systems. Atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) with a 1 pin-electrode and multi-needle electrodes (3 pins) configurations were used. The plasma generated using argon as working gas was touching a stationary liquid surface in the case of pin electrode-APPJ while for multi-needle electrodes-APPJ the liquid sample was flowing during treatment. In both configurations, a commercial RF power supply was used for plasma ignition. Measurement of electrical signals enabled precise determination of power delivered from the plasma to the sample. The optical emission spectroscopy (OES) of plasma confirmed the appearance of excited reactive species in the plasma, such as hydroxyl radicals and atomic oxygen which are considered to be key reactive species in AOPs for the degradation of organic pollutants. Treatments were conducted with two different volumes (5 mL and 250 mL) of contaminated water samples. The data acquired allowed calculation of degradation efficiency and energy yield for both plasma sources. When treated with pin-APPJ, almost complete degradation of 5 mL DCF occurred in 1 min with the initial concentration of 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L, whereas 5 mL pCBA almost degraded in 10 min at the initial concentration of 25 mg/L and 40 mg/L. The treatment results with multi-needle electrodes system confirmed that DCF almost completely degraded in 30 min and pCBA degraded about 24 % in 50 min. The maximum calculated energy yield for 50 % removal was 6465 mg/kWh after treatment of 250 ml of DCF aqueous solution utilizing the plasma recirculation technique. The measurements also provided an insight to the kinetics of DCF and pCBA degradation. Degradation products and pathways for DCF were determined using LC-MS measurements.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3217
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Glomerulopressin production by isolated rat liver after amino acid infusion.
The infusion of certain amino acids, such as serine, alanine, and proline (SAP), has been shown to increase the glomerular filtration rate, whereas branched chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, and valine fail to modify the glomerular filtration rate. It has been suggested that this effect of amino acids on the glomerular filtration rate is mediated by the action of the hormone glomerulopressin. The purpose of this work was to study the action of SAP and BCAA on glomerulopressin production. Livers isolated from rats were perfused with (i) Krebs-Ringer-Bicarbonate, (ii) SAP, or (iii) BCAA. Results indicate that glomerulopressin production is stimulated by SAP, but inhibited by BCAA.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3218
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[ROLE OF SLC2A9 AND ABCG2 GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN ORIGIN OF HYPERURICEMIA AND GOUT].
The polymorphisms V253I, Q126X, Q141K of SLC2A9 and ABCG2 genes were characterized. GCA и GTC haplotypes of Q126X and Q141K variants can be predictors of gout. The relationship of these polymorphisms with hyperuricaemia according to gender, metabolic syndrome components, with the response to allopurinol was analyzed. It has been established that Q141K polymorphism can directly modulate BCRP-mediated allopurinol and oxypurinol efflux, the K allele is associated with a lower reduction in serum uric acid in response to allopurinol treatment.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3219
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Structural basis for the in vitro efficacy of nirmatrelvir against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a public health threat with emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2. Nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332) is a reversible, covalent inhibitor targeting the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 and the active protease inhibitor in PAXLOVID (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets). However, the efficacy of nirmatrelvir is underdetermined against evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we evaluated the in vitro catalytic activity and potency of nirmatrelvir against the Mpro of prevalent variants of concern (VOCs) or variants of interest (VOIs): Alpha (α, B.1.1.7), Beta (β, B.1.351), Delta (δ, B1.617.2), Gamma (γ, P.1), Lambda (λ, B.1.1.1.37/C37), Omicron (ο, B.1.1.529), as well as the original Washington or wildtype strain. These VOCs/VOIs carry prevalent mutations at varying frequencies in the Mpro specifically for α, β, γ (K90R), λ (G15S), and ο (P132H). In vitro biochemical enzymatic assay characterization of the enzyme kinetics of the mutant Mpros demonstrates that they are catalytically comparable to wildtype. We found that nirmatrelvir has similar potency against each mutant Mpro including P132H that is observed in the Omicron variant with a Ki of 0.635 nM as compared to a Ki of 0.933 nM for wildtype. The molecular basis for these observations were provided by solution-phase structural dynamics and structural determination of nirmatrelvir bound to the ο, λ, and β Mpro at 1.63 to 2.09 Å resolution. These in vitro data suggest that PAXLOVID has the potential to maintain plasma concentrations of nirmatrelvir many-fold times higher than the amount required to stop the SARS-CoV-2 VOC/VOI, including Omicron, from replicating in cells.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3220
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Development of Acoustic Emission Sensor Optimized for Partial Discharge Monitoring in Power Transformers.
The acoustic emission (AE) technique is one of the unconventional methods of partial discharges (PD) detection. It plays a particularly important role in oil-filled power transformers diagnostics because it enables the detection and online monitoring of PDs as well as localization of their sources. The performance of this technique highly depends on measurement system configuration but mostly on the type of applied AE sensor. The paper presents, in detail, the design and manufacturing stages of an ultrasensitive AE sensor optimized for partial discharge detection in power transformers. The design assumptions were formulated based on extensive laboratory research, which allowed for the identification of dominant acoustic frequencies emitted by partial discharges in oil-paper insulation. The Krimholtz-Leedom-Matthaei (KLM) model was used to iteratively find optimal material and geometric properties of the main structures of the prototype AE sensor. It has two sensing elements with opposite polarization direction and different heights. The fully differential design allowed to obtain the desired properties of the transducer, i.e., a two-resonant (68 kHz and 90 kHz) and wide (30‒100 kHz) frequency response curve, high peak sensitivity (-61.1 dB ref. V/µbar), and low noise. The laboratory tests confirmed that the prototype transducer is characterized by ultrahigh sensitivity of partial discharge detection. Compared to commonly used commercial AE sensors, the average amplitude of PD pulses registered with the prototype sensor was a minimum of 5.2 dB higher, and a maximum of 19.8 dB higher.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3221
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Care Needs of Parents of Children With Cancer in a Low-Middle-Income Country.
Background: Mapping out actual supportive care needs assists nurses in providing holistic individualized care. This study aimed to explore the care needs of parents of children with cancer in the Philippines. Method: Guided by the Supportive Care Needs Framework (SCNF), this study used an embedded mixed-method design with the quantitative revised Cancer Patient Needs Questionnaire and qualitative semistructured interviews to describe parents' care needs and priorities. Results: Filipino parents (N = 156) of children with cancer have various care needs which could be classified along the SCNF categories-practical, informational, spiritual, physical, emotional, and physical needs as ranked from highest to lowest. A number of variables were significantly associated with care needs. Solid tumor diagnosis was associated with greater practical, emotional, and psychosocial care needs; having a child who had undergone surgery was associated with more practical and spiritual care needs; and being within one year of the child's diagnosis was associated with practical, psychosocial, and spiritual care needs. Parent priority needs included (a) addressing financial needs; (b) access to temporary housing to minimize treatment-related costs; (c) support groups among parents of children with cancer as a source of information; (d) financial and social support between members of family and partners of parents of children with cancer; and (e) using prayer to facilitate acceptance. Conclusions: Supportive care needs of parents of children with cancer are important components of care that should be given recognition to enhance holistic individualized care throughout the childhood cancer experience.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3222
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Effect of pre-treatments on hydrolysis and methane production potentials of by-products from meat-processing industry.
In this study, the effect of five pre-treatments (thermal, ultrasound, acid, base and bacterial product) on hydrolysis and methane production potentials of four by-products from meat-processing industry was studied. The bacterial product Liquid Certizyme 5 increased soluble chemical oxygen demand (CODsol) of digestive tract content and drumsieve waste the most as compared to untreated material (62 and 96%, respectively), while ultrasound was the most effective to increase CODsol with dissolved air flotation (DAF) sludge (88%) and grease trap sludge (188%). In batch experiments, thermal treatment increased methane production potential of drumsieve waste, acid of grease trap sludge and all pre-treatments of DAF sludge. However, with all other pre-treatments, methane production potential was decreased compared to untreated materials, apparently due to inhibition by hydrolysis products and/or possible re-crystallization of some compounds. Methane production potentials from the untreated materials were as follows: digestive tract content 400+/-50m(3)CH(4)/t volatile solids (VS)(added), drumsieve waste 230+/-20m(3)CH(4)/tVS(added), DAF sludge 340+/-17m(3)CH(4)/tVS(added) and grease trap sludge 900+/-44m(3)CH(4)/tVS(added).
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3223
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Genetic and environmental influences on adult life outcomes: evidence from the Texas Adoption Project.
A short mail questionnaire was sent to individuals, now adults, who had been studied over 30 years ago as children in the Texas Adoption Project. Their parents and (in many cases) siblings also described them using the same questionnaire, and the parents described themselves as well. The questionnaire was designed to obtain information about educational, occupational, and marital outcomes, as well as adult problems and personality. Results were obtained for 324 adopted and 142 biological children from the original 300 families, and for 266 parents. Although both the adopted and biological offsprings' outcomes were generally positive, those for the adopted offspring were somewhat less so. Biologically related family members tended to be more similar in their life outcomes than biologically unrelated family members, suggesting that genes were playing an important role.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3224
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Contribution of Macrophages and T Cells in Skeletal Metastasis.
Bone is a common site for metastases with a local microenvironment that is highly conducive for tumor establishment and growth. The bone marrow is replete with myeloid and lymphoid linage cells that provide a fertile niche for metastatic cancer cells promoting their survival and growth. Here, we discuss the role of macrophages and T cells in pro- and anti-tumoral mechanisms, their interaction to support cancer cell growth, and their contribution to the development of skeletal metastases. Importantly, immunotherapeutic strategies targeting macrophages and T cells in cancer are also discussed in this review as they represent a great promise for patients suffering from incurable bone metastases.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3225
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Chemical constituents of an unacceptable crucifer,Erysimum cheiranthoides, deter feeding byPieris rapae.
The wild cruciferErysimum cheiranthoides was found to contain extractable constituents that deterred feeding by larvae of the crucifer specialistPieris rapae when applied to cabbage leaf disks in both choice and nochoice bioassays. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to separate the extract into several fractions, two of which retained the feeding deterrent activity of the extract. UV-absorption spectra of the fractions suggested that one contained cardenolides similar or identical to those reported to deter oviposition byP. rapae onE. cheiranthoides. The other active fraction evidently contains a compound that deters larval feeding but not adult oviposition. The results suggest that the chemical defense ofE. cheiranthoides depends on two types of compounds acting on separate developmental stages of the insect.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3226
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[A hygienic basis for dosing the injection of coal flotation wastes into the soil as a fertilizer].
Hygienic regulations for the use of coal flotation wastes (CFW) as fertilizers were substantiated by studying the laws of migration of harmful ingredients of CFW from the fertilized soil to the contacting media. The safe doze of CFW to be used as a fertilizer was determined to be 3 g per 1 kg of soil (10 t/ha).
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3227
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Extracellular matrix alterations in conventional renal cell carcinomas by tissue microarray profiling influenced by the persistent, long-term, low-dose ionizing radiation exposure in humans.
The present study was carried out in order to examine molecular alterations of extracellular matrix (ECM), associated with cell-cell communication in conventional (clear-cell) renal cell carcinomas (cRCCs) influenced by persistent long-term, low-dose ionizing radiation (IR) exposure to patients living more than 19 years after the Chernobyl accident in Cesium 137 (137Cs)-contaminated areas of Ukraine. The ECM major components such as fibronectin, laminin, E-cadherin/beta-catenin complexes and p53 tumor suppressor gene protein, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) were immunohistochemically (IHC) evaluated in cRCCs from 59 Ukrainian patients, which represented 18 patients living in non-contaminated areas and 41 patients from 137Cs-contaminated areas. In contrast, a control group of 19 Spanish patients with analogue tumors were also investigated. For IHC evaluation, a tissue microarray technique was used. Decrease or loss and abnormal distribution of fibronectin, laminin, E-cadherin/beta-catenin complexes accompanied by elevated levels of p53 and TGF-beta1 were detected in the Ukrainian cRCCs from 137Cs-contaminated areas with statistically significant differences. Thus, our study suggests that chronic long-term, low-dose IR exposure might result in global remodeling of ECM components of the cRCCs with disruption in peri-epithelial stroma and epithelial basement membranes.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3228
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Patient with dup(5)(q35.2-q35.3) reciprocal to the common Sotos syndrome deletion and review of the literature.
The recent implementation of array techniques in research and clinical practice has revealed the existence of recurrent reciprocal deletions and duplications in several genome loci. The most intriguing feature is that some reciprocal genomic events can result in opposite phenotypic outcome. One of such examples is 5q35.2-q35.3. Deletions in this locus lead to Sotos syndrome characterized by childhood overgrowth with advanced bone age, craniofacial dysmorphic features including macrocephaly, and learning difficulties; while duplications have been proposed to manifest in opposite phenotype related to growth. Here, we report a patient with 5q35.2-q35.3 duplication and compare her clinical phenotype with five previously described cases. Short stature since the birth, microcephaly, brachydactyly, delayed bone age, mild to moderate intellectual disability and mild facial dysmorphism seem to be characteristic features of 5q35.2-q35.3 duplication.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3229
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Complete sequencing of an IncX3 plasmid carrying blaNDM-5 allele reveals an early stage in the dissemination of the blaNDM gene.
PURPOSE
The aim of the present study was to perform molecular characterisation of the blaNDM plasmids and to understand the mechanism of its spread among pathogenic bacteria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seventy-six non-repetitive carbapenem-resistant isolates which were collected during Nov 2011 to April 2013 from four hospitals in Chennai were analyzed for the presence of the blaNDM gene by PCR. Further, the genetic context of the blaNDM gene was analyzed by PCR specific to ISAba125 and bleMBL gene. One of the blaNDM plasmid was completely sequenced in the Illumina HiSeq platform.
RESULTS
Twenty-three isolates consisting of 8 Escherichia coli, 8 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 3 Klebsiella oxytoca, 3 Acinetobacter baumanii and 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to carry the blaNDM gene. In 18 isolates the blaNDM gene was associated with a bleMBL gene and the ISAba125 element. The complete sequencing of pNDM-MGR194 revealed an IncX3 replication type plasmid, with a length of 46,253 bp, an average GC content of 47% and 59 putative ORFs. The iteron region contained the blaNDM5 gene and the bleMBL , trpF and dsbC genes downstream and an IS5 inserted within the ISAba125 element upstream.
CONCLUSION
This is the first report where the blaNDM gene insertion in a plasmid is not accompanied by other resistance gene determinants. These observations suggest that the IncX3 plasmid pNDM-MGR194 is an early stage in the dissemination of the blaNDM .
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3230
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Metabolic bone diseases in sickle cell anemia patients and evaluation of associated factors.
BACKGROUND
Metabolic or non-metabolic many bone diseases can be distinguished in sickle cell anemia. Patients with sickle cell anemia have a high risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to reveal bone mineral density abnormalities and related factors in patients with sickle cell anemia.
METHODS
A total of 70 patients with sickle cell anemia were retrospectively included in our study. Complete blood count (CBC) parameters, serum creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, alkaline phosphatase, 25 (OH) vitamin D, ferritin, C reactive protein (CRP) and calculated bone mineral densitometry measurements by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) were assessed and recorded to the statistics program. We diagnosed osteopenia and osteoporosis according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. To determine the status of avascular necrosis and bone fracture, we examined x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging reports and epicrisis reports of patients from the records.
RESULTS
The average age was 30.01 ± 8.64 years. Eighteen (26.5%) of the 68 patients whose Z-score was evaluated by DEXA had bone mass below the expected age-related range according to the Z score, while 50 (73.5%) had bone mass within the expected age-related range. Of the patients whose T score was evaluated by DEXA, 46.8% were normal (n=29), 45.1% were osteopenic (n=28) and 8.1% were osteoporotic (n=5).
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with sickle cell anemia are at increased risk for osteoporosis, osteopenia, and osteomalacia. Bone health should be emphasized in these patients.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3231
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Getting drowsy? Alert/nonalert transitions and visual thalamocortical network dynamics.
The effects of different EEG brain states on spontaneous firing of cortical populations are not well understood. Such state shifts may occur frequently under natural conditions, and baseline firing patterns can impact neural coding (e.g., signal-to-noise ratios, sparseness of coding). Here, we examine the effects of spontaneous transitions from alert to nonalert awake EEG states in the rabbit visual cortex (5 s before and after the state-shifts). In layer 4, we examined putative spiny neurons and fast-spike GABAergic interneurons; in layer 5, we examined corticotectal neurons. We also examined the behavior of retinotopically aligned dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) neurons, usually recorded simultaneously with the above cortical populations. Despite markedly reduced firing and sharply increased bursting in the LGNd neurons following the transition to the nonalert state, little change occurred in the spiny neurons of layer 4. However, fast-spike neurons of layer 4 showed a paradoxical increase in firing rates as thalamic drive decreased in the nonalert state, even though some of these cells received potent monosynaptic input from the same LGNd neurons whose rates were reduced. The firing rates of corticotectal neurons of layer 5, similarly to spiny cells of layer 4, were not state-dependent, but these cells did become more bursty in the nonalert state, as did the fast-spike cells. These results show that spontaneous firing rates of midlayer spiny populations are remarkably conserved following the shift from alert to nonalert states, despite marked reductions in excitatory thalamic drive and increased activity in local fast-spike inhibitory interneurons.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3232
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Regulation of prothrombin, thrombin receptor, and protease nexin-1 expression during development and after denervation in muscle.
Prothrombin, thrombin receptor (ThR), and protease nexin-1 (PN-1) mRNA levels in mouse muscle were quantified using competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction during development and after denervation to examine the possible role of thrombin in activity-dependent synapse elimination at the neuromuscular junction. The results showed that the levels of prothrombin and ThR were maximal at birth and decreased by two orders of magnitude by postnatal day 20 (P20). The level of PN-1 mRNA was fairly constant during development except for a 4-fold to 5-fold downregulation at P10 and P15, the periods of maximal synapse elimination at the rodent neuromuscular junction. The expression of prothrombin mRNA in muscle at birth was 41-fold and 22-fold lower than those of ThR and PN-1, respectively, and the level of difference between prothrombin and PN-1 reached almost three orders of magnitude at adulthood. Denervation of adult muscle resulted in a reversal of the relative expression levels of the three genes. There were rapid 8-fold and 10-fold increases in prothrombin and ThR mRNA, respectively, and a 2-fold decrease in PN-1 mRNA. The changes in mRNA levels of the three genes after denervation indicated that these genes were regulated in a innervation-dependent manner and that nerve activity may play an important regulatory role in the expression of prothrombin, ThR, and PN-1. The concurrent regulation of prothrombin and ThR suggests that thrombin-mediated cellular activities in muscle may be affected via the activation of ThR. An elevated level of local thrombin or thrombin-like activity might result from the decreased inhibitory activity of PN-1 during the period of peak synapse elimination in muscle development.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3233
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Injury due to uncontrolled acceleration of an electric wheelchair.
Approximately 750,000 disabled individuals use electrical platform mobility aids (wheelchairs) for adaptive transportation. Because there are no mandatory standards for platform mobility aids and wheelchairs, these adaptive transportation aids are prone to potential design and maintenance problems. An injury caused by uncontrolled acceleration of a platform mobility aid is reported. Examination of the platform mobility aid identified a defect in its speed control regulator that has been subsequently corrected by the manufacturer.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3234
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[Analyse related factors of impact and prognosis of 73 cases of severe hepatitis].
OBJECTIVE
A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors of 73 cases of severe hepatitis.
METHODS
To summarize clinical features of 73 cases of severe hepatitis, grouping by etiology and pathogenesis. A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between biochemical characteristics (liver function, renal function, electrolytes, PTA, etc) and complications (hepatic encephalopathy, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome, ascites, abdominal infections, etc) and prognosis.
RESULTS
(1) HBV infection alone accounted for 65.75%. Alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, hepatitis E, autoimmune hepatitis, overlapping causes and other factors were five cases (6.85%), six cases (8.22%), two cases (2.74%), two cases (2.74%), seven cases (9.59%) and three cases (4.11%) respectively. According to the incidence rate, severity and underlying liver condition, subacute hepatitis, cases based on chronic hepatitis and on cirrhosis were 12 cases (16.43%), 11 cases (15.07%), 50 cases (68.49%) respectively. Clinical manifestations with or without hepatic encephalopathy accounted for 58.90% or 41.10%. (2) The highest mortality of severe hepatitis was alcoholic liver disease and patients on the basis of overlapping factors (66.67%), followed by autoimmune liver disease (50%). The mortality of HBV-related hepatitis was 18.75%. Overall mortality of 73 cases of severe hepatitis was 28.77%, of which cirrhosis group was higher than non-cirrhotic group (40% vs 4.3%, P = 0.002). The difference was statistically significant. Patients without hepatic encephalopathy had lower mortality than with hepatic encephalopathy (3.33% vs 46.51%). The mortality of patients with hepatic encephalopathy Stage III and IV was 72.73%. (3) Independent samples t test filtered nine factors associated with death, namely cirrhosis, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, serum creatinine, total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), albumin (ALB) and serum sodium. The results of multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis indicated that hepatic encephalopathy, serum creatinine levels were risk factors for death, whereas ALB as a protective factor.
CONCLUSION
Hepatic encephalopathy, serum creatinine levels were risk factors for severe hepatitis death, But ALB was protective factor. Nucleotide analogs using was the main reason why the mortality of hepatitis B was as low as 18.75%.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3235
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Optimization of experimental conditions of microbial desulfurization in coal mine using response surface methodology.
To reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion during coal storage and transportation, microbial desulfurization technology is used to reduce the content of inorganic sulfur in coal. A strain of Aciditithiobacillus ferrooxidans was purified from coal mine water in Datong, Shanxi Province, and its desulfurization test conditions were optimized. Taking the inorganic sulfur removal rate of coal as the response value. The Plackett-Burman design method was used to screen the main factors affecting the response value. And the response surface method was used to establish the continuous variable surface model to determine the interaction between the factors. The results show that the three main factors affecting the response value and their significance order are temperature > coal particle size > desulfurization time, and the interaction between temperature and coal particle size has the greatest effect. When the temperature is 29.50°C, the coal size is 100 mesh, and the desulfurization time is 11.67 days, the desulfurization effect is the best, and the removal rate of inorganic sulfur can reach 79.78%, which is close to the predicted value, and the regression effect is wonderful.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3236
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Investigation of a Lorentz force biomagnetometer.
This work evaluates an approach to the noninvasive measurement of small ionic current flows by a technique of Lorentz force magnetometry. An instrument was constructed that is basically a very sensitive force-balance that can measure Lorentz forces experienced by ionic currents flowing in small objects when exposed to strong oscillating magnetic fields. For objects that can fit on a microscope slide, the system is sensitive to ion current dipole moments as low as 180 pA-m. Images were made of ionic currents flowing in thin profiles by a process of scanning a localized magnetic field over the object, measuring generated Lorentz forces, and using a computer to reconstruct images. It can be shown that this method of Lorentz magnetometry has an immunity to ambient magnetic noise and has system characteristics that might suggest its possible use in biomagnetometry of small thin specimens.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3237
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Cardiovascular risk groups and mortality in an urban swedish male population: the Malmö Preventive Project.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the size, overlap and mortality of four cardiovascular risk groups, in order to give a scientific background for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in a representative urban population.
SETTING
Section of Preventive Medicine, Department of Medicine, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
SUBJECTS
Between 1974 and 1984 22444 men born between 1949 and 1921, constituting 75% of the total male population in these age groups, took part in a comprehensive screening examination aimed at detecting risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
INTERVENTIONS
Those at high-risk of developing cardiovascular disease were referred to their general practitioner or to special clinics for hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes. The follow-up, which lasted until the end of 1991, averaged 12.2 years.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Total death (n = 1450) and death from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (n = 471).
RESULTS
Hypertension was found in 13%, hypercholesterolaemia in 19% and diabetes mellitus in 2.6% of the subjects; 49% of the subjects smoked. Multiple risk factors were found in over 17% of the total cohort. Despite the intervention, all-cause mortality during follow-up was increased three-fold in smokers and in men with hypercholesterolaemia, four-fold in hypertensive men and five-fold in men with diabetes, compared to men with no risk factors. The vast majority of deaths (81%) occurred in men who smoked, had hypertension or had high serum cholesterol. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was increased five-fold in smokers, seven-fold in men with hypercholesterolaemia, nine-fold in hypertensive men and 12-fold in men with diabetes. Again, the vast majority of IHD deaths (86%) occurred in the first three categories. Combinations of risk factors substantially increased total mortality as well as IHD mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
The large proportion (64%) of the population with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the substantially (5-12-fold) increased IHD mortality in those risk groups, calls for actions aimed at preventing premature IHD deaths. Such action should include measures directed towards the whole population and comprehensive treatment programmes for high-risk individuals, including intervention to stop smoking. The substantial overlap between risk factors calls for one high-risk clinic caring for all risk groups.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3238
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The Effect of Inclusions on a Medium Temperature Transformation Microstructure and Toughness of High-Strength HSLA Steel.
In this study, the evolution of high-strength HSLA steel microstructure was studied using high-temperature laser confocal microscopy and SEM, TEM, and EPMA techniques. The effect of precipitates on grain boundary migration of austenite during high-temperature heating and the effect of inclusions in undercooled austenite on AF phase transformation were studied. The effect of multiphase microstructure on impact toughness was studied by Gleeble thermal simulation at 550, 600, and 650 °C. The results show that the austenite grain is refined by TiN pinning at high temperatures, and a large number of NbC and VCN are precipitated in ferrite for precipitation strengthening. The (Ti-Mn-O) + (Al + Si + Mn-O) + MnS composite inclusions with smaller sizes have a greater promoting effect on the nucleation of acicular ferrite than single-phase MnS. With a decrease in isothermal temperature, the content of acicular ferrite increases. When the isothermal temperature is 550 °C, an increase in the maximum impact toughness of acicular ferrite with large-angle grain boundary is clearly observable.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3239
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Decreased Incidence of Clotted AV Access in Hemodialysis Patients after the Implementation of Follow up Program.
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES
Access monitoring and pre-emptive angioplasty is known to decrease the incidence of AVF/AVG thrombosis. The effect on increase the longevity and functionality of Arterial-Venous access (AV access) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is not settled. Thrombosis is the leading cause of vascular access complications and is almost always associated with the presence of stenosis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is an accepted treatment of stenotic lesions in AV access (NKF 2001). The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of follow up of ESRD patients in the dialysis access center with preemptive angioplasty on access thrombosis.
DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS
This is a single center observational interventional study extended over 9 years (Jan 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2014) at the Dialysis Access Center of Pittsburgh, PA. The study is divided into 2 periods, period A (from Jan 2006 to December 2009), where follow up program was not in place. Period B extends from (January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014). In this period, a follow up of patients with preemptive angioplasty of AV access has been implemented. We decided not to include 2010 as the program is implemented at the end of that year and including this year might skewed the data. All patients with ESRD on HD are seen in the Dialysis access center of Pittsburgh for access monitoring and interventional PTA if deemed necessary. Patients' data were abstracted from the electronic medical records. The study is approved by the IRB of Lifeline corp.
RESULTS
During period A; a total of 4139 encounters with a mean of 1034, (1653 angioplasties with mean of 413/year, 375 angiogram, mean 94/year, and 303 thrombectomies of AVF/AVG with a mean 76/year) were carried out. Thrombectomies constituted (7.3%) of the total procedures performed.Table 1 showed the mean distributions of AVG, AVF, and tunneled dialysis catheters (TDC) frequencies compared to national average in periods A & B.In period B, a total of 6229 encounters with mean of 1557 encounter/year were performed, (3202 angioplasties, mean 801/year, 950 angiograms, mean 238/year, and 196 thrombectomies, mean 42/year) were done. Thrombectomies were decreased almost 2 folds in this period (7.3% to 3.15%).The percentage of patients being dialyzed via TDC decreased in period B from 31.895% to 17.38%. The numbers of thrombectomies have also been decreased from average 76 to 42 /year (7.3% to 3.15%).After implementing the program, as illustrated in period B, compared to the national average, the frequency of thrombectomies (3.15% vs. 9.6%) and TDC use (17.38% vs. 18%), have showed significant improvement. Meanwhile, the number of PTA has doubled from an average of (413 to 801/year) between the 2 periods. Our fistula rate has gone up from 48.7% to 66.2% between the 2 periods. Mild increase of the AVG use (12.07% to 18.07%) has also been observed. However, the use of TDC has decreased from (31.42% to 17.38%). These results are consistent with the motto of (fistula first and catheter last). The growth of PTA may explain the positive impact of this program on the number of thrombectomies as well as maintenance of access functionality in ESRD patients. The rate of PTA has gone up from (39.85% to 51.25%). This trade off may be acceptable if access patency and functionality have to be maintained. It is not clear whether the follow up program with preemptive angioplasty would have a positive effect on the access expenditure and access longevity in this group of patients.
CONCLUSION
Follow up of ESRD patients in the dialysis access center and preemptive angioplasty if need be is an acceptable means to decrease the number of failed accesses, thrombectomies, as well as the use of TDC in ESRD patients.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3240
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Genome-wide identification and biochemical characterization of calcineurin B-like calcium sensor proteins in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is involved in the regulation of diverse biological functions through association with several proteins that enable them to respond to abiotic and biotic stresses. Though Ca2+-dependent signaling has been implicated in the regulation of several physiological processes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Ca2+ sensor proteins are not characterized completely. C. reinhardtii has diverged from land plants lineage, but shares many common genes with animals, particularly those encoding proteins of the eukaryotic flagellum (or cilium) along with the basal body. Calcineurin, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, is an important effector of Ca2+ signaling in animals, while calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) play an important role in Ca2+ sensing and signaling in plants. The present study led to the identification of 13 novel CBL-like Ca2+ sensors in C. reinhardtii genome. One of the archetypical genes of the newly identified candidate, CrCBL-like1 was characterized. The ability of CrCBL-like1 protein to sense as well as bind Ca2+ were validated using two-step Ca2+-binding kinetics. The CrCBL-like1 protein localized around the plasma membrane, basal bodies and in flagella, and interacted with voltage-gated Ca2+ channel protein present abundantly in the flagella, indicating its involvement in the regulation of the Ca2+ concentration for flagellar movement. The CrCBL-like1 transcript and protein expression were also found to respond to abiotic stresses, suggesting its involvement in diverse physiological processes. Thus, the present study identifies novel Ca2+ sensors and sheds light on key players involved in Ca2+signaling in C. reinhardtii, which could further be extrapolated to understand the evolution of Ca2+ mediated signaling in other eukaryotes.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3241
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Identification of glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor-regulated proteins of striatum in mouse model of Parkinson disease.
Glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent survival factor for dopaminergic neurons, and hence serves as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, despite the potential clinical and physiological importance of GDNF, its mechanism of action is unclear. Therefore, we employed a state-of-the-art proteomic technique, DIGE, along with MS and a bioinformatics tool called Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), to profile proteome changes in the parkinsonian mouse striatum after GDNF challenge. Forty-six unique differentially expressed proteins were successfully identified, which were found either up-regulated and/or down-regulated at the two time points 4 and 72 h compared with the control. Proteins involved in cell differentiation and system development formed the largest part of the proteins regulated under GDNF. Furthermore, the aberrant expression of HSPs and mitochondria-associated proteins were noticeable. Moreover, mitochondrial stress 70 protein and heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein, whose relative levels increased significantly in GDNF-treated striatum, were further evaluated with Western blot and RT-PCR, demonstrating a good agreement with quantitative proteomic data. These data will provide some clues for understanding the mechanisms by which GDNF promotes the survival of dopaminergic neurons.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3242
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PpHB22, a member of HD-Zip proteins, activates PpDAM1 to regulate bud dormancy transition in 'Suli' pear (Pyrus pyrifolia White Pear Group).
Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) proteins, which form one of the largest and most diverse families, regulate many biological processes in plants, including differentiation, flowering, vascular development, and stress signaling. Abscisic acid (ABA) has been proved to be one of the key regulators of bud dormancy and to influence several HD-Zip genes expression. However, the role of HD-Zip genes in regulating bud dormancy remains unclear. We identified 47 pear (P. pyrifolia White Pear Group) HD-Zip genes, which were classified into four subfamilies (HD-Zip I-IV). We further revealed that gene expression levels of some HD-Zip members were closely related to ABA concentrations in flower buds during dormancy transition. Exogenous ABA treatment confirmed that PpHB22 and several other HD-Zip genes responded to ABA. Yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assay results combining subcellular localization showed that PpHB22 was present in nucleus and directly induced PpDAM1 (dormancy associated MADS-box 1) expression. Thus, PpHB22 is a negative regulator of plant growth associated with the ABA response pathway and functions upstream of PpDAM1. These findings enrich our understanding of the function of HD-Zip genes related to the bud dormancy transition.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3243
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Formal and population genetic studies of AHSG: further data from Galicia.
A sensitive immunodetection method for Alpha-2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG) after ultrathin layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing has been applied to a family study of 126 matings including 292 offspring. Formal genetic studies are in agreement with an autosomal mode of inheritance for this system. A population study of 506 unrelated individuals from Galicia (NW Spain) gave the following frequencies: AHSG*1 = 0.7559 and AHSG*2 = 0.2441, which correspond to a exclusion chance for non-fathers of 0.1505.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3244
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Specific brain proteins during severe ethanol intoxication and withdrawal in the rat.
In a study of the effects of severe chronic ethanol intoxication and withdrawal, immunoelectrophoretic measurements were made of the specific nervous system proteins D1, D2, D3, synaptin, 14-3-2, and glutamine synthetase in the brain. During chronic ethanol intoxication, none of these proteins deviated significantly from normal values, so the structural background for neuronal function was not measurably disturbed by any toxic effect of ethanol. However, during the ethanol withdrawal reaction, the specific concentrations of neuronal proteins D1, D2, 14-3-2, and synaptin were increased, and they subsequently normalized. D3 in brain and D2 in cerebrospinal fluid were decreased and subsequently normalized. When the neuronal localization and the possible function of these proteins are considered, the results may be interpreted as indicating an increased synthesis of neuronal synapses during the ethanol withdrawal reaction accompanied by a transient halt in synaptic decomposition. No changes occurred in the glial marker glutamine synthetase, and thus the measured changes in specific brain protein concentrations apparently reflect the structural dynamics of establishing the substrate for the functional neuronal hyperactivity constituting the ethanol withdrawal reaction.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3245
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Gait Performance in People with Symptomatic, Chronic Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
There is a dearth of knowledge about how symptom severity affects gait in the chronic (>3 months) mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) population despite up to 53% of people reporting persisting symptoms after mTBI. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether gait is affected in a symptomatic, chronic mTBI group and to assess the relationship between gait performance and symptom severity on the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI). Gait was assessed under single- and dual-task conditions using five inertial sensors in 57 control subjects and 65 persons with chronic mTBI (1.0 year from mTBI). The single- and dual-task gait domains of Pace, Rhythm, Variability, and Turning were calculated from individual gait characteristics. Dual-task cost (DTC) was calculated for each domain. The mTBI group walked (domain z-score mean difference, single-task = 0.70; dual-task = 0.71) and turned (z-score mean difference, single-task = 0.69; dual-task = 0.70) slower (p < 0.001) under both gait conditions, with less rhythm under dual-task gait (z-score difference = 0.21; p = 0.001). DTC was not different between groups. Higher NSI somatic subscore was related to higher single- and dual-task gait variability as well as slower dual-task pace and turning (p < 0.01). Persons with chronic mTBI and persistent symptoms exhibited altered gait, particularly under dual-task, and worse gait performance related to greater symptom severity. Future gait research in chronic mTBI should assess the possible underlying physiological mechanisms for persistent symptoms and gait deficits.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3246
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Epileptiform activity in hippocampal slice cultures exposed chronically to bicuculline: increased gap junctional function and expression.
Chronic (18 h) exposure of cultured hippocampal slices to the type-A GABA receptor blocker, bicuculline methiodide (BMI) 10 micro m increased the levels of connexin 43 (Cx43) and connexin 32 (Cx32) mRNAs, but not connexin 26 and connexin 36, as demonstrated by RNase protection assays. The levels of Cx43 and Cx32 proteins in membrane fractions detected by western blotting were also significantly increased. Immunoblotting indicated that BMI also promoted a significant expression of the transcription protein c-fos. The rate of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, an index of gap junctional coupling, was also significantly increased, whereas it was blocked by the gap junctional blocker, carbenoxolone (100 micro m). Extracellular recordings in CA1 stratum pyramidale, performed in BMI-free solution, demonstrated that BMI-exposed cultures possessed synaptic responses characteristic of epileptiform discharges: (i) significantly greater frequency of spontaneous epileptiform discharges, (ii) post-synaptic potentials with multiple population spikes, and (iii) significantly longer duration of primary afterdischarges. Carbenoxolone (100 micro m), but not its inactive analog, oleanolic acid (100 micro m), reversibly inhibited spontaneous and evoked epileptiform discharges. The findings of BMI-induced parallel increases in levels of gap junction expression and function, and the increase in epileptiform discharges, which were sensitive to gap junctional blockers, are consistent with the hypothesis that increased gap junctional communication plays an intrinsic role in the epileptogenic process.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3247
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The retinal morphology and retinal histochemistry of a twilight fish Corydoras paleatus (J.).
1. The retinas of Corydoras paleatus were studied by histology (HE) and histochemistry (PAS and Nucleic acid). 2. Three types of visual cells were observed, namely rod, single cone and twin cone. All of them are PAS positive. 3. The histochemical PAS pattern of these visual cells differs from those species which are not of a twilight habitat. 4. Significant amount of RNA were not detected in the inner segments of visual cells in this species indicating a possible slow renewal of outer segments.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3248
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Generative Adversarial Neural Networks for Denoising Coherent Multidimensional Spectra.
Ultrafast spectroscopy often involves measuring weak signals and long data acquisition times. Spectra are typically collected as a "pump-probe" spectrum by measuring differences in intensity across laser shots. Shot-to-shot intensity fluctuations are most often the primary source of noise in ultrafast spectroscopy. Here, we present a novel approach for denoising ultrafast two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectra using conditional generative adversarial neural networks (cGANNs). The cGANN approach is able to eliminate shot-to-shot noise and reconstruct the line shapes present in the noisy input spectrum. We present a general approach for training the cGANN using matched pairs of noisy and clean synthetic 2D IR spectra based on the Kubo-line shape model for a three-level system. Experimental shot-to-shot laser noise is added to synthetic spectra to recreate the noise profile present in measured experimental spectra. The cGANNs can recover line shapes from synthetic 2D IR spectra with signal-to-noise ratios as low as 2:1, while largely preserving the key features such as center frequencies, line widths, and diagonal elongation. In addition, we benchmark the performance of the cGANN using experimental 2D IR spectra of an ester carbonyl vibrational probe and demonstrate that, by applying the cGANN denoising approach, we can extract the frequency-frequency time correlation function (FFCF) from reconstructed spectra using a nodal-line slope analysis. Finally, we provide a set of practical guidelines for extending the denoising method to other coherent multidimensional spectroscopies.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3249
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Mechanism of action of cyclosporin A. Effect on T-cell-binding of interleukin 1 and antagonizing effect of insulin.
Previous studies have shown that cyclosporin A (CyA) prevents the elaboration of the lymphokine leucocyte migration inhibitory factor (LIF). Since LIF production is interleukin 1 (IL-1)-dependent, we carried out experiments using partially and highly purified IL-1 preparations to study the effect of CyA. We found that (a) IL-1 was consistently depleted during a 1-h incubation with human blood T lymphocytes but not with B lymphocytes or erythrocytes; (b) the depletion could not be ascribed to pinocytosis, cell functions requiring active metabolism, or enzyme-mediated destruction of IL-1; (c) CyA, but not biologically inactive cyclosporin, antagonized the apparent absorption of IL-1; (d) T cells pre-exposed to CyA were rendered incapable of removing the monokine; and (e) CyA was capable of displacing IL-1 once absorbed by T cells. Because the putative binding of IL-1 showed saturability, reversibility (with CyA as a probe), and tissue specificity consistent with a known target for the monokine, we propose that IL-1 interacts with a receptor-like structure on T cells. Finally, we found that insulin interfered with the function of CyA at the very early macrophage-T-cell co-operative stage, even at physiological concentrations.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3250
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Interprofessional Oral Health Collaboration: A Survey of Knowledge and Practice Behaviors of Hospital-Based Primary Care Medical Providers in New York City.
BACKGROUND
The siloed delivery of oral and medical health care in the United States has contributed to a lack of awareness of the consequences of poor oral health and has hampered effective interprofessional education and collaboration. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice behaviors of primary care medical providers in an urban safety-net hospital regarding collaboration with dentists and integration of oral health into overall health-care delivery.
METHODS
A 36-item survey was designed in a web-based platform (Survey Monkey®) and electronically distributed in September 2020 to 181 primary care medical providers (physicians, nurses, physician assistants) within a municipal hospital in the Bronx, New York. The questionnaire included sections on demographics, current practices, oral health knowledge, and opinions regarding interprofessional collaboration. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses using the chi-square and Fisher's exact test were performed with a significance level of 0.05.
RESULTS
The response rate was 66% (119 respondents). The vast majority (80%) reported little or no training in oral health and 85% reported no team experience with oral health professionals. Medical providers' confidence in examining the oral cavity was positively associated with previous additional training (p = 0.001) and with team experience (p = 0.005). The two most commonly reported barriers to willingness to collaborate were lack of formal relationships with dental providers (74%) and competing priorities (69%).
CONCLUSION
Overall, there is very limited awareness and integration of oral health into the clinical practice of medical providers at this safety-net hospital. However, those providers with previous training and team experience had greater oral health confidence. Given the critical importance of oral health to overall health, increased efforts should be directed to further educate and train medical providers and address barriers to interprofessional care.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3251
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A total design and implementation of an intelligent mobile chemotherapy medication administration.
The chemotherapy medication administration is a process involved many stakeholders and efforts. Therefore, the information support system cannot be well designed if the entire process was not carefully examined and reengineered first. We, from a 805-teaching medical center, did a process reengineering and involved physicians, pharmacists and IT engineers to work together to design a mobile support solution. System was implemented in March to July, 2013. A 6" android handheld device with 1D BCR was used as the main hardware. 18 nurses were invited to evaluate their perceived acceptance of system based on Technology Acceptance Model for Mobile Service Model. Time saved was also calculated to measure the effectiveness of system. The results showed positive support from nurses. The estimated time saved every year was about 288 nursing days. We believe our mobile chemotherapy medication administration support system is successful in terms of acceptance and real impacts.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3252
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Plasma metabolomics reveal the correlation of metabolic pathways and Prakritis of humans.
BACKGROUND
Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicinal system, has categorized human body constitutions in three broad constitutional types (prakritis) i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
OBJECTIVES
Analysis of plasma metabolites and related pathways to classify Prakriti specific dominant marker metabolites and metabolic pathways.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
38 healthy male individuals were assessed for dominant Prakritis and their fasting blood samples were collected. The processed plasma samples were subjected to rapid resolution liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (RRLC-ESI-QTOFMS). Mass profiles were aligned and subjected to multivariate analysis.
RESULTS
Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model showed 97.87% recognition capability. List of PLS-DA metabolites was subjected to permutative Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction and final list of 76 metabolites with p < 0.05 and fold-change > 2.0 was identified. Pathway analysis using metascape and JEPETTO plugins in Cytoscape revealed that steroidal hormone biosynthesis, amino acid, and arachidonic acid metabolism are major pathways varying with different constitution. Biological Go processes analysis showed that aromatic amino acids, sphingolipids, and pyrimidine nucleotides metabolic processes were dominant in kapha type of body constitution. Fat soluble vitamins, cellular amino acid, and androgen biosynthesis process along with branched chain amino acid and glycerolipid catabolic processes were dominant in pitta type individuals. Vata Prakriti was found to have dominant catecholamine, arachidonic acid and hydrogen peroxide metabolomics processes.
CONCLUSION
The neurotransmission and oxidative stress in vata, BCAA catabolic, androgen, xenobiotics metabolic processes in pitta, and aromatic amino acids, sphingolipid, and pyrimidine metabolic process in kapha Prakriti were the dominant marker pathways.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3253
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Reentrant Variation of Single-Chain Elasticity of Polyelectrolyte Induced by Monovalent Salt.
The interactions between monovalent counterions and polyelectrolyte are important in chemical and biological systems. The condensation and screening effect of counterions complicate the polyelectrolyte solutions. By means of single-molecule AFM, the single-chain mechanics of a strong polyelectrolyte, poly(sodium styrenesulfonate) (PSSNa), in KCl aqueous solutions over almost whole concentration range have been studied. The M-FJC model has been used to describe the single-chain elasticity of PSSNa in KCl solutions with a parameter of single-chain modulus (K0). Along with the increase of the concentration of KCl from zero to almost the saturation concentration, a reentrant variation of K0 of single PSSNa chain can be observed. When [K+] is between 0.01 to 3 M, the charges on the PSSNa backbone are almost completely screened, i.e., the PSSNa chain is virtually neutral in this case. Because K0 has a positive correlation with the net charge of the polymer chain, the increased K0 at very high KCl concentrations (≥3.5 M) indicates that the chain is charged again. Due to the negative charges on the backbone of PSSNa, only the positively charged counterions (K+) can be adsorbed on the chain. Thus, the PSSNa chain should be positively charged when KCl concentrations ≥3.5 M. That is, the charge inversion occurs in this case, which is induced by a monovalent salt. This finding may lay the foundation for the future applications of drug delivery and gene therapy.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3254
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Findings from the Candrive/Ozcandrive study: Low mileage older drivers, crash risk and reduced fitness to drive.
Previous research has found that only older drivers with low annual driving mileages had a heightened crash risk relative to other age groups. These drivers tend to drive mainly in urban areas, where the prevalence of complex traffic situations increases crash risk. However it might also be that some drivers may have reduced their driving due to perceived or actual declines in driving fitness. This paper uses Canadian and Australian data from the Candrive/Ozcandrive older driver study to investigate the association between annual driving distances and a set of driving-related factors, including fitness to drive. All drivers in the Candrive/Ozcandrive older driver cohort study were allocated to one of three groups according to their self-reported annual driving distances: <5001km; >5000 and <15,000km; and 15,000km or greater. Relationships between these driving-distance categories and: (a) self-reported crash data; (b) various Year 1 'fitness to drive' performance measures; and (c) self-perceptions of driving ability and of comfort while driving, were determined. Results confirmed the previously reported association between low mileage and heightened crash risk. Further, low mileage drivers performed relatively poorly on a wide range of performance measures, perceived their own driving ability as lower, and reported lower comfort levels when driving in challenging situations, compared to the higher mileage drivers. In most instances, these differences were statistically significant. The paper provides further evidence that the so-called 'older driver problem' is most pertinent to low mileage drivers, and that this is due in part to low mileage drivers tending to have reduced fitness to drive. This higher risk group represented a fairly small proportion of the sample in this study.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3255
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Overcoming Hypoxia-Induced Chemoresistance in Cancer Using a Novel Glycoconjugate of Methotrexate.
The oxygen and nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironment is considered a key mechanism responsible for cancer resistance to chemotherapy. Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely incorporated chemotherapeutic agent employed in the treatment of several malignancies. However, drug resistance and systemic toxicity limit the curative effect in most cases. The present work aimed to design, synthesize, and biologically evaluate a novel glucose-methotrexate conjugate (Glu-MTX). Our study showed that Glu-MTX exerts an increased cytotoxic effect on cancer cells in comparison to MTX in hypoxia (1% O2) and glucose starvation conditions. Furthermore, Glu-MTX was found to inhibit the proliferation and migration of cancer cells more effectively than MTX does. Our results demonstrate that the conjugation of MTX to glucose led to an increase in potency against malignant cells under oxygen and nutrient stress. The observations shed light on a potential therapeutic approach to overcome chemoresistance in cancer.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3256
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Potentiation of the anti-proliferative effects of anti-cancer drugs by octreotide in vitro and in vivo.
The somatostatin analogue octreotide (SMS 201-995) exerts potent anti-proliferative effects in a number of experimental cancer models. Here we report on the inhibitory effect of octreotide in combination with the chemotherapeutic agents mitomycin C, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, or taxol on the growth of AR42J pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. The dose-dependent anti-proliferative effects of mitomycin C, doxorubicin and taxol were synergistically enhanced by octreotide. Combinations of octreotide and 5-fluorouracil resulted either in additive or, at high concentrations of the chemotherapeutic agent, in synergistic interactions. Combined treatment with doxorubicin and octreotide was also studied for time dependency and potential efficacy in tumour-bearing animals. Pretreatment (24 h) with doxorubicin resulted in clear synergy. However, pretreatment with octreotide 24 h prior to addition of doxorubicin resulted only in an additive interaction. It was shown in AR42J-tumour-bearing nude mice that the combination of doxorubicin and octreotide was well tolerated. Tumour growth was inhibited to 9% of controls, compared with 44% in the doxorubicin alone arm (day 14 of treatment). Our in vitro and in vivo interaction studies suggest that octreotide potentiates the effect of various chemotherapeutic agents in a synergistic or additive manner.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3257
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Immunologic biomarkers in prostate cancer: the AE37 paradigm.
One major achievement in cancer therapy is to select patients who will most likely benefit from a specific treatment. Predictive biomarkers play an important role in this respect being already useful in management of breast cancer and melanoma. For example, HER-2/neu (HER-2) overexpression selects for breast cancer patients to be treated with trastuzumab, and BRAFV600E mutations select for melanoma patients to be treated with vemurafenib. Identification of factors associated with T cell responsiveness to vaccination remains critical. Pre-existent immunity and circulating suppressor cells may regulate the levels of vaccine-specific T cell immunity after vaccination. The identification of immunologic endpoints to immunotherapy would thus considerably help guide the development of immunotherapy-based clinical trials. This commentary is based on a retrospective analysis we performed of data from prostate cancer patients vaccinated and boosted with the AE37 vaccine. The aim of these exploratory analyses was to identify factors useful in predicting which patients are more likely to respond to the treatment under study. The issue we are addressing here is to which extent common variables used pre- and/or following vaccinations with AE37 to assess the immune response status of the prostate cancer patients, may predict overall survival.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3258
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Exposure to HIV risks among young people who use drugs (YPUD) in three cities in Vietnam: time to develop targeted interventions.
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this study is to identify the profiles of young people who use drugs (YPUD) and their exposure to HIV risks in the 3 main cities of Vietnam, Haiphong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), in order to design a community-based intervention to prevent HIV.
METHODS
A survey using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) was conducted among YPUD aged 16-24. Participants were eligible if they reported drug use, confirmed by a urine test. After obtaining informed consent, they were screened for HIV/HCV and assessed using face-to-face questionnaires and self-report. A cluster analysis was conducted, taking into account risk behaviors and confirmed HIV-positive status.
RESULTS
Seven hundred and three YPUD aged 16-24 were recruited between October 2016 and February 2017, 584 of whom were included in the final analysis. Median age was 21 (17.7, 23.0); 79% were male, 18% female, and 2% transgender. Methamphetamines use was reported by 77%, followed by cannabis (51%) and heroin (17%); polydrug use was common; 15% had "ever" injected drugs. HIV prevalence was 7%. Among all participants, 48% reported non-consistent condom use and 1% reported needle/syringe sharing during the previous month. Four distinct profiles of HIV risk behaviors were identified: The high multiple-risk group mixed unsafe drug use with unsafe sexual practices and had higher prevalence of HIV; the second group practiced high-risk sex with non-consistent condom combined with methamphetamine use; the third group was a moderate-risk group with limited unsafe sexual practices; and the fourth was considered at "low-risk" as reportedly, most never had sex and never injected. The highest risk group included more female YPUD, living in HCMC, who used heroin and had unsafe sex with their regular partners. The second high-risk group included most of the MSM and all transgender people and frequently reported mental health disorders.
CONCLUSIONS
The profiles of YPUD who are at risk of HIV vary according to age, location, and population group. Injecting YPUD are the most exposed to risk and need immediate attention. Sexual exposure to HIV is very common. Mental health is a major concern. Interventions need to be integrated in a differentiated but holistic approach.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3259
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De Novo modeling of Envelope 2 protein of HCV isolated from Pakistani patient and epitopes prediction for vaccine development.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a universal health issue and a significant risk factor leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV has infected approximately 170 million individuals worldwide. It is a member of Flaviviridae with positive sense RNA genome. In the absence of any effective vaccine against HCV, pegylated interferon with ribavirin is the standard of treatment against HCV infection. In this study, sequence and structural analysis of envelope 2 (E2) protein was performed which was isolated from patients of HCV genotype 3a in Pakistan. Then, epitopes were predicted which were specific for both B-cells and T-cells. Later, conservancy of epitopes was checked with the HCV 3a and 1a sequences from different countries. A total of 6 conserved epitopes were found from extra-membranous regions of E2 protein. Presence of conserved epitopes in E2 protein generates the possibility that these epitopes can be used to elicit the immune response against HCV.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3260
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Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography in Neuromyelitis Optica.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
To determine optic nerve and retinal damage in aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG)-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) in a large international cohort after previous studies have been limited by small and heterogeneous cohorts.
METHODS
The cross-sectional Collaborative Retrospective Study on retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) in neuromyelitis optica collected retrospective data from 22 centers. Of 653 screened participants, we included 283 AQP4-IgG-seropositive patients with NMOSD and 72 healthy controls (HCs). Participants underwent OCT with central reading including quality control and intraretinal segmentation. The primary outcome was thickness of combined ganglion cell and inner plexiform (GCIP) layer; secondary outcomes were thickness of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and visual acuity (VA).
RESULTS
Eyes with ON (NMOSD-ON, N = 260) or without ON (NMOSD-NON, N = 241) were assessed compared with HCs (N = 136). In NMOSD-ON, GCIP layer (57.4 ± 12.2 μm) was reduced compared with HC (GCIP layer: 81.4 ± 5.7 μm, p < 0.001). GCIP layer loss (-22.7 μm) after the first ON was higher than after the next (-3.5 μm) and subsequent episodes. pRNFL observations were similar. NMOSD-NON exhibited reduced GCIP layer but not pRNFL compared with HC. VA was greatly reduced in NMOSD-ON compared with HC eyes, but did not differ between NMOSD-NON and HC.
DISCUSSION
Our results emphasize that attack prevention is key to avoid severe neuroaxonal damage and vision loss caused by ON in NMOSD. Therapies ameliorating attack-related damage, especially during a first attack, are an unmet clinical need. Mild signs of neuroaxonal changes without apparent vision loss in ON-unaffected eyes might be solely due to contralateral ON attacks and do not suggest clinically relevant progression but need further investigation.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3261
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Promoter sequence of fibroin gene assigned by in vitro transcription system.
We have shown that the silk fibroin gene from Bombyx mori is faithfully transcribed in an in vitro transcription system of the HeLa cell extract prepared by the method of Manley et al. [Manley, J. L., Fire, A., Cano, A., Sharp, P. A. & Gefter, M. L. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77, 3855-3859]. Using this system and a series of deletion mutants of fibroin gene, we have assigned the promoter sequence of fibroin gene. The 5' boundary of the promoter is around nucleotide position -29, indicating that most of the T-A-T-A-A-A-A sequence (-30 to -24) is essential for the promoter function, where the transcription initiation point of fibroin gene is assigned as nucleotide position +1 [Tsuda, M., Ohshima, Y. & Suzuki, Y. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76, 4872-4876]. The 3' boundary is around nucleotide position +6. However, to support the efficient, faithful transcription, some additional (more than 26 but less than 41) nucleotides of nonspecific origin are required at the 5' side of -29. Functions ascribed to the promoter region are discussed.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3262
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Detection of (19)F-labeled biopharmaceuticals in cell cultures with magnetic resonance.
Magnetic resonance (MR) studies of the therapeutic efficacy of fluorinated drugs have recently become possible due to improvements in detection including the application of very strong magnetic fields up to 9.4Tesla (T). These advances allow tracking, identification, and quantification of (19)F-labeled biopharmaceuticals using (19)F MR imaging ((19)F MRI) and spectroscopy ((19)F MRS). Both techniques are noninvasive, are nondestructive, and enable serial measurements. They also allow for controlled and systematic studies of cellular metabolism in cancerous tissue in vivo (small animals and humans) and in vitro (body fluids, cells culture, tissue extracts and isolated tissues). Here we provide an overview of the (19)F MRI and (19)F MRS techniques used for tracking (19)F labeled anticancer chemotherapeutics and antibodies which allow quantification of drug uptake in cancer cells in vitro.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3263
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Flexible Fiber-Optic High-Speed Imaging of Vocal Fold Vibration: A Preliminary Report.
OBJECTIVE
High-speed video (HSV) imaging of vocal fold vibration has been possible only through the rigid endoscope. This study reports that a fiberscope-based high-speed imaging system may allow HSV imaging of naturalistic voicing.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-two subjects were recorded using a commercially available black and white high-speed camera (Photron Motion Tools, 256 × 120 pixel, 2000 frames per second, 8 second acquisition time). The camera gain is set to +6 db. The camera is coupled to a standard fiber-optic laryngoscope (Olympus ENF P-4) with a 300-W Xenon light. Image acquisition was done by asking the subject to perform repeated phonation at modal phonation. Video images were processed using commercial video editing and video noise reduction software (After effects, Magix, and Neat Video 4.1). After video processing, the video images were analyzed using digital kymography (DKG).
RESULTS
The HSV black and white video acquired by the camera is gray and lacks contrast. By adjustment of image contrast, brightness, and gamma and using noise reduction software, the flexible laryngoscopy image can be converted to video image files suitable for DKG and waveform analysis. The increased noise still makes edge tracking for objective analysis difficult, but subjective analysis of DKG plot is possible.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of HSV acquisition in an unsedated patient using a fiberscope. Image enhancement and noise reduction can enhance the HSV to allow extraction of the digital kymogram. Further image enhancement may allow for objective analysis of the vibratory waveform.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3264
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Percutaneous extraction of an embolized hyperalimentation catheter fragment.
Extraction of an embolized catheter fragment from an infant's heart was accomplished using a loop wire snare. At the time of extraction, a cutdown venotomy was necessary to avoid damaging the femoral vein. This is the eighth reported case of nonsurgical extraction in children under the age of 10 years.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3265
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Selective photobleaching of chlorophylls and carotenoids in photosystem I particles under high-light treatment.
Photosystem I particles (PSI-200) isolated from spinach leaves were studied by means of absorbance, 77K fluorescence and resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy. The aim was to obtain better insight into the changes of the pigment spectral properties in those particles during prolonged exposure to high-light intensities and to reveal the involvement of these pigments in the photoprotection of the PSI. During prolonged exposure to high-light intensities of spinach PSI particles, a loss of a significant amount of photosynthetic pigments was observed. It was shown that various pigments exhibited different susceptibility to photodamage. In addition to bleaching of chlorophyll a (Chl a), bleaching of carotenoids was also clearly observed. RR technique allowed us to recognize the type and conformation of photobleached carotenoid molecules. Raman data revealed a nearly full photobleaching of the long-wavelength lutein molecules. The observed similar bleaching rate of the lutein molecules and the most-red shifted long-wavelength Chl a, located in the antenna membrane protein Lhca4, suggested that these molecules are located closely. Our results showed that the photobleached antenna pigments and especially luteins and the most long-wavelength absorbing chlorophylls are involved in photoprotection of PSI core complex.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3266
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Defining Thermally Safe Laser Lithotripsy Power and Irrigation Parameters: In Vitro Model.
High-power laser settings are commonly employed for stone dusting techniques. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that a toxic thermal dose can result from treatment within a renal calix without adequate irrigation. Hence, both laser power and irrigation rate must be considered together to determine safe laser lithotripsy parameters. The objective of this in vitro study was to map parameter safety boundaries and create guidelines for selection of safe laser and irrigation settings. The experimental system consisted of in vitro models simulating ureter, renal calix, and renal pelvis placed in a water bath maintained at 37°C. Temperature was recorded during ureteroscopy with laser activation for 60 seconds. Trials were conducted at strategically selected power levels and irrigation rates. Thermal dose for each trial was calculated based on Sapareto and Dewey t43 methodology with thermal dose >120 equivalent minutes considered to result in thermal tissue injury. A parameter safety boundary was established by plotting the maximal safe power level for each irrigation rate. The parameter safety boundary was found to be linear for each scenario with the renal pelvis able to tolerate the highest laser power and the renal calix the least power without injury. This study describes the methodology to determine parameter safety boundaries that can be used to guide proper selection of thermally safe laser settings and irrigation rates during ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy. This work provides a framework to assess the effectiveness of various strategies to control and mitigate thermal dose.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3267
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A canonical discriminant analysis of post-embryonic development in Notonecta Maculata fabricius (Insecta:Heteroptera).
A multivariate method, canonical discriminant analysis, was used to discern a pattern of growth in Notonecta maculata. A stepwise procedure reduced the 11 metrical characters measured on individuals of both sexes, from the 1st larval stage to the adult, to 4 significant variates which were used in the canonical analysis. The four canonical variates accounted for the meaningful part of the variablity. Relying on bivariate allometry and on an experimentation with a juvenile hormone analogue, each independent direction of variation was related to combined effects of such biological factors as a general growth trend, sex and juvenile hormone.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3268
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The influence of physical training on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in middle-aged hypertriglyceridaemic, carbohydrate intolerant men.
The effects of 9 weeks of moderate intensity exercise training while on a weight-maintaining diet were studied in 19 untrained middle-aged, hypertriglyceridaemic, carbohydrate intolerant men. Initial mean maximum oxygen consumption was low (29.7 +/- 1.0 ml.min-1.kg-1; mean +/- SEM) and improved (34.2 +/- 1.4 ml.min-1.kg-1, p less than 0.01) with exercise training. Fasting glucose, insulin, lipid and lipoprotein concentrations did not change. While the abnormal glucose response to oral glucose did not change with training, insulin concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower at 90 and 120 min during the final oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin mediated glucose uptake did not change, indicating that the degree of exercise training failed to improve in vivo insulin sensitivity. Significant associations were found between the following parameters measured: fasting concentrations of triglycerides and insulin, very low density lipoprotein-triglycerides and glucose, and measures of in vivo insulin resistance and fasting insulin levels, suggesting that insulin resistance in these glucose intolerant subjects may play a role in their hypertriglyceridaemia. These data indicate that moderate increases in physical training alone are not sufficient to improve the carbohydrate, insulin and lipid metabolism of hypertriglyceridaemic, glucose intolerant men.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3269
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Degradation of Acetonitrile by Pseudomonas putida.
A bacterium capable of utilizing high concentrations of acetonitrile as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen was isolated from soil and identified as Pseudomonas putida. This bacterium could also utilize butyronitrile, glutaronitrile, isobutyronitrile, methacrylonitrile, propionitrile, succinonitrile, valeronitrile, and some of their corresponding amides, such as acetamide, butyramide, isobutyramide, methacrylamide, propionamide, and succinamide as growth substrates. Acetonitrile-grown cells oxidized acetonitrile with a K(m) of 40.61 mM. Mass balance studies with [C]acetonitrile indicated that nearly 66% of carbon of acetonitrile was released as CO(2) and 14% was associated with the biomass. Metabolites of acetonitrile in the culture medium were acetic acid and ammonia. The acetate formed in the early stages of growth completely disappeared in the later stages. Cell extracts of acetonitrile-grown cells contained activities corresponding to nitrile hydratase and amidase, which mediate the breakdown of actonitrile into acetic acid and ammonia. Both enzymes were intracellular and inducible and hydrolyzed a wide range of substrates. The specific activity of amidase was at least 150-fold higher than the activity of the enzyme nitrile hydratase.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3270
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Corneal Development: Different Cells from a Common Progenitor.
Development of the vertebrate cornea is a multistep process that involves cellular interactions between various ectodermal-derived tissues. Bilateral interactions between the neural ectoderm-derived optic vesicles and the cranial ectoderm give rise to the presumptive corneal epithelium and other epithelia of the ocular surface. Interactions between the neural tube and the adjacent ectoderm give rise to the neural crest cells, a highly migratory and multipotent cell population. Neural crest cells migrate between the lens and presumptive corneal epithelium to form the corneal endothelium and the stromal keratocytes. The sensory nerves that abundantly innervate the corneal stroma and epithelium originate from the neural crest- and ectodermal placode-derived trigeminal ganglion. Concomitant with corneal innervation is the formation of the limbal vascular plexus and the establishment of corneal avascularity. This review summarizes historical and current research to provide an overview of the genesis of the cellular layers of the cornea, corneal innervation, and avascularity.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3271
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Clinical and Kinematic Correlates of Favorable Gait Outcomes From Subthalamic Stimulation.
Objective: Gait and freezing of gait (FoG) are highly relevant to the outcomes of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies pointed to variable response to combined dopaminergic and STN-DBS treatment. Here, we performed a prospective exploratory study on associations of preoperative clinical and kinematic gait measures with quantitative gait and FoG outcomes after STN-DBS implantation. Methods: We characterized 18 consecutive PD patients (13 freezers) before and after STN-DBS implantation. The patients received preoperative levodopa challenges (MedOff vs. MedOn) and a postoperative reassessment at 6 months from surgery in MedOn/StimOn condition. We correlated the FoG outcome, calculated as improvement of Freezing of Gait Assessment Course (FoG-AC) from baseline MedOff to 6-month follow-up MedOn/StimOn, with the levodopa response of preoperative clinical and kinematic gait measures. We considered measures with significant correlations for a multiple regression model. Results: We found that the postoperative gait and FoG outcomes were associated with the preoperative levodopa response of clinical and kinematic gait measures. In particular, preoperative levodopa sensitivity of FoG showed high correlation with a favorable quantitative FoG outcome. Among kinematic measures, preoperative levodopa response of stride length and range of motion showed high correlation with favorable FoG outcome. In addition, the preoperative levodopa sensitivity of FoG predicted postoperative FoG outcome with high accuracy (R 2 = 0.952; 95% CI: 0.95-1.29; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Preoperative clinical and kinematic measures correlated with favorable postoperative gait and FoG outcomes. The findings should be reproduced in larger and independent cohorts to verify their predictive value.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3272
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Fertility of holstein dairy heifers after synchronization of ovulation and timed AI or AI after removed tail chalk.
Nonlactating Holstein dairy heifers (n=352) 13 mo of age were managed using a 42-d artificial insemination (AI) breeding period in which they received AI after removed tail chalk evaluated once daily. At AI breeding period onset (d 0), heifers were randomly assigned to receive synchronization of ovulation (100 microg of GnRH, d 0; 25 mg of PGF2alpha, d 6; 100 microg of GnRH, d 8) and timed AI (TAI; d 8) and AI after removed tail chalk for the entire AI breeding period (GPG; n=175), or AI after removed tail chalk for the entire AI breeding period (TC; n=177). As expected, 17.7% (31/175) of GPG heifers received AI after removed tail chalk before scheduled TAI. Pregnancy rate per artificial insemination (PR/AI) at approximately 30 d after first AI tended to be greater for TC (46.5%) than for GPG (38.3%) heifers. No treatment x inseminator interaction was detected; however, overall PR/AI was low for heifers in both treatments due to variation among the 3 inseminators (24.8, 30.0, and 58.0%). Pregnancy loss from approximately 30 to approximately 75 d after first AI was 10% and did not differ between treatments. Based on survival analysis, days to first AI was greater for TC than for GPG heifers, whereas days to pregnancy across the 42-d AI breeding period did not differ between treatments. Overall, 81.2% of GPG heifers receiving TAI synchronized luteal regression and ovulated within 48 h after the second GnRH injection. We conclude that this synchronization protocol can yield acceptable fertility in dairy heifers if AI to estrus is conducted between treatment with GnRH and PGF2alpha and AI efficiency is optimized.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3273
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Pars plana vitrectomy for macular degenerative disorders.
We describe nine patients (10 eyes) treated with pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage secondary to disciform macular degeneration. Nine of the eyes showed improved acuity at about 3 months and at the last follow-up visit (6 to 30 months). Two of the patients had ambulatory acuity (counting fingers or better) before surgery, compared with all the patients at the last follow-up visit. Vitrectomy may be beneficial in this subgroup of patients with macular degeneration.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3274
|
Computer-assisted detection of subcutaneous melanomas: feasibility assessment.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES
Subcutaneous melanomas may be missed on computed tomography because of their peripheral location or perceived unimportance, yet they can have clinical significance. The use of a novel computer-assisted detection scheme to locate subcutaneous melanoma lesions in body CT images was investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The detection software segments subcutaneous fat from the rest of the body and searches for soft tissue density lesions that match a size and shape constraint. Sensitivity and specificity of the proposed method was analyzed by comparing automated lesion detection results in eight patients with 118 subcutaneous melanomas with ground truth data derived from manual tracings of a trained observer.
RESULTS
The sensitivity of subcutaneous melanoma detection was 86%. The false-positive rate was 3.1 per slice. Analysis of the false-positives showed that the most common cause was incorrect classification of muscle as a nodule.
CONCLUSION
This study showed the feasibility of a fully automatic subcutaneous melanoma lesion detection system having good sensitivity. The false-positive rate was high, but avenues for further reduction were identified.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3275
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A resonance Rayleigh scattering and fluorescence quenching dual-channel sensor for sensitive detection of chitosan based on Eosin Y.
The sensitive chitosan (CTS) detection methods based on the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) quenching method and fluorescence quenching of Eosin Y were put forward. In the HAC-NaAC buffer solution, Eosin Y interacted with Triton X-100 to generate the binary complex which served as the RRS spectral probe. When CTS was interacted with the binary complex, the RRS intensity decreased with the increase of CTS. At the same time, the fluorescence intensity of Eosin Y decreased in the presence of Triton X-100, and the fluorescence intensity of "Eosin Y+Triton X-100" system further decreased when CTS was added. So it was further proved that there was a forming complex in "Eosin Y+Triton X100+CTS" system. The interaction was characterized by zeta potential, RRS, fluorescence spectrum, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Under optimal conditions, there was a good linear relationship between the RRS decreased intensity (ΔI) and the concentration of CTS in the range of 0.05-1.30 μg/mL, with a regression equation of ΔI = 1325c + 73.66 and correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.9907. The detection limit was 0.0777 μg/mL. Likewise, the linear range of the fluorescence quenching was 0.03-1.30 μg/mL; the regression equation was ΔF = 1926c + 294.0 with R2 = 0.9800 under fluorescence quenching. The detection limit was 0.0601 μg/mL. Therefore, the dual-channel sensor for the determination of CTS was applied to the health products, and the results were satisfactory. The t test result showed that there was no statistical difference between the two methods.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3276
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Conformational study of peptides containing dehydrophenylalanine: helical structures without hydrogen bond.
The conformational behaviour of deltaZPhe has been investigated in the model dipeptide Ac-deltaZPhe-NHMe and in the model tripeptides Ac-X-deltaZPhe-NHMe with X=Gly,Ala,Val,Leu,Abu,Aib and Phe and is found to be quite different. In the model tripeptides with X=Ala,Val,Leu,Abu,Phe the most stable structure corresponds to phi1=-30 degrees, psi1=120 degrees and phi2=psi2=30 degrees. This structure is stabilized by the hydrogen bond formation between C=O of acetyl group and the NH of the amide group, resulting in the formation of a 10-membered ring but not a 3(10) helical structure. In the peptides Ac-Aib-deltaZPhe-NHMe and Ac-(Aib-deltaZPhe)3-NHMe, the helical conformers with phi = +/-30 degrees, psi = +/-60 degrees for Aib residue and phi=psi= +/-30 degrees for deltaZPhe are predicted to be most stable. The computational studies for the positional preferences of deltaZPhe residue in the peptide containing one deltaZPhe and nine Ala residues reveal the formation of a 3(10) helical structure in all the cases with terminal preferences for deltaZPhe. The conformational behaviour of Ac-(deltaZPhe)n-NHMe with n< or =4 is predicted to be very labile. With n > 4, degenerate conformational states with phi,psi values of 0 degrees +/- 90 degrees adopt helical structures which are stabilized by carbonyl-carbonyl interactions and the N-H-pi interactions between the amino group of every deltaZPhe residue with one C-C edge of its own phenyl ring. The results are in agreement with the experimental finding that screw sense of helix for peptides containing deltaZPhe residues is ambiguous in solution. The helical structures stabilized by hydrogen bond formation are found to be at least 3kCalmol(-1) less stable. Conformational studies have also been carried out for the peptide Ac-(deltaEPhe)6-NHMe and the peptide Ac-deltaAla-(deltaZPhe)6-NHMe containing deltaAla residue at the N-terminal. The N-H-pi interactions are absent in peptide Ac-(deltaEPhe)6-NHMe.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3277
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Gastric cancer incidence in the Romagna Region of Italy: A spatial and temporal analysis.
BACKGROUND
The worldwide decrease in gastric cancer incidence is due to a birth-cohort-dependent decrease in exposure to major risk factors.
METHODS
In an area of northern Italy with a historically strong internal geographical gradient in gastric cancer incidence, variations in rates by municipality and age group between 1987 and 2008 were evaluated. The study period was divided into three nonadjacent periods. End points included: age- and sex-standardised incidence rates; incidence rate ratio between age- and sex-standardised incidence rates; smoothed relative risks of gastric cancer incidence, and posterior probabilities of the relative risk being >1.
RESULTS
In 1987-1990, the estimate of posterior probabilities of relative risk being >1 showed a higher incidence in hilly/mountainous areas. Between 1987-1990 and 2005-2008, a uniform decrease of more than 50% was observed (incidence rate ratio: plain, 0.45 (95% confidence interval 0.40-0.51); hill, 0.44 (0.34-0.58); mountain, 0.48 (0.22-1.02)). The decrease in the mountainous area was weak in the middle time period, with an incidence rate ratio of 0.92 (0.46-1.84), and intensified afterwards. The decrease occurred earlier and was more pronounced among younger people. In 2005-2008, gastric cancer risk was uniform across ages and municipalities.
CONCLUSIONS
The observed changes in gastric cancer incidence is the epilogue of a birth-cohort-dependent decrease in exposure to major risk factors.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3278
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Cortical afferent inhibition abnormalities reveal cholinergic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: a reappraisal.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder affecting, besides the dopaminergic function, multiple neurotransmission systems, including the cholinergic system. Central cholinergic circuits of human brain can be tested non-invasively by coupling peripheral nerve stimulation with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of motor cortex; this test is named short latency afferent inhibition (SAI). SAI abnormalities have been reported in PD patients with gait disturbances and many non-motor symptoms, such as visual hallucinations (VHs), REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), dysphagia, and olfactory impairment. The findings of these TMS studies strongly suggest that cholinergic degeneration is an important contributor to a number of clinical features of PD. TMS and neuropsychological raise the possibility that the presence of RBD, VHs and olfactory dysfunction indicate increased risk of cognitive impairment in patients with PD. Longitudinal studies of the patients are required to verify whether SAI abnormalities can predict a future severe cognitive decline. TMS can provide simple measures that may represent suitable biomarkers of cholinergic neurotransmission in PD. SAI studies enable an early recognition of PD patients with cholinergic system degeneration, and this might allow future targeted cholinergic treatment approaches, in addition to dopaminergic therapy, to ameliorate non-motor and motor clinical symptoms in PD patients.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3279
|
Psoriasis. Immunopathology and immunomodulation.
Biologics in development for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis are discussed in this article. Immunomodulators used as therapeutic, pathogenic probes will continue to identify targets that play primary roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3280
|
A 70000-molecular-weight protein isolated from purified pig gastric mucus glycoprotein by reduction of disulphide bridges and its implication in the polymeric structure.
The glycoprotein of pig gastric mucus has been isolated free of non-covalently bound protein as judged by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis and equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation. After reduction with 0.2 M-mercaptoethanol, protein was released from the glycoprotein, which consisted of a major 70000-mol.wt. component and a minor 60000-mol.wt. component. The 70000-mol.wt. protein fraction was separated from the reduced glycoprotein by either density-gradient centrifugation in CsCl or by gel filtration. Analysis of the 70000-mol.wt. protein fraction showed that, within the limits of the analysis, it was non-glycosylated, and its amino acid analysis was quite different from that of the reduced glycoprotein, which is high in serine, threonine and proline. There was a ratio of one 70000-mol.wt. protein per native glycoprotein molecule of 2 X 10(6) mol.wt. Dissociation of the native glycoprotein into glycoprotein subunits (5 X 10(5) mol.wt.) by reduction or proteolysis results in the release or hydrolysis respectively of the 70000-mol.wt. protein. A similar 70000-mol.wt. protein is demonstrated in human gastric mucus glycoprotein. A structural role for the proteins in these mucus glycoproteins is proposed.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3281
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[Complaint of urinary loss: a silent woman's problem].
This study investigates the prevalence of urinary incontinence and how it interferes in the daily life of women from a health center in the city of Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional analytical and quantitative study. The studied population was of 168 women who had appointments for hypertension and/or diabetes in September 2009. The data was collected through interviews and the application of the "International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire". For inferential analysis, we used chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Women from the analysis sample (59) were: aged between 42 and 59 years (52.5%), low educational level (55.9%), without a partner (57.6%), retired (50.8%), nonsmokers (81.4%) and overweight (71.2%). Only the low educational level was associated with incontinence. Prevalence was of 61.0%. For 55.5% of incontinents, losing urine intervenes in a grave or very grave way with their daily life. The urinary loss occurred while coughing or sneezing (72.2%) and before arriving at the bathroom (61.1%). The urinary incontinence presented a high prevalence, intervening negatively with these women's lives.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3282
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Behavioural response to the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa.
BACKGROUND
Given the economic and social divide that exists in South Africa, it is critical to manage the health response of its residents to the Covid-19 pandemic within the different socio-economic contexts that define the lived realities of individuals.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to analyse the Covid-19 preventive behaviour and the socio-economic drivers behind the health-response behaviour.
DATA
The study employs data from waves 1 and 2 of South Africa's nationally representative National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS)-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (CRAM). The nationally representative panel data has a sample of 7073 individuals in Wave 1 and 5676 individuals in Wave 2.
METHODS
The study uses bivariate statistics, concentration indices and multivariate estimation techniques, ranging from a probit, control-function approach, special-regressor method and seemingly unrelated regression to account for endogeneity while identifying the drivers of the response behaviour.
FINDINGS
The findings indicate enhanced behavioural responsiveness to Covid-19. Preventive behaviour is evolving over time; the use of face mask has overtaken handwashing as the most utilised preventive measure. Other measures, like social distancing, avoiding close contact, avoiding big groups and staying at home, have declined between the two periods of the study. There is increased risk perception with significant concentration among the higher income groups, the educated and older respondents. Our findings validate the health-belief model, with perceived risk, self-efficacy, perceived awareness and barriers to preventive strategy adoption identified as significant drivers of health-response behaviour. Measures such as social distancing, avoiding close contact, and the use of sanitisers are practised more by the rich and educated, but not by the low-income respondents.
CONCLUSION
The respondents from lower socio-economic backgrounds are associated with optimism bias and face barriers to the adoption of preventive strategies. This requires targeted policy attention in order to make response behaviour effective.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3283
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[Preoperative evaluation of sentinel lymph node biopsy using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in early breast cancer patients and the involved disturbing factors].
Objective: To explore the preoperative evaluation of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in early breast cancer patients and the involved disturbing factors. Methods: Eighty-three female early breast cancer patients who underwent concurrent surgery in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2017 and May 2018 were enrolled. CEUS was used to seek SLN and determine lymph node metastasis after signature of preoperative informed consent. Rapid pathological examination was used to determine whether metastasis existed in SLN. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, the differences between CEUS and pathological results, and the involved disturbing factors were evaluated. Results: A total of 212 SLNs were detected by CEUS and SLN biopsy with an average of 2.6 SLNs detected per patient, including 39 SLNs with cancer metastasis (18.4%) and 173 SLNs without cancer metastasis (81.6%). Among the 83 patients, 29 patients were predicted SLN-positive preoperatively utilizing CEUS (including 21 cases with SLN pathological metastasis and 8 cases with non-metastasis), 54 patients were predicted SLN-negative (including 5 cases with SLN pathological metastasis and 49 cases with non-metastasis). The preoperative evaluation of SLN utilizing CEUS were performed with a sensitivity of 80.8% (21/26), specificity of 86.0% (49/57), positive predictive value of 72.4% (21/29), and negative predictive value of 90.7% (49/54), positive likelihood ratio of 5.75, negative likelihood ratio of 0.22, and the accuracy of 84.3% (70/83), respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.834 (95% CI: 0.736-0.906). The primary tumor mean size of SLN-negative group predicted preoperatively utilizing CEUS was (1.78±0.14) cm, and that of the SLN positive group was (2.64±0.19) cm. The difference between the two groups was (0.86±0.24) cm with statistical significance (P=0.000 6). The SLN mean size of SLN-negative group (141 SLNs) was (1.41±0.05) cm and that of SLN-positive group (71 SLNs) was (1.69±0.07) cm. The difference between the two groups was (0.28±0.09) cm with statistical significance (P=0.002 8). Conclusions: Preoperative CEUS possesses the predictive value for SLN metastasis in early breast cancer. The predicted results may be influenced by the primary tumor size and the SLN size.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3284
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Metabolic Induction of Trained Immunity through the Mevalonate Pathway.
Innate immune cells can develop long-term memory after stimulation by microbial products during infections or vaccinations. Here, we report that metabolic signals can induce trained immunity. Pharmacological and genetic experiments reveal that activation of the cholesterol synthesis pathway, but not the synthesis of cholesterol itself, is essential for training of myeloid cells. Rather, the metabolite mevalonate is the mediator of training via activation of IGF1-R and mTOR and subsequent histone modifications in inflammatory pathways. Statins, which block mevalonate generation, prevent trained immunity induction. Furthermore, monocytes of patients with hyper immunoglobulin D syndrome (HIDS), who are mevalonate kinase deficient and accumulate mevalonate, have a constitutive trained immunity phenotype at both immunological and epigenetic levels, which could explain the attacks of sterile inflammation that these patients experience. Unraveling the role of mevalonate in trained immunity contributes to our understanding of the pathophysiology of HIDS and identifies novel therapeutic targets for clinical conditions with excessive activation of trained immunity.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3285
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Late-onset neutropenia during long-term rituximab therapy in neuromyelitis optica.
Late-onset neutropenia (LON) has been described as a side effect of rituximab (RX) therapy in patients with rheumatological and/or haematooncological diseases but not neuromyelitis optica (NMO). We describe a 71-year old female patient, who had NMO for 22 years, had been treated with RX monotherapy five times (cumulative dosage: 11g; duration of treatment: 3 years) before she developed severe neutropenia (IV) 3 months after the last RX infusion.(1) After exclusion of other causes, the diagnosis of LON was made. No complications occurred and neutropenia resolved without therapy. RX therapy was continued with intensive monitoring without any further LON and/or complications. In conclusion LON is a possible side effect during RX therapy and may also occur in NMO patients.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3286
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Thermotherapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
BACKGROUND
Thermotherapy is often used as adjunct in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by rehabilitation specialists.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness of different thermotherapy applications on objective and subjective measures of disease activity in patients with RA.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched Medline, EMBASE, Pedro, Current Contents, Sports Discus and CINAHL up to and including September 2001. The Cochrane Field of Rehabilitation and related therapies and the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group were also contacted for a search of their specialized registers. Hand searching was conducted on all retrieved articles for additional articles.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Comparative controlled studies, such as randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, cohort studies or case/control studies, of thermotherapy compared to control or active interventions in patients with RA were eligible. No language restrictions were applied. Abstracts were accepted.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two independent reviewers identified potential articles from the literature search (VR, LB). These reviewers extracted data using pre-defined extraction forms. Consensus was reached on all data extraction. Quality was assessed by two reviewers using a 5 point scale that measured the quality of randomization, double-blinding and description of withdrawals.
MAIN RESULTS
Seven studies (n=328 subjects) met the inclusion criteria. The results of this systematic review of thermotherapy for RA found that there was no significant effect of hot and ice packs applications (Ivey 1994), cryotherapy (Rembe 1970) and faradic baths (Hawkes 1986) on objective measures of disease activity including joint swelling, pain, medication intake, range of motion (ROM), grip strength, hand function compared to a control (no treatment) or active therapy. There is no significant difference between wax and therapeutic ultrasound as well as between wax and faradic bath combined to ultrasound for all the outcomes measured after 1, 2 or 3 week(s) of treatment (Hawkes 1986). There was no difference in patient preference for all types of thermotherapy. No harmful effects of thermotherapy were reported.
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
Superficial moist heat and cryotherapy can be used as a palliative therapy. Paraffin wax baths combined with exercises can be recommended for beneficial short term effects for arthritic hands. These conclusions are limited by methodological considerations such as the poor quality of trials.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3287
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[Programmable and portable infusion pump for advanced cytostatic multidrug treatment].
A portable, battery-driven, programmable drug infusion system which administers up to four different drugs through a single i.v. line is described ("IntelliJect I.V. Drug Delivery System"). The IntelliJect System can be used for a wide range of simple and complex regimens, including cytostatic therapy, antibiotic therapy, antiemetic therapy or pain control. If the actual drugs are not compatible, one channel can be programmed for flushing with sodium chloride. The system assures infusion of the right drug at the right time, while allowing delivery of preferred regimens in all settings--hospital, outpatient and home. A central venous access is necessary when used in an outpatient setting. The system needs minimal nurse or patient manipulation. Chemical stability and questions concerning microbiological contamination must be clarified, because drugs will be in the pump from several hours to several days. Applications of the system for cancer treatment are described, and documentation of patient preference of such a system is demonstrated. "IntelliJect I.V. Drug Delivery System" has the potential of optimizing cancer therapy, with regard to both quality of life and scheduling of cytotoxic drugs which can reduce toxicity and thereby possibly allow dose escalation.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3288
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[Familial case of myotonia with muscular hypertrophy, weakness corrected by effort and atrophy of type II fibers].
A 35 years old man has a non progressive muscle disease which appeared when he was 6. Clinically, there is a slight muscle hypertrophy, an important spontaneous myotonia and a curious muscle weakness, quite marked on the first efforts, but disappearing entirely after a few muscle contractions. The E.M.G. is normal but for the myotonic reaction. Muscle biopsy shows a selective atrophy of type II fibers. The disease is a genetic one, a sister and a brother of our patient having noticed the same symptom. The place of this disease among the congenital myotonias is discussed.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3289
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[Use of the LA 640 for a simple method of measuring the concentration of muscle lactate].
A simple technique was elaborated for the measurement of muscle lactate concentration. It was tested on samples of muscle vastus lateralis taken by the Bergström (1962) needle biopsy technique at the end of 20 min exercise bouts corresponding to 60-70% of Vo2 max. The biopsies were freshly frozen in liquid nitrogen, powdered and weighed in a cryostat at -20 degrees C. The extraction were made by saponine and the lactate measured in the saponine solution by an electrochemical-enzymatic method (LA 640). The results concern: the time of taking the biopsies and the freezing time (27 +/- 11 s and 34 +/- 9 s respectively); the accuracy of weighing (inducing a 1% uncertainty in the final result); a comparison of the saponine extraction with the perchloric acid extraction and a checking of the extraction capacity of the former; the accuracy of the whole measurement (the mean relative confidence limits are +/- 8-10%; the reproducibility of the technique through measurement of the variation coefficient (18%) calculated on measurements performed at a 15 days interval in 6 trained subjects. The discussion of the results and their comparison with those of the literature lead to the conclusion that the described method is suitable for muscle lactate measurements.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3290
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Pedunculated oncocytic carcinoma in buccal mucosa: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.
PURPOSE
In this study we evaluated pedunculated oncocytic carcinoma (OC) in the buccal mucosa via immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.
PATIENT AND METHODS
An 84-year-old man was referred to our clinic with a pedunculated mass about 4 cm in diameter in the right buccal mucosa. An incision biopsy revealed the diagnosis of oncocytic tumor, and enucleation was performed. The tumor was stained for immunohistochemical analysis using the ABC method and antibodies against cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), desmin, S-100 protein and muscle-specific actin, respectively. The tumor was stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate for visualization by electron microscopy.
RESULTS
Histopathology results revealed that the tumor consisted of oncocytic cells, characterized by eosinophilic and granular cytoplasm, and atypical nuclei. These cells had infiltrated local blood vessels, salivary glands and muscles. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that these cells were positive for CK and EMA, and negative for desmin, muscle-specific actin and S-100 protein. Electron microscopy revealed numerous dilated cytoplasmic mitochondria, and the cell contours and nucleic shapes of tumor cells were often irregular.
CONCLUSIONS
Because the histopathologic features of OC are similar to those of benign oncocytoma, the diagnosis of OC must be confirmed by a combination of clinical and ultrastructural characteristics.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3291
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Effect of calcium electroporation on tumour vasculature.
Calcium electroporation (CaEP) is a novel anti-tumour treatment that induces cell death by internalization of large quantities of calcium. The anti-tumour effectiveness of CaEP has been demonstrated in vitro, in vivo, and in preliminary clinical trials; however, its effects on the vasculature have not been previously investigated. Using a dorsal window chamber tumour model, we observed that CaEP affected to the same degree normal and tumour blood vessels in vivo, as it disrupted the vessels and caused tumour eradication by necrosis. In all cases, the effect was more pronounced in small vessels, similar to electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycin. In vitro studies in four different cell lines (the B16F1 melanoma, HUVEC endothelial, FADU squamous cell carcinoma, and CHO cell lines) confirmed that CaEP causes necrosis associated with acute and severe ATP depletion, a picture different from bleomycin with electroporation. Furthermore, CaEP considerably inhibited cell migratory capabilities of endothelial cells and their potential to form capillary-like structures. The finding that CaEP has anti-vascular effects and inhibits cell migration capabilities may contribute to the explanation of the high efficacy observed in preclinical and clinical studies.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3292
|
Environmental enrichment and isolation rearing in the rat: effects on locomotor behavior and startle response plasticity.
BACKGROUND
Laboratory rats exhibit behavioral changes that reflect a continuum of early life experience, from isolation-reared to socially reared to enrichment-reared conditions. In this study, we further characterize the behavioral effects of isolation, social, and enriched rearing on locomotor activity, patterns of movement and exploration, startle reactivity, prepulse inhibition (PPI), and habituation in adult rats.
METHODS
Male Sprague-Dawley rat pups (21 days old) were housed under enrichment (three per cage with toys and exposure to enriched environments), normal social (three per cage), or isolation (one per cage) conditions. Eight weeks later, locomotor and exploratory behaviors, acoustic startle reactivity, PPI, and habituation were measured in the three groups.
RESULTS
Enrichment-reared rats exhibited reduced exploration and rapid habituation of locomotor activity, increased startle reactivity, and normal PPI and startle habituation compared with socially reared controls. Isolation-reared rats exhibited increased exploration and normal habituation of locomotor activity, increased startle reactivity, reduced PPI, and normal startle habituation.
CONCLUSIONS
Isolation- and enrichment-reared rats exhibited opposite changes in some behaviors and similar changes in other behaviors. Specifically, rats raised in enriched conditions appear more efficient at assimilating stimuli from their environment than do rats reared in isolation. Nevertheless, both enrichment- and isolation-rearing conditions increased startle reactivity, whereas only isolation rearing led to disruptions of PPI in adulthood. These results suggest that isolation- and enrichment-rearing conditions produce some common and some differential effects on how rats process environmental stimuli. For studies of isolation-rearing effects on PPI, however, the complex and resource-intensive enrichment condition seems to offer few advantages over the normal social condition.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3293
|
Classification of pseudarthroses of the lumbar spine.
Imaging studies and operative records of 55 patients who had undergone lumbar pseudarthrosis repair were studied, providing a total of 85 surgically documented pseudarthroses. Preoperative imaging studies were carefully analyzed for the anatomic characteristics of the involved levels and the morphology of the fusion mass. The pseudarthroses were found to fall into four distinct morphologic categories: atrophic, transverse, shingle, and complex. The atrophic pseudarthrosis type was noted to be strongly associated with the presence of intact facet joints or spinal hardware. This retrospective analysis indicates that stress shielding provided by intact facet joints or spinal implants may contribute to graft atrophy in certain patients. The classification scheme proposed may be useful in future analyses of different fusion techniques in determining the various causes of this surgical complication.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3294
|
Could propranolol be beneficial in adult cerebral cavernous malformations?
Surgery is the only therapeutic option for cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) and is proposed, whenever possible, after haemorrhagic events, neurological symptoms, or epilepsy, radiosurgery being a controversial alternative in some cases. However, there is no treatment for non-accessible lesions, such as brainstem CCM, multiple CCM, or those located in functional areas. Propranolol, a non-selective beta-blocker used as first-line treatment for infantile haemangiomas, has proved spectacularly effective in a few cases of adult patients with CCM. We herein review the histological, in vitro data and clinical findings that support the idea of propranolol as a potential treatment for CCM. Since one retrospective study has not been conclusive, we support the idea that prospective trials are necessary.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3295
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A feasible procedure in dental practice: the treatment of oral dysplastic hyperkeratotic lesions of the oral cavity with the CO2 laser.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this work is to report some cases of surgical removal of hyperkeratotic lesions of the oral cavity with the CO(2) laser.
BACKGROUND
Hyperkeratosis is an abnormal thickening of the stratum corneum caused by increased deposition of keratin, and its histopathologic features show wide variations. These changes are significant because they determine different biologic behavior. Several techniques are used to treat these lesions, including scalpel incision, electrosurgery, cryosurgery, photodynamic therapy, and some drugs. The use of surgical lasers has been proposed as an effective way of treating such lesions safely. The CO(2) laser is the most used laser on the oral cavity because of its affinity for water and high absorption by the oral mucosa. Several benefits of the use of the CO(2) laser are reported in the literature in regard to surgical procedures carried out on the oral cavity.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
All patients had histopathologic diagnosis of hyperkeratosis and mild epithelial dysplasia and were routinely prepared for surgery under local anesthesia. The surgical procedures were carried out by using a CO(2) laser (Sharplan 20 C; Laser Industries, Tel Aviv, Israel, λ10,600 nm, φ∼2 mm, CW/RSP). The beam was focused to delimit each lesion, and then lesions were excised, and the removed specimens were sent for histopathology. At the end of the surgery, the beam was used in a defocused manner to promote better hemostasis. Neither sutures nor dressings were used after the surgery. No medication but mouthwashes was prescribed to all patients in the postoperative period.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of the CO(2) laser does not reduce the risk of relapses of the lesion, but it is an easy-to-use technique and results in both a quick surgical procedure and trouble-free postoperative period and may be safely used in dental practice.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3296
|
Radical-mediated dimerization and oxidation reactions for the synthesis of complex alkaloids.
Concise and general strategies for radical-based dimerization of cyclotryptamine and cyclotryptophan derivatives in addition to radical-based oxidation of structurally complex diketopiperazines are discussed. The impact of these radical-based chemistries on the rapid generation of molecular complexity is highlighted using representative examples from recent complex homodimeric alkaloid total syntheses. Additionally, a new and general strategy for radical-based directed heterodimerization of cyclotryptamine substructures via solvent-caged unsymmetrical diazene fragmentation is discussed.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3297
|
[Variation in the number and size of myelinated nerve fibers regenerated after repeated localized freezing of the sciatic nerve of rats].
The number and size of myelinated fibres have been determined in the nerve to medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle of Rats in which the sciatic nerve had been frozen locally 1 to 5 times at monthly intervals. The contralateral nerve was used as a control. When the measurements were made one month after the last freezing, the number of fibres increased progressively until the 3rd freezing, reaching about 220% of the normal value. No higher values were observed after 4 or 5 freezings. The mean diameter of fibres decreased with the number of operations. When the measurements were made 3, 6, 12 or 18 months after the 3rd freezing, the number of fibres decreased by about 30% between the 1st and the 3rd month and then stabilized. The mean diameter of fibres increased progressively. However, at the 18th month, the size of the myelinated fibres had not reached the normal value.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3298
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Frequency and significance of anti-glutathione S-transferase autoantibody (anti-GST A1-1) in autoimmune hepatitis.
Several phase I and phase II multi-drug metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2D6, 3A4, and UGTA1, were reported to act as immunotargets in a subset of autoimmune hepatitis and hepatic autoimmunity. However, it is uncertain whether glutathione S-transferase (GST) A1-1, one of the phase II multi-drug metabolizing enzymes, is also an immunotarget in autoimmune hepatitis. So, in the present study, we investigated the frequency and significance of anti-GST A1-1 in sera from patients with autoimmune hepatitis. A total of 74 serum samples from patients with autoimmune hepatitis were examined in the present study. As controls, 20 serum samples from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, 10 serum samples from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, 40 serum samples from patients with liver cirrhosis type B and C, 32 serum samples from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and 20 serum samples from normal controls were used. Anti-GST A1-1 antibody was determined by immunoblotting using the recombinant full-length GST A1-1 protein as the antigen. The immunofluorescent staining pattern of anti-GST A1-1 was investigated using rat liver and kidney sections. We compared clinicopathologic findings between anti-GST A1-1-positive and -negative autoimmune hepatitis patients. Anti-GST A1-1 was detected in 12 (16%) of 74 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, however, it was not detected in any control serum samples except for two patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. The immunofluorescence staining pattern of anti-GST A1-1 was found to be unique and different from those of anti-mitochondrial antibody or anti-liver-kidney microsome type 1 antibody. Anti-GST A1-1 coexisted with other autoantibodies such as anti-nuclear or anti-smooth muscle antibodies, but did not coexist with anti-soluble liver antigen/liver pancreas. Anti-GST A1-1-positive autoimmune hepatitis patients had severe clinical features and a poor prognosis compared with anti-GST A1-1-negative patients. These findings suggested that despite the low frequency, anti-GST A1-1 might be the marker of an early progression in autoimmune hepatitis.
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No pos
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No neg
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Retriever3299
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The effect of intrauterine growth restriction on the development and health of children.
The neurodevelopmental and cognitive outcome of long-term Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) has been followed up from pregnancy to school age at the Tel Aviv Child Development Centre.
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No pos
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No neg
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