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1118760
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Isolation and characterization of a felinine-containing peptide from the blood of the domestic cat (Felis catus).
Felinine is a unique sulfur-containing amino acid found in the urine of domestic cats and select members of the Felidae family. Research over the past 50 years has led to the conclusion that felinine must be synthesized in the kidney, as free felinine is not present in the blood or tissues of cats. We propose that felinine is present in the blood as gamma-glutamylfelinylglycine, a glutathione conjugate. To test our hypothesis [35S]cysteine was administered intraperitoneally to one entire male cat, and two radiolabeled fractions were isolated from the blood. We showed that the amounts of both fractions in serum were linked to the gender of the cat, with entire males expressing significantly higher levels compared with castrated males, entire females, or spayed females. Both fractions were characterized using amino acid analysis with one fraction (S18), containing an equimolar ratio of Cys, Glu, and Gly, while fraction S16 was found to contain Cys, plus free amino acids. Nanospray mass spectrometry confirmed the sequence of fraction S18 as being gamma-glutamylfelinylglycine and conclusively proving that felinine is present in the blood of cats as part of a larger molecule, thereby questioning the current theory that felinine is synthesized in the kidney.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118763
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Muscle fiber type correlates with innervation topography in the rat serratus anterior muscle.
Previous studies have reported that motoneurons from the sixth spinal nerve (C6) innervate the majority of muscle fibers in the rat serratus anterior (SA) muscle. The seventh spinal nerve (C7) innervates a limited number of SA fibers, increasing caudally. This topographic map is partially reestablished following denervation. In the present study, muscle fibers of the SA were stained with monoclonal antibodies for the muscle-specific fast myosin heavy chain (F-MHC) and slow myosin heavy chain (S-MHC) proteins. We found that the majority of fibers in the SA muscle stained for F-MHC antibody, and the percentage of muscle fibers staining for S-MHC antibody increased caudally. When newborn SA muscles were denervated and then reinnervated by the entire long thoracic (LT) nerve or only the C6 branch to the LT nerve, the reinnervated muscle had the normal proportion of muscle fibers expressing S-MHC protein. However, if the LT nerve was crushed and only C7 motoneurons allowed to reinnervate the SA muscle, a greater percentage of muscle fibers stained for S-MHC antibody than normal. We conclude that there is a correlation between muscle fiber type and innervation topography in the SA muscle of the rat.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118767
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Detection of EGFR mutations using target capture sequencing in plasma of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.
PURPOSE : Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is a promising biomarker for detection of non-invasive epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) mutations in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the existing methods have limitations in sensitivity or in availability. The aim was to evaluate the accuracy of capture target sequencing for detecting EGFR mutations in ctDNA. METHODS : A total of 79 patients with NSCLC and available plasma and matched tissue specimens were enrolled. Through capture target sequencing, mutations were searched in over 20 000 reads obtained from each exon region. Parameters corresponding to the limit of detection and limit of quantification were used as the thresholds for mutation detection. To evaluate the accuracy, detection of EGFR mutations in matched tissue samples was performed by target capture sequencing and the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). RESULTS: : EGFR mutations were discovered in 32.9 % (26/79) of the patients with NSCLC, the overall rate of consistency for the 79 paired plasma and tissue samples was 86.1 % (68/79). The sensitivity and specificity of detecting EGFR mutations in the plasma were 72.7 % and 95.7 %. In terms of the EGFR mutations identified by ARMS, the overall consistency was 78.5 % (62/79) in three groups. Of 21 patients with EGFR sensitive mutation defined by next generation sequencing in ctDNA, 20 (95.2%) showed long-term disease control with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR TKI) treatment; the median progression-free survival was 10.8 months (95% CI 9.1 to 16.8). CONCLUSIONS: Target capture sequencing of ctDNA can be used for genotyping of EGFR in patients with NSCLC, which may enable a direct recommendation for EGFR TKI on the basis of positive results with plasma DNA.
| 296
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118771
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[The role of triptans and analgesics for primary headache treatment].
Primary headache especially migraine is very common disorder. The mainstay in the acute treatment of migraine is triptans (sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan) and analgesics or NSAIDs. However, it is still unclear the appropriate usage of triptans and analgesics or NSAIDs for migraine treatment. Mild attacks may be managed with analgesics or NSAIDs while severe disabling ones usually respond better to specific antimigraine drugs, triptans. Analgesics or NSAIDs administration is always plagued with the potential of subsequent drug induced headache phenomenon. Therefore usage of analgesics or NSAIDs should be restricted only for young and typical type patients with migraine. As triptan medication method corresponding to various life style, in addition to tablet formulation, there are subcutaneous injector and nasal spray formulation in sumatriptan, rapid melt tablet formulation in zolmitriptan (rapimelt) and naratriptan (rapidisk). These different type of formulation are valuable for patient's needs.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118777
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Nasolacrimal duct opening to the inferior nasal meatus in human fetuses.
The purpose of this study is to describe the Hasner's membrane which is the main factor of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Hasner's membrane at the nasal end of the fetal nasolacrimal duct (NLD) is considered to rupture at and after birth. However, topographical anatomy around the membrane as well as a mechanism of rupture seems to be still obscure. We observed frontal or sagittal sections of 20 late-stage fetuses (28-33 weeks) and found the on-going rupture in 2 specimens. The present sections demonstrated that 1) the nasal dilation was not a simple ball-like structure but extended posteriorly and laterally; 2) dilation of the NLD consistently involved the lacrimal sac; 3) Hasner's membrane and ductal mucosal layer contained no macrophages and no or few arteries and nerves. The posterior extension of the NLD end ranged from 1-2 mm, while the lateral extension 3-5 mm although a site of the thinnest membrane varied in location between specimens. Moreover, the thickest NLD due to dilation was in the slightly orbital or upper side of the nasal end. Therefore, before surgical treatment of Hasner's membrane, evaluation using medical images seems to be necessary. Since the nasal epithelium on Hasner's membrane was most likely to destroy earlier than the NLD mucosal lining, observations of the membrane from the nasal cavity seemed helpful for diagnosis at which site would be broken and when.
| 237
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118789
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Common Audiological Functional Parameters (CAFPAs): statistical and compact representation of rehabilitative audiological classification based on expert knowledge.
As a step towards objectifying audiological rehabilitation and providing comparability between different test batteries and clinics, the Common Audiological Functional Parameters (CAFPAs) were introduced as a common and abstract representation of audiological knowledge obtained from diagnostic tests. Relationships between CAFPAs as an intermediate representation between diagnostic tests and audiological findings, diagnoses and treatment recommendations (summarised as "diagnostic cases") were established by means of an expert survey. Expert knowledge was collected for 14 given categories covering different diagnostic cases. For each case, the experts were asked to indicate expected ranges of diagnostic test outcomes, as well as traffic light-encoded CAFPAs. Eleven German experts in the field of audiological rehabilitation from Hanover and Oldenburg participated in the survey. Audiological findings or treatment recommendations could be distinguished by a statistical model derived from the experts' answers for CAFPAs as well as audiological tests. The CAFPAs serve as an abstract, comprehensive representation of audiological knowledge. If more detailed information on certain functional aspects of the auditory system is required, the CAFPAs indicate which information is missing. The statistical graphical representations for CAFPAs and audiological tests are suitable for audiological teaching material; they are universally applicable for real clinical databases.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118791
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Ice core evidence for Antarctic sea ice decline since the 1950s.
The instrumental record of Antarctic sea ice in recent decades does not reveal a clear signature of warming despite observational evidence from coastal Antarctica. Here we report a significant correlation (P < 0.002) between methanesulphonic acid (MSA) concentrations from a Law Dome ice core and 22 years of satellite-derived sea ice extent (SIE) for the 80 degrees E to 140 degrees E sector. Applying this instrumental calibration to longer term MSA data (1841 to 1995 A.D.) suggests that there has been a 20% decline in SIE since about 1950. The decline is not uniform, showing large cyclical variations, with periods of about 11 years, that confuse trend detection over the relatively short satellite era.
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1118792
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Excretion and metabolism of flunarizine in rats and dogs.
The excretion and metabolism of (E)-1-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)piperazine dihydrochloride (flunarizine hydrochloride, R 14 950, Sibelium) were studied after single oral doses in rats and dogs, using tritium-labelled as well as 14C-labelled drug. Flunarizine was well absorbed in both species. The mass balance for the unchanged drug and its major metabolites in urine, bile and faeces, as estimated with radio-HPLC, ALLOWED an explanation of the differences observed for the excretion pattern of the radioactivity in flunarizine-14C and flunarizine-3H dosed rats, and in male and female rats. Main metabolic pathway in male rats was the oxidative N-dealkylation resulting in bis(4-fluorophenyl)methanol and a number of complementary metabolites of the cinnamylpiperazine moiety, of which hippuric acid was the main one. In female rats and male dogs, however, hydroxy-flunarizine was the main metabolite, resulting from the aromatic hydroxylation of the phenyl ring of the cinnamyl moiety. Enterohepatic circulation of bis(4-fluorophenyl)methanol and hydroxy-flunarizine was proved by "donor-acceptor" coupling in rats; in bile and urine, these two metabolites were present mainly as glucuronides. The glucuronide of hydroxy-flunarizine was also the main plasma metabolite in dogs.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118795
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β-blockers in stage B: a precursor of heart failure.
β-blockers are an important treatment of heart failure (HF) and are useful in reducing the progression of the syndrome. They should be considered for patients with asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Evidence-based β-blocker therapy (bisoprolol, carvedilol, or metoprolol succinate) in combination with standard therapy is a mainstay of treatment of all symptomatic patients with LV systolic dysfunction. Patients in stage B also benefit from the early introduction of β-blockers, but there are no large randomized clinical trials to support this strategy. Whether there is a role for ivabradine in the treatment of HF is not clear.
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1118807
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Increased lengthening rate decreases expression of fibroblast growth factor 2, platelet-derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and CD31 in a rat model of distraction osteogenesis.
The rate of lengthening has a profound impact on bone regeneration during distraction osteogenesis. Rapid distraction can delay or completely inhibit union, whereas distracting too slowly may lead to premature consolidation. However, the mechanisms responsible for retardation of healing due to rapid distraction have not been elucidated. This study explored whether rapid distraction alters the expression of certain angiogenic growth factors, in particular, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA), and subsequent new vessel formation as evidenced by platelet endothelial cellular adhesion marker expression (CD31), an indicator of vascular budding. Unilateral femoral lengthenings were performed in 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats using a protocol that involved a 7-day latency period and distraction rates of either 0.5 (slow distraction) or 1.5 mm/d (fast distraction) for a total of 7.0 mm of lengthening. Animals were euthanized on postoperative days 8, 10, 12, 14, and 21 (n = 6 per time point and distraction rate). Expression of FGF-2, VEGF, PDGF-AA, and CD31 was characterized immunohistochemically. Cellular staining of FGF-2, PDGF-AA, VEGF, and CD31 was reduced on days 8 to 12 in the regenerate of the fast-distraction animals compared with the slow-distraction animals. Staining of all growth factors was weak on days 14 and 21 at the slow rate and absent at the fast rate. Regardless of time point, a similar spatial localization of growth factor expression was observed at the 2 rates of distraction. The reduced expression of angiogenic growth factors and CD31, a marker of new vessel formation, indicates that the angiogenic cascade and new vessel formation required for effective bone healing is disrupted at a distraction rate of 1.5 mm/d in a rat model of limb lengthening. Delayed bone healing with rapid distraction may be due in part to decreased cellular signaling required for angiogenesis. It may be possible to improve bone healing at increased distraction rates with the appropriately timed administration of growth factors.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118809
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Accommodation training in foreign workers.
By relaxing the contracted focus-adjustment muscles around the eyeball, known as the ciliary and extraocular muscles, the degree of pseudomyopia can be reduced. This understanding has led to accommodation training in which a visual target is presented in stereoscopic video clips. However, it has been pointed out that motion sickness can be induced by viewing stereoscopic video clips. In Measurement 1 of the present study, we verified whether the new 3D technology reduced the severity of motion sickness in accordance with stabilometry. We then evaluated the short-term effects of accommodation training using new stereoscopic video clips on foreign workers (11 females) suffering from eye fatigue in Measurement 2. The foreign workers were trained for three days. As a result, visual acuity was statistically improved by continuous accommodation training, which will help promote ciliary muscle stretching.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118829
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Role of an indigenous drug geriforte on blood levels of biogenic amines and its significance in the treatment of anxiety neurosis.
In the recent past, several herbal drugs have proved their efficacy in decreasing anxiety and tension. Until recently, limited scientific study has been done to prove the clinical importance of these herbal drugs. Geriforte is an indigenous compound commonly advocated for arresting the aging process. This remedy has also been found beneficial in reducing anxiety and stress.-34 diagnosed cases of anxiety neurosis and 24 apparently normal individuals were selected for the present study. After 12 weeks of drug therapy a significant reduction in 5-HT levels was observed. Circulating MAO and GABA showed an increasing trend along with decreased glutamic acid levels after treatment, in the neurotic anxiety cases. Psychological complaints considerably decreased after 12 weeks of therapy. Since Geriforte regulates the altered circulating biogenic amines, this remedy can be advocated as an adjunctive therapy in the management of stress disorders.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118834
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Perfectionism and ethnicity: implications for depressive symptoms and self-reported academic achievement.
Ethnic differences in perfectionism were examined among Asian American, African American, and Caucasian American college students. Analyses revealed that Asian American students scored significantly higher than the other groups on 3 of 6 perfectionism subscales. Minority students reported significantly higher parental expectations than Caucasian students. Significant correlations emerged for all 3 groups between depressive symptoms and concerns about making mistakes, perceived criticism from parents, and self-doubt. In regression analyses, perfectionism explained significant variance in depressive symptoms for Asian Americans and Caucasians and explained significant variance in cumulative grade point average for Asian Americans and African Americans. Self-doubt emerged as a robust individual predictor in these analyses.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118843
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Phospholipid asymmetry during erythrocyte deformation: maintenance of the unit membrane.
To assess the red blood cell (RBC) membrane's ability to maintain normal phospholipid orientation in the face of deforming stress, we examined RBC subjected to elliptical, tank-treading deformation. As determined by accessibility to phospholipase digestion and by labelling with fluorescamine, normal RBC are able to fully preserve their phospholipid asymmetry despite attaining over 96% of their maximal possible deformation. Phospholipid orientation is unchanged during deformation even for RBC that are ATP-depleted or vanadate-treated and for RBC that already have destabilized phospholipids due to treatment with t-butyl hydroperoxide. These data indicate that maintenance of phospholipid organization during marked deforming stress and tank-treading motion of the membrane is ascribable predominantly to the passive stabilizing effect of membrane proteins. This provides additional evidence for the concept of a unit membrane characterized by intimate associations between lipid and protein.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118845
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Determination of milk-oxidised ketone bodies as an acetone derivative by electron capture gas chromatography.
Following the deproteination of the milk sample by means of zinc hexacyanoferrate, acetoacetic acid was decarboxylated by heating; the acetone originally present was then determined together with the acetone formed. The essence of the determination was that acetone reacted with bromine in the presence of sulphuric acid, following which, the bromoacetone formed was extracted into toluene, separated by gas chromatography and measured using an electron capture detector. The calibration curve was found to be linear up to a concentration of 2 mmol l(-1) acetone. The detection limit calculated from the threefold noise level and the slope of the calibration curve was 9x10(-7) mol l(-1). The reliability of the method meets the practical requirements. Its application may be recommended above all for the establishment of subclinical ketosis.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118859
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Effect of cellular fatty acid alteration on adriamycin sensitivity in cultured L1210 murine leukemia cells.
We have investigated the effect of cellular fatty acid alteration on Adriamycin cytotoxicity using the L1210 lymphoblastic leukemia cell line. Cells growing in Roswell Park Memorial Institute Medium 1640 with 5% fetal bovine serum were modified with respect to fatty acid composition by supplementing their growth medium with 32 microM docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) or oleic acid (18:1). A soft agar clonogenic assay was then used to assess survival following incubation with Adriamycin. When exposed to the drug at a concentration of 0.4 microM, cells grown in the 22:6-supplemented medium were more sensitive (min of drug treatment required to reduce survival by 63% on the exponential portion of the survival curve, 64.9 +/- 4.2 min) to the cytotoxic effects of Adriamycin than cells grown in unsupplemented medium (min of drug treatment required to reduce survival by 63% on the exponential part of the survival curve, 106 +/- 9.7 min) (p less than 0.005). Cytotoxicity of L1210 cells grown in 18:1-supplemented medium was similar to that of cells grown in unsupplemented medium (min of drug treatment required to reduce survival by 63% on the exponential part of the survival curve, 126.6 +/- 9.1 min). The heightened sensitivity to Adriamycin of cells whose medium contained 22:6 increased as the concentration of fatty acid used to supplement the growth medium was increased. The cytotoxicity was also a function of the concentration of Adriamycin from 0.1 to 1.6 microM. When compared to cells grown in unsupplemented medium, those grown in 22:6-supplemented medium contained 3- to 4-fold more polyunsaturated fatty acids in their phospholipids, with a resultant doubling in the mean number of double bonds per fatty acid molecule. These data demonstrate that modification of cellular fatty acid composition may dramatically affect the sensitivity of a tumor cell to Adriamycin.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118865
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Ultrafast optical phase modulation with metallic nanoparticles in ion-implanted bilayer silica.
The nonlinear optical response of metallic-nanoparticle-containing composites was studied with picosecond and femtosecond pulses. Two different types of nanocomposites were prepared by an ion-implantation process, one containing Au nanoparticles (NPs) and the other Ag NPs. In order to measure the optical nonlinearities, we used a picosecond self-diffraction experiment and the femtosecond time-resolved optical Kerr gate technique. In both cases, electronic polarization and saturated absorption were identified as the physical mechanisms responsible for the picosecond third-order nonlinear response for a near-resonant 532 nm excitation. In contrast, a purely electronic nonlinearity was detected at 830 nm with non-resonant 80 fs pulses. Regarding the nonlinear optical refractive behavior, the Au nanocomposite presented a self-defocusing effect, while the Ag one presented the opposite, that is, a self-focusing response. But, when evaluating the simultaneous contributions when the samples are tested as a multilayer sample (silica-Au NPs-silica-Ag NPs-silica), we were able to obtain optical phase modulation of ultra-short laser pulses, as a result of a significant optical Kerr effect present in these nanocomposites. This allowed us to implement an ultrafast all-optical phase modulator device by using a combination of two different metallic ion-implanted silica samples. This control of the optical phase is a consequence of the separate excitation of the nonlinear refracting phenomena exhibited by the separate Au and Ag nanocomposites.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118884
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Gender-related changes in increase of dopaminergic neurons in the olfactory bulb of Parkinson's disease patients.
Gender differences in dopaminergic related neurodegenerative diseases have hardly been studied until now. It is generally accepted that more men than women suffer from Parkinson's disease. One of the most prevalent symptoms in Parkinson's patients, hyposmia, does not show gender differences, while normally the sense of smell is better developed in females. Whether the change in dopamine in the olfactory bulb contributes equally to hyposmia in male and female Parkinson's patients is the subject of the present study. In a stereological study the total number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive neurons in the olfactory bulbs of male and female Parkinson's patients and age-matched controls has been estimated. The present stereological study shows that the number of tyrosine hydroxylase positive cells in control females is significantly lower than those in control males. The number of dopaminergic cells in the olfactory bulbs of both male and female Parkinson's patients equals that of healthy males of the same age group. We therefore conclude that the hyposmia in Parkinson's disease patients cannot simply be ascribed to dopamine in the olfactory bulb.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118887
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Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper is downregulated in human alveolar macrophages upon Toll-like receptor activation.
Induction of the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) by glucocorticoids plays a role in their antiinflammatory action, whereas GILZ expression is reduced under inflammatory conditions. The mechanisms regulating GILZ expression during inflammation, however, have not yet been characterized. Here, we investigated GILZ expression in human alveolar macrophages (AMs) following Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation. Macrophages were shown to predominantly express GILZ transcript variant 2. Lipopolysaccharide-treated AMs, THP-1 cells, and lungs of lipopolysaccharide-exposed mice displayed decreased GILZ protein and mRNA levels. The effect was strictly dependent on the adapter molecule MyD88, as shown by using specific ligands or a knockdown strategy. Investigations on the functional significance of GILZ downregulation performed by GILZ knockdown revealed a proinflammatory response, as indicated by increased cytokine expression and NF-κB activity. We found that TLR activation reduced GILZ mRNA stability, which was mediated via the GILZ 3'-untranslated region. Finally, involvement of the mRNA-binding protein tristetraprolin (TTP) is suggested, since TTP overexpression or knockdown modulated GILZ expression and TTP was induced in a MyD88-dependent fashion. Taken together, our data show a MyD88- and TTP-dependent GILZ downreg-ulation in human macrophages upon TLR activation. Suppression of GILZ is mediated by mRNA destabilization, which might represent a regulatory mechanism in macrophage activation.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118889
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Electron energy-loss spectroscopy study of ZnO nanobelts.
Nanobelts of ZnO have well-defined shapes that are enclosed by {0001}, {0110} and {2110} facets. The nanobelts grow along [0110] and [2110] with large flat surfaces of +/-(0001) and +/-(0110), respectively. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy has been applied to study the electronic structure of ZnO nanobelts of different growth orientations. A plasmon peak observed at 13 eV is suggested to be the result of polar surface excitation. The energy-loss near-edge structure of the oxygen K and zinc L3 edges acquired from the two types of nanobelts show clear orientation dependence, and they agree well to the calculated results.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118911
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Management of Noncardiac Comorbidities in Chronic Heart Failure.
Prevalence of heart failure is increasing, especially in the elderly population. Noncardiac comorbidities complicate heart failure care and are increasingly common in elderly patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction heart failure, owing to prolongation of patient's lives by advances in chronic heart failure (CHF) management. Common comorbidities include respiratory disease, renal dysfunction, anemia, arthritis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cognitive dysfunction, and depression. These conditions contribute to the progression of the disease and may alter the response to treatment, partly as polypharmacy is inevitable in these patients. Cardiologists and other physicians caring for patients with CHF need to be vigilant to comorbid conditions that complicate the care of these patients. There is now more guidance on management of noncardiac comorbidities in heart failure, and this article contains a comprehensive review of the most recent updates on management of noncardiac comorbidities in CHF.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118919
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Intraoperative assessment for mitral valve competency in a beating heart under retrograde coronary perfusion.
Intraoperative assessment of a repaired mitral valve is of paramount importance for reparative mitral surgery. From September 2010 through November 2012, 20 consecutive patients underwent mitral valve plasty for mitral regurgitation. The patients who underwent surgery after June 2012 received assessment of the repair with the heart beating (HB group, n = 10), and the patients who underwent the operation before May 2012 were assessed for the repair only under cardioplegic heart arrest (non-HB group, n = 10). Intermittent cold retrograde blood cardioplegia was used in all patients. In the HB-group, after completion of the procedures, pump blood without a crystalloid additive was delivered into the coronary sinus. The function of the mitral valve was assessed under beating conditions. There were no differences between the two groups in aortic cross clamp time and operation time, although operative and concomitant procedures were slightly more complicated in the HB group than in the non-HB group. Postoperative echocardiography revealed none or mild mitral regurgitation in all the patients in both groups. Reopening of the closed left atrium for additional repair was necessary only in one patient in the HB group and 3 patients in the non-HB group. In conclusion, the method of perfusing the myocardium retrogradely via the coronary sinus with warm blood is safe and effective for assessing the competency of the mitral valve in a beating heart.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118924
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Is Medication Overuse Drug Specific or Not? Data from a Review of Published Literature and from an Original Study on Italian MOH Patients.
The aim is twofold. First, to give an insight on the role exerted by different classes of drugs in favouring migraine chronification. Second, to explore the relationship between type and amount of overused medications and history of previous withdrawal treatment and of frequent relapses. All drug classes were found to favour migraine chronification. No data are available for the association with relapses into CM-MOH. Our clinical study shows that patients who underwent previous withdrawal treatments were more likely to be overusers of multiple drug classes and overuse higher amounts of symptomatic medications, particularly, indomethacin, eletriptan and tramadol. Frequent relapsers were more likely to be overusers of opioids or ergotamine and caffeine derivates or of multiple classes, particularly acetylsalicylic acid and ergotamine/caffeine derivates. The joint results our review and clinical study do not seem to support the idea that MOH is drug-specific: rather, it points out that all drug classes may induce migraine chronification. Those drugs which are at higher risk of overuse are among those preferred by the "worst" patients, i.e. those who needed one or more withdrawal treatments for MOH. Our results reinforce the clinical impression that patients with CM and MOH, and particularly the most difficult to treat for their poor response to withdrawal treatments, are characterised by a particular drive towards the consumption of "whatever is likely to be perceived to provide some relief", despite these drugs that are perceived as "more powerful", are often indicated as second- or third-line medications.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118926
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Shock-wave measurement using a calibrated interferometric fiber-tip sensor.
The results of shock-wave measurements using a calibrated fiber-tip sensor based on a Michelson interferometer are presented. A transfer function, obtained by an independent experiment that describes the properties of the sensor system, was used to correct the measured shock-wave data in the Fourier frequency domain. The phase of the transfer function was determined from its amplitude by a fitting procedure using minimum-phase terms. As an example of application, the acoustic output field of an electromagnetic lithotriptor was investigated, and the shock-wave source was reliably characterized. The measured data provide a basis for estimating the hazard to which a patient is exposed during shock-wave treatment and for optimizing a lithotriptor system to produce a sharply localized and effective acoustic field.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118933
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[Literature review and presentation of our own research results regarding the effects on bone of tyrosine kinase inhibitors imatinib and nilotinib used in the treatment of oncohematological diseases].
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are widely used for treatment of certain oncohematological diseases. Several clinical studies have confirmed that specific BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors alter the physiological process of bone tissue in a complex and unclearly identified manner. Since these treatments are being given to more and more patients, and the therapy takes decades or lasts even lifelong, it is justifiable to obtain more detailed knowledge of the molecular background of these mechanisms. In this article the authors summarize preliminary research results and human clinical observations on imatinib and nilotinib which are related to bone metabolism, and present the results of their own experiments in in vitro osteoblast cultures. Based on the presented results, the effects of imatinib and nilotinib on bone cells depend on the concentration of imatinib and nilotinib, the maturation stage of the cells and the distribution ratio of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. In this study the authors firstly prepared a stop-gap, comprehensive review in the Hungarian literature, regarding the effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on bone metabolism. In addition they firstly performed whole transcriptome analysis on osteoblasts in order to obtain a better understanding of the cellular molecular mechanisms. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(36), 1429-1437.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118937
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Saccades in adult Niemann-Pick disease type C reflect frontal, brainstem, and biochemical deficits.
The autosomal recessive disorder Niemannn-Pick type C (NPC) presents in adulthood with psychosis or cognitive deficits associated with supranuclear gaze palsies. While saccadic innervation to the extraocular muscles is generated in the brainstem, the frontal lobes play an integral role in the initiation of volitional saccades and the suppression of unwanted reflexive saccades. No study has examined the frontally driven volitional control of saccadic eye movements in NPC. To examine self-paced and antisaccades as well as reflexive saccades in adult patients with NPC, a disorder known to affect brainstem and frontal cortical function. Three biochemically confirmed adult patients with NPC were compared with 10 matched controls on horizontal saccadic and antisaccadic measures using an infrared limbus eye tracker. Patients' cholesterol esterification and filipin staining, Mini-Mental State performance, and NPC symptom level were rated. Reflexive saccade latency ranged from shorter to longer than normal, reflexive saccade gain was reduced, asymptotic peak velocity was reduced, fewer self-paced saccades were generated, and increased errors on antisaccades were made by patients compared to controls. Patients with more severe biochemical, cognitive, and symptom deficits performed most poorly on brainstem and frontal ocular motor measures. Paradoxically, less severe illness was associated with an abnormally reduced saccadic latency. Ocular motor measures provide an index of disease severity in Niemannn-Pick type C (NPC) and may be a useful adjunct for monitoring the illness progress and medication response. Reduced saccadic latency may result from inadequate fixation input from abnormally functioning frontal eye fields in NPC.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118938
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[High intravenous doses of immunoglobulins for treatment of autoimmune neutropenias].
Two patients respectively with acute agranulocytosis and with chronic neutropenia were treated with high-dose immunoglobulins. In the first case, immunologic tests revealed the presence of antigranulocytic autoantibodies: all other tests (antinuclear antibodies, anti-DNA antibodies, immune complexes, latex) were negative. In the second case, all the above mentioned tests were negative. In both patients, neutrophil number returned to normal after the second immunoglobulin injection. Eight months after treatment, the neutrophil count was normal in the first patient and anti-granulocyte tests had become negative. In the second patient there was a late recurrence of neutropenia. The diagnosis of autoimmune neutropenia is difficult to confirm. In the case of peripheral "idiopathic" neutropenia, with infectious complications, high-dose immunoglobulin administration thus appears justified regardless of the results of the immunologic tests. This therapy also has the advantage of avoiding side effects of steroid treatment or of splenectomy.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118940
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Spatiotemporal components of the 3-D gait analysis of community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese: age- and sex-related differences.
To describe age- and sex-related differences in gait patterns of community-living men and women using 3-D gait analysis. Subjects (n=2006) aged 40-84 years participated in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). Spatiotemporal components, including velocity, step length, step frequency, and double support time during a gait cycle, were calculated from 3-D coordinates and vertical force data. Velocity, step length and step frequency were normalized by leg length and acceleration due to gravity, and double support time was normalized to gait cycle duration. Spatiotemporal walking variables of brisk velocity and step length were significantly greater in men than in women, while comfortable velocity and comfortable and brisk step frequencies and double support times were greater in women than in men. Age-related changes were marked at 70-84 years in most spatiotemporal variables in both sexes during comfortable walking. During brisk walking, age-related changes were observed from a younger age than during comfortable walking, and there were sex-related differences. The age-related gait alteration was obvious among those aged 70 years and older, and it accelerated markedly in women's brisk walking intensity.
| 198
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118947
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Next-generation sequencing workflows in veterinary infection biology: towards validation and quality assurance.
Recent advancements in DNA sequencing methodologies and sequence data analysis have revolutionised research in many areas of biology and medicine, including veterinary infection biology. New technology is poised to bridge the gap between the research and diagnostic laboratory. This paper defines the potential diagnostic value and purposes of next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications in veterinary infection biology and explores their compatibility with the existing validation principles and methods of the World Organisation for Animal Health. Critical parameters for validation and quality control (quality metrics) are suggested, with reference to established validation and quality assurance guidelines for NGS-based methods of diagnosing human heritable diseases. Although most currently described NGS applications in veterinary infection biology are not primary diagnostic tests that directly result in control measures, this critical reflection on the advantages and remaining challenges of NGS technology should stimulate discussion on its diagnostic value and on the potential to validate NGS methods and monitor their diagnostic performance.
| 166
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118957
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[Reliability of blood pressure measurement: the patient versus primary care workers].
To evaluate the degree of inter-observer concordance in the blood pressure figures taken by a nurse and a doctor with a mercury sphygmomanometer and by the patient with a semi-automatic device. Observational, crossover study. A rural health centre. 318 people selected by systematic sampling. Pressure was taken in different ways by 3 different "observers" (0): the patient with a semi-automatic device (01), a nurse (02) and a family doctor (03). Inter-observer concordance was assessed through the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the kappa index. 42.1%, 41.8% and 44.3% of patients had high blood pressure (> or = 140/90 mmHg) according to 01, 02 and 03, respectively. 33% were known to be hypertense. The ICC for systolic pressure was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.75-0.87) between 01 and 02; 0.84 (CI, 0.78-0.90) between 01 and 03; and 0.87 (CI, 0.82-0.92) between 02 and 03. The ICC for diastolic pressure was 0.67 (CI, 0.59-0.75), 0.72 (CI, 0.64-0.79) and 0.79 (CI, 0.72-0.86) for 01-02, 01-03 and 02-03, respectively. The kappa index was 0.53 (CI, 0.43-0.62) for 01-02; 0.60 (CI, 0.51-0.68) for 01-03; and 0.67 (CI, 0.58-0.75) for 02-03. Inter-observer concordance was good, with no substantial differences between the measurements made by the different observers. As the figures determined by the semi-automatic device were reliable, this is a good option for the follow-up and monitoring of hypertense patients.
| 232
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118958
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The feeding ecology and dietary overlap in two sympatric primate species, the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and dusky langur (Trachypithecus obscurus obscurus), in Malaysia.
Knowledge about the feeding ecology and dietary overlap of sympatric primates is essential for understanding how animals avoid or reduce interspecific competition. From April 2014 to March 2015, we investigated the feeding ecologies of two sympatric primates, a hindgut fermenter, the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) and a foregut fermenter, the dusky langur (Trachypithecus obscurus obscurus), in a mixed landscape consisting of urban and agro-forested areas and forest fragments in Malaysia. We collected a total of 5570 and 4029 of feeding records for M. fascicularis and T. o. obscurus, respectively, using the 10-min scan sampling method. Food availability and seasonal changes in plant species consumed by both study groups were determined by vegetation surveys carried out across an area of 1.6 ha. A total of 113 and 130 plant species were consumed by M. fascicularis and T. o. obscurus, respectively. Leaves (51%) and fruits (40%) accounted for the majority of the feeding records in T. o. obscurus, whereas fruits (32%) and anthropogenic foods (27%) together with leaves (15%) and insects (6%) accounted for the majority of the feeding records for M. fascicularis. Throughout the year, there were 59 consumed plant species common to both species, and the dietary overlap was the highest for fruits. Although leaves were always more abundant than fruits in our study site, the amount of monthly fruit eating by the two species showed a significant correlation with that of fruit availability. Monthly fruit availability had a positive effect on overall monthly dietary overlap while flower and leaf availability had a negative effect. We showed that fruit was the preferred food resource of two sympatric species with different digestive systems. This could have implications for resource competition, interspecific competition, and niche separation, which should be investigated in more detail.
| 314
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118967
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Molecularly targeted therapy in acute myeloid leukemia.
Meaningful progress has been made toward clarifying the molecular steps in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Chromosome studies have established that translocations/inversions are the most common cytogenetic defects in AML. Cloning of chromosome breakpoints has shown that genes involved in the chromosome abnormalities are transcription factors, functional loss of which alters chromatin configuration and results in the disruption of myeloid differentiation. However, transgenic animal models have demonstrated that AML-specific translocations/inversions alone are insufficient to cause overt leukemia, which occurs only when point mutations affecting receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) develop. Therefore, development of AML is now considered a two-step process in which RTK mutations provide a proliferative and a survival advantage to a clonal cell population already marked by impaired differentiation. In addition, more accurate definition of such genetic lesions has led to a more precise insight as to how such lesions interact with cellular signaling pathways that are aberrantly regulated in AML. All these new data have profound clinical and therapeutic implications and will surely translate into the development of molecules that target specific mutations or signal transduction pathways.
| 187
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118982
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Long-term and mechanistic evaluation of drug-induced liver injury in Upcyte human hepatocytes.
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) constitutes one of the most frequent reasons of restricted-use warnings as well as withdrawals of drugs in postmarketing and poses an important concern for the pharmaceutical industry. The current hepatic in vivo and in vitro models for DILI detection have shown clear limitations, mainly for studies of long-term hepatotoxicity. For this reason, we here evaluated the potential of using Upcytes human hepatocytes (UHH) for repeated-dose long-term exposure to drugs. The UHH were incubated with 15 toxic and non-toxic compounds for up to 21 days using a repeated-dose approach, and, in addition to conventional examination of effects on viability, the mechanisms implicated in cell toxicity were also assessed by means of high-content screening. The UHH maintained the expression and activity levels of drug-metabolizing enzymes for up to 21 days of culture and became more sensitive to the toxic compounds after extended exposures, showing inter-donor differences which would reflect variability among the population. The assay also allowed to detect the main mechanisms implicated in the toxicity of each drug as well as identifying special susceptibilities depending on the donor. UHH can be used for a long-term repeated detection of DILI at clinically relevant concentrations and also offers key mechanistic features of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. This system is therefore a promising tool in preclinical testing of human relevance that could help to reduce and/or replace animal testing for drug adverse effects.
| 242
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118993
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Mild traumatic brain injury and ADHD: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.
This study investigated the association between mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and ADHD, which increases risk of injuries and accidents. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that examined the relationship between mTBI and ADHD. Five studies, comprising 3,023 mTBI patients and 9,716 controls, fit our a priori inclusion and exclusion criteria. A meta-analysis found a significant association between ADHD and mTBI, which was significant when limited to studies that reported on ADHD subsequent to mTBI and when the direction of the association was not specified, but not for studies that reported mTBI subsequent to ADHD. Heterogeneity of effect size and publication biases were not evident. The literature documents a significant association between mTBI and ADHD. Further clarification of the relationship and direction of effect between mTBI and ADHD and treatment implications could have large clinical, scientific, and public health implications.
| 156
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118994
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Developmental dysphasia: clinical importance and underlying neurological causes.
This survey deals with two aspects of developmental dysphasia which are relevant to child psychiatry; the early diagnosis and treatment of children with developmental dysphasia, which may prevent the progression of learning and behaviour disorders, and the underlying biological causes of this neuro-developmental disorder. The pathophysiology of developmental dysphasia is complex and age-related. In the pre-verbal and early verbal stage, the severity of the clinical picture is primarily determined by concomitant motor pathology (motor dysfunction, dysarthria, general and oral dyspraxia) and by receptive pathology (hearing and auditory perception). In the verbal period, linguistic problems start to play a role, and often combine with oral motor symptoms to present a mixed picture. The various language syndromes do not become clear until some time later. After the kindergarten period, the oral motor and perceptual problems decrease and the language disorders continue to play a role and influence the child's conversation, internal speech and learning a school. In a relatively small number of children without oral motor, perceptual or memory problems, there can be a basic syndrome of "pure dysphasia" without any other neurological signs. These children are very likely to have a genetically determined developmental disorder on a limited neuronal level (no cerebral damage of any kind!) such as an abnormal asymmetry of the hemispheres. In somewhat more than half the patients, this basic syndrome is accompanied by other neurological signs, most of which are indicative of functional disorders of the left hemisphere. There can also be symptoms of the right hemisphere, of the corpus callosum and of the afferent pathway systems for auditory perception. The nature and causes of these anomalies can be multifarious, so that it is unfeasible to speak of THE substrate or THE pathogenesis. Treatment should not be confined to speech therapy techniques, but should also take into consideration the existence of abnormal motor and affective development and can thus only be optimally given by a highly trained team whose expertise also extends to the schooling aspect.
| 336
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118995
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[Female sterility after appendicitis in childhood].
The aim of the study was to establish the rate of sterility in women who had been operated on in childhood for perforated and non-perforated appendicitis. The group with perforated appendicitis consisted of 58 women who had been operated on at the age of 3 to 15 years and at the time of the follow-up examination they were in the age range of 23 to 41 years. Of these women 51 were married and 49 of them had one to three children. Two women (3.9%) were sterile. One had been operated on in adulthood for tubo-ovarial abscess in the right and pyosalpinx in the left tube and the other one was treated for repeated adnexitis in adulthood. The group with non-perforated appendicitis consisted of 168 women who had been operated on at the age of 3 to 15 years and at the time of the follow-up examination they were in the age range of 23 to 40 years. Of these women 145 were married and 141 had one to four children. Four women (2.8%) with the history of noncomplicated appendicitis were sterile. Our retrospective study showed no statistically significant difference in the occurrence rate of sterility in women operated on in childhood for perforated and non-perforated appendicitis.
| 212
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PubMed Abstracts
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1118998
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Association of the 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphisms with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in Chinese Han population.
The -1438G/A polymorphism of 5-HT2A receptor gene may associate with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in a Chinese Han population. Different genotypes of -1438G/A polymorphism may influence the ventilatory activity in response to hypoxia, and in turn the sleep breath status. This study was designed to assess the association of polymorphisms in all exons and promoter region of the 5-HT2A receptor gene with OSAHS in a Chinese Han population. A total of 315 subjects (210 patients and 105 controls) were included for genetic analyses of polymorphisms in all exons and promoter region of the 5-HT2A receptor gene. Six single nucleoside polymorphism (SNP) sites were identified in the sequencing of the promoter and exons of the 5-HT2A receptor gene; however, genotypes and allele frequencies of the SNPs did not show significant differences between the patients and controls except the -1438G/A polymorphism. For SNP of -1438G/A, the A/A genotype was over-represented and the allele A was more frequent in the patients, while the G/A genotype was over-represented and the allele G was more frequent in the controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, respectively). In the patients, the A/A and G/A genotypes were over-represented in the subgroups with lowest nocturnal SaO(2) (LSaO(2)) ≤75% and LSaO(2) >75%, respectively (p = 0.006).
| 225
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119016
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Is the purinergic system involved in the control of pathological movements?
The EEG and behavioral effects of caffeine, carbamazepine and haloperidol were assessed in adult male rabbits. Caffeine (50 mg/kg i.v.) induced a long-lasting EEG desynchronization (45.6/60 min in mean) which was not modified by pretreatment of the rabbits with carbamazepine or haloperidol. All these drugs, administered alone, failed to induce stereotypy in rabbits. The administration of caffeine in combination with carbamazepine and/or haloperidol induced stereotyped behavior.
| 76
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119018
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Planar-Tetracoordinate Carbon in a Neutral Saturated Hydrocarbon: Theoretical Design and Characterization.
Exact planarity at the central carbon atom is achieved, according to molecular orbital calculations, in the strained polycyclic cage hydrocarbon dimethanospiro[2.2]octaplane (see structure). There are no glaringly long C-C bonds, which might have reflected inherent instability in this molecule that is yet to be synthesized.
| 55
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119022
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Epidemiology of systemic sclerosis.
Systemic sclerosis is a family of disorders most appropriately considered in the category of the connective tissue diseases. Two major forms are recognized (diffuse cutaneous and limited cutaneous involvement subtypes), each with distinctive clinical and serologic findings as well as natural history. Scleroderma is characterized epidemiologically by several distinctive features. From a demographic viewpoint, the disease spares children and its incidence increases steadily with age among adults. If occurs much more frequently in women, especially during the child-bearing years, and most often and most severely in young black women, though there is no overall prominent racial predilection. The annual incidence approaches 20 per million population, and may be considerably underestimated. Both incidence and mortality have increased during the past several decades, but these changes are most likely a result of improved case detection rather than a true increase in incidence. Prevalence studies have not been undertaken, but 500 per million population may be a reasonable estimate. Family and genetic studies suggest a weak genetic predisposition, but several strong HLA associations with scleroderma-specific serum autoantibodies are evident. Certain environmental agents may be implicated in pathogenesis of scleroderma and closely related systemic illnesses associated with cutaneous fibrosis. The widespread pathologic process in systemic sclerosis leads to vascular insufficiency and fibrosis, which diminishes the reserve function of many organ systems. The result is considerable disability, especially affecting hand function, and a significant reduction in life span, with an overall 10-year survival from first physician diagnosis of under 70%. Further epidemiologic studies should take full advantage of established and newly proposed subsets of patients with homogeneous clinical, laboratory, serologic, and natural history features. The environment-host interactions noted here must be fully explored, especially in early untreated disease, where primary rather than secondary mechanisms are most likely to be operative.
| 298
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119026
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Weekly gemcitabine and cisplatin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II study.
The combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin has proven effective in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the optimal schedule for administration of the two drugs has not yet been determined. In this study we evaluated the activity and toxicity of a weekly gemcitabine and cisplatin schedule. Thirty-six untreated patients with stage IIIB IV NSCLC entered the study. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 i.v. and cisplatin 35 mg/m2 i.v., both given weekly on day 1,8, and 15, followed by one week of rest. Ninety-seven courses (273 weekly administrations) were delivered. The median dose-intensity was 612 mg/m2 per week for gemcitabine (82%) and 21 mg/m2 per week for cisplatin (80%). All 36 of the patients were evaluable for toxicity, and 30 for response. Partial remissions were observed in 12 patients, for an overall response rate of 40% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 22.5%-57.5%). Most of the partial remissions were seen in IIIB patients (54% of the stage IIIB and 22% of the stage IV patients responded). According to the intent-to-treat principle, the response rate was 33.3% (12 of 36 patients). The median response duration was 9.9 months (range 4-23) and the median survival time 11.8 months (range 1-24). World Health Organization (WHO) grade 3-4 myelotoxicity was: thrombocytopenia in nine patients (25%), neutropenia in six (16.6%) and anemia in six (16.6%); there was very little additional major toxicity. This regimen appears to be active and to have a favourable toxicity profile.
| 254
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119045
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Precipitation of dilute chromatographic samples (ng/ml) containing interfering substances for SDS-PAGE.
SDS-PAGE of chromatographic fractions requires prior removal of salts, detergents, denaturants, or organic solvents which may perturb the electrophoretic separation. Likewise, to successfully visualize minute amounts of protein present in chromatographic fractions, they must often be concentrated before analysis by SDS-PAGE. In this study, we used a dye precipitation procedure for simultaneous removal of interfering substances and concentration of dilute samples (ng/ml) before analysis by SDS-PAGE. Nanogram amounts of protein (143 ng) were effectively precipitated with a pyrogallol red-molybdate reagent from commonly used chromatographic buffers containing various interfering solutes or solvents. Proteins were successfully precipitated from solution in the presence of organic solvents (acetonitrile, methanol, 2-propanol), chaotropic agents (6 M urea, 6 M guanidine-HCl), a protein stabilizer (40% sucrose), metal chelators (30 mM EDTA and 30 mM EGTA), or high salt (1.0 M NaCl). Detergents, at concentrations up to twice their critical micelle concentrations, from the nonionic class (Triton X-100, Tween 20) or from the zwitterionic class (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate) did not inhibit protein precipitation. Some interference was observed when proteins were precipitated in the presence of ammonium sulfate (0. 5-2.0 M). Proteins did not precipitate in the presence of ionic detergents (SDS and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide). The sensitivity of the combined pyrogallol red-molybdate precipitation/SDS-PAGE procedure is approximately 7 ng. Two other methods of precipitating proteins (trichloroacetic acid and phenol-ether) both exhibited varying degrees of effectiveness, ranging from 714 to 7 ng/ml, in the precipitation of individual proteins. In summary, the pyrogallol red-molybdate protein precipitation procedure facilitates the SDS-PAGE analysis of dilute protein samples (ng/ml) from chromatographic fractions of various compositions. The method is useful for rapid pilot-scale protein fractionation and facilitates the ongoing propensity of researchers to work with minuscule amounts of protein.
| 291
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119057
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The initial effects of orthopedic forces: a study of alterations in the craniofacial complex of a macerated human skull owing to high-pull headgear traction.
The initial reaction of components of the craniofacial skeleton of a macerated human skull was studied after high-pull headgear traction. The applied forces were increased step by step from 0.5 N to 3.25 N per side (1N = 100 grams). Laser holography was used for measuring displacements in three dimensions in seventeen indicator points on the skull. These points were located near sutures or on the outer surface of individual bones. The skull was observed from the right frontal and from the left lateral side. Results indicate that displacements range from 0 micrometer to 17.0 micrometers, depending on force magnitude and on the location of the observed point. Individual components of the craniofacial skeleton were mostly displaced in a horizontal backward direction when the skull was viewed from the frontal aspect. Various compression and shearing patterns were observed in the craniofacial sutures, apparently depending on their spatial locations and intersutural surface morphology.
| 175
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119065
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Value of acute-phase proteins in the differential diagnosis of acute scrotum.
The evaluation of patients with an acute scrotum is primarily based on physical examination, imaging studies, as well as blood and urine tests. However, the differential diagnosis may be difficult in some cases. In a retrospective study, we investigated the value of acutephase proteins in serum and plasma from patients with an acute scrotum. A total of 104 patients (epididymitis n=52, testicular tumor n=17, testicular torsion n = 11, other conditions n = 24) with an acute scrotum were included in this study. In all patients the acute-phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein and transferrin in serum as well as fibrinogen in plasma were determined by turbidimetric analysis. The results were compared to the clinical findings, routine blood and urine tests and ultrasound. Patients with an epididymitis showed at least a 4-fold elevation of CRP except for 2 cases (median 63.2 mg/l). In these patients, the sensitivity of CRP was 96.2%, the specificity 94.2%, the negative predictive value 94.2% and the positive predictive value 94.3%. Patients with a testicular tumor had no significant elevation of CRP (median 9 mg/l) as well as those with a testicular torsion (median 5 mg/l) except for 1 patient. The difference between patients with epididymitis and those with noninflammatory conditions was statistically significant (p<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test and Tukey-Kramer test). The remaining parameters (haptoglobin, fibrinogen, a1-acid glycoprotein, transferrin, white blood count, body temperature and ultrasound) were less sensitive and specific. Acute-phase proteins (especially C-reactive protein) are helpful in differentiating epididymitis from noninflammatory conditions like testicular torsion or tumor. Turbidimetric analysis of these proteins is rapid, easy and inexpensive.
| 274
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119070
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Patients and caregivers' knowledge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Knowledge of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important for the disease self-management. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge in Italian patients with COPD and their caregivers and to determine factors influencing their knowledge. We used a descriptive-correlational design. Knowledge was assessed with the Bristol COPD knowledge questionnaire (BCKQ) that was translated in Italian through the forward-backward translation method. BCKQ was administered to a convenience sample of 142 patients with COPD and 51 caregivers. The mean age for patients and caregivers was respectively 77 years (range 45-93) and 62 years (range 28-85). Patients were mostly men, had a low education level and 30% had severe or very severe COPD, while caregivers were mostly female and with higher education level. The patients answered correctly to 48% of the BCKQ whereas caregivers to 59%. In patient-caregiver dyads, a good level of agreement on the knowledge was found in 35 items out of 65. In patients, the knowledge was not correlated with age, gender, education, years or severity of disease whereas in caregivers it was fairly correlated with the education level. Our study showed that patients and caregivers possess limited knowledge of COPD, especially on chest infections, and exacerbations. Factors that limit or promote the acquisition of knowledge in people with COPD and their caregivers should be investigated.
| 226
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119092
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Differential influences of exercise intensity on information processing in the central nervous system.
The influence of exercise intensity on information processing in the central nervous system was investigated using P300 and no-go P300 event-related potentials. Twelve subjects (22-33 years) performed a go/no-go reaction time task in a control condition, and again after high-, medium-, and low-intensity pedaling exercises. Compared to the control condition, P300 amplitude decreased after high-intensity pedaling exercise and increased after medium-intensity pedaling exercise. There was no change after low-intensity pedaling exercise. These results suggested that the amount of attentional resources devoted to a given task decreased after high-intensity exercise and increased after medium-intensity exercise. The findings also suggest that changes in P300 amplitude are an inverted U-shaped behavior of differences in exercise intensity. In addition, no-go P300 amplitude showed the same changes as P300 amplitude at different exercise intensities. This indicates that differences in exercise intensity influenced not only the intensity of processing the requirement for a go response, but also processing of the need for a no-go response. It is concluded that differences in exercise intensity influenced information processing in the CNS.
| 185
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119094
|
Assessment of physical activity by telephone interview versus objective monitoring.
To compare different methods of quantifying time in physical activity (PA). Twenty-five participants (12 male, 13 female) volunteered to be monitored for seven consecutive days, during which different PA patterns were measured by the simultaneous heart-rate motion sensor technique (HR+M). At the end of the 7th day, participants completed questions taken from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) PA module telephone survey, in which they recalled the amount of time spent walking, and in moderate and vigorous activities. The results of the BRFSS PA module were then compared with those of the HR+M. No significant group differences were found in the amount of time spent in moderate and vigorous activities between methods. However, individual differences were greater for time spent in moderate activities (SE +/- 7.36 min x d(-1); range -70 to 77 min x d(-1)) than for time spent in vigorous activities (SE +/- 3.57 min x d(-1); range -39 to 33 min x d(-1). Spearman correlation coefficients between the HR+M and the BRFSS were significant for vigorous activities (r = 0.54, P < 0.01). There was 80% agreement between the two methods of classifying individuals who either: (a) met the recommendations (through moderate and/or vigorous PA) or (b) did not meet the recommendations. The BRFSS and HR+M methods yielded similar group estimates of PA, but individual assessments of moderate activity differed more than those of vigorous activity. BRFSS estimations of group compliance with national PA recommendations were similar to those of the HR+M.
| 256
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119098
|
The effect of different imaging techniques for the visualisation of evidence in court on jury comprehension.
Evidence presented within a courtroom should be clear so that the members of the jury can understand it. The presentation of distressing images, such as human remains, can have a negative effect on the jury since photographic images may evoke emotional responses. Therefore, it is important to understand how other visual mediums may improve comprehension, bias, or distress individuals. For this study, 91 individuals were randomly assigned one of three visual evidence formats in a mock courtroom exercise. These included photographs, 3D visualisations, or a 3D-printed model. The results show that the use of 3D imaging improves the juror's understanding of technical language used within a courtroom, which in turn better informs the juror's in their decision-making.
| 132
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119103
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Does the high-risk patient for carotid endarterectomy really exist?
High surgical risk is advocated as a major criterion for carotid artery stenting. To date, definitely accepted criteria to identify "high-risk" patients for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) do not exist. The aim of this study was to analyze the statistical weight of each single previously described risk factor on early and late results after carotid surgery in our experience. A retrospective review of 1,883 CEAs performed during a 6-year period in a single institution was performed. Early and late results in terms of mortality and neurologic events were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis for early and late risk of stroke and death were performed, considering the influence of age, sex, comorbidities, clinical symptoms, and anatomic features. The cumulative 30-day stroke and death rate was 1.3%. Univariate analysis and logistic regression did not show statistical significance for 30-day results in any of the considered variables. The three-year stroke-free survival was 94.5%, and it was significantly affected by chronic renal failure, respiratory insufficiency, and older age. Carotid endarterectomy is a safe procedure also in so-called high-risk subsets of patients. Severe comorbidities seem to affect only long-term survival.
| 192
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119114
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Differential T4 degradation pathways in young patients with preterminal and terminal renal failure.
The aim of this study is to analyze thyroid hormone parameters in large homogenous patient cohorts with preterminal (stage 4) and terminal (stage 5) renal failure in an area of low iodine intake. Thyroid parameters were measured in healthy controls (n=48), patients with preterminal renal failure (n=48) and patients with terminal renal failure undergoing hemodialysis (n=288). All patients were assessed by measurement of TSH, T4, T3, fT4, rT3, Tg and TPO-antibodies. There was a significant decrease of T4 and fT4 from healthy controls to patients with preterminal renal failure and to patients with terminal renal failure. T3 showed a decrease from healthy controls to patients with preterminal renal failure and to patients with terminal renal failure (1.54+/-0.06 microg/l VS. 1.05+/-0.05 microg/l VS. 1.09+/-0.23 microg/l, p<0.001 VS. controls). rT3 was significantly decreased in patients with terminal renal failure (0.24+/-0.01 microg/l VS. 0.25+/-0.02 microg/l VS. 0.16+/-0.01 microg/l, p<0.001). The rT3/T3 ratio was significantly elevated in patients with preterminal renal failure (p<0.01). TSH concentrations were in the normal range in all groups. Our data suggest different T4 degradation pathways in patients with preterminal and terminal renal failure.
| 196
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119125
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[Pathogenesis of secondary glaucoma in epithelial invasion].
Apart from meticulous wound closure certain amount of fibrin and fibroblastic activity are necessary to prevent epithelial ingrowth. Prostaglandin inhibitors and steroid may enhance such danger. The most frequent reason for glaucoma were peripheral anterior synechiae. Open angle glaucoma with stratified epithelium lining the trabeculum was less frequent. Glaucoma can be caused by goblet cells produced mucus blocking the trabeculum. Desquamated epithelial cells, pupillary block caused by epithelial invasion of anterior hyaloid and intense inflammatory reaction can also exceptionally induce secondary glaucoma.
| 88
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119128
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Localization of poly-L-lysine-photosensitizer conjugate in nucleus.
The cellular uptake and photocytotoxity of poly-l-lysine (pL)-chlorin e6 (Ce6) conjugate were investigated. The cellularuptake of pL-Ce6 conjugate for HeLa cells was much higher than that of Ce6, and pL-Ce6 conjugate had high binding affinityfor HeLa cells. pL-Ce6 conjugate was accumulated in the nucleus of HeLa cells, and the effective photocytotoxity wasobserved by the irradiation.
| 60
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119130
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Long range and symmetry considerations in the DNA.
The common description of DNA is that of a polymer composed of overlapping dinucleotide base pairs. Conformational, thermodynamic and flexibility calculations of the DNA are frequently based on that description. As demonstrated by the good fit with experimental data, such as the free energy of opening the double stranded DNA and the correspondence between the DNA crystal and computed structures, this approach is to a large extent a faithful reproduction of the DNA. Here I show that longer range effects should be considered as well. Statistically strong longer-range sequence patterns are described. Such sequence preferences are clearly translated in the DNA into long range structural propagation. Long range effects have also been observed in some experimental studies, like gel mobility and patterns of DNA cleavage. Long range structural effects are the likely explanation of the effect of mutations at a distance from a protein binding site. They might also aid in understanding DNA looping.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119168
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Structural insight into AMPK regulation: ADP comes into play.
The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a sensor of cellular energy status found in all eukaryotes, responds to changes in intracellular adenosine nucleotide levels resulting from metabolic stresses. Here we describe crystal structures of a heterotrimeric regulatory core fragment from Schizosaccharomyces pombe AMPK in complex with ADP, ADP/AMP, ADP/ATP, and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-beta-D-ribofuranotide (AICAR phosphate, or ZMP), a well-characterized AMPK activator. Prior crystallographic studies had revealed a single site in the gamma subunit that binds either ATP or AMP within Bateman domain B. Here we show that ZMP binds at this site, mimicking the binding of AMP. An analogous site in Bateman domain A selectively accommodates ADP, which binds in a distinct manner that also involves direct ligation to elements from the beta subunit. These observations suggest a possible role for ADP in regulating AMPK response to changes in cellular energy status.
| 148
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119180
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Education. The reality of supernumerary status.
This is the second of three related articles looking at the reality of supernumerary status for undergraduate nursing students in Northern Ireland. The first (1) explored students, preceptors and lecturers' perceptions of the term 'supernumerary'. Next week, the role of students, charge nurses and preceptors will be examined in relation to its implementation. This article portrays the reality of supernumerary status from the students' perspective, using diaries and a questionnaire.
| 75
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119186
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Preparation of milk protein concentrates by ultrafiltration and continuous diafiltration: Effect of process design on overall efficiency.
High-milk-protein concentrates (>80% on a dry weight basis) are typically produced by ultrafiltration (UF) with constant-volume diafiltration (DF). To maximize protein retention at a commercial scale, polymeric spiral-wound UF membranes with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of 10 kDa are commonly used. Flux decline and membrane fouling during UF have been studied extensively and the selection of an optimal UF-DF sequence is expected to have a considerable effect on both the process efficiency and the volumes of by-products generated. The objective of this study was to characterize the performance of the UF-DF process by evaluating permeate flux decline, fouling resistance, energy and water consumption, and retentate composition as a function of MWCO (10 and 50 kDa) and UF-DF sequence [3.5×-2 diavolumes (DV) and 5×-0.8DV]. The UF-DF experiments were performed on pasteurized skim milk using a pilot-scale filtration system operated at 50°C under a constant transmembrane pressure of 465 kPa. The results showed that MWCO had no effect on permeate flux for the same UF-DF sequence. Irreversible resistance was also similar for both sequences, whatever the MWCO, suggesting that soluble protein deposition within the pores is similar for all conditions. Despite lower permeate fluxes and greater reversible resistance for the 5×-0.8DV sequence, the overall energy consumption of the 2 UF-DF sequences was similar. However, the 3.5×-2DV sequence required more water for DF and generated larger volumes of permeate to be processed, which will require more membrane area and lead to greater environmental impact. A comparative life cycle assessment should however be performed to confirm which sequence has the lowest environmental impact.
| 276
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119191
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Three-dimensional laser microsurgery in light-sheet based microscopy (SPIM).
Advances in the life sciences rely on the ability to observe dynamic processes in live systems and in environments that mimic in-vivo situations. Therefore, new methodological developments have to provide environments that resemble physiologically and clinically relevant conditions as closely as possible. In this work, plasma-induced laser nanosurgery for three-dimensional sample manipulation and sample perturbation is combined with optically sectioning light-sheet based fluorescence microscopy (SPIM) and applied to three-dimensional biological model systems. This means: a) working with a biological system that is not confined to essentially two dimensions like cell cultures on cover glasses, b) gaining intrinsic optical sectioning capabilities by an efficient three-dimensional fluorescence imaging system, and c) using arbitrarily-shaped three-dimensional ablation-patterns by a plasma-induced laser ablation system that prevent damage to surrounding tissues. Spatial levels in our biological applications range from sub-microns during delicate ablation of single microtubules over the confined disruption of cell membranes in an MDCK-cyst to the macroscopic cutting of a millimeter-sized Zebrafish caudal fin with arbitrary three-dimensional ablation patterns. Dynamic processes like laser-induced hemocyte migration can be studied with our SPIM-microscalpel in intact, live embryos.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119197
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[Objective influencing factors of urban park accessibility].
Urban park accessibility is an important indicator to measure the level of urban modern development, and the harmonious relationships between people and land. It is meaningful for efficiently increasing urban park accessibility, fully providing services functions of urban park and promoting healthy development of cities to understand objective influencing factors of urban park accessibility and its extent of impact. The service area and service efficiency of urban parks in three-ring area of Shenyang City were evaluated basing on ArcGIS 9.3 software platform and network analysis methods. The regularity of the service area and service efficiency of urban parks changing with the urban park area, urban park shape and road network density were analyzed. The results showed that urban park area had significant positive correlation with service area and significant negative correlation with service efficiency. Urban park shape had significant positive correlation with service area and service efficiency. Road network density had significant negative correlation with service area of urban parks, but had no significant correlation with service efficiency. Based on the extent of impact on urban park service area, the importance of three influencing factors was in the order of urban park area> road network density > urban park shape. Based on the extent of impact on urban park service efficiency, the importance of three influencing factors was in the order of urban park area> urban park shape > road network density. Urban park area was the most important influencing factor for the service area and service efficiency of urban parks.
| 257
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119209
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Evaluating crisaborole as a treatment option for atopic dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and recurrent disease presenting with eczematous lesions and pruritus. It impacts patient and family quality of life, increases morbidity, and accounts for large health-care expenditures. Although nonpharmacologic, topical, and systemic treatments exist, management of AD remains challenging due to limited treatment options. Crisaborole is a topical small molecule inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), recently approved for the treatment of AD in the United States. Areas covered: The authors review crisaborole in the management of AD based on Phase II, Phase III, and post-marketing studies. Pharmacologic properties such as chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and metabolism are discussed. A PubMed systematic review was augmented with Google Scholar searches via keyword, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), and Boolean operation searches. Expert opinion: Crisaborole showed modest efficacy in short-term trials, but head-to-head trials with topical corticosteroids and tacrolimus are needed to assess its clinical utility. Since crisaborole is non-steroidal, it may reduce the need for topical corticosteroids and address steroid phobia. However, it is likely to suffer from the same factors contributing to intentional non-adherence in topicals: dissatisfaction with efficacy and inconvenience.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119211
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The Health and Health Care of Adults With Type 1 And 2 Diabetes Across the Spectrum of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates.
Little is known about the health and health-care patterns of patients with diabetes according to their estimated glomerular filtration rates, especially within a publicly funded health-care system. Using linked health-care databases in Ontario, Canada, we performed a population-based study of adults 50 years of age and older (mean age, 68 years) with prevalent diabetes on January 1, 2014. We categorized patients according to their levels of kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥90, 60 to 89, 30 to 59, 15 to 29 or <15 mL/min/1.73 m2, or the receipt of ongoing maintenance dialysis). We then followed patients for 2 years to determine: 1) their level of contact with health-care providers (i.e. visits to family doctors, specialists); 2) their use and repeated use of acute medical services (i.e. hospitalizations and emergency department encounters; 3) diabetes-related monitoring and screening (i.e. glycated hemoglobin and cholesterol tests, vision screening); 4) glycemic and lipid control; and 5) diabetes-related outcomes. There were 569,384 patients in our study. Most had estimated glomerular filtration rates between 60 and 89 mL/min/1.73 m2. At baseline, patients with lower kidney function had longer durations of diabetes and more comorbidities. Over 2 years of follow up, they had higher burdens of medical care, excessive diabetes monitoring and were underscreened for diabetes-related complications. Although metabolic control was reasonable across groups, patients with low kidney function had more hospital encounters and more diabetes-related complications. Patients with diabetes and low kidney function are a vulnerable population that faces health system challenges and care gaps. Suggestions for policy and practice are discussed.
| 276
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119215
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Learning abilities and disabilities: effective diagnosis and treatment.
An integrated theoretical and methodological framework is presented for the effective diagnosis and treatment of varying degrees of learning abilities and disabilities. This methodology is based upon: (1) the degrees of 'analytical-specific perceptual skills' as measured by the Mangina test; (2) the identification of standardized physiological activation level parameters; (3) a standardized psychophysiological therapeutic treatment procedure (Mangina method) of 'optimal' physiological activation simultaneously combined with 'analytical-specific perceptual stimulation'.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119229
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Stresses within porcelain veneers and the composite lute using different preparation designs.
The purpose of this study was to investigate compressive and tensile stresses in porcelain and composite at the labial marginal region of porcelain veneer restorations using chamfer, shoulder, or knife-edge labial margin designs with labial window or incisal overlap incisal preparation designs. Porcelain veneer models were constructed and loaded with (1) a 200-N, 45 degrees palatal load to simulate functional loading, and (2) a horizontal labial loading of 200 N to mimic trauma. Maximum tensile and compressive stresses were recorded within the labial marginal region of both porcelain and composite lute. Under the 45 degrees palatal load, stresses within the palatal marginal porcelain were chiefly compressive, and stresses for the knife-edge designs as much as 42% less than for shoulder designs. Incisal overlap preparations were generally associated with less compressive stress within both porcelain and composite than the window preparation. When a labial load was applied, tensile stresses were as much as 25 times greater for the chamfer and shoulder designs compared with the knife-edge design. Labial loading also resulted in an increase in tensile stresses within the composite lute, and stresses were again lowest within the knife-edge margin design. Under the limitations of this study, using the incisal overlap preparation, porcelain veneers with knife-edge labial margins could better sustain occlusal loading without fracture. J Prosthodont 2001;10:16-21.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119239
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The treatment of experimental allergic neuritis by plasma exchange.
Experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) is a demyelinating disease of the peripheral nervous system that can be induced in laboratory animals. This disorder has been considered to show many similarities to acute inflammatory polyneuropathy (Guillain-Barré syndrome, GBS). Reports that plasma exchange may benefit patients with GBS prompted the investigation of the effect of plasma exchange in EAN. A controlled study was performed on New Zealand White rabbits. Sixteen animals were allocated to control or treatment groups at the onset of the disease. Clinical assessment on days 7 and 14 showed that treated animals were less severely affected neurologically (P = 0.05, day 7; P less than 0.001 day 14), with a commensurate reduction in the severity of the histological lesions in peripheral nerves.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119246
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Timing and mechanism of in-hospital and late death after primary coronary angioplasty during acute myocardial infarction.
The effect of early myocardial reperfusion on patterns of death after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unknown. Thus, the mechanism and timing of in-hospital and late deaths among a group of 614 patients treated with coronary angioplasty without antecedent thrombolytic therapy for AMI were determined. Death occurred in 49 patients (8%) before hospital discharge. Four patients died in the catheterization laboratory. Death was due to cardiogenic shock in 22 patients, acute vessel reclosure in 5 patients, was sudden in 8 patients and followed elective coronary artery bypass surgery in 8 patients. Cardiac rupture was observed in only 2 patients after failed infarct angioplasty, and did not occur among the 574 patients with successful infarct reperfusion. Intracranial hemorrhage did not occur. Multivariate predictors of in-hospital death included failed infarct angioplasty, cardiogenic shock, 3-vessel coronary artery disease and age greater than or equal to 70 years. During a follow-up period of 32 +/- 21 months (range 1 to 87), 55 patients died. The cause of death was cardiac in 36 patients, including an arrhythmic death in 23 patients and was due to circulatory failure in 13 others. One patient died of reinfarction due to late reclosure of the infarct artery. Actuarial survival curves demonstrated overall survival after hospital discharge of 95 and 87% at 1 and 4 years, respectively. Freedom from cardiac death at 1 and 4 years was 96 and 92%. Multivariate predictors of late death included 3-vessel disease, a baseline ejection fraction of less than or equal to 40%, age greater than 70 years and female gender.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119252
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Cucurbitane glycosides from the fruit of Siraitia grosvenori and their effects on glucose uptake in human HepG2 cells in vitro.
The mogrosides in the fruit of Siraitia grosvenori can serve as a sugar substitute for diabetics due to their sweetness, low calorie and positive effects on blood glucose level control. The present study was to purify the mogrosides from the fruit of S. grosvenori and evaluate their enhancement of glucose uptake rate in HepG2 cells in vitro. As a result, eighteen mogrosides were isolated, including six new ones and a known but new naturally occurring compound. The chemical structures of the new compounds were identified by 1D, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS techniques, together with chemical methods. Compared to the positive control (metformin), all the obtained mogrosides showed equivalent or more potent effects on the glucose uptake in HepG2 cells in vitro. These results suggested the mogrosides in the fruit of S. grosvenori were worthy of further research to confirm their potential benefits for obese and diabetic patients.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119265
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Neurophysiological assessment of Alzheimer's disease individuals by a single electroencephalographic marker.
Here we presented a single electroencephalographic (EEG) marker for a neurophysiological assessment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients already diagnosed by current guidelines. The ability of the EEG marker to classify 127 AD individuals and 121 matched cognitively intact normal elderly (Nold) individuals was tested. Furthermore, its relationship to AD patients' cognitive status and structural brain integrity was examined. Low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) freeware estimated cortical sources of resting state eyes-closed EEG rhythms. The EEG marker was defined as the ratio between the activity of parieto-occipital cortical sources of delta (2-4 Hz) and low-frequency alpha (8-10.5 Hz) rhythms. Results showed 77.2% of sensitivity in the recognition of the AD individuals; 65% of specificity in the recognition of the Nold individuals; and 0.75 of area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve. Compared to the AD subgroup with the EEG maker within one standard deviation of the Nold mean (EEG-), the AD subgroup with EEG+ showed lower global cognitive status, as revealed by Mini-Mental State Evaluation score, and more abnormal values of white-matter and cerebrospinal fluid normalized volumes, as revealed by structural magnetic resonance imaging. We posit that cognitive and functional status being equal, AD patients with EEG+ should receive special clinical attention due to a neurophysiological "frailty". EEG+ label can be also used in clinical trials (i) to form homogeneous groups of AD patients diagnosed by current guidelines and (ii) as end-point to evaluate intervention effects.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119268
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[Hydrodynamics-based transfer of human apolipoprotein A-I gene into mice: study of factors involving an efficacy and duration of the transferred gene expression in animals' liver].
Human apolipoprotein A-I gene (apoA-I) plasmid expression vectors were transferred into mice by hydrodynamic injections into tail vein. Two types of expression vectors were used. First one -pCMVcapoAI contains cDNA of apo A-I driven by human cytomegalovirus early gene promoter (CMV). Second one--pAlg contains genomic locus of intron-containing apo A-I under control of own extended 5'-regulatory region (APOAI). Hydrodynamic intravenous injections of both expression vectors led to appearance of human apo A-I mRNA in the liver and human Apo A-I protein in the serum of injected mice. Dynamics of human Apo A-I content in the serum of mice injected by pCMVcapoAI and pAlg were different. When pCMVcapoAI was used, maximal concentration of human Apo A-I protein in the mouse serum was detected one day after injection with following decline to zero level during next two weeks. Under the same conditions injections of pAlg led to maximal level of human Apo A-I concentration in the mouse serum (up to 20 mkg/ml in some animals) on the 5th-7th day of experiment with following graduate decline during several months (human Apo A-I concentration in the serum of oldest analyzed mouse (6 months after injection) was about 25% of its maximal level in the same animal). Levels of human Apo A-I concentration in the mouse serum were compatible after injections of both expression vectors, in spite of much more strong activity of CMV promoter in comparison with APOAI in cultured human hepatoma cells HepG2. We ascribe the revealed difference in dynamics of human Apo A-I expression to delay of apo A-I transcription from pAlg vector, that was confirmed by nested RT-PCR. Significant level and long-term persistence of human Apo A-I in the serum of mice injected by pAlg could be explained by properties of APOAI or (and) exon-intron structure of genomic apo A-I gene. To test the role of APOAI in long-term expression of human Apo A-I in the mice we performed hydrodynamic injections of plasmid vectors containing cDNA of reporter gene encoding luciferase driven by variants of APOAI. No long-term expression of luciferase was found in the livers of injected mice. Therefore, our data suggest the role of exon-intron structure in maintaining of efficient and long-term expression of transferred human apo A-I.
| 393
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119281
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Dual fluorescence of ellipticine: excited state proton transfer from solvent versus solvent mediated intramolecular proton transfer.
Photophysical properties of a natural plant alkaloid, ellipticine (5,11-dimethyl-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole), which comprises both proton donating and accepting sites, have been studied in different solvents using steady state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques primarily to understand the origin of dual fluorescence that this molecule exhibits in some specific alcoholic solvents. Ground and excited state calculations based on density functional theory have also been carried out to help interpretation of the experimental data. It is shown that the long-wavelength emission of the molecule is dependent on the hydrogen bond donating ability of the solvent, and in methanol, this emission band arises solely from an excited state reaction. However, in ethylene glycol, both ground and excited state reactions contribute to the long wavelength emission. The time-resolved fluorescence data of the system in methanol and ethylene glycol indicates the presence of two different hydrogen bonded species of ellipticine of which only one participates in the excited state reaction. The rate constant of the excited state reaction in these solvents is estimated to be around 4.2-8.0 × 10(8) s(-1). It appears that the present results are better understood in terms of solvent-mediated excited state intramolecular proton transfer reaction from the pyrrole nitrogen to the pyridine nitrogen leading to the formation of the tautomeric form of the molecule rather than excited state proton transfer from the solvents leading to the formation of the protonated form of ellipticine.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119283
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One-pot synthesis of GDP-l-fucose by a four-enzyme cascade expressed in Lactococcus lactis.
GDP-l-fucose is an l-fucose donor to synthesize fucosylated compounds such as human milk oligosaccharides or Lewis antigen. In this study, we used Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NZ9000 to express 4 enzymes, ManB, ManC, Gmd, and WcaG and produced GDP-l-fucose by using one-pot synthesis method with mannose-6-phosphate as substrate and the enzymes as biocatalyst. For preparation of enzyme mixture, 4 genes (manB, manC, gmd, and wcaG) cloned from Escherichia coli were transformed into L. lactis strains using pNZ8008 and the recombinant cell lysates were obtained after cultivation. When mannose-6-phosphate was used as the substrate, the consecutive reactions with ManB, ManC, Gmd, and WcaG resulted in the successful production of GDP-l-fucose (0.13mM). When GDP-d-mannose was used as the substrate, it was entirely converted to GDP-l-fucose (0.2mM; 0.12g/L) via 2 enzymatic reactions mediated by Gmd and WcaG. This is the first report of GDP-l-fucose production by using multiple enzymes expressed in lactic acid bacteria.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119284
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Surgical indications in children with cerebral palsy.
We have presented our approach to the surgical consideration for the upper extremities of a child with cerebral palsy. This is basically a coordinated approach involving many team members, and is the only way to achieve predictable postoperative results.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119289
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Brain temperature during reversible upper respiratory bypass.
Seven male New Zealand white rabbits were trained to run in an exercise wheel. At least 5 days prior to experimentation, each rabbit had a reversible tracheal bypass canula and a hypothalamic thermocouple guide tube chronically implanted. The reversible tracheal bypass enabled the rabbit to breathe normally (through its upper respiratory pathways) or to be placed on bypass (breathe through its neck). Prior to and following exercise, hypothalamic temperature in rabbits breathing normally was lower than rectal temperature. This difference was greatest following a mild heat stress induced by exercise. When the rabbits breathed through the bypass, there were no differences between hypothalamic and rectal temperature. These data suggest that even in a species such as the rabbit, which lacks a carotid rate, hypothalamic temperature is influenced by upper respiratory cooking of venous blood and that the ensuing transfer of heat from the warmer internal carotid artery to the cooler venous sinuses can effectively cool the brain.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119302
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Involvement of non-governmental organisations in the RNTCP.
To get the maximum benefit from Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) developing partnership with private health providers outside government health system is very important. RNTCP actively seeks the participation of the NGOs by sensitising them with DOTS strategy. A broad framework for involvement of NGOs has been evolved by RNTCP Schemes for NGOs and RNTCP collaboration are elaborated. Over 514 NGOs are currently participating in the programme under one or another scheme. In addition to the guidelines developed by Government of India, innovative forms of partnership between RNTCP, NGOs and other private health providers should be encouraged.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119306
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Retinoic acid inhibits transformation by preventing phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase dependent activation of the c-fos promoter.
Retinoic acid inhibits transformation of cells by polyoma virus middle T oncoprotein. Inhibition of transformation results from a retinoic acid-dependent failure of cells to fully express the c-fos proto-oncogene. Retinoic acid prevents transactivation of the c-fos promoter by disrupting signaling between tyrosine kinases at the plasma membrane and trans-acting factors at the c-fos promoter. We used complementary genetic, biochemical and molecular approaches to demonstrate that: (1) phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling is the principle mechanism of polyoma virus middle T oncoprotein activation of c-fos expression; (2) middle T/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase transactivation of the c-fos promoter and transformation of cells requires activation of both the small GTP-binding protein Rac and Jun N-terminal kinase; (3) retinoic acid inhibits activation of Jun N-terminal kinase, thereby preventing c-fos transactivation and transformation; and (4) middle T activation of c-fos transcription requires both the serum response element and the promoter proximal cyclic AMP response element. These studies identify a novel target through which retinoids prevent oncogenic transformation.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119312
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Plasma gastrin and somatostatin in newborn infants and their relationship to catecholamines.
We investigated the relationship between gastrin and somatostatin, and catecholamine concentrations in the cord blood of newborn infants. We also measured the levels of the two peptides during the first postnatal hours in the infants and furthermore characterized their molecular pattern. Twenty-two healthy infants who had been born at term were studied. Blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord and from the infants 0.5 h and 3.5 h after delivery. Peptides were measured with radioimmunoassay and further characterized by HPLC. Catecholamines were analysed by HPLC. We found that gastrin and somatostatin concentration in the umbilical cord blood was 106 +/- 40 pmol/l and 29 +/- 17 pmol/l, respectively. A significant relationship between the concentrations of somatostatin and noradrenaline in cord blood was found, (r = 0.7, n = 11, P less than 0.01). No such relation was found for gastrin. No change occurred in gastrin concentrations postnatally. Somatostatin concentration in the blood collected from the infant 0.5 h and 3.5 h after delivery was 19 +/- 11 pmol/l and 16 +/- 7 pmol/l, respectively. These concentrations were significantly lower (P less than 0.01) compared to the level measured in cord blood. Circulating gastrin was found to correspond to non-sulphated gastrin-34 and somatostatin to both somatostatin-28 and somatostatin-14. The proportion of somatostatin-28 was 30-40% and of somatostatin-14, 60-70%. We conclude that the somatostatin level, but not the gastrin level is influenced by the degree of fetal stress during labour, as evidenced by the relationship with noradrenaline. The gastrin level remained unchanged during the 3.5 h following delivery, whereas the somatostatin level decreased significantly during the same time.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119329
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Expressions of lymphotactin and its receptor, XCR, in Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis.
To demonstrate the expression of lymphotactin and its receptor (XCR) in the iris/ciliary body and popliteal lymph node, and to clarify their roles in experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis (EAAU). Uveitis was induced in Lewis rats by injection of melanin-associated antigen into the peritoneum and footpad. At defined time points, mRNA expression levels of lymphotactin and XCR in the iris/ciliary body and popliteal lymph node were measured by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction. Lymphotactin levels in aqueous humor and serum after immunization were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In a separate experiment, an NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC; 200 mg/kg/day), was injected daily into the intraperitoneum after immunization. Cellular sources of lymphotactin were determined by immunhistochemical staining and flow cytometry. Lymphotactin mRNA was upregulated in the iris/ciliary body with a peak level at day 14, which is in line with the disease course. XCR mRNA was expressed maximally and then declined gradually from days 5 to 21. With an expression pattern similar to that of mRNA expression, lymphotactin in aqueous humor had attracted corresponding numbers of leukocytes. PDTC markedly inhibited the expression of lymphotactin in aqueous humor and serum. Immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry analysis revealed that the expression of lymphotactin was detected in infiltrated inflammatory cells, dominantly CD8+ T cells, and increased along with inflammation. The lymphotactin and XCR interaction might direct distinct lymphocytes subsets to inflammatory sites. Lymphotactin could regulate the inflammatory process. Lymphotactin expression may be modulated, at least in part, through the NF-κB signaling pathway.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119344
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[Immunoregulatory effect of mesenchymal stem cells on active T lymphocytes].
This study was purposed to explore the immunoregulatory effects of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on active T lymphocytes in vitro and the new strategy to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Mononuclear cells from human peripheral blood cells were isolated and cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (final concentration was 10 microg/ml) for different times. The ability of T lymphocyte proliferation and activation was measured by (3)H-Thyramine incorporation. The expressions of CD3(+)CD4(+), CD3(+)CD8(+), CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD152(+) on T cells were detected by FCM after coculture for 72 hours. Experiment was divided into 4 groups: A group as control (no added MSCs), B group (actived T cells + 2 x 10(4) MSCs), C group (actived T cells + 4 x 10(4) MSCs), D group (actived T cells + 8 x 10(4) MSCs). The results showed that the ability of T lymphocyte proliferation in the same PHA concentration increased with prolonging of time. ability of T lymphocyte proliferation was strongest when culturing for 48 hours (p < 0.01); the expressions of CD44, CD105, CD29 and FIK1 of MSCs were positive, expressions of CD33, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR were negative. MSCs inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation and the inhibitory effect depended on the amount of MSCs. CD3(+)CD8(+), CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD152(+) T cells cocultured with MSCs increased obviously and CD3(+)CD4(+) expression significantly decreased, as compared with control group (p < 0.01). It is concluded that the MSCs inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation induced by mitogen (PHA), and perform their immunosuppressive function by up-regulation of CD3(+)CD8(+), CD4(+)CD25(+) and CD4(+)CD152(+) expressions and down-regulation of CD3(+)CD4(+) expression.
| 276
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119348
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Surgical treatment of the spine at the cervicothoracic junction: an illustrated review of a modified sternotomy approach with the description of tricks and pitfalls.
The surgical treatment of burst fracture, tumour or spondylitis remains a challenge with regard to the surgical approach to the anterior aspect of the cervicothoracic junction. Many vital structures including osseus, articular, vascular and nervous ones hinder the exposure. Fortunately, indications for surgery in this region are rare. However, when it becomes necessary for the surgeon to expose this region, it is useful to be prepared to approach it carefully. In this investigation the anatomy and exposure of the cervicothoracic junction by means of a sternotomy are described. An illustrated review of the sternotomy approach to the cervicothoracic junction with a description of 'tricks and pitfalls' is provided.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119351
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A finite shell element for heart mitral valve leaflet mechanics, with large deformations and 3D constitutive material model.
This paper presents a shell finite element formulation appropriate for simulating the heart valve leaflet mechanics, including three-dimensional (3D) stress and strain effects. A 4-node mixed-interpolation shell is formulated in convected coordinates. This shell model is made capable of handling arbitrary 3D material models by use of an algorithm that satisfies the shell stress assumption at every element integration point. A method for tracking the fiber direction is incorporated. The resulting shell element operates under the same conditions as a standard 4-node shell element with 5 degrees of freedom per node, but extends the modeling capabilities to handle large-deformation and anisotropic behavior.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119364
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The antibody-mediated targeted delivery of interleukin-13 to syngeneic murine tumors mediates a potent anticancer activity.
We describe the expression and in vivo characterization of an antibody-cytokine fusion protein, based on murine Interleukin-13 (IL13) and the monoclonal antibody F8, specific to the alternatively spliced extra domain A of fibronectin, a marker of neo-angiogenesis. The IL13 moiety was fused at the C-terminal extremity of the F8 antibody in diabody format. The resulting F8-IL13 immunocytokine retained the full binding properties of the parental antibody and cytokine bioactivity. The fusion protein could be expressed in mammalian cells, purified to homogeneity and showed a preferential accumulation at the tumor site. When used as single agent at doses of 200 μg, F8-IL13 exhibited a strong inhibition of tumor growth rate in two models of cancer (F9 teratocarcinoma and Wehi-164), promoting an infiltration of various types of leukocytes into the neoplastic mass. This anticancer activity could be potentiated by combination with an immunocytokine based on the F8 antibody and murine IL12, leading to complete and long-lasting tumor eradications. Mice cured from Wehi-164 sarcomas acquired a durable protective antitumor immunity, and selective depletion of immune cells revealed that the antitumor activity was mainly mediated by cluster of differentiation 4-positive T cells. This study indicates that IL13 can be efficiently delivered to the tumor neo-vasculature and that it mediates a potent anticancer activity in the two models of cancer investigated in this study. The observed mechanism of action for F8-IL13 was surprising, since immunocytokines based on other payloads (e.g., IL2, IL4, IL12 and TNF) eradicate cancer by the combined contribution of natural killer cells and cluster of differentiation 8-positive T cells.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119366
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The assessment of pitch discrimination ability in young children.
This study tested the hypothesis that some tasks used in assessing pitch discrimination ability may instead by assessing children's ability to deal with relational language. Five tasks were given to 36 normal children who were equally divided into three age groups, six to six and one-half years, seven to seven and one-half years, and eight to eight and one-half years of age. Task 1 involved a training procedure to assess the children's ability to hear the differences in the pitch of two tones, which were an octave apart. A simple motor response was required. Task 2 assessed the children's ability to label these tones as high or low. Task 3 assessed their ability to compare two tones and label the second as higher or lower than the first. Task 4 examined their ability to label as high or low the position of a man on a ladder. Task 5 examined their ability to compare the positions of two men on two ladders and say whether the second man was higher or lower than the first. Results indicated that children who make pitch discriminations as demonstrated by nearly perfect scores on Task 1 often fail to demonstrate those discriminations on tasks requiring relational language. A comparison of Tasks 2 and 3 to Tasks 4 and 5 suggests that children in the age range studied are less proficient in applying high-low and higher-lower to pitch than to spatial relations.
| 245
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119374
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Vitamin D status modulates rat colonic M3 muscarinic receptor characteristics and coupling to guanylate cyclase.
The present studies were conducted to determine whether [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding in rat colonic membranes and/or carbachol-mediated stimulation of particulate guanylate cyclase were altered by changes in vitamin D status. EC50 values for the stimulation of colonic guanylate cyclase by carbachol were found to be significantly greater in vitamin D-deficient rats compared to their D-sufficient counterparts. Concomitantly, the density of receptors (Bmax) were significantly lower, and dissociation constants (Kd) were significantly higher in D-deficient colonic membranes. In vitamin D-repleted animals, moreover, all of these aforementioned alterations were at least partially corrected.
| 105
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119379
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Linear and non-linear surface EMG/force relationships in human muscles. An anatomical/functional argument for the existence of both.
The EMG/force relations of various human muscles were examined over the full isometric force range using uniform experimental methods. The muscles chosen reflected varying fiber composition, fiber distribution and force generating patterns (recruitment/frequency coding). Our results generally suggest linear relations for muscles of near uniform fiber composition. Non-linear relations were obtained from muscles of mixed fiber composition. The non-linearity persisted despite variations in recording configuration, electrode placement and limb position. These were suggested by others to account for the lack of linearity in the basic EMG/force relation. The roles of uneven fiber distribution, motor unit potential amplitudes and possible supratetanic motor unit driving are discussed within the context of muscle force generating mechanisms as possible explanations for non-linear EMG/force relations.
| 136
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119381
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The functional significance of sacroiliitis and ankylosing spondylitis in Reiter's syndrome.
The frequent development of sacroiliitis and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in patients suffering from Reiter's Syndrome (RS) has been stressed by a number of authors. This study was designed to ascertain the frequency of these problems in our RS patients, whether they were related to other clinical features of RS and what was the extent of the resulting disability. Fifty-five patients (50 men and 5 women) with RS with a mean duration of 9.3 years were assessed radiologically to determine the prevalence of sacroiliitis and thoracolumbar syndesmophyte formation. These radiological findings were correlated with HLA-B27, clinical features and functional status. Sacroiliitis was found in 22 patients (40%) but was mild in severity, frequently asymmetrical and very rarely associated with syndesmophyte formation. Sacroiliitis occurred significantly more commonly in patients with iritis and/or a prolonged disease duration (p less than 0.05) but although it was also found more frequently in HLA-B27 positive patients this was not significant (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05). Some restriction in back movement was observed in 31 patients (56.3%) but only two patients satisfied New York criteria for AS and just one was functionally impaired by his back disease. Although the frequent finding of sacroiliitis in RS may provide an interesting insight into the interrelationship between RS and AS, our study shows that this sacroiliitis is commonly asymptomatic and does not provide a problem in management.
| 239
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119390
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Current materials and techniques for direct restorations in posterior teeth. Part 2: Resin composite systems.
This paper, the second in a two-part review of direct materials and techniques for intracoronal restorations in posterior teeth, deals with resin composite systems. Based on a consensus view on appropriate applications for composites in posterior teeth, consideration is given to the selection of composite systems, indications for posterior composites in different populations, principles for cavity preparation, placement techniques, clinical performance and the use of posterior composites in the context of the changing pattern of dental disease and the need to expand existing knowledge. It is concluded that posterior composites have a place in everyday clinical practice, albeit relatively limited and that the time has come to actively pursue and realise the opportunities afforded by these materials.
| 131
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119396
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Surface characterization and cytotoxicity analysis of plasma sprayed coatings on titanium alloys.
In the realm of biomaterials, metallic materials are widely used for load bearing joints due to their superior mechanical properties. Despite the necessity for long term metallic implants, there are limitations to their prolonged use. Naturally, oxides of titanium have low solubilities and form passive oxide film spontaneously. However, some inclusion and discontinuity spots in oxide film make implant to adopt the decisive nature. These defects heighten the dissolution of metal ions from the implant surface, which results in diminishing bio-integration of titanium implant. To increase the long-term metallic implant stability, surface modifications of titanium alloys are being carried out. In the present study, biomimetic coatings of plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite and titanium were applied to the surface of commercially pure titanium and Ti6Al4V. Surface morphology and surface chemistry were studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out in order to study their electrochemical behavior. Moreover, cytotoxicity analysis was conducted for osteoblast cells by performing MTS assay. It is concluded that both hydroxyapatite and titanium coatings enhance corrosion resistance and improve cytocompatibility.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119400
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Biochemical iodine deficiency in selected schools of aligarh.
The goiter prevalence reflects the iodine deficiency in past while urinary iodine excretion levels (UIEL) gives the current status of iodine nutrition. The study was conducted to assess the status of biochemical iodine deficiency in school children of 1st-5th standard (6-12 years). A total of 907 students of seven schools were included using probability proportional to size method. About 10% of urine samples from total children were tested for UIEL. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). UIEL values lower than 100 μg/L were observed in 23.3% of samples. The proportion of children with UIEL of <20 μg/L was nil in 6 years. Out of 13 students who were consuming salt with nil iodine content, 46.2% had <20 μg/L UIEL. The prevalence of iodine deficiency, calculated by the proportion of children having UIEL of <100 μg/L, was 23.3%. Based on UIEL values, the area would be categorized as having "no biochemical iodine deficiency."
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119401
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Lessons on responsiveness to adjuvant systemic therapies learned from the neoadjuvant setting.
Recommended principles for the choice of therapies in operable breast cancer include the recognition of diverse subtypes of breast cancer and, based on genetic signature and immunohistochemistry, the identification of targets and related factors predictive of response. We review recent developments in the knowledge of established predictive factors in the neo-adjuvant setting. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that the degree of expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) of the primary tumor defines distinct biological entities that require a differentiated approach to neoadjuvant treatment and clinical trial investigation. In particular, tumors that express high levels of both steroid hormone receptors in a majority of cells derive no or low benefit from preoperative chemotherapy, while the absence of expression of ER and PgR was significantly correlated with the probability of pathologic complete remission (pCR). It was also demonstrated that the pCR rate to primary chemotherapy is significantly lower in invasive lobular carcinoma, frequently characterized by a high expression of steroid hormone receptors, if compared with the ductal histotype. Direct or indirect measures of high cell proliferation (elevated Ki-67 labeling index and high grade) identified patients with tumors responsive to chemotherapy in the preoperative setting. These factors might therefore assist in the identification of patients who might benefit from chemotherapy, in particular those patients with endocrine responsiveness. HER2 overexpression or amplification represents a target for neoadjuvant treatment with the humanised monoclonal antibody against its extracellular domain, but is also a factor predictive of response to neoadjuvant systemic therapies. A statistically significant positive correlation between HER2 positivity and pCR rate in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy was recently shown. Results from studies in the neoadjuvant setting indicate that the use of factors predictive of response may permit a more effective application of therapies identifying patients likely to obtain substantial benefit from treatment.
| 313
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119409
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[What are you doing when you are doing nothing? ERP components without a cognitive task].
Two experiments, an "active" and a "passive" oddball-paradigm (1. phase) with visual and auditive stimuli were performed. In both, two stimuli with a probability of 0.7/0.3 were presented. The oddball-sequence was replaced in the 2. phase without knowledge of the subjects by a sequence, in which only targets were presented. One group of the subjects has got an active task (counting the rare stimulus), the other group was told to view the stimuli passively. The rare stimulus in the oddball-sequence evoked a larger parietal P3, the auditive stimulation additionally a larger fronto-central N1 and the visual stimulation a larger central P2. The non-expected change into the 2. phase resulted in a reverse of the ERP-lateralization between 150-300 ms: Before the change of the probability the amplitudes were more negative left than right, thereafter more negative right than left. All components and effects in the active task maintained without task, but they decreased. The differences were larger with the visual stimuli. These results suggest, that the passive paradigm could be applied to patients with motoric deficits. From a theoretical point of view these results lead to certain difficulties in the interpretation of the functional importance of the P3. It can be explained better by the context-closure theory (Desmedt, 1980; Verleger, 1988) than by the context-updating theory (Donchin, 1981).
| 231
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119410
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Intraoperative angiography for neurovascular disease in the prone or three-quarter prone position.
Intraoperative angiography for neurovascular disease has gained wide acceptance as a useful tool. There are few published cases of intraoperative angiography performed in the prone or three-quarter prone position, and the transradial approach has not previously been described for this situation. We retrospectively reviewed our last 177 consecutive cases of intraoperative angiography performed for neurovascular disease. Of these cases, 21 were performed in the prone or three-quarter prone position. Two different approaches were used: (1) a previously described extended femoral sheath approach (13 cases) and (2) a newly described transradial approach (8 cases). All 21 intraoperative angiograms were successfully completed in the prone or three-quarter prone position. This enabled us to make additional surgical adjustments when necessary or to conclude the operation. One complication, a dissection of the brachial artery, occurred during one intraoperative angiographic procedure. Intraoperative angiography can be performed in the prone or three-quarter prone position with good efficacy and safety. The transfemoral route has the advantage of familiarity but has disadvantages of poor sterility at access site, possible kinking or thrombosis of the sheath, and possible skin injury while resting on the tubing during long procedures. The transradial route has advantages of continuous access to the entry site throughout the surgical procedure and ease of catheterization of vertebral arteries for occipital and suboccipital lesions. However, the transradial route has the disadvantage of working from an unfamiliar approach, especially for spinal arteriovenous malformations.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119426
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Heterostructured SnS/TiO2@C hollow nanospheres for superior lithium and sodium storage.
Tin(ii) sulfide (SnS) is considered to be one of the most promising anode materials for lithium/sodium ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity and low-cost. However, its practical applications are severely impeded by its low electrical conductivity and large volume change upon cycling. Herein, we demonstrate a high-performance SnS/TiO2 encapsulated by a carbon shell (SnS/TiO2@C) synthesized by facile coprecipitation and annealing treatment. The exterior carbon coating can not only improve the conductivity, but also effectively relieve volume variation to maintain the structural integrity during cycling. Significantly, the internal SnS/TiO2 heterostructure formed a built-in electric field to provide favorable driving force for ion transfer. Consequently, the synthesized SnS/TiO2@C delivered a reversible capacity of 672.4 mA h g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 after 100 cycles for lithium storage and 331.2 mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 after 200 cycles for sodium storage. Meanwhile, ultra-long lifespans of 3000 cycles at 5.0 A g-1 with a capacity of 394.5 mA h g-1 for LIBs and 750 cycles at 5.0 A g-1 with a capacity of 295 mA h g-1 for SIBs were achieved. The electrochemical reaction mechanisms of the SnS/TiO2@C electrode have been investigated by in situ XRD, ex situ XRD, and ex situ HRTEM. Our work may offer further understanding of the hierarchical structure to boost the electrochemical properties of the electrode materials.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119436
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Head posture and pharyngeal airway volume changes after bimaxillary surgery for mandibular prognathism.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate head posture and the pharyngeal airway volume changes using 3D imaging after bimaxillary surgery in mandibular prognathism patients by null hypothesis. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were obtained for 25 mandibular prognathism patients before bimaxillary surgery (T1) and 6 months after surgery (T2). The head posture of each patient was assessed by measuring cranio-cervical angle on a midsagittal plane passing through the anterior nasal spine at T1 and T2. Additionally, the volume of each subject's pharyngeal airway was measured using InVivoDental 3D imaging software. The cranio-cervical angle increased significantly 6 months after bimaxillary surgery (p < 0.01). The total volume of the pharyngeal airway slightly decreased (p > 0.05) at the same timepoints, while naso- and oro-pharyngeal airway volume decreased significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). There was significant relationship between the changes of head posture and those of total airway volume (p < 0.05). The null hypothesis was rejected. Bimaxillary surgery resulted in significant head flexion and a slight decrease in total pharyngeal airway volume.
| 187
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119446
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Asymmetric dyes align inside carbon nanotubes to yield a large nonlinear optical response.
Asymmetric dye molecules have unusual optical and electronic properties. For instance, they show a strong second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) response that has attracted great interest for potential applications in electro-optic modulators for optical telecommunications and in wavelength conversion of lasers. However, the strong Coulombic interaction between the large dipole moments of these molecules favours a pairwise antiparallel alignment that cancels out the NLO response when incorporated into bulk materials. Here, we show that by including an elongated dipolar dye (p,p'-dimethylaminonitrostilbene, DANS, a prototypical asymmetric dye with a strong NLO response) inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), an ideal head-to-tail alignment in which all electric dipoles point in the same sense is naturally created. We have applied this concept to synthesize solution-processible DANS-filled SWCNTs that show an extremely large total dipole moment and static hyperpolarizability (β0 = 9,800 × 10(-30) e.s.u.), resulting from the coherent alignment of arrays of ∼70 DANS molecules.
| 162
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119476
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Cryptosporidium in asymptomatic children.
Recent reviews state that cryptosporidiosis is a disease particularly of young children, but we have found the opposite age distribution, with no cases in children less than 5 years old. No Cryptosporidium species was detected in fecal samples obtained from 423 healthy preschool children, for a prevalence of less than 0.24%. When these results were combined with our previous data (from a study of diagnostic stool samples), the prevalence of Cryptosporidium among children less than 5 years of age in the Helsinki area was calculated to be less than 0.18%. The worldwide prevalence of Cryptosporidium among asymptomatic children is less than 0.5% if a few exceptional localities with high prevalences (which probably have a local explanation) are excluded from the calculations. Since the Helsinki area turned out to be no exception, the age distribution of symptomatic cryptosporidiosis also needs further study that would take into account simultaneous asymptomatic carrier rates and a significant local variation.
| 158
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119490
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Upgrade of permanent pacemakers and single chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators to pectoral dual chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators: indications, surgical approach, and long-term clinical results.
The aim of this study was to describe the indications for upgrade of pacemakers (PMs) or single chamber (VVIR) ICDs to dual chamber (DDDR) ICDs, surgical approach, hardware hybridization, and clinical outcome. Patients with preexisting PMs or VVIR ICDs may develop indications for ICD therapy or dual chamber pacing, respectively, that can be served by DDDR ICDs that incorporate preexisting transvenous leads. Fifty-seven patients underwent upgrade from PMs (29/57) or VVIR ICDs (28/57) to pectoral DDDR ICDs. Preexisting transvenous atrial and/or ventricular leads suitable for continued use were incorporated into new DDDR ICDs in 88.5% and 100% of PM and VVIR ICD upgrades, respectively. Acceptable DFTs were achieved in 56 (98.2%) of 57 patients. Appropriate VT/VF therapies were registered among 33.3% of patients during follow-up. No shocks due to lead noise were observed in any patient with hybridized transvenous leads. Atrial far-field R wave (FFRW) oversensing occurred in 24% of DDDR ICD systems incorporating a preexisting atrial lead. FFRW was overcome by programming reduced atrial sensitivity without interfering with the normal ICD system performance in all instances. Upgrade of PMs and VVIR ICDs to pectoral DDDR ICDs is safe and technically feasible in most patients. Preexisting transvenous leads can be successfully incorporated into new DDDR ICDs, simplifying the surgical procedure, minimizing transvenous hardware, and eliminating the possibility of hazardous pacemaker-ICD interactions.
| 244
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119502
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Hallucinations as a presenting feature in malignant hypertension.
A 68-year-old man with malignant hypertension of renovascular origin presented with visual impairment and complex visual hallucinations. Four weeks after the hypertension had been controlled by drugs, the hallucinations ceased and electroencephalographic evidence of encephalopathy resolved.
| 43
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119515
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Dewetting of thin polymer films at temperatures close to the glass transition.
We present detailed studies on dewetting of thin polystyrene (PS) films which were deposited onto silicon wafers coated with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) monolayer. Experiments were performed at temperatures close to the glass transition temperature of PS. Several significant deviations from the dewetting behaviour of Newtonian liquids were observed. The length of the PS molecules, and thus the viscosity, turned out to be of minor importance in determining the dewetting velocity, in particular for the later regimes. In stark contrast, the geometry of the drying spot had a striking influence on the dewetting velocity. Initially, dewetting from straight contact lines proceeded faster than the opening of circular holes. At later stages, the process slowed down significantly in both cases. Under the conditions at which our experiments were performed, PS cannot flow like a simple liquid. Thus, the observed dewetting has to be the consequence of plastic deformation induced by capillary forces. Our results indicate that under such conditions the energy dissipation process is strongly affected by geometry, which is not the case for viscous liquids.
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119528
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Factors affecting the sensitivity and specificity of the three-phase technetium bone scan in the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome in the upper extremity.
The three-phase technetium bone scan has been recommended for use in the diagnosis of the reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome with a sensitivity and specificity of greater than 90%. A retrospective chart review was conducted of 63 patients who had three-phase technetium bone scan as part of a work-up for unexplained upper extremity pain, to determine the predictive value of the three-phase technetium bone scan in reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, and what factors might affect it. The prevalence of definite or probable reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, as assessed by Kozin's criteria, was 26% in this sample. The 3-hour delayed image demonstrated a sensitivity = 50%; specificity = 92%; positive predictive value = 67%, and negative predictive value = 84%. This was not improved using the data from the blood flow or pool phase. The sensitivity of 50% is lower than previous reports. The predictive value of the three-phase technetium bone scan was affected by the duration of symptoms and the age of the patient. Duration of symptoms less than 6 months, or ages more than 50 years substantially increased the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the three-phase technetium bone scan.
| 213
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119530
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[Transposition and reversion of mutations induced in Drosophila by viral DNA].
Injection of solutions of highly polymerized DNA isolated from nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Galleria mellonella into adult males induced with a considerable frequency visible mutations, two of which were studied in detail. They were detected in about 30 000 flies in the progeny of treated males. Much less than Notched-wings much greater than (Ndw, chromosome 3, location 87.9, dominant) independently arose 12 times, much less than thickened-veins much greater than (thi, chromosome 2, location 71.4, recessive) independently arose 7 times. No mutations were detected in the control of the same size. It was found that both Ndw and thi mutations gave frequent transpositions and reversions in mature, immature germ cells and in somatic cells, in latter cases leading to mosaicism. These results demonstrate for the first time that mutations induced by exogenous DNA are capable of transposition and reversion.
| 149
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119531
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Identical homologs of the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin in Zea mays and Fusarium verticillioides.
The structural domain corresponding to the Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) is a mannose-binding motif that was originally discovered in plants but according to recent data also occurs in other eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Transcriptome analyses revealed that Fusarium verticillioides expresses a protein (FvGLLc1) identical to a recently identified cytoplasmic/nuclear GNA-like lectin from maize (ZmGLLc). The FvGLLc1 and ZmGLLc gene sequences are nearly identical in the coding region as well as in the intron and the 5 and 3 prime untranslated regions. However, whereas the Fusarium genome contains only a single gene with an intron, both an intronless and an intron containing lectin gene can be amplified from maize DNA. Southern blot analysis confirmed the presence of this cytoplasmic GNA-like gene in the maize and rice genome. A comparative analysis of the products amplified by different PCRs using genomic DNA from Fusarium species and maize DNA samples from sterile as well as contaminated plant material strongly indicated that the GNA-like sequence found in maize grown under sterile conditions is not derived from a contaminating Fusarium species. Furthermore, using a PCR-based approach it could be demonstrated that this particular type of lectin occurs also in other plants from distant taxa and is markedly conserved.
| 213
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PubMed Abstracts
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1119544
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[Influence of EmbryoGlue on the implantation of embryo and pregnancy outcome in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer].
To study the influence of EmbryoGlue on the implantation of embryo and pregnancy outcome in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET). From August 2010 to January 2011, 243 infertile patients in Reproductive Medical Center of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital who underwent IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were divided into two groups, including 129 cases used EmbryoGlue as the embryo transfer medium in experimental group and 114 cases used G-2 as embryo transfer medium in control group. Pregnancy outcome were compared between two groups. (1) The female age, IVF/ICSI constituent ratio, previous failure cycles and infertile factors of patients did not show statistical difference between experimental group and control group (P > 0.05). (2) The implantation rate of women in experimental group increased significantly compared with the control group [30.4% (85/280) vs. 18.8% (48/255), P < 0.05]; Clinical pregnancy rate increased significantly compared with the control group [48.8% (63/129) vs.34.2%(39/114), P < 0.05]; Multiple pregnancy rate increased significantly compared with the control group [34.9% (22/63) vs. 20.5% (8/39), P < 0.05]; Ectopic pregnancy rate decreased significantly compared with the control group [4.8% (3/63) vs. 17.9% (7/39), P < 0.05]. EmbryoGlue can facilitate embryo implantation in IVF-ET and reduce the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy.
| 217
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PubMed Abstracts
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