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38985344
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Comparison of low versus high (standard) intraabdominal pressure during laparoscopic colorectal surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.
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To evaluate outcomes of low with high intraabdominal pressure during laparoscopic colorectal resection surgery. A systematic search of multiple electronic data sources was conducted, and all studies comparing low with high (standard) intraabdominal pressures were included. Our primary outcomes were post-operative ileus occurrence and return of bowel movement/flatus. The evaluated secondary outcomes included: total operative time, post-operative haemorrhage, anastomotic leak, pneumonia, surgical site infection, overall post-operative complications (categorised by Clavien-Dindo grading), and length of hospital stay. Revman 5.4 was used for data analysis. Six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and one observational study with a total of 771 patients (370 surgery at low intraabdominal pressure and 401 at high pressures) were included. There was no statistically significant difference in all the measured outcomes; post-operative ileus [OR 0.80; CI (0.42, 1.52), P = 0.50], time-to-pass flatus [OR -4.31; CI (-12.12, 3.50), P = 0.28], total operative time [OR 0.40; CI (-10.19, 11.00), P = 0.94], post-operative haemorrhage [OR 1.51; CI (0.41, 5.58, P = 0.53], anastomotic leak [OR 1.14; CI (0.26, 4.91), P = 0.86], pneumonia [OR 1.15; CI (0.22, 6.09), P = 0.87], SSI [OR 0.69; CI (0.19, 2.47), P = 0.57], overall post-operative complications [OR 0.82; CI (0.52, 1.30), P = 0.40], Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3 [OR 1.27; CI (0.59, 2.77), P = 0.54], and length of hospital stay [OR -0.68; CI (-1.61, 0.24), P = 0.15]. Low intraabdominal pressure is safe and feasible approach to laparoscopic colorectal resection surgery with non-inferior outcomes to standard or high pressures. More robust and well-powered RCTs are needed to consolidate the potential benefits of low over high pressure intra-abdominal surgery. © 2024. The Author(s).
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10.1007/s00384-024-04679-8
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19289476
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Diagnosis and new treatment in muscle channelopathies.
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The skeletal muscle fibre membrane plays a major role in muscle contraction by generating and propagating action potentials, and linking the latter to the release of intracellular calcium stores which triggers mechanical contraction. This function relies on the proper functioning of ion channels. In the last two decades, diseases caused by mutations in muscle ion channel genes have been identified, the so-called muscle channelopathies. Even though the pathophysiology of muscle channelopathies is not completely elucidated, major advances have been made in their understanding, thus linking patient symptoms and neurophysiology with abnormal functioning of the muscle membrane. This has facilitated significant progress both in the diagnosis of these disorders and in the rationale for therapeutic intervention. In this review, we will focus on diagnosis and treatments of muscle channelopathies of relevance to the clinical neurologist.
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10.1136/jnnp.2008.164046
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27343574
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Development of an electrochemical biosensor for alkylphenol detection.
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In this work, electrochemical biosensors based on field effect transistors (FET) with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were constructed as disposable analytical devices to detect alkylphenols through immunoreaction using 4-nonylphenol (NP) as model analyte, and validated by comparison with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The calibration curve displays a working range with five concentrations between 5 and 500µgL(-1), and for each concentration, five biosensors were analysed for reproducibility estimation and two analytical measurements were performed for each biosensor for repeatability estimation. The accuracy of the biosensors was validated by analyzing NP contents in ten spiked artificial seawater samples and comparing these results to those obtained with the traditional ELISA methodology. Excellent analytical performance was obtained with reproducibility of 0.56±0.08%, repeatability of 0.5±0.2%, limit of detection for NP as low as 5µgL(-1), and average recovery between 97.8% and 104.6%. This work demonstrates that simple biosensors can be used to detect hazardous priority substances in seawater samples, even at low concentrations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.talanta.2016.05.044
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12453199
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Non-compliance and its management in teenagers.
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Renal transplantation restores a patient's endogenous renal function. The benefits of this restoration are especially dramatic in children. However, transplantation is a complex and expensive therapy which, when successful, requires consistent adherence to a complex regimen of drug therapy and clinical follow-up. Transplant medications need to be taken for a lifetime. Whilst very effective, immunosuppressant medications can also cause a number of side-effects and require daily multi-dose schedules. Teenagers, in particular, have problems adhering to these regimens and weighing the consequences of non-compliance. Approaches to improving teenagers' compliance must address both the special circumstances of adolescence and the broad, general problem of post-transplant non-compliance.
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10.1034/j.1399-3046.149.ptr1s077.1.x
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35771118
|
Sex is associated with differences in oxidative stress and susceptibility to severe hepatic encephalopathy in bile-duct ligated rats.
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Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a debilitating neurological complication of chronic liver disease (CLD). Hyperammonemia plays an important role in HE's pathogenesis, acting synergistically with systemic oxidative stress. During CLD, muscle plays a compensatory role in detoxifying ammonia, and therefore muscle loss leads to an increase in the risk of developing HE. With most animal studies involving males, sex's impact on the development of CLD and associated complications such as HE and muscle loss remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify the impact of sex on CLD, HE, and muscle mass loss in a rodent model of CLD. Liver injury markers, hyperammonemia, oxidative stress, muscle mass, and ammonia clearance were measured in female and male bile-duct ligated (BDL) rats. In addition, covert HE was assessed in females while ammonia-precipitated severe HE was assessed in female and male BDL rats, and male BDL rats treated with allopurinol (100 mg/kg), an antioxidant (xanthine oxidase inhibitor). Female BDL developed CLD and HE (impaired motor coordination and night activity) compared to respective SHAM. Hyperammonemia and muscle ammonia clearance were similar between female and male BDL. However, only female BDL rats did not develop muscle loss, brain edema, and short-term memory impairment (vs. female SHAM) and systemic oxidative stress and decreased albumin levels (vs. male BDL). Furthermore, both female BDL and allopurinol-treated male BDL rats were protected against ammonia-induced overt HE. In conclusion, female and male BDL rats develop distinct features of CLD and HE, with systemic oxidative stress playing a pivotal role in the susceptibility to ammonia-precipitated overt HE. © 2022 International Society for Neurochemistry.
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10.1111/jnc.15661
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1288420
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Anticentromere-protein-B--DNA complex activities in anticentromere antibody-positive patients.
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Centromere protein B (CENP-B), which is an alphoid DNA binding protein, is the target antigen in autoimmune disease patients (often those with scleroderma). In this study, we analysed activities of anti-CENP-B-DNA complex in anticentromere antibody (ACA)-positive patients using DNA immunoprecipitation with purified CENP-B. The activities correlated with ACA titres and were closely associated with Raynaud's phenomenon. Patients with CREST symptoms (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia) showed higher activities than those with no symptoms. Our results suggest that autoimmune responses to native CENP-B may have an important role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma.
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10.1007/BF00372069
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16536188
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Effect of polishing techniques and time on surface roughness, hardness and microleakage of resin composite restorations.
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This study evaluated the effects of immediate and delayed polishing on the surface roughness, microhardness and microleakage of a microfilled (Filtek A110) and a hybrid (Filtek Z250) resin composite. Standardized preparations were made on the buccal surfaces of 256 bovine teeth; half were restored with each composite (128 teeth per composite). Immediately after curing, gross finishing was carried out with #280 sandpaper. The specimens restored with each composite were divided into two subgroups. The first group (IM) was polished immediately after gross finishing, using three different systems (n=16): Sequence A, Sof-Lex; Sequence B, Flexicups and Sequence C, Flexicups + Jiffy Polishing Brush + Flexibuffs. The specimens were then stored for three weeks in saline 37 degrees C. The second group (DE) was stored for two weeks, then polished with the same systems and stored for one additional week. The controls (n=16) were analyzed without polishing. Five readings per specimen were taken for surface roughness and hardness. After immersion in basic fuchsin, microleakage was evaluated (40x) using standardized scores. The data were analyzed at a significance level of 0.05, with analysis of variance and an SNK test (surface roughness and microhardness) or with Kruskal-Wallis (microleakage). In both composites, only for the sequential technique was there an influence of delay in polishing on roughness (Ra). Flexicups exhibited the highest Ra of the three systems. The IM and Filtek Z-250 groups showed higher hardness than the DE and Filtek A-110 groups, respectively. Dentin margins showed more leakage than enamel margins; the sequential technique produced more leakage than the other techniques in dentin (p<0.05) and delay of polishing was not significant in the majority of situations. In conclusion, several conditions--composite, time and polishing technique--had a significant influence on surface roughness, hardness and microleakage. Generally, immediate polishing produced no detrimental effect compared to delayed polishing.
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10.2341/04-155
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15583164
|
Characterization of Bacillus subtilis gamma-glutamyltransferase and its involvement in the degradation of capsule poly-gamma-glutamate.
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During early stationary phase, Bacillus subtilis NAFM5 produces capsular poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gammaPGA, 2x10(6) Da), which contains D- and L-glutamate, and then degrades it during late stationary phase. The gamma-glutamyltransferase (EC 2.3.2.2; GGT) of this strain successively hydrolysed gammaPGA from the amino-terminal end, to yield both D- and L-glutamate. This enzyme was specifically synthesized during the stationary phase through transcriptional activation of the corresponding ggt gene by the ComQXPA quorum-sensing system. A ggt knockout mutant degraded gammaPGA into 1x10(5) Da fragments, but not any further, indicating that the capsule gammaPGA is first internally degraded by an endo-type of gammaPGA hydrolase into 1x10(5) Da intermediates, then externally into glutamates via GGT. Due to its inability to generate the glutamates from the capsule, the ggt mutant sporulated more frequently than the wild-type strain. The results show that B. subtilis GGT has a powerful exo-gamma-glutamyl hydrolase activity that participates in capsule gammaPGA degradation to supply stationary-phase cells with constituent glutamates.
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10.1099/mic.0.27467-0
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37230941
|
Microarray Chip and Method for Simultaneous and Highly Consistent Electroporation of Multiple Cells of Different Sizes.
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Cell electroporation is an important cell manipulation technology to artificially transfer specific extracellular components into cells. However, the consistency of substance transport during the electroporation process is still an issue due to the wide size distribution of the natural cells. In this study, a cell electroporation microfluidic chip based on a microtrap array is proposed. The microtrap structure was optimized for single-cell capture and electric field focusing. The effects of the cell size on the cell electroporation in the microchip were investigated through simulation and experiment methods using the giant unilamellar vesicle as the simplified cell model, and a numerical model of a uniform electric field was used as a comparison. Compared with the uniform electric field, a lower threshold electric field is required to induce electroporation and produces a higher transmembrane voltage on the cell under a specific electric field in the microchip, showing an improvement in cell viability and electroporation efficiency. The larger perforated area produced on the cells in the microchip under a specific electric field allows a higher substance transfer efficiency, and the electroporation results are less affected by the cell size, which is beneficial for improving substance transfer consistency. Furthermore, the relative perforation area increases with the decrease of the cell diameter in the microchip, which is exactly opposite to that in a uniform electric field. By manipulating the electric field applied to the microtrap individually, a consistent proportion of substance transfer during electroporation of cells with different sizes can be achieved.
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10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00528
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35844479
|
A novel X-ray diffraction approach to assess the crystallinity of regenerated cellulose fibers.
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Here, a new accurate approach is presented to quantify the degree of crystallinity of regenerated cellulose textile fibers using wide-angle X-ray scattering. The approach is based on the observation that the contributions to the scattering from crystalline and amorphous domains of the fibers can be separated due to their different degree of orientation with respect to the fiber direction. The method is tested on Ioncell-F fibers, dry jet wet spun with different draw ratios from an ionic liquid solution. The analysis output includes, apart from an accurate estimate of the fiber crystallinity, the degrees of orientation of the cellulose nanocrystals and the cellulose chains in the amorphous domains. © Luigi Gentile et al. 2022.
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10.1107/S205225252200570X
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29508445
|
Esthetics in periodontics and implantology.
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Periodontal plastic surgery comprises an increasing part of clinical periodontology. Clinical trials have traditionally used professionals to judge esthetic outcome, and few studies have addressed patient needs and requests (true end points). Development of universally accepted and validated methods for professional esthetic assessment, together with standardized questionnaires for patient-perceived outcome, may help to provide better insights into the true needs and benefits of periodontal and implant-associated plastic surgery. In this volume of Periodontology 2000, experienced researchers and clinicians from different subdisciplines of periodontology evaluate: treatment of gingival recession with or without papilla elevation; clinical crown lengthening in the natural dentition and in prosthodontic preparative treatment; periodontal regeneration around natural teeth; and soft-tissue augmentation in edentulous areas. Similarly, experts in different areas of implant science address esthetic outcomes with single and multiple implant rehabilitation, alveolar ridge preservation, implant positioning and immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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10.1111/prd.12207
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33069866
|
Long-term outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest: 30-day survival and 1-year follow-up of mortality, anoxic brain damage, nursing home admission and in-home care.
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Long-term functional outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) are scarcely studied. However, survivors are at risk of neurological impairment from anoxic brain damage which could affect quality of life and lead to need of care at home or in a nursing home. We linked data on ICHAs in Denmark with nationwide registries to report 30-day survival as well as factors associated with survival. Furthermore, among 30-day survivors we reported the one-year cumulative risk of anoxic brain damage or nursing home admission with mortality as the competing risk. In total, 517 patients (27.3%) survived to day 30 out of 1892 eligible patients; 338 (65.9%) were men and median age was 68 (interquartile range 58-76). Lower age, witnessed arrest by health care personnel, monitored arrest and presumed cardiac cause of arrest were associated with 30-day survival. Among 454 30-day survivors without prior anoxic brain damage or nursing home admission, the risk of anoxic brain damage or nursing home admission within the first-year post-arrest was 4.6% (n = 21; 95% CI 2.7-6.6%) with a competing risk of death of 15.6% (n = 71; 95% CI 12.3-19.0%), leaving 79.7% (n = 362) alive without anoxic brain damage or nursing home admission. When adding the risk of need of in-home care among 343 30-day survivors without prior home care needs, 68.8% (n = 236) were alive without any of the composite events one-year post-arrest. The majority of 30-day survivors of IHCA are alive at one-year follow-up without anoxic brain damage, nursing home admission or need of in-home care. Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.resuscitation.2020.10.003
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22095615
|
Lipid nanoparticle siRNA systems for silencing the androgen receptor in human prostate cancer in vivo.
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The androgen receptor (AR) plays a critical role in the progression of prostate cancer. Silencing this protein using short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) has been correlated with tumor growth inhibition and decreases in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA). In our study, we have investigated the ability of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations of small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence AR in human prostate tumor cell lines in vitro and in LNCaP xenograft tumors following intravenous (i. v.) injection. In vitro screening studies using a panel of cationic lipids showed that LNPs containing the ionizable cationic lipid 2,2-dilinoleyl-4-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-[1,3]-dioxolane (DLin-KC2-DMA) exhibited the most potent AR silencing effects in LNCaP cells. This is attributed to an optimized ability of DLin-KC2-DMA-containing LNP to be taken up into cells and to release the siRNA into the cell cytoplasm following endocytotic uptake. DLin-KC2-DMA LNPs were also effective in silencing the AR in a wild-type AR expressing cell line, LAPC-4, and a variant AR expressing cell line, CWR22Rv1. Importantly, it is demonstrated that LNP AR-siRNA systems containing DLin-KC2-DMA can silence AR gene expression in distal LNCaP xenograft tumors and decrease serum PSA levels following i. v. injection. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the feasibility of LNP delivery of siRNA for silencing AR gene expression in vivo. Copyright © 2011 UICC.
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10.1002/ijc.27361
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11994886
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Gait performance in dementia: the effects of a 6-week resistance training program in an adult day-care setting.
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Age-related declines in balance and muscle power are largely responsible for the changes in the various components of gait performance among elderly people. But these can often be remedied with strength training. People with cognitive impairment frequently demonstrate impaired gait, putting them at increased risks for falls and serious injury. This paper reports on the effects of a six-week pilot study of moderate intensity strength training on the gait of elderly individuals with dementia who attend a day-care center. Twenty-six adults (23 female, three male), age = 79.2 +/- 6.6 years, completed the study. Each subject completed a baseline assessment of lower extremity strength and gait. Gait was evaluated using free- and fast-gait speed over a 6-meter course, the Tinetti-Gait Assessment scale, the 'Timed-Up-and-Go', and the Gait Assessment Rating Scale (GARS). The intervention consisted of moderate-intensity progressive resistance lower extremity exercise using Theraband, for two to three sessions per week over the six weeks. Post-intervention assessment of strength and gait was repeated at the completion of the sixth week. Multiple paired t-tests were calculated for each outcome measure. The baseline assessment of gait suggests a high degree of frailty and risk for falls in the sample. Although post-intervention scores reflected improvement on all gait measures, the only statistically significant change observed was in fast-gait time. A six-week resistance training program proved to be of insufficient duration, intensity or specificity to produce significant change in gait outcome measures, with the exception of fast speed gait. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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10.1002/gps.597
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18469710
|
Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor of soft parts--a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 104 cases with long-term follow-up and a critical review of the literature.
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Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFT) is a unique soft tissue tumor of uncertain histogenesis. The majority of reported cases (approximately 220) have pursued a benign clinical course. However, recent literature has emphasized the existence of morphologically atypical and clinically malignant examples of this tumor and proposed guidelines for assessment of biologic potential. In the present study, we evaluated 104 cases of OFT from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, accessioned between the years 1970 and 2007. Herein, OFT was strictly defined as a tumor with lobular architecture, predominantly epithelioid cell morphology, a low level of atypia, corded and trabecular growth patterns, moderate amounts of myxocollagenous matrix, and often, focal peripheral metaplastic bone formation. Tumors that lacked conventional morphology were excluded. The exclusion group included cutaneous mixed tumors, low-grade fibromyxoid sarcomas, and extraskeletal osteosarcomas. The OFTs occurred in 64 men and 40 women with a median age of 50 years (range, 21 to 81 y). The tumor size ranged from 0.7 to 17 cm (median, 3 cm). The mitotic rate varied from 0 to 41 mitotic figures per 50 HPFs (median, 2/50 HPFs). Tumor cell nuclei typically contained small, distinct nucleoli, and necrosis was infrequent (11/104). The great majority of tumors (67/71, 94%) were positive for S100 protein, whereas only occasional examples had (focal) positivity for desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and an AE1/AE3 keratin cocktail. Local recurrences were documented in 9 of 41(22%) living patients, usually 10 or more years after primary surgery, but there were no metastases. A mitotic rate of >2 mitotic figures/50 HPFs was a risk factor for local recurrence, but necrosis, tumor size, the presence of satellite nodules, and positive margins were not. When OFT is strictly defined by the criteria noted above, there is potential for local recurrence, but there seems to be little or no risk for metastasis.
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10.1097/PAS.0b013e318160736a
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26634811
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Theoretical assessment of feasibility to sequence DNA through interlayer electronic tunneling transport at aligned nanopores in bilayer graphene.
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Fast, cost effective, single-shot DNA sequencing could be the prelude of a new era in genetics. As DNA encodes the information for the production of proteins in all known living beings on Earth, determining the nucleobase sequences is the first and necessary step in that direction. Graphene-based nanopore devices hold great promise for next-generation DNA sequencing. In this work, we develop a novel approach for sequencing DNA using bilayer graphene to read the interlayer conductance through the layers in the presence of target nucleobases. Classical molecular dynamics simulations of DNA translocation through the pore were performed to trace the nucleobase trajectories and evaluate the interaction between the nucleobases and the nanopore. This interaction stabilizes the bases in different orientations, resulting in smaller fluctuations of the nucleobases inside the pore. We assessed the performance of a bilayer graphene nanopore setup for the purpose of DNA sequencing by employing density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function method to investigate the interlayer conductance of nucleobases coupling simultaneously to the top and bottom graphene layers. The obtained conductance is significantly affected by the presence of DNA in the bilayer graphene nanopore, allowing us to analyze DNA sequences.
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10.1038/srep17560
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29893081
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[Construction of HER2-specific CAR-T cells and in vitro analysis of their activity to suppress tumor cell growth].
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CAR-T cell therapy that targets surface antigens to kill tumor cells specifically has recently become another cornerstone in tumor immunotherapy. In this study, a lentiviral expression plasmid of CAR targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) was constructed by genetic engineering. The recombinant plasmid was co-transfected with other packaging plasmids into HEK293T cells by calcium phosphate precipitation to generate lenti-car, which are CAR lentiviral particles. HER2-specific CAR-T cells were obtained by transducing human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with lenti-car. Their specific inhibitory effects on HER2-positive and HER2-negative tumor cells were analyzed in vitro. The constructed CAR-T cells were specifically activated by HER2-expressing tumor cells as indicated by secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2. The inhibitory rate on HER2-positive SK-OV-3 cell line was (58.47±1.72)%, significantly higher than that on the mock-treated control group (P 0.05). Furthermore, when we transfected a HER2-expressing vector into K562, the inhibitory rate increased to (30.41±7.59)%, which was higher than that on HER2-negative K562 (P<0.05). Thus, the constructed second-generation HER2-specific CAR-T cells specifically suppressed growth of tumor cells overexpressing HER2 protein, suggesting that HER2-specific CAR-T cells might prove useful for immunotherapy of HER2-positive cancer.
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10.13345/j.cjb.170437
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11172026
|
Jun N-terminal kinase 2 modulates thymocyte apoptosis and T cell activation through c-Jun and nuclear factor of activated T cell (NF-AT).
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The Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) recently have been shown to be required for thymocyte apoptosis and T cell differentiation and/or proliferation. To investigate the molecular targets of JNK signaling in lymphoid cells, we used mice in which the serines phosphorylated by JNK in c-Jun were replaced by homologous recombination with alanines (junAA mice). Lymphocytes from these mice showed no phosphorylation of c-Jun in response to activation stimuli, whereas c-Jun was rapidly phosphorylated in wild-type cells. Despite the fact that c-jun is essential for early development, junAA mice develop normally; however, c-Jun N-terminal phosphorylation was required for efficient T cell receptor-induced and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced thymocyte apoptosis. In contrast, c-Jun phosphorylation by JNK is not required for T cell proliferation or differentiation. Because jnk2-/- T cells display a proliferation defect, we concluded that JNK2 must have other substrates required for lymphocyte function. Surprisingly, jnk2-/- T cells showed reduced NF-AT DNA-binding activity after activation. Furthermore, overexpression of JNK2 in Jurkat T cells strongly enhanced NF-AT-dependent transcription. These results demonstrate that JNK signaling differentially uses c-Jun and NF-AT as molecular effectors during thymocyte apoptosis and T cell proliferation.
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10.1073/pnas.98.4.1769
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17718462
|
HNO3 forming channel of the HO2 + NO reaction as a function of pressure and temperature in the ranges of 72-600 Torr and 223-323 K.
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A high-pressure turbulent flow reactor coupled with a chemical ionization mass-spectrometer was used to determine the branching ratio of the HO(2) + NO reaction: HO(2) + NO --> OH + NO(2) (1a), HO(2) + NO --> HNO(3) (1b). The branching ratio, beta = k(1b)/k(1a), was derived from the measurements of "chemically amplified" concentrations of the NO(2) and HNO(3) products in the presence of O(2) and CO. The pressure and temperature dependence of beta was determined in the pressure range of 72-600 Torr of N(2) carrier gas between 323 and 223 K. At each pressure, the branching ratio was found to increase with the decrease of temperature, the increase becoming less pronounced with the increase of pressure. In the 298-223 K range, the data could be fitted by the expression: beta(T,P) = (530 +/- 10)/T(K) + (6.4 +/- 1.3) x 10(-4)P(Torr) - (1.73 +/- 0.07), giving beta approximately 0.5% near the Earth's surface (298 K, 760 Torr) and 0.8% in the tropopause region (220 K, 200 Torr). The atmospheric implication of these results is briefly discussed.
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10.1021/jp074117m
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15354426
|
Development and application of polymeric monolithic stationary phases for capillary electrochromatography.
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Monolithic columns for capillary electrochromatography are receiving quite remarkable attention. This review summarizes results excerpted from numerous papers concerning this rapidly growing area with a focus on monoliths prepared from synthetic polymers. Both the simplicity of the in situ preparation and the large number of readily available chemistries make the monolithic separation media a vital alternative to capillary columns packed with particulate materials. Therefore, they are now a well-established stationary phase format in the field of capillary electrochromatography. A wide variety of synthetic approaches as well as materials used for the preparation of the monolithic stationary phases are presented in detail. The analytical potential of these columns is demonstrated with separations involving various families of compounds and different chromatographic modes.
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10.1016/j.chroma.2004.04.057
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32639332
|
ULTRA-WIDE FIELD FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE IMAGING OF EYES WITH STICKLER SYNDROME.
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To determine the characteristics of fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images and visual functions in eyes with Stickler syndrome using ultra-widefield FAF images. Forty-six eyes of 26 patients with mutations in the COL2A1 gene underwent ultra-widefield FAF imaging. The eyes were categorized into three types; no signs of abnormal AF, predominantly hyperfluorescent AF (hyper-AF), and predominantly hypofluorescent AF (hypo-AF). Goldmann perimetry was performed on 34 eyes, and line-scan images of the abnormal AF lesions were obtained by swept-source optical coherence tomography in 4 eyes. Abnormal AF lesions were found in 37 eyes of 21 (80.7%) of the 26 patients. Hyper-AF was found in 15 eyes and hypo-AF was found in 22 eyes. The FAF changes corresponded with the funduscopically observed radial paravascular retinal degeneration. The average age at the examination was significantly younger in patients who had eyes with hyper-AF or no abnormal AF than in those with hypo-AF (12.8 vs. 28.4 years; P = 0.009). Abnormal AF-associated visual field defects were found in 5/10 (50%) eyes with hyper-AF and 17/18 (94%) eyes with hypo-AF. Hyper-AF changes tended to appear before retinal changes were detectable by fluorescein angiography. An absence of the ellipsoid zone and the outer nuclear layer and a thinning of the overall retinal thickness were found corresponding to the hypo-AF lesions in the swept source optical coherence tomography images. Abnormal FAF is characteristic of eyes with Stickler syndrome. Age-related alterations of the FAF was associated with visual field defects and disruption of the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells. Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Opthalmic Communications Society, Inc.
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10.1097/IAE.0000000000002879
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19275497
|
Etravirine, a next-generation nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor.
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Etravirine is the first next-generation nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that is approved for the treatment of HIV infection in patients who have experienced virologic failure while receiving an NNRTI-containing regimen. The drug is taken as two 100-mg tablets twice daily after a meal. Because the drug is metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, it cannot be coadministered with a number of other drugs (fosamprenavir, high-dose ritonavir, atazanavir, rifampin, and several antiepileptic medications). Etravirine demonstrates potent in vitro activity against wild-type and NNRTI-resistant strains of HIV. In vitro resistance and treatment failure is associated with the development of multiple NNRTI resistance mutations other than the K103N mutation. Several large clinical studies have documented the benefit of adding etravirine to an optimized background regimen in patients with virologic failure who are infected with multidrug-resistant HIV. The major adverse effects of etravirine therapy are nausea and rash, which are typically self-limiting and do not lead to treatment discontinuation.
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10.1086/597469
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9075101
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Genu valgum in children with coxa vara resulting from hip disease.
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Three patients with chronic hip disease and progressive coxa vera deformity also had an unrecognized compensatory ipsilateral genu valgum until the primary hip deformity had been corrected operatively. This unrecognized genu valgum may become subtly worse in a growing child because of lateralization of the mechanical axis of the lower extremity with respect to the knee joint. Operative correction of coxa vara acutely moves the mechanical axis farther laterally, causing the occult genu valgum to become clinically apparent. The genu valgum may subtly worsen over time in a growing child because of lateralization of the lower extremity mechanical axis with respect to the knee joint, with the resulting abnormal Hueter-Volkmann forces across the physis causing progressive genu valgum. Recognition of occult genu valgum before correcting coxa vara in children allows the surgeon the better to advise the family about the need for possible subsequent operations on the knee.
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10.1097/00004694-199703000-00017
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19559718
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Phylogenetic analysis of Bacillus P450 monooxygenases and evaluation of their activity towards steroids.
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Cytochrome P450 (P450) open reading frames (ORFs) identified in genome sequences of Bacillus species are potential resources for new oxidation biocatalysts. Phylogenetic analysis of 29 Bacillus P450 ORFs revealed that the P450s consist of a limited number of P450 families, CYP102, CYP106, CYP107, CYP109, CYP134, CYP152, and CYP197. Previously, we identified the catalytic activities of three P450s of Bacillus subtilis towards steroids by rapid substrate screening using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR/MS). Here, we further applied this method to evaluate the activity of Bacillus cereus P450s towards steroids. Five P450 genes were cloned from B. cereus ATCC 10987 based on its genomic sequence and were expressed in Escherichia coli. These P450s were reacted with a mixture of 30 compounds that mainly included steroids, and the reaction mixtures were analyzed using FT-ICR/MS. We found that BCE_2659 (CYP106) catalyzed the monooxygenation of methyltestosterone, progesterone, 11-ketoprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and chlormadinone acetate. BCE_2654 (CYP107) monooxygenated testosterone enanthate, and BCE_3250 (CYP109) monooxygenated testosterone and compactin. Based on the phylogenetic relationship and the known substrate specificities including ones identified in this study, we discuss the catalytic potential of Bacillus P450s towards steroids.
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10.1016/j.steroids.2009.06.005
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6159256
|
Morbidity of acute pancreatitis: the effect of aprotinin and glucagon.
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In a double-blind, randomised trial, neither aprotinin nor glucagon given in relatively high doses for five days influenced the rate of recovery or incidence of complications in 257 patients with acute pancreatitis.
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10.1136/gut.21.4.334
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12845207
|
Systemic treatment in advanced melanoma: innovative perspectives.
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Malignant melanoma is a tumor of increasing incidence. Patients with early diagnosed and surgically excised primary tumors have a high probability to be completely cured. In contrast, the prognosis of patients with distant organ metastases is still extremely poor despite a variety of therapeutical efforts that have been evaluated in numerous clinical trials. Cytotoxic treatment using single agents as well as polychemotherapy revealed only temporary clinical responses but no improvement of patients' overall survival. Likewise, therapy regimens combining cytostatics with cytokines showed no substantial benefit compared to cytostatics alone. Due to these disappointing results, recent research strategies focused on the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the complex therapy resistance of melanoma. New treatment concepts have been developed to overcome some of these mechanisms. Another promising approach is the development of advanced vaccination strategies. This paper reviews a selection of innovative therapeutic strategies that are currently tested in clinical trials; in particular pretherapeutic chemosensitivity testing, chemosensitization by downregulation of bcl-2, vaccination with autologous peptide-pulsed dendritic cells and immunomodulation by histamine. Copyright 2003 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg
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10.1159/000071618
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27828423
|
Improved determination of particulate absorption from combined filter pad and PSICAM measurements.
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Filter pad light absorption measurements are subject to two major sources of experimental uncertainty: the so-called pathlength amplification factor, β, and scattering offsets, o, for which previous null-correction approaches are limited by recent observations of non-zero absorption in the near infrared (NIR). A new filter pad absorption correction method is presented here which uses linear regression against point-source integrating cavity absorption meter (PSICAM) absorption data to simultaneously resolve both β and the scattering offset. The PSICAM has previously been shown to provide accurate absorption data, even in highly scattering waters. Comparisons of PSICAM and filter pad particulate absorption data reveal linear relationships that vary on a sample by sample basis. This regression approach provides significantly improved agreement with PSICAM data (3.2% RMS%E) than previously published filter pad absorption corrections. Results show that direct transmittance (T-method) filter pad absorption measurements perform effectively at the same level as more complex geometrical configurations based on integrating cavity measurements (IS-method and QFT-ICAM) because the linear regression correction compensates for the sensitivity to scattering errors in the T-method. This approach produces accurate filter pad particulate absorption data for wavelengths in the blue/UV and in the NIR where sensitivity issues with PSICAM measurements limit performance. The combination of the filter pad absorption and PSICAM is therefore recommended for generating full spectral, best quality particulate absorption data as it enables correction of multiple errors sources across both measurements.
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10.1364/OE.24.024805
|
35729340
|
Safety evaluation of oral calcitonin-gene-related peptide receptor antagonists in patients with acute migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
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Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists have been suggested as novel treatments for acute migraine. This study aimed to use meta-analysis to compare the safety and tolerability of five existing oral CGRP receptor antagonists (BI44370TA, MK-3207, rimegepant, telcagepant, and ubrogepant) with that of a placebo or triptans against acute migraine. Five prominent databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials on this topic. The primary safety outcomes of interest were any adverse events (AEs) and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), and secondary outcomes were individual events, namely diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, nausea, paresthesia, somnolence, upper abdominal pain, and vomiting. Fifteen studies met the eligibility criteria and were examined in detail. Although, compared to placebo, oral CGRP receptor antagonists significantly increased the incidence of any AEs (risk ratio [RR] = 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-1.23), there was no difference in the incidence of TRAEs (RR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.00-1.38). Moreover, CGRP receptor antagonists were safer than triptans with respect to primary safety outcomes, such as any AEs (RR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.63-0.98) and TRAEs (RR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.58-0.79). Despite oral CGRP receptor antagonists posing a significantly higher risk of AEs when compared to placebo, CGRP receptor antagonists have a favorable safety profile compared to triptans. Our findings inform strategies to enhance safety and tolerability in the treatment of acute migraine. © 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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10.1007/s00228-022-03347-6
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33025673
|
Essential components of rehabilitation services provided to visually impaired people.
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This study was conducted to determine the essential components in the delivery of vision rehabilitation services. The findings could be useful in the planning of vision rehabilitation services by optometrists or health managers. Appropriate models of delivering vision rehabilitation services are a challenge for service providers worldwide. Studies have not revealed the key characteristics of a suitable model for delivering vision rehabilitation services. This study investigated the viewpoints of the key informants for identifying the most important components of a suitable model for delivering vision rehabilitation services. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 participants including managers and service providers in Iran. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive framework analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Qualitative analysis was done using the MAXQDA 10 software. Four main themes emerged from the data, including creating maximum access (three subcategories: screening for visual impairment, creating a stepped-model for service delivery, and public and professional awareness of vision rehabilitation services), early intervention (two sub-categories: timely identification of people at the onset of disability and starting off with counselling services), need for financial support (two subcategories: providing affordable visual aid equipment and insurance coverage), and informed and skilled personnel (two subcategories: training vision rehabilitation specialists and familiarity of the rehabilitation staff with the rehabilitation program). This study identified the key features of an appropriate model for providing vision rehabilitation services to blind and visually impaired people from the viewpoints of key informants who were experienced in providing vision rehabilitation services. The findings have valuable implications for policy-making and planning for vision rehabilitation services by the health system.
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10.1111/cxo.13121
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2789138
|
Alloantigen pretreatment induces a down-regulation of the in vivo subsequent development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed against linked alloantigens.
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In the present study, we describe a new regulatory system that influences the in vivo development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and that could be related to epitopic suppression. Epitopic suppression has been previously shown to occur when carrier-primed mice are subsequently immunized with a "new" epitope coupled to the priming carrier. The suppression specifically inhibited the antibody response to the "new" epitope without affecting the secondary antibody response to the carrier. In this report, using a carrier/hapten-carrier type of immunization protocol, we have demonstrated that a similar regulatory system could also affect the induction of CTL directed against allogeneic cells. Priming mice with an alloantigen 1 (carrier) inhibits the induction of alloantigen 2 (hapten)-specific cytotoxic responses when the alloantigen 2 is presented in association with the alloantigen 1 on an F1 stimulator cell (hapten-carrier conjugate). This has been demonstrated by the specific decrease of anti-H-2b or anti-H-2d CTL responses generated in C3H/He mice (H-2k) previously primed with, respectively, H-2d or H-2b spleen cells before immunization with F1 (H-2d x b) spleen cells. This suppression of the CTL responses against the second immunizing alloantigen is associated with a strong CTL response against the first priming alloantigen. The induction of the suppression is dependent on the dose of H-2d spleen cells administered before immunization with F1 spleen cells and is not related to antigen elimination since a strong suppression of the CTL response against H-2b antigens is shown following immunization with a mixture of F1 cells and H-2b-bearing cells of H-2d-primed animals.
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10.1002/eji.1830190803
|
14578739
|
Bone marrow failure following severe injury in humans.
|
Hematopoietic failure has been observed in experimental animals following shock and injury. In humans, bone marrow dysfunction has been observed in the red cell component and characterized by a persistent anemia, low reticulocyte counts, and the need for repeated transfusions despite adequate iron stores. While a quantitative defect in white blood cell count has not been noted, an alteration in white blood cell function manifesting as an increased susceptibility to infection is well established. Since the etiology of this anemia remains unknown and the bone marrow has been rarely studied following injury, we measured various parameters of hematopoiesis directly using bone marrow from trauma patients and tested the hypothesis that trauma results in profound bone marrow dysfunction, which could explain both the persistent anemia and the alteration in white blood cell function. Bone marrow aspirates and peripheral blood were obtained between day 1 and 7 following injury from 45 multiple trauma patients. Normal volunteers served as controls. Peripheral blood was assayed for hemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte count, erythropoietin levels, white blood cell count, and differential. Peripheral blood and bone marrow were cultured for hematopoietic progenitors (CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-E colonies). Bone marrow CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-E colony formation was significantly reduced while peripheral blood CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-E was increased in the trauma patients compared with normal volunteers. Bone marrow stroma failed to grow to confluence by day 14 in >90% of trauma patients. In contrast, bone marrow stroma from volunteers always reached confluence between days 10 and 14 in culture. The mean hemoglobin concentration and reticulocyte counts of the trauma patients were 8.6 +/- 1.0 g/dL and 2.75 +/- 0.7% respectively, while their plasma erythropoietin levels were 2 to 10 times greater than control values. Release of immature white blood cells into the circulation may also contribute to a failure to clear infection and an increased propensity to organ failure. Concomitantly, profound changes occur within the bone marrow, which include the increased release of erythroid and myeloid progenitors into the circulation, a decrease in progenitor cell growth within the bone marrow, and an impaired growth of the bone marrow stroma. Erythropoietin levels are preserved following trauma, implying that the persistent anemia of injury is related to the failure of the bone marrow to respond to erythropoietin.
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10.1097/01.sla.0000094441.38807.09
|
19004865
|
Clinical characteristics of bacterial vaginosis among women testing positive for fastidious bacteria.
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As the aetiology of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not well understood, this study sought to determine the relationships between several fastidious microbes, BV and selected clinical characteristics of BV. Endometrial and cervical specimens from 50 women with non-gonococcal, non-chlamydial endometritis were tested for Leptotrichia sanguinegens/amnionii, Atopobium vaginae, bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria 1 (BVAB1), Ureaplasma urealyticum biovar 2 (UU-2) and Ureaplasma parvum using PCR. BV was categorised using Nugent's and Amsel's criteria. Odds ratios (OR) adjusted for age and race were estimated using multivariable logistic regression. Although elevated pH was a universal feature, other BV characteristics differed by pathogen, suggesting variable clinical presentation. Only UU-2 was strongly associated with vaginal discharge, but a positive whiff test and a 20% or greater classification of epithelial cells as clue cells were more common among women with L sanguinegens/amnionii, A vaginae and BVAB1. For each of these bacteria, there were trends towards associations with BV defined by Amsel's criteria (L sanguinegens/amnionii OR 2.9, 95% CI 0.5 to 15.7; A vaginae OR 2.6, 95% CI 0.6 to 11.4; BVAB1 OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 31.1) and significant associations with BV defined by Gram stain (L sanguinegens/amnionii OR 17.7, 95% CI 2.8 to 113.0; A vaginae OR 19.2, 95% CI 3.7 to 98.7; BVAB1 OR 21.1, 95% CI 2.2 to 198.5). L sanguinegens/amnionii, A vaginae and BVAB1 are associated with clinical characteristics consistent with BV and BV defined by Nugent's and Amsel's criteria. These fastidious bacteria may cause unrecognised infection, as none was associated with abnormal vaginal discharge.
|
10.1136/sti.2008.032821
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37646731
|
Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel Once-a-Day Brimonidine Ophthalmic Nanosuspension.
|
Purpose: This article aims to describe a preclinical proof of concept for a novel once-a-day (OD) brimonidine ophthalmic nanosuspension. Methods: The preclinical proof of concept was established using New Zealand white rabbits as animal models. Dose-finding, multiple-dose efficacy, ocular pharmacokinetic, and hemodynamic studies were performed in normotensive rabbits. Steroid-induced ocular hypertension model in rabbits was used to study efficacy in glaucomatous pathophysiology. The test (0.35% OD suspension) and reference (0.15% three times a day [TID] solution) were compared. Results: The intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction was sustained for 0.35% and 0.5% strengths but not for other lower strengths tested or reference strengths. A 0.35% OD suspension reduced IOP >2 mmHg after 24 h of dosing, which was not seen with the reference. After multiple dosing, 0.35% OD suspension reduced IOP by 4-6 mmHg after 24 h, which was comparable to the 0.15% TID reference solution. An ocular pharmacokinetic study showed that the brimonidine was rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the eye after topical administration. Concentration was higher in tissues with high α 2 receptors, such as cornea-conjunctiva, iris/ciliary body, and choroid/retina. The steady-state concentrations in these organs were also significant after 24 h of the last dose. There was an indication of increased plasma levels, so a hemodynamic study was performed to assess any adverse effects. All hemodynamic parameters were normal and no new unusual safety findings were observed. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the novel brimonidine 0.35% ophthalmic nanosuspension is both safe and effective when administered OD and is comparable to the marketed reference formulation administered TID.
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10.1089/jop.2023.0038
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38821949
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Integrated omics of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CENPK2-1C reveals pleiotropic drug resistance and lipidomic adaptations to cannabidiol.
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Yeast metabolism can be engineered to produce xenobiotic compounds, such as cannabinoids, the principal isoprenoids of the plant Cannabis sativa, through heterologous metabolic pathways. However, yeast cell factories continue to have low cannabinoid production. This study employed an integrated omics approach to investigate the physiological effects of cannabidiol on S. cerevisiae CENPK2-1C yeast cultures. We treated the experimental group with 0.5 mM CBD and monitored CENPK2-1C cultures. We observed a latent-stationary phase post-diauxic shift in the experimental group and harvested samples in the inflection point of this growth phase for transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis. We compared the transcriptomes of the CBD-treated yeast and the positive control, identifying eight significantly overexpressed genes with a log fold change of at least 1.5 and a significant adjusted p-value. Three notable genes were PDR5 (an ABC-steroid and cation transporter), CIS1, and YGR035C. These genes are all regulated by pleiotropic drug resistance linked promoters. Knockout and rescue of PDR5 showed that it is a causal factor in the post-diauxic shift phenotype. Metabolomic analysis revealed 48 significant spectra associated with CBD-fed cell pellets, 20 of which were identifiable as non-CBD compounds, including fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, and phosphate-salvage indicators. Our results suggest that mitochondrial regulation and lipidomic remodeling play a role in yeast's response to CBD, which are employed in tandem with pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR). We conclude that bioengineers should account for off-target product C-flux, energy use from ABC-transport, and post-stationary phase cell growth when developing cannabinoid-biosynthetic yeast strains. © 2024. The Author(s).
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10.1038/s41540-024-00382-0
|
12810091
|
Impacts of the Jessica oil spill on intertidal and shallow subtidal plants and animals.
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Densities of fishes, invertebrates and plants at rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal sites were censused 1-2 days prior to the Jessica oil spill and compared with information obtained for the same sites one month after the spill, both for sites impacted by oil and unaffected reference sites. While the availability of pre-spill data made this analysis one of the most powerful to date for testing impacts of oil on shoreline environments, no clear changes attributable to oiling could be identified. Discharged oil appeared to cause very little impact in the intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, with such impacts lying within the range of natural spatial and temporal variation at sites investigated. Factors considered to minimize impact in Galápagos included paucity of fully sheltered shores in spill path, moderate wave action, warm temperature, high levels of sunlight, and mixing of bunker oil with diesel.
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10.1016/S0025-326X(03)00156-5
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34118046
|
Protein Supercomplex Recording in Living Cells Via Position-Specific Fluorescence Lifetime Sensors.
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Our group has previously established a strategy utilizing fluorescence lifetime probes to image membrane protein supercomplex (SC) formation in situ. We showed that a probe at the interface between individual mitochondrial respiratory complexes exhibits a decreased fluorescence lifetime when a supercomplex is formed. This is caused by electrostatic interactions with the adjacent proteins. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) records the resulting decrease of the lifetime of the SC-probe. Here we present the details of our method for performing SC-FLIM, including the evaluation of fluorescence lifetimes from the FLIM images. To validate the feasibility of the technique for monitoring adaptive SC formation, we compare data obtained under different metabolic conditions. The results confirm that SC formation is dynamic.
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10.1007/978-1-0716-1262-0_19
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19662253
|
Paramagnetic Gd-based gold glyconanoparticles as probes for MRI: tuning relaxivities with sugars.
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Combining sugar conjugates and DO3A-Gd complexes, paramagnetic gold glyconanoparticles (GNPs) with different relaxivity values were obtained and tested in vivo as MRI probes.
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10.1039/b900957d
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31784064
|
Anticancer effects of sodium and potassium quercetin-5'-sulfonates through inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in the HT-29 human adenocarcinoma cell line.
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In the present study, we compared the anticancer potential of quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone, I) and its sulfonic derivatives sodium/potassium quercetin-5'-sulfonates (described as II and III) against several human carcinoma cell lines. Quercetin (I) was used as a starting compound for synthesis of II and III. In this work, a modified and more efficient method of synthesizing derivatives II and III has been described. The molecular structures of the compounds were characterized in a solution and in the solid state using 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, 2D NMR, and XPS spectroscopy, respectively. The stoichiometry of these complexes was determined by elemental analysis as well as thermogravimetric and X-ray fluorescence methods. The spectral data allowed complete characterization of the investigated compounds in the solution and in the solid state and unambiguous determination of the place of substitution of the sulfonic group in the phenyl ring in the C-5' position. Our in vitro studies revealed that II and III prominently reduced the viability of the HT-29 colon cancer cell line. Additionally, we observed that sulfonic derivatives decreased proliferation of colon (HT-29, LS180), lung (A549), and breast (T47D) cancer cell lines. Moreover, we detected a lower cytotoxic effect of II and III on several normal cell lines (colon epithelial CCD 841 CoTr, mouse subcutaneous connective tissue L-929, and human skin fibroblasts HSF cell lines) than that exerted by pure quercetin. The anticancer properties were especially evident in the HT-29 colon cancer cell line, where cell cycle inhibition in the G 2 -M phase and prominent apoptosis induced by II and III were observed. In conclusion, the sodium/potassium quercetin-5'-sulfonates prepared from quercetin showed promising anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity against colon cancer cells. Therefore, we support the opinion that sodium/potassium quercetin-5'-sulfonates should be considered as promising organometallic compounds for possible clinical applications. Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.103426
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9016877
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rho, a small GTP-binding protein, is essential for Shigella invasion of epithelial cells.
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Shigella, the causative agents of bacillary dysentery, are capable of invading mammalian cells that are not normally phagocytic. Uptake of bacteria by the mammalian cells is directed by bacterial factors named IpaB, IpaC, and IpaD invasins, in which Ipa invasins secreted into the bacterial environment can interact with alpha5beta1 integrin. We report here that Shigella invasion of epithelial cells requires rho activity, a ras-related GTP-binding protein. The invasive capacity of Shigella flexneri for Chinese hamister ovary (CHO) cells and other epithelial cells were greatly reduced when treated with Clostridium botulinum exoenzyme C3 transferase. Conversely, uptake of bacteria by CHO cells was promoted upon microinjection of an activated rho variant, Val14RhoA. Attachment of S. flexneri to CHO cells can elicit tyrosine phosphorylation of pp125FAK and paxillin, localized accumulation of F-actin, vinculin, and talin, and activation of protein kinase C, which were all blocked by the treatment with C3 transferase. Our results indicate that cellular signal transduction regulated by rho is essential for Shigella invasion of epithelial cells.
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10.1084/jem.185.2.281
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26716461
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Effects of Meridian Acupressure in Joktaeyang Bangkwang Kyeong on the Physical Health State, Depression, and Life Satisfaction of Korean Older Adult Women Living Alone.
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The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of Meridian acupressure in Joktaeyang Bangkwang Kyeong (one of 12 Meridian systems) on the physical health state, depression, and life satisfaction of Korean older adult women living alone. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest control group design was used. Participants included 76 (experimental: n = 38, control: n = 38) women 65 and older living alone in Seoul and Gyeonggido, South Korea. Meridian acupressure in Joktaeyang Bangkwang Kyeong was applied for 15 minutes twice per week, for a total of 8 weeks in the experimental group. Data showed there were significant differences in physical health state (t = -15.062, p < 0.001), depression (t = 3.241, p < 0.001), and life satisfaction (t = -17.141, p < 0.001) between the two groups. Health professionals must consider an array of methods, including Meridian acupressure in Joktaeyang Bangkwang Kyeong, for older adults. Copyright 2016, SLACK Incorporated.
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10.3928/00989134-20151218-01
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1081990
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Lipid A, the active part of bacterial endotoxins in inducing serum colony stimulating activity and proliferation of splenic granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells.
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An analysis of which component of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), the lipid or the polysaccharide (PS), is active in stimulating the murine granulopoietic system has been performed. LPS with different structures, isolated from different mutant strains of Salmonella and chemical degradation products of lipopolysaccharides have been used. Lipid A obtained by acid hydrolysys of the LPS and complexed to bovine serum albumin (BSA) (lipid A-BSA) was shown to be active in generating serum colony stimulating factor (CSF) and in increasing the splenic colony forming cells (CFC) levels, although it was less active than the parent LPS. The polysaccharide (PS) showed no significant activity at the concentrations used. LPS (glycolipids) from R mutants of Salmonella minnesota were active to the same extent as the LPS. The fact that even the most defective LPS from the R mutant R595 which contains lipid A and KDO only is a potent endotoxin, points unequivocally, to lipid A, as the active principle in stimulating the granulopoietic system.
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10.1002/jcp.1040870110
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29277105
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Providers' competencies positively affect personal recovery of involuntarily admitted patients with severe mental illness: A prospective observational study.
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There is limited research on the patient-provider relationship in inpatient settings. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of mental healthcare providers' recovery-promoting competencies on personal recovery in involuntarily admitted psychiatric patients with severe mental illness. In all, 127 Dutch patients suffering from a severe mental illness residing in a high-secure psychiatric hospital reported the degree of their personal recovery (translated Questionnaire about Processes of Recovery questionnaire (QPR)) and the degree of mental healthcare providers' recovery-promoting competence (Recovery Promoting Relationship Scale (RPRS)) at two measurement points, 6 months apart. (Mixed-effects) linear regression analysis was used to test the effect of providers' recovery-promoting competence on personal recovery, while controlling for the following confounding variables: age, gender drug/alcohol problems, social relationships, activities of daily living, treatment motivation and medication adherence. Analyses revealed a significant positive effect of providers' recovery-promoting competencies on the degree of personal recovery ( t = 8.4, p 4, p <.001). This study shows that recovery-promoting competencies of mental healthcare providers are positively associated with (a change in) personal recovery of involuntarily admitted patients. Further research is necessary on how to organize recovery-oriented care in inpatient settings and how to enhance providers' competencies in a sustainable way.
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10.1177/0020764017749864
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26629313
|
Crosstalk between mitochondria and peroxisomes.
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Mitochondria and peroxisomes are small ubiquitous organelles. They both play major roles in cell metabolism, especially in terms of fatty acid metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and ROS scavenging, and it is now clear that they metabolically interact with each other. These two organelles share some properties, such as great plasticity and high potency to adapt their form and number according to cell requirements. Their functions are connected, and any alteration in the function of mitochondria may induce changes in peroxisomal physiology. The objective of this paper was to highlight the interconnection and the crosstalk existing between mitochondria and peroxisomes. Special emphasis was placed on the best known connections between these organelles: origin, structure, and metabolic interconnections.
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10.4331/wjbc.v6.i4.301
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31177755
|
[Analysis of aluminum content in unprocessed grains from different areas of China].
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To investigate the aluminium content in unprocessed grains from different areas of China. Methods: From June 2013 to December 2014, nine provinces (Jilin, Shandong, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Anhui and Jiangsu) were selected as sampling areas using stratified random sampling method. Three cities, counties or townships were randomly selected from each sampling area. Grain stations, grain depots, planting areas or farmers' markets located in non-aluminium mining areas or non-aluminium-involved industrial pollution areas were selected from each sampling area using a purposive sampling method. A total of 470 unprocessed grain samples (500 g per sample) including wheat, rice, corn, millet and soybean were collected from local grain stations, grain depots, planting areas and farmers' markets. The dried grains samples were analysed for aluminium content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Bootstrap resampling method was applied to calculate the upper bound values of 95 %CI of P (99) of aluminium contents for each kind of grain, which could be regarded as levels of concern for corresponding categories. Results: A total of 454 grain samples, including 109 wheat samples, 111 rice samples, 78 corn samples, 69 millet samples and 87 soybean samples, were used for analysis after excluding outlier values. There were 420 positive samples with detected aluminium and the overall detection rate was 92.5%. Among them, the aluminium contents were high in wheat and soybean with median values about 9.59 and 7.12 mg/kg, and maximum values about 31.55 and 28.80 mg/kg, respectively. The median and maximum values of aluminium contents in corn were about 4.65 and 26.79 mg/kg. Aluminium contents were low in rice and millet, with median values about 1.49 and 2.21 mg/kg, and maximum values about 7.56 and 8.07 mg/kg, respectively. Based on Bootstrap resampling method, the upper bound values of 95 %CI of P (99) of aluminium contents in wheat, soybean, corn, rice and millet were 29.86, 28.80, 26.79, 7.56 and 8.07 mg/kg, respectively, which could be regarded as levels of concern for corresponding grains. Conclusion: Aluminium has been detected in most unprocessed grains. The accumulation of aluminium varies in different grains species.
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10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-9624.2019.06.009
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19183887
|
Toxicity studies of cremophor-free paclitaxel solid dispersion formulated by a supercritical antisolvent process.
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To evaluate the acute toxicity of a paclitaxel solid dispersion formulation, single dose studies in ICR mice were carried out for injectable excipients, paclitaxel solid dispersion powder, and Taxol. In the dose range of excipients used for preparing paclitaxel solid dispersion, each excipient was clinically safe, and the LD(50) for exicipients was higher than 2,000 mg/kg for both males and females. In this study, there were no remarkable clinical signs or deaths related to paclitaxel solid dispersion even at doses up to 160 mg/kg of paclitaxel. But Taxol resulted in clinical signs when it contained more than 30 mg/mL paclitaxel. The LD(50) for paclitaxel solid dispersion was above 160 mg/kg and the LD(50) for Taxol was 31.3 mg/kg, more than 5 times lower than that of paclitaxel solid dispersion. However, paclitaxel solid dispersion could not be administered i. v. at a dose exceeding 160 mg/kg, because of high viscosity. To evaluate the nephrotoxicity of paclitaxel solid dispersion, plasma level of creatinine and kidney weight were measured and compared to Taxol. At the doses administered, paclitaxel solid dispersion did not change creatinine clearance, while Taxol killed all animals at doses >15 mg/kg. To investigate membrane damage when paclitaxel formulations were injected, hemolytic activity was determined for different concentrations. Paclitaxel solid dispersion showed about 10% hemolytic activity, whereas Taxol showed about 40% hemolytic activity when it contained 2 mg of paclitaxel. Comparisons with the LD(50) value, nephrotoxicity, and hemolytic activity of Taxol suggested that Cremophor-free paclitaxel solid dispersion as an injectable formulation is a promising approach to increasing the safety and clinical efficacy of paclitaxel for treatment of cancer.
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10.1007/s12272-009-1128-y
|
21895487
|
Differences between chondrocytes and bone marrow-derived chondrogenic cells.
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Implantation of autologous chondrogenic cells has become the mainstay strategy for repairing articular cartilage defects. Because the availability of autologous chondrocytes is extremely limited, many recent studies have used artificially induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) as substitutes for chondrocytes. In this study, we analyzed the differences between the iMSCs and chondrocytes, including their molecular biological and mechanical properties. Human bone marrow-derived MSCs were collected and induced to exhibit the chondrogenic phenotype by culturing the pelleted MSCs in a chemically defined culture medium supplemented with transforming growth factor-beta 1. The molecular biological properties of iMSCs and culture-expanded chondrocytes, including their mRNA profiles and surface proteomics, were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry, respectively. The biomechanical properties of iMSCs and native chondrocytes, including their surface topology, adhesion force, and membrane stiffness, were analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Both iMSCs and chondrocytes presented type II collagen and glycosaminoglycan, whereas only chondrocytes presented type X collagen. Flow cytometric assays showed that the expression of type II collagen and integrin-1 was higher in the chondrocytes than in the iMSCs. AFM revealed that the MSCs, iMSCs, and chondrocytes greatly differed in their shape. The MSCs were spindle shaped and easily distinguishable from the spherical chondrocytes. The iMSCs appeared round and resembled the spherical chondrocytes; however, the iMSCs were flatter with a central hump of condensed mass and a surrounding thin and broad pleat. The mean adhesion force and mean surface stiffness were significantly lower for the iMSCs (4.54 nN and 0.109 N/m, respectively) than for the chondrocytes (6.86 nN and 0.134 N/m, respectively). To conclude, although the iMSCs exhibited the chondrogenic phenotype, they differed from the chondrocytes in their molecular biological and mechanical properties.
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10.1089/ten.tea.2010.0732
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29920996
|
Smiles in face matching: Idiosyncratic information revealed through a smile improves unfamiliar face matching performance.
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Unfamiliar face matching is a surprisingly difficult task, yet we often rely on people's matching decisions in applied settings (e. g., border control). Most attempts to improve accuracy (including training and image manipulation) have had very limited success. In a series of studies, we demonstrate that using smiling rather than neutral pairs of images brings about significant improvements in face matching accuracy. This is true for both match and mismatch trials, implying that the information provided through a smile helps us detect images of the same identity as well as distinguishing between images of different identities. Study 1 compares matching performance when images in the face pair display either an open-mouth smile or a neutral expression. In Study 2, we add an intermediate level, closed-mouth smile, to identify the effect of teeth being exposed, and Study 3 explores face matching accuracy when only information about the lower part of the face is available. Results demonstrate that an open-mouth smile changes the face in an idiosyncratic way which aids face matching decisions. Such findings have practical implications for matching in the applied context where we typically use neutral images to represent ourselves in official documents. © 2018 The British Psychological Society.
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10.1111/bjop.12318
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15060973
|
[Vertebral fracture: a major risk factor for osteoporosis].
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At the age of 50, a women has a lifetime risk of more than 30% to present a radiological vertebral fracture (vertebral deformity). Among the women of 50 to 79 years, 12 to 20% of them have one or more prevalent vertebral deformities. For Switzerland, it represents about 130,000 to 220,000 women. For men, the global prevalence of these fractures is the same. However, they usually happen in younger men who are exposed to greater trauma than women. The situation is more dramatic in patients hospitalised for a hip fracture, because about 3/4 of them have one or more vertebral deformities. It is important to detect these vertebral deformities because they represent a significantly higher risk to have subsequent fractures, particularly vertebral (approximately 5x), but also hip fractures (approximately 2x). This risk remains increased, whatever is the number or the grade of the deformities, although it is higher in patients with many fractures or with severe deformities. It is also important to detect vertebral deformities, because cost-effectiveness of treatments such as bisphosphonates, calcitonin, raloxifen, or PTH is the highest in patients with prevalent vertebral deformities. Unfortunately, only 1/3 of vertebral deformities are diagnosed. In consequence, it is of major importance to develop screening and diagnosis strategies for these deformities. Morphologic vertebral assessment by DXA should be an interesting approach for this purpose.
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10.1024/0369-8394.93.9.321
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39516260
|
Chromosomal copy number based stratification of gastric cancer has added prognostic value to Lauren's histological classification.
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The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) recognizes four molecular subgroups of gastric cancer: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive, microsatellite instable (MSI), genomically stable (GS), and chromosomal instable (CIN). Since a GS/CIN classifier is lacking, alternative markers such as Lauren's histopathology or CDH1/p53 immunohistochemistry are commonly applied. Here we compared survival of gastric cancer subgroups determined by four methods. 309 EBV negative and microsatellite stable tumors were included from the Dutch D1/D2 trial and assigned to subgroups by: (i) TCGA's specific chromosomal copy number aberrations, (ii) genome instability index (GII), (iii) Lauren's classification, and (iv) CDH1/p53 immunohistochemistry. Subgroups were associated with cancer-related survival (CRS). Five-year CRS was 42.0% for diffuse and 49.5% for patients with intestinal type tumors, and 57.8% for GS and 41.6% for patients with CIN tumors. Classification by GII or CDH1/p53 IHC did not correlate with CRS. The combination of TCGA and Lauren classifications resulted in four distinct subgroups. Five-year CRS for GS-intestinal (n = 24), GS-diffuse (n = 57), CIN-intestinal (n = 142) and CIN-diffuse (n = 86) was 61.4%, 56.5%, 47.6%, and 31.5%, respectively. TCGA's GS and CIN subgroups have additional prognostic value to Lauren's classification in resectable gastric cancer. GS-intestinal, GS-diffuse, CIN-intestinal and CIN-diffuse are suggested stratification variables for future studies. © 2024. The Author(s).
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10.1038/s44276-024-00078-2
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38841588
|
Inflammation and platelet reactivity during adjunctive colchicine versus aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with potent P2Y12 inhibitor.
|
In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the use of anti-inflammatory therapy with colchicine is associated with a reduction of recurrent ischemic events. The mechanisms of such findings are not fully elucidated. To investigate the effects of colchicine versus aspirin on inflammation and platelet reactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing PCI. This observational study compared laboratory measurements in ACS patients receiving single antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor or prasugrel plus colchicine (MACT) ( n = 185) versus conventional dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin plus ticagrelor or prasugrel ( n = 497). The primary outcome was the frequency of high residual inflammation, defined as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ≥2 mg/L at 1 month post-PCI. Multiple sensitivity analyses were performed for the primary outcome, including multivariable adjustment, propensity-score matching, and inverse-probability weighted methods. One month after PCI, patients treated with MACT had significantly lower levels of hs-CRP compared to those treated with DAPT (0.6 [0.4-1.2] vs. 0.9 [0.6-2.3] mg/L, p < 0.001). The frequency of high residual inflammation was also lower in the MACT group (10.8% vs. 27.2%, p < 0.001) (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.33 [0.20-0.54], p < 0.001). This effect was consistent across sensitivity analyses. There was no difference in platelet reactivity between MACT and DAPT (49.6 ± 49.0 vs. 51.5 ± 66.4 P2Y 12 reaction unit [PRU] measured by VerifyNow, p = 0.776). In ACS patients undergoing PCI, MACT was associated with a lower rate of high residual inflammation without increasing platelet reactivity compared to conventional DAPT. NCT04949516 for MACT pilot trial and NCT04650529 for Gyeongsang National University Hospital registry. Copyright © 2024 Lee, Cho, Gorog, Angiolillo, Yun, Ahn, Koh, Park, Hwang, Hwang, Kim, Jang and Jeong.
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10.3389/fmed.2024.1349577
|
25126856
|
Clinical profile and predictors of fatal Rocky Mountain spotted fever in children from Sonora, Mexico.
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Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an increasingly important cause of preventable mortality in children in Sonora, Mexico. Although early treatment with tetracycline has shown to prevent fatal outcome, the disease remains a life-threatening condition, particularly for children. This study describes the clinical factors associated with pediatric mortality due to RMSF in Sonora, in order to guide healthcare practices. This is a retrospective analysis of 104 children consecutively hospitalized at the major pediatric hospital of Sonora, diagnosed with RMSF between January 2004 and December 2013. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for fatal outcome. The case fatality ratio in this cohort was 20.2%. Children were hospitalized after a median of 6 days from onset of symptoms including fever (100%), rash involving palms and soles (88.5%) and headache (79.8%); 90.4% of fatal cases had low platelet counts (<50,000/μL) and 33.3% showed serum creatinine concentrations above the normal value. Acute kidney injury increased mortality, odds ratio (OR(adj)) = 4.84, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-16.2, as well as delay in treatment (≥ 5th day from onset) with doxycycline, OR(adj) = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.24-5.52 and hemorrhage, OR(adj) = 6.11, 95% CI: 1.89-19.69. RMSF is a public health problem in Sonora. Clinically, fatal cases differ from non-fatal cases in renal function and hemorrhagic manifestations, although these findings may occur too late for a timely intervention. First-line providers must be educated to harbor a timely suspicion of RMSF, and should provide empiric treatment with doxycycline when febrile patients first present for care.
|
10.1097/INF.0000000000000496
|
22815052
|
Small-diameter tissue engineered vascular graft made of electrospun PCL/lecithin blend.
|
In this study, natural lecithin was incorporated into cholesterol-poly(ε-caprolactone) (Chol-PCL) by solution blending in order to modify the performance of the hydrophobic and bio-inert PCL. The fibrous Chol-PCL/lecithin membranes were fabricated by electrospinning, and the surface morphology and properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, static water contact angle, and mechanical tensile testing. The blood compatibility of the scaffolds was evaluated by in vitro hemolysis assay. The cytocompatibility of the scaffolds was investigated by cell adhesion and proliferation using bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Subcutaneous implantation was also performed to evaluate the in vivo inflammatory reaction. The tubular tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) was further constructed by rolling cell sheet comprising fibrous membrane and MSCs. Furthermore, endothelial cells (ECs) were seeded onto the lumen of the graft with the aim to form vascular endothelium. The preliminary results indicate that electrospun Chol-PCL/lecithin scaffolds show improved hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility compared with neat Chol-PCL, and combining the Chol-PCL/lecithin fibrous scaffold with MSCs and ECs with well controlled distribution is a promising strategy for constructing TEVGs.
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10.1007/s10856-012-4721-4
|
29908513
|
Evidence that microplastics aggravate the toxicity of organophosphorus flame retardants in mice (Mus musculus).
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This study was performed to reveal the health risks of co-exposure to organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and microplastics (MPs). We exposed mice to polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) MPs and OPFRs [tris (2-chloroethy) phosphate (TCEP) and tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP)] for 90 days. Biochemical markers and metabolomics were used to determine whether MPs could enhance the toxicity of OPFRs. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased (p 1.2) in TCEP, TCEP + PS, TCEP + PE, TDCPP, TDCPP + PS and TDCPP + PE groups, respectively. Most of these metabolites are related to pathways of amino acid and energy metabolism. Our results indicate that MPs aggravate the toxicity of OPFRs and highlight the health risks of MP co-exposure with other pollutants. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.06.017
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1829519
|
Poor uptake of hepatitis B immunization amongst hospital-based health care staff.
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The uptake of hepatitis B vaccine was assessed amongst 100 medical and 100 nursing staff in a teaching hospital with a policy of recommending to those at risk that they should seek immunization from their general practitioners. Sixteen per cent of nurses and 31% of doctors had completed a course of immunization with confirmation of seroconversion. An additional 9% and 18% respectively had been immunized without post-immunization serology. Ninety three per cent of nurses and 61% of doctors who had not been immunized would like to receive the vaccine. The commonest reasons for non-immunization amongst nurses were fear of vaccine and lack of advice, and amongst doctors, apathy and difficulty in obtaining the vaccine. Eighty seven per cent of medical staff and 57% of nurses had a history of needle stick injury. The low rates of vaccine uptake in this study combined with the high incidence of needle stick injury calls for a reappraisal of present hepatitis B vaccination programmes in hospitals. In particular the abrogation of responsibility for immunization to general practitioners is probably a major disincentive to potential vaccines.
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10.1136/pgmj.67.785.256
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31813601
|
Glucose-Sensing Neurons Reciprocally Regulate Insulin and Glucagon.
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A recent paper by Oh et al. identified a single pair of neurons in the fruit fly brain that directly senses 'blood' glucose levels and reciprocally regulates the secretion of insulin and glucagon. This study provides insight into how the brain regulates the circulation and storage of glucose. Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.tins.2019.11.006
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2407186
|
Effects of environmental conditions on xylose fermentation by recombinant Escherichia coli.
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In batch fermentations, optimal conversion of xylose to ethanol by recombinant Escherichia coli was obtained under the following conditions: 30 to 37 degrees C, pH 6.4 to 6.8, 0.1 to 0.2 M potassium phosphate buffer, and xylose concentrations of 8% or less. A yield of 39.2 g of ethanol per liter (4.9% ethanol by volume) was observed with 80 g of xylose per liter, equivalent to 96% of the maximum theoretical yield. Maximal volumetric productivity was 0.7 g of ethanol per liter per h in batch fermentations and 30 g of ethanol per liter per h in concentrated cell suspensions (analogous to cell recycling).
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10.1128/aem.56.2.463-465.1990
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36874854
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Virtual mentalizing imagery therapy for Spanish language Latino family dementia caregivers: A feasibility and acceptability study.
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Spanish speaking family caregivers of people living with dementia have limited supportive resources in Spanish. There are few validated, culturally acceptable virtual interventions for reducing these caregivers' psychological distress. We investigated the feasibility of a Spanish language adaptation of a virtual Mentalizing Imagery Therapy (MIT) program, which provides guided imagery and mindfulness training to reduce depression, increase mentalizing, and promote well-being. 12 Spanish-speaking family dementia caregivers received a 4-week virtual MIT program. Follow-up was obtained post group and at 4 months post baseline assessment. Feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction with MIT were assessed. The primary psychological outcome was depressive symptoms; secondary outcomes included caregiver burden, dispositional mindfulness, perceived stress, well-being, interpersonal support, and neurological quality of life. Statistical analysis was performed with mixed linear models. Caregivers were 52 ± 8 (mean ± SD) years of age. 60% had a high school education or less. Participation in weekly group meetings was 100%. Home practice was performed on average 4 ± 1 times per week [range 2-5]. Satisfaction with MIT reached 19 ± 2 of a possible 20 points. Reduction in depression from baseline was observed by week three ( p = 0.01) and maintained at 4 month follow-up ( p = 0.05). There were significant improvements in mindfulness post-group, and in caregiver burden and well-being at 4 months. MIT was successfully adapted for Latino Spanish language family dementia caregivers within a virtual group environment. MIT is feasible and acceptable and may help reduce depressive symptoms and improve subjective well-being. Larger, randomized controlled trials of MIT should determine durability of effects and validate efficacy in this population. Copyright © 2023 Ramirez-Gomez, Johnson, Ritchie, Meyer, Tan, Madarasmi, Gutierrez-Ramirez, Aldarondo-Hernández, Mischoulon, Banerjee and Jain.
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10.3389/fpsyg.2023.961835
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20387675
|
[Bone mineral density in patients with gluten-sensitivity celiac disease].
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to determine the frequency of development of osteopenia/ostoporosis (OP) vitamin D deficiency, some population risk factors, and the effects of alpha-calcidol and calcitriol on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with gluten-sensitivity celiac disease (GSCD). Densitometry of the lumbar vertebra and femoral neck (FN) was carried out in 47 patients with GSCD. Their sera were tested for 25OHD3, 1,25(OH)2D3, total alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), type 1 collagen type C-telopeptides (CrossLaps) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha), as well as urinary creatinine and calcium. The T score below -1 was found in 37 (78.7%) of the patients. BMD reduced to the level of osteopenia in 51.1% of the patients; OP was detected in 27.7%. Lower BMD was noted in 19 (95%) of the 20 menopausal women and in 15 (68.2%) of the 22 females with preserved menstrual function (p = 0.047). The mean value of 250 HD3 was 47.8 +/- 5.0 in patients with OP patients and 85.6 +/- 7.1 ng/l in those with normal BMD (p < 0.001). The latter had no decreased level of vitamin D, suggesting its deficiency, but 11 (30%) osteopenic patients were found to have vitamin D deficiency (25OHD3 < 30 ng/l). Impaired calcitriol synthesis (69.9 +/- 24.0 ng/l) was observed only in patients with OP; the level of calcitriol was 85.6 +/- 31.2 ng/ml in those with normal BMD. Decreased BMD was accompanied by elevated PTH levels in 25 (67%) patients with GSCD. There were increases in the bone resorption marker CrossLaps and in the level of TNF-alpha in 28 (76%) and 8 (22%) osteopenic patients, respectively. A more significant BMD reduction was seen in the presence of antibodies to gliadin and tissue transglutaminase. A significant correlation was found between the titer of immunoglobulin A antibodies to gliadin and TNF-alpha (rho = -0.57; p = 0.035), CrossLaps (rho = -0.58; p = 0.035), Tscores in the vertebral column and FN (rho = -0.62; p = 0.030) and (rho = -0 37; p = 0.06), respectively. The risk for OP in patients with GSCD is affected by menopause and the clinical features of the disease: secondary hyperparathyroidism due to impaired calcium and vitamin D absorption, by the activity of immunological inflammation and the compliance with a gluten-free diet. The immunological activity of inflammation is closely related to the activation of bone resorption and enhances a BMT reduction in patients with celiac disease. The use of vitamin D preparations (alpha-calcidol and calcitriol) in combination with calcium salts lowers BMD in patients with celiac disease just within the first 6 months.
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15353962
|
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in Latin America.
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Since the identification of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the United States in 1993, Latin America has been the region of the world where more hantaviruses have been identified, associated with human disease or not. This update shows the advances in the study of hantaviruses in several countries of the region and the problems that are still unresolved. Clinical findings in Chile have shown differences in the classical description of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the United States. Hemorrhage was observed in 64% of the cases and alteration in renal function in 48%. The classification of cases in mild, self-limited forms and severe forms has a prognostic value, with statistically significant differences between survivors and nonsurvivors. Epidemiological studies have shown noticeable differences in seroprevalence of antibodies against hantaviruses in humans, ranging from about 1% to more than 40% according to geographical and ethnical differences. Risk factors continue to be related to rural activities and peridomestic sites. Rodent studies have allowed the identification of putative reservoirs of hantaviruses in Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina and detected antibodies in several rodent species not previously reported in Paraguay and Panama. An Andes virus gene-based hantavirus pulmonary syndrome vaccine is currently under study. Progress in research on hantaviruses has been continuous but slow. The complex picture of the viruses, the rodent reservoirs and the clinical forms of the disease mean researchers are faced with the great challenge of properly clarifying the genetic and pathogenic relationships between hantaviruses in the Americas.
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10.1097/00001432-200410000-00007
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18666505
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Comparison of enamel and dentin microshear bond strengths of a two-step self-etching priming system with five all-in-one systems.
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Data on the adhesive strength of new all-in-one adhesives are still relatively limited. This study compared the microshear bond strengths of five recent all-in-one self-etching priming systems (G-Bond, One-Up Bond-F Plus, Clearfil S3 Bond, Adper Prompt L-Pop and Go!) with a widely used two-step self-etching priming system (Clearfil SE Bond). Human molars were sectioned and finished with 600-grit SiC paper. Both enamel and dentin were bonded using adhesives with a 0.7 mm bonding diameter. Bond strengths were tested using a microshear bond test method at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. The mean bond strengths and standard deviations were calculated and analyzed using ANOVA and the Tukey's HSD test. Results showed the two-step self-etching system had significantly higher bond strengths to dentin. However, for enamel bond strength, Clearfil SE Bond showed no statistical difference to G-Bond and Go!; however, all of the other materials were statistically lower. It is necessary to examine these new materials clinically to determine their efficacy.
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10.2341/07-125
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9639218
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Effects of postpartum corticosteroids in patients with HELLP syndrome.
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To evaluate the effect of corticosteroid treatment on the postpartum recovery of parturients with HELLP syndrome. Thirty cases with HELLP syndrome were randomly assigned to a study or a control group, each including 15 patients. A total dose of 30 mg intravenous dexamethasone was given to the study group during the 36 h following the childbirth, while the control group did not receive any steroid medication. Arterial blood pressure, urine output, hematocrit ratio, platelet count, serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and uric acid levels were monitored during the first 48 h postpartum. The data were analyzed by unpaired t-test, chi2 or Fisher's exact tests. Before the treatment, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. The study group showed statistically significant improvement in mean arterial blood pressure, mean serum aspartate aminotransferase level, mean urine volume per hour and mean platelet count (P < 0.05). Length of hospitalization was also shorter in the study group (P < 0.01). Early postpartum high-dose corticosteroid treatment accelerates the recovery and shortens the hospitalization of the parturients with HELLP syndrome.
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10.1016/s0020-7292(98)00036-8
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26115815
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Novel endomorphin-1 analogs with C-terminal oligoarginine-conjugation display systemic antinociceptive activity with less gastrointestinal side effects.
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In recent study, in order to improve the bioavailability of endomorphin-1 (EM-1), we designed and synthesized a series of novel EM-1 analogs by replacement of L-Pro(2) by β-Pro, D-Ala or Sar, together with C-terminal oligoarginine-conjugation. Our results indicated that the introduction of D-Ala and β-Pro in position 2, along with oligoarginine-conjugation, didn't significantly decrease the μ-affinity and in vitro bioactivity, and the enhancement of arginine residues did not markedly influence the μ-affinity of these analogs. All analogs displayed a significant enhancement of stability, which may be due to increased resistance to proline-specific enzymatic degradation. Moreover, following intracerebroventricular (i. c. v.) administration, analogs 1, 2, 4 and 5 produced significant antinociception and increased duration of action, with the ED50 values being about 1.8- to 4.2-fold less potent than that of EM-1. In addition, our results indicated that no significant antinociceptive activity of EM-1 was seen following subcutaneous (s. c.) injection, whereas analogs 1, 2, 4 and 5 with equimolar dose induced significant and prolonged antinociception by an opioid and central mechanism. Herein, we further examined the gastrointestinal transit and colonic propulsive latencies of EM-1 and its four analogs administered centrally and peripherally. I. c. v. administration of EM-1 and analogs 1, 2, 4 and 5 significantly delayed gastrointestinal transit and colonic bead propulsion in mice, but the inhibitory effects induced by these analogs were largely attenuated. It is noteworthy that no significant gastrointestinal side effects induced by these four analogs were observed after s. c. administration. Our results demonstrated that combined modifications of EM-1 with unnatural amino acid substitutions and oligoarginine-conjugation gave an efficient strategy to improve the analgesic profile of EM-1 analogs but with less gastrointestinal side effects when administered peripherally. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B. V. and Société Française de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire (SFBBM). All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.biochi.2015.06.008
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35604862
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Implementing Preoxygenation in Obese Patients Prior to Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Procedures in a Fast-Paced Ambulatory Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center: A Quality Improvement Project.
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Obese patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures require sedation ranging between deep sedation and general anesthesia to tolerate the procedure which predisposes this patient population to hypoxemia development. A practical, cost-effective, and readily available means of preoxygenation that can be implemented by certified registered nurse anesthetists practicing in high-volume, fast-paced ambulatory gastrointestinal endoscopy centers is the use of a nonrebreathing face mask with reservoir bag and one-way exhalation valve, along with oxygen flow rates at 15 liters per minute, and instructing the patient in taking eight vital capacity deep breaths over 60 seconds prior to start of the procedure. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce intraprocedural hypoxemic events, defined as intraprocedural SpO 2 values ≤ 90%, in obese patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures with deep sedation using propofol. At baseline, 30.8% obese patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures experienced hypoxemic events. Following preoxygenation, hypoxemic events were reduced to 14.3% with chi-square analysis showing statistical significance (χ 2 = 8.859, P =.003). Preoxygenation of obese patients prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures is an evidence-based practice that can reduce hypoxemic event occurrence during the procedure and improve patient safety. Copyright © by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
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31459367
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Probing the Nature of Noncovalent Interactions in Dimers of Linear Tyrosine-Based Dipeptides.
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Tyrosine-based dipeptides self-assemble to form higher order structures. To gain insights into the nature of intermolecular interactions contributing to the early stages of the self-assembly of aromatic dipeptides, we study the dimers of linear dityrosine (YY) and tryptophan-tyrosine (WY) using quantum-chemical methods with dispersion corrections and universal solvation model based on density in combination with energy decomposition and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses. We find that hydrogen bonding is a dominant stabilizing force. The lowest energy structure for the linear YY dimer is characterized by O carboxyl ···H(O) tyr. In contrast, the lowest energy dimer of linear WY is stabilized by O carboxyl ···H(N) trp and π tyr ···π tyr. The solvent plays a critical role as it can change the strength and nature of interactions. The lowest energy for linear WY dimer in acetone is stabilized by O carboxyl ···H(O) tyr, π trp ···H(C), and π trp ···H(N). The Δ G of dimerization and stabilization energies of solvated dipeptides reveal that the dipeptide systems are more stable in the solvent phase than in gas phase. NBO confirms increased magnitudes for donor-acceptor interaction for the solvated dipeptides.
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10.1021/acsomega.8b02934
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30085063
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Strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance: anti-plasmid and plasmid curing.
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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem hindering treatment of bacterial infections, rendering many aspects of modern medicine less effective. AMR genes (ARGs) are frequently located on plasmids, which are self-replicating elements of DNA. They are often transmissible between bacteria, and some have spread globally. Novel strategies to combat AMR are needed, and plasmid curing and anti-plasmid approaches could reduce ARG prevalence, and sensitise bacteria to antibiotics. We discuss the use of curing agents as laboratory tools including chemicals (e. g. detergents and intercalating agents), drugs used in medicine including ascorbic acid, psychotropic drugs (e. g. chlorpromazine), antibiotics (e. g. aminocoumarins, quinolones and rifampicin) and plant-derived compounds. Novel strategies are examined; these include conjugation inhibitors (e. g. TraE inhibitors, linoleic, oleic, 2-hexadecynoic and tanzawaic acids), systems designed around plasmid incompatibility, phages and CRISPR/Cas-based approaches. Currently, there is a general lack of in vivo curing options. This review highlights this important shortfall, which if filled could provide a promising mechanism to reduce ARG prevalence in humans and animals. Plasmid curing mechanisms which are not suitable for in vivo use could still prove important for reducing the global burden of AMR, as high levels of ARGs exist in the environment.
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10.1093/femsre/fuy031
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39454797
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Three-dimensional distribution of aerosols of multiple types at daily scale using TROPOMI spaceborne observations.
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We present new satellite-based daily observations of the 3D distribution of aerosols from most common types and origins, both over land and ocean, derived from TROpospheric Ozone Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) measurements. This is done using the so-called AEROS5P (AEROsol Sentinel 5 Precursor) approach which retrieves vertical profiles of aerosol extinction from passive measurements of high-resolution spectral reflectance in the visible and near infrared for cloud-free conditions. Previous work demonstrated the potential of this approach, but it was initially applicable only to biomass burning aerosols with limited spatial coverage over ocean. The new methodology presented here generalizes the method for the most common aerosol types and improves spatial coverage. We take advantage of an operational aerosol type product derived from Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) observations, combined with those from TROPOMI, to choose a priori aerosol set of intensive properties (particle size and refractive index). AEROS5P shows good agreement in aerosol optical depth, when compared to observations from AErosol RObotic NETwork and other widely used satellite measurements. Additionally, the vertical distribution of aerosol plumes of different types derived from AEROS5P agrees well with lidar coincident observations from the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System spaceborne sensor and ground-based measurements. We utilize AEROS5P to analyze the three-dimensional distribution of aerosols for four different scenarios. It traces the three-dimensional pathways of smoke from Canadian wildfires reaching the Eastern USA in July 2023, desert dust from the Namibian deserts over the southeast Atlantic Ocean confined near the surface during the same month, fine aerosol pollution over Western Europe during June 2019, and an extreme dust event mixed with fine aerosol pollution over Northern China in March 2021. These observations provide valuable insights into aerosol transport patterns, surface-level air quality impacts, and can potentially be used to assess the radiative effects at various atmospheric layers. Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177037
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18608168
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The Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP): workshop evaluation.
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This study evaluated the delivery of a series of workshops on mental health recovery. The aims were to determine if the workshops changed participants' attitudes and knowledge about recovery, if there were any differences in views between consumers and health professionals of mental health services, and how the delivery and content of the program could be improved. A total of 187 consumers and health professionals from mental health services attended a workshop based on the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). Questionnaires were administered before and after the workshop. There was a significant change in total attitudes and knowledge about recovery (p<0.001) in the expected direction, with no differences between consumers and health professionals. The majority of participants found the workshop useful, and the majority of comments were positive. This study provides preliminary support for the use of WRAP to change consumers' and mental health professionals' knowledge and attitudes about recovery.
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10.1080/10398560802043705
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26912182
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Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers: an FDA Perspective on Utilization in Biological Product Labeling.
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Precision medicine promises to improve both the efficacy and safety of therapeutic products by better informing why some patients respond well to a drug, and some experience adverse reactions, while others do not. Pharmacogenomics is a key component of precision medicine and can be utilized to select optimal doses for patients, more precisely identify individuals who will respond to a treatment and avoid serious drug-related toxicities. Since pharmacogenomic biomarker information can help inform drug dosing, efficacy, and safety, pharmacogenomic data are critically reviewed by FDA staff to ensure effective use of pharmacogenomic strategies in drug development and appropriate incorporation into product labels. Pharmacogenomic information may be provided in drug or biological product labeling to inform health care providers about the impact of genotype on response to a drug through description of relevant genomic markers, functional effects of genomic variants, dosing recommendations based on genotype, and other applicable genomic information. The format and content of labeling for biologic drugs will generally follow that of small molecule drugs; however, there are notable differences in pharmacogenomic information that might be considered useful for biologic drugs in comparison to small molecule drugs. Furthermore, the rapid entry of biologic drugs for treatment of rare genetic diseases and molecularly defined subsets of common diseases will likely lead to increased use of pharmacogenomic information in biologic drug labels in the near future. In this review, we outline the general principles of therapeutic product labeling and discuss the utilization of pharmacogenomic information in biologic drug labels.
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10.1208/s12248-016-9891-4
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10359559
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A novel role for cardiac neural crest in heart development.
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Ablation of premigratory cardiac neural crest results in defective development of the cardiac outflow tract. The purpose of the present study was to correlate the earliest functional and morphological changes in heart development after cardiac neural crest ablation. Within 24 hours after neural crest ablation, the external morphology of the hearts showed straight outflow limbs, tighter heart loops, and variable dilations. Incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine in myocytes, an indication of proliferation, was doubled after cardiac neural crest ablation. The myocardial calcium transients, which are a measure of excitation-contraction coupling, were depressed by 50% in both the inflow and outflow portions of the looped heart tube. The myocardial transients could be rescued by replacing the cardiac neural crest. The cardiac jelly produced by the myocardium was distributed in an uneven, rather than uniform, pattern. An extreme variability in external morphology could be attributed to the uneven distribution of cardiac jelly. In the absence of cardiac neural crest, the myocardium was characterized by somewhat disorganized myofibrils that may be a result of abnormally elevated proliferation. In contrast, endocardial development appeared normal, as evidenced by normal expression of fibrillin-2 protein (JB3 antigen) and normal formation of cushion mesenchyme and trabeculae. The signs of abnormal myocardial development coincident with normal endocardium suggest that the presence of cardiac neural crest cells is necessary for normal differentiation and function of the myocardium during early heart development. These results indicate a novel role for neural crest cells in myocardial maturation.
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10.1172/JCI6501
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32862812
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Shells of the bivalve Astarte moerchi give new evidence of a strong pelagic-benthic coupling shift occurring since the late 1970s in the North Water polynya.
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Climate changes in the Arctic may weaken the currently tight pelagic-benthic coupling. In response to decreasing sea ice cover, arctic marine systems are expected to shift from a 'sea-ice algae-benthos' to a 'phytoplankton-zooplankton' dominance. We used mollusc shells as bioarchives and fatty acid trophic markers to estimate the effects of the reduction of sea ice cover on the food exported to the seafloor. Bathyal bivalve Astarte moerchi living at 600 m depth in northern Baffin Bay reveals a clear shift in growth variations and Ba/Ca ratios since the late 1970s, which we relate to a change in food availability. Tissue fatty acid compositions show that this species feeds mainly on microalgae exported from the euphotic zone to the seabed. We, therefore, suggest that changes in pelagic-benthic coupling are likely due either to local changes in sea ice dynamics, mediated through bottom-up regulation exerted by sea ice on phytoplankton production, or to a mismatch between phytoplankton bloom and zooplankton grazing due to phenological change. Both possibilities allow a more regular and increased transfer of food to the seabed. This article is part of the theme issue 'The changing Arctic Ocean: consequences for biological communities, biogeochemical processes and ecosystem functioning'.
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10.1098/rsta.2019.0353
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32209120
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Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada sacroiliac joint inflammation and structural scores: change score reliability and recalibration utility in children.
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The SPARCC sacroiliac joint inflammation (SIS) and structural (SSS) scores are reliable measures to quantify abnormalities in the pediatric sacroiliac joint. We aimed to evaluate the utility of online calibration modules for the SIS and SSS and the reliability of their component change scores. Change score reliability of 6 raters was assessed by overall and pairwise intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) before and after the use of real-time iterative calibration (RETIC) modules for both the SIS and SSS comprised of 20 adult cases. Acceptable ICC for change scores was > 0.7 for SIS and > 0.5 for all SSS components. Sensitivity to change was assessed by the standardized response mean (SRM). In scoring exercise 1, the SIS had acceptable reliability with a change score ICC of 0.80 and sclerosis was the only SSS lesion that met the acceptability threshold with a change score ICC of 0.52. After RETIC calibration, the SIS overall (ICC = 0.83) and mean pairwise (ICC = 0.83) change scores remained reliable with a large SRM (0.90). All SSS components except sclerosis met the overall and mean pairwise change score ICC acceptability thresholds-backfill: overall = 0.54, mean pairwise = 0.50; fat metaplasia: overall = 0.65, mean pairwise = 0.57; erosion: overall = 0.60, mean pairwise = 0.58; and ankylosis: overall = 0.96, mean pairwise = 0.96. The SSS RETIC module augmented the number of SSS components surpassing the acceptability threshold from 1 to 4. Sensitivity to change, as measured by the SRM, was large for erosion (0.96), moderate for backfill (0.55) and sclerosis (0.70), and small for fat metaplasia (0.36) and ankylosis (0.28). RETIC modules improved the overall reliability of SPARCC SIS and SSS change scores for previously calibrated raters. SIS recalibration was not as helpful to the most experienced raters who achieved high levels of agreement before recalibration. The SPARCC SIS and all SSS components except sclerosis are reliable measures to quantify change over time in children. A pediatric-specific RETIC tool should be developed to enhance the calibration of readers.
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10.1186/s13075-020-02157-4
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16955476
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Microscopic diagnosis of dysbacteriosis in stained vaginal smears in clinical practice.
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Dysbacteriosis is a microscopical diagnosis. In women with dysbacteriosis, an overgrowth of coccoid bacteria and almost a complete absence of lactobacilli are observed in the (stained) vaginal smear. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of this microscopic diagnosis in clinical practice. The analysis concerned 342 consecutive cases in which the microscopy of the stained smears was performed by general practitioners trained in diagnosing dysbacteriosis. These smears were sent to the pathologist for confirmation of the microscopical diagnosis of the clinician. The cytological diagnoses of the pathologist, sometimes performed on restained slides when the quality of the staining was substandard, were considered as the "gold standard." In 92 of the 342 cases, dysbacteriosis was unequivocally established by the pathologist. Sensitivity and specificity of the microscopical diagnoses of the clinicians were 40% and 85%, respectively. There were 37 false-positive and 54 false-negative diagnoses of dysbacteriosis rendered by the clinicians. The most frequent reason for a false-negative diagnosis was an excess of lactobacilli in the smear. This study shows that even in stained smears it is difficult for clinicians to render a correct evaluation of the status of the vaginal flora.
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10.1002/dc.20530
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12591745
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Intracardiac echocardiography is superior to conventional monitoring for guiding device closure of interatrial communications.
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This study sought to test whether intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is superior to conventional monitoring in guiding device closure of interatrial communications (atrial septal defect [ASD] and patent foramen ovale [PFO]). Forty-four patients undergoing device closure of ASD (n=6) or PFO (n=38) were randomized to have the procedure guided by either ICE (group 1; n=22) or by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) (group 2; n=22). All interventions were completed successfully. In 1 patient from group 2, atrial fibrillation occurred 1 day after device implantation; the patient was successfully cardioverted on the next day. There were no other complications. Fluoroscopy time (FT) (6.0+/-1.7 minutes versus 9.5+/-1.6 minutes; P<0.0001) as well as procedure time (PT) (33.4+/-4.7 minutes versus 37.8+/-5.6 minutes; P<0.01) were shorter in group 1 than in group 2. Group 2 patients required general anesthesia without (n=19) or with endotracheal intubation (n=3). In contrast, ICE allowed continuous monitoring of the whole procedure, including balloon sizing before device closure, without sedation. ICE is a safe tool to guide device closure of PFO and ASD. Supine patients tolerate ICE better than TEE. ICE reduces FT and PT. ICE seems to be advantageous, especially when long continuous or repeated echocardiographic viewing is required.
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10.1161/01.cir.0000057547.00909.1c
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29166052
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A Jeziorski-Monkhorst fully uncontracted multi-reference perturbative treatment. I. Principles, second-order versions, and tests on ground state potential energy curves.
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The present paper introduces a new multi-reference perturbation approach developed at second order, based on a Jeziorski-Mokhorst expansion using individual Slater determinants as perturbers. Thanks to this choice of perturbers, an effective Hamiltonian may be built, allowing for the dressing of the Hamiltonian matrix within the reference space, assumed here to be a CAS-CI. Such a formulation accounts then for the coupling between the static and dynamic correlation effects. With our new definition of zeroth-order energies, these two approaches are strictly size-extensive provided that local orbitals are used, as numerically illustrated here and formally demonstrated in the Appendix. Also, the present formalism allows for the factorization of all double excitation operators, just as in internally contracted approaches, strongly reducing the computational cost of these two approaches with respect to other determinant-based perturbation theories. The accuracy of these methods has been investigated on ground-state potential curves up to full dissociation limits for a set of six molecules involving single, double, and triple bond breaking together with an excited state calculation. The spectroscopic constants obtained with the present methods are found to be in very good agreement with the full configuration interaction results. As the present formalism does not use any parameter or numerically unstable operation, the curves obtained with the two methods are smooth all along the dissociation path.
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10.1063/1.4984616
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3631307
|
Responses of vasopressin and enkephalins to hemorrhage in adrenalectomized dogs.
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To study responses of methionine enkephalin-like substance (MELS) and vasopressin (AVP) to hemorrhage, plasma MELS, AVP, and catecholamine levels and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and central venous pressure (CVP) were investigated in intact and adrenalectomized dogs (n = 34) under pentobarbital anesthesia. Plasma MELS increased significantly following a hemorrhage-induced rise in plasma epinephrine in intact dogs (n = 6). Plasma AVP rose concomitantly with a fall in CVP before MAP fell, but the subsequent fall in MAP was accompanied by a further elevation in plasma AVP concentration. In nonhemorrhaged control dogs (n = 6) these parameters did not change during the experiment. In adrenalectomized dogs (n = 6) the hemorrhage-induced increase in plasma MELS and AVP was significantly attenuated despite similar decreases in MAP as in intact dogs. In sham-operated dogs (n = 10) changes in these parameters were similar to those in intact dogs. The differences between plasma MELS in the superior vena cava and thoracic aorta did not change during hemorrhage in intact dogs (n = 6), but the differences in plasma AVP rose significantly, indicating a release of the hormone from the head. These results indicate that MELS release elicited by hemorrhage may largely arise from the adrenal gland and not the brain. Adrenalectomy attenuated AVP response to hemorrhagic hypotension.
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10.1152/ajpregu.1987.253.3.R467
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36470013
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A fluorescent probe for protein tyrosine kinase 7 detection in serum and cell imaging.
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Tyrosine protein kinase 7 (PTK7) is overexpressed in breast cancer, which is considered as a cancer marker for breast cancer diagnosis. Therefore, a simple fluorescent probe for PTK7 detection and cell imaging was developed. In the developed probe, Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles were used as the fluorescent separator, and the fluorescence of carbon dots were used as the detection signal. The probe was worked by control the configurations of the aptamer of PTK7, the aptamer would be open chains by recognition of PTK7, which bond with carbon dots and show fluorescent signal. Based on the remarkably high affinity and selectivity of aptamer for PTK7, the excellent fluorescence property of carbon dots and the outstanding magnetism of Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles, the developed probe showed satisfied results for PTK7 detection in serum and MCF-7 cell imaging. The probe detected PTK7 in the range of 0.2-200 ng mL -1 with a detection limit of 0.0347 ng mL -1, and successfully imaged the cancer cell expressed PTK7. The results indicate that the nano-fluorescent probe has great potential for clinical applications. Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.talanta.2022.124139
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9362136
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Leptomeningeal melanoma associated with straight sinus thrombosis--case report.
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A 36-year-old female was admitted with leptomeningeal melanoma associated with straight sinus thrombosis manifesting as headache and vomiting. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed the subarachnoid space was diffusely enhanced. Her consciousness rapidly deteriorated to a coma. Angiography demonstrated straight sinus thrombosis. Thrombolysis by superselective catheterization and infusion of urokinase was successfully performed. She recovered consciousness, but developed paraparesis 2 weeks later. Malignant melanoma with meningeal dissemination was diagnosed by an open biopsy of the lumbar lesion. Angiitis induced by the infiltration of tumor cells and activation of the blood coagulation cascade was probably the causative mechanism of the sinus thrombosis.
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10.2176/nmc.37.757
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31255818
|
Evapotranspiration in green stormwater infrastructure systems.
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Evapotranspiration (ET) is a viable runoff reduction mechanism and an important player in the hydrologic cycle of vegetated green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). As a dynamic process, ET is dependent on both meteorological factors (e. g., rainfall characteristics, relative humidity, and air temperature) and GSI properties (e. g., soil media type). This paper investigates the role of ET in runoff volume reduction of green roofs and rain gardens through a comprehensive literature review. Evapotranspiration is mostly unaccounted in the design and crediting of GSI systems because of the complex interaction of soil, plants, and climate that makes its quantification difficult. To improve vegetated GSI design for runoff volume reduction, design methods should consider ET and infiltration processes concurrently. Two methods, complex and simple, are reviewed and discussed herein. The simple method requires minimal input information compared to the more complex continuous simulation method; however continuous simulation yields volume reduction values more similar to field observations. It is demonstrated that modifying the drainage structure and using fine-grained in-situ soils can potentially increase ET in vegetated GSI systems. None of the available ET predictive equations, mostly derived from agricultural sciences, are found to precisely match observed GSI ET data. Until further research is conducted on GSI ET estimation methods, the 1985 Hargreaves method is recommended when performing continuous simulations. The 1985 Hargreaves method is simple, requires limited input data that are readily available, and generates reasonable results. Technical recommendations and directions for future research are provided. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B. V.
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10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.256
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11117524
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Inhibition of tumor growth by the antiangiogenic placental hormone, proliferin-related protein.
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Proliferin-related protein (PRP) is a potent placental antiangiogenic hormone. To test the antiangiogenic potential of PRP to block tumor growth, we engineered tumor cells to express this hormone. Both SV40-transformed BALB/c mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and rat C6 glioma cells have markedly reduced growth rates as tumors in mice if they express high levels of PRP. In both models, the small tumors that form are largely avascular, whereas control tumors are rich in blood vessels, consistent with PRP limiting tumor growth by preventing neovascularization of the tumors. The antiangiogenic effects of PRP are also detected on human endothelial cells, suggesting that the receptor and signaling pathway of this mouse hormone are conserved between mouse and human and may represent useful targets for the development of antiangiogenic therapeutics. That signaling pathway appears to involve an inhibition of arachidonic acid release, based on the ability of arachidonic acid to overcome the antiangiogenic effects of PRP.
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10.1210/mend.14.12.0573
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7996121
|
Working memory and retrieval: a resource-dependent inhibition model.
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Four experiments examined individual differences in working memory (WM) capacity and how those differences affect performance on retrieval from both primary and secondary memory. The results showed that WM differences appear only in retrieval from primary memory and then only under conditions that lead to interference or response competition within the task. This suggests that WM capacity is important to retrieval that is based on controlled effortful search but not search that is based on automatic activation. A view is presented suggesting that individual differences in attentional resources lead to differences in the ability to inhibit or suppress irrelevant information. The paradigm also allowed more general comparisons between the processes involved in retrieval from primary and secondary memory. As expected, it was found that retrieval from primary memory was a function of set size. However, for sets larger than 2 items, retrieval from secondary memory was independent of set size.
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10.1037//0096-3445.123.4.354
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38888620
|
Facile Halogenation of Antimicrobial Peptides As Demonstrated by Producing Bromotryptophan-Labeled Nisin Variants with Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity.
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Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have raised significant interest, forming a potential new class of antibiotics in the fight against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Various AMPs are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). One post-translational modification found in AMPs is the halogenation of Trp residues. This modification has, for example, been shown to be critical for the activity of the potent AMP NAI-107 from Actinoallomurus. Due to the importance of organohalogens, establishing methods for facile and selective halogen atom installation into AMPs is highly desirable. In this study, we introduce an expression system utilizing the food-grade strain Lactococcus lactis, facilitating the efficient incorporation of bromo-Trp (BrTrp) into (modified) peptides, exemplified by the lantibiotic nisin with a single Trp residue or analogue incorporated at position 1. This provides an alternative to the challenges posed by halogenase enzymes, such as poor substrate selectivity. Our method yields expression levels comparable to that of wild-type nisin, while BrTrp incorporation does not interfere with the post-translational modifications of nisin (dehydration and cyclization). One brominated nisin variant exhibits a 2-fold improvement in antimicrobial activity against two tested pathogens, including a WHO priority pathogen, while maintaining the same lipid II binding and bactericidal activity as wild-type nisin. The work presented here demonstrates the potential of this methodology for peptide halogenation, offering a new avenue for the development of diverse antimicrobial products labeled with BrTrp.
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10.1021/acs.jnatprod.4c00118
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28561831
|
A dynamic cell entry pathway of respiratory syncytial virus revealed by tracking the quantum dot-labeled single virus.
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Studying the cell entry pathway at the single-particle level can provide detailed and quantitative information for the dynamic events involved in virus entry. Indeed, the viral entry dynamics cannot be monitored by static staining methods used in cell biology, and thus virus dynamic tracking could be useful in the development of effective antiviral strategies. Therefore, the aim of this work was to use a quantum dot-based single-particle tracking approach to monitor the cell entry behavior of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in living cells. The time-lapse fluorescence imaging and trajectory analysis of the quantum dot-labeled RSV showed that RSV entry into HEp-2 cells consisted of a typical endocytosis trafficking process. Three critical events during RSV entry were observed according to entry dynamic and fluorescence colocalization analysis. Firstly, RSV was attached to lipid rafts of the cell membrane, and then it was efficiently delivered into the perinuclear region within 2 h post-infection, mostly moving and residing into the lysosome compartment. Moreover, the relatively slow velocity of RSV transport across the cytoplasm and the formation of the actin tail indicated actin-based RSV motility, which was also confirmed by the effects of cytoskeletal inhibitors. Taken together, these findings provided new insights into the RSV entry mechanism and virus-cell interactions in RSV infection that could be beneficial in the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines.
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10.1039/c7nr02162c
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37106592
|
A Review of the Technology, Training, and Assessment Methods for the First Real-Time AI-Enhanced Medical Device for Endoscopy.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to assist in endoscopy and improve decision making, particularly in situations where humans may make inconsistent judgments. The performance assessment of the medical devices operating in this context is a complex combination of bench tests, randomized controlled trials, and studies on the interaction between physicians and AI. We review the scientific evidence published about GI Genius, the first AI-powered medical device for colonoscopy to enter the market, and the device that is most widely tested by the scientific community. We provide an overview of its technical architecture, AI training and testing strategies, and regulatory path. In addition, we discuss the strengths and limitations of the current platform and its potential impact on clinical practice. The details of the algorithm architecture and the data that were used to train the AI device have been disclosed to the scientific community in the pursuit of a transparent AI. Overall, the first AI-enabled medical device for real-time video analysis represents a significant advancement in the use of AI for endoscopies and has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of colonoscopy procedures.
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10.3390/bioengineering10040404
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33958202
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Nurse practitioner hospitalists: An empowered role.
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Nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly employed by hospital medicine groups and contribute to the care of the hospitalized adult patient. Prior research indicates NP hospitalists are empowered in their role. This national study describes the work experience of the NP hospitalist workforce. A qualitative exploratory study using five focus group sessions with NP hospitalists is described using thematic analysis and synthesis of transcriptions. Inductive coding identified and further refined themes explained by NP hospitalist participants. Psychological empowerment was reaffirmed as the overarching theme to describe the experience of NP hospitalists. Five subthemes of this empowerment emerged: collegiality, autonomy, role preparation, the road traveled, and pathfinder. Three main implications of the study include: the need for educational programs to align with practice; hospital bylaws require updating to support current practice; and the APRN Consensus Model does not fully reflect hospitalist roles. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.outlook.2021.03.015
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1936628
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What children see affects how they read.
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Children of mixed abilities were given three single-word lists to read, matched for linguistic complexity. The visual component of the task was made harder by reducing the print size with each new list. The reading errors made by children who did and who did not have a visual impairment were compared. The visually impaired children's pattern of reading errors changed as their vision was stressed by the reduction in print size; their errors became non-words (neologisms). This finding suggests a link between the efficiency of visual processing and the accuracy of reading of these children.
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10.1111/j.1469-8749.1991.tb14959.x
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31192183
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The Clinical Importance of the Mercury Problem in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining.
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Artisanal small-scale mining is widely operated in various countries serving as a livelihood to many rural communities. However, it is a significant source of environmental mercury contamination which affects human health. Amalgamation and amalgam smelting, two significant steps in the artisanal small-scale mining operations generate lots of mercury vapors, leading to chronic exposure among miners. Thus, this article seeks to provide a topical review of recent findings on organ damage and metabolic disorders among mercury-exposed artisanal small-scale miners with emphasis on the contributing factors such as personal protective equipment usage and artisanal small-scale gold mining-specific occupational activities. Also, insights into the effect of mercury intoxication and mechanisms of action on organ and metabolic systems among exposed individuals are provided.
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10.3389/fpubh.2019.00131
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6423876
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Hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in children with chronic renal failure.
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Delayed puberty in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) may be due to gonadal dysfunction, increased plasma binding of gonadal hormones, or changes of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. Plasma androgens were studied in 17 prepubertal boys with preterminal CRF. In addition, the response of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones (LH, FSH) to luteinizing-releasing hormone (LHRH) was followed in the plasma of these boys and of 12 prepubertal girls with CRF. Plasma testosterone (T) was significantly lower in the CRF boys than it was in the controls (mean, 9 vs. 22 ng/ml) and concerned also the free T fraction (2.5% in both groups). Dihydro-T was similarly reduced in CRF, resulting in a normal T/DHT ratio. Basal plasma LH levels were significantly elevated in boys (1.0 vs. 0.5 ng/ml) and in girls with CRF (1.4 vs. 0.4 ng/ml), whereas mean basal FSH values were similar to controls. After LHRH administration, peak levels of LH and FSH were not different in CRF and control children; however, the absolute differences from basal to peak values were lower in CRF. These findings may indicate that Leydig cell dysfunction in CRF already occurs before the onset of puberty. The blunted LH and FSH responses to LHRH suggest an additional disturbance at the hypothalamo-pituitary level.
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33677480
|
Impact of Anti-PD-1 and Anti-CTLA-4 on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Reservoir in People Living With HIV With Cancer on Antiretroviral Therapy: The AIDS Malignancy Consortium 095 Study.
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Antibodies to programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) may perturb human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) persistence during antiretroviral therapy (ART) by reversing HIV latency and/or boosting HIV-specific immunity, leading to clearance of infected cells. We tested this hypothesis in a clinical trial of anti-PD-1 alone or in combination with anti-CTLA-4 in people living with HIV (PLWH) and cancer. This was a substudy of the AIDS Malignancy Consortium 095 Study. ART-suppressed PLWH with advanced malignancies were assigned to nivolumab (anti-PD-1) with or without ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4). In samples obtained preinfusion and 1 and 7 days after the first and fourth doses of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), we quantified cell-associated unspliced (CA-US) HIV RNA and HIV DNA. Plasma HIV RNA was quantified during the first treatment cycle. Quantitative viral outgrowth assay (QVOA) to estimate the frequency of replication-competent HIV was performed before and after ICB for participants with samples available. Of 40 participants, 33 received nivolumab and 7 nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Whereas CA-US HIV RNA did not change with nivolumab monotherapy, we detected a median 1.44-fold increase (interquartile range, 1.16-1.89) after the first dose of nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy (P =.031). There was no decrease in the frequency of cells containing replication-competent HIV, but in the 2 individuals on combination ICB for whom we had longitudinal QVOA, we detected decreases of 97% and 64% compared to baseline. Anti-PD-1 alone showed no effect on HIV latency or the latent HIV reservoir, but the combination of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTL-4 induced a modest increase in CA-US HIV RNA and may potentially eliminate cells containing replication-competent HIV. NCT02408861. © The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: journals. permissions@oup. com.
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10.1093/cid/ciaa1530
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20388546
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The Sko1 protein represses the yeast-to-hypha transition and regulates the oxidative stress response in Candida albicans.
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Cells respond to environmental changes triggering adaptive responses which are, in part, mediated by a transcriptional response. These responses are complex and are dependent on different transcription factors. The present work reports the implication of the Sko1 protein in several processes relevant to the physiology of Candida albicans. First, Sko1 acts as transcriptional repressor of genes involved in pathogenesis and hyphal formation, which results in increased expression of the hyphal related genes ECE1 and HWP1 without significant changes in the virulence using a mouse model of systemic infection. Second Sko1 is involved in the response to oxidative stress and sko1 mutants increase the sensitivity of hog1 to the myelomonocytic cell line HL-60. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis after hydrogen peroxide treatment revealed that sko1 mutants were able to generate an adaptive response similar to wild type strains, although important differences were detected in the magnitude of the transcriptional response. Collectively, these results implicate Sko1 as an important mediator of the oxidative stress response in C. albicans. (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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10.1016/j.fgb.2010.03.009
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25816075
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DNA-Tile Structures Induce Ionic Currents through Lipid Membranes.
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Self-assembled DNA nanostructures have been used to create man-made transmembrane channels in lipid bilayers. Here, we present a DNA-tile structure with a nominal subnanometer channel and cholesterol-tags for membrane anchoring. With an outer diameter of 5 nm and a molecular weight of 45 kDa, the dimensions of our synthetic nanostructure are comparable to biological ion channels. Because of its simple design, the structure self-assembles within a minute, making its creation scalable for applications in biology. Ionic current recordings demonstrate that the tile structures enable ion conduction through lipid bilayers and show gating and voltage-switching behavior. By demonstrating the design of DNA-based membrane channels with openings much smaller than that of the archetypical six-helix bundle, our work showcases their versatility inspired by the rich diversity of natural membrane components.
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10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00189
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6782895
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Secretin is an enterogastrone in the dog.
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To determine the physiological significance of secretin on gastric secretion, effects of normal rabbit serum (control) and rabbit antisecretin serum (anti-S) on meat meal-stimulated gastric secretion of acid and pepsin from vagally innervated fundic pouches were studied in four dogs with gastric fistulas. The intravenous administration of control serum did not affect the postprandial rise in plasma secretin concentration, whereas intravenous anti-S virtually eliminated the circulating plasma secretin. Both plasma gastrin concentration and acid output following intravenous anti-S were significantly greater than those following intravenous control serum. However, pepsin outputs in the two groups of experiments were not significantly different. In the same dogs in the fasting state, during intravenous infusion of secretin in doses of 0.06 and 0.125 U. kg-1. h-1, the acid output stimulated by intravenous human synthetic gastrin in a dose of 0.25 micrograms. kg-1. h-1 was significantly less than that during intravenous saline. The studies indicate that secretin in a physiological dose can inhibit postprandial release of gastrin and gastric secretion of acid, and thus secretin is an enterogastrone in the dog.
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10.1152/ajpgi.1981.240.3.G239
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18690643
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Focused glycomic analysis of the N-linked glycan biosynthetic pathway in ovarian cancer.
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Epithelial ovarian cancer is the deadliest female reproductive tract malignancy in Western countries. Less than 25% of cases are diagnosed when the cancer is confined, however, pointing to the critical need for early diagnostics for ovarian cancer. Identifying the changes that occur in the glycome of ovarian cancer cells may provide an avenue to develop a new generation of potential biomarkers for early detection of this disease. We performed a glycotranscriptomic analysis of endometrioid ovarian carcinoma using human tissue, as well as a newly developed mouse model that mimics this disease. Our results show that the N-linked glycans expressed in both nondiseased mouse and human ovarian tissues are similar; moreover, malignant changes in the expression of N-linked glycans in both mouse and human endometrioid ovarian carcinoma are qualitatively similar. Lectin reactivity was used as a means for rapid validation of glycan structural changes in the carcinomas that were predicted by the glycotranscriptome analysis. Among several changes in glycan expression noted, the increase of bisected N-linked glycans and the transcripts of the enzyme responsible for its biosynthesis, GnT-III, was the most significant. This study provides evidence that glycotranscriptome analysis can be an important tool in identifying potential cancer biomarkers.
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10.1002/pmic.200800157
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26881652
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Unusual presentations of intracranial meningiomas: Report of two cases and review of the literature.
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Meningiomas at extracranial sites are uncommon clinical presentations. They may present in the form of benign, slow. growing masses or may exhibit aggressive malignant behavior. We report two cases of intracranial meningiomas presenting at extracranial sites that are, at the sinonasal tract/external auditory canal and as a neck mass. The clinical presentations, histopathological features and appropriate management are discussed.
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10.4103/0973-1482.146133
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11533845
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Lactobacillus acidophilus sepsis in a neonate.
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Lactobacillus species are non-spore-forming, anaerobic, gram-positive rods that cause disease in immunocompromised adults. Few cases have been described in children. We present the case of a 2-month-old infant who apparently developed Lactobacillus acidophilus sepsis from an infected central venous catheter. Physicians should be aware that although Lactobacillus species rarely cause disease in children, they should be considered a possible pathogen when isolated from the blood of a newborn infant.
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10.1038/sj.jp.7200509
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33363622
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Geographical Patterns in the Architecture of Neotropical Flower-visitor Networks of Hummingbirds and Insects.
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Geographical variations in environmental factors can affect species diversity and consequently influence the structure of interspecific ecological interactions. Relationships between flowering plants and animal flower visitors are among the most important ecological interactions and can structure and maintain ecological diversity in different environments. Additionally, many animal and plant species participate in these interactions, which shape the specific characteristics of these communities, in terms of both the responses of the interacting species involved and environmental differences. Therefore, in the present study we investigated geographical and environmental effects on the architecture of Neotropical flower-visitor networks of vertebrates and invertebrates. To this end, we used data regarding interaction networks available in the literature and constructed binary interaction networks of plants and plant-visitors (hummingbirds and insects) and tested the effects of altitude, latitude, vegetation type and number of plant families on the structure of these networks. In total, we analyzed 55 networks of flower-visitor interactions with 746 species of flower-visiting animals and 1,185 species of plants, totaling 5,463 distinct plant-animal interactions. In general, the architecture of flower-visitor networks varied along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients, with more pronounced effects for flower-insect networks in which latitude influenced network size, modularity, and nestedness, and altitude influenced network size and connectance. Flower-hummingbird networks in open vegetation (grassland) were more modular than networks in other environments. The number of plant families positively influenced the size of insect and hummingbird networks, and positively affected connectance and nestedness and negatively affected modularity in the flower-insect networks. So, the patterns we found indicate that plant-visitor interactions in flower-insect and flower-hummingbird networks are differently affected by geographical and plant-related factors, possibly due to the differences in taxonomic and functional groups involved in these interactions.
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10.6620/ZS.2020.59-50
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35007036
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PtNPt/MWCNT-PEDOT:PSS-Modified Microelectrode Arrays for the Synchronous Dopamine and Neural Spike Detection in Rat Models of Sleep Deprivation.
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In this study, a biosensor assembly based on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) modified with PtNPt/MWCNT-PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites is presented to synchronously detect the dopamine (DA) and electrophysiological activities in rat brains. Different morphological and electrochemical characterizations were conducted to show the excellent mechanical and electrical properties of the as-prepared probes. The developed biosensors realized the sensitive and selective detection of DA with the existence of significant interferences such as uric acid (UA), ascorbic acid (AA), glutamate (Glu), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). Calibration curve for the DA response was linear with the concentration from 0.05 μM to 79 μM ( R = 0.999), with a sensitivity of 30.561 pA/μM and detection limit as low as 50 nM. Finally, the proposed microelectrode was applied to be implanted into the cortex and caudate putamen (CPU) of rats, which was demonstrated to stably measure the synchronous neurochemical and neurophysiological changes caused by 72 h sleep deprivation. The in vivo measuring results showed that the sleep deprivation increased the DA release and neural spike activity in both cortex and CPU. The local field potential (LFP) power in the delta and theta band was significantly increased as well. These changes in brain may reflect the brain's adaptive reaction toward the side effects induced by sleep deprivation and may partially explain the mechanism of forced wakefulness in the presence of accumulated sleep pressure.
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10.1021/acsabm.1c00172
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33768716
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A Novel Perovskite Electron-Ion Conductive Coating to Simultaneously Enhance Cycling Stability and Rate Capability of Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Co 0.13 Mn 0.54 O 2 Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.
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Poor cycling stability and rate capability are two key issues needing to be solved for Li- and Mn-rich oxide cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a novel perovskite electron-ion mixed conductor Nd 0.6 Sr 0.4 CoO 3 (NSCO) is used as the coating layer on Li 1.2 Ni 0.13 Co 0.13 Mn 0.54 O 2 (LNCMO) to simultaneously enhance its cycling stability and rate capability. By coating 3 wt% NSCO, LNCMO-3NSCO exhibits an optimal cycling performance with a capacity retention of 99% at 0.1C (1C = 200 mA g -1 ) after 60 cycles, 91% at 1C after 300 cycles, and 54% at 20C after 1000 cycles, much better than 78%, 63%, and 3% of LNCMO, respectively. Even at a high charge and discharge rate of 50C, LNCMO-3NSCO exhibits a discharge capacity of 53 mAh g -1 and a mid-point discharge voltage of 2.88 V, much higher than those of LNCMO (24 mA h g -1 and 2.40 V, respectively). Benefiting from the high electronic conductivity (1.46 S cm -1 ) and ionic conductivity (1.48 × 10 -7 S cm -1 ), NSCO coating not only suppresses transition metals dissolution and structure transformation, but also significantly enhances electronic conductivity and Li + diffusion coefficient of LNCMO by an order of magnitude. © 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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10.1002/smll.202008132
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12700969
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Idiopathic hypercalciuria preceding IgA nephritis in a child with recurrent hematuria.
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A 5-year-old boy was investigated after an episode of gross hematuria of non-glomerular origin and was found to have idiopathic hypercalciuria. Despite normalization of calciuria he had recurrent attacks of gross hematuria. Since SDS-PAGE analysis of urinary proteins indicated a glomerular origin of hematuria, a renal biopsy was performed and revealed IgA nephropathy. We believe that association of hypercalciuria and IgA nephropathy is by chance, since both are frequently found in children with hematuria. Also, we recommend all children with well-controlled hypercalciuria who experience further attacks of gross hematuria be evaluated for glomerular disease.
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10.1007/s00467-003-1078-4
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23003305
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Characterizing concentrated, multiply scattering, and actively driven fluorescent systems with confocal differential dynamic microscopy.
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We introduce confocal differential dynamic microscopy (ConDDM), a new technique yielding information comparable to that given by light scattering but in dense, opaque, fluorescent samples of micron-sized objects that cannot be probed easily with other existing techniques. We measure the correct wave vector q-dependent structure and hydrodynamic factors of concentrated hard-sphere-like colloids. We characterize concentrated swimming bacteria, observing ballistic motion in the bulk and a new compressed-exponential scaling of dynamics, and determine the velocity distribution; by contrast, near the coverslip, dynamics scale differently, suggesting that bacterial motion near surfaces fundamentally differs from that of freely swimming organisms.
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10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.218103
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1985740
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Nucleolar organizer regions in precancerous and cancerous lesions of the bronchus.
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Using a silver staining technique, nucleolar organizer region-associated proteins (Ag-NOR) were studied in paraffin sections of five specimens of normal bronchial epithelium, eight of atypical squamous metaplasia, five of carcinoma in situ, and seven of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma. The mean number of Ag-NOR in the nucleus were normal epithelium 1.2 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- SD), atypical squamous metaplasia (borderline lesion) 2.2 +/- 0.5, carcinoma in situ 3.8 +/- 0.6, and microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma 4.8 +/- 1.1. There was a highly significant difference between the Ag-NOR numbers in the atypical squamous metaplasia and those in the carcinoma in situ (P less than 0.01). The Ag-NOR staining is a useful technique for the differential diagnosis of difficult borderline lesions in the bronchial epithelium.
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10.1002/1097-0142(19910115)67:2<472::aid-cncr2820670225>3.0.co;2-n
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