Sample records for a-i showed severe

  1. Severe weather as a spectacle: the Meteo-Show

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Orbe, Iñaki; Gaztelumendi, Santiago

    2017-06-01

    In this work we focus on perhaps one of the worst journalist practice when dealing with severe weather, the Meteo-Show or the extended practice, especially in TV, for using weather and meteorology for spectacle. Journalism today has found weather information in a real goldmine in terms of audience due to the growing public interest in this matter. However, as it happens with other content, sensationalism and exaggeration have also reached weather information, primarily when episodes of adverse nature (snow, heavy rain, floods, etc.) are addressed. In this paper we look to identify the worst practices in weather communication through analysis of examples from real journalist work. We present some keys to understand this trend, highlighting the ingredients that are present in the worst Meteo-show.

  2. 25 CFR 26.33 - How do I show I need job training?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 1 2012-04-01 2011-04-01 true How do I show I need job training? 26.33 Section 26.33 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES JOB PLACEMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM Training Services § 26.33 How do I show I need job training? The need for Job Placement and...

  3. 25 CFR 26.33 - How do I show I need job training?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false How do I show I need job training? 26.33 Section 26.33 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES JOB PLACEMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM Training Services § 26.33 How do I show I need job training? The need for Job Placement and...

  4. 25 CFR 26.33 - How do I show I need job training?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false How do I show I need job training? 26.33 Section 26.33 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES JOB PLACEMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM Training Services § 26.33 How do I show I need job training? The need for Job Placement and...

  5. 25 CFR 26.33 - How do I show I need job training?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 25 Indians 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false How do I show I need job training? 26.33 Section 26.33 Indians BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HUMAN SERVICES JOB PLACEMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM Training Services § 26.33 How do I show I need job training? The need for Job Placement and...

  6. Study by NOAA and Partners Shows Some Gulf Dolphins Severely Ill | NOAA

    Science.gov Websites

    Publications Press Releases Story Archive Home Study by NOAA and Partners Shows Some Gulf Dolphins Severely Ill Study by NOAA and Partners Shows Some Gulf Dolphins Severely Ill Aug 2011: Veterinarians collect samples of 2011, preliminary results show that many of the dolphins in the study are underweight, anemic

  7. 11. CONTROL ROOM INTERIOR, SHOWING SEVERAL PERISCOPES. Looking north along ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    11. CONTROL ROOM INTERIOR, SHOWING SEVERAL PERISCOPES. Looking north along west wall. - Edwards Air Force Base, Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory, Instrumentation & Control Building, Test Area 1-115, northwest end of Saturn Boulevard, Boron, Kern County, CA

  8. Map showing lava inundation zones for Mauna Loa, Hawai'i

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Trusdell, F.A.; Graves, P.; Tincher, C.R.

    2002-01-01

    The Island of Hawai‘i is composed of five coalesced basaltic volcanoes. Lava flows constitute the greatest volcanic hazard from these volcanoes. This report is concerned with lava flow hazards on Mauna Loa, the largest of the island shield volcanoes. Hilo lies 58 km from the summit of Mauna Loa, the Kona coast 33 km, and the southernmost point of the island 61 km.Hawaiian volcanoes erupt two morphologically distinct types of lava, aa and pahoehoe. The surfaces of pahoehoe flows are rather smooth and undulating. Pahoehoe flows are commonly fed by lava tubes, which are well insulated, lava-filled conduits contained within the flows. The surfaces of aa flows are extremely rough and composed of lava fragments. Aa flows usually form lava channels rather than lava tubes.In Hawai‘i, lava flows are known to reach distances of 50 km or more. The flows usually advance slowly enough that people can escape from their paths. Anything overwhelmed by a flow will be damaged or destroyed by burial, crushing, or ignition. Mauna Loa makes up 51 percent of the surface area of the Island of Hawai‘i. Geologic mapping shows that lava flows have covered more than 40 percent of the surface every 1,000 years. Since written descriptions of its activity began in A.D. 1832, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times. Some eruptions begin with only brief seismic unrest, whereas others start several months to a year following increased seismic activity. Once underway, the eruptions can produce lava flows that reach the sea in less than 24 hours, severing roads and utilities. For example, the 1950 flows from the southwest rift zone reached the ocean in approximately three hours. The two longest flows of Mauna Loa are pahoehoe flows from the 50-kilometer-long 1859 and the 48-kilometer-long 1880-81 eruptions.Mauna Loa will undoubtedly erupt again. When it does, the first critical question that must be answered is: Which areas are threatened with inundation? Once the threatened areas are established, we

  9. Cobalamin C Deficiency Shows a Rapidly Progressing Maculopathy With Severe Photoreceptor and Ganglion Cell Loss.

    PubMed

    Bonafede, Lucas; Ficicioglu, Can H; Serrano, Leona; Han, Grace; Morgan, Jessica I W; Mills, Monte D; Forbes, Brian J; Davidson, Stefanie L; Binenbaum, Gil; Kaplan, Paige B; Nichols, Charles W; Verloo, Patrick; Leroy, Bart P; Maguire, Albert M; Aleman, Tomas S

    2015-12-01

    To describe in detail the retinal structure and function of a group of patients with cobalamin C (cblC) disease. Patients (n = 11, age 4 months to 15 years) with cblC disease (9/11, early onset) diagnosed by newborn screening underwent complete ophthalmic examinations, fundus photography, near-infrared reflectance imaging, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Electroretinograms (ERGs) were performed in a subset of patients. Patients carried homozygous or compound heterozygote mutations in the methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type C (MMACHC) gene. Late-onset patients had a normal exam. All early-onset patients showed a maculopathy; older subjects had a retina-wide degeneration (n = 4; >7 years of age). In general, retinal changes were first observed before 1 year of age and progressed within months to a well-established maculopathy. Pseudocolobomas were documented in three patients. Measurable visual acuities ranged from 20/200 to 20/540. Nystagmus was present in 8/11 patients; 5/6 patients had normal ERGs; 1/6 had reduced rod-mediated responses. Spectral-domain OCT showed macular thinning, with severe ganglion cell layer (GCL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) loss. Inner retinal thickening was observed in areas of total GCL/ONL loss. A normal lamination pattern in the peripapillary nasal retina was often seen despite severe central and/or retina-wide disease. Patients with early-onset cblC and MMACHC mutations showed an early-onset, unusually fast-progressing maculopathy with severe central ONL and GCL loss. An abnormally thickened inner retina supports a remodeling response to both photoreceptor and ganglion cell degeneration and/or an interference with normal development in early-onset cblC.

  10. Cobalamin C Deficiency Shows a Rapidly Progressing Maculopathy With Severe Photoreceptor and Ganglion Cell Loss

    PubMed Central

    Bonafede, Lucas; Ficicioglu, Can H.; Serrano, Leona; Han, Grace; Morgan, Jessica I. W.; Mills, Monte D.; Forbes, Brian J.; Davidson, Stefanie L.; Binenbaum, Gil; Kaplan, Paige B.; Nichols, Charles W.; Verloo, Patrick; Leroy, Bart P.; Maguire, Albert M.; Aleman, Tomas S.

    2015-01-01

    Purpose To describe in detail the retinal structure and function of a group of patients with cobalamin C (cblC) disease. Methods Patients (n = 11, age 4 months to 15 years) with cblC disease (9/11, early onset) diagnosed by newborn screening underwent complete ophthalmic examinations, fundus photography, near-infrared reflectance imaging, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Electroretinograms (ERGs) were performed in a subset of patients. Results Patients carried homozygous or compound heterozygote mutations in the methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria type C (MMACHC) gene. Late-onset patients had a normal exam. All early-onset patients showed a maculopathy; older subjects had a retina-wide degeneration (n = 4; >7 years of age). In general, retinal changes were first observed before 1 year of age and progressed within months to a well-established maculopathy. Pseudocolobomas were documented in three patients. Measurable visual acuities ranged from 20/200 to 20/540. Nystagmus was present in 8/11 patients; 5/6 patients had normal ERGs; 1/6 had reduced rod-mediated responses. Spectral-domain OCT showed macular thinning, with severe ganglion cell layer (GCL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) loss. Inner retinal thickening was observed in areas of total GCL/ONL loss. A normal lamination pattern in the peripapillary nasal retina was often seen despite severe central and/or retina-wide disease. Conclusions Patients with early-onset cblC and MMACHC mutations showed an early-onset, unusually fast-progressing maculopathy with severe central ONL and GCL loss. An abnormally thickened inner retina supports a remodeling response to both photoreceptor and ganglion cell degeneration and/or an interference with normal development in early-onset cblC. PMID:26658511

  11. Perinatal findings of Seckel syndrome: a case report of a fetus showing primordial dwarfism and severe microcephaly.

    PubMed

    Takikawa, Keiko Miyachi; Kikuchi, Akihiko; Yokoyama, Akiko; Ono, Kyoko; Iwasawa, Yuki; Sunagawa, Sorahiro; Takagi, Kimiyo; Kawame, Hiroshi; Nakamura, Tomohiko

    2008-01-01

    Seckel syndrome is a rare form of primordial dwarfism and most of the previous reports have been limited to postnatal findings. We report on a fetus showing severe microcephaly, intrauterine growth restriction and a few gyri with shallow sulci on the fetal brain suggesting cortical dysplasia, followed by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in the prenatal period. Cardiotocograph revealed a reassuring fetal status throughout the whole pregnancy period. A male infant weighing 1,556 g was delivered at 39 weeks' gestation, and a diagnosis of Seckel syndrome was made based on postnatal typical findings. Although previous reports on prenatal findings of Seckel syndrome are quite limited, we think that our case presents typical features of a fetus affected by this syndrome. When prenatal ultrasound shows severe microcephaly and intrauterine growth restriction, this rare syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging of the affected fetal brain provides further diagnostic clues. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  12. Images Show Severity of California Drought

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2014-07-23

    The effects of California severe multiyear drought are seen in this pair of images acquired by NASA Terra spacecraft of the area northeast of Madera, in the Sierra Nevada Moutains foothills between Yosemite National Park and the San Joaquin Valley

  13. Prevention of severe hypoglycaemia in type I diabetes: a randomised controlled population study

    PubMed Central

    Nordfeldt, S; Johansson, C; Carlsson, E; Hammersjo, J

    2003-01-01

    Aims: To investigate use of targeted self study material in type I diabetes patient education regarding dissemination, perceived patient benefit, and prevention of severe hypoglycaemia. Methods: In a randomised 1:1:1 controlled study, 332 patients with type I diabetes (aged 2.6–18.9 years) were studied; 313 completed clinical follow up, 261 completed endpoint questionnaire. The intervention group received videotapes and a brochure designed to review skills for self control and treatment, aimed at preventing severe hypoglycaemia. Two control groups received a videotape and brochure with general diabetes information, or traditional treatment only, respectively. Results: Yearly incidence of severe hypoglycaemia decreased from 42% to 27% in the intervention group, but not in controls. HbA1c remained unchanged. Levels of use ranged from 1 to 20 times (median 2); 40–49% had shown the materials to friends, relatives, school staff, sports coaches, etc (there was little difference between intervention and control groups). Higher benefit and learning levels resulted from the intervention material, especially in patients with severe hypoglycaemia. Conclusions: Mass distributed pedagogical devices such as high quality video programmes and brochures may contribute to the prevention of severe hypoglycaemia. Such self study materials can reach high dissemination levels and constitute a cost effective complement to regular visits to a diabetes team and to other types of education. The findings may have implications for other topics, other ages, and other diagnosis groups. PMID:12598392

  14. D- and L-[123I]-2-I-phenylalanine show a long tumour retention compared with D- and L-[123I]-2-I-tyrosine in R1M rhabdomyosarcoma tumour-bearing Wag/Rij rats.

    PubMed

    Bauwens, Matthias; Lahoutte, Tony; Kersemans, Ken; Caveliers, Vicky; Bossuyt, Axel; Mertens, John

    2007-07-01

    The aim of this study was the comparison of the tumour uptake and the long-term retention of [(123)I]-2-I-L-phenylalanine and [(123)I]-2-I-D-phenylalanine with those of [(123)I]-2-I-L-tyrosine and [(123)I]-2-I-D-tyrosine in R1M rhabdomyosarcoma tumour-bearing rats. The biodistribution of the radioactivity as a function of time in R1M tumour-bearing rats was measured by planar gamma camera imaging (dynamic and static). If dissection was applied, the activity in the tumours and tissues of interest was measured by gamma counting. [(123)I]-2-iodo-L-phenylalanine, [(123)I]-2-iodo-D-phenylalaine, [(123)I]-2-I-L-tyrosine showed a considerable tumour uptake reaching a maximum between 10 and 30 min. At 30 min p.i. the differential uptake ratio values of this uptake were, respectively, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5 and 1.7. The activity in the tumour was shown to be related to a tumour cell uptake and not to an increased blood pool activity. All the tracers showed a clearance from the blood to the bladder without renal retention. At longer times both L- and D- [(123)I]-2-I-tyrosine were cleared for a large part from the tumours and the body. [(123)I]-2-I-L-Phe and [(123)I]-2-I-D-Phe showed a considerable and equal retention in the tumours: as compared with 0.5 h, 91% at 24 h and 80% at 48 h. This was related to the longer retention of activity in the blood pool noticed for these compounds (81% at 24 h and 65% at 48 h). The tumour-to-background ratio increased with 25% at those longer times. At short times all the tracers were taken up to a considerable extent in the tumours. In the R1M-bearing Wag/Rij rat model only [(123)I]-2-I-L-phenylalanine and [(123)I]-2-I-D-phenylalanine showed an especially high retention at long times without any significant difference between the enantiomers. Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  15. IGF-I levels reflect hypopituitarism severity in adults with pituitary dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Tirosh, Amit; Toledano, Yoel; Masri-Iraqi, Hiba; Eizenberg, Yoav; Tzvetov, Gloria; Hirsch, Dania; Benbassat, Carlos; Robenshtok, Eyal; Shimon, Ilan

    2016-08-01

    To evaluate the utility of Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) standard deviation score (SDS) as a surrogate marker of severity of hypopituitarism in adults with pituitary pathology. We performed a retrospective data analysis, including 269 consecutive patients with pituitary disease attending a tertiary endocrine clinic in 1990-2015. The medical files were reviewed for the complete pituitary hormone profile, including IGF-I, and clinical data. Age-adjusted assay reference ranges of IGF-I were used to calculate IGF-I SDS for each patient. The main outcome measures were positive and negative predictive values of low and high IGF-I SDS, respectively, for the various pituitary hormone deficiencies. IGF-I SDS correlated negatively with the number of altered pituitary axes (p < 0.001). Gonadotropin was affected in 76.6 % of cases, followed by thyrotropin (58.4 %), corticotropin (49.1 %), and prolactin (22.7 %). Positive and negative predictive values yielded a clear trend for the probability of low/high IGF-I SDS for all affected pituitary axes. Rates of diabetes insipidus correlated with IGF-I SDS values both for the full study population, and specifically for patients with non-functioning pituitary adenomas. IGF-I SDS can be used to evaluate the somatotroph function, as a valid substitute to absolute IGF-I levels. Moreover, IGF-I SDS predicted the extent of hypopituitarism in adults with pituitary disease, and thus can serve as a marker of hypopituitarism severity.

  16. [Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy showing no 123I-BMIPP myocardial accumulation with type I CD36 deficiency].

    PubMed

    Watanabe, K; Miyajima, S; Kusano, Y; Tanabe, N; Hirokawa, Y

    1997-07-01

    A 57 years old male consulted our hospital in complaining chest oppression and short of breath. Familial and dilated phase hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was detected by ECG, echocardiography, left ventriculography and left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. 201T1 SPECT showed regional increased accumulation in the ventricular septum, however, no myocardial accumulation of 123I-beta-methyl-p-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (123I-BMIPP) was observed. We analyzed CD36 in this patient, and found he had type 1 CD36 deficiency. Myocardial uptake of long-chain fatty acids occurs via a specific transporter, which is homologous with human CD36. We hypothesize that CD36 deficiency, especially type 1 CD36 deficiency, might be one factor of no myocardial 123I-BMIPP uptake.

  17. Elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in serum rescue the severe growth retardation of IGF-I null mice.

    PubMed

    Wu, Yingjie; Sun, Hui; Yakar, Shoshana; LeRoith, Derek

    2009-09-01

    IGF-I plays a vital role in growth and development and acts in an endocrine and an autocrine/paracrine fashion. The purpose of the current study was to clarify whether elevated levels of IGF-I in serum can rescue the severe growth retardation and organ development and function of igf-I null mice. To address that, we overexpressed a rat igf-I transgene specifically in the liver of igf-I null mice. We found that in the total absence of tissue IGF-I, elevated levels of IGF-I in serum can support normal body size at puberty and after puberty but are insufficient to fully support the female reproductive system (evident by irregular estrous cycle, impaired development of ovarian corpus luteum, reduced number of uterine glands and endometrial hypoplasia, all leading to decreased number of pregnancies and litter size). We conclude that most autocrine/paracrine actions of IGF-I that determine organ growth and function can be compensated by elevated levels of endocrine IGF-I. However, in mice, full compensatory responses are evident later in development, suggesting that autocrine/paracrine IGF-I is critical for neonatal development. Furthermore, we show that tissue IGF-I is necessary for the development of the female reproductive system and cannot be compensated by elevated levels of serum IGF-I.

  18. Dandy-Walker syndrome with severe velopharyngeal dysfunction: a contraindication for Le Fort I surgery?

    PubMed

    Nelke, Kamil H; Pawlak, Wojciech; Gerber, Hanna

    2015-01-01

    Dandy-Walker syndrome is a rare congenital brain deformation. Most symptoms are related with fourth ventricle and skull base malformations. Quite often, symptoms develop from infancy or progress rapidly. Cerebellar dysfunction, lack of muscle coordination, and skull deformities involving eye movement might be present. There are several Dandy-Walker syndrome complex types. We present a 23-year-old patient who had a severe dentofacial deformity with mandibular prognathism and extremely undeveloped maxillary bone resulting in palatopharyngeal and velopharyngeal dysfunction with complete lack of soft palate function resulting in increased speech tone and volume. Performing Le Fort I osteotomy in this case is greatly controversial and might result in even greater loss of function or even its total lack. Velopharyngeal complex is very important, and every surgeon should consider its value while planning Le Fort I osteotomies.

  19. The Physics of Equestrian Show Jumping

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stinner, Art

    2014-04-01

    This article discusses the kinematics and dynamics of equestrian show jumping. For some time I have attended a series of show jumping events at Spruce Meadows, an international equestrian center near Calgary, Alberta, often referred to as the "Wimbledon of equestrian jumping." I have always had a desire to write an article such as this one, but when I searched the Internet for information and looked at YouTube presentations, I could only find simplistic references to Newton's laws and the conservation of mechanical energy principle. Nowhere could I find detailed calculations. On the other hand, there were several biomechanical articles with empirical reports of the results of kinetic and dynamic investigations of show jumping using high-speed digital cameras and force plates. They summarize their results in tables that give information about the motion of a horse jumping over high fences (1.40 m) and the magnitudes of the forces encountered when landing. However, they do not describe the physics of these results.

  20. Patients with severe acquired brain injury show increased arousal in tilt-table training.

    PubMed

    Riberholt, Christian G; Thorlund, Jonas B; Mehlsen, Jesper; Nordenbo, Annette M

    2013-12-01

    Patients with severe acquired brain injury (ABI) are often mobilised using a tilt-table. Complications such as orthostatic intolerance have been reported. The primary objective of this study was to investigate if using a tilt-table was feasible for mobilising patients with severe ABI admitted for sub-acute rehabilitation. We also investigated change in arousal, treatment duration before termination due to orthostatic reactions and change in muscle tone. A total of 16 patients with severe ABI were included. The patients were tilted head-up, and blood pressure, heart rate, breathing frequency and eye opening were recorded before and during the intervention. Furthermore, muscle tone was recorded before and after the intervention. Fifteen of the 16 patients did not complete the 20-min. session of tilt training due to orthostatic intolerance. There was a significant increase in the proportion of time that the patients had open eyes during treatment as compared with before treatment (p < 0.01). The mean time to occurrence of symptoms at the first, second and third tilt was 244 (standard deviation (SD) = ± 234) sec., 277 (SD = ± 257) sec. and 155 (SD = ± 67) sec., respectively. Patients with severe sub-acute ABI show orthostatic intolerance when mobilised on a tilt-table which results in a low mobilisation intensity. However, the patients showed a significant increase in arousal during mobilisation. No external funding was received for this study. All resources were provided by the Department of Neurorehabilitation, Traumatic Brain Injury Unit, Glostrup University Hospital. not relevant.

  1. Single histidine button in cardiac troponin I sustains heart performance in response to severe hypercapnic respiratory acidosis in vivo.

    PubMed

    Palpant, Nathan J; D'Alecy, Louis G; Metzger, Joseph M

    2009-05-01

    Intracellular acidosis is a profound negative regulator of myocardial performance. We hypothesized that titrating myofilament calcium sensitivity by a single histidine substituted cardiac troponin I (A164H) would protect the whole animal physiological response to acidosis in vivo. To experimentally induce severe hypercapnic acidosis, mice were exposed to a 40% CO(2) challenge. By echocardiography, it was found that systolic function and ventricular geometry were maintained in cTnI A164H transgenic (Tg) mice. By contrast, non-Tg (Ntg) littermates experienced rapid and marked cardiac decompensation during this same challenge. For detailed hemodymanic assessment, Millar pressure-conductance catheterization was performed while animals were treated with a beta-blocker, esmolol, during a severe hypercapnic acidosis challenge. Survival and load-independent measures of contractility were significantly greater in Tg vs. Ntg mice. This assay showed that Ntg mice had 100% mortality within 5 min of acidosis. By contrast, systolic and diastolic function were protected in Tg mice during acidosis, and they had 100% survival. This study shows that, independent of any beta-adrenergic compensation, myofilament-based molecular manipulation of inotropy by histidine-modified troponin I maintains cardiac inotropic and lusitropic performance and markedly improves survival during severe acidosis in vivo.

  2. Severe Toxoplasma gondii I/III Recombinant-Genotype Encephalitis in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patient▿

    PubMed Central

    Genot, Séverine; Franck, Jacqueline; Forel, Jean-Marie; Rebaudet, Stanislas; Ajzenberg, Daniel; de Paula, Andre Maues; Dardé, Marie-Laure; Stein, Andreas; Ranque, Stéphane

    2007-01-01

    The reactivation of an uncommon type I/III recombinant-genotype Toxoplasma gondii strain resulted in unusually severe encephalitis and chorioretinitis associated with a cerebral salt wasting syndrome in an African human immunodeficiency virus patient. This observation suggests an influence of the parasite genotype on disease expression in immunocompromised patients. PMID:17634310

  3. Assessment of Selected Resources for Severely Handicapped Children and Youth. Volume I: A State-of-the-Art Paper.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abt Associates, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

    This state-of-the-art paper is one of several volumes which describe the characteristics, quality, and costs of services to severely mentally retarded, severely emotionally disturbed, deaf-blind, and severely multiply handicapped clients age 21 and under. Part I of the volume consists of a subjective distillation of the concepts and research…

  4. Bipolar I disorder and major depressive disorder show similar brain activation during depression.

    PubMed

    Cerullo, Michael A; Eliassen, James C; Smith, Christopher T; Fleck, David E; Nelson, Erik B; Strawn, Jeffrey R; Lamy, Martine; DelBello, Melissa P; Adler, Caleb M; Strakowski, Stephen M

    2014-11-01

    Despite different treatments and courses of illness, depressive symptoms appear similar in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar I disorder (BP-I). This similarity of depressive symptoms suggests significant overlap in brain pathways underlying neurovegetative, mood, and cognitive symptoms of depression. These shared brain regions might be expected to exhibit similar activation in individuals with MDD and BP-I during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). fMRI was used to compare regional brain activation in participants with BP-I (n = 25) and MDD (n = 25) during a depressive episode as well as 25 healthy comparison (HC) participants. During the scans, participants performed an attentional task that incorporated emotional pictures. During the viewing of emotional images, subjects with BP-I showed decreased activation in the middle occipital gyrus, lingual gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus compared to both subjects with MDD and HC participants. During attentional processing, participants with MDD had increased activation in the parahippocampus, parietal lobe, and postcentral gyrus. However, among these regions, only the postcentral gyrus also showed differences between MDD and HC participants. No differences in cortico-limbic regions were found between participants with BP-I and MDD during depression. Instead, the major differences occurred in primary and secondary visual processing regions, with decreased activation in these regions in BP-I compared to major depression. These differences were driven by abnormal decreases in activation seen in the participants with BP-I. Posterior activation changes are a common finding in studies across mood states in participants with BP-I. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  5. Relationship between Cough-Associated Changes in CSF Flow and Disease Severity in Chiari I Malformation: An Exploratory Study Using Real-Time MRI.

    PubMed

    Bezuidenhout, A F; Khatami, D; Heilman, C B; Kasper, E M; Patz, S; Madan, N; Zhao, Y; Bhadelia, R A

    2018-05-10

    Currently no quantitative objective test exists to determine disease severity in a patient with Chiari I malformation. Our aim was to correlate disease severity in symptomatic patients with Chiari I malformation with cough-associated changes in CSF flow as measured with real-time MR imaging. Thirteen symptomatic patients with Chiari I malformation (tonsillar herniation of ≥5 mm) were prospectively studied. A real-time, flow-sensitized pencil-beam MR imaging scan was used to measure CSF stroke volume during rest and immediately following coughing and relaxation periods (total scan time, 90 seconds). Multiple posterior fossa and craniocervical anatomic measurements were also obtained. Patients were classified into 2 groups by neurosurgeons blinded to MR imaging measurements: 1) nonspecific Chiari I malformation (5/13)-Chiari I malformation with nonspecific symptoms like non-cough-related or mild occasional cough-related headache, neck pain, dizziness, paresthesias, and/or trouble swallowing; 2) specific Chiari I malformation (8/13)-patients with Chiari I malformation with specific symptoms and/or objective findings like severe cough-related headache, myelopathy, syringomyelia, and muscle atrophy. The Spearman correlation was used to determine correlations between MR imaging measurements and disease severity, and both groups were also compared using a Mann-Whitney U test. There was a significant negative correlation between the percentage change in CSF stroke volume (resting to postcoughing) and Chiari I malformation disease severity ( R = 0.59; P = .03). Mann-Whitney comparisons showed the percentage change in CSF stroke volume (resting to postcoughing) to be significantly different between patient groups ( P = .04). No other CSF flow measurement or anatomic measure was significantly different between the groups. Our exploratory study suggests that assessment of CSF flow response to a coughing challenge has the potential to become a valuable objective noninvasive

  6. Insulin-like growth factor I gene deletion causing intrauterine growth retardation and severe short stature.

    PubMed

    Woods, K A; Camacho-Hübner, C; Barter, D; Clark, A J; Savage, M O

    1997-11-01

    The first human case of a homozygous molecular defect in the gene encoding insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is described. The patient was a 15-year-old boy from a consanguineous pedigree who presented with severe intrauterine growth failure, sensorineural deafness and mild mental retardation. Endocrine evaluation of the growth hormone (GH)--IGF-I axis revealed elevated GH secretion, undetectable serum IGF-I and normal serum IGF-binding protein-3, acid-labile subunit, and GH-binding activity. Analysis of the IGF-I gene revealed a homozygous partial IGF-I gene deletion involving exons 4 and 5, which encodes a severely truncated mature IGF-I peptide. This patient demonstrates that complete disruption of the IGF-I gene in man is compatible with life, and indicates a major role for IGF-I in human fetal growth. In addition, his neurological abnormalities suggest that IGF-I may be involved in central nervous system development.

  7. Photosystem I shows a higher tolerance to sorbitol-induced osmotic stress than photosystem II in the intertidal macro-algae Ulva prolifera (Chlorophyta).

    PubMed

    Gao, Shan; Zheng, Zhenbing; Gu, Wenhui; Xie, Xiujun; Huan, Li; Pan, Guanghua; Wang, Guangce

    2014-10-01

    The photosynthetic performance of the desiccation-tolerant, intertidal macro-algae Ulva prolifera was significantly affected by sorbitol-induced osmotic stress. Our results showed that photosynthetic activity decreased significantly with increases in sorbitol concentration. Although the partial activity of both photosystem I (PS I) and photosystem II (PS II) was able to recover after 30 min of rehydration, the activity of PS II decreased more rapidly than PS I. At 4 M sorbitol concentration, the activity of PS II was almost 0 while that of PS I was still at about one third of normal levels. Following prolonged treatment with 1 and 2 M sorbitol, the activity of PS I and PS II decreased slowly, suggesting that the effects of moderate concentrations of sorbitol on PS I and PS II were gradual. Interestingly, an increase in non-photochemical quenching occurred under these conditions in response to moderate osmotic stress, whereas it declined significantly under severe osmotic stress. These results suggest that photoprotection in U. prolifera could also be induced by moderate osmotic stress. In addition, the oxidation of PS I was significantly affected by osmotic stress. P700(+) in the thalli treated with high concentrations of sorbitol could still be reduced, as PS II was inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), but it could not be fully oxidized. This observation may be caused by the higher quantum yield of non-photochemical energy dissipation in PS I due to acceptor-side limitation (Y(NA)) during rehydration in seawater containing DCMU. © 2014 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

  8. High-Sensitivity Troponin I Levels and Coronary Artery Disease Severity, Progression, and Long-Term Outcomes.

    PubMed

    Samman Tahhan, Ayman; Sandesara, Pratik; Hayek, Salim S; Hammadah, Muhammad; Alkhoder, Ayman; Kelli, Heval M; Topel, Matthew; O'Neal, Wesley T; Ghasemzadeh, Nima; Ko, Yi-An; Gafeer, Mohamad Mazen; Abdelhadi, Naser; Choudhary, Fahad; Patel, Keyur; Beshiri, Agim; Murtagh, Gillian; Kim, Jonathan; Wilson, Peter; Shaw, Leslee; Vaccarino, Viola; Epstein, Stephen E; Sperling, Laurence; Quyyumi, Arshed A

    2018-02-21

    The associations between high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and progression remain unclear. We investigated whether there is an association between hsTnI and angiographic severity and progression of CAD and whether the predictive value of hsTnI level for incident cardiovascular outcomes is independent of CAD severity. In 3087 patients (aged 63±12 years, 64% men) undergoing cardiac catheterization without evidence of acute myocardial infarction, the severity of CAD was calculated by the number of major coronary arteries with ≥50% stenosis and the Gensini score. CAD progression was assessed in a subset of 717 patients who had undergone ≥2 coronary angiograms >3 months before enrollment. Patients were followed up for incident all-cause mortality and incident cardiovascular events. Of the total population, 11% had normal angiograms, 23% had nonobstructive CAD, 20% had 1-vessel CAD, 20% had 2-vessel CAD, and 26% had 3-vessel CAD. After adjusting for age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus history, and renal function, hsTnI levels were independently associated with the severity of CAD measured by the Gensini score (log 2 ß=0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.44; P <0.001) and with CAD progression (log 2 ß=0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.14-0.58; P =0.001). hsTnI level was also a significant predictor of incident death, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and cardiac hospitalizations, independent of the aforementioned covariates and CAD severity. Higher hsTnI levels are associated with the underlying burden of coronary atherosclerosis, more rapid progression of CAD, and higher risk of all-cause mortality and incident cardiovascular events. Whether more aggressive treatment aimed at reducing hsTnI levels can modulate disease progression requires further investigation. © 2018 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc

  9. Marijuana Use and Maternal Experiences of Severe Nausea During Pregnancy in Hawai‘i

    PubMed Central

    Patrick, Walter K; Hurwitz, Eric L

    2014-01-01

    Recreational use of marijuana is relatively common in the United States, and medicinal use is gaining popular and legal support. Marijuana has been proposed as a potential treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum. Research into this topic is complicated by associations between marijuana use and poor birth outcomes. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which can cause severe nausea and vomiting in marijuana users, is another complicating factor. Hawai‘i Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 4,735 respondents were used to estimate prevalence of self-reported marijuana use during and in the month before pregnancy, as well as severe nausea during pregnancy. Data were weighted to be representative of all pregnancies resulting in live births in Hawai‘i between 2009 and 2011. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to estimate associations. Of recently-pregnant women in Hawai‘i, 6.0% reported using marijuana in the month before pregnancy, and 2.6% reported using marijuana during pregnancy. Approximately 21.2% reported severe nausea during pregnancy. Women who reported severe nausea during pregnancy were significantly more likely to report marijuana use during pregnancy (3.7% vs 2.3%; PR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.08–2.44). More research is needed to investigate the relationship between marijuana use and severe nausea during pregnancy, and to quantify associated risks to mother and fetus. PMID:25285255

  10. Marijuana use and maternal experiences of severe nausea during pregnancy in Hawai'i.

    PubMed

    Roberson, Emily K; Patrick, Walter K; Hurwitz, Eric L

    2014-09-01

    Recreational use of marijuana is relatively common in the United States, and medicinal use is gaining popular and legal support. Marijuana has been proposed as a potential treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum. Research into this topic is complicated by associations between marijuana use and poor birth outcomes. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which can cause severe nausea and vomiting in marijuana users, is another complicating factor. Hawai'i Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 4,735 respondents were used to estimate prevalence of self-reported marijuana use during and in the month before pregnancy, as well as severe nausea during pregnancy. Data were weighted to be representative of all pregnancies resulting in live births in Hawai'i between 2009 and 2011. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to estimate associations. Of recently-pregnant women in Hawai'i, 6.0% reported using marijuana in the month before pregnancy, and 2.6% reported using marijuana during pregnancy. Approximately 21.2% reported severe nausea during pregnancy. Women who reported severe nausea during pregnancy were significantly more likely to report marijuana use during pregnancy (3.7% vs 2.3%; PR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.08-2.44). More research is needed to investigate the relationship between marijuana use and severe nausea during pregnancy, and to quantify associated risks to mother and fetus.

  11. 131I therapy for 345 patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism: Without antithyroid drug pretreatment.

    PubMed

    Ding, Yong; Xing, Jialiu; Fang, Yi; Wang, Yong; Zhang, Youren; Long, Yahong

    2016-02-01

    The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and long-term results of (131)I therapy alone for patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism without antithyroid drug pretreatment. From January 2002 to December 2012, 408 patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism were treated with (131)I alone. Among them, 345 were followed up for 1 to 10 years for physical examination, thyroid function, and thyroid ultrasound. Complete Blood Count (CBC) liver function, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and Emission Computed Tomography (ECT) thyroid imaging were performed as indicated. The 345 patients had concomitant conditions including thyrotoxic heart disease, severe liver dysfunction, enlarged thyroid weighing 80 to 400 g, severe cytopenia, and vasculitis. One to two weeks prior to (131)I therapy, all patients were given low-iodine diet. The dose of (131)I therapy was 2.59 to 6.66 MBq (70 to180 µCi) per gram of thyroid with an average of 3.83 ± 0.6 MBq (103.6 ± 16.4 µCi); and the total (131)I activity administrated for the individuals was 111 to 3507.6 MBq (3.0 to 94.8 mCi, mean 444 ± 336.7 MBq (12.0 ± 9.1 mCi)). Out of the 408 patients, 283 were cured, 15 with complete remission, and 47 with incomplete remission. No treatment failure or significant clinical worsening was noted in these patients. Our data indicated that (131)I therapy alone for patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism without antithyroid drug pretreatment is safe and effective. © 2015 by the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.

  12. 131I therapy for 345 patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism: Without antithyroid drug pretreatment

    PubMed Central

    Xing, Jialiu; Fang, Yi; Wang, Yong; Zhang, Youren; Long, Yahong

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and long-term results of 131I therapy alone for patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism without antithyroid drug pretreatment. From January 2002 to December 2012, 408 patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism were treated with 131I alone. Among them, 345 were followed up for 1 to 10 years for physical examination, thyroid function, and thyroid ultrasound. Complete Blood Count (CBC) liver function, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and Emission Computed Tomography (ECT) thyroid imaging were performed as indicated. The 345 patients had concomitant conditions including thyrotoxic heart disease, severe liver dysfunction, enlarged thyroid weighing 80 to 400 g, severe cytopenia, and vasculitis. One to two weeks prior to 131I therapy, all patients were given low-iodine diet. The dose of 131I therapy was 2.59 to 6.66 MBq (70 to180 µCi) per gram of thyroid with an average of 3.83 ± 0.6 MBq (103.6 ± 16.4 µCi); and the total 131I activity administrated for the individuals was 111 to 3507.6 MBq (3.0 to 94.8 mCi, mean 444 ± 336.7 MBq (12.0 ± 9.1 mCi)). Out of the 408 patients, 283 were cured, 15 with complete remission, and 47 with incomplete remission. No treatment failure or significant clinical worsening was noted in these patients. Our data indicated that 131I therapy alone for patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism without antithyroid drug pretreatment is safe and effective. PMID:26341470

  13. Long-term treatment with recombinant insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in children with severe IGF-I deficiency due to growth hormone insensitivity.

    PubMed

    Chernausek, Steven D; Backeljauw, Philippe F; Frane, James; Kuntze, Joyce; Underwood, Louis E

    2007-03-01

    Children with severe IGF-I deficiency due to congenital or acquired defects in GH action have short stature that cannot be remedied by GH treatment. The objective of the study was to examine the long-term efficacy and safety of recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-I) therapy for short children with severe IGF-I deficiency. Seventy-six children with IGF-I deficiency due to GH insensitivity were treated with rhIGF-I for up to 12 yr under a predominantly open-label design. The study was conducted at general clinical research centers and with collaborating endocrinologists. Entry criteria included: age older than 2 yr, sd scores for height and circulating IGF-I concentration less than -2 for age and sex, and evidence of resistance to GH. rhIGF-I was administered sc in doses between 60 and 120 microg/kg twice daily. Height velocity, skeletal maturation, and adverse events were measured. Height velocity increased from 2.8 cm/yr on average at baseline to 8.0 cm/yr during the first year of treatment (P < 0.0001) and was dependent on the dose administered. Height velocities were lower during subsequent years but remained above baseline for up to 8 yr. The most common adverse event was hypoglycemia, which was observed both before and during therapy. It was reported by 49% of treated subjects. The next most common adverse events were injection site lipohypertrophy (32%) and tonsillar/adenoidal hypertrophy (22%). Treatment with rhIGF-I stimulates linear growth in children with severe IGF-I deficiency due to GH insensitivity. Adverse events are common but are rarely of sufficient severity to interrupt or modify treatment.

  14. Inhibition of several enzymes by gold compounds. II. beta-Glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and L-malate dehydrogenase by sodium thiomalatoraurate (I), sodium thiosulfatoaurate (I) and thioglucosoaurate (I).

    PubMed

    Lee, M T; Ahmed, T; Haddad, R; Friedman, M E

    1989-01-01

    Bovine liver beta-D-glucuronide glucuronohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.32), wheat germ acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric monoesterphosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.2) and bovine liver L-malate dehydrogenase (L-malate: NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37) were inhibited by a series of gold (I) complexes that have been used as anti-inflammatory drugs. Both sodium thiosulfatoaurate (I) (Na AuTs) and sodium thiomalatoraurate (NaAuTM) effectively inhibited all three enzymes, while thioglucosoaurate (I) (AuTG) only inhibited L-malate dehydrogenase. The equilibrium constants (K1) ranged from nearly 4000 microM for the NaAuTM-beta-glucuronidase interaction to 24 microM for the NaAuTS-beta-glucuronidase interaction. The rate of covalent bond formation (kp) ranged from 0.00032 min-1 for NaAuTM-beta-glucuronidase formation to 1.7 min-1 for AuTG-L-malate dehydrogenase formation. The equilibrium data shows that the gold (I) drugs bind by several orders lower than the gold (III) compounds, suggesting a significantly stronger interaction between the more highly charged gold ion and the enzyme. Yet the rate of covalent bond formation depends as much on the structure of the active site as upon the lability of the gold-ligand bond. It was also observed that the more effective the gold inhibition the more toxic the compound.

  15. A Holographic Road Show.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kirkpatrick, Larry D.; Rugheimer, Mac

    1979-01-01

    Describes the viewing sessions and the holograms of a holographic road show. The traveling exhibits, believed to stimulate interest in physics, include a wide variety of holograms and demonstrate several physical principles. (GA)

  16. DES14X3taz: A TYPE I SUPERLUMINOUS SUPERNOVA SHOWING A LUMINOUS, RAPIDLY COOLING INITIAL PRE-PEAK BUMP

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Smith, M.; Sullivan, M.; D’Andrea, C. B.

    2016-02-03

    We present DES14X3taz, a new hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova (SLSN-I) discovered by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) supernova program, with additional photometric data provided by the Survey Using DECam for Superluminous Supernovae. Spectra obtained using Optical System for Imaging and low-Intermediate-Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy on the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS show DES14X3taz is an SLSN-I at z = 0.608. Multi-color photometry reveals a double-peaked light curve: a blue and relatively bright initial peak that fades rapidly prior to the slower rise of the main light curve. Our multi-color photometry allows us, for the first time, to show that the initial peak cools frommore » 22,000 to 8000 K over 15 rest-frame days, and is faster and brighter than any published core-collapse supernova, reaching 30% of the bolometric luminosity of the main peak. No physical Ni-56-powered model can fit this initial peak. We show that a shock-cooling model followed by a magnetar driving the second phase of the light curve can adequately explain the entire light curve of DES14X3taz. Models involving the shock-cooling of extended circumstellar material at a distance of similar or equal to 400 R-circle dot are preferred over the cooling of shock-heated surface layers of a stellar envelope. We compare DES14X3taz to the few double-peaked SLSN-I events in the literature. Although the rise. times and characteristics of these initial peaks differ, there exists the tantalizing possibility that they can be explained by one physical interpretation« less

  17. DES14X3taz: A type I superluminous supernova showing a luminous, rapidly cooling initial pre-peak bump

    DOE PAGES

    Smith, M.

    2016-02-03

    Here, we present DES14X3taz, a new hydrogen-poor superluminous supernova (SLSN-I) discovered by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) supernova program, with additional photometric data provided by the Survey Using DECam for Superluminous Supernovae. Spectra obtained using Optical System for Imaging and low-Intermediate-Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy on the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS show DES14X3taz is an SLSN-I at z = 0.608. Multi-color photometry reveals a double-peaked light curve: a blue and relatively bright initial peak that fades rapidly prior to the slower rise of the main light curve. Our multi-color photometry allows us, for the first time, to show that the initial peak cools from 22,000more » to 8000 K over 15 rest-frame days, and is faster and brighter than any published core-collapse supernova, reaching 30% of the bolometric luminosity of the main peak. No physical (56)Ni-powered model can fit this initial peak. We show that a shock-cooling model followed by a magnetar driving the second phase of the light curve can adequately explain the entire light curve of DES14X3taz. Models involving the shock-cooling of extended circumstellar material at a distance of ≃400 R ⊙ are preferred over the cooling of shock-heated surface layers of a stellar envelope. We compare DES14X3taz to the few double-peaked SLSN-I events in the literature. Although the rise times and characteristics of these initial peaks differ, there exists the tantalizing possibility that they can be explained by one physical interpretation.« less

  18. Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein as a Marker of Necrosis and Severity in Acute Pancreatitis.

    PubMed

    Kupčinskas, Juozas; Gedgaudas, Rolandas; Hartman, Hannes; Sippola, Tomi; Lindström, Outi; Johnson, Colin D; Regnér, Sara

    2018-07-01

    The aim of this study was to study intestinal fatty acid binding protein (i-FABP) as a potential biomarker in predicting severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). In a prospective multicenter cohort study, plasma levels of i-FABP were measured in 402 patients with AP. Severity of AP was determined based on the 1992 Atlanta Classification. Admission levels of plasma i-FABP were significantly higher in patients with pancreatic necrosis, in patients having systemic complications, in patients treated invasively, in patients treated in the intensive care unit, in patients with severe AP, and in deceased patients. Plasma i-FABP levels on admission yielded an area under curve (AUC) of 0.732 in discriminating patients with or without pancreatic necrosis and AUC of 0.669 in predicting severe AP. Combination of levels of i-FABP and venous lactate on the day of admission showed higher discriminative power in severe AP-AUC of 0.808. Higher i-FABP levels on admission were associated with pancreatic necrosis, systemic complications, and severe AP. Low levels of i-FABP had a high negative predictive value for pancreatic necrosis and severe AP. Combination of levels of i-FABP and venous lactates on admission were superior to either of markers used alone in predicting severe AP.

  19. Severe Acute Subdural Hemorrhage in a Patient With Glutaric Aciduria Type I After Minor Head Trauma: A Case Report.

    PubMed

    Zielonka, Matthias; Braun, Katrin; Bengel, Andreas; Seitz, Angelika; Kölker, Stefan; Boy, Nikolas

    2015-07-01

    Glutaric aciduria type I is a rare metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of glutaryl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase. Chronic subdural hematomas have been reported in glutaric aciduria type I and are considered as important differential diagnosis of nonaccidental head trauma. However, chronic subdural hematomas are usually thought to remain clinically silent in these patients. Here we report on a hitherto asymptomatic glutaric aciduria type I patient who developed severe, acute subdural hemorrhage after minor accidental head injury at age 23 months. Computed tomography confirmed significant mass effect on the brain necessitating decompressive hemicraniectomy. Subdural hemorrhage caused large hypoxic lesions of the cerebral cortex and subcortical regions resulting in spastic tetraplegia, dystonia, and loss of developmental milestones. This report emphasizes that acute subdural hemorrhage may be a life-threatening complication in glutaric aciduria type I patients after minor head trauma and should be considered in those patients presenting with neurologic deterioration after accidental head injury. © The Author(s) 2014.

  20. LyeTxI-b, a Synthetic Peptide Derived From Lycosa erythrognatha Spider Venom, Shows Potent Antibiotic Activity in Vitro and in Vivo.

    PubMed

    Reis, Pablo V M; Boff, Daiane; Verly, Rodrigo M; Melo-Braga, Marcella N; Cortés, María E; Santos, Daniel M; Pimenta, Adriano M de C; Amaral, Flávio A; Resende, Jarbas M; de Lima, Maria E

    2018-01-01

    The antimicrobial peptide LyeTxI isolated from the venom of the spider Lycosa erythrognatha is a potential model to develop new antibiotics against bacteria and fungi. In this work, we studied a peptide derived from LyeTxI, named LyeTxI-b, and characterized its structural profile and its in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities. Compared to LyeTxI, LyeTxI-b has an acetylated N-terminal and a deletion of a His residue, as structural modifications. The secondary structure of LyeTxI-b is a well-defined helical segment, from the second amino acid to the amidated C-terminal, with no clear partition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces. Moreover, LyeTxI-b shows a potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative planktonic bacteria, being 10-fold more active than the native peptide against Escherichia coli. LyeTxI-b was also active in an in vivo model of septic arthritis, reducing the number of bacteria load, the migration of immune cells, the level of IL-1β cytokine and CXCL1 chemokine, as well as preventing cartilage damage. Our results show that LyeTxI-b is a potential therapeutic model for the development of new antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

  1. LyeTxI-b, a Synthetic Peptide Derived From Lycosa erythrognatha Spider Venom, Shows Potent Antibiotic Activity in Vitro and in Vivo

    PubMed Central

    Reis, Pablo V. M.; Boff, Daiane; Verly, Rodrigo M.; Melo-Braga, Marcella N.; Cortés, María E.; Santos, Daniel M.; Pimenta, Adriano M. de C.; Amaral, Flávio A.; Resende, Jarbas M.; de Lima, Maria E.

    2018-01-01

    The antimicrobial peptide LyeTxI isolated from the venom of the spider Lycosa erythrognatha is a potential model to develop new antibiotics against bacteria and fungi. In this work, we studied a peptide derived from LyeTxI, named LyeTxI-b, and characterized its structural profile and its in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities. Compared to LyeTxI, LyeTxI-b has an acetylated N-terminal and a deletion of a His residue, as structural modifications. The secondary structure of LyeTxI-b is a well-defined helical segment, from the second amino acid to the amidated C-terminal, with no clear partition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces. Moreover, LyeTxI-b shows a potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative planktonic bacteria, being 10-fold more active than the native peptide against Escherichia coli. LyeTxI-b was also active in an in vivo model of septic arthritis, reducing the number of bacteria load, the migration of immune cells, the level of IL-1β cytokine and CXCL1 chemokine, as well as preventing cartilage damage. Our results show that LyeTxI-b is a potential therapeutic model for the development of new antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. PMID:29681894

  2. Characteristics of ageostrophic flow in the vicinity of a severe weather outbreak - AVE-SESAME I

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Arnold, J. E.

    1982-01-01

    GOES satellite data was used to examine the ageostrophic flow in the vicinity of severe weather outbreaks along the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma in April 1979. The observations were part of the NASA AVE-SESAME I data on atmospheric states close to severe weather conditions. The Barnes Objective Analysis Technique was employed to analyze the data on a 100 km grid. The ageostrophic wind was defined on a regional scale from satellite data on different levels of cloud wind vectors, with a height change signalling a short-wave system in a long-wave trough. The percentage of deviation of the subgeostrophic winds from the geostrophic wind was calculated, and maximum departure corresponded with the region of greatest storm development. Time cross sections of additions to the ageostrophic flow were made as a function of pressure at 100 mb intervals from 900-100 mb. The ageostrophic acceleration was consistently twice the geostrophic acceleration.

  3. iPads and LCDs show similar performance in the detection of pulmonary nodules

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McEntee, Mark F.; Lowe, Joanna; Butler, Marie Louise; Pietrzyk, Mariusz; Evanoff, Michael G.; Ryan, John; Brennan, Patrick C.; Rainford, Louise A.

    2012-02-01

    In February 2011 the University of Chicago Medical School distributed iPads to its trainee doctors for use when reviewing clinical information and images on the ward or clinics. The use of tablet computing devices is becoming widespread in medicine with Apple™ heralding them as "revolutionary" in medicine. The question arises, just because it is technical achievable to use iPads for clinical evaluation of images, should we do so? The current work assesses the diagnostic efficacy of iPads when compared with LCD secondary display monitors for identifying lung nodules on chest x-rays. Eight examining radiologists of the American Board of Radiology were involved in the assessment, reading chest images on both the iPad and the an off-the-shelf LCD monitor. Thirty chest images were shown to each observer, of which 15 had one or more lung nodules. Radiologists were asked to locate the nodules and score how confident they were with their decision on a scale of 1-5. An ROC and JAFROC analysis was performed and modalities were compared using DBM MRMC. The results demonstrate no significant differences in performance between the iPad and the LCD for the ROC AUC (p<0.075) or JAFROC FOM (p<0.059) for random readers and random cases. Sample size estimation showed that this result is significant at a power of 0.8 and an effect size of 0.05 for ROC and 0.07 for JAFROC. This work demonstrates that for the task of identifying pulmonary nodules, the use of the iPad does not significantly change performance compared to an off-the-shelf LCD.

  4. Association of cardiac troponin I with disease severity and outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

    PubMed

    Vélez-Martínez, Mariella; Ayers, Colby; Mishkin, Joseph D; Bartolome, Sonja B; García, Christine K; Torres, Fernando; Drazner, Mark H; de Lemos, James A; Turer, Aslan T; Chin, Kelly M

    2013-06-15

    Previous studies have identified cardiac troponin I (cTnI) as an important marker in pulmonary hypertension (PH) prognosis. However, traditional assays are limited by poor sensitivity, even among patients at high risk. cTnI was measured in 255 PH patients using a new highly sensitive (hs) assay. Other measures included demographics, creatinine, 6-minute walk distance, hemodynamics, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and B-type natriuretic peptide level. The association between cTnI and survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. cTnI was detectable with the hs assay in 95% of the patients with a median level of 6.9 pg/ml (IQR 2.7-12.6 pg/ml). Higher cTnI levels associated with higher levels of B-type natriuretic peptide, shorter 6-minute walk distance, and more severe hemodynamic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. During a median follow-up of 3.5 years, 60 individuals died. Unadjusted event rates increased across higher cTnI quartiles (3, 5, 13, 17 events/100 person-years, respectively, p trend = 0.002). cTnI in the fourth (vs first) quartile remained associated with death in a final stepwise multivariable model that included clinical variables and hemodynamics (adjusted hazard ratio 5.3, 95% confidence interval 1.8-15.6). In conclusion, cTnI levels, detectable with a novel hs assay, identify patients with PH who have more severe hemodynamic and cardiac structural abnormalities and provide novel and independent prognostic information. This hs assay has the potential to detect more at-risk patients and improve current risk-stratification algorithms. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. A rare diabetes ketoacidosis in combined severe hypernatremic hyperosmolarity in a new-onset Asian adolescent with type I diabetes.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hyung Jin; Kim, Dong Hyun; Jun, Yong Hoon; Lee, Ji Eun

    2014-12-17

    A 13-year-old Asian boy presented with an 8 h history of lethargy and vomiting. He had a 3-week history of polyuria, polydipsia and a 6 kg weight loss over a period of 1 month. Fluid intake prior to admission was over 6 L of sports drinks and cola per day. Initial biochemical findings were as follows: plasma glucose 1351 mg/dL, serum sodium 154 mEq/L, serum osmolarity 425 mOsm/L, arterial blood pH 6.96 and urine ketone of 3+. He was treated with intensive fluid resuscitation and an insulin infusion. He completely recovered without any neurological deficits. Severe hypernatremia is rare in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) but was exhibited in this case. Excess intake of carbonated carbohydrate-rich beverages may exacerbate the initial severe presentation of type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of an Asian child with DKA combined with severe hypernatremic hyperosmolarity at onset of T1DM. 2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

  6. Are Educational Shows Teaching Our Children to Become Life-Long Learners?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sullins, Jeremiah; Howard, Tiffany; Goza, Kimberly

    2014-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate various textual characteristics of popular children television shows. More specifically, researchers examined both the quantity and quality of question asked (i.e., question training). Furthermore, several readability components among the different shows (e.g., narrativity, syntactic simplicity,…

  7. Distance running as an ideal domain for showing a sex difference in competitiveness.

    PubMed

    Deaner, Robert O

    2013-04-01

    Men are over-represented in the arts, sciences, and sports. This has been hypothesized to reflect an evolved male predisposition for enduring competitiveness or long-term motivation to improve one's performance and "show-off." Evidence for this hypothesis is equivocal, however, because there are viable alternative explanations for men's dominance in most cultural display domains. Here, I argue that distance running is an ideal domain for addressing this issue. Distance running is ideal because it indicates enduring competitiveness, allows objective comparisons, and is accessible, acceptable, and popular for both men and women. I review recent studies and present new data showing that substantially more men than women run relatively fast in the U.S., that this sex difference in relative performance can be attributed, at least in part, to men's greater training motivation, and that this pattern has been stable for several decades. Distance running thus provides compelling evidence for an evolved male predisposition for enduring competitiveness. I conclude with suggestions regarding how variation in achievement motivation can be informed by considering how evolved predispositions interact with environmental and social conditions.

  8. Effects of GH/IGF-I Axis on Retinal Vascular Morphology: Retinal Vascular Characteristics in a Clinical Setting with Severe IGF-I Deficiency.

    PubMed

    Sekeroglu, Hande Taylan; Kadayıfcılar, Sibel; Kasım, Burcu; Arslan, Umut; Ozon, Alev

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to assess retinal vascular characteristics of patients with Laron syndrome (LS) as a genetic model of IGF-I deficiency before and after rhIGF1/IGFBP3 treatment and to compare them with healthy controls. A total of 28 subjects (11 LS, and 17 controls) were enrolled. Patients with LS received combined rhIGF1/rhIGFBP3 1-2 mg/kg/d in a single dose and digital fundus imaging was performed. The number of branching points and tortuosity of retinal vessels were studied. Pre- and post-treatment findings were compared with each other and with controls. The number of branching points was significantly lower in patients with LS in comparison to controls (12.73 ± 3.41, and 17.47 ± 5.82 respectively, p = 0.012). This difference persisted after treatment (12.09 ± 2.66 post-treatment LS versus controls, p = 0.017). Tortuosity indices of nasal arteries (NA) were significantly less in LS than that of controls (upper NA 1.07 ± 0.04 and 1.12 ± 0.06 respectively p = 0.022; lower NA 1.07 ± 0.03 and 1.13 ± 0.07 respectively, p = 0.004). This difference also persisted following treatment (p < 0.05). Remaining vessels did not differ in tortuosity index. There was no significant difference of tortuosity index and number of branching points before and after treatment in patients with LS. Retinal vascular development may be adversely affected in the setting of severe IGF-I deficiency confirming a major role for GH/IGF-I axis during retinal vascular development in humans antenatally. Resolution of IGF-I deficiency following birth using rhIGF1, however, may not reverse these changes, suggesting that IGF-I may be necessary but insufficient by itself for postnatal angiogenesis.

  9. Extended-Release Guanfacine Does Not Show a Large Effect on Tic Severity in Children with Chronic Tic Disorders.

    PubMed

    Murphy, Tanya K; Fernandez, Thomas V; Coffey, Barbara J; Rahman, Omar; Gavaletz, Allison; Hanks, Camille E; Tillberg, Caitlin S; Gomez, Laura Ibanez; Sukhodolsky, Denis G; Katsovich, Lily; Scahill, Lawrence

    2017-11-01

    To evaluate the tolerability, safety, and preliminary efficacy of extended-release guanfacine in children with chronic tic disorders, including Tourette's disorder (collectively referred to as CTD). This was a multisite, 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The primary outcome measure was the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) total score. Key secondary outcomes included the Improvement item of Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scale and the Tic Symptom Self-report (TSSR). Adverse events were monitored at each visit. Thirty-four subjects (23 boys and 11 girls) of ages 6 to 17 years (mean = 11.1 ± 3.1) with CTD were randomly assigned to extended-release guanfacine (n = 16) or placebo (n = 18). At baseline, the mean YGTSS total score was 26.3 ± 6.6 for the guanfacine group versus 27.7 ± 8.7 for the placebo group. Within the guanfacine group (mean final daily dose of 2.6 ± 1.1 mg, n = 14), the mean YGTSS total score declined to 23.6 ± 6.42 [t(15) = 1.84, p = 0.08; effect size = 0.35]. The results were similar in the placebo group with a score of 24.7 ± 10.54 at week 8 [t(17) = 1.83, p = 0.08; effect size = 0.38]. There was no significant difference in the rate of positive response on the CGI-I between the guanfacine group and placebo (19% [3/16] vs. 22% [4/18], p = 1.0). The most common adverse events were fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, and irritability. Two subjects in the guanfacine group discontinued early-one because of an adverse event (depressed mood) and one because of lack of efficacy; two subjects in the placebo group discontinued because of lack of efficacy. This pilot study did not confirm a clinically meaningful effect size within the guanfacine group. These results do not support the launch of a larger efficacy trial for tics in children and adolescents with CTD.

  10. Ten cases of severe oral lichen planus showing granular C3 deposition in oral mucosal basement membrane zone.

    PubMed

    Hashimoto, Takashi; Fukuda, Aoi; Himejima, Akio; Morita, Shosuke; Tsuruta, Daisuke; Koga, Hiroshi; Krol, Rafal P; Ishii, Norito

    2015-01-01

    Oral lichen planus (OLP) may show depositions of immunoglobulins and complement components in oral mucosal basement membrane zone (BMZ) in direct immunofluorescence, although these finding are not frequently seen. We collected and examined ten cases of severe OLP showing granular C3 deposition in BMZ. In addition to clinical, histopathological and direct immunofluorescence assessments, we performed various immune-serological tests, including indirect immunofluorescence of normal human skin and 1M NaCl-split skin, immunoblotting of normal human epidermal and dermal extracts, recombinant proteins of BP180 NC16a and C-terminal domains, concentrated culture supernatant of HaCaT cells and purified human laminin-332, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for BP230 and BP180. Direct immunofluorescence showed C3 deposition in BMZ exclusively of granular pattern in 7 cases and of both granular and linear patterns in 3 cases. The 10 cases showed no positive reactivity for either IgG or IgA antibodies in any immuno-serological tests. Detailed analyses of clinical, histopathological and immunological findings revealed striking female prevalence, although other parameters were in general characteristic of OLP. Granular C3 deposition in oral BMZ may be one of the characteristic features of severe OLP, although mechanisms for C3 deposition and its pathogenic role in OLP are currently unknown.

  11. Atypical generalized lipoatrophy and severe insulin resistance due to a heterozygous LMNA p.T10I mutation.

    PubMed

    Mory, Patricia B; Crispim, Felipe; Kasamatsu, Teresa; Gabbay, Monica A L; Dib, Sergio A; Moisés, Regina S

    2008-11-01

    Lipodystrophies are a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by the loss of adipose tissue and metabolic complications. The main familial forms of lipodystrophy are Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy and Familial Partial Lipodystrophy (FPLD). FPLD may result from mutations in the LMNA gene. Besides FPLD, mutations in LMNA have been shown to be responsible for other inherited diseases called laminopathies. Here we describe the case of a 15-year-old girl who was referred to our service due to diabetes mellitus and severe hypertriglyceridemia. Physical examination revealed generalized loss of subcutaneous fat, confirmed by DEXA (total body fat 8.6%). As the patient presented with pubertal-onset of generalized lipodystrophy and insulin resistance, molecular analysis of the LMNA gene was performed. We identified a heterozygous substitution in exon 1 (c.29C>T) predicting a p.T10I mutation. In summary, we describe an atypical phenotype of lipodistrophy associated with a de novo appearance of the p.T10I mutation in LMNA gene.

  12. Engaging Preschool Children with Severe and Multiple Disabilities Using Books and iPad Apps

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kemp, Coral; Stephenson, Jennifer; Cooper, Megan; Hodge, Kerry

    2016-01-01

    A single subject multiple treatment design was used to compare the engagement of 3 preschool children with severe and multiple disabilities, using 2 different stimuli: picture books and iPad apps matched for theme and content. Two of the 3 children had diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder in addition to their other disabilities. Sessions for each…

  13. A novel, selective inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptors that shows a potent broad spectrum of antitumor activity in several tumor xenograft models.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Genshi; Li, Wei-Ying; Chen, Daohong; Henry, James R; Li, Hong-Yu; Chen, Zhaogen; Zia-Ebrahimi, Mohammad; Bloem, Laura; Zhai, Yan; Huss, Karen; Peng, Sheng-Bin; McCann, Denis J

    2011-11-01

    The fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) are tyrosine kinases that are present in many types of endothelial and tumor cells and play an important role in tumor cell growth, survival, and migration as well as in maintaining tumor angiogenesis. Overexpression of FGFRs or aberrant regulation of their activities has been implicated in many forms of human malignancies. Therefore, targeting FGFRs represents an attractive strategy for development of cancer treatment options by simultaneously inhibiting tumor cell growth, survival, and migration as well as tumor angiogenesis. Here, we describe a potent, selective, small-molecule FGFR inhibitor, (R)-(E)-2-(4-(2-(5-(1-(3,5-Dichloropyridin-4-yl)ethoxy)-1H-indazol-3yl)vinyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol, designated as LY2874455. This molecule is active against all 4 FGFRs, with a similar potency in biochemical assays. It exhibits a potent activity against FGF/FGFR-mediated signaling in several cancer cell lines and shows an excellent broad spectrum of antitumor activity in several tumor xenograft models representing the major FGF/FGFR relevant tumor histologies including lung, gastric, and bladder cancers and multiple myeloma, and with a well-defined pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship. LY2874455 also exhibits a 6- to 9-fold in vitro and in vivo selectivity on inhibition of FGF- over VEGF-mediated target signaling in mice. Furthermore, LY2874455 did not show VEGF receptor 2-mediated toxicities such as hypertension at efficacious doses. Currently, this molecule is being evaluated for its potential use in the clinic.

  14. The Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 strain shows protective effects against the B. anthracis LT toxin.

    PubMed

    Pontier-Bres, Rodolphe; Rampal, Patrick; Peyron, Jean-François; Munro, Patrick; Lemichez, Emmanuel; Czerucka, Dorota

    2015-10-30

    The probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) has been prescribed for the prophylaxis and treatment of several infectious diarrheal diseases. Gastrointestinal anthrax causes fatal systemic disease. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects conferred by Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 strain on polarized T84 columnar epithelial cells intoxicated by the lethal toxin (LT) of Bacillus anthracis. Exposure of polarized T84 cells to LT affected cell monolayer integrity, modified the morphology of tight junctions and induced the formation of actin stress fibers. Overnight treatment of cells with S. boulardii before incubation with LT maintained the integrity of the monolayers, prevented morphological modification of tight junctions, restricted the effects of LT on actin remodeling and delayed LT-induced MEK-2 cleavage. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that in the presence of S. boulardii, the medium is depleted of both LF and PA sub-units of LT and the appearance of a cleaved form of PA. Our study highlights the potential of the S. boulardii CNCM I-745 strain as a prophylactic agent against the gastrointestinal form of anthrax.

  15. The Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 Strain Shows Protective Effects against the B. anthracis LT Toxin

    PubMed Central

    Pontier-Bres, Rodolphe; Rampal, Patrick; Peyron, Jean-François; Munro, Patrick; Lemichez, Emmanuel; Czerucka, Dorota

    2015-01-01

    The probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) has been prescribed for the prophylaxis and treatment of several infectious diarrheal diseases. Gastrointestinal anthrax causes fatal systemic disease. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects conferred by Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 strain on polarized T84 columnar epithelial cells intoxicated by the lethal toxin (LT) of Bacillus anthracis. Exposure of polarized T84 cells to LT affected cell monolayer integrity, modified the morphology of tight junctions and induced the formation of actin stress fibers. Overnight treatment of cells with S. boulardii before incubation with LT maintained the integrity of the monolayers, prevented morphological modification of tight junctions, restricted the effects of LT on actin remodeling and delayed LT-induced MEK-2 cleavage. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that in the presence of S. boulardii, the medium is depleted of both LF and PA sub-units of LT and the appearance of a cleaved form of PA. Our study highlights the potential of the S. boulardii CNCM I-745 strain as a prophylactic agent against the gastrointestinal form of anthrax. PMID:26529015

  16. Further Evidence that Severe Scores in the Aggression/Anxiety-Depression/Attention Subscales of Child Behavior Checklist (Severe Dysregulation Profile) Can Screen for Bipolar Disorder Symptomatology: A Conditional Probability Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Uchida, Mai; Faraone, Stephen V; Martelon, MaryKate; Kenworthy, Tara; Woodworth, K Yvonne; Spencer, Thomas; Wozniak, Janet; Biederman, Joseph

    2014-01-01

    Background Previous work shows that children with high scores (2 SD, combined score ≥ 210) on the Attention Problems, Aggressive Behavior, and Anxious-Depressed (A-A-A) subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) are more likely than other children to meet criteria for bipolar (BP)-I disorder. However, the utility of this profile as a screening tool has remained unclear. Methods We compared 140 patients with pediatric BP-I disorder, 83 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 114 control subjects. We defined the CBCL-Severe Dysregulation profile as an aggregate cutoff score of ≥ 210 on the A-A-A scales. Patients were assessed with structured diagnostic interviews and functional measures. Results Patients with BP-I disorder were significantly more likely than both control subjects (Odds Ratio [OR]: 173.2; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 21.2 to 1413.8; P < 0.001) and those with ADHD (OR: 14.6; 95% CI, 6.2 to 34.3; P < 0.001) to have a positive CBCL-Severe Dysregulation profile. Receiver Operating Characteristics analyses showed that the area under the curve for this profile comparing children with BP-I disorder against control subjects and those with ADHD was 99% and 85%, respectively. The corresponding positive predictive values for this profile were 99% and 92% with false positive rates of < 0.2% and 8% for the comparisons with control subjects and patients with ADHD, respectively. Limitations Non-clinician raters administered structured diagnostic interviews, and the sample was referred and largely Caucasian. Conclusions The CBCL-Severe Dysregulation profile can be useful as a screen for BP-I disorder in children in clinical practice. PMID:24882182

  17. A Severe Case of Angiostrongylus Eosinophilic Meningitis with Encephalitis and Neurologic Sequelae in Hawai‘i

    PubMed Central

    Kwon, Edward; Ferguson, Tomas M; Park, Sarah Y; Manuzak, Augustina; Qvarnstrom, Yvonne; Morgan, Stephen; Ciminera, Paul

    2013-01-01

    Angiostrongylus eosinophilic meningitis is caused by infection with larvae of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis. We report the case of an adult who ingested a raw, giant African snail (Achatina fulica) on the island of O‘ahu in Hawai‘i and developed an eosinophilic meningoencephalitis with severe headache, confusion, sixth cranial nerve palsy, ataxia, limb weakness, and paresthesia. He was treated with lumbar punctures to relieve pressure, high dose corticosteroids, and 14 days of albendazole. He had a prolonged convalescence, requiring 3 months of prednisone, and still had evidence of motor nerve weakness 4 months after exposure. A field investigation at the site of exposure yielded 5 of 9 Achatina fulica snails with evidence of A. cantonensis DNA by PCR. Cerebrospinal fluid samples from the patient were negative acutely but positive on day 15 of symptoms, using an investigational, real-time PCR assay. We discuss clinical management of this case in light of the current medical literature. PMID:23901383

  18. Collaborative Care for Patients With Severe Personality Disorders: Preliminary Results and Active Ingredients From a Pilot Study (Part I).

    PubMed

    Stringer, Barbara; van Meijel, Berno; Karman, Pieter; Koekkoek, Bauke; Hoogendoorn, Adriaan W; Kerkhof, Ad J F M; Beekman, Aartjan T F

    2015-07-01

    To test if a collaborative care program (CCP) with nurses in a coordinating position is beneficial for patients with severe personality disorders. A pilot study with a comparative multiple case study design using mixed methods investigating active ingredients and preliminary results. Most patients, their informal caregivers, and nurses value (parts of) the CCP positively; preliminary results show a significant decrease in severity of borderline symptoms. With the CCP, we may expand the supply of available treatments for patients with (severe) personality disorders, but a larger randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm our preliminary results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. Bipolar disorder type I and II show distinct relationships between cortical thickness and executive function.

    PubMed

    Abé, C; Rolstad, S; Petrovic, P; Ekman, C-J; Sparding, T; Ingvar, M; Landén, M

    2018-06-15

    Frontal cortical abnormalities and executive function impairment co-occur in bipolar disorder. Recent studies have shown that bipolar subtypes differ in the degree of structural and functional impairments. The relationships between cognitive performance and cortical integrity have not been clarified and might differ across patients with bipolar disorder type I, II, and healthy subjects. Using a vertex-wise whole-brain analysis, we investigated how cortical integrity, as measured by cortical thickness, correlates with executive performance in patients with bipolar disorder type I, II, and controls (N = 160). We found focal associations between executive function and cortical thickness in the medial prefrontal cortex in bipolar II patients and controls, but not in bipolar I disorder. In bipolar II patients, we observed additional correlations in lateral prefrontal and occipital regions. Our findings suggest that bipolar disorder patients show altered structure-function relationships, and importantly that those relationships may differ between bipolar subtypes. The findings are line with studies suggesting subtype-specific neurobiological and cognitive profiles. This study contributes to a better understanding of brain structure-function relationships in bipolar disorder and gives important insights into the neuropathophysiology of diagnostic subtypes. © 2018 The Authors Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  20. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Inhibits Type I Interferon Production by Interfering with TRIM25-Mediated RIG-I Ubiquitination.

    PubMed

    Hu, Yong; Li, Wei; Gao, Ting; Cui, Yan; Jin, Yanwen; Li, Ping; Ma, Qingjun; Liu, Xuan; Cao, Cheng

    2017-04-15

    Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory disease, caused by a coronavirus (SARS-CoV), that is characterized by atypical pneumonia. The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of SARS-CoV plays an important role in inhibition of type I interferon (IFN) production via an unknown mechanism. In this study, the SARS-CoV N protein was found to bind to the SPRY domain of the tripartite motif protein 25 (TRIM25) E3 ubiquitin ligase, thereby interfering with the association between TRIM25 and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and inhibiting TRIM25-mediated RIG-I ubiquitination and activation. Type I IFN production induced by poly I·C or Sendai virus (SeV) was suppressed by the SARS-CoV N protein. SARS-CoV replication was increased by overexpression of the full-length N protein but not N amino acids 1 to 361, which could not interact with TRIM25. These findings provide an insightful interpretation of the SARS-CoV-mediated host innate immune suppression caused by the N protein. IMPORTANCE The SARS-CoV N protein is essential for the viral life cycle and plays a key role in the virus-host interaction. We demonstrated that the interaction between the C terminus of the N protein and the SPRY domain of TRIM25 inhibited TRIM25-mediated RIG-I ubiquitination, which resulted in the inhibition of IFN production. We also found that the Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) N protein interacted with TRIM25 and inhibited RIG-I signaling. The outcomes of these findings indicate the function of the coronavirus N protein in modulating the host's initial innate immune response. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

  1. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Inhibits Type I Interferon Production by Interfering with TRIM25-Mediated RIG-I Ubiquitination

    PubMed Central

    Hu, Yong; Li, Wei; Gao, Ting; Cui, Yan; Jin, Yanwen; Li, Ping; Ma, Qingjun

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory disease, caused by a coronavirus (SARS-CoV), that is characterized by atypical pneumonia. The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of SARS-CoV plays an important role in inhibition of type I interferon (IFN) production via an unknown mechanism. In this study, the SARS-CoV N protein was found to bind to the SPRY domain of the tripartite motif protein 25 (TRIM25) E3 ubiquitin ligase, thereby interfering with the association between TRIM25 and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and inhibiting TRIM25-mediated RIG-I ubiquitination and activation. Type I IFN production induced by poly I·C or Sendai virus (SeV) was suppressed by the SARS-CoV N protein. SARS-CoV replication was increased by overexpression of the full-length N protein but not N amino acids 1 to 361, which could not interact with TRIM25. These findings provide an insightful interpretation of the SARS-CoV-mediated host innate immune suppression caused by the N protein. IMPORTANCE The SARS-CoV N protein is essential for the viral life cycle and plays a key role in the virus-host interaction. We demonstrated that the interaction between the C terminus of the N protein and the SPRY domain of TRIM25 inhibited TRIM25-mediated RIG-I ubiquitination, which resulted in the inhibition of IFN production. We also found that the Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) N protein interacted with TRIM25 and inhibited RIG-I signaling. The outcomes of these findings indicate the function of the coronavirus N protein in modulating the host's initial innate immune response. PMID:28148787

  2. Not a "reality" show.

    PubMed

    Wrong, Terence; Baumgart, Erica

    2013-01-01

    The authors of the preceding articles raise legitimate questions about patient and staff rights and the unintended consequences of allowing ABC News to film inside teaching hospitals. We explain why we regard their fears as baseless and not supported by what we heard from individuals portrayed in the filming, our decade-long experience making medical documentaries, and the full un-aired context of the scenes shown in the broadcast. The authors don't and can't know what conversations we had, what documents we reviewed, and what protections we put in place in each televised scene. Finally, we hope to correct several misleading examples cited by the authors as well as their offhand mischaracterization of our program as a "reality" show.

  3. Personality Disorder Symptom Severity Predicts Onset of Mood Episodes and Conversion to Bipolar I Disorder in Individuals with Bipolar Spectrum Disorder

    PubMed Central

    Ng, Tommy H.; Burke, Taylor A.; Stange, Jonathan P.; Walshaw, Patricia D.; Weiss, Rachel B.; Urosevic, Snezana; Abramson, Lyn Y.; Alloy, Lauren B.

    2017-01-01

    Although personality disorders (PDs) are highly comorbid with bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs), little longitudinal research has been conducted to examine the prospective impact of PD symptoms on the course of BSDs. The aim of this study is to examine whether PD symptom severity predicts shorter time to onset of bipolar mood episodes and conversion to bipolar I disorder over time among individuals with less severe BSDs. Participants (n = 166) with bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia, or bipolar disorder not otherwise specified completed diagnostic interview assessments of PD symptoms and self-report measures of mood symptoms at baseline. They were followed prospectively with diagnostic interviews every four months for an average of 3.02 years. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses indicated that overall PD symptom severity significantly predicted shorter time to onset of hypomanic (hazard ratio [HR]= 1.42; p < .001) and major depressive episodes (HR = 1.51; p < .001) and conversion to bipolar I disorder (HR = 2.51; p < .001), after controlling for mood symptoms. Results also suggested that cluster B severity predicted shorter time to onset of hypomanic episodes (HR = 1.38; p = .002) and major depressive episodes (HR = 1.35; p = .01) and conversion to bipolar I disorder (HR = 2.77; p < .001), whereas cluster C severity (HR= 1.56; p < .001) predicted shorter time to onset of major depressive episodes. These results support predisposition models in suggesting that PD symptoms may act as a risk factor for a more severe course of BSDs. PMID:28368159

  4. Influence of class I and II HLA alleles on inhibitor development in severe haemophilia A patients from the south of Brazil.

    PubMed

    De Barros, M F; Herrero, J C M; Sell, A M; De Melo, F C; Braga, M A; Pelissari, C B; Machado, J; De Souza Schiller, S; De Souza Hirle, L; Visentainer, J E L

    2012-05-01

    Congenital haemophilia A is a chromosome-linked recessive disorder caused by the deficiency or reduction of factor VIII (FVIII) pro-coagulant activity. During treatment, some patients develop alloantibodies (FVIII inhibitors) that neutralize the action of exogenously administered FVIII. Currently, the presence of these inhibitors is the most serious adverse event found in replacement therapy. Some studies have suggested that genetic factors influence the development of the FVIII coagulation inhibitors. To identify the class I and II alleles that may be influencing the formation of inhibitors in severe haemophilic patients. Genotyping of the class I (HLA-A, -B and -C) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1) alleles of 122 patients with severe haemophilia A, including 36 who had developed antibodies to factor VIII, was performed. After the comparison of the group without inhibitors and the group with inhibitors, HLA-C*16 [Odds ratio (OR) = 7.73; P = 0.0092] and HLA-DRB1*14 (OR = 4.52; P = 0.0174) were found to be positively associated with the formation of the inhibitors. These results confirm that HLA alleles are involved in inhibitor production and could be used as a tool for recognition of groups at high risk of possible inhibitor development in Southern Brazilian haemophilic patients. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  5. The iPSYCH2012 case–cohort sample: new directions for unravelling genetic and environmental architectures of severe mental disorders

    PubMed Central

    Pedersen, C B; Bybjerg-Grauholm, J; Pedersen, M G; Grove, J; Agerbo, E; Bækvad-Hansen, M; Poulsen, J B; Hansen, C S; McGrath, J J; Als, T D; Goldstein, J I; Neale, B M; Daly, M J; Hougaard, D M; Mors, O; Nordentoft, M; Børglum, A D; Werge, T; Mortensen, P B

    2018-01-01

    The Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH) consortium has established a large Danish population-based Case–Cohort sample (iPSYCH2012) aimed at unravelling the genetic and environmental architecture of severe mental disorders. The iPSYCH2012 sample is nested within the entire Danish population born between 1981 and 2005, including 1 472 762 persons. This paper introduces the iPSYCH2012 sample and outlines key future research directions. Cases were identified as persons with schizophrenia (N=3540), autism (N=16 146), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (N=18 726) and affective disorder (N=26 380), of which 1928 had bipolar affective disorder. Controls were randomly sampled individuals (N=30 000). Within the sample of 86 189 individuals, a total of 57 377 individuals had at least one major mental disorder. DNA was extracted from the neonatal dried blood spot samples obtained from the Danish Neonatal Screening Biobank and genotyped using the Illumina PsychChip. Genotyping was successful for 90% of the sample. The assessments of exome sequencing, methylation profiling, metabolome profiling, vitamin-D, inflammatory and neurotrophic factors are in progress. For each individual, the iPSYCH2012 sample also includes longitudinal information on health, prescribed medicine, social and socioeconomic information, and analogous information among relatives. To the best of our knowledge, the iPSYCH2012 sample is the largest and most comprehensive data source for the combined study of genetic and environmental aetiologies of severe mental disorders. PMID:28924187

  6. 11.361 sports injuries in a 15-year survey of a Level I emergency trauma department reveal different severe injury types in the 6 most common team sports.

    PubMed

    Krutsch, Werner; Krutsch, Volker; Hilber, Franz; Pfeifer, Christian; Baumann, Florian; Weber, Johannes; Schmitz, Paul; Kerschbaum, Maximilian; Nerlich, Michael; Angele, Peter

    2018-06-01

    Severe sports-related injuries are a common affliction treated in Level I trauma departments. Detailed knowledge on injury characteristics from different medical settings is essential to improve the development of injury prevention strategies in different team sports.  Team sport injuries were retrospectively analysed in a Level I trauma department registry over 15 years. Injury and treatment data were compared with regard to competition and training exposure. Injury data such as "time of visitation", "type of injury", "multiple injured body regions" and "immediate hospitalisation" helped to define the severity level of each team sports injury.  At the Level I trauma department, 11.361 sports-related injuries were seen over 15 years, of which 34.0 % were sustained during team sports. Soccer injuries were the most common injuries of all team sports (71.4 %). The lower extremity was the most affected body region overall, followed by the upper extremity. Head injuries were mainly seen in Ice hockey and American football and concussion additionally frequently in team handball. Slight injuries like sprains or contusions occurred most frequently in all team sports. In soccer and team handball, injuries sustained in competition were significantly more severe (p < 0.001) than those sustained in practice.Volleyball and basketball had a trend to higher rate of severe injuries sustained during practice sessions.  Depending on the specific injury profile of each team sports, injury prevention strategies should address competitive as well as training situations, whichmay need different strategies. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  7. Drug resistance-related mutations T369V/I in the connection subdomain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase severely impair viral fitness.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zheng; Zhang, Junli; Li, Fan; Ji, Xiaolin; Liao, Lingjie; Ma, Liying; Xing, Hui; Feng, Yi; Li, Dan; Shao, Yiming

    2017-04-02

    Fitness is a key parameter in the measurement of transmission capacity of individual drug-resistant HIV. Drug-resistance related mutations (DRMs) T369V/I and A371V in the connection subdomain (CN) of reverse transcriptase (RT) occur at higher frequencies in the individuals experiencing antiretroviral therapy failure. Here, we evaluated the effects of T369V/I and A371V on viral fitness, in the presence or in the absence of thymidine analogue resistance-associated mutations (TAMs) and assessed the effect of potential RT structure-related mechanism on change in viral fitness. Mutations T369V/I, A371V, alone or in combination with TAMs were introduced into a modified HIV-1 infectious clone AT1 by site-directed mutagenesis. Then, experiments on mutant and wild-type virus AT2 were performed separately using a growth-competition assay, and then the relative fitness was calculated. Structural analysis of RT was conducted using Pymol software. Results showed that T369V/I severely impaired the relative virus fitness, and A371V compensated for the viral fitness reduction caused by TAMs. Structural modeling of RT suggests that T369V/I substitutions disrupt powerful hydrogen bonds formed by T369 and V365 in p51 and p66. This study indicates that the secondary DRMs within CN might efficiently damage viral fitness, and provides valuable information for clinical surveillance and prevention of HIV-1 strains carrying these DRMs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Lack of evidence that the XqYq pairing tips at meiosis in the mouse show hypersensitivity to DNAse I.

    PubMed

    Separovic, E R; Chandley, A C

    1987-01-01

    In situ nick translation procedures have been applied to meiotic metaphase I divisions of the normal and XY, Sxr mouse. Unlike in man, where the pairing tips of the XY bivalent show a special sensitivity to DNAse I nicking, no such sensitivity can be detected for either of these types of mouse. Hypersensitivity in the D-band equivalent region of the X chromosome does, however, exist, this site being early replicating in somatic cells and housing the X inactivation centre (Xce).

  9. Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus inhibits exogenous Type I IFN signaling pathway through its NSs invitro.

    PubMed

    Chen, Xu; Ye, Haiyan; Li, Shilin; Jiao, Baihai; Wu, Jianqin; Zeng, Peibin; Chen, Limin

    2017-01-01

    Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel bunyavirus (SFTS virus, SFTSV). At present there is still no specific antiviral treatment for SFTSV; To understand which cells support SFTSV life cycle and whether SFTSV infection activates host innate immunity, four different cell lines (Vero, Hela, Huh7.5.1, and Huh7.0) were infected with SFTSV. Intracellular/extracellular viral RNA and expression of IFNα, and IFNß were detected by real-time RT- PCR following infection. To confirm the role of non-structural protein (NSs) of SFTSV in exogenous IFNα-induced Jak/STAT signaling, p-STAT1 (Western Blot), ISRE activity (Luciferase assay) and ISG expression (real-time PCR) were examined following IFNα stimulation in the presence or absence of over-expression of NSs in Hela cells. Our study showed that all the four cell lines supported SFTSV life cycle and SFTSV activated host innate immunity to produce type I IFNs in Hela cells but not in Huh7.0, Huh7.5.1 or Vero cells. NSs inhibited exogenous IFNα-induced Jak/STAT signaling as shown by decreased p-STAT1 level, suppressed ISRE activity and down-regulated ISG expression. Suppression of the exogenous Type I IFN-induced Jak/STAT signaling by NSs might be one of the mechanisms of SFTSV to evade host immune surveillance.

  10. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I for the prognostic utility in elderly patients with severe sepsis or septic shock in intensive care unit: A retrospective study.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Hui; Fan, Wei-Ze; Wang, Sheng-Chi; Liu, Zhao-Hui; Zang, Hui-Ling; Wang, Li-Zhong; Liu, Hong-Juan; Shen, Xiao-Hui; Liang, Shao-Qing

    2015-06-01

    Using biomarkers to predict mortality in patient with severe sepsis or septic shock is of importance, as these patients frequently have high mortality and unsatisfied outcome. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) play extremely important roles in prognostic value in the mortality of severe sepsis and septic shock. The present study was retrospectively designed to evaluate the predicting mortality of NT-proBNP and cTnI in elderly patients with severe sepsis or septic shock administered in the intensive care unit (ICU) and also to evaluate whether the predicting ability of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score or C-reactive protein (CRP) was increased in combination with the biomarkers. A cohort of 430 patients (aged ≥65 years) with severe sepsis or septic shock admitted to our ICU between October 2011 and December 2013 was included in the study. Patient data including clinical, laboratory, and survival and mortality were collected. All patients were examined with NT-proBNP, cTnI, CRP, and APACHE-II score and were categorized as the survived and deceased groups according to the outcome 30 days after ICU treatment. The levels of NT-proBNP and cTnI (P < .01) or CRP (P < .05) were significantly higher in the deceased group than those in the survived group. The predicting mortality of APACHE-II score alone was low but largely improved, when it was combined with both NT-proBNP and cTnI (P < .05). The alteration of NT-proBNP and cTnI levels strongly predicated the ICU prognosis in elderly patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and cTnI were superior to CRP in predicting mortality. The predicting ability of APACHE-II score was improved only when combined with NT-proBNP and cTnI. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. The Physics of Equestrian Show Jumping

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stinner, Art

    2014-01-01

    This article discusses the kinematics and dynamics of equestrian show jumping. For some time I have attended a series of show jumping events at Spruce Meadows, an international equestrian center near Calgary, Alberta, often referred to as the "Wimbledon of equestrian jumping." I have always had a desire to write an article such as this…

  12. Personality disorder symptom severity predicts onset of mood episodes and conversion to bipolar I disorder in individuals with bipolar spectrum disorder.

    PubMed

    Ng, Tommy H; Burke, Taylor A; Stange, Jonathan P; Walshaw, Patricia D; Weiss, Rachel B; Urosevic, Snezana; Abramson, Lyn Y; Alloy, Lauren B

    2017-04-01

    Although personality disorders (PDs) are highly comorbid with bipolar spectrum disorders (BSDs), little longitudinal research has been conducted to examine the prospective impact of PD symptoms on the course of BSDs. The aim of this study is to examine whether PD symptom severity predicts shorter time to onset of bipolar mood episodes and conversion to bipolar I disorder over time among individuals with less severe BSDs. Participants (n = 166) with bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia, or bipolar disorder not otherwise specified completed diagnostic interview assessments of PD symptoms and self-report measures of mood symptoms at baseline. They were followed prospectively with diagnostic interviews every 4 months for an average of 3.02 years. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses indicated that overall PD symptom severity significantly predicted shorter time to onset of hypomanic (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.42; p < .001) and major depressive episodes (HR = 1.51; p < .001) and conversion to bipolar I disorder (HR = 2.51; p < .001), after controlling for mood symptoms. Results also suggested that cluster B severity predicted shorter time to onset of hypomanic episodes (HR = 1.38; p = .002) and major depressive episodes (HR = 1.35; p = .01) and conversion to bipolar I disorder (HR = 2.77; p < .001), whereas cluster C severity (HR = 1.56; p < .001) predicted shorter time to onset of major depressive episodes. These results support predisposition models in suggesting that PD symptoms may act as a risk factor for a more severe course of BSDs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

  13. Effect of sclerostin antibody treatment in a mouse model of severe osteogenesis imperfecta.

    PubMed

    Roschger, Andreas; Roschger, Paul; Keplingter, Petra; Klaushofer, Klaus; Abdullah, Sami; Kneissel, Michaela; Rauch, Frank

    2014-09-01

    Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable bone fragility disorder that is usually caused by mutations affecting collagen type I production in osteoblasts. Stimulation of bone formation through sclerostin antibody treatment (Sost-ab) has shown promising results in mouse models of relatively mild OI. We assessed the effect of once-weekly intravenous Sost-ab injections for 4weeks in male Col1a1(Jrt)/+mice, a model of severe dominant OI, starting either at 4weeks (growing mice) or at 20weeks (adult mice) of age. Sost-ab had no effect on weight or femur length. In OI mice, no significant treatment-associated differences in serum markers of bone formation (alkaline phosphatase activity, procollagen type I N-propeptide) or resorption (C-telopeptide of collagen type I) were found. Micro-CT analyses at the femur showed that Sost-ab treatment was associated with higher trabecular bone volume and higher cortical thickness in wild type mice at both ages and in growing OI mice, but not in adult OI mice. Three-point bending tests of the femur showed that in wild type but not in OI mice, Sost-ab was associated with higher ultimate load and work to failure. Quantitative backscattered electron imaging of the femur did not show any effect of Sost-ab on CaPeak (the most frequently occurring calcium concentration in the bone mineral density distribution), regardless of genotype, age or measurement location. Thus, Sost-ab had a larger effect in wild type than in Col1a1(Jrt)/+mice. Previous studies had found marked improvements of Sost-ab on bone mass and strength in an OI mouse model with a milder phenotype. Our data therefore suggest that Sost-ab is less effective in a more severely affected OI mouse model. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Non-severe Hypoglycemia Risk Difference between Sulfonylurea and Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors (SGLT2-I) as an Add-On to Metformin in Randomized Controlled Trials.

    PubMed

    Farahani, Pendar

    2017-05-23

    Non-severe hypoglycemia reduces well-being, lowers quality of life, reduces productivity and increases treatment costs. The non-severe hypoglycemia rate, attributable to sulfonylurea (SU) utilization compared with newer classes such as SGLT2-I, could be of clinical significance. To explore the non-severe hypoglycemia risk difference (RD) for SU use compared with SGLT2-I in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as an add on to metformin. A search was conducted for RCTs of SGLT2-I. PubMed database were utilized for this search. The search was limited to RCTs reported in English language for canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin. SU dose comparison was utilized to convert the dose of SUs to glimepiride equivalent doses. Totally, 118 RCTs were reviewed; 6 articles had an arm for a SU as add on to metformin. Six articles belong to 3 RCTs, which reported results for 52 weeks and 104 weeks. Average non-severe hypoglycemia rate for SU arm was 30% (5.5%) [Mean (SD)] for 52 weeks and 35.6% (6.1%) for 104 weeks. RD for non-severe hypoglycemia events for SU compared to SGLT2-I was 26.7% (4.9%) for 52 weeks (p-value less than 0.001) and 30.6% (5.5%) for 104 weeks (p-value less than 0.001). There was a significant correlation between dose of SU and hypoglycemia rate (Pearson correlation 0.995; R-square 99%). This study illustrated that a large proportion of patients who had exposure to SU in RCTs of SGLT2-I experienced non-severe hypoglycemia compared to SGLT2-I. There was a close relation between SU dose and increased probability of non-severe hypoglycemia events. © 2017 Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology. All rights reserved.

  15. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with a Chiari I malformation

    PubMed Central

    Hansberry, David R.; Agarwal, Nitin; Tomei, Krystal L.; Goldstein, Ira M.

    2013-01-01

    Background: The authors describe a unique case of a patient who developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) following postoperative treatment of a Chiari I malformation. Case Decsription: A 25-year-old female presented with complaints of left upper and lower extremity paresthesias and gait disturbances. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and cervical spine showed a Chiari I malformation with tonsillar descent beyond the level of the C1 lamina. She underwent a suboccipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy with cerebellar tonsillar cauterization and duraplasty. Postoperatively, an MRI showed bilateral acute infarcts of the cerebellar vermis. She was initially treated for cerebellar ischemia with hypertensive therapy with a subsequent decline in her neurologic status and generalized tonic–clonic seizure. Further workup showed evidence of PRES. After weaning pressors, the patient had a significant progressive improvement in her mental status. Conclusion: Although the mechanism of PRES remains controversial given its diverse clinical presentation, several theories implicate hypertension and steroid use as causative agents. PMID:24232171

  16. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) I/D and Alpha-Adducin (ADD1) G460W Gene Polymorphisms in Turkish Patients with Severe Chronic Tinnitus.

    PubMed

    Yuce, Salim; Sancakdar, Enver; Bağcı, Gokhan; Koc, Sema; Kurtulgan, Hande Kucuk; Bağcı, Binnur; Doğan, Mansur; Uysal, İsmail Onder

    2016-04-01

    Tinnitus is described as a disturbing sound sensation in the absence of external stimulation. We aimed to investigate whether there is any relationship between severe chronic tinnitus and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D and α-adducin (ADD1) G460W gene polymorphisms. The patient group and control group consisted of 89 and 104 individuals, respectively. The evaluation of tinnitus was performed using the Strukturiertes Tinnitus-Interview (STI). The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was used to evaluate the tinnitus severity. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques were used for genotyping. With regard to the ACE I/D polymorphism, there was no significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies between the patient group and control group. However, a statistically significant difference was found in genotype (p<0.01) and allele frequencies (p=0.021) of the ADD1 G460W gene polymorphism. Combined genotype analysis showed that the ACE II /ADD1 GW genotype was statistically significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (X2: 7.15, p=0.007). The odds ratio value of the GW genotype was 2.5 (95% CI=1.4-4.7) (p<0.01). Our results demonstrate an association between ADD1 G460W gene polymorphism and susceptibility to severe chronic tinnitus. It was found that the GW genotype increased the disease risk by 2.5-fold compared with other genotypes. This indicates that ADD1 G460W polymorphism could be an important factor in the pathophysiology of tinnitus.

  17. Detecting a Clinically Meaningful Change in Tic Severity in Tourette Syndrome: A Comparison of Three Methods

    PubMed Central

    Jeon, Sangchoon; Walkup, John T; Woods, Douglas W.; Peterson, Alan; Piacentini, John; Wilhelm, Sabine; Katsovich, Lily; McGuire, Joseph F.; Dziura, James; Scahill, Lawrence

    2014-01-01

    Objective To compare three statistical strategies for classifying positive treatment response based on a dimensional measure (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale [YGTSS]) and a categorical measure (Clinical Global Impression-Improvement [CGI-I]). Method Subjects (N=232; 69.4% male; ages 9-69 years) with Tourette syndrome or chronic tic disorder participated in one of two 10-week, randomized controlled trials comparing behavioral treatment to supportive therapy. The YGTSS and CGI-I were rated by clinicians blind to treatment assignment. We examined the percent reduction in the YGTSS-Total Tic Score (TTS) against Much Improved or Very Much Improved on the CGI-I, computed a signal detection analysis (SDA) and built a mixture model to classify dimensional response based on the change in the YGTSS-TTS. Results A 25% decrease on the YGTSS-TTS predicted positive response on the CGI-I during the trial. The SDA showed that a 25% reduction in the YGTSS-TTS provided optimal sensitivity (87%) and specificity (84%) for predicting positive response. Using a mixture model without consideration of the CGI-I, the dimensional response was defined by 23% (or greater) reduction on the YGTSS-TTS. The odds ratio (OR) of positive response (OR=5.68, 95% CI=[2.99, 10.78]) on the CGI-I for behavioral intervention was greater than the dimensional response (OR=2.86, 95% CI=[1.65, 4.99]). Conclusion A twenty five percent reduction on the YGTSS-TTS is highly predictive of positive response by all three analytic methods. For trained raters, however, tic severity alone does not drive the classification of positive response. PMID:24001701

  18. i2- and Gαi3-Deficient Mice Display Opposite Severity of Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

    PubMed Central

    Köhler, David; Devanathan, Vasudharani; Bernardo de Oliveira Franz, Claudia; Eldh, Therese; Novakovic, Ana; Roth, Judith M.; Granja, Tiago; Birnbaumer, Lutz; Rosenberger, Peter; Beer-Hammer, Sandra; Nürnberg, Bernd

    2014-01-01

    G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most abundant receptors in the heart and therefore are common targets for cardiovascular therapeutics. The activated GPCRs transduce their signals via heterotrimeric G-proteins. The four major families of G-proteins identified so far are specified through their α-subunit: Gαi, Gαs, Gαq and G12/13. Gαi-proteins have been reported to protect hearts from ischemia reperfusion injury. However, determining the individual impact of Gαi2 or Gαi3 on myocardial ischemia injury has not been clarified yet. Here, we first investigated expression of Gαi2 and Gαi3 on transcriptional level by quantitative PCR and on protein level by immunoblot analysis as well as by immunofluorescence in cardiac tissues of wild-type, Gαi2-, and Gαi3-deficient mice. Gαi2 was expressed at higher levels than Gαi3 in murine hearts, and irrespective of the isoform being knocked out we observed an up regulation of the remaining Gαi-protein. Myocardial ischemia promptly regulated cardiac mRNA and with a slight delay protein levels of both Gαi2 and Gαi3, indicating important roles for both Gαi isoforms. Furthermore, ischemia reperfusion injury in Gαi2- and Gαi3-deficient mice exhibited opposite outcomes. Whereas the absence of Gαi2 significantly increased the infarct size in the heart, the absence of Gαi3 or the concomitant upregulation of Gαi2 dramatically reduced cardiac infarction. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that the genetic ablation of Gαi proteins has protective or deleterious effects on cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury depending on the isoform being absent. PMID:24858945

  19. Short children with familial short stature show enhancement of somatotroph secretion but normal IGF-I levels.

    PubMed

    Bellone, S; Corneli, G; Bellone, J; Baffoni, C; Rovere, S; de Sanctis, C; Bona, G; Ghigo, E; Aimaretti, G

    2002-05-01

    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the GH status in children with familial, idiopathic short stature (FSS). To this goal we evaluated the GH response to GHRH (1 microg/kg iv) + arginine (ARG) (0.5 g/kg iv) test which is one of the most potent and reproducible provocative tests of somatotroph secretion, in 67 children with FSS [50 boys and 17 girls, age 10.8+/-0.4 yr, pubertal stages I-III, height between -3.6 and -1.6 standard deviation score (SDS), target height <10 degrees centile, normality of both spontaneous and stimulated GH secretion as well as of IGF-I levels]. The results in FSS were compared with those in groups of children of normal height (NHC) (42 NHC, 35 boys and 7 girls, age 12.0+/-0.5 yr, pubertal stages I-III, height between -1.3 and 1.4 SDS, height velocity standard deviation score (HVSDS)>25 degrees centile, GH peak >20 microg/l after GHRH+ARG test, mean GH concentration [mGHc]>3 microg/l) and children with organic GH deficiency (GHD) (38 GHD, 29 boys and 9 girls, age 11.2+/-3.7 yr, pubertal stages I-III, height between -5.7 and -1.3 SDS, GH peak <20 microg/l after GHRH +ARG test, mGHc <3 mg/l). Basal IGF-I levels and mGHc were also evaluated in each group over 8 nocturnal hours. IGF-I levels in FSS (209.2+/-15.6 microg/l) were similar to those in NHC (237.2+/-17.2 microg/l) and both were higher (p<0.0001) than those in GHD (72.0+/-4.0 microg/l). The GH response to GHRH +ARG test in FSS (peak: 66.4+/-5.6 microg/l) was very marked and higher (p<0.01) than that in NHC (53.3+/-4.5 microg/l) which, in turn, was higher (p<0.01) than in GHD (8.2+/-0.8 microg/l). Similarly, the mGHc in FSS was higher than in NHC (6.7+/-0.5 microg/l vs 5.1+/-0.7 microg/l, p<0.05) which, in turn, was higher than in GHD (1.5+/-0.2 microg/l, p<0.0001). In conclusion, our present study demonstrates that short children with FSS show enhancement of both basal and stimulated GH secretion but normal IGF-I levels. These findings suggest that increased somatotroph

  20. Antiviral treatment of Bell's palsy based on baseline severity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Turgeon, Ricky D; Wilby, Kyle J; Ensom, Mary H H

    2015-06-01

    We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of antiviral agents on complete recovery of Bell's palsy. We searched CENTRAL, Embase, MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and sources of unpublished literature to November 1, 2014. Primary and secondary outcomes were complete and satisfactory recovery, respectively. To evaluate statistical heterogeneity, we performed subgroup analysis of baseline severity of Bell's palsy and between-study sensitivity analyses based on risk of allocation and detection bias. The 10 included randomized controlled trials (2419 patients; 807 with severe Bell's palsy at onset) had variable risk of bias, with 9 trials having a high risk of bias in at least 1 domain. Complete recovery was not statistically significantly greater with antiviral use versus no antiviral use in the random-effects meta-analysis of 6 trials (relative risk, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.16; I(2) = 65%). Conversely, random-effects meta-analysis of 9 trials showed a statistically significant difference in satisfactory recovery (relative risk, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.18; I(2) = 63%). Response to antiviral agents did not differ visually or statistically between patients with severe symptoms at baseline and those with milder disease (test for interaction, P = .11). Sensitivity analyses did not show a clear effect of bias on outcomes. Antiviral agents are not efficacious in increasing the proportion of patients with Bell's palsy who achieved complete recovery, regardless of baseline symptom severity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Fitness and competitive ability of Botrytis cinerea field isolates with dual resistance to SDHI and QoI fungicides, associated with several sdhB and the cytb G143A mutations.

    PubMed

    Veloukas, T; Kalogeropoulou, P; Markoglou, A N; Karaoglanidis, G S

    2014-04-01

    Respiration inhibitors such as the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) and the quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs) are fungicide classes with increasing relevance in gray mold control. However, recent studies have shown that dual resistance to both fungicide classes is a common trait in Botrytis cinerea populations from several hosts throughout the world. Resistance of B. cinerea to SDHIs is associated with several mutations in the sdhB, sdhC, and sdhD genes, while resistance to QoIs, in most cases, is associated with the G143A mutation in the cytb gene. The objective of the current study was to investigate the fitness and the competitive ability of B. cinerea field strains possessing one of the H272Y/R/L, N230I, or P225F sdhB substitutions and the G143A mutation of cytb. Fitness parameters measured were (i) mycelial growth and conidia germination in vitro, (ii) aggressiveness and sporulation capacity in vivo, (iii) sclerotia production in vitro and sclerotia viability under different storage conditions, and (iv) sensitivity to oxidative stress imposed by diquat treatments. The competitive ability of the resistant isolates was measured in the absence and presence of the SDHI fungicides boscalid and fluopyram selection pressure. The measurements of individual fitness components showed that the H272R/G143A isolates had the lower differences compared with the sensitive isolates. In contrast, the groups of H272Y/L/G143A, N230I/G143A, and P225F/G143A isolates showed reduced fitness values compared with the sensitive isolates. Isolates possessing only the cytb G143A substitution did not show any fitness cost. The competition experiments showed that, in the absence of fungicide selection pressure, after four disease cycles on apple fruit, the sensitive isolates dominated in the population in all the mixtures tested. In contrast, when the competition experiment was conducted under the selection pressure of boscalid, a gradual decrease in the frequency of sensitive

  2. Progesterone Treatment Shows Benefit in a Pediatric Model of Moderate to Severe Bilateral Brain Injury

    PubMed Central

    Geddes, Rastafa I.; Sribnick, Eric A.; Sayeed, Iqbal; Stein, Donald G.

    2014-01-01

    Purpose Controlled cortical impact (CCI) models in adult and aged Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats have been used extensively to study medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) injury and the effects of post-injury progesterone treatment, but the hormone's effects after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in juvenile animals have not been determined. In the present proof-of-concept study we investigated whether progesterone had neuroprotective effects in a pediatric model of moderate to severe bilateral brain injury. Methods Twenty-eight-day old (PND 28) male Sprague Dawley rats received sham (n = 24) or CCI (n = 47) injury and were given progesterone (4, 8, or 16 mg/kg per 100 g body weight) or vehicle injections on post-injury days (PID) 1–7, subjected to behavioral testing from PID 9–27, and analyzed for lesion size at PID 28. Results The 8 and 16 mg/kg doses of progesterone were observed to be most beneficial in reducing the effect of CCI on lesion size and behavior in PND 28 male SD rats. Conclusion Our findings suggest that a midline CCI injury to the frontal cortex will reliably produce a moderate TBI comparable to what is seen in the adult male rat and that progesterone can ameliorate the injury-induced deficits. PMID:24489882

  3. An extremely high dietary iodide supply forestalls severe hypothyroidism in Na+/I- symporter (NIS) knockout mice.

    PubMed

    Ferrandino, Giuseppe; Kaspari, Rachel R; Reyna-Neyra, Andrea; Boutagy, Nabil E; Sinusas, Albert J; Carrasco, Nancy

    2017-07-13

    The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) mediates active iodide (I - ) accumulation in the thyroid, the first step in thyroid hormone (TH) biosynthesis. Mutations in the SLC5A5 gene encoding NIS that result in a non-functional protein lead to congenital hypothyroidism due to I - transport defect (ITD). ITD is a rare autosomal disorder that, if not treated promptly in infancy, can cause mental retardation, as the TH decrease results in improper development of the nervous system. However, in some patients, hypothyroidism has been ameliorated by unusually large amounts of dietary I - . Here we report the first NIS knockout (KO) mouse model, obtained by targeting exons 6 and 7 of the Slc5a5 gene. In NIS KO mice, in the thyroid, stomach, and salivary gland, NIS is absent, and hence there is no active accumulation of the NIS substrate pertechnetate ( 99m TcO 4 - ). NIS KO mice showed undetectable serum T 4 and very low serum T 3 levels when fed a diet supplying the minimum I - requirement for rodents. These hypothyroid mice displayed oxidative stress in the thyroid, but not in the brown adipose tissue or liver. Feeding the mice a high-I - diet partially rescued TH biosynthesis, demonstrating that, at high I - concentrations, I - enters the thyroid through routes other than NIS.

  4. Children with severe Osteogenesis imperfecta and short stature present on average with normal IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels.

    PubMed

    Hoyer-Kuhn, Heike; Höbing, Laura; Cassens, Julia; Schoenau, Eckhard; Semler, Oliver

    2016-07-01

    Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by bone fragility and short stature. Data about IGF-I/IGFBP-3 levels are rare in OI. Therefore IGF-I/IGFBP-3 levels in children with different types of OI were investigated. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels of 60 children (male n=38) were assessed in a retrospective cross-sectional setting. Height/weight was significant different [height z-score type 3 versus type 4: p=0.0011 and weight (p≤0.0001)] between OI type 3 and 4. Mean IGF-I levels were in the lower normal range (mean±SD level 137.4±109.1 μg/L). Mean IGFBP-3 measurements were in the normal range (mean±SD 3.105±1.175 mg/L). No significant differences between OI type 3 and 4 children have been observed (IGF-I: p=0.0906; IGFBP-3: p=0.2042). Patients with different severities of OI have IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in the lower normal range. The type of OI does not significantly influence these growth factors.

  5. Wnt3a stimulates maturation of impaired neutrophils developed from severe congenital neutropenia patient-derived pluripotent stem cells.

    PubMed

    Hiramoto, Takafumi; Ebihara, Yasuhiro; Mizoguchi, Yoko; Nakamura, Kazuhiro; Yamaguchi, Kiyoshi; Ueno, Kazuko; Nariai, Naoki; Mochizuki, Shinji; Yamamoto, Shohei; Nagasaki, Masao; Furukawa, Yoichi; Tani, Kenzaburo; Nakauchi, Hiromitsu; Kobayashi, Masao; Tsuji, Kohichiro

    2013-02-19

    The derivation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from individuals of genetic disorders offers new opportunities for basic research into these diseases and the development of therapeutic compounds. Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a serious disorder characterized by severe neutropenia at birth. SCN is associated with heterozygous mutations in the neutrophil elastase [elastase, neutrophil-expressed (ELANE)] gene, but the mechanisms that disrupt neutrophil development have not yet been clarified because of the current lack of an appropriate disease model. Here, we generated iPS cells from an individual with SCN (SCN-iPS cells). Granulopoiesis from SCN-iPS cells revealed neutrophil maturation arrest and little sensitivity to granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, reflecting a disease status of SCN. Molecular analysis of the granulopoiesis from the SCN-iPS cells vs. control iPS cells showed reduced expression of genes related to the wingless-type mmtv integration site family, member 3a (Wnt3a)/β-catenin pathway [e.g., lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1], whereas Wnt3a administration induced elevation lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1-expression and the maturation of SCN-iPS cell-derived neutrophils. These results indicate that SCN-iPS cells provide a useful disease model for SCN, and the activation of the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway may offer a novel therapy for SCN with ELANE mutation.

  6. Type I Interferon-Mediated Skewing of the Serotonin Synthesis Is Associated with Severe Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

    PubMed Central

    Lood, Christian; Tydén, Helena; Gullstrand, Birgitta; Klint, Cecilia; Wenglén, Christina; Nielsen, Christoffer T.; Heegaard, Niels H. H.; Jönsen, Andreas; Kahn, Robin; Bengtsson, Anders A.

    2015-01-01

    Serotonin, a highly pro-inflammatory molecule released by activated platelets, is formed by tryptophan. Tryptophan is also needed in the production of kynurenine, a process mediated by the type I interferon (IFN)-regulated rate-limiting enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). The aim of this study was to investigate levels of serotonin in patients with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), association to clinical phenotype and possible involvement of IDO in regulation of serotonin synthesis. Serotonin levels were measured in serum and plasma from patients with SLE (n=148) and healthy volunteers (n=79) by liquid chromatography and ELISA, as well as intracellularly in platelets by flow cytometry. We found that SLE patients had decreased serotonin levels in serum (p=0.01) and platelets (p<0.0001) as compared to healthy individuals. SLE patients with ongoing type I IFN activity, as determined by an in-house reporter assay, had decreased serum levels of serotonin (p=0.0008) as well as increased IDO activity (p<0.0001), as determined by the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio measured by liquid chromatography. Furthermore, SLE sera induced IDO expression in WISH cells in a type I IFN-dependent manner (p=0.008). Also platelet activation contributed to reduce overall availability of serotonin levels in platelets and serum (p<0.05). Decreased serum serotonin levels were associated with severe SLE with presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies and nephritis. In all, reduced serum serotonin levels in SLE patients were related to severe disease phenotype, including nephritis, suggesting involvement of important immunopathological processes. Further, our data suggest that type I IFNs, present in SLE sera, are able to up-regulate IDO expression, which may lead to decreased serum serotonin levels. PMID:25897671

  7. Memantine in moderately-severe-to-severe Alzheimer's disease: a postmarketing surveillance study.

    PubMed

    Clerici, Francesca; Vanacore, Nicola; Elia, Antonietta; Spila-Alegiani, Stefania; Pomati, Simone; Da Cas, Roberto; Raschetti, Roberto; Mariani, Claudio

    2009-01-01

    Postmarketing surveillance studies (PMS) are an important tool for evaluating a drug's effectiveness and safety in clinical practice. To our knowledge, no PMS on memantine monotherapy for moderately-severe-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) according to National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke - Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria has been conducted to date. The Lombardy Health Office, Italy, promoted this PMS to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of memantine in the treatment of moderately-severe-to-severe AD in clinical practice. A total of 451 patients with moderately-severe-to-severe AD (mean age 77 +/- 7 years; 72% female), free of cholinergic medication, received memantine (standard titration to 10 mg twice daily). After 6 months of therapy, treatment effectiveness was evaluated according to two definitions of response ('no deterioration' and 'improvement'), as measured by changes in baseline scores on the Clinical Global Impression of Change, Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory and Activities of Daily Living scales. The safety measure was the frequency of adverse events (AEs). At 6-month assessment, 26.8% of subjects showed no deterioration and 3.8% showed improvement. In those showing no deterioration, response to treatment at the 3-month assessment was associated with a greater probability of a response at 6 months (adjusted odds ratio = 8.54; 95% CI 4.54, 16.05). Seventy patients (15.5%) experienced at least one AE and 39 (8.6%) discontinued treatment prematurely because of an AE. Of those who experienced an AE, 27 (38.6%) manifested behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. The proportion of responders to memantine treatment in this PMS was similar to that reported in a previous randomized clinical trial (26.8% vs 29%, respectively). The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment prematurely because of an AE (8.6%) was similar to that reported in two

  8. Interaction of TAPBPR, a tapasin homolog, with MHC-I molecules promotes peptide editing.

    PubMed

    Morozov, Giora I; Zhao, Huaying; Mage, Michael G; Boyd, Lisa F; Jiang, Jiansheng; Dolan, Michael A; Venna, Ramesh; Norcross, Michael A; McMurtrey, Curtis P; Hildebrand, William; Schuck, Peter; Natarajan, Kannan; Margulies, David H

    2016-02-23

    Peptide loading of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules is central to antigen presentation, self-tolerance, and CD8(+) T-cell activation. TAP binding protein, related (TAPBPR), a widely expressed tapasin homolog, is not part of the classical MHC-I peptide-loading complex (PLC). Using recombinant MHC-I molecules, we show that TAPBPR binds HLA-A*02:01 and several other MHC-I molecules that are either peptide-free or loaded with low-affinity peptides. Fluorescence polarization experiments establish that TAPBPR augments peptide binding by MHC-I. The TAPBPR/MHC-I interaction is reversed by specific peptides, related to their affinity. Mutational and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies confirm the structural similarities of TAPBPR with tapasin. These results support a role of TAPBPR in stabilizing peptide-receptive conformation(s) of MHC-I, permitting peptide editing.

  9. Safety and efficacy of percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy in severe mitral stenosis with moderate mitral regurgitation - A prospective study.

    PubMed

    Desabandhu, Vinayakumar; Peringadan, Nithin Gopalan; Krishnan, Mangalath Narayanan

    Percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (PBMV) is generally considered as a contraindication in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) associated with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR). We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of PBMV in patients with severe MS and with moderate MR with those with less than moderate or no MR. Symptomatic patients of MS with mitral valve area ≤1.5cm 2 were screened into two groups: Group I with moderate MR and Group II with less than moderate or no MR. Clinical and echocardiographic assessments were done at 24h, 1 month, and 6 months post-procedure. A treadmill testing was done prior to PBMV and at 6 months. Primary safety outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death and development of severe MR with or without requirement for mitral valve replacement at 30 days of procedure. Efficacy of the procedure was measured as improvement in functional class, treadmill time, and mitral valve area (MVA) at 6 months. Seventeen patients with moderate MR and 208 patients with less than moderate MR underwent PBMV. Primary outcome showed no significant difference [2 (11.7%) in Group I vs. 8 (3.85%) in Group II, p=0.36]; occurrence of severe MR was higher in Group I [RR=4.87, 95% C.I.=1.42-16.69]. In Group I patients, improvement in treadmill time was seen in 12 (70.59%), functional class in 13 (76.47%), and MVA in all patients. In patients having severe MS associated with moderate MR, PBMV may be a safe option and provides sustained symptomatic benefit. Copyright © 2016 Cardiological Society of India. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Huntington disease iPSCs show early molecular changes in intracellular signaling, the expression of oxidative stress proteins and the p53 pathway

    PubMed Central

    Szlachcic, Wojciech J.; Switonski, Pawel M.; Krzyzosiak, Wlodzimierz J.; Figlerowicz, Marek; Figiel, Maciej

    2015-01-01

    ABSTRACT Huntington disease (HD) is a brain disorder characterized by the late onset of motor and cognitive symptoms, even though the neurons in the brain begin to suffer dysfunction and degeneration long before symptoms appear. There is currently no cure. Several molecular and developmental effects of HD have been identified using neural stem cells (NSCs) and differentiated cells, such as neurons and astrocytes. Still, little is known regarding the molecular pathogenesis of HD in pluripotent cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Therefore, we examined putative signaling pathways and processes involved in HD pathogenesis in pluripotent cells. We tested naïve mouse HD YAC128 iPSCs and two types of human HD iPSC that were generated from HD and juvenile-HD patients. Surprisingly, we found that a number of changes affecting cellular processes in HD were also present in undifferentiated pluripotent HD iPSCs, including the dysregulation of the MAPK and Wnt signaling pathways and the dysregulation of the expression of genes related to oxidative stress, such as Sod1. Interestingly, a common protein interactor of the huntingtin protein and the proteins in the above pathways is p53, and the expression of p53 was dysregulated in HD YAC128 iPSCs and human HD iPSCs. In summary, our findings demonstrate that multiple molecular pathways that are characteristically dysregulated in HD are already altered in undifferentiated pluripotent cells and that the pathogenesis of HD might begin during the early stages of life. PMID:26092128

  11. The nucleocapsid proteins of mouse hepatitis virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus share the same IFN-β antagonizing mechanism: attenuation of PACT-mediated RIG-I/MDA5 activation

    PubMed Central

    Ding, Zhen; Fang, Liurong; Yuan, Shuangling; Zhao, Ling; Wang, Xunlei; Long, Siwen; Wang, Mohan; Wang, Dang; Foda, Mohamed Frahat; Xiao, Shaobo

    2017-01-01

    Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a huge threat to both humans and animals and have evolved elaborate mechanisms to antagonize interferons (IFNs). Nucleocapsid (N) protein is the most abundant viral protein in CoV-infected cells, and has been identified as an innate immunity antagonist in several CoVs, including mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) remain unclear. In this study, we found that MHV N protein inhibited Sendai virus and poly(I:C)-induced IFN-β production by targeting a molecule upstream of retinoic acid-induced gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation gene 5 (MDA5). Further studies showed that both MHV and SARS-CoV N proteins directly interacted with protein activator of protein kinase R (PACT), a cellular dsRNA-binding protein that can bind to RIG-I and MDA5 to activate IFN production. The N–PACT interaction sequestered the association of PACT and RIG-I/MDA5, which in turn inhibited IFN-β production. However, the N proteins from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), which are also classified in the order Nidovirales, did not interact and counteract with PACT. Taken together, our present study confirms that both MHV and SARS-CoV N proteins can perturb the function of cellular PACT to circumvent the innate antiviral response. However, this strategy does not appear to be used by all CoVs N proteins. PMID:28591694

  12. A transgenic model of transactivation by the Tax protein of HTLV-I.

    PubMed

    Bieberich, C J; King, C M; Tinkle, B T; Jay, G

    1993-09-01

    The human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax protein is a transcriptional regulatory protein that has been suggested to play a causal role in the development of several HTLV-I-associated diseases. Tax regulates expression of its own LTR and of certain cellular promoters perhaps by usurping the function of the host transcriptional machinery. We have established a transgenic mouse model system to define the spectrum of tissues in vivo that are capable of supporting Tax-mediated transcriptional transactivation. Transgenic mice carrying the HTLV-I LTR driving expression of the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (beta gal) gene were generated, and this LTR-beta gal gene was transcriptionally inactive in all tissues. When LTR-beta gal mice were mated to transgenic mice carrying the same LTR driving expression of the HTLV-I tax gene, mice that carried both transgenes showed restricted expression of the beta gal reporter gene in several tissues including muscle, bone, salivary glands, skin, and nerve. In addition, a dramatic increase in the number of beta gal-expressing cells was seen in response to wounding. These observations provide direct evidence for viral transactivation in vivo, delimit the tissues capable of supporting that transactivation, and provide a model system to study the mechanism of gene regulation by Tax.

  13. Comparative Analysis of Serum Proteins from Patients with Severe and Mild EV-A71-induced HFMD using iTRAQ-Coupled LC-MS/MS Screening.

    PubMed

    Fan, Peihu; Chen, Wei; Yu, Pin; Bao, Linlin; Xu, Lili; Qin, Chuan

    2017-12-01

    This study was designed to provide a rationale for monitoring the development of severe hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and predicting the onset of this disease via global comparative analysis between patients with severe and mild HFMD. The authors collected serum from five groups: mild (E-M) and severe (E-S) EV-A71-induced HFMD; mild (NE-M) and severe (NE-S) non-EV-A71-induced HFMD; and healthy control subjects (CON). The authors then performed comparative analysis and identified specific differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of E-S using isobaric mass tag (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation, iTRAQ) labeling coupled with multidimensional liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Moreover, The authors validated specific DEPs by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The authors identified 10 specific proteins that were significantly altered in E-S patients. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that most of these DEPs are primarily involved in the acute response to infection, which was common to all groups. More importantly, up-regulated proteins associated with neural injury were specifically identified in the E-S group. These findings conclude that severe HFMD symptoms may be caused by EV-A71 infection-mediated injury of the neural system and provide a reference for future research on the course and prognosis of severe HFMD. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  14. ApoA-I mimetic administration, but not increased apoA-I-containing HDL, inhibits tumour growth in a mouse model of inherited breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Cedó, Lídia; García-León, Annabel; Baila-Rueda, Lucía; Santos, David; Grijalva, Victor; Martínez-Cignoni, Melanie Raquel; Carbó, José M; Metso, Jari; López-Vilaró, Laura; Zorzano, Antonio; Valledor, Annabel F; Cenarro, Ana; Jauhiainen, Matti; Lerma, Enrique; Fogelman, Alan M; Reddy, Srinivasa T; Escolà-Gil, Joan Carles; Blanco-Vaca, Francisco

    2016-11-03

    Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) have been associated with breast cancer risk, but several epidemiologic studies have reported contradictory results with regard to the relationship between apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and breast cancer. We aimed to determine the effects of human apoA-I overexpression and administration of specific apoA-I mimetic peptide (D-4F) on tumour progression by using mammary tumour virus-polyoma middle T-antigen transgenic (PyMT) mice as a model of inherited breast cancer. Expression of human apoA-I in the mice did not affect tumour onset and growth in PyMT transgenic mice, despite an increase in the HDLc level. In contrast, D-4F treatment significantly increased tumour latency and inhibited the development of tumours. The effects of D-4F on tumour development were independent of 27-hydroxycholesterol. However, D-4F treatment reduced the plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) levels in mice and prevented oxLDL-mediated proliferative response in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, our study shows that D-4F, but not apoA-I-containing HDL, hinders tumour growth in mice with inherited breast cancer in association with a higher protection against LDL oxidative modification.

  15. ApoA-I mimetic administration, but not increased apoA-I-containing HDL, inhibits tumour growth in a mouse model of inherited breast cancer

    PubMed Central

    Cedó, Lídia; García-León, Annabel; Baila-Rueda, Lucía; Santos, David; Grijalva, Victor; Martínez-Cignoni, Melanie Raquel; Carbó, José M.; Metso, Jari; López-Vilaró, Laura; Zorzano, Antonio; Valledor, Annabel F.; Cenarro, Ana; Jauhiainen, Matti; Lerma, Enrique; Fogelman, Alan M.; Reddy, Srinivasa T.; Escolà-Gil, Joan Carles; Blanco-Vaca, Francisco

    2016-01-01

    Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) have been associated with breast cancer risk, but several epidemiologic studies have reported contradictory results with regard to the relationship between apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and breast cancer. We aimed to determine the effects of human apoA-I overexpression and administration of specific apoA-I mimetic peptide (D-4F) on tumour progression by using mammary tumour virus-polyoma middle T-antigen transgenic (PyMT) mice as a model of inherited breast cancer. Expression of human apoA-I in the mice did not affect tumour onset and growth in PyMT transgenic mice, despite an increase in the HDLc level. In contrast, D-4F treatment significantly increased tumour latency and inhibited the development of tumours. The effects of D-4F on tumour development were independent of 27-hydroxycholesterol. However, D-4F treatment reduced the plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) levels in mice and prevented oxLDL-mediated proliferative response in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, our study shows that D-4F, but not apoA-I-containing HDL, hinders tumour growth in mice with inherited breast cancer in association with a higher protection against LDL oxidative modification. PMID:27808249

  16. Linking runoff response to burn severity after a wildfire

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Moody, J.A.; Martin, D.A.; Haire, S.L.; Kinner, D.A.

    2008-01-01

    Extreme floods often follow wildfire in mountainous watersheds. However, a quantitative relation between the runoff response and burn severity at the watershed scale has not been established. Runoff response was measured as the runoff coefficient C, which is equal to the peak discharge per unit drainage area divided by the average maximum 30 min rainfall intensity during each rain storm. The magnitude of the bum severity was expressed as the change in the normalized burn ratio. A new burn severity variable, hydraulic functional connectivity ?? was developed and incorporates both the magnitude of the burn severity and the spatial sequence of the bum severity along hillslope flow paths. The runoff response and the burn severity were measured in seven subwatersheds (0.24 to 0.85 km2) in the upper part of Rendija Canyon burned by the 2000 Cerro Grande Fire Dear Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA. A rainfall-discharge relation was determined for four of the subwatersheds with nearly the same bum severity. The peak discharge per unit drainage area Qupeak was a linear function of the maximum 30 min rainfall intensity I30. This function predicted a rainfall intensity threshold of 8.5 mm h-1 below which no runoff was generated. The runoff coefficient C = Qupeak/I30 was a linear function of the mean hydraulic functional connectivity of the subwatersheds. Moreover, the variability of the mean hydraulic functional connectivity was related to the variability of the mean runoff coefficient, and this relation provides physical insight into why the runoff response from the same subwatershed can vary for different rainstorms with the same rainfall intensity. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. Adenoma Detection Rate: I Will Show You Mine if You Show Me Yours

    PubMed Central

    Oliveira Ferreira, Alexandre; Fidalgo, Catarina; Palmela, Carolina; Costa Santos, Maria Pia; Torres, Joana; Nunes, Joana; Loureiro, Rui; Ferreira, Rosa; Barjas, Elídio; Glória, Luísa; Santos, António Alberto; Cravo, Marília

    2017-01-01

    Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the first cause of cancer-related mortality in Portugal. CRC screening reduces disease-specific mortality. Colonoscopy is currently the preferred method for screening as it may contribute to the reduction of CRC incidence. This beneficial effect is strongly associated with the adenoma detection rate (ADR). Aim Our aim was to evaluate the quality of colonoscopy at our unit by measuring the currently accepted quality parameters and publish them as benchmarking indicators. Methods From 5,860 colonoscopies, 654 screening procedures (with and without previous fecal occult blood testing) were analyzed. Results The mean age of the patients was 66.4 ± 7.8 years, and the gender distribution was 1:1. The overall ADR was 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32–39), the mean number of adenomas per colonoscopy was 0.66 (95% CI 0.56–0.77), and the sessile serrate lesion detection rate was 1% (95% CI 0–2). The bowel preparation was rated as adequate in 496 (76%) patients. The adjusted cecal intubation rate (CIR) was 93.7% (95% CI 91.7–95.8). Most colonoscopies were performed under monitored anesthesia care (53%), and 35% were unsedated. The use of sedation (propofol or midazolam based) was associated with a higher CIR with an odds ratio of 3.60 (95% CI 2.02–6.40, p < 0.001). Conclusion Our data show an above-standard ADR. The frequency of poor bowel preparation and the low sessile serrated lesion detection rate were acknowledged, and actions were implemented to improve both indicators. Quality auditing in colonoscopy should be compulsory, and while many units may do so internally, this is the first national report from a high-throughput endoscopy unit. PMID:28848785

  18. Interaction of TAPBPR, a tapasin homolog, with MHC-I molecules promotes peptide editing

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Morozov, Giora I.; Zhao, Huaying; Mage, Michael G.

    Peptide loading of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules is central to antigen presentation, self-tolerance, and CD8 + T-cell activation. TAP binding protein, related (TAPBPR), a widely expressed tapasin homolog, is not part of the classical MHC-I peptide-loading complex (PLC). Using recombinant MHC-I molecules, we show that TAPBPR binds HLA-A*02:01 and several other MHC-I molecules that are either peptide-free or loaded with low-affinity peptides. Fluorescence polarization experiments establish that TAPBPR augments peptide binding by MHC-I. The TAPBPR/MHC-I interaction is reversed by specific peptides, related to their affinity. Mutational and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies confirm the structural similarities ofmore » TAPBPR with tapasin. These results support a role of TAPBPR in stabilizing peptide-receptive conformation(s) of MHC-I, permitting peptide editing.« less

  19. Interaction of TAPBPR, a tapasin homolog, with MHC-I molecules promotes peptide editing

    DOE PAGES

    Morozov, Giora I.; Zhao, Huaying; Mage, Michael G.; ...

    2016-02-11

    Peptide loading of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules is central to antigen presentation, self-tolerance, and CD8 + T-cell activation. TAP binding protein, related (TAPBPR), a widely expressed tapasin homolog, is not part of the classical MHC-I peptide-loading complex (PLC). Using recombinant MHC-I molecules, we show that TAPBPR binds HLA-A*02:01 and several other MHC-I molecules that are either peptide-free or loaded with low-affinity peptides. Fluorescence polarization experiments establish that TAPBPR augments peptide binding by MHC-I. The TAPBPR/MHC-I interaction is reversed by specific peptides, related to their affinity. Mutational and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies confirm the structural similarities ofmore » TAPBPR with tapasin. These results support a role of TAPBPR in stabilizing peptide-receptive conformation(s) of MHC-I, permitting peptide editing.« less

  20. Role of Intracranial Pressure Monitoring in Management of Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Results of a Large Level I Trauma Center in Southern Iran.

    PubMed

    Khalili, Hosseinali; Sadraei, Nazanin; Niakan, Amin; Ghaffarpasand, Fariborz; Sadraei, Amin

    2016-10-01

    To determine the role of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to a large level I trauma center in Southern Iran. This was a cohort study performed during a 2-year period in a level I trauma center in Southern Iran including all adult patients (>16 years) with severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score, 3-8) who underwent ICP monitoring through ventriculostomy. The management was based on the recorded ICP values with threshold of 20 mm Hg. Decompressive craniectomy was performed in patients with intractable intracranial hypertension (persistent ICP ≥25 mm Hg). In unresponsive patients, barbiturate coma was induced. Patients were followed for 6 months and Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended was recorded. The determinants of favorable and unfavorable outcome were also determined. Overall, we included 248 patients with mean age of 34.6 ± 16.6 years, among whom there were 216 men (87.1%) and 32 women (12.9%). Eighty-five patients (34.2%) had favorable and 163 (65.8%) unfavorable outcomes. Those with favorable outcome had significantly lower age (P = 0.004), higher GCS score on admission (P < 0.001), lower Rotterdam score (P = 0.035), fewer episodes of intracranial hypertension (P < 0.001), and lower maximum recorded ICP (P = 0.041). These factors remained statistically significant after elimination of confounders by multivariate logistic regression model. Age, GCS score on admission, Rotterdam score, intracranial hypertension, and maximum recorded ICP are important determinants of outcome in patients with severe TBI. ICP monitoring assisted us in targeted therapy and management of patients with severe TBI. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Key Parameters for Operator Diagnosis of BWR Plant Condition during a Severe Accident

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Clayton, Dwight A.; Poore, III, Willis P.

    2015-01-01

    The objective of this research is to examine the key information needed from nuclear power plant instrumentation to guide severe accident management and mitigation for boiling water reactor (BWR) designs (specifically, a BWR/4-Mark I), estimate environmental conditions that the instrumentation will experience during a severe accident, and identify potential gaps in existing instrumentation that may require further research and development. This report notes the key parameters that instrumentation needs to measure to help operators respond to severe accidents. A follow-up report will assess severe accident environmental conditions as estimated by severe accident simulation model analysis for a specific US BWR/4-Markmore » I plant for those instrumentation systems considered most important for accident management purposes.« less

  2. Obesity in show cats.

    PubMed

    Corbee, R J

    2014-12-01

    Obesity is an important disease with a high prevalence in cats. Because obesity is related to several other diseases, it is important to identify the population at risk. Several risk factors for obesity have been described in the literature. A higher incidence of obesity in certain cat breeds has been suggested. The aim of this study was to determine whether obesity occurs more often in certain breeds. The second aim was to relate the increased prevalence of obesity in certain breeds to the official standards of that breed. To this end, 268 cats of 22 different breeds investigated by determining their body condition score (BCS) on a nine-point scale by inspection and palpation, at two different cat shows. Overall, 45.5% of the show cats had a BCS > 5, and 4.5% of the show cats had a BCS > 7. There were significant differences between breeds, which could be related to the breed standards. Most overweight and obese cats were in the neutered group. It warrants firm discussions with breeders and cat show judges to come to different interpretations of the standards in order to prevent overweight conditions in certain breeds from being the standard of beauty. Neutering predisposes for obesity and requires early nutritional intervention to prevent obese conditions. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

  3. BplI, a new BcgI-like restriction endonuclease, which recognizes a symmetric sequence.

    PubMed Central

    Vitkute, J; Maneliene, Z; Petrusyte, M; Janulaitis, A

    1997-01-01

    Bcg I and Bcg I-like restriction endonucleases cleave double stranded DNA specifically on both sides of their asymmetric recognition sequences which are interrupted by several ambiguous base pairs. Their heterosubunit structure, bifunctionality and stimulation by AdoMet make them different from other classified restriction enzymes. Here we report on a new Bcg I-like restriction endonuclease, Bpl I from Bacillus pumilus , which in contrast to all other Bcg I-like enzymes, recognizes a symmetric interrupted sequence, and which, like Bcg I, cleaves double stranded DNA upstream and downstream of its recognition sequence (8/13)GAGN5CTC(13/8). Like Bcg I, Bpl I is a bifunctional enzyme revealing both DNA cleavage and methyltransferase activities. There are two polypeptides in the homogeneous preparation of Bpl I with molecular masses of approximately 74 and 37 kDa. The sizes of the Bpl I subunits are close to those of Bcg I, but the proportion 1:1 in the final preparation is different from that of 2:1 in Bcg I. Low activity observed with Mg2+increases >100-fold in the presence of AdoMet. Even with AdoMet though, specific cleavage is incomplete. S -adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) or sinefungin can replace AdoMet in the cleavage reaction. AdoHcy activated Bpl I yields complete cleavage of DNA. PMID:9358150

  4. The rising prevalence of severe poverty in America: a growing threat to public health.

    PubMed

    Woolf, Steven H; Johnson, Robert E; Geiger, H Jack

    2006-10-01

    The U.S. poverty rate has increased since 2000, but the depth of poverty experienced by Americans has been inadequately studied. Of particular concern is whether severe poverty is increasing, a trend that would carry important public health implications. Income-to-poverty (I/P) ratios and income deficits/surpluses were examined for the 1990-2004 period. The severely poor, moderately poor, and near-poor were classified as those with I/P ratios of less than 0.5, 0.5 to 1.0, or 1.0 to 2.0, respectively. Income deficits/surpluses were classified relative to the poverty threshold as Tier I (deficit Dollars 8000 or more), Tier II (deficit or surplus less than Dollars 8000), or Tier III (surplus more than Dollars 8000). Odds ratios for severe poverty and Tier I were also calculated. Severe poverty increased between 2000 and 2004-those with I/P ratios of less than 0.5 grew by 20%, and Tier I grew by 45% to 55%-while the prevalence of higher levels of income diminished. The population in severe poverty was over-represented by children (odds ratio [OR] = 1.69, confidence interval [CI] = 1.63-1.75), African Americans (OR = 2.84, CI = 2.74-2.95), and Hispanics (OR = 1.64, CI = 1.58-1.71). From 2000 to 2004, the prevalence of severe poverty increased sharply while the proportion of Americans in higher income tiers diminished. These trends have broad societal implications. Likely health consequences include a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, more frequent and severe disease complications, and increased demands and costs for healthcare services. Adverse effects on children warrant special concern. The growth in the number of Americans living in poverty calls for the re-examination of policies enacted in recent years to foster economic progress.

  5. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Several exhibit entrances within the KSC Visitor Complex are seen: The Universe Theatre, which shows the film “Quest for Life”; Mad Mission to Mars 2025, a live-action stage show; and, in the background, the Rocket Garden, featuring eight authentic rockets from the past.

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2003-07-22

    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Several exhibit entrances within the KSC Visitor Complex are seen: The Universe Theatre, which shows the film “Quest for Life”; Mad Mission to Mars 2025, a live-action stage show; and, in the background, the Rocket Garden, featuring eight authentic rockets from the past.

  6. Radar Shows Evidence of Seas

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2007-03-13

    This movie, comprised of several detailed images taken by Cassini radar instrument, shows bodies of liquid near Titan north pole. These images show that many of the features commonly associated with lakes on Earth

  7. Cost-effectiveness analysis of three different combinations of inhalers for severe and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital of South India.

    PubMed

    Altaf, Mohammed; Zubedi, Ayesha Mubeen; Nazneen, Fareesa; Kareemulla, Shaik; Ali, Syed Amir; Aleemuddin, N M; Hannan Hazari, Md Abdul

    2015-01-01

    This study aims at simplifying the practical patient management and offers some general indications for pharmacotherapeutic choice by the implementation of (Global Initiative for Chronic Lung Disease) guidelines. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and economic consequences of salmeterol/fluticasone (SF), formoterol/budesonide (FB), and formoterol/fluticasone (FF) in severe and very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. The aim was to find out the most cost-effective drug combination between the three combinations (SF/FB/FF) in COPD patients. A prospective observational comparative study (cost-effectiveness analysis), in which 90 severe (30 ≤ forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] <50% predicted) and very severe (FEV1 < 30% predicted) COPD patients (outpatients/inpatients) who are prescribed with any one of the following combinations (SF/FB/FF) were selected. In our study, we have divided 90 COPD patients into three groups (Group I, Group II, and Group III) each group consisting of 30 patients. Group I was prescribed with medication SF, Group II with medication FB, and Group III with medication FF. We used five different parameters such as spirometry test (mean FEV1 initial and final visit), number of symptom-free days (SFDs), number of moderate and severe exacerbations, Number of days of hospitalization and direct, indirect, and total cost to assess the cost-effectiveness of SF/FB/FF. Comparison of cost and effects was done during the period of 6 months of using SF/FB/FF. The average FEV1 for Group I, Group II, and Group III subjects at initial visit was 33.47%, 33.73%, and 33.20% and was increased to 36.60%, 35.8%, and 33.4%, respectively. A 3% increment in FEV1 was reported for Group I subjects (SF) and was highly significant statistically (t = -8.833, P = 0.000) at 95% CI. For Group II subjects (FB), a 2% increment in FEV1 was reported and was highly significant statistically (t = -9.001, P = 0.000) at 95% CI. For Group

  8. ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice have enhanced motor endurance but show deficits in attention and several additional cognitive domains.

    PubMed

    Kolisnyk, Benjamin; Guzman, Monica S; Raulic, Sanda; Fan, Jue; Magalhães, Ana C; Feng, Guoping; Gros, Robert; Prado, Vania F; Prado, Marco A M

    2013-06-19

    Acetylcholine (ACh) is an important neuromodulator in the nervous system implicated in many forms of cognitive and motor processing. Recent studies have used bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) protein under the control of the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) promoter (ChAT-ChR2-EYFP) to dissect cholinergic circuit connectivity and function using optogenetic approaches. We report that a mouse line used for this purpose also carries several copies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter gene (VAChT), which leads to overexpression of functional VAChT and consequently increased cholinergic tone. We demonstrate that these mice have marked improvement in motor endurance. However, they also present severe cognitive deficits, including attention deficits and dysfunction in working memory and spatial memory. These results suggest that increased VAChT expression may disrupt critical steps in information processing. Our studies demonstrate that ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice show altered cholinergic tone that fundamentally differentiates them from wild-type mice.

  9. STING-Licensed Macrophages Prime Type I IFN Production by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in the Bone Marrow during Severe Plasmodium yoelii Malaria

    PubMed Central

    Fooksman, David; Moore, Jamie M.; Saidi, Alex; Feintuch, Catherine M.; Reizis, Boris; Chorro, Laurent; Daily, Johanna; Lauvau, Grégoire

    2016-01-01

    Malaria remains a global health burden causing significant morbidity, yet the mechanisms underlying disease outcomes and protection are poorly understood. Herein, we analyzed the peripheral blood of a unique cohort of Malawian children with severe malaria, and performed a comprehensive overview of blood leukocytes and inflammatory mediators present in these patients. We reveal robust immune cell activation, notably of CD14+ inflammatory monocytes, NK cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that is associated with very high inflammation. Using the Plasmodium yoelii 17X YM surrogate mouse model of lethal malaria, we report a comparable pattern of immune cell activation and inflammation and found that type I IFN represents a key checkpoint for disease outcomes. Compared to wild type mice, mice lacking the type I interferon (IFN) receptor exhibited a significant decrease in immune cell activation and inflammatory response, ultimately surviving the infection. We demonstrate that pDCs were the major producers of systemic type I IFN in the bone marrow and the blood of infected mice, via TLR7/MyD88-mediated recognition of Plasmodium parasites. This robust type I IFN production required priming of pDCs by CD169+ macrophages undergoing activation upon STING-mediated sensing of parasites in the bone marrow. pDCs and macrophages displayed prolonged interactions in this compartment in infected mice as visualized by intravital microscopy. Altogether our findings describe a novel mechanism of pDC activation in vivo and precise stepwise cell/cell interactions taking place during severe malaria that contribute to immune cell activation and inflammation, and subsequent disease outcomes. PMID:27792766

  10. Bacillus sp. JR3 esterase LipJ: A new mesophilic enzyme showing traces of a thermophilic past.

    PubMed

    Ribera, Judit; Estupiñán, Mónica; Fuentes, Alba; Fillat, Amanda; Martínez, Josefina; Diaz, Pilar

    2017-01-01

    A search for extremophile enzymes from ancient volcanic soils in El Hierro Island (Canary Islands, Spain) allowed isolation of a microbial sporulated strain collection from which several enzymatic activities were tested. Isolates were obtained after sample cultivation under several conditions of nutrient contents and temperature. Among the bacterial isolates, supernatants from the strain designated JR3 displayed high esterase activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 100°C, suggesting the presence of at least a hyper-thermophilic extracellular lipase. Sequence alignment of known thermophilic lipases allowed design of degenerated consensus primers for amplification and cloning of the corresponding lipase, named LipJ. However, the cloned enzyme displayed maximum activity at 30°C and pH 7, showing a different profile from that observed in supernatants of the parental strain. Sequence analysis of the cloned protein showed a pentapeptide motif -GHSMG- distinct from that of thermophilic lipases, and much closer to that of esterases. Nevertheless, the 3D structural model of LipJ displayed the same folding as that of thermophilic lipases, suggesting a common evolutionary origin. A phylogenetic study confirmed this possibility, positioning LipJ as a new member of the thermophilic family of bacterial lipases I.5. However, LipJ clusters in a clade close but separated from that of Geobacillus sp. thermophilic lipases. Comprehensive analysis of the cloned enzyme suggests a common origin of LipJ and other bacterial thermophilic lipases, and highlights the most probable divergent evolutionary pathway followed by LipJ, which during the harsh past times would have probably been a thermophilic enzyme, having lost these properties when the environment changed to more benign conditions.

  11. Bacillus sp. JR3 esterase LipJ: A new mesophilic enzyme showing traces of a thermophilic past

    PubMed Central

    Ribera, Judit; Estupiñán, Mónica; Fuentes, Alba; Fillat, Amanda; Martínez, Josefina

    2017-01-01

    A search for extremophile enzymes from ancient volcanic soils in El Hierro Island (Canary Islands, Spain) allowed isolation of a microbial sporulated strain collection from which several enzymatic activities were tested. Isolates were obtained after sample cultivation under several conditions of nutrient contents and temperature. Among the bacterial isolates, supernatants from the strain designated JR3 displayed high esterase activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 100°C, suggesting the presence of at least a hyper-thermophilic extracellular lipase. Sequence alignment of known thermophilic lipases allowed design of degenerated consensus primers for amplification and cloning of the corresponding lipase, named LipJ. However, the cloned enzyme displayed maximum activity at 30°C and pH 7, showing a different profile from that observed in supernatants of the parental strain. Sequence analysis of the cloned protein showed a pentapeptide motif -GHSMG- distinct from that of thermophilic lipases, and much closer to that of esterases. Nevertheless, the 3D structural model of LipJ displayed the same folding as that of thermophilic lipases, suggesting a common evolutionary origin. A phylogenetic study confirmed this possibility, positioning LipJ as a new member of the thermophilic family of bacterial lipases I.5. However, LipJ clusters in a clade close but separated from that of Geobacillus sp. thermophilic lipases. Comprehensive analysis of the cloned enzyme suggests a common origin of LipJ and other bacterial thermophilic lipases, and highlights the most probable divergent evolutionary pathway followed by LipJ, which during the harsh past times would have probably been a thermophilic enzyme, having lost these properties when the environment changed to more benign conditions. PMID:28742841

  12. Proteomics show antigen presentation processes in human immune cells after AS03-H5N1 vaccination.

    PubMed

    Galassie, Allison C; Goll, Johannes B; Samir, Parimal; Jensen, Travis L; Hoek, Kristen L; Howard, Leigh M; Allos, Tara M; Niu, Xinnan; Gordy, Laura E; Creech, C Buddy; Hill, Heather; Joyce, Sebastian; Edwards, Kathryn M; Link, Andrew J

    2017-06-01

    Adjuvants enhance immunity elicited by vaccines through mechanisms that are poorly understood. Using a systems biology approach, we investigated temporal protein expression changes in five primary human immune cell populations: neutrophils, monocytes, natural killer cells, T cells, and B cells after administration of either an Adjuvant System 03 adjuvanted or unadjuvanted split-virus H5N1 influenza vaccine. Monocytes demonstrated the strongest differential signal between vaccine groups. On day 3 post-vaccination, several antigen presentation-related pathways, including MHC class I-mediated antigen processing and presentation, were enriched in monocytes and neutrophils and expression of HLA class I proteins was increased in the Adjuvant System 03 group. We identified several protein families whose proteomic responses predicted seroprotective antibody responses (>1:40 hemagglutination inhibition titer), including inflammation and oxidative stress proteins at day 1 as well as immunoproteasome subunit (PSME1 and PSME2) and HLA class I proteins at day 3 in monocytes. While comparison between temporal proteomic and transcriptomic results showed little overlap overall, enrichment of the MHC class I antigen processing and presentation pathway in monocytes and neutrophils was confirmed by both approaches. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  13. Beyond the boundaries of the classroom: teaching about gender and sexuality at a drag show.

    PubMed

    Schacht, Steven P

    2004-01-01

    Like much of the general public, the vast majority of my students strongly hold dichotomous, essentialist outlooks about what the categories female and male/gay and straight are supposed to represent and be. One way that I have found to challenge these oppressive worldviews, and also to queer my classes in the process, is to take my course participants to drag shows and/or to use videotapes of drag queens and drag kings in my classes. As part of an ongoing ethnography of drag performers I am undertaking, I have taken over 300 students to drag shows over the past eight years. Female students have often found attending a drag show to be a fun experience free of the sexual harassment found in most bars, while male students often contextually experience being a social minority for the first time in their life. From both attending drag shows and/or watching recordings of them I show in class, students have reported gaining an experiential appreciation of the performed basis of gender, sexuality, and inequality. Or, stated slightly differently, students begin to understand how the stratification system metaphorically makes drag queens of us all. This, in turn, provides the basis of the foremost argument I make in all my classes: equality will not be realized until nondichotomous, truly new ways of relating to others are envisioned and acted upon.

  14. Whole genome sequencing enables the characterization of BurI, a LuxI homologue of Burkholderia cepacia strain GG4

    PubMed Central

    Hong, Kar Wai; Chan, Kok-Gan

    2015-01-01

    Quorum sensing is a mechanism for regulating proteobacterial gene expression in response to changes in cell population. In proteobacteria, N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) appears to be the most widely used signalling molecules in mediating, among others, the production of extracellular virulence factors for survival. In this work, the genome of B. cepacia strain GG4, a plasmid-free strain capable of AHL synthesis was explored. In silico analysis of the 6.6 Mb complete genome revealed the presence of a LuxI homologue which correspond to Type I quorum sensing. Here, we report the molecular cloning and characterization of this LuxI homologue, designated as BurI. This 609 bp gene was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The purified protein was approximately 25 kDa and is highly similar to several autoinducer proteins of the LuxI family among Burkholderia species. To verify the AHL synthesis activity of this protein, high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the production of 3-oxo-hexanoylhomoserine lactone, N-octanoylhomoserine lactone and 3-hydroxy-octanoylhomoserine lactone from induced E. coli BL21 harboring the recombinant BurI. Our data show, for the first time, the cloning and characterization of the LuxI homologue from B. cepacia strain GG4 and confirmation of its AHL synthesis activity. PMID:26290785

  15. Obesity in show dogs.

    PubMed

    Corbee, R J

    2013-10-01

    Obesity is an important disease with a growing incidence. Because obesity is related to several other diseases, and decreases life span, it is important to identify the population at risk. Several risk factors for obesity have been described in the literature. A higher incidence of obesity in certain breeds is often suggested. The aim of this study was to determine whether obesity occurs more often in certain breeds. The second aim was to relate the increased prevalence of obesity in certain breeds to the official standards of that breed. To this end, we investigated 1379 dogs of 128 different breeds by determining their body condition score (BCS). Overall, 18.6% of the show dogs had a BCS >5, and 1.1% of the show dogs had a BCS>7. There were significant differences between breeds, which could be correlated to the breed standards. It warrants firm discussions with breeders and judges in order to come to different interpretations of the standards to prevent overweight conditions from being the standard of beauty. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

  16. Female adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems have substantially less brain gray matter volume.

    PubMed

    Dalwani, Manish S; McMahon, Mary Agnes; Mikulich-Gilbertson, Susan K; Young, Susan E; Regner, Michael F; Raymond, Kristen M; McWilliams, Shannon K; Banich, Marie T; Tanabe, Jody L; Crowley, Thomas J; Sakai, Joseph T

    2015-01-01

    Structural neuroimaging studies have demonstrated lower regional gray matter volume in adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems. These research studies, including ours, have generally focused on male-only or mixed-sex samples of adolescents with conduct and/or substance problems. Here we compare gray matter volume between female adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems and female healthy controls of similar ages. Female adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems will show significantly less gray matter volume in frontal regions critical to inhibition (i.e. dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex), conflict processing (i.e., anterior cingulate), valuation of expected outcomes (i.e., medial orbitofrontal cortex) and the dopamine reward system (i.e. striatum). We conducted whole-brain voxel-based morphometric comparison of structural MR images of 22 patients (14-18 years) with severe substance and conduct problems and 21 controls of similar age using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and voxel-based morphometric (VBM8) toolbox. We tested group differences in regional gray matter volume with analyses of covariance, adjusting for age and IQ at p<0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons at whole-brain cluster-level threshold. Female adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems compared to controls showed significantly less gray matter volume in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, medial orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, bilateral somatosensory cortex, left supramarginal gyrus, and bilateral angular gyrus. Considering the entire brain, patients had 9.5% less overall gray matter volume compared to controls. Female adolescents with severe substance and conduct problems in comparison to similarly aged female healthy controls showed substantially lower gray matter volume in brain regions involved in inhibition, conflict processing, valuation of

  17. A patient with type I CD36 deficiency whose myocardium accumulated 123I-BMIPP after 4 years.

    PubMed

    Ito, K; Sugihara, H; Tanabe, T; Zen, K; Hikosaka, T; Adachi, Y; Katoh, S; Azuma, A; Nakagawa, M

    2001-06-01

    A 73-year-old man with aortic regurgitation was examined by 123I-alpha-methyl-p-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in 1995. Myocardial accumulation was not evident on either the early or the delayed image obtained 15 minutes and 3 hours, respectively, after injecting 123I-BMIPP. Flow cytometric analysis of CD36 expression in monocytes and platelets identified a type I CD36 deficiency. The patient was hospitalized for severe heart failure in 1999. Upon admission, the cardiothoracic ratio on chest X-rays was 73%, and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter on echocardiograms was enlarged to 77 mm. On the second day, we performed 123I-BMIPP myocardial SPECT. Myocardial accumulation was evident in the delayed, but not in the early image. We repeated 123I-BMIPP myocardial SPECT on the 10th day after admission. Myocardial accumulation was evident on both early and delayed images. 99mTc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT was immediately performed after 123I-BMIPP myocardial SPECT to distinguish myocardial from pooling images in the left ventricle, but, because the images from both 99Tc-tetrofosmin and 123I-BMIPP myocardial SPECT were idential, we considered that the 123I-BMIPP myocardial SPECT images reflected the actual myocardial condition. The CD36 molecule transports long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) on the myocardial membrane, but 123I-BMIPP scintigraphy does not show any myocardial accumulation in patients with type I CD36 deficiency, indicating that myocardial LCFA uptake occurs through CD36 on the human myocardial membrane. Even though our patient had type I CD36 deficiency, BMIPP was uptaken by the myocardium during heart failure, suggesting a variant pathway on the human myocardial membrane for LCFA uptake.

  18. A Comparison of Four Item-Selection Methods for Severely Constrained CATs

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    He, Wei; Diao, Qi; Hauser, Carl

    2014-01-01

    This study compared four item-selection procedures developed for use with severely constrained computerized adaptive tests (CATs). Severely constrained CATs refer to those adaptive tests that seek to meet a complex set of constraints that are often not conclusive to each other (i.e., an item may contribute to the satisfaction of several…

  19. The Ars insulator facilitates I-SceI meganuclease-mediated transgenesis in the sea urchin embryo.

    PubMed

    Ochiai, Hiroshi; Sakamoto, Naoaki; Suzuki, Kenichi; Akasaka, Koji; Yamamoto, Takashi

    2008-09-01

    For the efficient generation of transgenic sea urchins, we have adopted an I-SceI meganuclease-mediated transgenesis method. Several types of promoter-GFP gene constructs flanked by two I-SceI recognition sequences were co-injected with I-SceI into sea urchin fertilized eggs. Using cell-lineage-specific promoter constructs, the frequency of transgene expression was elevated, and their level of mozaicism was reduced. The addition of the Ars insulator sequence, which is known to block the enhancer activity and protect transgenes from position effects, led to a reduction in ectopic transgene expression and an elevation of transgene expression frequency in this I-SceI-mediated system. However, the magnitude of the effects of the Ars insulator was dependent upon the promoter constructs. QPCR analysis also showed that the Ars insulator increases the transgene copy number. These results suggest that the I-SceI-mediated method using the Ars insulator is advantageous for transgenesis in the sea urchin embryo.

  20. Experimental analysis of precursors to severe problem behavior.

    PubMed

    Fritz, Jennifer N; Iwata, Brian A; Hammond, Jennifer L; Bloom, Sarah E

    2013-01-01

    Some individuals engage in both mild and severe forms of problem behavior. Research has shown that when mild behaviors precede severe behaviors (i.e., the mild behaviors serve as precursors), they can (a) be maintained by the same source of reinforcement as severe behavior and (b) reduce rates of severe behavior observed during assessment. In Study 1, we developed an objective checklist to identify precursors via videotaped trials for 16 subjects who engaged in problem behavior and identified at least 1 precursor for every subject. In Study 2, we conducted separate functional analyses of precursor and severe problem behaviors for 8 subjects, and obtained correspondence between outcomes in 7 cases. In Study 3, we evaluated noncontingent reinforcement schedule thinning plus differential reinforcement of alternative behavior to reduce precursors, increase appropriate behavior, and maintain low rates of severe behavior during 3 treatment analyses for 2 subjects. Results showed that this treatment strategy was effective for behaviors maintained by positive and negative reinforcement. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

  1. Paroxysmal Mobitz type-I atrioventricular block Luciani-Wenckebach conduction, acute myocardial infarction and severe three vessels coronary artery disease.

    PubMed

    Patanè, Salvatore; Marte, Filippo

    2009-06-12

    Paroxysmal atrioventricular block has been reported in patients without acute coronary syndrome and without significant coronary artery stenosis, in patients with acute coronary syndrome and without significant coronary artery stenosis, in patients without acute coronary syndrome and with significant coronary artery stenosis and in patients with acute coronary syndrome and significant coronary artery stenosis. Conflicting roles for alternating periods of second degree atrioventricular block (also known as Mobitz I or Luciani-Wenckebach periodicity) have been reported. Both hypotheses have been reported, that paroxysmal Wenckebach periods are compatible with a benign prognosis and that paroxysmal Wenckebach periods are associated with hemodynamic deterioration. We present a case of paroxysmal Mobitz Type-I atrioventricular block Luciani-Wenckebach conduction in a 75-year-old Italian man with acute myocardial infarction and severe three vessels coronary artery disease.

  2. Caenorhabditis elegans chronically exposed to a Mn/Zn ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate fungicide show mitochondrial Complex I inhibition and increased reactive oxygen species.

    PubMed

    Bailey, Denise C; Todt, Callie E; Orfield, Sarah E; Denney, Rachel D; Snapp, Isaac B; Negga, Rekek; Montgomery, Kara M; Bailey, Andrew C; Pressley, Aireal S; Traynor, Wendy L; Fitsanakis, Vanessa A

    2016-09-01

    Reports have linked human exposure to Mn/Zn ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate (Mn/Zn-EBDC) fungicides with multiple pathologies, from dermatitis to central nervous system dysfunction. Although members of this family of agrochemicals have been available for over 50 years, their mechanism of toxicity in humans is still unclear. Since mitochondrial inhibition and oxidative stress are implicated in a wide variety of diseases, we hypothesized that Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) exposed to a commercially-available formulation of an Mn/Zn-EBDC-containing fungicide (Manzate; MZ) would also show these endpoints. Thus, worms were treated chronically (24h) with various MZ concentrations and assayed for reduced mitochondrial function and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxygen consumption studies suggested Complex I inhibition in all treatment groups compared to controls ( ** p<0.01). In order to verify these findings, assays specific for Complex II or Complex IV activity were also completed. Data analysis from these studies indicated that neither complex was adversely affected by MZ treatment. Additional data from ATP assays indicated a statistically significant decrease ( *** p<0.001) in ATP levels in all treatment groups when compared to control worms. Further studies were completed to determine if exposure of C. elegans to MZ also resulted in increased ROS concentrations. Studies demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide, but not superoxide or hydroxyl radical, levels were statistically significantly increased (*p<0.05). Since hydrogen peroxide is known to up-regulate glutathione-S-transferase (GST), we used a GST:green fluorescent protein transgenic worm strain to test this hypothesis. Results from these studies indicated a statistically significant increase ( *** p<0.001) in green pixel number following MZ exposure. Taken together, these data indicate that C. elegans treated with MZ concentrations to which humans are exposed show mitochondrial Complex I

  3. Genomewide Linkage Disequilibrium Mapping of Severe Bipolar Disorder in a Population Isolate

    PubMed Central

    Ophoff, Roel A.; Escamilla, Michael A.; Service, Susan K.; Spesny, Mitzi; Meshi, Dar B.; Poon, Wingman; Molina, Julio; Fournier, Eduardo; Gallegos, Alvaro; Mathews, Carol; Neylan, Thomas; Batki, Steven L.; Roche, Erin; Ramirez, Margarita; Silva, Sandra; De Mille, Melissa C.; Dong, Penny; Leon, Pedro E.; Reus, Victor I.; Sandkuijl, Lodewijk A.; Freimer, Nelson B.

    2002-01-01

    Genomewide association studies may offer the best promise for genetic mapping of complex traits. Such studies in outbred populations require very densely spaced single-nucleotide polymorphisms. In recently founded population isolates, however, extensive linkage disequilibrium (LD) may make these studies feasible with currently available sets of short tandem repeat markers, spaced at intervals as large as a few centimorgans. We report the results of a genomewide association study of severe bipolar disorder (BP-I), using patients from the isolated population of the central valley of Costa Rica. We observed LD with BP-I on several chromosomes; the most striking results were in proximal 8p, a region that has previously shown linkage to schizophrenia. This region could be important for severe psychiatric disorders, rather than for a specific phenotype. PMID:12119601

  4. Genetic burden associated with varying degrees of disease severity in endometriosis

    PubMed Central

    Sapkota, Yadav; Attia, John; Gordon, Scott D.; Henders, Anjali K.; Holliday, Elizabeth G.; Rahmioglu, Nilufer; MacGregor, Stuart; Martin, Nicholas G.; McEvoy, Mark; Morris, Andrew P.; Scott, Rodney J.; Zondervan, Krina T.; Montgomery, Grant W.; Nyholt, Dale R.

    2015-01-01

    Endometriosis is primarily characterized by the presence of tissue resembling endometrium outside the uterine cavity and is usually diagnosed by laparoscopy. The most commonly used classification of disease, the revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) system to grade endometriosis into different stages based on disease severity (I to IV), has been questioned as it does not correlate well with underlying symptoms, posing issues in diagnosis and choice of treatment. Using two independent European genome-wide association (GWA) datasets and top-level classification of the endometriosis cases based on rAFS [minimal or mild (Stage A) and moderate-to-severe (Stage B) disease], we previously showed that Stage B endometriosis has greater contribution of common genetic variation to its aetiology than Stage A disease. Herein, we extend our previous analysis to four endometriosis stages [minimal (Stage I), mild (Stage II), moderate (Stage III) and severe (Stage IV) disease] based on the rAFS classification system and compared the genetic burden across stages. Our results indicate that genetic burden increases from minimal to severe endometriosis. For the minimal disease, genetic factors may contribute to a lesser extent than other disease categories. Mild and moderate endometriosis appeared genetically similar, making it difficult to tease them apart. Consistent with our previous reports, moderate and severe endometriosis showed greater genetic burden than minimal or mild disease. Overall, our results provide new insights into the genetic architecture of endometriosis and further investigation in larger samples may help to understand better the aetiology of varying degrees of endometriosis, enabling improved diagnostic and treatment modalities. PMID:25882541

  5. Show Me the Pragmatic Contribution: A Developmental Investigation of Contrastive Inference

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kronmuller, Edmundo; Morisseau, Tiffany; Noveck, Ira A.

    2014-01-01

    An utterance such as "Show me the large rabbit" potentially generates a "contrastive inference," i.e., the article "the" and the adjective "large" allow listeners to pragmatically infer the existence of other entities having the same noun (e.g. a "small" rabbit). The primary way to measure…

  6. Protein turnover and cellular stress in mildly and severely affected muscles from patients with limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I.

    PubMed

    Hauerslev, Simon; Sveen, Marie L; Vissing, John; Krag, Thomas O

    2013-01-01

    Patients with Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I (LGMD2I) are characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting primarily in the proximal muscles, while distal muscles often are spared. Our aim was to investigate if wasting could be caused by impaired regeneration in the proximal compared to distal muscles. Biopsies were simultaneously obtained from proximal and distal muscles of the same patients with LGMD2I (n = 4) and healthy subjects (n = 4). The level of past muscle regeneration was evaluated by counting internally nucleated fibers and determining actively regenerating fibers by using the developmental markers embryonic myosin heavy chain (eMHC) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and also assessing satellite cell activation status by myogenin positivity. Severe muscle histopathology was occasionally observed in the proximal muscles of patients with LGMD2I whereas distal muscles were always relatively spared. No difference was found in the regeneration markers internally nucleated fibers, actively regenerating fibers or activation status of satellite cells between proximal and distal muscles. Protein turnover, both synthesis and breakdown, as well as cellular stress were highly increased in severely affected muscles compared to mildly affected muscles. Our results indicate that alterations in the protein turnover and myostatin levels could progressively impair the muscle mass maintenance and/or regeneration resulting in gradual muscular atrophy.

  7. Using Predictive Analytics to Predict Power Outages from Severe Weather

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wanik, D. W.; Anagnostou, E. N.; Hartman, B.; Frediani, M. E.; Astitha, M.

    2015-12-01

    The distribution of reliable power is essential to businesses, public services, and our daily lives. With the growing abundance of data being collected and created by industry (i.e. outage data), government agencies (i.e. land cover), and academia (i.e. weather forecasts), we can begin to tackle problems that previously seemed too complex to solve. In this session, we will present newly developed tools to aid decision-support challenges at electric distribution utilities that must mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from severe weather. We will show a performance evaluation of outage predictive models built for Eversource Energy (formerly Connecticut Light & Power) for storms of all types (i.e. blizzards, thunderstorms and hurricanes) and magnitudes (from 20 to >15,000 outages). High resolution weather simulations (simulated with the Weather and Research Forecast Model) were joined with utility outage data to calibrate four types of models: a decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), boosted gradient tree (BT) and an ensemble (ENS) decision tree regression that combined predictions from DT, RF and BT. The study shows that the ENS model forced with weather, infrastructure and land cover data was superior to the other models we evaluated, especially in terms of predicting the spatial distribution of outages. This research has the potential to be used for other critical infrastructure systems (such as telecommunications, drinking water and gas distribution networks), and can be readily expanded to the entire New England region to facilitate better planning and coordination among decision-makers when severe weather strikes.

  8. DYZ1 arrays show sequence variation between the monozygotic males

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background Monozygotic twins (MZT) are an important resource for genetical studies in the context of normal and diseased genomes. In the present study we used DYZ1, a satellite fraction present in the form of tandem arrays on the long arm of the human Y chromosome, as a tool to uncover sequence variations between the monozygotic males. Results We detected copy number variation, frequent insertions and deletions within the sequences of DYZ1 arrays amongst all the three sets of twins used in the present study. MZT1b showed loss of 35 bp compared to that in 1a, whereas 2a showed loss of 31 bp compared to that in 2b. Similarly, 3b showed 10 bp insertion compared to that in 3a. MZT1a germline DNA showed loss of 5 bp and 1b blood DNA showed loss of 26 bp compared to that of 1a blood and 1b germline DNA, respectively. Of the 69 restriction sites detected in DYZ1 arrays, MboII, BsrI, TspEI and TaqI enzymes showed frequent loss and or gain amongst all the 3 pairs studied. MZT1 pair showed loss/gain of VspI, BsrDI, AgsI, PleI, TspDTI, TspEI, TfiI and TaqI restriction sites in both blood and germline DNA. All the three sets of MZT showed differences in the number of DYZ1 copies. FISH signals reflected somatic mosaicism of the DYZ1 copies across the cells. Conclusions DYZ1 showed both sequence and copy number variation between the MZT males. Sequence variation was also noticed between germline and blood DNA samples of the same individual as we observed at least in one set of sample. The result suggests that DYZ1 faithfully records all the genetical changes occurring after the twining which may be ascribed to the environmental factors. PMID:24495361

  9. Is Plasmodium vivax Malaria a Severe Malaria?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Naing, Cho; Whittaker, Maxine A.; Nyunt Wai, Victor; Mak, Joon Wah

    2014-01-01

    Background Plasmodium vivax is one of the major species of malaria infecting humans. Although emphasis on P. falciparum is appropriate, the burden of vivax malaria should be given due attention. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on severe malaria in P. vivax infection compared with that in P. falciparum infection. Methods/Principal Findings We searched relevant studies in electronic databases. The main outcomes required for inclusion in the review were mortality, severe malaria (SM) and severe anaemia (SA). The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Overall, 26 studies were included. The main meta-analysis was restricted to the high quality studies. Eight studies (n = 27490) compared the incidence of SM between P. vivax infection and P. falciparum mono-infection; a comparable incidence was found in infants (OR: 0.45, 95% CI:0.04–5.68, I 2:98%), under 5 year age group (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 0.83–5.1, I 2:83%), the 5–15 year-age group (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.31–1.16, I 2:81%) and adults (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.67–1.03, I 2:25%). Six studies reported the incidences of SA in P. vivax infection and P. falciparum mono-infection; a comparable incidence of SA was found among infants (OR: 3.47, 95%:0.64–18.94, I 2: 92%), the 5–15 year-age group (OR:0.71, 95% CI: 0.06–8.57, I 2:82%). This was significantly lower in adults (OR:0.75, 95% CI: 0.62–0.92, I 2:0%). Five studies (n = 71079) compared the mortality rate between vivax malaria and falciparum malaria. A lower rate of mortality was found in infants with vivax malaria (OR:0.61, 95% CI:0.5–0.76, I 2:0%), while this was comparable in the 5–15 year- age group (OR: 0.43, 95% CI:0.06–2.91, I 2:84%) and the children of unspecified-age group (OR: 0.77, 95% CI:0.59–1.01, I 2:0%). Conclusion Overall, the present analysis identified that the incidence of SM in patients infected with P. vivax was considerable, indicating that P. vivax is a major

  10. "A shape bend in the road, showing how the horses ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    "A shape bend in the road, showing how the horses are hitched in 'blocking.' The remainder of the team has been hitched to the block and tackle." San Joaquin Light and Power Magazine, Vol. I, No. 12, December 1913, p. 553 - Tule River Hydroelectric Complex, CA Highway 190 at North Fork of Middle Fork of Tule River, Springville, Tulare County, CA

  11. A New Columnar CsI(Tl) Scintillator for iQID detectors

    PubMed Central

    Han, Ling; Miller, Brian W.; Barber, H. Bradford; Nagarkar, Vivek V.; Furenlid, Lars R.

    2015-01-01

    A 1650 μm thick columnar CsI(Tl) scintillator for upgrading iQID detectors, which is a high-resolution photon-counting gamma-ray and x-ray detector recently developed at the Center for Gamma-Ray Imaging (CGRI), has been studied in terms of sensitivity, spatial resolution and depth-of-interaction effects. To facilitate these studies, a new frame-parsing algorithm for processing raw event data is also proposed that has more degrees of freedom in data processing and can discriminate against a special kind of noise present in some low-cost intensifiers. The results show that in comparison with a 450 μm-thickness columnar CsI(Tl) scintillator, the 1650 μm thick CsI(Tl) scintillator provides more than twice the sensitivity at the expense of some spatial resolution degradation. The depth-of-interaction study also shows that event size and amplitude vary with scintillator thickness, which can assist in future detector simulations and 3D-interaction-position estimation. PMID:26146444

  12. A New Columnar CsI(Tl) Scintillator for iQID detectors.

    PubMed

    Han, Ling; Miller, Brian W; Barber, H Bradford; Nagarkar, Vivek V; Furenlid, Lars R

    2014-09-12

    A 1650 μm thick columnar CsI(Tl) scintillator for upgrading iQID detectors, which is a high-resolution photon-counting gamma-ray and x-ray detector recently developed at the Center for Gamma-Ray Imaging (CGRI), has been studied in terms of sensitivity, spatial resolution and depth-of-interaction effects. To facilitate these studies, a new frame-parsing algorithm for processing raw event data is also proposed that has more degrees of freedom in data processing and can discriminate against a special kind of noise present in some low-cost intensifiers. The results show that in comparison with a 450 μm-thickness columnar CsI(Tl) scintillator, the 1650 μm thick CsI(Tl) scintillator provides more than twice the sensitivity at the expense of some spatial resolution degradation. The depth-of-interaction study also shows that event size and amplitude vary with scintillator thickness, which can assist in future detector simulations and 3D-interaction-position estimation.

  13. Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacological Interventions for Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Singh, Siddharth; Murad, Mohammad Hassan; Chandar, Apoorva K; Bongiorno, Connie M; Singal, Ashwani K; Atkinson, Stephen R; Thursz, Mark R; Loomba, Rohit; Shah, Vijay H

    2015-10-01

    Severe alcoholic hepatitis (AH) has high mortality. We assessed the comparative effectiveness of pharmacological interventions for severe AH, through a network meta-analysis combining direct and indirect treatment comparisons. We conducted a systematic literature review, through February 2015, for randomized controlled trials of adults with severe AH (discriminant function ≥32 and/or hepatic encephalopathy) that compared the efficacy of active pharmacologic interventions (corticosteroids, pentoxifylline, and N-acetylcysteine [NAC], alone or in combination) with each other or placebo, in reducing short-term mortality (primary outcome) and medium-term mortality, acute kidney injury, and/or infections (secondary outcomes). We performed direct and Bayesian network meta-analysis for all treatments, and used Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria to appraise quality of evidence. We included 22 randomized controlled trials (2621 patients) comparing 5 different interventions. In a direct meta-analysis, only corticosteroids decreased risk of short-term mortality. In a network meta-analysis, moderate quality evidence supported the use of corticosteroids alone (relative risk [RR], 0.54; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.39-0.73) or in combination with pentoxifylline (RR, 0.53; 95% CrI, 0.36-0.78) or NAC (RR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.39), to reduce short-term mortality; low quality evidence showed that pentoxifylline also decreased short-term mortality (RR, 0.70; 95% CrI, 0.50-0.97). The addition of NAC, but not pentoxifylline, to corticosteroids may be superior to corticosteroids alone for reducing short-term mortality. No treatment was effective in reducing medium-term mortality. Imprecise estimates and the small number of direct trials lowered the confidence in several comparisons. In patients with severe AH, pentoxifylline and corticosteroids (alone and in combination with pentoxifylline or NAC) can reduce short-term mortality. No treatment

  14. Morphology, severity, and distribution of growth anomalies in the coral, Montipora capitata, at Wai`ōpae, Hawai`i

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burns, J. H. R.; Rozet, N. K.; Takabayashi, M.

    2011-09-01

    This study investigated the morphology, severity, and distribution of growth anomalies (GAs) in the coral, Montipora capitata, from Wai`ōpae tide pools, southeast Hawai`i Island. A macro-image analysis of skeletal microstructure placed GAs into two definable categories; Type A and Type B. Type A GAs had polyp density reduced by 43.05 ± 0.80% (mean ± SE) compared to healthy M. capitata tissue, with many fused and protrusive tuberculae. Type B GAs had no discernable polyps or calices and fused protuberant coenosteum. The prevalence of Type A and Type B GAs among all M. capitata colonies ( n = 1,093) in 8 tide pools at Wai`ōpae was 22.1% (range 2.8-33.7%) and 8.2% (range 0.0-16.9%), respectively. The proportion of colony surface area occupied by GA (relative GA cover) was quantified to assess the severity of this disease among all surveyed colonies. The relative GA cover was significantly greater on colonies larger than 1 m in diameter than smaller colonies and in the central portion of colonies than in the periphery. Furthermore, relative GA cover was negatively related to water motion ( R 2 = 0.748, P < 0.01). Developing field diagnostic criteria of M. capitata GA allowed for a detailed epizootiological assessment that determined several cofactors associated with disease severity. Such epizootiological analysis is applicable to future studies of GAs elsewhere.

  15. A double EPSPS gene mutation endowing glyphosate resistance shows a remarkably high resistance cost.

    PubMed

    Han, Heping; Vila-Aiub, Martin M; Jalaludin, Adam; Yu, Qin; Powles, Stephen B

    2017-12-01

    A novel glyphosate resistance double point mutation (T102I/P106S, TIPS) in the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene has been recently identified for the first time only in the weed species Eleusine indica. Quantification of plant resistance cost associated with the TIPS and the often reported glyphosate resistance single P106S mutation was performed. A significant resistance cost (50% in seed number currency) associated with the homozygous TIPS but not the homozygous P106S EPSPS variant was identified in E. indica plants. The resistance cost associated with the TIPS mutation escalated to 85% in plants under resource competition with rice crops. The resistance cost was not detected in nonhomozygous TIPS plants denoting the recessive nature of the cost associated with the TIPS allele. An excess of 11-fold more shikimate and sixfold more quinate in the shikimate pathway was detected in TIPS plants in the absence of glyphosate treatment compared to wild type, whereas no changes in these compounds were observed in P106S plants when compared to wild type. TIPS plants show altered metabolite levels in several other metabolic pathways that may account for the expression of the observed resistance cost. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. A molecular chaperone for mitochondrial complex I assembly is mutated in a progressive encephalopathy

    PubMed Central

    Ogilvie, Isla; Kennaway, Nancy G.; Shoubridge, Eric A.

    2005-01-01

    NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) deficiency is a common cause of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation disease. It is associated with a wide range of clinical phenotypes in infants, including Leigh syndrome, cardiomyopathy, and encephalomyopathy. In at least half of patients, enzyme deficiency results from a failure to assemble the holoenzyme complex; however, the molecular chaperones required for assembly of the mammalian enzyme remain unknown. Using whole genome subtraction of yeasts with and without a complex I to generate candidate assembly factors, we identified a paralogue (B17.2L) of the B17.2 structural subunit. We found a null mutation in B17.2L in a patient with a progressive encephalopathy and showed that the associated complex I assembly defect could be completely rescued by retroviral expression of B17.2L in patient fibroblasts. An anti-B17.2L antibody did not associate with the holoenzyme complex but specifically recognized an 830-kDa subassembly in several patients with complex I assembly defects and coimmunoprecipitated a subset of complex I structural subunits from normal human heart mitochondria. These results demonstrate that B17.2L is a bona fide molecular chaperone that is essential for the assembly of complex I and for the normal function of the nervous system. PMID:16200211

  17. [Predictive value of early phrase echocardiography and cardiac biological markers in patients with severe sepsis: a five-year single-center retrospective study].

    PubMed

    Zang, Xuefeng; Chen, Wei; Sheng, Bo; Zhao, Lei; Gu, Xuyun; Zhen, Jie; Liu, Ping

    2018-04-01

    To assess the predictive value of early phrase echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers in patients with severe sepsis. A retrospective analysis of severe septic patients (patients with acute coronary syndrome and end stage renal disease were excluded) in department of intensive care unit of Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Shijitan Hospital from January 2013 to December 2017 was conducted. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), myoglobin (MYO), creatine kinase (CK), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) within 6 hours after admission, and bedside echocardiography indexes [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the ratio of the peak blood flow velocity in the early stage of the mitral valve and the peak blood flow rate of the mitral valve (E/A ratio)] within 6 hours after diagnosis were recorded. The differences of indexes between patients with decreased contractile function (LVEF < 0.50) group and normal group, and the difference between dead group and survival group within 28-day were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Logistic regression analysis were conducted to assess the early detected prognostic value in severe sepsis patients. (1) A total of 316 patients were enrolled in the survey period. Decreased cardiac systolic function (LVEF < 0.50) was found in 89 cases (28.2%), and cardiac diastolic function impaired (E/A ratio < 1) in 269 cases (85.1%); while 79 cases (25.0%) had both systolic function and diastolic function impairment. (2) NT-proBNP and cTnI were statistically different between cardiac systolic function impaired group and normal group. Further Logistic regression analysis showed that only NT-proBNP was significantly correlated with LVEF [β=-1.311, odds ratio (OR) = 0.269, P < 0.001]. (3) Eighty-two of 316 cases were died in 28-day, and the 28-day mortality rate was 25.9%. Compared

  18. bioA mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis shows severe growth defect and imparts protection against tuberculosis in guinea pigs

    PubMed Central

    Kar, Ritika; Nangpal, Prachi; Mathur, Shubhita; Singh, Swati

    2017-01-01

    Owing to the devastation caused by tuberculosis along with the unsatisfactory performance of the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine, a more efficient vaccine than BCG is required for the global control of tuberculosis. A number of studies have demonstrated an essential role of biotin biosynthesis in the growth and survival of several microorganisms, including mycobacteria, through deletion of the genes involved in de novo biotin biosynthesis. In this study, we demonstrate that a bioA mutant of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtbΔbioA) is highly attenuated in the guinea pig model of tuberculosis when administered aerogenically as well as intradermally. Immunization with MtbΔbioA conferred significant protection in guinea pigs against an aerosol challenge with virulent M. tuberculosis, when compared with the unvaccinated animals. Booster immunization with MtbΔbioA offered no advantage over a single immunization. These experiments demonstrate the vaccinogenic potential of the attenuated M. tuberculosis bioA mutant against tuberculosis. PMID:28658275

  19. 50 CFR 23.34 - What kinds of records may I use to show the origin of a specimen when I apply for a U.S. CITES...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... plant nursery license. (ii) Records that document the breeding or propagating of specimens at the..., TRANSPORTATION, SALE, PURCHASE, BARTER, EXPORTATION, AND IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS (CONTINUED...: Source of specimen Types of records (1) Captive-bred or cultivated 1 (i) Records that identify the...

  20. Respiratory chain complex I deficiency due to NDUFA12 mutations as a new cause of Leigh syndrome.

    PubMed

    Ostergaard, Elsebet; Rodenburg, Richard J; van den Brand, Mariël; Thomsen, Lise Lykke; Duno, Morten; Batbayli, Mustafa; Wibrand, Flemming; Nijtmans, Leo

    2011-11-01

    This study investigated a girl with Leigh syndrome born to first-cousin parents of Pakistani descent with an isolated respiratory chain complex I deficiency in muscle and fibroblasts. Her early development was delayed, and from age 2 years she started losing motor abilities. Cerebral MRI showed basal ganglia lesions typical of Leigh syndrome. A genome-wide search for homozygosity was performed with the Affymetrix GeneChip 50K Xba array. The analysis revealed several homozygous regions. Three candidate genes were identified, and in one of the genes, NDUFA12, a homozygous c.178C→T mutation leading to a premature stop codon (p.Arg60X) was found. Western blot analysis showed absence of NDUFA12 protein in patient fibroblasts and functional complementation by a baculovirus system showed restoration of complex I activity. NDUFA12 mutations are apparently not a frequent cause of complex I deficiency, since mutations were not found by screening altogether 122 complex I deficient patients in two different studies. NDUFA12 encodes an accessory subunit of complex I and is a paralogue of NDUFAF2. Despite the complete absence of NDUFA12 protein, a fully assembled and enzymatically active complex I could be found, albeit in reduced amounts. This suggests that NDUFA12 is required either at a late step in the assembly of complex I, or in the stability of complex I.

  1. Lifestyle Intervention for People With Severe Obesity and Serious Mental Illness.

    PubMed

    Naslund, John A; Aschbrenner, Kelly A; Scherer, Emily A; Pratt, Sarah I; Wolfe, Rosemarie S; Bartels, Stephen J

    2016-02-01

    People with serious mental illness experience elevated severe obesity rates, yet limited evidence documents whether lifestyle intervention participation can benefit these individuals. This study examined the impact of the In SHAPE lifestyle intervention on weight loss among participants with serious mental illness and severe obesity (BMI ≥40) compared with participants who are overweight (BMI 25 to <30) and have class I (BMI 30 to <35) or class II (BMI 35 to <40) obesity. Data were combined from three trials of the 12-month In SHAPE intervention for individuals with serious mental illness collected between 2007 and 2013 and analyzed in 2014. In SHAPE includes individual weekly meetings with a fitness trainer, a gym membership, and nutrition education. The primary outcome was weight loss. Secondary outcomes were fitness, blood pressure, lipids, and program adherence. Participants (N=192) were diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum (53.1%) or mood (46.9%) disorders. At 12 months, the overall sample showed significant weight loss, but differences among BMI groups were not significant (severe obesity, 2.57% [7.98%]; class II, 2.26% [8.69%]; class I, 1.05% [6.86%]; overweight, 0.83% [7.62%]). One third of participants with severe obesity achieved ≥5% weight loss, which was comparable across groups. More participants with severe obesity achieved ≥10% weight loss (20%) than overweight (2.9%, p=0.001) and class I (5.9%, p<0.001), but not class II (17.8%, p=0.974), obesity groups. People with severe obesity and serious mental illness benefit similarly to those in lower BMI groups from lifestyle intervention participation. Copyright © 2016 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Association Between Polymorphisms of VDR, COL1A1, and LCT genes and bone mineral density in Belarusian women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis.

    PubMed

    Marozik, Pavel; Mosse, Irma; Alekna, Vidmantas; Rudenko, Ema; Tamulaitienė, Marija; Ramanau, Heorhi; Strazdienė, Vaidilė; Samokhovec, Volha; Ameliyanovich, Maxim; Byshnev, Nikita; Gonchar, Alexander; Kundas, Liubov; Zhur, Krystsina

    2013-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE. Variation of osteoporosis in the population is the result of an interaction between the genotype and the environment, and the genetic causes of osteoporosis are being widely investigated. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), type I collagen (COL1A1), and lactase (LCT) genes and severe postmenopausal osteoporosis as well as bone mineral density (BMD). MATERIAL AND METHODS. A total of 54 women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis and 77 controls (mean age, 58.3 years [SD, 6.2] and 56.7 years [SD, 7.42], respectively) were included into the study. The subjects were recruited at the City Center for Osteoporosis Prevention (Minsk, Belarus). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and the femoral neck. Severe osteoporosis was diagnosed in the women with the clinical diagnosis of postmenopausal osteoporosis and at least 1 fragility fracture. The control group included women without osteoporosis. Polymorphic sites in osteoporosis predisposition genes (ApaI, BsmI, TaqI, and Cdx2 of the VDR gene, G2046T of the COL1A1 gene, and T-13910C of the LCT gene) were determined using the polymerase chain reaction on the deoxyribonucleic acid isolated from dried bloodspots. RESULTS. The data showed that the ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms of the VDR gene and T- 13910C of the LCT gene were associated with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis in the analyzed Belarusian women (P<0.01). A statistically significant positive correlation between the VDR risk genotypes ApaI and TaqI and bone mineral density was found (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS. The findings of this study suggest that at least the ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms of the VDR gene and T-13910C of the LCT gene are associated with the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis in our sample of the Belarusian women.

  3. Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP-118): Development, Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Verheul, Roel; Andrea, Helene; Berghout, Caspar C.; Dolan, Conor; Busschbach, Jan J. V.; van der Kroft, Petra J. A.; Bateman, Anthony W.; Fonagy, Peter

    2008-01-01

    This article describes a series of studies involving 2,730 participants on the development and validity testing of the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP), a self-report questionnaire covering important core components of (mal)adaptive personality functioning. Results show that the 16 facets constituted homogeneous item clusters (i.e.,…

  4. The Effect of Trauma Center Designation and Trauma Volume on Outcome in Specific Severe Injuries

    PubMed Central

    Demetriades, Demetrios; Martin, Mathew; Salim, Ali; Rhee, Peter; Brown, Carlos; Chan, Linda

    2005-01-01

    Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of American College of Surgeons (ACS) trauma center designation and trauma volume on outcome in patients with specific severe injuries. Background: Trauma centers are designated by the ACS into different levels on the basis of resources, trauma volume, and educational and research commitment. The criteria for trauma center designation are arbitrary and have never been validated. Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank study, which included patients >14 years of age and had injury severity score (ISS) >15, were alive on admission and had at least one of the following severe injuries: aortic, vena cava, iliac vessels, cardiac, grade IV/V liver injuries, quadriplegia, or complex pelvic fractures. Outcomes (mortality, intensive care unit stay, and severe disability at discharge) were compared among level I and II trauma centers and between centers within the same level designation but different volumes of severe trauma (<240 vs ≥240 trauma admissions with ISS >15 per year). The outcomes were adjusted for age (<65 ≥65), gender, mechanism of injury, hypotension on admission, and ISS (≤25 and >25). Results: A total of 12,254 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, level I centers had significantly lower mortality (25.3% vs 29.3%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71–0.94; P = 0.004) and significantly lower severe disability at discharge (20.3% vs 33.8%, adjusted OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.44–0.69; P < 0.001) than level II centers. Subgroup analysis showed that cardiovascular injuries (N = 2004) and grades IV–V liver injuries (N = 1415) had a significantly better survival in level I than level II trauma centers (adjusted P = 0.017 and 0.023, respectively). Overall, there was a significantly better functional outcome in level I centers (adjusted P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed level I centers had significantly better functional outcomes in complex pelvic

  5. Fungal origin by horizontal transfer of a plant mitochondrial group I intron in the chimeric CoxI gene of Peperomia.

    PubMed

    Vaughn, J C; Mason, M T; Sper-Whitis, G L; Kuhlman, P; Palmer, J D

    1995-11-01

    We present phylogenetic evidence that a group I intron in an angiosperm mitochondrial gene arose recently by horizontal transfer from a fungal donor species. A 1,716-bp fragment of the mitochondrial coxI gene from the angiosperm Peperomia polybotrya was amplified via the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Comparison to other coxI genes revealed a 966-bp group I intron, which, based on homology with the related yeast coxI intron aI4, potentially encodes a 279-amino-acid site-specific DNA endonuclease. This intron, which is believed to function as a ribozyme during its own splicing, is not present in any of 19 coxI genes examined from other diverse vascular plant species. Phylogenetic analysis of intron origin was carried out using three different tree-generating algorithms, and on a variety of nucleotide and amino acid data sets from the intron and its flanking exon sequences. These analyses show that the Peperomia coxI gene intron and exon sequences are of fundamentally different evolutionary origin. The Peperomia intron is more closely related to several fungal mitochondrial introns, two of which are located at identical positions in coxI, than to identically located coxI introns from the land plant Marchantia and the green alga Prototheca. Conversely, the exon sequence of this gene is, as expected, most closely related to other angiosperm coxI genes. These results, together with evidence suggestive of co-conversion of exonic markers immediately flanking the intron insertion site, lead us to conclude that the Peperomia coxI intron probably arose by horizontal transfer from a fungal donor, using the double-strand-break repair pathway. The donor species may have been one of the symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi that live in close obligate association with most plants.

  6. Prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling in a case of spina bifida in a family with Waardenburg syndrome type I.

    PubMed

    Kujat, Annegret; Veith, Veit-Peter; Faber, Renaldo; Froster, Ursula G

    2007-01-01

    Waardenburg syndrome type I (WS I) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder with an incidence of 1:45,000 in Europe. Mutations within the PAX3 gene are responsible for the clinical phenotype ranging from mild facial features to severe malformations detectable in prenatal diagnosis. Here, we report a four-generation family with several affected members showing various symptoms of WS I. We diagnosed the syndrome first in a pregnant young woman; she was referred because of a spina bifida in prenatal diagnosis. We performed clinical genetic investigations and molecular genetic analysis in all available family members. The phenotype displays a wide intra-familial clinical variability of pigmentary disturbances, facial anomalies and developmental defects. Molecular studies identified a novel splice site mutation within the PAX3 gene in intron 5 in all affected family members, but in none of the unaffected relatives. This case demonstrates the prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida in a fetus which leads to the initial diagnosis of WS I. Further studies could identify a private splice site mutation within the PAX3 gene responsible for the phenotype in this family.

  7. T helper type 2-polarized invariant natural killer T cells reduce disease severity in acute intra-abdominal sepsis

    PubMed Central

    Anantha, R V; Mazzuca, D M; Xu, S X; Porcelli, S A; Fraser, D D; Martin, C M; Welch, I; Mele, T; Haeryfar, S M M; McCormick, J K

    2014-01-01

    Sepsis is characterized by a severe systemic inflammatory response to infection that is associated with high morbidity and mortality despite optimal care. Invariant natural killer T (iNK T) cells are potent regulatory lymphocytes that can produce pro- and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus shaping the course and nature of immune responses; however, little is known about their role in sepsis. We demonstrate here that patients with sepsis/severe sepsis have significantly elevated proportions of iNK T cells in their peripheral blood (as a percentage of their circulating T cells) compared to non-septic patients. We therefore investigated the role of iNK T cells in a mouse model of intra-abdominal sepsis (IAS). Our data show that iNK T cells are pathogenic in IAS, and that T helper type 2 (Th2) polarization of iNK T cells using the synthetic glycolipid OCH significantly reduces mortality from IAS. This reduction in mortality is associated with the systemic elevation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-13 and reduction of several proinflammatory cytokines within the spleen, notably interleukin (IL)-17. Finally, we show that treatment of sepsis with OCH in mice is accompanied by significantly reduced apoptosis of splenic T and B lymphocytes and macrophages, but not natural killer cells. We propose that modulation of iNK T cell responses towards a Th2 phenotype may be an effective therapeutic strategy in early sepsis. PMID:24965554

  8. Problem gambling severity and the incidence of Axis I psychopathology among older adults in the general population

    PubMed Central

    Pilver, Corey E.; Libby, Daniel J.; Hoff, Rani A.; Potenza, Marc N.

    2013-01-01

    To examine the longitudinal relationship between past-year problem-gambling severity and incident Axis I psychopathology among older adults (aged 55 to 90), analyses were conducted on data from the National Epidemiologic Study of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). This nationally-representative population-based survey was conducted in two waves (Wave 1, 2000-2001; and Wave 2, 2004-2005). Past-year problem-gambling severity at Wave 1 and incident Axis I psychopathology at Wave 2 were evaluated with the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule—Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fourth Edition. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was conducted on groups categorized into low-frequency gambling/non-gambling (LFG/NG), low-risk gambling (LRG), and at-risk/problem/pathological gambling (ARPG) based on DSM-IV criteria for pathological gambling. Relative to LFG/NG, ARPG at Wave 1 was positively associated with the incidence of generalized anxiety disorder (OR=2.51; p=.011) and any substance use disorder (OR=2.61; p=.0036); LRG was negatively associated with the incidence of hypomania (OR=0.33; p=.017). Models were adjusted for demographic characteristics, psychiatric comorbidity, health behaviors, physical health, and stressful life events assessed at baseline. While gambling may represent a positive activity for some older adults, data suggest that risky/problematic gambling behavior may be associated with the development of psychiatric problems in this population. Older-adult gamblers, as well as their clinicians, friends, and family, should be aware of potential risks associated with gambling, adopt strategies to prevent the onset of secondary disorders, and monitor themselves and others for signs of problems. PMID:23333039

  9. Curative Treatment of Stage I Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Patients With Severe COPD: Stereotactic Radiotherapy Outcomes and Systematic Review

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Palma, David, E-mail: david.palma@uwo.ca; Division of Radiation Oncology, London Regional Cancer Program, London, Ontario; Lagerwaard, Frank

    2012-03-01

    Objectives: Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a high risk of lung cancer and of postsurgical complications. We studied outcomes after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with severe COPD, as defined by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, and performed a systematic review of the literature on outcomes after SBRT or surgery in these patients. Methods: A single-institution cohort of 176 patients with COPD GOLD III-IV and Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with SBRT was evaluated. A systematic review identified studies reporting outcomes after SBRT or surgery for Stage I NSCLCmore » in patients with GOLD III-IV or a predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of {<=}40%. Results: In the single-institution cohort, median follow-up was 21 months and median overall survival (OS) was 32 months. Actuarial 3-year local control was 89%, and 1- and 3-year OS were 79% and 47%, respectively. COPD severity correlated with OS (p = 0.01). The systematic review identified four other studies (two surgical, two SBRT, n = 196 patients). SBRT studies were published more recently and included older patients than surgical studies. Mean 30-day mortality was 0% post-SBRT and 10% after surgery. Local or locoregional control was high ({>=}89%) after both treatments. Post-SBRT, actuarial OS was 79-95% at 1 year and 43-70% at 3 years. Postsurgical actuarial OS was 45-86% at 1 year and 31-66% at 3 years. Conclusions: SBRT and surgery differ in risk of 30-day mortality in patients with severe COPD. Despite the negative selection of SBRT patients, survival at 1 and 3 years is comparable between the two treatments.« less

  10. A Study on the Correlation of Pertrochanteric Osteoporotic Fracture Severity with the Severity of Osteoporosis.

    PubMed

    Hayer, Prabhnoor Singh; Deane, Anit Kumar Samuel; Agrawal, Atul; Maheshwari, Rajesh; Juyal, Anil

    2016-04-01

    Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease caused by progressive bone loss. It is characterized by low Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and structural deterioration of bone tissue leading to bone fragility and increased risk of fractures. When classifying a fracture, high reliability and validity are crucial for successful treatment. Furthermore, a classification system should include severity, method of treatment, and prognosis for any given fracture. Since it is known that treatment significantly influences prognosis, a classification system claiming to include both would be desirable. Since there is no such classification system, which includes both the fracture type and the osteoporosis severity, we tried to find a correlation between fracture severity and osteoporosis severity. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the AO/ASIF fracture classification system, which indicates the severity of fractures, has any relationship with the bone mineral status in patients with primary osteoporosis. We hypothesized that fracture severity and severity of osteoporosis should show some correlation. An observational analytical study was conducted over a period of one year during which 49 patients were included in the study at HIMS, SRH University, Dehradun. The osteoporosis status of all the included patients with a pertrochanteric fracture was documented using a DEXA scan and T-Score (BMD) was calculated. All patients had a trivial trauma. All the fractures were classified as per AO/ASIF classification. Pearson Correlation between BMD and fracture type was calculated. Data was entered on Microsoft Office Excel version 2007 and Interpretation and analysis of obtained data was done using summary statistics. Pearson Correlation between BMD and fracture type was calculated using the SPSS software version 22.0. The average age of the patients included in the study was 71.2 years and the average bone mineral density was -4.9. The correlation between BMD and fracture type was

  11. Human Apolipoprotein A-I Natural Variants: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Amyloidogenic Propensity

    PubMed Central

    Ramella, Nahuel A.; Schinella, Guillermo R.; Ferreira, Sergio T.; Prieto, Eduardo D.; Vela, María E.; Ríos, José Luis

    2012-01-01

    Human apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)-derived amyloidosis can present with either wild-type (Wt) protein deposits in atherosclerotic plaques or as a hereditary form in which apoA-I variants deposit causing multiple organ failure. More than 15 single amino acid replacement amyloidogenic apoA-I variants have been described, but the molecular mechanisms involved in amyloid-associated pathology remain largely unknown. Here, we have investigated by fluorescence and biochemical approaches the stabilities and propensities to aggregate of two disease-associated apoA-I variants, apoA-IGly26Arg, associated with polyneuropathy and kidney dysfunction, and apoA-ILys107-0, implicated in amyloidosis in severe atherosclerosis. Results showed that both variants share common structural properties including decreased stability compared to Wt apoA-I and a more flexible structure that gives rise to formation of partially folded states. Interestingly, however, distinct features appear to determine their pathogenic mechanisms. ApoA-ILys107-0 has an increased propensity to aggregate at physiological pH and in a pro-inflammatory microenvironment than Wt apoA-I, whereas apoA-IGly26Arg elicited macrophage activation, thus stimulating local chronic inflammation. Our results strongly suggest that some natural mutations in apoA-I variants elicit protein tendency to aggregate, but in addition the specific interaction of different variants with macrophages may contribute to cellular stress and toxicity in hereditary amyloidosis. PMID:22952757

  12. Severe Hemifacial Spasm is a Predictor of Severe Indentation and Facial Palsy after Microdecompression Surgery.

    PubMed

    Na, Boo Suk; Cho, Jin Whan; Park, Kwan; Kwon, Soonwook; Kim, Ye Sel; Kim, Ji Sun; Youn, Jinyoung

    2018-04-27

    Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is mostly caused by the compression of the facial nerve by cerebral vessels, but the significance of spasm severity remains unclear. We investigated the clinical significance of spasm severity in patients with HFS who underwent microvascular decompression (MVD). We enrolled 636 patients with HFS who underwent MVD between May 2010 and December 2013 at Samsung Medical Center (SMC), Seoul, Korea. Subjects were divided into two groups based on spasm severity: severe (SMC grade 3 or 4) and mild (SMC grade 1 or 2). We compared demographic, clinical, and surgical data between these two groups. The severe-spasm group was older and had a longer disease duration at the time of MVD compared to the mild-spasm group. Additionally, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were more common in the severe-spasm group than in the mild-spasm group. Regarding surgical findings, there were more patients with multiple offending vessels and more-severe indentations in the severe-spasm group than in the mild-spasm group. Even though the surgical outcomes did not differ, the incidence of delayed facial palsy after MVD was higher in the severe-spasm group than in the mild-spasm group. Logistic regression analysis showed that severe-spasm was correlated with longer disease duration, hypertension, severe indentation, multiple offending vessels, and delayed facial palsy after MVD. Spasm severity does not predict surgical outcomes, but it can be used as a marker of pathologic compression in MVD for HFS, and be considered as a predictor of delayed facial palsy after MVD. Copyright © 2018 Korean Neurological Association.

  13. The outcome of clinical parameters in adults with severe Type I Gaucher disease using very low dose enzyme replacement therapy.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Callum; Spearing, Ruth; Teague, Lochie; Robertson, Patsy; Blacklock, Hilary

    2007-01-01

    Enzyme replacement therapy is now well established as the treatment of choice in Type I Gaucher disease. Historically higher dosage regimens have been used in preference to lower doses despite the little clinical evidence in the way of large controlled clinical trials to support this. Moreover, the extraordinary cost of therapy means that not all eligible patients are able to be treated at the higher dose. Twelve type I adult patients with relatively severe disease were commenced on a very low dose of 7.5U of alglucerase/imiglucerase per kg every two weeks (initially given thrice weekly and later weekly). Follow-up 5 year data reveal a good visceral and haematological response with outcomes consistent with recently published treatment guidelines. Satisfactory clinical and radiological skeletal improvement was also demonstrated in most patients. Three patients had an inadequate overall skeletal response to therapy. Biomarkers also steadily improved although perhaps not quite at the same rate as that seen in higher doses. Very low dose enzyme replacement therapy may be appropriate for adult type I Gaucher patients with mild-moderate skeletal disease.

  14. A novel approach for analyzing severe crash patterns on multilane highways.

    PubMed

    Pande, Anurag; Abdel-Aty, Mohamed

    2009-09-01

    This study presents a novel approach for analysis of patterns in severe crashes that occur on mid-block segments of multilane highways with partially limited access. A within stratum matched crash vs. non-crash classification approach is adopted towards that end. Under this approach crashes serve as units of analysis and it does not require aggregation of crash data over arterial segments of arbitrary lengths. Also, the proposed approach does not use information on non-severe crashes and hence is not affected by under-reporting of the minor crashes. Random samples of time, day of week, and location (i.e., milepost) combinations were collected for multilane arterials in the state of Florida and matched with severe crashes from the corresponding corridor to form matched strata consisting of severe crash and non-crash cases. For these cases, geometric design/roadside and traffic characteristics were derived based on the corresponding milepost locations. Four groups of crashes, severe rear-end, lane-change related, pedestrian, and single-vehicle/off-road crashes, on multilane arterials segments were compared separately to the non-crash cases. Severe lane-change related crashes may primarily be attributed to exposure while single-vehicle crashes and pedestrian crashes have no significant relationship with the ADT (Average Daily Traffic). For severe rear-end crashes speed limit, ADT, K-factor, time of day/day of week, median type, pavement condition, and presence of horizontal curvature were significant factors. The proposed approach uses general roadway characteristics as independent variables rather than event-specific information (i.e., crash characteristics such as driver/vehicle details); it has the potential to fit within a safety evaluation framework for arterial segments.

  15. Vegetation response to a short interval between high-severity wildfires in a mixed-evergreen forest

    Treesearch

    Daniel C. Donato; Joseph B. Fontaine; W. Douglas Robinson; J. Boone Kauffman; Beverly E. Law

    2009-01-01

    Variations in disturbance regime strongly influence ecosystem structure and function. A prominent form of such variation is when multiple high-severity wildfires occur in rapid succession (i.e. short-interval (SI) severe fires, or ‘re-burns’). These events have been proposed as key mechanisms altering successional rates and pathways....

  16. Severe Graves' ophthalmopathy may be a risk factor for the development of postthyroidectomy hypocalcaemia.

    PubMed

    Hassan, I; Danila, R; Maurer, E; Osei-Agymang, T; Zielke, A

    2008-11-01

    The aim of this study was to compare the rate of hypocalcaemia after thyroid resection in patients with versus patients without Graves' Ophthalmopathy (GO). 153 patients following thyroid surgery for Grave's disease were studied. Patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of GO at the time of surgery using the NOSPECS classification. Subgroup I comprised of 70 patients without GO, subgroup II comprised of 63 patients with moderate GO and 20 patients with severe GO were assigned to Subgroup III. Association between severe ophthalmopathy and postoperative hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy was investigated. 12/70 patients complained transient and 3/70 permanent hypocalcemia within subgroup I. 14/63 patients developed transient and 4/63 patients permanent hypocalcaemia within subgroup II. There were 7/20 patients with transient and 5/20 cases with permanent hypocalcaemia in the patient group with severe GO (subgroup III). The incidence of permanent postthyroidectomy hypocalcaemia was significantly higher in the subgroup III with severe GO when compared to the subgroup I without GO (p=0.004). Although postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia seems to be a multifactorial phenomenon, this study implicates unknown role of severe GO at time of surgery in the development of hypocalcaemia after thyroid surgery for Graves' disease. Therefore, patients with GO should be considered for surgery at high volume centres specialised in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

  17. Amphotericin B lipid complex in the treatment of severe paracoccidioidomycosis: a case series.

    PubMed

    Peçanha, Paulo Mendes; de Souza, Stella; Falqueto, Aloísio; Grão-Veloso, Tânia Regina; Lírio, Ludmila Ventura; Ferreira, Carlos Urbano Gonçalves; Santos, Aline Rocha; Costa, Hélbia Garcia; de Souza, Lúcia Renata Meirelles; Tuon, Felipe Francisco

    2016-10-01

    Amphotericin B deoxycholate is the main option for intravenous (i.v.) treatment of severe paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). This is the first report of amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) in the treatment of PCM. Among 28 patients, cure was achieved in all patients (100%) using ABLC. Mean and median daily doses of ABLC were 3.39 mg/kg/day and 3.35 mg/kg/day, respectively. ABLC may be a choice in the treatment of severe forms of PCM or when i.v. options are required. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. and International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

  18. The left and right ventricle of a patient with a R723G mutation of the beta-myosin heavy chain and severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy show no differences in the expression of myosin mRNA.

    PubMed

    Borchert, Bianca; Tripathi, Snigdha; Francino, Antonio; Navarro-Lopez, Francisco; Kraft, Theresia

    2010-01-01

    In familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC), asymmetric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy has been considered to be the predominant phenotypic expression, whereas right ventricular (RV) involvement is still ambiguous. In most cases, the right ventricle remains unaffected until secondary pulmonary hypertension develops. Several FHC-causing mutations of genes encoding sarcomere-related proteins have been identified which are transmitted in an autosomal-dominant manner. We report the case of a 61 year old member of a Catalan family with a Arg723Gly missense mutation of the β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), that is associated with a malignant phenotype characterized by sudden cardiac death and heart failure. Because of progressive systolic LV dysfunction, the patient received a heart transplant in 2003. Molecular analysis of the myocardial tissue of the explanted heart, taken from the left and right ventricle, showed a similar deviation of the ratio of mutant vs wild type mRNA of the β-MHC of 71.8 ± 5% and 68.5 ± 3%, respectively. This finding was confirmed for LV biopsies of this patient on protein level, showing a similar proportion of mutated β-myosin. But since the patient is heterozygous for the β-MHC mutation and the mutation is located in a coding region, the relative increase of the expression of the mutant allele is unexpected. It has been demonstrated before by our group for several β-MHC mutations that the relative abundance of mutated mRNA/protein correlates with the clinical severity of the disease. But since the right ventricle shows no (or only minor) manifestation in terms of hypertrophy or dysfunction, the level of mRNA and protein expression is not the only factor responsible for the development of the phenotype of FHC. Several mechanisms through which cardiac stresses may incite maladaptive cardiac remodeling primarily of the left ventricle that result in myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure are proposed. One of those triggers could be the

  19. Coral Ba/Ca records of sediment input to the fringing reef of the southshore of Moloka'i, Hawai'i over the last several decades

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Prouty, N.G.; Field, M.E.; Stock, J.D.; Jupiter, S.D.; McCulloch, M.

    2010-01-01

    The fringing reef of southern Moloka’i is perceived to be in decline because of land-based pollution. In the absence of historical records of sediment pollution, ratios of coral Ba/Ca were used to test the hypothesis that sedimentation has increased over time. Baseline Ba/Ca ratios co-vary with the abundance of red, terrigenous sediment visible in recent imagery. The highest values at One Ali’i are near one of the muddiest parts of the reef. This co-varies with the lowest growth rate of all the sites, perhaps because the upstream Kawela watershed was historically leveed all the way to the nearshore, providing a fast-path for sediment delivery. Sites adjacent to small, steep watersheds have ∼decadal periodicities whereas sites adjacent to mangrove forests have shorter-period fluctuations that correspond to the periodicity of sediment transport in the nearshore, rather than the watershed. All four sites show a statistically significant upward trend in Ba/Ca.

  20. Precursors to potential severe core damage accidents: 1994, a status report. Volume 22: Appendix I

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Belles, R.J.; Cletcher, J.W.; Copinger, D.A.

    Nine operational events that affected eleven commercial light-water reactors (LWRs) during 1994 and that are considered to be precursors to potential severe core damage are described. All these events had conditional probabilities of subsequent severe core damage greater than or equal to 1.0 {times} 10{sup {minus}6}. These events were identified by computer-screening the 1994 licensee event reports from commercial LWRs to identify those that could be potential precursors. Candidate precursors were then selected and evaluated in a process similar to that used in previous assessments. Selected events underwent engineering evaluation that identified, analyzed, and documented the precursors. Other events designatedmore » by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) also underwent a similar evaluation. Finally, documented precursors were submitted for review by licensees and NRC headquarters and regional offices to ensure that the plant design and its response to the precursor were correctly characterized. This study is a continuation of earlier work, which evaluated 1969--1981 and 1984--1993 events. The report discusses the general rationale for this study, the selection and documentation of events as precursors, and the estimation of conditional probabilities of subsequent severe core damage for events. This document is bound in two volumes: Vol. 21 contains the main report and Appendices A--H; Vol. 22 contains Appendix 1.« less

  1. Novel mutations in DNAJB6 gene cause a very severe early-onset limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 1D disease.

    PubMed

    Palmio, Johanna; Jonson, Per Harald; Evilä, Anni; Auranen, Mari; Straub, Volker; Bushby, Kate; Sarkozy, Anna; Kiuru-Enari, Sari; Sandell, Satu; Pihko, Helena; Hackman, Peter; Udd, Bjarne

    2015-11-01

    DNAJB6 is the causative gene for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 1D (LGMD1D). Four different coding missense mutations, p.F89I, p.F93I, p.F93L, and p.P96R, have been reported in families from Europe, North America and Asia. The previously known mutations cause mainly adult-onset proximal muscle weakness with moderate progression and without respiratory involvement. A Finnish family and a British patient have been studied extensively due to a severe muscular dystrophy. The patients had childhood-onset LGMD, loss of ambulation in early adulthood and respiratory involvement; one patient died of respiratory failure aged 32. Two novel mutations, c.271T > A (p.F91I) and c.271T > C (p.F91L), in DNAJB6 were identified by whole exome sequencing as a cause of this severe form of LGMD1D. The results were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The anti-aggregation effect of the mutant DNAJB6 was investigated in a filter-trap based system using transient transfection of mammalian cell lines and polyQ-huntingtin as a model for an aggregation-prone protein. Both novel mutant proteins show a significant loss of ability to prevent aggregation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Patient-derived iPSCs show premature neural differentiation and neuron-type specific phenotypes relevant to neurodevelopment

    PubMed Central

    Yeh, Erika; Dao, Dang Q.; Wu, Zhi Y.; Kandalam, Santoshi M.; Camacho, Federico M.; Tom, Curtis; Zhang, Wandong; Krencik, Robert; Rauen, Katherine A.; Ullian, Erik M.; Weiss, Lauren A.

    2017-01-01

    Ras/MAPK pathway signaling is a major participant in neurodevelopment, and evidence suggests that BRAF, a key Ras signal mediator, influences human behavior. We studied the role of the mutation BRAFQ257R, the most common cause of cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFC), in an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived model of human neurodevelopment. In iPSC-derived neuronal cultures from CFC subjects, we observed decreased p-AKT and p-ERK1/2 compared to controls, as well as a depleted neural progenitor pool and rapid neuronal maturation. Pharmacological PI3K/AKT pathway manipulation recapitulated cellular phenotypes in control cells and attenuated them in CFC cells. CFC cultures displayed altered cellular subtype ratios and increased intrinsic excitability. Moreover, in CFC cells, Ras/MAPK pathway activation and morphological abnormalities exhibited cell subtype-specific differences. Our results highlight the importance of exploring specific cellular subtypes and of using iPSC models to reveal relevant human-specific neurodevelopmental events. PMID:29158583

  3. Dirac Operator in Several Variables and Combinatorial Identities

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Damiano, Alberto; Souček, Vladimír

    2007-09-01

    The Dolbeault sequence is a fundamental tool for many problems in the function theory of several complex variables. A lot of attention was paid in the last decades to its analogue in the function theory of several Clifford variables. The first operator in this resolution is the Dirac operator in several variables. The complete description is known in dimension 4 (i.e., in the case of quaternionic variables, see [1, 6, 4]). Much less is known in higher dimensions. The case of three variables was described completely (see [18]). The full description of the complex for all dimensions is not known at present. Even the case of the stable range (i.e., when the number of variables is less or equal to the half of dimension) is still not fully understood. There are two different approaches to the stable range case, one based on classical algebraic geometry (the Hilbert syzygy theory, see [8]), the other one on representation theory (differential invariants in certain parabolic geometries, see [14, 20]). Differential operators in these resolutions are acting on vector-valued functions. Such spaces of functions are quite complicated in general and the first problem in the description of the resolution is to understand their dimensions. Both the approaches mentioned above suggest an answer to this question, although such answers look quite different. The aim of the paper is to compare these two results and to show that they lead to complicated combinatorial identities.

  4. Severe maxillary osteomyelitis in a Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Barber-Meyer, Shannon

    2012-01-01

    Dental injuries to or abnormalities in functionally important teeth and associated bones in predators may significantly reduce the ability to kill and consume prey (Lazar et al. 2009). This impairment is likely exacerbated in coursing predators, such as Gray Wolves, that bite and hold onto fleeing and kicking prey with their teeth. Damage to carnassials (upper fourth premolar, P4, and lower first molar, M1) and associated bones in Gray Wolves may especially inhibit the consumption of prey because these teeth slice meat and crush bone. Here I report maxillary osteomyelitis involving the carnassials in a wild Gray Wolf from northeastern Minnesota of such severity that I hypothesize it ultimately caused the Gray Wolf to starve to death.

  5. iRPD--A Framework for Guiding Design-Based Research for iPad Apps

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kucirkova, Natalia

    2017-01-01

    The last 5 years have been marked by an explosion of tablet and smartphone applications designed for young children and several calls to encourage educational researchers to engage in children's app research. This paper presents a novel prospect for educational researchers: to collaboratively research, implement and produce iPad apps for…

  6. Plasma chitotriosidase activity versus CCL18 level for assessing type I Gaucher disease severity: protocol for a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual participant data.

    PubMed

    Raskovalova, Tatiana; Deegan, Patrick B; Yang, Ruby; Pavlova, Elena; Stirnemann, Jérome; Labarère, José; Zimran, Ari; Mistry, Pramod K; Berger, Marc

    2017-04-20

    Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency in acid beta-glucosidase. GD exhibits a wide clinical spectrum of disease severity with an unpredictable natural course. Plasma chitotriosidase activity and CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) have been exchangeably used for monitoring GD activity and response to enzyme replacement therapy in conjunction with clinical assessment. Yet, a large-scale head-to-head comparison of these two biomarkers is currently lacking. We propose a collaborative systematic review with meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD) to compare the accuracy of plasma chitotriosidase activity and CCL18 in assessing type I (i.e., non-neuropathic) GD severity. Eligible studies include cross-sectional, cohort, and randomized controlled studies recording both plasma chitotriosidase activity and CCL18 level at baseline and/or at follow-up in consecutive children or adult patients with type I GD. Pre-specified surrogate outcomes reflecting GD activity include liver and spleen volume, hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, and symptomatic bone events with imaging confirmation. Primary studies will be identified by searching Medline (1995 onwards), EMBASE (1995 onwards), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Electronic search will be complemented by contacting research groups in order to identify unpublished relevant studies. Where possible, IPD will be extracted from published articles. Corresponding authors will be invited to collaborate by supplying IPD. The methodological quality of retrieved studies will be appraised for each study outcome, using a checklist adapted from the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. The primary outcome will be a composite of liver volume >1.25 multiple of normal (MN), spleen volume >5 MN, hemoglobin concentration <11 g/dL, or platelet count <100 × 10 9 /L. Effect size estimates for biomarker comparative accuracy in

  7. Associations between HLA class I and cytochrome P450 2C9 genetic polymorphisms and phenytoin-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions in a Thai population.

    PubMed

    Tassaneeyakul, Wichittra; Prabmeechai, Napat; Sukasem, Chonlaphat; Kongpan, Thachanan; Konyoung, Parinya; Chumworathayi, Pansu; Tiamkao, Somsak; Khunarkornsiri, Usanee; Kulkantrakorn, Kongkiat; Saksit, Niwat; Nakkam, Nontaya; Satapornpong, Patompong; Vannaprasaht, Suda; Sangviroon, Alisara; Mahasirimongkol, Surakameth; Wichukchinda, Nuanjun; Rerkpattanapipat, Ticha; Tassaneeyakul, Wongwiwat

    2016-05-01

    Phenytoin is one of the most common causative drugs of several types of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Genetic polymorphisms of the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and cytochromes P450 (CYP) have been proposed as key elements for the susceptibility to phenytoin-related SCAR in certain ethnicities. This study investigated the associations between the genetic polymorphisms of HLA class I and CYP2C9 and phenytoin-related SCAR in a Thai population. Sixty phenytoin-related SCAR (i.e. 39 SJS/TEN and 21 DRESS) and 92 phenytoin-tolerant patients were enrolled in the study. The genotypes of HLA class I and CYP2C9 were determined. Six HLA alleles including HLA-A*33:03, HLA-B*38:02, HLA-B*51:01, HLA-B*56:02, HLA-B*58:01, and HLA-C*14:02 were significantly associated with phenytoin-related SJS/TEN, whereas only the HLA-B*51:01 was significantly associated with phenytoin-related DRESS. The odds ratios of phenytoin-related SJS/TEN in the patients who carried one of these alleles ranged from 4- to 10-fold. The frequencies of patients who carried the HLA-B*15:02 in the SJS/TEN (12.82%) or the DRESS (9.52%) groups were not significantly different from that of the controls (14.13%). The higher risk of phenytoin-related SJS/TEN was observed in the patients with CYP2C9*3 (odds ratio=4.30, 95% confidence interval=1.41-13.09, P<0.05). Neither SJS/TEN nor DRESS caused by phenytoin was significantly associated with the HLA-B*15:02. The CYP2C9*3 variant was significantly associated with phenytoin-related SJS/TEN, but not DRESS. Certain alleles of HLA, particularly HLA-B*56:02, were significantly associated with phenytoin-related SCAR in the study population.

  8. A polymer supported Cu(I) catalyst for the 'click reaction' in aqueous media.

    PubMed

    Ul Islam, Rafique; Taher, Abu; Choudhary, Meenakshi; Witcomb, Michael J; Mallick, Kaushik

    2015-01-21

    Polymer stabilized monovalent copper has been synthesized using an in situ chemical transformation route and was characterized by means of different microscopic, optical and surface characterization techniques, which offered information about the chemical structure of the polymer and the morphology of the complex. The supramolecular material, Cu(i)-poly(2-aminobenzoic acid), denoted Cu(i)-pABA, showed catalytic activity for the cycloaddition reaction between terminal alkynes and azides to synthesize 1,2,3-triazoles with excellent yields. The catalyst was recovered from the reaction mixture and recycled several times without an appreciable loss of catalytic activity. The whole strategy was done under ambient conditions and in the presence of water as a solvent.

  9. Association of childhood trauma and panic symptom severity in panic disorder: Exploring the mediating role of alexithymia.

    PubMed

    Zou, Zhili; Huang, Yulan; Wang, Jinyu; He, Ying; Min, Wenjiao; Chen, Xu; Wang, Jing; Zhou, Bo

    2016-12-01

    The aim of the present study was to examine the association between childhood trauma (CT), alexithymia, and panic symptom severity in patients with panic disorder (PD). Moreover, the effect of specific subtypes of CT on alexithymia and panic symptom severity was also investigated. 142 patients with PD and 146 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls were enrolled in the study. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis I (SCID-I), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-28 item Short Form (CTQ-28), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) were administered to all subjects. The relationships among CT subtypes, alexithymia, and panic symptom severity were investigated using Pearson's correlation analysis. The types of CT that predict alexithymia and panic symptom severity were also investigated using Regression analyses. PD patients showed higher scores on reporting all kinds of CT except sexual abuse. In addition, the TAS-20, DIF (difficulty identifying feelings) and DDF (difficulty describing feelings) scores were significantly higher in patients with PD than in controls. Significant positive correlations were noted among CT, alexithymia and panic symptoms severity. Results of regression analyses showed alexithymia as a mediator between the different types of CT and panic disorder severity, except sexual abuse. Although self-report questionnaires are reliable and widely used, the phenomenon of patients who underreport or overreport their symptoms cannot be ignored. The present study showed that CT and alexithymia are more common in patients with PD and impact the severity of panic symptoms. Results suggest that alexithymia may be an important mediator between CT and panic disorder severity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. H I-to-H2 Transition Layers in the Star-forming Region W43

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bialy, Shmuel; Bihr, Simon; Beuther, Henrik; Henning, Thomas; Sternberg, Amiel

    2017-02-01

    The process of atomic-to-molecular (H I-to-H2) gas conversion is fundamental for molecular-cloud formation and star formation. 21 cm observations of the star-forming region W43 revealed extremely high H I column densities, of 120-180 {M}⊙ {{pc}}-2, a factor of 10-20 larger than predicted by H I-to-H2 transition theories. We analyze the observed H I with a theoretical model of the H I-to-H2 transition, and show that the discrepancy between theory and observation cannot be explained by the intense radiation in W43, nor be explained by variations of the assumed volume density or H2 formation rate coefficient. We show that the large observed H I columns are naturally explained by several (9-22) H I-to-H2 transition layers, superimposed along the sightlines of W43. We discuss other possible interpretations such as a non-steady-state scenario and inefficient dust absorption. The case of W43 suggests that H I thresholds reported in extragalactic observations are probably not associated with a single H I-to-H2 transition, but are rather a result of several transition layers (clouds) along the sightlines, beam-diluted with diffuse intercloud gas.

  11. Mutagenic Activity of Indigofera truxillensis and I. suffruticosa Aerial Parts

    PubMed Central

    Calvo, Tamara Regina; Cardoso, Cássia Regina Primila; da Silva Moura, Adriana Candido; dos Santos, Lourdes Campaner; Colus, Ilce Mara Syllos; Vilegas, Wagner; Varanda, Eliana Aparecida

    2011-01-01

    Indigofera truxillensis and I. suffruticosa, are used as a source of indigo dye and to treat several diseases. The mutagenic activity of the methanolic extracts from aerial parts, glycerolipid, flavonoid and alkaloid fractions of the extract were evaluated by means of Salmonella/microsome assays using TA100, TA98, TA102 and TA97a strains. The methanolic extract of I. truxillensis showed mutagenic activity in the TA98 strain without S9 while glycerolipid fraction was devoid of activity. The flavonoid and alkaloid fractions of both plants showed mutagenicity. Chemical analysis of flavonoid fractions of I. truxillensis and I. suffruticosa resulted in the identification of kaempferol, quercetin and their derivatives. The alkaloid fraction of both the species contained indigo and indirubin and indigo was found mainly responsible for the mutagenic activity. PMID:19696193

  12. A Case of Severe Septicemia Following Traditional Samoan Tattooing

    PubMed Central

    Layman, Clifton; Bacomo, Ferdinand; Hsue, Gunther

    2013-01-01

    Traditional Samoan tattoos, or tatau, are created by master tattooists, or tufuga ta tatau, and their assistants using multi-pointed handmade tools. These tools are used to tap tattoo pigment into the skin, usually over several days. This traditional process is considered an honor to the one receiving the tatau. Unfortunately, as it is typically practiced according to cultural traditions, the sanitary practices are less than ideal. There have been several reported cases of severe infection, sepsis, shock, and even death as a result of traditional Samoan tattoos. Although Hawai'i is the home of the second largest Samoan population in the United States, short of only American Samoa, literature review found no published case reports in this state. Presented is a case of a 46-year-old man, who, after undergoing a modified version of traditional Samoan tattooing for 5 days, was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe septic shock due to poly-microbial bacteremia with Group A Streptococcus and Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus. In addition, we will discuss the previously reported cases, mainly documented in New Zealand, and review some of the mandatory sanitary standards put into place there. PMID:23386988

  13. Acute Presentation of Chiari I Malformation with Hemiparesis in a Pediatric Patient.

    PubMed

    Miranda, Stephen P; Kimmell, Kristopher T; Silberstein, Howard J

    2016-01-01

    Chiari I malformation (CM-I) is defined by cerebellar tonsillar herniation through the foramen magnum. Patients typically present with chronic complaints, including headache, dizziness, and numbness, although there are few reports in the literature of pediatric patients presenting acutely with neurological deficit caused by CM-I. We report a child who presented acutely with hemiparesis and magnetic resonance imaging findings consistent with CM-I and spinal cord edema. A 3-year old boy with normal development presented with difficulty walking and increased drooling. His mother stated he was running into objects and had balance issues for several days. Neurological examination showed ataxia with falling to the right after a few steps and weakness of the right arm and leg. His medical history was remarkable only for mild asthma, although he had recently been treated for an upper respiratory viral infection. Computed tomography of the head demonstrated no brainstem mass. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and cervical spine showed tonsillar ectopia approximately 2 cm below the craniocervical junction with increased T2 signal in the spinal cord from C1 to C3 consistent with syringomyelia and cord edema. The patient underwent suboccipital craniectomy with removal of the posterior arch of C1 and dural patch graft. His postoperative course was unremarkable, with complete resolution of his symptoms at his 1-month follow-up visit. This case highlights an unusual presentation of CM-I with neurological deficit related to spinal cord edema, possibly precipitated by the "water-hammer" effect of this patient's coughing fits. Providers should be aware of the acute presentations of CM-I. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. [Development of a software standardizing optical density with operation settings related to several limitations].

    PubMed

    Tu, Xiao-Ming; Zhang, Zuo-Heng; Wan, Cheng; Zheng, Yu; Xu, Jin-Mei; Zhang, Yuan-Yuan; Luo, Jian-Ping; Wu, Hai-Wei

    2012-12-01

    To develop a software that can be used to standardize optical density to normalize the procedures and results of standardization in order to effectively solve several problems generated during standardization of in-direct ELISA results. The software was designed based on the I-STOD method with operation settings to solve the problems that one might encounter during the standardization. Matlab GUI was used as a tool for the development. The software was tested with the results of the detection of sera of persons from schistosomiasis japonica endemic areas. I-STOD V1.0 (WINDOWS XP/WIN 7, 0.5 GB) was successfully developed to standardize optical density. A serial of serum samples from schistosomiasis japonica endemic areas were used to examine the operational effects of I-STOD V1.0 software. The results indicated that the software successfully overcame several problems including reliability of standard curve, applicable scope of samples and determination of dilution for samples outside the scope, so that I-STOD was performed more conveniently and the results of standardization were more consistent. I-STOD V1.0 is a professional software based on I-STOD. It can be easily operated and can effectively standardize the testing results of in-direct ELISA.

  15. COMBINATION OF MOLECULAR ADSORBENT RECIRCULATING SYSTEM AND RADIOIODINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF CONCURRENT HYPERTHYROIDISM AND SEVERE LIVER DYSFUNCTION: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Qing; Guan, Yanxing; Xiang, Tianxin; Liu, Shaozheng; Chen, Qingjie; Zhang, Qing

    2017-02-01

    The treatment of hyperthyroidism associated with severe liver dysfunction (LD) is a clinical challenge, and there has been no unified examination of this problem. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of radioiodine ( 131 I) in combination with a molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) for the treatment of hyperthyroidism complicated by severe liver LD. A total of 116 hyperthyroidism patients with concomitant LD who received MARS treatment were studied retrospectively. The patients were grouped according to whether or not they also received 131 I treatment: Group 1 (59 patients) received 131 I following MARS treatment, while Group 2 (57 cases) received only MARS. Clinical outcomes, including thyroid hormone levels, liver function parameters, and therapeutic efficacy were calculated. The overall response rate was significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P<.01). The clinical indicators improved significantly in both groups 3 months after treatment compared with before treatment (P<.05), but Group 1 showed a greater improvement. Compared with Group 1, patients in Group 2 had a longer stay in hospital (P<.05), and received more frequent MARS treatments (P<.05). The combination of MARS and 131 I for the treatment of hyperthyroidism complicated by severe LD was effective and safe. The use of this system could rapidly improve liver function and metabolism, allowing 131 I therapy to be applied as early as possible with a shortened recovery time of liver function. ALSS = artificial liver support system ALT = alanine transaminase AST = aspartate transaminase ATD = antithyroid drugs DBil = direct bilirubin FT3 = free tri-iodothyronine FT4 = free thyroxine 131 I = radioiodine INR = international normalized ratio LD = liver dysfunction MARS = molecular adsorbent recirculating system MELD = model for end-stage liver disease PT = prothrombin time TBil = total bilirubin TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone.

  16. Stress moderates the relationships between problem-gambling severity and specific psychopathologies.

    PubMed

    Ronzitti, Silvia; Kraus, Shane W; Hoff, Rani A; Potenza, Marc N

    2018-01-01

    The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which stress moderated the relationships between problem-gambling severity and psychopathologies. We analyzed Wave-1 data from 41,869 participants of the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Logistic regression showed that as compared to a non-gambling (NG) group, individuals at-risk gambling (ARG) and problem gambling (PPG) demonstrated higher odds of multiple Axis-I and Axis-II disorders in both high- and low-stress groups. Interactions odds ratios were statistically significant for stress moderating the relationships between at-risk gambling (versus non-gambling) and Any Axis-I and Any Axis-II disorder, with substance-use and Cluster-A and Cluster-B disorders contributing significantly. Some similar patterns were observed for pathological gambling (versus non-gambling), with stress moderating relationships with Cluster-B disorders. In all cases, a stronger relationship was observed between problem-gambling severity and psychopathology in the low-stress versus high-stress groups. The findings suggest that perceived stress accounts for some of the variance in the relationship between problem-gambling severity and specific forms of psychopathology, particularly with respect to lower intensity, subsyndromal levels of gambling. Findings suggest that stress may be particularly important to consider in the relationships between problem-gambling severity and substance use and Cluster-B disorders. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  17. Strong association between a splice mutation (IVS12+5G{r_arrow}A) and haplotype 6 in hereditary tyrosinemia type I

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tanguay, R.M.; St-Louis, M.; Gibson, K.

    1994-09-01

    Hereditary tyrosinemia type I (HT I; McKusick 276700) is a severe inborn error of tyrosine catabolism pathway caused by a deficiency of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH). The highest frequency reported is the one in Saguenay-Lac St-Jean (Quebec, Canada) where 1:1,846 births are affected. The FAH gene has been cloned and several mutations have been described. Allele specific oligonucleotide (ASO) hybridization was used to examine the frequency of a splice (IVS12-5G{r_arrow}A) mutation recently reported and RFLP analysis was done to identify haplotypes related to HT I. The splice mutation was found on 45/50 alleles (90%) in patients from SLSJ and 12/66 (18%)more » alleles from patients world-wide. All 25 patients from the SLSJ region were positive with 20 being homozygous, indicating that this mutation is the major cause of HT I in French Canada. Of these 25 patients, 96% were positive for one haplotype called no 6 which is these 25 patients, 96% were positive for one haplotype called no 6 which is identified by TaqI, RsaI, BglII, MspI and KpnI digestions. These data show a really strong association between the mutation (IVS12+5G{r_arrow}A) and haplotype 6. Among our patients from around the world, {approximately}52% were positive for haplotype 6 indicating its strong relation with HT I. These results provide the rationale for DNA-based carrier testing for HT I in the F-C population at risk as well as in HT I patients in general.« less

  18. The Global Asthma Network rationale and methods for Phase I global surveillance: prevalence, severity, management and risk factors.

    PubMed

    Ellwood, Philippa; Asher, M Innes; Billo, Nils E; Bissell, Karen; Chiang, Chen-Yuan; Ellwood, Eamon M; El-Sony, Asma; García-Marcos, Luis; Mallol, Javier; Marks, Guy B; Pearce, Neil E; Strachan, David P

    2017-01-01

    The Global Asthma Network (GAN), established in 2012, followed the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). ISAAC Phase One involved over 700 000 adolescents and children from 156 centres in 56 countries; it found marked worldwide variation in symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema that was not explained by the current understanding of these diseases; ISAAC Phase Three involved over 1 187 496 adolescents and children (237 centres in 98 countries). It found that asthma symptom prevalence was increasing in many locations especially in low- and middle-income countries where severity was also high, and identified several environmental factors that required further investigation.GAN Phase I, described in this article, builds on the ISAAC findings by collecting further information on asthma, rhinitis and eczema prevalence, severity, diagnoses, asthma emergency room visits, hospital admissions, management and use of asthma essential medicines. The subjects will be the same age groups as ISAAC, and their parents. In this first global monitoring of asthma in children and adults since 2003, further evidence will be obtained to understand asthma, management practices and risk factors, leading to further recognition that asthma is an important non-communicable disease and to reduce its global burden. Copyright ©ERS 2017.

  19. "I am a waste of breath, of space, of time": metaphors of self in a pro-anorexia group.

    PubMed

    Bates, Carolina Figueras

    2015-02-01

    According to recent research on eating disorders, heavy users of pro-anorexia (pro-ana) sites show higher levels of disordered eating and more severe impairment of quality of life than non-heavy users. A better understanding of how pro-ana members self-present in the virtual world could shed some light on these offline behaviors. Through discourse analysis, I examined the metaphors the members of a pro-ana group invoked in their personal profiles on a popular social networking site, to talk about the self. I applied the Metaphor Identification Procedure to 757 text profiles. I identified four key metaphorical constructions in pro-ana members' self-descriptions: self as space, self as weight, perfecting the self, and the social self. These four main metaphors represented discourse strategies, both to create a collective pro-ana identity and to enact an individual identity as pro-ana. In this article, I discuss the implications of these findings for the treatment of eating disorders. © The Author(s) 2014.

  20. Reproducibility and Variability of I/O Performance on BG/Q: Lessons Learned from a Data Aggregation Algorithm

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tessier, Francois; Vishwanath, Venkatram

    2017-11-28

    Reading and writing data efficiently from different tiers of storage is necessary for most scientific simulations to achieve good performance at scale. Many software solutions have been developed to decrease the I/O bottleneck. One wellknown strategy, in the context of collective I/O operations, is the two-phase I/O scheme. This strategy consists of selecting a subset of processes to aggregate contiguous pieces of data before performing reads/writes. In our previous work, we implemented the two-phase I/O scheme with a MPI-based topology-aware algorithm. Our algorithm showed very good performance at scale compared to the standard I/O libraries such as POSIX I/O andmore » MPI I/O. However, the algorithm had several limitations hindering a satisfying reproducibility of our experiments. In this paper, we extend our work by 1) identifying the obstacles we face to reproduce our experiments and 2) discovering solutions that reduce the unpredictability of our results.« less

  1. Associations of Nasopharyngeal Metabolome and Microbiome with Severity among Infants with Bronchiolitis. A Multiomic Analysis.

    PubMed

    Stewart, Christopher J; Mansbach, Jonathan M; Wong, Matthew C; Ajami, Nadim J; Petrosino, Joseph F; Camargo, Carlos A; Hasegawa, Kohei

    2017-10-01

    Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory infection in infants; however, it remains unclear which infants with bronchiolitis will develop severe illness. In addition, although emerging evidence indicates associations of the upper-airway microbiome with bronchiolitis severity, little is known about the mechanisms linking airway microbes and host response to disease severity. To determine the relations among the nasopharyngeal airway metabolome profiles, microbiome profiles, and severity in infants with bronchiolitis. We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study of infants (age <1 yr) hospitalized with bronchiolitis. By applying metabolomic and metagenomic (16S ribosomal RNA gene and whole-genome shotgun sequencing) approaches to 144 nasopharyngeal airway samples collected within 24 hours of hospitalization, we determined metabolome and microbiome profiles and their association with higher severity, defined by the use of positive pressure ventilation (i.e., continuous positive airway pressure and/or intubation). Nasopharyngeal airway metabolome profiles significantly differed by bronchiolitis severity (P < 0.001). Among 254 metabolites identified, a panel of 25 metabolites showed high sensitivity (84%) and specificity (86%) in predicting the use of positive pressure ventilation. The intensity of these metabolites was correlated with relative abundance of Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the pathway analysis, sphingolipid metabolism was the most significantly enriched subpathway in infants with positive pressure ventilation use compared with those without (P < 0.001). Enrichment of sphingolipid metabolites was positively correlated with the relative abundance of S. pneumoniae. Although further validation is needed, our multiomic analyses demonstrate the potential of metabolomics to predict bronchiolitis severity and better understand microbe-host interaction.

  2. The relation between insulin-like growth factor I levels and cognition in healthy elderly: a meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Arwert, L I; Deijen, J B; Drent, M L

    2005-12-01

    Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels and cognitive functioning decrease with aging. Several studies report positive correlations between IGF-I levels and cognitive functioning in healthy elderly. However, because of controversial data no definitive conclusions can be drawn concerning the relation between IGF-I and cognition. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis on studies that report on the relation between IGF-I and cognition in healthy elderly. We searched the electronic databases for articles about IGF-I and cognition. Studies from 1985 to January 2005 are included. Two reviewers independently extracted data on study design and cognitive outcomes. Thirteen studies on IGF-I and cognition in elderly, with a total number of 1981 subjects, met the inclusion criteria. On the data from these studies meta-analyses were carried out by means of the program Comprehensive Meta-analysis using a random effects model. Pooled effects show that IGF-I levels in healthy elderly have a positive correlation with cognitive functioning, which appeared to be mainly measured with the mini mental state examination (MMSE). The effect size is 0.6, which indicates the presence of a large positive relationship between IGF and cognition in healthy elderly. These meta-analyses showed an overall relationship between IGF-I levels and cognitive functioning in healthy elderly. Further studies should be performed to clarify the role of IGF-I substitution in preserving cognitive functions with aging.

  3. Combined Interactions with I1-, I2-Imidazoline Binding Sites and α2-Adrenoceptors To Manage Opioid Addiction

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    Tolerance and dependence associated with chronic opioid exposure result from molecular, cellular, and neural network adaptations. Such adaptations concern opioid and nonopioid systems, including α2-adrenoceptors (α2-ARs) and I1- and I2-imidazoline binding sites (IBS). Agmatine, one of the hypothesized endogenous ligands of IBS, targeting several systems including α2-ARs and IBS, proved to be able to regulate opioid-induced analgesia and to attenuate the development of tolerance and dependence. Interested in the complex pharmacological profile of agmatine and considering the nature of its targets, we evaluated two series of imidazolines, rationally designed to simultaneously interact with I1-/I2-IBS or I1-/I2-IBS/α2-ARs. The compounds showing the highest affinities for I1-/I2-IBS or I1-/I2-IBS/α2-ARs have been selected for their in vivo evaluation on opiate withdrawal syndrome. Interestingly, 9, displaying I1-/I2-IBS/α2-ARs interaction profile, appears more effective in reducing expression and acquisition of morphine dependence and, therefore, might be considered a promising tool in managing opioid addiction. PMID:27774136

  4. Teaching iSTART to Understand Spanish

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dascalu, Mihai; Jacovina, Matthew E.; Soto, Christian M.; Allen, Laura K.; Dai, Jianmin; Guerrero, Tricia A.; McNamara, Danielle S.

    2017-01-01

    iSTART is a web-based reading comprehension tutor. A recent translation of iSTART from English to Spanish has made the system available to a new audience. In this paper, we outline several challenges that arose during the development process, specifically focusing on the algorithms that drive the feedback. Several iSTART activities encourage…

  5. Suppression of type I and type III IFN signalling by NSs protein of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus through inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation and activation.

    PubMed

    Chaudhary, Vidyanath; Zhang, Shuo; Yuen, Kit-San; Li, Chuan; Lui, Pak-Yin; Fung, Sin-Yee; Wang, Pei-Hui; Chan, Chi-Ping; Li, Dexin; Kok, Kin-Hang; Liang, Mifang; Jin, Dong-Yan

    2015-11-01

    Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality in Asia. NSs protein of SFTSV is known to perturb type I IFN induction and signalling, but the mechanism remains to be fully understood. Here, we showed the suppression of both type I and type III IFN signalling by SFTSV NSs protein is mediated through inhibition of STAT1 phosphorylation and activation. Infection with live SFTSV or expression of NSs potently suppressed IFN-stimulated genes but not NFkB activation. NSs was capable of counteracting the activity of IFN-α1, IFN-β, IFN-λ1 and IFN-λ2. Mechanistically, NSs associated with STAT1 and STAT2, mitigated IFN-β-induced phosphorylation of STAT1 at S727, and reduced the expression and activity of STAT1 protein in IFN-β-treated cells, resulting in the inhibition of STAT1 and STAT2 recruitment to IFNstimulated promoters. Taken together, SFTSV NSs protein is an IFN antagonist that suppresses phosphorylation and activation of STAT1.

  6. Thyroid hormone elevations during acute psychiatric illness: relationship to severity and distinction from hyperthyroidism.

    PubMed

    Roca, R P; Blackman, M R; Ackerley, M B; Harman, S M; Gregerman, R I

    1990-01-01

    Acute psychiatric illness may be accompanied by transient hyperthyroxinemia. The mechanism of this phenomenon was examined by determining the role of thyrotropin (TSH) in the genesis of this state. Serial measurements of TSH, thyroxine (T4), free T4 index (FT4I), triiodothyronine (T3), and free T3 index (FT3I) were performed in 45 acutely hospitalized patients with major psychiatric disorders. Twenty-two (49%) patients exhibited significant elevations (greater than or equal to 2 SD above mean value of controls) of one or more thyroid hormone (or index) levels. Among depressed patients with elevated FT4I, TSH was higher (p less than .05) on the day of the peak FT4I than on the day of the FT4I nadir. There were significant positive correlations between psychiatric symptom severity and levels of FT4I among both depressed (p less than .01) and schizophrenic (p less than .025) patients. These data show that elevations of T4, FT4I, T3, and FT3I are common among psychiatric inpatients, especially early in their hospitalization, and that levels of thyroid hormones are correlated with severity of psychiatric symptomatology. TSH is higher early in the acute phase of illness and is not suppressed in the face of elevated thyroid hormone levels, a finding that distinguishes this phenomenon from ordinary hyperthyroidism. Elevations of peripheral thyroid hormone levels, particularly among depressed patients, may result from a centrally-mediated hypersecretion of TSH.

  7. I-123 - FP-CIT pharmacokinetics and dosimetry show great potential for the evaluation of dopamine transporter system in clinical routine

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Costa, D.C.; Walker, S.; Waddington, W.

    1996-05-01

    FP-CIT is a N-fluoropropyl analogue of the [2{beta}-carbomethoxy-3{beta}-(4-iodophenyl)tropane] which has been labelled with I-123 and developed as a new marker of the pre-synaptic dopamine transporter system. Its selective uptake in the striatum of non-human primates and human volunteers has been reported with advantageous faster brain kinetics than {beta}-CIT. In this pilot work we studied the whole body imaging kinetics of FP-CIT in one normal volunteer - NV (5, 60, 100, 360 minutes and 24 hours post-injection for 20 minutes each) and a drug-free patient with well established Parkinson`s disease - PD (100 minutes) after intravenous injection of 111 MBq. Bothmore » subjects had high resolution brain SPECT at 35 minutes and 3.5 hours post-injection. Percent of whole body uptake (geometric mean of anterior and posterior projections) in different organs, including total brain and basal ganglia shows rapid clearance from blood during the first hour with no significant change from 100 minutes to 24 hours. The basal ganglia uptake is approximately 0.4% of total body from 100 minutes onwards. Striatal uptake (ratio to frontal cortex) is different between subjects, mainly at 3.5 hours and more marked in the putamen: Calculated dosimetry (mSv/MBq) showed E.D.E.-0.034, and total doses to whole body - 0.01, total brain - 0.017, basal ganglia - 0.155, small intestine - 0.06, urinary bladder - 0.05 and liver - 0.03. These data confirm that FP-CIT has acceptable dosimetry with good pharmacokinetics enabling the study of pre-synaptic dopamine transport system in nigrostriatal degeneration with clinical SPECT at 3-4 hrs p.i.« less

  8. Upgrade Summer Severe Weather Tool

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Watson, Leela

    2011-01-01

    The goal of this task was to upgrade to the existing severe weather database by adding observations from the 2010 warm season, update the verification dataset with results from the 2010 warm season, use statistical logistic regression analysis on the database and develop a new forecast tool. The AMU analyzed 7 stability parameters that showed the possibility of providing guidance in forecasting severe weather, calculated verification statistics for the Total Threat Score (TTS), and calculated warm season verification statistics for the 2010 season. The AMU also performed statistical logistic regression analysis on the 22-year severe weather database. The results indicated that the logistic regression equation did not show an increase in skill over the previously developed TTS. The equation showed less accuracy than TTS at predicting severe weather, little ability to distinguish between severe and non-severe weather days, and worse standard categorical accuracy measures and skill scores over TTS.

  9. A case control association study of ACE gene polymorphism (I/D) with hypertension in Punjabi population from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

    PubMed

    Hussain, Misbah; Awan, Fazli Rabbi; Gujjar, Amna; Hafeez, Shakir; Islam, Mehboob

    2018-01-01

    Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a key component of renin angiotensin aldosterone system. It converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of ACE gene is found associated with several complications. However, its association with hypertension and related metabolic diseases is still controversial. So, the aim of the present study was to check this association for Punjabi population from Faisalabad, Pakistan. For this purpose, blood samples (patients = 100, controls = 48) were collected and several biochemical parameters were measured. Genotyping for ACE (I/D) polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. ID genotype is found prevalent in the studied population as 41% in control subjects and 61% in patients. Furthermore, chi-square analysis showed significant (p = 0.005) difference for genotypic frequencies between both groups. One-way ANOVA for association of II, ID, and DD genotypes with anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters showed that in patient group, DD genotype is significantly (p = 0.041) associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP). Moreover, ID genotype is found associated with the presence of cardiovascular diseases. This study concludes that DD genotype is strongly associated with higher SBP in hypertensive patients.

  10. Geologic Map of Kalaupapa Peninsula, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i, USA

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Okubo, Chris H.

    2012-01-01

    Kalaupapa Peninsula, along the northern coast of East Moloka‘i volcano, is a remarkably well-preserved example of rejuvenated-stage volcanism from a Hawaiian volcano. Mapping of lava flows, vents and other volcanic constructs reveals a diversity of landforms on this small monogenetic basaltic shield. The late-stage lava distributary system of this shield is dominated by a prominent lava channel and tube system emanating from the primary vent, Kauhakō crater. This system, along with several smaller examples, fed five prominent rootless vents downslope from Kauhakō. This map shows the subaerial part of this volcanic construct at 1:30,000 scale and encompasses an area of approximately 20.6 km2.

  11. [Severe osteoporosis in a patient with polycythaemia vera].

    PubMed

    Farmer, Sarah; Hermann, Anne Pernille; Vestergaard, Hanne

    2014-07-14

    This case report is about severe osteoporosis in a woman known with polycythaemia vera (PV). A 51-year-old woman with hereditary predisposition to osteoporosis had a dual X-ray absorptiometry scan without osteoporosis. Only one year later she was diagnosed with PV. Re-scan eight years later showed progression to severe osteoporosis. Whether this is secondary osteoporosis, initiated or accelerated by the presence of PV is not known. A recent Danish registry study has shown that PV patients have an increased incidence of fractures compared with the general population.

  12. Complex inheritance in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension patients with several mutations

    PubMed Central

    Pousada, Guillermo; Baloira, Adolfo; Valverde, Diana

    2016-01-01

    Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease with low incidence and prevalence, and elevated mortality. PAH is characterized by increased mean pulmonary artery pressure. The aim of this study was to analyse patients with combined mutations in BMPR2, ACVRL1, ENG and KCNA5 genes and to establish a genotype-phenotype correlation. Major genes were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. Genotype-phenotype correlation was performed. Fifty-seven (28 idiopathic PAH, 29 associated PAH group I) were included. Several mutations in different genes, classified as pathogenic by in silico analysis, were present in 26% of PAH patients. The most commonly involved gene was BMPR2 (12 patients) followed by ENG gene (9 patients). ACVRL1 and KCNA5 genes showed very low incidence of mutations (5 and 1 patients, respectively). Genotype-phenotype correlation showed statistically significant differences for gender (p = 0.045), age at diagnosis (p = 0.035), pulmonary vascular resistance (p = 0.030), cardiac index (p = 0.035) and absence of response to treatment (p = 0.011). PAH is consequence of a heterogeneous constellation of genetic arrangements. Patients with several pathogenic mutations seem to display a more severe phenotype. PMID:27630060

  13. First-born siblings show better second language skills than later born siblings

    PubMed Central

    Keller, Karin; Troesch, Larissa M.; Grob, Alexander

    2015-01-01

    We examined the extent to which three sibling structure variables number of siblings, birth order, and presence of an older sibling at school age are linked to the second language skills of bilingual children. The research questions were tested using an ethnically heterogeneous sample of 1209 bilingual children with German as a second language. Controlling for children’s age, sex, nationality, number of children’s books at home, family language and parental German language skills, hierarchical regression analyses showed an inverse relationship between the number of siblings and second language skills: the more siblings a child had, the lower was his/her second language proficiency. This relationship was mediated by attendance in early education institutions. Moreover, first-born siblings showed better second language skills than later born siblings. The current study revealed that the resource dilution model, i.e., the decrease in resources for every additional sibling, holds for second language acquisition. Moreover, the results indicate that bilingual children from families with several children benefit from access to early education institutions. PMID:26089806

  14. [Transplantation of autologous labial salivary glands for severe dry eye].

    PubMed

    Luo, Shun-rong; Zou, Liu-he; Yan, Chao; Pan, Zhi-qiang; Liu, Jing-ming; Chen, Zhi-yuan; Yin, Wei-hong

    2013-01-01

    Autologous labial salivary gland transplantation has been a promising alternative for the treatment of severe dry eye. In this article, we describe the results of the ocular surface changes after labial salivary gland transplantation and investigate the feasibility of this treatment. The results of this technique in 8 patients (eyes) who suffered from severe dry eye were prospectively analyzed after surgery (follow-up of 6 months). The best-corrected visual acuity, Schirmer I test, degree of discomfort, usage of pharmaceutical tear substitutes, tear interferometry and slit lamp examination were investigated at different time before and after surgery. All grafts remained viable and the survival rate is 100%. All patients showed significant increase in the Schirmer's test and they expressed great improvement in their ocular discomfort. The use of artificial tear substitutes was reduced because of the increased ocular surface lubrication. Although the authors' long-term experience still is limited, we believe that the procedure is a promising alternative approach for severe dry eye.

  15. HLA class I and class II haplotypes in admixed families from several regions of Mexico.

    PubMed

    Barquera, Rodrigo; Zúñiga, Joaquín; Hernández-Díaz, Raquel; Acuña-Alonzo, Victor; Montoya-Gama, Karla; Moscoso, Juan; Torres-García, Diana; García-Salas, Claudia; Silva, Beatriz; Cruz-Robles, David; Arnaiz-Villena, Antonio; Vargas-Alarcón, Gilberto; Granados, Julio

    2008-02-01

    We studied HLA class I and class II alleles in 191 Mexican families (381 non-related individuals) to directly obtain the HLA-A/B/DRB1/DQB1 haplotypes and their linkage disequilibrium (LD). The most frequent HLA haplotypes observed were: A*02-B*39-DRB1*04-DQB1*0302, A*02-B*35-DRB1*04-DQB1*0302, A*68-B*39-DRB1*04-DQB1*0302, A*02-B*35-DRB1*08-DQB1*04, A*33-B*1402-DRB1*01-DQB1*05, and A*24-B*35-DRB1*04-DQB1*0302. The four most common haplotypes found by our study involve those previously reported in Amerindian populations. LD analysis of HLA-A-B and HLA-B-DRB1 loci showed significant associations between A29(19)-B44(12), A33(19)-B65(14), A1-B8, A26(19)-B44(12), A24(9)-B61(40), B65(14)-DR1, B8-DR17(3), B44(12)-DR7, B7-DR15(2), and B39(16)-DR4. Also, all DRB1-DQB1 associations showed significant LD values. Admixture estimations using a trihybrid model showed that Mexicans from the State of Sinaloa (Northern Mexico) have a greater proportion of European genetic component compared with Mexicans from the Central area of Mexico, who have a greater percentage of Amerindian genes. Our results are important for future comparative genetic studies of different Mexican ethnic groups with special relevance to disease association and transplantation studies.

  16. Employment outcome four years after a severe traumatic brain injury: results of the Paris severe traumatic brain injury study.

    PubMed

    Ruet, Alexis; Jourdan, Claire; Bayen, Eléonore; Darnoux, Emmanuelle; Sahridj, Dalila; Ghout, Idir; Azerad, Sylvie; Pradat Diehl, Pascale; Aegerter, Philippe; Charanton, James; Vallat Azouvi, Claire; Azouvi, Philippe

    2017-05-18

    To describe employment outcome four years after a severe traumatic brain injury by the assessment of individual patients' preinjury sociodemographic data, injury-related and postinjury factors. A prospective, multicenter inception cohort of 133 adult patients in the Paris area (France) who had received a severe traumatic brain injury were followed up postinjury at one and four years. Sociodemographic data, factors related to injury severity and one-year functional and cognitive outcomes were prospectively collected. The main outcome measure was employment status. Potential predictors of employment status were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. At the four-year follow-up, 38% of patients were in paid employment. The following factors were independent predictors of unemployment: being unemployed or studying before traumatic brain injury, traumatic brain injury severity (i.e., a lower Glasgow Coma Scale score upon admission and a longer stay in intensive care) and a lower one-year Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended score. This study confirmed the low rate of long-term employment amongst patients after a severe traumatic brain injury. The results illustrated the multiple determinants of employment outcome and suggested that students who had received a traumatic brain injury were particularly likely to be unemployed, thus we propose that they may require specific support to help them find work. Implications for rehabilitation Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of persistent disablity and can associate cognitive, emotional, physical and sensory impairments, which often result in quality-of-life reduction and job loss. Predictors of post-traumatic brain injury unemployment and job loss remains unclear in the particular population of severe traumatic brain injury patients. The present study highlights the post-traumatic brain injury student population require a close follow-up and vocational rehabilitation. The study suggests that return to work post-severe

  17. Thermodynamic analysis of cesium and iodine behavior in severe light water reactor accidents

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Minato, Kazuo

    1991-11-01

    In order to understand the release and transport behavior of cesium (Cs) and iodine (I) in severe light water reactor accidents, chemical forms of Cs and I in steam-hydrogen mixtures were analyzed thermodynamically. In the calculations reactions of boron (B) with Cs were taken into consideration. The analysis showed that B plays an important role in determining chemical forms of Cs. The main Cs-containing species are CsBO 2(g) and CsBO 2(l), depending on temperature. The contribution of CsOH(g) is minor. The main I-containing species are HI(g) and CsI(g) over the wide ranges of the parameters considered. Calculations were also carried out under the conditions of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 accident.

  18. Autoindexing diffraction images with iMosflm

    PubMed Central

    Powell, Harold R.; Johnson, Owen; Leslie, Andrew G. W.

    2013-01-01

    An overview of autoindexing diffraction images based on one-­dimensional fast Fourier transforms is presented. The implementation of the algorithm in the Mosflm/iMosflm program suite is described with a discussion of practical issues that may arise and ways of assessing the success or failure of the procedure. Recent developments allow indexing of images that show multiple lattices, and several examples demonstrate the success of this approach in real cases. PMID:23793145

  19. Gambling problem severity and psychiatric disorders among Hispanic and white adults: findings from a nationally representative sample.

    PubMed

    Barry, Declan T; Stefanovics, Elina A; Desai, Rani A; Potenza, Marc N

    2011-03-01

    To examine differences in the associations of gambling problem severity and psychiatric disorders among a nationally representative sample of Hispanic and white adults. Chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed on data obtained from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions from 31,830 adult respondents (13% Hispanic; 87% white), who were categorized according to three levels of gambling problem severity (i.e., no gambling or low-frequency gambling [NG], low-risk or at-risk gambling [LRG], problem or pathological gambling [PPG]). Hispanic respondents in comparison to white respondents were more likely to exhibit PPG. Problem gambling severity was associated with past-year Axis I and lifetime Axis II psychiatric disorders in both Hispanic and white respondents, with the largest odds typically observed in association with the most severe gambling pathology. A stronger relationship between subsyndromal gambling and a broad range of Axis I disorders (mood, anxiety and substance use disorders) and Axis II disorders (particularly cluster B) was observed in Hispanic respondents as compared to white ones. Levels of problem gambling severity are associated with the prevalence of Axis I and Axis II psychiatric disorders in both Hispanics and whites. Differences in the patterns of co-occurring disorders between subsyndromal levels of gambling in Hispanic and white respondents indicate the importance of considering ethnicity/race-related factors related to subthreshold levels of gambling in developing improved mental health prevention and treatment strategies. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Identification of angiotensin I in several vertebrate species: its structural and functional evolution.

    PubMed

    Takei, Yoshio; Joss, Jean M P; Kloas, Werner; Rankin, J Cliff

    2004-02-01

    In order to delineate further the molecular evolution of the renin-angiotensin system in vertebrates, angiotensin I (ANG I) has been isolated after incubation of plasma and kidney extracts of emu (Dromiceus novaehollandiae), axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), and sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). The identified sequences were [Asp1, Val5, Asn9] ANG I in emu, [Asp1, Val5, His9] ANG I in axolotl, and [Asn1, Val5, Thr9] ANG I in sea lamprey. These results confirmed the previous findings that tetrapods have Asp and fishes including cyclostomes have Asn at the N-terminus, and that the amino acid residue at position 9 of ANG I was highly variable but, those at other positions were well conserved among different species. Since Asp and Asn are convertible during incubation, angiotensinogen sequences were searched in the genome and/or EST database to determine the N-terminal amino acid residue from the gene. The screening detected 12 tetrapod (10 mammalian, one avian, and one amphibian) and seven teleostean angiotensinogen sequences. Among them, all tetrapods have [Asp1] ANG except for Xenopus, and all teleosts have [Asn1] ANG, thereby confirming the above rule. Comparison of the vasopressor activity in the eel revealed that [Asn1] ANG I and II were more potent than [Asp1] peptides, which was opposite to the previous results in mammals and birds, in which [Asp1] ANG I and II were more potent. Collectively, the present results support the general rule that tetrapods have [Asp1] ANG and fishes including cyclostomes have [Asn1] ANG. However, an aquatic anuran (Xenopus) has [Asn1] ANG in its gene despite another aquatic urodele (axolotl) has [Asp1] ANG. From the functional viewpoint, homologous [Asn1] ANG was more potent in fish as is homologous [Asp1] ANG in tetrapods, suggesting that ANG II molecule has undergone co-evolution with its receptor during vertebrate phylogeny.

  1. Compared to purpurinimides, the pyropheophorbide containing an iodobenzyl group showed enhanced PDT efficacy and tumor imaging (124I-PET) ability.

    PubMed

    Pandey, Suresh K; Sajjad, Munawwar; Chen, Yihui; Pandey, Anupam; Missert, Joseph R; Batt, Carrie; Yao, Rutao; Nabi, Hani A; Oseroff, Allan R; Pandey, Ravindra K

    2009-02-01

    Two positional isomers of purpurinimide, 3-[1'-(3-iodobenzyloxyethyl)] purpurin-18-N-hexylimide methyl ester 4, in which the iodobenzyl group is present at the top half of the molecule (position-3), and a 3-(1'-hexyloxyethy)purpurin-18-N-(3-iodo-benzylimide)] methyl ester 5, where the iodobenzyl group is introduced at the bottom half (N-substitued cyclicimide) of the molecule, were derived from chlorophyll-a. The tumor uptake and phototherapeutic abilities of these isomers were compared with the pyropheophorbide analogue 1 (lead compound). These compounds were then converted into the corresponding 124I-labeled PET imaging agents with specific activity >1 Ci/micromol. Among the positional isomers 4 and 5, purpurinimide 5 showed enhanced imaging and therapeutic potential. However, the lead compound 1 derived from pyropheophorbide-a exhibited the best PET imaging and PDT efficacy. For investigating the overall lipophilicity of the molecule, the 3-O-hexyl ether group present at position-3 of purpurinimide 5 was replaced with a methyl ether substituent, and the resulting product 10 showed improved tumor uptake, but due to its significantly higher uptake in the liver, spleen, and other organs, a poor tumor contrast in whole-body tumor imaging was observed.

  2. Very early onset of autoimmune thyroiditis in a toddler with severe hypothyroidism presentation: a case report.

    PubMed

    Marzuillo, Pierluigi; Grandone, Anna; Perrotta, Silverio; Ruggiero, Laura; Capristo, Carlo; Luongo, Caterina; Miraglia Del Giudice, Emanuele; Perrone, Laura

    2016-06-18

    In infants under 3 years of age acquired primary hypothyroidism caused by autoimmune thyroiditis is very rare. Hypothyroidism can manifest with different signs and symptoms and has a wide range of presentations from subclinical hypothyroidism to overt form. We describe a child with acquired autoimmune thyroiditis during a very early period of life and with a severe hypothyroidism presentation. A 22-month-old white male patient with normal neonatal screening presented with a six-month history of asthenia and cutaneous pallor. At general clinical and biochemical exams he showed weight gain, statural growth deceleration, poor movements, sleepy expression, instability while walking, myxoedema, bradycardia, open anterior fontanelle, changes in the face habitus, macrocytic anaemia, ascites, and high CPK, creatinine and cholesterol levels. Acquired autoimmune thyroiditis was the final diagnosis. The thyroxine replacement therapy normalized all the clinical and biochemical abnormalities but at the age of 30 months his mental age showed a delay of 6 months. Our case could give useful learning points: i) although the screening for congenital hypothyroidism is routinely performed, a severe hypothyroidism (for example due to autoimmune thyroiditis) can anyway occur early in life and the clinicians should consider this possibility; ii) hypothyroidism can have a misleading and multi-face clinical presentation; iii) anemia, rhabdomyolysis and high creatinine levels should always include the hypothyroidism in the differential diagnosis; iv) thyroxine replacement therapy is able to revert all the clinical manifestations related to the hypothyroidism; v) evaluating the patient's previous pictures could play an important role in resolving a diagnostic conundrum.

  3. Assessment of errors and biases in retrievals of XCO<i/>2, XCH<i/>4, XCO, and XN<i/>2O from a 0.5 cm-1 resolution solar-viewing spectrometer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hedelius, Jacob K.; Viatte, Camille; Wunch, Debra; Roehl, Coleen M.; Toon, Geoffrey C.; Chen, Jia; Jones, Taylor; Wofsy, Steven C.; Franklin, Jonathan E.; Parker, Harrison; Dubey, Manvendra K.; Wennberg, Paul O.

    2016-08-01

    Bruker™ EM27/SUN instruments are commercial mobile solar-viewing near-IR spectrometers. They show promise for expanding the global density of atmospheric column measurements of greenhouse gases and are being marketed for such applications. They have been shown to measure the same variations of atmospheric gases within a day as the high-resolution spectrometers of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). However, there is little known about the long-term precision and uncertainty budgets of EM27/SUN measurements. In this study, which includes a comparison of 186 measurement days spanning 11 months, we note that atmospheric variations of Xgas within a single day are well captured by these low-resolution instruments, but over several months, the measurements drift noticeably. We present comparisons between EM27/SUN instruments and the TCCON using GGG as the retrieval algorithm. In addition, we perform several tests to evaluate the robustness of the performance and determine the largest sources of errors from these spectrometers. We include comparisons of XCO<i/>2, XCH<i/>4, XCO, and XN<i/>2O. Specifically we note EM27/SUN biases for January 2015 of 0.03, 0.75, -0.12, and 2.43 % for XCO<i/>2, XCH<i/>4, XCO, and XN<i/>2O respectively, with 1σ running precisions of 0.08 and 0.06 % for XCO<i/>2 and XCH<i/>4 from measurements in Pasadena. We also identify significant error caused by nonlinear sensitivity when using an extended spectral range detector used to measure CO and N2O.

  4. Early detection strategy and mortality reduction in severe sepsis.

    PubMed

    Westphal, Glauco Adrieno; Feijó, Janaína; Andrade, Patrícia Silva de; Trindade, Louise; Suchard, Cezar; Monteiro, Márcio Andrei Gil; Martins, Sheila Fonseca; Nunes, Fernanda; Caldeira Filho, Milton

    2009-06-01

    To evaluate the impact of implementing an institutional policy for detection of severe sepsis and septic shock. Study before (stage I), after (stage II) with prospective data collection in a 195 bed public hospital.. Stage I: Patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were included consecutively over 15 months and treated according to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. Stage II: In the 10 subsequent months, patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were enrolled based on an active search for signs suggesting infection (SSI) in hospitalized patients. The two stages were compared for demographic variables, time needed for recognition of at least two signs suggesting infection (SSI-Δt), compliance to the bundles of 6 and 24 hours and mortality. We identified 124 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, 68 in stage I and 56 in stage II. The demographic variables were similar in both stages. The Δt-SSI was 34 ± 54 hours in stage I and 7 ± 8.4 hours in stage II (p <0.001). There was no difference in compliance to the bundles. In parallel there was significant reduction of mortality rates at 28 days (54.4% versus 30%, p <0.02) and hospital (67.6% versus 41%, p <0.003). The strategy used helped to identify early risk of sepsis and resulted in decreased mortality associated with severe sepsis and septic shock.

  5. 26. A typical outer rod room, or rack room, showing ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    26. A typical outer rod room, or rack room, showing the racks for the nine horizontal control rods (HCRs) that would be inserted or withdrawn from the pile to control the rate of reaction. In this case, it is the 105-F Reactor in February 1945. The view is looking away from the pile, which is out of the picture on the left. Several of the cooling water hose reels for the rods can be seen at the end of the racks near the wall. D-8323 - B Reactor, Richland, Benton County, WA

  6. Assessment of bone dysplasia by micro-CT and glycosaminoglycan levels in mouse models for mucopolysaccharidosis type I, IIIA, IVA, and VII

    PubMed Central

    Rowan, Daniel J.; Tomatsu, Shunji; Grubb, Jeffrey H.; Montaño, Adriana M.; Sly, William S.

    2012-01-01

    Summary Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage diseases caused by mutations in lysosomal enzymes involved in degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Patients with MPS grow poorly and become physically disabled due to systemic bone disease. While many of the major skeletal effects in mouse models for MPS have been described, no detailed analysis that compares GAGs levels and characteristics of bone by micro-CT has been done. The aims of this study were to assess severity of bone dysplasia among four MPS mouse models (MPS I, IIIA, IVA and VII), to determine the relationship between severity of bone dysplasia and serum keratan sulfate (KS) and heparan sulfate (HS) levels in those models, and to explore the mechanism of KS elevation in MPS I, IIIA, and VII mouse models. Clinically, MPS VII mice had the most severe bone pathology; however, MPS I and IVA mice also showed skeletal pathology. MPS I and VII mice showed severe bone dysplasia, higher bone mineral density, narrowed spinal canal, and shorter sclerotic bones by micro-CT and radiographs. Serum KS and HS levels were elevated in MPS I, IIIA, and VII mice. Severity of skeletal disease displayed by micro-CT, radiographs and histopathology correlated with the level of KS elevation. We showed that elevated HS levels in MPS mouse models could inhibit N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase enzyme. These studies suggest that KS could be released from chondrocytes affected by accumulation of other GAGs and that KS could be useful as a biomarker for severity of bone dysplasia in MPS disorders. PMID:22971960

  7. Factors involved in the identification of stuttering severity in a foreign language.

    PubMed

    Cosyns, Marjan; Einarsdóttir, Jóhanna T; Van Borsel, John

    2015-01-01

    Speech-language pathologists nowadays are more and more confronted with clients who speak a language different from their own mother tongue. The assessment of persons who speak a foreign language poses particular challenges. The present study investigated the possible role and interplay of factors involved in the identification of stuttering severity in a foreign language. Nineteen speech-language pathologists from five different countries (i.e. Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belgium) rated stuttering severity of speech samples featuring persons who stutter speaking Icelandic, Swedish, Norwegian, or Dutch. Additionally, they were asked to score how easy they found it to rate the samples. Accuracy of rating stuttering severity in another language appeared to be foremost determined by the client's stuttering severity, while experienced ease of rating stuttering severity was essentially related to closeness of the language of the clinician to that of the client and familiarity of the clinician with the client's language. Stuttering measurement training programmes in different languages are needed.

  8. Analysis of Gridded SPI in Hawai`i from 1920 to 2012 and Management Responses to Drought

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Frazier, A. G.; Lucas, M.; Giardina, C. P.; Giambelluca, T. W.; Trauernicht, C.; Miura, T.

    2017-12-01

    Drought is a prominent feature of Hawai`i's climate with severe impacts in multiple sectors. Over the last century, Hawai`i has experienced downward trends in rainfall and stream baseflow, upward trends in the number of consecutive dry days and wildfire incidents, and regional projections show that unusually severe dry seasons will become increasingly common on the leeward side of all Hawaiian Islands. Many recent studies have examined different aspects of drought in Hawai`i, however, there has not been a complete synthesis of historical drought since 1991. To assess historical drought regimes in Hawai`i, a gridded Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) product was developed and analyzed for the period 1920 to 2012 at 250 m resolution. Results show that the last decade has been the driest on record, with statewide drought conditions present 90% of the time between December 2006 and December 2012. Strong spatial variations were found between islands, with higher peak intensities found on Maui and Hawai`i Island, and shorter duration droughts on Kaua`i. The most severe droughts are typically associated with El Niño events, and in recent decades, the leeward coast of Hawai`i Island has been the most drought-prone area in the state. This study also assessed historical drought specifically for federal and state conservation lands, and examined management actions during recent events. Severe droughts have shaped management plans, affecting responses including ungulate control, fuel reductions, native plant restoration, and protection of endangered species. This spatially explicit retrospective analysis provides the historical context needed to understand future projections, and contributes to more effective policy and management of natural, cultural, hydrological and agricultural resources.

  9. Amnioinfusion for relief of recurrent severe and moderate variable decelerations in labor.

    PubMed

    Regi, Annie; Alexander, Nancy; Jose, Ruby; Lionel, Jessie; Varghese, Lilly; Peedicayil, Abraham

    2009-05-01

    To determine whether intrapartum amnioinfusion (AI) relieves recurrent moderate and severe variable decelerations in laboring women with clear or grade I meconium-stained amniotic fluid and reduces cesarean section rate for fetal distress. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in labor unit of Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India, between October 2003 and September 2004. Women were randomized to receive AI (group I) and not to receive it (group II). A total of 150 women (75 in each group) were included in the study. There was significant relief of variable decelerations in group I and no difference in overall cesarean section rate but significant reduction in cesarean section rate for fetal distress in group I, and significant reduction in cesarean section rate for fetal distress in nulliparous women of group I. Neonatal acidemia was also significantly reduced in the nulliparous women receiving AI. The duration of maternal postpartum hospital stay was significantly reduced in group I. There were no adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes. AI was a beneficial therapeutic intervention in women patients showing fetal distress in first stage of labor, and it reduced cesarean section for fetal distress and neonatal acidemia.

  10. Clinical results with beta-methyl-p-(123I)iodophenylpentadecanoic acid, single-photon emission computed tomography in cardiac disease.

    PubMed

    Nishimura, T; Uehara, T; Shimonagata, T; Nagata, S; Haze, K

    1994-01-01

    This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationships, between myocardial perfusion and metabolism. Simultaneous beta-methyl-p(123I)iodophenylpentadecanoic acid (123I-BMIPP) and thallium 201 myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were performed in 25 patients with myocardial infarction (group A) and 16 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (group B). The severity scores of 123I-BMIPP and 201Tl myocardial SPECT images were evaluated semiquantitatively by segmental analysis. In Group A, dissociations between thallium- and 123I-BMIPP-imaged defects were frequently observed in patients with successful reperfusion compared with those with no reperfusion and those with reinfarction. In four patients with successful reperfusion, repeated 123I-BMIPP and 201Tl myocardial SPECT showed gradual improvement of the 123I-BMIPP severity score compared with the thallium severity score. In group B, dissociations between thallium- and 123I-BMIPP-imaged defects were also demonstrated in hypertrophic myocardium. In addition, nonhypertrophic myocardium also had decreased 123I-BMIPP uptake. In groups A and B, 123I-BMIPP severity scores correlated well with left ventricular function compared with thallium severity scores. These findings indicate that 123I-BMIPP is a suitable agent for the assessment of functional integrity, because left ventricular wall motion is energy dependent and 123I-BMIPP may reflect an aspect of myocardial energy production. This agent may be useful for the early detection and patient management of various heart diseases as an alternative to positron emission tomographic study.

  11. A phase I trial of NK-92 cells for refractory hematological malignancies relapsing after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation shows safety and evidence of efficacy

    PubMed Central

    Williams, Brent A.; Law, Arjun Datt; Routy, Bertrand; denHollander, Neal; Gupta, Vikas; Wang, Xing-Hua; Chaboureau, Amélie; Viswanathan, Sowmya; Keating, Armand

    2017-01-01

    Background Autologous NK cell therapy can treat a variety of malignancies, but is limited by patient-specific variations in potency and cell number expansion. In contrast, allogeneic NK cell lines can overcome many of these limitations. Cells from the permanent NK-92 line are constitutively activated, lack inhibitory receptors and appear to be safe based on two prior phase I trials. Materials and Methods We conducted a single-center, non-randomized, non-blinded, open-label, Phase I dose-escalation trial of irradiated NK-92 cells in adults with refractory hematological malignancies who relapsed after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). The objectives were to determine safety, feasibility and evidence of activity. Patients were treated at one of three dose levels (1 × 109 cells/m2, 3 × 109 cells/m2 and 5 × 109 cells/m2), given on day 1, 3 and 5 for a planned total of six monthly cycles. Results Twelve patients with lymphoma or multiple myeloma who relapsed after AHCT for relapsed/refractory disease were enrolled in this trial. The treatment was well tolerated, with minor toxicities restricted to acute infusional events, including fever, chills, nausea and fatigue. Two patients achieved a complete response (Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma), two patients had minor responses and one had clinical improvement on the trial. Conclusions Irradiated NK-92 cells can be administered at very high doses with minimal toxicity in patients with refractory blood cancers, who had relapsed after AHCT. We conclude that high dose NK-92 therapy is safe, shows some evidence of efficacy in patients with refractory blood cancers and warrants further clinical investigation. PMID:29179517

  12. A Case of Uveal Colobomas Showing Marked Left-Right Difference in Diabetic Retinopathy.

    PubMed

    Moriya, Takeshi; Ochi, Ryosuke; Imagawa, Yukihiro; Sato, Bumpei; Morishita, Seita; Tonari, Masahiro; Fukumoto, Masanori; Suzuki, Hiroyuki; Kobayashi, Takatoshi; Kida, Teruyo; Ikeda, Tsunehiko

    2016-01-01

    Congenital uveal colobomas, including inferior iris and choroidal colobomas, are associated with microcornea and microphthalmia and often show left-right differences (laterality). The purpose of this study was to report a case of choroidal coloboma associated with left-right differences in diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study reports a 59-year-old male with bilateral iris and choroidal colobomas. The colobomatous area in the patient's right eye extended to the macula, and his right eye had been amblyopic since birth. The colobomatous area in his left eye was less extensive and did not involve the macula. Examination of the patient's left eye revealed multiple hemorrhages and hard exudates in the macula due to DR, but examination of his right eye showed almost no changes in DR, thus revealing a marked left-right difference. Optical coherence tomography showed more extensive retinal thinning in the patient's right eye than in his left eye. Fluorescein fundus angiography revealed a retinal nonperfusion area only in the left eye, and panretinal photocoagulation was subsequently performed. Our findings show that the reason for the left-right difference in DR was attributed to the more severe choroidal coloboma and retinal thinning in the patient's right eye compared to his left eye, thus reducing oxygen demand, as is also seen in eyes with severe myopia.

  13. Functional analysis of mutations in SLC7A9, and genotype-phenotype correlation in non-Type I cystinuria.

    PubMed

    Font, M A; Feliubadaló, L; Estivill, X; Nunes, V; Golomb, E; Kreiss, Y; Pras, E; Bisceglia, L; d'Adamo, A P; Zelante, L; Gasparini, P; Bassi, M T; George , A L; Manzoni, M; Riboni, M; Ballabio, A; Borsani, G; Reig, N; Fernández, E; Zorzano, A; Bertran, J; Palacín, M

    2001-02-15

    Cystinuria (OMIM 220100) is a common recessive disorder of renal reabsorption of cystine and dibasic amino acids that results in nephrolithiasis of cystine. Mutations in SLC3A1, which encodes rBAT, cause Type I cystinuria, and mutations in SLC7A9, which encodes a putative subunit of rBAT (b(o,+)AT), cause non-Type I cystinuria. Here we describe the genomic structure of SLC7A9 (13 exons) and 28 new mutations in this gene that, together with the seven previously reported, explain 79% of the alleles in 61 non-Type I cystinuria patients. These data demonstrate that SLC7A9 is the main non-Type I cystinuria gene. Mutations G105R, V170M, A182T and R333W are the most frequent SLC7A9 missense mutations found. Among heterozygotes carrying these mutations, A182T heterozygotes showed the lowest urinary excretion values of cystine and dibasic amino acids. Functional analysis of mutation A182T after co-expression with rBAT in HeLa cells revealed significant residual transport activity. In contrast, mutations G105R, V170M and R333W are associated to a complete or almost complete loss of transport activity, leading to a more severe urinary phenotype in heterozygotes. SLC7A9 mutations located in the putative transmembrane domains of b(o,+)AT and affecting conserved amino acid residues with a small side chain generate a severe phenotype, while mutations in non-conserved residues give rise to a mild phenotype. These data provide the first genotype-phenotype correlation in non-Type I cystinuria, and show that a mild urinary phenotype in heterozygotes may associate with mutations with significant residual transport activity.

  14. The ecological importance of severe wildfires: some like it hot.

    PubMed

    Hutto, Richard L

    2008-12-01

    Many scientists and forest land managers concur that past fire suppression, grazing, and timber harvesting practices have created unnatural and unhealthy conditions in the dry, ponderosa pine forests of the western United States. Specifically, such forests are said to carry higher fuel loads and experience fires that are more severe than those that occurred historically. It remains unclear, however, how far these generalizations can be extrapolated in time and space, and how well they apply to the more mesic ponderosa pine systems and to other forest systems within the western United States. I use data on the pattern of distribution of one bird species (Black-backed Woodpecker, Picoides arcticus) as derived from 16465 sample locations to show that, in western Montana, this bird species is extremely specialized on severely burned forests. Such specialization has profound implications because it suggests that the severe fires we see burning in many forests in the Intermountain West are not entirely "unnatural" or "unhealthy." Instead, severely burned forest conditions have probably occurred naturally across a broad range of forest types for millennia. These findings highlight the fact that severe fire provides an important ecological backdrop for fire specialists like the Black-backed Woodpecker, and that the presence and importance of severe fire may be much broader than commonly appreciated.

  15. Educational Methods for Deaf-Blind and Severely Handicapped Students, Volume I.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Peak, Orel; And Others

    The 17 papers were originally presented at a 1977 series of workshops for personnel serving the deaf-blind and severely handicapped and are organized into the following workshop topics: programing and program development, the senses, cognition, communication, and behavior managment. The papers have the following titles and authors: "Education for…

  16. Severe lateral tibial bowing with short stature in two siblings--a provisionally novel syndrome.

    PubMed

    Zitano, Lia; Loder, Randall T; Cohen, Mervyn D; Weaver, David D

    2012-09-01

    In this report, we describe two siblings with short stature and severe lateral tibial bowing. In the younger sibling, the bowing was bilateral, while in the older sib, it was unilateral. However, both showed bilateral abnormalities of the distal tibial epiphyses and growth plates. Pseudoarthrosis of the left distal tibial metaphysis and subsequent spontaneous resolution of the abnormality occurred in the younger sibling. The fibulas of both children were of normal diameter and were straight, except for the distal ends. Surgery has almost completely corrected the lower leg bowing in both patients. The type of tibial bowing seen in these children can be associated with a number of syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis type I, Weismann-Netter syndrome, and a variety of environmental caused disorders, such as vitamin D deficient rickets. However, the severity of the bowing present in our patients and the absence of other clinical features differentiates this condition from those reported in the literature. We posit that the condition in the children presented here represents an as yet undescribed syndrome, which is likely to be of genetic origin. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. Chicken lines divergently selected for antibody responses to sheep red blood cells show line-specific differences in sensitivity to immunomodulation by diet. Part I: Humoral parameters.

    PubMed

    Adriaansen-Tennekes, R; de Vries Reilingh, G; Nieuwland, M G B; Parmentier, H K; Savelkoul, H F J

    2009-09-01

    Individual differences in nutrient sensitivity have been suggested to be related with differences in stress sensitivity. Here we used layer hens divergently selected for high and low specific antibody responses to SRBC (i.e., low line hens and high line hens), reflecting a genetically based differential immune competence. The parental line of these hens was randomly bred as the control line and was used as well. Recently, we showed that these selection lines differ in their stress reactivity; the low line birds show a higher hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity. To examine maternal effects and neonatal nutritional exposure on nutrient sensitivity, we studied 2 subsequent generations. This also created the opportunity to examine egg production in these birds. The 3 lines were fed 2 different nutritionally complete layer feeds for a period of 22 wk in the first generation. The second generation was fed from hatch with the experimental diets. At several time intervals, parameters reflecting humoral immunity were determined such as specific antibody to Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease vaccines; levels of natural antibodies binding lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin; and classical and alternative complement activity. The most pronounced dietary-induced effects were found in the low line birds of the first generation: specific antibody titers to Newcastle disease vaccine were significantly elevated by 1 of the 2 diets. In the second generation, significant differences were found in lipoteichoic acid natural antibodies of the control and low line hens. At the end of the observation period of egg parameters, a significant difference in egg weight was found in birds of the high line. Our results suggest that nutritional differences have immunomodulatory effects on innate and adaptive humoral immune parameters in birds with high HPA axis reactivity and affect egg production in birds with low HPA axis reactivity.

  18. Severe metabolic alkalosis: a case report.

    PubMed Central

    Javaheri, S; Nardell, E A

    1981-01-01

    A 45-year-old man who was admitted with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain was found to have severe metabolic alkalosis, with a PaCO2 of 11.4kPa (85.5 mm Hg), PaO2 of 5.8 kPa (43.5 mm Hg), pH of 7.61, and plasma bicarbonate concentration of 82.0 mmol/l. He was treated with oxygen, intravenous physiological saline, and phenytoin and improved within 48 hours. Radiographs showed gastric outlet obstruction secondary to peptic ulcer, which was treated by surgery. Though sever, the rise in carbon dioxide concentration in this patient was probably lifesaving. The PaCO2 was therefore allowed to fall gradually as the alkalosis was treated. The return of both PaCO2 and plasma bicarbonate values to normal in parallel suggests that hypoventilation compensated for the metabolic alkalosis and emphasises the importance of conservative treatment in cases of metabolic alkalosis. PMID:6794744

  19. Severity in irritable bowel syndrome: a Rome Foundation Working Team report.

    PubMed

    Drossman, Douglas A; Chang, L; Bellamy, N; Gallo-Torres, H E; Lembo, A; Mearin, F; Norton, N J; Whorwell, P

    2011-10-01

    The concept of severity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is clinically recognized and operative in diagnostic decision making and treatment planning. Yet, there is no consensus on its definition, and there are limited data on the prevalence of severity subgroups, its medical and psychosocial determinants, and its association with other health status measures. The aims of the Rome Foundation Working Team Committee were to summarize current research, to develop a consensus of understanding on this concept, and to make recommendations for its use in research and clinical care. In 2006, a multinational committee of clinical investigators with expertise in IBS and/or psychometric research methods undertook a systematic review of the literature relating to severity in IBS. Owing to limited data, the Foundation commissioned three clinical studies to better characterize the concept of severity in IBS, and summary information and recommendations for future research and clinical care were developed. The main findings were: (i) severity in IBS is defined as a biopsychosocial composite of patient-reported gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, degree of disability, and illness-related perceptions and behaviors; (ii) both visceral and central nervous system physiological factors affect severity; as severity increases, the central nervous system provides a greater contribution; (iii) severity is related to and influences health-related quality of life and health behaviors and also guides diagnostic and therapeutic clinical decision making; (iv) severity can be subcategorized into clinically meaningful subgroups as mild (∼40%), moderate (∼35%), and severe (∼25%), and this provides a working model for use in future research and clinical care. Future work is required to understand more precisely the factors contributing to severity and to develop a valid patient-reported instrument to measure severity in IBS.

  20. Compared to Purpurinimides, the Pyropheophorbide Containing an Iodobenzyl Group showed Enhanced PDT Efficacy and Tumor Imaging (124I-PET) Ability

    PubMed Central

    Pandey, Suresh K.; Sajjad, Munawwar; Chen, Yihui; Pandey, Anupam; Missert, Joseph R.; Batt, Carrie; Yao, Rutao; Nabi, Hani A.; Oseroff, Allan R.; Pandey, Ravindra K.

    2009-01-01

    Two positional isomers of purpurinimide; 3-[1’-(3-iodobenzyloxyethyl)] purpurin-18-N-hexylimide methyl ester 4 in which the iodobenzyl group is present at the top half of the molecule (position-3) and a 3-(1’-hexyloxyethy)purpurin-18-N-(3-iodo-benzylimide)] methyl ester 5, where the iodobenzyl group is introduced at the bottom half (N-substitued cyclicimide) of the molecule were derived from chlorophyll-a. The tumor uptake and phototherapeutic abilities of these isomers were compared with the pyropheophorbide analog 1 (lead compound). These compounds were then converted into the corresponding 124I- labeled PET imaging agents with specific activity >1Ci/μmole. Among the positional isomers 4 and 5, purpurinimide 5 showed enhanced imaging and therapeutic potential. However, the lead compound 1 derived from pyropheophorbide-a exhibited the best PET imaging and PDT efficacy. For investigating the overall lipophilicity of the molecule, the 3-O-hexyl ether group presnt at position-3 of purpurinimide 5 was replaced with a methyl ether substituent and the resulting product 10 showed improved tumor uptake, but due to its significantly higher uptake in liver, spleen and other organs, a poor tumor contrast in whole-body tumor imaging was observed. PMID:19191565

  1. Heterogeneity in Trajectories of Child Maltreatment Severity: A Two-Part Growth Mixture Model

    PubMed Central

    Yampolskaya, Svetlana; Greenbaum, Paul E.; Brown, C. Hendricks; Armstrong, Mary I.

    2016-01-01

    This study examined the trajectories of maltreatment severity and substantiation over a 24-month period among children (N = 82,396) with repeated maltreatment reports. Findings revealed two different longitudinal patterns. The first pattern, Elevated Severity, showed a higher level of maltreatment during the initial incident and increased maltreatment severity during subsequent incidents but the substantiation rates for this class decreased over time. The second pattern, Lowered Severity, showed a much lower level of severity, but the likelihood of substantiation increased over time. The Elevated Severity class was comprised of children with an elevated risk profile due to both individual and contextual risk factors including older age, female gender, caregivers’ substance use problems, and a higher number of previous maltreatment reports. Implications of the findings are discussed. PMID:26300381

  2. More than a decade follow-up in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma: The Epidemiology and Natural History of Asthma: Outcomes and Treatment Regimens (TENOR) II.

    PubMed

    Chipps, Bradley E; Haselkorn, Tmirah; Paknis, Brandee; Ortiz, Benjamin; Bleecker, Eugene R; Kianifard, Farid; Foreman, Aimee J; Szefler, Stanley J; Zeiger, Robert S

    2018-05-01

    The Epidemiology and Natural History of Asthma: Outcomes and Treatment Regimens (TENOR I) study demonstrated high morbidity in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma despite standard-of-care treatment. We sought to determine the long-term natural history of disease and outcomes in patients in TENOR I after more than a decade. TENOR I was a multicenter observational study (2001-2004) of 4756 patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma. TENOR II was a follow-up study of TENOR I patients using a single cross-sectional visit in 2013/2014. Overall, the sites participating in TENOR II originally enrolled 1230 patients in TENOR I. Clinical and patient-reported outcomes were assessed, including very poorly controlled asthma based on National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines. A total of 341 (27.7%) patients were enrolled in TENOR II and were representative of the TENOR I cohort. The most frequent comorbidities were rhinitis (84.0%), sinusitis (47.8%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (46.3%). Mean percent predicted prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator FEV 1 were 72.7% (SD, 21.4%) and 78.2% (SD, 20.7%), respectively. A total of 231 (72.9%) of 317 patients had positive test responses to 1 or more allergen-specific IgEs. The mean blood eosinophil count was 200/μL (SD, 144/μL). Eighty-eight (25.8%) patients experienced an asthma exacerbation in the prior 3 months requiring hospital attention, oral corticosteroids, or both. More than half (197/339 [58.1%]) had very poorly controlled asthma. Medication use suggested undertreatment. TENOR II provides longitudinal data to characterize disease progression, heterogeneity, and severity in patients with severe or difficult-to-treat asthma. Findings show continued morbidity, including a high degree of comorbid conditions, allergic sensitization, exacerbations, and very poorly controlled asthma, including reduced lung function. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  3. Cortisol awakening response is decreased in patients with first-episode psychosis and increased in healthy controls with a history of severe childhood abuse.

    PubMed

    Ciufolini, Simone; Gayer-Anderson, Charlotte; Fisher, Helen L; Marques, Tiago Reis; Taylor, Heather; Di Forti, Marta; Zunszain, Patricia; Morgan, Craig; Murray, Robin M; Pariante, Carmine M; Dazzan, Paola; Mondelli, Valeria

    2018-05-15

    Childhood abuse is highly prevalent in psychosis patients, but whether/how it affects hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis at the onset of psychosis remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of severity of childhood abuse on HPA axis activity, in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and healthy controls. We recruited 169 FEP patients and 133 controls with different degrees of childhood physical and sexual abuse (i.e. no abuse exposure, non-severe abuse exposure, and severe abuse exposure). Saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol awakening response with respect to ground (CARg), increase (CARi) and diurnal (CDD) cortisol levels. Two-way ANOVA analyses were conducted to test the relationships between severity of childhood abuse and psychosis on cortisol levels in individuals with psychosis and healthy controls with and without childhood abuse history. A statistically significant interaction between childhood abuse and psychosis on CARg was found (F (2,262)  = 4.60, p = 0.011, ω 2  = 0.42). Overall, controls showed a U-shaped relationship between abuse exposure and CARg, while patients showed an inverted U-shaped relationship. CARg values were markedly different between patients and controls with either no abuse history or exposure to severe childhood abuse. No significant differences were found when looking at CARi and CDD. Our results show a divergent effect of severe childhood abuse on HPA axis activity in patients with first-episode psychosis and in controls. In the presence of exposure to severe childhood abuse, a blunted CARg and a less reactive HPA axis may represent one of the biological mechanisms involved in the development of psychosis. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  4. Can Masturbatory Guilt Lead to Severe Psychopathology: A Case Series

    PubMed Central

    Aneja, Jitender; Grover, Sandeep; Avasthi, Ajit; Mahajan, Sudhir; Pokhrel, Prabhakar; Triveni, Davuluri

    2015-01-01

    Masturbation is common in all societies. Despite being common, it is admonished culturally and almost all religions prohibit masturbation and consider it an act of immorality. The prohibition for masturbation leads to a lot of cultural beliefs, including certain myths, which influence sexual behavior of the person. The impact of these common cultural myths associated with masturbation, are clinically understood as Dhat syndrome and masturbatory guilt. Although there is a reasonable literature on Dhat syndrome, there is limited literature with regard to masturbatory guilt especially linking the same with axis-I psychopathology. In this case series, three cases of masturbatory guilt are presented in whom masturbatory guilt was associated with manifestation of severe psychopathology. This report suggests that masturbatory guilt must be enquired for in patients presenting with severe mental disorder. PMID:25722518

  5. [Severe rhabdomyolysis secondary to severe hypernatraemic dehydration].

    PubMed

    Mastro-Martínez, Ignacio; Montes-Arjona, Ana María; Escudero-Lirio, Margarita; Hernández-García, Bárbara; Fernández-Cantalejo Padial, José

    2015-01-01

    Rhabdomyolysis is a rare paediatric condition. The case is presented of a patient in whom this developed secondary to severe hypernatraemic dehydration following acute diarrhoea. Infant 11 months of age who presented with vomiting, fever, diarrhoea and anuria for 15 hours. Parents reported adequate preparation of artificial formula and oral rehydration solution. He was admitted with malaise, severe dehydration signs and symptoms, cyanosis, and low reactivity. The laboratory tests highlighted severe metabolic acidosis, hypernatraemia and pre-renal kidney failure (Sodium [Na] plasma 181 mEq/L, urine density> 1030). He was managed in Intensive Care Unit with gradual clinical and renal function improvement. On the third day, slight axial hypotonia and elevated cell lysis enzymes (creatine phosphokinase 75,076 IU/L) were observed, interpreted as rhabdomyolysis. He was treated with intravenous rehydration up to 1.5 times the basal requirements, and he showed a good clinical and biochemical response, being discharged 12 days after admission without motor sequelae. Severe hypernatraemia is described as a rare cause of rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. In critically ill patients, it is important to have a high index of suspicion for rhabdomyolysis and performing serial determinations of creatine phosphokinase for early detection and treatment. Copyright © 2015 Sociedad Chilena de Pediatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  6. Elevation of cardiac troponin I during non-exertional heat-related illnesses in the context of a heatwave

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Introduction The prognostic value of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in patients having a heat-related illness during a heat wave has been poorly documented. Methods In a post hoc analysis, we evaluated 514 patients admitted to emergency departments during the August 2003 heat wave in Paris, having a core temperature >38.5°C and who had analysis of cTnI levels. cTnI was considered as normal, moderately elevated (abnormality threshold to 1.5 ng.mL-1), or severely elevated (>1.5 ng.mL-1). Patients were classified according to our previously described risk score (high, intermediate, and low-risk of death). Results Mean age was 84 ± 12 years, mean body temperature 40.3 ± 1.2°C. cTnI was moderately elevated in 165 (32%) and severely elevated in 97 (19%) patients. One-year survival was significantly decreased in patients with moderate or severe increase in cTnI (24 and 46% vs 58%, all P < 0.05). Using logistic regression, four independent variables were associated with an elevated cTnI: previous coronary artery disease, Glasgow coma scale <12, serum creatinine >120 μmol.L-1, and heart rate >110 bpm. Using Cox regression, only severely elevated cTnI was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.35 to 2.77) when risk score was taken into account. One-year survival was decreased in patients with elevated cTnI only in high risk patients (17 vs 31%, P = 0.04). Conclusions cTnI is frequently elevated in patients with non-exertional heat-related illnesses during a heat wave and is an independent risk factor only in high risk patients where severe increase (>1.5 ng.mL-1) indicates severe myocardial damage. PMID:20507603

  7. Immunohistochemical and Image Analysis-Based Study Shows That Several Immune Checkpoints are Co-expressed in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Tumors.

    PubMed

    Parra, Edwin Roger; Villalobos, Pamela; Zhang, Jiexin; Behrens, Carmen; Mino, Barbara; Swisher, Stephen; Sepesi, Boris; Weissferdt, Annika; Kalhor, Neda; Heymach, John Victor; Moran, Cesar; Zhang, Jianjun; Lee, Jack; Rodriguez-Canales, Jaime; Gibbons, Don; Wistuba, Ignacio I

    2018-06-01

    The understanding of immune checkpoint molecules' co-expression in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NCLC) is important to potentially design combinatorial immunotherapy approaches. We studied 225 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from stage I-III NCLCs - 142 adenocarcinomas (ADCs) and 83 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) - placed in tissue microarrays. Nine immune checkpoint markers were evaluated; four (programmed death ligand 1 [PD-L1], B7-H3, B7-H4, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 [IDO-1]) expressed predominantly in malignant cells (MCs) and five (inducible T cell costimulator, V-set immunoregulatory receptor, T-cell immunoglobulin mucin family member 3, lymphocyte activating 3, and OX40) expressed mostly in stromal tumor-associated inflammatory cells (TAICs). All markers were examined using a quantitative image analysis and correlated with clinicopathologic features, TAICs, and molecular characteristics. Using above the median value as positive expression in MCs and high density of TAICs expressing those markers, we identified higher expression of immune checkpoints in SCC than ADC. Common simultaneous expression by MCs was PD-L1 + B7-H3 + IDO-1 in ADC and PD-L1 + B7-H3, or B7-H3 + B7-H4, in SCC. TAICs expressing checkpoint were significantly higher in current smokers than in never smokers. Almost all the immune checkpoint markers showed positive correlation with TAICs expressing inflammatory cell markers. KRAS-mutant ADC specimens showed higher expression of PD-L1 in MCs and of B7-H3, T-cell immunoglobulin mucin family member 3, and IDO-1 in TAICs than wild type. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed worse prognosis in ADC patients with higher B7-H4 expression by MCs. We found frequent immunohistochemical co-expression of immune checkpoints in surgically resected NCLC tumors and correlated with tumor histology, smoking history, tumor size, and the density of inflammatory cells and tumor mutational status. Copyright © 2018 International

  8. DETAIL OF PIER C (CANADIAN SIDE), SHOWING LOWER CHORDS, VERTICALS ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    DETAIL OF PIER C (CANADIAN SIDE), SHOWING LOWER CHORDS, VERTICALS AND DIAGONALS. VIEW TO NORTH. - Blue Water Bridge, Spanning St. Clair River at I-69, I-94, & Canadian Route 402, Port Huron, St. Clair County, MI

  9. Fire severity and ecosytem responses following crown fires in California shrublands

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Keeley, J.E.; Brennan, T.; Pfaff, A.H.

    2008-01-01

    Chaparral shrublands burn in large high-intensity crown fires. Managers interested in how these wildfires affect ecosystem processes generally rely on surrogate measures of fire intensity known as fire severity metrics. In shrublands burned in the autumn of 2003, a study of 250 sites investigated factors determining fire severity and ecosystem responses.Using structural equation modeling we show that stand age, prefire shrub density, and the shortest interval of the prior fire history had significant direct effects on fire severity, explaining >50% of the variation in severity.Fire severity per se is of interest to resource managers primarily because it is presumed to be an indicator of important ecosystem processes such as vegetative regeneration, community recovery, and erosion. Fire severity contributed relatively little to explaining patterns of regeneration after fire. Two generalizations can be drawn: fire severity effects are mostly short-lived, i.e., by the second year they are greatly diminished, and fire severity may have opposite effects on different functional types.Species richness exhibited a negative relationship to fire severity in the first year, but fire severity impacts were substantially less in the second postfire year and varied by functional type. Much of this relationship was due to alien plants that are sensitive to high fire severity; at all scales from 1 to 1000 m2, the percentage of alien species in the postfire flora declined with increased fire severity. Other aspects of disturbance history are also important determinants of alien cover and richness as both increased with the number of times the site had burned and decreased with time since last fire.A substantial number of studies have shown that remote-sensing indices are correlated with field measurements of fire severity. Across our sites, absolute differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR) was strongly correlated with field measures of fire severity and with fire history at a site

  10. Fire severity and ecosytem responses following crown fires in California shrublands.

    PubMed

    Keeley, Jon E; Brennan, Teresa; Pfaff, Anne H

    2008-09-01

    Chaparral shrublands burn in large high-intensity crown fires. Managers interested in how these wildfires affect ecosystem processes generally rely on surrogate measures of fire intensity known as fire severity metrics. In shrublands burned in the autumn of 2003, a study of 250 sites investigated factors determining fire severity and ecosystem responses. Using structural equation modeling we show that stand age, prefire shrub density, and the shortest interval of the prior fire history had significant direct effects on fire severity, explaining > 50% of the variation in severity. Fire severity per se is of interest to resource managers primarily because it is presumed to be an indicator of important ecosystem processes such as vegetative regeneration, community recovery, and erosion. Fire severity contributed relatively little to explaining patterns of regeneration after fire. Two generalizations can be drawn: fire severity effects are mostly shortlived, i.e., by the second year they are greatly diminished, and fire severity may have opposite effects on different functional types. Species richness exhibited a negative relationship to fire severity in the first year, but fire severity impacts were substantially less in the second postfire year and varied by functional type. Much of this relationship was due to alien plants that are sensitive to high fire severity; at all scales from 1 to 1000 m2, the percentage of alien species in the postfire flora declined with increased fire severity. Other aspects of disturbance history are also important determinants of alien cover and richness as both increased with the number of times the site had burned and decreased with time since last fire. A substantial number of studies have shown that remote-sensing indices are correlated with field measurements of fire severity. Across our sites, absolute differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR) was strongly correlated with field measures of fire severity and with fire history at a

  11. Evaluation of the DSM-5 Severity Specifier for Bulimia Nervosa in Treatment-Seeking Youth.

    PubMed

    Dakanalis, Antonios; Colmegna, Fabrizia; Zanetti, Maria Assunta; Di Giacomo, Ester; Riva, Giuseppe; Clerici, Massimo

    2018-02-01

    A new severity specifier for bulimia nervosa (BN), based on the frequency of inappropriate weight compensatory behaviours (e.g., laxative misuse, self-induced vomiting, fasting, diuretic misuse, and excessive exercise), has been added to the most recent (fifth) edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a means of addressing variability and heterogeneity in the severity of the disorder. While existing research provides support for the DSM-5 severity specifier for BN in adult patients, evidence for its validity and clinical utility in youth is currently lacking. To address this gap, data from 272 treatment-seeking adolescents with DSM-5 BN (94.2% female, M age  = 15.3 years, SD 1.7) were analysed to examine whether these patients, sub-grouped based on the DSM-5 severity definitions, would show meaningful differences in a broad range of clinical variables and demographic and physical characteristics. Analyses revealed that participants categorized with mild, moderate, severe, and extreme severity of BN significantly differed from each other in 15 variables regarding eating disorder pathological features and putative maintenance factors (i.e., core low self-esteem, perfectionism, social appearance anxiety, body surveillance, and mood intolerance), health-related quality of life and comorbid psychiatric (i.e., affective and anxiety) disorders (large effect sizes). Between-group differences in demographics, body mass index, or age-of-BN onset were not observed. Collectively, our findings provide support for the utility of the frequency of inappropriate weight compensatory behaviours as a severity indicator for BN and suggest that age-at-onset of BN is probably more disorder- than severity-dependent. Implications for future research are outlined.

  12. Increased seizure latency and decreased severity of pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice after essential oil administration.

    PubMed

    Koutroumanidou, Eleni; Kimbaris, Athanasios; Kortsaris, Alexandros; Bezirtzoglou, Eugenia; Polissiou, Moschos; Charalabopoulos, Konstantinos; Pagonopoulou, Olga

    2013-01-01

    The effect of pretreatment with essential oils (EOs) from eight aromatic plants on the seizure latency and severity of pentylenetetrazol- (PTZ-) induced seizures in mice was evaluated. Weight-dependent doses of Rosmarinus officinalis, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha spicata, Mentha pulegium, Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha piperita, Origanum dictamnus, and Origanum vulgare, isolated from the respective aromatic plants from NE Greece, were administered 60 minutes prior to intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a lethal dose of PTZ to eight respective groups of Balb-c mice. Control group received only one i.p. PTZ injection. Motor and behavioral activity of the animals after EOs administration, development of tonic-clonic seizures, seizure latency and severity, and percentage of survival after PTZ administration were determined for each group. All groups of mice treated with the EOs showed reduced activity and stability after the administration of the oil, except for those treated with O. vulgare (100% mortality after the administration of the oil). After PTZ administration, mice from the different groups showed increased latency and reduced severity of seizures (ranging from simple twitches to complete seizures). Mice who had received M. piperita demonstrated no seizures and 100% survival. The different drastic component and its concentration could account for the diversity of anticonvulsant effects.

  13. Multiple splicing events involved in regulation of human aromatase expression by a novel promoter, I.6.

    PubMed

    Shozu, M; Zhao, Y; Bulun, S E; Simpson, E R

    1998-04-01

    binding site that is found upstream of the initiator site of the promoter region. Expression of exon I.6-specific transcripts was examined in several human tissues. Testis and bone obtained from normal adults expressed exon I.6. Testicular tumor and hepatic carcinoma expressed high levels of exon I.6, whereas granulosa cell tumor did not. Fetal liver and bone also showed a significant level of exon I.6 expression, but not so much as testicular tumor and hepatic tumor. Several splicing variants of exon I.6 were detected especially in THP-1 and JEG-3 cells, and to a lesser extent in primary cultures and tissue samples. These variants were identified as an unspliced form, a form spliced at the end of exon I.4, a form spliced at the end of exon I.3 (truncated) and a form spliced 220 bp downstream of the 3' end of exon I.6. The last variant revealed a new splicing site. Because most of the splicing variants contain the sequence specific for exon I.3, RT-PCR specific for exon I.3 can coamplify these splicing variants of exon I.6 transcripts. These results suggests that it is necessary to examine the expression of I.6 in tissues that are known to express exon I.3 such as breast adipose tissue, in which promoter usage of exon I of the aromatase gene switches from exon I.4 to I.3 in the course of malignant transformation.

  14. Planning a Successful Tech Show

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nikirk, Martin

    2011-01-01

    Tech shows are a great way to introduce prospective students, parents, and local business and industry to a technology and engineering or career and technical education program. In addition to showcasing instructional programs, a tech show allows students to demonstrate their professionalism and skills, practice public presentations, and interact…

  15. Tools for placing the radiological health hazard in perspective following a severe emergency at a light water reactor (LWR) or its spent fuel pool.

    PubMed

    McKenna, Thomas; Welter, Phillip Vilar; Callen, Jessica; Martincic, Rafael; Dodd, Brian; Kutkov, Vladimir

    2015-01-01

    Experience from past nuclear and radiological emergencies shows that placing the radiological health hazard in perspective and having a definition of "safe" are required in order to prevent members of the public, those responsible for protecting the public (i.e., decision makers), and others from taking inappropriate and damaging actions that are not justified based on the radiological health hazard. The principle concerns of the public during a severe nuclear power plant or spent fuel pool emergency are "Am I safe?" and "What should I do to be safe?" However, these questions have not been answered to the satisfaction of the public, despite various protective actions being implemented to ensure their safety. Instead, calculated doses or various measured quantities (e.g., ambient dose rate or radionuclide concentrations) are used to describe the situation to the public without placing them into perspective in terms of the possible radiological health hazard, or if they have, it has been done incorrectly. This has contributed to members of the public taking actions that do more harm than good in the belief that they are protecting themselves. Based on established international guidance, this paper provides a definition of "safe" for the radiological health hazard for use in nuclear or radiological emergencies and a system for putting the radiological health hazard in perspective for quantities most commonly measured after a release resulting from a severe emergency at a light water reactor or its spent fuel pool.

  16. Neonatal severe intractable diarrhoea as the presenting manifestation of an unclassified congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG-x)

    PubMed Central

    Mention, K; Michaud, L; Dobbelaere, D; Guimber, D; Gottrand, F; Turck, D

    2001-01-01

    A case of severe and protracted diarrhoea is reported, which started in the neonatal period and progressively associated with neurological impairment, dysmorphy, hepatosplenomegaly, and hepatic insufficiency, from which the patient died at 2 years of age. Isoelectric focusing of serum transferrin showed a congenital disorder of glycosylation type I pattern but the basic defect could not be identified. This observation shows that congenital disorder of glycosylation is a cause of intractable diarrhoea in neonates.

 PMID:11668168

  17. The Pseudorabies Virus Glycoprotein gE/gI Complex Suppresses Type I Interferon Production by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

    PubMed Central

    Lamote, Jochen A. S.; Kestens, Manon; Van Waesberghe, Cliff; Delva, Jonas; De Pelsmaeker, Steffi; Devriendt, Bert

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) play a central role in the antiviral immune response, both in the innate response and in shaping the adaptive response, mainly because of their ability to produce massive amounts of type I interferon (TI-IFN). Here, we report that cells infected with the live attenuated Bartha vaccine strain of porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV) trigger a dramatically increased TI-IFN response by porcine primary pDC compared to cells infected with wild-type PRV strains (Becker and Kaplan). Since Bartha is one of the relatively few examples of a highly successful alphaherpesvirus vaccine, identification of factors that may contribute to its efficacy may provide insights for the rational design of other alphaherpesvirus vaccines. The Bartha vaccine genome displays several mutations compared to the genome of wild-type PRV strains, including a large deletion in the unique short (US) region, encompassing the glycoprotein E (gE), gI, US9, and US2 genes. Using recombinant PRV Becker strains harboring the entire Bartha US deletion or single mutations in the four affected US genes, we demonstrate that the absence of the viral gE/gI complex contributes to the observed increased IFN-α response. Furthermore, we show that the absence of gE leads to an enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in pDC, which correlates with a higher TI-IFN production by pDC. In conclusion, the PRV Bartha vaccine strain triggers strongly increased TI-IFN production by porcine pDC. Our data further indicate that the gE/gI glycoprotein complex suppresses TI-IFN production by pDC, which represents the first alphaherpesvirus factor that suppresses pDC activity. IMPORTANCE Several alphaherpesviruses, including herpes simpex virus, still lack effective vaccines. However, the highly successful Bartha vaccine has contributed substantially to eradication of the porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV) in several countries

  18. The Pseudorabies Virus Glycoprotein gE/gI Complex Suppresses Type I Interferon Production by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells.

    PubMed

    Lamote, Jochen A S; Kestens, Manon; Van Waesberghe, Cliff; Delva, Jonas; De Pelsmaeker, Steffi; Devriendt, Bert; Favoreel, Herman W

    2017-04-01

    Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) play a central role in the antiviral immune response, both in the innate response and in shaping the adaptive response, mainly because of their ability to produce massive amounts of type I interferon (TI-IFN). Here, we report that cells infected with the live attenuated Bartha vaccine strain of porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV) trigger a dramatically increased TI-IFN response by porcine primary pDC compared to cells infected with wild-type PRV strains (Becker and Kaplan). Since Bartha is one of the relatively few examples of a highly successful alphaherpesvirus vaccine, identification of factors that may contribute to its efficacy may provide insights for the rational design of other alphaherpesvirus vaccines. The Bartha vaccine genome displays several mutations compared to the genome of wild-type PRV strains, including a large deletion in the unique short (US) region, encompassing the glycoprotein E (gE), gI, US9, and US2 genes. Using recombinant PRV Becker strains harboring the entire Bartha US deletion or single mutations in the four affected US genes, we demonstrate that the absence of the viral gE/gI complex contributes to the observed increased IFN-α response. Furthermore, we show that the absence of gE leads to an enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in pDC, which correlates with a higher TI-IFN production by pDC. In conclusion, the PRV Bartha vaccine strain triggers strongly increased TI-IFN production by porcine pDC. Our data further indicate that the gE/gI glycoprotein complex suppresses TI-IFN production by pDC, which represents the first alphaherpesvirus factor that suppresses pDC activity. IMPORTANCE Several alphaherpesviruses, including herpes simpex virus, still lack effective vaccines. However, the highly successful Bartha vaccine has contributed substantially to eradication of the porcine alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PRV) in several countries. The

  19. Clinical, radiological, and genetic similarities between patients with Chiari Type I and Type 0 malformations.

    PubMed

    Markunas, Christina A; Tubbs, R Shane; Moftakhar, Roham; Ashley-Koch, Allison E; Gregory, Simon G; Oakes, W Jerry; Speer, Marcy C; Iskandar, Bermans J

    2012-04-01

    Although Chiari Type I (CM-I) and Type 0 (CM-0) malformations have been previously characterized clinically and radiologically, there have been no studies focusing on the possible genetic link between these disorders. The goal of this study was to identify families in whom CM-0 and CM-I co-occurred and to further assess the similarities between these disorders. Families were ascertained through a proband with CM-I. Detailed family histories were obtained to identify first-degree relatives diagnosed with CM-0. Several criteria were used to exclude individuals with acquired forms of CM-I and/or syringomyelia. Individuals were excluded with syndromic, traumatic, infectious, or tumor-related syringomyelia, as well as CM-I due to a supratentorial mass, hydrocephalus, history of cervical or cranial surgery unrelated to CM-I, or development of symptoms following placement of a lumbar shunt. Medical records and MR images were used to characterize CM-I and CM-0 individuals clinically and radiologically. Five families were identified in which the CM-I proband had a first-degree relative with CM-0. Further assessment of affected individuals showed similar clinical and radiological features between CM-0 and CM-I individuals, although CM-I patients in general had more severe symptoms and skull base abnormalities than their CM-0 relatives. Overall, both groups showed improvement in symptoms and/or syrinx size following craniocervical decompression surgery. There is accumulating evidence suggesting that CM-0 and CM-I may be caused by a common underlying developmental mechanism. The data in this study are consistent with this hypothesis, showing similar clinical and radiological features between CM-0 and CM-I individuals, as well as the occurrence of both disorders within families. Familial clustering of CM-0 and CM-I suggests that these disorders may share an underlying genetic basis, although additional epigenetic and/or environmental factors are likely to play an important role

  20. Clinical, radiological, and genetic similarities between patients with Chiari Type I and Type 0 malformations

    PubMed Central

    Markunas, Christina A.; Tubbs, R. Shane; Moftakhar, Roham; Ashley-Koch, Allison E.; Gregory, Simon G.; Oakes, W. Jerry; Speer, Marcy C.; Iskandar, Bermans J.

    2012-01-01

    Object Although Chiari Type I (CM-I) and Type 0 (CM-0) malformations have been previously characterized clinically and radiologically, there have been no studies focusing on the possible genetic link between these disorders. The goal of this study was to identify families in whom CM-0 and CM-I co-occurred and to further assess the similarities between these disorders. Methods Families were ascertained through a proband with CM-I. Detailed family histories were obtained to identify first-degree relatives diagnosed with CM-0. Several criteria were used to exclude individuals with acquired forms of CM-I and/or syringomyelia. Individuals were excluded with syndromic, traumatic, infectious, or tumor-related syringomyelia, as well as CM-I due to a supratentorial mass, hydrocephalus, history of cervical or cranial surgery unrelated to CM-I, or development of symptoms following placement of a lumbar shunt. Medical records and MR images were used to characterize CM-I and CM-0 individuals clinically and radiologically. Results Five families were identified in which the CM-I proband had a first-degree relative with CM-0. Further assessment of affected individuals showed similar clinical and radiological features between CM-0 and CM-I individuals, although CM-I patients in general had more severe symptoms and skull base abnormalities than their CM-0 relatives. Overall, both groups showed improvement in symptoms and/or syrinx size following craniocervical decompression surgery. Conclusions There is accumulating evidence suggesting that CM-0 and CM-I may be caused by a common underlying developmental mechanism. The data in this study are consistent with this hypothesis, showing similar clinical and radiological features between CM-0 and CM-I individuals, as well as the occurrence of both disorders within families. Familial clustering of CM-0 and CM-I suggests that these disorders may share an underlying genetic basis, although additional epigenetic and/or environmental factors

  1. A multiwavelength survey of H I-excess galaxies with surprisingly inefficient star formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Geréb, K.; Janowiecki, S.; Catinella, B.; Cortese, L.; Kilborn, V.

    2018-05-01

    We present the results of a multiwavelength survey of H I-excess galaxies, an intriguing population with large H I reservoirs associated with little current star formation. These galaxies have stellar masses M⋆ > 1010 M⊙, and were identified as outliers in the gas fraction versus NUV-r colour and stellar mass surface density scaling relations based on the GALEX Arecibo SDSS Survey (GASS). We obtained H I interferometry with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, Keck optical long-slit spectroscopy, and deep optical imaging (where available) for four galaxies. Our analysis reveals multiple possible reasons for the H I excess in these systems. One galaxy, AGC 10111, shows an H I disc that is counter-rotating with respect to the stellar bulge, a clear indication of external origin of the gas. Another galaxy appears to host a Malin 1-type disc, where a large specific angular momentum has to be invoked to explain the extreme M_{H I}/M⋆ ratio of 166 per cent. The other two galaxies have early-type morphology with very high gas fractions. The lack of merger signatures (unsettled gas, stellar shells, and streams) in these systems suggests that these gas-rich discs have been built several Gyr ago, but it remains unclear how the gas reservoirs were assembled. Numerical simulations of large cosmological volumes are needed to gain insight into the formation of these rare and interesting systems.

  2. The return periods and risk assessment of severe dust storms in Inner Mongolia with consideration of the main contributing factors.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xueqin; Li, Ning; Xie, Wei; Wu, Jidong; Zhang, Peng; Ji, Zhonghui

    2012-09-01

    This study presents a methodology for return period analysis and risk assessment of severe dust storm disaster. Meteorological observation data, soil moisture data, and remote sensing data from 30 meteorological stations in Inner Mongolia (western China) from 1985 to 2006 were used for the study. A composite index of severe dust storm disaster (Index I (SDS)) based on the influence mechanisms of the main contributing factors was developed by using the analytic hierarchy process and the weighted comprehensive method, and the hazard risk curves (i.e., the transcendental probability curves of I (SDS)) for the 30 stations were established using the parameter estimation method. We then analyzed the risk of the occurrence of severe dust storm under different scenarios of 5-, 10-, 20-, and 50-year return periods. The results show that the risk decreased from west to east across Inner Mongolia, and there are four severe dust storm occurrence peak value centers, including Guaizihu, Jilantai, Hailisu, and Zhurihe-Erenhot. The severity of dust storms in seven places will be intolerable in the 50-year return period scenario and in three places in the 20-year return period scenario. These results indicate that these locations should concentrate forces on disaster prevention, monitoring, and early warning. The I (SDS) was developed as an easily understandable tool useful for the assessment and comparison of the relative risk of severe dust storm disasters in different areas. The risk assessment was specifically intended to support local and national government agencies in their management of severe dust storm disasters in their efforts to (1) make resource allocation decisions, (2) make high-level planning decisions, and (3) raise public awareness of severe dust storm risk.

  3. Skeletal anchorage for orthodontic correction of severe maxillary protrusion after previous orthodontic treatment.

    PubMed

    Tanaka, Eiji; Nishi-Sasaki, Akiko; Hasegawa, Takuro; Nishio, Clarice; Kawai, Nobuhiko; Tanne, Kazuo

    2008-01-01

    The correction of a severe maxillary protrusion in an adult by distal movement of the maxillary molars has been one of the most difficult biomechanical problems in orthodontics. This article reports on the treatment of an adult case of severe maxillary protrusion and a large overjet treated with a skeletal anchorage system. A female patient, age 22 years and 3 months, complained of the difficulty of lip closure due to severe maxillary protrusion with a gummy smile. Overjet and overbite were +7.6 mm and -0.9 mm, respectively. She had a history of orthodontic treatment in which her maxillary first premolars were extracted. In order to conduct distal movement of the maxillary molars, anchor plates were placed in the zygomatic process. After achieving a Class I molar relationship, retraction and intrusion of the maxillary incisors were performed. After a 2-year treatment, an acceptable occlusion was achieved with a Class I molar relationship. Her convex facial profile with upper lip protrusion was considerably improved, and the lips showed less tension in lip closure. After a 2-year retention period, an acceptable occlusion was maintained without recurrence of maxillary protrusion, indicating a stability of the occlusion. The result of this treatment indicated that skeletal anchorage is of great importance as a remedy for achieving intrusion and retraction of the maxillary incisors in cases of severe maxillary protrusion with a patient who had previous orthodontic treatment.

  4. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment for Parkinson's disease with severe depression and anxiety: A case report.

    PubMed

    Xu, Jin-Jin; Yang, Si-Tong; Sha, Ying; Ge, Yuan-Yuan; Wang, Jian-Meng

    2018-03-01

    Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) frequently suffer from psychiatric disorders, and treating these symptom whereas managing the motor symptoms associated with PD can be a therapeutic challenge. We report a case of PD patient with severe depression and anxiety that refused to be treated with dopaminagonists or SSRIs, the most common treatments for PD patients suffering from psychiatric symptoms. Parkinson's disease with severe depression and anxiety. This man was treated with hyperbaric oxygen treatment for 30 days. Clinical assessment scores for depression and anxiety, including Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating ScaleI (UPDRS I), UPDRS II, Hanmilton Depression Rating Scale, and Hamiliton Anxiety Rating Scale, were improved following the hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment may be a potential therapeutic method for PD patient suffering from depression and anxiety. Further research is needed to validate this finding and explore a potential mechanism.

  5. Comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Related to disease severity?

    PubMed

    Echave-Sustaeta, Jose M; Comeche Casanova, Lorena; Cosio, Borja G; Soler-Cataluña, Juan Jose; Garcia-Lujan, Ricardo; Ribera, Xavier

    2014-01-01

    Several diseases commonly co-exist with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially in elderly patients. This study aimed to investigate whether there is an association between COPD severity and the frequency of comorbidities in stable COPD patients. In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, patients with spirometric diagnosis of COPD attended to by internal medicine departments throughout Spain were consecutively recruited by 225 internal medicine specialists. The severity of airflow obstruction was graded using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and data on demographics, smoking history, comorbidities, and dyspnea were collected. The Charlson comorbidity score was calculated. Eight hundred and sixty-six patients were analyzed: male 93%, mean age 69.8 (standard deviation [SD] 9.7) years and forced vital capacity in 1 second 42.1 (SD 17.7)%. Even, the mean (SD) Charlson score was 2.2 (2.2) for stage I, 2.3 (1.5) for stage II, 2.5 (1.6) for stage III, and 2.7 (1.8) for stage IV (P=0.013 between stage I and IV groups), independent predictors of Charlson score in the multivariate analysis were age, smoking history (pack-years), the hemoglobin level, and dyspnea, but not GOLD stage. COPD patients attended to in internal medicine departments show high scores of comorbidity. However, GOLD stage was not an independent predictor of comorbidity.

  6. Adolescents with personality disorders suffer from severe psychiatric stigma: evidence from a sample of 131 patients

    PubMed Central

    Catthoor, Kirsten; Feenstra, Dine J; Hutsebaut, Joost; Schrijvers, Didier; Sabbe, Bernard

    2015-01-01

    Background The aim of the study is to assess the severity of psychiatric stigma in a sample of personality disordered adolescents in order to evaluate whether differences in stigma can be found in adolescents with different types and severity of personality disorders (PDs). Not only adults but children and adolescents with mental health problems suffer from psychiatric stigma. In contrast to the abundance of research in adult psychiatric samples, stigma in children and adolescents has hardly been investigated. Personality disordered adolescents with fragile identities and self-esteem might be especially prone to feeling stigmatized, an experience which might further shape their identity throughout this critical developmental phase. Materials and methods One hundred thirty-one adolescent patients underwent a standard assessment with Axis I and Axis II diagnostic interviews and two stigma instruments, Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ) and Perceived Devaluation–Discrimination Questionnaire (PDDQ). Independent sample t-tests were used to investigate differences in the mean SCQ and PDDQ total scores for patients with and without a PD. Multiple regression main effect analyses were conducted to explore the impact of the different PDs on level of stigma, as well as comorbid Axis I disorders. Age and sex were also entered in the regression models. Results and conclusions Adolescents with severe mental health problems experience a burden of stigma. Personality disordered patients experience more stigma than adolescents with other severe psychiatric Axis I disorders. Borderline PD is the strongest predictor of experiences of stigma. More severely personality disordered adolescents tend to experience the highest level of stigma. PMID:25999774

  7. Perceived Severity of Cyberbullying: Differences and Similarities across Four Countries

    PubMed Central

    Palladino, Benedetta E.; Menesini, Ersilia; Nocentini, Annalaura; Luik, Piret; Naruskov, Karin; Ucanok, Zehra; Dogan, Aysun; Schultze-Krumbholz, Anja; Hess, Markus; Scheithauer, Herbert

    2017-01-01

    Cyberbullying is a ubiquitous topic when considering young people and internet and communication technologies (ICTs). For interventional purposes, it is essential to take into account the perspective of adolescents. This is the reason why our main focus is (1) investigating the role of different criteria in the perceived severity of cyberbullying incidents, and (2) examining the differences between countries in the perceived severity of cyberbullying. The sample consisted of 1,964 adolescents (48.2% girls) from middle and high schools of four different countries, i.e., Estonia, Italy, Germany, and Turkey. The participants' age ranged from 12 to 20 years old with a mean age of 14.49 (SD = 1.66) years. To assess perceived severity, participants rated a set of 128 scenarios, which systematically included one or more of five criteria (intentionality, repetition, imbalance of power, public vs. private, and anonymity) and represented four types of cyberbullying behaviors (Written—Verbal, Visual, Exclusion, Impersonation). The role of different criteria was analyzed using the Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM). Results showed a similar structure across the four countries (invariant except for the latent factors' means). Further, criteria of imbalance of power and, to a lesser extent, intentionality, anonymity, and repetition always in combination, were found to be the most important criteria to define the severity of cyberbullying. Differences between countries highlighted specific features of Turkish students, who perceived all scenarios as more severe than adolescents from other countries and were more sensitive to imbalance of power. German and Italian students showed an opposite perception of anonymity combined with intentionality. For Italian participants, an anonymous attack was less threatening than for participants of other countries, whereas for German students anonymity caused more insecurity and fear. In addition, Italian adolescents were more

  8. A case of Gitelman syndrome with severe hyponatraemia and hypophosphataemia.

    PubMed

    Ali, Absar; Masood, Qamar; Yaqub, Sonia; Kashif, Waqar

    2013-01-01

    Gitelman syndrome (GS) is a renal tubular disorder of the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter, which is located in the distal tubule of the loop of Henle. We present a rare case of GS complicated by severe hyponatraemia and hypophosphataemia. A 17-year-old boy was admitted to our institution with fever and lethargy. The workup revealed typical features of GS, i.e. hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia and metabolic alkalosis. In this report, we discuss the differential diagnoses and rationale for accepting GS as the most likely diagnosis. This case was complicated by severe hyponatraemia (115 mmol/L) and hypophosphataemia (0.32 mmol/L). We concluded that the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormones could not be ruled out and that respiratory alkalosis was the most likely aetiology of hypophosphataemia. This case report also generates an interesting discussion on water and electrolyte metabolism.

  9. EAST (CANADIAN) PORTAL OF MAIN SECTION OF BRIDGE, SHOWING PANEL ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    EAST (CANADIAN) PORTAL OF MAIN SECTION OF BRIDGE, SHOWING PANEL OVER PIER C IN CENTER. VIEW TO WEST. - Blue Water Bridge, Spanning St. Clair River at I-69, I-94, & Canadian Route 402, Port Huron, St. Clair County, MI

  10. DETAIL OF VERTICAL AT PANEL OVER PIER C, SHOWING DECK, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    DETAIL OF VERTICAL AT PANEL OVER PIER C, SHOWING DECK, GUARDRAIL, VERTICAL AND UPPER CHORD, VIEW TO NORTHEAST. - Blue Water Bridge, Spanning St. Clair River at I-69, I-94, & Canadian Route 402, Port Huron, St. Clair County, MI

  11. A comparison of different category scales for estimating disease severity

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Plant pathologists most often obtain quantitative information on disease severity using visual assessments. Category scales are widely used for assessing disease severity, including for screening germplasm. The most widely used category scale is the Horsfall-Barratt (H-B) scale, but reports show tha...

  12. Insect immunity shows specificity in protection upon secondary pathogen exposure.

    PubMed

    Sadd, Ben M; Schmid-Hempel, Paul

    2006-06-20

    Immunological memory in vertebrates, conferring lasting specific protection after an initial pathogen exposure, has implications for a broad spectrum of evolutionary, epidemiological, and medical phenomena . However, the existence of specificity in protection upon secondary pathogen exposure in invertebrates remains controversial . To separate this functional phenomenon from a particular mechanism, we refer to it as specific immune priming. We investigate the presence of specific immune priming in workers of the social insect Bombus terrestris. Using three bacterial pathogens, we test whether a prior homologous pathogen exposure gives a benefit in terms of long-term protection against a later challenge, over and above a heterologous combination. With a reciprocally designed initial and second-exposure protocol (i.e., all combinations of bacteria were tested), we demonstrate, even several weeks after the clearance of a first exposure, increased protection and narrow specificity upon secondary exposure. This demonstrates that the invertebrate immune system is functionally capable of unexpectedly specific and durable induced protection. Ultimately, despite general broad differences between vertebrates and invertebrates, the ability of both immune systems to show specificity in protection suggests that their immune defenses have found comparable solutions to similar selective pressures over evolutionary time.

  13. [A case of severe exercise-associated hyponatremia].

    PubMed

    Skjønnemand, Martin

    2013-05-06

    The woman presented to the emergency department with lethargy after a spinning marathon. Severe electrolyte disturbances were measured (Na(+) 109 mmol/l, K(+) 3,2 mmol/l, Cl(-) 86, Ca(++) 0,95 mmol/l). A computed tomography showed signs of brain swelling. During her stay in the intensive care unit the patient had a negative fluid balance of 8,000 ml. She was discharged with habitual weight. We present a brief discussion of the genesis and treatment of EAH.

  14. Case report: Ribavirin and vitamin A in a severe case of measles.

    PubMed

    Bichon, Amandine; Aubry, Camille; Benarous, Lucas; Drouet, Hortense; Zandotti, Christine; Parola, Philippe; Lagier, Jean-Christophe

    2017-12-01

    Despite a vaccine being widely available, measles continues to occur frequently, with sometimes lethal consequences. The mortality rate reaches 35% and measles represents 44% of the 1.4 million deaths which are due to preventable diseases. Severe forms of measles are reported, mainly in young, unvaccinated adults, and in specific populations. The risk factors for severe measles include no or incomplete vaccination and vitamin A deficiency. Apart from secondary measles-related infections, severe measles is mainly represented by neurological, respiratory, and digestive symptoms. Strengthening the hypothesis that there is a link between vitamin A deficiency and severe measles in this paper we report the case of a 25-year-old unvaccinated man hospitalized for severe and complicated measles. The evolution was good after administration of intramuscular vitamin A as well as intravenous ribavirin. Measles remains a fatal and serious disease. The early use of ribavirin and vitamin A shows significant improvements regarding morbimortality and should be systematic in severe cases. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Case report: Ribavirin and vitamin A in a severe case of measles

    PubMed Central

    Bichon, Amandine; Aubry, Camille; Benarous, Lucas; Drouet, Hortense; Zandotti, Christine; Parola, Philippe; Lagier, Jean-Christophe

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Rationale: Despite a vaccine being widely available, measles continues to occur frequently, with sometimes lethal consequences. Patients concerns: The mortality rate reaches 35% and measles represents 44% of the 1.4 million deaths which are due to preventable diseases. Severe forms of measles are reported, mainly in young, unvaccinated adults, and in specific populations. The risk factors for severe measles include no or incomplete vaccination and vitamin A deficiency. Apart from secondary measles-related infections, severe measles is mainly represented by neurological, respiratory, and digestive symptoms. Diagnoses: Strengthening the hypothesis that there is a link between vitamin A deficiency and severe measles in this paper we report the case of a 25-year-old unvaccinated man hospitalized for severe and complicated measles. Outcomes: The evolution was good after administration of intramuscular vitamin A as well as intravenous ribavirin. Lessons: Measles remains a fatal and serious disease. The early use of ribavirin and vitamin A shows significant improvements regarding morbimortality and should be systematic in severe cases. PMID:29390321

  16. [Severity assessment strategies based on administrative data using stroke as an example].

    PubMed

    Schubert, Ingrid; Hammer, Antje; Köster, Ingrid

    2017-10-01

    Information on disease severity is relevant for many studies with claims data in health service research, but only limited information is available in routine data. Stroke serves as an example to analyse whether the combination of different information in claims data can provide insight into the severity of a disease. As a first step, a literature search was conducted. Strategies to assess the severity of a disease by means of routine data were examined with regard to approval and applicability to German sickness fund data. In order to apply and extend the identified procedures, the statutory health insurance sample AOK Hessen/KV Hessen (VSH) served as data source. It is an 18.75 % random sample of persons insured by the AOK Hessen, with 2013 being the most recent year. Stroke patients were identified by the ICD-10 GM code I63 and I64. Patients with said diagnoses being coded as a hospital discharge diagnosis in 2012 were included due to an acute event in 2012 (n=944). The follow-up time was one year. Ten studies covering seven different methods to assess stroke severity were identified. Codes for coma (4.2 % of stroke patients in the SHI sample) as well as coma and/or the application of a PEG tube (9.8 % of the stroke patients) were applied as a proxy for disease severity of acute cases. Taking age, sex and comorbidity into consideration, patients in a coma show a significantly increased risk of mortality compared to those without coma. Three operationalisations were chosen as possible proxies for disease severity of stroke in the further course of disease: i) sequelae (hemiplegia, neurological neglect), ii) duration of the index inpatient stay, and iii) nursing care/ care level 3 for the first time after stroke. The latter proxy has the highest explanatory value for SHI costs. The studies identified use many variables mainly based on hospital information in order to describe disease severity. With the exception of coma, these proxies were neither validated nor

  17. The Peculiar Filamentary H i Structure of NGC 6145

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang, Enci; Kong, Xu; Mou, Guobin

    In this paper, we report the peculiar H i morphology of the cluster spiral galaxy NGC 6145, which has a 150 kpc H i filament on one side that is nearly parallel to its major axis. This filament is made up of several H i clouds and the diffuse H i gas between them, with no optical counterparts. We compare its H i distribution with other one-sided H i distributions in the literature and find that the overall H i distribution is very different from the typical tidal and ram-pressure stripped H i shape, and that its morphology is inconsistentmore » with that of a pure accretion event. Only ∼30% of the total H i gas is anchored on the stellar disk, while most of the H i gas forms the filament in the west. At a projected distance of 122 kpc, we find a massive elliptical companion (NGC 6146) with extended radio emission whose axis points to an H i gap in NGC 6145. The velocity of the H i filament shows an overall line-of-sight motion of 80–180 km s{sup −1} with respect to NGC 6145. Using the long-slit spectra of NGC 6145 along its major stellar axis, we find that some outer regions show enhanced star formation, while in contrast, almost no star formation activities are found in its center (<2 kpc). Pure accretion, tidal, or ram-pressure stripping are not likely to produce the observed H i filament. An alternative explanation is the jet stripping from NGC 6146, although direct evidence for a jet-cold gas interaction has not been found.« less

  18. Postprandial hyperglycemia corrected by IGF-I (Increlex®) in Laron syndrome.

    PubMed

    Latrech, Hanane; Simon, Albane; Beltrand, Jacques; Souberbielle, Jean-Claude; Belmejdoub, Ghizlane; Polak, Michel

    2012-01-01

    Laron syndrome is caused by a mutation in the growth hormone (GH) receptor and manifests as insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) deficiency, severe short stature, and early hypoglycemia. We report a case with postprandial hyperglycemia, an abnormality not reported previously. Postprandial hyperglycemia was due to chronic IGF-I deficiency, and was reversed by IGF-I replacement therapy. A Moroccan girl referred for short stature at 7 years and 8 months of age had dwarfism [height, 78 cm (-9 SDs); weight, 10 kg (-4 SDs)], hypoglycemia, and truncal obesity. Her serum IGF-I level was very low, and her baseline serum GH level was elevated to 47 mIU/l. Molecular analysis showed a homozygous mutation in the GH receptor gene. Continuous glucose monitoring before treatment showed asymptomatic hypoglycemia with postprandial hyperglycemia (2.5 g/l, 13.75 mmol/l). Treatment with recombinant human IGF-I (mecasermin, Increlex®) was started. The blood glucose profile improved with 0.04 µg/kg/day and returned to normal with 0.12 µg/kg/day. Postprandial hyperglycemia is a metabolic consequence of chronic IGF-I deficiency. The beneficial effect of IGF-I replacement therapy may be ascribable to improved postprandial transfer of glucose. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  19. Inhibition of myostatin does not ameliorate disease features of severe spinal muscular atrophy mice.

    PubMed

    Sumner, Charlotte J; Wee, Claribel D; Warsing, Leigh C; Choe, Dong W; Ng, Andrew S; Lutz, Cathleen; Wagner, Kathryn R

    2009-09-01

    There is currently no treatment for the inherited motor neuron disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Severe SMA causes lower motor neuron loss, impaired myofiber development, profound muscle weakness and early mortality. Myostatin is a transforming growth factor-beta family member that inhibits muscle growth. Loss or blockade of myostatin signaling increases muscle mass and improves muscle strength in mouse models of primary muscle disease and in the motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of blocking myostatin signaling in severe SMA mice (hSMN2/delta7SMN/mSmn(-/-)) by two independent strategies: (i) transgenic overexpression of the myostatin inhibitor follistatin and (ii) post-natal administration of a soluble activin receptor IIB (ActRIIB-Fc). SMA mice overexpressing follistatin showed little increase in muscle mass and no improvement in motor function or survival. SMA mice treated with ActRIIB-Fc showed minimal improvement in motor function, and no extension of survival compared with vehicle-treated mice. Together these results suggest that inhibition of myostatin may not be a promising therapeutic strategy in severe forms of SMA.

  20. Our Little Land and the Urgency of Showing, Not Telling, Our Subjectivities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Reinertsen, Anne Beate; Otterstad, Ann Merete; Ben-Horin, Oded

    2014-01-01

    This is a collaborative writing story in which songs and poems invite us into complexities of living the ideals and calling for new ways of making the world visible. I need to show you who I am. You need to show me who you are. They are never completed, always open to self and social reflection, and hopefully capable of pushing boundaries of both…

  1. [Severe hypoglycemia following tramadol intake in a 79 year old non-diabetic patient].

    PubMed

    Kürten, Cornelius; Tzvetkov, Mladen; Ellenrieder, Volker; Schwörer, Harald

    2016-09-01

    History and clinical findings | We report about a 79 year old non-diabetic patient who was admitted to the emergency room with severe hypoglycemia (blood glucose level: 36 mg / dl and Glasgow Coma Scale Score: 3). After the infusion of G40 % her blood glucose level stabilised. The patient reported to have taken 50 mg of Tramadol during the night to treat her headache. Investigations and diagnosis | No other differential diagnosis for hypoglycemia (i.e. diabetes, insulinoma, severe liver or kidney disease) could be established. Therefore, we suspected a tramadol induced hypoglycemia. The mechanisms and the risk factors for this potential side effect remain unclear. The patient showed no abnormality in metabolism (CYP2D6) or membrane transport (OCT1) of tramadol. Treatment and course | No further treatment for hypoglycemic episodes was needed. The patient was discharged after the differential diagnosis and pharmacogenetic testing was completed. Conclusions | Hypoglycemia is a little known adverse effect after tramadol intake, which has only been published in few cases. Tramadol, a weak opioid analgesic classified as step 2 of the WHO cancer pain ladder, is used in moderate pain. Given the continuous rise in tramadol prescription due to better management of chronic pain, further investigation of this issue seems needed as well as an increased awareness amongst physicians. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  2. Designer amphiphilic short peptides enhance thermal stability of isolated photosystem-I.

    PubMed

    Ge, Baosheng; Yang, Feng; Yu, Daoyong; Liu, Shuang; Xu, Hai

    2010-04-21

    Stability of membrane protein is crucial during protein purification and crystallization as well as in the fabrication of protein-based devices. Several recent studies have examined how various surfactants can stabilize membrane proteins out of their native membrane environment. However, there is still no single surfactant that can be universally employed for all membrane proteins. Because of the lack of knowledge on the interaction between surfactants and membrane proteins, the choice of a surfactant for a specific membrane protein remains purely empirical. Here we report that a group of short amphiphilic peptides improve the thermal stability of the multi-domain protein complex photosystem-I (PS-I) in aqueous solution and that the peptide surfactants have obvious advantages over other commonly used alkyl chain based surfactants. Of all the short peptides studied, Ac-I(5)K(2)-CONH(2) (I(5)K(2)) showed the best stabilizing effect by enhancing the melting temperature of PS-I from 48.0 degrees C to 53.0 degrees C at concentration of 0.65 mM and extending the half life of isolated PS-I significantly. AFM experiments showed that PS-I/I(5)K(2)/Triton X-100 formed large and stable vesicles and thus provide interfacial environment mimicking that of native membranes, which may partly explain why I(5)K(2) enhanced the thermal stability of PS-I. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic group length of I(x)K(y) had an important influence on the stabilization of PS-I. Our results showed that longer hydrophobic group was more effective in stabilizing PS-I. These simple short peptides therefore exhibit significant potential for applications in membrane protein studies.

  3. NASA's Hubble Shows Milky Way is Destined for Head-On Collision

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-12-08

    NASA image release Thursday, May 31, 2012 To view a video from this Hubble release go to: www.flickr.com/photos/gsfc/7309212940 Caption: This illustration shows a stage in the predicted merger between our Milky Way galaxy and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, as it will unfold over the next several billion years. In this image, representing Earth's night sky in 3.75 billion years, Andromeda (left) fills the field of view and begins to distort the Milky Way with tidal pull. Credit: NASA; ESA; Z. Levay and R. van der Marel, STScI; T. Hallas; and A. Mellinger To read more go to: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/science/milky-way-colli... NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

  4. Effect of apoA-I Mutations in the Capacity of Reconstituted HDL to Promote ABCG1-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux.

    PubMed

    Daniil, Georgios; Zannis, Vassilis I; Chroni, Angeliki

    2013-01-01

    ATP binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) mediates the cholesterol transport from cells to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but the role of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the main protein constituent of HDL, in this process is not clear. To address this, we measured cholesterol efflux from HEK293 cells or J774 mouse macrophages overexpressing ABCG1 using as acceptors reconstituted HDL (rHDL) containing wild-type or various mutant apoA-I forms. It was found that ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux was severely reduced (by 89%) when using rHDL containing the carboxyl-terminal deletion mutant apoA-I[Δ(185-243)]. ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux was not affected or moderately decreased by rHDL containing amino-terminal deletion mutants and several mid-region deletion or point apoA-I mutants, and was restored to 69-99% of control by double deletion mutants apoA-I[Δ(1-41)Δ(185-243)] and apoA-I[Δ(1-59)Δ(185-243)]. These findings suggest that the central helices alone of apoA-I associated to rHDL can promote ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux. Further analysis showed that rHDL containing the carboxyl-terminal deletion mutant apoA-I[Δ(185-243)] only slightly reduced (by 22%) the ABCG1-mediated efflux of 7-ketocholesterol, indicating that depending on the sterol type, structural changes in rHDL-associated apoA-I affect differently the ABCG1-mediated efflux of cholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol. Overall, our findings demonstrate that rHDL-associated apoA-I structural changes affect the capacity of rHDL to accept cellular cholesterol by an ABCG1-mediated process. The structure-function relationship seen here between rHDL-associated apoA-I mutants and ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux closely resembles that seen before in lipid-free apoA-I mutants and ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux, suggesting that both processes depend on the same structural determinants of apoA-I.

  5. Achondrogenesis type I. A familial subvariant?

    PubMed Central

    Lauder, I; Ellis, H A; Ashcroft, T; Burridge, A

    1976-01-01

    The clinical, pathological, and radiological features of 2 male sibs with a severe and lethal form of micromelic dwarfism are desribed. The family also includes 2 normal sibs. The histological and radiological appearances suggested a diagnosis of achondrogenesis type I, but the markedly deficient ossification of the skull and the presence of intrauterine rib fractures were atypical. These changes have been observed in two other families with 2 or more infants with suspected achondrogenesis, raising the possibility that these familial cases may be a subvariant of achondrogesis or even a distinct disease entity. The disease appears to be inherited as an autosomal recessive and death occurs shortly after birth because of severe pulmonary hypoplasia. Images FIG. 1 FIG. 2 FIG. 3 FIG. 4 FIG. 5 FIG. 6 FIG. 7 FIG. 8 FIG. 9 FIG. 10 FIG. 11 PMID:962365

  6. [Selenium metabolism in patients with severe multiple trauma].

    PubMed

    Zaĭnudinov, Z M; Shabanov, A K; Zorin, S N; Kuzovlev, A N; Mal'tsev, G Iu; Azarov, Ia B; Vorozhko, I V; Grebenchikov, O A

    2014-01-01

    To define a relation between the selenium level and the risk of the development of nosocomial pneumonia in patients with severe multiple trauma depending on the trauma severity and the volume of blood loss. We measured serum selenium concentration in 40 patients with severe multiple trauma. The ISS score was used to estimate the trauma severity. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group I--25 patients without pneumonia, group II--15 patients with pneumonia. The volume of blood loss was estimated in each group. The oxidative stress was estimated by means of the antioxidant index. For selected groups the significant difference (P < 0.05) in the volume of blood loss was detected. It was shown the significant decrease of selenium concentration (P < 0.05) in both groups in comparison with control for all testing time points (the 6-12 hrs, 24 hrs, 3 and 5-7 days). The mean of selenium concentration in group II was significantly lower in comparison to the group I. A significant difference of selenium concentrations (P < 0.05) between groups were detected on the 6-12 hrs and day 3 from the trauma onset. The antioxidant index was significantly lower in the group II within the 6-12 hrs, 12-24 hrs and 5-7 days (P < 0.05) in comparison to group I. The severe multiple trauma and severe blood loss lead to a selenium deficiency in the blood serum starting with the first hours from the trauma onset, which leads to the critical level of selenium concentration by the Ist day's end after trauma. It also leads to a pronounced oxidative stress that is reflected in the antioxidant index dynamics. Thus serum selenium concentration may be included in the set of the early prognostic detectors to detect infectious pulmonary complications development at severe multiple trauma, and it could be the basis for the decision to take early prophylaxis using selenium medications.

  7. Photodissociation of PbI2 in the ultraviolet: analysis of the A rightarrow X band of PbI

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodriguez, G.; Herring, C. M.; Fraser, R. D.; Eden, J. G.

    1996-07-01

    Emission and absorption studies of lead moniodide (PbI) have been carried out by photodissociation of PbI2 vapor at one of several wavelengths (193, 248, 266, 308, and 351 nm) in the ultraviolet. Strong emission on the A \\rightarrow X2 Pi 1/2 band (14400-22800 cm -1 ; 440 \\similar-or-less lambda \\similar-or-less 695 nm) occurs when PbI2 is photodissociated at 248 or 266 nm. Also, absorption bands attributed to the B \\leftarrow X2 Pi 1/2,3/2 , D \\leftarrow X2 Pi 1/2,3/2 , and E \\leftarrow X2 Pi 1/2,3/2 transitions of the diatomic molecule have been observed at 290 and 380, 225 and 265, and 203 and 240 nm, respectively, as have emission bands peaking at 397.6, 531.6, 582.0, 595.1, 639.7, 685.9, and 707.9 nm that appear to arise from PbI2 itself. Analysis and computer simulations of the A \\rightarrow X2 Pi 1/2 emission spectra have resulted in identifications for virtually all (>120) of the observed vibrational bandheads. Several spectroscopic constants for the A and the X2 Pi 1/2 states of PbI have been determined to be Te(A)=20659+/-130 cm-1 , omega e\\prime =132.2+/-1.0cm -1 , omega e\\prime xe\\prime =1.91+/-0.06cm -1 , omega e\\prime \\prime=160.3+/-0.6cm-1 , and omega e\\prime \\primexe \\prime\\prime=0.24+/-0.03cm -1 . Also, the difference between the equilibrium internuclear separations for the X2 Pi 1/2 and the A states has been determined to be Delta Re=0.45+/-0.05 . The spontaneous-emission lifetime for the PbI(A) state and the rate constant for quenching of this state by PbI2 (in two-body collisions) have been measured to be (94.3+/-8.8) ns and (4.3+/-0.4) \\times 10-10 cm3s -1 , respectively.

  8. Smooth criminal: convicted rule-breakers show reduced cognitive conflict during deliberate rule violations.

    PubMed

    Jusyte, Aiste; Pfister, Roland; Mayer, Sarah V; Schwarz, Katharina A; Wirth, Robert; Kunde, Wilfried; Schönenberg, Michael

    2017-09-01

    Classic findings on conformity and obedience document a strong and automatic drive of human agents to follow any type of rule or social norm. At the same time, most individuals tend to violate rules on occasion, and such deliberate rule violations have recently been shown to yield cognitive conflict for the rule-breaker. These findings indicate persistent difficulty to suppress the rule representation, even though rule violations were studied in a controlled experimental setting with neither gains nor possible sanctions for violators. In the current study, we validate these findings by showing that convicted criminals, i.e., individuals with a history of habitual and severe forms of rule violations, can free themselves from such cognitive conflict in a similarly controlled laboratory task. These findings support an emerging view that aims at understanding rule violations from the perspective of the violating agent rather than from the perspective of outside observer.

  9. Effect of a counseling-supported treatment with the Mediterranean diet and physical activity on the severity of the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

    PubMed

    Gelli, Chiara; Tarocchi, Mirko; Abenavoli, Ludovico; Di Renzo, Laura; Galli, Andrea; De Lorenzo, Antonino

    2017-05-07

    To determine the clinical effectiveness of nutritional counseling on reduction of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) severity, weight loss, metabolic and anthropometric indexes and liver enzymes. Forty-six adults with NAFLD received a 6-mo clinical and a dietary intervention (based on Mediterranean diet) carried out respectively by a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist with counseling license. The counseling process consisted of monthly meeting (about 45 min each). The effect of the treatment was evaluated monitoring liver enzymes, metabolic parameters, cardiovascular risk indexes, NAFLD severity [assessed by ultrasound (US)] and related indexes. All parameters were assessed at baseline. Biochemistry was also assessed at mid- and end-interventions and US was repeated at end-intervention. The percentage of patients with steatosis grade equal or higher than 2 was reduced from 93% to 48% and steatosis regressed in 9 patients (20%). At the end of the treatment the end-point concerning the weight ( i.e ., a 7% weight reduction or achievement/maintenance of normal weight) was accomplished by 25 out of 46 patients ( i.e ., 54.3%). As far as the liver enzymes is concerned, all three liver enzymes significantly decrease during the treatment the normalization was particularly evident for the ALT enzyme (altered values reduced from 67% down to 11%). Several parameters, i.e ., BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, AST, ALT, GGT, HDL, serum glucose, Tot-Chol/HDL, LDL/HDL, TG/HDL, AIP, HOMA, FLI, Kotronen index, VAI, NAFLD liver fat score and LAP, showed a significant improvement ( P < 0.01) between baseline and end-treatment. Outcomes of this study further strengthen the hypothesis that MedDiet and more active lifestyle can be considered a safe therapeutic approach for reducing risk and severity of NAFLD and related disease states. The proposed approach may be proposed as a valid and recommended approach for improving the clinical profile of NAFLD patients.

  10. Designer Amphiphilic Short Peptides Enhance Thermal Stability of Isolated Photosystem-I

    PubMed Central

    Ge, Baosheng; Yang, Feng; Yu, Daoyong; Liu, Shuang; Xu, Hai

    2010-01-01

    Stability of membrane protein is crucial during protein purification and crystallization as well as in the fabrication of protein-based devices. Several recent studies have examined how various surfactants can stabilize membrane proteins out of their native membrane environment. However, there is still no single surfactant that can be universally employed for all membrane proteins. Because of the lack of knowledge on the interaction between surfactants and membrane proteins, the choice of a surfactant for a specific membrane protein remains purely empirical. Here we report that a group of short amphiphilic peptides improve the thermal stability of the multi-domain protein complex photosystem-I (PS-I) in aqueous solution and that the peptide surfactants have obvious advantages over other commonly used alkyl chain based surfactants. Of all the short peptides studied, Ac-I5K2-CONH2 (I5K2) showed the best stabilizing effect by enhancing the melting temperature of PS-I from 48.0°C to 53.0°C at concentration of 0.65 mM and extending the half life of isolated PS-I significantly. AFM experiments showed that PS-I/I5K2/Triton X-100 formed large and stable vesicles and thus provide interfacial environment mimicking that of native membranes, which may partly explain why I5K2 enhanced the thermal stability of PS-I. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic group length of IxKy had an important influence on the stabilization of PS-I. Our results showed that longer hydrophobic group was more effective in stabilizing PS-I. These simple short peptides therefore exhibit significant potential for applications in membrane protein studies. PMID:20422003

  11. A nucleolar targeting signal in PML-I addresses PML to nucleolar caps in stressed or senescent cells.

    PubMed

    Condemine, Wilfried; Takahashi, Yuki; Le Bras, Morgane; de Thé, Hugues

    2007-09-15

    The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) tumour suppressor is the organiser of PML nuclear bodies, which are domains the precise functions of which are still disputed. We show that upon several types of stress, endogenous PML proteins form nucleolar caps and eventually engulf nucleolar components. Only two specific PML splice variants (PML-I and PML-IV) are efficiently targeted to the nucleolus and the abundant PML-I isoform is required for the targeting of endogenous PML proteins to this organelle. We identified a nucleolar targeting domain within the evolutionarily conserved C-terminus of PML-I. This domain contains a predicted exonuclease III fold essential for the targeting of the PML-I C-terminus to nucleolar fibrillar centres. Furthermore, spontaneous or oncogene retrieval-induced senescence is associated with the formation of very large PML nuclear bodies that initially contain nucleolar components. Later, poly-ubiquitin conjugates are found on the outer shell or within most of these senescence-associated PML bodies. Thus, unexpectedly, the scarcely studied PML-I isoform links PML bodies, nucleolus, senescence and proteolysis.

  12. Inhibition of T cell-mediated functions by MVM(i), a parvovirus closely related to minute virus of mice.

    PubMed

    Engers, H D; Louis, J A; Zubler, R H; Hirt, B

    1981-12-01

    A purified preparation of MVM(i), a murine parvovirus closely related to minute virus of mice (MVM), was found to inhibit various functions mediated by murine T cells in vitro. Addition of MVM(i) virus to secondary allogeneic mixed leukocyte cultures resulted in the inhibition of both lymphocyte proliferation (3H-thymidine incorporation) and the generation of cytolytic T lymphocyte activity but not interferon production. MVM(i) virus also inhibited the growth and cytolytic activity of several cloned, long-term Lyt-2+ cytolytic T cell lines. Furthermore, the antigen-induced proliferative responses of parasite- (Leishmania) specific Lyt-1+ T cells in vitro was abrogated by the addition of MVM(i) virus to the culture. Finally, the suppression of an in vitro antibody response to SRBC by MVM(i) virus was the result of the inhibition of T helper cells required for the B cell response. These suppressive effects were specific for MVM(i); parallel studies in which the prototype MVM parvovirus was used showed no significant inhibition in the various systems tested.

  13. Predictors of Stimulant Abuse Treatment Outcomes in Severely Mentally Ill Outpatients

    PubMed Central

    Angelo, Frank N.; McDonell, Michael G.; Lewin, Michael R.; Srebnik, Debra; Lowe, Jessica; Roll, John; Ries, Richard

    2012-01-01

    Background Severe mental illness is often exclusionary criteria for studies examining factors that influence addiction treatment outcome. Therefore, little is known about predictors of treatment response of individuals receiving psychosocial treatments for addictions who suffer from co-occurring severe mental illness. Methods The impact of demographic, substance abuse severity, psychiatric severity, and service utilization variables on in-treatment performance (i.e., longest duration of abstinence) in a 12-week contingency management (CM) intervention for stimulant abuse in 96 severely mentally ill adults was investigated. A 4-step linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of in-treatment abstinence. Results This model accounted for 37.4% of variance in the longest duration of abstinence outcome. Lower levels of stimulant use (i.e., stimulant-negative urine test) and psychiatric severity (i.e., lower levels of psychiatric distress), as well as higher rates of outpatient treatment utilization at study entry were independently associated with longer duration of drug abstinence. Conclusion These data suggest that individuals with low levels of stimulant use and psychiatric severity, as well as those actively engaged in services are most likely to succeed in a typical CM intervention. For others, modifications to CM interventions, such as increasing the value of reinforcement or adding CM to evidence based psychiatric interventions may improve treatment outcomes. PMID:23273776

  14. Electronic structure and optical properties of CsI, CsI(Ag), and CsI(Tl)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Zheng; Zhao, Qiang; Li, Yang; Ouyang, Xiao-Ping

    2016-05-01

    The band structure, electronic density of states and optical properties of CsI and of CsI doped with silver or thallium are studied by using a first-principles calculation based on density functional theory (DFT). The exchange and the correlation potentials among the electrons are described by using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The results of our study show that the electronic structure changes somewhat when CsI is doped with silver or thallium. The band gaps of CsI(Ag) and CsI(Tl) are smaller than that of CsI, and the width of the conduction band of CsI is increased when CsI is doped with thallium or silver. Two peaks located in the conduction band of CsI(Ag) and CsI(Tl) are observed from their electronic densities of states. The absorption coefficients of CsI, CsI(Ag), and CsI(Tl) are zero when their photon energies are below 3.5 eV, 1.5 eV, and 3.1 eV, respectively. The results show that doping can improve the detection performance of CsI scintillators. Our study can explain why doping can improve the detection performance from a theoretical point of view. The results of our research provide both theoretical support for the luminescent mechanisms at play in scintillator materials when they are exposed to radiation and a reference for CsI doping from the point of view of the electronic structure.

  15. Rhamnogalacturonan-I Based Microcapsules for Targeted Drug Release

    PubMed Central

    Kusic, Anja; De Gobba, Cristian; Larsen, Flemming H.; Sassene, Philip; Zhou, Qi; van de Weert, Marco; Mullertz, Anette; Jørgensen, Bodil; Ulvskov, Peter

    2016-01-01

    Drug targeting to the colon via the oral administration route for local treatment of e.g. inflammatory bowel disease and colonic cancer has several advantages such as needle-free administration and low infection risk. A new source for delivery is plant-polysaccharide based delivery platforms such as Rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I). In the gastro-intestinal tract the RG-I is only degraded by the action of the colonic microflora. For assessment of potential drug delivery properties, RG-I based microcapsules (~1 μm in diameter) were prepared by an interfacial poly-addition reaction. The cross-linked capsules were loaded with a fluorescent dye (model drug). The capsules showed negligible and very little in vitro release when subjected to media simulating gastric and intestinal fluids, respectively. However, upon exposure to a cocktail of commercial RG-I cleaving enzymes, ~ 9 times higher release was observed, demonstrating that the capsules can be opened by enzymatic degradation. The combined results suggest a potential platform for targeted drug delivery in the terminal gastro-intestinal tract. PMID:27992455

  16. Effectiveness of yoga training program on the severity of autism.

    PubMed

    Sotoodeh, Mohammad Saber; Arabameri, Elahe; Panahibakhsh, Maryam; Kheiroddin, Fatemeh; Mirdoozandeh, Hatef; Ghanizadeh, Ahmad

    2017-08-01

    This study examines the effect of yoga training program (YTP) on the severity of autism in children with High Function Autism (HFA). Twenty-nine children aged 7 to 15 (mean = 11.22, SD = 2.91) years were randomly allocated to either yoga or control group. The participants in the yoga group received an 8-week (24-session) Yoga Training Program (YTP). Parents or caregivers of participants completed autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) at baseline and the end of the intervention. The results of the analysis showed that there were significant differences between the two groups with regards to all ATEC sub-scores except ATEC I (speech/language/communication). This study provides support for the implementation of a yoga training program and identifies specific procedural enhancements to reduce the severity of symptoms in children with autism. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. The long-term effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention in severely obese individuals.

    PubMed

    Unick, Jessica L; Beavers, Daniel; Bond, Dale S; Clark, Jeanne M; Jakicic, John M; Kitabchi, Abbas E; Knowler, William C; Wadden, Thomas A; Wagenknecht, Lynne E; Wing, Rena R

    2013-03-01

    Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m(2)) is a serious public health concern. Although bariatric surgery is an efficacious treatment approach, it is limited in reach; thus, nonsurgical treatment alternatives are needed. We examined the 4-year effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention on body weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors among severely obese, compared with overweight (25 ≤BMI <30), class I (30 ≤BMI <35), and class II obese (35 ≤BMI <40) participants. There were 5145 individuals with type 2 diabetes (45-76 years, BMI ≥25 kg/m(2)) randomized to an intensive lifestyle intervention or diabetes support and education. The lifestyle intervention group received a behavioral weight loss program that included group and individual meetings, a ≥10% weight loss goal, calorie restriction, and increased physical activity. Diabetes support and education received a less intense educational intervention. Four-year changes in body weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors were assessed. Across BMI categories, 4-year changes in body weight were significantly greater in lifestyle participants compared with diabetes support and education (Ps <.05). At year 4, severely obese lifestyle participants lost 4.9%±8.5%, which was similar to class I (4.8%±7.2%) and class II obese participants (4.4%±7.6%), and significantly greater than overweight participants (3.4%±7.0%; P <.05). Four-year changes in low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, HbA(1c), and blood glucose were similar across BMI categories in lifestyle participants; however, the severely obese had less favorable improvements in high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (3.1±0.4 mg/dL) and systolic blood pressure (-1.4±0.7 mm Hg) compared with the less obese (Ps <.05). Lifestyle interventions can result in important long-term weight losses and improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors among a significant proportion of severely obese

  18. Fundamental and subharmonic excitation for an oscillator with several tunneling diodes in series

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boric-Lubecke, Olga; Pan, Dee-Son; Itoh, Tatsuo

    1995-01-01

    Connecting several tunneling diodes in series shows promise as a method for increasing the output power of these devices as millimeter-wave oscillators. However, due to the negative differential resistance (NDR) region in the dc I-V curve of a single tunneling diode, a circuit using several devices connected in series, and biased simultaneously in the NDR region, is dc unstable. Because of this instability, an oscillator with several tunneling diodes in series has a demanding excitation condition. Excitation using an externally applied RF signal is one approach to solving this problem. This is experimentally demonstrated using an RF source, both with frequency close to as well as with frequency considerably lower than the oscillation frequency. Excitation by an RF (radio frequency) source with a frequency as low as one sixth of the oscillation frequency was demonstrated in a proof-of-principle experiment at 2 GHz, for an oscillator with two tunnel diodes connected in series. Strong harmonics of the oscillation signal were generated as a result of the highly nonlinear dc I-V curve of the tunnel diode and a large signal oscillator design. Third harmonic output power comparable to that of the fundamental was observed in one oscillator circuit. If submillimeter wave resonant-tunneling diodes (RTD's) are used instead of tunnel diodes, this harmonic output may be useful for generating signals at frequencies well into the terahertz range.

  19. A Review of Guselkumab, an IL-23 Inhibitor, for Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis.

    PubMed

    Nawas, Z; Hatch, M; Ramos, E; Liu, M; Tong, Y; Peranteau, A; Tyring, S

    2017-03-01

    Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects 2% of the population. Evidence suggests that interleukin (IL)-23 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Guselkumab is a subcutaneously administered, humanized anti-IL23 monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Data from Phase I-III trials in this patient population reveal that guselkumab has proven to be superior to placebo or adalimumab based on achieving a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90% reduction, or a static Physician Global Assessment (sPGA) score of 0 or 1 from baseline. This article reviews the current status of guselkumab as a therapy for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

  20. Management of thyroid carcinoma with radioactive 131I.

    PubMed

    Paryani, S B; Chobe, R J; Scott, W; Wells, J; Johnson, D; Kuruvilla, A; Schoeppel, S; Deshmukh, A; Miller, R; Dajani, L; Montgomery, C T; Puestow, E; Purcell, J; Roura, M; Sutton, D; Mallett, R; Peer, J

    1996-08-01

    To evaluate the role of radioactive 131I in the management of patients with well differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid. Between 1965 and 1995, a total of 117 patients with well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid underwent either lobectomy or thyroidectomy followed by 100-150 mCi of 131I. With a median follow-up of 8 years, only four patients (3%) developed a recurrence of their disease. The 5-year actuarial survival was 97% with a 10-year survival of 91%. There were no severe side effects noted after 131I therapy. Radioactive 131I is a safe and effective procedure for the majority of patients with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. We currently recommend that all patients undergo a subtotal or total thyroidectomy followed by 131I thyroid scanning approximately 4 weeks after surgery. If the thyroid scan shows no residual uptake and all disease is confined to the thyroid, we recommend following patients with annual thyroid scans and serum thyroglobulin levels. If there is any residual uptake detected in the neck or if the tumor extends beyond the thyroid, we recommend routine thyroid ablation of 100-150 mCi of radioactive 131I.

  1. Development of an integrated model of personality, personality disorders and severe axis I disorders, with special reference to major affective disorders.

    PubMed

    von Zerssen, Detlev

    2002-04-01

    A unidimensional model of the relationships between normal temperament, psychopathic variants of it and the two main forms of so-called endogenous psychoses (major affective disorders and schizophrenia) was derived from Kretschmer's constitutional typology. It was, however, not confirmed by means of a biometric approach nor was Kretschmer's broad concept of cyclothymia as a correlate of physical stoutness on the one hand and major affective disorders on the other supported by empirical data. Yet the concept of the 'melancholic type' of personality of patients with severe unipolar major depression (melancholia) which resembles descriptions by psychoanalysts could be corroborated. This was also true for the 'manic type' of personality as a (premorbid) correlate of predominantly manic forms of a bipolar I disorder. As predicted from a spectrum concept of major affective disorders, the ratio of traits of either type co-varied with the ratio of the depressive and the manic components in the long-term course of such a disorder. The two types of premorbid personality and a rare variant of the 'manic type', named 'relaxed, easy-going type', were conceived as 'affective types' dominating in major affective disorders. They are opposed to three 'neurotoid types' prevailing in so-called neurotic disorders as well as in schizophrenic psychoses. The similarity among the types can be visualized as spatial relationships in a circular, i.e. a two-dimensional, model (circumplex). Personality disorders as maladapted extreme variants of personality are, by definition, located outside the circle, mainly along its 'neurotoid' side. However, due to their transitional nature, axis I disorders cannot be represented adequately within the plane which represents (adapted as well as maladapted) forms of habitual behaviour (personality types and disorders, respectively). To integrate them into the spatial model of similarity interrelations, a dimension of actual psychopathology has to be added

  2. Mice lacking hippocampal left-right asymmetry show non-spatial learning deficits.

    PubMed

    Shimbo, Akihiro; Kosaki, Yutaka; Ito, Isao; Watanabe, Shigeru

    2018-01-15

    Left-right asymmetry is known to exist at several anatomical levels in the brain and recent studies have provided further evidence to show that it also exists at a molecular level in the hippocampal CA3-CA1 circuit. The distribution of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor NR2B subunits in the apical and basal synapses of CA1 pyramidal neurons is asymmetrical if the input arrives from the left or right CA3 pyramidal neurons. In the present study, we examined the role of hippocampal asymmetry in cognitive function using β2-microglobulin knock-out (β2m KO) mice, which lack hippocampal asymmetry. We tested β2m KO mice in a series of spatial and non-spatial learning tasks and compared the performances of β2m KO and C57BL6/J wild-type (WT) mice. The β2m KO mice appeared normal in both spatial reference memory and spatial working memory tasks but they took more time than WT mice in learning the two non-spatial learning tasks (i.e., a differential reinforcement of lower rates of behavior (DRL) task and a straight runway task). The β2m KO mice also showed less precision in their response timing in the DRL task and showed weaker spontaneous recovery during extinction in the straight runway task. These results indicate that hippocampal asymmetry is important for certain characteristics of non-spatial learning. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. I Think I See the Light Curve: The Good (and Bad) of Exoplanetary Inverse Problems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schwartz, Joel Colin

    Planets and planetary systems change in brightness as a function of time. These "light curves" can have several features, including transits where a planet blocks some starlight, eclipses where a star obscures a planet's flux, and rotational variations where a planet reflects light differently as it spins. One can measure these brightness changes--which encode radii, temperatures, and more of planets--using current and planned telescopes. But interpreting light curves is an inverse problem: one has to extract astrophysical signals from the effects of imperfect instruments. In this thesis, I first present a meta study of planetary eclipses taken with the Spitzer Space Telescope. We find that eclipse depth uncertainties may be overly precise, especially those in early Spitzer papers. I then offer the first rigorous test of BiLinearly-Interpolated Subpixel Sensitivity (BLISS) mapping, which is widely used to model detector systematics of Spitzer. We show that this ad hoc method is not statistically sound, but it performs adequately in many real-life scenarios. Next, I present the most comprehensive empirical analysis to date on the energy budgets and bulk atmospherics of hot Jupiters. We find that dayside and nightside measurements suggest many hot Jupiters have reflective clouds in the infrared, and that day-night heat transport decreases as these planets are irradiated more. I lastly describe a semi-analytical model for how a planet's surfaces, clouds, and orbital geometry imprint on a light curve. We show that one can strongly constrain a planet's spin axis--and even spin direction--from modest high-precision data. Importantly, these methods will be useful for temperate, terrestrial planets with the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and beyond.

  4. Severe amnesia following a unilateral temporal lobe stroke.

    PubMed

    Grewal, Raji P

    2003-01-01

    A 60 year old right-handed man developed severe amnesia following a left medial temporal stroke as documented by cerebral MRI, MRA and SPECT scans. Neuropsychological evaluation 13 weeks after the stroke showed a profound retrograde amnesia characterised by memory loss for public facts and events over the previous four decades. In addition, autobiographical memory showed selective loss of personal episodic memory with relative preservation of personal semantic memory. The development of this degree of amnesia with these features following a unilateral temporal lobe lesion is unusual. The possible neuroanatomical mechanisms underlying the amnesia and how they relate to current theories of memory loss are discussed.

  5. I'm a Map, I'm a Green Tree

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Anderson, Daniel

    2010-01-01

    I'm talking about the ways we represent ourselves and our world. I've put some thoughts on the topic together here--a gathering that enacts new media creating and takes up conceptual layers like metaphors, models, and composing. The primary sources are videos from the Get a Mac campaign, aka I'm a Mac; I'm a PC ads. Posthuman concepts blending…

  6. [Study of the prevalence of severe mental disorder in the penitentiaries Puerto I, II and III of Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz): new strategies of psychiatric care in prison].

    PubMed

    Marín-Basallote, N; Navarro-Repiso, C

    2012-02-01

    In recent years it has been observed that there is a high level of severe mental disorder within the Spanish prison system. A one year descriptive and transversal study of the psychiatric health care demand in the prisons Puerto I, II and III of Puerto de Santa Maria (Cádiz). Of the 128 patients studied, the psychiatric diagnostics with highest prevalence were personality disorders (F60-69) at 35.16%, the next group was psychosis (F20-29) at 25.78%, and in third place mental and behaviour disorders due to use of psychotropic substances (F10-19) at 16.41%. 46.09% suffered conditions which are categorised as severe mental disorders. This study confirms the high levels of severe mental disorder in prisons located in the area of the Puerto Real Hospital. We are making efforts to improve on psychiatric health care provided to these patients by working closely with the Prison system.

  7. Correlation between crash avoidance maneuvers and injury severity sustained by motorcyclists in single-vehicle crashes.

    PubMed

    Wang, Chen; Lu, Linjun; Lu, Jian; Wang, Tao

    2016-01-01

    In order to improve motorcycle safety, this article examines the correlation between crash avoidance maneuvers and injury severity sustained by motorcyclists, under multiple precrash conditions. Ten-year crash data for single-vehicle motorcycle crashes from the General Estimates Systems (GES) were analyzed, using partial proportional odds models (i.e., generalized ordered logit models). The modeling results show that "braking (no lock-up)" is associated with a higher probability of increased severity, whereas "braking (lock-up)" is associated with a higher probability of decreased severity, under all precrash conditions. "Steering" is associated with a higher probability of reduced injury severity when other vehicles are encroaching, whereas it is correlated with high injury severity under other conditions. "Braking and steering" is significantly associated with a higher probability of low severity under "animal encounter and object presence," whereas it is surprisingly correlated with high injury severity when motorcycles are traveling off the edge of the road. The results also show that a large number of motorcyclists did not perform any crash avoidance maneuvers or conducted crash avoidance maneuvers that are significantly associated with high injury severity. In general, this study suggests that precrash maneuvers are an important factor associated with motorcyclists' injury severity. To improve motorcycle safety, training/educational programs should be considered to improve safety awareness and adjust driving habits of motorcyclists. Antilock brakes and such systems are also promising, because they could effectively prevent brake lock-up and assist motorcyclists in maneuvering during critical conditions. This study also provides valuable information for the design of motorcycle training curriculum.

  8. Severe mental illness - patients' children needs.

    PubMed

    Svab, Vesna

    2009-09-01

    Care for families and children of people with severe mental illness is a professionally and politically neglected issue. The majority of countries provide only services for several needs of the patients' families, i.e. treatment, custody and counselling. Management of stress and resolving of common problems are rarely addressed. Children of people with mental illness reflect and call professional attention to this issues. The deficiency of services is to be addressed by multidisciplinary team efforts. In the Slovenian organization of health services coordination could be provided by family physicians.

  9. Single event induced transients in I/O devices - A characterization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Newberry, D. M.; Kaye, D. H.; Soli, G. A.

    1990-01-01

    The results of single-event upset (SEU) testing performed to evaluate the parametric transients, i.e., amplitude and duration, in several I/O devices, and the impact of these transients are discussed. The failure rate of these devices is dependent on the susceptibility of interconnected devices to the resulting transient change in the output of the I/O device. This failure rate, which is a function of the susceptibility of the interconnected device as well as the SEU response of the I/O device itself, may be significantly different from an upset rate calculated without taking these factors into account. The impact at the system level is discussed by way of an example.

  10. A percutaneous drainage protocol for severe and moderately severe acute pancreatitis.

    PubMed

    Sugimoto, Motokazu; Sonntag, David P; Flint, Greggory S; Boyce, Cody J; Kirkham, John C; Harris, Tyler J; Carr, Sean M; Nelson, Brent D; Barton, Joshua G; Traverso, L William

    2015-11-01

    According to the revised Atlanta classification, severe and moderately severe acute pancreatitis (AP) includes patients with pancreatic and peripancreatic collections with or without organ failure. These collections suggest the presence of pancreatic juice leakage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) protocol designed to control leakage and decrease disease severity. Among 663 patients with clinical AP, 122 were classified as moderately severe or severe AP (all had collections). The computed tomography severity index (CTSI) score was calculated. The indication for PCD was based on progressive clinical signs and symptoms. Drain patency, position, and need for additional drainage sites were assessed using CT scans and drain studies initially every 3 days using a proactive protocol. Drain fluid was examined for amylase concentration and microbiological culture. Clinicopathological variables for patients with and without PCD were compared. Since there was no mortality, we used prolonged drainage time to measure the success of PCD. Within the group treated with PCD, variables that resulted in prolonged drainage time were analyzed. PCD was used in 47/122 (39 %) patients of which 33/47 (70 %) had necrosis. PCD cases had a median CTSI of 8 and were classified as moderately severe AP (57 %) and severe AP (43 %). Inhospital mortality was zero. Surgical necrosectomy was not required for patients with necrosis. Independent risk factors for prolonged drainage time were persistent organ failure >48 h (P = 0.001), CTSI 8-10 (P = 0.038), prolonged duration of amylase-rich fluid in drains (P < 0.001), and polymicrobial culture fluid in drains (P = 0.015). A proactive PCD protocol persistently maintaining drain patency advanced to the site of leak controlled the prolonged amylase in drainage fluid resulting in a mortality rate of zero.

  11. Calculation of DNA strand breaks due to direct and indirect effects of Auger electrons from incorporated 123I and 125I radionuclides using the Geant4 computer code.

    PubMed

    Raisali, Gholamreza; Mirzakhanian, Lalageh; Masoudi, Seyed Farhad; Semsarha, Farid

    2013-01-01

    In this work the number of DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) and double-strand breaks (DSB) due to direct and indirect effects of Auger electrons from incorporated (123)I and (125)I have been calculated by using the Geant4-DNA toolkit. We have performed and compared the calculations for several cases: (125)I versus (123)I, source positions and direct versus indirect breaks to study the capability of the Geant4-DNA in calculations of DNA damage yields. Two different simple geometries of a 41 base pair of B-DNA have been simulated. The location of (123)I has been considered to be in (123)IdUrd and three different locations for (125)I. The results showed that the simpler geometry is sufficient for direct break calculations while indirect damage yield is more sensitive to the helical shape of DNA. For (123)I Auger electrons, the average number of DSB due to the direct hits is almost twice the DSB due to the indirect hits. Furthermore, a comparison between the average number of SSB or DSB caused by Auger electrons of (125)I and (123)I in (125)IdUrd and (123)IdUrd shows that (125)I is 1.5 times more effective than (123)I per decay. The results are in reasonable agreement with previous experimental and theoretical results which shows the applicability of the Geant-DNA toolkit in nanodosimetry calculations which benefits from the open-source accessibility with the advantage that the DNA models used in this work enable us to save the computational time. Also, the results showed that the simpler geometry is suitable for direct break calculations, while for the indirect damage yield, the more precise model is preferred.

  12. 47 CFR 73.24 - Broadcast facilities; showing required.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES AM Broadcast Stations § 73.24 Broadcast facilities; showing required. An authorization for a new AM broadcast station or increase in facilities of an existing station will be issued... among the several states and communities. (b) That a proposed new station (or a proposed change in the...

  13. Stage a Water Show

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Frasier, Debra

    2008-01-01

    In the author's book titled "The Incredible Water Show," the characters from "Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster" used an ocean of information to stage an inventive performance about the water cycle. In this article, the author relates how she turned the story into hands-on science teaching for real-life fifth-grade students. The author also…

  14. Treatment decision-making among Canadian youth with severe haemophilia: a qualitative approach.

    PubMed

    Lane, S J; Walker, I; Chan, A K; Heddle, N M; Poon, M-C; Minuk, L; Jardine, L; Arnold, E; Sholapur, N; Webert, K E

    2015-03-01

    The first generation of young men using primary prophylaxis is coming of age. Important questions regarding the management of severe haemophilia with prophylaxis persist: Can prophylaxis be stopped? At what age? To what effect? Can the regimen be individualized? The reasons why some individuals discontinue or poorly comply with prophylaxis are not well understood. These issues have been explored using predominantly quantitative research approaches, yielding little insight into treatment decision-making from the perspectives of persons with haemophilia (PWH). Positioning the PWH as a source of expertise about their condition and its management, we undertook a qualitative study: (i) to explore and understand the lived experience of young men with severe haemophilia A or B and (ii) to identify the factors and inter-relationships between factors that affect young men's treatment decision-making. This manuscript reports primarily on the second objective. A modified Straussian, grounded theory methodology was used for data collection (interviews) and preliminary analysis. The study sample, youth aged 15-29, with severe haemophilia A or B, was chosen selectively and recruited through three Canadian Haemophilia Treatment Centres. We found treatment decision-making to be multi-factorial and used the Framework method to analyze the inter-relationships between factors. A typology of four distinct approaches to treatment was identified: lifestyle routine prophylaxis, situational prophylaxis, strict routine prophylaxis and no prophylaxis. Standardized treatment definitions (i.e.: 'primary' and 'secondary', 'prophylaxis') do not adequately describe the ways participants treat. Naming the variation of approaches documented in this study can improve PWH/provider communication, treatment planning and education. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  15. ARISTOLOCHIC ACID I METABOLISM IN THE ISOLATED PERFUSED RAT KIDNEY

    PubMed Central

    Priestap, Horacio A.; Torres, M. Cecilia; Rieger, Robert A.; Dickman, Kathleen G.; Freshwater, Tomoko; Taft, David R.; Barbieri, Manuel A.; Iden, Charles R.

    2012-01-01

    Aristolochic acids are natural nitro-compounds found globally in the plant genus Aristolochia that have been implicated in the severe illness in humans termed aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Aristolochic acids undergo nitroreduction, among other metabolic reactions, and active intermediates arise that are carcinogenic. Previous experiments with rats showed that aristolochic acid I (AA-I), after oral administration or injection, is subjected to detoxication reactions to give aristolochic acid Ia, aristolactam Ia, aristolactam I and their glucuronide and sulfate conjugates that can be found in urine and faeces. Results obtained with whole rats do not clearly define the role of liver and kidney in such metabolic transformation. In this study, in order to determine the specific role of the kidney on the renal disposition of AA-I and to study the biotransformations suffered by AA-I in this organ, isolated kidneys of rats were perfused with AA-I. AA-I and metabolite concentrations were determined in perfusates and urines using HPLC procedures. The isolated perfused rat kidney model showed that AA-I distributes rapidly and extensively in kidney tissues by uptake from the peritubular capillaries and the tubules. It was also established that the kidney is able to metabolize AA-I into aristolochic acid Ia, aristolochic acid Ia O-sulfate, aristolactam Ia, aristolactam I and aristolactam Ia O-glucuronide. Rapid demethylation and sulfation of AA-I in the kidney generate aristolochic acid Ia and its sulfate conjugate that are voided to the urine. Reduction reactions to give the aristolactam metabolites occur to a slower rate. Renal clearances showed that filtered AA-I is reabsorbed at the tubules whereas the metabolites are secreted. The unconjugated metabolites produced in the renal tissues are transported to both urine and perfusate whereas the conjugated metabolites are almost exclusively secreted to the urine. PMID:22118289

  16. Cotrimoxazole Prophylaxis and Risk of Severe Anemia or Severe Neutropenia in HAART-Exposed, HIV-Uninfected Infants

    PubMed Central

    Dryden-Peterson, Scott; Jayeoba, Oluwemimo; Hughes, Michael D.; Jibril, Haruna; McIntosh, Kenneth; Modise, Taolo A.; Asmelash, Aida; Powis, Kathleen M.; Essex, Max; Shapiro, Roger L.; Lockman, Shahin

    2013-01-01

    Background Prophylactic cotrimoxazole is recommended for infants born to HIV-infected mothers. However, cotrimoxazole may increase the risk of severe anemia or neutropenia. Methods We compared the proportion of HIV-exposed uninfected (HIV-EU) infants experiencing incident severe anemia (and separately, severe neutropenia) between a prospective cohort receiving prophylactic cotrimoxazole from 1 to 6 months vs. infants from two prior trials who did not receive cotrimoxazole. Infants were from rural and urban communities in southern Botswana. Results A total of 1705 HIV-EU infants were included. Among these 645 (37.8%) were fed with iron-supplemented formula from birth. Severe anemia developed in 87 (5.1%) infants, and severe neutropenia in 164 (9.6%) infants. In an analysis stratified by infant feeding method, there were no significant differences in the risk of severe anemia by prophylactic cotrimoxazole exposure–risk difference, −0.69% (95% confidence interval [CI] −2.1 to 0.76%). Findings were similar in multivariable analysis, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.35 (95% CI 0.07 to 1.65). There were also no significant differences observed for severe neutropenia by cotrimoxazole exposure, risk difference 2.0% (95% CI −1.3 to 5.2%) and aOR 0.80 (95% CI 0.33 to 1.93). Conclusions Severe anemia and severe neutropenia were infrequent among HIV-exposed uninfected infants receiving cotrimoxazole from 1–6 months of age. Concerns regarding hematologic toxicity should not limit the use of prophylactic cotrimoxazole in HIV-exposed uninfected infants. ClinicalTrials.gov Registration Numbers NCT01086878 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01086878), NCT00197587 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00197587), and NCT00270296 (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00270296). PMID:24086319

  17. Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) in a Primary Care Setting.

    PubMed

    Davidson, Judith R; Dawson, Samantha; Krsmanovic, Adrijana

    2017-05-02

    Primary care is where many patients with insomnia first ask for professional help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended treatment for chronic insomnia. Although CBT-I's efficacy is well established, its effectiveness in real-life primary care has seldom been investigated. We examined the effectiveness of CBT-I as routinely delivered in a Canadian primary care setting. The patients were 70 women and 11 men (mean age = 57.0 years, SD = 12.3); 83% had medical comorbidity. For the first 81 patients who took the six-session group program we compared initial and postprogram sleep diaries, sleep medication use, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and visits to the family physician. Sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and ISI scores improved significantly (p < .001). Mood ratings also improved (p < .001). Use of sleep medication decreased (p < .001). Effect sizes were medium to large. Eighty-eight percent of patients no longer had clinically significant insomnia (ISI score ≤ 14) by the last session; 61% showed at least "moderate" improvement (ISI score reduction > 7). Wait-list data from 42 patients showed minimal sleep and mood improvements with the passage of time. Number of visits to the family physician six months postprogram decreased, although not significantly (p = .108). The CBT-I program was associated with improvement on all sleep and mood measures. Effect sizes were similar to, or larger than, those found in randomized controlled trials, demonstrating the real-world effectiveness of CBT-I in an interdisciplinary primary care setting.

  18. Acceptance of Tinnitus As an Independent Correlate of Tinnitus Severity.

    PubMed

    Hesser, Hugo; Bånkestad, Ellinor; Andersson, Gerhard

    2015-01-01

    Tinnitus is the experience of sounds without an identified external source, and for some the experience is associated with significant severity (i.e., perceived negative affect, activity limitation, and participation restriction due to tinnitus). Acceptance of tinnitus has recently been proposed to play an important role in explaining heterogeneity in tinnitus severity. The purpose of the present study was to extend previous investigations of acceptance in relation to tinnitus by examining the unique contribution of acceptance in accounting for tinnitus severity, beyond anxiety and depression symptoms. In a cross-sectional study, 362 participants with tinnitus attending an ENT clinic in Sweden completed a standard set of psychometrically examined measures of acceptance of tinnitus, tinnitus severity, and anxiety and depression symptoms. Participants also completed a background form on which they provided information about the experience of tinnitus (loudness, localization, sound characteristics), other auditory-related problems (hearing problems and sound sensitivity), and personal characteristics. Correlational analyses showed that acceptance was strongly and inversely related to tinnitus severity and anxiety and depression symptoms. Multivariate regression analysis, in which relevant patient characteristics were controlled, revealed that acceptance accounted for unique variance beyond anxiety and depression symptoms. Acceptance accounted for more of the variance than anxiety and depression symptoms combined. In addition, mediation analysis revealed that acceptance of tinnitus mediated the direct association between self-rated loudness and tinnitus severity, even after anxiety and depression symptoms were taken into account. Findings add to the growing body of work, supporting the unique and important role of acceptance in tinnitus severity. The utility of the concept is discussed in relation to the development of new psychological models and interventions for

  19. A baseline analysis of the distribution, host-range, and severity of the rust Puccinia Psidii in the Hawaiian islands, 2005-2010

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Anderson, Robert C.

    2012-01-01

    <i>Puccinia psidiii> was first described by Winter (1884) on guava (<i>Psidium guajavai> L.) in Brazil. The rust is still a major pest of native guava in Brazil and is often referred to as “guava rust” internationally. It is unusual among rust fungi because of its broad and ever-expanding host-range within the Myrtaceae plant family (Simpson <i>et al.i> 2006). The pathogen is regarded as a major threat to <i>Eucalyptus> plantations and other Myrtaceae worldwide (Coutinho <i>et al.i> 1998, Grgurinovic <i>et al.i> 2006, Glen <i>et al.i> 2007). Infections of leaves and meristems are particularly severe on susceptible seedlings, cuttings, young trees, and coppice, causing plants to be stunted and multi-branched, inhibiting normal growth and development, and sometimes causing death to young seedlings (Booth <i>et al.i> 2000, Rayachhetry <i>et al.i> 2001). The fungus has expanded its host-range in Brazil, affecting both native and introduced Myrtaceae (Coutinho <i>et al.i> 1998).


    Since its discovery in 1884, <i>P. psidiii> has continually been discovered to have an expanding host-range within the Myrtaceae, affecting hosts throughout much of South and Central America and the Caribbean. Spreading out originally from Brazil in 1884, the fungus has been reported on hosts in the following countries (first record in parentheses): Paraguay (1884), Uruguay (1889), Ecuador (1891), Colombia (1913), Puerto Rico (1913), Cuba (1926), Dominican Republic (1933), Venezuela (1934), Jamaica (1936), Argentina (1946), Dominica (1948), Trinidad and Tobago (1951), Guatemala (1968), United States (Florida; 1977), Mexico (1981), El Salvador (1987), and Costa Rica (1998) (Simpson <i>et al.i> 2006). It is possible that <i>P. psidiii> was present in El Salvador and Costa Rica prior to 1980, but was not reported until 1987 and 1998, respectively.


    Until recently, <i>Puccinia psidiii> was restricted to the Neotropics, Mexico, and the

  20. The Association among Childhood Trauma, Pathological Dissociation and Gambling Severity in Casino Gamblers.

    PubMed

    Imperatori, Claudio; Innamorati, Marco; Bersani, Francesco Saverio; Imbimbo, Francesca; Pompili, Maurizio; Contardi, Anna; Farina, Benedetto

    2017-01-01

    The aim of the present study was to explore the role of pathological dissociation in mediating the association between childhood trauma (CT) and gambling severity. One hundred seventy-one (134 men and 37 women) gamblers recruited in gambling environments (i.e., two Italian casinos) have been enrolled in the study. Psychopathological assessments included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Dissociative Experiences Scale-Taxon (DES-T), the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), the CAGE and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A mediational model, analyzing the direct and indirect effects of CTQ on SOGS through the mediating role of DES-T, showed that the relation between CTQ and SOGS was fully mediated by DES-T scores (b = 0.07; se = 0.15; p < 0.001). This finding raises the possibility that CT explains gambling severity through the presence of pathological dissociative symptoms and dissociative pathogenetic processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Gambling severity is associated with both childhood trauma and pathological dissociation in casino gamblers. A mediational model shows that the effect of childhood trauma on gambling severity is entirely mediated by pathological dissociation. From a clinical point of view, our results highlight the importance of assessing, and possibly treating, dissociative symptoms in individuals with gambling disorder. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  1. Severe oligozoospermia in a patient with myxedema coma.

    PubMed

    Komiya, Akira; Watanabe, Akihiko; Kawauchi, Yoko; Takano, Atsuko; Fuse, Hideki

    2012-10-01

    A case of severe oligozoospermia with myxedema coma is herein presented. The patient was referred to a male infertility clinic with a 5-year history of primary infertility. Decreased serum testosterone and elevated serum prolactin without abnormal MRI findings in the hypothalamus, and decreased semen volume and sperm motility were noted. A GnRH test revealed a decreased luteinizing hormone response, whereas the HCG test showed a normal testosterone increase. Because a urinalysis after ejaculation indicated retrograde ejaculation, imipramine administration was started. However, the semen quality deteriorated, so the patient was referred to an ART clinic. Twenty-one months from the initial visit, the patient developed a loss of consciousness and edema due to myxedema coma, a life-threatening state of hypothyroidism. The patient recovered after 1 month of thyroid hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with corticosteroids. Three months after the myxedema coma, a semen analysis showed a decreased semen volume (0.2 mL) and severe oligozoospermia (two spermatozoa/ejaculate). Elevated prolactin and decreased testosterone levels were still present. These parameters gradually improved after restoration of euthyroidism by HRT. In conclusion, physicians should confirm the thyroid function in the management of male infertility, especially in patients with elevated prolactin levels.

  2. Insular dysfunction within the salience network is associated with severity of symptoms and aberrant inter-network connectivity in major depressive disorder

    PubMed Central

    Manoliu, Andrei; Meng, Chun; Brandl, Felix; Doll, Anselm; Tahmasian, Masoud; Scherr, Martin; Schwerthöffer, Dirk; Zimmer, Claus; Förstl, Hans; Bäuml, Josef; Riedl, Valentin; Wohlschläger, Afra M.; Sorg, Christian

    2014-01-01

    Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by altered intrinsic functional connectivity within (intra-iFC) intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs), such as the Default Mode- (DMN), Salience- (SN) and Central Executive Network (CEN). It has been proposed that aberrant switching between DMN-mediated self-referential and CEN-mediated goal-directed cognitive processes might contribute to MDD, possibly explaining patients' difficulties to disengage the processing of self-focused, often negatively biased thoughts. Recently, it has been shown that the right anterior insula (rAI) within the SN is modulating DMN/CEN interactions. Since structural and functional alterations within the AI have been frequently reported in MDD, we hypothesized that aberrant intra-iFC in the SN's rAI is associated with both aberrant iFC between DMN and CEN (inter-iFC) and severity of symptoms in MDD. Twenty-five patients with MDD and 25 healthy controls were assessed using resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) and psychometric examination. High-model-order independent component analysis (ICA) of rs-fMRI data was performed to identify ICNs including DMN, SN, and CEN. Intra-iFC within and inter-iFC between distinct subsystems of the DMN, SN, and CEN were calculated, compared between groups and correlated with the severity of symptoms. Patients with MDD showed (1) decreased intra-iFC within the SN's rAI, (2) decreased inter-iFC between the DMN and CEN, and (3) increased inter-iFC between the SN and DMN. Moreover, decreased intra-iFC in the SN's rAI was associated with severity of symptoms and aberrant DMN/CEN interactions, with the latter losing significance after correction for multiple comparisons. Our results provide evidence for a relationship between aberrant intra-iFC in the salience network's rAI, aberrant DMN/CEN interactions and severity of symptoms, suggesting a link between aberrant salience mapping, abnormal coordination of DMN/CEN based cognitive processes and psychopathology in MDD. PMID

  3. A Multiple Ejecta-circumstellar Medium Interaction Model and Its Implications for Superluminous Supernovae iPTF15esb and iPTF13dcc

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Liang-Duan; Wang, Ling-Jun; Wang, Shan-Qin; Dai, Zi-Gao

    2018-03-01

    In this paper, we investigate two hydrogen-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSNe), iPTF15esb and iPTF13dcc, whose light curves (LCs) show significant deviation from the smooth rise and fall. The LC of iPTF15esb exhibits two peaks and a post-peak plateau, and furthermore the late-time spectrum of iPTF15esb shows a strong, broad Hα emission line. The early-time LC of iPTF13dcc shows a long-duration bump followed by the second peak. Here, we propose an ejecta-circumstellar medium interaction model involving multiple shells/winds and use it to explain the LCs of iPTF15esb and iPTF13dcc. We find that the theoretical LCs reproduced by this model can match observations of iPTF15esb and iPTF13dcc. Based on our results, we infer that the progenitors have undergone multiple violent mass-loss processes before the SN explosion. In addition, we find that the variation trend of our inferred densities of the shells is consistent with that predicted by the stellar mass-loss history before an SN explosion. Further investigations for other bumpy SLSNe/SNe would shed light on their nature and provide a probe for the mass-loss history of their progenitors.

  4. Fingolimod hydrochloride gel shows promising therapeutic effects in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis.

    PubMed

    Tamakuwala, Mayurkumar; Ratna, Warren; Joshi, Amit; Stagni, Grazia

    2016-10-01

    To assess the efficacy of topically applied 2% hydroxypropyl cellulose gels containing 0.5% fingolimod hydrochloride (FNGL) with or without 6% colloidal oatmeal in an in vivo model of atopic dermatitis (AD). AD-like lesions were induced in SKH1/Hr hairless mice and were treated with FNGL gels, non-medicated base gels and Elidel(®) cream for 6 weeks. The severity/improvement of the lesions was assessed regularly using the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), pH of the skin, transepidermal water loss, g/m(2) /h (TEWL), humidity and temperature. At the end of the experiments, the plasma levels of cytokines, FNGL and white blood cells were determined. The EASI score was almost unchanged for the vehicle-only groups compared to before the treatments, whereas the medicated groups showed a significant decrease in the overall EASI score (P < 0.01), although there was non-significant differences among them (P > 0.081). Both the FNGL groups also showed a significant (P ˂ 0.05) reduction in blood WBC. This study shows that the gels containing 0.50% FNGL and FNGL 0.50% plus 6% colloidal oatmeal have potential for the treatment of AD. The presence of colloidal oatmeal may provide additional benefits. © 2016 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

  5. Pumpkin powdery mildew disease severity influences the fungal diversity of the phyllosphere.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhuo; Luo, Luyun; Tan, Xinqiu; Kong, Xiao; Yang, Jianguo; Wang, Duanhua; Zhang, Deyong; Jin, Decai; Liu, Yong

    2018-01-01

    Phyllosphere microbiota play a crucial role in plant-environment interactions and their microbial community and function are influenced by biotic and abiotic factors. However, there is little research on how pathogens affect the microbial community of phyllosphere fungi. In this study, we collected 16 pumpkin ( Cucurbita moschata ) leaf samples which exhibited powdery mildew disease, with a severity ranging from L1 (least severe) to L4 (most severe). The fungal community structure and diversity was examined by Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal RNA genes. The results showed that the fungal communities were dominated by members of the Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. The Podosphaera was the most dominant genus on these infected leaves, which was the key pathogen responsible for the pumpkin powdery mildew. The abundance of Ascomycota and Podosphaera increased as disease severity increased from L1 to L4, and was significantly higher at disease severity L4 ( P < 0.05). The richness and diversity of the fungal community increased from L1 to L2, and then declined from L2 to L4, likely due to the biotic pressure (i.e., symbiotic and competitive stresses among microbial species) at disease severity L4. Our results could give new perspectives on the changes of the leaf microbiome at different pumpkin powdery mildew disease severity.

  6. Expression and purification of recombinant apolipoprotein A-I Zaragoza (L144R) and formation of reconstituted HDL particles.

    PubMed

    Fiddyment, Sarah; Barceló-Batllori, Sílvia; Pocoví, Miguel; García-Otín, Angel-Luis

    2011-11-01

    Apolipoprotein A-I Zaragoza (L144R) (apo A-I Z), has been associated with severe hypoalphalipoproteinemia and an enhanced effect of high density lipoprotein (HDL) reverse cholesterol transport. In order to perform further studies with this protein we have optimized an expression and purification method of recombinant wild-type apo A-I and apo A-I Z and produced mimetic HDL particles with each protein. An pET-45 expression system was used to produce N-terminal His-tagged apo A-I, wild-type or mutant, in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) which was subsequently purified by affinity chromatography in non-denaturing conditions. HDL particles were generated via a modified sodium cholate method. Expression and purification of both proteins was verified by SDS-PAGE, MALDI-TOF MS and immunochemical procedures. Yield was 30mg of purified protein (94% purity) per liter of culture. The reconstituted HDL particles checked via non-denaturing PAGE showed high homogeneity in their size when reconstituted both with wild-type apo A-I and apo A-I Z. An optimized system for the expression and purification of wild-type apo A-I and apo A-I Z with high yield and purity grade has been achieved, in addition to their use in reconstituted HDL particles, as a basis for further studies. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. [Severe injuries from falls on the same level].

    PubMed

    Parreira, José Gustavo; Vianna, André Mazzini Ferreira; Cardoso, Gabriel Silva; Karakhanian, Walter Zavem; Calil, Daniela; Perlingeiro, Jaqueline A Giannini; Soldá, Silvia C; Assef, José Cesar

    2010-01-01

    Assess characteristics of trauma patients who sustained falls from their own height, more specifically focusing on presence of severe injuries, diagnosis and treatment. Retrospective study including all adult blunt trauma patients admitted in the emergency room in a period of 9 months. Lesions with AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale)>3 were considered "severe". Variables were compared between victims of fall from their own height (group I) and other blunt trauma mechanisms (group II). Student's t, chi square and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis, considering p<0.05 as significant. Of the 1993 trauma patients included, 305 (15%) were victims of falls from their own height. In group I, mean age was 52.2 ± 20.8 years and 64.8% were male. Injuries in the head segment were the most frequently observed (62.2%), followed by injuries in the extremities (22.3%), thorax (1.3%) and abdomen (0.7%). Severe injuries (AIS>3) were more frequent in the head (8.9%), followed by extremities (4.9%). In group I, craniotomies were needed in 2.3%. By comparing groups, we observed that victims of falls from their own height had significantly higher mean age, higher mean systolic blood pressure, and higher head AIS mean, as well as lower ISS mean, thorax AIS mean, abdomen AIS mean and extremities AIS mean. Importance of the trauma mechanism in victims of falls from own height should be emphasized due to a considerable possibility of occult severe injuries, mainly in the cephalic segment.

  8. Inhibition of myostatin does not ameliorate disease features of severe spinal muscular atrophy mice

    PubMed Central

    Sumner, Charlotte J.; Wee, Claribel D.; Warsing, Leigh C.; Choe, Dong W.; Ng, Andrew S.; Lutz, Cathleen; Wagner, Kathryn R.

    2009-01-01

    There is currently no treatment for the inherited motor neuron disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Severe SMA causes lower motor neuron loss, impaired myofiber development, profound muscle weakness and early mortality. Myostatin is a transforming growth factor-β family member that inhibits muscle growth. Loss or blockade of myostatin signaling increases muscle mass and improves muscle strength in mouse models of primary muscle disease and in the motor neuron disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of blocking myostatin signaling in severe SMA mice (hSMN2/delta7SMN/mSmn−/−) by two independent strategies: (i) transgenic overexpression of the myostatin inhibitor follistatin and (ii) post-natal administration of a soluble activin receptor IIB (ActRIIB-Fc). SMA mice overexpressing follistatin showed little increase in muscle mass and no improvement in motor function or survival. SMA mice treated with ActRIIB-Fc showed minimal improvement in motor function, and no extension of survival compared with vehicle-treated mice. Together these results suggest that inhibition of myostatin may not be a promising therapeutic strategy in severe forms of SMA. PMID:19477958

  9. Steroid-antiviral treatment improves the recovery rate in patients with severe Bell's palsy.

    PubMed

    Lee, Ho Yun; Byun, Jae Yong; Park, Moon Suh; Yeo, Seung Geun

    2013-04-01

    The extent of facial nerve damage is expected to be more severe in higher grades of facial palsy, and the outcome after applying different treatment methods may reveal obvious differences between severe Bell's palsy and mild to moderate palsy. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of different treatment methods and related prognostic factors in severe to complete Bell's palsy. This randomized, prospective study was performed in patients with severe to complete Bell's palsy. Patients were assigned randomly to treatment with a steroid or a combination of a steroid and an antiviral agent. We collected data about recovery and other prognostic factors. The steroid treatment group (S group) comprised 107 patients, and the combination treatment group (S+A group) comprised 99 patients. There were no significant intergroup differences in age, sex, accompanying disease, period from onset to treatment, or results of an electrophysiology test (P >.05). There was a significant difference in complete recovery between the 2 groups. The recovery (grades I and II) of the S group was 66.4% and that of the S+A group was 82.8% (P=.010). The S+A group showed a 2.6-times higher possibility of complete recovery than the S group, and patients with favorable electromyography showed a 2.2-times higher possibility of complete recovery. Combined treatment with a steroid and an antiviral agent is more effective in treating severe to complete Bell's palsy than steroid treatment alone. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Effect of Compressive Mode I on the Mixed Mode I/II Fatigue Crack Growth Rate of 42CrMo4

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Heirani, Hasan; Farhangdoost, Khalil

    2018-01-01

    Subsurface cracks in mechanical contact loading components are subjected to mixed mode I/II, so it is necessary to evaluate the fatigue behavior of materials under mixed mode loading. For this purpose, fatigue crack propagation tests are performed with compact tension shear specimens for several stress intensity factor (SIF) ratios of mode I and mode II. The effect of compressive mode I loading on mixed mode I/II crack growth rate and fracture surface is investigated. Tests are carried out for the pure mode I, pure mode II, and two different mixed mode loading angles. On the basis of the experimental results, mixed mode crack growth rate parameters are proposed according to Tanaka and Richard with Paris' law. Results show neither Richard's nor Tanaka's equivalent SIFs are very useful because these SIFs depend strongly on the loading angle, but Richard's equivalent SIF formula is more suitable than Tanaka's formula. The compressive mode I causes the crack closure, and the friction force between the crack surfaces resists against the crack growth. In compressive loading with 45° angle, d a/d N increases as K eq decreases.

  11. Severe malaria vivax with sepsis bacterial: a case report

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tarigan, P.; Ginting, F.

    2018-03-01

    Malaria cases are often misdiagnosis by clinicians in tropical areas like Indonesia. Some cases show overlapping signs and symptoms of another infection that are common in the tropical areas such as typhoid, dengue, and leptospirosis. It can be misdiagnosed in practice and led to a wrong management that can end fatally. Severe malaria is usually caused by Plasmodium falciparum. P. vivax can also cause severe malaria but the cases reported are uncommon. Since infections with severe P. vivax that generally results in serious disease is quite uncommon in Indonesia, their identification and management are important. We report a case of severe malaria with sepsis, renal injury and hepatic impairment associated with malaria in a 70-year-old male. Clinical manifestations included anemia, sepsis, and elevated serum creatinine, urea, total bilirubin, and procalcitonin. The rapid diagnostic test for malaria and microscopic examination of blood smears were positive for P. vivax. The patient was treated as severe malaria with intravenous artesunate for six days, followed by oral treatment of primaquine for 14 days. Intravenous fluid therapy, antipyretic, anti-malaria and antibiotic treatment were administered. The patient was stable and then discharged from the hospital. The prognosis depends much on early diagnosis and appropriate supportive treatment.

  12. Glutaric aciduria type I: A treatable neurometabolic disorder

    PubMed Central

    Kamate, Mahesh; Patil, Vishwanath; Chetal, Vivek; Darak, Pavan; Hattiholi, Virupaxi

    2012-01-01

    Background and Objectives: Glutaric aciduria Type-I (GA-I) has characteristic clinical and neuroimaging features, which clinches the diagnosis in a majority of patients. However, there have been few case reports on GA-I from India. This study was undertaken to study the clinical presentations, metabolic profile, neuroimaging findings and outcome of patients with GA-I. Study Design: The present study was a retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of charts of patients with a diagnosis of GA-I was carried out from March 2008 to April 2010. The clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings were extracted in a predesigned proforma and the data was analyzed. Results: Eleven cases were found to have GA-1. Clinical presentation was quite varied. Follow-up of patients revealed that one patient with macrocephaly as the only clinical finding was developmentally normal. One patient with encephalitis-like illness steadily improved and started walking at 2 years. Two patients were bed ridden and had severe dystonia. One patient died during follow-up. The remaining six patients had dystonia and other abnormal movements, but had attained sitting without support and were not ambulatory. Conclusion: GA-I is not an uncommon disorder and diagnosis can be made easily based on clinical, laboratory investigations and neuroimaging findings. It is one of the treatable metabolic disorders and, if managed appropriately, favorable prognosis can be given. PMID:22412270

  13. Glutaric aciduria type I: A treatable neurometabolic disorder.

    PubMed

    Kamate, Mahesh; Patil, Vishwanath; Chetal, Vivek; Darak, Pavan; Hattiholi, Virupaxi

    2012-01-01

    Glutaric aciduria Type-I (GA-I) has characteristic clinical and neuroimaging features, which clinches the diagnosis in a majority of patients. However, there have been few case reports on GA-I from India. This study was undertaken to study the clinical presentations, metabolic profile, neuroimaging findings and outcome of patients with GA-I. The present study was a retrospective study. Retrospective review of charts of patients with a diagnosis of GA-I was carried out from March 2008 to April 2010. The clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging findings were extracted in a predesigned proforma and the data was analyzed. Eleven cases were found to have GA-1. Clinical presentation was quite varied. Follow-up of patients revealed that one patient with macrocephaly as the only clinical finding was developmentally normal. One patient with encephalitis-like illness steadily improved and started walking at 2 years. Two patients were bed ridden and had severe dystonia. One patient died during follow-up. The remaining six patients had dystonia and other abnormal movements, but had attained sitting without support and were not ambulatory. GA-I is not an uncommon disorder and diagnosis can be made easily based on clinical, laboratory investigations and neuroimaging findings. It is one of the treatable metabolic disorders and, if managed appropriately, favorable prognosis can be given.

  14. Preexisting severe cervical spinal cord compression is a significant risk factor for severe paralysis development in patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury without bone injury: a retrospective cohort study.

    PubMed

    Oichi, Takeshi; Oshima, Yasushi; Okazaki, Rentaro; Azuma, Seiichi

    2016-01-01

    The objective of this study is to investigate whether preexisting severe cervical spinal cord compression affects the severity of paralysis once patients develop traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without bone injury. We retrospectively investigated 122 consecutive patients with traumatic CSCI without bone injury. The severity of paralysis on admission was assessed by the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS). The degree of preexisting cervical spinal cord compression was evaluated by the maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC) and was divided into three categories: minor compression (MSCC ≤ 20 %), moderate compression (20 % < MSCC ≤ 40 %), and severe compression (40 % < MSCC). We investigated soft-tissue damage on magnetic resonance imaging to estimate the external force applied. Other potential risk factors, including age, sex, fused vertebra, and ossification of longitudinal ligament, were also reviewed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the risk factors for developing severe paralysis (AIS A-C) on admission. Our study included 103 males and 19 females with mean age of 65 years. Sixty-one patients showed severe paralysis (AIS A-C) on admission. The average MSCC was 22 %. Moderate compression was observed in 41, and severe in 20. Soft-tissue damage was observed in 91. A multivariate analysis showed that severe cervical spinal cord compression significantly affected the severity of paralysis at the time of injury, whereas both mild and moderate compression did not affect it. Soft-tissue damage was also significantly associated with severe paralysis on admission. Preexisting severe cervical cord compression is an independent risk factor for severe paralysis once patients develop traumatic CSCI without bone injury.

  15. Automated gait and balance parameters diagnose and correlate with severity in Parkinson disease.

    PubMed

    Dewey, D Campbell; Miocinovic, Svjetlana; Bernstein, Ira; Khemani, Pravin; Dewey, Richard B; Querry, Ross; Chitnis, Shilpa; Dewey, Richard B

    2014-10-15

    To assess the suitability of instrumented gait and balance measures for diagnosis and estimation of disease severity in PD. Each subject performed iTUG (instrumented Timed-Up-and-Go) and iSway (instrumented Sway) using the APDM(®) Mobility Lab. MDS-UPDRS parts II and III, a postural instability and gait disorder (PIGD) score, the mobility subscale of the PDQ-39, and Hoehn & Yahr stage were measured in the PD cohort. Two sets of gait and balance variables were defined by high correlation with diagnosis or disease severity and were evaluated using multiple linear and logistic regressions, ROC analyses, and t-tests. 135 PD subjects and 66 age-matched controls were evaluated in this prospective cohort study. We found that both iTUG and iSway variables differentiated PD subjects from controls (area under the ROC curve was 0.82 and 0.75 respectively) and correlated with all PD severity measures (R(2) ranging from 0.18 to 0.61). Objective exam-based scores correlated more strongly with iTUG than iSway. The chosen set of iTUG variables was abnormal in very mild disease. Age and gender influenced gait and balance parameters and were therefore controlled in all analyses. Our study identified sets of iTUG and iSway variables which correlate with PD severity measures and differentiate PD subjects from controls. These gait and balance measures could potentially serve as markers of PD progression and are under evaluation for this purpose in the ongoing NIH Parkinson Disease Biomarker Program. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Automated Gait and Balance Parameters Diagnose and Correlate with Severity in Parkinson Disease

    PubMed Central

    Dewey, Daniel C.; Miocinovic, Svjetlana; Bernstein, Ira; Khemani, Pravin; Dewey, Richard B.; Querry, Ross; Chitnis, Shilpa; Dewey, Richard B.

    2014-01-01

    Objective To assess the suitability of instrumented gait and balance measures for diagnosis and estimation of disease severity in PD. Methods Each subject performed iTUG (instrumented Timed-Up-and-Go) and iSway (instrumented Sway) using the APDM® Mobility Lab. MDS-UPDRS parts II and III, a postural instability and gait disorder (PIGD) score, the mobility subscale of the PDQ-39, and Hoehn & Yahr stage were measured in the PD cohort. Two sets of gait and balance variables were defined by high correlation with diagnosis or disease severity and were evaluated using multiple linear and logistic regressions, ROC analyses, and t-tests. Results 135 PD subjects and 66 age-matched controls were evaluated in this prospective cohort study. We found that both iTUG and iSway variables differentiated PD subjects from controls (area under the ROC curve was 0.82 and 0.75 respectively) and correlated with all PD severity measures (R2 ranging from 0.18 to 0.61). Objective exam-based scores correlated more strongly with iTUG than iSway. The chosen set of iTUG variables was abnormal in very mild disease. Age and gender influenced gait and balance parameters and were therefore controlled in all analyses. Interpretation Our study identified sets of iTUG and iSway variables which correlate with PD severity measures and differentiate PD subjects from controls. These gait and balance measures could potentially serve as markers of PD progression and are under evaluation for this purpose in the ongoing NIH Parkinson Disease Biomarker Program. PMID:25082782

  17. "Youth Amplified": Using Critical Pedagogy to Stimulate Learning through Dialogue at a Youth Radio Show

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cooper, Adam

    2016-01-01

    In this paper I describe and analyse how critical pedagogy, an approach to teaching and learning that encourages students to reflect on their socio-political contexts, may stimulate critical consciousness and dialogue at a youth radio show. The participants, who attended four diverse Cape Town high schools and predominantly lived in poor…

  18. Rethinking key–value store for parallel I/O optimization

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kougkas, Anthony; Eslami, Hassan; Sun, Xian-He

    2015-01-26

    Key-value stores are being widely used as the storage system for large-scale internet services and cloud storage systems. However, they are rarely used in HPC systems, where parallel file systems are the dominant storage solution. In this study, we examine the architecture differences and performance characteristics of parallel file systems and key-value stores. We propose using key-value stores to optimize overall Input/Output (I/O) performance, especially for workloads that parallel file systems cannot handle well, such as the cases with intense data synchronization or heavy metadata operations. We conducted experiments with several synthetic benchmarks, an I/O benchmark, and a real application.more » We modeled the performance of these two systems using collected data from our experiments, and we provide a predictive method to identify which system offers better I/O performance given a specific workload. The results show that we can optimize the I/O performance in HPC systems by utilizing key-value stores.« less

  19. Reducing fatalities and severe injuries on Florida's high-speed multi-lane arterial corridors : part I, preliminary severity analysis of driver crash involvements, final report, April 2009

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-04-28

    Severe injury involvements on arterial roads account for a quarter of the total severe injuries reported statewide. Crash severity analysis was conducted and consisted of six road entity models and twenty crash type models. The data preparation and s...

  20. Why Am I in Such a Bad Mood?

    MedlinePlus

    ... depression also can bring feelings of moodiness, impatience, anger, or even just not caring. When depression gets in the way of enjoying life or ... Emotional Intelligence Optimism Stress & Coping Center Dealing With ... Ways to Help Yourself Through Depression When Depression Is Severe Why Do I Fight ...

  1. Streptococcus pneumonia YlxR at 1.35 A shows a putative new fold.

    PubMed

    Osipiuk, J; Górnicki, P; Maj, L; Dementieva, I; Laskowski, R; Joachimiak, A

    2001-11-01

    The structure of the YlxR protein of unknown function from Streptococcus pneumonia was determined to 1.35 A. YlxR is expressed from the nusA/infB operon in bacteria and belongs to a small protein family (COG2740) that shares a conserved sequence motif GRGA(Y/W). The family shows no significant amino-acid sequence similarity with other proteins. Three-wavelength diffraction MAD data were collected to 1.7 A from orthorhombic crystals using synchrotron radiation and the structure was determined using a semi-automated approach. The YlxR structure resembles a two-layer alpha/beta sandwich with the overall shape of a cylinder and shows no structural homology to proteins of known structure. Structural analysis revealed that the YlxR structure represents a new protein fold that belongs to the alpha-beta plait superfamily. The distribution of the electrostatic surface potential shows a large positively charged patch on one side of the protein, a feature often found in nucleic acid-binding proteins. Three sulfate ions bind to this positively charged surface. Analysis of potential binding sites uncovered several substantial clefts, with the largest spanning 3/4 of the protein. A similar distribution of binding sites and a large sharply bent cleft are observed in RNA-binding proteins that are unrelated in sequence and structure. It is proposed that YlxR is an RNA-binding protein.

  2. Simulation of a severe convective storm using a numerical model with explicitly incorporated aerosols

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lompar, Miloš; Ćurić, Mladjen; Romanic, Djordje

    2017-09-01

    Despite an important role the aerosols play in all stages of cloud lifecycle, their representation in numerical weather prediction models is often rather crude. This paper investigates the effects the explicit versus implicit inclusion of aerosols in a microphysics parameterization scheme in Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) - Advanced Research WRF (WRF-ARW) model has on cloud dynamics and microphysics. The testbed selected for this study is a severe mesoscale convective system with supercells that struck west and central parts of Serbia in the afternoon of July 21, 2014. Numerical products of two model runs, i.e. one with aerosols explicitly (WRF-AE) included and another with aerosols implicitly (WRF-AI) assumed, are compared against precipitation measurements from surface network of rain gauges, as well as against radar and satellite observations. The WRF-AE model accurately captured the transportation of dust from the north Africa over the Mediterranean and to the Balkan region. On smaller scales, both models displaced the locations of clouds situated above west and central Serbia towards southeast and under-predicted the maximum values of composite radar reflectivity. Similar to satellite images, WRF-AE shows the mesoscale convective system as a merged cluster of cumulonimbus clouds. Both models over-predicted the precipitation amounts; WRF-AE over-predictions are particularly pronounced in the zones of light rain, while WRF-AI gave larger outliers. Unlike WRF-AI, the WRF-AE approach enables the modelling of time evolution and influx of aerosols into the cloud which could be of practical importance in weather forecasting and weather modification. Several likely causes for discrepancies between models and observations are discussed and prospects for further research in this field are outlined.

  3. Mucopolysaccharidosis type I: Identification and characterization of mutations affecting alpha-L-iduronidase activity.

    PubMed

    Lee-Chen, Guey-Jen; Lin, Shuan-Pei; Chen, I-Shen; Chang, Jui-Hung; Yang, Chyau-Wen; Chin, Yi-Wen

    2002-06-01

    Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA). MPS I covers a broad spectrum of clinical severity ranging from severe Hurler syndrome through intermediate Hurler/Scheie syndrome to mild Scheie syndrome. Mutation screening was performed in two unrelated Taiwanese MPS I patients. A Hurler/Scheie patient had A79V (C to T transition in codon 79) in exon 2 and R619G (C to G transversion in codon 619) in exon 14. R619G has been shown to cause disease. Expression of A79V in COS-7 cells showed trace amounts of IDUA activity, demonstrating the deleterious nature of the mutation. A79V mutation did not cause a reduction in IDUA mRNA levels. The reduced level of IDUA protein suggests increased degradation of the mutant enzyme. A Hurler patient had 134del12 (in-frame deletion of codons 16-19 in signal peptide) in exon 1 and Q584X (C to T transition in codon 584) in exon 13. Transfection of COS-7 cells with Q584X did not yield active enzyme. Q584X mutation caused an apparent reduction in the IDUA mRNA level and no IDUA protein was detected. Conversely, 134del12 showed 124.6% of normal activity in transfected cells and a 77-kDa precursor protein was observed on Western blot, suggesting biologic activity of precursor IDUA without posttranslational cleavage. These findings provide further evidence of the molecular heterogeneity in mutations in MPS I.

  4. I-SceI-Induced Gene Replacement at a Natural Locus in Embryonic Stem Cells

    PubMed Central

    Cohen-Tannoudji, Michel; Robine, Sylvie; Choulika, André; Pinto, Daniel; El Marjou, Fatima; Babinet, Charles; Louvard, Daniel; Jaisser, Frédéric

    1998-01-01

    Gene targeting is a very powerful tool for studying mammalian development and physiology and for creating models of human diseases. In many instances, however, it is desirable to study different modifications of a target gene, but this is limited by the generally low frequency of homologous recombination in mammalian cells. We have developed a novel gene-targeting strategy in mouse embryonic stem cells that is based on the induction of endogenous gap repair processes at a defined location within the genome by induction of a double-strand break (DSB) in the gene to be mutated. This strategy was used to knock in an NH2-ezrin mutant in the villin gene, which encodes an actin-binding protein expressed in the brush border of the intestine and the kidney. To induce the DSB, an I-SceI yeast meganuclease restriction site was first introduced by gene targeting to the villin gene, followed by transient expression of I-SceI. The repair of the ensuing DSB was achieved with high efficiency (6 × 10−6) by a repair shuttle vector sharing only a 2.8-kb region of homology with the villin gene and no negative selection marker. Compared to conventional gene-targeting experiments at the villin locus, this represents a 100-fold stimulation of gene-targeting frequency, notwithstanding a much lower length of homology. This strategy will be very helpful in facilitating the targeted introduction of several types of mutations within a gene of interest. PMID:9488460

  5. Helicobacter pylori: a risk and severity factor of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced gastropathy.

    PubMed Central

    Heresbach, D; Raoul, J L; Bretagne, J F; Minet, J; Donnio, P Y; Ramée, M P; Siproudhis, L; Gosselin, M

    1992-01-01

    This prospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in relation to the occurrence and severity of NSAIDs induced gastropathy. A total of 111 patients were studied-66 were taking NSAIDs and 45 were control patients. All patients underwent endoscopy during which antral biopsy specimens were taken to determine H pylori status (Gram and Giemsa staining, urease test, and cultures). The NSAID group comprised: group I, patients without mucosal damage (n = 28); group II, patients with gastropathy (n = 26); and group III, patients with bleeding associated with NSAID induced gastropathy (n = 12). Control patients had neither dyspeptic symptoms nor endoscopic lesions. There were no differences in age, sex ratio, or presence of H pylori (26% v 24%) between the NSAID and the control groups. Among patients taking NSAIDs, H pylori infection was more frequently (p < 0.02) diagnosed in those who presented with gastropathy (groups II and III: 37%) than in those without lesions (group I: 11%). The frequency of H pylori infection increased significantly with the severity of gastropathy (group I = 11%; group II = 31%; group III = 50%; p < 0.03). H pylori infection was associated with chronic active gastritis (group I = 21%; group II = 35%; group III = 67%; p < 0.05). These data suggest that H pylori may be a risk factor of NSAID induced gastropathy. PMID:1487160

  6. Structural changes induced by binding of the high-mobility group I protein to a mouse satellite DNA sequence.

    PubMed Central

    Slama-Schwok, A; Zakrzewska, K; Léger, G; Leroux, Y; Takahashi, M; Käs, E; Debey, P

    2000-01-01

    Using spectroscopic methods, we have studied the structural changes induced in both protein and DNA upon binding of the High-Mobility Group I (HMG-I) protein to a 21-bp sequence derived from mouse satellite DNA. We show that these structural changes depend on the stoichiometry of the protein/DNA complexes formed, as determined by Job plots derived from experiments using pyrene-labeled duplexes. Circular dichroism and melting temperature experiments extended in the far ultraviolet range show that while native HMG-I is mainly random coiled in solution, it adopts a beta-turn conformation upon forming a 1:1 complex in which the protein first binds to one of two dA.dT stretches present in the duplex. HMG-I structure in the 1:1 complex is dependent on the sequence of its DNA target. A 3:1 HMG-I/DNA complex can also form and is characterized by a small increase in the DNA natural bend and/or compaction coupled to a change in the protein conformation, as determined from fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments. In addition, a peptide corresponding to an extended DNA-binding domain of HMG-I induces an ordered condensation of DNA duplexes. Based on the constraints derived from pyrene excimer measurements, we present a model of these nucleated structures. Our results illustrate an extreme case of protein structure induced by DNA conformation that may bear on the evolutionary conservation of the DNA-binding motifs of HMG-I. We discuss the functional relevance of the structural flexibility of HMG-I associated with the nature of its DNA targets and the implications of the binding stoichiometry for several aspects of chromatin structure and gene regulation. PMID:10777751

  7. Preventing recurrence of severe morning sickness

    PubMed Central

    Koren, Gideon; Maltepe, Caroline

    2006-01-01

    QUESTION A recent Motherisk article showed that initiating antinauseants even before symptoms start could prevent recurrence of severe morning sickness. In the study described, however, different physicians used different drugs. How can one be sure which drugs work? ANSWER The study of 26 women who had had severe morning sickness during previous pregnancies showed that using antiemetics before symptoms of morning sickness started appeared to prevent recurrence of severe morning sickness in subsequent pregnancies. Physicians in the United States used various antinauseant drugs. Physicians in Canada administered only one drug, the combination of doxylamine-pyridoxine (Diclectin®), to 12 women. Subanalysis of these 12 women revealed that pre-emptive use of doxylamine-pyridoxine significantly decreased the likelihood that severe morning sickness would recur. PMID:17279232

  8. Preventing recurrence of severe morning sickness.

    PubMed

    Koren, Gideon; Maltepe, Caroline

    2006-12-01

    A recent Motherisk article showed that initiating antinauseants even before symptoms start could prevent recurrence of severe morning sickness. In the study described, however, different physicians used different drugs. How can one be sure which drugs work? The study of 26 women who had had severe morning sickness during previous pregnancies showed that using antiemetics before symptoms of morning sickness started appeared to prevent recurrence of severe morning sickness in subsequent pregnancies. Physicians in the United States used various antinauseant drugs. Physicians in Canada administered only one drug, the combination of doxylamine-pyridoxine (Diclectin), to 12 women. Subanalysis of these 12 women revealed that pre-emptive use of doxylamine-pyridoxine significantly decreased the likelihood that severe morning sickness would recur.

  9. Groundbased IO [O I] 6300A Observations during the Galileo I24 and I25 and Cassini Encounters

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oliverson, R. J.; Morgenthaler, J. P.; Scherb, F.; Harris, W. M.; Smyth, W. H.; Lupie, O. L.; Oegerle, William R. (Technical Monitor)

    2002-01-01

    We report on selected recent spectroscopic observations of Io [OI] 6300Angstrom emission, using the high-resolution (R approximately equal to 120,000) stellar spectrograph at the National Solar Observatory McMath-Pierce telescope. These data were obtained during the Galileo I24 (1999-Oct-11) and I25 (1999-Nov-26) encounters with Io and the Cassini Jupiter encounter (closest approach 2000-Dec-30). The exposure time for each spectrum was 15 minutes, with a 5.2 second x 5.2 second aperture centered on Io. We obtained 102 spectra for the I24 encounter during 1999 October 9-13, 82 spectra for the I25 encounter during 1999 November 24-28, 313 spectra during 2000 December 11-23, and 280 spectra during 2000 December 29-2001 January 21 for the Cassini Jupiter encounter. We showed in a recent paper (Oliversen et al. 2001, JGR, 106, 26183) that this emission allows us to use Io as a localized probe of the three-dimensional plasma torus structure. We will also present preliminary results on selected contemporaneous narrowband [SII]6731A torus images obtained at the McMath-Pierce west auxiliary telescope. We took 136, 112, and 277 torus images during the Galileo I24, Galileo I25 and Cassini Jupiter encounters, respectively. Jupiter was imaged directly onto the CCD through a ND 4 filter and the reflected light was used for guiding. Both sides of the torus were imaged simultaneously when there were no Galilean satellites between 3-8 Jovian radii from Jupiter.

  10. Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type I/III in sibs.

    PubMed

    Meinecke, P; Passarge, E

    1991-11-01

    The clinical and radiological findings in a pair of sibs with microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism (MOPD) are described, a boy who survived for 5 1/2 years and his more severely affected younger sister, who died at the age of 6 months. Neuropathological studies in this girl showed marked micrencephaly with severely hypoplastic, poorly gyrated frontal lobes and absent corpus callosum. Our observation supports the hypothesis that types I and III MOPD probably constitute a spectrum of one and the same entity and published data together with this report are consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. The pathogenesis of this condition is as yet unknown, but its characteristics indicate a basic defect affecting cell proliferation and tissue differentiation.

  11. U.S.A.B.I.L.I.T.Y. Framework for Older Adults.

    PubMed

    Caboral-Stevens, Meriam; Whetsell, Martha V; Evangelista, Lorraine S; Cypress, Brigitte; Nickitas, Donna

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of the current study was to present a framework to determine potential usability of health websites by older adults. Review of the literature showed paucity of nursing theory related to the use of technology and usability, particularly in older adults. The Roy Adaptation Model, a widely used nursing theory, was chosen to provide framework for the new model. Technology constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model and United Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and behavioral control construct from the Theory of Planned Behavior were integrated into the construction of the derived model. The Use of Technology for Adaptation by Older Adults and/or Those With Limited Literacy (U.S.A.B.I.L.I.T.Y.) Model was constructed from the integration of diverse theoretical/conceptual perspectives. The four determinants of usability in the conceptual model include (a) efficiency, (b) learnability, (c) perceived user experience, and (d) perceived control. Because of the lack of well-validated survey questionnaires to measure these determinants, a U.S.A.B.I.L.I.T.Y. Survey was developed. A panel of experts evaluated face and content validity of the new instrument. Internal consistency of the new instrument was 0.96. Usability is key to accepting technology. The derived U.S.A.B.I.L.I.T.Y. framework could serve as a guide for nurses in formative evaluation of technology. Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.

  12. The I/O transform of a chemical sensor

    PubMed Central

    Katta, Nalin; Meier, Douglas C.; Benkstein, Kurt D.; Semancik, Steve; Raman, Baranidharan

    2016-01-01

    A number of sensing technologies, using a variety of transduction principles, have been proposed for non-invasive chemical sensing. A fundamental problem common to all these sensing technologies is determining what features of the transducer's signal constitute a chemical fingerprint that allows for precise analyte recognition. Of particular importance is the need to extract features that are robust with respect to the sensor's age or stimulus intensity. Here, using pulsed stimulus delivery, we show that a sensor's operation can be modeled as a linear input-output (I/O) transform. The I/O transform is unique for each analyte and can be used to precisely predict a temperature-programmed chemiresistor's response to the analyte given the recent stimulus history (i.e. state of an analyte delivery valve being open or closed). We show that the analyte specific I/O transforms are to a certain degree stimulus intensity invariant and can remain consistent even when the sensor has undergone considerable aging. Significantly, the I/O transforms for a given analyte are highly conserved across sensors of equal manufacture, thereby allowing training data obtained from one sensor to be used for recognition of the same set of chemical species with another sensor. Hence, this proposed approach facilitates decoupling of the signal processing algorithms from the chemical transducer, a key advance necessary for achieving long-term, non-invasive chemical sensing. PMID:27932855

  13. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) levels in patients with severe allergic asthma are reduced by omalizumab.

    PubMed

    Bulut, Ismet; Ozseker, Zeynep F; Coskun, Abdurrahman; Serteser, Mustafa; Unsal, Ibrahim

    2017-12-06

    Remodeling is a crucial feature of severe asthma and may be associated with activation of the allergic cascade by immunoglobulin E (IgE). Omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, effectively targets the severe allergic asthma phenotype. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is an insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) protease, increasing local insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 concentrations, which in turn initiating a cascade involved in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation in various tissues. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of omalizumab on serum PAPP-A, IGFBP-4, and IGF-1 levels in subjects with severe allergic asthma. We studied 36 asthmatic subjects and 36 healthy controls. An ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used to measure serum PAPP-A levels, and routine commercial ELISA kits were employed to assess serum levels of IGF-1, IGFBP-4 in control subjects and asthmatic subjects before therapy (baseline) and after six months of omalizumab therapy in patients with severe asthma. Compared to control subjects, serum PAPP-A and IGFB-4 levels were significantly higher in asthmatic subjects (both p values < 0.001). However, the serum IGF-I levels of asthmatic subjects were similar to those of control subjects (p > 0.05). In asthma subjects, 6-month omalizumab treatment significantly decreased the serum PAPP-A (p < 0.001), IGF-I (p = 0.031), and IGFB4 (p = 0.025) levels. PAPP-A level may be a useful biomarker for predicting airway remodeling in patients with severe asthma receiving omalizumab, and may also reflect the response to treatment.

  14. NITRIC OXIDE FOR THE ADJUNCTIVE TREATMENT OF SEVERE MALARIA: HYPOTHESIS AND RATIONALE

    PubMed Central

    Hawkes, Michael; Opoka, Robert Opika; Namasopo, Sophie; Miller, Christopher; Conroy, Andrea L.; Serghides, Lena; Kim, Hani; Thampi, Nisha; Liles, W. Conrad; John, Chandy C.; Kain, Kevin C.

    2011-01-01

    We hypothesize that supplemental inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) will improve outcomes in children with severe malaria receiving standard antimalarial therapy. The rationale for the hypothesized efficacy of iNO rests on: (1) biological plausibility, based on known actions of NO in modulating endothelial activation; (2) pre-clinical efficacy data from animal models of experimental cerebral malaria; and (3) a human trial of the NO precursor L-arginine, which improved endothelial function in adults with severe malaria. iNO is an attractive new candidate for the adjunctive treatment of severe malaria, given its proven therapeutic efficacy in animal studies, track record of safety in clinical practice and numerous clinical trials, inexpensive manufacturing costs, and ease of administration in settings with limited healthcare infrastructure. We plan to test this hypothesis in a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01255215). PMID:21745716

  15. Rehabilitation in severe memory deficit: A case study

    PubMed Central

    Sousa, Nariana Mattos Figueiredo

    2017-01-01

    The term amnesia refers to a pathological state of mind in which memory and learning are affected to a greater extent than other cognitive functions in a patient without altered level of consciousness. The aim of the current study was to describe a case of severe amnesia in a patient during neurological rehabilitation and to report the importance of preserved cognitive functions to compensate for the mnemonic deficit. VJA presented a clinical condition suggestive of encephalopathy due to caloric-protein malnutrition following several abdominal surgical procedures for complicated choledocholithiasis. A descriptive analysis of the results was carried out to outline the goals attained and the factors limiting implementation of memory aids. After the intervention program, consisting of individual and group activities, VJA showed improvement in level of recall with repetition of tasks, but still required constant external monitoring. Longitudinal follow-up is necessary to obtain more consistent results. PMID:29213515

  16. Rehabilitation in severe memory deficit: A case study.

    PubMed

    Sousa, Nariana Mattos Figueiredo

    2017-01-01

    The term amnesia refers to a pathological state of mind in which memory and learning are affected to a greater extent than other cognitive functions in a patient without altered level of consciousness. The aim of the current study was to describe a case of severe amnesia in a patient during neurological rehabilitation and to report the importance of preserved cognitive functions to compensate for the mnemonic deficit. VJA presented a clinical condition suggestive of encephalopathy due to caloric-protein malnutrition following several abdominal surgical procedures for complicated choledocholithiasis. A descriptive analysis of the results was carried out to outline the goals attained and the factors limiting implementation of memory aids. After the intervention program, consisting of individual and group activities, VJA showed improvement in level of recall with repetition of tasks, but still required constant external monitoring. Longitudinal follow-up is necessary to obtain more consistent results.

  17. Common peroneal nerve palsy after grade I inversion ankle sprain.

    PubMed

    Mitsiokapa, Evanthia A; Mavrogenis, Andreas F; Antonopoulos, Dimitris; Tzanos, George; Papagelopoulos, Panayiotis J

    2012-01-01

    This case report presents a 28-year-old man with foot drop 48 hours after a grade I inversion ankle sprain. Clinical examination and electrodiagnostic studies showed common peroneal nerve palsy. The patient was managed with conservative treatment and rehabilitation and recovered completely 4 months after the injury. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of delayed peroneal nerve injury after grade I ankle sprain. Function of the peroneal nerve should be evaluated in all patients with inversion ankle sprain as part of initial and follow-up evaluations. Early electrodiagnostic studies are helpful to localize and provide indications of the severity of the injury.

  18. Modification of CuI based Hole Transport Material for Solid State DSSC Application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hanif, Q. A.; Ramelan, A. H.; Saputri, L. N. M. Z.; Wahyuningsih, S.

    2018-03-01

    Modification of Hole Transport Material (HTM) with addition of tetramethylethylenediamine (TMED) and ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) have been conducted. Copper Iodide (CuI) were used as the main component of HTM. Several volume variations of TMED (0.1; 0.2; and 0.4 mL) was added into 0.05 M CuI solutions. While TMED: NH4SCN ratio were 1:1,1:2,2:1 also introduced to the dissolved CuI. Optical properties of these materials showed the band gap energy value ranging from 2.38 to 3.79 eV. The conductivity of HTM has been measured and showed the maximum value in CuI added with 0.4 mL TMED = 0.29 S m-1, and ratio of TMED: NH4SCN=2:1 added into CuI = 0.39 S m-1, these value were increased compared to the CuI conductivity itself (0.26 S m-1). The effect of this modification towards SS DSSC efficiency also has been monitored. The SS DSSC construction consists of TiO2 nanorods sensitized by N3, HTM, and platinum as a counter electrode. The performance of SS DSSC showed rising efficiency as follows TiO2|N3|CuI-TMED: NH4SCN|Pt. The highest conversion was increased 3.28 times when CuI-TMED: NH4SCN used as a HTM. Therefore, both TMED and NH4SCN incorporated with CuI be able to improve the electrical properties in SS DSSC system.

  19. A new case of a severe clinical phenotype of the cat-eye syndrome.

    PubMed

    Denavit, T Martin; Malan, V; Grillon, C; Sanlaville, D; Ardalan, A; Jacquemont, M L; Burglen, L; Taillemite, J L; Portnoi, M F

    2004-01-01

    A new case of severe clinical phenotype of the cat-eye syndrome: We report on a female infant with severe clinical phenotype of Cat-Eye Syndrome (CES). At birth, she had respiratory distress and marked hypotonia. Physical examination showed major craniofacial anomalies including microcephaly, bilateral total absence of the external ears, hypertelorism, bilateral ocular coloboma of iris and micrognathia. In addition, she had anal stenosis, a patent ductus arteriosus and intra- and extra- hepatic biliary atresia. She deteriorated with the development of bradycardia. She died at age one month of cardiac failure. Cytogenetic analysis of the proband showed an extra de novo small bisatelllited marker chromosome in all cells examined. Molecular cytogenetic analysis with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) identified the marker as a CES chromosome. Thus, the patient's karyotype was: 47, XX, +idic(22)(pter-->q11.2 ::q11.2-->pter). The duplication breakpoints giving rise to the CES chromosome were distal to the DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS) locus 22q11.2. The marker could be classed as a type 11 symmetrical (10). According to a recent review of CES literature (1) only 41 % of the CES patients have the combination of iris coloboma, anal anomalies and preauricular anomalies. Almost 60% are hard to recognize by their phenotype alone. Only twelve patients showed a severe clinical phenotype leading to the death of the child. This phenotypic variability increases the difficulties of genetic counseling.

  20. Severe anemia following uvulectomy in Kenya.

    PubMed

    Lowe, Karla R

    2004-09-01

    Uvulectomy is a common practice in eastern Africa for treatment of a variety of throat conditions. Traditional healers perform the procedure. I present a case report to illustrate a complication of uvulectomy. This is a report of a child who presented with severe anemia secondary to uvulectomy performed for treatment of chronic cough. This case report is intended to illustrate a procedure not commonly performed by western otolaryngologists and to describe the management of a severe complication. Western physicians are increasingly being tasked in medical situations in which they encounter traditional medical practices outside of their scope of training. The intent of this report is to familiarize western physicians with one such procedure and its potential complications.

  1. Experimental Lung Cancer Drug Shows Early Promise | Poster

    Cancer.gov

    By Frank Blanchard, Staff Writer A first-of-its-kind drug is showing early promise in attacking certain lung cancers that are hard to treat because they build up resistance to conventional chemotherapy. The drug, CO-1686, performed well in a preclinical study involving xenograft and transgenic mice, as reported in the journal Cancer Discovery. It is now being evaluated for safety and efficacy in Phase I and II clinical trials.

  2. Mutants of the lactose carrier of Escherichia coli which show altered sugar recognition plus a severe defect in sugar accumulation.

    PubMed

    Varela, M F; Wilson, T H; Rodon-Rivera, V; Shepherd, S; Dehne, T A; Rector, A C

    2000-04-01

    Lactose and melibiose are actively accumulated by the wild-type Escherichia coli lactose carrier, which is an integral membrane protein energized by the proton motive force. Mutants of the E. coli lactose carrier were isolated by their ability to grow on minimal plates with succinate plus IPTG in the presence of the toxic lactose analog beta-thio-o-nitrophenylgalactoside (TONPG). TONPG-resistant mutants were streaked on melibiose MacConkey indicator plates, and red clones were picked. These melibiose positive mutants were then streaked on lactose MacConkey plates, and white clones were picked. Transport assays indicated that the mutants had altered sugar recognition and a defect in sugar accumulation. The mutants had a poor apparent K(m) for both lactose and melibiose in transport. One mutant had almost no ability to take up lactose, but melibiose downhill transport was 58% (V(max)) of normal. All of the mutants accumulated methyl-alpha-d-galactopyranoside (TMG) to only 8% or less of normal, and two failed to accumulate. Immunoblot analysis of the mutant lactose carrier proteins indicated that loss of sugar transport activity was not due to loss of expression in the membrane. Nucleotide sequencing of the lacY gene from the mutants revealed changes in the following amino acids of the lactose carrier: M23I, W151L, G257D, A295D and G377V. Two of the mutants (G257D and G377V) are novel in that they represent the first amino acids in periplasmic loops to be implicated with changes in sugar recognition. We conclude that the amino acids M23, W151, G257, A295 and G377 of the E. coli lactose carrier play either a direct or an indirect role in sugar recognition and accumulation.

  3. Illness severity, trait anxiety, cognitive impairment and heart rate variability in bipolar disorder.

    PubMed

    Levy, Boaz

    2014-12-30

    Numerous studies have documented a significant association between symptom severity and cognitive functioning in bipolar disorder (BD). These findings advanced speculations about a potential link between the physiological stress associated with illness severity and cognitive dysfunction. To explore this hypothesis, the current study employed heart rate variability (HRV) as a physiological measure that is sensitive to the effects of chronic stress, and a scale of trait anxiety for assessing a psychological condition that is correlated with hyper sympathetic arousal. Analyses indicated that BD patients with High Illness Severity reported more symptoms of trait-anxiety (i.e., State Trait Anxiety Inventory), performed more poorly on a computerized neuropsychological battery (i.e., CNS Vital Signs), and exhibited a more constricted HRV profile (i.e., lower SDNN with elevated LF/HF ratio) than patients with Low Illness Severity. Illness severity was determined by a history of psychosis, illness duration, and number of mood episodes. A third group of healthy controls (n=22) performed better on the neuropsychological battery and exhibited a healthier HRV profile than the BD groups. This study provides preliminary evidence that illness severity and cognitive impairment in BD may be associated with state anxiety and neuro-cardiac alterations that are sensitive to physiological stress. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Weight reduction among people with severe and persistent mental illness after health behavior counseling and monitoring.

    PubMed

    Katekaru, Matthew; Minn, Carol E; Pobutsky, Ann M

    2015-04-01

    The high prevalence of obesity and associated chronic conditions in persons with severe and persistent mental illness has contributed to a mortality rate that is nearly two times higher than the overall population. In 2008, the Central O'ahu Community Mental Health Center of the Hawai'i State Department of Health, Adult Mental Health Division began an unfunded, health counseling intervention pilot project to address such concerns for the health of persons with severe and persistent mental illness. This article reviews the results of this intervention. Forty-seven persons with schizophrenia or related disorders were included in the intervention which involved health counseling and monitoring of weight as a risk factor for chronic disease. After five years of counseling and monitoring, medical chart reviews were conducted for each person for data on weight change. Analysis showed weight loss and improvements in body mass index. The results of this project show potential for long-term counseling and monitoring as an intervention for obesity in persons with severe and persistent mental illness.

  5. Expression of Renal Aquaporins in Aristolochic Acid I and Aristolactam I-Induced Nephrotoxicity.

    PubMed

    Li, Ji; Zhang, Liang; Jiang, ZhenZhou; He, XiuQin; Zhang, LuYong; Xu, Ming

    2016-01-01

    Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) can cause AA nephropathy, which is characterized by extensive proximal tubular damage and polyuria. To test the hypothesis that polyuria might be induced by altered regulation of aquaporins (AQPs) in the kidney, different doses of AA-I or aristolactam I (AL-I) were administered intraperitoneally to Sprague-Dawley rats, and urine, blood, and kidney samples were analyzed. In addition, AQP1, AQP2, AQP4 and AQP6 expression in the kidney were determined. The results showed dose-dependent proximal tubular damage and polyuria in the AA-I- and AL-I-treated groups, and the nephrotoxicity of AL-I was higher than that of AA-I. The expression of renal AQP1, AQP2 and AQP4, but not AQP6 were significantly inhibited by AA-I and AL-I. Comparison of the inhibition potencies of AA-I and AL-I showed that AL-I was a stronger inhibitor of AQP1 expression than AA-I, while there was no difference in their effects on AQP2 and AQP4. These results suggested that AA induced renal damage and polyuria were associated with a specific decrease in the expression of renal AQP1 AQP2 and AQP4, and AL-I showed higher nephrotoxicity than AA-I, which might be attributable to the differences in their inhibition of AQP1. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  6. T100. NICOTINE USE IMPACTS NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS SEVERITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

    PubMed Central

    Oliveira, Hianna; Coutinho, Luccas; Higuchi, Cinthia; Noto, Cristiano; Bressan, Rodrigo; Gadelha, Ary

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Background Nicotine use is higher among patients with schizophrenia (50–98%) than in general population (25–30%). This association can reflect a non-specific liability to substance use or specific effects of tobacco on symptoms severity or side effects. Studies about nicotine use and schizophrenia symptoms dimensions are controversial. Some of them showed a relation between severe nicotine use and higher positive symptoms and others presented a correlation between lower negative symptoms and nicotine use. That is why we aimed to verify whether nicotine use is associated with symptoms dimensions in patients with schizophrenia. Methods Two hundred and seven outpatients were enrolled from the Programa de Esquizofrenia da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (PROESQ/UNIFESP). Schizophrenia diagnosis was confirmed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Dimensional psychopathology was assessed with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. The PANSS items were grouped in five dimensions: positive, negative, disorganized/cognitive, mood/depression and excitement/hostility. The total score of Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence was the index used for severity in nicotine dependence. We used Wilcoxon-mann- whitney test to compare the means of PANSS dimensions between nicotine users versus non nicotine use. Results The patients mean age was 36.75 (SD 10.648), 69.1% were male, 48.3% reported lifetime tobacco use and 34.3% reported current tobacco use. Lower scores on negative dimension were associated with nicotine use (W = 5642.5, p-value = 0.046, effect size = 0.446). All p-values were corrected by Bonferroni test. Tests that evaluated the relationship between nicotine use and the total PANSS score or other dimensions were not statistically significant. Discussion This study shows that nicotine use impacts negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Increase in hepatic metabolism leading

  7. Mouse nuclear myosin I knock-out shows interchangeability and redundancy of myosin isoforms in the cell nucleus.

    PubMed

    Venit, Tomáš; Dzijak, Rastislav; Kalendová, Alžběta; Kahle, Michal; Rohožková, Jana; Schmidt, Volker; Rülicke, Thomas; Rathkolb, Birgit; Hans, Wolfgang; Bohla, Alexander; Eickelberg, Oliver; Stoeger, Tobias; Wolf, Eckhard; Yildirim, Ali Önder; Gailus-Durner, Valérie; Fuchs, Helmut; de Angelis, Martin Hrabě; Hozák, Pavel

    2013-01-01

    Nuclear myosin I (NM1) is a nuclear isoform of the well-known "cytoplasmic" Myosin 1c protein (Myo1c). Located on the 11(th) chromosome in mice, NM1 results from an alternative start of transcription of the Myo1c gene adding an extra 16 amino acids at the N-terminus. Previous studies revealed its roles in RNA Polymerase I and RNA Polymerase II transcription, chromatin remodeling, and chromosomal movements. Its nuclear localization signal is localized in the middle of the molecule and therefore directs both Myosin 1c isoforms to the nucleus. In order to trace specific functions of the NM1 isoform, we generated mice lacking the NM1 start codon without affecting the cytoplasmic Myo1c protein. Mutant mice were analyzed in a comprehensive phenotypic screen in cooperation with the German Mouse Clinic. Strikingly, no obvious phenotype related to previously described functions has been observed. However, we found minor changes in bone mineral density and the number and size of red blood cells in knock-out mice, which are most probably not related to previously described functions of NM1 in the nucleus. In Myo1c/NM1 depleted U2OS cells, the level of Pol I transcription was restored by overexpression of shRNA-resistant mouse Myo1c. Moreover, we found Myo1c interacting with Pol II. The ratio between Myo1c and NM1 proteins were similar in the nucleus and deletion of NM1 did not cause any compensatory overexpression of Myo1c protein. We observed that Myo1c can replace NM1 in its nuclear functions. Amount of both proteins is nearly equal and NM1 knock-out does not cause any compensatory overexpression of Myo1c. We therefore suggest that both isoforms can substitute each other in nuclear processes.

  8. A trypanothione-dependent glyoxalase I with a prokaryotic ancestry in Leishmania major.

    PubMed

    Vickers, Tim J; Greig, Neil; Fairlamb, Alan H

    2004-09-07

    Glyoxalase I forms part of the glyoxalase pathway that detoxifies reactive aldehydes such as methylglyoxal, using the spontaneously formed glutathione hemithioacetal as substrate. All known eukaryotic enzymes contain zinc as their metal cofactor, whereas the Escherichia coli glyoxalase I contains nickel. Database mining and sequence analysis identified putative glyoxalase I genes in the eukaryotic human parasites Leishmania major, Leishmania infantum, and Trypanosoma cruzi, with highest similarity to the cyanobacterial enzymes. Characterization of recombinant L. major glyoxalase I showed it to be unique among the eukaryotic enzymes in sharing the dependence of the E. coli enzyme on nickel. The parasite enzyme showed little activity with glutathione hemithioacetal substrates but was 200-fold more active with hemithioacetals formed from the unique trypanosomatid thiol trypanothione. L. major glyoxalase I also was insensitive to glutathione derivatives that are potent inhibitors of all other characterized glyoxalase I enzymes. This substrate specificity is distinct from that of the human enzyme and is reflected in the modification in the L. major sequence of a region of the human protein that interacts with the glycyl-carboxyl moiety of glutathione, a group that is conjugated to spermidine in trypanothione. This trypanothione-dependent glyoxalase I is therefore an attractive focus for additional biochemical and genetic investigation as a possible target for rational drug design.

  9. Type I Interferon Receptor Expression in Human Pancreatic and Periampullary Cancer Tissue.

    PubMed

    Booy, Stephanie; Hofland, Leo J; Waaijers, A Marlijn; Croze, Ed; van Koetsveld, Peter M; de Vogel, Lisette; Biermann, Katharina; van Eijck, Casper H J

    2015-01-01

    Interferons (IFNs) have several anticancer mechanisms. A number of clinical trials have been conducted regarding adjuvant IFN-α therapy in pancreatic cancer. Type I IFNs exert their effect via the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR-1, IFNAR-2c). The aims of the present study were to determine the type I IFN receptor expression in pancreatic and periampullary cancer tissues and to study its relation with clinicopathological factors. Receptor expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded cancer tissue of 47 pancreatic and 54 periampullary cancer patients. The results demonstrated that 91.5% of the pancreatic tumors and 88.9% of the periampullary tumors showed expression of IFNAR-1, of which 23.4% and 13.0% were strongly positive, respectively. Regarding IFNAR-2c expression, 68.1% of the pancreatic tumors and 68.5% of the periampullary tumors were positive, of which 4.3% of the pancreatic tumors and none of the periampullary tumors had a strong expression. No statistically significant associations were found between type I IFN receptor expression and clinicopathological factors or survival. Type I IFN receptors are expressed in pancreatic and periampullary cancer tissues although with great intertumoral and intratumoral variability. A small proportion of both tumors showed a strong expression of the IFNAR-1; only a very small percentage of the pancreatic tumors showed strong expression of the IFNAR-2c.

  10. Severe polyuria after the resection of adrenal pheochromocytoma.

    PubMed

    Tobe, Musashi; Ito, Keiichi; Umeda, Shun; Sato, Akinori; Adaniya, Noriaki; Tanaka, Yuji; Hayakawa, Masamichi; Asano, Tomohiko

    2010-12-01

    A 73-year-old male patient with hypertension and hyperglycemia was referred to our hospital because of a diagnosis regarding his left adrenal tumor. Because the levels of urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine were elevated, and (131) I-MIBG scintigraphy showed intense uptake in the adrenal tumor, the tumor was diagnosed as a pheochromocytoma. An adrenalectomy was carried out. Severe polyuria, which was accompanied by a rapid decrease in central venous pressure, started 1 hour after the operation. Urine output of more than 8000 mL/day continued until the 16th postoperative day. Plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels were within the normal range. Plasma human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were elevated postoperatively, and the elevation of these peptides was one possible cause for the severe polyuria. Because ADH levels in the tumor fluid were not elevated, the tumor was not an ADH-secreting tumor. Urinary β2-microglobulin was significantly elevated after the operation, thus suggesting that renal tubule dysfunction might also have been involved in the polyuria. However, the mechanism of polyuria after the resection of adrenal pheochromocytoma is not fully understood. Polyuria after the resection of adrenal pheochromocytoma is extremely rare, and the present subject is the second case to date. © 2010 The Japanese Urological Association.

  11. Severe neutropenia revealing a rare presentation of dengue fever: a case report.

    PubMed

    Shourick, J; Dinh, A; Matt, M; Salomon, J; Davido, B

    2017-08-17

    Arboviruses are a common cause of fever in the returned traveler often associated with leucopenia, especially lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia. Transient neutropenia has been described in a few cases of arboviruses. However, prolonged and severe neutropenia (<500/mm 3 ) has rarely been reported in dengue fever, especially in the returned traveler in Europe. A 26-year-old healthy female without any medical past history, flying back from Thailand, presented a transient fever with severe neutropenia (<500/mm 3 ). Laboratory tests showed a mild hepatic cytolysis and thrombocytopenia, mimicking malaria or viral hepatitis. While she underwent protective isolation, NS1 antigen returned positive in favor of a dengue fever. Outcome was favorable without any antimicrobial therapy. Physicians should be wary of possible unusual presentation of dengue fever with prolonged neutropenia. Although such biological sign is more often associated with malaria or severe bacterial infection, it may be a sign of arbovirus.

  12. A statistical test to show negligible trend

    Treesearch

    Philip M. Dixon; Joseph H.K. Pechmann

    2005-01-01

    The usual statistical tests of trend are inappropriate for demonstrating the absence of trend. This is because failure to reject the null hypothesis of no trend does not prove that null hypothesis. The appropriate statistical method is based on an equivalence test. The null hypothesis is that the trend is not zero, i.e., outside an a priori specified equivalence region...

  13. 30. VIEW DOWN INTO TURBINE PIT SHOWING WICKET GATE CONTROL ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    30. VIEW DOWN INTO TURBINE PIT SHOWING WICKET GATE CONTROL MECHANISM AND MAIN SHAFT OF I. P. MORRIS TURBINE. TURBINE BUILT BY I. P. MORRIS & DE LA VERGNE, INC. OF PHILADELPHIA, PA, AND INSTALLED IN 1925. TURBINE RATED AT 18,000 HP AT 113.3 RPM UNDER 18.5 FEET OF HEAD. - Lake Lynn Hydroelectric Power House & Dam, Cheat River, Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV

  14. Velvet bean severe mosaic virus: a distinct begomovirus species causing severe mosaic in Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.

    PubMed

    Zaim, Mohammad; Kumar, Yogesh; Hallan, Vipin; Zaidi, A A

    2011-08-01

    Velvet bean [Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC] is one of the most important medicinal plants. It is used to treat many ailments, but is widely used for the treatment especially for Parkinson's disease because of the presence of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) in it. It was noticed in last 5 years that the plants in the field showed severe mosaic, downward curling of the leaves, stunting, etc. This is consistently observed over the years in India. The disease was transmitted by whiteflies and by grafting and the causal agent was found to be a bipartite begomovirus. The whole genome was amplified by rolling circle amplification (RCA) using ϕ-29 DNA polymerase and characterized. DNA-A and DNA-B shared a 124-nucleotide (nt) long highly conserved (98%) common region (CR). Comparisons with other begomovirus showed that DNA-A sequence has highest identity (76%) with an isolate of Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV; AY937195) reported from India. This data suggested that the present isolate is a new species of genus Begomovirus for which the name "Velvet bean severe mosaic virus" (VbSMV) is proposed. DNA-B has a maximum sequence identity of 49% with an isolate of Horsegram yellow mosaic virus (HgYMV; AM932426) reported from India. Infectious clones consisting of a 1.7 mer partial tandem repeat of DNA-A and a dimer of DNB-B were constructed and agro-inoculated to Macuna pruriens (L.) DC plants, which showed field observed symptoms 24 days post-infiltration (dpi). In phylogenetic analysis, DNA-A and DNA-B of the present isolate grouped with DNA-A of different begomoviruses reported from fabaceous crops. The study presents first ever molecular evidence of any disease in velvet bean and whole genome analysis of the causative virus which is a distinct bipartite species of Begomovirus.

  15. Fire intensity, fire severity and burn severity: A brief review and suggested usage

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Keeley, J.E.

    2009-01-01

    Several recent papers have suggested replacing the terminology of fire intensity and fire severity. Part of the problem with fire intensity is that it is sometimes used incorrectly to describe fire effects, when in fact it is justifiably restricted to measures of energy output. Increasingly, the term has created confusion because some authors have restricted its usage to a single measure of energy output referred to as fireline intensity. This metric is most useful in understanding fire behavior in forests, but is too narrow to fully capture the multitude of ways fire energy affects ecosystems. Fire intensity represents the energy released during various phases of a fire, and different metrics such as reaction intensity, fireline intensity, temperature, heating duration and radiant energy are useful for different purposes. Fire severity, and the related term burn severity, have created considerable confusion because of recent changes in their usage. Some authors have justified this by contending that fire severity is defined broadly as ecosystem impacts from fire and thus is open to individual interpretation. However, empirical studies have defined fire severity operationally as the loss of or change in organic matter aboveground and belowground, although the precise metric varies with management needs. Confusion arises because fire or burn severity is sometimes defined so that it also includes ecosystem responses. Ecosystem responses include soil erosion, vegetation regeneration, restoration of community structure, faunal recolonization, and a plethora of related response variables. Although some ecosystem responses are correlated with measures of fire or burn severity, many important ecosystem processes have either not been demonstrated to be predicted by severity indices or have been shown in some vegetation types to be unrelated to severity. This is a critical issue because fire or burn severity are readily measurable parameters, both on the ground and with

  16. Unusual presentation of a severely ill patient having severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: a case report.

    PubMed

    Kaneko, Masahiko; Maruta, Masaki; Shikata, Hisaharu; Asou, Kengo; Shinomiya, Hiroto; Suzuki, Tadaki; Hasegawa, Hideki; Shimojima, Masayuki; Saijo, Masayuki

    2017-02-03

    Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel phlebovirus belonging to the family Bunyaviridate. Emergence of encephalitis/encephalopathy during severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome progression has been identified as a major risk factor associated with a poor prognosis. Here we report the case of a severely ill patient with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus-associated encephalitis/encephalopathy characterized by a lesion of the splenium, which resolved later. A 56-year-old Japanese man presented with fever and diarrhea, followed by dysarthria. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated high signal intensity in the splenium of the corpus callosum. The severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus genome was detected in our patient's serum, and the clinical course was characterized by convulsion, stupor, and hemorrhagic manifestations, with disseminated intravascular coagulation and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Supportive therapy not including administration of corticosteroids led to gradual improvement of the clinical and laboratory findings, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated resolution of the splenial lesion. The serum severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome viral copy number, which was determined with the quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, rapidly decreased despite the severe clinical course. Our patient's overall condition improved, allowing him to be eventually discharged. Patients with encephalitis/encephalopathy due to severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection may have a favorable outcome, even if they exhibit splenial lesions and a severe clinical course; monitoring the serum viral load may be of value for prediction of outcome and potentially enables the avoidance of corticosteroids to intentionally cause opportunistic infection.

  17. The Sexual Assault Severity Scale: A Comprehensive Measure of Assault Severity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Swinson, Karyn Crystal

    2013-01-01

    Many studies in the sexual assault literature have found a significant relationship between sexual assault severity and psychological distress, specifically PTSD and suicidality. However, in the current literature, there is an inconsistent and incomplete definition of the construct of assault severity. The present study aims to create a…

  18. A new <i>Setacheres> (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Asterocheridae) associated with <i>Ircinia> felix (Duchassaing & Michelotti) (Porifera) from Brazil.

    PubMed

    Borges, Camila C; Neves, Elizabeth G; Johnsson, Rodrigo

    2017-12-08

    Recent surveys of the copepod fauna associated with the sponge Ircinia felix (Porifera, Dictyoceratida) in Brazil resulted in the discovery of a new siphonostomatoid species belonging to a recently erected genus of Asterocheridae. Setacheres portobarrensis sp. nov. possesses a 21-segmented antennule, with 3 free distal segments, after the aesthetasc. The third exopodal segment of leg 3 shows a distal seta instead of a spine as in some other congeners. The new species shows several unique features on the third endopodal segment of the antenna, the mandibular stylet, the inner lobe of the maxillule, and setules and spinules located in specific regions of legs 1 to 4. Setacheres portobarrensis sp. nov. follows the same distributional pattern as its congeners, and this is the first record of a siphonostomatoid copepod associated with Ircinia felix.

  19. Severe pepper allergy in a young child.

    PubMed

    Gimenez, Leslie; Zacharisen, Michael

    2011-06-01

    Spices are ingredients to confer improved taste to foods. As they are derived from plants, they have the potential for inducing allergic reactions. There is a lack of studies to accurately determine the rate of pepper allergy in children. Allergic reactions to pepper in children are rare. This case illustrates such a reaction. Patient is a 17-month-old boy with mild eczema who developed urticaria, conjunctivitis, facial swelling, and severe cough immediately after ingesting venison prepared in a Southwest/mesquite marinade containing a variety of spices including black and cayenne pepper. His food was not routinely peppered. A similar but less severe reaction with facial urticaria and conjunctivitis occurred after eating roast beef in the same marinade while reintroduction of venison without marinade did not result in recurrence of symptoms. Skin tests to cayenne and black pepper extracts were positive. Skin testing to crude extracts of the food marinades was negative as well as commercial extracts of onion, garlic, paprika, thyme, and tomato. IgE radioallergosorbent results showed undetectable levels to black pepper, chili pepper, lemon, tomato, garlic, onion, green pepper, and white pepper. Specific IgE to cayenne pepper was detected at 0.11 kU/L.

  20. Ocular firework trauma: a systematic review on incidence, severity, outcome and prevention.

    PubMed

    Wisse, R P L; Bijlsma, W R; Stilma, J S

    2010-12-01

    To provide a systematic review on ocular firework trauma with emphasis on incidence and patient demographics, the extent of ocular trauma and visual function loss, and firework regulation effects on injury rates. A literature search was performed using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic characteristics of ocular firework casualties were obtained and incidence rates of sustained trauma and vision loss calculated. Twenty-six relevant articles were suitable for calculation of trauma incidence and patient demographics, of which 17 articles could be used for calculating trauma severity and vision loss. Victims were male (77%), young (82%) and often bystander (47%). Most of the trauma was mild and temporary. Penetrating eye trauma, globe contusions and burns accounted for 18.2%, with a 3.9% enucleation rate. Mean visual acuity was >10/20 in 56.8%, with severe vision loss (<10/200) in 16.4%. Countries using restrictive firework legislation show 87% less eye trauma (p<0.005). One in six ocular firework traumas show severe vision loss, mostly in young males. Bystanders are as frequently injured. Firework traumas are a preventable cause of severe ocular injury and blindness because countries using restrictive firework legislation have remarkable lower trauma incidence rates.

  1. Using iPads to Teach Inquiry Science to Students with a Moderate to Severe Intellectual Disability: A Pilot Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Miller, Bridget T.; Krockover, Gerald H.; Doughty, Teresa

    2013-01-01

    Multiple illustrative case studies were used to investigate guided inquiry methods and the benefits of traditional science notebooks versus electronic science notebooks for students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Results indicated students successfully acquired science content and increased motivation through science inquiry…

  2. A Novel MHC-I Surface Targeted for Binding by the MCMV m06 Immunoevasin Revealed by Solution NMR.

    PubMed

    Sgourakis, Nikolaos G; May, Nathan A; Boyd, Lisa F; Ying, Jinfa; Bax, Ad; Margulies, David H

    2015-11-27

    As part of its strategy to evade detection by the host immune system, murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) encodes three proteins that modulate cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules: the MHC-I homolog m152/gp40 as well as the m02-m16 family members m04/gp34 and m06/gp48. Previous studies of the m04 protein revealed a divergent Ig-like fold that is unique to immunoevasins of the m02-m16 family. Here, we engineer and characterize recombinant m06 and investigate its interactions with full-length and truncated forms of the MHC-I molecule H2-L(d) by several techniques. Furthermore, we employ solution NMR to map the interaction footprint of the m06 protein on MHC-I, taking advantage of a truncated H2-L(d), "mini-H2-L(d)," consisting of only the α1α2 platform domain. Mini-H2-L(d) refolded in vitro with a high affinity peptide yields a molecule that shows outstanding NMR spectral features, permitting complete backbone assignments. These NMR-based studies reveal that m06 binds tightly to a discrete site located under the peptide-binding platform that partially overlaps with the β2-microglobulin interface on the MHC-I heavy chain, consistent with in vitro binding experiments showing significantly reduced complex formation between m06 and β2-microglobulin-associated MHC-I. Moreover, we carry out NMR relaxation experiments to characterize the picosecond-nanosecond dynamics of the free mini-H2-L(d) MHC-I molecule, revealing that the site of interaction is highly ordered. This study provides insight into the mechanism of the interaction of m06 with MHC-I, suggesting a structural manipulation of the target MHC-I molecule at an early stage of the peptide-loading pathway. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  3. Station blackout transient at the Browns Ferry Unit 1 Plant: a severe accident sequence analysis (SASA) program study

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Schultz, R.R.

    1982-01-01

    Operating plant transients are of great interest for many reasons, not the least of which is the potential for a mild transient to degenerate to a severe transient yielding core damage. Using the Browns Ferry (BF) Unit-1 plant as a basis of study, the station blackout sequence was investigated by the Severe Accident Sequence Analysis (SASA) Program in support of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Unresolved Safety Issue A-44: Station Blackout. A station blackout transient occurs when the plant's AC power from a comemrcial power grid is lost and cannot be restored by the diesel generators. Under normal operating conditions, fmore » a loss of offsite power (LOSP) occurs (i.e., a complete severance of the BF plants from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power grid), the eight diesel generators at the three BF units would quickly start and power the emergency AC buses. Of the eight diesel generators, only six are needed to safely shut down all three units. Examination of BF-specific data show that LOSP frequency is low at Unit 1. The station blackout frequency is even lower (5.7 x 10/sup -4/ events per year) and hinges on whether the diesel generators start. The frequency of diesel generator failure is dictated in large measure by the emergency equipment cooling water (EECW) system that cools the diesel generators.« less

  4. "I've never been a yes person": Decision-making participation and self-conceptualization after severe traumatic brain injury.

    PubMed

    Knox, Lucy; Douglas, Jacinta M; Bigby, Christine

    2017-11-01

    Although adults who sustain a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) require support to make decisions in their lives, little is known about their experience of this process. The aim of this study was to explore how participation in decision making contributes to self-conceptualization in adults with severe TBI. We used constructivist grounded theory methods. Data included 20 in-depth interviews with adults with severe TBI. Through a process of constant comparison, analysis involved open and focused coding until clear categories emerged and data saturation was achieved. Self-conceptualization emerged as a complex and multifaceted process, as individuals with TBI aimed to reestablish a sense of autonomy. We describe a recursive relationship in which decision-making participation assists the dynamic construction of self, and self-concept contributes to the experience of making decisions. The role of an individual's social support network in acting as a bridge between participation and self-conceptualization is presented. Findings emphasize that contributing to decisions about one's own goals across a range of life areas can reinforce a positive self-concept. It is vital that supporters understand that participation in decision making provides a pathway to conceptualizing self and aim to maximize the person's participation in the decision-making process. Implications for Rehabilitation Previous research has identified that the experience of sustaining TBI has a significant impact on a person's conceptualization of self. This study identified that decision-making experiences play an important role in the ongoing process of self-conceptualization after injury. Decision-making experiences can reinforce a person's self-concept or lead them to revise (positively or negatively) their sense of self. By maximizing the person's decision-making participation, those around them can support them to develop positive self-attributes and contribute to shaping their future goals.

  5. Development and Validation of a Disease Severity Scoring Model for Pediatric Sepsis.

    PubMed

    Hu, Li; Zhu, Yimin; Chen, Mengshi; Li, Xun; Lu, Xiulan; Liang, Ying; Tan, Hongzhuan

    2016-07-01

    Multiple severity scoring systems have been devised and evaluated in adult sepsis, but a simplified scoring model for pediatric sepsis has not yet been developed. This study aimed to develop and validate a new scoring model to stratify the severity of pediatric sepsis, thus assisting the treatment of sepsis in children. Data from 634 consecutive patients who presented with sepsis at Children's hospital of Hunan province in China in 2011-2013 were analyzed, with 476 patients placed in training group and 158 patients in validation group. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to develop the accurate discriminate model. A simplified scoring model was generated using weightings defined by the discriminate coefficients. The discriminant ability of the model was tested by receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). The discriminant analysis showed that prothrombin time, D-dimer, total bilirubin, serum total protein, uric acid, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, myoglobin were associated with severity of sepsis. These seven variables were assigned with values of 4, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 3 respectively based on the standardized discriminant coefficients. Patients with higher scores had higher risk of severe sepsis. The areas under ROC (AROC) were 0.836 for accurate discriminate model, and 0.825 for simplified scoring model in validation group. The proposed disease severity scoring model for pediatric sepsis showed adequate discriminatory capacity and sufficient accuracy, which has important clinical significance in evaluating the severity of pediatric sepsis and predicting its progress.

  6. De Novo Transcriptome Analysis Shows That SAV-3 Infection Upregulates Pattern Recognition Receptors of the Endosomal Toll-Like and RIG-I-Like Receptor Signaling Pathways in Macrophage/Dendritic Like TO-Cells.

    PubMed

    Xu, Cheng; Evensen, Øystein; Munang'andu, Hetron

    2016-04-21

    A fundamental step in cellular defense mechanisms is the recognition of "danger signals" made of conserved pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) expressed by invading pathogens, by host cell germ line coded pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). In this study, we used RNA-seq and the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) to identify PRRs together with the network pathway of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that recognize salmonid alphavirus subtype 3 (SAV-3) infection in macrophage/dendritic like TO-cells derived from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) headkidney leukocytes. Our findings show that recognition of SAV-3 in TO-cells was restricted to endosomal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 3 and 8 together with RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) and not the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors NOD-like receptor (NLRs) genes. Among the RLRs, upregulated genes included the retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I), melanoma differentiation association 5 (MDA5) and laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2). The study points to possible involvement of the tripartite motif containing 25 (TRIM25) and mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) in modulating RIG-I signaling being the first report that links these genes to the RLR pathway in SAV-3 infection in TO-cells. Downstream signaling suggests that both the TLR and RLR pathways use interferon (IFN) regulatory factors (IRFs) 3 and 7 to produce IFN-a2. The validity of RNA-seq data generated in this study was confirmed by quantitative real time qRT-PCR showing that genes up- or downregulated by RNA-seq were also up- or downregulated by RT-PCR. Overall, this study shows that de novo transcriptome assembly identify key receptors of the TLR and RLR sensors engaged in host pathogen interaction at cellular level. We envisage that data presented here can open a road map for future intervention strategies in SAV infection of salmon.

  7. The influence of baseline severity on efficacy of escitalopram and citalopram in the treatment of major depressive disorder: an extended analysis.

    PubMed

    Lam, R W; Andersen, H F

    2006-09-01

    To determine the differences between escitalopram and citalopram in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder across a range of baseline severity of depression using trend analysis. Data from the three placebo-controlled studies comparing escitalopram to citalopram were analyzed. The pre-specified primary outcome variable was MADRS total score; secondary outcomes included Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and -Improvement (CGI-I) scores. All analyses were based on an intent-to-treat (ITT) population and all direct comparisons were done by ANCOVA adjusting for baseline value and centre. Analyses of the pooled data (N=1203) show that, while the difference between citalopram and placebo was approximately constant across the range of baseline severity, the difference between escitalopram and placebo (p=0.0010 for no trend) and between escitalopram and citalopram (p=0.0012 for no trend) became greater, the more severely depressed the patients were at baseline. A similar pattern was apparent with the CGI-S and CGI-I results. There was a significant superiority of escitalopram over citalopram in response rate (defined as > or = 50% decrease in MADRS total score), and this difference increased with increasing baseline severity. These trend analyses thus indicate that the superiority of escitalopram over citalopram is more apparent as the baseline severity of depression increases.

  8. Alveolar macrophage–derived type I interferons orchestrate innate immunity to RSV through recruitment of antiviral monocytes

    PubMed Central

    Goritzka, Michelle; Makris, Spyridon; Kausar, Fahima; Durant, Lydia R.; Pereira, Catherine; Kumagai, Yutaro; Culley, Fiona J.; Mack, Matthias; Akira, Shizuo

    2015-01-01

    Type I interferons (IFNs) are important for host defense from viral infections, acting to restrict viral production in infected cells and to promote antiviral immune responses. However, the type I IFN system has also been associated with severe lung inflammatory disease in response to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Which cells produce type I IFNs upon RSV infection and how this directs immune responses to the virus, and potentially results in pathological inflammation, is unclear. Here, we show that alveolar macrophages (AMs) are the major source of type I IFNs upon RSV infection in mice. AMs detect RSV via mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS)–coupled retinoic acid–inducible gene 1 (RIG-I)–like receptors (RLRs), and loss of MAVS greatly compromises innate immune restriction of RSV. This is largely attributable to loss of type I IFN–dependent induction of monocyte chemoattractants and subsequent reduced recruitment of inflammatory monocytes (infMo) to the lungs. Notably, the latter have potent antiviral activity and are essential to control infection and lessen disease severity. Thus, infMo recruitment constitutes an important and hitherto underappreciated, cell-extrinsic mechanism of type I IFN–mediated antiviral activity. Dysregulation of this system of host antiviral defense may underlie the development of RSV-induced severe lung inflammation. PMID:25897172

  9. Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation of Several Resharpening Techniques.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-08-19

    AD-AI20 320 ARMY INST OF DENTAL RESEARCH WASHINGTON OC F/6 6/5 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF SEVERAL RESHARPENIN-ETC(U) UNLASSIFIE D...NIT NUMBERS US Army Institute of Dental Research Walter Reed Army Medical Center N/A Washington, DC 20012 it. CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADORESS I...several resharpening techniques by Donald J. DeNucci, DDS, MS and Carson L. Mader, DMD, MSD United States Army Institute of Dental Research Walter Reed

  10. Are High-Severity Fires Burning at Much Higher Rates Recently than Historically in Dry-Forest Landscapes of the Western USA?

    PubMed

    Baker, William L

    2015-01-01

    Dry forests at low elevations in temperate-zone mountains are commonly hypothesized to be at risk of exceptional rates of severe fire from climatic change and land-use effects. Their setting is fire-prone, they have been altered by land-uses, and fire severity may be increasing. However, where fires were excluded, increased fire could also be hypothesized as restorative of historical fire. These competing hypotheses are not well tested, as reference data prior to widespread land-use expansion were insufficient. Moreover, fire-climate projections were lacking for these forests. Here, I used new reference data and records of high-severity fire from 1984-2012 across all dry forests (25.5 million ha) of the western USA to test these hypotheses. I also approximated projected effects of climatic change on high-severity fire in dry forests by applying existing projections. This analysis showed the rate of recent high-severity fire in dry forests is within the range of historical rates, or is too low, overall across dry forests and individually in 42 of 43 analysis regions. Significant upward trends were lacking overall from 1984-2012 for area burned and fraction burned at high severity. Upward trends in area burned at high severity were found in only 4 of 43 analysis regions. Projections for A.D. 2046-2065 showed high-severity fire would generally be still operating at, or have been restored to historical rates, although high projections suggest high-severity fire rotations that are too short could ensue in 6 of 43 regions. Programs to generally reduce fire severity in dry forests are not supported and have significant adverse ecological impacts, including reducing habitat for native species dependent on early-successional burned patches and decreasing landscape heterogeneity that confers resilience to climatic change. Some adverse ecological effects of high-severity fires are concerns. Managers and communities can improve our ability to live with high-severity fire in

  11. Are High-Severity Fires Burning at Much Higher Rates Recently than Historically in Dry-Forest Landscapes of the Western USA?

    PubMed Central

    Baker, William L.

    2015-01-01

    Dry forests at low elevations in temperate-zone mountains are commonly hypothesized to be at risk of exceptional rates of severe fire from climatic change and land-use effects. Their setting is fire-prone, they have been altered by land-uses, and fire severity may be increasing. However, where fires were excluded, increased fire could also be hypothesized as restorative of historical fire. These competing hypotheses are not well tested, as reference data prior to widespread land-use expansion were insufficient. Moreover, fire-climate projections were lacking for these forests. Here, I used new reference data and records of high-severity fire from 1984–2012 across all dry forests (25.5 million ha) of the western USA to test these hypotheses. I also approximated projected effects of climatic change on high-severity fire in dry forests by applying existing projections. This analysis showed the rate of recent high-severity fire in dry forests is within the range of historical rates, or is too low, overall across dry forests and individually in 42 of 43 analysis regions. Significant upward trends were lacking overall from 1984–2012 for area burned and fraction burned at high severity. Upward trends in area burned at high severity were found in only 4 of 43 analysis regions. Projections for A.D. 2046–2065 showed high-severity fire would generally be still operating at, or have been restored to historical rates, although high projections suggest high-severity fire rotations that are too short could ensue in 6 of 43 regions. Programs to generally reduce fire severity in dry forests are not supported and have significant adverse ecological impacts, including reducing habitat for native species dependent on early-successional burned patches and decreasing landscape heterogeneity that confers resilience to climatic change. Some adverse ecological effects of high-severity fires are concerns. Managers and communities can improve our ability to live with high-severity fire

  12. Taking in a Show.

    PubMed

    Boden, Timothy W

    2016-01-01

    Many medical practices have cut back on education and staff development expenses, especially those costs associated with conventions and conferences. But there are hard-to-value returns on your investment in these live events--beyond the obvious benefits of acquired knowledge and skills. Major vendors still exhibit their services and wares at many events, and the exhibit hall is a treasure-house of information and resources for the savvy physician or administrator. Make and stick to a purposeful plan to exploit the trade show. You can compare products, gain new insights and ideas, and even negotiate better deals with representatives anxious to realize returns on their exhibition investments.

  13. Molecular Phylogeny of a tick, Ixodes granulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) based on cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) marker

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lah, Ernieenor Faraliana Che; Yaakop, Salmah; Ahamad, Mariana; George, Ernna; Nor, Shukor Md

    2014-09-01

    Identification of a local species of tick, Ixodes granulatus from the family Ixodidae is essential because it has potential to be vector for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia and tick thypus. The aim of this study is to portray the relationships among several populations of I. granulatus collected from different species of animal hosts and localities in Peninsular Malaysia. Polymerase Chain Reaction was conducted by amplifying mitochondrial DNA marker, namely cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences from 15 individual ticks that attached to five different hosts caught from three different localities. Confirmation of the species identity was accomplished using BLAST program. Neighbor-joining (NJ) and Maximum Parsimony (MP) tree based on COI sequences were constructed by using PAUP 4.0b10 to identify the relationship among species. The result of this study showed a high genetic heterogeneity between I. granulatus and other species of the same genus (7.2-23.7%). Furthermore, a low intraspecific variation was observed among the species of I. granulatus collected from different localities (0-3.7%). This study produced the first establishment of molecular marker for clarifying genetic species variation and diversity of local I. granulatus tick which contribute to the control of tick-borne infections.

  14. Physical performance testing in mucopolysaccharidosis I: a pilot study.

    PubMed

    Dumas, Helene M; Fragala, Maria A; Haley, Stephen M; Skrinar, Alison M; Wraith, James E; Cox, Gerald F

    2004-01-01

    To develop and field-test a physical performance measure (MPS-PPM) for individuals with Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), a rare genetic disorder. Motor performance and endurance items were developed based on literature review, clinician feedback, feasibility, and equipment and training needs. A standardized testing protocol and scoring rules were created. The MPS-PPM includes: Arm Function (7 items), Leg Function (5 items), and Endurance (2 items). Pilot data were collected for 10 subjects (ages 5-29 years). We calculated Spearman's rho correlations between age, severity and summary z-scores on the MPS-PPM. Subjects had variable presentations, as correlations among the three sub-test scores were not significant. Increasing age was related to greater severity in physical performance (r = 0.72, p<0.05) and lower scores on the Leg Function (r = -0.67, p<0.05) and Endurance (r = -0.65, p<0.05) sub-tests. The MPS-PPM was sensitive to detecting physical performance deficits, as six subjects could not complete the full battery of Arm Function items and eight subjects were unable to complete all Leg Function items. Subjects walked more slowly and expended more energy than typically developing peers. Individuals with MPS I have difficulty with arm and leg function and reduced endurance. The MPS-PPM is a clinically feasible measure that detects limitations in physical performance and may have potential to quantify changes in function following intervention. Copyright 2004 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

  15. Gene Expression Correlated with Severe Asthma Characteristics Reveals Heterogeneous Mechanisms of Severe Disease.

    PubMed

    Modena, Brian D; Bleecker, Eugene R; Busse, William W; Erzurum, Serpil C; Gaston, Benjamin M; Jarjour, Nizar N; Meyers, Deborah A; Milosevic, Jadranka; Tedrow, John R; Wu, Wei; Kaminski, Naftali; Wenzel, Sally E

    2017-06-01

    Severe asthma (SA) is a heterogeneous disease with multiple molecular mechanisms. Gene expression studies of bronchial epithelial cells in individuals with asthma have provided biological insight and underscored possible mechanistic differences between individuals. Identify networks of genes reflective of underlying biological processes that define SA. Airway epithelial cell gene expression from 155 subjects with asthma and healthy control subjects in the Severe Asthma Research Program was analyzed by weighted gene coexpression network analysis to identify gene networks and profiles associated with SA and its specific characteristics (i.e., pulmonary function tests, quality of life scores, urgent healthcare use, and steroid use), which potentially identified underlying biological processes. A linear model analysis confirmed these findings while adjusting for potential confounders. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis constructed 64 gene network modules, including modules corresponding to T1 and T2 inflammation, neuronal function, cilia, epithelial growth, and repair mechanisms. Although no network selectively identified SA, genes in modules linked to epithelial growth and repair and neuronal function were markedly decreased in SA. Several hub genes of the epithelial growth and repair module were found located at the 17q12-21 locus, near a well-known asthma susceptibility locus. T2 genes increased with severity in those treated with corticosteroids but were also elevated in untreated, mild-to-moderate disease compared with healthy control subjects. T1 inflammation, especially when associated with increased T2 gene expression, was elevated in a subgroup of younger patients with SA. In this hypothesis-generating analysis, gene expression networks in relation to asthma severity provided potentially new insight into biological mechanisms associated with the development of SA and its phenotypes.

  16. Microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type I/III in sibs.

    PubMed Central

    Meinecke, P; Passarge, E

    1991-01-01

    The clinical and radiological findings in a pair of sibs with microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism (MOPD) are described, a boy who survived for 5 1/2 years and his more severely affected younger sister, who died at the age of 6 months. Neuropathological studies in this girl showed marked micrencephaly with severely hypoplastic, poorly gyrated frontal lobes and absent corpus callosum. Our observation supports the hypothesis that types I and III MOPD probably constitute a spectrum of one and the same entity and published data together with this report are consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance. The pathogenesis of this condition is as yet unknown, but its characteristics indicate a basic defect affecting cell proliferation and tissue differentiation. Images PMID:1770539

  17. Dispositional Mindfulness as a Predictor of the Severity of Gambling Outcomes

    PubMed Central

    Lakey, Chad E.; Campbell, W. Keith; Brown, Kirk Warren; Goodie, Adam S.

    2009-01-01

    Two studies were conducted to test and explain the relation of mindfulness to the severity of gambling outcomes among frequent gamblers. In both studies, dispositional mindfulness related to less severe gambling outcomes as measured by a DSM-IV-based screen for pathological gambling, even after controlling for gambling frequency and dispositional self-control. Study 2 extended this finding in showing that the association between mindfulness and lower pathological gambling was partially mediated by better performance on two risk-taking tasks that capture overconfidence, risky bet acceptance, and myopic focus on reward. These studies suggest a role for mindfulness in lessening the severity of gambling problems and making adaptive decisions, especially in risk-relevant contexts. PMID:19777140

  18. Clinical outcomes of interactive, intensive and individual (3i) play therapy for children with ASD: a two-year follow-up study.

    PubMed

    Tilmont Pittala, Elodie; Saint-Georges-Chaumet, Yann; Favrot, Claire; Tanet, Antoine; Cohen, David; Saint-Georges, Catherine

    2018-05-12

    The outcomes of psycho-educational interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) comorbid with severe to moderate intellectual disability (ID) are insufficiently documented. In this prospective study, we examined a developmental individual, interactive and intensive approach, called the '3i method', which is based on play therapy. Twenty DSM-IV-TR ASD subjects (mean chronological age 63.8 ± 37.8 months; mean developmental age 19.5 ± 6.6 months) were included and followed the 3i method for 24 months. Developmental and behavioural skills were assessed at baseline and after 24 months using the VABS, PEP-R and Nadel Imitation scale. Autism severity was evaluated using the Child Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R). After 2 years of the 3i method, our 3 primary outcome variables significantly increased (VABS developmental age of socialization increased by 83%, age of communication by 34%, and Nadel Imitation score by 53%). Almost all VABS and PEP-R domains significantly improved. Additionally, increases in the VABS socialization score were positively correlated with the total number of treatment hours and CARS score; all ADI-R areas significantly decreased; and diagnoses had changed in 47.5% of the subjects (37% for PDD-NOS and even 10.5% for ID without PDD). Children who followed the 3i method for 2 years had significantly improved behavioural and developmental skills and showed a clear decrease in autism severity. These results suggest that the 3i method may be useful for autistic children by improving their daily interactions with their social environment. was retrospectively registered on May 20th, 2014 by the French Agency for drug and health (ANSM) under number ID-RCB 2014-A00542-45, reference: B148558-31.

  19. Mucopolysaccharidosis type I in 21 Czech and Slovak patients: Mutation analysis suggests a functional importance of C-terminus of the IDUA protein

    PubMed Central

    Vazna, Alzbeta; Beesley, Clare; Berna, Linda; Stolnaja, Larisa; Myskova, Helena; Bouckova, Michaela; Vlaskova, Hana; Poupetova, Helena; Zeman, Jiri; Magner, Martin; Hlavata, Anna; Winchester, Bryan; Hrebicek, Martin; Dvorakova, Lenka

    2009-01-01

    Abstract Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder that is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme α-l-iduronidase (IDUA). Of the 21 Czech and Slovak patients who have been diagnosed with MPS I in the last 30 years, 16 have a severe clinical presentation (Hurler syndrome), 2 less severe manifestations (Scheie syndrome), and 3 an intermediate severity (Hurler/Scheie phenotype). Mutation analysis was performed in 20 MPS I patients and 39 mutant alleles were identified. There was a high prevalence of the null mutations p.W402X (12 alleles) and p.Q70X (7 alleles) in this cohort. Four of the 13 different mutations were novel: p.V620F (3 alleles), p.W626X (1 allele), c.1727 + 2T > G (1 allele) and c.1918_1927del (2 alleles). The pathogenicity of the novel mutations was verified by transient expression studies in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Seven haplotypes were observed in the patient alleles using 13 intragenic polymorphisms. One of the two haplotypes associated with the mutation p.Q70X was not found in any of the controls. Haplotype analysis showed, that mutations p.Q70X, p.V620F, and p.D315Y probably have more than one ancestor. Missense mutations localized predominantly in the hydrophobic core of the enzyme are associated with the severe phenotype, whereas missense mutations localized to the surface of the enzyme are usually associated with the attenuated phenotypes. Mutations in the 130 C-terminal amino acids lead to clinical manifestations, which indicates a functional importance of the C-terminus of the IDUA protein. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. PMID:19396826

  20. 31. Underside of tracks showing columns, concreteencased Ibeams, lateral bracing, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    31. Underside of tracks showing columns, concrete-encased I-beams, lateral bracing, and ramps. Looking south. - Stillwell Avenue Station, Intersection of Stillwell & Surf Avenues, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY

  1. DESIGN OF A TRAP GREASE UPGRADER FOR BIOFUEL PROCESSING - PHASE I

    EPA Science Inventory

    This project provides capstone senior design experience to several teams of engineering undergraduates at Drexel University through the technical and economic evaluation of a trap grease to biodiesel conversion process. The project incorporates two phases: Phase I characteri...

  2. Mouse Nuclear Myosin I Knock-Out Shows Interchangeability and Redundancy of Myosin Isoforms in the Cell Nucleus

    PubMed Central

    Venit, Tomáš; Dzijak, Rastislav; Kalendová, Alžběta; Kahle, Michal; Rohožková, Jana; Schmidt, Volker; Rülicke, Thomas; Rathkolb, Birgit; Hans, Wolfgang; Bohla, Alexander; Eickelberg, Oliver; Stoeger, Tobias; Wolf, Eckhard; Yildirim, Ali Önder; Gailus-Durner, Valérie; Fuchs, Helmut; de Angelis, Martin Hrabě; Hozák, Pavel

    2013-01-01

    Background Nuclear myosin I (NM1) is a nuclear isoform of the well-known “cytoplasmic” Myosin 1c protein (Myo1c). Located on the 11th chromosome in mice, NM1 results from an alternative start of transcription of the Myo1c gene adding an extra 16 amino acids at the N-terminus. Previous studies revealed its roles in RNA Polymerase I and RNA Polymerase II transcription, chromatin remodeling, and chromosomal movements. Its nuclear localization signal is localized in the middle of the molecule and therefore directs both Myosin 1c isoforms to the nucleus. Methodology/Principal Findings In order to trace specific functions of the NM1 isoform, we generated mice lacking the NM1 start codon without affecting the cytoplasmic Myo1c protein. Mutant mice were analyzed in a comprehensive phenotypic screen in cooperation with the German Mouse Clinic. Strikingly, no obvious phenotype related to previously described functions has been observed. However, we found minor changes in bone mineral density and the number and size of red blood cells in knock-out mice, which are most probably not related to previously described functions of NM1 in the nucleus. In Myo1c/NM1 depleted U2OS cells, the level of Pol I transcription was restored by overexpression of shRNA-resistant mouse Myo1c. Moreover, we found Myo1c interacting with Pol II. The ratio between Myo1c and NM1 proteins were similar in the nucleus and deletion of NM1 did not cause any compensatory overexpression of Myo1c protein. Conclusion/Significance We observed that Myo1c can replace NM1 in its nuclear functions. Amount of both proteins is nearly equal and NM1 knock-out does not cause any compensatory overexpression of Myo1c. We therefore suggest that both isoforms can substitute each other in nuclear processes. PMID:23593477

  3. Severe Hypocalcemia in a Patient with Recurrent Chondrosarcoma.

    PubMed

    Eun, Jung Nam; Choi, Yoo Duk; Lee, Jeong Ho; Jeong, Yun Ah; Yoon, Jee Hee; Kim, Hee Kyung; Kang, Ho-Cheol

    2017-01-01

    Hypocalcemia is relatively uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome. Only one case of hypocalcemia has been reported in a patient with chondrosarcoma. We herein report a case of a 32-year-old woman with metastatic chondrosarcoma with tetany. Her imaging findings revealed multiple calcific metastatic lesions in the lungs, pancreas, left atrium, and pulmonary vein. A laboratory examination showed hypocalcemia with no evidence of any other disease that could induce hypocalcemia. On the basis of the laboratory and clinical findings, we concluded the etiology of her severe hypocalcemia to be excessive calcium consumption by the tumor itself.

  4. Excretion and toxicity evaluation of 131I-Sennoside A as a necrosis-avid agent.

    PubMed

    Yin, Zhiqi; Sun, Lidan; Jin, Qiaomei; Song, Shaoli; Feng, Yuanbo; Liao, Hong; Ni, Yicheng; Zhang, Jian; Liu, Wei

    2017-11-01

    1. Sennoside A (SA) is a newly identified necrosis-avid agent that shows capability for imaging diagnosis and tumor necrosis targeted radiotherapy. As a water-soluble compound, 131 I-Sennoside A ( 131 I-SA) might be excreted predominately through the kidneys with the possibility of nephrotoxicity. 2. To further verify excretion pathway and examine nephrotoxicity of 131 I-SA, excretion and nephrotoxicity were appraised. The pharmacokinetics, hepatotoxicity and hematotoxicity of 131 I-SA were also evaluated to accelerate its possible clinical translation. All these studies were conducted in mice with ethanol-induced muscular necrosis following a single intravenous administration of 131I-SA at 18.5 MBq/kg or 370 MBq/kg. 3. Excretion data revealed that 131 I-SA was predominately (73.5% of the injected dose (% ID)) excreted via the kidneys with 69.5% ID detected in urine within 72 h post injection. Biodistribution study indicated that 131 I-SA exhibited initial high distribution in the kidneys but subsequently a fast renal clearance, which was further confirmed by the results of autoradiography and single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) imaging. The maximum necrotic to normal muscle ratio reached to 7.9-fold at 48 h post injection, which further verified the necrosis avidity of 131 I-SA. Pharmacokinetic parameters showed that 131 I-SA had fast blood clearance with an elimination half-life of 6.7 h. Various functional indexes were no significant difference (p > 0.05) between before administration and 1 d, 8 d, 16 d after administration. Histopathology showed no signs of tissue damage. 4. These data suggest 131 I-SA is a safe and promising necrosis-avid agent applicable in imaging diagnosis and tumor necrosis targeted radiotherapy.

  5. 32. Underside of tracks showing columns, concreteencased Ibeams, and ramps ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    32. Underside of tracks showing columns, concrete-encased I-beams, and ramps near storage room. Looking southwest. - Stillwell Avenue Station, Intersection of Stillwell & Surf Avenues, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY

  6. Fecal microbiota transplant in severe and severe-complicated Clostridium difficile: A promising treatment approach

    PubMed Central

    Fischer, Monika; Phelps, Emmalee; Rogers, Nicholas; Sagi, Sashidhar; Bohm, Matthew; Xu, Huiping; Kassam, Zain

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Severe and severe-complicated Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Colectomy is standard of care; however, post-surgical mortality rates approach 50%. Case reports suggest fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) is a promising treatment of severe and severe-complicated disease but there is a paucity of data. Here, we present a single center experience with a novel sequential FMT protocol for patients refractory to maximal medical therapy. This approach consists of at least one FMT delivered via colonoscopy with criteria for repeat FMT and continued vancomycin therapy based on clinical response and pseudomembranes. Our cohort included 57 consecutive inpatients diagnosed with severe or severe-complicated CDI and treated with FMT. Overall, 91% (52/57) experienced clinical cure at 1 month with a 100% cure rate among severe CDI (n = 19) patients and an 87% cure rate for severe-complicated CDI (n = 33) patients. For the cohort, the survival rate was 94.7% at 1 month and 78.6% at 3 months. There were no serious adverse events related to FMT including no procedure-related complications or perforation. There was no difference in outcome between fresh or frozen fecal material. Sequential FMT for inpatients with severe or severe-complicated CDI is promising and may be preferred over colectomy in certain patients. PMID:28001467

  7. Detecting severity of delamination in a lap joint using S-parameters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Islam, M. M.; Huang, H.

    2018-03-01

    The scattering parameters (S-parameters) represent the frequency response of a two-port linear time-invariant network. Treating a lap joint structure instrumented with two piezoelectric wafer active transducers (PWaTs) as such a network, this paper investigates the application of the S-parameters for detecting the severity of delamination in the lap joint. The pulse-echo signal calculated from the reflection coefficients, namely the S 11 and S 22-parameters, can be divided into three signals, i.e. the excitation, resonant, and echo signals, based on their respective time spans. Analyzing the effects of the delamination on the resonant signal enables us to identify the resonance at which the resonant characteristics of the PWaTs are least sensitive to the delamination. Only at this resonance, we found that the reflection coefficients and the amplitude of the first arrival echo signal changed monotonously with the increase of the delamination length. This discovery is further validated by the time-domain pitch-catch signal calculated from the transmission coefficient (i.e. the S 21-parameter). In addition, comparing the pulse-echo signals obtained from both PWaTs enables us to determine the side of the lap joint that the delamination is located at. This work establishes the S-parameters as an effective tool to evaluate the effects of damage on the PWaT resonant characteristics, based on which the PWaT resonance can be selected judiciously for damage severity detection. Correlating the reflection and transmission coefficients also provide addition validations that increase the detection confidence.

  8. Current concepts of severe asthma

    PubMed Central

    Raundhal, Mahesh; Oriss, Timothy B.; Ray, Prabir; Wenzel, Sally E.

    2016-01-01

    The term asthma encompasses a disease spectrum with mild to very severe disease phenotypes whose traditional common characteristic is reversible airflow limitation. Unlike milder disease, severe asthma is poorly controlled by the current standard of care. Ongoing studies using advanced molecular and immunological tools along with improved clinical classification show that severe asthma does not identify a specific patient phenotype, but rather includes patients with constant medical needs, whose pathobiologic and clinical characteristics vary widely. Accordingly, in recent clinical trials, therapies guided by specific patient characteristics have had better outcomes than previous therapies directed to any subject with a diagnosis of severe asthma. However, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the full scope of this disease that hinder the development of effective treatments for all severe asthmatics. In this Review, we discuss our current state of knowledge regarding severe asthma, highlighting different molecular and immunological pathways that can be targeted for future therapeutic development. PMID:27367183

  9. Skeletal Class lll severe openbite treatment using implant anchorage.

    PubMed

    Sakai, Yuichi; Kuroda, Shingo; Murshid, Sakhr A; Takano-Yamamoto, Teruko

    2008-01-01

    A female patient with a skeletal Class III severe anterior openbite was treated using miniplates as the anchorage. The patient was 15 years and 10 months of age when she reported to our university hospital with a chief complaint of anterior openbite and reversed occlusion. The patient had an anterior openbite with an overjet of -3.0 mm and overbite of -5.0 mm and a Class III molar relationship. The cephalometric analysis showed a skeletal Class III relationship (ANB 0 degrees ). After the extraction of the bilateral mandibular third molars, miniplates were placed in the mandibular external oblique line. The mandibular dentition was retracted using elastic chain and miniplates. After treatment, an Angle Class I molar relationship was achieved and overjet and overbite had become 2.0 mm and 1.5 mm. A good facial appearance and occlusal relationship were obtained. The total active orthodontic treatment period was 23 months. Wrap-around type retainers were placed on both jaws and a lingual bonded retainer was also attached in the mandibular incisors. After 1 year of retention, the occlusion was stable, and a good facial profile was also retained. The mandibular deviation to the left was improved and the strain in the circumoral musculature during lip closure disappeared. An appropriate interincisal relationship was achieved by the uprighting of mandibular dentition without changing the vertical intermaxillary relationship. A panoramic radiograph showed no marked root resorption. Our results suggest that implant anchorage is useful for correction of skeletal Class III severe anterior openbite cases.

  10. On I/O Virtualization Management

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Danciu, Vitalian A.; Metzker, Martin G.

    The quick adoption of virtualization technology in general and the advent of the Cloud business model entail new requirements on the structure and the configuration of back-end I/O systems. Several approaches to virtualization of I/O links are being introduced, which aim at implementing a more flexible I/O channel configuration without compromising performance. While previously the management of I/O devices could be limited to basic technical requirments (e.g. the establishment and termination of fixed-point links), the additional flexibility carries in its wake additional management requirements on the representation and control of I/O sub-systems.

  11. 125. ARAI Contaminated waste storage tank (ARA729). Shows location of ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    125. ARA-I Contaminated waste storage tank (ARA-729). Shows location of tank on the ARA-I site, section views, connecting pipeline, and other details. Norman Engineering Company 961-area/SF-301-3. Date: January 1959. Ineel index code no. 068-0301-00-613-102711. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Army Reactors Experimental Area, Scoville, Butte County, ID

  12. Complex regional pain syndrome type I (RSD): pathology of skeletal muscle and peripheral nerve.

    PubMed

    van der Laan, L; ter Laak, H J; Gabreëls-Festen, A; Gabreëls, F; Goris, R J

    1998-07-01

    Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) (recently reclassified as complex regional pain syndrome type I) is a syndrome occurring in extremities and, when chronic, results in severe disability and untractable pain. RSD may be accompanied by neurologic symptoms even when there is no previous neurologic lesion. There is no consensus as to the pathogenic mechanism involved in RSD. To gain insight into the pathophysiology of RSD, we studied histopathology of skeletal muscle and peripheral nerve from patients with chronic RSD in a lower extremity. In eight patients with chronic RSD, an above-the-knee amputation was performed because of a nonfunctional limb. Specimens of sural nerves, tibial nerves, common peroneal nerves, gastrocnemius muscles, and soleus muscles were obtained from the amputated legs and analyzed by light and electron microscopy. In all patients, the affected leg showed similar neurologic symptoms such as spontaneous pain, hyperpathy, allodynia, paresis, and anesthesia dolorosa. The nerves showed no consistent abnormalities of myelinated fibers. In four patients, the C-fibers showed electron microscopic pathology. In all patients, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle specimens showed a decrease of type I fibers, an increase of lipofuscin pigment, atrophic fibers, and severely thickened basal membrane layers of the capillaries. In chronic RSD, efferent nerve fibers were histologically unaffected; from afferent fibers, only C-fibers showed histopathologic abnormalities. Skeletal muscle showed a variety of histopathologic findings, which are similar to the histologic abnormalities found in muscles of patients with diabetes.

  13. Psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Cognitive Reserve Scale (I-CRS).

    PubMed

    Altieri, Manuela; Siciliano, Mattia; Pappacena, Simona; Roldán-Tapia, María Dolores; Trojano, Luigi; Santangelo, Gabriella

    2018-05-04

    The original definition of cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the individual differences in cognitive performance after a brain damage or pathology. Several proxies were proposed to evaluate CR (education, occupational attainment, premorbid IQ, leisure activities). Recently, some scales were developed to measure CR taking into account several cognitively stimulating activities. The aim of this study is to adapt the Cognitive Reserve Scale (I-CRS) for the Italian population and to explore its psychometric properties. I-CRS was administered to 547 healthy participants, ranging from 18 to 89 years old, along with neuropsychological and behavioral scales to evaluate cognitive functioning, depressive symptoms, and apathy. Cronbach's α, corrected item-total correlations, and the inter-item correlation matrix were calculated to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale. Linear regression analysis was performed to build a correction grid of the I-CRS according to demographic variables. Correlational analyses were performed to explore the relationships between I-CRS and neuropsychological and behavioral scales. We found that age, sex, and education influenced the I-CRS score. Young adults and adults obtained higher I-CRS scores than elderly adults; women and participants with high educational attainment scored higher on I-CRS than men and participants with low education. I-CRS score correlated poorly with cognitive and depression scale scores, but moderately with apathy scale scores. I-CRS showed good psychometric properties and seemed to be a useful tool to assess CR in every adult life stage. Moreover, our findings suggest that apathy rather than depressive symptoms may interfere with the building of CR across the lifespan.

  14. Impact of high 131I-activities on quantitative 124I-PET

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Braad, P. E. N.; Hansen, S. B.; Høilund-Carlsen, P. F.

    2015-07-01

    Peri-therapeutic 124 I-PET/CT is of interest as guidance for radioiodine therapy. Unfortunately, image quality is complicated by dead time effects and increased random coincidence rates from high 131 I-activities. A series of phantom experiments with clinically relevant 124 I/131 I-activities were performed on a clinical PET/CT-system. Noise equivalent count rate (NECR) curves and quantitation accuracy were determined from repeated scans performed over several weeks on a decaying NEMA NU-2 1994 cylinder phantom initially filled with 25 MBq 124 I and 1250 MBq 131 I. Six spherical inserts with diameters 10-37 mm were filled with 124 I (0.45 MBq ml-1 ) and 131 I (22 MBq ml-1 ) and placed inside the background of the NEMA/IEC torso phantom. Contrast recovery, background variability and the accuracy of scatter and attenuation corrections were assessed at sphere-to-background activity ratios of 20, 10 and 5. Results were compared to pure 124 I-acquisitions. The quality of 124 I-PET images in the presence of high 131 I-activities was good and image quantification unaffected except at very high count rates. Quantitation accuracy and contrast recovery were uninfluenced at 131 I-activities below 1000 MBq, whereas image noise was slightly increased. The NECR peaked at 550 MBq of 131 I, where it was 2.8 times lower than without 131 I in the phantom. Quantitative peri-therapeutic 124 I-PET is feasible.

  15. Mice deficient for the secreted glycoprotein SPARC/osteonectin/BM40 develop normally but show severe age-onset cataract formation and disruption of the lens.

    PubMed Central

    Gilmour, D T; Lyon, G J; Carlton, M B; Sanes, J R; Cunningham, J M; Anderson, J R; Hogan, B L; Evans, M J; Colledge, W H

    1998-01-01

    SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, also known as osteonectin/BM40) is a secreted Ca2+-binding glycoprotein that interacts with a range of extracellular matrix molecules, including collagen IV. It is widely expressed during embryogenesis, and in vitro studies have suggested roles in the regulation of cell adhesion and proliferation, and in the modulation of cytokine activity. In order to analyse the function of this protein in vivo, the endogenous Sparc locus was disrupted by homologous recombination in murine embryonic stem cells. SPARC-deficient mice (Sparctm1Cam) appear normal and fertile until around 6 months of age, when they develop severe eye pathology characterized by cataract formation and rupture of the lens capsule. The first sign of lens pathology occurs in the equatorial bow region where vacuoles gradually form within differentiating epithelial cells and fibre cells. The lens capsule, however, shows no qualitative changes in the major basal lamina proteins laminin, collagen IV, perlecan or entactin. These mice are an excellent resource for further studies on how SPARC affects cell behaviour in vivo. PMID:9524110

  16. Winter severity determines functional trait composition of phytoplankton in seasonally ice-covered lakes.

    PubMed

    Özkundakci, Deniz; Gsell, Alena S; Hintze, Thomas; Täuscher, Helgard; Adrian, Rita

    2016-01-01

    How climate change will affect the community dynamics and functionality of lake ecosystems during winter is still little understood. This is also true for phytoplankton in seasonally ice-covered temperate lakes which are particularly vulnerable to the presence or absence of ice. We examined changes in pelagic phytoplankton winter community structure in a north temperate lake (Müggelsee, Germany), covering 18 winters between 1995 and 2013. We tested how phytoplankton taxa composition varied along a winter-severity gradient and to what extent winter severity shaped the functional trait composition of overwintering phytoplankton communities using multivariate statistical analyses and a functional trait-based approach. We hypothesized that overwintering phytoplankton communities are dominated by taxa with trait combinations corresponding to the prevailing winter water column conditions, using ice thickness measurements as a winter-severity indicator. Winter severity had little effect on univariate diversity indicators (taxon richness and evenness), but a strong relationship was found between the phytoplankton community structure and winter severity when taxon trait identity was taken into account. Species responses to winter severity were mediated by the key functional traits: motility, nutritional mode, and the ability to form resting stages. Accordingly, one or the other of two functional groups dominated the phytoplankton biomass during mild winters (i.e., thin or no ice cover; phototrophic taxa) or severe winters (i.e., thick ice cover; exclusively motile taxa). Based on predicted milder winters for temperate regions and a reduction in ice-cover durations, phytoplankton communities during winter can be expected to comprise taxa that have a relative advantage when the water column is well mixed (i.e., need not be motile) and light is less limiting (i.e., need not be mixotrophic). A potential implication of this result is that winter severity promotes different

  17. A case study of deer-vehicle accidents on I-64.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1971-01-01

    This case study of interstate fencing has indicated several findings which should be reviewed by the Virginia Department of Highways Environmental Quality Division. The major findings are: 1. Approximately 55 deer-vehicle collisions occurred on I-64 ...

  18. Severe Extracellular Matrix Abnormalities and Chondrodysplasia in Mice Lacking Collagen Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase Isoenzyme II in Combination with a Reduced Amount of Isoenzyme I.

    PubMed

    Aro, Ellinoora; Salo, Antti M; Khatri, Richa; Finnilä, Mikko; Miinalainen, Ilkka; Sormunen, Raija; Pakkanen, Outi; Holster, Tiina; Soininen, Raija; Prein, Carina; Clausen-Schaumann, Hauke; Aszódi, Attila; Tuukkanen, Juha; Kivirikko, Kari I; Schipani, Ernestina; Myllyharju, Johanna

    2015-07-03

    Collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylases (C-P4H-I, C-P4H-II, and C-P4H-III) catalyze formation of 4-hydroxyproline residues required to form triple-helical collagen molecules. Vertebrate C-P4Hs are α2β2 tetramers differing in their catalytic α subunits. C-P4H-I is the major isoenzyme in most cells, and inactivation of its catalytic subunit (P4ha1(-/-)) leads to embryonic lethality in mouse, whereas P4ha1(+/-) mice have no abnormalities. To study the role of C-P4H-II, which predominates in chondrocytes, we generated P4ha2(-/-) mice. Surprisingly, they had no apparent phenotypic abnormalities. To assess possible functional complementarity, we established P4ha1(+/-);P4ha2(-/-) mice. They were smaller than their littermates, had moderate chondrodysplasia, and developed kyphosis. A transient inner cell death phenotype was detected in their developing growth plates. The columnar arrangement of proliferative chondrocytes was impaired, the amount of 4-hydroxyproline and the Tm of collagen II were reduced, and the extracellular matrix was softer in the growth plates of newborn P4ha1(+/-);P4ha2(-/-) mice. No signs of uncompensated ER stress were detected in the mutant growth plate chondrocytes. Some of these defects were also found in P4ha2(-/-) mice, although in a much milder form. Our data show that C-P4H-I can to a large extent compensate for the lack of C-P4H-II in proper endochondral bone development, but their combined partial and complete inactivation, respectively, leads to biomechanically impaired extracellular matrix, moderate chondrodysplasia, and kyphosis. Our mouse data suggest that inactivating mutations in human P4HA2 are not likely to lead to skeletal disorders, and a simultaneous decrease in P4HA1 function would most probably be required to generate such a disease phenotype. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  19. Severe Extracellular Matrix Abnormalities and Chondrodysplasia in Mice Lacking Collagen Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase Isoenzyme II in Combination with a Reduced Amount of Isoenzyme I*

    PubMed Central

    Aro, Ellinoora; Salo, Antti M.; Khatri, Richa; Finnilä, Mikko; Miinalainen, Ilkka; Sormunen, Raija; Pakkanen, Outi; Holster, Tiina; Soininen, Raija; Prein, Carina; Clausen-Schaumann, Hauke; Aszódi, Attila; Tuukkanen, Juha; Kivirikko, Kari I.; Schipani, Ernestina; Myllyharju, Johanna

    2015-01-01

    Collagen prolyl 4-hydroxylases (C-P4H-I, C-P4H-II, and C-P4H-III) catalyze formation of 4-hydroxyproline residues required to form triple-helical collagen molecules. Vertebrate C-P4Hs are α2β2 tetramers differing in their catalytic α subunits. C-P4H-I is the major isoenzyme in most cells, and inactivation of its catalytic subunit (P4ha1−/−) leads to embryonic lethality in mouse, whereas P4ha1+/− mice have no abnormalities. To study the role of C-P4H-II, which predominates in chondrocytes, we generated P4ha2−/− mice. Surprisingly, they had no apparent phenotypic abnormalities. To assess possible functional complementarity, we established P4ha1+/−;P4ha2−/− mice. They were smaller than their littermates, had moderate chondrodysplasia, and developed kyphosis. A transient inner cell death phenotype was detected in their developing growth plates. The columnar arrangement of proliferative chondrocytes was impaired, the amount of 4-hydroxyproline and the Tm of collagen II were reduced, and the extracellular matrix was softer in the growth plates of newborn P4ha1+/−;P4ha2−/− mice. No signs of uncompensated ER stress were detected in the mutant growth plate chondrocytes. Some of these defects were also found in P4ha2−/− mice, although in a much milder form. Our data show that C-P4H-I can to a large extent compensate for the lack of C-P4H-II in proper endochondral bone development, but their combined partial and complete inactivation, respectively, leads to biomechanically impaired extracellular matrix, moderate chondrodysplasia, and kyphosis. Our mouse data suggest that inactivating mutations in human P4HA2 are not likely to lead to skeletal disorders, and a simultaneous decrease in P4HA1 function would most probably be required to generate such a disease phenotype. PMID:26001784

  20. Severe cerebral white matter involvement in a case of dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy studied at autopsy.

    PubMed

    Muñoz, Esteban; Campdelacreu, Jaume; Ferrer, Isidre; Rey, María J; Cardozo, Adriana; Gómez, Beatriz; Tolosa, Eduardo

    2004-06-01

    The pathophysiology of white matter involvement in dentatorubropallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is controversial. Moreover, the clinical repercussions and evolution of these lesions have not been well documented. To describe a case of DRPLA with severe cerebellar white matter involvement. Case report. Patient A 62-year-old woman with DRPLA. When the genetic diagnosis was made, the patient manifested severe ataxia, slight dysarthria, and subcortical cognitive impairment. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed atrophy of the cerebellum and brainstem and moderate high-intensity signal alterations in the periventricular cerebral white matter in T2-weighted sequences. In the following 5 years, she developed uncontrolled head movements associated with severe bruxism and tetraparesis, and became deeply demented. New magnetic resonance imaging showed severe diffuse cerebral white matter alterations in T2 sequences with only slight progression of brainstem and cerebellar atrophy. After her death at 67 years of age, the autopsy study showed diffuse myelin pallor, axonal preservation, and reactive astrogliosis in the cerebral white matter, with only mild atherosclerotic changes, and moderate neuronal loss in the cerebellum and brainstem. Leukoencephalopathy could be a prominent finding in some patients with DRPLA, explaining, at least in part, their clinical evolution. In our case, the disproportion between the severity of white matter damage and vascular changes does not support a cardinal role for ischemic mechanisms in leukoencephalopathy.

  1. Detail, east side, north end, showing door and overhead rail ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    Detail, east side, north end, showing door and overhead rail for refrigeration room. - Fitzsimons General Hospital, Ice Plant, Southwest Corner of East I Avenue & North Thirteenth Street, Aurora, Adams County, CO

  2. In utero copper treatment for Menkes disease associated with a severe ATP7A mutation

    PubMed Central

    Haddad, Marie Reine; Macri, Charles J.; Holmes, Courtney S.; Goldstein, David S.; Jacobson, Beryl E.; Centeno, Jose A.; Popek, Edwina J.; Gahl, Willam A.; Kaler, Stephen G.

    2012-01-01

    Menkes disease is a lethal X-linked recessive neurodegenerative disorder of copper transport caused by mutations in ATP7A, which encodes a copper-transporting ATPase. Early postnatal treatment with copper injections often improves clinical outcomes in affected infants. While Menkes disease newborns appear normal neurologically, analyses of fetal tissues including placenta indicate abnormal copper distribution and suggest a prenatal onset of the metal transport defect. In an affected fetus whose parents found termination unacceptable and who understood the associated risks, we began in utero copper histidine treatment at 31.5 weeks gestational age. Copper histidine (900 μg per dose) was administered directly to the fetus by intramuscular injection (fetal quadriceps or gluteus) under ultrasound guidance. Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling enabled serial measurement of fetal copper and ceruloplasmin levels that were used to guide therapy over a four-week period. Fetal copper levels rose from 17 μg/dL prior to treatment to 45 μg/dL, and ceruloplasmin levels from 39 mg/L to 122 mg/L. After pulmonary maturity was confirmed biochemically, the baby was delivered at 35.5 weeks and daily copper histidine therapy (250 μg sc b.i.d.) was begun. Despite this very early intervention with copper, the infant showed hypotonia, developmental delay, and electroencephalographic abnormalities and died of respiratory failure at 5.5 months of age. The patient’s ATP7A mutation, which severely disrupted mRNA splicing, resulted in complete absence of ATP7A protein on Western blots. These investigations suggest that prenatally initiated copper replacement is inadequate to correct Menkes disease caused by severe loss-of-function mutations, and that postnatal ATP7A gene addition represents a rational approach in such circumstances. PMID:22695177

  3. Heart failure severity, inappropriate ICD therapy, and novel ICD programming: a MADIT-RIT substudy.

    PubMed

    Daimee, Usama A; Vermilye, Katherine; Rosero, Spencer; Schuger, Claudio D; Daubert, James P; Zareba, Wojciech; McNitt, Scott; Polonsky, Bronislava; Moss, Arthur J; Kutyifa, Valentina

    2017-12-01

    The effects of heart failure (HF) severity on risk of inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy have not been thoroughly investigated. We aimed to study the association between HF severity and inappropriate ICD therapy in MADIT-RIT. MADIT-RIT randomized 1,500 patients to three ICD programming arms: conventional (Arm A), high-rate cut-off (Arm B: ≥200 beats/min), and delayed therapy (Arm C: 60-second delay for ≥170 beats/min). We evaluated the association between New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III (n = 256) versus class I-II (n = 251) and inappropriate ICD therapy in Arm A patients with ICD-only and cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D). We additionally assessed benefit of novel ICD programming in Arms B and C versus Arm A by NYHA classification. In Arm A, the risk of inappropriate therapy was significantly higher in those with NYHA III versus NYHA I-II for both ICD (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.55, confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-4.30, P < 0.001) and CRT-D patients (HR = 3.73, CI: 1.14-12.23, P = 0.030). This was consistent for inappropriate ATP and inappropriate ICD therapy < 200 beats/min, but not for inappropriate shocks. Novel ICD programming significantly reduced inappropriate therapy in patients with both NYHA III (Arm B vs Arm A: HR = 0.08, P < 0.001; Arm C vs Arm A: HR = 0.17, P < 0.001) and NYHA I-II (Arm B vs Arm A: HR = 0.25, P < 0.001; Arm C vs Arm A: HR = 0.28, P < 0.001). Patients with more severe HF are at increased risk for inappropriate ICD therapy, particularly ATP due to arrhythmias < 200 beats/min. Novel programming with high-rate cut-off or delayed detection reduces inappropriate ICD therapies in both mild and moderate HF. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. 30 CFR 57.22222 - Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22222 Section 57.22222 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH....22222 Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines). Brattice cloth and...

  5. 30 CFR 57.22222 - Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22222 Section 57.22222 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH....22222 Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines). Brattice cloth and...

  6. Theoretical estimation of 13C-D clumped isotope effects in methyl of several organic compound

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    LIU, Q.; Yin, X.; Liu, Y.

    2015-12-01

    Recent developments in mass spectrometry and tunable infrared laser direct absorption spectroscopy make it possible to measure 13C-D clumped isotope effects of methane. These techniques can be further applied to determine 13C-D clumped isotope effects of methyl fragments, therefore need accurate equilirbium Δi values to calibrate experimental measurements. In this study, we calculate temperature depandences of 13C-D clumped isotope signatures in methyl of several organic compounds including ethane, propane, acetic acid, etc. Our calculation are performed at CCSD/6-311+G(3df,3pd) by using Gaussian 03 program with no scale treament. Our results show that the Δi values of 13C-D clumping in methyl fragments of different organic compounds yield similar signals (~5.5‰ at 25˚C, slightly lower than Δi value of 13C-D clumping in methane). For testing the calculated accuracy, theoretical treaments beyond the harmonic level by including several higher-order corrections to the Bigeleisen-Mayer equation are used. Contributions from higher-order corrections (e.g., AnZPE, AnEXC, VrZPE, VrEXC, QmCorr and CenDist) are estimated to repire the ignorings of the Bigeleisen-Mayer equation (the anharmonic effects of vibration, vibration-rotation coupling, quantum mechanics and centrifugal distortion for rotation, etc.) for the calculation of partition function ratios. The results show that the higher-order corrections contribute ~0.05‰ at 25˚C, which is similar to the contribution for calculating 13C-D clumped isotope signature of methane. By comparing our calculated frequencies to the measured ones, the uncertainty of our calculation of Δi values 13C-D clumping in methyl fragments is considered to be within ~0.05‰ at room temperature.

  7. Tubastatin, a selective histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor shows anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects.

    PubMed

    Vishwakarma, Santosh; Iyer, Lakshmi R; Muley, Milind; Singh, Pankaj Kumar; Shastry, Arun; Saxena, Ambrish; Kulathingal, Jayanarayan; Vijaykanth, G; Raghul, J; Rajesh, Navin; Rathinasamy, Suresh; Kachhadia, Virendra; Kilambi, Narasimhan; Rajgopal, Sridharan; Balasubramanian, Gopalan; Narayanan, Shridhar

    2013-05-01

    Epigenetic modifications represent a promising new approach to modulate cell functions as observed in autoimmune diseases. Emerging evidence suggests the utility of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of chronic immune and inflammatory disorders. However, class and isoform selective inhibition of HDAC is currently favored as it limits the toxicity that has been observed with pan-HDAC inhibitors. HDAC6, a member of the HDAC family, whose major substrate is α-tubulin, is being increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders. The present study was carried out to study the potential anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects of HDAC6 selective inhibitor Tubastatin. Tubastatin, a potent human HDAC6 inhibitor with an IC50 of 11 nM showed significant inhibition of TNF-α and IL-6 in LPS stimulated human THP-1 macrophages with an IC50 of 272 nM and 712 nM respectively. Additionally, Tubastatin inhibited nitric oxide (NO) secretion in murine Raw 264.7 macrophages dose dependently with an IC50 of 4.2 μM and induced α-tubulin hyperacetylation corresponding to HDAC6 inhibition in THP-1 cells without affecting the cell viability. Tubastatin showed significant inhibition of paw volume at 30 mg/kg i.p. in a Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced animal model of inflammation. The disease modifying activity of Tubastatin was also evident in collagen induced arthritis DBA1 mouse model at 30 mg/kg i.p. The significant attenuation of clinical scores (~70%) by Tubastatin was confirmed histopathologically and was found comparable to dexamethasone (~90% inhibition of clinical scores). Tubastatin showed significant inhibition of IL-6 in paw tissues of arthritic mice. The present work has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic effects of a selective HDAC6 inhibitor Tubastatin. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Socio-Hydrological Observatory for Water Security (SHOWS): Examples of Adaptation Strategies With Next Challenges from Brazilian Risk Areas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Souza, F. A. A. D.; Mendiondo, E. M.; Taffarello, D.; Guzmán-Arias, D.; Fava, M. C.; Abreu, F.; Freitas, C. C.; de Macedo, M. B.; Estrada, C. R.; do Lago, C. A.

    2017-12-01

    In Brazil, more than 40,000 hot-spot areas, with vulnerable human settlements with ca. 120 million inhabitants and responsible of 60% of Brazilian Gross Net Product, are threatened by hydrological-driven disaster risks. In these areas, local resilient actions and adaptation strategies do integrate the current Brazilian Act and Regulation of Laws of urban waters, climate change and civil protection. However, these initiatives are still under slow progress, especially to cope with floods, landslides, droughts, progressive biodiversity losses and energy burnouts. Here we address these hot-spots through the concept of Socio-Hydrological Observatory for Water Security (SHOWS), with a mix of adaptation strategies, open-source, big data analysis and societal feedbacks. On the one hand, SHOWS merges strategies like the dynamic framework of water security (Srinivasan et al, 2017), drought risk mapping (Rossato et al, 2017) and water securitization under varying water demand and climate change until year 2100 (Mohor & Mendiondo, 2017; Guzmán-Arias et al, 2017). SHOWS acknowledges different perspectives of water insecurity, several spatiotemporal scales and regime shifts in socio-hydrologic systems. On the one hand, SHOWS links field monitoring during water insecurity hazards (Taffarello et al, 2016), ecosystem-based adaptation networks, and decision-making and big data sources to disaster management (Horita et al, 2017). By using selected examples from two Brazilian running interdisciplinary research aliances, i.e. CAPES-ProAlertas CEMADEN-CEPED/USP and the CNPq/FAPESP National Institute of Science & Technology on Climate Change-II Water Security, we also face the limits, the pros and cons of SHOWS' assumptions. Through real-cases paradoxes, (i.e. 2013/2014 drought), water dashboards and coevolution trends (i.e. impacts on river basin committees from scenarios until 2050, 2100 in NE & SE Brazil), SHOWS helps on guiding decisionmaking for next societal steps of water

  9. 30. Underside of tracks showing columns, concreteencased Ibeams, and ramps ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    30. Underside of tracks showing columns, concrete-encased I-beams, and ramps near token booths at street level. Looking southeast. - Stillwell Avenue Station, Intersection of Stillwell & Surf Avenues, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY

  10. 36 CFR 1201.9 - What rights do I have as a debtor?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... ADMINISTRATION GENERAL RULES COLLECTION OF CLAIMS Introduction § 1201.9 What rights do I have as a debtor? As a debtor you have several basic rights. You have a right to: (a) Notice as set forth in these regulations...

  11. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency: A Case Series and Review from a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital.

    PubMed

    Fallah, Shahrzad; Mesdaghi, Mehrnaz; Mansouri, Mahboubeh; Babaei, Delara; Karimi, Abdollah; Fahimzad, Seyed Alireza; Armin, Shahnaz; Rafiei Tabatabaei, Sedigheh; Azma, Roxana; Khanbabaee, Ghamartaj; Bashardoost, Bahram; Amirmoeini, Mehrdad; Sadr, Saeed; Jalilianhasanpour, Rozita; Ghanaei, Roxana; Rezaei, Nima; Chavoshzadeh, Zahra

    2018-04-01

    Severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID) is a life-threatening condition leading to early infant death as a result of severe infection, due to impaired cellular and humoral immune systems. Various forms of SCID are classified based on the presence or absence of T cells, B cells and natural killer cells. Patients usually present with recurrent infections and failure to thrive. Definitive treatment is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. To achieve the best outcome, it should be performed prior to the development of severe infection. In This study, we described 10 patients (6 male and 4 female) with SCID who were admitted to Mofid Children Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from 2006 to 2013. We reviewed patients' clinical manifestation, laboratory data, family history and outcome. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 131.8 days. One patient had non-consanguineous parents. Seven patients received BCG vaccine before the diagnosis of SCID, three of them showed disseminated BCG infection. One patient presented with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed T⁻B⁺NK⁻ in three patients, T⁻B⁻NK⁺ in five patients, T⁻B⁻NK⁻ in one patient, and T⁻B⁺NK⁺ in one patient. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and patient referral before the occurrence of serious infection.

  12. Gene Expression Correlated with Severe Asthma Characteristics Reveals Heterogeneous Mechanisms of Severe Disease

    PubMed Central

    Modena, Brian D.; Bleecker, Eugene R.; Busse, William W.; Erzurum, Serpil C.; Gaston, Benjamin M.; Jarjour, Nizar N.; Meyers, Deborah A.; Milosevic, Jadranka; Tedrow, John R.; Wu, Wei; Kaminski, Naftali

    2017-01-01

    Rationale: Severe asthma (SA) is a heterogeneous disease with multiple molecular mechanisms. Gene expression studies of bronchial epithelial cells in individuals with asthma have provided biological insight and underscored possible mechanistic differences between individuals. Objectives: Identify networks of genes reflective of underlying biological processes that define SA. Methods: Airway epithelial cell gene expression from 155 subjects with asthma and healthy control subjects in the Severe Asthma Research Program was analyzed by weighted gene coexpression network analysis to identify gene networks and profiles associated with SA and its specific characteristics (i.e., pulmonary function tests, quality of life scores, urgent healthcare use, and steroid use), which potentially identified underlying biological processes. A linear model analysis confirmed these findings while adjusting for potential confounders. Measurements and Main Results: Weighted gene coexpression network analysis constructed 64 gene network modules, including modules corresponding to T1 and T2 inflammation, neuronal function, cilia, epithelial growth, and repair mechanisms. Although no network selectively identified SA, genes in modules linked to epithelial growth and repair and neuronal function were markedly decreased in SA. Several hub genes of the epithelial growth and repair module were found located at the 17q12–21 locus, near a well-known asthma susceptibility locus. T2 genes increased with severity in those treated with corticosteroids but were also elevated in untreated, mild-to-moderate disease compared with healthy control subjects. T1 inflammation, especially when associated with increased T2 gene expression, was elevated in a subgroup of younger patients with SA. Conclusions: In this hypothesis-generating analysis, gene expression networks in relation to asthma severity provided potentially new insight into biological mechanisms associated with the development of SA and its

  13. Severe infantile leigh syndrome associated with a rare mitochondrial ND6 mutation, m.14487T>C.

    PubMed

    Tarnopolsky, Mark; Meaney, Brandon; Robinson, Brian; Sheldon, Katherine; Boles, Richard G

    2013-08-01

    We describe a case of severe infantile-onset complex I deficiency in association with an apparent de novo near-homoplasmic mutation (m.14487T>C) in the mitochondrial ND6 gene, which was previously associated with Leigh syndrome and other neurological disorders. The mutation was near-homoplasmic in muscle by NextGen sequencing (99.4% mutant), homoplasmic in muscle by Sanger sequencing, and it was associated with a severe complex I deficiency in both muscle and fibroblasts. This supports previous data regarding Leigh syndrome being on the severe end of a phenotypic spectrum including progressive myoclonic epilepsy, childhood-onset dystonia, bilateral striatal necrosis, and optic atrophy, depending on the proportion of mutant heteroplasmy. While the mother in all previously reported cases was heteroplasmic, the mother and brother of this case were homoplasmic for the wild-type, m.14487T. Importantly, the current data demonstrate the potential for cases of mutations that were previously reported to be homoplasmic by Sanger sequencing to be less homoplasmic by NextGen sequencing. This case underscores the importance of considering mitochondrial DNA mutations in families with a negative family history, even in offspring of those who have tested negative for a specific mtDNA mutation. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. RADIOACTIVE IODINE THERAPY WITHOUT RECENT ANTITHYROID DRUG PRETREATMENT FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM COMPLICATED BY SEVERE HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA DUE TO HEPATIC DYSFUNCTION: EXPERIENCE OF A CHINESE MEDICAL CENTER.

    PubMed

    Ding, Yong; Xing, Jialiu; Qiu, Zewu; Wang, Yong; Zhang, Youren; Fang, Yi; Peng, Xiaobo; Long, Yahong; Deng, Pei

    2016-02-01

    The objective of this work is to report our experience with (131)I therapy without recent antithyroid drug (ATD) pretreatment for refractory severe hyperthyroidism complicated by hyperbilirubinemia due to hepatic dysfunction. Five patients with refractory severe hyperthyroidism were treated with (131)I at 90 to 120 μCi/g-thyroid (total activity, 6.2 to 10.1 mCi). The patients previously had received ATD treatment from 2 months to 12 years and discontinued ATDs from 2 months to 4 years before (131)I treatment due to treatment failure or severe jaundice. Prior to (131)I therapy, the patients were asked to take a low-iodine diet and were treated with bisoprolol fumarate, digoxin, furosemide, S-adenosylmethionine, polyene phosphatidylcholine, and plasma exchange as supportive treatment for related clinical conditions. Four of the patients also received lithium carbonate in conjunction with their (131)I treatment. The patients were followed for 4 to 9 years after (131)I therapy. After (131)I treatment, jaundice disappeared completely within 3 to 4 months in all patients, and liver function tests returned to normal. Concurrent atrial fibrillation and heart failure, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, or thrombocytopenia and left cardiac enlargement improved remarkably in 3 patients during the follow-up period. Three to 45 months after (131)I treatment, hypothyroidism was noted in the patients and they were treated with L-thyroxine replacement therapy. (131)I therapy without recent ATD pretreatment for refractory severe hyperthyroidism complicated by serious jaundice appears to be safe and effective, with good long-term results. It may be the preferred therapy for such patients and should be used as early as possible.

  15. Transformation of sintered CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals to cubic CsPbI 3 and gradient CsPbBr xI 3–x through halide exchange

    DOE PAGES

    Hoffman, Jacob B.; Schleper, A. Lennart; Kamat, Prashant V.

    2016-06-20

    All-inorganic cesium lead halide (CsPbX 3, X = Br –, I –) perovskites could potentially provide comparable photovoltaic performance with enhanced stability compared to organic–inorganic lead halide species. However, small-bandgap cubic CsPbI3 has been difficult to study due to challenges forming CsPbI 3 in the cubic phase. Here, a low-temperature procedure to form cubic CsPbI 3 has been developed through a halide exchange reaction using films of sintered CsPbBr 3 nanocrystals. The reaction was found to be strongly dependent upon temperature, featuring an Arrhenius relationship. Additionally, film thickness played a significant role in determining internal film structure at intermediate reactionmore » times. Thin films (50 nm) showed only a small distribution of CsPbBr xI 3–x species, while thicker films (350 nm) exhibited much broader distributions. Furthermore, internal film structure was ordered, featuring a compositional gradient within film. Transient absorption spectroscopy showed the influence of halide exchange on the excited state of the material. In thicker films, charge carriers were rapidly transferred to iodide-rich regions near the film surface within the first several picoseconds after excitation. Furthermore, this ultrafast vectorial charge-transfer process illustrates the potential of utilizing compositional gradients to direct charge flow in perovskite-based photovoltaics.« less

  16. Contextual view of building 505 showing west elevation from marsh; ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    Contextual view of building 505 showing west elevation from marsh; camera facing east. - Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Defense Electronics Equipment Operating Center, I Street, terminus west of Cedar Avenue, Vallejo, Solano County, CA

  17. Acute diabetes insipidus in severe head injury: a prospective study.

    PubMed

    Hadjizacharia, Pantelis; Beale, Elizabeth O; Inaba, Kenji; Chan, Linda S; Demetriades, Demetrios

    2008-10-01

    The incidence and risk factors for acute diabetes insipidus after severe head injury and the effect of this complication on outcomes have not been evaluated in any large prospective studies. We conducted a prospective study of all patients admitted to the surgical ICU of a Level I trauma center with severe head injury (head Abbreviated Injury Score [AIS] >or= 3). The following potential risk factors with p < 0.2 on bivariate analysis were included in a stepwise logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for diabetes insipidus and its association with mortality: age, mechanism of injury (blunt or penetrating), blood pressure, Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, head and other body area AIS, skull fracture, cerebral edema and shift, intracranial hemorrhage, and pneumocephaly. There were 436 patients (blunt injuries, 392; penetrating injuries, 44); 387 patients had isolated head injury. Diabetes insipidus occurred in 15.4% of all patients (blunt, 12.5%; penetrating, 40.9%; p < 0.0001) and in 14.7% of patients with isolated head injury (blunt, 11.8%; penetrating, 39.5%; p < 0.0001). The presence of major extracranial injuries did not influence the incidence of diabetes insipidus. Independent risk factors for diabetes insipidus in isolated head injury were Glasgow Coma Scale3. Diabetes insipidus was an independent risk factor for death (adjusted odds ratio, 3.96; 95% CI [1.65, 9.72]; adjusted p value = 0.002). The incidence of acute diabetes insipidus in severe head injury is high, especially in penetrating injuries. Independent risk factors for diabetes insipidus include a Glasgow Coma Scale3. Acute diabetes insipidus was associated with significantly increased mortality.

  18. Paternal isodisomy for chromosome 2 as the cause of Crigler-Najjar type I syndrome.

    PubMed

    Petit, François M; Gajdos, Vincent; Parisot, Frédéric; Capel, Liliane; Aboura, Azzedine; Lachaux, Alain; Tachdjian, Gérard; Poüs, Christian; Labrune, Philippe

    2005-03-01

    Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I (CN-I) is a rare and severe autosomal recessive metabolic disease due to a total deficiency of bilirubin uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase located on chromosome 2. We report on a child with CN-I due to a phenylalanine residue deletion inherited only from the father carrying this deletion at the heterozygous state. Cytogenetic analyses showed no deletion of the chromosomal 2q37 region. Microsatellite analysis of the child and his parents was consistent with paternal isodisomy for chromosome 2 in the child. This report demonstrates that uniparental disomy may be at the origin of very rare diseases transmitted as autosomal recessive traits and emphasizes the need for parental DNA analysis in such cases.

  19. Compressive myelopathy in severe angular kyphosis: a series of ten patients.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhengfeng; Wang, Honggang; Liu, Chao

    2016-06-01

    Compressive myelopathy in severe angular kyphosis is rare and challenging for surgical treatment. The goal of this retrospective study was to report a series of ten patients with compressive myelopathy in severe angular kyphosis and the results of surgical decompression and correction of kyphosis. Between 2010 and 2014, 10 patients were surgically treated for severe angular kyphosis with a progressive onset or a sudden onset of paraplegia in investigator group. In these ten patients (seven males and three females), the etiologic diagnosis included eight cases of congenital kyphosis and two of neurofibromatosis; the distribution of spine level was from C5 to T11; the duration from onset until surgery ranged from 1 to 120 months; follow-up ranged from 12 to 26 months (mean 18.5 months); the kyphosis angle of the patients ranged from 50° to 180°. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the spinal cord thinning and compression at apex in most of patients. All patients underwent decompressive surgery by single-stage posterior vertebral column resection or both anterior corpectomy fusion and posterior fixation. Neurological status was evaluated using the ASIA impairment classification and the motor score. Postoperatively, all patients had different kyphosis correction rate from 24 to 100 %. Nine patients showed neurological improvement; one patient showed no improvement. Among them, one sudden onset ASIA A adolescent paraplegic patient improved to ASIA E within 1 year of follow-up. One ASIA C adolescent paraplegic patients deteriorated neurologically to ASIA A after surgery and improved to ASIA D with 12-month follow-up. Compressive myelopathy in severe angular congenital kyphosis is usually occurred high incidence rate at apex of upper thoracic spine (T1-T4). The duration from onset of paraplegia until surgery and the severity of paraplegia before surgery are two key factors for neurological prognosis after surgery.

  20. RItA: The Italian severe/uncontrolled asthma registry.

    PubMed

    Maio, S; Baldacci, S; Bresciani, M; Simoni, M; Latorre, M; Murgia, N; Spinozzi, F; Braschi, M; Antonicelli, L; Brunetto, B; Iacovacci, P; Roazzi, P; Pini, C; Pata, M; La Grasta, L; Paggiaro, P; Viegi, G

    2018-03-01

    The Italian severe/uncontrolled asthma (SUA) web-based registry encompasses demographic, clinical, functional, and inflammatory data; it aims to raise SUA awareness, identifying specific phenotypes and promoting optimal care. Four hundred and ninety three adult patients from 27 Italian centers (recruited in 2011-2014) were analyzed. Mean age was 53.8 years. SUA patients were more frequently female (60.6%), with allergic asthma (83.1%). About 30% showed late onset of asthma diagnosis/symptoms (>40 years); the mean age for asthma symptoms onset was 30.2 years and for asthma diagnosis 34.4 years. 97.1% used ICS (dose 2000 BDP), 93.6% LABA in association with ICS, 53.3% LTRAs, 64.1% anti-IgE, 10.7% theophylline, and 16.0% oral corticosteroids. Mean FEV 1 % pred of 75.1%, median values of 300/mm 3 of blood eosinophil count, 323 kU/L of serum total IgE, and 24 ppb of FENO were shown. Most common comorbidities were allergic rhinitis (62.4%), gastroesophageal reflux (42.1%), sinusitis (37.9%), nasal polyposis (30.2%), and allergic conjunctivitis (30.2%). 55.7% of SUA patients had exacerbations in the last 12 months, 9.7% emergency department visits, and 7.3% hospitalizations. Factors associated with exacerbation risk were obesity (OR, 95% CI 2.46, 1.11-5.41), psychic disorders (2.87, 0.89-9.30-borderline), nasal polyps (1.86, 0.88-3.89-borderline), partial/poor asthma treatment adherence (2.54, 0.97-6.67-borderline), and anti-IgE use in a protective way (0.26, 0.12-0.53). Comparisons to severe asthma multicenter studies and available registries showed data consistency across European and American populations. An international effort in the implementation of SUA patients' registries could help to better understand the clinical features and to manage severe asthma, representing a non-negligible socioeconomic burden for health services. © 2017 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.

  1. Severe neutropenia in infectious mononucleosis.

    PubMed

    Hammond, W P; Harlan, J M; Steinberg, S E

    1979-08-01

    Mild neutropenia is a well-known concomitant of infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) occurring in the first weeks of illness. However, severe neutropenia (less than 200 polymorphonuclear leukocytes per mul) is not generally regarded as a complication of infectious mononucleosis. Three patients were seen with severe neutropenia and EBV infection, and an additional eight cases were found in the literature. In two of the latter cases the neutropenia was fatal. In the 11 cases the severe neutropenia began 14 to 40 days after illness and usually lasted for three to seven days. At the time of severe neutropenia, studies of marrow specimens showed increased proportions of promyelocytes and myelocytes. Our data suggest that EBV infection is the proximate cause of the severe neutropenia in some patients with infectious mononucleosis and that in such cases close observation and early treatment of suspected superinfections is necessary.

  2. Severe Neutropenia in Infectious Mononucleosis

    PubMed Central

    Hammond, William P.; Harlan, John M.; Steinberg, Stephen E.

    1979-01-01

    Mild neutropenia is a well-known concomitant of infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) occurring in the first weeks of illness. However, severe neutropenia (less than 200 polymorphonuclear leukocytes per μl) is not generally regarded as a complication of infectious mononucleosis. Three patients were seen with severe neutropenia and EBV infection, and an additional eight cases were found in the literature. In two of the latter cases the neutropenia was fatal. In the 11 cases the severe neutropenia began 14 to 40 days after illness and usually lasted for three to seven days. At the time of severe neutropenia, studies of marrow specimens showed increased proportions of promyelocytes and myelocytes. Our data suggest that EBV infection is the proximate cause of the severe neutropenia in some patients with infectious mononucleosis and that in such cases close observation and early treatment of suspected superinfections is necessary. PMID:229647

  3. A two year (2008-2009) analysis of severe convective storms in the Mediterranean basin as observed by satellite imagery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gozzini, B.; Melani, S.; Pasi, F.; Ortolani, A.

    2010-09-01

    weather reports. The spatial and seasonal variability of storm occurrence have been also analysed, as well as the most favourable synoptic conditions for their formation. The analysis shows the existence of preferential areas of genesis of these extreme events, mainly located in the central Mediterranean (i.e., Ionic and Tyrrhenian seas), where the storms develop and grow preferentially in fall. The synoptic features, identified as precursors of severe convective events genesis, show how the totality of the identified cases occur in mid-troposphere (500 hPa) troughs or cut-off circulation within southerly flow, with values of deep level shear of at least 15 m s-1 and high θe (850 hPa) values. Among all the detected cases of severe convection, two selected cases of enhanced-V features are presented in detail, either for the different synoptic environments in which they are embedded, and for being long-lived or severe in terms of heavy rainfall and damages they produced at the ground. In a long-term perspective, this preliminary study aims to make a climatological database of severe weather events occurring in the Mediterranean sea which may critically impact on the Italian peninsula and potentially affect population, in order to develop an objective procedure which can support regional meteorological services in forecasting extreme events, their development and impact, for taking proper early decisions.

  4. A rare case of acute toxoplasmosis in a stray dog due to infection of T. gondii clonal type I: public health concern in urban settings with stray animals?

    PubMed

    Migliore, Sergio; La Marca, Salvatore; Stabile, Cristian; Di Marco Lo Presti, Vincenzo; Vitale, Maria

    2017-08-17

    Typing of Toxoplasma gondii strains is important in epidemiological surveys, to understand the distribution and virulence of different clones of the parasite among human and animal populations. Stray dogs can be consider sentinel animals for contaminated environments playing an important but probably under- evaluated role in the epidemiology of T. gondii. We reported a rare case of acute toxoplasmosis in a stray dog due to clonal type I infection. The clonal type I, sporadic in Europe, is frequently associated with severe toxoplasmosis in humans and the control of its circulation is particularly relevant for public health. The symptomatology suggested a potential infection with the high similar parasite Neospora caninum but differential diagnosis showed that only T. gondii was involved highlighting the importance of multiple diagnostic methods beyond the clinical signs. A female stray dog approximately six-month of age presented muscular atrophy of the femoral region and hyperextension of hind limbs. Body condition score (BCS) was 20% below ideal weight, ribs had almost no fat and the sensor state was depressed. Haematological values were normal and the dog did not show any neurological abnormalities. Serological analysis showed a positive response for T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and exclude N. caninum infection. To confirm T. gondii infection, a muscle biopsy was performed and genomic DNA was extracted. PCR analysis resulted positive to T. gondii and strain genotyping reveals clonal type I infection. The dog recovered after 4 weeks of treatment with clindamycin hydrochloride and aquatic physiotherapy. Our study reports a rare and severe case of T. gondii clonal type I infection in a stray dog feeding in garbage containers. The data confirm the importance of an in vivo early diagnosis for toxoplasmosis in dog. Clinical signs are often related to specific T. gondii genotype and parasite genotyping is important in the epidemiological survey of

  5. Short-term ozone exposure and asthma severity: Weight-of-evidence analysis.

    PubMed

    Goodman, Julie E; Zu, Ke; Loftus, Christine T; Lynch, Heather N; Prueitt, Robyn L; Mohar, Isaac; Shubin, Sara Pacheco; Sax, Sonja N

    2018-01-01

    To determine whether evidence indicates that short-term exposure to ambient concentrations of ozone in the United States can affect asthma severity, we systematically reviewed published controlled human exposure, epidemiology, and animal toxicity studies. The strongest evidence for a potential causal relationship came from epidemiology studies reporting increased emergency department visits and hospital admissions for asthma following elevated ambient ozone concentrations. However, while controlled exposure studies reported lung function decrements and increased asthma symptoms following high ozone exposures 160-400 parts per billion [ppb]), epidemiology studies evaluating similar outcomes reported less consistent results. Animal studies showed changes in pulmonary function at high ozone concentrations (> 500ppb), although there is substantial uncertainty regarding the relevance of these animal models to human asthma. Taken together, the weight of evidence indicates that there is at least an equal likelihood that either explanation is true, i.e., the strength of the evidence for a causal relationship between short-term exposure to ambient ozone concentrations and asthma severity is "equipoise and above." Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Human rhinovirus and disease severity in children.

    PubMed

    Costa, Lourenço Faria; Queiróz, Divina Aparecida Oliveira; Lopes da Silveira, Hélio; Bernardino Neto, Morun; de Paula, Nayhanne Tizzo; Oliveira, Thelma Fátima Mattos Silva; Tolardo, Aline Lavado; Yokosawa, Jonny

    2014-02-01

    To evaluate retrospectively human rhinovirus (HRV) infections in children up to 5 years old and factors involved in disease severity. Nasopharyngeal aspirates from 434 children presenting a broad range of respiratory infection symptoms and severity degrees were tested for presence of HRV and 8 other respiratory viruses. Presence of host risk factors was also assessed. HRV was detected in 181 (41.7%) samples, in 107 of them as the only agent and in 74 as coinfections, mostly with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 43.2%). Moderate to severe symptoms were observed in 28.9% (31/107) single infections and in 51.3% (38/74) coinfections (P = .004). Multivariate analyses showed association of coinfections with lower respiratory tract symptoms and some parameters of disease severity, such as hospitalization. In coinfections, RSV was the most important virus associated with severe disease. Prematurity, cardiomyopathies, and noninfectious respiratory diseases were comorbidities that also were associated with disease severity (P = .007). Our study showed that HRV was a common pathogen of respiratory disease in children and was also involved in severe cases, causing symptoms of the lower respiratory tract. Severe disease in HRV infections were caused mainly by presence of RSV in coinfections, prematurity, congenital heart disease, and noninfectious respiratory disease.

  7. Severe Hypocalcemia in a Patient with Recurrent Chondrosarcoma

    PubMed Central

    Eun, Jung Nam; Choi, Yoo Duk; Lee, Jeong Ho; Jeong, Yun Ah; Yoon, Jee Hee; Kim, Hee Kyung; Kang, Ho-Cheol

    2017-01-01

    Hypocalcemia is relatively uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome. Only one case of hypocalcemia has been reported in a patient with chondrosarcoma. We herein report a case of a 32-year-old woman with metastatic chondrosarcoma with tetany. Her imaging findings revealed multiple calcific metastatic lesions in the lungs, pancreas, left atrium, and pulmonary vein. A laboratory examination showed hypocalcemia with no evidence of any other disease that could induce hypocalcemia. On the basis of the laboratory and clinical findings, we concluded the etiology of her severe hypocalcemia to be excessive calcium consumption by the tumor itself. PMID:28717079

  8. Prospective memory after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: a multinomial modeling approach.

    PubMed

    Pavawalla, Shital P; Schmitter-Edgecombe, Maureen; Smith, Rebekah E

    2012-01-01

    Prospective memory (PM), which can be understood as the processes involved in realizing a delayed intention, is consistently found to be impaired after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Although PM can be empirically dissociated from retrospective memory, it inherently involves both a prospective component (i.e., remembering that an action needs to be carried out) and retrospective components (i.e., remembering what action needs to be executed and when). This study utilized a multinomial processing tree model to disentangle the prospective (that) and retrospective recognition (when) components underlying PM after moderate-to-severe TBI. Seventeen participants with moderate to severe TBI and 17 age- and education-matched control participants completed an event-based PM task that was embedded within an ongoing computer-based color-matching task. The multinomial processing tree modeling approach revealed a significant group difference in the prospective component, indicating that the control participants allocated greater preparatory attentional resources to the PM task compared to the TBI participants. Participants in the TBI group were also found to be significantly more impaired than controls in the when aspect of the retrospective component. These findings indicated that the TBI participants had greater difficulty allocating the necessary preparatory attentional resources to the PM task and greater difficulty discriminating between PM targets and nontargets during task execution, despite demonstrating intact posttest recall and/or recognition of the PM tasks and targets.

  9. A classification of substance-dependent men on temperament and severity variables.

    PubMed

    Henderson, Melinda J; Galen, Luke W

    2003-06-01

    This study examined the validity of classifying substance abusers based on temperament and dependence severity, and expanded the scope of typology differences to proximal determinants of use (e.g., expectancies, motives). Patients were interviewed about substance use, depression, and family history of alcohol and drug abuse. Self-report instruments measuring temperament, expectancies, and motives were completed. Participants were 147 male veterans admitted to inpatient substance abuse treatment at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical center. Cluster analysis identified four types of users with two high substance problem severity and two low substance problem severity groups. Two, high problem severity, early onset groups differed only on the cluster variable of negative affectivity (NA), but showed differences on antisocial personality characteristics, hypochondriasis, and coping motives for alcohol. The two low problem severity groups were distinguished by age of onset and positive affectivity (PA). The late onset, low PA group had a higher incidence of depression, a greater tendency to use substances in solitary contexts, and lower enhancement motives for alcohol compared to the early onset, high PA cluster. The four-cluster solution yielded more distinctions on external criteria than the two-cluster solution. Such temperament variation within both high and low severity substance abusers may be important for treatment planning.

  10. Neuroprotective effect of curcumin-I in copper-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity in rats: A possible link with Parkinson's disease.

    PubMed

    Abbaoui, Abdellatif; Chatoui, Hicham; El Hiba, Omar; Gamrani, Halima

    2017-11-01

    Numerous findings indicate an involvement of heavy metals in the neuropathology of several neurodegenerative disorders, especially Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies have demonstrated that Copper (Cu) exhibits a potent neurotoxic effect on dopaminergic neurons and triggers profound neurobehavioral alterations. Curcumin is a major component of Curcuma longa rhizomes and a powerful medicinal plant that exerts many pharmacological effects. However, the neuroprotective action of curcumin on Cu-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity is yet to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of acute Cu-intoxication (10mg/kg B.W. i.p) for 3days on the dopaminergic system and locomotor performance as well as the possible therapeutic efficacy of curcumin I (30mg/kg B.W.). Intoxicated rats showed a significant loss of Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) expression within substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the striatal outputs. This was correlated with a clear decrease in locomotor performance. Critically, curcumin-I co-treatment reversed these changes and showed a noticeable protective effect; both TH expression and locomotor performance was reinstated in intoxicated rats. These results demonstrate altered dopaminergic innervations following Cu intoxication and a new therapeutic potential of curcumin against Cu-induced dopaminergic neurotransmission failure. Curcumin may therefore prevent heavy metal related Parkinsonism. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. A storm severity index based on return levels of wind speeds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Becker, Nico; Nissen, Katrin M.; Ulbrich, Uwe

    2015-04-01

    European windstorms related to extra-tropical cyclones cause considerable damages to infrastructure during the winter season. Leckebusch et al. (2008) introduced a storm severity index (SSI) based on the exceedances of the local 98th percentile of wind speeds. The SSI is based on the assumption that (insured) damage usually occurs within the upper 2%-quantile of the local wind speed distribution (i.e. if the 98th percentile is exceeded). However, critical infrastructure, for example related to the power network or the transportation system, is usually designed to withstand wind speeds reaching the local 50-year return level, which is much higher than the 98th percentile. The aim of this work is to use the 50-year return level to develop a modified SSI, which takes into account only extreme wind speeds relevant to critical infrastructure. As a first step we use the block maxima approach to estimate the spatial distribution of return levels by fitting the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution to the wind speeds retrieved from different reanalysis products. We show that the spatial distributions of the 50-year return levels derived from different reanalyses agree well within large parts of Europe. The differences between the reanalyses are largely within the range of the uncertainty intervals of the estimated return levels. As a second step the exceedances of the 50-year return level are evaluated and compared to the exceedances of the 98th percentiles for different extreme European windstorms. The areas where the wind speeds exceed the 50-year return level in the reanalysis data do largely agree with the areas where the largest damages were reported, e.g. France in the case of "Lothar" and "Martin" and Central Europe in the case of "Kyrill". Leckebusch, G. C., Renggli, D., & Ulbrich, U. (2008). Development and application of an objective storm severity measure for the Northeast Atlantic region. Meteorologische Zeitschrift, 17(5), 575-587.

  12. Relationship between accident severity and full-scale crash test. Volume I, Technical research effort

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1984-08-01

    Available accident files are used to generate a 4l2-accident data base of guardrail impacts. This base is analyzed to develop a statistical model for predicting accident severity index (ASI) as a function of vehicle type or weight, impact speed, and ...

  13. A New Surgical Procedure "Dumbbell-Form Resection" for Selected Hilar Cholangiocarcinomas With Severe Jaundice: Comparison With Hemihepatectomy.

    PubMed

    Wang, Shuguang; Tian, Feng; Zhao, Xin; Li, Dajiang; He, Yu; Li, Zhihua; Chen, Jian

    2016-01-01

    The aim of the study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of a new surgical procedure, dumbbell-form resection (DFR), for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) with severe jaundice. In DFR, liver segments I, IVb, and partial V above the right hepatic pedicle are resected.Hemihepatectomy is recognized as the preferred procedure; however, its application is limited in HCCAs with severe jaundice.Thirty-eight HCCA patients with severe jaundice receiving DFR and 70 receiving hemihepatectomy from January 2008 to January 2013 were included. Perioperative parameters, operation-related morbidity and mortality, and post-operative survival were analyzed.A total of 21.1% patients (8/38) in the DFR group received percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), which was significantly <81.4% (57/70) in the hemihepatectomy group. The TBIL was higher in the DFR group at operation (243.7 vs 125.6 μmol/L, respectively). The remnant liver volume was significantly higher after DFR. The operation-related morbidity was significantly lower after DFR than after hemihepatectomy (26.3% vs 48.6%, respectively). None of the patients died during the perioperative period after DFR, whereas 3 died after hemihepatectomy. There was no difference in margin status, histological grade, lymph-node involvement, and distant metastasis between the 2 groups. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after DFR (68.4%, 32.1%, and 21.4%, respectively) showed no significant difference with those after hemihepatectomy (62.7%, 34.6%, and 23.3%, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that overall survival and recurrence after DFR demonstrated no significant difference compared with hemihepatectomy.DFR appears to be feasible for selected HCCA patients with severe jaundice. However, its indications should be restricted.

  14. Verification of Ares I Liftoff Acoustic Environments via the Ares I Scale Model Acoustic Test

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Counter, Douglas D.; Houston, Janice D.

    2012-01-01

    Launch environments, such as Liftoff Acoustic (LOA) and Ignition Overpressure (IOP), are important design factors for any vehicle and are dependent upon the design of both the vehicle and the ground systems. The NASA Constellation Program had several risks to the development of the Ares I vehicle linked to LOA which are used in the development of the vibro-acoustic environments. The risks included cost, schedule and technical impacts for component qualification due to high predicted vibro-acoustic environments. One solution is to mitigate the environment at the component level. However, where the environment is too severe to mitigate at the component level, reduction of the launch environments is required. The Ares I Scale Model Acoustic Test (ASMAT) program was implemented to verify the predicted Ares I launch environments and to determine the acoustic reduction for the LOA environment with an above deck water sound suppression system. The test article included a 5% scale Ares I vehicle model, tower and Mobile Launcher. Acoustic and pressure data were measured by approximately 200 instruments. The ASMAT results are compared to the Ares I LOA predictions and water suppression effectiveness results are presented.

  15. Contextual view of building 505 Cedar avenue, showing south and ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    Contextual view of building 505 Cedar avenue, showing south and east elevations; camera facing northwest. - Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Defense Electronics Equipment Operating Center, I Street, terminus west of Cedar Avenue, Vallejo, Solano County, CA

  16. Intracranial arteriovenous malformation: relationships between clinical and radiographic factors and ipsilateral steal severity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Batjer, H.H.; Devous, M.D. Sr.; Seibert, G.B.

    1988-09-01

    Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are high flow shunts that may jeopardize the perfusion of adjacent tissue. Clinical and radiographic data from 62 patients were analyzed to determine their relationship to the severity of steal measured by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The ipsilateral steal index (ISteal(i)) was determined by dividing regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) values within hand-drawn regions of hypoperfusion in the ipsilateral hemisphere by total brain flow, which was calculated as the average rCBF of each hemisphere. Of the patients, 40% were less than 30 years of age, 45% were 30 to 50 years old, and 15%more » were over 50. Forty-eight per cent presented with hemorrhage and 34% presented with progressive deficits. There was angiographic steal in 37%, and postoperative hyperemic complications developed in 21%. All patients had ipsilateral regions of hypoperfusion. The ISteal(i) was less than 0.7 in 23 (37%), 0.7 to 0.8 in 20 (32%), and greater than 0.8 in 19 (31%). The ISteal(i) was significantly less severe in the patients over 50; 78% of these patients had an ISteal(i) of greater than 0.8 (P less than 0.01). A history of hemorrhage was associated with less severe steal than that in patients who had not bled (P = 0.088). Patients presenting with a history of progressive deficits had increased severity of steal compared with those without progressive deficits (P less than 0.05). A trend toward decreased severity of steal was noted in patients with unfavorable outcomes.« less

  17. Parenting Stress Related to Behavioral Problems and Disease Severity in Children with Problematic Severe Asthma.

    PubMed

    Verkleij, Marieke; van de Griendt, Erik-Jonas; Colland, Vivian; van Loey, Nancy; Beelen, Anita; Geenen, Rinie

    2015-09-01

    Our study examined parenting stress and its association with behavioral problems and disease severity in children with problematic severe asthma. Research participants were 93 children (mean age 13.4 ± 2.7 years) and their parents (86 mothers, 59 fathers). As compared to reference groups analyzed in previous research, scores on the Parenting Stress Index in mothers and fathers of the children with problematic severe asthma were low. Higher parenting stress was associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in children (Child Behavior Checklist). Higher parenting stress in mothers was also associated with higher airway inflammation (FeNO). Thus, although parenting stress was suggested to be low in this group, higher parenting stress, especially in the mother, is associated with more airway inflammation and greater child behavioral problems. This indicates the importance of focusing care in this group on all possible sources of problems, i.e., disease exacerbations and behavioral problems in the child as well as parenting stress.

  18. New water soluble heterometallic complex showing unpredicted coordination modes of EDTA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mudsainiyan, R. K.; Jassal, A. K.; Chawla, S. K.

    2015-10-01

    A mesoporous 3D polymeric complex (I) having formula {[Zr(IV)O-μ3-(EDTA)Fe(III)OH]·H2O}n has been crystallized and characterized by various techniques. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that complex (I) crystallized in chiral monoclinic space group Cc (space group no. 9) with unexpected coordination modes of EDTA and mixture of two transition metal ions. In this complex, the coordination number of Zr(IV) ion is seven where four carboxylate oxygen atoms, two nitrogen atoms, one oxide atom are coordinating with Zr(IV). Fe(III) is four coordinated and its coordination environment is composed of three different carboxylic oxygen atoms from three different EDTA and one oxygen atom of -OH group. The structure consists of 4-c and 16-c (2-nodal) net with new topology and point symbol for net is (336·454·530)·(36). TGA study and XRPD pattern showed that the coordination polymer is quite stable even after losing water molecule and -OH ion. Quenching behavior in fluorescence of ligand is observed by complexation with transition metal ions is due to n-π* transition. The SEM micrograph shows the morphology of complex (I) exhibits spherical shape with size ranging from 50 to 280 nm. The minimum N2 (SBET=8.7693 m2/g) and a maximum amount of H2 (high surface area=1044.86 m2/g (STP)) could be adsorbed at 77 K. From DLS study, zeta potential is calculated i.e. -7.94 shows the negative charges on the surface of complex. Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots revealed influence of weak or non bonding interactions in crystal packing of complex.

  19. Endometrial Cancer Side-Population Cells Show Prominent Migration and Have a Potential to Differentiate into the Mesenchymal Cell Lineage

    PubMed Central

    Kato, Kiyoko; Takao, Tomoka; Kuboyama, Ayumi; Tanaka, Yoshihiro; Ohgami, Tatsuhiro; Yamaguchi, Shinichiro; Adachi, Sawako; Yoneda, Tomoko; Ueoka, Yousuke; Kato, Keiji; Hayashi, Shinichi; Asanoma, Kazuo; Wake, Norio

    2010-01-01

    Cancer stem-like cell subpopulations, referred to as “side-population” (SP) cells, have been identified in several tumors based on their ability to efflux the fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342. Although SP cells have been identified in the normal human endometrium and endometrial cancer, little is known about their characteristics. In this study, we isolated and characterized the SP cells in human endometrial cancer cells and in rat endometrial cells expressing oncogenic human K-Ras protein. These SP cells showed i) reduction in the expression levels of differentiation markers; ii) long-term proliferative capacity of the cell cultures; iii) self-renewal capacity in vitro; iv) enhancement of migration, lamellipodia, and, uropodia formation; and v) enhanced tumorigenicity. In nude mice, SP cells formed large, invasive tumors, which were composed of both tumor cells and stromal-like cells with enriched extracellular matrix. The expression levels of vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen III were enhanced in SP tumors compared with the levels in non-SP tumors. In addition, analysis of microdissected samples and fluorescence in situ hybridization of Hec1-SP-tumors showed that the stromal-like cells with enriched extracellular matrix contained human DNA, confirming that the stromal-like cells were derived from the inoculated cells. Moreober, in a Matrigel assay, SP cells differentiated into α-smooth muscle actin-expressing cells. These findings demonstrate that SP cells have cancer stem-like cell features, including the potential to differentiate into the mesenchymal cell lineage. PMID:20008133

  20. Hey, I Got Sump'n To Tell You, An' It Cool! A Class for Children with Severe Language Disabilities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Monaco, Joan L.; Zaslow, Elinor L.

    Discussed is an experimental demonstration class for children exhibiting severe language disabilities. Staff includes teacher-therapist, classroom aide, psychologist, audiologist, speech and language pathologists, and occupational therapist. A theoretical framework is provided through discussion of phonological, semantic and syntactic aspects of…

  1. Role of CD248 as a potential severity marker in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Bartis, Domokos; Crowley, Louise E; D'Souza, Vijay K; Borthwick, Lee; Fisher, Andrew J; Croft, Adam P; Pongrácz, Judit E; Thompson, Richard; Langman, Gerald; Buckley, Christopher D; Thickett, David R

    2016-04-14

    CD248 or Endosialin is a transmembrane molecule expressed in stromal cells binding to extracellular matrix (ECM) components. It has been previously implicated in kidney fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis as well as in tumour-stromal interactions. This study investigates the role of CD248 in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). CD248 quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on lung samples from 22 IPF patients and its expression was assayed in cultured pulmonary fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Effects of CD248 silencing was evaluated on fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation. IHC revealed strong CD248 expression in mesenchymal cells of normal lung structures such as pleura and adventitia but not in epithelium. Fibrotic areas showed markedly stronger staining than unaffected lung tissue. The extent of CD248 staining showed a significant negative correlation to lung function parameters FEV1, FVC, TLC, and TLCO (r2 > 0 · 35, p < 0 · 01). CD248 protein levels were significantly greater in IPF-derived lung fibroblasts vs normal lung fibroblasts (p < 0 · 01) and CD248 silencing significantly reduced the proliferation of lung fibroblasts, but did not affected myofibroblast differentiation. We conclude that CD248 overexpression is possibly involved in the pathogenesis of IPF and it has potential as a disease severity marker. Given that CD248 ligands are collagen type I, IV and fibronectin, we hypothesise that CD248 signalling represents a novel matrix-fibroblast interaction that may be a potential therapeutic target in IPF.

  2. 8. Photocopy of Station Grounding drawing showing floor plans (from ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    8. Photocopy of Station Grounding drawing showing floor plans (from the BPA Engineering Vault, Drawing 005319, 3 May 1939) - Bonneville Power Administration South Bank Substation, I-84, South of Bonneville Dam Powerhouse, Bonneville, Multnomah County, OR

  3. Fire severity estimated from remote sensing data to evaluate the Coupled Atmosphere-Wildland Fire-Environment (CAWFE) model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oliva, P.; Coen, J.; Schroeder, W.

    2013-12-01

    Fire severity defined as the degree of damage originated from fire on soils and vegetation immediately after the fire, is affected by weather conditions (i.e. wind, air humidity), terrain characteristics (i.e. slope, aspect) and fuel properties (i.e. tree density, fuel moisture content). In this study we evaluated the relationships between fire severity estimated from Earth Observing Advance Land Imager (EO-ALI) images and the heat fluxes produced by the Coupled Atmosphere-Wildland Fire-Environment (CAWFE) model (Coen 2013). We present the results for a large fire occurred in New Mexico in June 2012 which burned 44,330 acres. The EO-ALI sensor (30 m spatial resolution) has nine spectral bands, six of them were designed to mimic Landsat bands and the three additional bands cover 443, 867.5 and 1250 nm. We used a physically-based approach to estimate fire severity developed by De Santis et al. (2009). This method classifies the satellite image into Geophysical Composite burned index (GeoCBI) values, which represent the fire severity within the fire-affected area, using radiative transfer model simulated spectra as reference. This method has been used to characterize fire severity levels using Landsat images and validated with field data (R2 > 0.85). Based on those results we expected a better performance of EO-ALI images due to its improved spectral resolution. On the other hand, CAWFE is composed of two parts: a numerical weather prediction model and a fire behavior module that represents the growth of a wildland fire in response to factors such as wind, terrain, and fuels, and includes the fire's impact on the atmosphere. To perform the evaluation we selected a stratified random sample by fire severity level. The values of maximum heat flux (sensible, latent), and total heat flux showed a higher correlation with the higher levels of fire severity (GeoCBI: 2.8-3) than with the medium levels of fire severity (GeoCBI: 2.3-2.8). However, the total heat flux proved to

  4. Anti-actin IgA antibodies in severe coeliac disease

    PubMed Central

    Granito, A; Muratori, P; Cassani, F; Pappas, G; Muratori, L; Agostinelli, D; Veronesi, L; Bortolotti, R; Petrolini, N; Bianchi, F B; Volta, U

    2004-01-01

    Anti-actin IgA antibodies have been found in sera of coeliacs. Our aim was to define the prevalence and clinical significance of anti-actin IgA in coeliacs before and after gluten withdrawal. One hundred and two biopsy-proven coeliacs, 95 disease controls and 50 blood donors were studied. Anti-actin IgA were evaluated by different methods: (a) antimicrofilament positivity on HEp-2 cells and on cultured fibroblasts by immunofluorescence; (b) anti-actin positivity by enzyme-linked immuosorbent assay (ELISA); and (c) presence of the tubular/glomerular pattern of anti-smooth muscle antibodies on rat kidney sections by immunofluorescence. Antimicrofilament IgA were present in 27% of coeliacs and in none of the controls. Antimicrofilament antibodies were found in 25 of 54 (46%) coeliacs with severe villous atrophy and in three of 48 (6%) with mild damage (P < 0·0001). In the 20 patients tested, antimicrofilaments IgA disappeared after gluten withdrawal in accordance with histological recovery. Our study shows a significant correlation between antimicrofilament IgA and the severity of intestinal damage in untreated coeliacs. The disappearance of antimicrofilament IgA after gluten withdrawal predicts the normalization of intestinal mucosa and could be considered a useful tool in the follow-up of severe coeliac disease. PMID:15270857

  5. Injuries in a Japanese Division I collegiate american football team: a 3-season prospective study.

    PubMed

    Iguchi, Junta; Yamada, Yosuke; Kimura, Misaka; Fujisawa, Yoshihiko; Hojo, Tatsuya; Kuzuhara, Kenji; Ichihashi, Noriaki

    2013-01-01

    Previous research on American football injuries in Japan has focused on incidence proportion in terms of the number of injuries divided by the number of players. This is the first study to examine injury rates over several seasons. To conduct a prospective study of injuries in a Japanese Division I collegiate American football team over the 2007 through 2009 seasons. Cohort study. Collegiate football team at Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. All 289 athletes who played on the collegiate Division I football team during the 2007 through 2009 seasons. A certified athletic trainer kept a daily record of all practice and game injuries. Injury rates were calculated according to season, injury type, body part, severity, and mechanism. Injuries were also analyzed according to position of player, school year, and playing experience. The game injury rate (GIR; 32.7 injuries/1000 athlete-exposures) was higher than the practice injury rate (PIR; 10.9 injuries/1000 athlete-exposures) over the 3 seasons (P < .05). The PIR was higher among Japanese players than the comparable United States collegiate football injury rates (5.8-7.0 injuries/1000 athlete-exposures). Ankle and foot injuries occurred more frequently during games, whereas thigh and gluteal injuries occurred more frequently during practices. Our data show differences between games and practices in terms of injury rates, body parts injured, and positions of players injured. The high PIR in Japan may be due to the increased contact during practices and length of practices compared with the United States. Further research involving multiple teams is recommended to validate the trends noted in this study. The expanded data set could assist in the development of safety regulations and preventive interventions for Japanese football.

  6. Injuries in a Japanese Division I Collegiate American Football Team: A 3-Season Prospective Study

    PubMed Central

    Iguchi, Junta; Yamada, Yosuke; Kimura, Misaka; Fujisawa, Yoshihiko; Hojo, Tatsuya; Kuzuhara, Kenji; Ichihashi, Noriaki

    2013-01-01

    Context: Previous research on American football injuries in Japan has focused on incidence proportion in terms of the number of injuries divided by the number of players. This is the first study to examine injury rates over several seasons. Objective: To conduct a prospective study of injuries in a Japanese Division I collegiate American football team over the 2007 through 2009 seasons. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Collegiate football team at Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan. Patients or Other Participants: All 289 athletes who played on the collegiate Division I football team during the 2007 through 2009 seasons. Main Outcome Measure(s): A certified athletic trainer kept a daily record of all practice and game injuries. Injury rates were calculated according to season, injury type, body part, severity, and mechanism. Injuries were also analyzed according to position of player, school year, and playing experience. Results: The game injury rate (GIR; 32.7 injuries/1000 athlete-exposures) was higher than the practice injury rate (PIR; 10.9 injuries/1000 athlete-exposures) over the 3 seasons (P < .05). The PIR was higher among Japanese players than the comparable United States collegiate football injury rates (5.8–7.0 injuries/1000 athlete-exposures). Ankle and foot injuries occurred more frequently during games, whereas thigh and gluteal injuries occurred more frequently during practices. Conclusions: Our data show differences between games and practices in terms of injury rates, body parts injured, and positions of players injured. The high PIR in Japan may be due to the increased contact during practices and length of practices compared with the United States. Further research involving multiple teams is recommended to validate the trends noted in this study. The expanded data set could assist in the development of safety regulations and preventive interventions for Japanese football. PMID:23944380

  7. Localization of binding sites of Ulex europaeus I, Helix pomatia and Griffonia simplicifolia I-B4 lectins and analysis of their backbone structures by several glycosidases and poly-N-acetyllactosamine-specific lectins in human breast carcinomas.

    PubMed

    Ito, N; Imai, S; Haga, S; Nagaike, C; Morimura, Y; Hatake, K

    1996-09-01

    Several studies have shown the deletion of blood group A or B antigens and the accumulation of H antigens in human breast carcinomas. Other studies have independently demonstrated that the binding sites of lectins such as Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) and Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin I-B4 (GSAI-B4) are highly expressed in these cells. In order to clarify the molecular mechanisms of malignant transformation and metastasis of carcinoma cells, it is important to understand the relationship between such phenotypically distinct events. For this purpose, we examined whether the binding sites of these lectins and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) are expressed concomitantly in the same carcinoma cells and analyzed their backbone structures. The expression of the binding sites of these lectins was observed independently of the blood group (ABO) of the patients and was not affected by the histological type of the carcinomas. Observation of serial sections stained with these lectins revealed that the distribution of HPA binding sites was almost identical to that of GSAI-B4 in most cases. Furthermore, in some cases, UEA-I binding patterns were similar to those of HPA and GSAI-B4 but in other cases, mosaic staining patterns with these lectins were also observed, i.e., some cell clusters were stained with both HPA and GSAI-B4 but not with UEA-I and adjacent cell clusters were stained only with UEA-I. Digestion with endo-beta-galactosidase or N-glycosidase F markedly reduced the staining intensity of these lectins. Together with the reduction of staining by these lectins, reactivity with Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin II appeared in carcinoma cells following endo-beta-galactosidase digestion. Among the lectins specific to poly-N-acetyllactosamine, Lycopersicon esculentum agglutinin (LEA) most vividly and consistently stained the cancer cells. Next to LEA, pokeweed mitogen agglutinin was also effective in staining these cells. Carcinoma cells reactive with these

  8. Comparative study of the biological properties of Trypanosoma cruzi I genotypes in a murine experimental model.

    PubMed

    Cruz, Lissa; Vivas, Angie; Montilla, Marleny; Hernández, Carolina; Flórez, Carolina; Parra, Edgar; Ramírez, Juan David

    2015-01-01

    Chagas disease is an endemic zoonosis in Latin America and caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This kinetoplastid displays remarkable genetic variability, allowing its classification into six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) from TcI to TcVI. T. cruzi I presents the broadest geographical distribution in the continent and has been associated to severe forms of cardiomyopathies. Recently, a particular genotype associated to human infections has been reported and named as TcIDOM (previously named TcIa-b). This genotype shows to be clonal and adapted to the domestic cycle but so far no studies have determined the biological properties of domestic (TcIDOM) and sylvatic TcI strains (previously named TcIc-e). Hence, the aim of this study was to untangle the biological features of these genotypes in murine models. We infected ICR-CD1 mice with five TcI strains (two domestic, two sylvatic and one natural mixture) and determined the course of infection during 91 days (acute and chronic phase of the disease) in terms of parasitemia, tissue tropism, immune response (IgG titers) and tissue invasion by means of histopathology studies. Statistically significant differences were observed in terms of parasitemia curves and prepatent period between domestic (TcIDOM) and sylvatic strains. There were no differences in terms of IgG antibodies response across the mice infected with the five strains. Regarding the histopathology, our results indicate that domestic strains present higher parasitemias and low levels of histopathological damage. In contrast, sylvatic strains showed lower parasitemias and high levels of histopathological damage. These results highlight the sympatric and behavioral differences of domestic and sylvatic TcI strains; the clinical and epidemiological implications are herein discussed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Reversible second degree atrioventricular block after a severe sickle cell crisis.

    PubMed

    Jaeggi, E; Bolens, M; Friedli, B

    1998-01-01

    Despite the high prevalence of sickle cell disease and trait in the black population and its serious potential for microinfarction, there are only a few reports on acute myocardial damage during vasoocclusive crisis. We report a unique case of transient second degree atrioventricular (A-V) block of Mobitz I and II type during a severe sickle cell crisis. Localized high ventricular septum hypoperfusion demonstrated by a 99mTc-MIBI radionuclide study and reversible echocardiographic wall motion abnormalities in the same area were strong indicators for a local ischemic event in the A-V node and His bundle area, explaining the observed transient conduction abnormalities. The present report draws attention to a potentially lethal complication of sickle cell crisis.

  10. A systematic comparison of all mutations in hereditary sensory neuropathy type I (HSAN I) reveals that the G387A mutation is not disease associated.

    PubMed

    Hornemann, Thorsten; Penno, Anke; Richard, Stephane; Nicholson, Garth; van Dijk, Fleur S; Rotthier, Annelies; Timmerman, Vincent; von Eckardstein, Arnold

    2009-04-01

    Hereditary sensory neuropathy type 1 (HSAN I) is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disorder of the peripheral nervous system associated with mutations in the SPTLC1 subunit of the serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT). Four missense mutations (C133W, C133Y, V144D and G387A) in SPTLC1 were reported to cause HSAN I. SPT catalyses the condensation of Serine and Palmitoyl-CoA, which is the first and rate-limiting step in the de novo synthesis of ceramides. Earlier studies showed that C133W and C133Y mutants have a reduced activity, whereas the impact of the V144D and G387A mutations on the human enzyme was not tested yet. In this paper, we show that none of the HSAN I mutations interferes with SPT complex formation. We demonstrate that also V144D has a reduced SPT activity, however to a lower extent than C133W and C133Y. In contrast, the G387A mutation showed no influence on SPT activity. Furthermore, the growth phenotype of LY-B cells--a SPTLC1 deficient CHO cell line--could be reversed by expressing either the wild-type SPTLC1 or the G387A mutant, but not the C133W mutant. This indicates that the G387A mutation is most likely not directly associated with HSAN I. These findings were genetically confirmed by the identification of a nuclear HSAN family which showed segregation of the G387A variant as a non-synonymous SNP.

  11. [Severe postmenopausal hyperandrogenism due to an ovarian lipoid cell tumor: a case report].

    PubMed

    Bernasconi, D; Del Monte, P; Marinaro, E; Marugo, A; Marugo, M

    2004-03-01

    The case of a 62-year-old woman with severe post-menopausal hirsutism is described. Her clinical history revealed regular menstrual periods until menopause at the age of 50, hysterectomy for fibromatosis at 58 years, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, severe hirsutism, which had developed in the previous 3 years, with a deeping of the voice. Examination showed android obesity, hypertension and severe hirsutism involving the face and the trunk. Endocrine evaluation pointed out regular adrenal function, serum total and free-testosterone in the adult male range, with normal androstenedione, DHEAS and 17OHP levels. Estradiol was slightly increased and LH and FSH were inappropriately low for her post-menopausal age. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed regular adrenal glands, and a radio-labeled cholesterol scan was negative. A further pelvic transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a small cystic formation near the right ovary and a slight increase in the size of the left ovary. The patient underwent bilateral ovariectomy. Histological examination showed a lipoid cell tumor within the left ovary. Immunohistochemical studies were positive for inhibin and cytokeratin. After surgery, serum testosterone fell to normal levels, gonadotropins increased to menopausal levels, confirming that the tumor was able to produce both LH, and FSH-inhibiting factors, and hirsutism greatly improved. Periodic hormonal tests remained normal and CT of the abdomen and pelvic ultrasonography did not show alterations at a 3 years follow-up.

  12. The Coordination of Verbal and Nonverbal Interaction towards Three Parties: The Analysis of a Talk Show.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    von Raffler-Engel, Walburga

    A study of randomly selected "Donahue" shows revealed how host Phil Donahue interacts with several parties at one time and how he subordinates various interactions to suit the hierarchy of importance he attributes to each party, with the television viewer being the most important. Donahue organizes his body movement mainly for television…

  13. Severity of anxiety and work-related outcomes of patients with anxiety disorders.

    PubMed

    Erickson, Steven R; Guthrie, Sally; Vanetten-Lee, Michelle; Himle, Joseph; Hoffman, Jody; Santos, Susana F; Janeck, Amy S; Zivin, Kara; Abelson, James L

    2009-01-01

    This study examined associations between anxiety and work-related outcomes in an anxiety disorders clinic population, examining both pretreatment links and the impact of anxiety change over 12 weeks of treatment on work outcomes. Four validated instruments were used to also allow examination of their psychometric properties, with the goal of improving measurement of work-related quality of life in this population. Newly enrolled adult patients seeking treatment in a university-based anxiety clinic were administered four work performance measures: Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI), Endicott Work Productivity Scale (EWPS), and Functional Status Questionnaire Work Performance Scale (WPS). Anxiety severity was determined using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The Clinical Global Impressions, Global Improvement Scale (CGI-I) was completed by patients to evaluate symptom change at a 12-week follow-up. Two severity groups (minimal/mild vs. moderate/severe, based on baseline BAI score) were compared to each other on work measures. Eighty-one patients provided complete baseline data. Anxiety severity groups did not differ in job type, time on job, job satisfaction, or job choice. Patients with greater anxiety generally showed lower work performance on all instruments. Job advancement was impaired for the moderate/severe group. The multi-item performance scales demonstrated better validity and internal consistency. The WLQ and the WPAI detected change with symptom improvement. Level of work performance was generally associated with severity of anxiety. Of the instruments tested, the WLQ and the WPAI questionnaire demonstrated acceptable validity and internal reliability.

  14. A comparison of the Injury Severity Score and the Trauma Mortality Prediction Model.

    PubMed

    Cook, Alan; Weddle, Jo; Baker, Susan; Hosmer, David; Glance, Laurent; Friedman, Lee; Osler, Turner

    2014-01-01

    Performance benchmarking requires accurate measurement of injury severity. Despite its shortcomings, the Injury Severity Score (ISS) remains the industry standard 40 years after its creation. A new severity measure, the Trauma Mortality Prediction Model (TMPM), uses either the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) or DRG International Classification of Diseases-9th Rev. (ICD-9) lexicons and may better quantify injury severity compared with ISS. We compared the performance of TMPM with ISS and other measures of injury severity in a single cohort of patients. We included 337,359 patient records with injuries reliably described in both the AIS and the ICD-9 lexicons from the National Trauma Data Bank. Five injury severity measures (ISS, maximum AIS score, New Injury Severity Score [NISS], ICD-9-Based Injury Severity Score [ICISS], TMPM) were computed using either the AIS or ICD-9 codes. These measures were compared for discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve), an estimate of proximity to a model that perfectly predicts the outcome (Akaike information criterion), and model calibration curves. TMPM demonstrated superior receiver operating characteristic curve, Akaike information criterion, and calibration using either the AIS or ICD-9 lexicons. Calibration plots demonstrate the monotonic characteristics of the TMPM models contrasted by the nonmonotonic features of the other prediction models. Severity measures were more accurate with the AIS lexicon rather than ICD-9. NISS proved superior to ISS in either lexicon. Since NISS is simpler to compute, it should replace ISS when a quick estimate of injury severity is required for AIS-coded injuries. Calibration curves suggest that the nonmonotonic nature of ISS may undermine its performance. TMPM demonstrated superior overall mortality prediction compared with all other models including ISS whether the AIS or ICD-9 lexicons were used. Because TMPM provides an absolute probability of death, it may

  15. Challenges and opportunities for pediatric severe TBI-review of the evidence and exploring a way forward.

    PubMed

    Bell, Michael J; Adelson, P David; Wisniewski, Stephen R

    2017-10-01

    Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading killer of children in the developed and developing world. Despite evidence-based guidelines and several recent clinical trials, the progress in developing best practices for children with severe TBI has been slow. This article describes (i) the burden of the disease, (ii) the inadequacies of the evidence-based guidelines, (iii) the failure of the largest clinical trials to prove their primary hypotheses, and (iv) possible advances from an observational cohort study called the Approaches and Decisions for Acute Pediatric TBI (ADAPT) Trial that has recently completed enrollment.

  16. Experimental and computational investigations on severe slugging in a catenary riser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Duan, Jin-long; Chen, Ke; You, Yun-xiang; Gao, Song

    2017-12-01

    Severe slugging can occur in a pipeline-riser system at relatively low liquid and gas flow rates during gas-oil transportation, possibly causing unexpected damage to the production facilities. Experiments with air and water are conducted in a horizontal and downward inclined pipeline followed by a catenary riser in order to investigate the mechanism and characteristics of severe slugging. A theoretical model is introduced to compare with the experiments. The results show that the formation mechanism of severe slugging in a catenary riser is different from that in a vertical riser due to the riser geometry and five flow patterns are obtained and analyzed. A gas-liquid mixture slug stage is observed at the beginning of one cycle of severe slugging, which is seldom noticed in previous studies. Based on both experiments and computations, the time period and variation of pressure amplitude of severe slugging are found closely related to the superficial gas velocity, implying that the gas velocity significantly influences the flow patterns in our experiments. Moreover, good agreements between the experimental data and the numerical results are shown in the stability curve and flow regime map, which can be a possible reference for design in an offshore oil-production system.

  17. 8. Close view of sign showing the pediment, top portion ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    8. Close view of sign showing the pediment, top portion with letter "C" and middle portion with letters "H-I-C" (Note: side sheet metal panels are missing) - Chicago Theater, 175 North State Street, Chicago, Cook County, IL

  18. Pseudohalide (SCN(-))-Doped MAPbI3 Perovskites: A Few Surprises.

    PubMed

    Halder, Ansuman; Chulliyil, Ramya; Subbiah, Anand S; Khan, Tuhin; Chattoraj, Shyamtanu; Chowdhury, Arindam; Sarkar, Shaibal K

    2015-09-03

    Pseudohalide thiocyanate anion (SCN(-)) has been used as a dopant in a methylammonium lead tri-iodide (MAPbI3) framework, aiming for its use as an absorber layer for photovoltaic applications. The substitution of SCN(-) pseudohalide anion, as verified using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, results in a comprehensive effect on the optical properties of the original material. Photoluminescence measurements at room temperature reveal a significant enhancement in the emission quantum yield of MAPbI3-x(SCN)x as compared to MAPbI3, suggestive of suppression of nonradiative channels. This increased intensity is attributed to a highly edge specific emission from MAPbI3-x(SCN)x microcrystals as revealed by photoluminescence microscopy. Fluoresence lifetime imaging measurements further established contrasting carrier recombination dynamics for grain boundaries and the bulk of the doped material. Spatially resolved emission spectroscopy on individual microcrystals of MAPbI3-x(SCN)x reveals that the optical bandgap and density of states at various (local) nanodomains are also nonuniform. Surprisingly, several (local) emissive regions within MAPbI3-x(SCN)x microcrystals are found to be optically unstable under photoirradiation, and display unambiguous temporal intermittency in emission (blinking), which is extremely unusual and intriguing. We find diverse blinking behaviors for the undoped MAPbI3 crystals as well, which leads us to speculate that blinking may be a common phenomenon for most hybrid perovskite materials.

  19. 30 CFR 57.22217 - Seals and stoppings (I-A, I-B, and I-C mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Seals and stoppings (I-A, I-B, and I-C mines... NONMETAL MINES Safety Standards for Methane in Metal and Nonmetal Mines Ventilation § 57.22217 Seals and stoppings (I-A, I-B, and I-C mines). All seals, and those stoppings that separate main intake from main...

  20. 30 CFR 57.22217 - Seals and stoppings (I-A, I-B, and I-C mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Seals and stoppings (I-A, I-B, and I-C mines... NONMETAL MINES Safety Standards for Methane in Metal and Nonmetal Mines Ventilation § 57.22217 Seals and stoppings (I-A, I-B, and I-C mines). All seals, and those stoppings that separate main intake from main...

  1. Sensitivity of standing radiographs to detect knee arthritis: a systematic review of Level I studies.

    PubMed

    Duncan, Stephen T; Khazzam, Michael S; Burnham, Jeremy M; Spindler, Kurt P; Dunn, Warren R; Wright, Rick W

    2015-02-01

    The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the available literature to define the level of quality evidence for determining the sensitivity and specificity of different radiographic views in detecting knee osteoarthritis and to determine the impact of different grading systems on the ability to detect knee osteoarthritis. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify studies that evaluated the standing anteroposterior (AP) and 45° posteroanterior (PA) views for tibiofemoral and patellofemoral arthritis and those comparing the use of the Kellgren-Lawrence versus the joint space narrowing (JSN) radiographic grading systems using arthroscopy as the gold standard. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, the Cochrane Database, Clinicaltrial.gov, and EMBASE was performed using the keywords "osteoarthritis," "knee," "x-ray," "sensitivity," and "arthroscopy." Six studies were included in the evaluation. The 45° flexion PA view showed a higher sensitivity than the standing AP view for detecting severe arthritis involving either the medial or lateral tibiofemoral compartment. There was no difference in the specificities for the 2 views. The direct comparison of the Kellgren-Lawrence and the JSN radiographic grading systems found no clinical difference between the 2 systems regarding the sensitivities, although the specificity was greater for the JSN system. The ability to detect knee osteoarthritis continues to be difficult without using advanced imaging. However, as an inexpensive screening tool, the 45° flexion PA view is more sensitive than the standing AP view to detect severe tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. When evaluating the radiograph for severe osteoarthritis using either the Kellgren-Lawrence or JSN grading system, there is no clinical difference in the sensitivity between the 2 methods; however, the JSN may be more specific for ruling in severe osteoarthritis in the medial compartment. Level I, systematic review of

  2. Preparation and preclinical evaluation of 131 I-trastuzumab for breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Kameswaran, Mythili; Gota, Vikram; Ambade, Rajwardhan; Gupta, Sudeep; Dash, Ashutosh

    2017-01-01

    Trastuzumab that targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) is known to benefit patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer. The objective was to explore the potential of 131 I-trastuzumab for treatment of breast cancers. Radioiodination of trastuzumab was carried out by chloramine-T method, purified by using PD-10 column, and characterized by size exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography on a gel column. In vitro studies were carried out in HER2+ cells to determine the specificity of the radioimmunoconjugate. Uptake and retention of 131 I-trastuzumab were determined by biodistribution studies in tumor-bearing non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency and normal severe combined immunodeficiency mice. The radiochemical purity (RCP) of 131 I-trastuzumab was 98 ± 0.4% with retention time of 17 minutes by high-performance liquid chromatography. In vitro stability studies exhibited RCP of more than 90% in serum at 37°C after 120 hours of radioiodination. In vitro cell binding with 131 I-trastuzumab in HER2+ cells showed binding of 28% to 35% which was inhibited significantly, with unlabeled trastuzumab confirming its specificity. K d value of 131 I-trastuzumab was 0.5 nM, while its immunoreactivity was more than 80%. Uptake of more than 12% and retention were observed in the tumors up to 120 hours p.i. 131 I-trastuzumab prepared in-house-exhibited RCP of more than 98%, excellent immunoreactivity, affinity to HER2+ cell lines and good tumor uptake thereby indicating its potential for further evaluation in HER2+ breast cancers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  3. Railway train versus motor vehicle collisions: a comparative study of injury severity and patterns.

    PubMed

    Kligman, M D; Knotts, F B; Buderer, N M; Kerwin, A J; Rodgers, J F

    1999-11-01

    This study compares the demographics, injury severity, resource use, and injury patterns of patients involved in railway train-motor vehicle (RT-MV) to motor vehicle-motor vehicle (MV-MV) collisions. Retrospective trauma registry review of 74 RT-MV and 1,931 MV-MV consecutive patients, age more than 14 years, presenting to two Level I trauma centers, January of 1991 to May of 1998. Compared with MV-MV, RT-MV had significantly more males (72% vs. 54%), higher mortality (15% vs. 7%), higher Injury Severity Score (median, 20 vs. 9), longer intensive care unit length of stay (1.7 vs. 0.04 days), and longer hospital length of stay (7.5 vs. 4 days). RT-MV patients had a higher percentage of scalp/facial lacerations; intracranial hemorrhage; hemothorax and pneumothorax; fractures of the rib/sternum, upper extremity, skull, and face; and lung, splenic, and renal injuries. After adjusting for the difference in Injury Severity Score between groups, the only remaining significant group difference was the odds of a scalp/facial laceration. RT-MV collisions are a marker for more severe injuries, but not a different pattern of injury, compared with MV-MV collisions.

  4. CDKL5 mutations in boys with severe encephalopathy and early-onset intractable epilepsy.

    PubMed

    Elia, M; Falco, M; Ferri, R; Spalletta, A; Bottitta, M; Calabrese, G; Carotenuto, M; Musumeci, S A; Lo Giudice, M; Fichera, M

    2008-09-23

    To search for CDKL5 gene mutations in boys presenting with severe early-onset encephalopathy and intractable epilepsy, a clinical picture very similar to that already described in girls with CDKL5 mutations. Eight boys (age range 3-16 years, mean age 8.5 years, SD 4.38) with severe or profound mental retardation and early-onset intractable seizures were selected for CDKL5 gene mutation screening by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. We found three unrelated boys carrying three different missense mutations of the CDKL5 gene: c.872G>A (p.C291Y), c.863C>T (p.T288I), and c.533G>C (p.R178P). They presented early-onset, polymorphous, and drug-resistant seizures, mostly myoclonic and tonic or spasms. EEG showed epileptiform abnormalities which were multifocal during wakefulness, and pseudoperiodic bisynchronous during sleep. This study describes three boys carrying CDKL5 missense mutations and their detailed clinical and EEG data, and indicates that CDKL5 gene mutations may represent a cause of severe or profound mental retardation and early-onset intractable seizures, also in boys. Screening for CDKL5 mutations is strongly recommended in individuals with these clinical features.

  5. Early neonatal Glutaric aciduria type I hidden by perinatal asphyxia: a case report.

    PubMed

    Biasucci, Giacomo; Morelli, Nicola; Natacci, Federica; Mastrangelo, Massimo

    2018-01-15

    Perinatal asphyxia (PA) occurs in about 2 to 10 per 1000 live full-term births. Although neonatal epileptic seizures are observed in up to 60% of cases, PA may mimic or subtend other conditions. Hypoxia related brain injury is particularly relevant, as it may have permanent effects on neuropsychomotor development. Antepartum obstetric conditions, may, in turn, lead to hypoxic-ischemic damage to the fetus and the newborn, often underlying PA. Herein, a case of PA that hid and triggered signs and symptoms of Glutaric Aciduria type I (GA-I), is reported. R.F. was born at term after prolonged labour, by induced vaginal delivery with the Kristeller manoeuvre. He presented with severe asphyxia and asystoly. Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation promptly restored cardiorespiratory parameters, allowing for early extubation 30 min after. During the following hours, severe axial muscle hypotonia with an increased tone of the limb extensor muscles became evident. The absence of crying and archaic reflexes persisted and there was an onset of generalized tonic or clonic seizure. First level metabolic and inflammatory markers were within the normal range. An inherited metabolic disease was then suspected, due to the persistent clinical signs of severe neurological damage without any detectable septic parameter. GA-I was assessed and specific treatment started without any clinical improvement, although ensuring adequate growth and metabolic control. Thereafter, the baby developed a severe encephalopathy with drug resistant epileptic seizures. The progression of the neurological damage and a CVC-related sepsis led him to exitus at 2 years. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of early post-natal onset of GA-I reported in literature to date, in the absence of expanded newborn screening (NBS) programme. As expanded NBS programmes for inborn errors of metabolism have not yet been internationally adopted, we are of the opinion that such diseases may well be hidden

  6. Validity and utility of the DSM-5 severity specifier for binge-eating disorder.

    PubMed

    Dakanalis, Antonios; Colmegna, Fabrizia; Riva, Giuseppe; Clerici, Massimo

    2017-08-01

    To test both the concurrent and predictive significance of the new DSM-5 severity specifier for binge-eating disorder (BED) in adult outpatients. Existing data from 195 adults with DSM-5 BED who received evidence-based treatment (manual-based cognitive-behavioral therapy) in an outpatient setting were re-analysed to examine whether these patients sub-grouped according to the DSM-5 severity levels, defined by the frequency of binge-eating (BE) episodes, would show meaningful differences in a range of variables of clinical interest assessed at pre-treatment and end-of treatment abstinence from BE. Participants categorized with mild (33.3% of the sample), moderate (35.4%), severe (15.9%), and extreme (15.4%) severity of BED, based on their pre-treatment clinician-rated frequency of BE episodes, differed significantly from each other in physical characteristics (body mass index) and another sixteen variables of clinical interest assessed at pre-treatment regarding eating disorder psychopathology and putative maintenance factors, lifetime and current psychiatric disorder comorbidity, general psychiatric distress, and psychosocial impairment. The four DSM-5 severity groups were statistically indistinguishable in demographics or age-of-BED onset. However, significant between-group differences were observed in the treatment outcome, i.e., abstinence from BE, achieved by 98.5%, 66.7%, 38.7% and 6.7% of participants categorized with mild, moderate, severe, and extreme severity respectively. The outcome analyses repeated in the completer sample (n = 187) yielded the same pattern of the aforementioned intent-to-treat (N = 195) results. The findings provide support for the severity specifier for BED introduced in the DSM-5 as a means of addressing within-group variability in severity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  7. Best in show but not best shape: a photographic assessment of show dog body condition.

    PubMed

    Such, Z R; German, A J

    2015-08-01

    Previous studies suggest that owners often wrongly perceive overweight dogs to be in normal condition. The body shape of dogs attending shows might influence owners' perceptions, with online images of overweight show winners having a negative effect. This was an observational in silico study of canine body condition. 14 obese-prone breeds and 14 matched non-obese-probe breeds were first selected, and one operator then used an online search engine to identify 40 images, per breed, of dogs that had appeared at a major national UK show (Crufts). After images were anonymised and coded, a second observer subjectively assessed body condition, in a single sitting, using a previously validated method. Of 1120 photographs initially identified, 960 were suitable for assessing body condition, with all unsuitable images being from longhaired breeds. None of the dogs (0 per cent) were underweight, 708 (74 per cent) were in ideal condition and 252 (26 per cent) were overweight. Pugs, basset hounds and Labrador retrievers were most likely to be overweight, while standard poodles, Rhodesian ridgebacks, Hungarian vizslas and Dobermanns were least likely to be overweight. Given the proportion of show dogs from some breeds that are overweight, breed standards should be redefined to be consistent with a dog in optimal body condition. British Veterinary Association.

  8. Fatal toxoplasmosis in an immunosuppressed domestic cat from Brazil caused by Toxoplasma gondii clonal type I.

    PubMed

    Pena, Hilda Fátima de Jesus; Evangelista, Camila Mariellen; Casagrande, Renata Assis; Biezus, Giovana; Wisser, Claudia Salete; Ferian, Paulo Eduardo; Moura, Anderson Barbosa de; Rolim, Veronica Machado; Driemeier, David; Oliveira, Solange; Alves, Bruna Farias; Gennari, Solange Maria; Traverso, Sandra Davi

    2017-01-01

    The objective of the study was to report on a fatal case of feline toxoplasmosis with coinfection with the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). A domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) presented intense dyspnea and died three days later. In the necropsy, the lungs were firm, without collapse and with many white areas; moderate lymphadenomegaly and splenomegaly were also observed. The histopathological examination showed severe necrotic interstitial bronchopneumonia and mild necrotic hepatitis, associated with intralesional cysts and tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii that were positive by anti-T. gondii immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation. The bone marrow showed chronic myeloid leukemia and the neoplastic cells were positive by anti-FeLV IHC evaluation. DNA extracted from lungs was positive for T. gondii by PCR targeting REP-529. T. gondii was characterized by PCR-RFLP and by the microsatellites technique. ToxoDB-PCR-RFLP #10, i.e. the archetypal type I, was identified. Microsatellite analysis showed that the strain was a variant of type I with two atypical alleles. This was the first time that a T. gondii clonal type I genotype was correlated with a case of acute toxoplasmosis in a host in Brazil.

  9. Water permeability is a measure of severity in acute appendicitis.

    PubMed

    Pini, Nicola; Pfeifle, Viktoria A; Kym, Urs; Keck, Simone; Galati, Virginie; Holland-Cunz, Stefan; Gros, Stephanie J

    2017-12-01

    Acute appendicitis is the most common indication for pediatric abdominal emergency surgery. Determination of the severity of appendicitis on clinical grounds is challenging. Complicated appendicitis presenting with perforation, abscess or diffuse peritonitis is not uncommon. The question remains why and when acute appendicitis progresses to perforation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of water permeability on the severity of appendicitis. We show that AQP1 expression and water permeability in appendicitis correlate with the stage of inflammation and systemic infection parameters, leading eventually to perforation of the appendix. AQP1 is also expressed within the ganglia of the enteric nervous system and ganglia count increases with inflammation. Severity of appendicitis can be correlated with water permeability measured by AQP1 protein expression and increase of ganglia count in a progressive manner. This introduces the question if regulation of water permeability can present novel curative or ameliorating therapeutic options.

  10. Enzymatic characteristics of a recombinant neutral protease I (rNpI) from Aspergillus oryzae expressed in Pichia pastoris.

    PubMed

    Ke, Ye; Huang, Wei-Qian; Li, Jia-zhou; Xie, Ming-quan; Luo, Xiao-chun

    2012-12-12

    A truncated neutral protease I (NpI) from Aspergillus oryzae 3.042 was expressed in Pichia pastoris with a high enzyme yield of 43101 U/mL. Its optimum pH was about 8.0, and it was stable in the pH range of 5.0-9.0. Its optimum temperature was about 55 °C and retained >90% activity at 50 °C for 120 min. Recombinant NpI (rNpI) was inhibited by Cu(2+) and EDTA. Eight cleavage sites of rNpI in oxidized insulin B-chain were determined by mass spectrometry, and five of them had high hydrophobic amino acid affinity, which makes it efficient in producing antihypertensive peptide IPP from β-casein and a potential debittering agent. The high degree of hydrolysis (DH) of rNpI to soybean protein (8.8%) and peanut protein (11.1%) compared to papain and alcalase makes it a good candidate in the processing of oil industry byproducts. The mutagenesis of H(429), H(433), and E(453) in the deduced zinc-binding motif confirmed rNpI as a gluzincin. All of these results show the great potential of rNpI to be used in the protein hydrolysis industry.

  11. Newborn Bilirubin Screening for Preventing Severe Hyperbilirubinemia and Bilirubin Encephalopathy: A Rapid Review.

    PubMed

    Bhardwaj, Kalpana; Locke, Tiffany; Biringer, Anne; Booth, Allyson; Darling, Elizabeth K; Dougan, Shelley; Harrison, Jane; Hill, Stephen; Johnson, Ana; Makin, Susan; Potter, Beth; Lacaze-Masmonteil, Thierry; Little, Julian

    2017-01-01

    According to the 2004 American Academy of Pediatrics guideline on the management of hyperbilirubinemia, every newborn should be assessed for the risk of developing severe hyperbilirubinemia with the help of predischarge total serum bilirubin or transcutaneous bilirubin measurements and/or assessments of clinical risk factors. The aim of this rapid review is 1) to review the evidence for 1) predicting and preventing severe hyperbilirubinemia and bilirubin encephalopathy, 2) determining the efficacy of home/community treatments (home phototherapy) in the prevention of severe hyperbilirubinemia, and 3) non-invasive/transcutaneous methods for estimating serum bilirubin level. In this rapid review, studies were identified through the Medline database. The main outcomes of interest were severe hyperbilirubinemia and encephalopathy. A subset of articles was double screened and all articles were critically appraised using the SIGN and AMSTAR checklists. This review investigated if systems approach is likely to reduce the occurrence of severe hyperbilirubinemia. Fifty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Included studies assessed the association between bilirubin measurement early in neonatal life and the subsequent development of severe hyperbilirubinemia and chronic bilirubin encephalopathy/kernicterus. It was observed that, highest priority should be given to (i) universal bilirubin screening programs; (ii) implementation of community and midwife practice; (iii) outreach to communities for education of prospective parents; and (iv) development of clinical pathways to monitor, evaluate and track infants with severe hyperbilirubinemia. We found substantial observational evidence that severe hyperbilirubinemia can be accurately predicted and prevented through universal bilirubin screening. So far, there is no evidence of any harm. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

  12. Enabling healthy living: Experiences of people with severe mental illness in psychiatric outpatient services.

    PubMed

    Blomqvist, Marjut; Sandgren, Anna; Carlsson, Ing-Marie; Jormfeldt, Henrika

    2018-02-01

    It is well known that people with severe mental illness have a reduced life expectancy and a greater risk of being affected by preventable physical illnesses such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. There are still, however, only a few published studies focusing on what enables healthy living for this group. This study thus aimed to describe what enables healthy living among people with severe mental illness in psychiatric outpatient services. The data were collected in qualitative interviews (n = 16) and content analysis was used to analyze the data. The interviews resulted in an overall theme "Being regarded as a whole human being by self and others", which showed the multidimensional nature of health and the issues that enable healthy living among people with severe mental illness. Three categories emerged: (i) everyday structure (ii), motivating life events and (iii) support from significant others. The results indicate that a person with severe mental illness needs to be encountered as a whole person if healthy living is to be enabled. Attaining healthy living requires collaboration between the providers of care, help and support. Health care organizations need to work together to develop and provide interventions to enable healthy living and to reduce poor physical health among people with severe mental illness. © 2017 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.

  13. Amide I vibrational circular dichroism of dipeptide: Conformation dependence and fragment analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Choi, Jun-Ho; Cho, Minhaeng

    2004-03-01

    The amide I vibrational circular dichroic response of alanine dipeptide analog (ADA) was theoretically investigated and the density functional theory calculation and fragment analysis results are presented. A variety of vibrational spectroscopic properties, local and normal mode frequencies, coupling constant, dipole, and rotational strengths, are calculated by varying two dihedral angles determining the three-dimensional ADA conformation. Considering two monopeptide fragments separately, we show that the amide I vibrational circular dichroism of the ADA can be quantitatively predicted. For several representative conformations of the model ADA, vibrational circular dichroism spectra are calculated by using both the density functional theory calculation and fragment analysis methods.

  14. Evaluation of Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) as a predictor of lower limb amputation in children with trauma.

    PubMed

    Behdad, Saba; Rafiei, Mohammad Hadi; Taheri, Hadi; Behdad, Samin; Mohammadzadeh, Mahdi; Kiani, Gelare; Hosseinpour, Mehrdad

    2012-12-01

    Management of the severely injured lower limb in children remains a challenge despite advances in surgical techniques. Models that predict the risk of lower limb trauma patients are designed to provide an estimation of the probability of limb salvage. In this study, we validate Mangled Extremity Syndrome Index (Mangled Extremity Severity Score [MESS]) by measurement of its discrimination in children. From September 2009 to 2010, we collected the hospital records of all children who presented with lower extremity long bone open fractures. The inclusion criteria were I grade, II B, III C open fractures, severe injury to three of four organ systems, and severe injury to two of four organ systems with minor injury to two of four systems that require surgical interventions. Severity of limb injury was measured using MESS. Patients were followed up for 1 year. The discrimination of MESS model in differentiating of outcome in patients was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operator characteristic plot. We evaluated 200 children referred consecutively to our center. The mean MESS in the amputation group was 7.5 ± 1.59 versus 6.4 ± 2.02 in the limb salvage group (p = 0.04). Amputation rate was 7.5% (n = 15). Percentages of skeletal/soft-tissue injury was different between groups (p = 0.0001). Children in the amputation group showed more tissue injury compared with limb salvage group. The best clinical discriminator power was calculated as MESS ≥ 6.5 (sensitivity = 73%, specificity = 54%). We assumed that patients with a high risk of amputation can be identified early, and specific measures can be implemented immediately by using MESS with threshold of 6.5. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  15. Development and Feasibility Testing of Internet-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Severe Health Anxiety: Pilot Study

    PubMed Central

    Rask, Charlotte Ulrikka; Hedman-Lagerlöf, Erik; Ljótsson, Brjánn; Frostholm, Lisbeth

    2018-01-01

    Background Severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis), or illness anxiety disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, is characterized by preoccupation with fear of suffering from a serious illness in spite of medical reassurance. It is a debilitating, prevalent disorder associated with increased health care utilization. Still, there is a lack of easily accessible specialized treatment for severe health anxiety. Objective The aims of this paper were to (1) describe the development and setup of a new internet-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy (iACT) program for patients with severe health anxiety using self-referral and a video-based assessment; and (2) examine the feasibility and potential clinical efficacy of iACT for severe health anxiety. Methods Self-referred patients (N=15) with severe health anxiety were diagnostically assessed by a video-based interview. They received 7 sessions of clinician-supported iACT comprising self-help texts, video clips, audio files, and worksheets over 12 weeks. Self-report questionnaires were obtained at baseline, post-treatment, and at 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome was Whiteley-7 Index (WI-7) measuring health anxiety severity. Depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), life satisfaction, and psychological flexibility were also assessed. A within-group design was employed. Means, standard deviations, and effect sizes using the standardized response mean (SRM) were estimated. Post-treatment interviews were conducted to evaluate the patient experience of the usability and acceptability of the treatment setup and program. Results The self-referral and video-based assessments were well received. Most patients (12/15, 80%) completed the treatment, and only 1 (1/15, 7%) dropped out. Post-treatment (14/15, 93%) and 3-month follow-up (12/15, 80%) data were available for almost all patients. Paired t tests showed significant improvements on all outcome

  16. Mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans him-19 show meiotic defects that worsen with age.

    PubMed

    Tang, Lois; Machacek, Thomas; Mamnun, Yasmine M; Penkner, Alexandra; Gloggnitzer, Jiradet; Wegrostek, Christina; Konrat, Robert; Jantsch, Michael F; Loidl, Josef; Jantsch, Verena

    2010-03-15

    From a screen for meiotic Caenorhabditis elegans mutants based on high incidence of males, we identified a novel gene, him-19, with multiple functions in prophase of meiosis I. Mutant him-19(jf6) animals show a reduction in pairing of homologous chromosomes and subsequent bivalent formation. Consistently, synaptonemal complex formation is spatially restricted and possibly involves nonhomologous chromosomes. Also, foci of the recombination protein RAD-51 occur delayed or cease altogether. Ultimately, mutation of him-19 leads to chromosome missegregation and reduced offspring viability. The observed defects suggest that HIM-19 is important for both homology recognition and formation of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks. It therefore seems to be engaged in an early meiotic event, resembling in this respect the regulator kinase CHK-2. Most astonishingly, him-19(jf6) hermaphrodites display worsening of phenotypes with increasing age, whereas defects are more severe in female than in male meiosis. This finding is consistent with depletion of a him-19-dependent factor during the production of oocytes. Further characterization of him-19 could contribute to our understanding of age-dependent meiotic defects in humans.

  17. Mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans him-19 Show Meiotic Defects That Worsen with Age

    PubMed Central

    Tang, Lois; Machacek, Thomas; Mamnun, Yasmine M.; Penkner, Alexandra; Gloggnitzer, Jiradet; Wegrostek, Christina; Konrat, Robert; Loidl, Josef; Jantsch, Verena

    2010-01-01

    From a screen for meiotic Caenorhabditis elegans mutants based on high incidence of males, we identified a novel gene, him-19, with multiple functions in prophase of meiosis I. Mutant him-19(jf6) animals show a reduction in pairing of homologous chromosomes and subsequent bivalent formation. Consistently, synaptonemal complex formation is spatially restricted and possibly involves nonhomologous chromosomes. Also, foci of the recombination protein RAD-51 occur delayed or cease altogether. Ultimately, mutation of him-19 leads to chromosome missegregation and reduced offspring viability. The observed defects suggest that HIM-19 is important for both homology recognition and formation of meiotic DNA double-strand breaks. It therefore seems to be engaged in an early meiotic event, resembling in this respect the regulator kinase CHK-2. Most astonishingly, him-19(jf6) hermaphrodites display worsening of phenotypes with increasing age, whereas defects are more severe in female than in male meiosis. This finding is consistent with depletion of a him-19-dependent factor during the production of oocytes. Further characterization of him-19 could contribute to our understanding of age-dependent meiotic defects in humans. PMID:20071466

  18. Analysis of apolipoprotein A-I as a substrate for matrix metalloproteinase-14

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Park, Jun Hyoung; Park, Sung-Min; Park, Ki-Hoon

    2011-05-27

    Highlights: {yields} MMP-14 degrades apoA-I more efficiently than other tested MMPs. {yields} Lipid-free apoA-I is more susceptible to MMPs than lipid-bound apoA-I. {yields} MMP-14 cleavage sites on apoA-I have been determined. {yields} Cleavage of apoA-I by MMP-14 impairs its ability to form HDL. -- Abstract: Substrates for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14 were previously identified in human plasma using proteomic techniques. One putative MMP-14 substrate was apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), a major component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In vitro cleavage assays showed that lipid-free apoA-I is a more accessible substrate for MMP-14 compared to lipid-bound apoA-I, and that MMP-14 is more prone tomore » digest apoA-I than MMP-3. The 28-kDa apoA-I was cleaved into smaller fragments of 27, 26, 25, 22, and 14-kDa by MMP-14. ApoA-I sites cleaved by MMP-14 were determined by isotope labeling of C-termini derived from the cleavage and analysis of the labeled peptides by mass spectrometry, along with N-terminal sequencing of the fragments. Cleavage of apoA-I by MMP-14 resulted in a loss of ability to form HDL. Our results suggest that cleavage of lipid-free apoA-I by MMP-14 may contribute to reduced HDL formation, and this may be occurring during the development of various vascular diseases as lipid metabolism is disrupted.« less

  19. Cas5d Protein Processes Pre-crRNA and Assembles into a Cascade-like Interference Complex in Subtype I-C/Dvulg CRISPR-Cas System

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nam, Ki Hyun; Haitjema, Charles; Liu, Xueqi

    Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), together with an operon of CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, form an RNA-based prokaryotic immune system against exogenous genetic elements. Cas5 family proteins are found in several type I CRISPR-Cas systems. Here, we report the molecular function of subtype I-C/Dvulg Cas5d from Bacillus halodurans. We show that Cas5d cleaves pre-crRNA into unit length by recognizing both the hairpin structure and the 3 single stranded sequence in the CRISPR repeat region. Cas5d structure reveals a ferredoxin domain-based architecture and a catalytic triad formed by Y46, K116, and H117 residues. We further show that after pre-crRNA processing,more » Cas5d assembles with crRNA, Csd1, and Csd2 proteins to form a multi-sub-unit interference complex similar to Escherichia coli Cascade (CRISPR-associated complex for antiviral defense) in architecture. Our results suggest that formation of a crRNA-presenting Cascade-like complex is likely a common theme among type I CRISPR subtypes.« less

  20. A Study of the Toxicity of the Metabolites of the Cruise Missile Fuel JP-10 on Several Animal Species.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1986-09-30

    AD-A174 758 A STUDY OF THE TOXICITY OF THE NETABOLITES OF THE t/1 CRUISE MISSILE FUEL JP- (U) WRIGHT STATE UNIV DAYTON OHIO M P SERVE 38 SEP 86 WSU...rri P.-d n- i approved po’ i.’ ! v I,,AF:R 19 ,)-12. KA TTHEW J. Chief, Techl-icl Informt ion Division A STUDY OF THE TOXICITY OF TH4E METABOLITES OF...Security Class, fcation)IrC A study of the toxicity of the --tim..... f 0.01. metabolites of the cruise missle fuel JP-10 on several animal species. 12

  1. Greater involvement of neurokinins found in Guinea pig models of severe asthma compared with mild asthma.

    PubMed

    Mukaiyama, Osamu; Morimoto, Kiyoshi; Nosaka, Emi; Takahashi, Sakiko; Yamashita, Makoto

    2004-08-01

    Involvement of neurokinins in asthma has been previously pointed out by several reports. However, the relationship between neurokinins and the severity of asthma has remained unclear. We developed a model of mild asthma (model I) and severe asthma (model II) in guinea pigs, and investigated the function of neurokinins in both models. In models I and II, systemically sensitized guinea pigs were made to inhale ovalbumin once and three times, respectively. Substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) concentrations in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured in models I and II. Then, the effects of a capsaicin pretreatment, which depletes neurokinins, in both animal models on airway narrowing induced by the last ovalbumin inhalation, airway hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine, and eosinophil accumulation in BALF, were investigated. SP concentration tended to increase and the NKA concentration increased significantly in model II, but not in model I. Capsaicin pretreatment significantly inhibited the late bronchial response that was observed 2-6 h after the last ovalbumin inhalation, airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil accumulation in model II. On the other hand, it had no effects on the responses in model I. It is suggested that the more severe the disease, the greater the involvement of neurokinins. Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

  2. Correction of a Severely Rotated Maxillary Incisor by Elastics in Mixed Dentition Complicated by a Mesiodens.

    PubMed

    Sidiq, Mohsin; Yousuf, Asif; Bhat, Manohar; Sharma, Rajesh; Bhargava, Neha; Ganta, Shravani

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this case study was to report a potentially convenient approach instead of a conventional orthodontic procedure for correcting severe rotation of anterior tooth of an 11-year-old Indian boy, with a mixed dentition class I malocclusion. The child reported seeking treatment for severely rotated upper right central incisor with mesiodens and a single tooth crossbite. The supernumerary tooth was first extracted and bondable buttons were placed on the rotated tooth, an appliance composed of a removable plate with Adam's clasp with distal extension and a loop for engagement of elastics was delivered. Circumferential supracrestal fibrotomy was performed on the corrected derotated tooth. Then, Hawley's appliance with a z-spring and posterior bite plane was fabricated and placed for correction of crossbite. Thus, this removable appliance can be a simplified and a cost-effective treatment alternative for derotation of anterior tooth, especially during the mixed dentition period. How to cite this article: Sidiq M, Yousuf A, Bhat M, Sharma R, Bhargava N, Ganta S. Correction of a Severely Rotated Maxillary Incisor by Elastics in Mixed Dentition Complicated by a Mesiodens. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(3):234-238.

  3. Correction of a Severely Rotated Maxillary Incisor by Elastics in Mixed Dentition Complicated by a Mesiodens

    PubMed Central

    Sidiq, Mohsin; Bhat, Manohar; Sharma, Rajesh; Bhargava, Neha; Ganta, Shravani

    2015-01-01

    ABSTRACT The aim of this case study was to report a potentially convenient approach instead of a conventional orthodontic procedure for correcting severe rotation of anterior tooth of an 11-year-old Indian boy, with a mixed dentition class I malocclusion. The child reported seeking treatment for severely rotated upper right central incisor with mesiodens and a single tooth crossbite. The supernumerary tooth was first extracted and bondable buttons were placed on the rotated tooth, an appliance composed of a removable plate with Adam’s clasp with distal extension and a loop for engagement of elastics was delivered. Circumferential supracrestal fibrotomy was performed on the corrected derotated tooth. Then, Hawley’s appliance with a z-spring and posterior bite plane was fabricated and placed for correction of crossbite. Thus, this removable appliance can be a simplified and a cost-effective treatment alternative for derotation of anterior tooth, especially during the mixed dentition period. How to cite this article: Sidiq M, Yousuf A, Bhat M, Sharma R, Bhargava N, Ganta S. Correction of a Severely Rotated Maxillary Incisor by Elastics in Mixed Dentition Complicated by a Mesiodens. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(3):234-238. PMID:26604544

  4. Mixed-severity fire fosters heterogeneous spatial patterns of conifer regeneration in a dry conifer forest

    Treesearch

    Sparkle L. Malone; Paula J. Fornwalt; Mike A. Battaglia; Marin E. Chambers; Jose M. Iniguez; Carolyn H. Sieg

    2018-01-01

    We examined spatial patterns of post-fire regenerating conifers in a Colorado, USA, dry conifer forest 11-12 years following the reintroduction of mixed-severity fire. We mapped and measured all post-fire regenerating conifers, as well as all other post-fire regenerating trees and all residual (i.e., surviving) trees, in three 4-ha plots following the 2002 Hayman Fire...

  5. Thermocron iButton and iBBat temperature dataloggers emit ultrasound.

    PubMed

    Willis, Craig K R; Jameson, Joel W; Faure, Paul A; Boyles, Justin G; Brack, Virgil; Cervone, Tom H

    2009-10-01

    Thermocron iButton dataloggers are widely used to measure thermal microclimates experienced by wild animals. The iBBat is a smaller version of the datalogger, also commercially available, that is used to measure animal skin or core body temperatures when attached externally or surgically implanted. Field observations of bats roosting under a bridge suggested that bats avoided locations with iButtons. A heterodyne bat detector revealed that the dataloggers emitted ultrasound which was detectable from a distance of up to 30 cm. We therefore recorded and quantified the acoustic properties [carrier frequency (Hz) and root mean square sound pressure level (dB SPL)] of iButton and iBBat dataloggers. All units emitted a 32.9 kHz pure tone that was readily picked up with a time expansion bat detector at a distance of 1 cm, and most were detected at a distance of 15 cm. The maximum amplitude of iButton dataloggers was 46.5 dB SPL at 1.0 cm-a level within the range of auditory sensitivity for most small mammals. Wrapping iButtons in plastic insulation severely attenuated the amplitude of ultrasound. Although there was a statistically significant reduction in rates of warming and cooling with insulation, this effect was small and we suggest that insulation may be a viable solution to eliminate unwanted ultrasonic noise in instances when small delays in thermal response dynamics are not a concern. We recommend behavioural studies to assess if the electronic signals emitted by iButtons are disturbing to small mammals.

  6. Determination of LongR3-IGF-I, R3-IGF-I, Des1-3 IGF-I and their metabolites in human plasma samples by means of LC-MS.

    PubMed

    Thomas, Andreas; Walpurgis, Katja; Delahaut, Philippe; Fichant, Eric; Schänzer, Wilhelm; Thevis, Mario

    2017-08-01

    According to the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), growth promoting peptides such as the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its synthetic analogues belong to the class of prohibited compounds. While several assays to quantify endogenous IGF-I have been established, the potential misuse of synthetic analogues such as LongR 3 -IGF-I, R 3 -IGF-I and Des1-3-IGF-I remains a challenge and superior pharmacokinetic properties have been described for these analogues. Within the present study, it was demonstrated that the target peptides can be successfully detected in plasma samples by means of magnetic beads-based immunoaffinity purification and subsequent nanoscale liquid chromatographic separation with high resolution mass spectrometric detection. Noteworthy, the usage of a specific antibody for LongR 3 -IGF-I enables the determination in low ng/mL levels despite the presence of an enormous excess of endogenous human IGF-I. In addition, different metabolism studies (in-vitro and in-vivo) were performed using sophisticated strategies such as incubation with skin tissue microsomes, degradation in biological fluids (for all analogues), and administration to rats (for LongR 3 -IGF-I). Herewith, several C-and N-terminally truncated metabolites were identified and their relevancy was additionally confirmed by in-vivo experiments with rodents. Especially for LongR 3 -IGF-I, a metabolite ((Des1-11)-LongR 3 -IGF-I) was identified that prolonged the detectability in-vivo by a factor of approximately 2. The method was validated for qualitative interpretation considering the parameters specificity, identification capability, recovery (26-60%), limit of detection (0.5ng/mL), imprecision (<25%), linearity, stability, and matrix effects. A stable isotope labelled ( 15 N)-IGF-I was used as internal standard to control all sample preparation steps. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. Augmentation of Conventional Medical Management of Moderately Severe or Severe Asthma with Acupuncture and Guided Imagery/Meditation

    PubMed Central

    Mehl-Madrona, Lewis

    2008-01-01

    Objective: I sought to determine if a combination of acupuncture and guided imagery could augment the conventional medical management of moderately severe or severe asthma. Design: This was an early-phase study with a convenience sample of self-selecting patients compared with self—year before, during treatment, and one year after treatment. Setting: Patients were recruited from an outpatient practice. Patients: All participants were adults with moderately severe or severe asthma (class 3 or 4). Interventions: The study employed acupuncture and guided imagery/meditation for a 24-week period. Main Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures were number of days of hospitalization, number of Emergency Department (ED) visits, number of physician visits, days per year taking steroids, puffs per week of inhaled β-agonists, FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in the first second), and FEF25-75 (forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the FVC). Results: With the addition of acupuncture and guided imagery to conventional medical management, members of the study group experienced improvement. The number of hospitalized days and the number of ED visits not leading to hospitalizations decreased, as did number of medical visits and total days taking oral corticosteroids. Parameters of respiratory function improved despite reduced use of inhaled β-agonists. Conclusion: With acupuncture and guided imagery and meditation together, a self-selecting group of patients with moderately severe or severe asthma experienced improvement in respiratory function, taking less medication than before and having fewer emergencies and hospitalizations at a lower cost of care. PMID:21339915

  8. Acyclovir resistance in herpes simplex virus type I encephalitis: a case report.

    PubMed

    Bergmann, M; Beer, R; Kofler, M; Helbok, R; Pfausler, B; Schmutzhard, E

    2017-04-01

    Acyclovir resistance is rarely seen in herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I encephalitis. Prevalence rates vary between 0.5 % in immunocompetent patients (Christophers et al. 1998; Fife et al. 1994) and 3.5-10 % in immunocompromised patients (Stranska et al. 2005). We report a 45-year-old, immunocompetent (negative HIV antigen/antibody testing), female patient, without previous illness who developed-after a febrile prodromal stage-aphasia and psychomotor slowing. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) showed right temporal and insular T2-hyperintense lesions with spreading to the contralateral temporal lobe. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis yielded lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein level. Polymerase chain reaction testing for HSV type I showed a positive result in repeat lumbar puncture. HSV type I encephalitis was diagnosed and intravenous acyclovir treatment was initiated (750 mg t.i.d.). Acyclovir treatment was intensified to 1000 mg t.i.d., due to clinical deterioration, ongoing pleocytosis and progression on cMRI 5 days after initiation of antiviral therapy. In parallel, acyclovir resistance testing showed mutation of thymidine kinase gene at position A156V prompting foscarnet therapy (60 mg t.i.d.). Patient's condition improved dramatically over 2 weeks. Acyclovir resistance is rare but should be considered in case of clinical worsening of patient's condition. To our knowledge, this is the first report of acyclovir resistance in HSV type I encephalitis of an immunocompetent and previously healthy patient in Austria.

  9. Validation of the Japanese disease severity classification and the GAP model in Japanese patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Kondoh, Shun; Chiba, Hirofumi; Nishikiori, Hirotaka; Umeda, Yasuaki; Kuronuma, Koji; Otsuka, Mitsuo; Yamada, Gen; Ohnishi, Hirofumi; Mori, Mitsuru; Kondoh, Yasuhiro; Taniguchi, Hiroyuki; Homma, Sakae; Takahashi, Hiroki

    2016-09-01

    The clinical course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) shows great inter-individual differences. It is important to standardize the severity classification to accurately evaluate each patient׳s prognosis. In Japan, an original severity classification (the Japanese disease severity classification, JSC) is used. In the United States, the new multidimensional index and staging system (the GAP model) has been proposed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the model performance for the prediction of mortality risk of the JSC and GAP models using a large cohort of Japanese patients with IPF. This is a retrospective cohort study including 326 patients with IPF in the Hokkaido prefecture from 2003 to 2007. We obtained the survival curves of each stage of the GAP and JSC models to perform a comparison. In the GAP model, the prognostic value for mortality risk of Japanese patients was also evaluated. In the JSC, patient prognoses were roughly divided into two groups, mild cases (Stages I and II) and severe cases (Stages III and IV). In the GAP model, there was no significant difference in survival between Stages II and III, and the mortality rates in the patients classified into the GAP Stages I and II were underestimated. It is difficult to predict accurate prognosis of IPF using the JSC and the GAP models. A re-examination of the variables from the two models is required, as well as an evaluation of the prognostic value to revise the severity classification for Japanese patients with IPF. Copyright © 2016 The Japanese Respiratory Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. MILD OBESITY IS PROTECTIVE AFTER SEVERE BURN INJURY

    PubMed Central

    Jeschke, Marc G.; Finnerty, Celeste C.; Emdad, Fatemeh; Rivero, Haidy G.; Kraft, Robert; Williams, Felicia N; Gamelli, Richard L.; Gibran, Nicole S.; Klein, Matthew B.; Arnoldo, Brett D.; Tompkins, Ronald G.; Herndon, David N.

    2014-01-01

    Objective To assess the impact of obesity on morbidity and mortality in severely burned patients. Background Despite the increasing number of people with obesity, little is known about the impact of obesity on postburn outcomes. Methods A total of 405 patients were prospectively enrolled as part of the multicenter trial Inflammation and the Host Response to Injury Glue Grant with the following inclusion criteria: 0 to 89 years of age, admitted within 96 hours after injury, and more than 20% total body surface area burn requiring at least 1 surgical intervention. Body mass index was used in adult patients to stratify according to World Health Organization definitions: less than 18.5 (underweight), 18.5 to 29.9 (normal weight), 30 to 34.9 (obese I), 35 to 39.9 (obese II), and body mass index more than 40 (obese III). Pediatric patients (2 to ≤18 years of age) were stratified by using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization body mass index-for-age growth charts to obtain a percentile ranking and then grouped as underweight (<5th percentile), normal weight (5th percentile to <95th percentile), and obese (≥95th percentile). The primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes were clinical markers of patient recovery, for example, multiorgan function, infections, sepsis, and length of stay. Results A total of 273 patients had normal weight, 116 were obese, and 16 were underweight; underweight patients were excluded from the analyses because of insufficient patient numbers. There were no differences in primary and secondary outcomes when normal weight patients were compared with obese patients. Further stratification in pediatric and adult patients showed similar results. However, when adult patients were stratified in obesity categories, log-rank analysis showed improved survival in the obese I group and higher mortality in the obese III group compared with obese I group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Overall, obesity was not

  11. Plasmodium falciparum-induced severe malaria with acute kidney injury and jaundice: a case report

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baswin, A.; Siregar, M. L.; Jamil, K. F.

    2018-03-01

    P. falciparum-induced severe malaria with life-threatening complications like acute kidney injury (AKI), jaundice, cerebral malaria, severe anemia, acidosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A 31-year-old soldier man who works in Aceh Singkil, Indonesia which is an endemic malaria area presented with a paroxysm of fever, shaking chills and sweats over four days, headache, arthralgia, abdominal pain, pale, jaundice, and oliguria. Urinalysis showed hemoglobinuria. Blood examination showed hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperbilirubinemia. Falciparum malaria was then confirmed by peripheral blood smear, antimalarial medications were initiated, and hemodialysis was performed for eight times. The patient’s condition and laboratory results were quickly normalized. We report a case of P. falciparum-induced severe malaria with AKI and jaundice. The present case suggests that P. falciparum may induce severe malaria with life-threatening complications, early diagnosis and treatment is important to improve the quality of life of patients. Physicians must be alert for correct diagnosis and proper management of imported tropical malaria when patients have travel history in endemic areas.

  12. Effects of different types of moderate severity disturbance on forest structural complexity and ecosystem functioning: A story of ice and fire

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fahey, R. T.; Atkins, J.; Gough, C. M.; Hardiman, B. S.; Haber, L.; Stuart-Haentjens, E.; David, O.; Campbell, J. L.; Rustad, L.; Duffy, M.

    2017-12-01

    Disturbances that alter the structure and function of forest ecosystems occur along a continuum of severity. In contrast to the extremes of the disturbance gradient (i.e., stand-replacing disturbance and small gap formation), moderate severity disturbances are poorly understood, even though they make up the majority of the gradient and their spatial extent (and likely overall importance to regional disturbance regimes) often exceeds that of more severe disturbances. Moderate severity disturbances originate from a variety of causes, such as fires, ice storms, or pest and pathogen outbreaks, and each of these could reshape structure and function in different ways. Observational data from a limited number of sites shows that moderate disturbance can increase ecosystem complexity, but the generality of this effect has not been tested across a broad range of disturbance types and severities. Here, we utilize data from a set of five case studies of experimental or natural moderate disturbance to assess the effects of different types and severities of disturbance on forest canopy structural complexity (CSC) and the relationship of canopy structure with ecosystem functioning. Using pre- and post-disturbance measures of CSC derived from aerial and terrestrial LiDAR, UAV imagery, and Landsat data we quantified changes in CSC following an experimental ice storm, a low-severity surface fire, Beech Bark Disease and Hemlock Wooly Adelgid outbreaks, and experimental accelerated succession. Our initial findings indicate that different disturbance types have highly variable effects on CSC, and also that progressive increases in disturbance severity alter CSC differently among disturbance types. Differential effects of variable disturbance types on CSC has implications for the carbon cycle, as forest structure is strongly linked with both growth-limiting resource (e.g., nutrients and light) acquisition and net primary productivity. Understanding how different types and severities of

  13. The influence of isolated thoracoplasty on the evolution of pulmonary function after treatment of severe thoracic scoliosis.

    PubMed

    Koller, Heiko; Schulte, Tobias L; Meier, Oliver; Koller, Juliane; Bullmann, Viola; Hitzl, Wolfgang; Mayer, Michael; Lange, Tobias; Schmücker, Jens

    2017-06-01

    Isolated thoracoplasty (iTP) on the convex side is performed long time after scoliosis surgery has been performed. ITP is thought to cause a further decline in pulmonary function (PF); however, the amount of decline is ill defined. The objectives of this study were to examine the influence of iTP on the postoperative evolution of PF and rib hump reduction in patients that previously undergone scoliosis surgery. Over an 11-year period, 75 patients underwent iTP. The authors performed a retrospective case series review. Patients with data from PF tests performed preoperatively and at the last follow-up were included. Minimum follow-up was 12 months. The PF value reported was predicted FVC (FVC%). According to the American Thoracic Society, pulmonary impairment was classified as no impairment (FVC: >80-100%), mild (FVC: >65 ≤80%), moderate (FVC: >50 ≤65), and severe (FVC ≤50%). The outcome was studied using validated measures (SRS-24 score, COMI, and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT)). The CAT is stratified into mild impairment (<10 pts), moderate impairment (10-20 pts), severe impairment (>20-30 pts), and disabled (>30 pts). Twenty-six patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The patients' average age was 28 years at surgery with iTP, and 22 were females; the average BMI was 23, and the average follow-up was 76 months. Twenty of the patients had AIS, and six had congenital scoliosis. The time between scoliosis correction and iTP averaged 39 months. The mean number of resected rib segments was 7, and the mean blood loss was 834 ml. FVC% was 66% preoperatively and 57% at follow-up, with a significant change of 9% (p < .02). Fourteen patients had a FVC% change between preoperation and follow-up that was ≥5%; this change was not dependent on the preoperative FVC%. PF showed a slight but non-significant improvement with longer follow-up. At the time of iTP, the thoracic curve averaged 67°, and thoracic kyphosis averaged 46°. Rib hump height was 34

  14. ADHD symptomatology in eating disorders: a secondary psychopathological measure of severity?

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has commonly been described in psychiatric disorders. Although several studies have found positive associations between abnormal eating patterns during childhood and ADHD, there is a lack of studies on ADHD and Eating Disorders (ED). The aims of this exploratory study were 1) to assess the ADHD symptoms level in ED and to ascertain whether there are differences among ED subtypes; 2) to analyze whether the presence of ADHD symptoms is associated with more severe eating disorder symptoms and greater general psychopathology; and 3) to assess whether the ADHD symptoms level is associated with specific temperament and character traits. Methods 191 female ED patients were included. Assessment was carried out with the EDI-2, ASRS-v1.1, the SCL-90-R and the TCI-R. Results The ADHD symptoms level was similar in bulimia, eating disorder not otherwise specified and binge eating subtypes, and lower in anorexic patients. Obsessiveness and Hostility were significantly positively associated with ADHD symptoms. A path model showed that ADHD was associated with high Novelty Seeking and low Self-Directedness, whereas ED severity was influenced by ADHD severity and low Self-Directedness. Conclusions Bingeing/purging ED subtypes have a high ADHD symptoms level, also related with more severe eating, general and personality psychopathology. PMID:23758944

  15. Comparison of severity classification in Japanese patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis in a nationwide, prospective, inception cohort study.

    PubMed

    Sada, Ken-Ei; Harigai, Masayoshi; Amano, Koichi; Atsumi, Tatsuya; Fujimoto, Shouichi; Yuzawa, Yukio; Takasaki, Yoshinari; Banno, Shogo; Sugihara, Takahiko; Kobayashi, Masaki; Usui, Joichi; Yamagata, Kunihiro; Homma, Sakae; Dobashi, Hiroaki; Tsuboi, Naotake; Ishizu, Akihiro; Sugiyama, Hitoshi; Okada, Yasunori; Arimura, Yoshihiro; Matsuo, Seiichi; Makino, Hirofumi

    2016-09-01

    To compare disease severity classification systems for six-month outcome prediction in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Patients with newly diagnosed AAV from 53 tertiary institutions were enrolled. Six-month remission, overall survival, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD)-free survival were evaluated. According to the European Vasculitis Study Group (EUVAS)-defined disease severity, the 321 enrolled patients were classified as follows: 14, localized; 71, early systemic; 170, generalized; and 66, severe disease. According to the rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) clinical grading system, the patients were divided as follows: 60, grade I; 178, grade II; 66, grade III; and 12, grade IV. According to the Five-Factor Score (FFS) 2009, 103, 109, and 109 patients had ≤1, 2, and ≥3 points, respectively. No significant difference in remission rates was found in any severity classification. The overall and ESRD-free survival rates significantly differed between grades I/II, III, and IV, regardless of renal involvement. Severe disease was a good predictor of six-month overall and ESRD-free survival. The FFS 2009 was useful to predict six-month ESRD-free survival but not overall survival. The RPGN grading system was more useful to predict six-month overall and ESRD-free survival than the EUVAS-defined severity or FFS 2009.

  16. Nitrogen fluxes at the root-soil interface show a mismatch of nitrogen fertilizer supply and sugarcane root uptake capacity

    PubMed Central

    Brackin, Richard; Näsholm, Torgny; Robinson, Nicole; Guillou, Stéphane; Vinall, Kerry; Lakshmanan, Prakash; Schmidt, Susanne; Inselsbacher, Erich

    2015-01-01

    Globally only ≈50% of applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer is captured by crops, and the remainder can cause pollution via runoff and gaseous emissions. Synchronizing soil N supply and crop demand will address this problem, however current soil analysis methods provide little insight into delivery and acquisition of N forms by roots. We used microdialysis, a novel technique for in situ quantification of soil nutrient fluxes, to measure N fluxes in sugarcane cropping soils receiving different fertilizer regimes, and compare these with N uptake capacities of sugarcane roots. We show that in fertilized sugarcane soils, fluxes of inorganic N exceed the uptake capacities of sugarcane roots by several orders of magnitude. Contrary, fluxes of organic N closely matched roots’ uptake capacity. These results indicate root uptake capacity constrains plant acquisition of inorganic N. This mismatch between soil N supply and root N uptake capacity is a likely key driver for low N efficiency in the studied crop system. Our results also suggest that (i) the relative contribution of inorganic N for plant nutrition may be overestimated when relying on soil extracts as indicators for root-available N, and (ii) organic N may contribute more to crop N supply than is currently assumed. PMID:26496834

  17. Affective behavior during mother-daughter conflict and borderline personality disorder severity across adolescence.

    PubMed

    Whalen, Diana J; Scott, Lori N; Jakubowski, Karen P; McMakin, Dana L; Hipwell, Alison E; Silk, Jennifer S; Stepp, Stephanie D

    2014-01-01

    Developmental theories of borderline personality disorder (BPD) posit that transactions between child characteristics and adverse environments, especially those in the context of the parent-child relationship, shape and maintain symptoms of the disorder over time. However, very little empirical work has investigated the role of parenting and parent-child transactions that may predict BPD severity over time. We examined maternal and dyadic affective behaviors during a mother-adolescent conflict discussion task as predictors of the course of BPD severity scores across 3 years in a diverse, at-risk sample of girls (N = 74) oversampled for affective instability and their biological mothers. Adolescent girls completed a structured conflict discussion task with their mothers at age 16. Girls' self-reported BPD severity scores were assessed annually from ages 15 to 17. Mother-adolescent interactions were coded using a global rating system of maternal and dyadic affective behaviors. Results from multilevel linear mixed models indicated that positive maternal affective behavior (i.e., supportive/validating behavior, communication skills, autonomy-promoting behavior, and positive affect) and positive dyadic affective behaviors (i.e., satisfaction and positive escalation) were associated with decreases in girls' BPD severity scores over time. Dyadic negative escalation was associated with higher overall levels of BPD severity scores, but negative maternal affective behavior (i.e., negative affect, dominance, conflict, and denial) was not. These findings suggest that the mother-daughter context is an important protective factor in shaping the course of BPD severity scores during adolescence and may be valuable in assessment, intervention, and prevention efforts.

  18. 17. Photocopy of photograph showing excavation of South Bank Substation ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    17. Photocopy of photograph showing excavation of South Bank Substation site, 15 May 1939 (from the BPA Photo Archives, Portland, Oregon, Negative No. 345), LOOKING WEST - Bonneville Power Administration South Bank Substation, I-84, South of Bonneville Dam Powerhouse, Bonneville, Multnomah County, OR

  19. Ob/ob Mouse Livers Show Decreased Oxidative Phosphorylation Efficiencies and Anaerobic Capacities after Cold Ischemia

    PubMed Central

    Tagaloa, Sherry; Zhang, Linda; Dare, Anna J.; MacDonald, Julia R.; Yeong, Mee-Ling; Bartlett, Adam S. J. R.; Phillips, Anthony R. J.

    2014-01-01

    Background Hepatic steatosis is a major risk factor for graft failure in liver transplantation. Hepatic steatosis shows a greater negative influence on graft function following prolonged cold ischaemia. As the impact of steatosis on hepatocyte metabolism during extended cold ischaemia is not well-described, we compared markers of metabolic capacity and mitochondrial function in steatotic and lean livers following clinically relevant durations of cold preservation. Methods Livers from 10-week old leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob, n = 9) and lean C57 mice (n = 9) were preserved in ice-cold University of Wisconsin solution. Liver mitochondrial function was then assessed using high resolution respirometry after 1.5, 3, 5, 8, 12, 16 and 24 hours of storage. Metabolic marker enzymes for anaerobiosis and mitochondrial mass were also measured in conjunction with non-bicarbonate tissue pH buffering capacity. Results Ob/ob and lean mice livers showed severe (>60%) macrovesicular and mild (<30%) microvesicular steatosis on Oil Red O staining, respectively. Ob/ob livers had lower baseline enzymatic complex I activity but similar adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels compared to lean livers. During cold storage, the respiratory control ratio and complex I-fueled phosphorylation deteriorated approximately twice as fast in ob/ob livers compared to lean livers. Ob/ob livers also demonstrated decreased ATP production capacities at all time-points analyzed compared to lean livers. Ob/ob liver baseline lactate dehydrogenase activities and intrinsic non-bicarbonate buffering capacities were depressed by 60% and 40%, respectively compared to lean livers. Conclusions Steatotic livers have impaired baseline aerobic and anaerobic capacities compared to lean livers, and mitochondrial function indices decrease particularly from after 5 hours of cold preservation. These data provide a mechanistic basis for the clinical recommendation of shorter cold storage durations in steatotic donor

  20. Severe Heinz body anemia and methemoglobinemia in a kitten with chronic diarrhea.

    PubMed

    Cavana, P; Irato, E; Miniscalco, B; Gianella, P

    2018-04-01

    A 2-month-old kitten was referred for depression and partial anorexia since 3 days and chronic diarrhea lasting for over 3 weeks. General physical examination showed pale and cyanotic mucous membranes. Blood sample was of brownish appearance. Venous blood gas analysis and complete blood count showed 16% methemoglobin level and severe regenerative anemia with Heinz bodies in about 40% of the erythrocytes, respectively. The kitten was transfused with fresh whole blood and treated with supportive care, antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. The kitten totally recovered. To the authors' knowledge, this represents the first case report of severe Heinz body hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia with concurrent chronic diarrhea in a young kitten. Diarrhea resolution coincided with Heinz bodies and methemoglobin disappearance. The possibility that diarrhea might have stimulated an inflammatory state causing release of oxygen radicals and prolonged erythrocytes oxidative damage has been discussed.