Sample records for aa patients compared

  1. Characteristics of AA amyloidosis patients in San Francisco.

    PubMed

    Lejmi, Hiba; Jen, Kuang-Yu; Olson, Jean L; James, Sam H; Sam, Ramin

    2016-04-01

    AA amyloidosis due to subcutaneous injection of drugs of abuse has been described in the USA, but all the existing literature is from more than 20 years ago. There is more recent literature from Europe. We have observed a high incidence of AA amyloidosis in the county hospital in San Francisco. Here, we describe 24 patients who had kidney biopsy-proven AA amyloidosis from our hospital from 1998 to 2013. All the patients were thought to have AA amyloidosis from skin popping of illicit drugs after having exhausted the intravenous route. These patients with biopsy-proven AA amyloidosis were analysed further. All patients were found to have hepatitis C infection, hypertension was not common, most had advanced kidney failure, and acidosis was common as was tubulointerstitial involvement on the kidney biopsy. Other organ involvement included hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in a number of patients; direct myocardial involvement was not seen, but pulmonary hypertension, history of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were common. The prognosis of these patients was poor. The mortality rate approached 50% 1 year after biopsy, and most of the patient needed dialysis shortly after diagnosis. Cessation of drug use seemed beneficial but rarely achievable. AA amyloidosis from skin popping is common in San Francisco. Most patients with renal involvement end up on dialysis, and mortality rates are exceedingly high. © 2015 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology.

  2. AA Attendance and Abstinence for Dually Diagnosed Patients: A Meta-Analytic Review.

    PubMed

    Scott Tonigan, J; Pearson, Matthew R; Magill, Molly; Hagler, Kylee J

    2018-05-29

    There is consensus that best clinical practice for dual diagnosis (DD) is integrated mental health and substance use treatment augmented with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attendance. This is the first quantitative review of the direction and magnitude of the association between AA attendance and alcohol abstinence for DD patients. A systematic literature search (1993-2017) identified 22 studies yielding 24 effect sizes that met our inclusion criteria (8,075 patients). Inverse-variance weighting of correlation coefficients (r) was used to aggregate sample-level findings and study aims were addressed using random and mixed effect models. Sensitivity and publication bias analyses were conducted to assess the likelihood of bias in the overall estimate of AA-related benefit. AA exposure and abstinence for DD patients were significantly and positively associated (r w =.249; 95% CI.203-.293; Tau=.097). There was also significant heterogeneity in the distribution of effect sizes, (Q(23)=90.714, p<.001), and high between-sample variance (I 2 =74.646). Subgroup analyses indicated that the magnitude of AA-related benefit did not differ between 6 (k=7) and 12 (k=12) month follow-up, (Q=.068, p<.794), type of treatment received (inpatient k=9; intensive outpatient, outpatient, community k=15; Q=2.057, p<.152), and whether a majority of patients in a sample had (k=11) or did not have (k=13) major depression (Q=.563, p<.453). Sensitivity analyses indicated that the overall meta-analytic estimate of AA benefit was not adversely or substantively impacted by pooling RCT and observational samples (Q=.763, p<.382), pooling count, binary, and ordinal-based AA (Q=.023, p<.879) and outcome data (Q=1.906, p<.167), and reversing direction of correlations extracted from studies (Q=.006, p<.937). No support was found for publication bias. Clinical referral of dual diagnosis (DD) patients to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is common and, in many cases, DD patients who attend AA will report higher

  3. Efficacy of etanercept in patients with AA amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.

    PubMed

    Nakamura, T; Higashi, S; Tomoda, K; Tsukano, M; Baba, S

    2007-01-01

    The efficacy of biological therapies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well known, but their hypothetical benefit in amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis secondary to RA still remains to be considered. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of etanercept in serum amyloid A (SAA) 1.3 allele Japanese patients with AA amyloidosis secondary to RA. Seven RA patients with histologically confirmed AA amyloidosis and renal involvement who were treated with etanercept were enrolled. They all had the SAA1.3 allele, which has been shown to be a risk factor not only for the association of AA amyloidosis but also for a poor prognosis in Japanese RA patients. Efficacy was assessed as a sustained decrease in RA inflammation and an amelioration of renal function. RA inflammation and AA amyloidosis were improved and stabilized after 43.4 +/- 16.5 weeks. At week 20 the number of tender (p = 0.017) and swollen (p = 0.017) joints, and levels of serum C-reactive protein (p = 0.018) and albumin (p = 0.045) had improved. The values for SAA, serum creatinine, calculated creatinine clearance, and proteinuria also ameliorated. No severe adverse events were observed. One patient eventually had to go on hemodialysis but her tolerance of etanercept remained stable. Etanercept can be used safely and effectively in AA amyloidosis secondary to RA with renal involvement, and is of clinical benefit in the short-term, even in patients on hemodialysis. It appears that SAA1.3 allele may be used as a clinical parameter for the introduction of etanercept in Japanese RA with AA amyloidosis.

  4. Relationship between patient-reported outcomes and clinical outcomes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: post hoc analysis of COU-AA-301 and COU-AA-302.

    PubMed

    Cella, D; Traina, S; Li, T; Johnson, K; Ho, K F; Molina, A; Shore, N D

    2018-02-01

    Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are used to assess benefit-risk in drug development. The relationship between PROs and clinical outcomes is not well understood. We aim to elucidate the relationships between changes in PRO measures and clinical outcomes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We investigated relationships between changes in self-reported fatigue, pain, functional well-being (FWB), physical well-being (PWB) and prostate cancer-specific symptoms with overall survival (OS) and radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) after 6 and 12 months of treatment in COU-AA-301 (N = 1195) or COU-AA-302 (N = 1088). Eligible COU-AA-301 patients had progressed after docetaxel and had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ≤ 2. Eligible COU-AA-302 patients had no prior chemotherapy and ECOG PS 0 or 1. Patients were treated with abiraterone acetate (1000 mg/day) plus prednisone (10 mg/day) or prednisone alone daily. Association between self-reported fatigue, pain and functional status, and OS and/or rPFS, using pooled data regardless of treatment, was assessed. Cox proportional hazard regression modeled time to death or radiographic progression. In COU-AA-301 patients, PRO improvements were associated with longer OS and longer time to radiographic progression versus worsening or stable PROs (P < 0.0001). In multivariate models, all except pain intensity remained associated with OS. Pain intensity, PWB and FWB improvements remained associated with rPFS. In COU-AA-302 patients, worsening PROs were associated with higher likelihood of radiographic progression (P ≤ 0.025) compared with improved or stable PROs. In multivariate models, worsening PWB remained associated with worse rPFS. The 12-month analysis confirmed the 6-month results. PROs are significantly associated with clinically relevant time-to-event efficacy outcomes in clinical trials and may complement and help predict traditional

  5. Association of Dietary Factors with Progression of AA in Stroke/TIA Patients.

    PubMed

    Kodumuri, Nishanth; Giamberardino, Lauren; Hinderliter, Alan; Sen, Souvik

    2016-06-01

    To investigate the effect of dietary factors such as calorie intake and dietary fats on the progression of aortic arch atheroma (AA). In stroke/TIA patients, progression of AA is associated with recurrent vascular events. Consecutive patients with measurable (>1 mm) AA atheroma on baseline transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) evaluation consented to a protocol mandated follow-up TEE at 12 months. Patients that had adequate paired AA images were assessed for progression, defined as Δ ≥ 1 grade worsening (based on plaque thickness over 12 months). Stroke risk factors and fasting lipid profile were assessed at baseline. The patient's nutritional intake was measured at baseline using the Gladys Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. One-hundred-nine patients (70 strokes, 33 TIAs) had sequential TEEs, of whom 27% (N=30) progressed and 73% (N=79) did not. Patients with progression had higher daily calorie (1778 ± 623 vs. 1378 ± 406 Calories, p=0.008), fat (76 ± 33 vs. 52 ± 23 grams, p=0.0002), carbohydrate (208 ± 78 vs. 169 ± 57 grams, p=0.01) and protein (73 ± 26 vs. 57 ± 21 grams, p=0.005) intake. On Further analysis among different fats showed a higher consumption of saturated fats (25 ± 12 vs. 17 ±8 grams, p=0.00051) as well as unsaturated fats (44 ± 20 vs. 30 ± 13 grams, p=0.002). These differences remained significant after we adjusted for the medication use. However the significance of these differences was attenuated after adjusting for the calorie intake. Cholesterol consumption did not differ between the progression and no-progression group (262 ± 125 vs. 213 ± 149 mg, p=0.2). Calorie intake plays a significant role in the progression of AA. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the specific dietary modifications that may prevent AA progression and associated recurrent vascular events.

  6. Two distinct clinical courses of renal involvement in rheumatoid patients with AA amyloidosis.

    PubMed

    Uda, Hiroshi; Yokota, Akira; Kobayashi, Kumiko; Miyake, Tadao; Fushimi, Hiroaki; Maeda, Akira; Saiki, Osamu

    2006-08-01

    We conducted a prospective study to investigate whether a correlation exists between the clinical course of renal involvement and the pathological findings of renal amyloidosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients with RA of more than 5 years' duration and who did not show renal manifestations were selected and received a duodenal biopsy for the diagnosis of amyloidosis. After the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis, patients received a renal biopsy, and patterns of amyloid deposition were examined. We followed the renal functions (serum levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) of patients diagnosed with AA amyloidosis for 5 years. We diagnosed 53 patients with AA amyloidosis and monitored the renal function of 38 of them for > 5 years. The histological patterns were examined; in the 38 patients there were appreciable variations in the patterns of amyloid deposition. In 27 patients, amyloid deposits were found exclusively in the glomerulus (type 1). In the other 11 patients, however, amyloid deposits were found selectively around blood vessels and were totally absent in the glomerulus (type 2). In type 1 patients with glomerular involvement, renal function deteriorated rapidly regardless of disease state; most patients received hemodialysis. In type 2 patients with purely vascular involvement, however, renal function did not deteriorate significantly. In patients with RA and AA amyloidosis, 2 distinct clinical courses in terms of renal involvement were identified. It is suggested that renal function does not deteriorate when amyloid deposition is totally lacking in the glomerulus.

  7. Dabigatran and rivaroxaban do not affect AA- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in patients receiving concomitant platelet inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Olivier, Christoph B; Weik, Patrick; Meyer, Melanie; Weber, Susanne; Diehl, Philipp; Bode, Christoph; Moser, Martin; Zhou, Qian

    2016-08-01

    Dabigatran and rivaroxaban are novel, vitamin K-independent oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and act via antagonism of the coagulation factor (F) IIa (dabigatran) or FXa (rivaroxaban), respectively. Compared to vitamin-K-antagonists, NOACs have shown non-inferiority of risk and benefit in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). In clinical practice there is increasing use of NOACs combined with platelet inhibitors in patients with AF and coronary artery disease. However, whether NOACs affect the function of platelet inhibitors remains incompletely known. This observational study aimed to assess the platelet function in patients receiving dabigatran or rivaroxaban and concomitant platelet inhibitors. A single centre observational study was performed analysing the platelet aggregation of patients treated with dabigatran or rivaroxaban with or without concomitant platelet inhibitors. Measurements before the initiation of NOAC therapy served as the respective control group. Platelet aggregation was measured by multiple electrode aggregometry and was induced with adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 6.5 µM) and arachidonic acid (AA, 0.5 mM), respectively. In order to evaluate whether NOACs interact with platelet inhibition by ASA or the P2Y12-antagonist clopidogrel, 87 patients were grouped according to their concomitant antiplatelet medication. Comparing the ADP- and AA-induced platelet aggregation in patients without concomitant platelet inhibitors (n = 45) no significant differences under therapy with dabigatran (d) or rivaroxaban (r) compared to the control group (c) were observed. In patients taking clopidogrel as a concomitant platelet inhibitor (n = 21), neither dabigatran nor rivaroxaban affected the ADP-induced platelet aggregation (c 20 ± 11, d 21 ± 14, r 18 ± 8 AU*min, p = 0.200). Patients receiving dabigatran or rivaroxaban in combination with ASA (n = 42; 21 ASA only, 21 ASA + clopidogrel) showed no significant differences of the AA

  8. Subsequent Chemotherapy and Treatment Patterns After Abiraterone Acetate in Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: Post Hoc Analysis of COU-AA-302.

    PubMed

    de Bono, Johann S; Smith, Matthew R; Saad, Fred; Rathkopf, Dana E; Mulders, Peter F A; Small, Eric J; Shore, Neal D; Fizazi, Karim; De Porre, Peter; Kheoh, Thian; Li, Jinhui; Todd, Mary B; Ryan, Charles J; Flaig, Thomas W

    2017-04-01

    Treatment patterns for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have changed substantially in the last few years. In trial COU-AA-302 (chemotherapy-naïve men with mCRPC), abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AA) significantly improved radiographic progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) when compared to placebo plus prednisone (P). This post hoc analysis investigated clinical responses to docetaxel as first subsequent therapy (FST) among patients who progressed following protocol-specified treatment with AA, and characterized subsequent treatment patterns among older (≥75 yr) and younger (<75 yr) patient subgroups. Data were collected at the final OS analysis (96% of expected death events). Subsequent therapy data were prospectively collected, while response and discontinuation data were collected retrospectively following discontinuation of the study drug. At the discretion of the investigator, 67% (365/546) of patients from the AA arm received subsequent treatment with one or more agents approved for mCRPC. Efficacy analysis was performed for patients for whom baseline and at least one post-baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values were available. Baseline and at least one post-baseline PSA values were available for 100 AA patients who received docetaxel as FST. While acknowledging the limitations of post hoc analyses, 40% (40/100) of these patients had an unconfirmed ≥50% PSA decline with first subsequent docetaxel therapy, and 27% (27/100) had a confirmed ≥50% PSA decline. The median docetaxel treatment duration among these 100 patients was 4.2 mo. Docetaxel was the most common FST among older and younger patients from each treatment arm. However, 43% (79/185) of older patients who progressed on AA received no subsequent therapy for mCRPC, compared with 17% (60/361) of younger patients. Patients with mCRPC who progress with AA treatment may still derive benefit from subsequent docetaxel therapy. These data support further

  9. Clinical implications of eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio (EPA/AA) in adult patients with congenital heart disease.

    PubMed

    Kanoh, Miki; Inai, Kei; Shinohara, Tokuko; Tomimatsu, Hirofumi; Nakanishi, Toshio

    2017-12-01

    Recent studies showed that a low ratio between the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and those of arachidonic acid (EPA/AA) is associated with higher incidence of coronary artery disease and poor prognosis of heart failure, arrhythmia, and cardiac sudden death. However, the clinical implications of EPA/AA in adult patients with congenital heart disease remain unclear. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of EPA/AA regarding cardiac events in adult patients with congenital heart disease. We measured the serum levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid in 130 adult patients (median age, 31 years) stratified into two groups according to their EPA/AA (low, ≤0.22; high, >0.22). We prospectively analyzed the association between EPA/AA and incidence of cardiac events during a mean observation period of 15 months, expressed in terms of hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). In the subgroup of patients with biventricular circulation (2VC) (n = 76), we analyzed the same clinical endpoints. In our study population, EPA/AA was not associated with the incidence of arrhythmic events (HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.82-2.85; p = 0.19), but low EPA/AA was a predictor of heart failure hospitalization (HR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.35-6.30; p < 0.01). Among patients with 2VC, an EPA/AA of ≤0.25 was associated with a significantly higher risk of arrhythmic events (HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.11-6.41; p = 0.03) and heart failure hospitalization (HR, 5.20; 95% CI, 1.78-18.1; p < 0.01). EPA/AA represents a useful predictor of cardiac events in adult patients with congenital heart disease.

  10. Detection of AA76, a Common Form of Amyloid A Protein, as a Way of Diagnosing AA Amyloidosis.

    PubMed

    Sato, Junji; Okuda, Yasuaki; Kuroda, Takeshi; Yamada, Toshiyuki

    2016-01-01

    Reactive amyloid deposits consist of amyloid A (AA) proteins, the degradation products of serum amyloid A (SAA). Since the most common species of AA is the amino terminal portion produced by cleavage between residues 76 and 77 of SAA (AA76), the presence of AA76 in tissues could be a consequence of AA amyloid deposition. This study assessed the diagnostic significance of the detection of AA76 for AA amyloidosis using two different approaches. Biopsy specimens (n=130 from 54 subjects) from gastroduodenal mucosa or abdominal fat (n=9 from 9 subjects) of patients who had already been diagnosed with or were suspected of having AA amyloidosis were used. Fixed mucosal sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry using a newly developed antibody recognizing the carboxyl terminal end of AA76 (anti-AA76). The non-fixed materials from gastroduodenal mucosa or abdominal fat were subjected to immunoblotting for detection of the size of AA76. Among the gastroduodenal specimens (n=115) from already diagnosed patients, the positive rates of Congo red staining, immunohistochemistry using anti-AA76, and immunoblotting were 68.4%, 73.0%, and 92.2%, respectively. The anti-AA76 did not stain the supposed SAA in the blood or leakage, which was stained by anti-SAA antibody. AA76 was not detected either by immunohistochemistry or by immunoblot in the materials from patients in whom AA amyloidosis had been ruled out. In the abdominal fat, the immunoblot detected AA76 in 8 materials from 8 already diagnosed patients and did not in 1 patient whose gastroduodenal mucosa was negative. In conclusion, the detection of AA76 may alter the ability to diagnose AA amyloidosis. In immunohistochemistry for fixed specimens, the new anti-AA76 antibody can improve the specificity. Immunoblot for non-fixed materials, which can considerably improve the sensitivity, should be beneficial for small materials like abdominal fat. © 2016 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.

  11. Differences in clinical outcome between docetaxel and abiraterone acetate as the first-line treatment in chemo-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with or without the ineligible clinical factors of the COU-AA-302 study.

    PubMed

    Poon, Darren M C; Chan, Kuen; Lee, Siu H; Chan, Tim W; Sze, Henry; Lee, Eric K C; Lam, Daisy; Chan, Michelle F T

    2018-03-01

    This study aimed to compare the efficacy of abiraterone acetate (AA) versus docetaxel (T) as first-line treatment in chemo-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with or without the ineligible factors of the COU-AA-302 study (presence of visceral metastases, symptomatic disease, and/or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥ 2). The clinical records of chemo-naïve mCRPC patients who received AA in six public oncology centers or T in two of these centers between 2003 and 2014 were reviewed. The survival time was compared among four subgroups of patients: those with ineligible factors administered AA (Group Ineligible-AA) or T (Group Ineligible-T), and those without ineligible factors and administered AA (Group Eligible-AA) or T (Group Eligible-T). During the study period, we identified 115 mCRPC patients who received AA or T, among whom 29, 36, 29, and 21 patients were classified as Groups Ineligible-AA, Ineligible-T, Eligible-AA, and Eligible-T, respectively. Both Group Ineligible-AA and Group Eligible-AA had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and similar overall survival (OS) as Group Ineligible-T and Group Eligible-T (Ineligible, PFS: 6.3 vs. 5.9 months, P  = 0.0234, OS: 7.8 vs. 15.7 months, P  = 0.1601; Eligible, PFS: 9.8 vs. 5.6 months, P  = 0.0437, OS: 20.5 vs. 18.2 months, P  = 0.7820). Compared to T, AA treatment resulted in longer PFS and similar OS in chemo-naïve mCRPC patients, irrespective of the presence of ineligible factors, suggesting that the initial treatment by AA may still be beneficial to those with the aforementioned ineligible factors.

  12. Comparative Survival of Patients With Anal Adenocarcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus, and Rectal Adenocarcinoma.

    PubMed

    Franklin, Robert A; Giri, Smith; Valasareddy, Poojitha; Lands, Lindsey T; Martin, Mike G

    2016-03-01

    Anal adenocarcinoma (AA) represents 5% to 10% of anal cancer. Little is known about its natural history and prognosis. Using population-based data, we defined the outcomes of AA relative to other anorectal malignancies. We analyzed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database to identify patients ≥ 18 years old with AA, squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA), and rectal adenocarcinoma (RA) diagnosed between 1990 and 2011. Median overall survival (OS), 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year OS were computed using actuarial methods. The log rank test was used to estimate the difference between Kaplan-Meier survival curves. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to adjust the effects of other covariates on survival, including age, year diagnosed, sex, stage, surgery, and radiation. Of 57,369 cases, 0.8% (n = 462) were patients with AA, 87.8% (n = 50,382) were patients with RA, and 11.4% (n = 6525) were patients with SCCA. The median age for AA was 69 years (range, 20-96 years), 66 years (range, 18-103 years) for RA, and 66 years (range, 14-104 years) for SCCA. The median OS was significantly lower for AA (33 months), compared with SCCA (118 months) and RA (68 months) (P < .01). In multivariate analysis, AA had a worse prognosis compared with SCCA (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59-0.75; P < .01) and RA (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.61-0.77; P < .01), after adjusting for age, sex, race, stage, grade, radiation, and surgery. There was a strong trend for improved survival among patients who received radical surgery (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.51-1.00; P = .05). AA confers a significantly worse prognosis than SCCA and RA. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Comparative outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in African American and Caucasian patients with severe aortic stenosis.

    PubMed

    Alqahtani, Fahad; Aljohani, Sami; Almustafa, Ahmad; Alhijji, Mohammed; Ali, Oluseun; Holmes, David R; Alkhouli, Mohamad

    2018-04-01

    Racial disparities in cardiovascular care have been extensively investigated. The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) revolutionized the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS) in the last decade. Whether a racial disparity in the utilization and outcome of TAVR exists is unknown. We utilized the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) to compare utilization rates, and in-hospital outcomes of Caucasians and African American (AA) patients who underwent TAVR between August 2011 and December 2014. A total of 7,176 patients (6870 Caucasians, 95.7%) and (306 AAs, 4.3%) were included in this analysis. Among patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between 2011 and 2014, the rates of TAVR utilization increased from 0.32% to 7.6% in AAs and from 0.4% to 8.8% in Caucasians. In propensity-matched cohorts of patients (n = 300 Caucasians and n = 300 AAs), in-hospital mortality was similar (3.7% and 3.3%, respectively, P = 0.99). Also, rates of key complications including stroke, permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI), vascular complications, acute kidney injury, new dialysis, blood transfusion, and tamponade were similar in both races. There was also no significant difference between Caucasians and AAs with regards to length of stay, cost of hospitalization, and intermediate care facility utilization. There was no significant difference in the utilization rates, in-hospital outcomes, and cost of TAVR between Caucasians and AA patients in contemporary US practice. Further comparative studies of surgical and TAVR in AAs and other racial minorities are warranted. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. Obesity is a significant susceptibility factor for idiopathic AA amyloidosis.

    PubMed

    Blank, Norbert; Hegenbart, Ute; Dietrich, Sascha; Brune, Maik; Beimler, Jörg; Röcken, Christoph; Müller-Tidow, Carsten; Lorenz, Hanns-Martin; Schönland, Stefan O

    2018-03-01

    To investigate obesity as susceptibility factor in patients with idiopathic AA amyloidosis. Clinical, biochemical and genetic data were obtained from 146 patients with AA amyloidosis. Control groups comprised 40 patients with long-standing inflammatory diseases without AA amyloidosis and 56 controls without any inflammatory disease. Patients with AA amyloidosis had either familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) or long-standing rheumatic diseases as underlying inflammatory disease (n = 111, median age 46 years). However, in a significant proportion of patients with AA amyloidosis no primary disease was identified (idiopathic AA; n = 37, median age 60 years). Patients with idiopathic AA amyloidosis were more obese and older than patients with AA amyloidosis secondary to FMF or rheumatic diseases. Serum leptin levels correlated with the body mass index (BMI) in all types of AA amyloidosis. Elevated leptin levels of more than 30 µg/l were detected in 18% of FMF/rheumatic + AA amyloidosis and in 40% of patients with idiopathic AA amyloidosis (p = .018). Finally, the SAA1 polymorphism was confirmed as a susceptibility factor for AA amyloidosis irrespective of the type of the disease. Obesity, age and the SAA1 polymorphism are susceptibility factors for idiopathic AA amyloidosis. Recent advances in treatment of FMF and rheumatic disorders will decrease the incidence of AA amyloidosis due to these diseases. Idiopathic AA, however, might be an emerging problem in the ageing and increasingly obese population.

  15. Eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (EPA/AA) ratio as an associated factor of high risk plaque on coronary computed tomography in patients without coronary artery disease.

    PubMed

    Nagahara, Yasuomi; Motoyama, Sadako; Sarai, Masayoshi; Ito, Hajime; Kawai, Hideki; Takakuwa, Yoko; Miyagi, Meiko; Shibata, Daisuke; Takahashi, Hiroshi; Naruse, Hiroyuki; Ishii, Junichi; Ozaki, Yukio

    2016-07-01

    Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-verified high risk plaque (HRP) characteristics including positive remodeling and low attenuation plaque have been associated with acute coronary syndromes. Several studies reported that the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been associated with cardiovascular events. However, the relationship between serum eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (EPA/AA) ratio and CCTA-verified HRP in patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) is unclear. We aimed at investigating the relation between EPA/AA and CCTA-verified HRP in patients without known CAD. We included 193 patients undergoing CCTA without known CAD (65.5 ± 12.0 years, 55.0% male). No patient has been treated with EPA. The relation of coronary risk factors, lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, coronary artery calcification score (CACS), number of vessel disease, plaque burden, and EPA/AA with the presence of HRP was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Incremental value of EPA/AA to predict HRP was also analyzed by C-index, NRI, and IDI. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the time to cardiovascular event. HRP was observed in 37 (19%) patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that current smoking (OR 2.58; p=0.046), number of vessel disease (OR 1.87; p=0.031), and EPA/AA ratio (OR 0.65; p=0.0006) were independent associated factors of HRP on CCTA. Although the addition of EPA/AA to the baseline model did not significantly improve C-index, both NRI (0.60, p=0.0049) and IDI (0.054, p=0.0072) were significantly improved. Patients with HRP had significantly higher rate of events compared with patients without HRP (14% vs. 3%, Logrank p=0.0004). On multivariable Cox hazard analysis, baseline EPA/AA ratio was an independent predictor (HR 0.57, p=0.047). Low EPA/AA was an associated factor of HRP on CCTA in patients without CAD. In addition to conventional coronary risk factors and CACS, EPA/AA

  16. Impact of Bone-targeted Therapies in Chemotherapy-naïve Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Abiraterone Acetate: Post Hoc Analysis of Study COU-AA-302

    PubMed Central

    Saad, Fred; Shore, Neal; Van Poppel, Hendrik; Rathkopf, Dana E.; Smith, Matthew R.; de Bono, Johann S.; Logothetis, Christopher J.; de Souza, Paul; Fizazi, Karim; Mulders, Peter F.A.; Mainwaring, Paul; Hainsworth, John D.; Beer, Tomasz M.; North, Scott; Fradet, Yves; Griffin, Thomas A.; De Porre, Peter; Londhe, Anil; Kheoh, Thian; Small, Eric J.; Scher, Howard I.; Molina, Arturo; Ryan, Charles J.

    2016-01-01

    Background Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) often involves bone, and bone-targeted therapy (BTT) has become part of the overall treatment strategy. Objective Investigation of outcomes for concomitant BTT in a post hoc analysis of the COU-AA-302 trial, which demonstrated an overall clinical benefit of abiraterone acetate (AA) plus prednisone over placebo plus prednisone in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients. Design, setting, and participants This report describes the third interim analysis (prespecified at 55% overall survival [OS] events) for the COU-AA-302 trial. Intervention Patients were grouped by concomitant BTT use or no BTT use. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Radiographic progression-free survival and OS were coprimary end points. This report describes the third interim analysis (prespecified at 55% OS events) and involves patients treated with or without concomitant BTT during the COU-AA-302 study. Median follow-up for OS was 27.1 mo. Median time-to-event variables with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs), 95% CIs, and p values for concomitant BTT versus no BTT were obtained via Cox models. Results and limitations While the post hoc nature of the analysis is a limitation, superiority of AA and prednisone versus prednisone alone was demonstrated for clinical outcomes with or without BTT use. Compared with no BTT use, concomitant BTT significantly improved OS (HR 0.75; p = 0.01) and increased the time to ECOG deterioration (HR 0.75; p < 0.001) and time to opiate use for cancer-related pain (HR 0.80; p = 0.036). The safety profile of concomitant BTT with AA was similar to that reported for AA in the overall intent-to-treat population. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (all grade 1/2) with concomitant BTT use was reported in <3% of patients. Conclusions AA with concomitant BTT was safe and well tolerated in men with chemotherapy

  17. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, active reference study of Lu AA21004 in patients with major depressive disorder

    PubMed Central

    Alvarez, Enric; Perez, Victor; Dragheim, Marianne; Loft, Henrik; Artigas, Francesc

    2012-01-01

    The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of Lu AA21004 vs. placebo using venlafaxine XR as active reference in patients with DSM-IV-TR major depressive disorder (MDD) were evaluated. Lu AA21004 is a novel antidepressant that is a 5-HT3 and 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 5-HT1B receptor partial agonist and inhibitor of the 5-HT transporter in recombinant cell lines. In this 6-wk, multi-site study, 429 patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to 5 or 10 mg Lu AA21004, placebo or 225 mg venlafaxine XR. All patients had a baseline Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score ⩾30. The primary efficacy analysis was based on the MADRS total score adjusting for multiplicity using a hierarchical testing procedure starting with the highest dose vs. placebo. Lu AA21004 was statistically significantly superior to placebo (n=105) in mean change from baseline in MADRS total score at week 6 (p<0.0001, last observation carried forward), with a mean treatment difference vs. placebo of 5.9 (5 mg, n=108), and 5.7 (10 mg, n=100) points. Venlafaxine XR (n=112) was also significantly superior to placebo at week 6 (p<0.0001). In total, 30 patients withdrew due to adverse events (AEs) – placebo: four (4%); 5 mg Lu AA21004: three (3%); 10 mg Lu AA21004: seven (7%); and venlafaxine: 16 (14%). The most common AEs were nausea, headache, hyperhidrosis, and dry mouth. No clinically relevant changes over time were seen in the clinical laboratory results, vital signs, weight, or ECG parameters. In this study, treatment with 5 mg and 10 mg Lu AA21004 for 6 wk was efficacious and well tolerated in patients with MDD. PMID:21767441

  18. Remission of proteinuria and preservation of renal function in patients with renal AA amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.

    PubMed

    Ueno, Toshiharu; Takeda, Kazuhito; Nagata, Michio

    2012-02-01

    Renal AA amyloidosis presents as a life-threatening disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although several newly developed immunosuppressive drugs have been tried, patients often progress to end-stage renal failure with unsatisfactory survival rate. A total of nine consecutive cases of severe nephrotic renal AA amyloidosis presented to us. Complete remission of proteinuria was observed in four cases (responders), and the remaining five reached the end point of haemodialysis or death (non-responders); these groups were retrospectively compared. The patients were treated with immunosuppressants, biological drugs and anti-hypertensive drugs. Levels of serum creatinine (S-Cr), urinary protein-creatinine ratio (UP/UCr), blood pressure (BP) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Histological characteristics of renal amyloid deposition and extent of kidney injury were also scored. Prior to treatment, clinical data (S-Cr, UP/UCr, BP and CRP) and histological severity (glomerular sclerosis, tubulointerstitial injury and extent of amyloid deposition) observed in the renal biopsy specimen were not significantly different between the groups. Following therapeutic intervention, proteinuria disappeared (UP/UCr <0.3) in responders within 12 ± 5.4 months but persisted in non-responders. Consequently, renal function stabilized in responders, but it deteriorated in all non-responders. Strict inflammatory control along with optimal control of hypertension was achieved in responders during the treatment. Regardless of histological severity, intensive therapeutic intervention that includes strict inflammatory control and optimal control of hypertension may change the histology-predicted prognosis of RA-associated renal AA amyloidosis.

  19. Turkish and American Undergraduate Students' Attitudes Toward HIV/AIDS Patients: A Comparative Study.

    PubMed

    Atav, A Serdar; Sendir, Merdiye; Darling, Rosa; Acaroglu, Rengin

    2015-01-01

    Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a complex healthcare problem. Research has demonstrated that negative attitudes affect healthcare provision. The purpose of this study was to compare nursing students' attitudes using the AIDS Attitude Scale (AAS). A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in nursing schools in Istanbul, Turkey, and in Upstate New York (NY). Baccalaureate nursing students (n = 613) from both countries completed the questionnaire. Demographic data, overall AAS attitudes, and attitudes within each subscale were compared. Analyses included frequency and percentages of the grouped variables, arithmetic means and standard deviations, t-test for independent samples, and multiple analysis of variance. Upstate NY students' mean total AAS scores were significantly more positive toward HIV+ patients than Turkish students'. Scores for Professional Resistance and Emotions subscales were significantly more positive for the Upstate NY students, but Fear of Contagion was not. Upstate NY students had more negative attitudes in the contexts of job risk and eating in a restaurant where the chef has AIDS; more professional resistance to referring patients and training specialists for HIV/AIDS patients; and lower tender feelings for people with HIV/AIDS (p < .01 for each). Improvement in students' attitudes is beneficial for promoting nonjudgmental, compassionate care for the HIV+ population. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  20. Heroin Use Is Associated with AA-Type Kidney Amyloidosis in the Pacific Northwest.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Arjun; Govindan, Priyanka; Toukatly, Mirna; Healy, Jack; Henry, Connor; Senter, Steve; Najafian, Behzad; Kestenbaum, Bryan

    2018-06-15

    AA-type kidney amyloidosis is classically associated with chronic autoimmune or inflammatory disorders. However, some urban centers have reported a high prevalence of injection drug use among patients with kidney AA amyloidosis. Previous reports lack control groups to quantify associations and most predate the opioid epidemic in the United States. We conducted a case-control study of 38 patients with biopsy-confirmed kidney AA amyloidosis and 72 matched control individuals without this condition from two large hospital systems in Seattle, Washington. We ascertained the pattern and duration of heroin use by medical chart review and determined associations using logistic regression. Among case patients, 95% had a prior history of heroin use, 87% had skin abscesses, and 76% and 27% had evidence of muscling and skin popping, respectively. After adjustment for age, race, sex, site, and year of biopsy, any heroin use (past or current) was associated with an estimated 170-times higher risk of kidney AA amyloidosis compared with no heroin use (95% confidence interval, 28 to 1018 times higher; P <0.001). Chronic autoimmune disorders were uncommon among case patients in this study. The median time to ESKD among patients with AA amyloidosis was 2.4 years (interquartile range, 0.5-7.5 years). Injection heroin use is strongly associated with kidney AA amyloidosis in the Pacific Northwest. Unique aspects of heroin use, in particular geographic regions or frequent associated soft-tissue infections, may be an important cause of this progressive kidney disease. Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Nephrology.

  1. Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with end-stage renal failure and in subjects without kidney disease: a comparative study.

    PubMed

    Madsen, Trine; Christensen, Jeppe H; Svensson, My; Witt, Petra M; Toft, Egon; Schmidt, Erik B

    2011-03-01

    Patients with end-stage renal disease treated with chronic hemodialysis (HD) are reported to have low levels of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma and cell membranes compared with healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether n-3 PUFA levels in plasma and cells are lower in HD patients as compared with subjects without kidney disease. A comparative study was carried out. This study was carried out at the Departments of Nephrology and Cardiology, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. This study consisted of 2 study populations comprising HD patients and 5 study populations comprising subjects without kidney disease. The fatty acid distribution in plasma phospholipids and platelet phospholipids was measured using gas chromatography. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA) levels in plasma or serum phospholipids and platelet phospholipids in HD patients were compared with n-3 PUFA levels in subjects without kidney disease. EPA and DHA were lower and AA/EPA was higher in plasma/serum phospholipids in HD patients than in subjects without kidney disease. Similarly, higher AA and AA/EPA and lower EPA and DHA levels were found in platelet phospholipids of HD patients. Adjustment for gender, age, and habitual intake of fish and fish oil supplements did not change these results. HD patients have lower n-3 PUFA levels in plasma and cells compared with subjects without kidney disease. Copyright © 2011 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. AA amyloidosis: Mount Sinai experience, 1997-2012.

    PubMed

    Bunker, Daniel; Gorevic, Peter

    2012-01-01

    AA amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by the extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils derived from the acute-phase reactant serum amyloid A protein. It is typically a consequence of chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, although more patients are being identified who have more unusual causes or no known inflammatory stimulus. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with AA amyloidosis seen at Mount Sinai during the period of 1997-2012. Particular attention was paid to the patients' underlying diseases, extent of organ involvement, levels of inflammatory markers and proinflammatory cytokines, presence of pyrin gene mutations, and outcomes. Forty-three patients were seen at Mount Sinai with AA amyloidosis during this period. The most common underlying diseases were rheumatoid arthritis (21%) and Crohn's disease (16%), though 21% of patients were considered to have idiopathic AA amyloid after an extensive search found no underlying inflammatory disease. Almost all patients (95%) had renal involvement based on biopsy or clinical criteria, with 19 patients (44%) eventually requiring dialysis and 5 (12%) undergoing renal transplantation. Inflammatory markers were elevated in most patients; however, interleukin-6 was the only consistently elevated cytokine. Three patients (of 9 tested) were found to be positive for the E148Q pyrin gene mutation. Our study confirms the increasing number of patients being seen with idiopathic AA amyloidosis. More research is needed to determine if these patients have an underlying genetic susceptibility encoded in pyrin or other genes. Our study also confirms the dominance of renal disease in this population. The elevated levels of interleukin-6, in comparison with other cytokines, could represent a therapeutic target. © 2012 Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

  3. Negative Affect, Relapse, and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Does AA Work by Reducing Anger?*

    PubMed Central

    Kelly, John F.; Stout, Robert L.; Tonigan, J. Scott; Magill, Molly; Pagano, Maria E.

    2010-01-01

    Objective: Anger and other indices of negative affect have been implicated in a stress-induced pathway to relapse. The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) literature states that reduction of anger is critical to recovery, yet this proposed mechanism has rarely been investigated. Using lagged, controlled hierarchical linear modeling analyses, this study investigated whether AA attendance mobilized changes in anger and whether such changes explained AA-related benefit. Method: Alcohol-dependent adults (N = 1,706) receiving treatment as part of a clinical trial were assessed at intake and at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months. Results: Findings revealed substantially elevated levels of anger compared with the general population (98th percentile) that decreased over 15-month follow-up but remained high (89th percentile). AA attendance was associated with better drinking outcomes, and higher levels of anger were associated with heavier drinking. However, AA attendance was unrelated to changes in anger. Conclusions: Although support was not found for anger as a mediator, there was strong convergence between AA's explicit emphasis on anger and the present findings: Anger appears to be a serious, enduring problem related to relapse and heavy alcohol consumption. Methodological factors may have contributed to the lack of association between AA and anger, but results suggest that AA attendance alone may be insufficient to alleviate the suffering and alcohol-related risks specifically associated with anger. PMID:20409438

  4. Myopathy in a patient with systemic AA amyloidosis possibly induced by psoriasis vulgaris: An autopsy case.

    PubMed

    Tanabe, Hajime; Maki, Yoshimitsu; Urabe, Shogo; Higuchi, Itsuro; Obayashi, Konen; Hokezu, Youichi

    2015-12-01

    Amyloid myopathy is a rare manifestation of primary systemic amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, but it has not been reported to occur in secondary amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis. We describe a 46-year-old man with psoriasis vulgaris who presented with idiopathic upper and lower limb weakness and was eventually diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Muscle biopsy findings were compatible with mild inflammatory myopathy. He died of cardiopulmonary arrest, and an autopsy was performed. The autopsy revealed amyloid plaques immunopositive for AA (but not AL or transthyretin) in the perimysial, perivascular, and endomysial regions of the iliopsoas muscle. The final diagnosis was systemic AA amyloidosis with muscle amyloid angiopathy, possibly induced by psoriasis vulgaris. This is an extremely rare autopsy case of myopathy in a patient with systemic AA amyloidosis. The reason for the unusually large amount of amyloid deposition in muscle blood vessel walls remains unclear. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Comparative Analysis of Breast Cancer Phenotypes in African American, White American, and West Versus East African patients: Correlation Between African Ancestry and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

    PubMed

    Jiagge, Evelyn; Jibril, Aisha Souleiman; Chitale, Dhananjay; Bensenhaver, Jessica M; Awuah, Baffour; Hoenerhoff, Mark; Adjei, Ernest; Bekele, Mahteme; Abebe, Engida; Nathanson, S David; Gyan, Kofi; Salem, Barbara; Oppong, Joseph; Aitpillah, Francis; Kyei, Ishmael; Bonsu, Ernest Osei; Proctor, Erica; Merajver, Sofia D; Wicha, Max; Stark, Azadeh; Newman, Lisa A

    2016-11-01

    Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is more common among African American (AA) and western sub-Saharan African breast cancer (BC) patients compared with White/Caucasian Americans (WA) and Europeans. Little is known about TNBC in east Africa. Invasive BC diagnosed 1998-2014 were evaluated: WA and AA patients from the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan; Ghanaian/west Africans from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana; and Ethiopian/east Africans from the St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2/neu expression was performed in Michigan on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples from all cases. A total of 234 Ghanaian (mean age 49 years), 94 Ethiopian (mean age 43 years), 272 AA (mean age 60 years), and 321 WA (mean age 62 years; p = 0.001) patients were compared. ER-negative and TNBC were more common among Ghanaian and AA compared with WA and Ethiopian cases (frequency ER-negativity 71.1 and 37.1 % vs. 19.8 and 28.6 % respectively, p < 0.0001; frequency TNBC 53.2 and 29.8 % vs. 15.5 and 15.0 %, respectively, p < 0.0001). Among patients younger than 50 years, prevalence of TNBC remained highest among Ghanaians (50.8 %) and AA (34.3 %) compared with WA and Ethiopians (approximately 16 % in each; p = 0.0002). This study confirms an association between TNBC and West African ancestry; TNBC frequency among AA patients is intermediate between WA and Ghanaian/West Africans consistent with genetic admixture following the west Africa-based trans-Atlantic slave trade. TNBC frequency was low among Ethiopians/East Africans; this may reflect less shared ancestry between AA and Ethiopians.

  6. Longitudinal study of experimental induction of AA amyloidosis in mice seeded with homologous and heterologous AA fibrils.

    PubMed

    Muhammad, Naeem; Murakami, Tomoaki; Inoshima, Yasuo; Ishiguro, Naotaka

    2016-09-01

    To investigate pathogenesis and kinetics of experimentally induced murine AA amyloidosis seeded with homologous (murine) and heterologous (bovine) AA fibrils. Experimental AA amyloidosis was induced by administration of inflammatory stimulus and preformed AA fibrils to a total of 111 female C57/Black mice. In this longitudinal study, heterologous (bovine) as well as homologous (murine) AA fibrils were injected intraperitoneally to mice in various combinations. Re-stimulation was done at 120 or 300 days post first inoculation. To analyze the intensity of amyloid depositions in mice organs, immunohistochemical techniques and image J software were used. Assessment of cytokines level in sera was done using a Mouse Th1/Th2/Th17 Cytokine CBA Kit. Incidence and severity of AA amyloidosis were quite low in mice inoculated with heterologous bovine AA fibrils than homologous murine one. Homologous AA fibrils administration at first and second inoculation caused maximum amount of amyloid depositions and severe systemic form of amyloidosis. Increase in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was observed after first inoculation, while second inoculation caused a further increase in the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. AA amyloidosis can be induced by heterologous as well as homologous AA fibrils. Severity of AA amyloidosis induced with homologous AA fibrils is higher compared to heterologous AA fibrils.

  7. AA amyloidosis complicating the hereditary periodic fever syndromes.

    PubMed

    Lane, Thirusha; Loeffler, Jutta M; Rowczenio, Dorota M; Gilbertson, Janet A; Bybee, Alison; Russell, Tonia L; Gillmore, Julian D; Wechalekar, Ashutosh D; Hawkins, Philip N; Lachmann, Helen J

    2013-04-01

    AA amyloidosis is a life-threatening complication of the hereditary periodic fever syndromes (HPFS), which are otherwise often compatible with normal life expectancy. This study was undertaken to determine the characteristics, presentation, natural history, and response to treatment in 46 patients who had been referred for evaluation at the UK National Amyloidosis Centre. Disease activity was monitored by serial measurement of serum amyloid A. Renal function was assessed by measurement of serum creatinine and albumin levels, the estimated glomerular filtration rate, and proteinuria from 24-hour urine collections. The amyloid load was measured by serum amyloid P scintigraphy. Twenty-four patients had familial Mediterranean fever, 12 patients had tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, 6 patients had cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes, and 4 patients had mevalonate kinase deficiency. The median age at onset of HPFS was 5 years; median age at presentation with AA amyloidosis was 38 years. Diagnosis of an HPFS had not been considered prior to presentation with AA amyloidosis in 23 patients (50%). Eleven patients (24%) had end-stage renal failure (ESRF) at presentation; of these, 3 had received transplants prior to referral. A further 13 patients developed ESRF over the followup period, with 10 undergoing renal transplantation. The median time to progression to ESRF from onset of AA amyloidosis was 3.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2-8), with a median time to transplant of 4 years (IQR 3-6). Eleven patients (24%) died. The median survival in the entire cohort was 19 years from diagnosis of AA amyloidosis. Of the 37 patients who were treated successfully, or in whom at least partial suppression of the underlying HPFS was achieved, 17 (46%) showed amyloid regression, 14 (38%) showed a stable amyloid load, and 2 (5%) showed increased amyloid deposition over the followup period. AA amyloidosis remains a challenging and serious late complication

  8. Profile of renal AA amyloidosis in older and younger individuals: a single-centre experience.

    PubMed

    Erdogmus, Siyar; Kendi Celebi, Zeynep; Akturk, Serkan; Kumru, Gizem; Duman, Neval; Ates, Kenan; Erturk, Sehsuvar; Nergizoglu, Gokhan; Kutlay, Sim; Sengul, Sule; Keven, Kenan

    2018-05-18

    In epidemiological studies of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis from Turkey, the most frequently cause was familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and it occurs generally in young age population. However, there are no sufficient data regarding aetiology, clinical presentation and prognosis of renal AA amyloidosis in advanced age patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate demographic, clinical presentation, aetiology and outcomes of adults aged 60 years or older patients with biopsy-proven renal AA amyloidosis. This is a retrospective study involving 53 patients who were diagnosed with AA amyloidosis by kidney biopsy from 2006 to 2016. In all patients, kidney biopsies were performed due to asymptomatic proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome and/or renal insufficiency. The patients were separated into two groups on the basis of age (group I: ≥60 years and group II: <60 years). Outcomes of patients in terms of the requirement of renal replacement therapy and mortality were recorded. In patients with group I, the causes of AA amyloidosis were as follows: FMF 16 (50%), bronchiectasis 7 (23%), chronic osteomyelitis 2 (6%), inflammatory bowel disease 2 (6%), rheumatoid arthritis 2 (6%), ankylosing spondylitis 1 (3%) and unknown aetiology 2 (6%). The underlying disorders of AA amyloidosis in group II patients were as follows: FMF 17 (81%), Behcet's disease 1 (5%) and unknown aetiology 3 (14%). No statistically significant differences were detected between two groups with regard to systolic and diastolic blood pressures, albumin, proteinuria and lipids. The combination of chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome was the most common clinical presentation in group I (73%) and group II (43%) (p = .05). Compared to the group II, estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in group I at the time of kidney biopsy (p = .003). At 12-month follow-up, 61% of the group I and 33% of the group II developed end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis, while 11% of the

  9. Comparative haematological parameters of HbAA and HbAS genotype children infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Yemen.

    PubMed

    Albiti, Anisa H; Nsiah, Kwabena

    2014-04-01

    Sickle haemoglobin (HbS) is known to offer considerable protection against falciparum malaria. However, the mechanism of protection is not yet completely understood. In this study, we investigate how the presence of the sickle cell trait affects the haematological profile of AS persons with malaria, in comparison with similarly infected persons with HbAA. This study is based on the hypothesis that the sickle cell trait plays a protective role against malaria. Children from an endemic malaria transmission area in Yemen were enrolled in this study. Hematological parameters were estimated using manual methods, the percentage of parasite density on stained thin smear was calculated, haemoglobin genotypes were determined on paper electrophoresis, ferritin was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum iron and TIBC were assayed using spectrophotometer, transferrin saturation index was calculated by dividing serum iron by TIBC and expressing the result as a percentage. Haematological parameters were compared in HbAA- and HbAS-infected children. Falciparum malaria parasitaemia was confirmed in the blood smears of 62 children, 44 (55.7%) of AA and 18 (37.5%) AS, so there was higher prevalence in HbAA children (P = 0.047). Parasite density was lower in HbAS- than HbAA-infected children (P = 0.003). Anaemia was prominent in malaria-infected children, with high proportions of moderate and severe forms in HbAA (P = 0.001). The mean levels of haemoglobin, packed cell volume, reticulocyte count, platelets count, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and serum iron were significantly lower while total leukocytes, immature granulocytes, monocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were significantly higher in HbAA-infected children than HbAS-infected children. Infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria caused more significant haematological alterations of HbAA children than HbAS. This study supports the observation that sickle cell trait

  10. Characterization of the radical-scavenging reaction of 2-O-substituted ascorbic acid derivatives, AA-2G, AA-2P, and AA-2S: a kinetic and stoichiometric study.

    PubMed

    Takebayashi, Jun; Tai, Akihiro; Gohda, Eiichi; Yamamoto, Itaru

    2006-04-01

    The aim of this study was to characterize the antioxidant activity of three ascorbic acid (AA) derivatives O-substituted at the C-2 position of AA: ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA-2G), ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA-2P), and ascorbic acid 2-sulfate (AA-2S). The radical-scavenging activities of these AA derivatives and some common low molecular-weight antioxidants such as uric acid or glutathione against 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS+), or galvinoxyl radical were kinetically and stoichiometrically evaluated under pH-controlled conditions. Those AA derivatives slowly and continuously reacted with DPPH radical and ABTS+, but not with galvinoxyl radical. They effectively reacted with DPPH radical under acidic conditions and with ABTS+ under neutral conditions. In contrast, AA immediately quenched all species of radicals tested at all pH values investigated. The reactivity of Trolox, a water-soluble vitamin E analogue, was comparable to that of AA in terms of kinetics and stoichiometrics. Uric acid and glutathione exhibited long-lasting radical-scavenging activity against these radicals under certain pH conditions. The radical-scavenging profiles of AA derivatives were closer to those of uric acid and glutathione rather than to that of AA. The number of radicals scavenged by one molecule of AA derivatives, uric acid, or glutathione was equal to or greater than that by AA or Trolox under the appropriate conditions. These data suggest the potential usage of AA derivatives as radical scavengers.

  11. Proteolysis of serum amyloid A and AA amyloid proteins by cysteine proteases: cathepsin B generates AA amyloid proteins and cathepsin L may prevent their formation

    PubMed Central

    Rocken, C; Menard, R; Buhling, F; Vockler, S; Raynes, J; Stix, B; Kruger, S; Roessner, A; Kahne, T

    2005-01-01

    Background: AA amyloidosis develops in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. The AA amyloid proteins are proteolytic fragments obtained from serum amyloid A (SAA). Previous studies have provided evidence that endosomes or lysosomes might be involved in the processing of SAA, and contribute to the pathology of AA amyloidosis. Objective: To investigate the anatomical distribution of cathepsin (Cath) B and CathL in AA amyloidosis and their ability to process SAA and AA amyloid proteins. Methods and results: CathB and CathL were found immunohistochemically in every patient with AA amyloidosis and displayed a spatial relationship with amyloid in all the cases studied. Both degraded SAA and AA amyloid proteins in vitro. With the help of mass spectrometry 27 fragments were identified after incubation of SAA with CathB, nine of which resembled AA amyloid proteins, and seven fragments after incubation with CathL. CathL did not generate AA amyloid-like peptides. When native human AA amyloid proteins were used as a substrate 26 fragments were identified after incubation with CathB and 18 after incubation with CathL. Conclusion: The two most abundant and ubiquitously expressed lysosomal proteases can cleave SAA and AA amyloid proteins. CathB generates nine AA amyloid-like proteins by its carboxypeptidase activity, whereas CathL may prevent the formation of AA amyloid proteins by endoproteolytic activity within the N-terminal region of SAA. This is particularly interesting, because AA amyloidosis is a systemic disease affecting many organs and tissue types, almost all of which express CathB and CathL. PMID:15897303

  12. Development of a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with aplastic anemia and/or paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (QLQ-AA/PNH)-report on phases I and II.

    PubMed

    Groth, Martha; Singer, Susanne; Niedeggen, Cathrin; Petermann-Meyer, Andrea; Röth, Alexander; Schrezenmeier, Hubert; Höchsmann, Britta; Brümmendorf, Tim H; Panse, Jens

    2017-02-01

    Acquired aplastic anemia (AA) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) are interrelated ultra-rare diseases. Quality of life (QoL) evaluation tools used in studies for AA and PNH are unspecific and designed for cancer patients (e.g., the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30). Given the complexity of AA and PNH, variation in symptoms and treatments, younger age of many patients, and the fact that AA and PNH are not classified as malignant diseases, it is likely that cancer-specific questionnaires are inappropriate. We generate an AA/PNH-specific QoL questionnaire (QLQ-AA/PNH), performed according to EORTC guidelines. QoL issues were obtained from the literature and interviews with patients and physicians (phase I), then ranked by patients and physicians. In phase II, items were created. Patients in more than 25 German and Swiss cities were interviewed face to face. In phase I, interviews of 19 patients and 8 physicians specialized in AA/PNH treatment resulted in 649 QoL issues; these were condensed to 175 and graded according to their importance by 30 patients and 14 physicians (phase II). Five physicians took part in phases I and II. Altogether, 97 issues were rated important. Twelve EORTC QLQ-C30 items were not rated important, while several new QoL aspects were brought up. Modifications in wording and phrasing led to two questionnaires with 77 items regarding general QoL aspects and 20 items regarding medical care. Important QoL aspects of PNH/AA patients are inappropriately captured with available QoL tools. Developing a new QoL questionnaire specific for this patient group is warranted.

  13. Treatment of AA amyloidosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

    PubMed

    Balakrishnan, C; Sule, A; Mittal, G; Gaitonde, S; Pathan, E; Rajadhyaksha, S; Deshpande, R B; Gurmeet, M; Samant, R; Joshi, V R

    2002-07-01

    Four patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with biopsy confirmed AA amyloidosis were treated with chlorambucil. All had established but uncontrolled RA with a persistently raised ESR. Moderate (> 1 gm, < 3.5 gm/d) to nephrotic range (> 3.5 gm/d) proteinuria and a relatively well preserved renal function was noted in three patients. One patient had deranged renal function and required dialysis. On chlorambucil, there was complete recovery, partial improvement and no improvement in one patient each. The fourth patient required haemodialysis, did not tolerate chlorambucil and succumbed to the illness. Therapy with chlorambucil can benefit some patients of RA with AA amyloidosis. Leucopenia is the most important dose limiting side effect.

  14. Effect of the Microstructure on Diffusion Bonded AA5083, AA6082 and AA7075 Aluminium Alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Venugopal, S.; Mahendran, G.

    2018-05-01

    Rolled plates of aluminium alloys AA5083, AA6082 and AA7075 of 5 mm thickness are joined by diffusion bonding at varied parameters. The microstructure evolution of AA5083, AA6082 and AA7075 aluminium alloys is characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Metallurgical investigations and mechanical tests are also performed to correlate the results of the TEM investigations with the mechanical properties of the produced diffusion bonded joints. It is observed that the bonding and shear strength of the alloys increase with the increase in bonding temperature, due to the diffusion of micro-constituents in the interface. High temperature enhances the uniform distribution of secondary phase particles and reduces pore formation/defects in the bonded joints.

  15. Is the presence of AA amyloidosis associated with impaired coronary flow reserve?

    PubMed

    Bulut, Mustafa; Keles, Nursen; Caliskan, Zuhal; Kostek, Osman; Aksu, Feyza; Ozdil, Kamil; Akcakoyun, Mustafa; Demircioglu, Kenan; Yilmaz, Yusuf; Kanbay, Mehmet; Caliskan, Mustafa

    2016-08-01

    Systemic amyloid A protein (AA) amyloidosis may occur as a complication of many chronic inflammatory disorders. Patients receiving inadequate anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies have an increased risk of developing systemic AA amyloidosis. Inflammation plays a role in all stages and the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis. In the absence of epicardial coronary stenosis, coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflects coronary microvascular dysfunction. In the present study, we hypothesized that amyloid advanced subclinical inflammation in chronic inflammatory diseases (CID) patients may further affect coronary microcirculation. Thirty-two patients with biopsy-diagnosed renal AA, 73 patients with non-amyloid CID, and a group of healthy volunteers were included in the study. The measurements of coronary flow velocity were performed by a single investigator with expertise in transthoracic Doppler harmonic echocardiography (TTDE). The AA amyloidosis subgroup had significantly lower CFR values than other non-amyloid CID patients and the control individuals (1.8 (1.5-2.1) vs. 2.1 (2.0-2.4) and 3.0 (2.8-3.2), p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the presence of AA amyloidosis and elevated hs - CRP independently predict impairment of the CFR (p < 0.05). The presence of AA amyloidosis is related to decreased CFR values and the presence of AA amyloidosis and elevated hs - CRP independently predict impairment of the CFR. Therefore, patients with AA amyloidosis may have an increased risk of developing coronary artery diseases. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. SU-E-T-209: Comparison of Plan Quality Between Arm Avoidance (AA) Vs. Non Arm Avoidance VMAT Planning Techniques for Breast Cancer Patients with Bilateral Implant Reconstructions Receiving Postmastectomy Radiation

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

    Kuo, L; Ballangrud, A; Ho, A

    Purpose: Breast cancer patients with bilateral implant reconstructions who require postmastectomy radiotherapy can pose unique treatment planning challenges. The use of VMAT may provide advantages over conventional tangent or multi-beam IMRT techniques. Moreover, daily setup uncertainly of the arm position, however, could have significant impact on accurate dose delivery. This study compares the plan qualities between non-AA and AA VMAT techniques. Methods: Three breast cancer patients receiving left chest wall and regional nodal irradiation with bilateral implant reconstructions were studied. PTV included chest wall and IMNs (PTV-CW), and supraclavicular and axillary lymph nodes (PTV-SCV). For each patient, one non-AA VMATmore » plan (VMAT-S) with 4 partial arcs encompassing the ipsilateral arm and three AA VMAT plans where no arcs were entering or existing through the ipsilateral arm were generated. VMAT-AA1 uses 2 arcs for PTV-CW and 2 arcs for PTV-SCV. VMAT-AA2 used two static fields for PTV-SCV with 2 arcs for PTV-CW. VMAT-AA3 used 2 narrow arcs for PTV-CW and 2 long arcs for all PTVs. Prescription dose (PD) was 50 Gy (25 fractions). All plans were normalized to have 95% of PD to 95 % of PTV. PTV dose inhomogeneity and dose to the heart, left lung, right thyroid dose and left humerus were evaluated. Results: For VMAT-S, VMAT-AA1, VMAT-AA2 and VMAT-AA3, respectively, the average and standard deviation (in Gy unless specified otherwise) of PTV D05 are 54.7±0.9, 55.9±0.4, 56.7±0.7 and 55.7±0.4; mean Heart dose: 7.1±0.7, 7.2±0.8, 7.3±0.9 and 6.9±1.0; left lung V20Gy (in %): 28.1±1.0, 28.8+2.2, 32.2±4.1 and 27.8±2.0; mean right thyroid dose: 8.1±0.6, 5.1±2.1, 2.1±0.4 and 5.0±2.0; mean left humerus dose: 20.0±4.4,15.6±4.4, 15.2±8.2 and 15.3±4.6. Conclusion: AA VMAT can produce acceptable clinical plans while eliminating dosimetric impact related to arm setup uncertainty. These data require validation in larger planning studies prior to routine

  17. Long-term prognosis of AL and AA renal amyloidosis: a Japanese single-center experience.

    PubMed

    Ozawa, Masatoyo; Komatsuda, Atsushi; Ohtani, Hiroshi; Nara, Mizuho; Sato, Ryuta; Togashi, Masaru; Takahashi, Naoto; Wakui, Hideki

    2017-04-01

    Few studies have been conducted on the long-term prognosis of patients with amyloid light chain (AL) and amyloid A (AA) renal amyloidosis in the same cohort. We retrospectively examined 68 patients with biopsy-proven renal amyloidosis (38 AL and 30 AA). Clinicopathological findings at the diagnosis and follow-up data were evaluated in each patient. We analyzed the relationship between clinicopathological parameters and survival data. Significant differences were observed in several clinicopathological features, such as proteinuria levels, between the AL and AA groups. Among all patients, 84.2 % of the AL group and 93.3 % of the AA group received treatments for the underlying diseases of amyloidosis. During the follow-up period (median 18 months in AL and 61 months in AA), 36.8 % of the AL group and 36.7 % of the AA group developed end-stage renal failure requiring dialysis, while 71.1 % of the AL group and 56.7 % of the AA group died. Patient and renal survivals were significantly longer in the AA group than in the AL group. eGFR of >60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 at biopsy and an early histological stage of glomerular amyloid deposition were identified as low-risk factors. A multivariate analysis showed that cardiac amyloidosis and steroid therapy significantly influenced patient and renal survivals. Our results showed that heart involvement was the major predictor of poor outcomes in renal amyloidosis, and that the prognosis of AA renal amyloidosis was markedly better than that in previously reported cohorts. Therapeutic advances in inflammatory diseases are expected to improve the prognosis of AA amyloidosis.

  18. [Levels of serum ascorbate and its metabolites in hemodialysis patients].

    PubMed

    Hirano, Hiroko; Tone, Yoshinori; Otani, Haruhisa; Oya, Masaki; Kimura, Keigo; Saika, Yasushi; Fujii, Ryoichi; Mune, Masatoshi; Ichinose, Masakazu; Yukawa, Susumu

    2004-07-01

    The status of ascorbic acid (AA) in dialysis patients is the subject of debate. Some reports have found AA to be deficient in dialysis patients, while others have found that AA is not deficient. In an attempt to confirm AA serum concentrations in dialysis patients, we analyzed the concentrations of AA as well as its metabolites using the specific determination of AA with chemical derivatization and the HPLC method. We studied 131 patients under maintenance hemodialysis therapy (HD), 23 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and 48 healthy controls (C). Serum concentrations of AA and the AA metabolites dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and 2, 3-diketogulonate (DKG) were measured by HPLC. Nine HD patients were taking AA supplements. Seventy-six (62.3%) of the 122 HD patients not taking AA supplements exhibited deficient levels of AA (< 20 microM), while 13 (56.5%) of the 23 CRF patients and 9 (18.8%) of the 48 C showed deficient levels of AA. Analysis of AA metabolites in the normal-range AA (20-80 microM) group revealed that the DHA/AA ratio in HD patients was significantly higher than in C (3.3 +/- 2.6% and 1.2 +/- 2.2%, respectively). The DKG/AA ratio in HD patients was higher than in CRF patients (3.6 +/- 5.2% vs. 0.9 +/- 1.9%), whereas DKG was not detected in C. When compared to serum levels before the start of dialysis, serum AA, DHA and DKG concentrations at the end of the dialysis session decreased by an average of 74.2, 84.0 and 78.8% respectively. In HD patients, serum levels of thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly lower in the higher AA (> 80 microM) group than in the deficient and normal-range AA groups. In 12 AA-deficient patients, after 1 month of taking AA supplements (200 mg/day), serum AA levels rose to 79.9 microM, while serum TBARS level declined when compared with levels before supplementation. In conclusion, the frequency of AA deficiency in dialysis patients is extremely high. AA deficiency in HD patients may result in high

  19. Comparison of ``AA`` nickel metal hydride cells with ``AA`` Ni-Cd cells

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

    Alminauskas, V.; Johnson, W.

    1996-12-31

    This paper compares ``AA`` size nickel metal hydride (Ni-HM) cells with comparable ``AA;; nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) cells both of which were obtained in 1993. The Ni-MH cells were found to be a suitable substitute for conventional Ni-Cd cells. Both these cell types have similar voltages and discharge characteristics. The Ni-MH cells, though had nearly twice the capacity as comparable Ni-Cd cells. There was no significant difference in self discharge between the two types of cells. The Ni-MH cells also performed as well as Ni-Cd cells at rates lower than 5 amperes and at temperatures higher than 0 C (32 F).more » The most interesting finding is that the Ni-MH cells showed an irreversible decay of the discharge voltage with each cycle which was more noticeable during pulses. Eventually the Ni-MH packs fail, not because of loss of capacity, but because of low voltage during the pulse.« less

  20. The M694I/M694I genotype: A genetic risk factor of AA-amyloidosis in a group of Algerian patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

    PubMed

    Ait-Idir, Djouher; Djerdjouri, Bahia; Bouldjennet, Faiza; Taha, Rowaida Z; El-Shanti, Hatem; Sari-Hamidou, Rawda; Khellaf, Ghalia; Benmansour, Mustapha; Benabadji, Mohamed; Haddoum, Farid

    2017-03-01

    Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF, OMIM 249100) is the most common hereditary fever, resulting from mutations in MEFV. FMF is characterized by episodic febrile attacks and polyserositis. Renal AA-amyloidosis is a major complication, which often leads to end-stage renal disease in untreated patients. The data about the renal AA-amyloidosis secondary to FMF are scarce in North African countries and non-existent in Algeria. We aimed to investigate the MEFV mutations associated with this complication in an Algerian patient cohort. Molecular analysis included 28 unrelated Algerian FMF patients with ascertained amyloidosis, 23 of them were symptomatic and 5 were asymptomatic. For this study, a group of 20 FMF patients without renal amyloidosis were selected as controls according to their age, disease onset and disease duration. The mutations were detected by sequencing exon 10 of MEFV. A total of 87.5% (49/56) mutant alleles were identified in 27/28 analyzed patients; p.M694I was predominant and appeared with an allele frequency of 62.5%, followed by p.M694V (17.85%), p.M680I (5.35%) and p.I692Del (1.78%). Remarkably, only p.M694I mutation was observed among the asymptomatic patients. The M694I/M694I genotype, identified in 14/27 (52%) patients, was significantly associated with the development of amyloidosis compared to group of controls (p = 0.022). This study did not link the M694V/M694V genotype to the renal complication despite the fact that it has been observed only in the patients with amyloidosis (3/27; 11%) (p = 0.349). The association of other identified genotypes to this complication was statistically insignificant. The progression of amyloidosis led to end-stage renal disease in 14 patients with 6 deaths. This study shows that p.M694I homozygosity is a potential genetic risk factor for the development of renal AA-amyloidosis in Algerian FMF patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  1. Aa Ah Nak

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tha, Na Gya; Wus, Thay

    2017-01-01

    In this article, Aa Ah Nak, the authors' methodology presents not only various reflections but also diverse contradictions about the Aa Nii language as well as language revitalization. This article explores language foundation and how the Aa Nii language revitalization is inextricably linked to the genocide and resulting historic trauma pervasive…

  2. Co-expression of AaPMT and AaTRI effectively enhances the yields of tropane alkaloids in Anisodus acutangulus hairy roots

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Tropane alkaloids (TA) including anisodamine, anisodine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine are a group of important anticholinergic drugs with rapidly increasing market demand, so it is significant to improve TA production by biotechnological approaches. Putrescine N-methyltransferase (PMT) was considered as the first rate-limiting upstream enzyme while tropinone reductase I (TRI) was an important branch-controlling enzyme involved in TA biosynthesis. However, there is no report on simultaneous introduction of PMT and TRI genes into any TA-producing plant including Anisodus acutangulus (A. acutangulus), which is a Solanaceous perennial plant that is endemic to China and is an attractive resource plant for production of TA. Results In this study, 21 AaPMT and AaTRI double gene transformed lines (PT lines), 9 AaPMT single gene transformed lines (P lines) and 5 AaTRI single gene transformed lines (T lines) were generated. RT-PCR and real-time fluorescence quantitative analysis results revealed that total AaPMT (AaPMT T) and total AaTRI (AaTRI T) gene transcripts in transgenic PT, P and T lines showed higher expression levels than native AaPMT (AaPMT E) and AaTRI (AaTRI E) gene transcripts. As compared to the control and single gene transformed lines (P or T lines), PT transgenic hairy root lines produced significantly higher levels of TA. The highest yield of TA was detected as 8.104 mg/g dw in line PT18, which was 8.66, 4.04, and 3.11-times higher than those of the control (0.935 mg/g dw), P3 (highest in P lines, 2.004 mg/g dw) and T12 (highest in T lines, 2.604 mg/g dw), respectively. All the tested samples were found to possess strong radical scavenging capacity, which were similar to control. Conclusion In the present study, the co-expression of AaPMT and AaTRI genes in A. acutangulus hairy roots significantly improved the yields of TA and showed higher antioxidant activity than control because of higher total TA content, which is the first report on

  3. Amyloid fibril protein AA in Papua New Guinean amyloidosis.

    PubMed Central

    Anders, R F; Price, M A; Wilkey, I S; Husby, G; Takitaki, F; Natvig, J B; McAdam, K P

    1976-01-01

    In this study of protein composition of amyloid fibrils isolated from eight patients representative of the spectrum of amyloidosis found in Papua New Guinea has been investigated. All fibril preparations, including three from patients with amyloidosis secondary to lepromatous leprosy and one from an unusual juvenile case of primary amyloidosis, contained the non-immunogobulin amyloid protein, protein AA. However, only 44% of thirty-six amyloid patients had detectable levels of the protein AA-related serum component, protein SAA. Alkali-degraded material from each of the fibril preparations failed to react in double immunodiffusion test with antiserum to the amyloid-related light chain VgammaV, but evidence was found for this immunoglobulin light chain-specificity in the serum of one patient. Images FIG. 1 PMID:820500

  4. Amyloid fibril protein AA in Papua New Guinean amyloidosis.

    PubMed

    Anders, R F; Price, M A; Wilkey, I S; Husby, G; Takitaki, F; Natvig, J B; McAdam, K P

    1976-04-01

    In this study of protein composition of amyloid fibrils isolated from eight patients representative of the spectrum of amyloidosis found in Papua New Guinea has been investigated. All fibril preparations, including three from patients with amyloidosis secondary to lepromatous leprosy and one from an unusual juvenile case of primary amyloidosis, contained the non-immunogobulin amyloid protein, protein AA. However, only 44% of thirty-six amyloid patients had detectable levels of the protein AA-related serum component, protein SAA. Alkali-degraded material from each of the fibril preparations failed to react in double immunodiffusion test with antiserum to the amyloid-related light chain VgammaV, but evidence was found for this immunoglobulin light chain-specificity in the serum of one patient.

  5. Plasma ascorbic acid concentrations in prevalent patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

    PubMed

    Sirover, William D; Liu, Yuguan; Logan, Amanda; Hunter, Krystal; Benz, Robert L; Prasad, Deepali; Avila, Jose; Venkatchalam, Thaliga; Weisberg, Lawrence S; Handelman, Garry J

    2015-05-01

    To determine the prevalence of vitamin C (ascorbic acid [AA]) deficiency in patients with end-stage renal disease, the effect of supplemental AA on plasma AA concentrations, and the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that affect plasma AA concentrations in this patient population. In study 1, we compared the effect of hemodialysis (HD) on plasma AA concentrations between patients with low and high pre-HD AA concentrations. In study 2, we analyzed kinetic and nonkinetic factors for their association with increased plasma AA concentrations in patients on maintenance HD. Study 1 was performed in a single outpatient HD clinic in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Study 2 was performed in 4 outpatient HD clinics in Southern New Jersey. In study 1, we collected plasma samples from 8 adult patients on maintenance HD at various time points around their HD treatment and assayed them for AA concentration. In study 2, we enrolled 203 adult patients and measured pre-HD plasma AA concentrations. We ascertained supplemental AA use and assessed dietary AA intake. In study 1, plasma AA concentrations were compared during the intradialytic and interdialytic period. In study 2, pre-HD plasma AA concentrations were correlated with supplement use and demographic factors. Study 1 showed that over the course of a single HD treatment, the plasma AA concentration decreased by a mean (±standard deviation) of 60% (±6.6). In study 2, the median pre-HD plasma AA concentration was 15.7 μM (interquartile range, 8.7-66.8) in patients who did not take a supplement and 50.6 μM (interquartile range, 25.1-88.8) in patients who did take a supplement (P < .001). Supplement use, increasing age, and diabetes mellitus were associated with a pre-HD plasma AA concentration ≥30 μM. HD depletes plasma AA concentrations, and AA supplementation allows patients to achieve higher plasma AA concentrations. Copyright © 2015 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Constitutive behavior of as-cast AA1050, AA3104, and AA5182

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    van Haaften, W. M.; Magnin, B.; Kool, W. H.; Katgerman, L.

    2002-07-01

    Recent thermomechanical modeling to calculate the stress field in industrially direct-chill (DC) cast-aluminum slabs has been successful, but lack of material data limits the accuracy of these calculations. Therefore, the constitutive behavior of three aluminum alloys (AA1050, AA3104, and AA5182) was determined in the as-cast condition using tensile tests at low strain rates and from room temperature to solidus temperature. The parameters of two constitutive equations, the extended Ludwik equation and a combination of the Sellars-Tegart equation with a hardening law, were determined. In order to study the effect of recovery, the constitutive behavior after prestraining at higher temperatures was also investigated. To evaluate the quantified constitutive equations, tensile tests were performed simulating the deformation and cooling history experienced by the material during casting. It is concluded that both constitutive equations perform well, but the combined hardening-Sellars-Tegart (HST) equation has temperature-independent parameters, which makes it easier to implement in a DC casting model. Further, the deformation history of the ingot should be taken into account for accurate stress calculations.

  7. Updated Interim Efficacy Analysis and Long-term Safety of Abiraterone Acetate in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Without Prior Chemotherapy (COU-AA-302)

    PubMed Central

    Rathkopf, Dana E.; Smith, Matthew R.; de Bono, Johann S.; Logothetis, Christopher J.; Shore, Neal D.; de Souza, Paul; Fizazi, Karim; Mulders, Peter F.A.; Mainwaring, Paul; Hainsworth, John D.; Beer, Tomasz M.; North, Scott; Fradet, Yves; Van Poppel, Hendrik; Carles, Joan; Flaig, Thomas W.; Efstathiou, Eleni; Yu, Evan Y.; Higano, Celestia S.; Taplin, Mary-Ellen; Griffin, Thomas W.; Todd, Mary; Yu, Margaret; Park, Youn C.; Kheoh, Thian; Small, Eric J.; Scher, Howard I.; Molina, Arturo; Ryan, Charles J.; Saad, Fred

    2015-01-01

    Background Abiraterone acetate (an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor) plus prednisone is approved for treating patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Study COU-AA-302 evaluated abiraterone acetate plus prednisone versus prednisone alone in mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic patients with progressive mCRPC without prior chemotherapy. Objective Report the prespecified third interim analysis (IA) of efficacy and safety outcomes in study COU-AA-302. Design, setting, and participants Study COU-AA-302, a double-blind placebo-controlled study, enrolled patients with mCRPC from April 2009 to June 2010. A total of 1088 patients were stratified by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 vs 1). Intervention Patients were randomised 1:1 to abiraterone 1000 mg plus prednisone 5 mg twice daily by mouth versus prednisone. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Co–primary end points were radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS) and overall survival (OS). Median times to event outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived using the Cox model, and treatment comparison used the log-rank test. The O’Brien-Fleming Lan-DeMets α-spending function was used for OS. Adverse events were summarised descriptively. Results and limitations With a median follow-up duration of 27.1 mo, improvement in rPFS was statistically significant with abiraterone treatment versus prednisone (median: 16.5 vs 8.2 mo; HR: 0.52 [95% CI, 0.45–0.61]; p < 0.0001). Abiraterone improved OS (median: 35.3 vs 30.1 mo; HR: 0.79 [95% CI, 0.66–0.95]; p = 0.0151) but did not reach the prespecified statistical efficacy boundary (α-level: 0.0035). A post hoc multivariate analysis for OS using known prognostic factors supported the primary results (HR: 0.74 [95% CI, 0.61–0.89]; p = 0.0017), and all clinically relevant secondary end points and patient-reported outcomes improved

  8. Associations of HSP90AA2 gene polymorphisms with disease susceptibility, glucocorticoids efficacy and health-related quality of life in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Man; Li, Su-Su; Xie, Qiao-Mei; Xu, Jian-Hua; Sun, Xiu-Xiu; Pan, Fa-Ming; Xu, Sheng-Qian; Liu, Sheng-Xiu; Tao, Jin-Hui; Liu, Shuang; Cai, Jing; Chen, Pei-Ling; Qian, Long; Wang, Chun-Huai; Liang, Chun-Mei; Huang, Hai-Liang; Pan, Hai-Feng; Su, Hong; Zou, Yan-Feng

    2018-06-15

    Although the current glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is effective to a certain extent, the difference in therapeutic effect between patients is still a widespread problem. Some patients can have repeated attacks that greatly diminish their quality of life. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between HSP90AA2 polymorphisms and disease susceptibility, GCs efficacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chinese SLE patients. A case-control study was performed in 470 SLE patients and 470 normal controls. Then, 444 patients in the case group were followed up for 12 weeks to observe efficacy of GCs and improvement of HRQoL. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HSP90AA2 were selected for genotyping: rs1826330 and rs6484340. HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. The minor T allele of rs1826330 and the TT haplotype formed by rs1826330 and rs6484340 showed associations with decreased SLE risk (T allele: P BH  = 0.022; TT haplotype: P BH  = 0.033). A significant association between rs6484340 and improvement of HRQoL was revealed in the follow-up study. Five subscales of SF-36 were appeared to be influenced by rs6484340: total score of SF-36 (additive model: P BH  = 0.026), physical function (additive model: P BH  = 0.026), role-physical (recessive model: P BH  = 0.041), mental health (dominant model: P BH  = 0.047), and physical component summary (additive model: P BH  = 0.026). No statistical significance was found between HSP90AA2 gene polymorphisms and GCs efficacy. These results revealed a genetic association between HSP90AA2 and SLE. Remarkably, HSP90AA2 has an impact on the improvement of HRQoL in Chinese population with SLE.

  9. The cytochrome P450 2AA gene cluster in zebrafish (Danio rerio): Expression of CYP2AA1 and CYP2AA2 and response to phenobarbital-type inducers

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

    Kubota, Akira; Bainy, Afonso C.D.; Departamento de Bioquímica, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC 88040-900

    2013-10-01

    The cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2 gene family is the largest and most diverse CYP gene family in vertebrates. In zebrafish, we have identified 10 genes in a new subfamily, CYP2AA, which does not show orthology to any human or other mammalian CYP genes. Here we report evolutionary and structural relationships of the 10 CYP2AA genes and expression of the first two genes, CYP2AA1 and CYP2AA2. Parsimony reconstruction of the tandem duplication pattern for the CYP2AA cluster suggests that CYP2AA1, CYP2AA2 and CYP2AA3 likely arose in the earlier duplication events and thus are most diverged in function from the other CYP2AAs.more » On the other hand, CYP2AA8 and CYP2AA9 are genes that arose in the latest duplication event, implying functional similarity between these two CYPs. A molecular model of CYP2AA1 showing the sequence conservation across the CYP2AA cluster reveals that the regions with the highest variability within the cluster map onto CYP2AA1 near the substrate access channels, suggesting differing substrate specificities. Zebrafish CYP2AA1 transcript was expressed predominantly in the intestine, while CYP2AA2 was most highly expressed in the kidney, suggesting differing roles in physiology. In the liver CYP2AA2 expression but not that of CYP2AA1, was increased by 1,4-bis [2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)] benzene (TCPOBOP) and, to a lesser extent, by phenobarbital (PB). In contrast, pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN) increased CYP2AA1 expression, but not CYP2AA2 in the liver. The results identify a CYP2 subfamily in zebrafish that includes genes apparently induced by PB-type chemicals and PXR agonists, the first concrete in vivo evidence for a PB-type response in fish. - Highlights: • A tandemly duplicated cluster of ten CYP2AA genes was described in zebrafish. • Parsimony and duplication analyses suggest pathways to CYP2AA diversity. • Homology models reveal amino acid positions possibly related to functional diversity. • The CYP2AA locus does not share

  10. Known genetic susceptibility factors for chronic pancreatitis in patients of European ancestry are rare in patients of African ancestry.

    PubMed

    Phillips, Anna Evans; LaRusch, Jessica; Greer, Phil; Abberbock, Judah; Alkaade, Samer; Amann, Stephen T; Anderson, Michelle A; Baillie, John; Banks, Peter A; Brand, Randall E; Conwell, Darwin; Coté, Gregory A; Forsmark, Christopher E; Gardner, Timothy B; Gelrud, Andres; Guda, Nalini; Lewis, Michele; Money, Mary E; Muniraj, Thiruvengadam; Sandhu, Bimaljit S; Sherman, Stuart; Singh, Vikesh K; Slivka, Adam; Tang, Gong; Wilcox, C Mel; Whitcomb, David C; Yadav, Dhiraj

    2018-05-19

    Multiple pathogenic genetic variants are associated with pancreatitis in patients of European (EA) and Asian ancestries, but studies on patients of African ancestry (AA) are lacking. We evaluated the prevalence of known genetic variations in African-American subjects in the US. We studied prospectively enrolled controls (n = 238) and patients with chronic (CP) (n = 232) or recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) (n = 45) in the NAPS2 studies from 2000-2014 of self-identified AA. Demographic and phenotypic information was obtained from structured questionnaires. Ancestry and admixture were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA). Genotyping was performed for pathogenic genetic variants in PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR and CTRC. Prevalence of disease-associated variants in NAPS2 subjects of AA and EA was compared. When compared with CP subjects of EA (n = 862), prevalence of established pathogenic genetic variants was infrequent in AA patients with CP, overall (29 vs. 8.19%, OR 4.60, 95% CI 2.74-7.74, p < 0.001), and after stratification by alcohol etiology (p < 0.001). On PCA, AA cases were more heterogeneous but distinct from EA subjects; no difference was observed between AA subjects with and without CP-associated variants. Of 19 A A patients with CP who had pathogenic genetic variants, 2 had variants in PRSS1 (R122H, R122C), 4 in SPINK1 (all N34S heterozygotes), 12 in CFTR (2 CFTR sev , 9 CFTR BD , 1 compound heterozygote with CFTR sev and CFTR BD ), and 1 in CTRC (R254W). Pathogenic genetic variants reported in EA patients are significantly less common in AA patients. Further studies are needed to determine the complex risk factors for AA subjects with pancreatitis. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  11. Recurrent AA Amyloidosis Combined With Chronic Active Antibody-mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation.

    PubMed

    Yeo, Min-Kyung; Ham, Young Rok; Choi, Song-Yi; Lee, Yong-Moon; Park, Moon Hyang; Suh, Kwang-Sun

    2017-07-01

    Kidney transplantation for amyloidosis remains a contentious issue. Recurrence of amyloidosis is one of the risks of transplantation. Chronic active antibody-mediated rejection is an important cause of chronic allograft dysfunction. A 47-year-old woman underwent kidney transplantation due to renal AA amyloidosis with unknown etiology. Six years posttransplantation, a kidney biopsy showed AA amyloidosis with chronic active antibody-mediated rejection. Donor-specific antibody class II was positive. The patient underwent intravenous plasmapheresis and treatment with rituximab and colchicine. The relationship between recurrence of amyloidosis and rejection was not obvious. Clinical characteristics of kidney transplantation for AA amyloidosis were subjected to literature review and 315 cases were identified. The incidence of amyloidosis recurrence and acute and chronic rejection rates were 15%, 15%, and 8%, respectively. Five-year patient and graft survival rates were 77% and 82%, respectively. Clinical courses of kidney transplantation in AA amyloidosis were, thus, identified.

  12. Kidney biopsy in AA amyloidosis: impact of histopathology on prognosis.

    PubMed

    Kendi Celebi, Zeynep; Kiremitci, Saba; Ozturk, Bengi; Akturk, Serkan; Erdogmus, Siyar; Duman, Neval; Ates, Kenan; Erturk, Sehsuvar; Nergizoglu, Gokhan; Kutlay, Sim; Sengul, Sule; Ensari, Arzu; Keven, Kenan

    2017-09-01

    In AA amyloidosis, while kidney biopsy is widely considered for diagnosis by clinicians, there is no evidence that the detailed investigation of renal histopathology can be utilized for the prognosis and clinical outcomes. In this study, we aimed to obtain whether histopathologic findings in kidney biopsy of AA amyloidosis might have prognostic and clinical value. This is a retrospective cohort study that included 38 patients who were diagnosed with AA amyloidosis by kidney biopsy between 2005 and 2013.The kidney biopsy specimens of patients were evaluated and graded for several characteristics of histopathological lesions and their relationship with renal outcomes. Segmental amyloid deposition in the kidney biopsy was seen in 29%, global amyloid deposition in 71, diffuse involvement of glomeruli in 84.2%, focal involvement in 7%, glomerular enlargement in 53%, tubular atrophy in 75% and interstitial fibrosis in 78% of patients. Histopathologically, glomerular enlargement, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial inflammation and global amyloid deposition were significantly associated with lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p = .02, p < .001, p = .001, p = .009, p = .002, respectively) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, tubular atrophy was the only predictor of eGFR (p = .019 B = -20.573). In the follow-up at an average of 27 months, 18 patients developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Among them, global amyloid deposition was the only risk factor for the development of ESRD (p = .01, OR = 18.750, %95 CI= 2.021-173.942). This is the first study showing that the histopathological findings in kidney biopsy of AA amyloidosis might have a prognostic and clinical value for renal outcomes.

  13. Bone Morphogenic Protein 4-Smad-Induced Upregulation of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor AA Impairs Endothelial Function.

    PubMed

    Hu, Weining; Zhang, Yang; Wang, Li; Lau, Chi Wai; Xu, Jian; Luo, Jiang-Yun; Gou, Lingshan; Yao, Xiaoqiang; Chen, Zhen-Yu; Ma, Ronald Ching Wan; Tian, Xiao Yu; Huang, Yu

    2016-03-01

    Bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) is an important mediator of endothelial dysfunction in cardio-metabolic diseases, whereas platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are major angiogenic and proinflammatory mediator, although the functional link between these 2 factors is unknown. The present study investigated whether PDGF mediates BMP4-induced endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. We generated Ad-Bmp4 to overexpress Bmp4 and Ad-Pdgfa-shRNA to knockdown Pdgfa in mice through tail intravenous injection. SMAD4-shRNA lentivirus, SMAD1-shRNA, and SMAD5 shRNA adenovirus were used for knockdown in human and mouse endothelial cells. We found that PDGF-AA impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in aortas and mesenteric resistance arteries. BMP4 upregulated PDGF-AA in human and mouse endothelial cells, which was abolished by BMP4 antagonist noggin or knockdown of SMAD1/5 or SMAD4. BMP4-impared relaxation in mouse aorta was also ameliorated by PDGF-AA neutralizing antibody. Tail injection of Ad-Pdgfa-shRNA ameliorates endothelial dysfunction induced by Bmp4 overexpression (Ad-Bmp4) in vivo. Serum PDGF-AA was elevated in both diabetic patients and diabetic db/db mice compared with nondiabetic controls. Pdgfa-shRNA or Bmp4-shRNA adenovirus reduced serum PDGF-AA concentration in db/db mice. PDGF-AA neutralizing antibody or tail injection with Pdgfa-shRNA adenovirus improved endothelial function in aortas and mesenteric resistance arteries from db/db mice. The effect of PDGF-AA on endothelial function in mouse aorta was also inhibited by Ad-Pdgfra-shRNA to inhibit PDGFRα. The present study provides novel evidences to show that PDGF-AA impairs endothelium-dependent vasodilation and PDGF-AA mediates BMP4-induced adverse effect on endothelial cell function through SMAD1/5- and SMAD4-dependent mechanisms. Inhibition of PGDF-AA ameliorates vascular dysfunction in diabetic mice. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

  14. Comparison of calculated and experimentally determined SID of CP and AA in complex diets differing in AA contents for grower finisher pigs.

    PubMed

    Büsing, K; Berk, A; Müller, S; Kieckhäven, S; Krüger, K; Zeyner, A

    2017-10-01

    In practice, the content of standardized ileal digestible AA in complex feeds for pigs is calculated on the basis of tabulated values for individual feedstuffs. It comes into question, however, whether this truly reflects an accurate content based upon the estimate made for the individual feedstuffs. The objective of this study was to compare standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of crude protein (CP) and selected AA in complex feeds for grower and finisher pigs either calculated or experimentally determined. Six diets with increasing AA levels were prepared for grower (BW from 30 to 70 kg) and finisher (BW from 70 to 120 kg) feed. Crystalline L-lys, DL-met and L-thr were added to both diets, L-trp and L-val only to the grower feed. SID of both CP and AA was calculated from feed tables and experimentally determined in six adult minipigs (MINILEWE) with ileorectal anastomosis. With increasing AA levels, experimentally determined SID of supplemented AA increased (p < 0.05), but SID of CP (p ≥ 0.05) was not affected. In both grower and finisher feed, calculated and experimentally determined SID of CP, Met, Cys, Trp, Ile and Tyr differed by more than 2% units, but those of Lys and His only in the finisher feed. Yet this effect was not directly consistent. The margin of error following estimation of SID of AA via tabulated values for individual feedstuffs, however, seems to be acceptable for practical use. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

  15. Elevated Serum AA/EPA Ratio as a Predictor of Skeletal Muscle Depletion in Cachexic Patients with Advanced Gastro-intestinal Cancers.

    PubMed

    Kitagawa, Moeko; Haji, Seiji; Amagai, Teruyoshi

    2017-01-01

    In recent years, the number of cancer patients has increased. Cancer patients are prone to sarcopenia as a result of the decrease in muscle mass and muscle weakness which occurs in cancer cachexia. Attention has been given on the effects of fatty acid administration on cancer patients. We conducted a retrospective chart-review study of consecutive patients with unresectable advanced GI cancer (stage IV) (n=46) receiving chemotherapy treatment in an outpatient or in-hospital setting between December 2012 and September 2015 at our Institution. The collected data were characteristics, psoas muscle area as measured by computed tomography (CT), and biochemical blood test and serum fatty acid profiles. Three methods of analysis were evaluated: (i) Comparison of biomarkers between two groups: psoas muscle index change rate (ΔPMI) decrease group vs. ΔPMI increase group. (ii) Correlation between ΔPMI and biomarkers. (iii) Multiple regression of ΔPMI and biomarkers Results: In the ΔPMI decrease group, n-6/n-3 ratio and AA/EPA ratio in the decrease group were significantly higher than those in the increase group. Among all parameters, serum EPA was positively and significantly related to ΔPMI (CC=0.443, p=0.039). In contrast, serum CRP, AA/EPA ratio and n-6/n-3 ratio were negatively related to ΔPMI (CC=-0.566, CC=-0.501, CC=-0.476, p=0.006, p=0.018, p=0.025, respectively). On multiple regression analysis, serum CRP value was strongly related to ΔPMI (r 2 =0.421, β=-0.670, p=0.001). Higher n-6/n-3 and AA/EPA ratios were associated with a decrease in psoas muscle area, that lead to diagnosis of sarcopenia. Higher CRP was also associated with a decrease in psoas muscle area, suggesting that this might be an indicator of cachexic skeletal muscle depletion in cachexic patients with advanced gastro-intestinal cancers. Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

  16. [Risk control of traditional Chinese medicines containing aristolochis acids (AAs) based on influencing factors of content of AAs].

    PubMed

    Tian, Jing-Zhuo; Liang, Ai-Hua; Liu, Jing; Zhang, Bo-Li

    2017-12-01

    Aristolochic acids (AAs) widely exist in such plants as Aristolochia and Asarum. The renal toxicity of AAs as well as its carcinogenicity to urinary system have been widely known. In 2003 and 2004, China prohibited the use of Aristolochiae Radix, Aristolochiae Manshuriensis Caulis and Aristolochiae Fangchi Radix, and required administering other AAs-containing medicines in accordance with the regulations for prescription drugs. In this paper, we retrieved literatures on the content determination of AAs in recent 10 years in China. It suggested that the AAs content is lower in Asarum herb, especially in its roots and rhizomes, and most of which do not show detectable amount of AA-I. Some of traditional Chinese medicines show fairly small amount of detectable AA-I. The AAs content in Aristolochia herb (including Fructus Aristolochiae, kaempfer dutchmanspipe root) is relatively high; however, there are fewer literatures for studying the content determination of AAs in Chinese patent medicines. There were many factors affecting AAs content, including the parts used, origins, processing methods, extraction process. It suggested that we should pay attention to the toxicity of Chinese medicines containing AAs and use these decoction pieces and traditional Chinese medicines cautiously. In addition, basic studies for the origins, processing methods and extraction process of Chinese patent medicines containing AAs, as well as supervision and detection of AAs content in traditional Chinese medicinal materials, decoction pieces and Chinese patent medicines shall be strengthened for reducing medication risk and guaranteeing clinical medication safety. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

  17. Comparative Effectiveness of Ranolazine Versus Traditional Therapies in Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris and Concomitant Diabetes Mellitus and Impact on Health Care Resource Utilization and Cardiac Interventions.

    PubMed

    Page, Robert L; Ghushchyan, Vahram; Read, Richard A; Hartsfield, Cynthia L; Koch, Bruce R; Nair, Kavita V

    2015-11-01

    Comparative studies evaluating traditional versus newer antianginal (AA) medications in chronic stable angina pectoris (CSA) on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes and utilization are limited, particularly in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Claims data (2008 to 2012) were analyzed using a commercial database. Patients with CSA receiving a β blocker (BB), calcium channel blocker (CCB), long-acting nitrate (LAN), or ranolazine were identified and followed for 12 months after a change in AA therapy. Patients on traditional AA medications were required to have concurrent sublingual nitroglycerin. Therapy change was defined as adding or switching to another traditional AA medication or ranolazine to identify patients whose angina was inadequately controlled with previous therapy. Four groups were identified (BB, CCB, LAN, or ranolazine users) and matched on relevant characteristics. A DM subset was identified. Logistic regression compared revascularization at 30, 60, 90, 180, and 360 days. Negative binomial regression compared all-cause, CV-, and DM-related (in the DM cohort) health care utilization. A total of 8,008 patients were identified with 2,002 patients in each matched group. Majority were men (mean age 66 years). A subset of 3,724 patients with DM (BB, n = 933; CCB, n = 940; LAN, n = 937; and ranolazine, n = 914) resulted from this cohort. Compared to ranolazine in the overall cohort, traditional AA medication exhibited greater odds for revascularization and higher rates in all-cause outpatient, emergency room visits, inpatient length of stay, and CV-related emergency room visits. In the DM cohort, ranolazine demonstrated similar benefits over traditional AA medication. In conclusion, ranolazine use in patients with inadequately controlled chronic angina is associated with less revascularization and all-cause and CV-related health care utilization compared to traditional AA medication. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Systemic AA amyloidosis in island foxes (Urocyon littoralis): Severity and risk factors

    PubMed Central

    Gaffney, Patricia M.; Witte, Carmel; Clifford, Deana L.; Imai, Denise M.; O’Brien, Timothy D.; Trejo, Margarita; Liberta, Falk; Annamalai, Karthikeyan; Fändrich, Marcus; Masliah, Eliezer; Munson, Linda; Sigurdson, Christina J.

    2016-01-01

    Systemic amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is highly prevalent (34%) in endangered island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) and poses a risk to species recovery. Although elevated serum amyloid A from prolonged or recurrent inflammation predisposes to AA amyloidosis, additional risk factors are poorly understood. Here we define the severity of glomerular and medullary renal amyloid and identify risk factors for AA amyloidosis in 321 island foxes necropsied from 1987 through 2010. In affected kidneys, amyloid more commonly accumulated in the medullary interstitium than in the glomeruli [98% (78/80) versus 56% (45/80), respectively, p < 0.0001], and medullary deposition was more commonly severe [19% (20/105)] as compared to glomeruli [7% (7/105), p = 0.01]. Univariate odds ratios (ORs) of severe renal AA amyloidosis were greater for short- and long-term captive foxes compared to free-ranging (OR=3.2, 3.7, respectively, overall p = 0.05) and females compared to males (OR = 2.9, p = 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression revealed independent risk factors for amyloid development were increasing age class (OR = 3.8, p < 0.0001), San Clemente Island subspecies compared to San Nicolas Island subspecies (OR = 5.3, p = 0.0003), captivity (OR = 5.1, p = 0.0001), and nephritis (OR = 2.3, p = 0.01). The increased risk associated with the San Clemente subspecies or captivity suggests roles for genetic as well as exogenous risk factors in the development of AA amyloidosis. PMID:26419399

  19. The Microjet of AA Tau

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cox, A. W.; Hilton, G. M.; Williger, G. M.; Grady, C. A.; Woodgate, B.

    2005-12-01

    The microjet of AA Tau A.W. Cox (Atholton High School, Columbia MD), G.M. Hilton (SSAI and GSFC), G.M. Williger (JHU and U. Louisville), C.A. Grady (Eureka Scientific and GSFC) B.Woodgate (NASA's GSFC) AA Tau is a classical T Tauri star with a spatially resolved disk viewed at approximately 70 degrees from pole-on. Photo-polarimetric variability of the star has been interpreted as being caused by the stellar magnetic field being inclined at 30 degrees with respect to the stellar rotation axis, producing a warp in the inner disk. Under these conditions, any jet should be less collimated than typical of T Tauri microjets, and should show signs of the jet axis precessing around the stellar rotation axis. When compared with the microjets imaged in the HST/STIS coronagraphic imaging survey, the AA Tau jet has an opening half-angle of approximately 10-15 degrees rather than the 3-5 degrees typical of the other T Tauri stars which have been coronagraphically imaged by HST/STIS. Using the HST data with ultra-narrowband imagery and long slit spectroscopy obtained with the Goddard Fabry-Perot and the Dual Imaging Spectrograph at the Apache Point Observatory 3.5m telescope, we derive the jet inclination, knot ejection epochs, and ejection frequency. We also compare the jet opening angle with model predictions. Apache Point Observatory observations with the Goddard Fabry-Perot were made through a grant of Director's Discretionary Time. Apache Point Observatory is operated by the Astrophysical Research Consortium. The GFP was supported under NASA RTOP 51-188-01-22 to GSFC. Grady is supported under NASA contract NNH05CD30C to Eureka Scientific.

  20. Laboratory Astrophysics Division of The AAS (LAD)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Salama, Farid; Drake, R. P.; Federman, S. R.; Haxton, W. C.; Savin, D. W.

    2012-10-01

    The purpose of the Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) is to advance our understanding of the Universe through the promotion of fundamental theoretical and experimental research into the underlying processes that drive the Cosmos. LAD represents all areas of astrophysics and planetary sciences. The first new AAS Division in more than 30 years, the LAD traces its history back to the recommendation from the scientific community via the White Paper from the 2006 NASA-sponsored Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop. This recommendation was endorsed by the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC), which advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on selected issues within the fields of astronomy and astrophysics that are of mutual interest and concern to the agencies. In January 2007, at the 209th AAS meeting, the AAS Council set up a Steering Committee to formulate Bylaws for a Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics (WGLA). The AAS Council formally established the WGLA with a five-year mandate in May 2007, at the 210th AAS meeting. From 2008 through 2012, the WGLA annually sponsored Meetings in-a-Meeting at the AAS Summer Meetings. In May 2011, at the 218th AAS meeting, the AAS Council voted to convert the WGLA, at the end of its mandate, into a Division of the AAS and requested draft Bylaws from the Steering Committee. In January 2012, at the 219th AAS Meeting, the AAS Council formally approved the Bylaws and the creation of the LAD. The inaugural gathering and the first business meeting of the LAD were held at the 220th AAS meeting in Anchorage in June 2012. You can learn more about LAD by visiting its website at http://lad.aas.org/ and by subscribing to its mailing list.

  1. Laboratory Astrophysics Division of the AAS (LAD)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Salama, Farid; Drake, R. P.; Federman, S. R.; Haxton, W. C.; Savin, D. W.

    2012-01-01

    The purpose of the Laboratory Astrophysics Division (LAD) is to advance our understanding of the Universe through the promotion of fundamental theoretical and experimental research into the underlying processes that drive the Cosmos. LAD represents all areas of astrophysics and planetary sciences. The first new AAS Division in more than 30 years, the LAD traces its history back to the recommendation from the scientific community via the White Paper from the 2006 NASA-sponsored Laboratory Astrophysics Workshop. This recommendation was endorsed by the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC), which advises the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on selected issues within the fields of astronomy and astrophysics that are of mutual interest and concern to the agencies. In January 2007, at the 209th AAS meeting, the AAS Council set up a Steering Committee to formulate Bylaws for a Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics (WGLA). The AAS Council formally established the WGLA with a five-year mandate in May 2007, at the 210th AAS meeting. From 2008 through 2012, the WGLA annually sponsored Meetings in-a-Meeting at the AAS Summer Meetings. In May 2011, at the 218th AAS meeting, the AAS Council voted to convert the WGLA, at the end of its mandate, into a Division of the AAS and requested draft Bylaws from the Steering Committee. In January 2012, at the 219th AAS Meeting, the AAS Council formally approved the Bylaws and the creation of the LAD. The inaugural gathering and the first business meeting of the LAD were held at the 220th AAS meeting in Anchorage in June 2012. You can learn more about LAD by visiting its website at http://lad.aas.org/ and by subscribing to its mailing list.

  2. Role and mechanism of AT1-AA in the pathogenesis of HELLP syndrome.

    PubMed

    Bu, Shurui; Wang, Yuxian; Sun, Shuqing; Zheng, Yanqian; Jin, Zhu; Zhi, Jianming

    2018-01-10

    HELLP syndrome remains a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, which symptoms include hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count. The objective of this study was to determine whether HELLP is associated with AT1-AA. The positive rate and titer of AT1-AA in plasma from pregnant women were determined, and the correlation of AT1-AA titer with the grade of HELLP was analyzed. A HELLP rat model established by intravenous injection of AT1-AA. Our experimental results show the AT1-AA titer and positive rate were significantly higher in HELLP group, and AT1-AA titer were positively correlated with the level of TNF-α and ET-1 in plasma and the grade of HELLP syndrome. The results of animal experiments showed that the typical features of HELLP in the pregnant rats after AT1-AA injection. The levels of TNF-α and ET-1 in plasma and liver tissue were significantly increased in AT1-AA-treated rats compared with control rats. The HELLP syndrome induced by AT1-AA was attenuated markedly after administration of losartan. These data support the hypothesis that one the potential pathway that AT1-AA induce damage to capillary endothelial cells and liver during pregnancy is through activation of TNF-α and ET-1.

  3. Changing epidemiology of AA amyloidosis: clinical observations over 25 years at a single national referral centre.

    PubMed

    Lane, Thirusha; Pinney, Jennifer H; Gilbertson, Janet A; Hutt, David F; Rowczenio, Dorota M; Mahmood, Shameem; Sachchithanantham, Sajitha; Fontana, Marianna; Youngstein, Taryn; Quarta, Candida C; Wechalekar, Ashutosh D; Gillmore, Julian D; Hawkins, Philip N; Lachmann, Helen J

    2017-09-01

    Systemic AA amyloidosis is a serious complication of chronic inflammation; however, there are relatively few published data on its incidence. We investigated the changing epidemiology of AA amyloidosis over a 25-year period at a single national referral centre. We conducted a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with AA amyloidosis who had attended the centre between 1990 and 2014 inclusive. Six hundred and twenty-five patients were studied in three cohorts: C1: 1990-1997; C2: 1998-2006; C3: 2007-2014. Mean age at presentation increased from 46 in C1 to 56 in C3 (p < .0001). The proportion of South Asian patients increased from 4% in C1 to 17% in C3 (p = .0006). Comparison of underlying diseases between C1 and C3 revealed a reduction in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis from 25% to 2% (p < .0001), but an increase in patients with chronic infection due to intravenous recreational drug use from 1% to 13% (p < .0001), and uncharacterized inflammatory disorders from 10% to 27% (p <.0001). More patients were in end-stage renal failure at presentation in C3 (29%) than C1 (15%) (p = .0028). Median age at death was later in C3 (62 years) than C1 (54 years) (p = .0012). These data suggest both falling incidence and better outcome in AA amyloidosis over a quarter of a century, reflecting advances in therapeutics and overall management of complex chronic disease in an ageing population. AA amyloidosis of uncertain aetiology presents an emerging major problem. Newer techniques such as next-generation sequencing may aid diagnosis and effective treatment, thereby improving overall survival.

  4. Measurement of the ascending aorta diameter in patients with severe bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve stenosis using dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography.

    PubMed

    Son, Jee Young; Ko, Sung Min; Choi, Jin Woo; Song, Meong Gun; Hwang, Hweung Kon; Lee, Sook Jin; Kang, Joon-Won

    2011-12-01

    We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual-source computed tomography coronary angiography (DSCT-CA) in the measurement of the ascending aorta (AA) diameter and compare the AA diameter in patients with severe bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) stenosis. Eighty-eight consecutive patients (50 men, mean age 60.3 ± 13 year) with severe aortic stenosis (AS) underwent DSCT-CA before aortic valve surgery. Seventy-four of the 88 patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). The internal diameter of AA was measured from early-systole with DSCT-CA and CMR by 2 radiologists independently at 4 levels (aortic annulus, sinuses of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, and tubular portion at the right pulmonary artery). The patients were divided in to 2 groups (BAV [n = 53]; TAV [n = 35]) according to operative findings. Patients with BAV were significantly younger than those with TAV (P = 0.0035). Inter-observer agreement of AA diameters at 4 levels with DSCT-CA and CMR was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.89-0.97). Also, the DSCT-CA and CMR measurements of the AA diameter strongly correlated (r = 0.871-0.976). Mean diameter of the AA by DSCT-CA was significantly larger in patients with BAV (34.4 ± 8.2 mm) as compared to those with TAV (30.6 ± 5.5 mm). The diameters at the sinuses of Valsalva, sinotubular junction, and tubular portion were significantly larger in BAV than in TAV. Twenty-two of 53 (41.5%) patients with BAV and 2 of 35 (5.7%) patients with TAV had AA dilatation > 45 mm. DSCT-CA allows accurate assessment of the AA diameters in patients with severe AS. Patients with severe BAV stenosis had larger AA diameters and higher prevalence of AA dilatation > 45 mm as compared to those with severe TAV stenosis.

  5. 40 CFR Table Aa-2 to Subpart Aa of... - Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner Emissions Factors for CH4 and N2O

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 21 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner Emissions Factors for CH4 and N2O AA Table AA-2 to Subpart AA of Part 98 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... Manufacturing Pt. 98, Subpt. AA, Table AA -2 Table AA-2 to Subpart AA of Part 98—Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner...

  6. Abnormal scintigraphic evolution in AA hepatic amyloidosis

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

    Lomena, F.; Rosello, R.; Pons, F.

    1988-03-01

    A patient with AA amyloidosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis showed intense liver uptake of Tc-99m MDP on bone imaging. The biopsy showed hepatic amyloid deposition. A repeat bone scan with Tc-99m MDP 1 year later was negative, although the clinical signs and liver function tests of the patient had not changed. A mechanism might exist, other than the affinity of amyloid to calcium, which would explain the extraosseous uptake of pyrophosphates and diphosphonates in organs and soft tissues affected by systemic amyloidosis.

  7. 40 CFR Appendix A to Subpart Aa of... - Applicability of General Provisions (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA A Appendix A to Subpart AA of Part 63 Protection of... Hazardous Air Pollutants From Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing Plants Pt. 63, Subpt. AA, App. A Appendix A to Subpart AA of Part 63—Applicability of General Provisions (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA 40 CFR...

  8. 40 CFR Appendix A to Subpart Aa of... - Applicability of General Provisions (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA A Appendix A to Subpart AA of Part 63 Protection of... Hazardous Air Pollutants From Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing Plants Pt. 63, Subpt. AA, App. A Appendix A to Subpart AA of Part 63—Applicability of General Provisions (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA 40 CFR...

  9. Role of the 2 adenine (g.11293_11294insAA) insertion polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of the factor VII (FVII) gene: molecular characterization of a patient with severe FVII deficiency.

    PubMed

    Peyvandi, F; Garagiola, I; Palla, R; Marziliano, N; Mannucci, P M

    2005-11-01

    Polymorphic variants in the gene encoding factor VII (F7) affect the plasma levels of this coagulation protein and modify the clinical phenotype of FVII deficiency in some patients. In this study we report the in vitro functional analysis of a novel polymorphic variant located in the 3' untranslated region of F7: g.11293_11294insAA. To determine whether this variant regulates FVII expression, we initially compared an expression vector containing FVII cDNA with g.11293_11294insAA with the FVII wild-type (WT) construct. The kinetics of mRNA production showed that the insertion decreases the steady-state FVII mRNA levels. To assess whether the insertion influences the phenotype of FVII-deficient patients, we evaluated its effect on the expression of FVII in a patient with severe FVII deficiency (undetectable FVII activity and antigen) carrying two additional homozygous missense variations (p.Arg277Cys and p.Arg353Gln). The two substitutions alone reduced the expression of FVII activity and antigen in vitro, but with the insertion polymorphism in our expression vector the patient's phenotype of undetectable plasma FVII was recapitulated. The insertion polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of F7 is another modifier of FVII expression that might explain the poor genotype-phenotype correlation in some FVII-deficient patients. Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  10. AAS Statistics and the 60% Cohort

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marvel, K. B.

    2004-05-01

    I will present the latest statistics available describing the gender of the AAS membership including an update on the so-called 60% cohort (that group of AAS members from the ages of 18 to 25 who are 60% women and 40% men). The AAS membership has changed significantly in the past 30 years from an overall female membership percentage of about 10% to a level around 30% today. This trend is accelerating and indicates the ongoing inclusion of women in the physical sciences, especially astronomy. By the year 2030, the AAS membership should reach gender parity if the present trend continues.

  11. Activity of vegetative insecticidal proteins Vip3Aa58 and Vip3Aa59 of Bacillus thuringiensis against lepidopteran pests.

    PubMed

    Baranek, Jakub; Kaznowski, Adam; Konecka, Edyta; Naimov, Samir

    2015-09-01

    Vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vips) secreted by some isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis show activity against insects and are regarded as insecticides against pests. A number of B. thuringiensis strains harbouring vip3A genes were isolated from different sources and identified by using a PCR based approach. The isolates with the highest insecticidal activity were indicated in screening tests, and their vip genes were cloned and sequenced. The analysis revealed two polymorphic Vip protein forms, which were classified as Vip3Aa58 and Vip3Aa59. After expression of the vip genes, the proteins were isolated and characterized. The activity of both toxins was estimated against economically important lepidopteran pests of woodlands (Dendrolimus pini), orchards (Cydia pomonella) and field crops (Spodoptera exigua). Vip3Aa58 and Vip3Aa59 were highly toxic and their potency surpassed those of many Cry proteins used in commercial bioinsecticides. Vip3Aa59 revealed similar larvicidal activity as Vip3Aa58 against S. exigua and C. pomonella. Despite 98% similarity of amino acid sequences of both proteins, Vip3Aa59 was significantly more active against D. pini. Additionally the effect of proteolytic activation of Vip58Aa and Vip3Aa59 on toxicity of D. pini and S. exigua was studied. Both Vip3Aa proteins did not show any activity against Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) larvae. The results suggest that the Vip3Aa58 and Vip3Aa59 toxins might be useful for controlling populations of insect pests of crops and forests. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. AaCAT1 of the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti

    PubMed Central

    Hansen, Immo A.; Boudko, Dmitri Y.; Shiao, Shin-Hong; Voronov, Dmitri A.; Meleshkevitch, Ella A.; Drake, Lisa L.; Aguirre, Sarah E.; Fox, Jeffrey M.; Attardo, Geoffrey M.; Raikhel, Alexander S.

    2011-01-01

    Insect yolk protein precursor gene expression is regulated by nutritional and endocrine signals. A surge of amino acids in the hemolymph of blood-fed female mosquitoes activates a nutrient signaling system in the fat bodies, which subsequently derepresses yolk protein precursor genes and makes them responsive to activation by steroid hormones. Orphan transporters of the SLC7 family were identified as essential upstream components of the nutrient signaling system in the fat body of fruit flies and the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. However, the transport function of these proteins was unknown. We report expression and functional characterization of AaCAT1, cloned from the fat body of A. aegypti. Expression of AaCAT1 transcript and protein undergoes dynamic changes during postembryonic development of the mosquito. Transcript expression was especially high in the third and fourth larval stages; however, the AaCAT1 protein was detected only in pupa and adult stages. Functional expression and analysis of AaCAT1 in Xenopus oocytes revealed that it acts as a sodium-independent cationic amino acid transporter, with unique selectivity to l-histidine at neutral pH (K0.5l-His = 0.34 ± 0.07 mm, pH 7.2). Acidification to pH 6.2 dramatically increases AaCAT1-specific His+-induced current. RNAi-mediated silencing of AaCAT1 reduces egg yield of subsequent ovipositions. Our data show that AaCAT1 has notable differences in its transport mechanism when compared with related mammalian cationic amino acid transporters. It may execute histidine-specific transport and signaling in mosquito tissues. PMID:21262963

  13. Somatic effects of AAS abuse: A 30-years follow-up study of male former power sports athletes.

    PubMed

    Lindqvist Bagge, A S; Rosén, T; Fahlke, C; Ehrnborg, C; Eriksson, B O; Moberg, T; Thiblin, I

    2017-09-01

    The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between somatic health and former abuse of AAS in former elite male athletes 30 years after the end of their active sports career. Retrospective follow-up study. N=996 former elite male athletes were sent a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic variables, previous and past sport activity and lifetime prevalence of seeking professional help for health problems. N=683 (68.6%) answered the questionnaire. The lifetime prevalence of AAS-abuse was 21% (n=143), while 79% (n=540) did not admit having ever used AAS. Former AAS-abuse was associated with tendon ruptures (p=0.01), depression (p=0.001), anxiety (p=0.01) and lower prevalence of prostate hypertrophy (p=0.01) and decreased libido (p=0.01). Former advanced AAS-abusers had higher anxiety (p=0.004) compared to the former less advanced AAS-abusers. Moreover, former advanced AAS-abusers, compared to AAS-naïves, reported more psychiatric problems (p=0.002), depression (p=0.003) and anxiety (p=0.00). A former AAS-abuse seems to be associated with some somatic and mental health problem, although a former less advanced AAS-abuse is related to lower incidence of prostate hypertrophy. The results raise the question whether some of these associations might be dose- and frequency dependent. These findings should however be seen as hypothesis generating and further studies are needed. Copyright © 2017 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Homocysteine induced cardiovascular events: a consequence of long term anabolic‐androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse

    PubMed Central

    Graham, M R; Grace, F M; Boobier, W; Hullin, D; Kicman, A; Cowan, D; Davies, B; Baker, J S

    2006-01-01

    Objectives The long term effects (>20 years) of anabolic‐androgenic steroid (AAS) use on plasma concentrations of homocysteine (HCY), folate, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index, urea, creatinine, haematocrit (HCT), vitamin B12, and urinary testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, were examined in a cohort of self‐prescribing bodybuilders. Methods Subjects (n = 40) were divided into four distinct groups: (1) AAS users still using AAS (SU; n = 10); (2) AAS users abstinent from AAS administration for 3 months (SA; n = 10); (3) non‐drug using bodybuilding controls (BC; n = 10); and (4) sedentary male controls (SC; n = 10). Results HCY levels were significantly higher in SU compared with BC and SC (p<0.01), and with SA (p<0.05). Fat free mass was significantly higher in both groups of AAS users (p<0.01). Daily energy intake (kJ) and daily protein intake (g/day) were significantly higher in SU and SA (p<0.05) compared with BC and SC, but were unlikely to be responsible for the observed HCY increases. HCT concentrations were significantly higher in the SU group (p<0.01). A significant linear inverse relationship was observed in the SU group between SHBG and HCY (r = −0.828, p<0.01), indicating a possible influence of the sex hormones in determining HCY levels. Conclusions With mounting evidence linking AAS to adverse effects on some clotting factors, the significantly higher levels of HCY and HCT observed in the SU group suggest long term AAS users have increased risk of future thromboembolic events. PMID:16488899

  15. Audiovestibular Handicap and Quality of Life in Patients With Vestibular Schwannoma and "Excellent" Hearing.

    PubMed

    Tveiten, Oystein Vesterli; Carlson, Matthew L; Link, Michael J; Lund-Johansen, Morten

    2017-03-01

    Studies examining patient-reported outcomes in subjects with vestibular schwannoma (VS) and "excellent" hearing are lacking. To assess patient-reported audiovestibular handicap and overall quality of life (QoL) in VS patients with class A hearing in both ears. Among 539 VS patients treated during 1998 to 2008, we identified 296 patients with either bilateral class A (AA) hearing or 1 good ear and 1 deaf ear (AD) according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery classification. Patients responded to validated hearing, tinnitus, and dizziness handicap inventories and 2 QoL questionnaires, and the 2 groups were compared. A reference group of 103 adults filled out the same questionnaires. Forty-nine patients (16.6%) had class AA and 247 patients (83.4%) had class AD hearing. AA patients scored poorer than control subjects without tumor on all handicap questionnaires ( P < .001) and a VS-specific QoL instrument ( P = .006). Con-versely, AA patients scored significantly better than patients with AD on the hearing inventory and the disease-specific QoL instrument ( P < .001), but no difference was found between these groups with regard to tinnitus and dizziness. The hearing disability score was approximately 3 times poorer for AA patients compared with control subjects without tumor; a third of AA patients reported a hearing handicap. Patients with VS and bilateral class A hearing report significantly poorer hearing handicap than control subjects without tumor but better hearing than those with unilateral deafness. When patients with bilateral class A hearing are counseled, it should be noted that one-third of patients experience self-perceived hearing handicap. Copyright © 2017 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

  16. Microstructural features of friction stir welded dissimilar Aluminium alloys AA2219-AA7475

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zaman Khan, Noor; Ubaid, Mohammed; Siddiquee, Arshad Noor; Khan, Zahid A.; Al-Ahmari, Abdulrahman; Chen, Xizhang; Haider Abidi, Mustufa

    2018-05-01

    High strength, good corrosion resistance, light weight make aluminium alloys a material of choice in many industrial sectors like aerospace, marine etc. Problems associated with welding of these alloys by fusion welding processes restricted their use in various industries. Friction stir welding (FSW), a clean solid-state joining process, easily overcomes various difficulties encountered during conventional fusion welding processes. In the present work, the effect of rotational speed (710 rpm, 900 rpm and 1120 rpm) on micro-hardness distribution and microstructure of FSWed dissimilar aluminium alloy joints were analyzed. Plates of AA7475-T761 and AA2219-O having thickness of 2.5 mm were welded by fixing AA7475 on retreating side (RS) and AA2219 on advancing side (AS). Welded joints were characterized by Vickers micro-hardness testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). Results revealed that rotational speed significantly affects the micro-hardness due to increase in grain size, coarsening and dissolution of strengthening precipitates and re-precipitation. Higher micro-hardness values were observed in stir zone due to grain refinement and re-precipitation. Minimum micro-hardness value was observed at the TMAZ/HAZ of advancing side due to thermal softening.

  17. Experimental transmission of AA amyloidosis by injecting the AA amyloid protein into interleukin-1 receptor antagonist knockout (IL-1raKO) mice.

    PubMed

    Watanabe, K; Uchida, K; Chambers, J K; Tei, M; Shoji, A; Ushio, N; Nakayama, H

    2015-05-01

    The incidence of AA amyloidosis is high in humans with rheumatoid arthritis and several animal species, including cats and cattle with prolonged inflammation. AA amyloidosis can be experimentally induced in mice using severe inflammatory stimuli and a coinjection of AA amyloid; however, difficulties have been associated with transmitting AA amyloidosis to a different animal species, and this has been attributed to the "species barrier." The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist knockout (IL-1raKO) mouse, a rodent model of human rheumatoid arthritis, has been used in the transmission of AA amyloid. When IL-1raKO and BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with mouse AA amyloid together with a subcutaneous pretreatment of 2% AgNO3, all mice from both strains that were injected with crude or purified murine AA amyloid developed AA amyloidosis. However, the amyloid index, which was determined by the intensity of AA amyloid deposition, was significantly higher in IL-1raKO mice than in BALB/c mice. When IL-1raKO and BALB/c mice were injected with crude or purified bovine AA amyloid together with the pretreatment, 83% (5/6 cases) and 38% (3/8 cases) of IL-1raKO mice and 17% (1/6 cases) and 0% (0/6 cases) of BALB/c mice, respectively, developed AA amyloidosis. Similarly, when IL-1raKO and BALB/c mice were injected with crude or purified feline AA amyloid, 33% (2/6 cases) and 88% (7/8 cases) of IL-1raKO mice and 0% (0/6 cases) and 29% (2/6 cases) of BALB/c mice, respectively, developed AA amyloidosis. These results indicated that IL-1raKO mice are a useful animal model for investigating AA amyloidogenesis. © The Author(s) 2014.

  18. Churg-Strauss syndrome associated with AA amyloidosis: a case report.

    PubMed

    Maamar, Mouna; Tazi-Mezalek, Zoubida; Harmouche, Hicham; El Hamany, Zitouna; Adnaoui, Mohammed; Aouni, Mohammed

    2012-01-01

    Churg Strauss syndrome is a rare systemic and pulmonary vasculitis exceptionally associated with AA amyloidosis. We report the case of a 65-year old woman with past medical history of asthma. She developed polyarthralgia, headache and purpura. A laboratory workout found hypereosinophilia (1150/µL), positive p-ANCA, microscopic haematuria and proteinuria at 2g/day. A diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome was established based on five criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Renal biopsy showed an important type AA amyloid deposit. The patient was treated with steroids with a good response of the vasculitis and amyloidosis with disappearance of the proteinuria.

  19. Churg-Strauss syndrome associated with AA amyloidosis: a case report

    PubMed Central

    Maamar, Mouna; Tazi-Mezalek, Zoubida; Harmouche, Hicham; El Hamany, Zitouna; Adnaoui, Mohammed; Aouni, Mohammed

    2012-01-01

    Churg Strauss syndrome is a rare systemic and pulmonary vasculitis exceptionally associated with AA amyloidosis. We report the case of a 65-year old woman with past medical history of asthma. She developed polyarthralgia, headache and purpura. A laboratory workout found hypereosinophilia (1150/µL), positive p-ANCA, microscopic haematuria and proteinuria at 2g/day. A diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome was established based on five criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Renal biopsy showed an important type AA amyloid deposit. The patient was treated with steroids with a good response of the vasculitis and amyloidosis with disappearance of the proteinuria. PMID:22891088

  20. 40 CFR Table Aa-1 to Subpart Aa of... - Kraft Pulping Liquor Emissions Factors for Biomass-Based CO2, CH4, and N2O

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 22 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Kraft Pulping Liquor Emissions Factors for Biomass-Based CO2, CH4, and N2O AA Table AA-1 to Subpart AA of Part 98 Protection of Environment... Paper Manufacturing Pt. 98, Subpt. AA, Table AA-1 Table AA-1 to Subpart AA of Part 98—Kraft Pulping...

  1. 40 CFR Table Aa-1 to Subpart Aa of... - Kraft Pulping Liquor Emissions Factors for Biomass-Based CO2, CH4, and N2O

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 21 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Kraft Pulping Liquor Emissions Factors for Biomass-Based CO2, CH4, and N2O AA Table AA-1 to Subpart AA of Part 98 Protection of Environment... Paper Manufacturing Pt. 98, Subpt. AA, Table AA-1 Table AA-1 to Subpart AA of Part 98—Kraft Pulping...

  2. 40 CFR Table Aa-1 to Subpart Aa of... - Kraft Pulping Liquor Emissions Factors for Biomass-Based CO2, CH4, and N2O

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 22 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Kraft Pulping Liquor Emissions Factors for Biomass-Based CO2, CH4, and N2O AA Table AA-1 to Subpart AA of Part 98 Protection of Environment... Paper Manufacturing Pt. 98, Subpt. AA, Table AA-1 Table AA-1 to Subpart AA of Part 98—Kraft Pulping...

  3. 40 CFR Table Aa-1 to Subpart Aa of... - Kraft Pulping Liquor Emissions Factors for Biomass-Based CO2, CH4, and N2O

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 21 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Kraft Pulping Liquor Emissions Factors for Biomass-Based CO2, CH4, and N2O AA Table AA-1 to Subpart AA of Part 98 Protection of Environment... Paper Manufacturing Pt. 98, Subpt. AA, Table AA-1 Table AA-1 to Subpart AA of Part 98—Kraft Pulping...

  4. Experimental Investigation on Friction Stir Welding of Cryorolled AA2219 Aluminum Alloy Joints

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Babu, K. Kamal; Panneerselvam, K.; Sathiya, P.; Haq, A. Noorul; Sundarrajan, S.; Mastanaiah, P.; Murthy, C. V. Srinivasa

    2017-07-01

    In this paper, experimental investigation on cryorolled aluminum AA2219-T87 plate by using friction stir welding (FSW) process is carried out. AA2219-T87 plates with a size of 200×100×22.4 mm were rolled and reduced to 12.2mm thickness (more than 45% of reduction in total thickness of the base material) at cryogenic temperature (operating temperature range -90--30∘C). The cryorolled (CR) plates have reduced grain size, improved hardness and increased corrosion resistance property compared with the uncryorolled AA2219-T87 plates. FSW joints of cryorolled AA2219-T87 plates were prepared using cylindrical threaded FSW tool pin profile. Mechanical and metallurgical behaviors of friction stir welded joints were analyzed and the effects of the FSW process parameters are discussed in this paper. The variation of microhardness in the FSW joint regions were correlated with the microstructure of FSW joints. Cryorolled plate and FSW joints were tested for corrosion resistance using potentiodynamic polarization test. FSW joints shows better result during the corrosion resistance analysis compared to base AA2219-T87. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) test results showed that fine α-Al grains with eutectic phase (Al2Cu) were present in the weld nugget (WN). The large clusters of strengthening precipitates were reduced in size and merged with the weld nugget portion.

  5. Number needed to treat and associated incremental costs of treatment with enzalutamide versus abiraterone acetate plus prednisone in chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Massoudi, Marjan; Balk, Mark; Yang, Hongbo; Bui, Cat N; Pandya, Bhavik J; Guo, Jenny; Song, Yan; Wu, Eric Q; Brown, Bruce; Barlev, Arie; Flanders, Scott

    2017-02-01

    Enzalutamide (ENZA) and abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (AA) are approved second-generation hormone therapies for chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This study compared ENZA with AA in chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC by calculating the number needed to treat (NNT) and associated incremental costs to achieve one additional chemotherapy-naïve patient with mCRPC free of radiographic progression, chemotherapy, or death over a 1-year time horizon. Clinical outcomes were obtained from the PREVAIL and COU-AA-302 trials. Three outcomes were evaluated: radiographic progression-free survival, time to cytotoxic chemotherapy initiation, and overall survival at 1 year. NNT was calculated as the reciprocal of the outcome event rate difference for ENZA compared with AA. The incremental costs to achieve one additional outcome at 1 year were calculated as the difference in cost per treated patient multiplied by the NNT. Per-treated-patient costs were considered from a US payer perspective and included medications, monitoring, adverse events, post-progression treatments, and end-of-life care. Within a 1-year time horizon, the total cost per treated patient for ENZA was $2,666 less than AA. Compared with AA, treating 14 patients with ENZA resulted in one additional patient free of progression or death over 1 year; treating 26 patients with ENZA resulted in one additional patient with chemotherapy delayed over 1 year; and treating 91 patients with ENZA resulted in one additional patient free of death over 1 year. Therefore, ENZA is cost-effective compared with AA for all three outcomes evaluated, and the modeled results suggest ENZA is associated with potentially improved clinical outcomes in delaying chemotherapy initiation and disease progression for chemotherapy-naïve patients. The results are robust in sensitivity analyses, where the effect of changes in key model inputs and assumptions were tested. The results modeled in the present study

  6. AAS Career Services

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marvel, Kevin B.

    2012-08-01

    The American Astronomical Society provides substantial programs in the area of Career Services.Motivated by the Society's mission to enhance and share humanity's understanding of the Universe, the AAS provides a central resource for advertising positions, interviewing opportunities at its annual winter meeting and information, workshops and networks to enable astronomers to find employment.The programs of the Society in this area are overseen by an active committee on employment and the AAS Council itself.Additional resources that help characterize the field, its growth and facts about employment such as salaries and type of jobs available are regularly summarized and reported on by the American Institute of Physics.

  7. The -2T/C polymorphism in the adrenocorticotropin receptor gene affects stress perception of patients with alopecia areata.

    PubMed

    Guo, Hong-Wei; Guo, Hong; Li, Ke-Shen; Wu, Jiang; Yang, Shao-Yan; Liu, Bao-Heng; Hao, Fei; Bai, Yun

    2013-04-01

    Altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response involved in the pathogenesis of stress-associated alopecia areata (AA) has been reported. A novel polymorphism -2T>C of the adrenocorticotropin receptor (ACTHR) can result in an insufficient HPA response to stress; therefore, the functional polymorphism may underlie a role in stress-associated AA. To investigate the relationship between psychosocial factors and the risk of developing AA and to detect the association between the -2T>C polymorphism of ACTHR and AA. Stressful situations were evaluated using Holmes and Rahe's social readjustment rating scale. The ACTHR -2T>C polymorphism was examined in 263 patients with AA and 241 controls. Significant elevation of psychological stress experienced by some patients with AA compared with controls (Z = 6.628, P < 0.01). The frequency of the ACTHR C allele showed a significant difference between patients with AA and controls (P = 0.004). Allele C is the risk allele with a dominant model as the -2C allele occurred more often in patients with AA (P = 0.001). There were significant differences between patients with AA with a severe stress attack versus patients with AA with no obvious stress (P < 0.001), whereas the genotype frequencies were not correlated with the type, duration of disease, and age at onset. Notably, the C allele carrier was significantly associated with stress risk in both AA and controls (P = 0.002, OR = 1.576, 95% CI: 1.148-2.162; P = 0.042, OR = 1.529, 95% CI: 1.022-2.288). These findings suggest AA in some patients may be associated with stress. The ACTHR gene -2T>C variant may be one important factor that influences stress perception of patients with AA. © 2012 The International Society of Dermatology.

  8. Endothelin-1, oxidative stress and endogenous ANGII: mechanisms of AT1-AA-enhanced Renal and Blood Pressure Response during pregnancy

    PubMed Central

    Brewer, Justin; Liu, Ruisheng; Lu, Yan; Scott, Jeremy; Wallace, Kedra; Wallukat, Gerd; Moseley, Janae; Herse, Florian; Dechend, Ralf; Martin, James N.; LaMarca, Babbette

    2013-01-01

    Hypertension during preeclampsia is associated with increased maternal vascular sensitivity to angiotensin II (ANGII). This study was designed to determine mechanisms whereby agonistic autoantibodies to the ANGII type I receptor (AT1-AA) enhance blood pressure (MAP) and renal vascular sensitivity to ANGII during pregnancy. First, we examined MAP and renal artery resistance index (RARI) in response to chronic administration of ANGII or AT1-AA or AT1-AA+ANGII in pregnant rats compared to control pregnant rats. In order to examine mechanisms of heightened sensitivity in response to AT1-AA during pregnancy we examined the role of endogenous ANGII in AT1-AA infused pregnant rats, Endothelin-1 and oxidative stress in AT1-AA+ANGII treated rats. Chronic ANGII increased MAP from 95 +/−2 in NP rats to 115 +/−2 mmHg. Chronic AT1-AA increased MAP to 118+/−1 mmHg in NP rats which further increased to 123+/−2 with AT1-AA+ANGII. Increasing ANGII from (10−11-10−8) decreased Af-Art diameter 15-20% but sharply decreased Af-Art diameter 60% in AT1-AA pretreated vessels. RARI increased from 0.67 in NP rats to 0.70 with AT1-AA infusion, which was exacerbated to 0.74 in AT1-AA + ANGII infused rats. AT1-AA-induced hypertension decreased with Enalapril but was not attenuated. Both tissue ET-1 and ROS increased with AT1-AA+ANGII compared to AT1-AA alone and blockade of either of these pathways had significant effects on MAP or RARI. These data support the hypothesis that AT1-AA, via activation of ET-1 and oxidative stress and interaction with endogenous ANGII, are important mechanisms whereby MAP and renal vascular responses are enhanced during preeclampsia. PMID:24041954

  9. Microstructure and hardness performance of AA6061 aluminium composite using friction stir processing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marini, C. D.; Fatchurrohman, N.

    2018-04-01

    Rice husk ash (RHA) is an industrial waste that has become a potential reinforced material for aluminium matrix composite (AMCs) due to low cost and abundantly available resources. Friction stir processing (FSP) has been introduced as a method to modify surface properties of the metal and alloy including theirs composite as well. The present work reports the production and characterization of AA6061 and AA6061/5 vol% RHA using FSP using parameters rotation speed 1000 rpm and traversed speed 25 mm/min. The microstructure was studied using optical microscopy (OM). A homogenous dispersion of RHA particles was obtained in the composite. No agglomeration or segregation was observed. The produced composite exhibited a fine grain structure. An improvement in hardness profile was observed as AA6061/5 vol% RHA improves in hardness compared to FSPed of AA6061 without reinforcement.

  10. Vip3Aa induces apoptosis in cultured Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Kun; Mei, Si-Qi; Wang, Ting-Ting; Pan, Jin-Hua; Chen, Yue-Hua; Cai, Jun

    2016-09-15

    The vegetative insecticidal proteins (Vip) secreted by many Bacillus thuringiensis strains during their vegetative growth stage are regarded as second generation insecticidal proteins, as they share no sequence or structural homology with known crystal insecticidal proteins (Cry) and have a broad insecticidal spectrum. Compared with insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs), the insecticidal mechanisms of Vips have been little studied. Here we investigated the mechanism responsible for Vip3Aa toxicity in cultured insect cells. Using, flow cytometry analyzes, TUNEL staining and DNA fragmentation assays, we show that Vip3Aa can induce apoptosis in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells and cause cells to arrest at the G2/M phase. We also show that Vip3Aa can disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), leading to the activation of Sf-caspase-1, suggesting that a mitochondrial mediated and caspase dependent pathway may be involved in Vip3Aa-induced apoptosis in Sf9 cells. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Associations With Eicosapentaenoic Acid to Arachidonic Acid Ratio and Mortality in Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients.

    PubMed

    Watanabe, Shunsuke; Yoshihisa, Akiomi; Kanno, Yuki; Takiguchi, Mai; Yokokawa, Tetsuro; Sato, Akihiko; Miura, Shunsuke; Shimizu, Takeshi; Abe, Satoshi; Sato, Takamasa; Suzuki, Satoshi; Oikawa, Masayoshi; Sakamoto, Nobuo; Yamaki, Takayoshi; Sugimoto, Koichi; Kunii, Hiroyuki; Nakazato, Kazuhiko; Suzuki, Hitoshi; Saitoh, Shu-Ichi; Takeishi, Yasuchika

    2016-12-01

    Intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) lowers the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events, particularly ischemic heart disease. In addition, the ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; n-3 PUFA) to arachidonic acid (AA; n-6 PUFA) has recently been recognized as a risk marker of cardiovascular disease. In contrast, the prognostic impact of the EPA/AA ratio on patients with heart failure (HF) remains unclear. A total of 577 consecutive patients admitted for HF were divided into 2 groups based on median of the EPA/AA ratio: low EPA/AA (EPA/AA <0.32 mg/dl, n = 291) and high EPA/AA (EPA/AA ≥0.32, n = 286) groups. We compared laboratory data and echocardiographic findings and followed cardiac mortality. Although body mass index, blood pressure, B-type natriuretic peptide, hemoglobin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, total protein, albumin, sodium, C-reactive protein, and left ventricular ejection fraction did not differ between the 2 groups, cardiac mortality was significantly higher in the low EPA/AA group than in the high EPA/AA group (12.7 vs 5.9%, log-rank P = .004). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that the EPA/AA ratio was an independent predictor of cardiac mortality (hazard ratio 0.677, 95% confidence interval 0.453-0.983, P = .041) in patients with HF. The EPA/AA ratio was an independent predictor of cardiac mortality in patients with HF; therefore, the prognosis of patients with HF may be improved by taking appropriate management to control the EPA/AA balance. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Altered interhemispheric functional connectivity in patients with anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia: a resting-state fMRI study.

    PubMed

    Liang, Minglong; Xie, Bing; Yang, Hong; Yin, Xuntao; Wang, Hao; Yu, Longhua; He, Sheng; Wang, Jian

    2017-05-01

    Altered brain functional connectivity has been reported in patients with amblyopia by recent neuroimaging studies. However, relatively little is known about the alterations in interhemispheric functional connectivity in amblyopia. The present study aimed to investigate the functional connectivity patterns between homotopic regions across hemispheres in patients with anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia under resting state. Nineteen monocular anisometropic amblyopia (AA), 18 strabismic amblyopia (SA), and 20 normal-sight controls (NC) were enrolled in this study. After a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, resting-state fMRI scanning was performed in all participants. The pattern of the interhemispheric functional connectivity was measured with the voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) approach. VMHC values differences within and between three groups were compared, and correlations between VMHC values and each the clinical variable were also analyzed. Altered VMHC was observed in AA and SA patients in lingual gyrus and fusiform gyrus compared with NC subjects. The altered VMHC of lingual gyrus showed a pattern of AA > SA > NC, while the altered VMHC of fusiform gyrus showed a pattern of AA > NC > SA. Moreover, the VMHC values of lingual gyrus were positively correlated with the stereoacuity both in AA and SA patients, and the VMHC values of fusiform gyrus were positively correlated with the amount of anisometropia just in AA patients. These findings suggest that interhemispheric functional coordination between several homotopic visual-related brain regions is impaired both in AA and SA patients under resting state and revealed the similarities and differences in interhemispheric functional connectivity between the anisometropic and strabismic amblyopia.

  13. A comparison of 12-gene colon cancer assay gene expression in African American and Caucasian patients with stage II colon cancer.

    PubMed

    Govindarajan, Rangaswamy; Posey, James; Chao, Calvin Y; Lu, Ruixiao; Jadhav, Trafina; Javed, Ahmed Y; Javed, Awais; Mahmoud, Fade A; Osarogiagbon, Raymond U; Manne, Upender

    2016-06-18

    African American (AA) colon cancer patients have a worse prognosis than Caucasian (CA) colon cancer patients, however, reasons for this disparity are not well understood. To determine if tumor biology might contribute to differential prognosis, we measured recurrence risk and gene expression using the Oncotype DX® Colon Cancer Assay (12-gene assay) and compared the Recurrence Score results and gene expression profiles between AA patients and CA patients with stage II colon cancer. We retrieved demographic, clinical, and archived tumor tissues from stage II colon cancer patients at four institutions. The 12-gene assay and mismatch repair (MMR) status were performed by Genomic Health (Redwood City, California). Student's t-test and the Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare Recurrence Score data and gene expression data from AA and CA patients (SAS Enterprise Guide 5.1). Samples from 122 AA and 122 CA patients were analyzed. There were 118 women (63 AA, 55 CA) and 126 men (59 AA, 67 CA). Median age was 66 years for AA patients and 68 for CA patients. Age, gender, year of surgery, pathologic T-stage, tumor location, the number of lymph nodes examined, lymphovascular invasion, and MMR status were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.93). The mean Recurrence Score result for AA patients (27.9 ± 12.8) and CA patients (28.1 ± 11.8) was not significantly different and the proportions of patients with high Recurrence Score values (≥41) were similar between the groups (17/122 AA; 15/122 CA). None of the gene expression variables, either single genes or gene groups (cell cycle group, stromal group, BGN1, FAP, INHBA1, Ki67, MYBL2, cMYC and GADD45B), was significantly different between the racial groups. After controlling for clinical and pathologic covariates, the means and distributions of Recurrence Score results and gene expression profiles showed no statistically significant difference between patient groups. The distribution of

  14. AAS Oral History Project

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Buxner, Sanlyn; Holbrook, Jarita; AAS Oral History Team

    2016-06-01

    Now in its fourth year, the AAS Oral History Project has interviewed over 80 astronomers from all over the world. Led by the AAS Historical Astronomy Division (HAD) and partially funded by the American Institute of Physics Niels Bohr Library and ongoing support from the AAS, volunteers have collected oral histories from astronomers at professional meetings starting in 2015, including AAS, DPS, and the IAU general assembly. Each interview lasts one and a half to two hours and focuses on interviewees’ personal and professional lives. Questions include those about one’s family, childhood, strong influences on one’s scientific career, career path, successes and challenges, perspectives on how astronomy is changing as a field, and advice to the next generation. Each interview is audio recorded and transcribed, the content of which is checked with each interviewee. Once complete, interview transcripts are posted online as part of a larger oral history library at https://www.aip.org/history-programs/niels-bohr-library/oral-histories. Future analysis will reveal a rich story of astronomers and will help the community address issues of diversity, controversies, and the changing landscape of science. We are still recruiting individuals to be interviewed from all stages of career from undergraduate students to retired and emeritus astronomers. Contact Jarita Holbrook to schedule an interview or to find out more information about the project (astroholbrook@gmail.com). Also, contact Jarita Holbrook if you would like to become an interviewer for the project.

  15. Salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol responsiveness following electrical stimulation stress in major depressive disorder patients.

    PubMed

    Tanaka, Yoshihiro; Ishitobi, Yoshinobu; Maruyama, Yoshihiro; Kawano, Aimi; Ando, Tomoko; Okamoto, Shizuko; Kanehisa, Masayuki; Higuma, Haruka; Ninomiya, Taiga; Tsuru, Jusen; Hanada, Hiroaki; Kodama, Kensuke; Isogawa, Koichi; Akiyoshi, Jotaro

    2012-03-30

    Major depressive disorder (MDD) is often associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by chronic stress. In comparison, psychosocial stress-induced activation of salivary α-amylase (sAA) functions as a marker of sympathoadrenal medullary system (SAM) activity. However, in contrast to salivary cortisol, sAA has been less extensively studied in MDD patients. The present study measured sAA and salivary cortisol levels in patients with MDD. The authors determined Profile of Mood State (POMS) and State-Trait anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores, Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and sAA and salivary cortisol levels in 88 patients with MDD and 41 healthy volunteers following the application of electrical stimulation stress. Patients with major depressive disorder were 8 points or more on Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) scores. Tension-Anxiety, Depression-Dejection, Anger-Hostility, Fatigue, and Confusion scores in patients with major depressive disorder were significantly increased compared to healthy controls. In contrast, Vigor scores in patients with MDD were significantly decreased compared with healthy controls. There was no difference in heart rate variability measures between MDD patients and healthy controls. The threshold of electrical stimulation applied in MDD patients was lower than that in healthy controls. SAA levels in female MDD patients were significantly elevated relative to controls both before and after electrical stimulation. Finally, there were no differences in salivary cortisol levels between major depressive patients and controls. In the present study only three time points were explored. Furthermore, the increased secretion of sAA before and after stimulation could allude to an increased responsiveness of novel and uncontrollable situations in patients with MDD. These preliminary results suggest that sAA might be a useful biological marker of MDD. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Detection of AA-type amyloid protein in labial salivary glands.

    PubMed

    Sacsaquispe, Sonia-Julia; Antúnez-de Mayolo, Eleazar-Antonio; Vicetti, Rodolfo; Delgado, Wilson-Alejandro

    2011-03-01

    Among the diverse forms of amyloidosis, secondary type is the most frequent one. Diagnosis of amyloid deposition is based on the identification of the fibrillary protein amyloid by means of Congo Red (CR) or crystal violet (CV) stains, but these techniques do not differentiate between the different types of amyloid fibrils. The aim of this study was to identify by immunofluorescence (IF) AA amyloid a pathological fibrillar low-molecular-weight protein formed by cleavage of serum amyloid A (SAA) protein in labial salivary gland (LSG) biopsies from patients with secondary amyloidosis. 98 LSG were studied, 65 were from patients with secondary amyloidosis and 33 from subjects with chronic inflammatory diseases without evidence of this anomaly. All sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H &E), CV, CR and IF using anti-AA antibodies. Positive and negative controls were used for all techniques. CV and CR demonstrated that the amyloid substance was found mainly distributed periductally (93.8%), followed by periacinar and perivascular locations (p <0.001); however, the IF demonstrated that amyloid AA substance predominates in the periacinar area (73.8%), followed by periductal and perivascular locations (p <0.001). IF has a sensitivity of 83%, 100% of specificity, 100% of predictive positive value and 75% of predictive negative value. The results of this study confirm the efficacy of the LSG biopsy as a highly reliable method for diagnosis of secondary amyloidosis.

  17. Emergence of Clonal Hematopoiesis in the Majority of Patients with Acquired Aplastic Anemia

    PubMed Central

    Babushok, Daria V.; Perdigones, Nieves; Perin, Juan C.; Olson, Timothy S.; Ye, Wenda; Roth, Jacquelyn J.; Lind, Curt; Cattier, Carine; Li, Yimei; Hartung, Helge; Paessler, Michele E.; Frank, Dale M.; Xie, Hongbo M.; Cross, Shanna; Cockroft, Joshua D.; Podsakoff, Gregory M.; Monos, Dimitrios; Biegel, Jaclyn A.; Mason, Philip J.; Bessler, Monica

    2015-01-01

    Acquired aplastic anemia (aAA) is a non-malignant disease caused by autoimmune destruction of early hematopoietic cells. Clonal hematopoiesis is a late complication, seen in 20–25% of older patients. We hypothesized that clonal hematopoiesis in aAA is a more general phenomenon, which can arise early in disease even in younger patients. To evaluate clonal hematopoiesis in aAA, we used comparative whole exome sequencing of paired bone marrow and skin in 22 patients. We found somatic mutations in sixteen patients (72.7%) with a median disease duration of 1 year; twelve (66.7%) were patients with pediatriconset aAA. Fifty-eight mutations in 51 unique genes were primarily in pathways of immunity and transcriptional regulation. Most frequently mutated was PIGA, with 7 mutations. Only two mutations were in genes recurrently-mutated in MDS. Two patients had oligoclonal loss of HLA alleles, linking immune escape to clone emergence. Two patients had activating mutations in key signaling pathways (STAT5B(p.N642H), CAMK2G(p.T306M)). Our results suggest that clonal hematopoiesis in aAA is common, with two mechanisms emerging― immune escape and increased proliferation. Our findings expand conceptual understanding of this non-neoplastic blood disorder. Future prospective studies of clonal hematopoiesis in aAA will be critical for understanding outcomes, and for designing personalized treatment strategies. PMID:25800665

  18. Rating AAs.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Carter, Susan J.

    2001-01-01

    Why alternative investments? In a word: performance. Many higher education endowment and foundation managers are making increasing commitments to alternative investments, or AAs, in order to obtain higher returns and broader diversification for their investment portfolios than public securities instruments can usually provide. Learn how to handle…

  19. Insufficient Leaflet Remodeling in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Association With the Severity of Mitral Regurgitation.

    PubMed

    Kagiyama, Nobuyuki; Hayashida, Akihiro; Toki, Misako; Fukuda, Shota; Ohara, Minako; Hirohata, Atsushi; Yamamoto, Keizo; Isobe, Mitsuaki; Yoshida, Kiyoshi

    2017-03-01

    The relationship between annular dilatation caused by atrial fibrillation (AF) and mitral regurgitation (MR) remains controversial. We hypothesized that the small ratio of total leaflet area/annulus area (TLA/AA), reflecting insufficient leaflet remodeling to annular dilatation, is a main component of MR in patients with AF. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic data of the mitral valve were analyzed in 28 AF patients with moderate or severe MR (MR group), age- and sex-matched 56 AF patients with mild or less MR (non-MR group), and 16 control subjects. AA was significantly greater in both the MR (645±126 mm 2 /m 2 , P <0.001) and non-MR groups (568±121 mm 2 /m 2 , P =0.001) compared with control subjects (444±108 mm 2 /m 2 ). However, TLA/AA was significantly smaller in the MR (1.29±0.10, P <0.001), but not in the non-MR group (1.65±0.24, P >0.99), compared with control subjects (1.70±0.29). In linear regression analysis, TLA/AA was inversely associated with the effective regurgitant orifice ( r =-0.73, P <0.001). The area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve of TLA/AA was significantly greater than that of AA (0.95 versus 0.72, P <0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed that small TLA/AA ( P <0.001) was independently associated with significant MR, while AA was not ( P =0.26). In patients with AF, insufficient leaflet remodeling to annular dilatation, rather than crude annular dilatation, was strongly associated with the severity of MR. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  20. 7 CFR 51.596 - U.S. Grade AA.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false U.S. Grade AA. 51.596 Section 51.596 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing... Consumer Standards for Celery Stalks Grades § 51.596 U.S. Grade AA. U.S. Grade AA shall consist of stalks...

  1. 7 CFR 51.596 - U.S. Grade AA.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false U.S. Grade AA. 51.596 Section 51.596 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing... Consumer Standards for Celery Stalks Grades § 51.596 U.S. Grade AA. U.S. Grade AA shall consist of stalks...

  2. Serotonin 2A Receptor SNP rs7330461 Association with Treatment Response to Pomaglumetad Methionil in Patients with Schizophrenia

    PubMed Central

    Nisenbaum, Laura K.; Downing, AnnCatherine M.; Zhao, Fangyi; Millen, Brian A.; Munsie, Leanne; Kinon, Bruce J.; Adams, David H.; Gomez, Juan Carlos; Penny, Michelle Ann

    2016-01-01

    This study aims to confirm the initial pharmacogenetic finding observed within the clinical proof-of-concept trial of an enhanced response to treatment with pomaglumetad methionil (LY2140023 monohydrate) in Caucasian schizophrenia patients homozygous for T/T at single nucleotide polymorphism rs7330461 in the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) 2A receptor gene compared to A/A homozygous patients. The effect of the rs7330461 genotype on the response to pomaglumetad methionil treatment was assessed in three additional clinical trials and in an integrated analysis. Overall, this study includes data from 1115 Caucasian patients for whom genotyping information for rs7330461 was available, consisting of 513 A/A homozygous, 466 A/T heterozygous and 136 T/T homozygous patients. Caucasian T/T homozygous patients showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater improvement in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores during treatment with pomaglumetad methionil 40 mg twice daily compared to A/A homozygous patients. Additionally, T/T homozygous patients receiving pomaglumetad methionil had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater improvements in PANSS total scores compared to placebo and similar improvements as T/T homozygous patients receiving standard-of-care (SOC) treatment. The findings reported here in conjunction with prior reports show that in Caucasian patients with schizophrenia, the T/T genotype at rs7330461 is consistently associated with an increased treatment response to pomaglumetad methionil compared to the A/A genotype. PMID:26861400

  3. Serotonin 2A Receptor SNP rs7330461 Association with Treatment Response to Pomaglumetad Methionil in Patients with Schizophrenia.

    PubMed

    Nisenbaum, Laura K; Downing, AnnCatherine M; Zhao, Fangyi; Millen, Brian A; Munsie, Leanne; Kinon, Bruce J; Adams, David H; Gomez, Juan Carlos; Penny, Michelle Ann

    2016-02-05

    This study aims to confirm the initial pharmacogenetic finding observed within the clinical proof-of-concept trial of an enhanced response to treatment with pomaglumetad methionil (LY2140023 monohydrate) in Caucasian schizophrenia patients homozygous for T/T at single nucleotide polymorphism rs7330461 in the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) 2A receptor gene compared to A/A homozygous patients. The effect of the rs7330461 genotype on the response to pomaglumetad methionil treatment was assessed in three additional clinical trials and in an integrated analysis. Overall, this study includes data from 1115 Caucasian patients for whom genotyping information for rs7330461 was available, consisting of 513 A/A homozygous, 466 A/T heterozygous and 136 T/T homozygous patients. Caucasian T/T homozygous patients showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater improvement in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores during treatment with pomaglumetad methionil 40 mg twice daily compared to A/A homozygous patients. Additionally, T/T homozygous patients receiving pomaglumetad methionil had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater improvements in PANSS total scores compared to placebo and similar improvements as T/T homozygous patients receiving standard-of-care (SOC) treatment. The findings reported here in conjunction with prior reports show that in Caucasian patients with schizophrenia, the T/T genotype at rs7330461 is consistently associated with an increased treatment response to pomaglumetad methionil compared to the A/A genotype.

  4. 7 CFR 51.596 - U.S. Grade AA.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false U.S. Grade AA. 51.596 Section 51.596 Agriculture..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Consumer Standards for Celery Stalks Grades § 51.596 U.S. Grade AA. U.S. Grade AA shall consist of stalks of celery of similar varietal characteristics, which are well...

  5. 7 CFR 51.596 - U.S. Grade AA.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... 7 Agriculture 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false U.S. Grade AA. 51.596 Section 51.596 Agriculture..., CERTIFICATION, AND STANDARDS) United States Consumer Standards for Celery Stalks Grades § 51.596 U.S. Grade AA. U.S. Grade AA shall consist of stalks of celery of similar varietal characteristics, which are well...

  6. Non-scarring patchy alopecia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus differs from that of alopecia areata.

    PubMed

    Ye, Y; Zhao, Y; Gong, Y; Zhang, X; Caulloo, S; Zhang, B; Cai, Z; Yang, J; McElwee, K J; Zhang, X

    2013-12-01

    Non-scaring patchy alopecia associated with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is sometimes mis-diagnosed as alopecia areata (AA). Our aim was to differentiate non-scarring patchy SLE alopecia features from patchy AA. Clinical, dermatoscopic and histopathological data from 21 SLE patients with patchy alopecia were compared with data from 21 patients with patchy AA. Incomplete alopecia was common in SLE alopecia patches, while AA patches exhibited complete alopecia. Exclamation-mark hairs, black dots, broken hair and yellow dots were common to AA, while hair shaft thinning and hypopigmentation, angiotelectasis, peripilar sign, perifollicular red dots, white dots and honeycomb pigment patterns were more common in SLE. Interfollicular polymorphous vessels were the most common angiotelectasis presentation in the SLE alopecia patches, but interfollicular arborizing vessels were significantly more common in non-hair-loss-affected SLE regions and in AA hair-loss regions. During follow-up, increased vellus hair was the earliest feature that emerged after treatment both in SLE and AA, while the earliest feature that disappeared was hair shaft hypopigmentation in SLE and broken hair in AA. After treatment, no SLE patients had relapse of alopecia, while 41.7% of AA patients did. Distinct clinical, dermatoscopic and histopathological features were found in SLE-associated alopecia regions, which were different from those of AA. Serological autoantibody tests are of value to confirm the differential diagnosis. Local angiotelectasis and vasculitis close to hair follicles may be involved in the pathogenesis of alopecia in SLE.

  7. Alcohol Abuse Increases Rebleeding Risk and Mortality in Patients with Non-variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

    PubMed

    Kärkkäinen, Jussi M; Miilunpohja, Sami; Rantanen, Tuomo; Koskela, Jenni M; Jyrkkä, Johanna; Hartikainen, Juha; Paajanen, Hannu

    2015-12-01

    No current data are available on rebleeding and mortality risk in patients who use alcohol excessively and are admitted for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). This information could help in planning interventions and follow-up protocols for these patients. This study provides contemporary data on the long-term outcome after first-time NVUGIB in alcohol abusers (AAs) compared to non-abusers (NAs). Consecutive patients hospitalized for their first acute gastrointestinal bleeding from 2009 through 2011 were retrospectively recorded and categorized as AA or NA. Risk factors for one-year mortality and rebleeding were identified, and patients were further monitored for long-term mortality until 2015. Alcohol abuse was identified in 19.7% of patients with NVUGIB (n = 518). The one-year rebleeding rate was 16.7% in AAs versus 9.1% in NAs (P = 0.027). Alcohol abuse was associated with a twofold increase in rebleeding risk (P = 0.025); the risk especially increased 6 months after the initial bleeding. The study groups did not differ significantly in 30-day (6.0%) or one-year mortality rates (20.5%). However, there was a tendency for higher overall mortality in AAs than NAs after adjustment of comorbidities. AAs with NVUGIB are at high risk of rebleeding, and mortality is increased in AA patients. A close follow-up strategy and long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy are recommended for AA patients with peptic ulcer or esophagitis.

  8. Inhibiting CD146 by its Monoclonal Antibody AA98 Improves Radiosensitivity of Cervical Cancer Cells.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Huawen

    2016-09-20

    BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is one of the major causes of cancer death of females worldwide. Radiotherapy is considered effective for cervical cancer treatment, but the low radiosensitivity found in some cases severely affects therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to reveal the role of CD146, an important adhesion molecule facilitating tumor angiogenesis, in regulating radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS CD146 protein expression was compared in normal cells, cervical cancer cells with lower radiosensitivity, and cervical cancer cells with higher sensitivity from cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients. Anti-CD146 monoclonal antibody AA98 was used to inhibit CD146 in human cervical cancer SiHa cells with relatively low radiosensitivity, and then the cell survival and apoptosis changes after radiation were detected by colony formation assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS CD146 protein was significantly up-regulated in cervical cancer cells (P<0.001), especially in cancer cells with lower radiosensitivity. The SiHa cells treated with AA98 showed more obvious inhibition in cell survival (P<0.05) and promotion in cell apoptosis (P<0.01) after radiation, compared to the untreated cells. More dramatic changes in apoptotic factors Caspase 3 and Bcl-XL were also detected in AA98-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that inhibiting CD146 improves the effect of radiation in suppressing SiHa cells. This study shows the potential of CD146 as a target for increasing radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells, which might allow improvement in treatment outcome in cervical cancer. Further studies are necessary for understanding the detailed mechanism of CD146 in regulating radiosensitivity.

  9. States' Flexibility Waiver Plans for Alternate Assessments Based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS). Synthesis Report 96

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lazarus, Sheryl S.; Edwards, Lynn M.; Thurlow, Martha L.; Hodgson, Jennifer R.

    2014-01-01

    All states have alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS) for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. For accountability purposes, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allows up to 1% of students to be counted as proficient with this assessment option. In 2011 the U.S. Department of…

  10. Emergence of clonal hematopoiesis in the majority of patients with acquired aplastic anemia.

    PubMed

    Babushok, Daria V; Perdigones, Nieves; Perin, Juan C; Olson, Timothy S; Ye, Wenda; Roth, Jacquelyn J; Lind, Curt; Cattier, Carine; Li, Yimei; Hartung, Helge; Paessler, Michele E; Frank, Dale M; Xie, Hongbo M; Cross, Shanna; Cockroft, Joshua D; Podsakoff, Gregory M; Monos, Dimitrios; Biegel, Jaclyn A; Mason, Philip J; Bessler, Monica

    2015-04-01

    Acquired aplastic anemia (aAA) is a nonmalignant disease caused by autoimmune destruction of early hematopoietic cells. Clonal hematopoiesis is a late complication, seen in 20-25% of older patients. We hypothesized that clonal hematopoiesis in aAA is a more general phenomenon, which can arise early in disease, even in younger patients. To evaluate clonal hematopoiesis in aAA, we used comparative whole exome sequencing of paired bone marrow and skin samples in 22 patients. We found somatic mutations in 16 patients (72.7%) with a median disease duration of 1 year; of these, 12 (66.7%) were patients with pediatric-onset aAA. Fifty-eight mutations in 51 unique genes were found primarily in pathways of immunity and transcriptional regulation. Most frequently mutated was PIGA, with seven mutations. Only two mutations were in genes recurrently mutated in myelodysplastic syndrome. Two patients had oligoclonal loss of the HLA alleles, linking immune escape to clone emergence. Two patients had activating mutations in key signaling pathways (STAT5B (p.N642H) and CAMK2G (p.T306M)). Our results suggest that clonal hematopoiesis in aAA is common, with two mechanisms emerging-immune escape and increased proliferation. Our findings expand conceptual understanding of this nonneoplastic blood disorder. Future prospective studies of clonal hematopoiesis in aAA will be critical for understanding outcomes and for designing personalized treatment strategies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Dual roles for CoAA and its counterbalancing isoform CoAM in human kidney cell tumorigenesis

    PubMed Central

    Kang, Yun Kyoung; Schiff, Rachel; Ko, Lan; Wang, Tao; Tsai, Sophia Y.; Tsai, Ming-Jer; W. O’Malley, Bert

    2008-01-01

    Co-Activator Activator (CoAA) has been reported to be a coactivator that regulates steroid receptor-mediated transcription and alternative RNA splicing. Herein we show that CoAA is a dual-function coregulator that inhibits G1/S transition in human kidney cells and suppresses anchorage independent growth and xenograft tumor formation. Suppression occurs in part by downregulating c-myc and its downstream effectors ccnd1 and skp2, and causing accumulation of p27/Kip1 protein. In this cellular setting, CoAA directly represses the proto-oncogene, c-myc by recruiting HDAC3 protein and decreasing both the acetylation of histone H3 and the presence of RNA polymerase II on the c-myc promoter. Interestingly, a splicing isoform of CoAA, Coactivator Modulator (CoAM), antagonizes CoAA-induced G1/S transition and growth inhibition by negatively regulating the mRNA levels of the endogenous CoAA isoform. In addition, we found that expression of CoAA protein is significantly decreased in human renal cell carcinoma as compared to normal kidney. Our study presents evidence that CoAA is a potential tumor suppressor in renal carcinoma and that CoAM is a counterbalancing splice-isoform. This is so far the only example of a nuclear receptor coregulator involved in suppression of kidney cancer, and suggests potentially significant new roles for coregulators in renal cancer biology. PMID:18829545

  12. Feasibility of the UV/AA process as a pretreatment approach for bioremediation of dye-laden wastewater.

    PubMed

    Yang, Minghui; Wu, Bingdang; Li, Qiuhao; Xiong, Xiaofeng; Zhang, Haoran; Tian, Yu; Xie, Jiawen; Huang, Ping; Tan, Suo; Wang, Guodong; Zhang, Li; Zhang, Shujuan

    2018-03-01

    Biodegradability and toxicity are two important indexes in considering the feasibility of a chemical process for environmental remediation. The acetylacetone (AA) mediated photochemical process has been proven as an efficient approach for dye decolorization. Both AA and its photochemical degradation products had a high bioavailability. However, the biocompatibility and ecotoxicology of the UV/AA treated solutions are unclear yet. In the present work, we evaluated the biocompatibility and toxicity of the UV/AA treated solutions at both biochemical and organismal levels. The biodegradability of the treated solution was evaluated with the ratio of 5-d biological oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) to chemical oxygen demand (COD) and a 28-d activated sludge assay (Zahn-Wellens tests). The UV/AA process significantly improved the biodegradability of the tested dye solutions. Toxicity was assessed with responses of microorganisms (microbes in activated sludge and Daphnia magna) and plants (bok choy, rice seed, and Arabidopsis thaliana) to the treated solutions, which showed that the toxicity of the UV/AA treated solutions was lower or comparable to that of the UV/H 2 O 2 counterparts. The results are helpful for us to determine whether the UV/AA process is applicable to certain wastewaters and how the UV/AA process could be effectively combined into a sequential chemical-biological water treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Comparison of preliminary results from Airborne Aster Simulator (AAS) with TIMS data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kannari, Yoshiaki; Mills, Franklin; Watanabe, Hiroshi; Ezaka, Teruya; Narita, Tatsuhiko; Chang, Sheng-Huei

    1992-01-01

    The Japanese Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection radiometer (ASTER), being developed for a NASA EOS-A satellite, will have 3 VNIR, 6 SWIR, and 5 TIR (8-12 micron) bands. An Airborne ASTER Simulator (AAS) was developed for Japan Resources Observation System Organization (JAROS) by the Geophysical Environmental Research Group (GER) Corp. to research surface temperature and emission features in the MWIR/TIR, to simulate ASTER's TIR bands, and to study further possibility of MWIR/TIR bands. ASTER Simulator has 1 VNIR, 3 MWIR (3-5 microns), and 20 (currently 24) TIR bands. Data was collected over 3 sites - Cuprite, Nevada; Long Valley/Mono Lake, California; and Death Valley, California - with simultaneous ground truth measurements. Preliminary data collected by AAS for Cuprite, Nevada is presented and AAS data is compared with Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) data.

  14. Clinical Profile, Quality of Care, and Recurrence in Arab-American and Caucasians Prostate Cancer Patients in Michigan

    PubMed Central

    Moussawi, Ahmad H.; Yassine, May; Dey, Subhojit

    2014-01-01

    Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States with striking differences in incidence and mortality among ethnic groups. Michigan has one of the largest concentrations of Arab Americans (AAs) in the U.S. and little is known about this ethnic minority with respect to prostate cancer. This study investigated differences in clinical profile, quality of care, and recurrence among prostate cancer survivors comparing AAs and Caucasian Americans (CAs). Participants in this study included 2499 prostate cancer survivors from the Michigan Cancer Registry from 1985 to 2004. Participants completed surveys regarding health-seeking behavior, post-treatment symptoms, quality of care and recurrence. Ethnicity was self-reported and AAs and CAs were compared with respect to clinical profile, quality of care, and recurrence. There were 52 AAs and 1886 CAs patients with AAs being younger (x̄ age 68.3 ± SD 21.4 years, x̄ age 72.3 ± SD 14.1 years, for AAs and CAs, respectively) (P = 0.05). AAs had lower socioeconomic standard than CAs (34 vs. 10.6 %, <$20,000 yearly income/year; for AAs vs. CAs, respectively) (P < 0.0001). AAs reported poorer health than AAs (7.7 vs. 3.0 % for AAs vs. CAs, respectively) (P < 0.0001). AAs were more likely to visit specialists for prostate follow-up (44.5 vs. 19.7 % visited a specialist, for AAs vs. CAs respectively) (P < 0.0001) and received supplementary healthcare workers (13 % of AAs vs. 3.1 % CAs) (P = 0.032). In addition, AAs reported higher occurrence of urinary incontinence compared to CAs (67.4 vs. 60.4 %, for AAs vs. CAs, respectively) (P = 0.001). Ethnic background was not a predictor of recurrence [(Odds ratio (OR) = 1.1 (95 % confidence intervals CI = 0.40, 2.9)] (P = 0.873) even after adjusting for age, PSA levels within the last 2 years, metastasis and hormonal therapy. While AAs prostate cancer patients were different from CAs in age, income, seeking medical care, and health reporting, ethnic background was

  15. Selection and characterization of resistance to the Vip3Aa20 protein from Bacillus thuringiensis in Spodoptera frugiperda.

    PubMed

    Bernardi, Oderlei; Bernardi, Daniel; Horikoshi, Renato J; Okuma, Daniela M; Miraldo, Leonardo L; Fatoretto, Julio; Medeiros, Fernanda Cl; Burd, Tony; Omoto, Celso

    2016-09-01

    Spodoptera frugiperda is one the main target pests of maize events expressing Vip3Aa20 protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in Brazil. In this study, we selected a resistant strain of S. frugiperda on Bt maize expressing Vip3Aa20 protein and characterized the inheritance and fitness costs of the resistance. The resistance ratio of the Vip3Aa20-resistant strain of S. frugiperda was >3200-fold. Neonates of the Vip3Aa20-resistant strain were able to survive and emerge as fertile adults on Vip3Aa20 maize, while larvae from susceptible and heterozygous strains did not survive. The inheritance of Vip3Aa20 resistance was autosomal recessive and monogenic. Life history studies to investigate fitness cost revealed an 11% reduction in the survival rate until adult stage and a ∼50% lower reproductive rate of the Vip3Aa20-resistant strain compared with susceptible and heterozygous strains. This is the first characterization of S. frugiperda resistance to Vip3Aa protein. Our results provide useful information for resistance management programs designed to prevent or delay resistance evolution to Vip3Aa proteins in S. frugiperda. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

  16. Compression Behavior and Energy Absorption of Aluminum Alloy AA6061 Tubes with Multiple Holes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Simhachalam, Bade; Lakshmana Rao, C.; Srinivas, Krishna

    2014-05-01

    In this article, compression behavior and energy absorption of aluminum alloy AA6061 tubes are investigated both experimentally and numerically. Static and dynamic simulations are done using LS-Dyna Software for AA6061 tubes. True stress-plastic strain curves from the tensile test are used in the static and dynamic simulations of AA6061 tubes. The energy absorption values between experimental compression results and numeral simulation are found to be in good agreement. Dynamic simulations are done with drop velocity of up to 10 m/s to understand the inertia effects on energy absorption. The deformed modes from the numerical simulation are compared between tubes with and without holes in static and dynamic conditions.

  17. Microsolvation of the acetanilide cation (AA(+)) in a nonpolar solvent: IR spectra of AA(+)-L(n) clusters (L = He, Ar, N2; n ≤ 10).

    PubMed

    Schmies, Matthias; Patzer, Alexander; Schütz, Markus; Miyazaki, Mitsuhiko; Fujii, Masaaki; Dopfer, Otto

    2014-05-07

    Infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectra of mass-selected cluster ions of acetanilide (N-phenylacetamide), AA(+)-Ln, with the ligands L = He (n = 1-2), Ar (n = 1-7), and N2 (n = 1-10) are recorded in the hydride stretch (amide A, νNH, νCH) and fingerprint (amide I-III) ranges of AA(+) in its (2)A'' ground electronic state. Cold AA(+)-Ln clusters are generated in an electron impact ion source, which predominantly produces the most stable isomer of a given cluster ion. Systematic vibrational frequency shifts of the N-H stretch fundamentals (νNH) provide detailed information about the sequential microsolvation process of AA(+) in a nonpolar (L = He and Ar) and quadrupolar (L = N2) solvent. In the most stable AA(+)-Ln clusters, the first ligand forms a hydrogen bond (H-bond) with the N-H proton of trans-AA(+) (t-AA(+)), whereas further ligands bind weakly to the aromatic ring (π-stacking). There is no experimental evidence for complexes with the less stable cis-AA(+) isomer. Quantum chemical calculations at the M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ level confirm the cluster growth sequence derived from the IR spectra. The calculated binding energies of De(H) = 720 and 1227 cm(-1) for H-bonded and De(π) = 585 and 715 cm(-1) for π-bonded Ar and N2 ligands in t-AA(+)-L are consistent with the observed photofragmentation branching ratios of AA(+)-Ln. Comparison between charged and neutral AA((+))-L dimers indicates that ionization switches the preferred ion-ligand binding motif from π-stacking to H-bonding. Electron removal from the HOMO of AA(+) delocalized over both the aromatic ring and the amide group significantly strengthens the C[double bond, length as m-dash]O bond and weakens the N-H bond of the amide group.

  18. The Pasadena Recommendations: Five Years After AAS Endorsement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Knezek, Patricia; Frattare, L.; Ulvestad, J.

    2010-01-01

    It has been five years since the AAS Council unanimously endorsed the document, known as "Equity Now: The Pasadena Recommendations for Gender Equality in Astronomy," in January 2005. This document was the main product of the conference entitled "Women in Astronomy II: Ten Years After” (WIA II), held in June 2003 in Pasadena, CA. Participants of that 2003 meeting assessed the progress for women in science, offering insights into causes of the slower advancement of women, and discussed strategies to accelerate the achievement of equality. These insights and strategies were then incorporated into the "Pasadena Recommendations" by the CSWA. It was subsequently released to the entire AAS community for review and comments prior to its endorsement by the AAS. We will discuss the Recommendations and their impact since the endorsement by the AAS, including the process that is in place for organizations and departments to formally endorse the Pasadena Recommendations, thus making an organizational commitment to their implementation (see http://www.aas.org/cswa/pasadena_endorse.html).

  19. Strain of ascending aorta on cardiac magnetic resonance in 1027 patients: Relation with age, gender, and cardiovascular disease.

    PubMed

    Scarabello, Marco; Codari, Marina; Secchi, Francesco; Cannaò, Paola M; Alì, Marco; Di Leo, Giovanni; Sardanelli, Francesco

    2018-02-01

    To evaluate ascending aortic strain (AAS) with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in a large consecutive series of patients with different types of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Two-dimensional phase-contrast gradient-echo sequences of the ascending aorta were retrospectively reviewed in 1027 patients (726 males, 301 females). Aortic lumen area was segmented using a semi-automatic approach to calculate AAS values. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients with normal CMR, tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Multivariate and post-hoc analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of age, gender, and CVD on AAS values. Shapiro-Wilk, three- and two-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, and Spearman correlation statistics were used. Multivariate analysis showed significant differences in AAS among decades of age (p<0.001), genders (p=0.006) and CVD subgroups (p<0.001) without interaction among these factors. A gender-related difference (higher AAS in females) was significant in ToF (p=0.008), while an AAS reduction during aging was observed in all CVD subgroups. Post-hoc analysis showed a significantly lower AAS in ToF and IHD patients compared to subjects with normal CMR (p<0.001). Differences in age, gender, and CVD independently affect AAS. The lower AAS observed in ToF fosters its assessment during follow-up in adulthood. Future studies on causes and clinical implications of a higher AAS in females affected by ToF are warranted. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Weldability of AA 5052 H32 aluminium alloy by TIG welding and FSW process - A comparative study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shanavas, S.; Raja Dhas, J. Edwin

    2017-10-01

    Aluminium 5xxx series alloys are the strongest non-heat treatable aluminium alloy. Its application found in automotive components and body structures due to its good formability, good strength, high corrosion resistance, and weight savings. In the present work, the influence of Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding parameters on the quality of weld on AA 5052 H32 aluminium alloy plates were analyzed and the mechanical characterization of the joint so produced was compared with Friction stir (FS) welded joint. The selected input variable parameters are welding current and inert gas flow rate. Other parameters such as welding speed and arc voltage were kept constant throughout the study, based on the response from several trial runs conducted. The quality of the weld is measured in terms of ultimate tensile strength. A double side V-butt joints were fabricated by double pass on one side to ensure maximum strength of TIG welded joints. Macro and microstructural examination were conducted for both welding process.

  1. Vitamin D supplementation reduces some AT1-AA-induced downstream targets implicated in preeclampsia including hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Faulkner, Jessica L.; Amaral, Lorena M.; Cornelius, Denise C.; Cunningham, Mark W.; Ibrahim, Tarek; Heep, Autumn; Campbell, Nathan; Usry, Nathan; Wallace, Kedra; Herse, Florian; Dechend, Ralf

    2017-01-01

    Autoantibodies to the ANG II type I receptor (AT1-AA) are associated with preeclampsia (PE). We found that vitamin D supplementation reduced AT1-AA and blood pressure (MAP) in the RUPP rat model of PE. However, it was undetermined whether the decrease in AT1-AA was the mechanism whereby vitamin D lowered MAP or if it were through factors downstream of AT1-AA. Uterine artery resistance index, placental ET-1, and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 are increased with AT1-AA-induced hypertension and are considered markers of PE in pregnant women. Therefore, we hypothesized that vitamin D would reduce PE factors during AT1-AA-induced hypertension and could lower blood pressure in a model of hypertension during pregnancy without PE features. Either ANG II (50 ng·kg−1·day) or AT1-AA (1:40) was infused from gestational day (GD) 12–19. vitamin D2 (VD2, 270 IU/day) or vitamin D3 (VD3, 15 IU/day) was administered orally from GD14–GD18. MAP (mmHg) increased in AT1-AA (121 ± 4) and ANG II (113 ± 1)-infused pregnant rats compared with normal pregnant rats (NP) (101 ± 2) but was lower in AT1-AA+VD2 (105 ± 2), AT1-AA+VD3 (109 ± 2), ANG II+VD2 (104 ± 4), and ANG II+VD3 (104 ± 3). VD2 and/or VD3 improved PE features associated with AT1-AA during pregnancy, while ANG II did not induce such features, supporting the hypothesis that AT1-AA induces PE features during pregnancy, and these are improved with vitamin D. In this study, we demonstrate that vitamin D improved many factors associated with PE and reduced blood pressure in a hypertensive model without PE features, indicating that vitamin D could be beneficial for various hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. PMID:27903510

  2. Vitamin D supplementation reduces some AT1-AA-induced downstream targets implicated in preeclampsia including hypertension.

    PubMed

    Faulkner, Jessica L; Amaral, Lorena M; Cornelius, Denise C; Cunningham, Mark W; Ibrahim, Tarek; Heep, Autumn; Campbell, Nathan; Usry, Nathan; Wallace, Kedra; Herse, Florian; Dechend, Ralf; LaMarca, Babbette

    2017-01-01

    Autoantibodies to the ANG II type I receptor (AT 1 -AA) are associated with preeclampsia (PE). We found that vitamin D supplementation reduced AT 1 -AA and blood pressure (MAP) in the RUPP rat model of PE. However, it was undetermined whether the decrease in AT 1 -AA was the mechanism whereby vitamin D lowered MAP or if it were through factors downstream of AT 1 -AA. Uterine artery resistance index, placental ET-1, and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 are increased with AT 1 -AA-induced hypertension and are considered markers of PE in pregnant women. Therefore, we hypothesized that vitamin D would reduce PE factors during AT 1 -AA-induced hypertension and could lower blood pressure in a model of hypertension during pregnancy without PE features. Either ANG II (50 ng·kg -1 ·day) or AT 1 -AA (1:40) was infused from gestational day (GD) 12-19. vitamin D 2 (VD2, 270 IU/day) or vitamin D 3 (VD3, 15 IU/day) was administered orally from GD14-GD18. MAP (mmHg) increased in AT 1 -AA (121 ± 4) and ANG II (113 ± 1)-infused pregnant rats compared with normal pregnant rats (NP) (101 ± 2) but was lower in AT 1 -AA+VD2 (105 ± 2), AT 1 -AA+VD3 (109 ± 2), ANG II+VD2 (104 ± 4), and ANG II+VD3 (104 ± 3). VD2 and/or VD3 improved PE features associated with AT 1 -AA during pregnancy, while ANG II did not induce such features, supporting the hypothesis that AT 1 -AA induces PE features during pregnancy, and these are improved with vitamin D. In this study, we demonstrate that vitamin D improved many factors associated with PE and reduced blood pressure in a hypertensive model without PE features, indicating that vitamin D could be beneficial for various hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  3. Tocilizumab in the treatment of twelve cases with aa amyloidosis secondary to familial mediterranean fever.

    PubMed

    Ugurlu, Serdal; Hacioglu, Aysa; Adibnia, Yasaman; Hamuryudan, Vedat; Ozdogan, Huri

    2017-05-30

    There is no established treatment of AA amyloidosis, a long-term complication of various chronic inflammatory diseases associated with increased mortality, such as familial Mediterranian fever (FMF). Recently there are few reports pointing out that tocilizumab(TCZ), an anti IL-6 agent may be effective in AA amyloidosis resistant to conventional treatments. We report our data on the effect of TCZ in patients with FMF complicated with AA amyloidosis. FMF patients with histologically proven AA amyloidosis, treated with TCZ (8 mg/kg per month) were followed monthly and the changes in creatinine, creatinine clearance, the amount of 24-hour urinary protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were noted throughout the treatment period. Adverse effects of the treatment were closely monitored. TCZ was given to 12 patients (6 F, 6 M) who also continued to receive colchicine (1.9 ± 0.4 mg/day). Coexisting diseases were ankylosing spondylitis(4) and Crohn's disease(1). The mean age was 35.2 ± 10.0 years and the mean follow-up on TCZ was 17.5 ± 14.7 months. The renal functions remained stable (mean creatinine from 1.1 ± 0.9 mg/dl to 1.0 ± 0.6 mg/dl), while a significant decrease in acute phase response (the mean CRP from 18.1 ± 19.5 mg/L to 5.8 ± 7.1 mg/L and ESR from 48.7 ± 31.0 mm/h to 28.7 ± 28.3 mm/h) was observed and the mean 24-hour urinary protein excretion reduced from 6537.6 ± 6526.0 mg/dl to 4745.5 ± 5462.7 mg/dl. Two patients whose renal functions were impaired prior to TCZ therapy improved significantly on this regimen. No infusion reaction was observed. None of the patients experienced any FMF attack under TCZ treatment with the exception of 2, one of whom had less frequent attacks while the other had episodes of erysipelas-like erythema. CONCLUSıON: Tocilizumab improved the acute phase response and the renal function in this group of patients and was generally well

  4. AA9int: SNP Interaction Pattern Search Using Non-Hierarchical Additive Model Set.

    PubMed

    Lin, Hui-Yi; Huang, Po-Yu; Chen, Dung-Tsa; Tung, Heng-Yuan; Sellers, Thomas A; Pow-Sang, Julio; Eeles, Rosalind; Easton, Doug; Kote-Jarai, Zsofia; Amin Al Olama, Ali; Benlloch, Sara; Muir, Kenneth; Giles, Graham G; Wiklund, Fredrik; Gronberg, Henrik; Haiman, Christopher A; Schleutker, Johanna; Nordestgaard, Børge G; Travis, Ruth C; Hamdy, Freddie; Neal, David E; Pashayan, Nora; Khaw, Kay-Tee; Stanford, Janet L; Blot, William J; Thibodeau, Stephen N; Maier, Christiane; Kibel, Adam S; Cybulski, Cezary; Cannon-Albright, Lisa; Brenner, Hermann; Kaneva, Radka; Batra, Jyotsna; Teixeira, Manuel R; Pandha, Hardev; Lu, Yong-Jie; Park, Jong Y

    2018-06-07

    The use of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) interactions to predict complex diseases is getting more attention during the past decade, but related statistical methods are still immature. We previously proposed the SNP Interaction Pattern Identifier (SIPI) approach to evaluate 45 SNP interaction patterns/patterns. SIPI is statistically powerful but suffers from a large computation burden. For large-scale studies, it is necessary to use a powerful and computation-efficient method. The objective of this study is to develop an evidence-based mini-version of SIPI as the screening tool or solitary use and to evaluate the impact of inheritance mode and model structure on detecting SNP-SNP interactions. We tested two candidate approaches: the 'Five-Full' and 'AA9int' method. The Five-Full approach is composed of the five full interaction models considering three inheritance modes (additive, dominant and recessive). The AA9int approach is composed of nine interaction models by considering non-hierarchical model structure and the additive mode. Our simulation results show that AA9int has similar statistical power compared to SIPI and is superior to the Five-Full approach, and the impact of the non-hierarchical model structure is greater than that of the inheritance mode in detecting SNP-SNP interactions. In summary, it is recommended that AA9int is a powerful tool to be used either alone or as the screening stage of a two-stage approach (AA9int+SIPI) for detecting SNP-SNP interactions in large-scale studies. The 'AA9int' and 'parAA9int' functions (standard and parallel computing version) are added in the SIPI R package, which is freely available at https://linhuiyi.github.io/LinHY_Software/. hlin1@lsuhsc.edu. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

  5. Constant amplitude and post-overload fatigue crack growth behavior in PM aluminum alloy AA 8009

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reynolds, A. P.

    1992-01-01

    A recently developed, rapidly solidified, powder metallurgy, dispersion strengthened aluminum alloy, AA 8009, was fatigue tested at room temperature in lab air. Constant amplitude/constant delta kappa and single spike overload conditions were examined. High fatigue crack growth rates and low crack closure levels compared to typical ingot metallurgy aluminum alloys were observed. It was proposed that minimal crack roughness, crack path delection, and limited slip reversibility, resulting from ultra-fine microstructure, were responsible for the relatively poor da/dN-delta kappa performance of AA 8009 as compared to that of typical IM aluminum alloys.

  6. Constant amplitude and post-overload fatigue crack growth behavior in PM aluminum alloy AA 8009

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reynolds, A. P.

    1991-01-01

    A recently developed, rapidly solidified, powder metallurgy, dispersion strengthened aluminum alloy, AA 8009, was fatigue tested at room temperature in lab air. Constant amplitude/constant delta kappa and single spike overload conditions were examined. High fatigue crack growth rates and low crack closure levels compared to typical ingot metallurgy aluminum alloys were observed. It was proposed that minimal crack roughness, crack path deflection, and limited slip reversibility, resulting from ultra-fine microstructure, were responsible for the relatively poor da/dN-delta kappa performance of AA 8009 as compared to that of typical IM aluminum alloys.

  7. [Comparative analysis of 6 kinds of bacteria in the subgingival plaque in different types of patients with periodontal diseases].

    PubMed

    Ma, Ying-ying; Zhang, Tao-wen; Jiang, Yu-xi; Liu, Shu-tai

    2015-10-01

    To detect the existence of Aa,Pg,Tf,Cr,Ec and Pn in the subgingival plaque, and determine their relationships among different types of periodontal diseases. Dental plaques from 120 subjects were sampled, including 40 volunteers with health periodontal status(Group A) , forty patients with dental plaque-induced gingival diseases(Group B) and 40 patients with moderate or severe chronic periodontitis (Group C) . These samples were detected based on bacterial composition using the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of 16S rRNA genes by multiple-polymerase chain reaction. The data was analysed with SPSS 13.0 software package for Chi-square test. The detection rate of Pn, Cr and Pg had significant differences between group A and B. The detection rate of Ec, Cr, Pg, Aa and Tf had significant differences between group C and B. The detection rate of Ec, Pn, Cr, Pg, Aa and Tf had significant differences between group A and C. The rate of Ec, Pn, Cr, Pg and Tf detected in moderate or patients with moderate or severe chronic periodontitis are significantly higher than that in healthy subjects, indicating that these bacteria have certain correlation with chronic periodontitis. The rate of Ec, Cr, Pg and Tf detected in severe chronic periodontitis are significantly higher than that in dental-induced gingivitis, suggesting their close relationship with the progress of periodontal disease.

  8. Dynamic Response of AA2519 Aluminum Alloy under High Strain Rates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olasumboye, Adewale Taiwo

    Like others in the AA2000 series, AA2519 is a heat-treatable Al-Cu alloy. Its excellent ballistic properties and stress corrosion cracking resistance, combined with other properties, qualify it as a prime candidate for armored vehicle and aircraft applications. However, available data on its high strain-rate response remains limited. In this study, AA2519 aluminum alloy was investigated in three different temper conditions: T4, T6, and T8, to determine the effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and dynamic deformation behavior of the material at high strain rates ranging within 1000 ≤ epsilon ≤ 4000 s-1. Split Hopkinson pressure bar integrated with digital image correlation system was used for mechanical response characterization. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the microstructure of the material after following standard metallographic specimen preparation techniques. Results showed heterogeneous deformation in the three temper conditions. It was observed that dynamic behavior in each condition was dependent on strength properties due to the aging type controlling the strengthening precipitates produced and initial microstructure. At 1500 s -1, AA2519-T6 exhibited peak dynamic yield strength and flow stress of 509 and 667 MPa respectively, which are comparable with what were observed in T8 condition at higher rate of 3500 s-1 but AA2519-T4 showed the least strength and flow stress properties. Early stress collapse, dynamic strain aging, and higher susceptibility to shear band formation and fracture were observed in the T6 condition within the selected range of high strain rates. The alloy's general mode of damage evolution was by dispersoid particle nucleation, shearing and cracking.

  9. Transient thermal analysis during friction stir welding between AA2014-T6 and pure copper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gadhavi, A. R.; Ghetiya, N. D.; Patel, K. M.

    2018-04-01

    AA2xxx-Cu alloys showed larger applications in the defence sectors and in aerospace industries due to high strength to weight ratio and toughness. FSW in a butt joint configuration was carried out between AA2014-T6 and pure Copper placing AA2014 on AS and Cu on RS. Temperature profiles were observed by inserting K-type thermocouples in the mid-thickness at various locations of the plate. A sharp decrease in temperature profiles was observed on Copper side due to its higher thermal conductivity. A thermal numerical model was prepared in ANSYS to compare the simulated temperature profiles with the experimental temperature profiles and both the temperature profiles were found to be in good agreement.

  10. MDCT evaluation of acute aortic syndrome (AAS)

    PubMed Central

    Rossi, Giovanni; Lassandro, Francesco; Rea, Gaetano; Marino, Maurizio; Muto, Maurizio; Molino, Antonio; Scaglione, Mariano

    2016-01-01

    Non-traumatic acute thoracic aortic syndromes (AAS) describe a spectrum of life-threatening aortic pathologies with significant implications on diagnosis, therapy and management. There is a common pathway for the various manifestations of AAS that eventually leads to a breakdown of the aortic intima and media. Improvements in biology and health policy and diffusion of technology into the community resulted in an associated decrease in mortality and morbidity related to aortic therapeutic interventions. Hybrid procedures, branched and fenestrated endografts, and percutaneous aortic valves have emerged as potent and viable alternatives to traditional surgeries. In this context, current state-of-the art multidetector CT (MDCT) is actually the gold standard in the emergency setting because of its intrinsic diagnostic value. Management of acute aortic disease has changed with the increasing realization that endovascular therapies may offer distinct advantages in these situations. This article provides a summary of AAS, focusing especially on the MDCT technique, typical and atypical findings and common pitfalls of AAS, as well as recent concepts regarding the subtypes of AAS, consisting of aortic dissection, intramural haematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer and unstable aortic aneurysm or contained aortic rupture. MDCT findings will be related to pathophysiology, timing and management options to achieve a definite and timely diagnostic and therapeutic definition. In the present article, we review the aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, outcomes and therapeutic approaches to acute aortic syndromes. PMID:27033344

  11. Reinforcement with alumina particles at the interface region of AA6101-T6 and AA1350 alloys during friction stir welding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ashok Kumar, R.; Thansekhar, M. R.

    2018-04-01

    This paper deals the combinational effect of friction stir welding and friction stir processing on dissimilar AA6101-T6 and AA1350 aluminium alloys. For that, alumina particles are reinforced at interface region of AA6101-T6 and AA1350 aluminium alloys. Friction Stir Welding and Friction Stir Processing are done simultaneously for various sizes of groove. To analyze the welding quality and surface modifications, mechanical, wear and microstructural tests are carried out. Among these, smallest groove of 0.5 mm width and 1 mm depth reveals highest tensile and bending strengths and largest groove of 2 mm width and 3 mm depth gives maximum hardness and wear resistance. Taguchi technique shows that groove width is most influencing parameter. Developed second order models with interaction predict the responses with minimum error.

  12. Outcome comparison of African-American and Caucasian patients with severe aortic stenosis subjected to transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a single-center experience.

    PubMed

    Minha, Sa'ar; Barbash, Israel M; Magalhaes, Marco A; Ben-Dor, Itsik; Okubagzi, Petros G; Pendyala, Lakshmana K; Satler, Lowell F; Pichard, Augusto D; Torguson, Rebecca; Waksman, Ron

    2015-03-01

    This study aimed to report the outcomes of African Americans (AAs) in the US undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS). Compared to Caucasians, AAs are reported to have poorer outcomes from most cardiovascular diseases, including high complication rates after surgical aortic valve replacement. The outcomes of AAs undergoing TAVR are not well established. Consecutive patients who underwent TAVR were included in this analysis. Patients' baseline characteristics, procedural data, in-hospital- and long-term outcomes were recorded and a comparison was performed between the AA and Caucasian cohorts. In a cohort of 469 consecutive patients, 51 (10.8%) were AA and 345 (74.5%) were Caucasian. The remaining patients (n = 73; 15.3%) self-reported their race as "unknown" or were from other races. Most baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups except for less men (33.3 vs. 50.1%; P = 0.016), a lower mean left ventricular ejection fraction (48.85 ± 16.35 vs. 53.24 ± 13.41%; P = 0.04) and lower rates of atrial fibrillation in AAs (15.7 vs.45.4%; P < 0.001). TAVR procedures in AAs were less frequently performed as part of a clinical trial (60.8 vs. 76.8%; P = 0.014). Most procedural and periprocedural outcome parameters were similar save for a higher rate of hemodynamic instability and postoperative need for intubation in AAs (10.4 vs. 2.5%; P = 0.018 and 29.4 vs. 16.9%; P = 0.03, respectively). This did not translate into a difference in mortality between AAs and Caucasians (30-day mortality 9.8 vs. 9.9%; P = 0.99; 1-year mortality 19.6 vs. 24.3%; P = 0.458, respectively). Unlike with other cardiovascular interventions, this study demonstrates that AA patients referred for TAVR shared similar risks and outcomes when compared to a Caucasian population. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  13. Ethanol-reinforced responding by AA and ANA rats following the sucrose-substitution initiation procedure.

    PubMed

    Files, F J; Denning, C E; Hyytia, P; Kiianmaa, K; Samson, H H

    1997-06-01

    Ethanol-reinforced responding was initiated in male AA and ANA rats using the sucrose-substitution procedure. Before the initiation procedure, a homecage, two-bottle preference test was conducted. The rats were then trained to respond on an Fixed-Ratio 1 schedule with sucrose reinforcement. Over sessions, ethanol was added gradually to the sucrose solution as the concentration of sucrose was reduced until 10% ethanol (v/v) alone functioned as the reinforcer for lever pressing. The schedule of reinforcement was then increased to Fixed-Ratio 4. Next, the ethanol concentration presented as the reinforcer was increased over weeks to 15%, 20%, 30%, and then returned to 10%. A second homecage test was then performed. The results showed that the AA and ANA lines differed significantly on preference and intake (g/kg) during the homecage preference tests. There was a significant increase in preference during the second homecage test. During sucrose substitution, initial large differences in responding were observed between the lines. When the ethanol concentration was increased, intake (grams per kilogram) increased for the AA line but not for the ANA line. These effects were a function of no change in responding by the AA rats as concentration was increased and a decrease in responding by the ANA rats at the higher concentrations (20% and 30%). Taken together, data indicate that ethanol can function as a positive reinforcer for the behavior of AA and ANA rats. Even though 10% ethanol functioned as a reinforcer similarly for the two lines, ethanol intake in the AA line was significantly greater at the higher concentrations of ethanol, suggesting that ethanol functioned as a qualitatively different reinforcer for the AA rats, compared with the ANA rats.

  14. Racial disparity in mental disorder diagnosis and treatment between non-hispanic White and Asian American patients in a general hospital.

    PubMed

    Wu, Carrie; Chiang, Mathew; Harrington, Amy; Kim, Sun; Ziedonis, Douglas; Fan, Xiaoduo

    2018-04-01

    The present study sought to examine the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders comparing Asian American (AA) and non-Hispanic Whites (WNH) drawn from a population accessing a large general hospital for any reason. Socio-demographic predictors of diagnosis and treatment were also explored. Data were obtained from de-identified medical records in the Partner Health Care System's Research Patient Data Registry. The final sample included 345,070 self-identified WNH and 16,418 self-identified AA's between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009. WNH patients were more likely than AA patients to carry a diagnosis of a mental disorder (18.1% vs. 8.6%, p < 0.0001) and were more likely to receive psychotropic medication treatment (15.0% vs 8.5%, p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analyses of the AA cohort identified several risk factors (i.e. language, religion, gender, age) predicting the diagnosis of a mental disorder or use of psychotropic medication. Our findings on the racial disparity in mental disorder diagnosis and treatment between AA and WNH patients suggest that mental disorders are under-recognized and mental health services are under-utilized in the AA community. There remains a need for health care providers to improve screening services and to gain a better understanding of the cultural barriers that hinder mental health care among AA patients. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  15. Displaying Now-Understanding: The Finnish Change-of-State Token "aa"

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Koivisto, Aino

    2015-01-01

    This article discusses the use of the Finnish change-of-state token "aa" that has previously not been identified. The central claim is that even though "aa" indicates a cognitive shift experienced by the speaker, it does not function as a receipt of new information. Instead, the token "aa" indicates that the speaker…

  16. Illness perception in patients with androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata in China.

    PubMed

    Yu, Nan-Lan; Tan, Huan; Song, Zhi-Qiang; Yang, Xi-Chuan

    2016-07-01

    The aim of the present study was to provide more information on the role of illness perception in patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and those with alopecia areata (AA), and to further investigate the relationship of illness perception with psychological disorders and dermatological QoL. The study included 342 patients who were diagnosed with AGA (n=212) or AA (n=130) for the first time at our institution between October 2013 and December 2014. All patients were surveyed before clinical examination by several questionnaires including the Brief Illness Perception, Self-rating Depression Scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). In the AGA patients, the illness perception and QoL were low, whereas the prevalence of clinical depression and anxiety was higher compared to the AA patients. Illness perception was associated with psychological distress and low QoL in both groups, and some illness perception dimensions were found to be significant predictors of the DLQI scores. Illness perception plays an important role in AGA and AA patients, and is associated with psychological distress and low QoL. The identification of critical components of illness perception in alopecia patients could help to understand alopecia specificities, to design consultations and interventions according to the perception, and to improve physical and mental outcomes as well as QoL in alopecia patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. The 9aaTAD Transactivation Domains: From Gal4 to p53.

    PubMed

    Piskacek, Martin; Havelka, Marek; Rezacova, Martina; Knight, Andrea

    2016-01-01

    The family of the Nine amino acid Transactivation Domain, 9aaTAD family, comprises currently over 40 members. The 9aaTAD domains are universally recognized by the transcriptional machinery from yeast to man. We had identified the 9aaTAD domains in the p53, Msn2, Pdr1 and B42 activators by our prediction algorithm. In this study, their competence to activate transcription as small peptides was proven. Not surprisingly, we elicited immense 9aaTAD divergence in hundreds of identified orthologs and numerous examples of the 9aaTAD species' convergence. We found unforeseen similarity of the mammalian p53 with yeast Gal4 9aaTAD domains. Furthermore, we identified artificial 9aaTAD domains generated accidentally by others. From an evolutionary perspective, the observed easiness to generate 9aaTAD transactivation domains indicates the natural advantage for spontaneous generation of transcription factors from DNA binding precursors.

  18. Dynamic Response and Microstructure Evolution of AA2219-T4 and AA2219-T6 Aluminum Alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olasumboye, A.; Owolabi, G.; Odeshi, A.; Zeytinci, A.; Yilmaz, N.

    2018-02-01

    In this study, the dynamic deformation behavior of AA2219 aluminum alloy was investigated in two different temper conditions: T4 and T6, with a view to determining the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and flow behavior of the material under high strain rates. Split Hopkinson pressure bar experiment was used in determining the dynamic response of the alloy while a digital image correlation system was employed in visualizing and tracking the surface deformation of the specimens. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the microstructure of the material after following standard metallographic specimen preparation techniques. The results obtained showed heterogeneous deformation of the alloy in the two temper conditions. It was observed that the dynamic mechanical behavior of each sample preparation was dependent on its strength properties due to aging type, which in turn controls the metamorphosis of the strengthening precipitates and the initial microstructure. At the maximum strain rate of 3500 s-1, transformed bands leading to crack nucleation was observed in the AA2219-T4 aluminum alloy while AA2219-T6 had fractured at the same strain rate. The modes of crack formation and growth in the two alloys were found to be similar: nucleation, growth and coalescence of voids. However, shear band bifurcation phenomenon was observed only in the AA2219-T6 alloy.

  19. Dynamic Response and Microstructure Evolution of AA2219-T4 and AA2219-T6 Aluminum Alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Olasumboye, A.; Owolabi, G.; Odeshi, A.; Zeytinci, A.; Yilmaz, N.

    2018-06-01

    In this study, the dynamic deformation behavior of AA2219 aluminum alloy was investigated in two different temper conditions: T4 and T6, with a view to determining the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and flow behavior of the material under high strain rates. Split Hopkinson pressure bar experiment was used in determining the dynamic response of the alloy while a digital image correlation system was employed in visualizing and tracking the surface deformation of the specimens. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the microstructure of the material after following standard metallographic specimen preparation techniques. The results obtained showed heterogeneous deformation of the alloy in the two temper conditions. It was observed that the dynamic mechanical behavior of each sample preparation was dependent on its strength properties due to aging type, which in turn controls the metamorphosis of the strengthening precipitates and the initial microstructure. At the maximum strain rate of 3500 s-1, transformed bands leading to crack nucleation was observed in the AA2219-T4 aluminum alloy while AA2219-T6 had fractured at the same strain rate. The modes of crack formation and growth in the two alloys were found to be similar: nucleation, growth and coalescence of voids. However, shear band bifurcation phenomenon was observed only in the AA2219-T6 alloy.

  20. Work capacity and anticipation in A.A. Ukhtomsky's concept of dominance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pavlova, L. P.

    2015-08-01

    This paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental investigations of human activity and anticipation based on A.A. Ukhtomsky's concept of brain dominance - a non-equilibrium system-forming factor in living systems. Facts on the stages of dominance formation are presented in relation to the creative abilities of the human brain and the role of fatigue as a "lever" for increasing systems' work capacity on the basis of "trace exaltation". Individually, specific features of dominantogenesis are compared with variations in behavioural types. On the basis of chronotopic EEG analysis, we delineate cortical dominants that underlie individual specifics of cognitive processes. The relation is shown between anticipation and the "expansion of dominants" - the broadening of "distal perception" in time and space, as framed by A.A. Ukhtomsky.

  1. AAS and spectrophotometric methods for the determination metoprolol tartrate in tablets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alpdoğan, Güzin; Sungur, Sidika

    1999-11-01

    Sensitive and specific atomic adsorption spectroscopy (AAS) and spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of beta adrenergic blocking drug, metoprolol tartrate.The method is based on the formation of Cu(II) dithiocarbamate complex by derivatization of the secondary amino group of metoprolol with CS 2 and CuCl 2 in the presence of ammonia.The copper-bis(dithiocarbamate) complex was extracted into chloroform and the concentration of metoprolol tartrate was determined directly by spectrophotometric and indirectly by AAS measurement of copper.The two methods developed were applied to the assay of metoprolol tartrate in commercial tablet formulations.The methods were compared statistically with each other and with the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method of USPXXII using t- and F-tests.

  2. Safety and efficacy of empirical interleukin-1 inhibition using anakinra in AA amyloidosis of uncertain aetiology.

    PubMed

    Lane, Thirusha; Wechalekar, Ashutosh D; Gillmore, Julian D; Hawkins, Philip N; Lachmann, Helen J

    2017-09-01

    AA amyloidosis is a serious complication of persistent inflammation, which, untreated will progress to renal failure and death. Effective suppression of the underlying inflammatory disease is the focus of treatment. However, in approximately 20% of cases the underlying condition remains uncertain, presenting a dilemma as to choice of treatment. We conducted a retrospective study of a cohort of 11 patients diagnosed with AA amyloidosis of unknown aetiology, who had been empirically treated with anakinra. In anakinra-responders, median pre-treatment SAA was 74 (IQR 34-190) mg/L, and median on-treatment SAA was 6 (4-16) mg/L (p = .0047), with the response having been maintained for a median on-treatment follow-up of 1.8 (1-7.6) years. Six dialysis patients were treated effectively and safely with 100 mg anakinra three times weekly post-dialysis. Four patients remained well on daily anakinra post-renal transplant. Five anakinra-responders showed regression and three showed stabilization of amyloid load on serial SAP scintigraphy. This small cohort shows that even in potentially high risk cases with organ damage secondary to AA amyloidosis or in the presence of a renal graft, anakinra, when used appropriately and carefully monitored, has proved remarkably effective and well tolerated. Longer follow-up of this off-label use is required.

  3. Spontaneous, Experimentally Induced, and Transmissible AA Amyloidosis in Japanese Quail ( Coturnix japonica).

    PubMed

    Nakayama, Yumi; Kamiie, Junichi; Watanabe, Gen; Suzuki, Kazuhiko; Murakami, Tomoaki

    2017-11-01

    The authors describe a spontaneous case of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis in an adult female Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica). The bird developed AA amyloidosis secondary to chronic peritonitis caused by a Gram-negative bacillus infection. Mild amyloid deposition was also identified in the intestinal tract of apparently healthy adult individuals, suggesting that quail may develop intestinal amyloidosis with age. Based on these observations, it was hypothesized that quail can develop AA amyloidosis following inflammatory stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Therefore, adult quail were repeatedly injected with LPS and the development of AA amyloidosis was confirmed. The amyloid deposition in this model increased when quail amyloid was intravenously injected as an amyloid-enhancing factor. The experiments were repeated with young quail, but amyloid deposits were not observed following LPS injections. However, AA amyloidosis did develop when quail amyloid was injected in addition to LPS. These results indicated that adult quail develop AA amyloidosis after inflammatory stimulation with LPS. Furthermore, quail AA amyloidosis was shown to have transmissibility regardless of age. Interestingly, the authors found that administration of chicken amyloid fibrils also induced AA amyloidosis in young quail. This is the first report of cross-species transmission of avian AA amyloidosis.

  4. Breakfast with glycomacropeptide compared with amino acids suppresses plasma ghrelin levels in individuals with phenylketonuria

    PubMed Central

    MacLeod, Erin L.; Clayton, Murray K.; van Calcar, Sandra C.; Ney, Denise M.

    2010-01-01

    Phenylketonuria (PKU) requires a lifelong low-phenylalanine (phe) diet where protein needs are met by consumption of a phe-free amino acid (AA) formula; complaints of persistent hunger are common. Foods made with glycomacropeptide (GMP), an intact protein that contains minimal phe and may promote satiety, provide an alternative to AA formula. The objective was to assess the ability of a GMP breakfast to promote satiety and affect plasma concentrations of AAs, insulin, and the appetite stimulating hormone ghrelin in those with PKU, when compared to an AA-based breakfast. Eleven PKU subjects (8 adults and 3 boys ages 11–14) served as their own controls in an inpatient metabolic study with two 4-day treatments: an AA-based diet followed by a diet replacing all AA formula with GMP foods. Plasma concentrations of AAs, insulin and ghrelin were obtained before and/or 180 minutes after breakfast. Satiety was assessed using a visual analog scale before, immediately after and 180 minutes after breakfast. Postprandial ghrelin concentration was significantly lower (p=0.03) with GMP compared to an AA-based breakfast, with no difference in fasting ghrelin. Lower postprandial ghrelin concentrations were associated with greater feelings of fullness 180 minutes after breakfast suggesting greater satiety with GMP compared to AAs. Postprandial concentrations of insulin and total plasma AAs were higher after a GMP breakfast compared to an AA-based breakfast consistent with slower absorption of AAs from GMP. These results show sustained ghrelin suppression, and suggest greater satiety with ingestion of a meal containing GMP compared with AAs. PMID:20466571

  5. Valsartan reduces AT1-AA-induced apoptosis through suppression oxidative stress mediated ER stress in endothelial progenitor cells.

    PubMed

    Wang, Z-C; Qi, J; Liu, L-M; Li, J; Xu, H-Y; Liang, B; Li, B

    2017-03-01

    Valsartan has been reported to have the function of treating hypertension and improving the prognosis of patients. Many studies indicated that valsartan can also increase angiotensin II, andosterone and plasma renin activity (PRA). Autoantibodies against the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-AA) have been showed to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium (Ca2+) and result in apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells. In this study, we attempted to explore the effect of valsartan on AT1-AA-induced apoptosis in endothelial progenitor cells. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were cultured. The cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. EPCs apoptosis was determined by DAPI staining and flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species, intracellular calcium concentration and calpain activity were measured using Fluostar Omega Spectrofluorimeter. The expression of p-ERK, p-eIF-2a, CHOP, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. MTT assays showed valsartan significantly inhibited AT1-AA- induced decline of the viability of EPCs. DAPI staining and flow cytometry results indicated valsartan inhibited AT1-AA-induced decline of the viability of EPCs via inhibiting AT1-AA-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the increasing of reactive oxygen species, intracellular calcium and calpain activity induced by AT1-AA in EPCs were also recovered after pre-treated with valsartan. Meanwhile, the upregulation of p-ERK, p-eIF-2a and CHOP, downregulation of Bcl-2, and activation of Caspase-3 caused by AT1-AA were reversed after pre-incubated with valsartan. Valsartan could inhibit AT1-AA-induced apoptosis through inhibiting oxidative stress mediated ER stress in EPCs.

  6. Do Drug-Dependent Patients Attending Alcoholics Anonymous Rather than Narcotics Anonymous Do As Well? A Prospective, Lagged, Matching Analysis.

    PubMed

    Kelly, John F; Greene, M Claire; Bergman, Brandon G

    2014-11-01

    Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most prevalent 12-step mutual-help organization (MHO), yet debate has persisted clinically regarding whether patients whose primary substance is not alcohol should be referred to AA. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was created as a more specific fit to enhance recovery from drug addiction; however, compared with AA, NA meetings are not as ubiquitous. Little is known about the effects of a mismatch between individuals' primary substance and MHOs, and whether any incongruence might result in a lower likelihood of continuation and benefit. More research would inform clinical recommendations. Young adults (N = 279, M age 20.4, SD 1.6, 27% female; 95% White) in a treatment effectiveness study completed assessments at intake, and 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. A matching variable was created for 'primary drug' patients (i.e. those reporting cannabis, opiates or stimulants as primary substance; n = 198/279), reflecting the proportion of total 12-step meetings attended that were AA. Hierarchical linear models (HLMs) tested this variable's effects on future 12-step participation and percent days abstinent (PDA). The majority of meetings attended by both alcohol and drug patients was AA. Drug patients attending proportionately more AA than NA meetings (i.e. mismatched) were no different than those who were better matched to NA with respect to future 12-step participation or PDA. Drug patients may be at no greater risk of discontinuation or diminished recovery benefit from participation in AA relative to NA. Findings may boost clinical confidence in making AA referrals for drug patients when NA is less available. © The Author 2014. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

  7. Do Drug-Dependent Patients Attending Alcoholics Anonymous Rather than Narcotics Anonymous Do As Well? A Prospective, Lagged, Matching Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Kelly, John F.; Greene, M. Claire; Bergman, Brandon G.

    2014-01-01

    Aims: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most prevalent 12-step mutual-help organization (MHO), yet debate has persisted clinically regarding whether patients whose primary substance is not alcohol should be referred to AA. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) was created as a more specific fit to enhance recovery from drug addiction; however, compared with AA, NA meetings are not as ubiquitous. Little is known about the effects of a mismatch between individuals' primary substance and MHOs, and whether any incongruence might result in a lower likelihood of continuation and benefit. More research would inform clinical recommendations. Method: Young adults (N = 279, M age 20.4, SD 1.6, 27% female; 95% White) in a treatment effectiveness study completed assessments at intake, and 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment. A matching variable was created for ‘primary drug’ patients (i.e. those reporting cannabis, opiates or stimulants as primary substance; n = 198/279), reflecting the proportion of total 12-step meetings attended that were AA. Hierarchical linear models (HLMs) tested this variable's effects on future 12-step participation and percent days abstinent (PDA). Results: The majority of meetings attended by both alcohol and drug patients was AA. Drug patients attending proportionately more AA than NA meetings (i.e. mismatched) were no different than those who were better matched to NA with respect to future 12-step participation or PDA. Conclusion: Drug patients may be at no greater risk of discontinuation or diminished recovery benefit from participation in AA relative to NA. Findings may boost clinical confidence in making AA referrals for drug patients when NA is less available. PMID:25294352

  8. Antiangiogenic effects of AA-PMe on HUVECs in vitro and zebrafish in vivo

    PubMed Central

    Xiao, Qi; Zhou, Yachun; Wei, Yingjie; Gong, Zhunan

    2018-01-01

    Angiogenesis plays a vital role in many physiological and pathological processes and several diseases are connected with its dysregulation. Asiatic acid (AA) has demonstrated anticancer properties and we suspect this might be attributable to an effect on angio-genesis. A modified derivative of AA, N-(2α,3β,23-acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-proline methyl ester (AA-PMe), has improved efficacy over its parent compound, but its effect on blood vessel development remains unclear. Methods In this study, we investigated the antiangiogenic activity of AA and AA-PMe in zebrafish embryos and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). First of all, we treated HUVECs with increasing concentrations of AA-PMe or AA, with or without vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) present, and assessed cell viability, tube formation, and cell migration and invasion. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were later used to determine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-mediated signaling in AA-PMe inhibition of angiogenesis. We extended these studies to follow angiogenesis using Tg(fli:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish embryos. For these experiments, embryos were treated with varying concentrations of AA-PMe or AA from 24 to 72 hours postfertilization prior to morphological observation, angiogenesis assessment, and endogenous alkaline phosphatase assay. VEGFR2 expression in whole embryos following AA-PMe treatment was also determined. Results We found AA-PMe decreased cell viability and inhibited migration and tube formation in a dose-dependent manner in HUVECs. Similarly, AA-PMe disrupted the formation of intersegmental vessels, the dorsal aorta, and the posterior cardinal vein in zebrafish embryos. Both in vitro and in vivo AA-PMe surpassed AA in its ability to block angiogenesis by suppressing VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and disrupting downstream extracellular regulated protein kinase and AKT signaling

  9. Antiangiogenic effects of AA-PMe on HUVECs in vitro and zebrafish in vivo.

    PubMed

    Jing, Yue; Wang, Gang; Xiao, Qi; Zhou, Yachun; Wei, Yingjie; Gong, Zhunan

    2018-01-01

    Angiogenesis plays a vital role in many physiological and pathological processes and several diseases are connected with its dysregulation. Asiatic acid (AA) has demonstrated anticancer properties and we suspect this might be attributable to an effect on angio-genesis. A modified derivative of AA, N-(2α,3β,23-acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-L-proline methyl ester (AA-PMe), has improved efficacy over its parent compound, but its effect on blood vessel development remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the antiangiogenic activity of AA and AA-PMe in zebrafish embryos and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). First of all, we treated HUVECs with increasing concentrations of AA-PMe or AA, with or without vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) present, and assessed cell viability, tube formation, and cell migration and invasion. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were later used to determine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-mediated signaling in AA-PMe inhibition of angiogenesis. We extended these studies to follow angiogenesis using Tg(fli:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish embryos. For these experiments, embryos were treated with varying concentrations of AA-PMe or AA from 24 to 72 hours postfertilization prior to morphological observation, angiogenesis assessment, and endogenous alkaline phosphatase assay. VEGFR2 expression in whole embryos following AA-PMe treatment was also determined. We found AA-PMe decreased cell viability and inhibited migration and tube formation in a dose-dependent manner in HUVECs. Similarly, AA-PMe disrupted the formation of intersegmental vessels, the dorsal aorta, and the posterior cardinal vein in zebrafish embryos. Both in vitro and in vivo AA-PMe surpassed AA in its ability to block angiogenesis by suppressing VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and disrupting downstream extracellular regulated protein kinase and AKT signaling. For the first time

  10. Controlled release of bioactive PDGF-AA from a hydrogel/nanoparticle composite.

    PubMed

    Elliott Donaghue, Irja; Shoichet, Molly S

    2015-10-01

    Polymer excipients, such as low molar mass poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), have shown contradictory effects on protein stability when co-encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles. To gain further insight into these effects, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AA) was encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles with vs. without PEG. PDGF-AA is a particularly compelling protein, as it has been demonstrated to promote cell survival and induce the oligodendrocyte differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) both in vitro and in vivo. Here we show, for the first time, the controlled release of bioactive PDGF-AA from an injectable nanoparticle/hydrogel drug delivery system (DDS). PDGF-AA was encapsulated, with high efficiency, in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles, and its release from the drug delivery system was followed over 21 d. Interestingly, the co-encapsulation of low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) increased the PDGF-AA loading but, unexpectedly, accelerated the aggregation of PDGF-AA, resulting in reduced activity and detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the absence of PEG, released PDGF-AA remained bioactive as demonstrated with NSPC oligodendrocyte differentiation, similar to positive controls, and significantly different from untreated controls. This work presents a novel delivery method for differentiation factors, such as PDGF-AA, and provides insights into the contradictory effects reported in the literature of excipients, such as PEG, on the loading and release of proteins from polymeric nanoparticles. Previously, the polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been used in many biomaterials applications, from surface coatings to the encapsulation of proteins. In this work, we demonstrate that, unexpectedly, low molecular weight PEG has a deleterious effect on the release of the encapsulated protein platelet-derived growth factor AA (PDGF-AA). We also demonstrate release of bioactive PDGF-AA (in the absence of PEG

  11. Scorpion neurotoxin AaIT-expressing Beauveria bassiana enhances the virulence against Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

    PubMed

    Deng, Sheng-Qun; Cai, Qun-Di; Deng, Ming-Zhi; Huang, Qiang; Peng, Hong-Juan

    2017-12-01

    To improve the insecticidal efficacy of this entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana, the fungus was genetically modified to express an insect-specific scorpion neurotoxin AaIT. The virulence of the recombinant B. bassiana strain (Bb-AaIT) against Aedes albopictus adults (which occurs via penetration through the cuticle during spore germination or by conidia ingestion), and the larvae (by conidia ingestion) was measured with bioassays. The median lethal concentration (LC 50 ) of Bb-AaIT against A. albopictus larvae was 313.3-fold lower on day 4 and 11.3-fold lower on day 10 than that of the wild type (WT). Through conidia feeding or body contact, Bb-AaIT killed 50% of adult female mosquitoes at 3.9- or 1.9-fold reduced concentrations on day 4 and at 2.1- or 2.4-fold reduced concentrations on day 10. Compared with the results for the WT, the median lethal time (LT 50 ) of Bb-AaIT was reduced by 28.6% at 1 × 10 7 conidia ml -1 and 34.3% at 1 × 10 6 conidia ml -1 in the larvae bioassay by conidia ingestion, while it decreased 32.3% at 1 × 10 7 conidia ml -1 by conidia ingestion and 24.2% at 1 × 10 8 conidia ml -1 by penetrating through the cuticle in the adult bioassay. All the differences were significant. Our findings indicated that Bb-AaIT had higher virulence and faster action than the WT in killing the larval and adult mosquitoes, and therefore, it is valuable for development as a commercial mosquito pesticide.

  12. Serum agonistic autoantibodies against type-1 angiotensin II receptor titer in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: a potential role in tumor cell migration and angiogenesis

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Although agonistic autoantibodies against type-1 angiotensin-II receptor (AT1-AA) are frequently detected in women with preeclampsia, the clinical significance of AT1-AA in association with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has not been identified. Methods In an attempt to clarify this issue, we measured serum AT1-AA titer from EOC patients (n = 89) and healthy normal subjects (n = 55), correlated AT1-AA titer with EOC stage and grade, and demonstrated the effects of purified AT1-AA on migration of ovarian cancer cells and angiogenesis of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. Results We found that the AT1-AA titer was significantly higher in EOC patients compared with healthy control subjects (1.77 ± 0.28 vs. 0.35 ± 0.05, P < 0.01). The positive rate was averaged by 72.1±2.5% in EOC patients and 15.5 ±1.5% in control (P < 0.01). Increased AT1-AA titer in EOC patients was associated with advanced stages and grades of EOC, and positively correlated with level of vascular endothelial growth factor (r = 0.855, P < 0.01). Furthermore, AT1-AA directly stimulated migration of ovarian cancer cells and enhanced microvascular density of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. These AT1-AA-mediated effects were significantly blocked either by an autoantibody-neutralizing peptide or an angiotensin II type I receptor antagonist, losartan. Conclusion Taken together, we found that a higher serum AT1-AA titer may be associated with advanced progression of EOC in patients and play an important role in development of EOC by promoting cancer cell migration and angiogenesis. These findings implicate that AT1-AA might be selected as a detectable biomarker and potential therapeutic target in diagnosis and treatment of EOC patients. PMID:23561060

  13. Transgenic plants expressing the AaIT/GNA fusion protein show increased resistance and toxicity to both chewing and sucking pests.

    PubMed

    Liu, Shu-Min; Li, Jie; Zhu, Jin-Qi; Wang, Xiao-Wei; Wang, Cheng-Shu; Liu, Shu-Sheng; Chen, Xue-Xin; Li, Sheng

    2016-04-01

    The adoption of pest-resistant transgenic plants to reduce yield losses and decrease pesticide use has been successful. To achieve the goal of controlling both chewing and sucking pests in a given transgenic plant, we generated transgenic tobacco, Arabidopsis, and rice plants expressing the fusion protein, AaIT/GNA, in which an insecticidal scorpion venom neurotoxin (Androctonus australis toxin, AaIT) is fused to snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, GNA). Compared with transgenic tobacco and Arabidopsis plants expressing AaIT or GNA, transgenic plants expressing AaIT/GNA exhibited increased resistance and toxicity to one chewing pest, the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. Transgenic tobacco and rice plants expressing AaIT/GNA showed increased resistance and toxicity to two sucking pests, the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, and the rice brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, respectively. Moreover, in the field, transgenic rice plants expressing AaIT/GNA exhibited a significant improvement in grain yield when infested with N. lugens. This study shows that expressing the AaIT/GNA fusion protein in transgenic plants can be a useful approach for controlling pests, particularly sucking pests which are not susceptible to the toxin in Bt crops. © 2015 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

  14. Inhibitory effect of propolis on the development of AA amyloidosis.

    PubMed

    Harata, Daichi; Tsuchiya, Yuya; Miyoshi, Tomoyuki; Yanai, Tokuma; Suzuki, Kazuhiko; Murakami, Tomoaki

    2018-04-01

    In the several types of amyloidoses, participation of oxidative stresses in the pathogenesis and the effect of antioxidants on amyloidosis have been reported. Meanwhile, the relationship between oxidative stresses and pathogenesis of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is still unclear. In this study, we used an antioxidant, Brazilian propolis, to investigate the inhibitory effects on AA amyloidosis. The results showed that AA deposition was inhibited by administration of propolis. Increased expression of antioxidant markers was detected in molecular biological examinations of mice treated with propolis. Although serum amyloid A (SAA) levels were strongly correlated with the immunoreactive area of AA deposits in the control group, the correlation was weaker in the propolis-treated groups. In addition, there were no changes in SAA levels between the control group and the propolis-treated groups. The results indicate that propolis, an antioxidant, may induce inhibitory effects against AA amyloidosis.

  15. Circulating S100A8 and S100A9 protein levels in plasma of patients with acquired aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

    PubMed

    Giudice, Valentina; Wu, Zhijie; Kajigaya, Sachiko; Fernandez Ibanez, Maria Del Pilar; Rios, Olga; Cheung, Foo; Ito, Sawa; Young, Neal S

    2018-06-26

    The alarmin family members S100A8 and S100A9 are acute phase inflammation proteins, but they also have been proposed as biomarkers in many malignant and non-malignant diseases. In this study, circulating S100A8 and S100A9 homodimers and S100A8/A9 heterodimers in plasma were systematically investigated by ELISA in aplastic anemia (AA) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Plasma was obtained from 58 severe AA (SAA) and 30 MDS patients, and from 47 age- and sex-matched healthy donors. In 40 out of the 58 AA subjects, S100A protein levels were measured before and 6 months after immunosuppressive therapy (IST). No differences were observed in AA patients at diagnosis compared to healthy controls for circulating S100A homodimers and heterodimers. After therapy, SAA-responders showed significantly increased circulating S100A8. Non-responding patients had significantly higher levels of circulating S100A8/A9 compared to responders and healthy controls, but without variations of S100A8 and S100A9 homodimers. In MDS patients, circulating S100A8 was significantly elevated compared to those of AA and/or healthy controls. By Pearson correlation analysis of protein levels and blood counts, multiple correlations were found. However, as S100A8 and S100A9 are abundantly present in white blood cells and platelets, correlations with blood counts likely mirror the higher number of cells in the blood of some patients. In conclusion, our findings indicate that circulating S100A8 is increased in MDS but not in AA, and that may be useful to distinguish these diseases in the differential diagnosis of bone marrow failure syndromes. Clinicaltrials.gov identifiers: NCT00260689, NCT00604201, NCT01328587, NCT01623167, NCT00001620, NCT00001397. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  16. Identification of GAD65 AA 114-122 reactive 'memory-like' NK cells in newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic patients by HLA-class I pentamers.

    PubMed

    Perri, Valentina; Gianchecchi, Elena; Cifaldi, Loredana; Pellegrino, Marsha; Giorda, Ezio; Andreani, Marco; Cappa, Marco; Fierabracci, Alessandra

    2017-01-01

    Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, in which pancreatic β cells are destroyed by autoreactive T cells in genetically predisposed individuals. Serum beta cell autoantibody specificities have represented the mainstay for classifying diabetes as autoimmune-mediated and for stratifying risk in first-degree relatives. In recent years, approaches were attempted to solve the difficult issue of detecting rare antigen-specific autoreactive T cells and their significance to etiopathogenesis such as the use of the MHC multimer technology. This tool allowed the specific detection of increased percentages of GAD65 autoreactive T cells by means of HLA A*02:01 GAD65 AA 114-122 pentamers in newly diagnosed diabetics. Here we provide evidence that GAD65 AA 114-122 pentamers can depict a GAD65 AA114-122 peptide expandable population of functionally and phenotypically skewed, preliminary characterized CD3-CD8dullCD56+ 'memory-like' NK cells in PBMC of newly diagnosed diabetics. Our data suggest that the NK cell subset could bind the HLA class I GAD65 AA 114-122 pentamer through ILT2 inhibitory receptor. CD107a expression revealed increased degranulation of CD3-CD8dullCD56+ NK cells in GAD65 AA 114-122 and FLU peptide expanded peripheral blood mononuclear cells of diabetics following GAD65 AA 114-122 peptide HLA A*02:01 presentation in respect to the unpulsed condition. CD107a expression was enriched in ILT2 positive NK cells. As opposite to basal conditions where similar percentages of CD3-CD56+ILT2+ cells were detected in diabetics and controls, CD3-CD56+CD107a+ and CD3-CD56+ILT2+CD107a+ cells were significantly increased in T1D PBMC either GAD65 AA 114-122 or FLU peptides stimulated after co-culture with GAD65 AA 114-122 pulsed APCs. As control, healthy donor NK cells showed similar degranulation against both GAD65 AA 114-122 pulsed and unpulsed APCs. The pathogenetic significance of the CD3-CD8dullCD56+ 'memory-like NK cell subset' with increased response upon secondary

  17. Introducing the AAS Astronomy Ambassadors Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gurton, S.; Fienberg, R. T.; Fraknoi, A.; Prather, E. E.

    2013-04-01

    Newly established by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), the Astronomy Ambassadors program is designed to support early-career AAS members with training in resources and techniques for effective outreach to students and/or the public. A pilot Astronomy Ambassadors workshop will be held at the January 2013 AAS meeting. Workshop participants will learn to communicate effectively with public and school audiences; find outreach opportunities and establish ongoing partnerships with local schools, science centers, museums, parks, and/or community centers; reach audiences with personal stories, hands-on activities, and jargon-free language; identify strategies and techniques to improve their presentation skills; gain access to a menu of outreach resources that work in a variety of settings; and become part of an active community of astronomers who do outreach. Applications are welcome from advanced undergraduates (those doing research and committed to continuing in astronomy), graduate students, and postdocs and new faculty in their first two years after receipt of the PhD. We especially encourage applications from members of groups that are presently underrepresented in science.

  18. Outcomes From AAS Hack Day at the 227th AAS Meeting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-01-01

    Editors Note:This is a final post from the 227th AAS Meeting in Kissimmee, FL. This special summary of AAS Hack Day, a meeting of AAS members to collaboratively work on various small projects, was written by Meredith Rawls (@Merrdiff) and was originally posted on astrobites.com.As the 227thAmerican Astronomical Society meeting drew to a close (see highlights from Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4), a group of at least 50 attendees spent Day 4working on small projects fondly called hacks. Thanks to sponsorship from LSST and Northrup Grumman, the industrious hackers werewell-caffeinated and fed so we could devote time and energy toworking in groups on one-day projects.TheHack Day beganat 10am with pitches. Anybody with a project idea was welcome to briefly speak and try to convince others to work with them. Only someideas panned out, but the enthusiasm was palpable. Its not every day you get a full room of astronomers and affiliates eager to spend hours working on fun and useful projects to benefit the community.#hackAAS is getting underway! #aas227 pic.twitter.com/yX7jlOnSCK James R A Davenport (@jradavenport) January 8, 2016Here is a rundown of what we accomplished. Pretty impressive for a single day! Many thanks to fellow astrobiter Erika Nesvold (now at Carnegie DTM; @erikanesvold) whose hack was live-documenting all the other hacks. Her tweets as @astrobites appeared with the #hackaas hashtag, and her notes made this recap post infinitely easier to write.Interested in joining the fun? Sign up for Hack Day at the 2017 JanuaryAAS meeting (its free with meeting registration), and consider applying for the .Astronomy conference this summer.Towards Optimal Session Scheduling:Adrian Price-Whelan (Columbia), David Hogg (NYU), and Scott Idem (AAS) began writing a program to take all submitted abstracts to a conference like AAS and sort them using keywords to avoid scheduling similar talks in parallel sessions. Its impossible to make everyone happy, but minimizing conflicts

  19. DEVELOPMENTAL AND WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS OF ADOLESCENT AAS EXPOSURE ON THE GLUTAMATERGIC SYSTEM IN HAMSTERS

    PubMed Central

    Carrillo, Maria; Ricci, Lesley A.; Melloni, Richard H.

    2011-01-01

    In the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) glutamate activity has been implicated in the modulation of adolescent anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS)-induced aggression. The current study investigated the time course of adolescent AAS-induced neurodevelopmental and withdrawal effects on the glutamatergic system and examined whether these changes paralleled those of adolescent AAS-induced aggression. Glutamate activity in brain areas comprising the aggression circuit in hamsters and aggression were examined following 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of AAS treatment or 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks following the cessation of AAS exposure. In these studies glutamate activity was examined using vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2). The onset of aggression was observed following 2 weeks exposure to AAS and continued to increase showing maximal aggression levels after 4 weeks of AAS treatment. This aggressive phenotype was detected after 2 weeks of withdrawal from AAS. The time-course of AAS-induced changes in latero anterior hypothalamus (LAH)-VGLUT2 closely paralleled increases in aggression. Increases in LAH-VGLUT2 were first detected in animals exposed to AAS for 2 weeks and were maintained up to 3 weeks following the cessation of AAS treatment. AAS treatment also produced developmental and long-term alterations in VGLUT2 expression within other aggression areas. However, AAS-induced changes in glutamate activity within these regions did not coincide with changes in aggression. Together, these data indicate that adolescent AAS treatment leads to alterations in the glutamatergic system in brain areas implicated in aggression control, yet only alterations in LAH-glutamate parallel the time course of AAS-induced changes in the aggressive phenotype. PMID:21500881

  20. Nutritional status survey of aplastic anemia patients--a single center experience in China.

    PubMed

    Li, Xinli; Feng, Yanyan; Wang, Hongyan; Song, Meijuan; Jin, Jingjing; Cui, Zhenzhu; Zheng, Yizhou

    2016-05-01

    To analyze the nutritional status of aplastic anemia (AA) patients. The nutrition-related anthropometric indicators and blood biochemical index of 622 newly-diagnosed AA patients were retrospectively analyzed. Of the cohort of AA patients, body mass index of non-severe AA (NSAA) patients were higher than those of severe AA (SAA) (p<0.05). The serum total protein and albumin protein levels of SAA patients differed from those of NSAA, and lower hemoglobin was correlated with lower serum albumin protein concentration (p<0.01). The concentration of B vitamins (folic acid and vitamin B12) of urban patients significantly differed from rural ones (P<0.01). Of the 97 cases of iron overload (15.6% of the entire patient group), the iron overload rate of SAA patients (19.1%) was much higher than that of NSAA (8.1%). AA patients exhibited malnutrition conditions; it would be helpful to conduct individualized dietary guidance and health education for patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Lack of tolerable treatment options for patients with schizophrenia.

    PubMed

    Citrome, Leslie; Eramo, Anna; Francois, Clement; Duffy, Ruth; Legacy, Susan N; Offord, Steve J; Krasa, Holly B; Johnston, Stephen S; Guiraud-Diawara, Alice; Kamat, Siddhesh A; Rohman, Patricia

    2015-01-01

    Atypical antipsychotics (AAs), an effective treatment for schizophrenia, have a range of pharmacologic properties leading to differences in tolerability as well as heterogeneity in treatment response. Individual patient characteristics must be considered when making treatment choices, especially from an adverse event (AE) or tolerability perspective. Despite the availability of numerous AAs, after appraising patient characteristics at the time of treatment selection, physicians may quickly run out of tolerable treatment options. AE risk factors, defined as having either a prior history of an AE or a risk factor for that AE, were determined for Medicaid-insured and Commercially insured patients using database analysis. Patients receiving AA treatment between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012 defined the index date of first observed AA prescription during this period. Nine AAs were evaluated for association with AE risk factors as informed by drug prescribing information from the different manufacturers and published meta-analyses. The proportion of patients with pre-index AE risk factors prescribed an AA associated with that risk factor was then determined. A high proportion of patients (>80%) were prescribed an AA associated with extrapyramidal symptoms or akathisia despite experiencing extrapyramidal symptoms or akathisia prior to AA treatment initiation. Similar trends were observed among patients with diabetes (>60%) and obesity (>40%). From the nine treatment options available, the number of optimal choices for individual patient segments were limited based on their prior history, including those with cardiometabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities (four); experiencing prolactin elevation-related problems (seven); needing to avoid excessive sedation (four); or at risk of extrapyramidal symptoms or akathisia (two). Options were then further restricted among patients in more than one segment when multiple pre-index AE risk factors were combined. When

  2. The AA genotype of the regulatory BCL2 promoter polymorphism ( 938C>A) is associated with a favorable outcome in lymph node negative invasive breast cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Bachmann, Hagen S; Otterbach, Friedrich; Callies, Rainer; Nückel, Holger; Bau, Maja; Schmid, Kurt W; Siffert, Winfried; Kimmig, Rainer

    2007-10-01

    Expression of the antiapoptotic and antiproliferative protein Bcl-2 has been repeatedly shown to be associated with better clinical outcome in breast cancer. We recently showed a novel regulatory (-938C>A) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the inhibitory P2 BCL2 gene promoter generating significantly different BCL2 promoter activities. Paraffin-embedded neoplastic and nonneoplastic tissues from 274 patients (161 still alive after a follow-up period of at least 80 months) with primary unilateral invasive breast carcinoma were investigated. Bcl-2 expression of tumor cells was shown by immunohistochemistry; nonneoplastic tissues were used for genotyping. Both the Bcl-2 expression and the (-938C>A) genotypes were correlated with the patients' survival. Kaplan-Meier curves revealed a significant association of the AA genotype with increased survival (P = 0.030) in lymph node-negative breast cancer patients, whereas no genotype effect could be observed in lymph node-positive cases. Ten-year survival rates were 88.6% for the AA genotype, 78.4% for the AC genotype, and 65.8% for the CC genotype. Multivariable Cox regression identified the BCL2 (-938CC) genotype as an independent prognostic factor for cancer-related death in lymph node-negative breast carcinoma patients (hazard ratio, 3.59; P = 0.032). Immunohistochemical Bcl-2 expression was significantly associated with the clinical outcome of lymph node-positive but not of lymph node-negative breast cancer patients. In lymph node-negative cases, the (-938C>A) SNP was both significantly related with the immunohistochemically determined level of Bcl-2 expression (P = 0.044) and the survival of patients with Bcl-2-expressing carcinomas (P = 0.006). These results suggest the (-938C>A) polymorphism as a survival prognosticator as well as indicator of a high-risk group within patients with lymph node-negative breast cancer.

  3. 40 CFR Table Aa-2 to Subpart Aa of... - Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 22 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O AA Table AA-2 to Subpart AA of Part 98 Protection of Environment... and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O Fuel Fossil fuel-based emissions...

  4. 40 CFR Table Aa-2 to Subpart Aa of... - Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 21 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O AA Table AA-2 to Subpart AA of Part 98 Protection of Environment... and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O Fuel Fossil fuel-based emissions...

  5. 40 CFR Table Aa-2 to Subpart Aa of... - Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 22 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Kraft Lime Kiln and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O AA Table AA-2 to Subpart AA of Part 98 Protection of Environment... and Calciner Emissions Factors for Fossil Fuel-Based CH4 and N2O Fuel Fossil fuel-based emissions...

  6. Abiraterone acetate, exemestane or the combination in postmenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer†

    PubMed Central

    O'Shaughnessy, J.; Campone, M.; Brain, E.; Neven, P.; Hayes, D.; Bondarenko, I.; Griffin, T. W.; Martin, J.; De Porre, P.; Kheoh, T.; Yu, M. K.; Peng, W.; Johnston, S.

    2016-01-01

    Background Androgen receptor (AR) signaling and incomplete inhibition of estrogen signaling may contribute to metastatic breast cancer (MBC) resistance to a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI; letrozole or anastrozole). We assessed whether combined inhibition of androgen biosynthesis with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone and estradiol synthesis with exemestane (E) may be of clinical benefit to postmenopausal patients with NSAI-pretreated estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) MBC. Patients and methods Patients (N = 297) were stratified by the number of prior therapies for metastatic disease (0–1 versus 2) and by prior NSAI use (adjuvant versus metastatic), and randomized (1 : 1 : 1) to receive oral once daily 1000 mg abiraterone acetate plus 5 mg prednisone (AA) versus AA with 25 mg E (AAE) versus 25 mg E alone (E). Each treatment arm was well balanced with regard to the proportion of patients with AR-positive breast cancer. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included overall survival, clinical benefit rate, duration of response, and overall response rate. Results There was no significant difference in PFS with AA versus E (3.7 versus 3.7 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82–1.60; P = 0.437) or AAE versus E (4.5 versus 3.7 months; HR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.70–1.32; P = 0.794). Increased serum progesterone concentrations were observed in both arms receiving AA, but not with E. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events associated with AA, including hypokalemia and hypertension, were less common in patients in the E (2.0% and 2.9%, respectively) and AA arms (3.4% and 1.1%, respectively) than in the AAE arm (5.8% for both). Conclusions Adding AA to E in NSAI-pretreated ER+ MBC patients did not improve PFS compared with treatment with E. An AA-induced progesterone increase may have contributed to this lack of clinical activity. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01381874. PMID:26504153

  7. An Existential Approach: An Alternative to the AA Model of Recovery

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rogers, Maria A.; Cobia, Debra

    2008-01-01

    Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the most widely used organization for the treatment of alcoholism. AA's philosophy has changed how many people view themselves and their substance use. The majority of substance abuse programs in the United States use the 12 steps, either by making them the basis of their treatment program, or by introducing AA to…

  8. Fecal transmission of AA amyloidosis in the cheetah contributes to high incidence of disease

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Beiru; Une, Yumi; Fu, Xiaoying; Yan, Jingmin; Ge, FengXia; Yao, Junjie; Sawashita, Jinko; Mori, Masayuki; Tomozawa, Hiroshi; Kametani, Fuyuki; Higuchi, Keiichi

    2008-01-01

    AA amyloidosis is one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), which are in danger of extinction, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Given the transmissible characteristics of AA amyloidosis, transmission between captive cheetahs may be a possible mechanism involved in the high incidence of AA amyloidosis. In this study of animals with AA amyloidosis, we found that cheetah feces contained AA amyloid fibrils that were different from those of the liver with regard to molecular weight and shape and had greater transmissibility. The infectious activity of fecal AA amyloid fibrils was reduced or abolished by the protein denaturants 6 M guanidine·HCl and formic acid or by AA immunodepletion. Thus, we propose that feces are a vehicle of transmission that may accelerate AA amyloidosis in captive cheetah populations. These results provide a pathogenesis for AA amyloidosis and suggest possible measures for rescuing cheetahs from extinction. PMID:18474855

  9. Transcriptome profiling of the intoxication response of Tenebrio molitor larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa protoxin.

    PubMed

    Oppert, Brenda; Dowd, Scot E; Bouffard, Pascal; Li, Lewyn; Conesa, Ana; Lorenzen, Marcé D; Toutges, Michelle; Marshall, Jeremy; Huestis, Diana L; Fabrick, Jeff; Oppert, Cris; Jurat-Fuentes, Juan Luis

    2012-01-01

    Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystal (Cry) proteins are effective against a select number of insect pests, but improvements are needed to increase efficacy and decrease time to mortality for coleopteran pests. To gain insight into the Bt intoxication process in Coleoptera, we performed RNA-Seq on cDNA generated from the guts of Tenebrio molitor larvae that consumed either a control diet or a diet containing Cry3Aa protoxin. Approximately 134,090 and 124,287 sequence reads from the control and Cry3Aa-treated groups were assembled into 1,318 and 1,140 contigs, respectively. Enrichment analyses indicated that functions associated with mitochondrial respiration, signalling, maintenance of cell structure, membrane integrity, protein recycling/synthesis, and glycosyl hydrolases were significantly increased in Cry3Aa-treated larvae, whereas functions associated with many metabolic processes were reduced, especially glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and fatty acid synthesis. Microarray analysis was used to evaluate temporal changes in gene expression after 6, 12 or 24 h of Cry3Aa exposure. Overall, microarray analysis indicated that transcripts related to allergens, chitin-binding proteins, glycosyl hydrolases, and tubulins were induced, and those related to immunity and metabolism were repressed in Cry3Aa-intoxicated larvae. The 24 h microarray data validated most of the RNA-Seq data. Of the three intoxication intervals, larvae demonstrated more differential expression of transcripts after 12 h exposure to Cry3Aa. Gene expression examined by three different methods in control vs. Cry3Aa-treated larvae at the 24 h time point indicated that transcripts encoding proteins with chitin-binding domain 3 were the most differentially expressed in Cry3Aa-intoxicated larvae. Overall, the data suggest that T. molitor larvae mount a complex response to Cry3Aa during the initial 24 h of intoxication. Data from this study represent the largest genetic sequence dataset for T. molitor

  10. Transcriptome Profiling of the Intoxication Response of Tenebrio molitor Larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa Protoxin

    PubMed Central

    Oppert, Brenda; Dowd, Scot E.; Bouffard, Pascal; Li, Lewyn; Conesa, Ana; Lorenzen, Marcé D.; Toutges, Michelle; Marshall, Jeremy; Huestis, Diana L.; Fabrick, Jeff; Oppert, Cris; Jurat-Fuentes, Juan Luis

    2012-01-01

    Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crystal (Cry) proteins are effective against a select number of insect pests, but improvements are needed to increase efficacy and decrease time to mortality for coleopteran pests. To gain insight into the Bt intoxication process in Coleoptera, we performed RNA-Seq on cDNA generated from the guts of Tenebrio molitor larvae that consumed either a control diet or a diet containing Cry3Aa protoxin. Approximately 134,090 and 124,287 sequence reads from the control and Cry3Aa-treated groups were assembled into 1,318 and 1,140 contigs, respectively. Enrichment analyses indicated that functions associated with mitochondrial respiration, signalling, maintenance of cell structure, membrane integrity, protein recycling/synthesis, and glycosyl hydrolases were significantly increased in Cry3Aa-treated larvae, whereas functions associated with many metabolic processes were reduced, especially glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and fatty acid synthesis. Microarray analysis was used to evaluate temporal changes in gene expression after 6, 12 or 24 h of Cry3Aa exposure. Overall, microarray analysis indicated that transcripts related to allergens, chitin-binding proteins, glycosyl hydrolases, and tubulins were induced, and those related to immunity and metabolism were repressed in Cry3Aa-intoxicated larvae. The 24 h microarray data validated most of the RNA-Seq data. Of the three intoxication intervals, larvae demonstrated more differential expression of transcripts after 12 h exposure to Cry3Aa. Gene expression examined by three different methods in control vs. Cry3Aa-treated larvae at the 24 h time point indicated that transcripts encoding proteins with chitin-binding domain 3 were the most differentially expressed in Cry3Aa-intoxicated larvae. Overall, the data suggest that T. molitor larvae mount a complex response to Cry3Aa during the initial 24 h of intoxication. Data from this study represent the largest genetic sequence dataset for T. molitor

  11. Comparison of responses evoked by mild indirect cooling and by sound in the forearm vasculature in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease and in normal subjects.

    PubMed

    Mohan, J S; Marshall, J M; Reid, H L; Thomas, P W; Hambleton, I; Serjeant, G R

    1998-02-01

    In normal individuals, novel or noxious stimuli commonly evoke the pattern of the alerting or defence response which includes cutaneous vasoconstriction, but vasodilatation in forearm skeletal muscle. We have compared cardiovascular responses evoked by sound and by indirect cooling in 60 patients with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease and in 30 control subjects with normal haemoglobin genotype (AA). A sound of 90 dB, 1 kHz for 30s evoked an increase in hand and forearm cutaneous vascular resistance (HCVR and FCVR) in SS patients and an increase in HCVR in AA subjects, as assessed from Doppler flowmetry. Meanwhile, a decrease in forearm vascular resistance (FVR) assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography, occurred in 14 out of 30 AA subjects and 25 out of 60 SS patients, indicating vasodilatation in forearm muscle; an increase in FVR occurred in the remainder. The proportions of SS patients and AA subjects who showed an increase in FVR (53% vs 57%) were not significantly different. Cooling increased HCVR and FCVR in SS patients and increased FCVR in AA subjects; a decrease in FVR indicating vasodilatation, occurred in 12 out of 30 AA subjects, but in only 10 out of 60 SS patients. The proportion of SS patients who showed an increase in FVR to cooling was greater than in AA subjects (83% vs 60%, P < 0.05). Thus, SS patients are just as capable of showing the muscle vasodilatation of the alerting response to sound as AA subjects. That few SS patients showed muscle vasodilatation in response to cooling is consistent with the view that reflex vasoconstrictor responses to cooling are particularly strong in SS patients. This, in turn, is consistent with our hypothesis that the reflex vasoconstrictor response to cooling acts as a trigger for the painful crisis of SS disease by diverting blood flow away from active bone marrow.

  12. Patient-specific finite element analysis of ascending aorta aneurysms

    PubMed Central

    Martin, Caitlin; Elefteriades, John

    2015-01-01

    Catastrophic ascending aorta aneurysm (AsAA) dissection and rupture can be prevented by elective surgical repair, but identifying individuals at risk remains a challenge. Typically the decision to operate is based primarily on the overall aneurysm size, which may not be a reliable indicator of risk. In this study, AsAA inflation and rupture was simulated in 27 patient-specific finite element models constructed from clinical CT imaging data and tissue mechanical testing data from matching patients. These patients included n = 8 with concomitant bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), n = 10 with bovine aortic arch (BAA), and n = 10 with neither BAV nor BAA. AsAA rupture risk was found to increase with elevated systolic wall stress and tissue stiffness. The aortic size index was sufficient for identifying the patients with the lowest risk of rupture, but unsuitable for delineating between patients at moderate and high risk. There was no correlation between BAV or BAA and AsAA rupture risk; however, the AsAA morphology was different among these patients. These results support the use of mechanical parameters such as vessel wall stress and tissue stiffness for AsAA presurgical evaluation. PMID:25770248

  13. Comparison of Alternative Androgen Receptor-axis-targeted Agent (ARATA) and Docetaxel as Second-line Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer With Progression After Initial ARATA in Real-world Clinical Practice in Japan.

    PubMed

    Miyake, Hideaki; Sugiyama, Takayuki; Aki, Ryota; Matsushita, Yuto; Tamura, Keita; Motoyama, Daisuke; Ito, Toshiki; Otsuka, Atsushi

    2018-06-01

    The objective of the present study was to assess the oncologic outcomes of patients receiving second-line therapy against metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The present study included 222 consecutive mCRPC patients with progression during initial androgen receptor-axis-targeted agent (ARATA) therapy with either abiraterone acetate (AA) or enzalutamide (Enz). Of these 222 patients, 108 subsequently received an alternative ARATA (AA-to-Enz, n = 49; Enz-to-AA, n = 59) and 114 received docetaxel (DTX; AA-to-DTX, n = 54; Enz-to-DTX, n = 60). The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in the 114 patients receiving DTX was significantly greater than that in the 108 patients receiving ARATA. However, no significant differences were found in the remaining parameters between the 2 groups. The PSA response rate, PSA progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) during second-line therapy in the DTX group (n = 114) were significantly superior to those for the ARATA group (n = 108; PSA response rate, 42.1% vs. 21.3%; median PSA PFS, 7.2 vs. 4.2 months; median OS, 17.5 vs. 14.5 months). Similar trends were confirmed by comparing these outcomes among 4 therapy groups, with significant differences (PSA response rate, Enz-to-AA vs. AA-to-DTX and Enz-to-AA vs. Enz-to-DTX; PSA PFS, AA-to-Enz vs. Enz-to-AA, AA-to-Enz vs. AA-to-DTX, Enz-to-AA vs. AA-to-DTX, and Enz-to-AA vs. Enz-to-DTX; and OS, Enz-to-AA vs. AA-to-DTX and Enz-to-AA vs. Enz-to-DTX). Furthermore, the introduction of DTX was independently associated with improved PSA PFS, but not OS, on multivariate analysis. Favorable oncologic outcomes can be expected with DTX treatment, rather than with alternative ARATA, for mCRPC patients after failure of an initial ARATA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Through-thickness recrystallization characteristics of a laminated AA3xxx–AA6xxx aluminum alloy system

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

    Liao, L.H., E-mail: l2liao@uwaterloo.ca; Jin, H.; Gallerneault, M.

    2015-03-15

    The through-thickness annealing behavior of a laminated AA3xxx–AA6xxx alloy system at 300 °C has been studied by scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction analysis, electron probe micro-analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and hardness measurement. Results show that the recrystallization process starts at the interface region between the AA3xxx (clad) and AA6xxx (core) layers. Subsequently, the recrystallization process front progresses into the core layer, while the clad layer is the last region to recrystallize. It is also found that precipitation precedes recrystallization in the entire laminate at the investigated temperature. The preferential onset of recrystallization at the interface region is attributed tomore » the net driving pressure being the highest in this region. The factors that lead to such enhanced net driving pressure are (a) deformation incompatibility between the two alloy layers, (b) lower solute content of the interface, which also leads to lower volume fraction of precipitates, and (c) an accelerated rate of precipitate coarsening due to the presence of a higher density of dislocations. The gradual progress of recrystallization from the interface towards the core layer is dictated by precipitate coarsening and the dependence of its rate on the density of deformation-induced dislocations. The lower driving pressure due to lower work hardening capacity, high solute drag pressure due to Mn, and additional Zener drag from precipitates that form due to solute redistribution during annealing explain the late initiation of recrystallization in the clad layer. - Highlights: • The through-thickness recrystallization of a laminated system is investigated. • The early onset of recrystallization at the interface is discussed. • The effects of precipitation and coarsening on recrystallization are analyzed.« less

  15. Successful treatment with humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab) in a case of AA amyloidosis complicated by familial Mediterranean fever.

    PubMed

    Hamanoue, Satoshi; Suwabe, Tatsuya; Hoshino, Junichi; Sumida, Keiichi; Mise, Koki; Hayami, Noriko; Sawa, Naoki; Takaichi, Kenmei; Fujii, Takeshi; Ohashi, Kenichi; Yazaki, Masahide; Ikeda, Shuichi; Ubara, Yoshifumi

    2016-07-01

    Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a well-known cause of secondary AA amyloidosis. Colchicine is generally considered to be the most effective treatment for FMF and FMF-associated amyloidosis, but the management of patients who are refractory to colchicine remains controversial. We encountered a 51-year-old Japanese man with suspected FMF, who had periodic fever with abdominal pain, polyarthritis, and nephropathy (serum creatinine of 1.9 mg/dL and 24-h protein excretion of 3.8 g). FMF was diagnosed by mutation analysis of the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene, which revealed that the patient was compound heterozygous for the marenostrin/pyrin variant E148Q/M694I. AA amyloidosis was diagnosed by renal and gastric biopsy. Colchicine was administered, but his arthritis persisted, and serum creatinine increased to 2.4 mg/dL. Therefore, a humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody (tocilizumab) was administered at a dose of 8 mg/kg on a monthly basis. Both arthritis and abdominal pain subsided rapidly, and C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased from 2.5 to 0.0 mg/dL. After 2 years, his serum creatinine was decreased to 1.5 mg/dL and proteinuria was improved to 0.3 g daily. In addition, repeat gastric biopsy showed a marked decrease of AA amyloidosis. This case suggests that tocilizumab could be a new therapeutic option for patients with FMF-associated AA amyloidosis if colchicine is not effective.

  16. Hot tearing studies in AA5182

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    van Haaften, W. M.; Kool, W. H.; Katgerman, L.

    2002-10-01

    One of the major problems during direct chill (DC) casting is hot tearing. These tears initiate during solidification of the alloy and may run through the entire ingot. To study the hot tearing mechanism, tensile tests were carried out in semisolid state and at low strain rates, and crack propagation was studied in situ by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These experimentally induced cracks were compared with hot tears developed in an AA5182 ingot during a casting trial in an industrial research facility. Similarities in the microstructure of the tensile test specimens and the hot tears indicate that hot tearing can be simulated by performing tensile tests at semisolid temperatures. The experimental data were compared with existing hot tearing models and it was concluded that the latter are restricted to relatively high liquid fractions because they do not take into account the existence of solid bridges in the crack.

  17. Perceptions of racism in healthcare among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional study

    PubMed Central

    Vina, Ernest R; Hausmann, Leslie R M; Utset, Tammy O; Masi, Christopher M; Liang, Kimberly P; Kwoh, C Kent

    2015-01-01

    Background Racial disparities in the clinical outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exist. Perceived racial discrimination may contribute to disparities in health. Objectives To determine if perceived racism in healthcare differs by race among patients with SLE and to evaluate its contribution to racial disparities in SLE-related outcomes. Methods 163 African–American (AA) and 180 white (WH) patients with SLE were enrolled. Structured interviews and chart reviews were done to determine perceptions of racism, SLE-related outcomes (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Damage Index, SLE Disease Activity, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D)), and other variables that may affect perceptions of racism. Serial hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models were conducted. Race-stratified analyses were also performed. Results 56.0% of AA patients compared with 32.8% of WH patients had high perceptions of discrimination in healthcare (p<0.001). This difference remained (OR 4.75 (95% CI 2.41 to 8.68)) after adjustment for background, identity and healthcare experiences. Female gender (p=0.012) and lower trust in physicians (p<0.001) were also associated with high perceived racism. The odds of having greater disease damage (SLICC damage index ≥2) were higher in AA patients than in WH patients (crude OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.38)). The odds of having moderate to severe depression (CES-D ≥17) were also higher in AA patients than in WH patients (crude OR 1.94 (95% CI 1.26 to 2.98)). When adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, racial disparities in disease damage and depression were no longer significant. Among AA patients, higher perceived racism was associated with having moderate to severe depression (adjusted OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.43)) even after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Conclusions Perceptions of racism in healthcare were more common in AA patients than in WH

  18. COACTIVATOR ACTIVATOR (CoAA) PREVENTS THE TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVITY OF RUNT DOMAIN TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS

    PubMed Central

    Li, Xiaodong; Hoeppner, Luke H.; Jensen, Eric D.; Gopalakrishnan, Rajaram; Westendorf, Jennifer J.

    2013-01-01

    Runx proteins are essential for a number of developmental processes and are aberrantly expressed in many human cancers. Runx factors bind DNA and co-factors to activate or repress genes crucial for bone formation, hematopoiesis, and neuronal development. Co-activator activator (CoAA) is a nuclear protein that regulates gene expression, RNA splicing and is overexpressed in many human tumors. In this study, we identified CoAA as a Runx2 binding protein. CoAA repressed Runx factor-dependent activation of reporter genes in a histone deacetylase-independent manner. CoAA also blocked Runx2-mediated repression of the Axin2 promoter, a novel Runx target gene. The carboxy-terminus of CoAA is essential for binding the Runt domains of Runx1 and Runx2. In electophoretic mobility shift assays, CoAA inhibited Runx2 interactions with DNA. These data indicate that CoAA is an inhibitor of Runx factors and can negate Runx factor regulation of gene expression. CoAA is expressed at high levels in human fetal osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cell lines. Suppression of CoAA expression by RNA interference reduced osteosarcoma cell viability in vitro, suggesting that it contributes to the proliferation and/or survival of osteoblast lineage cells. PMID:19585539

  19. Levels of Red Blood Cell Fatty Acids in Patients With Psychosis, Their Unaffected Siblings, and Healthy Controls

    PubMed Central

    Medema, Suzanne; Mocking, Roel J. T.; Koeter, Maarten W. J.; Vaz, Frédéric M.; Meijer, Carin; de Haan, Lieuwe; van Beveren, Nico J. M.; Kahn, René; de Haan, Lieuwe; van Os, Jim; Wiersma, Durk; Bruggeman, Richard; Cahn, Wiepke; Meijer, Carin; Myin-Germeys, Inez

    2016-01-01

    Background: Two recent meta-analyses showed decreased red blood cell (RBC) polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) in schizophrenia and related disorders. However, both these meta-analyses report considerable heterogeneity, probably related to differences in patient samples between studies. Here, we investigated whether variations in RBC FA are associated with psychosis, and thus may be an intermediate phenotype of the disorder. Methods: For the present study, a total of 215 patients (87% outpatients), 187 siblings, and 98 controls were investigated for multiple FA analyses. Based on previous studies, we investigated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), nervonic acid (NA), and eicasopentaenoic acid (EPA). On an exploratory basis, a large number of additional FA were investigated. Multilevel mixed models were used to compare the FA between the 3 groups. Results: Compared to controls, both patients and siblings showed significantly increased DHA, DPA, AA, and NA. LA was significantly higher in siblings compared to controls. EPA was not significantly different between the 3 groups. Also the exploratory FA were increased in patients and siblings. Conclusions: We found increased RBC FA DHA, DPA, AA, and NA in patients and siblings compared to controls. The direction of change is similar in both patients and siblings, which may suggest a shared environment and/or an intermediate phenotype. Differences between patient samples reflecting stage of disorder, dietary patterns, medication use, and drug abuse are possible modifiers of FA, contributing to the heterogeneity in findings concerning FA in schizophrenia patients. PMID:26385764

  20. Clinical evaluation for sublingual immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides farinae drops in adult patients with allergic asthma.

    PubMed

    Zhong, C; Yang, W; Li, Y; Zou, L; Deng, Z; Liu, M; Huang, X

    2018-05-01

    The efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in house dust mite-induced allergic asthma (AA) have yet to be firmly established, especially in adult patients. Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy of SLIT with Dermatophagoides farinae drops in adult patients with AA. One hundred and thirty-four adult patient data with house dust mite (HDM)-induced AA who had been treated for 2 years were collected. These patient data that we collected were divided into the SLIT group (n = 85) and control group (n = 49). All patients were treated with low to moderate dose of inhaled glucocorticoid and long-acting β2 agonists. Patients in the SLIT group were further treated with D. farinae drops. Clinical scores including the total asthma symptom score (TASS), total asthma medicine score (TAMS), asthma control test (ACT), and peak flow percentage (PEF%) were assessed before treatment and at yearly visits. The presence of adverse events (AEs) were recorded once a month. Before treatment, the PEF% in the SLIT group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). After 2 years, both treatments were effective in the clinical scores when compared with baseline values (all p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the SLIT group showed significantly lower TASS and TAMS (all p < 0.001) and higher ACT (p < 0.001) and PEF% (p < 0.05) when compared with the control group. No severe systemic AEs were reported. SLIT with D. farinae drops plus pharmacotherapy is more effective than routine drug treatment in adult patients with AA.

  1. Clinical Outcomes from Androgen Signaling-directed Therapy after Treatment with Abiraterone Acetate and Prednisone in Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer: Post Hoc Analysis of COU-AA-302.

    PubMed

    Smith, Matthew R; Saad, Fred; Rathkopf, Dana E; Mulders, Peter F A; de Bono, Johann S; Small, Eric J; Shore, Neal D; Fizazi, Karim; Kheoh, Thian; Li, Jinhui; De Porre, Peter; Todd, Mary B; Yu, Margaret K; Ryan, Charles J

    2017-07-01

    In the COU-AA-302 trial, abiraterone acetate plus prednisone significantly increased overall survival for patients with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Limited information exists regarding response to subsequent androgen signaling-directed therapies following abiraterone acetate plus prednisone in patients with mCRPC. We investigated clinical outcomes associated with subsequent abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (55 patients) and enzalutamide (33 patients) in a post hoc analysis of COU-AA-302. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response was assessed. Median time to PSA progression was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The PSA response rate (≥50% PSA decline, unconfirmed) was 44% and 67%, respectively. The median time to PSA progression was 3.9 mo (range 2.6-not estimable) for subsequent abiraterone acetate plus prednisone and 2.8 mo (range 1.8-not estimable) for subsequent enzalutamide. The majority of patients (68%) received intervening chemotherapy before subsequent abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or enzalutamide. While acknowledging the limitations of post hoc analyses and high censoring (>75%) in both treatment groups, these results suggest that subsequent therapy with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or enzalutamide for patients who progressed on abiraterone acetate is associated with limited clinical benefit. This analysis showed limited clinical benefit for subsequent abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or enzalutamide in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer following initial treatment with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone. This analysis does not support prioritization of subsequent abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or enzalutamide following initial therapy with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Cancer risk in patients with alopecia areata: a nationwide population-based matched cohort study.

    PubMed

    Chen, Chih-Chiang; Chang, Yun-Ting; Liu, Han-Nan; Chen, Yi-Ju

    2018-05-01

    Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disorder. Defective immune system related disorders are prone to increase the risk of cancer formation. However, the association among AA and variety of cancer types had never been studied. A nationwide population-based matched cohort study was conducted to evaluate the cancer risk in patients with AA. Records from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were analyzed. Cases of AA from 1997 to 2013 and cancers registered in the catastrophic illness profile from the same time period were collected. The standard incidence ratio (SIR) of each cancer was calculated. In total, 2099 cancers among 162,499 patients with AA and without prior cancers were identified. The overall cancer risks in AA patients were slightly decreased, especially among male subjects (SIR: 0.89). Refer to individual cancer, the cancer risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (SIR: 0.59), upper GI cancer (SIR: 0.70), liver cancer (SIR: 0.82), uterine, and cervix cancer (SIR: 0.84) were significantly lower in patients with AA. In contrast, AA patients were inclined to have lymphoma, breast cancer, kidney, and urinary bladder cancer with the SIR of 1.55, 2.93, and 2.95, respectively. Age stratified analyses revealed female AA patients younger than 50 years old have even higher risk of breast cancer (SIR: 3.37). Further sensitivity analysis showed similar results after excluding major autoimmune disorders. Cancer risk in AA patients is organ specific, and it is not associated with the underlying autoimmune disorders in patients with AA. © 2018 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  3. AAS 227: Day 1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-01-01

    The mission was featured on the front pages of 450 newspapers worldwide on every single continent (including Antartica!)New Horizons reached the Moon in9 HOURSafter launch (compared to the ~3 days it took the Apollo missions)The mission controllers were aiming for a 100km window of space all the way from EarthThere was a window of ~400seconds which the probe had to arrive within the probe arrived90 seconds early! Putting tardy astronomers everywhere to shame.Charon was the only satellite of Pluto known at the time of the mission proposalThe canyon found on Charon is not only bigger than the Grand Canyon but bigger than Mariner Valley on Mars which is already4000 km (2500 mi) long and reaches depths of up to 7 km (4 mi)!Charons surface. Tectonic feature runs about 1500 km, around 10 km deep. Eat it, Mars. #aas227 pic.twitter.com/blewwJaXEn Danny Barringer (@HeavyFe_H) January 5, 2016The mountains ringing the Sputnik Planum (aka the heart of Pluto) are over 4km high and are snow capped with methane icePlutos mountain ranges. Means surface nitrogen layer is thin, probably water ice according to @AlanStern. #aas227 pic.twitter.com/0yyHZvpBOE Danny Barringer (@HeavyFe_H) January 5, 2016Plutos atmosphere has a dozendistincthaze layers but how they arecreated is a mystery#aas227 hazes on Pluto wow pic.twitter.com/VPx99ZhPj1 Lisa StorrieLombardi (@lisajsl) January 5, 2016Alan also spoke about the future of New Horizons there is a new mission proposal for a fly by of a Kuiper Belt object 2014MU69 in Jan 2019 which should give us a better understanding of this icy frontier at the edge ofthe Solar System. As a parting gift Alan playedthemost gorgeously detailed fly over video of Plutos surface that had all in the room melting into their flip flops. Its safe to say that the whole room is now Pluto-curious and wondering whether a change of discipline is in order!Press Conference: Black Holes and Exoplanets (by Susanna Kohler)This morning marked the first press conference of the meeting

  4. Abiraterone acetate, exemestane or the combination in postmenopausal patients with estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

    PubMed

    O'Shaughnessy, J; Campone, M; Brain, E; Neven, P; Hayes, D; Bondarenko, I; Griffin, T W; Martin, J; De Porre, P; Kheoh, T; Yu, M K; Peng, W; Johnston, S

    2016-01-01

    Androgen receptor (AR) signaling and incomplete inhibition of estrogen signaling may contribute to metastatic breast cancer (MBC) resistance to a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI; letrozole or anastrozole). We assessed whether combined inhibition of androgen biosynthesis with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone and estradiol synthesis with exemestane (E) may be of clinical benefit to postmenopausal patients with NSAI-pretreated estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) MBC. Patients (N = 297) were stratified by the number of prior therapies for metastatic disease (0-1 versus 2) and by prior NSAI use (adjuvant versus metastatic), and randomized (1 : 1 : 1) to receive oral once daily 1000 mg abiraterone acetate plus 5 mg prednisone (AA) versus AA with 25 mg E (AAE) versus 25 mg E alone (E). Each treatment arm was well balanced with regard to the proportion of patients with AR-positive breast cancer. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included overall survival, clinical benefit rate, duration of response, and overall response rate. There was no significant difference in PFS with AA versus E (3.7 versus 3.7 months; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82-1.60; P = 0.437) or AAE versus E (4.5 versus 3.7 months; HR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.70-1.32; P = 0.794). Increased serum progesterone concentrations were observed in both arms receiving AA, but not with E. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-emergent adverse events associated with AA, including hypokalemia and hypertension, were less common in patients in the E (2.0% and 2.9%, respectively) and AA arms (3.4% and 1.1%, respectively) than in the AAE arm (5.8% for both). Adding AA to E in NSAI-pretreated ER+ MBC patients did not improve PFS compared with treatment with E. An AA-induced progesterone increase may have contributed to this lack of clinical activity. NCT01381874. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical

  5. An Analysis of the Rise and Fall of the AA-MAS Policy

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lazarus, Sheryl S.; Thurlow, Martha L.; Ysseldyke, James E.; Edwards, Lynn M.

    2015-01-01

    In 2005, to address concerns about students who might fall in the "gap" between the regular assessment and the alternate assessment based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS), the U.S. Department of Education announced that states could develop alternate assessments based on modified achievement standards (AA-MAS). This article…

  6. The genetic basis of asymptomatic codon 8 frame-shift (HBB:c25_26delAA) β(0) -thalassaemia homozygotes.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Zhihua; Luo, Hong-Yuan; Huang, Shengwen; Farrell, John J; Davis, Lance; Théberge, Roger; Benson, Katherine A; Riolueang, Suchada; Viprakasit, Vip; Al-Allawi, Nasir A S; Ünal, Sule; Gümrük, Fatma; Akar, Nejat; Başak, A Nazli; Osorio, Leonor; Badens, Catherine; Pissard, Serge; Joly, Philippe; Campbell, Andrew D; Gallagher, Patrick G; Steinberg, Martin H; Forget, Bernard G; Chui, David H K

    2016-03-01

    Two 21-year old dizygotic twin men of Iraqi descent were homozygous for HBB codon 8, deletion of two nucleotides (-AA) frame-shift β(0) -thalassaemia mutation (FSC8; HBB:c25_26delAA). Both were clinically well, had splenomegaly, and were never transfused. They had mild microcytic anaemia (Hb 120-130 g/l) and 98% of their haemoglobin was fetal haemoglobin (HbF). Both were carriers of Hph α-thalassaemia mutation. On the three major HbF quantitative trait loci (QTL), the twins were homozygous for G>A HBG2 Xmn1 site at single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7482144, homozygous for 3-bp deletion HBS1L-MYB intergenic polymorphism (HMIP) at rs66650371, and heterozygous for the A>C BCL11A intron 2 polymorphism at rs766432. These findings were compared with those found in 22 other FSC8 homozygote patients: four presented with thalassaemia intermedia phenotype, and 18 were transfusion dependent. The inheritance of homozygosity for HMIP 3-bp deletion at rs66650371 and heterozygosity for Hph α-thalassaemia mutation was found in the twins and not found in any of the other 22 patients. Further studies are needed to uncover likely additional genetic variants that could contribute to the exceptionally high HbF levels and mild phenotype in these twins. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  7. Functional outcomes in African-Americans after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

    PubMed

    DeCastro, G Joel; Jayram, Gautam; Razmaria, Aria; Shalhav, Arieh; Zagaja, Gregory P

    2012-08-01

    Previous studies have demonstrated differences in surgical outcomes after radical prostatectomy based on ethnicity. We compared sexual and urinary outcomes in African-American (AA) patients 6 and 12 months after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with those of non-AA patients. We reviewed our RARP database at our institution for patients with at least 12 months of follow-up. Erectile function was defined using the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index as erections "firm enough for masturbation and foreplay" or "firm enough for intercourse," while urinary continence was defined as being "pad free." Only patients who were potent and pad free preoperatively were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare postoperative potency and urinary pad-free status between AA and non-AA patients while controlling for pertinent demographic, clinical, and pathologic variables. In the urinary continence analysis, 140 AA patients and 576 non-AA patients were included, compared with 105 AAs and 500 non-AA patients who were included in the analysis of sexual function. At 12 months postoperatively, a smaller proportion of AA patients were potent compared with non-AA patients (60% vs 76.4%, P=0.001). Similarly, we found a lower incidence of pad-free status for AA patients at 12 months postoperatively (55.7% vs 69.8%, P=0.039). Similar functional results were found at 6 months postoperatively for both analysis groups. AA men appear to have worse urinary and sexual outcomes at 12 months after RARP compared with non-AA patients. At 6 months, there is no statistically significant difference. Further, longer-term studies are needed to validate these results.

  8. Comparative amino acid digestibility for broiler chickens and White Pekin ducks.

    PubMed

    Kong, C; Adeola, O

    2013-09-01

    A total of 608 three-week-old male broiler chickens and White Pekin ducks were used in a 5-d trial to compare ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility of soybean meal (SBM) and canola meal (CM) using the regression method. A corn-casein-cornstarch-based diet was mixed to contain 15% CP. Cornstarch was replaced with test ingredient (SBM or CM) to contain 18 or 21% of CP in 4 other diets. A nitrogen-free diet (NFD) was used for standardization of apparent digestibility. Birds received a standard starter diet (23% CP) from d 0 to 14 posthatch and then 6 experimental diets for 5 d. On d 19 posthatch, birds were asphyxiated with CO(2), and digesta from the distal section of ileum was collected. The ileal digestibility of AA from the test ingredients was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis using data on daily apparent ileal digestible AA and total AA intakes. The basal endogenous losses of N and all AA for ducks were significantly higher than those for broilers. For ileal AA digestibility by regression of apparent digestible AA intake against AA intake, there was a higher (P < 0.05) digestibility for Cys and Pro in ducks compared with broilers (P < 0.05). Within species, digestibility was not different between SBM and CM except for Lys of ducks, and Lys and Pro of broilers (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed that ducks have higher basal endogenous AA losses compared with broiler chickens as well as higher ileal Cys and Pro digestibility estimates derived from regression approach, indicating that data obtained from broilers should not be used to formulate diets for ducks.

  9. Electric-field-induced plasmon in AA-stacked bilayer graphene

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

    Chuang, Y.C., E-mail: yingchih.chuang@gmail.com; Wu, J.Y., E-mail: yarst5@gmail.com; Lin, M.F., E-mail: mflin@mail.ncku.edu.tw

    2013-12-15

    The collective excitations in AA-stacked bilayer graphene for a perpendicular electric field are investigated analytically within the tight-binding model and the random-phase approximation. Such a field destroys the uniform probability distribution of the four sublattices. This drives a symmetry breaking between the intralayer and interlayer polarization intensities from the intrapair band excitations. A field-induced acoustic plasmon thus emerges in addition to the strongly field-tunable intrinsic acoustic and optical plasmons. At long wavelengths, the three modes show different dispersions and field dependence. The definite physical mechanism of the electrically inducible and tunable mode can be expected to also be present inmore » other AA-stacked few-layer graphenes. -- Highlights: •The analytical derivations are performed by the tight-binding model. •An electric field drives the non-uniformity of the charge distribution. •A symmetry breaking between the intralayer and interlayer polarizations is illustrated. •An extra plasmon emerges besides two intrinsic modes in AA-stacked bilayer graphene. •The mechanism of a field-induced mode is present in AA-stacked few-layer graphenes.« less

  10. The ratio of serum n-3 to n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with diabetes mellitus in patients with prior myocardial infarction: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Masao; Ando, Jiro; Shimada, Kazunori; Nishizaki, Yuji; Tani, Shigemasa; Ogawa, Takayuki; Yamamoto, Masato; Nagao, Ken; Hirayama, Atsushi; Yoshimura, Michihiro; Daida, Hiroyuki; Nagai, Ryozo; Komuro, Issei

    2017-01-26

    In prior myocardial infarction (PMI) patients, diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia, and hypertension increase the risk of secondary cardiovascular events. Although a decreased ratio of serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to arachidonic acid (AA; EPA/AA) has been shown to significantly correlate with the onset of acute coronary syndrome, the associations between polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels and coronary risk factors in PMI patients have not been evaluated thoroughly. This study aimed to assess the associations between PUFAs levels and the risk factors in PMI patients. We enrolled 1733 patients with known PUFA levels who were treated in five divisions of cardiology in a metropolitan area of Japan, including 303 patients with PMI. EPA/AA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to AA level ratio (DHA/AA) in patients with and without PMI were analyzed according to presence of coronary risk factors. Diabetes patients with PMI had significantly lower EPA/AA and DHA/AA than diabetes patients without PMI (EPA/AA: P <0.01; DHA/AA: P =0.003), with no such differences in dyslipidemia and hypertension patients. In DM patients with high high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (>0.1 mg/dL), EPA/AA was low in individuals who also had PMI, whereas DHA/AA was not (EPA/AA, with PMI: 0.43 ± 0.24; without PMI: 0.53 ± 0.30, P < 0.05). Moreover, patients on statins had significantly lower DHA/AA ratios, whereas the EPA/AA ratio did not depend on statin use. Multiple regression analysis revealed that statin use in DM patients was associated with low DHA/AA but not EPA/AA. PMI patients with DM have low EPA/AA and DHA/AA. EPA/AA and DHA/AA are differently related to hs-CRP level in DM patients with PMI. Statin use can potentially affect DHA/AA but not EPA/AA, and therefore EPA/AA ratio is a better marker of assessment for cardiovascular events.

  11. Polyethylene Glycol-3350 (Miralax®)+1.9-L sports drink (Gatorade®)+2 tablets of bisacodyl results in inferior bowel preparation for colonoscopy compared with Polyethylene Glycol-Ascorbic Acid (MoviPrep®).

    PubMed

    Khan, Maqsood Ahmed; Patel, Kevin B; Nooruddin, Mohammed; Swanson, Garth; Fogg, Louis; Keshavarzian, Ali; Brown, Michael

    2018-01-01

    Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-3350, approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only for constipation, combined with 1.9 L of sports drink (SD) (GatoradeR) and bisacodyl (B) is commonly used in outpatient practice for bowel preparation due to cited patient satisfaction and tolerability of this specific regimen. We aim to compare PEG-3350 (MiralaxR) with PEG-AA-based (MoviPrepR) in terms of efficacy, patient satisfaction, and the effects of these two regimen on serum electrolytes. This study is a prospective, single-blinded, block randomized trial comparing single-dose PEG-3350+SD+B to split-dose 2-L PEG-AA in the outpatient endoscopy unit in patients undergoing colonoscopy. Basic metabolic profiles were checked on the day of randomization and on the day of procedure. Patients completed a survey on the day of procedure. Bowel preparation quality was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) by two endoscopists and a nurse present during the procedure. We randomized 150 patients (74 PEG-3350+SD+B and 76 PEG-AA). The PEG-AA group had significantly higher BBPS scores in the right colon by Endoscopist 1, Nurse, and Endoscopist 2 (p 0.005, <0.000, 0.001) and in the left and transverse colon by Nurse and Endoscopist 2 (p 0.004, 0.26, 0.000, 0.006). There was no statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction or change in serum electrolytes between the two groups. Use of single-dose PEG-3350+SD+B results in inferior bowel preparation for colonoscopy compared with split-dose PEGAA and does not provide any advantage in regards to patient satisfaction. We therefore recommend discontinuing the use of PEG 3350 for bowel preparation.

  12. PDGF-AA-induced filamentous mitochondria benefit dermal papilla cells in cellular migration.

    PubMed

    Mifude, C; Kaseda, K

    2015-06-01

    Human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs) play essential roles in hair follicular morphogenesis and postnatal hair growth cycles. Previous reports demonstrated that platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA) enhanced the formation of dermal condensates in hair follicular development. Additionally, PDGF-AA induces/maintains the anagen phase of the hair cycle. It is likely that mitochondrial morphology and functions are tightly coupled with maintenance of these energy-demanding activities. However, little is known about the mitochondrial regulation in HDPCs. Thus, we investigated the PDGF-involved mitochondrial regulation in HDPCs. The mitochondrial morphologies of HDPCs were examined in the presence or absence of PDGF-AA under a fluorescent microscope. ATP production and cellular motility were investigated. The relationship between mitochondrial morphology and the cellular functions was discussed. We observed that primary HDPCs contained mitochondria with filamentous and/or rounded morphologies. Both types of mitochondria showed similar membrane potentials. Interestingly, in the presence of PDGF-AA, but not PDGF-BB, the balance between the two morphologies shifted towards the filamentous form. Concomitantly, both mitochondrial enzymatic activity and total cellular ATP level were augmented by PDGF-AA. These two parameters were closely correlated, suggesting the mitochondrial involvement in the PDGF-augmented ATP production. Moreover, PDGF-AA accelerated the migration of HDPCs in a gap-filling assay, but did not change the rate of cellular proliferation. Notably, filamentous mitochondria dominated migrating HDPCs. PDGF-AA benefits HDPCs in the process of migration, by increasing the number of filamentous mitochondria. © 2014 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.

  13. Prevalence and clinical outcomes of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with aplastic anemia.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Pan; Gao, Qing; He, Qiulian; Tan, Jing

    2017-10-01

    The association of HBV infection with other hematopoietic diseases has been discussed previously. However, the clinical significance and clinical outcomes of HBV infection in AA patients have not been clarified. In this study, we sought to investigate the prevalence and related events of HBV in patients with AA who received immunosuppressive therapy. We retrospectively analyzed 245 patients with acquired AA. The HBsAg positivity rate was 14.69% in this group of AA patients. No significant difference was observed in the severity of AA patients with HBV infection and in those without (P = 0.6358). HBV reactivation occurred in 4.76% of HBsAg-positive patients who received ATG/ALG + CsA treatment without anti-viral prophylaxis. HBV-infected patients who received CsA alone did not develop reactivation. Patients with HBV reactivation showed favorable clinical outcomes, with no HBV-related deaths. There was no significant difference in overall probability of survival in patients with different HBV infection status (P = 0.8617). Given the low rate of reactivation and favorable outcomes after reactivation in AA patients, close monitoring of HBV DNA, hepatic function and patient immune status may be a more effective approach than routine prophylaxis for AA patients with HBV infection undergoing ATG/ALG + CsA treatment. Further studies are warranted to clarify the optimal time to initiate anti-viral treatment.

  14. Independent association between time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir and PSA progression-free survival in patients with docetaxel-naïve, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer receiving abiraterone acetate, but not enzalutamide.

    PubMed

    Miyake, Hideaki; Hara, Takuto; Tamura, Keita; Sugiyama, Takayuki; Furuse, Hiroshi; Ozono, Seiichiro; Fujisawa, Masato

    2017-06-01

    The objective of this study was to compare the prognostic effect of time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir (TTPN) after treatment with abiraterone acetate (AA) and enzalutamide (Enz) in patients with docetaxel-naïve, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This study included a total of 297 consecutive patients with mCRPC, of whom 125 and 172 received AA and Enz, respectively, without previous treatment with docetaxel and subsequently achieved any degree of PSA reduction after the administration of either agent. The mean values of TTPN in the AA and Enz groups were 19 and 14 weeks, respectively. Despite the lack of significant differences in several parameters according to the mean TTPN in the Enz group, patients with TTPN>19 weeks were characterized by longer duration of androgen deprivation therapy, better performance status, lower incidence of bone metastasis, lower value of nadir PSA, and higher incidence of PSA response than those with TTPN ≤19 weeks in the AA group. The PSA progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with TTPN >19 weeks was significantly superior when compared with TTPN ≤19 weeks in the AA group; however, there was no significant effect of the mean TTPN on the PSA-PFS in the Enz group. Furthermore, TTPN was identified as one of the independent predictors of PSA-PFS in the AA group but not in Enz group. A longer time to reach a PSA nadir after treatment with AA, but not Enz, appeared to be associated with favorable disease control in patients with docetaxel-naïve mCRPC. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Six minute walk test predicts long-term all-cause mortality and heart failure rehospitalization in African-American patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure.

    PubMed

    Alahdab, M Tarek; Mansour, Ibrahim N; Napan, Sirikarn; Stamos, Thomas D

    2009-03-01

    The prognostic value of the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) has been described in patients with heart failure (HF); however, limited data are available in an African-American (AA) population. We prospectively evaluated the usefulness of the 6MWT in predicting mortality and HF rehospitalization in AA patients with acute decompensated HF. Two hundred AA patients (63.1% men, mean age 55.7 +/- 12.9 years) with acute decompensated HF were prospectively studied. Patients were followed to assess 40-month all-cause mortality and 18-month HF rehospitalization. The median distance walked on the 6MWT was 213 m. Of the 198 patients with available mortality data, 59 patients (29.8%) died. Of the 191 patients with available rehospitalization data, 114 (59.7%) were rehospitalized for worsening HF. For patients who walked compared with 19% in patients who walked >200 m (P = .001). For patients who walked compared with 52% in those who walked >200 m (P = .027). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that 6MWT distance AA patients hospitalized with acute decompensated HF, 6MWT strongly and independently predicts long-term all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization.

  16. [A review for recent advances in AA amyloid research and therapeutic approach to AA amyloidosis complicating rheumatoid arthritis].

    PubMed

    Tamura, Hiroaki; Hasegawa, Kiminori

    2009-02-01

    AA amyloidosis is a life threatening clinical complication of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. It has been demonstrated biochemically that amyloidosis resulted from abnormal folding of proteins, which are deposited as insoluble fibrils in extracellular tissue, leading to the disruption of their normal function. In this regard, amyloidosis has been recognized as a conformation disorder. Interestingly, genetic polymorphisms of amyloid precursor protein (SAA) have been reported to associate with increased risk for AA amyloidosis. Also recent biochemical research revealed that SAA is synthesized under the influence of the proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1. Additionally, it was suggested that amyloid deposits in extracellular tissue could reflect to the serum level of SAA in the reversible fashion, leading to the hypothesis that the control of the SAA synthesis could be beneficial to the treatment of amyloidosis. In this context, anti-cytokine therapies may be most effective. Especially the inhibition of IL-6 is critical to suppression of SAA production, so treatment with a humanized monoclonal antibody against human IL-6 receptor may not only ameliorate RA disease activity but also pave the way for the treatment of AA amyloidosis.

  17. Comparison of soil pollution concentrations determined using AAS and portable XRF techniques.

    PubMed

    Radu, Tanja; Diamond, Dermot

    2009-11-15

    Past mining activities in the area of Silvermines, Ireland, have resulted in heavily polluted soils. The possibility of spreading pollution to the surrounding areas through dust blow-offs poses a potential threat for the local communities. Conventional environmental soil and dust analysis techniques are very slow and laborious and consequently there is a need for fast and accurate analytical methods, which can provide real-time in situ pollution mapping. Laboratory-based aqua regia acid digestion of the soil samples collected in the area followed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) analysis confirmed very high pollution, especially by Pb, As, Cu, and Zn. In parallel, samples were analyzed using portable X-ray fluorescence radioisotope and miniature tube powered (XRF) NITON instruments and their performance was compared. Overall, the portable XRF instrument gave excellent correlation with the laboratory-based reference AAS method.

  18. Levels of Red Blood Cell Fatty Acids in Patients With Psychosis, Their Unaffected Siblings, and Healthy Controls.

    PubMed

    Medema, Suzanne; Mocking, Roel J T; Koeter, Maarten W J; Vaz, Frédéric M; Meijer, Carin; de Haan, Lieuwe; van Beveren, Nico J M; Kahn, René; de Haan, Lieuwe; van Os, Jim; Wiersma, Durk; Bruggeman, Richard; Cahn, Wiepke; Meijer, Carin; Myin-Germeys, Inez

    2016-03-01

    Two recent meta-analyses showed decreased red blood cell (RBC) polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) in schizophrenia and related disorders. However, both these meta-analyses report considerable heterogeneity, probably related to differences in patient samples between studies. Here, we investigated whether variations in RBC FA are associated with psychosis, and thus may be an intermediate phenotype of the disorder. For the present study, a total of 215 patients (87% outpatients), 187 siblings, and 98 controls were investigated for multiple FA analyses. Based on previous studies, we investigated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), nervonic acid (NA), and eicasopentaenoic acid (EPA). On an exploratory basis, a large number of additional FA were investigated. Multilevel mixed models were used to compare the FA between the 3 groups. Compared to controls, both patients and siblings showed significantly increased DHA, DPA, AA, and NA. LA was significantly higher in siblings compared to controls. EPA was not significantly different between the 3 groups. Also the exploratory FA were increased in patients and siblings. We found increased RBC FA DHA, DPA, AA, and NA in patients and siblings compared to controls. The direction of change is similar in both patients and siblings, which may suggest a shared environment and/or an intermediate phenotype. Differences between patient samples reflecting stage of disorder, dietary patterns, medication use, and drug abuse are possible modifiers of FA, contributing to the heterogeneity in findings concerning FA in schizophrenia patients. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  19. The Alvarado score should be used to reduce emergency department length of stay and radiation exposure in select patients with abdominal pain.

    PubMed

    Coleman, Jamie J; Carr, Bryan W; Rogers, Tyrone; Field, Matthew S; Zarzaur, Ben L; Savage, Stephanie A; Hammer, Peter M; Brewer, Brian L; Feliciano, David V; Rozycki, Grace S

    2018-06-01

    Abdominal pain is the common reason patients seek treatment in emergency departments (ED), and computed tomography (CT) is frequently used for diagnosis; however, length of stay (LOS) in the ED and risks of radiation remain a concern. The hypothesis of this study was the Alvarado score (AS) could be used to reduce CT scans and decrease ED LOS for patients with suspected acute appendicitis (AA). A retrospective review of patients who underwent CT to rule out AA from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, was performed. Patient demographics, medical history, ED documentation, operative interventions, complications, and LOS were all collected. Alvarado score was calculated from the medical record. Time to CT completion was calculated from times the patient was seen by ED staff, CT order, and CT report. Four hundred ninety-two patients (68.1% female; median age, 33 years) met the inclusion criteria. Most CT scans (70%) did not have findings consistent with AA. Median AS for AA on CT scan was 7, compared with 3 for negative CT (p < 0.001). One hundred percent of female patients with AS of 10 and males with AS of 9 or greater had AA confirmed by surgical pathology. Conversely, 5% or less of female patients with AS of 2 or less and 0% of male patients with AS of 1 or less were diagnosed with AA. One hundred six (21.5%) patients had an AS within these ranges and collectively spent 10,239 minutes in the ED from the time of the CT order until the radiologist's report. Males with an AS of 9 or greater and females with AS of 10 should be considered for treatment of AA without imaging. Males with AS of 1 or less and females with AS of 2 or less can be safely discharged with follow-up. Using AS, a significant proportion of patients can avoid the radiation risk, the increased cost, and increased ED LOS associated with CT. Diagnostic IV, therapeutic IV.

  20. Mechanisms of Behavior Change in Alcoholics Anonymous: Does AA lead to better alcohol use outcomes by reducing depression symptoms?

    PubMed Central

    Kelly, John F.; Stout, Robert L.; Magill, Molly; Tonigan, J. Scott; Pagano, Maria E.

    2009-01-01

    Rationale Indices of negative affect, such as depression, have been implicated in stress-induced pathways to alcohol relapse. Empirically-supported continuing care resources, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), emphasize reducing negative affect to reduce relapse risk, but little research has been conducted to examine putative affective mechanisms of AA’s effects. Method Using lagged, controlled, hierarchical linear modeling and mediational analyses this study investigated whether AA participation mobilized changes in depression symptoms and whether such changes explained subsequent reductions in alcohol use. Alcohol dependent adults (N = 1,706), receiving treatment as part of a clinical trial, were assessed at intake, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months. Results Findings revealed elevated levels of depression compared to the general population, which decreased during treatment and then remained stable over follow-up. Greater AA attendance was associated with better subsequent alcohol use outcomes and decreased depression. Greater depression was associated with heavier and more frequent drinking. Lagged, mediation analyses revealed that the effects of AA on alcohol use was partially mediated by reductions in depression symptoms. However, this salutary effect on depression itself appeared to be explained by AA’s proximal effect on reducing concurrent drinking. Conclusions AA attendance was both concurrently and predictively associated with improved alcohol outcomes. Although AA attendance was additionally associated with subsequent improvements in depression, it did not predict such improvements over and above concurrent alcohol use. AA appears to lead both to improvements in alcohol use and psychological and emotional well-being, which, in turn, may reinforce further abstinence and recovery-related change. PMID:20102345

  1. Comparative trial of the use of antiplatelet and oral anticoagulant in thrombosis prophylaxis in patients undergoing total cavopulmonary operation with extracardiac conduit: echocardiographic, tomographic, scintigraphic, clinical and laboratory analysis.

    PubMed

    Pessotti, Cristiane Felix Ximenes; Jatene, Marcelo Biscegli; Jatene, Ieda Biscegli; Oliveira, Patrícia Marques; Succi, Fabiana Moreira Passos; Moreira, Valeria de Melo; Lopes, Rafael Willain; Pedra, Simone Rolim Fernandes Fontes

    2014-01-01

    To compare the efficacy of aspirin and warfarin for prophylaxis of thrombosis in patients undergoing total cavopulmonary anastomosis. Evaluate whether coagulation factors (VII, VIII and protein C), clinical data, fenestration or hemodynamic factors, interfere with postoperative thrombosis. A prospective, randomized study of 30 patients, randomized into Group I (Warfarin) and Group II (AAS), underwent total cavopulmonary shunt with extracardiac conduit, between 2008 and 2011, with follow-up by clinical visits to evaluate side effects and adhesion. Performed transesophageal echocardiography in post operatory time, 3, 6,12 and 24 months; angiotomography at 6, 12 and 24 months to evaluate changes in the internal tube wall or thrombi and pulmonary scintigraphy to evaluate possible PTE. Two deaths in group I; 33.3% of patients had thrombus (46.7% in Group II). The previous occurrence of thrombus and low levels of coagulation protein C were the only factors that influenced the time free of thrombus (P=0.035 and 0.047). Angiotomographic evaluation: 35.7% in group II presented material accumulation greater than 2 mm (P=0.082). Scintigraphy: two patients had PTE in group II. Five patients had difficulty to comply with the treatment, 4 in group I with INR ranging from 1 to 6.4. The previous occurrence of thrombus is a risk factor for thrombosis in the postoperative period. Patients using AAS tend to deposit material in the tube wall. The small sample size did not allow to conclude which is the most effective drug in the prevention of thrombosis in this population.

  2. Evaluation of a rapid agglutination method for detection of equine red cell surface antigens (Ca and Aa) as part of pretransfusion testing.

    PubMed

    Owens, Sean D; Snipes, Joy; Magdesian, K Gary; Christopher, Mary M

    2008-03-01

    and Aa antigens using equine-derived antisera. This technique may be beneficial for pretransfusion testing of equine patients in an emergency setting.

  3. Identification of AaCASPS7, an effector caspase in Aedes albopictus.

    PubMed

    Feng, Lingyan; Liu, Hao; Li, Xiaomei; Qiao, Jialu; Wang, Shengya; Guo, Deyin; Liu, Qingzhen

    2016-11-15

    Aedes albopictus mosquito is a vector of various arboviruses and is becoming a significant threat to public health due to its rapid global expansion. Several reports suggest that apoptosis could be a factor limiting arbovirus infection in mosquitoes. Thus, it is significant to identify apoptosis pathway and study the correlation between apoptosis and virus infection in mosquitoes. Apoptosis is a type of programmed cell death that plays a vital role in immunity, development, and tissue homeostasis. Caspases are a family of conserved proteases playing important roles in apoptosis. In this study, we identified Aedes albopictus AaCASPS7, a caspase shared high identity with dipteran insect drICE orthologs. Phylogenetic analysis showed the closest relative of AaCASPS7 was Aedes aegypti AeCASPS7. AaCASPS7 displayed several features that were typical of an effector caspase and showed significant activity to effector caspase substrates. Aacasps7 transcripts were expressed ubiquitously in developmental and adult stages in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Transient expression of AaCASPS7 induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in C6/36 cells. Taken together the above data, this study identified a novel caspase, AaCASPS7, which might function as an apoptotic caspase. Further study the function of AaCASPS7 would facilitate better understanding the apoptotic mechanism in Aedes albopictus mosquito. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Systemic AA amyloidosis in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes).

    PubMed

    Rising, Anna; Cederlund, Ella; Palmberg, Carina; Uhlhorn, Henrik; Gaunitz, Stefan; Nordling, Kerstin; Ågren, Erik; Ihse, Elisabet; Westermark, Gunilla T; Tjernberg, Lars; Jörnvall, Hans; Johansson, Jan; Westermark, Per

    2017-11-01

    Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis occurs spontaneously in many mammals and birds, but the prevalence varies considerably among different species, and even among subgroups of the same species. The Blue fox and the Gray fox seem to be resistant to the development of AA amyloidosis, while Island foxes have a high prevalence of the disease. Herein, we report on the identification of AA amyloidosis in the Red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Edman degradation and tandem MS analysis of proteolyzed amyloid protein revealed that the amyloid partly was composed of full-length SAA. Its amino acid sequence was determined and found to consist of 111 amino acid residues. Based on inter-species sequence comparisons we found four residue exchanges (Ser31, Lys63, Leu71, Lys72) between the Red and Blue fox SAAs. Lys63 seems unique to the Red fox SAA. We found no obvious explanation to how these exchanges might correlate with the reported differences in SAA amyloidogenicity. Furthermore, in contrast to fibrils from many other mammalian species, the isolated amyloid fibrils from Red fox did not seed AA amyloidosis in a mouse model. © 2017 The Protein Society.

  5. Changes in depression mediate the effects of AA attendance on alcohol use outcomes.

    PubMed

    Wilcox, Claire E; Tonigan, J Scott

    2018-01-01

    Depression may contribute to increased drinking in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Although Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) attendance predicts drinking reductions, there is conflicting information regarding the intermediary role played by reductions in depression. We explored whether AA attendance reduces depressive symptoms, the degree to which improvement in depression results in reductions in drinking, and in which subgroups these effects occur. 253 early AA affiliates (63% male) were recruited and assessed at baseline 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and was administered at baseline 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. AA attendance and alcohol use outcomes were obtained with the Form 90. Mediation analyses were performed at early (3, 6, and 9 months) and late (12, 18, and 24 months) follow-up to investigate the degree to which reductions in depression mediated the effect of AA attendance on drinking, controlling for concurrent drinking. In addition, a series of moderated mediation analyses were performed using baseline depression severity as a moderator. At early follow-up, reductions in depression (6 months) mediated the effects of AA attendance (3 months) on later drinking (drinks per drinking day) (9 months) (b = -0.02, boot CI [-0.055, -0.0004]), controlling for drinking at 6 months. Baseline depression severity did not moderate the degree to which BDI mediated the effects of AA attendance on alcohol use (ps > .05). These findings provide further evidence that depression reduction is a mechanism by which AA attendance leads to reductions in alcohol use. Improving depression may help reduce alcohol use in individuals with AUD, and AA attendance may be an effective way to achieve that goal.

  6. Overexpression of AaWRKY1 Leads to an Enhanced Content of Artemisinin in Artemisia annua.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Weimin; Fu, Xueqing; Pan, Qifang; Tang, Yueli; Shen, Qian; Lv, Zongyou; Yan, Tingxiang; Shi, Pu; Li, Ling; Zhang, Lida; Wang, Guofeng; Sun, Xiaofen; Tang, Kexuan

    2016-01-01

    Artemisinin is an effective component of drugs against malaria. The regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis is at the forefront of artemisinin research. Previous studies showed that AaWRKY1 can regulate the expression of ADS, which is the first key enzyme in artemisinin biosynthetic pathway. In this study, AaWRKY1 was cloned, and it activated ADSpro and CYPpro in tobacco using dual-LUC assay. To further study the function of AaWRKY1, pCAMBIA2300-AaWRKY1 construct under 35S promoter was generated. Transgenic plants containing AaWRKY1 were obtained, and four independent lines with high expression of AaWRKY1 were analyzed. The expression of ADS and CYP, the key enzymes in artemisinin biosynthetic pathway, was dramatically increased in AaWRKY1-overexpressing A. annua plants. Furthermore, the artemisinin yield increased significantly in AaWRKY1-overexpressing A. annua plants. These results showed that AaWRKY1 increased the content of artemisinin by regulating the expression of both ADS and CYP. It provides a new insight into the mechanism of regulation on artemisinin biosynthesis via transcription factors in the future.

  7. The Effectiveness of the AAS REU Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hemenway, M. K.; Boyce, P. B.; Milkey, R. W.

    1996-05-01

    In an attempt to address the particular needs of astronomy faculty and undergraduate students, in 1991 the Education Office of the American Astronomical Society approached the National Science Foundation with a unique proposal for funding through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. The goals of the AAS program were to "slow the hemorrhage of students out of science...", extend the REU program to non-NSF-funded scientists, to reach under-represented women and minority students particularly in small educational institutions, and to encourage research scientists there to mentor students. As this grant has now expired, the AAS has surveyed the 44 mentors and their students to assess the program's effect on the mentor and the mentor's career; the educational institution; and the student's education and career choices. More than half the mentors responded by the abstract deadline. The program clearly had an effect upon the individuals involved. The greatest effect (in 85% of the cases) was to develop more interest in the mentor's research project both among the students and among the mentor's faculty colleagues. The mentors rated the grant to be a medium or strong factor in their student's decision to pursue graduate study, which 90% of them did. All but one of the AAS-REU students attended an AAS meeting and 3/4 of those gave a paper on their project research. Over 90% of the mentors felt that the research experience strongly promoted a greater interest in science, a greater understanding of science and a desire to continue in science. According to the mentors, this was a very positive and beneficial program for the students as well as for themselves.

  8. Deficient Adipogenesis of Scleroderma Patient and Healthy African American Monocytes

    PubMed Central

    Lee, Rebecca; Reese, Charles; Carmen-Lopez, Gustavo; Perry, Beth; Bonner, Michael; Zemskova, Marina; Wilson, Carole L.; Helke, Kristi L.; Silver, Richard M.; Hoffman, Stanley; Tourkina, Elena

    2017-01-01

    Monocytes from systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) patients and healthy African Americans (AA) are deficient in the regulatory protein caveolin-1 leading to enhanced migration toward chemokines and fibrogenic differentiation. While dermal fibrosis is the hallmark of SSc, loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue is a lesser-known feature. To better understand the etiology of SSc and the predisposition of AA to SSc, we studied the adipogenic potential of SSc and healthy AA monocytes. The ability of SSc and healthy AA monocytes to differentiate into adipocyte-like cells (ALC) is inhibited compared to healthy Caucasian (C) monocytes. We validated that monocyte-derived ALCs are distinct from macrophages by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Like their enhanced fibrogenic differentiation, their inhibited adipogenic differentiation is reversed by the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide (CSD, a surrogate for caveolin-1). The altered differentiation of SSc and healthy AA monocytes is additionally regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) which is also present at reduced levels in these cells. In vivo studies further support the importance of caveolin-1 and PPARγ in fibrogenesis and adipogenesis. In SSc patients, healthy AA, and mice treated systemically with bleomycin, adipocytes lose caveolin-1 and PPARγ and the subcutaneous adipose layer is diminished. CSD treatment of these mice leads to a reappearance of the caveolin-1+/PPARγ+/FABP4+ subcutaneous adipose layer. Moreover, many of these adipocytes are CD45+, suggesting they are monocyte derived. Tracing experiments with injected EGFP+ monocytes confirm that monocytes contribute to the repair of the adipose layer when it is damaged by bleomycin treatment. Our observations strongly suggest that caveolin-1 and PPARγ work together to maintain a balance between the fibrogenic and adipogenic differentiation of monocytes, that this balance is altered in SSc and in healthy AA, and that monocytes

  9. Normal Muscle Oxygen Consumption and Fatigability in Sickle Cell Patients Despite Reduced Microvascular Oxygenation and Hemorheological Abnormalities

    PubMed Central

    Waltz, Xavier; Pichon, Aurélien; Lemonne, Nathalie; Mougenel, Danièle; Lalanne-Mistrih, Marie-Laure; Lamarre, Yann; Tarer, Vanessa; Tressières, Benoit; Etienne-Julan, Maryse; Hardy-Dessources, Marie-Dominique; Hue, Olivier; Connes, Philippe

    2012-01-01

    Background/Aim Although it has been hypothesized that muscle metabolism and fatigability could be impaired in sickle cell patients, no study has addressed this issue. Methods We compared muscle metabolism and function (muscle microvascular oxygenation, microvascular blood flow, muscle oxygen consumption and muscle microvascular oxygenation variability, which reflects vasomotion activity, maximal muscle force and local muscle fatigability) and the hemorheological profile at rest between 16 healthy subjects (AA), 20 sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease (SC) patients and 16 sickle cell anemia (SS) patients. Results Muscle microvascular oxygenation was reduced in SS patients compared to the SC and AA groups and this reduction was not related to hemorhelogical abnormalities. No difference was observed between the three groups for oxygen consumption and vasomotion activity. Muscle microvascular blood flow was higher in SS patients compared to the AA group, and tended to be higher compared to the SC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that muscle oxygen consumption was independently associated with muscle microvascular blood flow in the two sickle cell groups (SC and SS). Finally, despite reduced muscle force in sickle cell patients, their local muscle fatigability was similar to that of the healthy subjects. Conclusions Sickle cell patients have normal resting muscle oxygen consumption and fatigability despite hemorheological alterations and, for SS patients only, reduced muscle microvascular oxygenation and increased microvascular blood flow. Two alternative mechanisms can be proposed for SS patients: 1) the increased muscle microvascular blood flow is a way to compensate for the lower muscle microvascular oxygenation to maintain muscle oxygen consumption to normal values or 2) the reduced microvascular oxygenation coupled with a normal resting muscle oxygen consumption could indicate that there is slight hypoxia within the muscle which is not sufficient to limit

  10. Normal muscle oxygen consumption and fatigability in sickle cell patients despite reduced microvascular oxygenation and hemorheological abnormalities.

    PubMed

    Waltz, Xavier; Pichon, Aurélien; Lemonne, Nathalie; Mougenel, Danièle; Lalanne-Mistrih, Marie-Laure; Lamarre, Yann; Tarer, Vanessa; Tressières, Benoit; Etienne-Julan, Maryse; Hardy-Dessources, Marie-Dominique; Hue, Olivier; Connes, Philippe

    2012-01-01

    Although it has been hypothesized that muscle metabolism and fatigability could be impaired in sickle cell patients, no study has addressed this issue. We compared muscle metabolism and function (muscle microvascular oxygenation, microvascular blood flow, muscle oxygen consumption and muscle microvascular oxygenation variability, which reflects vasomotion activity, maximal muscle force and local muscle fatigability) and the hemorheological profile at rest between 16 healthy subjects (AA), 20 sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease (SC) patients and 16 sickle cell anemia (SS) patients. Muscle microvascular oxygenation was reduced in SS patients compared to the SC and AA groups and this reduction was not related to hemorhelogical abnormalities. No difference was observed between the three groups for oxygen consumption and vasomotion activity. Muscle microvascular blood flow was higher in SS patients compared to the AA group, and tended to be higher compared to the SC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that muscle oxygen consumption was independently associated with muscle microvascular blood flow in the two sickle cell groups (SC and SS). Finally, despite reduced muscle force in sickle cell patients, their local muscle fatigability was similar to that of the healthy subjects. Sickle cell patients have normal resting muscle oxygen consumption and fatigability despite hemorheological alterations and, for SS patients only, reduced muscle microvascular oxygenation and increased microvascular blood flow. Two alternative mechanisms can be proposed for SS patients: 1) the increased muscle microvascular blood flow is a way to compensate for the lower muscle microvascular oxygenation to maintain muscle oxygen consumption to normal values or 2) the reduced microvascular oxygenation coupled with a normal resting muscle oxygen consumption could indicate that there is slight hypoxia within the muscle which is not sufficient to limit mitochondrial respiration but increases muscle

  11. Significant association between renal function and area of amyloid deposition in kidney biopsy specimens in both AA amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis and AL amyloidosis.

    PubMed

    Kuroda, Takeshi; Tanabe, Naohito; Hasegawa, Eriko; Wakamatsu, Ayako; Nozawa, Yukiko; Sato, Hiroe; Nakatsue, Takeshi; Wada, Yoko; Ito, Yumi; Imai, Naofumi; Ueno, Mitsuhiro; Nakano, Masaaki; Narita, Ichiei

    2017-06-01

    The kidney is a major target organ for systemic amyloidosis, which results in proteinuria and an elevated serum creatinine level. The clinical manifestations and precursor proteins of amyloid A (AA) and light-chain (AL) amyloidosis are different, and the renal damage due to amyloid deposition also seems to differ. The purpose of this study was to clarify haw the difference in clinical features between AA and AL amyloidosis are explained by the difference in the amount and distribution of amyloid deposition in the renal tissues. A total of 119 patients participated: 58 patients with an established diagnosis of AA amyloidosis (AA group) and 61 with AL amyloidosis (AL group). We retrospectively investigated the correlation between clinical data, pathological manifestations, and the area occupied by amyloid in renal biopsy specimens. In most of the renal specimens the percentage area occupied by amyloid was less than 10%. For statistical analyses, the percentage area of amyloid deposition was transformed to a common logarithmic value (Log 10 %amyloid). The results of sex-, age-, and Log 10 %amyloid-adjusted analyses showed that systolic blood pressure (SBP) was higher in the AA group. In terms of renal function parameters, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance (Ccr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) indicated significant renal impairment in the AA group, whereas urinary protein indicated significant renal impairment in the AL group. Pathological examinations revealed amyloid was predominantly deposited at glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and easily transferred to the mesangial area in the AA group, and it was predominantly deposited at in the AL group. The degree of amyloid deposition in the glomerular capillary was significantly more severe in AL group. The frequency of amyloid deposits in extraglomerular mesangium was not significantly different between the two groups, but in AA group, the degree amyloid deposition was significantly more severe, and

  12. Polymorphisms of genes encoding tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, cluster of differentiation-14 and interleukin-1ra in critically ill patients.

    PubMed

    Surbatovic, Maja; Grujic, Krasimirka; Cikota, Bojana; Jevtic, Miodrag; Filipovic, Nikola; Romic, Predrag; Strelic, Natasa; Magic, Zvonko

    2010-09-01

    The aim of the study was to determine whether distributions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α(308), interleukin (IL)-10(1082), CD14(159), and IL-1ra gene intron 2 genotypes in critically ill patients are associated with outcome, underlying cause of sepsis, and type of microorganism. Blood samples from 106 critically ill white patients were genotyped by method based on polymerase chain reaction for TNF-α(308), IL-10(1082), CD14(159), and IL-1ra gene intron 2. All patients with TNF-α(308)AA genotype survived; relative risk (RR) of death in patients with AG was 3.250 and with GG, 1.923 (P < .01). In patients with Gram-positive sepsis, IL-10(1082)AA and then AG genotypes were the most frequent ones (odds ratio [OR], 18.67 and 7.20, respectively; P < .01). When comparing IL-10(1082)AA with AG, RR of pancreatitis was 1.80 and OR was 3.40. When AA and GG were compared, RR was 7.33 and OR was 20.00. In patients with GG, RR of peritonitis was 4.07 and OR was 5.88 (P < .01). In patients with Gram-positive sepsis, CD14(159)CT was the most frequent one with OR of 5.25. Distribution of 6 IL-1ra gene intron 2 genotypes showed no significant association. Distribution of TNF-α(308) genotypes is associated with outcome, IL-10(1082) with type of microorganism and underlying cause of sepsis, and CD14(159) with type of microorganism. Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  13. Identifying a typology of men who use anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS).

    PubMed

    Zahnow, Renee; McVeigh, Jim; Bates, Geoff; Hope, Vivian; Kean, Joseph; Campbell, John; Smith, Josie

    2018-05-01

    Despite recognition that the Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) using population is diverse, empirical studies to develop theories to conceptualise this variance in use have been limited. In this study, using cluster analysis and multinomial logistic regression, we identify typologies of people who use AAS and examine variations in motivations for AAS use across types in a sample of 611 men who use AAS. The cluster analysis identified four groups in the data with different risk profiles. These groups largely reflect the ideal types of people who use AAS proposed by Christiansen et al. (2016): Cluster 1 (You Only Live Once (YOLO) type, n = 68, 11.1%) were younger and motivated by fat loss; Cluster 2 (Well-being type, n = 236, 38.6%) were concerned with getting fit; Cluster 3 (Athlete type, n = 155, 25.4%) were motivated by muscle and strength gains; Cluster 4 (Expert type, n = 152, 24.9%) were focused on specific goals (i.e. not 'getting fit'). The results of this study demonstrate the need to make information about AAS accessible to the general population and to inform health service providers about variations in motivations and associated risk behaviours. Attention should also be given to ensuring existing harm minimisation services are equipped to disseminate information about safe intra-muscular injecting and ensuring needle disposal sites are accessible to the different types. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Accuracy Test of the OPLS-AA Force Field for Calculating Free Energies of Mixing and Comparison with PAC-MAC

    PubMed Central

    2017-01-01

    We have calculated the excess free energy of mixing of 1053 binary mixtures with the OPLS-AA force field using two different methods: thermodynamic integration (TI) of molecular dynamics simulations and the Pair Configuration to Molecular Activity Coefficient (PAC-MAC) method. PAC-MAC is a force field based quasi-chemical method for predicting miscibility properties of various binary mixtures. The TI calculations yield a root mean squared error (RMSE) compared to experimental data of 0.132 kBT (0.37 kJ/mol). PAC-MAC shows a RMSE of 0.151 kBT with a calculation speed being potentially 1.0 × 104 times greater than TI. OPLS-AA force field parameters are optimized using PAC-MAC based on vapor–liquid equilibrium data, instead of enthalpies of vaporization or densities. The RMSE of PAC-MAC is reduced to 0.099 kBT by optimizing 50 force field parameters. The resulting OPLS-PM force field has a comparable accuracy as the OPLS-AA force field in the calculation of mixing free energies using TI. PMID:28418655

  15. Cytogenetic study is not essential in patients with aplastic anemia

    PubMed Central

    Dutta, Atreyee; De, Rajib; Dolai, Tuphan K; Mitra, Pradip K; Halder, Ajanta

    2017-01-01

    Depending on contemporary treatment approach of aggressive immunosuppression, Aplastic Anemia (AA) is caused by immunological destruction of otherwise normal hematopoietic stem cells. The aim was to summarize the cytogenetic abnormalities in AA patients and the frequency of Fanconi Anemia (FA) in morphologically normal AA patients in eastern India. Ethical clearances were obtained from both institutions involved in this study. Out of 72800 patients attending the outpatient department, 520 pancytopenia patients were screened for AA after Bone marrow (BM) aspiration and biopsy. Samples were collected from 117 cases in 3 phases. 51 peripheral venous blood (PVB) samples in the first phase, 19 BM & PVB paired samples in the second phase and 47 BM samples in third phase were collected followed by leukocyte and/or BM stem cell culture. Next GTG banding and karyotyping were performed. PVB was collected from 63 (< 50 years) AA patients and stress cytogenetics was done to diagnose FA. In the first phase of the study, out of 51 PVB samples, 1 (1.96%) showed a unique chromosomal abnormality, i.e. 45,XY,rob(14:21)(p10:q10)[20]. In the second phase of study, among 19 BM & PVB paired samples, 1 (5.26%) showed abnormal karyotype i.e. 45,X,-Y[3]/46,XY[47]. In the third phase of the study, 47 BM samples showed normal karyotype. Only 6 (9.52%) cases were found positive for stress cytogenetics. A negligible percentage showing cytogenetic abnormality in such a considerable number of AA cases indicates that routine cytogenetic analysis of AA patient is not essential. A significant percentage was positive for stress cytogenetics; suggestive for FA, even the patients were morphologically normal. PMID:29181263

  16. Reverse association of omega-3/omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratios with carotid atherosclerosis in patients on hemodialysis.

    PubMed

    Umemoto, Norio; Ishii, Hideki; Kamoi, Daisuke; Aoyama, Toru; Sakakibara, Takashi; Takahashi, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Akihito; Yasuda, Yoshinari; Suzuki, Susumu; Matsubara, Tatsuaki; Murohara, Toyoaki

    2016-06-01

    Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are widely recognized to have beneficial effects against cardiovascular disease. We investigated the association of n-3 PUFAs levels with carotid atherosclerosis in patients on hemodialysis (HD), who are at high risk for cardiovascular events. Carotid ultra-sound was performed in a total of 461 patients on HD (male 67%, age 67 ± 12years, diabetes rate 46%). Intima-media thickness (IMT) and the plaque score (PS) in carotid arteries were measured. Carotid atherosclerosis was defined as IMT >1.2 mm and/or PS > 5.0. The levels of n-6 PUFAs [dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHLA) and arachidonic acid (AA)] and n-3 PUFAs [eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] were also measured prior to carotid ultra-sound. Carotid atherosclerosis was observed in 94 patients (20.4%). Individual PUFAs levels were comparable between patients with and without carotid atherosclerosis. However, the ratio of EPA/AA and that of n-3/n-6 PUFAs were significantly lower in patients with carotid atherosclerosis compared to those without (median 0.36 vs. 0.41, p = 0.031 and 0.85 vs. 0.93, p = 0.041, respectively]. After adjustment for other confounders, the ratio of EPA/AA (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.12-0.70, p = 0.0055) and the ratio of n-3/n-6 PUFAs (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.80, p = 0.0066) showed an independent reverse association with carotid atherosclerosis. In addition, the area under receiver-operating characteristic curves for carotid atherosclerosis was significantly greater in an established risk model with EPA/AA and n-3/n-6 ratios than in the established risk model alone. These data suggest that low ratios of both EPA/AA ratio and n-3/n-6 PUFAs were closely associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients on HD. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. AAS 227: Day 3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-01-01

    many orbits has made it a powerhouse for learning about the temperatures, atmospheres, and orbits of exoplanets. The list of examples that Fazio provided included the first global temperature map of an exoplanet (HD 189733b), the detection of the closest transiting exoplanet (HD 219134b), and the measurement of thermal emission from a super-Earth (55 Cnc e). Spitzers large distance from the Earth (specifically, the ground-based telescopes on Earth) even allowed astronomers to observe an exoplanet via gravitational microlensing using a special technique called space-based parallax.Spitzer has also been extremely useful for observing everything from Solar System scales (such as the enormous infrared dust ring around Saturn) to galactic structures. Comparing images of galaxies observed at visible wavelengths with Spitzer images of the same galaxies at infrared wavelengths has allowed us to probe the structure and composition of galaxies at a new level.Astronomers have also used Spitzer to explore the evolution of stars. Thanks to its infrared detectors, Spitzer can look through large clouds of dust that are opaque at visible wavelengths, and observe young stellar objects in their birth environments. Cosmologists can use Spitzer to study the early universe and the formation of galaxies over twelve billion years ago. Fazio used all of these examples and more to demonstrate that Spitzer has truly changed our understanding of the universe.Climate Change for Astronomers (Meredith Rawls)Every astronomer at #aas227 wants to learn about climate change! WOW this room is ridiculously full. pic.twitter.com/ud9an0gLJG Meredith Rawls (@merrdiff) January 7, 2016The second half of the session was a presentation by Doug Duncan featuring an activity from his 101-level college course. He uses climate change as a way to teach critical thinking and scientific reasoning. Members of the audience were walked through an exercise that included interpreting plots of changing surface temperatures

  18. AAS Oral History Project - Seeking Planetary Scientist

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Buxner, Sanlyn; Holbrook, Jarita

    2016-10-01

    Now in its fourth year, the AAS Oral History Project has interviewed over 100 space scientists from all over the world. Led by the AAS Historical Astronomy Division (HAD) and partially funded by the American Institute of Physics Niels Bohr Library and ongoing support from the AAS, volunteers have collected oral histories from space scientists at professional meetings starting in 2015, including AAS, DPS, and the IAU general assembly. Each interview lasts one and a half to two hours and focuses on interviewees' personal and professional lives. Questions include those about one's family, childhood, strong influences on one's scientific career, career path, successes and challenges, perspectives on how astronomy is changing as a field, and advice to the next generation. Each interview is audio recorded and transcribed, the content of which is checked with each interviewee. Once complete, interview transcripts are posted online as part of a larger oral history library at https://www.aip.org/history-programs/niels-bohr-library/oral-histories. We will present preliminary analysis of those interviewed including characterizing career status, age range, nationality, and primary field. Additionally, we will discuss trends beginning to emerge in analysis of participants' responses about data driven science and advice to the next generation. Future analysis will reveal a rich story of space scientists and will help the community address issues of diversity, controversies, and the changing landscape of science. We are actively recruiting individuals to be interviewed at this meeting from all stages of career from undergraduate students to retired and emeritus astronomers. We are especially interested in interviewing 40+E members of DPS. Contact Sanlyn Buxner to schedule an interview or to find out more information about the project (buxner@psi.edu). Contact Jarita Holbrook if you would like to become an interviewer for the project (astroholbrook@gmail.com).

  19. Effects of NOS1AP rs12742393 polymorphism on repaglinide response in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    PubMed

    Wang, Tao; Wang, Yan; Lv, Dong-Mei; Song, Jin-Fang; Lu, Qian; Gao, Xing; Zhang, Fan; Guo, Hao; Li, Wei; Yin, Xiao-Xing

    2014-02-01

    To investigate the associations of NOS1AP rs12742393 polymorphism with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and repaglinide therapeutic efficacy in Chinese patients with T2DM. Prospective case-control study. Academic medical center. A total of 300 patients with T2DM and 200 healthy volunteers were enrolled to identify NOS1AP rs12742393 genotypes using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Eighty-four patients with various genotypes were randomly selected to receive oral repaglinide as a single-agent therapy (3 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c , fasting serum insulin (FINS), postprandial serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol tests were obtained before and after repaglinide treatment. The risk C allelic frequency of NOS1AP rs12742393 was higher in patients with T2DM than in healthy volunteers (p<0.001). Patients with T2DM and genotypes AA and AC at NOS1AP rs12742393 had a significant reduction in FPG (mmol/l) compared with those with genotype CC (p<0.01). Patients with CC homozygotes and AC heterozygotes had a greater increase in FINS (mU/l) than those with wild-type AA (p<0.05). In addition, the carriers of genotype CC at NOS1AP rs12742393 had higher differential values of HOMA-IR compared with genotypes AC and AA carriers (p<0.001). The effects of repaglinide treatment on FPG (p<0.01), FINS (p<0.05) and HOMA-IR (p<0.001) were reduced in patients with T2DM carrying the NOS1AP rs12742393 risk C allele compared with the AA genotype carriers. The NOS1AP rs12742393 polymorphism is associated with therapeutic efficacy of repaglinide in Chinese T2DM patients. © 2013 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.

  20. Effective Self-Management Interventions for Patients With Lupus: Potential Impact of Peer Mentoring.

    PubMed

    Williams, Edith M; Egede, Leonard; Faith, Trevor; Oates, James

    2017-06-01

    Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with significant mortality, morbidity and cost for the individual patient and society. In the United States, African Americans (AAs) have 3-4 times greater prevalence of lupus, risk of developing lupus at an earlier age and lupus-related disease activity, organ damage and mortality compared with whites. Evidence-based self-management interventions that incorporate both social support and health education have reduced pain, improved function and delayed disability among patients with lupus. However, AAs and women are still disproportionately affected by lupus. This article presents the argument that peer mentoring may be an especially effective intervention approach for AA women with SLE. SLE peers with a track record of success in lupus management and have a personal perspective that clinicians often lack. This commonality and credibility can establish trust, increase communication and, in turn, decrease disparities in healthcare outcomes. Copyright © 2017 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Long Non-Coding RNA SH3PXD2A-AS1 Promotes Cell Progression Partly Through Epigenetic Silencing P57 and KLF2 in Colorectal Cancer.

    PubMed

    Ma, Zhonghua; Peng, Peng; Zhou, Jing; Hui, Bingqing; Ji, Hao; Wang, Juan; Wang, Keming

    2018-05-03

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide. Current evidence has revealed the key roles of long non-coding RNAs (IncRNAs) in multiple cancers, including CRC. In this study we identified the lncRNA SH3PXD2A-AS1 as a novel molecule associated with CRC progression by analyzing the publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays were performed to examine the expression levels of SH3PXD2A-AS1 in CRC tissue samples and CRC cell lines. Cell viability examination, colony-formation experiments, ethynyl deoxyuridine (Edu) assays and flow cytometry were performed to investigate the roles of SH3PXD2A-AS1 in CRC proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. Transwell assays were used to explore the effects of SH3PXD2A-AS1 on CRC cells migration and invasion. A nude mice model was used to assess the effects of SH3PXD2A-AS1 on tumorigenesis in vivo. Subcellular fractionation, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were conducted to detect the molecular mechanisms of SH3PXD2A-ASl-mediated gene expression. Rescue assays were used to determine whether P57 and Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) were involved in SH3PXD2A-ASl-dependent CRC proliferation. We firstly found that SH3PXD2A-AS1 was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines, and overexpression of SH3PXD2A-AS1 was correlated with tumor size, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis in patients with CRC. Furthermore, SH3PXD2A-AS1 knockdown inhibited CRC cells proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and suppressed tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistic studies indicated that SH3PXD2A-AS1 could epiqenetically repress P57 and KLF2 expression through interaction with EZH2. Rescue experiments suggested that SH3PXD2A-ASl-mediated oncogenesis was impaired by overexpression of P57 or KLF2. Interestingly, the expression

  2. Section AA through main entrance gates & west stairs. San ...

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

    Section AA through main entrance gates & west stairs. San Bernardino Valley Union Junior College, Science Building. Also includes plans and sections of boys' and girls' toilets. Howard E. Jones, Architect, San Bernardino, California. Sheet 5, job no. 311. Scales 1/4 inch to the foot (section AA) and 1/2 inch to the foot (toilet rooms). February 15, 1927. - San Bernardino Valley College, Life Science Building, 701 South Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA

  3. A Status Report on the AAS Astronomy Ambassadors Program

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fienberg, Richard Tresch; Fraknoi, Andrew; Gurton, Suzanne; Hurst, Anna; Schatz, Dennis L.

    2014-06-01

    The American Astronomical Society, in partnership with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), has launched a series of professional-development workshops and a community of practice designed to improve early-career astronomers’ ability to communicate effectively with students and the public. Called AAS Astronomy Ambassadors, the program provides training and mentoring for young astronomers, from advanced undergraduates to beginning faculty; it also provides them access to resources and a network of contacts within the astronomy education and public outreach (EPO) community. Ambassadors are provided with a library of outreach activities and resource materials suitable for a range of venues and audiences. For much of this library we are using resources developed by organizations such as the ASP, the Pacific Science Center, and the Center for Astronomy Education for other outreach programs, though some resources have been created by one of us (AF) specifically for this program. After a period of evaluation and revision, the program’s “Menu of Outreach Opportunities for Science Education” (MOOSE) is now posted on the AAS website at http://aas.org/outreach/moose-menu-outreach-opportunities-science-education.The first two Astronomy Ambassadors workshops were held at AAS meetings in January 2013 and January 2014; each served 30 young astronomers chosen from about twice that many applicants. Web-based follow-up activities are being provided through a website at the ASP designed to keep cohorts of educators trained in their programs in touch with one another. The AAS is exploring ways to fund additional workshops at future winter meetings; suggestions are most welcome. Meanwhile, the Astronomy Ambassadors trained to date have logged more than 150 outreach events, reaching many thousands of children and adults across the U.S. and Canada.

  4. Astrocytes mediated the nootropic and neurotrophic effects of Sarsasapogenin-AA13 via upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

    PubMed

    Dong, Dong; Mao, Yu; Huang, Cui; Jiao, Qian; Pan, Hui; Ma, Lei; Wang, Rui

    2017-01-01

    Rhizoma Anemarrhena , a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, has previously been shown to have neuroprotective effect. Sarsasapogenin-AA13 (AA13) is a novel synthetic derivative of Sarsasapogenin, which is extracted from Rhizoma Anemarrhena . The aim of this study is to investigate the nootropic and neurotrophic effects of AA13 and underlying mechanisms. In vitro , cell viability of rat primary astrocytes treated with AA13 and neurons cultured with conditioned medium of AA13-treated rat primary astrocytes was tested by MTT assays. In vivo , a pharmacological model of cognitive impairment induced by scopolamine was employed and spatial memory of the mice was assessed by Morris water maze. This study found that AA13 increased cell viability of primary astrocytes and AA13-treated astrocyte-conditioned medium enhanced the survival rate of primary neurons. Interestingly, AA13 markedly enhanced the level of BDNF in astrocytes. Furthermore, AA13 (6 mg/kg) improved the cognitive deficits in animal models (p<0.05) and BDNF and PSD95 levels were increased in brain. Therefore, we hypothesize that AA13 exerts nootropic and neurotrophic activities through astrocytes mediated upregulation of BDNF secretion. The results suggest that AA13 could be a potential compound for cognitive impairment after further research.

  5. Development of 2024 AA-Yttrium composites by Spark Plasma Sintering

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vidyasagar, CH S.; Karunakar, D. B.

    2018-04-01

    The method of fabrication of MMNCs is quite a challenge, which includes advanced processing techniques like Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), etc. The objective of the present work is to fabricate aluminium based MMNCs with the addition of small amounts of yttrium using Spark Plasma Sintering and to evaluate their mechanical and microstructure properties. Samples of 2024 AA with yttrium ranging from 0.1% to 0.5 wt% are fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). Hardness of the samples is determined using Vickers hardness testing machine. The metallurgical characterization of the samples is evaluated by Optical Microscopy (OM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). Unreinforced 2024 AA sample is also fabricated as a benchmark to compare its properties with those of the composite developed. It is found that the yttrium addition increases the above mentioned properties by altering the precipitation kinetics and intermetallic formation to some extent and then decreases gradually when yttrium wt% increases beyond 0.3 wt%. High density (˂ 99.75) is achieved in the samples and highest hardness achieved is 114 Hv, fabricated by spark plasma sintering and uniform distribution of yttrium is observed.

  6. Adverse effects of doping with anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in competitive athletics, recreational sports and bodybuilding.

    PubMed

    Vorona, Elena; Nieschlag, Eberhard

    2018-02-19

    Despite the fact that sports organizations and legislators have introduced various mechanisms to discourage athletes from using performance and appearance enhancing substances a high percentage of athletes admits to their unabated application. In competitive athletics, bodybuilding and in recreational sports anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) continue to be the substances most abused. This review summarizes the side effects of AAS abuse on organs and system functions in both sexes. High doses of AAS cause a significant increase of erythrocytes und haemoglobin concentration, which may lead to thromboembolism, intracardiac thrombosis and stroke. Long-term AAS abusers have a higher incidence of arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, concentric left-ventricular myocardial hypertrophy with impaired diastolic function and also sudden cardiac death. Changes of liver function and structure, up to hepatocellular carcinoma, have been described, mainly in cases of chronic misuse of 17α-alkylated AAS. Sleeplessness, increased irritability, depressive mood status are often observed in AAS abuse. In former AAS abusers depression, anxiety and melancholy may persist for many years. Due to negative feedback in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis AAS can cause reversible suppression of spermatogenesis up to azoospermia. In women the changes most often caused by AAS abuse are hirsutism, irreversible deepening of voice, dysmenorrhoea, secondary amenorrhoea with anovulation and infertility. AAS abuse notwithstanding, under clinical conditions testosterone remains the most important hormone for substitution therapy of male hypogonadism.

  7. 76 FR 6794 - 30-Day Submission Period for Requests for ONC-Approved Accreditor (ONC-AA) Status

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-02-08

    ... Accreditor (ONC-AA) Status AGENCY: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology... submission of requests for ONC-Approved Accreditor (ONC-AA) status. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 300jj-11. DATES: The... for ONC-AA status may be submitted. The 30-day period for submission of requests for ONC-AA status...

  8. Apolipoprotein A-II induces acute-phase response associated AA amyloidosis in mice through conformational changes of plasma lipoprotein structure.

    PubMed

    Yang, Mu; Liu, Yingye; Dai, Jian; Li, Lin; Ding, Xin; Xu, Zhe; Mori, Masayuki; Miyahara, Hiroki; Sawashita, Jinko; Higuchi, Keiichi

    2018-04-04

    During acute-phase response (APR), there is a dramatic increase in serum amyloid A (SAA) in plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL). Elevated SAA leads to reactive AA amyloidosis in animals and humans. Herein, we employed apolipoprotein A-II (ApoA-II) deficient (Apoa2 -/- ) and transgenic (Apoa2Tg) mice to investigate the potential roles of ApoA-II in lipoprotein particle formation and progression of AA amyloidosis during APR. AA amyloid deposition was suppressed in Apoa2 -/- mice compared with wild type (WT) mice. During APR, Apoa2 -/- mice exhibited significant suppression of serum SAA levels and hepatic Saa1 and Saa2 mRNA levels. Pathological investigation showed Apoa2 -/- mice had less tissue damage and less inflammatory cell infiltration during APR. Total lipoproteins were markedly decreased in Apoa2 -/- mice, while the ratio of HDL to low density lipoprotein (LDL) was also decreased. Both WT and Apoa2 -/- mice showed increases in LDL and very large HDL during APR. SAA was distributed more widely in lipoprotein particles ranging from chylomicrons to very small HDL in Apoa2 -/- mice. Our observations uncovered the critical roles of ApoA-II in inflammation, serum lipoprotein stability and AA amyloidosis morbidity, and prompt consideration of therapies for AA and other amyloidoses, whose precursor proteins are associated with circulating HDL particles.

  9. Reframing Spirituality: AA, the 12 Steps, and the Mental Health Counselor.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hanna, Fred J.

    1992-01-01

    Surveys literature and explores ways to understand spirituality in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Topics explored range from Jungian and Jamesian psychology, to Stoicism, the work of Bateson, and transpersonal psychology and therapy. Speculates that difficulty some mental health counselors have in accepting AA as therapy could be a result of…

  10. Comparative analyses of population-scale phenomic data in electronic medical records reveal race-specific disease networks

    PubMed Central

    Glicksberg, Benjamin S.; Li, Li; Badgeley, Marcus A.; Shameer, Khader; Kosoy, Roman; Beckmann, Noam D.; Pho, Nam; Hakenberg, Jörg; Ma, Meng; Ayers, Kristin L.; Hoffman, Gabriel E.; Dan Li, Shuyu; Schadt, Eric E.; Patel, Chirag J.; Chen, Rong; Dudley, Joel T.

    2016-01-01

    Motivation: Underrepresentation of racial groups represents an important challenge and major gap in phenomics research. Most of the current human phenomics research is based primarily on European populations; hence it is an important challenge to expand it to consider other population groups. One approach is to utilize data from EMR databases that contain patient data from diverse demographics and ancestries. The implications of this racial underrepresentation of data can be profound regarding effects on the healthcare delivery and actionability. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first attempt to perform comparative, population-scale analyses of disease networks across three different populations, namely Caucasian (EA), African American (AA) and Hispanic/Latino (HL). Results: We compared susceptibility profiles and temporal connectivity patterns for 1988 diseases and 37 282 disease pairs represented in a clinical population of 1 025 573 patients. Accordingly, we revealed appreciable differences in disease susceptibility, temporal patterns, network structure and underlying disease connections between EA, AA and HL populations. We found 2158 significantly comorbid diseases for the EA cohort, 3265 for AA and 672 for HL. We further outlined key disease pair associations unique to each population as well as categorical enrichments of these pairs. Finally, we identified 51 key ‘hub’ diseases that are the focal points in the race-centric networks and of particular clinical importance. Incorporating race-specific disease comorbidity patterns will produce a more accurate and complete picture of the disease landscape overall and could support more precise understanding of disease relationships and patient management towards improved clinical outcomes. Contacts: rong.chen@mssm.edu or joel.dudley@mssm.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:27307606

  11. AAS 228: Day 3 afternoon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-06-01

    Editors Note:This week were at the 228th AAS Meeting in San Diego, CA. Along with a team ofauthors from astrobites.com, I will bewritingupdates on selectedevents at themeeting and posting twiceeach day. Follow along here or atastrobites.com, or catch ourlive-tweeted updates from the@astrobites Twitter account. The usual posting schedule for AAS Nova will resumenext week.Wikipedia Year of Science Editathon (by Meredith Rawls)Whats your first go-to source for an unfamiliar topic on the internet? If you said Wikipedia, youre not alone. For many people, Wikipedia is the primary source of information about astronomy and science. However, many Wikipedia articles about science topics are incomplete or missing, and women are underrepresented among scientists with biographies.To address this, the AAS Astronomy Education Board teamed up with the Wiki Education Foundation to host an edit-a-thon as part of the Wikipedia Year of Science. More than forty attendees spent the better part of three hours working through tutorials, creating new articles, and editing existing ones. The session was generously sponsored by the Simons Foundation.The Year of Science initiative seeks to bring Wikipedia editing skills to the classroom and help new editors find sustainable ways to contribute to Wikipedia in the long term. Anybody can create a free account and start editing!As a first-time Wikipedia contributor, I took the time to go through nearly all the tutorial exercises and familiarize myself with the process of editing a page. I decided to flesh out one section in an existing page about asteroseismology. Others created biography pages from scratch or selected various astronomical topics to write about. To me, the editing process felt like a cross between writing a blog post and a journal article, in a hack day type environment. Working through the tutorial and some examples renewed my empathy for learners who are tackling a new skill set for the first time. A full summary of our

  12. The Impact of Reclassification from Division II to DI-AA and from Division I-AA to I-A on NCAA Member Institutions from 1993 to 2003

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Frieder, Laura L., Comp.; Fulks, Daniel L., Comp.

    2007-01-01

    Recent years have seen a number of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institutions seeking reclassification to Division I-AA and Division I-AA institutions moving to Division I-A. Yet, other schools that seem like natural candidates to reclassify have resisted. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the…

  13. Association of the AA genotype of the BCL2 (-938C>A) promoter polymorphism with better survival in ovarian cancer.

    PubMed

    Heubner, Martin; Wimberger, Pauline; Otterbach, Friedrich; Kasimir-Bauer, Sabine; Siffert, Winfried; Kimmig, Rainer; Nückel, Holger

    2009-01-01

    Bcl-2 plays a key role in the regulation of apoptosis. Recently, a novel regulatory single nucleotide polymorphism (-938C>A) in the inhibitory P2 BCL2 promoter was described. In this study we investigated its potential association with survival in epithelial ovarian cancer. Patients (n=110) with primary epithelial ovarian cancer were retrospectively genotyped by pyrosequencing. Genotype distribution was not significantly different between 110 ovarian cancer patients and 120 healthy controls, suggesting that genotypes of this polymorphism do not increase the susceptibility to ovarian cancer. Kaplan-Meier curves showed a significant association of the AA genotype with increased survival (p=0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that the BCL2-938AC/CC genotype (hazard ratio 4.5; p=0.003) was an independent prognostic factor compared to other prognostic factors such as age, histological grade or tumor stage. The results suggest a role for the BCL2-938C>A polymorphism as a marker for survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

  14. Coarsening of AA6013-T6 Precipitates During Sheet Warm Forming Applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Di Ciano, M.; DiCecco, S.; Esmaeili, S.; Wells, M. A.; Worswick, M. J.

    2018-03-01

    The use of warm forming for AA6xxx-T6 sheet is of interest to improve its formability; however, the effect warm forming may have on the coarsening of precipitates and the mechanical strength of these sheets has not been well studied. In this research, the coarsening behavior of AA6013-T6 precipitates has been explored, in the temperature range of 200-300 °C, and time of 30 s up to 50 h. Additionally, the effect of warm deformation on coarsening behavior was explored using: (1) simulated warm forming tests in a Gleeble thermo-mechanical simulator and (2) bi-axial warm deformation tests. Using a strong obstacle model to describe the yield strength (YS) evolution of the AA6013-T6 material, and a Lifshitz, Slyozov, and Wagner (LSW) particle coarsening law to describe the change in precipitate size with time, the coarsening kinetics were modeled for this alloy. The coarsening kinetics in the range of 220-300 °C followed a trend similar to that previously found for AA6111 for the 180-220 °C range. There was strong evidence that coarsening kinetics were not altered due to warm deformation above 220 °C. For warm forming between 200 and 220 °C, the YS of the AA6013-T6 material increased slightly, which could be attributed to strain hardening during warm deformation. Finally, a non-isothermal coarsening model was used to assess the potential reduction in the YS of AA6013-T6 for practical processing conditions related to auto-body manufacturing. The model calculations showed that 90% of the original AA6013-T6 YS could be maintained, for warm forming temperatures up to 280 °C, if the heating schedule used to get the part to the warm forming temperature was limited to 1 min.

  15. Comparing alcohol affordability in 65 cities worldwide.

    PubMed

    Kan, Ming-Yue; Lau, Maggie

    2013-01-01

    To develop a measure of alcohol affordability (AA) and compare the AA of 65 cities worldwide. In this paper, AA is defined as the proportion of median daily income needed to buy a certain quantity of certain alcoholic beverages. The income data and the price of alcoholic beverages were drawn from the Union Bank of Switzerland survey and the Economist Intelligence Unit respectively. A large majority of cities (87.7%, n = 57) had a high level of AA. The top 20 ranking was occupied by European and American cities with Tokyo in the Western Pacific region being the exception. All cities belonging to high-income countries had high levels of AA. However, two cities with low-level AA came from low-middle-income countries instead of low-income countries. The findings have shown that alcohol consumption is highly affordable in many cities. If price policy is being considered as policy instrument of alcohol control, it is in urgent need of price adjustments. More specifically, the new emerging economies play a significant role in the world alcohol control movement because of their bright economic performance with huge population size. Further studies on AA, especially periodical monitoring and its impacts on alcohol consumption and alcohol related health problems, should be conducted so as to facilitate the formulation and evaluation price measure of alcohol control. © 2012 Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.

  16. Doping with anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS): Adverse effects on non-reproductive organs and functions.

    PubMed

    Nieschlag, Eberhard; Vorona, Elena

    2015-09-01

    Since the 1970s anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) have been abused at ever increasing rates in competitive athletics, in recreational sports and in bodybuilding. Exceedingly high doses are often consumed over long periods, in particular by bodybuilders, causing acute or chronic adverse side effects frequently complicated by additional polypharmacy. This review summarizes side effects on non-reproductive organs and functions; effects on male and female reproduction have been recently reviewed in a parallel paper. Among the most striking AAS side effects are increases in haematocrit and coagulation causing thromboembolism, intracardiac thrombosis and stroke as well as other cardiac disturbances including arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies and possibly sudden death. 17α-alkylated AAS are liver toxic leading to cholestasis, peliosis, adenomas and carcinomas. Hyperbilirubinaemia can cause cholemic nephrosis and kidney failure. AAS abuse may induce exaggerated self-confidence, reckless behavior, aggressiveness and psychotic symptoms. AAS withdrawal may be accompanied by depression and suicidal intentions. Since AAS abuse is not or only reluctantly admitted physicians should be aware of the multitude of serious side effects when confronted with unclear symptoms.

  17. Long-term biases in geomagnetic K and aa indices

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Love, J.J.

    2011-01-01

    Analysis is made of the geomagnetic-activity aa index and its source K-index data from groups of ground-based observatories in Britain, and Australia, 1868.0-2009.0, solar cycles 11-23. The K data show persistent biases, especially for high (low) K-activity levels at British (Australian) observatories. From examination of multiple subsets of the K data we infer that the biases are not predominantly the result of changes in observatory location, localized induced magnetotelluric currents, changes in magnetometer technology, or the modernization of K-value estimation methods. Instead, the biases appear to be artifacts of the latitude-dependent scaling used to assign K values to particular local levels of geomagnetic activity. The biases are not effectively removed by weighting factors used to estimate aa. We show that long-term averages of the aa index, such as annual averages, are dominated by medium-level geomagnetic activity levels having K values of 3 and 4. ?? 2011 Author(s).

  18. Long-term follow-up of secondary amyloidosis patients treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy: A STROBE-compliant observational study.

    PubMed

    Esatoglu, Sinem Nihal; Hatemi, Gulen; Ugurlu, Serdal; Gokturk, Aycan; Tascilar, Koray; Ozdogan, Huri

    2017-08-01

    There are no treatment modalities, which were proven to prevent the deposition of amyloid, proteinuria, and loss of renal function due to amyloidosis. Anti-tumor necrosis factor agents (anti-TNFs) were shown to decrease the production of serum amyloid A protein.We aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of anti-TNFs in secondary (AA) amyloidosis patients treated in a single center.Thirty-seven patients with AA amyloidosis were started an anti-TNF for AA amyloidosis between March 2001 and June 2008 and followed until May 2016 unless deceased. They were surveyed for the endpoints of death, development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), switch to another agent due to worsening of amyloidosis and adverse events.Among the 37 patients, 12 (32%) had died, 9 (24%) had ESRD, and 8 (22%) had started another group of biologic due to worsening of amyloidosis indicated by an increase in proteinuria, 5 (14%) patients are still doing well with anti-TNFs, and 3 (8%) are off treatment at the end of a median follow-up of 10 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.5-10.5) years since the start of anti-TNFs and 10 (IQR: 8-13) years since the diagnosis of AA amyloidosis. Most common serious adverse events were sepsis and thrombotic events observed in 8 and 4 patients, respectively.Treatment with anti-TNFs may be associated with a higher survival rate compared with historic cohorts of AA amyloidosis, especially when started early with a lower serum creatinine level at baseline. Caution is needed regarding serious adverse events, especially infections.

  19. AAS Publishing News: Astronomical Software Citation Workshop

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2015-07-01

    Do you write code for your research? Use astronomical software? Do you wish there were a better way of citing, sharing, archiving, or discovering software for astronomy research? You're not alone! In April 2015, AAS's publishing team joined other leaders in the astronomical software community in a meeting funded by the Sloan Foundation, with the purpose of discussing these issues and potential solutions. In attendance were representatives from academic astronomy, publishing, libraries, for-profit software sharing platforms, telescope facilities, and grantmaking institutions. The goal of the group was to establish “protocols, policies, and platforms for astronomical software citation, sharing, and archiving,” in the hopes of encouraging a set of normalized standards across the field. The AAS is now collaborating with leaders at GitHub to write grant proposals for a project to develop strategies for software discoverability and citation, in astronomy and beyond. If this topic interests you, you can find more details in this document released by the group after the meeting: http://astronomy-software-index.github.io/2015-workshop/ The group hopes to move this project forward with input and support from the broader community. Please share the above document, discuss it on social media using the hashtag #astroware (so that your conversations can be found!), or send private comments to julie.steffen@aas.org.

  20. Effects of simulated ice on the performance of price type-AA current meter rotors

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Fulford, Janice M.

    1994-01-01

    Slush ice readily adheres to the standard metal rotor of the winter Price type-AA current meter and affects the ability of the meter to measure the flow velocity accurately. Tests conducted at the U.S. Geological Survey Hydraulics Laboratory at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, attempt to quantify the effects of slush ice on the performance of standard Price type-AA meter metal rotors. Test data obtained for rotors filled with simulated slush are compared with data for solid-cup polymer and standard hollow-cup metal rotors. Partial filling of the cups only marginally affects rotor performance at velocities greater than 15.24 centimeters per second. However, when cups are filled or over-filled with simulated slush, rotor performance is noticeably affected. Errors associated with slush over-filling and filling of cups are also significant when flows are angled vertically.

  1. Periodontal Disease Associated with Aortic Arch Atheroma in Patients with Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack.

    PubMed

    Sen, Souvik; Chung, Matthew; Duda, Viktoriya; Giamberardino, Lauren; Hinderliter, Alan; Offenbacher, Steven

    2017-10-01

    Periodontal disease (PD) is associated with recurrent vascular event in stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). In this study, we investigated whether PD is independently associated with aortic arch atheroma (AA). We also explored the relationship PD has with AA plaque thickness and other characteristics associated with atheroembolic risk among patients with stroke or TIA. Finally, we confirmed the association between AA and recurrent vascular event in patients with stroke or TIA. In this prospective longitudinal hospital-based cohort study, PD was assessed in patients with stroke and TIA. Patients with confirmed stroke and TIA (n = 106) were assessed by calibrated dental examiners to determine periodontal status and were followed over a median of 24 months for recurrent vascular events (stroke, myocardial infarction, and death). The extent of AA and other plaque characteristics was assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. Within our patient cohort, 27 of the 106 participants had recurrent vascular events (including 16 with stroke or TIA) over the median of 24-month follow-up. Severe PD was associated with increased AA plaque thickness and calcification. The results suggest that PD may be a risk factor for AA. In this cohort, we confirm the association of severe AA with recurrent vascular events. In patients with stroke or TIA, severe PD is associated with increased AA plaque thickness, a risk factor for recurrent events. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding and to determine whether treatment of PD can reduce the rate of AA plaque progression and recurrent vascular events. Copyright © 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Topical Effects of Artemisia Absinthium Ointment and Liniment in Comparison with Piroxicam Gel in Patients with Knee Joint Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial

    PubMed Central

    Basiri, Zahra; Zeraati, Fatemeh; Esna-Ashari, Farzaneh; Mohammadi, Farshid; Razzaghi, Keyvan; Araghchian, Malihe; Moradkhani, Shirin

    2017-01-01

    Background: Pain alleviation and improvement of functional status are the main objectives in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Artemisia absinthium (AA) was used traditionally in reducing pain and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of topical formulations of AA and piroxicam gel (PG) among patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: In total, 90 outpatients aged 30-70 years with the diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis in at least one knee were enrolled in a randomized double-blind clinical trial. The patients referred to the Rheumatology Clinic at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan province during 2012-2013. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups, 30 patients per group, and respectively received AA ointment (AAO) 3%, AA liniment (AAL) 3%, and PG; three times daily (TID) for 4 weeks. The patients were visited at baseline, week 4, and week 6. The effectiveness criteria were pain severity which was assessed with a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) for total pain score (WTPS), total physical function score (WTPFS), and total stiffness score (WTSS). Repeated measure ANOVA, paired t test and post hoc were used to compare variables. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software, version 13.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois). Results: All groups had similar patient demographics. The administration of PG significantly improved all tested criteria with no recurrence after discontinuing the treatment protocol. AAO alleviated all tested factors except for WTSS. Alleviation was comparable to PG. AAL only reduced pain factors (VAS, WTPS) in week 4 with recurrence in week 6. Conclusion: Administration of Artemisia ointment may have beneficial effects in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Trial Registration Number: IRCT201202123109N3 PMID:29184260

  3. Topical Effects of Artemisia Absinthium Ointment and Liniment in Comparison with Piroxicam Gel in Patients with Knee Joint Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial.

    PubMed

    Basiri, Zahra; Zeraati, Fatemeh; Esna-Ashari, Farzaneh; Mohammadi, Farshid; Razzaghi, Keyvan; Araghchian, Malihe; Moradkhani, Shirin

    2017-11-01

    Pain alleviation and improvement of functional status are the main objectives in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Artemisia absinthium (AA) was used traditionally in reducing pain and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of topical formulations of AA and piroxicam gel (PG) among patients with knee osteoarthritis. In total, 90 outpatients aged 30-70 years with the diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis in at least one knee were enrolled in a randomized double-blind clinical trial. The patients referred to the Rheumatology Clinic at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan province during 2012-2013. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups, 30 patients per group, and respectively received AA ointment (AAO) 3%, AA liniment (AAL) 3%, and PG; three times daily (TID) for 4 weeks. The patients were visited at baseline, week 4, and week 6. The effectiveness criteria were pain severity which was assessed with a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) for total pain score (WTPS), total physical function score (WTPFS), and total stiffness score (WTSS). Repeated measure ANOVA, paired t test and post hoc were used to compare variables. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software, version 13.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois). All groups had similar patient demographics. The administration of PG significantly improved all tested criteria with no recurrence after discontinuing the treatment protocol. AAO alleviated all tested factors except for WTSS. Alleviation was comparable to PG. AAL only reduced pain factors (VAS, WTPS) in week 4 with recurrence in week 6. Administration of Artemisia ointment may have beneficial effects in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Trial Registration Number: IRCT201202123109N3.

  4. The AAS Visiting Professor Programs: Three Anniversaries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Philip, A. G. Davis

    2003-05-01

    The AAS Program of Visiting Professors was started in 1958 with three astronomers as lecturers. They were Paul Merrill (Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories), Seth Nicholson (Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories) and Harlow Shapley (Harvard College Observatory). The program was run by a Committee on Visiting Professors from 1958 through 1963. The program was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation. The Executive Officer of the AAS, Paul Routley headed the program from the 1963 - 64 academic year through the 1968 - 69 academic year. Larry Fredrick headed the program for 1969 - 70 and then Hank Gurin headed it through 1973 -74, the last year of the program. At the end of this summer meeting, the combined Visiting Professors Program and the Shapley Program will be starting their 47th year. The Shapley Visiting Lectureships in Astronomy Program was started in the 1974 - 75 academic year under the leadership of Hank Gurin. The original funding came from the Perkin Fund and a three year grant from the Research Corporation. In 1975 the Shapley Endowment fund was set up to help pay the expenses of the program. In 1976 there was support from the Slipher fund which lasted through the 1978 - 79 academic year. From 1979 to the present the program is financed by the Shapley Endowment Fund and by the contributions made by institutions which host the visits. In the fall of 1998 the fee that Institutions pay to the AAS in support of their Shapley visits was reduced from 300 to 250 to make it easier for them to apply for visits. Members of the AAS have made contributions to the program over the years and we are very appreciative of this support. In 1974 there were 42 lecturers in the program, of whom four are still active giving lectures (George Carruthers, Larry Fredrick, Arlo Landolt and Davis Philip). After the summer meeting, the Shapley Program will be embarking on its 30th year. Now there are 82 astronomers in the program and we get from 40 to 60 requests a year

  5. Treatment Quality and Outcomes of African American Versus White Breast Cancer Patients: Retrospective Analysis of Southwest Oncology Studies S8814/S8897

    PubMed Central

    Hershman, Dawn L.; Unger, Joseph M.; Barlow, William E.; Hutchins, Laura F.; Martino, Silvana; Osborne, C. Kent; Livingston, Robert B.; Albain, Kathy S.

    2009-01-01

    Purpose Women of African ancestry (AA) have lower WBC counts and are more likely to have treatment delays and discontinue adjuvant breast cancer therapy early compared with white women. We assessed the association between race and treatment discontinuation/delay, WBC counts, and survival in women enrolled onto breast cancer clinical trials. Patients and Methods AA and white women from Southwest Oncology Group adjuvant breast cancer trials (S8814/S8897) were matched by age and protocol. Only the treatment arms in which patients were scheduled to receive six cycles of chemotherapy were analyzed. Results A total of 317 pairs of patients (n = 634) were analyzed. At baseline, AA women had higher body-surface area (P < .0001) and lower WBC (P = .0009). AA women were more likely to have tumors that were ≥ 2 cm (P = .01) and hormone receptor negative (P < .0001). AA women, versus white women, were marginally more likely to discontinue treatment early (11% v 7%, respectively; P = .07) or have one or more treatment delays (85% v 79%, respectively; P = .07) and were significantly more likely to experience the combined end point (discontinuation/delay; 87% v 81%, respectively; P = .04). The mean relative dose-intensity (RDI) was similar for both groups (87% in AA women v 86% in white women); however, overall, 43% had an RDI of less than 85%. After adjusting for baseline WBC and prognostic factors in a multivariate model, AA women had worse disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.56; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.11; P = .005) and overall survival (HR = 1.95; 95% CI, 1.36 to 2.78; P = .0002). The inclusion of RDI and treatment delivery/quality in the regression had little impact on the results. Conclusion On cooperative group breast cancer trials, AA and white women had similar RDIs, but AA women were more likely to experience early discontinuation or treatment delay. Despite correcting for these factors and known predictors of outcome, AA women still had worse survival. PMID

  6. A Novel Colletotrichum graminicola Raffinose Oxidase in the AA5 Family

    PubMed Central

    Mollerup, Filip; Parikka, Kirsti; Koutaniemi, Sanna; Boer, Harry; Juvonen, Minna; Master, Emma; Tenkanen, Maija; Kruus, Kristiina

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT We describe here the identification and characterization of a copper radical oxidase from auxiliary activities family 5 (AA5_2) that was distinguished by showing preferential activity toward raffinose. Despite the biotechnological potential of carbohydrate oxidases from family AA5, very few members have been characterized. The gene encoding raffinose oxidase from Colletotrichum graminicola (CgRaOx; EC 1.1.3.−) was identified utilizing a bioinformatics approach based on the known modular structure of a characterized AA5_2 galactose oxidase. CgRaOx was expressed in Pichia pastoris, and the purified enzyme displayed the highest activity on the trisaccharide raffinose, whereas the activity on the disaccharide melibiose was three times lower and more than ten times lower activity was detected on d-galactose at a 300 mM substrate concentration. Thus, the substrate preference of CgRaOx was distinguished clearly from the substrate preferences of the known galactose oxidases. The site of oxidation for raffinose was studied by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, and we confirmed that the hydroxyl group at the C-6 position was oxidized to an aldehyde and that in addition uronic acid was produced as a side product. A new electrospray ionization mass spectrometry method for the identification of C-6 oxidized products was developed, and the formation mechanism of the uronic acid was studied. CgRaOx presented a novel activity pattern in the AA5 family. IMPORTANCE Currently, there are only a few characterized members of the CAZy AA5 protein family. These enzymes are interesting from an application point of view because of their ability to utilize the cheap and abundant oxidant O2 without the requirement of complex cofactors such as FAD or NAD(P). Here, we present the identification and characterization of a novel AA5 member from Colletotrichum graminicola. As discussed in the present study, the bioinformatics approach using the modular structure of

  7. The alveolar to arterial oxygen partial pressure difference is associated with pulmonary diffusing capacity in heart failure patients.

    PubMed

    Morosin, Marco; Vignati, Carlo; Novi, Angela; Salvioni, Elisabetta; Veglia, Fabrizio; Alimento, Marina; Merli, Guido; Sciomer, Susanna; Sinagra, Gianfranco; Agostoni, Piergiuseppe

    2016-11-01

    In chronic heart failure (HF), the alveolar-capillary membrane undergoes a remodeling process that negatively affects gas exchange. In case of alveolar-capillary gas diffusion impairment, arterial desaturation (SaO 2 ) is rarely observed in HF patients. At play are 3 factors: overall pulmonary diffusing capacity (assessed as lung diffusion for CO, DLCO), global O 2 consumption (VO 2 ) and alveolar (A) to arterial (a) pO 2 gradient (AaDO 2 ). In 100 consecutive stable HF patients, DLCO, resting respiratory gases and arterial blood gases were measured to determine VO 2, paO 2 , pAO 2 and AaDO 2 . DLCO was poorly but significantly related to AaDO 2 . The correlation improved after correcting AaDO 2 for VO 2 (p<0.001, r=0.49). Both VO 2 and AaDO 2 were independently associated with DLCO (p<0.001). Patients with reduced DLCO showed no differences as regards paO 2 and pAO 2 . AaDO 2 /VO 2 showed a higher gradient in patients with lower DLCO. AaDO 2 increase and VO 2 reduction allow preventing low SaO 2 in HF patients with reduced DLCO. Accordingly, we suggest considering AaDO 2 and VO 2 combined and reporting AaDO 2 /VO 2 . Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. The twelve-step recovery model of AA: a voluntary mutual help association.

    PubMed

    Borkman, Thomasina

    2008-01-01

    Alcoholism treatment has evolved to mean professionalized, scientifically based rehabilitation. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is not a treatment method; it is far better understood as a Twelve-Step Recovery Program within a voluntary self-help/mutual aid organization of self-defined alcoholics. The Twelve-Step Recovery Model is elaborated in three sections, patterned on the AA logo (a triangle within a circle): The triangle's legs represent recovery, service, and unity; the circle represents the reinforcing effect of the three legs upon each other as well as the "technology" of the sharing circle and the fellowship. The first leg of the triangle, recovery, refers to the journey of individuals to abstinence and a new "way of living." The second leg, service, refers to helping other alcoholics which also connects the participants into a fellowship. The third leg, unity, refers to the fellowship of recovering alcoholics, their groups, and organizations. The distinctive AA organizational structure of an inverted pyramid is one in which the members in autonomous local groups direct input to the national service bodies creating a democratic, egalitarian organization maximizing recovery. Analysts describe the AA recovery program as complex, implicitly grounded in sound psychological principles, and more sophisticated than is typically understood. AA provides a nonmedicalized and anonymous "way of living" in the community and should probably be referred to as the Twelve-Step/Twelve Tradition Recovery Model in order to clearly differentiate it from professionally based twelve-step treatments. There are additional self-help/mutual aid groups for alcoholics who prefer philosophies other than AA.

  9. Identification of a Unique Amyloid Sequence in AA Amyloidosis of a Pig Associated With Streptococcus Suis Infection.

    PubMed

    Kamiie, J; Sugahara, G; Yoshimoto, S; Aihara, N; Mineshige, T; Uetsuka, K; Shirota, K

    2017-01-01

    Here we report a pig with amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis associated with Streptococcus suis infection and identification of a unique amyloid sequence in the amyloid deposits in the tissue. Tissues from the 180-day-old underdeveloped pig contained foci of necrosis and suppurative inflammation associated with S. suis infection. Congo red stain, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy revealed intense AA deposition in the spleen and renal glomeruli. Mass spectrometric analysis of amyloid material extracted from the spleen showed serum AA 2 (SAA2) peptide as well as a unique peptide sequence previously reported in a pig with AA amyloidosis. The common detection of the unique amyloid sequence in the current and past cases of AA amyloidosis in pigs suggests that this amyloid sequence might play a key role in the development of porcine AA amyloidosis. An in vitro fibrillation assay demonstrated that the unique AA peptide formed typically rigid, long amyloid fibrils (10 nm wide) and the N-terminus peptide of SAA2 formed zigzagged, short fibers (7 nm wide). Moreover, the SAA2 peptide formed long, rigid amyloid fibrils in the presence of sonicated amyloid fibrils formed by the unique AA peptide. These findings indicate that the N-terminus of SAA2 as well as the AA peptide mediate the development of AA amyloidosis in pigs via cross-seeding polymerization.

  10. AAS 227: Day 2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-01-01

    Editors Note:This week were at the 227th AAS Meeting in Kissimmee, FL. Along with several fellow authors from astrobites.com, I will bewritingupdates on selectedevents at themeeting and posting at the end of each day. Follow along here or atastrobites.com, or catch ourlive-tweeted updates from the@astrobites Twitter account. The usual posting schedule for AAS Nova will resumenext week.Welcome to Day 2 of the winter American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in Kissimmee! Several of us are attending the conference this year, and we will report highlights from each day here on astrobites. If youd like to see more timely updates during the day, we encourage you to follow @astrobites on twitter or search the #aas227 hashtag.Plenary Session: Black Hole Physics with the Event Horizon Telescope (by Susanna Kohler)If anyone needed motivation to wake up early this morning, they got it in the form of Feryal Ozel (University of Arizona) enthralling us all with exciting pictures, videos, and words about black holes and the Event Horizon Telescope. Ozel spoke to a packed room (at 8:30am!) about where the project currently stands, and where its heading in the future.The EHT has pretty much the coolest goal ever: actually image the event horizons of black holes in our universe. The problem is that the largest black hole we can look at (Sgr A*, in the center of our galaxy) has an event horizon size of 50 as. For this kind of resolution roughly equivalent to trying to image a DVD on the Moon! wed need an Earth-sized telescope. EHT has solved this problem by linking telescopes around the world, creating one giant, mm-wavelength effective telescope with a baseline the size of Earth.Besides producing awesome images, the EHT will be able to test properties of black-hole spacetime, the no-hair theorem, and general relativity (GR) in new regimes.Ozel walked us through some of the theory prep work we need to do now in order to get the most science out of the EHT, including devising new

  11. Mutational analysis of immunoglobulin E-binding epitopes of beta-casein and beta-lactoglobulin showed a heterogeneous pattern of critical amino acids between individual patients and pooled sera.

    PubMed

    Cocco, R R; Järvinen, K-M; Han, N; Beyer, K; Sampson, H A

    2007-06-01

    For immunotherapeutic approaches, 'critical' amino acids (AAs) within allergenic epitopes are replaced with alternate AAs to eliminate IgE antibody binding. To determine the critical AAs for IgE binding in beta-casein and beta-lactoglobulin (BLG). Peptides of 10-14 AAs in length were synthesized on a derivatized cellulose membrane with single AA substitutions (alanine or glycine) at each position. Membranes were incubated with a pool of sera from 15 cow's milk-allergic patients and individual sera from six of the 15 patients. In cases where no decrease in binding occurred with a single AA substitution, peptides with two AA substitutions were generated and labelled. Using pooled patient sera, single AA substitutions led to complete elimination of binding to six of 11 peptides for beta-casein and to all six peptides for BLG. Substituting two AAs led to an elimination of binding to four of the remaining five beta-casein epitopes. However, in three of the 11 modified beta-casein peptides and five of the six BLG peptides, no decrease in IgE binding occurred in at least one individual patient. For these patients, critical AAs other than those defined by the patient serum pool were identified, indicating a heterogeneous pattern of IgE recognition. These results indicate that AAs critical for IgE binding are more heterogeneous than initially defined by pooled milk-allergic patient sera. For future immunotherapeutic interventions with mutated peptides, critical AAs should also be identified with individual patient sera to account for heterogeneity of IgE binding between patients.

  12. Experimental transmission of systemic AA amyloidosis in autoimmune disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus model mice.

    PubMed

    Maeda, Mayuko; Murakami, Tomoaki; Muhammad, Naeem; Inoshima, Yasuo; Ishiguro, Naotaka

    2016-11-01

    AA amyloidosis is a protein misfolding disease characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid A (AA) fibrils. AA amyloidosis has been identified in food animals, and it has been postulated that AA amyloidosis may be transmissible to different animal species. Since the precursor protein of AA fibrils is serum amyloid A (SAA), which is an inflammatory acute phase protein, AA amyloidosis is considered to be associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic diseases such as autoimmune disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus could be potential factors for AA amyloidosis. In this study, to examine the relationship between the induction of AA amyloidosis and chromic abnormalities such as autoimmune disease or type 2 diabetes mellitus, amyloid fibrils from mice, cattle, or chickens were experimentally injected into disease model mice. Wild-type mice were used as controls. The concentrations of SAA, IL-6, and IL-10 in autoimmune disease model mice were higher than those of control mice. However, induction of AA amyloidosis in autoimmune disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus model mice was lower than that in control mice, and the amount of amyloid deposits in the spleens of both mouse models was lower than that of control mice according to Congo red staining and immunohistochemistry. These results suggest that factors other than SAA levels, such as an inflammatory or anti-inflammatory environment in the immune response, may be involved in amyloid deposition.

  13. Transplantation of PDGF-AA-Overexpressing Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Promotes Recovery in Rat Following Spinal Cord Injury.

    PubMed

    Yao, Zong-Feng; Wang, Ying; Lin, Yu-Hong; Wu, Yan; Zhu, An-You; Wang, Rui; Shen, Lin; Xi, Jin; Qi, Qi; Jiang, Zhi-Quan; Lü, He-Zuo; Hu, Jian-Guo

    2017-01-01

    Our previous study showed that Schwann cells (SCs) promote survival, proliferation and migration of co-transplanted oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and neurological recovery in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). A subsequent in vitro study confirmed that SCs modulated OPC proliferation and migration by secreting platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF)-2. We also found that PDGF-AA stimulated OPC proliferation and their differentiation into oligodendrocytes (OLs) at later stages. We therefore speculated that PDGF-AA administration can exert the same effect as SC co-transplantation in SCI repair. To test this hypothesis, in this study we investigated the effect of transplanting PDGF-AA-overexpressing OPCs in a rat model of SCI. We found that PDGF-AA overexpression in OPCs promoted their survival, proliferation, and migration and differentiation into OLs in vivo . OPCs overexpressing PDGF-AA were also associated with increased myelination and tissue repair after SCI, leading to the recovery of neurological function. These results indicate that PDGF-AA-overexpressing OPCs may be an effective treatment for SCI.

  14. Antibiotics-first strategy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis in adults is associated with increased rates of peritonitis at surgery. A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing appendectomy and non-operative management with antibiotics.

    PubMed

    Podda, Mauro; Cillara, Nicola; Di Saverio, Salomone; Lai, Antonio; Feroci, Francesco; Luridiana, Gianluigi; Agresta, Ferdinando; Vettoretto, Nereo

    2017-10-01

    Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical diagnosis in young patients, with lifetime prevalence of about 7%. Debate remains on whether uncomplicated AA should be operated or not. Aim of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was to assess current evidence on antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated AA compared to standard surgical treatment. Systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for randomized controlled trials comparing antibiotic therapy (AT) and surgical therapy-appendectomy (ST) for uncomplicated AA. Trials were reviewed for primary outcome measures: treatment efficacy based on 1 year follow-up, recurrence at 1 year follow-up, complicated appendicitis with peritonitis identified at the time of surgical operation and post-intervention complications. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and period of sick leave. Five RCTs comparing AT and ST qualified for inclusion in meta-analysis, with 1.351 patients included: 632 in AT group and 719 in ST group. Higher rate of treatment efficacy based on 1 year follow-up was found in ST group (98.3% vs 75.9%, P < 0.0001), recurrence at 1 year was reported in 22.5% of patients treated with antibiotics. Rate of complicated appendicitis with peritonitis identified at time of surgical operation was higher in AT group (19.9% vs 8.5%, P = 0.02). No statistically significant differences were found when comparing AT and ST groups for the outcomes of overall post-intervention complications (4.3% vs 10.9%, P = 0.32), post-intervention complications based on the number of patients who underwent appendectomy (15.8% vs 10.9%, P = 0.35), length of hospital stay (3.24 ± 0.40 vs 2.88 ± 0.39, P = 0.13) and period of sick leave (8.91 ± 1.28 vs 10.27 ± 0.24, P = 0.06). With significantly higher efficacy and low complication rates, appendectomy remains the most effective treatment for

  15. Rectification induced in N2AA-doped armchair graphene nanoribbon device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Tong; Li, Xiao-Fei; Wang, Ling-Ling; Luo, Kai-Wu; Xu, Liang

    2014-07-01

    By using non-equilibrium Green function formalism in combination with density functional theory, we investigated the electronic transport properties of armchair graphene nanoribbon devices in which one lead is undoped and the other is N2AA-doped with two quasi-adjacent substitutional nitrogen atoms incorporating pairs of neighboring carbon atoms in the same sublattice A. Two kinds of N2AA-doped style are considered, for N dopants substitute the center or the edge carbon atoms. Our results show that the rectification behavior with a large rectifying ratio can be found in these devices and the rectifying characteristics can be modulated by changing the width of graphene nanoribbons or the position of the N2AA dopant. The mechanisms are revealed to explain the rectifying behaviors.

  16. The trajectory and atmospheric impact of asteroid 2014 AA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farnocchia, Davide; Chesley, Steven R.; Brown, Peter G.; Chodas, Paul W.

    2016-08-01

    Near-Earth asteroid 2014 AA entered the Earth's atmosphere on 2014 January 2, only 21 h after being discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey. In this paper we compute the trajectory of 2014 AA by combining the available optical astrometry, seven ground-based observations over 69 min, and the International Monitoring System detection of the atmospheric impact infrasonic airwaves in a least-squares orbit estimation filter. The combination of these two sources of observations results in a tremendous improvement in the orbit uncertainties. The impact time is 3:05 UT with a 1σ uncertainty of 6 min, while the impact location corresponds to a west longitude of 44.2° and a latitude of 13.1° with a 1σ uncertainty of 140 km. The minimum impact energy estimated from the infrasound data and the impact velocity result in an estimated minimum mass of 22.6 t. By propagating the trajectory of 2014 AA backwards we find that the only window for finding precovery observations is for the three days before its discovery.

  17. Bardoxolone methyl (BARD) ameliorates aristolochic acid (AA)-induced acute kidney injury through Nrf2 pathway.

    PubMed

    Wu, Juan; Liu, Xinhui; Fan, Jinjin; Chen, Wenfang; Wang, Juan; Zeng, Youjia; Feng, Xiaorang; Yu, Xueqing; Yang, Xiao

    2014-04-06

    Bardoxolone methyl (BARD) is an antioxidant modulator that acts through induction of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. This study aimed to investigate the role of BARD in protecting kidneys from aristolochic acid (AA)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Male C57BL/6 mice received intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of aristolochic acid I (AAI) (5mg/kg/day) for 5 days to produce acute AA nephropathy (AAN) model. BARD (10mg/kg/day, i.p.) was applied for 7 consecutive days, starting 2 days prior to AAI administration. The mice in the AA group showed AKI as evidenced by worsening kidney function evaluated by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) levels, and severe tubulointerstitial injury marked by massive tubule necrosis in kidney tissues. BARD significantly reduced BUN and SCr levels which were elevated by AAI. Additionally, AAI-induced histopathological renal damage was ameliorated by BARD. Furthermore, the expression of Nrf2 was reduced, and its repressor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) was increased significantly, whereas heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was upregulated and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) was barely increased in the cytoplasm of tubules in kidneys after treatment with AAI. BARD significantly upregulated renal Nrf2, NQO1 and HO-1 expression and downregulated Keap1 expression compared with those in the AA group. Moreover, it was found that Nrf2 was expressed both in the cytoplasm and nuclear of glomeruli and tubules, whereas NQO1 and HO-1 were localized in the cytoplasm of tubules only. In conclusion, AA-induced acute renal injury was associated with impaired Nrf2 activation and expression of its downstream target genes in renal tissues. BARD prevented renal damage induced by AAI, and this renoprotective effect may be exerted by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and increasing expression of the downstream target genes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. The Acp26Aa seminal fluid protein is a modulator of early egg hatchability in Drosophila melanogaster.

    PubMed

    Chapman, T; Herndon, L A; Heifetz, Y; Partridge, L; Wolfner, M F

    2001-08-22

    Drosophila melanogaster male accessory gland proteins (Acps) that are transferred in the ejaculate with sperm mediate post-mating competition for fertilizations between males. The actions of Acps include effects on oviposition and ovulation, receptivity and sperm storage. Two Acps that modulate egg production are Acp26Aa (ovulin) and Acp70A (the sex peptide). Acp26Aa acts specifically on the process of ovulation (the release of mature eggs from the ovaries), which is initiated 1.5 h after mating. In contrast, sperm storage can take as long as 6-9 h to complete. Initial ovulations after matings by virgin females will therefore occur before all sperm are fully stored and the extra eggs initially laid as a result of Acp26Aa transfer are expected to be inefficiently fertilized. Acp26Aa-mediated release of existing eggs should not cause a significant energetic cost or lead to a decrease in female lifespan assuming, as seems likely, that the energetic cost of egg laying comes from de novo egg synthesis (oogenesis) rather than from ovulation. We tested these predictions using Acp26Aa(1) mutant males that lack Acp26Aa but are normal for other Acps and Acp26Aa(2) males that transfer a truncated but fully functional Acp26Aa protein. Females mating with Acp26Aa(2) (truncation) males that received functional Acp26Aa produced significantly more eggs following their first matings than did mates of Acp26Aa(1) (null) males. However, as predicted above, these extra eggs, which were laid as a result of Acp26Aa transfer to virgin females, showed significantly lower egg hatchability. Control experiments indicated that this lower hatchability was due to lower rates of fertilization at early post-mating times. There was no drop in egg hatchability in subsequent non-virgin matings. In addition, as predicted above, females that did or did not receive Acp26Aa did not differ in survival, lifetime fecundity or lifetime progeny, indicating that Acp26Aa transfer does not represent a

  19. Severity of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in African Americans

    PubMed Central

    Blanco, Isabel; Mathai, Stephen; Shafiq, Majid; Boyce, Danielle; M. Kolb, Todd; Chami, Hala; K. Hummers, Laura; Housten, Traci; Chaisson, Neal; L. Zaiman, Ari; M. Wigley, Fredrick; J. Tedford, Ryan; A. Kass, David; Damico, Rachel; E. Girgis, Reda; M. Hassoun, Paul

    2014-01-01

    Abstract African Americans (AA) with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have a worse prognosis compared to Americans of European descent (EA). We conducted the current study to test the hypothesis that AA patients with SSc have more severe disease and poorer outcomes compared to EA patients when afflicted with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We studied 160 consecutive SSc patients with PAH diagnosed by right heart catheterization, comparing demographics, hemodynamics, and outcomes between AA and EA patients. The cohort included 29 AA and 131 EA patients with similar baseline characteristics except for increased prevalence of diffuse SSc in AA. AA patients had worse functional class (FC) (80% FC III-IV vs 53%; p = 0.02), higher brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) (5729 ± 9730 pg/mL vs 1892 ± 2417 pg/mL; p = 0.02), more depressed right ventricular function, a trend toward lower 6-minute walk distance (263 ± 111  m vs 333 ± 110  m; p = 0.07), and worse hemodynamics (cardiac index 1.95 ± 0.58 L/min/m2 vs 2.62 ± 0.80 L/min/m2; pulmonary vascular resistance 10.3 ± 6.2 WU vs 7.6 ± 5.0 WU; p  < 0.05) compared with EA patients. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates for AA and EA patients, respectively, were 62% vs 73% at 2 years and 26% vs 44% at 5 years (p  > 0.05). In conclusion, AA patients with SSc-PAH are more likely to have diffuse SSc and to present with significantly more severe PAH compared with EA patients. AA patients also appear to have poorer survival, though larger studies are needed to investigate this association definitively. PMID:25181310

  20. [Dose-response of aspirin on platelet function in very elderly patients].

    PubMed

    Feng, X R; Liu, M L; Liu, F; Fan, Y; Tian, Q P

    2016-10-18

    To assess the consequences of switching aspirin dosage from 100 mg/d to 40 mg/d on cardiovascular benefit, bleeding risk and platelet aggregation in very elderly patients. Arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation(AA-Ag) was measured in 537 patients aged 80 or older treated with aspirin (100 mg/d). In the study, 100 patients with low on-treatment platelet aggregation and at high risk of bleeding and low risk of cardiovascular events, were switched to aspirin (40 mg/d) and their platelet aggregation was measured again 7 days later.Their bleeding and upper gastrointestinal symptoms were also recorded in following 3 months. The study observed a heterogeneous distributed aspirin 100 mg/d AA-Ag (range: 0.42% to 28.78%)in the 537 very elderly patients.Aspirin 100 mg/d AA-Ag before the switch in aspirin 40 mg/d group was 5.00%±2.32% and the rate of the patients with low on-treatment platelet aggregation was 71.00%. The rates of melena or occult blood positive, other minimal bleeding,upper gastrointestinal symptoms and a history of gastrointestinal bleeding in 40 mg/d group were higher than those in 100 mg/d group. On a regimen of aspirin 40 mg/d, AA-Ag increased to 11.21%±4.95%(range: 2.12% to 28.84%) with 95.00%of the patients with AA-Ag<20% and the rate of the patients with low on-treatment platelet aggregation was 15.00%. Multiple variable analysis revealed that aspirin 40 mg/d AA-Ag was significantly influenced by aspirin 100 mg/d AA-Ag, BMI and platelet counts. The rate of gastrointestinal bleeding decreased from 12.00% to 5.00%,and upper gastrointestinal symptoms decreased from 59.00% to 21.00% after the switch in 40 mg/d group. Switching aspirin dosage from 100 mg/d to 40 mg/d reduces the bleeding events and improves upper gastrointestinal symptoms, thus inhibiting platelet aggregation effectively in very elderly patients.

  1. Bone Microarchitecture Is Impaired in Adolescent Amenorrheic Athletes Compared with Eumenorrheic Athletes and Nonathletic Controls

    PubMed Central

    Ackerman, Kathryn E.; Nazem, Taraneh; Chapko, Dorota; Russell, Melissa; Mendes, Nara; Taylor, Alexander P.; Bouxsein, Mary L.

    2011-01-01

    Context: Bone mineral density (BMD) is lower in young amenorrheic athletes (AA) compared to eumenorrheic athletes (EA) and nonathletic controls and may contribute to fracture risk during a critical time of bone accrual. Abnormal bone microarchitecture is an independent determinant of fracture risk and has not been assessed in young athletes and nonathletes. Objective: We hypothesized that bone microarchitecture is impaired in AA compared to EA and nonathletes despite weight-bearing exercise. Design and Setting: We conducted this cross-sectional study at the Clinical Research Center of Massachusetts General Hospital. Subjects and Outcome Measures: We assessed BMD and bone microarchitecture in 50 subjects [16 AA, 18 EA, and 16 nonathletes (15–21 yr old)] using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Results: Groups did not differ for chronological age, bone age, body mass index, or vitamin D levels. Lumbar BMD Z-scores were lower in AA vs. EA and nonathletes; hip and femoral neck BMD Z-scores were highest in EA. At the weight-bearing tibia, athletes had greater total area, trabecular area, and cortical perimeter than nonathletes, whereas cortical area and thickness trended lower in AA. Trabecular number was lower and trabecular separation higher in AA vs. EA and nonathletes. At the non-weight-bearing radius, trabecular density was lower in AA vs. EA and nonathletes. Later menarchal age was an important determinant of impaired microarchitecture. After controlling for covariates, subject grouping accounted for 18–24% of the variability in tibial trabecular number and separation. Conclusion: In addition to low BMD, AA have impaired bone microarchitecture compared with EA and nonathletes. These are the first data to show abnormal bone microarchitecture in AA. PMID:21816790

  2. AAS 228: Day 1 morning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-06-01

    Jeffrey Coughlin and colleagues to improve our ability to automatically detect and confirm exoplanet candidates with the traditional transit technique. They have developed a robotic technique called DAVE (Discovery And Vetting of K2 Exoplanets), which does an impressive job of eliminating false positive eclipse signals. To complement K2 observations of exoplanet transits, astrobites alumna Courtney Dressing presented a method which incorporates observations from the infrared Spitzer Space Telescope to better refine planet properties such as radius. @AstroDressing: Spitzer lets us refine Kepler planet radii, orbits, and even masses in prep for the Webb. #aas228 pic.twitter.com/qAUHeUSMYa Meredith Rawls (@merrdiff) June 13, 2016One of the challenges of K2 compared to Kepler is noise introduced by the spacecrafts less precise ability to point. Derek Buzasi implored us to not consider any one pipeline that removes this jitter as necessarily best, but rather to try several and recognize that different science goals will need different approaches to data processing.There isnt one best K2 pipeline! Depends strongly on your science goals. Buzasi begs us not to rank them. #aas228 pic.twitter.com/ykl89WqKNk Meredith Rawls (@merrdiff) June 13, 2016Jeffrey Van Cleve showed examples of what can be accomplished when K2 data is appropriately processed: just like Kepler, K2 can use asteroseismology to see the ringing oscillations of acoustic waves inside evolved stars. More gorgeous asteroseismology coming out of K2! Thanks to K2P2 pipelines handling of calibrated pixels. #aas228 pic.twitter.com/dGY6DcZHlV Meredith Rawls (@merrdiff) June 13, 2016Finally, several speakers including Buzasi presented their work on stellar astrophysics with K2. In addition to stellar activity and asteroseismology, presenters discussed spots and flares on cool brown dwarfs (John Gizis) and using eclipses together with stellar models to measure distances to star clusters (Keivan Stassun). Not a bad roundup for

  3. Carbon Dots and 9AA as a Binary Matrix for the Detection of Small Molecules by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Yongli; Gao, Dan; Bai, Hangrui; Liu, Hongxia; Lin, Shuo; Jiang, Yuyang

    2016-07-01

    Application of matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) to analyze small molecules have some limitations, due to the inhomogeneous analyte/matrix co-crystallization and interference of matrix-related peaks in low m/z region. In this work, carbon dots (CDs) were for the first time applied as a binary matrix with 9-Aminoacridine (9AA) in MALDI MS for small molecules analysis. By 9AA/CDs assisted desorption/ionization (D/I) process, a wide range of small molecules, including nucleosides, amino acids, oligosaccharides, peptides, and anticancer drugs with a higher sensitivity were demonstrated in the positive ion mode. A detection limit down to 5 fmol was achieved for cytidine. 9AA/CDs matrix also exhibited excellent reproducibility compared with 9AA matrix. Moreover, by exploring the ionization mechanism of the matrix, the influence factors might be attributed to the four parts: (1) the strong UV absorption of 9AA/CDs due to their π-conjugated network; (2) the carboxyl groups modified on the CDs surface act as protonation sites for proton transfer in positive ion mode; (3) the thin layer crystal of 9AA/CDs could reach a high surface temperature more easily and lower transfer energy for LDI MS; (4) CDs could serve as a matrix additive to suppress 9AA ionization. Furthermore, this matrix was allowed for the analysis of glucose as well as nucleosides in human urine, and the level of cytidine was quantified with a linear range of 0.05-5 mM (R2 > 0.99). Therefore, the 9AA/CDs matrix was proven to be an effective MALDI matrix for the analysis of small molecules with improved sensitivity and reproducibility. This work provides an alternative solution for small molecules detection that can be further used in complex samples analysis.

  4. Ascending aorta dilatation rates in patients with tricuspid and bicuspid aortic stenosis: the COFRASA/GENERAC study.

    PubMed

    Kerneis, Caroline; Pasi, Nicoletta; Arangalage, Dimitri; Nguyen, Virginia; Mathieu, Tiffany; Verdonk, Constance; Codogno, Isabelle; Ou, Phalla; Duval, Xavier; Tubiana, Sarah; Cimadevilla, Claire; Vahanian, Alec; Messika-Zeitoun, And David

    2017-07-25

    Ascending aorta (AA) dilatation is common in aortic valve stenosis (AS) but data regarding AA progression, its determinants and impact of valve anatomy [bicuspid (BAV), or tricuspid (TAV)] are scarce. Asymptomatic AS patients enrolled in a prospective cohort (COFRASA/GENERAC) with at least 2 years of follow-up were considered in the present analysis. A transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and a computed tomography (CT) scan were performed at inclusion and yearly thereafter. We enrolled 195 patients [mean gradient 22 ± 11 mmHg, 42 BAV patients (22%)]. Mean aorta diameters assessed using TTE were 35 ± 4 and 36 ± 5 mm at the sinuses of Valsalva and tubular level, respectively. Ascending aorta diameter was >40 mm in 29% of patients (24% in TAV vs. 52% in BAV, P < 0.01). Determinants of AA diameters were age, sex, BSA, and BAV, but not AS severity. After a mean follow-up of 3.8 ± 1.5years, AA enlargement rate assessed using TTE was +0.18 ± 0.34 mm/year and +0.36 ± 0.54 mm/year at the Valsalva and tubular level, respectively. Determinants of the progression of AA size were smaller AA diameter (P < 0.01) but not baseline AS severity or valve anatomy (all P > 0.05). Only four patients presented an AA progression ≥2 mm/year. Correlations between TTE and CT scan were excellent (all r >0.74) and similar results were obtained using CT. During follow-up, two BAV patients underwent a combined AA surgery; no surgery was primarily performed for AA aneurysm and no dissection was observed. In this prospective cohort of AS patients determinants of AA diameters were age, sex, BSA, and valve anatomy but not AS severity. AA progression rates were low and not influenced by AS severity or valve anatomy. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author 2017. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  5. A randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled comparative clinical trial of arginine aspartate plus adenosine monophosphate for the intermittent treatment of male erectile dysfunction.

    PubMed

    Neuzillet, Y; Hupertan, V; Cour, F; Botto, H; Lebret, T

    2013-03-01

    Efficacy and safety of l-arginine aspartate 8 g combined with 200 mg of adenosine monophosphate (AA) with placebo (PL) alone for intermittent treatment of mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED) were compared. The study design was a double-blind, PL-controlled, two-way crossover randomized clinical trial with 26 patients. Efficacy was assessed by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and two additional validated questionnaires [the Erection Hardness Score (EHS) and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS). During each crossover period, separated by a 2-week wash-out period, drugs were administered orally, 1-2 h before sexual intercourse. Primary endpoint was a change in the IIEF. Secondary endpoints were patient and investigator assessments of treatment success. Investigators' and patients' assessment of efficacy was significantly improved by the combination vs. PL (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04 respectively]. EHS and EDITS questionnaires were both improved by the combination (p = 0.015 and p = 0.017 respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of tolerance between AA and PL or severe adverse events. ED patients demonstrated significant improvements in all IIEF domains with the exception of the Sexual Desire and Orgasmic Domains when treated with AA compared with PL. This pilot phase II study showed that the on-demand oral administration at a high dosage of l-arginine aspartate-adenosine monophosphate combination may be effective in patients with mild-to-moderate ED, is very well tolerated and could be tested as a safe first-line therapy in a larger size phase III study. © 2012 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.

  6. 33 CFR 110.72aa - Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. 110.72aa Section 110.72aa Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANCHORAGES ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS Special Anchorage Areas § 110.72aa Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth...

  7. 33 CFR 110.72aa - Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. 110.72aa Section 110.72aa Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANCHORAGES ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS Special Anchorage Areas § 110.72aa Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth...

  8. 33 CFR 110.72aa - Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. 110.72aa Section 110.72aa Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANCHORAGES ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS Special Anchorage Areas § 110.72aa Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth...

  9. 33 CFR 110.72aa - Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. 110.72aa Section 110.72aa Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANCHORAGES ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS Special Anchorage Areas § 110.72aa Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth...

  10. 33 CFR 110.72aa - Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia. 110.72aa Section 110.72aa Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ANCHORAGES ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS Special Anchorage Areas § 110.72aa Elizabeth River Spectator Vessel Anchorage Areas, between Norfolk and Portsmouth...

  11. Bioinformatic flowchart and database to investigate the origins and diversity of Clan AA peptidases

    PubMed Central

    Llorens, Carlos; Futami, Ricardo; Renaud, Gabriel; Moya, Andrés

    2009-01-01

    Background Clan AA of aspartic peptidases relates the family of pepsin monomers evolutionarily with all dimeric peptidases encoded by eukaryotic LTR retroelements. Recent findings describing various pools of single-domain nonviral host peptidases, in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, indicate that the diversity of clan AA is larger than previously thought. The ensuing approach to investigate this enzyme group is by studying its phylogeny. However, clan AA is a difficult case to study due to the low similarity and different rates of evolution. This work is an ongoing attempt to investigate the different clan AA families to understand the cause of their diversity. Results In this paper, we describe in-progress database and bioinformatic flowchart designed to characterize the clan AA protein domain based on all possible protein families through ancestral reconstructions, sequence logos, and hidden markov models (HMMs). The flowchart includes the characterization of a major consensus sequence based on 6 amino acid patterns with correspondence with Andreeva's model, the structural template describing the clan AA peptidase fold. The set of tools is work in progress we have organized in a database within the GyDB project, referred to as Clan AA Reference Database . Conclusion The pre-existing classification combined with the evolutionary history of LTR retroelements permits a consistent taxonomical collection of sequence logos and HMMs. This set is useful for gene annotation but also a reference to evaluate the diversity of, and the relationships among, the different families. Comparisons among HMMs suggest a common ancestor for all dimeric clan AA peptidases that is halfway between single-domain nonviral peptidases and those coded by Ty3/Gypsy LTR retroelements. Sequence logos reveal how all clan AA families follow similar protein domain architecture related to the peptidase fold. In particular, each family nucleates a particular consensus motif in the sequence position

  12. T-helper 17 cytokines (interleukins 17, 21, 22, and 6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in patients with alopecia areata: association with clinical type and severity.

    PubMed

    Atwa, Mona A; Youssef, Nahed; Bayoumy, Nervana M

    2016-06-01

    Alopecia areata (AA) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by T-cell infiltrates and cytokine production. T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are crucially involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Our aim was to assess the association of Th17 with AA. We examined interleukin (IL)-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in the serum of patients with AA and studied their association with clinical type and severity of AA. The serum concentrations of IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured in 47 patients with AA and 40 healthy controls. The clinical type of AA was determined, and the severity of hair loss was assessed in accordance with the Alopecia Areata Investigational Assessment Guideline criteria. The serum concentrations of IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly higher in patients with AA as compared with healthy controls (mean: IL-17 33.23 ± 11.58 vs. 4.62 ± 1.88 pg/ml; P = 0.000, IL-21 62.10 ± 6.11 vs. 48.38 ± 3.31 pg/ml; P = 0.000, IL-22 19.27 ± 3.36 vs. 7.09 ± 1.62 pg/ml; P = 0.000, IL-6 17.18 ± 3.08 vs. 4.59 ± 1.66 pg/ml; P = 0.000, TNF-α 19.94 ± 3.59 vs. 9.95 ± 2.42 pg/ml; P = 0.000, respectively). There were significant positive correlations between serum IL-17, TNF-α, and disease severity. There was also significant positive correlation between serum IL-22 and duration of AA. Our results showed high serum levels of Th17 cytokines among patients with AA that may suggest a functional role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of this important skin disease. It could also provide the rationale for new treatment strategies in AA. © 2015 The International Society of Dermatology.

  13. TNFalpha and IL-10 gene polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel disease. Association of -1082 AA low producer IL-10 genotype with steroid dependency.

    PubMed

    Castro-Santos, Patricia; Suarez, Ana; López-Rivas, Laureano; Mozo, Lourdes; Gutierrez, Carmen

    2006-05-01

    An altered production of cytokines underlies inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) susceptibility. Various polymorphisms at the IL-10 and TNFalpha gene promoters control cytokine production levels. The influence of these polymorphisms on susceptibility to ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) and their association with clinical features were analyzed. Genetic polymorphisms of TNFalpha (-308 G/A) and IL-10 (-1082 G/A, -812 C/T, and -592 C/A) were determined using the LightCycler system with hybridization probes matched with one sequence variant. The study population included 99 UC patients, 146 CD patients, and 343 matched controls. We did not find association between TNFalpha or IL-10 gene polymorphisms and UC or CD susceptibility, though a slight influence of -1082*G allele in UC appearance was observed. In a stratified analysis, a highly significant association between the -1082 AA IL-10 genotype and the steroid dependency was observed in IBD (p < 0.0001), contributing both UC (p = 0.004) and CD (p = 0.003) to this association. In contrast, TNFalpha genotypes did not influence steroid dependency in IBD. Further, the contribution of cytokine genotypes and of clinical features to the appearance of steroid-dependent status (dependent variable) was studied by multivariate analysis. The steroid-dependent phenotype correlated in UC with extensive disease (p = 0.010) and with the low producer -1082 AA IL-10 genotype (p = 0.002) and in CD with penetrating disease (p = 0.010), arthritis (p = 0.011), and the -1082 AA IL-10 genotype (p = 0.006). The main conclusion is that carriage of the -1082 AA IL-10 genotype (low producer) is a relevant risk factor for developing steroid-dependent IBD.

  14. CSI 2264: Probing the inner disks of AA Tauri-like systems in NGC 2264

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McGinnis, P. T.; Alencar, S. H. P.; Guimarães, M. M.; Sousa, A. P.; Stauffer, J.; Bouvier, J.; Rebull, L.; Fonseca, N. N. J.; Venuti, L.; Hillenbrand, L.; Cody, A. M.; Teixeira, P. S.; Aigrain, S.; Favata, F.; Fűrész, G.; Vrba, F. J.; Flaccomio, E.; Turner, N. J.; Gameiro, J. F.; Dougados, C.; Herbst, W.; Morales-Calderón, M.; Micela, G.

    2015-05-01

    Context. The classical T Tauri star (CTTS) AA Tau has presented photometric variability that was attributed to an inner disk warp, caused by the interaction between the inner disk and an inclined magnetosphere. Previous studies of the young cluster NGC 2264 have shown that similar photometric behavior is common among CTTS. Aims: The goal of this work is to investigate the main causes of the observed photometric variability of CTTS in NGC 2264 that present AA Tau-like light curves, and verify if an inner disk warp could be responsible for their observed variability. Methods: In order to understand the mechanism causing these stars' photometric behavior, we investigate veiling variability in their spectra and u - r color variations and estimate parameters of the inner disk warp using an occultation model proposed for AA Tau. We also compare infrared Spitzer IRAC and optical CoRoT light curves to analyze the dust responsible for the occultations. Results: AA Tau-like variability proved to be transient on a timescale of a few years. We ascribe this variability to stable accretion regimes and aperiodic variability to unstable accretion regimes and show that a transition, and even coexistence, between the two is common. We find evidence of hot spots associated with occultations, indicating that the occulting structures could be located at the base of accretion columns. We find average values of warp maximum height of 0.23 times its radial location, consistent with AA Tau, with variations of on average 11% between rotation cycles. We also show that extinction laws in the inner disk indicate the presence of grains larger than interstellar grains. Conclusions: The inner disk warp scenario is consistent with observations for all but one star with AA Tau-like variability in our sample. AA Tau-like systems are fairly common, comprising 14% of CTTS observed in NGC 2264, though this number increases to 35% among systems of mass 0.7 M⊙ ≲ M ≲ 2.0 M⊙. Assuming random

  15. Tryptic peptides of canine thyroglobulin reactive with sera of patients with canine hypothyroidism caused by autoimmune thyroiditis.

    PubMed

    Lee, J-Y; Uzuka, Y; Tanabe, S; Takasawa, T; Sarashina, T; Nachreiner, R F

    2004-10-01

    Canine thyroglobulin (cTg) was treated with trypsin at a ratio of trypsin to cTg of 1:100 (w/w). Tryptic peptides of cTg were analysed by Western immunoblotting for their reactivity to serum thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAA) from patients with TgAA-positive hypothyroidism and normal individuals. The sera of patients with TgAA-positive hypothyroidism reacted with several peptides: 43, 32.5 and 31 kDa; the sera of normal individuals did not bind these tryptic peptides. Some of the TgAA-positive sera of patients reacted with 25 kDa peptide in addition to three tryptic peptides above. This experiment was the first report about antigenic epitopes of cTg. These small tryptic peptides recognized by TgAA may be related with the induction of TgAA and may be useful as markers for autoimmune thyroid diseases in dog.

  16. Bacterial cellulose based hydrogel (BC-g-AA) and preliminary result of swelling behavior

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

    Hakam, Adil; Lazim, Azwan Mat; Abdul Rahman, I. Irman

    2013-11-27

    In this study, hydrogel based on Bacterial cellulose (BC) or local known as Nata de Coco, which grafted with monomer: Acrylic acid (AA) is synthesis by using gamma radiation technique. These hydrogel (BC-g-AA) has unique characteristic whereby responsive to pH buffer solution.

  17. Four-point-bend fatigue of AA 2026 aluminum alloys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, J. X.; Zhai, T.; Garratt, M. D.; Bray, G. H.

    2005-09-01

    High-cycle fatigue tests were carried out on a newly developed high-strength AA 2026 Al alloy, which was in the form of extrusion bars with square and rectangular cross sections, using a self-aligning four-point-bend rig at room temperature, 15 Hz, and R = 0.1, in lab air. The fatigue strength of the square and rectangular bars was measured to be 85 and 90 pct of their yield strength, respectively, more than twice that of the predecessor to the 2026 alloy (the AA 2024 Al alloy). Fatigue cracks were found to be always initiated at large Θ' (Al7Cu2(Fe,Mn)) particles and to propagate predominantly in a crystallographic mode in the AA 2026 alloy. The fatigue fractographies of the square and rectangular extrusion bars were found to be markedly different, due to their different grain structures (fibril and layered, respectively). Fracture steps on the crack face were found in both of these extrusion bars. Since the 2026 alloy was purer in terms of Fe and Si content, it contained much less coarse particles than in a 2024 alloy. This partially accounted for the superior fatigue strength of the 2026 alloy.

  18. High prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in patients with aortic dissection or aneurysm: feasibility of extended aorta CT angiography with involvement of intracranial arteries.

    PubMed

    Lee, Dahye; Ahn, Sung Jun; Cho, Eun-Suk; Kim, Yong Bae; Song, Suk-Won; Jung, Woo Sang; Suh, Sang Hyun

    2017-10-01

    Previous studies have suggested a higher prevalence of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in patients with aortic aneurysms (AAs). To carry out a preliminary study to evaluate the prevalence of IAs in these patients and the diagnostic feasibility of extended aorta CT angiography (CTA), including intracranial arteries as well as the aorta. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a clinical diagnosis of AA or aortic dissection (AD) who had undergone aorta CTA as well as MR angiography, CTA, and/or DSA of the brain between 2009 and 2014. Since 2012, the extended aorta CTA protocol has been applied in these patients. Characteristics of IAs were classified with baseline clinical data. For quantitative and qualitative assessment by two independent raters, brain images obtained by extended aorta CTA and brain CTA were compared. The radiation dose of the two aorta protocols was compared. The prevalence of IA was 22.2% (35/158). All IAs were detected by extended aorta CTA, except one small aneurysm (<3 mm). The mean vascular attenuation value between brain images showed no difference (p=0.83), but the contrast-to-noise ratio was significantly lower in extended aorta CTA (p<0.001). In qualitative assessment, the interobserver agreement was substantial (k=0.79). For the radiation dose, the dose-length product of the extended aorta CTA increased with increment of the scan range (p=0.048). With a high prevalence of IAs in patients with ADs or AAs, extended aorta CTA could be used to evaluate aorta disease and IA in a single session. However, further prospective studies are needed to prove efficacy and safety of the extended aorta CTA protocol in patients with AAs or ADs. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

  19. AA-PMe, a novel asiatic acid derivative, induces apoptosis and suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Jing, Yue; Wang, Gang; Ge, Ying; Xu, Minjie; Tang, Shuainan; Gong, Zhunan

    2016-01-01

    Asiatic acid (AA; 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid) is widely used for medicinal purposes in many Asian countries due to its various bioactivities. A series of AA derivatives has been synthesized in attempts to improve its therapeutic potencies. Herein we investigated the anti-tumor activities of N-(2α,3β,23-acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-l-proline methyl ester (AA-PMe), a novel AA derivative. AA-PMe exhibited a stronger anti-cancer activity than its parent compound AA. AA-PMe inhibited the proliferation of SGC7901 and HGC27 human gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner but had no significant toxicity in human gastric mucosa epithelial cells (GES-1). AA-PMe induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and blocked G1-S transition, which correlated well with marked decreases in levels of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase CKD4, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein, and increase in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor P15. Further, AA-PMe induced apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by affecting Bcl-2, Bax, c-Myc, and caspase-3. Moreover, AA-PMe suppressed the migration and invasion of human gastric cancer cells (SGC7901 and HGC27) cells by downregulating the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Overall, this study investigated the potential anti-cancer activities of AA-PMe including inducing apoptosis and suppressing proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms, suggesting that AA-PMe is a promising anti-cancer drug candidate in gastric cancer therapy.

  20. Combination of glycolic acid peel and topical 20% azelaic acid cream in melasma patients: efficacy and improvement in quality of life.

    PubMed

    Dayal, Surabhi; Sahu, Priyadarshini; Dua, Ruchika

    2017-03-01

    Glycolic acid (GA) peel is one of the most versatile agents in the treatment of melasma. GA peeling alone or in combination with topical hypopigmenting agents has shown encouraging results. However, there is paucity of controlled trial demonstrating the efficacy of glycolic peel in conjunction with topical azelaic acid (AA). We therefore sought to highlight the efficacy and safety of this combination in melasma. To assess the clinical efficacy, safety and reduction in melasma quality of life (MELASQOL) scores on combining serial GA peels with topical 20% AA cream in epidermal melasma. Sixty patients of epidermal melasma were enrolled for 24 weeks. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) Study group received serial GA peel every 3 weeks with twice daily 20% AA cream, and (2) control group received only 20% AA cream. Clinical improvement was assessed objectively using Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI). Melasma-related quality of life was measured by MELASQOL scale in both groups. Side effects were observed at each visit. The improvement in MASI and percentage decrease in MASI scoring were statistically significant 12 weeks onwards in study group as compared to control group. There was also a significant reduction in MELASQOL scores in study group as compared to control group after treatment. Minor reversible side effects were observed in both groups, which did not require cessation of therapy. GA peel enhances therapeutic efficacy of topical AA cream for treatment of melasma, with improvement in quality of life without serious side effects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. [CYP7A1 gene polymorphism and the characteristics of dyslipidemias in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease concurrent with hypothyroidism].

    PubMed

    Zhaldak, D A; Melekhovets, O K; Orlovskyi, V F

    To investigate the association of the polymorphic variants -204A > C (rs 3808607) in the CYP7A1 gene with the development of dyslipidemias in healthy individuals, in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and in those with NAFLD concurrent with hypothyroidism. DNA samples and lipidograms were examined in 180 patients, including 60 healthy individuals (Group 1), 60 patients with hypothyroidism concurrent with NAFLD (Group 2), and 60 patients with NAFLD (Group 3). All the patients underwent ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland and abdominal cavity organs; FibroMax scores were calculated. All the study groups most frequently showed a homozygous AA genotype (86.6% of cases in Group 1, 80% in Group 2, and 83.3% in Group 3). The development of NAFLD in CC genotype carriers is characterized by the most pronounced changes in lipid metabolism (atherogenic index (AI), 7.32 in Group 3) compared to the genotypes AA (AI, 4.56 in Group 2 and 1.73 in Group 1) and CC (AI, 6.43 in Group 2 and 2.52 in Group 1) in functional insufficiency of thyroid hormones and relative normal conditions. The analysis of the relationship of polymorphic variants CYP7A1 rs 38088607 to lipid metabolic disturbances in the study groups showed that the significantly higher levels of atherogenic cholesterol fractions were determined in the CC genotype compared to AA genotype carriers and they did not depend on the presence of NAFLD and hypothyroidism. The findings make it possible to consider the AA homozygous genotype of variant mutation CYP7A1 rs 38088607 as protective against dyslipidemia. However, in functional insufficiency of thyroid hormones, the level of triglycerides is significantly higher in both genotypes, which suggests that hypothyroidism plays an essential role in the development of dyslipidemia and NAFLD.

  2. Predicting Hot Deformation of AA5182 Sheet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, John T.; Carpenter, Alexander J.; Jodlowski, Jakub P.; Taleff, Eric M.

    Aluminum 5000-series alloy sheet materials exhibit substantial ductilities at hot and warm temperatures, even when grain size is not particularly fine. The relatively high strain-rate sensitivity exhibited by these non-superplastic materials, when deforming under solute-drag creep, is a primary contributor to large tensile ductilities. This active deformation mechanism influences both plastic flow and microstructure evolution across conditions of interest for hot- and warm-forming. Data are presented from uniaxial tensile and biaxial bulge tests of AA5182 sheet material at elevated temperatures. These data are used to construct a material constitutive model for plastic flow, which is applied in finite-element-method (FEM) simulations of plastic deformation under multiaxial stress states. Simulation results are directly compared against experimental data to explore the usefulness of this constitutive model. The effects of temperature and stress state on plastic response and microstructure evolution are discussed.

  3. Genetic polymorphisms within exon 3 of heat shock protein 90AA1 gene and its association with heat tolerance traits in Sahiwal cows

    PubMed Central

    Kumar, Rakesh; Gupta, I. D.; Verma, Archana; Verma, Nishant; Vineeth, M. R.

    2015-01-01

    Aim: The present study was undertaken to identify novel single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Exon 3 of HSP90AA1 gene and to analyze their association with respiration rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) in Sahiwal cows. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out in Sahiwal cows (n=100) with the objectives to identify novel SNP in exon 3 of HSP90AA1 gene and to explore the association with heat tolerance traits. CLUSTAL-W multiple sequence analysis was used to identify novel SNPs in exon 3 of HSP90AA1 gene in Sahiwal cows. Gene and genotype frequencies of different genotypes were estimated by standard procedure POPGENE version 1.32 (University of Alberta, Canada). The significant effect of SNP variants on physiological parameters, e.g. RR and RT were analyzed using the General Linear model procedure of SAS Version 9.2. Results: The polymerase chain reaction product with the amplicon size of 450 bp was successfully amplified, covering exon 3 region of HSP90AA1 gene in Sahiwal cows. On the basis of comparative sequence analysis of Sahiwal samples (n=100), transitional mutations were detected at locus A1209G as compared to Bos taurus (NCBI GenBank AC_000178.1). After chromatogram analysis, three genotypes AA, AG, and GG with respective frequencies of 0.23, 0.50, and 0.27 ascertained. RR and RT were recorded once during probable extreme hours in winter, spring, and summer seasons. It was revealed that significant difference (p<0.01) among genetic variants of HSP90AA1 gene with heat tolerance trait was found in Sahiwal cattle. The homozygotic animals with AA genotype had lower heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) (1.78±0.04a), as compared to both AG and GG genotypes (1.85±0.03b and 1.91±0.02c), respectively. The gene and genotype frequencies for the locus A1209G were ascertained. Conclusions: Novel SNP was found at the A1209G position showed all possible three genotypes (homozygous and heterozygous). Temperature humidity index has a highly significant

  4. AAS Publishing News: Preparing Your Manuscript Just Got Easier

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-03-01

    Watermarking using the command watermark{DRAFT, v2}.Are you an astronomer considering submitting a paper to an AAS journal (i.e., AJ, ApJ, ApJ Letters, or ApJ Supplements)? If so, this post is for you! Read on to find out about the exciting new things you can do with the AASs newest LaTeX class file, available for download now.Why the Update?AAS publishing has maintained a consistent class file for LaTeX manuscript preparation for the past decade. But academic publishing is changing rapidly in todays era of electronic journals! Since its journals went fully electronic, the AAS has been continuously adding new publishing capabilities based on the recommendations of the Journals Task Force and the needs and requests of AAS authors. The AASs manuscript preparation tools are now being updated accordingly.Whats New in AASTex 6.0?There are many exciting new features and capabilities in AASTex 6.0. Here are just a few:Tracking options for author revisions include added{text}, deleted{text}, replaced{old}{new}, and explain{text}.Based on emulateapjDo you use the popular class file emulateapj to prepare your manuscripts? AASTex 6.0 is based on emulateapj, rather than on the older AASTex 5.2 (though 5.2 is still supported). This means that it is easy to produce a double-columned, single-spaced, and astro-ph-ready manuscript. Since two thirds of the AAS journals authors use emulateapj, this transition was designed to make manuscript preparation and sharing an easier and more seamless process.Tools for collaborationsDo you work in a large collaboration? AASTex now includes new tools to make preparing a manuscript within a collaboration easier. Drafts can now be watermarked to differentiate between versions. New markup for large author lists streamlines the display so that readers can access article information immediately, yet they can still access the full author list and affiliations at the end of the paper. And author revision markup allows members of a collaboration to

  5. Clinical outcomes and survival in AA amyloidosis patients.

    PubMed

    Ayar, Yavuz; Ersoy, Alparslan; Oksuz, Mustafa Ferhat; Ocakoglu, Gokhan; Vuruskan, Berna Aytac; Yildiz, Abdülmecit; Isiktas, Emel; Oruc, Aysegül; Celikci, Sedat; Arslan, Ismail; Sahin, Ahmet Bilgehan; Güllülü, Mustafa

    Amyloid A amyloidosis is a rare complication of chronic inflammatory conditions. Most patients with amyloid A amyloidosis present with nephropathy and it leads to renal failure and death. We studied clinical characteristics and survival in patients with amyloid A amyloidosis. A total of 81 patients (51 males, 30 females) with renal biopsy proven amyloid A amyloidosis were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into good and poor outcomes groups according to survival results. Most of the patients (55.6%) had nephrotic range proteinuria at diagnosis. Most frequent underlying disorders were familial Mediterranean fever (21.2%) and rheumatoid arthritis (10.6%) in the good outcome group and malignancy (20%) in the poor outcome group. Only diastolic blood pressure in the good outcome group and phosphorus level in the poor outcome group was higher. Serum creatinine levels increased after treatment in both groups, while proteinuria in the good outcome group decreased. Increase in serum creatinine and decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate of the poor outcome group were more significant in the good outcome group. At the time of diagnosis 18.5% and 27.2% of all patients had advanced chronic kidney disease (stage 4 and 5, respectively). Median duration of renal survival was 65±3.54 months. Among all patients, 27.1% were started dialysis treatment during the follow-up period and 7.4% of all patients underwent kidney transplantation. Higher levels of systolic blood pressure [hazard ratios 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 1-1.06, p=0.036], serum creatinine (hazard ratios 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.46, p=0.006) and urinary protein excretion (hazard ratios 1.08, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.16, p=0.027) were predictors of end-stage renal disease. Median survival of patients with organ involvement was 50.3±16 months. Our study indicated that familial Mediterranean fever constituted a large proportion of cases and increased number of patients

  6. Administrator Bolden Delivers Speech at AAS

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2010-01-05

    NASA Administrator Charles Bolden speaks at the 215th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in Washington on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2009. Throughout the meeting, NASA research and mission highlights will be presented from missions that include Kepler, the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the newly launched Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

  7. AA-PMe, a novel asiatic acid derivative, induces apoptosis and suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells

    PubMed Central

    Jing, Yue; Wang, Gang; Ge, Ying; Xu, Minjie; Tang, Shuainan; Gong, Zhunan

    2016-01-01

    Asiatic acid (AA; 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid) is widely used for medicinal purposes in many Asian countries due to its various bioactivities. A series of AA derivatives has been synthesized in attempts to improve its therapeutic potencies. Herein we investigated the anti-tumor activities of N-(2α,3β,23-acetoxyurs-12-en-28-oyl)-l-proline methyl ester (AA-PMe), a novel AA derivative. AA-PMe exhibited a stronger anti-cancer activity than its parent compound AA. AA-PMe inhibited the proliferation of SGC7901 and HGC27 human gastric cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner but had no significant toxicity in human gastric mucosa epithelial cells (GES-1). AA-PMe induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and blocked G1-S transition, which correlated well with marked decreases in levels of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase CKD4, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein, and increase in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor P15. Further, AA-PMe induced apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells by affecting Bcl-2, Bax, c-Myc, and caspase-3. Moreover, AA-PMe suppressed the migration and invasion of human gastric cancer cells (SGC7901 and HGC27) cells by downregulating the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Overall, this study investigated the potential anti-cancer activities of AA-PMe including inducing apoptosis and suppressing proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms, suggesting that AA-PMe is a promising anti-cancer drug candidate in gastric cancer therapy. PMID:27073325

  8. [Exposure degree of important non-target arthropods to Cry2Aa in Bt rice fields].

    PubMed

    Zhang, Qing-Ling; Li, Yun-He; Hua, Hong-Xia; Yang, Chang-Ju; Wu, Hong-Jin; Peng, Yu-Fa

    2013-06-01

    Based on the principle of "risk = hazard x exposure", the selected representative nontarget organisms in the assessment of the potential effects of insect-resistant genetically modified (GM) crops on non-target arthropods in laboratory are generally the arthropod species highly exposed to the insecticidal proteins expressed by the GM crops in farmland ecosystem. In order to understand the exposure degree of the important arthropod species to Cry proteins in Bt rice fields, and to select the appropriate non-target arthropods in the risk assessment of insect-resistant GM crops, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to measure the Cry2Aa protein concentration in the arthropods collected from the cry2Aa rice fields at different rice growth stages. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the Cry2Aa content protein concentration in different arthropod species. Some species did not contain Cry2Aa protein, while some species contained larger amounts of Cry2Aa protein. Relative to the arthropods colleted after rice anthesis, the arthropods colleted in rice anthesis contained relative higher concentrations of Cry2Aa protein, especially for the predacious arthropods. No Cry proteins were detected in parasitic arthropods. This study provided references for the laboratory assessment of the effects of GM rice on nontarget arthropods.

  9. Corrosion Properties of Cryorolled AA2219 Friction Stir Welded Joints Using Different Tool Pin Profiles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kamal Babu, K.; Panneerselvam, K.; Sathiya, P.; Noorul Haq, A.; Sundarrajan, S.; Mastanaiah, P.; Srinivasa Murthy, C. V.

    The purpose of this paper is to present the corrosion behavior of the Cryorolled (CR) material and its Friction Stir Welded joints. Due to the thermal cycles of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process, the corrosion behavior of the material gets affected. Here, the cryorolling process was carried out on AA2219 alloy and CR material was joined by FSW process using four different pin tool profiles such as cylindrical, threaded cylindrical, square and hexagonal pin. The FSW joints were analyzed by corrosion resistance with the help of potentiodynamic polarization test with 3.5% NaCl solution. From the analysis, it is found that CR AA2219 material exhibits good corrosion resistance compared to the base AA2219 material, and also a hexagonal pin profile FSW joint exhibits high corrosion resistance. Among the weld joints created by four different tools, the lowest corrosion resistance was found in the cylindrical pin tool FSW welds. Further, the corroded samples were investigated through metallurgical investigations like OM, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). It was found that the amount of dissolution of Al2Cu precipitate was present in the weld nugget. The amount of dissolution of Al2Cu precipitate is higher in the weld nugget produced by hexagonal pin tool. This is due to the enhancement of the corrosion resistance.

  10. A prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial comparing antibiotic therapy with appendectomy in the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis (APPAC trial).

    PubMed

    Paajanen, Hannu; Grönroos, Juha M; Rautio, Tero; Nordström, Pia; Aarnio, Markku; Rantanen, Tuomo; Hurme, Saija; Dean, Kirsti; Jartti, Airi; Mecklin, Jukka-Pekka; Sand, Juhani; Salminen, Paulina

    2013-02-08

    Although the standard treatment of acute appendicitis (AA) consists of an early appendectomy, there has recently been both an interest and an increase in the use of antibiotic therapy as the primary treatment for uncomplicated AA. However, the use of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of uncomplicated AA is still controversial. The APPAC trial is a randomized prospective controlled, open label, non-inferiority multicenter trial designed to compare antibiotic therapy (ertapenem) with emergency appendectomy in the treatment of uncomplicated AA. The primary endpoint of the study is the success of the randomized treatment. In the antibiotic treatment arm successful treatment is defined as being discharged from the hospital without the need for surgical intervention and no recurrent appendicitis during a minimum follow-up of one-year (treatment efficacy). Treatment efficacy in the operative treatment arm is defined as successful appendectomy evaluated to be 100%. Secondary endpoints are post-intervention complications, overall morbidity and mortality, the length of hospital stay and sick leave, treatment costs and pain scores (VAS, visual analoque scale). A maximum of 610 adult patients (aged 18-60 years) with a CT scan confirmed uncomplicated AA will be enrolled from six hospitals and randomized by a closed envelope method in a 1:1 ratio either to undergo emergency appendectomy or to receive ertapenem (1 g per day) for three days continued by oral levofloxacin (500 mg per day) plus metronidazole (1.5 g per day) for seven days. Follow-up by a telephone interview will be at 1 week, 2 months and 1, 3, 5 and 10 years; the primary and secondary endpoints of the trial will be evaluated at each time point. The APPAC trial aims to provide level I evidence to support the hypothesis that approximately 75-85% of patients with uncomplicated AA can be treated with effective antibiotic therapy avoiding unnecessary appendectomies and the related operative morbidity, also resulting

  11. Reduced mitochondrial DNA content associates with poor prognosis of prostate cancer in African American men.

    PubMed

    Koochekpour, Shahriar; Marlowe, Timothy; Singh, Keshav K; Attwood, Kristopher; Chandra, Dhyan

    2013-01-01

    Reduction or depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been associated with cancer progression. Although imbalanced mtDNA content is known to occur in prostate cancer, differences in mtDNA content between African American (AA) and Caucasian American (CA) men are not defined. We provide the first evidence that tumors in AA men possess reduced level of mtDNA compared to CA men. The median tumor mtDNA content was reduced in AA men. mtDNA content was also reduced in normal prostate tissues of AA men compared to CA men, suggesting a possible predisposition to cancer in AA men. mtDNA content was also reduced in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue from AA men. Tumor and BPH tissues from patients ≥ 60 years of age possess reduced mtDNA content compared to patients <60 years of age. In addition, mtDNA content was higher in normal tissues from patients with malignant T3 stage disease compared to patients with T2 stage disease. mtDNA levels in matched normal prostate tissues were nearly doubled in Gleason grade of >7 compared to ≤ 7, whereas reduced mtDNA content was observed in tumors of Gleason grade >7 compared to ≤ 7. Together, our data suggest that AA men possess lower mtDNA levels in normal and tumor tissues compared to CA men, which could contribute to higher risk and more aggressive prostate cancer in AA men.

  12. Increased tissue damage and lesion volumes in African Americans with multiple sclerosis.

    PubMed

    Weinstock-Guttman, B; Ramanathan, M; Hashmi, K; Abdelrahman, N; Hojnacki, D; Dwyer, M G; Hussein, S; Bergsland, N; Munschauer, F E; Zivadinov, R

    2010-02-16

    African American (AA) patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have more rapid disease progression and poorer responses to disease-modifying therapies than white American (WA) patients with MS. To investigate brain MRI characteristics in AA compared to WA in a cohort of consecutive patients with MS. We studied 567 patients with MS (age: 45.1 +/- SD 9.8 years, disease duration: 13.4 +/- 8.6 years), comprised of 488 WA and 79 AA. All patients obtained clinical and quantitative MRI evaluation. The majority of patients, 96% of AA and 94% of WA, were on disease-modifying therapies. The MRI measures included T1-, T2-, and gadolinium contrast-enhancing (CE) lesion volumes (LV) and CE number, global and tissue-specific brain atrophy, and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) in lesions and normal-appearing gray matter (NAGM) and white matter (NAWM). The associations between race and clinical and MRI measurements were assessed in regression analysis. The MTR values in lesions and in NAGM and NAWM were significantly lower in AA compared to WA. The AA group had 31% greater T2-LV and 101% greater T1-LV compared to WA. The MS Severity Score for AA (mean +/- SD = 4.3 +/- 2.9) was greater than for WA (3.8 +/- 2.5), despite a shorter disease duration in AA, indicating more aggressive clinical disease. African American patients showed increased tissue damage, as measured by magnetization transfer ratio, and presented higher lesion volumes compared to white Americans. The greater tissue damage and faster lesion volume accumulation may explain the rapid clinical progression in African American patients.

  13. Association of PAX4 genetic variants with oral antidiabetic drugs efficacy in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients.

    PubMed

    Chen, M; Hu, C; Zhang, R; Jiang, F; Wang, J; Peng, D; Tang, S; Sun, X; Yan, J; Luo, Y; Bao, Y; Jia, W

    2014-10-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the association of PAX4 variants with therapeutic effect of oral antidiabetic drugs in Chinese type 2 diabtes mellitus (T2DM) patients. A total of 209 newly diagnosed T2DM patients were randomly assigned to treatment with repaglinide or rosiglitazone for 48 weeks, and the therapeutic effects were compared. In the rosiglitazone cohort, rs6467136 GA+AA carriers showed greater decrease in 2-h glucose levels (P=0.0063) and higher cumulative attainment rates of target 2-h glucose levels (Plog rank=0.0093) than GG homozygotes. In the subgroup with defective β-cell function, rs6467136 GA+AA carriers exhibited greater decrements of 2-h glucose level and improvement of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P=0.0143). Moreover, GA+AA carriers were more likely to attain the target fasting and 2-h glucose level (Plog rank=0.0091 and 0.007, respectively). However, these single-nucleotide polymorphisms showed no effect on repaglinide efficacy. In conclusion, PAX4 variant rs6467136 was associated with the therapeutic effect of rosiglitazone in Chinese T2DM patients.

  14. Determination of germanium by AAS in chloride-containing matrices.

    PubMed

    Anwari, M A; Abbasi, H U; Volkan, M; Ataman, O Y

    1996-06-01

    Interference effects of NaCl on the ET-AAS determination of Ge have been studied. The use of several matrix modifiers to alleviate this problem such as Ni and Zn perchlorates and nitrates, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate are reported. The stabilizing effect of Zn and Ni perchlorates allows the use of high pretreatment temperatures. NaCl is thus thermally volatilized from the atomizer by employing pretreatment temperatures higher than 1500 degrees C resulting in an improved sensitivity. Germanium levels in zinc plant slag samples, have been determined and compared to those obtained for the same samples spiked with NaCl with platform and wall atomization using nickel perchlorate as a matrix modifier. The results were compared with those from a hydride generation system equipped with a liquid nitrogen trap. The recoveries for germanium have been almost complete and amount to 99% for the original slag samples and 80% for 15% (w/w) NaCl containing spiked samples.

  15. Increased Frequency of KRAS Mutations in African Americans Compared with Caucasians in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer.

    PubMed

    Staudacher, Jonas J; Yazici, Cemal; Bul, Vadim; Zeidan, Joseph; Khalid, Ahmer; Xia, Yinglin; Krett, Nancy; Jung, Barbara

    2017-10-19

    The basis for over-representation of colorectal cancer (CRC) in African-American (AA) populations compared with Caucasians are multifactorial and complex. Understanding the mechanisms for this racial disparity is critical for delivery of better care. Several studies have investigated sporadic CRC for differences in somatic mutations between AAs and Caucasians, but owing to small study sizes and conflicting results to date, no definitive conclusions have been reached. Here, we present the first systematic literature review and meta-analysis investigating the mutational differences in sporadic CRC between AAs and Caucasians focused on frequent driver mutations (APC,TP53, KRAS,PI3CA, FBXW7,SMAD4, and BRAF). Publication inclusion criteria comprised sporadic CRC, human subjects, English language, information on ethnicity (AA, Caucasian, or both), total subject number >20, and information on mutation frequencies. We identified 6,234 publications. Meta-analysis for APC, TP54, FBXW7, or SMAD4 was not possible owing to paucity of data. KRAS mutations were statistically less frequent in non-Hispanic Whites when compared with AAs (odds ratio, 0.640; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5342-0.7666; P=0.0001), while the mutational differences observed in BRAF and PI3CA did not reach statistical significance. Here, we report the mutational patterns for KRAS, BRAF, and PI3CA in sporadic CRC of AAs and Caucasians in a systematic meta-analysis of previously published data. We identified an increase in KRAS mutations in sporadic CRC in AAs, which may contribute to worse prognosis and increased mortality of CRC in AAs. Future studies investigating health-care disparities in CRC in AAs should control for KRAS mutational frequency.

  16. AR, HEA and AAS in Rural Development Projects--Benchmarking towards the Best Processes.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Westermarck, Harri

    In most countries, agricultural research (AR), institutions of higher education in agriculture (HEA), and agricultural advisory services (AAS) function as separate agencies. So far, in most countries, AR, HEA, and AAS have not had a common vision for rural development. In Finland, domination of agricultural production in Finland has led to a lack…

  17. A comparison of abdominal surgical outcomes between African-American and Caucasian Crohn's patients.

    PubMed

    Griglione, Nicole; Yarandi, Shadi; Srinivasan, Jahnavi; Ahearn, Thomas; Dhere, Tanvi

    2014-08-01

    Whether race affects the natural history of Crohn's disease is a matter of debate. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the differences in surgical outcomes between African-American (AA) and Caucasian (C) Crohn's patients undergoing surgery at a tertiary care referral center. With Institutional Review Board approval, the medical records of our institution were queried to identify consecutive AA and C patients who underwent surgery for Crohn's disease from December 1, 2009 to December 15, 2011. A retrospective chart review was performed using electronic medical records. A total of 77 patients were included in this study, including 32 AA (41 %) and 45 C (59 %). No significant differences were seen with respect to age, gender, type of insurance, preoperative exposure to immunosuppressives, body mass index, or smoking history between the two populations (p > 0.05). There was a trend toward lower albumin in AAs (p = 0.09). AA and C patients who underwent their first Crohn's disease (CD)-related surgery had similar lag periods between diagnosis and surgery. No significant differences were seen in location of disease, indication for operation, and need for open laparotomy over laparoscopy. No significant differences were seen in need for a repeat operation within 90 days of the original surgery or major postoperative complications. There was a trend toward higher rate of minor complications in the AA group (p = 0.07). No significant differences were noted in the current study in several preoperative variables and surgical outcomes between AA and C.

  18. Endovascular Embolization of Bronchial Artery Originating from the Upper Portion of Aortic Arch in Patients with Massive Hemoptysis

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

    Jiang, Sen, E-mail: jasfly77@vip.163.com; Sun, Xi-Wen, E-mail: xwsun@citiz.net; Yu, Dong, E-mail: yudong_mail@126.com

    2013-05-15

    PurposeOur experience with endovascular embolization (EVE) of the bronchial artery (BA) originating from the upper portion of the aortic arch (AA) in six patients is described.MethodsAltogether, 818 patients with hemoptysis underwent multidetector row computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) before EVE or AA angiography during EVE. Aberrant BAs originating from the upper portion of the AA were the source of massive hemoptysis in six patients (0.73 %). MDCT angiograms and/or Digital subtraction angiograms were retrospectively reviewed. Selective catheterization and embolization were performed.ResultsThe ostia of the BAs were located on the superior surface of the AA between the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotidmore » artery in three patients, the junction of the aorta and medial surface of the left subclavian artery in two, and the posterior wall of the upper portion of the AA in one. The six BAs comprised two common trunks, three single right sides, and one single left side. The targeted vessels were successfully catheterized and embolized by a coaxial microcatheter system using polyvinyl alcohol particles. Other pathologic BAs and nonbronchial systemic arteries also were embolized. Bleeding was immediately controlled in all patients with no recurrence of hemoptysis. No procedure-related complications occurred.ConclusionsApplication of EVE of anomalous origin of BAs in patients with hemoptysis is important, as demonstrated in the six reported patients. MDCTA before EVE or AA angiography during EVE is critical to avoid missing a rare aberrant BA originating from the upper portion of the AA.« less

  19. Incidence of Fanconi anaemia in phenotypically normal aplastic anaemia patients in West Bengal.

    PubMed

    Dutta, Atreyee; De, Rajib; Dolai, Tuphan Kanti; Pal, Pritha; Ghosh, Shanoli; Mitra, Pradip Kumar; Halder, Ajanta

    2018-01-07

    Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare inherited bone marrow failure and autosomal recessive blood disorder. FA patients have a higher risk of cancer, including acute myeloid leukaemia and squamous cell carcinoma. Maximum, but not all, affected individuals have one or more somatic abnormalities, including skin, skeletal, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, cardiac and neurological anomalies, etc. Positive stress cytogenetics has immense implications for the treatment and management of FA. The aim of our study was to find out the incidence of FA in the population of phenotypically normal aplastic anaemia (AA) patients in West Bengal. Ethical clearances were obtained from the corresponding institutional committees. A total of 117 AA cases was selected. Stress cytogenetics was performed from peripheral venous blood (PVB) samples of 63 AA patients (age ≤ 50 years) and 63 age- and sex-matched healthy individual (control) using Mitomycin C (MMC). Out of 63 AA patients, 6 (9.25%) cases showed positive stress cytogenetics suggestive of FA, which is statistically significant (p-value - 0.000532), analysed by chi-square test. A considerable percentage of patients showing sensitivity towards MMC, even if they are phenotypically normal and did not have any distinguishable features which are generally found in FA. This observation may indicate that stress cytogenetics analysis of phenotypically normal AA patients (≤50 years) is essential for the improvement of the treatment procedure.

  20. Comparing thrombin generation in patients with hemophilia A and patients on vitamin K antagonists.

    PubMed

    de Koning, M L Y; Fischer, K; de Laat, B; Huisman, A; Ninivaggi, M; Schutgens, R E G

    2017-05-01

    Essentials It is unknown if hemophilia patients with atrial fibrillation need anticoagulation. Endogenous thrombin potentials (ETP) in hemophilia patients and patients on coumarins were compared. Severe hemophilia patients had comparable ETP to therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR). In non-severe hemophilia, 33% had higher ETP than therapeutic INR and may need anticoagulation. Click to hear Dr Negrier's perspective on global assays for assessing coagulation SUMMARY: Background It is unknown whether patients with hemophilia A with atrial fibrillation require treatment with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) to the same extent as the normal population. Objective To compare hemostatic potential in hemophilia patients and patients on VKAs using thrombin generation (TG). Methods In this cross-sectional study, TG, initiated with 1pM tissue factor, was measured in 133 patients with severe (FVIII < 1%, n = 15) and non-severe (FVIII 1-50%, n = 118) hemophilia A, 97 patients on a VKA with an international normalized ratio (INR) ≥ 1.5 and healthy controls. Endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) (nm*min) was compared according to FVIII level (< 1%, 1-19% and 20-50%) with healthy controls and patients with sub-therapeutic INR (1.5-1.9) and therapeutic INR (≥ 2.0). Medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were calculated. Results Compared with healthy controls (898 [IQR 803-1004]), both hemophilia patients and patients on VKAs had lower median ETPs at 304 (196-449) and 176 (100-250), respectively. ETP was quite similar in severe hemophilia patients (185 [116-307]) and patients with a therapeutic INR (156 [90-225]). Compared with patients with therapeutic INR, ETP in patients with FVIII 1-19% and patients with FVIII 20-50% was higher at 296 (203-430) and 397 (219-632), respectively. All patients with therapeutic INR had an ETP < 400. Considering this threshold, 93% of severe hemophilia patients, 70% of patients with FVIII 1-19% and 52% of patients with FVIII 20-50% had an

  1. A Novel Tenebrio molitor Cadherin Is a Functional Receptor for Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa Toxin*

    PubMed Central

    Fabrick, Jeff; Oppert, Cris; Lorenzen, Marcé D.; Morris, Kaley; Oppert, Brenda; Jurat-Fuentes, Juan Luis

    2009-01-01

    Cry toxins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis are effective biological insecticides. Cadherin-like proteins have been reported as functional Cry1A toxin receptors in Lepidoptera. Here we present data that demonstrate that a coleopteran cadherin is a functional Cry3Aa toxin receptor. The Cry3Aa receptor cadherin was cloned from Tenebrio molitor larval midgut mRNA, and the predicted protein, TmCad1, has domain structure and a putative toxin binding region similar to those in lepidopteran cadherin B. thuringiensis receptors. A peptide containing the putative toxin binding region from TmCad1 bound specifically to Cry3Aa and promoted the formation of Cry3Aa toxin oligomers, proposed to be mediators of toxicity in lepidopterans. Injection of TmCad1-specific double-stranded RNA into T. molitor larvae resulted in knockdown of the TmCad1 transcript and conferred resistance to Cry3Aa toxicity. These data demonstrate the functional role of TmCad1 as a Cry3Aa receptor in T. molitor and reveal similarities between the mode of action of Cry toxins in Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. PMID:19416969

  2. Increased neuroinflammatory and arachidonic acid cascade markers, and reduced synaptic proteins, in the postmortem frontal cortex from schizophrenia patients

    PubMed Central

    Rao, Jagadeesh Sridhara; Kim, Hyung-Wook; Harry, Gaylia Jean; Rapoport, Stanley Isaac; Reese, Edmund Arthur

    2013-01-01

    Schizophrenia (SZ) is a progressive, neuropsychiatric disorder associated with cognitive impairment. A number of brain alterations have been linked to cognitive impairment, including neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, increased arachidonic acid (AA) signaling and reduced synaptic protein. On this basis, we tested the hypothesis that SZ pathology is associated with these pathological brain changes. To do this, we examined postmortem frontal cortex from 10 SZ patients and 10 controls and measured protein and mRNA levels of cytokines, and astroglial, microglial, neuroinflammatory excitotoxic, AA cascade, apoptotic and synaptic markers. Mean protein and mRNA levels of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP), a microglial marker CD11b, and nuclear factor kappa B subunits were significantly increased in SZ compared with control brain. Protein and mRNA levels of cytosolic and secretory phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase were significantly elevated in postmortem brains from SZ patients. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits 1 and 2B, inducible nitric oxide synthase and c-FOS were not significantly different. In addition, reduced protein and mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, synaptophysin and drebrin were found in SZ compared with control frontal cortex. Increased neuroinflammation and AA cascade enzyme markers with synaptic protein loss could promote disease progression and cognitive defects in SZ patients. Drugs that downregulate these changes might be considered for new therapies in SZ. PMID:23566496

  3. Experimental study on joining of AA6063 and AISI 1040 steel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hynes, N. Rajesh Jesudoss; Raja, S.

    2018-05-01

    Feasibility of joining of dissimilar metals with different physical, chemical and thermal properties such as AA6063 alloy and AISI 1040 steel is worthwhile study, since it has tremendous applications in all most of all engineering domains. The mechanism of bonding is studied using scanning electron microscopy. Impact strength of AA2024/AISI joints, axial shortening distance, micro hardness distribution and joint strength are determined. Micro hardness profile shows increased hardness value at the joint interface, due to grain refinement.

  4. The Role of Second Phase Hard Particles on Hole Stretchability of two AA6xxx Alloys

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

    Hu, Xiaohua; Sun, Xin; Golovashchenko, Sergey F.

    The hole stretchability of two Aluminum Alloys (AA6111 and AA6022) are studied by using a two stages integrated finite element framework where the edge geometry and edge damages from the hole piercing processes were considered in the subsequent hole expansion processes. Experimentally it has been found that AA6022 has higher hole expansion ratios than those of AA6111. This observation has been nicely captured by finite element simulations. The main cause of differences have been identified to the volume fractions of the random distributed second phase hard particles which play a critical role in determining the fracture strains of the materials.

  5. The Ratio of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) to Arachidonic Acid may be a Residual Risk Marker in Stable Coronary Artery Disease Patients Receiving Treatment with Statin Following EPA Therapy.

    PubMed

    Tani, Shigemasa; Nagao, Ken; Kawauchi, Kenji; Yagi, Tsukasa; Atsumi, Wataru; Matsuo, Rei; Hirayama, Atsushi

    2017-10-01

    We investigated the relationship between the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) level, a major residual risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), in statin-treated CAD patients following EPA therapy. We conducted a 6-month, prospective, randomized clinical trial to investigate the effect of the additional administration of EPA on the EPA/AA ratio and the serum non-HDL-C level in stable CAD patients receiving statin treatment. We assigned CAD patients already receiving statin therapy to an EPA group (1800 mg/day; n = 50) or a control group (n = 50). A significant reduction in the serum non-HDL-C level was observed in the EPA group, compared with the control group (-9.7 vs. -1.2%, p = 0.01). A multiple-regression analysis with adjustments for coronary risk factors revealed that achieved EPA/AA ratio was more reliable as an independent and significant predictor of a reduction in the non-HDL-C level at a 6-month follow-up examination (β = -0.324, p = 0.033) than the absolute change in the EPA/AA ratio. Interestingly, significant negative correlations were found between the baseline levels and the absolute change values of both non-HDL-C and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, both markers of residual risk of CAD, indicating that patients with a higher baseline residual risk achieved a greater reduction. The present results suggest that the achieved EPA/AA ratio, but not the absolute change in EPA/AA ratio, following EPA therapy might be a useful marker for the risk stratification of CAD among statin-treated patients with a high non-HDL-C level. UMIN ( http://www.umin.ac.jp/ ) Study ID: UMIN000010452.

  6. ORBITAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF THE σ Ori Aa, Ab, B TRIPLE SYSTEM

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

    Simón-Díaz, S.; Caballero, J. A.; Apellániz, J. Maíz

    2015-02-01

    We provide a complete characterization of the astrophysical properties of the σ Ori Aa, Ab, B hierarchical triple system and an improved set of orbital parameters for the highly eccentric σ Ori Aa, Ab spectroscopic binary. We compiled a spectroscopic data set comprising 90 high-resolution spectra covering a total time span of 1963 days. We applied the Lehman-Filhés method for a detailed orbital analysis of the radial velocity curves and performed a combined quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the σ Ori Aa, Ab, B system by means of the stellar atmosphere code FASTWIND. We used our own plus other available information onmore » photometry and distance to the system for measuring the radii, luminosities, and spectroscopic masses of the three components. We also inferred evolutionary masses and stellar ages using the Bayesian code BONNSAI. The orbital analysis of the new radial velocity curves led to a very accurate orbital solution of the σ Ori Aa, Ab pair. We provided indirect arguments indicating that σ Ori B is a fast-rotating early B dwarf. The FASTWIND+BONNSAI analysis showed that the Aa, Ab pair contains the hottest and most massive components of the triple system while σ Ori B is a bit cooler and less massive. The derived stellar ages of the inner pair are intriguingly younger than the one widely accepted for the σ Orionis cluster, at 3 ± 1 Ma. The outcome of this study will be of key importance for a precise determination of the distance to the σ Orionis cluster, the interpretation of the strong X-ray emission detected for σ Ori Aa, Ab, B, and the investigation of the formation and evolution of multiple massive stellar systems and substellar objects.« less

  7. Microstructure Evolution during Dissimilar Friction Stir Welding of AA7003-T4 and AA6060-T4.

    PubMed

    Dong, Jialiang; Zhang, Datong; Zhang, Weiwen; Zhang, Wen; Qiu, Cheng

    2018-02-27

    In this work, the dissimilar joint of AA7003-T4 and 6060-T4 alloy has been produced by friction stir welding (FSW). The microstructure was examined by optical microscope (OM), electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the mechanical properties of the joint were investigated. It is demonstrated that sound dissimilar joint can be produced through FSW. In the nugget; precipitations dissolve into the matrix and η' reprecipitate subsequently; and the elongated aluminum grains are replaced by fine and equiaxed grains due to dynamic recrystallization (DRX). In the heat affected zone (HAZ), coarse β' and η precipitates are formed and the aluminum grains are coarser as compared to the base materials. In the thermo-mechanical affected zone (TMAZ), equiaxed and elongated grains coexist due to incomplete DRX. The ultimate tensile strength of the dissimilar joint is 159.2 MPa and its elongation is 10.4%. The weak area exists in the HAZ of 6060 alloy, which is placed in the retreating side during FSW. The correlations between the microstucture and mechanical properties of the dissimilar joint are discussed.

  8. Microstructural development from interdiffusion and reaction between Usbnd Mo and AA6061 alloys annealed at 600° and 550 °C

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perez, E.; Keiser, D. D.; Sohn, Y. H.

    2016-08-01

    The U.S. Material Management and Minimization Reactor Conversion Program is developing low enrichment fuel systems encased in Al-alloy for use in research and test reactors. Monolithic fuel plates have local regions where the Usbnd Mo fuel plate may come into contact with the Al-alloy 6061 (AA6061) cladding. This results in the development of interdiffusion zones with complex microstructures with multiple phases. In this study, the microstructural development of diffusion couples, Usbnd 7 wt%Mo, Usbnd 10 wt%Mo, and Usbnd 12 wt%Mo vs. AA6061, annealed at 600 °C for 24 h and at 550 °C for 1, 5, and 20 h, were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The microstructural development and kinetics were compared to diffusion couples Usbnd Mo vs. high purity Al and binary Alsbnd Si alloys. The diffusion couples developed complex interaction regions where phase development was influenced by the alloying additions of the AA6061.

  9. [Comparison of texture distribution of cold rolled DC and CC AA 5052 aluminum alloy at different positions through thickness direction by XRD].

    PubMed

    Chen, Ming-biao; Ma, Min; Yang, Qing-xiang; Wang, Shan; Liu, Wen-chang; Zhao, Ying-mei

    2013-09-01

    To provide gist of DC AA 5052 and CC AA 5052 aluminum alloy to industry production and application, the texture variation of cold rolled sheets through thickness direction was studied by X-ray diffraction method, and the difference in texture at surface, quarter and center layer was analyzed. The hot plates of direct chill cast (DC) AA 5052 and continuous cast (CC) AA 5052 aluminum alloy were annealed at 454 degrees C for 4 hours and then cold rolled to different reductions. The strength and volume fraction of the fiber in CC AA 5052 aluminum alloy is larger than in DC AA 5052 aluminum alloy after same rolling reduction The volume fraction of the recrystallization texture cube in the CC AA 5052 aluminum alloy is less than in the DC AA 5052 aluminum alloy, which result in that CC AA 5052 aluminum alloy needs less cold rolling reduction than DC AA 5052 aluminum alloy for generating the texture with same intensity and volume fraction at surface layer, quarter layer and center layer. The manufacturability and performance of CC AA 5052 aluminum alloy is superior to DC AA 5052 aluminum alloy for use in stamping.

  10. Through-process modelling of texture and anisotropy in AA5182

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crumbach, M.; Neumann, L.; Goerdeler, M.; Aretz, H.; Gottstein, G.; Kopp, R.

    2006-07-01

    A through-process texture and anisotropy prediction for AA5182 sheet production from hot rolling through cold rolling and annealing is reported. Thermo-mechanical process data predicted by the finite element method (FEM) package T-Pack based on the software LARSTRAN were fed into a combination of physics based microstructure models for deformation texture (GIA), work hardening (3IVM), nucleation texture (ReNuc), and recrystallization texture (StaRT). The final simulated sheet texture was fed into a FEM simulation of cup drawing employing a new concept of interactively updated texture based yield locus predictions. The modelling results of texture development and anisotropy were compared to experimental data. The applicability to other alloys and processes is discussed.

  11. Clinical characteristics of African Americans vs Caucasian Americans with multiple sclerosis.

    PubMed

    Cree, B A C; Khan, O; Bourdette, D; Goodin, D S; Cohen, J A; Marrie, R A; Glidden, D; Weinstock-Guttman, B; Reich, D; Patterson, N; Haines, J L; Pericak-Vance, M; DeLoa, C; Oksenberg, J R; Hauser, S L

    2004-12-14

    African American (AA) individuals are thought to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) less frequently than Caucasian American (CA) individuals. To compare the clinical characteristics of AA and CA patients with MS. The clinical features of MS were compared in a large retrospective cohort of AA (n = 375) and CA (n = 427) subjects. The proportion of women to men was similar in AA and CA subjects (81% [AA] vs 77% [CA]; p = 0.122). There were no differences in the proportions of subjects with relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive, and progressive relapsing MS. The median time to diagnosis was 1 year after symptom onset in AA subjects and 2 years after symptom onset in CA subjects (p = 0.0013). The age at onset was approximately 2.5 years later in AA than CA subjects (33.7 vs 31.1 years; p = 0.0001). AA subjects presented with multisite signs and symptoms at disease onset more often than CA subjects (p = 0.018). Clinical involvement restricted to the optic nerves and spinal cord (opticospinal MS) occurred in 16.8% of AA patients compared with 7.9% of CA patients (p < 0.001). Transverse myelitis also occurred more frequently in AA subjects (28 vs 18%; p = 0.001). Survival analysis revealed that AA subjects were at higher risk for development of ambulatory disability than CA subjects. After adjusting for baseline variations and differences in therapeutic interventions, AAs were at 1.67-fold greater risk for requiring a cane to ambulate than CA patients (p < 0.001). There was a trend suggesting that AAs were also at greater risk for development of wheelchair dependency (p = 0.099). Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models showed that this effect was in part attributable to the older age at onset in AAs (p < 0.001). Compared with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Caucasian Americans, African American patients with MS have a greater likelihood of developing opticospinal MS and transverse myelitis and have a more aggressive disease course.

  12. 40 CFR Appendix A to Subpart Aa of... - Applicability of General Provisions (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing Plants Pt. 63, Subpt. AA, App. A Appendix A to...

  13. 40 CFR Appendix A to Subpart Aa of... - Applicability of General Provisions (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing Plants Pt. 63, Subpt. AA, App. A Appendix A to...

  14. 40 CFR Appendix A to Subpart Aa of... - Applicability of General Provisions (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart A) to Subpart AA

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants From Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing Plants Pt. 63, Subpt. AA, App. A Appendix A to...

  15. Prognostic value of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria clone presence in aplastic anaemia patients treated with combined immunosuppression: results of two-centre prospective study.

    PubMed

    Kulagin, Alexander; Lisukov, Igor; Ivanova, Maria; Golubovskaya, Irina; Kruchkova, Irina; Bondarenko, Sergey; Vavilov, Vladimir; Stancheva, Natalia; Babenko, Elena; Sipol, Alexandra; Pronkina, Natalia; Kozlov, Vladimir; Afanasyev, Boris

    2014-02-01

    Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) clones are frequently detected in patients with aplastic anaemia (AA). To evaluate the prognostic role of PNH clone presence we conducted a prospective study in 125 AA patients treated with combined immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Seventy-four patients (59%) had a PNH clone (PNH+ patients) at diagnosis, with a median clone size of 0·60% in granulocytes and 0·15% in red blood cells. The response rate at 6 months was higher in PNH+ patients than that in PNH- patients, both after first- and second-line IST: 68% vs. 45%, P = 0·0164 and 53% vs. 13%, P = 0·0502 respectively. Moreover, 42% of PNH+ patients achieved complete remission compared with only 16% of PNH- patients (P = 0·0029). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, PNH clone presence (odds ratio 2·56, P = 0·0180) and baseline absolute reticulocyte count (ARC) ≥30 × 10(9) /l (odds ratio 5·19, P = 0·0011) were independent predictors of response to treatment. Stratification according to PNH positivity and ARC ≥30 × 10(9) /l showed significant distinctions for cumulative incidence of response, overall and failure-free survival. The results of this prospective study confirmed the favourable prognostic value of PNH clone presence in the setting of IST for AA. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  16. A&A Painting and Restoration Co., Inc. Information Sheet

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    A&A Painting and Restoration Co., Inc. (the Company) is located in Great Mills, Maryland. The settlement involves renovation activities conducted at properties constructed prior to 1978, located in Drayden, Maryland.

  17. Ethnic differences in DNA methyltransferases expression in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

    PubMed

    Wiley, Kenneth L; Treadwell, Edward; Manigaba, Kayihura; Word, Beverly; Lyn-Cook, Beverly D

    2013-02-01

    Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease with both genetic and epigenetic etiologies. Evidence suggests that deregulation of specific genes through epigenetic mechanisms may be a contributing factor to SLE pathology. There is increasing evidence that DNA methyltransferase activity may be involved. This study demonstrated modulation in expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) according to ethnicity in patients diagnosed with SLE. Furthermore, differential expression in one of the DNMTs was found in a subset of lupus patients on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) therapy. Real-time PCR analyses of DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a cohort of African American and European American lupus and non-lupus women were conducted. Also, global DNA methylation was assessed using the MethylFlash(TM) methylated quantification colorimetric assay. Significant increase in DNMT3A (p < 0.001) was shown in lupus patients when compared to age-matched healthy controls. This increase was associated with a higher SLEDI index. More striking was that expression levels for African American (AA) women were higher than European American women in the lupus populations. A subset of AA women on DHEA therapy showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in DNMT3A expression in comparison to lupus patients not on the therapy. DHEA is an androgenic steroid found in low levels in the serum of lupus patients. Supplementation of this hormone has been shown to be beneficial to some lupus patients. DHEA was not shown to effect DNMT1 or DNMT3B expression. Increased expression was also noted in DNMT3B (p < 0.05) in lupus patients compared to age-matched healthy controls. However, no significant difference was noted in DNMT1 (p = 0.2148) expression between lupus patients and healthy controls. Although increases were detected in de novo methyltransferases, a global decrease (p < 0.001) in 5-methycytosine was observed in

  18. All-atomistic molecular dynamics (AA-MD) studies and pharmacokinetic performance of PAMAM-dendrimer-furosemide delivery systems.

    PubMed

    Otto, Daniel P; de Villiers, Melgardt M

    2018-06-13

    Improvement of problematic dissolution and solubility properties of a model drug, furosemide, was investigated for poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer complexes of the drug. Full and half generation dendrimers with amino and ester terminals respectively, were studied. In vitro release performance of these complexes was investigated at drug loads ranging 5-60% using simulated gastric fluids. Full generation dendrimers accommodated higher drug loads, outperformed half-generation complexes, and free drug. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats indicated that the dendrimer complexes markedly improved in the bioavailability of the drug compared to the unformulated drug. The G3.0-PAMAM dendrimer complex showed a two-fold increase in C max and a 1.75-fold increase in AUC over the free drug. Additionally, T max was shortened from approximately 25 to 20 min. One of the first all-atomistic molecular dynamics (AA-MD) simulation studies was performed to evaluate low-generation dendrimer-drug complexes as well as its pharmacokinetic performance. AA-MD provided insight into the intermolecular interactions that take place between the dendrimer and drug. It is suggested that the dendrimer not only encapsulates the drug, but can also orientate the drug in stabilized dispersion to prevent drug clustering which could impact release and bioavailability negatively. AA-MD can be a useful tool to develop dendrimer-based drug delivery systems. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  19. Investigation of Microstructure and Microhardness in Self-Reacting Friction Stir Welded AA2014-T6 and AA2219-T87

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Horton, K. Renee; McGill, Preston; Barkey, Mark

    2011-01-01

    Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid state welding process with potential advantages for aerospace and automotive industries dealing with light alloys. Self-reacting friction stir welding (SR-FSW) is one variation of the FSW process being developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for use in the fabrication of propellant tanks. This work reports on the microstructure and microhardness of SR-FSW between two dissimilar aluminum alloys. Specifically, the study examines the cross section of the weld joint formed between an AA2014-T6 plate on the advancing side and an AA2219-T87 plate on the retreating side. The microstructural analysis shows an irregularly displaced weld seam from the advancing side past the thermo-mechanical affected zone (TMAZ) into the weld nugget region. There are sharp variations in the microhardness across the weld. These variations are described in the paper and mechanisms for their formation are discussed.

  20. Identification of immunodominant epitopes of alpha-crystallins recognized by antibodies in sera of patients with uveitis.

    PubMed

    Doycheva, Deshka; Preuss, Beate; Deuter, Christoph; Zierhut, Manfred; Klein, Reinhild

    2012-02-01

    A high incidence of autoantibodies to lens proteins has been found in sera of patients with uveitis. We showed previously that the anti-lens antibodies reacted predominantly with α-crystallins. The aim of the present study was to identify immunodominant epitopes within the protein chains of human αA- and αB-crystallin. Epitope specificities of antibodies to αA- and αB-crystallin were examined by ELISA using synthetic overlapping peptides, spanning the entire length of both α-crystallins. The peptides consisted of 25 amino acid residues, with an overlap of at least eight amino acids each. The synthetic peptides were tested against sera of 110 patients with different uveitis forms, classified according to anatomical location of intraocular inflammation. Four immunodominant regions within the protein chains of αA- and αB-crystallin could be identified. These regions were recognized by antibodies in sera of 56% of uveitis patients. Anti-lens antibodies of IgG-type reacted preferentially with regions located at amino acid (aa) residues aa:69-93 and aa:137-161 of αA-crystallin as well as aa:69-110 and aa:137-161 of αB-crystallin. IgM antibodies recognized predominantly region aa:149-173 of αA-crystallin, and aa:69-110 and aa:151-175 of αB-crystallin. IgM antibodies directed to peptide aa:69-93 of αB-crystallin were found in sera of 30% of patients with intermediate uveitis. Four immunodominant B-cell epitopes within the protein chains of αA- and αB-crystallin have been identified; however, no clear correlation with the anatomically defined uveitis subtypes has been found except for intermediate uveitis. Whether there may be a correlation with uveitis forms with similar etiopathogenesis has to be evaluated in further studies.

  1. Pre-injury neuro-psychiatric medication use, alone or in combination with cardiac medications, may affect outcomes in trauma patients.

    PubMed

    Wisler, J R; Springer, A N; Hateley, K; Mo, X M; Evans, D C; Cook, C H; Gerlach, A T; Murphy, C V; Eiferman, D S; Steinberg, S M; Bergese, S D; Papadimos, T J; Stawicki, S P

    2014-01-01

    Recent review of older (≥45-years-old) patients admitted to our trauma center showed that more than one-third were using neuro-psychiatric medications (NPMs) prior to their injury-related admission. Previously published data suggests that use of NPMs may increase patients' risk and severity of injury. We sought to examine the impact of pre-injury NPM use on older trauma patients' morbidity and mortality. Retrospective record review included medication regimen characteristics and NPM use (antidepressants-AD, antipsychotics-AP, anxiolytics-AA). Hospital morbidity, mortality, and 90-day survival were examined. Comparisons included regimens involving NPMs, further focusing on their interactions with various cardiac medications (beta blocker - BB; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker - ACE/ARB; calcium channel blocker - CCB). 712 patient records were reviewed (399 males, mean age 63.5 years, median ISS 8). 245 patients were taking at least 1 NPM: AD (158), AP (35), or AA (108) before injury. There was no effect of NPM monotherapy on hospital mortality. Patients taking ≥3 NPMs had significantly lower 90-day survival compared to patients taking ≤2 NPMs (81% for 3 or more NPMs, 95% for no NPMs, and 89% 1-2 NPMs, P < 0.01). Several AD-cardiac medication (CM) combinations were associated with increased mortality compared to monotherapy with either agent (BB-AD 14.7% mortality versus 7.0% for AD monotherapy or 4.8% BB monotherapy, P < 0.05). Combinations of ACE/ARB-AA were associated with increased mortality compared to ACE/ARB monotherapy (11.5% vs 4.9, P = 0.04). Finally, ACE/ARB-AD co-administration had higher mortality than ACE/ARB monotherapy (13.5% vs 4.9%, P = 0.01). Large proportion of older trauma patients was using pre-injury NPMs. Several regimens involving NPMs and CMs were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Additionally, use of ≥3 NPMs was associated with lower 90-day survival.

  2. AAS 228: Day 3 morning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-06-01

    Editors Note:This week were at the 228th AAS Meeting in San Diego, CA. Along with a team ofauthors from astrobites.com, I will bewritingupdates on selectedevents at themeeting and posting twiceeach day. Follow along here or atastrobites.com, or catch ourlive-tweeted updates from the@astrobites Twitter account. The usual posting schedule for AAS Nova will resumenext week.Plenary Session 2015 Newton Lacy Pierce Prize Lecture: The Elephant in the Room: Effects of Distant, Massive Companions on Planetary System Architectures (by Leonardo dos Santos)The first session on Wednesday at 228th AAS Meeting was the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize Lecture by Heather Knutson (California Institute of Technology). This talk featured a broad range of research efforts on exoplanets, with the main focus on how we study the composition of their atmospheres, and how multi-body interactions carve the structure of the planetary systems we observe.One of her first points is the well-known idea that the Solar System is an oddball, compared to the exoplanet systems we have found so far: most of these systems contain hot Jupiters and mini-Neptunes at very close-in orbits around their host stars. Moreover, even when studying their transmission spectra, it is difficult to know the exact composition of their atmospheres.Knutson: it is difficult to constrain atmospheric composition of exoplanets (H-poor or H-rich+clouds?) #aas228pic.twitter.com/LdyN4o9RC7 astrobites (@astrobites) June 15, 2016The main proposal on how these systems formed is the migration scenario. In order to validate this idea, Dr. Knutson and her group The Friends of Hot Jupiters study systems with close-in gas giants and their frequency of binary companions, which are supposed to be the main culprits causing gas-giant migration. They found that approximately half of the observed systems have long-distance companions, providing strong validation of the migration scenario. Moreover, Dr. Knutson speculates that wide binaries have more

  3. Do young people benefit from AA as much, and in the same ways, as adult aged 30+? A moderated multiple mediation analysis.

    PubMed

    Hoeppner, Bettina B; Hoeppner, Susanne S; Kelly, John F

    2014-10-01

    Research has shown that participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) confers significant recovery benefit to adults suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Concerns persist, however, that AA may not work as well for younger adults, who tend to have shorter addiction histories, different social circumstances, and less spiritual/religious interest than adults. Secondary data analysis of Project MATCH, using a prospective, moderated multiple mediation analysis to test and compare six previously identified mechanisms of change in younger adults (n=266) vs. adults aged 30+ (n=1460). Nine clinical sites within the United States. Treatment-seeking adults (n=1726) suffering from AUD who participated in 12 weeks of outpatient treatment and completed follow-ups at 3-, 9- and 15-months. AA attendance during treatment; mediators at 9 months; and outcomes [percentage of days abstinent (PDA) and drinks per drinking day (DDD)] at 15 months. AA attendance was associated with improved drinking outcomes in both younger adults (PDA: F(1, 247)=8.55, p<0.01; DDD: F(1, 247)=15.93, p<0.01) and adults aged 30+ (PDA: F(1, 1311)=86.58, p<0.01; DDD: F(1, 1311)=11.96, p<0.01). Only two of the six hypothesized pathways (i.e., decreases in pro-drinking social networks, self-efficacy in social situations) appeared to work in younger adults. Unidentified mechanisms of behavior change that are mobilized by AA participation appear to be at work in young people. Once identified, these mechanisms may shed new light on how exactly AA confers similar benefits for young people and, more broadly, may enhance our understanding of recovery-related change for young adults that could yield novel intervention targets. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. [AA amyloidosis].

    PubMed

    Stojanovic, Katia Stankovic; Georgin-Lavialle, Sophie; Grateau, Gilles

    2017-06-01

    AA amyloidosis remains one of the three main types of systemic amyloidosis with AL and ATTR. Its incidence has been however decreasing recently in Western countries. Chronic inflammatory diseases are currently the first cause of AA amyloidosis, including rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and autoinflammatory diseases. Castleman's disease is a specific cause of AA amyloidosis that can be cured by surgery. A chronic inflammatory response is required to develop amyloidosis. Other genetic and environmental factors are also involved. The first clinical manifestation is a chronic glomerular nephropathy, which can be detected by urine examination and serum creatinine measure. Immunohistochemistry is mandatory to confirm the clinical diagnosis of AA amyloidosis and to avoid misdiagnosis. Long-term prognosis remains poor on chronic dialysis in case of clinical gut involvement. Current treatment is based on the control of the inflammatory response. Specific treatment aimed at inhibiting amyloid formation targeting serum amyloid P component and heparan sulphate are currently evaluated. Copyright © 2017 Société francophone de néphrologie, dialyse et transplantation. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  5. Total ankle arthroplasty versus ankle arthrodesis for the treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis: a meta-analysis of comparative studies.

    PubMed

    Kim, Hyun Jung; Suh, Dong Hun; Yang, Jae Hyuk; Lee, Jin Woo; Kim, Hak Jun; Ahn, Hyeong Sik; Han, Seung Woo; Choi, Gi Won

    2017-01-01

    Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and ankle arthrodesis (AA) are the main surgical treatment options for end-stage ankle arthritis. Although the superiority of each modality remains debated, there remains a lack of high-quality evidence-based studies, such as randomized controlled clinical trials, and meta-analyses of comparative studies. We performed a meta-analysis of comparative studies to determine whether there is a significant difference between these two procedures in terms of (i) clinical scores and patient satisfaction, (ii) re-operations, and (iii) complications. We conducted a comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases. Only retrospective or prospective comparative studies were included in this meta-analysis. The literature search, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers. The primary outcomes were clinical scores and patient satisfaction. We also investigated the prevalence of complications and the re-operation rate. Ten comparative studies were included (four prospective and six retrospective studies). There were no significant differences between the two procedures in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score, Short Form-36 physical component summary and mental component summary scores, visual analogue scale for pain, and patient satisfaction rate. The risk of re-operation and major surgical complications were significantly increased in the TAA group. The meta-analysis revealed that TAA and AA could achieve similar clinical outcomes, whereas the incidence of re-operation and major surgical complication was significantly increased in TAA. Further studies of high methodological quality with long-term follow-up are required to confirm our conclusions.

  6. Self-reported aging anxiety in Greek students, health care professionals, and community residents: a comparative study.

    PubMed

    Koukouli, Sofia; Pattakou-Parasyri, Vassiliki; Kalaitzaki, Argyroula E

    2014-04-01

    This study investigates the anxiety people feel about aging and the psychometric properties of the Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS) in Greek samples. The AAS was administered in 3 groups: 147 primary health care professionals, 74 Nursing and Social Work students, and 99 community residents. A confirmatory factor analysis reproduced the 4 factors underlying the Greek-translated AAS, with acceptable reliabilities for the 3 samples. Multivariate analysis of variance showed that students expressed significantly more anxiety about aging (higher overall AAS score), more "Fear of old people," "Psychological concerns," and "Concerns about physical appearance," and less "Fear of losses," compared with professionals and community residents. Women reported the highest concerns about physical appearance compared with men. Students and professionals having experience with dementia showed lower and higher overall AAS scores, respectively, compared with those who had no such experience. The younger professionals without experience and the less educated ones with experience expressed higher overall anxiety about aging than the older professionals and the less educated both without experience. Our findings suggest the importance of implementing appropriate educational interventions and ongoing training tailored to assuage students' and professionals' anxiety about their own aging and lessen their agist attitudes toward old people.

  7. Differential gene expression between African American and European American colorectal cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Jovov, Biljana; Araujo-Perez, Felix; Sigel, Carlie S; Stratford, Jeran K; McCoy, Amber N; Yeh, Jen Jen; Keku, Temitope

    2012-01-01

    The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) is higher in African Americans (AAs) than other ethnic groups in the U. S., but reasons for the disparities are unknown. We performed gene expression profiling of sporadic CRCs from AAs vs. European Americans (EAs) to assess the contribution to CRC disparities. We evaluated the gene expression of 43 AA and 43 EA CRC tumors matched by stage and 40 matching normal colorectal tissues using the Agilent human whole genome 4x44K cDNA arrays. Gene and pathway analyses were performed using Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM), Ten-fold cross validation, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). SAM revealed that 95 genes were differentially expressed between AA and EA patients at a false discovery rate of ≤5%. Using IPA we determined that most prominent disease and pathway associations of differentially expressed genes were related to inflammation and immune response. Ten-fold cross validation demonstrated that following 10 genes can predict ethnicity with an accuracy of 94%: CRYBB2, PSPH, ADAL, VSIG10L, C17orf81, ANKRD36B, ZNF835, ARHGAP6, TRNT1 and WDR8. Expression of these 10 genes was validated by qRT-PCR in an independent test set of 28 patients (10 AA, 18 EA). Our results are the first to implicate differential gene expression in CRC racial disparities and indicate prominent difference in CRC inflammation between AA and EA patients. Differences in susceptibility to inflammation support the existence of distinct tumor microenvironments in these two patient populations.

  8. Differential Gene Expression between African American and European American Colorectal Cancer Patients

    PubMed Central

    Jovov, Biljana; Araujo-Perez, Felix; Sigel, Carlie S.; Stratford, Jeran K.; McCoy, Amber N.; Yeh, Jen Jen; Keku, Temitope

    2012-01-01

    The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) is higher in African Americans (AAs) than other ethnic groups in the U. S., but reasons for the disparities are unknown. We performed gene expression profiling of sporadic CRCs from AAs vs. European Americans (EAs) to assess the contribution to CRC disparities. We evaluated the gene expression of 43 AA and 43 EA CRC tumors matched by stage and 40 matching normal colorectal tissues using the Agilent human whole genome 4x44K cDNA arrays. Gene and pathway analyses were performed using Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM), Ten-fold cross validation, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). SAM revealed that 95 genes were differentially expressed between AA and EA patients at a false discovery rate of ≤5%. Using IPA we determined that most prominent disease and pathway associations of differentially expressed genes were related to inflammation and immune response. Ten-fold cross validation demonstrated that following 10 genes can predict ethnicity with an accuracy of 94%: CRYBB2, PSPH, ADAL, VSIG10L, C17orf81, ANKRD36B, ZNF835, ARHGAP6, TRNT1 and WDR8. Expression of these 10 genes was validated by qRT-PCR in an independent test set of 28 patients (10 AA, 18 EA). Our results are the first to implicate differential gene expression in CRC racial disparities and indicate prominent difference in CRC inflammation between AA and EA patients. Differences in susceptibility to inflammation support the existence of distinct tumor microenvironments in these two patient populations. PMID:22276153

  9. Hsp90aa1: a novel target gene of miR-1 in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Wen Si; Guo, Wei; Zhu, Jie Ning; Tang, Chun Mei; Fu, Yong Heng; Lin, Qiu Xiong; Tan, Ning; Shan, Zhi Xin

    2016-01-01

    The role of microRNA-1 (miR-1) in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury is not well illustrated. The present study aimed to investigate the expression and potential target of miR-1 in the myocardium of a rat model of I/R. The apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in the ischemic rat myocardium increased on day 1, then attenuated on day 3 and day 7 post-I/R. Heat shot protein 90 (Hsp90) aa1 mRNA expression was decreased post-I/R, and Hsp90aa1 protein level was decreased on day1 post-I/R, but was reversed on day 3 and day 7 post-I/R. MiR-1 was downregulated post-I/R, and repression of miR-1 in cultured neonatal rat ventricular cells (NRVCs) led to an increase of Bcl-2 and decreases of Bax and active caspase-3. Dual luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR-1 interacted with the 310–315 nt site at the 3′UTR of Hsp90aa1, and miR-1 was verified to inhibit Hsp90aa1 expression at the posttranscriptional level. Over-expression of Hsp90aa1 could attenuate oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced apoptosis of NRVCs. Additionally, miR-1 mimic, in parallel to Hsp90aa1 siRNA, could enhance OGD-induced apoptosis of NRVCs. Taken together, our results reveal that Hsp90aa1 is a novel target of miR-1, and repression of miR-1 may contribute to the recovery of Hsp90aa1 during myocardial I/R. PMID:27076094

  10. Effect of pin tool design on the material flow of dissimilar AA7075-AA6061 friction stir welds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hasan, Mohammed M.; Ishak, M.; Rejab, M. R. M.

    2017-10-01

    Tool design is the most influential aspect in the friction stir welding (FSW) technology. Influence of pin tool geometry on material flow pattern are studied in this work during the FSW of dissimilar AA7075 and AA6061 aluminium alloys. Three truncated pin tool profiles (threaded, threaded with single flat, and unthreaded with single flat) were used to prepare the weldments. The workpieces were joined using a custom-made clamping system under 1100 rpm of spindle speed, 300 mm/min of traverse rate and 3° of tilt angle. The metallographic analysis showed that defect-free welds can be produced using the three pin tools with significant changes in the mixing stir zone structure. The results declared that the introducing of the flat on the cone of the probe deviates the pattern of the onion rings without changing the chemical composition of the created layers. This in turn improves the hardness distribution and tensile strength of the welded joint. It was also noted that both heat affected zone (HAZ) and thermal-mechanical affected zone (TMAZ) are similar in composition to their corresponding base materials (BM).

  11. Identification of novel mutations in Mexican patients with Aarskog-Scott syndrome.

    PubMed

    Pérez-Coria, Mariana; Lugo-Trampe, José J; Zamudio-Osuna, Michell; Rodríguez-Sánchez, Iram P; Lugo-Trampe, Angel; de la Fuente-Cortez, Beatriz; Campos-Acevedo, Luis D; Martínez-de-Villarreal, Laura E

    2015-05-01

    Aarskog-Scott syndrome (AAS), also known as faciogenital dysplasia (FGD, OMIM # 305400), is an X-linked disorder of recessive inheritance, characterized by short stature and facial, skeletal, and urogenital abnormalities. AAS is caused by mutations in the FGD1 gene (Xp11.22), with over 56 different mutations identified to date. We present the clinical and molecular analysis of four unrelated families of Mexican origin with an AAS phenotype, in whom FGD1 sequencing was performed. This analysis identified two stop mutations not previously reported in the literature: p.Gln664* and p.Glu380*. Phenotypically, every male patient met the clinical criteria of the syndrome, whereas discrepancies were found between phenotypes in female patients. Our results identify two novel mutations in FGD1, broadening the spectrum of reported mutations; and provide further delineation of the phenotypic variability previously described in AAS.

  12. [A novel gene (Aa-accA ) encoding acetyl-CoA carboxyltransferase alpha-subunit of Alkalimonas amylolytica N10 enhances salt and alkali tolerance of Escherichia coli and tobacco BY-2 cells].

    PubMed

    Xian, Mingjie; Zhai, Lei; Zhong, Naiqin; Ma, Yiwei; Xue, Yanfen; Ma, Yanhe

    2013-08-04

    Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) catalyzes the first step of fatty acid synthesis. In most bacteria, ACC is composed of four subunits encoded by accA, accB, accC, and accD. Of them, accA encodes acetyl-CoA carboxyltransferase alpha-subunit. Our prior work on proteomics of Alkalimonas amylolytica N10 showed that the expression of the Aa-accA has a remarkable response to salt and alkali stress. This research aimed to find out the Aa-accA gene contributing to salt and alkali tolerance. The Aa-accA was amplified by PCR from A. amylolytica N10 and expressed in E. coli K12 host. The effects of Aa-accA expression on the growth of transgenic strains were examined under different NaCl concentration and pH conditions. Transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells harboring Aa-accA were also generated via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The viability of BY-2 cells was determined with FDA staining method after salt and alkali shock. The Aa-accA gene product has 318 amino acids and is homologous to the carboxyl transferase domain of acyl-CoA carboxylases. It showed 76% identity with AccA (acetyl-CoA carboxylase carboxyltransferase subunit alpha) from E. coli. Compared to the wild-type strains, transgenic E. coli K12 strain containing Aa-accA showed remarkable growth superiority when grown in increased NaCl concentrations and pH levels. The final cell density of the transgenic strains was 2.6 and 3.5 times higher than that of the control type when they were cultivated in LB medium containing 6% (W/V) NaCl and at pH 9, respectively. Complementary expression of Aa-accA in an accA-depletion E. coli can recover the tolerance of K12 delta accA to salt and alkali stresses to some extent. Similar to the transgenic E. coli, transgenic tobacco BY-2 cells showed higher percentages of viability compared to the wild BY-2 cells under the salt or alkali stress condition. We found that Aa-accA from A. amylolytica N10 overexpression enhances the tolerance of both transgenic E. coli and tobacco BY-2 cells to

  13. My First AAS Meeting: Bloomington and ANN Arbor, June 1950

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Osterbrock, D. E.

    1999-05-01

    I attended my first AAS meeting at the end of my first year as a graduate student at Yerkes Observatory, in the summer of 1950. Yerkes was the home base of the astronomy faculty, staff, and graduate students of the University of Chicago, and a large contingent went to this meeting at nearby Indiana University, and then on to the symposium immediately following it at the University of Michigan. In this paper I will describe these meetings so as to bring out the differences between this typical AAS meeting nearly half a century ago, and one today, as well as their similarities. Briefly, the main differences resulted from the fact that astronomy was much smaller then, and less well funded. Membership in the AAS, attendance at its 1950 meeting, and the number of papers presented were all smaller by factors of roughly ten than now. Most astronomers paid their own expenses to meetings, or were only reimbursed for part of them by their universities. Hence most meetings were held on university campuses. There were no registration fees, and the receptions, picnics, and outings were provided by the ``host" institution, which treated the visiting astronomers as its guests. The AAS had no paid staff. There were no parallel sessions nor poster papers. Members submitted only titles for their papers, most of them on stars; fewer on planets, asteroids and meteors; and fewer still on interstellar matter, gaseous nebulae, galaxies, or cosmology. Research papers were the most important part of the meeting, but ``teachers' sessions," the equivalent of the education sessions of today, were part of the program too. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones were an important, unscheduled part of the meeting. This paper will provide a narrative of these meetings, illustrated by photographs of groups, scenes, and astronomers.

  14. CG2AA: backmapping protein coarse-grained structures.

    PubMed

    Lombardi, Leandro E; Martí, Marcelo A; Capece, Luciana

    2016-04-15

    Coarse grain (CG) models allow long-scale simulations with a much lower computational cost than that of all-atom simulations. However, the absence of atomistic detail impedes the analysis of specific atomic interactions that are determinant in most interesting biomolecular processes. In order to study these phenomena, it is necessary to reconstruct the atomistic structure from the CG representation. This structure can be analyzed by itself or be used as an onset for atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. In this work, we present a computer program that accurately reconstructs the atomistic structure from a CG model for proteins, using a simple geometrical algorithm. The software is free and available online at http://www.ic.fcen.uba.ar/cg2aa/cg2aa.py Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. lula@qi.fcen.uba.ar. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  15. Polymorphisms in the HSP90AA1 5' flanking region are associated with scrapie incubation period in sheep.

    PubMed

    Marcos-Carcavilla, Ane; Moreno, Carole; Serrano, Magdalena; Laurent, Pascal; Cribiu, Edmond P; Andréoletti, Olivier; Ruesche, Julien; Weisbecker, Jean-Louis; Calvo, Jorge H; Moazami-Goudarzi, Katayoun

    2010-07-01

    Susceptibility to scrapie is mainly controlled by point mutations at the PRNP locus. However, additional quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been identified across the genome including a region in OAR18. The gene which encodes the inducible form of the cytoplasmic Hsp90 chaperone (HSP90AA1) maps within this region and seems to be associated with the resistance/susceptibility to scrapie in sheep. Here, we have analyzed several polymorphisms which were previously described in the ovine HSP90AA1 5' flanking region and in intron 10 in two naturally scrapie infected Romanov sheep populations. First, we have studied 58 ARQ/VRQ animals pertaining to the sire family where the QTL influencing scrapie incubation period in OAR18 was detected. We have found a significant association between polymorphisms localized at -660 and -528 in the HSP90AA1 5' flanking region and the scrapie incubation period. These two polymorphisms have also been studied in a second sample constituted by 62 VRQ/VRQ sheep showing an extreme incubation period. Results are concordant with the first dataset. Finally, we have studied the HSP90AA1 expression in scrapie and control animals (N = 41) with different HSP90AA1 genotypes by real time PCR on blood samples. The HSP90AA1 expression rate was equivalent in CC(-600)AA(-528) and CG(-600)AG(-528) scrapie resistant animals (ARR/ARR) and was higher in their CC(-600)AA(-528) than in their CG(-600)AG(-528) scrapie susceptible counterparts (VRQ/VRQ). Our results support the hypothesis that the ovine HSP90AA1 gene acts as a modulator of scrapie susceptibility, contributing to the observed differences in the incubation period of scrapie infected animals with the same PRNP genotype.

  16. Resistin and interleukin-6 exhibit racially-disparate expression in breast cancer patients, display molecular association and promote growth and aggressiveness of tumor cells through STAT3 activation.

    PubMed

    Deshmukh, Sachin K; Srivastava, Sanjeev K; Bhardwaj, Arun; Singh, Ajay P; Tyagi, Nikhil; Marimuthu, Saravanakumar; Dyess, Donna L; Dal Zotto, Valeria; Carter, James E; Singh, Seema

    2015-05-10

    African-American (AA) women with breast cancer (BC) are diagnosed with more aggressive disease, have higher risk of recurrence and poorer prognosis as compared to Caucasian American (CA) women. Therefore, it is imperative to define the factors associated with such disparities to reduce the unequal burden of cancer. Emerging data suggest that inherent differences exist in the tumor microenvironment of AA and CA BC patients, however, its molecular bases and functional impact have remained poorly understood. Here, we conducted cytokine profiling in serum samples from AA and CA BC patients and identified resistin and IL-6 to be the most differentially-expressed cytokines with relative greater expression in AA patients. Resistin and IL-6 exhibited positive correlation in serum levels and treatment of BC cells with resistin led to enhanced production of IL-6. Moreover, resistin also enhanced the expression and phosphorylation of STAT3, and treatment of BC cells with IL-6-neutralizing antibody prior to resistin stimulation abolished STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, resistin promoted growth and aggressiveness of BC cells, and these effects were mediated through STAT3 activation. Together, these findings suggest a crucial role of resistin, IL-6 and STAT3 in BC racial disparity.

  17. Trust Building Recruitment Strategies for Researchers Conducting Studies in African American (AA) Churches: Lessons Learned

    PubMed Central

    Bonner, Gloria; Williams, Sharon; Wilkie, Diana; Hart, Alysha; Burnett, Glenda; Peacock, Geraldine

    2017-01-01

    Background An initial and vital important step in recruiting participants for church-based hospice and palliative care research is the establishment of trust and credibility within the church community. Mistrust of medical research is an extremely important barrier hindering recruitment in African American (AA) communities. A church-based EOL dementia education project is currently being conducted at four large urban AA churches. Church leaders voiced mistrust concerns of previous researchers who conducted investigations in their faith-based institutions. We explored strategies to ameliorate the mistrust concerns. Specific aim To identify trust-rebuilding elements for researchers following others who violated trust of AA church leaders. Methods Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted from a convenient sample of four established AA church leaders. Interviews were held in the informants’ churches to promote candor and comfort in revealing sensitive information about trust/mistrust. Content analysis framework was used to analyze the data. Elements identified from the analysis were then used to create themes. Results Multidimensional overarching themes emerged from the analysis included: Experience with researchers (positive and extremely negative), violation of trust and trust building strategies. Conclusions Findings suggest that researchers who wish to conduct successful studies in the AA religious institutions must implement trust rebuilding strategies that include mutual respect, collaboration and partnership building. If general moral practices continue to be violated, threat to future hospice and palliative care research within the institutions may prevail. Thus, potential benefits are thwarted for the church members, AA community, and advancement of EOL care scholarship. PMID:27577723

  18. Trust Building Recruitment Strategies for Researchers Conducting Studies in African American (AA) Churches: Lessons Learned.

    PubMed

    Bonner, Gloria; Williams, Sharon; Wilkie, Diana; Hart, Alysha; Burnett, Glenda; Peacock, Geraldine

    2017-12-01

    An initial and vital important step in recruiting participants for church-based hospice and palliative care research is the establishment of trust and credibility within the church community. Mistrust of medical research is an extremely important barrier hindering recruitment in African American (AA) communities. A church-based EOL dementia education project is currently being conducted at four large urban AA churches. Church leaders voiced mistrust concerns of previous researchers who conducted investigations in their faith-based institutions. We explored strategies to ameliorate the mistrust concerns. Specific aim: To identify trust-rebuilding elements for researchers following others who violated trust of AA church leaders. Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted from a convenient sample of four established AA church leaders. Interviews were held in the informants' churches to promote candor and comfort in revealing sensitive information about trust /mistrust. Content analysis framework was used to analyze the data. Elements identified from the analysis were then used to create themes. Multidimensional overarching themes emerged from the analysis included: Experience with researchers (positive and extremely negative), violation of trust and trust building strategies. Findings suggest that researchers who wish to conduct successful studies in the AA religious institutions must implement trust rebuilding strategies that include mutual respect, collaboration and partnership building. If general moral practices continue to be violated, threat to future hospice and palliative care research within the institutions may prevail. Thus, potential benefits are thwarted for the church members, AA community, and advancement of EOL care scholarship.

  19. Alcoholics Anonymous-Related Benefit for Urban Native Americans: Does Urban Native American Gender Moderate AA Engagement and Outcomes?

    PubMed

    Muñoz, Rosa E; Tonigan, J Scott

    2017-01-01

    Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most commonly accessed resources for individuals seeking to reduce their drinking. How urban Native Americans fare in AA is only beginning to be investigated in spite of circumstantial evidence suggesting that a majority of treatment-seeking urban Native Americans will receive 12-step treatment. Even less is known about Native American gender differences with regard to AA-related benefit. The current study addressed this gap by investigating urban Native American gender differences in AA attendance rates and outcomes. To this end, as part of two larger NIH-funded studies we recruited 63 Native American men and women and followed them for 9 months in this naturalistic study (n= 35 males, n = 28 females). Urban Native Americans significantly reduced their drinking over the study period, and AA attendance explained, in part, increased abstinence of study participants. No significant differences in AA attendance and drinking outcomes were observed between Native American men and women; however, descriptively men reported greater reductions in hazardous drinking relative to women. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.

  20. Tofacitinib for the treatment of severe alopecia areata and variants: A study of 90 patients.

    PubMed

    Liu, Lucy Y; Craiglow, Brittany G; Dai, Feng; King, Brett A

    2017-01-01

    Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disorder. There are no reliably effective therapies for AA. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Janus kinase 1/3 inhibitor, tofacitinib, in a series of patients over an extended period of time. This is a retrospective study of patients age 18 years or older with AA with at least 40% scalp hair loss treated with tofacitinib. The primary end point was the percent change in Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score during treatment. Ninety patients met inclusion criteria. Of 65 potential responders to therapy, defined as those with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis with duration of current episode of disease of 10 years or less or alopecia areata, 77% achieved a clinical response, with 58% of patients achieving greater than 50% change in SALT score over 4 to 18 months of treatment. Patients with AA experienced a higher percent change in SALT score than did patients with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis (81.9% vs 59.0%). Tofacitinib was well tolerated, and there were no serious adverse events. The retrospective nature of the data, the relatively small number of patients, and lack of a control group are limitations. Tofacitinib should be considered for the treatment of severe AA, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis; tofacitinib dose response will be better defined by randomized controlled trials. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Hot Deformation Behavior of Hot-Extruded AA7175 Through Hot Torsion Tests.

    PubMed

    Lee, Se-Yeon; Jung, Taek-Kyun; Son, Hyeon-Woo; Kim, Sang-Wook; Son, Kwang-Tae; Choi, Ho-Joon; Oh, Sang-Ho; Lee, Ji-Woon; Hyun, Soong-Keun

    2018-03-01

    The hot deformation behavior of hot-extruded AA7175 was investigated with flow curves and processing maps through hot torsion tests. The flow curves and the deformed microstructures revealed that dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurred in the hot-extruded AA7175 during hot working. The failure strain was highest at medium temperature. This was mainly influenced by the dynamic precipitation of fine rod-shaped MgZn2. The processing map determined the optimal deformation condition for the alloy during hot working.

  2. Characterization of amyloid in equine recurrent uveitis as AA amyloid.

    PubMed

    Ostevik, L; de Souza, G A; Wien, T N; Gunnes, G; Sørby, R

    2014-01-01

    Two horses with chronic uveitis and histological lesions consistent with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) were examined. Microscopical findings in the ciliary body included deposits of amyloid lining the non-pigmented epithelium, intracytoplasmic, rod-shaped, eosinophilic inclusions and intraepithelial infiltration of T lymphocytes. Ultrastructural examination of the ciliary body of one horse confirmed the presence of abundant extracellular deposits of non-branching fibrils (9-11 nm in diameter) consistent with amyloid. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong positive labelling for AA amyloid and mass spectrometry showed the amyloid to consist primarily of serum amyloid A1 in both cases. The findings suggest that localized, intraocular AA amyloidosis may occur in horses with ERU. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. AaEIN3 Mediates the Downregulation of Artemisinin Biosynthesis by Ethylene Signaling Through Promoting Leaf Senescence in Artemisia annua.

    PubMed

    Tang, Yueli; Li, Ling; Yan, Tingxiang; Fu, Xueqing; Shi, Pu; Shen, Qian; Sun, Xiaofen; Tang, Kexuan

    2018-01-01

    Artemisinin is an important drug for malaria treatment, which is exclusively produced in Artemisia annua . It's important to dissect the regulatory mechanism of artemisinin biosynthesis by diverse plant hormones and transcription factors. Our study shows ethylene, a plant hormone which accelerates flower and leaf senescence and fruit ripening, suppressed the expression of genes encoding three key enzymes ADS, DBR2, CYP71AV1, and a positive regulator AaORA involved in artemisinin biosynthesis. Then we isolated the gene encoding ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3), a key transcription factor in ethylene signaling pathway, by screening the transcriptome and genome database from Artemisia annua , named AaEIN3 . Overexpressing AaEIN3 suppressed artemisinin biosynthesis, while repressing its expression with RNAi enhanced artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua , indicating AaEIN3 negatively regulates artemisinin biosynthesis. Further study showed the downregulation of artemisinin biosynthesis by ethylene required the mediation of AaEIN3. AaEIN3 could accelerate leaf senescence, and leaf senescence attenuated the expression of ADS, DBR2, CYP71AV1 , and AaORA that are involved in artemisinin biosynthesis. Collectively, our study demonstrated a negative correlation between ethylene signaling and artemisinin biosynthesis, which is ascribed to AaEIN3-induced senescence process of leaves. Our work provided novel knowledge on the regulatory network of plant hormones for artemisinin metabolic pathway.

  4. AaEIN3 Mediates the Downregulation of Artemisinin Biosynthesis by Ethylene Signaling Through Promoting Leaf Senescence in Artemisia annua

    PubMed Central

    Tang, Yueli; Li, Ling; Yan, Tingxiang; Fu, Xueqing; Shi, Pu; Shen, Qian; Sun, Xiaofen; Tang, Kexuan

    2018-01-01

    Artemisinin is an important drug for malaria treatment, which is exclusively produced in Artemisia annua. It’s important to dissect the regulatory mechanism of artemisinin biosynthesis by diverse plant hormones and transcription factors. Our study shows ethylene, a plant hormone which accelerates flower and leaf senescence and fruit ripening, suppressed the expression of genes encoding three key enzymes ADS, DBR2, CYP71AV1, and a positive regulator AaORA involved in artemisinin biosynthesis. Then we isolated the gene encoding ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3), a key transcription factor in ethylene signaling pathway, by screening the transcriptome and genome database from Artemisia annua, named AaEIN3. Overexpressing AaEIN3 suppressed artemisinin biosynthesis, while repressing its expression with RNAi enhanced artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua, indicating AaEIN3 negatively regulates artemisinin biosynthesis. Further study showed the downregulation of artemisinin biosynthesis by ethylene required the mediation of AaEIN3. AaEIN3 could accelerate leaf senescence, and leaf senescence attenuated the expression of ADS, DBR2, CYP71AV1, and AaORA that are involved in artemisinin biosynthesis. Collectively, our study demonstrated a negative correlation between ethylene signaling and artemisinin biosynthesis, which is ascribed to AaEIN3-induced senescence process of leaves. Our work provided novel knowledge on the regulatory network of plant hormones for artemisinin metabolic pathway. PMID:29675029

  5. Determination of elements in ayurvedic medicinal plants by AAS

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

    Teerthe, Santoshkumar S.; Kerur, B. R., E-mail: kerurbrk@yahoo.com

    India has a rich country for the uses of Ayurvedic medicinal plants for treatment and also the north- Karnataka boasts an unparallel diversity of medicinal plants. The present study attempts to estimate and compare the level of trace and heavy metals in some selected leaves and root samples of Ayurvedic medicinal plants such as Mg, Al, K, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd. The samples are collected from different places of North-Karnataka regions and sample solutions prepared as the ratio of 1:25:25+950ml=1000ppm.the trace and heavy elemental concentration was estimated using Atomic Absorption Spectrometric (AAS) Method. The average concentrations ofmore » Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn, are ranging from 2ppm to 5250.2ppm and potassium (K) has more concentration as compare to all other. The other elements likes Al, Cr, Cu, and Cd were also estimed and presented in the table. Therefore, these medicinal plants are rich in some essential minerals, especially K, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn which are essential for human health.« less

  6. Microstructure Stability During Creep of Friction Stir Welded AA2024-T3 Alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Regev, Michael; Rashkovsky, Tal; Cabibbo, Marcello; Spigarelli, Stefano

    2018-01-01

    The poor weldability of the AA2024 aluminum alloy limits its use in industrial applications. Because friction stir welding (FSW) is a non-fusion welding process, it seems to be a promising solution for welding this alloy. In the current study, FSW was applied to butt weld AA2024-T3 aluminum alloy plates. Creep tests were conducted at 250 and at 315 °C on both the parent material and the friction stir welded specimens. The microstructures of the welded and non-welded AA2024-T3 specimens before and after the creep tests were studied and compared. A comprehensive transmission electron microscopy study together with a high-resolution scanning electron microscopy study and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis was conducted to investigate the microstructure stability. The parent material seems to contain two kinds of Cu-rich precipitates—coarse precipitates of a few microns each and uniformly dispersed fine nanosized precipitates. Unlike the parent material, the crept specimens were found to contain the two kinds of precipitates mentioned above together with platelet-like precipitates. In addition, extensive decoration of the grain boundaries with precipitates was clearly observed in the crept specimens. Controlled aging experiments for up to 280 h at the relevant temperatures were conducted on both the parent material and the welded specimens in order to isolate the contribution of exposure to high temperatures to the microstructure changes. TEM study showed the development of dislocation networks into a cellular dislocation structure in the case of the parent metal. Changes in the dislocation structure as a function of the creep strain and the FSW process were recorded. A detailed creep data analysis was conducted, taking into account the instability of the microstructure.

  7. Manufacturing Systems Demonstration: Bimetallic Friction STIR Joining of AA6061 and High Hardness Steel

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-05-31

    fusion welding and virtually eliminates the material porosity inherent with liquid alloy processes. Also because less heat is input to the material...Fe intermetallic present. Mechanical load testing determined that the bimetallic FSP joint was stronger than similar AA6061-to-AA6061 fusion- welded and...5 b) Weld Coupon Fixture ........................................................................................ 5 2. Friction Stir Tools

  8. Nephrotic syndrome and AA amyloidosis revealing adult-onset cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome.

    PubMed

    Enríquez, R; Sirvent, A E; Padilla, S; Noguera-Pons, R; Andrada, E; Ardoy, F; Millán, I; Amorós, F

    2013-01-01

    Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is due to gain-of-function mutations in the cryopyrin gene, which determines an overactive inflammatory response. AA amyloidosis is a complication of this syndrome. A 53-year-old man was referred to us because of lower limb edema. Past history: at the age of 20, he complained of arthralgia/arthritis and bilateral hypoacusis. At the age of 35, he presented posterior uveitis, several episodes of conjunctivitis, and progressive loss of visual acuity. Laboratory tests disclosed nephrotic syndrome, and renal biopsy showed AA amyloidosis. He was given anakinra with improvement of arthritis. A genetic study revealed the p.D303N mutation in the cryopyrin gene, and he was diagnosed as having AA amyloidosis due to CAPS. Twenty-one months after starting anakinra, the arthritis has disappeared, although nephrotic-range proteinuria persisted. It is important to be aware of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome because it can cause irreversible complications, and there is effective therapy.

  9. Immunosuppressive therapy for patients with Down syndrome and idiopathic aplastic anemia.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Kyogo; Muramatsu, Hideki; Okuno, Yusuke; Narita, Atsushi; Hama, Asahito; Takahashi, Yoshiyuki; Yoshida, Makoto; Horikoshi, Yasuo; Watanabe, Ken-Ichiro; Kudo, Kazuko; Kojima, Seiji

    2016-07-01

    Idiopathic aplastic anemia (AA) is a rare hematological complication of Down syndrome (DS). The safety and efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in individuals with DS remain unknown. We used a standard regimen of IST, comprising antithymocyte globulin and cyclosporine A, to treat three children with DS and idiopathic acquired AA. Two patients achieved a hematological (complete or partial) response and became transfusion independent at the final follow-up. The third patient failed to respond to IST and underwent bone marrow transplantation from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched unrelated donor. None of the patients experienced severe or unexpected adverse events during IST. Our experience suggests that IST is a safe and reasonable treatment, even in individuals with DS who suffer from AA and lack an HLA-matched sibling donor.

  10. Microstructure Evolution during Dissimilar Friction Stir Welding of AA7003-T4 and AA6060-T4

    PubMed Central

    Dong, Jialiang; Zhang, Datong; Zhang, Weiwen; Zhang, Wen; Qiu, Cheng

    2018-01-01

    In this work, the dissimilar joint of AA7003-T4 and 6060-T4 alloy has been produced by friction stir welding (FSW). The microstructure was examined by optical microscope (OM), electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the mechanical properties of the joint were investigated. It is demonstrated that sound dissimilar joint can be produced through FSW. In the nugget; precipitations dissolve into the matrix and η′ reprecipitate subsequently; and the elongated aluminum grains are replaced by fine and equiaxed grains due to dynamic recrystallization (DRX). In the heat affected zone (HAZ), coarse β′ and η precipitates are formed and the aluminum grains are coarser as compared to the base materials. In the thermo-mechanical affected zone (TMAZ), equiaxed and elongated grains coexist due to incomplete DRX. The ultimate tensile strength of the dissimilar joint is 159.2 MPa and its elongation is 10.4%. The weak area exists in the HAZ of 6060 alloy, which is placed in the retreating side during FSW. The correlations between the microstucture and mechanical properties of the dissimilar joint are discussed. PMID:29495463

  11. Bifunctional CYP81AA proteins catalyse identical hydroxylations but alternative regioselective phenol couplings in plant xanthone biosynthesis

    PubMed Central

    El-Awaad, Islam; Bocola, Marco; Beuerle, Till; Liu, Benye; Beerhues, Ludger

    2016-01-01

    Xanthones are natural products present in plants and microorganisms. In plants, their biosynthesis starts with regioselective cyclization of 2,3′,4,6-tetrahydroxybenzophenone to either 1,3,5- or 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthones, catalysed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Here we isolate and express CYP81AA-coding sequences from Hypericum calycinum and H. perforatum in yeast. Microsomes catalyse two consecutive reactions, that is, 3′-hydroxylation of 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzophenone and C–O phenol coupling of the resulting 2,3′,4,6-tetrahydroxybenzophenone. Relative to the inserted 3′-hydroxyl, the orthologues Hc/HpCYP81AA1 cyclize via the para position to form 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone, whereas the paralogue HpCYP81AA2 directs cyclization to the ortho position, yielding the isomeric 1,3,5-trihydroxyxanthone. Homology modelling and reciprocal mutagenesis reveal the impact of S375, L378 and A483 on controlling the regioselectivity of HpCYP81AA2, which is converted into HpCYP81AA1 by sextuple mutation. However, the reciprocal mutations in HpCYP81AA1 barely affect its regiospecificity. Product docking rationalizes the alternative C–O phenol coupling reactions. Our results help understand the machinery of bifunctional CYPs. PMID:27145837

  12. Bifunctional CYP81AA proteins catalyse identical hydroxylations but alternative regioselective phenol couplings in plant xanthone biosynthesis.

    PubMed

    El-Awaad, Islam; Bocola, Marco; Beuerle, Till; Liu, Benye; Beerhues, Ludger

    2016-05-05

    Xanthones are natural products present in plants and microorganisms. In plants, their biosynthesis starts with regioselective cyclization of 2,3',4,6-tetrahydroxybenzophenone to either 1,3,5- or 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthones, catalysed by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Here we isolate and express CYP81AA-coding sequences from Hypericum calycinum and H. perforatum in yeast. Microsomes catalyse two consecutive reactions, that is, 3'-hydroxylation of 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzophenone and C-O phenol coupling of the resulting 2,3',4,6-tetrahydroxybenzophenone. Relative to the inserted 3'-hydroxyl, the orthologues Hc/HpCYP81AA1 cyclize via the para position to form 1,3,7-trihydroxyxanthone, whereas the paralogue HpCYP81AA2 directs cyclization to the ortho position, yielding the isomeric 1,3,5-trihydroxyxanthone. Homology modelling and reciprocal mutagenesis reveal the impact of S375, L378 and A483 on controlling the regioselectivity of HpCYP81AA2, which is converted into HpCYP81AA1 by sextuple mutation. However, the reciprocal mutations in HpCYP81AA1 barely affect its regiospecificity. Product docking rationalizes the alternative C-O phenol coupling reactions. Our results help understand the machinery of bifunctional CYPs.

  13. Forming limit strains for non-linear strain path of AA6014 aluminium sheet deformed at room temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bressan, José Divo; Liewald, Mathias; Drotleff, Klaus

    2017-10-01

    Forming limit strain curves of conventional aluminium alloy AA6014 sheets after loading with non-linear strain paths are presented and compared with D-Bressan macroscopic model of sheet metal rupture by critical shear stress criterion. AA6014 exhibits good formability at room temperature and, thus, is mainly employed in car body external parts by manufacturing at room temperature. According to Weber et al., experimental bi-linear strain paths were carried out in specimens with 1mm thickness by pre-stretching in uniaxial and biaxial directions up to 5%, 10% and 20% strain levels before performing Nakajima testing experiments to obtain the forming limit strain curves, FLCs. In addition, FLCs of AA6014 were predicted by employing D-Bressan critical shear stress criterion for bi-linear strain path and comparisons with the experimental FLCs were analyzed and discussed. In order to obtain the material coefficients of plastic anisotropy, strain and strain rate hardening behavior and calibrate the D-Bressan model, tensile tests, two different strain rate on specimens cut at 0°, 45° and 90° to the rolling direction and also bulge test were carried out at room temperature. The correlation of experimental bi-linear strain path FLCs is reasonably good with the predicted limit strains from D-Bressan model, assuming equivalent pre-strain calculated by Hill 1979 yield criterion.

  14. Risk of dementia in peritoneal dialysis patients compared with hemodialysis patients.

    PubMed

    Wolfgram, Dawn F; Szabo, Aniko; Murray, Anne M; Whittle, Jeff

    2015-01-01

    Compared with similarly aged controls, patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment and more rapid cognitive decline, which is not explained by traditional risk factors alone. Since previous small studies suggest an association of cognitive impairment with dialysis modality, we compared incident dementia among patients initiating hemodialysis (HD) vs peritoneal dialysis (PD) in a large national cohort. This is a retrospective cohort study of incident dialysis patients in the United States from 2006 to 2008 with no diagnosis of dementia prior to beginning dialysis. We evaluated the effect of initial dialysis modality on incidence of dementia, diagnosed by Medicare claims data, adjusted for baseline demographic and clinical data from the USRDS registry. Our analysis included 121,623 patients, of whom 8,663 initiated dialysis on PD. The mean age of our cohort was 69.2 years. Patients who initiated PD had a lower cumulative incidence of dementia than those who initiated HD (1.0% vs 2.7%, 2.5% vs 5.3%, and 3.9% vs 7.3% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively). The risk of dementia for patients who started on PD was lower compared with those who started on HD, with a hazard ratio (HR) = 0.46 [0.41, 0.53], in an unadjusted model and HR 0.74 [0.64, 0.86] in a matched model. Dialysis modality is associated with incident dementia in a cohort of older ESRD patients. This finding warrants further investigation of the effect of dialysis modality on cognitive function and evaluation for possible mechanisms. Copyright © 2015 International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis.

  15. A multicenter report of biologic agents for the treatment of secondary amyloidosis in Turkish rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients.

    PubMed

    Pamuk, Ömer Nuri; Kalyoncu, Umut; Aksu, Kenan; Omma, Ahmet; Pehlivan, Yavuz; Çağatay, Yonca; Küçükşahin, Orhan; Dönmez, Salim; Çetin, Gözde Yıldırım; Mercan, Rıdvan; Bayındır, Özün; Çefle, Ayşe; Yıldız, Fatih; Balkarlı, Ayşe; Kılıç, Levent; Çakır, Necati; Kısacık, Bünyamin; Öksüz, Mustafa Ferhat; Çobankara, Veli; Onat, Ahmet Mesut; Sayarlıoğlu, Mehmet; Öztürk, Mehmet Akif; Pamuk, Gülsüm Emel; Akkoç, Nurullah

    2016-07-01

    In this multicenter, retrospective study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of biologic therapies, including anti-TNFs, in secondary (AA) amyloidosis patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, the frequency of secondary amyloidosis in RA and AS patients in a single center was estimated. Fifty-one AS (39M, 12F, mean age: 46.7) and 30 RA patients (11M, 19F, mean age: 51.7) with AA amyloidosis from 16 different centers in Turkey were included. Clinical and demographical features of patients were obtained from medical charts. A composite response index (CRI) to biologic therapy-based on creatinine level, proteinuria and disease activity-was used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment. The mean annual incidence of AA amyloidosis in RA and AS patients was 0.23 and 0.42/1000 patients/year, respectively. The point prevalence in RA and AS groups was 4.59 and 7.58/1000, respectively. In RA group with AA amyloidosis, effective response was obtained in 52.2 % of patients according to CRI. RA patients with RF positivity and more initial disease activity tended to have higher response rates to therapy (p values, 0.069 and 0.056). After biologic therapy (median 17 months), two RA patients died and two developed tuberculosis. In AS group, 45.7 % of patients fulfilled the criteria of good response according to CRI. AS patients with higher CRP levels at the time of AA diagnosis and at the beginning of anti-TNF therapy had higher response rates (p values, 0.011 and 0.017). During follow-up after anti-TNF therapy (median 38 months), one patient died and tuberculosis developed in two patients. Biologic therapy seems to be effective in at least half of RA and AS patients with AA amyloidosis. Tuberculosis was the most important safety concern.

  16. Comparative Proteomic and Nutritional Composition Analysis of Independent Transgenic Pigeon Pea Seeds Harboring cry1AcF and cry2Aa Genes and Their Nontransgenic Counterparts.

    PubMed

    Mishra, Pragya; Singh, Shweta; Rathinam, Maniraj; Nandiganti, Muralimohan; Ram Kumar, Nikhil; Thangaraj, Arulprakash; Thimmegowda, Vinutha; Krishnan, Veda; Mishra, Vagish; Jain, Neha; Rai, Vandna; Pattanayak, Debasis; Sreevathsa, Rohini

    2017-02-22

    Safety assessment of genetically modified plants is an important aspect prior to deregulation. Demonstration of substantial equivalence of the transgenics compared to their nontransgenic counterparts can be performed using different techniques at various molecular levels. The present study is a first-ever comprehensive evaluation of pigeon pea transgenics harboring two independent cry genes, cry2Aa and cry1AcF. The absence of unintended effects in the transgenic seed components was demonstrated by proteome and nutritional composition profiling. Analysis revealed that no significant differences were found in the various nutritional compositional analyses performed. Additionally, 2-DGE-based proteome analysis of the transgenic and nontransgenic seed protein revealed that there were no major changes in the protein profile, although a minor fold change in the expression of a few proteins was observed. Furthermore, the study also demonstrated that neither the integration of T-DNA nor the expression of the cry genes resulted in the production of unintended effects in the form of new toxins or allergens.

  17. SECTION AA, AXONOMETRIC Dyess Air Force Base, Atlas F ...

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

    SECTION A-A, AXONOMETRIC - Dyess Air Force Base, Atlas F Missle Site S-8, Launch Control Center (LCC), Approximately 3 miles east of Winters, 500 feet southwest of Highway 17700, northwest of Launch Facility, Winters, Runnels County, TX

  18. Racial variation in tubal sterilization rates: The role of patient-level factors

    PubMed Central

    Borrero, Sonya; Abebe, Kaleab; Dehlendorf, Christine; Schwarz, Eleanor Bimla; Creinin, Mitchell D.; Nikolajski, Cara; Ibrahim, Said

    2010-01-01

    Objective To assess racial differences in attitudes and knowledge about sterilization. Design Cross-sectional survey Setting Questionnaires were mailed to participants’ home addresses Patients 193 women aged 18–45 who had undergone tubal sterilization. Intervention(s) None Main Outcome Measure Attitudes and knowledge about tubal sterilization and awareness of contraceptive alternatives Results We received 193 completed surveys (64% response rate). AA woman were more likely to have a family member who had undergone tubal sterilization, to report that their mothers influenced their sterilization decisions, and to report that prior unintended pregnancy and desire to avoid insertion of a foreign object were very important factors in their decision to choose sterilization over other methods. Compared to white women, AA women more often thought that sterilization reversal could easily restore fertility (62 % vs 36%); that a woman’s sterilization would reverse itself after 5 years (60% vs 23%); and that a man cannot ejaculate after vasectomy (38% vs 13%). Fewer AA women had ever heard of intrauterine contraception (90% vs 98%). Racial differences in knowledge remained statistically significant after adjusting for socioeconomic confounders. Conclusions Misinformation about sterilization and limited awareness of contraceptive alternatives among AA women may contribute to racial disparities in tubal sterilization rates. PMID:20579640

  19. Comparison of potentially preventable hospitalizations related to diabetes among Native Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese elderly compared with whites, Hawai'i, December 2006-December 2010.

    PubMed

    Sentell, Tetine L; Ahn, Hyeong Jun; Juarez, Deborah T; Tseng, Chien-Wen; Chen, John J; Salvail, Florentina R; Miyamura, Jill; Mau, Marjorie L M

    2013-07-25

    Approximately 25% of individuals aged 65 years or older in the United States have diabetes mellitus. Diabetes rates in this age group are higher for Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AA/PI) than for whites. We examined racial/ethnic differences in diabetes-related potentially preventable hospitalizations (DRPH) among people aged 65 years or older for Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Native Hawaiians, and whites. Discharge data for hospitalizations in Hawai'i for people aged 65 years or older from December 2006 through December 2010 were compared. Annual rates of DRPH by patient were calculated for each racial/ethnic group by sex. Rate ratios (RRs) were calculated relative to whites. Multivariable models controlling for insurer, comorbidity, diabetes prevalence, age, and residence location provided final adjusted rates and RRs. A total of 1,815 DRPH were seen from 1,515 unique individuals. Unadjusted RRs for DRPH by patient were greater than 1 in all AA/PI study groups compared with whites, but were highest among Native Hawaiians and Filipinos [corrected]. In fully adjusted models accounting for higher diabetes prevalence in AA/PI groups, Native Hawaiian (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] = 1.59), Filipino (aRR = 2.26), and Japanese (aRR = 1.86) men retained significantly higher rates of diabetes-related potentially preventable hospitalizations than whites, as did Filipino women (aRR = 1.61). Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Japanese men and Filipino women aged 65 years or older have a higher risk than whites for DRPH. Health care providers and public health programs for elderly patients should consider effective programs to reduce potentially preventable hospitalizations among Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Japanese men and Filipino women aged 65 years or older.

  20. Identification of novel mutations in Mexican patients with Aarskog–Scott syndrome

    PubMed Central

    Pérez-Coria, Mariana; Lugo-Trampe, José J; Zamudio-Osuna, Michell; Rodríguez-Sánchez, Iram P; Lugo-Trampe, Angel; de la Fuente-Cortez, Beatriz; Campos-Acevedo, Luis D; Martínez-de-Villarreal, Laura E

    2015-01-01

    Aarskog–Scott syndrome (AAS), also known as faciogenital dysplasia (FGD, OMIM # 305400), is an X-linked disorder of recessive inheritance, characterized by short stature and facial, skeletal, and urogenital abnormalities. AAS is caused by mutations in the FGD1 gene (Xp11.22), with over 56 different mutations identified to date. We present the clinical and molecular analysis of four unrelated families of Mexican origin with an AAS phenotype, in whom FGD1 sequencing was performed. This analysis identified two stop mutations not previously reported in the literature: p.Gln664* and p.Glu380*. Phenotypically, every male patient met the clinical criteria of the syndrome, whereas discrepancies were found between phenotypes in female patients. Our results identify two novel mutations in FGD1, broadening the spectrum of reported mutations; and provide further delineation of the phenotypic variability previously described in AAS. PMID:26029706

  1. Rectification induced in N{sub 2}{sup AA}-doped armchair graphene nanoribbon device

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

    Chen, Tong; Wang, Ling-Ling, E-mail: llwang@hnu.edu.cn; Luo, Kai-Wu

    2014-07-07

    By using non-equilibrium Green function formalism in combination with density functional theory, we investigated the electronic transport properties of armchair graphene nanoribbon devices in which one lead is undoped and the other is N{sub 2}{sup AA}-doped with two quasi-adjacent substitutional nitrogen atoms incorporating pairs of neighboring carbon atoms in the same sublattice A. Two kinds of N{sub 2}{sup AA}-doped style are considered, for N dopants substitute the center or the edge carbon atoms. Our results show that the rectification behavior with a large rectifying ratio can be found in these devices and the rectifying characteristics can be modulated by changingmore » the width of graphene nanoribbons or the position of the N{sub 2}{sup AA} dopant. The mechanisms are revealed to explain the rectifying behaviors.« less

  2. Liquid Nitrogen Cryotherapy in Recalcitrant Alopecia Areata: A Study of 11 Patients

    PubMed Central

    Zawar, Vijay P; Karad, Gayatri Mukund

    2016-01-01

    Context: Recalcitrant alopecia areata (AA) is not uncommon in clinical practice. In certain patients, treatment failures are known with almost every conventional therapy either singly or in combination. Aims: To study the efficacy of liquid nitrogen (LN) cryotherapy in patients with recalcitrant AA. Subjects and Methods: We present series of eleven patients of recalcitrant AA, who consulted us after getting no response to various modalities of treatment for 6 months. We treated them with LN cryotherapy every 2 weeks till significant hair regrowth or maximum five sittings (at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks) whichever was earlier. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Each patient was counseled and a written consent was taken. Every session consisted of dual freeze and thaw cycles of 15 s each with a cryo unit spray. Two months of follow-up after last treatment was done to observe sustained re-growth of hair. Statistical Analysis Used: The clinical response was evaluated by using regrowth scale at 4th, 8th, and 16th week. Results: 11 patients were recruited, one patient dropped due to inability to attend follow-ups. Remaining ten patients completed the treatment and follow-up. Out of 10 patients, five patients (50%) showed an excellent response, three (30%) had a satisfactory response, one (10%) had a fair response, and one patient (10%) had a poor response. No serious adverse effects were seen. Sustained hair regrowth was seen in 80% of patients at the 16th week. Conclusions: LN cryotherapy may be worth trying treatment in the management of recalcitrant AA. PMID:27127370

  3. Nail involvement in patients with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata treated with oral tofacitinib.

    PubMed

    Lee, Ji Su; Huh, Chang-Hun; Kwon, Ohsang; Yoon, Hyun-Sun; Cho, Soyun; Park, Hyun-Sun

    2018-05-07

    A few anecdotal case reports demonstrated that tofacitinib improved nail changes associated with AA. To investigate nail changes in patients with AA treated with tofacitinib and evaluate the relationship between nail and hair responses to tofacitinib. This is a retrospective study of 33 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AA treated with oral tofacitinib monotherapy for at least 4 months. Fifteen patients had nail involvement and demonstrated more severe hair loss than those without nail involvement (p = .040). However, there was no significant difference in hair regrowth between two groups. Of 15 patients with nail involvement, 11 (73.3%) showed improvement regardless of type of nail change; the first improvement was observed at a median of 5 months (range, 1-11) after administration. Nail improvement was associated with neither initial severity of hair loss nor hair response to tofacitinib. Nail improvement tended to occur later than hair regrowth. Oral tofacitinib monotherapy improves nail involvement associated with AA. Nail involvement is not a poor prognosis factor in hair regrowth with tofacitinib treatment and there is no evident relationship between nail and hair responses.

  4. Exploring healthcare professionals' perceptions of the anesthesia assistant role and its impact on patients and interprofessional collaboration.

    PubMed

    Lam, Phoebe; Lopez Filici, Ana; Middleton, Claire; McGillicuddy, Patricia

    2018-01-01

    To practice interprofessional collaboration (IPC), understanding the roles of each profession in the team is key. Anesthesia assistants (AAs) are a relatively new addition to the Canadian healthcare system. As a result, its role in the delivery of anesthesia care can be misunderstood by other healthcare professionals. Using an exploratory multiple case study design, this article explores healthcare professionals' perceptions of the AA role and its impact on patients and IPC. Sixteen semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of nine healthcare professions from inside and outside the peri-operative care unit in two urban, acute care, university-affiliated teaching research hospitals in Ontario. A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified five overarching themes: limited understanding of the AA role, improved patient-centred care, improve IPC and interprofessional education, ongoing challenges, and the future direction for professional growth. Results indicated that despite regular clinical practice collaboration, participants have a limited understanding of AAs in terms of their educational prerequisites, scope of practice, and roles. One reason for this lack of understanding is that there is a high variability of titles and clinical duties for non-physician anesthesia providers. The diverse range of anesthesia services provided by AAs can also become a barrier to the full understanding of their scope of practice and roles. The limited understanding of the AA role was reported as one of AAs' ongoing challenges. It prevents AAs from realising their full scope of practice. Participants suggested that AAs' professional growth should focus on promoting and expanding their role. Understanding other healthcare professionals' perceptions of AAs will assist them to become better ambassadors for their role, and to more effectively promote and practice IPC. Ultimately, this will result in improved interprofessional teamwork to

  5. Drawing attention to a neglected injecting-related harm: a systematic review of AA amyloidosis among people who inject drugs.

    PubMed

    Harris, Magdalena; Brathwaite, Rachel; Scott, Jenny; Gilchrist, Gail; Ciccarone, Dan; Hope, Vivian; McGowan, Catherine R

    2018-04-26

    Chronic skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) among people who inject drugs (PWID) can lead to AA amyloidosis: a serious, yet neglected, multi-organ disease. We aim to synthesize findings on the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical outcomes, screening recommendations and challenges to treatment for AA amyloidosis among PWID. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched the following bibliographic databases in July 2017: CINAHL Plus, Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycEXTRA, PsycINFO and SCOPUS. Studies were included if they investigated AA amyloidosis in PWID. Studies were not restricted to location, study type, year or language of publication. Study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis; we present a narrative review of the literature. Thirty-seven papers from eight countries met inclusion criteria. A total of 781 PWID are reported on, of whom 177 had AA amyloidosis. Where disease causality is established, it is attributed to chronic inflammation caused by injecting-related SSTIs. Most (88.7%) PWID with AA amyloidosis had SSTIs. The proportion of PWID with AA amyloidosis at post-mortem ranged from 1.6% (Germany) to 22.5% (Serbia). Biopsy studies reported from 5.26% (Portugal) to 50% (Germany) of AA amyloidosis in PWID with suspected or known kidney disease. Following diagnosis, the typical trajectory for PWID with AA amyloidosis was rapid deterioration of renal function requiring haemodialysis. Treatment difficulties, end-stage renal failure and premature death from sepsis were observed. Good outcomes, including reversibility of AA amyloidosis, are attributed to rapid treatment of the underlining inflammation and injecting cessation. Notably, given the population in question, no studies were published in addiction or harm reduction journals; most (92%) appeared in specialist nephrology and medical journals. There is strong evidence of an association between skin

  6. 45 CFR 170.575 - Removal of the ONC-AA.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONC HIT Certification Program § 170.575 Removal of the ONC-AA. (a...

  7. 45 CFR 170.575 - Removal of the ONC-AA.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... Public Welfare Department of Health and Human Services HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONC HIT Certification Program § 170.575 Removal of the ONC-AA. (a...

  8. Increased dependence of leucine in posttraumatic sepsis: leucine/tyrosine clearance ratio as an indicator of hepatic impairment in septic multiple organ failure syndrome.

    PubMed

    Pittiruti, M; Siegel, J H; Sganga, G; Coleman, B; Wiles, C E; Belzberg, H; Wedel, S; Placko, R

    1985-09-01

    The body clearance of 10 plasma amino acids (AA) was determined from the rate of compared muscle-released AA and AA administered by infusion of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) compared to their estimated extracellular (ECW) pool in patients with multiple trauma with (n = 10) or without (n = 16) sepsis at 8-hour intervals. In both nonseptic and septic trauma, increasing TPN increased the mean clearance rate of all infused AA. When the individual AA clearance rates were normalized by the total AA infusion rate, regression-covariance analysis revealed that patients with sepsis had relatively impaired clearances of alanine (p less than 0.01) and methionine, proline, phenylalanine, and tyrosine p less than 0.05 for all). In contrast, the clearances of branched-chain AA (BCAA) valine and isoleucine were maintained, and the clearance of leucine was higher (p less than 0.05) in trauma patients with sepsis than in those without. At any AA infusion rate, compared with surviving patients with sepsis (p less than 0.05), patients who developed fatal multiple organ failure syndrome (MOFS) showed increased clearances of all BCAA with further impaired clearance of tyrosine. The clearance ratio of leucine/tyrosine was increased in MOFS at any AA infusion rate (p less than 0.0001), was an indicator of severity, and, if persistent, was a manifestation of a fatal outcome. Because tyrosine metabolism occurs almost entirely in the liver while leucine can be utilized by viscera and muscle, these data suggest early and progressive septic impairment of the pattern of hepatic uptake and oxidation of AA with a greater body dependence on BCAA, especially leucine, as septic MOFS develops.

  9. Binding specificity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Aa for purified, native Bombyx mori aminopeptidase N and cadherin-like receptors

    PubMed Central

    Jenkins, Jeremy L; Dean, Donald H

    2001-01-01

    Background To better understand the molecular interactions of Bt toxins with non-target insects, we have examined the real-time binding specificity and affinity of Cry1 toxins to native silkworm (Bombyx mori) midgut receptors. Previous studies on B. mori receptors utilized brush border membrane vesicles or purifed receptors in blot-type assays. Results The Bombyx mori (silkworm) aminopeptidase N (APN) and cadherin-like receptors for Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal Cry1Aa toxin were purified and their real-time binding affinities for Cry toxins were examined by surface plasmon resonance. Cry1Ab and Cry1Ac toxins did not bind to the immobilized native receptors, correlating with their low toxicities. Cry1Aa displayed moderate affinity for B. mori APN (75 nM), and unusually tight binding to the cadherin-like receptor (2.6 nM), which results from slow dissociation rates. The binding of a hybrid toxin (Aa/Aa/Ac) was identical to Cry1Aa. Conclusions These results indicate domain II of Cry1Aa is essential for binding to native B. mori receptors and for toxicity. Moreover, the high-affinity binding of Cry1Aa to native cadherin-like receptor emphasizes the importance of this receptor class for Bt toxin research. PMID:11722800

  10. Antidepressant-like activity of the neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor antagonist Lu AA33810: behavioral, molecular, and immunohistochemical evidence.

    PubMed

    Domin, Helena; Szewczyk, Bernadeta; Pochwat, Bartłomiej; Woźniak, Monika; Śmiałowska, Maria

    2017-02-01

    It has recently been found that chronic treatment with the highly selective, brain-penetrating Y5 receptor antagonist, Lu AA33810 [N-[[trans-4-[(4,5-dihydro [1] benzothiepino[5,4-d] thiazol-2-yl) amino] cyclohexyl]methyl]-methanesulfonamide], produces antidepressant-like effects in the rat chronic mild stress model. In the present study, we investigated the possible antidepressant-like activity of Lu AA33810 in rats subjected to glial ablation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) by the gliotoxin L-AAA, which is an astroglial degeneration model of depression. We observed that Lu AA33810 administered intraperitoneally at a single dose of 10 mg/kg both reversed depressive-like behavioral changes in the forced swim test (FST) and prevented degeneration of astrocytes in the mPFC. The mechanism of antidepressant and glioprotective effects of Lu AA33810 has not been studied, so far. We demonstrated the contribution of the noradrenergic rather than the serotonergic pathway to the antidepressant-like action of Lu AA33810 in the FST. Moreover, we found that antidepressant-like effect of Lu AA33810 was connected with the influence on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression. We also demonstrated the antidepressant-like effect of Lu AA33810 in the FST in rats which did not receive the gliotoxin. We found that intracerebroventricular injection of the selective MAPK/ERK inhibitor U0126 (5 μg/2 μl) and the selective PI3K inhibitor LY294002 (10 nmol/2 μl) significantly inhibited the anti-immobility effect of Lu AA33810 in the FST in rats, suggesting that MAPK/ERK and PI3K signaling pathways could be involved in the antidepressant-like effect of Lu AA33810. Our results indicate that Lu AA33810 exerts an antidepressant-like effect and suggest the Y5 receptors as a promising target for antidepressant therapy.

  11. Racial differences in thoracic aorta atherosclerosis among ischemic stroke patients.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Vishal; Nanda, Navin C; Yesilbursa, Dilek; Huang, Wen Ying; Gupta, Vijaya; Li, Qing; Gomez, Camilo R

    2003-02-01

    Atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta is an independent risk factor for stroke. There is little information on the impact of race in the prevalence of thoracic aorta atherosclerotic plaques among ischemic stroke patients. This study was an attempt to objectively assess the prevalence, thickness, and burden of thoracic aorta atherosclerotic plaques in a large population of ischemic stroke patients and to compare the differences between American blacks and whites. This is a retrospective study of clinical data and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) of 1553 ischemic stroke patients (664 blacks, 889 whites) over a period of 4.5 years. Atherosclerotic plaque prevalence, thickness, morphology, and burden (sum of maximum thickness in ascending aorta [AA], aortic arch [AO], and descending aorta [DA]) were assessed with TEE. Charts were reviewed for clinical information. Age and sex were similar among blacks and whites. Analyses of clinical data found that blacks had significantly higher hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 2.61; P<0.0001) and diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.99; P<0.0001) and significantly lower coronary artery disease (OR, 0.75; P=0.017) and carotid artery disease (OR, 0.62; P=0.0008) compared with whites. TEE showed that whites had significantly greater plaque prevalence (AA: OR, 1.37; P=0.04; AO: OR, 1.26; P=0.03; DA: OR, 1.39; P=0.002) and plaque burden (blacks, 4.28 mm; whites, 4.97 mm; P=0.007). Whites also had a trend of increased complex plaques and plaques >4 mm thick in all regions of the thoracic aorta. Among ischemic stroke patients, blacks had a lower prevalence of extra cranial atherosclerotic disease even though they had significantly higher hypertension and diabetes mellitus compared with whites. This difference cannot be explained by the existing risk factors in ischemic stroke patients.

  12. Outcome of patients in laparoscopic training courses compared to standard patients.

    PubMed

    Kanakala, V; Bawa, S; Gallagher, P; Woodcock, S; Attwood, S E; Horgan, L F; Seymour, K

    2010-06-01

    Current Laparoscopic simulators have limited usefulness and patients have been used for training since the dawn of surgery. NUGITS (Northumbrian Upper Gastro Intestinal Team of Surgeons) Laparoscopic Skills courses utilise hands-on experience with simulators moving to live operating on volunteer patients. It is vital to know that the volunteer patient is not disadvantaged by greater surgical risk. This was a case-controlled prospective comparison of patients undergoing both Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) [n=51] and Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia (LIH) [n=62] during NUGITS training courses. They are compared with a matched (age, sex and ASA grade) control group LC (n=51) and LIH (n=62) operated on by consultants. The outcome measures were surgical peri-and post-operative complications, post-operative hospital stay, readmission and early recurrence of inguinal hernia (<6 months). In the LC cohort, there was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay (p=0.07) or readmission (p=0.16) in both the groups. The mean operating time was higher in the trainee compared to the control group (p=0.001). There was no difference in the post-operative morbidity or mortality in either group. In LIH cohort, the mean operating time was higher in the trainee compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in post-operative complications (p>0.05) and early post-operative recurrence of hernia (p>0.05). The post-operative outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery during laparoscopic training courses are similar to consultant-operated patients. Thus, it is acceptable and safe to encourage patients to volunteer for laparoscopic training courses. Copyright (c) 2009 Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (Scottish charity number SC005317) and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Imaging the Disk and Jet of the Classical T Tauri Star AA Tau

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cox, Andrew; Grady, C.; Hammel, H. B.; Hornbeck, J.; Russell, R. W.; Sitko, M. L.; Woodgate, B. E.

    2013-01-01

    Previous studies of the classical T Tauri star AA Tau have interpreted the UX Orionis-like photo-polarimetric variability as being due to a warp in the inner disk caused by an inclined stellar magnetic dipole field. We test that these effects are macroscopically observable in the inclination and alignment of the disk. We use HST/STIS coronagraphic imagery to measure the V magnitude of the star for both STIS corona graphic observations, compare these data with optical photometry in the literature and find that unlike other classical T Tauri stars observed on the same HST program, the disk is most robustly detected at optical minimum light. We measure the outer disk radius, major axis position angle, and disk inclination, and find that the inner disk, as reported in the literature, is both mis-inclined and misaligned with respect to the outer disk. AA Tau drives a faint jet which is also misaligned with respect to the projection of the outer disk minor axis and which is poorly collimated near the star. The measured outer disk inclination, 71±1 degrees, is out of the inclination band suggested for stars with UX Orionis-like variability where no grain growth has occurred in the disk. The faintness of the disk, the small disk size, and visibility of the star and despite the high inclination, all indicate that the disk must have experienced grain growth and settling toward the disk midplane, which we verify by comparing the observed disk with model imagery from the literature.

  14. Blister Test for Measurements of Adhesion and Adhesion Degradation of Organic Polymers on AA2024-T3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rincon Troconis, Brendy Carolina

    A key parameter for the performance of corrosion protective coatings applied to metals is adhesion. Surface preparation prior to coating application is known to be critical, but there is a lack of understanding of what controls adhesion. Numerous techniques have been developed in the last decades to measure the adhesion strength of coatings to metals. Nonetheless, they are generally non-quantitative, non-reproducible, performed in dry conditions, or overestimate adhesion. In this study, a quantitative and reproducible technique, the Blister Test (BT), is used. The BT offers the ability to study the effects of a range of parameters, including the presence or absence of a wetting liquid, and simulates the stress situation in the coating/substrate interface. The effects of roughness and surface topography were studied by the BT and Optical Profilometry, using AA2024-T3 substrates coated with polyvinyl butyral (PVB). Random abrasion generated a surface with lower average roughness than aligned abrasion due to the continual cross abrasion of the grooves. The BT could discern the effects of different mechanical treatments. An adhesion strength indicator was defined and found to be a useful parameter. The effectiveness of standard adhesion techniques such as ASTM D4541 (Pull-off Test) and ASTM D3359 (Tape Test) was compared to the BT. Also, different attempts to measure adhesion and adhesion degradation of organic polymers to AA2024-T3 were tested. The pull-off test does not produce adhesive failure across the entire interface, while the tape test is a very qualitative technique and does not discern between the effects of different coating systems on the adhesion performance. The BT produces adhesive failure of the primer studied, is very reproducible, and is able to rank different coating systems. Therefore, it was found to be superior to the others. The approaches tested for adhesion degradation were not aggressive enough to have a measurable effect. The effects of

  15. [Levels of autoantibodies against AT1-receptor in hypertensive patients with acute coronary syndromes and its role in coronary artery vasoconstriction].

    PubMed

    Wang, Jingping; Zhang, Yuean; Wang, Huixian; Zeng, Xiaoxia; Yang, Jinjing; Dong, Jin; Wang, Jianling; Yang, Yan; Wang, Rijun; Zhang, Xiaojuan; Chai, Xiaohong; Zhang, Haozhou; Li, Bao

    2015-02-17

    To explore the levels of autoantibodies against AT1-receptor (AT1-AA) in hypertensive patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and observe the in vitro effects of AT1-AA on resting tension of isolated anterior descending artery of vascular ring in male Wistar rats. All patients were recruited from June 2007 to August 2008. There were hypertensive patients with ACS (n = 120), those with simple hypertension (n = 253) and those with simple ACS (n = 115). And the outpatients for health examination during the same period were selected as healthy control group (n = 188). The second extracellular loop amino acid sequences of peptides of ATI receptor was synthesized and used as antigen (AT1-Ag) and sialic acid-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SA-ELISA) for detect the serum levels of AT1-AA. Microvascular ring tension technology was used to test the vascular loop resting tension of anterior descending coronary artery from rats induced by a high-fat diet. The positive rates of AT1-AA in patients with simple hypertension (35.2%) and those with simple ACS (30.4%) were significantly higher than those in healthy control group (7.2%, P < 0.01). And the positive rate of AT1-AA in hypertensive patients with ACS (43.3%) was significantly higher than that in those with simple hypertension (35.2%, P < 0.05) and that in healthy control group (7.2%, P < 0.05).Furthermore, AT1-AA increased the vascular loop resting tension of anterior descending coronary artery rings in rats induced by a high-fat diet in a dose-dependant manner. And the vasoconstrictive action of AT1-AA was equal to 46.4% of AngII's action. And such an action was blocked by losartan and antigens. The level of AT1-AA increases markedly in hypertensive patients with ACS. And AT1-AA induces vasoconstrictive effects on anterior descending artery rings in rats induced by a high-fat diet.

  16. Laboratory study on the behaviour of spent AA household alkaline batteries in incineration

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

    Almeida, Manuel F.; Xara, Susana M.; Delgado, Julanda

    2009-01-15

    The quantitative evaluation of emissions from incineration is essential when Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies consider this process as an end-of-life solution for some wastes. Thus, the objective of this work is to quantify the main gaseous emissions produced when spent AA alkaline batteries are incinerated. With this aim, batteries were kept for 1 h at 1273 K in a refractory steel tube hold in a horizontal electric furnace with temperature control. At one end of the refractory steel tube, a constant air flow input assures the presence of oxygen in the atmosphere and guides the gaseous emissions to amore » filter system followed by a set of two bubbler flasks having an aqueous solution of 10% (v/v) nitric acid. After each set of experiments, sulphur, chlorides and metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl and Zn) were analyzed in both the solutions obtained from the steel tube washing and from the bubblers. Sulphur, chlorides and metals were quantified, respectively, using barium sulfate gravimetry, the Volhard method and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The emissions of zinc, the most emitted metal, represent about 6.5% of the zinc content in the batteries. Emissions of manganese (whose oxide is the main component of the cathode) and iron (from the cathode collector) are negligible when compared with their amount in AA alkaline batteries. Mercury is the metal with higher volatility in the composition of the batteries and was collected even in the second bubbler flask. The amount of chlorides collected corresponds to about 36% of the chlorine in the battery sleeve that is made from PVC. A considerable part of the HCl formed in PVC plastic sleeve incineration is neutralized with KOH, zinc and manganese oxides and, thus, it is not totally released in the gas. Some of the emissions are predictable through a thermodynamic data analysis at temperatures in the range of 1200-1300 K taking into account the composition of the batteries. This analysis

  17. Indexing Anatomical Phrases in Neuro-Radiology Reports to the UMLS 2005AA

    PubMed Central

    Bashyam, Vijayaraghavan; Taira, Ricky K.

    2005-01-01

    This work describes a methodology to index anatomical phrases to the 2005AA release of the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS). A phrase chunking tool based on Natural Language Processing (NLP) was developed to identify semantically coherent phrases within medical reports. Using this phrase chunker, a set of 2,551 unique anatomical phrases was extracted from brain radiology reports. These phrases were mapped to the 2005AA release of the UMLS using a vector space model. Precision for the task of indexing unique phrases was 0.87. PMID:16778995

  18. Variation of amino acid sequences of serum amyloid a (SAA) and immunohistochemical analysis of amyloid a (AA) in Japanese domestic cats.

    PubMed

    Tei, Meina; Uchida, Kazuyuki; Chambers, James K; Watanabe, Ken-Ichi; Tamamoto, Takashi; Ohno, Koichi; Nakayama, Hiroyuki

    2018-02-02

    Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis, a fatal systemic amyloid disease, occurs secondary to chronic inflammatory conditions in humans. Although persistently elevated serum amyloid A (SAA) levels are required for its pathogenesis, not all individuals with chronic inflammation necessarily develop AA amyloidosis. Furthermore, many diseases in cats are associated with the elevated production of SAA, whereas only a small number actually develop AA amyloidosis. We hypothesized that a genetic mutation in the SAA gene may strongly contribute to the pathogenesis of feline AA amyloidosis. In the present study, genomic DNA from four Japanese domestic cats (JDCs) with AA amyloidosis and from five without amyloidosis was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequencing. We identified the novel variation combination of 45R-51A in the deduced amino acid sequences of four JDCs with amyloidosis and five without. However, there was no relationship between amino acid variations and the distribution of AA amyloid deposits, indicating that differences in SAA sequences do not contribute to the pathogenesis of AA amyloidosis. Immunohistochemical analysis using antisera against the three different parts of the feline SAA protein-i.e., the N-terminal, central, and C-terminal regions-revealed that feline AA contained the C-terminus, unlike human AA. These results indicate that the cleavage and degradation of the C-terminus are not essential for amyloid fibril formation in JDCs.

  19. Protein Z G79A polymorphism in Turkish pediatriccerebral infarct patients.

    PubMed

    Öztürk, Ayşenur; Eğin, Yonca; Deda, Gülhis; Teber, Serap; Akar, Nejat

    2008-09-05

    Protein Z (PZ) plays an enhancer role in coagulation as an anticoagulant. This is the first study in which G79A polymorphism investigated in Turkish paediatric stroke patients. Ninety-one paediatric stroke patients with cerebral ischemia and 70 control subjects were analyzed for PZ G79A and also FVL, PT mutations. PZ 79 'A' allele in homozygous state was found in five patients (5,5%), while it was found only in one control subject (1,4%) and it was seemed as a risk factor for peadiatric ischemia [OR=3,94 (0,44-35,1)]. When patients and controls who had FVL and PT carriers were excluded, AA genotype carried a risk [OR=3,88 (0,41-36,5)]. Also plasma protein Z levels measured in 21 stroke patients and 52 controls. Plasma protein Z levels were not different between stroke patients (500,95 ngmL-1±158,35) and controls (447,34 ngmL-1±165,97). But the plasma levels of protein Z was decreased in patients with AA genotype. Our data showed that carrying 79 AA genotype could be a genetic risk factor for cerebral infarct in peadiatric patients.

  20. 12-Step Therapy and Women with and without Social Phobia: A Study of the Effectiveness of 12-Step Therapy to Facilitate AA Engagement

    PubMed Central

    Tonigan, J. Scott; Book, Sarah W.; Pagano, Maria E.; Randall, Patrick K.; Smith, Joshua P.; Randall, Carrie L.

    2011-01-01

    Alcoholism treatment often encourages involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Little provision is made for women with social phobia (SP), who have been reported to have worse outcomes in twelve-step-facilitation (TSF) relative to cognitive behavioral therapy. This study examined whether SP moderated the effects of gender for these women in TSF. 133 SP alcoholics assigned to TSF (35 females and 98 males) in Project MATCH were compared to a non-SP control group. SP women drank earlier and more intensely than non-SP women and all males, had equivalent AA attendance and completion of Step 5, and were less likely to acquire a sponsor during TSF. PMID:21423569

  1. 17 CFR 249.801 - Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Form X-15AA-1, for application....801 Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or affiliated...). [33 FR 18995, Dec. 20, 1968] Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Form X-15AA-1...

  2. 17 CFR 249.801 - Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Form X-15AA-1, for application....801 Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or affiliated...). [33 FR 18995, Dec. 20, 1968] Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Form X-15AA-1...

  3. 17 CFR 249.801 - Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Form X-15AA-1, for application....801 Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or affiliated...). [33 FR 18995, Dec. 20, 1968] Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Form X-15AA-1...

  4. 17 CFR 249.801 - Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Form X-15AA-1, for application....801 Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or affiliated...). [33 FR 18995, Dec. 20, 1968] Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Form X-15AA-1...

  5. 17 CFR 249.801 - Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Form X-15AA-1, for application....801 Form X-15AA-1, for application for registration as a national securities association or affiliated...). [33 FR 18995, Dec. 20, 1968] Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Form X-15AA-1...

  6. 'Care and Prevent': rationale for investigating skin and soft tissue infections and AA amyloidosis among people who inject drugs in London.

    PubMed

    Harris, M; Brathwaite, R; McGowan, Catherine R; Ciccarone, D; Gilchrist, G; McCusker, M; O'Brien, K; Dunn, J; Scott, J; Hope, V

    2018-05-08

    Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people who inject drugs (PWID). International data indicate up to one third of PWID have experienced an SSTI within the past month. Complications include sepsis, endocarditis and amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis. AA amyloidosis is a serious sequela of chronic SSTI among PWID. Though there is a paucity of literature reporting on AA amyloidosis among PWID, what has been published suggests there is likely a causal relationship between AA amyloidosis and injecting-related SSTI. If left untreated, AA amyloidosis can lead to renal failure; premature mortality among diagnosed PWID is high. Early intervention may reverse disease. Despite the high societal and individual burden of SSTI among PWID, empirical evidence on the barriers and facilitators to injecting-related SSTI prevention and care or the feasibility and acceptability of AA amyloidosis screening and treatment referral are limited. This study aims to fill these gaps and assess the prevalence of AA amyloidosis among PWID. Care and Prevent is a UK National Institute for Health Research-funded mixed-methods study. In five phases (P1-P5), we aim to assess the evidence for AA amyloidosis among PWID (P1); assess the feasibility of AA amyloidosis screening, diagnostic and treatment referral among PWID in London (P2); investigate the barriers and facilitators to AA amyloidosis care (P3); explore SSTI protection and risk (P4); and co-create harm reduction resources with the affected community (P5). This paper describes the conceptual framework, methodological design and proposed analysis for the mixed-methods multi-phase study. We are implementing the Care and Prevent protocol in London. The systematic review component of the study has been completed and published. Care and Prevent will generate an estimate of AA amyloidosis prevalence among community recruited PWID in London, with implications for the development of screening

  7. Clinical characteristics and outcome of pauci-immune glomerulonephritis in African Americans.

    PubMed

    Geetha, Duvuru; Poulton, Caroline J; Hu, Yichun; Seo, Philip; McGregor, Julie Anne G; Falk, Ronald J; Hogan, Susan L

    2014-06-01

    Pauci-immune glomerulonephritis is rare in African Americans (AA) and the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of vasculitis have not been well described. We identified patients who were 2-92 years of age between 1983 and 2011 with a diagnosis of biopsy-proven pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (GN) at any point during their disease course. Comparing AA to Caucasian patients, we examined demographics, clinical features at presentation, treatment and outcomes of relapse, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and death. Of the 672 patients, 75 were AA with the remainder being Caucasian. Compared to Caucasians, disease onset in AA was at an earlier age (52 vs. 57 years, p = 0.05) and was more often myeloperoxidase (MPO)-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positive (71% vs. 54%, p = 0.01). AA patients had a shorter median time between onset of symptoms and biopsy compared to Caucasians [median (IQR): 0.23 (0.00, 1.22) months vs. 0.66 (0.00, 3.62) months, p = 0.003]. Median [Interquartile range (IQR)] follow-up in months was 28 (5, 52) in AA and 26 (10, 55) in Caucasian patients. Median estimated glomerular filtration rate was similar at presentation (21 vs. 22 ml/min/m(2)). Both groups had similar induction treatment regimens. There was less favorable treatment response among AA compared to Caucasians for initial treatment resistance (28% vs. 18%, p = 0.05) and complete remission (72% vs. 82%, p = 0.05). There were no differences in the number of renal relapses or number of deaths between the 2 groups. Overall, in multivariable analyses controlling for age, race, ANCA type, and entry serum creatinine, there were not differences by race in treatment response, renal relapse, ESRD, or death over the entire time of follow-up. AA patients with pauci-immune GN are younger and more often MPO-ANCA positive compared to Caucasians. Despite a shorter time to diagnosis for AA patients, there were no differences compared to Caucasians in treatment response, ESRD, renal

  8. Microstructural development from interdiffusion and reaction between U–Mo and AA6061 alloys annealed at 600° and 550 °C

    DOE PAGES

    Perez, E.; Keiser, D. D.; Sohn, Y. H.

    2016-05-10

    The U.S. Material Management and Minimization Reactor Conversion Program is developing low enrichment fuel systems encased in Al-alloy for use in research and test reactors. Monolithic fuel plates have local regions where the Usingle bondMo fuel plate may come into contact with the Al-alloy 6061 (AA6061) cladding. This results in the development of interdiffusion zones with complex microstructures with multiple phases. In this study, the microstructural development of diffusion couples, U–7 wt%Mo, U–10 wt%Mo, and U–12 wt%Mo vs. AA6061, annealed at 600 °C for 24 h and at 550 °C for 1, 5, and 20 h, were analyzed by scanningmore » electron microscopy with x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The microstructural development and kinetics were compared to diffusion couples U–Mo vs. high purity Al and binary Al–Si alloys. As a result, the diffusion couples developed complex interaction regions where phase development was influenced by the alloying additions of the AA6061.« less

  9. View northwest, wharf, A portion AA, detail showing timber groin ...

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

    View northwest, wharf, A portion AA, detail showing timber groin - U.S. Coast Guard Sandy Hook Station, Western Docking Structure, West of intersection of Canfield Road & Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, Monmouth County, NJ

  10. Hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients following Stem Cell Educator therapy.

    PubMed

    Li, Yanjia; Yan, Baoyong; Wang, Hepeng; Li, Heng; Li, Quanhai; Zhao, Dong; Chen, Yana; Zhang, Ye; Li, Wenxia; Zhang, Jun; Wang, Shanfeng; Shen, Jie; Li, Yunxiang; Guindi, Edward; Zhao, Yong

    2015-04-20

    Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases and targets the hair follicles, with high impact on the quality of life and self-esteem of patients due to hair loss. Clinical management and outcomes are challenged by current limited immunosuppressive and immunomodulating regimens. We have developed a Stem Cell Educator therapy in which a patient's blood is circulated through a closed-loop system that separates mononuclear cells from the whole blood, allows the cells to briefly interact with adherent human cord blood-derived multipotent stem cells (CB-SC), and returns the "educated" autologous cells to the patient's circulation. In an open-label, phase 1/phase 2 study, patients (N = 9) with severe AA received one treatment with the Stem Cell Educator therapy. The median age was 20 years (median alopecic duration, 5 years). Clinical data demonstrated that patients with severe AA achieved improved hair regrowth and quality of life after receiving Stem Cell Educator therapy. Flow cytometry revealed the up-regulation of Th2 cytokines and restoration of balancing Th1/Th2/Th3 cytokine production in the peripheral blood of AA subjects. Immunohistochemistry indicated the formation of a "ring of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)" around the hair follicles, leading to the restoration of immune privilege of hair follicles and the protection of newly generated hair follicles against autoimmune destruction. Mechanistic studies revealed that co-culture with CB-SC may up-regulate the expression of coinhibitory molecules B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1) on CD8β(+)NKG2D(+) effector T cells and suppress their proliferation via herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) ligands and programmed death-1 ligand (PD-L1) on CB-SCs. Current clinical data demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the Stem Cell Educator therapy for the treatment of AA. This innovative approach produced lasting improvement in hair regrowth in

  11. A Multi-ringed, Modestly Inclined Protoplanetary Disk around AA Tau

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Loomis, Ryan A.; Öberg, Karin I.; Andrews, Sean M.; MacGregor, Meredith A.

    2017-05-01

    AA Tau is the archetype for a class of stars with a peculiar periodic photometric variability thought to be related to a warped inner disk structure with a nearly edge-on viewing geometry. We present high resolution (˜0.″2) ALMA observations of the 0.87 and 1.3 mm dust continuum emission from the disk around AA Tau. These data reveal an evenly spaced three-ringed emission structure, with distinct peaks at 0.″34, 0.″66, and 0.″99, all viewed at a modest inclination of 59.°1 ± 0.°3 (decidedly not edge-on). In addition to this ringed substructure, we find non-axisymmetric features, including a “bridge” of emission that connects opposite sides of the innermost ring. We speculate on the nature of this “bridge” in light of accompanying observations of HCO+ and 13CO (J = 3-2) line emission. The HCO+ emission is bright interior to the innermost dust ring, with a projected velocity field that appears rotated with respect to the resolved disk geometry, indicating the presence of a warp or inward radial flow. We suggest that the continuum bridge and HCO+ line kinematics could originate from gap-crossing accretion streams, which may be responsible for the long-duration dimming of optical light from AA Tau.

  12. Characterizing the Constitutive Properties of AA7075 for Hot Forming

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Omer, K.; Kim, S.; Butcher, C.; Worswick, M.

    2017-09-01

    The work presented herein investigates the constitutive properties of AA7075 as it undergoes a hot stamping/die quenching process. Tensile specimens were solutionized inside a heated furnace set to 470°C. Once solutionized, the samples were quenched to an intermediate temperature using a vortex air chiller at a minimum rate of 52°C/s. Tensile tests were conducted at steady state temperatures of 470, 400, 300, 200, 115 and 25°C. This solutionizing and subsequent quenching process replicated the temperature cycle and quench rates representative of a die quenching operation. The results of the tensile test were analyzed with digital imaging correlation using an area reduction approach. The area reduction approach approximated the cross-sectional area of the tensile specimen as it necked. The approach allowed for the true stress-strain response to be calculated well past the initial necking point. The resulting true stress-strain curves showed that the AA7075 samples experienced almost no hardening at 470°C. As steady state temperature decreased, the rate of hardening as well as overall material strength increased. The true stress strain curves were fit to a modified version of the extended Voce constitutive model. The resulting fits can be used in a finite element model to predict the behaviour of an AA7075 blank during a die quenching operation.

  13. Annonaceous acetogenin mimic AA005 induces cancer cell death via apoptosis inducing factor through a caspase-3-independent mechanism.

    PubMed

    Han, Bing; Wang, Tong-Dan; Shen, Shao-Ming; Yu, Yun; Mao, Chan; Yao, Zhu-Jun; Wang, Li-Shun

    2015-03-18

    Annonaceous acetogenins are a family of natural products with antitumor activities. Annonaceous acetogenin mimic AA005 reportedly inhibits mammalian mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone reductase (Complex I) and induces gastric cancer cell death. However, the mechanisms underlying its cell-death-inducing activity are unclear. We used SW620 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells to study AA005 cytotoxic activity. Cell deaths were determined by Trypan blue assay and flow cytometry, and related proteins were characterized by western blot. Immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation were used to evaluate AIF nuclear translocation. Reactive oxygen species were assessed by using redox-sensitive dye DCFDA. AA005 induces a unique type of cell death in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, characterized by lack of caspase-3 activation or apoptotic body formation, sensitivity to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor Olaparib (AZD2281) but not pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD.fmk, and dependence on apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF). AA005 treatment also reduced expression of mitochondrial Complex I components, and leads to accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the early stage. Blocking ROS formation significantly suppresses AA005-induced cell death in SW620 cells. Moreover, blocking activation of RIP-1 by necroptosis inhibitor necrotatin-1 inhibits AIF translocation and partially suppresses AA005-induced cell death in SW620 cells demonstrating that RIP-1 protein may be essential for cell death. AA005 may trigger the cell death via mediated by AIF through caspase-3 independent pathway. Our work provided new mechanisms for AA005-induced cancer cell death and novel clues for cancer treatment via AIF dependent cell death.

  14. Protein Carbamylation in Peritoneal Dialysis and the Effect of Low Glucose Plus Amino Acid Solutions.

    PubMed

    Trottier, Caitlin; Perl, Jeffrey; Freeman, Megan; Thadhani, Ravi; Berg, Anders; Kalim, Sahir

    2018-01-01

    Protein carbamylation is a post-translational urea-driven protein modification associated with mortality. Free amino acids (AAs) competitively inhibit protein carbamylation and parenteral AA therapy reduces carbamylation in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) yields differences in urea clearance and AA balance compared with HD, but the influence of PD and intraperitoneal AA solutions on carbamylation is unclear. Thus, we first measured carbamylated albumin (C-Alb; a marker of carbamylation load) in 100 diabetic HD patients frequency-matched by age, sex, and race to 98 diabetic PD subjects from the IMPENDIA trial, which originally compared the metabolic effects of low-glucose PD solutions (incorporating icodextrin and AAs) to a control group (dextrose-only solutions). We then determined the effects of the AA-enriched PD solutions by measuring the 6-month change in C-Alb within the IMPENDIA cohort by treatment allocation (48 treated vs 50 controls). Peritoneal dialysis patients, when compared with HD patients, had higher baseline urea and higher C-Alb. Among IMPENDIA participants, there was no difference in C-Alb change in either arm, but treated subjects showed a trend towards increased carbamylation. Treated subjects also demonstrated an increase in urea, possibly explaining the carbamylation trend. In summary, carbamylation levels in PD patients appeared higher than in matched HD patients. A regimen of AA and low-glucose PD solutions did not reduce C-Alb in IMPENDIA subjects. Copyright © 2018 International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis.

  15. The effect of welding parameters on surface quality of AA6351 aluminium alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yacob, S.; MAli, M. A.; Ahsan, Q.; Ariffin, N.; Ali, R.; Arshad, A.; Wahab, M. I. A.; Ismail, S. A.; Roji, NS M.; Din, W. B. W.; Zakaria, M. H.; Abdullah, A.; Yusof, M. I.; Kamarulzaman, K. Z.; Mahyuddin, A.; Hamzah, M. N.; Roslan, R.

    2015-12-01

    In the present work, the effects of gas metal arc welding-cold metal transfer (GMAW-CMT) parameters on surface roughness are experimentally assessed. The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of the effects of welding speed, material thickness and contact tip to work distance on the surface roughness. Experiments are conducted using single pass gas metal arc welding-cold metal transfer (GMAW-CMT) welding technique to join the material. The material used in this experiment was AA6351 aluminum alloy with the thickness of 5mm and 6mm. A Mahr Marsuft XR 20 machine was used to measure the average roughness (Ra) of AA6351 joints. The main and interaction effect analysis was carried out to identify process parameters that affect the surface roughness. The results show that all the input process parameters affect the surface roughness of AA6351 joints. Additionally, the average roughness (Ra) results also show a decreasing trend with increased of welding speed. It is proven that gas metal arc welding-cold metal transfer (GMAW-CMT)welding process has been successful in term of providing weld joint of good surface quality for AA6351 based on the low value surface roughness condition obtained in this setup. The outcome of this experimental shall be valuable for future fabrication process in order to obtained high good quality weld.

  16. The adhesion performance of epoxy coating on AA6063 treated in Ti/Zr/V based solution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Wen; Li, Wenfang; Mu, Songlin; Yang, Yunyu; Zuo, Xi

    2016-10-01

    An environment-friendly titanium/zirconium/vanadium-based (Ti/Zr/V) conversion coating was prepared on aluminum alloy 6063 (AA6063). The epoxy powder coatings were applied on the AA6063 samples with/without Ti/Zr/V conversion coatings via electrostatic spraying. The morphology and composition of the conversion coating were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The surface free energy components of AA6063 samples were measured by a static contact angle measuring device with Owens method. The adhesion properties of the epoxy coating on AA6063 treated with different conversion times were evaluated using a pull-off tester. The Ti/Zr/V conversion coating was mainly composed of metal oxide (TiO2, ZrO2, V2O5, Al2O3, etc.), metal fluoride (ZrF4, AlF3, etc.) and metal organic complex. The formation time of this conversion coating was reduced to 50 s. After such surface treatment, the samples' surface roughness was increased and the contact angle with water was decreased. Both the surface free energy and the work of adhesion were increased. The adhesion strength between the epoxy coating and AA6063 was enhanced significantly.

  17. Bacillus thuringiensis Crystal Protein Cry6Aa Triggers Caenorhabditis elegans Necrosis Pathway Mediated by Aspartic Protease (ASP-1)

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Fengjuan; Peng, Donghai; Cheng, Chunsheng; Zhou, Wei; Ju, Shouyong; Wan, Danfeng; Yu, Ziquan; Shi, Jianwei; Deng, Yaoyao; Wang, Fenshan; Ye, Xiaobo; Hu, Zhenfei; Lin, Jian; Ruan, Lifang; Sun, Ming

    2016-01-01

    Cell death plays an important role in host-pathogen interactions. Crystal proteins (toxins) are essential components of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) biological pesticides because of their specific toxicity against insects and nematodes. However, the mode of action by which crystal toxins to induce cell death is not completely understood. Here we show that crystal toxin triggers cell death by necrosis signaling pathway using crystal toxin Cry6Aa-Caenorhabditis elegans toxin-host interaction system, which involves an increase in concentrations of cytoplasmic calcium, lysosomal lyses, uptake of propidium iodide, and burst of death fluorescence. We find that a deficiency in the necrosis pathway confers tolerance to Cry6Aa toxin. Intriguingly, the necrosis pathway is specifically triggered by Cry6Aa, not by Cry5Ba, whose amino acid sequence is different from that of Cry6Aa. Furthermore, Cry6Aa-induced necrosis pathway requires aspartic protease (ASP-1). In addition, ASP-1 protects Cry6Aa from over-degradation in C. elegans. This is the first demonstration that deficiency in necrosis pathway confers tolerance to Bt crystal protein, and that Cry6A triggers necrosis represents a newly added necrosis paradigm in the C. elegans. Understanding this model could lead to new strategies for nematode control. PMID:26795495

  18. A gene trap transposon eliminates haematopoietic expression of zebrafish Gfi1aa, but does not interfere with haematopoiesis.

    PubMed

    Thambyrajah, Roshana; Ucanok, Deniz; Jalali, Maryam; Hough, Yasmin; Wilkinson, Robert Neil; McMahon, Kathryn; Moore, Chris; Gering, Martin

    2016-09-01

    A transposon-mediated gene trap screen identified the zebrafish line qmc551 that expresses a GFP reporter in primitive erythrocytes and also in haemogenic endothelial cells, which give rise to haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) that seed sites of larval and adult haematopoiesis. The transposon that mediates this GFP expression is located in intron 1 of the gfi1aa gene, one of three zebrafish paralogs that encode transcriptional repressors homologous to mammalian Gfi1 and Gfi1b proteins. In qmc551 transgenics, GFP expression is under the control of the endogenous gfi1aa promoter, recapitulates early gfi1aa expression and allows live observation of gfi1aa promoter activity. While the transposon integration interferes with the expression of gfi1aa mRNA in haematopoietic cells, homozygous qmc551 fish are viable and fertile, and display normal primitive and definitive haematopoiesis. Retained expression of Gfi1b in primitive erythrocytes and up-regulation of Gfi1ab at the onset of definitive haematopoiesis in homozygous qmc551 carriers, are sufficient to allow normal haematopoiesis. This finding contradicts previously published morpholino data that suggested an essential role for zebrafish Gfi1aa in primitive erythropoiesis. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Hypertension in response to autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) in pregnant rats: role of endothelin-1.

    PubMed

    LaMarca, Babbette; Parrish, Marc; Ray, Lillian Fournier; Murphy, Sydney R; Roberts, Lyndsay; Glover, Porter; Wallukat, Gerd; Wenzel, Katrin; Cockrell, Kathy; Martin, James N; Ryan, Michael J; Dechend, Ralf

    2009-10-01

    Agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) and endothelin -1 (ET-1) are suggested to be important links between placental ischemia and hypertension during preeclampsia. Activation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) increases endothelial cell production of ET-1; however, the importance of ET-1 in response to AT1-AA-mediated AT1 R activation during preeclampsia is unknown. Furthermore, the role of AT1-AA-mediated increases in blood pressure during pregnancy remains unclear. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that AT1-AA, increased to levels observed in preeclamptic women and placental ischemic rats, increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) by activation of the ET-1 system. Chronic infusion of purified rat AT1-AA into normal pregnant (NP) rats for 7 days increased AT1-AA from 0.68+/-0.5 to 10.88+/-1.1 chronotropic units (P<0.001). The increased AT1-AA increased MAP from 99+/-1 to 119+/-2 mm Hg (P<0.001). The hypertension was associated with significant increases in renal cortices (11-fold) and placental (4-fold) ET-1. To determine whether ET-1 mediates AT1-AA-induced hypertension, pregnant rats infused with AT1-AA and NP rats were treated with an ET(A) receptor antagonist. MAP was 100+/-1 mm Hg in AT1-AA+ET(A) antagonist-treated rats versus 98+/-2 mm Hg in ET(A) antagonist-treated rats. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that one potential pathway whereby AT1-AAs increase blood pressure during pregnancy is by an ET-1-dependent mechanism.

  20. Management of critically ill surgical patients Case reports.

    PubMed

    Mangiante, Gerardo; Padoan, Roberto; Mengardo, Valentina; Bencivenga, Maria; de Manzoni, Giovanni

    2016-01-01

    The acute abdomen (AA) still remains a challenging situation for surgeons. New pathological conditions have been imposed to our attention in this field in recent years. The definition of abdominal compartmental syndrome (ACS) in surgical practice and the introduction of new biological matrices, with the concepts of tension-free (TS) repair of incisional hernias, prompted us to set up new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with AA. Thus we reviewed the cases of AA that we observed in recent years in which we performed a laparostomy in order to prevent or to treat an ACS. They are all cases of acute abdomen (AA), but from different origin, including chronic diseases, as in the course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and acute pancreatitis. In all the cases, the open abdominal cavity was covered with a polyethylene sheet. The edges of the wound were sutured to the plastic sheet, and a traction exerted by a device that causes a negative pressure was added. This method was adopted in several cases without randomization, and resulted in excellent patient's outcomes. Abdominal compartmental syndrome, Acute abdomen, Laparostomy.

  1. Across US Hospitals, Black Patients Report Comparable Or Better Experiences Than White Patients.

    PubMed

    Figueroa, José F; Zheng, Jie; Orav, E John; Jha, Ashish K

    2016-08-01

    Patient-reported experience is a critical part of measuring health care quality. There are limited data on racial differences in patient experience. Using patient-level data for 2009-10 from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), we compared blacks' and whites' responses on measures of overall hospital rating, communication, clinical processes, and hospital environment. In unadjusted results, there were no substantive differences between blacks' and whites' ratings of hospitals. Blacks were less likely to recommend hospitals but reported more positive experiences, compared to whites. Higher educational attainment and self-reported worse health status were associated with more negative evaluations in both races. Additionally, blacks rated minority-serving hospitals worse than other hospitals on all HCAHPS measures. Taken together, there were surprisingly few meaningful differences in patient experience between blacks and whites across US hospitals. Although blacks tend to receive care at worse-performing hospitals, compared to whites, within any given hospital black patients tend to report better experience than whites do. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

  2. Treatment with biologic agents improves the prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and amyloidosis.

    PubMed

    Kuroda, Takeshi; Tanabe, Naohito; Kobayashi, Daisuke; Sato, Hiroe; Wada, Yoko; Murakami, Shuichi; Saeki, Takako; Nakano, Masaaki; Narita, Ichiei

    2012-07-01

    Reactive amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis is a serious and life-threatening systemic complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We evaluated the safety of therapy with anti-tumor necrosis factor and anti-interleukin 6 biologic agents in RA patients with reactive AA amyloidosis, together with prognosis and hemodialysis (HD)-free survival, in comparison with patients with AA amyloidosis without such therapy. One hundred thirty-three patients with an established diagnosis of reactive AA amyloidosis participated in the study. Clinical data were assessed from patient records at the time of amyloid detection and administration of biologics. Survival was calculated from the date when amyloid was first demonstrated histologically or the date when biologic therapy was started until the time of death or to the end of 2010 for surviving patients. Patients who had started HD were selected for inclusion only after the presence of amyloid was demonstrated. Fifty-three patients were treated with biologic agents (biologic group) and 80 were not (nonbiologic group). Survival rate was significantly higher in the biologic group than in the nonbiologic group. Nine patients in the biologics group and 33 in the nonbiologic group started HD. Biologic therapy had a tendency for reduced risk of initiation of HD without any statistical significance. Patients with amyloidosis have a higher mortality rate, but the use of biologic agents can reduce risk of death. The use of biologics may not significantly influence the HD-free survival rate.

  3. Fatal acute pancreatitis associated with reactive AA amyloidosis in rheumatoid arthritis with end-stage renal disease: a report of three cases.

    PubMed

    Kuroda, Takeshi; Sato, Hiroe; Hasegawa, Hisashi; Wada, Yoko; Murakami, Shuichi; Saeki, Takako; Nakano, Masaaki; Narita, Ichiei

    2011-01-01

    We report three cases of fatal pancreatitis associated with systemic AA amyloidosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). All of the patients showed end-stage renal failure, and hemodialysis was introduced during the course of treatment. Autopsy was performed on two of the three patients, and this revealed amyloid deposition on the vascular walls in the pancreas. It was strongly suggested that the acute pancreatitis in all three patients was attributable to deposition of amyloid in vascular and pancreatic tissues. Acute pancreatitis is considered to be a rare complication of end-stage amyloidosis associated with RA, and is frequently fatal. It is important to treat RA patients intensively to avoid such deposition of amyloid.

  4. Effects of long-term AA attendance and spirituality on the course of depressive symptoms in individuals with alcohol use disorder.

    PubMed

    Wilcox, Claire E; Pearson, Matthew R; Tonigan, J Scott

    2015-06-01

    Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with depression. Although attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings predicts reductions in drinking, results have been mixed about the salutary effects of AA on reducing depressive symptoms. In this single-group study, early AA affiliates (n = 253) were recruited, consented, and assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. Lagged growth models were used to investigate the predictive effect of AA attendance on depression, controlling for concurrent drinking and treatment attendance. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and was administered at baseline 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Additional predictors of depression tested included spiritual gains (Religious Background and Behavior questionnaire [RBB]) and completion of 12-step work (Alcoholics Anonymous Inventory [AAI]). Eighty-five percent of the original sample provided follow-up data at 24 months. Overall, depression decreased over the 24 month follow-up period. AA attendance predicted later reductions in depression (slope = -3.40, p = .01) even after controlling for concurrent drinking and formal treatment attendance. Finally, increased spiritual gains (RBB) also predicted later reductions in depression (slope = -0.10, p = .02) after controlling for concurrent drinking, treatment, and AA attendance. In summary, reductions in alcohol consumption partially explained decreases in depression in this sample of early AA affiliates, and other factors such as AA attendance and increased spiritual practices also accounted for reductions in depression beyond that explained by drinking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

  5. Pharmacogenetic association between GSTP1 genetic polymorphism and febrile neutropenia in Japanese patients with early breast cancer.

    PubMed

    Sugishita, Mihoko; Imai, Tsuneo; Kikumori, Toyone; Mitsuma, Ayako; Shimokata, Tomoya; Shibata, Takashi; Morita, Sachi; Inada-Inoue, Megumi; Sawaki, Masataka; Hasegawa, Yoshinori; Ando, Yuichi

    2016-03-01

    Genetic risk factors for febrile neutropenia (FN), the major adverse event of perioperative chemotherapy for early breast cancer, remain unclear. This study retrospectively explored pharmacogenetic associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the uridine glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7, rs7668258), glutathione-S-transferase pi 1 (GSTP1, rs1695), and microcephalin 1 (MCPH1, rs2916733) genes with chemotherapy-related adverse events in 102 Japanese women who received epirubicin and cyclophosphamide as perioperative chemotherapy for early breast cancer. The allele frequencies for all of the SNPs were in concordance with the Hap-Map data of Japanese individuals. Among the 24 patients who had FN at least once during all courses of chemotherapy, 23 had the A/A genotype, and 1 had the A/G genotype of the GSTP1 polymorphism (rs1695, P = 0.001); 23 of the 70 patients with the A/A genotype had FN, as compared with only 1 of the 32 patients with the A/G and G/G genotypes. The genotype distributions of the UGT2B7 and MCPH1 polymorphisms did not differ between the patients who had FN or grade 3/4 neutropenia and those who did not. Among Japanese women who received epirubicin and cyclophosphamide as perioperative chemotherapy for early breast cancer, those with the A/A genotype of the GSTP1 polymorphism (rs1695) were more likely to have FN.

  6. Insights into the Structure of the Vip3Aa Insecticidal Protein by Protease Digestion Analysis

    PubMed Central

    Bel, Yolanda; Banyuls, Núria; Chakroun, Maissa; Escriche, Baltasar; Ferré, Juan

    2017-01-01

    Vip3 proteins are secretable proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis whose mode of action is still poorly understood. In this study, the activation process for Vip3 proteins was closely examined in order to better understand the Vip3Aa protein stability and to shed light on its structure. The Vip3Aa protoxin (of 89 kDa) was treated with trypsin at concentrations from 1:100 to 120:100 (trypsin:Vip3A, w:w). If the action of trypsin was not properly neutralized, the results of SDS-PAGE analysis (as well as those with Agrotis ipsilon midgut juice) equivocally indicated that the protoxin could be completely processed. However, when the proteolytic reaction was efficiently stopped, it was revealed that the protoxin was only cleaved at a primary cleavage site, regardless of the amount of trypsin used. The 66 kDa and the 19 kDa peptides generated by the proteases co-eluted after gel filtration chromatography, indicating that they remain together after cleavage. The 66 kDa fragment was found to be extremely resistant to proteases. The trypsin treatment of the protoxin in the presence of SDS revealed the presence of secondary cleavage sites at S-509, and presumably at T-466 and V-372, rendering C-terminal fragments of approximately 29, 32, and 42 kDa, respectively. The fact that the predicted secondary structure of the Vip3Aa protein shows a cluster of beta sheets in the C-terminal region of the protein might be the reason behind the higher stability to proteases compared to the rest of the protein, which is mainly composed of alpha helices. PMID:28387713

  7. Comparative Effectiveness of Conservative Management Compared to Cryotherapy in Localized Prostate Cancer Patients.

    PubMed

    Shah, Surbhi; Young, Henry N; Cobran, Ewan K

    2018-06-01

    The high frequency of treatment-related side effects for men with localized prostate cancer creates uncertainty for treatment outcomes. This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of treatment-related side effects associated with conservative management and cryotherapy in patients with localized prostate cancer. A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted, using the linked data of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and Medicare, which included patients diagnosed from 2000 through year 2013, and their Medicare claims information from 2000 through 2014. To compare the differences in baseline characteristics and treatment-related side effects between the study cohorts, χ 2 tests were conducted. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between treatment selection and side effects. There were 7,998 and 3,051 patients in the conservative management and cryotherapy cohort, respectively. The likelihood of erectile dysfunction, lower urinary tract obstruction, urinary fistula, urinary incontinence, and hydronephrosis was reported to be significantly lower (53%, 35%, 69%, 65%, and 36%, respectively) in the conservative management cohort. Conservative management had a lower likelihood of treatment-related side effects compared to cryotherapy. However, further research is needed to compare other significant long-term outcomes such as costs associated with these treatment choices and quality of life.

  8. Association of Serum n-3/n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Ratio With T-Wave Alternans in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease.

    PubMed

    Nodera, Minoru; Suzuki, Hitoshi; Yamada, Shinya; Kamioka, Masashi; Kaneshiro, Takashi; Kamiyama, Yoshiyuki; Takeishi, Yasuchika

    2015-01-01

    Several studies have demonstrated that oral intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), prevents ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) with ischemic heart disease, but the underlying mechanisms still remain unclear. Thus, we examined the relation between the serum EPA/arachidonic acid (AA) ratio and electrophysiological properties in patients with ischemic heart disease. The study subjects consisted of 57 patients (46 males, mean age, 66 ± 13 years) with ischemic heart disease. T-wave alternans (TWA) and heart rate variability were assessed by 24hour Holter ECG, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by echocardiography. Fasting blood samples were collected, and the serum EPA/AA ratio was determined. Based on a median value of the serum EPA/AA ratio, all subjects were divided into two groups: serum EPA/AA ratio below 0.33 (Group-L, n = 28) or not (Group-H, n = 29). We compared these parameters between the two groups. LVEF was not different between the two groups. The maximum value of TWA was significantly higher in Group-L than in Group-H (69.5 ± 22.8 μV versus 48.7 ± 12.0 μV, P = 0.007). In addition, VT defined as above 3 beats was observed in 7 cases (25%) in Group-L, but there were no cases of VT in Group-H (P = 0.004). However, low-frequency (LF) component, high-frequency (HF) component, LF to HF ratio, and standard deviation of all R-R intervals were not different between the two groups. These results suggest that a low EPA/AA ratio may induce cardiac electrical instability, but not autonomic nervous imbalance, associated with VT in patients with ischemic heart disease.

  9. Comparative study on the mechanical and microstructural characterisation of AA 7075 nano and hybrid nanocomposites produced by stir and squeeze casting.

    PubMed

    Kannan, C; Ramanujam, R

    2017-07-01

    In this research work, a comparative evaluation on the mechanical and microstructural characteristics of aluminium based single and hybrid reinforced nanocomposites was carried out. The manufacture of a single reinforced nanocomposite was conducted with the distribution of 2 wt.% nano alumina particles (avg. particle size 30-50 nm) in the molten aluminium alloy of grade AA 7075; while the hybrid reinforced nanocomposites were produced with of 4 wt.% silicon carbide (avg. particle size 5-10 µm) and 2 wt.%, 4 wt.% nano alumina particles. Three numbers of single reinforced nanocomposites were manufactured through stir casting with reinforcements preheated to different temperatures viz. 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C. The stir cast procedure was extended to fabricate two hybrid reinforced nanocomposites with reinforcements preheated to 500 °C prior to their inclusion. A single reinforced nanocomposite was also developed by squeeze casting with a pressure of 101 MPa. Mechanical and physical properties such as density, hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and impact strength were evaluated on all the developed composites. The microstructural observation was carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopy. On comparison with base alloy, an improvement of 63.7% and 81.1% in brinell hardness was observed for single and hybrid reinforced nanocomposites respectively. About 16% higher ultimate tensile strength was noticed with the squeeze cast single reinforced nanocomposite over the stir cast.

  10. Effect of pulsed current GTA welding parameters on the fusion zone microstructure of AA 6061 aluminium alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, T. Senthil; Balasubramanian, V.; Babu, S.; Sanavullah, M. Y.

    2007-08-01

    AA6061 aluminium alloy (Al-Mg-Si alloy) has gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of food processing equipment, chemical containers, passenger cars, road tankers, and railway transport systems. The preferred process for welding these aluminium alloys is frequently Gas Tungsten Arc (GTA) welding due to its comparatively easy applicability and lower cost. In the case of single pass GTA welding of thinner sections of this alloy, the pulsed current has been found beneficial due to its advantages over the conventional continuous current processes. The use of pulsed current parameters has been found to improve the mechanical properties of the welds compared to those of continuous current welds of this alloy due to grain refinement occurring in the fusion zone. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to develop a mathematical model to predict the fusion zone grain diameter incorporating pulsed current welding parameters. Statistical tools such as design of experiments, analysis of variance, and regression analysis are used to develop the mathematical model. The developed model can be effectively used to predict the fusion grain diameter at a 95% confidence level for the given pulsed current parameters. The effect of pulsed current GTA welding parameters on the fusion zone grain diameter of AA 6061 aluminium alloy welds is reported in this paper.

  11. Elevated expression of CX3C chemokine receptor 1 mediates recruitment of T cells into bone marrow of patients with acquired aplastic anaemia.

    PubMed

    Ren, J; Hou, X Y; Ma, S H; Zhang, F K; Zhen, J H; Sun, L; Sun, Y X; Hao, Y L; Cheng, Y F; Hou, M; Xu, C G; Zhang, M H; Peng, J

    2014-11-01

    Acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) is a T-cell-mediated, organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by haematopoietic stem cell destruction in the bone marrow. The exact molecular mechanism of T-cell trafficking into the bone marrow is unclear in AA. Very late activation antigen-4 (VLA-4) and CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) play active roles in many autoimmune diseases. Therefore, we investigated whether VLA-4 and CX3CR1 also contribute to T-cell migration into the bone marrow in acquired AA. Expression levels of CX3CR1 and VLA-4 and their ligands [fractalkine (CX3CL1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)] were examined in 63 patients with AA and 21 healthy control subjects. T-cell chemotaxis and adhesion were analysed in 17 patients with severe AA. We also prospectively evaluated the expression pattern of CX3CR1 during treatment with antithymocyte globulin plus cyclosporine in 11 patients with severe AA. The proportion of peripheral and bone marrow CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells expressing CX3CR1 and the level of CX3CL1 was increased in patients with AA. However, there was no significant difference in VLA-4 expression or VCAM-1 levels. Functional studies demonstrated that chemotaxis towards autologous bone marrow plasma or soluble CX3CL1 was significantly higher in T cells from AA patients and could be blocked by CX3CR1 inhibitors. CX3CR1-mediated T-cell adhesion was also upregulated in these patients. The expression of CX3CR1 was associated with the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy. The present findings demonstrate that CX3CR1 plays a pivotal role in recruitment of T cells into the bone marrow in acquired AA and is a potential therapeutic target for treatment of this disorder. © 2014 The Association for the Publication of the Journal of Internal Medicine.

  12. Antioxidant nutrients in plasma of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma-COPD overlap syndrome and bronchial asthma.

    PubMed

    Kodama, Yuzo; Kishimoto, Yuki; Muramatsu, Yoko; Tatebe, Junko; Yamamoto, Yu; Hirota, Nao; Itoigawa, Yukinari; Atsuta, Ryo; Koike, Kengo; Sato, Tadashi; Aizawa, Koich; Takahashi, Kazuhisa; Morita, Toshisuke; Homma, Sakae; Seyama, Kuniaki; Ishigami, Akihito

    2017-11-01

    Few studies to date have investigated the antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (α-tocopherol), retinol and carotenoids in plasma from patients with pulmonary disease in Japan. To clarify the role of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, retinol and various carotenoids in plasma of Japanese patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD), asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) and/or bronchial asthma (BA), we compared to healthy elderly controls. Ascorbic acid (AA), carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene), retinol and α-tocopherol levels in plasma were determined by using a high performance liquid chromatography. Reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG) in whole blood and urinary 8-OHdG were also determined. Plasma AA level of COPD subjects was significantly lower than that of healthy elderly people. Conversely, ACOS and BA subjects showed no significant difference from healthy elderly people. Moreover, plasma lycopene and total carotenoid levels and GSH content in blood were significantly lower in COPD subjects than these in healthy elderly people. However, other redox markers such as GSSG, GSH/GSSG ratio and urinary 8-OHdG found no significant differences between COPD, ACOS and BA compared to healthy elderly people. These results suggested that COPD of Japanese patients may develop partly because of oxidative stress derived from a shortage of antioxidant nutrients, especially of AA and lycopene, as well as GSH while this may not be the case in both ACOS and BA. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  13. Elimination of ascorbic acid after high-dose infusion in prostate cancer patients: a pharmacokinetic evaluation.

    PubMed

    Nielsen, Torben K; Højgaard, Martin; Andersen, Jon T; Poulsen, Henrik E; Lykkesfeldt, Jens; Mikines, Kári J

    2015-04-01

    Treatment with high-dose intravenous (IV) ascorbic acid (AA) is used in complementary and alternative medicine for various conditions including cancer. Cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines has been observed with millimolar concentrations of AA. Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of high-dose IV AA. The purpose of this study was to assess the basic kinetic variables in human beings over a relevant AA dosing interval for proper design of future clinical trials. Ten patients with metastatic prostate cancer were treated for 4 weeks with fixed AA doses of 5, 30 and 60 g. AA was measured consecutively in plasma and indicated first-order elimination kinetics throughout the dosing range with supra-physiological concentrations. The target dose of 60 g AA IV produced a peak plasma AA concentration of 20.3 mM. Elimination half-life was 1.87 hr (mean, S.D. ± 0.40), volume of distribution 0.19 L/kg (S.D. ±0.05) and clearance rate 6.02 L/hr (100 mL/min). No differences in pharmacokinetic parameters were observed between weeks/doses. A relatively fast first-order elimination with half-life of about 2 hr makes it impossible to maintain AA concentrations in the potential cytotoxic range after infusion stop in prostate cancer patients with normal kidney function. We propose a regimen with a bolus loading followed by a maintenance infusion based on the calculated clearance. © 2014 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).

  14. Development of a disease-specific instrument to measure quality of life in patients with alopecia areata.

    PubMed

    Endo, Yuichiro; Miyachi, Yoshiki; Arakawa, Akiko

    2012-01-01

    Alopecia areata (AA) is a common hair loss disorder that frequently follows a chronic course. Although AA is apparently associated with disturbance of quality of life (QoL), no disease-specific instrument to measure the QoL has been developed. This study was conducted to develop a disease-specific self-administered instrument to measure AA patients' QoL (AAQ). A two-step cross-sectional study was conducted. Items were generated from qualitative interviews with five patients with AA (two men and three women, age 28±6.4 years). Then, a preliminary questionnaire was produced and delivered to the patients (n=122). The AAQ was examined in terms of statistical performance. The AAQ included 7 items in the following three subscales: 'restriction of activity', 'concealment' and 'adaptation'. The reliability of internal consistency was fair with Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.59-81 for each subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analysis demonstrated that the AAQ had good construct validity. Interestingly, the AAQ was only correlated with subjective severity scores as rated by the patients, but not with objective disease severity assessed by investigators.

  15. Effect Of G2706A and G1051A polymorphisms of the ABCA1 gene on the lipid, oxidative stress and homocystein levels in Turkish patients with polycystıc ovary syndrome

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Obesity, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, crucial parameters of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) play significant pathophysiological roles in lipidemic aberrations associated within the syndrome. Parts of the metabolic syndrome (low HDL and insulin resistance) appeared to facilitate the association between PCOS and coronary artery disease, independently of obesity. ABCA1 gene polymorphism may be altered this components in PCOS patients. In this study, we studied 98 PCOS patients and 93 healthy controls. All subjects underwent venous blood drawing for complete hormonal assays, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, disulfide levels and ABCA genetic study. Results In PCOS group fasting glucose, DHEAS, 17-OHP, free testosterone, total-cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and fibrinogen were significantly different compare to controls. The genotype ABCA G2706A distribution differed between the control group (GG 60.7%, GA 32.1%, AA 7.1%) and the PCOS patients (GG 8.7%, GA 8.7%, AA 76.8%). The frequency of the A allele (ABCAG2706A) was higher in PCOS patients than control group with 13,0% and 23,2%, respectively. In this study, the homocystein and insulin levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients with ABCA G1051A mutant genotype than those with heterozygote and wild genotypes. Conclusions We found higher percentage of AA genotype and A allele of ABCA G2706A in PCOS patients compare to controls. The fasting insulin and homocystein levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients with ABCA G1051A mutant genotype than those with heterozygote and wild genotypes. PMID:22035022

  16. Low Cotinine Glucuronidation Results in Higher Serum and Saliva Cotinine in African American Compared to White Smokers.

    PubMed

    Murphy, Sharon E; Sipe, Christopher J; Choi, Kwangsoo; Raddatz, Leah M; Koopmeiners, Joseph S; Donny, Eric C; Hatsukami, Dorothy K

    2017-07-01

    Background: Tobacco exposure is often quantified by serum or saliva concentrations of the primary nicotine metabolite, cotinine. However, average cotinine concentrations are higher in African Americans (AA) compared with Whites with similar smoking levels. Cotinine is metabolized by UGT2B10 and CYP2A6, and low UGT2B10 activity is common in AA, due to the prevalence of a UGT2B10 splice variant. Methods: UGT2B10 activity was phenotyped in 1,446 smokers (34% AA) by measuring the percentage of cotinine excreted as a glucuronide. Urinary total nicotine equivalents (TNE), the sum of nicotine and 6 metabolites, were determined to quantify smoking dose, and cotinine and 3'-hydroxycotinine were quantified in saliva (study 1) or serum (study 2). Results: Ninety-seven smokers (78% AA) were null for UGT2B10 activity, and the saliva and serum cotinine levels, after adjustment for TNE and cigarettes per day (CPD), were 68% and 48% higher in these smokers compared with nonnull smokers ( P < 0.001). After adjustment for TNE and CPD, salivary cotinine was 35% higher, and serum cotinine 24% higher in AA versus White smokers, but with additional adjustment for UGT2B10 activity, there were no significant differences in saliva and serum cotinine concentrations between these two groups. Conclusions: UGT2B10 activity significantly influences plasma cotinine levels, and higher cotinine concentrations in AA versus White smokers (after adjustment for smoking dose) result from lower levels of UGT2B10-catalyzed cotinine glucuronidation by AA. Impact: UGT2B10 activity or genotype should be considered when using cotinine as a tobacco exposure biomarker, particularly in populations such as AA with high frequencies of UGT2B10 nonfunctional variants. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(7); 1093-9. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

  17. Plasma oxalate levels in prevalent hemodialysis patients and potential implications for ascorbic acid supplementation.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yuguan; Weisberg, Lawrence S; Langman, Craig B; Logan, Amanda; Hunter, Krystal; Prasad, Deepali; Avila, Jose; Venkatchalam, Thaliga; Berns, Jeffrey S; Handelman, Garry J; Sirover, William D

    2016-10-01

    Ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation may increase hemoglobin levels and decrease erythropoiesis-stimulating agent dose requirement in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). While plasma AA levels >100μM may be supratherapeutic, levels of at least 30μM may be needed to improve wound healing and levels may need to reach 70μM to optimize erythropoiesis. Of concern, oxalate (Ox), an AA metabolite, can accumulate in ESRD. Historically, if plasma Ox levels remain ≥30μM, oxalosis was of concern. Contemporary hemodialysis (HD) efficiencies may decrease the risk of oxalosis by maintaining pre-HD Ox levels <30μM. This study focuses on the plasma Ox levels in HD patients. A prospective, observational study of 197 HD patients with pre-HD AA levels and pre-HD and post-HD Ox levels. Mean plasma Ox levels decreased 71% during the intradialytic period (22.3±11.1μM to 6.4±3.2μM, P<0.001). In regression analysis, pre-HD plasma AA levels ≤100μM were not associated with a pre-HD plasma Ox level≥30μM, even if ferritin levels were increased. Pre-HD plasma Ox levels ≥20 or ≥30μM were not associated with lower cumulative 4-year survival. Pre-HD plasma AA levels up to 100μM in HD patients do not appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing secondary oxalosis, as the corresponding pre-HD plasma Ox level appears to be maintained at tolerable levels. Copyright © 2016 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Thyroid Disorders Associated with Alopecia Areata in Egyptian Patients

    PubMed Central

    Bakry, Ola A; Basha, Mohamed A; El Shafiee, Maather K; Shehata, Wafaa A

    2014-01-01

    Context: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of localized, non-scarring hair loss. The etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, but the role of autoimmunity is strongly suggested. AA is commonly associated with various autoimmune disorders; the most frequent among them is autoimmune thyroid disorders. Aim: To determine whether AA is associated with thyroid autoimmunity or thyroid function abnormalities in Egyptian patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty subjects with AA (37 males and 13 females) without clinical evidence of thyroid disorders were selected from Dermatology Outpatient Clinic, Menoufiya University Hospital, Menoufiya Governorate, Egypt, during the period from June 2009 to February 2010. They were divided into 3 groups according to severity of AA. Fifty age and sex-matched healthy volunteers (35 males and 15 females) were selected as a control group. Every case and control were subjected to history taking, complete general and dermatological examination. Venous blood samples were taken from cases and controls after taking their consents for measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free T3, freeT4 and detection of Anti-thyroglobulin Antibody (Tg-Ab) and Anti-thyroid Peroxidase Antibody (TPO-Ab). Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was detected in 16% of cases. There were statistically significant differences between cases and controls regarding levels of TSH, free T3 and free T4. There were significant differences between cases and controls regarding the presence of Tg-Ab and TPO-Ab. Conclusions: Every patient with AA should be screened for thyroid functions and presence of thyroid autoantibodies even in absence of clinical manifestations suggestive of thyroid affection. PMID:24470660

  19. Thoracic paravertebral block versus intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for pain treatment in patients with multiple rib fractures.

    PubMed

    Yeying, Ge; Liyong, Yuan; Yuebo, Chen; Yu, Zhang; Guangao, Ye; Weihu, Ma; Liujun, Zhao

    2017-12-01

    Objectives To assess the effect of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) on pain management and preservation of pulmonary function compared with intravenous, patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) in patients with multiple rib fractures (MRFs). Methods Ninety patients with unilateral MRFs were included in this prospective study and randomly assigned to the TPVB or IVPCA group. The visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, blood gas analysis, and bedside spirometry were measured and recorded at different time points after analgesia. Results TPVB and IVPCA provided good pain relief. VAS scores were significantly lower in the TPVB group than in the IVPCA group at rest and during coughing ( P < 0.05). Patients in the TPVB group had a higher PaO 2 and PaO 2 /FiO 2 and lower P (A-a) O 2 compared with the IVPCA group ( P < 0.05). Moreover, patients in the TPVB group showed higher FVC, FEV1/FVC, and PEFR, and fewer complications than did the IVPCA group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion TPVB is superior to IVPCA in pain relief and preservation of pulmonary function in patients with MRFs.

  20. Transition of basaltic lava from pahoehoe to aa, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii: Field observations and key factors

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Peterson, Donald W.; Tilling, Robert I.

    1980-01-01

    Nearly all Hawaiian basaltic lava erupts as pahoehoe, and some changes to aa during flowage and cooling; factors governing the transition involve certain critical relations between viscosity and rate of shear strain. If the lava slows, cools, and stops in direct response to concomitant increase in viscosity before these critical relations are reached, it remains pahoehoe. But, if flow mechanics (flow rate, flow dimensions, slope, momentum, etc.) impel the lava to continue to move and deform even after it has become highly viscous, the critical relations may be reached and the lava changes to aa.Typical modes of transition from pahoehoe to aa include: (1) spontaneous formation of relatively stiff clots in parts of the flowing lava where shear rate is highest; these clots grow into discrete, rough, sticky masses to which the remaining fluid lava incrementally adheres; (2) fragmentation and immersion of solid or semi-solid surface crusts of pahoehoe by roiling movements of the flow, forming cores of discrete, tacky masses; (3) sudden renewed movement of lava stored and cooled within surface reservoirs to form clots. The masses, fragments, and clots in these transition modes are characterized by spinose, granulated surfaces; as flow movement continues, the masses and fragments aggregate, fracture, and grind together, completing the transition to aa.Observations show that the critical relation between viscosity and rate of shear strain is inverse: if viscosity is low, a high rate of shear is required to begin the transition to aa; conversely, if viscosity is high, a much lower rate of shear will induce the transition. These relations can be demonstrated qualitatively with simple graphs, which can be used to examine the flow history of any selected finite lava element by tracing the path represented by its changing viscosity and shear rate. A broad, diffuse “transition threshold zone” in these graphs portrays the inverse critical relation between viscosity and shear

  1. White blood cell and platelet count as adjuncts to standard clinical evaluation for risk assessment in patients at low probability of acute aortic syndrome.

    PubMed

    Morello, Fulvio; Cavalot, Giulia; Giachino, Francesca; Tizzani, Maria; Nazerian, Peiman; Carbone, Federica; Pivetta, Emanuele; Mengozzi, Giulio; Moiraghi, Corrado; Lupia, Enrico

    2017-08-01

    Pre-test probability assessment is key in the approach to suspected acute aortic syndromes (AASs). However, most patients with AAS-compatible symptoms are classified at low probability, warranting further evaluation for decision on aortic imaging. White blood cell count, platelet count and fibrinogen explore pathophysiological pathways mobilized in AASs and are routinely assayed in the workup of AASs. However, the diagnostic performance of these variables for AASs, alone and as a bundle, is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that white blood cell count, platelet count and/or fibrinogen at presentation may be applied as additional tools to standard clinical evaluation for pre-test risk assessment in patients at low probability of AAS. This was a retrospective observational study conducted on consecutive patients managed in our Emergency Department from 2009 to 2014 for suspected AAS. White blood cell count, platelet count and fibrinogen were assayed during evaluation in the Emergency Department. The final diagnosis was obtained by computed tomography angiography. The pre-test probability of AAS was defined according to guidelines. Of 1210 patients with suspected AAS, 1006 (83.1%) were classified at low probability, and 271 (22.4%) were diagnosed with AAS. Within patients at low probability, presence of at least one alteration among white blood cell count >9*10 3 /µl, platelet count <200*10 3 /µl and fibrinogen <350 mg/dl was associated with a sensitivity of 95.5% (89.7-98.5%) and a specificity of 18.3% (15.6-21.2%). In patients at low probability, white blood cell count >9*10 3 /µl and platelet count <200*10 3 /µl were found as independent predictors of AAS beyond established clinical risk markers. Within patients at low probability, the estimated risk of AAS based on the number of alterations amongst white blood cell count >9*10 3 /µl and platelet count <200*10 3 /µl was 2.7% (1.2-5.7%) with zero alterations, 11.3% (8.8-14.3%) with one alteration and 31.9% (24

  2. Introducing the AAS Working Group on Astroinformatics and Astrostatistics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ivezic, Zeljko

    2014-01-01

    In response to two White Papers submitted to the Astro2010 Decadal Survey (1,2), a new AAS Working Group on Astroinformatics and Astrostatistics (WGAA) has been approved by the AAS Council at the 220th Meeting, June 2012, in Anchorage. The motivation for this WG is the growing importance of the interface between astronomy and various branches of applied mathematics, computer science and the emerging field of data science. With the new data-intensive projects envisioned for the coming decade, the need for advice derived from the focused attention of a group of AAS members who work in these areas is bound to increase. The Working Group is charged with spreading awareness of rapidly advancing computational techniques, sophsticated statistical methods, and highly capble software to further the goals of astronomical and astrophysical research. The three main strategic goals adopted by the WGAA Steering Committee for the next few years are to: (i) develop, organize and maintain methodological resources (such as software tools, papers, books, and lectures); (ii) enhance human resources (such as foster the creation of career paths, establish a Speakers' Bureau, establish and maintain an archived discussion forum, enable periodic news distribution); and (iii) organize topical meetings. The WGAA Steering Committee at this time includes twelve members: Kirk Borne, George Djorgovski, Eric Feigelson, Eric Ford, Alyssa Goodman, Joe Hilbe, Zeljko Ivezic (chair), Ashish Mahabal, Aneta Siemiginowska, Alex Szalay, Rick White, and Padma Yanamandra-Fisher. I will summarize our accomplishments since July 2012. (1) Astroinformatics: A 21st Century Approach to Astronomy (Borne & 90 coauthors), (2) The Astronomical Information Sciences: A Keystone for 21st-Century Astronomy (Loredo & 72 coauthors)

  3. Clinical and biochemical aspirin resistance in patients with recurrent cerebral ischemia.

    PubMed

    El-Mitwalli, Ashraf; Azzam, Hanan; Abu-Hegazy, Mohammad; Gomaa, Mohamed; Wasel, Yasser

    2013-07-01

    Stroke recurrence is an important public health concern. One half of survivors remain disabled, and one seventh requires institutional care. Aspirin remains the cornerstone of primary and secondary stroke prevention; meanwhile, aspirin resistance is one of the possible causes of stroke recurrence. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and biochemical aspirin resistance in patients with recurrent ischemic stroke. We studied demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, stroke subtypes, radiologic findings and biochemical aspirin resistance tests using both arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) on admission and 24 h after observed aspirin ingestion. Of the 82 patients with recurrent cerebral ischemia included in this study, 37 (45%) patients were poor compliant with aspirin. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the demographic characteristics, stroke severity, laboratory tests, radiological findings or vascular risk factors. On admission, 19.6% and 4.8% of patients showed aspirin resistance, while 24 h after supervised 300 mg single aspirin dose ingestion, it was 9.8% and 2.4% using ADP and AA-induced LTA respectively. Of the eight aspirin resistant patients, two only showed resistance using both AA and ADP. Aspirin resistance was statistically significantly higher in the male gender, older age, hyperlipidemia, smokers and in all lacunar strokes using AA. Biochemical aspirin resistance in one's series was rather rare (2.4%) and was more prevalent in patients with lacunar strokes. Clinical aspirin failure may often be contributed to poor compliance with aspirin intake. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Influence of abiraterone acetate on neuroendocrine differentiation in chemotherapy-naive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

    PubMed

    Dong, Baijun; Fan, Liancheng; Wang, Yanqing; Chi, Chenfei; Ma, Xiaowei; Wang, Rui; Cai, Wen; Shao, Xiaoguang; Pan, Jiahua; Zhu, Yinjie; Shangguan, Xun; Xin, Zhixiang; Hu, Jianian; Xie, Shaowei; Kang, Xiaonan; Zhou, Lixin; Xue, Wei

    2017-05-01

    To determine the influence of abiraterone Acetate (AA) on neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in patients with chemotherapy-naive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We conducted an analysis in 115 chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC patients who would be treated with chemotherapy. The serum levels of chromogranin A (CgA), neurone-specific enolase (NSE) were measured in 67 mCRPC patients without AA treatment and 48 patients after the failure of AA treatment, in which these markers were also measured in 34 patients before and after 6 months of AA treatment. Comparative t-test was used to evaluate the serial changes of serum NED markers during AA treatment and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to test the influence of AA treatment on NED. Serum CgA were NSE were evaluated to be above the upper limit of normal (ULN) in 56 (48.7%) and 29 (25.2%) patients before chemotherapy. In 34 patients with serial evaluation, serum CgA level of 14 patients and NSE of 14 patients increased after the failure of AA treatment. There was no significant difference of NED markers (CgA or NSE variation (P = 0.243) between at baseline and after the failure of AA treatment. Compared with the CgA elevation group in the first 6 months of AA treatment and baseline supranormal CgA group, the CgA decline group, and baseline normal CgA group has a much longer median PSA PFS (14.34 vs 10.00 months, P < 0.001, and 14.23 vs 10.30 months, P = 0.02) and rPFS, respectively (18.33 vs 11.37 months, P < 0.001, and 17.10 vs 12.07 months, P = 0.03). In logistic univariate analysis, AA treatment and its duration were not independent factors influencing NED. We hypothesized that AA might not significantly lead to progression of NED of mCRPC in general. Furthermore, we found there was heterogeneity in changes of NED markers in different mCRPC patients during AA treatment. Serial CgA and NSE evaluation might help clinicians guide clinical treatment of m

  5. Post term dietary-induced changes in DHA and AA status relate to gains in weight, length, and head circumference in preterm infants.

    PubMed

    van de Lagemaat, Monique; Rotteveel, Joost; Muskiet, Frits A J; Schaafsma, Anne; Lafeber, Harrie N

    2011-12-01

    Preterms need supplementation with docosahexaenoic (DHA) and arachidonic (AA) acids to prevent steep postnatal declines. Associations between growth and erythrocyte (RBC) DHA and AA were studied in 139 preterms (51% male, gestational age 30.3±1.5 weeks, birth weight 1341±288g) fed human milk with breast milk fortifier or preterm formula until term, followed by postdischarge formula (PDF; n=52, 0.4% DHA, 0.4% AA), term formula (TF; n=41, 0.2% DHA, 0.2% AA), or human milk (HM; n=46). At six months, PDF resulted in higher RBC-DHA than TF and HM, while RBC-AA was higher than TF, but similar to HM. There were no between-group differences in growth between term and six months. RHC-DHA related positively with gain in weight and length and negatively with gain in head circumference. RBC-AA related positively with gain in head circumference and negatively with gain in weight and length. In conclusion, PDF with higher DHA and AA than TF may promote postnatal growth of preterms. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Triple vs Dual Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Artery Disease.

    PubMed

    Lopes, Renato D; Rao, Meena; Simon, DaJuanicia N; Thomas, Laine; Ansell, Jack; Fonarow, Gregg C; Gersh, Bernard J; Go, Alan S; Hylek, Elaine M; Kowey, Peter; Piccini, Jonathan P; Singer, Daniel E; Chang, Paul; Peterson, Eric D; Mahaffey, Kenneth W

    2016-06-01

    The role of triple antithrombotic therapy vs dual antithrombotic therapy in patients with both atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease remains unclear. This study explores the differences in treatment practices and outcomes between triple antithrombotic therapy and dual antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease. Using the Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (n = 10,135), we analyzed outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (n = 1827) according to treatment with triple antithrombotic therapy (defined as concurrent therapy with an oral anticoagulant, a thienopyridine, and aspirin) or dual antithrombotic therapy (comprising either an oral anticoagulant and one antiplatelet agent [OAC plus AA] or 2 antiplatelet drugs and no anticoagulant [DAP]). The use of triple antithrombotic therapy, OAC plus AA, and DAP at baseline was 8.5% (n = 155), 80.4% (n = 1468), and 11.2% (n = 204), respectively. Among patients treated with OAC plus AA, aspirin was the most common antiplatelet agent used (90%), followed by clopidogrel (10%) and prasugrel (0.1%). The use of triple antithrombotic therapy was not affected by patient risk of either stroke or bleeding. Patients treated with triple antithrombotic therapy at baseline were hospitalized for all causes (including cardiovascular) more often than patients on OAC plus AA (adjusted hazard ratio 1.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-2.26; P <.0001) or DAP (hazard ratio 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-2.65; P = .0018). Rates of major bleeding or a combined cardiovascular outcome were not significantly different by treatment group. Choice of antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease was not affected by patient stroke or bleeding risks. Triple antithrombotic therapy-treated patients were more likely to be hospitalized for all causes than those on OAC plus AA or on DAP. Copyright © 2016 The

  7. [Oxidative stress in patients on mechanical ventilation].

    PubMed

    Marjanović, Vesna; Dordević, Vidosava; Marjanović, Goran

    2009-01-01

    The appearance and intensity of oxidative stress were analyzed in the course of mechanical ventilation and parameters that could point toward potential lung damage. In three time intervals on day 1, 3 and 7 of mechanical ventilation, parameters such as: triglycerides, cholesterol, lactate, serum lactic dehydrogenase, acid-base balance and lipid peroxidation products--thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, were followed in 30 patients with head injuries. A decrease in the level of partial oxygen pressure (PaO2) (p < 0.01) and PaO2/FiO2 index (p < 0.05) in arterial blood was recorded on day 3 of mechanical ventilation. This was accompanied with an increase in alveolar-arterial difference (AaDO2) (p < 0.05), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (p < 0.001) and lactic dehydrogenase (p < 0.001) comparing to day 1 of mechanical ventilation. The patients with initial PaO2 > 120 mmHg, had significant increase of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and AaDO2 (p < 0.05) and fall of PaO2 (p < 0.001) on day 3 of mechanical ventilation. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxide production are increased during third day of mechanical ventilation leading to disruption of oxygen diffusion through alveolar-capillary membrane and reduction of parameters of oxygenation.

  8. Transgenic cotton expressing Cry10Aa toxin confers high resistance to the cotton boll weevil.

    PubMed

    Ribeiro, Thuanne Pires; Arraes, Fabricio Barbosa Monteiro; Lourenço-Tessutti, Isabela Tristan; Silva, Marilia Santos; Lisei-de-Sá, Maria Eugênia; Lucena, Wagner Alexandre; Macedo, Leonardo Lima Pepino; Lima, Janaina Nascimento; Santos Amorim, Regina Maria; Artico, Sinara; Alves-Ferreira, Márcio; Mattar Silva, Maria Cristina; Grossi-de-Sa, Maria Fatima

    2017-08-01

    Genetically modified (GM) cotton plants that effectively control cotton boll weevil (CBW), which is the most destructive cotton insect pest in South America, are reported here for the first time. This work presents the successful development of a new GM cotton with high resistance to CBW conferred by Cry10Aa toxin, a protein encoded by entomopathogenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene. The plant transformation vector harbouring cry10Aa gene driven by the cotton ubiquitination-related promoter uceA1.7 was introduced into a Brazilian cotton cultivar by biolistic transformation. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays revealed high transcription levels of cry10Aa in both T 0 GM cotton leaf and flower bud tissues. Southern blot and qPCR-based 2 -ΔΔCt analyses revealed that T 0 GM plants had either one or two transgene copies. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of Cry10Aa protein expression showed variable protein expression levels in both flower buds and leaves tissues of T 0 GM cotton plants, ranging from approximately 3.0 to 14.0 μg g -1 fresh tissue. CBW susceptibility bioassays, performed by feeding adults and larvae with T 0 GM cotton leaves and flower buds, respectively, demonstrated a significant entomotoxic effect and a high level of CBW mortality (up to 100%). Molecular analysis revealed that transgene stability and entomotoxic effect to CBW were maintained in T 1 generation as the Cry10Aa toxin expression levels remained high in both tissues, ranging from 4.05 to 19.57 μg g -1 fresh tissue, and the CBW mortality rate remained around 100%. In conclusion, these Cry10Aa GM cotton plants represent a great advance in the control of the devastating CBW insect pest and can substantially impact cotton agribusiness. © 2017 The Authors. Plant Biotechnology Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and The Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Safety and Abuse Testing of Energizer LiFeS2 AA Cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jeevarajan, Judith A.; Baldwin, Laura; Bragg, Bobby J.

    2003-01-01

    The LiFeS2 test program was part of the study on state-of-the-art batteries/cells available in the commercial market. It was carried out in an effort to replace alkaline AA cells for Shuttle and Station applications. A large number of alkaline cells are used for numerous Shuttle and Station applications as loose cells. Other government agencies reported good performance and abuse tolerance of the AA LiFeS2 cells. In this study, only abuse testing was performed on the cells to determine their tolerance. The tests carried out were over-discharge, external short circuit, heat-to-vent, vibration and drop.

  10. Utility of hand-held devices in diagnosis and triage of cardiovascular emergencies. Observations during implementation of a PACS-based system in an acute aortic syndrome (AAS) network.

    PubMed

    Matar, Ralph; Renapurkar, Rahul; Obuchowski, Nancy; Menon, Venu; Piraino, David; Schoenhagen, Paul

    2015-01-01

    Prompt diagnosis and early referral to specialized centers is critical for patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies, including acute aortic syndromes (AAS). Prior data has suggested that mobile access to imaging studies with hand-held devices can accelerate diagnosis and management. We conducted a study to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a hand-held device compared to conventional dedicated work-stations for diagnosing a spectrum of cardiovascular emergencies, predominantly acute aortic pathology. This study included 104 cases who underwent computed tomography (CT)-scan during "on-call'' hours between January, 2013 and August, 2014 for suspected AAS. Assessment was performed on a hand-held device independently by two readers using an iPhone5 connected via secure connection to web-based PACS servers. The subsequent interpretation from a dedicated workstation coupled with the diagnosis at the time of discharge was used as the reference standard for determining the presence or absence of an acute abnormality. Sensitivity and Specificity were calculated on a per patient basis. Readers' sensitivity and specificity using the hand-held device to diagnose acute chest pathology were calculated. Hand-held device evaluation was determined to have a sensitivity of 85.2% and a specificity of 98.6% by reader A and a sensitivity of 96.3% and specificity of 100% by reader B. Of 103 cases interpreted by both readers, the readers agreed about the diagnosis in 98 cases (95.1%). This study demonstrates that hand-held devices can be a potential useful tool to assist in diagnosis and triage of patients presenting with cardiovascular emergencies. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of screen size and resolution. Copyright © 2015 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Short- and long-term outcomes of AL amyloidosis patients admitted into intensive care units.

    PubMed

    Guinault, Damien; Canet, Emmanuel; Huart, Antoine; Jaccard, Arnaud; Ribes, David; Lavayssiere, Laurence; Venot, Marion; Cointault, Olivier; Roussel, Murielle; Nogier, Marie-Béatrice; Pichereau, Claire; Lemiale, Virginie; Arnulf, Bertrand; Attal, Michel; Chauveau, Dominique; Azoulay, Elie; Faguer, Stanislas

    2016-09-01

    Amyloidosis is a rare and threatening condition that may require intensive care because of amyloid deposit-related organ dysfunction or therapy-related adverse events. Although new multiple myeloma drugs have dramatically improved outcomes in AL amyloidosis, the outcomes of AL patients admitted into intensive care units (ICUs) remain largely unknown. Admission has been often restricted to patients with low Mayo Clinic staging and/or with a complete or very good immunological response at admission. In a retrospective multicentre cohort of 66 adult AL (n = 52) or AA (n = 14) amyloidosis patients, with similar causes of admission to an ICU, the 28-d and 6-month survival rates of AA patients were significantly higher compared to AL patients (93% vs. 60%, P = 0·03; 71% vs. 45%, P = 0·02, respectively). In AL patients, the simplified Index of Gravity Score (IGS2) was the only independent predictive factor for death by day 28, whereas the Mayo-Clinic classification stage had no influence. In Cox's multivariate regression model, only cardiac arrest and on-going chemotherapy at ICU admission significantly predicted death at 6 months. Short-term outcomes of AL patients admitted into an ICU were mainly related to the severity of the acute medical condition, whereas on-going chemotherapy for active amyloidosis impacted on long-term outcomes. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. The AAS Taskforce on Diversity and Inclusion in Graduate Education: a Proposed White Paper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rudolph, Alexander L.

    2018-06-01

    At the January 2017 AAS meeting in Texas, the AAS Council approved the creation of a Graduate Education Taskforce focusing on Diversity and Inclusion. This task force is conducting a review of practices in recruiting, admissions, and retention in PhD programs in astronomy (including astronomy programs in departments of physics and astronomy). It is also engaging the broader astronomical community and selected outside experts in diversity in STEM in a discussion of best practices in these activities, with the goal of promoting diversity (race/ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ+, disability status, etc.) and inclusion in astronomy PhD programs. Building on the Nashville Recommendations from the Inclusive Astronomy 2015 meeting, the task force is developing a set of specific recommendations with the aim of endorsement by the AAS, in parallel with a campaign to get them adopted by astronomy departments. Finally, the task force will suggest and push adoption of a set of permanent measurements to be collected by the AAS to track progress on these goals. There is a separate special session at this meeting intended to report on the task force’s progress and to solicit community input on its draft recommendations to date.This presentation will give a brief overview of the task force's charge and activities and their plans to turn their final report into a White Paper for the Decadal Survey.

  13. Role of N-Arachidonoyl-Serotonin (AA-5-HT) in Sleep-Wake Cycle Architecture, Sleep Homeostasis, and Neurotransmitters Regulation.

    PubMed

    Murillo-Rodríguez, Eric; Di Marzo, Vincenzo; Machado, Sergio; Rocha, Nuno B; Veras, André B; Neto, Geraldo A M; Budde, Henning; Arias-Carrión, Oscar; Arankowsky-Sandoval, Gloria

    2017-01-01

    The endocannabinoid system comprises several molecular entities such as endogenous ligands [anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)], receptors (CB 1 and CB 2 ), enzymes such as [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAHH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL)], as well as the anandamide membrane transporter. Although the role of this complex neurobiological system in the sleep-wake cycle modulation has been studied, the contribution of the blocker of FAAH/transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), N -arachidonoyl-serotonin (AA-5-HT) in sleep has not been investigated. Thus, in the present study, varying doses of AA-5-HT (5, 10, or 20 mg/Kg, i.p.) injected at the beginning of the lights-on period of rats, caused no statistical changes in sleep patterns. However, similar pharmacological treatment given to animals at the beginning of the dark period decreased wakefulness (W) and increased slow wave sleep (SWS) as well as rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). Power spectra analysis of states of vigilance showed that injection of AA-5-HT during the lights-off period diminished alpha spectrum across alertness in a dose-dependent fashion. In opposition, delta power spectra was enhanced as well as theta spectrum, during SWS and REMS, respectively. Moreover, the highest dose of AA-5-HT decreased wake-related contents of neurotransmitters such as dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EP), serotonin (5-HT) whereas the levels of adenosine (AD) were enhanced. In addition, the sleep-inducing properties of AA-5-HT were confirmed since this compound blocked the increase in W caused by stimulants such as cannabidiol (CBD) or modafinil (MOD) during the lights-on period. Additionally, administration of AA-5-HT also prevented the enhancement in contents of DA, NE, EP, 5-HT and AD after CBD of MOD injection. Lastly, the role of AA-5-HT in sleep homeostasis was tested in animals that received either CBD or MOD after total sleep deprivation (TSD). The

  14. Elevated immunoglobulin G antibodies to the proline-rich amino-terminal region of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-2 in sera from patients with systemic connective tissue diseases and from a subgroup of Sjögren's syndrome patients with pulmonary involvements.

    PubMed

    Yamazaki, M; Kitamura, R; Kusano, S; Eda, H; Sato, S; Okawa-Takatsuji, M; Aotsuka, S; Yanagi, K

    2005-03-01

    Associations of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and autoimmune diseases have been hypothesized. We have analysed IgG antibodies to EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)-2 in sera from Japanese patients with autoimmune systemic connective tissue diseases (CTD), exemplified by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and secondary SS (classical CTDs complicated with SS). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which uses glutathione-S-transferase polypeptides fused to EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)-2 and EBNA-1 was developed. Ratios of IgG antibody reactivity to whole IgG concentrations of sera were calculated to normalize EBNA-2 and EBNA-1 antibody levels to the hypergammaglobulinaemia that occurs in CTD. The ELISA optical density OD(450) readings of IgG antibodies to both the amino-terminal aa 1-116 of EBNA-2 and carboxyl-terminal aa 451-641 of EBNA-1 were elevated significantly in patients with SLE, primary SS, RA, SSc and secondary SS when compared to EBNA-1. The OD readings were divided by serum IgG concentrations to normalize for the hypergammaglobulinaemia. The specific levels of IgG antibodies to the amino-terminal region of EBNA-2 were elevated in patients with SLE, primary SS or RA, as well as those with secondary SS complicated with SLE or RA. The EBNA-2 amino-terminal region contains a polyproline tract and a proline-rich sequence and has considerable amino acid sequence homology with many cellular proline-rich proteins. High ratios of EBNA-2 aa 1-116 to EBNA-1 aa 451-641 IgG antibody levels which probably suggest reactivation of EBV latent infection were associated significantly with pulmonary involvement in SS patients. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the sequence similarity between the amino-terminal region of EBNA-2 and proline-rich cellular proteins is associated with pathogenesis in a subpopulation of CTD patients, possibly by the molecular mimicry-epitope shift

  15. View northeast, wharf A, portion AA, details showing earlier piers ...

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

    View northeast, wharf A, portion AA, details showing earlier piers and braces sloping toward water, reused charred plates for existing decking - U.S. Coast Guard Sandy Hook Station, Western Docking Structure, West of intersection of Canfield Road & Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, Monmouth County, NJ

  16. Structure of AA5056 after friction drilling

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Eliseev, A. A.; Kalashnikova, T. A.; Fortuna, S. V.

    2017-12-01

    Here we present data on the structure of AA5056 alloy after friction drilling to unveil potentials of the process for use in model experiments on friction stir welding. Our analysis of the average size and volume content of precipitates shows that their content decreases immediately beneath the friction surface and that the structure of this zone is the same as the structure of stirring zones formed in friction stir welding. The data suggest that both processes provide similar metal structures.

  17. Comparison of health-related quality of life among patients using atypical antipsychotics for treatment of depression: results from the National Health and Wellness Survey

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Use of atypical antipsychotics (AA) in combination with an antidepressant is recommended as an augmentation strategy for patients with depression. However, there is a paucity of data comparing aripiprazole and other AAs in terms of patient reported outcomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the levels of HRQoL and health utility scores in patients with depression using aripiprazole compared with patients using olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone. Methods Data were obtained from the 2009, 2010, and 2011 National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), a cross-sectional, internet-based survey that is representative of the adult US population. Only those patients who reported being diagnosed with depression and taking an antidepressant and an atypical antipsychotic for depression were included. Patients taking an atypical antipsychotic for less than 2 months or who reported being diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia were excluded. Patients taking aripiprazole were compared with patients taking other atypical antipsychotics. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and health utilities were assessed using the Short Form 12-item (SF-12) health survey. Differences between groups were analyzed using General Linear Models (GLM) controlling for demographic and health characteristics. Results Overall sample size was 426 with 59.9% taking aripiprazole (n = 255) and 40.1% (n = 171) taking another atypical antipsychotic (olanzapine (n = 19), quetiapine (n = 127), risperidone (n = 14) or ziprasidone (n = 11)). Of the SF-12 domains, mean mental component summary (MCS) score (p = .018), bodily pain (p = .047), general health (p = .009) and emotional role limitations (p = .009) were found to be significantly higher in aripiprazole users indicating better HRQoL compared to other atypical antipsychotics. After controlling for demographic and health characteristics, patients taking

  18. Encapsulated oligodendrocyte precursor cell fate is dependent on PDGF-AA release kinetics in a 3D microparticle-hydrogel drug delivery system.

    PubMed

    Pinezich, Meghan R; Russell, Lauren N; Murphy, Nicholas P; Lampe, Kyle J

    2018-04-16

    Biomaterial drug delivery systems (DDS) can be used to regulate growth factor release and combat the limited intrinsic regeneration capabilities of central nervous system (CNS) tissue following injury and disease. Of particular interest are systems that aid in oligodendrocyte regeneration, as oligodendrocytes generate myelin which surrounds neuronal axons and helps transmit signals throughout the CNS. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are found in small numbers in the adult CNS, but are unable to effectively differentiate following CNS injury. Delivery of signaling molecules can initiate a favorable OPC response, such as proliferation or differentiation. Here, we investigate the delivery of one such molecule, platelet derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), from poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid microparticles to OPCs in a 3D polyethylene glycol-based hydrogel. The goal of this DDS was to better understand the relationship between PDGF-AA release kinetics and OPC fate. The system approximates native brain tissue stiffness, while incorporating PDGF-AA under seven different delivery scenarios. Within this DDS, supply of PDGF-AA followed by PDGF-AA withdrawal caused OPCs to upregulate gene expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) by factors of 1.6-9.2, whereas continuous supply of PDGF-AA caused OPCs to remain proliferative. At the protein expression level, we observed an upregulation in O1, a marker for mature oligodendrocytes. Together, these results show that burst release followed by withdrawal of PDGF-AA from a hydrogel DDS stimulates survival, proliferation, and differentiation of OPCs in vitro. Our results could inform the development of improved neural regeneration strategies that incorporate delivery of PDGF-AA to the injured CNS. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. Classification of non-demented patients attending a memory clinic using the new diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease with disease-related biomarkers.

    PubMed

    Ivanoiu, Adrian; Dricot, Laurence; Gilis, Nathalie; Grandin, Cécile; Lhommel, Renaud; Quenon, Lisa; Hanseeuw, Bernard

    2015-01-01

    New diagnostic criteria for predemential Alzheimer's disease (AD) advocate the use of biomarkers. However, the benefit of using biomarkers has not been clearly demonstrated in clinical practice. To investigate whether a combination of biomarkers may be helpful in classifying a population of non-demented patients attending a Memory Clinic. Sixty non-demented patients were compared with 31 healthy elderly subjects. All subjects underwent a neuropsychological examination, brain 3T magnetic resonance imaging, [F18]-fluorodeoxyglucose and [F18]-flutemetamol positron emission tomography. According to their performance on memory, language, executive, and visuo-spatial domains, the patients were classified as mild cognitive impairment (amnestic, non-amnestic, single, or multiple domain) or subjective cognitive impairment. Patients were then classified according to the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) criteria, using the normalized mean hippocampal volume (Freesurfer), [F18]-FDG PALZAD, and [F18]-flutemetamol standard uptake value ratio (SUVr) (cut-off at the 10th percentile of controls). The standard of truth was the clinical status at study entry (patient versus control). The sensitivity/specificity of the clinical classification was 65/84%. The NIA-AA criteria were applicable in 85% of patients and 87% of controls. For biomarkers the best sensitivity (72%) at a fixed specificity of 84% was achieved by a combination of the three biomarkers. The clinical diagnosis was reconsidered in more than one third of the patients (42%) as a result of including the biomarker results. Application of the new NIA-AA AD diagnostic criteria based on biomarkers in an unselected sample of non-demented patients attending a Memory Clinic was useful in allowing for a better classification of the subjects.

  20. Coronary flow reserve/diastolic function relationship in angina-suffering patients with normal coronary angiography.

    PubMed

    Anchisi, Chiara; Marti, Giuliano; Bellacosa, Ilaria; Mary, David; Vacca, Giovanni; Marino, Paolo; Grossini, Elena

    2017-05-01

    Coronary blood flow and diastolic function are well known to interfere with each other through mechanical and metabolic mechanisms. We aimed to assess the relationship between coronary flow reserve (CFR) and diastolic dysfunction in patients suffering from angina but with normal coronary angiography. In 16 patients with chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries, CFR was measured using transthoracic echo-Doppler by inducing hyperemia through dipyridamole infusion. Diastolic function (E/A, deceleration time, isovolumetric relaxation time [IVRT], propagation velocity [Vp]) and left ventricular mass were evaluated by means of two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. The patients were initially divided into two groups on the grounds of CFR only (ACFR: altered CFR, n = 9; NACFR: unaltered CFR, n = 7). Thereafter they were divided into four groups on the grounds of CFR and diastolic function (NN: normal; AA: altered CFR/diastole; AN: altered CFR/normal diastole; NA: normal CFR/altered diastole). Most of the subjects were scheduled in AA (n = 8) or NA (n = 5) groups, which were taken into consideration for further analysis. Patients were not different regarding various risk factors. ACFR and AA patients were older with normal body weight in comparison with NACFR and NA patients (P < 0.05). In the AA group, CFR and diastolic variables were found to be related to each other. Diastolic dysfunction and reduced CFR were correlated in patients with concomitant alterations of those variables only. Because most risk factors were shared with patients with altered diastolic properties only, our findings could represent a direct relationship between altered CFR and diastole.

  1. Absolute quantification of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in patients carrying haplotypes associated with susceptibility to chronic periodontitis: multifaceted evaluation with periodontitis covariants.

    PubMed

    Cirelli, Thamiris; Finoti, Livia S; Corbi, Sâmia C T; Anovazzi, Giovana; Nepomuceno, Rafael; Orrico, Silvana R P; Cirelli, Joni A; Mayer, Márcia P A; Scarel-Caminaga, Raquel M

    2017-09-29

    This study aimed to evaluate the association between haplotypes in the interleukin 8 (IL8) and IL4 genes previously associated to chronic periodontitis (CP) and the levels of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.) in subgingival sites of patients with and without CP. Moreover, multifaceted evaluations were made to search associations among patients' genetic background with the A.a. levels and previous clinical/immunological/microbiological findings. Subgingival sites (n = 596) of 104 patients were divided into susceptible to CP by the IL8 haplotype ATC/TTC (IL8+); non-susceptible to CP by the IL8 AGT/TTC (IL8-); susceptible to CP by the IL4 TCI/CCI (IL4+); protection against CP by the IL4 TTD/CTI (IL4-). Subgingival biofilm samples from diseased and healthy sites of CP patients and from control sites of health patients were obtained for absolute quantification of A.a. by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. For diseased sites, samples were collected before and 45 days after periodontal treatment. The IL4 but not the IL8 haplotypes were associated with levels of A.a. (in both periods). After periodontal treatment, higher levels of A.a. were found in subgingival sites of (IL4-) patients, and higher levels of IL-4 were associated with deeper probing pockets in these same patients. Significant correlations were found among genetic (patients carrying IL8 or IL4 haplotypes), microbiological and immunological data showing the interrelationship of different factors in the CP. © FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  2. [The phenomenon of attachment to parents, the duration of therapeutic remissions and autoaggressive behavior among inpatients with alcohol addiction].

    PubMed

    Fedotov, I A; Shustov, D I

    2016-01-01

    To determine the role of phenomenon of attachment to parents in the formation of therapeutic remission and the relationship between attachment styles and autoaggressive behavior in patients with alcohol addiction (AA). Sixty-two patients with AA and 30 controls were examined. Insecure attachment styles were most frequents in AA patients that indicated a role of attachment pathology in the development of the disease. Higher frequency of secure and preoccupied styles were noted in patients with AA with the duration of therapeutic remissions more than one year compared to those with shorter duration. No effect of duration of therapeutic remission on autoaggressive behavior was found in patients who did not receive special treatment. In AA patients, avoidant style was correlated with autoaggression in family and professional spheres, and high-anxious style was correlated with classical autoaggression in the form of antisocial behavior.

  3. Identification of an annonaceous acetogenin mimetic, AA005, as an AMPK activator and autophagy inducer in colon cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yong-Qiang; Cheng, Xin; Guo, Liang-Xia; Mao, Chan; Chen, Yi-Jie; Liu, Hai-Xia; Xiao, Qi-Cai; Jiang, Sheng; Yao, Zhu-Jun; Zhou, Guang-Biao

    2012-01-01

    Annonaceous acetogenins, a large family of naturally occurring polyketides isolated from various species of the plant genus Annonaceae, have been found to exhibit significant cytotoxicity against a variety of cancer cells. Previous studies showed that these compounds could act on the mitochondria complex-I and block the corresponding electron transport chain and terminate ATP production. However, more details of the mechanisms of action remain ambiguous. In this study we tested the effects of a set of mimetics of annonaceous acetogenin on some cancer cell lines, and report that among them AA005 exhibits the most potent antitumor activity. AA005 depletes ATP, activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibits mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signal pathway, leading to growth inhibition and autophagy of colon cancer cells. AMPK inhibitors compound C and inosine repress, while AMPK activator AICAR enhances, AA005-caused proliferation suppression and subsequent autophagy of colon cancer cells. AA005 enhances the ATP depletion and AMPK activation caused by 2-deoxyglucose, an inhibitor of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. AA005 also inhibits chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin-triggered up-regulation of mTOR and synergizes with this drug in suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis of colon cancer cells. These data indicate that AA005 is a new metabolic inhibitor which exhibits therapeutic potentials in colon cancer.

  4. Investigation into the plasma concentration of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in Japanese attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder patients.

    PubMed

    Yonezawa, Ken; Nonaka, Shunsuke; Iwakura, Yuka; Kusano, Yuka; Funamoto, Yuko; Kanchi, Nobukazu; Yamaguchi, Naohiro; Kusumoto, Yuko; Imamura, Akira; Ozawa, Hiroki

    2018-06-20

    Several studies report that patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a low plasma concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Since fish intake varies among countries and is high in Japan, those results may not apply to Japanese patients with ADHD. However, there is currently not enough evidence to support this. We compared the plasma PUFAs levels of patients with ADHD with the standard reference levels for healthy subjects, and examined the relationship between those PUFAs levels and the subject's psychological evaluation. The subjects were 24 patients (age < 20 years) previously diagnosed with ADHD (according to the DSM-IV-TR criteria) at the psychiatric department of the Nagasaki University Hospital, between November 2010 and November 2015. The plasma concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (AA) were measured using gas chromatography. Data pertaining to global assessment of functioning (GAF), clinical global impressions, ADHD Rating Scale-IV, and the drug used for treatment (atomoxetine or methylphenidate) were obtained from the medical records. The plasma concentrations of DHA, EPA, and EPA/AA were significantly lower than the normal reference range, indicating that ADHD patients present an imbalance in PUFAs levels. This trend is similar to ADHD patients in other countries and replacement therapy in Japanese ADHD patients may be useful.

  5. Effect of genetic polymorphism of UCP2-866 G/A on repaglinide response in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Wang, Shan; Se, Yan-Mei; Liu, Zhao-Qian; Lei, Ming-Xiang; Hao-BoYang; Sun, Zhi-Xiang; Nie, Sheng-Dan; Zeng, Xiao-min; Wu, Jing

    2012-01-01

    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the UCP2-866 G/A polymorphism on the efficacy of repaglinide in treating patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). 370 patients with T2DM and 166 healthy volunteers were enrolled to identify UCP2-866 G/A genotypes. 16 patients with GG genotype, 14 with GA genotype and 11 with AA genotype of UCP2-866 G/A underwent an 8-week repaglinide treatment regimen. There were no differences in allele frequency of UCP2-866 G/A between T2DM patients and control subjects. The patient with AA genotype of UCP2-866 G/A had higher levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 30-min and 2-h postload plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and lower concentrations of 30-min and 2-h postload plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA-beta), deltaI30/deltaG30 compared with GG genotype. After repaglinide treatment for 8 consecutive weeks, we found that A allele carriers of UCP2 in the T2DM patients had smaller decrease in FPG (P < 0.05) and HbA1c (P < 0.05), and smaller increase in 30-min postload plasma insulin (P < 0.01) compared with GG genotypes. We demonstrated that UCP2-866 G/A polymorphism is associated with the therapeutic efficacy of repaglinide in Chinese T2DM patients.

  6. Outcomes in African Americans undergoing cardioverter-defibrillator implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death: findings from the Prospective Observational Study of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (PROSE-ICD).

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yiyi; Kennedy, Robert; Blasco-Colmenares, Elena; Butcher, Barbara; Norgard, Sanaz; Eldadah, Zayd; Dickfeld, Timm; Ellenbogen, Kenneth A; Marine, Joseph E; Guallar, Eliseo; Tomaselli, Gordon F; Cheng, Alan

    2014-08-01

    Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) reduce the risk of death in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Little is known regarding the benefit of this therapy in African Americans (AAs). The purpose of this study was to determine the association between AA race and outcomes in a cohort of primary prevention ICD patients. We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients with systolic heart failure who underwent ICD implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. The primary end-point was appropriate ICD shock defined as a shock for rapid ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The secondary end-point was all-cause mortality. There were 1189 patients (447 AAs and 712 non-AAs) enrolled. Over a median follow-up of 5.1 years, a total of 137 patients experienced an appropriate ICD shock, and 343 died (294 of whom died without receiving an appropriate ICD shock). The multivariate adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) comparing AAs vs non-AAs were 1.24 (0.96-1.59) for all-cause mortality, 1.33 (1.02, 1.74) for all-cause mortality without receiving appropriate ICD shock, and 0.78 (0.51, 1.19) for appropriate ICD shock. Ejection fraction, diabetes, and hypertension appeared to explain 24.1% (10.1%-69.5%), 18.7% (5.3%-58.0%), and 13.6% (3.8%-53.6%) of the excess risk of mortality in AAs, with a large proportion of the mortality difference remaining unexplained. In patients with primary prevention ICDs, AAs had an increased risk of dying without receiving an appropriate ICD shock compared to non-AAs. Copyright © 2014 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Benefits of an abridged antibiotic protocol for treatment of gangrenous appendicitis.

    PubMed

    Shbat, Layla; Emil, Sherif; Elkady, Sherif; Baird, Robert; Laberge, Jean-Martin; Puligandla, Pramod; Shaw, Kenneth

    2014-12-01

    We previously reported a validated, objective definition of gangrenous, nonperforated appendicitis. In this study, we compared a cohort of children with gangrenous appendicitis treated with abridged antibiotics (AA) to another treated with prolonged antibiotics (PA). In 2012, our service changed its standard of care for gangrenous appendicitis from PA to AA. In PA, patients received postoperative triple antibiotics until ileus resolved, they were afebrile (<37.5°C) for 24hours, and achieved a normal WBC count. In AA, patients received two doses of postoperative triple antibiotics. A PA cohort during a 12-month period (February 2010-January 2011) was compared to an AA cohort during another 12-month period (April 2012-March 2013). Twenty patients were treated with AA and 38 patients with PA. AA patients had a significantly shorter overall length of stay (2.1±1.58 vs. 3.18±1.09days, p=0.003), as well as a significantly shorter postoperative stay (1.85±1.42 vs. 2.95±1.14days, p=0.002). There were no differences between the AA and PA cohorts in wound infections (0%), intraabdominal infections (0%), or appendicitis-related readmissions (0%). Abridged postoperative antibiotics for gangrenous appendicitis significantly shorten hospital stay without increasing complications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. IMAGING THE DISK AND JET OF THE CLASSICAL T TAURI STAR AA TAU

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

    Cox, Andrew W.; Grady, Carol A.; Hammel, Heidi B.

    2013-01-01

    Previous studies of the classical T Tauri star AA Tau have interpreted the UX-Orionis-like photo-polarimetric variability as being due to a warp in the inner disk caused by an inclined stellar magnetic dipole field. We test that these effects are macroscopically observable in the inclination and alignment of the disk. We use Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/STIS coronagraphic imagery to measure the V magnitude of the star for both STIS coronagraphic observations, compare these data with optical photometry in the literature, and find that, unlike other classical T Tauri stars observed in the same HST program, the disk is most robustlymore » detected in scattered light at stellar optical minimum light. We measure the outer disk radius, 1.''15 {+-} 0.''10, major-axis position angle, and disk inclination and find that the inner disk, as reported in the literature, is both misinclined and misaligned with respect to the outer disk. AA Tau drives a faint jet, detected in both STIS observations and in follow-on Goddard Fabry-Perot imagery, which is also misaligned with respect to the projection of the outer disk minor axis and is poorly collimated near the star, but which can be traced 21'' from the star in data from 2005. The measured outer disk inclination, 71 Degree-Sign {+-} 1 Degree-Sign , is out of the range of inclinations suggested for stars with UX-Orionis-like variability when no grain growth has occurred in the disk. The faintness of the disk, small disk size, and detection of the star despite the high inclination all indicate that the dust disk must have experienced grain growth and settling toward the disk midplane, which we verify by comparing the observed disk with model imagery from the literature.« less

  9. Imaging the Disk and Jet of the Classical T Tauri Star AA Tau

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cox, Andrew W.; Grady, Carol A.; Hammel, Heidi B.; Hornbeck, Jeremy; Russell, Ray W.; Sitko, Michael L.; Woodgate, Bruce E.

    2013-01-01

    Previous studies of the classical T Tauri star AA Tau have interpreted the UX-Orionis-like photo-polarimetric variability as being due to a warp in the inner disk caused by an inclined stellar magnetic dipole field. We test that these effects are macroscopically observable in the inclination and alignment of the disk. We use Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/STIS coronagraphic imagery to measure the V magnitude of the star for both STIS coronagraphic observations, compare these data with optical photometry in the literature, and find that, unlike other classical T Tauri stars observed in the same HST program, the disk is most robustly detected in scattered light at stellar optical minimum light.We measure the outer disk radius, 1 inch.15 plus-minus 0 inch.10, major-axis position angle, and disk inclination and find that the inner disk, as reported in the literature, is both misinclined and misaligned with respect to the outer disk. AA Tau drives a faint jet, detected in both STIS observations and in follow-on Goddard Fabry-Perot imagery, which is also misaligned with respect to the projection of the outer disk minor axis and is poorly collimated near the star, but which can be traced 21 inches from the star in data from 2005. The measured outer disk inclination, 71deg plus-minus 1deg, is out of the range of inclinations suggested for stars with UX-Orionis-like variability when no grain growth has occurred in the disk. The faintness of the disk, small disk size, and detection of the star despite the high inclination all indicate that the dust disk must have experienced grain growth and settling toward the disk midplane, which we verify by comparing the observed disk with model imagery from the literature.

  10. Increased toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Aa against Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata, Phaedon brassicae and Colaphellus bowringi by a Tenebrio molitor cadherin fragment.

    PubMed

    Gao, Yulin; Jurat-Fuentes, Juan Luis; Oppert, Brenda; Fabrick, Jeffrey A; Liu, Chenxi; Gao, Jianhua; Lei, Zhongren

    2011-09-01

    Biopesticides containing Cry insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are effective against many lepidopteran pests, but there is a lack of Bt-based pesticides for efficient control of important coleopteran pests. Based on the reported increase in Bt toxin oligomerization by a polypeptide from the Cry3Aa receptor cadherin in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), it was hypothesized that this cadherin peptide, rTmCad1p, would enhance Cry3Aa toxicity towards coleopteran larvae. To test this hypothesis, the relative toxicity of Cry3Aa, with or without rTmCad1p, against damaging chrysomelid vegetable pests of China was evaluated. Cry3Aa toxicity was evaluated in the spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata), cabbage leaf beetle (Colaphellus bowringi) and daikon leaf beetle (Phaedon brassicae). To assess the effect of rTmCad1p on Cry3Aa toxicity, neonate larvae were fed Cry3Aa toxin alone or in combination with increasing amounts of rTmCad1p. The data demonstrated that Cry3Aa toxicity was significantly increased in all three vegetable pests, resulting in as much as a 15.3-fold increase in larval mortality. The application of rTmCad1p to enhance Cry3Aa insecticidal activity has potential for use in increasing range and activity levels against coleopteran pests displaying low susceptibility to Bt-based biopesticides. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

  11. Vascular and perivascular niches, but not the osteoblastic niche, are numerically restored following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with aplastic anemia.

    PubMed

    Wu, Liangliang; Mo, Wenjian; Zhang, Yuping; Zhou, Ming; Li, Yumiao; Zhou, Ruiqing; Xu, Shiling; Pan, Shiyi; Deng, Hui; Mao, Ping; Wang, Shunqing

    2017-07-01

    Bone marrow (BM) niches, including the osteoblastic, vascular, and perivascular niches, are numerically impaired in patients with aplastic anemia (AA). It remains unclear whether these niches are numerically restored in AA patients after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). To investigate changes in BM niches, we monitored 52 patients with AA who had undergone allo-HSCT and performed immunohistochemical studies of BM niches using antibodies against CD34, CD146, and osteopontin. After allo-HSCT, patients with AA exhibited a remarkable increase in the number of cellular elements in the BM niches, including the vascular and perivascular cells. However, no significant differences in endosteal cells were detected. We explored the cause of this restoration by analyzing the origin of BM mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and the expression of cytokines in BM plasma. STR-PCR revealed that the BM-MSCs were derived from the host, not the donor. In addition, significantly elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were found after allo-HSCT. Our data indicates that vascular and perivascular niches are numerically restored, but the endosteal niche remains numerically impaired in patients with AA after allo-HSCT, and that levels of VEGF, but not donor-derived BM-MSCs, may correlate with the restoration of BM niches.

  12. AAS 228: Day 4

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-06-01

    Editors Note: Lastweek we were at the 228th AAS Meeting in San Diego, CA. Here is a final post aboutselectedevents on the last day of the meeting, written by authors fromastrobites.com, a grad-student collaborative project with which we recently announced a new partnership! Starting in July,keep an eye out for astrobites postsat AAS Nova in between Highlights(i.e., on Tuesdays and Thursdays).Were excited to be working together to bring you more recent astronomy research from AAS journals!Extrasolar Planets: Detection (by Leonardo dos Santos)Thursdays first session on exoplanets was about detecting these distant worlds, and the opening talk was given by Robert Siverd (Las Cumbres Observatory). He describes the NRES, a network of spectrographs that will look for exoplanets using the radial velocity method. One of the coolest aspects of this instrument is that it will feature an on the fly scheduling system that will perform observations as efficiently as possible. The spectrograph is still being tested, but a unit will be deployed at CTIO later this year.@lcogt contracted by @NASA_TESS for follow up of their candidates. #aas228 Jessie Christiansen (@aussiastronomer) June 16, 2016Measuring the depths of transits and eclipses in Spitzer has been problematic in the past, since the Spitzer instrument IRAC (InfraRed Array Camera) has a non-uniform response in its detectors pixels. But, as reported by James Ingalls (Spitzer Science Center, Caltech), observers are circumventing this issue by using what they call the staring mode (avoiding large pointing jumps) and an algorithm to pick sweet spot pixels. Moreover, the results from the IRAC Data Challenge are helping to better understand its behavior. Giuseppe Morello (University College London), on the other hand, explained how his research group gets rid of instrumental effects from IRAC using machine learning. This method removes systematics from exoplanet transit data no matter if the noise source is from an instrument or

  13. Intergranular corrosion in AA5XXX aluminum alloys with discontinuous precipitation at the grain boundaries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bumiller, Elissa

    The US Navy currently uses AA5xxx aluminum alloys for structures exposed to a marine environment. These alloys demonstrate excellent corrosion resistance over other aluminum alloys (e.g., AA2xxx or AA7xxx) in this environment, filling a niche in the marine structures market when requiring a light-weight alternative to steel. However, these alloys are susceptible to localized corrosion; more specifically, intergranular corrosion (IGC) is of concern. IGC of AA5xxx alloys due to the precipitation of beta phase on the grain boundaries is a well-established phenomenon referred to as sensitization. At high degrees of sensitization, the IGC path is a continuous anodic path of beta phase particles. At lower degrees of sensitization, the beta phase coverage at the grain boundaries is not continuous. The traditional ranges of susceptibility to IGC as defined by ASTM B928 are in question due to recent studies. These studies showed that even at mid range degrees of sensitization where the beta phase is no longer continuous, IGC may still occur. Previous thoughts on IGC of these alloy systems were founded on the idea that once the grain boundary precipitate became discontinuous the susceptibility to IGC was greatly reduced. Additionally, IGC susceptibility has been defined metallurgically by compositional gradients at the grain boundaries. However, AA5xxx alloys show no compositional gradients at the grain boundaries, yet are still susceptible to IGC. The goal of this work is to establish criteria necessary for IGC to occur given no continuous beta phase path and no compositional gradient at the grain boundaries. IGC performance of the bulk alloy system AA5083 has been studied along with the primary phases present in the IGC system: alpha and beta phases using electrochemistry and modeling as the primary tools. Numerical modeling supports that at steady-state the fissure tip is likely saturated with Mg in excess of the 4% dissolved in the matrix. By combining these results

  14. MRI Correlates of Disability in African-Americans with Multiple Sclerosis

    PubMed Central

    Howard, Jonathan; Battaglini, Marco; Babb, James Scott; Arienzo, Donatello; Holst, Brigitte; Omari, Mirza; De Stefano, Nicola; Herbert, Joseph; Inglese, Matilde

    2012-01-01

    Objectives Multiple sclerosis (MS) in African-Americans (AAs) is characterized by more rapid disease progression and poorer response to treatment than in Caucasian-Americans (CAs). MRI provides useful and non-invasive tools to investigate the pathological substrate of clinical progression. The aim of our study was to compare MRI measures of brain damage between AAs and CAs with MS. Methods Retrospective analysis of 97 AAs and 97 CAs with MS matched for age, gender, disease duration and age at MRI examination. Results AA patients had significantly greater T2- (p = 0.001) and T1-weighted (p = 0.0003) lesion volumes compared to CA patients. In contrast, measurements of global and regional brain volume did not significantly differ between the two ethnic groups (p>0.1). Conclusions By studying a quite large sample of well demographically and clinically matched CA and AA patients with a homogeneous MRI protocol we showed that higher lesion accumulation, rather than pronounced brain volume decrease might explain the early progress to ambulatory assistance of AAs with MS. PMID:22900088

  15. Frictional conditions between alloy AA6060 aluminium and tool steel

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

    Wideroee, Fredrik; Welo, Torgeir

    The frictional conditions in the new process of screw extrusion of aluminium have been investigated. The contact behaviour between the aluminum alloy and the tool steel in the extruder is vital for understanding the extrusion process. Using a compressive-rotational method for frictional measurements the conditions for unlubricated sticking friction between aluminum alloy AA6060 and tool steel at different combinations of temperatures and pressures have been investigated. In this method the samples in the form of disks are put under hydrostatic pressure while simultaneously being rotated at one end. Pins made from contrast material have been inserted into the samples tomore » measure the deformation introduced. This approach along with 3D simulations form a method for determining the frictional conditions. The paper describes the test method and the results. It was found that the necessary pressure for sticking to occur between the aluminum AA6060 and the different parts of the extruder is heavily influenced by the temperature.« less

  16. AGXT2 rs37369 polymorphism predicts the renal function in patients with chronic heart failure.

    PubMed

    Hu, Xiao-Lei; Zeng, Wen-Jing; Li, Mu-Peng; Yang, Yong-Long; Kuang, Da-Bin; Li, He; Zhang, Yan-Jiao; Jiang, Chun; Peng, Li-Ming; Qi, Hong; Zhang, Ke; Chen, Xiao-Ping

    2017-12-30

    Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are often accompanied with varying degrees of renal diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify rs37369 polymorphism of AGXT2 specific to the renal function of CHF patients. A total of 1012 southern Chinese participants, including 487 CHF patients without history of renal diseases and 525 healthy volunteers, were recruited for this study. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to determine the genotypes of AGXT2 rs37369 polymorphism. Levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) were detected to indicate the renal function of the participants. BUN level was significantly higher in CHF patients without history of renal diseases compared with healthy volunteers (p=0.000). And the similar result was also obtained for SCr (p=0.000). Besides, our results indicated that the level of BUN correlated significantly with SCr in both the CHF patients without renal diseases (r=0.4533, p<0.0001) and volunteers (r=0.2489, p<0.0001). Furthermore, we found that the AGXT2 rs37369 polymorphism could significantly affect the level of BUN in CHF patients without history of renal diseases (p=0.036, AA+AG vs GG). Patients with rs37369 GG genotype showed a significantly reduced level of BUN compared to those with the AA genotype (p=0.024), and the significant difference was still observed in the smokers of CHF patients without renal diseases (p=0.023). In conclusion, we found that CHF might induce the impairment of kidney and cause deterioration of renal function. AGXT2 rs37369 polymorphism might affect the renal function of CHF patients free from renal diseases, especially in patients with cigarette smoking. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  17. Interactive effects of aging parameters of AA6056

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dehghani, Kamran; Nekahi, Atiye

    2012-10-01

    The effect of thermomechanical treatment on the aging behavior of AA6056 aluminum alloy was modeled using response surface methodology (RSM). Two models were developed to predict the final yield stress (FYS) and elongation amounts as well as the optimum conditions of aging process. These were done based on the interactive effects of applied thermomechanical parameters. The optimum condition predicted by the model to attain the maximum strength was pre-aging at 80 °C for 15 h, followed by 70% cold work and subsequent final aging at 165 °C for 4 h, which resulted in the FYS of about 480 MPa. As for the elongation, the optimum condition was pre-aging at 80 °C for 15 h, followed by 30% cold work and final-aging at 165 °C for 4 h, which led to 21% elongation. To verify the suggested optimum conditions, the tests were carried out confirming the high accuracy (above 94%) of the RSM technique as well as the developed models. It is shown that the RSM can be used successfully to optimize the aging process, to determine the significance of aging parameters and to model the combination effect of process variables on the aging behavior of AA6056.

  18. The multiplicity of spinal AA-5-HT anti-nociceptive action in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

    PubMed

    Malek, Natalia; Kostrzewa, Magdalena; Makuch, Wioletta; Pajak, Agnieszka; Kucharczyk, Mateusz; Piscitelli, Fabiana; Przewlocka, Barbara; Di Marzo, Vincenzo; Starowicz, Katarzyna

    2016-09-01

    There is considerable evidence to support the role of anandamide (AEA), an endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors, in neuropathic pain modulation. AEA also produces effects mediated by other biological targets, of which the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) has been the most investigated. Both, inhibition of AEA breakdown by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and blockage of TRPV1 have been shown to produce anti-nociceptive effects. Recent research suggests the usefulness of dual-action compounds, which may afford greater anti-allodynic efficacy. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effect of N-arachidonoyl-serotonin (AA-5-HT), a blocker of FAAH and TRPV1, in a rat model of neuropathic pain after intrathecal administration. We found that treatment with AA-5-HT increased the pain threshold to mechanical and thermal stimuli, with highest effect at the dose of 500nM, which was most strongly attenuated by AM-630, CB2 antagonist, administration. The single action blockers PF-3845 (1000nM, for FAAH) and I-RTX (1nM, for TRPV1) showed lower efficacy than AA-5-HT. Moreover AA-5-HT (500nM) elevated AEA and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) levels. Among the possible targets of these mediators, only the mRNA levels of CB2, GPR18 and GPR55, which are believed to be novel cannabinoid receptors, were upregulated in the spinal cord and/or DRG of CCI rats. It was previously reported that AA-5-HT acts in CB1 and TRPV1-dependent manner after systemic administration, but here for the first time we show that AA-5-HT action at the spinal level involves CB2, with potential contributions from GRP18 and/or GPR55 receptors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Comparing moral judgments of patients with frontotemporal dementia and frontal stroke.

    PubMed

    Baez, Sandra; Couto, Blas; Torralva, Teresa; Sposato, Luciano A; Huepe, David; Montañes, Patricia; Reyes, Pablo; Matallana, Diana; Vigliecca, Nora S; Slachevsky, Andrea; Manes, Facundo; Ibanez, Agustin

    2014-09-01

    Several clinical reports have stated that patients with prefrontal lesions or patients with the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia share social cognition impairments. Moral reasoning is impaired in both conditions but there have been few investigations that directly compare this domain in the 2 groups. This work compared the moral judgments of these patient groups using a task designed to disentangle the contributions of intentions and outcomes in moral judgment. For both disorders, patients judged scenarios where the protagonists believed that they would cause harm but did not as being more permissible than the control group. Moreover, patients with frontotemporal dementia judged harmful outcomes in the absence of harmful intentions as less permissible than the control participants. There were no differences between the 2 conditions. Both disorders involved impairments in integrating intention and outcome information for moral judgment. This study was the first, to our knowledge, to directly compare a social cognition domain in 2 frontal pathologies with different etiology. Our results highlighted the importance of comparing patients with vascular lesions and patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

  20. Trace elements in sera of patients with hepatitis B: Determination and analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saod, Wahran M.; Darwish, Nadiya T.; Zaidan, Tahseen A.; Alfalujie, Abdul Wahab A.

    2018-04-01

    Chronic Hepatitis B (HBV) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with about 248 million people having HBV infection. Trace elements e.g. copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and iron (Fe) are constituent components of many metal proteins and metalloenzymes in human sera. Therefore, the ratios of these trace elements in human sera are often stated to be a good marker for diagnosing various diseases including HBV. The aims of this study are: to compare the level of trace elements in sera of patients infected with HBV and healthy participants, and to evaluate the efficiency of analytical techniques (e.g. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (hydride generation) (AAS) and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS) that are currently used to detect Fe and Se elements in Patients' human sera. The findings of this study show that the concentration range of copper element between (132.80±28.64 µg/dl) to (105.66±23.20 µg/dl) was significantly higher in HBV infected patients as compared to those in healthy controls (91.27±9.20 µg/dl). Iron concentration range between (206.64±61.60 µg/l) to (170.00±36.71 µg/l) was significantly higher in HBV infected patients as compared to those in healthy controls (158.00±15.13 µg/l). However, patients with HBV had significantly lower serum concentrations of zinc with a concentration range between (111.64±20.90 µg/dl) to (99.25±24.06 µg/dl) as compared to those in healthy controls (113.44±16.38 µg/dl). While selenium concentration range between (64.39±7.39 µg/l) to (51.10±4.96 µg/l) was significantly lower in HBV infected patients as compared to those in healthy controls (67.68±7.60) (μg/l). Moreover, the results of this study suggest that (AAS) technique was the most accurate method to measure the concentration of selenium element, while (UV and ICP-MS) analytical techniques have the same efficiency in measuring the iron concentration.

  1. Automatic analysis (aa): efficient neuroimaging workflows and parallel processing using Matlab and XML.

    PubMed

    Cusack, Rhodri; Vicente-Grabovetsky, Alejandro; Mitchell, Daniel J; Wild, Conor J; Auer, Tibor; Linke, Annika C; Peelle, Jonathan E

    2014-01-01

    Recent years have seen neuroimaging data sets becoming richer, with larger cohorts of participants, a greater variety of acquisition techniques, and increasingly complex analyses. These advances have made data analysis pipelines complicated to set up and run (increasing the risk of human error) and time consuming to execute (restricting what analyses are attempted). Here we present an open-source framework, automatic analysis (aa), to address these concerns. Human efficiency is increased by making code modular and reusable, and managing its execution with a processing engine that tracks what has been completed and what needs to be (re)done. Analysis is accelerated by optional parallel processing of independent tasks on cluster or cloud computing resources. A pipeline comprises a series of modules that each perform a specific task. The processing engine keeps track of the data, calculating a map of upstream and downstream dependencies for each module. Existing modules are available for many analysis tasks, such as SPM-based fMRI preprocessing, individual and group level statistics, voxel-based morphometry, tractography, and multi-voxel pattern analyses (MVPA). However, aa also allows for full customization, and encourages efficient management of code: new modules may be written with only a small code overhead. aa has been used by more than 50 researchers in hundreds of neuroimaging studies comprising thousands of subjects. It has been found to be robust, fast, and efficient, for simple-single subject studies up to multimodal pipelines on hundreds of subjects. It is attractive to both novice and experienced users. aa can reduce the amount of time neuroimaging laboratories spend performing analyses and reduce errors, expanding the range of scientific questions it is practical to address.

  2. Treatment of Alopecia Areata in the United States: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

    PubMed

    Farhangian, Michael E; McMichael, Amy J; Huang, Karen E; Feldman, Steven R

    2015-09-01

    Alopecia Areata (AA) is a non-scarring alopecia that affects millions of Americans, however the way it is treated and which patients seek treatment is not well characterized. To better understand how AA was being treated in the United States, what type of patients are seen for AA, and what physicians treated them. We analyzed data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2001 to 2010. We tabulated patient characteristics, the physicians who treated AA and what treatments were prescribed for AA. There were an estimated 2.6 million outpatient visits for AA. Patients with AA were most commonly treated by a dermatologists (84.8%). Patients were most commonly treated with topical and injected corticosteroids (61.0%) followed by minoxidil (5.9%) and topical tacrolimus (5.7%). Males made fewer visits per 1,000 capita compared to females (P=0.01). The NAMCS and NHAMCS do not record severity of disease data. Topical and injected corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment for AA, however the use of steroid sparing agents such as minoxidil is low. Despite no studies demonstrating efficacy, topical tacrolimus was used almost as frequently as minoxidil.

  3. Interfacial and Mechanical Behavior of AA5456 Filling Friction-Stir-Welded Lap Joints Using Similar and Dissimilar Pins

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Behmand, Saleh Alaei; Mirsalehi, Seyyed Ehsan; Omidvar, Hamid; Safarkhanian, Mohammad Ali

    2016-10-01

    In this article, filling friction stir welding (FFSW) of the remaining exit holes of AA5456 alloy friction-stir-welded lap joints was studied. For this purpose, the influences of different rotating speeds, holding times, and pin materials, AA5456 and AA2024, on the metallurgical structure and joint strength were investigated. The observations showed that defect-free lap joints are successfully obtainable by this method using similar and dissimilar consumable pins. The results indicated that the higher rotating speed and holding time adversely affect the weld performance. The best result was achieved for 30 seconds holding time, 500 rpm rotating speed, and AA2024 consumable pin. In this condition, a lap shear strength of 10 pct higher than that of the nonfilled joint, equivalent to about 94 pct of the original defect-free FSW joint, was obtained, whereas the GTAW filled joint showed only approximately 87 pct of the continuous FSW joint strength.

  4. African American men with low-grade prostate cancer have increased disease recurrence after prostatectomy compared with Caucasian men.

    PubMed

    Yamoah, Kosj; Deville, Curtiland; Vapiwala, Neha; Spangler, Elaine; Zeigler-Johnson, Charnita M; Malkowicz, Bruce; Lee, David I; Kattan, Michael; Dicker, Adam P; Rebbeck, Timothy R

    2015-02-01

    To explore whether disparities in outcomes exist between African American (AA) and Caucasian (CS) men with low-grade prostate cancer and similar cancer of the prostate risk assessment-postsurgery (CAPRA-S) features following prostatectomy (RP). The overall cohort consisted of 1,265 men (234 AA and 1,031 CS) who met the National comprehensive cancer network criteria for low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer and underwent RP between 1990 and 2012. We first evaluated whether clinical factors were associated with adverse pathologic outcomes and freedom from biochemical failure (FFbF) using the entire cohort. Next, we studied a subset of 705 men (112 AA and 593 CS) who had pathologic Gleason score≤6 (low-grade disease). Using this cohort, we determined whether race affected FFbF in men with RP-proven low-grade disease and similar CAPRA-S scores. With a median follow-up time of 27 months, the overall 7-year FFbF rate was 86% vs. 79% in CS and AA men, respectively (P = 0.035). There was no significant difference in one or more adverse pathologic features between CS vs. AA men (27% vs. 31%; P = 0.35) or CAPRA-S score (P = 0.28). In the subset analysis of patients with low-grade disease, AA race was associated with worse FFbF outcomes (P = 0.002). Furthermore, AA race was a significant predictor of FFbF in men with low-grade disease (hazard ratio = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.08-3.72; P = 0.029). AA race is a predictor of worse FFbF outcomes in men with low-grade disease after RP. These results suggest that a subset of AA men with low-grade disease may benefit from more aggressive treatment. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Toward Stronger Ties: The AAS Working Group on Professional-Amateur Collaboration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beatty, J. K.; White, J. C.

    2004-05-01

    Experienced amateur astronomers represent a unique resource for their professional counterparts. Many knowledgeable amateurs now have telescopes in the 0.2- to 0.5-m class equipped with high-grade CCDs and software. To foster stronger ties between these observers and astronomical researchers, the AAS Council established a Working Group for Professional-Amateur Collaboration (WGPAC) during the Society's 193rd meeting in January 1999. Initially given a five-year charter, the WGPAC was made permanent at the 202nd Council meeting in May 2003. Since its creation the WGPAC has coordinated its activities with major amateur-astronomy organizations, sponsored a tutorial workshop at the annual meeting of the Astronomical League, laid the groundwork for a national registry of highly qualified amateur observers, and promoted pro-am collaborations through articles in the AAS Newsletter and leading amateur-astronomy publications.

  6. Patient, hospital, and neighborhood factors associated with treatment of early-stage breast cancer among Asian American women in California

    PubMed Central

    Gomez, Scarlett Lin; Press, David J.; Lichtensztajn, Daphne; Keegan, Theresa H. M.; Shema, Sarah J.; Le, Gem M.; Kurian, Allison W.

    2012-01-01

    Background Clinical guidelines recommend breast conserving surgery (BCS) with radiation as a viable alternative to mastectomy for treatment of early-stage breast cancer. Yet, Asian Americans (AA) are more likely than other groups to have mastectomy or omit radiation after BCS. Methods We applied polytomous logistic regression and recursive partitioning (RP) to analyze factors associated with mastectomy, or BCS without radiation, among 20,987 California AAs diagnosed with stage 0–II breast cancer from 1990–2007. Results The percentage receiving mastectomy ranged from 40% among US-born Chinese to 58% among foreign-born Vietnamese. Factors associated with mastectomy included tumor characteristics such as larger tumor size, patient characteristics such as older age and foreign birthplace among some AA ethnicities, and additional factors including hospital (smaller hospital size, not NCI cancer center, low socioeconomic status (SES) patient composition, and high hospital AA patient composition) and neighborhood characteristics (ethnic enclaves of low SES). These hospital and neighborhood characteristics were also associated with BCS without radiation. Through RP, the highest mastectomy subgroups were defined by tumor characteristics such as size and anatomic location, in combination with diagnosis year and nativity. Conclusions Tumor characteristics and, secondarily, patient, hospital and neighborhood factors, are predictors of mastectomy and omission of radiation following BCS among AAs. Impact By focusing on interactions among patient, hospital, and neighborhood factors in the differential receipt of breast cancer treatment, our study identifies subgroups of interest for further study, and translation into public health and patient-focused initiatives to ensure that all women are fully informed about treatment options. PMID:22402290

  7. 184AA3: a xenograft model of ER+ breast adenocarcinoma

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

    Hines, William C.; Kuhn, Irene; Thi, Kate

    Despite the prevalence and significant morbidity resulting from estrogen receptor positive (ER +) breast adenocarcinomas, there are only a few models of this cancer subtype available for drug development and arguably none for studying etiology. Those models that do exist have questionable clinical relevance. Given our goal of developing luminal models, we focused on six cell lines derived by minimal mutagenesis from normal human breast cells, and asked if any could generate clinically relevant xenografts, which we then extensively characterized. Xenografts of one cell line, 184AA3, consistently formed ER + adenocarcinomas that had a high proliferative rate and other features consistentmore » with “luminal B” intrinsic subtype. Squamous and spindle cell/mesenchymal differentiation was absent, in stark contrast to other cell lines that we examined or others have reported. We explored intratumoral heterogeneity produced by 184AA3 by immunophenotyping xenograft tumors and cultured cells, and characterized marker expression by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. A CD44 High  subpopulation was discovered, yet their tumor forming ability was far less than CD44 Low  cells. Single cell cloning revealed the phenotypic plasticity of 184AA3, consistent with the intratumoral heterogeneity observed in xenografts. Characterization of ER expression in cultures revealed ER protein and signaling is intact, yet when estrogen was depleted in culture, and in vivo, it did not impact cell or tumor growth, analogous to therapeutically resistant ER +  cancers. In conclusion, this model is appropriate for studies of the etiology of ovarian hormone independent adenocarcinomas, for identification of therapeutic targets, predictive testing, and drug development.« less

  8. 184AA3: a xenograft model of ER+ breast adenocarcinoma

    DOE PAGES

    Hines, William C.; Kuhn, Irene; Thi, Kate; ...

    2015-12-12

    Despite the prevalence and significant morbidity resulting from estrogen receptor positive (ER +) breast adenocarcinomas, there are only a few models of this cancer subtype available for drug development and arguably none for studying etiology. Those models that do exist have questionable clinical relevance. Given our goal of developing luminal models, we focused on six cell lines derived by minimal mutagenesis from normal human breast cells, and asked if any could generate clinically relevant xenografts, which we then extensively characterized. Xenografts of one cell line, 184AA3, consistently formed ER + adenocarcinomas that had a high proliferative rate and other features consistentmore » with “luminal B” intrinsic subtype. Squamous and spindle cell/mesenchymal differentiation was absent, in stark contrast to other cell lines that we examined or others have reported. We explored intratumoral heterogeneity produced by 184AA3 by immunophenotyping xenograft tumors and cultured cells, and characterized marker expression by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. A CD44 High  subpopulation was discovered, yet their tumor forming ability was far less than CD44 Low  cells. Single cell cloning revealed the phenotypic plasticity of 184AA3, consistent with the intratumoral heterogeneity observed in xenografts. Characterization of ER expression in cultures revealed ER protein and signaling is intact, yet when estrogen was depleted in culture, and in vivo, it did not impact cell or tumor growth, analogous to therapeutically resistant ER +  cancers. In conclusion, this model is appropriate for studies of the etiology of ovarian hormone independent adenocarcinomas, for identification of therapeutic targets, predictive testing, and drug development.« less

  9. Tunneling magnetoresistance tuned by a vertical electric field in an AA-stacked graphene bilayer with double magnetic barriers

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

    Wang, Dali, E-mail: wangdali@mail.ahnu.edu.cn; National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093; Jin, Guojun, E-mail: gjin@nju.edu.cn

    2013-12-21

    We investigate the effect of a vertical electric field on the electron tunneling and magnetoresistance in an AA-stacked graphene bilayer modulated by the double magnetic barriers with parallel or antiparallel configuration. The results show that the electronic transmission properties in the system are sensitive to the magnetic-barrier configuration and the bias voltage between the graphene layers. In particular, it is found that for the antiparallel configuration, within the low energy region, the blocking effect is more obvious compared with the case for the parallel configuration, and even there may exist a transmission spectrum gap which can be arbitrarily tuned bymore » the field-induced interlayer bias voltage. We also demonstrate that the significant discrepancy between the conductance for both parallel and antiparallel configurations would result in a giant tunneling magnetoresistance ratio, and further the maximal magnetoresistance ratio can be strongly modified by the interlayer bias voltage. This leads to the possible realization of high-quality magnetic sensors controlled by a vertical electric field in the AA-stacked graphene bilayer.« less

  10. An educational video to increase clinical trials enrollment among breast cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Du, Wei; Mood, Darlene; Gadgeel, Shirish; Simon, Michael S

    2009-09-01

    Only 3% of women with breast cancer participate in cancer clinical trials nationwide. The lack of awareness about clinical trials is a significant barrier towards clinical trials participation. A study was conducted at a large urban Comprehensive Cancer Center to test (1) the effectiveness of an 18-min educational video on improving attitudes toward clinical trials and trials enrollment among new breast cancer patients seen at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, and (2) to assess racial differences in attitudes regarding clinical trials. Participants were randomized to either the educational intervention prior to their first oncology clinic appointment or to standard care. A baseline and 2-week post-intervention survey to assess attitudes toward clinical trials participation was completed by participants. Of 218 subjects recruited, 196 (55% white vs. 45% African American (AA)) eligible patients were included in the analysis. A small increase in therapeutic clinical trial enrollment was observed in the intervention arm but was not statistically significant (10.4% vs. 6.1%; P = 0.277). The intervention also did not result in a clear improvement in patients' attitudes toward clinical trials at posttest. However, a lower enrollment rate for the AA women was noted after adjusting for stage (OR = 0.282, P = 0.049). Significantly more negative scores were noted in 3 out of the 5 baseline attitudinal scales for AA women. The educational video did not significantly increase enrollment in breast cancer clinical trials. The findings that AA women had significantly more negative attitudes toward clinical trials than white women may partially explain the racial disparity in enrollment. An educational video remains a simple and cost-effective way to educate patients. Future studies should focus on designing a new educational video to specifically target cultural and attitudinal barriers in the AA population to more effectively change attitudes and increase trial enrollment.

  11. Comparison of clinical outcome after autologous stem cell transplantation between patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

    PubMed

    Sohn, B S; Park, I; Kim, E K; Yoon, D H; Lee, S S; Kang, B W; Jang, G; Choi, Y H; Kim, C; Lee, D H; Kim, S; Huh, J; Suh, C

    2009-09-01

    Although patients with T-cell phenotype lymphomas are generally accepted to have worse prognosis than B-cell phenotype lymphomas, the studies comparing outcomes after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) between peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) and with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are few. In this study, we compared outcomes after ASCT between 23 patients with PTCLs and 54 patients with DLBCL. Univariate analysis showed that the timing of ASCT, complete response (CR) at ASCT, favorable lactate dehydrogenase/performance/stage, low/low-intermediate (L-LI) International Prognostic Index (IPI) and L-LI age-adjusted IPI (aaIPI) at ASCT were significant predictors of both OS and EFS. Multivariate analysis showed that CR and L-LI aaIPI at ASCT were favorable for both OS (hazard ratio (HR), 0.34; 95% CI, 0.14-0.81; P=0.016 and HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12-0.57; P=0.001) and EFS (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.85; P=0.020 and HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17-0.77; P=0.008). B-cell or T-cell phenotype, however, had no impact on OS (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.27-1.18; P=0.126) or EFS (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.30-1.30; P=0.206). In conclusion, when compared to patients with DLBCL, patients with PTCLs did not have inferior outcomes after ASCT. T-cell phenotype itself may not have an effect on outcomes of PTCL patients who underwent ASCT.

  12. The Comparing Options for Management: Patient-centered Results for Uterine Fibroids (COMPARE-UF) Registry: Rationale and Design.

    PubMed

    Stewart, Elizabeth A; Lytle, Barbara L; Thomas, Laine; Wegienka, Ganesa R; Jacoby, Vanessa; Diamond, Michael P; Nicholson, Wanda K; Anchan, Raymond M; Venable, Sateria; Wallace, Kedra; Marsh, Erica E; Maxwell, George L; Borah, Bijan J; Catherino, William H; Myers, Evan R

    2018-05-08

    To design and establish a uterine fibroid (UF) registry based in the United States (US) to provide comparative effectiveness data regarding UF treatment. We report here the design and initial recruitment for the Comparing Options for Management: Patient-centered Results for Uterine Fibroids (COMPARE-UF) registry (Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02260752), funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in collaboration with the-Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). COMPARE-UF is designed to help answer critical questions about treatment options for women with symptomatic UF. Women undergoing a procedure for UF (hysterectomy, myomectomy [abdominal, hysteroscopic, vaginal and laparoscopic/robotic], endometrial ablation, radiofrequency fibroid ablation, uterine artery embolization, magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound or progestin-releasing intrauterine device insertion) at one of the COMPARE-UF sites are invited to participate in a prospective registry with three years follow-up for post-procedural outcomes. Enrolled participants provide annual follow-up through an online portal or through traditional phone contact. A central data abstraction center provides information obtained from imaging, operative or procedural notes and pathology reports. Women with uterine fibroids and other stakeholders are a key part of the COMPARE-UF registry and participate at all points from study design to dissemination of results. We built a network of nine clinical sites across the US with expertise in the care of women with UF to capture geographic, racial, ethnic and procedural diversity. Of the initial 2031 women enrolled in COMPARE-UF, 42% are self-identified as Black or African-American and 40% are age 40 years or younger with 16% of participants under age 35. Women undergoing myomectomy comprise the largest treatment group at 46% of all procedures with laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy comprising the largest subset of myomectomies at 19% of all

  13. Safety and tolerance of ester-C compared with regular ascorbic acid.

    PubMed

    Gruenwald, Joerg; Graubaum, Hans-Joachim; Busch, Regina; Bentley, Christine

    2006-01-01

    The goal of this randomized, double-blind crossover clinical trial in 50 healthy volunteers sensitive to acidic foods was to evaluate whether Ester-C calcium ascorbate causes fewer epigastric adverse effects than are produced by regular ascorbic acid (AA). Volunteers were randomly separated into 2 groups of 25. The study comprised an observation period of 9 days (phase 1 medication for 3 consecutive days, washout phase for 3 consecutive days, phase 2 medication for 3 consecutive days). Participants took 1000 mg vitamin C as Ester-C during phase 1 of the study followed by 1000 mg of vitamin C as AA during phase 2, or vice versa. During the course of the study, 3 examinations for the evaluation of epigastric adverse effects were performed (on days 0, 3, and 9). Participants used a diary to record epigastric adverse effects on a daily basis. In total, 28 (56%) of 50 participants reported 88 epigastric adverse effects of mild to moderate intensity. Of these 88 adverse effects, 33 (37.5%) occurred after intake of Ester-C and 55 (62.5%) were noted after intake of AA. The tolerability of Ester-C was rated "very good" by 72% of participants, whereas AA was rated "very good" by only 54%. This difference is statistically significant (P<.05). Investigators concluded that Ester-C compared with AA caused significantly fewer epigastric adverse effects in participants sensitive to acidic foods and that Ester-C is much better tolerated.

  14. Adsorption of Insecticidal Crystal Protein Cry11Aa onto Nano-Mg(OH)2: Effects on Bioactivity and Anti-Ultraviolet Ability.

    PubMed

    Pan, Xiaohong; Xu, Zhangyan; Li, Lan; Shao, Enshi; Chen, Saili; Huang, Tengzhou; Chen, Zhi; Rao, Wenhua; Huang, Tianpei; Zhang, Lingling; Wu, Songqing; Guan, Xiong

    2017-11-01

    The traditional Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) formulations for field applications are not resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Hence, the active ingredients of the Bt bioinsecticides could degrade quickly and has low anti-ultraviolet ability in the field, which significantly limits its practical application. In the present study, we developed an efficient and stable delivery system for Bt Cry11Aa toxins. We coated Cry11Aa proteins with Mg(OH) 2 nanoparticles (MHNPs), and then assessed the effects of MHNPs on bioactivity and anti-ultraviolet ability of the Cry11Aa proteins. Our results indicated that MHNPs, like "coating clothes", could effectively protect the Cry protein and enhance the insecticidal bioactivity after UV radiation (the degradation rate was decreased from 64.29% to 16.67%). In addtion, MHNPs could improve the proteolysis of Cry11Aa in the midgut and aggravate the damage of the Cry protein to the gut epithelial cells, leading to increased insecticidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus. Our results revealed that MHNPs, as an excellent nanocarrier, could substantially improve the insecticidal bioactivity and anti-ultraviolet ability of Cry11Aa.

  15. [Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Hepatitis-Associated Aplastic Anemia].

    PubMed

    You, Ya-Hong; Meng, Xian-Bin; Li, Xing-Xin; Ge, Mei-Li; Nie, Neng; Huang, Jin-Bo; Zhang, Jing; Huang, Zhen-Dong; Shao, Ying-Qi; Shi, Jun; Zheng, Yi-Zhou

    2017-08-01

    To explore the clinical characteristic, therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of patients with hepatitis-associated aplasitc anemia (HAAA). the clinical data and labrotatory examination results of 30 cases of HAAA were analyzed retrospectively, the 6-month response ratio and overall survival (OS) were assessed. HAAA most commonly occured in males, with the occurence rate of males and females was 4:1, the median onset age was 16 (4-43) years old, HAAA oriented focus on sever aplastic anemia (SAA)(4 cases,13%) and very sever aplastic anemia (VSAA)(22 cases,73%). Aplastic anemia (AA) could be seen on occurence of hepatitis (accompanied aplastic anemia) (7 cases,23%), or after the onset of hepatits (delayed aplastic anemia) (23 cases,77%), but more often occured in the latter. Statistical analysis showed that when compared with the patients of delayed aplastic anemia, patients accompanied aplastic anemia possesses lower levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(ALT), aspertate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL)(P=0.042,0.012,0.001), and possessed a more obvious lymphoid cell disorder when AA occured, with more lower peripheral blood CD19 + B cells proportion (P=0.046) and more obvious imbalance of CD4 + /CD8 + ratio, but the difference was no statistical significant (P=0538). Factors affecting the 6-month respose were the severity of AA (P=0.044), the peak level of bilirubin of hepatitis (P=0.006) and the propotion of mature monocyte in bone marrow (P=0.034). The long-term follow-up showed that the 2-year OS of HAAA was 64.3±9.2%, the 6-month curative efficacy significantly affect the prognosis (P<0.001). HAAA more often occur in young male, HAAA is mainly SAA and VSAA and mostly non-A-C hepatitis associated aplastic anemia, patients usually have a high incidence of early infection. Patients acompanied with aplastic anemia possess more obvious immunological derangement; the treatment efficacy for HAAA is poor, patients who haven't obtained 6-month response

  16. Participation and Performance Reporting for the Alternate Assessment Based on Modified Achievement Standards (AA-MAS). Technical Report 58

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Albus, Deb; Thurlow, Martha L.; Lazarus, Sheryl S.

    2011-01-01

    This report examines publicly reported participation and performance data for the alternate assessment based on modified achievement standards (AA-MAS). The authors' analysis of these data included all states publicly reporting AA-MAS data, regardless of whether they had received approval to use the results for Title I accountability calculations.…

  17. Combination of azelaic acid 5% and clindamycin 2% for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

    PubMed

    Pazoki-Toroudi, Hamidreza; Nilforoushzadeh, Mohamad Ali; Ajami, Marjan; Jaffary, Fariba; Aboutaleb, Nahid; Nassiri-Kashani, Mansour; Firooz, Alireza

    2011-12-01

    Acne vulgaris, an inflammatory skin disease with different clinical appearances, is a common problem in most adolescents. It seems that using combinations of topical agents can decrease resistance to the treatment and improve the efficacy. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of azelaic acid (AA) 5% and clindamycin (Clin) 2% combination (AA-Clin) on mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. The efficacy and safety of 12-week treatment with AA-Clin in patients with mild-to-moderate facial acne vulgaris were evaluated by a multicenter, randomized, and double-blind study. A total of 88 male and 62 female patients were randomly assigned to one of these treatments: AA 5%, Clin 2%, and combination of them. Every 4 weeks, total inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions were counted, acne severity index (ASI) was calculated, and patient satisfaction was recorded. Treatment for 12 weeks with combination gel significantly reduced the total lesion number compared with baseline (p < 0.01), as well as Clin 2% or AA 5% treatment groups (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The percentage of reduction in ASI in combination treated group (64.16 ± 6.01) was significantly more than those in the Clin 2% (47.73 ± 6.62, p < 0.05) and 5% AA (32.46 ± 5.27, p < 0.01) groups after 12 weeks. Among the patients in the AA-Clin group, 75.86% of males were satisfied or very satisfied and 85.71% of females were satisfied or very satisfied. This trend was significant in comparison to the number of patients who were satisfied with AA 5% or Clin 2% treatment (p < 0.01). Seven patients in AA-Clin group (incidence = 22%) showed adverse effects that were not statistically significant compared to treatment with individual active ingredients. The profound reduction in lesion count and ASI by combination therapy with AA-Clin gel in comparison to individual treatment with 5% AA or Clin 2% suggested the combination formula as an effective alternative in treatment of acne vulgaris.

  18. Performance of AA5052 alloy anode in alkaline ethylene glycol electrolyte with dicarboxylic acids additives for aluminium-air batteries

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, DaPeng; Zhang, DaQuan; Lee, KangYong; Gao, LiXin

    2015-11-01

    Dicarboxylic acid compounds, i.e. succinic acid (SUA), adipic acid (ADA) and sebacic acid (SEA), are used as electrolyte additives in the alkaline ethylene glycol solution for AA5052 aluminium-air batteries. It shows that the addition of dicarboxylic acids lowers the hydrogen gas evolution rate of commercial AA5052 aluminium alloy anode. AA5052 aluminium alloy has wide potential window for electrochemical activity and better discharge performance in alkaline ethylene glycol solution containing dicarboxylic acid additives. ADA has the best inhibition effect for the self-corrosion of AA5052 anode among the three dicarboxylic acid additives. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) reveals that dicarboxylic acids and aluminium ions can form coordination complexes. Quantum chemical calculations shows that ADA has a smaller energy gap (ΔE, the energy difference between the lowest unoccupied orbital and the highest occupied orbital), indicating that ADA has the strongest interaction with aluminium ions.

  19. Experimental and numerical investigation of strain rate effect on low cycle fatigue behaviour of AA 5754 alloy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, P.; Singh, A.

    2018-04-01

    The present study deals with evaluation of low cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of aluminum alloy 5754 (AA 5754) at different strain rates. This alloy has magnesium (Mg) as main alloying element (Al-Mg alloy) which makes this alloy suitable for Marines and Cryogenics applications. The testing procedure and specimen preparation are guided by ASTM E606 standard. The tests are performed at 0.5% strain amplitude with three different strain rates i.e. 0.5×10-3 sec-1, 1×10-3 sec-1 and 2×10-3 sec-1 thus the frequency of tests vary accordingly. The experimental results show that there is significant decrease in the fatigue life with the increase in strain rate. LCF behavior of AA 5754 is also simulated at different strain rates by finite element method. Chaboche kinematic hardening cyclic plasticity model is used for simulating the hardening behavior of the material. Axisymmetric finite element model is created to reduce the computational cost of the simulation. The material coefficients used for “Chaboche Model” are determined by experimentally obtained stabilized hysteresis loop. The results obtained from finite element simulation are compared with those obtained through LCF experiments.

  20. 32. SECTIONS AA, BB, CC, DD, AND EE WASTE CALCINATION ...

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

    32. SECTIONS A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D, AND E-E WASTE CALCINATION FACILITY SHOWING RELATIONSHIPS OF DIFFERENT FLOOR LEVELS TO ONE ANOTHER. INEEL DRAWING NUMBER 200-0633-00-287-106353. FLUOR NUMBER 5775-CPP-633-A-3. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Old Waste Calcining Facility, Scoville, Butte County, ID

  1. Pregnancy outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients as compared with type 1 diabetic patients and nondiabetic controls.

    PubMed

    Knight, Kristin M; Thornburg, Loralei L; Pressman, Eva K

    2012-01-01

    To characterize the neonatal and maternal outcomes of type 2 diabetic patients as compared with type 1 diabetic patients and nondiabetic controls. We performed a retrospective cohort study reviewing perinatal outcomes of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients and nondiabetic controls from July 2000 to August 2006. Analysis of variance, t testing and chi2 analysis were used to compare groups. Post hoc power analysis indicated 80% power was necessary to detect a 15% difference in composite poor neonatal outcomes. A total of 64 type 2 and 64 type 1 diabetic patients were compared with 256 controls. Type 1 diabetic patients had higher incidences of composite poor neonatal outcome and congenital anomalies than did type 2 diabetic and control patients. Both diabetic groups had similarly higher incidences of cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, polyhydramnios and macrosomia than did controls. Type 2 diabetic patients have a decreased incidence of adverse neonatal outcomes when compared with that of type 1 diabetic patients. No difference was observed between the diabetic groups in the incidence of a majority of the adverse maternal outcomes examined, however both diabetic groups had overall worse outcomes that did nondiabetic controls.

  2. Anabolic steroids abuse-induced cardiomyopathy and ischaemic stroke in a young male patient.

    PubMed

    Shamloul, Reham Mohammed; Aborayah, Ahmed Fathy; Hashad, Assem; Abd-Allah, Foad

    2014-02-26

    We report a case of a 37-year-old man presented with acute stroke and hepatorenal impairment which were associated with anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse over 2 years. Despite the absence of apparent symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure at presentation, an AAS-induced dilated cardiomyopathy with multiple thrombi in the left ventricle was attributed to be the underlying cause of his condition. Awareness of the complications of AAS led to the prompt treatment of the initially unrecognised dilated cardiomyopathy, and improved the liver and kidney functions. However, the patient was exposed to a second severe ischaemic event, which led to his death. This unique and complex presentation of AAS complications opens for better recognition and treatment of their potentially fatal effects.

  3. States' Participation Guidelines for Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards (AA-MAS) in 2010. Synthesis Report 82

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lazarus, Sheryl S.; Hodgson, Jennifer R.; Price, Lynn M.; Thurlow, Martha L.

    2011-01-01

    Federal legislation requires that all students participate in state accountability systems. Most students with disabilities participate in the regular assessment, with or without accommodations. Students with more significant cognitive disabilities participate in the Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS). A few…

  4. Oxidative potential of ambient water-soluble PM2.5 in the southeastern United States: contrasts in sources and health associations between ascorbic acid (AA) and dithiothreitol (DTT) assays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fang, Ting; Verma, Vishal; Bates, Josephine T.; Abrams, Joseph; Klein, Mitchel; Strickland, Matthew J.; Sarnat, Stefanie E.; Chang, Howard H.; Mulholland, James A.; Tolbert, Paige E.; Russell, Armistead G.; Weber, Rodney J.

    2016-03-01

    The ability of certain components of particulate matter to induce oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo may be one mechanism accounting for observed linkages between ambient aerosols and adverse health outcomes. A variety of assays have been used to measure this so-called aerosol oxidative potential. We developed a semi-automated system to quantify oxidative potential of filter aqueous extracts utilizing the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay and report here the development of a similar semi-automated system for the ascorbic acid (AA) assay. Approximately 500 PM2.5 filter samples collected in contrasting locations in the southeastern US were analyzed for a host of aerosol species, along with AA and DTT activities. We present a detailed contrast in findings from these two assays. Water-soluble AA activity was higher in summer and fall than in winter, with highest levels near heavily trafficked highways, whereas DTT activity was higher in winter compared to summer and fall and more spatially homogeneous. AA activity was nearly exclusively correlated with water-soluble Cu (r = 0.70-0.94 at most sites), whereas DTT activity was correlated with organic and metal species. Source apportionment models, positive matrix factorization (PMF) and a chemical mass balance method with ensemble-averaged source impact profiles (CMB-E), suggest a strong contribution from traffic emissions and secondary processes (e.g., organic aerosol oxidation or metals mobilization by secondary acids) to both AA and DTT activities in urban Atlanta. In contrast, biomass burning was a large source for DTT activity, but insignificant for AA. AA activity was not correlated with PM2.5 mass, while DTT activity co-varied strongly with mass (r = 0.49-0.86 across sites and seasons). Various linear models were developed to estimate AA and DTT activities for the central Atlanta Jefferson Street site, based on the CMB-E sources. The models were then used to estimate daily

  5. Site-saturation engineering of lysine 47 in cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase from Paenibacillus macerans to enhance substrate specificity towards maltodextrin for enzymatic synthesis of 2-O-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G).

    PubMed

    Han, Ruizhi; Liu, Long; Shin, Hyun-dong; Chen, Rachel R; Du, Guocheng; Chen, Jian

    2013-07-01

    In this work, the site-saturation engineering of lysine 47 in cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from Paenibacillus macerans was conducted to improve the specificity of CGTase towards maltodextrin, which can be used as a cheap and easily soluble glycosyl donor for the enzymatic synthesis of 2-O-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) by CGTase. When using maltodextrin as glycosyl donor, four mutants K47F (lysine→ phenylalanine), K47L (lysine→ leucine), K47V (lysine→ valine) and K47W (lysine→ tryptophan) showed higher AA-2G yield as compared with that produced by the wild-type CGTase. The transformation conditions (temperature, pH and the mass ratio of L-ascorbic acid to maltodextrin) were optimized and the highest titer of AA-2G produced by the mutant K47L could reach 1.97 g/l, which was 64.2% higher than that (1.20 g/l) produced by the wild-type CGTase. The reaction kinetics analysis confirmed the enhanced maltodextrin specificity, and it was also found that compared with the wild-type CGTase, the four mutants had relatively lower cyclization activities and higher disproportionation activities, which was favorable for AA-2G synthesis. The mechanism responsible for the enhanced substrate specificity was further explored by structure modeling and it was indicated that the enhancement of maltodextrin specificity may be due to the short residue chain and the removal of hydrogen bonding interactions between the side chain of residue 47 and the sugar at -3 subsite. Here the obtained mutant CGTases, especially the K47L, has a great potential in the production of AA-2G with maltodextrin as a cheap and easily soluble substrate.

  6. Efficacy of topical latanoprost versus minoxidil and betamethasone valerate on the treatment of alopecia areata.

    PubMed

    El-Ashmawy, Amal Ahmad; El-Maadawy, Iman Hamed; El-Maghraby, Gamal Mohamed

    2018-02-01

    Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the most common causes of localized hair loss. There is no universally proven therapy that induces and sustains remission of hair growth in AA. To compare the efficacy and safety of topical latanoprost, minoxidil and betamethasone valerate on hair growth in patients with AA. Hundred patients with AA classified into five groups of 20 treated with: Group I, latanoprost 0.1% lotion; Group II, minoxidil 5% lotion; Group III, betamethasone valerate 0.1% solution; Group IV, combination of latanoprost lotion and betamethasone valerate solution and Group V, a vehicle lotion control group. There was a statistically significant improvement in all therapeutic groups when compared with control group and reduction of severity of alopecia tool score of scalp and beard before and after treatment for all therapeutic groups. Latanoprost, minoxidil and betamethasone valerate are effective and safe in the treatment of patchy AA. The use of latanoprost added to the therapeutic efficacy of topical betamethasone valerate in the treatment of AA and could be an effective adjunctive topical therapy for AA.

  7. Modeling the Hot Ductility of AA6061 Aluminum Alloy After Severe Plastic Deformation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khamei, A. A.; Dehghani, K.; Mahmudi, R.

    2015-05-01

    Solutionized AA6061 aluminum alloy was processed by equal-channel angular pressing followed by cold rolling. The hot ductility of the material was studied after severe plastic deformation. The hot tensile tests were carried out in the temperature range of 300-500°C and at the strain rates of 0.0005-0.01 s-1. Depending on the temperature and strain rate, the applied strain level exhibited significant effects on the hot ductility, strain-rate sensitivity, and activation energy. It can be suggested that the possible mechanism dominated the hot deformation during tensile testing is dynamic recovery and dislocation creep. Constitutive equations were developed to model the hot ductility of the severe plastic deformed AA6061 alloy.

  8. A norepinephrine-responsive miRNA directly promotes CgHSP90AA1 expression in oyster haemocytes during desiccation.

    PubMed

    Chen, Hao; Xin, Lusheng; Song, Xiaorui; Wang, Lin; Wang, Weilin; Liu, Zhaoqun; Zhang, Huan; Wang, Lingling; Zhou, Zhi; Qiu, Limei; Song, Linsheng

    2017-05-01

    Oyster Crassostrea gigas is one model mollusc inhabiting in the intertidal zone and is frequently stressed by desiccation. The adaptation mechanism of oyster to environmental stress involves multiple levels, and miRNA is one of the most important regulators in post-transcriptional level. In the present study, an oyster norepinephrine-responsive miRNA cgi-miR-365 was proved to contribute to the host adaptation against desiccation by directly promoting the expression of CgHSP90AA1. Briefly, a significant increase of cgi-miR-365 was observed from the first day after aerial exposure and the up-regulation was vigorously repressed when oysters were injected with adrenoceptors antagonists. A total of 15 genes involved in biological regulation, metabolic process and response to stimulus were predicted to be modulated by cgi-miR-365. Among these genes, CgHSP90AA1 was up-regulated significantly during desiccation and could be down-regulated after simultaneous injection of adrenoceptors antagonists. The interaction between cgi-miR-365 and CgHSP90AA1 was subsequently verified in vitro, and a significant promotion of CgHSP90AA1 transcripts was observed after overexpressing cgi-miR-365 in either in vitro luciferase reporter assay or primarily cultured haemocytes. Meanwhile, CgHSP90AA1 transcripts decreased in vivo when cgi-miR-365 was repressed by its inhibitor during desiccation. Collectively, it was suggested that cgi-miR-365 could be induced by norepinephrine during desiccation and promote CgHSP90AA1 expression directly after binding to its 3'-UTR, which would provide new evidence in miRNA-mediated adaptation mechanism in oysters against intertidal stress. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Lower frequency of TLR9 variant associated with protection from breast cancer among African Americans

    PubMed Central

    Tuomela, Johanna M.; Forero-Torres, Andres; Desmond, Renee; Vuopala, Katri S.; Harris, Kevin W.; Merner, Nancy D.

    2017-01-01

    Introduction Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is an innate immune system DNA-receptor that regulates tumor invasion and immunity in vitro. Low tumor TLR9 expression has been associated with poor survival in Caucasian patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). African American (AA) patients with TNBC have worse prognosis than Caucasians but whether this is due to differences in tumor biology remains controversial. We studied the prognostic significance of tumor Toll like receptor-9 (TLR9) protein expression among African American (AA) triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Germline TLR9 variants in European Americans (EAs) and AAs were investigated, to determine their contribution to AA breast cancer risk. Methods TLR9 expression was studied with immunohistochemistry in archival tumors. Exome Variant Server and The Cancer Genome Atlas were used to determine the genetic variation in the general EA and AA populations, and AA breast cancer cases. Minor allele frequencies (MAFs) were compared between EAs (n = 4300), AAs (n = 2203), and/or AA breast cancer cases (n = 131). Results Thirty-two TLR9 variants had a statistically significant MAF difference between general EAs and AAs. Twenty-one of them affect a CpG site. Rs352140, a variant previously associated with protection from breast cancer, is more common in EAs than AAs (p = 2.20E-16). EAs had more synonymous alleles, while AAs had more rare coding alleles. Similar analyses comparing AA breast cancer cases with AA controls did not reveal any variant class differences; however, three previously unreported TLR9 variants were associated with late onset breast cancer. Although not statistically significant, rs352140 was observed less frequently in AA cases compared to controls. Tumor TLR9 protein expression was not associated with prognosis. Conclusions Tumor TLR9 expression is not associated with prognosis in AA TNBC. Significant differences were detected in TLR9 variant MAFs between EAs and AAs. They may

  10. Lower frequency of TLR9 variant associated with protection from breast cancer among African Americans.

    PubMed

    Chandler, Madison R; Keene, Kimberly S; Tuomela, Johanna M; Forero-Torres, Andres; Desmond, Renee; Vuopala, Katri S; Harris, Kevin W; Merner, Nancy D; Selander, Katri S

    2017-01-01

    Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is an innate immune system DNA-receptor that regulates tumor invasion and immunity in vitro. Low tumor TLR9 expression has been associated with poor survival in Caucasian patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). African American (AA) patients with TNBC have worse prognosis than Caucasians but whether this is due to differences in tumor biology remains controversial. We studied the prognostic significance of tumor Toll like receptor-9 (TLR9) protein expression among African American (AA) triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Germline TLR9 variants in European Americans (EAs) and AAs were investigated, to determine their contribution to AA breast cancer risk. TLR9 expression was studied with immunohistochemistry in archival tumors. Exome Variant Server and The Cancer Genome Atlas were used to determine the genetic variation in the general EA and AA populations, and AA breast cancer cases. Minor allele frequencies (MAFs) were compared between EAs (n = 4300), AAs (n = 2203), and/or AA breast cancer cases (n = 131). Thirty-two TLR9 variants had a statistically significant MAF difference between general EAs and AAs. Twenty-one of them affect a CpG site. Rs352140, a variant previously associated with protection from breast cancer, is more common in EAs than AAs (p = 2.20E-16). EAs had more synonymous alleles, while AAs had more rare coding alleles. Similar analyses comparing AA breast cancer cases with AA controls did not reveal any variant class differences; however, three previously unreported TLR9 variants were associated with late onset breast cancer. Although not statistically significant, rs352140 was observed less frequently in AA cases compared to controls. Tumor TLR9 protein expression was not associated with prognosis. Tumor TLR9 expression is not associated with prognosis in AA TNBC. Significant differences were detected in TLR9 variant MAFs between EAs and AAs. They may affect TLR9 expression and function. Rs

  11. Analysis of Linear Antibody Epitopes on Factor H and CFHR1 Using Sera of Patients with Autoimmune Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Trojnár, Eszter; Józsi, Mihály; Uray, Katalin; Csuka, Dorottya; Szilágyi, Ágnes; Milosevic, Danko; Stojanović, Vesna D; Spasojević, Brankica; Rusai, Krisztina; Müller, Thomas; Arbeiter, Klaus; Kelen, Kata; Szabó, Attila J; Reusz, György S; Hyvärinen, Satu; Jokiranta, T Sakari; Prohászka, Zoltán

    2017-01-01

    In autoimmune atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), the complement regulator factor H (FH) is blocked by FH autoantibodies, while 90% of the patients carry a homozygous deletion of its homolog complement FH-related protein 1 (CFHR1). The functional consequence of FH-blockade is widely established; however, the molecular basis of autoantibody binding and the role of CFHR1 deficiency in disease pathogenesis are still unknown. We performed epitope mapping of FH to provide structural insight in the autoantibody recruitment on FH and potentially CFHR1. Eight anti-FH positive aHUS patients were enrolled in this study. With overlapping synthetic FH and CFHR1 peptides, we located the amino acids (aa) involved in binding of acute and convalescence stage autoantibodies. We confirmed the location of the mapped epitopes using recombinant FH domains 19-20 that carried single-aa substitutions at the suspected antibody binding sites in three of our patients. Location of the linear epitopes and the introduced point mutations was visualized using crystal structures of the corresponding domains of FH and CFHR1. We identified three linear epitopes on FH (aa1157-1171; aa1177-1191; and aa1207-1226) and one on CFHR1 (aa276-290) that are recognized both in the acute and convalescence stages of aHUS. We observed a similar extent of autoantibody binding to the aHUS-specific epitope aa1177-1191 on FH and aa276-290 on CFHR1, despite seven of our patients being deficient for CFHR1. Epitope mapping with the domain constructs validated the location of the linear epitopes on FH with a distinct autoantibody binding motif within aa1183-1198 in line with published observations. According to the results, the linear epitopes we identified are located close to each other on the crystal structure of FH domains 19-20. This tertiary configuration contains the amino acids reported to be involved in C3b and sialic acid binding on the regulator, which may explain the functional deficiency of FH in the

  12. Peripheral vascular response to mild indirect cooling in patients with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease and the frequency of painful crisis.

    PubMed

    Mohan, J; Marshall, J M; Reid, H L; Thomas, P W; Hambleton, I; Serjeant, G R

    1998-02-01

    1. In homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease, skin cooling is a common precipitating factor of the painful crisis which is associated with avascular necrosis of active bone marrow. Since skin cooling does not directly induce sickling, we have investigated the nature of the reflex vascular responses to mild cooling in SS patients in a steady state of the disease and compared them with their history of painful crises. 2. Experiments were performed in Jamaica on 60 male SS patients and 30 matched control subjects with normal haemoglobin (AA) genotype. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography and mean arterial pressure (MAP) by a Finapres device: forearm vascular resistance (FVR) was calculated as MAP/FBF. Cutaneous erythrocyte flux in forearm and hand was monitored by a laser Doppler meter. The contralateral hand was immersed in cool water at 16 degrees C for 2 min, 6 times, at random intervals of 0.5-3 min. 3. The first cool immersion evoked an increase in MAP, cutaneous vasoconstriction and a net increase in FVR in both AA and SS subjects. However, the direction of change in FVR varied between individuals such that 18 AA subjects showed an increase in FVR (constrictor group) while 12 showed a decrease in FVR, indicating vasodilatation in forearm muscle (dilator group). In contrast, 50 SS subjects showed an increase in FVR and only 10 showed a decrease in FVR. The proportion of subjects who showed net vasoconstriction was significantly greater in the SS than in the AA group (83% versus 60%, P = 0.03, chi 2 test). 4. By the sixth cool stimulus, the 'dilator' group of AA subjects showed no change in FVR while the 'dilator' group of SS patients showed an increase in FVR. We suggest that forearm muscle vasodilatation was the characteristic component of the alerting/defence response to novel or noxious stimuli which habituates on repetition. 5. In the whole group of SS patients, baseline values of cutaneous vascular resistance and FVR

  13. Parametric studies on tensile strength in joining AA6061- T6 and AA7075-T6 by gas metal arc welding process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ishak, M.; Noordin, N. F. M.; Shah, L. H.

    2015-12-01

    Proper selection of the welding parameters can result in better joining. In this study, the effects of various welding parameters on tensile strength in joining dissimilar aluminum alloys AA6061-T6 and AA7075-T6 were investigated. 2 mm thick samples of both base metals were welded by semi-automatic gas metal arc welding (GMAW) using filler wire ER5356. The welding current, arc voltage and welding speed were chosen as variables parameters. The strength of each specimen after the welding operations were tested and the effects of these parameters on tensile strength were identified by using Taguchi method. The range of parameter for welding current were chosen from 100 to 115 A, arc voltage from 17 to 20 V and welding speed from 2 to 5 mm/s. L16 orthogonal array was used to obtained 16 runs of experiments. It was found that the highest tensile strength (194.34 MPa) was obtained with the combination of a welding current of 115 A, welding voltage of 18 V and welding speed of 4 mm/s. Through analysis of variance (ANOVA), the welding voltage was the most effected parameter on tensile strength with percentage of contribution at 41.30%.

  14. Metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: A comparative study.

    PubMed

    Lakshmi, Sristi; Nath, Amiya Kumar; Udayashankar, Carounanidy

    2014-04-01

    Psoriasis patients are at increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome (MS). Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 that are increased in the psoriatic plaques are known to contribute to features of MS such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. (1) To establish the frequency of MS in patients with psoriasis. (2) To study the risk factors associated with MS in psoriasis. A hospital based comparative study was conducted involving 40 adult patients with psoriasis and 40 age- and sex-matched controls. All participants were evaluated for components of MS. Both groups included 31 males and 9 females. The mean age of the cases and controls were 49.95 years and 49.35 years, respectively. Psoriasis patients with MS had a statistically significant higher mean age (56.31 ± 11.36 years) compared with those without MS (46.89 ± 11.51 years). MS was present in 13 out of 40 (32.5%) patients with psoriasis and 12 out of 40 (30%) controls; this difference was not statistically significant. Higher age and female gender correlated with the presence of MS in psoriasis patients. The presence of MS in psoriasis patients was statistically independent of psoriasis area severity index score, body surface area involvement or psoriatic arthropathy. Our results suggest that there is no close correlation between psoriasis and MS in South Indian patients.

  15. Influence of autoantibodies against AT1 receptor and AGTR1 polymorphisms on candesartan-based antihypertensive regimen: results from the study of optimal treatment in hypertensive patients with anti-AT1-receptor autoantibodies trial.

    PubMed

    Sun, Yanxiang; Liao, Yuhua; Yuan, Yong; Feng, Li; Ma, Shihui; Wei, Feng; Wang, Min; Zhu, Feng

    2014-01-01

    The autoantibodies against angiotensin AT1 receptors (AT1-AAs) in patients with essential hypertension exhibited an agonistic action like angiotensin II and maintained high blood pressure (BP). Angiotensin II receptor gene (AGTR1) polymorphisms were associated with BP response to RAS inhibition in the hypertensive population. Furthermore, the BP response to AT1 receptor blockers varied significantly among individuals with hypertension. We hypothesized that the polymorphisms of the AGTR1 and AT1-AAs might affect antihypertensive response to AT1 receptor blockers based in patients with primary hypertension. Patients who received a candesartan-based regimen came from the SOT-AT1 study (Study of Optimal Treatment in Hypertensive Patients with Anti-AT1-Receptor Autoantibodies). The established enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay was used to detect AT1-AAs in the sera of the patients. Genotype 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms in AGTR1 gene was used by DNA sequencing. The correlations among AT1-AAs, AGTR1 gene polymorphisms or haplotypes, and the antihypertensive effect candesartan-based were analyzed using SPSS. The percentage of systolic BP reduction that was candesartan-based was greater in AT1-AA positive groups than in AT1-AA negative ones (21 ± 8 vs. 18 ± 9; P = .001). Meanwhile, systolic BP reduction that was candesartan-based was more significant in the group of rs5186 AC genotypes than AA homozygotes after adjusting for other confounding factors (37.55 ± 13.7 vs. 32.47 ± 17.27 mm Hg; adjusted P = .028). Furthermore, haplotypes (GCC) and (AAC) had impacts on the antihypertensive effect of candesartan therapy. The AT1-AAs, AGTR1 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes solely or jointly have influences on candesartan-based antihypertensive response in patients with primary hypertension. Copyright © 2014 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Heavy metals resistant plasmid-mediated utilization of solar by Pseudomonas aeruginosa AA301.

    PubMed

    Abo-Amer, Aly E; Mohamed, Rehab M

    2006-01-01

    Solar-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, were isolated from Egyptian soil by Mineral Salt Medium (MSM) supplemented with Solar (motor fuel) from different oil-contaminated sites in Sohag province. The strain AA301 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed appreciable growth in MSM medium containing high concentrations of Solar ranging from 0.5 to 3% (v/v), with optimum concentration at 1.5%. Solar was used as a sole carbon source and a source of energy by the bacterium. The ability to degrade Solar was found to be associated with a single 60-kb plasmid designated pSOL15. The plasmid-cured variant, which was obtained by culturing in LB broth with kanamycin, lost the plasmid indicative the ability to degrade Solar must depend on this plasmid. The wild type isolate, Pseudomonas aeruginosa AA301 and transformant strain, have maximum growth (OD600 = approximately 2) on Solar, however the plasmid-cured variant did not have any significant growth on Solar. Moreover, resistance to a wide range of heavy metals such as Mn2+, Hg2+, Mg2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ was also 60-kb plasmid-mediated. Therefore, the strain AA301 could be good candidate for remediation of some heavy metals and oil hydrocarbons in heavily polluted sites.

  17. Characterization of the Activity Spectrum of MON 88702 and the Plant-Incorporated Protectant Cry51Aa2.834_16

    PubMed Central

    Ahmad, Aqeel; Ahrens, Jeffrey E.; Akbar, Waseem; Baum, James A.; Brown, Scott; Clark, Thomas L.; Fridley, Jennifer M.; Gowda, Anilkumar; Greenplate, John T.; Jensen, Peter D.; Mueller, Geoffrey M.; Odegaard, Matthew L.; Tan, Jianguo; Uffman, Joshua P.; Levine, Steven L.

    2017-01-01

    The spectrum of insecticidal activity of Cry51Aa2.834_16 protein targeting hemipteran and thysanopteran insect pests in cotton was characterized by selecting and screening multiple pest and non-pest species, based on representation of ecological functional groups, taxonomic relatedness (e.g. relationship to species where activity was observed), and availability for effective testing. Seven invertebrate orders, comprising 12 families and 17 representative species were screened for susceptibility to Cry51Aa2.834_16 protein and/or the ability of the protein to protect against feeding damage in laboratory, controlled environments (e.g. greenhouse/growth chamber), and/or field studies when present in cotton plants. The screening results presented for Cry51Aa2.834_16 demonstrate selective and limited activity within three insect orders. Other than Orius insidiosus, no activity was observed for Cry51Aa2.834_16 against several groups of arthropods that perform key ecological roles in some agricultural ecosystems (e.g. pollinators, decomposers, and natural enemies). PMID:28072875

  18. Glycaemic control and implementation of the ADA/EASD-2006 consensus algorithm in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in primary care in Spain.

    PubMed

    Alvarez-Guisasola, F

    2014-01-01

    In 2006, the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes established a consensus algorithm (ADA/EASD-2006) for the adjustment of drug therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To study glycaemic control in T2DM patients and the implementation of the ADA/EASD-2006 recommendations in primary care centres in Spain. Prospective observational study in 1194 patients with T2DM conducted in 250 primary care centres in Spain. Patients were assessed at study inclusion (V0) and at 3 (V1) and 6 months (V2) post baseline. Information was collected at the level of DM control, HbA(1c) < 7% (HbC) and implementation of the ADA/EASD-2006 guidelines. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (53% women; mean age 64.9 years) had a mean (SD) HbA(1c) 7.8 (1.4)% and HbC 25.2% at baseline, 95% of them were receiving oral antihyperglycaemic agents (AAs) only. At V1, HbA(1c) was 7.3 (1.1)% and HbC was 38.1%; 65.0% of patients were receiving oral AAs, 5.6% insulin and 27.9% oral AAs plus insulin. At V2, HbA(1c) was 7.1 (0.9)% and HbC was 48.0%; 57.1% of patients were receiving oral AAs, 5.0% insulin and 36.9% oral AAs plus insulin. The ADA/EASD-2006 algorithm was adhered to in 33% patients up to study month 3, vs. 17.2% throughout the entire 6-month period. In patients with T2DM seen in primary care, the HbA1c target was met in 48.0% after adjusting their AAs. However, this is not reflected in greater implementation of the ADA/EASD-2006 guidelines, which are adhered to in only 17%. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  19. Association with leptin gene C.-2548 G>A polymorphism, serum leptin levels, and body mass index in Turkish obese patients.

    PubMed

    Sahin, Deniz Say; Tumer, Cemil; Demir, Cemil; Celik, M Murat; Celik, Mustafa; Ucar, Edip; Gunesacar, Ramazan

    2013-03-01

    Leptin is a protein hormone which plays a critical role in the regulation of both body-weight through reducing food intake and stimulating energy expenditure. Several polymorphisms in leptin gene (LEP), which encodes for leptin, have been described. However, its association with obesity is still controversial. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate whether LEP c.-2548 G>A polymorphism was associated with serum leptin levels, lipid parameters, and body mass index in Turkish obese patients. Forty-seven obese patients and 48 healthy individuals were included in the study. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction. LEP c.-2548 G>A polymorphism were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Serum leptin levels and lipid parameters were measured by ELISA and enzyme colorimetric assay techniques, respectively. GA or AA genotypes and A allele carrier frequencies of the c.-2548 G>A polymorphism in the LEP were higher in obese (38.3, 34.0 and 72.3 %) when compared with controls (14.6, 12.5, and 27.1 %; p = 0.011, 0.016, and 0.002, respectively). On the other hand, AA or AG genotypes were also related to increased serum leptin levels (p < 0.001) and body mass index (p < 0.0001). All these consequences showed that LEP -2548 AA or AG genotypes are important predictors for increased levels of leptin and BMI in Turkish obese patients and it may be a useful marker for obesity risk in our population.

  20. What Astronomers and the AAS Need to be Doing to Curb Light Pollution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Green, D. W. E.

    2001-12-01

    Astronomers and especially the AAS are doing apalling little in the war on light pollution. This is quite surprising, considering that optical groundbased astronomy may become nearly extinct in the 21st century if we don't get more serious about the loss of our night skies to artificial lighting. Part of the blame must be placed on astronomers throughout the 20th century (particularly before 1980), as very few of them seem to have set an example by starting an early crusade against bad outdoor night lighting (save for a handful of important individuals near large U.S. observatories, and a few connected with smaller observatories); this apathy of earlier generations of astronomers fueled the current general apathy within the AAS and aided the opening of the floodgates in terms of the disastrous lighting situation now upon us in terms of drowning out the night sky. There are possible solutions, and they need to be discussed and acted upon quickly. For example, the AAS should require that all members include a useful amount (say, \\$30) in annual membership fees to be directly transmitted to the International Dark Sky Association, and the AAS should make constant visible strides to educate the public and government officials of the absolute need to reduce outdoor lighting levels and to fully shield all outdoor lighting. There are many other areas of research into outdoor lighting that the AAS should fund or officially/strongly support, so that the astronomical community can better be educated (and can better educate the public) on the evils of bad and thoughtless outdoor-lighting practices; such research includes developing a comprehensive database of national statistics on numbers and types of different outdoor lamps, as a function of time (thus, historical), and also a comprehensive database including all local, state, and federal lighting laws and ordinances together with legal court cases (and their outcomes) involving outdoor night lighting. And professional