Sample records for facilitates base excision

  1. Base Excision Repair Facilitates a Functional Relationship Between Guanine Oxidation and Histone Demethylation

    PubMed Central

    Li, Jianfeng; Braganza, Andrea

    2013-01-01

    Abstract Significance: Appropriately controlled epigenetic regulation is critical for the normal development and health of an organism. Misregulation of epigenetic control via deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation or histone methylation has been associated with cancer and chromosomal instability syndromes. Recent Advances: The main function of the proteins in the base excision repair (BER) pathway is to repair DNA single-strand breaks and deamination, oxidation, and alkylation-induced DNA base damage that may result from chemotherapy, environmental exposure, or byproducts of cellular metabolism. Recent studies have suggested that one or more BER proteins may also participate in epigenetic regulation to facilitate gene expression modulation via alteration of the state of DNA methylation or via a reaction coupled to histone modification. BER proteins have also been reported to play an essential role in pluripotent stem cell reprogramming. Critical Issues: One emerging function for BER in epigenetic regulation is the repair of base lesions induced by hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) enzymatic activity (LSD1/LSD2-coupled BER) for transcriptional regulation. Future Directions: To shed light on this novel role of BER, this review focuses on the repair of oxidative lesions in nuclear DNA that are induced during LSD1-mediated histone demethylation. Further, we highlight current studies suggesting a role for BER proteins in transcriptional regulation of gene expression via BER-coupled active DNA demethylation in mammalian cells. Such efforts to address the role of BER proteins in epigenetic regulation could broaden cancer therapeutic strategies to include epigenetic modifiers combined with BER inhibitors. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 18, 2429–2443. PMID:23311711

  2. Alar base reduction: the boomerang-shaped excision.

    PubMed

    Foda, Hossam M T

    2011-04-01

    A boomerang-shaped alar base excision is described to narrow the nasal base and correct the excessive alar flare. The boomerang excision combined the external alar wedge resection with an internal vestibular floor excision. The internal excision was inclined 30 to 45 degrees laterally to form the inner limb of the boomerang. The study included 46 patients presenting with wide nasal base and excessive alar flaring. All cases were followed for a mean period of 18 months (range, 8 to 36 months). The laterally oriented vestibular floor excision allowed for maximum preservation of the natural curvature of the alar rim where it meets the nostril floor and upon its closure resulted in a considerable medialization of alar lobule, which significantly reduced the amount of alar flare and the amount of external alar excision needed. This external alar excision measured, on average, 3.8 mm (range, 2 to 8 mm), which is significantly less than that needed when a standard vertical internal excision was used ( P < 0.0001). Such conservative external excisions eliminated the risk of obliterating the natural alar-facial crease, which did not occur in any of our cases. No cases of postoperative bleeding, infection, or vestibular stenosis were encountered. Keloid or hypertrophic scar formation was not encountered; however, dermabrasion of the scars was needed in three (6.5%) cases to eliminate apparent suture track marks. The boomerang alar base excision proved to be a safe and effective technique for narrowing the nasal base and elimination of the excessive flaring and resulted in a natural, well-proportioned nasal base with no obvious scarring. © Thieme Medical Publishers.

  3. Human cells contain a factor that facilitates the DNA glycosylase-mediated excision of oxidized bases from occluded sites in nucleosomes.

    PubMed

    Maher, R L; Marsden, C G; Averill, A M; Wallace, S S; Sweasy, J B; Pederson, D S

    2017-09-01

    Reactive oxygen species generate some 20,000 base lesions per human cell per day. The vast majority of these potentially mutagenic or cytotoxic lesions are subject to base excision repair (BER). Although chromatin remodelers have been shown to enhance the excision of oxidized bases from nucleosomes in vitro, it is not clear that they are recruited to and act at sites of BER in vivo. To test the hypothesis that cells possess factors that enhance BER in chromatin, we assessed the capacity of nuclear extracts from human cells to excise thymine glycol (Tg) lesions from exogenously added, model nucleosomes. The DNA glycosylase NTHL1 in these extracts was able to excise Tg from both naked DNA and sites in nucleosomes that earlier studies had shown to be sterically accessible. However, the same extracts were able to excise lesions from sterically-occluded sites in nucleosomes only after the addition of Mg 2+ /ATP. Gel mobility shift assays indicated that nucleosomes remain largely intact following the Mg 2+ /ATP -dependent excision reaction. Size exclusion chromatography indicated that the NTHL1-stimulating activity has a relatively low molecular weight, close to that of NTHL1 and other BER glycosylases; column fractions that contained the very large chromatin remodeling complexes did not exhibit this same stimulatory activity. These results indicate that cells possess a factor(s) that promotes the initiation of BER in chromatin, but differs from most known chromatin remodeling complexes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Base excision repair: a critical player in many games.

    PubMed

    Wallace, Susan S

    2014-07-01

    This perspective reviews the many dimensions of base excision repair from a 10,000 foot vantage point and provides one person's view on where the field is headed. Enzyme function is considered under the lens of X-ray diffraction and single molecule studies. Base excision repair in chromatin and telomeres, regulation of expression and the role of posttranslational modifications are also discussed in the context of enzyme activities, cellular localization and interacting partners. The specialized roles that base excision repair play in transcriptional activation by active demethylation and targeted oxidation as well as how base excision repair functions in the immune processes of somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination and its possible involvement in retroviral infection are also discussed. Finally the complexities of oxidative damage and its repair and its link to neurodegenerative disorders, as well as the role of base excision repair as a tumor suppressor are examined in the context of damage, repair and aging. By outlining the many base excision repair-related mysteries that have yet to be unraveled, hopefully this perspective will stimulate further interest in the field. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Base Excision Repair of Oxidative DNA Damage

    PubMed Central

    David, Sheila S.; O’Shea, Valerie L.; Kundu, Sucharita

    2010-01-01

    Base excision repair plays an important role in preventing mutations associated with the common product of oxidative damage, 8-oxoguanine. Recent structural studies have shown that 8-oxoguanine glycosylases use an intricate series of steps to efficiently search and locate 8-oxoguanine lesions within the multitude of undamaged bases. The importance of prevention of mutations associated with 8-oxoguanine has also been illustrated by direct connections between defects in the BER glycosylase MUTYH and colorectal cancer. In addition, the properties of other guanine oxidation products and the BER glycosylases that remove them are being uncovered. This work is providing surprising and intriguing new insights into the process of base excision repair. PMID:17581577

  6. Base Excision Repair

    PubMed Central

    Krokan, Hans E.; Bjørås, Magnar

    2013-01-01

    Base excision repair (BER) corrects DNA damage from oxidation, deamination and alkylation. Such base lesions cause little distortion to the DNA helix structure. BER is initiated by a DNA glycosylase that recognizes and removes the damaged base, leaving an abasic site that is further processed by short-patch repair or long-patch repair that largely uses different proteins to complete BER. At least 11 distinct mammalian DNA glycosylases are known, each recognizing a few related lesions, frequently with some overlap in specificities. Impressively, the damaged bases are rapidly identified in a vast excess of normal bases, without a supply of energy. BER protects against cancer, aging, and neurodegeneration and takes place both in nuclei and mitochondria. More recently, an important role of uracil-DNA glycosylase UNG2 in adaptive immunity was revealed. Furthermore, other DNA glycosylases may have important roles in epigenetics, thus expanding the repertoire of BER proteins. PMID:23545420

  7. [Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer - just a fashion trend?].

    PubMed

    Kala, Z; Skrovina, M; Procházka, V; Grolich, T; Klos, K

    2014-12-01

    Transanal total mesorectal excision performed using equipment for transanal minimally invasive surgery is an innovative surgical technique introduced to facilitate this procedure and to reach better oncosurgical outcomes in patients with low rectal cancer. This article presents a brief summary of guidelines for treatment of patients with low rectal carcinoma. Up-to-date information about the principles of this new method, its modifications and contemporary indications is presented. Based on their own experience and literature resources, the authors inform about the advantages, limitations and unresolved issues of minimally invasive transanal mesorectal excision.

  8. Pathogenicity Island Cross Talk Mediated by Recombination Directionality Factors Facilitates Excision from the Chromosome.

    PubMed

    Carpenter, Megan R; Rozovsky, Sharon; Boyd, E Fidelma

    2015-12-14

    Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are mobile integrated genetic elements (MIGEs) that contain a diverse range of virulence factors and are essential in the evolution of pathogenic bacteria. PAIs are widespread among bacteria and integrate into the host genome, commonly at a tRNA locus, via integrase-mediated site-specific recombination. The excision of PAIs is the first step in the horizontal transfer of these elements and is not well understood. In this study, we examined the role of recombination directionality factors (RDFs) and their relationship with integrases in the excision of two PAIs essential for Vibrio cholerae host colonization: Vibrio pathogenicity island 1 (VPI-1) and VPI-2. VPI-1 does not contain an RDF, which allowed us to answer the question of whether RDFs are an absolute requirement for excision. We found that an RDF was required for efficient excision of VPI-2 but not VPI-1 and that RDFs can induce excision of both islands. Expression data revealed that the RDFs act as transcriptional repressors to both VPI-1- and VPI-2-encoded integrases. We demonstrated that the RDFs Vibrio excision factor A (VefA) and VefB bind at the attachment sites (overlapping the int promoter region) of VPI-1 and VPI-2, thus supporting this mode of integrase repression. In addition, V. cholerae RDFs are promiscuous due to their dual functions of promoting excision of both VPI-1 and VPI-2 and acting as negative transcriptional regulators of the integrases. This is the first demonstration of cross talk between PAIs mediated via RDFs which reveals the complex interactions that occur between separately acquired MIGEs. Deciphering the mechanisms of pathogenicity island excision is necessary for understanding the evolution and spread of these elements to their nonpathogenic counterparts. Such mechanistic insight would assist in predicting the mobility of uncharacterized genetic elements. This study identified extensive RDF-mediated cross talk between two nonhomologous VPIs and

  9. Is excision biopsy of fibroadenomas based solely on size criteria warranted?

    PubMed

    Neville, Grace; Neill, Cathleen O'; Murphy, Rosemary; Corrigan, Mark; Redmond, Paul H; Feeley, Linda; Bennett, Michael W; O'Connell, Fionnuala; Browne, Tara Jane

    2018-05-25

    Fibroadenomas (FA) are the most common benign tumor in the female breast. Most are managed conservatively provided there is clinical, radiologic, and pathologic concordance. However, surgical excision is typically recommended for cellular fibroepithelial lesions or those lesions with clinical, radiologic, or pathologic features concerning for phyllodes tumor (PT). Some studies have suggested surgical excision in all FA >30 mm to reduce core needle biopsy (CNB) sampling errors. The aim of our study was to evaluate, in the absence of any other concerning clinicopathologic features, whether surgical excision of FA was warranted based on size criteria alone. Cork University Hospital is a large academic center in Southern Ireland. Its breast cancer center provides both a screening and symptomatic service and diagnoses approximately 600 cancers per year. The breast histopathological data base was reviewed for all CNBs from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015, with a diagnosis of FA that went on to have excision at our institution. We excluded all cellular fibroepithelial lesions and those cases with co-existent lobular neoplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive carcinoma, atypical ductal hyperplasia, or lesions which would require excision in their own right. Cases in which the radiologic targeted mass was discordant with a diagnosis of FA were also excluded. Patient demographics and preoperative radiologic size and the radiologic target were recorded in each case. All radiology was reviewed by a breast radiologist prior to inclusion in the study, and there was histologic radiologic concordance with a diagnosis of FA in all cases. A total of 12,109 consecutive radiologically guided CNB were performed January 2010-June 2015; 3438 with a diagnosis of FA were identified of which 290 cases went on to have surgical excision. Of those 290 cases; 98.28% (n = 285) were confirmed as FA on excision. The remaining 1.72% (n = 5) had atypical features-FA with LCIS (n = 1

  10. Selective base excision repair of DNA damage by the non-base-flipping DNA glycosylase AlkC

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

    Shi, Rongxin; Mullins, Elwood A.; Shen, Xing‐Xing

    DNA glycosylases preserve genome integrity and define the specificity of the base excision repair pathway for discreet, detrimental modifications, and thus, the mechanisms by which glycosylases locate DNA damage are of particular interest. Bacterial AlkC and AlkD are specific for cationic alkylated nucleobases and have a distinctive HEAT-like repeat (HLR) fold. AlkD uses a unique non-base-flipping mechanism that enables excision of bulky lesions more commonly associated with nucleotide excision repair. In contrast, AlkC has a much narrower specificity for small lesions, principally N3-methyladenine (3mA). Here, we describe how AlkC selects for and excises 3mA using a non-base-flipping strategy distinct frommore » that of AlkD. A crystal structure resembling a catalytic intermediate complex shows how AlkC uses unique HLR and immunoglobulin-like domains to induce a sharp kink in the DNA, exposing the damaged nucleobase to active site residues that project into the DNA. This active site can accommodate and excise N3-methylcytosine (3mC) and N1-methyladenine (1mA), which are also repaired by AlkB-catalyzed oxidative demethylation, providing a potential alternative mechanism for repair of these lesions in bacteria.« less

  11. Design and application of a new series of gallbladder endoscopes that facilitate gallstone removal without gallbladder excision

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qiao, Tie; Huang, Wan-Chao; Luo, Xiao-Bing; Zhang, Yang-De

    2012-01-01

    In recent years, some Chinese doctors have proposed a new concept, gallstone removal without gallbladder excision, along with transition of the medical model. As there is no specialized endoscope for gallstone removal without gallbladder excision, we designed and produced a new series of gallbladder endoscopes and accessories that have already been given a Chinese invention patent (No. ZL200810199041.2). The design of these gallbladder endoscopes was based on the anatomy and physiology of the gallbladder, characteristics of gallbladder disease, ergonomics, and industrial design. This series of gallbladder endoscopes underwent clinical trials in two hospitals appointed by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The clinical trials showed that surgeries of gallstones, gallbladder polyps, and cystic duct calculus could be smoothly performed with these products. In summary, this series of gallbladder endoscopes is safe, reliable, and effective for gallstone removal without gallbladder excision. This note comprehensively introduces the research and design of this series of gallbladder endoscopes.

  12. Alkylpurine glycosylase D employs DNA sculpting as a strategy to extrude and excise damaged bases.

    PubMed

    Kossmann, Bradley; Ivanov, Ivaylo

    2014-07-01

    Alkylpurine glycosylase D (AlkD) exhibits a unique base excision strategy. Instead of interacting directly with the lesion, the enzyme engages the non-lesion DNA strand. AlkD induces flipping of the alkylated and opposing base accompanied by DNA stack compression. Since this strategy leaves the alkylated base solvent exposed, the means to achieve enzymatic cleavage had remained unclear. We determined a minimum energy path for flipping out a 3-methyl adenine by AlkD and computed a potential of mean force along this path to delineate the energetics of base extrusion. We show that AlkD acts as a scaffold to stabilize three distinct DNA conformations, including the final extruded state. These states are almost equivalent in free energy and separated by low barriers. Thus, AlkD acts by sculpting the global DNA conformation to achieve lesion expulsion from DNA. N-glycosidic bond scission is then facilitated by a backbone phosphate group proximal to the alkylated base.

  13. The DNA glycosylase AlkD uses a non-base-flipping mechanism to excise bulky lesions

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

    Mullins, Elwood A.; Shi, Rongxin; Parsons, Zachary D.

    Threats to genomic integrity arising from DNA damage are mitigated by DNA glycosylases, which initiate the base excision repair pathway by locating and excising aberrant nucleobases. How these enzymes find small modifications within the genome is a current area of intensive research. A hallmark of these and other DNA repair enzymes is their use of base flipping to sequester modified nucleotides from the DNA helix and into an active site pocket. Consequently, base flipping is generally regarded as an essential aspect of lesion recognition and a necessary precursor to base excision. In this paper, we present the first, to ourmore » knowledge, DNA glycosylase mechanism that does not require base flipping for either binding or catalysis. Using the DNA glycosylase AlkD from Bacillus cereus, we crystallographically monitored excision of an alkylpurine substrate as a function of time, and reconstructed the steps along the reaction coordinate through structures representing substrate, intermediate and product complexes. Instead of directly interacting with the damaged nucleobase, AlkD recognizes aberrant base pairs through interactions with the phosphoribose backbone, while the lesion remains stacked in the DNA duplex. Quantum mechanical calculations revealed that these contacts include catalytic charge–dipole and CH–π interactions that preferentially stabilize the transition state. We show in vitro and in vivo how this unique means of recognition and catalysis enables AlkD to repair large adducts formed by yatakemycin, a member of the duocarmycin family of antimicrobial natural products exploited in bacterial warfare and chemotherapeutic trials. Bulky adducts of this or any type are not excised by DNA glycosylases that use a traditional base-flipping mechanism. Finally and hence, these findings represent a new model for DNA repair and provide insights into catalysis of base excision.« less

  14. The DNA glycosylase AlkD uses a non-base-flipping mechanism to excise bulky lesions

    DOE PAGES

    Mullins, Elwood A.; Shi, Rongxin; Parsons, Zachary D.; ...

    2015-10-28

    Threats to genomic integrity arising from DNA damage are mitigated by DNA glycosylases, which initiate the base excision repair pathway by locating and excising aberrant nucleobases. How these enzymes find small modifications within the genome is a current area of intensive research. A hallmark of these and other DNA repair enzymes is their use of base flipping to sequester modified nucleotides from the DNA helix and into an active site pocket. Consequently, base flipping is generally regarded as an essential aspect of lesion recognition and a necessary precursor to base excision. In this paper, we present the first, to ourmore » knowledge, DNA glycosylase mechanism that does not require base flipping for either binding or catalysis. Using the DNA glycosylase AlkD from Bacillus cereus, we crystallographically monitored excision of an alkylpurine substrate as a function of time, and reconstructed the steps along the reaction coordinate through structures representing substrate, intermediate and product complexes. Instead of directly interacting with the damaged nucleobase, AlkD recognizes aberrant base pairs through interactions with the phosphoribose backbone, while the lesion remains stacked in the DNA duplex. Quantum mechanical calculations revealed that these contacts include catalytic charge–dipole and CH–π interactions that preferentially stabilize the transition state. We show in vitro and in vivo how this unique means of recognition and catalysis enables AlkD to repair large adducts formed by yatakemycin, a member of the duocarmycin family of antimicrobial natural products exploited in bacterial warfare and chemotherapeutic trials. Bulky adducts of this or any type are not excised by DNA glycosylases that use a traditional base-flipping mechanism. Finally and hence, these findings represent a new model for DNA repair and provide insights into catalysis of base excision.« less

  15. Resistance to Nucleotide Excision Repair of Bulky Guanine Adducts Opposite Abasic Sites in DNA Duplexes and Relationships between Structure and Function

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Zhi; Ding, Shuang; Kropachev, Konstantin; Lei, Jia; Amin, Shantu; Broyde, Suse; Geacintov, Nicholas E.

    2015-01-01

    The nucleotide excision repair of certain bulky DNA lesions is abrogated in some specific non-canonical DNA base sequence contexts, while the removal of the same lesions by the nucleotide excision repair mechanism is efficient in duplexes in which all base pairs are complementary. Here we show that the nucleotide excision repair activity in human cell extracts is moderate-to-high in the case of two stereoisomeric DNA lesions derived from the pro-carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (cis- and trans-B[a]P-N 2-dG adducts) in a normal DNA duplex. By contrast, the nucleotide excision repair activity is completely abrogated when the canonical cytosine base opposite the B[a]P-dG adducts is replaced by an abasic site in duplex DNA. However, base excision repair of the abasic site persists. In order to understand the structural origins of these striking phenomena, we used NMR and molecular spectroscopy techniques to evaluate the conformational features of 11mer DNA duplexes containing these B[a]P-dG lesions opposite abasic sites. Our results show that in these duplexes containing the clustered lesions, both B[a]P-dG adducts adopt base-displaced intercalated conformations, with the B[a]P aromatic rings intercalated into the DNA helix. To explain the persistence of base excision repair in the face of the opposed bulky B[a]P ring system, molecular modeling results suggest how the APE1 base excision repair endonuclease, that excises abasic lesions, can bind productively even with the trans-B[a]P-dG positioned opposite the abasic site. We hypothesize that the nucleotide excision repair resistance is fostered by local B[a]P residue—DNA base stacking interactions at the abasic sites, that are facilitated by the absence of the cytosine partner base in the complementary strand. More broadly, this study sets the stage for elucidating the interplay between base excision and nucleotide excision repair in processing different types of clustered DNA lesions that are substrates of nucleotide

  16. A history of the DNA repair and mutagenesis field: The discovery of base excision repair.

    PubMed

    Friedberg, Errol C

    2016-01-01

    This article reviews the early history of the discovery of an DNA repair pathway designated as base excision repair (BER), since in contrast to the enzyme-catalyzed removal of damaged bases from DNA as nucleotides [called nucleotide excision repair (NER)], BER involves the removal of damaged or inappropriate bases, such as the presence of uracil instead of thymine, from DNA as free bases. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  17. Technique for laparoscopic autonomic nerve preserving total mesorectal excision.

    PubMed

    Breukink, S O; Pierie, J P E N; Hoff, C; Wiggers, T; Meijerink, W J H J

    2006-05-01

    With the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) for treatment of rectal cancer, the prognosis of patients with rectal cancer is improved. With this better prognosis, there is a growing awareness about the quality of life of patients after rectal carcinoma. Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME) for rectal cancer offers several advantages in comparison with open total mesorectal excision (OTME), including greater patient comfort and an earlier return to daily activities while preserving the oncologic radicality of the procedure. Moreover, laparoscopy allows good exposure of the pelvic cavity because of magnification and good illumination. The laparoscope seems to facilitate pelvic dissection including identification and preservation of critical structures such as the autonomic nervous system. The technique for laparoscopic autonomic nerve preserving total mesorectal excision is reported. A three- or four-port technique is used. Vascular ligation, sharp mesorectal dissection and identification and preservation of the autonomic pelvic nerves are described.

  18. DNA Excision Repair at Telomeres

    PubMed Central

    Jia, Pingping; Her, Chengtao; Chai, Weihang

    2015-01-01

    DNA damage is caused by either endogenous cellular metabolic processes such as hydrolysis, oxidation, alkylation, and DNA base mismatches, or exogenous sources including ultraviolet (UV) light, ionizing radiation, and chemical agents. Damaged DNA that is not properly repaired can lead to genomic instability, driving tumorigenesis. To protect genomic stability, mammalian cells have evolved highly conserved DNA repair mechanisms to remove and repair DNA lesions. Telomeres are composed of long tandem TTAGGG repeats located at the ends of chromosomes. Maintenance of functional telomeres is critical for preventing genome instability. The telomeric sequence possesses unique features that predispose telomeres to a variety of DNA damage induced by environmental genotoxins. This review briefly describes the relevance of excision repair pathways in telomere maintenance, with the focus on base excision repair (BER), nucleotide excision repair (NER), and mismatch repair (MMR). By summarizing current knowledge on excision repair of telomere damage and outlining many unanswered questions, it is our hope to stimulate further interest in a better understanding of excision repair processes at telomeres and in how these processes contribute to telomere maintenance. PMID:26422132

  19. Both base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair in humans are influenced by nutritional factors.

    PubMed

    Brevik, Asgeir; Karlsen, Anette; Azqueta, Amaya; Tirado, Anna Estaban; Blomhoff, Rune; Collins, Andrew

    2011-01-01

    Lack of reliable assays for DNA repair has largely prevented measurements of DNA repair from being included in human biomonitoring studies. Using newly developed modifications of the comet assay we tested whether a fruit- and antioxidant-rich plant-based intervention could affect base excision repair (BER) and nucleotide excision repair (NER) in a group of 102 male volunteers. BER and NER repair capacities were measured in lymphocytes before and after a dietary intervention lasting 8 weeks. The study had one control group, one group consuming three kiwifruits per day and one group consuming a variety of antioxidant-rich fruits and plant products in addition to their normal diet. DNA strand breaks were reduced following consumption of both kiwifruits (13%, p = 0.05) and antioxidant-rich plant products (20%, p = 0.02). Increased BER (55%, p = 0.01) and reduced NER (-39%, p < 0.01) were observed in the group consuming a wide variety of plant products. Reduced NER was also observed in the kiwifruit group (-38%, p = 0.05), but BER was not affected in this group. Here we have demonstrated that DNA repair is affected by diet and that modified versions of the comet assay can be used to assess activity of different DNA repair pathways in human biomonitoring studies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  20. Simple instruments facilitating achievement of transanal total mesorectal excision in male patients.

    PubMed

    Xu, Chang; Song, Hua-Yu; Han, Shao-Liang; Ni, Shi-Chang; Zhang, Hu-Xiang; Xing, Chun-Gen

    2017-08-21

    To assess the efficacy of a modified approach with transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) using simple customized instruments in male patients with low rectal cancer. A total of 115 male patients with low rectal cancer from December 2006 to August 2015 were retrospectively studied. All patients had a bulky tumor (tumor diameter ≥ 40 mm). Forty-one patients (group A) underwent a classical approach of transabdominal total mesorectal excision (TME) and transanal intersphincteric resection (ISR), and the other 74 patients (group B) underwent a modified approach with transabdominal TME, transanal ISR, and taTME. Some simple instruments including modified retractors and an anal dilator with a papilionaceous fixture were used to perform taTME. The operative time, quality of mesorectal excision, circumferential resection margin, local recurrence, and postoperative survival were evaluated. All 115 patients had successful sphincter preservation. The operative time in group B (240 min, range: 160-330 min) was significantly shorter than that in group A (280 min, range: 200-360 min; P = 0.000). Compared with group A, more complete distal mesorectum and total mesorectum were achieved in group B (100% vs 75.6%, P = 0.000; 90.5% vs 70.7%, P = 0.008, respectively). After 46.1 ± 25.6 mo follow-up, group B had a lower local recurrence rate and higher disease-free survival rate compared with group A, but these differences were not statistically significant (5.4% vs 14.6%, P = 0.093; 79.5% vs 65.1%, P = 0.130). Retrograde taTME with simple customized instruments can achieve high-quality TME, and it might be an effective and economical alternative for male patients with bulky tumors.

  1. Simple instruments facilitating achievement of transanal total mesorectal excision in male patients

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Chang; Song, Hua-Yu; Han, Shao-Liang; Ni, Shi-Chang; Zhang, Hu-Xiang; Xing, Chun-Gen

    2017-01-01

    AIM To assess the efficacy of a modified approach with transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) using simple customized instruments in male patients with low rectal cancer. METHODS A total of 115 male patients with low rectal cancer from December 2006 to August 2015 were retrospectively studied. All patients had a bulky tumor (tumor diameter ≥ 40 mm). Forty-one patients (group A) underwent a classical approach of transabdominal total mesorectal excision (TME) and transanal intersphincteric resection (ISR), and the other 74 patients (group B) underwent a modified approach with transabdominal TME, transanal ISR, and taTME. Some simple instruments including modified retractors and an anal dilator with a papilionaceous fixture were used to perform taTME. The operative time, quality of mesorectal excision, circumferential resection margin, local recurrence, and postoperative survival were evaluated. RESULTS All 115 patients had successful sphincter preservation. The operative time in group B (240 min, range: 160-330 min) was significantly shorter than that in group A (280 min, range: 200-360 min; P = 0.000). Compared with group A, more complete distal mesorectum and total mesorectum were achieved in group B (100% vs 75.6%, P = 0.000; 90.5% vs 70.7%, P = 0.008, respectively). After 46.1 ± 25.6 mo follow-up, group B had a lower local recurrence rate and higher disease-free survival rate compared with group A, but these differences were not statistically significant (5.4% vs 14.6%, P = 0.093; 79.5% vs 65.1%, P = 0.130). CONCLUSION Retrograde taTME with simple customized instruments can achieve high-quality TME, and it might be an effective and economical alternative for male patients with bulky tumors. PMID:28883706

  2. Base Excision Repair Variants in Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Marsden, Carolyn G.; Dragon, Julie A.; Wallace, Susan S.; Sweasy, Joann B.

    2018-01-01

    Base excision repair (BER) is a key genome maintenance pathway that removes endogenously damaged DNA bases that arise in cells at very high levels on a daily basis. Failure to remove these damaged DNA bases leads to increased levels of mutagenesis and chromosomal instability, which have the potential to drive carcinogenesis. Next Generation sequencing efforts of the germline and tumors genomes of thousands of individuals has uncovered many rare mutations in BER genes. Given that BER is critical for genome maintenance, it is important to determine whether BER genomic variants have functional phenotypes. In this chapter we present our in silico methods for the identification and prioritization of BER variants for further study. We also provide detailed instructions and commentary on the initial cellular assays we employ to dissect potentially important phenotypes of human BER variants and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of our approaches. BER variants possessing interesting functional phenotypes can then be studied in more detail to provide important mechanistic insights regarding the role of aberrant BER in carcinogenesis. PMID:28645367

  3. An Automated Energy Detection Algorithm Based on Kurtosis-Histogram Excision

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2018-01-01

    ARL-TR-8269 ● JAN 2018 US Army Research Laboratory An Automated Energy Detection Algorithm Based on Kurtosis-Histogram Excision...needed. Do not return it to the originator. ARL-TR-8269 ● JAN 2018 US Army Research Laboratory An Automated Energy Detection...collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources

  4. Awake craniotomy for excision of arteriovenous malformations? A qualitative comparison study with stereotactic radiosurgery.

    PubMed

    Chan, David Yuen Chung; Chan, Danny Tat Ming; Zhu, Cannon Xian Lun; Kan, Patricia Kwok Yee; Ng, Amelia Yikjin; Hsieh, Yi-Pin Sonia; Abrigo, Jill; Poon, Wai Sang; Wong, George Kwok Chu

    2018-05-01

    Treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) located at the eloquent area has been a challenge. Awake brain mapping allows identification of a non-eloquent gyrus for intervention and can potentially facilitate resection with preservation of functions. An alternative treatment option is stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The objective of this study was to perform a qualitative comparison of the treatment outcome of awake AVM excision versus SRS. We conducted a 13-year retrospective review of AVM excision under awake craniotomy performed at Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, from 2003 to 2016. Patients' presentation, Spetzler-Martin (SM) grading, rate of obliteration and complication were reviewed and analyzed with the modified radiosurgery-based AVM score (RS score). Six patients had excision of AVM under awake mapping during this period of time. Two were SM Grade II and four were SM Grade III. Five located at the peri-rolandic region while one at the temporal language area. None had failed mapping. Five out of six achieved complete obliteration (83.3%). Qualitative comparative analysis had revealed better treatment outcome with awake AVM excision as compared to SRS with the obliteration rate of 100% versus 96% for RS score ≤1.00, 100% versus 78% for RS score 1.01-1.50, and 66% versus 50% for RS score >2.00 respectively. In conclusion, awake mapping and excision of AVMs at the eloquent area is feasible. Qualitative comparative analysis had revealed higher obliteration rate with awake AVM excision as compared to SRS. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. A case series of anophthalmic socket cysts excised utilising fibrin sealant.

    PubMed

    Wong, Yun; Clarke, Lucy; Lau, Gordon

    2017-10-23

    Anophthalmic socket cysts are challenging to remove and incomplete excision has been shown to increase the risk of recurrence. This case series describes a novel technique utilising the fibrin sealant Tisseel (Baxter AG, Vienna, Austria) to retain the socket cyst integrity during surgical removal to facilitate its complete excision. Five patients were included and followed up for a minimum of 1 year, and there were no signs of recurrence in any of the cases. The surgical technique is described and illustrated. This technique is a safe way of simplifying challenging socket cyst surgery.

  6. EVIDENCE FOR BASE EXCISION REPAIR PROCESSING OF DNA INTERSTRAND CROSSLINKS

    PubMed Central

    Kothandapani, Anbarasi; Patrick, Steve M

    2013-01-01

    Many bifunctional alkylating agents and anticancer drugs exert their cytotoxicity by producing cross links between the two complementary strands of DNA, termed interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). This blocks the strand separating processes during DNA replication and transcription, which can lead to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Cells use multiple DNA repair systems to eliminate the ICLs. Concerted action of repair proteins involved in Nucleotide Excision Repair and Homologous Recombination pathways are suggested to play a key role in the ICL repair. However, recent studies indicate a possible role for Base Excision Repair (BER) in mediating the cytotoxicity of ICL inducing agents in mammalian cells. Elucidating the mechanism of BER mediated modulation of ICL repair would help in understanding the recognition and removal of ICLs and aid in the development of potential therapeutic agents. In this review, the influence of BER proteins on ICL DNA repair and the possible mechanisms of action are discussed. PMID:23219605

  7. Amplification of unscheduled DNA synthesis signal enables fluorescence-based single cell quantification of transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair

    PubMed Central

    Wienholz, Franziska; Vermeulen, Wim

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Nucleotide excision repair (NER) comprises two damage recognition pathways: global genome NER (GG-NER) and transcription-coupled NER (TC-NER), which remove a wide variety of helix-distorting lesions including UV-induced damage. During NER, a short stretch of single-stranded DNA containing damage is excised and the resulting gap is filled by DNA synthesis in a process called unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS). UDS is measured by quantifying the incorporation of nucleotide analogues into repair patches to provide a measure of NER activity. However, this assay is unable to quantitatively determine TC-NER activity due to the low contribution of TC-NER to the overall NER activity. Therefore, we developed a user-friendly, fluorescence-based single-cell assay to measure TC-NER activity. We combined the UDS assay with tyramide-based signal amplification to greatly increase the UDS signal, thereby allowing UDS to be quantified at low UV doses, as well as DNA-repair synthesis of other excision-based repair mechanisms such as base excision repair and mismatch repair. Importantly, we demonstrated that the amplified UDS is sufficiently sensitive to quantify TC-NER-derived repair synthesis in GG-NER-deficient cells. This assay is important as a diagnostic tool for NER-related disorders and as a research tool for obtaining new insights into the mechanism and regulation of excision repair. PMID:28088761

  8. Psoralen-induced DNA adducts are substrates for the base excision repair pathway in human cells

    PubMed Central

    Couvé-Privat, Sophie; Macé, Gaëtane; Saparbaev, Murat K.

    2007-01-01

    Interstrand cross-link (ICL) is a covalent modification of both strands of DNA, which prevents DNA strand separation during transcription and replication. Upon photoactivation 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP+UVA) alkylates both strands of DNA duplex at the 5,6-double bond of thymidines, generating monoadducts (MAs) and ICLs. It was thought that bulky DNA lesions such as MAs are eliminated only in the nucleotide excision repair pathway. Instead, non-bulky DNA lesions are substrates for DNA glycosylases and AP endonucleases which initiate the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Here we examined whether BER might be involved in the removal of psoralen–DNA photoadducts. The results show that in human cells DNA glycosylase NEIL1 excises the MAs in duplex DNA, subsequently the apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1, APE1, removes the 3′-phosphate residue at single-strand break generated by NEIL1. The apparent kinetic parameters suggest that NEIL1 excises MAs with high efficiency. Consistent with these results HeLa cells lacking APE1 and/or NEIL1 become hypersensitive to 8-MOP+UVA exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrate that bacterial homologues of NEIL1, the Fpg and Nei proteins, also excise MAs. New substrate specificity of the Fpg/Nei protein family provides an alternative repair pathway for ICLs and bulky DNA damage. PMID:17715144

  9. An Automated Energy Detection Algorithm Based on Consecutive Mean Excision

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2018-01-01

    present in the RF spectrum. 15. SUBJECT TERMS RF spectrum, detection threshold algorithm, consecutive mean excision, rank order filter , statistical...Median 4 3.1.9 Rank Order Filter (ROF) 4 3.1.10 Crest Factor (CF) 5 3.2 Statistical Summary 6 4. Algorithm 7 5. Conclusion 8 6. References 9...energy detection algorithm based on morphological filter processing with a semi- disk structure. Adelphi (MD): Army Research Laboratory (US); 2018 Jan

  10. Updated evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of melanoma: definitive excision margins for primary cutaneous melanoma.

    PubMed

    Sladden, Michael J; Nieweg, Omgo E; Howle, Julie; Coventry, Brendon J; Thompson, John F

    2018-02-19

    Definitive management of primary cutaneous melanoma consists of surgical excision of the melanoma with the aim of curing the patient. The melanoma is widely excised together with a safety margin of surrounding skin and subcutaneous tissue, after the diagnosis and Breslow thickness have been established by histological assessment of the initial excision biopsy specimen. Sentinel lymph node biopsy should be discussed for melanomas ≥ 1 mm thickness (≥ 0.8 mm if other high risk features) in which case lymphoscintigraphy must be performed before wider excision of the primary melanoma site. The 2008 evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the management of melanoma (http://www.cancer.org.au/content/pdf/HealthProfessionals/ClinicalGuidelines/ClinicalPracticeGuidelines-ManagementofMelanoma.pdf) are currently being revised and updated in a staged process by a multidisciplinary working party established by Cancer Council Australia. The guidelines for definitive excision margins for primary melanomas have been revised as part of this process. Main recommendations: The recommendations for definitive wide local excision of primary cutaneous melanoma are: melanoma in situ: 5-10 mm margins invasive melanoma (pT1) ≤ 1.0 mm thick: 1 cm margins invasive melanoma (pT2) 1.01-2.00 mm thick: 1-2 cm margins invasive melanoma (pT3) 2.01-4.00 mm thick: 1-2 cm margins invasive melanoma (pT4) > 4.0 mm thick: 2 cm margins Changes in management as a result of the guideline: Based on currently available evidence, excision margins for invasive melanoma have been left unchanged compared with the 2008 guidelines. However, melanoma in situ should be excised with 5-10 mm margins, with the aim of achieving complete histological clearance. Minimum clearances from all margins should be assessed and stated. Consideration should be given to further excision if necessary; positive or close histological margins are unacceptable.

  11. Cigarette Excise Taxes in Context: Cautionary Lessons from the U.S. Experience.

    PubMed

    Campbell, Richard B; Balbach, Edith D

    2015-01-01

    Cigarette excise taxes are an important tool in the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control strategy for reducing global tobacco consumption. However, contemporary tobacco control efforts also coincide with the proliferation of neoliberal economic programs calling for the withdrawal of state activity from the economy to facilitate trade. In this environment, cigarette excise taxes may be seen less as an instrument of tobacco control than a feature of an economic program that is punitive to lower-income people. This article reviews collaboration between progressive organizations in the United States and the tobacco industry in the 1980s and 1990s, documenting potential sources of unanticipated resistance to excise taxes and highlighting the tobacco industry's capacity to engage in policy issues through third-party surrogates. It is important for those implementing cigarette excise tax increases to distance tobacco control objectives from larger economic policy measures and for tobacco control advocates to build alliances with organizations working for economic fairness in order to address mutual concerns. © SAGE Publications 2015.

  12. Surgical planning and manual image fusion based on 3D model facilitate laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for intrarenal tumors.

    PubMed

    Chen, Yuanbo; Li, Hulin; Wu, Dingtao; Bi, Keming; Liu, Chunxiao

    2014-12-01

    Construction of three-dimensional (3D) model of renal tumor facilitated surgical planning and imaging guidance of manual image fusion in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for intrarenal tumors. Fifteen patients with intrarenal tumors underwent LPN between January and December 2012. Computed tomography-based reconstruction of the 3D models of renal tumors was performed using Mimics 12.1 software. Surgical planning was performed through morphometry and multi-angle visual views of the tumor model. Two-step manual image fusion superimposed 3D model images onto 2D laparoscopic images. The image fusion was verified by intraoperative ultrasound. Imaging-guided laparoscopic hilar clamping and tumor excision was performed. Manual fusion time, patient demographics, surgical details, and postoperative treatment parameters were analyzed. The reconstructed 3D tumor models accurately represented the patient's physiological anatomical landmarks. The surgical planning markers were marked successfully. Manual image fusion was flexible and feasible with fusion time of 6 min (5-7 min). All surgeries were completed laparoscopically. The median tumor excision time was 5.4 min (3.5-10 min), whereas the median warm ischemia time was 25.5 min (16-32 min). Twelve patients (80 %) demonstrated renal cell carcinoma on final pathology, and all surgical margins were negative. No tumor recurrence was detected after a media follow-up of 1 year (3-15 months). The surgical planning and two-step manual image fusion based on 3D model of renal tumor facilitated visible-imaging-guided tumor resection with negative margin in LPN for intrarenal tumor. It is promising and moves us one step closer to imaging-guided surgery.

  13. Nucleosomes Suppress the Formation of Double-strand DNA Breaks during Attempted Base Excision Repair of Clustered Oxidative Damages*

    PubMed Central

    Cannan, Wendy J.; Tsang, Betty P.; Wallace, Susan S.; Pederson, David S.

    2014-01-01

    Exposure to ionizing radiation can produce multiple, clustered oxidative lesions in DNA. The near simultaneous excision of nearby lesions in opposing DNA strands by the base excision repair (BER) enzymes can produce double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). This attempted BER accounts for many of the potentially lethal or mutagenic DSBs that occur in vivo. To assess the impact of nucleosomes on the frequency and pattern of BER-dependent DSB formation, we incubated nucleosomes containing oxidative damages in opposing DNA strands with selected DNA glycosylases and human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1. Overall, nucleosomes substantially suppressed DSB formation. However, the degree of suppression varied as a function of (i) the lesion type and DNA glycosylase tested, (ii) local sequence context and the stagger between opposing strand lesions, (iii) the helical orientation of oxidative lesions relative to the underlying histone octamer, and (iv) the distance between the lesion cluster and the nucleosome edge. In some instances the binding of a BER factor to one nucleosomal lesion appeared to facilitate binding to the opposing strand lesion. DSB formation did not invariably lead to nucleosome dissolution, and in some cases, free DNA ends resulting from DSB formation remained associated with the histone octamer. These observations explain how specific structural and dynamic properties of nucleosomes contribute to the suppression of BER-generated DSBs. These studies also suggest that most BER-generated DSBs will occur in linker DNA and in genomic regions associated with elevated rates of nucleosome turnover or remodeling. PMID:24891506

  14. Repair of DNA-polypeptide crosslinks by human excision nuclease

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reardon, Joyce T.; Sancar, Aziz

    2006-03-01

    DNA-protein crosslinks are relatively common DNA lesions that form during the physiological processing of DNA by replication and recombination proteins, by side reactions of base excision repair enzymes, and by cellular exposure to bifunctional DNA-damaging agents such as platinum compounds. The mechanism by which pathological DNA-protein crosslinks are repaired in humans is not known. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of recognition and repair of protein-DNA and oligopeptide-DNA crosslinks by the human excision nuclease. Under our assay conditions, the human nucleotide excision repair system did not remove a 16-kDa protein crosslinked to DNA at a detectable level. However, 4- and 12-aa-long oligopeptides crosslinked to the DNA backbone were recognized by some of the damage recognition factors of the human excision nuclease with moderate selectivity and were excised from DNA at relatively efficient rates. Our data suggest that, if coupled with proteolytic degradation of the crosslinked protein, the human excision nuclease may be the major enzyme system for eliminating protein-DNA crosslinks from the genome. damage recognition | nucleotide excision repair

  15. Arthroscopic excision of ganglion cysts.

    PubMed

    Bontempo, Nicholas A; Weiss, Arnold-Peter C

    2014-02-01

    Arthroscopy is an advancing field in orthopedics, the applications of which have been expanding over time. Traditionally, excision of ganglion cysts has been done in an open fashion. However, more recently, studies show outcomes following arthroscopic excision to be as good as open excision. Cosmetically, the incisions are smaller and heal faster following arthroscopy. In addition, there is the suggested benefit that patients will regain function and return to work faster following arthroscopic excision. More prospective studies comparing open and arthroscopic excision of ganglion cysts need to be done in order to delineate if there is a true functional benefit. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Nucleosomes suppress the formation of double-strand DNA breaks during attempted base excision repair of clustered oxidative damages.

    PubMed

    Cannan, Wendy J; Tsang, Betty P; Wallace, Susan S; Pederson, David S

    2014-07-18

    Exposure to ionizing radiation can produce multiple, clustered oxidative lesions in DNA. The near simultaneous excision of nearby lesions in opposing DNA strands by the base excision repair (BER) enzymes can produce double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). This attempted BER accounts for many of the potentially lethal or mutagenic DSBs that occur in vivo. To assess the impact of nucleosomes on the frequency and pattern of BER-dependent DSB formation, we incubated nucleosomes containing oxidative damages in opposing DNA strands with selected DNA glycosylases and human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1. Overall, nucleosomes substantially suppressed DSB formation. However, the degree of suppression varied as a function of (i) the lesion type and DNA glycosylase tested, (ii) local sequence context and the stagger between opposing strand lesions, (iii) the helical orientation of oxidative lesions relative to the underlying histone octamer, and (iv) the distance between the lesion cluster and the nucleosome edge. In some instances the binding of a BER factor to one nucleosomal lesion appeared to facilitate binding to the opposing strand lesion. DSB formation did not invariably lead to nucleosome dissolution, and in some cases, free DNA ends resulting from DSB formation remained associated with the histone octamer. These observations explain how specific structural and dynamic properties of nucleosomes contribute to the suppression of BER-generated DSBs. These studies also suggest that most BER-generated DSBs will occur in linker DNA and in genomic regions associated with elevated rates of nucleosome turnover or remodeling. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  17. Building alliances in unlikely places: progressive allies and the Tobacco Institute's coalition strategy on cigarette excise taxes.

    PubMed

    Campbell, Richard B; Balbach, Edith D

    2009-07-01

    The tobacco industry often utilizes third parties to advance its policy agenda. One such utilization occurred when the industry identified organized labor and progressive groups as potential allies whose advocacy could undermine public support for excise tax increases. To attract such collaboration, the industry framed the issue as one of tax fairness, creating a labor management committee to provide distance from tobacco companies and furthering progressive allies' interests through financial and logistical support. Internal industry documents indicate that this strategic use of ideas, institutions, and interests facilitated the recruitment of leading progressive organizations as allies. By placing excise taxes within a strategic policy nexus that promotes mutual public interest goals, public health advocates may use a similar strategy in forging their own excise tax coalitions.

  18. Building Alliances in Unlikely Places: Progressive Allies and the Tobacco Institute's Coalition Strategy on Cigarette Excise Taxes

    PubMed Central

    Balbach, Edith D.

    2009-01-01

    The tobacco industry often utilizes third parties to advance its policy agenda. One such utilization occurred when the industry identified organized labor and progressive groups as potential allies whose advocacy could undermine public support for excise tax increases. To attract such collaboration, the industry framed the issue as one of tax fairness, creating a labor management committee to provide distance from tobacco companies and furthering progressive allies' interests through financial and logistical support. Internal industry documents indicate that this strategic use of ideas, institutions, and interests facilitated the recruitment of leading progressive organizations as allies. By placing excise taxes within a strategic policy nexus that promotes mutual public interest goals, public health advocates may use a similar strategy in forging their own excise tax coalitions. PMID:19443832

  19. Comparison of Three Surgical Methods in Treatment of Patients with Pilonidal Sinus: Modified Excision and Repair/Wide Excision/Wide Excision and Flap in RASOUL, OMID and SADR Hospitals( 2004-2007).

    PubMed

    Hosseini, Mostafa; Heidari, Afshin; Jafarnejad, Babak

    2013-10-01

    This study is a comparison between three methods that are frequently used for the surgical treatment of pilonidal disease all over the world: modified excision and repair, wide excision and secondary repair, and wide excision and flap. The first technique is done by our group for the first time, and has not been described previously in the literature. This is an interventional study performed at Omid, Sadr, and Rasoul Akram hospitals on patients who had undergone operation because of pilonidal sinus disease and met the inclusion criteria between 2004 and 2007. Exclusion criteria were (1) acute pilonidal sinus diseases, (2) history of pilonidal sinus surgery, (3) history of systemic diseases (DM, malignancy, etc.), and (4) pilonidal abscess. Essential information was extracted from complete medical archives. Any data not available in files or during follow-up visits (all patients supposed to be followed at least for 1 year) were gathered by a telephone interview. A total of 194 patients met the criteria and had complete archived files. Longer duration of hospital stay was found in the "wide excision and closing with flap" method comparing with two other methods (P < 0.05). Length of incapacity for work was not different between the "wide excision and modified repair" and "wide excision" (P > 0.5) methods, but longer for "wide excision and flap" in comparison with two others (P < 0.05). Healing time was significantly longer in the "wide excision" method in comparison with two other methods (P < 0.05). However, "wide excision and modified repair" method had the least healing time between all above techniques, except for length of leaving the office. All the three recurrences (1.5 %) occurred in the wide excision and flap method (P < 0.05). The frequency of postoperative complications was 2 (3.3 %) in wide excision and modified repair, 15 (18.5 %) in wide excision, and 17 (32.7 %) in wide excision and flap closure; these differences in

  20. Erosion of State Alcohol Excise Taxes in the United States.

    PubMed

    Naimi, Timothy S; Blanchette, Jason G; Xuan, Ziming; Chaloupka, Francis J

    2018-01-01

    In the United States, excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for 88,000 deaths annually and cost $249 billion, or $2.05 per drink, in 2010. Specific excise taxes, the predominant form of alcohol taxation in the United States, are based on the volume of alcohol sold rather than a percentage of price and can thus degrade over time because of inflation. The objective of this study was to describe changes in inflation-adjusted state alcohol excise taxes on a beverage-specific basis. State-level data on specific excise taxes were obtained from the Alcohol Policy Information System and the Tax Foundation. Excise tax rates were converted into the tax per standard U.S. drink (14 g of ethanol) for beer, wine, and distilled spirits, and converted into 2015 dollars using annual Consumer Price Index data. Across U.S. states, the average state alcohol excise tax per drink in 2015 was $0.03 for beer, $0.05 for distilled spirits, and $0.03 for wine. From 1991 to 2015, the average inflation-adjusted (in 2015 dollars) state alcohol excise tax rate declined 30% for beer, 32% for distilled spirits, and 27% for wine. Percentage declines in state excise taxes since their inception were more than twice as large as those from 1991 to 2015. In 2015, average state specific excise taxes were $0.05 or less per standard drink across all beverage types and have experienced substantial inflation-adjusted declines.

  1. Esrrb-Cre Excises loxP-Flanked Alleles in Early Four-Cell Embryos

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Suyeon; Shaffer, Benjamin; Simerly, Calvin R.; Richard Chaillet, J.; Barak, Yaacov

    2015-01-01

    Among transgenic mice with ubiquitous Cre recombinase activity, all strains to date excise loxP-flanked (floxed) alleles, either at or before the zygote stage or at nondescript stages of development. This manuscript describes a new mouse strain, in which Cre recombinase, integrated into the Esrrb locus, efficiently excises floxed alleles in pre-implantation embryos at the onset of the four-cell stage. By enabling inactivation of genes only after the embryo has undergone two cleavages, this strain should facilitate in vivo studies of genes with essential gametic or zygotic functions. In addition, this study describes a new, highly pluripotent hybrid C57BL/6J × 129S1/SvImJ mouse embryonic stem cell line, HYB12, in which this knock-in and additional targeted alleles have been generated. PMID:26663459

  2. Base excision repair, the redox environment and therapeutic implications.

    PubMed

    Storr, S J; Woolston, C M; Martin, S G

    2012-01-01

    Control of redox homeostasis is crucial for a number of cellular processes with deregulation leading to a number of serious consequences including oxidative damage such induction of DNA base lesions. The DNA lesions caused by oxidative damage are principally repaired by the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of BER is becoming an increasingly active area of research with the emergence of PARP inhibitors in cancer therapy. The redox status of the cell is modulated by a number of systems, including a large number of anti-oxidant enzymes who function in the control of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, and ultimately in the release of the damaging hydroxyl radical. Here we provide an overview of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and its modulation by antioxidant enzymes. The review also discusses the effect of ROS on the BER pathway, particularly in relation to cancer. Finally, as the modulation of the redox environment is of interest in cancer therapy, with certain agents having the potential to reverse chemo- and radiotherapy resistance or treat therapy related toxicity, we discuss redox modulating agents currently under development.

  3. Oxidatively-induced DNA damage and base excision repair in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder.

    PubMed

    Ceylan, Deniz; Tuna, Gamze; Kirkali, Güldal; Tunca, Zeliha; Can, Güneş; Arat, Hidayet Ece; Kant, Melis; Dizdaroglu, Miral; Özerdem, Ayşegül

    2018-05-01

    Oxidatively-induced DNA damage has previously been associated with bipolar disorder. More recently, impairments in DNA repair mechanisms have also been reported. We aimed to investigate oxidatively-induced DNA lesions and expression of DNA glycosylases involved in base excision repair in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder compared to healthy individuals. DNA base lesions including both base and nucleoside modifications were measured using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with isotope-dilution in DNA samples isolated from leukocytes of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (n = 32) and healthy individuals (n = 51). The expression of DNA repair enzymes OGG1 and NEIL1 were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The levels of malondialdehyde were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Seven DNA base lesions in DNA of leukocytes of patients and healthy individuals were identified and quantified. Three of them had significantly elevated levels in bipolar patients when compared to healthy individuals. No elevation of lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde was observed. The level of OGG1 expression was significantly reduced in bipolar patients compared to healthy individuals, whereas the two groups exhibited similar levels of NEIL1 expression. Our results suggest that oxidatively-induced DNA damage occurs and base excision repair capacity may be decreased in bipolar patients when compared to healthy individuals. Measurement of oxidatively-induced DNA base lesions and the expression of DNA repair enzymes may be of great importance for large scale basic research and clinical studies of bipolar disorder. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Excision of Sleeping Beauty transposons: parameters and applications to gene therapy

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Geyi; Aronovich, Elena L.; Cui, Zongbin; Whitley, Chester B.; Hackett, Perry B.

    2007-01-01

    A major problem in gene therapy is the determination of the rates at which gene transfer has occurred. Our work has focused on applications of the Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system as a non-viral vector for gene therapy. Excision of a transposon from a donor molecule and its integration into a cellular chromosome are catalyzed by SB transposase. In this study, we used a plasmid-based excision assay to study the excision step of transposition. We used the excision assay to evaluate the importance of various sequences that border the sites of excision inside and outside the transposon in order to determine the most active sequences for transposition from a donor plasmid. These findings together with our previous results in transposase binding to the terminal repeats suggest that the sequences in the transposon-junction of SB are involved in steps subsequent to DNA binding but before excision, and that they may have a role in transposase–transposon interaction. We found that SB transposons leave characteristically different footprints at excision sites in different cell types, suggesting that alternative repair machineries operate in concert with transposition. Most importantly, we found that the rates of excision correlate with the rates of transposition. We used this finding to assess transposition in livers of mice that were injected with the SB transposon and transposase. The excision assay appears to be a relatively quick and easy method to optimize protocols for delivery of genes in SB transposons to mammalian chromosomes in living animals. PMID:15133768

  5. Surgical excision of skin cancer: the importance of training.

    PubMed

    Salmon, P; Mortimer, N; Rademaker, M; Adams, L; Stanway, A; Hill, S

    2010-01-01

    Background Skin cancers are the most common malignancy in New Zealand and their treatment imparts a huge burden on the healthcare system both in terms of the cost of surgical intervention and in treatment delivery (estimates are in excess of NZ$33 million per annum for the year 2000). Currently in New Zealand, skin cancers are excised by dermatologists, general practitioners (GPs), GPs with a special interest in skin surgery (GPSIs) and specialist surgeons with diverse training backgrounds including ear, nose and throat, ophthalmic and general surgeons. To date there is scant literature evaluating complete excision rates following surgical treatment of skin cancer between these vocational groups. Objectives To review retrospectively pathology reports from all skin excisions sent to one private pathology laboratory over three consecutive months. The aim was to investigate the margins of excision and completeness of skin cancer surgery performed by each vocational group. Methods A retrospective analysis of skin pathology reports was undertaken for a 3-month period between April and June 2007. Raw data obtained from the pathology reports included diagnosis, completeness of excision, size of specimens, body site and vocational group of the medical practitioner performing the surgery. Results In total, 1532 lesions were excised: 432 benign and 1100 malignant. Six hundred and seven were from the head and neck. Dermatologists excised 276 lesions of which 93% were malignant, 55% were from the head and neck, and 0% were incompletely excised. GPs excised 633 lesions: 63% malignant, 30% head and neck, 23% incomplete excision of malignant lesions. GPSIs excised 368 lesions: 71% malignant, 35% head and neck, 21.5% incomplete malignant excision. Specialist surgeons excised 255 lesions: 72% malignant, 53% head and neck, 20% incomplete malignant excision. Conclusion GPs and GPSIs excised more benign lesions and had higher incomplete excision rates of skin cancer surgery than

  6. Facilitating Facilitators to Facilitate, in Problem or Enquiry Based Learning Sessions

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Coelho, Catherine

    2014-01-01

    Problem based learning (PBL) has been used in dental education over the past 20 years and uses a patient case scenario to stimulate learning in a small group setting, where a trained facilitator does not teach but guides the group to bring about deep contextualized learning, to be empathetic to each other and to encourage fair and equitable…

  7. Direct and indirect roles of RECQL4 in modulating base excision repair capacity

    PubMed Central

    Schurman, Shepherd H.; Hedayati, Mohammad; Wang, ZhengMing; Singh, Dharmendra K.; Speina, Elzbieta; Zhang, Yongqing; Becker, Kevin; Macris, Margaret; Sung, Patrick; Wilson, David M.; Croteau, Deborah L.; Bohr, Vilhelm A.

    2009-01-01

    RECQL4 is a human RecQ helicase which is mutated in approximately two-thirds of individuals with Rothmund–Thomson syndrome (RTS), a disease characterized at the cellular level by chromosomal instability. BLM and WRN are also human RecQ helicases, which are mutated in Bloom and Werner's syndrome, respectively, and associated with chromosomal instability as well as premature aging. Here we show that primary RTS and RECQL4 siRNA knockdown human fibroblasts accumulate more H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks than control cells, suggesting that RECQL4 may stimulate repair of H2O2-induced DNA damage. RTS primary fibroblasts also accumulate more XRCC1 foci than control cells in response to endogenous or induced oxidative stress and have a high basal level of endogenous formamidopyrimidines. In cells treated with H2O2, RECQL4 co-localizes with APE1, and FEN1, key participants in base excision repair. Biochemical experiments indicate that RECQL4 specifically stimulates the apurinic endonuclease activity of APE1, the DNA strand displacement activity of DNA polymerase β, and incision of a 1- or 10-nucleotide flap DNA substrate by Flap Endonuclease I. Additionally, RTS cells display an upregulation of BER pathway genes and fail to respond like normal cells to oxidative stress. The data herein support a model in which RECQL4 regulates both directly and indirectly base excision repair capacity. PMID:19567405

  8. Limited posterolateral surgical approach to the knee for excision of osteoid osteoma.

    PubMed

    Minkoff, J; Jaffe, L; Menendez, L

    1987-10-01

    An 18-year-old man suffered four years of undiagnosed knee pain until a CAT scan revealed an epiphyseal osteoid osteoma of the tibia located subchondrally, just medial to the proximal tibiofibular joint. A nidus in this location is not easily accessible, and its proximity to the joint surface raised concerns about damage to the tibial plateau. To facilitate excision of the tumor, cadaveric dissections were performed to develop a limited posterior approach to the proximal, lateral portion of the tibia. The CAT scan was used to calculate the precise dimensions of the tumor and its relation to the posterior tibial cortex and the proximal tibiofibular joint. With the use of the exposure developed in the laboratory and the calculations derived from the CAT scan, the tumor could be excised by removing a single block of bone 15 mm3. Intraoperative radiographs confirmed the presence of the nidus within the excised block of bone. This case report reaffirms the frequent difficulties and tardiness in diagnosing osteoid osteomas and the need to include these tumors in the differential diagnosis of knee pain and epiphyseal lesions. Before CAT scans were used, the working diagnoses were torn meniscus, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and bone hemangiomatosis.

  9. Mucosal excision and suturing for obesity and GERD.

    PubMed

    Légner, András; Tsuboi, Kazuto; Stadlhuber, Rudolf; Yano, Fumiaki; Halvax, Peter; Hunt, Brandon; Penka, Wayne; Filipi, Charles J

    2013-12-01

    Suture and staple-based endoluminal devices for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obesity have failed to demonstrate long-term efficacy. To demonstrate the feasibility of mucosal excision and full-thickness suture apposition of the excision beds to create sufficient scar tissue formation at the gastroesophageal junction for the intraluminal treatment of GERD or obesity. Survival animal experiments. Seven mongrel dogs. Interventions. Under general endotracheal anesthesia, a Barostat test was performed on 4 dogs. A mucosal excision device was introduced through the esophagus into the proximal stomach. Two to 4 mucosal excisions were performed on all dogs at or just below the gastroesophageal junction and the mucosal pieces were removed. After hemostasis, an intraluminal suturing instrument was introduced and either 2 or 4 sutures were placed through the excision beds to bring them into apposition. These were tied and the suture strands cut. All dogs were survived for 2 months. End-term endoscopies were performed, and a repeat Barostat procedure was performed on the animals undergoing an antireflux procedure. After euthanasia the stomachs were explanted, examined, photographed, and sectioned for histologic examination. All dogs survived without complication. In the 4 GERD dogs, the Barostat studies demonstrated a significant decrease in gastroesophageal junction compliance. In the 3 dogs undergoing the obesity procedure, the gastric outlet apposition to a 6-mm endoscope was satisfactory with full insufflation and the desired scarring was seen on histologic examination. It is possible to create adequate gastroesophageal junction scarring for the treatment of GERD and obesity. A clinical pilot study will be initiated.

  10. DIFFERENTIAL ROLE OF BASE EXCISION REPAIR PROTEINS IN MEDIATING CISPLATIN CYTOTOXICITY

    PubMed Central

    Sawant, Akshada; Floyd, Ashley M.; Dangeti, Mohan; Lei, Wen; Sobol, Robert W.; Patrick, Steve M.

    2017-01-01

    Interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are covalent lesions formed by cisplatin. The mechanism for the processing and removal of ICLs by DNA repair proteins involves nucleotide excision repair (NER), homologous recombination (HR) and fanconi anemia (FA) pathways. In this report, we monitored the processing of a flanking uracil adjacent to a cisplatin ICL by the proteins involved in the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Using a combination of extracts, purified proteins, inhibitors, functional assays and cell culture studies, we determined the specific BER proteins required for processing a DNA substrate with a uracil adjacent to a cisplatin ICL. Uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG) is the primary glycosylase responsible for the removal of uracils adjacent to cisplatin ICLs, whereas other uracil glycosylases can process uracils in the context of undamaged DNA. Repair of the uracil adjacent to cisplatin ICLs proceeds through the classical BER pathway, highlighting the importance of specific proteins in this redundant pathway. Removal of uracil is followed by the generation of an abasic site and subsequent cleavage by AP endonuclease 1 (APE1). Inhibition of either the repair or redox domain of APE1 gives rise to cisplatin resistance. Inhibition of the lyase domain of Polymerase β (Polβ) does not influence cisplatin cytotoxicity. In addition, lack of XRCC1 leads to increased DNA damage and results in increased cisplatin cytotoxicity. Our results indicate that BER activation at cisplatin ICLs influences crosslink repair and modulates cisplatin cytotoxicity via specific UNG, APE1 and Polβ polymerase functions. PMID:28110804

  11. Differential role of base excision repair proteins in mediating cisplatin cytotoxicity.

    PubMed

    Sawant, Akshada; Floyd, Ashley M; Dangeti, Mohan; Lei, Wen; Sobol, Robert W; Patrick, Steve M

    2017-03-01

    Interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are covalent lesions formed by cisplatin. The mechanism for the processing and removal of ICLs by DNA repair proteins involves nucleotide excision repair (NER), homologous recombination (HR) and fanconi anemia (FA) pathways. In this report, we monitored the processing of a flanking uracil adjacent to a cisplatin ICL by the proteins involved in the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Using a combination of extracts, purified proteins, inhibitors, functional assays and cell culture studies, we determined the specific BER proteins required for processing a DNA substrate with a uracil adjacent to a cisplatin ICL. Uracil DNA glycosylase (UNG) is the primary glycosylase responsible for the removal of uracils adjacent to cisplatin ICLs, whereas other uracil glycosylases can process uracils in the context of undamaged DNA. Repair of the uracil adjacent to cisplatin ICLs proceeds through the classical BER pathway, highlighting the importance of specific proteins in this redundant pathway. Removal of uracil is followed by the generation of an abasic site and subsequent cleavage by AP endonuclease 1 (APE1). Inhibition of either the repair or redox domain of APE1 gives rise to cisplatin resistance. Inhibition of the lyase domain of Polymerase β (Polβ) does not influence cisplatin cytotoxicity. In addition, lack of XRCC1 leads to increased DNA damage and results in increased cisplatin cytotoxicity. Our results indicate that BER activation at cisplatin ICLs influences crosslink repair and modulates cisplatin cytotoxicity via specific UNG, APE1 and Polβ polymerase functions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Familiarity facilitates feature-based face processing.

    PubMed

    Visconti di Oleggio Castello, Matteo; Wheeler, Kelsey G; Cipolli, Carlo; Gobbini, M Ida

    2017-01-01

    Recognition of personally familiar faces is remarkably efficient, effortless and robust. We asked if feature-based face processing facilitates detection of familiar faces by testing the effect of face inversion on a visual search task for familiar and unfamiliar faces. Because face inversion disrupts configural and holistic face processing, we hypothesized that inversion would diminish the familiarity advantage to the extent that it is mediated by such processing. Subjects detected personally familiar and stranger target faces in arrays of two, four, or six face images. Subjects showed significant facilitation of personally familiar face detection for both upright and inverted faces. The effect of familiarity on target absent trials, which involved only rejection of unfamiliar face distractors, suggests that familiarity facilitates rejection of unfamiliar distractors as well as detection of familiar targets. The preserved familiarity effect for inverted faces suggests that facilitation of face detection afforded by familiarity reflects mostly feature-based processes.

  13. Is surgical excision necessary for the treatment of Granulomatous lobular mastitis?

    PubMed

    Shin, Young Duck; Park, Sung Su; Song, Young Jin; Son, Seung-Myoung; Choi, Young Jin

    2017-07-24

    We aimed to investigate the role of surgical excision in treating granulomatous lobular mastitis. We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with granulomatous lobular mastitis treated from March 2008 to March 2014. We analyzed clinical features and therapeutic modalities and compared the patient outcomes based on treatment. During the study period, a total of 34 patients were diagnosed with granulomatous lobular mastitis and treated. Initial treatments included wide excision (18), oral steroids after incision and drainage (14), and antibiotic therapy (2). The patients receiving only antibiotic therapy showed no improvement after 1 month and wide excision was then performed. Wide excision resulted in nine case of delayed wound healing with fistula. These patients were treated with oral steroids for 1.5-5 months, with subsequent improvement. Overall, 11 out of 20 patients who had underwent wide excision showed improvement without additional treatment. Fourteen patients who had initially received oral steroids for 1 to 6 months (average, 2.8 months) after incision and drainage showed complete remission. During the median follow-up period with 45.5 months (range, 22-98 months), six patients (17.6%) experienced recurrence. Wide excision group experienced recurrence in five (25%) and steroid and drainage group experienced recurrence in one (7.1%). All six recurrences responded to additional steroid therapy for average 3.5 months. Most wide excision group left extensive breast scarring with deformation that was not in steroid and drainage group. Wide excision resulted high recurrence than steroid and drainage group and left extensive scarring. Steroid therapy with or without abscess drainage may be the first choice of treatment for majority cases with granulomatous lobular mastitis.

  14. Improvement of a yeast self-excising integrative vector by prevention of expression leakage of the intronated Cre recombinase gene during plasmid maintenance in Escherichia coli.

    PubMed

    Agaphonov, Michael O

    2017-12-01

    The use of plasmids possessing a regulatable gene coding for a site-specific recombinase together with its recognition sequences significantly facilitates genome manipulations since it allows self-excision of the portion of the genetic construct integrated into the host genome. Stable maintenance of such plasmids in Escherichia coli, which is used for plasmid preparation, requires prevention of recombinase synthesis in this host, which can be achieved by interrupting the recombinase gene with an intron. Based on this approach, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hansenula polymorpha self-excising vectors possessing intronated gene for Cre recombinase and its recognition sites (LoxP) were previously constructed. However, this work shows instability of the H. polymorpha vectors during plasmid maintenance in E. coli cells. This could be due to recombination between the loxP sites caused by residual expression of the cre gene. Prevention of translation reinitiation on an internal methionine codon completely solved this problem. A similar modification was made in a self-excising vector designed for S. cerevisiae. Apart from substantial improvement of yeast self-excising vectors, the obtained results also narrow down the essential part of Cre sequence. © FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  15. Direct inhibition of excision/synthesis DNA repair activities by cadmium: analysis on dedicated biochips.

    PubMed

    Candéias, S; Pons, B; Viau, M; Caillat, S; Sauvaigo, S

    2010-12-10

    The well established toxicity of cadmium and cadmium compounds results from their additive effects on several key cellular processes, including DNA repair. Mammalian cells have evolved several biochemical pathways to repair DNA lesions and maintain genomic integrity. By interfering with the homeostasis of redox metals and antioxidant systems, cadmium promotes the development of an intracellular environment that results in oxidative DNA damage which can be mutagenic if unrepaired. Small base lesions are recognised by specialized glycosylases and excised from the DNA molecule. The resulting abasic sites are incised, and the correct sequences restored by DNA polymerases using the opposite strands as template. Bulky lesions are recognised by a different set of proteins and excised from DNA as part of an oligonucleotide. As in base repair, the resulting gaps are filled by DNA polymerases using the opposite strands as template. Thus, these two repair pathways consist in excision of the lesion followed by DNA synthesis. In this study, we analysed in vitro the direct effects of cadmium exposure on the functionality of base and nucleotide DNA repair pathways. To this end, we used recently described dedicated microarrays that allow the parallel monitoring in cell extracts of the repair activities directed against several model base and/or nucleotide lesions. Both base and nucleotide excision/repair pathways are inhibited by CdCl₂, with different sensitivities. The inhibitory effects of cadmium affect mainly the recognition and excision stages of these processes. Furthermore, our data indicate that the repair activities directed against different damaged bases also exhibit distinct sensitivities, and the direct comparison of cadmium effects on the excision of uracile in different sequences even allows us to propose a hierarchy of cadmium sensibility within the glycosylases removing U from DNA. These results indicate that, in our experimental conditions, cadmium is a very

  16. Poly(ADP-ribose) Contributes to an Association between Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase-1 and Xeroderma Pigmentosum Complementation Group A in Nucleotide Excision Repair*

    PubMed Central

    King, Brenee S.; Cooper, Karen L.; Liu, Ke Jian; Hudson, Laurie G.

    2012-01-01

    Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) promotes the formation of UVR-induced, DNA helix distorting photolesions such as (6-4) pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Effective repair of such lesions by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway is required to prevent DNA mutations and chromosome aberrations. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a zinc finger protein with well documented involvement in base excision repair. PARP-1 is activated in response to DNA damage and catalyzes the formation of poly(ADP-ribose) subunits that assist in the assembly of DNA repair proteins at sites of damage. In this study, we present evidence for PARP-1 contributions to NER, extending the knowledge of PARP-1 function in DNA repair beyond the established role in base excision repair. Silencing the PARP-1 protein or inhibiting PARP activity leads to retention of UVR-induced photolesions. PARP activation following UVR exposure promotes association between PARP-1 and XPA, a central protein in NER. Administration of PARP inhibitors confirms that poly(ADP-ribose) facilitates PARP-1 association with XPA in whole cell extracts, in isolated chromatin complexes, and in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition of PARP activity decreases UVR-stimulated XPA chromatin association, illustrating that these relationships occur in a meaningful context for NER. These results provide a mechanistic link for PARP activity in the repair of UVR-induced photoproducts. PMID:23038248

  17. Endoscopic colloid cyst excision: surgical techniques and nuances.

    PubMed

    Azab, Waleed Abdelfattah; Najibullah, Mustafa; Yosef, Waleed

    2017-06-01

    Endoscopic excision of colloid cysts is currently well established as a minimally invasive and highly effective technique that is associated with less morbidity in comparison to microsurgical resection. Operative charts and videos of patients undergoing endoscopic colloid cyst excision were retrieved from the senior author's database of endoscopic procedures and reviewed. This revealed nine trans-foraminal and three trans-septal procedures. Description of the surgical techniques was then formulated. Variation of the technique is based on the specific patho-anatomical features of the colloid cyst being resected. For the trans-foraminal approach, we think that the rotational technique is associated with a more complete removal of the cyst wall and consequently lower recurrence rate.

  18. Oxidized nucleotide insertion by pol β confounds ligation during base excision repair

    PubMed Central

    Çağlayan, Melike; Horton, Julie K.; Dai, Da-Peng; Stefanick, Donna F.; Wilson, Samuel H.

    2017-01-01

    Oxidative stress in cells can lead to accumulation of reactive oxygen species and oxidation of DNA precursors. Oxidized purine nucleotides can be inserted into DNA during replication and repair. The main pathway for correcting oxidized bases in DNA is base excision repair (BER), and in vertebrates DNA polymerase β (pol β) provides gap filling and tailoring functions. Here we report that the DNA ligation step of BER is compromised after pol β insertion of oxidized purine nucleotides into the BER intermediate in vitro. These results suggest the possibility that BER mediated toxic strand breaks are produced in cells under oxidative stress conditions. We observe enhanced cytotoxicity in oxidizing-agent treated pol β expressing mouse fibroblasts, suggesting formation of DNA strand breaks under these treatment conditions. Increased cytotoxicity following MTH1 knockout or treatment with MTH1 inhibitor suggests the oxidation of precursor nucleotides. PMID:28067232

  19. 27 CFR 70.412 - Excise taxes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Excise taxes. 70.412 Section 70.412 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT... Beer § 70.412 Excise taxes. (a) Collection. Taxes on distilled spirits, wines, and beer are paid by...

  20. Is initial excision of cutaneous melanoma by General Practitioners (GPs) dangerous? Comparing patient outcomes following excision of melanoma by GPs or in hospital using national datasets and meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Murchie, Peter; Amalraj Raja, Edwin; Brewster, David H; Iversen, Lisa; Lee, Amanda J

    2017-11-01

    Melanomas are initially excised in primary care, and rates vary internationally. Until now, there has been no strong evidence one way or the other that excising melanomas in primary care is safe or unsafe. European guidelines make no recommendations, and the United Kingdom (UK) melanoma guidelines require all suspicious skin lesions to be initially treated in secondary care based on an expert consensus, which lacks supporting evidence, that primary care excision represents substandard care. Despite this, studies have found that up to 20% of melanomas in the UK are excised by general practitioners (GPs). Patients receiving primary care melanoma excision may fear that their care is substandard and their long-term survival threatened, neither of which may be justified. Scottish cancer registry data from 9367 people diagnosed with melanoma in Scotland between 2005 and 2013 were linked to pathology records, hospital data and death records. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, adjusting for key confounders, explored the association between morbidity and mortality and setting of primary melanoma excision (primary versus secondary care). A pooled estimate of the relative hazard of death of having a melanoma excised in primary versus secondary care including 7116 patients from a similar Irish study was also performed. The adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) of death from melanoma for those having primary care excision was 0.82 (0.61-1.10). Those receiving primary care excision had a median (IQR) of 8 (3-14) out-patient attendances compared to 10 (4-17) for the secondary care group with an adjusted relative risk (RR) (95% CI) of 0.98 (0.96-1.01). Both groups had a median of 1 (0-2) hospital admissions with an adjusted rate ratio of 1.05 (0.98-1.13). In the meta-analysis, with primary care as the reference, the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (HR, 95% CI) was 1.26 (1.07-1.50) indicating a significantly higher all-cause mortality among those with excision in secondary care

  1. Spontaneous germline excision of Tol1, a DNA-based transposable element naturally occurring in the medaka fish genome.

    PubMed

    Watanabe, Kohei; Koga, Hajime; Nakamura, Kodai; Fujita, Akiko; Hattori, Akimasa; Matsuda, Masaru; Koga, Akihiko

    2014-04-01

    DNA-based transposable elements are ubiquitous constituents of eukaryotic genomes. Vertebrates are, however, exceptional in that most of their DNA-based elements appear to be inactivated. The Tol1 element of the medaka fish, Oryzias latipes, is one of the few elements for which copies containing an undamaged gene have been found. Spontaneous transposition of this element in somatic cells has previously been demonstrated, but there is only indirect evidence for its germline transposition. Here, we show direct evidence of spontaneous excision in the germline. Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis. In an albino laboratory strain of medaka fish, which is homozygous for a mutant tyrosinase gene in which a Tol1 copy is inserted, we identified de novo reversion mutations related to melanin pigmentation. The gamete-based reversion rate was as high as 0.4%. The revertant fish carried the tyrosinase gene from which the Tol1 copy had been excised. We previously reported the germline transposition of Tol2, another DNA-based element that is thought to be a recent invader of the medaka fish genome. Tol1 is an ancient resident of the genome. Our results indicate that even an old element can contribute to genetic variation in the host genome as a natural mutator.

  2. 76 FR 52862 - Time for Payment of Certain Excise Taxes, and Quarterly Excise Tax Payments for Small Alcohol...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-08-24

    ... 40 Cigars and cigarettes, Claims, Electronic fund transfers, Excise taxes, Labeling, Packaging and... that are not required to pay taxes through electronic funds transfer (EFT), this first payment period..., Electronic funds transfers, Excise taxes, Exports, Food additives, Fruit juices, Labeling, Liquors, Packaging...

  3. Base excision DNA repair in the embryonic development of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus intermedius.

    PubMed

    Torgasheva, Natalya A; Menzorova, Natalya I; Sibirtsev, Yurii T; Rasskazov, Valery A; Zharkov, Dmitry O; Nevinsky, Georgy A

    2016-06-21

    In actively proliferating cells, such as the cells of the developing embryo, DNA repair is crucial for preventing the accumulation of mutations and synchronizing cell division. Sea urchin embryo growth was analyzed and extracts were prepared. The relative activity of DNA polymerase, apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease, uracil-DNA glycosylase, 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase, and other glycosylases was analyzed using specific oligonucleotide substrates of these enzymes; the reaction products were resolved by denaturing 20% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We have characterized the profile of several key base excision repair activities in the developing embryos (2 blastomers to mid-pluteus) of the grey sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus intermedius. The uracil-DNA glycosylase specific activity sharply increased after blastula hatching, whereas the specific activity of 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase steadily decreased over the course of the development. The AP-endonuclease activity gradually increased but dropped at the last sampled stage (mid-pluteus 2). The DNA polymerase activity was high at the first cleavage division and then quickly decreased, showing a transient peak at blastula hatching. It seems that the developing sea urchin embryo encounters different DNA-damaging factors early in development within the protective envelope and later as a free-floating larva, with hatching necessitating adaptation to the shift in genotoxic stress conditions. No correlation was observed between the dynamics of the enzyme activities and published gene expression data from developing congeneric species, S. purpuratus. The results suggest that base excision repair enzymes may be regulated in the sea urchin embryos at the level of covalent modification or protein stability.

  4. Flat epithelial atypia on core needle biopsy, must we surgically excise?

    PubMed

    Acott, A A; Mancino, A T

    2016-12-01

    Breast flat epithelial atypia (FEA) often coexists with more aggressive pathology and excision is currently recommended when diagnosed by core needle biopsy (CNB). Recent studies suggest isolated FEA has a low association with carcinoma and may warrant close surveillance. A radiology database containing 2189 breast CNB was reviewed for isolated FEA or FEA in combination with atypical pathology. 79 patients had FEA. There were 48/79 with isolated FEA and 31/79 concomitant FEA with ADH, ALH, or LCIS. 46 subsequent excisional biopsies of isolated FEA resulted: benign 38/46, ADH 5/46, LCIS 2/46, DCIS 1/46. Concomitant FEA + ADH/ALH/LCIS group resulted: benign 26/31, DCIS 3/31, DCIS and LCIS 1/31, tubular carcinoma 1/31. DCIS/invasive cancer on excision in the FEA + ADH group is 5/31 versus 1/46 for isolated FEA (p 0.0489). Findings support literature suggesting isolated FEA has a low association with carcinoma. These patients may not require surgical excision, but instead have close surveillance. Based on the higher cancer incidence in FEA combined with ADH, ALH, LCIS, or residual microcalcifications, we still recommend surgical excision. Breast flat epithelial atypia (FEA) often coexists with more aggressive pathology and surgical excision is currently recommended when diagnosed by core needle biopsy. Recent studies have suggested isolated FEA has a low association with carcinoma and these patients may warrant close surveillance. Isolated FEA has a low association with carcinoma in our series. These patients may not require surgical excision, but instead have close surveillance. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  5. En bloc excision of a dermal sinus tract.

    PubMed

    Coumans, Jean-Valery; Walcott, Brian P; Redjal, Navid; Kahle, Kristopher T; Nahed, Brian V

    2011-04-01

    Dermal sinus tracts are a form of spinal dysraphism that arises from a failure of dysjunction early in embryogenesis. They are diagnosed in pediatric patients and who present with a dimple, infection, or neurologic deficit. The tract is surgically excised en bloc to avoid contamination from the tract, which harbors bacteria. However, dermal sinus tracts typically terminate intradurally, rendering their en bloc excision difficult. To avoid entering the tract, allowing for an en bloc excision, we modified the usual technique employed for accessing the spinal intradural space. An en bloc excision of the dermal sinus tract was successfully performed. The patient recovered from the procedure neurologically intact and her postoperative course was uncomplicated. We conclude that en bloc excision of a dermal sinus tract down to the intradural space is feasible with modifications to standard operative technique. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Minimally invasive endoscope-assisted trans-oral excision of huge parapharyngeal space tumors.

    PubMed

    Li, Shang-Yi; Hsu, Ching-Hui; Chen, Mu-Kuan

    2015-04-01

    Parapharyngeal space tumors are rare head and neck neoplasms, and most are benign lesions. Complete excision of these tumors is difficult because of the complexity of the surrounding anatomic structures. The algorithm for excision of these tumors is typically based on the tumor's characteristics; excision is performed via approaches such as the trans-oral route, the trans-cervical route, and even a combination of the trans-parotid route and mandibulotomy. However, each of these approaches is associated with some complications. Endoscope-assisted minimally invasive surgery is being increasingly employed for surgeries in the head and neck regions. It has the advantage of leaving no facial scars, and ensures better patient comfort after the operation. Here, we report the use of endoscope-assisted trans-oral surgery for excision of parapharyngeal space tumors. The technique yields an excellent outcome and should be a feasible, safe, and economic method for these patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. 75 FR 9359 - Drawback of Internal Revenue Excise Tax

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-02

    ... Drawback of Internal Revenue Excise Tax AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland... substitution drawback claim for internal revenue excise tax paid on imported merchandise in situations where no excise tax was paid upon the substituted merchandise or where the substituted merchandise is the subject...

  8. 29 CFR 779.262 - Excise taxes at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.262 Excise taxes at the retail level. (a) Federal excise taxes are imposed at.... Such excise taxes are levied at the retail level on any liquid fuel sold for use, or used in a diesel... levied at the retail level, and thus excludable when separately stated, depends, of course, upon the law...

  9. 29 CFR 779.262 - Excise taxes at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Excise taxes at the retail level. 779.262 Section 779.262... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.262 Excise taxes at the retail level. (a) Federal excise taxes are imposed at the retail level on highway vehicle fuels other than gasoline under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 4041...

  10. 29 CFR 779.262 - Excise taxes at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Excise taxes at the retail level. 779.262 Section 779.262... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.262 Excise taxes at the retail level. (a) Federal excise taxes are imposed at the retail level on highway vehicle fuels other than gasoline under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 4041...

  11. 29 CFR 779.262 - Excise taxes at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 3 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Excise taxes at the retail level. 779.262 Section 779.262... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.262 Excise taxes at the retail level. (a) Federal excise taxes are imposed at the retail level on highway vehicle fuels other than gasoline under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 4041...

  12. 29 CFR 779.262 - Excise taxes at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 3 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Excise taxes at the retail level. 779.262 Section 779.262... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.262 Excise taxes at the retail level. (a) Federal excise taxes are imposed at the retail level on highway vehicle fuels other than gasoline under the provisions of 26 U.S.C. 4041...

  13. Fe-S Clusters and MutY Base Excision Repair Glycosylases: Purification, Kinetics, and DNA Affinity Measurements.

    PubMed

    Nuñez, Nicole N; Majumdar, Chandrima; Lay, Kori T; David, Sheila S

    2018-01-01

    A growing number of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster cofactors have been identified in DNA repair proteins. MutY and its homologs are base excision repair (BER) glycosylases that prevent mutations associated with the common oxidation product of guanine (G), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (OG) by catalyzing adenine (A) base excision from inappropriately formed OG:A mispairs. The finding of an [4Fe-4S] 2+ cluster cofactor in MutY, Endonuclease III, and structurally similar BER enzymes was surprising and initially thought to represent an example of a purely structural role for the cofactor. However, in the two decades subsequent to the initial discovery, purification and in vitro analysis of bacterial MutYs and mammalian homologs, such as human MUTYH and mouse Mutyh, have demonstrated that proper Fe-S cluster coordination is required for OG:A substrate recognition and adenine excision. In addition, the Fe-S cluster in MutY has been shown to be capable of redox chemistry in the presence of DNA. The work in our laboratory aimed at addressing the importance of the MutY Fe-S cluster has involved a battery of approaches, with the overarching hypothesis that understanding the role(s) of the Fe-S cluster is intimately associated with understanding the biological and chemical properties of MutY and its unique damaged DNA substrate as a whole. In this chapter, we focus on methods of enzyme expression and purification, detailed enzyme kinetics, and DNA affinity assays. The methods described herein have not only been leveraged to provide insight into the roles of the MutY Fe-S cluster but have also been provided crucial information needed to delineate the impact of inherited variants of the human homolog MUTYH associated with a colorectal cancer syndrome known as MUTYH-associated polyposis or MAP. Notably, many MAP-associated variants have been found adjacent to the Fe-S cluster further underscoring the intimate relationship between the cofactor, MUTYH-mediated DNA repair, and disease.

  14. Primary surgical excision for pediatric orbital capillary hemangioma.

    PubMed

    Krema, Hatem

    2015-05-01

    We report the technique and outcome of surgical excision of subcutaneous orbital capillary hemangioma causing eye globe displacement in two children. Primary surgical excision was performed with blunt dissection along the tumor walls using a cotton-tipped applicator as the dissecting tool with simultaneous outward gentle traction on the tumor wall. Despite the deep and extensive orbital involvement, complete excision of the hemangiomas was achievable with this technique, which permitted excellent visualization of the surgical planes throughout the procedures. Deep and extensive pediatric orbital capillary hemangioma can be surgically excised with the suggested technique, which obviates the need for intralesional or systemic medical therapy, yielding optimal cosmetic and functional outcomes, shortly after surgery.

  15. Base excision repair in Archaea: back to the future in DNA repair.

    PubMed

    Grasso, Stefano; Tell, Gianluca

    2014-09-01

    Together with Bacteria and Eukarya, Archaea represents one of the three domain of life. In contrast with the morphological difference existing between Archaea and Eukarya, these two domains are closely related. Phylogenetic analyses confirm this evolutionary relationship showing that most of the proteins involved in DNA transcription and replication are highly conserved. On the contrary, information is scanty about DNA repair pathways and their mechanisms. In the present review the most important proteins involved in base excision repair, namely glycosylases, AP lyases, AP endonucleases, polymerases, sliding clamps, flap endonucleases, and ligases, will be discussed and compared with bacterial and eukaryotic ones. Finally, possible applications and future perspectives derived from studies on Archaea and their repair pathways, will be taken into account. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. The spectrum of skin biopsies and excisions in a pediatric skin center.

    PubMed

    Theiler, Martin; Neuhaus, Kathrin; Kerl, Katrin; Weibel, Lisa

    2017-12-01

    Little is known about the spectrum of pediatric skin disorders requiring biopsy/excision, their indication, impact on further management, and the accuracy of clinical diagnosis. We aimed to address these questions in the patient population seen at our Swiss University referral center for Pediatric Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. All skin biopsies/excisions performed in patients aged ≤ 16 years over a period of 2 years were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 506 samples were included. The majority of biopsies/excisions (n = 413, 82%) was performed for tumors, cysts, and hamartomas and 18% for other skin conditions. Malignant tumors were found in 12 samples (2%) from four patients. In 121 (24%) patients, the histopathology had an important impact on patient management. In 80 (16%) cases, the pathology did not match with the clinical diagnosis. In 382 (75%) cases, excision was the treatment of choice. Of these, the indication for surgery was based on patient's request in 181 (47%) cases. Surgical interventions for pediatric skin disorders are performed for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. In this cohort, histopathology was essential for treatment in one quarter of cases. Skin tumors, cysts, and hamartomas often require excision during childhood, with families' request and esthetic considerations playing an important role. What is Known: • The spectrum of pediatric skin conditions has been studied in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings. • In contrast, no data exist on the spectrum of pediatric skin disorders undergoing biopsy/excision specifically. What is New: • We analyze biopsies/excisions in children, focusing on diagnosis, indication, and impact on patient management. • Surgical interventions for skin disorders in children are often performed for tumors and hamartomas with esthetic considerations playing a relevant role. If used for diagnostic purposes, they are often performed to confirm or rule out severe skin disease.

  17. Psychrometric Field Measurement of Water Potential Changes following Leaf Excision.

    PubMed

    Savage, M J; Cass, A

    1984-01-01

    In situ measurement of sudden leaf water potential changes has not been performed under field conditions. A laboratory investigation involving the measurement of leaf water potential prior to and 2 to 200 minutes after excision of citrus leaves (Citrus jambhiri) showed good linear correlation (r = 0.99) between in situ leaf psychrometer and Scholander pressure chamber measurements. Following this, a field investigation was conducted which involved psychrometric measurement prior to petiole excision and 1 minute after excision. Simultaneous pressure chamber measurements were performed on neighboring leaves prior to the time of excision and then on the psychrometer leaf about 2 minutes after excision. These data indicate that within the first 2 minutes after excision, psychrometer and pressure chamber measurements were linearly correlated (r = 0.97). Under high evaporative demand conditions, the rate of water potential decrease was between 250 and 700 kilopascals in the first minute after excision. These results show that the thermocouple psychrometer can be used as a dynamic and nondestructive field technique for monitoring leaf water potential.

  18. Robotic assisted excision of a left ventricular myxoma.

    PubMed

    Hassan, Mohammed; Smith, J Michael

    2012-01-01

    We present a rare case of left ventricular myxoma discovered incidentally in an asymptomatic 16-year old male. The patient underwent the appropriate work-up and a robotic-assisted excision of the mass. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged home at postoperative day 3. To our knowledge, this is the first case of robotic-assisted left ventricular myxoma excision in the literature. Robotic-assisted surgery of left ventricular myxomas is a safe and feasible method of excision.

  19. [Multivisceral organ procurement for transplantation derived mobilization maneouvres: very helpful auxiliary techniques in the excision of large retroperitoneal masses].

    PubMed

    González, Javier; Shirodkar, S P; Ciancio, G

    2011-04-01

    The excision of large retroperitoneal masses poses a challenge for every surgeon. Sometimes the urologist must face situations that do not fit to any conventional approach or technique previously described. Obtaining adequate exposure for safe and oncologically correct management of these masses is based, on many cases, in the mobilization of anatomical adjacent structures to generate a sufficient field in abdominal areas of difficult access. Complex visceral mobilization maneuvers derived from multivisceral transplantation organ procurement surgery provides ancillary techniques that used properly facilitate their successful resolution. The main purpose of this paper is the description of these surgical maneuvers essential to increase both exposure and vascular control in addressing the ever-dreaded high-volume retroperitoneal masses.

  20. Predictors of Residual Disease after Unplanned Excision of Soft Tissue Sarcomas

    PubMed Central

    Gingrich, Alicia A.; Elias, Alexandra; Michael Lee, Chia-Yuan; Nakache, Yves-Paul N.; Li, Chin-Shang; Shah, Dhruvil R.; Boutin, Robert D.; Canter, Robert J.

    2016-01-01

    Background Unplanned excision of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) is an important quality of care issue given the morbidity related to tumor bed excision. Since not all patients harbor residual disease at the time of re-excision, we sought to determine predictors of residual STS following unplanned excision. Methods We identified 76 patients from a prospective database (1/1/2008 – 9/30/2014) who received a diagnosis of primary STS following unplanned excision on the trunk or extremities. We used univariable and multivariable analyses to evaluate predictors of residual STS as the primary endpoint. We calculated the sensitivity/specificity and accuracy of interval magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict residual sarcoma at re-excision. Results Mean age was 52 years, and 63.2% were male. 50% had fragmented unplanned excision. Among patients undergoing re-excision, residual STS was identified in 70%. On univariable analysis, MRI showing gross disease and fragmented excision were significant predictors of residual STS (OR 10.59, 95% CI 2.14–52.49, P=0.004 and OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.09–11.94, P=0.035, respectively). On multivariable analysis, tumor size predicted distant recurrence and overall survival. When we combined equivocal and positive MRI, the sensitivity and specificity of MRI for predicting residual STS were 86.7% (95% CI 73.2–95.0%) and 57.9% (95% CI 33.5–79.8%), with an overall accuracy of 78.1% (95% CI 66.0–87.5%). Conclusions 70% of patients undergoing repeat excision after unplanned excision of STS harbor residual sarcoma. Although interval MRI and fragmented excision appear to be the most significant predictors of residual STS, the accuracy of MRI remains modest, especially given the incidence of equivocal MRI. PMID:27993214

  1. Overexpression of the base excision repair NTHL1 glycosylase causes genomic instability and early cellular hallmarks of cancer

    PubMed Central

    Limpose, Kristin L; Trego, Kelly S; Li, Zhentian; Leung, Sara W; Sarker, Altaf H; Shah, Jason A; Ramalingam, Suresh S; Werner, Erica M; Dynan, William S; Cooper, Priscilla K; Corbett, Anita H; Doetsch, Paul W

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Base excision repair (BER), which is initiated by DNA N-glycosylase proteins, is the frontline for repairing potentially mutagenic DNA base damage. The NTHL1 glycosylase, which excises DNA base damage caused by reactive oxygen species, is thought to be a tumor suppressor. However, in addition to NTHL1 loss-of-function mutations, our analysis of cancer genomic datasets reveals that NTHL1 frequently undergoes amplification or upregulation in some cancers. Whether NTHL1 overexpression could contribute to cancer phenotypes has not yet been explored. To address the functional consequences of NTHL1 overexpression, we employed transient overexpression. Both NTHL1 and a catalytically-dead NTHL1 (CATmut) induce DNA damage and genomic instability in non-transformed human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) when overexpressed. Strikingly, overexpression of either NTHL1 or CATmut causes replication stress signaling and a decrease in homologous recombination (HR). HBEC cells that overexpress NTHL1 or CATmut acquire the ability to grow in soft agar and exhibit loss of contact inhibition, suggesting that a mechanism independent of NTHL1 catalytic activity contributes to acquisition of cancer-related cellular phenotypes. We provide evidence that NTHL1 interacts with the multifunctional DNA repair protein XPG suggesting that interference with HR is a possible mechanism that contributes to acquisition of early cellular hallmarks of cancer. PMID:29522130

  2. Business-IT Alignment in Trade Facilitation: A Case Study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adaba, Godfried; Rusu, Lazar; El-Mekawy, Mohamed

    In the information age, no organization can thrive without harnessing the power of IT. The effective deployment of IT to achieve business goals and gain competitive advantage requires the alignment of business and IT strategies of organizations. Using the Strategic Alignment Maturity model, this paper evaluates strategic alignment maturity of Customs Excise Preventive service, a frontline public organization charged with trade facilitation in Ghana. Strategic alignment maturity is at level 3; which implies the existence of an established process to leverage IT for efficiency and effectiveness. Efforts are required to strengthen alignment and fully harness the potential of IT to facilitate trade in Ghana.

  3. An exploration of tutors' experiences of facilitating problem-based learning. Part 2--implications for the facilitation of problem based learning.

    PubMed

    Haith-Cooper, Melanie

    2003-01-01

    This paper is the second of two parts exploring a study that was undertaken to investigate the role of the tutor in facilitating problem-based learning (PBL). The first part focussed on the methodological underpinnings of the study. This paper aims to focus on the findings of the study and their implications for the facilitation of PBL. Six essential themes emerged from the findings that described the facilitation role. The tutors believed that their facilitation role was essentially structured around the decision of when to intervene and how to intervene in the PBL process. Modelling and non-verbal communication were seen as essential strategies for the facilitator. Underpinning these decisions was the need to trust in the philosophy of PBL. However, within many of the themes, there was a divergence of opinion as to how the role should actually be undertaken. Despite this, these findings have implications for the future role of PBL facilitators in Health Professional Education.

  4. "The lobbying strategy is to keep excise as low as possible" - tobacco industry excise taxation policy in Ukraine

    PubMed Central

    2010-01-01

    Background Tobacco taxes are one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use. Transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) claim they wish to develop and secure excise systems that benefit both governments and the profitability of the companies themselves. The objective of the paper is to use the case of Ukraine, with its inconsistent history of excise tax changes in 1992-2008, to explore tobacco industry taxation strategies and tactics, and their implications for governmental revenues. Methods Details of tobacco industry policy on tobacco taxation in Ukraine were obtained by searching tobacco industry internal documents and various published reports. Results Even before entering the market in Ukraine, TTCs had made efforts to change the excise system in the country. In 1993-1994, TTCs lobbied the Ukrainian Government, and succeeded in achieving a lowering in tobacco tax. This, however, did not produce revenue increase they promised the Government. In 1996-1998, Ukrainian authorities increased excise several times, ignoring the wishes of TTCs, caused significant growth in revenue. Due to TTCs lobbying activities in 1999-2007 the tax increases were very moderate and it resulted in increased tobacco consumption in Ukraine. In 2008, despite the TTCs position, excise rates were increased twice and it was very beneficial for revenues. Conclusions The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control includes provisions both on tobacco taxation policy and on protection of public health policy from vested interests of tobacco industry. This paper provides arguments why tobacco taxation policy should also be protected from vested interests of tobacco industry. TTCs taxation strategy appears to be consistent: keep excise as low as possible. Apparent conflicts between TTCs concerning tax structures often hide their real aim to change tax structures for competing interests without increasing total tax incidence. Governments, that aim to reduce levels of tobacco use, should not allow

  5. Dimer excision in Escherichia coli in the presence of caffeine

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

    Rothman, R.H.

    1980-07-01

    The observation that polA1 and recL152 mutations result in both slow pyrimidine dimer excision and large repair patch size leads to the hypothesis that patch size is directly related to the rate of excision. In this study caffeine, a known inhibitor of excision repair, was used to examine the extent of correlation between excision rate and patch size by measuring patch size in the presence of several concentrations of caffeine. Both the rate of excision and the resistance to ultraviolet radiation were reduced with increasing concentrations of caffeine after irradiation. Caffeine also inhibited the rate at which incisions were mademore » and prolonged the time required to rejoin the discontinuities. Patch size, however, was unaffected by caffeine treatment.« less

  6. Dual CRISPR-Cas9 Cleavage Mediated Gene Excision and Targeted Integration in Yarrowia lipolytica.

    PubMed

    Gao, Difeng; Smith, Spencer; Spagnuolo, Michael; Rodriguez, Gabriel; Blenner, Mark

    2018-05-29

    CRISPR-Cas9 technology has been successfully applied in Yarrowia lipolytica for targeted genomic editing including gene disruption and integration; however, disruptions by existing methods typically result from small frameshift mutations caused by indels within the coding region, which usually resulted in unnatural protein. In this study, a dual cleavage strategy directed by paired sgRNAs is developed for gene knockout. This method allows fast and robust gene excision, demonstrated on six genes of interest. The targeted regions for excision vary in length from 0.3 kb up to 3.5 kb and contain both non-coding and coding regions. The majority of the gene excisions are repaired by perfect nonhomologous end-joining without indel. Based on this dual cleavage system, two targeted markerless integration methods are developed by providing repair templates. While both strategies are effective, homology mediated end joining (HMEJ) based method are twice as efficient as homology recombination (HR) based method. In both cases, dual cleavage leads to similar or improved gene integration efficiencies compared to gene excision without integration. This dual cleavage strategy will be useful for not only generating more predictable and robust gene knockout, but also for efficient targeted markerless integration, and simultaneous knockout and integration in Y. lipolytica. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  7. Identification of a residue critical for the excision of 3′-blocking ends in apurinic/apyrimidinic endonucleases of the Xth family

    PubMed Central

    Castillo-Acosta, Víctor M.; Ruiz-Pérez, Luis M.; Yang, Wei; González-Pacanowska, Dolores; Vidal, Antonio E.

    2009-01-01

    DNA single-strand breaks containing 3′-blocking groups are generated from attack of the sugar backbone by reactive oxygen species or after base excision by DNA glycosylase/apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) lyases. In human cells, APE1 excises sugar fragments that block the 3′-ends thus facilitating DNA repair synthesis. In Leishmania major, the causal agent of leishmaniasis, the APE1 homolog is the class II AP endonuclease LMAP. Expression of LMAP but not of APE1 reverts the hypersensitivity of a xth nfo repair-deficient Escherichia coli strain to the oxidative compound hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). To identify the residues specifically involved in the repair of oxidative DNA damage, we generated random mutations in the ape1 gene and selected those variants that conferred protection against H2O2. Among the resistant clones, we isolated a mutant in the nuclease domain of APE1 (D70A) with an increased capacity to remove 3′-blocking ends in vitro. D70 of APE1 aligns with A138 of LMAP and mutation of the latter to aspartate significantly reduces its 3′-phosphodiesterase activity. Kinetic analysis shows a novel role of residue D70 in the excision rate of 3′-blocking ends. The functional and structural differences between the parasite and human enzymes probably reflect a divergent molecular evolution of their DNA repair responses to oxidative damage. PMID:19181704

  8. Union Women, the Tobacco Industry, and Excise Taxes

    PubMed Central

    Balbach, Edith D.; Campbell, Richard B.

    2009-01-01

    Between 1987 and 1997, the tobacco industry used the issue of cigarette excise tax increases to create a political partnership with the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), a group representing female trade unionists in the U.S. This paper documents how the industry created this relationship and the lessons tobacco-control advocates can learn from the industry’s example, in order to mitigate possible unintended consequences of advocating excise tax increases In 1998, under the terms of the Master Settlement Agreement, the tobacco industry began making documents produced in litigation available publicly. Currently, approximately 50 million pages are available online, including substantial documentation of the industry–CLUW relationship. For this study, a comprehensive search of these documents was conducted. The tobacco industry encouraged CLUW’s opposition to excise tax increases by emphasizing the economic regressivity of these taxes, discussing excise taxes generically to deflect attention from cigarettes, and encouraging opposition to earmarking cigarette taxes to pay for specific programs. In addition, CLUW received at least $221,500 in financial support between 1987 and 1997 and in-kind support for its conferences, membership materials, and other services. Excise tax increases, if pursued without considering the impacts they may have on low-SES populations, may have unintended consequences. In this case, such proposals may have helped to create a relationship between CLUW and the tobacco industry. Because excise taxes are endorsed in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, tobacco-control advocates must understand how to build relationships with low-SES populations and mitigate potential alliances with the tobacco industry. PMID:19591750

  9. Heat shock protein 70 stimulation of the deoxyribonucleic acid base excision repair enzyme polymerase β

    PubMed Central

    Mendez, Frances; Kozin, Elliott; Bases, Robert

    2003-01-01

    Base excision repair (BER) of damaged deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a multistep process during which potentially lethal abasic sites temporarily exist. Repair of these lesions is greatly stimulated by heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), which enhances strand incision and removal of the abasic sites by human apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease (HAP1). The resulting single-strand gaps must then be filled in. Here, we show that Hsp70 and its 48- and 43-kDa N-terminal domains greatly stimulated filling in the single-strand gaps by DNA polymerase β, a novel finding that extends the role of Hsps in DNA repair. Incorporation of deoxyguanosine monophosphate (dGMP) to fill in single-strand gaps in DNA phagemid pBKS by DNA polymerase β was stimulated by Hsp70. Truncated proteins derived from the C-terminus of Hsp70 as well as unrelated proteins were less effective, but proteins derived from the N-terminus of Hsp70 remained efficient stimulators of DNA polymerase β repair of DNA single-strand gaps. In agreement with these results, repair of a gap in a 30-bp oligonucleotide by polymerase β also was strongly stimulated by Hsp70 although not by a truncated protein from the C-terminus of Hsp70. Sealing of the repaired site in the oligonucleotide by human DNA ligase 1 was not specifically stimulated by Hsp-related proteins. Results presented here now implicate and extend the role of Hsp70 as a partner in the enzymatic repair of damaged DNA. The participation of Hsp70 jointly with base excision enzymes improves repair efficiency by mechanisms that are not yet understood. PMID:14627201

  10. A simulation model to predict the fiscal and public health impact of a change in cigarette excise taxes.

    PubMed

    van Walbeek, Corné

    2010-02-01

    (1) To present a model that predicts changes in cigarette consumption and excise revenue in response to excise tax changes, and (2) to demonstrate that, if the industry has market power, increases in specific taxes have better tobacco control consequences than increases in ad valorem taxes. All model parameters are user-determined. The model calculates likely changes in cigarette consumption, smoking prevalence and excise tax revenues due to an excise tax change. The model is applicable to countries that levy excise tax as specific or ad valorem taxes. For a representative low-income or middle-income country a 20% excise tax increase decreases cigarette consumption and industry revenue by 5% and increases excise tax revenues by 14%, if there is no change in the net-of-tax price. If the excise tax is levied as a specific tax, the industry has an incentive to raise the net-of-tax price, enhancing the consumption-reducing impact of the tax increase. If the excise tax is levied as an ad valorem tax, the industry has no such incentive. The industry has an incentive to reduce the net-of-tax price in response to an ad valorem excise tax increase, undermining the public health and fiscal benefits of the tax increase. This paper presents a simple web-based tool that allows policy makers and tobacco control advocates to estimate the likely consumption, fiscal and mortality impacts of a change in the cigarette excise tax. If a country wishes to reduce cigarette consumption by increasing the excise tax, a specific tax structure is better than an ad valorem tax structure.

  11. Staged margin-controlled excision (SMEX) for lentigo maligna melanoma in situ.

    PubMed

    Beveridge, Julie; Taher, Muba; Zhu, Jay; Mahmood, Muhammad N; Salopek, Thomas G

    2018-06-24

    No consensus exists regarding the best surgical strategy to achieve clear surgical margins while minimizing tissue excision when definitely excising lentigo maligna melanoma in situ (LM). The staged margin controlled excision (SMEX) technique is a modification of the spaghetti technique that allows surgeons to minimize margins and ensure complete excision of LM. Our objectives were twofold: a) to evaluate the effectiveness of SMEX for treatment of LM and b) detail the SMEX technique. A retrospective chart review of adult patients who underwent the SMEX technique for treatment of LM from 2011 to 2016 was conducted. Twenty-four patients were identified with predominantly facial lesions. The mean defect size was 12.1 cm 2 . A mean number of two SMEX procedures, with an average margin of 9 mm, were required to obtain complete excision of the LM. Using SMEX, we achieved 100% clearance of LM over a median follow up period of 18 months, with a range of 1-63 months. SMEX offers a reliable surgical excision method that ensures complete excision of LM in a cosmetically sensitive manner. The recurrence outcomes of SMEX are comparable, if not better, than those of alternative excision techniques in the literature. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  12. Psychrometric Field Measurement of Water Potential Changes following Leaf Excision 1

    PubMed Central

    Savage, Michael J.; Cass, Alfred

    1984-01-01

    In situ measurement of sudden leaf water potential changes has not been performed under field conditions. A laboratory investigation involving the measurement of leaf water potential prior to and 2 to 200 minutes after excision of citrus leaves (Citrus jambhiri) showed good linear correlation (r = 0.99) between in situ leaf psychrometer and Scholander pressure chamber measurements. Following this, a field investigation was conducted which involved psychrometric measurement prior to petiole excision and 1 minute after excision. Simultaneous pressure chamber measurements were performed on neighboring leaves prior to the time of excision and then on the psychrometer leaf about 2 minutes after excision. These data indicate that within the first 2 minutes after excision, psychrometer and pressure chamber measurements were linearly correlated (r = 0.97). Under high evaporative demand conditions, the rate of water potential decrease was between 250 and 700 kilopascals in the first minute after excision. These results show that the thermocouple psychrometer can be used as a dynamic and nondestructive field technique for monitoring leaf water potential. PMID:16663394

  13. Evidence-Based Medicine: Options for Dupuytren's Contracture: Incise, Excise, and Dissolve.

    PubMed

    Denkler, Keith A; Vaughn, Carolyn J; Dolan, Estelle L; Hansen, Scott L

    2017-01-01

    After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand updates in the basic science, epidemiology, and treatment of Dupuytren's disease. 2. Understand treatment with needle aponeurotomy, collagenase, and fasciectomy. 3. Understand advanced needle techniques for Dupuytren's contracture. 4. Understand the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment, collagenase. The literature on Dupuytren's disease encompasses many specialties. Its treatment is generally by perforating, excising, or dissolving the affected tissues. This article reviews the changing understanding of this disease and treatment options.

  14. Isolation of a small molecule inhibitor of DNA base excision repair

    PubMed Central

    Madhusudan, Srinivasan; Smart, Fiona; Shrimpton, Paul; Parsons, Jason L.; Gardiner, Laurence; Houlbrook, Sue; Talbot, Denis C.; Hammonds, Timothy; Freemont, Paul A.; Sternberg, Michael J. E.; Dianov, Grigory L.; Hickson, Ian D.

    2005-01-01

    The base excision repair (BER) pathway is essential for the removal of DNA bases damaged by alkylation or oxidation. A key step in BER is the processing of an apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site intermediate by an AP endonuclease. The major AP endonuclease in human cells (APE1, also termed HAP1 and Ref-1) accounts for >95% of the total AP endonuclease activity, and is essential for the protection of cells against the toxic effects of several classes of DNA damaging agents. Moreover, APE1 overexpression has been linked to radio- and chemo-resistance in human tumors. Using a newly developed high-throughput screen, several chemical inhibitors of APE1 have been isolated. Amongst these, CRT0044876 was identified as a potent and selective APE1 inhibitor. CRT0044876 inhibits the AP endonuclease, 3′-phosphodiesterase and 3′-phosphatase activities of APE1 at low micromolar concentrations, and is a specific inhibitor of the exonuclease III family of enzymes to which APE1 belongs. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, CRT0044876 potentiates the cytotoxicity of several DNA base-targeting compounds. This enhancement of cytotoxicity is associated with an accumulation of unrepaired AP sites. In silico modeling studies suggest that CRT0044876 binds to the active site of APE1. These studies provide both a novel reagent for probing APE1 function in human cells, and a rational basis for the development of APE1-targeting drugs for antitumor therapy. PMID:16113242

  15. Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision for Low Rectal Cancer—Extensive Surgery to Be Used With Discretion Based on 3-Year Local Recurrence Results

    PubMed Central

    Prytz, Mattias; Angenete, Eva; Bock, David; Haglind, Eva

    2016-01-01

    Objectives: The aim of this prospective registry-based population study was to investigate the efficacy of extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) regarding local recurrence rates within 3 years after surgery. Background: Local recurrence of rectal cancer is more common after abdominoperineal excision (APE) than after anterior resection. Extralevator abdominoperineal excision was introduced to address this problem. No large-scale studies with long-term oncological outcomes have been published. Methods: All Swedish patients operated on with an APE and registered in the Swedish ColoRectal Cancer Registry 2007 to 2009 were included (n = 1397) and analyzed with emphasis on the perineal part of the operation. Local recurrence at 3 years was collected from the registry. Results: The local recurrence rates at 3 years [median follow-up, 3.43 years (APE, 3.37 years; ELAPE, 3.41 years; not stated: 3.43 years)] were significantly higher for ELAPE compared with APE (relative risk, 4.91). Perioperative perforation was also associated with an increased risk of local recurrence (relative risk, 3.62). There was no difference in 3-year overall survival between APE and ELAPE. In the subgroup of patients with very low tumors (≤4 cm from the anal verge), no significant difference in the local recurrence rate could be observed. Conclusions: Extralevator abdominoperineal excision results in a significantly increased 3-year local recurrence rate as compared with standard APE. Intraoperative perforation seems to be an important risk factor for local recurrence. In addition to significantly increased 3-year local recurrence rates, the significantly increased incidence of wound complications leads to the conclusion that ELAPE should only be considered in selected patients at risk of intraoperative perforation. PMID:25906414

  16. Posterior Endoscopic Excision of Os Trigonum in Professional National Ballet Dancers.

    PubMed

    Ballal, Moez S; Roche, Andy; Brodrick, Anna; Williams, R Lloyd; Calder, James D F

    2016-01-01

    Previous studies have compared the outcomes after open and endoscopic excision of an os trigonum in patients of mixed professions. No studies have compared the differences in outcomes between the 2 procedures in elite ballet dancers. From October 2005 to February 2010, 35 professional ballet dancers underwent excision of a symptomatic os trigonum of the ankle after a failed period of nonoperative treatment. Of the 35 patients, 13 (37.1%) underwent endoscopic excision and 22 (62.9%) open excision. We compared the outcomes, complications, and time to return to dancing. The open excision group experienced a significantly greater incidence of flexor hallucis longus tendon decompression compared with the endoscopic group. The endoscopic release group returned to full dance earlier at a mean of 9.8 (range 6.5 to 16.1) weeks and those undergoing open excision returned to full dance at a mean of 14.9 (range 9 to 20) weeks (p = .001). No major complications developed in either group, such as deep infection or nerve or vessel injury. We have concluded that both techniques are safe and effective in the treatment of symptomatic os trigonum in professional ballet dancers. Endoscopic excision of the os trigonum offers a more rapid return to full dance compared with open excision. Copyright © 2016 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Cellular Assays for Studying the Fe-S Cluster Containing Base Excision Repair Glycosylase MUTYH and Homologs.

    PubMed

    Majumdar, Chandrima; Nuñez, Nicole N; Raetz, Alan G; Khuu, Cindy; David, Sheila S

    2018-01-01

    Many DNA repair enzymes, including the human adenine glycosylase MUTYH, require iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster cofactors for DNA damage recognition and subsequent repair. MUTYH prokaryotic and eukaryotic homologs are a family of adenine (A) glycosylases that cleave A when mispaired with the oxidatively damaged guanine lesion, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (OG). Faulty OG:A repair has been linked to the inheritance of missense mutations in the MUTYH gene. These inherited mutations can result in the onset of a familial colorectal cancer disorder known as MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP). While in vitro studies can be exceptional at unraveling how MutY interacts with its OG:A substrate, cell-based assays are needed to provide a cellular context to these studies. In addition, strategic comparison of in vitro and in vivo studies can provide exquisite insight into the search, selection, excision process, and the coordination with protein partners, required to mediate full repair of the lesion. A commonly used assay is the rifampicin resistance assay that provides an indirect evaluation of the intrinsic mutation rate in Escherichia coli (E. coli or Ec), read out as antibiotic-resistant cell growth. Our laboratory has also developed a bacterial plasmid-based assay that allows for direct evaluation of repair of a defined OG:A mispair. This assay provides a means to assess the impact of catalytic defects in affinity and excision on overall repair. Finally, a mammalian GFP-based reporter assay has been developed that more accurately models features of mammalian cells. Taken together, these assays provide a cellular context to the repair activity of MUTYH and its homologs that illuminates the role these enzymes play in preventing mutations and disease. © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Elliptical excisions: variations and the eccentric parallelogram.

    PubMed

    Goldberg, Leonard H; Alam, Murad

    2004-02-01

    The elliptical (fusiform) excision is a basic tool of cutaneous surgery. To assess the design, functionality, ease of construction, and aesthetic outcomes of the ellipse. A systematic review of elliptical designs and their site-specific benefits and limitations. In particular, we consider the (1). context of prevailing relaxed skin tension lines and tissue laxity; and (2). removal of the smallest possible amount of tissue around the lesion and in the "dog-ears." Attention is focused on intuitive methods that can be reproducibly planned and executed. Elliptical variations are easily designed and can be adapted to many situations. The eccentric parallelogram excision is offered as a new technique that minimizes notching and focal tension in the center of an elliptical closure. Conclusion The elliptical (fusiform) excision is an efficient, elegant, and versatile technique that will remain a mainstay of the cutaneous surgical armamentarium.

  19. Oxidative DNA damage background estimated by a system model of base excision repair

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

    Sokhansanj, B A; Wilson, III, D M

    Human DNA can be damaged by natural metabolism through free radical production. It has been suggested that the equilibrium between innate damage and cellular DNA repair results in an oxidative DNA damage background that potentially contributes to disease and aging. Efforts to quantitatively characterize the human oxidative DNA damage background level based on measuring 8-oxoguanine lesions as a biomarker have led to estimates varying over 3-4 orders of magnitude, depending on the method of measurement. We applied a previously developed and validated quantitative pathway model of human DNA base excision repair, integrating experimentally determined endogenous damage rates and model parametersmore » from multiple sources. Our estimates of at most 100 8-oxoguanine lesions per cell are consistent with the low end of data from biochemical and cell biology experiments, a result robust to model limitations and parameter variation. Our results show the power of quantitative system modeling to interpret composite experimental data and make biologically and physiologically relevant predictions for complex human DNA repair pathway mechanisms and capacity.« less

  20. Uracil-DNA Glycosylase in Base Excision Repair and Adaptive Immunity

    PubMed Central

    Doseth, Berit; Visnes, Torkild; Wallenius, Anders; Ericsson, Ida; Sarno, Antonio; Pettersen, Henrik Sahlin; Flatberg, Arnar; Catterall, Tara; Slupphaug, Geir; Krokan, Hans E.; Kavli, Bodil

    2011-01-01

    Genomic uracil is a DNA lesion but also an essential key intermediate in adaptive immunity. In B cells, activation-induced cytidine deaminase deaminates cytosine to uracil (U:G mispairs) in Ig genes to initiate antibody maturation. Uracil-DNA glycosylases (UDGs) such as uracil N-glycosylase (UNG), single strand-selective monofunctional uracil-DNA glycosylase 1 (SMUG1), and thymine-DNA glycosylase remove uracil from DNA. Gene-targeted mouse models are extensively used to investigate the role of these enzymes in DNA repair and Ig diversification. However, possible species differences in uracil processing in humans and mice are yet not established. To address this, we analyzed UDG activities and quantities in human and mouse cell lines and in splenic B cells from Ung+/+ and Ung−/− backcrossed mice. Interestingly, human cells displayed ∼15-fold higher total uracil excision capacity due to higher levels of UNG. In contrast, SMUG1 activity was ∼8-fold higher in mouse cells, constituting ∼50% of the total U:G excision activity compared with less than 1% in human cells. In activated B cells, both UNG and SMUG1 activities were at levels comparable with those measured for mouse cell lines. Moreover, SMUG1 activity per cell was not down-regulated after activation. We therefore suggest that SMUG1 may work as a weak backup activity for UNG2 during class switch recombination in Ung−/− mice. Our results reveal significant species differences in genomic uracil processing. These findings should be taken into account when mouse models are used in studies of uracil DNA repair and adaptive immunity. PMID:21454529

  1. 27 CFR 24.323 - Excise Tax Return form.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Excise Tax Return form. 24.323 Section 24.323 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS WINE Records and Reports § 24.323 Excise Tax Return form. A proprietor who...

  2. 29 CFR 794.121 - Exclusion of excise taxes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... From Overtime Pay Requirements Under Section 7(b)(3) of the Act Annual Gross Volume of Sales § 794.121 Exclusion of excise taxes. The computation of the annual gross volume of sales of the enterprise for... excise taxes which are included in the sales price may be excluded in computing the annual gross volume...

  3. Margins in Skin Excision Biopsies: Principles and Guidelines

    PubMed Central

    Ranjan, Richa; Singh, Lavleen; Arava, Sudheer K; Singh, Manoj Kumar

    2014-01-01

    Skin biopsies are usually undertaken to confirm a clinical diagnosis, to remove a lesion, and to determine the adequacy of excised tissue margin. A surgical margin is technically defined as the “edge” of the tissue removed. The term is especially pertinent when the tissue excised is suspected of being involved by a malignant process. One of the most important predictive and prognostic factors of a malignant lesion is whether the margins of the resected specimen are involved by the tumor or not. The purpose of this review is to provide an insight into grossing of a skin biopsy specimen with emphasis on techniques and reporting of excision biopsy margins. PMID:25484385

  4. The impact of use of an intraoperative margin assessment device on re-excision rates.

    PubMed

    Sebastian, Molly; Akbari, Stephanie; Anglin, Beth; Lin, Erin H; Police, Alice M

    2015-01-01

    Historically there has been a high rate of surgical interventions to obtain clear margins for breast cancer patients undergoing breast conserving local therapy. An intraoperative margin assessment tool (MarginProbe) has been approved for use in the US since 2013. This study is the first compilation of data from routine use of the device, to assess the impact of device utilization on re-excision rates. We present a retrospective, observational, review from groups of consecutive patients, before and after the implementation of intraoperative use of the device during lumpectomy procedures. Lesions were localized by standard methods. The intraoperative margin assessment device was used on all circumferential margins of the main specimen, but not on any additional shavings. A positive reading by the device led to an additional shaving of the corresponding cavity location. Specimens were also, when feasible, imaged intra-operatively by X-ray, and additional shavings were taken if needed based on clinical assessment. For each surgeon, historical re-excision rates were established based on a consecutive set of patients from a time period proximal to initiation of use of the device. From March 2013 to April 2014 the device was routinely used by 4 surgeons in 3 centers. In total, 165 cases lumpectomy cases were performed. Positive margins resulted in additional re-excision procedures in 9.7% (16/165) of the cases. The corresponding historical set from 2012 and 2013 consisted of 186 Lumpectomy cases, in which additional re-excision procedures were performed in 25.8% (48/186) of the cases. The reduction in the rate of re-excision procedures was significant 62% (P < 0.0001). Use of an intraoperative margin assessment device contributes to achieving clear margins and reducing re-excision procedures. As in some cases positive margins were found on shavings, future studies of interest may include an analysis of the effect of using the device on the shavings intra-operatively.

  5. Mobilising public opinion for the tobacco industry: the Consumer Tax Alliance and excise taxes.

    PubMed

    Campbell, R; Balbach, E D

    2008-10-01

    Tobacco industry funding was instrumental in creating and financing the Consumer Tax Alliance in 1989 as an organisation that relied upon extensive media outreach to build opposition to excise taxes as a regressive form of taxation. By obscuring its own role in this effort, the tobacco industry undermined the public's reasonable expectations for transparency in the policy-making process. To examine the formation and activities of the Consumer Tax Alliance as a "hybrid" form of interest group in order to provide tobacco control and public health advocates with a better understanding of unanticipated tobacco industry coalitions and facilitate appropriate countermeasures. Document searches through the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library and through Tobacco Documents Online and review of background literature. The Tobacco Institute actively sought liberal allies beginning in the mid-1980s in seeking to build public opposition to cigarette excise tax increases by promoting them as a regressive form of taxation. The creation of the Consumer Tax Alliance in 1989 was expressly intended to turn labour and middle-class opinion against prospective excise tax increases in federal budget deficit negotiations, without divulging the tobacco industry's role in its formation. It is important to understand the dynamic by which trusted organisations can be induced to alter their agendas in response to funding sources. Advocates need to understand this form of interest group behaviour so that they are better able to negotiate the policy arena by diagnosing and exposing this influence where it occurs and, by doing so, be better prepared to take appropriate countermeasures.

  6. P element excision in drosophila melanogaster and related drosophilids

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The frequency of P element excision and the structure of the resulting excision products were determined in three drosophilid species, Drosophila melanogaster, D. virilis, and Chymomyza procnemis. A transient P element mobility assay was conducted in the cells of developing insect embryos, but unlik...

  7. 29 CFR 779.263 - Excise taxes not at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... ACT AS APPLIED TO RETAILERS OF GOODS OR SERVICES Employment to Which the Act May Apply; Enterprise Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.263 Excise taxes not at the retail level. There are also a wide variety of... 29 Labor 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Excise taxes not at the retail level. 779.263 Section 779...

  8. 29 CFR 779.263 - Excise taxes not at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Excise taxes not at the retail level. 779.263 Section 779... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.263 Excise taxes not at the retail level. There are also a wide variety of taxes levied at the manufacturer's or distributor's level and not at the retail level. It should be...

  9. 29 CFR 779.263 - Excise taxes not at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 3 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Excise taxes not at the retail level. 779.263 Section 779... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.263 Excise taxes not at the retail level. There are also a wide variety of taxes levied at the manufacturer's or distributor's level and not at the retail level. It should be...

  10. 29 CFR 779.263 - Excise taxes not at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 3 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Excise taxes not at the retail level. 779.263 Section 779... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.263 Excise taxes not at the retail level. There are also a wide variety of taxes levied at the manufacturer's or distributor's level and not at the retail level. It should be...

  11. 29 CFR 779.263 - Excise taxes not at the retail level.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 29 Labor 3 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Excise taxes not at the retail level. 779.263 Section 779... Coverage Excise Taxes § 779.263 Excise taxes not at the retail level. There are also a wide variety of taxes levied at the manufacturer's or distributor's level and not at the retail level. It should be...

  12. Nucleotide excision repair by dual incisions in plants.

    PubMed

    Canturk, Fazile; Karaman, Muhammet; Selby, Christopher P; Kemp, Michael G; Kulaksiz-Erkmen, Gulnihal; Hu, Jinchuan; Li, Wentao; Lindsey-Boltz, Laura A; Sancar, Aziz

    2016-04-26

    Plants use light for photosynthesis and for various signaling purposes. The UV wavelengths in sunlight also introduce DNA damage in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts [(6-4)PPs] that must be repaired for the survival of the plant. Genome sequencing has revealed the presence of genes for both CPD and (6-4)PP photolyases, as well as genes for nucleotide excision repair in plants, such as Arabidopsis and rice. Plant photolyases have been purified, characterized, and have been shown to play an important role in plant survival. In contrast, even though nucleotide excision repair gene homologs have been found in plants, the mechanism of nucleotide excision repair has not been investigated. Here we used the in vivo excision repair assay developed in our laboratory to demonstrate that Arabidopsis removes CPDs and (6-4)PPs by a dual-incision mechanism that is essentially identical to the mechanism of dual incisions in humans and other eukaryotes, in which oligonucleotides with a mean length of 26-27 nucleotides are removed by incising ∼20 phosphodiester bonds 5' and 5 phosphodiester bonds 3' to the photoproduct.

  13. Perforator Flaps after Excision of Large Epidermal Cysts in the Buttocks

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Sang Wha; Yang, Seong Hyeok; Kim, Jeong Tae

    2014-01-01

    Background Epidermal cysts are commonly occurring masses usually less than 5 cm in diameter, but in predisposed patients, epidermal cysts can grow relatively large due to chronic infection. Methods From June 2002 to July 2010, 17 patients received 19 regional perforator-based island flaps to cover defects due to the excision of large epidermal cysts (diameter >5 cm) in the buttocks. Eight patients had diabetes, and seven had rheumatoid arthritis. The pedicles were not fully isolated to prevent spasms or twisting. Results All the flaps survived completely, except for one case with partial necrosis of the flap, which necessitated another perforator-based island flap for coverage. There were two cases of wound dehiscence, which were re-closed after meticulous debridement. There were no recurrences of the masses during follow-up periods of 8.1 months (range, 6-12 months). Conclusions In patients with large epidermal cysts and underlying medical disorders, regional perforator-based island flaps can be the solution to coverage of the defects after excision. PMID:24665422

  14. 77 FR 37838 - Disregarded Entities and the Indoor Tanning Services Excise Tax

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-06-25

    ... 1545-BK38 Disregarded Entities and the Indoor Tanning Services Excise Tax AGENCY: Internal Revenue... the indoor tanning services excise tax. These regulations affect disregarded entities responsible for collecting the indoor tanning services excise tax and owners of those disregarded entities. The text of the...

  15. New insights about excisable pathogenicity islands in Salmonella and their contribution to virulence.

    PubMed

    Nieto, Pamela A; Pardo-Roa, Catalina; Salazar-Echegarai, Francisco J; Tobar, Hugo E; Coronado-Arrázola, Irenice; Riedel, Claudia A; Kalergis, Alexis M; Bueno, Susan M

    2016-05-01

    Pathogenicity islands (PAIs) are regions of the chromosome of pathogenic bacteria that harbor virulence genes, which were probably acquired by lateral gene transfer. Several PAIs can excise from the bacterial chromosome by site-specific recombination and in this review have been denominated "excisable PAIs". Here, the characteristic of some of the excisable PAIs from Salmonella enterica and the possible role and impact of the excision process on bacterial virulence is discussed. Understanding the role of PAI excision could provide important insights relative to the emergence, evolution and virulence of pathogenic enterobacteria. Copyright © 2016 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  16. State-specific liquor excise taxes and retail prices in 8 US states, 2012.

    PubMed

    Siegel, Michael; Grundman, Jody; DeJong, William; Naimi, Timothy S; King, Charles; Albers, Alison B; Williams, Rebecca S; Jernigan, David H

    2013-01-01

    The authors investigated the relationship between state excise taxes and liquor prices in 8 states, using 2012 data for 45 brands. The authors made 6042 price observations among 177 liquor stores with online prices. Using a hierarchical model, the authors examined the relationship between excise taxes and product prices. State excise taxes were significantly related to liquor prices, with an estimated pass-through rate of 0.93. The proportion of price accounted for by excise taxes averaged 7.0%. The authors find that excise taxes do increase the price of alcohol, but states are not taking advantage of this opportunity to reduce alcohol-related morbidity and mortality.

  17. Early excision and grafting versus delayed excision and grafting of deep thermal burns up to 40% total body surface area: a comparison of outcome

    PubMed Central

    Saaiq, M.; Zaib, S.; Ahmad, S.

    2012-01-01

    Summary This is a study of 120 patients of either sex and all ages who had sustained deep burns of up to 40% of the total body surface area. Half the patients underwent early excision and skin autografting (i.e., within 4-7 days of sustaining burn injury) while the rest underwent delayed excision and skin autografting (i.e., within 1-4 weeks post-burn). Significant differences were found in favour of the early excision and grafting group with regard to the various burn management outcome parameters taken into consideration, i.e. culture positivity of wounds, graft take, duration of post-graft hospitalization, and mortality. PMID:23467391

  18. Using Gemba Boards to Facilitate Evidence-Based Practice in Critical Care.

    PubMed

    Bourgault, Annette M; Upvall, Michele J; Graham, Alison

    2018-06-01

    Tradition-based practices lack supporting research evidence and may be harmful or ineffective. Engagement of key stakeholders is a critical step toward facilitating evidence-based practice change. Gemba , derived from Japanese, refers to the real place where work is done. Gemba boards (visual management tools) appear to be an innovative method to engage stakeholders and facilitate evidence-based practice. To explore the use of gemba boards and gemba huddles to facilitate practice change. Twenty-two critical care nurses participated in interviews in this qualitative, descriptive study. Thematic analysis was used to code and categorize interview data. Two researchers reached consensus on coding and derived themes. Data were managed with qualitative analysis software. The code gemba occurred most frequently; a secondary analysis was performed to explore its impact on practice change. Four themes were derived from the gemba code: (1) facilitation of staff, leadership, and interdisciplinary communication, (2) transparency of outcome data, (3) solicitation of staff ideas and feedback, and (4) dissemination of practice changes. Gemba boards and gemba huddles became part of the organizational culture for promoting and disseminating evidence-based practices. Unit-based, publicly located gemba boards and huddles have become key components of evidence-based practice culture. Gemba is both a tool and a process to engage team members and the public to generate clinical questions and to plan, implement, and evaluate practice changes. Future research on the effectiveness of gemba boards to facilitate evidence-based practice is warranted. ©2018 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

  19. What can we learn from facilitator and student perceptions of facilitation skills and roles in the first year of a problem-based learning curriculum?

    PubMed Central

    McLean, Michelle

    2003-01-01

    Background The small group tutorial is a cornerstone of problem-based learning. By implication, the role of the facilitator is of pivotal importance. The present investigation canvassed perceptions of facilitators with differing levels of experience regarding their roles and duties in the tutorial. Methods In January 2002, one year after problem-based learning implementation at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, facilitators with the following experience were canvassed: trained and about to facilitate, facilitated once only and facilitated more than one six-week theme. Student comments regarding facilitator skills were obtained from a 2001 course survey. Results While facilitators generally agreed that the three-day training workshop provided sufficient insight into the facilitation process, they become more comfortable with increasing experience. Many facilitators experienced difficulty not providing content expertise. Again, this improved with increasing experience. Most facilitators saw students as colleagues. They agreed that they should be role models, but were less enthusiastic about being mentors. Students were critical of facilitators who were not up to date with curriculum implementation or who appeared disinterested. While facilitator responses suggest that there was considerable intrinsic motivation, this might in fact not be the case. Conclusions Even if they had facilitated on all six themes, facilitators could still be considered as novices. Faculty support is therefore critical for the first few years of problem-based learning, particularly for those who had facilitated once only. Since student and facilitator expectations in the small group tutorial may differ, roles and duties of facilitators must be explicit for both parties from the outset. PMID:14585108

  20. What can we learn from facilitator and student perceptions of facilitation skills and roles in the first year of a problem-based learning curriculum?

    PubMed

    McLean, Michelle

    2003-10-30

    The small group tutorial is a cornerstone of problem-based learning. By implication, the role of the facilitator is of pivotal importance. The present investigation canvassed perceptions of facilitators with differing levels of experience regarding their roles and duties in the tutorial. In January 2002, one year after problem-based learning implementation at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, facilitators with the following experience were canvassed: trained and about to facilitate, facilitated once only and facilitated more than one six-week theme. Student comments regarding facilitator skills were obtained from a 2001 course survey. While facilitators generally agreed that the three-day training workshop provided sufficient insight into the facilitation process, they become more comfortable with increasing experience. Many facilitators experienced difficulty not providing content expertise. Again, this improved with increasing experience. Most facilitators saw students as colleagues. They agreed that they should be role models, but were less enthusiastic about being mentors. Students were critical of facilitators who were not up to date with curriculum implementation or who appeared disinterested. While facilitator responses suggest that there was considerable intrinsic motivation, this might in fact not be the case. Even if they had facilitated on all six themes, facilitators could still be considered as novices. Faculty support is therefore critical for the first few years of problem-based learning, particularly for those who had facilitated once only. Since student and facilitator expectations in the small group tutorial may differ, roles and duties of facilitators must be explicit for both parties from the outset.

  1. 77 FR 43157 - Disregarded Entities and the Indoor Tanning Services Excise Tax; Correction

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-07-24

    ... Disregarded Entities and the Indoor Tanning Services Excise Tax; Correction AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service... disregarded entities (including qualified subchapter S subsidiaries) and the indoor tanning services excise... with respect to the indoor tanning services excise tax--(A) In general. Notwithstanding any other...

  2. Facilitating Problem Framing in Project-Based Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Svihla, Vanessa; Reeve, Richard

    2016-01-01

    While problem solving is a relatively well understood process, problem framing is less well understood, particularly with regard to supporting students to learn as they frame problems. Project-based learning classrooms are an ideal setting to investigate how teachers facilitate this process. Using participant observation, this study investigated…

  3. Teaching elliptical excision skills to novice medical students: a randomized controlled study comparing low- and high-fidelity bench models.

    PubMed

    Denadai, Rafael; Oshiiwa, Marie; Saad-Hossne, Rogério

    2014-03-01

    The search for alternative and effective forms of training simulation is needed due to ethical and medico-legal aspects involved in training surgical skills on living patients, human cadavers and living animals. To evaluate if the bench model fidelity interferes in the acquisition of elliptical excision skills by novice medical students. Forty novice medical students were randomly assigned to 5 practice conditions with instructor-directed elliptical excision skills' training (n = 8): didactic materials (control); organic bench model (low-fidelity); ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model (low-fidelity); chicken legs' skin bench model (high-fidelity); or pig foot skin bench model (high-fidelity). Pre- and post-tests were applied. Global rating scale, effect size, and self-perceived confidence based on Likert scale were used to evaluate all elliptical excision performances. The analysis showed that after training, the students practicing on bench models had better performance based on Global rating scale (all P < 0.0000) and felt more confident to perform elliptical excision skills (all P < 0.0000) when compared to the control. There was no significant difference (all P > 0.05) between the groups that trained on bench models. The magnitude of the effect (basic cutaneous surgery skills' training) was considered large (>0.80) in all measurements. The acquisition of elliptical excision skills after instructor-directed training on low-fidelity bench models was similar to the training on high-fidelity bench models; and there was a more substantial increase in elliptical excision performances of students that trained on all simulators compared to the learning on didactic materials.

  4. Subconjunctival mitomycin C before pterygium excision: an ultrastructural study.

    PubMed

    Chang, Yi-Sheng; Chen, Wen-Chung; Tseng, Sung-Huei; Sze, Chun-I; Wu, Chao-Liang

    2008-05-01

    Subconjunctival injection of mitomycin C (MMC) before pterygium excision is a new adjunctive therapy to decrease pterygium recurrence. This study aimed to investigate the ultrastructural changes in pterygium after subconjunctival injection of MMC. Four patients underwent subconjunctival injection of 0.1 mL of 0.15 mg/mL MMC 1 month before pterygium excision, and 2 patients served as controls without preoperative MMC injection. The excised specimens of pterygium were examined under transmission electron microscopy. Epithelial cells of the treated pterygium remained unchanged. However, stromal fibroblasts were decreased in number, were oval rather than spindle-shaped, and had shrunken cytoplasmic processes; some were degenerating or apoptotic. Collagen and elastic fibers were decreased in density, disorganized, and degenerated. Capillary endothelial cells were thickened and swollen, with narrow or obliterated lumens. Axonal swelling and demyelination were observed. Subconjunctival injection of MMC inhibits fibrovascular activity in the pterygial stroma, leading to degeneration of the extracellular matrix and nerve axons. These ultrastructural changes are consistent with the clinical observation of reduced vascularity in the pterygium after MMC injection and verify the effectiveness of subconjunctival MMC injection 1 month before pterygium excision in decreasing the risk of pterygium recurrence.

  5. The effect of alcoholic beverage excise tax on alcohol-attributable injury mortalities.

    PubMed

    Son, Chong Hwan; Topyan, Kudret

    2011-04-01

    This study examines the effect of state excise taxes on different types of alcoholic beverages (spirits, wine, and beer) on alcohol-attributable injury mortalities--deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents, suicides, homicides, and falls--in the United States between 1995 and 2004, using state-level panel data. There is evidence that injury deaths attributable to alcohol respond differently to changes in state excise taxes on alcohol-specific beverages. This study examines the direct relationship between injury deaths and excise taxes without testing the degree of the association between excise taxes and alcohol consumption. The study finds that beer taxes are negatively related to motor vehicle accident mortality, while wine taxes are negatively associated with suicides and falls. The positive coefficient of the spirit taxes on falls implies a substitution effect between spirits and wine, suggesting that an increase in spirit tax will cause spirit buyers to purchase more wine. This study finds no evidence of a relationship between homicides and state excise taxes on alcohol. Thus, the study concludes that injury deaths attributable to alcohol respond differently to the excise taxes on different types of alcoholic beverages.

  6. 76 FR 46677 - Indoor Tanning Services; Cosmetic Services Excise Taxes

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-08-03

    ... 1545-BJ40 Indoor Tanning Services; Cosmetic Services Excise Taxes AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS... of public hearing on proposed rulemaking providing guidance on the indoor tanning services excise tax... indoor tanning services. DATES: The public hearing is being held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at 10 a.m...

  7. CCD filter and transform techniques for interference excision

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Borsuk, G. M.; Dewitt, R. N.

    1976-01-01

    The theoretical and some experimental results of a study aimed at applying CCD filter and transform techniques to the problem of interference excision within communications channels were presented. Adaptive noise (interference) suppression was achieved by the modification of received signals such that they were orthogonal to the recently measured noise field. CCD techniques were examined to develop real-time noise excision processing. They were recursive filters, circulating filter banks, transversal filter banks, an optical implementation of the chirp Z transform, and a CCD analog FFT.

  8. Bioenergetic metabolites regulate base excision repair dependent cell death in response to DNA damage

    PubMed Central

    Tang, Jiang-bo; Goellner, Eva M.; Wang, Xiao-hong; Trivedi, Ram N.; Croix, Claudette M. St; Jelezcova, Elena; Svilar, David; Brown, Ashley R.; Sobol, Robert W.

    2009-01-01

    Base excision repair (BER) protein expression is important for resistance to DNA damage-induced cytotoxicity. Conversely, BER imbalance (Polß deficiency or repair inhibition) enhances cytotoxicity of radiation and chemotherapeutic DNA-damaging agents. Whereas inhibition of critical steps in the BER pathway result in the accumulation of cytotoxic DNA double-strand breaks, we report that DNA damage-induced cytotoxicity due to deficiency in the BER protein Polß triggers cell death dependent on PARP activation yet independent of poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR)-mediated AIF nuclear translocation or PARG, suggesting that cytotoxicity is not from PAR or PAR-catabolite signaling. Cell death is rescued by the NAD+ metabolite NMN and is synergistic with inhibition of NAD+ biosynthesis, demonstrating that DNA damage-induced cytotoxicity mediated via BER inhibition is primarily dependent on cellular metabolite bioavailability. We offer a mechanistic justification for the elevated alkylation-induced cytotoxicity of Polß deficient cells, suggesting a linkage between DNA repair, cell survival and cellular bioenergetics. PMID:20068071

  9. State-Specific Liquor Excise Taxes and Retail Prices in Eight U.S. States, 2012

    PubMed Central

    Siegel, Michael; Grundman, Jody; DeJong, William; Naimi, Timothy S.; King, Charles; Albers, Alison B.; Williams, Rebecca S.; Jernigan, David H.

    2013-01-01

    We investigated the relationship between state excise taxes and liquor prices in eight states, using 2012 data for 45 brands. We made 6,042 price observations among 177 liquor stores with online prices. Using a hierarchical model, we examined the relationship between excise taxes and product prices. State excise taxes were significantly related to liquor prices, with an estimated pass-through rate of 0.93. The proportion of price accounted for by excise taxes averaged 7.0%. We find that excise taxes do increase the price of alcohol, but states are not taking advantage of this opportunity to reduce alcohol-related morbidity and mortality. PMID:24159914

  10. Re-excision rates after breast conserving surgery following the 2014 SSO-ASTRO guidelines.

    PubMed

    Heelan Gladden, Alicia A; Sams, Sharon; Gleisner, Ana; Finlayson, Christina; Kounalakis, Nicole; Hosokawa, Patrick; Brown, Regina; Chong, Tae; Mathes, David; Murphy, Colleen

    2017-12-01

    In 2014, SSO-ASTRO published guidelines which recommended "no ink on tumor" as adequate margins for patients undergoing breast conservation for invasive breast cancer. In 2016, new SSO-ASTRO-ASCO guidelines recommended 2 mm margins for DCIS. We evaluated whether these guidelines affected re-excision rates at our institution. Patients treated with breast conservation surgery from January 1, 2010-March 1, 2016 were identified. Re-excision rates, tumor characteristics, and presence of residual disease were recorded. The 2016 guidelines were retrospectively applied to the same cohort and expected re-excision rates calculated. Re-excision rates did not significantly decline before and after 2014 guideline adoption (11.9% before, 10.9% after; p = 0.65) or when the 2016 guidelines were retrospectively applied (8.4%; p = 0.10). The 2014 and 2016 guidelines had minimal impact on our re-excision rates, as most re-excisions were done for DCIS and 2016 guidelines supported our prior institutional practices of 2 mm margins for these patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. 26 CFR 54.4979-1 - Excise tax on certain excess contributions and excess aggregate contributions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 17 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Excise tax on certain excess contributions and excess aggregate contributions. 54.4979-1 Section 54.4979-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) PENSION EXCISE TAXES § 54.4979-1 Excise tax on certain excess...

  12. Teaching Elliptical Excision Skills to Novice Medical Students: A Randomized Controlled Study Comparing Low- and High-Fidelity Bench Models

    PubMed Central

    Denadai, Rafael; Oshiiwa, Marie; Saad-Hossne, Rogério

    2014-01-01

    Background: The search for alternative and effective forms of training simulation is needed due to ethical and medico-legal aspects involved in training surgical skills on living patients, human cadavers and living animals. Aims: To evaluate if the bench model fidelity interferes in the acquisition of elliptical excision skills by novice medical students. Materials and Methods: Forty novice medical students were randomly assigned to 5 practice conditions with instructor-directed elliptical excision skills’ training (n = 8): didactic materials (control); organic bench model (low-fidelity); ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model (low-fidelity); chicken legs’ skin bench model (high-fidelity); or pig foot skin bench model (high-fidelity). Pre- and post-tests were applied. Global rating scale, effect size, and self-perceived confidence based on Likert scale were used to evaluate all elliptical excision performances. Results: The analysis showed that after training, the students practicing on bench models had better performance based on Global rating scale (all P < 0.0000) and felt more confident to perform elliptical excision skills (all P < 0.0000) when compared to the control. There was no significant difference (all P > 0.05) between the groups that trained on bench models. The magnitude of the effect (basic cutaneous surgery skills’ training) was considered large (>0.80) in all measurements. Conclusion: The acquisition of elliptical excision skills after instructor-directed training on low-fidelity bench models was similar to the training on high-fidelity bench models; and there was a more substantial increase in elliptical excision performances of students that trained on all simulators compared to the learning on didactic materials. PMID:24700937

  13. Beyond Wires and Seeds: Reflector-guided Breast Lesion Localization and Excision.

    PubMed

    Mango, Victoria L; Wynn, Ralph T; Feldman, Sheldon; Friedlander, Lauren; Desperito, Elise; Patel, Sejal N; Gomberawalla, Ameer; Ha, Richard

    2017-08-01

    Purpose To evaluate outcomes of Savi Scout (Cianna Medical, Aliso Viejo, Calif) reflector-guided localization and excision of breast lesions by analyzing reflector placement, localization, and removal, along with target excision and rates of repeat excision (referred to as re-excision). Materials and Methods A single-institution retrospective review of 100 women who underwent breast lesion localization and excision by using the Savi Scout surgical guidance system from June 2015 to May 2016 was performed. By using image guidance 0-8 days before surgery, 123 nonradioactive, infrared-activated, electromagnetic wave reflectors were percutaneously inserted adjacent to or within 111 breast targets. Twenty patients had two or three reflectors placed for bracketing or for localizing multiple lesions, and when ipsilateral, they were placed as close as 2.6 cm apart. Target and reflector were localized intraoperatively by one of two breast surgeons who used a handpiece that emitted infrared light and electromagnetic waves. Radiographs of the specimen and pathologic analysis helped verify target and reflector removal. Target to reflector distance was measured on the mammogram and radiograph of the specimen, and reflector depth was measured on the mammogram. Pathologic analysis was reviewed. Re-excision rates and complications were recorded. By using statistics software, descriptive statistics were generated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. Results By using sonographic (40 of 123; 32.5%; 95% CI: 24.9%, 41.2%) or mammographic (83 of 123; 67.5%; 95% CI: 58.8% 75.1%) guidance, 123 (100%; 95% CI: 96.4%, 100%) reflectors were placed. Mean mammographic target to reflector distance was 0.3 cm. All 123 (100%; 95% CI: 96.4%, 100%) targets and reflectors were excised. Pathologic analysis yielded 54 of 110 malignancies (49.1%; 95% CI: 39.9%, 58.3%; average, 1.0 cm; range, 0.1-5 cm), 32 high-risk lesions (29.1%; 95% CI: 21.4%, 38.2%), and 24 benign lesions (21.8%; 95% CI

  14. The financial burden of reexcising incompletely excised soft tissue sarcomas: a cost analysis.

    PubMed

    Alamanda, Vignesh K; Delisca, Gadini O; Mathis, Shannon L; Archer, Kristin R; Ehrenfeld, Jesse M; Miller, Mark W; Homlar, Kelly C; Halpern, Jennifer L; Schwartz, Herbert S; Holt, Ginger E

    2013-09-01

    Although survival outcomes have been evaluated between those undergoing a planned primary excision and those undergoing a reexcision following an unplanned resection, the financial implications associated with a reexcision have yet to be elucidated. A query for financial data (professional, technical, indirect charges) for soft tissue sarcoma excisions from 2005 to 2008 was performed. A total of 304 patients (200 primary excisions and 104 reexcisions) were identified. Wilcoxon rank sum tests and χ2 or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare differences in demographics and tumor characteristics. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed with bootstrapping techniques. The average professional charge for a primary excision was $9,694 and $12,896 for a reexcision (p<.001). After adjusting for tumor size, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, grade, and site, patients undergoing reexcision saw an increase of $3,699 in professional charges more than those with a primary excision (p<.001). Although every 1-cm increase in size of the tumor results in an increase of $148 for a primary excision (p=.006), size was not an independent factor in affecting reexcision charges. The grade of the tumor was positively associated with professional charges of both groups such that higher-grade tumors resulted in higher charges compared to lower-grade tumors (p<.05). Reexcision of an incompletely excised sarcoma results in significantly higher professional charges when compared to a single, planned complete excision. Additionally, when the cost of the primary unplanned surgery is considered, the financial burden nearly doubles.

  15. African Americans’ Attitudes Toward Cigarette Excise Taxes

    PubMed Central

    King, Gary; Mallett, Robyn K.; Kozlowski, Lynn T.; Bendel, Robert B.

    2003-01-01

    Objectives. This study examined African Americans’ opinions regarding cigarette excise taxes and other tobacco control issues. Methods. A stratified cluster sample of US congressional districts represented by African Americans was selected. African Americans from 10 districts were interviewed. Results. Forty-seven percent of respondents stated that taxes on tobacco products should be increased, whereas about 30% believed that they should be reduced. Almost 75% disagreed that raising taxes on tobacco products is unfair to African Americans, and 57.9% reported that they would not be opposed to increasing taxes on cigarettes even if low-income smokers would be hit the hardest. Conclusions. The present results indicate substantial support for cigarette excise taxes among African Americans. PMID:12721152

  16. Resolution of vitiligo following excision of halo congenital melanocytic nevus: a rare case report.

    PubMed

    Wang, Kai; Wang, Zhi; Huang, Weiqing

    2016-05-01

    Halo congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) associated with vitiligo is rare, especially with regard to CMN excision. Only two reports of excision of halo CMN following repigmentation of vitiligo are found in the literature. We present a case of a girl with halo CMN and periorbital vitiligo. The halo CMN was excised and followed by spontaneous improvement of vitiligo. The result suggests excision of the inciting lesion may be a promising way to control vitiligo. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. Flat epithelial atypia of the breast on core needle biopsy: an indication for surgical excision.

    PubMed

    Sohn, Vance; Porta, Rees; Brown, Tommy

    2011-11-01

    Flat epithelial atypia (FEA) is an increasingly diagnosed breast lesion yet there remains a paucity of data regarding these findings and their clinical significance. By determining the pathologic concordance rate, we sought to evaluate the indications for surgical intervention for FEAs diagnosed on core needle biopsy (CNB). Using a retrospective review of an international pathology referral center database, we included all breast CNB specimens with FEA as the most advanced diagnosis that underwent surgical excision. Patient demographics, caliber of biopsy needle, and pathology results were then analyzed. Between 2000 and 2009, 463 FEAs were diagnosed among 15,000 specimens referred for expert opinion. Twenty-four lesions (5%) met inclusion criteria. Sampling ranged from 8- to 18-guage needles. Two lesions (8.4%) were upgraded after surgical excision; one patient was found to have infiltrating ductal carcinoma and another with tubular carcinoma. Twelve patients who were diagnosed with FEA did not undergo surgical excision but had no immediate evidence of malignancy. Based on the 8.4% upgrade rate, FEA diagnosed on CNB requires follow-up surgical excision. Regardless of CNB caliber, the risk of sampling error precludes nonoperative management and FEA should be considered an at-risk lesion until more studies and pooled analysis prove otherwise.

  18. The effect of excise tax increases on cigarette prices in South Africa

    PubMed Central

    Linegar, Daniel J; van Walbeek, Corne

    2018-01-01

    Introduction The effectiveness of excise tax increases as a tool for reducing tobacco consumption depends largely on how the tax increases impact the retail price. We estimate this relationship in South Africa for 2001–2015. Data Statistics South Africa provided disaggregated cigarette price data, used in the calculation of the Consumers’ Price Index. Data on the excise tax per cigarette were obtained from Budget Reviews prepared by the National Treasury of South Africa. Methods Regression equations were estimated for each month. The month-on-month change in cigarette prices in February through April was regressed against March’s excise tax change to estimate the pass-through coefficient. For the other 9 months, the month-on-month change in cigarette price was regressed against monthly dummy variables to determine the size of the non-tax-related price increase in each of these months. The analysis was performed in both nominal and real (inflation-adjusted) terms. Findings Expressed in real terms, the excise tax was undershifted. A R1.00 (one rand) increase in the excise tax is associated with an increase in the retail price of cigarettes of R0.90 in the pre-2010 period, and R0.49 in the post-2010 period. In the pre-2010 period, the tobacco industry increased the retail price of cigarettes in July/August, independent of the excise tax increase. The discretionary July/August price increases largely disappeared after 2010, primarily because the market became more competitive. Conclusion The degree of excise tax pass-through, and the magnitude of discretionary increases in cigarette prices, is significantly determined by the competitive environment in the cigarette market. PMID:28341767

  19. Facilitating Facilitators: Enhancing PBL through a Structured Facilitator Development Program

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Salinitri, Francine D.; Wilhelm, Sheila M.; Crabtree, Brian L.

    2015-01-01

    With increasing adoption of the problem-based learning (PBL) model, creative approaches to enhancing facilitator training and optimizing resources to maintain effective learning in small groups is essential. We describe a theoretical framework for the development of a PBL facilitator training program that uses the constructivist approach as the…

  20. Xer1-Mediated Site-Specific DNA Inversions and Excisions in Mycoplasma agalactiae▿ ‡

    PubMed Central

    Czurda, Stefan; Jechlinger, Wolfgang; Rosengarten, Renate; Chopra-Dewasthaly, Rohini

    2010-01-01

    Surface antigen variation in Mycoplasma agalactiae, the etiologic agent of contagious agalactia in sheep and goats, is governed by site-specific recombination within the vpma multigene locus encoding the Vpma family of variable surface lipoproteins. This high-frequency Vpma phase switching was previously shown to be mediated by a Xer1 recombinase encoded adjacent to the vpma locus. In this study, it was demonstrated in Escherichia coli that the Xer1 recombinase is responsible for catalyzing vpma gene inversions between recombination sites (RS) located in the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) in all six vpma genes, causing cleavage and strand exchange within a 21-bp conserved region that serves as a recognition sequence. It was further shown that the outcome of the site-specific recombination event depends on the orientation of the two vpma RS, as direct or inverted repeats. While recombination between inverted vpma RS led to inversions, recombination between direct repeat vpma RS led to excisions. Using a newly developed excision assay based on the lacZ reporter system, we were able to successfully demonstrate under native conditions that such Xer1-mediated excisions can indeed also occur in the M. agalactiae type strain PG2, whereas they were not observed in the control xer1-disrupted VpmaY phase-locked mutant (PLMY), which lacks Xer1 recombinase. Unless there are specific regulatory mechanisms preventing such excisions, this might be the cost that the pathogen has to render at the population level for maintaining this high-frequency phase variation machinery. PMID:20562305

  1. Grading of Total Mesorectal Excision Specimens: Assessment of Interrater Agreement.

    PubMed

    Goebel, Emily A; Stegmaier, Melissa; Gorassini, Donald R; Kubica, Matthew; Parfitt, Jeremy R; Driman, David K

    2018-06-01

    Total mesorectal excision is the standard of care for patients with rectal cancer. Pathological evaluation of the quality of the total mesorectal excision specimen is an important prognostic factor that correlates with local recurrence, but is potentially subjective. This study aimed to determine the degree of variation in grading, both between assessors and between fresh and formalin-fixed specimens. Raters included surgeons, pathologists, pathology residents, pathologists' assistants, and pathologists' assistant trainees. Specimens were assessed by up to 6 raters in the fresh state and by 2 raters postfixation. Four parameters were evaluated: mesorectal bulk, surface regularity, defects, and coning. Interrater agreement was measured using ordinal α-values. The study was conducted at a single academic center. The primary outcome was agreement between individuals when grading total mesorectal excision specimens. A total of 37 total mesorectal excision specimens were assessed. Reliability between all raters for fresh specimens for mesorectal bulk, surface regularity, defects, coning, and overall grade were 0.85, 0.85, 0.92, 0.84, and 0.91. When compared with all raters, pathologists and residents had higher agreement and pathologists and surgeons had lower agreement. Ordinal α-values comparing pathologist and pathologist's assistant agreement for overall grade were similar pre- and postfixation (0.78 vs 0.80), but agreement for assessing defects decreased postfixation. Among pathologists' assistants, agreement was higher when grading specimens postfixation than when grading fresh specimens. Assessment bias may have occurred because of the greater number of pathologists' assistants participating than the number of residents and pathologists. The results indicate good interrater agreement for the assessment of overall grade, with defects showing the best interrater agreement in fresh specimens. Although total mesorectal excision specimens may be consistently graded

  2. Dysplastic nevi with severe atypia: Long-term outcomes in patients with and without re-excision.

    PubMed

    Engeln, Kathleen; Peters, Kaitlin; Ho, Jonhan; Jedrych, Jaroslaw; Winger, Daniel; Ferris, Laura Korb; Patton, Timothy

    2017-02-01

    Dysplastic nevi with severe atypia (severely dysplastic nevi [SDN]) are frequently re-excised because of the concern that these lesions may in fact represent early melanoma. Data on long-term follow-up of these patients are limited. We sought to determine the rate of subsequent melanoma development in patients with SDN who underwent re-excision versus those who did not and to determine factors associated with decision to re-excise. A retrospective single institutional study was conducted with 451 adult patients (mean age 41.3 years) with SDN biopsied between November 1994 and November 2004, with clinical follow-up of at least 5 years. In 451 patients with SDN, re-excision was performed on 36.6%. Two melanomas were diagnosed in the re-excision specimens. Subsequent metastatic melanoma developed in 7 patients, all of whom had a history of melanoma. Margin comments influenced decision to re-excise. This was a retrospective study at a single institution. Re-excision of all SDN may not be necessary. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. CELL POPULATION KINETICS OF EXCISED ROOTS OF PISUM SATIVUM

    PubMed Central

    Van't Hof, Jack

    1965-01-01

    The cell population kinetics of excised, cultured pea roots was studied with the use of tritiated thymidine and colchicine to determine (1) the influence of excision, (2) the influence of sucrose concentration, (3) the average mitotic cycle duration, and (4) the duration of mitosis and the G 1, S, and G 2 periods of interphase.1 The results indicate that the process of excision causes a drop in the frequency of mitotic figures when performed either at the beginning of the culture period or after 100 hours in culture. This initial decrease in frequency of cell division is independent of sucrose concentration, but the subsequent rise in frequency of division, after 12 hours in culture, is dependent upon sucrose concentration. Two per cent sucrose maintains the shortest mitotic cycle duration. The use of colchicine indicated an average cycle duration of 20 hours, whereas the use of tritiated thymidine produced an average cycle duration of 17 hours. PMID:5857253

  4. Beyond the excised ensemble: modelling elliptic curve L-functions with random matrices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cooper, I. A.; Morris, Patrick W.; Snaith, N. C.

    2016-02-01

    The ‘excised ensemble’, a random matrix model for the zeros of quadratic twist families of elliptic curve L-functions, was introduced by Dueñez et al (2012 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 45 115207) The excised model is motivated by a formula for central values of these L-functions in a paper by Kohnen and Zagier (1981 Invent. Math. 64 175-98). This formula indicates that for a finite set of L-functions from a family of quadratic twists, the central values are all either zero or are greater than some positive cutoff. The excised model imposes this same condition on the central values of characteristic polynomials of matrices from {SO}(2N). Strangely, the cutoff on the characteristic polynomials that results in a convincing model for the L-function zeros is significantly smaller than that which we would obtain by naively transferring Kohnen and Zagier’s cutoff to the {SO}(2N) ensemble. In this current paper we investigate a modification to the excised model. It lacks the simplicity of the original excised ensemble, but it serves to explain the reason for the unexpectedly low cutoff in the original excised model. Additionally, the distribution of central L-values is ‘choppier’ than the distribution of characteristic polynomials, in the sense that it is a superposition of a series of peaks: the characteristic polynomial distribution is a smooth approximation to this. The excised model did not attempt to incorporate these successive peaks, only the initial cutoff. Here we experiment with including some of the structure of the L-value distribution. The conclusion is that a critical feature of a good model is to associate the correct mass to the first peak of the L-value distribution.

  5. The effect of excise tax increases on cigarette prices in South Africa.

    PubMed

    Linegar, Daniel J; van Walbeek, Corne

    2018-01-01

    The effectiveness of excise tax increases as a tool for reducing tobacco consumption depends largely on how the tax increases impact the retail price. We estimate this relationship in South Africa for 2001-2015. Statistics South Africa provided disaggregated cigarette price data, used in the calculation of the Consumers' Price Index. Data on the excise tax per cigarette were obtained from Budget Reviews prepared by the National Treasury of South Africa. Regression equations were estimated for each month. The month-on-month change in cigarette prices in February through April was regressed against March's excise tax change to estimate the pass-through coefficient. For the other 9 months, the month-on-month change in cigarette price was regressed against monthly dummy variables to determine the size of the non-tax-related price increase in each of these months. The analysis was performed in both nominal and real (inflation-adjusted) terms. Expressed in real terms, the excise tax was undershifted. A R1.00 (one rand) increase in the excise tax is associated with an increase in the retail price of cigarettes of R0.90 in the pre-2010 period, and R0.49 in the post-2010 period. In the pre-2010 period, the tobacco industry increased the retail price of cigarettes in July/August, independent of the excise tax increase. The discretionary July/August price increases largely disappeared after 2010, primarily because the market became more competitive. The degree of excise tax pass-through, and the magnitude of discretionary increases in cigarette prices, is significantly determined by the competitive environment in the cigarette market. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

  6. Tobacco excise and declining tobacco consumption: the case of Papua New Guinea.

    PubMed Central

    Chapman, S; Richardson, J

    1990-01-01

    Excise elasticities of demand for non-cigarette tobacco and cigarettes were calculated for Papua New Guinea for the 14 years 1973-86. Respectively, these were -0.50 and -0.71. This means that 10 percent increases in cigarette and non-cigarette tobacco excise are associated with an estimated 7.1 percent fall in demand for cigarettes and a 5 percent decrease in the demand for tobacco. As tax (excise) elasticities would normally be significantly smaller than price elasticities, these results imply that the consumption of cigarettes and tobacco in Papua New Guinea are more responsive to prices than in the United States and other Western countries. The level of excise is therefore an important and practical instrument for the control of consumption. These elasticities appear to be the first reported for a developing country. It is suggested that if they are indicative of consumer behavior in lower income countries then increasing tobacco and cigarette excise should be considered as an important strategy for the control of smoking in these countries which, because of their large populations, are huge markets for tobacco products and thus major targets for tobacco control measures. PMID:2327528

  7. Application of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol-based film patches on laser microporated skin facilitates intradermal macromolecule and nanoparticle delivery.

    PubMed

    Engelke, Laura; Winter, Gerhard; Engert, Julia

    2018-07-01

    The intradermal delivery of biologics has long been recognized as attractive approach for cutaneous immunotherapy, particularly vaccination. Although intradermal (i.d.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) injection provide reproducible dosing and good cost- and delivery efficiency, the major objective to avoid sharps and the need for enhanced storage stability have renewed the interest in alternative needle-free delivery strategies. This study presents a new concept for the delivery of macromolecules and nanoparticles to viable skin layers with a high density of professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Stable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer films as well as PVA blends with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or cross-linked carbomer were prepared using an easily-scalable film casting technique. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and rhodamine B-labeled dextrane 70 kDa (RD70), used as small and macromolecular model substances, or polystyrene (PS)-nano- and microparticles with diameters of 0.5 µm and 5 µm were directly incorporated into the polymer formulations at varying concentrations. The assembly of the polymer films with an occlusive backing tape created a film patch that provided a fast drug release upon dissolution of the water-soluble film and facilitated an intradermal drug delivery on laser microporated skin. The minimally-invasive P.L.E.A.S.E.® laser poration system (Pantec Biosolutions, Ruggell, Liechtenstein) provided access to viable skin layers by thermally ablating the superficial tissue with a pulsed Er:YAG laser (λ = 2.94 µm). In our in vitro study using excised pig skin, laser microporation induced a 4- to 5-fold increase of water transport (TEWL) through excised skin in a Franz diffusion cell compared to intact skin. The TEWL values detected were comparable to in vivo human skin. The increased water transport facilitated the dissolution of all topically applied dry PVA-based film formulations within 6 h. No dissolution of the films was seen on

  8. The Influence of Hepatitis C Virus Therapy on the DNA Base Excision Repair System of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

    PubMed

    Czarny, Piotr; Merecz-Sadowska, Anna; Majchrzak, Kinga; Jabłkowski, Maciej; Szemraj, Janusz; Śliwiński, Tomasz; Karwowski, Bolesław

    2017-07-01

    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can infect extrahepatic tissues, including lymphocytes, creating reservoir of the virus. Moreover, HCV proteins can interact with DNA damage response proteins of infected cells. In this article we investigated the influence of the virus infection and a new ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir ± dasabuvir ± ribavirin (OBV/PTV/r ± DSV ± RBV) anti-HCV therapy on the PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mainly lymphocytes) DNA base excision repair (BER) system. BER protein activity was analyzed in the nuclear and mitochondrial extracts (NE and ME) of PBMC isolated from patients before and after therapy, and from subjects without HCV, using modeled double-strand DNA, with 2'-deoxyuridine substitution as the DNA damage. The NE and ME obtained from patients before therapy demonstrated lower efficacy of 2'-deoxyuridine removal and DNA repair polymerization than those of the control group or patients after therapy. Moreover, the extracts from the patients after therapy had similar activity to those from the control group. However, the efficacy of apurinic/apyrimidinic site excision in NE did not differ between the studied groups. We postulate that infection of lymphocytes by the HCV can lead to a decrease in the activity of BER enzymes. However, the use of novel therapy results in the improvement of glycosylase activity as well as the regeneration of endonuclease and other crucial repair enzymes.

  9. 27 CFR 70.412 - Excise taxes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... Relating to Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Provisions Relating to Distilled Spirits, Wines, and Beer § 70.412 Excise taxes. (a) Collection. Taxes on distilled spirits, wines, and beer are paid by... taxes incurred on distilled spirits, wines, and beer during the semimonthly or quarterly period. Payment...

  10. Mobilizing Public Opinion for the Tobacco Industry: The Consumer Tax Alliance and Excise Taxes

    PubMed Central

    Campbell, Richard; Balbach, Edith D.

    2009-01-01

    Background Tobacco industry funding was instrumental in creating and financing the Consumer Tax Alliance in 1989 as an ostensibly organization that relied upon extensive media outreach to build opposition to excise taxes as a regressive form of taxation. By obscuring its own role in this effort, the tobacco industry undermined the public’s reasonable expectations for transparency in the policy making process. Aim To examine the formation and activities of the Consumer Tax Alliance as a “hybrid” form of interest group in order to provide tobacco control and public health advocates with a better understanding of unanticipated tobacco industry coalitions and facilitate appropriate counter measures. Methods Document searches through the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library and through Tobacco Documents Online and review of background literature. Results The Tobacco Institute actively sought liberal allies beginning in the mid-1980s in seeking to build public opposition to cigarette excise tax increases by promoting them as a regressive form of taxation. The creation of the Consumer Tax Alliance in 1989 was expressly intended to turn labor and middle class opinion against prospective excise tax increases in federal budget deficit negotiations, without divulging the tobacco industry’s role in its formation. Conclusion It is important to understand the dynamic by which trusted organizations can be induced to alter their agendas in response to funding sources. Advocates need to understand this form of interest group behavior so that they are better able to negotiate the policy arena by diagnosing and exposing this influence where it occurs and, by doing so, be better prepared to take appropriate counter measures. What this paper adds The tobacco industry’s political strategies for utilizing third party efforts to contest cigarette excise tax increases have not been extensively studied. While there has been some attention to industry sponsorship of third parties, the

  11. Intraoperative endoscopic ultrasound guidance for laparoscopic excision of invisible symptomatic deep intramural myomas.

    PubMed

    Urman, Bulent; Boza, Aysen; Ata, Baris; Aksu, Sertan; Arslan, Tonguc; Taskiran, Cagatay

    2018-01-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of intraoperative endoscopic ultrasound guidance for excision of symptomatic deep intramural myomas that are not otherwise visible at laparoscopy. Seventeen patients with symptomatic deep intramural myomas who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy with intraoperative endoscopic ultrasound guidance were followed up and reported. All myomas were removed successfully. The endometrium was breached in one patient. All patients were relieved of their symptoms and three patients presenting with infertility conceived. There were no short- or long-term complications associated with the procedure. One patient who had multiple myomas necessitated intravenous iron treatment prior to discharge. Laparoscopic removal of small symptomatic deep intramural myomas is facilitated by the use of intraoperative endoscopic ultrasound that enables exact localisation and correct placement of the serosal incision. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: When the myoma is symptomatic, compressing the endometrium, does not show serosal protrusion and is not amenable to hysteroscopic resection, laparoscopic surgery may become challenging. What do the results of this study add: The use of intraoperative endoscopic ultrasound under these circumstances may facilitate the procedure by accurate identification of the myoma and correct placement of the serosal incision. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Intraoperative ultrasound should be more oftenly used to accurately locate deep intramural myomas to the end of making laparoscopy feasible and possibly decreasing recurrence by facilitating removal of otherwise unidentifiable disease.

  12. Laparoscopic Excision of a Ciliated Hepatic Foregut Cyst

    PubMed Central

    Mak, Grace Z.; Reynolds, Jordan P.; Tevar, Amit D.; Pritts, Timothy A.

    2009-01-01

    Ciliated hepatic foregut cysts are uncommon solitary cysts of the liver that originate from the embryologic foregut. Clinically and radiographically, these lesions can be difficult to distinguish from neoplasms. Recent reports have demonstrated that ciliated hepatic foregut cysts may undergo dysplastic progression, supporting the argument to excise these cysts when discovered. Fewer than 100 cases have been described in the literature since the first description of a ciliated hepatic foregut cyst in 1857. We present a patient who recently underwent laparoscopic excision of a ciliated hepatic foregut cyst, review the literature, and propose the rationale for attempting removal of these cysts via a laparoscopic approach. PMID:19366552

  13. Preparing Facilitators From Community-Based Organizations for Evidence-Based Intervention Training in Second Life

    PubMed Central

    Valladares, Angel Felix; Tschannen, Dana; Villarruel, Antonia Maria

    2014-01-01

    Background A major barrier to the use and scale-up of evidence-based interventions are challenges related to training and capacity building. A cost-effective and highly interactive multi-user virtual environment, Second Life (SL) is a promising alternative for comprehensive face-to-face facilitator training. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using SL to train facilitators from community-based organizations to use ¡Cuídate! (Take Care of Yourself), one of the few evidence-based interventions developed and tested with Latino youth to reduce sexual risk behaviors. Methods We recruited 35 participants from community-based organizations throughout the United States to participate in the SL ¡Cuídate! Training of Facilitators. Preparation to use SL consisted of four phases: (1) recruitment and computer capacity screening, (2) enrollment, (3) orientation to the SL program, and (4) technical support throughout the synchronous training sessions. Technical difficulties, the associated cause, and the mitigation strategy implemented were recorded during each session. Participants completed evaluations including perceptions of self-efficacy and confidence to complete the necessary skills to participate in SL training. Results Overall, participants reported high levels of self-efficacy for all skills necessary to participate in SL training. Based on an 11-point scale (0-10), self-efficacy to download and access the software was rated the highest: mean 8.29 (SD 2.19). Interacting with items in SL had the lowest mean score: mean 7.49 (SD 2.89). The majority of technical difficulties experienced by participants were related to inadequate Internet connections or computer malfunctions. Conclusions Our findings support the feasibility of using SL for the ¡Cuídate! Training of Facilitators. The process used in this study to prepare participants to use SL can be used as a basis for other evidence-based intervention training in SL. This study is

  14. Preparing facilitators from community-based organizations for evidence-based intervention training in Second Life.

    PubMed

    Valladares, Angel Felix; Aebersold, Michelle; Tschannen, Dana; Villarruel, Antonia Maria

    2014-09-30

    A major barrier to the use and scale-up of evidence-based interventions are challenges related to training and capacity building. A cost-effective and highly interactive multi-user virtual environment, Second Life (SL) is a promising alternative for comprehensive face-to-face facilitator training. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using SL to train facilitators from community-based organizations to use ¡Cuídate! (Take Care of Yourself), one of the few evidence-based interventions developed and tested with Latino youth to reduce sexual risk behaviors. We recruited 35 participants from community-based organizations throughout the United States to participate in the SL ¡Cuídate! Training of Facilitators. Preparation to use SL consisted of four phases: (1) recruitment and computer capacity screening, (2) enrollment, (3) orientation to the SL program, and (4) technical support throughout the synchronous training sessions. Technical difficulties, the associated cause, and the mitigation strategy implemented were recorded during each session. Participants completed evaluations including perceptions of self-efficacy and confidence to complete the necessary skills to participate in SL training. Overall, participants reported high levels of self-efficacy for all skills necessary to participate in SL training. Based on an 11-point scale (0-10), self-efficacy to download and access the software was rated the highest: mean 8.29 (SD 2.19). Interacting with items in SL had the lowest mean score: mean 7.49 (SD 2.89). The majority of technical difficulties experienced by participants were related to inadequate Internet connections or computer malfunctions. Our findings support the feasibility of using SL for the ¡Cuídate! Training of Facilitators. The process used in this study to prepare participants to use SL can be used as a basis for other evidence-based intervention training in SL. This study is an important contribution to developing cost

  15. The breast lesion excision system (BLES) A preliminary experience.

    PubMed

    Citgez, Bulent; Atay, Murat; Yetkin, Gu Rkan; Kartal, Abdulcabbar; Mihmanli, Mehmet; Uludag, Mehmet

    2016-01-01

    BLES (Intact Breast lesion Excision System) is a new defined system which can remove the lesion completely. We aimed to evaluate and compare the results of BLES used for breast lesions requiring histological verification with other percutaneous biopsy methods in the literature. Patients with breast lesions smaller than 20mm and for whom biopsy was indicated were involved in the study. 18(1 male, 17 female, mean age: 41. 83, age range: 26-72) patients were included the study. BLES is applied with a single insertion. Radiofrequency is used to excise the breast tissue after the insertion. Around the lesion, tissue capture basket is moved back and forth. Once captured, the basket and the probe is removed from the incision area. All of the lesions were excised en-bloc. The only complication occured was subdermal hematoma in one case (5.5%) which resolved spontenously. Pathological analysis of the specimens revealed 9 fibroadenoma, 3 fibroadenomatosis hyperplasia, 3 complicated and calcified cysts, 1 ductal epithelial hyperplasia, 1 carcinoma in situ with intraductal papillary carcinoma focus and 1 ductal carcinoma in situ with 2 mm invasive carcinoma focus. The last two cases underwent resectıon and sentınal lymph node procedure. BLES is a is non-invasive method which has no need for additional initiatives in benign cases, provide sufficient samples for pathological diagnosis and remove the lesion in one piece. BLES method can be applied in selected cases. Breast Lesion Excision System, Breast, Biopsy, Radiofrequency, Lesion.

  16. Papillary lesions of the breast: To excise or observe?

    PubMed

    Khan, Sidrah; Diaz, Adrian; Archer, Kellie J; Lehman, Rebecca R; Mullins, Tiffany; Cardenosa, Gilda; Bear, Harry D

    2018-05-01

    Papillary lesions of the breast range from benign to atypical to malignant. Although papillomas without frank cancer are benign, their management remains controversial. When a core needle biopsy of a lesion yields a diagnosis of intraductal papilloma with atypia, excision is generally recommended to rule out a concurrent malignant neoplasm. For intraductal papillomas without atypia, however, recommendations for excision versus observation are variable. The aims of this study are to evaluate the rate of concurrent malignancies for intraductal papilloma diagnosed on core needle biopsy and to assess the long-term risk of developing cancer after the diagnosis of a papillary lesion. This single institution retrospective study analyzed 259 patients that were diagnosed with intraductal papilloma (IDP) by core needle biopsy from 1995 to 2010. Patients were grouped by initial diagnosis into three groups (papilloma without atypia, papilloma with atypia, and papilloma with atypical duct hyperplasia or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ADH/ALH) and followed up for long-term outcomes. After a core needle biopsy showing IDP with atypia or IDP + ADH/ALH, surgical excision yielded a diagnosis of concomitant invasive or ductal in situ cancer in greater that 30% of cases. For intraductal papilloma without atypia, the likelihood of cancer was much lower. Moreover, even with excision, the finding of intraductal papilloma with atypia carries a significant risk of developing cancer long-term, and such patients should be followed carefully and perhaps should be considered for chemoprevention. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  17. Excision versus incision biopsy in the management of malignant melanoma.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Kavita S; Lim, Philip; Brotherston, Micheal T

    2016-01-01

    The incidence of melanoma has increased over the last decade. The Breslow thickness is one of the most important histological parameters. The gold standard for histological diagnosis is an excision biopsy. Incisional, punch or shave biopsies are not recommended as they are often incomplete and can result in false negatives. To assess the validity of incision versus excision biopsies in the prediction of Breslow thickness in the histopathological analysis of malignant melanoma. A retrospective review of histopathological records was conducted for all patients undergoing incision biopsy for malignant melanoma. The Breslow thicknesses of the incisional biopsies were matched to the later corresponding excisional biopsies. The demographical data, site of melanoma and histological subtype were also examined. Sixty patients between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2013 were identified. The most common area biopsied was the upper and lower limbs - 50%. The Breslow thickness and Clark's level were found to be significantly increased in excision versus incision biopsy specimens. Nine patients had differing mitotic rates which were all higher in the excision biopsy samples. Our data supports the UK national guidelines on the management of malignant melanoma in that incisional biopsies are not indicated in the diagnostic pathway of malignant melanoma.

  18. Excision of an enlarging vaginal epidermal inclusion cyst during pregnancy: a case report.

    PubMed

    Pereira, Nigel; Guilfoil, Daniel S

    2012-07-01

    The study aimed to report the case of a patient with an enlarging and symptomatic epidermal inclusion cyst during pregnancy that required surgical excision. This study was a case report of a 28-year-old woman (gravida 8, para 5, aborta 2) at a gestational age of 18 weeks 5 days who reported a tender vaginal mass that had grown larger for more than a week. An enlarging symptomatic cystic mass was surgically excised. Histopathologic findings of the excised mass were consistent with an epidermal inclusion cyst with surrounding moderate chronic inflammation and cyst rupture. The patient's symptoms resolved completely by her postoperative visit. Although most epithelial inclusion cysts are asymptomatic and can be managed expectantly, cysts that enlarge or become symptomatic should be excised surgically.

  19. Navigated Breast Tumor Excision Using Electromagnetically Tracked Ultrasound and Surgical Instruments.

    PubMed

    Ungi, Tamas; Gauvin, Gabrielle; Lasso, Andras; Yeo, Caitlin T; Pezeshki, Padina; Vaughan, Thomas; Carter, Kaci; Rudan, John; Engel, C Jay; Fichtinger, Gabor

    2016-03-01

    Lumpectomy, breast conserving tumor excision, is the standard surgical treatment in early stage breast cancer. A common problem with lumpectomy is that the tumor may not be completely excised, and additional surgery becomes necessary. We investigated if a surgical navigation system using intraoperative ultrasound improves the outcomes of lumpectomy and if such a system can be implemented in the clinical environment. Position sensors were applied on the tumor localization needle, the ultrasound probe, and the cautery, and 3-D navigation views were generated using real-time tracking information. The system was tested against standard wire-localization procedures on phantom breast models by eight surgical residents. Clinical safety and feasibility was tested in six palpable tumor patients undergoing lumpectomy by two experienced surgical oncologists. Navigation resulted in significantly less tissue excised compared to control procedures (10.3 ± 4.4 versus 18.6 ± 8.7 g, p = 0.01) and lower number of tumor-positive margins (1/8 versus 4/8) in the phantom experiments. Excision-tumor distance was also more consistently outside the tumor margins with navigation in phantoms. The navigation system has been successfully integrated in an operating room, and user experience was rated positively by surgical oncologists. Electromagnetic navigation may improve the outcomes of lumpectomy by making the tumor excision more accurate. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and lumpectomy is its first choice treatment. Therefore, the improvement of lumpectomy outcomes has a significant impact on a large patient population.

  20. Descriptive Study of Patients Receiving Excision and Radiotherapy for Keloids

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

    Speranza, Giovanna; Sultanem, Khalil M.D.; Muanza, Thierry

    Purpose: To review and describe our institution's outcomes in patients treated with external beam radiotherapy after keloid excision. Methods and Materials: This was a retrospective study. Patients who received radiotherapy between July 1994 and January 2004 after keloid excision were identified. A questionnaire was mailed regarding sociodemographic factors, early and late radiation toxicities, the need for additional therapy, and satisfaction level. All patients had received a total of 15 Gy in three daily 5-Gy fractions. Treatment started within 24 h after surgery and was delivered on a Siemens orthovoltage machine. The data were analyzed using the STATA statistical package. Results:more » A total of 234 patients were approached. The response rate was 41%, and 75% were female. The mean age was 36.5 years (range, 16-69 years). The patients were mainly of European (53.1%) or African (19.8%) descent. For early toxicity outcomes, 54.2% reported skin redness and 24% reported skin peeling. For late toxicity outcomes, 27% reported telangiectasia and 62% reported permanent skin color changes. No association was found with gender, skin color, or age for the late toxicity outcomes. Of the patients responding, 14.6% required adjuvant treatment. On a visual scale of 1-10 for the satisfaction level, 60% reported a satisfaction level of {>=}8. Telangiectasia was the most significant predictor of a low satisfaction level ({<=}3, p < 0.005). Conclusion: The results of our study have shown that orthovoltage-based radiotherapy after surgical excision for keloids is a good method for the prevention of relapse. It is well tolerated, causes little toxicity, and leads to a high patient satisfaction level.« less

  1. All atypia diagnosed at stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy do not need surgical excision.

    PubMed

    de Mascarel, Isabelle; Brouste, Véronique; Asad-Syed, Maryam; Hurtevent, Gabrielle; Macgrogan, Gaëtan

    2011-09-01

    The necessity of excision is debatable when atypia are diagnosed at stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (microbiopsy). Among the 287 surgical excisions performed at Institut Bergonié from 1999 to 2009, we selected a case-control study group of 151 excisions; 52 involving all the diagnosed cancers and 99 randomly selected among the 235 excisions without cancer, following atypical microbiopsy (24 flat epithelial atypia; 50 atypical ductal hyperplasia; 14 lobular neoplasia; 63 mixed lesions). Mammographical calcification (type, extension, complete removal) and histological criteria of epithelial atypia (type, number of foci, size/extension), topography and microcalcification extension at microbiopsy were compared according to the presence or absence of cancer at excision. Factors associated with cancer at excision were Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS5) lesions, large and/or multiple foci of mammographical calcifications, histological type, number, size and extension of atypical foci. Flat epithelial atypia alone was never associated with cancer at excision. BI-RADS5, atypical ductal hyperplasia (alone or predominant) and >3 foci of atypia were identified as independent pejorative factors. There was never any cancer at excision when these pejorative factors were absent (n=31). Presence of one (n=59), two (n=23) or three (n=14) factors was associated with cancer in 24, 15 and 13 cases with an odds ratio=5.8 (95% CI: 3-11.2) for each additional factor. We recommend that mammographical data and histological characteristics be taken into account in the decision-making process after diagnosis of atypia on microbiopsy. With experienced senologists and strict histological criteria, some patients could be spared surgery resulting in significant patient, financial and time advantages.

  2. Base excision repair: NMR backbone assignments of Escherichia coli formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase

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

    Buchko, Garry W.; Wallace, Susan S.; Kennedy, Michael A.

    2002-03-01

    Oxidative damage is emerging as one of the most important mechanisms responsible for mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, aging, and various diseases (Farr and Kogma, 1991). One of the potential targets for oxidation is cellular DNA. While exposure to exogenous agents, such as ionizing radiation and chemicals, contributes to damaging DNA, the most important oxidative agents are endogenous, such as the reactive free radicals produced during normal oxidative metabolism (Adelman et., 1988). To mitigate the potentially deleterious effects of oxidative DNA damage virtually all aerobic organisms have developed complex repair mechanisms (Petit and Sancar, 1999). One repair mechanism, base excision repair (BER), appearsmore » to be responsible for replacing most oxidative DNA damage (David and Williams, 1998). Formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg), a 269-residue metalloprotein with a molecular weight of 30.2 kDa, is a key BER enzyme in prokaryotes (Boiteaux et al., 1987). Substrates recognized and released by Fpg include 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), 2,6 diamino-4-hydroxy-5-formamido pyrimidine (Fapy-G), the adenine equivalents 8-oxoA and Fapy-A, 5-hydroxycytosine, 5-hydroxyuracil, B ureidoisobutiric acid, and a-R-hydroxy-B-ureidoisobutiric acid (Freidberg et al., 1995). In vitro Fpg bind double-stranded DNA and performs three catalytic activities: (i) DNA glycosylase, (ii) AP lyase, and (iii) deoxyribophosphodiesterase.« less

  3. Frequency of invasive cancer in surgically excised vulvar lesions with intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN 3).

    PubMed

    Husseinzadeh, N; Recinto, C

    1999-04-01

    The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of invasive cancer found from specimens removed by surgical excision on patients with diagnosis of VIN 3. Seventy-eight patients with biopsy-proven vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (VIN 3) were treated by surgical excision. Sixteen patients (20.5%) were found to have invasion in the excised surgical specimen. Superficial invasion was seen in 7 patients (9%), 9 were noted to have >1 mm invasion (11.5%), and 1 patient had in situ Paget's disease (1.3%). Surgical excision should be considered a preferable method in management of patients with VIN 3. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

  4. Facilitating the Development of School-Based Learning Networks

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kubiak, Chris; Bertram, Joan

    2010-01-01

    Purpose: This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge base on leading and facilitating the growth of school improvement networks by describing the activities and challenges faced by network leaders. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 19 co-leaders from 12 networks were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule about the growth of their…

  5. Pisiform excision for pisotriquetral instability and arthritis.

    PubMed

    Campion, Heather; Goad, Andrea; Rayan, Ghazi; Porembski, Margaret

    2014-07-01

    To evaluate wrist strength and kinematics after pisiform excision and preservation of its soft tissue confluence for pisotriquetral instability and arthritis. We evaluated 12 patients, (14 wrists) subjectively and objectively an average of 7.5 years after pisiform excision. Three additional patients were interviewed by phone. Subjective evaluation included inquiry about pain and satisfaction with the treatment. Objective testing included measuring wrist flexion and extension range of motion, grip strength, and static and dynamic flexion and ulnar deviation strengths of the operative hand compared with the nonsurgical normal hand. Four patients had concomitant ulnar nerve decompression at the wrist. All patients were satisfied with the outcome. Wrist flexion averaged 99% and wrist extension averaged 95% of the nonsurgical hand. Mean grip strength of the operative hand was 90% of the nonsurgical hand. Mean static flexion strength of the operative hand was 94% of the nonsurgical hand, whereas mean dynamic flexion strength was 113%. Mean static ulnar deviation strength of the operative hand was 87% of the nonsurgical hand. The mean dynamic ulnar deviation strength of the operative hand was 103% of the nonsurgical hand. Soft tissue confluence-preserving pisiform excision relieved pain and retained wrist motion and static and dynamic strength. Associated ulnar nerve compression was a confounding factor that may have affected outcomes. Therapeutic IV. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. [Arthroscopic excision of elastofibroma dorsi at scapulothoracic joint: a surgical technique].

    PubMed

    Çakmak, Gökhan; Ergün, Tarkan; Şahin, M Şükrü

    2014-01-01

    Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare soft tissue pseudotumor which is located at the anteroinferior aspect of the scapula. In this article, we report a 19-year-old female case who had arthroscopic marginal excision of elastofibroma dorsi at the scapulothoracic joint without recurrences during follow-up. The arthroscopic marginal excision of the elastofibroma dorsi may have good clinical results in selected cases.

  7. Columnar cell lesions on breast needle biopsies: is surgical excision necessary? A systematic review.

    PubMed

    Verschuur-Maes, Anoek H J; van Deurzen, Carolien H M; Monninkhof, Evelyn M; van Diest, Paul J

    2012-02-01

    This systematic review was conducted to provide treatment recommendations for patients with a diagnosis of columnar cell lesions (CCLs) in a breast core needle biopsy (CNB). CCLs are putative breast cancer precursors and are often associated with (in situ) carcinoma in excision specimens. Although several studies reported on the progression risk and underestimation rate of a CNB diagnosis of CCL, there is no consensus regarding optimal clinical management in this context. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases from 1990 to October 2010 for studies on patients with a CNB diagnosis of CCL without atypia, CCL with atypia and atypical ductal hyperplasia associated with CCL followed by surgical excision or clinical follow up. Of 1759 selected articles, 24 were included in this review. The pooled underestimation risks for (in situ) carcinoma were as follow: CCL without atypia 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.6%-4%), CCL with atypia 9% (95% CI: 5%-14%), and atypical ductal hyperplasia associated with CCL 20% (95% CI: 13%-28%), based on the whole groups of patients with a CNB. Studies including CCLs with long-term clinical follow-up showed a trend toward a limited elevated breast cancer risk. On the basis of the (in situ) carcinoma underestimation rates of patients with a CNB diagnosis of CCL with atypia and atypical ductal hyperplasia associated with CCL, surgical excision should be considered. For CCL without atypia, more studies with a long-term follow-up are required, but so far, surgical excision biopsy does not seem to be necessary.

  8. 27 CFR 26.30 - Excise taxes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS LIQUORS AND ARTICLES FROM PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Rum Imported Into the United States From Areas Other Than Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands § 26.30 Excise taxes..., collected on all rum imported into the United States (including rum from possessions other than Puerto Rico...

  9. 27 CFR 26.30 - Excise taxes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS LIQUORS AND ARTICLES FROM PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Rum Imported Into the United States From Areas Other Than Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands § 26.30 Excise taxes..., collected on all rum imported into the United States (including rum from possessions other than Puerto Rico...

  10. 27 CFR 26.30 - Excise taxes.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS LIQUORS AND ARTICLES FROM PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Rum Imported Into the United States From Areas Other Than Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands § 26.30 Excise taxes..., collected on all rum imported into the United States (including rum from possessions other than Puerto Rico...

  11. Corneal Sensitivity Following Lacrimal Gland Excision in the Rat

    PubMed Central

    Meng, Ian D.; Barton, Stephen T.; Mecum, Neal E.; Kurose, Masayuki

    2015-01-01

    Purpose. Dry eye disease (DED) produces ocular pain and irritation, yet a detailed characterization of ocular sensitivity in a preclinical model of DED is lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess nociceptive behaviors in an aqueous tear deficiency model of DED in the rat. Methods. Spontaneous blinking, corneal mechanical thresholds, and eye wipe behaviors elicited by hypertonic saline (5.0 M) were examined over a period of 8 weeks following the unilateral excision of either the exorbital lacrimal gland or of the exorbital and infraorbital lacrimal glands, and in sham surgery controls. The effect of topical proparacaine on spontaneous blinking and of systemic morphine (0.5–3.0 mg/kg, subcutaneous [SC]) on spontaneous blinking and eye wipe responses were also examined. Results. Lacrimal gland excision resulted in mechanical hypersensitivity and an increase in spontaneous blinking in the ipsilateral eye over an 8-week period that was more pronounced after infra- and exorbital gland excision. The time spent eye wiping was also enhanced in response to hypertonic saline (5.0 M) at both 1- and 8-week time-points, but only in infra- and exorbital gland excised animals. Morphine attenuated spontaneous blinking, and the response to hypertonic saline in dry eye animals and topical proparacaine application reduced spontaneous blinking down to control levels. Conclusions. These results indicate that aqueous tear deficiency produces hypersensitivity in the rat cornea. In addition, the increase in spontaneous blinks and their reduction by morphine and topical anesthesia indicate the presence of persistent irritation elicited by the activation of corneal nociceptors. PMID:26024120

  12. Limited distal clavicle excision of acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

    PubMed

    Gokkus, K; Saylik, M; Atmaca, H; Sagtas, E; Aydin, A T

    2016-05-01

    Resection of the distal aspect of clavicle has a well-documented treatment modality in case of acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis resistant to conservative treatment. Limited (mean ∼0.5cm distal end of clavicle resection) distal clavicle excision of A-C joint arthritis in cases resistant to conservative treatment may reduce the pain and improve the shoulder function. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the results of limited distal clavicle excision of acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis resistant to conservative treatment. All patients were evaluated by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and UCLA shoulder rating scale (University of California Los Angeles), either before surgery or final follow-up period for pain and functional results, respectively. A total of 110 patients (48 male, 62 female) with AC joint arthritis, treated between the years of 2008-2012, were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 30 patients (12 male, 18 female) who failed to show improvement with conservative treatment underwent limited surgical open excision of distal clavicle. The mean age of the study population was 52.5±1.2 years. The mean follow-up period was 27±1.3 months. The mean preoperative VAS score was 83.6±5.58 (range, 70-90) while mean VAS was 26.6±9.3 (range, 10-50) at the final follow-up. There was a statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative VAS scores in patients who had treated by surgical approach (P<0.001). The mean UCLA score of the patients increased postoperatively from 11.5 (range, 9-14) to 29.2 (range, 27-32) at the final follow-up. There was a statistically significant difference between the two time periods with respect to UCLA scores (P<0.001). In patients with AC osteoarthritis resistant to conservative therapy, the hypothesized limited clavicle excision (mean ∼0.5cm distal end of clavicle resection with preserving coracoclavicular ligaments and inferior capsule) reduced the pain and improved the shoulder function

  13. Carbon dioxide laser fiber for the excision of oral leukoplakia.

    PubMed

    Chee, Michael; Sasaki, Clarence

    2013-09-01

    We compared the efficacies of cold knife excision and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser fiber excision of oral cavity leukoplakia. Between August 2009 and June 2011,45 patients who underwent excision of oral cavity leukoplakia were assessed for operative time, use of bipolar cautery, blood loss, and number of intraoperative margins needed. Patients were assigned randomly to either a cold knife group (23 procedures) or a CO2 laser fiber group (24 procedures) at the time of the procedure. The times of excision were similar in the CO2 laser fiber group (1.64 min/cm2) and the cold knife group (1.70 min/cm2). There were large differences between the CO2 laser fiber group and the cold knife group in the categories of bipolar cautery uses per square centimeter (0.34 uses versus 3.32 uses) and blood loss (0.19 g/cm2 versus 2.55 g/cm2). The average number of margins needed to clear a specimen by frozen section was 1.21 for the CO2 laser fiber group and 1.83 for the cold knife group. The CO2 laser fiber did not show an advantage in operative time. The CO2 laser fiber did show better outcomes in the areas of blood loss, bipolar cautery use, and intraoperative margins needed.

  14. Microendoscopic excision of C2 osteoid osteoma: a technical report.

    PubMed

    Kulkarni, Arvind G; Dhruv, Abhilash N; Bassi, Anupreet J

    2013-09-01

    Case report and description of technique. To describe a microendoscopic posterior approach for excision of an osteoid osteoma of C2. Microendoscopic techniques are widely used in the management of degenerative disorders of the spine. This is the first report of their use in the management of an osteoid osteoma via the posterior approach. A 12-year-old-boy presented with left-sided neck pain of 3-month duration. Investigations revealed an osteoid osteoma of C2 lamina-lateral mass complex. The patient underwent a posterior microendoscopic excision using 18-mm diameter METRx system (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN) of tubular retractors. A postoperative computed tomographic scan was done and preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale and Neck Disability Index were evaluated. The patient was periodically followed up for 1 year. The postoperative computed tomographic scan revealed complete excision of the tumor. The visual analogue scale score for neck pain improved from 3/5 (preoperative) to 0/5 (postoperative) and Neck Disability Index from 33.33 (preoperative) to 0 (postoperative) at 1-year follow-up. Microendoscopic techniques can be extended to excise lesions of the spine. It is a safe procedure in experienced hands. The advantages are minimal morbidity, minimal postoperative pain and discomfort, less analgesic dependence, and better cosmesis. The authors recommend this technique for accessible lesions involving the spine.

  15. Results of surgical excision of urethral prolapse in symptomatic patients.

    PubMed

    Hall, Mary E; Oyesanya, Tola; Cameron, Anne P

    2017-11-01

    Here, we present the clinical presentation and surgical outcomes of women with symptomatic urethral prolapse presenting to our institution over 20 years, and seek to provide treatment recommendations for management of symptomatic urethral prolapse and caruncle. A retrospective review of medical records from female patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic urethral prolapse from June 1995 to August 2015 was performed. Surgical technique consisted of a four-quadrant excisional approach for repair of urethral prolapse. A total of 26 patients were identified with a mean age of 38.8 years (range 3-81). The most common presentations were vaginal bleeding, hematuria, pain, and dysuria. All patients underwent surgical excision of urethral prolapse via a standard approach. Follow-up data was available in 24 patients. Six patients experienced temporary postoperative bleeding, and one patient required placement of a Foley catheter for tamponade. One patient experienced temporary postoperative urinary retention requiring Foley catheter placement. Three patients had visible recurrence of urethral prolapse, for which one later underwent re-excision. Surgical excision of urethral prolapse is a reasonable treatment option in patients who have tried conservative management without relief, as well as in those who present with severe symptoms. Possible complications following excision include postoperative bleeding and recurrence, and patients must be counseled accordingly. In this work, we propose a treatment algorithm for symptomatic urethral prolapse. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  16. Study on the excision and integration mediated by class 1 integron in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

    PubMed

    Lin, Qun; Xu, Pusheng; Li, Jiaowu; Huang, Jinhua; Chen, Yin; Deng, Shuhuan

    2017-10-01

    As a novel antibiotic resistance mobile element, integron was recognized as a primary source of antibiotic genes among Gram-positive organisms for its excision and integration of exogenous genes. In this study, Streptococcus pneumoniae was subjected to investigate the excision and integration of class 1 integron with eight different plasmids. As the results indicated, excision in both att site and gene cassettes were successfully observed, which was further confirmed by integration assays and PCR amplification. The observation of class 1 integron mediated excision and integration of various exogenous antibiotics resistance genes may raise the attention of integrons as novel antibiotic resistance determinant in Gram-positive bacteria, especially in Streptococcus. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. Optimal Timing for Early Excision in a Deep Partial Thickness Porcine Burn Model.

    PubMed

    Toussaint, Jimmy; Chung, Won Taek; Mc Clain, Steve; Raut, Vivek; Singer, Adam J

    Many deep partial thickness burns require more than 3 weeks to heal resulting in disfiguring and dysfunctional scarring. Early excision of the eschar has been shown to improve outcomes in deep burns; however, the optimal timing of the excision remains controversial. We compared wound healing and scarring of deep partial thickness burns that were excised at different time points in a porcine model. Deep partial thickness burns (2.5 by 2.5 cm each) were created on the backs of six anesthetized pigs using a previously validated model. The burns were randomly assigned to excision at days 2, 4, or 7 using an electric dermatome. Full thickness 4-mm punch biopsies were obtained at several time points for determination of re-epithelialization and at day 28 for determination of scar depth. Digital imaging was used to calculate percentage wound contraction at day 28. There were no statistically significant differences in wound re-epithelialization at any of the studied time points. Scar depth and percentage wound contraction were also similar among the wounds excised at 2, 4, and 7 days (4.4 ± 1.1 mm vs 3.9 ± 1.1 mm vs 4.1 ± 1.2 mm and 52.9 ± 17.9% vs 52.6 ± 15.6% vs 52.5 ± 13.8%, respectively). Timing of eschar excision (at 2, 4, or 7 days) does not affect the rates of re-epithelialization and scarring in a deep partial thickness porcine burn model. Timing of eschar excision may not change outcomes if performed within the first 2 to 7 days after injury.

  18. Base Excision Repair and Lesion-Dependent Subpathways for Repair of Oxidative DNA Damage

    PubMed Central

    Svilar, David; Goellner, Eva M.; Almeida, Karen H.

    2011-01-01

    Abstract Nuclear and mitochondrial genomes are under continuous assault by a combination of environmentally and endogenously derived reactive oxygen species, inducing the formation and accumulation of mutagenic, toxic, and/or genome-destabilizing DNA lesions. Failure to resolve these lesions through one or more DNA-repair processes is associated with genome instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegeneration, inflammation, aging, and cancer, emphasizing the importance of characterizing the pathways and proteins involved in the repair of oxidative DNA damage. This review focuses on the repair of oxidative damage–induced lesions in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA mediated by the base excision repair (BER) pathway in mammalian cells. We discuss the multiple BER subpathways that are initiated by one of 11 different DNA glycosylases of three subtypes: (a) bifunctional with an associated β-lyase activity; (b) monofunctional; and (c) bifunctional with an associated β,δ-lyase activity. These three subtypes of DNA glycosylases all initiate BER but yield different chemical intermediates and hence different BER complexes to complete repair. Additionally, we briefly summarize alternate repair events mediated by BER proteins and the role of BER in the repair of mitochondrial DNA damage induced by ROS. Finally, we discuss the relation of BER and oxidative DNA damage in the onset of human disease. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 14, 2491–2507. PMID:20649466

  19. Three surgical planes identified in laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision for right-sided colon cancer.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Da-Jian; Chen, Xiao-Wu; OuYang, Man-Zhao; Lu, Yan

    2016-01-12

    Complete mesocolic excision provides a correct anatomical plane for colon cancer surgery. However, manifestation of the surgical plane during laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision versus in computed tomography images remains to be examined. Patients who underwent laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision for right-sided colon cancer underwent an abdominal computed tomography scan. The spatial relationship of the intraoperative surgical planes were examined, and then computed tomography reconstruction methods were applied. The resulting images were analyzed. In 44 right-sided colon cancer patients, the surgical plane for laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision was found to be composed of three surgical planes that were identified by computed tomography imaging with cross-sectional multiplanar reconstruction, maximum intensity projection, and volume reconstruction. For the operations performed, the mean bleeding volume was 73±32.3 ml and the mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 22±9.7. The follow-up period ranged from 6-40 months (mean 21.2), and only two patients had distant metastases. The laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision surgical plane for right-sided colon cancer is composed of three surgical planes. When these surgical planes were identified, laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision was a safe and effective procedure for the resection of colon cancer.

  20. Water Potential in Excised Leaf Tissue

    PubMed Central

    Nelsen, Charles E.; Safir, Gene R.; Hanson, Andrew D.

    1978-01-01

    Leaf water potential (Ψleaf) determinations were made on excised leaf samples using a commercial dew point hygrometer (Wescor Inc., Logan, Utah) and a thermocouple psychrometer operated in the isopiestic mode. With soybean leaves (Glycine max L.), there was good agreement between instruments; equilibration times were 2 to 3 hours. With cereals (Triticum aestivum L. and Hordeum vulgare L.), agreement between instruments was poor for moderately wilted leaves when 7-mm-diameter punches were used in the hygrometer and 20-mm slices were used in the psychrometer, because the Ψleaf values from the dew point hygrometer were too high. Agreement was improved by replacing the 7-mm punch samples in the hygrometer by 13-mm slices, which had a lower cut edge to volume ratio. Equilibration times for cereals were normally 6 to 8 hours. Spuriously high Ψleaf values obtained with 7-mm leaf punches may be associated with the ion release and reabsorption that occur upon tissue excision; such errors evidently depend both on the species and on tissue water status. PMID:16660227

  1. 26 CFR 55.4982-1 - Imposition of excise tax on undistributed income of regulated investment companies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... income of regulated investment companies. 55.4982-1 Section 55.4982-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies...

  2. 26 CFR 55.4982-1 - Imposition of excise tax on undistributed income of regulated investment companies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... income of regulated investment companies. 55.4982-1 Section 55.4982-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies...

  3. 26 CFR 55.4982-1 - Imposition of excise tax on undistributed income of regulated investment companies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... income of regulated investment companies. 55.4982-1 Section 55.4982-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies...

  4. 26 CFR 55.4982-1 - Imposition of excise tax on undistributed income of regulated investment companies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... income of regulated investment companies. 55.4982-1 Section 55.4982-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies...

  5. 26 CFR 55.4982-1 - Imposition of excise tax on undistributed income of regulated investment companies.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... income of regulated investment companies. 55.4982-1 Section 55.4982-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Regulated Investment Companies...

  6. Communication: Site-selective bond excision of adenine upon electron transfer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cunha, T.; Mendes, M.; Ferreira da Silva, F.; Eden, S.; García, G.; Limão-Vieira, P.

    2018-01-01

    This work demonstrates that selective excision of hydrogen atoms at a particular site of the DNA base adenine can be achieved in collisions with electronegative atoms by controlling the impact energy. The result is based on analysing the time-of-flight mass spectra yields of potassium collisions with a series of labeled adenine derivatives. The production of dehydrogenated parent anions is consistent with neutral H loss either from selective breaking of C-H or N-H bonds. These unprecedented results open up a new methodology in charge transfer collisions that can initiate selective reactivity as a key process in chemical reactions that are dominant in different areas of science and technology.

  7. Chloroethyinitrosourea-derived ethano cytosine and adenine adducts are substrates for escherichia coli glycosylases excising analogous etheno adducts

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

    Guliaev, Anton B.; Singer, B.; Hang, Bo

    2004-05-05

    Exocyclic ethano DNA adducts are saturated etheno ring derivatives formed mainly by therapeutic chloroethylnitrosoureas (CNUs), which are also mutagenic and carcinogenic. In this work, we report that two of the ethano adducts, 3,N{sup 4}-ethanocytosine (EC) and 1,N{sup 6}-ethanoadenine (EA), are novel substrates for the Escherichia coli mismatch-specific uracil-DNA glycosylase (Mug) and 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase II (AlkA), respectively. It has been shown previously that Mug excises 3,N{sup 4}-ethenocytosine ({var_epsilon}C) and AlkA releases 1,N{sup 6}-ethenoadenine ({var_epsilon}A). Using synthetic oligonucleotides containing a single ethano or etheno adduct, we found that both glycosylases had a {approx}20-fold lower excision activity toward EC or EA thanmore » that toward their structurally analogous {var_epsilon}C or {var_epsilon}A adduct. Both enzymes were capable of excising the ethano base paired with any of the four natural bases, but with varying efficiencies. The Mug activity toward EC could be stimulated by E. coli endonuclease IV and, more efficiently, by exonuclease III. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed similar structural features of the etheno and ethano derivatives when present in DNA duplexes. However, also as shown by MD, the stacking interaction between the EC base and Phe 30 in the Mug active site is reduced as compared to the {var_epsilon}C base, which could account for the lower EC activity observed in this study.« less

  8. Facilitating Elementary Science Teachers' Implementation of Inquiry-Based Science Teaching

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Qablan, Ahmad M.; DeBaz, Theodora

    2015-01-01

    Preservice science teachers generally feel that the implementation of inquiry-based science teaching is very difficult to manage. This research project aimed at facilitating the implementation of inquiry-based science teaching through the use of several classroom strategies. The evaluation of 15 classroom strategies from 80 preservice elementary…

  9. Students' Perception of Peer and Faculty Debriefing Facilitators Following Simulation- Based Education.

    PubMed

    Doherty-Restrepo, Jennifer; Odai, Michelle; Harris, Meisha; Yam, Tiffany; Potteiger, Kelly; Montalvo, Alicia

    2018-01-01

    Debriefing (discussion led by a facilitator) in simulation-based education enhances dual learning for facilitators and students. Debriefing guides students to critically reflect on their performance in a simulation setting, thus allowing improvement in cognitive and clinical skills. Research has examined the effectiveness of simulation-based education on knowledge, skills, and confidence; however, less research has examined students' perception of debriefing. To compare peer- and faculty-facilitated debriefing on students' confidence and perceptions of simulation effectiveness. Pretest-posttest design, evaluating 23 first-year athletic training students in a CAATE-accredited professional master's program. Participants responded to a series of questions at pre- and posttest using the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare (DASH) to evaluate participant self-confidence of select clinical skills and perceived effectiveness of debriefing. Participants reported a significant increase from pretest to posttest in their confidence in making a differential diagnosis (F=4.26, p=0.03) and ability to share thoughts and emotions without fear of being shamed or humiliated (F=2.08, p=0.05). Students perceived peer- and faculty-facilitated debriefing as equally effective. Peers may assume a facilitator role and provide an effective debriefing session following simulation.

  10. A multistep damage recognition mechanism for global genomic nucleotide excision repair

    PubMed Central

    Sugasawa, Kaoru; Okamoto, Tomoko; Shimizu, Yuichiro; Masutani, Chikahide; Iwai, Shigenori; Hanaoka, Fumio

    2001-01-01

    A mammalian nucleotide excision repair (NER) factor, the XPC–HR23B complex, can specifically bind to certain DNA lesions and initiate the cell-free repair reaction. Here we describe a detailed analysis of its binding specificity using various DNA substrates, each containing a single defined lesion. A highly sensitive gel mobility shift assay revealed that XPC–HR23B specifically binds a small bubble structure with or without damaged bases, whereas dual incision takes place only when damage is present in the bubble. This is evidence that damage recognition for NER is accomplished through at least two steps; XPC–HR23B first binds to a site that has a DNA helix distortion, and then the presence of injured bases is verified prior to dual incision. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) were hardly recognized by XPC–HR23B, suggesting that additional factors may be required for CPD recognition. Although the presence of mismatched bases opposite a CPD potentiated XPC–HR23B binding, probably due to enhancement of the helix distortion, cell-free excision of such compound lesions was much more efficient than expected from the observed affinity for XPC–HR23B. This also suggests that additional factors and steps are required for the recognition of some types of lesions. A multistep mechanism of this sort may provide a molecular basis for ensuring the high level of damage discrimination that is required for global genomic NER. PMID:11238373

  11. A multistep damage recognition mechanism for global genomic nucleotide excision repair.

    PubMed

    Sugasawa, K; Okamoto, T; Shimizu, Y; Masutani, C; Iwai, S; Hanaoka, F

    2001-03-01

    A mammalian nucleotide excision repair (NER) factor, the XPC-HR23B complex, can specifically bind to certain DNA lesions and initiate the cell-free repair reaction. Here we describe a detailed analysis of its binding specificity using various DNA substrates, each containing a single defined lesion. A highly sensitive gel mobility shift assay revealed that XPC-HR23B specifically binds a small bubble structure with or without damaged bases, whereas dual incision takes place only when damage is present in the bubble. This is evidence that damage recognition for NER is accomplished through at least two steps; XPC-HR23B first binds to a site that has a DNA helix distortion, and then the presence of injured bases is verified prior to dual incision. Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) were hardly recognized by XPC-HR23B, suggesting that additional factors may be required for CPD recognition. Although the presence of mismatched bases opposite a CPD potentiated XPC-HR23B binding, probably due to enhancement of the helix distortion, cell-free excision of such compound lesions was much more efficient than expected from the observed affinity for XPC-HR23B. This also suggests that additional factors and steps are required for the recognition of some types of lesions. A multistep mechanism of this sort may provide a molecular basis for ensuring the high level of damage discrimination that is required for global genomic NER.

  12. Oxidatively Generated Guanine(C8)-Thymine(N3) Intrastrand Cross-links in Double-stranded DNA Are Repaired by Base Excision Repair Pathways*

    PubMed Central

    Talhaoui, Ibtissam; Shafirovich, Vladimir; Liu, Zhi; Saint-Pierre, Christine; Akishev, Zhiger; Matkarimov, Bakhyt T.; Gasparutto, Didier; Geacintov, Nicholas E.; Saparbaev, Murat

    2015-01-01

    Oxidatively generated guanine radical cations in DNA can undergo various nucleophilic reactions including the formation of C8-guanine cross-links with adjacent or nearby N3-thymines in DNA in the presence of O2. The G*[C8-N3]T* lesions have been identified in the DNA of human cells exposed to oxidative stress, and are most likely genotoxic if not removed by cellular defense mechanisms. It has been shown that the G*[C8-N3]T* lesions are substrates of nucleotide excision repair in human cell extracts. Cleavage at the sites of the lesions was also observed but not further investigated (Ding et al. (2012) Nucleic Acids Res. 40, 2506–2517). Using a panel of eukaryotic and prokaryotic bifunctional DNA glycosylases/lyases (NEIL1, Nei, Fpg, Nth, and NTH1) and apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonucleases (Apn1, APE1, and Nfo), the analysis of cleavage fragments by PAGE and MALDI-TOF/MS show that the G*[C8-N3]T* lesions in 17-mer duplexes are incised on either side of G*, that none of the recovered cleavage fragments contain G*, and that T* is converted to a normal T in the 3′-fragment cleavage products. The abilities of the DNA glycosylases to incise the DNA strand adjacent to G*, while this base is initially cross-linked with T*, is a surprising observation and an indication of the versatility of these base excision repair proteins. PMID:25903131

  13. 76 FR 3584 - Time for Payment of Certain Excise Taxes, and Quarterly Excise Tax Payments for Small Alcohol...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-20

    ... 40 Cigars and cigarettes, Claims, Electronic fund transfers, Excise taxes, Labeling, Packaging and..., Regulations.gov , we will post, and you may view, copies of this notice, any electronic or mailed comments we... material that we consider unsuitable for posting. You also may view copies of this notice, any electronic...

  14. Union women, the tobacco industry, and excise taxes: a lesson in unintended consequences.

    PubMed

    Balbach, Edith D; Campbell, Richard B

    2009-08-01

    Between 1987 and 1997, the tobacco industry used the issue of cigarette excise tax increases to create a political partnership with the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), a group representing female trade unionists in the U.S. This paper documents how the industry created this relationship and the lessons tobacco-control advocates can learn from the industry's example, in order to mitigate possible unintended consequences of advocating excise tax increases. In 1998, under the terms of the Master Settlement Agreement, the tobacco industry began making documents produced in litigation available publicly. Currently, approximately 50 million pages are available online, including substantial documentation of the industry-CLUW relationship. For this study, a comprehensive search of these documents was conducted. The tobacco industry encouraged CLUW's opposition to excise tax increases by emphasizing the economic regressivity of these taxes, discussing excise taxes generically to deflect attention from cigarettes, and encouraging opposition to earmarking cigarette taxes to pay for specific programs. In addition, CLUW received at least $221,500 in financial support between 1987 and 1997 and in-kind support for its conferences, membership materials, and other services. Excise tax increases, if pursued without considering the impacts they may have on low-SES populations, may have unintended consequences. In this case, such proposals may have helped to create a relationship between CLUW and the tobacco industry. Because excise taxes are endorsed in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, tobacco-control advocates must understand how to build relationships with low-SES populations and mitigate potential alliances with the tobacco industry.

  15. Olfactory groove meningioma: discussion of clinical presentation and surgical outcomes following excision via the subcranial approach.

    PubMed

    Pepper, Jon-Paul; Hecht, Sarah L; Gebarski, Stephen S; Lin, Erin M; Sullivan, Stephen E; Marentette, Lawrence J

    2011-11-01

    To describe surgical outcomes and radiographic features of olfactory groove meningiomas treated by excision through the subcranial approach. Special emphasis is placed on paranasal sinus and orbit involvement. Retrospective review of a series of patients. Nineteen patients underwent excision of olfactory groove meningioma (OGM) via the transglabellar/subcranial approach between December 1995 and November 2009. Nine patients had previously undergone prior resection at outside institutions, and four had prior radiotherapy in addition to a prior excision. Transglabellar/subcranial surgical approach to the anterior skull base was performed. Tumor histology included three World Health Organization (WHO) grade III lesions, one WHO grade II lesion, and 15 WHO grade I lesions. Fourteen patients had evidence of extension into the paranasal sinuses, with the ethmoid sinus being most commonly involved. Kaplan-Meier estimates of mean overall and disease-free survival were 121.45 months and 93.03 months, respectively. The mean follow-up interval was 41.0 months, and at the time of data analysis three patients had recurrent tumors. Seven (36.8%) patients experienced a major complication in the perioperative period; there were no perioperative mortalities. Orbit invasion was observed in four patients, with optic nerve impingement in 11 patients. Of these, three patients had long-term diplopia. No patients experienced worsening of preoperative visual acuity. Olfactory groove meningiomas demonstrate a propensity to spread into the paranasal sinuses, particularly in recurrent cases. Given a tendency for infiltrative recurrence along the skull base, this disease represents an important area of collaboration between neurosurgery and otolaryngology. The subcranial approach offers excellent surgical access for excision, particularly for recurrences that involve the paranasal sinuses and optic apparatus. Copyright © 2011 The American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society

  16. Neural substrates of social facilitation effects on incentive-based performance

    PubMed Central

    Chib, Vikram S; Adachi, Ryo; O’Doherty, John P

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Throughout our lives we must perform tasks while being observed by others. Previous studies have shown that the presence of an audience can cause increases in an individual’s performance as compared to when they are not being observed—a phenomenon called ‘social facilitation’. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this effect, in the context of skilled-task performance for monetary incentives, are not well understood. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to monitor brain activity while healthy human participants performed a skilled-task during conditions in which they were paid based on their performance and observed and not observed by an audience. We found that during social facilitation, social signals represented in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) enhanced reward value computations in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). We also found that functional connectivity between dmPFC and ventral striatum was enhanced when participants exhibited social facilitation effects, indicative of a means by which social signals serve to modulate brain regions involved in regulating behavioral motivation. These findings illustrate how neural processing of social judgments gives rise to the enhanced motivational state that results in social facilitation of incentive-based performance. PMID:29648653

  17. Do alcohol excise taxes affect traffic accidents? Evidence from Estonia.

    PubMed

    Saar, Indrek

    2015-01-01

    This article examines the association between alcohol excise tax rates and alcohol-related traffic accidents in Estonia. Monthly time series of traffic accidents involving drunken motor vehicle drivers from 1998 through 2013 were regressed on real average alcohol excise tax rates while controlling for changes in economic conditions and the traffic environment. Specifically, regression models with autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) errors were estimated in order to deal with serial correlation in residuals. Counterfactual models were also estimated in order to check the robustness of the results, using the level of non-alcohol-related traffic accidents as a dependent variable. A statistically significant (P <.01) strong negative relationship between the real average alcohol excise tax rate and alcohol-related traffic accidents was disclosed under alternative model specifications. For instance, the regression model with ARIMA (0, 1, 1)(0, 1, 1) errors revealed that a 1-unit increase in the tax rate is associated with a 1.6% decrease in the level of accidents per 100,000 population involving drunk motor vehicle drivers. No similar association was found in the cases of counterfactual models for non-alcohol-related traffic accidents. This article indicates that the level of alcohol-related traffic accidents in Estonia has been affected by changes in real average alcohol excise taxes during the period 1998-2013. Therefore, in addition to other measures, the use of alcohol taxation is warranted as a policy instrument in tackling alcohol-related traffic accidents.

  18. 26 CFR 54.4979-0 - Excise tax on certain excess contributions and excess aggregate contributions; table of contents.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... 26 Internal Revenue 17 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Excise tax on certain excess contributions and excess aggregate contributions; table of contents. 54.4979-0 Section 54.4979-0 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) PENSION EXCISE TAXES § 54.4979-0 Excise tax on...

  19. Laparoscopic versus open total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Breukink, S; Pierie, J; Wiggers, T

    2006-10-18

    Because definitive long-term results are not yet available, the oncological safety of laparoscopic surgery for treatment of rectal cancer remains controversial. However, laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME) for rectal cancer has been proposed to have several short-term advantages in comparison with open total mesorectal excision (OTME). To evaluate whether there are any relevant differences in safety and efficacy after elective LTME, for the resection of rectal cancer, compared with OTME. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Current Contents from 1990 to December 2005. Searches were conducted using MESH terms: "laparoscopy", "minimally invasive","colorectal neoplasms". Furthermore we used the following text words: laparoscopy, surgical procedures, minimally invasive, rectal cancer, rectal carcinoma, rectal adenocarcinoma, rectal neoplasms, anterior resection, abdominoperineal resection, total mesorectal excision. We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials and case series comparing LTME versus OTME. Furthermore case reports which describe LTME were also included. Two reviewers independently assessed study quality. All relevant studies have been categorized according to the evidence they provide according to the guidelines for "Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendation" supplied by the "Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine". Disagreements were solved by discussion. 80 studies were identified of which 48 studies, representing 4224 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of most of the included studies was poor; three studies were grade 1b (individual randomised trial), 12 grade 2b (individual cohort study), 5 grade 3b (individual case-control study) and 28 grade 4 (case-series). As only one RCT described primary outcome, 3-year and 5-year disease-free survival rates, no meta-analyses could be performed. No significant differences in terms of

  20. Using Technology to Facilitate Collaboration in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

    PubMed Central

    Jessell, Lauren; Smith, Vivian; Jemal, Alexis; Windsor, Liliane

    2017-01-01

    This study explores the use of Computer-Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW) technologies, by way of a computer-based system called iCohere. This system was used to facilitate collaboration conducting Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Data was gathered from 13 members of a Community Collaborative Board (CCB). Analysis revealed that iCohere served the following functions: facilitating communication, providing a depository for information and resource sharing, and allowing for remote meeting attendance. Results indicated that while iCohere was useful in performing these functions, less expensive technologies had the potential to achieve similar goals if properly implemented. Implications for future research on CSCW systems and CBPR are discussed. PMID:29056871

  1. Cigarette price minimization strategies in the United States: price reductions and responsiveness to excise taxes.

    PubMed

    Pesko, Michael F; Licht, Andrea S; Kruger, Judy M

    2013-11-01

    Because cigarette price minimization strategies can provide substantial price reductions for individuals continuing their usual smoking behaviors following federal and state cigarette excise tax increases, we examined independent price reductions compensating for overlapping strategies. The possible availability of larger independent price reduction opportunities in states with higher cigarette excise taxes is explored. Regression analysis used the 2006-2007 Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey (N = 26,826) to explore national and state-level independent price reductions that smokers obtained from purchasing cigarettes (a) by the carton, (b) in a state with a lower average after-tax cigarette price than in the state of residence, and (c) in "some other way," including online or in another country. Price reductions from these strategies are estimated jointly to compensate for known overlapping strategies. Each strategy reduced the price of cigarettes by 64-94 cents per pack. These price reductions are 9%-22% lower than conventionally estimated results not compensating for overlapping strategies. Price reductions vary substantially by state. Following cigarette excise tax increases, the price reduction available from purchasing cigarettes by cartons increased. Additionally, the price reduction from purchasing cigarettes in a state with a lower average after-tax cigarette price is positively associated with state cigarette excise tax rates and border state cigarette excise tax rate differentials. Findings from this large, nationally representative study of cigarette smokers suggest that price reductions are larger in states with higher cigarette excise taxes, and increase as cigarette excise taxes rise.

  2. Outcome of excision of megarectum in children with anorectal malformation.

    PubMed

    Keshtgar, Alireza S; Ward, Harry C; Richards, Catherine; Clayden, Graham S

    2007-01-01

    Megarectum in association with anorectal malformation contributes to chronic constipation and fecal incontinence. Resection of megarectum in anorectal malformation improves bowel function, but neuropathy and poor sphincter quality may affect the outcome of fecal continence adversely. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of resection of megarectum in anorectal malformation and to ascertain the impact of anal sphincter quality and neuropathy on the outcome. We studied 62 children with intractable fecal incontinence after repair of anorectal malformation between January 1991 and January 2005. All patients were investigated with anorectal manometry and anal endosonography under ketamine anesthesia. On endosonography, an intact or scarred internal anal sphincter (IAS) was classified as good and a fragmented or absent IAS as poor. On manometry, a resting anal sphincter pressure equal to or more than 30 mm Hg was classified as good and a lower pressure as poor. Functional assessment of fecal continence was done before and after excision of megarectum using a modified Wingfield scores. Sixteen children had excision of megarectum with median age of 9 years (range, 2-15 years) and postoperative follow-up of 5 years (range, 1-10 years). Seven had formation of antegrade continent enema stoma before excision of megarectum. Children were classified into three groups of anomalies: low (n = 6), intermediate (n = 4), and high (n = 6). All children were incontinent of feces. After excision of megarectum, of the 9 children with good IAS and no neuropathy, 7 became continent of feces. Of the remaining 7 children, 4 had poor IAS and 3 had neuropathy, 5 of whom required an antegrade continent enema stoma to be clean. Excision of megarectum in children who had previous repair of anorectal malformation results in fecal continence in the presence of a good IAS and absence of neuropathy. Patients with a poor IAS or neuropathy will often require artificial means of fecal

  3. Orange Peel Excision of Gland: A Novel Surgical Technique for Treatment of Gynecomastia.

    PubMed

    S S, Shirol

    2016-12-01

    Gynecomastia is a common aesthetic problem faced by men with reported incidence as high as 65% with serious psychosocial impact. Although various techniques of liposculpture combined with glandular excision is the standard of treatment, many of the glandular excision techniques have inherent limitations and complications such as leaving a long scar, long operative time, contour abnormalities, and increased risk of hematoma. Here, we describe an innovative "the orange peel excision of gland (OPEG) technique" which overcomes these limitations with excellent cosmetic results. A total of 38 breasts were operated in 20 patients (18 bilateral and 2 unilateral). All the patients underwent suction-assisted liposuction and glandular excision under general anesthesia by our OPEG technique. The average operative time per breast was 60 minutes. One patient had a small hematoma which did not require evacuation. The patient satisfaction rate was 95%. The technique has reduced operative time and avoids residual gland and hematoma with excellent aesthetic outcome.

  4. 26 CFR 55.4981-2 - Imposition of excise tax with respect to certain undistributed income of real estate investment...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... certain undistributed income of real estate investment trusts; calendar years beginning after December 31... (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-2 Imposition of excise tax with...

  5. 26 CFR 55.4981-1 - Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-1 Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed during the taxable year...

  6. 26 CFR 55.4981-1 - Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-1 Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed during the taxable year...

  7. 26 CFR 55.4981-2 - Imposition of excise tax with respect to certain undistributed income of real estate investment...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... certain undistributed income of real estate investment trusts; calendar years beginning after December 31... (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-2 Imposition of excise tax with...

  8. 26 CFR 55.4981-1 - Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-1 Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed during the taxable year...

  9. 26 CFR 55.4981-2 - Imposition of excise tax with respect to certain undistributed income of real estate investment...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... certain undistributed income of real estate investment trusts; calendar years beginning after December 31... (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-2 Imposition of excise tax with...

  10. 26 CFR 55.4981-2 - Imposition of excise tax with respect to certain undistributed income of real estate investment...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... certain undistributed income of real estate investment trusts; calendar years beginning after December 31... (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-2 Imposition of excise tax with...

  11. 26 CFR 55.4981-1 - Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-1 Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed during the taxable year...

  12. 26 CFR 55.4981-2 - Imposition of excise tax with respect to certain undistributed income of real estate investment...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... certain undistributed income of real estate investment trusts; calendar years beginning after December 31... (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-2 Imposition of excise tax with...

  13. 26 CFR 55.4981-1 - Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... TREASURY (CONTINUED) MISCELLANEOUS EXCISE TAXES (CONTINUED) EXCISE TAX ON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS AND REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES Excise Tax on Real Estate Investment Trusts § 55.4981-1 Imposition of excise tax on certain real estate investment trust taxable income not distributed during the taxable year...

  14. Abscisic Acid accumulates at positive turgor potential in excised soybean seedling growing zones.

    PubMed

    Creelman, R A; Mullet, J E

    1991-04-01

    Abscisic acid (ABA) accumulated in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv Williams) hypocotyl elongating regions when seedlings were transferred to low water potential vermiculite (Psi = -0.3 megapascals) even though positive turgor is retained in this tissue. Accumulation of ABA in growing zones could occur from de novo biosynthesis within this tissue or transport from adjacent nongrowing zones. Both growing and nongrowing hypocotyl and root tissues accumulated significant levels of ABA when excised and dehydrated to reduce turgor. Surprisingly, excised growing zones (which experienced no water loss) also accumulated ABA when incubated in darkness for 4 hours at 100% relative humidity and 29 degrees C. Induction of ABA accumulation in the excised elongating region of the hypocotyl was not caused by disruption of root pressure or wounding. While excision of hypocotyl elongating regions induced ABA accumulation, no change in either extensin or p33 mRNA levels was observed. Accumulation of extensin or p33 mRNA required more severe wounding. This suggests that ABA is not involved in the response of these genes in wounded tissue and that wound signals are not causing ABA accumulation in excised tissue. Accumulation of ABA in excised elongating regions was correlated with growth inhibition and a decline in turgor to the yield threshold (Psi;(p) = 0.37 megapascals; R Matyssek, S Maruyama, JS Boyer [1988] Plant Physiol 86: 1163-1167). Inhibiting hypocotyl growth by transferring seedlings to lower temperatures or light did not cause ABA accumulation. We conclude that induction of ABA accumulation in growing zones is more sensitive to changes in turgor than the induction which occurs in mature tissues.

  15. Distant neighbor base sequence context effects in human nucleotide excision repair of a benzo[a]pyrene-derived DNA lesion

    PubMed Central

    Cai, Yuqin; Kropachev, Konstantin; Xu, Rong; Tang, Yijin; Kolbanovskii, Marina; Kolbanovskii, Alexander; Amin, Shantu; Patel, Dinshaw J.; Broyde, Suse; Geacintov, Nicholas E.

    2010-01-01

    Summary The effects of non-nearest base sequences, beyond the nucleotides flanking a DNA lesion on either side, on nucleotide excision repair (NER) in extracts from human cells were investigated. We constructed two duplexes containing the same minor groove-aligned 10S (+)-trans-anti-B[a]P-N2-dG (G*) DNA adduct, derived from the environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P): 5′-C-C-A-T-C-G*-C-T-A-C-C-3′ (CG*C-I), and 5′-C-A-C3-A4-C5-G*-C-A-C-A-C-3′ (CG*C-II). We utilized gel electrophoresis to compare the extent of DNA bending, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to analyze the structural characteristics of these two DNA duplexes. The NER efficiencies are 1.6 ± 0.2 times greater in the case of the CG*C-II than the CG*C-I sequence context in 135-mer duplexes. Gel electrophoresis and self-ligation circularization experiments revealed that the CG*C-II duplex is more bent than the CG*C-I duplex, while MD simulations showed that the unique -C3-A4-C5- segment in the CG*C-II duplex plays a key role. The presence of a minor groove-positioned guanine amino group, namely, the Watson-Crick partner to C3, acts as a wedge; facilitated by a highly deformable local -C3-A4- base step, this amino group allows the B[a]P ring system to produce a more enlarged minor groove in CG*C-II than in CG*C-I, as well as a local untwisting and enlarged and flexible Roll only in the CG*C-II sequence. These structural properties fit well with our prior findings that in the case of the family of minor groove 10S (+)-trans-anti-B[a]P-N2-dG lesions, flexible bends and enlarged minor groove widths (Cai et al. (2009) J. Mol. Biol., 385: 30–44) constitute NER recognition signals, and extend our understanding of sequence context effects on NER to the neighbors that are distant to the lesion. PMID:20399214

  16. Short-Term Experiments on Ion Transport by Seedlings and Excised Roots 1

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Zhang-Zhi; Yan, Xiaolong; Jalil, Abdul; Norlyn, Jack D.; Epstein, Emanuel

    1992-01-01

    The absorption of K+ by excised roots of barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv California Mariout) has been systematically compared with that of entire, undisturbed seedlings. Some experiments have also been done with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and an amphiploid obtained from a cross between it and salt-tolerant tall wheatgrass (Lophopyrum elongatum Host Löve [syn. Agropyron elongatum Host]). For all three genotypes, the rate of K+ absorption measured in a 20-min period was identical for entire 8-d-old seedlings and their excised roots within the experimental error. Manipulation gentler than root excision, viz. careful transfer of seedlings from one experimental solution to another, was also without effect on the rate of K+ absorption. Absorption of K+ measured by assay of its 86Rb label in the tissue was identical with that measured by K+ depletion of the experimental solutions assayed chemically. For the plant materials and conditions of these experiments, the excised root technique for studying ion transport into roots is validated. The advantages of the technique, and findings differing from the present ones, are discussed. Images Figure 2 PMID:16653217

  17. Aerodynamic and Nonlinear Dynamic Acoustic Analysis of Tension Asymmetry in Excised Canine Larynges

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Devine, Erin E.; Bulleit, Erin E.; Hoffman, Matthew R.; McCulloch, Timothy M.; Jiang, Jack J.

    2012-01-01

    Purpose: To model tension asymmetry caused by superior laryngeal nerve paralysis (SLNP) in excised larynges and apply perturbation, nonlinear dynamic, and aerodynamic analyses. Method: SLNP was modeled in 8 excised larynges using sutures and weights to mimic cricothyroid (CT) muscle function. Weights were removed from one side to create tension…

  18. Cigarette Price Minimization Strategies in the United States: Price Reductions and Responsiveness to Excise Taxes

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Introduction: Because cigarette price minimization strategies can provide substantial price reductions for individuals continuing their usual smoking behaviors following federal and state cigarette excise tax increases, we examined independent price reductions compensating for overlapping strategies. The possible availability of larger independent price reduction opportunities in states with higher cigarette excise taxes is explored. Methods: Regression analysis used the 2006–2007 Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey (N = 26,826) to explore national and state-level independent price reductions that smokers obtained from purchasing cigarettes (a) by the carton, (b) in a state with a lower average after-tax cigarette price than in the state of residence, and (c) in “some other way,” including online or in another country. Price reductions from these strategies are estimated jointly to compensate for known overlapping strategies. Results: Each strategy reduced the price of cigarettes by 64–94 cents per pack. These price reductions are 9%–22% lower than conventionally estimated results not compensating for overlapping strategies. Price reductions vary substantially by state. Following cigarette excise tax increases, the price reduction available from purchasing cigarettes by cartons increased. Additionally, the price reduction from purchasing cigarettes in a state with a lower average after-tax cigarette price is positively associated with state cigarette excise tax rates and border state cigarette excise tax rate differentials. Conclusions: Findings from this large, nationally representative study of cigarette smokers suggest that price reductions are larger in states with higher cigarette excise taxes, and increase as cigarette excise taxes rise. PMID:23729501

  19. Excision of a viral reprogramming cassette by delivery of synthetic Cre mRNA

    PubMed Central

    Loh, Yuin-Han; Yang, Jimmy Chen; De Los Angeles, Alejandro; Guo, Chunguang; Cherry, Anne; Rossi, Derrick J.; Park, In-Hyun; Daley, George Q.

    2012-01-01

    The generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells provides an invaluable resource for cell therapy, in vitro modeling of human disease, and drug screening. To date, most human iPS cells have been generated with integrating retro- and lenti-viruses and are limited in their potential utility because residual transgene expression may alter their differentiation potential or induce malignant transformation. Alternatively, transgene-free methods using adenovirus and protein transduction are limited by low efficiency. This report describes a protocol for the generation of transgene-free human induced pluripotent stem cells using retroviral transfection of a single vector, which includes the coding sequences of human OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC linked with picornaviral 2A plasmids. Moreover, after reprogramming has been achieved, this cassette can be removed using mRNA transfection of Cre recombinase. The method described herein to excise reprogramming factors with ease and efficiency facilitates the experimental generation and use of transgene-free human iPS cells. PMID:22605648

  20. Clinical librarians as facilitators of nurses' evidence-based practice.

    PubMed

    Määttä, Sylvia; Wallmyr, Gudrun

    2010-12-01

    The aim of this study was to explore nurses' and ward-based clinical librarians' reflections on ward-based clinical librarians as facilitators for nurses' use of evidences-based practice. Nurses' use of evidence-based practice is reported to be weak. Studies have suggested that clinical librarians may promote evidence-based practice. To date, little is known about clinical librarians participating nurses in the wards. A descriptive, qualitative design was adopted for the study. In 2007, 16 nurses who had been attended by a clinical librarian in the wards were interviewed in focus groups. Two clinical librarians were interviewed by individual interviews. In the analysis, a content analysis was used. Three themes were generated from the interviews with nurses: 'The grip of everyday work', 'To articulate clinical nursing issues' and 'The clinical librarians at a catalyst'. The nurses experienced the grip of everyday work as a hindrance and had difficulties to articulate and formulate relevant nursing issues. In such a state, the nurses found the clinical librarian presence in the ward as enhancing the awareness of and the use of evidence-based practice. Three themes emerged from the analysis with the librarians. They felt as outsiders, had new knowledge and acquired a new role as ward-based clinical librarians. Facilitation is needed if nurses' evidence-based practice is going to increase. The combined use of nurses and clinical librarians' knowledge and skills can be optimised. To achieve this, nurses' skills in consuming and implementing evidence ought to be strengthened. The fusion of the information and knowledge management skill of the ward-based clinical librarian and the clinical expertise of the nurses can be of value. With such a collaborative model, nurse and ward-based clinical librarian might join forces to increase the use of evidence-based practice. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

  1. Outcomes After En Bloc Iliac Vessel Excision and Reconstruction During Pelvic Exenteration.

    PubMed

    Brown, Kilian G M; Koh, Cherry E; Solomon, Michael J; Qasabian, Raffi; Robinson, David; Dubenec, Steven

    2015-09-01

    Advanced pelvic cancers involving the lateral pelvic compartment, and particularly the iliac vasculature, are difficult to manage. Common or external iliac vessel involvement has traditionally been considered a contraindication for curative surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate pathological and surgical outcomes, particularly postoperative morbidity of pelvic exenteration with en bloc major iliac vascular excision and reconstruction. This study was a case series. The study was conducted at a quaternary referral center for pelvic exenteration in Sydney. Patients included those undergoing en bloc iliac vessel excision as part of their pelvic exenteration for a locally advanced pelvic malignancy. Over the study period, 336 patients underwent pelvic exenteration. Twenty-one patients (6.3%) underwent en bloc vascular excision of 29 vessels for tumor involvement. Twenty-four vessels required reconstruction. The primary outcomes were postoperative complications and pathologic outcomes. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier technique. Operating time for patients who underwent vascular excision and reconstruction was longer, but this did not reach significance (631 vs 531 minutes; p = 0.052). Mean blood loss was significantly higher in the vascular excision and reconstruction group (6.8 vs 3.4 L; p < 0.001). Patients who required en bloc vascular excision were less likely to have R0 margins compared with patients who did not (38% vs 78%; p < 0.001). There was no intraoperative or 30-day mortality. Overall graft patency and limb loss at 1 year were 96% and 0%. A total of 52% of patients had at least 1 vascular related complication. Median overall and disease-free survival times were 34 and 26 months. This study is limited by a relatively small number of heterogeneous patients. En bloc vascular resection and reconstruction for contiguous tumor involvement is feasible and safe in selected patients. Advanced pelvic tumors involving iliac vessels

  2. Oxidatively Generated Guanine(C8)-Thymine(N3) Intrastrand Cross-links in Double-stranded DNA Are Repaired by Base Excision Repair Pathways.

    PubMed

    Talhaoui, Ibtissam; Shafirovich, Vladimir; Liu, Zhi; Saint-Pierre, Christine; Akishev, Zhiger; Matkarimov, Bakhyt T; Gasparutto, Didier; Geacintov, Nicholas E; Saparbaev, Murat

    2015-06-05

    Oxidatively generated guanine radical cations in DNA can undergo various nucleophilic reactions including the formation of C8-guanine cross-links with adjacent or nearby N3-thymines in DNA in the presence of O2. The G*[C8-N3]T* lesions have been identified in the DNA of human cells exposed to oxidative stress, and are most likely genotoxic if not removed by cellular defense mechanisms. It has been shown that the G*[C8-N3]T* lesions are substrates of nucleotide excision repair in human cell extracts. Cleavage at the sites of the lesions was also observed but not further investigated (Ding et al. (2012) Nucleic Acids Res. 40, 2506-2517). Using a panel of eukaryotic and prokaryotic bifunctional DNA glycosylases/lyases (NEIL1, Nei, Fpg, Nth, and NTH1) and apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonucleases (Apn1, APE1, and Nfo), the analysis of cleavage fragments by PAGE and MALDI-TOF/MS show that the G*[C8-N3]T* lesions in 17-mer duplexes are incised on either side of G*, that none of the recovered cleavage fragments contain G*, and that T* is converted to a normal T in the 3'-fragment cleavage products. The abilities of the DNA glycosylases to incise the DNA strand adjacent to G*, while this base is initially cross-linked with T*, is a surprising observation and an indication of the versatility of these base excision repair proteins. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  3. Developing an in silico model of the modulation of base excision repair using methoxyamine for more targeted cancer therapeutics.

    PubMed

    Gurkan-Cavusoglu, Evren; Avadhani, Sriya; Liu, Lili; Kinsella, Timothy J; Loparo, Kenneth A

    2013-04-01

    Base excision repair (BER) is a major DNA repair pathway involved in the processing of exogenous non-bulky base damages from certain classes of cancer chemotherapy drugs as well as ionising radiation (IR). Methoxyamine (MX) is a small molecule chemical inhibitor of BER that is shown to enhance chemotherapy and/or IR cytotoxicity in human cancers. In this study, the authors have analysed the inhibitory effect of MX on the BER pathway kinetics using a computational model of the repair pathway. The inhibitory effect of MX depends on the BER efficiency. The authors have generated variable efficiency groups using different sets of protein concentrations generated by Latin hypercube sampling, and they have clustered simulation results into high, medium and low efficiency repair groups. From analysis of the inhibitory effect of MX on each of the three groups, it is found that the inhibition is most effective for high efficiency BER, and least effective for low efficiency repair.

  4. Base Excision Repair of Tandem Modifications in a Methylated CpG Dinucleotide*

    PubMed Central

    Sassa, Akira; Çağlayan, Melike; Dyrkheeva, Nadezhda S.; Beard, William A.; Wilson, Samuel H.

    2014-01-01

    Cytosine methylation and demethylation in tracks of CpG dinucleotides is an epigenetic mechanism for control of gene expression. The initial step in the demethylation process can be deamination of 5-methylcytosine producing the TpG alteration and T:G mispair, and this step is followed by thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) initiated base excision repair (BER). A further consideration is that guanine in the CpG dinucleotide may become oxidized to 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG), and this could affect the demethylation process involving TDG-initiated BER. However, little is known about the enzymology of BER of altered in-tandem CpG dinucleotides; e.g. Tp8-oxoG. Here, we investigated interactions between this altered dinucleotide and purified BER enzymes, the DNA glycosylases TDG and 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1), apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease 1, DNA polymerase β, and DNA ligases. The overall TDG-initiated BER of the Tp8-oxoG dinucleotide is significantly reduced. Specifically, TDG and DNA ligase activities are reduced by a 3′-flanking 8-oxoG. In contrast, the OGG1-initiated BER pathway is blocked due to the 5′-flanking T:G mispair; this reduces OGG1, AP endonuclease 1, and DNA polymerase β activities. Furthermore, in TDG-initiated BER, TDG remains bound to its product AP site blocking OGG1 access to the adjacent 8-oxoG. These results reveal BER enzyme specificities enabling suppression of OGG1-initiated BER and coordination of TDG-initiated BER at this tandem alteration in the CpG dinucleotide. PMID:24695738

  5. Mutations associated with base excision repair deficiency and methylation-induced genotoxic stress

    PubMed Central

    Sobol, Robert W.; Watson, David E.; Nakamura, Jun; Yakes, F. Michael; Hou, Esther; Horton, Julie K.; Ladapo, Joseph; Van Houten, Bennett; Swenberg, James A.; Tindall, Kenneth R.; Samson, Leona D.; Wilson, Samuel H.

    2002-01-01

    The long-term effect of exposure to DNA alkylating agents is entwined with the cell's genetic capacity for DNA repair and appropriate DNA damage responses. A unique combination of environmental exposure and deficiency in these responses can lead to genomic instability; this “gene–environment interaction” paradigm is a theme for research on chronic disease etiology. In the present study, we used mouse embryonic fibroblasts with a gene deletion in the base excision repair (BER) enzymes DNA β-polymerase (β-pol) and alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (AAG), along with exposure to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) to study mutagenesis as a function of a particular gene–environment interaction. The β-pol null cells, defective in BER, exhibit a modest increase in spontaneous mutagenesis compared with wild-type cells. MMS exposure increases mutant frequency in β-pol null cells, but not in isogenic wild-type cells; UV light exposure or N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine exposure increases mutant frequency similarly in both cell lines. The MMS-induced increase in mutant frequency in β-pol null cells appears to be caused by DNA lesions that are AAG substrates, because overexpression of AAG in β-pol null cells eliminates the effect. In contrast, β-pol/AAG double null cells are slightly more mutable than the β-pol null cells after MMS exposure. These results illustrate that BER plays a role in protecting mouse embryonic fibroblast cells against methylation-induced mutations and characterize the effect of a particular combination of BER gene defect and environmental exposure. PMID:11983862

  6. Staged marginal contoured and central excision technique in the surgical management of perianal Paget's disease.

    PubMed

    Möller, Mecker G; Lugo-Baruqui, Jose Alejandro; Milikowski, Clara; Salgado, Christopher J

    2014-04-01

    Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is an adenocarcinoma of the apocrine glands with unknown exact prevalence and obscure etiology. It has been divided into primary EMPD and secondary EMPD, in which an internal malignancy is usually associated. Treatment for primary EMPD usually consists of wide lesion excision with negative margins. Multiple methods have been proposed to obtain free-margin status of the disease. These include visible border lesion excision, punch biopsies, and micrographic and frozen-section surgery, with different results but still high recurrence rates. The investigators propose a method consisting of a staged contoured marginal excision using "en face" permanent pathologic analysis preceding the steps of central excision of the lesion and the final reconstruction of the surgical defect. Advantages of this method include adequate margin control allowing final reconstruction and tissue preservation, while minimizing patient discomfort. The staged contoured marginal and central excision technique offers a new alternative to the armamentarium for surgical oncologists for the management of EMPD in which margin control is imperative for control of recurrence rates. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. T-cell receptor excision circle levels and safety of paediatric immunization: A population-based self-controlled case series analysis.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Kumanan; Duque, Daniel Rodriguez; Murphy, Malia Sq; Hawken, Steven; Pham-Huy, Anne; Kwong, Jeffrey; Deeks, Shelley L; Potter, Beth K; Crowcroft, Natasha S; Bulman, Dennis E; Chakraborty, Pranesh; Little, Julian

    2018-02-08

    T-cell receptor excision circle levels are a surrogate marker of T-cell production and immune system function. We sought to determine whether non-pathological levels of infant T-cell receptor excision circles were associated with adverse events following immunization. A self-controlled case series design was applied on a sample of 231,693 children who completed newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency in Ontario, Canada between August 2013 and December 2015. Exposures included routinely administered pediatric vaccines up to 15 months of age. Main outcomes were combined health services utilization for recognized adverse events following immunization. 1,406,981 vaccination events were included in the final dataset. 103,007 children received the Pneu-C-13 or Men-C-C vaccine and 97,998 received the MMR vaccine at 12 months of age. 67,725 children received the varicella immunization at 15 months. Our analysis identified no association between newborn T-cell receptor excision circle levels and subsequent health services utilization events following DTa-IPV-Hib, Pneu-C-13, and Men-C-C vaccinations at 2-month (RI 0.94[95%CI 0.87-1.02]), 4-month (RI 0.82[95%CI 0.75-0.9]), 6-month (RI 0.63[95%CI 0.57-0.7]) and 12-month (RI 0.49[95%CI 0.44-0.55]). We also found no trends in health services utilization following MMR (RI 1.43[95%1.34-1.52]) or varicella (RI 1.14[95%CI 1.05-1.23]) vaccination. Our findings provide further support for the safety of pediatric vaccinations.

  8. Peer Feedback to Facilitate Project-Based Learning in an Online Environment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ching, Yu-Hui; Hsu, Yu-Chang

    2013-01-01

    There has been limited research examining the pedagogical benefits of peer feedback for facilitating project-based learning in an online environment. Using a mixed method approach, this paper examines graduate students' participation and perceptions of peer feedback activity that supports project-based learning in an online instructional design…

  9. ICE Afe 1, an actively excising genetic element from the biomining bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

    PubMed

    Bustamante, Paula; Covarrubias, Paulo C; Levicán, Gloria; Katz, Assaf; Tapia, Pablo; Holmes, David; Quatrini, Raquel; Orellana, Omar

    2012-01-01

    Integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) are self-transferred mobile genetic elements that contribute to horizontal gene transfer. An ICE (ICEAfe1) was identified in the genome of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270. Excision of the element and expression of relevant genes under normal and DNA-damaging growth conditions was analyzed. Bioinformatic tools and DNA amplification methods were used to identify and to assess the excision and expression of genes related to the mobility of the element. Both basal and mitomycin C-inducible excision as well as expression and induction of the genes for integration/excision are demonstrated, suggesting that ICEAfe1 is an actively excising SOS-regulated mobile genetic element. The presence of a complete set of genes encoding self-transfer functions that are induced in response to DNA damage caused by mitomycin C additionally suggests that this element is capable of conjugative transfer to suitable recipient strains. Transfer of ICEAfe1 may provide selective advantages to other acidophiles in this ecological niche through dissemination of gene clusters expressing transfer RNAs, CRISPRs, and exopolysaccharide biosynthesis enzymes, probably by modification of translation efficiency, resistance to bacteriophage infection and biofilm formation, respectively. These data open novel avenues of research on conjugative transformation of biotechnologically relevant microorganisms recalcitrant to genetic manipulation. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

  10. Virtual 3-dimensional preoperative planning with the dextroscope for excision of a 4th ventricular ependymoma.

    PubMed

    Anil, S M; Kato, Y; Hayakawa, M; Yoshida, K; Nagahisha, S; Kanno, T

    2007-04-01

    Advances in computer imaging and technology have facilitated enhancement in surgical planning with a 3-dimensional model of the surgical plan of action utilizing advanced visualization tools in order to plan individual interactive operations with the aid of the dextroscope. This provides a proper 3-dimensional imaging insight to the pathological anatomy and sets a new dimension in collaboration for training and education. The case of a seventeen-year-old female, being operated with the aid of a preoperative 3-dimensional virtual reality planning and the practical application of the neurosurgical operation, is presented. This young lady presented with a two-year history of recurrent episodes of severe, global, throbbing headache with episodes of projectile vomiting associated with shoulder pain which progressively worsened. She had no obvious neurological deficits on clinical examination. CT and MRI showed a contrast-enhancing midline posterior fossa space-occupying lesion. Utilizing virtual imaging technology with the aid of a dextroscope which generates stereoscopic images, a 3-dimensional image was produced with the CT and MRI images. A preoperative planning for excision of the lesion was made and a real-time 3-dimensional volume was produced and surgical planning with the dextroscope was made and the lesion excised. Virtual reality has brought new proportions in 3-dimensional planning and management of various complex neuroanatomical problems that are faced during various operations. Integration of 3-dimensional imaging with stereoscopic vision makes understanding the complex anatomy easier and helps improve decision making in patient management.

  11. Alcohol Use to Facilitate a Suicide Attempt: An Event-Based Examination

    PubMed Central

    Bagge, Courtney L.; Conner, Kenneth R.; Reed, Louren; Dawkins, Milton; Murray, Kevin

    2015-01-01

    Objective: The current study is based on the hypothesis that alcohol-involved suicide attempts are characterized by lower premeditation and intent, but only when the use of alcohol is not motivated by the desire to facilitate the attempt. Test of this idea was conducted by comparing proximal suicide premeditation and intent of suicide attempts among three groups: individuals who (a) drank to facilitate the attempt (e.g., to “numb fears” about attempting), (b) drank for nonfacilitative motives, and (c) did not use alcohol before the attempt. Method: Participants included 324 (62% female) recent suicide attempters presenting to a Level 1 trauma hospital. The Timeline Followback Interview for Suicide Attempts and a novel Suicide Facilitative Drinking Motives Scale were used to assess facilitative motives for drinking and characteristics of the attempt. Results: One third of participants drank before the attempt, and most (73%) who used alcohol did not do so to facilitate the attempt. As hypothesized, attempts carried out by this group had shorter proximal suicide premeditation and lower suicide intent compared with the other study groups; in contrast, individuals who drank to facilitate the attempt were similar to non–alcohol users on these indices. Conclusions: Alcohol-involved suicide attempts are heterogeneous. Motives for drinking are a key source of heterogeneity insofar as fundamental characteristics of attempts (proximal premeditation, intent) differ as a function of drinking motivation. Clinical implications include that individuals making suicide attempts with facilitative motives for drinking cannot be assumed to be at lowered risk upon a drop in blood alcohol level. PMID:25978835

  12. Facilitators: One Key Factor in Implementing Successful Experience-Based Training and Development Programs.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wagner, Richard J.; Roland, Christopher C.

    An increasing number of corporations are using some form of experience-based outdoor training and development. Most of these programs follow a general process that includes: (1) introduction of the activity by the facilitator; (2) the experiential activity (during which the facilitator is observer or safety monitor); and (3) debriefing or…

  13. The influence of altered gravity on carbohydrate metabolism in excised wheat leaves

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Obenland, D. M.; Brown, C. S.

    1994-01-01

    We developed a system to study the influence of altered gravity on carbohydrate metabolism in excised wheat leaves by means of clinorotation. The use of excised leaves in our clinostat studies offered a number of advantages over the use of whole plants, most important of which were minimization of exogenous mechanical stress and a greater amount of carbohydrate accumulation during the time of treatment. We found that horizontal clinorotation of excised wheat leaves resulted in significant reductions in the accumulation of fructose, sucrose, starch and fructan relative to control, vertically clinorotated leaves. Photosynthesis, dark respiration and the extractable activities of ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase (EC 2.7.7.27), sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.4.14), sucrose sucrose fructosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.99), and fructan hydrolase (EC 3.2.1.80) were unchanged due to altered gravity treatment.

  14. CO2 laser versus cold steel margin analysis following endoscopic excision of glottic cancer

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Objective To compare the suitability of CO2 laser with steel instruments for margin excision in transoral laser microsurgery. Methods Prospective randomized blinded study. Patients with glottic cancer undergoing laser resection were randomized to margin excision by either steel instruments or CO2 laser. Margins were analyzed for size, interpretability and degree of artifact by a pathologist who was blinded to technique. Results 45 patients were enrolled in the study with 226 total margins taken. 39 margins taken by laser had marked artifact and 0 were uninterpretable. 20 margins taken by steel instruments had marked artifact, and 2 were uninterpretable. Controlling for margin size, the laser technique was associated with increasing degrees of margin artifact (p = 0.210), but there was no difference in crude rates of uninterpretability (p = 0.24). Conclusion Laser margin excision is associated with a greater degree of artifact than steel instrument excision, but was not associated with higher rate of uninterpretability. PMID:24502856

  15. Web-based medical facilitators in medical tourism: the third party in decision-making.

    PubMed

    Wagle, Suchitra

    2013-01-01

    The emergence of web-based medical tourism facilitators (MTFs) has added a new dimension to the phenomenon of cross-border travel. These facilitators are crucial connectors between foreign patients and host countries. They help patients navigate countries, doctors and specialties. However, little attention has been paid to the authenticity of information displayed on the facilitators' web portals, and whether they follow ethical guidelines and standards. This paper analyses the available information on MTF portals from an ethics perspective. It compares 208 facilitators across 47 countries for the services offered. Data were collected from the databases of the Medical Tourism Association and World Medical Resources. India was the most common destination country linked to 81 facilitators. The five countries with the maximum number of facilitators were the USA, the UK, India, Canada and Poland. This paper identifies concerns regarding the information displayed about patients' safety, and the maintenance of confidentiality. There is a need to develop ethical standards for this field.

  16. Endoscope-assisted approach to excision of branchial cleft cysts.

    PubMed

    Teng, Stephanie E; Paul, Benjamin C; Brumm, John D; Fritz, Mark; Fang, Yixin; Myssiorek, David

    2016-06-01

    The purpose of this study is to describe an endoscope-assisted surgical technique for the excision of branchial cleft cysts and compare it to the standard approach. Retrospective case series review. Twenty-seven cases described as branchial cleft excisions performed by a single surgeon at one academic medical center were identified between 2007 and 2014. Twenty-five cases (8 endoscopic, 17 standard approach) were included in the study. Cases were excluded if final pathology was malignant. Patient charts were reviewed, and two techniques were compared through analysis of incision size, operative time, and surgical outcomes. This study showed that the length of incision required for the endoscopic approach (mean = 2.13 ± 0.23) was significantly less than that of the standard approach (mean = 4.10 ± 1.46, P = 0.008) despite the fact that there was no significant difference in cyst size between the two groups (P = 0.09). The other variables examined, including operative time and surgical outcomes, were not significantly different between the two groups. This transcervical endoscope-assisted approach to branchial cleft cyst excision is a viable option for uncomplicated cases. It provides better cosmetic results than the standard approach and does not negatively affect outcomes, increase operative time, or result in recurrence. 4. Laryngoscope, 126:1339-1342, 2016. © 2015 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

  17. Excise Taxes and the Price Elasticity of Demand.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gamble, Ralph C., Jr.

    1989-01-01

    Points out that, although the analysis of the imposition of an excise tax is widely used in economics courses, the consequences of a change in the tax rate are different and ignored. This article presents an effective way to teach about such a change. (GG)

  18. Abscisic Acid Accumulates at Positive Turgor Potential in Excised Soybean Seedling Growing Zones 1

    PubMed Central

    Creelman, Robert A.; Mullet, John E.

    1991-01-01

    Abscisic acid (ABA) accumulated in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv Williams) hypocotyl elongating regions when seedlings were transferred to low water potential vermiculite (Ψ = −0.3 megapascals) even though positive turgor is retained in this tissue. Accumulation of ABA in growing zones could occur from de novo biosynthesis within this tissue or transport from adjacent nongrowing zones. Both growing and nongrowing hypocotyl and root tissues accumulated significant levels of ABA when excised and dehydrated to reduce turgor. Surprisingly, excised growing zones (which experienced no water loss) also accumulated ABA when incubated in darkness for 4 hours at 100% relative humidity and 29°C. Induction of ABA accumulation in the excised elongating region of the hypocotyl was not caused by disruption of root pressure or wounding. While excision of hypocotyl elongating regions induced ABA accumulation, no change in either extensin or p33 mRNA levels was observed. Accumulation of extensin or p33 mRNA required more severe wounding. This suggests that ABA is not involved in the response of these genes in wounded tissue and that wound signals are not causing ABA accumulation in excised tissue. Accumulation of ABA in excised elongating regions was correlated with growth inhibition and a decline in turgor to the yield threshold (Ψ;p = 0.37 megapascals; R Matyssek, S Maruyama, JS Boyer [1988] Plant Physiol 86: 1163-1167). Inhibiting hypocotyl growth by transferring seedlings to lower temperatures or light did not cause ABA accumulation. We conclude that induction of ABA accumulation in growing zones is more sensitive to changes in turgor than the induction which occurs in mature tissues. Images Figure 2 PMID:16668113

  19. Deficiency of base excision repair enzyme NEIL3 drives increased predisposition to autoimmunity

    PubMed Central

    Massaad, Michel J.; Zhou, Jia; Tsuchimoto, Daisuke; Chou, Janet; Jabara, Haifa; Janssen, Erin; Glauzy, Salomé; Olson, Brennan G.; Morbach, Henner; Ohsumi, Toshiro K.; Schmitz, Klaus; Kane, Jennifer; Torisu, Kumiko; Chouery, Eliane; Megarbane, Andre; Kang, Peter B.; Al-Idrissi, Eman; Aldhekri, Hasan; Meffre, Eric; Mizui, Masayuki; Manis, John P.; Al-Herz, Waleed; Wallace, Susan S.; Geha, Raif S.

    2016-01-01

    Alterations in the apoptosis of immune cells have been associated with autoimmunity. Here, we have identified a homozygous missense mutation in the gene encoding the base excision repair enzyme Nei endonuclease VIII-like 3 (NEIL3) that abolished enzymatic activity in 3 siblings from a consanguineous family. The NEIL3 mutation was associated with fatal recurrent infections, severe autoimmunity, hypogammaglobulinemia, and impaired B cell function in these individuals. The same homozygous NEIL3 mutation was also identified in an asymptomatic individual who exhibited elevated levels of serum autoantibodies and defective peripheral B cell tolerance, but normal B cell function. Further analysis of the patients revealed an absence of LPS-responsive beige-like anchor (LRBA) protein expression, a known cause of immunodeficiency. We next examined the contribution of NEIL3 to the maintenance of self-tolerance in Neil3–/– mice. Although Neil3–/– mice displayed normal B cell function, they exhibited elevated serum levels of autoantibodies and developed nephritis following treatment with poly(I:C) to mimic microbial stimulation. In Neil3–/– mice, splenic T and B cells as well as germinal center B cells from Peyer’s patches showed marked increases in apoptosis and cell death, indicating the potential release of self-antigens that favor autoimmunity. These findings demonstrate that deficiency in NEIL3 is associated with increased lymphocyte apoptosis, autoantibodies, and predisposition to autoimmunity. PMID:27760045

  20. Planning the breast tumor bed boost: Changes in the excision cavity volume and surgical scar location after breast-conserving surgery and whole-breast irradiation

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

    Oh, Kevin S.; Kong, F.-M.; Griffith, Kent A.

    2006-11-01

    Purpose: The aims of this study were to determine the changes in breast and excision cavity volumes after whole-breast irradiation and the adequacy of using the surgical scar to guide boost planning. Methods and Materials: A total of 30 women consecutively treated for 31 breast cancers were included in this study. Simulation CT scans were performed before and after whole-breast irradiation. CT breast volumes were delineated using clinically defined borders. Excision cavity volumes were contoured based on surgical clips, the presence of a hematoma, and/or other surgical changes. Hypothetical electron boost plans were generated using the surgical scar with amore » 3-cm margin and analyzed for coverage. Results: The mean CT breast volumes were 774 and 761 cc (p = 0.22), and the excision cavity volumes were 32.1 and 25.1 cc (p < 0.0001), before and after 40 Gy (39-42 Gy) of whole-breast irradiation, respectively. The volume reduction in the excision cavity was inversely correlated with time elapsed since surgery (R = 0.46, p < 0.01) and body weight (R = 0.50, p < 0.01). The scar-guided hypothetical plans failed to cover the excision cavity adequately in 62% and 53.8% of cases using the pretreatment and postradiation CTs, respectively. Per the hypothetical plans, the minimum dose to the excision cavity was significantly lower for tumors located in the inner vs. outer quadrants (p = 0.02) and for cavities >20 cc vs. <20 cc (p = 0.01). Conclusions: This study demonstrates a significant reduction in the volume of the excision cavity during whole-breast irradiation. Scar-guided boost plans provide inadequate coverage of the excision cavity in the majority of cases.« less

  1. Combined effects of cotyledon excision and nursery fertilization on root growth, nutrient status and outplanting performance of Quercus variabilis container seedlings.

    PubMed

    Shi, Wenhui; Bloomberg, Mark; Li, Guolei; Su, Shuchai; Jia, Liming

    2017-01-01

    Artificial excision of the distal part of acorns in order to promote germination is well researched in oak seedling cultivation studies. However, studies of combined effects of cotyledon excision and nursery fertilization on container seedlings are lacking, especially for seedling root growth and outplanting performance. This study aimed to explore the main effects of cotyledon excision on Quercus variabilis seedling emergence characteristics and demonstrated the combined effects of cotyledon excision and nursery fertilization on seedling quality to improve Quercus variabilis seedling outplanting performance. Four cotyledon excision treatments and two classes of nursery fertilization were implemented. Seedling emergence was noted every week after sowing. Seedling dry mass, morphology, and nutrient status were assessed at the end of the nursery season. After the first outplanting season, the aforementioned measurements along with seedling survival were determined once again. The results showed that cotyledon excision generally induced greater and more rapid seedling emergence, but did not affect shoot emergence synchronicity. The highest total emergence and emergence rate occurred with Intermediate excision (1/2 of the distal end of acorn was excised). Effects of nutrient loss due to cotyledon excision on seedling quality and outplanting performance were somewhat compensated by nursery fertilization. Nursery fertilization promoted dry mass increment (the net increment from T0 to T2 for dry mass) for excised seedlings after outplanting, resulting in better performance for Slight (1/3 of the distal end of acorn was excised) and Intermediate excision treatments in the field. Thus we conclude Intermediate excision combined with reasonable nursery fertilization can be recommended for production of nursery grown seedlings for afforestation.

  2. Combined effects of cotyledon excision and nursery fertilization on root growth, nutrient status and outplanting performance of Quercus variabilis container seedlings

    PubMed Central

    Shi, Wenhui; Bloomberg, Mark; Li, Guolei; Su, Shuchai; Jia, Liming

    2017-01-01

    Artificial excision of the distal part of acorns in order to promote germination is well researched in oak seedling cultivation studies. However, studies of combined effects of cotyledon excision and nursery fertilization on container seedlings are lacking, especially for seedling root growth and outplanting performance. This study aimed to explore the main effects of cotyledon excision on Quercus variabilis seedling emergence characteristics and demonstrated the combined effects of cotyledon excision and nursery fertilization on seedling quality to improve Quercus variabilis seedling outplanting performance. Four cotyledon excision treatments and two classes of nursery fertilization were implemented. Seedling emergence was noted every week after sowing. Seedling dry mass, morphology, and nutrient status were assessed at the end of the nursery season. After the first outplanting season, the aforementioned measurements along with seedling survival were determined once again. The results showed that cotyledon excision generally induced greater and more rapid seedling emergence, but did not affect shoot emergence synchronicity. The highest total emergence and emergence rate occurred with Intermediate excision (1/2 of the distal end of acorn was excised). Effects of nutrient loss due to cotyledon excision on seedling quality and outplanting performance were somewhat compensated by nursery fertilization. Nursery fertilization promoted dry mass increment (the net increment from T0 to T2 for dry mass) for excised seedlings after outplanting, resulting in better performance for Slight (1/3 of the distal end of acorn was excised) and Intermediate excision treatments in the field. Thus we conclude Intermediate excision combined with reasonable nursery fertilization can be recommended for production of nursery grown seedlings for afforestation. PMID:28545103

  3. Retinal detachment 7 years after prophylactic schisis cavity excision in juvenile X-linked retinoschisis.

    PubMed

    Sobrin, Lucia; Berrocal, Audina M; Murray, Timothy G

    2003-01-01

    A 7-year-old boy with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis developed a retinal detachment at the site of previous prophylactic excision of a schisis cavity. The patient underwent a scleral buckle procedure, pars plana vitrectomy, membrane peel, and silicone oil injection with successful reattachment. At last follow-up, the visual acuity was 20/400 and the retina was attached. Prophylactic excision of a schisis cavity may be complicated by retinal detachment several years after the surgery. Given the favorable natural history of schisis cavities in X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, the decision to perform prophylactic excision should be undertaken cautiously after full consideration of the potential complications.

  4. Transposase-Mediated Excision, Conjugative Transfer, and Diversity of ICE6013 Elements in Staphylococcus aureus.

    PubMed

    Sansevere, Emily A; Luo, Xiao; Park, Joo Youn; Yoon, Sunghyun; Seo, Keun Seok; Robinson, D Ashley

    2017-04-15

    ICE 6013 represents one of two families of integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) identified in the pan-genome of the human and animal pathogen Staphylococcus aureus Here we investigated the excision and conjugation functions of ICE 6013 and further characterized the diversity of this element. ICE 6013 excision was not significantly affected by growth, temperature, pH, or UV exposure and did not depend on recA The IS 30 -like DDE transposase (Tpase; encoded by orf1 and orf2 ) of ICE 6013 must be uninterrupted for excision to occur, whereas disrupting three of the other open reading frames (ORFs) on the element significantly affects the level of excision. We demonstrate that ICE 6013 conjugatively transfers to different S. aureus backgrounds at frequencies approaching that of the conjugative plasmid pGO1. We found that excision is required for conjugation, that not all S. aureus backgrounds are successful recipients, and that transconjugants acquire the ability to transfer ICE 6013 Sequencing of chromosomal integration sites in serially passaged transconjugants revealed a significant integration site preference for a 15-bp AT-rich palindromic consensus sequence, which surrounds the 3-bp target site that is duplicated upon integration. A sequence analysis of ICE 6013 from different host strains of S. aureus and from eight other species of staphylococci identified seven divergent subfamilies of ICE 6013 that include sequences previously classified as a transposon, a plasmid, and various ICEs. In summary, these results indicate that the IS 30 -like Tpase functions as the ICE 6013 recombinase and that ICE 6013 represents a diverse family of mobile genetic elements that mediate conjugation in staphylococci. IMPORTANCE Integrative conjugative elements (ICEs) encode the abilities to integrate into and excise from bacterial chromosomes and plasmids and mediate conjugation between bacteria. As agents of horizontal gene transfer, ICEs may affect bacterial evolution. ICE 6013

  5. Genetic Effects of Uv Irradiation on Excision-Proficient and -Deficient Yeast during Meiosis

    PubMed Central

    Resnick, Michael A.; Game, John C.; Stasiewicz, Stanley

    1983-01-01

    The lethal and recombinational responses to ultraviolet light irradiation (UV) by excision-proficient (RAD+) and deficient strains (rad1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been examined in cells undergoing meiosis. Cells that exhibit high levels of meiotic synchrony were irradiated either at the beginning or at various times during meiosis and allowed to proceed through meiosis. Based on survival responses, the only excision repair mechanism for UV damage available during meiosis is that controlled by the RAD1 pathway. The presence of pyrimidine dimers at the beginning of meiosis does not prevent cells from undergoing meiosis; however, the spore products exhibit much lower survival than cells from earlier stages of meiosis. The reduced survival is probably due to effects of UV on recombination. Meiotic levels of gene conversion are reduced only two to three times in these experiments; however, intergenic recombination is nearly abolished after a dose of 4 J/m 2 to the rad1 strain. Exposure to 25 J/m2 had little effect on the wild-type strain. Since normal meiotic reciprocal recombination is generally considered to involve gene conversion-type intermediates, it appears that unrepaired UV damage dissociates the two processes. These results complement those obtained with the mei-9 mutants of Drosophila which also demonstrate a dissociation between gene conversion and reciprocal recombination. These results are consistent with molecular observations on the UV-irradiated rad1 strain in that there is no excision of pyrimidine dimers or exchange of dimers during meiosis. PMID:6352405

  6. [Preliminary influence of 2015 cigarette excise tax up-regulation on cigarette retail price].

    PubMed

    Feng, G Z; Wang, C X; Yang, J Q; Jiang, Y

    2016-10-10

    Objective: To evaluate the impact of cigarette excise tax up-regulation on the retail price of cigarettes in 2015. Methods: Nominal and real price of selected cigarette varieties were calculated with data from Tobacco Retail Price Monitoring Project, which was conducted in 10 cities of China from 2013 to 2015. The trend of the cigarette prices changing was analyzed with annual data. Results: A total of 352 varieties of cigarettes were surveyed during the three years. The nominal price of these cigarettes did not change significantly from 2013 to 2014. Compared with nominal price of 2014, the price of 286 varieties increased and the price of 10 most popular varieties increased from 0.6 % to 7.4 % after cigarette excise tax increased, but the actual prices had both rise and fall compared with 2013. Conclusions: Cigarette excise tax raise in 2015 had influence on the retail price of cigarettes. But the increase in retail price was very limited, if factors including inflation and purchasing power are taken into consideration. Therefore, the influence of 2015 cigarette excise tax raise on tobacco control needs further evaluation.

  7. RPA physically interacts with the human DNA glycosylase NEIL1 to regulate excision of oxidative DNA base damage in primer-template structures.

    PubMed

    Theriot, Corey A; Hegde, Muralidhar L; Hazra, Tapas K; Mitra, Sankar

    2010-06-04

    The human DNA glycosylase NEIL1, activated during the S-phase, has been shown to excise oxidized base lesions in single-strand DNA substrates. Furthermore, our previous work demonstrating functional interaction of NEIL1 with PCNA and flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) suggested its involvement in replication-associated repair. Here we show interaction of NEIL1 with replication protein A (RPA), the heterotrimeric single-strand DNA binding protein that is essential for replication and other DNA transactions. The NEIL1 immunocomplex isolated from human cells contains RPA, and its abundance in the complex increases after exposure to oxidative stress. NEIL1 directly interacts with the large subunit of RPA (K(d) approximately 20 nM) via the common interacting interface (residues 312-349) in NEIL1's disordered C-terminal region. RPA inhibits the base excision activity of both wild-type NEIL1 (389 residues) and its C-terminal deletion CDelta78 mutant (lacking the interaction domain) for repairing 5-hydroxyuracil (5-OHU) in a primer-template structure mimicking the DNA replication fork. This inhibition is reduced when the damage is located near the primer-template junction. Contrarily, RPA moderately stimulates wild-type NEIL1 but not the CDelta78 mutant when 5-OHU is located within the duplex region. While NEIL1 is inhibited by both RPA and Escherichia coli single-strand DNA binding protein, only inhibition by RPA is relieved by PCNA. These results showing modulation of NEIL1's activity on single-stranded DNA substrate by RPA and PCNA support NEIL1's involvement in repairing the replicating genome. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. The tobacco excise system in Indonesia: hindering effective tobacco control for health.

    PubMed

    Barber, Sarah; Ahsan, Abdillah

    2009-07-01

    Comprehensive tobacco control policies include high taxes. This paper describes the tobacco excise structure in Indonesia from 2007 to 2009. The design of the tobacco excise system contributes to neutralizing the effect of a tax increase on consumption. Wide gaps in tax rates allow for the availability of low-priced products, and consumers can substitute to cheaper products in response to price increases. There has been no systematic increase in the tax rates, which promotes affordable of tobacco products. Firms can reduce their prices at point of sale and absorb the tax increase instead of passing it onto consumers. Tiered tax rates by production scale allow firms to evade paying the highest tax brackets legally, thereby increasing profit margins while reducing prices at point of sale. Increases in tobacco excise rates in Indonesia may not have a large health impact under the current system of tax administration.

  9. Sphincter-sparing local excision and hypofractionated radiation therapy for anorectal melanoma: a 20-year experience.

    PubMed

    Kelly, Patrick; Zagars, Gunar K; Cormier, Jancie N; Ross, Merrick I; Guadagnolo, B Ashleigh

    2011-10-15

    Anorectal melanoma is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Because survival is determined by distant failure, many centers have adopted sphincter-sparing excision for primary tumor control. However, this approach is associated with high rates of local failure (∼50%). In this study, the authors report their 20-year experience with sphincter-sparing excision combined with radiation therapy (RT) for the treatment of localized anorectal melanoma. The authors reviewed the records of 54 patients with localized anorectal melanoma who were treated at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1989 to 2008. All patients underwent definitive local excision with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy or lymph node dissection. RT (25-36 grays in 5-6 fractions) was delivered to extended fields that targeted the primary site and draining pelvic/inguinal lymphatics in 39 patients and to limited fields that targeted only the primary site in 15 patients. The 5-year rates of local control (LC), lymph node control (NC), and sphincter preservation were 82%, 88%, and 96%, respectively. However, because of the high rate of distant metastasis, the overall survival (OS) rate at 5 years was only 30%. Although there were no significant differences in LC, NC, or OS based on RT field extent, patients who received extended-field RT had higher rates of lymphedema than patients who received limited-field RT. The current results indicated that combined sphincter-sparing local excision and RT is a well tolerated approach that provides effective LC for patients with anorectal melanoma. Inclusion of the inguinal lymph node basins in the RT fields did not improve outcomes and was associated with an increased risk of lymphedema. Copyright © 2011 American Cancer Society.

  10. Ntg1p, the base excision repair protein, generates mutagenic intermediates in yeast mitochondrial DNA.

    PubMed

    Phadnis, Naina; Mehta, Reema; Meednu, Nida; Sia, Elaine A

    2006-07-13

    Mitochondrial DNA is predicted to be highly prone to oxidative damage due to its proximity to free radicals generated by oxidative phosphorylation. Base excision repair (BER) is the primary repair pathway responsible for repairing oxidative damage in nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. In yeast mitochondria, three N-glycosylases have been identified so far, Ntg1p, Ogg1p and Ung1p. Ntg1p, a broad specificity N-glycosylase, takes part in catalyzing the first step of BER that involves the removal of the damaged base. In this study, we examined the role of Ntg1p in maintaining yeast mitochondrial genome integrity. Using genetic reporters and assays to assess mitochondrial mutations, we found that loss of Ntg1p suppresses mitochondrial point mutation rates, frameshifts and recombination rates. We also observed a suppression of respiration loss in the ntg1-Delta cells in response to ultraviolet light exposure implying an overlap between BER and UV-induced damage in the yeast mitochondrial compartment. Over-expression of the BER AP endonuclease, Apn1p, did not significantly affect the mitochondrial mutation rate in the presence of Ntg1p, whereas Apn1p over-expression in an ntg1-Delta background increased the frequency of mitochondrial mutations. In addition, loss of Apn1p also suppressed mitochondrial point mutations. Our work suggests that both Ntg1p and Apn1p generate mutagenic intermediates in the yeast mitochondrial genome.

  11. Nail-fold excision for the treatment of ingrown toenail in children.

    PubMed

    Haricharan, Ramanath N; Masquijo, Javier; Bettolli, Marcos

    2013-02-01

    To evaluate the effectiveness of the nail-fold excision procedure in children. Prospectively collected data on patients less than 18 years of age who underwent a nail-fold excision for symptomatic ingrown toenail were analyzed. Patients were seen in 2 centers and data collected included demographics, site of ingrown toenail, complications (including recurrence), patient satisfaction, and duration of follow-up. Overall, 67 procedures were performed on 50 patients between June 2009 and July 2011 at the 2 institutions. The mean age was 14 years (range, 9-18 years) and 30 were male patients. No recurrences were seen after a follow-up for a median of 14 months (range 6-28 months). Patients were very satisfied with the cosmetic outcomes. Six minor complications occurred, including 3 patients with bleeding requiring dressing change, 2 with excessive granulation tissue, and 1 with nail growth abnormality. The nail-fold excision technique is highly effective in the pediatric population, with no recurrence, excellent cosmesis, and very high patient satisfaction. Copyright © 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Autobiographical memory of the recent past following frontal cortex or temporal lobe excisions.

    PubMed

    Thaiss, Laila; Petrides, Michael

    2008-08-01

    Previous research has raised questions regarding the necessity of the frontal cortex in autobiographical memory and the role that it plays in actively retrieving contextual information associated with personally relevant events. Autobiographical memory was studied in patients with unilateral excisions restricted to the frontal cortex or temporal lobe involving the amygdalo-hippocampal region and in normal controls using an event-sampling method. We examined accuracy of free recall, use of strategies during retrieval and memory for specific aspects of the autobiographical events, including temporal order. Patients with temporal lobe excisions were impaired in autobiographical recall. By contrast, patients with frontal cortical excisions exhibited normal autobiographical recall but were less likely to use temporal order spontaneously to organize event retrieval. Instruction to organize retrieval by temporal order failed to improve recall in temporal lobe patients and increased the incidence of plausible intrusion errors in left temporal patients. In contrast, patients with frontal cortical excisions now surpassed control subjects in recall of autobiographical events. Furthermore, the retrieval accuracy for the temporal order of diary events was not impaired in these patients. In a subsequent cued recall test, temporal lobe patients were impaired in their memory for the details of the diary events and their context. In conclusion, a basic impairment in autobiographical memory (including memory for temporal context) results from damage to the temporal lobe and not the frontal cortex. Patients with frontal excisions fail to use organizational strategies spontaneously to aid retrieval but can use these effectively if instructed to do so.

  13. Genetic variation in the base excision repair pathway and bladder cancer risk.

    PubMed

    Figueroa, Jonine D; Malats, Núria; Real, Francisco X; Silverman, Debra; Kogevinas, Manolis; Chanock, Stephen; Welch, Robert; Dosemeci, Mustafa; Tardón, Adonina; Serra, Consol; Carrato, Alfredo; García-Closas, Reina; Castaño-Vinyals, Gemma; Rothman, Nathaniel; García-Closas, Montserrat

    2007-04-01

    Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may impact individual variation in DNA repair capacity and alter cancer risk. In order to examine the association of common genetic variation in the base-excision repair (BER) pathway with bladder cancer risk, we analyzed 43 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 12 BER genes (OGG1, MUTYH, APEX1, PARP1, PARP3, PARP4, XRCC1, POLB, POLD1, PCNA, LIG1, and LIG3). Using genotype data from 1,150 cases of urinary bladder transitional cell carcinomas and 1,149 controls from the Spanish Bladder Cancer Study we estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusting for age, gender, region and smoking status. SNPs in three genes showed significant associations with bladder cancer risk: the 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase gene (OGG1), the Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase family member 1 (PARP1) and the major gap filling polymerase-beta (POLB). Subjects who were heterozygous or homozygous variant for an OGG1 SNP in the promoter region (rs125701) had significantly decreased bladder cancer risk compared to common homozygous: OR (95%CI) 0.78 (0.63-0.96). Heterozygous or homozygous individuals for the functional SNP PARP1 rs1136410 (V762A) or for the intronic SNP POLB rs3136717 were at increased risk compared to those homozygous for the common alleles: 1.24 (1.02-1.51) and 1.30 (1.04-1.62), respectively. In summary, data from this large case-control study suggested bladder cancer risk associations with selected BER SNPs, which need to be confirmed in other study populations.

  14. Reasons for excision of skin tumors: a one-year prospective study in a tertiary skin cancer unit.

    PubMed

    Lallas, Aimilios; Longo, Caterina; Moscarella, Elvira; Lombardi, Mara; Specchio, Francesca; Raucci, Margherita; Zalaudek, Iris; Argenziano, Giuseppe

    2015-01-01

    Biopsies and surgical excisions represent routine procedures in clinical settings dealing with skin cancer. To evaluate the impact of clinical examination, dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy and digital monitoring on the decision to excise or biopsy a lesion in routine practice. Patients scheduled for biopsy or excision of a skin lesion were prospectively enrolled. The expert dermatologist was asked to select the main factor that prompted him/her to excise or biopsy the lesion. The most common reason for melanoma excision was clinical and dermoscopic morphology (70.3%), followed by dermoscopy (11.4%), monitoring (8.9%) and clinical context (8.2%). Most basal and squamous cell carcinomas were recognized both clinically and dermoscopically, while 18.6 and 15.0%, respectively, could only be detected with dermoscopic examination. Each part of the clinical examination has a contributory role in the diagnosis of melanoma and other skin cancers.

  15. Symptomatic pancreatic heterotopia treated by local excision.

    PubMed Central

    De Friend, D J; Saa-Gandi, F W; Humphrey, C S; Foster, D N

    1991-01-01

    Non-ulcer dyspepsia is a continuing problem and in many cases a precise cause is never identified. We present five patients with an allegedly uncommon condition--pancreatic heterotopia. They were managed by local excision of the tumour and after a mean (range) follow up of 42 (9-80) months all remain free of the original symptoms. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 PMID:2013433

  16. Pulsed terahertz imaging of breast cancer in freshly excised murine tumors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bowman, Tyler; Chavez, Tanny; Khan, Kamrul; Wu, Jingxian; Chakraborty, Avishek; Rajaram, Narasimhan; Bailey, Keith; El-Shenawee, Magda

    2018-02-01

    This paper investigates terahertz (THz) imaging and classification of freshly excised murine xenograft breast cancer tumors. These tumors are grown via injection of E0771 breast adenocarcinoma cells into the flank of mice maintained on high-fat diet. Within 1 h of excision, the tumor and adjacent tissues are imaged using a pulsed THz system in the reflection mode. The THz images are classified using a statistical Bayesian mixture model with unsupervised and supervised approaches. Correlation with digitized pathology images is conducted using classification images assigned by a modal class decision rule. The corresponding receiver operating characteristic curves are obtained based on the classification results. A total of 13 tumor samples obtained from 9 tumors are investigated. The results show good correlation of THz images with pathology results in all samples of cancer and fat tissues. For tumor samples of cancer, fat, and muscle tissues, THz images show reasonable correlation with pathology where the primary challenge lies in the overlapping dielectric properties of cancer and muscle tissues. The use of a supervised regression approach shows improvement in the classification images although not consistently in all tissue regions. Advancing THz imaging of breast tumors from mice and the development of accurate statistical models will ultimately progress the technique for the assessment of human breast tumor margins.

  17. Excision Repair-Initiated Enzyme-Assisted Bicyclic Cascade Signal Amplification for Ultrasensitive Detection of Uracil-DNA Glycosylase.

    PubMed

    Wang, Li-Juan; Ren, Ming; Zhang, Qianyi; Tang, Bo; Zhang, Chun-Yang

    2017-04-18

    Uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) is an important base excision repair (BER) enzyme responsible for the repair of uracil-induced DNA lesion and the maintenance of genomic integrity, while the aberrant expression of UDG is associated with a variety of cancers. Thus, the accurate detection of UDG activity is essential to biomedical research and clinical diagnosis. Here, we develop a fluorescent method for ultrasensitive detection of UDG activity using excision repair-initiated enzyme-assisted bicyclic cascade signal amplification. This assay involves (1) UDG-actuated uracil-excision repair, (2) excision repair-initiated nicking enzyme-mediated isothermal exponential amplification, (3) ribonuclease H (RNase H)-induced hydrolysis of signal probes for generating fluorescence signal. The presence of UDG enables the removal of uracil from U·A pairs and generates an apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site. Endonuclease IV (Endo IV) subsequently cleaves the AP site, resulting in the break of DNA substrate. The cleaved DNA substrate functions as both a primer and a template to initiate isothermal exponential amplification, producing a large number of triggers. The resultant trigger may selectively hybridize with the signal probe which is modified with FAM and BHQ1, forming a RNA-DNA heterogeneous duplex. The subsequent hydrolysis of RNA-DNA duplex by RNase H leads to the generation of fluorescence signal. This assay exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.0001 U/mL, and it can even measure UDG activity at the single-cell level. Moreover, this method can be applied for the measurement of kinetic parameters and the screening of inhibitors, thereby providing a powerful tool for DNA repair enzyme-related biomedical research and clinical diagnosis.

  18. Role of DNA base excision repair in the mutability and virulence of Streptococcus mutans

    PubMed Central

    Gonzalez, Kaisha; Faustoferri, Roberta C.; Quivey, Robert G.

    2012-01-01

    Summary The oral pathogen, Streptococcus mutans, possesses inducible DNA repair defenses for protection against pH fluctuations and production of reactive oxygen metabolites such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which are present in the oral cavity. DNA base excision repair (BER) has a critical role in genome maintenance by preventing the accumulation of mutations associated with environmental factors and normal products of cellular metabolism. In this study, we examined the consequences of compromising the DNA glycosylases (Fpg and MutY) and endonucleases (Smx and Smn) of the BER pathway and their relative role in adaptation and virulence. Enzymatic characterization of the BER system showed that it protects the organism against the effects of the highly mutagenic lesion, 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanine (8-oxo-dG). S. mutans strains lacking a functional Fpg, MutY, or Smn showed elevated spontaneous mutation frequencies; and, these mutator phenotypes correlated with the ability of the strains to survive killing by acid and oxidative agents. In addition, in the G. mellonella virulence model, strains of S. mutans deficient in Fpg, MutY and Smn showed increased virulence as compared to the parent strain. Our results suggest that, for S. mutans, mutator phenotypes, due to loss of BER enzymes, may confer an advantage to virulence of the organism. PMID:22651851

  19. Epistatic role of base excision repair and mismatch repair pathways in mediating cisplatin cytotoxicity

    PubMed Central

    Kothandapani, Anbarasi; Sawant, Akshada; Dangeti, Venkata Srinivas Mohan Nimai; Sobol, Robert W.; Patrick, Steve M.

    2013-01-01

    Base excision repair (BER) and mismatch repair (MMR) pathways play an important role in modulating cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) cytotoxicity. In this article, we identified a novel mechanistic role of both BER and MMR pathways in mediating cellular responses to cisplatin treatment. Cells defective in BER or MMR display a cisplatin-resistant phenotype. Targeting both BER and MMR pathways resulted in no additional resistance to cisplatin, suggesting that BER and MMR play epistatic roles in mediating cisplatin cytotoxicity. Using a DNA Polymerase β (Polβ) variant deficient in polymerase activity (D256A), we demonstrate that MMR acts downstream of BER and is dependent on the polymerase activity of Polβ in mediating cisplatin cytotoxicity. MSH2 preferentially binds a cisplatin interstrand cross-link (ICL) DNA substrate containing a mismatch compared with a cisplatin ICL substrate without a mismatch, suggesting a novel mutagenic role of Polβ in activating MMR in response to cisplatin. Collectively, these results provide the first mechanistic model for BER and MMR functioning within the same pathway to mediate cisplatin sensitivity via non-productive ICL processing. In this model, MMR participation in non-productive cisplatin ICL processing is downstream of BER processing and dependent on Polβ misincorporation at cisplatin ICL sites, which results in persistent cisplatin ICLs and sensitivity to cisplatin. PMID:23761438

  20. Correlation of open cell-attached and excised patch clamp techniques.

    PubMed

    Filipovic, D; Hayslett, J P

    1995-11-01

    The excised patch clamp configuration provides a unique technique for some types of single channel analyses, but maintenance of stable, long-lasting preparations may be confounded by rundown and/or rapid loss of seal. Studies were performed on the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel, located on the apical surface of A6 cells, to determine whether the nystatin-induced open cell-attached patch could serve as an alternative configuration. Compared to excised inside-out patches, stable preparations were achieved more readily with the open cell-attached patch (9% vs. 56% of attempts). In both preparations, the current voltage (I-V) relation was linear, current amplitudes were equal at opposite equivalent clamped voltages, and Erev was zero in symmetrical Na+ solutions, indicating similar Na+ activities on the cytosolic and external surfaces of the patch. Moreover, there was no evidence that nystatin altered channel activity in the patch because slope conductance (3-4pS) and Erev (75 mV), when the bath was perfused with a high K:low Na solution (ENa = 80 mV), were nearly equal in both patch configurations. Our results therefore indicate that the nystatin-induced open cell-attached patch can serve as an alternative approach to the excised inside-out patch when experiments require modulation of univalent ions in the cytosol.

  1. DNA bending and a flip-out mechanism for base excision by the helix–hairpin–helix DNA glycosylase, Escherichia coli AlkA

    PubMed Central

    Hollis, Thomas; Ichikawa, Yoshitaka; Ellenberger, Tom

    2000-01-01

    The Escherichia coli AlkA protein is a base excision repair glycosylase that removes a variety of alkylated bases from DNA. The 2.5 Å crystal structure of AlkA complexed to DNA shows a large distortion in the bound DNA. The enzyme flips a 1–azaribose abasic nucleotide out of DNA and induces a 66° bend in the DNA with a marked widening of the minor groove. The position of the 1–azaribose in the enzyme active site suggests an SN1-type mechanism for the glycosylase reaction, in which the essential catalytic Asp238 provides direct assistance for base removal. Catalytic selectivity might result from the enhanced stacking of positively charged, alkylated bases against the aromatic side chain of Trp272 in conjunction with the relative ease of cleaving the weakened glycosylic bond of these modified nucleotides. The structure of the AlkA–DNA complex offers the first glimpse of a helix–hairpin–helix (HhH) glycosylase complexed to DNA. Modeling studies suggest that other HhH glycosylases can bind to DNA in a similar manner. PMID:10675345

  2. Accessory Axillary Breast Excision with Liposuction Using Minimal Incision: A Preliminary Report.

    PubMed

    Hwang, Seong Bae; Choi, Byung Seo; Byun, Geon Young; Koo, Bum Hwan; Lee, Sung Ryul

    2017-02-01

    Accessory breasts have received little attention in the surgical fields, although the condition is quite common in the female population, with 2-6% of women suffering from it. Its convexity and cyclic pain make women feel embarrassed and uncomfortable, so patients often desire surgical excision to improve their appearances and to remove the pain. A total of 967 patients who had been treated by an excision of accessory breast tissue with liposuction using minimal incision from September 2013 to Dec 2015 at the Damsoyu Hospital were analyzed for clinical factors retrospectively. All 967 patients were female. There were 514 (53.2%) unmarried patients and 453 (46.8%) married patients. The major clinical manifestation was the problem in the appearance with cyclic pain in both unmarried and married groups (82.7 vs. 87.9%). Three types of accessory breasts were observed: 779 (80.6%) breast tissue only in axillae, 182 (18.8%) breast tissue with accessory nipple, and 6 (0.6%) breast tissue with accessory nipple-areolar complex. The mean operation time was 58 min. All cyclic axillar pain in our cases was resolved after the operation. Postoperative complications developed in 160 patients (16.55%). Among them, seroma after operation was the most common (11.27%). In our study, 95.65% of the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic outcomes. The surgical excision of accessory breasts with liposuction through the minimal incision is a safe and effective method to make women feel comfortable in clinical manifestations and be satisfied with their cosmetic axillar line. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

  3. Comparison of electric and growth responses to excision in cucumber and pea seedlings. II. Long-distance effects are caused by the release of xylem pressure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stahlberg, R.; Cosgrove, D. J.

    1995-01-01

    Excision of a growing stem causes local wound responses, such as membrane depolarization and growth inhibition, as well as effects at larger distances from the cut. In this study, cucumber hypocotyls were excised 100 mm below the hook, so that the growing region was beyond the reach of the wound-induced depolarization (up to 40 mm). Even at such a distance, the cut still caused a considerable and rapid drop in the hypocotyl growth rate. This growth response is not a direct wound response because it does not result from the cut-induced depolarization and because it can be simulated by root pressure manipulation (using a pressure chamber). The results indicate that the growth response resulted from the rapid release of the xylem pressure upon excision. To test this conclusion we measured the xylem pressure by connecting a pressure probe to the cut surface of the stem. Xylem pressure (Px) was found to be +10 to +40 kPa in cucumber hypocotyls and -5 to -10 kPa or lower in pea epicotyls. Excision of the cucumber hypocotyl base led to a rapid drop in Px to negative values, whereas excision in pea led to a rapid rise in Px to ambient (zero) pressure. These fast and opposite Px changes parallel the excision-induced changes in growth rate (GR): a decrease in cucumber and a rise in pea. The sign of the endogenous xylem pressure also determined whether excision induced a propagating depolarization in the form of a slow wave potential (SWP). Under normal circumstances pea seedlings generated an SWP upon excision whereas cucumber seedlings failed to do so. When the Px in cucumber hypocotyls was experimentally inverted to negative values by incubating the cumber roots in solutions of NaCN or n-ethylmaleimide, excision caused a propagating depolarization (SWP). The experiment shows that only hydraulic signals in the form of positive Px steps are converted into propagating electric SWP signals. These propagating depolarizations might be causally linked to systemic 'wound

  4. Sentinel node biopsy and concomitant probe-guided tumor excision of nonpalpable breast cancer.

    PubMed

    van Rijk, Maartje C; Tanis, Pieter J; Nieweg, Omgo E; Loo, Claudette E; Olmos, Renato A Valdés; Oldenburg, Hester S A; Rutgers, Emiel J Th; Hoefnagel, Cornelis A; Kroon, Bin B R

    2007-02-01

    Preliminary data have shown encouraging results of a single intratumoral radiopharmaceutical injection that enables both sentinel node biopsy and probe-guided excision of the primary tumor in patients with nonpalpable breast cancer. The aim of the study was to evaluate this approach in a large group of patients. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed in 368 patients with nonpalpable breast cancer after intratumoral injection of (99m)Tc-nanocolloid (.2 mL, 123 MBq, 3.3 mCi) guided by ultrasound or stereotaxis. The sentinel node was pursued with the aid of vital blue dye (1.0 mL, intratumoral) and a gamma ray detection probe. In case of breast-conserving surgery, the probe was used to guide the excision. At least one sentinel node could be identified intraoperatively in 357 patients (97%), of whom 69 had involved nodes (19%). Age over 60 years was associated with less frequent nonaxillary lymphatic drainage and absence of internal mammary chain dissemination. Tumor-free margins were obtained in 262 (89%) of the 293 patients who underwent segmental excision. Re-excision of the primary tumor bed was performed in six patients (2%). During a median follow-up of 22 months, one breast recurrence and one axillary recurrence were observed. Lymphatic mapping and probe-guided tumor excision of nonpalpable breast cancer by intralesional administration of a single dose of (99m)Tc-nanocolloid and blue dye resulted in 97% identification of the sentinel node and in tumor-free margins in 89% of the patients who underwent breast-conserving surgery. Longer follow-up is needed to substantiate the accuracy and safety of this technique.

  5. Age and exposure to arsenic alter base excision repair transcript levels in mice.

    PubMed

    Osmond, Megan J; Kunz, Bernard A; Snow, Elizabeth T

    2010-09-01

    Arsenic (As) induces DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species. Most oxidative DNA damage is countered by base excision repair (BER), the capacity for which may be reduced in older animals. We examined whether age and consumption of As in lactational milk or drinking water influences BER gene transcript levels in mice. Lactating mothers and 24-week-old mice were exposed (24 h or 2 weeks) to As (2 or 50 p.p.m.) in drinking water. Lung tissue was harvested from adults, neonates (initially 1 week old) feeding from lactating mothers and untreated animals 1-26 weeks old. Transcripts encoding BER proteins were quantified. BER transcript levels decreased precipitously with age in untreated mice but increased in neonates whose mothers were exposed to 50 p.p.m. As for 24 h or 2 weeks. Treatment of 24-week-old mice with 2 or 50 p.p.m. As for 2 weeks decreased all transcript levels measured. Exposure to As attenuated the age-related transcript level decline for only one BER gene. We conclude that aging is associated with a rapid reduction of BER transcript levels in mice, which may contribute to decreased BER activity in older animals. Levels of As that can alter gene expression are transmitted to neonatal mice in lactational milk produced by mothers drinking water containing As, raising concerns about breastfeeding in countries having As-contaminated groundwater. Reduction of BER transcript levels in 24-week-old mice exposed to As for 2 weeks suggests As may potentiate sensitivity to itself in older animals.

  6. Using a Virtual Environment to Deliver Evidence-Based Interventions: The Facilitator's Experience

    PubMed Central

    Villarruel, Antonia; Tschannen, Dana; Valladares, Angel; Yaksich, Joseph; Yeagley, Emily; Hawes, Armani

    2015-01-01

    Background Evidence-based interventions (EBIs) have the potential to maximize positive impact on communities. However, despite the quantity and quality of EBIs for prevention, the need for formalized training and associated training-related expenses, such as travel costs, program materials, and input of personnel hours, pose implementation challenges for many community-based organizations. In this study, the community of inquiry (CoI) framework was used to develop the virtual learning environment to support the adaptation of the ¡Cuídate! (Take Care of Yourself!) Training of Facilitators curriculum (an EBI) to train facilitators from community-based organizations. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of adapting a traditional face-to-face facilitator training program for ¡Cuídate!, a sexual risk reduction EBI for Latino youth, for use in a multi-user virtual environment (MUVE). Additionally, two aims of the study were explored: the acceptability of the facilitator training and the level of the facilitators’ knowledge and self-efficacy to implement the training. Methods A total of 35 facilitators were trained in the virtual environment. We evaluated the facilitators' experience in the virtual training environment and determined if the learning environment was acceptable and supported the acquisition of learning outcomes. To this end, the facilitators were surveyed using a modified community of inquiry survey, with questions specific to the Second Life environment and an open-ended questionnaire. In addition, a comparison to face-to-face training was conducted using survey methods. Results Results of the community of inquiry survey demonstrated a subscale mean of 23.11 (SD 4.12) out of a possible 30 on social presence, a subscale mean of 8.74 (SD 1.01) out of a possible 10 on teaching presence, and a subscale mean of 16.69 (SD 1.97) out of a possible 20 on cognitive presence. The comparison to face-to-face training showed no

  7. Base excision repair imbalance in colorectal cancer has prognostic value and modulates response to chemotherapy

    PubMed Central

    Leguisamo, Natalia M.; Gloria, Helena C.; Kalil, Antonio N.; Martins, Talita V.; Azambuja, Daniel B.

    2017-01-01

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is prevalent worldwide, and treatment often involves surgery and genotoxic chemotherapy. DNA repair mechanisms, such as base excision repair (BER) and mismatch repair (MMR), may not only influence tumour characteristics and prognosis but also dictate chemotherapy response. Defective MMR contributes to chemoresistance in colorectal cancer. Moreover, BER affects cellular survival by repairing genotoxic base damage in a process that itself can disrupt metabolism. In this study, we characterized BER and MMR gene expression in colorectal tumours and the association between this repair profile with patients’ clinical and pathological features. In addition, we exploited the possible mechanisms underlying the association between altered DNA repair, metabolism and response to chemotherapy. Seventy pairs of sporadic colorectal tumour samples and adjacent non-tumour mucosal specimens were assessed for BER and MMR gene and protein expression and their association with pathological and clinical features. MMR-deficient colon cancer cells (HCT116) transiently overexpressing MPG or XRCC1 were treated with 5-FU or TMZ and evaluated for viability and metabolic intermediate levels. Increase in BER gene and protein expression is associated with more aggressive tumour features and poor pathological outcomes in CRC. However, tumours with reduced MMR gene expression also displayed low MPG, OGG1 and PARP1 expression. Imbalancing BER by overexpression of MPG, but not XRCC1, sensitises MMR-deficient colon cancer cells to 5-FU and TMZ and leads to ATP depletion and lactate accumulation. MPG overexpression alters DNA repair and metabolism and is a potential strategy to overcome 5-FU chemotherapeutic resistance in MMR-deficient CRC. PMID:28903334

  8. Overcoming temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma via dual inhibition of NAD+ biosynthesis and base excision repair

    PubMed Central

    Goellner, Eva M.; Grimme, Bradford; Brown, Ashley R.; Lin, Ying-Chih; Wang, Xiao-Hong; Sugrue, Kelsey F.; Mitchell, Leah; Trivedi, Ram N.; Tang, Jiang-bo; Sobol, Robert W.

    2011-01-01

    Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating brain tumor with poor prognosis and low median survival time. Standard treatment includes radiation and chemotherapy with the DNA alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ). However, a large percentage of tumors are resistant to the cytotoxic effects of the TMZ-induced DNA lesion O6-methylguanine (O6-MeG) due to elevated expression of the repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) or a defect in the mismatch repair (MMR) pathway. Although a majority of the TMZ induced lesions (N7-methylguanine and N3-methyladenine) are base excision repair (BER) substrates, these DNA lesions are also readily repaired. However, blocking BER can enhance response to TMZ and therefore the BER pathway has emerged as an attractive target for reversing TMZ resistance. Our lab has recently reported that inhibition of BER leads to the accumulation of repair intermediates that induce energy depletion-mediated cell death via hyperactivation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Based on our observation that TMZ-induced cell death via BER inhibition is dependent on the availability of NAD+, we have hypothesized that combined BER and NAD+ biosynthesis inhibition will increase TMZ efficacy in glioblastoma cell lines greater than BER inhibition alone. Importantly, we find that the combination of BER and NAD+ biosynthesis inhibition significantly sensitizes glioma cells with elevated expression of MGMT and those deficient in MMR, two genotypes normally associated with TMZ resistance. Dual targeting of these two interacting pathways (DNA repair and NAD+ biosynthesis) may prove to be an effective treatment combination for patients with resistant and recurrent GBM. PMID:21406402

  9. Does Excision of Heterotopic Ossification of the Elbow Result in Satisfactory Patient-Rated Outcomes?

    PubMed

    Sandeep, K N; Suresh, G; Gopisankar, B; Abhishek, N; Sujiv, A

    2017-03-01

    Treatment of heterotopic ossification (HO) of the elbow is challenging and fraught with complications. Patients who sustain direct trauma to the elbow joint, the central nervous system, and thermal burns are at increased risk for development of HO. There is a paucity of studies and reports on patient's self-evaluation after the excision of the heterotopic ossification. This retrospective study assessed outcomes after excision of heterotopic ossification around the elbow in a cohort of ten patients operated from 2012 to 2015. The outcome assessment was done by the Mayo Elbow Performance index (MEPI) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons-Elbow score (ASES-E scores). The mean follow-up was 18.11 months after the operation. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score was excellent in two elbows, good in six and fair in two. The mean gain in flexion-extension arc after excision of HO was 80 degrees. All of the patients had residual flexion deformity postoperatively. Eight of the nine patients were able to do activities requiring flexion at final follow-up. Excision of HO around the elbow is associated with satisfactory patient-rated outcomes in spite of failure to regain full range of motion.

  10. Subtalar Coalitions: Does the Morphology of the Subtalar Joint Involvement Influence Outcomes After Coalition Excision?

    PubMed

    Mahan, Susan T; Prete, Victoria I; Spencer, Samantha A; Kasser, James R; Bixby, Sarah D

    Posteromedial subtalar (PMST) coalitions are a recently described anatomic subtype of tarsal coalitions. We compared with clinical patient-based outcomes of patients with PMST and standard middle facet (MF) coalitions who had undergone surgical excision of their coalition. The included patients had undergone surgical excision of a subtalar tarsal coalition, preoperative computed tomography (CT), and patient-based outcomes measures after surgery (including the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society [AOFAS] scale and University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], activity score). Blinded analysis of the preoperative CT scan findings determined the presence of a standard MF versus a PMST coalition. The perioperative factors and postoperative outcomes between the MF and PMST coalitions were compared. A total of 51 feet (36 patients) were included. The mean follow-up duration was 2.6 years after surgery. Of the 51 feet, 15 (29.4%) had a PMST coalition and 36 (70.6%) had an MF coalition. No difference was found in the UCLA activity score; however, the mean AOFAS scale score was higher for patients with PMST (95.7) than for those with MF (86.5; p = .018). Of the patients with a PMST, none had foot pain limiting their activities at the final clinical follow-up visit. However, in the group with an MF subtalar coalition, 10 (27.8%) had ongoing foot pain limiting activity at the final follow-up visit (p = .024). Compared with MF subtalar tarsal coalitions, patients with PMST coalitions showed significantly improved clinical outcomes after excision. Preoperative identification of the facet morphology can improve patient counseling and expectations after surgery. Copyright © 2017 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Excise Tax Avoidance: The Case of State Cigarette Taxes

    PubMed Central

    DeCicca, Philip; Kenkel, Donald; Liu, Feng

    2013-01-01

    We conduct an applied welfare economics analysis of cigarette tax avoidance. We develop an extension of the standard formula for the optimal Pigouvian corrective tax to incorporate the possibility that consumers avoid the tax by making purchases in nearby lower-tax jurisdictions. To provide a key parameter for our formula, we estimate a structural endogenous switching regression model of border-crossing and cigarette prices. In illustrative calculations, we find that for many states, after taking into account tax avoidance the optimal tax is at least 20 percent smaller than the standard Pigouvian tax that simply internalizes external costs. Our empirical estimate that tax avoidance strongly responds to the price differential is the main reason for this result. We also use our results to examine the benefits of replacing avoidable state excise taxes with a harder-to-avoid federal excise tax on cigarettes. PMID:24140760

  12. Excise tax avoidance: the case of state cigarette taxes.

    PubMed

    DeCicca, Philip; Kenkel, Donald; Liu, Feng

    2013-12-01

    We conduct an applied welfare economics analysis of cigarette tax avoidance. We develop an extension of the standard formula for the optimal Pigouvian corrective tax to incorporate the possibility that consumers avoid the tax by making purchases in nearby lower tax jurisdictions. To provide a key parameter for our formula, we estimate a structural endogenous switching regression model of border-crossing and cigarette prices. In illustrative calculations, we find that for many states, after taking into account tax avoidance the optimal tax is at least 20% smaller than the standard Pigouvian tax that simply internalizes external costs. Our empirical estimate that tax avoidance strongly responds to the price differential is the main reason for this result. We also use our results to examine the benefits of replacing avoidable state excise taxes with a harder-to-avoid federal excise tax on cigarettes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Antibiotics for infection prevention after excision of the cervical transformation zone.

    PubMed

    Kietpeerakool, Chumnan; Chumworathayi, Bandit; Thinkhamrop, Jadsada; Ussahgij, Butsakorn; Lumbiganon, Pisake

    2017-01-21

    Excision of the transformation zone of the cervix is the most commonly used approach to treat cervical precancerous lesions (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)) to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer. As the excision of the transformation zone leaves a raw area on the cervix, there is a risk of infection following the procedure. The incidence of infection after cold knife conization (CKC) is 36%, whereas the incidence for large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ, also known as loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP)) is much lower (0.8% to 14.4%). Prophalytic antibiotics may prevent an infection developing and are often prescribed for CKC. However, there are no formal recommendations regarding the use of prophylactic antibiotics for infection prevention in women undergoing surgical excisional treatment for cervical precancerous lesions. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of antibiotics for infection prevention following excision of the cervical transformation zone. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2016, Issue 4), MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS to May 2016. We also checked registers of clinical trials, citation lists of included studies, key textbooks and previous systematic reviews for potentially relevant studies SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic antibiotics versus a placebo or no treatment in women having excision of the cervical transformation zone, regardless of the type of surgical excisional method used. We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Two review authors independently selected potentially relevant trials, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias, compared results and resolved disagreements by discussion. We contacted investigators for additional data, where possible. Of the 370 records that we identified as a result of the search (excluding duplicates), we regarded

  14. The Effectiveness of Remote Facilitation in Simulation-Based Pediatric Resuscitation Training for Medical Students.

    PubMed

    Ohta, Kunio; Kurosawa, Hiroshi; Shiima, Yuko; Ikeyama, Takanari; Scott, James; Hayes, Scott; Gould, Michael; Buchanan, Newton; Nadkarni, Vinay; Nishisaki, Akira

    2017-08-01

    To assess the effectiveness of pediatric simulation by remote facilitation. We hypothesized that simulation by remote facilitation is more effective compared to simulation by an on-site facilitator. We defined remote facilitation as a facilitator remotely (1) introduces simulation-based learning and simulation environment, (2) runs scenarios, and (3) performs debriefing with an on-site facilitator. A remote simulation program for medical students during pediatric rotation was implemented. Groups were allocated to either remote or on-site facilitation depending on the availability of telemedicine technology. Both groups had identical 1-hour simulation sessions with 2 scenarios and debriefing. Their team performance was assessed with behavioral assessment tool by a trained rater. Perception by students was evaluated with Likert scale (1-7). Fifteen groups with 89 students participated in a simulation by remote facilitation, and 8 groups with 47 students participated in a simulation by on-site facilitation. Participant demographics and previous simulation experience were similar. Both groups improved their performance from first to second scenario: groups by remote simulation (first [8.5 ± 4.2] vs second [13.2 ± 6.2], P = 0.003), and groups by on-site simulation (first [6.9 ± 4.1] vs second [12.4 ± 6.4], P = 0.056). The performance improvement was not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.94). Faculty evaluation by students was equally high in both groups (7 vs 7; P = 0.65). A pediatric acute care simulation by remote facilitation significantly improved students' performance. In this pilot study, remote facilitation seems as effective as a traditional, locally facilitated simulation. The remote simulation can be a strong alternative method, especially where experienced facilitators are limited.

  15. [Non-palpable breast cancer malignant on needle core biopsy and no malignancy in surgical excision: how to manage?].

    PubMed

    Cheurfa, N; Giard, S

    2015-01-01

    Despite the standard management of non-palpable breast cancer (needle core biopsy diagnostic, accurate preoperative localization), there are differences in some cases between the malignant histo-pathological finding in diagnostic biopsy results and negative histo-pathological finding after surgical excision. The aim of this study is to evaluate this incidence and classifying them under three category: failure of surgical excision after preoperative identification; removal of the tumor was already completed by percutaneous biopsy; percutaneous biopsy true false positive. We conducted a study based on prospective database, all patients included in this study had partial mastectomy for ductal carcinoma in-situ or invasive cancer which was diagnosed by needle core biopsy and normal/benign after surgery. Regarding the partial mastectomy, 1863 was performed in the last three years in our center. Thirty-seven patients (2%) correspond our study criteria. After discussion of cases in our multidisciplinary reunion, 6 patients (16%) were considered as failure of surgical excision, 26 patients (70%) as true removal of the whole lesion in the core, and 5 patients (13%) as true false-positive cores. This is the first study witch investigate all factors that influence the results of negative final histo-pathological finding of surgical excision of the tumor after malignant diagnostic needle core biopsy. This rare situation need a multidisciplinary meeting to analyse all the steps of management and to determine causes of those false results and try to find adequate management to solve this problem. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  16. Use of intracranial and ocular thermography before and after arteriovenous malformation excision

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hwang, Peter Y. K.; Lewis, Philip M.; Maller, Jerome J.

    2014-11-01

    Excision of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is known to carry a risk of postoperative hemorrhage, postulated to be the result of normal perfusion pressure breakthrough. It is also possible that AVMs may cause a steal effect, reducing perfusion in nearby vessels. There is currently no simple method of visualizing the presence or absence of steal effect intraoperatively. We hypothesized that the infrared thermographic (heat sensitive) imaging of perilesional brain may be useful for detecting reduced perfusion due to steal. Moreover, we hypothesized that if steal effect was present, it could impact on ocular perfusion and thereby temperature. Our objective was, therefore, to investigate whether perilesional cortical and ocular temperature (OT) may be a marker of steal effect. We intraoperatively acquired conventional and thermal images of the surgical field and eyes bilaterally, pre- and post-excisions of a large left hemisphere AVM. We found OT asymmetry preoperatively, which was absent after the AVM was excised. Intraoperative thermal images showed an increase of perilesional temperature, although this could be confounded by generalized changes in cortical perfusion due to anesthetics or surgery.

  17. Benign Intraductal Papilloma without Atypia on Core Needle Biopsy Has a Low Rate of Upgrading to Malignancy after Excision

    PubMed Central

    Han, Song-Hee; Kim, Milim; Chung, Yul Ri; Yun, Bo La; Jang, Mijung; Kim, Sun Mi; Kang, Eunyoung; Kim, Eun-Kyu

    2018-01-01

    Purpose The management of benign intraductal papilloma (IDP) without atypia diagnosed on core needle biopsy (CNB) remains controversial. This study was performed to evaluate the rate of upgrading to malignancy or high-risk lesions after excision and to identify factors associated with upgrading using a large series of benign IDP cases without atypia. Methods We included patients who were diagnosed as having benign IDP without atypia on CNB and underwent surgical or vacuum-assisted excision between 2010 and 2015. We analyzed the clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features of IDPs that were upgraded to malignancy or high-risk lesions after excision. Results A total of 511 benign IDPs without atypia diagnosed via CNB were identified, of which 398 cases were treated with excision. After reviewing these cases, four cases of high-risk lesions in adjacent tissue on CNB, two cases which were revealed as papilloma with atypia, and nine cases of malignancy in the same breast were excluded. In the remaining 383 cases, the rate of upgrading to malignancy and high-risk lesions after excision was 0.8% and 4.4%, respectively. The presence of concurrent contralateral breast cancer, the presence of symptoms, and multifocality were factors significantly associated with upgrading to malignancy on subsequent excision. Surgical excision rather than vacuum-assisted excision was significantly associated with upgrading to high-risk lesions or malignancy. Conclusion The rate of upgrading to malignancy for benign IDP without atypia was very low, suggesting that close clinical and radiologic observation may be sufficient for patients with benign IDP without atypia on CNB under proper settings. PMID:29628987

  18. Benign Intraductal Papilloma without Atypia on Core Needle Biopsy Has a Low Rate of Upgrading to Malignancy after Excision.

    PubMed

    Han, Song-Hee; Kim, Milim; Chung, Yul Ri; Yun, Bo La; Jang, Mijung; Kim, Sun Mi; Kang, Eunyoung; Kim, Eun-Kyu; Park, So Yeon

    2018-03-01

    The management of benign intraductal papilloma (IDP) without atypia diagnosed on core needle biopsy (CNB) remains controversial. This study was performed to evaluate the rate of upgrading to malignancy or high-risk lesions after excision and to identify factors associated with upgrading using a large series of benign IDP cases without atypia. We included patients who were diagnosed as having benign IDP without atypia on CNB and underwent surgical or vacuum-assisted excision between 2010 and 2015. We analyzed the clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features of IDPs that were upgraded to malignancy or high-risk lesions after excision. A total of 511 benign IDPs without atypia diagnosed via CNB were identified, of which 398 cases were treated with excision. After reviewing these cases, four cases of high-risk lesions in adjacent tissue on CNB, two cases which were revealed as papilloma with atypia, and nine cases of malignancy in the same breast were excluded. In the remaining 383 cases, the rate of upgrading to malignancy and high-risk lesions after excision was 0.8% and 4.4%, respectively. The presence of concurrent contralateral breast cancer, the presence of symptoms, and multifocality were factors significantly associated with upgrading to malignancy on subsequent excision. Surgical excision rather than vacuum-assisted excision was significantly associated with upgrading to high-risk lesions or malignancy. The rate of upgrading to malignancy for benign IDP without atypia was very low, suggesting that close clinical and radiologic observation may be sufficient for patients with benign IDP without atypia on CNB under proper settings.

  19. Another heritage from the RNA world: self-excision of intron sequence from nuclear pre-tRNAs.

    PubMed

    Weber, U; Beier, H; Gross, H J

    1996-06-15

    The intervening sequences of nuclear tRNA precursors are known to be excised by tRNA splicing endonuclease. We show here that a T7 transcript corresponding to a pre-tRNA(Tyr) from Arabidopsis thaliana has a highly specific activity for autolytic intron excision. Self-cleavage occurs precisely at the authentic 3'-splice site and at the phosphodiester bond one nucleotide downstream of the authentic 5'-splice site. The reaction results in fragments with 2',3'-cyclic phosphate and 5'-OH termini. It is resistant to proteinase K and/or SDS treatment and is not inhibited by added tRNA. The self-cleavage depends on Mg2+ and is stimulated by spermine and Triton X-100. A set of sequence variants at the cleavage sites has been analysed for autolytic intron excision and, in parallel, for enzymatic in vitro splicing in wheat germ S23 extract. Single-stranded loops are a prerequisite for both reactions. Self-cleavage not only occurs at pyrimidine-A but also at U-U bonds. Since intron self-excision is only about five times slower than the enzymatic intron excision in a wheat germ S23 extract, we propose that the splicing endonuclease may function by improving the preciseness and efficiency of an inherent pre-tRNA self-cleavage activity.

  20. Green and non-green callus induction from excised rice (Oryza sativa) embryos: effects of exogenous plant growth regulators

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kim, D.; Brock, T. G.; Kaufman, P. B.

    1992-01-01

    Calli were induced either from excised rice embryos or from whole seeds in the presence of 1 to 5 mg l-1 NAA. After 12 days of culture, calli were induced only from excised rice embryos. We found that excised embryos accumulated NAA up to 6 times higher concentration than did whole seeds. In the presence of 1 to 5 mg l-1 NAA and 2 to 10 mg l-1 kinetin, chlorophyllous calli were induced from excised rice embryos. Chlorophyll contents in the callus tissue increased with increasing kinetin concentration while percent callus induction decreased. The total chlorophyll content was linearly correlated with the ratio of kinetin to NAA in the medium.

  1. [Anesthetic management of the ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure for giant epignathus and of the tumor excision].

    PubMed

    Aoyama, Tadashi; Nakata, Jun; Sakakibara, Michiko; Takahashi, Tetsuyuki; Hara, Masato; Yamaguchi, Shinya; Maseki, Megumi; Teramoto, Yuzo

    2008-10-01

    We report an anesthetic management of the ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure performed in a fetus with giant epignathus due to laryngeal atresia at 28 weeks' gestation. Anesthesia of the mother was induced with thiamylal and vecuronium, and maintained with 4% sevoflurane in 100% oxygen before delivery. Sevoflurane provided excellent uterine relaxation. To maintain the arterial pressure, the patient received acetate Ringer and ephedrine 4mg. After hysterotomy, a pulse oxymeter and an ultrasound transducer were applied to monitor fetal Sp(O2) and heart rate. No anesthetic agents were injected into the fetus in addition to transplacental sevoflurane. Tracheostomy was performed on the fetus by pediatric surgeons on placental support. The uterine tone improved soon after discontinuing sevoflurane, intramyometrial injection of oxytocin and ergometrine infusion after delivery. Excision of the tumor was performed on day 2 of life. Pediatric surgeons tried to excise it totally, but it was hard to differentiate the tumor from the normal tissue, and partial excision was performed. After the excision, the neonate weighed 944 g and excised specimen weighed 253 g. Though the neonate was immature and the tumor was very large, no perioperative complications were associated with EXIT and the tumor excision.

  2. Deficiency of gamma-ray excision repair in skin fibroblasts from patients with Fanconi's anemia.

    PubMed Central

    Remsen, J F; Cerutti, P A

    1976-01-01

    The capacity of preparations of skin fibroblasts from normal individuals and patients with Fanconi's anemia to excise gamma-ray products of the 5,6-dihydroxydihydrothymine type from exogenous DNA was investigated. The excision capacity of whole-cell homogenates of fibroblasts from two of four patients with Fanconi's anemia was substantially below normal. This repair deficiency was further pronounced in nuclear preparations from cells of the same two patients. PMID:1065896

  3. Pilonidal sinus disease surgery in children: the first study to compare crystallized phenol application to primary excision and closure.

    PubMed

    Ates, Ufuk; Ergun, Ergun; Gollu, Gulnur; Sozduyar, Sumeyye; Kologlu, Meltem; Cakmak, Murat; Dindar, Huseyin; Yagmurlu, Aydin

    2018-03-01

    Pilonidal sinus (PS) is an infectious and inflammatory disease of sacrococcygeal region. Current methods include; surgical excision with/without suturing the defect, rhomboid excision and flap and chemical substance application. In this study, crystallized phenol application was compared to excision and primary closure. This retrospective study included pediatric patients with PS who were treated with excision and primer closure technique and phenol application. The patients' medical data were analyzed retrospectively. This study included 117 patients with PS. There were 52 girls (44%) and 65 boys (56%). Mean age of children was 15.6 (12-20) years. Excision and primary closure were applied to 77 patients (66%) and phenol was applied to 40 patients (34%). The children in phenol group were discharged on the operation day; mean hospitalization time in the excision and primary closure group was 2.7 (1-14) days. Mean follow up was 44.6 (8-82) months for primary excision and closure group and 8.1 (1-19) months for phenol group. Although many surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities have been described for PS, the optimal one remains unknown. Limited with the retrospective nature of the data, crystallized phenol application seems a feasible minimal invasive alternative to primary closure of PS with lower recurrence and complication rates in children. Level III. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Evaluation of the Effects of Conjunctivochalasis Excision on Tear Stability and Contrast Sensitivity

    PubMed Central

    Qiu, Weiqiang; Zhang, Mingzhou; Xu, Ting; Liu, Ziyuan; Lv, Huibin; Wang, Wei; Li, Xuemin

    2016-01-01

    Conjunctivochalasis (CCh) disrupts tear flow and damages tear film stability. This study sought to evaluate the tear stability and contrast sensitivity of patients with CCh on whom CCh excision was performed. The study included 39 eyes from 39 patients; all patients had eyes with grade 2 or 3 CCh, underwent CCh excision, and were evaluated before and three months after the surgery. The evaluated variables included the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), the tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, corneal surface irregularity, Schirmer’s I test, the tear meniscus area (TMA), and contrast sensitivity. A follow-up of three months was achieved in 36 eyes for 36 patients. All parameters improved significantly after surgery (p < 0.05), except Schirmer’s I test, thus suggesting that CCh excision is an effective method for reconstructing the lower tear meniscus and improving both tear film stability and corneal surface irregularity. The results further demonstrated a simultaneous increase in contrast sensitivity after surgery. PMID:27892479

  5. Radial scars diagnosed on breast core biopsy: Frequency of atypia and carcinoma on excision and implications for management.

    PubMed

    Donaldson, Alana R; Sieck, Leah; Booth, Christine N; Calhoun, Benjamin C

    2016-12-01

    The risk of finding carcinoma in excisions following a core needle biopsy diagnosis of radial scar is not well defined and clinical management is variable. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of high-risk lesions, ductal carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma in excisions following a core biopsy diagnosis of radial scar. Dedicated breast pathologists and radiologists correlated the histologic and radiologic findings and categorized radial scars as the target lesion or an incidental finding. High-risk lesions were defined as atypical hyperplasia or classical lobular carcinoma in situ. Of the 79 radial scars identified over a 14-year period, 22 were associated with atypia or carcinoma in the core biopsy. Thirty-seven (37) of the 57 benign radial scars underwent excision with benign findings in 30 (81%), high-risk lesions in six (16%), and flat epithelial atypia in one (3%). There were no upgrades to carcinoma. One patient with a benign radial scar developed a 3-mm focus of intermediate-grade estrogen receptor-positive ductal carcinoma in situ in the same quadrant of the ipsilateral breast 72 months after excision. One patient with an incidental un-excised benign radial scar was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ at a separate site of suspicious calcifications. In this series, none of the benign radial scars was upgraded to carcinoma. Radial scar was the targeted lesion in all cases with high-risk lesions on excision. Surgical excision may not be mandatory for patients with benign incidental radial scars on core biopsy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Surgical Approaches to First Branchial Cleft Anomaly Excision: A Case Series.

    PubMed

    Quintanilla-Dieck, Lourdes; Virgin, Frank; Wootten, Chistopher; Goudy, Steven; Penn, Edward

    2016-01-01

    Objectives. First branchial cleft anomalies (BCAs) constitute a rare entity with variable clinical presentations and anatomic findings. Given the high rate of recurrence with incomplete excision, identification of the entire tract during surgical treatment is of paramount importance. The objectives of this paper were to present five anatomic variations of first BCAs and describe the presentation, evaluation, and surgical approach to each one. Methods. A retrospective case review and literature review were performed. We describe patient characteristics, presentation, evaluation, and surgical approach of five patients with first BCAs. Results. Age at definitive surgical treatment ranged from 8 months to 7 years. Various clinical presentations were encountered, some of which were atypical for first BCAs. All had preoperative imaging demonstrating the tract. Four surgical approaches required a superficial parotidectomy with identification of the facial nerve, one of which revealed an aberrant facial nerve. In one case the tract was found to travel into the angle of the mandible, terminating as a mandibular cyst. This required en bloc excision that included the lateral cortex of the mandible. Conclusions. First BCAs have variable presentations. Complete surgical excision can be challenging. Therefore, careful preoperative planning and the recognition of atypical variants during surgery are essential.

  7. Surgical Approaches to First Branchial Cleft Anomaly Excision: A Case Series

    PubMed Central

    Quintanilla-Dieck, Lourdes; Virgin, Frank; Wootten, Chistopher; Goudy, Steven; Penn, Edward

    2016-01-01

    Objectives. First branchial cleft anomalies (BCAs) constitute a rare entity with variable clinical presentations and anatomic findings. Given the high rate of recurrence with incomplete excision, identification of the entire tract during surgical treatment is of paramount importance. The objectives of this paper were to present five anatomic variations of first BCAs and describe the presentation, evaluation, and surgical approach to each one. Methods. A retrospective case review and literature review were performed. We describe patient characteristics, presentation, evaluation, and surgical approach of five patients with first BCAs. Results. Age at definitive surgical treatment ranged from 8 months to 7 years. Various clinical presentations were encountered, some of which were atypical for first BCAs. All had preoperative imaging demonstrating the tract. Four surgical approaches required a superficial parotidectomy with identification of the facial nerve, one of which revealed an aberrant facial nerve. In one case the tract was found to travel into the angle of the mandible, terminating as a mandibular cyst. This required en bloc excision that included the lateral cortex of the mandible. Conclusions. First BCAs have variable presentations. Complete surgical excision can be challenging. Therefore, careful preoperative planning and the recognition of atypical variants during surgery are essential. PMID:27034873

  8. Mechanism of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC)-mediated Blockage of Longpatch Base Excision Repair†

    PubMed Central

    Jaiswal, Aruna S.; Balusu, Ramesh; Armas, Melissa L.; Kundu, Chanakya N.; Narayan, Satya

    2008-01-01

    Recently, we found an interaction between adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and DNA polymerase β (pol-β) and showed that APC blocks strand-displacement synthesis of long-patch base excision repair (LP-BER) however, the mechanism is not clear. Using an in vivo LP-BER assay system, we now show that the LP-BER is higher in APC−/− cells than in APC+/+ cells. In addition to pol-β, the pull-down experiments showed that the full-length APC also interacted with flap endonuclease 1 (Fen-1). To further characterize the interaction of APC with pol-β and Fen-1, we performed a domain-mapping of APC and found that both pol-β and Fen-1 interact with a 138-amino acids peptide from the APC at the DRI-domain. Our functional assays showed that APC blocks pol-β-mediated 1-nucleotide (1-nt) as well as strand-displacement synthesis of reduced abasic, nicked-, or 1-nt gapped-DNA substrates. Our further studies demonstrated that APC blocks 5′-flap endonuclease as well as 5′-3′ exonuclease activity of Fen-1 resulting in the blockage of LP-BER. From these results we concluded that APC can have three different effects in the LP-BER pathway. First, APC can block pol-β-mediated 1-nt incorporation and strand-displacement synthesis. Second, APC can block LP-BER by blocking coordinated formation and removal of the strand-displaced flap. Third, APC can block LP-BER by blocking “Hit and Run” synthesis. These studies will have important implications of APC in DNA damage-induced carcinogenesis and chemoprevention. PMID:17176113

  9. Terahertz transmission vs reflection imaging and model-based characterization for excised breast carcinomas.

    PubMed

    Bowman, Tyler; El-Shenawee, Magda; Campbell, Lucas K

    2016-09-01

    This work presents experimental and analytical comparison of terahertz transmission and reflection imaging modes for assessing breast carcinoma in excised paraffin-embedded human breast tissue. Modeling for both transmission and reflection imaging is developed. The refractive index and absorption coefficient of the tissue samples are obtained. The reflection measurements taken at the system's fixed oblique angle of 30° are shown to be a hybridization of TE and TM modes. The models are validated with transmission spectroscopy at fixed points on fresh bovine muscle and fat tissues. Images based on the calculated absorption coefficient and index of refraction of bovine tissue are successfully compared with the terahertz magnitude and phase measured in the reflection mode. The validated techniques are extended to 20 and 30 μm slices of fixed human lobular carcinoma and infiltrating ductal carcinoma mounted on polystyrene microscope slides in order to investigate the terahertz differentiation of the carcinoma with non-cancerous tissue. Both transmission and reflection imaging show clear differentiation in carcinoma versus healthy tissue. However, when using the reflection mode, in the calculation of the thin tissue properties, the absorption is shown to be sensitive to small phase variations that arise due to deviations in slide and tissue thickness and non-ideal tissue adhesion. On the other hand, the results show that the transmission mode is much less sensitive to these phase variations. The results also demonstrate that reflection imaging provides higher resolution and more clear margins between cancerous and fibroglandular regions, cancerous and fatty regions, and fibroglandular and fatty tissue regions. In addition, more features consistent with high power pathology images are exhibited in the reflection mode images.

  10. Excision and Redraping Skin and Orbicularis Oculi Muscle Separately during Transcutaneous Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty.

    PubMed

    Haefliger, I O; Pimentel de Figueiredo, A R

    2015-04-01

    The purpose of this study was to report a transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty procedure where different amounts of skin and orbicularis oculi muscle are excised and where skin and muscle are redraped (tightened) separately. A retrospective non-consecutive small case-series of patients undergoing lower eyelid blepharoplasty is described. In a nutshell, during this procedure a skin flap was fashioned (caudal to the sub-ciliary pre-tarsal excess of skin to be excised), some pre-septal orbicularis oculi muscle fibers were excised (in regard of the skin flap), muscle and then skin were redraped, separately. In addition to these surgical steps conducted on each patient, when required, orbital fat prolapse was reduced, orbital retaining ligament was detached, and/or a canthopexie/plasty was performed. Assessment of surgical outcome was made by providing, for comparison, pictures taken before and after the procedure. No major intra- or postoperative complications were recorded and overall postoperative outcome was judged satisfactory by both surgeons and patients. In contrast to a conventional skin-muscle lower blepharoplasty approach where, in a block, pre-tarsal skin and muscle are excised and then pre-septal skin and muscle are redraped, the technique described in the present paper allows us to excise different amounts of skin and orbicularis muscle and to redrape them separately. Among several potential advantages, this approach preserves pre-tarsal orbicularis muscle function, allows us to apply more tension on the redraped muscle and less on the redraped skin, and avoids redraping of a relatively thick per-septal orbicularis oculi muscle over the tarsus (like it is in the case of a conventional skin-muscle technique). Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  11. POLYMORPHISMS IN THE DNA BASE EXCISION REPAIR GENES APEX1 AND XRCC1 AND LUNG CANCER RISK IN XUAN WEI, CHINA

    EPA Science Inventory

    The lung cancer mortality rate in Xuan Wei County is among the highest in China and has been attributed to exposure to indoor smoky coal emissions that contain very high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Nucleotide excision repair (NER) plays a key role in revers...

  12. 75 FR 9359 - Drawback of Internal Revenue Excise Taxes

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-02

    ... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau 27 CFR Parts 28 and 44 [Docket... Revenue Excise Taxes AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury. ACTION: Withdrawal of... proposed Customs and Border Protection regulations stating that domestic merchandise on which no tax is...

  13. Wound repair and anti-inflammatory potential of Lonicera japonica in excision wound-induced rats.

    PubMed

    Chen, Wei-Cheng; Liou, Shorong-Shii; Tzeng, Thing-Fong; Lee, Shiow-Ling; Liu, I-Min

    2012-11-23

    Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae), a widely used traditional Chinese medicinal plant, is used to treat some infectious diseases and it may have uses as a healthy food and applications in cosmetics and as an ornamental groundcover. The ethanol extract of the flowering aerial parts of L. japonica (LJEE) was investigated for its healing efficiency in a rat excision wound model. Excision wounds were inflicted upon three groups of eight rats each. Healing was assessed by the rate of wound contraction in skin wound sites in rats treated with simple ointment base, 10% (w/w) LJEE ointment, or the reference standard drug, 0.2% (w/w) nitrofurazone ointment. The effects of LJEE on the contents of hydroxyproline and hexosamine during healing were estimated. The antimicrobial activity of LJEE against microorganisms was also assessed. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of LJEE was investigated to understand the mechanism of wound healing. LJEE exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis. The ointment formulation prepared with 10% (w/w) LJEE exhibited potent wound healing capacity as evidenced by the wound contraction in the excision wound model. The contents of hydroxyproline and hexosamine also correlated with the observed healing pattern. These findings were supported by the histopathological characteristics of healed wound sections, as greater tissue regeneration, more fibroblasts, and angiogenesis were observed in the 10% (w/w) LJEE ointment-treated group. The results also indicated that LJEE possesses potent anti-inflammatory activity, as it enhanced the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines that suppress proinflammatory cytokine production. The results suggest that the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of LJEE act synergistically to accelerate wound repair.

  14. Community-Based Facilitated Enrollment: Meeting Uninsured New Yorkers Where They Are.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lawler, Kate; Costello, Anne Marie

    2005-01-01

    In 1998, Governor Pataki and New York legislators created one of the country's most innovative programs for enrolling uninsured children and teens in public health insurance. Launched in 2000, the facilitated enrollment program uses community-based organizations and health plans to find and enroll "hard-to-reach" New Yorkers who have historically…

  15. 26 CFR 25.2512-7 - Effect of excise tax.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... by a taxpayer and made the subject of gifts within a reasonable time after purchase, the purchase...-7 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) ESTATE AND GIFT TAXES GIFT TAX; GIFTS MADE AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1954 Transfers § 25.2512-7 Effect of excise tax. If...

  16. A unified view of base excision repair: lesion-dependent protein complexes regulated by post-translational modification

    PubMed Central

    Almeida, Karen H.; Sobol, Robert W.

    2007-01-01

    Base excision repair (BER) proteins act upon a significantly broad spectrum of DNA lesions that result from endogenous and exogenous sources. Multiple sub-pathways of BER (short-path or long-patch) and newly designated DNA repair pathways (e.g., SSBR and NIR) that utilize BER proteins complicate any comprehensive understanding of BER and its role in genome maintenance, chemotherapeutic response, neurodegeneration, cancer or aging. Herein, we propose a unified model of BER, comprised of three functional processes: Lesion Recognition/Strand Scission, Gap Tailoring and DNA Synthesis/Ligation, each represented by one or more multiprotein complexes and coordinated via the XRCC1/DNA Ligase III and PARP1 scaffold proteins. BER therefore may be represented by a series of repair complexes that assemble at the site of the DNA lesion and mediates repair in a coordinated fashion involving protein-protein interactions that dictate subsequent steps or sub-pathway choice. Complex formation is influenced by post-translational protein modifications that arise from the cellular state or the DNA damage response, providing an increase in specificity and efficiency to the BER pathway. In this review, we have summarized the reported BER protein-protein interactions and protein post-translational modifications and discuss the impact on DNA repair capacity and complex formation. PMID:17337257

  17. Number of excised lymph nodes as a quality assurance measure for lymphadenectomy in melanoma.

    PubMed

    Rossi, Carlo Riccardo; Mozzillo, Nicola; Maurichi, Andrea; Pasquali, Sandro; Macripò, Giuseppe; Borgognoni, Lorenzo; Solari, Nicola; Piazzalunga, Dario; Mascheroni, Luigi; Giudice, Giuseppe; Mocellin, Simone; Patuzzo, Roberto; Caracò, Corrado; Ribero, Simone; Marone, Ugo; Santinami, Mario

    2014-07-01

    Although the number of excised lymph nodes (LNs) represents a quality assurance measure in lymphadenectomy for many solid tumors, the minimum number of LNs to be dissected has not been established for melanoma. To investigate the distribution of the number of excised LNs in a large patient series (N = 2526) to identify values that may serve as benchmarks for monitoring the quality of lymphadenectomy in patients with melanoma. A retrospective multicenter study was conducted (1992-2010) in tertiary referral centers for treatment of cutaneous melanoma. Medical records on 2526 patients who underwent lymphadenectomy for regional LN metastasis associated with cutaneous melanoma were examined. Patients had undergone lymphadenectomy for regional LN metastasis. The mean, median, and 10th percentile of the number of excised LNs were calculated for the axilla (3 levels), neck (≤3 or ≥4 dissected levels), inguinal, and ilioinguinal LN fields. After 3-level axillary (n = 1150), 3-level or less neck (n = 77), 4-level or more neck (n = 135), inguinal (n = 209), and ilioinguinal (n = 955) dissections, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) and mean (SD) number of excised LNs were as follows: 3-level axillary dissection, 20 (15-27) and 22 (8); 3-level or less neck, 21 (14-33) and 24 (15); 4-level or more neck, 29 (21-41) and 31 (14); inguinal, 11 ( 9-14) and 12 (5); and ilioinguinal, 21 (16-26) and 22 (4). A total of 90% of the patients had 12, 7, 14, 6, and 13 excised LNs (10th percentile of the distribution) after 3-level axillary, 3-level or less neck, 4-level or more neck, inguinal, and ilioinguinal dissections, respectively. More excised LNs were detected in younger (21 for those <54 years of age and 19 for ≥54 years, P < .001) and male (21 for male sex and 19 for female sex, P < .001) patients from high-volume institutions (21 for volume of ≥300 vs 18 for volume <300, P < .001) with a more recent year of diagnosis (21 for years 2002

  18. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 escorts XPC to UV-induced DNA lesions during nucleotide excision repair

    PubMed Central

    Robu, Mihaela; Shah, Rashmi G.; Purohit, Nupur K.; Zhou, Pengbo; Naegeli, Hanspeter

    2017-01-01

    Xeroderma pigmentosum C (XPC) protein initiates the global genomic subpathway of nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER) for removal of UV-induced direct photolesions from genomic DNA. The XPC has an inherent capacity to identify and stabilize at the DNA lesion sites, and this function is facilitated in the genomic context by UV-damaged DNA-binding protein 2 (DDB2), which is part of a multiprotein UV–DDB ubiquitin ligase complex. The nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) has been shown to facilitate the lesion recognition step of GG-NER via its interaction with DDB2 at the lesion site. Here, we show that PARP1 plays an additional DDB2-independent direct role in recruitment and stabilization of XPC at the UV-induced DNA lesions to promote GG-NER. It forms a stable complex with XPC in the nucleoplasm under steady-state conditions before irradiation and rapidly escorts it to the damaged DNA after UV irradiation in a DDB2-independent manner. The catalytic activity of PARP1 is not required for the initial complex formation with XPC in the nucleoplasm but it enhances the recruitment of XPC to the DNA lesion site after irradiation. Using purified proteins, we also show that the PARP1–XPC complex facilitates the handover of XPC to the UV-lesion site in the presence of the UV–DDB ligase complex. Thus, the lesion search function of XPC in the genomic context is controlled by XPC itself, DDB2, and PARP1. Our results reveal a paradigm that the known interaction of many proteins with PARP1 under steady-state conditions could have functional significance for these proteins. PMID:28760956

  19. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 escorts XPC to UV-induced DNA lesions during nucleotide excision repair.

    PubMed

    Robu, Mihaela; Shah, Rashmi G; Purohit, Nupur K; Zhou, Pengbo; Naegeli, Hanspeter; Shah, Girish M

    2017-08-15

    Xeroderma pigmentosum C (XPC) protein initiates the global genomic subpathway of nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER) for removal of UV-induced direct photolesions from genomic DNA. The XPC has an inherent capacity to identify and stabilize at the DNA lesion sites, and this function is facilitated in the genomic context by UV-damaged DNA-binding protein 2 (DDB2), which is part of a multiprotein UV-DDB ubiquitin ligase complex. The nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) has been shown to facilitate the lesion recognition step of GG-NER via its interaction with DDB2 at the lesion site. Here, we show that PARP1 plays an additional DDB2-independent direct role in recruitment and stabilization of XPC at the UV-induced DNA lesions to promote GG-NER. It forms a stable complex with XPC in the nucleoplasm under steady-state conditions before irradiation and rapidly escorts it to the damaged DNA after UV irradiation in a DDB2-independent manner. The catalytic activity of PARP1 is not required for the initial complex formation with XPC in the nucleoplasm but it enhances the recruitment of XPC to the DNA lesion site after irradiation. Using purified proteins, we also show that the PARP1-XPC complex facilitates the handover of XPC to the UV-lesion site in the presence of the UV-DDB ligase complex. Thus, the lesion search function of XPC in the genomic context is controlled by XPC itself, DDB2, and PARP1. Our results reveal a paradigm that the known interaction of many proteins with PARP1 under steady-state conditions could have functional significance for these proteins.

  20. An Evaluation of a School-Based, Peer-Facilitated, Healthy Relationship Program for At-Risk Adolescents

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McLeod, David Axlyn; Jones, Robin; Cramer, Elizabeth P.

    2015-01-01

    There are few evaluations of peer-facilitated teenage dating violence prevention programs in the literature. To begin to address this gap, this project assessed the effectiveness of a school-based, peer-facilitated healthy relationships program among academically at-risk students. Two hundred and ninety-one ninth graders of mixed race and gender…

  1. Using learning theory, interprofessional facilitation competencies, and behavioral indicators to evaluate facilitator training.

    PubMed

    LeGros, Theresa A; Amerongen, Helen M; Cooley, Janet H; Schloss, Ernest P

    2015-01-01

    Despite the increasing need for faculty and preceptors skilled in interprofessional facilitation (IPF), the relative novelty of the field poses a challenge to the development and evaluation of IPF programs. We use learning theory and IPF competencies with associated behavioral indicators to develop and evaluate six key messages in IPF training and experience. Our mixed methods approach included two phases: quantitative data collection with embedded qualitative data, followed by qualitative data collection in explanatory sequential fashion. This enabled triangulated analyses of both data types and of facilitation behaviors from facilitator and student perspectives. Results indicate the competency-based training was effective. Facilitators felt comfortable performing behaviors associated with IPF competencies; student observations of those behaviors supported facilitator self-reported performance. Overall, students perceived more facilitation opportunities than facilitators. Findings corroborate the importance of recruiting seasoned facilitators and establishing IPF guidelines that acknowledge variable team dynamics and help facilitators recognize teachable moments.

  2. Stuck in Neutral: Stalled Progress in Statewide Comprehensive Smoke-Free Laws and Cigarette Excise Taxes, United States, 2000-2014.

    PubMed

    Holmes, Carissa Baker; King, Brian A; Babb, Stephen D

    2016-06-16

    Increasing tobacco excise taxes and implementing comprehensive smoke-free laws are two of the most effective population-level strategies to reduce tobacco use, prevent tobacco use initiation, and protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. We examined state laws related to smoke-free buildings and to cigarette excise taxes from 2000 through 2014 to see how implementation of these laws from 2000 through 2009 differs from implementation in more recent years (2010-2014). We used legislative data from LexisNexis, an online legal research database, to examine changes in statewide smoke-free laws and cigarette excise taxes in effect from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2014. A comprehensive smoke-free law was defined as a statewide law prohibiting smoking in all indoor areas of private work sites, restaurants, and bars. From 2000 through 2009, 21 states and the District of Columbia implemented comprehensive smoke-free laws prohibiting smoking in work sites, restaurants, and bars. In 2010, 4 states implemented comprehensive smoke-free laws. The last state to implement a comprehensive smoke-free law was North Dakota in 2012, bringing the total number to 26 states and the District of Columbia. From 2000 through 2009, 46 states and the District of Columbia implemented laws increasing their cigarette excise tax, which increased the national average state excise tax rate by $0.92. However, from 2010 through 2014, only 14 states and the District of Columbia increased their excise tax, which increased the national average state excise tax rate by $0.20. The recent stall in progress in enacting and implementing statewide comprehensive smoke-free laws and increasing cigarette excise taxes may undermine tobacco prevention and control efforts in the United States, undercutting efforts to reduce tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, health disparities, and tobacco-related illness and death.

  3. Determination of Strain Field on the Superior Surface of Excised Larynx Vocal Folds Using DIC

    PubMed Central

    Bakhshaee, Hani; Young, Jonathan; Yang, Justin C. W.; Mongeau, Luc; Miri, Amir K.

    2013-01-01

    Summary Objective/Hypothesis The objective of the present study was to quantify the mechanical strain and stress in excised porcine larynges during self-oscillation using digital image correlation (DIC) method. The use of DIC in the excised larynx setup may yield accurate measurements of the vocal fold displacement field. Study Design Ex vivo animal larynx. Methods Measurements were performed using excised porcine larynges on a humidified flow bench, equipped with two high-speed cameras and a commercially available DIC software. Surface deformations were calculated from digital images recorded at 3000 frames per second during continuous self-oscillation for four excised porcine larynges. Larynx preparation consisted of removing the supraglottal wall and the false folds. DIC yielded the deformation field on the superior visible surface of the vocal folds. Measurement data for adducted and freely suspended vocal folds were also used to estimate the distribution of the initial prephonatory strain field. An isotropic constitutive law, the polymer eight-chain model, was used to estimate the surface distributions of planar stresses from the strain data. Results The Lagrangian normal strain values were between ~16% and ~29% along the anterior-posterior direction. The motion of material points on the vocal fold surface described an elliptical trajectory during oscillation. A phase difference was observed between the anterior-posterior and the medial-lateral component of the displacement. The strain data and eight-chain model yielded a maximum stress of ~4 kPa along the medial-lateral direction on the superior surface. Conclusion DIC allowed the strain field over the superior surface of an excised porcine larynx to be quantified during self-oscillation. The approach allowed the determination of the trajectory of specific points on the vocal fold surface. The results for the excised larynx were found to be significantly different than previous results obtained using

  4. Nucleotide excision repair deficient mouse models and neurological disease

    PubMed Central

    Niedernhofer, Laura J.

    2008-01-01

    Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a highly conserved mechanism to remove helix-distorting DNA base damage. A major substrate for NER is DNA damage caused by environmental genotoxins, most notably ultraviolet radiation. Xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome and trichothiodystrophy are three human diseases caused by inherited defects in NER. The symptoms and severity of these diseases vary dramatically, ranging from profound developmental delay to cancer predisposition and accelerated aging. All three syndromes include neurological disease, indicating an important role for NER in protecting against spontaneous DNA damage as well. To study the pathophysiology caused by DNA damage, numerous mouse models of NER deficiency were generated by knocking-out genes required for NER or knocking-in disease-causing human mutations. This review explores the utility of these mouse models to study neurological disease caused by NER deficiency. PMID:18272436

  5. Controlling biofilm formation, prophage excision and cell death by rewiring global regulator H‐NS of Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Hong, Seok Hoon; Wang, Xiaoxue; Wood, Thomas K.

    2010-01-01

    Summary The global regulator H‐NS of Escherichia coli controls genes related to stress response, biofilm formation and virulence by recognizing curved DNA and by silencing acquired genes. Here, we rewired H‐NS to control biofilm formation using protein engineering; H‐NS variant K57N was obtained that reduces biofilm formation 10‐fold compared with wild‐type H‐NS (wild‐type H‐NS increases biofilm formation whereas H‐NS K57N reduces it). Whole‐transcriptome analysis revealed that H‐NS K57N represses biofilm formation through its interaction with the nucleoid‐associated proteins Cnu and StpA and in the absence of these proteins, H‐NS K57N was unable to reduce biofilm formation. Significantly, H‐NS K57N enhanced the excision of defective prophage Rac while wild‐type H‐NS represses excision, and H‐NS controlled only Rac excision among the nine resident E. coli K‐12 prophages. Rac prophage excision not only led to the change in biofilm formation but also resulted in cell lysis through the expression of toxin HokD. Hence, the H‐NS regulatory system may be evolved through a single‐amino‐acid change in its N‐terminal oligomerization domain to control biofilm formation, prophage excision and apoptosis. PMID:21255333

  6. Hernia sac of indirect inguinal hernia: invagination, excision, or ligation?

    PubMed

    Othman, I; Hady, H A

    2014-04-01

    This study compares the effect of invaginating excision of hernia sac without ligation with the traditional method of high ligation of the hernia sac on postoperative pain and recurrence. This multicenter prospective randomized study included 152 patients with 167 primary indirect inguinal hernias. In group I (54 hernias), the sac was not opened and was inverted with the finger into the peritoneal cavity. In group E (56 hernias), the sac was excised at the neck without ligation. In group L (57 hernias), the sac was transfixed at the neck and excised in the traditional manner. The repair of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal was done according to Lichtenstein tension-free technique. Mean length of follow-up was 81.50 ± 22.34, 79.35 ± 26.76, and 77.83 ± 21.26 months, respectively. Postoperative seroma occurred in 1 patient (0.60%) in group E and 1 patient (0.60%) in group L. Surgical site infection occurred in 2 patients (1.20%) in group I, 1 patient (0.60%) in group E, and 2 patients (1.20%) in group L. Mean postoperative pain score was 3.04 ± 2.11, 3.98 ± 2.33 and 4.06 ± 2.43, respectively (p: 0.049). Chronic pain occurred in 3 patients in group I (1.80%), 3 patients in group E (1.80%), and 5 patients in group L (3.00%) (p: 0.749). The difference between the complications in three groups was statistically insignificant (p: 0.887). Hernia recurrence occurred in 3 patients (1.80%) in group I, 1 patient (0.60%) in group E, and 1 patient (0.60%) in group L (p: 0.429). Invagination and excision of the hernia sac do not have adverse effects on repair integrity. They limit the dissection and reduce the morbidity and risk of injury to the spermatic cord and surrounded structures. They are safer and more appropriate for repair of sliding hernia. Ligation of the hernia sac in inguinal hernia surgery is not only unnecessary and time consuming but also leads to increased postoperative pain. Recurrence rates are statistically unaffected by not ligating the sac.

  7. Dermabrasion and staged excision of facial lesions in a neurofibromatosis case for improvement of facial appearance.

    PubMed

    Karabekmez, Furkan Erol; Duymaz, Ahmet; Karacor, Zeynep

    2013-01-01

    Neurofibromatosis may present with different skin lesions. Disfiguring lesions on the face might be challenging for the surgeon or clinician to correct and may have adverse effects on patients' social lives, especially in young women. To present the dermabrasion technique combined with serial excisions of a deeper accompanying lesion to treat superficial facial lesions in a young neurofibromatosis patient. Dermabrasion was applied to superficial lesions on the face, and staged excision was applied to the deeper lesion located on the forehead. We obtained high patient satisfaction with the result. The deep lesion was excised totally, and superficial lesions were decreased with dermabrasion. Dermabrasion may become a good alternative in cases of neurofibromatosis with superficial facial lesions.

  8. Total mesorectal excision training in soft cadaver: feasibility and clinical application.

    PubMed

    Tantiphlachiva, Kasaya; Suansawan, Channarong

    2006-09-01

    The major problem in the treatment of rectal cancer is local recurrence. After the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME), the recurrent rate decreased from 100% to around 10%. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the quality of organ and tissue plane preservation in soft cadaver and to assess the feasibility to perform the procedure (mobilization of colon and rectum, total mesorectal excision and stapler anastomosis) in soft cadaver. Colorectal Division, Department of Surgery and Surgical Training Center Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. Prospective descriptive study. Seven soft cadavers were used for total mesorectal excision (TME) training. These procedures were performed by 21 participants (1 soft cadaver for 3 participants). The procedures were done under the supervision of experienced colorectal surgeons. The successfulness, satisfaction in performing the procedure and the quality of organ preservation were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. Participants were satisfied about TME training in soft cadaver (mean 8.24-8.71) and rated that soft cadavers were good in terms of internal organs and tissue plane preservation (mean 7.19-8.19) (0 = extremely unsatisfied, 10 = extremely satisfied). Training of TME in soft cadaver is feasible. The similarity in tissue quality (texture, consistency, color) of the preserved organs to that of the living and the good feel of performing the procedure make the trainee better understand the techniques and improve their skills.

  9. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy instead of revision radical resection after local excision for high-risk early rectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Jeong, Jae-Uk; Nam, Taek-Keun; Kim, Hyeong-Rok; Shim, Hyun-Jeong; Kim, Yong-Hyub; Yoon, Mee Sun; Song, Ju-Young; Ahn, Sung-Ja; Chung, Woong-Ki

    2016-09-05

    After local excision of early rectal cancer, revision radical resection is recommended for patients with high-risk pathologic stage T1 (pT1) or pT2 cancer, but the revision procedure has high morbidity rates. We evaluated the efficacy of adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for reducing recurrence after local excision in these patients. Eighty-three patients with high-risk pT1 or pT2 rectal cancer underwent postoperative adjuvant CCRT after local excision. We defined high-risk features as pT1 having tumor size ≤3 cm, and/or resection margin (RM) ≤3 mm, and/or lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and/or non-full thickness excision such as endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), or unknown records regarding those features, or pT2 cancer. Radiotherapy was administered with a median dose of 50.4 Gy in 1.8 Gy fraction size over 5-7 weeks. Concurrent 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin were administered for 4 days in the first and fifth weeks of radiotherapy. The median interval between local excision and radiotherapy was 34 (range, 11-104) days. Fifteen patients (18.1 %) had stage pT2 tumors, 22 (26.5 %) had RM of ≥3 mm, and 21 (25.3 %) had tumors of ≥3 cm in size. Thirteen patients (15.7 %) had LVI. Transanal excision was performed in 58 patients (69.9 %) and 25 patients (30.1 %) underwent EMR or ESD. The median follow-up was 61 months. The 5-year overall survival (OS), locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) rates for all patients were 94.9, 91.0, and 89.8 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis did not identify any significant factors for OS or LRFS, but the only significant factor affecting DFS was the pT stage (p = 0.027). In patients with high-risk pT1 rectal cancer, adjuvant CCRT after local excision could be an effective alternative treatment instead of revision radical resection. However, patients with pT2 stage showed inferior DFS compared to pT1.

  10. Removal of N-6-methyladenine by the nucleotide excision repair pathway triggers the repair of mismatches in yeast gap-repair intermediates.

    PubMed

    Guo, Xiaoge; Jinks-Robertson, Sue

    2013-12-01

    Gap-repair assays have been an important tool for studying the genetic control of homologous recombination in yeast. Sequence analysis of recombination products derived when a gapped plasmid is diverged relative to the chromosomal repair template additionally has been used to infer structures of strand-exchange intermediates. In the absence of the canonical mismatch repair pathway, mismatches present in these intermediates are expected to persist and segregate at the next round of DNA replication. In a mismatch repair defective (mlh1Δ) background, however, we have observed that recombination-generated mismatches are often corrected to generate gene conversion or restoration events. In the analyses reported here, the source of the aberrant mismatch removal during gap repair was examined. We find that most mismatch removal is linked to the methylation status of the plasmid used in the gap-repair assay. Whereas more than half of Dam-methylated plasmids had patches of gene conversion and/or restoration interspersed with unrepaired mismatches, mismatch removal was observed in less than 10% of products obtained when un-methylated plasmids were used in transformation experiments. The methylation-linked removal of mismatches in recombination intermediates was due specifically to the nucleotide excision repair pathway, with such mismatch removal being partially counteracted by glycosylases of the base excision repair pathway. These data demonstrate that nucleotide excision repair activity is not limited to bulky, helix-distorting DNA lesions, but also targets removal of very modest perturbations in DNA structure. In addition to its effects on mismatch removal, methylation reduced the overall gap-repair efficiency, but this reduction was not affected by the status of excision repair pathways. Finally, gel purification of DNA prior to transformation reduced gap-repair efficiency four-fold in a nucleotide excision repair-defective background, indicating that the collateral

  11. Removal of N-6-methyladenine by the nucleotide excision repair pathway triggers the repair of mismatches in yeast gap-repair intermediates

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Xiaoge; Jinks-Robertson, Sue

    2013-01-01

    Gap-repair assays have been an important tool for studying the genetic control of homologous recombination in yeast. Sequence analysis of recombination products derived when a gapped plasmid is diverged relative to the chromosomal repair template additionally has been used to infer structures of strand-exchange intermediates. In the absence of the canonical mismatch repair pathway, mismatches present in these intermediates are expected to persist and segregate at the next round of DNA replication. In a mismatch repair defective (mlh1Δ) background, however, we have observed that recombination-generated mismatches are often corrected to generate gene conversion or restoration events. In the analyses reported here, the source of the aberrant mismatch removal during gap repair was examined. We find that most mismatch removal is linked to the methylation status of the plasmid used in the gap-repair assay. Whereas more than half of Dam-methylated plasmids had patches of gene conversion and/or restoration interspersed with unrepaired mismatches, mismatch removal was observed in less than 10% of products obtained when un-methylated plasmids were used in transformation experiments. The methylation-linked removal of mismatches in recombination intermediates was due specifically to the nucleotide excision repair pathway, with such mismatch removal being partially counteracted by glycosylases of the base excision repair pathway. These data demonstrate that nucleotide excision repair activity is not limited to bulky, helix-distorting DNA lesions, but also targets removal of very modest perturbations in DNA structure. In addition to its effects on mismatch removal, methylation reduced the overall gap-repair efficiency, but this reduction was not affected by the status of excision repair pathways. Finally, gel purification of DNA prior to transformation reduced gap-repair efficiency four-fold in a nucleotide excision repair-defective background, indicating that the cillateral

  12. Optimization of the Ussing chamber setup with excised rat intestinal segments for dissolution/permeation experiments of poorly soluble drugs.

    PubMed

    Forner, Kristin; Roos, Carl; Dahlgren, David; Kesisoglou, Filippos; Konerding, Moritz A; Mazur, Johanna; Lennernäs, Hans; Langguth, Peter

    2017-02-01

    Prediction of the in vivo absorption of poorly soluble drugs may require simultaneous dissolution/permeation experiments. In vivo predictive media have been modified for permeation experiments with Caco-2 cells, but not for excised rat intestinal segments. The present study aimed at improving the setup of dissolution/permeation experiments with excised rat intestinal segments by assessing suitable donor and receiver media. The regional compatibility of rat intestine in Ussing chambers with modified Fasted and Fed State Simulated Intestinal Fluids (Fa/FeSSIF mod ) as donor media was evaluated via several parameters that reflect the viability of the excised intestinal segments. Receiver media that establish sink conditions were investigated for their foaming potential and toxicity. Dissolution/permeation experiments with the optimized conditions were then tested for two particle sizes of the BCS class II drug aprepitant. Fa/FeSSIF mod were toxic for excised rat ileal sheets but not duodenal sheets, the compatibility with jejunal segments depended on the bile salt concentration. A non-foaming receiver medium containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Antifoam B was nontoxic. With these conditions, the permeation of nanosized aprepitant was higher than of the unmilled drug formulations. The compatibility of Fa/FeSSIF mod depends on the excised intestinal region. The chosen conditions enable dissolution/permeation experiments with excised rat duodenal segments. The experiments correctly predicted the superior permeation of nanosized over unmilled aprepitant that is observed in vivo. The optimized setup uses FaSSIF mod as donor medium, excised rat duodenal sheets as permeation membrane and a receiver medium containing BSA and Antifoam B.

  13. Developmentally-Regulated Excision of the SPβ Prophage Reconstitutes a Gene Required for Spore Envelope Maturation in Bacillus subtilis

    PubMed Central

    Abe, Kimihiro; Kawano, Yuta; Iwamoto, Keito; Arai, Kenji; Maruyama, Yuki; Eichenberger, Patrick; Sato, Tsutomu

    2014-01-01

    Temperate phages infect bacteria by injecting their DNA into bacterial cells, where it becomes incorporated into the host genome as a prophage. In the genome of Bacillus subtilis 168, an active prophage, SPβ, is inserted into a polysaccharide synthesis gene, spsM. Here, we show that a rearrangement occurs during sporulation to reconstitute a functional composite spsM gene by precise excision of SPβ from the chromosome. SPβ excision requires a putative site-specific recombinase, SprA, and an accessory protein, SprB. A minimized SPβ, where all the SPβ genes were deleted, except sprA and sprB, retained the SPβ excision activity during sporulation, demonstrating that sprA and sprB are necessary and sufficient for the excision. While expression of sprA was observed during vegetative growth, sprB was induced during sporulation and upon mitomycin C treatment, which triggers the phage lytic cycle. We also demonstrated that overexpression of sprB (but not of sprA) resulted in SPβ prophage excision without triggering the lytic cycle. These results suggest that sprB is the factor that controls the timing of phage excision. Furthermore, we provide evidence that spsM is essential for the addition of polysaccharides to the spore envelope. The presence of polysaccharides on the spore surface renders the spore hydrophilic in water. This property may be beneficial in allowing spores to disperse in natural environments via water flow. A similar rearrangement occurs in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42, where a SPβ-like element is excised during sporulation to reconstitute a polysaccharide synthesis gene, suggesting that this type of gene rearrangement is common in spore-forming bacteria because it can be spread by phage infection. PMID:25299644

  14. The enhançon and the consistency of excision

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johnson, Clifford V.; Myers, Robert C.; Peet, Amanda W.; Ross, Simon F.

    2001-11-01

    The enhançon mechanism removes a family of timelike singularities from certain supergravity spacetimes by forming a shell of branes on which the exterior geometry terminates. The problematic interior geometry is replaced by a new spacetime, which in the prototype extremal case is simply flat. We show that this excision process, made inevitable by stringy phenomena such as enhanced gauge symmetry and the vanishing of certain D-branes' tension at the shell, is also consistent at the purely gravitational level. The source introduced at the excision surface between the interior and exterior geometries behaves exactly as a shell of wrapped D6 branes, and in particular, the tension vanishes at precisely the enhançon radius. These observations can be generalized, and we present the case for nonextremal generalizations of the geometry, showing that the procedure allows for the possibility that the interior geometry contains a horizon. Further knowledge of the dynamics of the enhançon shell itself is needed to determine the precise position of the horizon, and to uncover a complete physical interpretation of the solutions.

  15. Mutants of the Base Excision Repair Glycosylase, Endonuclease III: DNA Charge Transport as a First Step in Lesion Detection

    PubMed Central

    Romano, Christine A.; Sontz, Pamela A.; Barton, Jacqueline K.

    2011-01-01

    Endonuclease III (EndoIII) is a base excision repair glycosylase that targets damaged pyrimidines and contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster. We have proposed a model where BER proteins that contain redox-active [4Fe-4S] clusters utilize DNA charge transport (CT) as a first step in the detection of DNA lesions. Here, several mutants of EndoIII were prepared to probe their efficiency of DNA/protein charge transport. Cyclic voltammetry experiments on DNA-modified electrodes show that aromatic residues F30, Y55, Y75 and Y82 help mediate charge transport between DNA and the [4Fe-4S] cluster. Based on circular dichroism studies to measure protein stability, mutations at residues W178 and Y185 are found to destabilize the protein; these residues may function to protect the [4Fe-4S] cluster. Atomic force microscopy studies furthermore reveal a correlation in the ability of mutants to carry out protein/DNA CT and their ability to relocalize onto DNA strands containing a single base mismatch; EndoIII mutants that are defective in carrying out DNA/protein CT do not redistribute onto mismatch-containing strands, consistent with our model. These results demonstrate a link between the ability of the repair protein to carry out DNA CT and its ability to relocalize near lesions, thus pointing to DNA CT as a key first step in the detection of base damage in the genome. PMID:21651304

  16. Experience of Adult Facilitators in a Virtual-Reality-Based Social Interaction Program for Children with Autism

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ke, Fengfeng; Im, Tami; Xue, Xinrong; Xu, Xinhao; Kim, Namju; Lee, Sungwoong

    2015-01-01

    This phenomenological study explored and described the experiences and perceptions of adult facilitators who facilitated virtual-reality-based social interaction for children with autism. Extensive data were collected from iterative, in-depth interviews; online activities observation; and video analysis. Four salient themes emerged through the…

  17. Bisphenol A Exposure and Cardiac Electrical Conduction in Excised Rat Hearts

    PubMed Central

    Jaimes, Rafael; Asfour, Huda; Swift, Luther M.; Wengrowski, Anastasia M.; Sarvazyan, Narine; Kay, Matthew W.

    2014-01-01

    Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that are widely used in everyday products, such as food and beverage containers, toys, and medical devices. Human biomonitoring studies have suggested that a large proportion of the population may be exposed to BPA. Recent epidemiological studies have reported correlations between increased urinary BPA concentrations and cardiovascular disease, yet the direct effects of BPA on the heart are unknown. Objectives: The goal of our study was to measure the effect of BPA (0.1–100 μM) on cardiac impulse propagation ex vivo using excised whole hearts from adult female rats. Methods: We measured atrial and ventricular activation times during sinus and paced rhythms using epicardial electrodes and optical mapping of transmembrane potential in excised rat hearts exposed to BPA via perfusate media. Atrioventricular activation intervals and epicardial conduction velocities were computed using recorded activation times. Results: Cardiac BPA exposure resulted in prolonged PR segment and decreased epicardial conduction velocity (0.1–100 μM BPA), prolonged action potential duration (1–100 μM BPA), and delayed atrioventricular conduction (10–100 μM BPA). These effects were observed after acute exposure (≤ 15 min), underscoring the potential detrimental effects of continuous BPA exposure. The highest BPA concentration used (100 μM) resulted in prolonged QRS intervals and dropped ventricular beats, and eventually resulted in complete heart block. Conclusions: Our results show that acute BPA exposure slowed electrical conduction in excised hearts from female rats. These findings emphasize the importance of examining BPA’s effect on heart electrophysiology and determining whether chronic in vivo exposure can cause or exacerbate conduction abnormalities in patients with preexisting heart conditions and in other high-risk populations. Citation: Posnack NG, Jaimes R III, Asfour H

  18. A Novel Esthetic Approach using Connective Tissue Graft for Soft Tissue Defect Following Surgical Excision of Gingival Fibrolipoma

    PubMed Central

    Parthasarathy, Harinath; Kumar, Praveenkrishna; Gajendran, Priyalochana; Appukuttan, Devapriya

    2014-01-01

    The aim of the present case report is to evaluate the adjunctive use of a connective tissue graft to overcome soft tissue defects following excision of a gingival fibrolipoma in the aesthetic region. Connective tissue graft has been well documented for treating defects of esthetic concern. However, the literature does not contain many reports on the esthetic clinical outcome following the use of connective tissue graft secondary to excision of soft tissue tumours. A 28-year-old male patient reported with a complaint of a recurrent growth in relation to his lower front tooth region. The lesion which was provisionally diagnosed as fibroma was treated with a complete surgical excision, following which a modified coronally advanced flap and connective tissue graft was adopted to overcome the soft tissue defect. The excised growth was diagnosed histologically as fibrolipoma. One year follow up showed no recurrence of the lesion and good esthetics.The adjunctive use of the connective tissue graft and modified coronally advanced flap predictably yields optimal soft tissue fill and excellent esthetics. Hence, routine use of this procedure may be recommended for surgical excision of soft tissue growths in esthetically sensitive areas. PMID:25584336

  19. A qualitative analysis of low income smokers' responses to tobacco excise tax increases.

    PubMed

    Hoek, Janet; Smith, Katie

    2016-11-01

    While increasing the excise tax applied to tobacco products reduces consumption and smoking prevalence, it may also cause hardship among smokers who do not quit. We explored how smokers living on a low income respond to increasing tobacco excise taxes. Using a social justice perspective, we explored the increasing costs of tobacco with a sample of 27 adult smokers who live below the poverty line (i.e., with an income less than 60% of the median New Zealand income). Face-to-face interviews were conducted in Dunedin, New Zealand, a city with marked income differences, and were undertaken shortly after a further tobacco excise tax increase. The interview guide explored participants' smoking practices, their perceptions of excise tax as a strategy to reduce smoking prevalence, and the strategies they used to manage their tobacco needs. We identified three key themes: depriving the poor; tobacco as a precious commodity, and desperation. While many participants described smoking as a pleasure or coping mechanism, they also saw it as a burden that they struggled to manage. Despite trying to quit, most had failed to become smokefree and felt victimised by a punitive policy system that coerced change without supporting it. They managed financial pressure by reducing their tobacco consumption but also used increasingly desperate measures, including recycling waste tobacco; participants reported feeling demeaned by measures they saw as their only option. Providing intensive cessation support for lower income smokers could avoid further alienating a group already experiencing considerable disadvantage. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. New technique of transanal proctectomy with completely robotic total mesorrectal excision for rectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Gómez Ruiz, Marcos; Palazuelos, Carlos Manuel; Martín Parra, José Ignacio; Alonso Martín, Joaquín; Cagigas Fernández, Carmen; del Castillo Diego, Julio; Gómez Fleitas, Manuel

    2014-05-01

    Anterior resection with total mesorectal excision is the standard method of rectal cancer resection. However, this procedure remains technically difficult in mid and low rectal cancer. A robotic transanal proctectomy with total mesorectal excision and laparoscopic assistance is reported in a 57 year old male with BMI 32 kg/m2 and rectal adenocarcinoma T2N1M0 at 5 cm from the dentate line. Operating time was 420 min. Postoperative hospital stay was 6 days and no complications were observed. Pathological report showed a 33 cm specimen with ypT2N0 adenocarcinoma at 2 cm from the distal margin, complete TME and non affected circumferential resection margin. Robotic technology might reduce some technical difficulties associated with TEM/TEO or SILS platforms in transanal total mesorectal excision. Further clinical trials will be necessary to assess this technique. Copyright © 2013 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  1. Evidence-based practice: how nurse leaders can facilitate innovation.

    PubMed

    Shirey, Maria R

    2006-01-01

    Evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP) is the wave of the future. Increasingly, EBNP is being identified as a key to quality and excellence in nursing services. Incorporating evidence into practice is necessary to deliver scientifically sound patient care. In addition, understanding the importance of evidence is crucial for meeting the excellence requirements of Magnet designation. Despite the growing popularity of EBNP and its documented significant benefits, the literature demonstrates that only 15% of the nursing workforce consistently practices within an EBNP framework. If EBNP adoption is to increase in the profession, it will require the active efforts of nurse leaders to pursue an aggressive innovation diffusion strategy. The purpose of this article is to discuss the nurse leader's role in facilitating EBNP in nursing using a theoretical framework grounded in innovation diffusion theory. The article develops 4 areas of focus. First, the components of innovation diffusion theory are discussed. Second, a pertinent empirical review of the EBNP adoption literature is presented. Third, strategies for applying innovation diffusion theory to facilitate EBNP adoption are proposed. Lastly, the article ends with a leadership call to action.

  2. Assessment of ankle and hindfoot stability and joint pressures using a human cadaveric model of a large lateral talar process excision: a biomechanical study.

    PubMed

    Sands, Andrew; White, Charles; Blankstein, Michael; Zderic, Ivan; Wahl, Dieter; Ernst, Manuela; Windolf, Markus; Hagen, Jennifer E; Richards, R Geoff; Stoffel, Karl; Gueorguiev, Boyko

    2015-03-01

    Lateral talar process fragment excision may be followed by hindfoot instability and altered biomechanics. There is controversy regarding the ideal fragment size for internal fixation versus excision and a concern that excision of a large fragment may lead to significant instability. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a simulated large lateral talar process excision on ankle and subtalar joint stability.A custom-made seesaw rig was designed to apply inversion/eversion stress loading on 7 fresh-frozen human cadaveric lower legs and investigate them in pre-excision, 5 cm and 10 cm lateral talar process fragment excision states. Anteroposterior radiographs were taken to assess ankle and subtalar joint tilt and calculate angular change from neutral hindfoot alignment to 10-kg forced inversion/eversion. Ankle joint pressures and contact areas were measured under 30-kg axial load in neutral hindfoot alignment.In comparison to the pre-excision state, no significantly different mediolateral angular change was observed in the subtalar joint after 5 and 10 cm lateral talar process fragment excision in inversion and eversion. With respect to the ankle joint, 10-cm fragment excision produced significantly bigger inversion tibiotalar tilt compared with the pre-excision state, P = .04. No significant change of the ankle joint pressure and contact area was detected after 5 and 10-cm excision in comparison with the pre-excison state.An excision of up to 10 cm of the lateral talar process does not cause a significant instability at the level of the subtalar joint but might be a destabilizing factor at the ankle joint under inversion stress. The latter could be related to extensive soft tissue dissection required for resection.

  3. A Rat Excised Larynx Model of Vocal Fold Scar

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Welham, Nathan V.; Montequin, Douglas W.; Tateya, Ichiro; Tateya, Tomoko; Choi, Seong Hee; Bless, Diane M.

    2009-01-01

    Purpose: To develop and evaluate a rat excised larynx model for the measurement of acoustic, aerodynamic, and vocal fold vibratory changes resulting from vocal fold scar. Method: Twenty-four 4-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 1 of 4 experimental groups: chronic vocal fold scar, chronic vocal fold scar treated with 100-ng basic…

  4. Wound repair and anti-inflammatory potential of Lonicera japonica in excision wound-induced rats

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae), a widely used traditional Chinese medicinal plant, is used to treat some infectious diseases and it may have uses as a healthy food and applications in cosmetics and as an ornamental groundcover. The ethanol extract of the flowering aerial parts of L. japonica (LJEE) was investigated for its healing efficiency in a rat excision wound model. Methods Excision wounds were inflicted upon three groups of eight rats each. Healing was assessed by the rate of wound contraction in skin wound sites in rats treated with simple ointment base, 10% (w/w) LJEE ointment, or the reference standard drug, 0.2% (w/w) nitrofurazone ointment. The effects of LJEE on the contents of hydroxyproline and hexosamine during healing were estimated. The antimicrobial activity of LJEE against microorganisms was also assessed. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of LJEE was investigated to understand the mechanism of wound healing. Results LJEE exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis. The ointment formulation prepared with 10% (w/w) LJEE exhibited potent wound healing capacity as evidenced by the wound contraction in the excision wound model. The contents of hydroxyproline and hexosamine also correlated with the observed healing pattern. These findings were supported by the histopathological characteristics of healed wound sections, as greater tissue regeneration, more fibroblasts, and angiogenesis were observed in the 10% (w/w) LJEE ointment-treated group. The results also indicated that LJEE possesses potent anti-inflammatory activity, as it enhanced the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines that suppress proinflammatory cytokine production. Conclusions The results suggest that the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of LJEE act synergistically to accelerate wound repair. PMID:23173654

  5. Thoracoscopic excision of the sympathetic chain: an easy and effective treatment for hyperhidrosis in children.

    PubMed

    Shalaby, Mohamed Sameh; El-Shafee, Ehab; Safoury, Hesham; El Hay, Sameh Abd

    2012-03-01

    Thoracoscopic sympathectomy (TS) is an effective treatment for hyperhidrosis. Various surgical approaches are described in the literature. We describe the technique of thoracoscopic excision of the sympathetic chain done exclusively in children younger than 13 years. All patients younger than 13 years who underwent TS from 2006 at a single institution were prospectively identified and fully evaluated with emphasis on demographic data, age, surgical management, complications and follow-up. All patients were contacted again at the end of 2009 to complete a follow-up questionnaire. Twelve patients underwent TS between 2006 and 2009. Age ranged from 6 to 13 years. This involved T2-T3 excision for nine patients with isolated palmar hyperhidrosis, and T2-T3-T4 excision for three with additional axillary hyperhidrosis. Six underwent bilateral TS at the same session and six underwent unilateral TS for the dominant side. Four of them had their contralateral operation performed 2-3 months later. Dry limbs were immediately achieved in all patients. Compensatory sweating (CS) was noted in eight patients. Complications included transient ptosis in two and mild recurrence in one. Thoracoscopic excision of the sympathetic chain is a simple and safe procedure that relieves hyperhidrosis in all cases and significantly improves the quality of life.

  6. On pressure-frequency relations in the excised larynx.

    PubMed

    Alipour, Fariborz; Scherer, Ronald C

    2007-10-01

    The purpose of this study was to find relationships between subglottal pressure (P(s)) and fundamental frequency (F(0)) of phonation in excised larynx models. This included also the relation between F(0) and its rate of change with pressure (dFdP). Canine larynges were prepared and mounted over a tapered tube that supplied pressurized, heated, and humidified air. Glottal adduction was accomplished either by using two-pronged probes to press the arytenoids together or by passing a suture to simulate lateral cricoarytenoid muscle activation. The pressure-frequency relation was obtained through a series of pressure-flow sweep experiments that were conducted for eight excised canine larynges. It was found that, at set adduction and elongation levels, the pressure-frequency relation is nonlinear, and is highly influenced by the adduction and elongation. The results indicated that for the lower phonation mode, the average rate of change of frequency with pressure was 2.9+/-0.7 Hzcm H(2)O, and for the higher mode was 5.3+/-0.5 Hzcm H(2)O for adduction changes and 8.2+/-4.4 Hzcm H(2)O for elongation changes. The results suggest that during speech and singing, the dFdP relationships are taken into account.

  7. Should we excise? Are there any clinical or histologic features that predict upgrade in papillomas, incidental or non-incidental?

    PubMed

    Zaleski, Michael; Chen, Yun An; Chetlen, Alison L; Mack, Julie; Xu, Liyan; Dodge, Daleela G; Karamchandani, Dipti M

    2018-05-11

    The clinical decision to excise intraductal papilloma (IDP) without atypia diagnosed on biopsy remains controversial. We sought to establish clinical and histologic predictors (if any) which may predict upgrade in IDP. 296 biopsies (in 278 women) with histologic diagnosis of IDP without atypia were retrospectively identified and placed into Incidental (no corresponding imaging correlate), or Non-incidental (positive imaging correlate) groups. 253/296 (85.5%) cases were non-incidental, and 43/296 (14.5%) were incidental. 73.1% (185/253) non-incidental and 48.8% (21/43) incidental cases underwent excision. 12.4% (23/185) non-incidental cases underwent an upgrade to cancer or high-risk lesion; namely 8-Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 8-atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), 6-lobular neoplasia, and 1-flat epithelial atypia. There was no histopathologic feature on the biopsy in the non-incidental group which predicted upgrade; however a past history of atypia was significantly associated with upgrade. 2 of the 21 incidental cases upgraded (1 to ADH and 1 to lobular neoplasia); the former had a past history of ADH. Both incidental upgrades were >1 mm in size, and were not completely excised on the biopsy. None of the incidental cases which appeared completely excised on biopsy upgraded, irrespective of the size on biopsy. These findings suggest that all non-incidental IDPs should be considered candidates for surgical excision, given the 12.4% upgrade rate and no definitive histologic predictors of upgrade. Patients with incidental IDPs (if <1 mm, completely excised on biopsy and with no history of high risk breast lesion) can be spared excision. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. Stuck in Neutral: Stalled Progress in Statewide Comprehensive Smoke-Free Laws and Cigarette Excise Taxes, United States, 2000–2014

    PubMed Central

    King, Brian A.; Babb, Stephen D.

    2016-01-01

    Introduction Increasing tobacco excise taxes and implementing comprehensive smoke-free laws are two of the most effective population-level strategies to reduce tobacco use, prevent tobacco use initiation, and protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke. We examined state laws related to smoke-free buildings and to cigarette excise taxes from 2000 through 2014 to see how implementation of these laws from 2000 through 2009 differs from implementation in more recent years (2010–2014). Methods We used legislative data from LexisNexis, an online legal research database, to examine changes in statewide smoke-free laws and cigarette excise taxes in effect from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2014. A comprehensive smoke-free law was defined as a statewide law prohibiting smoking in all indoor areas of private work sites, restaurants, and bars. Results From 2000 through 2009, 21 states and the District of Columbia implemented comprehensive smoke-free laws prohibiting smoking in work sites, restaurants, and bars. In 2010, 4 states implemented comprehensive smoke-free laws. The last state to implement a comprehensive smoke-free law was North Dakota in 2012, bringing the total number to 26 states and the District of Columbia. From 2000 through 2009, 46 states and the District of Columbia implemented laws increasing their cigarette excise tax, which increased the national average state excise tax rate by $0.92. However, from 2010 through 2014, only 14 states and the District of Columbia increased their excise tax, which increased the national average state excise tax rate by $0.20. Conclusion The recent stall in progress in enacting and implementing statewide comprehensive smoke-free laws and increasing cigarette excise taxes may undermine tobacco prevention and control efforts in the United States, undercutting efforts to reduce tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, health disparities, and tobacco-related illness and death. PMID:27309417

  9. Preoperative fiducial coil placement facilitates robot-assisted laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal small solitary metastasis of kidney cancer.

    PubMed

    Agrawal, Vineet; Sharma, Ashwani; Wu, Guan

    2014-11-01

    Image-guided fiducial markers are being used in surgery, especially in spine and breast surgery, and radiotherapy, allowing localization of tumor sites precisely. We report a case of fiducial coil use in a man undergoing a robot-assisted laparoscopic resection of a metastatic nodule under the ipsilateral diaphragm after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy performed 2 years ago for a left upper pole renal tumor. The fiducial coil facilitated the localization of the lesion, which would otherwise have been challenging because of its small size and location. In addition, the fiducial coil was helpful to avoid cutting into the lesion directly. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Tutorial Facilitation in the Humanities Based on the Tenets of Carl Rogers

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Heim, Caroline

    2012-01-01

    This article introduces a model for group facilitation in the humanities based on Carl Rogers' model for group psychotherapy. Certain aspects of Carl Rogers' reflective learning strategies are reappraised and principles, specific only to psychotherapy, are introduced. Five of Rogers' axioms are applied to the tutorial discussion model: a…

  11. 26 CFR 54.4975-14 - Election to pay an excise tax for certain pre-1975 prohibited transactions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ...-14 Election to pay an excise tax for certain pre-1975 prohibited transactions. (a) In general... the district director to extend the time within which the election is permitted. (d) Computation of... 26 Internal Revenue 17 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Election to pay an excise tax for certain pre...

  12. Comparing projected impacts of cigarette floor price and excise tax policies on socioeconomic disparities in smoking

    PubMed Central

    Golden, Shelley D; Farrelly, Matthew C; Luke, Douglas A; Ribisl, Kurt M

    2016-01-01

    Background About half of all US states have cigarette minimum price laws (MPLs) that require a per cent mark-up on prices, but research suggests they may not be very effective in raising prices. An alternative type of MPL sets a floor price below which packs cannot be sold, and may be more promising. This new type of MPL policy has only been implemented in 1 city, therefore its benefits relative to excise taxes is difficult to assess. Methods We constructed a set of possible state floor price MPL options, and matched them to possible state excise tax hikes designed to produce similar average price increases. Using self-reported price and cigarette consumption data from 23 521 participants in the 2010–2011 Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey, we projected changes in pack prices and cigarette consumption following implementation of each paired MPL and tax option, for lower and higher income groups. Results We project that state MPLs set at the average reported pack price would raise prices by $0.33 and reduce cigarette consumption by about 4%; a tax with a similar average price effect would reduce consumption by 2.3%. MPLs and taxes that raise average prices by more than $2.00 would reduce consumption by 15.9% and 13.5%, respectively. In all models, we project that MPLs will reduce income-based smoking disparities more than their comparable excise taxes. Conclusions Floor price cigarette MPLs set at or above what consumers currently report paying could reduce both tobacco use and socioeconomic disparities in smoking. PMID:27697949

  13. The effect of distal clavicle excision on in situ graft forces in coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Kowalsky, Marc S; Kremenic, Ian J; Orishimo, Karl F; McHugh, Malachy P; Nicholas, Stephen J; Lee, Steven J

    2010-11-01

    Recently, some have suggested that the acromioclavicular articulation confers stability to the construct after coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction for acromioclavicular joint separation. Therefore, it has been suggested that distal clavicle excision should not be performed in this context to protect the graft during healing. Sectioning the acromioclavicular ligaments would significantly increase in situ forces of a coracoclavicular ligament graft, whereas performing a distal clavicle resection would not further increase in situ graft forces. Controlled laboratory study. A simulated coracoclavicular reconstruction was performed on 5 cadaveric shoulders. Static loads of 80 N and 210 N were applied directly to the clavicle in 5 directions: anterior, anterosuperior, superior, posterosuperior, and posterior. The in situ graft force was measured using a force transducer under 3 testing conditions: (1) intact acromioclavicular ligaments, (2) sectioned acromioclavicular ligaments, and (3) distal clavicle excision. For both magnitudes of load, in all directions, in situ graft force with intact acromioclavicular ligaments was significantly less than that with sectioned acromioclavicular ligaments (P < .001). Distal clavicle excision did not further increase the in situ graft forces with load applied to the clavicle in an anterior, anterosuperior, or superior direction. However, in situ graft forces were increased with distal clavicle excision when the clavicle was loaded with 210 N in the posterosuperior direction (60.4 ± 6.3 N vs 52.5 ± 7.1 N; P = .048) and tended to be increased with posterior loading of the clavicle (71.8 ± 6.2 N vs 53.1 ± 8.8 N; P = .125). Intact acromioclavicular ligaments protect the coracoclavicular reconstruction by decreasing the in situ graft force. The slight increase in the in situ graft force only in the posterosuperior and posterior direction after distal clavicle excision suggests only a marginal protective role of the

  14. Deep pelvic anatomy revisited for a description of crucial steps in extralevator abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Stelzner, Sigmar; Holm, Torbjörn; Moran, Brendan J; Heald, Richard J; Witzigmann, Helmut; Zorenkov, Dimitri; Wedel, Thilo

    2011-08-01

    Extralevator abdominoperineal excision results in superior oncologic outcome for advanced low rectal cancer. The exact definition of surgical resection planes is pivotal to achieving negative circumferential resection margins. This study aims to describe the surrounding anatomical structures that are at risk for inadvertent damage during extralevator abdominoperineal excision. Joint surgical and macroanatomical dissection was performed in a university laboratory of clinical anatomy. A stepwise dissection study was conducted according to the technique of extralevator abdominoperineal excision by abdominal and perineal approaches in 4 human cadaveric pelvises. Muscular, fascial, tendinous, and neural structures were carefully exposed and related to the corresponding surgical resection planes. In addition to the autonomic nerves to be identified and preserved during total mesorectal excision, further structures endangered during extralevator abdominoperineal excision can be clearly identified. Terminal pudendal nerve branches come close to the surgical resection plane at the outer surface of the puborectal sling. Likewise, the pelvic plexus and its neurovascular bundles embedded within the parietal pelvic fascia extend close to the apex of the prostate where the parietal pelvic fascia has to be divided. These neural structures converge in the region of the perineal body, an area that provides no "self-opening" planes for surgical dissection. Thus, the necessity to sharply detach the anorectal specimen anteriorly from the perineal body and the superficial transverse perineal muscle bears the risk of both inadvertent damage of the aforementioned anatomical structures and perforation of the specimen. The study focused primarily on the macroscopic topography relevant to the surgical procedure, so that previously published histologic examinations were not performed. The present anatomical dissection study highlights those anatomical landmarks that require clear

  15. Physiological Function of Rac Prophage During Biofilm Formation and Regulation of Rac Excision in Escherichia coli K-12.

    PubMed

    Liu, Xiaoxiao; Li, Yangmei; Guo, Yunxue; Zeng, Zhenshun; Li, Baiyuan; Wood, Thomas K; Cai, Xingsheng; Wang, Xiaoxue

    2015-11-04

    Rac or rac-like prophage harbors many genes with important physiological functions, while it remains excision-proficient in several bacterial strains including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. Here, we found that rac excision is induced during biofilm formation, and the isogenic stain without rac is more motile and forms more biofilms in nutrient-rich medium at early stages in E. coli K-12. Additionally, the presence of rac genes increases cell lysis during biofilm development. In most E. coli strains, rac is integrated into the ttcA gene which encodes a tRNA-thioltransferase. Rac excision in E. coli K-12 leads to a functional change of TtcA, which results in reduced fitness in the presence of carbenicillin. Additionally, we demonstrate that YdaQ (renamed as XisR) is the excisionase of rac in E. coli K-12, and that rac excision is induced by the stationary sigma factor RpoS through inducing xisR expression. Taken together, our results reveal that upon rac integration, not only are new genes introduced into the host, but also there is a functional change in a host enzyme. Hence, rac excision is tightly regulated by host factors to control its stability in the host genome under different stress conditions.

  16. Physiological Function of Rac Prophage During Biofilm Formation and Regulation of Rac Excision in Escherichia coli K-12

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Xiaoxiao; Li, Yangmei; Guo, Yunxue; Zeng, Zhenshun; Li, Baiyuan; Wood, Thomas K.; Cai, Xingsheng; Wang, Xiaoxue

    2015-01-01

    Rac or rac-like prophage harbors many genes with important physiological functions, while it remains excision-proficient in several bacterial strains including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. Here, we found that rac excision is induced during biofilm formation, and the isogenic stain without rac is more motile and forms more biofilms in nutrient-rich medium at early stages in E. coli K-12. Additionally, the presence of rac genes increases cell lysis during biofilm development. In most E. coli strains, rac is integrated into the ttcA gene which encodes a tRNA-thioltransferase. Rac excision in E. coli K-12 leads to a functional change of TtcA, which results in reduced fitness in the presence of carbenicillin. Additionally, we demonstrate that YdaQ (renamed as XisR) is the excisionase of rac in E. coli K-12, and that rac excision is induced by the stationary sigma factor RpoS through inducing xisR expression. Taken together, our results reveal that upon rac integration, not only are new genes introduced into the host, but also there is a functional change in a host enzyme. Hence, rac excision is tightly regulated by host factors to control its stability in the host genome under different stress conditions. PMID:26530864

  17. In-Office Excision En Masse of a Vocal Process Granuloma Using the Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate Laser.

    PubMed

    Mascarella, Marco A; Young, Jonathan

    2016-01-01

    In-office laryngeal surgery is taking on a more commonplace role in the treatment of laryngeal disorders. The potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser has been a resourceful adjunct to the management of patients with mucosal lesions of the vocal cords. However, a paucity of data exists for its use in postintubation granulomas treated in-office. A 43-year-old female presented with voice hoarseness and found to have a large obstructing postintubation granuloma which was treated by in-office KTP laser and en masse excision. We report the successful case of a patient receiving in-office treatment for a large vocal process granuloma using the KTP laser with en masse excision. The combined use of the KTP laser and forceps in-office can be valuable to the surgical management of vocal process granulomas, given their numerous recurrences. New avenues in office-based surgical management of laryngeal disorders can offer accessibility and decreased morbidity to patients. Copyright © 2016 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Robot-assisted excision of cervical cystic hygroma through a retroauricular hairline approach: a case report.

    PubMed

    Lin, Frank Cheau-Feng; Yang, Tsung-Lin; Tung, Min-Che; Tsai, Stella Chin-Shaw

    2016-06-09

    Cystic hygroma is a rare benign abnormality of the lymphatic system generally occurring in young children less than 2 years old. The standard transcervical surgical treatment of cystic hygroma may often leave a permanent scar in the neck region. We report a case of cystic hygroma in a 19-month-old Asian baby girl successfully treated with robot-assisted excision through a hairline neck-lift approach. We present the use of the Yang's retractor as an instrumental advancement to this surgical approach. Treatment options for cystic hygroma may be surgical or nonsurgical. We report a case of cystic hygroma in a 19-month-old child successfully treated with robot-assisted excision through a small concealed retroauricular hairline approach. This is the first report in the medical literature of treating cystic hygroma with a minimally invasive robot-assisted excision via a small, concealed, hairline incision.

  19. Does isolated flat epithelial atypia on vacuum-assisted breast core biopsy require surgical excision?

    PubMed

    Dialani, Vandana; Venkataraman, Shambhavi; Frieling, Gretchen; Schnitt, Stuart J; Mehta, Tejas S

    2014-01-01

    To determine whether flat epithelial atypia (FEA) found in isolation on large core vacuum-assisted biopsy (CNB) requires surgical excision. After Institutional Review Board approval, pathology reports of all patients who underwent CNB from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2010 were reviewed. All patients with reports of isolated FEA without other atypia or in situ or invasive carcinoma were identified. Patient age, history, target on imaging, biopsy modality, and residual target post CNB noted. Histology of CNB's (blinded to surgical outcome) and subsequent surgical excisions were reviewed by a dedicated breast pathologist. Only cases with confirmed isolated FEA on review were used for data analysis. Of 2,556 CNB's performed over 6 years, 37 (1.4%) had isolated FEA confirmed on review, comprising our study population. Thirty (81%) had biopsy for calcifications on mammography and 7 (19%) for mass or non-mass like enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. There were no US guided CNBs that met our inclusion criteria. 29 (78.4%) underwent surgical excision, 6 (16.2%) had imaging follow-up, and 2 (5.4%) were lost to follow-up. Of the 29 with surgery, 2 (6.9%) had "upgrade" to low-grade in situ carcinoma (1 ductal and 1 pleomorphic lobular), 5 (17.2%) had "change in diagnosis" to other atypia (ADH/ALH), 15 (51.7%) had additional FEA and 7 (24.2%) had benign tissue without atypia. Both "upgraded" cases had residual microcalcifications on imaging following CNB. There were no upgrades to invasive cancers. In our study, none of 29 with isolated FEA on CNB had invasive cancer on surgical excision. If there are residual microcalcifications or residual lesion after a CNB that shows isolated FEA, excision is warranted, due to the possibility of other atypia (ADH/ALH [17.2%] or DCIS [5.4%]). If there are no residual microcalcifications following CNB, imaging follow-up as an alternative to surgery may be a reasonable option. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  20. Modulation of proteostasis counteracts oxidative stress and affects DNA base excision repair capacity in ATM-deficient cells

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Di; Fletcher, Sally C.; Vendrell, Iolanda; Fischer, Roman; Legrand, Arnaud J.

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a syndrome associated with loss of ATM protein function. Neurodegeneration and cancer predisposition, both hallmarks of A-T, are likely to emerge as a consequence of the persistent oxidative stress and DNA damage observed in this disease. Surprisingly however, despite these severe features, a lack of functional ATM is still compatible with early life, suggesting that adaptation mechanisms contributing to cell survival must be in place. Here we address this gap in our knowledge by analysing the process of human fibroblast adaptation to the lack of ATM. We identify profound rearrangement in cellular proteostasis occurring very early on after loss of ATM in order to counter protein damage originating from oxidative stress. Change in proteostasis, however, is not without repercussions. Modulating protein turnover in ATM-depleted cells also has an adverse effect on the DNA base excision repair pathway, the major DNA repair system that deals with oxidative DNA damage. As a consequence, the burden of unrepaired endogenous DNA lesions intensifies, progressively leading to genomic instability. Our study provides a glimpse at the cellular consequences of loss of ATM and highlights a previously overlooked role for proteostasis in maintaining cell survival in the absence of ATM function. PMID:28973444

  1. A novel regulatory circuit in base excision repair involving AP endonuclease 1, Creb1 and DNA polymerase β

    PubMed Central

    Pei, De-Sheng; Yang, Xiao-Jie; Liu, Wei; Guikema, Jeroen E. J.; Schrader, Carol E.; Strauss, Phyllis R.

    2011-01-01

    DNA repair is required to maintain genome stability in stem cells and early embryos. At critical junctures, oxidative damage to DNA requires the base excision repair (BER) pathway. Since early zebrafish embryos lack the major polymerase in BER, DNA polymerase ß, repair proceeds via replicative polymerases, even though there is ample polb mRNA. Here, we report that Polb protein fails to appear at the appropriate time in development when AP endonuclease 1 (Apex), the upstream protein in BER, is knocked down. Because polb contains a Creb1 binding site, we examined whether knockdown of Apex affects creb1. Apex knockdown results in loss of Creb1 and Creb complex members but not Creb1 phosphorylation. This effect is independent of p53. Although both apex and creb1 mRNA rescue Creb1 and Polb after Apex knockdown, Apex is not a co-activator of creb1 transcription. This observation has broad significance, as similar results occur when Apex is inhibited in B cells from apex+/− mice. These results describe a novel regulatory circuit involving Apex, Creb1 and Polb and provide a mechanism for lethality of Apex loss in higher eukaryotes. PMID:21172930

  2. Introducing problem-based learning into research methods teaching: student and facilitator evaluation.

    PubMed

    Carlisle, Caroline; Ibbotson, Tracy

    2005-10-01

    The evidence base for the effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) has never been substantively established, although PBL is a generally accepted approach to learning in health care curricula. PBL is believed to encourage transferable skills, including problem-solving and team-working. PBL was used to deliver a postgraduate research methods module and a small evaluation study to explore its efficacy was conducted amongst the students (n = 51) and facilitators (n = 6). The study comprised of an evaluation questionnaire, distributed after each themed group of PBL sessions, and a group discussion conducted 4 weeks after the conclusion of the module, which was attended by student representatives and the facilitators. Questionnaire data was analysed using SPSS, and a transcript of the interview was subjected to content analysis. The results indicated that students felt that a PBL approach helped to make the subject matter more interesting to them and they believed that they would retain knowledge for a longer period than if their learning had used a more traditional lecture format. Students also perceived that PBL was effective in its ability to enhance students' understanding of the group process. All those involved in the PBL process reinforced the pivotal role of the facilitator. This study indicates that there is potential for PBL to be used beyond the more usual clinical scenarios constructed for health care professional education and further exploration of its use in areas such as building research capability should be undertaken.

  3. Flat epithelial atypia in directional vacuum-assisted biopsy of breast microcalcifications: surgical excision may not be necessary.

    PubMed

    McCroskey, Zulfia; Sneige, Nour; Herman, Carolyn R; Miller, Ross A; Venta, Luz A; Ro, Jae Y; Schwartz, Mary R; Ayala, Alberto G

    2018-02-21

    The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological features of patients with flat epithelial atypia, diagnosed in directional vacuum-assisted biopsy targeting microcalcifications, to identify upgrade rate to in situ ductal or invasive breast carcinoma, and determine factors predicting carcinoma in the subsequent excision. We retrospectively evaluated the histological, clinical, and mammographic features of 69 cases from 65 women, with directional vacuum-assisted biopsy-diagnosed flat epithelial atypia with or without atypical ductal hyperplasia or atypical lobular hyperplasia, which underwent subsequent surgical excision. The extent and percentage of microcalcifications sampled by directional vacuum-assisted biopsy were evaluated by mammography. All biopsy and surgical excision slides were reviewed. The age of the women ranged from 40 to 85 years (mean 57 years). All patients presented with mammographically detected microcalcifications only, except in one case that had associated architectural distortion. Extent of calcifications ranged from <1 cm (n = 47), 1-3 cm (n = 15) to > 3 cm (n = 6), and no measurement (n = 1). A mean of 11 cores (range 6-25) was obtained from each lesion. Post-biopsy mammogram revealed >90% removal of calcifications in 81% of cases. Pure flat epithelial atypia represented nearly two-thirds of directional vacuum-assisted biopsy specimens (n = 43, 62%), while flat epithelial atypia coexisted with atypical ductal hyperplasia (18 cases, 26%), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (8 cases, 12%). Upon excision, none of the cases were upgraded to in situ ductal or invasive breast cancer. In one case, however, an incidental, tubular carcinoma (4 mm) was found away from biopsy site. Excluding this case, the upgrade rate was 0%. Our study adds to the growing evidence that diagnosis of flat epithelial atypia on directional vacuum-assisted biopsy for microcalcifications as the only imaging finding is not associated

  4. 75 FR 33740 - Indoor Tanning Services; Cosmetic Services; Excise Taxes

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-15

    ... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service 26 CFR Parts 40 and 49 [REG-112841-10] RIN 1545-BJ40 Indoor Tanning Services; Cosmetic Services; Excise Taxes AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service.... ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-112841-10), Room 5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box...

  5. Evaluating ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy images of basal cell carcinomas in Mohs excised tissue.

    PubMed

    Longo, C; Rajadhyaksha, M; Ragazzi, M; Nehal, K; Gardini, S; Moscarella, E; Lallas, A; Zalaudek, I; Piana, S; Argenziano, G; Pellacani, G

    2014-09-01

    Fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) is an emerging technology for rapid imaging of excised tissue, without the need for frozen- or fixed-section processing. Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) can be detected in Mohs excisions although few studies have described the major BCC findings as seen on FCM. To describe the major BCC findings of excised tissue during Mohs surgery and to correlate them with histopathology. Freshly excised tumours and frozen-thawed discarded tissue of BCC during Mohs surgery were analysed by means of FCM. A side-by-side correlation between FCM images and histological sections was performed. The FCM features of overlying skin and adnexal structures were also described. Sixty-four BCC cases were analysed. Distinct BCC types appeared unique in terms of shape and size of tumour islands [bigger in nodular (18/25), smaller and rounded in micronodular (7/7) and tiny cords for infiltrative ones (24/30)] and for the presence of clefting, palisading and increased nucleus/cytoplasm ratio. An excellent correlation was found between FCM and histological findings (Cohen's κ statistics = 0·9). In six cases, the presence of sebaceous glands and intense stroma reaction represented possible confounders. Fluorescence confocal microscopy is a fast and new imaging technique that allows an excellent visualization of skin structures and BCC findings during Mohs surgery. © 2014 British Association of Dermatologists.

  6. Family Perceptions of Facilitators and Inhibitors of Effective School-Based Dysphagia Management

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Angell, Maureen E.; Bailey, Rita L.; Stoner, Julia B.

    2008-01-01

    Purpose: This qualitative study focused on the perceptions of family members of children with dysphagia by asking what the family-identified factors are that facilitate or inhibit effective school-based management of pediatric dysphagia. Method: Semistructured interviews of 7 family members of 6 children with dysphagia, ages 2 through 11 years,…

  7. Control of the rate of cell enlargement: Excision, wall relaxation, and growth-induced water potentials.

    PubMed

    Boyer, J S; Cavalieri, A J; Schulze, E D

    1985-04-01

    immediately and continued at a decreasing rate. In this case, the mature tissue supplied water to the elongating tissue and the cell walls did not relax. Based on these measurements, a theory is presented for simultaneously evaluating the effects of water supply and water demand associated with growth. Because wall relaxation measured with the psychrometer provided a new method for determining Y and wall extensibility, all the factors required by the theory could be evaluated for the first time in a single sample. The analysis showed that water uptake and wall extension co-limited elongation in soybean stems under our conditions. This co-limitation explains why elongation responded immediately to a decrease in the water potential of the xylem and why excision with attached mature tissue caused an immediate decrease in growth rate without an immediate change in Ψ p.

  8. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser third eyelid excision: surgical description and report of 7 cases.

    PubMed

    Dees, Dustin D; Knollinger, Amy M; MacLaren, Nicole E

    2015-09-01

    To describe a novel technique for third eyelid (TEL) excision using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Prospective. The procedure was performed on six canine patients and one feline patient. The laser was set to 6 Watts (W) of power and a linear continuous setting. Forceps were used to elevate the TEL and, with a protective shield covering the cornea, the base was cut and cauterized simultaneously. Minimal to no hemorrhage was observed, and the conjunctiva was left to heal by second intention. Seven patients underwent unilateral surgical TEL excision. All patients had suspected neoplasms affecting either the glandular tissues or conjunctival surfaces of the TEL. Clean surgical margins were achieved in all but one patient. All surgical sites were considered healed by 14 days showing mild-to-moderate conjunctival hyperemia and accumulation of mucoid discharge at the ventronasal fornix. One patient experienced postoperative keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Prolapse of orbital fat was not observed in any patient. Use of CO2 laser appears to be an efficient and effective means for surgical third eyelid removal with excellent postoperative comfort and minimal complications. © 2014 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

  9. Premature aging and cancer in nucleotide excision repair-disorders

    PubMed Central

    Diderich, K.; Alanazi, M.; Hoeijmakers, J.H.J.

    2014-01-01

    During past decades the major impact of DNA damage on cancer as ‘disease of the genes’ has become abundantly apparent. In addition to cancer recent years have also uncovered a very strong association of DNA damage with many features of (premature) aging. The notion that DNA repair systems not only protect against cancer but equally against too fast aging has become evident from a systematic, integral analysis of a variety of mouse mutants carrying defects in e.g. transcription-coupled repair with or without an additional impairment of global genome nucleotide excision repair and the corresponding segmental premature aging syndromes in man. A striking correlation between the degree of the DNA repair deficiency and the acceleration of specific progeroid symptoms has been discovered for those repair systems that primarily protect from the cytotoxic and cytostatic effects of DNA damage. These observations are explained from the perspective of nucleotide excision repair mouse mutant and human syndromes. However, similar principles likely apply to other DNA repair pathways including interstrand crosslink repair and double strand break repair and genome maintenance systems in general, supporting the notion that DNA damage constitutes an important intermediate in the process of aging. PMID:21680258

  10. Evaluation of the SAVI SCOUT Surgical Guidance System for Localization and Excision of Nonpalpable Breast Lesions: A Feasibility Study.

    PubMed

    Mango, Victoria; Ha, Richard; Gomberawalla, Ameer; Wynn, Ralph; Feldman, Sheldon

    2016-06-15

    The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of the SAVI SCOUT surgical guidance system, which uses a nonradioactive infrared-activated electromagnetic wave reflector, to localize and excise nonpalpable breast lesions. We evaluated the system's use in 15 nonpalpable breast lesions in 13 patients. Image-guided placement was successful for 15 of 15 (100%) reflectors. The final pathologic analysis found that lesion excision was successful, including five malignancies with negative margins. No patients required reexcision or experienced complications. SAVI SCOUT is a feasible method for breast lesion localization and excision.

  11. Combined approach branchial sinusectomy: a new technique for excision of second branchial cleft sinus.

    PubMed

    Olusesi, A D

    2009-10-01

    Branchial cleft anomalies are well described, with the second arch anomaly being the commonest. Following surgical excision, recurrence occurs in 2 to 22 per cent of cases, and is believed to be due largely to incomplete resection. This report aims to describe a simple surgical technique for treatment of second branchial cleft sinus in the older paediatric age group and adults. An 11-year-old girl underwent surgical excision of a second branchial sinus. Prior to surgery, she was assessed by means of an imaging sonogram, and by direct methylene blue dye injection into the sinus on the operating table, followed by insertion of a metallic probe. Dissection was of the 'step ladder' incision type, but the incision was completed via an oropharyngeal approach. Histological examination of the lesion after excision established the diagnosis. No recurrence had been observed at the time of writing. Although they are congenital lesions, second branchial cleft abnormalities usually present in the older paediatric age group or even in adulthood. In the case reported, a simple combined approach ensured completeness of resection.

  12. Mutants of the base excision repair glycosylase, endonuclease III: DNA charge transport as a first step in lesion detection.

    PubMed

    Romano, Christine A; Sontz, Pamela A; Barton, Jacqueline K

    2011-07-12

    Endonuclease III (EndoIII) is a base excision repair glycosylase that targets damaged pyrimidines and contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster. We have proposed a model where BER proteins that contain redox-active [4Fe-4S] clusters utilize DNA charge transport (CT) as a first step in the detection of DNA lesions. Here, several mutants of EndoIII were prepared to probe their efficiency of DNA/protein charge transport. Cyclic voltammetry experiments on DNA-modified electrodes show that aromatic residues F30, Y55, Y75, and Y82 help mediate charge transport between DNA and the [4Fe-4S] cluster. On the basis of circular dichroism studies to measure protein stability, mutations at residues W178 and Y185 are found to destabilize the protein; these residues may function to protect the [4Fe-4S] cluster. Atomic force microscopy studies furthermore reveal a correlation in the ability of mutants to carry out protein/DNA CT and their ability to relocalize onto DNA strands containing a single base mismatch; EndoIII mutants that are defective in carrying out DNA/protein CT do not redistribute onto mismatch-containing strands, consistent with our model. These results demonstrate a link between the ability of the repair protein to carry out DNA CT and its ability to relocalize near lesions, thus pointing to DNA CT as a key first step in the detection of base damage in the genome.

  13. Elasticity of excised dog lung parenchyma

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vawter, D. L.; Fung, Y. C.; West, J. B.

    1978-01-01

    An optical-electromechanical system is used to measure the force-deformation behavior of biaxially loaded rectangular slabs of excised dog lung parenchyma. In the course of the study, the effects of time, the consistency of reference lengths and areas, the presence of hysteresis, the necessity of preconditioning, the repeatability of results, the effects of lateral load, the effect of strain rate, the effect of pH, the influence of temperature, and the variations among specimens are considered. A new finding is that there is a change in elastic behavior when the tissue undergoes a compressive strain. When the tissue is in tension, increasing the lateral load decreases the compliance, whereas the opposite is true when compressive strain is present.

  14. Multi-parameter analysis of titanium vocal fold medializing implant in an excised larynx model

    PubMed Central

    Witt, Rachel E.; Hoffman, Matthew R.; Friedrich, Gerhard; Rieves, Adam L.; Schoepke, Benjamin J.; Jiang, Jack J.

    2010-01-01

    Objective Evaluate the efficacy of the titanium vocal fold medializing implant (TVFMI) for the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) based on acoustic, aerodynamic, and mucosal wave measurements in an excised larynx setup. Methods Measurements were recorded on eight excised canine larynges with simulated UVFP before and after medialization with the TVFMI. Results Phonation threshold flow (PTF) and phonation threshold power (PTW) decreased significantly after medialization (p<0.001; p=0.008). Phonation threshold pressure (PTP) also decreased, but this difference was not significant (p=0.081). Percent jitter and percent shimmer decreased significantly after medialization (p=0.005; p=0.034). Signal to noise ratio (SNR) increased significantly (p=0.05). Differences in mucosal wave characteristics were discernable, but not significant. Phase difference between the normal and paralyzed vocal fold and amplitude of the paralyzed vocal fold decreased (p=0.15; p=0.78). Glottal gap decreased significantly (p=0.004). Conclusions The TVFMI was effective in achieving vocal fold medialization, improving vocal aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics of phonation significantly and mucosal wave characteristics discernibly. This study provides objective, quantitative support for the use of the TVFMI in improving vocal function in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. PMID:20336924

  15. Design-based research in designing the model for educating simulation facilitators.

    PubMed

    Koivisto, Jaana-Maija; Hannula, Leena; Bøje, Rikke Buus; Prescott, Stephen; Bland, Andrew; Rekola, Leena; Haho, Päivi

    2018-03-01

    The purpose of this article is to introduce the concept of design-based research, its appropriateness in creating education-based models, and to describe the process of developing such a model. The model was designed as part of the Nurse Educator Simulation based learning project, funded by the EU's Lifelong Learning program (2013-1-DK1-LEO05-07053). The project partners were VIA University College, Denmark, the University of Huddersfield, UK and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland. As an outcome of the development process, "the NESTLED model for educating simulation facilitators" (NESTLED model) was generated. This article also illustrates five design principles that could be applied to other pedagogies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Development of a long-term ovine model of cutaneous burn and smoke inhalation injury and the effects of early excision and skin autografting

    PubMed Central

    Yamamoto, Yusuke; Enkhbaatar, Perenlei; Sakurai, Hiroyuki; Rehberg, Sebastian; Asmussen, Sven; Ito, Hiroshi; Sousse, Linda E.; Cox, Robert A.; Deyo, Donald J.; Traber, Lillian D.; Traber, Maret G.; Herndon, David N.; Traber, Daniel L.

    2013-01-01

    Smoke inhalation injury frequently increases the risk of pneumonia and mortality in burn patients. The pathophysiology of acute lung injury secondary to burn and smoke inhalation is well studied, but long-term pulmonary function, especially the process of lung tissue healing following burn and smoke inhalation, has not been fully investigated. By contrast, early burn excision has become the standard of care in the management of major burn injury. While many clinical studies and small-animal experiments support the concept of early burn wound excision, and show improved survival and infectious outcomes, we have developed a new chronic ovine model of burn and smoke inhalation injury with early excision and skin grafting that can be used to investigate lung pathophysiology over a period of 3 weeks. Materials and methods Eighteen female sheep were surgically prepared for this study under isoflurane anesthesia. The animals were divided into three groups: an Early Excision group (20% TBSA, third-degree cutaneous burn and 36 breaths of cotton smoke followed by early excision and skin autografting at 24 h after injury, n = 6), a Control group (20% TBSA, third-degree cutaneous burn and 36 breaths of cotton smoke without early excision, n = 6) and a Sham group (no injury, no early excision, n = 6). After induced injury, all sheep were placed on a ventilator and fluid-resuscitated with Lactated Ringers solution (4 mL/% TBS/kg). At 24 h post-injury, early excision was carried out to fascia, and skin grafting with meshed autografts (20/1000 in., 1:4 ratio) was performed under isoflurane anesthesia. At 48 h post-injury, weaning from ventilator was begun if PaO2/FiO2 was above 250 and sheep were monitored for 3 weeks. Results At 96 h post-injury, all animals were weaned from ventilator. There are no significant differences in PaO2/FiO2 between Early Excision and Control groups at any points. All animals were survived for 3 weeks without infectious complication in Early Excision

  17. Patient-reported Outcomes of Tarsal Coalitions Treated With Surgical Excision.

    PubMed

    Mahan, Susan T; Spencer, Samantha A; Vezeridis, Peter S; Kasser, James R

    2015-09-01

    There are little patient-reported data on functional outcomes of tarsal coalition resection in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the medium-term (>2 y) outcomes in patients who have had surgical excision of their symptomatic tarsal coalition and to compare patient-based outcomes in patients who have calcaneonavicular (CN) coalitions to those with talocalcaneal (TC) coalitions. A billing query was conducted to identify patients who had surgical excision of their tarsal coalition between 2003 and 2008. Eligible patients were mailed questionnaires consisting of a modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale. Patients were also specifically asked if their activity level was limited by their foot pain. Only patients who returned questionnaires were included. Demographics and diagnostic images were reviewed. A nonresponder analysis was completed. Complications such as infection and reoperation were reported. Sixty-three patients (22 females, 41 males) who returned questionnaires were included in the analysis. Twenty-four patients had bilateral surgery. TC coalitions were present in 20 patients (32%); CN coalitions were present in 43 patients (68%).Overall, mean modified AOFAS score was 88.3 and mean UCLA activity score was 8.33 at an average of 4.62 years after surgery. Patients who had TC coalitions had similar modified AOFAS scores (88.4) and UCLA activity scores (8.4) when compared with those with CN coalitions (88.0 and 8.3, both not significant).Of the 73% (46/63) patients who reported that their activity levels were not limited by their foot pain, the mean AOFAS score was 93.9 and the mean UCLA activity score was 8.9; 32 of these were CN and 14 were TC coalitions. Of the 27% (17/63) patients who reported that their activity levels were limited by their foot pain, the mean AOFAS score was 72.9 and the mean UCLA activity score was 6.9; 11 of

  18. 'Batman excision' of ventral skin in hypospadias repair, clue to aesthetic repair (point of technique).

    PubMed

    Hoebeke, P B; De Kuyper, P; Van Laecke, E

    2002-11-01

    In the hypospadiac penis the ventral skin is poorly developed, while dorsal skin is redundant. The classical Byars' flaps are a way to use the excess dorsal skin to cover the penile shaft. The appearance after Byars' flaps however is not natural. We use a more natural looking skin allocation with superior aesthetic results. The clue in this reconstruction is an inverted triangle shaped excision of ventral skin expanding over the edges of the hooded prepuce (which makes it look like Batman). After excision of the ventral skin it is possible to close the penile skin in the midline, thus mimicking the natural raphe. In case of preputial reconstruction the excised ventral skin makes the prepuce look more natural. The trend of further refining aesthetic appearance of the hypospadiac penis often neglects the penile skin reconstruction. A technique is presented by which the total penile appearances after surgery ameliorates due to better skin reconstruction.

  19. Robotically performed total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Alecu, L; Stănciulea, O; Poesina, D; Tomulescu, V; Vasilescu, C; Popescu, I

    2015-01-01

    Rectal cancer is an important health problem, due to the increasing number of new cases and the quality of life issues brought forth by surgical treatment in these patients. The aim of the study was to analyse the results of robotic surgery in the treatment of lower and middle rectal cancer,locations in which TME is performed. Patients diagnosed with and operated on for rectal cancer by the means of robotic surgery between 2008-2012 at the Fundeni Clinical Institute were retrospectively analysed. A number of 117 patients with rectal cancer were operated on by robotic surgery, of which 79 (67.52%) were submitted to total mesorectal excision (TME). The most frequently performed surgery was low anterior resection, followed by rectal amputation through abdominoperineal approach.Anastomosis fistula was observed in 9 (11.39%) patients. Local recurrence was encountered in 2 (2.53%) of the robotically performed surgeries. 1. Robotically assisted total mesorectal excision is feasible, safe and can be performed with a small number of complications and a low local recurrence rate; 2. The main advantages are oncological safety and quality of life; 3.Conversion to open surgery is rarely encountered; 4. Protection loop ileostomy existence allows avoiding reintervention in case anastomotic fistula occurs in patients with low anterior resection. 5. Robotic surgery may become gold standard in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer. Celsius.

  20. Chromatin associated mechanisms in base excision repair - nucleosome remodeling and DNA transcription, two key players.

    PubMed

    Menoni, Hervé; Di Mascio, Paolo; Cadet, Jean; Dimitrov, Stefan; Angelov, Dimitar

    2017-06-01

    Genomic DNA is prone to a large number of insults by a myriad of endogenous and exogenous agents. The base excision repair (BER) is the major mechanism used by cells for the removal of various DNA lesions spontaneously or environmentally induced and the maintenance of genome integrity. The presence of persistent DNA damage is not compatible with life, since abrogation of BER leads to early embryonic lethality in mice. There are several lines of evidences showing existence of a link between deficient BER, cancer proneness and ageing, thus illustrating the importance of this DNA repair pathway in human health. Although the enzymology of BER mechanisms has been largely elucidated using chemically defined DNA damage substrates and purified proteins, the complex interplay of BER with another vital process like transcription or when DNA is in its natural state (i.e. wrapped in nucleosome and assembled in chromatin fiber is largely unexplored. Cells use chromatin remodeling factors to overcome the general repression associated with the nucleosomal organization. It is broadly accepted that energy-dependent nucleosome remodeling factors disrupt histones-DNA interactions at the expense of ATP hydrolysis to favor transcription as well as DNA repair. Importantly, unlike transcription, BER is not part of a regulated developmental process but represents a maintenance system that should be efficient anytime and anywhere in the genome. In this review we will discuss how BER can deal with chromatin organization to maintain genetic information. Emphasis will be placed on the following challenging question: how BER is initiated within chromatin? Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Minimally invasive excision of gynaecomastia--a novel and effective surgical technique.

    PubMed

    Qutob, O; Elahi, B; Garimella, V; Ihsan, N; Drew, P J

    2010-04-01

    More aesthetically acceptable treatment options have been sought to minimise the morbidity associated with open surgery for gynaecomastia. This study investigated the use of a vacuum-assisted biopsy device (VABD) and liposuction to provide minimally invasive approach. Patients diagnosed with idiopathic benign gynaecomastia referred to the Breast Care Unit of Castle Hill Hospital between June 2002 and April 2007 and requesting surgical intervention underwent VABD excision and liposuction. All patients underwent thorough investigations to exclude any underlying cause for their gynaecomastia. The procedure was carried out by a single consultant surgeon with special interest in breast surgery. An 8-G mammotome probe was advanced through a 4-mm incision positioned in the corresponding anterior axillary line to excise the glandular disc. Liposuction was performed through the same incision. Incision wounds were closed with Steristrips. A pressure dressing was applied over wound by corset and an inflatable device. Thirty-six male patients with grade I and II gynaecomastia were recruited (22 bilateral, 14 unilateral). Average age was 33.3 years (range, 16-88 years). All underwent mammotome excision and liposuction. There were no conversions to an open procedure. The average procedure time was 50.3 min (range, 30-80 min). One intra-operative complication was recorded. The minimum follow-up time was 2 months. Thirty-four patients reported excellent satisfaction, two patients had residual gynaecomastia and needed a re-do procedure. Three patients developed small haematomas that resolved spontaneously. This novel, minimally invasive, surgical approach for gynaecomastia gives excellent results with minimal morbidity.

  2. Using normalisation process theory to understand barriers and facilitators to implementing mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis.

    PubMed

    Simpson, Robert; Simpson, Sharon; Wood, Karen; Mercer, Stewart W; Mair, Frances S

    2018-01-01

    Objectives To study barriers and facilitators to implementation of mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with multiple sclerosis. Methods Qualitative interviews were used to explore barriers and facilitators to implementation of mindfulness-based stress reduction, including 33 people with multiple sclerosis, 6 multiple sclerosis clinicians and 2 course instructors. Normalisation process theory provided the underpinning conceptual framework. Data were analysed deductively using normalisation process theory constructs (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring). Results Key barriers included mismatched stakeholder expectations, lack of knowledge about mindfulness-based stress reduction, high levels of comorbidity and disability and skepticism about embedding mindfulness-based stress reduction in routine multiple sclerosis care. Facilitators to implementation included introducing a pre-course orientation session; adaptations to mindfulness-based stress reduction to accommodate comorbidity and disability and participants suggested smaller, shorter classes, shortened practices, exclusion of mindful-walking and more time with peers. Post-mindfulness-based stress reduction booster sessions may be required, and objective and subjective reports of benefit would increase clinician confidence in mindfulness-based stress reduction. Discussion Multiple sclerosis patients and clinicians know little about mindfulness-based stress reduction. Mismatched expectations are a barrier to participation, as is rigid application of mindfulness-based stress reduction in the context of disability. Course adaptations in response to patient needs would facilitate uptake and utilisation. Rendering access to mindfulness-based stress reduction rapid and flexible could facilitate implementation. Embedded outcome assessment is desirable.

  3. Excising das All: Evolving Maxwell waves beyond Scri

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    vanMeter, James R.; Fiske, David R.; Misner, Charles W.

    2006-01-01

    We study the numerical propagation of waves through future null infinity in a conformally compactified spacetime. We introduce an artificial cosmological constant, which allows us some control over the causal structure near null infinity. We exploit this freedom to ensure that all light cones are tilted outward in a region near null infinity, which allows us to impose excision-style boundary conditions in our finite difference code. In this preliminary study we consider electromagnetic waves propagating in a static, conformally compactified spacetime.

  4. The Resourceful Facilitator: Teacher Leaders Constructing Identities as Facilitators of Teacher Peer Groups

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Allen, David

    2016-01-01

    The use of teacher peer groups is a prevalent strategy for school-based professional development and instructional improvement. Facilitation of such groups is an increasingly vital dimension of teacher leadership as a component of school improvement efforts. Drawing on a qualitative study of facilitation of teacher peer groups, the article…

  5. Factors associated with the number of lesions excised for each skin cancer: a study of primary care physicians in Queensland, Australia.

    PubMed

    Baade, Peter D; Youl, Philippa H; Janda, Monika; Whiteman, David C; Del Mar, Christopher B; Aitken, Joanne F

    2008-11-01

    To assess physician, patient, and skin lesion characteristics that affect the number of benign skin lesions excised by primary care physicians for each skin cancer. Prospective study collecting clinical, patient, and histopathologic details of excisions or biopsies of skin lesions by random samples of primary care physicians. Southeast Queensland involving traditional family medicine physicians (n = 104; response rate, 53.9%) and family medicine physicians working in 27 primary care skin cancer clinics (n = 50; response rate, 75.0%). Of 28 755 skin examinations recorded during the study, 11 403 skin lesions were excised or biopsied; 97.5% of the excised lesions had clinical and histologic diagnoses recorded. Number of lesions needed to excise or biopsy (NNE) for 1 melanoma (pigmented lesions only) and NNE for 1 nonmelanoma skin cancer (nonpigmented lesions only). The NNE for nonpigmented lesions (n = 8139) was 1.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.4-1.6) and for pigmented lesions (n = 2977) was 19.6 (16.2-22.9). The NNE estimates were up to 8 times lower if the physician thought the lesion was likely to be malignant and up to 2.5 times higher if there was strong patient pressure to excise. The NNE estimates varied by other physician-, patient-, and lesion-related variables. Clinical impressions of excised skin lesions were strongly associated with NNE estimates. By focusing on pigmented skin lesions and by addressing the physician- and patient-specific factors identified, the effectiveness of future training for primary care physicians in the clinical management of skin cancer could be improved.

  6. Optimal size of pterygium excision for limbal conjunctival autograft using fibrin glue in primary pterygia.

    PubMed

    Hwang, Ho Sik; Cho, Kyong Jin; Rand, Gabriel; Chuck, Roy S; Kwon, Ji Won

    2018-06-07

    In our study we describe a method that optimizes size of excision and autografting for primary pterygia along with the use of intraoperative MMC and fibrin glue. Our objective is to propose a simple, optimizedpterygium surgical technique with excellent aesthetic outcomes and low rates of recurrence and otheradverse events. Retrospective chart review of 78 consecutive patients with stage III primary pterygia who underwent an optimal excision technique by three experienced surgeons. The technique consisted of removal of the pterygium head, excision of the pterygium body and Tenon's layer limited in proportion to the length of the head, application of intraoperative mitomycin C to the defect, harvest of superior bulbar limbal conjunctival graft, adherence of graft with fibrin glue. Outcomes included operative time, follow up period, pterygium recurrence, occurrences of incorrectly sized grafts, and other complications. All patients were followed up for more than a year. Of the 78 patients, there were 2 cases of pterygium recurrence (2.6%). There was one case of wound dehiscence secondary to small-sized donor conjunctivaand one case of over-sized donor conjunctiva, neither of which required surgical correction. There were no toxic complications associated with the use of mitomycin C. Correlating the excision of the pterygium body and underlying Tenon's layer to the length of the pterygium head, along with the use intraoperative mitomycin C, limbal conjunctival autografting, and fibrin adhesionresulted in excellent outcomes with a low rate of recurrence for primary pterygia.

  7. Combined excision and intralesional bevacizumab for sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid in an Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica).

    PubMed

    Edelmann, Michele L; Utter, Mary L; Klein, Lin V; Wotman, Kathryn L

    2013-05-01

    An 18-year-old zoo-kept female Amur tiger presented with an approximately 5 mm diameter lateral canthal eyelid mass in the left eye which grossly appeared red and irregular. The mass was completely excised via lateral canthoplasty. Histopathologic evaluation was consistent with a diagnosis of sebaceous cell carcinoma, which is a potentially aggressive cutaneous neoplasm. The sebaceous carcinoma recurred within 3 months and slowly increased in size until a second surgical excision was performed 9 months following the first surgery. The second surgical excision was combined with intralesional injection of 10 mg of the antiangiogenic drug bevacizumab. Histology confirmed the diagnosis. The tiger was euthanized 16 months postoperatively for reasons unrelated to, and without recurrence of, the eyelid neoplasm. At postmortem, no gross periocular or metastatic lesions were noted, and histopathology of the lateral canthus provided no evidence of recurrence. Surgical excision combined with intralesional bevacizumab treatment induced life-long resolution of the sebaceous carcinoma. Bevacizumab treatment may be associated with the regression of periocular angiogenic proliferative conditions, including neoplasia, by inhibiting angiogenesis. © 2012 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

  8. Method and device for intraoperative imaging of lumpectomy specimens to provide feedback to breast surgeon for prompt re-excision during the same procedure

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Krol, Andrzej; Hemingway, Susan; Kort, Kara; de la Rosa, Gustavo; Adhikary, Ravi; Masrani, Deepa; Feiglin, David; O'Connell, Avice; Nagarajan, Mahesh; Yang, Chien-Chun; Wismüller, Axel

    2014-03-01

    Breast conserving therapy (BCT) of breast cancer is now widely accepted due to improved cosmetic outcome and improved patients' quality of life. One of the critical issues in performing breast-conserving surgery is trying to achieve microscopically clear surgical margins while maintaining excellent cosmesis. Unfortunately, unacceptably close or positive surgical margins occur in at least 20-25% of all patients undergoing BCT requiring repeat surgical excision days or weeks later, as permanent histopathology routinely takes days to complete. Our aim is to develop a better method for intraoperative imaging of non-palpable breast malignancies excised by wire or needle localization. Providing non-deformed three dimensional imaging of the excised breast tissue should allow more accurate assessment of tumor margins and consequently allow further excision at the time of initial surgery thus limiting the enormous financial and emotional burden of additional surgery. We have designed and constructed a device that allows preservation of the excised breast tissue in its natural anatomic position relative to the breast as it is imaged to assess adequate excision. We performed initial tests with needle-guided lumpectomy specimens using micro-CT and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). Our device consists of a plastic sphere inside a cylindrical holder. The surgeon inserts a freshly excised piece of breast tissue into the sphere and matches its anatomic orientation with the fiducial markers on the sphere. A custom-shaped foam is placed inside the sphere to prevent specimen deformation due to gravity. DBT followed by micro-CT images of the specimen were obtained. We confirmed that our device preserved spatial orientation of the excised breast tissue and that the location error was lower than 10mm and 10 degrees. The initial obtained results indicate that breast lesions containing microcalcifications allow a good 3D imaging of margins providing immediate intraoperative feedback for

  9. An Economic Analysis of a Change in an Excise Tax

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Barron, John M.; Blanchard, Kelly Hunt; Umbeck, John R.

    2004-01-01

    The authors present an example of the effect a change in the excise tax can have on retail gasoline prices. The findings provide support for standard economic theory, as well as provide a vehicle for illustrating some of the subtleties of the analysis, including the implicit assumptions regarding the implications for the buying and selling prices…

  10. 76 FR 66181 - Disregarded Entities; Excise Taxes and Employment Taxes

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-26

    ... particular, disregarded entities that pay or pay over certain federal excise taxes or that are required to be... assessed against Z and, in the event that Z fails to pay the liability after notice and demand, a general...)(C) Example (i) and (ii) of this section. If LLCB does not pay the tax on its sale of coal under...

  11. Humor as a facilitative style in problem-based learning environments for nursing students.

    PubMed

    Chauvet, Seanna; Hofmeyer, Anne

    2007-05-01

    Although the nursing and education literature confirm that humor has a role to play in the learning experience, there is little evidence available about the impact and the challenges of using humor to facilitate group process and learning in problem-based learning environments for nursing students. In this paper, we explore humor as a style of communication in PBL environments using examples from the classroom. We then propose a range of strategies to build capacity in PBL tutors and to infuse humor into the PBL classroom such as: acceptance that fun and humor are components of the ground rules in the group; appropriate humor and boundaries; mutual story sharing; and creative activities to moderate stress and build coping strategies to thrive in clinical practice. It is timely for nurse academics and researchers to examine the contribution of humor as a facilitative communication style in the PBL environment. Findings could inform evidence-based teaching of nursing students and foster life-long learning and communication skills.

  12. Role of Rad23 and Dsk2 in Nucleotide Excision Repair and Spindle Pole Body Duplication

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-03-01

    AD Award Number: W81XWH-05-1-0310 TITLE: Role of Rad23 and Dsk2 in Nucleotide Excision Repair and Spindle Pole Body Duplication PRINCIPAL...Feb 2006 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Role of Rad23 and Dsk2 in Nucleotide Excision Repair and Spindle Pole Body Duplication Sb. GRANT...Degradation, Cell Cycle, Spindle Pole Body 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON OF ABSTRACT OF

  13. Treatment of hemangiopericytoma in a dog, using surgical excision, radiation, and a thoracic pedicle skin graft.

    PubMed

    Fossum, T W; Couto, C G; DeHoff, W D; Smeak, D D

    1988-12-01

    A dog with hemangiopericytoma of the left forelimb underwent surgical excision followed by radiation therapy and thoracic pedicle skin grafting. Recurrence of the neoplasm was not observed 3.5 years after surgery. Hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon neoplasm that seldom metastasizes but has a high recurrence rate. In this dog, complete surgical excision was not possible because of the location and invasiveness of the neoplasm. The combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and skin grafting was a viable alternative to limb amputation.

  14. Keloid scar harbouring malignant blue naevus emphasises the need for excision biopsy and routine histology.

    PubMed

    Theopold, C; Pritchard, S; McGrouther, D A; Bayat, A

    2009-01-01

    We report the finding of a malignant blue naevus of 14.3 mm Breslow thickness in association with a keloid scar on the earlobe of an Afrocaribbean gentleman. Malignant blue naevus is extremely rare and to date it has not been reported in association with keloid scars. We recommend routine histopathological examination of all excised keloid scars. Where histopathological services are limited, examination should certainly be carried out for keloids with unusual characteristics. Excision should be complete, rather than intralesional, in order to avoid leaving behind areas of potential neoplasia.

  15. Arthroscopic excision of heterotopic calcification in a chronic rectus femoris origin injury: a case report

    PubMed Central

    El-Husseiny, M; Sukeik, M; Haddad, FS

    2012-01-01

    Rectus femoris origin injuries in adult athletes are uncommon. In the acute phase, conservative treatment seems to have a favourable outcome, with surgical repair reserved for unsuccessful cases only. However, a group of patients may develop chronic pain and disability after recovery from the acute phase due to heterotopic calcification occurring at the site of injury. Open and arthroscopic excision of such calcifications has been described in the literature although arthroscopic excision of large calcified lesions in the rectus femoris has not been reported previously. A relevant case is presented and discussed. PMID:22507710

  16. Group Facilitation: Functions and Skills.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Anderson, L. Frances; Robertson, Sharon E.

    1985-01-01

    Discusses a model based on a specific set of assumptions about causality and effectiveness in interactional groups. Discusses personal qualities of group facilitators and proposes five major functions and seven skill clusters central to effective group facilitation. (Author/BH)

  17. Impact of the Berkeley Excise Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption

    PubMed Central

    Falbe, Jennifer; Thompson, Hannah R.; Becker, Christina M.; Rojas, Nadia; McCulloch, Charles E.

    2016-01-01

    Objectives. To evaluate the impact of the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in Berkeley, California, which became the first US jurisdiction to implement such a tax ($0.01/oz) in March 2015. Methods. We used a repeated cross-sectional design to examine changes in pre- to posttax beverage consumption in low-income neighborhoods in Berkeley versus in the comparison cities of Oakland and San Francisco, California. A beverage frequency questionnaire was interviewer administered to 990 participants before the tax and 1689 after the tax (approximately 8 months after the vote and 4 months after implementation) to examine relative changes in consumption. Results. Consumption of SSBs decreased 21% in Berkeley and increased 4% in comparison cities (P = .046). Water consumption increased more in Berkeley (+63%) than in comparison cities (+19%; P < .01). Conclusions. Berkeley’s excise tax reduced SSB consumption in low-income neighborhoods. Evaluating SSB taxes in other cities will improve understanding of their public health benefit and their generalizability. PMID:27552267

  18. Genetic instability associated with loop or stem–loop structures within transcription units can be independent of nucleotide excision repair

    PubMed Central

    Burns, John A; Chowdhury, Moinuddin A; Cartularo, Laura; Berens, Christian; Scicchitano, David A

    2018-01-01

    Abstract Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are found throughout the genome, and under some conditions can change in length over time. Germline and somatic expansions of trinucleotide repeats are associated with a series of severely disabling illnesses, including Huntington's disease. The underlying mechanisms that effect SSR expansions and contractions have been experimentally elusive, but models suggesting a role for DNA repair have been proposed, in particular the involvement of transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TCNER) that removes transcription-blocking DNA damage from the transcribed strand of actively expressed genes. If the formation of secondary DNA structures that are associated with SSRs were to block RNA polymerase progression, TCNER could be activated, resulting in the removal of the aberrant structure and a concomitant change in the region's length. To test this, TCNER activity in primary human fibroblasts was assessed on defined DNA substrates containing extrahelical DNA loops that lack discernible internal base pairs or DNA stem–loops that contain base pairs within the stem. The results show that both structures impede transcription elongation, but there is no corresponding evidence that nucleotide excision repair (NER) or TCNER operates to remove them. PMID:29474673

  19. Radioscapholunate fusion with triquetrum and distal pole of scaphoid excision: long-term follow-up.

    PubMed

    Ha, Ngoc B; Phadnis, Joideep; MacLean, Simon B M; Bain, Gregory I

    2018-02-01

    The purpose of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of radioscapholunate fusion, with and without distal pole of scaphoid excision and excision of the triquetrum. These compromised three operative groups. Seventeen patients were identified with a minimum of 10 years follow-up, with a mean of 15 years (range 10-19). Fifteen of the 17 patients were satisfied with their outcome. Two were converted to total wrist fusion. The mean outcomes scores were; pain visual analogue scale score 2.1/10, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand 29 and Modified Mayo Wrist score 60. Patients with excision of the triquetrum had a mean radial-ulnar arc increase of 10° compared with the other two groups, but this was not statistically significant. The mean space for the scaphocapitate joint was 1.7 mm and lunocapitate joint was 1.3 mm at latest follow-up. Close adherence to the indications and surgical technique provided a sustainable good clinical outcome. Patients who obtained a good result at 2 years were likely to achieve a good long-term outcome. IV.

  20. Facilitating large-scale implementation of evidence based health care: insider accounts from a co-operative inquiry.

    PubMed

    Waterman, Heather; Boaden, Ruth; Burey, Lorraine; Howells, Brook; Harvey, Gill; Humphreys, John; Rothwell, Katy; Spence, Michael

    2015-02-13

    Facilitators are known to be influential in the implementation of evidence-based health care (EBHC). However, little evidence exists on what it is that they do to support the implementation process. This research reports on how knowledge transfer associates (KTAs) working as part of the UK National Institute for Health Research 'Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care' for Greater Manchester (GM CLAHRC) facilitated the implementation of EBHC across several commissioning and provider health care agencies. A prospective co-operative inquiry with eight KTAs was carried out comprising of 11 regular group meetings where they reflected critically on their experiences. Twenty interviews were also conducted with other members of the GM CLAHRC Implementation Team to gain their perspectives of the KTAs facilitation role and process. There were four phases to the facilitation of EBHC on a large scale: (1) Assisting with the decision on what EBHC to implement, in this phase, KTAs pulled together people and disparate strands of information to facilitate a decision on which EBHC should be implemented; (2) Planning of the implementation of EBHC, in which KTAs spent time gathering additional information and going between key people to plan the implementation; (3) Coordinating and implementing EBHC when KTAs recruited general practices and people for the implementation of EBHC; and (4) Evaluating the EBHC which required the KTAs to set up (new) systems to gather data for analysis. Over time, the KTAs demonstrated growing confidence and skills in aspects of facilitation: research, interpersonal communication, project management and change management skills. The findings provide prospective empirical data on the large scale implementation of EBHC in primary care and community based organisations focusing on resources and processes involved. Detailed evidence shows facilitation is context dependent and that 'one size does not fits all'. Co-operative inquiry

  1. Negative pressure wound therapy, staged excision and definitive closure with split-thickness skin graft for axillary hidradenitis suppurativa: a retrospective study.

    PubMed

    Pearce, F B; Richardson, K A

    2017-01-02

    Bilateral axillary hidradenitis is a chronic, suppurative, and scarring disease that is most effectively treated by complete excision of all hair-bearing tissues. We assessed our staged procedure for excision and placement of a split-thickness skin graft for bilateral axillary hidradenitis in terms of costs, outcomes, and timing of excision. An IRB approved retrospective case analysis was performed on patients that underwent bilateral axillary hidradenitis skin excision with eventual placement of split-thickness skin grafting using the current LSUHSC/University Health hidradenitis surgical treatment protocol. Using ICD-9 codes (705.83) and CPT codes (11041, 11042, 11451, 11600, 11601, 11602, 11603, 11604) we reviewed cases performed at our institution from 1 January 2008 to 24 Febuary 2014 and we selected patients based on bilateral axillary involvement (alone) and >1 year history of active disease. Patients were excluded if resection of tissue encompassed regions outside of the immediately adjacent axillary. A total of seven patients matching criteria for bilateral axillary hidradenitis were selected for analysis. Clinical course, cost and surgical techniques were assessed. Of the seven patients, six required admission throughout their treatment due to lack of funding making use of negative pressure wound therapy at home not possible. These patients stayed an average of 10 days with a mean hospital charge of $35,178 and a mean hospital provider charge of $10,019. No recurrence was demonstrated. All patients attained full range of motion, post grafting. No patient required a further operation due to graft failure. Split-thickness skin grafting without use of bilayer dermal regenerative templates yielded definitive results with acceptable cosmesis and functionality, without the added cost of treatments such as a bilayer dermal regenerative template.

  2. Impact of Case-Based Instruction on Student Teachers' Reflection on Facilitating Children's Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rosen, Dina

    2008-01-01

    The purpose of this original quasi-experimental research was to investigate the potential for using case-based instruction during the student teaching seminar as a means for promoting practicum student teachers' critical reflection about facilitating children's learning. In addition, the study explored the impact of varied modes for delivering…

  3. Using Web 2.0 Tools to Facilitate Case-Based Instruction: Considering the Possibilities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Koehler, Adrie A.; Ertmer, Peggy A.

    2016-01-01

    Case-based instruction (CBI) offers a promising method for promoting problem-solving skills in learners. However, during CBI, the instructor shoulders major responsibility for shaping the learning that takes place. Research indicates that the facilitation techniques used during case discussions influence what gets covered, and to what extent,…

  4. Outcomes of Open Dorsal Wrist Ganglion Excision in Active-Duty Military Personnel.

    PubMed

    Balazs, George C; Donohue, Michael A; Drake, Matthew L; Ipsen, Derek; Nanos, George P; Tintle, Scott M

    2015-09-01

    To examine the most common presenting complaints of active-duty service members with isolated dorsal wrist ganglions and to determine the rate of return to unrestricted duty after open excision. Surgical records at 2 military facilities were screened to identify male and female active duty service members undergoing isolated open excision of dorsal wrist ganglions from January 1, 2006 to January 1, 2014. Electronic medical records and service disability databases were searched to identify the most common presenting symptoms and to determine whether patients returned to unrestricted active duty after surgery. Postoperative outcomes examined were pain persisting greater than 4 weeks after surgery, stiffness requiring formal occupational therapy treatment, surgical wound complications, and recurrence. A total of 125 active duty military personnel (Army, 54; Navy, 43; and Marine Corps, 28) met criteria for inclusion. Mean follow-up was 45 months. Fifteen percent (8 of 54) of the Army personnel were given permanent waivers from performing push-ups owing to persistent pain and stiffness. Pain persisting greater than 4 weeks after surgery was an independent predictor of eventual need for a permanent push-up waiver. The overall recurrence incidence was 9%. No demographic or perioperative factors were associated with recurrence. Patients whose occupation or activities require forceful wrist extension should be counseled on the considerable risk of residual pain and functional limitations that may occur after open dorsal wrist ganglion excision. Therapeutic IV. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  5. Modulation of proteostasis counteracts oxidative stress and affects DNA base excision repair capacity in ATM-deficient cells.

    PubMed

    Poletto, Mattia; Yang, Di; Fletcher, Sally C; Vendrell, Iolanda; Fischer, Roman; Legrand, Arnaud J; Dianov, Grigory L

    2017-09-29

    Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a syndrome associated with loss of ATM protein function. Neurodegeneration and cancer predisposition, both hallmarks of A-T, are likely to emerge as a consequence of the persistent oxidative stress and DNA damage observed in this disease. Surprisingly however, despite these severe features, a lack of functional ATM is still compatible with early life, suggesting that adaptation mechanisms contributing to cell survival must be in place. Here we address this gap in our knowledge by analysing the process of human fibroblast adaptation to the lack of ATM. We identify profound rearrangement in cellular proteostasis occurring very early on after loss of ATM in order to counter protein damage originating from oxidative stress. Change in proteostasis, however, is not without repercussions. Modulating protein turnover in ATM-depleted cells also has an adverse effect on the DNA base excision repair pathway, the major DNA repair system that deals with oxidative DNA damage. As a consequence, the burden of unrepaired endogenous DNA lesions intensifies, progressively leading to genomic instability. Our study provides a glimpse at the cellular consequences of loss of ATM and highlights a previously overlooked role for proteostasis in maintaining cell survival in the absence of ATM function. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

  6. [Recurrence rate following adjuvant strontium-90 brachytherapy after excision of conjunctival melanoma].

    PubMed

    Krause, L; Ritter, C; Wachtlin, J; Kreusel, K-M; Höcht, S; Foerster, M H; Bechrakis, N E

    2008-07-01

    Because of the high local recurrence rates after excision of conjunctival melanomas, adjuvant local chemotherapy or irradiation is recommended. Strontium-90 brachytherapy is one radiotherapeutic option due to its low penetration depth. 15 patients with conjunctival melanoma were treated with adjuvant strontium-90 brachytherapy after tumour excision. The treatment was fractionated into 9 irradiation sessions with 6 Gy each. The mean follow-up was 35 months (12-60 months). Seven patients (46%) had no recurrence during the follow-up. Three patients (20%) had a recurrence in the treated or adjacent area. Eight patients (53%) developed new tumours in non-treated areas. Strontium-90 brachytherapy is a useful adjuvant in the treatment of conjunctival melanomas. Regular ophthalmoscopic controls are necessary because of the high rate of new tumours in non-irradiated areas, especially in cases with primary acquired melanosis.

  7. Total mesorectal excision (TME)--twenty years on.

    PubMed

    Leong, A F P K

    2003-03-01

    The results of total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer were first reported 20 years ago. The superior outcome in the original two papers was attributed to the complete excision of the mesorectum, preference for anterior resection over abdominoperineal resection, application of cytotoxic solutions to eradicate exfoliated tumour cells and specialisation in rectal cancer surgery. A review was conducted to examine the evidence from the literature accumulated over the past 20 years in support of this thesis. A Medline search of all studies was carried out pertaining to the issues of mesorectal metastases, anterior resection versus abdominoperineal resection, exfoliated tumour cells in rectal cancer and specialisation in rectal cancer surgery. Mesorectal metastases can be found up to 5 cm from the apparent distal edge of a rectal cancer. They occur in pT3 and pT4 tumours. Their presence indicates a poorer prognosis. There is evidence that TME improves outcomes in mid- and low-rectal cancers but its role in upper rectal and rectosigmoid cancers is controversial. It has been difficult to demonstrate the superiority of anterior resection over abdominoperineal resection as comparative studies report similar outcomes. Exfoliated tumour cells have been demonstrated to contribute to anastomotic recurrence and this probability may be reduced by the use of cytotoxic agents to irrigate the rectal stump. Multiple studies have shown that specialisation in rectal cancer surgery result in lower postoperative morbidity and mortality, local and distant recurrence rates and higher rates of sphincter saving resections. The majority of tenets espoused in the original papers on TME have found support in follow-up studies since their publication.

  8. Overexpression of DNA ligase III in mitochondria protects cells against oxidative stress and improves mitochondrial DNA base excision repair.

    PubMed

    Akbari, Mansour; Keijzers, Guido; Maynard, Scott; Scheibye-Knudsen, Morten; Desler, Claus; Hickson, Ian D; Bohr, Vilhelm A

    2014-04-01

    Base excision repair (BER) is the most prominent DNA repair pathway in human mitochondria. BER also results in a temporary generation of AP-sites, single-strand breaks and nucleotide gaps. Thus, incomplete BER can result in the generation of DNA repair intermediates that can disrupt mitochondrial DNA replication and transcription and generate mutations. We carried out BER analysis in highly purified mitochondrial extracts from human cell lines U2OS and HeLa, and mouse brain using a circular DNA substrate containing a lesion at a specific position. We found that DNA ligation is significantly slower than the preceding mitochondrial BER steps. Overexpression of DNA ligase III in mitochondria improved the rate of overall BER, increased cell survival after menadione induced oxidative stress and reduced autophagy following the inhibition of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I by rotenone. Our results suggest that the amount of DNA ligase III in mitochondria may be critical for cell survival following prolonged oxidative stress, and demonstrate a functional link between mitochondrial DNA damage and repair, cell survival upon oxidative stress, and removal of dysfunctional mitochondria by autophagy. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  9. Facilitating classroom based interprofessional learning: a grounded theory study of university educators' perceptions of their role adequacy as facilitators.

    PubMed

    Derbyshire, Julie A; Machin, Alison I; Crozier, Suzanne

    2015-01-01

    The provision of inter professional learning (IPL) within undergraduate programmes is now well established within many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). IPL aims to better equip nurses and other health professionals with effective collaborative working skills and knowledge to improve the quality of patient care. Although there is still ambiguity in relation to the optimum timing and method for delivering IPL, effective facilitation is seen as essential. This paper reports on a grounded theory study of university educators' perceptions of the knowledge and skills needed for their role adequacy as IPL facilitators. Data was collected using semi structured interviews with nine participants who were theoretically sampled from a range of professional backgrounds, with varied experiences of education and involvement in facilitating IPL. Constant comparative analysis was used to generate four data categories: creating and sustaining an IPL group culture through transformational IPL leadership (core category), readiness for IPL facilitation, drawing on past interprofessional learning and working experiences and role modelling an interprofessional approach. The grounded theory generated from this study, although propositional, suggests that role adequacy for IPL facilitation is dependent on facilitator engagement in a process of 'transformational interprofessional learning leadership' to create and sustain a group culture. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  10. Bisphenol A exposure and cardiac electrical conduction in excised rat hearts.

    PubMed

    Posnack, Nikki Gillum; Jaimes, Rafael; Asfour, Huda; Swift, Luther M; Wengrowski, Anastasia M; Sarvazyan, Narine; Kay, Matthew W

    2014-04-01

    Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that are widely used in everyday products, such as food and beverage containers, toys, and medical devices. Human biomonitoring studies have suggested that a large proportion of the population may be exposed to BPA. Recent epidemiological studies have reported correlations between increased urinary BPA concentrations and cardiovascular disease, yet the direct effects of BPA on the heart are unknown. The goal of our study was to measure the effect of BPA (0.1-100 μM) on cardiac impulse propagation ex vivo using excised whole hearts from adult female rats. We measured atrial and ventricular activation times during sinus and paced rhythms using epicardial electrodes and optical mapping of transmembrane potential in excised rat hearts exposed to BPA via perfusate media. Atrioventricular activation intervals and epicardial conduction velocities were computed using recorded activation times. Cardiac BPA exposure resulted in prolonged PR segment and decreased epicardial conduction velocity (0.1-100 μM BPA), prolonged action potential duration (1-100 μM BPA), and delayed atrioventricular conduction (10-100 μM BPA). These effects were observed after acute exposure (≤ 15 min), underscoring the potential detrimental effects of continuous BPA exposure. The highest BPA concentration used (100 μM) resulted in prolonged QRS intervals and dropped ventricular beats, and eventually resulted in complete heart block. Our results show that acute BPA exposure slowed electrical conduction in excised hearts from female rats. These findings emphasize the importance of examining BPA's effect on heart electrophysiology and determining whether chronic in vivo exposure can cause or exacerbate conduction abnormalities in patients with preexisting heart conditions and in other high-risk populations.

  11. Student Perceptions of Facilitators' Social Congruence, Use of Expertise and Cognitive Congruence in Problem-Based Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yew, Elaine H. J.; Yong, Janice J. Y.

    2014-01-01

    In problem-based learning (PBL), the role of a tutor or facilitator is different from what is typically considered as the role of a traditional teacher. In addition to being a subject-matter expert, the facilitator is also expected to be "socially" and "cognitively congruent". In this study, we analyze the survey responses from…

  12. Comparing initial diagnostic excision biopsy of cutaneous malignant melanoma in primary versus secondary care: A study of Irish National data.

    PubMed

    Doherty, Sarah M; Jackman, Louise M; Kirwan, John F; Dunne, Deirdre; O'Connor, Kieran G; Rouse, John M

    2016-12-01

    The incidence of melanoma is rising worldwide. Current Irish guidelines from the National Cancer Control Programme state suspicious pigmented lesions should not be removed in primary care. There are conflicting guidelines and research advising who should remove possible melanomas. To determine whether initial diagnostic excision biopsy of cutaneous malignant melanoma in primary versus secondary care leads to poorer survival. Analysis of data comprising 7116 cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma from the National Cancer Registry Ireland between January 2002 and December 2011. Single predictor variables were examined by the chi-square or Mann-Whitney U test. The effects of single predictor variables on survival were examined by Cox proportionate hazards modelling and a multivariate Cox model of survival based on excision in a non-hospital setting versus hospital setting was derived with adjusted and unadjusted hazard ratios. Over a 10-year period 8.5% of melanomas in Ireland were removed in a non-hospital setting. When comparing melanoma death between the hospital and non-hospital groups, the adjusted hazard ratio was 1.56 (95%CI: 1.08-2.26); (P = .02), indicating a non-inferior outcome for the melanoma cases initially treated in the non-hospital group, after adjustment for significant covariates. This study suggests that initial excision biopsy carried out in general practice does not lead to a poorer outcome. [Box: see text].

  13. High Rate of Osteoarthritis After Osteochondritis Dissecans Fragment Excision Compared With Surgical Restoration at a Mean 16-Year Follow-up.

    PubMed

    Sanders, Thomas L; Pareek, Ayoosh; Obey, Mitchel R; Johnson, Nicholas R; Carey, James L; Stuart, Michael J; Krych, Aaron J

    2017-07-01

    Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a disorder of subchondral bone that causes adverse effects on the overlying cartilage and commonly affects the knee. The incidence of OCD and its long-term effect on the knee joint are controversial. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate the rate of osteoarthritis and knee arthroplasty in a population-based cohort of patients with OCD lesions treated operatively and (2) evaluate factors that may predispose patients to knee osteoarthritis and arthroplasty. The investigators hypothesized that OCD lesions diagnosed after skeletal maturity and treatment with fragment excision would be predictive of a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. The investigators identified 221 patients (mean ± SD age, 26.1 ± 13.6 years) with OCD lesions treated operatively between 1976 and 2010 and followed for 16.3 ± 11.4 years (mean ± SD) from diagnosis. Information related to the diagnosis, laterality of lesion, details of treatment, and progression to osteoarthritis was obtained from the medical record. Surgical treatment was classified as fragment excision, fragment preservation (lesion drilling and/or fragment fixation), or chondral defect grafting (osteochondral allograft or autograft). Factors predictive of osteoarthritis and arthroplasty were examined. There were 134 patients in the fragment excision group, 78 patients in the fragment preservation group, and 9 patients in the chondral defect grafting group. In the fragment excision group, the cumulative incidence of osteoarthritis was 12.0% at 5 years, 17.0% at 10 years, 26.0% at 15 years, 39.0% at 20 years, and 70% at 30 years. The cumulative incidence of arthroplasty was 2.0% at 5 years, 4.0% at 10 years, 4.0% at 15 years, 10.0% at 20 years, and 32.0% at 30 years. In the fragment preservation group, the cumulative incidence of osteoarthritis was 3.0% at 5 years, 7.0% at 10 years, 16.0% at 15 years, 25.0% at 20 years, and 51% at 30 years

  14. Impact of a School-Based Pediatric Obesity Prevention Program Facilitated by Health Professionals

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnston, Craig A.; Moreno, Jennette P.; El-Mubasher, Abeer; Gallagher, Martina; Tyler, Chermaine; Woehler, Deborah

    2013-01-01

    Background: This study evaluated a school-based obesity intervention for elementary school children (N = 835) where health professionals assisted teachers with the integration of healthy messages into the school curriculum. Methods: Schools were randomized into a professional-facilitated intervention (PFI; N = 4) or a self-help (SH; N = 3)…

  15. Prophylactic Z-plasty - correcting helical rim deformity from wedge excision.

    PubMed

    Kim, Peter

    2010-09-01

    Wedge excision is a popular and well documented surgical method for treating a wide range of skin lesions and cancers of the ear in the general practice setting. In the majority of cases, this is a simple and cosmetically pleasing treatment. However, it may create helical rim deformity. This article describes a simple method of preventing such deformity using prophylactic Z-plasty.

  16. High levels of sFas and PBMC apoptosis before and after excision of malignant melanoma--case report.

    PubMed

    Alecu, M; Coman, Gabriela; Dănăilă, L

    2002-01-01

    In our study we investigated the level of apoptosis in PBMCs and the serological level of sFas (CD95/APO-1) in 22 patients with malignant melanoma (12 patients with unique cutaneous primary tumour and 10 patients with unique brain metastasis). The first determination was performed before tumour excision and the second at 6-7 months after excision. Results in patients with primary tumour in the first determination: 6 patients with over normal values in PBMCs apoptosis and 5 patients with increased values of sFas. In the second determination: apoptosis was increased in 5 patients and sFas level was increased in 4 cases. In patients with metastases in the first determination apoptosis of PBMC was increased in 7 cases and sFas in 5 cases. In the second determination apoptosis was increased in 4 cases and sFas was increased in 4 cases. Our results show that half of the investigated patients presented elevated values of PBMCs apoptosis and Fas receptor both before and 6-7 months after tumour excision. Apoptosis values for PBMCs and sFas values were with 1/4 higher than normals. There was no difference in clinical evolution of the patients with normal or increased values for studied parameters. Clinical evolution was performed for 1 year. The presence of increased values for PBMCs and sFas after tumour excision, primary or metastasis is surprising and hard to explain. It is possible that tumoral evolution induces a disregulation at PBMCs level or other cells level that persists unexpectedly, after tumour excision or apoptotic processes, in a certain level to be independent and anterior to tumour development.

  17. Tissue-specifically regulated site-specific excision of selectable marker genes in bivalent insecticidal, genetically-modified rice.

    PubMed

    Hu, Zhan; Ding, Xuezhi; Hu, Shengbiao; Sun, Yunjun; Xia, Liqiu

    2013-12-01

    Marker-free, genetically-modified rice was created by the tissue-specifically regulated Cre/loxP system, in which the Cre recombinase gene and hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (hpt) were flanked by two directly oriented loxP sites. Cre expression was activated by the tissue-specific promoter OsMADS45 in flower or napin in seed, resulting in simultaneous excision of the recombinase and marker genes. Segregation of T1 progeny was performed to select recombined plants. The excision was confirmed by PCR, Southern blot and sequence analyses indicating that efficiency varied from 10 to 53 % for OsMADS45 and from 12 to 36 % for napin. The expression of cry1Ac and vip3A was detected by RT-PCR analysis in marker-free transgenic rice. These results suggested that our tissue-specifically regulated Cre/loxP system could auto-excise marker genes from transgenic rice and alleviate public concerns about the security of GM crops.

  18. Large loop excision of the transformation zone for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a 12-year experience.

    PubMed

    Paraskevaidis, E; Koliopoulos, G; Malamou-Mitsi, V; Zikopoulos, K; Paschopoulos, M; Pappa, L; Agnantis, N J; Loli, D E

    2001-01-01

    Although the existing evidence suggests that there is no obviously superior conservative method for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), one of the most widely used is the large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). A total of 897 women who were treated with LLETZ at our colposcopy clinic from 1989 to 2000 were retrospectively studied. Forty women did not have significant cervical pathology (4.5% over-treatment rate). Clear margins of excision were obtained in 748 (88.5%) of the 845 cases of CIN or microinvasive cancers. Treatment failure rates were 4.7% for clear margins and 26.8% for involved or uncertain. LLETZ is a fast and reliable method of treating CIN and microinvasive carcinoma. Generalized cauterization of the resulting crater should be avoided and satellite HPV lesions ablated. Involved margins have a higher treatmentfailure rate, therefore a larger excision is recommended as cervical craters regenerate. Treatment in pregnant women can be delayed until postpartum provided they have adequate surveillance during pregnancy.

  19. Applying agreed-upon procedures : fiscal year 2008 highway trust fund excise taxes.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2008-11-03

    We have performed the procedures described in the enclosure to this letter, which we : agreed to perform and with which you concurred, solely to assist your office in : ascertaining whether the net excise tax revenue distributed to the Highway Trust ...

  20. The hobo transposable element excises and has related elements in tephritid species

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Function of the Drosophila melanogaster hobo transposon in tephritid species was tested in transient embryonic excision assays by scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Center for Medical Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida. Wild-type and mutant strains of Ana...

  1. Comparing projected impacts of cigarette floor price and excise tax policies on socioeconomic disparities in smoking.

    PubMed

    Golden, Shelley D; Farrelly, Matthew C; Luke, Douglas A; Ribisl, Kurt M

    2016-10-01

    About half of all US states have cigarette minimum price laws (MPLs) that require a per cent mark-up on prices, but research suggests they may not be very effective in raising prices. An alternative type of MPL sets a floor price below which packs cannot be sold, and may be more promising. This new type of MPL policy has only been implemented in 1 city, therefore its benefits relative to excise taxes is difficult to assess. We constructed a set of possible state floor price MPL options, and matched them to possible state excise tax hikes designed to produce similar average price increases. Using self-reported price and cigarette consumption data from 23 521 participants in the 2010-2011 Tobacco Use Supplement of the Current Population Survey, we projected changes in pack prices and cigarette consumption following implementation of each paired MPL and tax option, for lower and higher income groups. We project that state MPLs set at the average reported pack price would raise prices by $0.33 and reduce cigarette consumption by about 4%; a tax with a similar average price effect would reduce consumption by 2.3%. MPLs and taxes that raise average prices by more than $2.00 would reduce consumption by 15.9% and 13.5%, respectively. In all models, we project that MPLs will reduce income-based smoking disparities more than their comparable excise taxes. Floor price cigarette MPLs set at or above what consumers currently report paying could reduce both tobacco use and socioeconomic disparities in smoking. 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/.

  2. A multi-institutional study of the perceived barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based practice.

    PubMed

    Duncombe, Daphne C

    2018-03-01

    To examine perceived barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based practice among nurses working in psychiatric, geriatric, hospital and community settings in The Bahamas. It is evident from previous studies that a number of factors exist which either obstruct or promote the utilisation of research evidence in nursing practice. Identifying these factors is vital to the successful uptake of evidence-based practice in nursing. Descriptive, comparative study. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. A stratified random sample (n = 100) of registered nurses participated; 5-point Likert-like scales were used to examine nurses' perceptions of barriers and facilitators of evidence-based practice. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic characteristics and to compare responses of nurses. Participants were predominantly female (98.4%), in the 25 to <35 years age group (45.9%). Of nurses surveyed, 72.1% had never tried to implement evidence-based practice previously. The greatest barriers identified were as follows: "Inadequate resources for implementing research findings" (85.2%; n = 52) and "Inadequate training in research methods" (83.6%; n = 51). The top facilitators identified were as follows: "Training in research methods" (88.5%; n = 54) and "Organisational policies and protocols that are evidence-based" (86.9%; n = 53). Nurses generally expressed that they required additional training in research and evidence-based practice concepts. Although some nurses had a desire to implement evidence-based practice to provide quality care and improve patient outcomes, many expressed that they lacked the required resources. The study draws attention to the need for prioritisation of evidence-based practice both at institutional and governmental levels. Successful adoption of evidence-based practice implies combined efforts of nurses, healthcare providers and policymakers. Further research is needed to determine the best

  3. Exogenous Supply of Pantoyl Lactone to Excised Leaves Increases their Pantothenate Levels

    PubMed Central

    RATHINASABAPATHI, BALA; RAMAN, SURESH BABU

    2005-01-01

    • Background and Aims All plants synthesize pantothenate but its synthesis and regulation are not well understood. The aim of this work is to study the effect of exogenous supply of precursor compounds on pantothenate levels in leaves. • Methods Precursor compounds were supplied in solution to excised leaves and the pantothenate content was measured using a microbial method. • Key Results Pantothenate levels in excised leaves of Limonium latifolium, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi) were examined following an exogenous supply of the precursor compounds pantoyl lactone or β-alanine. Significantly higher levels of extractable pantothenate were found when pantoyl lactone was supplied, but not when β-alanine was supplied despite a measurable uptake of β-alanine into the leaf. • Conclusions The results suggested that the pantoate supply may be rate-limiting or regulating pantothenate synthesis in leaves. PMID:15767268

  4. Performance and role of the breast lesion excision system (BLES) in small clusters of suspicious microcalcifications.

    PubMed

    Scaperrotta, Gianfranco; Ferranti, Claudio; Capalbo, Emanuela; Paolini, Biagio; Marchesini, Monica; Suman, Laura; Folini, Cristina; Mariani, Luigi; Panizza, Pietro

    2016-01-01

    To assess the diagnostic performance of the BLES as a biopsy tool in patients with ≤ 1 cm clusters of BIRADS 4 microcalcifications, in order to possibly avoid surgical excision in selected patients. This is a retrospective study of 105 patients undergone to stereotactic breast biopsy with the BLES. It excises a single specimen containing the whole mammographic target, allowing better histological assessment due to preserved architecture. Our case series consists of 41 carcinomas (39%) and 64 benign lesions (61%). Cancer involved the specimen margins in 20/41 cases (48.8%) or was close to them (≤ 1 mm) in 14 cases (34.1%); margins were disease-free in only 7 DCIS (17.1%). At subsequent excision of 39/41 malignant cases, underestimation occurred for 5/32 DCIS (15.6%), residual disease was found in 15/39 cancers (38.5%) and no cancer in 19/39 cases (48.7%). For DCIS cases, no residual disease occurred for 66.7% G1-G2 cases and for 35.3% G3 cases (P=0.1556) as well as in 83.3%, 40.0% and 43.8% cases respectively for negative, close and positive BLES margins (P=0.2576). The BLES is a good option for removal of small clusters of breast microcalcifications, giving better histological interpretation, lower underestimation rates and possibly reducing the need of subsequent surgical excision in selected patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Nucleotide exchange and excision technology DNA shuffling and directed evolution.

    PubMed

    Speck, Janina; Stebel, Sabine C; Arndt, Katja M; Müller, Kristian M

    2011-01-01

    Remarkable success in optimizing complex properties within DNA and proteins has been achieved by directed evolution. In contrast to various random mutagenesis methods and high-throughput selection methods, the number of available DNA shuffling procedures is limited, and protocols are often difficult to adjust. The strength of the nucleotide exchange and excision technology (NExT) DNA shuffling described here is the robust, efficient, and easily controllable DNA fragmentation step based on random incorporation of the so-called 'exchange nucleotides' by PCR. The exchange nucleotides are removed enzymatically, followed by chemical cleavage of the DNA backbone. The oligonucleotide pool is reassembled into full-length genes by internal primer extension, and the recombined gene library is amplified by standard PCR. The technique has been demonstrated by shuffling a defined gene library of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase variants using uridine as fragmentation defining exchange nucleotide. Substituting 33% of the dTTP with dUTP in the incorporation PCR resulted in shuffled clones with an average parental fragment size of 86 bases and revealed a mutation rate of only 0.1%. Additionally, a computer program (NExTProg) has been developed that predicts the fragment size distribution depending on the relative amount of the exchange nucleotide.

  6. Mitochondrial base excision repair in mouse synaptosomes during normal aging and in a model of Alzheimer’s disease

    PubMed Central

    Gredilla, Ricardo; Weissman, Lior; Yang, Jenq-Lin; Bohr, Vilhelm A.; Stevnsner, Tinna

    2010-01-01

    Brain aging is associated with synaptic decline and cognitive impairment. Increased levels of oxidative DNA base damage and accumulation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations or deletions lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, playing an important role in the aging process and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In mitochondria, base excision repair (BER) is the main DNA repair pathway for base modifications such as deamination and oxidation, and constitutes an important mechanism to avoid accumulation of mtDNA mutations. Synaptic function is highly dependent on mitochondria, and in the current study we have investigated BER in synaptosomes of mouse brain during normal aging and in an AD model. Synaptosomes are isolated synapses in membranous structures produced by subcellular fractionation of brain tissue. They include the whole presynaptic terminal as well as portions of the postsynaptic terminal. Synaptosomes contain the molecular machinery necessary for uptake, storage, and release of neurotransmitters, including synaptic vesicles and mitochondria. BER activities were measured in synaptosomal fractions from young and old mice and from pre-symptomatic and symptomatic AD mice harboring mutated APP, Tau and PS1 (3xTgAD). During normal aging, a reduction in the BER capacity was observed in the synaptosomal fraction, which was associated with a decrease in the level of BER proteins. However, we did not observe changes between the synaptosomal BER activities of pre-symptomatic and symptomatic AD mice. Our findings suggest that the age-related reduction in BER capacity in the synaptosomal fraction might contribute to mitochondrial and synaptic dysfunction during aging. The development of AD-like pathology in the 3xTgAD mouse model was, however, not associated with deficiencies of the BER mechanisms in the synaptosomal fraction when the whole brain was analyzed. PMID:20708822

  7. Anorectal Function and Quality of Life in Patients With Early Stage Rectal Cancer Treated With Chemoradiation and Local Excision.

    PubMed

    Lynn, Patricio B; Renfro, Lindsay A; Carrero, Xiomara W; Shi, Qian; Strombom, Paul L; Chow, Oliver; Garcia-Aguilar, Julio

    2017-05-01

    Little is known about anorectal function and quality of life after chemoradiation followed by local excision, which is an alternative to total mesorectal excision for selected patients with early rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess anorectal function and health-related quality of life of patients with T2N0 rectal cancer who were treated with an alternative approach. This was a prospective, phase II trial. The study was multicentric (American College of Surgeons Oncology Group trial Z6041). Patients with stage cT2N0 rectal adenocarcinomas were treated with an oxaliplatin/capecitabine-based chemoradiation regimen followed by local excision. Anorectal function and quality of life were assessed at enrollment and 1 year postoperatively with the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal Questionnaire. Results were compared, and multivariable analysis was performed to identify predictors of outcome. Seventy-one patients (98%) were evaluated at enrollment and 66 (92%) at 1 year. Compared with baseline, no significant differences were found on Fecal Incontinence Severity Index scores at 1 year. Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life results were significantly worse in the lifestyle (p < 0.001), coping/behavior (p < 0.001), and embarrassment (p = 0.002) domains. There were no differences in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy overall score, but the physical well-being subscale was significantly worse and emotional well-being was improved after surgery. Treatment with the original chemoradiation regimen predicted worse depression/self-perception and embarrassment scores in the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life, and male sex was predictive of worse scores in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy overall score and trial outcome index. Small sample size, relatively short follow-up, and absence of information before cancer diagnosis were study

  8. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer Patients Delivered via Internet: Qualitative Study of Patient and Therapist Barriers and Facilitators

    PubMed Central

    Bisseling, Else M; Schellekens, Melanie PJ; Jansen, Ellen TM; van der Lee, Marije L; Speckens, Anne EM

    2017-01-01

    Background The number of patients living with cancer is growing, and a substantial number of patients suffer from psychological distress. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) seem effective in alleviating psychological distress. Unfortunately, several cancer patients find it difficult, if not impossible, to attend a group-based course. Internet-based MBIs (eMBIs) such as Internet-based mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (eMBCT) may offer solutions. However, it is yet to be studied what facilitators and barriers cancer patients experience during eMBCT. Objective This study aimed to explore facilitators and barriers of individual asynchronous therapist-assisted eMBCT as experienced by both patients and therapists. Methods Patients with heterogeneous cancer diagnoses suffering from psychological distress were offered eMBCT. This 9-week intervention mirrored the group-based MBCT protocol and included weekly asynchronous written therapist feedback. Patients were granted access to a website that contained the eMBCT protocol and a secured inbox, and they were asked to practice and fill out diaries on which the therapist provided feedback. In total, 31 patients participated in an individual posttreatment interview on experienced facilitators and barriers during eMBCT. Moreover, eight therapists were interviewed. The data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators in eMBCT. Results Both patients and therapists mentioned four overarching themes as facilitators and barriers: treatment setting (the individual and Internet-based nature of the treatment), treatment format (how the treatment and its guidance were organized and delivered), role of the therapist, and individual patient characteristics. Conclusions The eMBCT provided flexibility in when, where, and how patients and therapists engage in MBCT. Future studies should assess how different eMBCT designs could further improve barriers that were found. PMID:29254912

  9. Minimally invasive excision of gynaecomastia – a novel and effective surgical technique

    PubMed Central

    Qutob, O; Elahi, B; Garimella, V; Ihsan, N; Drew, PJ

    2010-01-01

    INTRODUCTION More aesthetically acceptable treatment options have been sought to minimise the morbidity associated with open surgery for gynaecomastia. This study investigated the use of a vacuum-assisted biopsy device (VABD) and liposuction to provide minimally invasive approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with idiopathic benign gynaecomastia referred to the Breast Care Unit of Castle Hill Hospital between June 2002 and April 2007 and requesting surgical intervention underwent VABD excision and liposuction. All patients underwent thorough investigations to exclude any underlying cause for their gynaecomastia. The procedure was carried out by a single consultant surgeon with special interest in breast surgery. An 8-G mammotome probe was advanced through a 4-mm incision positioned in the corresponding anterior axillary line to excise the glandular disc. Liposuction was performed through the same incision. Incision wounds were closed with Steristrips. A pressure dressing was applied over wound by corset and an inflatable device. RESULTS Thirty-six male patients with grade I and II gynaecomastia were recruited (22 bilateral, 14 unilateral). Average age was 33.3 years (range, 16–88 years). All underwent mammotome excision and liposuction. There were no conversions to an open procedure. The average procedure time was 50.3 min (range, 30–80 min). One intra-operative complication was recorded. The minimum follow-up time was 2 months. Thirty-four patients reported excellent satisfaction, two patients had residual gynaecomastia and needed a re-do procedure. Three patients developed small haematomas that resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSION This novel, minimally invasive, surgical approach for gynaecomastia gives excellent results with minimal morbidity. PMID:20412670

  10. Oncological outcomes of complete versus conventional mesocolic excision in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

    PubMed

    An, Min Sung; Baik, HyungJoo; Oh, Se Hui; Park, Yo-Han; Seo, Sang Hyuk; Kim, Kwang Hee; Hong, Kwan Hee; Bae, Ki Beom

    2018-06-12

    Complete mesocolic excision (CME) has been proposed for colon cancer to improve oncological outcomes. The risks and benefits of laparoscopic CME have not been examined fully. We compared short- and long-term outcomes of CME with a conventional mesocolic excision (non-CME) in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (RHC) for right-sided colon cancer. In total, 115 patients who underwent laparoscopic RHC with stage I-III right-sided colon cancer at Busan Paik Hospital from August 2007 to October 2011 were enrolled in this case-control study. Three trained colorectal surgeons reviewed videos of the surgeries; patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent a CME (CME group, n = 34) and those who underwent a conventional mesocolic excision (non-CME group, n = 81). There was no significant difference between the CME and non-CME groups in operative time, post-operative complications, or hospital stay. However, the CME group had more lymph nodes harvested (P < 0.001) and lower blood loss (P = 0.016) versus the non-CME group. There was no difference in 5-year disease-free survival rate between the groups, but 5-year overall survival rate was 100% in the CME group and 89.49% in the non-CME group (P < 0.05). Laparoscopic RHC with CME is safe and associated with better 5-year overall survival rate than non-CME for patients with stage I-III right-sided colon cancer. Implementation of CME surgery might improve oncological outcomes for patients with right-sided colon cancer. © 2018 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

  11. Equine-Facilitated Prison-Based Programs within the Context of Prison-Based Animal Programs: State of the Science Review

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bachi, Keren

    2013-01-01

    Equine-facilitated prison programs have become more prevalent and operate in correctional facilities in 13 states throughout the United States. However, there is a deficit of empirical knowledge to guide them. This article reviews 19 studies of prison-based animal programs and centers on patterns in the literature. It reveals how previous studies…

  12. Dynamic article: surgical anatomical planes for complete mesocolic excision and applied vascular anatomy of the right colon.

    PubMed

    Açar, Halil İbrahim; Cömert, Ayhan; Avşar, Abdullah; Çelik, Safa; Kuzu, Mehmet Ayhan

    2014-10-01

    Lower local recurrence rates and better overall survival are associated with complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation for treatment of colon cancer. To accomplish this, surgeons need to pay special attention to the surgical anatomical planes and vascular anatomy of the colon. However, surgical education in this area has been neglected. The aim of this study is to define the correct surgical anatomical planes for complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation and to demonstrate the correct dissection technique for protecting anatomical structures. Macroscopic and microscopic surgical dissections were performed on 12 cadavers in the anatomy laboratory and on autopsy specimens. The dissections were recorded as video clips. Dissections were performed in accordance with the complete mesocolic excision technique on 10 male and 2 female cadavers. Vascular structures, autonomic nerves, and related fascias were shown. Within each step of the surgical procedure, important anatomical structures were displayed on still images captured from videos by animations. Three crucial steps for complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation are demonstrated on the cadavers: 1) full mobilization of the superior mesenteric root following the embryological planes between the visceral and the parietal fascias; 2) mobilization of the mesocolon from the duodenum and the pancreas and identification of vascular structures, especially the veins around the pancreas; and 3) central vascular ligation of the colonic vessels at their origin, taking into account the vascular variations within the mesocolonic vessels and the autonomic nerves around the superior mesenteric artery. The limitation of this study was the number of the cadavers used. Successful complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation depends on an accurate knowledge of the surgical anatomical planes and the vascular anatomy of the colon.

  13. Greater occipital nerve excision for occipital neuralgia refractory to nerve decompression.

    PubMed

    Ducic, Ivica; Felder, John M; Khan, Neelam; Youn, Sojin

    2014-02-01

    Patients who undergo occipital nerve decompression for treatment of migraine headaches due to occipital neuralgia have already exhausted medical options for treatment. When surgical decompression fails, it is unknown how best to help these patients. We examine our experience performing greater occipital nerve (GON) excision for pain relief in this select, refractory group of patients. A retrospective chart review supplemented by a follow-up survey was performed on all patients under the care of the senior author who had undergone GON excision after failing occipital nerve decompression. Headache severity was measured by the migraine headache index (MHI) and disability by the migraine disability assessment. Success rate was considered the percentage of patients who experienced a 50% or greater reduction in MHI at final follow-up. Seventy-one of 108 patients responded to the follow-up survey and were included in the study. Average follow-up was 33 months. The success rate of surgery was 70.4%; 41% of patients showed a 90% or greater decrease in MHI. The MHI changed, on average, from 146 to 49, for an average reduction of 63% (P < 0.001). Migraine disability assessment scores decreased by an average of 49% (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that a diagnosis of cervicogenic headache was associated with failure of surgery. The most common adverse effect was bothersome numbness or hypersensitivity in the denervated area, occurring in up to 31% of patients. Excision of the GON is a valid option for pain relief in patients with occipital headaches refractory to both medical treatment and surgical decompression. Potential risks include failure in patients with cervicogenic headache and hypersensitivity of the denervated area. To provide the best outcome to these patients who have failed all previous medical and surgical treatments, a multidisciplinary team approach remains critical.

  14. Obesity-related health impacts of fuel excise taxation- an evidence review and cost-effectiveness study.

    PubMed

    Brown, V; Moodie, M; Cobiac, L; Mantilla Herrera, A M; Carter, R

    2017-05-04

    Reducing automobile dependence and improving rates of active transport may reduce the impact of obesogenic environments, thereby decreasing population prevalence of obesity and other diseases where physical inactivity is a risk factor. Increasing the relative cost of driving by an increase in fuel taxation may therefore be a promising public health intervention for obesity prevention. A scoping review of the evidence for obesity or physical activity effect of changes in fuel price or taxation was undertaken. Potential health benefits of an increase in fuel excise taxation in Australia were quantified using Markov modelling to simulate obesity, injury and physical activity related health impacts of a fuel excise taxation intervention for the 2010 Australian population. Health adjusted life years (HALYs) gained and healthcare cost savings from diseases averted were estimated. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were reported and results were tested through sensitivity analysis. Limited evidence on the effect of policies such as fuel taxation on health-related behaviours currently exists. Only three studies were identified reporting associations between fuel price or taxation and obesity, whilst nine studies reported associations specifically with physical activity, walking or cycling. Estimates of the cross price elasticity of demand for public transport with respect to fuel price vary, with limited consensus within the literature on a probable range for the Australian context. Cost-effectiveness modelling of a AUD0.10 per litre increase in fuel excise taxation using a conservative estimate of cross price elasticity for public transport suggests that the intervention would be cost-effective from a limited societal perspective (237 HALYs gained, AUD2.6 M in healthcare cost savings), measured against a comparator of no additional increase in fuel excise. Under "best case" assumptions, the intervention would be more cost-effective (3181 HALYs gained, AUD34.2

  15. Polymerization by DNA polymerase eta is blocked by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) 1,3-d(GpTpG) cross-link: implications for cytotoxic effects in nucleotide excision repair-negative tumor cells.

    PubMed

    Chijiwa, Shotaro; Masutani, Chikahide; Hanaoka, Fumio; Iwai, Shigenori; Kuraoka, Isao

    2010-03-01

    cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) forms DNA adducts that interfere with replication and transcription. The most common adducts formed in vivo are 1,2-intrastrand d(GpG) cross-links (Pt-GG) and d(ApG) cross-links (Pt-AG), with minor amounts of 1,3-d(GpNpG) cross-links (Pt-GNG), interstrand cross-links and monoadducts. Although the relative contribution of these different adducts to toxicity is not known, literature implicates that Pt-GG and Pt-AG adducts block replication. Thus, nucleotide excision repair (NER), by which platinum adducts are excised, and translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), which permits adduct bypass, are thought to be associated with cisplatin resistance. Recent studies have reported that the clinical benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy is high if tumor cells express low levels of NER factors. To investigate the role of platinum-DNA adducts in mediating tumor cell survival by TLS, we examined whether 1,3-intrastrand d(GpTpG) platinum cross-links (Pt-GTG), which probably exist in NER-negative tumor cells but not in NER-positive tumor cells, are bypassed by the translesion DNA polymerase eta (pol eta), which is known to bypass Pt-GG. We show that pol eta can incorporate the correct deoxycytidine triphosphate opposite the first 3'-cross-linked G of Pt-GTG but cannot insert any nucleotides opposite the second intact T or the third 5'-cross-linked G of the adducts, thereby suggesting that TLS does not facilitate replication past Pt-GTG adducts. Thus, our findings implicate Pt-GNG adducts as mediating the cytotoxicity of platinum-DNA adducts in NER-negative tumors in vivo.

  16. Piezosurgery for Excision of Large Osteoid Osteoma.

    PubMed

    Gadre, Pushkar; Singh, Divya; Gadre, Kiran; Khan, Imran

    2016-10-01

    Osteoid osteoma, a rare benign osteoblastic tumor first described by Jaffe in 1935, is characterized as a small but painful lesion that mostly affects younger people. Usually benign and harmless, osteomas are removed for pain or esthetic reasons.Piezoelectric surgery is also increasingly being used effectively in major and minor osseous oral and maxillofacial surgeries, in delicate areas. It is used regularly for various procedures, including sinus lift procedures, bone graft harvesting, osteogenic distraction, ridge expansion, inferior alveolar nerve decompression and lateralization, cyst removal, dental extraction, and impacted tooth removal.The following report presents a patient of intraoral excision of a large osteoid osteoma from lingual aspect of mandibular lower border in the body region using piezoelectric surgery.

  17. Ensuring excision of intraductal lesions: marker placement at time of ductography.

    PubMed

    Woodward, Suzanne; Daly, Caroline P; Patterson, Stephanie K; Joe, Annette I; Helvie, Mark A

    2010-11-01

    To propose grid coordinate marker placement for patients with suspicious ductogram findings occult on routine workup. To compare the success of marker placement and wire localization (WL) with ductogram-guided WL. A retrospective search of radiology records identified all patients referred for ductography between January 2001 and May 2008. Results for 16 patients referred for ductogram-guided WL and 5 patients with grid coordinate marker placement at the time of ductography and subsequent WL were reviewed. Surgical pathology results and clinical follow-up were reviewed for concordance. Nine of 16 patients (56.3%) underwent successful ductogram-guided WL. Eight of nine patients had papillomas, one of which also had atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH). One of nine patients had ectatic ducts with inspisated debris. Seven patients who failed ductogram-guided WL eventually underwent open surgical biopsy. Four of seven patients had papillomas, one of which also had lobular carcinoma in situ. Remaining patients had ADH (1/7) and fibrocystic changes with chronic inflammation (3/7). All five (100%) patients with grid coordinate marker placement underwent successful WL and marker excision. Pathology results included three papillomas, papillary intraductal hyperplasia, and fibrocystic change. Grid coordinate marker placement at the time of abnormal ductogram provided an accurate method of localizing ductal abnormalities that are occult on routine workup, thus facilitating future WL. Marker placement obviated the need for repeat ductogram on the day of surgery and ensured surgical removal of the ductogram abnormality. Copyright © 2010 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Barriers and facilitators to disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a qualitative theory-based study.

    PubMed

    Voshaar, Marieke; Vriezekolk, Johanna; van Dulmen, Sandra; van den Bemt, Bart; van de Laar, Mart

    2016-10-21

    Although disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the cornerstone of treatment for inflammatory rheumatic diseases, medication adherence to DMARDs is often suboptimal. Effective interventions to improve adherence to DMARDs are lacking, and new targets are needed to improve adherence. The aim of the present study was to explore patients' barriers and facilitators of optimal DMARD use. These factors might be used as targets for adherence interventions. In a mixed method study design, patients (n = 120) with inflammatory arthritis (IA) completed a questionnaire based on an existing adapted Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to identify facilitators and barriers of DMARD use. A subgroup of these patients (n = 21) participated in focus groups to provide insights into their facilitators and barriers. The answers to the questionnaires and responses of the focus groups were thematically coded by three researchers independently and subsequently categorized. The barriers and facilitators that were reported by IA patients presented large inter-individual variations. The identified barriers and facilitators could be captured in the following domains based on an adapted TDF: (i) knowledge, (ii) emotions, (iii) attention, memory, and decision processes, (iv) social influences, (v) beliefs about capability, (vi) beliefs about consequences, (vii) motivation and goals, (viii) goal conflict, (ix) environmental context and resources, and (x) skills. Patients with IA have a variety of barriers and facilitators with regard to their DMARD use. All of these barriers and facilitators could be categorized into adapted domains of the TDF. Interventions that address individual facilitators and barriers, based on capability, opportunity, and motivation, are needed to develop strategies for medication adherence that are tailored to individual patient needs.

  19. A Pilot Study: Facilitating Cross-Cultural Understanding with Project-Based Collaborative Learning in an Online Environment

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shadiev, Rustam; Hwang, Wu-Yuin; Huang, Yueh-Min

    2015-01-01

    This study investigated three aspects: how project-based collaborative learning facilitates cross-cultural understanding; how students perceive project-based collaborative learning implementation in a collaborative cyber community (3C) online environment; and what types of communication among students are used. A qualitative case study approach…

  20. Protein analysis through Western blot of cells excised individually from human brain and muscle tissue

    PubMed Central

    Koob, A.O.; Bruns, L.; Prassler, C.; Masliah, E.; Klopstock, T.; Bender, A.

    2016-01-01

    Comparing protein levels from single cells in tissue has not been achieved through Western blot. Laser capture microdissection allows for the ability to excise single cells from sectioned tissue and compile an aggregate of cells in lysis buffer. In this study we analyzed proteins from cells excised individually from brain and muscle tissue through Western blot. After we excised individual neurons from the substantia nigra of the brain, the accumulated surface area of the individual cells was 120,000, 24,000, 360,000, 480,000, 600,000 μm2. We used an optimized Western blot protocol to probe for tyrosine hydroxylase in this cell pool. We also took 360,000 μm2 of astrocytes (1700 cells) and analyzed the specificity of the method. In muscle we were able to analyze the proteins of the five complexes of the electron transport chain through Western blot from 200 human cells. With this method, we demonstrate the ability to compare cell-specific protein levels in the brain and muscle and describe for the first time how to visualize proteins through Western blot from cells captured individually. PMID:22402104

  1. Protein analysis through Western blot of cells excised individually from human brain and muscle tissue.

    PubMed

    Koob, A O; Bruns, L; Prassler, C; Masliah, E; Klopstock, T; Bender, A

    2012-06-15

    Comparing protein levels from single cells in tissue has not been achieved through Western blot. Laser capture microdissection allows for the ability to excise single cells from sectioned tissue and compile an aggregate of cells in lysis buffer. In this study we analyzed proteins from cells excised individually from brain and muscle tissue through Western blot. After we excised individual neurons from the substantia nigra of the brain, the accumulated surface area of the individual cells was 120,000, 24,000, 360,000, 480,000, 600,000 μm2. We used an optimized Western blot protocol to probe for tyrosine hydroxylase in this cell pool. We also took 360,000 μm2 of astrocytes (1700 cells) and analyzed the specificity of the method. In muscle we were able to analyze the proteins of the five complexes of the electron transport chain through Western blot from 200 human cells. With this method, we demonstrate the ability to compare cell-specific protein levels in the brain and muscle and describe for the first time how to visualize proteins through Western blot from cells captured individually. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Contextual Facilitators and Maintaining of Compassion-Based Care: An Ethnographic Study.

    PubMed

    Babaei, Sima; Taleghani, Fariba; Keyvanara, Mahmoud

    2017-01-01

    Compassion is an important part of nursing. It fosters better relationships between nurses and their patients. Moreover, it gives patients more confidence in the care they receive. Determining facilitators of compassion are essential to holistic care. The purpose of this study was to explore these facilitators. This ethnographic study was conducted in 2014-2015 with 20 nurses, 12 patients, and 4 family members in the medical and surgical wards. Data collection was done through observations and in-depth semi-structured interviews with purposive sampling. The study was carried out in 15 months. Data analysis was performed using constant comparison based on Strauss and Corbin. Data analysis defined three main themes and eight subthemes as the fundamentals of compassion-based care. Nurses' personal factors with subcategories of personality, attitudes, and values and holistic view; and socio-cultural factors with subcategories of kindness role model, religious, and cultural values are needed to elicit compassionate behaviors. Initiator factors, with subcategories of patient suffering, patient communication demands, and patient emotional and psychological necessity are also needed to start compassionate behaviors. The findings of this study showed that nurses' communication with patients is nurse's duty in order to understand and respect the needs of patients. Attention should be paid to issues relating to compassion in nursing and practice educational programs. Indeed, creating a care environment with compassion, regardless of any shortcomings in the work condition, would help in the development of effective nursing.

  3. Simulating the impact of excise taxation for disease prevention in low-income and middle-income countries: an application to South Africa

    PubMed Central

    Summan, Amit; Tugendhaft, Aviva; Laxminarayan, Ramanan; Hofman, Karen

    2018-01-01

    Introduction Excise taxes are policy tools that have been applied internationally with some success to reduce consumption of products adversely impacting population health including tobacco, alcohol and increasingly junk foods and sugary beverages. As in other low-income and middle-income countries, South Africa faces a growing burden of lifestyle diseases; accordingly we simulate the impact of multiple excise tax interventions in this setting. Methods We construct a mathematical model to simulate the health and revenue effects of increased excise taxes, which is adaptable to a variety of settings given its limited data requirements. Applying the model to South Africa, we simulate the impact of increased tax rates on tobacco and beer and of the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). Drawing on surveys of product usage and risk factor prevalence, the model uses a potential impact fraction to simulate the health effects of tax interventions. Results Adopting an excise rate of 60% on tobacco would result in a gain of 858 923 life-years (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 480 188 to 1 310 329), while adopting an excise rate of 25% on beer would result in a gain of 568 063 life-years (95% UI 412 110 to 775 560) and the adoption of a 20% tax on SSBs would result in a gain of 688 719 life-years (95% UI 321 788 to 1 079 653). Conclusion More aggressive excise tax policies on tobacco, beer and SSBs in South Africa could result in meaningful improvements in population health and raised revenue. PMID:29515917

  4. Simulating the impact of excise taxation for disease prevention in low-income and middle-income countries: an application to South Africa.

    PubMed

    Stacey, Nicholas; Summan, Amit; Tugendhaft, Aviva; Laxminarayan, Ramanan; Hofman, Karen

    2018-01-01

    Excise taxes are policy tools that have been applied internationally with some success to reduce consumption of products adversely impacting population health including tobacco, alcohol and increasingly junk foods and sugary beverages. As in other low-income and middle-income countries, South Africa faces a growing burden of lifestyle diseases; accordingly we simulate the impact of multiple excise tax interventions in this setting. We construct a mathematical model to simulate the health and revenue effects of increased excise taxes, which is adaptable to a variety of settings given its limited data requirements. Applying the model to South Africa, we simulate the impact of increased tax rates on tobacco and beer and of the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). Drawing on surveys of product usage and risk factor prevalence, the model uses a potential impact fraction to simulate the health effects of tax interventions. Adopting an excise rate of 60% on tobacco would result in a gain of 858 923 life-years (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 480 188 to 1 310 329), while adopting an excise rate of 25% on beer would result in a gain of 568 063 life-years (95% UI 412 110 to 775 560) and the adoption of a 20% tax on SSBs would result in a gain of 688 719 life-years (95% UI 321 788 to 1 079 653). More aggressive excise tax policies on tobacco, beer and SSBs in South Africa could result in meaningful improvements in population health and raised revenue.

  5. Intralesional excision with topical intralesional cryotherapy improves the treatment of keloid scarring in a paediatric patient.

    PubMed

    Reissis, D; Tickunas, T; Agha, R A; Greig, Avh

    2017-11-01

    Recurrent keloid scarring has a significant impact on quality of life. Management is complex, particularly for scars resistant to conventional treatments and in paediatric cases where radiotherapy is not a suitable adjunct to surgical excision. We present the case of a nine-year-old African Caribbean girl with multiple large and recurrent keloid scars on both ears and bilateral sensorineural deafness. Following repeated intralesional excisions, corticosteroid and botulinum toxin injections, she continued to experience rapid recurrence of her keloids, worsening pain and pruritus. She was no longer able to wear her hearing aids because of the large size of the keloids. We employed a novel technique using topical intralesional cryotherapy, applying liquid nitrogen intraoperatively to the inside of the skin flaps immediately post-intralesional keloid excision and before wound closure. At 26-month follow-up a good aesthetic and symptomatic result was achieved, with minimal hypopigmentation, significantly reduced scar volume and significantly slowed recurrence. We discuss this case and review the current literature on the use of topical intralesional cryotherapy for keloid scarring.

  6. Microbiological sampling of swine carcasses: a comparison of data obtained by swabbing with medical gauze and data collected routinely by excision at Swedish abattoirs.

    PubMed

    Lindblad, M

    2007-09-15

    Swab sample data from a 13-month microbiological baseline study of swine carcasses at Swedish abattoirs were combined with excision sample data collected routinely at five abattoirs. The aim was to compare the numbers of total aerobic counts, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia coli, recovered by swabbing four carcass sites with gauze (total area 400 cm2) with those obtained by excision at equivalent sites (total area 20 cm2). The results are considered in relation to the process hygiene criteria that are stated in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005. These criteria apply only to destructive sampling of total aerobic counts and Enterobacteriaceae, but alternative sampling schemes, as well as alternative indicator organisms such as E. coli, are allowed if equivalent guarantees of food safety can be provided. Swab sampling resulted in higher mean log numbers of total aerobic counts at four of the five abattoirs, compared with excision, and lower or equal standard deviations at all abattoirs. The percentage of swab and excision samples positive for Enterobacteriaceae at the different abattoirs ranged from 68 to 100% and 15 to 24%, respectively. Similarly, the percentages of swab samples that were positive for E. coli were higher than the percentages of positive excision samples (range 52 to 84% and 3 to 14%, respectively). Due to the low percentage of positive excision results, the mean log numbers of Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli were only compared at two and one abattoirs, respectively, using log probability regression to substitute censored observations. Higher mean log numbers of Enterobacteriaceae were recovered by swabbing compared with excision at one abattoir, whereas the numbers of Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli did not differ significantly between sampling methods at one abattoir. This study suggests that the same process hygiene criteria as those stipulated for excision can be used for swabbing with gauze without compromising food safety. For

  7. Meiotic DNA Metabolism in Wild-Type and Excision-Deficient Yeast following Uv Exposure

    PubMed Central

    Resnick, Michael A.; Stasiewicz, Stanley; Game, John C.

    1983-01-01

    The effects of UV irradiation on DNA metabolism during meiosis have been examined in wild-type (RAD+) and mitotically defined excision-defective (rad1-1) strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that exhibit high levels of sporulation. The rad1-1 gene product is not required for normal meiosis: DNA synthesis, RNA synthesis, size of parental and newly synthesized DNA and sporulation are comparable in RAD+ and rad1-1 strains. Cells were UV irradiated at the beginning of meiosis, and the fate of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers as well as changes in DNA and DNA synthesis were followed during meiosis. Excision repair of pyrimidine dimers can occur during meiosis and the RAD1 gene product is required; alternate excision pathways do not exist. Although the rate of elongation is decreased, the presence of pyrimidine dimers during meiosis in the rad1-1 strain does not block meiotic DNA synthesis suggesting a bypass mechanism. The final size of DNA is about five times the distance between pyrimidine dimers after exposure to 4 J/m2. Since pyrimidine dimers induced in parental strands of rad1-1 prior to premeiotic DNA synthesis do not become associated with newly synthesized DNA, the mechanism for replicational bypass does not appear to involve a recombinational process. The absence of such association indicates that normal meiotic recombination is also suppressed by UV-induced damage in DNA; this result at the molecular level is supported by observations at the genetic level. PMID:6352404

  8. Functional Polymorphisms of Base Excision Repair Genes XRCC1 and APEX1 Predict Risk of Radiation Pneumonitis in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Definitive Radiation Therapy

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

    Yin Ming; Liao Zhongxing; Liu Zhensheng

    2011-11-01

    Purpose: To explore whether functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of base-excision repair genes are predictors of radiation treatment-related pneumonitis (RP), we investigated associations between functional SNPs of ADPRT, APEX1, and XRCC1 and RP development. Methods and Materials: We genotyped SNPs of ADPRT (rs1136410 [V762A]), XRCC1 (rs1799782 [R194W], rs25489 [R280H], and rs25487 [Q399R]), and APEX1 (rs1130409 [D148E]) in 165 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received definitive chemoradiation therapy. Results were assessed by both Logistic and Cox regression models for RP risk. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated for the cumulative RP probability by the genotypes. Results: We found that SNPsmore » of XRCC1 Q399R and APEX1 D148E each had a significant effect on the development of Grade {>=}2 RP (XRCC1: AA vs. GG, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.24-0.97; APEX1: GG vs. TT, adjusted HR = 3.61, 95% CI, 1.64-7.93) in an allele-dose response manner (Trend tests: p = 0.040 and 0.001, respectively). The number of the combined protective XRCC1 A and APEX1 T alleles (from 0 to 4) also showed a significant trend of predicting RP risk (p = 0.001). Conclusions: SNPs of the base-excision repair genes may be biomarkers for susceptibility to RP. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.« less

  9. Management of post-traumatic elbow instability after failed radial head excision: A case report.

    PubMed

    Touloupakis, Georgios; Theodorakis, Emmanouil; Favetti, Fabio; Nannerini, Massimiliano

    2017-02-01

    Radial head excision has always been a safe commonly used surgical procedure with a satisfactory clinical outcome for isolated comminuted radial head fractures. However, diagnosis of elbow instability is still very challenging and often underestimated in routine orthopaedic evaluation. We present the case of a 21-years old female treated with excision after radial head fracture, resulting in elbow instability. The patient underwent revision surgery after four weeks. We believe that ligament reconstruction without radial head substitution is a safe alternative choice for Mason III radial head fractures accompanied by complex ligament lesions. Copyright © 2017 Daping Hospital and the Research Institute of Surgery of the Third Military Medical University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Nonlinear dynamic analysis of voices before and after surgical excision of vocal polyps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Yu; McGilligan, Clancy; Zhou, Liang; Vig, Mark; Jiang, Jack J.

    2004-05-01

    Phase space reconstruction, correlation dimension, and second-order entropy, methods from nonlinear dynamics, are used to analyze sustained vowels generated by patients before and after surgical excision of vocal polyps. Two conventional acoustic perturbation parameters, jitter and shimmer, are also employed to analyze voices before and after surgery. Presurgical and postsurgical analyses of jitter, shimmer, correlation dimension, and second-order entropy are statistically compared. Correlation dimension and second-order entropy show a statistically significant decrease after surgery, indicating reduced complexity and higher predictability of postsurgical voice dynamics. There is not a significant postsurgical difference in shimmer, although jitter shows a significant postsurgical decrease. The results suggest that jitter and shimmer should be applied to analyze disordered voices with caution; however, nonlinear dynamic methods may be useful for analyzing abnormal vocal function and quantitatively evaluating the effects of surgical excision of vocal polyps.

  11. Differential role of Wnt signaling and base excision repair pathways in gastric adenocarcinoma aggressiveness.

    PubMed

    Korourian, Alireza; Roudi, Raheleh; Shariftabrizi, Ahmad; Kalantari, Elham; Sotoodeh, Kambiz; Madjd, Zahra

    2017-11-01

    Aberrant activation of Wnt and base excision repair (BER) signaling pathways are implicated in tumor progression and chemotherapy resistance in gastric adenocarcinoma. This study was conducted to clarify the role of E2F6 and RhoA, components of the Wnt signaling pathway, and SMUG1, a component of the BER pathway in gastric adenocarcinoma. Expression levels and clinicopathological significance of three biomarkers, namely E2F6, RhoA, and SMUG1, as potential signaling molecules involved in tumorigenesis and aggressive behavior, were examined using tissue microarray. Our analysis showed a relative increase in the expression of E2F6 in gastric adenocarcinoma with no lymph node metastasis (χ 2 , P = 0.04 and OR, P = 0.08), while overexpression of RhoA and SMUG1 was found more often in the diffuse subtype of gastric adenocarcinoma as compared to the intestinal subtype (χ 2 , P = 0.05, OR, P = 0.08 and χ 2 , P = 0.001, OR, P = 0.009, respectively). Higher expression of RhoA was frequently seen in tumors with vascular invasion (χ 2 , P = 0.01 and OR, P = 0.01). In addition, increased expression of SMUG1 was found more often in poorly differentiated tumors (χ 2 , P = 0.01 and OR, P = 0.01). The distinct phenotype of E2F6 Low /SMUG1 High was more common in poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.04) and with omental involvement (P = 0.01). The RhoA High /SMUG1 High expression pattern was significantly more often found in diffuse subtype compared to the intestinal subtype (P = 0.001) as well as in poorly differentiated tumors (P = 0.004). The E2F6 Low /SMUG1 High and RhoA High /SMUG1 High phenotypes can be considered as aggressive phenotypes of gastric adenocarcinoma. Our findings also demonstrated the synergistic effect of RhoA and SMUG1 in conferring tumor aggressiveness in diffuse subtype of gastric adenocarcinoma.

  12. Measuring Rates of Herbicide Metabolism in Dicot Weeds with an Excised Leaf Assay.

    PubMed

    Ma, Rong; Skelton, Joshua J; Riechers, Dean E

    2015-09-07

    In order to isolate and accurately determine rates of herbicide metabolism in an obligate-outcrossing dicot weed, waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus), we developed an excised leaf assay combined with a vegetative cloning strategy to normalize herbicide uptake and remove translocation as contributing factors in herbicide-resistant (R) and -sensitive (S) waterhemp populations. Biokinetic analyses of organic pesticides in plants typically include the determination of uptake, translocation (delivery to the target site), metabolic fate, and interactions with the target site. Herbicide metabolism is an important parameter to measure in herbicide-resistant weeds and herbicide-tolerant crops, and is typically accomplished with whole-plant tests using radiolabeled herbicides. However, one difficulty with interpreting biokinetic parameters derived from whole-plant methods is that translocation is often affected by rates of herbicide metabolism, since polar metabolites are usually not mobile within the plant following herbicide detoxification reactions. Advantages of the protocol described in this manuscript include reproducible, accurate, and rapid determination of herbicide degradation rates in R and S populations, a substantial decrease in the amount of radiolabeled herbicide consumed, a large reduction in radiolabeled plant materials requiring further handling and disposal, and the ability to perform radiolabeled herbicide experiments in the lab or growth chamber instead of a greenhouse. As herbicide resistance continues to develop and spread in dicot weed populations worldwide, the excised leaf assay method developed and described herein will provide an invaluable technique for investigating non-target site-based resistance due to enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism and detoxification.

  13. Measuring Rates of Herbicide Metabolism in Dicot Weeds with an Excised Leaf Assay

    PubMed Central

    Ma, Rong; Skelton, Joshua J.; Riechers, Dean E.

    2015-01-01

    In order to isolate and accurately determine rates of herbicide metabolism in an obligate-outcrossing dicot weed, waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus), we developed an excised leaf assay combined with a vegetative cloning strategy to normalize herbicide uptake and remove translocation as contributing factors in herbicide-resistant (R) and –sensitive (S) waterhemp populations. Biokinetic analyses of organic pesticides in plants typically include the determination of uptake, translocation (delivery to the target site), metabolic fate, and interactions with the target site. Herbicide metabolism is an important parameter to measure in herbicide-resistant weeds and herbicide-tolerant crops, and is typically accomplished with whole-plant tests using radiolabeled herbicides. However, one difficulty with interpreting biokinetic parameters derived from whole-plant methods is that translocation is often affected by rates of herbicide metabolism, since polar metabolites are usually not mobile within the plant following herbicide detoxification reactions. Advantages of the protocol described in this manuscript include reproducible, accurate, and rapid determination of herbicide degradation rates in R and S populations, a substantial decrease in the amount of radiolabeled herbicide consumed, a large reduction in radiolabeled plant materials requiring further handling and disposal, and the ability to perform radiolabeled herbicide experiments in the lab or growth chamber instead of a greenhouse. As herbicide resistance continues to develop and spread in dicot weed populations worldwide, the excised leaf assay method developed and described herein will provide an invaluable technique for investigating non-target site-based resistance due to enhanced rates of herbicide metabolism and detoxification. PMID:26383604

  14. Active transcriptomic and proteomic reprogramming in the C. elegans nucleotide excision repair mutant xpa-1.

    PubMed

    Arczewska, Katarzyna D; Tomazella, Gisele G; Lindvall, Jessica M; Kassahun, Henok; Maglioni, Silvia; Torgovnick, Alessandro; Henriksson, Johan; Matilainen, Olli; Marquis, Bryce J; Nelson, Bryant C; Jaruga, Pawel; Babaie, Eshrat; Holmberg, Carina I; Bürglin, Thomas R; Ventura, Natascia; Thiede, Bernd; Nilsen, Hilde

    2013-05-01

    Transcription-blocking oxidative DNA damage is believed to contribute to aging and to underlie activation of oxidative stress responses and down-regulation of insulin-like signaling (ILS) in Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) deficient mice. Here, we present the first quantitative proteomic description of the Caenorhabditis elegans NER-defective xpa-1 mutant and compare the proteome and transcriptome signatures. Both methods indicated activation of oxidative stress responses, which was substantiated biochemically by a bioenergetic shift involving increased steady-state reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. We identify the lesion-detection enzymes of Base Excision Repair (NTH-1) and global genome NER (XPC-1 and DDB-1) as upstream requirements for transcriptomic reprogramming as RNA-interference mediated depletion of these enzymes prevented up-regulation of genes over-expressed in the xpa-1 mutant. The transcription factors SKN-1 and SLR-2, but not DAF-16, were identified as effectors of reprogramming. As shown in human XPA cells, the levels of transcription-blocking 8,5'-cyclo-2'-deoxyadenosine lesions were reduced in the xpa-1 mutant compared to the wild type. Hence, accumulation of cyclopurines is unlikely to be sufficient for reprogramming. Instead, our data support a model where the lesion-detection enzymes NTH-1, XPC-1 and DDB-1 play active roles to generate a genomic stress signal sufficiently strong to result in transcriptomic reprogramming in the xpa-1 mutant.

  15. Dignity and deferral narratives as strategies in facilitated technology-based support groups for people with advanced cancer.

    PubMed

    Street, Annette F; Wakelin, Kate; Hordern, Amanda; Bruce, Nicola; Horey, Dell

    2012-01-01

    This paper examines the value of facilitated telephone and online support groups for palliative care. Telephone interviews were conducted with twenty people living with advanced cancer who had participated in either a telephone or online support group facilitated by the Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. Two dominant participant narratives emerged: a focus on dying with dignity or an interest in deferring discussion of death and dying to focus on the present. Despite the different approaches, participants found the technology-based support groups to be accessible and safe environments in which to discuss difficult topics in privacy. Technology-based strategies provide opportunities for health professionals to provide social and emotional care to more people by moving beyond individualised care and facilitate peer-to-peer support at the end of life, especially to those with specific needs. Such options are feasible for palliative care services to set up and acceptable to a group of clients, especially for younger clients or those socially or geographically isolated.

  16. Dignity and Deferral Narratives as Strategies in Facilitated Technology-Based Support Groups for People with Advanced Cancer

    PubMed Central

    Street, Annette F.; Wakelin, Kate; Hordern, Amanda; Bruce, Nicola; Horey, Dell

    2012-01-01

    This paper examines the value of facilitated telephone and online support groups for palliative care. Telephone interviews were conducted with twenty people living with advanced cancer who had participated in either a telephone or online support group facilitated by the Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. Two dominant participant narratives emerged: a focus on dying with dignity or an interest in deferring discussion of death and dying to focus on the present. Despite the different approaches, participants found the technology-based support groups to be accessible and safe environments in which to discuss difficult topics in privacy. Technology-based strategies provide opportunities for health professionals to provide social and emotional care to more people by moving beyond individualised care and facilitate peer-to-peer support at the end of life, especially to those with specific needs. Such options are feasible for palliative care services to set up and acceptable to a group of clients, especially for younger clients or those socially or geographically isolated. PMID:22530115

  17. Self-excising Cre/mutant lox marker recycling system for multiple gene integrations and consecutive gene deletions in Aspergillus oryzae.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Silai; Ban, Akihiko; Ebara, Naoki; Mizutani, Osamu; Tanaka, Mizuki; Shintani, Takahiro; Gomi, Katsuya

    2017-04-01

    In this study, we developed a self-excising Cre/loxP-mediated marker recycling system with mutated lox sequences to introduce a number of biosynthetic genes into Aspergillus oryzae. To construct the self-excising marker cassette, both the selectable marker, the Aspergillus nidulans adeA gene, and the Cre recombinase gene (cre), conditionally expressed by the xylanase-encoding gene promoter, were designed to be located between the mutant lox sequences, lox66 and lox71. However, construction of the plasmid failed, possibly owing to a slight expression of cre downstream of the fungal gene promoter in Escherichia coli. Hence, to avoid the excision of the cassette in E. coli, a 71-bp intron of the A. oryzae xynG2 gene was inserted into the cre gene. The A. oryzae adeA deletion mutant was transformed with the resulting plasmid in the presence of glucose, and the transformants were cultured in medium containing xylose as the sole carbon source. PCR analysis of genomic DNA from resultant colonies revealed the excision of both the marker and Cre expression construct, indicating that the self-excising marker cassette was efficient at removing the selectable marker. Using the marker recycling system, hyperproduction of kojic acid could be achieved in A. oryzae by the introduction of two genes that encode oxidoreductase and transporter. Furthermore, we also constructed an alternative marker recycling cassette bearing the A. nidulans pyrithiamine resistant gene (ptrA) as a dominant selectable marker. Copyright © 2017 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Reflective type objective based spectral-domain phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography for high-sensitive structural and functional imaging of cochlear microstructures through intact bone of an excised guinea pig cochlea

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Subhash, Hrebesh M.; Wang, Ruikang K.; Chen, Fangyi; Nuttall, Alfred L.

    2013-03-01

    Most of the optical coherence tomographic (OCT) systems for high resolution imaging of biological specimens are based on refractive type microscope objectives, which are optimized for specific wave length of the optical source. In this study, we present the feasibility of using commercially available reflective type objective for high sensitive and high resolution structural and functional imaging of cochlear microstructures of an excised guinea pig through intact temporal bone. Unlike conventional refractive type microscopic objective, reflective objective are free from chromatic aberrations due to their all-reflecting nature and can support a broadband of spectrum with very high light collection efficiency.

  19. Base excision repair genes and risk of lung cancer among San Francisco Bay Area Latinos and African-Americans

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Jeffrey S.; Wrensch, Margaret R.; Hansen, Helen M.; Sison, Jennette D.; Aldrich, Melinda C.; Quesenberry, Charles P.; Seldin, Michael F.; Kelsey, Karl T.; Wiencke, John K.

    2009-01-01

    Base excision repair (BER) is the primary DNA damage repair mechanism for repairing small base lesions resulting from oxidation and alkylation damage. This study examines the association between 24 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) belonging to five BER genes (XRCC1, APEX1, PARP1, MUTYH and OGG1) and lung cancer among Latinos (113 cases and 299 controls) and African-Americans (255 cases and 280 controls). The goal was to evaluate the differences in genetic contribution to lung cancer risk by ethnic groups. Analyses of individual SNPs and haplotypes were performed using unconditional logistic regressions adjusted for age, sex and genetic ancestry. Four SNPs among Latinos and one SNP among African-Americans were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with either risk of all lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, only the association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln (rs25487) and NSCLC among Latinos (odds ratio associated with every copy of Gln = 1.52; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–2.28) had a false-positive report probability of <0.5. Arg399Gln is a SNP with some functional evidence and has been shown previously to be an important SNP associated with lung cancer, mostly for Asians. Since the analyses were adjusted for genetic ancestry, the observed association between Arg399Gln and NSCLC among Latinos is unlikely to be confounded by population stratification; however, this result needs to be confirmed by additional studies among the Latino population. This study suggests that there are genetic differences in the association between BER pathway and lung cancer between Latinos and African-Americans. PMID:19029194

  20. Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa. Excision with full-thickness skin grafting of the penis, scrotum, and perineal area.

    PubMed

    Judge, Nathan; Kilic, Ali

    2016-11-13

    Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa is a rare cutaneous complication of chronic lymphatic obstruction. It is most commonly caused by bacterial infection, trauma, neoplasia, obesity, and venous stasis. In this report, we describe a case of elephantiasis nostras verrucosa involving the scrotum and perineal area in a 32-year-old. The lesions were excised, and full-thickness skin grafting of the penis, scrotum, and perineal skin was performed. This case demonstrates the efficacy of excision with full-thickness skin grafting of the penis, scrotum, and perineal area in a patient with elephantiasis nostras verrucosa confined to the scrotum and perineal region.

  1. Comparison of Efficacy of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser with Cutting Diathermy in Surgical Excision of Early Carcinoma Tongue.

    PubMed

    Rashid, Muhammad; Hashmi, Muhammad Ali; Maqbool, Shahzad; Dastigir, Majid

    2015-10-01

    To compare the efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser with cutting diathermy as a cutting device in surgical excision of early carcinoma tongue. Experimental study. Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi and CMH, Lahore, from July 2008 to July 2011. Twenty two biopsy proven cases of T(1) and early T(2) squamous cell carcinoma of tongue were divided in two equal groups of 11 each labeled as A and B. Tumor was excised by CO(2) laser in group A while cutting diathermy was done in group B. For both groups tumor excision time, per-operative blood loss, postoperative oral swelling and pain was recorded. Excision time of tumor was assessed in minutes and amount of blood loss in milliliters till complete hemostasis after removal of primary tumor. Postoperatively patients were assessed on 12 hourly basis for 48 hours for pain. Pain was analyzed on visual analogue score 1 - 10. Oral swelling was assessed once after 24 hours and labeled as mild, moderate and severe. Independent sample t-test was applied for analysis of excision time, postoperative pain and per-operative blood loss for both groups. Postoperative swelling was analyzed using Fisher's exact test. P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. The mean age at diagnosis in group A was 49.36 ± 5.27 years, while in group B patients had mean age of 50.73 ± 8.13 years. In group A, 4/11 (36.3%) patients were having tumor stage T(1) while 7/11 (63.6%) had T(2) stage tumor. In group B, 5/11 (45.4%) were having T1 and 6/11 (54.5%) were having stage T(2) tumor. Excision time was significantly shorter for group B (p=0.003), but group A had less postoperative pain (p=0.001), less per-operative blood loss (p=0.001) and less postoperative oral swelling (p=0.021). Early carcinoma tongue is better removed by laser than electrocautery in terms of postoperative morbidity, per-operative blood loss, postoperative pain and oral swelling.

  2. The Effectiveness of Adopting E-Readers to Facilitate EFL Students' Process-Based Academic Writing

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hung, Hui-Chun; Young, Shelley Shwu-Ching

    2015-01-01

    English as Foreign Language (EFL) students face additional difficulties for academic writing largely due to their level of language competency. An appropriate structural process of writing can help students develop their academic writing skills. This study explored the use of the e-readers to facilitate EFL students' process-based academic…

  3. Tri-modal confocal mosaics detect residual invasive squamous cell carcinoma in Mohs surgical excisions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gareau, Dan; Bar, Anna; Snaveley, Nicholas; Lee, Ken; Chen, Nathaniel; Swanson, Neil; Simpson, Eric; Jacques, Steve

    2012-06-01

    For rapid, intra-operative pathological margin assessment to guide staged cancer excisions, multimodal confocal mosaic scan image wide surgical margins (approximately 1 cm) with sub-cellular resolution and mimic the appearance of conventional hematoxylin and eosin histopathology (H&E). The goal of this work is to combine three confocal imaging modes: acridine orange fluorescence (AO) for labeling nuclei, eosin fluorescence (Eo) for labeling cytoplasm, and endogenous reflectance (R) for marking collagen and keratin. Absorption contrast is achieved by alternating the excitation wavelength: 488 nm (AO fluorescence) and 532 nm (Eo fluorescence). Superposition and false-coloring of these modes mimics H&E, enabling detection of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). The sum of mosaic Eo+R is false-colored pink to mimic the appearance of eosin, while the AO mosaic is false-colored purple to mimic the appearance of hematoxylin in H&E. In this study, mosaics of 10 Mohs surgical excisions containing invasive SCC, and five containing only normal tissue were subdivided for digital presentation equivalent to 4× histology. Of the total 50 SCC and 25 normal sub-mosaics presented, two reviewers made two and three type-2 errors (false positives), respectively. Limitations to precisely mimic H&E included occasional elastin staining by AO. These results suggest that confocal mosaics may effectively guide staged SCC excisions in skin and other tissues.

  4. Tri-modal confocal mosaics detect residual invasive squamous cell carcinoma in Mohs surgical excisions

    PubMed Central

    Bar, Anna; Snaveley, Nicholas; Lee, Ken; Chen, Nathaniel; Swanson, Neil; Simpson, Eric; Jacques, Steve

    2012-01-01

    Abstract. For rapid, intra-operative pathological margin assessment to guide staged cancer excisions, multimodal confocal mosaic scan image wide surgical margins (approximately 1 cm) with sub-cellular resolution and mimic the appearance of conventional hematoxylin and eosin histopathology (H&E). The goal of this work is to combine three confocal imaging modes: acridine orange fluorescence (AO) for labeling nuclei, eosin fluorescence (Eo) for labeling cytoplasm, and endogenous reflectance (R) for marking collagen and keratin. Absorption contrast is achieved by alternating the excitation wavelength: 488 nm (AO fluorescence) and 532 nm (Eo fluorescence). Superposition and false-coloring of these modes mimics H&E, enabling detection of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). The sum of mosaic Eo+R is false-colored pink to mimic the appearance of eosin, while the AO mosaic is false-colored purple to mimic the appearance of hematoxylin in H&E. In this study, mosaics of 10 Mohs surgical excisions containing invasive SCC, and five containing only normal tissue were subdivided for digital presentation equivalent to 4× histology. Of the total 50 SCC and 25 normal sub-mosaics presented, two reviewers made two and three type-2 errors (false positives), respectively. Limitations to precisely mimic H&E included occasional elastin staining by AO. These results suggest that confocal mosaics may effectively guide staged SCC excisions in skin and other tissues. PMID:22734774

  5. The Effect of Vocal Fold Inferior Surface Hypertrophy on Voice Function in Excised Canine Larynges.

    PubMed

    Wang, Ruiqing; Bao, Huijing; Xu, Xinlin; Piotrowski, David; Zhang, Yu; Zhuang, Peiyun

    2017-08-18

    This study aimed to explore the changes in vocal fold inferior surface hypertrophy (VFISH) on vocal fold vibration by aerodynamic and acoustic analysis. The present study allows us to gain new insights into the subglottal convergence angle (SCA), which will change with VFISH. The study is prospective, and designed for repeated measures with each excised canine larynx serving as own control. Three degrees of VFISH, initial, mild, and severe, were simulated by injecting different doses of fructose injections into the inferior surface of the vocal folds of 10 excised canine larynges. Computed tomographic images of the larynx were gathered, and three-dimensional models of the airway and vocal folds were reconstructed using the Mimics software. The SCA was measured from the reconstructed models. Phonation threshold flow (PTF), phonation threshold pressure (PTP), and mean flow rate (MFR) were recorded directly in the excised canine larynx phonation setup. Glottal resistance (GR), sound pressure level (SPL), fundamental frequency (F0), and formants 1-4 (F1-4) were measured when subglottal pressure (P sub ) was at 1.5 kPa or 2.5 kPa, separately. Using ordinary one-way analysis of variance, we compared the aerodynamic outcomes and voice quality among the three groups of hypertrophy. The SCA, PTP, and PTF increased with the degree of VFISH. When the P sub was controlled at 1.5 kPa or 2.5 kPa, F0 also increased significantly with the degree of VFISH of the excised canine larynges. The MFR, GR, SPL, and F1-4 had little change between the three groups and were not significantly different. The VFISH makes onset phonation more difficult, increases the SCA, and increases the F0 in sustained phonation. Copyright © 2017 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Successful Surgical Excision of a Large Cardiac Fibroma in an Asymptomatic Child.

    PubMed

    Borodinova, Olga; Ostras, Oleksii; Raad, Tammo; Yemets, Illya

    2017-03-01

    Cardiac fibroma is a rare disease, and the management of asymptomatic patients is controversial. We report a case of successful surgical excision of a large cardiac fibroma in an asymptomatic child. Surgery should be considered for such a patient, as sudden cardiac death may occur in the absence of premonitory symptoms.

  7. Community-Based Health Programmes: Role Perceptions and Experiences of Female Peer Facilitators in Mumbai's Urban Slums

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Alcock, Glyn A.; More, Neena Shah; Patil, Sarita; Porel, Maya; Vaidya, Leena; Osrin, David

    2009-01-01

    Community-based initiatives have become a popular approach to addressing the health needs of underserved populations, in both low- and higher-income countries. This article presents findings from a study of female peer facilitators involved in a community-based maternal and newborn health intervention in urban slum areas of Mumbai. Using…

  8. Function and quality of life after transanal excision of rectal polyps and cancers.

    PubMed

    Fenech, Darlene S; Takahashi, Takeshi; Liu, Maria; Spencer, Leia; Swallow, Carol J; Cohen, Zane; Macrae, Helen M; McLeod, Robin S

    2007-05-01

    The purpose of this study was to determine the functional outcomes and health-related quality of life of patients after transanal excision of rectal cancers or polyps and to assess the relationship between functional outcomes and health-related quality of life. All patients having a transanal excision at the Mount Sinai Hospital from 1989 to 2002 were included if the indication for surgery was a benign or malignant neoplasm. Physician charts were reviewed, and patients and their physicians were contacted to obtain follow-up information. Continence was assessed by using the Continence Score described by Jorge and Wexner and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life instrument by Rockwood and Lowry. Eighty-two patients fit the inclusion criteria (42 males; mean age, 71 +/- 13.7 years). Of these, 29 had villous adenomas, 2 had carcinoids, and 1 had a hyperplastic polyp. Fifty had cancers, including 34 with T1, 14 with T2, and 2 with T3 cancers. Seven patients had a low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection within two months of transanal excision because of advanced features of cancer. Five patients had salvage abdominoperineal resections or low anterior resections for local recurrences. Five patients died of rectal cancer (including 3 who had salvage surgery) and an additional seven patients died of other causes. Functional results were assessed in 58 of 61 eligible patients. The mean Continence Score postoperatively was 3.5 +/- 3.9 compared with 2.4 +/- 3.7 preoperatively (P = 0.03). The mean Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scores after surgery in all patients were 3.9 +/- 0.3, 3.6 +/- 0.6, 3.7 +/- 0.3, 3.7 +/- 0.6 in the domains of lifestyle, coping, depression, and embarrassment, respectively, after surgery, indicating high quality of life. Using Spearman's correlation, we found that the continence scores after surgery correlated well with the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scores. In the domains of lifestyle (Spearman's correlation = -0.69), coping

  9. Excision and Patch Grafting of a Lateral Peyronie's Plaque-Utilizing a Longitudinal "Window" Approach.

    PubMed

    Lue, Kathy; Emtage, Justin B; Martinez, Daniel R; Yang, Christopher; Carrion, Rafael

    2015-06-01

    Peyronie's disease (PD) is a debilitating disorder in which collagen deposition, fibrosis, and plaques in the tunica albuginea result in penile curvature, shortening, and pain. For severe curvatures requiring plaque incision or excision with grafting (PIEG), a subcoronal circumcising incision with penile degloving has historically been used. The aim of this study was to report our unique approach to PIEG via a longitudinal "window" incision for the correction of PD, minimizing the surgical manipulation and dissection accompanying the traditional circumcising incisional approach that may lead to increased postoperative edema, pain, and prolonged healing time. A patient presented with a stable, painless, 90-degree midshaft leftward curvature causing penetration difficulties and painful intercourse for his partner. His Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score was 23. The patient opted for surgical correction with plaque excision and grafting via a 4-cm longitudinal incision overlying the point of maximal curvature along the left lateral penile shaft. This direct access to the left corpus cavernosum and plaque, along with dissecting skin, dartos, and Buck's fascia, created a window with sufficient exposure for excision and patch grafting. The main outcome measures were objective data and subjective data in men undergoing PIEG via lateral longitudinal "window" incision for PD repair. The plaque was excised and a porcine small intestinal submucosa graft was sewn in. Intraoperative artificial tumescence at the end of surgery revealed complete correction of the curvature. The patient experienced painless rigid erections by postoperative day three with minimal penile edema. By postoperative week four, he could successfully partake in coitus. His SHIM score remained unchanged. At maximum follow-up 6 months postoperatively, he still endorsed excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes with spontaneous unassisted erections and no recurrence of his curvature. A lateral

  10. Implementation of a web-based national child health-care programme in a local context: A complex facilitator role.

    PubMed

    Tell, Johanna; Olander, Ewy; Anderberg, Peter; Berglund, Johan Sanmartin

    2018-02-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate child health-care coordinators' experiences of being a facilitator for the implementation of a new national child health-care programme in the form of a web-based national guide. The study was based on eight remote, online focus groups, using Skype for Business. A qualitative content analysis was performed. The analysis generated three categories: adapt to a local context, transition challenges and led by strong incentives. There were eight subcategories. In the latent analysis, the theme 'Being a facilitator: a complex role' was formed to express the child health-care coordinators' experiences. Facilitating a national guideline or decision support in a local context is a complex task that requires an advocating and mediating role. For successful implementation, guidelines and decision support, such as a web-based guide and the new child health-care programme, must match professional consensus and needs and be seen as relevant by all. Participation in the development and a strong bottom-up approach was important, making the web-based guide and the programme relevant to whom it is intended to serve, and for successful implementation. The study contributes valuable knowledge when planning to implement a national web-based decision support and policy programme in a local health-care context.

  11. Increasing excise taxes on cigarettes in California: a dynamic simulation of health and economic impacts.

    PubMed

    Ahmad, Sajjad

    2005-07-01

    California raised cigarette excise taxes in 1999, and may generate additional health and economic benefits by raising them further. A dynamic computer simulation model follows births, deaths, migration, aging, and changes in smoking status for the entire population of California over 75 years to estimate the cumulative health and economic outcomes of these changes under several excise tax rate conditions (up to 100% price increase). A 20% tax-induced cigarette price increase would reduce smoking prevalence from 17% to 11.6% with large gains in cumulative life years (14 million) and QALY's (16 million) over 75 years. Total spending on cigarettes by consumers would increase by 270 million dollars in that span (all going to tax revenue), and those who reduce the number of years spent as a smoker would spend 12.5 billion dollars less on cigarettes. Total smoking-related medical costs would drop by 188 billion dollars. These benefits increase greatly with larger tax increases, with which tax revenues continue to rise even as smoking prevalence falls. Even considering benefits from the 1999 increase, California has not yet maximized the potential of excise taxes to lessen the negative impacts of smoking. Additional tax increases would provide added health benefits and revenue to the state.

  12. The efficacy of laparoscopic presacral neurectomy in dysmenorrhea: is it related to the amount of excised neural tissue?

    PubMed

    Api, Murat; Boza, Ayşen; Ceyhan, Mehmet; Kaygusuz, Ecmel; Yavuz, Hülya; Api, Olus

    2017-12-01

    To assess the correlation between the number of excised neural fibers and degree of pain relief following laparoscopic presacral neurectomy (LPSN). In this before and after study, 20 patients with severe midline dysmenorrhea [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) >80 mm] unresponsive to medical therapy were consecutively enrolled. All patients underwent LPSN. The superior hypogastric plexus was excised and sent for histologic confirmation. Two pathologists counted the number of neural fibers in the surgically removed tissue. VAS was used for pain assessment before and 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after the operations. Out of the initial 20 patients undergoing LPSN, eight were excluded from the final analysis due to intraoperative diagnosis of endometriosis; therefore, the remaining 12 patients were evaluated. The pain scores significantly decreased at each follow-up visit compared with the preoperative period (p=0.002). The pathologists, who were blinded, reported the median (minimum-maximum) neural fiber count as 46 (20-85) and 47 (18-83). No significant correlation was demonstrated between the number of excised neural fibers and the amount of pain relief following LPSN. LPSN is an effective surgical procedure to control primary dysmenorrhea. Our preliminary results revealed that the degree of pain relief in cases of severe midline dysmenorrhea was not related to the amount of excised neural tissue in LPSN.

  13. The efficacy of laparoscopic presacral neurectomy in dysmenorrhea: is it related to the amount of excised neural tissue?

    PubMed Central

    Api, Murat; Boza, Ayşen; Ceyhan, Mehmet; Kaygusuz, Ecmel; Yavuz, Hülya; Api, Olus

    2017-01-01

    Objective: To assess the correlation between the number of excised neural fibers and degree of pain relief following laparoscopic presacral neurectomy (LPSN). Materials and Methods: In this before and after study, 20 patients with severe midline dysmenorrhea [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) >80 mm] unresponsive to medical therapy were consecutively enrolled. All patients underwent LPSN. The superior hypogastric plexus was excised and sent for histologic confirmation. Two pathologists counted the number of neural fibers in the surgically removed tissue. VAS was used for pain assessment before and 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after the operations. Results: Out of the initial 20 patients undergoing LPSN, eight were excluded from the final analysis due to intraoperative diagnosis of endometriosis; therefore, the remaining 12 patients were evaluated. The pain scores significantly decreased at each follow-up visit compared with the preoperative period (p=0.002). The pathologists, who were blinded, reported the median (minimum-maximum) neural fiber count as 46 (20-85) and 47 (18-83). No significant correlation was demonstrated between the number of excised neural fibers and the amount of pain relief following LPSN. Conclusion: LPSN is an effective surgical procedure to control primary dysmenorrhea. Our preliminary results revealed that the degree of pain relief in cases of severe midline dysmenorrhea was not related to the amount of excised neural tissue in LPSN. PMID:29379667

  14. Combined ultrasonographically guided drainage and laparoscopic excision of a large ovarian cyst.

    PubMed

    Nagele, F; Magos, A L

    1996-11-01

    Large ovarian cysts are conventionally treated by laparotomy. We describe a technique of transabdominal drainage under ultrasonographic control followed by laparoscopic excision of an ovarian cyst that was 24 x 10 x 20 cm. This approach has the benefits of minimal-access surgery and is suitable for unilocular benign cysts of any size.

  15. Nucleotide excision repair is a potential therapeutic target in multiple myeloma

    PubMed Central

    Szalat, R; Samur, M K; Fulciniti, M; Lopez, M; Nanjappa, P; Cleynen, A; Wen, K; Kumar, S; Perini, T; Calkins, A S; Reznichenko, E; Chauhan, D; Tai, Y-T; Shammas, M A; Anderson, K C; Fermand, J-P; Arnulf, B; Avet-Loiseau, H; Lazaro, J-B; Munshi, N C

    2018-01-01

    Despite the development of novel drugs, alkylating agents remain an important component of therapy in multiple myeloma (MM). DNA repair processes contribute towards sensitivity to alkylating agents and therefore we here evaluate the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER), which is involved in the removal of bulky adducts and DNA crosslinks in MM. We first evaluated NER activity using a novel functional assay and observed a heterogeneous NER efficiency in MM cell lines and patient samples. Using next-generation sequencing data, we identified that expression of the canonical NER gene, excision repair cross-complementation group 3 (ERCC3), significantly impacted the outcome in newly diagnosed MM patients treated with alkylating agents. Next, using small RNA interference, stable knockdown and overexpression, and small-molecule inhibitors targeting xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group B (XPB), the DNA helicase encoded by ERCC3, we demonstrate that NER inhibition significantly increases sensitivity and overcomes resistance to alkylating agents in MM. Moreover, inhibiting XPB leads to the dual inhibition of NER and transcription and is particularly efficient in myeloma cells. Altogether, we show that NER impacts alkylating agents sensitivity in myeloma cells and identify ERCC3 as a potential therapeutic target in MM. PMID:28588253

  16. Abscisic Acid Stimulates Elongation of Excised Pea Root Tips

    PubMed Central

    Gaither, Douglas H.; Lutz, Donald H.; Forrence, Leonard E.

    1975-01-01

    Excised Pisum sativum L. root tips were incubated in a pH 5.2 sucrose medium containing abscisic acid. Elongation growth was inhibited by 100 μm abscisic acid. However, decreasing the abscisic acid concentration caused stimulation of elongation, the maximum response (25% to 30%) occurring at 1 μm abscisic acid. Prior to two hours, stimulation of elongation by 1 μm abscisic acid was not detectable. Increased elongation did not occur in abscisic acid-treated root tips of Lens culinaris L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., or Zea mays L. PMID:16659198

  17. Plantaris excision in the treatment of non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy in elite athletes.

    PubMed

    Calder, James D F; Freeman, Richard; Pollock, Noel

    2015-12-01

    Achilles tendinopathy is a serious and frequently occurring problem, especially in elite athletes. Recent research has suggested a role for the plantaris tendon in non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. To assess whether excising the plantaris tendon improved the symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy in elite athletes. This prospective consecutive case series study investigated 32 elite athletes who underwent plantaris tendon excision using a mini-incision technique to treat medially located pain associated with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain and the foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) as well as time to return to sport and satisfaction scores were assessed. At a mean follow-up of 22.4 months (12-48), 29/32 (90%) of athletes were satisfied with the results. Thirty of the 32 athletes (94%) returned to sport at a mean of 10.3 weeks (5-27). The mean VAS score improved from 5.8 to 0.8 (p<0.01) and the mean FAOS improved in all domains (p<0.01). Few complications were seen, four athletes experienced short-term stiffness and one had a superficial wound infection. The plantaris tendon may be responsible for symptoms in some athletes with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Excision carries a low risk of complications and may provide significant improvement in symptoms enabling an early return to elite-level sports. 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/

  18. Jittery, a Mutator Distant Relative with a Paradoxical Mobile Behavior: Excision without Reinsertion

    PubMed Central

    Xu, Zhennan; Yan, Xianghe; Maurais, Steve; Fu, Huihua; O'Brien, David G.; Mottinger, John; Dooner, Hugo K.

    2004-01-01

    The unstable mutation bz-m039 arose in a maize (Zea mays) stock that originated from a plant infected with barley stripe mosaic virus. The instability of the mutation is caused by a 3.9-kb mobile element that has been named Jittery (Jit). Jit has terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) of 181 bp, causes a 9-bp direct duplication of the target site, and appears to excise autonomously. It is predicted to encode a single 709–amino acid protein, JITA, which is distantly related to the MURA transposase protein of the Mutator system but is more closely related to the MURA protein of Mutator-like elements (MULEs) from Arabidopsis thaliana and rice (Oryza sativa). Like MULEs, Jit resembles Mutator in the length of the element's TIRs, the size of the target site duplication, and in the makeup of its transposase but differs from the autonomous element Mutator–Don Robertson in that it encodes a single protein. Jit also differs from Mutator elements in the high frequency with which it excises to produce germinal revertants and in its copy number in the maize genome: Jit-like TIRs are present at low copy number in all maize lines and teosinte accessions examined, and JITA sequences occur in only a few maize inbreds. However, Jit cannot be considered a bona fide transposon in its present host line because it does not leave footprints upon excision and does not reinsert in the genome. These unusual mobile element properties are discussed in light of the structure and gene organization of Jit and related elements. PMID:15075398

  19. Mediator links transcription and DNA repair by facilitating Rad2/XPG recruitment.

    PubMed

    Eyboulet, Fanny; Cibot, Camille; Eychenne, Thomas; Neil, Helen; Alibert, Olivier; Werner, Michel; Soutourina, Julie

    2013-12-01

    Mediator is a large multiprotein complex conserved in all eukaryotes. The crucial function of Mediator in transcription is now largely established. However, we found that this complex also plays an important role by connecting transcription with DNA repair. We identified a functional contact between the Med17 Mediator subunit and Rad2/XPG, the 3' endonuclease involved in nucleotide excision DNA repair. Genome-wide location analyses revealed that Rad2 is associated with RNA polymerase II (Pol II)- and Pol III-transcribed genes and telomeric regions in the absence of exogenous genotoxic stress. Rad2 occupancy of Pol II-transcribed genes is transcription-dependent. Genome-wide Rad2 occupancy of class II gene promoters is well correlated with that of Mediator. Furthermore, UV sensitivity of med17 mutants is correlated with reduced Rad2 occupancy of class II genes and concomitant decrease of Mediator interaction with Rad2 protein. Our results suggest that Mediator is involved in DNA repair by facilitating Rad2 recruitment to transcribed genes.

  20. Benign Papillomas Without Atypia Diagnosed on Core Needle Biopsy: Experience From a Single Institution and Proposed Criteria for Excision

    PubMed Central

    Nayak, Anupma; Carkaci, Selin; Gilcrease, Michael Z.; Liu, Ping; Middleton, Lavinia P.; Bassett, Roland L.; Zhang, Jinxia; Zhang, Hong; Coyne, Robin L.; Bevers, Therese B.; Sneige, Nour; Huo, Lei

    2015-01-01

    The management of benign papilloma (BP) without atypia identified on breast core needle biopsy (CNB) is controversial. We describe the clinicopathologic features of 80 patients with such lesions in our institution, with an upgrade rate to malignancy of 3.8%. A multidisciplinary approach to select patients for surgical excision is recommended. Background The management of benign papilloma (BP) without atypia identified on breast core needle biopsy (CNB) is controversial. In this study, we determined the upgrade rate to malignancy for BPs without atypia diagnosed on CNB and whether there are factors associated with upgrade. Methods Through our pathology database search, we studied 80 BPs without atypia identified on CNB from 80 patients from 1997 to 2010, including 30 lesions that had undergone excision and 50 lesions that had undergone ≥ 2 years of radiologic follow-up. Associations between surgery or upgrade to malignancy and clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features were analyzed. Results Mass lesions, lesions sampled by ultrasound-guided CNB, and palpable lesions were associated with surgical excision. All 3 upgraded cases were mass lesions sampled by ultrasound-guided CNB. None of the lesions with radiologic follow-up only were upgraded to malignancy. The overall upgrade rate was 3.8%. None of the clinical, radiologic, or histologic features were predictive of upgrade. Conclusion Because the majority of patients can be safely managed with radiologic surveillance, a selective approach for surgical excision is recommended. Our proposed criteria for excision include pathologic/radiologic discordance or sampling by ultrasound-guided CNB without vacuum assistance when the patient is symptomatic or lesion size is ≥ 1.5 cm. PMID:24119786

  1. [Animal experiment comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of tumor excision with a scalpel or with a CO2 laser in subcutaneously implanted Lewis lung cancer].

    PubMed

    Mahn, H R; Nowak, C; Audring, H; Liebetruth, J; Lindenau, K F

    1982-02-01

    An animal experimental study was carried out in order to compare the therapeutical value of two different surgical methods for excising the subcutaneous implanted Lewis lung carcinoma - tumor excision with scalpel or with carbon dioxide laser. The radicalism of operation methods, the survival time, and the tumor local recurrences were performed. The therapeutic effectivity of tumor excision with the carbon dioxide laser is more favourable than the scalpel method.

  2. Heat shock protein 70 enhanced deoxyribonucleic acid base excision repair in human leukemic cells after ionizing radiation

    PubMed Central

    Bases, Robert

    2006-01-01

    Base excision repair (BER) of DNA damage in irradiated THP1 human leukemic cells was stimulated by pretreating the cells with exogenous recombinant Hsp70. The treatment of THP1 cells with recombinant Hsp70 in cell culture promoted repair by reducing the frequency of apurinic, apyrimidinic (AP) sites in DNA before and after 1.3 Gy of radiation. However, by 30 minutes after 2.6 Gy, accelerated repair of abasic sites supervened, which may contribute to the loss of the very-low-dose cell hypersensitivity seen in clonogenic studies of other laboratories. After irradiation with 2.6 Gy, the crucial initial glycosylase step was markedly incomplete when cells had been transfected 24 hours before with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) designed to inhibit synthesis of Hsp70. In confirmation, lysates from irradiated siRNA-treated cells after 2.6 Gy were deficient in uracil glycosylase activity (UDG). Transfection with a scrambled RNA of the same size did not interfere with the glycosylase step, ie, the prompt conversion of damaged pyrimidine sites to abasic sites as well as the subsequent repair of those sites. BER measured by reduction of DNA AP sites before and after low-dose radiation was also deficient in THP1 cells that had been transfected with the siRNA designed to inhibit synthesis of Hsp70. These results implicate BER and the participation of Hsp70 in the repair of DNA in human leukemic cells with the doses of ionizing radiation used in clinical regimens. PMID:17009597

  3. Increasing excise taxes in the presence of an illegal cigarette market: the 2011 Brazil tobacco tax reform.

    PubMed

    Iglesias, Roberto Magno

    2016-10-01

    The Brazilian cigarette excise tax reform of 2011 increased tax rates significantly in the presence of a high proportion of illegal and cheap cigarettes contributing to total consumption. Prior to 2011, tobacco tax policy in Brazil had reduced excise tax share on consumer prices, for fear of smuggling. This report examines two hypotheses explaining why tax authorities changed direction. The first is related to lack of concern regarding smuggling in tobacco industry pricing behavior before 2011 (rather than reducing prices following tax reduction, legal companies increased net of tax prices above inflation and key costs). The second hypothesis regards inconsistent industry assessments of the size of the illicit market, which ultimately undermined the credibility of the industry with tax authorities. The author concludes that the 2011 reform was designed to revert the weakness of previous policies, and did indeed succeed. The post-2011 experience in Brazil indicates that increased cigarette excise taxes can increase government revenues and reduce smoking prevalence and consumption despite widespread smuggling of tobacco products.

  4. Skin-Tissue-sparing Excision with Electrosurgical Peeling (STEEP): a surgical treatment option for severe hidradenitis suppurativa Hurley stage II/III.

    PubMed

    Blok, J L; Spoo, J R; Leeman, F W J; Jonkman, M F; Horváth, B

    2015-02-01

    Surgery is the only curative treatment for removal of the persistent sinus tracts in the skin that are characteristic of severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Complete resection of the affected tissue by wide excision is currently regarded as the preferred surgical technique in these cases. However, relatively large amounts of healthy tissue are removed with this method and suitable skin-tissue-saving techniques aiming at creating less-extensive surgical defects are therefore needed in severe HS. We describe a skin-tissue-saving surgical technique for HS Hurley stage II-III disease: the Skin-Tissue-sparing Excision with Electrosurgical Peeling (STEEP) procedure. In contrast to wide excisions that generally reach into the deep subcutaneous fat, the fat is maximally spared with the STEEP procedure by performing successive tangential excisions of lesional tissue until the epithelialized bottom of the sinus tracts has been reached. From here, secondary intention healing can occur. In addition, fibrotic tissue is completely removed in the same manner as this also serves as a source of recurrence. This tissue-sparing technique results in low recurrence rates, high patient satisfaction with relatively short healing times and favourable cosmetic outcomes without contractures. © 2014 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

  5. Device for sectioning prostatectomy specimens to facilitate comparison between histology and in vivo MRI

    PubMed Central

    Drew, Bryn; Jones, Edward C.; Reinsberg, Stefan; Yung, Andrew C.; Goldenberg, S. Larry; Kozlowski, Piotr

    2012-01-01

    Purpose To develop a device for sectioning prostatectomy specimens that would facilitate comparison between histology and in vivo MRI. Materials and methods A multi-bladed cutting device was developed, which consists of an adjustable box capable of accommodating a prostatectomy specimen up to 85 mm in size in the lateral direction, a “plunger” tool to press on the excised gland from the top to prevent it from rolling or sliding during sectioning, and a multi-bladed knife assembly capable of holding up to 21 blades at 4 mm intervals. The device was tested on a formalin fixed piece of meat and subsequently used to section a prostatectomy specimen. Histology sections were compared with T2-weighted MR images acquired in vivo prior to the prostatectomy procedure. Results The prostatectomy specimen slices were very uniform in thickness with each face parallel to the other with no visible sawing marks on the sections by the blades after the cut. MRI and histology comparison showed good correspondence between the two images. Conclusion The developed device allows sectioning of prostatectomy specimens into parallel cuts at a specific orientation and fixed intervals. Such a device is useful in facilitating accurate correlation between histology and MRI data. PMID:20882632

  6. Early excision and grafting, an alternative approach to the surgical management of large body surface area levamisole-adulterated cocaine induced skin necrosis.

    PubMed

    Miner, Jason; Gruber, Paul; Perry, Travis L

    2015-05-01

    Levamisole-adulterated cocaine as a cause of retiform purpura progressing to full-thickness skin necrosis was first documented in 2003 and currently comprises over 200 reported cases. Whereas, its presentation, pathophysiology, and diagnostic workup have been reasonably well-defined, only one publication has significantly detailed its surgical management. For this reason there exists a relative absence of data in comparison to its reported incidence to suggest a preferred treatment strategy. In the case mentioned, treatment emphasized delayed surgical intervention while awaiting lesion demarcation and the monitoring of autoantibodies. At our institution we offer an alternative approach and present the case of a 34 year old female who presented with 49% TBSA, levamisole-induced skin necrosis managed with early surgical excision and skin grafting. The patient presented three days following cocaine exposure with painful, purpura involving the ears, nose, buttocks, and bilateral lower extremities which quickly progressed to areas of full-thickness necrosis. Lab analysis demonstrated elevated p-ANCA and c-ANCA, as well as leukopenia, decreased C4 complement, and urinalysis positive for levamisole, corroborating the diagnosis. Contrasting the most thoroughly documented case in which the patient underwent first surgical excision on hospital day 36 and underwent 18 total excisions, our patient underwent first excision on hospital day 10 and received only one primary excision prior to definitive autografting. To our knowledge, this is the largest surface area surgically treated that did not result in surgical amputation or autoamputation of limbs or appendages, respectively. We contend that early excision and grafting provides optimal surgical management of this syndrome while avoiding the morbidity seen with delayed intervention. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  7. The effect of coracoacromial ligament excision and acromioplasty on the amount of rotator cuff force production necessary to restore intact glenohumeral biomechanics.

    PubMed

    Budoff, Jeffrey E; Lin, Cheng-Li; Hong, Chih-Kai; Chiang, Florence L; Su, Wei-Ren

    2016-06-01

    Coracoacromial ligament (CAL) excision and acromioplasty increase superior and anterosuperior glenohumeral translation. It is unknown how much of an increase in rotator cuff force production is required to re-establish intact glenohumeral biomechanics after these surgical procedures. We hypothesized that, after CAL excision and acromioplasty, an increase in rotator cuff force production would not be necessary to reproduce the anterosuperior and superior translations of the intact specimens. Nine cadaveric shoulders were subjected to loading in the superior and anterosuperior directions in the intact state after CAL excision, acromioplasty, and recording of the translations. The rotator cuff force was then increased to normalize glenohumeral biomechanics. After CAL excision at 150 and 200 N of loading, an increase in the rotator cuff force by 25% decreased anterosuperior translation to the point where there was no significant difference from the intact specimen's translation. After acromioplasty (and CAL excision) at 150 and 200 N, an increase in the rotator cuff force of 25% and 30%, respectively, decreased superior translation to the point where there was no significant difference from the intact specimen's translation. At 150 to 200 N of loading, CAL excision and acromioplasty increase the rotator cuff force required to maintain normal glenohumeral biomechanics by 25% to 30%. After a subacromial decompression, the rotator cuff has an increased force production requirement to maintain baseline glenohumeral mechanics. Under many circumstances, in vivo force requirements may be even greater after surgical attenuation of the coracoacromial arch. Basic Science Study; Biomechanics. Copyright © 2016 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. R/L, a double reporter mouse line that expresses luciferase gene upon Cre-mediated excision, followed by inactivation of mRFP expression.

    PubMed

    Jia, Junshuang; Lin, Xiaolin; Lin, Xia; Lin, Taoyan; Chen, Bangzhu; Hao, Weichao; Cheng, Yushuang; Liu, Yu; Dian, Meijuan; Yao, Kaitai; Xiao, Dong; Gu, Weiwang

    2016-10-01

    The Cre/loxP system has become an important tool for the conditional gene knockout and conditional gene expression in genetically engineered mice. The applications of this system depend on transgenic reporter mouse lines that provide Cre recombinase activity with a defined cell type-, tissue-, or developmental stage-specificity. To develop a sensitive assay for monitoring Cre-mediated DNA excisions in mice, we generated Cre-mediated excision reporter mice, designated R/L mice (R/L: mRFP(monomeric red fluorescent protein)/luciferase), express mRFP throughout embryonic development and adult stages, while Cre-mediated excision deletes a loxP-flanked mRFP reporter gene and STOP sequence, thereby activating the expression of the second reporter gene luciferase, as assayed by in vivo and ex vivo bioluminescence imaging. After germ line deletion of the floxed mRFP and STOP sequence in R/L mice by EIIa-Cre mice, the resulting luciferase transgenic mice in which the loxP-mRFP-STOP-loxP cassette is excised from all cells express luciferase in all tissues and organs examined. The expression of luciferase transgene was activated in liver of RL/Alb-Cre double transgenic mice and in brain of RL/Nestin-Cre double transgenic mice when R/L reporter mice were mated with Alb-Cre mice and Nestin-Cre mice, respectively. Our findings reveal that the double reporter R/L mouse line is able to indicate the occurrence of Cre-mediated excision from early embryonic to adult lineages. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the R/L mice serve as a sensitive reporter for Cre-mediated DNA excision both in living animals and in organs, tissues, and cells following necropsy.

  9. Metadata-Driven SOA-Based Application for Facilitation of Real-Time Data Warehousing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pintar, Damir; Vranić, Mihaela; Skočir, Zoran

    Service-oriented architecture (SOA) has already been widely recognized as an effective paradigm for achieving integration of diverse information systems. SOA-based applications can cross boundaries of platforms, operation systems and proprietary data standards, commonly through the usage of Web Services technology. On the other side, metadata is also commonly referred to as a potential integration tool given the fact that standardized metadata objects can provide useful information about specifics of unknown information systems with which one has interest in communicating with, using an approach commonly called "model-based integration". This paper presents the result of research regarding possible synergy between those two integration facilitators. This is accomplished with a vertical example of a metadata-driven SOA-based business process that provides ETL (Extraction, Transformation and Loading) and metadata services to a data warehousing system in need of a real-time ETL support.

  10. Evaluation of type II thyroplasty on phonatory physiology in an excised canine larynx model

    PubMed Central

    Devine, Erin E.; Hoffman, Matthew R.; McCulloch, Timothy M.; Jiang, Jack J.

    2016-01-01

    Objective Type II thyroplasty is an alternative treatment for spasmodic dysphonia, addressing hyperadduction by incising and lateralizing the thyroid cartilage. We quantified the effect of lateralization width on phonatory physiology using excised canine larynges. Methods Normal closure, hyperadduction, and type II thyroplasty (lateralized up to 5mm at 1mm increments with hyperadducted arytenoids) were simulated in excised larynges (N=7). Aerodynamic, acoustic, and videokymographic data were recorded at three subglottal pressures relative to phonation threshold pressure (PTP). One-way repeated measures ANOVA assessed effect of condition on aerodynamic parameters. Random intercepts linear mixed effects models assessed effects of condition and subglottal pressure on acoustic and videokymographic parameters. Results PTP differed across conditions (p<0.001). Condition affected percent shimmer (p<0.005) but not percent jitter. Both pressure (p<0.03) and condition (p<0.001) affected fundamental frequency. Pressure affected vibratory amplitude (p<0.05) and intra-fold phase difference (p<0.05). Condition affected phase difference between the vocal folds (p<0.001). Conclusions Hyperadduction increased PTP and worsened perturbation compared to normal, with near normal physiology restored with 1mm lateralization. Further lateralization deteriorated voice quality and increased PTP. Acoustic and videokymographic results indicate that normal physiologic relationships between subglottal pressure and vibration are preserved at optimal lateralization width, but then degrade with further lateralization. The 1mm optimal width observed here is due to the small canine larynx size. Future human trials would likely demonstrate a greater optimal width, with patient-specific value potentially determined based on larynx size and symptom severity. PMID:27223665

  11. Some Considerations for Chelation Treatment and Surgical Excision Following Incorporation of Plutonium in Wounds

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

    Poudel, Deepesh; Bertelli, Luiz; Klumpp, John A.

    After a plutonium-contaminated wound, the role of an internal dosimetrist is to inform the patient and the physician of the dosimetric considerations. The doses averted due to medical treatments (excision or chelation) are higher if the treatments are administered early; therefore, the internal dosimetrist needs to rely on limited information on wound counts and process knowledge for advising the physician. For this study, several wound cases in the literature were reviewed to obtain estimates of the efficacies of surgical excision and chelation treatment after plutonium-contaminated wounds. The dose coefficients calculated by coupling the NCRP 156 wound model with the systemicmore » model were used to derive the decision guidelines that may indicate medical treatment based on 1) the concept of saved doses proposed by the NCRP 156 wound model, 2) the limits recommended by the CEC/DOE guidebook, and 3) the Clinical Decision Guidelines proposed in NCRP Report No. 161. These guidelines by themselves, however, are of limited use for several reasons, including 1) large uncertainties associated with wound measurements, 2) exposure to forms of radionuclides that cannot be assigned to a single category in the NCRP 156 framework, 3) inability of the NCRP 156 model to explain some of the wound cases in the literature, 4) neglect of the local doses to the wound site and the pathophysiological response of the tissue, 5) poorly understood relationship between effective doses and risks of late health effects, and 6) disregard of the psychological aspects of radionuclide intake.« less

  12. Some Considerations for Chelation Treatment and Surgical Excision Following Incorporation of Plutonium in Wounds

    DOE PAGES

    Poudel, Deepesh; Bertelli, Luiz; Klumpp, John A.; ...

    2018-03-01

    After a plutonium-contaminated wound, the role of an internal dosimetrist is to inform the patient and the physician of the dosimetric considerations. The doses averted due to medical treatments (excision or chelation) are higher if the treatments are administered early; therefore, the internal dosimetrist needs to rely on limited information on wound counts and process knowledge for advising the physician. For this study, several wound cases in the literature were reviewed to obtain estimates of the efficacies of surgical excision and chelation treatment after plutonium-contaminated wounds. The dose coefficients calculated by coupling the NCRP 156 wound model with the systemicmore » model were used to derive the decision guidelines that may indicate medical treatment based on 1) the concept of saved doses proposed by the NCRP 156 wound model, 2) the limits recommended by the CEC/DOE guidebook, and 3) the Clinical Decision Guidelines proposed in NCRP Report No. 161. These guidelines by themselves, however, are of limited use for several reasons, including 1) large uncertainties associated with wound measurements, 2) exposure to forms of radionuclides that cannot be assigned to a single category in the NCRP 156 framework, 3) inability of the NCRP 156 model to explain some of the wound cases in the literature, 4) neglect of the local doses to the wound site and the pathophysiological response of the tissue, 5) poorly understood relationship between effective doses and risks of late health effects, and 6) disregard of the psychological aspects of radionuclide intake.« less

  13. The impact of surgery on survival of patients with cutaneous melanoma: revisiting the role of primary tumor excision margins.

    PubMed

    Mocellin, Simone; Pasquali, Sandro; Nitti, Donato

    2011-02-01

    To quantify the impact of excision margins on disease-specific survival of patients with primary cutaneous melanoma. Current guidelines recommend narrow margins for the treatment of primary melanoma, although available evidence on this subject is not unequivocal and not always appropriately analyzed. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) addressing the issue of wide versus narrow excision margins was performed. Meta-analysis methods for time-to-event data were used to extract hazard ratios(HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) from eligible studies, and ultimately to estimate the summary effect of excision margins on patients' survival. The 5 eligible RCT enrolled a total of 3295 patients who were allocated to wide (3-5 cm) or narrow (1-2 cm) excision of their primary tumor. The data of locoregional disease-free (LDFS), disease-free (DFS),disease-specific (DSS), and overall (OS) survival were available for 3, 5, 3, and 5 RCT, respectively. The meta-analysis suggested that narrow margins might be associated with an increased risk of both locoregional disease recurrence (HR: 1.30, CI: 1.07-1.57; P = 0.01) and death by disease (HR: 1.28, CI:1.07-1.53, P = 0.01). As regards DFS, the borderline disadvantage (HR:1.13, CI: 0.995-1.28; P = 0.06) becomes significant when considering RCT that enrolled patients with thicker melanoma (HR: 1.19, CI: 1.02-1.39, P =0.03). When death by any cause (OS) was analyzed, no risk difference was found. The lack of DSS data from all the available RCT does not allow to draw definitive conclusions. However, current evidence appears sufficient to question the common belief that narrow excision margins are as safe as wide margins in the management of primary melanoma, that calls for further investigation in this field.

  14. Barriers and Facilitators to School-Based Parent Involvement for Parents of Urban Public Middle School Students

    PubMed Central

    Murray, Kantahyanee W.; Finigan-Carr, Nadine; Jones, Vanya; Copeland-Linder, Nikeea; Haynie, Denise L.; Cheng, Tina L.

    2016-01-01

    Using semistructured interviews, we explored barriers and facilitators to school-based parent involvement (SBPI) in a sample of predominately African American parents (N = 44) whose children attended urban public middle schools. Barriers to SBPI (e.g., perceptions of hostile parent–teacher interactions and aggressive, disrespectful students in the school) were more commonly reported than facilitators (e.g., child invitations for involvement). Findings suggest that parents’ motivations for engaging in SBPI may be undermined by a variety of barriers, resulting in low participation. Implications and tailored strategies for enhancing SBPI in this population are presented. PMID:27088049

  15. Applying agreed-upon procedures : fiscal Year 2008 airport and airway trust fund excise taxes.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2008-11-03

    We have performed the procedures described in the enclosure to this letter, which we : agreed to perform and with which you concurred, solely to assist your office in : ascertaining whether the net excise tax revenue distributed to the Airport and Ai...

  16. Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification in 51 excised palpable pediatric breast masses.

    PubMed

    Koning, Jeffrey L; Davenport, Katherine P; Poole, Patricia S; Kruk, Peter G; Grabowski, Julia E

    2015-10-01

    The American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification was developed to risk stratify breast lesions and guide surgical management based on imaging. Previous studies validating BI-RADS for US do not include pediatric patients. Most pediatric breast masses present as palpable lesions and frequently undergo ultrasound, which is often accompanied with a BI-RADS classification. Our study aimed to correlate BI-RADS with pathology findings to assess applicability of the classification system to pediatric patients. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent excision of a breast mass at a single center from July 2010 to November 2013. We identified all patients who underwent preoperative ultrasound with BI-RADS classification. Demographic data, imaging results, and surgical pathology were analyzed and correlated. A total of 119 palpable masses were excised from 105 pediatric patients during the study period. Of 119 masses, 81 had preoperative ultrasound, and BI-RADS categories were given to 51 masses. Of these 51, all patients were female and the average age was 15.9 years. BI-RADS 4 was given to 25 of 51 masses (49%), and 100% of these lesions had benign pathology, the most common being fibroadenoma. Treatment algorithm based on BI-RADS classification may not be valid in pediatric patients. In this study, all patients with a BI-RADS 4 lesion had benign pathology. BI-RADS classification may overstate the risk of malignancy or need for biopsy in this population. Further validation of BI-RADS classification with large scale studies is needed in pediatric and adolescent patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Coupling between nucleotide excision repair and gene expression.

    PubMed

    Cambindo Botto, Adrián E; Muñoz, Juan C; Muñoz, Manuel J

    2018-05-17

    Gene expression and DNA repair are fundamental processes for life. During the last decade, accumulating experimental evidence point towards different modes of coupling between these processes. Here we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which RNAPII-dependent transcription affects repair by the Nucleotide Excision Repair system (NER) and how NER activity, through the generation of single stranded DNA intermediates and activation of the DNA damage response kinase ATR, drives gene expression in a genotoxic scenario. Since NER-dependent repair is compromised in Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) patients, and having in mind that these patients present a high degree of clinical heterogeneity, we speculate that some of the clinical features of XP patients can be explained by misregulation of gene expression.

  18. The formation of catalytically competent enzyme-substrate complex is not a bottleneck in lesion excision by human alkyladenine DNA glycosylase.

    PubMed

    Kuznetsov, N A; Kiryutin, A S; Kuznetsova, A A; Panov, M S; Barsukova, M O; Yurkovskaya, A V; Fedorova, O S

    2017-04-01

    Human alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (AAG) protects DNA from alkylated and deaminated purine lesions. AAG flips out the damaged nucleotide from the double helix of DNA and catalyzes the hydrolysis of the N-glycosidic bond to release the damaged base. To understand better, how the step of nucleotide eversion influences the overall catalytic process, we performed a pre-steady-state kinetic analysis of AAG interaction with specific DNA-substrates, 13-base pair duplexes containing in the 7th position 1-N6-ethenoadenine (εA), hypoxanthine (Hx), and the stable product analogue tetrahydrofuran (F). The combination of the fluorescence of tryptophan, 2-aminopurine, and 1-N6-ethenoadenine was used to record conformational changes of the enzyme and DNA during the processes of DNA lesion recognition, damaged base eversion, excision of the N-glycosidic bond, and product release. The thermal stability of the duplexes characterized by the temperature of melting, T m , and the rates of spontaneous opening of individual nucleotide base pairs were determined by NMR spectroscopy. The data show that the relative thermal stability of duplexes containing a particular base pair in position 7, (T m (F/T) < T m (εA/T) < T m (Hx/T) < T m (A/T)) correlates with the rate of reversible spontaneous opening of the base pair. However, in contrast to that, the catalytic lesion excision rate is two orders of magnitude higher for Hx-containing substrates than for substrates containing εA, proving that catalytic activity is not correlated with the stability of the damaged base pair. Our study reveals that the formation of the catalytically competent enzyme-substrate complex is not the bottleneck controlling the catalytic activity of AAG.

  19. Safety of the haemostatic agent Surgiflo® in excisions of the submandibular gland: our experience in 17 cases.

    PubMed

    Bannister, Miles; Ah-See, Kim

    2014-11-01

    Excision of the submandibular gland is a common operation. A surgical drain is usually inserted into the wound to prevent the formation of a haematoma, but this may not be necessary. We retrospectively studied 17 patients whose submandibular glands had been excised and haemostasis achieved with Surgiflo® (Ethicon, Somerville, USA). There were no complications or side effects. Surgiflo® established good haemostasis, and can safely be used in place of a surgical drain. Copyright © 2014 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Using the High-Level Based Program Interface to Facilitate the Large Scale Scientific Computing

    PubMed Central

    Shang, Yizi; Shang, Ling; Gao, Chuanchang; Lu, Guiming; Ye, Yuntao; Jia, Dongdong

    2014-01-01

    This paper is to make further research on facilitating the large-scale scientific computing on the grid and the desktop grid platform. The related issues include the programming method, the overhead of the high-level program interface based middleware, and the data anticipate migration. The block based Gauss Jordan algorithm as a real example of large-scale scientific computing is used to evaluate those issues presented above. The results show that the high-level based program interface makes the complex scientific applications on large-scale scientific platform easier, though a little overhead is unavoidable. Also, the data anticipation migration mechanism can improve the efficiency of the platform which needs to process big data based scientific applications. PMID:24574931

  1. Total mesorectal excision for the treatment of rectal cancer

    PubMed Central

    Zedan, Ali; Salah, Tareq

    2015-01-01

    Introduction In the surgical treatment of rectal cancer, a clear circumferential resection margin and distal resection margin should be obtained. The aim of this study was to determine the morbidity, mortality, survival outcome, and local failure after total mesorectal excision (TME) in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer. Methods This retrospective study was conducted on 101 patients treated for rectal cancer using low anterior resection (LAR), abdominoperinial resection (APR), or Hartmaan’s technique. In all operative procedures, total mesorectal excisions (TMEs) were done. The patients were treated from November 2000 to April 2011 in the South Egypt Cancer Institute (SECI) of Assuit University (Egypt). Neo-adjuvant therapy was given to those patients with serosalin filtration, lymph node involvement, and sexual and urinary function impairment. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 21, and survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results One hundred one patients were evaluable (61 males, 40 females). Regarding the operative procedure used, it was: (APR), LAR, Hartmaan’s technique in 15.8%, 71.3%, and 12.9% of patients, respectively. Operation-related mortality during the 30 days after surgery was 3%. The operations resulted in morbidity in 25% of the patients, anastomotic site leak in 5.9% of the patients, urinary dysfynction in 9.9% of the patients, and erectile dysfunction in 15.8% of the male patients. Regarding safety margin, the median distances were distal/radial margin, 23/12 mm, distal limit 7 cm. Median lymph nodes harvest 19 nodes. Primary tumor locations were anteriorly 23.8%, laterally 13.9%, posteriorly 38.6%, and circumferential 23.8%. Protective stoma 16.8%. Primary Tumor TNM classification (T1, T2, T3, and T4; 3, 28.7, 55.4, and 12.9%, respectively). Nodes Metastases (N0, N1, and N2; 57.4, 31.7, and 10.9%, respectively). TNM staging (I, II, III, and IV; 15.8, 29.7, 46.5, and 7.9%, respectively). Chemotherapy was

  2. Total mesorectal excision for the treatment of rectal cancer.

    PubMed

    Zedan, Ali; Salah, Tareq

    2015-12-01

    In the surgical treatment of rectal cancer, a clear circumferential resection margin and distal resection margin should be obtained. The aim of this study was to determine the morbidity, mortality, survival outcome, and local failure after total mesorectal excision (TME) in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer. This retrospective study was conducted on 101 patients treated for rectal cancer using low anterior resection (LAR), abdominoperinial resection (APR), or Hartmaan's technique. In all operative procedures, total mesorectal excisions (TMEs) were done. The patients were treated from November 2000 to April 2011 in the South Egypt Cancer Institute (SECI) of Assuit University (Egypt). Neo-adjuvant therapy was given to those patients with serosalin filtration, lymph node involvement, and sexual and urinary function impairment. Data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 21, and survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. One hundred one patients were evaluable (61 males, 40 females). Regarding the operative procedure used, it was: (APR), LAR, Hartmaan's technique in 15.8%, 71.3%, and 12.9% of patients, respectively. Operation-related mortality during the 30 days after surgery was 3%. The operations resulted in morbidity in 25% of the patients, anastomotic site leak in 5.9% of the patients, urinary dysfynction in 9.9% of the patients, and erectile dysfunction in 15.8% of the male patients. Regarding safety margin, the median distances were distal/radial margin, 23/12 mm, distal limit 7 cm. Median lymph nodes harvest 19 nodes. Primary tumor locations were anteriorly 23.8%, laterally 13.9%, posteriorly 38.6%, and circumferential 23.8%. Protective stoma 16.8%. Primary Tumor TNM classification (T1, T2, T3, and T4; 3, 28.7, 55.4, and 12.9%, respectively). Nodes Metastases (N0, N1, and N2; 57.4, 31.7, and 10.9%, respectively). TNM staging (I, II, III, and IV; 15.8, 29.7, 46.5, and 7.9%, respectively). Chemotherapy was administered to 67.3% of the

  3. Laparoscopic excision of deep rectovaginal endometriosis in BSGE endometriosis centres: a multicentre prospective cohort study.

    PubMed

    Byrne, Dominic; Curnow, Tamara; Smith, Paul; Cutner, Alfred; Saridogan, Ertan; Clark, T Justin

    2018-04-09

    To estimate the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic surgical excision of rectovaginal endometriosis. A multicentre, prospective cohort study. 51 hospitals accredited as specialist endometriosis centres. 5162 women of reproductive age with rectovaginal endometriosis of which 4721 women had planned laparoscopic excision. Laparoscopic surgical excision of rectovaginal endometriosis requiring dissection of the pararectal space. Standardised symptom questionnaires enquiring about chronic pelvic pain, bladder and bowel symptoms, analgesia use and quality of life (EuroQol) completed prior to surgery and at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Serious perioperative and postoperative complications including major haemorrhage, infection and visceral injury were recorded. At 6 months postsurgery, there were significant reductions in premenstrual, menstrual and non-cyclical pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, low back pain and bladder pain. In addition, there were significant reductions in voiding difficulty, bowel frequency, urgency, incomplete emptying, constipation and passing blood. These reductions were maintained at 2 years, with the exception of voiding difficulty. Global quality of life significantly improved from a median pretreatment score of 55/100 to 80/100 at 6 months. There was a significant improvement in quality of life in all measured domains and in quality-adjusted life years. These improvements were sustained at 2 years. All analgesia use was reduced and, in particular, opiate use fell from 28.1% prior to surgery to 16.1% at 6 months. The overall incidence of complications was 6.8% (321/4721). Gastrointestinal complications (enterotomy, anastomotic leak or fistula) occurred in 52 (1.1%) operations and of the urinary tract (ureteric/bladder injury or leak) in 49 (1.0%) procedures. Laparoscopic surgical excision of rectovaginal endometriosis appears to be effective in treating pelvic pain and bowel symptoms and improving health

  4. Early and Long-Term Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Liver Resection and Diaphragm Excision for Advanced Colorectal Liver Metastases

    PubMed Central

    Lordan, Jeffrey T; Riga, Angela; Worthington, Tim R; Karanjia, Nariman D

    2009-01-01

    INTRODUCTION At present, liver resection offers the best long-term outcome and only chance for cure in patients with colorectal liver metastases. However, there are no large series that report the early and long-term outcomes of patients who require simultaneous diaphragm excision. This study was designed to investigate these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 285 consecutive liver resections were performed over a 10-year period. Of these, 258 had liver resections alone and 27 underwent liver resection and simultaneous diaphragm excision. Data were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively. Pre-operative assessment was standardised. The outcomes between the two groups were compared. RESULT There was no difference in age, hospital stay or intra-operative blood loss. The diaphragm was histologically involved in four out of 27 resections. As a result, the cancer involved resection margin incidence was greater in the liver resection and diaphragm excision group (14.8% versus 3.9%; P = 0.12). The median tumour size was also different between the two groups (60 mm versus 30 mm; P = 0.001). The liver and diaphragm resection group had a greater peri-operative complication rate (44.4% versus 21.3%; P = 0.02) and mortality (7.4% versus 1.6%; P = 0.25). Overall and disease-free survival was significantly worse in the group who underwent simultaneous diaphragm excision and liver resection (P = 0.04 and P = 0.005, respectively). Diaphragm invasion was found to be an independent predictor of poor overall outcome (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION Liver resection and simultaneous diaphragm excision have a greater incidence of peri-operative morbidity and mortality and a significantly worse long-term outcome compared with liver resection alone. However, these data suggest that liver resection in the presence of diaphragm invasion may still offer a favourable outcome compared with chemotherapy treatment alone. Therefore, we believe that diaphragm involvement by tumour should

  5. Turning Knowledge Into Action at the Point-of-Care: The Collective Experience of Nurses Facilitating the Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice

    PubMed Central

    Dogherty, Elizabeth J; Harrison, Margaret B; Graham, Ian D; Vandyk, Amanda Digel; Keeping-Burke, Lisa

    2013-01-01

    Background: Facilitation is considered a way of enabling clinicians to implement evidence into practice by problem solving and providing support. Practice development is a well-established movement in the United Kingdom that incorporates the use of facilitators, but in Canada, the role is more obtuse. Few investigations have observed the process of facilitation as described by individuals experienced in guideline implementation in North America. AimTo describe the tacit knowledge regarding facilitation embedded in the experiences of nurses implementing evidence into practice. Methods: Twenty nurses from across Canada were purposively selected to attend an interactive knowledge translation symposium to examine what has worked and what has not in implementing evidence in practice. This study is an additional in-depth analysis of data collected at the symposium that focuses on facilitation as an intervention to enhance evidence uptake. Critical incident technique was used to elicit examples to examine the nurses’ facilitation experiences. Participants shared their experiences with one another and completed initial data analysis and coding collaboratively. The data were further thematically analyzed using the qualitative inductive approach of constant comparison. Results: A number of factors emerged at various levels associated with the successes and failures of participants’ efforts to facilitate evidence-based practice. Successful implementation related to: (a) focus on a priority issue, (b) relevant evidence, (c) development of strategic partnerships, (d) the use of multiple strategies to effect change, and (e) facilitator characteristics and approach. Negative factors influencing the process were: (a) poor engagement or ownership, (b) resource deficits, (c) conflict, (d) contextual issues, and (e) lack of evaluation and sustainability. Conclusions: Factors at the individual, environmental, organizational, and cultural level influence facilitation of evidence-based

  6. Determinants of Autobiographical Memory in Patients with Unilateral Temporal Lobe Epilepsy or Excisions

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    St-Laurent, Marie; Moscovitch, Morris; Levine, Brian; McAndrews, Mary Pat

    2009-01-01

    Patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy from hippocampal origin and patients with unilateral surgical excision of an epileptic focus located in the medial temporal lobe were compared to healthy controls on a version of the Autobiographical Interview (AI) adapted to assess memory for event-specific and generic personal episodes. For both…

  7. [Restoration of function by microsurgical reconstruction after sarcoma excision in the upper limb].

    PubMed

    Voigtländer, D; Schmidt, A

    2006-08-01

    The treatment of soft tissue sarcomas includes different modalities, but the complete excision of the tumor is the most important one. It is often difficult to resect the tumor completely and simultaneously restore a good function of the upper limb. Therefore a microsurgical reconstruction is often necessary as demonstrated here.

  8. Recurrence case of rare scalp dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Two case reports of a wide radical excision, craniectomy bone involvement followed by cranioplasty and reconstruction

    PubMed Central

    Faried, Ahmad; Hadisaputra, Wargian; Arifin, Muhammad Z.

    2017-01-01

    Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare low-grade sarcoma of the fibroblast originating from the dermal layer of the skin, characterized by a locally aggressive growth and high rate of local recurrence. Case Description: Two patients underwent a wide radical excision of recurrent scalp DFSP which was reconstructed with translational skin flap and split-thickness skin graft. We described above cases several years ago with a local excision of the tumor; recently, they developed local recurrence of DFSP with calvarial involvement. We then performed a wide radical excision, with craniectomy of the cranial defect followed by cranioplasty using titanium mesh, continuing with reconstruction. Conclusion: A successful treatment and management depends on achieving local control and preventing cosmetic and functional deficit; all efforts should be made for complete excision. Postoperative follow-up recommended for highly suspicious cases and annual checkups should be performed up to 5 years after definitive therapy. PMID:28607816

  9. Women with Low-Risk DCIS Eligible for the LORIS Trial After Complete Surgical Excision: How Low Is Their Risk After Standard Therapy?

    PubMed

    Pilewskie, Melissa; Olcese, Cristina; Patil, Sujata; Van Zee, Kimberly J

    2016-12-01

    Identifying DCIS patients at low risk for disease progression could obviate need for standard therapy. The LORIS (surgery versus active monitoring for low-risk DCIS) trial is studying the safety of monitoring low-risk DCIS, although ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) rates in patients meeting enrollment criteria after complete surgical excision are unknown. Women with pure DCIS treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) with/without radiation therapy (RT) from 1/1996-1/2011 were included from a prospectively maintained database. IBTR rates were compared between those who did and did not meet LORIS eligibility criteria (age ≥ 46 years, screen-detected calcifications, nipple discharge absence, minimal family history, non-high-grade DCIS) after complete surgical excision. A total of 2394 women were identified; 401 met LORIS criteria. Median follow-up was 5.9 years; 431 had ≥10 years follow-up. LORIS cohort median age was 61 years (range 46-86 years); 207 (52 %) underwent RT, 79 (20 %) received endocrine therapy. Of 401 patients, 24 experienced an IBTR. Overall 10-year IBTR rates were 10.3 % (LORIS) versus 15.4 % (non-LORIS) (p = 0.08); without RT, 12.1 versus 21.4 %, respectively (p = 0.06). The 10-year invasive-IBTR rates for women meeting LORIS criteria were: 5.3 % BCS overall, 6.0 % without RT. Women meeting LORIS criteria (after complete surgical excision) are at somewhat lower risk for IBTR. Among such women undergoing excision without RT, the 10-year invasive-IBTR rate was 6 %. Given that approximately 20 % of women with core biopsy-proven non-high-grade DCIS have invasive cancer at excision, women managed without excision would be expected to incur higher invasive cancer rates. Additional criteria are needed to identify women not requiring intervention for DCIS.

  10. 26 CFR 157.5891-1 - Imposition of excise tax on structured settlement factoring transactions.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... settlement factoring transactions. 157.5891-1 Section 157.5891-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE... SETTLEMENT FACTORING TRANSACTIONS Tax on Structured Settlement Factoring Transactions § 157.5891-1 Imposition of excise tax on structured settlement factoring transactions. (a) In general. Section 5891 imposes...

  11. Hair epilation versus surgical excision as primary management of pilonidal disease in the pediatric population

    PubMed Central

    Bütter, Andreana; Hanson, Melissa; VanHouwelingen, Lisa; Merritt, Neil; Seabrook, Jamie

    2015-01-01

    Summary Pilonidal disease is a chronic, acquired inflammatory process of the skin due to entrapped hair at the natal cleft. Reported recurrence rates are as high as 30%, and recurrence has been attributed to persistent hair near the surgical site. Although conservative measures, such as meticulous hair control and improved perineal hygiene, have been shown to be effective, these techniques typically require much effort on behalf of the patient. Laser hair epilation (LE) might solve this issue of poor patient compliance while helping patients to avoid surgical excision. In this article, we discuss recurrence rates of pilonidal disease in children treated with LE versus surgical excision in relation to findings from our institution between 2005 and 2013 as well as patient satisfaction with the treatment method. PMID:26011854

  12. Affinity of yeast nucleotide excision repair factor 2, consisting of the Rad4 and Rad23 proteins, for ultraviolet damaged DNA.

    PubMed

    Guzder, S N; Sung, P; Prakash, L; Prakash, S

    1998-11-20

    Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad4 and Rad23 proteins are required for the nucleotide excision repair of UV light-damaged DNA. Previous studies have indicated that these two DNA repair proteins are associated in a tight complex, which we refer to as nucleotide excision repair factor 2 (NEF2). In a reconstituted nucleotide excision repair reaction, incision of UV-damaged DNA is dependent on NEF2, indicating a role of NEF2 in an early step of the repair process. NEF2 does not, however, possess an enzymatic activity, and its function in the damage-specific incision reaction has not yet been defined. Here we use a DNA mobility shift assay to demonstrate that NEF2 binds specifically to UV-damaged DNA. Elimination of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers from the UV-damaged DNA by enzymatic photoreactivation has little effect on the affinity of NEF2 for the DNA, suggesting that NEF2 recognizes the 6-(1, 2)-dihydro-2-oxo-4-pyrimidinyl)-5-methyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione photoproducts in the damaged DNA. These results highlight the intricacy of the DNA damage-demarcation reaction during nucleotide excision repair in eukaryotes.

  13. The impact of an increase in excise tax on the retail price of tobacco in New Zealand.

    PubMed

    Marsh, Louise; Cameron, Claire; Quigg, Robin; Hoek, Janet; Doscher, Crile; McGee, Rob; Sullivan, Trudy

    2016-07-01

    In 2010, the New Zealand (NZ) government introduced an annual 10% tobacco excise tax increase. We examined retailers' adherence to recommended retail prices (RRP), and whether the RRP included the full tax increase. We collected price data on three British American Tobacco (BAT) factory-made cigarette brands, (premium, mainstream, and budget), and one roll-your-own tobacco brand before and after the 2014 tax increase from a sample of tobacco retailers. We examined price increases in each tobacco brand and compared these with the RRP. The extent to which the excise tax increases had been included in the RRP since 2010 was estimated using data sourced from the Ministry of Health and NZ Customs. The median increase in price from before to after the tax change was only 3% for the budget brand (461 retailers). This contrasted with the median of 8% for the premium brand (448 retailers), and 11% for both mainstream and roll-your-own brands (471 and 464 retailers, respectively). While many retail outlets made changes according to the RRP set by BAT, several did not comply. Our analyses suggest BAT may be undershifting excise tax on the budget brand, and overshifting tax on brands in other price partitions. Tobacco companies do not appear to be increasing the RRPs of budget brands in line with tobacco excise tax increases. The increasing price differential between budget brands, and mainstream and premium brands may undermine cessation and impede realisation of New Zealand's Smokefree 2025 goal. 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/

  14. Critical concepts and important anatomic landmarks encountered during transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME): toward the mastery of a new operation for rectal cancer surgery.

    PubMed

    Atallah, S; Albert, M; Monson, J R T

    2016-07-01

    Over the past 3 years, colorectal surgeons have begun to adapt the technique of transanal total mesorectal excision. As international experience has been quickly forged, an improved recognition of the pitfalls and the practical details of this disruptive technique have been realized. The purpose of this technical note was to express the various nuances of transanal total mesorectal excision as learned during the course of its clinical application and international teaching, so as to rapidly communicate and share important insights with other surgeons who are in the early adoption phase of this approach. The technical points specific to transanal total mesorectal excision are addressed herein. When correctly applied, these will likely improve the quality of surgery and decrease morbidity attributable to inexperience with the transanal approach to total mesorectal excision.

  15. Antecedent thermal injury worsens split-thickness skin graft quality: A clinically relevant porcine model of full-thickness burn, excision and grafting.

    PubMed

    Carlsson, Anders H; Rose, Lloyd F; Fletcher, John L; Wu, Jesse C; Leung, Kai P; Chan, Rodney K

    2017-02-01

    Current standard of care for full-thickness burn is excision followed by autologous split-thickness skin graft placement. Skin grafts are also frequently used to cover surgical wounds not amenable to linear closure. While all grafts have potential to contract, clinical observation suggests that antecedent thermal injury worsens contraction and impairs functional and aesthetic outcomes. This study evaluates the impact of antecedent full-thickness burn on split-thickness skin graft scar outcomes and the potential mediating factors. Full-thickness contact burns (100°C, 30s) were created on the backs of anesthetized female Yorkshire Pigs. After seven days, burn eschar was tangentially excised and covered with 12/1000th inch (300μm) split-thickness skin graft. For comparison, unburned wounds were created by sharp excision to fat before graft application. From 7 to 120days post-grafting, planimetric measurements, digital imaging and biopsies for histology, immunohistochemistry and gene expression were obtained. At 120days post-grafting, the Observer Scar Assessment Scale, colorimetry, contour analysis and optical graft height assessments were performed. Twenty-nine porcine wounds were analyzed. All measured metrics of clinical skin quality were significantly worse (p<0.05) in burn injured wounds. Histological analysis supported objective clinical findings with marked scar-like collagen proliferation within the dermis, increased vascular density, and prolonged and increased cellular infiltration. Observed differences in contracture also correlated with earlier and more prominent myofibroblast differentiation as demonstrated by α-SMA staining. Antecedent thermal injury worsens split-thickness skin graft quality, likely by multiple mechanisms including burn-related inflammation, microscopically inadequate excision, and dysregulation of tissue remodeling. A valid, reliable, clinically relevant model of full-thickness burn, excision and skin replacement therapy has been

  16. The hobo transposable element has transposase-dependent and -independent excision activity in drosophilid species

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Mobility of the hobo transposable element was determined for several strains of Drosophila melanogaster and several Drosophila species. Mobility was assessed by use of an in vivo transient assay in the soma of developing embryos, which monitored hobo excision from injected indicator plasmids. Excisi...

  17. Early post-operative weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy correlates with the volume of the excised stomach and not with that of the sleeve! Preliminary data from a multi-detector computed tomography-based study.

    PubMed

    Pawanindra, Lal; Vindal, Anubhav; Midha, Manoj; Nagpal, Prashant; Manchanda, Alpana; Chander, Jagdish

    2015-10-01

    Pre- and post-operative stomach volumes can be important determinants for effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in causing weight loss. There is little existing data on the volumes of stomach preoperatively and that excised during LSG. This study was designed to evaluate the change in gastric volume after LSG using multi-detector CT and to correlate it with early post-operative weight loss. Twenty consecutive patients with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2) and medical comorbidities underwent LSG between October 2011 and October 2013 and were analysed prospectively. The pre-operative stomach volume was measured by MDCT done 1-3 days before the surgery. LSG was performed in the standard manner using a 36F bougie. The volume of excised stomach was measured by distending the specimen with saline. MDCT of the upper abdomen was repeated 3 months postoperatively to calculate the gastric sleeve volume. Weight loss and resolution of comorbidities were documented. The mean pre-operative weight of patients was 123.90 kg, and the mean pre-operative stomach volume on MDCT was 1,067 ml. The stomach volume on pre-operative MDCT correlated with pre-operative weight and BMI. The mean volume of the excised stomach was 859 ml when measured by distension of the specimen and 850 ml on MDCT. After 3 months post surgery, the mean volume of gastric sleeve on MDCT was 217 ml, and the mean weight of the patients was 101.22 kg. The volume of the excised stomach calculated by MDCT correlated with the weight loss achieved 3 months postoperatively. However, no correlation was seen between the gastric sleeve volume 3 months postoperatively and weight loss during this period. MDCT is a good method to measure gastric volume before and after LSG. Early post-operative weight loss (3 months) correlates well with the volume of the excised stomach but not with that of the gastric sleeve.

  18. Framing the policy debate over spirits excise tax in Poland.

    PubMed

    Zatonski, Mateusz; Hawkins, Benjamin; McKee, Martin

    2018-06-01

    Industry lobbying remains an obstacle to effective health-oriented alcohol policy. In 2013, an increase in excise tax on spirits was announced by the Polish government. This article presents a qualitative analysis of the public debate that ensued on the potential economic, health and social effects of the policy. It focuses on how competing groups, including industry actors, framed their position and sought to dominate the debate. Online archives of five Polish national newspapers, two spirits trade associations, and parliamentary and ministerial archives were searched. A thematic content analysis of the identified sources was conducted. The overall findings were compared with existing research on the framing of the Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) debate in the UK. A total of 155 sources were analysed. Two main frames were identified: health, and economic. The spirits industry successfully promoted the economic frame in their own publications and in the media. The debate was dominated by arguments about potential growth of the grey market and losses in tax revenue that might result from the excise tax increase. The framing of the debate in Poland differed from the framing of the MUP debate in the United Kingdom. The Polish public health community was unsuccessful in making health considerations a significant element of the alcohol policy debate. The strategies pursued by UK health advocates offer lessons for how to make a more substantial impact on media coverage and promote health-oriented legislation.

  19. Enhancing Successful Outcomes of Wiki-Based Collaborative Writing: A State-of-the-Art Review of Facilitation Frameworks

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stoddart, Andrew; Chan, Joe Yong-Yi; Liu, Gi-Zen

    2016-01-01

    This state-of-the-art review research undertook a survey of a variety of studies regarding wiki-based collaborative writing projects and from this body of work extracted the best practices tenets of facilitation. Wiki-based collaborative writing projects are becoming more common in second language (L2) pedagogy. Such projects have multiple aims.…

  20. Repair of cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers in human skin: variability among normal humans in nucleotide excision and in photorepair.

    PubMed

    Sutherland, Betsy M; Hacham, Haim; Bennett, Paula; Sutherland, John C; Moran, Michael; Gange, R W

    2002-06-01

    Photoreactivation (PR) of cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in human skin remains controversial. Recently Whitmore et al. (1) reported negative results of experiments using two photorepair light (PRL) sources on UV-irradiated skin of volunteers. However, their PRL sources induced substantial levels of dimers in skin, suggesting that the additional dimers formed could have obscured PR. We met a similar problem of dimer induction by a PRL source. We designed and validated a PRL source of sufficient intensity to catalyse PR, but that did not induce CPD, and used it to measure photorepair in human skin. Using a solar simulator filtered with three types of UV-filters, we found significant dimer formation in skin, quantified by number average length analysis using electrophoretic gels of isolated skin DNA. To prevent scattered UV from reaching the skin, we interposed shields between the filters and skin, and showed that the UV-filtered/shielded solar simulator system did not induce damage in isolated DNA or in human skin. We exposed skin of seven healthy human volunteers to 302 nm radiation, then to the improved PRL source (control skin areas were kept in the dark for measurement of excision repair). Using a high intensity PRL source that did not induce dimers in skin, we found that three of seven subjects carried out rapid photorepair of dimers; two carried out moderate or slow dimer photorepair, and three did not show detectable photorepair. Excision repair was similarly variable in these volunteers. Subjects with slower excision repair showed rapid photorepair, whereas those with rapid excision generally showed little or no photoreactivation.