pubMedId
stringlengths 2
1.42k
| title
stringlengths 1
1.16k
⌀ | abstract
stringlengths 1
10.7k
⌀ |
---|---|---|
19023137 | The role of plasma lipid transfer proteins in lipoprotein metabolism and atherogenesis. | The plasma lipid transfer proteins promote the exchange of neutral lipids and phospholipids between the plasma lipoproteins. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates the removal of cholesteryl esters from HDL and thus reduces HDL levels, while phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) promotes the transfer of phospholipids from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins into HDL and increases HDL levels. Studies in transgenic mouse models and in humans with rare genetic deficiencies (CETP) mon genetic variants (CETP and PLTP) highlight the central role of these molecules in regulating HDL levels. Human CETP deficiency is associated with dramatic elevations of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels, while PLTP variants with increased expression are associated with higher HDL levels. A recent meta-analysis suggests mon CETP alleles causing reduced CETP and increased HDL levels are associated with reduced coronary heart disease. The failure of a clinical trial with the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib may have been related in part to off-target toxicity. Ongoing phase 3 clinical trials with other CETP inhibitors may help to clarify if this strategy can ultimately be successful in the treatment of atherosclerosis. |
19023138 | High levels of retinal membrane docosahexaenoic acid increase susceptibility to stress-induced degeneration. | The fat-1 gene cloned from C. elegans encodes an n-3 fatty acid desaturase that converts n-6 to n-3 PUFA. Mice carrying the fat-1 transgene and wild-type controls were fed an n-3-deficient/n-6-enriched diet [fat-1- safflower oil (SFO) and wt-SFO, respectively]. Fatty acid profiles of rod outer segments (ROS), cerebellum, plasma, and liver demonstrated significantly lower n-6/n-3 ratios and higher docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in pared with wt-SFO. When mice were exposed to light stress: 1) the outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness was reduced; 2) amplitudes of the electroretinogram (ERG) were lower; 3) the number of apoptotic photoreceptor cells was greater; and 4) modification of retinal proteins by 4-hydroxyhexenal (4-HHE), an end-product of n-3 PUFA oxidation was increased in both fat-1-SFO and wt mice fed a regular lab chow pared with wt-SFO. The results indicate a positive correlation between the level of DHA, the degree of n-3 PUFA lipid peroxidation, and the vulnerability of the retina to photooxidative stress. In mice not exposed to intense light, the reduction in DHA resulted in reduced efficacy in phototransduction gain steps, while no differences in the retinal morphology or retinal biochemistry. These results highlight the dual roles of DHA in cellular physiology and pathology. |
19023139 | Spinal reflexes in ankle flexor and extensor muscles after chronic central nervous system lesions and functional electrical stimulation. | Spinal reciprocal inhibitory and excitatory reflexes of ankle extensor and flexor muscles were investigated in ambulatory participants with chronic central nervous system (CNS) lesions causing foot drop as a function of time after lesion and stimulator use. |
19023144 | Assessing effects of pre-processing mass spectrometry data on classification performance. | Disease prediction through mass spectrometry (MS) data is gaining importance in medical diagnosis. Particularly in cancerous diseases, early prediction is one of the most life saving stages. High dimension and the noisy nature of MS data requires a two-phase study for successful disease prediction; first, MS data must be pre- processed with stages such as baseline correction, normalizing, de-noising and peak detection. Second, a dimension reduction based classifier design is the main objective. Having the data pre-processed, the prediction accuracy of the classifier algorithm es the most significant factor in the medical diagnosis phase. As health is the main concern, the accuracy of the classifier is clearly very important. In this study, the effects of the pre- processing stages of MS data on classifier performances are addressed. Three pre-processing stages--baseline correction, normalization and de-noising--are applied to three MS data samples, namely, high-resolution ovarian cancer, low-resolution prostate cancer and a low-resolution ovarian cancer. To measure the effects of the pre-processing stages quantitatively, four diverse classifiers, genetic algorithm wrapped K-nearest neighbor (GA-KNN), ponent analysis-based least discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA), a neural network (NN) and a support vector machine (SVM) are applied to the data sets. Calculated classifier performances have demonstrated the effects of pre-processing stages quantitatively and the importance of pre-processing stages on the prediction accuracy of classifiers. Results putations have been shown clearly. |
19023146 | Collision induced dissociation studies of alkali metal adducts of tetracyclines and antiviral agents by electrospray ionization, hydrogen/deuterium exchange and multiple stage mass spectrometry. | The collision induced dissociation (CID) mass spectra were obtained for the X(+)-adducts (X=Na(+) or Li(+)) of five tetracyclines, four pyrimidine and three purine derivatives and their fully D-exchanged species in which the labile hydrogens were replaced by deuterium by either gas phase or liquid phase exchange. The CID spectra were obtained for [M + Na](+) and [M + Li](+) and the exchanged analogs, [M(D) + Na](+) and [M(D) + Li](+), positions of product ions and mechanisms of position were determined parison of the MS(n) spectra of the undeuterated and deuterated species. Metal ions are bound to the base of purine and pyrimidine antiviral agents and dissociate primarily to give the plexes of the base [B + X](+). For vidarabine monophosphate, however, the metal ions are bound to the phosphate group, resulting in unique and characteristic cleavage reactions not observed in the plexed system, and dissociate through the loss of phosphate and/or phosphate metal plex. The [B + X](+) of these antiviral agents are relatively stable and show no or little pared to [B + H](+). The CID of [B + X](+) of guanine derivative occurs mainly through elimination of NH(3) and that of trifluoromethyl uracil dissociates primarily through the loss of HF. For tetracyclines, metal ions are bound to ring A at the tricarbonylmethyl group and dissociate initially by the loss of NH(3)/ND(3) from [M(H) + X](+) and [M(D) + X](+). The CID spectra of [M + X](+) of tetracyclines are somewhat similar to those of [M + H](+). The dominant fragments from the plexes of pounds are charge remote positions involving molecular rearrangements and the loss of small stable molecules. Additionally, tetracyclines and the antiviral agents show more selectivity towards Li+ ion than the plexes with Na(+) or K(+). |
19023145 | Minimize the detection of false positives by the software program DetectShift for 18O-labeled cross-linked peptide analysis. | In order to speed up the process of cross-linked peptide identification and characterization, we have previously reported the development of Pro-CrossLink, a suite of software tools consisting of three programs, DetectShift, IdentifyXLink and AssignXLink for mass spectrometric data analysis. Since its public disclosure, Pro-CrossLink has been downloaded by 101 research groups. Pro-CrossLink users have provided us with valuable feedback on the use of the DetectShift program. Here we assess some reasons for the generation of false positives by DetectShift. In addition, we provide users with suggestions on optimal parameter setting and efficient use of the software program. |
19023147 | Internal energy effects on the ion/molecule reactions of ionized methyl isocyanide. | Electron ionization of methyl isocyanide in various chemical ionization conditions is reported and, depending on the energy conditions used, different ion/molecule reactions are observed. It is proposed, on the basis bined quantum chemical (DFT) calculations and tandem mass spectrometric experiments, that mon intermediate could be a cumulenic ionized dimer dissociating in the ion source following two energy petitive channels, a loss of a hydrogen atom and a loss of a methyl group. Proposed structures for new cumulenic ions are supported by collision experiments in the high (collisional activation) or/and low (collision- induced dissociations) translational energy regime. |
19023142 | Preparation and characterization of prostate cell lines for functional cloning studies to identify regulators of apoptosis. | Because apoptotic evasion is a central feature of prostate cancer, there is an urgent need for increased understanding of the key regulatory molecules that control the life/death decision of prostate cells. Functional expression cloning permits the isolation of genes that control the rate-limiting steps of cell death and offers a possible solution to this problem. This technique requires the availability of prostate cells that meet several stringent requirements. Therefore, the main objective was to obtain prostate cell clones that undergo cell death with minimal survival of spontaneously resistant cells and that can be infected at a high efficiency with viral vectors. Initial characterization of 5 prostate cell lines with a range of apoptotic inducers revealed cell line-dependent and treatment-dependent effects. In general, the colony-forming ability of nontumorigenic PNT2C2 cells showed the highest sensitivity to most chemical agents and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, whereas the metastases-derived cell lines, LNCaP and PC-3, showed resistance to UV and etoposide, respectively. Clones of PNT2C2, 22Rv1, and PC-3 were produced, which displayed heterogeneous responses to UV irradiation. Further characterization of UV-sensitive clones revealed at least 1 clone per cell line with high sensitivity (mean clonogenic survival <or=0.02% control cells) to 3 or more apoptotic inducers. These clones could be infected at a high efficiency (>90%) with a lentiviral vector. In conclusion, we have isolated clones of nontumorigenic prostate cells (PNT2C2), androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells (22Rv1), and androgen-independent, metastatic prostate cancer cells (PC-3), which are suitable as host cells for functional cloning studies to address cell death control mechanisms in the prostate during cancer progression. |
19023143 | Identification of a critical novel mutation in the exon 1 of androgen receptor gene in 2 brothers with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. | Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome is an X-linked inherited disorder caused by mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Using polymerase chain reaction single-strand DNA conformational polymorphism and DNA sequencing, we identified a novel nonsense mutation in exon 1 of the AR gene in 2 Iranian brothers plete androgen insensitivity syndrome. Despite a normal 46,XY karyotype, testes, and normal to elevated plasma levels of testosterone, they were born with female external genitalia and phenotype. This new mutation, a T-to-A transversion in exon 1, causes amino acid change of tyrosine (TAT) to ochre stop codon (TAA) at position 514 of the AR polypeptide. The Y514X mutation is located in a region that is normally important for the formation and function of the hormone plex. We conclude that the novel Y514X mutation in the androgen receptor is the cause plete androgen insensitivity syndrome in this family. |
19023148 | Protease-dependent fractional mass and peptide properties. | Mass spectrometric analyses of peptides mainly rely on cleavage of proteins with proteases that have a defined specificity. The specificities of the proteases imply that there is not a random distribution of amino acids in the peptides. The physico-chemical effects of this distribution have been partly analyzed for tryptic peptides, but to a lesser degree for other proteases. Using all human proteins in Swiss-Prot, the relationships between peptide fractional mass, pI and hydrophobicity were investigated. The distribution of the fractional masses and the average regression lines for the fractional masses were similar, but not identical, for the peptides generated by the proteases trypsin, chymotrypsin and gluC, with the steepest regression line for gluC. The fractional mass regression lines for individual proteins showed up to +/-100 ppm in mass difference from the average regression line and the peptides generated showed protease-dependent properties. We here show that the fractional mass and some other properties of the peptides are dependent on the protease used for generating the peptides. With the increasing accuracy of mass spectrometry instruments it is possible to exploit the information embedded in the fractional mass of unknown peaks in peptide mass fingerprint spectra. |
19023149 | Determination of bencycloquidium bromide, a novel anticholinergic compound, in rat tissues by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. | First, a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) method for quantification of bencycloquidium bromide (BCQB) in rat tissue homogenates was developed and validated, which would support investigation on drug distribution into tissues in animal models. 1-ethyl-bencycloquidium bromide was used as the internal standard (IS). Sample preparation in tissue homogenates was achieved by using solid phase extraction on a 3 mL C(18)-cartridge column. Chromatographic separation was analyzed on a Hanbon Lichrospher 5-C(18) column. The mobile phase consisted of methanol-40 mM ammonium acetate buffer-formic acid (75:25:0.25, v/v/v) which was pumped at 1.0 mL min(-1). BCQB was determined using electrospray ionization in a single quadrupole mass spectrometer. LC-ESI-MS was performed in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode using target ions at m/z 330.2 for BCQB and m/z 344.2 for the IS. The assay was linear from 3.015 ng mL(-1) to 301.5 ng mL(-1) of BCQB in rat tissue (liver, kidney, lung, trachea, heart, spleen, stomach, intestines, brain, muscle, testicle, ovary and fat) homogenates. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 3.015 ng mL(-1) of BCQB in all tissue homogenates. Acceptable precision and accuracy were obtained for concentrations over the entire standard curve ranges for tissue homogenates. The method was used to successfully quantify BCQB in rat tissue homogenates for a tissue distribution study of BCQB in rats after intranasal administration. |
19023141 | Local therapies to heal the penis: fact or fiction? | Penile rehabilitation has been an area of intense study and debate over the last decade. Interest in this topic was stimulated by the observation that erectile dysfunction remained a significant problem after radical prostatectomy despite meticulous nerve-sparing technique. Smooth muscle alterations and fibrotic changes in the penis were identified as the underlying causes of penile atrophy, veno-occlusive dysfunction, and Peyronie's-like changes that were observed after surgery. Initial observations that intracavernous injection therapies used on a regular basis postoperatively resulted in improvements in the return of spontaneous erectile function led to the development of penile rehabilitation protocols. Chronic dosing of oral type V phosphodiesterase inhibitors is monly used by urologists after radical prostatectomy despite a lack of convincing evidence from randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Use of local therapies to heal the penis may have applications beyond the postprostatectomy patient. This article reviews the current evidence behind penile rehabilitation therapy. |
19023140 | Improved quality of cryopreserved cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) spermatozoa after centrifugation through Accudenz. | Sperm cryopreservation, bination with assisted reproductive techniques, is a valuable tool for the genetic management of endangered felids. However, the acrosome of the cheetah spermatozoon is especially sensitive to cryopreservation, with approximately 40% of spermatozoa experiencing acrosomal damage immediately after thawing and then another approximately 15% loss during the next 4 hours in vitro. Additionally, thawing causes a reduction in sperm motility by approximately 20% with another decrease of approximately 12% during subsequent incubation in vitro. We hypothesized that slow removal of glycerol from cryopreserved cheetah spermatozoa using an Accudenz gradient would improve acrosomal integrity, sperm motility longevity, and structural morphology. Accudenz pared with traditional cheetah sperm processing methods for glycerol removal that involves washing, multistep resuspension, and swim-up processing. Electroejaculates (n = 21 total from 8 males) were washed in Ham F10 medium, and sperm pellets were resuspended in TEST-yolk buffer with 0% glycerol. Samples were cryopreserved in straws in 4% final glycerol, thawed, and assessed for percent intact acrosomes (% IA), percent motility (% M), and forward progressive status (FPS; scale, 0-5). Sperm motility index (SMI) was calculated as (% M + [FPS x 20]) / 2. In study 1, glycerol removal by centrifugation through an Accudenz gradient (4%, 10%) pared with traditional sperm washing (control) and multistep resuspension protocols. At each time after centrifugation (hourly for 4 hours), % IA was improved (P < .05) for Accudenz (range, pared with control (30%-33%) and multistep (29%-33%) treatments. In study 2, a modified Accudenz protocol pared with traditional washing and was found to improve (P < .05) SMI (range, pared with controls (range, 41-52) at each time postthaw after centrifugation. In study 3, swim-up processed sperm pared with those treated by centrifugation through Accudenz and traditional sperm washing for improving sperm morphology. The percentage of structurally-normal sperm recovered postthawing increased (P < .05) for both the Accudenz (38%) and swim-up (33%) pared with controls (21%). Percent IA and SMI also were improved (P < .05) for Accudenz (range, 39%-47% and 46-59, pared with controls (range, 26%-33% and 40-53, respectively). Results indicate that using Accudenz for glycerol removal from cryopreserved cheetah sperm mitigates the significant loss in sperm quality that occurs after freeze-thawing. This alleviation of cellular damage resulting from cryopreservation contributes to a more than 10% improvement in overall sperm motility and, more importantly, allows retention of 40% or more of sperm with intact acrosomes. |
19023150 | High-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry analysis of the mycotoxin aurofusarin. | High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) can be used for simultaneous quantification of various mycotoxins in contaminated food samples. Therefore, multi-mycotoxin methods have been developed in the last couple of years. To enlarge these methods for further analytes, we have developed a LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of the mycotoxin aurofusarin. Additionally, further LC- MS(n) experiments were performed to demonstrate the fragmentation pattern of aurofusarin. Applicable multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions of aurofusarin were found and optimized by parameter variation of the tandem mass spectrometer. The applicability of the developed method was tested by analysis of naturally contaminated wheat. |
19023151 | Prognostic significance of plasma osteopontin levels in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. | Osteopontin (OPN) mRNA is highly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques and plasma OPN levels are high in patients with coronary artery disease and in those with restenosis. OPN-overexpressing transgenic mice show markedly increased neointimal formation after arterial injury. |
19023153 | Target organ status in white-coat hypertensives: usefulness of serum procollagen type I propeptide in the respect of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. | Myocardial fibrosis is a feature of diastolic dysfunction and target organ damage, which pared among subjects with normotension (NT), white-coat hypertension (WCH) and essential hypertension (EH). Serum procollagen type I propeptide (PIP) level was assessed as a marker of diastolic dysfunction in WCH. |
19023152 | Efficacy of abciximab for patients undergoing balloon angioplasty: data from Japanese evaluation of c7E3 Fab for elective and primary PCI organization in randomized trial (JEPPORT). | The efficacy and safety of abciximab were investigated in Japanese patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (MI) or unstable angina. |
19023154 | Vagal effects on the occurrence of focal atrial fibrillation originating from the pulmonary veins. | There is evidence that the autonomic nervous system may be involved in the mechanism of focal atrial fibrillation (AF), so the present study investigated the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system on the occurrence of focal AF originating from the pulmonary veins (PVs). |
19023155 | Quantitative analysis of myocardial contrast enhancement by first-pass 64-multidetector computed tomography in patients with coronary heart disease. | Although puted tomography (MDCT) allows non-invasive assessment of coronary artery stenosis, the presence of calcified lesions often lead to an overestimation of the stenosis. The present study was an evaluation of whether enhancement of first-pass myocardial data can improve the diagnostic accuracy of 64-MDCT. |
19023157 | Microtubule disruption with BAPTA and dimethyl BAPTA by a calcium chelation-independent mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. | While the physiological role for calcium in the insulin action on glucose transport has been disputed, it was reassessed in a recent study by using a calcum chelator, 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA-AM). Although BAPTA has been widely used to study the role for calcium in a variety of cell functions, it has also been suggested to have properties unrelated to the calcium chelating activity. Here, we investigated the effects of BAPTA and dimethyl BAPTA on the cytoskeletons in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Both calcium chelators were successfully loaded in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and inhibited endothelin-1-induced cytosolic calcium elevation. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed that BAPTA and dimethyl BAPTA caused profound depolymerization of the microtubules without affecting the cortical actin filaments in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Biochemical quantification also showed that BAPTA and dimethyl BAPTA significantly decreased the amount of polymerized tubulin but had little effect on filamentous actin. Consistent with these results, GLUT4-positive partments were dispersed throughout the cytoplasm in BAPTA- or dimethyl BAPTA-loaded adipocytes. Intriguingly, these calcium chelators did not disrupt the microtubules in undifferentiated preadipocytes. The microtubule-depolymerizing property of BAPTA and dimethyl BAPTA is unrelated to calcium chelation, since the microtubules were resistant to depletion of cytosolic calcium by using a calcium ionophore A23187. Insulin-stimulated glucose transport was not affected by cytosolic calcium depletion with A23187, but significantly inhibited with BAPTA and dimethyl BAPTA to the extent similar to that with nocodazole. BAPTA and its derivatives should be used with caution in studies of cytoskeleton-related cell functions. |
19023156 | Antioxidant therapy attenuates diabetes-related impairment of bone marrow stem cells. | Bone marrow cells from humans and animals with diabetes exhibit decreased angiogenic potency, thought to be related to oxidative stress, so the present study investigated if antioxidant therapy would attenuate the diabetes-related impairment. |
19023159 | Coexistence of aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma and pheochromocytoma in an ipsilateral adrenal gland. | A 40-year-old female, diagnosed as essential hypertension, demonstrated a 2 cm mass in left adrenal gland puted tomography without abnormal endocrinological findings. (131)I-adosterol and (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy at 39 years of age showed no abnormal accumulation. Follow up (131)I-adosterol scintigraphy performed one year later showed apparently abnormal uptake and slightly elevated uptake in left adrenal gland. Her physical examination was unremarkable except for mild hypertension. Routine blood chemistry was normal except for hypokalemia. Endocrinological date revealed suppressed plasma renin activity, and elevated plasma aldosterone concentration, and noradrenalin levels. Serial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated two distinct tumors. Furthermore, selective adrenal venous sampling with intravenous ACTH infusion indicated aldosterone-producing adrenocortical adenoma (APA) in left adrenal gland. During operation of adrenal tumor, blood pressure elevated markedly plication of pheochromocytoma (PC) was suspected. Immunohistochemical findings after left adrenolectomy revealed that the adrenal mass patible with APA and PC. Risk of operation against undiagnosed PC is very high and, therefore, it must be diagnosed before surgery. Herein, we present an extremely rare case of the simultaneous occurrence of both APA and PC in an ipsilateral adrenal gland. |
19023161 | Comparative study of effectiveness of multiple-daily injections of insulin versus twice-daily injections of biphasic insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes. | To evaluate the efficacy of a multiple-daily injection regimen and a twice-daily injection regimen using biphasic insulin, we performed an observational study of 56 insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who began receiving insulin therapy while they were hospitalized. The subjects were divided into two groups: a multiple-daily injection group (n = 33), and a twice-daily injection group (n = 23). At baseline, the demographic and clinical characteristics parable between the two groups. The HbA1c levels were 10.0 +/- 1.6% and 9.5 +/- 2.2% (p = 0.36), respectively. At 12 weeks, the HbA1c levels decreased equally in the two groups (7.2 +/- 1.8% in the multiple-daily injection group and 7.3 +/- 1.6%, p = 0.80 in the twice-daily injection group). The baseline HbA1c, the duration of diabetes, and the endogenous insulin secretory capacity did not affect the change in HbA1c in either group. These results suggest that twice-daily insulin regimen using biphasic insulin is as effective and beneficial as multiple-daily injection regimen for the treatment in type 2 diabetic patients with very poor glycemic control and that in order to achieve the targeted glycemic goal, insulin therapy should be initiated at an early stage. |
19023160 | Atorvastatin and BMD in coronary syndrome. Role of Lys656Asn polymorphism of leptin receptor gene. | To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on bone mass and markers of bone remodeling in patients with acute coronary syndrome according to the Lys656Asn leptin receptor gene polymorphism. |
19023163 | Vascular type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. | Vascular type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), also known as EDS type IV (NIM#130050) is a life-threatening autosomal dominant inherited disorder of connective tissue, caused by mutations of the COL3A1 gene. Vascular EDS causes severe fragility of connective tissues with arterial and intestinal ruptures plications of surgical and radiological treatment, and is of particular importance to medical professionals of many specialties: surgeons, internists, radiologists, and obstetricians. An accurate diagnosis may help in the management of plications. In addition, when a family is faced with new information concerning a positive genetic test for vascular EDS, it is crucial that follow-up care for the family prehensive genetic counseling. After the genetic diagnosis of a COL3A1 mutation, various medical specialists, including the clinical geneticists must cooperate to perform genetic counseling and to provide a system of long-term follow up for individuals with vascular EDS. |
19023164 | Cytokine levels in pleural effusions of patients under intensive care. | Pleural effusions develop for various reasons in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). To understand why this occurs is important, yet cytokine levels in pleural effusions have rarely been measured from a cardiovascular viewpoint. |
19023165 | Risk factors for transient tachypnea of the newborn in infants delivered vaginally at 37 weeks or later. | In this case-control study, we examined infants delivered vaginally at 37 weeks or later to identify factors associated with transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN). We reviewed the obstetric records of all vaginal deliveries at the Japanese Red Cross Katsushika Maternity Hospital from 2005 through 2007. Demographic information and the characteristics of labor were extracted from patient charts. Multivariate analysis identified that the incidence of TTN was significantly associated with nulliparity; a history of infertility therapy, such as in vitro fertilization; augmentation of labor; nonreassuring fetal status; vacuum/forceps delivery; and low Apgar score (<7) at 1 and 5 minutes. In addition, a low Apgar score at 1 minute was the factor most strongly associated with the incidence of TTN (adjusted odds ratio, 20; 95% confidence intervals, 12-34; p<0.001). The present results indicate that the improvement of obstetric surveillance to diminish the frequency of low Apgar scores is important for preventing TTN in infants delivered vaginally at 37 weeks or later. |
19023166 | New mathematical approach for approximating the baseline of F-waves using spreadsheet software. | The aim of this study was to see if curved baselines of F-waves could be mathematically approximated with universal spreadsheet software. |
19023167 | Argon plasma coagulation for a patient with locoregional failure after definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma: a case report. | Patients who undergo definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) face a risk of residual resistant disease or disease recurrence at the primary site; therefore, salvage treatment may be required. An optimum strategy to minimize these risks clearly needs to be established. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a safe and convenient procedure now applied widely for therapeutic endoscopy. In this report we describe the successful use of APC over 6 years for the treatment of recurrent esophageal cancer after CRT. A 61-year-old Japanese man underwent CRT for a thoracic esophageal cancer. Pathological examination before CRT revealed a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Locoregional failure was observed 2 years after CRT, and an initial APC treatment was performed. The patient has now undergone APC ablation 7 times with no plications. No metastasis to lymph nodes or to other organs has been detected during the last 6 years. The usefulness of APC as a salvage treatment for locoregional failure after definitive CRT has not been established. In our experience, salvage APC is the best treatment option for some patients. |
19023168 | Transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization followed by microwave ablation for hemobilia from hepatocellular carcinoma. | Bile duct invasion is rare in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We show the usefulness of selective transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization (TAE) followed by microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) in a case of HCC with portal and biliary tumor thrombi that ruptured into the biliary system. A 70-year-old man with HCC was admitted because of melena and postprandial abdominal pain. Four years earlier, he had undergone posterior segmentectomy of the liver for HCC. Portal venous thrombus was detected puted tomography (CT) 3 months earlier. On admission laboratory tests revealed the following values: serum alkaline phosphatase, 760 IU/L; total serum bilirubin, 11.9 mg/dL; direct bilirubin, 9.8 mg/dL; serum hemoglobin, 7.7 g/dL; alpha-fetoprotein 103.9 ng/mL; and PIVKA-2, 52,655 mAU/mL. Serum examinations were positive for anti-hepatitis C virus antibody but negative for hepatitis B surface antigens. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic mass in the right branch of the bile duct at the hepatic hilum. Doppler ultrasonography showed blood flow in the mass. CT showed diffuse tumor involvement throughout the liver parenchyma and the presence of a high-density substance in the right intrahepatic bile duct. The diagnosis was hemobilia secondary to HCC in the right hepatic lobe. The symptoms recurred, and emergency TAE was performed 5 days after the onset of hemobilia. The symptoms subsided, and liver function improved. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed obstruction of the right intrahepatic bile duct. Surgery was performed 15 days after TAE, and MCT of the right hepatic hilum was performed. After MCT, CT revealed necrosis of the right hepatic hilum. Seven months after TAE, the patient died of liver failure with no recurrence of hemobilia. |
19023169 | Seromuscular tear of the sigmoid colon in the absence of trauma: a case report. | A 16-year-old adolescent boy was admitted to our hospital with severe lower abdominal pain and was found to have peritonitis, probably caused by acute appendicitis. At laparotomy, we found a paper-thin, dilated sigmoid colon; the seromuscular layer on the antimesenteric side was torn, and the untorn mucosa showed a pinpoint perforation. The seromuscular defect had spread circumferentially to involve the entire circumference of the colon wall. We performed sigmoidectomy, and the patient recovered uneventfully. This case showed many similarities, both in terms of the macroscopic and pathological findings, to seromuscular tear, an entity specifically associated with seatbelt use. This case is noteworthy because seromuscular tear-like lesions of the colon without a history of trauma has not previously been reported. |
19023170 | Case of biliary cystadenocarcinoma with intracystic bleeding. | Biliary cystadenocarcinomas are rare cystic tumors arising from the biliary epithelium. Symptoms vary and are sometimes absent. Most lesions are found incidentally during diagnostic radiologic procedures or surgical exploration for unrelated conditions. We describe an 80-year-old man with anemia due to intracystic bleeding. puted tomographic scan showed a low-density hepatic lesion with thick, irregular walls and septa. Left lobectomy with cholecystectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed that the surgical specimen was a biliary cystadenocarcinoma. The concentrations of both carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9 were high in the cyst contents. The patient died of pneumonia 1 year 4 months after the operation, without the recurrence of cystadenocarcinoma. |
19023171 | Early surgical management for periampullary retroperitoneal perforation caused by endoscopic sphincterotomy: report of a case. | A 67-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for surgical management of cancer of the ascending colon. On admission, she had cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis. puted tomography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance showed cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and multiple liver tumors. Colonoscope showed advanced cancer of the ascending colon. Because of acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis, endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed. During the procedure, periampullary retroperitoneal perforation was identified on radiologic examination. puted tomography had shown extravasation of contrast medium and widespread pneumoretroperitoneum, an emergency operation was performed 2 hours after perforation. After cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy had been performed and all bile duct stones had been removed, periampullary perforation was readily identified close to the duodenal diverticula and easily repaired. The postoperative course was uneventful. This patient could resume oral feeding soon after the operation, and colonic surgery could be performed immediately thereafter. Therefore, early surgical management is a possible first choice of treatment in patients with remaining biliary disease after periampullary perforation. |
19023172 | Intracystic hemorrhage of a large simple hepatic cyst. | Spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage rarely occurs in nonparasitic hepatic cysts. We describe a patient with spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage of a large simple hepatic cyst that mimicked a malignancy. A 59-year-old man presented with right abdominal fort. The patient's medical history included a simple hepatic cyst that had been detected 7 years earlier but was left untreated. Three weeks before presentation, right upper abdominal pain occurred but resolved spontaneously. The serum CA19-9 concentration was 48.3 U/mL (normal<37 U/mL). Ultrasonography revealed a large cystic mass, containing many hyperechoic structures and occupying nearly the entire right hepatic lobe. Computed tomography demonstrated a homogenous low-density area, 20 cm in diameter, in the right hepatic lobe. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneous hypointense lesion measuring 20 cm in diameter. The lesions showed linear hyperintense areas on T1-weighted sequences and mosaic heterogeneous hyperintensity on T2-weighted sequences. We suspected a hemorrhagic simple hepatic cyst, hydatid cyst, or hemorrhagic cystadenocarcinoma. Right hepatectomy was performed, and the enlarged right lobe was removed. The mass was soft, sponge-like, and contained fluid, but was not elevated. Pathologic examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the presence of a hemorrhagic benign hepatic cyst. |
19023173 | Life-threatening bleeding from gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach. | Here, we report on two patients with hemorrhagic shock due to hematemesis from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach. Patient 1 was a 64-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital because of syncope due to hemorrhagic shock resulting from massive hematemesis. Emergent upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy revealed a 5-cm-diameter submucosal tumor on the lesser curvature of the lower gastric body. In addition to the central ulceration of the tumor, a Dieulafoy-like lesion was present. Neither lesions showed active bleeding at the time of observation. Because the patient collapsed twice with fluminant hematemesis after admission, she underwent distal gastrectomy with Billroth-I reconstruction. Histological examination revealed a gastric GIST with no nodal metastasis and the mitotic count was less than 5 per 50 HPFs. Dilated vessels were prominent in the peritumoral submucosa, and a thrombus was seen in these vessels, which seemed to be a bleeding point. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and has been alive without recurrence for 5 and a half years. Patient 2 was a 60-year-old man who presented with syncope due to hemorrhagic shock resulting from massive hematemesis. Because the source of the bleeding was not elucidated with an initial upper GI endoscopy, he was treated for a gastric ulcer. One week after admission, he suffered from hemorrhagic shock again, and a submucosal tumor 6 cm in size was revealed on the greater curvature of the upper stomach with upper GI endoscopy. The patient subsequently underwent wedge resection of the tumor. Histopathological findings were consistent with a GIST and the mitotic count was less than 5 per 50 high-power fields. The tumor showed no necrosis or intratumoral hemorrhage. A peritumoral submucosal artery, which was responsible for the massive hematemesis, was located at some distance away from the central ulceration. Postoperative recovery was plications. After 4 years, the patient remains healthy and disease-free. Although hematemesis associated with gastric GIST has been said to originated from the central ulceration of the GIST, life-threatening, massive hematemesis is rare. The exact bleeding points of the gastric GISTs in these cases were submucosal vessels adjacent to the GIST, not the central ulceration. There have been no reports of peritumoral, submucosal vessels causing massive hematemesis from gastric GISTs. Because the origins and manner of bleeding varies in gastric GISTs, we must decide the methods of hemostasis immediately including the tumor excision. |
19023174 | Vaginal metastasis of urothelial carcinoma found incidentally during transurethral resection of a bladder tumor. | A 71-year-old woman visited our hospital for routine follow-up cystoscopy and urine cytologic examination. During the preceding 3 years she had undergone left nephroureterectomy for a tumor of the left renal pelvis and had undergone transurethral resection three times for tumors of the urinary bladder and urethra. A small flare region on the posterior wall of the bladder was found with regular cystoscopy, and urine cytologic examination was positive for malignant cells. Computed tomography showed no distant metastasis and no right upper urinary tract mass. Transurethral resection was performed for the small flare region in May 2006. A papillary tumor of the vaginal wall was found incidentally during transurethral resection, and, therefore, transvaginal resection of the tumor was performed at the same time. Histologic examination of the excised genital lesion showed a G3 pT2 urothelial carcinoma, and the patient has been under observation pletion of external radiotherapy for the vaginal metastatic nodule. |
19023175 | Effects of a worker participatory program for improving work environments on job stressors and mental health among workers: a controlled trial. | The Mental Health Action Checklist for a Better Workplace Environment (MHACL) is a tool for a worker participatory approach to improve work environments for worker mental health. The present study investigated the effects of an organizational intervention using the MHACL on reducing job stressors and the psychological distress of workers of a manufacturing enterprise in Japan with a controlled study design. Nine of 45 departments participated in a work environment improvement program, including planning workshops, implementation and monitoring, between July and December 2005 (intervention group, n=321). The remaining 36 departments served as the control group (n=750). es (job stressors, worksite support, psychological distress, etc.), measured using the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire, as well as sick leave days taken from pany record, were recorded before and six months after the program for both groups. Among women, skill underutilization, supervisor and coworker support, psychological distress, and job satisfaction changed more favorably in the intervention group than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant favorable effect of the program was observed among men. Improvements in the es were more prominent among departments with a 50% or higher rate of worker participation in the planning workshops and among departments with a 50% or higher rate of implemented vs. planned actions. A worker participatory organizational intervention using the MHACL seems effective for promoting mental health among Japanese white-collar women. |
19023176 | Naltrexone protects against lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced hepatitis in mice. | Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of naltrexone on acute hepatitis induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 20 microg/kg)/D-galactosamine (D-gal, 700 mg/kg) in conscious ICR mice. Results demonstrated that post-treatment with naltrexone (20 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated the deleterious liver function in mice treated with LPS/D-gal. It was also found that naltrexone significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) caused by LPS/D-gal. The overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anions induced by LPS/D-gal were also significantly reduced by naltrexone. Moreover, infiltration of neutrophils into the liver of mice 12 h after treatment with LPS/D-gal was also decreased by naltrexone. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of naltrexone on LPS/D-gal-induced hepatitis result from its inhibition of pro-inflammatory factors and antioxidant effects. Thus, naltrexone is of therapeutic potential for treating liver injury. |
19023177 | L-glutamate enhances methylmercury toxicity by synergistically increasing oxidative stress. | Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental toxicant. With its lipophilic nature and high reactivity to sulfhydryl groups, it is widely distributed and accumulated in the body to damage cells. Oxidative stress is proposed as a major mechanism underlying the cytotoxic action of MeHg. In the present study, we found that L-glutamate (L-Glu) concentration-dependently increased MeHg cytotoxicity in HeLa S3 cells. The enhancement of the toxicity was panied by enhanced apoptosis, increased production of reactive oxygen species, and decreased glutathione level. An anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine largely alleviated the cytotoxicity, suggesting enhanced oxidative stress behind L-Glu-elicited increase of MeHg toxicity. The effect was specific to L-Glu and L-alpha-aminoadipate, whereas D-Glu, L-aspartate, and D-aspartate were not effective. In addition, the cystine uptake by the cells was mostly mediated by a L-Glu/L-alpha-aminoadipate-sensitive amino acid transport system x(-)(C). All these results suggest that the inhibition of system x(-)(C) by L-Glu underlies the enhancement of MeHg cytotoxicity. The enhancement was highly synergistic because MeHg and L-Glu alone had little toxic effect in the conditions used. This synergism was confirmed in neural cells (neuroblastoma cell lines). It is proposed that similar mechanisms may underlie the neural toxicity of MeHg, particularly in the locality of lesions characteristic of MeHg toxicity. |
19023178 | Calmodulin kinase II activation is required for the maintenance of basal activity of L-type Ca2+ channels in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. | The roles of calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the maintenance of basal activity and the reversion of run-down of L-type Ca2+ channels were studied in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes by the patch-clamp technique. In the cell-attached configuration, the Ca2+-channel activity was inhibited to 82% - 26% by 1-10 microM KN-93 and to 92% - 66% by 0.1-1 microM autocamtide-2-related inhibitory peptide (AIP) myristoylated. In the inside-out configuration, the bovine cardiac cytoplasm recovered Ca2+-channel activity to 87% of that recorded in the cell-attached configuration, while the CaMKII inhibitor 281-301 at 10 microM reduced the recovery effect to 19%. CaM + ATP recovered the channel activity to 93% and 28% of that recorded in the cell-attached configuration when applied at 1 and 5 min after run-down, respectively, showing a time-dependent attenuation. However, in the presence of 0.33 microM CaMKII, this attenuation was abolished, showing 85% and 75% recovery when applied at 1 and 5 min after run-down, respectively. This recovery effect was suppressed by 10 microM AIP, applied at 5 min, but not at 1 min after run-down. We concluded that CaMKII activation is required in the maintenance of basal activity of L-type Ca2+ channels. |
19023179 | Gene expression profiling reveals complex changes in the olfactory bulbectomy model of depression after chronic treatment with antidepressants. | We investigated the effects of antidepressants on the gene expression profile and behavior of olfactory-bulbectomized (OBX) rats. Removal of the main olfactory bulbs in rats alters neuronal function in brain areas involved in emotional regulation, resulting in maladaptive behavioral patterns similar to the symptoms of patients with depression. Previously, we found that OBX-induced behavioral and neuronal abnormalities pletely rescued by chronic treatment with SNC80, an opioid delta agonist, as well as with classical monoaminergic antidepressants. Thus, to determine the basis for this effect, we analyzed gene expression in OBX rat frontal cortex using a GeneChip rat Genome oligonucleotide array after imipramine or SNC80 treatment. We found that imipramine and SNC80 induced the following systematic changes in OBX rats: zinc ion binding; hydrolase activity, acting on acid anhydrides, in phosphorus-containing anhydrides; protein serine/threonine kinase activity; N-acetyltransferase activity; protein modification process; regulation of cellular process; and regulation of neurotransmitter levels. Defining the roles of candidate neuronal systems in antidepressant-induced neural changes are likely to transform the course of research on the biological basis of mood disorders. |
19023180 | Cofilin phosphorylation mediates proliferation in response to platelet-derived growth factor-BB in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. | Cofilin, an actin-binding protein, is essential for a variety of cell responses. In this study, we investigated the correlation between proliferation and cofilin phosphorylation in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs). The phosphorylation of cofilin and activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were measured by Western analyses and proliferation in RASMCs was measured by BrdU incorporation assays. The phosphorylation of cofilin in RASMCs was decreased by PDGF-BB treatment at 10 min, but recovered to the level of the quiescent state at 60 min. PDGF-BB-induced dephosphorylation of cofilin was inhibited by pretreatment with piceatannol (a spleen tyrosine kinase [Syk] inhibitor), PP2 (a Src inhibitor), or SP600125 (a c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK] inhibitor), but not by PD98059, an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. PDGF-BB increased JNK activity and proliferation, and these responses were suppressed by kinase inhibitors and small interference RNA-cofilin. The results suggest that PDGF-BB-induced dephosphorylation of cofilin can be promoted via the JNK pathway, which is regulated by both Syk and Src kinases and that cofilin dephosphorylation may be involved in PDGF-BB-induced RASMC proliferation. |
19023181 | Success of murine embryo transfer increased by a modified transfer pipette. | Embryos transfer is one of the most critical steps for generating genetically modified mice. Because of the limitations of the current transfer equipment and techniques, such as discharge of freshly transferred embryos and the necessity of sophisticated transfer skills, the success ratio of implantation may not well satisfy the requirements for mass production of high quality animals in the field of genetically modified mice. In this study, we describe a modified embryo transfer pipette with a syringe-like tip that can easily be applied to mouse embryo transfer. Using this improved method, we show that the procedures for mouse embryo implantation are simplified and easier to perform; moreover, the viability rate of mouse embryos is 20% higher than that achieved with conventional methods. Our modified tool and improved transfer technique are effective, time-saving and less invasive, resulting in increased success of embryo transfer. |
19023182 | Classification of morphological changes based on the number of cleavage divisions in bovine embryos. | Quantification based on cleavage division (CD) of bovine preimplantation embryos facilitates quantitative analyses of embryonic developmental processes because CD occurs roughly once each day for all blastomeres for up to at least 9 days after ovulation. Therefore, embryonic morphological changes during this period were classified according to CD number. In this study, embryos collected from superovulated donors 0-9 days after ovulation were first classified morphologically into 14 conventional developmental stages. The total cell numbers (TCN) of embryos were measured using the air-dry method. The respective CD numbers of the embryos were then determined using logarithmic transformation of the TCN. The CD numbers of embryos were increased 0-10th with 11 stages. The 0th CD corresponded to 1-cell stage embryos; the 1st CD corresponded to 2-cell stage embryos; the 2nd CD corresponded to 3-4-cell stage embryos; the 3rd CD corresponded to 5-8-cell stage embryos; the 4th CD corresponded to 9-16-cell stage embryos, the 5th CD corresponded to morulae (17-32-cell stage embryos); and the 6th CD corresponded to pact morulae. Furthermore, the 7th CD included early blastocysts to blastocysts. The 8th CD included expanded, collapsed and hatching blastocysts. The 9th CD included hatched blastocysts. The 10th CD included expanding-hatched blastocysts. The relationship between the CD number and the morphological characteristics of the bovine embryos 0-9 days after ovulation was expressed using a linear equation, and this revealed a high degree of correlation (y=0.98x-0.96, r=0.99). These results suggest that morphological changes of bovine embryos can be classified accurately using an 11-stage classification system based on the number of cleavages. |
19023184 | Brazil: public health genomics. | Brazil represents half of South America and one third of Latin America, having more than 186 million inhabitants. After China and India it is the third largest developing country in the world. The wealth is unequally distributed among the states and among the people. Brazil has a large plex health care system. A Universal Public Health System (SUS: Sistema SPACEnico de Saúde) covers the medical expenses for 80% of the population. The genetic structure of the population is plex, including a large proportion of tri- hybrid persons, genetic isolates, and a panmictic large majority. Genetic services are offered at 64 genetic centers, half of them public and free. Nationwide networks are operating for inborn errors of metabolism, oncogenetics, and craniofacial anomalies. The Brazilian Society of Medical Genetics (SBGM) has granted 120 board certifications since 1986, and 7 recognized residences in medical genetics are operating in the country. Three main public health actions promoted by the federal government have been undertaken in the last decade, ultimately aimed at the prevention of birth defects. Since 1999, birth defects are reported for all 3 million annual live births, several vaccination strategies aim at the eradication of rubella, and wheat and maize flours are fortified with folic acid. Currently, the government distributes over 2 million US dollars to finance 14 research projects aimed at providing the basis for the adequate prevention and care of genetics disorders through the SUS. Continuity of this proactive attitude of the government in the area of genomics in public health is desired. |
19023186 | Developing stakeholder involvement for introducing public health genomics into public policy. | Public health genomics (PHG) relies on developing knowledge from a variety of natural and social science research disciplines to shape public policies, health policy, education and training, and direct outreach to organisations and the population at large. All of ponents rely on the involvement of stakeholders who, because of the diverse groups involved, will have a wide range of backgrounds. The significant challenges associated with the engagement of such a diverse range of stakeholders pounded by the wide knowledge gaps that exist between scientists, the public, and different professional groups. In this paper we discuss some of the areas of public policy that might involve PHG, set out principles on the need for stakeholder involvement, and describe the range of potential stakeholders that need to be considered when working to incorporate PHG into new and existing policies. For specific projects in PHG, however, the question of who to involve and how must be addressed according to the work in question. |
19023183 | The roles of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in aged pig oocytes. | After reaching metaphase II, in vitro matured oocytes undergo plex processes referred to as oocyte aging. Under our culture conditions, some aged oocytes remained at the stage of metaphase II, some underwent spontaneous parthenogenetic activation and others underwent cellular death, either through apoptosis (fragmentation) or lysis. We investigated the effect of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibition on pig oocyte aging and the activity of JNK and p38 MAPK during the aging period. Inhibition of JNK protected the oocytes from fragmentation (0% fragmented oocytes under JNK inhibition vs. 26% fragmented oocytes in the control group). Inhibition of p38 MAPK had no effect on fragmentation. Inhibition of JNK also had an influence on spontaneous parthenogenetic activation of aged oocytes. The ratio of activated JNK to total JNK decreased during aging of oocytes. However, exit from MII had no effect on it. The ratio of activated p38 MAPK to total p38 MAPK did not change significantly. The phosphorylated form of JNK is present in fragmented and activated oocytes, while lysed oocytes lack the active form of JNK. Based on our data, we can conclude that JNK plays an active role in fragmentation of pig oocytes and that p38 MAPK is not involved in this process. |
19023187 | A decade of public health genomics in the United States: centers for disease control and prevention 1997-2007. | Since 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has collaborated with numerous partners to develop and chart the course of the multidisciplinary field of public health genomics in the USA and globally. During this period, CDC has developed major initiatives for the appropriate integration of genomics into public health research, policy and programs. In this paper, we review briefly the progress in public health genomics made over the past decade in the USA, including population research, the human genome epidemiology network (HuGENet(TM)), the evaluation of genomic applications in practice and prevention (EGAPP), the family history public health initiative, and efforts in building the public health genomics capacity. We also outline a vision for public health genomics for the next decade. |
19023189 | Argentina: public health genomics. | Argentina's population numbers about 40 million, with main genetic contributions from Europeans, Amerindians and, to a much lower extent, West Africans. There is a traditional health care system publicly funded coexisting with a social security system and a for-profit private sector. Clinical genetic services include about 40 units in public hospitals dealing mainly with pediatric genetics. The most conspicuous public policies in genetics are newborn screening and folic acid fortification of flour. Genetics/genomics research is funded by state agencies and is conducted in several institutes and centers. Clinical genetics research occurs in public hospitals and deals primarily with congenital syndromes. While there are no defined government policies in the public application of genomics, there have been initiatives to improve the provision of clinical genetic services countrywide. The main hurdles for applying genetics in health care are a fragmented, inefficient, and inequitable health system, facing large unmet needs in infectious diseases, malnutrition, prenatal and newborn care, deficient education in genetics, and lack of explicit public policies in genetic health care and governmental regulations. ing these obstacles requires increase in government funding and improvement of the efficiency of the public health system and its genetic services. Further, there must be concerted efforts to ensure equitable access to the latter. Interactions should be promoted between clinical geneticists, public health officers, primary health care personnel and parent/patient organizations on the use of genetics/genomics in public health, as well as genetics education of health professionals, the public and decision makers, and development of the capacity of the state to regulate properly the application of genetic/genomic technologies to public health. |
19023188 | Genetic clinics in arab communities: meeting individual, family and community needs. | Arab societies are characterized by a wide range of family and social structures, religious and legal conventions, and highly variable economic resources. As might be expected under these circumstances, genetic services cannot readily be devised, delivered, and assessed according to a single model. However, in general terms, the provision of genetic services in munities at all population levels is still inadequate given the prevalence and burden of genetic diseases. Improving this situation calls for major educational efforts that include increasing the genetic literacy of the general prehensive courses and campaigns to familiarize primary health care workers with counseling needs and skills and with referral guidelines for high-risk families, updating medical, nursing, and paramedical curricula to incorporate information munity genetics, and training clinical and laboratory genetic specialists to meet the short- and long-term goals of genetic disease prevention and management. |
19023190 | Ethical, legal, and social issues in health technology assessment for prenatal/preconceptional and newborn screening: a workshop report. | Prenatal/preconceptional and newborn screening programs have been a focus of recent policy debates that have included attention to ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSIs). In parallel, there has been an ongoing discussion about whether and how ELSIs may be addressed in health technology assessment (HTA). We conducted a knowledge synthesis study to explore both guidance and current practice regarding the consideration of ELSIs in HTA for prenatal/preconceptional and newborn screening. As the concluding activity for this project, we held a Canadian workshop to discuss the issues with a diverse group of stakeholders. Based on key workshop themes integrated with our study results, we suggest that population-based genetic screening programs may present particular types of ELSIs and that a public health ethics perspective is potentially highly relevant when considering them. We also suggest that approaches to addressing ELSIs in HTA for prenatal/preconceptional and newborn screening may need to be flexible enough to respond to diversity in HTA organizations, cultural values, munities, and contextual factors. Finally, we highlight a need for transparency in the way that HTA producers move from evidence to conclusions and the ways in which screening policy decisions are made. |
19023192 | Clinical course of pulmonary embolism in lung cancer patients. | Although lung cancer is the mon malignancy diagnosed in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), data regarding pulmonary embolism (PE) in lung cancer patients are limited. |
19023191 | Detection of neuroendocrine liver metastases with MnDPDP-enhanced MRI. | The sensitivity puterised tomography (CT) in detecting neuroendocrine liver metastases is variable and three-phase imaging is advocated. However, patients are often young and may require prolonged follow-up, thus a technique that avoids radiation exposure would be desirable. Our purpose was to assess the diagnostic performance of MRI, before and after administration of mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP), in the detection of neuroendocrine liver metastases. |
19023193 | Proteomic investigation in A549 lung cell line stably infected by HPV16E6/E7 oncogenes. | Data have accumulated implicating the involvement of oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in bronchial carcinogenesis. We recently described the presence of oncogenic HPV transcripts in non-small cell lung cancers. |
19023194 | Caregiver burden among caregivers of Koreans with dementia. | Most studies on caregiver burden have been conducted in Western countries, while few studies on the correlates of caregiver burden have been performed in Korea. |
19023196 | Hypertension-mediated albuminuria is associated with reduced lysosomal activity in the kidney and the heart. | Recent studies suggest that expression of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-inducible gene-h3 (betaig-h3) and its anti-lysosomal activity may be responsible for the development of albuminuria and cardiovascular disease associated with hypertension. |
19023195 | Serum retinol-binding protein concentration and its association with components of the uremic metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5. | Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with insulin resistance also in the absence of overt diabetes mellitus. The liver-derived transport protein retinol-binding protein (RBP) has recently been proposed as a novel adipokine involved in the metabolism of glucose. Although RBP is elevated in type 2 diabetics with mild CKD, its role in advanced CKD is not well studied. We hypothesized that altered RBP levels in CKD could be one factor contributing to the uremic insulin resistance. |
19023200 | Correlations between thymidylate synthase expression and chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil, cell proliferation and clinical outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. | 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used drug in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Thymidylate synthase (TS), which is the target enzyme of 5-FU, has been demonstrated to be a key regulatory enzyme. In this study, we examined whether TS expression is correlated with chemosensitivity to 5-FU, cell proliferation and clinical e in HNSCC. |
19023201 | 2,3-dehydrosilybin is a better DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor than its parental silybin. | We have shown pared with silybin, 2,3-dehydrosilybin (DHS) exhibits more potent in vitro anticancer activities alone or bination with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Since TNF-alpha sensitization is related to DNA topoisomerase (topo) inhibition, DHS may be a potent topo inhibitor. |
19023203 | Maximal potential patent foramen diameter does not correlate with the type or frequency of the neurologic event prior to closure. | We analyzed our data on patients undergoing transcatheter patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure to determine if the maximal potential PFO diameter (MPPD) by balloon sizing correlates with important clinical characteristics in this population. |
19023204 | Homocysteine and cognitive impairment. Relation with diagnosis and neuropsychological performance. | Elevated total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, and it has also been proposed as an independent risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Its relationship with cognitive impairment, however, remains unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship of tHcy levels with clinical diagnoses and cognitive performance in a sample of outpatients with cognitive impairment. |
19023205 | Predictive factors for metachronous gastric cancer in high-risk patients after successful Helicobacter pylori eradication. | Helicobacter pylori eradication following endoscopic mucosal resection of early gastric cancer reduces the risk of metachronous gastric cancer. |
19023207 | Swiss multicenter study evaluating the efficacy, feasibility and safety of peginterferon-alfa-2a and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C in official opiate substitution programs. | Though patients in opiate substitution programs monly infected with HCV, due to safety and efficacy concerns, they are rarely treated with interferon and ribavirin. |
19023208 | Pyogenic portal vein thrombosis as a reservoir of persistent septicemia after cyanoacrylate injection for bleeding gastric varices. | Gastric variceal bleeding is a plication of liver cirrhosis. A recent consensus suggested that endoscopic injection of tissue glue for gastric variceal obliteration (GVO) should be the first choice for treatment of acute gastric variceal bleeding. Following the widespread use of GVO, more plications such as needle cementation, fistula formation, embolic sequels, recurrent septicemia, etc., have been reported. We present the first case of plicated pyogenic portosplenic vein thrombosis which led to persistent Klebsiella pneumoniae septicemia. The foreign body of a glue plug offers an ideal surface for bacterial colonization which es a reservoir for continuous bacterial dissemination. The mechanism was proven by ribotyping of the microorganism and postmortem pathology. |
19023209 | Early prenatal diagnosis of cloacal exstrophy with fetal magnetic resonance imaging. | Prenatal diagnosis of cloacal exstrophy can be challenging during pregnancy and, subsequently, the counseling very difficult. Available ultrasonographic criteria may be inadequate, especially in early gestational ages. A case of early prenatal detection of cloacal exstrophy with fetal magnetic resonance imaging is reported herein for the first time. |
19023210 | Severe hyperbilirubinemia in a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient preterm neonate: could prematurity be the main responsible factor? | We report on a premature infant with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and severe hyperbilirubinemia. In this patient, all known potential hemolytic agents were excluded and no findings of hemolysis were observed. The crucial role of prematurity in the pathogenesis of this type of jaundice is discussed. |
19023211 | Prenatal diagnosis of a patent urachus cyst with the use of 2D, 3D, 4D ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging. | Patent urachus cyst is a rare umbilical anomaly, which is poorly detected prenatally and frequently confounded with pseudo bladder exstrophy or omphalocele. A 27-year-old woman was referred to our prenatal diagnosis centre at 18 weeks of gestation after diagnosis of a megabladder and 2 umbilical cord cysts. Subsequent 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound examinations and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a typical umbilical cyst and an extra-abdominal municating with the vertex of the fetal bladder through a small channel that increased in size when the fetus voided urine. Termination of pregnancy occured at 31 weeks because of associated cerebral septal agenesis, and autopsy confirmed the prenatal diagnosis of urachus cyst. Few cases of urachus cyst diagnosed prenatally are reported in literature, but none were associated with other extra-abdominal disorders and none used 3D, 4D and fetal MRI. Our case illustrated the efficiency in prenatal diagnosis of 3D and 4D ultrasound examinations. This could help pediatrician surgeons to explain to a couple about neonatal surgical repair and plastic reconstruction in the prenatal period. |
19023212 | Singing and science. Invited lecture at the 7th Pan-European voice conference (PEVOC7), Groningen, August 28 to September 1, 2007. | Starting out from Manuel Garcia, attention is paid to the work of outstanding personalities having excelled both in performing arts as singers as well as in scientific elaborations. The main focus will be on two aspects: the controversies about the principles of voice production as provoked by Raoul Husson and his revolutionary ideas, and the influence of the vocal tract on the formation of the sound of the voice. Both of these topics offer the opportunity of referring to the basic contributions of the Groningen voice research pioneers Janwillem van den Berg and his scholar Harm Schutte. For the online edition, supplementary material in the form of video and audio clips contributes to a pilation of a series of selected fragments representing the fascinating field of the human voice. |
19023214 | Discovery of sympatric dwarf lemur species in the high-altitude rain forest of Tsinjoarivo, Eastern Madagascar: implications for biogeography and conservation. | The number of species within the Malagasy lemur genus Cheirogaleus is currently under debate. Museum collections are spotty, and field work, supplemented by morphometric and genetic analysis, is essential for documenting geographic distributions, ecological characteristics and species boundaries. We report here field evidence for 2 dwarf lemur species at Tsinjoarivo, an eastern-central high-altitude rain forest: one, from a forest fragment, displaying coat and dental characteristics similar to C. sibreei (previously described only from museum specimens) and the other, from the continuous forest, resembling individuals of Cheirogaleus found today at Ranomafana National Park, further to the south. This study represents the first confirmation of a living population of grey-fawn, C.-sibreei-like, dwarf lemurs in Madagascar. |
19023215 | Upregulation of chemokine and cytokine production during pregnancy. | Following implantation, endometrial stroma is transformed into decidual tissue via plex remodeling process. In parallel with that process, a significant increase in immune cells can be detected. Several studies suggest that chemokines and cytokines orchestrate the transformation of decidual tissue and the infiltration of leukocytes. In this study, we pared chemokine and cytokine expression in the first- and third-trimester nonpregnant endometrium and decidua. |
19023216 | Animal bocaviruses: a brief review. | The recently discovered human Bocavirus has been preliminary classified into the genus Bocavirus of the family Parvoviridae. Animal bocaviruses have been known in veterinary medicine since the early 1960s. This paper reviews the current knowledge about the two eponymous members of the genus: bovine parvovirus (BPV) and canine minute virus (CnMV). In contrast to other parvoviruses, bocaviruses contain a third open reading frame in the mid of the genome encoding for a highly phosphorylated non-structural protein, NP1, whose function has not yet been determined. The VP1-unique region of BPV and CnMV contains a phospholipase A(2) sequence motif. Both viruses cause diseases of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract and are known to infect fetuses and to cause reproductive disorders. Especially young animals suffer from disease, whereas in adults subclinical infection mon. Clinical signs include diarrhea, vomiting, dyspnea, embryonic/fetal death after transplacental infection early and abortion late in gestation. Both viruses have mon that they are widespread in their host species as worldwide serosurveys indicate. For BPV it has been shown that sialated glycoproteins mediate hemagglutination reaction and function as receptor for virus attachment on permissive cells. |
19023217 | Effect of nitric oxide on Dengue virus replication in Aedes aegypti and Anopheles albimanus. | Dengue virus (DENV) is transmitted to humans by Aedes sp. mosquitoes. Little is known about the cellular and molecular interactions between the virus and the mosquito. The identification of resistance mechanisms could provide insight for the development of control strategies based on genetic manipulation. |
19023218 | Turkey coronavirus non-structure protein NSP15--an endoribonuclease. | Turkey coronavirus (TCoV) polyprotein was predicted to be cleaved into 15 non-structural proteins (nsp2 to nsp16), but none of these nsps have been characterized. TCoV nsp15 consists of 338 residues and shares 40% sequence similarity to U-specific Nidovirales endoribonuclease (NendoU) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. |
19023219 | Gender-dependent impact of risk factors for cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in end-stage renal disease patients on haemodialysis. | We investigated whether mortality risk factors are gender dependent in haemodialysis patients. Patients (n = 230; 118 women, 112 men) on haemodialysis were followed for 52 months to assess the incidence of death due to cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular causes. Survival pared by Cox regression analysis using age, diabetes, pre-existing coronary disease, troponin T and C-reactive protein as covariates. In total, 120 participants (52.2%) died within the 52 months of follow-up: 57 patients died of cardiovascular disease, 35 patients died of infectious diseases. Cox regression revealed that age, pre-existing coronary heart disease and troponin T were independent all-cause mortality risk factors for both sexes. Analyzing men and women separately revealed that diabetes and C-reactive protein seemed to be a stronger risk factors for all-cause mortality in women. Cardiovascular mortality was predicted by troponin T in women (relative risk = 5.16, 95% CI: 1.67-15.88; p = 0.004), but not in men (relative risk = 1.69; 95% CI: 0.72-3.96; p = 0.23). Our study showed for the first time that the impact of risk factors in predicting death due to cardiovascular disease is clearly gender dependent. |
19023222 | Ocular burn: rinsing and healing with ionic marine solutions and vegetable oils. | We investigated the effects of various rinsing and healing protocols on corneal wound repair and inflammation following alkali burn in rabbits. |
19023220 | Pulmonary dysfunction is possibly a marker of malnutrition and inflammation but not mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. | Various studies have indicated that malnutrition and chronic inflammation are strong predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between pulmonary function, malnutrition and chronic inflammation in patients with CKD. |
19023223 | Comparison of the efficacy and safety of contact versus peribulbar anaesthesia in combined eye surgery. | pare bined levels fort, the presence plications and the results of phacotrabeculectomy surgery obtained with 2 different forms of anaesthesia: topical contact anaesthesia and peribulbar injected anaesthesia. |
19023224 | Transient hyperopia after intensive treatment of hyperglycemia in newly diagnosed diabetes. | Our aim was to observe the transient hyperopia during the intense glucose reduction in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes and severe hyperglycemia. |
19023225 | Risk factors for retinal hemorrhage after photodynamic therapy in age-related macular degeneration. | Subretinal or intraretinal hemorrhage may occur after photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, risk factors for post-PDT hemorrhage have not yet been investigated. |
19023226 | Short-term safety and efficacy of a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection for the management of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. | To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). |
19023227 | Detection of hepatitis B virus in the aqueous humor of a hepatitis B virus carrier. | The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is particularly high in Asian countries, including Taiwan. Previous studies have reported detection of HBV surface antigens in tears and aqueous humor of HBV-seropositive individuals, suggesting that ophthalmologists may be at risk of contracting HBV infection by treatment of such patients. Herein we report the case of an asymptomatic Taiwanese HBV patient in whom HBV was detected in aqueous humor using PCR. To our knowledge this is the first report of HBV detection in aqueous humor by PCR. Eye care providers should take all necessary precautions when treating individuals who have or are at high risk of being infected with HBV. |
19023229 | A proposal for a new multiaxial model of psychiatric diagnosis. A continuum-based patient model derived from evolutionary developmental gene-environment interaction. | To review recent genetic and neuroscientific research on psychiatric syndromes based on the current diagnostic scheme, and develop a better-fitting multiaxial patient-oriented diagnostic model. |
19023231 | Severity of bulimia nervosa. Measurement and classification into health or pathology. | In order to identify the most ponents of the severity of bulimia nervosa (as well as identifying clinical cases), we explored the relation between dimensional and categorical assessment. This was achieved by studying the performance of variables from standard instruments (measuring specific and general psychopathology) in predicting an expert rating of overall syndrome severity. |
19023230 | The influence of postnatal psychiatric disorder on child development. Is maternal preoccupation one of the key underlying processes? | There is considerable evidence that maternal postnatal psychiatric disorder has an adverse influence on infant development. In attempting to examine the pathways of intergenerational transmission, most research has concentrated on genetic factors or on maternal behaviours during mother-child interaction and attachment. However, researchers have largely ignored the possible role of maternal cognition underlying behaviour, especially the thought and attentional processes involved in psychiatric disorders. This paper argues that a particular form of maternal cognition, namely 'preoccupation', is one key, but under-recognised, mechanism in the transmission of psychiatric disturbance. We propose that preoccupation interferes with specific aspects of mental functioning, especially attention and responsivity to the environment. This impairs the mother's parenting capacities and adversely affects mother-child interaction and child development. |
19023232 | The short version of the Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23): development and initial data on psychometric properties. | The full version of the Borderline Symptom List (BSL; for clarification now labeled BSL-95) is a self-rating instrument for specific assessment of borderline-typical symptomatology. The BSL-95 items are based on criteria of the DSM-IV, the revised version of the Diagnostic Interview for Borderline Personality Disorder, and the opinions of both clinical experts and borderline patients. The BSL-95 includes 95 items. In order to reduce patient burden and assessment time, a short version with 23 items (BSL-23) was developed. |
19023234 | Total number of genome alterations in sporadic gastrointestinal cancer inferred from pooled analyses in the literature. | A previous study based on the age distribution of human cancers has demonstrated that about 6 or 7 mutations are required for gastrointestinal cancer to develop. This study aims to provide further insight into this issue through a systematic review of current knowledge found in the literature. |
19023233 | Attribution biases in schizophrenia: relationship to clinical and functional impairments. | Patients with schizophrenia exhibit impairment in their ability to accurately recognize facial emotions in others, and the severity of this emotion perception deficit has been associated with poorer functioning. However, the mechanisms underlying facial emotion perception deficits are poorly understood. There is evidence to suggest that patients, particularly those with certain positive symptoms, may misinterpret other people's facial expressions as having an overly negative valence. The present study examined the degree to which attribution biases in facial emotion perception are associated with psychiatric symptomatology and social and occupational impairments. |
19023261 | Implementation of newborn hepatitis B vaccination--worldwide, 2006. | Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are a major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer and result in an estimated 620,000 deaths annually. In 1992, the World Health Organization (WHO) set a goal for all countries to introduce hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine into national routine infant immunization programs by 1997. In countries where a high percentage of HBV infections are acquired perinatally (where general population prevalence of chronic HBV infection is >/=8%), WHO mends administering the first HepB vaccine dose <24 hours after birth to prevent perinatal HBV transmission. To assess implementation of newborn HepB vaccination, the most recently available data were examined from the Joint Reporting Form used by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to track worldwide vaccine coverage for mended infant immunizations. In 2006, a total of 162 (84%) of 193 countries had introduced HepB vaccine into their national infant immunization schedules. Among the 193 countries, 81 (42%) reported using a schedule with a HepB vaccine birth dose (defined as a dose administered within 24 hours of birth). Worldwide, 27% of newborns received a HepB vaccine birth dose in 2006. In the 87 countries with >/=8% chronic HBV infection prevalence, HepB vaccine birth dose coverage was 36%. These findings highlight the global need to implement this key hepatitis B prevention strategy more widely. |
19023262 | Continued shortage of Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines and potential implications for Hib surveillance--United States, 2008. | In December 2007, Merck & Co., Inc. (West Point, Pennsylvania) announced a voluntary recall of certain lots of two Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines, PedvaxHIB (monovalent Hib vaccine) and Comvax (Hib-HepB vaccine) and suspended production of both vaccines, disrupting the U.S. supply of Hib vaccine. When the recall was announced, Merck projected restoration of these vaccines to the U.S. market in late 2008. To ensure that enough vaccine would be available for all U.S. children plete the primary Hib vaccination series, on December 18, 2007, CDC mended that providers defer the booster dose of Hib vaccine (scheduled for administration at age 12-15 months) for all children except those at increased risk for invasive Hib disease. On October 17, 2008, Merck announced that restoration of the two vaccines to the market would be delayed until mid-2009. Because the continued delay might result in an increase in Hib disease, national surveillance for invasive Hib disease has e particularly important. To assess the current status of surveillance for Hib nationally, CDC reviewed 4,657 cases of invasive H. influenzae infection reported during January 2007-October 2008, including 748 cases among children aged <5 years. Of those 748 cases, 45 (6.0%) were Hib (serotype b), and 278 (37.2%) were missing serotype information. The continued vaccine shortage heightens the need for timely reporting and investigation of H. influenzae cases and accurate serotyping of all invasive H. influenzae isolates in children aged <5 years. |
19023263 | Rotavirus surveillance--worldwide, 2001-2008. | Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of severe acute diarrhea among young children worldwide. An estimated 527,000 children aged <5 years die from rotavirus diarrhea each year, with >85% of these deaths occurring in e countries of Africa and Asia. Two licensed rotavirus vaccines have shown efficacy of 85%-98% against severe rotavirus diarrhea in trials conducted in the Americas and Europe, and they have been introduced into routine immunization programs in 11 countries in these regions and in Australia. Additional trials of these vaccines are ongoing to assess efficacy in e countries of Asia and Africa, where vaccine performance might be affected by factors such as concurrent enteric infections, greater prevalence of malnutrition, and a greater prevalence of unusual rotavirus strains. Results of these additional trials are expected within the next 1-2 years. To collect epidemiologic and burden-of-disease data that could form the basis of vaccination policy worldwide, beginning in 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with partners, established networks of hospital-based sentinel surveillance sites for detection of rotavirus diarrhea and characterization of rotavirus strains. This report presents an analysis of results from the WHO surveillance networks for 2001-008, which indicated that approximately 40% of diarrhea hospitalizations among children aged <5 years worldwide were attributed to rotavirus infection. The mon rotavirus strains found were G1, G2, G3, G4, and G9, and the distribution of strains varied markedly across regions. These data demonstrate the substantial burden of rotavirus diarrhea worldwide and highlight the potential health impact of vaccination. |
19023265 | Youth risk behavior surveillance--Pacific Island United States Territories, 2007. | Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults in Pacific Island territories, often are established during adolescence and extend into adulthood. |
19023264 | Youth risk behavior surveillance--selected Steps communities, United States, 2007. | Priority health-risk behaviors, including tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and physical inactivity often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. These behaviors contribute to chronic disease and other health conditions, including asthma. |
19023272 | Intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes, child adiposity, and blood pressure. | Intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may promote offspring obesity and higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) by adolescence. Few studies have examined adiposity or SBP in younger children exposed to GDM. This study's objective was to examine associations of maternal glucose tolerance during pregnancy with offspring adiposity and SBP at age 3 years. |
19023273 | Angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism predicts development of hypertension and metabolic syndrome. | The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of polymorphism A1166C for AGTR1 and -1332G/A for AGTR2 on the incidence of sustained hypertension (HT) and metabolic syndrome in a cohort of young patients screened for stage 1 HT. |
19023274 | Are RGS2 gene polymorphisms associated with high blood pressure in an ethnicity- and gender-specific manner? | Polymorphisms in the Regulator of G-protein Signaling 2 (RGS2) gene have been reported to be associated with hypertension (HT) in Japanese women and black Americans of either gender but not in white Americans or Japanese men. We have tested whether these proposed ethnicity- and gender-specific associations between RGS2 gene polymorphisms and HT can be confirmed in an independent population of male and female blacks, whites, and south Asians. |
19023275 | Estrogen deficiency-induced alterations of vascular MMP-2, MT1-MMP, and TIMP-2 in ovariectomized rats. | Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity may modulate hypertension-related accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in arteries. We tested whether estrogen deficiency induces alterations of vascular collagen, MMP-2, membrane-type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP), or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) expression in ovariectomized rats, which may be associated with postmenopausal hypertension. |
19023276 | COMT genotype influences the effect of alcohol on blood pressure: results from the COMBINE study. | Heavy drinking can cause chronic hypertension, possibly due to effects on the autonomic nervous system. Catechol- O-methyltransferase (COMT) inactivates catecholamines, and a G to A substitution in codon 108 in the soluble COMT mRNA (or codon 158 in the membrane-bound form) substitutes methionine for valine and alters enzyme activity. |
19023278 | Oxidative stress in severely obese persons is greater in those with insulin resistance. | The postprandial state seems to have a direct influence on oxidative status and insulin resistance. We determined the effect of an increase in plasma triglycerides after a high-fat meal on oxidative stress in severely obese patients with differing degrees of insulin resistance. The study was undertaken in 60 severely obese persons who received a 60-g fat overload with mercial preparation. Measurements were made of insulin resistance, the plasma activity of various antioxidant enzymes, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). The patients with greater insulin resistance had a lower plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P < 0.05) and a greater glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (P < 0.05). The high-fat meal caused a significant reduction in SOD activity and an increase in the plasma concentration of TBARS in all the patients. Only the patients with lower insulin resistance experienced a significant increase in plasma catalase activity (2.22 +/- 1.02 vs. 2.93 +/- 1.22 nmol/min/ml, P < 0.01), remaining stable in the patients with greater insulin resistance. These latter patients had a reduction in plasma TAC (6.92 +/- 1.93 vs. 6.29 +/- 1.80 mmol/l, P < 0.01). In conclusion, our results show a close association between the degree of insulin resistance and markers of oxidative stress, both before and after a high-fat meal. The postprandial state causes an important increase in oxidative stress, especially in severely obese persons with greater insulin resistance. However, we are unable to determine from this study whether there is first an increase in oxidative stress or in insulin resistance. |
19023279 | Effect of fenofibrate on adiponectin and inflammatory biomarkers in metabolic syndrome patients. | Adiponectin is an adipose-secreted hormone with anti-inflammatory properties mediated by inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling. This study investigates whether fenofibrate alters adiponectin levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and the metabolic syndrome, and examines the association of adiponectin with circulating inflammatory markers and whole blood cytokine production. The effects of fenofibrate (160 mg/day) on adiponectin and other inflammatory markers were investigated in a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 55 patients with hypertriglyceridemia (plasma triglycerides > or =1.7 mmol/l and <6.8 mmol/l), central obesity and other characteristics of the metabolic syndrome who were not receiving lipid-altering therapies. In the fenofibrate group, adiponectin levels increased from 4.10 to 4.50 microg/ml (+7.7%); in the placebo group, adiponectin levels increased by 1.8%; (P = 0.0005). In multivariate models including age, gender, and waist circumference, there were inverse correlations between changes in adiponectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (r = -0.54, P < 0.0001) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (r = -0.57, P < 0.0001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = -0.40, P = 0.0041); lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (r = -0.30, P = 0.035), interleukin (IL)-1beta (r = -0.44, P = 0.0016), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) (r = -0.46, P = 0.001), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) (r = -0.45, P = 0.0012). Fenofibrate (160 mg/day) raised adiponectin levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and the metabolic syndrome. Changes in adiponectin were significantly and inversely associated with changes in multiple inflammatory markers. These data suggest that adiponectin may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of fenofibrate. |
19023277 | Serum carboxymethyl-lysine, an advanced glycation end product, is associated with increased aortic pulse wave velocity in adults. | The relationship between advanced glycation end products and arterial stiffness has previously been examined in highly selected groups of patients with diabetes or hypertension. Our aim was to determine whether elevated serum advanced glycation end products are associated with increased arterial stiffness in relatively munity-dwelling adults. |
Subsets and Splits