ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Adult male surgical circumcision (MC) has been shown to reduce HIV acquisition in men and is recommended by the WHO for inclusion in comprehensive national HIV prevention programs in high prevalence settings. Only limited research to date has been conducted in countries experiencing moderate burden epidemics, where the ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Menkes Disease (MD) is a rare X-linked recessive fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the ATP7A gene, and most patients are males. Female carriers are mosaics of wild-type and mutant cells due to the random X inactivation, and they are rarely affected. In the largest cohort of ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Yellow Fever virus (YFV) is an important arboviral pathogen in much of sub-Saharan Africa and the tropical Americas. It is the prototype member of the genus Flavivirus and is transmitted primarily by Aedes (Stegomyia) mosquitoes. The incidence of human infections in endemic areas has risen in recent years. ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Marital distress and depression frequently co-occur, and partnership quality is associated with depressive symptoms and mental disorders in both men and women. One aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of a set of risk factors for emotional distress among men and women in couples, with ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Epithelial cells of the urinary tract recognize pathogenic bacteria through pattern recognition receptors on their surface, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), and mount an immune response through the activation of the NF-kappaB pathway. Some uropathogenic bacteria can subvert these cellular responses, creating problems with how the host eliminates ...

Fic proteins that are defined by the ubiquitous FIC (filamentation induced by cyclic AMP) domain are known to catalyse adenylylation (also called AMPylation); that is, the transfer of AMP onto a target protein. In mammalian cells, adenylylation of small GTPases through Fic proteins injected by pathogenic bacteria can cause collapse ...

In animals, maternal gene products deposited into eggs regulate embryonic development before activation of the zygotic genome. In plants, an analogous period of prolonged maternal control over embryogenesis is thought to occur based on some gene-expression studies. However, other gene-expression studies and genetic analyses show that some transcripts must derive ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy is treatment of choice for insomnia, but availability is scarce. Self-help can increase availability at low cost, but evidence for its efficacy is limited, especially for the typical insomnia patient with co-morbid problems. We hypothesized that a cognitive behaviorally based self-help book is effective to ...

ABSTRACT: A rapid and reproducible stability indicating TLC method was developed for the determination of prednisolone acetate and chloramphenicol in presence of their degraded products. Uniform degradation conditions were maintained by refluxing sixteen reaction mixtures for two hours at 80 oC using parallel synthesizer including acidic, alkaline and neutral hydrolysis, ...

Cue-triggered recall of learned temporal sequences is an important cognitive function that has been attributed to higher brain areas. Here recordings in both anesthetized and awake rats demonstrate that after repeated stimulation with a moving spot that evoked sequential firing of an ensemble of primary visual cortex (V1) neurons, just ...

Enhanced metabotropic glutamate receptor subunit 5 (mGluR5) function is causally associated with the pathophysiology of fragile X syndrome, a leading inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism. Here we provide evidence that altered mGluR5-Homer scaffolds contribute to mGluR5 dysfunction and phenotypes in the fragile X syndrome mouse model, Fmr1 knockout ...

Brain circuits are assembled from a large variety of morphologically and functionally diverse cell types. It is not known how the intermingled cell types of an individual adult brain region differ in their expressed genomes. Here we describe an atlas of cell type transcriptomes in one brain region, the mouse ...

We investigated the impact of thalamus on ongoing cortical activity in the awake, behaving mouse. We demonstrate that the desynchronized cortical state during active behavior is driven by a centrally generated increase in thalamic action potential firing, which can also be mimicked by optogenetic stimulation of the thalamus. The thalamus ...

Cocaine addiction is characterized by poor judgment and maladaptive decision-making. Here we review evidence implicating the orbitofrontal cortex in such behavior. This evidence suggests that cocaine-induced changes in orbitofrontal cortex disrupt the representation of states and transition functions that form the basis of flexible and adaptive 'model-based' behavioral control. By ...

Nuocytes are essential in innate type 2 immunity and contribute to the exacerbation of asthma responses. Here we found that nuocytes arose in the bone marrow and differentiated from common lymphoid progenitors, which indicates they are distinct, previously unknown members of the lymphoid lineage. Nuocytes required interleukin 7 (IL-7), IL-33 ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are an important cause of gastroenteritis in Australia and worldwide and can also result in serious sequelae such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). In this paper we describe the epidemiology of STEC in Australia using the latest available data. METHODS: National and state ...

In the midst of a US $30 billion USD investment in the Nationwide Health Information Network (NwHIN) and electronic health records systems, a significant change in the architecture of the NwHIN is taking place. Prior to 2010, the focus of information exchange in the NwHIN was the Regional Health Information ...

The present study investigated the protective effects of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) essential oil (FEO) against genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP). Mice bone marrow chromosomal aberration (CA), micronucleus, and sperm abnormality assays were employed to measure genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, respectively. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and ...

Swine influenza is a continual problem for the swine industry and can pose a public health threat as evidenced by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic. Given its importance, it is not surprising to find papers describing the disease from the early 20th century. In this chapter, we discuss the ...

Swine influenza viruses (SIVs) are respiratory viral pathogens of pigs that are capable of causing serious global public health concerns in humans. Because of their dual susceptibility to mammalian and avian influenza A viruses, pigs are the leading intermediate hosts for genetic reassortment and interspecies transmission and serve as reservoirs ...

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the morphologic safety and applicability of intramedullary fixation of midshaft clavicle fractures by analyzing the pertinent clavicle anatomy using 3-dimensional computer simulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography was used to scan 22 skeletonized clavicles. Computer software was used to simulate middle-segment fracture fixation by fitting a ...

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the native plane in biconcave eroded glenoids is difficult. Nevertheless, accurate reconstruction of this plane is imperative for successful total shoulder arthroplasty. This study aims to determine guidelines that can increase the accuracy of glenoid component positioning. METHODS: Three different circular planes were determined on 3-dimensional computed ...

HYPOTHESIS: Frozen shoulder has a greater incidence, more severe course, and resistance to treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus compared with the general population. We hypothesized that diabetic patients with frozen shoulder undergoing treatment with manipulation under general anaesthesia (MUA) would have the same outcome as patients without diabetes. MATERIALS ...

Primary pyogenic abscess in the conus medullaris in a healthy adult has never been reported. An urgent MRI scan with contrast and prompt surgical evacuation may lead to good neurological recovery.

AimsIncreased β-oxidation of branched-chain fatty acids provides an additional metabolic advantage for cancer cells thereby enhancing tumour development and progression. Alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase (AMACR) is an enzyme essential for the catabolism of branched-chain fatty acids that allows their subsequent β-oxidation and thus plays an important role in generating biological ...

BackgroundWell-differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma usually has a favourable prognosis and metastases are rare. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that take part in adaptive and innate immunity have, in many tumours, both apoptotic and antiapoptotic effects, making their role in tumourigenesis controversial. Chronic inflammation is involved in many cancers.AimsTo examine the clinical relevance ...

We report the case of a ruptured internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm that demonstrated significant persistent filling despite management with a common carotid to middle cerebral artery saphenous vein extracranial-intracranial bypass and subsequent permanent ICA balloon occlusion. The residual aneurysm was successfully embolised with detachable coils using a novel endovascular ...

ContextThe European Union (EU) Tobacco Products Directive that bans sales of snus (a form of oral tobacco) in EU countries other than Sweden is currently under review. Major tobacco companies favour the ban being overturned. This study aims to explore compliance with the current ban on snus sales and examines ...

Abstract Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a white matter dystrophy of the brain. Most children with PMD require comprehensive nursing care. Their speech and language abilities are poor or absent. Therefore, evaluating hearing ability is difficult in children with PMD. We have followed up two patients with PMD since early childhood. ...

Gold (Au) nanoparticles particularly nanorods are actively employed as imaging probes because of their special non-blinking and non-bleaching absorption, scattering and emitting properties that arise from the excitation of surface plasmons. Herein, we report a novel sensing method that detects feature orientation at the nanoscale via the defocused imaging of ...

Abstract Conclusion: Our findings show that all cochlear implanted temporal bones had a varied degree of trauma and inflammatory reaction from cochlear implantation. No definitive relationship was observed from our limited number of specimens between residual spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) in implanted temporal bones and clinical speech performance. Objectives: We ...

Abstract Conclusion: Combination therapy corticosteroids plus an oral antioxidant L-N-acetylcysteine (LNAC) was associated with improved hearing over corticosteroids alone, particularly at the 6-month follow-up and at high frequencies (i.e. 4000 Hz). This is the first report of a beneficial effect of LNAC in sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SISNHL). Objective: ...

IntroductionThere have been recent reports of high vascular complication rates after the use of the Mynx vascular closure device (VCD). At our institution, vascular complications due to these devices have rarely been encountered. A study was undertaken to retrospectively compare angiographic abnormalities seen after femoral artery closure by both the ...

ObjectiveThe gold standard for the diagnosis of intracranial atherosclerosis remains catheter based digital subtraction angiography (DSA). A symptomatic hemodynamically non-significant intracranial atherosclerotic lesion is described, whose underlying embologenic characteristics were not detectable by either DSA or three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) but fully realized by C-arm cone beam CT (CBCT) angiography.Clinical ...

Complete surgical resection of intra-axial hypervascular tumors located in the posterior fossa, in particular hemangioblastomas, may be challenging due to tumor location, mass effect and excessive bleeding. Embolization of these lesions can be done preoperatively or as a palliative measure in patients who are not surgical candidates. Preoperative embolization may ...

BackgroundMost cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSDAVFs) present with benign ocular symptoms; isolated CSDAVFs with aggressive behavior are extremely rare. The treatment goal is to occlude the fistula totally. However, transarterial or venous access may not be possible because of complex angioarchitecture.Case descriptionA woman in her late 70s presented with ...

Endovascular treatment of very small aneurysms is technically difficult, although recent advances with coils, microcatheters and adjunctive techniques such as balloon- or stent-assisted coiling have improved the outcomes. The microangiographic fluoroscope (MAF) is a new high-resolution x-ray detector developed for neurointerventional procedures in which superior resolution is required within a ...

Partial sequencing of the gamma-gliadin gene of 62 spelt and 14 soft wheat cultivars was performed. 56 of the 62 spelt cultivars and 13 of 14 soft wheat cultivars, resp. were shown to exhibit the typical spelt resp. soft wheat gamma-gliadin sequence. Exceptions were ascribed to crossbreeding of soft wheat ...

Abstract Conclusion: Although vestibular clinical examinations are quite variable in Ménière's disease (MD), when used in a grouped fashion they attach valuable information to the understanding of MD. Objective: Evaluation of unilateral MD vestibular bedside examination. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with definite unilateral MD at a ...

We performed a pooled analysis of data on self-reported history of infections in relation to the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) from 17 case-control studies that included 12,585 cases and 15,416 controls aged 16-96 years at recruitment. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated in ...

Developing capacity for HIV research and clinical practice is critically needed in resource-limited countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a research capacity-building program for community-based participants in the preparation and conduct of mobile phone-based technology interventions. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. Participants completed self-report surveys at three ...

A mounting body of evidence suggests that beta-arrestin1 plays important roles in the nucleus, but how beta-arrestin1 enters the nucleus remains unclear since no nuclear import signal has been identified in the beta-arrestins. We sought to characterize the cellular localization of wild type beta-arrestin1 and a series of N domain ...

The ability to channel excess fatty acids into neutral lipids like triacylglycerol (TAG) is a critical strategy used by cells to maintain lipid homeostasis. Upon activation to acyl-CoA fatty acids become readily available as substrates for acyltransferases involved in neutral lipid synthesis. Neutral lipids are then packed into organelles derived ...

Lignin is a major component of plant cell walls that is essential to its function. However, the strong bonds that bind the various subunits of lignin and its cross-linking with other plant cell wall polymers, make it one of the most important factors in the recalcitrance of plant cell walls ...

Preclinical in vivo characterisation of new polymeric drug conjugate candidates is crucial to understand the effects of certain chemical modifications on distribution and elimination of these carrier systems, which is the basis for rational drug design. In our study we synthesised dual fluorescent HPMA copolymers of different architecture and molecular ...

Background: Data are lacking on the risk factors and outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus infections in kidney transplant recipients. Methods: Kidney recipients with S. aureus infections (n = 20) were retrospectively identified and compared to age- and transplant-type-matched (1:2) non-S. aureus-infected controls (n = 40). Risk factors for S. aureus infections ...

Dengue is characterized by biphasic fever, myalgia or arthralgia, rash, leukopenia, and lymphadenopathy. It is self-limiting, and dengue-associated haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis has been reported in fewer than 20 children worldwide. We report the case of a 4-y-old boy with dengue who continued to have fever for 30 days, with hepatomegaly, thrombocytopenia, ...

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether oxidative stress and immune dysfunction could be attenuated by Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide (PSG-1) in D-galactose-induced aging mice, and provide evidence for its effects. The results showed that PSG-1 significantly decreased lipid peroxidation in liver, brain and spleen, but concomitantly increased ...

Basonuclin (BNC1) is a zinc finger protein expressed primarily in gametogenic cells and proliferative keratinocytes. Our previous work suggested that BNC1 is present in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids, but absent in the Sertoli cells. BNC1's role in spermatogenesis is unknown. Here we show that BNC1 is required for the maintenance ...

Abstract Conclusion: A long-term study was carried out on 57 patients treated with radiation alone who had T2N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx. The response and survival rates were satisfactory, but the complete response (CR) and the larynx preservation rates showed a need for improvement. Thirty-four patients underwent ...