Certain strains of the rhizosphere bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens contain the phenazine biosynthesis operon (phzABCDEFG) and produce redox-active phenazine antibiotics that suppress a wide variety of soilborne plant pathogens. In 2007 and 2008, we isolated 412 phenazine-producing (Phz(+)) fluorescent Pseudomonas strains from roots of dryland wheat and barley grown in the ...

PURPOSE: To examine the psychometric properties of the 14-item Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) in the UK veterinary profession by the application of Rasch analysis, and to assess the external construct validity of the derived interval scale measurements. METHODS: Data sets were derived from two independent cross-sectional surveys of the ...

To evaluate the relationship among immune status and increased morbidity and mortality, peripheral blood lymphocytes (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD21(+) cells) from 32 healthy dogs aged over 8 years were analyzed. Twenty-five dogs out of 32 were followed-up for 3 years after the analysis, and 14 dogs were found to be ...

PURPOSE: The objective of this paper is to assess the regulation of the accumulation of heavy metals in the aquatic environment and different fish species. METHODS: Water and fish samples were collected from upper to lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn) ...

This study aimed to elucidate groups at high risk of developing cancer among patients with serologically identifiedHelicobacter pylori infection and non-atrophic stomach. Annual endoscopy was performed for a mean of 5.4 years in 496 asymptomatic middle-aged men who were H. pylori antibody-positive and pepsinogen (PG) test-negative. Subjects were stratified according ...

We previously mapped one male-sterile gene (Bnms3) from an extensively used recessive genic male sterility line (9012AB) in Brassica napus to a 0.14-cM genomic region. In this study, two highly homologous BAC contigs possibly containing the candidate BnMs3 gene were identified using a map-based cloning strategy. A BnMs3-linked SCAR marker ...

Sympathetic nerve sprouting in healed myocardial infarction (MI) has been associated with high incidences of lethal arrhythmias, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. This study sought to test that sympathetic hyperinnervation and/or MI remodels the myocardial glutamate signaling and ultimately increases the severity of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Myocardial necrotic injury ...

Bacteria adapt to environmental stimuli by adjusting their transcriptomes in a complex manner, the full potential of which has yet to be established for any individual bacterial species. Here, we report the transcriptomes of Bacillus subtilis exposed to a wide range of environmental and nutritional conditions that the organism might ...

Encouraging results of ablation therapy in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) have prompted changes in professional practice guidelines. The most recent European guidelines have suggested that ablation might be offered as first-line therapy in selected patients. Cryoballoon ablation is a promising technology in interventional AF therapy. Two different sizes ...

Genomics-based technologies produce large amounts of data. To interpret the results and identify the most important variates related to phenotypes of interest, various multivariate regression and variate selection methods are used. Although inspected for statistical performance, the relevance of multivariate models in interpreting biological data sets often remains elusive. We ...

Hypoglycemia is a well-known complication of insulinoma and other non-islet-cell tumors like hepatic tumor. In the emergency unit of neurology department, hypoglycemia is an uncommon cause of convulsive status epilepticus. We report a rare case with hypoglycemia-induced convulsive status epilepticus as the initial presentation of primary hepatic carcinoma. The previously ...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuropathological substrates underlying in vivo hippocampal atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in autopsy confirmed neurodegenerative dementia cases. METHODS: Thirty-one neuropathologically verified cases (23 with Lewy body dementia (LBD) and eight with Alzheimer's disease (AD)) were included who had undergone ...

Although there is an abundance of research linking stress and rumination to depression in women, little is known with respect to the role stress plays in the relationship between rumination and depression. Moreover, the role of stress in the rumination-depression relationship has not been previously investigated separately in women. In ...

Two novel inorganic-organic hybrid compounds based on octamolybdates, namely, [Cu(H(2)L)(2)(γ-Mo(8)O(26))]·(Mo(6)O(19))·2H(2)O (1) and [Cu(H(2)L)(γ-Mo(8)O(26))(H(2)O)(2)]·5H(2)O (2), where L = 1,1'-(1,5-pentanediyl)bis[2-(4-pyridyl)benzimidazole], have been successfully synthesized at different pH values under hydrothermal conditions. Compound 1, which is hydrothermally prepared at pH ≈ 3.5, exhibits an entirely new type of intercalated layer. The nanosized hexamolybdate ...

To test, or not to test, that is often the question in diabetes genetics. This is why the paper of Shields et al in the current issue of Diabetologia is so warmly welcomed. MODY is the most common form of monogenic diabetes. Nevertheless, the optimal way of identifying MODY families ...

CaMnO(3) and Ca(2)Mn(3)O(8) were synthesized and characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR and BET. Both oxides showed oxygen evolution activity in the presence of oxone, cerium(iv) ammonium nitrate and H(2)O(2). Oxygen evolution from water during irradiation with visible light (λ > 400 nm) was also observed upon adding these manganese oxides ...

Orb-weaving spiders construct webs with adhesive silk but are not trapped by it. Previous studies have attributed this defense to an oily coating on their legs that protects against adhesion or, more recently, to behavioral avoidance of sticky lines. The old evidence is very weak, however, and the behavioral avoidance ...

Bacterial surface structures called pili have been studied extensively for their role as possible colonization factors. Most sequenced Vibrio genomes predict a variety of pili genes in these organisms, including several types of type IV pili. In particular, the mannose-sensitive hemagglutinin (MSHA) and the PilA pili, also known as the ...

Few studies have examined the neuropsychiatric status of patients with dementia and cognitive impairment in the developing world despite the fact that current demographic trends suggest an urgent need for such studies. To assess the level of neuropsychiatric symptoms in community-dwelling individuals with dementia, cognitive impairment no dementia and normal ...

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the status of serum trace elements: zinc, copper, manganese, iron, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. Forty-eight obsessive-compulsive disorder patients and 48 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Patients were recruited from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University by ...

We used UPLC-Q-TOF MS to analyze hepatic metabolites of rats aged 6, 12, 18, and 24 months; the MS data were processed by partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to investigate the discrimination among sample groups. Rats were significantly separated with increasing age, except those aged between 6 and 12 months. ...

We report on the fabrication and transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/polyurethane (PU) nanocomposite microfiber-based field effect transistors (FETs). UV-assisted direct-writing technology was used, and microfibers consisting of cylindrical micro-rods, having different diameters and various SWCNT loads, were fabricated directly onto SiO(2)/Si substrates in a FET scheme. The room ...

Type 2 diabetes is a major health concern and a rapidly growing disease with a modern etiology, which produces significant morbidity and mortality. The optimal management of type 2 diabetes aims to control hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia to reduce overall risks. Diabetes and its complications usually develop as oxidative stress ...

BACKGROUND: In gastric cancer, the classification of lymph node status is still a controversial prognostic factor. Recent studies have proposed a new prognostic factor (metastatic lymph node ratio: MLR) for gastric cancer patients who undergo curative resection. The present study tested the hypothesis that MLR was better than the current ...

Traditional methods for sex identification are not applicable to sexually monomorphic species, leading to difficulties in the management of their breeding programs. To identify sex in sexually monomorphic birds, molecular methods have been established. Two established primer pairs (2550F/2718R and p8/p2) amplify the CHD1 gene region from both the Z ...

For patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), current clinical imaging methods generally do not provide highly detailed information about the location of axonal injury, severity of injury, or expected recovery. In a case of severe TBI, the authors applied a novel high-definition fiber tracking (HDFT) to directly visualize and quantify ...

In the present research, we argue that open versus closed mindsets, accompanying ongoing versus completed mental jobs on the prime, determine the size of congruity effects in the evaluative priming paradigm. More specifically, we hypothesised that disfluent primes that resist an easily completed encoding process should induce an open mindset ...

More than a decade ago, 'plasticity' suddenly became a 'fashionable' topic with overemphasized implications for regenerative medicine. The concept of 'plasticity' is supported by old transplantation work, at least for embryonic cells, and metaplasia is a classic example of plasticity observed in patients. Nevertheless, the publication of a series of ...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the neurotoxicity of intrathecal procaine, bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, and ropivacaine in an animal model. METHODS: The study comprised two experiments. In the concentration experiment, rats (n = 78) were administered 0.12 μL·g(-1) body weight (BW) of 2% or 20% procaine, 0.5% or 5% bupivacaine, 0.5% ...

Atrial fibrillation is the most common form of arrhythmia and one of the most frequent causes of ischemic stroke. Several new anticoagulants have recently been introduced as alternatives to vitamin-K antagonists for prophylaxis of ischemic stroke and tested in phase-3 studies for efficacy and safety. Identifying patients who will profit ...

Extensive use of pharmaceuticals as human and veterinary medication raises concerns for their adverse effects on non-target organisms. The purpose of this study was to employ multiple linear regression (MLR) to predict the toxicities of a diverse set of pharmaceuticals to fish. The descriptor pool consisted of about 1500 descriptors ...

PURPOSE: Mesenteric traction syndrome (MTS) is caused by PGI(2) release during abdominal procedures and is often observed during abdominal surgery. We have demonstrated that MTS occurs more frequently in cases using remifentanil than in those that are not. The aim of this study was to assess the prophylactic benefit of ...

Recent advances in research and biotechnology are making genetics and genomics increasingly relevant to the lives and health of the general public. For the public to make informed healthcare and public policy decisions relating to genetic information, there is a need for increased genetic literacy. Biotech 101 is a free, ...

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disease characterized by irreversible destruction of pancreatic secretory parenchyma, fibrosis, exocrine atrophy, and endocrine insufficiency leading to diabetes. Secondary diabetes occurring in CP subsequent to destruction of pancreatic β-cells is distinct, since it involves β-cell dysfunction amidst an inflammatory milieu. Even though considerable ...

It is commonly believed that trees were absent in Scandinavia during the last glaciation and first recolonized the Scandinavian Peninsula with the retreat of its ice sheet some 9000 years ago. Here, we show the presence of a rare mitochondrial DNA haplotype of spruce that appears unique to Scandinavia and ...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of post-surgical chemotherapy for infants with localized neuroblastoma without MYCN amplification (MNA), and determine whether risk classification using MNA is reasonable. METHODS: Four hundred and fourteen eligible patients were registered between 1998 and 2004. Resectable patients in stage 1 ...

Atrial fibrillation represents the most common form of clinical arrhythmia in daily routine. However, current therapeutic options are still limited and a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms is expected to contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies. The scientific field of microRNA research has received a lot ...

The goal of this study was to survey veterinarians regarding their current initial diagnostic and treatment recommendations for dogs with substage-a high-grade multicentric lymphoma. A written survey was conducted at the 2009 Veterinary Cancer Society conference asking veterinarians to provide demographic information, initial staging diagnostics and treatment recommendations for canine ...

Varicocele is a fairly common condition in male individuals. Although a minor disease, it may cause infertility and testicular pain. Consequently, it has high health and social impact. Here we review the current status of interventional radiology of male varicocele. We describe the radiological anatomy of gonadal veins and the ...

Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) therapy in patients with acute heart failure (HF) improves left ventricular functions via decreasing left ventricular afterload and reduces intubation rate and short-term mortality. In patients with chronic HF, NIMV therapy eliminates central and obstructive apneas and Cheyne-Stokes respiration, and improves morbidity. There are essentially three ...

For assessment of bone remodelling around total hip arthroplasty using dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), a variety of different systems to identify regions of interest (ROI) have been used, making comparisons between stem designs difficult. The Gruen zones are now widely used for this purpose. We present the results of a ...

Angiosarcomas (ASs) represent a heterogeneous group of malignant vascular tumors that may occur spontaneously as primary tumors or secondarily after radiation therapy or in the context of chronic lymphedema. Most secondary ASs have been associated with MYC oncogene amplification, whereas the role of MYC abnormalities in primary AS is not ...

Background:  Acupuncture pretreatment exerts neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects in animal models and in adult patients underwent cardiac surgery; however, data in pediatric patient are unavailable. Objective/Aim:  To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on acute myocardial injury from pediatric open-heart surgery. Methods:  Children, aged 2-12 years, with congenital ...

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress and DNA damage in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Material and Methods:  Twenty-four patients with preeclampsia, 20 patients with IUGR fetus and 37 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in the study. The total oxidant ...

Calotropis gigantea leaf extract and Bacillus thuringiensis were tested first to fourth-instar larvae and pupae of Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus. The medicinal plants were collected from the area around Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India. Calotropis gigantea leaf was washed with tap water and shade-dried at room temperature. An ...

The remarkable ecological and demographic success of humanity is largely attributed to our capacity for cumulative culture, with knowledge and technology accumulating over time, yet the social and cognitive capabilities that have enabled cumulative culture remain unclear. In a comparative study of sequential problem solving, we provided groups of capuchin ...

PURPOSE: Cranberry juice (CJ) contains a remarkably high concentration of polyphenols, considered to be beneficial for cardiovascular and bone health. The current double-blind, randomized study was designed to test whether daily consumption of double-strength Ocean Spray light CJ (2 × 230 ml) over 4 months has beneficial effects on vascular function and on endothelial ...

YdiV is an EAL-like protein that acts as a post-transcriptional, negative regulator of the flagellar master transcriptional activator complex, FlhD(4) C(2) , in Salmonella enterica to couple flagellar gene expression to nutrient availability. Mutants defective in ClpXP protease no longer exhibit YdiV-dependent inhibition of FlhD(4) C(2) -dependent transcription under moderate ...

In-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis are still the main topics of any update on coronary intervention. One of the challenging issues in the past year lay in answering the question of whether the data on first-generation drug-eluting stents are still relevant in the light of newer stent designs and drugs. ...

The proteasome is a multi-catalytic protein complex whose primary function is the degradation of abnormal or foreign proteins. Upon exposure of cells to interferons (IFNs), the β1i/LMP2, β2i/MECL-1, and β5i/LMP7 subunits are induced and incorporated into newly synthesized immunoproteasomes (IP), which are thought to function solely as critical players in ...