The digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) 3.0 standard was first officially ratified by the national electrical manufacturers association in 1993. The success of the DICOM open standard cannot be overstated in its ability to enable an explosion of innovation in the best of breed picture archiving and communication ...

Magnesium (Mg2+) balance is tightly regulated by the concerted actions of the intestine, bone and kidneys. This balance can be disturbed by a broad variety of drugs. Diuretics, modulators of the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), proton pump inhibitors, antimicrobials, calcineurin inhibitors and cytostatics may all cause hypomagnesaemia, potentially leading ...

The role of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in acute otitis media complicating upper respiratory tract infection (URI) was studied. Nasopharyngeal specimens from 700 URI episodes in 200 children were evaluated; 47 (7%) were positive for hMPV, 25 (3.6%) with hMPV as the only virus. Overall, 24% of URI episodes with hMPV ...

To compare the 90-day rates of select secondary procedures after cataract extraction in patients having fee-for-service surgery under Medicare to surgeries provided through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) during the same calendar year. Medicare, VHA, and VHA Fee Basis Program data for calendar year 2007 were merged to identify a ...

To characterize the shape of the trajectories of Alzheimer disease biomarkers as a function of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Longitudinal registries from the Mayo Clinic and the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. Two different samples (n = 343 and n = 598) were created that spanned the cognitive spectrum from ...

Liver regeneration that occurs after portal vein embolization (PVE) may have adverse effects on the microscopic tumor foci in the residual liver mass in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Fifty-four HCC patients with inadequate functional residual liver volume were offered PVE during a seven-year period. Among them, 34 (63%) patients ...

Arabidopsis seedlings display rhythmic growth when grown under diurnal conditions, with maximal elongation rates occurring at the end of the night under short-day photoperiods. Current evidence indicates that this behavior involves the action of the growth-promoting bHLH factors PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) and PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 5 (PIF5) at the end ...

Little information exists on the population prevalence or geographic distribution of injection drug users (IDUs) who are Hispanic in the USA. Here, we present yearly estimates of IDU population prevalence among Hispanic residents of the 96 most populated US metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for 1992-2002. First, yearly estimates of the ...

OPINION STATEMENT: About 15-20% of patients with early stage breast cancer present with tumors that have overexpression or amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene. Before 2005, these individuals had an increased risk of recurrence and death, but since then their outcomes have substantially improved with ...

Axonal injury to retinal ganglion cells, a defined central neuron, induces a burst of intracellular superoxide anion that precedes externalization of membrane phosphatidylserine and subsequent apoptotic cell death. Dismutation of superoxide prevents the signal and delays loss of these cells, consistent with superoxide being necessary for transduction of the axotomy ...

Our appreciation of the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways in both skeletal muscle homeostasis and the progression of muscle diseases is gaining momentum. This review provides insight into ER stress mechanisms during physiologic and pathological disturbances in skeletal muscle. The role of ER stress in the response to ...

Transplantation research is complex because of consent being required from several individuals, the multiplicity of sites at which donation may occur, its unpredictability, and the time constraints. It is also constrained by a tight regulatory framework, which seems to be stifling research in the United Kingdom. In this article, we ...

The purpose of this article was to create a nanometer scale topographic and biomechanical profile of the human internal limiting membrane (ILM) under native conditions. ILMs from the posterior pole of postmortem human eyes were prepared as flat mounts and investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) under physiological conditions. Structural ...

Ghrelin plays a role in appetite and has been hypothesized to play a role in the mechanism of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of its receptor gene (growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a--GHSR) have also been associated with weight loss outcomes following ...

The autologous antigen-presenting cell immunotherapy, sipuleucel-T, was the first and remains the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved immunotherapy for prostate cancer. In this article, we will summarize recent clinical data on several additional immune-directed strategies, some of which have now entered phase 3 trials. Multiple studies are now testing ...

Bacterial secretion systems play essential roles in pathogenesis and also in maintaining lines of communication between bacterial cells in the bacterial microflora or between commensal bacteria and their host. Recent breakthroughs in the field have yielded some novel insights into the mechanisms by which these systems operate. This issue of ...

Most bacterial secretory proteins pass across the cytoplasmic membrane via the translocase, which consists of a protein-conducting channel SecYEG and an ATP-dependent motor protein SecA. The ancillary SecDF membrane protein complex promotes the final stages of translocation. Recent years have seen a major advance in our understanding of the structural ...

Twin-arginine translocation (Tat) denotes a protein transport pathway in bacteria, archaea and plant chloroplasts, which is specific for precursor proteins harbouring a characteristic twin-arginine pair in their signal sequences. Many Tat substrates receive cofactors and fold prior to translocation. For a subset of them, proofreading chaperones coordinate maturation and membrane-targeting. ...

Type IV secretion occurs across a wide range of prokaryotic cell envelopes: Gram-negative, Gram-positive, cell wall-less bacteria and some archaea. This diversity is reflected in the heterogeneity of components that constitute the secretion machines. Macromolecules are secreted in an ATP-dependent process using an envelope-spanning multi-protein channel. Similar to the type ...

Autotransport in Gram-negative bacteria denotes the ability of surface-localized proteins to cross the outer membrane (OM) autonomously. Autotransporters perform this task with the help of a β-barrel transmembrane domain localized in the OM. Different classes of autotransporters have been investigated in detail in recent years; classical monomeric but also trimeric ...

Type-3 secretion systems are sophisticated syringe-like nanomachines present in many animal and plant Gram-negative pathogens. They are capable of translocating an arsenal of specific bacterial toxins (effector proteins) from the prokaryotic cytoplasm across the three biological membranes directly into the eukaryotic cytosol, some of which modulate host cell mechanisms for ...

Gram-negative bacteria frequently expel toxic chemicals through tripartite efflux pumps that span both the inner and outer membranes. The three parts are the inner membrane, substrate-binding transporter (or pump); a periplasmic membrane fusion protein (MFP, or adaptor); and an outer membrane-anchored channel. The fusion protein connects the transporter to the ...

Gram-negative bacteria have evolved several secretory pathways to release enzymes or toxins into the surrounding environment or into the target cells. The type II secretion system (T2SS) is conserved in Gram-negative bacteria and involves a set of 12 to 16 different proteins. Components of the T2SS are located in both ...

Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) are transenvelope complexes specialized in the transport of proteins or domains directly into target cells. These systems are versatile as they can target either eukaryotic host cells and therefore modulate the bacteria-host interaction and pathogenesis or bacterial cells and therefore facilitate access to a specific ...

Up to eight different types of secretion systems, and several more subtypes, have been described in Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we focus on the diversity and assembly mechanism of one of the best-studied secretion systems, the widespread chaperone-usher pathway known to assemble and secrete adhesive surface structures, called pili or fimbriae, ...

The cell wall peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria functions as a surface organelle for the transport and assembly of proteins that interact with the environment, in particular, the tissues of an infected host. Signal peptide-bearing precursor proteins are secreted across the plasma membrane of Gram-positive bacteria. Some precursors carry C-terminal sorting ...

Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT) has been associated with adverse cardiovascular events in the general population. We studied the association of general adiposity measures (body mass index, waist circumference) and ectopic adipose tissue [visceral adipose tissue (VAT); liver fat (LF); EAT) with prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) (prior myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, ...

Cryptococcal meningitis is a leading cause of death in AIDS patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Cryptococcal antigen (CRAG) can be detected weeks before onset of symptoms, and those who are asymptomatic but CRAG positive have a high risk of subsequent cryptococcal meningitis and mortality. A new CRAG point of care immunochromatographic ...

Although functionally similar proteins across species have been widely studied, functionally similar proteins within species showing low sequence similarity have not been examined in detail. Identification of these proteins is of significant importance for understanding biological functions, evolution of protein families, progression of co-evolution, and convergent evolution and others which ...

Ab initio protein folding is one of the major unsolved problems in computational biology owing to the difficulties in force field design and conformational search. We developed a novel program, QUARK, for template-free protein structure prediction. Query sequences are first broken into fragments of 1-20 residues where multiple fragment structures ...

In yeast, a protein complex termed the ER-Mitochondria Encounter Structure (ERMES) tethers mitochondria to the endoplasmic reticulum. ERMES proteins are implicated in a variety of cellular functions including phospholipid synthesis, mitochondrial protein import, mitochondrial attachment to actin, polarized mitochondrial movement into daughter cells during division, and maintenance of mitochondrial DNA ...

A method for nontargeted analysis of modified nucleotides in DNA (and RNA) is reported based on labeling with benzoylhistamine (BH) followed by MALDI-MS. The method provides deoxynucleotide-specific detection, accurate measurement of molecular ions, high sensitivity, semiquantitation, and, to the extent studied to date, normalization of response within a factor of ...

: The location of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) tears has been well documented in the adult population, with most occurring at the insertion of the ligament on the adductor tubercle. It is not clear whether a difference exists in the pediatric and adolescent populations. The location of the injury has ...

Low temperatures damage many temperate crops, including grapevine, which, when exposed to chilling, can be affected by symptoms ranging from reduced yield up to complete infertility. We have previously demonstrated that Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJN, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that colonizes grapevine, is able to reduce chilling-induced damage. We hypothesized ...

Surgery prolongs survival in patients with gastrinomas, but postoperative recurrences are frequent and controversies still exist about the optimal surgical procedures. The aim of this study is to analyze biological and morphological recurrences and to search for risk factors. Between 1990 and 2008, 22 patients (five with multiple endocrine neoplasia ...

Background: The benefit of unfractionated heparin (UFH) added to aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) was described more than 20 years ago. Ever since, a wide variety of anticoagulant drugs have become available for clinical use, including low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), direct thrombin inhibitors and selective factor Xa inhibitors. ...

To investigate the retinal and choroidal vascular pattern, structure, and thickness using high-speed, high axial resolution, swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) at 1060 nm, demonstrating enhanced penetration through all choroidal layers. An ophthalmic SS-OCT system was developed operating at 57,000 A-lines/s with 5.9 μm axial resolution and was used to ...

: To determine the potential impact of type of health insurance on access to outpatient orthopaedic care for an adolescent patient with an acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. : The offices of 42 orthopaedic surgeons in the Greater Cincinnati area, to include Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky were contacted on ...

Background: The forkhead transcription factor FoxO1 is involved in cell cycle regulation during cardiovascular development. Systemic loss of FoxO1 results in lethality at embryonic day 10.5 with severe cardiovascular defects; however, the cell-type-specific requirements for FoxO1 in cardiovascular development are unknown. Here we examine the role of FoxO1 using a ...

: Widening of the prevertebral soft tissues is one of several significant indirect signs of cervical spine trauma. This paper provides pediatric radiographic reference measurements for prevertebral soft tissues at C2 and C6, and for the ratio of soft tissue to vertebral width at C6. : We reviewed 327 radiographs ...

There is a push to make clinical decision making more evidence based and patient oriented. However, current systematic reviews are limited by the lack of consideration of generalizability. To develop a guide for investigators (systematic reviewers) on how to adapt the methodology of a systematic review to facilitate the exploration ...

Oral lichen planus is an autoimmune disorder that has posed a challenge in spite of the several treatment modalities available. Here, we have proposed yet another treatment modality, photodynamic therapy, for this condition. The aim of the study was to treat patients having symptomatic oral lichen planus with photodynamic therapy ...

Reducing rates of child obesity requires an approach that transcends the medicalization of overweight. Family practice doctors and public health professionals need to work with other sectors to establish comprehensive approaches to obesity reduction. This study compares the approaches of three cities with different health and political systems (Lisbon, London ...

The thyroid and parathyroid glands are cervical endocrine glands responsible for metabolism-related functions. Radiologists are frequently asked to evaluate pathology related to the thyroid and parathyroid glands before planned surgical intervention. Knowledge of embryology and anatomy is fundamental in this region because rather complex underlying embryology produces substantial anatomic variation ...

Hara K, Ohara M, Hayashi I, Hino T, Nishimura R, Iwasaki Y, Ogawa T, Ohyama Y, Sugiyama M, Amano H. The green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate precipitates salivary proteins including alpha-amylase: biochemical implications for oral health. Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 132-139. © 2012 Eur J Oral Sci Green ...

Coordination theory provides a theoretical framework for analysing complex processes of project groups working towards a common goal. In this study, we explore the relationship between coordination and social networks for the development of a network-based coordination model. This model is applied to measure the performance and quality of complex ...

For preventive interventions in general practice to succeed, patients' points of view must be taken into account in addition to those of GPs. To explore patients' views and beliefs about the importance of lifestyle and preventive interventions, to assess their readiness to make changes to their lifestyle and their willingness ...

: Surgical site infections (SSI) associated with elective pediatric spinal surgery are a commonly reported complication, increasing hospital length of stay, readmissions, operations, and financial costs. In July 2007, a multidisciplinary task force, designated Target Zero, was created to address this issue and establish prevention protocols at our institution. : ...

Any patient with a diagnosis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) should be questioned to determine any recent corticosteroid use, as the poor visual outcome may be due to unrecognized corticosteroid use. Atypical forms of CSCR may be misdiagnosed as an inflammatory serous retinal detachment, mainly Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. CSCR that develops ...

Sauro S, Watson TF, Thompson I, Toledano M, Nucci C, Banerjee A. Influence of air-abrasion executed with polyacrylic acid-Bioglass 45S5 on the bonding performance of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement. Eur J Oral Sci 2012; 120: 168-177. © 2012 Eur J Oral Sci The aim of this study was to ...