Mineral foreign bodies (stones) are infrequent findings in clinical and radiological practice. However, a growing number of reports indicate that they raise clinical and diagnostic concern in ophthalmology, neurosurgery, maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, gastroenterology, and vascular surgery. Dense finding in the soft tissue without clear history of foreign body penetration may ...

Context: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common, acquired childhood disability, which has been shown to have a significant impact on children's cognitive and educational function. While behavioral problems are also noted, there is ongoing debate about the contribution of preinjury factors in this domain. Few studies have attempted to ...

RATIONALE: Dopamine systems vary through development in a manner that can impact drugs acting on those systems. Dietary factors can also impact the effects of drugs acting on dopamine systems. OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether eating high fat chow alters locomotor effects of cocaine (1-56 mg/kg) in adolescent and adult female ...

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been implicated in development of osteoarthritis (OA). Objective: To determine the correlation between plasma and synovial fluid CTGF levels and the severity in knee osteoarthritis patients. Methods: A total of 100 subjects were recruited into this study (75 OA patients and 25 controls). ...

Energetics research is central to the field of human biology. Energy is an important currency for measuring adaptation, because both its acquisition and allocation for biological processes have important implications for survival and reproduction. Recent technological and methodological advances are now allowing human biologists to study variation in energy dynamics ...

Abstract Background: Although freezing of gait (FOG) is reportedly caused by cerebrovascular disease, few studies have examined its pathology. We examined regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) patterns in patients with FOG resulting from chronic lacunar infarction using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Methods: Among patients with chronic lacunar infarction ...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease which refers to the presence of hepatic steatosis without significant intake of alcohol. NAFLD is an asymptomatic disease that can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD is currently the most common cause of incidental abnormal ...

The stability of the maximal muscle response (M(max)) is critical to H reflex methodology. It has previously been reported that the amplitude of M(max) declines over time. If reproducible, this finding would have implications for all experimental studies that normalise the output of the motoneurone pool against the M wave. ...

A recent study in the lepidopteran Ostrinia scapulalis shows that endosymbionts can actively manipulate the sex determination mechanism of their host. Wolbachia bacteria alter the sex-specific splicing of the doublesex master switch gene. In ZZ males of this female heterogametic system, the female isoform of doublesex is produced in the ...

The time spent in sedentary behaviors has been shown to be independent of exercise in epidemiological studies. We examined within an individual whether exercise alters the time of muscular inactivity within his/her normal daily life. Quadriceps and hamstring muscle electromyographic activities and heart rate were measured during 1 to 6 ...

This study investigated the relationship between life satisfaction, self-esteem, and perceived health for an ethnically diverse, low SES sample of primary care patients. Results indicated that several specific domains of health-related quality of life (HRQL), including health perception, social functioning, mental health, and energy/fatigue, significantly predicted life satisfaction in this ...

It has recently been shown that pathogens with a limited capacity for sessile growth (like some Escherichia coli O157 strains) can benefit from the presence of other bacteria and form mixed biofilms with companion strains. This study addresses the question whether pathogens may influence attached growth of E. coli non-pathogenic ...

OBJECTIVES: Pantoprazole is metabolized by cytochrome P450 2 C19, which shows genetic polymorphism. The effect of CYP2C19 polymorphism on single-dose pharmacokinetics of oral pantoprazole in healthy volunteers was evaluated. METHODS: Pantoprazole pharmacokinetics was determined in 32 healthy volunteers after a 40-mg single oral dose of the drug. RESULTS: Carriers of CYP2C19*2/*2 ...

The potential for self-reactive T cells to cause autoimmune disease is held in check by Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), essential mediators of peripheral immunological tolerance. Tregs have the capacity to suppress multiple branches of the immune system, tightly controlling the different subsets of effector T cells across multiple different ...

The surface chemistry of a series of four pyrrolidinium based ionic liquids, [C(n)C(1)Pyrr][Tf(2)N] where n = 4-10, is investigated by angle resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS). The importance of sample purity is demonstrated and the stability of the ionic liquids under X-ray irradiation investigated. It is apparent that the surface ...

Methionine and folate are the key components of one carbon metabolism, providing the methyl groups for numerous methyl transferase reactions via the ubiquitous methyl donor, s-adenosyl methionine. Methionine metabolism is responsive to nutrient intake, is regulated by several hormones and requires a number of vitamins (B12, pyridoxine, riboflavin) as co-factors. ...

SUMMARYIn order to quantify the impact of parasites on host population dynamics, experimental manipulations that perturb the parasite-host relationship are needed but, logistically, this is difficult for wild hosts. Here, we describe the use of a delayed-release anthelmintic delivery system that can be administered when the hosts can be captured ...

It has gradually become evident that nanomaterials, which are widely used in cosmetics, foods, and medicinal products, could induce substantial inflammation. However, the roles played by the physical characteristics of nanomaterials in inflammatory responses have not been elucidated. Here, we examined how particle size and surface modification influenced the inflammatory ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the in vitro biomechanical characteristics of patellar tendon ligaments (BTB) when stored as fresh frozen or as glycerol cryopreserved allografts. METHODS: Seventy patellar tendons were harvested from 35 cadaveric human donors and randomly assigned into seven groups. Grafts in group FRESH were mechanically tested within 2 h of ...

VAN MOSSEL C., LEITZ L., SCOTT S., DAUDT H., DENNIS D., WATSON H., ALFORD M., MITCHELL A., PAYEUR N., COSBY C., LEVI-MILNE R. & PURKIS M.E. (2012) European Journal of Cancer Care Information needs across the colorectal cancer care continuum: scoping the literature Because cancer care requires a multifaceted approach, ...

To verify the anti-inflammatory potency of iridoids, three iridoids (two natural, loganic acid: LA; geniposide: GE; and an artefact, 7(S)-n-butyl morroniside: BM) were investigated in vitro on the inhibition of superoxide generation in human neutrophils. All compounds showed inhibitory effect on fMLP-induced superoxide generation in a concentration-dependent manner with the following ...

Metal-on-metal hip replacement implants generate wear debris and release ions both locally and systemically in patients. To investigate dissemination of metal, we determined blood and organ levels of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and molybdenum (Mo) following the implantation of Co-Cr alloy wear debris in mice using skin pouches as a ...

The penaeid prawn, Litopenaeus vannamei, was employed to investigate intracellular isosmotic regulation in situations where invertebrates encounter hyposmosis. Hemolymph osmolality was first analyzed to confirm osmoregulatory conditions in the experimental animals, followed by analysis of amino acids in muscle and hemolymph using high-performance liquid chromatography. Total muscle amino acid levels ...

Many small organisms in various life stages can be transported in the digestive system of larger vertebrates, a process known as endozoochory. Potential dispersal distances of these "propagules" are generally calculated after monitoring retrieval in experiments with resting vector animals. We argue that vectors in natural situations will be actively ...

Our aim for carrying out this study was to estimate the levels of mercury in the hair of pregnant women and its association with fish consumption and amalgam fillings. From November 2007 to January 2008, 100 hair samples were collected randomly from three groups of pregnant women: Ahvaz in the ...

Outcomes of cardiovascular procedures, such as angioplasty and stent or bypass grafting are limited by failure, predominantly caused by pathological smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, known as intimal hyperplasia. Local delivery of a genetically engineered herpes simplex virus (HSV) is known to block vascular SMC proliferation while allowing for re-endothelialization. ...

PURPOSE: Several diagnostic trials have indicated that the combined use of (18)F-fluoroethyl-L: -tyrosine (FET) PET and MRI may be superior to MRI alone in selecting the biopsy site for the diagnosis of gliomas. We estimated the cost-effectiveness of the use of amino acid PET compared to MRI alone from the ...

We theoretically study the effect of localized magnetic impurities on two-dimensional topological superconductor (TSC). We show that the local density of states (LDOS) can be tuned by the effective exchange field m, the chemical potential μ of TSC, and the distance Δr as well as the relative spin angle α ...

The neuropeptide α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a well-known mediator of skin pigmentation. More recently, it has been shown that α-MSH also exerts a strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying α-MSH-induced immunosuppression, we investigated whether α-MSH affects dendritic cell/T cell communication, as especially this interaction has an ...

Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), which is an extremely rare sensory neuropathy, is defined as the absence of normal responses to noxious stimuli. Although motor function is not directly impaired in CIP patients, it is likely that the sensory deficit affects the motor control system. In order to characterize motor ...

BACKGROUND: Little is known about pregnancy in women with Alport syndrome (AS), as only four cases have been reported in the literature. We herein describe the course of pregnancy in two sisters with overt forms of AS. CASES: Both women were diagnosed as having autosomal recessive AS. Before pregnancy, their ...

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding aromatase (CYP19A1) have been associated with differential benefit from letrozole treatment in metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients, but validation is lacking. The aim was to investigate whether polymorphic variation of CYP19A1 and enzymes involved in estrogen and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) metabolism are ...

SINFIELD P., BAKER R., ALI S. & RICHARDSON A. (2012) European Journal of Cancer Care The needs of carers of men with prostate cancer and barriers and enablers to meeting them: a qualitative study in England The aim of this study was to explore the needs of carers of men ...

This study looks at lay people's knowledge and use of the defence mechanisms. It focused on 21 of the better known "Freudian" defence mechanisms. A total of 208 participants (73 males and 135 females) completed a questionnaire regarding their knowledge and reported personal use of 21 defence mechanisms and a ...

All-trans retinal is a potent photosensitizer that is released in photoreceptor outer segments by the photoactivated visual pigment following the detection of light. Photoreceptor outer segments also contain high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and are thus particularly susceptible to oxidative damage such as that initiated by light via a ...

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe, frequently fatal complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) with features of hemophagocytosis leading to coagulopathy, pancytopenia, and liver and central nervous system dysfunction. MAS is overt in 10% of children with sJIA but occurs subclinically in another 30-40%. It is difficult to ...

Frequent therapeutical use of an aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin (GM) is limited by its nephrotoxic effects often characterized by both morphological and functional alterations of kidney leading to acute renal failure. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dietary calcium supplementation on GM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Experiments ...

Increasing demand exists for the development of a tissue-engineered alternative in the repair of nonunion and critical-sized bone defects. The delivery of osteoinductive proteins, such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), to replicate physiological bone-healing process appears a logical and promising option, but is currently limited in its clinical application due ...

We study theoretically the dynamical rectification of a terahertz AC electric field, i.e. the DC current and voltage response to the incident radiation, in strongly coupled semiconductor superlattices. We address the problem of stability against electric field domains: a spontaneous DC voltage is known to appear exactly for parameters for which a spatially homogeneous ...

It is widely accepted that tumors contain cancer stem cells (CSCs) possessing self-renewal potential as well as the ability to generate numerous cancer cells. CSCs are resistant to conventional cancer therapy and have greater invasive and metastatic behavior. It has been suggested that blood vessels provide a niche that maintains ...

A longitudinal focus on gene-environment vulnerability and resilience in both patients, their unaffected family members and non-related controls offers the opportunity to elucidate etiological and pathogenetic factors influencing the onset and course of psychotic disorders. The current paper delineates the objectives, sample characteristics, recruitment and assessment procedures of the Genetic ...

BACKGROUND: Dietary carbohydrate, glycemic index, and glycemic load are thought to influence colorectal cancer risk through hyperinsulinemia. We review and quantitatively summarize in a meta-analysis the evidence from prospective cohort studies. METHODS: We searched the PubMed database for prospective studies of carbohydrate, glycemic index, and glycemic load and colorectal cancer ...

Osteoporosis is a major health concern in modern society and is continually being evaluated in past populations by quantifying bone loss. Cortical area measures are commonly used in anthropological analyses to assess bone loss in the ribs, but these values are typically based on endosteal expansion and do not account ...

We studied the morphological variation of the nuptial pads using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in 26 species of phyllomedusines (Anura: Hylidae), representing the five currently recognized genera. All phyllomedusines have single nuptial pads with dark colored epidermal projections (EPs). Spine-shaped EPs occur in Cruziohyla calcarifer, Phrynomedusa appendiculata ...

Lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTBR) is essential for development and organization of the secondary lymphoid tissues. To investigate whether LTBR polymorphisms are associated with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in Korean children, One hundred ninety nine patients with IgAN and 289 controls were recruited. Two promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs3759333, -1387C/T and ...

PURPOSE: Recent reports have highlighted the importance of an anatomic tunnel placement for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of different tunnel positions for single-bundle ACL reconstruction on knee biomechanics. METHODS: Sixteen fresh-frozen cadaver knees were used. In one group (n = 8), ...

Secondary lymphedema is a common complication after removal of lymph nodes in combination with radiation therapy in the treatment of breast cancer, cervical cancer, and melanomas. Only symptomatic therapies are available at the moment, and lymphedema is for most patients a lifelong condition involving psychological and physical disabilities. Animal models ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability of escalating single oral doses of ACT-077825, a novel orally active renin inhibitor, in healthy male subjects. METHODS: In this single-center, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled (with enalapril) randomized study, 70 subjects received a single dose of ACT-077825 (1-1,000 mg), placebo, or enalapril ...

Introduction: Because of the increasing number of injecting drug users (IDUs) in Iran and the risk of the spread of HIV infection, harm reduction programs have been considered for conventional law enforcement measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in IDUs ...

BACKGROUND: Reducing the global burden of injury requires both injury prevention and improved trauma care. We sought to provide an estimate of the number of lives that could be saved by improvements in trauma care, especially in low income and middle income countries. METHODS: Prior data showed differences in case ...