A best evidence topic was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether muscle-sparing thoracotomy (MST), as opposed to posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT), results in better recovery. A total of 108 papers were found using the reported searches of which eight represented the best evidence to answer the ...

In the present work, the frequency-dependent effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) on Escherichia coli K-12 growth have been studied. The frequency-dependent effects of ELF EMF have shown that it can either stimulate or inhibit the growth of microbes. However, the mechanism by which the ELF EMF affects ...

Five tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.)] pastures: 'Kentucky-31' with 78.0% of plants infected with ergot alkaloid-producing endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum) (KY31 E+); 'Jesup' AR542 endophyte-infected contaminated with 30.3% tall fescue containing ergot alkaloid producing-endophyte (Jesup AR542 E+); 'GA-186' AR584 endophyte-infected contaminated with 11.8% tall fescue containing ergot alkaloid producing-endophyte (AGRFA 140); ...

The regulatory mechanism underlying the interaction of the Rabex-5 MIU domain with ubiquitinated cargos remains unclear. Rabex-5 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) mutants affected interactions of ubiquitinated cargos. GDP/GTP exchange in the GEF domain controls the MIU domain interactions with the ubiquitinated cargos. Rabex-5 GEF activity acts as an intramolecular ...

Humans are expert tool users, who manipulate objects with dextrous hands and precise visual control. Surprisingly, morphological predispositions, or adaptations, for tool use have rarely been examined in non-human animals. New Caledonian crows Corvus moneduloides use their bills to craft complex tools from sticks, leaves and other materials, before inserting ...

Severe asthma affects 5 to 10% of the asthma population but consumes a disproportionate amount of the global asthma budget (∼50%) due to unscheduled health care utilization in primary care, hospitalizations due to severe exacerbations, and the costs of pharmacotherapy. A key challenge in managing severe asthma is to identify ...

The effects of processing using a scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE) before and after adding unsaturated monoglyceride (UM) on blends of Fully Hydrogenated Soybean Oil (FHSO) and Soybean Oil (SO) was studied. Mixtures of 40:60 and 45:55 FHSO:SO were melted at 80°C for 30 min and crystallized statically or in ...

OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the commonest sexually transmitted infection. Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with HPV-related diseases, previous studies have demonstrated low HPV knowledge in the general population. The objectives of this study were to assess knowledge of cervical cancer and HPV among young women and investigate ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Controversy exists regarding the relationship between radiographic findings and clinical status in knee osteoarthritis. Although the surgical indication for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) should be based on pain, clinical status, and the deterioration of quality of life, the radiographic study is the most commonly used criterion for preoperative ...

The use of growth factors in sports is restricted under the terms of the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC). While the beneficial effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on erythropoiesis and therefore its performance-enhancing properties have been well documented and established for decades, the aim of this study was to elucidate the relevance ...

OBJECTIVESAnimal and clinical studies have demonstrated the feasibility of tracheal replacement by silicone-stented allogenic aortas. In clinical trials, however, this graft did not show mature cartilage regeneration into the grafts as was observed in animal models. To solve this issue, we investigated tracheal replacement with a composite graft based on ...

Associations between painting, sensitization, and respiratory disease have received little attention, despite the extensive use of paint and paint removal products. The objectives of this study were to investigate the possible immunotoxicity and pulmonary toxicity induced by paints in Egyptian painter workers. This study was carried out on 60 adult ...

CTLA-4 inhibits T-cell activation and protects against the development of autoimmunity. We and others previously showed that the coreceptor can induce T-cell motility and shorten dwell times with dendritic cells (DCs). However, it has been unclear whether this property of CTLA-4 affects both conventional T cells (Tconvs) and regulatory T ...

Genetic correlations of selection indices and the traits considered in these indices with mature weight (MW) of Nelore females and correlated responses were estimated to determine whether current selection practices will result in an undesired correlated response in MW. Genetic trends for weaning and yearling indices and MW were also ...

The objective of this study was to verify the additivity of true total-tract phosphorus digestibility (TPD) in corn and soybean meal (SBM) for 15-kg pigs. Fifty-four barrows with an average initial BW of 14.7 ± 1.6 kg were used in a randomized complete block design with a 3 × 2 ...

The role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in pathological angiogenesis in the retina is unknown. CTGF/CCN2 stimulates retinal neovascularization through transactivation of p53 target genes such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2. CTGF/CCN2 effects on abnormal vessel formation in the retina are mediated by p53 and MMP-2. CTGF/CCN2 and its downstream ...

The stimulant methylphenidate (MPX) and the nonstimulant atomoxetine (ATX) are the most commonly prescribed medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, no functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study has as yet investigated the effects of ATX on inhibitory or any other brain function in ADHD patients or compared its ...

A detailed stereo-mechanistic analysis has led to the design of a new tetradentate ligand for the enantioselective Ti(IV)-catalyzed oxidation of unsymmetrical sulfides to sulfoxides with high selectivity. The pathway of this oxidation and the closely related and long-known Kagan-Modena oxidation have been clarified to identify the likely origin of enantioselectivity.

Purpose:To investigate whether resting-state brain functional connectivity (FC) differed among cirrhotic patients without overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (OHE), those who currently had minimal HE (MHE), or those who had recovered from previous OHE and to investigate whether previous bouts of OHE rather than current MHE predominantly contributed to brain dysfunction ...

BackgroundThe SYNTAX score (SXscore), an anatomical-based scoring tool reflecting the complexity of coronary anatomy, has established itself as an important long-term prognostic factor in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The incorporation of clinical factors may further augment the utility of the SXscore to longer-term risk stratify the individual patient ...

A large-scale field experiment on in situ thin-layer capping was carried out in the polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) contaminated Grenlandsfjords, Norway. The main focus of the trial was to test the effectiveness of active caps (targeted thickness of 2.5 cm) consisting of powdered activated carbon (AC) mixed into locally ...

Fatty acid profiles and intramuscular expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism were characterized in concentrate- (CO) and forage- (FO) based finishing systems. Intramuscular samples from the adductor were taken at slaughter from 99 heifers finished on a CO diet and 58 heifers finished on a FO diet. Strip ...

The sternum is one of the most important and characteristic skeletal elements in living birds, highly adapted for flight and showing a diverse range of morphologies. New exceptional material of young juvenile specimens from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Group in northeastern China reveals the unique sequence of development in the ...

The regulatory mechanism of dosage compensation is the paramount example of epigenetic regulation at the chromosomal level. In Drosophila, this mechanism, designed to compensate for the difference in the dosage of X-linked genes between the sexes, depends on the MSL complex that enhances the transcription of the single dose of ...

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) and dysfunctional breathing (DB) disorders may mimic or coexist with asthma, leading to overtreatment with corticosteroids with consequent morbidity. Iatrogenic complications can be averted by early and correct diagnosis. VCD, also termed paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder (PVFMD), is characterized by intermittent paradoxical adduction of the ...

Objectives:For children and adolescents, the adverse effects from antipsychotic medicines exaggerate the already considerable burden of having a serious mental illness. Many of these young people face a future not only limited by stigmatizing psychiatric illness but also a life restricted and shortened by physical ill-health, particularly cardiovascular disease and ...

The toxicity of dental materials has raised public concern over the past years. One of the most commonly used methacrylic monomers for building the three-dimensional structure of the dental resin composites is 2,2-bis[4-(acryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane (BAPP). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential toxicological implication of BAPP on human ...

A novel spectrofluorimetric method was developed and validated for hypochlorous acid (HOCl) scavenging activity estimation using resorcinol, a highly sensitive and chemically stable fluorogenic probe. This assay is based on the chlorination of resorcinol to its non-fluorescent products in the presence of HOCl. HOCl reacts with both resorcinol and HOCl-scavengers ...

Abstract Background: Communicating with patients about goals of care is an important skill for internal medicine residents. However, many trainees are not competent to perform a code status discussion (CSD). A multimodality intervention improved skills in a group of first-year residents in 2011. How long these acquired CSD skills are ...

Transition metals such as copper can interact with ascorbate or hydrogen peroxide to form highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH(•) ), with numerous implications to membrane transport activity and cell metabolism. So far, such interaction was described for extracellular (apoplastic) space but not cytosol. Here, a range of advanced electrophysiological and ...

Vitamin D deficiency and the rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity are both considered important public health issues. The classical role of vitamin D is in Ca homoeostasis and bone metabolism. Growing evidence suggests that the vitamin D system has a range of physiological functions, with vitamin D deficiency ...

Abstract Objective: This retrospective study evaluated predictors of attrition in data from veterans with chronic medical conditions who were enrolled in a Veterans Administration Care Coordination Home Telehealth program. Subjects and Methods: Data were collected over a 4-year period. The enrolled sample was 73 veterans, 55.3% of whom discontinued enrollment ...

Ureteral injury remains a major clinical problem; here we developed a biodegradable ureteral stent and compared its effectiveness with a double-J stent for treating ureteral injury. Eighteen dogs with injured ureters were subdivided into two groups. In group A, one injured ureter was treated with a biodegradable stent, whereas only ...

BackgroundThe reabsorption of filtered plasma proteins, hormones and vitamins by the renal proximal tubules is vital for body homeostasis. Studies of megalin-deficient mice suggest that the large multi-ligand endocytic receptor megalin plays an essential role in this process. In humans, dysfunctional megalin causes the extremely rare Donnai-Barrow/Facio-Oculo-Acustico-Renal (DB/FOAR) syndrome characterized ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the responsiveness of different anthropometric indicators for measuring nutritional stress among children in developing countries. DESIGN: Growth was studied within 6-month intervals in a rural Senegalese community during one dry and two rainy (hungry) seasons. Responsiveness was defined as the change divided by the standard deviation of ...

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships associated with a series of 1,1-diarylethylene tubulin polymerization inhibitors and are described. The key step for their preparation involves a palladium-catalyzed coupling of N-arylsulfonylhydrazones with aryl halides, thus providing flexible and convergent access to tri- and tetrasubstituted 1,1-diarylolefins and related to isocombretastatin A-4 (isoCA-4). These ...

Rationale: Mice lacking the EF-hand Ca(2+) sensor S100A1 display endothelial dysfunction due to distorted Ca(2+) activated NO generation. Objective: To determine the pathophysiological role of S100A1 in endothelial cell (EC) function in experimental ischemic revascularization. Methods and Results: Patients with chronic critical lower limb ischemia (CLI) showed almost complete loss ...

Molecules show a much increased multiple ionization rate in a strong laser field as compared with atoms of similar ionization energy. A widely accepted model attributes this to the action of the joint fields of the adjacent ionic core and the laser on its neighbour inside the same molecule. The ...

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical measurement. OBJECTIVE: To translate and culturally adapt the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) into a Brazilian Portuguese version; and to test the construct and content validity and reliability of this version for patients with knee injuries. BACKGROUND: There is no Brazilian Portuguese version of instruments to assess ...

Various methods of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for acne have been introduced. However, comparative studies among them are still needed. We performed this study to compare the effect of methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) PDT for acne between red light and intense pulsed light (IPL). Twenty patients were enrolled in this eight-week, prospective, ...

The clinical course of breast cancer patients with brain metastases (BM) as only metastatic site (brain-only metastatic breast cancer (BO-MBC)) has been insufficiently explored. All breast cancer patients with BM treated at our institution between 1990 and 2011 were identified. For each patient, full information on follow-up and administered therapies ...

The direct nucleic acid repair dioxygenase FTO is an enzyme that demethylates N6-methyladenosine (m6A) residues in mRNA in vitro and inside cells. FTO is the first RNA demethylase discovered that also serves a major regulatory function in mammals. Together with structure-based virtual screening and biochemical analyses, we report the first ...

Natural transformation is a programmed mechanism characterized by binding of free double-stranded (ds) DNA from the environment to the cell pole in rod-shaped bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis some competence proteins, which process the dsDNA and translocate single-stranded (ss) DNA into the cytosol, recruit a set of recombination proteins mainly to ...

INTRODUCTION: This article describes how patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) were treated from 2005 to 2011 at a single institution. A comparison is made with an international and standardized scoring system which would have predicted which patients would have a better outcome with neurosurgery in addition to radiotherapy ...

Abstract Background: This study investigated the association among breastfeeding, serum zinc levels, and nutritional status of children. Subjects and Methods: One hundred healthy infants were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements of the children were taken, and their plasma zinc levels were determined. The mothers were interviewed about the duration ...

Mechanisms linking maternal nutrient restriction (MNR) to intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and programming of adult disease remain to be established. The impact of controlled MNR on maternal and fetal amino acid metabolism has not been studied in non-human primates. We hypothesised that MNR in pregnant baboons decreases fetal amino acid ...

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms of a relatively indolent nature whose incidence and prevalence are increasing. Despite the advances made in the field of NETs over the past years, these tumors eventually progress to metastatic disease in most of the patients, with a fatal ...

There has been remarkable progress during the past decade in understanding of how genetic variations in drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters contribute to observed variation in drug responsiveness. Among drug transporters, the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) class of transporters have proven to be remarkably important to the cellular uptake ...

Activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ALK1) is an endothelial transforming growth factor β receptor involved in angiogenesis. ALK1 expression is high in the embryo vasculature, becoming less detectable in the quiescent endothelium of adult stages. However, ALK1 expression becomes rapidly increased after angiogenic stimuli such as vascular injury. To characterize the molecular ...

The present study was designed to analyse the usefulness of a modified Calgary score system during differential diagnosis between cardiac syncope and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome-associated syncope through a large sample sized clinical investigation. The study included 213 children, including 101 boys and 112 girls, with cardiac syncope or postural ...