ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: A mission statement (MS) sets out the long-term goals of an institution and is supposed to be suited for studying learning environments. Yet, hardly any study has tested this issue so far. The aim of the present study was the development and psychometric evaluation of an MS-Questionnaire (MSQ) ...

Objective: Growing evidence has shown that vitamin D deficiency can cause lower bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI polymorphism (rs1544410) can affect BMD variation and circulating osteocalcin levels. To date, a wide range of epidemiological studies have been carried out to ...

Studies of human cancer metastasis have been limited by a lack of experimental assays in which cancer cells from patients metastasize in vivo in a way that correlates with clinical outcome. This makes it impossible to study intrinsic differences in the metastatic properties of cancers from different patients. We recently ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: To compare the characteristics between 22-channel water-perfusion manometry (WPM) and solid-state manometry (SSM) with 36 sensors of the pressure measurements, as well as patients' discomfort indices in nose and pharynx, the preparation and operation time of the manometry. METHODS: 12 volunteers were included in the study. Each of ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The Recalled Parental Rearing Behavior questionnaire (FEE, [1,2]) assesses perceived parental rearing behavior separately for each parent. An ultra-short screening version (FEE-US) with the same three scales each for the mother and the father is reported and factor-analytically validated. METHODS: N = 4,640 subjects aged 14 to 92 ...

OBJECTIVES: We aim to develop antibacterial peptide mimics resistant to protease degradation, with broad-spectrum activity at sites of infection. METHODS: The bactericidal activities of LL-37, ceragenins CSA-13, CSA-90 and CSA-92 and the spermine-conjugated dexamethasone derivative D2S were evaluated using MIC and MBC measurements. Gingival fibroblast counting, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and lactate ...

Reliable assignment of 55 out of 57 vibrational modes has been achieved for 1H-pyrrolo[3,2-h]quinoline using IR, Raman, and fluorescence spectroscopy combined with quantum-chemical calculations. The experiments provided a data set for assessing the performance of different models/basis sets for predicting the vibrational frequencies, as well as IR and Raman intensities ...

Abstract Serum response factor (SRF) is a transcription factor of the MADS box family. To date, DNA binding sites for SRF [serum response elements (SREs)] have been found in the promoters of approximately 50 different genes known to be involved in the regulation cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recent studies ...

Ire1 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein that senses disturbances in protein folding homeostasis and contributes to a multi-faceted response to stress. The nuclease activity of Ire1, in addition to splicing the mRNA encoding the transcription factor Xbp1, mediates mRNA degradation in response to ER stress through a pathway ...

Although individuals recognize the importance of knowing their family's health history for their own health, relatively few people (e.g., less than a third in one national survey) collect this type of information. This study examines the rates of family communication about family health history of cancer, and predictors of communication ...

Cushing's syndrome is not only accompanied by an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, but also by a hypercoagulable state that is reflected by an increased incidence of venous thromboembolism. Overall, patients with CS have been reported to have a more than tenfold increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism. Moreover, the ...

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) cause acute, highly transmissible infections in a wide range of animal species. Understanding how these viruses are transmitted within and between susceptible host populations is critical to the development of effective control strategies. While viral gene sequences have been used to make inferences about IAV transmission ...

Emission control: Carbazole-based dendritic alkynylgold(III) complexes have been evaluated as phosphorescent emitters in organic light-emitting devices. The energy as well as the bathochromic shift of the emissions can be tuned effectively through a control of the dendrimer generation. The optimized devices show high current and external quantum efficiencies of up ...

Development of multimodal contrast agents for in vivo simultaneous multimodality imaging is an emerging interdiscipline that is paving the avenue towards the goal of personalized medicine. Herein, folic acid-conjugated silica-modified LaF3:Yb,Tm upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs@SiO2-FA) with high La content in single particle were strategically designed and prepared for simultaneous targeting dual-modality ...

ABSTRACT: In the present case of postoperative lumbar spinal stenosis after non-instrumented intertransverse fusion with granules of hydroxyapatite (HA), bone union was not completed and the patient felt the recurrence of his symptoms within two years. We performed re-decompression with fusion, and in hematoxylin and eosin staining of HA granulation ...

During development, morphogenetic processes require a precise coordination of cell differentiation, cell shape changes and, often, cell migration. Yet, how pattern information is used to orchestrate these different processes is still unclear. During lateral line (LL) morphogenesis, a group of cells simultaneously migrate and assemble radially organized cell clusters, termed ...

In this paper, we present the case for molecular-recognition approaches for sulfate removal from radioactive wastes via the use of anion-sequestering systems selective for sulfate, using either liquid-liquid extraction or crystallization. Potential benefits of removing sulfate from the waste include improved vitrification of the waste, reduced waste-form volume, and higher ...

Abstract Objectives: To describe fetal and uterine hemodynamics in IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) fetuses with hypercoiled umbilical cord. Methods: 102 pregnant woman with IUGR fetuses were enrolled in the study. In these cases hemodynamic indices and Doppler waveform profiles were evaluated. Results: In 7 of the enrolled cases of IUGR ...

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of levonorgestrel intrauterine system-releasing (LNG-IUS) insertion in preventing atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AH) and endometrial cancer (EC) in symptomatic postmenopausal overweight/obese women. A total of 34 overweight/obese postmenopausal women, presenting abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and endometrial hyperplasia (EH), and who ...

To date, gene expression profiles of bovine preimplantation embryos have only be indirectly related to developmental potential due to the invasive nature of such procedures. This study sought to find a direct correlation between transcriptome fingerprint of blastomeres of bovine 2-cell stage embryos with developmental competence of the corresponding sister ...

We present a detailed characterization of a single-cycle infection of the bocavirus minute virus of canines (MVC) in canine WRD cells. This has allowed identification of an additional smaller NS protein that derives from an mRNA spliced within the NS gene that had not been previously reported. In addition, we ...

Context: Fructus Corni, a traditional Chinese medicines, is derived from the dry ripe sarcocarp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc (Cornaceae). Gallic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, morroniside, sweroside, loganin, cornin, 7-O-methyl-morroniside and cornuside are the active constituents of Fructus Corni used in many traditional Chinese medicines. This paper describes a sensitive and ...

Abstract Perceived realism is considered a key concept in explaining the mental processing of media messages and the societal impact of media. Despite its importance, little is known about its conceptualization and dimensional structure, especially with regard to digital games. The aim of this study was to test a six-factor ...

The primary somatosensory cortex (S1) can be subdivided cytoarchitectonically into four distinct Brodmann areas (3a, 3b, 1, and 2), but these areas have never been successfully delineated in vivo in single human subjects. Here, we demonstrate the functional parcellation of four areas of S1 in individual human subjects based on ...

In 2009 an outbreak of Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) on an open farm infected 93 persons, from which approximately 22% developed haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Genome sequencing was used to investigate outbreak-derived animal and human EHEC isolates. Phylogeny based on whole genome sequence was used to place outbreak isolates in ...

The erythrocytic life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum is highly associated with severe clinical symptoms of malaria that causes hundreds of thousands of death each year. The parasite develops within human erythrocytes leading to the disruption of the infected red blood cell (iRBC) prior to the start of a new cycle ...

ABSTRACT: Primary sarcomas of the major blood vessels can be classified based on location in relationship to the wall or by histologic type. Angiosarcomas are malignant neoplasms that arise from the endothelial lining of the blood vessels; those arising in the intimal compartment of pulmonary artery are rare. We report ...

BACKGROUND: Osteitis is a feature of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and often associated with recalcitrant disease. Radiological characteristics of osteitic sinus changes are commonly reported in practice but the clinical and pathologic significance is poorly defined. The objective of this study was to correlate the Kennedy Osteitis Score (KOS) to clinico-histologic ...

Structuring protein foods to control the textural properties receives growing attention nowadays. It requires decoupling of the product properties such as water holding capacity and the mechanical properties from the actual protein concentration in the product. From an application point of view, both increasing and lowering the protein content in ...

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of relatives in the patient participation process for persons with dementia living in special care units in Norwegian nursing homes, with focus on everyday life. BACKGROUND: Studies exploring the experience of relatives of persons with dementia as to their role in the patient ...

Ifosfamide is an alkylating agent used to treat different types of malignancies including lymphomas, sarcomas and germinal cell tumors. Symptoms of ifosfamide neurotoxicity can range from mild confusion, dizziness and hallucination to overt encephalopathy. Various treatment options like methylene blue, albumin infusion and rarely hemodialysis have been used to treat ...

On October 25, 2011, Eli Lilly and Company announced the voluntary withdrawal of Xigris (drotrecogin alfa [activated]) following the negative results of its most recent clinical trial, the PROWESS-SHOCK study. The purpose of this commentary is to briefly review the history of drotrecogin alfa, discuss issues surrounding early cessation of ...

Previous studies indicate that epigenetic modifications play an important role in transcriptional regulation and contribute to the pathogenesis of gestational trophoblastic disease, including complete hydatidiform moles (CHMs). However, the underlying mechanisms and the critical genes have not been clearly identified. In the present study, we developed a novel technique, NotI ...

Study Type - Therapy (outcome) Level of Evidence 2b What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Upper Urinary Tract (UUT) Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) is an uncommon disease and represents approximately 5% of all urothelial carcinomas. We report our series on 73 patients treated with Kidney Sparing ...

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules are often forged in crisis. After the 1937 sulfanilamide disaster that killed more than 100 people, Congress passed the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), requiring drugs to be safe and properly labeled. In 1962, a requirement was introduced for proof of drug efficacy ...

A new symmetrical tricyanide building block mer-[Fe(bbp)(CN)(3)](2-) [1; bbp = bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine dianion] has been prepared and structurally and magnetically characterized. It forms a new low-spin meridionally capped {Fe(III)L(CN)(3)} fragment with the tridentate bbp ligand. The reaction of 1 with Ni(II) salts in the presence of various ancillary ligands affords several ...

Neuroblastoma is uniquely sensitive to single-agent inhibition of the DNA damage checkpoint kinase Chk1, leading us to examine downstream effectors of this pathway and identify mitotic regulator Wee1 as an additional therapeutic target in this disease. Wee1 was overexpressed in both neuroblastoma cell lines and high-risk patient tumors. Genetic or ...

The bacterial xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) from Rhodobacter capsulatus was immobilized on an edge plane pyrolytic graphite (EPG) electrode to construct a hypoxanthine/xanthine biosensor that functions at physiological pH. Phenazine methosulfate (PMS) was used as a mediator which acts as an artificial electron transfer partner for XDH. The enzyme catalyzes the ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Genomic analyses have the potential to impact selective breeding programs by identifying markers that serve as proxies for traits which are expensive or difficult to measure. Also, identifying genes affecting traits of interest enhances our understanding of their underlying biochemical pathways. To this end we conducted genome scans ...

In this retrospective cohort study, we demonstrate that PCR-confirmed diagnoses of influenza were made solely by lower respiratory sampling in 6.9% of cases, as traditional upper respiratory tract tests were negative, indeterminate or not performed. Clinical features of these cases are presented. Clinicians should consider lower respiratory tract sampling in ...

The reaction of N(3)(CH(2))(3)Si(OTMS)(3) (TMS = SiMe(3)) with a dialkylammonium having hexynyl group , [FcCH(2)NH(2)CH(2)C(6)H(4)-4-O(CH(2))(4)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH]PF(6) (Fc = Fe(C(5)H(4))(C(5)H(5))), in the presence of dibenzo[24]crown-8-ether (DB24C8) and [Cu{Fe(CN)(4)}]PF(6) catalyst yielded the [2]rotaxane containing the dialkylammonium unit terminated by a bulky silyl group. Azides with a silsesquioxane group react ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of plasma osteoprotegerin (OPG) to hospitalisation for ischaemic heart disease (IHD), ischaemic stroke and all-cause mortality, and the effect of combining plasma OPG and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). DESIGN: OPG and hsCRP concentrations were measured at baseline in a large Danish prospective community-based population study. ...

BACKGROUND: Protein ingestion after a single bout of resistance-type exercise stimulates net muscle protein accretion during acute postexercise recovery. Consequently, it is generally accepted that protein supplementation is required to maximize the adaptive response of the skeletal muscle to prolonged resistance-type exercise training. However, there is much discrepancy in the ...

In malaria-endemic settings, asymptomatic parasitemia complicates the diagnosis of malaria. Histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) is produced by Plasmodium falciparum, and its plasma concentration reflects the total body parasite burden. We aimed to define the malaria-attributable fraction of severe febrile illness, using the distributions of plasma P. falciparum HRP2 (PfHRP2) concentrations ...

Introduction:While inhalation of high-flow 100% oxygen is highly effective in cluster headache, studies on its efficacy in migraine are sparse and controversial.Case:We report the case of a 22-year-old patient with an eight-year history of strictly unilateral migraine without aura but cranial autonomic symptoms. She repeatedly responded completely to inhalation of ...

P-Trityl substituted Li/Cl phosphinidenoid tungsten(0) complex (OC)(5)W{Ph(3)CP(Li/12-crown-4)Cl} (3) was prepared via chlorine/lithium exchange in complex (OC)(5)W{Ph(3)CPCl(2)} (2) using (t)BuLi in the presence of 12-crown-4 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at low temperature; complex 3 possesses significantly increased thermal stability in contrast to previously reported analogue derivatives. Terminal phosphinidene-like reactivity of 3 was ...

BACKGROUND: Raising cigarette prices through taxation is an important policy approach to reduce smoking. Yet, cigarette price increases may not be equally effective in all subpopulations of smokers. PURPOSE: To examine differing effects of state cigarette price changes with individual changes in smoking among smokers of different intensity levels. METHODS: ...

Addition of TEMPO to MCl3 (M = Fe, Al) results in the formation of MCl3(eta1-TEMPO) (M = Fe, 1; M= Al, 2). Both 1 and 2 oxidize alcohols to generate ketones or aldehydes, along with the reduced complexes, MCl3(eta1-TEMPOH) (M = Fe, 3; M= Al, 4). Complexes 1-4 have been ...

Regulatory T (T(reg)) cells, characterized by expression of the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), maintain immune homeostasis by suppressing self-destructive immune responses. Foxp3 operates as a late-acting differentiation factor controlling T(reg) cell homeostasis and function, whereas the early T(reg)-cell-lineage commitment is regulated by the Akt kinase and the forkhead ...

Over the last decades microfabricated bioanalytical platforms have gained enormous interest due to their potential to revolutionize biological analytics. Their popularity is based on several key properties, such as high flexibility of design, low sample consumption, rapid analysis time and minimization of manual handling steps, which are also of particular ...