This paper introduces a new modification for the well-known binary detour phase method, which is largely used to represent Fourier holograms; the modification utilizes gray scale level control provided by a liquid crystal spatial light modulator to improve the traditional binary detour phase. Results are shown by both simulation and ...

This work determined the influence of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) on the interaction mechanism and microstructure of Ni(II) onto diatomite by using batch experiments, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) methods. Macroscopic and spectroscopic experiments have been combined to see the evolution ...

Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus, GGA) and Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica, CCO) karyotypes are very similar. They have identical chromosome number (2n = 78) and show a high degree of synteny. Centromere positions on the majority of orthologous chromosomes are different in these two species. To explore the nature of this divergence, ...

Tuberculosis (TB) has scourged humankind for millennia, and latent infection affects nearly one-third of today's world population. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB is a major global threat and reflects treatment failure of drug-sensitive disease. MDR-TB management is a burden for patients and society; success rates are unacceptably low with prolonged ...

Head and neck postures may cause morphology changes to the geometry of the carotid bifurcation (CB) that alter the low and oscillating wall shear stress (WSS) regions previously reported as important in the development of atherosclerosis. Here the right and left CB were imaged by MRI in two healthy subjects ...

PURPOSE: Previous studies have suggested that migraineurs are at decreased risk for developing breast cancer. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results. In addition, studies evaluating migraine characteristics (e.g., migraine subtypes and frequency) are lacking. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study among 39,696 participants in the Women's ...

(15)N relaxation rates of amide moieties provide insight both into global as well as local backbone dynamics of peptides and proteins. As the differences in the relaxation rates in general are small, their accurate determination is of prime importance. One potential source of error is fast amide exchange. It is ...

This study was carried out to determine the serum levels of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to evaluate its correlation with disease activity and quality of life. According to our knowledge, it is the first trial evaluating HMGB1 levels in AS. ...

Death from coronary artery disease is by far the leading cause of death worldwide. There is no doubt that a better understanding of atherothrombosis has guided development of improved diagnostic facilities as well as revascularization technologies in combination with current antithrombotic strategies that have altogether impressively reduced acute thromboembolic complications ...

OBJECTIVE: As a small heavily glycosylated mucin-like glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface protein, CD24 plays an important role in carcinogenesis of various human malignancies. However, its involvement in osteosarcoma is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and the clinical significance of CD24 in human osteosarcoma. ...

The cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) is a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis as it catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of monolignols. A cDNA sequence encoding the CAD gene was isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L, designated as GbCAD1. The full-length cDNA of GbCAD1 was 1,494 bp containing ...

The determination of reaction pathways is one of the most important functions that should be performed in exploring the kinetics of catalyzed chemical reactions or biochemical reactions, the latter being generally catalyzed by enzymes. It is proven that the terms, "type-I extreme pathway" and "structurally minimal pathway", both introduced to ...

The influence of symmetry breaking in a planar metamaterial on transparency effect is numerically investigated. The planar metamaterial's cell is formed by three parallel metal wires. From numerical simulation results, we can see that the transparency effect results from the asymmetric coupling between the cut wires. The excited mechanism of ...

BACKGROUND: Survival estimates after curative surgery for gastric cancer are based on AJCC staging, or on more accurate multivariable nomograms. However, the risk of dying of gastric cancer is not constant over time, with most deaths occurring in the first 2 years after resection. Therefore, the prognosis for a patient who ...

Microorganism in drinking water distribution system may colonize in biofilms. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene diversities were analyzed in both water and biofilms grown on taps with three different materials (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel, and cast iron) from a local drinking water distribution system. In total, five clone libraries (440 ...

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the distribution and anatomic features of venous lacuna presenting with unusual upward protrusion (VLUUP) using high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. METHODS: This retrospective study included 59 consecutive outpatients who underwent MR imaging with gadolinium. Acquired imaging data were transferred to a workstation for analysis. ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the causes of isolated fourth nerve palsy (IFNP) and the association among aetiology, prognosis and ocular deviation. METHODS: A total of 126 consecutive cases of IFNP was retrospectively reviewed. According to aetiologies, all patients were classified into five groups: microvascular, congenital, decompensation of congenital, traumatic and others. ...

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease and has a strong association with hyperphosphatemia. Dialysis is the major treatment tool for attaining serum phosphorus control. Phosphorus removal can be increased with hemodiafiltration. We compared the effect of hemodiafiltration and hemodialysis on serum ...

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to study diurnal variation in glucose regulation by examining the effects of time of day and fasting duration on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h post-load plasma glucose (2hPG) and HbA(1c) levels. METHODS: We analysed data from 5,978 non-diabetic white men and women from the prospective Whitehall II ...

Disorders of calcium and magnesium balance are physiologically interesting and clinically challenging. In this review, we attempt to bridge the gap between physiology and practice by providing a physiology-based approach to understanding hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia and hypomagnesemia. Calcium and, to a lesser extent, magnesium balance is achieved through a complex interplay ...

This study examined the indoor concentrations of a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in currently built new apartments every month over a 24-month period and the source characteristics of indoor VOCs. The indoor total VOC (TVOC) concentrations exhibited a decreasing tendency over the 24-month follow-up period. Similar to ...

In this study, the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion behaviors, and in vitro biocompatibility of Zr-Mo alloys as a function of Mo content after solution treatment were systemically investigated to assess their potential use in biomedical application. The experimental results indicated that Zr-1Mo alloy mainly consisted of an acicular structure of ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Experimental datasets are becoming larger and increasingly complex, spanning different data domains, thereby expanding the requirements for respective tool support for their analysis. Networks provide a basis for the integration, analysis and visualization of multi-omics experimental datasets. RESULTS: Here we present VANTED (version 2), a framework for systems ...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to utilize bootstrapping to investigate the robustness of latent class trajectories and risk factors of depressive symptoms among mothers of children with epilepsy. METHODS: Data were obtained from a national prospective cohort study (2004-09) of children newly diagnosed with epilepsy and their families ...

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has been described as a disease clinically characterised by severe optic neuritis (ON) and transverse myelitis (TM). Other features of NMO include female preponderance, longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (>3 vertebral segments), and absence of oligoclonal IgG bands . In spite of these differences from multiple sclerosis ...

A new approach is described to quantify the number of enzyme molecules, such as Candia antarctica lipase B, that are displayed on the cell surface of Pichia pastoris. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) were fused and displayed on the surface of P. pastoris by ...

PURPOSE: Hypothesis that loss of integrity of the membranes in the craniocervical junction might be the cause of neck pain in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) has been proposed. In recent years, with development of more detailed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, morphologic changes of the ligaments and membranes in ...

OBJECTIVES: Prehospital airway management for adult trauma patients remains controversial. We sought to review the frequency that paramedic non-drug assisted intubation or attempted intubation is performed for trauma patients in Ontario, Canada, and determine its association with mortality. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Ontario Trauma Registry's ...

It is demonstrated that any theoretical analysis of experimental surface plasmon resonance (SPR) curves of metallic nano bilayers preferably should be accompanied by a more sensitive technique that is less prone to experimental errors. Micro energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence has been shown to be a powerful technique for predicting SPR ...

According to popular models of human time perception, variations in prospective timing are caused by two factors: the pulse rate of an internal pacemaker and the amount of attention directed to the passage of time. The results concerning the effect of attention on subjective timing have been conclusive, but the ...

Ischemic heart disease is uncommon during pregnancy, occurring in approximately 1/10,000 pregnancies resulting in live births. However, the increased age and fertility of mothers has suggested that the coexistence of pregnancy and coronary artery disease is likely to increase. A subject of debate is the management of dual antiplatelet therapy ...

Our aim was to investigate when halfcycle reconstruction (HCR) was feasible in patients who were predicted to have a heart rate over 65 bpm in coronary CT angiography (CTA) using 320-row CT. Seventy-four patients who underwent multiple heart beat scanning were included. The time to reach 230 HU at the ascending aorta ...

A wide variety of stimuli can trigger activation of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP-responsive element binding protein), pointing toward a central role for CREB in the integration of various signaling inputs. No data are available on the expression and phosphorylation of CREB in mammalian teeth. Using immunohistochemical analysis of free-floating ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of gas tamponade without vitrectomy in patients with myopic foveoschisis and foveal detachment. METHODS: We examined 10 eyes of 10 patients with myopic foveoschisis and foveal detachment. All patients received an intravitreal injection of 0.2-0.4 mL C3F8 and remained in the prone position for 5 to ...

PURPOSE: For many years, the impact of the surgeon volume on short- and long-term outcome after rectal carcinoma surgery is controversially discussed. Literature and own department data were reviewed in order to clarify the impact of surgeon volume in the current era of total mesorectal excision surgery, multimodal therapy, quality ...

Post-mortem computed tomography with coronary angiography (PMCTA) could have a role in the investigation of sudden natural death. This study assesses the accuracy of targeted coronary PMCTA, using both air and iodinated contrast media, to provide sensitivity and specificity for critical stenosis (CS) on a segmental basis, based on a ...

Community coalitions are a popular strategy to coordinate activities and resources to prevent adolescent substance use and delinquent behavior. Despite early evidence of their lack of effectiveness, a new generation of community coalitions has shown positive results in preventing youth substance use and delinquency. This success can be attributed to ...

BACKGROUND: The necessary first steps for televised media campaign effects are population exposure and recall. To maximise the impact of campaign funding, it is critical to identify modifiable factors that increase the efficiency of an advertisement reaching the target audience and of their recalling that advertisement. METHODS: Data come from ...

BACKGROUND: Grape seed extract (GSE) constitutes a rich source of procyanidins. GSE has been demonstrated to exert encouraging anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties in experimental settings, although its effects on inflammation of the colon remain undefined. AIM: To determine the effects of GSE in a rat model of dextran sulphate sodium ...

Kinsenoside is able to improve bone turnover rate in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. In vitro analysis shows that kinsenoside antagonizes osteoclast development and bone resorption. INTRODUCTION: Kinsenoside, the main active compound of the traditional Taiwanese herb Anoectochilus formosanus, has an antiinflammatory effect. This study investigates whether kinsenoside inhibits osteoporosis and osteoclastogenesis. ...

The porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) capsid protein (Cap) is an important antigen for the development of vaccines. To achieve high-level expression of recombinant PCV2 Cap in Pichia pastoris, the wild-type Cap (wt-Cap) and optimized Cap (opti-Cap) gene fragments encoding the same amino acid sequence of PCV2 were amplified by ...

PURPOSE: Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are rare, highly malignant central nervous system tumors that occur during infancy and early childhood. Their poor outcome and resistance to conventional chemotherapies and radiotherapy, urges the development of new therapies. Recent studies have evaluated the effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) as a ...

Attenuated total reflection far-ultraviolet (ATR-FUV) spectra containing Rydberg states of n-alkanes (CnH2n+1; n varies in the range 5-9) and branched alkanes observed in the liquid phase were investigated by quantum chemical calculations with the aim of elucidating electronic transitions from σ orbitals of liquid n- and branched alkanes. New assignments ...

In this paper a novel method, based on time-resolved diffuse optical spectroscopy, is proposed to measure the absorption of small amounts of nanostructured powder materials independent of scattering. Experimental validation, in the visible and near-infrared spectral range, has been carried out on India Ink<sup/>particles. The effectiveness of the technique to ...

PURPOSE: Review our experience in the use of indocyanine green (ICG) enhanced transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in combination with ophthalmic artery chemosurgery for retinoblastomas unresponsive to standard TTT. METHODS: Single centre, retrospective study of 16 eyes in 13 retinoblastoma patients treated with TTT and ICG via indirect ophthalmoscope: 23 treatments of ...

INTRODUCTION: A prospective randomized double-blind study was conducted to assess the latency and duration of pterygomandibular nerve block with a mixture of 1.8 ml 2 % lignocaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine and 1 ml of 4 mg dexamethasone and its impact on postoperative sequelae of surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ...

We have recently described the surviving cones and Müller-glia process remodeling in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and shown that rod degeneration triggers the reorganization of the cone mosaic into an orderly array of rings. Within these rings, remodeled Müller-glia processes envelope cones. Here, we report the spatiotemporal pattern of healthy rods, ...

BACKGROUND: With a critical illness, intestinal complications are associated with high morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Operative findings and outcomes of 77 intensive care unit (ICU) patients treated with colectomy are described. RESULTS: Three conditions led to colectomy: sepsis (S group; n = 31), fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis (Cl group; n = 25), and cardiovascular ...

INTRODUCTION: Families of patients with dementia may need support in difficult end-of-life decision making. Such guidance may be culturally sensitive. METHODS: To support families in Canada, a booklet was developed to aid decision making on palliative care issues. For reasons of cost effectiveness and promising effects, we prepared for its ...

The bulk laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) fluence of Ti:sapphire is determined under single-pulse irradiation from the femtosecond to nanosecond temporal regimes in the visible and near-infrared spectral domains. In the range of explored laser conditions, the LIDT fluence increases with both pulse duration and wavelength. The results are also compared ...