Human genetic analysis has recently identified Gpr177 as a susceptibility locus for bone-mineral-density and osteoporosis. Determining the unknown function of this gene is therefore extremely important to further our knowledge base of skeletal development and disease. The protein encoded by Gpr177 exhibits an ability to modulate the trafficking of Wnt ...

A novel colorimetric switch based on the copper(i)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction has been developed. G-quadruplex-hemin DNAzyme catalyzes the oxidation of 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiozoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) to form ABTS˙(+), the UV absorbance of the solution increased greatly and the color of the solution changed to dark green. However, in the presence of ...

Phage display is commonly used to isolate peptides that bind to a desired cell type. While chemical synthesis of selected peptides often results in ligands with low affinity, a multivalent tetrameric presentation of the peptides dramatically improves affinity. One of the primary uses of these peptides is conjugation to nanoparticle-based ...

Co-assembled molecular structures are known to exhibit a large variety of geometries and morphologies. A grand challenge of self-assembly design is to find techniques to control the crystal symmetries and overall morphologies of multicomponent systems. By mixing +3 and -1 ionic amphiphiles we assemble crystalline ionic bilayers in a large ...

IR and NMR spectroscopy were used to determine the silanol content in the most common mesoporous ordered silicas: MCM-41, MCM-48, SBA-15 and SBA-16. In addition, a spray dried MCM-41 and an ethene bridged PMO are investigated. The results are compared with a commercial chromatographic silica (Nucleosil). The complete distribution of ...

ABSTRACT Fusion genes involving the catalytic domain of tyrosine kinases (TKs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. In BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) several different tyrosine kinase fusion events have been described, most commonly involving the genes encoding the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The combination of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a curative treatment option for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). There have been few studies on the pulmonary adverse events (AEs) affecting patient recovery after this treatment, thus this study investigated these factors. METHODS: Between January 2005 and ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Emotional problems such as anxiety and low mood in children are common, impair everyday functioning and increase the risk of severe mental health disorders in adulthood. Relatively few children with emotional health problems are identified and referred for treatment indicating the need to investigate preventive approaches. METHODS: The ...

Objective: In the last six years, several studies reported a positive association between TSH and risk of papillary cancer. The rationale of this finding is based on a stimulatory action exerted by TSH on thyroid cell proliferation and/or progression of a pre-existing papillary carcinoma. To validate this hypothesis, we perform ...

Objective: Hypoparathyroidism, deafness, and renal dysplasia (HDR) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a GATA3 gene mutation. Here we report a novel mutation of GATA3 in a patient diagnosed with HDR syndrome at the age of 58 with extensive intracranial calcification.Methods: A 58-year-old Japanese man showed severe hypocalcemia ...

Ethical difficulties arise in health-care practices. However, despite extensive research findings that demonstrate that most nurses are involved in recurrent ethical problems, institutions are not always able to effectively support nursing care professionals. The limited availability of ethics consultation services and traditional nursing training fails to meet the frequent and ...

Periodontitis is an infectious disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the periodontium, and it is mediated and modulated by the host immune system. In the presence of microorganisms or other antigens, immune cells (macrophages/monocytes, dendritic cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils), endothelial cells and fibroblasts secrete cytokines and trigger immune and inflammatory reactions. ...

BackgroundCarbon assimilation and leaf-to-fruit sugar transport are, along with plant water status, the driving mechanisms for fruit growth. An integrated comprehension of the plant water and carbon relationships is therefore essential to better understand water and dry matter accumulation. Variations in stem diameter result from an integrated response to plant ...

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes activated by KOH (CNTs-KOH) were synthesized and employed as adsorbents to study adsorption characteristics of toluene, ethylbenzene and m-xylene (TEX) from aqueous solutions. Kinetics data were fitted by pseudo-second-order model and intra-particle diffusion was not the only rate-controlling step. Adsorption isotherm data could fit well with Langmuir, ...

The effects of replacing a digestible energy source from fat (fish oil) with carbohydrate (wheat starch) on performance, glycogenesis and de novo lipogenesis was examined in triplicate groups of juvenile gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), fed four extruded experimental diets. In order to trace the metabolic fate of dietary starch, ...

Abstract Objective: This study compared breastfeeding initiation following repeat cesarean delivery, successful vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and unsuccessful trial of labor. Subjects and Methods: We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study of Ohio births (2006-2007) with a previous cesarean delivery. The primary outcomes were breastfeeding initiation rates among women ...

Plant pathogenic bacteria utilize complex signalling systems to control the expression of virulence genes at the cellular level and within populations. Quorum sensing (QS), an important intercellular communication mechanism, is mediated by different types of small molecules, including N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), fatty acids and small proteins. AHL-mediated signalling systems ...

The anti-tumor effect of vitamin D has been well recognized but its translational application is hindered by side effects induced by supra-physiological concentration of vitamin D required for cancer treatment. Thus, exploring the vitamin D tumor suppressive functional mechanism can facilitate improvement of its clinical application. We screened miRNA profiles ...

This investigation is focused on the combined effect of bacterial physicochemical characteristics and motility on cell adhesion and deposition using a flow-through quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Three model flagellated strains with different degrees of motility were selected, including a highly motile Escherichia coli K12 MG1655, an environmental strain ...

Objective: To describe an unusual and underappreciated cause for hypokalemia.Methods: This is a case report and review of the literatureResults: Ingestion of massive amounts of cola containing beverages can lead to severe hypokalemia through several pathophysiologic mechanisms. These purtubations include osmotic diarrhea, osmotic diuresis and hyperinsulinemia secondary to hyperglycemia with ...

Objective: To report an uncommon case of diabetic ketoacidosis in a patient with acromegaly, and present the clinical response to treatment.Methods: Patient evaluation and literature review.Results: A 23-year-old Japanese male with no prior medical history, presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and found to have acromegaly. His growth hormone (GH) level ...

Group A meningococci are primarily responsible for the epidemic meningococcal diseases in the countries of the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa. In 1995-1996 major epidemics (>200 000 cases) impeded effective management and ultimately resulted in many improvements. Since 2003, the Multi-Disease Center (MDSC) in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and the WHO in ...

Empirical Codon Models (ECMs) estimated from a large number of globular protein families, outperformed mechanistic codon models in their description of the general process of protein evolution. Among other factors, ECMs implicitly model the influence of amino acid properties and multiple nucleotide substitutions (MNS). However, the estimation of ECMs requires ...

An unexpected rearrangement aromatization of benzo[c]oxepine has been revealed to synthesize substituted naphthalenes. This observation was further exploited to develop an efficient approach for the construction of naphthalenes from simple and commercially available 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and 1,2-bis(halomethyl)benzene compounds via a new domino reaction sequence.

Alkyl nitrites have been used previously to produce alkoxy radicals, which are important intermediates in the oxidation of alkanes in atmospheric and combustion processes. Substituted alkoxy radicals, particulary hydroxyalkoxy radicals, are also important intermediates in the atmospheric oxidation of alkenes and combustion of alcohols. In order to produce substituted alkoxy ...

Vascular anomalies may be appropriately classified into two broad categories, vascular tumors and vascular malformations, which are distinguished by the presence of cellular proliferation in contrast to aberrations in morphogenesis, respectively. This system of classification is based upon histological features that may in large part be differentiating, but nevertheless, may ...

This paper presents the response of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to the 2011 statement from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) on tissue reactions and recommendation of a reduced dose limit for the lens of the eye. The response takes the form of a brief review of the ...

Suppression of oestrus is of major interest in feral cat populations, but also in breeding queens temporarily not intended for breeding. Slow release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist implants are a new off-label approach for reproduction control in cats. However, initially, oestrus induction may occur and no data exist regarding what ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The nutrition and health of horses is closely tied to their gastrointestinal microflora. Gut bacteria break down plant structural carbohydrates and produce volatile fatty acids, which are a major source of energy for horses. Bacterial communities are also essential for maintaining gut homeostasis and have been hypothesized to ...

The nanostructures and hydrophobic properties of cancer cell membranes are important for membrane fusion and cell adhesion. They are directly related to cancer cell biophysical properties, including aggressive growth and migration. Additionally, chemical component analysis of the cancer cell membrane could potentially be applied in clinical diagnosis of cancer by ...

We report a new upconversion fluorescence resonance energy transfer (UC-FRET) biosensor using poly-m-phenylenediamine (PMPD) nanospheres as the energy acceptor in this paper. A single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) tagged with a sulfydryl group at 5' terminus was covalently linked to poly-ethylenimine (PEI) functionalized upconversion phosphors (UCPs, the energy donor). Because of the ...

To analyze HIV-1 genotypes in Lithuania and transmission of drug-resistant viruses, HIV-1 sequences were obtained from 138 individuals, who were diagnosed as HIV-1-infected in 1990-2008 and represented all major risk groups. Subtype A strains, dominating in the former Soviet Union (90% of cases), were found in 60% of individuals, followed ...

BACKGROUND: Theileria annulata is a blood parasite affecting ruminants. Hemolytic anemia, secondary hypoxia, and vasculitis are the most important features of tropical theileriosis. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of electrocardiographic findings and changes in cardiovascular biochemical markers including cTnI concentrations in cattle naturally infected with theileriosis in the absence of acute cardiac failure. ...

PURPOSE: To compare the repeatability of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) measurements using J-difference editing, before and after spectral realignment-a technique which has previously been demonstrated to improve the quality of J-difference GABA spectra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed in vivo measurements in three brain regions (occipital, sensorimotor, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ...

HIV epidemic in Russia remains concentrated mostly among injection drug users (IDUs). Little is known about the extent to which sexual partnerships bridge between IDUs and the general population and create the potential for epidemic generalization. IDUs in two Russian cities, Novosibirsk and Ivanovo (N=593) were recruited via respondent-driven sampling. ...

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the patterns of and risk factors for deterioration of renal function after chemotherapy in metastatic testicular cancer survivors using the estimated glomerular filtration rate. METHODS: A total of 96 patients who were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer between January 1981 and December 2010 were ...

Objective Peripheral insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes may be related to a paradoxical postprandial glucagon increase. This study evaluated the effects of sitagliptin, (DPP-IV inhibitor, approved for patients with type 2 diabetes), in adults with type 1 diabetes to improve glycemic control through decreasing postprandial glucagon.Methods This investigator-initiated, double-blind, ...

Bionic devices electrically activate neural populations to partially restore lost function. Of fundamental importance is the functional integrity of the targeted neurons. However, in many conditions the ongoing pathology can lead to continued neural degeneration and death that may compromise the effectiveness of the device and limit future strategies to ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp160, useful in detecting anti-HIV-1 antibodies, is difficult to express in heterologous hosts. The major hurdles are its signal sequence, strong hydrophobic regions and heavy glycosylation. While it has not been possible to express full length recombinant (r)-gp160 in ...

Background and study aims: Gastrointestinal stents have become an important therapeutic option for several indications. However, migration in up to 40 % of cases represents a significant drawback, especially when covered prostheses are used. We hypothesized that a novel endoscopic suturing device could enable endoluminal stent fixation, which might increase attachment ...

The extracellular matrix components are differentially distributed among various structures of the umbilical cord. Wharton's jelly is especially rich in collagens and growth factors. Cathepsin B is a major cysteine protease involved in collagen degradation, as well as in the activation of precursor forms of other collagenolytic enzymes and growth ...

The stereocontrolling transition state (TS) models for C-C bond formation relying on hydrogen bonding have generally been successful in proline-catalyzed aldol, Mannich, α-amination, and α-aminoxylation reactions. However, the suitability of the hydrogen-bonding model in protic and aprotic conditions as well as under basic and base-free conditions has not been well ...

Most patients with Tourette syndrome report characteristic sensory experiences (premonitory urges) associated with the expression of tic symptoms. Despite the central role of these experiences to the clinical phenomenology of Tourette syndrome, little is known about their underlying brain processes. In the present article we present the results of a ...

Tendon laxity following injury, cyclic creep, or repair has been shown to alter the normal homeostasis of tendon cells which can lead to degenerative changes in the extra-cellular matrix. While tendon cells have been shown to have an inherent contractile mechanism which gives them some ability to re-tighten lax tendons ...

The validity of approximate equations describing the membrane potential under extracellular electrical stimulation (Meffin et al 2012 J. Neural Eng. 9 065005) is investigated through finite element analysis in this paper. To this end, the finite element method is used to simulate a cylindrical neurite under extracellular stimulation. Laplace's equations ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Polychemotherapy protocols schedule vinca alkaloids and cell cycle-arresting drugs on the same day, e.g., for treatment of neuroblastoma and Ewing sarcoma. Here we studied, whether this combination enables optimal anti-tumor effects of vinca alkaloids. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Vinca alkaloids were tested in a preclinical mouse model in vivo ...

Cancer stem cells have been described in various cancers including squamous tumours of the skin by their ability to reform secondary tumours upon transplantation into immunodeficient mice. Here, we used transplantation of limiting dilution of different populations of FACS-isolated tumour cells from four distinct mouse models of squamous skin tumours ...

Abstract The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality sponsored two telemedicine research reviews. The latest review concluded that telemedicine is most relevant to specialties, such as psychiatry and neurology, where high levels of patient interaction are crucial to assessment. Telemedicine research studies cited in the reviews having positive findings in ...

Incorporation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) into the coating layer of film-coated tablets is a method mainly used to formulate combination tablets. Uniform and precise spray coating of an API represents, however, a substantial challenge that could be overcome by applying Raman spectroscopy as process analytical tool. In the ...

Although gemcitabine is the standard chemotherapeutic drug for treatment of pancreatic cancer, almost all patients eventually develop resistance to this agent. Previous studies identified Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) as the mediator of gemcitabine resistance, but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that Plk1 phosphorylation of Orc2 ...