In recent years new, more potent tyrosine-kinase inhibitors have been introduced to accompany imatinib for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Most patients in chronic phase obtain an optimal response to these oral agents with minimal toxicity. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is therefore indicated only in a minority of patients ...

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic disease worldwide and is responsible for considerable morbidity, socioeconomic burden, and depletion of health resources. Clinically, diagnosis of asthma is based on information obtained from symptom questionnaires, physical examination and demonstration of variable airflow obstruction. Proper diagnosis of asthma is mandatory in clinical practice ...

The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in the treatment of squamous cell cancer of the tonsil and to report the oncological and functional outcomes, using retrospective chart review in the setting of single-institute, academic tertiary referral center. Between October 1987 and ...

MOTIVATION: Scaffolding is the process of ordering and orienting contigs produced during genome assembly. Accurate scaffolding is essential for finishing draft assemblies as it facilitates the costly and laborious procedures needed to fill in the gaps between contigs. Conventional formulations of the scaffolding problem are intractable and most scaffolding programs ...

Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, reperfusion injury, hypertension, and heart failure. High levels of oxidative stress resulting from increased cardiac generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is thought to contribute to contractile and endothelial dysfunction, apoptosis and necrosis of myocytes, and extracellular matrix ...

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO), which located on the apical membrane surface of thyrocytes, is the key enzyme involved in thyroid hormone synthesis, mainly catalyses the iodination of tyrosine residues and the coupling of iodotyrosines on thyroglobulin to form thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The objectives of this study were to identify genetic polymorphisms ...

Chemical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass has been extensively investigated for sugar generation and subsequent fuel production. Alkaline pretreatment has emerged as one of the popular chemical pretreatment methods, but most attempts thus far have utilized NaOH for the pretreatment process. This study aimed at investigating the potential of potassium hydroxide ...

Photosynthetic microorganisms produce relatively large amounts of physiologically active materials which stimulate the physiological activity of other organisms. In this study, mammalian HeLa cells were cultured in different culture media which were Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) with newborn calf serum (NCS), and DMEM including different types of physiologically activating ...

The dorsolateral reticular formation of the caudal medulla, the lateral tegmental field (LTF), participates in generating vomiting. LTF neurons exhibited complex responses to vestibular stimulation in decerebrate cats, indicating that they received converging inputs from a variety of labyrinthine receptors. Such a convergence pattern of vestibular inputs is appropriate for ...

We examine the advantages of going beyond sequence similarity and use both protein 3D structure prediction and then quaternary structure (docking) of inferred 3D structures to help evaluate whether comparable sequences can fold into homologous structures with sufficient lateral associations for quaternary structure formation. Our test case is the Major ...

BACKGROUND: -Clinicians commonly rely on automated diagnostic interpretations for initial, point-of-care identification of electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities. Our study goal was to investigate how one widely used computerized ECG analysis system performs in labeling prolongation of heart rate (HR)-corrected QT interval (QTc), an arrhythmia risk marker. METHODS AND RESULTS: -ECGs acquired ...

To determine whether metabolic or pathological response to preoperative chemotherapy can predict the relapse-free survival of gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma patients treated on a perioperative chemotherapy protocol. The prospectively collected data of a recently reported phase II trial of perioperative DCF chemotherapy (docetaxel/cisplatin/5-fluorouracil) were analyzed. Median relapse-free survival (RFS) was compared with ...

Acute transplant rejection is the leading cause of graft loss in the first months after kidney transplantation. Lipoxygenase products mediate pro- and anti-inflammatory actions and thus we aimed to correlate the histological reports of renal transplant biopsies with urinary lipoxygenase products concentrations to evaluate their role as a diagnostic marker. ...

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) of the cranio-vertebral junction (CVJ) is a rare condition, accounting for 0.3 % to 1 % of all cases of spinal TB. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in preventing long-term neurological sequelae. Management protocol of this rare site of TB is yet to be conclusively established. This holds ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Due to widespread anti-malarial drug resistance in many countries, Kenya included, artemisinin-based ACT (ACT) has been adopted as the most effective treatment option against malaria. Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is the first-line ACT for treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Kenya, while quinine is preferred for complicated and severe malaria. Information ...

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (LGICs) play an important role in fast synaptic signal transduction. Binding of agonists to the β-sheet structured extracellular domain opens an ion channel in the transmembrane -helical region of the LGIC. How the structurally distinct and distant domains are functionally coupled for such central transmembrane signaling ...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with chronic severe airway inflammation and causes increasing global health problems. New biological markers for COPD prediction and prognosis are urgently necessary. Previous studies indicate that histone deacetylases (HDACs) play essential roles in COPD. This study is to investigate if HDAC2 levels can ...

Efficient and robust molecular markers are essential for molecular breeding in plant. Compared to dominant and bi-allelic markers, multiple alleles of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are particularly informative and superior in genetic linkage map and QTL mapping in autotetraploid species like alfalfa. The objective of this study was to ...

Our research efforts have been devoted to development of nanobead multilayer-based sensitive immunoassays on cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) plastic surfaces. To facilitate nanobead attachment and impart antibiofouling properties to a COC substrate, we used an amphiphilic copolymer comprising benzyl, polyethylene glycol, and reactive ester moieties to coat the hydrophobic COC ...

Although the molecular mechanism and thermodynamic profile of a wide variety of chemical agents have been examined intensively in the past decades in terms of specific recognition of their protein receptors, to date the physicochemical nature of DNA-drug recognition and association still remains largely unexplored. The present study focused on ...

17β-estradiol (E2) is considered to modulate the ATP synthase activity through direct binding to the oligomycin sensitive-conferring protein. We have previously demonstrated that E2 increases the amplitude of depolarization associated with the addition of ADP to energized mitochondria (i.e., to initiate a phosphorylative cycle) suggesting a direct action on the ...

Researchers typically analyze samples of twin pairs in order to decompose trait variance into genetic and environmental components. This methodological technique, referred to as twin-based research, rests on several assumptions that must be satisfied in order to produce unbiased results. While research has analyzed the tenability of certain assumptions such ...

PURPOSE: The purpose of the research described here is to assess the overall effectiveness of the workshop format as a Knowledge Exchange (KE) strategy in (1) disseminating scientific evidence, clinical experience, and systems information related to professionally led Online Support Groups (OSG) for cancer survivors and (2) facilitating the implementation ...

PURPOSE: Mastoid pneumatization is reduced in most patients suffering from chronic otitis media (COM). In most studies, the relationship between the degree of pneumatization and the distance of the sigmoid sinus from the external auditory canal has been examined, yielding different results. This study addresses the relationship between COM and ...

PURPOSE: Paired blood cultures, drawn from the catheter and a peripheral vein, used for calculation of the differential time to positivity (DTP), have been proposed for the detection of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). The most relevant catheter lumen to be sampled in multi-lumen central venous catheters (CVCs) has not been ...

BACKGROUND: -Atrial dilatation and atrial standstill are etiologically heterogeneous phenotypes with poorly defined nosology. In 1983 we described 8-years follow-up of idiopathic atrial dilatation with standstill evolution in 8 patients from 3 families. We later identified 5 additional patients with identical phenotypes: 1 member of the largest original family and ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Newer systemic therapies have the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality from metastatic colorectal cancer, yet such therapies are costly and have side effects. Little is known about their non-evidence-based use. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using commercial insurance claims from UnitedHealthcare, and identified incident cases ...

BACKGROUND: Dietary assessment is crucial for monitoring nutritional status of young children. This study applied a modified Chinese food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess nutrient intakes of young picky-eating Hong Kong children. METHODS: Nutrient intakes were obtained by FFQ and 3-day food record (3DFR) in 29 picky-eating children aged 44.8±9.2 ...

PURPOSE: Although the patella reduced or everted position has recently been recognised as an important factor influencing soft tissue balance during assessment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the influence of patella height on soft tissue balance has not been well addressed. Therefore, the relationship between soft tissue balance and patella ...

Blood flows out of microvessels in the dermis when pressure higher than arterial blood pressure is applied to the fingertip, and subsequently re-flows into the microcirculation when pressure is released. Both the blood outflow and the reflow characteristics of microcirculation under pressurization are associated with microvasculature, blood and blood pressure. ...

PURPOSE: To compare the frequency of chromosomal heteromorphisms in reproductive failure and fertile control individuals in Northeast China, and investigate the impact on reproductive failure METHODS: 1751 males and 1424 couples with reproductive failure (n = 4599) and 777 fertile control individuals in Northeast China were enrolled. Chromosome karyotype analysis was performed ...

The self-renewal and differentiation status of a stem cell is very important in the applications concerning regenerative medicine. Proliferation capacity, differentiation potentials and epigenetic properties of stem cells differ between sources. Studies have shown the high potentials of stem cells in iPS reprogramming. To examine this; we have compared the ...

The interaction of tumor cells with the tumor vasculature is mainly studied for its role in tumor angiogenesis and intravascular metastasis of circulating tumor cells. In addition, a specific interaction of tumor cells with the abluminal surfaces of vessels, or angiotropism, may promote the migration of angiotropic tumor cells along ...

PURPOSE: To compare the number of oocytes per follicles in ovulation induction with 10,000 IU urinary hCG (uhCG) and two different doses of recombinant hCG (rhCG) in women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial which was performed on 180 primary infertile women ...

We have documented before that human grasping movements executed in an everyday-like context differ from those in a typical laboratory context. The differences were reduced by factor analysis to five orthogonal factors; we took this as evidence that at least five distinct sensorimotor functions are context-dependent. To better understand how ...

BACKGROUND: -Twelve lead electrocardiograms (ECG's) have limited value in precisely identifying atrial and ventricular activation during arrhythmias, including accessory atrio-ventricular (AV) conduction activation. The aim of this study was to report a single center's clinical experience validating a novel, noninvasive, whole heart, beat-by-beat, 3D mapping technology with invasive electrophysiological studies ...

RATIONALE: There is extensive evidence indicating the influence of seizures on emotional responses observed in human and animals, but so far few studies are focusing on the behavioral profile of animals that do not have seizures despite being treated with convulsant agents. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to establish the behavioral profile, ...

BACKGROUND: There is a large number (1.5 million per year) of premature births in China. It is necessary to obtain the authentic incidences of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), the common brain injuries, in Chinese premature infants. The present multicenter study aimed to investigate the incidence of brain ...

There is renewed attention and greater focus on anxiety and sleep- sleep-related disturbances because of the high prevalence, complexity, and their health related implications. The role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which refers to therapeutic approaches that are "complementary to the end goals of decreasing illness and enhancing wellness, ...

Slow movements and atypical patterns of muscle activation are well-known features of Down Syndrome (DS). Some studies attribute these features to a deficit in voluntary motor commands and preprogramming of actions, that lead subjects with DS to be more reliant on feedback control. In the present study, we evaluated the ...

The interaction between lanthanum atom (La) and C(74) (D (3h)) was investigated by all-electron relativistic density function theory (DFT). With the aid of the representative patch of C(74) (D (3h)), we studied the interaction between C(74) (D (3h)) and La and obtained the interaction potential. Optimized structures show that there ...

BACKGROUND: -Exercise related ventricular tachycardia (VT) and high burden of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C). We hypothesized that VT in ARVD/C shows a high degree of association with the PVC at baseline. METHODS AND RESULTS: -The study population included 16 consecutive ARVD/C patients ...

Coenurosis is a central nervous system disease of wild and domestic ruminants caused by Coenurus cerebralis, a bladder worm stage of Taenia multiceps). Even in Sardinia island, this metacestode seems to be widespread in sheep (Scala et al. Vet Parasitol 143(3-4):294-298, 2007) where coenurosis is an important health problem (Varcasia ...

The Arabidopsis thaliana bZIP60 (AtbZIP60) transcription factor regulates stress signaling. However, its molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this investigation, cell suspension cultures of two different plant species rice (Oryza sativa L.) and white pine (Pinus strobes L.) were transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring pBI-AtZIP60. Integration of ...

Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) videobronchoscopy is a new technique for visualization of microvascular changes in bronchial mucosa. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate relation between vascular patterns visualized by NBI and histology of lung cancer. We prospectively evaluated 65 patients with suspected lung cancer scheduled for bronchoscopy. ...

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT) is associated with many risk factors for lifethreatening complications. Post-transplant critical illness often requires admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made on the risk factors associated with PICU admission and mortality of all HSCT patients at Helen DeVos ...

To evaluate bone loss in the early- and late-stage ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients using posteroanterior (PA) and lateral lumbar and femoral bone mineral density (BMD) measurement methods. Eighty-six AS patients and 50 control subjects were enrolled. PA spine, lateral spine, and femur BMD values of patients and controls were measured. ...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sandalwood seed oil on fatty acid (FA) profiles and inflammatory factors in rats. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five different dietary groups: 10 % soybean oil (SO), 10 % olive oil (OO), 10 % safflower oil (SFO), 10 % ...

Lipases are one of the highest value commercial enzymes as they have broad applications in detergent, food, pharmaceutical, and dairy industries. To provide chimeric Bacillus thermocatenulatus lipase (BTL2), the completely conserved pentapeptide ((112)Ala-His-Ser-Gln-Gly(116)) was replaced with similar sequences ((207)Gly-Glu-Ser-Ala-Gly(211)) of Candida rugosa lipase (CLR) at the nucleophilic elbow region. For ...

The HGF/MET signaling pathway regulates a wide variety of normal cellular functions that can be subverted to support neoplasia, including cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, scattering and motility, invasion, and angiogenesis. MET over-expression (with or without gene amplification), aberrant autocrine or paracrine ligand production, and missense MET mutations are mechanisms that ...