OBJECTIVES:Risk factors for Barrett's esophagus include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, age, abdominal obesity, and tobacco use. We aimed to develop a tool using these factors to predict the presence of Barrett's esophagus.METHODS:Male colorectal cancer (CRC) screenees were recruited to undergo upper endoscopy, identifying newly diagnosed cases of Barrett's esophagus. ...

OBJECTIVE: To compare maternal complications and infant outcomes for women undergoing elective caesarean sections based on a maternal request and without recorded medical indication with those of women who underwent spontaneous onset of labour with the intention to have a vaginal birth. DESIGN: Retrospective register study. SETTING: Sweden; Medical Birth ...

We previously reported the effects of herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector-mediated enkephalin on bladder overactivity and pain. In this study, we evaluated the effects of vHPPE (E1G6-ENK), a newly engineered replication deficient-HSV vector encoding human preproenkephalin (hPPE). vHPPE or control vector was injected into the bladder wall of female rats ...

AIMS: The aim was to evaluate the outcome of pregnancies with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) treated from the first trimester with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections (MDI). METHODS: In a retrospective, observational study, we matched 64 CSII patients for age, age at onset and duration of ...

BACKGROUND: Dystrophia myotonica (DM) is the most frequent adult-onset muscular dystrophy. Type 1 is caused by the cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG) repeat expansion in the DM protein kinase gene. Respiratory muscle weakness and altered central ventilatory control lead to hypercapnia and lung volume restriction. PURPOSE: This study aims to review the respiratory ...

A perspective is provided of recent advances in our understanding of molybdenum-containing enzymes other than nitrogenase, a large and diverse group of enzymes that usually (but not always) catalyze oxygen atom transfer to or from a substrate, utilizing a Mo[double bond, length as m-dash]O group as donor or acceptor. An ...

This Year in Review series addresses the most relevant articles published in Respirology and other respiratory medicine journals during 2012 concerning five specific areas that we consider to be of importance to practicing pulmonologists, namely lung cancer, respiratory infections, tuberculosis (TB), pleural diseases, and interventional pulmonology and imaging. Some important ...

Introduction: Imidazothiazole derivatives have long been therapeutically used for the treatment of various diseases. In recent years, the imidazothiazole and chalcone moieties have emerged as important pharmacophores in the development of antitumor agents. Imidazothiazole-chalcone conjugates can be accessed by covalently binding these two powerful pharamacophore units. These conjugates are known ...

PURPOSE:To evaluate the visual outcome and corneal endothelial cell density after Artisan aphakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (Ophtec, Groningen, the Netherlands) in pediatric eyes with subluxated lenses. METHODS:Artisan aphakic IOLs were implanted in 18 eyes of 11 children with subluxated lenses. Idiopathic subluxations and ectopia lentis due to Marfan syndrome ...

The vital roles that intestinal flora, now called microbiota, have in maintaining our health are being increasingly appreciated. Starting with birth, exposure to the outside world begins the life-long intimate association our microbiota will have with our diet and environment, and initiates determination of the post-natal structural and functional maturation ...

We previously dissected the components of the innate immune response to Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAds) using genetic models, and demonstrated that multiple pattern recognition receptor signaling pathways contribute to this host response to HDAds in vivo. Based on analysis of cytokine expression profiles, type I interferon (IFN) mRNA is induced ...

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of a nanoemulsion for topical delivery of aceclofenac using different excipients having optimum emulsifying ability rather than their solubilizing capacity. Methods: The oil-in-water nanoemulsions were prepared by screening the excipients from the nanoemulsion region of pseudoternary phase diagram. ...

Shy-sensitive children are likely to develop adjustment problems in today's urban China as the country has evolved into an increasingly competitive, market-oriented society. The main purpose of this one-year longitudinal study was to examine the moderating effects of academic achievement on relations between shyness-sensitivity and later internalizing problems in Chinese ...

OBJECTIVE: A previous study of recovery-oriented assertive community treatment (PACT) found large differences over three years in use of state psychiatric hospitals between PACT participants and consumers in a matched control group, especially for PACT participants with significant previous psychiatric hospitalization. This study extended these findings by examining the timing ...

Objectives. The aim of this study was to examine the differences between a sample of patients with schizophrenia and a sample of healthy controls in terms of sleep patterns and self-reported sleep quality and quality of life (QoL). Methods. Thirty-four schizophrenia outpatients (SP), 12 women and 22 men and 34 ...

Phytoestrogens are a class of bioactive compounds derived from plants and exert various estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. Estrogen deficiency osteoporosis has become a serious problem in elderly women. The use of ovariectomized (OVX) rat or mice models to simulate the postmenopausal condition is well established. This review aimed to clarify ...

OBJECTIVE: This study examined patterns, determinants, and costs of seeking care for mild to moderate psychiatric distress in order to determine optimal approaches for expanding mental health care in rural Haiti. METHODS: A cross-sectional, zone-stratified household survey of 408 adults was conducted in Haiti's Central Plateau. Multivariable logistic regression models ...

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is caused by loss of function of the gigaxonin protein. On a cellular level GAN is characterized by intermediate filament (IF) aggregation, leading to a progressive and fatal peripheral neuropathy in humans. This study sought to determine if re-introduction of the GAN gene into GAN-deficient cells ...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanics of the pelvis reconstructed with a modular hemipelvic prosthesis using finite element (FE) analysis. METHODS: A three-dimensional FE model of the postoperative pelvis was developed and input into the Abaqus FEA software version 6.7.1. Mesh refinement tests were then ...

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been commonly used for the treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions, but the results of previous studies on this subject are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of LLLT in the management of patients with myogenic temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). In ...

Transition metal-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenative coupling reactions of C(aryl)-H bonds with C(vinyl)-H bonds to generate a C(aryl)-C(vinyl) bonds have been well developed in recent decades. However, only a few studies have focused on the direct C(vinyl)-C(vinyl) bond formation via double C(vinyl)-H bond activation. Recent developments in this active area have been ...

A series of pyrrolidone-based polymers is prepared from pyroglutamic acid, a bio-derived resource. Polymers bearing simple alkoxy substituents (e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, and butoxy) are soluble in common organic solvents and possess glass transition temperatures that are dependent on the length of the alkoxy residue. Replacing these substituents with an ether ...

The integration of newborn neurons into functional neuronal networks requires migration of cells to their final position in the developing brain, the growth and arborization of neuronal processes and the formation of synaptic contacts with other neurons. A central player among the signals that coordinate this complex sequence of differentiation ...

Splenic marginal zone macrophages expressing macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) contribute to the clearance of blood-borne pathogens. We determined a splenic adherent cell fraction abundantly containing cells expressing a higher level of MARCO by flow cytometry, and examined the effects of daily administration of an anabolic dose of β(2)-agonist ...

Columnar thin films of undoped ceria were grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. The films, deposited on Pt-coated MgO(100) substrates, display a columnar microstructure with nanometer scale grain size and ∼30% overall porosity. Through-plane (thickness mode) electrical conductivity was measured by AC impedance spectroscopy. Proton conduction is observed below 350-400 ...

OBJECTIVE: This study compared causes of death, crude mortality rates, and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) between decedents with mental illness in Ohio's publicly funded mental health system ("mental illness decedents") and all Ohio decedents. METHODS: Ohio death certificates and Ohio Department of Mental Health service utilization data were used to ...

Background:Research examining the relationship between adiponectin (AN) isoforms, body weight and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is limited, particularly in younger populations.Objectives:To investigate the inter-relationships between AN isoforms and CV risk factors, and their dependence on body weight status, in adolescents.Design:Blood samples from 92 obese, 92 overweight and 92 normal weight ...

Background: Sore throat is a common condition associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection, and recurrent episodes of infection may result in chronic tonsillitis. The current UK and USA guidelines for tonsillectomy use the incidence of sore throat episodes as an indication for surgery. However, the mechanism of sore throat ...

Oedema is one of the fundamental features of heart failure, but the pathophysiology of oedema varies. Patients present along a spectrum ranging from acute pulmonary oedema to gross fluid retention and peripheral oedema (anasarca). In patients with pure pulmonary oedema, the problem is one of acute haemodynamic derangement; the patient ...

Boranes, heteroboranes and metallacarboranes, all named as boron clusters, offer an alternative to typical organic molecules or organic molecular materials. Carbon and boron share the important property of self-catenation thus these elements can produce individually large and sophisticated molecules. Boron clusters and organic molecules display electronic, physical, chemical and geometrical ...

PURPOSE: To determine whether down-regulation of transcription factor signaling during pregnancy disrupts the induction of efflux transporters in type I diabetic mice. METHODS: Type I diabetes was induced in female C57BL/6 mice with multiple low dose intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ) at least 2 weeks prior to mating with normoglycemic male ...

Corneal abrasions are commonly encountered in primary care. Patients typically present with a history of trauma and symptoms of foreign body sensation, tearing, and sensitivity to light. History and physical examination should exclude serious causes of eye pain, including penetrating injury, infective keratitis, and corneal ulcers. After fluorescein staining of ...

Hallucinations constitute one of the most representative and disabling symptoms of schizophrenia. Several Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings support the hypothesis that distinct patterns of connectivity, particularly within networks involving the hippocampal complex (HC), could be associated with different hallucinatory modalities. The aim of this study was to investigate HC ...

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of public health advisories issued between 2005 and 2007 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on treatments of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and physician prescribing practices. METHODS: Data obtained from the IMS Health National Disease and Therapeutic Index, a nationally representative audit ...

Erosive osteoarthritis (EOA) is defined as hand osteoarthritis (OA) with interphalangeal joint erosions on plain radiographs. We sought to find ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that could distinguish EOA from nodal hand OA (NOA). Symptomatic consecutive patients with hand OA as defined by the American College of ...

This study investigated the effects of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) aqueous extract consumption on metabolic indicators and inflammatory response of peritoneal macrophages in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male Wistar rats were fed a control diet or a HFD for 12 weeks. At the end of this period, rats ...

During Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoite-cysts differentiation, four morphological stages were identified by scanning electron microscopy: trophozoite, precyst, immature cysts, and mature cysts. Fluorescence microscopy reveals the presence of small cumulus of actin in the cytoplasm of precysts after treatment with rhodamine phalloidin. By the contrary, in mature cysts, fluorescence was not ...

Study Design:Observational cohort comparison.Objectives:To compare the previously validated Spine Adverse Events Severity system (SAVES) with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes (ICD-10) codes for identifying adverse events (AEs) in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).Setting:Quaternary Care Spine Program.Methods:Patients discharged between 2006 and 2010 were identified from our prospective ...

Immune response modifiers are being studied as therapeutic agents for viral infections and cancer. These molecules include agonists for the Toll-like receptors (TLR), a family of innate immune receptors. TLR7 and 8, located in cellular endosomes, bind single-stranded RNA characteristic of viral genomes, and trigger intracellular signaling pathways that induce ...

Aging often restricts the capacity of the immune system. Endotoxemia is characterized by an immune response initiated by a group of pattern recognition receptors including the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). The aim of this study was to clarify to which extent RAGE and its signaling pathways such ...

Asthma and COPD continue to have considerable impact on disease burden and mortality world-wide. Early diagnosis still remains a challenge, with low uptake of spirometry in many countries. Implementing best practice management for airways disease is a critical goal for health care systems - the management now includes pharmacological and ...

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Beta cell death triggered by pro-inflammatory cytokines plays a central role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and loss of transplanted islets. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway is a key regulator of beta cell stress response, survival and apoptosis. Withaferin A (WA), a steroidal lactone derived ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Evidence about whether white blood cell (WBC) or its subtypes can act as a biomarker to predict the ischemic stroke events in the general population is scanty, particularly in Asian populations. The aim of this study is to establish the predictive ability of total WBC count or subtypes ...

Objectives Studies on the potential association of socioeconomic status with iodine supply and the risk for thyroid disorders from developed countries are sparse. Socioeconomic status, however, may particularly impact the efficiency of iodine prophylaxis programs, which are based on the voluntary principle. This study aims to investigate whether the socioeconomic ...

Dystrophin deficiency results in lethal Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Substituting missing dystrophin with abbreviated microdystrophin has dramatically alleviated disease in mouse DMD models. Unfortunately, translation of microdystrophin therapy has been unsuccessful in dystrophic dogs, the only large mammalian model. Approximately 70% of the dystrophin-coding sequence is removed in microdystrophin. Intriguingly, ...

Abstract Silibinin is a polyphenolic plant flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties. The present study investigated the effect of silibinin on oxidative metabolism and cytokine production - tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)12, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-6, IL-10, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β(1)) - by peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) from ...

Novel self-microemulsifying floating tablets were developed to enhance the dissolution and oral absorption of the poorly water-soluble tetrahydrocurcumin (THC). Their physicochemical properties and THC permeability across Caco-2 cell monolayers were assessed. The self-microemulsifying liquid containing THC was adsorbed onto colloidal silicon dioxide, mixed with HPMC, gas-generating agents (sodium bicarbonate and ...

The objective of this study was to determine whether the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and an associated core set are adequate to describe multidisciplinary clinical assessments of patients with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. The multidisciplinary assessment (medical, psychiatry, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology) of a patient ...

BACKGROUND: Adequate working space is a prerequisite for safe and efficient minimal access surgery. No objective data exist in literature about the effect of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on working space in laparoscopic surgery. We objectively measured this effect with computed tomography in a porcine laparoscopy model. METHODS: Using standardized ...

Cellular therapy using stem cells for cardiac diseases has recently gained much interest in the scientific community due to its potential in regenerating damaged and even dead tissue and thereby restoring the organ function. Stem cells from various sources and origin are being currently used for regeneration studies directly or ...