5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase (ALAS) HemA from non-sulfur photosynthetic bacteria has been used for the ALA bioproduction, whereas the isoenzyme HemT/HemO is less studied and not used for ALA production. Two ALAS-encoding genes, hemA and hemO from Rhodopseudomonas palustris were cloned, purified and characterized. The ALASs had very high specific ...

Abstract This paper presents three cases involving young Orthodox Jewish males, each of whom lost 15-25 pounds over a course of time ranging between a few months and up to 2 years, as the result of decreased food intake because of misinterpretation of a religious concept learned in their Judaic ...

Beyond the cardinal motor symptoms, bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor and postural instability, defining the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, there is a big spectrum of non-motor features that patients may suffer from and that may reduce their quality of life. Non-motor symptoms are not only frequent but also often under-reported by patients ...

Study design:A 2 × 2 cross-over design.Objectives:To compare immediate effects of obstacle crossing training and conventional overground walking training on functional ability among independent ambulatory patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).Setting:A tertiary rehabilitation center, Thailand.Methods:Twenty independent ambulatory participants with SCI received a 1-day overground walking training and a 1-day obstacle ...

Reactions employing inexpensive reagents from sustainable sources and with low toxicity are becoming increasingly desirable from an academic and industrial perspective. A fascinating example of a synthetic transformation that requires development of alternative procedures is the osmium catalysed dihydroxylation. Recently there has been considerable interest in achieving this reaction through ...

Context: Statistical and clinical reports indicate that betel nut chewing is strongly associated with progression of oral cancer because some ingredients in betel nuts are potential cancer promoters, especially arecoline. Early diagnosis for cancer biomarkers is the best strategy for prevention of cancer progression. Several methods are suggested for investigating ...

Metal contamination was investigated in soils of the Vallecamonica, an area in the northern part of the Brescia province (Italy), where ferroalloy industries were active for a century until 2001. The extent in which emissions from ferroalloy plants affected metal concentration in soils is not known in this area. In ...

To identify and describe strategies used to recruit persons of ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds and to examine their reported effectiveness. Studies (n = 26) reporting on recruitment of persons of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, published in English between 1995 and 2012, were included in this systematic review. Data on the ...

An 81-year-old man with retinitis pigmentosa had severe, slowly progressive visual loss that began at age 20. Intermittent nystagmus was observed for 1 decade. Examination revealed severe retinal atrophy and periodic alternating nystagmus (PAN) that occurred only in darkness (video on the Neurology® Web site at www.neurology.org).

Trinucleotide repeat expansions cause 17 heritable human neurological disorders. In some diseases, somatic expansions occur in non-proliferating tissues such as brain where DNA replication is limited. This finding stimulated significant interest in replication-independent expansion mechanisms. Aberrant DNA repair is a likely source, based in part on mouse studies showing that ...

Minicircle DNA (mcDNA) is recently becoming an exciting source of genetic material for therapeutic purposes due to its exceptional biocompatibility and efficiency over typical DNA. However, its widespread use is yet restrained due to the absence of an efficient technology that allows its purification. Here, precise conditions of mcDNA interaction ...

Abstract Purpose: To identify facilitators and barriers frequently experienced by families of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and associated with being at the pre-intention, intention and action stages for physical activity. Method: Qualitative study involving in-depth focus group interviews with 33 ambulatory children and adolescents with CP and their parents ...

Ta oxide nanotubes (NTs) were formed by the anodization of Ta at 15 V in a solution of concentrated sulfuric acid containing 0.8-1.0 M hydrofluoric acid. To study the initial stages of NT formation, FESEM images of samples anodized for very short times were obtained. The results contradict the existing ...

BACKGROUND: In 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force determined that evidence was insufficient to recommend behavioral interventions and counseling to prevent child abuse and neglect. PURPOSE: To review new evidence on the effectiveness of behavioral interventions and counseling in health care settings for reducing child abuse and neglect and ...

Intravital microscopy has been essential in establishing the multi-step paradigm that describes how leukocytes in the bloodstream interact with the blood vessel wall during the process of leukocyte recruitment. Much of this work has been performed in readily-visualized tissues such as the mesentery and the cremaster muscle, where leukocyte-endothelial cell ...

Abstract The risks of developing diabetes and dyslipidemia among adolescents with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have not been well-characterized. This study was designed to characterize these risks and compare them among adolescents in the general population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used claims data from a large U.S. health insurer ...

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has had a great impact on the staging and treatment of cancer. The purpose of this study was to study the lymphatic anatomy of the lower extremities by constructing three-dimensional images using multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT). To select appropriate contrast media for MDCT lymphatic imaging ...

Bilateral variations in the formation and branching of brachial plexus are rare. Variations between median and musculocutaneous nerves were observed on both sides during the dissection of an 87-year-old Korean female cadaver, whose cause of death was cholangiocarcinoma. The variations found were bilateral, in which each musculocutaneous nerve did not ...

Abstract Concerned with the negative impacts of user fees on healthcare access and utilisation, following the enactment of a law in 2003, the Ghanaian government replaced the 'cash-and-carry' system with a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Even though many Ghanaians rely on traditional medicine (TRM) for reasons of culture, cost ...

The aim of this study was to characterize Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates circulating in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Sputum samples were collected from new pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients in the Region. Genotyping of mycobacterial DNA was performed by spoligotyping and isolates were assigned to families using the SpolDB4 and the ...

A two-phase electromembrane extraction (EME) was developed and directly coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The proposed method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of imipramine, desipramine, citalopram and sertraline. The model compounds were extracted from neutral aqueous sample solutions into the organic phase filled in the ...

The renin-angiotensin system is a coordinated hormonal cascade critical for the regulation of blood pressure (BP) and kidney function. Angiotensin II (Ang II), the major angiotensin effector peptide, binds to two major receptors, type-1 (AT(1) Rs) and type-2 (AT(2) Rs). AT(1) Rs engender antinatriuresis and raise BP, whereas AT(2) Rs ...

BACKGROUND: Metabolic/bariatric procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity, as well as for type 2 diabetes, are among the most commonly performed gastrointestinal operations today, justifying periodic assessment of the numerical status of metabolic/bariatric surgery and its relative distribution of procedures. METHODS: An email questionnaire was sent to the leadership ...

Immigration from high tuberculosis (TB) prevalence countries has a substantial impact on the epidemiology of TB in receiving countries with low TB incidence. Cross-border migration offers an ideal opportunity for active case finding that will result in a lower case load in the host country and a reduced spread of ...

Potentiating homologous recombination using triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) can be used to mediate targeted sequence editing by donor DNAs and thereby induce functional gene expression to supplant non-functional counterparts. Mutations that disrupt the normal function of the β-globin subunit cause hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease and β-thalassemias. However, ...

In the present study, tonsils and hearts from 100 pigs were collected in a German slaughterhouse in 2010 and tested for porcine parvoviruses (PPV, PPV2, PPV3 and PPV4). PPV was observed in 60 of 100 hearts and 61 of 100 tonsils, and PPV2 was observed in 55 of 100 hearts ...

The use of laparoscopic techniques in the treatment of colorectal diseases was first described in the early 1990s. Even though its clinical benefits have been well documented, laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been slow to gain adoption in the surgical community, given its technical demands. To help overcome these challenges while ...

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine how well ablative margin (AM) grading assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with ferucarbotran administered prior to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) predicts local tumor progression in comparison with enhanced computed tomography (CT). METHODS: 101 hepatocellular carcinomas were treated by RFA after ferucarbotran administration. We performed ...

Abstract One approach to delivering healthcare in developing countries is through voucher programmes, where vouchers are distributed to a targeted population for free or subsidised health care. Using inclusion/exclusion criteria, a search of databases, key journals and websites review was conducted in October 2010. A narrative synthesis approach was taken ...

AIM: To report the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and follow-up data of newborn infants with perinatal arterial ischemic stroke in the territory of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). METHOD: Data on 18 newborn infants from three neonatal intensive care units (11 males, seven females) with an MRI-confirmed ...

BACKGROUND: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) imposes a substantial health burden on individual patients and society. Furthermore, rising costs in oncology cause a growing concern about reimbursement for innovations in this sector. The promise of pharmacogenomic profiling and related stratified therapies in mCRC is to improve treatment efficacy and potentially save ...

In this study, a Soluplus-coated colloidal silica nanomatrix (SCCSN) formulation for the entrapment of poorly water-soluble drugs was devised. The maximum supersaturation of the drug-loaded nanomatrix was higher than that of a physical mixture as indicated by the results of in vitro kinetic solubility studies. For atorvastatin calcium, dutasteride, and ...

The randomly nanotextured back electrode provides a simple and efficient route for enhancing photocurrent in polymer solar cells (PSCs) by light trapping, which can increase light absorption within a finite thickness of the active layer. In this study, we incorporated mono-disperse 60 nm polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) into a 50 ...

DESCRIPTION: Update of the 2004 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation statement on screening for family and intimate partner violence (IPV). METHODS: The USPSTF commissioned a systematic evidence review on screening women for IPV and elderly and vulnerable adults for abuse and neglect. This review examined the accuracy of ...

2-Carbomethoxy-3-hydroxyquinoxaline-di-N-oxide was identified as an efficient novel ligand for the copper-catalyzed coupling of aryl halides with various phenols under mild conditions. The catalytic system shows great functional-group tolerance and excellent reactive selectivity.

Abstract Background: Acne scarring has lifelong sequelae. Fractional photothermolysis (FP) has been shown to provide fast recovery from acne within a short period, thereby aiding skin rejuvenation. Isotretinoin is a well-known, effective drug for the treatment of severe recalcitrant acne. This study investigated the safety and the efficacy of infrared ...

In chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC), two forms of typical and eosinophilic variants have been reported to date. We have previously reported a new variant of chromophobe RCC, namely an oncocytic variant. However, little is known on the histological features of this variant. In this article, we report such five ...

Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease is a destructive disease of citrus worldwide, which is associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. This phloem-limited fastidious pathogen is transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, and appears to be an intracellular pathogen that maintains an intimate association with the psyllid or the ...

Understanding viral transmission is an important factor for the effective prevention one of the most devastating swine diseases, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Focusing on molecular epidemiology of type 1 PRRSV, this study analysed a large ORF5 dataset collected worldwide from 1991 to 2012 using a coalescent-based Bayesian Markov chain ...

PURPOSE: Discrepancies between the demand and availability of clinicians to care for mechanically ventilated patients can be anticipated due to an aging population and to increasing severity of illness. The use of closed-loop ventilation provides a potential solution. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of a ...

Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia(®)) is a recombinant, polyethylene glycolylated, antigen-binding fragment of a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively targets and neutralizes tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The drug is indicated for subcutaneous use every 2 or 4 weeks (q2w or q4w) for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis ...

Abstract The treatment of lung diseases including lung cancer and tuberculosis is one of the most challenging problems in clinical practice, because the conventional drug delivery systems cannot deliver drug effectively to the lung, which result in low therapeutic effect. Therefore, lung-targeted drug delivery systems (LTDDS) that can deliver drug ...

We report the first environmental isolation from India of Cryptococcus gattii, genotype amplified fragment length polymorphism 5 (AFLP5), which is one of the rarely reported genotypes of this pathogen. It originated from decayed wood inside a trunk hollow of Manilkara hexandra, a native tree in Delhi. We investigated 101 isolates ...

Abstract Purpose: The present descriptive case study documents the behaviours of a child single-switch user in the community setting and draws attention to learning and mastery behaviours as risk factors to single-switch abandonment. Our observations were interpreted in the context of a longer term school-based evaluation of an advanced single-switch ...

The present study investigated whether a water-soluble extract from the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia (Japanese: Reishi or Mannentake) (designated as MAK) exerted a protective effect against induction of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) by azoxymethane (AOM) and small-intestinal damage induced by the anticancer drug 5-FU. Six-week-old male F344 rats ...

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of unstable footwear on spine kinematics and trunk muscle activity during bipedal stance. Therefore, spinal alignment and concurrent angular velocity measures were assessed in 27 asymptomatic adults while standing with unstable Masai Barefoot Technology (MBT) shoes and standard footwear, respectively, employing ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The Minangkabau is one of the major ethnic groups in Indonesia. Previous studies with a limited number of samples have shown a different prevalence of HBV/C in the Minangkabau compared to the Indonesian population in general. The aim of this study was to assess the HBV genotype distribution ...

Lymphoid malignancies such as leukemia and many types of lymphoma are common and severe disorders in dogs. Since shortening remission duration caused by resistance to chemotherapy often becomes clinically critical problems, development of novel and effective therapy should be required. The present study investigated the status of NF-κB, and effect ...

Working mothers exhibit high levels of inactivity, and theory-based interventions to bolster physical activity within this population are needed. This study examined the effectiveness of a brief social cognitive theory-based intervention designed to increase physical activity among working mothers. Participants (N = 141) were randomly assigned to an intervention only, intervention plus ...

We present a case of acute uterine inversion in the third stage of labor in which critical management decisions were facilitated by ultrasound imaging in the operating room. Identification of the ovary and adnexa pulled into the indentation of the inversion allowed the successful diagnosis and guidance for uterine replacement. ...