BACKGROUND: Neonatal immune neutropenia (NIN) is a rare, but potentially life-threatening, disorder caused by maternal alloantibodies recognizing paternal neutrophil antigens on fetal cells. Alloantibodies directed against the human neutrophil alloantigen system (HNA)-1 located on Fcγ receptor IIIb (FcγRIIIb) are most frequently implicated in NIN. In this report, we describe two ...

SCOPE: Increasing evidence indicates that polyphenols may protect against metabolic disease through activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The aims of our study were to provide new data on the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the role of the phenolic compound, 3-caffeoyl, 4-dihydrocaffeoylquinic acid (CDCQ) from Salicornia herbacea, in the prevention of high ...

Serous borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) represent 25-30% of "nonbenign" serous ovarian tumors. We present HDlive pictures from a case of a serous BOT in a 25-year-old patient. Using HDlive technology allowed increased depth perception, and thus, provided a clear view of the tumor content and papillae, as well as the ...

Singlet oxygen is a non-radical reactive oxygen species believed to play a major role in many photooxidation processes in connection with diverse photo-biological processes such as skin aging or photocarcinogenesis. Dimethylmethoxy chromanol (3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-methoxy-1(2H)-benzopyran) is a potent antioxidant used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. We have assessed the singlet oxygen quenching ...

In model building and model evaluation, cross-validation is a frequently used resampling method. Unfortunately, this method can be quite time consuming. In this article, we discuss an approximation method that is much faster and can be used in generalized linear models and Cox' proportional hazards model with a ridge penalty ...

OBJECTIVE: To use coronary revascularization choice to illustrate the application of a method simulating a treatment's effect on subsequent resource use. DATA SOURCES: Medicare inpatient and outpatient claims from 2002 to 2008 for patients receiving multivessel revascularization for symptomatic coronary disease in 2003-2004. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study of ...

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with neurological symptoms, such as motor disorders and mental retardation. In most cases, RTT is caused by mutations in the DNA binding protein MeCP2. In mice, MeCP2 gene deletion has been reported to result in genome-wide increased histone acetylation. Transcriptional regulation of neurotrophic ...

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the effects of soy isoflavones (Iso) and mechanical vibration (Vib) treatments alone or combined on bone extracellular matrix constituents of ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Methods: 40 female Wistar rats at the age of 6 months were ovariectomized (Ovx) and 10 were sham-operated (sham) and after three months, ...

The estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is emerging as an important player in the physiology of the endocrine pancreas. Here we have evaluated the role of the ERβ selective agonist, WAY200070, as an insulinotropic molecule and its antidiabetic actions. We have demonstrated that it enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion both in mouse ...

INTRODUCTION: Although testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the preferred treatment for hypogonadism, information for patients using testosterone includes too frequent or prolonged erections as a potential side effect. AIM: To assess the frequency and risk of priapism or related adverse events (AEs) in hypogonadal men treated with a 1% testosterone ...

OBJECTIVES: Based on a novel standardized bovine specimen, the aim of this study was to investigate thermal effects of different irrigation methods during intermittent and graduated drilling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Temperature changes during implant osteotomies (n = 320) of 10 and 16 mm drilling depths with various irrigation methods were investigated on manufactured ...

There is now a plethora of new precision medicines for B-cell malignancy including 'classical' kinase inhibitors, rationally designed inhibitors of anti-apoptotic proteins and antibody or antibody drug/toxin conjugates with functional properties. Some are showing spectacular single agent activity in early phase clinical studies and may reduce or, in combination, even ...

In an effort to favor straight polymer chains without crystalline grain boundaries, we have synthesized an amphiphilic conjugated polyelectrolyte, poly(fluorene-alt-thiophene) (PFT), which self-assembles in aqueous solutions to form cylindrical micelles. In contrast to many diblock copolymer assemblies, the semiconducting backbone runs parallel, not perpendicular, to the long axis of the ...

Glucoprivation or hypoglycemia induces a range of counter regulatory responses including glucose mobilization, reduced glucose utilization and de novo glucose synthesis. These responses are mediated in part by the sympathetic nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical codes of sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPN) activated by ...

OBJECTIVES: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is an important cause of Addison's disease in boys, but less is known about its contribution to Addison's disease in adult males. After surveying all known cases of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in Norway in a separate study, we aimed to look for any missed cases among the population ...

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: N-acetylcysteine's (NAC) mucolytic and antioxidant effects may have great value in COPD treatment. However, beneficial effects have not been confirmed in clinical studies, possibly due to insufficient NAC doses and/or inadequate outcome parameters used. OBJECTIVE: to investigate high-dose NAC plus usual therapy in stable Chinese COPD patients. METHODS: ...

Leucine/isoleucine side chain polymers are of interest due to their hydrophobicity and reported role in the formation of α-helical structures. The synthesis and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of amino acid based chiral monomers, namely Boc-L-leucine methacryloyloxyethyl ester (Boc-L-Leu-HEMA, 1a), Boc-L-leucine acryloyloxyethyl ester (Boc-L-Leu-HEA, 1b), Boc-L-isoleucine methacryloyloxyethyl ester (Boc-L-Ile-HEMA, ...

Betel quid (BQ) chewing is an oral habit that increases the risk of oral cancer and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a precancerous condition showing epithelial atrophy and tissue fibrosis. Persistent fibroblast contraction may induce the fibrotic contracture of tissue. In this study, we found that areca nut extract (ANE) (200-1200 ...

There is a general need for methods to obtain fast in vivo diagnosis of skin tumours. Raman spectroscopy measures molecular structure and may thus have potential as a tool for skin tumour diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate how skin pigmentation influenced the Raman spectra and skin ...

The aim of this paper is to describe the patterns of functional magnetic resonance imaging activation produced by visual food stimuli in healthy participants, as well as in those with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and obesity. We conducted a systematic review of studies published in the last ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It has been hypothesized that exposure to anaesthetic agents, some of which are chemically related to organic solvents, may affect the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of occupational exposure to anaesthetic agents on the risk for ...

BackgroundThe implications of chemical hyperparathyroidism on bone and mineral metabolism measures in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) are not well known. We hypothesized that a higher serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level is associated with the higher likelihood of hyperphosphatemia, hyperphosphatasemia [high serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels] and hypercalcemia.MethodsOver an 8-year period ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: More than a hundred terms, often with unclear definitions and varying emphases, are used by health research and practice communities across the world who are interested in getting the best possible evidence applied (e.g., knowledge translation, implementation science, diffusion of innovations, and technology transfer). This makes finding published ...

Context:Both critical illness and fasting induce low circulating thyroid hormone levels in the absence of a rise in TSH, a constellation-labeled nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTI). The contribution of restricted nutrition during critical illness in the pathophysiology of NTI remains unclear.Objective:The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of ...

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to examine one facet of employment viability, losing a job on purpose, among individuals with borderline personality symptomatology (BPS). METHODS: Using a cross-sectional self-report survey methodology in a combined sample of four prior studies from the same study site (n = 1493), we examined ...

Welander distal myopathy (WDM) is an adult onset autosomal dominant disorder characterized by distal limb weakness which progresses slowly from the fifth decade. All WDM patients are of Swedish or Finnish descent and share a rare chromosome 2p13 haplotype. We restricted the WDM associated haplotype followed by whole exome sequencing. ...

BACKGROUND: Early adiposity rebound (AR, below 5 years) is an important predictor of adult obesity. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study was to explore changes in body weight and height, BMI, body fat, and AR timing in girls from Krakow within the last 3 decades. METHODS: 1,970 girls were ...

OBJECTIVES: High-altitude hypoxia, or decreased oxygen levels caused by low barometric pressure, challenges the ability of humans to live and reproduce. Despite these challenges, human populations have lived on the Andean Altiplano and the Tibetan Plateau for millennia and exhibit unique circulatory, respiratory, and hematological adaptations to life at high ...

While the 'low-tar' scheme has been widely recognised as a misleading tactic used by the tobacco industry to deceive the public about the true risks of cigarette smoking, a similar campaign using the slogan of 'less harmful, low tar' was launched by the Chinese tobacco industry, that is, State Tobacco ...

Mannan-Binding lectin (MBL) is a serum lectin and an important constituent of the innate immune system. Processes linked to the innate immune response have previously been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). MBL is associated with blood vessels in the brain and AD patients demonstrate lower MBL levels in the cerebrospinal ...

We aimed to compare three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography in the evaluation of patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI), using late-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LE-MRI) as a reference method. Echocardiography and LE-MRI were performed approximately 1 month after first-time MI in 58 patients. Echocardiography was also performed on 35 healthy ...

There is a dearth of research exploring the development of postdoctoral nursing research careers in non-Western contexts. This paper reports on a qualitative study of Jordanian graduates of UK PhD programs. Interviews were held with 16 graduates who worked in the nursing faculty of seven different universities in Jordan. Participants ...

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a debilitating and often chronic and treatment-resistant disorder. Despite decades of theoretical progress and research, many questions remain with regard to the psychological mechanisms explaining why and how some AN patients respond to treatment whereas others do not. Based on the premise that the broader, ...

Critically ill patients are routinely exposed to high levels of supplemental oxygen for prolonged periods of time, which can be life saving in the short term but also causes severe lung injury and increases mortality. To address this therapeutic dilemma, we have studied mechanisms of tissue-damaging effects of oxygen in ...

A novel mesoporous yolk-shell SnS(2)-TiO(2) visible photocatalyst (ST-is) was synthesized by in situ doping TiO(2) with SnO(2) through solvothermal alcoholysis, followed by sulfurization under hydrothermal conditions. The ST-is displayed higher activity in photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi) owing to the strong photosensitizing effect of SnS(2) in uniform nanoparticles and the enhanced ...

Rice-shaped Ti(3+) self-doped TiO(2-x) nanoparticles were synthesized by mild hydrothermal treatment of TiH(2) in H(2)O(2) aqueous solution. The structure, crystallinity, morphology, and other properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microcopy and X-ray photoelectron spectra. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra confirm the ...

Abstract The results of several studies about the effectiveness of recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) supplementation in poor responder in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients were conflicting. To evaluate the current available data regarding the efficacy of rLH supplementation in poor responders, a meta-analysis was performed. A systemic search was performed without ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Hearing impairment is one of the most frequent chronic conditions. Persons with a hearing impairment (PHI) have various experiences during their 'journey' through hearing loss. In our previous studies we have developed a 'patient journey' model of PHI and their communication partners (CPs). We suggest this model could ...

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of 6 days of emersion on nitrogen metabolism and excretion in the Chinese soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. Despite having a soft shell with a cutaneous surface which is known to be water permeable, P. sinensis lost only ~2% of body ...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (16-24 nucleotides) noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression. Growing evidence demonstrates that miRNAs participate in the regulation of numerous physiological and pathological processes. The clinical utility of the cell-type-specific miRNA expression profile (miRomics) has been directly demonstrated in molecular classification of tumor samples and in ...

INTRODUCTION: Future HIV vaccine efficacy trials with adolescents will need to ensure that participants comprehend study concepts in order to confer true informed assent. A Hepatitis B vaccine trial with adolescents offers valuable opportunity to test youth understanding of vaccine trial requirements in general. METHODS: Youth reviewed a simplified assent ...

Genetic and immunological screening for type 1 diabetes has led to the possibility of preventing disease in susceptible individuals. Here, we show that human Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (hMSCs) and TNF-α-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6), a protein produced by hMSCs in response to signals from injured tissues, delayed the onset of spontaneous ...

Metastases to cervical lymph nodes (LNs) are an important independent adverse indicator in the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). An accurate evaluation of molecular patterns favoring the metastatic process can be helpful in predicting cases of OSCC with elevated probability of early or late metastases and, moreover, in ...

Presently, little is known about a number issues concerning kava (Piper methysticum), including (i) whether kava has any withdrawal or addictive effects; (ii) if genetic polymorphisms of the cytochrome (CYP) P450 2D6 liver enzyme moderates any potential adverse effects; and (iii) if medicinal application of kava has any negative or ...

Abstract In the present study, we describe the effects of lycopene on the symptoms of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Lycopene at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day was orally administered to STZ-induced diabetic rats for a period of 7 days after onset of diabetes. At the ...

This study examined adults' self-reported understanding and formatting preferences of medical statistics, confidence in self-care and ability to obtain health advice or information, and perceptions of patient-health-care provider communication measured through dual survey modes (random digital dial and mail). Even while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, significant differences in regard to ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: By contrast with neurologic injury, myocardial injury associated with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning has not been well investigated. Therefore, this study assessed features and predictors of myocardial injury in CO poisoned patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 250 CO poisoning cases that were diagnosed and treated by the emergency ...

Background. The liver, pancreas, and heart are particularly susceptible to iron-related disorders. These tissues take up plasma iron from transferrin or non-transferrin-bound iron, which appears during iron overload. Here, we assessed the effect of iron status on the levels of the transmembrane transporters, ZRT/IRT-like protein 14 and divalent metal-ion transporter-1, ...

The study by Agbor et al. in this issue of Biology of Reproduction provides a novel approach to determine the functions of Sertoli cell and germ cell-expressed Dmrt1.

Liver transplant recipients are at a significant risk for invasive fungal infections (IFI). This retrospective study evaluated the impact of the pretransplant model for end stage liver disease (MELD) on the incidence of posttransplant IFI in a single centre. From 2004 to 2008, 385 liver transplantations were included, from which ...