While the common conceptual role of resource subsidies is one of bottom-up nutrient and energy supply, inputs can also alter the structural complexity of environments. This can further impact resource flow by providing refuge for prey and decreasing predation rates. However, the direct influence of different organic subsidies on predator-prey ...

New switchable hydrogels are developed. Under acidic conditions, hydrogels undergo self- cyclization and can catch and kill bacteria. Under neutral/basic conditions, hydrogels undergo ring-opening and can release killed bacterial cells and resist protein adsorption and bacterial attachment. Smart hydrogels also show a dramatically improved mechanical property which is highly desired ...

PURPOSE: To conduct a systematic review of the literature to determine important clinical predictors of surgical outcome in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE, MEDLINE in Process, EMBASE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Selected articles were evaluated using a 14-point modified ...

Decorin inhibits the transforming growth factor superfamily to stimulate skeletal muscle hypertrophy. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a crucial role in the synthesis and folding of proteins. The disruption of ER homeostasis affects protein folding and causes ER stress, which is associated with protein synthesis in muscle cells. The purpose ...

We studied 91 patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; Wegener's granulomatosis) who were dealt with by otolaryngologists in Japan. The upper respiratory tract (URT) alone was involved in 56%. Regarding findings of PR3-ANCA, histology and initial diagnosis, of the 40 patients in whom sites other than the URT were involved, ...

In rats with experimental liver cirrhosis, the kidney contains reduced amount of membrane-bound calcium-sensing receptors (CaRs), and specific stimulation of CaRs causes generation of PGE2, renal vasodilatation, and increased natriuresis. CaRs content and function in the liver of cirrhotic rats are unknown. To assess the activity of this Ca++-dependent vasomotor ...

Bayesian methods are a popular choice for genomic prediction of genotypic values. The methodology is well established for traits with approximately Gaussian phenotypic distribution. However, numerous important traits are of dichotomous nature and the phenotypic counts observed follow a Binomial distribution. The standard Gaussian generalized linear models (GLM) are not ...

Diamond is an attractive material for biomedical implants. In this work, we investigate its capacity as a bone scaffold. It is well established that the bioactivity of a material can be evaluated by examining its capacity to form apatite-like calcium phosphate phases on its surface when exposed to simulated body ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: In population association studies, standard methods of statistical inference assume that study subjects are independent samples. In genetic association studies, it is therefore of interest to diagnose undocumented close relationships in nominally unrelated study samples. RESULTS: We describe the R package CrypticIBDcheck to identify pairs of closely-related subjects ...

In this study, a simple and reliable reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was established and validated to analyze S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylase activity of a recombinant CYP2C19 system. This system was obtained by co-expressing CYP2C19 and NADPH-CYP oxidoreductase (OxR) proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. In addition to RP-HPLC, the ...

The putative L-haloacid dehalogenase gene (DehRhb) from a marine Rhodobacteraceae family has been cloned and over-expressed in Escherichia coli. The DehRhb protein was shown to be an L-haloacid dehalogenase with highest activity towards brominated substrates with short carbon chains (≤C3). The optimal temperature for enzyme activity is 55ºC and the ...

The proof-of-concept of a new methodology for in-line hollow-fiber (HF)-assisted three-phase liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) allowing for handling of the feed and acceptor aqueous solutions and of minute volumes of the organic extracting phase in a programmable flow mode is reported in this paper. The flow analyzer fosters in-line anchoring of ...

Filoviruses are hemorrhagic fever viruses endemic to parts of Africa and the Philippines. Infection carries with it a mortality rate of up to 90% and currently there are no effective vaccines or therapeutics available to combat infection. However, the filovirus virus-like particles (VLP), which are currently under development, have been ...

A pinched-flow deflection technology was developed for rapid single cell switching between biochemical microenvironments. Millisecond switching was used to stimulate and preserve epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) autophosphorylation transitions. Intramolecular phosphorylation initiates signal transduction, is silenced by phosphatase activity until EGFR dimerization enables intermolecular phosphorylation to initiate downstream signalling.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza virus has spread throughout the world and is now causing seasonal influenza. To prepare for the emergence of pandemic influenza, we have established a library of virus strains isolated from birds, pigs, and humans in global surveillance studies. METHODS: Inactivated whole virus particle ...

Peripheral blood stem cell cryopreservation is associated with cell damage and decreased viability. We evaluated the impact of up to 10 years of cryopreservation (5% DMSO) on viability of CD34(+) cells utilizing graft samples of consecutive patients (2002-2012) with different malignancies who underwent stem cell collection and transplantation. Viability of CD34(+) ...

Formation of tenacious and massive black biofilms was occasionally observed at the water-air interphase of water taps and in associated habitats at several locations in Germany. Exophiala lecanii-corni was proven to be the dominant component of these biofilms. Water utility companies were interested to understand by which route fungi building ...

INTRODUCTION: Junctional spinal disorders have become one of the greatest challenges in spinal deformity surgery. They can occur at any age but are mostly seen in adult deformity surgery and are most often observed as the patient gets older. DEFINITIONS: Different forms can be individualized according to their types and ...

OPINION STATEMENT: Many pharmacologic options are available for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The anticoagulant selected may vary according the individual patient situation such as the acute versus chronic setting, renal function and indication for either VTE prevention or treatment. Established methods of pharmacologic prophylaxis agents include heparinoids, ...

Formaldehyde-based fixatives are generally employed in histopathology despite some significant disadvantages associated with their usage. Formaldehyde fixes tissue by covalently cross-linking proteins, a process known to mask epitopes which in turn can reduce the intensity of immunohistochemical stains widely used in disease diagnostics. Additionally, formaldehyde fixation greatly limits the ability ...

We propose a novel biomedical imaging technique, called nanodiamond imaging, that non-invasively records the three-dimensional distribution of biologically-tagged nanodiamonds in-vivo. Our technique performs optically-detected electron spin resonance of nitrogen-vacancy centers in nanodiamonds, a non-toxic nanomaterial that is easily biologically functionalized. We demonstrate the feasibility of the technique by imaging multiple ...

Reproducing parents face the difficult challenge of trading-off investment in current reproduction against presumed future survival and reproduction. Glucocorticoids are supposed to mediate this trade-off because the adrenocortical response to stress disrupts normal reproductive behaviour in favour of self-maintenance and own survival. According to the brood-value hypothesis, individuals with a ...

Influenza A virus poses a great threat to global health, and oseltamivir (trade marked as Tamiflu), which targets influenza surface glycoprotein neuraminidase (NA), is used clinically as a major anti-influenza treatment. However, certain substitutions in NA can render an influenza virus resistant to this drug. In this study, using a ...

Inflammation is a physiological response of defense but may also represent a potential pathological process in neurological diseases. In this regards, microglia have a crucial role upon either progression or amelioration of degenerative neuronal damage. Because of the role of hypoxia in proinflammatory mechanisms in the nervous system, and the ...

ABSTRACT: The determination of the cytotoxic potential of new and so far unknown compounds as well as their metabolites is fundamental in risk assessment. A variety of strategic endpoints have been defined to describe toxin-cell interactions, leading to prediction of cell fate. They involve measurement of metabolic endpoints, bio-energetic parameters ...

PURPOSE: The published data on the evaluation of feasibility and safety of single-incision laparoscopic colorectal surgery (SILC) compared with traditional multiport laparoscopic colorectal surgery (MLC) remained controversial. The present cumulative meta-analysis and systematic review were performed to provide a more objective and precise estimate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, the Cochrane ...

BACKGROUND: Cam type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is an anatomical disorder that can lead to osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip joint. With existing surgical options there is invariably a tendency for under-resection or over-resection of the cam lesion, both having dire consequences. This study assessed the application of robotic technology in ...

To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity for patients with hepatic oligometastases, receiving hypofractionated radiotherapy with Tomotherapy to the liver. A total of 42 patients with 54 hepatic lesions, who had been treated from 2007 to 2011 at two institutions, were retrospectively reviewed for this study. All the patients received radical ...

The spectrum of manifestations of duplex kidneys on (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal cortical scans and correlating findings on other imaging modalities are presented. Relevant embryology of the duplex systems and technical aspects of DMSA scintigraphy are reviewed.

Ustilaginoidea virens is the causal agent of a serious disease of rice. Here, we report the presence of five dsRNA bands ranging from about 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, and 1.8 to 5.6 kb in an isolate of this fungus from China and the complete sequence of the largest dsRNA segment, putatively representing ...

BACKGROUND: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has shown promising results for cuff tear arthropathy but the indication has been extended to fracture sequelae and revision shoulder arthroplasty with different preconditions. Further, the clinical relevance of inferior scapular notching for different etiologies is uncertain. Our hypothesis was that preoperative etiology as well ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Glycans on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein (Env) play an important role in viral infection and evasion of neutralization by antibodies. In this study, all 25 potential N-linked glycosylation sites (PNGS) on the HIV-1 CRF07_BC Env, FE, were mutated individually to study the effect of their ...

Charge separation is crucial for increasing the activity of semiconductor-based photocatalysts, especially in water splitting reactions. Here we show, using monoclinic bismuth vanadate crystal as a model photocatalyst, that efficient charge separation can be achieved on different crystal facets, as evidenced by the reduction reaction with photogenerated electrons and oxidation ...

Targeting nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with drugs and probes to precise locations in the body may improve the treatment and detection of many diseases. Generally, to achieve targeting, affinity ligands are introduced on the surface of NPs that can bind to molecules present on the cell of interest. Optimization of ligand ...

We present a mild and practical carbon nanotubes rings (CNRs) synthesis from non-covalent functionalized and water-soluble linear single-wall carbon nanotubes. The hemi-micellar-supramolecular self-organization of lactose-based glycolipid 1 on the ring surface, followed by photo-polymerization of the diacetylenic function triggered by UV light afforded the first water-soluble and biocompatible CNRs. The ...

Occult intrasacral extradural cyst is a rare entity. Since little about this lesion has been reported in the literature, this study herein demonstrates by cases some of the clinical features and surgical treatment of occult intrasacral extradural cyst in children. A series of 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls ...

ABSTRACT: Alterations in several biological systems, including the neuroendocrine and immune systems, have been consistently demonstrated in patients with major depressive disorder. These alterations have been predominantly studied using easily accessible systems such as blood and saliva. In recent years there has been an increasing body of evidence supporting the ...

The objective of the study was to assess the differences in clinical and pathological characteristics between esophageal stromal tumor and leiomyoma. Data from 93 esophageal stromal tumors and leiomyomata cases were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical symptoms, endoscopic features, pathological characteristics, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and treatment. All cases underwent endoscopic ultrasonography examination ...

Aim: The authors studied the bioimaging and delivery of drug-entrapped, nanostructured lipid carriers with quantum dots (QDs), called QDNLCs, for integrating imaging and therapy. Materials & methods: Nanostructured lipid carriers consisting of QDs, including lipophilic QDs, carboxyl-function QDs or polyethylene glycol QDs were prepared. Application of the nanocarriers was evaluated ...

The Diels-Alder (DA) reaction channel of the thermal C(2)-C(6) (Schmittel) cyclization of enyne-allenes is studied computationally and experimentally evaluating the influence of temperature on product ratios. Remote substituents at the alkyne terminus influence the mechanism of the C(2)-C(6)/DA cyclization steering it either to a stepwise or a concerted course. Temperature ...

Patients with cancer are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Prolonged medical hospitalization, extensive surgeries, central venous catheters (CVCs), and prothrombotic chemotherapeutic agents are important risk factors in cancer patients. Recent efforts to improve VTE management in cancer patients are directed toward optimizing prevention during high-risk periods. Prophylaxis with ...

Antioxidants may prevent apoptosis of cancer cells via inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, to date no study has been carried out to elucidate the effects of strong antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on Bleomycin induced apoptosis in human testicular cancer (NTERA-2, NT2) cells. For this reason, we studied the effects of ...

Selective dehydrogenation of the biomass-derived lignan hydroxymatairesinol (HMR) to oxomatairesinol (oxoMAT) was studied over an Au/Al(2) O(3) catalyst. The reaction was carried out in a semi-batch glass reactor at 343 K under two different gas atmospheres, namely produced through synthetic air or nitrogen. The studied reaction is, in fact, an example ...

Using models to simulate and analyze biological networks requires principled approaches to parameter estimation and model discrimination. We use Bayesian and Monte Carlo methods to recover the full probability distributions of free parameters (initial protein concentrations and rate constants) for mass-action models of receptor-mediated cell death. The width of the ...

Abstract Objective: Pre-anesthesia evaluation allows discovery of conditions affecting perioperative planning, but when inadequate it may be associated with delays, cancellations, and preventable adverse events. Not all patients who could benefit will keep appointments. Telemedicine pre-anesthesia evaluation may provide for safe patient care while reducing patient inconvenience and cost. Herein ...

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine whether the presence of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) allele APOEε4 is associated with less severe manifestations of cerebral palsy (CP), consistent with the suggested beneficial effect of this allele on neurodevelopment in children. METHOD: ApoE genotyping was performed on buccal epithelial ...

BACKGROUND: Road traffic injuries are a population health problem worldwide especially in less-developed countries; however, little is known about road traffic disability (RTD). This study aims to estimate RTD prevalence and to explore RTD socio-demographic disparities if any within China. METHODS: The 2006 China national disability survey was employed to ...

Despite significant improvement in survival rates of patients with breast cancer, prognosis of metastatic disease is still dismal. Cancer stem-like cells (CSC) are considered to play a role in metastatic progression of breast cancer; however, the exact pathologic role of CSCs is yet to be elucidated. In this report, we ...

Background-Although readmission after hospitalization for heart failure has received increasing attention, little is known about its root causes. Prior investigations have relied on administrative databases, chart review, and single-question surveys.Methods and Results-We performed semistructured 30- to 60-minute interviews of patients (n=28) readmitted within 6 months of index heart failure admission. ...

Leptospira interrogans, a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen is the main cause of human leptospirosis. Lipid A is a highly immunoreactive endotoxic center of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that anchors LPS into the outer membrane of Leptospira. Discovery of compounds inhibiting lipid-A biosynthetic pathway would be promising for dissolving the structural integrity of membrane ...