Immediate Availability (immediate + availability)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


AMP-activated protein kinase , a sensor of glycogen as well as AMP and ATP?

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009
A. McBride
Abstract The classical role of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is to act as a sensor of the immediate availability of cellular energy, by monitoring the concentrations of AMP and ATP. However, the , subunits of AMPK contain a glycogen-binding domain, and in this review we develop the hypothesis that this is a regulatory domain that allows AMPK to act as a sensor of the status of cellular reserves of energy in the form of glycogen. We argue that the pool of AMPK that is bound to the glycogen particle is in an active state when glycogen particles are fully synthesized, causing phosphorylation of glycogen synthase at site 2 and providing a feedback inhibition of further extension of the outer chains of glycogen. However, when glycogen becomes depleted, the glycogen-bound pool of AMPK becomes inhibited due to binding to ,1,6-linked branch points exposed by the action of phosphorylase and/or debranching enzyme. This allows dephosphorylation of site 2 on glycogen synthase by the glycogen-bound form of protein phosphatase-1, promoting rapid resynthesis of glycogen and replenishment of glycogen stores. This is an extension of the classical role of AMPK as a ,guardian of cellular energy', in which it ensures that cellular energy reserves are adequate for medium-term requirements. The literature concerning AMPK, glycogen structure and glycogen-binding proteins that led us to this concept is reviewed. [source]


Clinical and experimental uses of umbilical cord blood

INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 12 2002
I. D. Lewis
Abstract Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been used successfully as an alternative source of haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) in allogeneic stem-cell transplantation for the treatment of acquired and genetic diseases. Advantages of using UCB include: (i) no risk to the donor, (ii) no donor attrition, (iii) minimal risk of viral transmission and (iv) immediate availability. Early results have highlighted differences in engraftment rates and toxicity between UCB and other sources of HSC. These differences relate to the low cell dose in UCB and also to the intrinsic properties of UCB. In this article, the clinical outcome of UCB transplantation (UCBT) will be reviewed with a discussion of the biological characteristics of UCB that may account for some of the clinical outcomes. To overcome the limitations of low cell dose, novel approaches such as ex vivo expansion of HSC are being actively explored, and this will be summarized in the present study. Finally, the success of UCBT has led to the establishment of dedicated UCB banks worldwide and the regulatory issues surrounding this will be briefly discussed. (Intern Med J 2002; 32: 601,609) [source]


Autologous suction blister grafting for chronic leg ulcers

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
U Costanzo
Abstract Background, Non-healing leg ulcers represent a treatment problem. Objective, Investigate grafting of autologous suction blister roofs as treatment. Methods, Twenty-nine chronic, non-healing leg ulcers of various aetiologies in 18 inpatients were treated by autologous epidermal grafting using the roofs of suction blisters. Results, 55% of ulcers completely healed 2 to 6 weeks after grafting. A 50,90% reduction in size was documented in 34% and no change was observed in 11% of ulcers. Twelve weeks after grafting, 89% of ulcers were healed completely. In most ulcers, we observed a stimulation of reepithelialization from the wound edge (,edge effect') and an accelerated formation of healthy granulation tissue. During a follow-up period of 12 months, 90% of the ulcers remained healed. Conclusion, Grafting of autologous suction blister roofs is an effective treatment option for non-healing leg ulcers. The advantages of the method are its lack of pain, low costs and immediate availability. [source]


Partition of metals in the Vistula River and in effluents from sewage treatment plants in the region of Cracow (Poland)

LAKES & RESERVOIRS: RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2000
C. Guéguen
Abstract The Vistula River suffers from heavy pollution with multiple origins. In the upper reaches, metallic and chlorine pollution originates from the mining and industrial region of Upper Silesia. Downstream from Upper Silesia, urban and industrial sewage adds more metallic and organic contaminants from the large urban agglomeration of Cracow. Although the river status is monitored routinely, little is known about the partition of metals between particulate and dissolved forms. This study focuses on metal partitioning and on the impact of the two main wastewater treatment plants at Cracow on metal concentrations in the Vistula River. The Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn content was measured in both dissolved and particulate fractions. High metal concentrations in the Vistula River persist, although current levels seem to be lower than those in the past. Metal concentrations in the Vistula River and effluents from the sewage treatment plants at Cracow are similar, indicating a relatively minor contribution from the treated sewage. However, untreated sewage may be a significant source of contaminants. Despite high anthropogenic metal concentrations, the metal partitioning coefficients (Kd) in the Vistula are similar to these found in unpolluted rivers. Within a narrow pH range, Kd values depend on the metal affinity to particles, but there is no evidence of dependence on particle or chloride concentrations. An important fraction of the toxic metals Pb and Cd is associated with particles, which may decrease their immediate availability to the biota of the river. [source]


Early transplantation of unrelated cord blood in a two-month-old infant with Wiskott,Aldrich syndrome

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2007
Tang-Her Jaing
Abstract:, This report exemplified a success of unrelated CBT in a two-month-old boy with Wiskott,Aldrich Syndrome. Umbilical cord blood was chosen as the stem-cell source because of its immediate availability and reduced tendency to cause GVHD. The conditioning regimen was cyclophosphamide, busulfan, and antithymocyte globulin. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporin and methylprednisolone. The patient received an HLA 1-locus-mismatched cord blood unit, and the total number of infused nucleated cells was 11.14 × 107/kg. Neutrophil engraftment was achieved on day +11, and a platelet count greater than 50 × 109/L was achieved on day +71. He is currently alive and doing well at nine months post-transplant and free of any bleeding episodes. This case suggests that unrelated donor CBT may be safe and technically feasible, even in early infancy, when an appropriately matched related or unrelated donor is unavailable. [source]


Support of Daily ECG Procedures in a Cardiology Department via the Integration of an Existing Clinical Database and a Commercial ECG Management System

ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
Franco Chiarugi Dott.
Background: In the context of HYGEIAnet, the regional health telematics network of Crete, a clinical cardiology database (CARDIS) has been installed in several hospitals. The large number of resting ECGs recorded daily made it a priority to have computerized support for the entire ECG procedure. Methods: Starting in late 2000, ICS-FORTH and Mortara Instrument, Inc., collaborated to integrate the Mortara E-Scribe/NT ECG management system with CAROIS in order to support daily ECG procedures. CARDIS was extended to allow automatic ordering of daily ECGs via E-Scribe/NT. The ECG order list is downloaded to the electrocardiographs and executed, the recorded ECGs are transmitted to E-Scribe/NT, where confirmed ECG records are linked back to CARDIS. A thorough testing period was used to identify and correct problems. An ECG viewer/printer was extended to read ECG files in E-Scribe/NT format. Results: The integration of E-Scribe/NT and CARDIS, enabling automatic scheduling of ECG orders and immediate availability of confirmed ECGs records for viewing and printing in the clinical database, took approximately 4 man months. The performance of the system is highly satisfactory and it is now ready for deployment in the hospital. Conclusions: Integration of a commercially available ECG management system with an existing clinical database can provide a rapid, practical solution that requires no major modifications to either software component. The success of this project makes us optimistic about extending CARDIS to support additional examination-procedures such as digital coronary angiography and ultrasound examinations. A.N.E. 2002;7(3):263,270 [source]