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Selected AbstractsIslet Transplantation for Brittle Type 1 Diabetes: The UIC ProtocolAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2008A. Gangemi This prospective phase 1/2 trial investigated the safety and reproducibility of allogeneic islet transplantation (Tx) in type I diabetic (T1DM) patients and tested a strategy to achieve insulin-independence with lower islet mass. Ten C-peptide negative T1DM subjects with hypoglycemic unawareness received 1,3 intraportal allogeneic islet Tx and were followed for 15 months. Four subjects (Group 1) received the Edmonton immunosuppression regimen (daclizumab, sirolimus, tacrolimus). Six subjects (Group 2) received the University of Illinois protocol (etanercept, exenatide and the Edmonton regimen). All subjects became insulin- independent. Group 1 received a mean total number of islets (EIN) of 1460 080 ± 418 330 in 2 (n = 2) or 3 (n = 2) Tx, whereas Group 2 became insulin- independent after 1 Tx (537 495 ± 190 968 EIN, p = 0.028). All Group 1 subjects remained insulin free through the follow-up. Two Group 2 subjects resumed insulin: one after immunosuppression reduction during an infectious complication, the other with exenatide intolerance. HbA1c reached normal range in both groups (6.5 ± 0.6 at baseline to 5.6 ± 0.5 after 2,3 Tx in Group 1 vs. 7.8 ± 1.1 to 5.8 ± 0.3 after 1 Tx in Group 2). HYPO scores markedly decreased in both groups. Combined treatment of etanercept and exenatide improves islet graft function and facilitates achievement of insulin-independence with less islets. [source] Hypervolaemia improves global and local function and efficiency in postischaemic myocardiumCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2001FY Du SUMMARY 1. In the present study, we investigated the effects of blood volume on postischaemic function and efficiency. In 14 anaesthetized dogs, following recovery from a period of 15 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, the effects of hypervolaemia (HYPER; 15% increased volume produced by fast infusion of Hespan; B Braun Medical, Irvine, CA, USA), normovolaemia (NORMO) and hypovolaemia (HYPO) were studied. 2. Although myocardial O2 consumption was not significantly increased by volume (6.37±0.94 vs 6.89±1.1 mL/min per 100 g for HYPO and HYPER, respectively), local work of the stunned myocardium was markedly elevated (8.8±1.7 vs 22.5±3.5 g·mm/ beat, for HYPO and HYPER, respectively; P < 0.05). External work of the heart was also significantly improved (71.8±12.7 vs 139.5±16.2 mmHg·L/min for HYPO and HYPER, respectively). These data indicate markedly improved efficiency produced by volume, because work was increased with no change in myocardial O2 consumption. 3. Local dysfunction was characterized by several parameters, including systolic bulge, end-diastolic length, delay to onset of shortening, end shortening time delay (EST) and tail work ratio. Hypervolaemia reduced EST compared with hypovolaemia (98.6±18.3 vs 110.7±14.9 msec, respectively; P < 0.05) and improved tail work ratio (28.0±7.0 vs 36.0±7.0%, respectively; P < 0.05), with no effects on systolic bulge, end-diastolic length and delay to onset of shortening. 4. Thus, even in the postischaemic myocardium, increasing work by volume is energetically efficient and is accompanied by partial improvement of local dysfunction. [source] MOVEMENT MODALITIES AND RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES OF THE MUDFLAT DIATOM CYLINDROTHECA CLOSTERIUM (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE),JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Melba D. Apoya-Horton Cylindrotheca closterium (Ehrenberg) Reiman et Lewin is a raphid diatom widely distributed in mudflat assemblages. Video microscopy showed various movement modalities defined as smooth and corkscrew gliding, pirouette, pivot, rock and roll, rollover, and simultaneous pirouette and gliding. Z -axis projection analysis of images revealed a unique gliding motif with corkscrew motions, which may have important ecological implications for C. closterium movement in muds. The general response to salinity alteration was a decrease in gliding movements with a concomitant increase in other modalities listed above. Short-term responses to salinity change include dramatic alteration in modalities in hypo-saline conditions and cessation of motility in extreme hyper-saline environments. Modality changes were rapid and occurred within 5 s in response to hyper-saline conditions. Hypo- or hyper-saline conditions resulted in decreased gliding speed in standard media. Five- and 15-day acclimation to salinity changes resulted in a progressive reduction in gliding movement, increased non-gliding modalities and increased cell aggregation. Aggregation in hypo-saline conditions was accompanied by a large increase in the polymer extracted by hot bicarbonate- and ethylenediamine tetraaceticacid- fractions of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), the polymers of which have been implicated in cell attachment/motility phenomena. The monosaccharide profiles of these fractions were altered in response to hypo-saline conditions. In general, monosaccharide profiles showed increased diversity upon cessation of motility and aggregation of cultures. The movement responses of C. closterium in response to environmental changes, accompanied by modifications in EPS, may form part of an adaptive strategy to survive in mudflats and could be useful as bioindicators of environmental changes. [source] REVIEW: The phosphate regulating hormone fibroblast growth factor-23ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010R. Marsell Abstract Over the last decade, the regulation of phosphate (Pi) homeostasis has been under intense investigation. By utilizing modern biochemical and genetic tools, the pathophysiological mechanisms behind several known hereditary and acquired hypo- and hyperphosphatemic diseases have been clarified. The results of these efforts have opened new insights into the causes of Pi dysregulation and hereby also the physiological mechanisms determining Pi homeostasis. Although several potential Pi-regulating proteins have been discovered and investigated, current data strongly argues for fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), a hormonal factor produced in bone, as a particularly important regulator of Pi homeostasis. In this article, we review the discovery of the FGF23 protein, as well as its biochemistry, localization of production, receptor specificity and mechanisms of action. [source] Preliminary results of a fine-grain analysis of mood swings and treatment modalities of bipolar I and II patients using the daily prospective life-chart-methodologyACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2009C. Born Objective:, The study aimed to increase the knowledge about the detailed course differences between different forms of bipolar disorder. Method:, Using the prospective life-chart-clinician version, we compared the fine-grain analysis of mood swings and treatment modalities of 18 bipolar II with 31 bipolar I patients. Results:, During an observational period of a mean of 26 months we observed an increase of euthymic days, and a decrease of (sub)depressive and (hypo)manic days. Days in a (sub)depressed state were more frequent than days of (hypo)mania as well as days of subdepression or hypomania in comparison to days of full-blown depression or mania. Bipolar II patients showed an increase in hypomanic days receiving more frequently antidepressants. Bipolar I patients, with a decrease of manic days, were significantly taking more often mood stabilizers. Conclusion:, Treatment in a specialized bipolar clinic improves the overall outcome, but bipolar II disorder seems to be still treated sub-optimally with a possible iatrogenic increase of hypomanic days. [source] Anterior cingulate activation in antipsychotic-naïve first-episode schizophreniaACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2007M. Yücel Objective:, Anterior cingulate (ACC) hypo -activity is commonly observed in chronically ill schizophrenia patients. However, it is unclear whether this is secondary to persistent illness and/or medication. Method:, We examined eight antipsychotic-naïve first-episode patients and matched healthy controls undergoing PET scanning while performing the Stroop task. Results:, Group-averaged and single-subject analyses showed ACC activation in both controls and patients, albeit in different sub-regions (paracingulate and cingulate respectively). A direct comparison revealed relative under-activity of the left paracingulate cortex in patients. Conclusion:, These findings suggest that the more pervasive hypo -activation observed in chronic patients may be secondary to persistent illness and/or medication. [source] Cortisol and externalizing behavior in children and adolescents: Mixed meta-analytic evidence for the inverse relation of basal cortisol and cortisol reactivity with externalizing behaviorDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Lenneke R.A. Alink Abstract An inverse relation between cortisol (re)activity and externalizing behavior has been hypothesized, but research findings seem equivocal. We tested this hypo(re)activity hypothesis in two meta-analyses, one for basal cortisol (k,=,72 studies, N,=,5,480) and one for cortisol reactivity to a stressor (k,=,29 studies, N,=,2,601). No association was found between cortisol reactivity and externalizing behaviors (r,=,,.04, 95% CI,=,,.11, .02). However, the relation between basal cortisol and externalizing behavior was significant but small (r,=,,.05, 95% CI,=,,.10, ,.002). The age of the children significantly moderated this relation: Externalizing behavior was associated with higher basal cortisol (hyperactivity) in preschoolers (r,=,.09, 95% CI,=,.002, .17), and with lower basal cortisol (hypoactivity) in elementary school-aged children (r,=,,.14, 95% CI,=,,.19, ,.08). There was no significant relation between cortisol and externalizing behavior in adolescents. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 427,450, 2008. [source] Cognitive dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetesDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 7 2010Yael D. Reijmer Abstract People with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia. This review explores the nature and severity of cognitive changes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Possible risk factors such as hypo- and hyperglycemia, vascular risk factors, micro- and macrovascular complications, depression and genetic factors will be examined, as well as findings from brain imaging and autopsy studies. We will show that type 2 diabetes is associated with modest cognitive decrements in non-demented patients that evolve only slowly over time, but also with an increased risk of more severe cognitive deficits and dementia. There is a dissociation between these two ,types' of cognitive dysfunction with regard to affected age groups and course of development. Therefore, we hypothesize that the mild and severe cognitive deficits observed in patients with type 2 diabetes reflect separate processes, possibly with different risk factors and aetiologies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Validation and clinical utility of a novel immunoradiometric assay exclusively for biologically active whole parathyroid hormone in the horseEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2003J. C. ESTEPA Summary Reasons for performing study: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) plays a critical role in the regulation of mineral metabolism in mammals. Until recently, the standard method for PTH measurement has been the 2nd generation intact-PTH (I-PTH) assay. Current evidence indicates that the I-PTH assay binds to the PTH molecule and to an inactive N-terminally truncated PTH fragment that tends to accumulate in the blood of uraemic patients. Therefore, a new 3rd generation PTH assay that detects only the whole PTH molecule (W-PTH; cyclase-activating PTH [CAP]) has been developed. Objectives: To validate this more specific W-PTH assay for measurement of equine PTH and evaluate its clinical utility. Methods: W-PTH and I-PTH were measured in plasma samples from normal horses (adults and foals) and horses with nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (N2HPT) and with chronic renal failure (CRF). Replicate measurements and dilutional paralellism were used for assay validation. Changes in blood ionized calcium were induced by EDTA and CaCl2 administration. Results: Performance of the W-PTH assay (accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and ability to detect changes in PTH in response to changes in calcium) was similar to that of the I-PTH assay. Surprisingly, the relative W-PTH concentration in normal horses and foals was higher than the relative I-PTH concentration. W-PTH values remained higher than I-PTH during acute hypo- and hypercalcaemia. An increase in both W-PTH and I-PTH concentrations was found in horses with N2HPT. In horses with CRF, W-PTH and I-PTH values were very low and no increase in I-PTH was observed. Conclusions: The W-PTH assay can be used for measurement of equine PTH. Potential relevance: The use of W-PTH assay is likely to improve the diagnosis of mineral metabolism in horses. [source] A review of genetic disorders of hypopigmentation: lessons learned from the biology of melanocytesEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2009Clio Dessinioti Abstract:, Inherited diseases of pigmentation were among the first traits studied in humans because of their easy recognition. The discovery of genes that regulate melanocytic development and function and the identification of disease-causative mutations have greatly improved our understanding of the molecular basis of pigmentary genodermatoses and their underlying pathogenetic mechanisms. Pigmentation mutants can account for hypo-/amelanosis, with or without altered melanocyte number, resulting in different phenotypes, such as Waardenburg syndrome, piebaldism, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, Chediak-Higashi syndrome, oculocutaneous albinism and Griscelli syndrome. In this review, we summarize the basic concepts of melanocyte biology and discuss how molecular defects in melanocyte development and function can result in the development of hypopigmentary hereditary skin diseases. [source] Statistical behavior of complex cancer karyotypesGENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 4 2005Mattias Höglund Epithelial tumors commonly show complex and variable karyotypes that obscure the identification of general patterns of the karyotypic evolution. To overcome some of these problems, we previously systematically analyzed the accumulated cytogenetic data from individual tumor types by using various statistical means. In the present study, we compare previous results obtained for nine tumor types and perform several meta-analyses of data obtained from a number of epithelial tumors, including head and neck, kidney, bladder, breast, colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancer, as well as from malignant melanoma and Wilms tumor, with the specific aim of discovering common patterns of karyotypic evolution. We show that these tumors frequently develop through a hypo- or a hyperdiploid pathway and progress by an increasing number of alternative imbalances through at least two karyotypic phases, Phases I and II, and possibly through a third, Phase III. During Phase I, the karyotypes exhibited a power law distribution of both the number of changes per tumor and the frequency distribution at which bands were involved in breaks. At the transition from Phase I to Phase II/III, the observed power law distributions were lost, indicating a transition from an ordered and highly structured process to a disordered and chaotic pattern. The change in karyotypic orderliness at the transition from Phase I to Phase II/III was also shown by a drastic difference in karyotypic entropy. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Primary and salvage (hypo)pharyngectomy: Analysis and outcomeHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 8 2006FRACS, Jonathan R. Clark BSc(Med) Abstract Background. Surgery for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising or extending to the hypopharynx is generally reserved for advanced disease or salvage. The prognosis of patients requiring pharyngectomy is poor, and the perioperative morbidity is significant. The aim of the present study is to describe the disease-related and treatment-related outcomes of patients undergoing primary and salvage pharyngectomy for cancer of the hypopharynx and larynx over a 10-year period from a single institution. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 138 partial and circumferential pharyngectomies performed at a tertiary referral center between 1992 and 2002. There were 31 females and 107 males. The median age was 62 years (range, 27,81 years), and mean follow-up was 3.6 years. Salvage pharyngectomy for radiation failure was performed in 72 patients (52%), and in 66 patients (48%) pharyngectomy was performed as the primary treatment. Results. The 5-year overall survival rate after salvage pharyngectomy was 31% and after primary pharyngectomy was 38%. The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) for salvage was 40% and after primary surgery was 45%. The 5-year local and regional control rates for salvage pharyngectomy were 71% and 70%, respectively, and for primary pharyngectomy were 79% and 67%, respectively. The perioperative mortality rate was 3.6%, and the combined morbidity rate was 70%. Postoperative hypocalcemia developed in 44% of patients, a pharyngocutaneous fistula developed in 31% of patients, and the long-term stricture rate was 15%. Variables adversely affecting DSS on univariate analysis were nodal metastases (p = .044), extracapsular spread (ECS) (p = .006), poorly differentiated tumors (p = .015), lymphovascular invasion (p = .042), and positive tumor margins (p = .026). ECS (p = .023) was the only independent prognostic variable on multivariable analysis; however, there was a trend toward significance for nodal metastases (p = .064) and tumor differentiation (p = .079). Conclusion. This study demonstrates that both salvage pharyngectomy and primary surgery for advanced disease are viable options with high locoregional control. However, this represents a high-risk group in terms of both operative morbidity and survival. Patients with nodal metastases, ECS, and poorly differentiated tumors are likely to succumb to their disease and should be selected for adjuvant therapy when possible. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 28: 671,677, 2006 [source] Low serum bilirubin concentrations are associated with impaired aortic elastic properties, but not impaired left ventricular diastolic functionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2007M. Caliskan Summary Elevated serum bilirubin concentrations protect from atherosclerotic diseases; however, it is not clear whether higher serum bilirubin concentrations in physiological ranges do the same. To investigate the association of high and low serum bilirubin concentrations with left ventricular diastolic function and aortic elastic properties. We evaluated left ventricular diastolic function and aortic elastic properties of 42 healthy subjects with hypobilirubinemia (total bilirubin 0.40 ± 0.08 mg/dl; mean age 37.0 ± 3.9) and 40 healthy subjects with hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin 1.56 ± 0.49 mg/dl; mean age 36.2 ± 6.0) using transthoracic second harmonic Doppler echocardiography. Age, gender, body mass index and coronary risk factors were similar between the groups, except high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Left ventricular diastolic parameters were similar between the two groups. Aortic distensibility (AoD) was found to be significantly lower (11.1 ± 3.9 vs. 13.2 ± 4.9, p = 0.03) and aortic stiffness index (AoSI) (1.99 ± 0.30 vs. 1.85 ± 0.26, p = 0.02) and elastic modulus (AoEM) (2.06 ± 0.83 vs. 1.73 ± 0.68, p = 0.03; the low and high bilirubin groups, respectively) higher in the low bilirubin group. Serum total bilirubin concentration correlated with hsCRP levels, AoD, AoSI and AoEM. In conclusion, left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were similar between hypo- and hyperbilirubinemic subjects, but aortic elastic properties were impaired in subjects with lower serum bilirubin concentrations. [source] Critical analysis of potential body temperature confounders on neurochemical endpoints caused by direct dosing and maternal separation in neonatal mice: a study of bioallethrin and deltamethrin interactions with temperature on brain muscarinic receptorsJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Jürgen Pauluhn Abstract The present investigation was conducted to understand better possible confounding factors caused by direct dosing of neonatal mice during the pre-weaning developmental period. By direct dosing, pups might encounter thermal challenges when temporarily removed from their ,natural habitat'. Typically, this leads to a cold environment and food deprivation (impaired lactation) and modulation of the toxic potency of the substance administered. Growth retardation as a consequence of such behavioural changes in pups makes it increasingly difficult to differentiate specific from non-specific mechanisms. Neonatal NMRI mice were dosed daily by gavage (0.7 mg kg,1 body wt.) from postnatal day (PND) 10,16 with S -bioallethrin, deltamethrin or the vehicle. Then the pups, including their non-treated foster dams, were subjected temporarily for 6 h day to a hypo-, normo- or hyperthermic environment, which was followed by normal housing. The measured temperatures in the environmental chambers were ca. 21, 25 and 30°C, respectively. Thus, temperatures in the hypo- and normothermic groups are comparable to the temperatures commonly present in testing laboratories, whereas the hyperthermic condition is that temperature typically present in the ,natural habitat' of pups. A deviation from the normal behaviour of both pups and dams was observed in the hypo- and normothermic groups. In these groups the rectal temperatures of pups were markedly decreased, especially in the early phase of the study (PND 10,12). Neonates that received either test substance displayed changes in body weights and brain weights at terminal sacrifice (PND 17) when subjected temporarily to a non-physiological environment. An enormous influence of environmental temperature on the density of muscarinic receptors in the crude synaptosomal fraction of the cerebral cortex was ascertained. In summary, these results demonstrate that the direct dosing of thermolabile neonatal mice by gavage is subject to significant artefacts that render the interpretation of findings from such studies difficult. It appears that if direct dosing of neonatal pups is mandated, and inhalation is a relevant route of exposure, the combined inhalation exposure of dams with their litters is an alternative procedure that does not cause disruption of the ,natural habitat' of pups. However, owing to their higher ventilation, under such conditions the pups may receive dosages at least double those of the dams. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Membrane-bound and cytosolic forms of heterotrimeric G proteins in young and adult rat myocardium: Influence of neonatal hypo- and hyperthyroidismJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2001Jiri Novotny Abstract Membrane and cytosolic fractions prepared from ventricular myocardium of young (21-day-old) hypo- or hyperthyroid rats and adult (84-day-old) previously hypo- or hyperthyroid rats were analyzed by immunoblotting with specific anti-G-protein antibodies for the relative content of Gs,, Gi,/Go,, Gq,/G11,, and G,. All tested G protein subunits were present not only in myocardial membranes but were at least partially distributed in the cytosol, except for Go,2, and G11,. Cytosolic forms of the individual G proteins represented about 5,60% of total cellular amounts of these proteins. The long (Gs,-L) isoform of Gs, prevailed over the short (Gs,-S) isoform in both crude myocardial membranes and cytosol. The Gs,-L/Gs,-S ratio in membranes as well as in cytosol increased during maturation due to a substantial increase in Gs,-L. Interestingly, whereas the amount of membrane-bound Gi,/Go, and Gq,/G11, proteins tend to lower during postnatal development, cytosolic forms of these G proteins mostly rise. Neonatal hypothyroidism reduced the amount of myocardial Gs, and increased that of Gi,/Go, proteins. By contrast, neonatal hyperthyroidism increased expression of Gs, and decreased that of Gi, and G11, in young myocardium. Changes in G protein content induced by neonatal hypo- and hyperthyroidism in young rat myocardium were restored in adulthood. Alterations in the membrane-cytosol balance of G protein subunits associated with maturation or induced by altered thyroid status indicate physiological importance of cytosolic forms of these proteins in the rat myocardium. J. Cell. Biochem. 82: 215,224, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis induced by docetaxel in hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells,JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Francesco Fabbri Studies performed in different experimental and clinical settings have shown that Docetaxel (Doc) is effective in a wide range of tumors and that it exerts its activity through multiple mechanisms of action. However, the sequence of events induced by Doc which leads to cell death is still not fully understood. Moreover, it is not completely clear how Doc induces mitotic catastrophe and whether this process is an end event or followed by apoptosis or necrosis. We investigated the mechanisms by which Doc triggers cell death in hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells by analyzing cell cycle perturbations, apoptosis-related marker expression, and morphologic cell alterations. Doc induced a transient increase in G2/M phase followed by the appearance of G0/1 hypo- and hyperdiploid cells and increased p21 expression. Time- and concentration-dependent apoptosis was induced in up to 70% of cells, in concomitance with Bcl-2 phosphorylation, which was followed by caspase-2 and -3 activation. In conclusion, Doc would seem to trigger apoptosis in hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells via mitotic catastrophe through two forms of mitotic exit, in concomitance with increased p21 expression and caspase-2 activation. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 494,501, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Many patients with Type 1 diabetes estimate their prandial insulin need inappropriatelyJOURNAL OF DIABETES, Issue 3 2010Aila J. AHOLA Abstract Background:, Many factors contribute to the need for prandial insulin in Type 1 diabetes. However, patients' success in achieving normal postprandial glucose concentration is understudied. The aim of the present study was to determine how often patients with Type 1 diabetes achieve normal postprandial glucose concentrations and to evaluate factors associated with postprandial hypo- and hyperglycemia. Methods:, Data on food intake, physical activity, insulin administration, and blood glucose concentration were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 331 patients with Type 1 diabetes (43% men; mean age 49 ± 12 years; mean diabetes duration 32 ± 13 years). Of these, 179 provided data on blood glucose concentrations measured 110,150 min postprandially. One such meal per patient was randomized for analyses. Results:, Hypoglycemia (<4.0 mmol/L), normoglycemia (4.0,7.9 mmol/L), and hyperglycemia (,8.0 mmol/L) were observed after 23%, 36%, and 41% of meals, respectively. The three postprandial glycemia groups did not differ with respect to the meal composition or the timing of the postprandial blood glucose measurement. In women, postprandial hyperglycemia was associated with shorter diabetes duration and higher preprandial blood glucose concentration, whereas postprandial hypoglycemia was associated with higher physical activity. No single factor explained the postprandial glycemic state in men. Conclusions:, A total of 64% of patients estimated their prandial insulin need inappropriately, suggesting that estimation of the optimal prandial insulin dose is not easy, even after a long duration of diabetes. [source] Improving glycemic control in medical inpatients: A pilot studyJOURNAL OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2008BCPS, Jennifer M. Trujillo PharmD Abstract BACKGROUND Inpatient hyperglycemia is associated with poor patient outcomes. Current guidelines recommend that in an inpatient non-ICU setting there be treatment to achieve a glucose level below 180 mg/dL. METHODS Objectives of this prospective quality-improvement pilot study were to implement a subcutaneous insulin protocol on a general medicine service, to identify barriers to implementation, and to determine the effect of this protocol on glycemic control. Eighty-nine patients with a preexisting diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or inpatient hyperglycemia were eligible. Study outcomes included resident acceptance of the protocol, insulin-ordering practices, and mean rate of hyperglycemia (glucose > 180 mg/dL) per person. Results were compared with those of a previously conducted observational study. RESULTS Residents agreed to use the protocol in 56% of cases. Reasons for declining the protocol included severity of a patient's other disease states, desire to titrate oral medications, and fear of hypoglycemia. Basal and nutritional insulin were prescribed more often in the pilot group compared with at baseline (64% vs. 49% for basal, P = .05; 13% vs. 0% for nutritional, P < .001). Basal insulin was started after the first full hospital day in 42% of patients, and only one-third of patients with any hypo- or hyperglycemia had any subsequent changes in their insulin orders. The mean rate of hyperglycemia was not significantly different between groups (31.6% of measurements per patient vs. 33.3%, P = .85). CONCLUSIONS Adherence to a new inpatient subcutaneous insulin protocol was fair. Barriers included fear of hypoglycemia, delays in starting basal insulin, and clinical inertia. Quality improvement efforts likely need to target these barriers to successfully improve inpatient glycemic control. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:55,63. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine. [source] Differential Appetite-Related Responses to Central Neuropeptide S in Lines of Chickens Divergently Selected for Low or High Body WeightJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 7 2008M. A. Cline The anorexigenic 20 amino acid neuropeptide S (NPS) has not been studied in an animal model of hypo- or hyperphagia. The present study aimed to elucidate whether central NPS appetite-related effects are different in lines of chickens that had undergone long-term divergent selection for low (LWS) or high (HWS) body weight and that were hypo- and hyperphagic, respectively. It took a longer time for food intake to be reduced in LWS than HWS chicks administered the lowest dose of NPS tested (0.14 nmol) and, at the highest dose tested (0.56 nmol), they had a greater reduction in food intake than did HWS chicks. HWS chicks responded with a similar magnitude of food intake reduction that was independent of NPS dose. Although water intake was reduced concurrently with food intake after central NPS in both lines, blood glucose concentrations were not affected. Hypothalamic signalling was different between the lines. Although both lines respond to central NPS with decreased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the lateral hypothalamus, the periventricular nucleus had increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in LWS but not HWS chicks. After central NPS treatment, there was increased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus in HWS but not LWS chicks. These data support the notion of differences in the central NPS system between the LWS and HWS lines and infer that central NPS may differentially affect appetite-related processes in other species that contain hypo- and hyperphagic individuals. [source] The relationship between salivary secretion rate and masticatory efficiencyJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 1 2004T. Ishijima summary, In order to elucidate the relationship between the salivary secretion rate and masticatory efficiency, experimental hypo- and hyper-salivation were produced by the administration of atropine sulphate presenting an anticholinergic effect and pilocarpine hydrochloride having a muscarine effect orally in 10 healthy fully dentates. To confirm the pharmaceutical effect of these drugs, the unstimulated whole salivary secretion rate during 10 min, and masticatory efficiency using the sieve method were measured before and after medication. The unstimulated whole salivary secretion rate during 10 min decreased significantly by the administration of atropine sulphate (P < 0·05), and increased significantly by pilocarpine hydrochloride (P < 0·01). The masticatory efficiency after atropine sulphate medication was significantly lower than that before (P < 0·01). The increase in salivary secretion by pilocarpine hydrochloride did not lead to a higher masticatory efficiency. The evidence supports the understanding that saliva plays an important role in masticatory function. [source] Nanocarbon materials: probing the curvature and topology effects using phonon spectraJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 9 2009Sanju Gupta Abstract Much has been learned from the use of resonance Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques about the micro-/nanoscopic structure of various nanostructured carbons. However, they still possess some features that are not entirely understood particularly in terms of topological characteristics, which go beyond making a distinction with just the geometrical structure at nanoscale. To effectively utilize the potential of these materials for technological needs, understanding both the geometrical and topological structure and perhaps relating these attributes to physical (optical/electronic, lattice vibrational) properties become indispensable. Here, we make an attempt to describe the differences between various nanostructures and provide geometrical and topological property assessment semiquantitatively by monitoring the phonon spectra using resonance Raman spectroscopy thereby also capturing the electronic spectra. We elucidate the notion of global topology and curvature for a range of technologically important nanoscale carbons including tubular (single-, double- and multiwalled nanotubes, peapod), spherical (hypo- and hyperfullerenes, onion-like carbon) and complex (nanocones, nanohorns, nanodisks and nanorings) geometries. To demonstrate the proof-of-concept, we determined the variation in the prominent Raman bands of the respective materials, represented as D, G and D* (the overtone of D) bands, as a possible topological or curvature trend due to their sensitivity toward structural modification. The latter arises from local topological defects such as pentagons giving rise to curved nanocarbons. In this study, we provide systematics of their variation with respect to their geometric forms and compare with highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and monolayer graphene since the nanocarbons discussed are their derivatives. Once established, this knowledge will provide a powerful machinery to understand newer nanocarbons and indeed point to an unprecedented emergent paradigm of global topology/curvature , property , functionality relationship. We emphasize that these concepts are applicable to other topologically distinct nanomaterials, which include boron-nitride (BN) nanotubes and nanotori, helical gold nanotubes and Möbius conjugated organics. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of a continuous glucose monitoring system in diabetic dogsJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 10 2003L. J. Davison The generation of a blood glucose curve is important for assessing the response to insulin therapy in diabetic dogs. Disadvantages of this technique include patient discomfort and the potential for missing transient hypo- or hyperglycaemic episodes. The aim of the current study was to evaluate a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) for use in diabetic dogs. Interstitial fluid glucose concentrations were recorded in 10 diabetic dogs, every five minutes for up to 48 hours, using a subcutaneous sensor attached to the CGMS device. Blood glucose concentrations were measured simultaneously using a glucometer. The correlation between interstitial fluid and blood glucose values was 0·81 (P<0·01). The largest discrepancies between the two sets of data were seen during the one- to three-hour period following feeding, suggesting that postprandial hyperglycaemia might not be reflected in the interstitial fluid. The authors conclude that the CGMS is a potentially valuable tool in the management of canine diabetic patients. [source] Room-Temperature Freeze Casting for Ceramics with Nonaqueous Sublimable Vehicles in the Naphthalene,Camphor Eutectic SystemJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 11 2004Kiyoshi Araki Freeze casting for Al2O3 was accomplished at room temperature with nonaqueous sublimable vehicles in the naphthalene,camphor eutectic system with a eutectic temperature of 31°C. A fully dense sintered body (>99.5% of theoretical density (T.D.)) was obtained with a eutectic composition vehicle, whereas at most 90% T.D. was obtained with an off-eutectic (i.e., hypo- or hypereutectic) composition vehicle due to formation of large uniquely shaped voids. Microstructural observation suggested that growing pro-eutectic crystals rejected the suspended Al2O3 particles to form large voids during the solidification process. At the eutectic composition, formation of fine lamellar microstructure in a solidified vehicle is considered to inhibit particle rejection resulting in large voids. [source] A review of photodynamic therapy in cutaneous leishmaniasisJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 8 2008EM Van Der Snoek Summary We present a review of six clinical studies investigating the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using porphyrin precursors for the treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Thirty-nine patients with a total of 77 lesions received PDT using a range of treatment schedules following topical application of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL). The tissue response to PDT is accompanied by a mild burning sensation, erythema and reversible hypo- and hyperpigmentation. Few mechanistic studies have addressed the principles underlying the use of PDT for CL. All six reviewed papers suggest that PDT with porphyrin precursors is relatively effective in treating CL. Data are still limited, and PDT cannot at this point be recommended in routine clinical practice. The mechanism of action of this promising therapeutic modality needs to investigated further and additional controlled trials need to be performed. [source] Clinicopathological spectrum of mycosis fungoidesJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 4 2004DV Kazakov ABSTRACT Cutaneous lymphomas represent a heterogeneous group of T-, NK- and B-cell neoplasms, with mycosis fungoides (MF) being the most common subtype. MF has a plethora of clinicopathological manifestations. Many variants of this lymphoma differ substantially from the ,classical' Alibert,Bazin disease and are therefore sometimes referred to as ,atypical' forms of the disease. This review addresses the whole clinicopathological spectrum of mycosis fungoides with respect to epidemiology, clinical, histopathological, immunophenotypic and genotypic features and the clinical course and prognosis of its variants: classical, erythrodermic, follicular, syringotropic, bullous/vesicular, granulomatous, poikilodermic, hypo- and hyperpigmented, unilesional, palmoplantar, hyperkeratotic/verrucous, vegetating/papillomatous, ichthyosiform, pigmented purpura-like, pustular and mucosal involvement in MF. [source] Investigation of the Effects of Salinity and Dietary Protein Level on Growth and Survival of Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannameiJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 4 2007Martin Perez-Velazquez It is presumed that in hypo- and hypersaline environments, shrimp's requirements for some specific nutrients, such as protein, may differ from those known in the marine habitat; however, few investigations have been conducted in this area of study. In the present investigation, the effects of salinity and dietary protein level on the biological performance, tissue protein, and water content of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, were evaluated. In a 3 × 4 factorial experiment, juvenile shrimp with an average initial weight of 0.36 ± 0.02 g were exposed for 32 d to salinities of 2, 35, and 50 ppt and fed experimental diets with crude protein contents of 25, 30, 35, and 40%. A significant effect of salinity on growth of shrimp was detected, with the growth responses (final weight, weight gain) ranked in the order 2 ppt (3.87, 3.50 g) > 35 ppt (3.40, 3.04 g) > 50 ppt (2.84, 2.47 g). No effects of dietary protein level or an interaction between salinity and protein on growth of shrimp were observed under the experimental conditions of this study. Percent survival of shrimp fed the highest protein content (40%, survival of 74%) was, however, significantly lower than those of shrimp fed the other feeds (25, 30 and 35% protein, survival of 99, 91, and 94%, respectively), a result likely associated with the concentration of total ammonia nitrogen, which increased significantly at increasing protein levels. Final water content of whole shrimp was significantly lower in animals exposed to 50 ppt (70.8%) than in shrimp held at 2 (73.7%) and 35 ppt (72.3%). No effect of salinity, protein, or their interaction was observed on the protein content of whole shrimp. The results of the present study are in agreement with reports of superior and inferior growth of L. vannamei reared in hypo- and hypersaline environments, respectively, as compared to what is generally observed in seawater. [source] Skeletal and Pigmentation Defects following Retinoic Acid Exposure in Larval Summer Flounder, Paralichthys dentatusJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 3 2007Gabriela M. Martinez Supplementation of larval diets with vitamin A (VA) is routinely and successfully used to stimulate pigmentation development in hatchery-reared flatfishes. However, excess dietary VA can lead to high levels of its metabolite retinoic acid (RA) and has been associated with the occurrence of skeletal deformities, presumably via RA toxicity. We reared summer flounder larvae, Paralichthys dentatus, in water containing 0- to 20-nM RA to assess its effects on postmetamorphic pigmentation and on skeletal development. RA exposure disrupted pigmentation development: treated tanks had a smaller percentage of normally pigmented fish than did controls, with increased numbers of both hypo- and hyperpigmented individuals. Exposure also affected the development of several skeletal features: RA treatment correlated with a significant increase in the severity of defects in jaws, fins, hypurals, and vertebrae compared with control groups. [source] Evaluation of a Quality-of-Life Tool for Cats with Diabetes MellitusJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2010S.J.M. Niessen Background: Success in management of diabetes mellitus (DM) is defined as improvement of blood glucose concentrations and clinical signs. However, the psychological and social impact of DM and its daily treatment regimen on quality of life (QoL) of both animal and owner is uncertain. Hypothesis/Objectives: To design, validate, and apply a diabetic pet and owner-centered, individualized measure of impact of DM (DIAQoL-pet). Animals/Subjects: Two hundred and twenty-one owners of insulin-treated diabetic cats were recruited to complete the DIAQoL-pet. Methods: Discussions and pilot surveys with clinicians and owners of diabetic cats led to the design of 29 specific DM-associated QoL questions. Owners of diabetic cats completed the finalized survey. Each item was scored according to impact frequency and perceived importance. An item-weighted impact score (IWIS) for each item was calculated, as was an average-weighted impact score (AWIS) by averaging all IWISs. Principal component analysis and Cronbach's , calculation assessed the measure's reliability. Two overview questions measured overall QoL and diabetes-dependent QoL. Results: The DIAQoL-pet showed high reliability (Cronbach , 0.83). The AWIS was ,1.76 ± 2.4 (mean ± SD). Areas reported as most negatively impacting QoL included: "boarding difficulties" (IWIS ± SD: ,4.67 ± 5.3), "owner wanting more control" (,4.34 ± 4.7), "difficulties leaving cat with friends or family" (,4.21 ± 4.7), "worry" (,4.10 ± 3.9), "worry hypo" (,3.67 ± 3.5), "social life" (,3.48 ± 3.9), "costs" (,3.04 ± 3.8), and "work life" (,3.03 ± 3.7). Forty-one percent of owners believed their cat's life would be "a little better" without DM. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The DIAQoL-pet proved robust and identified specific areas most negatively impacting on diabetic cats and their owners' QoL. This tool warrants further investigation for use in clinical or research settings. [source] Hemostatic Changes in Dogs with Naturally Occurring SepsisJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003Armelle M. de Laforcade Sepsis is a frequent source of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The goal of this case control study was to measure hemostatic changes in dogs with naturally occurring sepsis. Blood was collected within 24 hours of admission from 20 dogs that fulfilled the criteria for sepsis. Sepsis was defined as histologic or microbiological confirmation of infection and 2 or more of the following criteria: hypo- or hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, or leukopenia, leukocytosis, or >3% bands. Culture and sensitivities were performed on appropriate samples from all septic dogs. Twenty-eight control dogs were enrolled on the basis of normal results of physical examination, CBC, serum biochemistry, and coagulation profile. Plasma samples were analyzed for prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP), D-dimer (DD) concentrations, antithrombin (AT) activity, and protein C (PC) activity. Data were compared between groups by chi-square or independent t -tests. PC (P < .001) and AT (P < .001) activities were significantly lower in dogs with sepsis compared to controls. Dogs with sepsis had significantly higher PT (P= .007), PTT (P= .005), D-dimer (P= .005), and FDP (P= .001) compared to controls. Platelet counts were not significantly different between groups. Ten of the 20 septic dogs (50%) died, but no association was identified between any of the measured variables and outcome. These findings are consistent with previous studies in animals with experimentally induced disease and in clinical studies of humans. On the basis of these results, further investigation of the role of AT and PC in canine sepsis is warranted. [source] Extrapyramidal symptoms in Wilson's disease are associated with olfactory dysfunctionMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 9 2006Antje Mueller MD Abstract Wilson's disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the accumulation of copper, mainly in the liver and the brain. As copper accumulation in the brain leads to disturbances in basal ganglia function, neurological-type patients typically present with hypo- and hyperkinetic extrapyramidal symptoms, with Parkinsonism being very common. Although there are numerous reports on olfactory deficits in primary neurodegenerative disorders, olfactory function has not been investigated in metabolic disorders presenting with extrapyramidal features. Twenty-four patients with Wilson's disease participated in the investigation. All patients were treated pharmacologically. They comprised patients with liver disease alone (including mild enzyme elevation in asymptomatic individuals; n = 11) and/or neurological symptoms (n = 13) at the time of testing. Twenty-one patients underwent both [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG-PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The severity of extrapyramidal symptoms was judged using a clinical score system ranging from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (severe symptoms). In all patients, psychophysical testing was performed using the "Sniffin' Sticks," which involved tests for odor threshold, discrimination, and identification. Results from the present study revealed that Wilson's disease patients with neurological symptoms show a significant olfactory dysfunction compared to hepatic-type patients. Individuals who are more severely neurologically affected also present with a more pronounced olfactory deficit. Of interest, there was no significant effect of long-term treatment with penicillamine on olfactory function. Olfactory function did not correlate significantly with the presence of MRI visible lesions in the basal ganglia or with any regional glucose metabolism as measured by [18]F-FDG-PET. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the underlying pathological alterations with degeneration in the basal ganglia and neuronal loss in association with a marked increase of the copper content in this brain region play a role in the olfactory deficit. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||