LAM

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Adefovir plus lamivudine are more effective than adefovir alone in lamivudine-resistant HBeAg - chronic hepatitis B patients: A 4-year study

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Themistoklis G Vassiliadis
Abstract Background and Aim:, Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is effective in lamivudine (LAM)-resistant hepatitis B e antigen-negative (HBeAg - ) chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, it is unclear whether LAM treatment should be continued in these patients. We aimed to compare the long-term efficacy of adding ADV to ongoing LAM treatment versus switching to ADV monotherapy in LAM-resistant HBeAg - CHB. Methods:, Sixty LAM-resistant patients with HBeAg - CHB were randomly assigned (3:1) to combination therapy (10 mg ADV once daily plus ongoing LAM at 100 mg once daily [n = 45]) or 10 mg ADV monotherapy once daily (n = 15). Virological and biochemical responses were defined as hepatitis B virus (HBV),DNA <400 copies/mL and as normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels, respectively. Results:, The median follow-up time was 53 months (range 20,60 months). A virological response was observed in 38/45 (84.4%) and 11/15 (73.3%) patients in the ADV/LAM and ADV monotherapy groups, respectively (P = 0.56). Biochemical response rates were higher in the ADV/LAM group than in the ADV monotherapy group (90.9% vs 57.1%, respectively; P = 0.01). In the ADV/LAM group, serum HBV,DNA remained undetectable in all patients who achieved a virological response (n = 38). In the ADV monotherapy group, virological breakthrough occurred in four of the 11 patients who achieved a virological response (36.4%; P < 0.001 vs the ADV/LAM group, log,rank test). In addition, two patients in each group who did not achieve a virological response eventually developed ADV resistance. Conclusions:, Adding ADV to LAM is more effective than switching to ADV monotherapy in LAM-resistant patients with HBeAg - CHB. [source]


Electrochemical Evaluation of Nucleoside Analogue Lamivudine in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Human Serum

ELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 20 2005
Burcu Dogan
Abstract Lamivudine (LAM) is a synthetic nucleoside analogue with activity against human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The aim of this study was to determine LAM levels in serum and pharmaceutical formulations, by means of electrochemical methods using hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). On this electrode, LAM undergoes irreversible reduction at the peak potential near Ep,1.26,V (vs. Ag/AgCl/3,M KCl). Reduction LAM signals were measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and square-wave voltammetry (OSW). DPV and OSW techniques for the determination of LAM in acetate buffer at pH,4.5, which allows quantitation over the 4×10,6 to 1×10,4,M range in supporting electrolyte for both methods, were proposed. The linear response was obtained in acetate buffer in the ranges of 2×10,6 to 2×10,4,M for spiked serum samples at pH,4.5 for both techniques. The repeatability and reproducibility of the methods for all media were determined. The standard addition method was used in serum. Precision and accuracy were also checked in all media. No electroactive interferences from the endogenous substances were found in serum. With respect to side effects of high doses and short half-life of LAM, a fast and simple detection method is described in this study. [source]


Rheological characterization of hair shampoo in the presence of dead sea salt

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2004
B. Abu-Jdayil
Synopsis In Jordan, a growing industry has been established to produce different types of Dead Sea (DS) cosmetics that have DS salt (contains mainly NaCl, KCl, and MgCl2) in their formulas. In this work, the effect of DS salt on the rheology of hair shampoo containing the sodium lauryl ether sulfate as a main active matter was studied. The effects of DS salt and active matter concentration, and the temperature and time of salt mixing, on the rheological properties of hair shampoo were investigated. The salt-free shampoo showed a Newtonian behavior at ,low active matter' (LAM) and shear thinning at ,high active matter' (HAM). The presence of DS salt changed the rheological behavior of LAM shampoo from Newtonian (for the salt-free shampoo) to shear thinning. On the other hand, the behavior of HAM shampoo switched from shear thinning to Newtonian behavior in the presence of high concentration of DS salt. The addition of DS salt increased the apparent viscosity of shampoo to reach a maximum value that corresponded to a salt concentration of 1.5 wt.%. Further addition of DS salt led to a decrease in the shampoo viscosity to reach a value less than that of the salt-free sample at high salt concentration. Changing the mixing temperature (25,45 °C) and mixing time (15,120 min) of DS salt with shampoo has no significant influence on the rheological behavior. However, the mixing process increased the apparent viscosity of salt-free shampoo. The power law model fitted well the flow curves of hair shampoo with and without DS salt. Résumé En Jordanie, une industrie croissante a été mise en place afin de produire différents types de cosmétiques à base de sels de la Mer morte (DS) contenant ces sels (pour la plupart,principalement NaCl, KCl, MgCl2) dans leurs formules. Dans ce présent travail, l'effet de ces DS sur la rhéologie d'un shampooing à base de lauryl ether sulfate de sodium comme actif principal, a étéétudié. Les effets de ce sel de DS et de la concentration en matière active ainsi que la température et le temps de mélange du sel sur les propriétés rhéologiques du shampooing ont été appréhendés. Le shampooing exempt de sel montrait un comportement Newtonien à basse concentration d'actif (LAM) et une rhéo-fluidification à haute teneur en actif (HAM). La présence de sel de DS a changé le comportement rhéologique du shampooing LAM, du Newtonien (pour le shampooing sans sel) vers la rhèo-fluidification. Par ailleurs, le comportement du shampooing HAM est passé de la rhèo-fluidification au Newtonien en présence de fortes concentrations de sels de DS. L'addition de sels de DS a accru la viscosité apparente jusqu'à une valeur maximale correspondant à 1.5% (w/w). Des additions ultérieures de sel ont conduit à une chute de la viscosité jusqu'à une valeurs inférieure à celle du shampooing sans sel. Le changement de la température de mélange du sel (25 °C à 45 °C) et du temps de mélange (15 à 120 min) du sel avec le shampooing n'a aucune influence significative sur le comportement rhéologique. Cependant, le procédé de mélange a augmenté la viscosité apparente du shampooing sans sel. La modélization par puissance a correctement ajusté les courbes d'écoulement du shampooing avec et sans sel de DS. [source]


Micromanipulation of single cells from tissue imprints is an alternative to laser-assisted microdissection

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2005
Tilmann C. Brauns
Different techniques have been developed to obtain single cells from solid tissue. Currently, the most frequently used technique is laser-assisted microdissection (LAM). However, LAM of tissues cannot exclude contamination of the targeted cells by underlying cell fragments. Moreover, this technique can only be performed if a laser microscope is available. Thus, we developed a method to obtain single cells of fresh solid tissue by the simple technique of tissue imprints. After immunostaining of the imprints, single cells were transferred to a reaction tube using a 27-gauge needle guided by a mechanical micromanipulator. Consequently, we used these cells in a single cell PCR. [source]


Adefovir plus lamivudine are more effective than adefovir alone in lamivudine-resistant HBeAg - chronic hepatitis B patients: A 4-year study

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
Themistoklis G Vassiliadis
Abstract Background and Aim:, Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is effective in lamivudine (LAM)-resistant hepatitis B e antigen-negative (HBeAg - ) chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, it is unclear whether LAM treatment should be continued in these patients. We aimed to compare the long-term efficacy of adding ADV to ongoing LAM treatment versus switching to ADV monotherapy in LAM-resistant HBeAg - CHB. Methods:, Sixty LAM-resistant patients with HBeAg - CHB were randomly assigned (3:1) to combination therapy (10 mg ADV once daily plus ongoing LAM at 100 mg once daily [n = 45]) or 10 mg ADV monotherapy once daily (n = 15). Virological and biochemical responses were defined as hepatitis B virus (HBV),DNA <400 copies/mL and as normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels, respectively. Results:, The median follow-up time was 53 months (range 20,60 months). A virological response was observed in 38/45 (84.4%) and 11/15 (73.3%) patients in the ADV/LAM and ADV monotherapy groups, respectively (P = 0.56). Biochemical response rates were higher in the ADV/LAM group than in the ADV monotherapy group (90.9% vs 57.1%, respectively; P = 0.01). In the ADV/LAM group, serum HBV,DNA remained undetectable in all patients who achieved a virological response (n = 38). In the ADV monotherapy group, virological breakthrough occurred in four of the 11 patients who achieved a virological response (36.4%; P < 0.001 vs the ADV/LAM group, log,rank test). In addition, two patients in each group who did not achieve a virological response eventually developed ADV resistance. Conclusions:, Adding ADV to LAM is more effective than switching to ADV monotherapy in LAM-resistant patients with HBeAg - CHB. [source]


Current therapeutic approaches in childhood chronic hepatitis B infection: A multicenter study

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2004
BUNYAMIN DIKICI
Abstract Background and Aim:, The aim of the present study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of three different regimens in childhood chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Methods:, A total of 182 children with CHB infection were prospectively allocated to three random groups. Sixty-two patients in the first group received high-dose interferon (IFN)-, 2b (10 MU/m2) thrice/weekly alone for 6 months. In the second (n = 60) and third groups (n = 60), IFN-, was used for 6 months (5 MU/m2) thrice/weekly in combination with lamivudine (LAM) (4 mg/kg, maximum 100 mg/day) for 12 months. Lamivudine was started simultaneously with IFN in the second group, while it was started 2 months prior to IFN injections in the third group. Results:, The initial mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values for the first, second and third groups were 109 ± 93 IU/L, 101 ± 64 IU/L and 92 ± 42 IU/L, respectively (P > 0.05). At the end of the therapy, ALT values decreased to 82 ± 111 IU/L, 38 ± 41 IU/L and 29 ± 16 IU/L in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean ALT value of the first group was significantly different to the second and third groups (P = 0.046 and P = 0.002, respectively) at the end of the therapy and these differences were found to be sustained after 18 months. However, results in the second and third groups were similar (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in HBeAg clearance and anti-HBe seroconversion at the initial stage, 12 months and 18 months between the three groups (P > 0.05). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA clearance in the first group was different from the second and third groups, while the second and third groups had similar HBV DNA clearance ratios at 12 and 18 months. No significant difference was found in the complete response (normalization of ALT, clearance of HBV DNA and seroconversion of anti HBe) ratios of all groups (at 12 months: 28.8, 45.5, 35.8% and at 18 months 33.3, 49 and 34% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, P > 0.05). Conclusions:, Although the ALT normalization and HBV DNA clearance ratios of IFN plus LAM combination groups were better than the high-dose IFN-, monotherapy group, no significant difference was found in the complete response ratios of all three groups. [source]


A patient with TSC1 germline mutation whose clinical phenotype was limited to lymphangioleiomyomatosis

JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2004
T. Sato
Abstract. Background:, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) can occur as in isolated form (sporadic LAM) or as a pulmonary manifestation of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) (TSC-associated LAM). Recent studies, however, revealed that both forms of LAM are genetically related but that sporadic LAM is a distinct clinical entity caused by somatic mutations of TSC2 (not TSC1) rather than a forme fruste of TSC carrying either of the TSC1 or TSC2 germline mutations. Method:, Case presentation and in-depth molecular and histopathological examinations. A 34-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed as having pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) when bilateral pneumothoraces were surgically treated in 1992. Although slowly progressive renal disfunction was observed due to bilateral multiple renal cysts during the past 4 years, she had no other clinical features of TSC and was diagnosed as having sporadic LAM with multiple renal cysts of undetermined aetiology. Her subsequent clinical course was complicated by an endobrochial carcinoid tumour, which eventually resulted in her death in June 1999 due to massive haemoptysis. Results:, Postmortem examination revealed the presence of LAM lesions in the lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes, kidneys and uterus. Diffuse renal LAM lesions are presumed to generate multiple renal cysts by constricting the nephron rather than epithelial hyperplasia obstructing lumina, which is analysis of the TSC genes demonstrated that she did not have TSC2/PKD1 contiguous gene syndrome but had a TSC1 germline mutation (Sato T et al. J Hum Genet 2002; 47: 20,8) that had occured de novo. Conclusion:, This patient therefore illustrates that clinical manifestations of TSC are sufficiently diverse as to allow a forme fruste of TSC that mimics sporadic LAM and that TSC1 mutation can cause multiple renal cysts resulting in renal failure. [source]


Question of ALT flare during switch to adefovir from lamivudine: A single center open-label, randomized, safety study (June 17, 2005 to February 5, 2009),

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 9 2010
Hie-Won L. Hann
Abstract Earlier clinical studies have reported an ALT flare greater than 10 times the upper limit of normal in some patients with chronic hepatitis B when their lamivudine (LAM) treatment was switched to adefovir (ADV) therapy. The current study compared the safety of switching directly to ADV versus overlapping LAM and ADV for 3 months followed by ADV monotherapy. Patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving LAM therapy for ,6 months were eligible for the study regardless of the presence of LAM resistance, HBeAg status or serum ALT levels. Eighteen patients (13 males) were randomized to direct switch to ADV and 17 patients (10 males) to overlap. HBV-DNA, ALT, albumin, and total bilirubin were assayed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Study drugs were discontinued at the end of 12 months with the follow up at 3 and 6 months. The decision to continue antiviral therapy was made at the discretion of the investigator. Baseline ALT levels were similar between the direct switch and overlap group: median ALT (U/L) was 44.0 (16,266) and 33.0 (19,367) for direct switch for overlap group, respectively (P,=,0.42). No ALT flare was noted at 3 months in either group: median ALT decreased from 44.0 to 34.5,U/L in the direct switch group, and from 33.0 to 23.0 in the overlap group. Furthermore, no patient in either group exhibited ALT flare throughout the 12 months. This study did not show an ALT flare during switch to ADV at 3 months or at any time later. J. Med. Virol. 82:1489,1493, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Successful treatment of an entecavir-resistant hepatitis B virus variant

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 12 2007
Hiromi Yatsuji
Abstract Emergence of a lamivudine (LAM)-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) with amino acid substitutions in the YMDD motif is a well-documented problem during long-term LAM therapy. Entecavir (ETV) is a new drug approved for treatment of HBV infection with or without LAM-resistant mutants. This report describes an ETV-resistant strain of HBV, which emerged after prolonged ETV therapy in a patient who did not respond to LAM therapy. Direct sequence analysis of the ETV-resistant strain showed appearance of amino acid substitution rtS202G in the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain, together with rtL180M,+,M204V substitution that had developed at the emergence of LAM-resistant mutant. In vitro analysis demonstrated that the rtL180M,+,M204V,+,S202G mutant strain displayed a 200-fold and a 5-fold reduction in susceptibility to ETV compared with the wild- type and the rtL180M,+,M204V mutant strain, respectively. Adefovir was effective against the ETV-resistant strain both in vitro and during the clinical course. In conclusion, this study showed that virological and biochemical breakthrough due to ETV could occur in patients infected with LAM-resistant HBV and confirmed that the addition of rtS202G substitution to the rtL180M,+,M204V mutant strain is responsible for ETV resistance and we could treat the resistant mutant successfully. J. Med. Virol. 79:1811,1817, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HEDONIC SCALES AND END-ANCHOR COMPRESSION EFFECTS

JOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 2010
HARRY T. LAWLESS
ABSTRACT Three experiments were conducted to compare the relative performance of hedonic scaling methods, including the labeled affective magnitude (LAM) scale. In the first study, three versions of the LAM were used to evaluate 20 phrases that described diverse sensory experiences. One scale was anchored to "greatest imaginable like/dislike for any experience" and another used the "greatest imaginable like" phrase of the LAM but with the interior phrases repositioned relative to "any experience." The scale anchored to "any experience" showed a smaller range of scale usage and lower statistical differentiation, relative to the LAM scale, with the repositioned scale intermediate. Two further experiments compared the LAM to the nine-point hedonic scale, an 11-point category scale using the LAM phrases, and to a three-label line scale, a simplified version of the LAM with only the end phrases and the neutral center-point phrase. All scales showed similar differentiation of juices in the second study and sensory experience phrases in the third. A modest advantage for the LAM scale in the second experiment did not extend to the third study. Researchers should be careful in the choice of high end anchors for hedonic scales, as a compressed range of scale usage may result in lower product differentiation. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Hedonic scales for food acceptability are widely used in new product development for consumer testing and in food preference surveys. A desired goal of efficient sensory evaluation testing is the ability of tests to differentiate samples on the basis of scale data, in this case scales commonly used for food acceptability and preference testing. Scales which are able to differentiate products more effectively are less likely to lead to Type II error in experimentation, in which true differences between products are not detected. Such errors can lead to lost opportunities for product improvements or to enhanced chances for taking undetected risks in the case of false parity conclusions. [source]


Laser-Assisted Machining of Damage-Free Silicon Nitride Parts with Complex Geometric Features via In-Process Control of Laser Power

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 11 2006
Yinggang Tian
A methodology to achieve optimal operating conditions for laser-assisted machining (LAM) is developed for silicon nitride parts with complex geometric features by applying a three-dimensional, transient thermal model and in-process laser power control. Complex silicon nitride parts are successfully produced by the LAM operation, where the maximum and material removal temperatures are carefully designed and controlled to achieve good machining results and avoid thermal damage on the final part. On-line temperature and laser power measurements are conducted and compared with prescribed values to show the effectiveness of the power control scheme. Scanning electron microscopy examination reveals virtually no subsurface microcrack or thermal damage on the silicon nitride parts. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study shows the preservation of the silicon nitride microstructure and no phase transformation of ,-Si3N4 during the LAM experiments. XRD residual stress measurements show moderate compressive residual stresses on the silicon nitride workpieces produced by the LAM operation. [source]


Comparison of lansoprazole-based triple and dual therapy for treatment of Helicobacter pylori -related duodenal ulcer: an Asian multicentre double-blind randomized placebo controlled study

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2000
Wong
Bakcground : In Asian countries with limited resources, clarithromycin-based triple therapy may not be readily available. There are also few direct comparisons of different regimens in Asia. Aim : To compare two lansoprazole-based non-clarithromycin triple therapies and one dual therapy in a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study of Helicobacter pylori eradication and duodenal ulcer healing. Methods : Fourteen centres in Asia participated in this study. Patients with acute duodenal ulcer who were H. pylori -positive were recruited. They were randomized to receive: (a) lansoprazole 30 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1 g b.d. and metronidazole 500 mg b.d. for 2 weeks (LAM-2 W), or (b) LAM for 1 week and placebo (LAM-1 W), or (c) lansoprazole 30 mg b.d., amoxycillin 1 g b.d. and placebo for 2 weeks (LA-2 W). Upper endoscopy was repeated at week 6 to check for duodenal ulcer healing. Symptoms and side-effects were recorded. Results : A total of 228 patients were recruited, and two patients took less than 50% of the drugs. H. pylori eradication rates (intention-to-treat) were 68 out of 82 (83%) with LAM-2 W, 55 out of 71 (78%) with LAM-1 W and 43 out of 75 (57%) with LA-2 W. There were significant differences (P=0.001) in eradication rates when comparing either LAM-2 W or LAM-1 W with LA-2 W. The eradication rate in patients with metronidazole resistant H. pylori strains were significantly lower than those with metronidazole sensitive strains (P=0.0001). The duodenal ulcer healing rates at week 6 were 85%, 85% and 72% in LAM-2 W, LAM-1 W and LA-2 W, respectively (P=0.065). Side-effects occurred in 13%, 11% and 9% in LAM-2 W, LAM-1 W and LA-2 W, respectively. H. pylori eradication and initial ulcer size were factors affecting duodenal ulcer healing. Conclusions : This Asian multicentre study showed that 1-week lansoprazole-based triple therapy without clarithromycin has similar efficacy in H. pylori eradication and ulcer healing compared with a 2-week regimen. Both triple therapies were significantly better than dual therapy in H. pylori eradication. Therefore, 1-week lansoprazole-based triple therapy is as safe and effective as 2-week therapy in eradication of H. pylori infection and healing of duodenal ulcer in these Asian centres. [source]


Pathogenesis of multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia and lymphangioleiomyomatosis in tuberous sclerosis and association with tuberous sclerosis genes TSC1 and TSC2

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2001
Hiroshi Maruyama
Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a rare, genetically determined disorder / familial tumor syndrome, currently diagnosed using specific clinical criteria proposed by Gomez, including the presence of multiorgan hamartomas. Pulmonary involvement in TSC is well known as pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), which has an incidence of 1,2.3% in TSC patients. LAM has immunohistochemical expression of both smooth-muscle actin and a monoclonal antibody specific for human melanoma, HMB-45. It has recently been reported that multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia (MMPH) associated with TSC should be considered as a distinct type of lung lesion, whether it occurs with or without LAM. Two predisposing genes have been found in families affected by TSC; approximately half of the families show linkage to TSC1 at 9q34.3, and the other half show linkage to TSC2 at 16p13.3. TSC genes are considered to be tumor suppressor genes, and mutations in them may lead to abnormal differentiation and proliferation of cells. Tuberin, the TSC2 gene product, has recently been found to be expressed in LAM and MMPH. In this article we discuss the histogenesis and genetic abnormalities of neoplastic lesions associated with TSC, and we review the current understanding of the pathogenesis of pulmonary hamartomatous lesions such as LAM and MMPH in TSC. [source]


Prophylaxis Against Hepatitis B Recurrence Posttransplantation Using Lamivudine and Individualized Low-Dose Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2010
L. Jiang
Although the combination of lamivudine (LAM) and high-dose intravenous (IV) hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is very effective in preventing hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT), the major limitation of this regimen is its high cost. A more cost-effective, convenient and widely accepted regimen is urgently needed. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of another strategy using LAM and individualized low-dose intramuscular (IM) HBIG. Between May 2002 and December 2009, a total of 254 adult patients undergoing LT for HBV-related benign end-stage liver diseases received this regimen in our center. The mean follow-up of these patients was 41.2 ± 22.7 months. Their 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 85.3%, 77.4% and 76.4%, respectively, and 1-, 3- and 5-year HBV recurrence rates were 2.3%, 6.2% and 8.2%. Fourteen patients experienced posttransplant HBV recurrence. Pretransplant high viral load and posttransplant prednisone withdrawal time were observed to be associated with recurrence. In conclusion, combination therapy with LAM and individualized low-dose IM HBIG provides a safe and effective prophylaxis against HBV recurrence after LT at about 5% of the cost of conventional high-dose IV HBIG regimens. [source]


High Viremia, Prolonged Lamivudine Therapy and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma Predict Posttransplant Hepatitis B Recurrence,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2010
J. Chun
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is generally preventable by prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and lamivudine (LAM). However, HBV recurrence sometimes develops despite prophylaxis. This study assessed posttransplant outcomes and identified predictors of HBV recurrence. We analyzed the outcomes of 209 consecutive patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen who underwent OLT, who received either combination prophylaxis with HBIG and LAM (89.0%) or HBIG monoprophylaxis (11.0%). The median follow-up was 36.8 months (range, 1.0,84.4). Posttransplant HBV recurrence occurred in 22 patients (10.5%), including 13 patients with drug-resistant mutations. HBV recurrence was observed in six patients after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence. Independent predictors of HBV recurrence were recurrent HCC (p < 0.001), LAM therapy >1.5 years (p = 0.001) and high HBV DNA titers (,105 copies/mL) at OLT (p = 0.036). In conclusion, high viremia at OLT and prolonged exposure to LAM should be further stressed as main predictors of HBV recurrence. [source]


Application of Laser-Assisted Microdissection for Gene Expression Analysis of Mammalian Germ Cells

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 3 2010
R. Kenngott
With 1 figure and 2 tables Summary Laser-assisted microdissection (LAM) is an important method to provide new significant insights into many embryological processes. To understand these processes, it is important to obtain specific populations of cells from complex tissue in an efficient and precise manner and to combine with many different molecular biological methods. During the last few years, the sophistication of the techniques of LAM has increased significantly and made the procedure easy to use. New micro-extraction protocols for DNA, RNA and proteins now allow broad downstream applications in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. In this review, we give a short overview of the application of LAM in combination with quantitative qPCR for the analysis of gene expression in mammalian germ cells. [source]


The mannose cap of mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan does not dominate the Mycobacterium,host interaction

CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
B. J. Appelmelk
Summary Pathogenic mycobacteria have the ability to persist in phagocytic cells and to suppress the immune system. The glycolipid lipoarabinomannan (LAM), in particular its mannose cap, has been shown to inhibit phagolysosome fusion and to induce immunosuppressive IL,10 production via interaction with the mannose receptor or DC-SIGN. Hence, the current paradigm is that the mannose cap of LAM is a crucial factor in mycobacterial virulence. However, the above studies were performed with purified LAM, never with live bacteria. Here we evaluate the biological properties of capless mutants of Mycobacterium marinum and M. bovis BCG, made by inactivating homologues of Rv1635c. We show that its gene product is an undecaprenyl phosphomannose-dependent mannosyltransferase. Compared with parent strain, capless M. marinum induced slightly less uptake by and slightly more phagolysosome fusion in infected macrophages but this did not lead to decreased survival of the bacteria in vitro, nor in vivo in zebra fish. Loss of caps in M. bovis BCG resulted in a sometimes decreased binding to human dendritic cells or DC-SIGN-transfected Raji cells, but no differences in IL-10 induction were observed. In mice, capless M. bovis BCG did not survive less well in lung, spleen or liver and induced a similar cytokine profile. Our data contradict the current paradigm and demonstrate that mannose-capped LAM does not dominate the Mycobacterium,host interaction. [source]


The Role of Maternal Affect Mirroring on Social Expectancies in Three-Month-Old Infants

CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2001
Maria Legerstee
The role of maternal affect mirroring on the development of prosocial behaviors and social expectancies was assessed in forty-one 2- to 3-month-old infants. Prosocial behavior was characterized as infants' positive behavior and increased attention toward their mothers. Social expectancies were defined as infants' expectancy for affective sharing. Mothers and infants were observed twice, approximately 1 week apart. During Visit 1, mothers and infants were videotaped while interacting over television monitors for 3 min. During Visit 2, infants engaged in a live, 3-min interaction with their mothers over television monitors (live condition) and they also viewed a replay of their mothers' interaction from the preceding week (replay condition). The order of conditions was counterbalanced. Maternal affect mirroring was measured according to the level of attention maintenance, warm sensitivity, and social responsiveness displayed. A natural split was observed with 58% of the mothers ranking high and 42% ranking low on these affect mirroring measures (HAM and LAM, respectively). Infants in the HAM group ranked high on prosocial behaviors and social expectancy , they discriminated between live and replay, conditions with smiles, vocalizations, and gazes. Infants in the LAM group ranked low on these variables , they gazed longer during the live condition than during the replay condition, but only when the live condition was presented first; however, they did not smile or vocalize more. These findings indicate that there is a relation between affect mirroring and social expectancies in infants. [source]


Association of specific mutations in katG, rpoB, rpsL and rrs genes with spoligotypes of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Russia

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 6 2007
M. Y. Lipin
Abstract Most multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Russia belong to the Beijing or Latino-American and Mediterranean (LAM) spoligotype families. The objective of this study was to investigate possible associations between genotype and the frequencies of mutations that confer drug resistance in a population that has two large families of circulating strains. Spoligotyping, IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism typing, and sequencing of the katG and rpoB genes, were performed for 217 consecutive MDR M. tuberculosis isolates from patients. The rpsL and rrs genes were also sequenced for selected streptomycin-resistant isolates. Of the 217 MDR isolates, 99 (46%) belonged to the LAM family, 92 (42%) to the Beijing family, 21 (10%) to the Haarlem family and four (2%) to the T family. There was one unique spoligotype. Mutations in the katG gene were identified in 207 (95%) isolates, all of which had mutations in codon 315. Mutations in the rpoB gene were identified in 200 (92%) isolates; 75% of LAM isolates carried a mutation in codon 516, whereas 71% of Beijing isolates carried a mutation in codon 531. In the 33 isolates resistant to streptomycin 50 mg/L, the 43AGG rpsL mutation was found in 27% of Haarlem, 75% of Beijing and 0% of LAM isolates, and rrs mutations were found in 17% (516C,T) of Beijing and 100% (513A,C) of LAM isolates. Overall, there appeared to be a correlation between the genotype and specific mutations conferring resistance to rifampicin or streptomycin in the Beijing and LAM families. The biological implications of this correlation remain to be explored. [source]


Prophylactic strategies for hepatitis B patients undergoing liver transplant: A cost-effectiveness analysis

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2006
Yock Young Dan
Hepatitis B immunoglobulin with lamivudine prophylaxis (LAM/HBIG) is effective in preventing Hepatitis B (HBV) recurrence posttransplant but is expensive and inconvenient. Lamivudine-resistant HBV, which has limited the usefulness of lamivudine monoprophylaxis in transplant, can now be effectively controlled with adefovir dipivoxil. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis on the strategies of lamivudine prophylaxis with adefovir rescue(LAM/ADV) compared to combination LAM/intravenous fixed high-dose HBIG prophylaxis(LAM/ivHBIG) or LAM/intramuscular HBIG prophylaxis(LAM/imHBIG). Markov modeling was performed with analysis from societal perspective. Probability rates were derived from systematic review of the literature and cost taken from MEDICARE database. Outcome measures were incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER) and cost to prevent each HBV recurrence and death. Analysis was performed at 5 years posttransplant as well as at end of life expectancy (15 years). Combination LAM/ivHBIG cost an additional USD562,000 at 15 years, while LAM/imHBIG cost an additional USD139,000 per patient compared to LAM/ADV. Although there is an estimated increase in recurrence of 53% with LAM/ADV and 7.6% increased mortality at the end of life expectancy (15 years), the ICER of LAM/ivHBIG over LAM/ADV treatment is USD760,000 per quality-adjusted life-years and for LAM/imHBIG, USD188,000. Cost-effectiveness is most sensitive to cost of HBIG. Lamivudine prophylaxis with adefovir dipivoxil salvage offers the more cost-effective option for HBV patients undergoing liver transplant but with higher recurrence and death rate using a model that favors LAM/HBIG. Lowering the cost of HBIG maintenance will improve cost-effectiveness of LAM/HBIG strategy. In conclusion, a tailored approach based on individual risks will optimize the cost-benefit of HBV transplant prophylaxis. Liver Transpl 12:736,746, 2006. © 2006 AASLD. [source]


Designing for inquiry-based learning with the Learning Activity Management System

JOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 3 2009
P. Levy
Abstract This paper explores the relationship between practitioners' pedagogical purposes, values and practices in designing for inquiry-based learning in higher education, and the affordances of the Learning Activity Management System (LAMS) as a tool for creating learning designs in this context. Using a qualitative research methodology, variation was identified in participants' conceptions of inquiry-based learning pedagogy and in their approaches to inquiry-based learning design. LAMS was found to offer design affordances that are compatible with more strongly teacher-led conceptions of, and approaches to, inquiry-based learning pedagogy. The paper draws some implications for the further development and use of design tools for inquiry-based learning. The authors suggest that, in addition to tools created for teachers, there may be a valuable role for tools that explicitly support students as designers of their own inquiry processes and activities. [source]


Critical Thinking and Learning

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY, Issue 4 2007
Mark Mason
Abstract This paper introduces some of the debates in the field of critical thinking by highlighting differences among thinkers such as Siegel, Ennis, Paul, McPeck, and Martin, and poses some questions that arise from these debates. Does rationality transcend particular cultures, or are there different kinds of thinking, different styles of reasoning? What is the relationship between critical thinking and learning? In what ways does the moral domain overlap with these largely epistemic and pedagogical issues? The paper concludes by showing how Peters, Evers, Chan and Yan, Ryan and Louie, Luntley, Lam, Doddington, and Kwak, respond to these questions. [source]


Chemical composition and olfactory characterization of essential oils of fruits and seeds of African pear (Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Lam) from Cameroon

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2005
Leopold Jirovetz
Abstract The composition of the essential oil of Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Lam (Burseraceae) fruits and seeds from Cameroon were investigated by gas chromatographic,spectroscopic (GC,FID and GC,MS) and olfactory methods to identify those volatiles responsible for the characteristic aroma of this commonly known African pear. Monoterpenes, such as , -pinene (fruits/seeds: 22.3/21.5%), , -pinene (13.7/19.7%), limonene (7.2/27.5%) and , -phellandrene (10.8/12.1%) were found to be main compounds of these essential oils. A correlation of the identi,ed constituents of the two essential oils of African pear from Cameroon with their single odour impressions is also given. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Medicinal plants and the treatment of diabetes in Senegal: survey with patients

FUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Amadou Moctar Dièye
Abstract Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder worldwide and is a major public health problem. Its frequency increases every day in all countries. However, in developing African countries, few people have access to drugs. In addition, in Africa, traditional beliefs induce people to use medicinal plants whenever they have health problems. Thus, many people in these developing countries use plants for the treatment of diabetes. Yet, few studies are focused on the knowledge and attitudes of the users on medicinal plants in Africa in general and in Senegal in particular. Hence we undertook this survey on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes in Senegal in order to make recommendations which could contribute to the increase of the value of herbal medicines in developing countries. We did a cross-sectional survey by direct interview at a university teaching hospital, in Dakar with a representative sample of 220 patients. Forty-one plants were used by the patients and the two most frequently cited were Moringa oleifera Lam (65.90%) and Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich) Hochst (43.20%). Patients gave several reasons for using medicinal plants (traditional treatment: 40%, efficacy: 32%, low cost: 20%). The principal suppliers of plants were tradesmen in the market (66.8%) and traditional therapists (5%). Sixty-five per cent of patients think that medicinal plants are efficient for the treatment of diabetes and 20% have reported adverse effects which could be caused by medicinal plants. In conclusion, many people in our study think that medicinal plants are efficient for the treatment of diabetes, which requires research work by scientists in developing countries in this field in order to prove their efficacy and innocuousness. [source]


EFFECT of EXTRUSION ON TRYPSIN INHIBITOR CONTENTS of SOY-SWEET POTATO MIXTURES

JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 6 2000
M.O. IWE
Mixtures of soy and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) (L.) Lam), flours containing 18%, 25% and 30% moisture, respectively, were extruded in a single screw extruder. Results showed that inactivation of trypsin inhibitor was enhanced by both reductions in feed moisture and soy flour contents of sample mixtures. Hence subsequent extrusion was carried at 18% feed moisture with variable feed ratio, screw rotation speed and die diameter, using a central composite rotatable, near orthogonal experimental design. Results further showed that the effect of increasing the ratio of soy in the mixture was linearly significant (p > 0.05). Optimum Trypsin Inhibitor (TI) inactivation value of 3.40 mg/g was predicted at a feed composition of 80% sweet potato, 9 mm die diameter and 154 rpm, respectively. [source]


Cell wall polysaccharides of bush butter (Dacryodes edulis (G Don) HJ Lam) fruit pulp and their evolution during ripening

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 8 2001
Crépin Ella Missang
Abstract Cell wall material was isolated as alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS) from bush butter endocarp tissue at different stages of ripeness. AIS were then extracted with 0.05,M CDTA followed by increasing concentrations of KOH (0.05, 1 and 4,M respectively). The chemical extractions solubilised a total of 51.6,60.6% of AIS, the yields of CDTA extracts accounting for approximately 9.6,12.2% of AIS. The extracts as well as the residues were analysed for their sugar composition and protein and starch contents. CDTA extracted the bulk of uronic acid in AIS, but the uronic acid content (after dialysis) of these extracts showed a significant decrease as the fruits ripened (from 439 to 252,mg,g,1 between the first and the last degree of ripeness). Analysis of the CDTA extracts by anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography showed a gradual appearance of new pectic populations at low degrees of methylation and low molecular weights, indicating that CDTA-soluble pectins are demethylated and depolymerised during ripening. The dilute alkali (0.05,M KOH) extracts were essentially composed of proteins in addition to a minor quantity of pectin. The 1,M KOH and principally 4,M KOH treatments led to the extraction of hemicelluloses, mainly xyloglucan-like and mannan-like polymers. These extracts also contained substantial amounts of protein and starch. No variation related to the degree of ripeness was visible in the sugar composition of the alkali extracts. The molecular weight distribution of the hemicelluloses did not change with the degree of ripeness. The final residues accounted for 21.4,27.3% of AIS and were mostly composed of glucose (827,908,mg,g,1). All these results suggested that only CDTA-soluble pectins were involved in bush butter fruit softening. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Changes in the pectic fraction of bush butter (Dacryodes edulis (G Don) HJ Lam) fruit pulp during ripening

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 8 2001
Crépin Ella Missang
Abstract CDTA-soluble polysaccharides were extracted from cell wall material (prepared as alcohol-insoluble solids) of bush butter fruit endocarp tissue at three stages of ripeness. The amount of soluble pectins remained constant but they underwent a gradual depolymerisation during ripening. The CDTA extracts were fractionated by anion exchange and the subfractions were analysed for their sugar composition and molecular weight distribution. For all degrees of ripeness the extracts were composed of three minor peaks and two major peaks. The minor peaks appeared to be composed of xyloglucan and mannan-type polymers for the first peak and arabinogalactan-type polymers for the other two peaks. The two main peaks were retained on the column. The first was exclusively composed of homogalacturonan polymers and the second contained principally highly branched rhamnogalacturonan polymers. During ripening, both homogalacturonan and rhamnogalacturonan populations were modified. Modifications in the rhamnogalacturonan fraction were principally marked by the accumulation of low-molecular-weight rhamnoglacturonan polymers in the course of ripening. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Optimized construction of microsatellite-enriched libraries

MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 3 2010
NATASCHA TECHEN
Abstract The construction of microsatellite-enriched libraries is an indispensable tool to search for molecular markers as complete genome sequences are still not available for the majority of species of interest. Numerous protocols are available in the literature for the construction of these libraries; however, sometimes their low efficiency or lack of optimization in the protocols can restrict their efficacy. We have designed and tested various adapters and ligation methods; we also tested oligo-repeat combinations and hybridization temperatures, and created libraries with this new protocol for four organisms: Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam, Chionanthus retusus Lindley & Paxton, Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford & Olivera and Puccinia kuehnii W. Krüger. The number of microsatellites detected for these species ranged from 2494 to 3919 per Mb of nonredundant sequence, that was 0.86 and 1.53 microsatellites per contig, with 37,66% of di-nucleotide motifs and 21,49% of tri- to octa-nucleotide repeats combined. A simplified protocol is provided for the successful generation of SSR-enriched libraries. [source]


In vitro cytotoxic, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants from Vanuatu

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 6 2010
Gesine Bradacs
Abstract Sixty-three extracts obtained from 18 plants traditionally used in the South Pacific archipelago Vanuatu for the treatment of infectious diseases were screened for antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities. In addition, the extracts were subjected to a detailed analysis on cytotoxic effects toward a panel of human cancer cell lines, designed as a smaller version of the NCI60 screen. Intriguingly, 15 plant extracts exhibited strong cytotoxic effects specific for only one cancer cell line. Extracts of the leaves of Acalypha grandis Benth. significantly affected Plasmodium falciparum without showing obvious effects against the other protozoa tested. The leaves of Gyrocarpus americanus Jacq. displayed significant activity against Trypanosoma b. brucei and the leaves of Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Lam. I as well as the stems of Macropiper latifolium (L.f.) against Trypanosoma cruzi. In contrast none of the extracts showed relevant antibacterial or antifungal activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Moringa oleifera: a food plant with multiple medicinal uses

PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007
Farooq Anwar
Abstract Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a highly valued plant, distributed in many countries of the tropics and subtropics. It has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Different parts of this plant contain a profile of important minerals, and are a good source of protein, vitamins, , -carotene, amino acids and various phenolics. The Moringa plant provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, , -sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol. In addition to its compelling water purifying powers and high nutritional value, M. oleifera is very important for its medicinal value. Various parts of this plant such as the leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine, particularly in South Asia. This review focuses on the detailed phytochemical composition, medicinal uses, along with pharmacological properties of different parts of this multipurpose tree. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]