2024-03-28T08:34:36Zhttps:/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/oai/oai.cgioai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10745052005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Management of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
LAU, Arthur Chun-Wing
YAM, Loretta Yin-Chun
SO, Loletta Kit-Ying
Int J Med Sci
Review
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is frequently complicated with acute respiratory failure. In this article, we aim to focus on the management of the subgroup of SARS patients who are critically ill. Most SARS patients would require high flow oxygen supplementation, 20–30% required intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency care, and 13–26% developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In some of these patients, the clinical course can progress relentlessly to septic shock and/or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The management of critically ill SARS patients requires timely institution of pharmacotherapy where applicable and supportive treatment (oxygen therapy, noninvasive and invasive ventilation). Superimposed bacterial and other opportunistic infections are common, especially in those treated with mechanical ventilation. Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum may arise spontaneously or as a result of positive ventilatory assistance. Older age is a consistently a poor prognostic factor. Appropriate use of personal protection equipment and adherence to infection control measures is mandatory for effective infection control. Much of the knowledge about the clinical aspects of SARS is based on retrospective observational data and randomized-controlled trials are required for confirmation. Physicians and scientists all over the world should collaborate to study this condition which may potentially threaten human existence.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-03-10
/pmc/articles/PMC1074505/
/pubmed/15912185
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10745062005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Discriminating between elderly and young using a fractal dimension analysis of centre of pressure
Doyle, Tim L. A.
Dugan, Eric L.
Humphries, Brendan
Newton, Robert U.
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
The aim of this project was to evaluate the use of a new analysis technique, fractal dimension analysis, for quantification of quiet stance centre of pressure (COP). By using a fractal dimension analysis of COP, it might be possible to gain more information about control during quiet stance than traditional analyses have previously allowed. The current project considered a group of young healthy participants and a group of elderly healthy participants to compare traditional measures of COP against a fractal dimension analysis of COP. Results indicated that both types of analyses are able to distinguish between eyes open and eyes closed in the elderly group. However, the fractal dimension analysis more accurately detected differences between the participant groups when standing with their eyes closed. Based on these results it is suggested that fractal dimension analysis is more informative about posture control than traditional measures. It is suggested that a fractal dimension type of analysis can be incorporated into clinical testing to identify patients with pathologies.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-03-10
/pmc/articles/PMC1074506/
/pubmed/15912186
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10745072005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Study of the early steps of the Hepatitis B Virus life cycle
Lu, Xuanyong
Block, Timothy
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a human pathogen, causing the serious liver disease. Despite considerable advances in the understanding of the natural history of HBV disease, most of the early steps in the virus life cycle remain unclear. Virus attachment to permissive cells, fusion and penetration through cell membranes and subsequent genome release, are largely a mystery. Current knowledge on the early steps of HBV life cycle has mostly come from molecular cloning, expression of individual genes and studies of the infection of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) with duck primary duck hepatocytes. However, considering of the difference of the surface protein of HBV and DHBV both in the composition and sequence, the degree to which information from DHBV applies to human HBV attachment and entry may be limited. A major obstacle to the study HBV infection is the lack of a reliable and sensitive in vitro infection system. We have found that the digestion of HBV and woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHBV) by protease V8 led to the infection of HepG2 cell, a cell line generally is refractory for their infection [Lu et al. J Virol. 1996. 70. 2277-2285 . Lu et al. Virus Research. 2001. 73(1): 27-4].. Further studies showed that a serine protease inhibitor Kazal (SPIK) was over expressed in the HepG2 cells. Therefore, it is possible that to silence the over expressed SPIK and thus to reinstate the activity of indispensable cellular proteases can result in the restoration of the susceptibility of HepG2 cells for HBV infection. The establishing a stable cell line for study of the early steps of HBV life cycle by silencing of SPIK is discussed.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-03-10
/pmc/articles/PMC1074507/
/pubmed/15912187
Text
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10745082005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
The Syndrome of Frontonasal Dysplasia, Callosal Agenesis, Basal Encephalocele, and Eye Anomalies – Phenotypic and Aetiological Considerations
Richieri-Costa, Antonio
Guion-Almeida, Maria Leine
Int J Med Sci
Case Report
We report ten sporadic cases of Brazilian patients with facial midline defects, callosal agenesis, basal encephalocele, and ocular anomalies. This very rare cluster of anomalies has been well reported before. However, only until recently it is recognized as a syndrome belonging to frontonasal dysplasia spectrum. The ten cases confirm a distinct clinical entity and help to define the phenotype more precisely than previously. Up to now etiology remains unknown, although we conjecture that it is due to a mutation in TGIF gene.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-03-10
/pmc/articles/PMC1074508/
/pubmed/15912188
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10745092005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Cribriform-Morular Variant of Papillary Carcinoma: Association with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis - Report of Three Cases and Review of Literature
Chikkamuniyappa, Shylashree
Jagirdar, Jaishree
Int J Med Sci
Case Report
We describe a rare variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), the Cribriform-Morular Variant (C-MV). A handful of cases have been described in the literature of this entity. They exhibit the morphologic features of a distinctive papillary neoplasm along with solid, cribriform, and squamoid-morular areas. The cribriform and morular features make this a separate entity which could be mistaken for a high grade aggressive thyroid neoplasm. These lesions are usually associated with familial adenomatosis polyposis (FAP) but rarely may be sporadic. We report three cases that we have encountered.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-03-20
/pmc/articles/PMC1074509/
/pubmed/15912189
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10745102005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
The primary prevention of birth defects: Multivitamins or folic acid?
Czeizel, Andrew E.
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Periconceptional use of folic acid alone or in multivitamin supplements is effective for the primary prevention of neural-tube defects. The Hungarian randomized and two-cohort controlled trials showed that periconceptional multivitamin supplementation can reduce the occurrence of some other structural birth defects, i.e. congenital abnormalities. These findings were supported by many, but not all observational studies. Recently there have been two main debated questions. The first one is whether the use of folic acid alone or folic acid-containing multivitamins is better. The second one is connected with the dilemma of whether high dose of folic acid (e.g. 5 mg) might be better than a daily multivitamin with 0.4 – 0.8 mg of folic acid. Comparison of the pooled data of two Hungarian trials using a multivitamin containing 0.8 mg folic acid and the data of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities using high dose of folic acid seemed to be appropriate to answer these questions. Multivitamins containing 0.4 – 0.8 mg of folic acid were more effective for the reduction of neural-tube defects than high dose of folic acid. Both multivitamins and folic acid can prevent some part of congenital cardiovascular malformations. Only multivitamins were able to reduce the prevalence at birth of obstructive defects of urinary tract, limb deficiencies and congenital pyloric stenosis. However, folic acid was effective in preventing some part of rectal/anal stenosis/atresia, and high dose of folic acid had effect in preventing some orofacial clefts. The findings are consistent that periconceptional multivitamin and folic acid supplementation reduce the overall occurrence of congenital abnormalities in addition to the demonstrated effect on neural-tube defects.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-03-20
/pmc/articles/PMC1074510/
/pubmed/15912190
Text
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747072005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
HLA-DR regulation and the influence of GM-CSF on transcription, surface expression and shedding
Perry, Sara E
Mostafa, Sobhy M
Wenstone, Richard
Shenkin, Alan
McLaughlin, Paul J
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Low surface HLA-DR expression is a feature in sepsis. However, the mechanisms that regulate HLA-DR expression have not been elucidated. The current study investigates regulation of HLA-DR gene transcription, post transcriptional events and shedding of surface HLA-DR, as well as the regulation of HLA-DR by GM-CSF and an immunomodulatory cytokine. Plasma and PBMC were collected from septic patients and healthy volunteers. An ELISA was developed to measure soluble HLA. PCR techniques were used to determine HLA-DR mRNA levels, and flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy were used for measurement of surface expressed and intracellular HLA-DR. Septic patients fulfilling the criteria of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) for sepsis were recruited for the study (n=70). HLA-DR was measured on three consecutive days, days seven and fourteen. Patients were excluded from the study if on immunosuppressive therapy. Results: Higher levels of shed HLA-DR were found in the plasma of septic patients compared to healthy controls. The level of HLA-DR mRNA was significantly lower in septic patients compared to healthy controls, however an increased intracellular HLA-DR expression was observed. When HL-60 cells were treated with GM-CSF, gene transcription, surface expression and shedding of HLA-DR were all up-regulated. These results indicate that the mechanisms involved in the regulation of HLA-DR in sepsis include shedding of HLA-DR from the cell surface and regulation of HLA-DR gene transcription. Post-translational processing of HLA-DR was also seen to be compromised. GM-CSF was shown to regulate HLA-DR at all these levels.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-07-10
/pmc/articles/PMC1074707/
/pubmed/15912191
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747082005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Anti-tumorigenic and Pro-apoptotic effects of CKBM on gastric cancer growth in nude mice
Shin, Vivian Yvonne
So, Wallace Hau-Leung
Liu, Edgar Shiu-Lam
Wu, Ying-Jye
Pang, Shiu-Fun
Cho, Chi-Hin
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Natural botanical products can be integrated with western medicine to optimize the treatment outcome, increase immune function and minimize the side effects from western drug treatment. CKBM is a combination of herbs and yeasts formulated based on traditional Chinese medicinal principles. Previous study has demonstrated that CKBM is capable of improving immune responsiveness through the induction of cytokine mediators, such as TNF-α and IL-6. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of this immunomodulatory drug on gastric cancer growth using a human xenograft model. Gastric cancer tissues were implanted subcutaneously into athymic nude mice followed by a 14-day or 28-day of CKBM treatment. Results showed that higher doses of CKBM (0.4 or 0.8 ml/mouse/day) produced a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on gastric tumor growth after 28-day drug treatment. This was associated with a decrease of cellular proliferation by 30% with concomitant increase in apoptosis by 97% in gastric tumor cells when compared with the control group. In contrast, CKBM showed no effect on angiogenesis in gastric tumors. This study demonstrates the anti-tumorigenic action of CKBM on gastric cancer probably via inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis, and provides future potential targets of this drug candidate on cancer therapy.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-08-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1074708/
/pubmed/15912192
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747092005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Expression of hMSH2 protein of the human DNA mismatch repair system in oral lichen planus
Pimenta, Flávio Juliano Garcia Santos
Pinheiro, Maria das Graças Rodrigues
Gomez, Ricardo Santiago
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Lichen planus is a mucocutaneous disease of inflammatory nature and unknown etiology. It is characterized by a cell-mediated immunological response to induced antigenic change in skin and/or mucosa. The possible malignant transformation of lichen planus remains a subject of controversial discussions in the literature. hMSH2 is one of the human DNA mismatch repair (hMMR) genes and it plays an important role in reducing mutation and maintaining genomic stability. hMSH2 alterations have been reported in oral squamous cell carcinoma and there are evidences suggesting the association between oral lichen planus and squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we aim to investigate the immunolocalization of hMSH2 protein in oral lichen planus compared to oral normal mucosa epithelium. We examined the expression of hMSH2 protein by immunohistochemistry in twenty-six cases of oral lichen planus. Clinically, 12 of them were categorized into reticular subtype and 14 were atrophic/erosive. Ten cases of normal mucosa were added to the control group. Results showed that the percentage of positive cells to hMSH2 was smaller in reticular (46.54%; p=0,006) and atrophic/erosive (48.79%; p=0,028) subtypes of oral lichen planus compared to normal mucosa (61.29%). The reduced expression of hMSH2 protein in oral lichen planus suggests that this lesion is more susceptible to mutation and therefore facilitate the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-08-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1074709/
/pubmed/15912193
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747102005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
An Increased Risk of Osteoporosis during Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Annapoorna, N.
Rao, G.Venkateswara
Reddy, N.S.
Rambabu, P.
Rao, K.R.S.Samabasiva
Int J Med Sci
Review
Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone mineral density and mechanistic imbalances of bone tissue that may result in reduced skeletal strength and an enhanced susceptibility to fractures. Osteoporosis in its most common form affects the elderly (both sexes) and all racial groups of human beings. Multiple environmental risk factors like acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are believed to be one of the causes of osteoporosis. Recently a high incidence of osteoporosis has been observed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. The etiology of this occurrence in HIV infections is controversial. This problem seems to be more frequent in patients receiving potent antiretroviral therapy. In AIDS, the main suggested risk factors for the development of osteoporosis are use of protease inhibitors, longer duration of HIV infection, lower body weight before antiretroviral therapy, high viral load. Variations in serum parameters like osteocalcin, c-telopeptide, levels of elements like Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, concentration of vitamin-D metabolites, lactate levels, bicarbonate concentrations, amount of alkaline phosphatase are demonstrated in the course of development of osteoporosis. OPG/RANKL/RANK system is final mediator of bone remodeling. Bone mineral density (BMD) test is of added value to assess the risk of osteoporosis in patients infected with AIDS. The biochemical markers also aid in this assessment. Clinical management mostly follows the lines of treatment of osteoporosis and osteopenia.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-08-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1074710/
/pubmed/15912194
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747112005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Comparative study of serum Na(+ )and K(+ ) levels in senile cataract patients and normal individuals
Mirsamadi, Mansour
Nourmohammadi, Issa
Imamian, Manuchehr
Int J Med Sci
Short Research Paper
Many factors such as aging, changes in blood electrolytes levels, and possibly family history are involved in senile cataract formation. Changes in serum electrolytes levels can induce changes in aqueous electrolytes levels and effect on lens metabolism and probably cataract formation. In this paper, we study serum level of Na(+ )and K(+) in senile cataract patients and normal individuals. Methods and materials: 155 senile cataract patients scheduled for cataract surgery in eye clinic of Rasoul hospital and 155 normal individuals were selected. Serum Na(+) and K(+) levels were measured by Flame Photometry technique and means compared between two groups by t-test. Results: 1. Mean serum Na(+) level in senile cataract patients and normal individuals was 144.96 ± 6.04 mEq/lit and 140.88 ± 2.27 mEq/lit respectively, and there was statistically significant difference (P<0.0001). 2. Mean serum K(+) level in senile cataract patients and normal individuals was 4.20 ± 0.34 mEq/lit and 4.15 ± 0.32 mEq/lit respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Serum Na(+ )level in senile cataract patients was higher than normal individuals in this study. This result might suggest that diets with high Na(+) content are a risk factor for age-related cataract formation, as high Na(+) content of the diet leads to high level of serum Na(+), which in turn contributes to formation of age-related cataract.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-08-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1074711/
/pubmed/15912195
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747122005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
A review of anatomical and mechanical factors affecting vertebral body integrity
Briggs, Andrew M
Greig, Alison M
Wark, John D
Fazzalari, Nicola L
Bennell, Kim L
Int J Med Sci
Review
Background: The aetiology of osteoporotic vertebral fracture is multifactorial and may be conceptualised using a systems framework. Previous studies have established several correlates of vertebral fracture including reduced vertebral cross-sectional area, weakness in back extensor muscles, reduced bone mineral density, increasing age, worsening kyphosis and recent vertebral fracture. Alterations in these physical characteristics may influence biomechanical loads and neuromuscular control of the trunk and contribute to changes in subregional bone mineral density of the vertebral bodies. Methods: This review discusses factors that have received less attention in the literature, which may contribute to the development of vertebral fracture. A literature review was conducted using electronic databases including Medline, Cinahl and ISI Web of Science to examine the potential contribution of trabecular architecture, subregional bone mineral density, vertebral geometry, muscle force, muscle strength, neuromuscular control and intervertebral disc integrity to the aetiology of osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Interpretation: A better understanding of factors such as biomechanical loading and neuromuscular control of the trunk may help to explain the high incidence of subsequent vertebral fracture after sustaining an initial vertebral fracture. Consideration of these issues may be important in the development of prevention and management strategies.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-10-12
/pmc/articles/PMC1074712/
/pubmed/15912196
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747132005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Elevated plasma homocysteine is positively associated with age independent of C677T mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene in selected Egyptian subjects
El-Sammak, Mohamed
Kandil, Mona
El-Hifni, Safaa
Hosni, Randa
Ragab, Mahmoud
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
This study aimed to evaluate the plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and folate levels as well as the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation in Egyptian subjects. Fasting total homocysteine (tHcy) and the (MTHFR) C677T mutation were evaluated in 50 healthy young control males (age 35-50 years, Gp1), 50 elderly males age ranged between 50-75 years without any cardiovascular diseases (Gp2) and 50 age matched elderly male patients (Gp3) with myocardial infarction. There was a significant elevation of plasma tHcy in the patients group and Gp2 compared to the young control group (Gp1). The total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) in the control group, Gp2 and the patients group were 17.99 ± 9.76, 39.9 ± 20.06 and 43.8 ± 13.13 μmol/L respectively. The frequency of the TT genotype was 12% in the patient group compared with 8 % in the young healthy controls and elderly subjects (Gp2). The CT genotype constituted 36%, 48% and 44% in the control group, Gp2 and the patients group respectively. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of the TT genotype between the studied groups. Plasma tHcy correlated positively with age, total cholesterol, urea, creatinine, glucose levels and carotid intimal thickness (CIT). Conclusion: The MTHFR mutation does not seem to be associated with either high tHcy or the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in the studied patients. However, elevated plasma tHcy level positively correlates with age in the studied subjects.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-10-12
/pmc/articles/PMC1074713/
/pubmed/15912197
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747142005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
An Accurate Confirmation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) and 2 (HIV-2) Infections with a Dot blot assay Using Recombinant p24, gp41, gp120 and gp36 Antigens
Ravanshad, Mehrdad
Sabahi, Farzaneh
Mahboudi, Fereidoun
Roostaee, Mohammad Hassan
Forooshani, Ramin Sarami
Kazemnejad, Anoshiravan
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
An immunoblot assay using four recombinant proteins corresponding to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2) gene products was developed to confirm the presence of antibodies to HIV-1 and 2 in sera reactive in screening ELISAs. Serum samples for testing were obtained from healthy seronegative blood donors and from different categories of HIV-infected individuals (asymptomatic HIV-infected, and AIDS). A positive reaction was defined as reactivity against gag (p24) and at least one other env (either gp41 or gp120) HIV gene products; negative result was defined as no reaction with any antigen; and indeterminate result was defined as reactivity with gag (p24) or with env (gp41 or gp120) alone. None of the 180 serum samples from healthy seronegative blood donors gave a positive result, and only 4 of these samples (2.2%) gave indeterminate results. The recombinant HIV Dot blotting assay identified seropositive individuals with a high degree of accuracy; none of the 125 HIV-seropositive subjects had a negative test result. Reactivity with these antigens, demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing seronegative from seropositive sera. All seronegative and seropositive samples were tested both with the commercially available ELISA and by Western blot. The recombinant in-house HIV Dot blot assay accurately identified more seropositive and seronegative samples and had fewer indeterminate results than did commercial Western blot (as interpreted by CDC criteria).
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-10-15
/pmc/articles/PMC1074714/
/pubmed/15912198
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747152005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Monte Carlo Commissioning of Low Energy Electron Radiotherapy Beams using NXEGS Software
Both, Joseph A.
Pawlicki, Todd
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
This work is a report on the commissioning of low energy electron beams of a medical linear accelerator for Monte Carlo dose calculation using NXEGS software (NXEGS version 1.0.10.0, NX Medical Software, LLC). A unique feature of NXEGS is automated commissioning, a process whereby a combination of analytic and Monte Carlo methods generates beam models from dosimetric data collected in a water phantom. This study uses NXEGS to commission 6, 9, and 12 MeV electron beams of a Varian Clinac 2100C using three applicators with standard inserts. Central axis depth-dose, primary axis and diagonal beam profiles, and output factors are the measurements necessary for commissioning of the code. We present a comparison of measured dose distributions with the distributions generated by NXEGS, using confidence limits on seven measures of error. We find that confidence limits are typically less than 3% or 3 mm, but increase with increasing source to surface distance (SSD) and depth at or beyond R(50). We also investigate the dependence of NXEGS' performance on the size and composition of data used to commission the program, finding a weak dependence on number of dose profiles in the data set, but finding also that commissioning data need be measured at only two SSDs.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-06-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1074715/
/pubmed/15912199
Text
en
© Ivyspring International Publisher. This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/) which permits the distribution or copying for non-commercial purposes, provided that the article is in whole, unmodified, and properly cited.
oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747162005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Gene Therapy: The Potential Applicability of Gene Transfer Technology to the Human Germline
Smith, Kevin R.
Int J Med Sci
Review/Analysis
The theoretical possibility of applying gene transfer methodologies to the human germline is explored. Transgenic methods for genetically manipulating embryos may in principle be applied to humans. In particular, microinjection of retroviral vector appears to hold the greatest promise, with transgenic primates already obtained from this approach. Sperm-mediated gene transfer offers potentially the easiest route to the human germline, however the requisite methodology is presently underdeveloped. Nuclear transfer (cloning) offers an alternative approach to germline genetic modification, however there are major health concerns associated with current nuclear transfer methods. It is concluded that human germline gene therapy remains for all practical purposes a future possibility that must await significant and important advances in gene transfer technology.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-06-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1074716/
/pubmed/15912200
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747172005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Clinical Profiles of Chronic Hepatitis C in a Major County Medical Center Outpatient Setting in United States
Hu, Ke-Qin
Yang, Huiying
Lin, Ying-Chao
Lindsay, Karen L
Redeker, Allan G
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
The estimated prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the US is 1.8 %. Data are limited on the clinical profile of the disease at first presentation and dynamic follow-up of ALT level, especially in publicly-funded patients. This information is critical for optimal management of these patients. The present study is aimed to assess the clinical profiles of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) at first presentation and clinical implication of dynamic follow-up of ALT level in a county medical center setting. A total of 294 patients were selected from the population consecutively evaluated in the Hepatitis Clinic at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center between Jan. 1990 and Dec. 1998. Ethnicity of the patients was Hispanics-49.0%, Caucasian-28.6%, African American-13.6%, and Asian-8.8%. Risk factors were identifiable in 84.0% of patients, and injection drug use (IDU) represented the leading risk factor for HCV acquisition (47.4%). History of alcoholism was present in 39.1%. The initial clinical diagnoses were chronic hepatitis 76.9%; compensated cirrhosis 20.4%; and decompensated cirrhosis 2.7%. Elevation of ALT, alpha fetoprotein (AFP), ferritin, and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titer were seen in 219/294 (74.5%), 60/194 (30.9%), 20/83 (24.1%), and 35/97 (36.1%) patients, respectively. Anti-HBc (total) test was positive in 65/129 (50.5%) patients. The presence of cirrhosis was significantly associated with age greater than 55 years at entry, female gender, non-African American ethnicity, history of transfusion, lower level of albumin and elevated level of AFP. Longitudinal observation of ALT changes in 178 patients who had neither evidence of cirrhosis at entry nor received interferon treatment showed persistently normal, intermittently or persistently elevated ALT level in 15.2%, 38.3%, and 46.6% patients, respectively. The frequency of developing clinical evidence of cirrhosis during follow-up was significantly higher in patients with persistently (16.0%) or intermittently (7.0%) elevated ALT than that in patients with persistently normal ALT (4.0%). In conclusion, the present study analyzed the clinical profiles of CHC, assessed risk factors for developing cirrhosis, and demonstrated the clinical value of dynamic follow-up of ALT level in a cohort of publicly-funded patients. These data have major implications in designing optimal strategies for disease management, antiviral therapy, and screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with CHC.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-06-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1074717/
/pubmed/15912201
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747182005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
Tyrosine kinase – Role and significance in Cancer
Paul, Manash K.
Mukhopadhyay, Anup K.
Int J Med Sci
Review
Tyrosine kinases are important mediators of the signaling cascade, determining key roles in diverse biological processes like growth, differentiation, metabolism and apoptosis in response to external and internal stimuli. Recent advances have implicated the role of tyrosine kinases in the pathophysiology of cancer. Though their activity is tightly regulated in normal cells, they may acquire transforming functions due to mutation(s), overexpression and autocrine paracrine stimulation, leading to malignancy. Constitutive oncogenic activation in cancer cells can be blocked by selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors and thus considered as a promising approach for innovative genome based therapeutics. The modes of oncogenic activation and the different approaches for tyrosine kinase inhibition, like small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, heat shock proteins, immunoconjugates, antisense and peptide drugs are reviewed in light of the important molecules. As angiogenesis is a major event in cancer growth and proliferation, tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a target for anti-angiogenesis can be aptly applied as a new mode of cancer therapy. The review concludes with a discussion on the application of modern techniques and knowledge of the kinome as means to gear up the tyrosine kinase drug discovery process.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-06-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1074718/
/pubmed/15912202
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:10747192005-05-18ijmedscipmc-open
A Randomized Study of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Is Chemotherapy Useful after Complete Remission?
Nicoletto, M. O.
Tumolo, S.
Falci, C.
Donach, M.
Visonà, E.
Rosabian, A.
Nascimben, O.
Cima, G.P.
Vinante, O.
Azzoni, P.
Fiorentino, M.V.
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Objective. The aim of this study is to verify whether consolidation chemotherapy with Cisplatin improves disease-free survival and/or overall survival in patients affected by epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods. A multicenter study examined 122 randomized patients in complete remission as judged by laparoscopy or laparotomy following first-line chemotherapy consisting of ACy (Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide), PCy (Cisplatin + Cyclophosphamide), or Mitoxantrone + Carboplatin. Sixty-one of these patients were treated with 3 cycles of 5-Fluorouracil (FU) 500 mg/m2 for 5 days followed by Cisplatin at 100 mg/m2 on the 6th or 7th day every 28 days; the other 61 received no further treatment (nihil group). Results. Sixty patients in the Cisplatin arm were evaluable. There were 36 relapses in the FU+Cisplatin arm and 30 in the nihil arm. Peritoneal relapses were 25% for Cisplatin treatment vs. 16.4 % for nihil. There were 29 deaths in the Cisplatin arm vs. 27 for nihil. Median overall survival time (95 months with Cisplatin vs. 96 months in the nihil group) and median disease-free survival (66 months with Cisplatin vs. 73 in the nihil group) were similar in both arms (p=0.66 and p=0.41, respectively). There were no significant differences in tumor stage and grade between the two arms. Seven patients presented a second neoplasm during follow-up: six in the nihil arm, but only one patient in the Cisplatin arm. Death in these patients was due to the second neoplasm and not to progression of ovarian cancer. Conclusion. Three courses of additional platinum+FU treatment after five cycles of first-line chemotherapy without FU produced no increase in overall survival or disease-free survival.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2004-06-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1074719/
/pubmed/15912203
Text
en
© Ivyspring International Publisher. This is an open access article. Distribution or copying is permitted, provided that the article is in whole, unmodified, and properly cited.
oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422172005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Advances in Hepatitis B Research: From Virology to Clinical Management (A Special Issue)
Lu, Xuanyong
Hu, Ke-Qin
Int J Med Sci
Editorial
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142217/
/pubmed/15968332
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422182005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Hepatitis B Virus e Antigen Variants
Tong, Shuping
Kim, Kyun-Hwan
Chante, Charles
Wands, Jack
Li, Jisu
Int J Med Sci
Review
More than 300 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Considering the very short generation time for a virus, and the high error rate associated with the reverse transcription step of HBV replication, decades of HBV infection are probably equivalent to million years of human evolution. The most important selective force during the natural course of HBV infection appears to be the immune response. The development of anti-HBe antibody in hepatitis B patients usually correlates with reduction of HBV viremia. As a consequence, escape mutants of anti-HBe are selected. The core promoter mutants express less HBe antigen (HBeAg) through transcriptional down regulation, while precore mutants express truncated products. We recently identified additional mutations that modulate HBeAg translation initiation, proteolytic cleavage, and secondary structure maintenance through a disulfide bond. The core promoter mutants have been associated with the development of fulminant hepatitis during acute infection and liver cancer during chronic infection. Consistent with their enhanced pathogenicity, core promoter mutants were found to replicate at up to 10-fold higher levels in transfected human hepatoma cells than the wild-type virus. Moreover, some core promoter mutants are impaired in virion secretion due to missense mutations in the envelope gene. These virological properties may help explain enhanced pathogenicity of core promoter mutants in vivo.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142218/
/pubmed/15968333
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422192005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Advances in Molecular Diagnosis of HBV Infection and Drug Resistance
Sablon, Erwin
Shapiro, Fred
Int J Med Sci
Review
Serological markers are key elements in diagnosing acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and determining its possible evolution towards chronicity. Once treatment of chronic HBV is initiated with approved anti-hepadnaviral agents, such as lamivudine, interferon-alpha, or adefovir dipivoxil, the measurement of HBV DNA in serum can not only help monitor treatment efficacy but also indicates breakthrough infection should drug resistance emerge. Advances in the molecular diagnosis of drug resistance using highly sensitive methodologies such as DNA hybridization assays can further pinpoint the type of mutation responsible and, more importantly, detect upcoming viral resistance at an early stage when the variant represents only a minor fraction of the total viral population. Such new tools are especially relevant for patients at high risk for disease progression or acute exacerbation. Recent diagnostic developments including HBV genotyping and precore/core promoter assays that could well play important future roles in HBV patient management are also reviewed.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142219/
/pubmed/15968334
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422202005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
A Practical Approach to Management of Chronic Hepatitis B
Hu, Ke-Qin
Int J Med Sci
Review
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is one of the important public health problems worldwide. Major advances have been made in the treatment of CHB during the past several years. This article systemically reviews advances in the application of HBV DNA quantitation and three approved drugs for HBV treatment, and presents an updated and practical clinical approach to managing CHB. Highly sensitive PCR-based quantitation of HBV DNA makes it possible to precisely determine pre-treatment HBV load and monitor HBV DNA response during treatment. HBV DNA level, HBeAg status, degree of hepatic histological activity and fibrosis, and serum transaminases are the most important parameters in determining indication, regimen, and duration of HBV treatment. Although interferon alfa-2b, lamivudine, and adefovir are all approved as initial HBV treatment, understanding the advantages and advantages of each agent is important in choosing the best treatment for each individual patient with CHB.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142220/
/pubmed/15968335
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422212005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Advances in immunomodulating therapy of HBV infection
Hui, Chee-Kin
Lau, George KK
Int J Med Sci
Review
Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have a higher risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferon-α, lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil are the three approved treatment for chronic HBV infection and offers the only means of preventing the development of these complications. However, the efficacy of these agents, in terms of loss of Hepatitis B e antigen with or without seroconversion to Hepatitis B e antibody, normalization of serum alanine transaminase levels, loss of serum HBV DNA, and improvement in liver histology can only be achieved in 20-30% of those treated. Long-term treatment with either lamivudine or adefovir dipivoxil can result in the development of drug resistant mutants leading to an increased length of treatment with additional nucleoside analogues. These limitations of the current antiviral therapies underline the need for alternative therapies. Specific and nonspecific immunotherapeutic strategies to restore effective virus-specific T cell responses in those with chronic HBV infection offers an interesting alternative approach. These immunotherapeutic therapies include the adoptive transfer of HBV immunity, pegylated interferon and therapeutic vaccine therapies.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142221/
/pubmed/15968336
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422222005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
High level expression of apoptosis inhibitor in hepatoma cell line expressing Hepatitis B virus
Lu, Xuanyong
Lee, Matthew
Tran, Trang
Block, Timothy
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
The serious result of hepatitis B (HBV) virus infection is development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the reason of development of HCC in HBV infected patients is still unclear. Recently, the suppression of cell apoptosis is found to relate with the development of cell carcinogenesis, therefore, the expression of apoptosis inhibitor in the virus related cancer line such as hepatoma cell line HepG2.215 was investigated. There are at least six Human apoptosis inhibitors (IAP) have been identified now. They are cIAP1, cIAP2, XIAP, NAPI, survivin and pIAP. Using gene-assay technology, we have recently compared the expression of IAPs in the HepG2.215 cells that persistently expresses Hepatitis B virus by integrated HBV genome with its parent cell line HepG2. The results suggest that there was obviously increase of cIAP2 and cIAP1 in the HepG2.215 cells versus HepG2 cells. Those observations imply a possibility of long time HBV infection could induce the over-expressing apoptosis inhibitors, furthermore, causing the liver cancer. The high expression of cIAP1 and cIAP2 in HBV expressing cells was confirmed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis. However, we did not find the change of NIAP and suvivin in HepG2.215 cells. In contrast, the expression of XIAP was down in the HepG2.215 cells comparing with HepG2 cells. How HBV triggers the over-expression of apoptosis inhibitor is unclear. Transient transfection of HepG2 cells with the plasmids expressing different HBV proteins such as S, M, L, X and core proteins did not give a decisive conclusion. Further study is going on now.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142222/
/pubmed/15968337
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422232005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Natural History and Clinical Consequences of Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Pan, Calvin Q.
Zhang, Jin X.
Int J Med Sci
Review
Despite the existence of Hepatitis B vaccination, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still prevalent worldwide and accounts for significant morbidity and mortality. It is encouraging that majority of patients do recover from the acute infection, however, those that progress to chronic disease state is at great risk of developing complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis and liver failure. Hepatitis B virus infection can be influenced by many factors such as host immune status, age at infection, and level of viral replication. The discovery about the existence of various genotypes and its association with different geographic distribution as well as the knowledge regarding mutant species has aid us in better understanding the nature of HBV infection and in delivering better care for patients. It is especially important to recognize those individuals with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV as they have a poorer prognosis compare with their counterparts, HBeAg-positive. Tremendous progress has been made over the years in understanding the behavior and clinical course of the disease; however, the natural history of HBV is complex and we still have much to explore and learn.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142223/
/pubmed/15968338
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422242005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Management of HBV Infection in Liver Transplantation Patients
Vierling, John M.
Int J Med Sci
Review
In the absence of preventative therapy, reinfection of allografts with hepatitis B virus (HBV) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) resulted in dismal allograft and patient survival. Major advances in the management of HBV-infected recipients of OLT during the past 15 years have steadily reduced the rate of reinfection, resulting in improved outcomes. Initially, long-term use of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) as a source of anti-HBs antibodies was effective in preventing or delaying reinfection. Lamivudine monotherapy made it possible to suppress HBV replication prior to OLT, markedly decreasing the risk of reinfection. Although lamivudine monotherapy used before and after OLT could prevent reinfection, its effectiveness was limited by progressive development of lamivudine-resistant mutant infections. Combination therapy with HBIG and lamivudine after OLT reduced both HBV recurrence and the risk of lamivudine resistance even in patients with active HBV replication. Introduction of adefovir provided a safe, alternative oral antiviral able to treat effectively lamivudine-resistant mutants HBV. Available strategies to prevent reinfection have resulted in OLT outcomes for HBV-infected patients comparable to those for patients transplanted for non-HBV indications. In the future, combination therapies of HBIG and both nucleoside and/or nucleotide agents will undoubtedly be optimized. Development of new drugs to treat HBV will increase opportunities to combine agents to enhance safety, efficacy and prevent emergence of HBV escape mutants. New vaccines and adjuvants may make it possible to generate anti-HBs in immunosuppressed patients, eliminating the need for HBIG.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142224/
/pubmed/15968339
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11422252005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Epidemiology and Prevention of Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Hou, Jinlin
Liu, Zhihua
Gu, Fan
Int J Med Sci
Review
Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases globally. It has been estimated that there are 350 million chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers worldwide. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection varies geographically, from high (>8%), intermediate (2-7%) to low (<2%) prevalence. HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB) and occult HBV infection are two special clinical entities, and the prevalence and clinical implications remain to be explored. The predominant routes of transmission vary according to the endemicity of the HBV infection. In areas with high HBV endemicity, perinatal transmission is the main route of transmission, whereas in areas with low HBV endemicity, sexual contact amongst high-risk adults is the predominant route. HBV has been classified into 7 genotypes, i.e. A to G, based on the divergence of entire genome sequence and HBV genotypes have distinct geographical distributions. Three main strategies have been approved to be effective in preventing HBV infection. They are behavior modification, passive immunoprophylaxis, and active immunization. The implement of mass HBV immunization program is recommended by the WHO since 1991, and has dramatically decreased the prevalence of HBV infection and HCC in many countries.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-01-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1142225/
/pubmed/15968340
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11451352005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
A folate-rich diet is as effective as folic acid from supplements in decreasing plasma homocysteine concentrations
Pintó, Xavier
Vilaseca, M. Antonia
Balcells, Susana
Artuch, Rafael
Corbella, Emili
Meco, José F.
Vila, Ramon
Pujol, Ramon
Grinberg, Daniel
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Background & Aims: At least 500 μg of folic acid are required daily to treat hyperhomocysteinemia. To reach this amount by dietary changes alone may be difficult because food has a low folic acid content and bioavailability. No studies have compared the effects of similar amounts of additional folate derived from a combination of folate-rich and fortified foods or folic acid from supplements on plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations, which was the aim of this study. Methods: Twenty male patients with hyperhomocysteinemia and coronary artery disease were included in a randomized, crossover intervention trial. Patients were treated daily with a combination of foods containing approximately 500 μg of folate or with one 500 μg capsule of synthetic folic acid over two five-week periods separated by a five-week wash-out period. Results: Plasma folate increased markedly (p<0.001) and plasma tHcy decreased (p<0.001) with both therapies. Folate-rich foods decreased tHcy by 8.6% (95% CI: –15.9 to –1.2) and synthetic folic acid capsules by 8% (95% CI: –13.3 to –2.7). Conclusions: This study shows, for the first time in the literature, that a folate-rich diet is as effective as folic acid capsules in decreasing plasma tHcy concentrations and adds further support to the recommendation of those diets to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-04-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1145135/
/pubmed/15968341
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11451362005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Cell Cycle Arrest by a Natural Product via G2/M Checkpoint
Luk, Sharon Chui-Wah
Siu, Stephanie Wing-Fai
Lai, Chun-Kit
Wu, Ying-Jye
Pang, Shiu-Fun
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
CKBM is a natural product that exhibits a novel anti-tumor activity through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We have investigated its effects on cell cycle regulation using a gastric cancer cell line, AGS. The effects of CKBM on cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis were analyzed using BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) cell proliferation assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Specific cellular protein expressions were measured using Western blot analysis. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that CKBM induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, whereas differential protein expressions of p21, p53 and 14-3-3σ (stratifin) using Western blot analysis were enhanced. The differential expressions of p21, p53 and 14-3-3σ in AGS cancer cells after CKBM treatment may play critical roles in the G2/M cell cycle arrest that blocks cell proliferation and induces apoptosis.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-04-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1145136/
/pubmed/15968342
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11451372005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Study of urban community survey in India: growing trend of high prevalence of hypertension in a developing country
Das, Shyamal Kumar
Sanyal, Kalyan
Basu, Arindam
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
The prevalence pattern of hypertension in developing countries is different from that in the developed countries. In India, a very large, populous and typical developing country, community surveys have documented that between three and six decades, prevalence of hypertension has increased by about 30 times among urban dwellers and by about 10 times among the rural inhabitants. Various factors might have contributed to this rising trend and among others, consequences of urbanization such as change in life style pattern, diet and stress, increased population and shrinking employment have been implicated. In this paper, we study the prevalence of hypertension in an urban community of India using the JNC VII criteria, with the aim of identifying the risk factors and suggesting intervention strategies. A total of 1609 respondents out of 1662 individuals participated in our cross-sectional survey of validated and structured questionnaire followed by blood pressure measurement. Results showed pre-hypertensive levels of blood pressures among 35.8% of the participants in systolic group (120-139mm of Hg) and 47.7% in diastolic group (80-89 mm of Hg). Systolic hypertension (140 mm of Hg) was present in 40.9% and diastolic hypertension (90 mm of Hg) in 29.3% of the participants. Age and sex-specific prevalence of hypertension showed progressive rise of systolic and diastolic hypertension in women when compared to men. Men showed progressive rise in systolic hypertension beyond fifth decade of life. Bivariate analysis showed significant relationship of hypertension with age, sedentary occupation, body mass index (BMI), diet, ischemic heart disease, and smoking. Multivariate analysis revealed age and BMI as risk factors, and non-vegetarian diet as protective factor with respect to hypertension. Prevalence of prehypertensives was high among younger subjects - particularly students and laborers who need special attention. Role of non-vegetarian diet as a protective factor might have been related to fish-eating behavior of the sample population, who also use mustard oil as cooking medium - both of which have significant level of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. The observed prevalence of hypertension in this study and other studies suggest the need for a comprehensive national policy to control hypertension in India, and, in other similar developing countries.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-04-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1145137/
/pubmed/15968343
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11451382005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
Comparison of Classical and Clozapine Treatment on Schizophrenia Using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale of Schizophrenia (PANSS) and SPECT Imaging
Sharafi, Mohammad
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Many neuroimaging studies of schizophrenia have shown abnormalities in the frontal cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, temporal and parietal lobes. These findings are not specific or consistent enough to build up a coherent theory of the origin of the brain abnormality in schizophrenia. This paper describes a state-of-the-art approach of SPECT to correlate neuropsychological evaluation. PANSS scores and different brain focal abnormalities of two groups of patients receiving Clozapine and classical antipsychotic treatments were observed. A total of 20 drug-free patients, actively psychotic schizophrenic, were selected according to the DSM-IV criteria. Pre-Post-treatment was designed using PANSS and 99mTc- ECD-SPECT to assess regional Cerebral Blood Flow (rCBF). The results showed that after treatment, differences in PANSS scores were significant in both groups, with superior scores resulting from the Clozapine therapy. Results were supported by SPECT, which showed a greater improvement in the Clozapine group. Both positive and negative symptoms were improved with Clozapine as well. Before treatment, hypofrontality was the most common (85%) finding, whereas after treatment hypofrontality was mostly cleared. However, in some areas like temporal and caudate, hyperfrontality was induced. Negative symptoms showed linkage to hypofrontality in both groups before and after treatment, and both positive and negative symptoms were improved more with Clozapine therapy than with classical treatment.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-05-10
/pmc/articles/PMC1145138/
/pubmed/15968344
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11451392005-06-17ijmedscipmc-open
An Avian Connection as a Catalyst to the 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic
Hollenbeck, James E.
Int J Med Sci
Short Research Communication
The 1918 Influenza pandemic was one of the most virulent strains of influenza in history. This strain quickly dispatched previously held theories on influenza. World War One introduced new environmental stresses and speed of dissemination logistics never experienced by humans. In light of new phylogenic evidence the cause of this influenza outbreak is now being considered to have linkage to the avian influenza. Animals act as reservoirs for this influenza virus and research indicates the influenza virus often originates in the intestines of aquatic wildfowl. The virus is shed into the environment, which in turns infects domestic poultry, which in turn infects mammalian hosts. These animals, usually pigs, act as a transformer or converters; creating a strain that can more readily infect humans. Therefore swine can be infected with both avian and human influenza A viruses and serve as a source for infection for a number of species as the incidents of direct infection from birds to humans have been rare. Increased human habitation near poultry and swine raising facilities pose greater influenza outbreak risk. It was this combination of environmental factors that may have contributed to the greatest pandemic of recent times, and, moreover, similar conditions exist throughout Southeast Asia today.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-05-15
/pmc/articles/PMC1145139/
/pubmed/15968345
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11688722005-07-07ijmedscipmc-open
Birth Defects Are Preventable
Czeizel, Andrew E.
Int J Med Sci
Editorial
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-07-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1168872/
/pubmed/16007259
Text
en
© Ivyspring International Publisher. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons License which permits distribution and reproduction for noncommerical purposes, provided that the article is in whole, unmodified, and properly cited.
oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11688732005-07-07ijmedscipmc-open
Primary prevention of Down's syndrome
Cuckle, Howard S
Int J Med Sci
Review
Background: Antenatal screening has the capacity to detect more than 90% of Down's syndrome pregnancies leading to therapeutic abortion. Successes in recent years with such so-called 'secondary' prevention have not been matched with progress in primary prevention. Despite considerable research over many decades the principle cause of the disorder is unknown. Methods: This paper considers three potential primary prevention strategies, (1) avoiding reproduction at advanced maternal age, (2) pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for couples who are at high risk of Down's syndrome, and (3) folic acid supplementation. The principle aetiological hypotheses are also reviewed. Interpretation: A strategy of completing the family before a maternal age of 30 could more than halve the birth prevalence of this disorder. Women with a high a priori risk should have access to pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, which can lead to a reasonably high pregnancy rate with an extremely low risk of a Down's syndrome. The evidence suggesting an aetiological role for defective folate and methyl metabolism is not sufficient to justify an active preventative strategy of folic acid supplementation without performing a large clinical trial. Current supplementation policies designed to prevent neural tube defects may incidentally prevent Down's syndrome, provided a sufficiently high dose of folic acid is used. Further progress in primary prevention is hampered by limited aetiological knowledge and there is an urgent need to refocus research in that direction.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-07-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1168873/
/pubmed/16007260
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11688742005-07-07ijmedscipmc-open
Risk and Benefit of Drug Use During Pregnancy
Bánhidy, Ferenc
Lowry, R.Brian
Czeizel, Andrew E.
Int J Med Sci
Review
Environmental teratogenic factors (e.g. alcohol) are preventable. We focus our analysis on human teratogenic drugs which are not used frequently during pregnancy. The previous human teratogenic studies had serious methodological problems, e.g. the first trimester concept is outdated because environmental teratogens cannot induce congenital abnormalities in the first month of gestation. In addition, teratogens usually cause specific congenital abnormalities or syndromes. Finally, the importance of chemical structures, administrative routes and reasons for treatment at the evaluation of medicinal products was not considered. On the other hand, in the so-called case-control epidemiological studies in general recall bias was not limited. These biases explain that the teratogenic risk of drugs is exaggerated, while the benefit of medicine use during pregnancy is underestimated. Thus, a better balance is needed between the risk and benefit of drug treatments during pregnancy. Of course, we have to do our best to reduce the risk of teratogenic drugs as much as possible, however, it is worth stressing the preventive effect of drugs for maternal diseases (e.g. diabetes mellitus and hyperthermia) related congenital abnormalities.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-07-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1168874/
/pubmed/16007261
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11688752005-07-07ijmedscipmc-open
Potassium Deposition During And After Hypokinesia In Potassium Supplemented And Unsupplemented Rats
Zorbas, Yan G.
Kakuris, Kostas K.
Charapakhin, Kyrill P.
Afoninos, Andreas B.
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
The aim of this study was to determine that hypokinesia (restricted motor activity) could increase potassium (K(+)) losses with decreased tissue K(+ )content showing decreased K(+) deposition. To this end, measurements were made of K(+)absorption, tissue K(+) content, plasma K(+) levels, fecal and urinary K(+ )excretion during and after hypokinesia (HK) with and without K(+) supplementation. Studies conducted on male Wistar rats during a pre-hypokinetic period, a hypokinetic period and a post-hypokinetic period. Rats were equally divided into four groups: unsupplemented vivarium control rats (UVCR), unsupplemented hypokinetic rats (UHKR), supplemented vivarium control rats (SVCR) and supplemented hypokinetic rats (SHKR). SHKR and UHKR were kept in small individual cages which restricted their movements in all directions without hindering food and water consumption. SVCR and UVCR were housed in individual cages under vivarium control conditions. SVCR and SHKR consume daily 3.96 mEq potassium chloride (KCl) per day. Absorption of K(+), and K(+) levels in bone, muscle, plasma, urine and feces and PA levels did not change in SVCR and UVCR compared with their pre-HK levels. During HK, plasma, fecal and urinary K(+) levels and plasma aldosterone (PA) levels increased significantly (p<0.05) with time, while K(+) absorption, muscle and bone K(+) content decreased significantly (p<0.05) with time in SHKR and UHKR compared with their pre-HK values and the values in their respective vivarium controls (SVCR and UVCR). During the initial 9-days of post-HK, K(+) absorption increased significantly (p<0.05) and plasma K(+ )levels, fecal and urinary K(+) losses and PA levels decreased significantly (p<0.05) and muscle and bone K(+) content remained significantly (p<0.05) depressed in SHKR and UHKR compared with their pre-HK and their respective vivarium control values. During HK and post-HK periods, K(+) absorption, bone and muscle K(+) content, and K(+) levels in plasma, urine and feces and PA levels were affected significantly (p<0.05) more in SHKR than in UHKR. By the 15th day of post-HK the values in SHKR and UHKR approach the control values. The higher K(+) losses during HK with decreased tissue K(+) levels shows decreased K(+) deposition. The higher K(+ )loss with lower tissue K(+ )levels in SHKR than in UHKR shows that K(+) deposition decreases more with K(+) supplementation than without. Because SHKR had shown lower tissue K(+) content and lost higher K(+) amounts than UHKR it was concluded that the risk of decreased K(+) deposition and tissue K(+) depletion is inversely related to K(+) intake, i.e., the higher K(+) intake, the greater the risk for decreased K(+) deposition, and the higher K(+) losses and the greater the risk for tissue K(+) depletion. The dissociation between tissue K(+) depletion and K(+) excretion indicates decreased K(+) deposition as the principal mechanism of tissue K(+) depletion during prolonged HK.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-07-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1168875/
/pubmed/16007262
Text
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11688762005-07-07ijmedscipmc-open
Identification of Cellular Membrane Proteins Interacting with Hepatitis B Surface Antigen using Yeast Split-Ubiquitin System
Toh, Qi Chun
Tan, Tuan Lin
Teo, Wei Qiang
Ho, Chin Yee
Parida, Subhajeet
Chen, Wei Ning
Int J Med Sci
Short Research Communication
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the major component of the envelope of hepatitis B virus (HBV). As a resident membrane protein in the endoplasmic reticulum, it plays a key role in the viral morphogenesis. Little is known about cellular proteins that interact with HBsAg and thereby contributing to HBV morphogenesis. Using the yeast split-ubiquitin system, a number of cellular membrane proteins have been isolated in this study. These include a resident protein of endoplasmic reticulum (thioredoxin-related transmembrane protein 2), an adaptor protein involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis and HIV-mediated downregulation of CD4, and a co-receptor of coxsakie B virus. The significance of our findings is suggested by the identification of cellular membrane proteins interacting with other virus proteins. Further functional analysis of these HBsAg- interacting cellular membrane proteins should shed new insights on their role in HBV morphogenesis.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-07-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1168876/
/pubmed/16007263
Text
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:11688772005-07-07ijmedscipmc-open
Application of Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) for Differentiation between Normal and Cancerous Breast Tissue
Changizi, Vahid
Oghabian, Mohammad A.
Speller, Robert
Sarkar, Saeed
Kheradmand, Ali Arab
Int J Med Sci
Short Research Communication
Introduction: Small angle, between 3(°) and 10(°), X ray scattering is predominantly coherent giving rise to diffraction effects that can be observed as constructive and destructive interferences. These interferences carry information about the molecular structure of the tissue and hence can be used to identify changes that occur due to cancer. Method: In this study an energy dispersive X-ray diffraction method was used. The optimum scattering angle, determined from a series of measurements on adipose breast tissue at several angles from 4 to 7.3 degrees, was found to be 6.5(°). Once optimized the system was used to measure the diffraction profiles (corrected scattered intensity versus momentum transfer) of a total of 99 breast tissue samples. The samples were both normal and tumour samples. Results: Adipose tissue showed a sharp, high intensity peak at low momentum transfer values of approximately 1.1nm-1. Adipose tissue, mixed tissue (adipose & fibroglandular) and tumor have peaks at different values of momentum transfer that can be used to identify the tissue. Benign and malignant breast tissues can also be differentiated by both peak positions and peak heights. It was also observed that the results were reproducible even after the tissue had been preserved at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Conclusion: We were able to differentiate between normal, benign and malignant breast tissues by using energy dispersive small angle x-ray scattering.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-07-05
/pmc/articles/PMC1168877/
/pubmed/16007264
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:12527232005-10-20ijmedscipmc-open
Differential gene expression in HIV/SIV-associated and spontaneous lymphomas
Nenasheva, V.V
Nikolaev, A.I
Martynenko, AV
Kaplanskaya, I.B
Bodemer, W
Hunsmann, G
Tarantul, V.Z
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is more prevalent and more often fatal in HIV-infected patients and SIV-infected monkeys compared to immune-competent individuals. Molecular, biological, and immunological data indicate that virus-associated lymphomagenesis is similar in both infected hosts. To find genes specifically overexpressed in HIV/SIV-associated and non-HIV/SIV-associated DLBCL we compared gene expression profiles of HIV/SIV-related and non-HIV-related lymphomas using subtractive hybridization and Northern blot analysis. Our experimental approach allowed us to detect two genes (a-myb and pub) upregulated solely in HIV/SIV-associated DLBCLs potentially involved in virus-specific lymphomagenesis in human and monkey. Downregulation of the pub gene was observed in all non-HIV-associated lymphomas investigated. In addition, we have found genes upregulated in both non-HIV- and HIV-associated lymphomas. Among those were genes both with known (set, ND4, SMG-1) and unknown functions. In summary, we have demonstrated that simultaneous transcriptional upregulation of at least two genes (a-myb and pub) was specific for AIDS-associated lymphomas.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-10-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1252723/
/pubmed/16239949
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:12527242005-10-20ijmedscipmc-open
A comparative analysis of antibody repertoire against Staphylococcus aureus antigens in Patients with Deep-Seated versus Superficial staphylococcal Infections
Kumar, Ashok
Ray, Pallab
Kanwar, Mamta
Sharma, Meera
Varma, Subhash
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Immunoblot and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to evaluate and compare IgG antibodies against S. aureus whole cell lysate, cell wall peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid to discriminate between deep-seated and superficial S. aureus infection. Serum samples were examined from patients with deep-seated (n = 25) and superficial (n = 25) S. aureus infections and 15 healthy controls. Patients with deep-seated infections exhibited a large number of immuno-reactive bands in their IgG immunoblot profile as compared to those with superficial infections and healthy controls. Anti-staphylococcal IgG antibodies that reacted with two antigens of apparent molecular weight 110 and 98 kDa were specifically present in 96% (24/25) of patients with deep-seated infections, and were absent in, superficial and control sera. Moreover other Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria did not share these two unique antigens. The ELISA assays revealed significantly elevated levels of IgG antibodies to peptidoglycan (PG) in 18 of 25 (72%) patients with deep infection and 15 of 25 (60%) patients with superficial staphylococcal infection. The elevated levels of IgG antibodies to teichoic acid (TA) antigen were detected in all (100%) deep-seated group patients and among 40% (10/25) patients with superficial infection. An increase in levels of antibodies to PG showed a positive correlation trend with levels of IgG antibodies to TA only in deep infection group. Thus immunoblot detection of these two unique antigens as well as detection of elevated antibodies against PG and TA may be useful for the discrimination of staphylococcal deep-seated and superficial infection in humans.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-10-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1252724/
/pubmed/16239950
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:12527252005-10-20ijmedscipmc-open
Evaluation of maternal infusion therapy during pregnancy for fetal development
Petik, Dóra
Puhó, Erzsébet
Czeizel, Andrew E.
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
The aim of this project was to study the possible association between maternal infusion treatments during pregnancy and variables of fetal development as well as the occurrence of congenital abnormalities (CA) in a case-control design. The large population-based data set of the Hungarian Case‑Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities (HCCSCA) was evaluated based on the medically recorded infusion treatment during pregnancy. Of 22,843 case pregnant women who had newborns or fetuses with congenital abnormalities, 112 (0.5%), while of 38,151 control pregnant women who had newborn infants without any defects, 262 (0.7%), had infusion treatment during pregnancy. Infusion treatment was more frequent in the control group than in the case group with congenital abnormalities (adjusted POR with 945 95% CI: 0.7, 0.6-0.9) and there was no higher rate of maternal infusion treatments in any congenital abnormality group. Mean gestational age was shorter and mean birth weight was smaller in control newborn infants without CA born to mothers with infusion treatment during pregnancy than in the babies of mothers without infusion treatment. The prevalence of mild intrauterine growth retardation was more frequent in the fetuses of pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum treated with infusion. The results of the study suggest that infusion treatment of pregnant women did not associate with a higher risk of congenital abnormalities. In addition, the intravenous infusion of drugs has some, but limited efficacy to prevent the adverse effects of hyperemesis gravidarum and threatened preterm delivery.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-10-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1252725/
/pubmed/16239951
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:12527262005-10-20ijmedscipmc-open
Enhanced surveillance for childhood hepatitis B virus infection in Canada, 1999-2003
Wu, H. X.
Andonov, A.
Giulivi, A.
Goedhuis, N. J.
Baptiste, B.
Furseth, J.
Poliquin, D.
Chan, J. IP
Bolesnikov, G.
Moffat, B.
Paton, S.
Wu, J.
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Since hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can have serious sequelae, especially if infection occurs during childhood, there is a continuing need to examine its epidemiology so as to inform control measures. We analyzed trends in disease incidence and patterns of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission in both Canadian-born and non-Canadian-born children from 1999 to 2003, through the Enhanced Hepatitis Strain Surveillance System. Amongst Canadian-born children, the incidence of newly identified HBV infection per 100,000 declined significantly during the study period from 1.4 in 1999, to 0.5 in 2003 (RR, 0.75 per year; 95% CI, 0.60-0.95). Amongst non-Canadian-born children, the incidence of HBV infection per 100,000 ranged from 9.4 to 16.3, during the study period (linear trend test, p=0.69). Poisson regression analysis revealed that non-Canadian-born children were more likely to have HBV infection (RR, 12.3; 95% CI, 7.6 to 19.8), than Canadian-born children. HBV infection was found to be more common among children emigrating from high endemic area, than among Canadian-born children. Current Canadian immunization policy should take into consideration the protection of all children against HBV infection, including those coming from countries where mass hepatitis B vaccination programs have still not been launched.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-10-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1252726/
/pubmed/16239952
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:12527272005-10-20ijmedscipmc-open
Characterization of N200 and P300: Selected Studies of the Event-Related Potential
Patel, Salil H.
Azzam, Pierre N.
Int J Med Sci
Review
The Event-Related Potential (ERP) is a time-locked measure of electrical activity of the cerebral surface representing a distinct phase of cortical processing. Two components of the ERP which bear special importance to stimulus evaluation, selective attention, and conscious discrimination in humans are the P300 positivity and N200 negativity, appearing 300 ms and 200 ms post-stimulus, respectively. With the rapid proliferation of high-density EEG methods, and interdisciplinary interest in its application as a prognostic, diagnostic, and investigative tool, an understanding of the underpinnings of P300 and N200 physiology may support its application to both the basic neuroscience and clinical medical settings. The authors present a synthesis of current understanding of these two deflections in both normal and pathological states.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2005-10-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1252727/
/pubmed/16239953
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:13321972006-01-18ijmedscipmc-open
Polysaccharides from the root of Angelica sinensis protect bone marrow and gastrointestinal tissues against the cytotoxicity of cyclophosphamide in mice
Hui, Marco K. C.
Wu, William K. K.
Shin, Vivian Y.
So, Wallace H. L.
Cho, Chi Hin
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Cyclophosphamide (CY) is a cytostatic agent that produces systemic toxicity especially on cells with high proliferative capacity, while polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis (AP) have been shown to increase the turnover of gastrointestinal mucosal and hemopoietic stem cells. It is not known whether AP has an effect on CY-induced cytotoxicity on bone marrow and gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we assessed the protective actions of AP on CY-induced leukopenia and proliferative arrest in the gastroduodenal mucosa in mice. Subcutaneous injection of CY (200 mg/kg) provoked dramatic decrease in white blood cell (WBC) count and number of blood vessels and proliferating cells in both the gastric and duodenal mucosae. Subcutaneous injection of AP significantly promoted the recovery from leukopenia and increased number of blood vessels and proliferating cells in both the gastric and duodenal tissues. Western blotting revealed that CY significantly down-regulated the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), c-Myc and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in gastric mucosae but had no effect on epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression. AP also reversed the dampening effect of CY on VEGF expression in the gastric mucosa. These data suggest that AP is a cytoprotective agent which can protect against the cytotoxicity of CY on hematopoietic and gastrointestinal tissues when the polysaccharide is co-administered with CY in cancer patients during treatment regimen.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2006-01-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1332197/
/pubmed/16421623
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:13321982006-01-18ijmedscipmc-open
Effect of antibodies on the expression of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein gene
Jesuíno, B S
Casimiro, C
do Rosário, V E
Silveira, H
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Antibodies are known to play an important role in the control of malaria infection. However, they can modulate parasite development enhancing infection. The effect of anti-Plasmodium antibodies on the expression of circumsporozoite protein gene (csp) was investigated. Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 in vitro cultures were submitted to: i) anti- circumsporozoite protein monoclonal antibody (anti-CSP-mAb) [1μg/ml, 0.1μg/ml, 0.01μg/ml and 0.001μg/ml] and ii) purified IgG Fab fragment from a pool of malaria patients [1mg/ml and 1μg/ml]; and compared to control cultures. After 24h the number of ring infected erythrocytes was determined in order to calculate invasion efficacy. At 48h culture supernatant was collected, and the amount of circumsporozoite protein determined by ELISA, parasitaemia was calculated and cells were processed for RNA preparation. Expression of csp gene was quantified using Real time RT-PCR. There was an increase in parasite growth when treated with lower anti-CSP-mAb concentration, which was associated with lower csp expression, while 1μg/ml anti-CSP-mAb treatment presented a growth inhibitory effect accompanied by high csp expression.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2006-01-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1332198/
/pubmed/16421624
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:13321992006-01-18ijmedscipmc-open
Postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements after thyroid surgery: Comparison of three intraoperative opioid regimens
Motamed, C.
Merle, J.C.
Yakhou, L.
Combes, X.
Vodinh, J.
Kouyoumoudjian, C.
Duvaldestin, P.
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
Purpose: This study was designed to compare the effect on postoperative pain, opioid consumption and the length of stay in postoperative care unit (PACU) after three different intraoperative analgesic regimens in thyroid surgery. Methods: Seventy five patients were enrolled into the study and assigned to one of three groups, fentanyl, sufentanil or remifentanil (n=25 for each group). Before the end of surgery, paracetamol 1 gr and nefopam 20 mg was also administered in all patients. Pain scores, opioid demand and the length of stay in PACU were assessed in a blind manner. Results: Post operative pain scores were significantly lower in the fentanyl and sufentanil groups compared to remifentanil group (55 ± 15, and 60 ± 10 versus 78± 12, P < 0.05). Patients in the remifentanil group stayed longer in the PACU 108± 37 min versus 78±31 and 73 ± 25 min, (P< 0.05). Conclusion: After remifentanil based analgesia, anticipation of postoperative pain with opioid analgesic appears mandatory even for surgery rated as being moderately painful, otherwise longer opioid titration due to higher pain scores might delay discharge time.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2006-01-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1332199/
/pubmed/16421625
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:13322002006-01-18ijmedscipmc-open
Correlations of HBV Genotypes, Mutations Affecting HBeAg Expression and HBeAg/ anti-HBe Status in HBV Carriers
Lim, Chee Kent
Tan, Joanne Tsui Ming
Khoo, Jason Boo Siang
Ravichandran, Aarthi
Low, Hsin Mei
Chan, Yin Chyi
Ton, So Har
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
This study was carried out to determine the effects of hepatitis B virus genotypes, core promoter mutations (A(1762)G(1764)→T(1762)A(1764)) as well as precore stop codon mutations (TGG→TAG) on HBeAg expression and HBeAg/ anti-HBe status. Study was also performed on the effects of codon 15 variants (C(1858)/ T(1858)) on the predisposition of precore stop codon mutations (TGG→TAG). A total of 77 sera samples were analyzed. Fifty one samples were successfully genotyped of which the predominant genotype was genotype B (29/ 51, 56.9 %), followed by genotype C (16/ 51, 31.4 %). Co-infections by genotypes B and C were observed in four samples (7.8 %). To a lesser degree, genotypes D and E (2.0 % each) were also observed. For core promoter mutations, the prevalence was 68.8 % (53/ 77) for A(1762)G(1764) wild-type and 14.3 % (11/ 77) for T(1762)A(1764 )mutant while 9.1 % (7/ 77) was co-infected by both strains. The prevalence of codon 15 variants was found to be 42.9 % (33/ 77) for T(1858 )variant and 16.9 % (13/ 77) for C(1858) variant. No TAG mutation was found. In our study, no associations were found between genotypes (B and C) and core promoter mutations as well as codon 15 variants. Also no correlation was observed between HBeAg/ anti-HBe status with genotypes (B and C) and core promoter mutations.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2006-01-01
/pmc/articles/PMC1332200/
/pubmed/16421626
Text
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:14158372006-03-29ijmedscipmc-open
Maternal use of Loratadine during pregnancy and risk of hypospadias in offspring
Pedersen, Lars
Skriver, Mette Vinther
Nørgaard, Mette
Sørensen, Henrik Toft
Int J Med Sci
Research Paper
To examine the risk of hypospadias after exposure to loratadine and other antihistamines during pregnancy, we conducted a population-based case-control study in four Danish counties, which account for 30% of the Danish population (~1.6 M). We obtained data on maternal use of antihistamines from prescription databases, and data on birth outcomes from the Danish Medical Birth Registry (MBR) and the Hospital Discharge Registry (HDR). A total of 65,383 male births with a full prescription history of the mother in the study period from 1989-2002 were available for analysis. Within this cohort, we identified cases with a diagnosis of hypospadias, and 10 selected controls per case without such a diagnosis (matched on birth month, gender and year of birth). We identified 227 cases of hypospadias recorded in the HDR within six months postpartum and 2270 controls. One case (0.4%) and eight (0.4%) controls were exposed to loratadine in the first trimester and up to 30 days before the time of conception. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for hypospadias among users of loratadine relative to non-users was 1.4 (95% CI: 0.2-11.2) and the corresponding OR for other antihistamines was 1.9 (95% CI: 0.7-5.7). In this study, maternal exposure to loratadine did not appear to be associated with an increased risk of hypospadias when compared with other antihistamines, although it should be noted that the statistical precision of the risk estimates might be limited.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2006-01-31
/pmc/articles/PMC1415837/
/pubmed/16575420
Text
en
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oai:pubmedcentral.nih.gov:14158382006-03-29ijmedscipmc-open
Hb J- Meerut [α 120 (H3) Ala ->Glu (α1)] In A Turkish Male
Dinçol, Gunçag
Güvenç, Serkan
Elam, Dedrey
Kutlar, Abdullah
Kutlar, Ferdane
Int J Med Sci
Case Report
Hb J Meerut is an infrequently found α-globin variant. It has previously been reported in various populations around the world. One particular case reported in 1994 included a Turkish family. In this report, details of a second case of Hb J Meerut in a Turkish male who is unrelated to the first family are described. In the present case a slight increase in the oxygen affinity of Hb J Meerut, relative to that of the normal control, has been observed as detected by low p50 values in arterial whole blood. Additionally, a slight increase in red blood cell count, as compared against a normal individual, was observed.
Ivyspring International Publisher
2006-02-02
/pmc/articles/PMC1415838/
/pubmed/16575421
Text
en
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oai%3Apubmedcentral.nih.gov%3A1415839!!!oai_dc!ijmedsci