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PubMed1998

Evaluation of the detection of human papillomavirus genotypes in cervical specimens by hybrid capture as screening for precancerous lesions in HIV-positive women.

Given the frequency and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and associated cytological alterations in HIV-1-positive women, the incidence of uterine cervix neoplasm is likely to increase along with patient survival. More appropriate screening programs, which, in addition to Pap smears (PS), also include tests to detect and type HPV, are needed for the early identification of precancerous cervical lesions. This prospective study involved 168 HIV-positive (group A) and 100 HIV-negative women (group B). Cervicovaginal samples were collected for a PS and HPV DNA search. The detected virus was typed as high-intermediate oncogenic risk HPV (HR-HPV) and low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) using hybrid capture (HC) (Murex-Digene) and in-house PCR tests. The HC-detected prevalence of HPV was 111/168 (66%:HR 75.6%) in group A and 15/100 (15%:HR 42.9%) in group B (P < 0.0001). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive in 91% and 48%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between drug addicts and heterosexual HIV-1-positive women (P = 0.09). HPV was detected in 94% of the 57 HIV-positive women with cytological alterations. HR-HPV was found in 41/49 women with low-grade and 7/8 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL, respectively). In women with a negative PS, HPV was detected in 57/111 cases (HR 63%) of group A and in 13/98 of group B (6 cases of HR). Of the 54 group A women who underwent biopsy, histology revealed that 41 had LSIL (18 with negative PS, 19 with LSIL, and 4 with HSIL; HR-HPV in 73% and LR-HPV in 17%), nine had HSIL (5 LSIL and 4 HSIL on cytology; HR-HPV in 89% and LR-HPV in 11%), and four were negative (all cytology negative; 3 HR-HPV and 1 LR-HPV). HR-HPV was more frequent as immunodepression worsened. These results show that cytological evaluation alone underestimated histological alterations in 23/50 women (42.6%), whereas the combination of Pap smear and HPV detection reduced this underestimate to 5%.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Does surface chemistry affect thrombogenicity of surface modified polymers?

With some exceptions, surface chemistry had little effect on platelet and leukocyte activation, and cell deposition, by scanning electron microscopy after blood exposure and clotting times among a group of 12 unmodified and plasma modified tubings. All materials activated platelets and leukocytes to detectable levels, although some materials increased the value of one activation parameter but not another. Unmodified materials [polyethylene (PE), Pellethane (PEU), latex, nylon, and Silastic] and modified materials (H(2)O plasma treated PE and PEU, CF(4) plasma treated PE, fluorinated PEU, NH(4) plasma treated PEU, polyethylene imine treated PEU, and heparin treated PEU) were characterised by XPS and contact angle. The objective of this project was to define a series of assays for the evaluation of hemocompatibility of cardiovascular devices with a view to clarify the specific requirements of ISO-10993-4, and to define an appropriate screening program for new blood contacting biomaterials. PE, PE--CF(4), PE--H(2)0, PEU--F, latex, and PEU-heparin were the exceptions to the general observations, although each behaved differently. PE proved to be least reactive, whereas PE-CF(4) was most reactive by several assays. Platelet microparticle formation (determined by flow cytometry), PTT, postblood exposure SEM, total SC5b-9, C3a, and platelet and leukocyte loss (cell counts) were able to distinguish differences among these materials, and often, but not always, showed expected correlations.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2005

Prognostic factors for survival in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma undergoing nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors for predicting survival in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who had undergone an allogeneic stem cell transplantation after failure on immunotherapy. METHODS: The authors studied 70 patients with advanced RCC who underwent allogeneic transplantation with a fludarabine-based, reduced-intensity regimen. Ten parameters were analyzed at the time of transplantation for their power to predict survival. Clinical features were examined first univariately; then, variables that were correlated significantly with survival in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS: Factors that were found to be associated significantly with limited survival were performance status, the number of metastatic sites, the presence of mediastinal metastasis, hemoglobin level, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and neutrophil counts. All these variables were included in a multivariate Cox regression model, and three were retained in the final model. Patients were classified according to the score estimated by the final Cox model in two groups (above or below the median value): The median survival was 3.5 months for patients who had a poor prognosis patients versus 23 months for patients who had a good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggested that three easily available parameters (performance status, CRP level, and LDH level) could be used to stratify patients with advanced RCC who are candidates for allografting and to assist clinicians in decision-making and selection of an appropriate treatment program.

C-Reactive Protein↗
PubMed2003

Rapid detection of beta-globin gene (HBB) mutations coupling heteroduplex and primer-extension analysis by DHPLC.

Beta-thalassemia is a common inherited disease, resulting from one or more of a total of more than 200 different mutations in the beta-globin gene (HBB). Efficient and reliable mutation-screening methods are essential in order to establish appropriate prevention programs for at-risk populations based upon a molecular diagnosis. We have developed a rapid and highly-specific mutation screening test for the diagnosis of beta-thalassemia by coupling heteroduplex and primer-extension analysis based on the denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) system. A total of 161 healthy heterozygous Taiwanese carriers featuring 10 different HBB mutations and 30 patients exhibiting 12 different compound heterozygous or homozygous HBB mutations were subjected to DHPLC. The elution profile for the heteroduplex analysis of DHPLC could be successfully used to identify the common disease-causing mutations of HBB. To further confirm the sequence variants, we developed a technique combining multiplex primer-extension analysis coupled with DHPLC for the genotyping of eight common disease-causing mutations in the HBB gene. Overall, by coupling heteroduplex and primer-extension analysis based upon DHPLC, we were able to unambiguously identify the most-common beta-thalassemia mutations corresponding to more than 99% of HBB alleles among the Taiwanese population. In conclusion, compared to classic approaches to mutation screening for this malady, we suggest that DHPLC is an excellent technique to be applied to the genetic screening of prenatal and postnatal individuals as a part of a diagnosis program for beta-thalassemia and provides a more-efficient, economic, and sensitive means to undertake such a screening program.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Switching of chemoattractant receptors programs development and morphogenesis in Dictyostelium: receptor subtypes activate common responses at different agonist concentrations.

One of the common functional features among G-protein coupled receptors is the occurrence of multiple subtypes involved in similar signal transduction events. The cAMP chemoattractant receptor family of Dictyostelium discoideum is composed of four receptors (cAR1-cAR4), which are expressed sequentially throughout the developmental transition from a unicellular to a multicellular organism. The receptors differ in affinity for cAMP and in the sequences of their C-terminal domains. In this study, we constitutively expressed cAR1, cAR2, and cAR3 as well as a series of chimeric and mutant receptors and assessed the capacity of each to mediate chemotaxis, activation of adenylyl cyclase and actin polymerization, and rescue the developmental defect of car1-/car3- cells. We found that various receptors and mutants sense different concentration ranges of cAMP but all can mediate identical responses during the aggregation stage of development. The responses displayed very similar kinetics, suggesting no major differences in regulatory properties attributable to the C-terminal domains. We speculate that switching of receptor subtypes during development enables the organism to respond to the changing concentrations of the chemoattractant and thereby program morphogenesis appropriately.

Actins↗
PubMed1994

Comparisons of the smoking cessation counseling activities of six types of health professionals.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess and compare the smoking cessation counseling activities of primary care physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, family planning counselors, WIC counselors, and community mental health counselors in four counties in the northeastern United States for planning appropriate education programs. METHODS: Lists of the health professionals in each of these groups in the four study counties were obtained from state licensing boards, clinic directors, and telephone directories. Surveys were conducted by mail, using a 19-item instrument which could be completed in 2-4 min. RESULTS: Comparisons among these professional groups showed that physicians, family planning counselors, and WIC counselors felt better prepared to provide cessation advice than did mental health counselors, dentists, and dental hygienists. Physicians, family planning counselors, and WIC counselors also were more active in providing smoking cessation advice to women smokers than were the other three groups. Levels of use of specific counseling activities were generally low. Setting a quit date, arranging for follow-up visits, and referral for further assistance were used for only a minority of women smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Opportunities for educational interventions that could increase these health professionals' effectiveness were apparent for each of the groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disordered eating and unhealthy weight reduction practices among adolescent females.

BACKGROUND: Dissatisfaction with body weight and the use of unhealthy weight reduction practices have been reported among adolescent females. There is a need for methodologically rigorous studies using large representative samples of adolescent females to accurately assess the prevalence of these behaviors and attitudes. METHODS: Eight hundred sixty-nine Australian school girls ages 14-16 years were administered a self-report questionnaire to determine the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors, unhealthy dieting practices, and distorted body image. Anthropometric (height and weight) data were collected on each of these adolescent females. RESULTS: The prevalences of disordered eating, unhealthy dieting, and distorted body image were 33, 57, and 12%, respectively. Over one-third (36%) of the total sample had used at least one "extreme" dieting method in the past month, i.e., "crash" dieting, fasting, slimming tablets, diuretics, laxatives, and/or cigarettes to lose weight. Of the total sample, 77% wanted to lose weight and 51% had tried to lose weight in the past month. Motivating factors for disordered eating and unhealthy dieting behaviors were peer pressure, media pressure, and the perception that extreme dieting strategies were harmless. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of disordered eating and dieting behaviors among adolescent females shown by this study suggests the need for preventive programs encouraging appropriate eating and dieting behaviors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Growth factors regulating neural crest cell fate decisions.

Because of its unique ability to generate a wide variety of both neural and nonneural derivatives, the neural crest is an ideal model system to study the factors regulating cell lineage decisions in stem and progenitor cells. The use of various cell culture techniques and in vivo functional assays, including cell type-specific gene manipulation in mouse, helped to identify signaling factors involved in this process. Moreover, it became apparent that the biological functions of growth factors acting on neural crest cells depend on the context provided by the extracellular microenvironment. Thus, signaling molecules have to be viewed as parts of complex networks that change with time and location. Neural crest cells have to integrate these signals to ensure the generation of appropriate numbers of differentiating progeny. It will be important to determine how such signaling networks are established and how they elicit multiple signaling responses in neural crest cells to activate appropriate genetic programs.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The effects of unilateral brain damage on visually guided reaching: hemispheric differences in the nature of the deficit.

Groups of patients suffering from unilateral damage to the left or right cerebral hemisphere were compared to a group of age-matched normal controls in a visually guided pointing task. Subjects were required to reach quickly and accurately to small visual targets as soon as they appeared on the screen in front of them. All reaches, which were quite unrestricted, were videotaped by rotary-shutter cameras and analyzed by a computer-assisted system which allowed analysis of the kinematic parameters of the movement in three-dimensional space. The groups were compared on the basis of their latency to initiate a reaching movement, the accuracy with which they achieved the target's position, and various measures derived from the instantaneous velocity of the movement. Both patient groups were found to be less accurate than controls and to require more time after the target was illuminated to complete the reach. But while the right-hemisphere group took longer to initiate a reach, the kinematic parameters of the movements they produced did not differ from those of the control group. In contrast, the left-hemisphere group did not differ from the control group in the time required to initiate a reaching movement but did require a greater period of time to execute the reach once it had been initiated. It is suggested that the right hemisphere group were deficient in the speed with which they could determine the spatial position of the target, while the left hemisphere group were deficient in their ability to select an appropriate motor program to achieve the target position and/or to monitor the movement and update the motor program as it was being executed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Ecological interventions and the process of change for prevention: wedding theory and research to implementation in real world settings.

Considers a preventive intervention effort designed to modify the characteristics and regularities of the school environment so as to enhance the expectations conveyed to high risk students. Employing this case effort (Weinstein et al., 1991) as a base, several issues are highlighted that deserve greater attention in the design, implementation, assessment, and reporting of other preventively-focused social interventions. These issues include: (1) the degree of program implementation fidelity, (2) the impact a lack of attainment of program fidelity may have on arriving at erroneous evaluation conclusions about social programs, (3) the ways in which the theory and basic research employed in the program rationale is appropriate to and reflected in the program as designed, (4) issues of program potency and dosage, (5) the ways in which quantitative and qualitative evaluation data can enhance each other, and (6) the import of evaluability assessments of programs prior to moving to outcome evaluations. In addressing these issues, the importance of developmentally- and ecologically-informed program formulations is underscored. Finally, the critical role that program reports such as the Weinstein paper, with its careful discussion of both the process of implementation and outcome assessments, can play in the development of more effective prevention program implementation efforts is highlighted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Equivalent EEG sources determined by FFT approximation in healthy subjects, schizophrenic and depressive patients.

In recent years, as a result of increasing calculation power of computers and with the aid of appropriate computer programs it has been made possible to calculate equivalent dipoles as intracranial representations of cerebral electrical activity. The present study investigated the localization of intracerebral equivalent dipoles in healthy controls and psychiatric patients. The equivalent dipole sources were calculated for conventional frequency bands of the background EEG. This was performed using the FFT approximation by Lehmann and Michel. Results showed more anterior equivalent sources for alpha and beta activity in all patients compared to controls. The beta activity was also generated in deeper brain structures in controls compared to patients. These results indicate that frequency bands may be generated in different brain structures in patients suffering from psychiatric diseases as compared to healthy controls and that the calculation of equivalent dipole sources may be a way to perform a sensible and substantial data reduction.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Computerized reconstruction of an anatomical structure based on digitized sections. Preliminary study.

The authors propose a technique of spatial reconstruction of serial sections using the modern methods of computer graphics. The technical problems encountered and the duration of the classical Born method render the proposed technique difficult to apply as a routine procedure. The results of this work show that computer assisted image reconstruction could be used in daily routine work only when appropriate software programs and sufficient memory capacity become available to allow rapid image restitution. With the technique described in this paper, the reconstruction and display of a single image require 7 to 8 h of computer time.

Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The mechanical properties of exposed human common carotid arteries in vivo.

In exposed common carotid arteries of 15 patients (36-74 years) undergoing neck surgery, the intra-arterial pressure (P) was recorded by means of a catheter-tip manometer and, at the same site, the external diameter (D) by means of a contact-free photoelectric device. On the average, the pulsatile diameter changes were 5.6% of the end-diastolic diameter at pulse pressures of about 50 mm Hg. Due to viscoelasticity, the P-D diagrams exhibited hysteresis loops. Using the criterion of loop elimination, an iterative procedure was applied which permitted, by the use of an appropriate computer program, the separation of the purely elastic and the purely viscous components of the P-D relationships. In all cases, the purely elastic P-D curves markedly deviated from linearity. The tangential elastic modulus (Et) and the pulse wave velocity (c) calculated from these curves were normalized by dividing these quantities by the respective end-diastolic values and plotted against the normalized external diameters. During each pulse cycle, Et increased, with increasing diameter, by a factor between 1.2 and 3.5, while c increased by a factor between 1.1 and 1.9 with reference to the respective end-diastolic values.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Ganglionic distribution of inputs and outputs of C-PR, a neuron involved in the generation of a food-induced arousal state in Aplysia.

Cerebral neuron C-PR is thought to play an important role in the appetitive phase of feeding behavior of Aplysia. Here, we describe the organization of input and output pathways of C-PR. Intracellular dye fills of C-PR revealed extensive arborization of processes within the cerebral and the pedal ganglia. Numerous varicosities of varying sizes may provide points of synaptic inputs and outputs. Blocking polysynaptic transmission in the cerebral ganglion eliminated the sensory inputs to C-PR from stimuli applied to the rhinophores or tentacles, indicating that this input is probably mediated by cerebral interneurons. Identified cerebral mechanoafferent sensory neurons polysynaptically excite C-PR. Stimulation of the eyes and rhinophores with light depresses C-PR spike activity, and this effect also appears to be mediated by cerebral interneurons. C-PR has bilateral synaptic actions on numerous pedal ganglion neurons, and also has effects on cerebral neurons, including the MCC, Bn cells, CBIs and the contralateral C-PR. Although the somata of these cerebral neurons are physically close to C-PR, experiments using high divalent cation-containing solutions and cutting of various connectives indicated that the effects of C-PR on other cerebral ganglion neurons (specifically Bn cells and the MCC) are mediated by interneurons that project back to the cerebral ganglion via the pedal and pleural connectives. The indirect pathways of C-PR to other cerebral neurons may help to ensure that consummatory motor programs are not activated until the appropriate appetitive motor programs, mediated by the pedal ganglia, have begun to be expressed.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2000

Natural history of early colorectal cancer: evolution of a growth curve.

PURPOSE: There are very few studies on the development of early colorectal cancers, although we have previously reported growth speeds of early colorectal cancer in a radiographic retrospective study. The aim of this study was to estimate a statistical curve for cancer growth from mucosal cancer. METHODS: Subjects of the study were 31 patients with cancer in which initial lesions were diagnosed as mucosal cancer. These lesions were overlooked in the first or second investigations, but were detected later. Initial radiographic features were as follows; 4 pedunculated lesions, 1 semipedunculated lesion, 6 sessile lesions, 9 superficially elevated lesions, and 11 superficially depressed lesions. The diameters of the initial lesions were 12.1+/-6.1 mm. The final depths of invasion were 6 mucosal cancers, 12 submucosal cancers, 6 muscularis propria cancers, and 7 serosal cancers. The observation period between the initial and final examination was 41.5+/-25.8 months. The growth curve was estimated by an exponential curve with the natural logarithm of d = e (a + b x t), where a is the intercept (initial tumor size) and b is the regression coefficient (growth speed). RESULTS: A growth curve was obtained as follows: diameter = 12.5 x 2(t/77) (r = 0.448, P < 0.0001) and 95 percent confidence interval of time = 53 to 173 months. Subsequently, volume = 1 x 10(3) x 2(t/26), and the 95 percent confidence interval of time = 18 to 58 months. CONCLUSION: Growth speed of early colorectal cancer was estimated through a statistically significant growth curve. Estimated doubling time of the volume of early colorectal cancer was 26 (95 percent confidence interval, 18-58) months. From these results we could obtain a rational cancer surveillance program using appropriate procedures with different sensitivities.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents.

Over the last decade, there has been an alarming increase of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in youths, concomitant with the rise of obesity in this age group. T2DM is a progressive disease with a gradual increase in insulin resistance associated later with a decline in insulin secretion with fasting hyperglycemia. Prevalence of T2DM in children is mostly linked to some risk factors: obesity and sedentary lifestyle, puberty, membership of ethnic minorities, features of insulin resistance, family history of T2DM, female gender and perinatal factors. Prevention is essential and can be considered a public health approach directed to the general population. Treatment of T2DM in youth is complex and based on different strategies: diet, exercise and pharmacotherapy. An appropriated intervention program must be started early, in order to prevent or retard the progression of the disease and associated comorbidities.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗
PubMed2006

[Power training for patients with arterial hypertension].

Nowadays, not only endurance training but also power training is recommended for patients with hypertension. In appropriately doses programs (no forced respiration), a number of studies have documented a blood pressure lowering effect. In the elderly hypertensive in particular, positive effects of power training that go beyond the simple lowering of elevated blood pressure may be expected.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Expressed emotion and the course of schizophrenia in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The influence of expressed emotion (EE) on the course of the schizophrenia has been studied in different countries. Cultural influence on the level of EE has shown the importance of examination of EE in different cultures. The present study examined the distribution of components of EE and influence of EE on the course of schizophrenia in Iran. METHODS: Two psychiatric centers from two dissimilar cities, Tehran and Hamedan, were chosen. Seventy-eight patients who suffered from schizophrenia based on the diagnostic criteria of DSM-III-R were selected. Interviews with 97 key family members were conducted using the Camberwell Family Interview. Psychiatrists who were blind to the EE status of the family household evaluated patients' symptoms based on a cohort study design during the 9-months follow-up. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the patients were living in a high EE household. The relapse rate in the high EE group was higher, but did not reach statistical significance. However, male patients as well as chronic patients were significantly more likely to relapse in the high EE group (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that high EE is a risk factor on the course of schizophrenia in Iran. The distribution of the components of EE showed differences compared to other cross-cultural studies. The results of this study can be used in planning appropriate psychoeducational programs for families of patients in Iran and culturally similar populations.

Adolescent↗