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PubMed1977

Effects of clear-cutting on the composition of bacterial populations of northern spruce forest soil.

This paper concerns the microbiological part of an investigation, the goal of which is to describe the biological changes in coniferous forest soil upon clear-cutting in a northern (66 degrees 20'N) moraine area where reforestation after clear-cutting had been met with difficulty. The zoological part of the work has been published elsewhere. Clear-cut sites of increasing age (4, 7, and 13 years) were investigated and compared with a forest area where no cutting of timber had been done for 120 years. A total of 684 random isolates of heterotrophic bacteria from pooled samples of the sites investigated were passed through 36 biochemical tests. The data were condensed by the aid of factor analysis, and a comparison of the populations was based on squared Euclidean distances between population centroids in a seven-dimensional factor space. The most marked population changes followed a course in which frequencies of some population characteristics became increasingly different until 7 years after clear-cutting, with regression towards the control clearly evident after 13 years. Disturbances of shorter duration were also relatively common, with maximal changes observed in the 4-year samples, and with a complete recovery after 7 years. The mineral soil populations seemed to undergo greater changes than the humus populations. The most distinct changes believed to be due to clear-cutting were the short-term relative increase of organisms producing acid from sucrose and dissolving CaHPO4, and a long-term increase of lipolytic and caseolytic, rhamnose-negative organisms; both in the mineral soil layer. In the humus layer, a short-term increase of lipolytic and of rhamnose-positive organisms seemed to take place.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1979

A controlled study of short-term prednisone treatment in adults with membranous nephropathy.

Seventy-two adults with the nephrotic syndrome without renal insufficiency had a membranous type of renal histology on biopsy. These patients were randomly allocated to at least eight weeks of alternate-day treatment with prednisone or placebo in a multicenter study. Deterioration of glomerular filtration rate was significantly more rapid in placebo-treated than in prednisone-treated patients, and ultimately 10 of 38 given placebo but only one of 34 given prednisone were in renal failure (creatinine more than 5 mg per deciliter [440 mumol per liter]) or dead (P less than 0.02). In male patients and in those with nonselective initial proteinuria, there was a trend (not reaching statistical significance) toward more rapid deterioration of renal function. Age, admission blood pressure, serum creatinine, daily total protein excretion, and severity of histologic changes did not predict the subsequent course. We conclude that a short course of alternate-day prednisone therapy was beneficial in our group of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

[Streptozotocin diabetes in the rat with special reference to glucose utilization by the musculature].

The glucose utilization by different skeletal muscle tissues of short-term streptozotocin treated Wistar rats was studied both in vivo and in vitro. The findings permit the following statements: The reduced metabolic conversion of glucose is mainly the result of the diminished transport of glucose into the muscle cells. The utilization of the glucose taken up by the muscle cells for synthesis of glycogen is unchanged in the diabetic animals and can be stimulated by insulin correspondingly as in normal rats. The conversion of the glucose metabolized by the cells to lactate and the time course of the specific activity of glycogen and lactate lead to the conclusion that glycogenolysis in the muscles of streptozotocin diabetic rats during the incubation is enhanced.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Estrogen-induced efflux of endogenous catecholamines from the hypothalamus in vitro.

Short-term organ cultures of the intact hypothalamus were used to study the effects of various estrogenic compounds on catecholamine release. Estradiol-17 beta (0.1--20 microM) produced a concentration-dependent efflux of norepinephrine and dopamine while its biologically inactive enantiomer, estradiol-17 alpha, was ineffective at concentrations up to 20 microM. Diethylstilbestrol, a potent non-steroidal estrogen, was as effective as estradiol-17 beta in inducing catecholamine efflux. In contrast, weakly or non-estrogenic steroids such as estrone, estriol, and corticosterone were without effect. The time course of the estrogen-induced efflux of hypothalamic catecholamines was similar to that previously reported for the estrogen-induced accumulation of hypothalamic cAMP, providing further evidence for the involvement of catecholamines in this effect. Theses results suggest that estrogen may facilitate the release of catecholamines within the hypothalamus.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

The combined effect of growth hormone and methandrostenolone on the linear growth of patients with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies.

Six patients with multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD) were initially treated with separate courses of methandrostenolone and growth hormone and later with the two drugs combined. During the basal period the mean growth velocity was 2.8 cm/year. Methandrostenolone alone, 0.02-0.05 mg/kg/day given to four of the patients led to an acceleration of the growth velocity to a mean of 5.0 cm/year, while growth hormone 6 mg/week alone accelerated the growth rate to a mean of 6.0 cm/year. Combined therapy led to a striking increase in the mean growth rate to 9.3 cm/year. The shortcoming of the combined growth hormone-androgen therapy was the fast acceleration in skeletal maturation even after short-term administration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Long-term cimetidine in duodenal ulcer disease.

Forty patients with chronic duodenal ulcer who had healed endoscopically with a 6-week course of cimetidine were randomized double blind to 1 year of either placebo or cimetidine tablets 400 mg bid (20 patients in each group). Patients were seen at monthly intervals, and endoscopy was performed at clinical relapse or on completion of 1 year. One of 20 patients on active cimetidine relapsed clinically and endoscopically at 3 months; 16 of 20 patients on placebo relapsed clinically and endoscopically within 9 months, the majority within 3 months, and 2 were shown to have asymptomatic chronic ulcers at routine 12-month endoscopy. None of the 19 patients on active cimetidine routinely endoscoped at 12 months showed evidence of ulceration. This study confirms a high relapse rate when short-term cimetidine is ceased and indicates that maintenance treatment with cimetidine prevents relapse.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1978

Human malignant lymphomas in vitro. Characterization of biopsy cells and establishment of permanent cell lines.

A series of 55 biopsies from different types of malignant lymphomas were characterized in short-term culture experiments and during prolonged growth in vitro. The majority of the lymphocytic lymphomas and half of the histiocytic lymphomas expressed surface immunoglobulin, either in monoclonal or polyclonal form, indicating B-lymphocyte derivation. No lysozyme production was noted in either type of lymphoma, giving further support to the notion that histiocytic lymphomas are not truly histiocytic. Production of beta2-microglobulin was higher in histiocytic than in lymphocytic lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease but did not significantly differ from the production observed in non-neoplastic lymph node disorders. Incorporation of 3H-thymidine varied greatly within each category of lymphoma; the highest mean labelling index was noted in histiocytic lymphoma, possibly reflecting the generally more malignant course in such cases. Epstein-Barr virus-associated nuclear antigen was observed in one case of Hodgkin's disease. Attempts to establish permanent tumor cell lines were successful only from two explants of lymphocytic lymphoma and one pleural effusion from histiocytic lymphoma. The two cell lines derived from lymphocytic lymphomas both exhibited B-lymphocyte characteristics. The histiocytic lymphoma line lacked lymphocyte markers, produced lysozyme and was found to be rich in cytoplasmic esterases. These features are consistent with a "true" histiocytic derivation of this line. Lymphoblastoid cell lines representing non-neoplastic EBV-carrying lymphocytes contaminating the biopsies were derived from 19 biopsies, with the highest frequency noted in cultures of biopsies from Hodgkin's disease. The tumor lines were all EBV-genome negative.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed2026

Space to grieve and grow: A systematic review of psychosocial interventions for people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesized evidence from intervention studies published over the past 25 years that aimed to improve coping and psychosocial well-being among individuals early in the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course. The goal was to evaluate intervention characteristics, theoretical foundations, and psychosocial outcomes, and to identify gaps for future research. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (2000-2025). Eligible studies included quantitative or mixed-methods interventions that addressed coping or psychosocial well-being among adults newly diagnosed with MS. Data extraction and quality assessment were completed independently by multiple reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. RESULTS: Seven studies (n = 345) met inclusion criteria, representing cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, acceptance-based, and nurse- or peer-delivered interventions. The interval between diagnosis and intervention enrollment ranged from 14 days to >4 years, suggesting different phases of adjustment. All interventions produced significant short-term improvements in at least one psychosocial domain (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress, coping, or illness acceptance). However, sustained effects beyond 6-12 months were inconsistent. Common mechanisms across interventions included enhancing self-efficacy, stress management, and adaptive coping. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that brief psychosocial interventions for adults in the early years after MS diagnosis are feasible and may provide short-term benefits for selected psychosocial outcomes. However, the evidence base remains limited, heterogeneous, and preliminary. Future studies should more clearly define diagnosis timing, use adequately powered designs and longer follow-up, and examine mechanisms of change.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

Forward masking of auditory nerve fiber responses.

1. Responses of single fibers were obtained from the auditory nerve of chinchillas. Tone-burst stimuli consisted of a masking stimulus followed by a probe stimulus. Forward masking of a fiber's response is defined as a reduction in the magnitude of the probe-evoked response caused by the addition of the masking stimulus. 2. The recovery of probe response magnitude as a function of the time interval between masker offset and probe onset (delta T) follows an exponential time course. A relationship between the time course or magnitude of poststimulus recovery and the characteristic frequency (CF) of a fiber was not detected. 3. The iso-forward masking contour near the threshold of the masking effect across masker frequencies approximates a fiber's frequency threshold curve (FTC). In other words, forward masking tuning curves are essentially the same as frequency threshold curves. 4. The frequency dependence of forward masking is compared to that of two-tone suppression. Tonal stimuli outside the boundaries of a fiber's FTC that produce two-tone suppression are ineffective forward maskers. Certain frequency/intensity combinations within the FTC may produce both suppression and forward masking and tones within the remaining area of the FTC produce no suppression but are effective forward maskers. 5. Both the time course and the magnitude of the forward masking effect are dependent on the discharge rate evoked by the masker regardless of the masker's absolute level or spectral content. An increase in masker-evoked excitation causes an increase in time constant and a greater reduction in probe response magnitude, rd. The function relating rd to masker level parallels the firing rate/masker level function up to 40 dB above response threshold. 6. A decrease in masker duration from 100 ms leads to a decrease in both rd and the time constant of recovery. There is no significant difference between the 100 and 200 ms duration conditions. 7. Forward masking in single fibers is related to the period of poststimulus recovery of spontaneous activity, a component of a fiber's response pattern to the masker, and this component is tentatively identified as a period of recovery from short-term adaptation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1979

Influence of an intertrial interval on sequential effects related to preparatory period duration for reaction time-task.

In reaction time tasks, where the moment of occurrence of the response signal is uncertain, the temporal constraints of preparatory processes imply that subjects distribute their preparation during the preparatory period. The notion of cost of preparation has been proposed to explain the time course of these processes. This experiment was run to determine the effect of the cost of preparation on a serial-RT task and on a RT task where a rest interval of various possible durations (3, 6, or 9 sec.) is introduced. 12 subjects were tested. Data show that the amount spent on preparation during a trial affects the subject's performance during the next trials. But an hypothesis about memory search must also be advanced to explain the effect of the rest interval on the relationship of RT and the current preparatory period.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

A psychometric evaluation of the acute tremulous state.

The acute alcohol withdrawal state (tremulous state), with mainly vegetative symptoms and without evident loss of conciousness or confusion, was evaluated as to functional psychopathological disturbances aiming to present a complete and objective record of the clinical findings and to establish a control of the course and drug treatment. We tried to meet the inherent inability to cooperate by using proven and also new test devices (flicker fusion, simple reaction time on light and tone, reaction on multiple serial stimuli, visual motor coordination, tachistoscopic perception and memory test, test of concentration and sustained performance with simple arithmetical calculation by analogy with the Pauli test) to circumvent the difficulties arising when patients have to answer long questionnaires. The tests enabled a measurement of the disturbances as objective as possible and proved to have a discriminating sensitivity for different functions. The correlations between the results were found to be similar for alcoholics and controls. tthe degree of the established functional cerebral and cerebellar defects which was revealed was more severe than expected in this mild stage of withdrawal.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Comparative studies of intracellular transport of secretory proteins.

The physiology of protein intracellular transport and secretion by cell types thought to be free from short-term control has been compared with that of the pancreatic acinar cell, using pulse-chase protocols to follow biosynthetically-labeled secretory products. Data previously obtained (Tartakoff, A.M., and P. Vassalli. J. Exp. Med. 146:1332-1345) has shown that plasma-cell immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion is inhibited by respiratory inhibitors, by partial Na/K equilibration effected by the carboxylic ionophore monensin, and by calcium withdrawal effected by the carboxylic ionophore A 23187 in the presence of ethylene glycol bis (beta-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and absence of calcium. We report here that both inhibition of respiration and treatment with monensin slow secretion by fibroblasts, and also macrophages and slow intracellular transport (though not discharge per se) by the exocrine pancreatic cells. Attempted calcium withdrawal is inhibitory for fibroblasts but not for macrophages. The elimination of extracellular calcium or addition of 50 mM KCl has no major effect on secretory rate of either fibroblasts or macrophages. Electron microscopic examination of all cell types shows that monensin causes a rapid and impressive dilation of Golgi elements. Combined cell fractionation and autoradiographic studies of the pancreas show that the effect of monensin is exerted at the point of the exit of secretory protein from the Golgi apparatus. Other steps in intracellular transport proceed at normal rates. These observations suggest a common effect of the cytoplasmic Na/K balance at the Golgi level and lead to a model of intracellular transport in which secretory product obligatorily passes through Golgi elements (cisternae?) that are sensitive to monensin. Thus, intracellular transport follows a similar course in both regulated and nonregulated secretory cells up to the level of distal Golgi elements.

Calcimycin↗
PubMed2026

Distinct contributions of schizophrenia and neurotransmitter pathway genetic liability to neurocognition and antipsychotic efficacy in drug-naïve first-episode schizophrenia.

The genetic mechanisms underlying heterogeneity in symptom presentation and antipsychotic response in schizophrenia remain unclear, limiting the development of personalized treatment. We integrated genome-wide schizophrenia polygenic risk scores (SZ-PRS) and pathway-specific PRSs (pPRSs) for four major neurotransmitter systems to examine their associations with clinical phenotypes across the course of illness. Primary analyses were conducted in 394 drug-naïve, first-episode patients from the Chinese First-Episode Schizophrenia Trial (CNFEST) to investigate associations with baseline symptom severity, neurocognitive impairment, and longitudinal treatment response. The CNFEST cohort included 52-week longitudinal assessments of symptoms and neurocognition using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and a modified version of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery. An independent case-control cohort evaluated associations with schizophrenia diagnosis, while a cohort of 514 healthy adults assessed whether PRS-cognition associations are specific to schizophrenia. Higher SZ-PRS predicted schizophrenia diagnosis (OR = 2.28, Pfdr = 0.003) and poorer baseline executive function (β = -0.44, Pfdr = 0.006) and working memory (β = -0.49, Pfdr = 0.018), but these associations were absent in healthy adults. In contrast, pPRSs showed weaker associations with diagnosis and baseline cognition but were more informative for treatment outcomes: higher serotonin-pPRS predicted greater improvement in depressive symptoms (Pfdr = 0.023-0.032), and higher GABA-pPRS predicted greater improvement in overall symptoms (Pfdr = 0.038-0.043) during weeks 4-24. Exploratory drug-specific analyses further suggested that treatment response varied across antipsychotics and was differentially associated with pPRSs. These findings demonstrate that genome-wide and pathway-specific PRSs contribute distinctly to schizophrenia phenotypes, supporting their integration for personalized stratification and treatment.

Humans↗
PubMed1977

Cholinergic mechanisms and short-term potentiation.

Acutely prepared rabbits were used to study, electrophysiologically, tetanic and post-tetanic potentiation of the pathway from the medial septal region to hippocampal field CA1. It was found that tetanic potentiation, evoked by short stimulus trains, was maximal at 6--8 Hz. Responses recovered from post-tetanic potentiation in 5--35 seconds. Acetylcholine, physostigmine, and cyclic GMP each had an excitatory effect on pyramidal cell responses when applied in stratum radiatum. The time course studies showed that these effects outlasted the duration of the injection current by many minutes. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., isobutyl methyl xanthine) prolonged the time course of recovery with test responses which were post-tetanically potentiated. K+, on the other hand, selectively enhanced tetanic potentiation. It is suggested, with respect to the potentiation phenomena, that K+ acted primarily presynaptically to facilitate transmitter release, whereas cyclic GMP acted primarily postsynaptically for the enhancement of pyramidal cell excitability.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1979

Long-term course of chloroquine retinopathy after cessation of medication.

Seven patients with chloroquine retinopathy were examined ten years after their therapy with chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, or both, had been discontinued and an additional five patients with chloroquine retinopathy were similarly examined from two to eight years after their therapy had been discontinued. Visual acuity, visual fields, and ophthalmoscopic examinations were compared to those performed at the time therapy was discontinued. These long-term observations confirmed the previously published observations based on short-term studies that chloroquine retinopathy tends to remain stable after therapy is discontinued, although a few patients in the early stages of retinopathy may show regression and occasionally a patient with a more advanced stage of the disease may show progression.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Effect of short-term cyclic administration of cyproterone acetate on pituitary-ovarian function in the human.

Short courses of cyproterone acetate, a compound with progestational and antiandrogenic activities, were administered to normally menstruating women during different phases of the menstrual cycle to suppress growth and maturation of the follicles and corpus luteum function. Postovulatory administration of 20 mg of the drug daily for 8 days to two women delayed menstruation by 4 to 6 days, followed by prolonged bleeding and short post-treatment cycles. Plasma levels of progesterone were suppressed temporarily during therapy, but increased immediately after cessation of treatment. Administration of 10 mg of the drug for 8 days during the early follicular phase to two women resulted in irregular bleeding, short cycles, and decreased plasma levels of progesterone throughout the cycle. Reduction of the dose to 2.5 mg during the early follicular phase in two other women also resulted in irregular cycles. When the 2.5-mg dose was administered to three women from the 8th to the 15th days of the cycle, vaginal bleeding and cycle length were normal. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and progesterone were suppressed during therapy. In one subject, cervical mucus was found to be hostile to sperm penetration in all three treatment cycles. The results indicate that, with cyclic administration of low doses of cyproterone acetate to women during the late follicular phase, it may be possible to interrupt pituitary-ovarian function, as well as sperm transport through the cervical mucus.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed2026

Adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term cardiovascular disease risk.

Pregnancy provides a unique physiological stress test for the cardiovascular system, during which, adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) can unmask latent susceptibility to future disease. Common complications, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), gestational diabetes, and preterm birth (delivery before 37 weeks' gestation), identify women at substantially higher long-term risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality compared with women without a history of APOs. These excess risks likely reflect the combined effects of pre-existing cardiometabolic and genetic susceptibility, as well as the haemodynamic and metabolic stressors of pregnancy, heralding accelerated risk factor trajectories, relative impairment in endothelial and microvascular function, and early disease onset. This final Review in the Series extends the focus from cardiovascular disease during pregnancy and HDP to the long-term cardiovascular implications of APOs after delivery. We synthesise epidemiological data quantifying cardiovascular risk across major APO phenotypes and emerging evidence linking maternal APO history with cardiometabolic risk trajectories in offspring. We also delineate putative mechanistic pathways and summarise guidelines and consensus-informed recommendations for short-term and long-term follow-up after APOs. Finally, we propose practical approaches for integrating APO history into cardiovascular disease risk assessment and guideline-directed prevention across the female life course. We highlight key knowledge gaps, including uncertainty about optimal follow-up models, the limitations of current risk-stratification tools, and the absence of APO-specific prevention trials. We also outline priorities for mechanistic and implementation research. Positioning APOs as early, sex-specific indicators of cardiovascular risk offers a key window of opportunity to shift prevention upstream and improve cardiovascular health outcomes for women.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Short-Term Success, Long-Term Failure: Strain Turnover and Virulence Re-Emergence May Drive Relapse in Pouchitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pouchitis, de-novo small intestinal inflammation is the most common complication developing in patients with ulcerative colitis after total large bowel resection and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) reconstruction. While the first line treatment is antibiotics, the microbial properties underlying flare, remission, and relapse remain vague. We aimed to investigate how antibiotic treatment drives microbial shifts that underlie remission and contribute to relapse. METHODS: Patients after IPAA were prospectively recruited during clinical flare (active pouchitis defined by the pouchitis disease activity index) and received a two-week course of metronidazole with either ciprofloxacin or doxycycline. Longitudinal follow up was conducted during a year. Clinical data were recorded, and fecal samples were obtained during consequent flares, recovery, and relapses. Microbial gene repertoire, strains, and resistance to antibiotics were determined. Metagenomic sequencing was integrated with whole-genome sequencing of Escherichia coli isolates, providing strain-specific virulence and antibiotic resistance profiles. RESULTS: Patients (n=21) recruited provided 130 samples over one-year follow-up. Both antibiotic regimens induced rapid but transient clinical improvement, reflected by a decrease in fecal calprotectin (728 to 265 &#x3bc;g/g, p<.05), and a marked reduction in bacterial exotoxin genes (p<.05), yet both parameters rebounded by 6 weeks post-treatment. Antibiotic resistance gene abundance significantly increased during treatment (p<.05), without expansion of resistance gene diversity, indicating that pre-existing resistant strains increased. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic-induced remission in pouchitis likely results from a temporary suppression of exotoxin-producing bacteria, enabling resistant, low-virulence strains to transiently dominate; The fact that harmful strains quickly rebound after treatment cessation highlights the need for targeted approaches to achieve sustained microbial control.

Inflammatory bowel disease↗