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At least 955 records · Page 53Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

A 10-year study of the incidence of and factors predicting dementia in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of dementia in PD with that of a control group without PD, and to assess the relationship between dementia and other features of PD. METHODS: The authors recruited 83 patients with PD and 50 controls, all without dementia at initial assessment, and assessed them at regular intervals over a maximum period of 122 months. Dementia was diagnosed according to objective criteria, and included a judgment by researchers masked to subject group and to variables putatively associated with dementia. RESULTS: Seventeen patients fulfilled dementia criteria; no controls did so. The cumulative proportion of PD patients becoming demented by 112 months was 0.38 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.55), or 42.6 cases per 1000 years of observation. Univariate analyses showed that incident dementia in patients with PD was associated with older age at entry into the study, greater severity of neurologic symptoms, longer duration of PD, greater disability, and male sex. The association of age at onset of PD with incident dementia was of only borderline significance. Multivariate analysis found that age at entry into the study and severity of motor symptoms were significant predictors of dementia but duration of PD and age at onset of PD were not. CONCLUSIONS: Dementia in PD is likely to reflect interaction of the neuropathology of the basal ganglia and age-related pathology. The findings do not support the division of PD into early and late-onset cases.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2003

A targeted deletion of the C-terminal end of titin, including the titin kinase domain, impairs myofibrillogenesis.

Titin is the largest protein known, and is essential for organising muscle sarcomeres. It has many domains with a variety of functions, and stretches from the Z-line to the M-line in the muscle sarcomere. Close to the M-line, titin contains a kinase domain, which is known to phosphorylate the Z-line protein telethonin in developing muscle (Mayans, O., van der Ven, P. F., Wilm, M., Mues, A., Young, P., Furst, D. O., Wilmanns, M. and Gautel, M. (1998) Nature 395, 863-869). This phosphorylation is thought to be important for initiating or regulating myofibrillogenesis. We used a gene-targeting approach in cultured myoblasts to truncate the titin gene so that the kinase domain and other domains downstream of the kinase were not expressed. We recovered cells in which one allele was targeted. We found that these cells expressed both the full-length and a truncated titin that was approximately 0.2 MDa smaller than the corresponding band from wild-type cells. Myofibrillogenesis in these cells was impaired, in that the myotubes were shorter, and the organisation of the muscle sarcomeres, M- and Z-lines was poorer than in wild-type cells. There was also an overall reduction in levels of titin and skeletal myosin expression. These results suggest that the activity of the titin kinase domain and downstream sequence are important in organising myofibrils both at the M- and the Z-line early in myofibrillogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Targeted homozygous deletion of M-band titin in cardiomyocytes prevents sarcomere formation.

Titin, a multifunctional protein that stretches from the Z-disk to the M-band in heart and skeletal muscle, contains a kinase domain, phosphorylation sites and multiple binding sites for structural and signalling proteins in the M-band. To determine whether this region is crucial for normal sarcomere development, we created mouse embryonic stem cell (ES) lines in which either one or both alleles contained a targeted deletion of the entire M-band-coding region, leaving Z-disk-binding and myosin-filament-binding sites intact. ES cells were differentiated into cardiomyocytes, and myofibrillogenesis investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy. Surprisingly, deletion of one allele did not markedly affect differentiation into cardiomyocytes, suggesting that a single intact copy of the titin gene is sufficient for normal myofibrillogenesis. By contrast, deletion of both alleles resulted in a failure of differentiation beyond an early stage of myofibrillogenesis. Sarcomeric myosin remained in non-striated structures, Z-disk proteins, such as alpha-actinin, were mainly found in primitive dot-like structures on actin stress fibres, M-band-associated proteins (myomesin, obscurin, Nbr1, p62 and MURF2) remained punctate. These results show that integration of the M-band region of titin is required for myosin filament assembly, M-band formation and maturation of the Z-disk.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Banana juice reduces bioavailability of levodopa preparation.

This study aimed to examine the effects of banana juice on levodopa bioavailability in rats. When a levodopa preparation (EC-Doparl tablets) was orally administered with banana juice made by mixing with a fresh banana and water, there were significant decreases in C(max) (17.4+/-2.5 vs. 8.6+/-3.1 microg/ml; alpha=0.05) and AUC (1882.8+/-49.2 vs. 933.5+/-286.6 microg.min/ml; alpha=0.05) for levodopa. On the other hand, administration of the levodopa preparation with a commercial beverage containing 10% banana juice resulted in no significant change in C(max) or AUC. These results indicate that concomitant intake of levodopa preparations with banana juice, but not with a commercial banana beverage, may cause a drug-food interaction reducing levodopa bioavailability, and we should pay attention to such interactions during levodopa therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2001

Phosphoglucose isomerase from bananas: partial characterization and relation to main changes in carbohydrate composition during ripening.

Some characteristics of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI, EC 5.3.1.9) from banana were measured during fruit ripening of three banana cultivars. In banana, PGI was present as two dimeric isoenzymes, named PGI1 and PGI2, which had similar native molecular masses but differed in relation to heat stability and isoelectric point. Total PGI activity showed a distinct two-step change during fruit ripening. Before the climacteric period, PGI activity gradually decreased with the starch content, then its activity began to increase with sucrose accumulation. The ratio of PGI1, and PGI2 was constant, indicating that both enzymes would be involved in starch degradation and sucrose synthesis. PGI activity and changes in carbohydrate composition suggests the existence of some control to fit the requirements of the intense carbon flow from starch to sucrose.

Carbohydrate Metabolism↗
PubMed2004

Increased levels of policosanol and very long-chain fatty acids in potato pulp fermented with Rhizopus oryzae.

Significant amounts of policosanol and very long-chain fatty acids (VLFAs) ranging in carbon length from 22 to 30 were found in the lipophilic fraction obtained from potato pulp fermented with Rhizopus oryzae. It is believed that these compounds would have originally been present as suberin-related compounds, but not as wax, in the periderm of potato tubers and concentrated into potato pulp during the process of starch production. Moreover, the policosanol and VLFAs extracted from potato pulp with organic solvents were found to have increased after fermentation.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗
PubMed2004

Presence of higher alcohols as ferulates in potato pulp and its radical-scavenging activity.

Higher alcohols with a carbon length ranging from 16 to 30 found in the lipophilic fraction from potato pulp were shown to be present as ferulate and in a free form, but not as wax. Thin-layer chromatography of the neutral lipids in potato pulp indicated a few spots with scavenging activity toward the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) stable radical, the major active component being characterized as alkyl ferulate which showed almost the same level of activity as gamma-oryzanol.

Alcohols↗
PubMed2006

Effect of dietary administration of bananas on immunocytes in F1 hybrid calves.

The effect of dietary administration of bananas on immunocytes in calves was investigated. Twenty Fl hybrid calves were used in this study (treated group n=10, control group n=10). Banana (2 g/kg BW) was administered to the calves for 5 days. Leukocyte subsets were examined on days 0, 5, 10, and 15. The numbers CD3+, (CD3+)CD45R-, and (CD3+)TcR+ cells significantly increased between day 0 and day 5 in the treated group (P<0.01), and were significantly higher on day 5 in the treated group relative to the control group (P<0.05). These data showed that feeding banana to calves increased T-lymphocytes, suggesting it might be possible to enhance protective functions against infections.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Altered body image: the psychosocial needs of patients.

The psychosocial consequences of a disfiguring condition are well recognized. However, severity does not predict distress, and conditions in which the disfiguration is relatively minor can be disturbing. While the appearance-related concerns of patients with so-called 'minor' conditions such as acne are gradually being reported, body image changes that occur as a result of other conditions and/or their treatment are often overlooked. This article describes an audit of the appearance-related concerns of patients with rheumatic disease and outlines ways in which community nurses might elicit their concerns and address their needs.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Medicare HMOs: the experience of older African Americans and whites.

This exploratory study of 205 older adults with chronic illness, of whom 55 enrolled in Medicare HMOs, examined the characteristics of those who enrolled, their experiences with managed care, and the differences between African Americans and whites in these domains. HMO enrollees were more likely to report their finances as inadequate; to have a high school education or less; and to have higher levels of social support. No significant differences by race were found in enrollment or in factors related to enrollment. Enrollees joined because of low premiums, enhanced HMO benefits, and pressure from employers providing retiree health benefits. The majority of enrollees reported positive experiences, however, more whites than African Americans reported negative experiences.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2000

Public attitudes regarding willingness to participate in medical research studies.

The recruitment of adequate numbers of people to participate in medical research studies is an ongoing problem for biomedical researchers. Although the general public has come to expect and demand that the biomedical community develop new, safe and effective approaches to the prevention and treatment of diseases, that same public is not aware of the important role that public participation plays in the development of medical advances. Much is known about willingness to participate in research studies from the perspectives of patients, survivors, and those at-risk for getting a particular disease. However, little is known about the attitudes and willingness of the general public to participate in medical research. Yet, it is this population that comprises the potential pool of participants for future treatment and prevention studies. In order to examine public attitudes toward and support for medical research, a random digit dial telephone survey was conducted with 489 persons in southwestern Pennsylvania. The survey measured the respondent's stated willingness to take part in a medical research study and the factors associated with willingness to participate. These included the respondent's health status, demographic characteristics, attitudes and beliefs about participation and their knowledge about the conduct of medical research. The results of the study indicate that 46% of those surveyed said that they would be willing to take part in a medical research study focusing on a new treatment for a specific disease that was of concern to them, 25% stated that they would not be willing and 29% stated that they were undecided regarding participation. However, under certain circumstances, such as having cancer, over half of those who were undecided said they would be willing to participate. The characteristics of those willing to participate in a medical research study differ from those not willing. Determinants of willingness include: having a relative or friend who has an illness, being middle aged (between 35-64 years old), prior experience with participation in a medical research study, having a favorable attitude toward the use of human subjects in medical research and beliefs that diverse types of persons participate in clinical trials. Those respondents who were undecided about joining a clinical trial, also have different characteristics than those who are not willing. The determinants of being undecided in contrast to not willing include: having at least a college degree, having a favorable or neutral attitude toward the use of humans in medical research and, believing that the well-being of participants is the primary concern of researchers. The findings of this study have both public policy and practice implications. From a policy perspective, medical research designed to develop new treatments for disease requires an evidenced-based approach for decision making. Such an approach can only succeed if adequate numbers of individuals are willing to participate in these studies. From a practice perspective, the current study suggests that opportunities exist to increase participation by targeting recruitment efforts not only toward the willing but also toward those who are undecided about participation in medical research studies. This would involve tailoring the content of communications to meet the specific characteristics and concerns of each of these two groups of individuals.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modeling skill utilization among prehospital care personnel.

Several models linking skill utilization rates for advanced aids and drugs used in prehospital patient management with indicators of the structural and operational characteristics of emergency providers were derived from empirical data. Because the utilization patterns for each clinical category were taken into account, different models were built for each of these categories.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Do managed care plans reduce racial disparities in preventive care?

This study was designed to determine whether managed care plans reduce racial disparities in use of influenza vaccination, mammography, and prostate-specific antigen screening. The study analyzed the use of three types of preventive care in a population-based sample of adults who were 65 years or older and were enrolled in a Medicare managed care (MMC) or fee-for-service (FFS) plan in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The study sample included 463 African Americans and 592 whites. Fewer African Americans than whites reported having had an influenza vaccination (64.4% versus 76.5%; p < 0.01) or a prostate-specific antigen test (64% versus 71.2%; p = 0.09) during the previous year. Slightly more African Americans than white women reported having had a mammogram (66.1% versus 63.8%). Logistic regression showed that, regardless of health plan type, African Americans were significantly less likely than whites to have an influenza vaccination (p < 0.05). A MMC plan did not narrow racial differences in preventive care. Reducing disparities may require interventions developed for specific racial/ethnic groups.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Experimental study of bent multimode optical waveguides.

Bend losses of bent multimode waveguides have been experimentally studied. The results experimentally verify a simple analytical expression based on ray optics that can be used to determine bend losses in bent multimode waveguides. We have also shown that bend-induced losses in such multimode optical waveguides are wavelength independent.

Journal Article↗