Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Generative models”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,459 records · Page 81Linked to original sources

Cerebral evoked potentials: a historical review of the marseilles contributions and a preliminary report on a study of the effects of various stimulus parameters on the P90 component of the pattern visual evoked potential.

A preliminary report is given of a study in 10 normal subjects comparing the laterality of the P90 component of the PVEP as elicited by pattern reversal and pattern appearance stimuli delivered monocularly and binocularly in the central and peripheral portions of one-life field. P90 was shown often to appear maximally over the hemisphere ipsilateral to the stimulus field with pattern reversal stimuli in central targets viewed monocularly. Pattern appearance, peripheral targets and binocular stimulation provoked less consistently lateralized and sometimes differently configured responses. It is concluded that while all combinations provoked responses consistent with a dipole generator model similar to that proposed by Blumhardt et al. (1978), these different modes of stimulation cannot be considered to be equivalent.

Cerebral Cortex↗

In utero exposure to phenobarbital and intelligence deficits in adult men.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether exposure to phenobarbital in utero is associated with deficits in intelligence scores in adult men and whether the magnitude of the postnatal effect is mediated by exposure parameters and/or postnatal environmental factors. DESIGN: Two double-blind studies were conducted on independent samples of adult men prenatally exposed to phenobarbital and matched control samples using different measures of general intelligence. Based on data from control subjects, regression models were built relating intelligence scores to relevant pre-exposure matching variables and age at testing. Models generated predicted scores for each exposed subject. Group mean differences between the individually predicted and observed scores estimated exposure effects. SETTING: Copenhagen, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: Exposed subjects were adult men born at the largest hospital in Copenhagen between 1959 and 1961 who were exposed to phenobarbital during gestation via maternal medical treatment and whose mothers had no history of a central nervous system disorder and no treatment during pregnancy with any other psychopharmacological drug. Study 1 included 33 men and study 2, 81 men. Controls were unexposed members of the same birth cohort matched on a wide spectrum of maternal variables recorded prenatally and perinatally. Controls for studies 1 and 2 included 52 and 101 men, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In study 1: Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (Danish version); in study 2: Danish Military Draft Board Intelligence Test (Børge Priens Prøve). RESULT: Men exposed prenatally to phenobarbital had significantly lower verbal intelligence scores (approximately 0.5 SD) than predicted. Lower socioeconomic status and being the offspring of an "unwanted" pregnancy increased the magnitude of the negative effects. Exposure that included the last trimester was the most detrimental. CONCLUSION: Phenobarbital exposure during early development can have long-term deleterious effects on cognitive performance. Detrimental environmental conditions can interact with prenatal biological insult to magnify negative outcomes. Physicians are urged to use increased caution in prescribing such medications during pregnancy.

Adult↗

Immunologic and molecular characterization of Amb p V allergens from Ambrosia psilostachya (western Ragweed) pollen.

We have purified and characterized the Amb p V allergen (A1 variant) from western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) pollen. This allergen was found to be highly cross-reactive with the Amb a VA1 allergen from short ragweed (A. artemisiifolia) pollen in a competitive double-Ab radioimmunoassay (DARIA) and the two allergens showed concordant allergenic potency in histamine-release experiments. We cloned and sequenced several Amb p V genes from western ragweed pollen and flowers by direct PCR of genomic DNA. The amino acid sequences deduced from the nucleotide sequences indicated the presence of multiple forms of Amb p V that could be broadly classified into two groups: Amb p VA and Amb p VB variants. The sequences of the Amb p VA variants are highly homologous to Amb a V (about 90% identity) and very similar to the protein sequence that we obtained. The Amb p VB variants share approximately 65% amino acid homology with Amb a V and have five to seven cysteine residues as compared with the eight found in Amb a V and Amb t V. Two cysteine residues that form disulfide bonds in other Amb Vs (positions 19 and 43 in Amb a V) are replaced by serine and alanine in the Amb p VB1 and Amb p VB2 variants. We have generated model structures of Amb p VA1, VA2, VA3, and VB1 variants from the nuclear magnetic resonance-derived structure of Amb a VA1 by homology modeling. Comparison of antigenic epitopes predicted for the structures of Amb p V variants and Amb a VA1 explains the observed cross-reactivity of the two ragweed proteins and suggests the epitopes likely to be involved in Ab recognition.

Allergens↗

Cytotoxic potential of monoalkylation products between mitomycins and DNA: studies of decarbamoyl mitomycin C in wild-type and repair-deficient cell lines.

Hypoxic regions in solid neoplasms have been associated with tumor recurrence and resistance to several cancer treatment modalities including radiation therapy. Various strategies have been designed to target these resistant cells, including the use of the bioreductive alkylating agent mitomycin C (MC), which exerts preferential cytotoxicity under hypoxic conditions in most cell lines. Analyses of the mechanism of action of MC indicate that this drug can form cross-links with DNA; it is currently thought that this bisadduct is the critical lesion responsible for inhibiting DNA synthesis. Computer-generated models suggest that the MC adduct fits snugly into the minor groove of B-DNA without imposing major distortion on the structure of the DNA molecule. To gain additional insight into the role of cross-linkage in the cytotoxicity of MC, we studied the analogue, decarbomoyl mitomycin C (DMC). The structure of DMC is identical to that of MC with the exception of the substitution of the carbamoyl group at the C-10 position by a nonalkylating hydroxyl group (-OH); this alteration would be expected to prevent DMC from forming bisadducts with DNA. In chemical systems, DMC produces only DNA monoadducts. If indeed it is the MC-DNA cross-links which are responsible for cell kill, one would predict DMC to be less cytotoxic than MC. However, tissue culture studies using DMC revealed that DMC is at least as toxic as MC to EMT6 mouse mammary tumor cells and to wild-type AA8 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Implants for cranioplasty.

As long as there have been skull defects, there has been a recognized need to cover them in some way. Cranioplasty is the surgical correction of skull defects. The two major purposes of performing a cranioplasty are to protect the brain and to provide reasonable cosmesis. The two physical requirements of the implant are strength and malleability. Originally, foreign materials such as precious metals were used. Autogenous bone grafts have also achieved successful results. Over the past quarter-century, the popularization of acrylics and radiolucent metals has favored them over bone because of their ease of use, the absence of need to harvest donor bone, and, particularly, bone's tendency to resorb or scar. Yet foreign materials can cause excessive inflammation, producing a synovial membrane at the interface between the host bone and cranioplasty construct, increasing the risk of infection. Currently, hydroxyapatite-based ceramics, which may induce bone growth into the implant, are increasingly being used. Future applications will include antibiotic-impregnated implants and computer-generated models to improve the precision of cranioplasty fit and cosmesis.

Biocompatible Materials↗

[Dependence of force-speed in muscle contraction].

The force-velocity relation agreeable to the experimental results of muscle contraction research, is obtained. The relation has been obtained on the basis of force generation model founded on the existence of mechanical vibration in muscle fibrils.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Operation for recurrent ventricular tachycardia. Predictors of short- and long-term efficacy.

The success of ventricular operation in ablating drug-refractory ventricular tachycardia secondary to ischemic heart disease varies with surgical technique, the presence of certain identified risk factors, and patient selection biases. Forty-eight patients with drug-refractory ventricular tachycardia secondary to ischemic heart disease underwent directed ventricular operation. All patients had previous myocardial infarction, and 46 of 48 patients had a left-ventricular aneurysm. Mapping was done in 81% of patients. Patients underwent a combination of subendocardial resection, aneurysmectomy, and cryoablation. The operative mortality rate was 8%. Age greater than 65 years was the only risk factor for operative mortality. Forty-one patients underwent postoperative programmed electrical stimulation. In 26 patients (63%) tachycardia was noninducible, whereas it was inducible in 15 patients (37%). Stepwise logistic regression identified septal and inferior focus location as the most significant predictors of outcome. Septal focus location was a significant (p = 0.008) predictor of surgical success whereas inferior focus location was a significant (p = 0.015) predictor of surgical failure. Other identified independent risk factors for surgical failure were (1) use of cardioplegia, (2) lack of a completed intraoperative endocardial map, and (3) decreased ejection fraction. This generated model to predict success or failure had a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 92.4%. The success of ventricular operation is affected by the presence of certain risk factors. In the management of those patients at high risk for failure, other surgical options such as the placement of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator electrode patches at the time of ventricular operation or the alternative placement of a palliative implantable cardioverter-defibrillator should be considered.

Cardiac Pacing, Artificial↗

Effect of heavy chain signal peptide mutations and NH2-terminal chain length on binding of anti-digoxin antibodies.

In certain instances, antibody variable region mutations outside of the antigen-combining site influence antigen binding. We reported previously that a heavy chain mutation (Ser-94-->Arg) decreased binding of the anti-digoxin antibody 40-150, whereas an additional signal peptide mutation at the -2 position (Gln-->Pro) causing NH2-terminal 2-residue truncation partially restored binding. To assess the combined effects on binding of two seemingly distant mutations, we constructed signal peptide mutations and NH2-terminal deletions in the presence of Ser-94 and Arg-94. Deletions of one to three amino acids had little effect on binding for Ser-94 mutants, whereas 2-residue truncations produced directly or by signal peptide mutation increased affinity approximately 40-fold for Arg-94 mutants. These observations are consistent with the reported computer-generated model of antibody 40-150. Introduction of Pro at the signal peptide -3 position in 40-150 resulted in cleavage at alternative sites, with varying effects on affinity. Introduction of Pro at -2 into the anti-digoxin antibody 26-10 resulted, unexpectedly, in expression of heavy chains with 3 extra NH2-terminal residues, causing an approximately 100-fold reduction in affinity. Thus, both extensions and deletions of the heavy chain amino terminus can enhance or reduce antigen binding, depending on the structural context of specific antigen combining sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[A unified autocorrelated method of electroencephalogram analysis and some results of its use].

Unified autocorrelation method of EEG analysis (UNIFAC-EEG) represents some optimized algorithms of EEG-signals processing according to the sign of maximum stability to the broadband noise. These algorithms are united by the common aim to identify generation models of these signals narrowband components on the basis of concrete empirical data and estimation of their source dynamic parameters according to the identification results. On the basis of this method it was proved that alpha-rhythm sources belonged to the type of structural stable dynamic systems, and its decrement value could serve as one of the parameters of the functional state of the central nervous system. The effect was found of the interaction between the heart electric fields and human brain in EEG frequent alpha-range.

Algorithms↗

Cytotoxic potential of monoalkylation products between mitomycins and DNA: studies of decarbamoyl mitomycin C in wild-type and repair-deficient cell lines.

Hypoxic regions in solid neoplasms have been associated with tumor recurrence and resistance to several cancer treatment modalities including radiation therapy. Various strategies have been designed to target these resistant cells, including the use of the bioreductive alkylating agent mitomycin C (MC), which exerts preferential cytotoxicity under hypoxic conditions in most cell lines. Analyses of the mechanism of action of MC indicate that this drug can form cross-links with DNA; it is currently thought that this bisadduct is the critical lesion responsible for inhibiting DNA synthesis. Computer-generated models suggest that the MC adduct fits snugly into the minor groove of B-DNA without imposing major distortion on the structure of the DNA molecule. To gain additional insight into the role of cross-linkage in the cytotoxicity of MC, we studied the analogue, decarbamoyl mitomycin C (DMC). The structure of DMC is identical to that of MC with the exception of the substitution of the carbamoyl group at the C-10 position by a nonalkylating hydroxyl group (-OH); this alteration would be expected to prevent DMC from forming bisadducts with DNA. In chemical systems, DMC produces only DNA monoadducts. If indeed it is the MC-DNA cross-links which are responsible for cell kill, one would predict DMC to be less cytotoxic than MC. However, tissue culture studies using DMC revealed that DMC is at least as toxic as MC to EMT6 mouse mammary tumor cells and to wild-type AA8 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Delayed effects of prenatal exposure to phenobarbital on intelligence--Phenemal].

Two double-blind studies were conducted on two independent samples of adult men prenatally exposed to phenobarbital and matched control samples using two different measures of general intelligence (WAIS and a draft board test (BPP)). The two studies included 33 and 81 exposed adult men respectively, and the two control groups included 52 and 101 unexposed men matched on a wide spectrum of maternal variables recorded pre- and perinatally. Based on data from control subjects, regression models were built relating intelligence scores to relevant pre-exposure matching variables. Models generated predicted scores for each exposed subject. Men exposed prenatally to phenobarbital had significantly lower verbal intelligence scores than predicted. Lower socioeconomic status and being the offspring of an unwanted pregnancy increased the magnitude of the negative effects. Exposure which includes the last trimester was the most detrimental. Physicians are urged to use increased caution in prescribing such medications during pregnancy or to premature neonates.

Adult↗

Free and esterified oxysterol: formation during copper-oxidation of low density lipoprotein and uptake by macrophages.

We have defined the lipid composition of copper-oxidized LDL (Cu-oxLDL) and a macrophage-foam cell model generated by the uptake of this modified lipoprotein. An HPLC method previously developed by our group for the measurement of lipid oxidation products of LDL was extended to permit the analysis of an array of 7-ketocholesteryl esters. Gas chromatography was used for the quantitation of oxysterols (free and esterified) in Cu-oxLDL and their subsequent uptake by macrophages. LDL (1.0 mg protein/ml) was oxidized using Cu(II) (20 microM) for up to 48 h at 37 degrees C. Resident mouse peritoneal macrophages were incubated with 24 h Cu-oxLDL (50 micrograms/ml) for 24 h. In 24 h Cu-oxLDL, cholesterol comprised approximately 50% of total sterols, 7-ketocholesterol comprised approximately 30% with five other oxysterols comprising the remainder (7 alpha- and 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol, cholesterol alpha- and beta-epoxides, and 6 beta-hydroxycholesterol). Macrophages that were incubated with 24 h Cu-oxLDL displayed a profile of oxysterols remarkably similar to that of 24 h Cu-oxLDL itself. The majority of cholesteryl esters and 7-ketocholesteryl esters in Cu-oxLDL and in Cu-oxLDL-loaded macrophages contained fatty acyl chains which are presumed oxidized. This work represents a comprehensive survey of free and esterified oxysterols in Cu-oxLDL and Cu-oxLDL-loaded macrophages and provides a basis for exploring how oxysterols are metabolized by macrophages and authentic human foam cells, and how, in turn, these oxysterols influence cellular metabolism.

Animals↗

The role of adrenal hormones in the activation of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase by nicotinic acid in rat liver.

In this study, our previous finding that nicotinic acid activates tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase as strongly as tryptophan was investigated in further detail. This study focused on the role of the adrenals in the activation process. Adrenalectomy abolished the activation due to nicotinic acid, but not the activation caused by tryptophan. The role of corticoids and/or adrenomedullary hormones in the enzyme activation was studied, by supplementing these hormones in adrenalectomized rats using minipumps implanted under the skin. The results showed that the enhanced activity of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase caused by nicotinic acid was partly restored by adrenaline following adrenalectomy but not by corticosterone supplementation. The results were supported by further experiments in which the rats were treated with adrenaline or corticosterone intraperitoneally before nicotinic acid administration. The conclusion that adrenaline participates in the regulation of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase should promote further study to determine whether adrenaline is a general modulator of this enzyme. This experimental model generated new information on the activation mechanism of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase by nicotinic acid.

Adrenalectomy↗

Performance of ULV formulations (Pesguard 102/Vectobac 12AS) against three mosquito species.

Adulticidal and larvicidal performances of a water-based pyrethroid microemulsion Pesguard PS 102 (AI d-allethrin and d-phenothrin, both at 5.0% w/w) and Vectobac 12AS, an aqua-suspension Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (B.t.i.) formulation (AI 1,200 ITU/mg) were assessed against mosquitoes Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus using a Leco ULV Fog Generator Model 1600 and a Scorpion 20 ULV AirBlast Sprayer. Laboratory-cultured mosquito adults and larvae were used for efficacy assessment. For trials using Leco, both pyrethroid and bacterial formulations were dispersed both singly and in combination with Pesguard PS 102 at a dosage of 0.2 liters/ha and B.t.i. at a dosage of 1.0 liter/ha. Similar trials with the Scorpion were also conducted with Pesguard PS 102 at a dosage of 0.2 liters/ha and a higher dosage of B.t.i. (1.5 liters/ha). Experiments were conducted in a football field (200 x 100 m) where five check points at 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 m downwind from the spray nozzle were chosen for efficacy assessments. Knockdown and mortality were scored at 1 and 24 h postspraying. Results from both trials showed that mortality values varied with distance from spray nozzle. For trials with Leco, fogging with the combination of Pesguard PS 102 and B.t.i. provided larvicidal mortality of > 80% for both Aedes species and of > 60% for Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae at several check points, depending on wind conditions. Complete mortality of adult Aedes mosquitoes at 24 h posttreatment was also achieved, while mortality values for Culex adults reached > 90% under strong wind conditions. As for trials with the Scorpion 20, high adult and larval mortalities were also achieved, with > 90% mortality at some check points. The above study demonstrated the possibility of achieving both larvicidal and adulticidal effects when using a combination of B.t.i. and Pesguard PS 102 in ULV space spray.

Aedes↗

Finite element analysis study of the effect of superstructure material on stress distribution in an implant-supported fixed prosthesis.

This study used three-dimensional finite element analysis to investigate the effect of three different occlusal surface materials (resin, resin composite, and porcelain) and four different framework materials (gold, silver-palladium, cobalt-chromium, titanium alloys) on the stress distribution in a six-implant-supported mandibular fixed prosthesis and surrounding bone. A total of 172 N vertical load was distributed over the entire occlusal surface of the finite element model. Generated stress values were calculated in the occlusal surface material, framework, prosthesis retaining screws, implants, and surrounding cortical and spongy bones. The results obtained demonstrated that using a prosthesis superstructure material with a lower elastic modulus (1) did not lead to substantial differences in stress patterns nor in values at the cortical and spongy bones surrounding the implants; and (2) concentrated stresses in the retaining screws for the prosthesis and thus increased the potential risk of prosthesis failure. For the single loading condition investigated, the optimal combination of materials was found to be cobalt-chromium for the framework and porcelain for the occlusal surface.

Acrylic Resins↗

Mismatch negativity in dichotic listening: evidence for interhemispheric differences and multiple generators.

The characteristics of mismatch negativity (MMN) elicited by dichotic stimulation were examined using frequency-deviant stimuli presented to the right, to the left, or to both sides. The experiment was run twice, once using earphones and once using loudspeakers in free field. With both modes of stimulation, deviants presented in the left, right, or both ears, or tones that were switched between ears, elicited comparable MMNs, with a peak latency of about 180 ms. With earphones, the amplitude of the MMN was bigger at the frontal-lateral right hemisphere sites than at the homologous left-hemisphere sites for all deviance conditions. Scalp current density analysis revealed that deviance in the right side elicited bilaterally equivalent frontal current sinks and a trend towards stronger contralateral current sources at the mastoid sites. In contrast, left side deviance elicited frontal sinks and temporal current sources stronger over the right hemiscalp. These results are compatible with the multiple-generator model of MMN. The attention-related role of the MMN is discussed, suggesting comparable attention mechanisms for vision and audition.

Adult↗

Becoming a primary care nurse practitioner: challenges of the initial year of practice.

The transition from student to primary care practitioner is exciting and challenging and offers seemingly limitless opportunities. This article presents results of a model generated from a longitudinal study of 35 newly graduated primary care nurse practitioners during their first year of practice. Stages of development include laying the foundation (recuperating from school, negotiating the bureaucracy, looking for a Job, and worrying); launching (feeling real, getting through the day, battling time, and confronting anxiety); meeting the challenge (increasing competence, gaining confidence, and acknowledging system problems); and broadening the perspective (developing system savvy, affirming oneself, and upping the ante). Anticipatory guidance is offered for new graduates and their mentors and colleagues. Mentors can provide crucial information about appropriate expectations and create key structures to facilitate new practitioners' needs for consultation and advice.

Education, Nursing, Graduate↗

[Life cycle strategies: a synthesis of empirical and theoretical approaches].

A scheme of relationships among life-history characters is developed on assumptions of determinate growth and dependence of juvenile mortality on the specific growth rate. It is shown that constraints on the relative neonate size, (W0/W infinity), and minimum value of the biotic potential, (rmax), lead to "triangular" shape of life history set on the plain defined by juvenile and adult mortality. This completely coincides with the Ramenskiĭ++--Grime (C-S-R) classification of life-history strategies. Phylogenetic constraints can reduce this set to a relatively narŕow r/K-continuum specifically oriented for a certain taxon. Similar restrictions generate models of life history optimization which predict interspecific allometries between life-history traits.

Aging↗