171,711 research outputs found
A case of REM sleep behavior disorder, narcolepsy-cataplexy, parkinsonism, and rheumatoid arthritis
No full textA patient is reported in whom signs and symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and narcolepsy have been associated for almost two decades with a late development of parkinsonism and rheumatoid arthritis. A 78-year-old male patient in whom RBD was first diagnosed was followed-up by clinical examination, video-polysomnography, multiple sleep latency test, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, and dopamine transporter imaging by single-photon emission computerized tomography. The patient was found to present for almost two decades, in addition to RBD, also narcolepsy. Moreover, a late development of parkinsonism and the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis were detected and clinically and instrumentally characterized. Patients predisposed to RBD and later parkinsonism might be susceptible to a variety of triggers that, in our patient, might have been represented by a possible latent autoimmune process leading to the development of narcolepsy with cataplexy and rheumatoid arthritis, later.Filomena I. I. Cosentino, Angela Distefano, Giuseppe Plazzi, Carlos H. Schenck and Raffaele Ferr
Long Noncoding RNAs as Drivers of Acquired Chemoresistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
No full textHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. While recent improvements in the clinical management of HCC have yielded more favorable outcomes for patients, five-year survival rates for these individuals remain poor. Effective treatment of HCC is complicated by a complex disease etiology, significant intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity, the frequent absence of early-stage symptoms, and a high potential for metastasis. HCC is highly refractory to chemotherapy, largely due to the acquisition of multidrug resistance, which limits effective pharmacological treatments for HCC patients. While the mechanisms underlying the development of chemoresistance in HCC are diverse, a number of recent studies have positioned long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as key participants in the process. Here, we provide an overview of HCC and the obstacles posed by acquired chemoresistance and summarize the empirical evidence supporting a role for lncRNAs in the development of acquired resistance, focusing on the specific molecular mechanisms by which these molecules attenuate chemosensitivity. We also discuss the contribution of extracellular vesicles as mediators of lncRNA-induced chemoresistance. Although newly emerging, the literature has already yielded important insights into the complex mechanisms by which lncRNAs modulate chemoresistance in HCC
Supporting data for Polymeric medical sutures: An exploration of polymers and green chemistry
No full textFull description in Readme file.These files contain data along with associated output from instrumentation supporting all results reported in Knutson, C. M.; Schneiderman, D. K.; Yu, M.; Javner, C. H.; Distefano, M. D.; Wissinger, J. E. Polymeric medical sutures: An exploration of polymers and green chemistry. J. Chem. Educ. 2017, 94, 1761–1765. In Knutson, et. al. it was found that with new K–12 national science standards emerging, there is an increased need for experiments that integrate engineering into the context of society. Here we describe a chemistry experiment that combines science and engineering principles while introducing basic polymer and green chemistry concepts. Using medical sutures as a platform for investigating polymers, students explore the physical and mechanical properties of threads drawn from poly(ε-caprolactone) samples of different molecular masses and actual purchased absorbable and nonabsorbable medical sutures. An inquiry-based part of the experiment tasks students with designing their own experiment to probe the potential of melt blending poly(ε-caprolactone) with commercially available polylactide products in order to modify the properties of the “sutures” drawn. Through these lessons students gain an appreciation for the importance of plastics in our society and how scientists are working to develop more sustainable alternatives. Overall, this laboratory experiment provides a feasible, versatile, sophisticated laboratory experience that engages students in a relatable topic and meets many of the Next Generation Science Standards.Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (Swift 52526)NSF CHE-1413862NSF RET DMR-1559833Knutson, Cassandra M; Schneiderman, Deborah K; Yu, Ming; Javner, Cassidy H; Distefano, Mark D; Wissinger, Jane E. (2018). Supporting data for Polymeric medical sutures: An exploration of polymers and green chemistry. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://doi.org/10.13020/D6F115
Status of NEMO: results from the NEMO Phase-1 detector
No full textThe NEMO Collaboration installed art underwater detector including most of the critical elements of a possible km(3) neutrino telescope: a four-floor tower (called Mini-Tower) and a Junction Box, including the data transmission, the power distribution, the timing calibration and the acoustic positioning systems. These technical Solutions will be evaluated, among others proposed for the construction of the km(3) detector, within the KM3NeT Consortium. The main test of this test experiment was the validation of the proposed design solutions mentioned above. We present results of the analysis of data collected with the NEMO Mini-Tower. The position of PMTs is determined through the acoustic position system; signals detected with PMTs are used to reconstruct the tracks of atmospheric muons. The angular distribution of atmospheric muons was measured and results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
No full textThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Parameter and structural identifiability concepts and ambiguities: a critical review and analysis
No full textThe notion of identifiability addresses the question of whether it is at all possible to obtain unique solutions for unknown parameters of interest in a mathematical model, from data collected in well-defined stimulus-response experiments performed on a dynamic system represented by the model. This critical aspect of the modeling and data reduction problem is reviewed, analyzed, and unified, with emphasis on applications in biology. Several physiological system models are examined in detail. They illustrate the importance of identifiability analysis prior to performing a parameter estimation experiment, the algebraic difficulties, possible pitfalls, and not-so-apparent ambiguities that may be encountered--even for simple models--and the utility of the concept in experiment design. Methods for testing for identifiability also are reviewed and compared, with emphasis on applicability and limitations. The usefulness of a given model for predicting the time course of system variables (not parameters) of interest normally inaccessible to direct measurement (e.g., tissue concentrations), a common use for quantitative models, is shown to depend intimately on the identifiability properties of the model, in a manner not easy but essential to assess: state variable predictions made in this manner can be inherently ambiguous
Mitomycin C in highly myopic eyes - Author reply
No full textOphthalmology. 2005 Feb;112(2):208-18; discussion 219.
Mitomycin C modulation of corneal wound healing after photorefractive keratectomy in highly myopic eyes.
Gambato C, Ghirlando A, Moretto E, Busato F, Midena E.
SourceRefractive Surgery Service and Antimetabolite Therapy Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of topical mitomycin C in corneal wound healing (CWH) after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in highly myopic eyes.
DESIGN: Prospective, double-masked, randomized clinical trial.
PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-two eyes of 36 patients affected by high (>7 diopters) myopia.
METHODS: In each patient, one eye was randomly assigned to PRK with intraoperative topical 0.02% mitomycin C application, and the fellow eye was treated with a placebo. Postoperatively, mitomycin C-treated eyes received artificial tears (3 times daily, tapered in 3 months), whereas the fellow eye was treated with fluorometholone sodium 2% and artificial tears (3 times daily, tapered in 3 months).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, manifest refraction, and biomicroscopy. Contrast sensitivity was determined using the Pelli-Robson chart. Corneal confocal microscopy documented CWH.
RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 18 months (range, 12-36). No side effects or toxic effects were documented. At 12-month follow-up examination, UCVAs (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) were 0.4+/-0.48 and 0.5+/-0.53 (P = .03) in mitomycin C-treated eyes and corticosteroid-treated eyes, respectively. At 1 year, corneal haze developed in 20% of corticosteroid-treated eyes, versus 0% of mitomycin C-treated eyes. At 12, 24, and 36 months, corneal confocal microscopy showed activated keratocytes and extracellular matrix significantly more evident in untreated eyes (Ps = 0.004, 0.024, and 0.046, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Topical intraoperative application of 0.02% mitomycin C can reduce haze formation in highly myopic eyes undergoing PRK.
Comment in
Ophthalmology. 2006 Feb;113(2):357; author reply 357-8
Compromissione Sociale in fratelli di bambini affetti da Disturbi Pervasivi dello Sviluppo.
No full textNonostante alcune promettenti evidenze emerse da studi recenti genetici, la scoperta di un major loci di suscettibilità per i Disturbi Pervasivi dello Sviluppo (PDD) rimane una meta elusiva e la genetica che sembra sottendere tali Disturbi appare a tutt’oggi complessa.
Un possibile mezzo per superare una tale complessità coinvolge lo studio di endofenotipi correlati ai (PDD). Negli ultimi due decenni sono stati condotti numerosi studi di tipo familiare sull’autismo nel tentativo di identificare endofenotipi clinici correlati ai (PDD). Tali studi hanno portato alla concettualizzazione del fenomeno del Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP), cioè la presenza in familiari di individui affetti da (PDD) di un'insieme di tratti che si collegano ad una o più caratteristiche dei (PDD), pur essendo espressi in forma più lieve.
In quest’ambito il gruppo di Costantino ha validato un questionario di valutazione, la Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), misura quantitativa della compromissione socio-relazionale di un soggetto, che è in grado di identificare livelli subclinici di tratti dello Spettro Autistico.
Il nostro studio si propone di utilizzare la (SRS) come misura di endofenotipo per valutare le caratteristiche del (BAP) in un campione di bambini, fratelli di soggetti affetti da (PDD), paragonati ad un gruppo di controllo di fratelli di bambini sani. Abbiamo definito come ipotesi nulla (H0) del nostro studio che i valori della SRS non siano significativamente differenti nei due gruppi in esame.
Metodi.
E' stato esaminato un campione di 29 soggetti, fratelli di individui affetti da (PDD) secondo i criteri diagnostici del DSM-IV, afferiti all’Unità Operativa di Neuropsichiatria Infantile dell’Istituto S. Paolo, Università di Milano, nel periodo compreso tra Ottobre 2006 e giugno 2007. Tutte le diagnosi di (PDD) sono state effettuate attraverso la somministrazione della scala ADOS da un clinico esperto.
Tale campione è stato comparato con un campione di 32 soggetti, fratelli di bambini non affetti da (PDD) reclutati esternamente all'Unità operativa di NPI e mai afferiti precedentemente ad una Unità di Neuropsichiatria Infantile.
La valutazione è stata effettuata attraverso l’utilizzo della (SRS), dopo aver ottenuto un consenso informato, compilata separatamente da entrambi i genitori e dall’insegnante di ogni soggetto.
La media dei punteggi di (SRS) per ogni bambino è stata utilizzata per il confronto statistico dei dati.
Risultati.
Dall’analisi statistica emerge che i fratelli di soggetti affetti da PDD hanno valori di SRS medi significativamente più alti ( p< 0.01) rispetto a fratelli di bambini sani.
Inoltre, differenziando il campione per sottogruppi diagnostici, si evince che fratelli di bambini con diagnosi di Autismo presentano i punteggi di SRS in assoluto più alti, seguiti da fratelli di soggetti con (DGS Nas) e da ultimi dai fratelli di soggetti affetti da S. di Asperger.
Conclusioni I fratelli di bambini affetti da (PDD), che sappiamo essere una popolazione ad alto rischio per Disturbi dello Spettro Autistico, presentano nel nostro campione livelli di compromissione sociale reciproca significativamente più alti rispetto ai controll
Optimisation Studies for a deep-sea cubic-kilometre neutrino telescope based on flexible towers
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