1,571 research outputs found
Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients
Introduction: The cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetic patients is complex and involves both neurogenic and vasculogenic components and is often hard to treat. Aim: To study the effect of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) therapy on a subgroup of diabetic patients with ED who are responders (PDE5I-R) and non-responders (PDE5I-NR) to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5I). Methods: Analysis of pooled data from 5 double-blind, sham-controlled trials was performed. In this sub-analysis, of 350 patients in the PDE5I-R group and with vasculogenic ED, we found 61 patients with diabetes mellitus who underwent LI-ESWT. Another 48 patients (of 53) belonged to the PDE5I-NR group. Baseline efficacy was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function–Erectile Function domain questionnaire (IIEF-EF) for the PDE5I-R and with Erection Hardness Score, IIEF-EF, and flow-mediated dilation technique for the PDE5I-NR. Main Outcome Measures: Change in the IIEF-EF score after treatment of diabetes-induced ED with Li-ESWT in the PDE5i-R group vs the PDE5i-NR group. Results: LI-ESWT therapy was found to be effective in both subgroups of diabetic patients. Minimally clinical important difference in IIEF-EF score was achieved in 50%, 79.5%, 77.3%, and 65.9% of the subjects in the active group in after the sixth shockwave (SW) treatment evaluation (just before initiating the seventh SW session) and at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after the last SW treatment, respectively. The difference among the groups was significant (P < .05) after the sixth treatment and in all the follow-up periods. In the PDE5I-NR group, 55% of the active group were converted to PDE5I-5-R after LI-ESWT. The difference between the active and sham groups was statistically significant in all the tested measures (P < .001). Conclusion: LI-ESWT is safe and effective for the treatment of ED in PDE5I-R and PDE5I-NR groups. Spivak L, Shultz T, Appel B, et al. Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients. Sex Med Rev 2019;XX:XXX–XXX
Reframing Agribusiness: Moving from Farm to Market Centric
Agribusiness is moving from farm to market centric, where effective activities anticipate and respond to customers, markets, and the systems in which they function. This evolution requires a broader conceptualization and more accurate definition, to convey a more dynamic, systemic, and integrative discipline, which increasingly is committed to value creation and the sustainable orchestration of food, fiber, and renewable resources. We discuss the forces driving this shift to the market, offer a new and more representative definition of agribusiness, provide models to illustrate some of the most compelling trends, and articulate key elements and implications of those models.agribusiness definition, conceptual models, market centric, market systems, Agribusiness, Marketing, Production Economics,
Studies of a New Hybrid Taxon in the Artemisia tridentata (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) Complex
Members of the Artemisia tridentata complex (ASTERACEAE; Anthemideae: Artemisia subgen. Tridentatae) have adapted to changing environmental conditions through geographic migration, introgression, and hybridization. These processes have resulted in morphologic and genetic variation. A presumed hybrid (“Bonneville” big sagebrush) of the complex occurs in the moister ranges of A. t. ssp. wyomingensis and can be found growing with shrub species commonly associated with A. t. ssp. vaseyana. These populations appear to be preferred habitat for sage-grouse and are more heavily grazed by ungulates than the parental populations. We determined ploidy levels and conducted a detailed morphological analysis to determine if “Bonneville” is a hybrid entity. Sixteen populations (12 in Oneida Co., ID, and 4 in Rich Co., UT) were selected for the study, representing the putative hybrid (Taxon B) and the putative parents— A. t. ssp. vaseyana (2n = 18), A. t. ssp. wyomingensis (2n = 36), and A. t. ssp. tridentata (2n = 36). Each population consisted of 25 randomly selected individuals for a total of 400 samples. Our analysis showed 3 populations with morphological and chemical characteristics indicating introgression of A. t. ssp. wyomingensis with populations containing A. t. ssp. vaseyana. Based on these results, we designate the Bonneville sagebrush with formal hybrid status of nothotaxon: Artemisia tridentata ssp. × bonnevillensis H. Garrison, L. Shultz, and E.D. McArthur [pro subsp.], 2n = 36
Generation of β cell-specific human cytotoxic T cells by lentiviral transduction and their survival in immunodeficient human leucocyte antigen-transgenic mice
Several β cell antigens recognized by T cells in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of type 1 diabetes (T1D) are also T cell targets in the human disease. While numerous antigen-specific therapies prevent diabetes in NOD mice, successful translation of rodent findings to patients has been difficult. A human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-transgenic mouse model incorporating human β cell-specific T cells might provide a better platform for evaluating antigen-specific therapies. The ability to study such T cells is limited by their low frequency in peripheral blood and the difficulty in obtaining islet-infiltrating T cells from patients. We have worked to overcome this limitation by using lentiviral transduction to 'reprogram' primary human CD8 T cells to express three T cell receptors (TCRs) specific for a peptide derived from the β cell antigen islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP265-273 ) and recognized in the context of the human class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule HLA-A2. The TCRs bound peptide/MHC multimers with a range of avidities, but all bound with at least 10-fold lower avidity than the anti-viral TCR used for comparison. One exhibited antigenic recognition promiscuity. The β cell-specific human CD8 T cells generated by lentiviral transduction with one of the TCRs released interferon (IFN)-γ in response to antigen and exhibited cytotoxic activity against peptide-pulsed target cells. The cells engrafted in HLA-A2-transgenic NOD-scid IL2rγ(null) mice and could be detected in the blood, spleen and pancreas up to 5 weeks post-transfer, suggesting the utility of this approach for the evaluation of T cell-modulatory therapies for T1D and other T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases
sj-pdf-1-jcb-10.1177_0271678X231212377 - Supplemental material for Treatment with the vascular endothelial growth factor-A antibody, bevacizumab, has sex-specific effects in a rat model of mild traumatic brain injury
Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-jcb-10.1177_0271678X231212377 for Treatment with the vascular endothelial growth factor-A antibody, bevacizumab, has sex-specific effects in a rat model of mild traumatic brain injury by Mujun Sun, Tamara L Baker, Campbell T Wilson, Rhys D Brady, Glenn R Yamakawa, David K Wright, Richelle Mychasiuk, Anh Vo, Trevor Wilson, Josh Allen, Stuart J McDonald and Sandy R Shultz in Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism</p
Modelling individual variability in cognitive development
Investigating variability in reasoning tasks can provide insights into key issues in the study of cognitive development. These include the mechanisms that underlie developmental transitions, and the distinction between individual differences and developmental disorders. We explored the mechanistic basis of variability in two connectionist models of cognitive development, a model of the Piagetian balance scale task (McClelland, 1989) and a model of the Piagetian conservation task (Shultz, 1998). For the balance scale task, we began with a simple feed-forward connectionist model and training patterns based on McClelland (1989). We investigated computational parameters, problem encodings, and training environments that contributed to variability in development, both across groups and within individuals. We report on the parameters that affect the complexity of reasoning and the nature of ‘rule’ transitions exhibited by networks learning to reason about balance scale problems. For the conservation task, we took the task structure and problem encoding of Shultz (1998) as our base model. We examined the computational parameters, problem encodings, and training environments that contributed to variability in development, in particular examining the parameters that affected the emergence of abstraction. We relate the findings to existing cognitive theories on the causes of individual differences in development
Lack of acute xenogeneic graft- versus-host disease, but retention of T-cell function following engraftment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in NSG mice deficient in MHC class I and II expression.
Immunodeficient mice engrafted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) support preclinical studies of human pathogens, allograft rejection, and human T-cell function. However, a major limitation of PBMC engraftment is development of acute xenogeneic graft- versus-host disease (GVHD) due to human T-cell recognition of murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC). To address this, we created 2 NOD- scid IL-2 receptor subunit γ ( IL2rg) null (NSG) strains that lack murine MHC class I and II [NSG-β-2-microglobulin ( B2M) null ( IA IE)null and NSG -( Kb Db) null ( IAnull)]. We observed rapid human IgG clearance in NSG- B2Mnull ( IA IE) null mice whereas clearance in NSG -( Kb Db) null ( IAnull) mice and NSG mice was comparable. Injection of human PBMCs into both strains enabled long-term engraftment of human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells without acute GVHD. Engrafted human T-cell function was documented by rejection of human islet allografts. Administration of human IL-2 to NSG -( Kb Db) null ( IAnull) mice via adeno-associated virus vector increased human CD45+ cell engraftment, including an increase in human regulatory T cells. However, high IL-2 levels also induced the development of GVHD. These data document that NSG mice deficient in murine MHC support studies of human immunity in the absence of acute GVHD and enable evaluation of human antibody therapeutics targeting human T cells.-Brehm, M. A., Kenney, L. L., Wiles, M. V., Low, B. E., Tisch, R. M., Burzenski, L., Mueller, C., Greiner, D. L., Shultz, L. D. Lack of acute xenogeneic graft- versus-host disease, but retention of T-cell function following engraftment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in NSG mice deficient in MHC class I and II expression
Department of Radiology Residents (1987-1988)
Residents group photograph, Department of Radiology, 1987-1988. Front Row Left to Right: Margaret F. Ensign; Paula K. Rand. Middle Row Left to Right: James Arata; Wayne L. Davis; Stephen M. Shultz; Arthur S. Watanabe. Back Row Left to Right: Paul D. Traughber; Edward s. Rollins; Alan E. Hillard; Patrick B. Brown; Erik K. Paulson; Kent B. Remley
Department of Radiology Residents (1989-1990)
Residents group photograph, Department of Radiology, 1989-1990. Front Row Left to Right: Stephen M. Shultz; Arthur S. Watanabe; Paul J. Sheya; Sonia Valdivia; Douglas A. Collins; James J. Rohlfing. Back Row Left to Right: Jerry E. Handy; Wayne L. Davis; Brent D. Nelson; Don Antonio Bell; R. Todd Troxell; Anthony J. Scuderi
Department of Radiology Residents (1988-1989)
Residents group photograph, Department of Radiology, 1988-1989. Front Row Left to Right: Edward S. Rollins; Jeffrey Drutman; Margaret F. Ensign; Ajay C. Mehta; Arthur S. Watanabe; James J. Rohlfing; Stephen M. Shultz. Back Row Left to Right: Don Antonio Bell; Brent D. Nelson; Wayne L. Davis; Robert Rex Dietz; Kent B. Remley; Erik Paulson; Todd Troxell
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