Post-treatment leukocytosis predicts an unfavorable clinical response in patients with moderate to severe diabetic foot infections.

Our aim was to determine whether post-treatment laboratory values could help to predict the clinical response in patients with advanced diabetic foot infections. One hundred and three consecutive patients hospitalized for moderate or severe diabetic foot infections at a large, university-affiliated hospital were identified and their records retrospectively reviewed. Definitive therapy during each patient's hospital course was defined as any foot surgery when additional major surgery was not anticipated or when a course of deep soft tissue and/or bone culture-specific antibiotics had been initiated.

Habitual sleep/wake patterns in the Old Order Amish: heritability and association with non-genetic factors.

Study Objectives: We sought to evaluate the contribution of genetic and non-genetic factors on habitual sleep/wake patterns in a community-dwelling agrarian population using a physical activity monitoring device, the Actical.

Design: Cross-sectional population-based study of healthy Old Order Amish enrolled in the Heredity and Phenotype Intervention (HAPI) Heart Study.

Setting: Lancaster County, PA, USA.

Differences in psychosocial functioning and sleep quality between idiopathic continuous orofacial neuropathic pain patients and chronic masticatory muscle pain patients.

Aim: To examine differences between idiopathic continuous orofacial neuropathic pain (ICONP) patients and chronic masticatory muscle pain (MMP) patients for psychosocial functioning and sleep quality.

Methods: Archival data were used to compare 81 ICONP patients to 81 age- and sex-matched chronic MMP patients on pain severity, life interference, life control, and affective distress measures from the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI), a global severity index of psychological symptoms from the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C), and overall sleep quality from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). MANOVA, MANCOVA, and chi-square analysis were used to investigate differences between the two groups in the psychosocial and sleep variables.

Replication and extension of association between common genetic variants in SIM1 and human adiposity.

Haplo-insufficiency of the bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) transcription factor single-minded 1 (SIM1) causes severe obesity in mice and humans. We hypothesized that common genetic variations in/near SIM1 could exert more subtle effects on its function and associate with human adiposity. First, SIM1 coding regions were sequenced in severely obese subjects, and two common nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in complete linkage disequilibrium (LD) were identified: Pro352Thr (rs3734354) and Ala371Val (rs3734355).

Genome-wide association studies of the PR interval in African Americans.

The PR interval on the electrocardiogram reflects atrial and atrioventricular nodal conduction time. The PR interval is heritable, provides important information about arrhythmia risk, and has been suggested to differ among human races. Genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified common genetic determinants of the PR interval in individuals of European and Asian ancestry, but there is a general paucity of GWA studies in individuals of African ancestry.

A biomimetic approach to the cylindrospermopsin alkaloids.

The tethered Biginelli condensation between hemiaminal 21 and β-keto ester 22 is reported, leading to a model tricyclic core of the cylindrospermopsin alkaloids.

Atlantic leatherback migratory paths and temporary residence areas.

Background: Sea turtles are long-distance migrants with considerable behavioural plasticity in terms of migratory patterns, habitat use and foraging sites within and among populations. However, for the most widely migrating turtle, the leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea, studies combining data from individuals of different populations are uncommon. Such studies are however critical to better understand intra- and inter-population variability and take it into account in the implementation of conservation strategies of this critically endangered species.

In silico protein interaction analysis using the global proteome machine database.

Experiments to probe for protein-protein interactions are the focus of functional proteomic studies, thus proteomic data repositories are increasingly likely to contain a large cross-section of such information. Here, we use the Global Proteome Machine database (GPMDB), which is the largest curated and publicly available proteomic data repository derived from tandem mass spectrometry, to develop an in silico protein interaction analysis tool. Using a human histone protein for method development, we positively identified an interaction partner from each histone protein family that forms the histone octameric complex.

Weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in obese patients heterozygous for MC4R mutations.

Background: Heterozygous mutations in melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) are the most frequent genetic cause of obesity. Bariatric surgery is a successful treatment for severe obesity. The mechanisms of weight loss after bariatric surgery are not well understood.

The structure and health correlates of trait repetitive thought in older adults.

Repetitive thought (RT) involves frequent or prolonged thoughts about oneself and one's world, encompassing discrete forms such as trait worry, rumination, processing, and reminiscing. These forms of RT can be described using 3 basic, underlying qualities: total propensity for RT of all types, valence (positive vs. negative content), and purpose (searching or uncertainty vs.

Validity and reliability of a new method for measuring putting stroke kinematics using the TOMI system.

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of a new method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) putting stroke kinematics using the TOMI device. A putting robot and a high-speed camera were used to simultaneously collect data for the validity evaluation. The TOMI device, when used in conjunction with standard 3D coordinate data processing techniques, was found to be a valid and reliable method for measuring face angle, stroke path, putter speed, and impact spot at the moment of ball contact.

TOR signaling never gets old: aging, longevity and TORC1 activity.

The target of rapamycin (TOR) signal transduction network monitors intra- and extracellular conditions that favor cell growth. Research during the last decade has revealed a modular structure of the TOR signaling network. Each signaling module senses a particular set of signals from the cellular milieu and exerts regulatory control towards TOR activity.

Psychological correlates of medical comorbidities in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Background: Medical comorbidities are common among patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The authors examined the relationship between the medical comorbidities in patients with TMDs and their psychological functioning.

Methods: The sample consisted of 1,060 adults with TMDs, of whom 85 percent (n = 901) were female.

Parameterized computational imaging: Data driven computational modeling for image extension.

Parameterized Computational Imaging (PCI) allows for a continuous, portable and remote imaging of physiology without the continuous need of complex imaging systems. The method trades complex imaging equipment for computing power and potentially wireless measured parameters. The PCI algorithm uses a baseline image along with computational models to calculate physically measurable parameters.

Missing data: discussion points from the PSI missing data expert group.

The Points to Consider Document on Missing Data was adopted by the Committee of Health and Medicinal Products (CHMP) in December 2001. In September 2007 the CHMP issued a recommendation to review the document, with particular emphasis on summarizing and critically appraising the pattern of drop-outs, explaining the role and limitations of the 'last observation carried forward' method and describing the CHMP's cautionary stance on the use of mixed models. In preparation for the release of the updated guidance document, statisticians in the Pharmaceutical Industry held a one-day expert group meeting in September 2008.

High-speed tracking of rupture and clustering in freely falling granular streams.

Thin streams of liquid commonly break up into characteristic droplet patterns owing to the surface-tension-driven Plateau-Rayleigh instability. Very similar patterns are observed when initially uniform streams of dry granular material break up into clusters of grains, even though flows of macroscopic particles are considered to lack surface tension. Recent studies on freely falling granular streams tracked fluctuations in the stream profile, but the clustering mechanism remained unresolved because the full evolution of the instability could not be observed.

Creating a better discharge summary: improvement in quality and timeliness using an electronic discharge summary.

Background: Deficits in information transfer between inpatient and outpatient physicians are common and potentially dangerous.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a newly-created electronic discharge summary.

Design And Participants: Pre-post evaluation of discharge summaries using a survey of outpatient physicians and a medical records review.

Inverse computational feedback optimization imaging applied to time varying changes in a homogeneous structure.

The technique of inverse computational feedback optimization imaging allows for the imaging of varying tissue without the continuous need of a complex imaging systems such as an MRI or CT. Our method trades complex imaging equipment for computing power. The objective is to use a baseline scan from an imaging system along with finite element method computational software to calculate the physically measurable parameters (such as voltage or temperature).

Implementation of a data repository-driven approach for targeted proteomics experiments by multiple reaction monitoring.

Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), commonly employed for the mass spectrometric detection of small molecules, is rapidly gaining ground in proteomics. Its high sensitivity and specificity makes this targeted approach particularly useful when sample throughput or proteome coverage limits global studies. Existing tools to design MRM assays rely exclusively on theoretical predictions, or combine them with previous observations on the same type of sample.

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of an NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Helicobacter pylori.

The classical glycolytic pathway contains an NAD-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, with NADP-dependent forms reserved for photosynthetic organisms and archaea. Here, the cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of an NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Helicobacter pylori is reported; crystals of the protein were grown both in the presence and the absence of NADP.

Modeling the interaction of electric current and tissue: importance of accounting for time varying electric properties.

Time varying computer models of the interaction of electric current and tissue are very valuable in helping to understand the complexity of the human body and biological tissue. The electrical properties of tissue, permittivity and conductivity, are vital to accurately modeling the interaction of the human tissue with electric current. Past models have represented the electric properties of the tissue as constant or temperature dependent.

Decreased shoot stature and grain alpha-amylase activity following ectopic expression of a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene in transgenic wheat.

Ectopic expression of a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene (PcGA2ox1) decreased the content of bioactive gibberellins (GAs) in transgenic wheat, producing a range of dwarf plants with different degrees of severity. In at least one case, a single transformation event gave rise to T(1) plants with different degrees of dwarfism, the phenotypes being stably inherited over at least four generations. The dwarf phenotype, which included dark-green leaves, increased tillering and, in severe cases, a prostrate growth habit, was replicated by the application of a GA biosynthesis inhibitor to the wild type.

Goal shifts following reminders of mortality: reconciling posttraumatic growth and terror management theory.

Research findings within posttraumatic growth (PTG) and terror management theory (TMT) currently appear contradictory. Following confrontations with mortality, PTG research demonstrates intrinsic goal shifts, whereas TMT suggests extrinsic shifts. The current studies examine factors contributing to these inconsistent results.

Stacking complexation by nicotinamide: a useful way of enhancing drug solubility.

The solubility enhancement of 11 poorly soluble drugs by complexation using nicotinamide has been studied. The solubilization efficiency of nicotinamide has been compared to that of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin. Solubility enhancements as high as 4000-fold are observed in 20% (w/v) nicotinamide solution.

Straight talk new approaches to healthcare. The healthcare quality equation.

Though various health organizations may define and approach quality differently, the common denominator is the patient's perspective, experience and outcome. Quality issues should be an important part of health system executives' agenda. Successful quality programs have a number of key ingredients, including decision-reporting tools and business analytics information--which depend on robust information reporting and a system-wide electronic medical record--as well as highly motivated employees and physicians.