Examining the utility of categorical models and alleviating artifacts in phylogenetic reconstruction of the Squamata (Reptilia).

Reconstruction artifacts are a serious hindrance to the elucidation of phylogenetic relationships and a number of methods have been devised to alleviate them. Previous studies have demonstrated a striking disparity in the evolutionary rates of the mitochondrial (mt) genomes of squamate reptiles (lizards, worm lizards and snakes) and the reconstruction artifacts that may arise from this. Here, to examine basal squamate relationships, we have added the mt genome of the blind skink Dibamus novaeguineae to the mitogenomic dataset and applied different models for resolving the squamate tree.

Using consumer-based kiosk technology to improve and standardize medication reconciliation in a specialty care setting.

Background: Discrepancies in medication documentation most often occur at handoffs or transition points in care. A process improvement team at the Portland Department of Veterans Affairs developed a standardized medication reconciliation process for the Portland chemotherapy administration unit, a physically self-contained clinic with a standard intake process and a uniform patient traffic pattern.

Methods: The team developed the automated patient history intake device (APHID), a reconciliation software program accessed by the patient using a computer terminal kiosk in the clinic lobby.

Migration of whooper swans and outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in eastern Asia.

Evaluating the potential involvement of wild avifauna in the emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (hereafter H5N1) requires detailed analyses of temporal and spatial relationships between wild bird movements and disease emergence. The death of wild swans (Cygnus spp.) has been the first indicator of the presence of H5N1 in various Asian and European countries; however their role in the geographic spread of the disease remains poorly understood.

Effects of breath-hold and cardiac cycle on the MRI appearance of the aorta and inferior vena cava in t2 abdominal imaging.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to review the MR principles of blood signal and normal flow-related phenomena seen in the aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC) on T2-weighted images of the abdomen and to discuss the physiologic and physical basis of signal alterations with breath-hold imaging. We define time-of-flight (TOF) loss and list the factors that affect it; explain the physiologic effects of breath-hold imaging on both aortic and IVC waveforms and velocity; state which abdominal T2 imaging techniques are most susceptible to variable TOF effects and explain why based on physiologic effects and MR principles; and describe three trouble-shooting techniques to confirm that unexpected signal does not reflect pathology.

Conclusion: T2 images customarily result in TOF loss and dark blood signal.

Growth and mycotoxin production by Chaetomium globosum is favored in a neutral pH.

Chaetomium globosum is frequently isolated in water-damaged buildings and produces two mycotoxins called chaetoglobosins A and C when cultured on building material. In this study, the influence of ambient pH on the growth of C. globosum was examined on an artificial medium.

Sclerosing peritonitis and mortality after liver transplantation.

Sclerosing peritonitis describes the development of a peel or rind of fibrosis that spreads over the peritoneal surface and can lead to recalcitrant ascites, bowel obstruction, and sepsis. It is well described as a complication of peritoneal dialysis, especially with episodes of bacterial peritonitis. It is also a complication of end-stage liver disease with ascites and liver transplantation.

Design and implementation of a medication reconciliation kiosk: the Automated Patient History Intake Device (APHID).

Errors associated with medication documentation account for a substantial fraction of preventable medical errors. Hence, the Joint Commission has called for the adoption of reconciliation strategies at all United States healthcare institutions. Although studies suggest that reconciliation tools can reduce errors, it remains unclear how best to implement systems and processes that are reliable and sensitive to clinical workflow.

Measurement of glutathione in human brain at 3T using an improved double quantum filter in vivo.

A single voxel proton NMR double quantum filter (DQF) for measurement of glutathione (GSH) in human brain at 3T is reported. Yield enhancement for the CH(2) resonances of the cysteine moiety at 2.95ppm has been achieved by means of dual encoding.

Scleritis associated with hepatitis C: a case report and review of literature.

There has been an increase in the complications associated with hepatitis C. Scleritis is one of the complications of the condition that is not routinely suspected, and thus underdiagnosed or missed, leading to delay in initiation of treatment. This case report will bring that to the attention of ophthalmologists so necessary systemic therapy can be instituted in a timely fashion.

Autocrine ATP release coupled to extracellular pyrophosphate accumulation in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate (PP(i)) is a potent suppressor of physiological calcification in bone and pathological calcification in blood vessels. Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterases (eNPPs) generate PP(i) via the hydrolysis of ATP released into extracellular compartments by poorly understood mechanisms. Here we report that cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from rat aorta generate extracellular PP(i) via an autocrine mechanism that involves ATP release tightly coupled to eNPP activity.

Gas-phase H/D exchange and collision cross sections of hemoglobin monomers, dimers, and tetramers.

The conformations of gas-phase ions of hemoglobin, and its dimer and monomer subunits have been studied with H/D exchange and cross section measurements. During the H/D exchange measurements, tetramers undergo slow dissociation to dimers, and dimers to monomers, but this did not prevent drawing conclusions about the relative exchange levels of monomers, dimers, and tetramers. Assembly of the monomers into tetramers, hexamers, and octamers causes the monomers to exchange a greater fraction of their hydrogens.

HCV796: A selective nonstructural protein 5B polymerase inhibitor with potent anti-hepatitis C virus activity in vitro, in mice with chimeric human livers, and in humans infected with hepatitis C virus.

Unlabelled: Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug development has been challenged by a lack of experience with inhibitors inclusive of in vitro, animal model, and clinical study. This manuscript outlines activity and correlation across such a spectrum of models and into clinical trials with a novel selective nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) polymerase inhibitor, HCV796. Enzyme assays yielded median inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of 0.

Fluid and electrolyte management in the premature infant.

Caring for the premature infant in the NICU requires knowledge and understanding of the physiologic adaptation to extrauterine life and how prematurity affects that transition. Nurses play an integral role in managing fluid and electrolyte balance in these infants. This article addresses postnatal adaptation and all aspects of fluid and electrolyte management of the preterm infant.

Helical peptides derived from lactoferrin bind hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2.

Hepatitis C virus is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma infecting more than 170 million people. Hepatitis C virus envelope 2 glycoprotein (E2) binds several cell-surface molecules that act as receptor candidates mediating hepatitis C virus entry into hepatocytes. Peptides derived from human lactoferrin have been shown to bind hepatitis C virus-E2 protein thereby preventing hepatitis C virus entry in cultured hepatocytes.

Extreme endurance flights by landbirds crossing the Pacific Ocean: ecological corridor rather than barrier?

Mountain ranges, deserts, ice fields and oceans generally act as barriers to the movement of land-dependent animals, often profoundly shaping migration routes. We used satellite telemetry to track the southward flights of bar-tailed godwits (Limosa lapponica baueri), shorebirds whose breeding and non-breeding areas are separated by the vast central Pacific Ocean. Seven females with surgically implanted transmitters flew non-stop 8,117-11,680 km (10153+/-1043 s.

Conformations of gas-phase ions of ubiquitin, cytochrome c, apomyoglobin, and beta-lactoglobulin produced from two different solution conformations.

At low pH in solutions of 50% methanol, proteins form expanded denatured states (the "H" state). In 90% methanol, proteins form expanded helical denatured states with artificial alpha-helices (the "H(c)" state). Gas-phase ions of ubiquitin, cytochrome c, apomyoglobin, and native and disulfide-reduced beta-lactoglobulin were formed by electrospray ionization (ESI) of the proteins from the H and H(c) states in solution.

BMI-1 promotes ewing sarcoma tumorigenicity independent of CDKN2A repression.

Deregulation of the polycomb group gene BMI-1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of many human cancers. In this study, we have investigated if the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) expresses BMI-1 and whether it functions as an oncogene in this highly aggressive group of bone and soft tissue tumors. Our data show that BMI-1 is highly expressed by ESFT cells and that, although it does not significantly affect proliferation or survival, BMI-1 actively promotes anchorage-independent growth in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo.

Angiosarcoma complicating systemic sclerosis: a case report.

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare malignant vascular tumor with a poor prognosis, most commonly affecting elderly white men. Diagnosis usually is delayed because the tumor has a highly variable and often innocuous presentation. Cutaneous angiosarcoma has been associated with a number of conditions and factors, including chronic lymphedema, prior radiation therapy, exposure to chemicals, and vascular malformations.

Mouse forward genetics in the study of the peripheral nervous system and human peripheral neuropathy.

Forward genetics, the phenotype-driven approach to investigating gene identity and function, has a long history in mouse genetics. Random mutations in the mouse transcend bias about gene function and provide avenues towards unique discoveries. The study of the peripheral nervous system is no exception; from historical strains such as the trembler mouse, which led to the identification of PMP22 as a human disease gene causing multiple forms of peripheral neuropathy, to the more recent identification of the claw paw and sprawling mutations, forward genetics has long been a tool for probing the physiology, pathogenesis, and genetics of the PNS.

Heat stability of chaetoglobosins A and C.

Chaetomium globosum is commonly found in water-damaged buildings and produces the mycotoxins chaetoglobosin A and chaetoglobosin C (Ch-A and Ch-C, respectively). While attempting to purify Ch-A and Ch-C, we observed that these mycotoxins were broken down after heating. The objective of this study was to determine the temperature and the amount of time necessary to break down Ch-A and Ch-C.

Pet owners' views of pet behavior problems and willingness to consult experts for assistance.

Prior research has found that dog obedience training and the receipt of advice regarding companion animal (pet) behavior reduce the risk of nonhuman animal relinquishment to an animal shelter and increase human-companion animal interactions, but research also finds that only a minority of pet guardians participates in such activities. The researchers for this study asked 170 dog and cat guardians to assess the seriousness of common problem behaviors and how likely they were to seek help. The researchers also asked them to rate different methods of obtaining expert advice.

Living donor liver transplantation in polycystic liver disease.

In the current Model for End-Stage Liver Disease system, patients with polycystic liver disease (PCLD) who have a poor quality of life secondary to their massive hepatomegaly are no longer competitive for a deceased donor liver transplant if their liver function is well preserved. Traditionally, a caval resection has been advocated in these patients because of the difficulty of the hepatectomy with hepatomegaly, which makes living donation impossible. This series looks at 3 patients who underwent a caval sparing hepatectomy and subsequent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for PCLD.

Inpatient admissions for drug-induced liver injury: results from a single center.

Objective To review all cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) requiring hospitalization at a single tertiary care center. Methods Patient records were identified by ICD-9 codes for inpatient visits from November 1998 through March 2006. Results Of a total 83,265 hospital admissions during the study period, 40 were for DILI (0.