Spectrum of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway gene alterations in bladder cancer.

Purpose: The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway can be activated by alterations affecting several pathway components. For rational application of targeted therapies, detailed understanding of tumor biology and approaches to predict efficacy in individual tumors are required. Our aim was to assess the frequency and distribution of pathway alterations in bladder cancer.

In vivo effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on the activation of lymphocytes.

Objective: This study investigated the immunologic effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on four types of immune cells in a human sample to determine the immunologic mechanism.

Design: Five (5) participants consumed 6 mL of an Ashwagandha root extract twice daily for 96 hours. Ashwagandha was administered with anupana (whole milk).

MIF homologues from a filarial nematode parasite synergize with IL-4 to induce alternative activation of host macrophages.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a highly conserved cytokine considered to exert wide-ranging, proinflammatory effects on the immune system. Recently, members of this gene family have been discovered in a number of invertebrate species, including parasitic helminths. However, chronic helminth infections are typically associated with a Th2-dominated, counter-inflammatory phenotype, in which alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) are prominent.

Hippocampal zinc infusion delays the development of afterdischarges and seizures in a kindling model of epilepsy.

Purpose: Zinc occurs in high concentration in synaptic vesicles of glutamatergic terminals including hippocampal mossy fibers. This vesicular zinc can be synaptically released during neuronal activity, including seizures. Zinc inhibits certain subtypes of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptors.

Static magnetic field therapy: a critical review of treatment parameters.

Static magnetic field (SMF) therapy, applied via a permanent magnet attached to the skin, is used by people worldwide for self-care. Despite a lack of established SMF dosage and treatment regimens, multiple studies are conducted to evaluate SMF therapy effectiveness. Our objectives in conducting this review are to:(i) summarize SMF research conducted in humans; (ii) critically evaluate reporting quality of SMF dosages and treatment parameters and (iii) propose a set of criteria for reporting SMF treatment parameters in future clinical trials.

Skin impedance measurements for acupuncture research: development of a continuous recording system.

Skin impedance at acupuncture points (APs) has been used as a diagnostic/therapeutic aid for more than 50 years. Currently, researchers are evaluating the electrophysiologic properties of APs as a possible means of understanding acupuncture's mechanism. To comprehensively assess the diagnostic, therapeutic and mechanistic implications of acupuncture point skin impedance, a device capable of reliably recording impedances from 100 kOmega to 50 MOmega at multiple APs over extended time periods is needed.

The presacral space and its impact on sacral neuromodulator implantation.

Purpose: We describe the presacral space and its potential impact on sacral neuromodulator implantation and bowel injury.

Materials And Methods: Parasagittal images containing bilateral sacral foramina (S2-S4) were examined on 45 pelvic magnetic resonance images. Images were excluded from analysis if they were poor quality or had any history causing distortion of normal anatomy.

Caenorhabditis elegans-applications to nematode genomics.

The complete genome sequence of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was published 4 years ago. Since then, we have seen great strides in technologies that seek to exploit this data. Here we describe the application of some of these techniques and other advances that are helping us to understand about not only the biology of this important model organism but also the entire phylum Nematoda.

Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives: Study aims were to evaluate effects of Bacopa monnieri whole plant standardized dry extract on cognitive function and affect and its safety and tolerability in healthy elderly study participants.

Design: The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a placebo run-in of 6 weeks and a treatment period of 12 weeks.

Setting/location: Volunteers were recruited from the community to a clinic in Portland, Oregon by public notification.

Tooth bleaching and pit and fissure stain.

Purpose: To investigate if tooth whitening had any effect on the shade of occlusal pit and fissure stains and whether reservoirs in bleaching trays affected bleaching of occlusal pit and fissure stains.

Methods: 96 extracted molars were randomly divided into three paired groups for whitening using a 10% carbamide peroxide solution (Opalescence) or a 22% carbamide peroxide solution (Nite White Excel 3), or tap water for a control. One of each pair utilized reservoirs in their custom bleaching trays.

The use of stereolithographic hand held models for evaluation of congenital anomalies of the great arteries.

Imaging anomalies of the great vessels has traditionally been accomplished using conventional biplane modalities as well as three-dimensional (3D) video displays. Our aim was to review the use of stereolithography to create 3D models to assess coarctation of the aorta and vascular rings. Twelve patients had high-resolution CT scans to evaluate anomalies of the great arteries (coarctation: 9, vascular ring: 3).

Reoperation 10 years after surgically managed pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.

Objective: This study measured the 10-year risk of reoperation for surgically treated pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence (POPUI) in a community population.

Study Design: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of 374 women who were > 20 years old and who underwent surgery for POPUI in 1995.

Results: The 10-year reoperation rate was 17% by Kaplan Meier analysis.

Determining the shape of the turns-amplitude cloud during anal sphincter quantitative EMG.

We aimed to compare our normative data for quantitative interference pattern (IP) analysis of the anal sphincter to previously published data. In 28 nulliparous women, we performed IP analysis during quantitative concentric needle electromyography (QEMG) of the anal sphincter. At each sampling site, a 500-ms epoch was analyzed.

Cystatins from filarial parasites: evolution, adaptation and function in the host-parasite relationship.

Cystatins, together with stefins and kininogens, are members of the cystatin superfamily of cysteine protease inhibitors (CPI) present across the animal and plant kingdoms. Their role in parasitic organisms may encompass both essential developmental processes and specific interactions with the parasite's vector and/or final host. We summarise information gathered on three cystatins from the human filarial nematode Brugia malayi (Bm-CPI-1, -2 and -3), and contrast them those expressed by other parasites and by the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis with alpha lipoic acid and associative conditioning.

We have initiated studies to evaluate the suitability of performing therapeutic conditioning trials in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice treated with alpha lipoic acid (ALA). EAE was induced in SJL mice by active immunization with myelin antigen. Once daily subcutaneous injection of ALA served as the unconditional stimulus (US) administered with the conditional stimulus (CS) saccharin-flavored drinking water under a regimen of restricted water access.

ENDOR characterization of a synthetic diiron hydrazido complex as a model for nitrogenase intermediates.

Molybdenum-dependent nitrogenase binds and reduces N2 at the [Fe7, Mo, S9, X, homocitrate] iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co). Kinetic and spectroscopic studies of nitrogenase variants indicate that a single Fe-S face is the most likely binding site. Recently, substantial progress has been made in determining the structures of nitrogenase intermediates formed during alkyne and N2 reduction through use of ENDOR spectroscopy.

Correction of electrode polarization contributions to the dielectric properties of normal and cancerous breast tissues at audio/radiofrequencies.

Spurious contributions from electrode polarization (EP) are a major nuisance in dielectric measurements of biological tissues and hamper accurate determination of tissue properties in the audio/radiofrequencies. Various electrode geometries and/or treatments have been employed traditionally to reduce EP contributions, although none succeeded to completely remove EP from measurements on tissues for all practical frequency ranges. A method of correction for contributions of EP to the dielectric properties of tissues is proposed.

Draft genome of the filarial nematode parasite Brugia malayi.

Parasitic nematodes that cause elephantiasis and river blindness threaten hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. We have sequenced the approximately 90 megabase (Mb) genome of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi and predict approximately 11,500 protein coding genes in 71 Mb of robustly assembled sequence. Comparative analysis with the free-living, model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans revealed that, despite these genes having maintained little conservation of local synteny during approximately 350 million years of evolution, they largely remain in linkage on chromosomal units.

Discriminators of Complementary and Alternative Medicine provider use among men with HIV/AIDS.

Objective: To examine comprehensively the potential correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioner use among men with HIV/AIDS.

Methods: Men (n=122) recruited from HIV/AIDS service organizations completed extensive written surveys. Questions comprised several domains that have been thought or demonstrated to influence individuals to use CAM, and also addressed respondents' social networks.

The effect of Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra on CD25 expression in humans: a pilot study.

This phase 0, double-blind, repeated within subject, randomized pilot study examined CD25 expression on T cells after ingestion of three commonly used herbs: Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra, administered singly and in combination. CD25 expression on T cells was significantly increased for subjects ingesting Echinacea at 24 h with notable increases in activation from Astragalus and Glycyrrhiza. CD25 expression remains elevated with daily use of Echinacea for at least 7 days.

Validating a clinical measure of levator hiatus size.

Objective: We evaluate the interrater reliability of levator hiatus (LH) size and correlate size to other measures of muscle function.

Study Design: Participants were examined independently by 2 examiners. During maximal contraction of the levator ani, the muscle was assessed by using Brink's scale.

DIAGNOdent measurements and correlation with the depth and volume of minimally invasive cavity preparations.

In this clinical study, DIAGNOdent (KaVo) was used to assess previously diagnosed carious lesions in the pits and fissures of first and second molars. The measurements from this device were correlated with the depth and volume of the cavity preparations that resulted from minimal intervention to remove occlusal carious lesions. Twenty-five patients, 18 years of age and older, who were previously scheduled for an occlusal restoration due to caries, were recruited and enrolled in this clinical study.