Five-year efficacy and safety analysis of the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib Trial.

The Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib Trial examined the efficacy and safety of the cyclooxygenase (Cox)-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, for sporadic colorectal adenoma prevention in patients at high risk for colorectal cancer. The trial randomized 2,035 subjects to receive either placebo, celecoxib 200 mg twice daily, or celecoxib 400 mg twice daily. The primary study safety and efficacy analyses involved 3 years of treatment.

Use of d-3He proton spectroscopy as a diagnostic of shell rho r in capsule implosion experiments with approximately 0.2 NIF scale high temperature Hohlraums at Omega.

We present the calculations and preliminary results from experiments on the Omega laser facility using d-(3)He filled plastic capsule implosions in gold Hohlraums. These experiments aim to develop a technique to measure shell rho r and capsule unablated mass with proton spectroscopy and will be applied to future National Ignition Facility (NIF) experiments with ignition scale capsules. The Omega Hohlraums are 1900 microm length x 1200 microm diameter and have a 70% laser entrance hole.

Testing a home-telehealth programme for US veterans recovering from stroke and their family caregivers.

Purpose: The study purpose was to implement a stroke-specific, care coordination home telehealth (CCHT) programme for US veterans with stroke and their family caregivers.

Methods: In a non-randomized open trial using a mixed methods design, we tested the utility of a stroke-specific, home telehealth programme with 18 veterans and 14 caregivers for 14 days. Programme questions assessed physical impairment, depressive symptoms, and fall prevalence among veterans, and burden level among family caregivers.

The hospital mortality project: a tool for using administrative data for continuous clinical quality assurance.

The increasing demand for greater clinical accountability requires development of convenient tools to measure healthcare safety and quality, which are able to provide information contemporaneously. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of the Hospital Mortality Project, a quality assurance initiative designed to encourage and facilitate clinical accountability for hospital mortality by all clinical departments and clinicians. The project was carried out in two stages.

Marked variability of BK virus load measurement using quantitative real-time PCR among commonly used assays.

BK virus (BKV) is the infectious cause of polyomavirus-associated nephropathy. Screening guidelines for renal-transplant recipients define levels of viremia and viruria that are actionable for additional testing or intervention. However, standardized real-time PCR primers, probes, and standards are unavailable, and the extent of agreement among published assays is unknown.

Mechanistic insights into the Michael addition of deoxyguanosine to catechol estrogen-3,4-quinones.

The reaction of catechol estrogen quinones with DNA to produce the depurinating adducts, 4-OHE 2(E 1)-1-N7Gua and 4-OHE 2(E 1)-1-N3Ade, has been linked to the initiation of breast and other human cancers. A better understanding into the mechanism of how these adducts are formed would be useful to studies aimed at correlating adduct formation to DNA damage. Possible reaction intermediates, produced as a result of Michael addition of deoxyguanosine (dG) to catechol estrogen-3,4-quninones, have been modeled using density functional theory to determine likely intermediates on the potential energy surface (PES) of this reaction.

Compensatory evolution in RNA secondary structures increases substitution rate variation among sites.

There is growing evidence that interactions between biological molecules (e.g., RNA-RNA, protein-protein, RNA-protein) place limits on the rate and trajectory of molecular evolution.

Subtype-specific conformational differences within the V3 region of subtype B and subtype C human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Env proteins.

The V3 region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 Env protein is a key domain in Env due to its role in interacting with the coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4. We examined potential subtype-specific V3 region differences by comparing patterns of amino acid variability and probing for subtype-specific structures using 11 anti-V3 monoclonal antibodies (V3 MAbs). Differences between the subtypes in patterns of variability were most evident in the stem and turn regions of V3 (positions 9 to 24), with the two subtypes being very similar in the base region.

Haptide-coated collagen sponge as a bioactive matrix for tissue regeneration.

We previously described a new class of conserved, cell adhesive (haptotactic) peptides, termed Haptides, based on sequences first identified in fibrinogen. Here, we describe a new biomaterial, Haptide-coated Collagen, in which the carbodiimide reagent, EDC, was used to covalently couple a Haptide (preC gamma), equivalent to the carboxy terminus of the fibrinogen gamma chain, to a cross-linked sponge composed of bovine collagen type I. The dose response of Haptide bound to collagen on cell attachment response reached a plateau at a concentration of 5-10 mg Haptide/g collagen.

Canonical signal recognition particle components can be bypassed for posttranslational protein targeting in chloroplasts.

The chloroplast signal recognition particle (cpSRP) and its receptor (cpFtsY) target proteins both cotranslationally and posttranslationally to the thylakoids. This dual function enables cpSRP to utilize its posttranslational activities for targeting a family of nucleus-encoded light-harvesting chlorophyll binding proteins (LHCPs), the most abundant membrane proteins in plants. Previous in vitro experiments indicated an absolute requirement for all cpSRP pathway soluble components.

Celecoxib for the prevention of sporadic colorectal adenomas.

Background: Studies showing that drugs that inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) reduce the number of colorectal adenomas in animals and patients with familial adenomatous polyposis suggest that COX-2 inhibitors may also prevent sporadic colorectal neoplasia.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients who had adenomas removed before study entry to receive placebo (679 patients) or 200 mg (685 patients) or 400 mg (671 patients) of celecoxib twice daily. Randomization was stratified for the use of low-dose aspirin.

Angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumors (cellular angiofibroma).

Angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumor (cellular angiofibroma) is a rare, circumscribed, slow-growing mesenchymal tumor that occurs predominantly in the vulva, perineum, and pelvis of women. We report two cases of this tumor in men arising as paratesticular masses of the scrotum, summarize the history of this tumor, and discuss why efforts should be made to differentiate it from aggressive angiomyxoma. Recommended treatment is complete surgical excision with long-term follow up exams, as local recurrence may occur many years after resection of the lesion.

Bifenthrin activates homotypic aggregation in human T-cell lines.

Background: Here, we addressed the concern that, despite the lack of overt toxicity, exposure to low levels of the common household pyrethroid pesticide, bifenthrin, could cause harm to the immune system. To do this, we measure the effect of bifenthrin on phytohemagglutinin (PHA) activation of homotypic aggregation in human T-cell lines.

Material/methods: The human CD4+ H9, and Jurkat cell lines and the human promonocyte U937 cell line, were exposed to varying concentrations of bifenthrin.

Bifenthrin inhibits neurite outgrowth in differentiating PC12 cells.

Background: Bifenthrin is a third generation member of the synthetic pyrethroid family of insecticides. As a new pesticide within a relatively new class of pesticides, bifenthrin is considered relatively safe. Here, we used the PC12 neuronal cell line to examine the effect of bifenthrin on the formation of neurites and the potential developmental neurotoxicity of this pesticide.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effects of the bisphosphonate risedronate on bone mass in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Low bone density and fractures are common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Objective: To determine whether the bisphosphonate risedronate and calcium are safe and effective in preserving bone mass compared to calcium alone in IBD patients with low bone mass.

Patients: Sixty-one ambulatory patients with Crohn's disease (n = 31) or ulcerative colitis (n = 30) and low bone density.

Impact of heads-up display imaging on endoscopic task performance.

Background And Purpose: Heads-Up Imaging goggles provide ergonomic advantages to the endourologist. This study was designed to evaluate whether heads-up display impacts task performance for ureteroscopic stone retrieval.

Materials And Methods: The ability to capture a 5-mm calculus with a Cook N-Circle 2.

Necrotizing enterocolitis associated with clostridium perfringens type A in previously healthy north american adults.

Background: Necrotizing enteritis associated with Clostridium perfringens type C ("pigbel") is a well-known syndrome in severely protein-deprived populations in the Pacific. It is exceedingly rare in the developed world. C perfringens type A is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis and, in a handful of infections, has been reported in association with a syndrome resembling necrotizing enteritis.

Rey Complex Figure Test performance after traumatic brain injury.

The influence of factors such as a cerebral injury characteristics, education, perceptual organization skills, and speed of information processing on performance on the Rey Complex Figure Test & Recognition Trial (RCF) was examined by means of hierarchical regression analyses in 100 consecutively referred persons with traumatic brain injury at a median of 2.5 months post-injury. Patients with premorbid (e.

Ephedrine- and guaifenesin-induced nephrolithiasis.

Objectives: Ephedrine and guaifenesin are herbal supplements that have experienced increased use over the past decade. Ephedrine has been used as a stimulant and weight-loss product, guaifenesin as an expectorant and cough suppressant; both are found in combination in many antitussives and expectorants. This paper reviews the reported cases of ephedrine- and guaifenesin-induced nephrolithiasis, as well as the diagnostic techniques and treatments that have been successfully used for these stones.

HIV-1 populations in blood and breast milk are similar.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) through breast milk is a significant mechanism of infection in many regions of the world. We compared the HIV-1 populations in paired blood and breast milk samples using a heteroduplex tracking assay (HTA) for the V1/V2 regions of env (V1/V2-HTA). V1/V2-HTA patterns were similar in the eight pairs of samples for which adequate template sampling could be demonstrated.

Multiple V1/V2 env variants are frequently present during primary infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exists as a complex population of multiple genotypic variants in persons with chronic infection. However, acute HIV-1 infection via sexual transmission is a low-probability event in which there is thought to be low genetic complexity in the initial inoculum. In order to assess the viral complexity present during primary HIV-1 infection, the V1/V2 and V3 variable regions of the env gene were examined by using a heteroduplex tracking assay (HTA) capable of resolving these genotypic variants.

Comparison of tipless and helical baskets in an in vitro ureteral model.

Objectives: To compare the rapidity of stone capture and removal by six tipless and four helical baskets in a ureteral model. Expeditious ureteral stone extraction is reliant on the basket size, configuration, and radial dilation force.

Methods: A 5-mm feline calculus was placed in a simulated model of the human ureter at a distance of 7.

Comparison of nitinol tipless stone baskets in an in vitro caliceal model.

Purpose: Tipless stone baskets facilitate caliceal calculi extraction during flexible ureteroscopy. We evaluated the stone capture rate of 9 commercially available tipless stone baskets in an in vitro model using novice and expert operators.

Materials And Methods: The Microvasive Zerotip (2.