The intrinsic redox reactions of polyamic acid derivatives and their application in hydrogen peroxide sensor.

Polyamic acids (PAAs) containing benzothiazole (BT) and benzoxazole (BO) pendent groups (PAA-BT and PAA-BO, respectively) which possessed electroactivity were synthesized successfully. The addition of H(2)O(2) chemically oxidized the intrinsic carboxylic acid groups of PAA to form peroxy acid groups, and the peroxy acid further oxidized the electroactive sites of BT and BO to form N-oxides. The N-oxides could be reverted to their original form by electrochemical reduction, thus increasing the electrochemical reductive current.

Cemental tear: clinical characteristics and its predisposing factors.

Introduction: Cemental tears often show characteristics mimicking a periapical or periodontal lesion. This leads to difficulty in the early diagnosis of cemental tears.

Methods: In this multicenter study, 71 teeth with cemental tears being confirmed by direct inspection or histological examination were included.

Structural and functional roles of Daxx SIM phosphorylation in SUMO paralog-selective binding and apoptosis modulation.

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation and interaction are increasingly associated with various cellular processes. However, little is known about the cellular signaling mechanisms that regulate proteins for distinct SUMO paralog conjugation and interactions. Using the transcriptional coregulator Daxx as a model, we show that SUMO paralog-selective binding and conjugation are regulated by phosphorylation of the Daxx SUMO-interacting motif (SIM).

Characteristics of the dual-bridge giant magnetoresistance magnetometer.

The responsivity and the field noise characteristics of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) magnetometer driven by an alternating magnetic field are investigated. The harmonic spectrum of the sensor voltage shows that only the odd harmonics of excitation frequency are sensitive to the external dc field. To cancel out the even harmonics, the dual-bridge GMR magnetometer with the balanced output is proposed.

Rapid revascularization reverses cerebral and myocardial ischemia arising from aortic dissection.

Thrombolytic therapy is relatively contraindicated in aortic dissection (AD)–related cerebral and myocardial ischemia for high risk of bleeding. We report a 52-year-old woman experiencing acute cerebral and myocardial ischemia arising from AD. Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator treatment was held immediately when carotid duplex revealed common carotid artery dissection and chest computed tomography confirmed the existence of type A AD.

Inhibitory effect of n-butylidenephthalide on neointimal hyperplasia in balloon injured rat carotid artery.

This investigation was designed to determine the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of n-butylidenephthalide (BP) from Angelica sinensis on smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation in vitro and in balloon injured rat carotid artery. Treatment of cultured rat aorta SMC-derived A7r5 cells with 25-100 μg/mL BP significantly inhibited the proliferation and arrested the cell cycle in G(0)/G(1) phase. BP induced the expression and migration of Nur77 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

Incidence of methemoglobinemia in patients receiving cerium nitrate and silver sulfadiazine for the treatment of burn wounds: a burn center's experience.

In 1976, the combination of cerium nitrate and silver sulfadiazine was introduced as a topical therapy for burn wounds. Experience with a locally prepared combination agent has shown physical change of the eschar and delayed subeschar bacterial colonization. A potential systemic complication of this treatment is the development of methemoglobinemia (Met-Hba) due to the oxidizing nature of Ce(NO(3))(3).

Association of IL28B gene variations with mathematical modeling of viral kinetics in chronic hepatitis C patients with IFN plus ribavirin therapy.

Asian patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are known to have better virological responses to pegylated (Peg) IFN-based therapy than Western patients. Although IL28B gene polymorphisms may contribute to this difference, whether favorable hepatitis C virus (HCV) kinetics during treatment plays a role remains unclear. We enrolled 145 consecutive Taiwanese patients with CHC receiving Peg-IFN α-2a plus ribavirin for the study.

Transforming growth factor β1 down-regulates Runx-2 and alkaline phosphatase activity of human dental pulp cells via ALK5/Smad2/3 signaling.

Objective: Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) plays a role in repair and dentinogenesis in dental pulp. The purpose of this study was to study how TGF-β1 affects 2 differentiation markers, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2) and ALP, in dental pulp cells.

Study Design: Primary-cultured human dental pulp cells were treated with TGF-β1 with or without pretreatment and coincubation with 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(o-aminophenylmercapto)butadiene (U0126, a mitogen-induced extracellular kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor), Noggin (a bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor), or 4-(5-benzol[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-4-pyrldin-2-yl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-benzamide hydrate (SB431542, an activin receptor-like kinase (ALK) 5/Smad2/3 inhibitor).

Factors of osteogenesis influencing various human stem cells on third-generation gelatin/β-tricalcium phosphate scaffold material.

Human bone marrow-derived stem cells (hBMSCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) have been used to regenerate bone. Both sources are claimed to have comparable osteogenic potential, but few comparative studies are available. Third-generation biomaterials have been developed to reduce steps in regenerating tissues.

Hospital length of stay--does 1% TBSA really equal 1 day?

Length of stay (LOS) continues to be a standard variable when evaluating progress and outcomes in burn care. Common wisdom would dictate that this measure is linearly related to TBSA. Is this truly the case? A retrospective review of the National Burn Repository was conducted to evaluate factors that affect hospital LOS.

A review of the local pathophysiologic bases of burn wound progression.

Burn wound progression refers to the phenomenon of continued tissue necrosis in the zone of stasis after abatement of the initial thermal insult. A multitude of chemical and mechanical factors contribute to the local pathophysiologic process of burn wound progression. Prolonged inflammation results in an accumulation of cytotoxic cytokines and free radicals, along with neutrophil plugging of dermal venules.

Burn wound healing time assessed by laser Doppler imaging. Part 2: validation of a dedicated colour code for image interpretation.

Introduction: Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) has been investigated and used since 1993 for the assessment of burn wounds. Here we describe tests that validate use of the dedicated colour palette, derived in Part 1, for a standardised interpretation of LDI images for prediction of healing time (<14 days, 14-21 days or >21 days). We also describe clinical and technical factors to be taken into account during LDI imaging and during image interpretation.

Development of a generalized model for analyzing phase characteristics of SAW devices under mass and fluid loading.

vA generalized model that integrates the Navier-Stokes equation and coupling-of-modes (COM) model for biosensing SAW devices is developed in this paper. The SAW device is separated into three regions: interdigital transducer (IDT), substrate (delay line), and sensing regions. To evaluate the effects of metal thickness, mass loading caused by bioreaction, and different viscous fluid loading, the sensing region is further divided into three layers: piezoelectric substrate, metal layer, and fluid layer.

Involvement of the p38 pathway in the differential induction of heme oxygenase-1 by statins in Neuro-2A cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, in response to various stimuli, has been generally reported to protect against cellular stress. However, we previously demonstrated simvastatin-induced HO-1-exaggerated nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ) activation and superoxide production on exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The addition of the iron chelator, desferrioxamine, to reduce the accumulation of ferric iron from heme by HO-1 resulted in a blockade of aggravated superoxide production.

Epidemiology, diagnosis and management of intracranial atherosclerotic disease.

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a major cause of ischemic stroke, with higher occurrence rates in Asian, black and Hispanic individuals than in white individuals. Important risk factors for ICAD include age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. ICAD patients have a 10–20% annual risk of stroke, with greater risk in patients with high-grade stenosis (70–99%).

Multi-nuclear liquid state NMR investigation of the effects of pH and addition of polyethyleneglycol on the long-term hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane.

The long-time behavior of the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) pre-solution at different pH values with and without addition of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) for various aging times was characterized by liquid (1)H, (13)C, and (29)Si NMR spectroscopy. After aging, the alcohol is released in the TEOS pre-solution without addition of PEG at pH 3 and 9. On the other hand, the hydrolysis and condensation rates of the TEOS pre-solutions with addition of PEG at pH 3 and 9 increase except for the TEOS pre-solution with addition of PEG 2000 at pH 9.

Spatial relation between microbleeds and amyloid deposits in amyloid angiopathy.

Advanced cerebrovascular β-amyloid deposition (cerebral amyloid angiopathy, CAA) is associated with cerebral microbleeds, but the precise relationship between CAA burden and microbleeds is undefined. We used T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and noninvasive amyloid imaging with Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) to analyze the spatial relationship between CAA and microbleeds. On coregistered positron emission tomography (PET) and MRI images, PiB retention was increased at microbleed sites compared to simulated control lesions (p = 0.

Get With the Guidelines-Stroke performance indicators: surveillance of stroke care in the Taiwan Stroke Registry: Get With the Guidelines-Stroke in Taiwan.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death around the world. Improving the quality of stroke care is a global priority, despite the diverse healthcare economies across nations. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Get With the Guidelines-Stroke program (GWTG-Stroke) has improved the quality of stroke care in 790 US academic and community hospitals, with broad implications for the rest of the country.

Entrapment neuropathy results in different microRNA expression patterns from denervation injury in rats.

Background: To compare the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in neurons and innervated muscles after sciatic nerve entrapment using a non-constrictive silastic tube, subsequent surgical decompression, and denervation injury.

Methods: The experimental L4-L6 spinal segments, dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), and soleus muscles from each experimental group (sham control, denervation, entrapment, and decompression) were analyzed using an Agilent rat miRNA array to detect dysregulated miRNAs. In addition, muscle-specific miRNAs (miR-1, -133a, and -206) and selectively upregulated miRNAs were subsequently quantified using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR).

A subset of epithelial cells with CCSP promoter activity participates in alveolar development.

Alveolar formation is hallmarked by the transition of distal lung saccules into gas exchange units through the emergence of secondary crests and an exponential increase in surface area. Several cell types are involved in this complex process, including families of epithelial cells that differentiate into alveolar type I and II cells. Subsets of cells expressing Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) have been identified in both lung and bone marrow compartments, and are described as a progenitor/stem cell pool involved in airway regeneration and alveolar homeostasis.

MRI markers of small vessel disease in lobar and deep hemispheric intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background And Purpose: MRI evidence of small vessel disease is common in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We hypothesized that ICH caused by cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) or hypertensive vasculopathy would have different distributions of MRI T2 white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and microbleeds.

Methods: Data were analyzed from 133 consecutive patients with primary supratentorial ICH and adequate MRI sequences.

Daily physical activity and its contribution to the health-related quality of life of ambulatory individuals with chronic stroke.

Background: Participation in daily physical activity (PA) post-stroke has not previously been investigated as a possible explanatory variable of health-related quality of life (HRQL). The aims were 1) to determine the contribution of daily PA to the HRQL of individuals with chronic stroke and 2) to assess the relationship between the functional ability of these individuals to the amount of daily PA.

Methods: The amount of daily PA of forty adults with chronic stroke (mean age 66.

The role of reactive oxygen species and hemeoxygenase-1 expression in the cytotoxicity, cell cycle alteration and apoptosis of dental pulp cells induced by BisGMA.

Biocompatibility of dentin bonding agents (DBAs) and resin composite is important to preserve the pulp vitality after operative restoration. Bisphenol-glycidyl-methacrylate (BisGMA) is one common monomer adding into DBAs and resin. In this study, we found that exposure of human dental pulp cells to BisGMA (>0.

Quality of life in Taiwanese breast cancer survivors with breast-conserving therapy.

Background/purpose: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy in Taiwan; however, quality of life (QOL) following breast cancer therapy remains rarely studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate QOL among Taiwanese breast cancer patients with and without breast-conserving therapy.

Methods: A total of 130 women with breast cancer (37 with breast-conserving therapy and 93 with modified radical mastectomy) were enrolled between August, 2004 and December, 2007 in a single center.