Chromosomal abnormalities detected by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization in fine-needle aspirates from patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma are useful for predicting survival.

Background: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes is commonly used to assess disease progression in patients with small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Although cytologic features are helpful for diagnosing typical SLL and transformed large-cell lymphoma (tLCL), SLL in accelerated phase (SLLacc) is more difficult to diagnose. Additional tests are needed to identify those patients who are transforming to a higher-grade lymphoma.

Mapping of the ATP-binding domain of human fructosamine 3-kinase-related protein by affinity labelling with 5'-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]adenosine.

The modification of proteins by reducing sugars through the process of non-enzymatic glycation is one of the principal mechanisms by which hyperglycaemia may precipitate the development of diabetic complications. Fn3K (fructosamine 3-kinase) and Fn3KRP (Fn3K-related protein) are two recently discovered enzymes that may play roles in metabolizing early glycation products. However, although the activity of these enzymes towards various glycated substrates has been established, very little is known about their structure-function relationships or their respective mechanisms of action.

An automated, high-throughput, 384 well Cytochrome P450 cocktail IC50 assay using a rapid resolution LC-MS/MS end-point.

The current study focused on the development of an automated IC50 cocktail assay in a miniaturized 384 well assay format. This was developed in combination with a significantly shorter high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) run-time; than those currently reported in the literature. The 384-well assay used human liver microsomes in conjunction with a cocktail of probe substrates metabolized by the five major CYPs (tacrine for CYP1A2, diclofenac for CYP2C9, (S)-mephenytoin for CYP2C19, dextromethorphan for CYP2D6 and midazolam for CYP3A4).

Multi-antigenic DNA immunization using herpes simplex virus type 2 genomic fragments.

A novel DNA vaccine was generated using genomic fragments of a pathogen as the source of both the antigen coding and regulatory regions. The constructs, termed subgenomic vaccines (SGVs), incorporated genomic DNA sequences up to 45 kbp that encompass 15-20 different genes. The SGVs were developed to generate vaccines capable of expressing multiple genes from a single construct, which could be of great benefit for commercialization.

Development of a high-throughput cell-based assay for 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 using BacMam technology.

Cortisol is an important glucocorticoid in humans that regulates many physiological processes. Human 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) converts cortisone to cortisol in vivo and has emerged as an appealing therapeutic target for treating metabolic diseases. Here, we report a sensitive and robust high-throughput (HT) cell-based assay for screening 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors.

A phase I feasibility study of yoga on the physical health and coping of informal caregivers.

Family and friends who provide unpaid care to an individual with a disease or disability (known as informal caregivers) experience numerous threats to their physical health as a result of providing care. In spite of evidence that participation in physical and leisure activities can be health promoting, informal caregivers have reported diminished or completely absent leisure participation. Hatha yoga has documented therapeutic benefits, including reduced anxiety, as well as improved muscle strength and endurance and flexibility.

Cluster of Salmonella Enteritidis in Sweden 2005-2006 - suspected source: almonds.

Previous outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis in Canada and the United States have been associated with the consumption of almonds. From December 2005 to August 2006 a cluster of 15 cases of Salmonella Enteritidis NST 3+ was reported in Sweden. A case-control study was performed to identify the source of transmission.

Setting the future policy agenda for health technology assessment: a specialty mapping approach.

Background: There is a need for innovative methodologies to identify and prioritize topics for health technology assessment (HTA). A pilot project to evaluate the methodology for specialty mapping was undertaken in the area of child and adolescent health. Two case studies are presented, in the area of sexually transmitted infections and acute pain.

The origins of insight in resting-state brain activity.

People can solve problems in more than one way. Two general strategies involve (A) methodical, conscious, search of problem-state transformations, and (B) sudden insight, with abrupt emergence of the solution into consciousness. This study elucidated the influence of initial resting brain-state on subjects' subsequent strategy choices.

Combination of cytologic evaluation and quantitative digital cytometry is reliable in detecting recurrent disease in patients with urinary diversions.

Background: Detecting recurrent bladder carcinoma early is important because it is a multifocal disease that may affect the bladder mucosa, ureters, urethra, and renal pelvis and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, specimens from patients who have undergone cystectomy with urinary diversion can be difficult to interpret by cytologic evaluation because they often contain degenerated epithelial cells, histiocytes, acute inflammatory cells, bacteria, and cellular debris. In this retrospective study, the reliability of quantitative digital cytometry (QDC) in conjunction with cytologic evaluation in detecting recurrent disease was determined in these patients.

Fructosamine-3-kinase-related-protein phosphorylates glucitolamines on the C-4 hydroxyl: novel substrate specificity of an enigmatic enzyme.

Fructosamine-3-kinase (FN3K) phosphorylates fructosamines to fructosamine-3-phosphates. Recent data from FN3K-knockout mouse indicate that this phosphorylation results in deglycation of proteins modified by non-enzymatic glycation process. A homolog of FN3K, the FN3K-related-protein (FN3KRP) displays 65% amino acid sequence identity with FN3K and is highly conserved in evolution.

The role of park proximity and social support in shaping park visitation, physical activity, and perceived health among older adults.

Background: Health scholars purport that park proximity and social support promotes physical activity and health. However, few studies examine the combined contributions of these constructs in shaping physical activity and health.

Purpose: In this study, the contributions of environmental and social characteristics in shaping park use, physical activity, and health are examined.

Benefit of vitamin A supplementation on ascaris reinfection is less evident in stunted children.

Despite the common coexistence of vitamin A deficiency and Ascaris infection in preschool children in developing countries, and despite the widespread use of vitamin A supplements, remarkably little is understood about the impact of vitamin A supplementation on this gastrointestinal nematode. The Ministry of Health of Panama recently initiated a vitamin A supplementation program in rural indigenous populations. We took advantage of this initiative to assess the benefit of 200,000 IU (60 mg retinol) vitamin A on reinfection with Ascaris following deworming.

Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide binds to the natriuretic peptide clearance receptor.

Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) is a newly-described natriuretic peptide which lowers blood pressure via vasodilation. The natriuretic peptide clearance receptor (NPR-C) removes natriuretic peptides from the circulation, but whether DNP interacts with human NPR-C directly is unknown. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that DNP binds to NPR-C.

Extending Medicaid coverage for family planning services: Alabama's first four years.

Objectives: This study examines whether Alabama's Medicaid family planning demonstration program reaches a different segment of the population than the health department-based Title X family planning program, whether service use rates differ across clients using care within and outside of the Title X provider system, and whether additional risk assessment and care coordination services provided by health department personnel increase the likelihood that family planning clients return for follow-up visits over time.

Methods: Administrative data from four years of operation of the program were used to examine characteristics of the clientele, differences in services used across provider types included in the program, and the impact of risk assessments and care coordination on return visit rates.

Results: The number of family planning service users increased dramatically over the four-year period, but were more similar demographically to Title X clients than to Medicaid maternity clients.

Cell-permeating alpha-ketoglutarate derivatives alleviate pseudohypoxia in succinate dehydrogenase-deficient cells.

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and fumarate hydratase (FH) are components of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and tumor suppressors. Loss of SDH or FH induces pseudohypoxia, a major tumor-supporting event, which is the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) under normoxia. In SDH- or FH-deficient cells, HIF activation is due to HIF1alpha stabilization by succinate or fumarate, respectively, either of which, when in excess, inhibits HIFalpha prolyl hydroxylase (PHD).

Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) powder formulation: process and stability assessment.

The purpose of this study was to develop a hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) dry powder vaccine formulation suitable for epidermal powder immunization (EPI) via an efficient, scalable powder-formation process. Several HBsAg dry powder formulations were prepared using four different powder-formation methods: freeze-drying/compress/grind/sieve (FD/C/G/S), spray-drying (SD), agarose beads, and spray freeze-drying (SFD). Powder properties and physical stability were determined using particle size analysis, tap density measurement, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and moisture content analysis.

Unacceptably high mortality related to measles epidemics in Niger, Nigeria, and Chad.

Background: Despite the comprehensive World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) measles mortality-reduction strategy and the Measles Initiative, a partnership of international organizations supporting measles mortality reduction in Africa, certain high-burden countries continue to face recurrent epidemics. To our knowledge, few recent studies have documented measles mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of our study was to investigate measles mortality in three recent epidemics in Niamey (Niger), N'Djamena (Chad), and Adamawa State (Nigeria).

Are infant size and growth related to burden of disease in adulthood? A systematic review of literature.

Background: Slower rates of infant growth are associated with increased rates of death from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in later life. We carried out a systematic review to assess the association between infant size or growth and leading causes of adult burden of disease to contribute to the debate on the potential of the promotion of infant growth to prevent ischaemic heart disease.

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and bibliographies of included studies.

Characterization of the IFN-gamma T-cell responses to immediate early antigens in humans with genital herpes.

Background: The IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay has been used to examine the T-cell repertoire for many disease states in humans but, as yet, not genital herpes. Using overlapping synthetic peptide libraries, an IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay was established that could measure CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses to HSV-2 antigens in patients with genital herpes.

Results: In unexpanded T-cells isolated from peripheral blood, CD4 responses were readily measured against four immediate early antigens (ICP0, ICP4, ICP22 and ICP27), VP22 and gD.

Potent protective cellular immune responses generated by a DNA vaccine encoding HSV-2 ICP27 and the E. coli heat labile enterotoxin.

A mouse model was employed to evaluate protective cellular immune responses induced by an immediate early antigen of HSV-2. Particle-mediated DNA vaccination of mice with a DNA plasmid-encoding ICP27 resulted in the induction of ICP27-specific IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production in Balb/c mice, but little protection to intranasal challenge with wild type HSV-2. However, when the DNA vaccine was supplemented with as little as 50ng of a vector encoding the A and B subunits of the Escherichia coli heat labile enterotoxin (LT), animals were profoundly protected from morbidity and mortality.