Emergency department visits related to cirrhosis: a retrospective study of the nationwide emergency department sample 2006 to 2011.

There is scant literature about cirrhosis and its associated complications in a non-hospitalized population.To study the epidemiology of cirrhosis-associated Emergency Department visits in the US.Estimates were calculated in patients' ≥18 years using the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample.

Kelch-Like Protein 2 Mediates Angiotensin II-With No Lysine 3 Signaling in the Regulation of Vascular Tonus.

Recently, the kelch-like protein 3 (KLHL3)-Cullin3 complex was identified as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for with no lysine (WNK) kinases, and the impaired ubiquitination of WNK4 causes pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII), a hereditary hypertensive disease. However, the involvement of WNK kinase regulation by ubiquitination in situations other than PHAII has not been identified. Previously, we identified the WNK3-STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase-Na/K/Cl cotransporter isoform 1 phosphorylation cascade in vascular smooth muscle cells and found that it constitutes an important mechanism of vascular constriction by angiotensin II (AngII).

HIRA orchestrates a dynamic chromatin landscape in senescence and is required for suppression of neoplasia.

Cellular senescence is a stable proliferation arrest that suppresses tumorigenesis. Cellular senescence and associated tumor suppression depend on control of chromatin. Histone chaperone HIRA deposits variant histone H3.

Circular labor migration and HIV in India: exploring heterogeneity in bridge populations connecting areas of high and low HIV infection prevalence.

Background: The emerging human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in rural areas of India are hypothesized to be linked to circular migrants who are introducing HIV from destination areas were the prevalence of HIV infection is higher. We explore the heterogeneity in potential roles of circular migrants in driving an HIV epidemic in a rural area in north India and examine the characteristics of the "sustaining bridge population", which comprises individuals at risk of HIV acquisition at destination and of HIV transmission into networks at origin capable of sustaining an epidemic.

Methods: Results of a behavioral survey of 639 male migrants from Azamgarh district, India, were analyzed using χ(2) tests and logistic regression.

Discovery of Novel SPAK Inhibitors That Block WNK Kinase Signaling to Cation Chloride Transporters.

Upon activation by with-no-lysine kinases, STE20/SPS1-related proline-alanine-rich protein kinase (SPAK) phosphorylates and activates SLC12A transporters such as the Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC) and Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter type 1 (NKCC1) and type 2 (NKCC2); these transporters have important roles in regulating BP through NaCl reabsorption and vasoconstriction. SPAK knockout mice are viable and display hypotension with decreased activity (phosphorylation) of NCC and NKCC1 in the kidneys and aorta, respectively. Therefore, agents that inhibit SPAK activity could be a new class of antihypertensive drugs with dual actions (i.

Reducing variation in decomposition odour profiling using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

Challenges in decomposition odour profiling have led to variation in the documented odour profile by different research groups worldwide. Background subtraction and use of controls are important considerations given the variation introduced by decomposition studies conducted in different geographical environments. The collection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from soil beneath decomposing remains is challenging due to the high levels of inherent soil VOCs, further confounded by the use of highly sensitive instrumentation.

Factors affecting sleep in the critically ill: an observational study.

Purpose: The aims of the current study were to describe the extrinsic and intrinsic factors affecting sleep in critically ill patients and to examine potential relationships with sleep quality.

Materials And Methods: Sleep was recorded using polysomnography (PSG) and self-reports collected in adult patients in intensive care. Sound and illuminance levels were recorded during sleep recording.

Removal kinetics of antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase by various plasmapheresis modalities in the treatment of neurological disorders.

Plasmapheresis is one of the acute treatment modalities for neurological disorders associated with antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD). However, there is little information about the removal kinetics of anti-GAD by various plasmapheresis modalities. Here, we investigated the removal rate of anti-GAD and fibrinogen (Fib) by immunoadsorption (IA), plasma exchange using a conventional plasma separator (OP-PE), and plasma exchange using a high cut-off selective membrane plasma separator (EC-PE) in two cases of anti-GAD-associated neurological diseases.

Type 2 lepra reaction in an immunocompromised patient precipitated by filariasis.

Though patients affected with both acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and leprosy commonly present with type 1 lepra reaction, there are few isolated reports of type 2 lepra reaction in retropositive patients affected with leprosy. We are presenting a case report of 35-year-old male affected with AIDS, tubercular lymphadenitis, and lepromatous leprosy with recurrent episodes of type 2 lepra reaction manifesting as erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL). Dipstick enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for filarial antigen was also positive.

Hepatic cyst infection in an autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patient diagnosed by right pleural effusion.

A 64-year-old Japanese man with renal dysfunction caused by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of right back pain, fever, inflammation, and pleural effusion. Diagnostic investigations for tuberculous pleuritis were all negative. Although no radiographic abnormality suggesting hepatic cyst infection was detected by computed tomography, hepatic cyst drainage demonstrated purulent contents indicative of cyst infection.

Aberrant glycosylation and localization of polycystin-1 cause polycystic kidney in an AQP11 knockout model.

We previously reported that disruption of the aquaporin-11 (AQP11) gene in mice resulted in cystogenesis in the kidney. In this study, we aimed to clarify the mechanism of cystogenesis in AQP11(-/-) mice. To enable the analyses of AQP11 at the protein level in vivo, AQP11 BAC transgenic mice (Tg(AQP11)) that express 3×HA-tagged AQP11 protein were generated.

Impaired degradation of WNK1 and WNK4 kinases causes PHAII in mutant KLHL3 knock-in mice.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII) is a hereditary disease characterized by salt-sensitive hypertension, hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis, and genes encoding with-no-lysine kinase 1 (WNK1) and WNK4 kinases are known to be responsible. Recently, Kelch-like 3 (KLHL3) and Cullin3, components of KLHL3-Cullin3 E3 ligase, were newly identified as responsible for PHAII. We have reported that WNK4 is the substrate of KLHL3-Cullin3 E3 ligase-mediated ubiquitination.

WNK4 is the major WNK positively regulating NCC in the mouse kidney.

By analysing the pathogenesis of a hereditary hypertensive disease, PHAII (pseudohypoaldosteronism type II), we previously discovered that WNK (with-no-lysine kinase)-OSR1/SPAK (oxidative stress-responsive 1/Ste20-like proline/alanine-rich kinase) cascade regulates NCC (Na-Cl co-transporter) in the DCT (distal convoluted tubules) of the kidney. However, the role of WNK4 in the regulation of NCC remains controversial. To address this, we generated and analysed WNK4-/- mice.

Rational hypocrisy: a Bayesian analysis based on informal argumentation and slippery slopes.

Moral hypocrisy is typically viewed as an ethical accusation: Someone is applying different moral standards to essentially identical cases, dishonestly claiming that one action is acceptable while otherwise equivalent actions are not. We suggest that in some instances the apparent logical inconsistency stems from different evaluations of a weak argument, rather than dishonesty per se. Extending Corner, Hahn, and Oaksford's (2006) analysis of slippery slope arguments, we develop a Bayesian framework in which accusations of hypocrisy depend on inferences of shared category membership between proposed actions and previous standards, based on prior probabilities that inform the strength of competing hypotheses.

Papulonecrotic tuberculid in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis.

A 55-year-old male presented with recurrent crops of crusted papular lesions and boils over buttocks for 1month along with a short history of productive cough. The diagnosis of papulonecrotictuberculid (PNT) with pulmonary tuberculosis was made based on history, clinical features, laboratory investigations, and response to antitubercular treatment.

A comparison of aphasia therapy outcomes before and after a Very Early Rehabilitation programme following stroke.

Background: Very early aphasia rehabilitation studies have shown mixed results. Differences in therapy intensity and therapy type contribute significantly to the equivocal results.

Aims: To compare a standardized, prescribed very early aphasia therapy regimen with a historical usual care control group at therapy completion (4-5 weeks post-stroke) and again at follow-up (6 months).

Lessons from senescence: chromatin maintenance in non-proliferating cells.

Cellular senescence is an irreversible proliferation arrest, thought to contribute to tumor suppression, proper wound healing and, perhaps, tissue and organismal aging. Two classical tumor suppressors, p53 and pRB, control cell cycle arrest associated with senescence. Profound molecular changes occur in cells undergoing senescence.

Predictive value of serum sialic Acid in type-2 diabetes mellitus and its complication (nephropathy).

Introduction: Sialic acid levels are increased in type-2 diabetes mellitus and its estimation helps in predicting the occurrence of microvascular complication such as diabetic nephropathy. The present study compared the levels of sialic acid, glycated haemoglobin, serum creatinine and urine microalbumin: in type-2 diabetics without any complications; in type-2 diabetics with nephropathy; and in age and sex matched healthy individual (controls).

Results: The study observed an increased level of sialic acid in type-2 diabetics without any complications and type-2 diabetics with nephropathy.

Regulation of with-no-lysine kinase signaling by Kelch-like proteins.

In 2001, with-no-lysine (WNK) kinases were identified as the genes responsible for the human hereditary hypertensive disease pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII). It took a further 6 years to clarify that WNK kinases participate in a signaling cascade with oxidative stress-responsive gene 1 (OSR1), Ste20-related proline-alanine-rich kinase (SPAK), and thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC) in the kidney and the constitutive activation of this signaling cascade is the molecular basis of PHAII. Since this discovery, the WNK-OSR1/SPAK-NCC signaling cascade has been shown to be involved not only in PHAII but also in the regulation of blood pressure under normal and pathogenic conditions, such as hyperinsulinemia.

p53 status determines the role of autophagy in pancreatic tumour development.

Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) is a process in which organelles termed autophagosomes deliver cytoplasmic constituents to lysosomes for degradation. Autophagy has a major role in cellular homeostasis and has been implicated in various forms of human disease. The role of autophagy in cancer seems to be complex, with reports indicating both pro-tumorigenic and tumour-suppressive roles.

Treatment with 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin ameliorated symptoms of Bartter syndrome type IV caused by mutated Bsnd in mice.

Mutations of BSND, which encodes barttin, cause Bartter syndrome type IV. This disease is characterized by salt and fluid loss, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and sensorineural hearing impairment. Barttin is the β-subunit of the ClC-K chloride channel, which recruits it to the plasma membranes, and the ClC-K/barttin complex contributes to transepithelial chloride transport in the kidney and inner ear.

Development of minimal-change glomerular disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis during the treatment of sarcoidosis.

Minimal-change glomerular disease, sarcoidosis and autoimmune thyroid disease rarely occur in the same patient. We herein report a patient in which minimal-change glomerular disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis developed during the treatment of sarcoidosis with steroids. A 66-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of nephrotic syndrome.

Amount of therapy matters in very early aphasia rehabilitation after stroke: a clinical prognostic model.

Background And Aim: The effects of very early aphasia therapy on recovery are equivocal. This article examines predictors of very early aphasia recovery through statistical modeling.

Methods: This study involved a secondary analysis of merged data from two randomized, single-blind trials conducted in Australian acute and subacute hospitals.