Microrough cobalt-chromium alloy surfaces for paclitaxel delivery: preparation, characterization, and in vitro drug release studies.

Cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys have extensive biomedical applications including drug-eluting stents (DES). This study investigates the use of eight different microrough Co-Cr alloy surfaces for delivering paclitaxel (PAT) for potential use in DES. The eight different surfaces include four bare microrough and four self-assembled monolayer (SAM) coated microrough surfaces.

Demographic and economic predictors of mental health problems and contact with treatment resources among adults in a low-income primary care setting.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of mental health-related problems in a low-income primary care setting, as well as the demographic and economic variables associated with these problems and contact with treatment resources. A total of 346 patient records were randomly selected among patients at an urban Iowa primary care clinic serving lower-income and uninsured individuals. Logistic models examined relationships among demographic factors, poverty level, and insurance status and three outcomes: Lifetime mental health problems, receipt of pharmacological intervention, and contact with psychosocial services.

Mifepristone prevents repopulation of ovarian cancer cells escaping cisplatin-paclitaxel therapy.

Background: Advanced ovarian cancer is treated with cytoreductive surgery and combination platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Although most patients have acute clinical response to this strategy, the disease ultimately recurs. In this work we questioned whether the synthetic steroid mifepristone, which as monotherapy inhibits the growth of ovarian cancer cells, is capable of preventing repopulation of ovarian cancer cells if given after a round of lethal cisplatin-paclitaxel combination treatment.

Growth phase-dependent modulation of Rgg binding specificity in Streptococcus pyogenes.

Streptococcus pyogenes Rgg is a transcriptional regulator that interacts with the cofactor LacD.1 to control growth phase-dependent expression of genes, including speB, which encodes a secreted cysteine protease. LacD.

Gill-arch musculature of the quillback Carpiodes cyprinus (Cypriniformes: Catostomidae) with a comparison to cyprinids.

Although the gill-arch osteology of Cypriniformes has been well studied, comparable works on gill-arch musculature are scarce. The focus of previous studies has been on Cyprinidae while other families have received little or no attention. Consequently, generalizations for Cypriniformes have been made from the musculature of cyprinid gill-arches.

Long-term depression of nociceptive synapses by non-nociceptive afferent activity: role of endocannabinoids, Ca²+, and calcineurin.

Activity in non-nociceptive afferents is known to produce long-lasting decreases in nociceptive signaling, often referred to as gate control, but the cellular mechanisms mediating this form of neuroplasticity are poorly understood. In the leech, activation of non-nociceptive touch (T) mechanosensory neurons induces a heterosynaptic depression of nociceptive (N) synapses that is endocannabinoid-dependent. This heterosynaptic, endocannabinoid-dependent long-term depression (ecLTD) is observed where the T- and N-cells converge on a common postsynaptic target, in this case the motor neuron that innervates the longitudinal muscles (L-cells) that contributes to a defensive withdrawal reflex.

Modular assembly of metal-organic supercontainers incorporating sulfonylcalixarenes.

A new strategy for the design of container molecules is presented. Sulfonylcalix[4]arenes, which are synthetic macrocyclic containers, are used as building blocks that are combined with various metal ions and tricarboxylate ligands to construct metal-organic "supercontainers" (MOSCs). These MOSCs possess both endo and exo cavities and thus mimic the structure of viruses.

Cardiac neuroendocrine tumor with absence of sustentacular cells: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings.

A 68-year-old male presented with increased shortness of breath and intermittent chest pain. Cardiac catheterization along with echocardiogram imaging demonstrated 3-vessel coronary artery disease with severe left ventricular dysfunction and critical aortic stenosis. During coronary artery bypass surgery, a tumor was identified at the sulcus between the aorta and the right atrial appendage.

Effects of hypothyroidism on the respiratory system and control of breathing: Human studies and animal models.

Hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and euthyroid sick syndrome, are prevalent disorders that affect all body systems including the respiratory system and control of breathing. The purpose of this review article is to discuss the regulation of thyroid hormone production and their function at the cellular level; the many causes of hypothyroidism; the effects of hypothyroidism on the respiratory system and on control of ventilation in hypothyroid patients; the variety of ways animal models of hypothyroidism are induced; and how in animal models hypothyroidism affects the respiratory system and control of breathing including neurotransmitters that influence breathing. Finally, this review will present controversies that exist in the field and thus encourage new research directions.

Solving the puzzle: case examples of array comparative genomic hybridization as a tool to end the diagnostic odyssey.

We review 3 cases where array comparative genomic hybridization made a difference in the medical management of the patient, ended the diagnostic odyssey, predicted prognosis for the patient, and/or provided closure to the family. Comparative genomic hybridization is a useful tool for testing individuals with clinical examinations suggestive of a genetic syndrome but in which a specific syndrome may be difficult to pinpoint. The cost is similar to that of a standard karyotype but there is a higher yield in children and adults with clinical signs of a genetic syndrome.

Electromyographic normalization procedures for determining exercise intensity of closed chain exercises for strengthening the quadriceps femoris muscles.

The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) amplitudes of the quadriceps femoris (QF) muscles during a maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) to submaximal and maximal dynamic concentric contractions during active exercises. A secondary purpose was to provide information about the type of contraction that may be most appropriate for normalization of EMG data if one wants to determine if a lower extremity closed chain exercise is of sufficient intensity to produce a strengthening response for the QF muscles. Sixty-eight young healthy volunteers (39 female, 29 male) with no lower extremity pain or injury participated in the study.

Dimensions and severity of marijuana consequences: development and validation of the Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (MACQ).

The Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (MACQ) is a 50-item self-report measure modeled after the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ). College students (n=315) completed questionnaires online. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized 8-factor structure.

An N-halamine-based rechargeable antimicrobial and biofilm controlling polyurethane.

An N-halamine precursor, 5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DMH), was covalently linked to the surface of polyurethane (PU) with 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as the coupling agent. The reaction pathways were investigated using propyl isocyanate (PI) as a model compound. The results suggested that the imide and amide groups of DMH have very similar reactivities toward the isocyanate groups on PU surfaces activated with HDI.

Primary cutaneous mantle cell lymphoma with blastic features: report of a rare case with special reference to staging and effectiveness of chemotherapy.

We describe a case of blastic primary cutaneous mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in an 83-year-old male with a complex medical history. The patient presented to his primary care physician with a nodular erythematous skin eruption on his thighs. Histopathologic examination showed a diffuse lymphoid infiltrate of intermediate to large cells that involved the dermis and subcutis but spared the epidermis.

Ikiugu's eclectic method of combining theoretical conceptual practice models in occupational therapy.

Background/aim: Occupational therapists are often reluctant to use single theoretical conceptual practice models to guide practice because they recognise the limitation of individual models in addressing clients' occupational performance issues. However, there is a dearth of eclectic methods of guiding theoretical model combination in the profession. The effectiveness of one such newly developed method in guiding combination of models by students working on a case study was investigated.

Proteasome malfunction activates macroautophagy in the heart.

Protein quality control (PQC) senses and repairs misfolded/unfolded proteins and, if the repair fails, degrades the terminally misfolded polypeptides through an intricate collaboration between molecular chaperones and targeted proteolysis. Proteolysis of damaged proteins is performed primarily by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Macroautophagy (commonly known as autophagy) may also play a role in PQC-associated proteolysis, especially when UPS function becomes inadequate.

Detection of a novel FH whole gene deletion in the propositus leading to subsequent prenatal diagnosis in a sibship with fumarase deficiency.

Fumarase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic condition. We report on a sibship with molecularly confirmed fumarase deficiency. Prenatal findings included agenesis of the corpus callosum, ventriculomegaly, and ventriculoseptal defect.

Hypothyroidism stimulates D2 receptor-mediated breathing in response to acute hypoxia and alters D2 receptors levels in carotid bodies and brain.

Hypothyroidism can depress breathing and alter dopamine D2 receptor expression and function. We hypothesized that relative to euthyroid hamsters (EH), hypothyroid hamsters (HH) contain increased D2 receptors in brain regions associated with breathing and carotid bodies (CB), and that stimulation of D2 receptors would decease ventilation more in the HH compared to the EH. Hamsters were treated with vehicle, carmoxirile (peripherally acting D2 receptor agonist), or bromocriptine (central and peripherally acting D2 receptor agonist) and breathing was evaluated during exposure to air, hypoxia, and then air.

The utility of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) for the detection of small bowel bleeding arising from benign and malignant tumors: report of two cases.

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) has become a first-line diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of small bowel bleeding. Prior to VCE, procedures to visualize the site of small intestinal bleeding were rudimentary and frequently delivered inconclusive findings. VCE allows for improved visualization, resulting in more accurate identification of benign and malignant tumors of the small bowel.

COP9 signalosome regulates autophagosome maturation.

Background: Autophagy is essential to intracellular homeostasis and is involved in the pathophysiology of a variety of diseases. Mechanisms regulating selective autophagy remain poorly understood. The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a conserved protein complex consisting of 8 subunits (CSN1 through CSN8), and is known to regulate the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

Effects of dynavision training as a preparatory intervention status postcerebrovascular accident: a case report.

ABSTRACT Objective. This is a case study of a 67-year-old woman, status post right hemispheric ischemic lesion cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and her use of Dynavision training as a preparatory intervention to determine its influence on her performance skills and perceived occupational performance. Method.

Prostate development and growth in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] in elderly men has intrigued anatomists, pathologists and scientists for centuries. Studies of morbid anatomy, clinical observations and contemporary cellular biology have contributed to an evolving interpretation of the causality of the disease. Insights into the detailed microanatomy and ductal architecture of the prostate during stages of fetal and early postnatal development suggest that mechanisms involved in the early growth period become aberrantly expressed in elderly men.