1,134 research outputs found
Correction: Detection of Chlamydia in the peripheral blood cells of normal donors using in vitro culture, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry techniques
BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) are medically significant infectious agents associated with various chronic human pathologies. Nevertheless, specific roles in disease progression or initiation are incompletely defined. Both pathogens infect established cell lines in vitro and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has detected Chlamydia DNA in various clinical specimens as well as in normal donor peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC). However, Chlamydia infection of other blood cell types, quantification of Chlamydia infected cells in peripheral blood and transmission of this infection in vitro have not been examined. METHODS: Cp specific titers were assessed for sera from 459 normal human donor blood (NBD) samples. Isolated white blood cells (WBC) were assayed by in vitro culture to evaluate infection transmission of blood cell borne chlamydiae. Smears of fresh blood samples (FB) were dual immunostained for microscopic identification of Chlamydia-infected cell types and aliquots also assessed using Flow Cytometry (FC). RESULTS: ELISA demonstrated that 219 (47.7%) of the NBD samples exhibit elevated anti-Cp antibody titers. Imunofluorescence microscopy of smears demonstrated 113 (24.6%) of samples contained intracellular Chlamydia and monoclonals to specific CD markers showed that in vivo infection of neutrophil and eosinophil/basophil cells as well as monocytes occurs. In vitro culture established WBCs of 114 (24.8%) of the NBD samples harbored infectious chlamydiae, clinically a potentially source of transmission, FC demonstrated both Chlamydia infected and uninfected cells can be readily identified and quantified. CONCLUSION: NBD can harbor infected neutrophils, eosinophil/basophils and monocytes. The chlamydiae are infectious in vitro, and both total, and cell type specific Chlamydia carriage is quantifiable by FC
Image-derived input function in dynamic human PET/CT: methodology and validation with 11C-acetate and 18F-fluorothioheptadecanoic acid in muscle and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in brain
International audienc
North Americaâs oldest boreal trees are more efficient water users due to increased [CO2], but do not grow faster
Due to anthropogenic emissions and changes in land use, trees are now exposed to atmospheric levels of [CO2] that are unprecedented for 650,000 y [LĂŒthi et al. (2008) Nature 453:379â382] (thousands of tree generations). Trees are expected to acclimate by modulating leafâgas exchanges and alter water use efficiency which may result in forest productivity changes. Here, we present evidence of one of the strongest, nonlinear, and unequivocal postindustrial increases in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) ever documented (+59%). A dual-isotope tree-ring analysis (ÎŽ13C and ÎŽ18O) covering 715 y of growth of North Americaâs oldest boreal trees (Thuja occidentalis L.) revealed an unprecedented increase in iWUE that was directly linked to elevated assimilation rates of CO2 (A). However, limited nutrient availability, changes in carbon allocation strategies, and changes in stomatal density may have offset stem growth benefits awarded by the increased iWUE. Our results demonstrate that even in scenarios where a positive CO2 fertilization effect is observed, other mechanisms may prevent trees from assimilating and storing supplementary anthropogenic emissions as above-ground biomass. In such cases, the sink capacity of forests in response to changing atmospheric conditions might be overestimated
Tracking the reflexivity of the (dis)engaged citizen: some methodological reflections
The relationship between governments and citizens in many contemporary democracies is haunted by uncertainty and sociologists face the task of listening effectively to citizensâ own reflections on this uncertain relationship. This article reflects on the qualitative methodology of a recently completed UK project which used a combination of diary and multiple interviews/ focus groups to track over a fieldwork period of up to a year citizensâ reflections on their relationship to a public world and the contribution to this of their media consumption. In particular, the article considers how the projectâs multiple methods enabled multiple angles on the inevitable artificiality and performative dimension of the diary process, resulting in rich data on peopleâs complex reflections on the uncertain position of the contemporary citizen
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Expression of SMARCD1 interacts with age in association with asthma control on inhaled corticosteroid therapy.
BackgroundGlobal gene expression levels are known to be highly dependent upon gross demographic features including age, yet identification of age-related genomic indicators has yet to be comprehensively undertaken in a disease and treatment-specific context.MethodsWe used gene expression data from CD4+ lymphocytes in the Asthma BioRepository for Integrative Genomic Exploration (Asthma BRIDGE), an open-access collection of subjects participating in genetic studies of asthma with available gene expression data. Replication population participants were Puerto Rico islanders recruited as part of the ongoing Genes environments & Admixture in Latino Americans (GALA II), who provided nasal brushings for transcript sequencing. The main outcome measure was chronic asthma control as derived by questionnaires. Genomic associations were performed using regression of chronic asthma control score on gene expression with age in years as a covariate, including a multiplicative interaction term for gene expression times age.ResultsThe SMARCD1 gene (SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily D member 1) interacted with age to influence chronic asthma control on inhaled corticosteroids, with a doubling of expression leading to an increase of 1.3âunits of chronic asthma control per year (95% CI [0.86, 1.74], pâ=â6âĂâ10-â9), suggesting worsening asthma control with increasing age. This result replicated in GALA II (pâ=â3.8âĂâ10-â8). Cellular assays confirmed the role of SMARCD1 in glucocorticoid response in airway epithelial cells.ConclusionFocusing on age-dependent factors may help identify novel indicators of asthma medication response. Age appears to modulate the effect of SMARCD1 on asthma control with inhaled corticosteroids
Cardiorenal ketone metabolism: a positron emission tomography study in healthy humans
Ketones are alternative energy substrates for the heart and kidney but no studies have investigated their metabolism simultaneously in both organs in humans. The present double tracer positron emission tomography (PET) study evaluated the organ distribution and basal kinetic rates of the radiolabeled ketone, 11C-acetoacetate (11C-AcAc), in the heart and kidney compared to 11C-acetate (11C-Ac), which is a well-validated metabolic radiotracer. Both tracers were highly metabolized by the left ventricle and the renal cortex. In the heart, kinetic rates were similar for both tracers. But in the renal cortex, uptake of 11C-Ac was higher compared to 11C-AcAc, while the reverse was observed for the clearance. Interestingly, infusion of 11C-AcAc led to a significantly delayed release of radioactivity in the renal medulla and pelvis, a phenomenon not observed with 11C-Ac. This suggests an equilibrium of 11C-AcAc with the other ketone, 11C-D-beta-hydroxybutyrate, and a different clearance profile. Overall, this suggests that in the kidney, the absorption and metabolism of 11C-AcAc is different compared to 11C-Ac. This dual tracer PET protocol provides the opportunity to explore the relative importance of ketone metabolism in cardiac and renal diseases, and to improve our mechanistic understanding of new metabolic interventions targeting these two organs
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Measuring successful conversations in couples with and without aphasia: A scoping review
Background
Aphasia impacts communication and relationships. While counselling is increasingly recognised as a component of the speechâlanguage therapy role, the success of conversation partner training is typically measured in terms of communication alone. This scoping review aimed to describe how successful conversation is currently measured with couplesâwith and without aphasia, to inform the development of an ecologically valid measure for couples with aphasia.
Methods and Procedures
The scoping review was reported in alignment with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaâAnalysis Extensions for Scoping Reviews (PRISMAâSCR). MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases were searched for conversation treatment studies for couples with and without aphasia. Patientâreported outcome measures (PROMs) were extracted from included studies and screened against the threeâtier model of situated language to shortlist those that measure everyday communication. Items within shortlisted PROMs were further described using the refined International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health linking rules.
Results
Following screening and fullâtext review, 46 studies were included, consisting of 24 studies conducted with couples with aphasia and 22 studies conducted with couples without aphasia. For couples with aphasia, 13 PROMs were identified that measured everyday communication. Of these, 23% were dyadic (i.e., measured from the perspectives of both members of the couple); however, they usually only appraised the communication behaviours of the person with aphasia. For couples without aphasia, eight PROMs were identified that measured everyday communication; all were dyadic and measured both attitudes and communication behaviours of both partners.
Conclusion
Conversation relies on the interaction of two people, and success in conversation is best rated by those having the conversation. The use of PROMs is recommended as part of person and relationshipâcentred practice; however, there is currently no validated PROM for conversation in aphasia that considers the perspectives and behaviours of both the person with aphasia and their communication partner. The PROM items identified in this study will form the basis of future research to develop a PROM for couples' conversations in aphasia.
WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS
What is already known on the subject
Communication partner training (CPT) for couples, where one person has aphasia, can improve conversation skills and enhance relationships. Clinicianârated measures, such as conversation analysis, have been used to measure the outcomes of CPT. However, there is a lack of personâcentred or selfârated outcome measurement instruments. that is, patientâreported outcome measures (PROMs) for couples' conversations in aphasia.
What this paper adds to existing knowledge
We have identified outcome measurement instruments used in conversation treatment studies for couples with and without aphasia. We found that most PROMs used in aphasia treatment studies were not dyadic, that is, they did not include the selfâreport of both communication partners. In contrast, the PROMs used with couples without aphasia were dyadic and contained items that measured a more complex range of both partners' emotions, behaviours and attitudes.
What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?
This study provides insights into the content and characteristics of PROMs for couples' conversation therapy and may assist clinicians in selecting outcome measurement instruments in their practice
The politics of playing along: radio and regulation in democratic Europe
The loss of localism has been a common trend in most radio markets in Europe
and the United States. Deregulation of ownership led to a concentration
phenomenon that has affected local radios in several western democracies.
New forms of regulation have been considered as possible ways to stop the
erosion of localism by applying rules to markets in the defense of diversity,
pluralism, and the local dimension. This article analyses the local radio market
in Portugal, by assessing the changes in the legislation and by examining the
regulatory action that can, according to its remit, act preventively to avoid
market forces to harm these principles.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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